RWBY: INFINITY CORE
Chapter Eight: Eclipse (part one: Man down)
Months after the dance.
It has been months, since Yang and I shared our first kiss and officially became a couple, over the last few months, me and the rest of team got to know each other very well, I told them about me and about how I am unable to remember my past, as well as my scar's on my body. All of them were shocked about it, but Blake on the other had looked very emotional like it reminded her of a painful memory. That helped bridge the gap that was set by us on the first day of me being apart of the team. We begin learning new formations to help with our combos; my favorite is silver sun; iron rose, black steel, and platinum Ice. Actually that is the only formations we have been able to master, but they are very useful and have gotten us out of some very unique situations during the team training exercises. During the time between school, homework and team building, Yang and I were still able to have our moments of peace together. Today we have history with professor Oobleck and later we have single pairs matches for our finals for the term.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, today we are a very important topic, but first of all can anyone tell me what is happening tomorrow," professor Oobleck said sipping his cup of coffee, and moving at speeds that would compare to Ruby's. A rose in the back, a familiar girls with long bright red hair.
"Aww yes Ms. Nikos" Oobleck says, pointing to Pyrrha.
"Its the Babylon Eclipse", she says honorably.
"Yes yes correct Ms. Nikos, the eclipse got its name since it was the day the empire of babylon launched its massive invasion, against the kingdoms of Remnant, they did it cause for reason still unknown, the eclipse has a phenomenal power to render all semblance, and aura related abilities absolutely useless. That there brings up our topic on an in-depth look at invasion of babylon." he says speeding his way in different directions still sipping at a limitless cup of coffee.
The topic in the beginning reminded me of the vision I had year's ago of the ruins of babylon that I was in during that mans fight against the grimm goddess. I guess Yang noticed me get serious about what he was talking about and placed a hand on mine. I remember telling Yang about the visions I was having, but I only told her what see needed to know, and haven't experienced any since that weekend.
"Thousands of years ago tomorrow, the vast empire of Babylon, invaded the kingdoms of Remnant, in an attempt to bring humanity closer to the grimm, feeling that the grimm are the rightful rulers of the world, and are considered gods. Now we all know when a grimm is killed they leave no physical evidence as they fade from existence. Plus we don't exactly know where they come from or how they are born." he said slowing down and looked at our faces before starting again.
"We have all heard theories about the grimm, but even so we are still unsure. Now another reason why the empire decided to attack during the eclipse was because, it was said that the citizens of Babylon don't have a semblance or even an aura…" Oobleck says pausing while looking at his students, then I raise my hand.
"Yes Mr. Lucio," he says responding to my hand.
"Professor would that mean they didn't have a soul, so would that mean that they could be considered grimm?" I say to him.
"That is a very good question, Mr. Lucio, you would be correct, but even so it is said in the old text that, even though they didn't have an aura to show, doesn't mean they don't particularly have a soul, but I would wager if they did it would be a very faint soul," his voice got shallow and soft and instead of moving fast, he walked and placed his cup of coffee on the desk behind him.
" The eclipse lasted two weeks, and within those two weeks the empire almost completed it conquest, but it is said that a lone figure wielding unimaginable power put a stop to their terror." He paused before continuing.
"He was was able to bend the elements to his will, he wiped out armies in seconds and build defense for the kingdoms and pushed them back to there kingdom in the land to the north. It was there he alone held them there until the four kingdom rallied together and launched there counter offensive against them completely annihilating them once and for all." Then without any warning or notice he vanished." He finished picking up his coffee and sipping at it then looked as his students seeing the expressions on our faces. That day was a grave reminder that the grimm aren't the only force in the world that wants to see humanity perish. I then raise my hand once again.
"Yes Mr. Lucio," he says looking in my direction.
"Do… do you think they survived?" I say with the rest of my classmates looking at me, then turn to the professor.
"The official records say, they were wiped out and our armies retreated from the area, forever labeling it restricted land, and that no one may enter it, for they say the land is swarming with grimm." he says then continues.
"But if you were to ask me, I don't believe they are gone…. not everything is always as they seem, remember this children, learning form the past can always alter the future, and if we fear its change then history will repeat itself." He finished his lecture right on the dot as the bell rang for us to move to our next class. My team and I made our way out still discussing about what professor Oobleck was saying.
"Wow an eclipse named after an army that almost destroyed mankind, what a way to glorify them…" Blake said looking at ground.
"I don't think it was to glorify them, but to be a constant reminder about the past and to never allow it to happen again," Weiss says waving her hand and then placing them on her hip.
"We either way history is good and all, but now we finally get to do the one on one tournament today during Professor Goodwich class," Yang says as she pumps her fist in the air. Yang then looks to me and notices I am not particularly paying attention; but instead thinking about what Oobleck said. I couldn't get what he said out of my mind, for whatever reason I felt truth in his words; plus I have been feeling this tight knot in my stomach. My concentration was broken at a gentle hand intertwining with mine, I look over to see Yang looking at me fiercely then give me a warm smile, and not saying a word.
"I am okay, just thinking." I say.
"Could the love birds keep there heads focused, today is the one on one's and we need to remain focus the team that wins gets a weekend spend in the city and I am not about to miss that," Weiss says in an almost cold tone, but then give a sly smile touching her tips of her fingers together and walks ahead of the group.
"Okay okay snow angel," Yang says with a chuckle.
"Okay lets do this team RWBY(L)," Ruby tried to pronounce adding my name in there, but failing miserably.
"How lets just do this for team RWBY, " I say, "I know I am apart of this team, I don't need my name to be included to feel the pride of this team." I finish giving the team a big smile.
"And always remember you are now a valuable teammate to us and part of our family," Blake says putting her hand on my shoulder… then after a long time I felt saw another vision, but this time it was much different.
I can see the ceiling I say in my dreams right before I entered Beacon, but this time there was a whole in the roof, you could see the night sky and the stars. It was indeed a clear night, then I heard screaming in the background and turned my head slightly to see lights flickering in the hallway behind a door. I couldn't tell if it was me or the vision I was having but it started to fade in and out and became blurry. I could feel the sensation of burning in my chest; but was unable to move, to see that my hands were restrained.
Then a figure opened the door; looked around and noticed me she then made her way to my location. In a short few moments she stood over, the odd thing was I felt completely calm I felt… no hostile intent; as she stood over me I could completely see her and what she was wearing. She had a red kamio tied by black sash across her waist, there she at her hip was a long katana sword with what looked like a cylinder modified with many different swords; she was tall; had long black hair; and she was absolutely beautiful; and she had red eyes. She….. she reminded me of
"…. Yang…"
She undid my restraints and lifted me up bridal style, then a little girl entered the room and she turned sword drawn to face the new intruder.
"Wh— er-s— uuuh- my br—oth—er", the girls said between the tears and panting, the women holding me now with one hand lowered her weapon and walked towards the little girl and I guess she noticed me in her arms and ran to me.
"That's my b-brother," the little girl said trying to get me away from the women who was holding me. The women put a finger on the girls mouth silencing the girl.
"I am no threat little one, I am going to get you both out of here," the women spoke in an almost to familiar tone; until the little girl backed away. I turned my head and noticed the girls standing there and could make out her face for the first time. She had short black hair, bright ember eyes; and she was a faunus she had cat hears and a scarf around her neck.
"I— I recognized this girl, who was calling me brother…."I thought to myself as the vision continued.
"You don't have to be afraid, you know I have a little girl back home, I mean you no harm. My mission is to get you and the rest of the people in this prison out of here." The women said as she extended her hand to the little faunus girl yet again. reluctantly she took and help her over her shoulder, the last thing before the vision fades away I look up at the women again, and I felt calm in her presents as my eyes closed and I am brought back to reality.
I am not sure how long the vision lasted but I fell to my knees and panting heavily, both Blake and Yang rush to missed with Weiss and Ruby closely behind.
"Co—ould it be…" I thought to myself as I looked at both girls next me, both the females in my visions are such a close resemblance of both my teammates.
"Im fine, sorry I lost my footing and my breathe for a second." I said to the girls some believing, but off course my girlfriend didn't crossing her arms before helping me up.
"You promi—, " she began to speak as I kissed her lightly on the lips re grabbing her attention.
"I am fine, it wasn't anything serious okay," I say rubbing her shoulders with both hands and giving her a smile. After I was back up on my feet I gave a smile and a sorry while placing my hand behind my head. After there concerning nods we began to make our way to professor goodwich room.
Why are the vision's coming again and this time they are becoming more and more clear, but there are lasting longer and longer. It almost feels like they are trying to tell me something; maybe it could be about my past, but I still can't be to sure. Why did I see what looked like Blake and Yang in them what is my connection to them. After pondering everything we arrived at the combat arena in the middle of the school were all teams were assigned a bracket and a spot to sit while the one on one's were going on so all strategies, and tactics could be conducted in private.
"Okay student, welcome to your final live action one on one's tournament, there is a prize for the winner of the tournament. But right now you will need to focus and win, this will be standard rules; once aura is depleted your out; all tactics are open; if participate forfeits he will not be attacked further; and lastly fight to represent you team, That is all," professor Goodwich says from her head set that links to the comms in the room.
After a few seconds the bracket board start to spin and shortly after the matches are selected, to find your name you saw your team name in its own bracket and each team member labelled and your opponent would be placed next to your face, and as you lost your name would get a red X. Shortly we see our team nam and a custom slot for my face since we have five members instead of having four. Then our team bracket stopped and we saw our opponents in front of us.
RUBY ROSE VS' RYAN HALO
BLAKE BELLADONNA VS'' JAMES MIFUNE
WEISS SCHNEE VS'' JOANH STAMPER
YANG XIAO LONG VS'' ROCKY LYE
LUCIO VS'' YATSUHASHI
Not going to lie my heart sank knowing I would be fighting Yatsuhashi, he is a tall and powerful huntsmen in training, I have never seen him use a semblance, but I should still be cautious, his strength is alone makes him a dangerous foe. I have never tested myself against some else when it comes to my strength, but I know I am not weak I can probably match him, but I guess we will see. Nora on the other hand…. forget it, she would probably be the one to stand toe to toe with him.
Then the arena split's up into three different sections, allowing for three battles to happen at the same time. Soon the matches began, winner's and loser alike making there way out of the arena, then it came down to me and Yatsuhashi, I got up from the seat I was taking inside of our area, Yang rose with me.
"Good luck baby," Yang says to me as I am the first member of team RWBY to fight in the arena, giving me a quick kiss, as I make my way to the arena area that was layed out like barren waste land. As I make my way to the area I see Yatsuhashi make his way as well, he stands about a whole foot taller than me and wields a giant orange broad sword that hooks at the end. On my back I have the two swords that were given to me in the mail as a pass down from my suppose family, Excalibur; and the infinity; two swords that instead stand vertically on my back they are actually horizontal facing away from each other. We make out way to face one another, we bow to each other and set back a few feet and draw our swords, he holds his with a single hand and leans it forwards in a stance, I reverse grip my swords and get into my stance.
I can hear the crowd of student chanting and cheering for there favorite huntsman to win, but as they cheer everything is cleared from my mind as I drowned out the cheering and as I did I looked at my opponent doing the same thing. Then under all this pressure I felt…. extremely calm, a count down started above our heads through a hologram and counted down from 5…. 4…..3
"Come on Lucio, win this one for team RWBY," Ruby says pumping her fist in the air.
2…
"Fight strong," Blake says waving a little RWBY flag.
1….
"Come on babe, I know you can do it." Yang says grabbing Weiss shoulder and shaking her violently.
BEGIN…
In that second he charged at me, as I changed back our clashing swords caused a powerful concussion wave that broke the ground around us, he swung his sword down and made a power back swing, that I blocked, and I continued to block his hits he was a lot faster that I thought he was, each hit was like getting hit by truck. As he continued to swing I either dodged or blocked I after a while I noticed a flaw in his swings, he swung his sword down once again slamming into the ground causing another crater to form. At that moment everything stood still as I slammed my foot on the back base of the sword forcing him to keep the sword there, I then cocked back both hands and brought them in, in a X formation to where his head was, then suddenly I felt a power force hit me in my gut, I saw his bulky fist punch me in the chest, sending me flying into the electric shield.
During the hit I lost my blades and I could still feel the shock from the shield. I composed myself enough to see the flying sword heading towards me as I dodge it he was right there to my side and kneed me in the chest, this time I heard a cracking sound, as I went flying against the shield once again. He grabbed his sword from the ground from when he threw it at me earlier. My chest was in pain from that last hit, but I sucked it up and got back to my feet, but that didn't stop my opponent from coming still as he jumped up and wielded his sword with both hand over his head and was about to strike me, there want enough time for me move…. so I held my stance… I couldn't explain what happened next, but a power built up in my chest and in an instant I clapped my hands against his cheer force on his sword. The rebound was so powerful it destroyed the electric shield protecting the students in the stands and even knocked away the fighters on the other area's.
The students and professors alike looked in disbelieve as I caught his sword in my hands, at that time I couldn't really understand it myself…. but it felt like I was a different person. I felt like I was watching from a three view of my own self. I started to apply pressure to the sword that was still clapped between my hands, and then the sword started to crack from to much pressure. My eyes were now engulfed in a bright blue to the point where you couldn't see my eyes; all you could see was a bright blue that outlined my eyes at that moment, I broke the sword shattering it into two pieces, leaving Yatsuhashi in a state of disbelieve at his sword breaking, I used that opportunity and closed my fist as lightning was forming around it while my hand was still in a closed fist, I released the energy as I punched Yatsuhashi square in the chest.
"Regulas Arum…." I called out instinctively as the powerful fist sends my opponent flying, as if in slow motion I could see his pain and blood forced its way out of his mouth as well hearing the breaking of bones as he screamed hitting the concert wall that protected the students, collapsing it around him as he and chunks of rock fell to the ground….
The crowd froze, in both shock and fear…. in the silence I felt myself come back from the trance I was in the blue faded from my eyes. Electrical discharges was still emitting from my right hand as I continually closed and opened my hand causing the electricity to finally fade from it.
Professor Goodwich as well as the rest of team CFVY makes there way to where there teammate was laying,,,, motionless.
"WE NEED TO GET HIM TO THE INFIRMARY RIGHT NOW!" Professor Goodwich was yelling as her team and a couple of other students help him to get to the nurse.
"I— I didn't…. mean.. to I-I w" I was cut off as the student's started to boo and yell about how I won, I look around and see the student's in fear of me and Goodwich makes her way to my location and silences the crowd.
"Mr. Lucio's victory was in the guild lines of the fight, Yatsuhashi aura was very high still, and didn't yield to forfeit, this was a clean victory since it was done in one shot and not continuously. Remember students before you begin to judge an individual on his power, if this were a real life battle and your opponent was going to kill you, you must be willing to do what is necessary. Although this is training this outcome was unseen and WONT happen again right Mr. lucio." Goodwich says to me as the crowd stops and listens to her speech and understand the outcome.
I can only nod in response to what happened and it was declared a victory, so I made my way off the stage, in a trance and feeling completely guilty about how this came out to be. I walked off and headed out to where my team was, fearing what would happen.
"LUCIOOOOO, that was amazing", Ruby screaming heading to me and landing in my arms causing me to swing around.
Then the rest of the team made there way and all of them congratulating me and Yang came behind me and placed her arms around my neck and kissed my check.
"Wait… you guys aren't mad… I— I didn't mean use that much power and hurt him like that." I say in a hesitant voice.
"You need to understand Lucio things happen in a battle, and especially when the blood is pumping, Yatsuhashi knew that to, the other did that cause he is a crowd fav and were shocked that he lose.' Weiss said waving her arm around trying to make me feel better.
"You fought honorably, and things happen like Weiss said, if it were anyone of us we would have done the same thing," Blake says to me giving me a smile.
"Besides we are a team which means we will support one another in the decisions we make in battle, so remember we are here for you," Yang says kissing me on the cheek again and force me to look at her and she smiles at me.
I couldn't help but smile, and hug them all, after all that excitement the battles continued and both Ruby and Blake were called to the stage. Yang, Weiss and I all went back to our teams area and watched the battles taking place.
After about an hour and half we finally reach the semi finals, when I entered into the ring with another member, she looked at me and looked at the crater behind him and looked at Goodwich.
"I— I uhh forfeit," she says in a scared tone raising her hand. Goodwich then declared that I was the winner by default. That puts me in the finals, even if that wasn't the way I wanted to get there. That only leaves one other match left, which was between Yang and Cardin, as they are fighting I make my way to the finals area, I look to my left and see the young girl who I was suppose to fight leave with her head down making her way to her team.
"I can understand, why she did that especially after that display earlier, it makes me feel like I am a bad guy." I thought to myself, but hopefully that won't always be the case. a few more minutes go by and Yang is dodging Cardin's swings from both his mace and fist, trying to tire him out, after a few more swings it looks like it works as one of his hits causes him to stagger.
She then gets into her boxer stance and starts to beat the living shit out of him, swing after swing even from where I was standing her eyes went red as she delivered the final punch cracking his armor and sending him flying into the electric. That destroyed the last of his aura and is considered a knock out.
"THE WINNER IS YANG XIAO LONG OF TEAM RWBY." Professor Goodwich says as she congrats Yang and she leaves the arena.
"ALL RIGHT NOW SINCE WE HAVE TWO WINNER'S FROM THE SAME TEAM, AND BY THERE DECISION THEY EITHER ACCEPT OR DECID TO TEST ONE ANOTHER; WHAT WILL IT BE." Goodwich says as she points to us.
"I don't know either way its a win, but this give me a chance to see what you are made of," Yang says smashing her fist together with a grin.
"I will leave the decision to our team leader." I say pointing to looking at Ruby.
"LET THEM FIGHT," She rises and raises her fist in the air. The rest of us chuckled as we nodded to allow the fight to happen.
Yang and I made out way to center of the arena that wasn't divided anymore; but instead was made into a standard arena for one on one battles. The fight with Yatsuhashi was still in my mind, I won't lie I was afraid of what might happen, but I won't let it get like that again, and I won't go easy on her either.
"You maybe my boyfriend, but don't think I won't my hardest on you." Yang said with a bit of serious tone but yet still playful.
"I was just thinking the same thing, lets give it our best." I say with a smile.
We both bow to each other and rise, as we do so she activates Ember Celica and throws her arm back loading in the combustion rounds she was going to use for the fight."This is going to hurt," i say to myself as I see her in her usual boxer stance. I pull out my swords from my back and get into my stance. Once again the timer is set above us counting down from 5….
4…..
3…..
2…..
1…..
The silence once again surrounds us and I let out a final sigh…
BEGIN..
She runs at me as I charge at her, I swing my swords and she deflects them with her punches, shells flying as she reloads from each punch, slightly knocking back my swords from the impact. She lands a few punches in my arms; left leg causing me to stagger to the ground, I rolled and side swiped her legs from under her causing her to fall hard to the ground, I kick up and bring down both swords from my head and she recovers enough to grab my arms at the base of my hand. She smirks and gets up causing my arms to rise even hight and she side kicks me in the gut knocking the air out of me and sends me flying, almost hitting the electric wall. Her eyes turn red and are almost glowing, she makes her final move and charges at me right hand cocked back and her hair is starting to glow bright yellow, at the same moment I can feel the same sensation from before and I can feel the electric current forming on my right hand again. I then charge at her, sheathing my swords and charge at her.
She is yelling as she gets closer
"NOVA FIST"
"REGULAS ARUM"
We both yell at the same time clashing fist, the shock wave this time is so powerful not only does it break the electric shield, but the surrounding glass from the window shatters and causes some students to get knocked down. Energy is emitting form both of us red from her and blue from, this time I could feel my eyes change again, but not wanting to hurt her unintentionally I draw back my hand, and she breaks thought and lands that punch in my chest, and it sends me flying through the side of the building, I land outside in the courtyard form 3 stories and make a carter in the ground….. Everyone was silent, and Yang… well Yang was in shock.
She began to get hysterical and ran off the arena to see that I was launched through the wall of 10 ft thick concrete, and landed outside near the courtyards exit right in-between the landing pad.
"LUCIOOO!" She yells jumping down from the hole I left, landing hard on the ground causing a small impact on the ground, she recovers and starts to make her way to me running as fast as she cam.
From the hole I left Blake, Weiss, and Ruby are all standing there in shock, Weiss has her hands covering her mouth, Ruby's hands were shaking, and Blake stood there angry at what happened. Yang finally reached me and made her way into the crater I was lying in.
"LUCIO, CAN YOU HEAR ME," She is saying in an almost yelling tone, trying to get me wake up, even thought I couldn't truly hear her I knew she was there. She then placed her head on my chest very lightly, not wanting to hurt me further from her punch earlier. My breathing faint at best, and very shallow. My back was in positions it shouldn't be and my right hand was split open from the base in-between my middle and ring finger and I was also bleeding from my mouth and my head, I am pretty sure also out of my ear. I was able to open one eye and I could see tears flowing down and her hands covering her face.
"I am….
sorry…
Yang"