Chapter 66: Getting It All Out There
Character Weiss
Weiss woke up energized. She rolled off of Jayne, he was just so soft to sleep on, and made her way to the shower. Today was the wedding celebration for her and Ruby... and Weiss supposed it could be for Jayne and Scooter too. How the two men would fair at the social even Weiss wasn't sure but then again Ruby didn't always do to well at social events either. Weiss shook away the thoughts of how the event could be ruined by any of the three as she rinsed the soap out of her long, white hair. "Everything will be fine," Weiss though to herself, "Mother and Father have been planning this and they have years of experience organizing such events... of course Lao and Summer are also helping so there is that."
"Hey Weiss you in there," Jayne asked from outside the bathroom.
"Who else would be in here," Weiss replied as she turned off the shower and started drying off.
"Uh, well I guess Ruby maybe, I don't know," Jayne replied, "I'll see you downstairs."
At that comment Weiss rolled her eyes, wrapped the towel around herself and opened the door before Jayne could leave the room. "I don't think so mister," Weiss said, "The wedding celebration is today and you are taking a shower for that."
"I did," Jayne argued. Weiss just glared at him. "Well I took one like three days ago."
"Get in the shower," Weiss yelled as she pulled him into the bathroom then left and closed the door. Weiss heard Jayne grumbling but the shower turning on told her he was going along with it. Weiss then looked at the floor and saw the puddle she was creating on the carpet as the water from her hair and body dripped off of her. She sighed and went to go get changed, the cleaning staff could deal with the water. An hour later and both Weiss and Jayne were in Weiss' convertible and were driving towards the convention center that the celebration was going to be held at that afternoon. Weiss was drumming her fingers on the gearshift as she waited at a light. It wasn't much of a tell but it was apparently enough of one for the keen tracking senses that Jayne had developed to pick up on.
"What's gotten under your skin," Jayne asked as he put his somewhat larger hand over Weiss' own.
"To be honest," Weiss replied as she brushed his hand away so she could shift into second gear as they resumed their drive. "It's the celebration. I'm excited about it, don't think I am not, but I am also nervous about it going smoothly. Excitement and nervousness don't generally mix well... even for me."
"Oh," Jayne said, "I don't buy it. From anyone else, maybe, but not from you. This looks more like a someone type of nervousness not a something type of nervousness."
Weiss thought about Jayne's words before realizing that he was right. "Neptune... he doesn't know about me and Jayne yet," Weiss thought, "How will he take this so soon after we split up?" Weiss and Neptune had been a thing for about two years until one night they came to an unresolvable impasse; Weiss wanted children and Neptune didn't. After about four hours of talking the two decided to just stay friends if they could and soon after Neptune left with the rest of SSSN, minus Sun, to go clear out the jungles of Menagerie. She hadn't seen him until about a month ago when Doug brought the team back.
"I suppose you are right," Weiss said as they came to a stop at yet another light. "My first boyfriend, at least the first one I liked anyways, we broke up shortly before we met DC and you all. I hadn't seen him in about three months but Doug brought him and Sage and Scarlet back about a month ago. He doesn't know about us yet, I am pretty sure he will be at the celebration."
"You think he will be a problem," Jayne asked.
"I... no I don't think so," Weiss replied, "I am honestly more worried that he will disapprove as ridiculous as that sounds."
"Neptune, that's the guy with the blue hair right," Jayne asked.
"Yes that is him," Weiss replied.
"He seems like a pretty easy going type," Jayne said, "I got to watch him some in that fight out by the forge. He has a cool head, collected, focused. I think he will not be a problem."
"Well we will see soon enough," Weiss said as she checked a message she got on her scroll. "Seriously how long is this light?" "It looks like him, Sage and Scarlet have arrived early to help set up."
"Light's green," Jayne said and Weiss resumed heading towards their destination. Ten minutes later the two exited the car and walked into the large, semi-circular, brick, convention center. Weiss knew this location well as she had preformed in it on multiple occasions. Weiss breathed in the familiar aroma of brick and lavender that always lightly scented the air. She smiled as she relaxed a bit, Weiss had a a lot of fond memories of this place.
"Weiss there you are," Neptune yelled from across the building. He was wearing his black tuxedo instead of his normal jeans, red coat jacket and white shirt with tie. He still had his flying goggles on his head which helped hold up his spiky blue hair. "And you must be Jayne." Neptune had run over to see the two and had wrapped them both in a hug. "I can honestly say I could not be happier for the two of you."
"Well, thank you Neptune," Weiss said as he let her and Jayne go.
"I can also honestly say if you harm her I will not hesitate to kill you," Neptune added as he stared at Jayne.
"You realize she could probably kill me faster than you could right," Jayne replied as he returned Neptune's stare.
"Yeah but I just have to let you know I will still protect her if I can," Neptune said as he shrugged and flashed a charming smile, "Nice gun, is that a Dust enhanced barrel?"
"You two will get along just fine it seems," Weiss commented as she left the two men to go talk with her Mother.
"There you are darling," Ivy said as Weiss approached her.
"Mother," Weiss greeted, "Any word on if Winter is going to be able to come?"
"I haven't heard but I wouldn't expect her to show," Ivy replied sadly. "I do wish things had turned out differently between you two."
"So do I," Weiss agreed, "But given enough time I'm sure we can at least be friendly again."
"Well you should have plenty of time," Ivy said, "Being immortal and all. Are you sure that is what you wanted?"
"Just because I won't age doesn't meant I can't die," Weiss said as she helped to arrange the white and red roses on the tables throughout the center. "Ruby proved that, we are all just blessed to have her back."
"She seems to lead a charmed life," Ivy agreed, "and Summer is back too. That Dragon Company you found has done wonders for the world."
"That they have," Weiss agreed, "That they have. Though I think that Cinder Fall is probably just as much involved in that as DC is."
"She certainly seems to be, considering how much time she and Abrams spend with Coris in the labs," Ivy said, "In fact that is where your Father is currently, they are working on a new variation of Dust."
"Really," Weiss asked, "A new type of Dust? Can Coris really do that?"
"It would seem so according to Abrams," Ivy replied.
"That is incredible," Weiss remarked, "Now we not only have an endless supply of Dust but we can make new types of Dust as well."
"I know," Ivy said as she started arranging the arbor, "As if we were not wealthy enough with the amount of money we can make from this Dust we might be able to buy Atlas. Weiss could you help me get that other side there?" Ivy was indicating the other side of the arbor arrangement that was hanging down in the center of the decorative piece.
"Got it," Weiss said as she helped arrange the strings of roses over the arch.
"Hey everyone," Ruby called as she and her family walked in, "Guess who is out of the vet's?"
"Zwei," Weiss exclaimed as she turned and saw her best friends and their dog. The little black and white Corgi gave Weiss a bark of greeting as he ran over to sniff at Jayne.
"Hey what the," Jayne exclaimed as Zwei pounced on his boot. "Ruby!"
"How did you know he was ours," Ruby exclaimed.
"He is slightly on fire," Jayne replied, "and he is starting to singe my boot."
"Oh sorry about that," Yang said sheepishly, "I may be why he is still slightly ablaze."
"Well I don't care about that," Weiss said as she picked up Zwei, "Hey you." Weiss started giggling as Zwei licked her face. "Ah ha ha stop it stop... oh fine give me nuzzles." Weiss rubbed her nose against Zwei's head. "Now don't you go intercepting any more trucks for us okay." Zwei barked twice before jumping out of Weiss' arms to run over to Ruby and Scooter.
"Why don't you ever act like that with me," Jayne asked.
"Because you are not furry and do not smell like cookies," Weiss replied.
"Huh that's fair I guess," Jayne said, "Does he really smell like cookies?"
"Go and see for yourself," Weiss said as she pointed to the dog who was now chasing a ham bone that Ruby had pulled out of who knows where.
"Weiss," Jayne stated, "you and your friends are all crazy, you know that right?"
"I figured as much a long time ago," Weiss said, "But it caught your attention so I'm not complaining."
"Didn't say I was either," Jayne said as he went to go see if Zwei did indeed smell like cookies. A few moments later Weiss heard "That is gorrham impressive," as Jayne experienced the cookie smell that was perpetually embedded in Zwei's fur coat.
"Well it looks like you all have been busy," Abrams said as he entered the building.
"To be fair sir," Sage said, "Ms Schnee, Scarlet and myself have been busy, but Weiss just couldn't let an event be planned without her having to assist."
"I appreciate that you at least tried to have the brides not do any work. I take it that was easier to accomplish with Ruby," Abrams said, "But Weiss takes after me in this, if there is work to be done she will do it."
"That is your fault Father," Weiss said accusingly.
"I know I know," Abrams said in his defense, "But it has served you well over the years has it not?"
"I can't say it has not," Weiss agreed. "In fact I think it's time to put that mentality to use..." The next several hours went by with Weiss directing the set up of the convention center. It was going to be her and Ruby's wedding celebration after all and Weiss was certain that she was the only person in the room who could get everything to be just right. The ceiling was decorated with strings of white and rose colored lights from which dangled the Schnee emblem of a snowflake. The tables were alternating with red and white table cloths with either white or red settings. Blake had set up her piano in a corner of the front part of the building since she had insisted that she be the one to play the music for the event. Weiss, Jayne, Ruby and Scooter were now sitting at a table at the front of the room as the various guests trickled in. Set in front of the four was a massive cake complete with twin towers so that Scooter and Ruby had a different topper than Jayne and Weiss. The base of the cake was a huge chocolate chip cookie, because Ruby would still be holding onto Weiss leg like a toddler if there was no cookie in the cake. Jayne had gotten changed into his suit, the same one he had worn when he took Weiss out and proposed, Scooter also had a suit but he somehow even made that look sloppy. Ruby was in a stunning black dress that went all the way to her feet with red highlights around the edges and Weiss was in one of her many white dresses. This particular one she had worn to Blake and Sun's wedding so she found it appropriate to wear to this event as well.
Ozpin walked up to the four as the guests intermingled with each other and many, despite Weiss saying not to bring gifts, were placing presents of all shapes and sizes on a table that was by one of the double doors. "It is nice is it not to have some time to rest and enjoy the company of those friends that we have come to love," Ozpin said, "Times like these they recharge us, energize us. I always hold onto these events because that is what has kept me going this long. When you are as experienced as I am you can find yourself becoming so tired of the trials of the world. With age comes an appreciation for the brevity of life and of the hope we have in eternity."
"I never knew you were religious Professor," Ruby said.
"I'm not," Ozpin replied, "I am a realist, Your friends in DC have confirmed something that I and many of us at Beacon and around Remnant have suspected for a long time. We do not die when these bodies die. I've been speaking with the Councils across our world and considering the information K has brought us about the Cross Bearer we decided we can not ignore the group He has sent to us... As I got older I looked to the day of my death with more and more serenity, but now I can not leave in good conscious. K want's you Ruby to lead DC and that means that all of RWBY will get involved. What sort of a teacher and friend would I be if I left you all hanging like that?"
"What are you getting at Ozpin," Weiss asked curious as to what the clever Headmaster had planned.
"Do you see the table over there with all the presents to you four on it," Ozpin asked.
"You bet I do," Scooter and Jayne replied.
"I am giving you a present that is far to large for even that table," Ozpin said, "The Councils have agreed to let Beacon Academy join Dragon Company. There are a few strings attached, as there always is, and not everyone who attends will automatically become a DC member but the staff, myself included, teams that are still tied to the school, and those who choose to remain with DC they will get the benefits of the immortality that DC radiates with."
Weiss just stared at the Headmaster, her mind had been blow. "The whole school... The. Whole. School?"
"What," Ruby exclaimed, "That is awesome! When did this happen?"
"Only a few nights ago," Ozpin replied, "After the first attack against EMBR."
"So it's a bid to get DC to help protect the School and it's students," Scooter said, "I'd buy that."
"You are more perceptive than you look," Ozpin remarked, "That is exactly what it is, and for once I think letting the Council try and bait K will be good for them. They've never gone up against someone who commands more power than them. I think this will be good for them."
"K does have a tendency to take people down a rung or two," Jayne stated.
Weiss had now recovered her ability to speak. "The whole school," she asked as she still was processing the implications that could have.
"Yes, the whole school," Ozpin said, "I know the effect of this alliance will be felt around the globe, Ironwood will be quite annoyed that he is not the most powerful military force on the planet anymore."
"Well he can always ask nicely for us to let him have the title back," Weiss said as her brain got back up to speed. "After all most of DC's power is in orbit."
"Speaking of that," Ruby asked, "Who does the Unity belong to?"
"It is co-owned by the Atlas Military, Schnee Dust Company, and FAUN," Weiss answered, "Thank you Professor for telling us about Beacon, did you arrange for such an alliance?"
"Not I but Glynda and Peter were the voices behind this arrangement," Ozpin answered as he turned to leave, "I merely approved of it and sent it to the Councils. My compliments to the organizers of tonight's event it is lovely."
Weiss just smiled as Ozpin left the four to continue mingling. Some time later Coco was leaning on the table with Velvet and they were talking with the two couples.
"I can still hardly believe it, You two, married," Velvet said, "That night you came back and Hawk and Fisher caught Roman and then he joined up with us. I knew things were going to change but this is so fast. I mean Weiss I figured you and Neptune would be a thing but I never thought about anyone that Ruby seemed into, no offense."
"None taken," Ruby replied, "I didn't really have anyone on my mind in regards to marriage anyway at the time we met DC. Then I found Scooter and Weiss found Jayne, now here we are." Ruby had wrapped Scooter in a hug and was leaning her head on his shoulder.
"So," Coco asked as she lowered her shades, "Who is going to have a kid first?"
"Well that is obviously Yang," Weiss answered, "She has two of them, or more like ten of them. Junior, Barry, Ellisa, Melanie, Miltia, Ruby, Scooter, Lao, Blake and Sun." The six shared a laugh at that comment.
"Weiss you are getting better at being humorous," Coco admitted, "Jayne thank you for that."
"That ain't my influence I blame Ruby," Jayne said as he pointed to the indicate girl in black and red.
"Well I try you know," Ruby said. Causing the group to indulge in another bout of laughter. Weiss happened to look up during this to see that standing up on one of the balconies was Winter. Her white hair, just like Weiss' own, blending into her simple white dress, made Weiss' sister look stunning. Winter's deep blue eyes made contact with Weiss' light blue ones for a moment and Weiss saw a sadness in her sister that had not been there before. Normally Winter either seemed indifferent or a little miffed about something but this was sorrow and though it was only for a moment it spurred Weiss to excuse herself from the table, which was now cakeless thanks to the guests. Weiss made her way up to the balcony where she saw Winter but when she got there Winter was nowhere to be seen.
"Winter," Weiss called then softer, almost to herself. "Winter."
"Weiss," a voice called from behind her. Weiss spun around to see that the voice was Yang not Winter. "Weiss what is it?"
"I... I saw Winter up here," Weiss said, "I know I did."
"How long ago," Yang asked.
"Just a few moments ago," Weiss said, "I know I am not crazy, Winter was here."
"Then let's look for her, or at least see if she left anything," Yang said. Her voice had taken on the motherly tone that Yang used when helping Ruby at times. "After all we may have separate lives but we are still a team, no matter what, and we will help each other."
"Thank you Yang," Weiss said as the two started to search around for any clue regarding Winter, "You know I guess, in a way, you were a mother for all of us going through Beacon... You had grown up always having to be there for Ruby and that just seemed to extend to Blake and me when we met you."
"Like I told you before I never had any hard set goals in life, but Ruby did," Yang said, "It was easy to make helping Ruby achieve her dreams my goal. When we all first met I didn't really know if I was going to like you or not but after that weekend with Blake and the docks and everything I realized that you two needed my help as much or more than Ruby did. Hey Weiss does Winter use a sniper rifle?"
"Not that I know of why," Weiss asked as she walked over to Yang who was holding a clip filled with ammo for a large caliber rifle. "Oh."
"If this isn't Winter's then whatever she was doing up here may have been to save your life," Yang said as she took one of the bullets out of the magazine and handed it to Weiss. Weiss took the round and looked it over. It was a subsonic round with Fire Dust laced in it so it would explode on contact. Definitely something that could rip right through Weiss' Aura and body. Weiss leaned against the railing as she handed the round back to Yang.
"I, Oh Winter what have I gotten you mixed up with," Weiss whispered. "Yang can you take that cartridge to Ironwood see if he knows what model weapon uses that. I should get back to the others and please let's try and keep this discreet I don't want to panic anyone."
"I will," Yang said as she tucked the clip into a pocket on the inside of her golden dress. "However I think I already know what might be after you..." Yang pointed to the wall of the convention center. In it were stab marks from where some very sharp, relatively long blades had been stabbed into it, as if they had been used to climb the building.
"What could have," Weiss trailed off as she remembered seeing holes like that before only they were not in a wall but in Blake and Ruby. "The assassin bot," Weiss thought then said, "But how you melted it didn't you?"
"I melted the head yes," Yang said, "But does a droid really need it's head, as long as it has a back up of it's programming somewhere it could reactivate and repair itself then continue it's mission. In any case the General should be able to tell us something about the weapon this is supposed to go to. Now you should probably get back before the others get worried about you."
"Right," Weiss said as she composed herself, "We will need to tell them after the celebration is over." Yang just nodded as she headed back down to find General Ironwood. Weiss followed shortly after and returned to her spot by Jayne.
"Hey you missed a good show," Jayne said, "Doug thought he could eat more cookies than Ruby, now look at him." Jayne pointed to the snake-like form of DC's Admiral as he was curled up in a corner and looking miserable.
"I.. I don't, how did," Weiss tried to find a way to express her disbelief at what she was seeing but only managed, "That doesn't seem physically possible."
"Oh come on it's not that hard," Ruby said as she ate another cookie, "You just take one cookie and when you finish it you have another one to replace it with."
Despite the unsettling revelation that Weiss had just discovered with Yang the Heiress couldn't help but laugh as Ruby demonstrated her cookie eating method on another cookie.
Character Charolite
Charolite woke up to the sound of something heavy hitting a wall. She looked around to see Omid smashing a hat rack into the wall of the attic that she and the rest had retreated to as the walkers had filled the house below them. Char saw Lee, Kenny and Christa resting on a couch, they all looked miserable. Ben was sitting in a corner with his head in his hands.
"Hey guys," Char said as she got up. She was a little shaky at first but after a few steps she steadied herself, "What did I miss?"
"Well," Lee said, "I still am infected, Kenny and Ben just had a huge fight over Ben making the deal with those bandits back at the motel, we found a way out and that about covers it."
"That explains the generally defeated mood then," Char said, "Sorry I asked."
"It's not your fault," Kenny said with a sigh, "The only thing that matters now is getting Clem back."
"I figured you would be angrier about this," Char said to Kenny.
"I don't know if I am or not," Kenny said, "The boy has done some stupid things but he did make a good point... he has no idea what happened to his family."
"That makes two of us then," Char said, "I don't even remember my parents."
"We're through," Omid announced, "Char glad to see you're back on your feet."
"Well someone has to keep you all safe I mean I am gone for all of three hours, Clem gets kidnapped and Lee gets bit, what's next the world falls apart," Char said.
"That would be funny if it didn't seem to be true," Kenny said as he stepped through the hole in the wall. Char followed him and found herself in a bedroom, she instantly picked up on the smell of death. On the bed was a couple, both had been shot in the head and in the young man's hands was a pistol with one bullet left in it.
"How could they do this," Lee remarked.
"It's what Katjaa did," Kenny said, "She left me, she left all of us. I forgive her I do but you just don't give up because it gets hard you keep going because there are others that depend on you."
"Like Clem depending on us," Christa said as she pointed to a balcony, "Let's keep moving." The balcony had a metal guard rail around it but that rail also happened to be tall enough to let the group climb up to the roof of the building next to them. Christa, Omid, Char Lee and Kenny made the jump from the railing to the roof but when Ben went to do the same the rail pulled out of the wall and sent Ben falling with it to the ally below.
"Ben," Lee exclaimed.
"Char is he alive," Kenny asked.
"He is," Char replied after a moment, "but I can't tell how badly he may be hurt."
"Lee, Char, go get Clem. Christa, Omid, get to the train outside of town if we are not there by morning get the train started going the other way, that should draw all these walkers with it. You get that boat and you get out of here," Kenny said, "I'm going to go get Ben." With that Kenny ran to a fire escape and started heading down it.
"Kenny," Lee said as he started to make his way to the fire escape.
"Lee I'm going to the Marsh House," Char said, "You can either help me look for Clem or help Kenny with Ben but your condition is not going to give you the time needed to do both and honestly I don't know if Clem has as much time as you do." Lee sighed but nodded his head as a gunshot rang out from below them.
"We will get to the train," Omid said, "Kenny is right if we draw the walkers away with that then this city will clear out and we can get that boat out on the water. I'll teach the girls how to fish while we're at it."
"You do that," Lee said, "Come on Char let's go get Clementine back." With that Char and Lee parted ways with the last of their group. "I won't be seeing any of them again," Lee said to Char after a while. "Even with your help I can still feel the infection inside me, I'll make sure you and Clem are safe for as long as I can but after that..."
"We will take care of you," Char said as the two came to the edge of another roof. "Narrow bridge coming up, who goes across first?"
"The one with the least to loose," Lee said, "I'll head across make sure it is safe."
"Be careful," Char said. Lee nodded and moved out onto the metal arch that supported a sign above the road below. The structure creaked but didn't break as Lee made it to the middle of the sign. Lee was almost across when the sign started breaking apart. Lee managed to hang onto the end that was still anchored to the building across from Char but now the two had no way to get to each other.
"Lee," Char called, "I can't get down from up here, not into that street anyways."
"Head on back to the train then," Lee said, "I'm just going to go for it!"
"Going to... oh," Char realized what Lee meant. "God have mercy on you then Lee my friend. Maybe one day I'll see you on the other side." Char cast one last spell on Lee, it dulled all pain so that in his last hours he at least didn't have to suffer. "You can't feel pain now," Char said as Lee started climbing down the building, "But as you die your body will just stop working on you."
"It's enough to let me get Clem and tell her where to meet you all," Lee said, "That is enough." Then he was out of sight and Char started heading for the train. She went back to see if Kenny and Ben had survived, she saw what was left of Ben, he had landed on the iron railing and it had impaled him. There was one bullet hole in his head so that told Char what Kenny used the last shot he had for. Oddly enough she did not see any sign of Kenny. Char then went to check on the boat before heading to the train. The boat however was missing and a note from Vernon was on the shed door saying that they took the boat. Charolite didn't much care at that point, she didn't think the boat was all that good of an idea anyway. It was about three that afternoon when Char met up with Omid and Christa by the train.
"Charolite," Christa exclaimed upon seeing her trudging towards them, "Where is?"
"Clementine will come," Char said before Christa could finish her question. "I don't think anyone else will."
"So Lee got to Clem then," Omid asked.
"I..." Char sent out a pulse to see if the arm she had given to Lee was still functioning. To her surprise it was which meant Lee was still alive. "Yes he did. I don't think he will make it back though."
"Well we can help them by sending this train on it's way," Omid said, "Get rid of some of those Walkers and get the boat ready."
"The boat is gone," Char said, "Vernon took it."
"What," Christa asked, "How, with the amount of walkers that was around the house..."
"I don't think cities or boats are a good idea," Char said, "Countrysides are probably best. We should still send the train on it's way. It will help Clem if nothing else."
"You know once we set this thing off every walker within miles of us will come this way," Omid said.
"Then I will make sure they do not see us," Char said, "We set the train off then we can go hide in the hills to the north of us where we can keep an eye out for Clementine."
"Right let's get this thing moving then," Christa said. The three spent the next hour getting the train ready before Omid set it into reverse and sent it on it's last trip.
"Well there she goes," Omid remarked, "The girl got us here but some of the systems on her were starting to go out anyway, brakes mostly."
"Here come the walkers," Char said as she cast an illusion over the three. "Stay close to me and move slowly so I can keep us invisible to the walkers."
"Um not to be the voice of doubt but how long can you hold this illusion," Christa asked.
"It's kind of late to ask that now don't you think," Char whispered back, "And not so loud, we don't want them walking towards us."
"This hill looks like a good spot to keep a look out from," Omid remarked, "Why don't we stay here for a while and see if Clem shows up." The three hunkered down on the hill and waited. It was about noon of the next day when the last of the walkers had left Savannah and an exhausted Charolite was able to drop the illusion.
"I never... had to use, any of... my... skills for, that long," Charolite said between yawns.
"Here have some water then why don't you take a nap," Christa said, "We will keep an eye out for Clem and if she doesn't turn up in a few hours I suppose we will head out." By this point Char was to tired to argue so she drank some of the offered water and then flopped down in the grass and went to sleep. Char woke up a few hours later and felt someones hand in her spectral hand, however the only person she knew who had no trouble holding her spectral hand was...
"Clementine," Char whispered as she rolled over and looked at her friend, "Clem you made it!"
"Lee didn't," Clem said her voice heavy with sorrow, "I had... I had to make sure he didn't turn."
Char then noticed the nine millimeter in Clem's left hand, "Oh God," Charolite gasped as she drew Clem into a hug, "I'm so so so sorry Clem, I'm so sorry."
"There all gone," Clem said, "My parents, Lee, everyone."
"Not everyone," Omid said as he and Christa came to the top of the hill. "I guess Clem told you then. Lee will be missed."
"We should move on," Christa said, "The walkers are cleared out for now but who knows when another pack will come through. We need to get away from the cities, out somewhere that food will grow and it will be easy to spot walkers. We need to go north."
"North," Omid and Clem asked.
"She is right the cold will slow the walkers," Char said, "If we go north then forests will be the best routs to travel, they will have food in them. We could follow the river north until it branches off."
"It is as good a plan as we have," Christa said, "I agree with Char."
"Then that means I'm spoken for as well," Omid said, "Clem?" Clementine looked at the gun in her hands before looking back up with a glint in her eyes, a resolve that had been missing before.
"We go north," Clem agreed as she put the gun in her backpack.
Character Mercury Black
Mercury, Arizona, Wolf and Doug were looking at the decapitated body of a young woman. Mercury was turning the head over in his hands as he studied the wound channel. It was a perfect cut, no tearing, no angle to the blow the cut was flat shearing through bone and flesh as if they were paper.
"How can you just handle her like that," Arizona asked.
"I'm investigating a wound is there another way you would like for me to look it over," Mercury asked, "There is only so much light down here and Doug and Wolf are blocking most of it while they look over the rest of the body."
"Right, right sorry," Arizona said, "It's just she looks so young."
"Well if these people are fables like Doug says they are then she is probably a lot older than she looks," Mercury said, "and that didn't help any did it?"
"Not really," Arizona replied as she leaned against one of the large stone pillars in the underground chamber. "So what do you see?"
"It's a perfect cut, no tearing or anything," Mercury said, "Which is very odd considering that the cut goes through the middle of one of her vertebrae. Normally I'd say this was a lightsaber or energy sword wound but those leave burn marks, this girl is missing those too. Its as if her head and her body were designed to come apart at this precise point."
"Like a take down pin on a weapon," Arizona asked.
"That is a good analogy," Doug said, "We have come to the same conclusion. The question is what is the take down pin?"
"They say that she was found with only two items a ribbon and that ring," Wolf said, "Which one can you wear around your neck?"
"You think a ribbon did this," Arizona asked.
"I think magic did this," Doug clarified, "It could be that the ribbon holds the magic at bay or if it is removed causes the separation."
"That is a scary thought," Mercury said, "Who would put something around their neck like that?"
"People who think they don't have any other choice," Wolf said, "Mercury, I'm with Bigby, Snow and Reak at Toad's place, I have told them what we found."
"I can call David and Nikki to let them G and N know," Arizona said.
"Well then while they are dealing with these other leads," Doug said, "I may have an idea about who to ask regarding this ribbon. Vivian, she is... unique. I think the spell she is cursed with could do something like this should it be improperly dispelled."
"What is the spell," Mercury asked.
"She is immortal and talented at every occupation you can imagine but only so long as the ribbon remains around her neck," Doug said, "Should it be removed..."
"Magic," Arizona hissed.
"Should it be removed she might be removed as well," Wolf finished. "An interesting trade, I wonder how many would take it if they were desperate."
"If I may interject," Bufkin said as the green, winged monkey landed beside the four, "Since you brought us here, for which we are grateful, many Fables have not adjusted as well as they could have to this world. It is possible that many of them are seeking out whatever line of work can help them."
"What are you suggesting," Arizona asked.
"There are many people who would pay a great deal for company at night," Bufkin said, "an attractive financial opportunity if not the most moral of choices."
"A pimp then," Mercury stated, "and since we know this was not Vivian whatever magic was being used on this ribbon must have been copied from somewhere. Could the two be connected?"
"A disturbing possibility," Wolf stated.
"Mercury, Arizona, see if you two can't find whoever this girl worked for," Doug said, "This was Faith correct?"
"That is her most commonly used name yes," Bufkin affirmed.
"We're on it," Mercury said as he took another look at Faith's corpse. An image of Emerald flashed through his mind briefly and Mercury went from being interested in this murder to being ready to kill anyone responsible for this. "Bufkin where would I find Vivian?"
"Probably at the club, the Pudding and Pie," Bufkin said, "She is the co-owner of it with Georgie."
"Thank you Bufkin," Mercury said with one of his most charming smiles, "I can not wait to meet them." He and Arizona left the chamber and exited the Business Office after getting directions to the club and an admonishment from Doug to not kill anyone if they could help it.
"Get on," Arizona said, "I can't fit into a cab but I can be one." Mercury nodded and climbed up on the massive, red Spartan's back before the two started off. Arizona was not kidding, she was able to outdistance the traffic on the streets and left cracks on the sidewalk where her feet hammered into the ground as she ran. It only took about fifteen minutes to reach the club.
Where Junior's club was more of a dance club and bar this was more like a strip club. Mercury was glad that no one was preforming at the time, since it was only about two in the afternoon. He was a criminal sure, a murderer even but he only wanted to see one person naked and that was Emerald. She however was not open to that sort of a relationship just yet and while Mercury hated waiting some things, or in this case a someone was worth waiting for. Arizona waited outside since she couldn't fit into the building through the small door that was at the front. In fact she was lucky that the Business Office has double doors otherwise she would have been stuck inside.
"Sorry the girls don't work this early," a large man in a white shirt with the squarest jaw Mercury had ever seen said as he came to stand between Mercury, who was in the entry hall of the building and a large room off to his left.
"I'm not here for the girls," Mercury said coolly, "I'm here to meet Vivian or Georgie, or both if they are available."
"I... uh, I guess that's okay," the big man said.
"Hans who the hell is at the door this early," a man's voice carried from inside the big room.
"Is that Georgie," Mercury asked Hans.
"Yeah, he's my boss," Hans said.
"Well don't worry about him Hans," Mercury said as he put his hand on the big man's shoulder and gave him a smile, "I'll just go introduce myself." With that Mercury walked past the inept bouncer and into the room where a scrawny man in a black tank top, bowler hat and jeans was reclining on a couch and a woman in a white dress and a ribbon like the one Faith had was standing behind a bar.
"Whoever is out there tell them to piss off," Georgie yelled as he was not looking at the door that Mercury had walked through.
"It is a little late for that," Mercury stated as he walked up behind Georgie then kicked towards the door while firing his boot gun to shut it in the face of Vivian who had tried to leave. "Vivian don't think you can just sneak out on me either. I have some questions for the both of you."
"And just who do you think you are that you can walk into my place and start ordering me and my people about," Georgie said coldly as he got up and turned around and was instantly knocked back into his chair by a kick from Mercury.
"I'm a friend of Doug," Mercury said, "and I am very interested in the death of a girl with a ribbon very much like yours Vivy can I call you Vivy... good, now come over here sit down and let's talk." Vivian did as she was told sitting down next to Georgie. "Tell me about Faith," Mercury said, "She was one of yours correct?" Georgie just flipped Mercury off and glared at him. "Wrong answer," Mercury said, "I get another of those and I think I'll test a theory involving ribbons and headless people. Now Faith was one of yours correct?"
"Vivian get behind me," Georgie said as he stood up again to face Mercury, "Don't you go near her."
"Oh ho so she is the girl who's ribbon was copied to trap your whores with," Mercury stated, "That is good, useful information. Next question, who do you work for?" Georgie looked both outraged and confused.
"How... how could," Vivian muttered.
"Quiet Vivian," Georgie said calmly, "You're not after us?"
"Not yet," Mercury said with a smirk and a sideways glace at the two as he paced back and forth in front of them, "If I decided to come after you we would not be talking."
"The man who really runs this joint calls himself the Crooked Man," Georgie said after a long pause, "Finding him is going to be difficult though even I don't know how to get in contact with him. It is only ever one way communication and we never go through the same door twice."
"How many girls has this Crooked Man forced you to entrap," Mercury asked.
"To many," Vivian said. "Please he is normally not like this, something has changed him."
That remark caught Mercury's attention. It reminded him of how he described Cinder to RWBY when he was captured on the Invention. "Changed in what way?"
"He is always vague in regards to messages he sends, it's usually take care the problem or there is a situation at blah blah blah do not disappoint me," Georgie said, "The letter that came in about Faith was kill the conspirators."
"And you killed them didn't you," Mercury asked, "you undid the ribbon?"
"What was I supposed to do if I didn't then he would have sicked Bloody Marry on me," Georgie snapped, "Oh no."
"Bloody Mary," Mercury asked, "who is..." a gun shot and his aura dropping a bit caused Mercury to turn around. Out from the mirror above the bar came a nightmare creature that was all claws and teeth and flesh with bits of glass impaling her all across her body. It them morphed into a pirate with a pistol in her hand, it was the pistol that was the source of the gunshot.
"I am Bloody Mary," she said, "You've caused a problem now Georgie. In fact all three of you have. I'll enjoy dealing with you." She drew a large cutlass that was at her waist as she advanced on the three. Mercury kicked away Mary's strikes while putting several rounds into her with his boot guns.
"Arizona we have a problem here," Mercury said into his ear piece, "Do you mind coming in through the wall?"
"On it," Arizona replied before the wall behind Mary exploded inwards as Arizona busted through.
"Glad I didn't get to miss out on the fun," Arizona said as she spun up her mini-guns and let fly into Mary, knocking her back against the opposite wall and breaking her illusion revealing the twisted creature that was under the human facade. Mary shrieked and suddenly there were hundreds of her. This didn't bother Arizona or Mercury as they were able to shatter each copy that came at them. However they were not able to protect Georgie and Vivian from the multitude of Marys. Vivian's ribbon was yanked away cutting her head clean off and Georgie was ripped to shreds by several of the shards of Mary. Even with Arizona's mini-guns the amount of fragments of Mary were still to many for her and Mercury to kill before some of them could escape. However as the shards were attempting to push past Mercury and Arizona a massive gust of wind came howling past the two. It picked up all the fragments and sent them into what was left of the club shattering them the until only the real Mary was left. Mercury put a bullet in her head as the creature tried to get back up, causing her to shatter into glass.
"That wind was helpful," Mercury said as he turned around. Behind him was Reak, Wolf's human form, Snow and a massive wolf. Okay massive was an understatement. Arizona only reached to the wolf's shoulders and the creature was a good twenty five feet long.
"This isn't good," Bigby's voice said as the wolf spoke.
"Wait Bigby," Arizona asked, "The big bad wolf is the sheriff?"
"The who," Mercury asked, "Is he like a werewolf or something."
"Nothing so mundane," said a smooth male voice, "Oh no he is the legend itself." A Spartan in gray armor with an angular helmet and orange highlights walked into view from around the corner of a building. "Man they were not kidding when they said you could put on a show. Oh excuse my manners I am Felix, I'm here to help. What I don't get is why you've got the ring leader of all the evil you've been dealing with right next to you." Felix pointed at Mercury. "Don't you know he is behind all of this?"
"We know," Reak said, "But this is not him. This is a different Mercury and unless you are very well informed you wouldn't know about him unless you were working with the evil version."
"Well that makes sense," Felix remarked, "You know I figured it would be hard to get you to trust me... I think I like this way better though." As Felix said this he pulled out a pistol and shot Snow in the head before throwing an orange device at his feet and vanishing in a flash of light.
"Snow," Bigby exclaimed. Wolf had caught the body as Snow fell and he was now carrying the dead woman in his arms.
"I'm sorry Bigby," Wolf said, "I know she meant the world to you. While I don't think we can bring her back I know we can hunt down Felix and the other Mercury."
"Hunt them we shall," Bigby growled. "Mercury..."
"You can call me Marcus if that helps," Mercury said.
"It would yes," Bigby replied, "Marcus where would Mercury be hiding?"
"Well before he died Georgie mentioned something about a door that was never in the same place twice," Mercury said, "It seems to be how the crooked man meets with his people. Bloody Mary was sent to kill Georgie and Vivy once they told me that. Another interesting thing is Georgie mentioned that the Crooked Man has changed. He has become more direct, very much like Cinder did once the Magog got a hold of her."
"If Vivian is dead then we should let whoever else worked here know that they can take those ribbons off without loosing their head," Arizona said.
"I'm with Doug and Ichabod at the Business Office," Wolf said, "I've let them know of this development and Snow's passing as well."
"This Magog you mentioned," Bigby asked, "What is it?"
"I'm pretty sure the evil me is one of them so it's the thing we are tracking," Mercury said. "It seems to be connected to the Crooked Man. Sounds like he is our next best lead even if he is not directly involved with the other me then he will probably know where me and Felix are."
"Wolf go with Bufkin and use the mirror to find the Crooked Man's door," Bigby said, "Tell us where it is when you find it and we will move on it."
"On our way," Wolf replied.
"Well at least today has not been dull," Mercury remarked earning glares from everyone there and a growl from Bigby. "What I'm just trying to lighten the mood."
"That is not what anyone want's right now," Reak said, "Let's just focus on finding and stopping the other you."
"Right right fine," Mercury said, "Sorry for being tasteless but I'm not very good at being empathetic."
Character Marion Hawk
Marion and Anders had agreed to go along with Jinx's plan to take Tamerial from the Daedra. They along with Grishnake, Lydia, Serana, RuGaard, Nilrasha, DarSii, Wistala, AuRon, Natasha, Ace, AuRel, Irene, Johnson, Throon ,Fenix, Anya, Dom, Cole, Baird and Sam had taken the Lavadome and warped to Tamerial. The Lavadome was currently floating above Winterhold while Fenix, Jinx, Grishnake, Serana, and Marion were talking with High King Ulfric Stormcloak. Ulfric was a tall man with pale skin and broad shoulders he had blond hair that ran to his shoulders and was garbed in a black fur coat that covered a metal chest plate, black leather pants and black boots with metal plates on them the High King looked as indomitable as the stone of his ancient fortress in which the group now stood.
"You gave us fair warning about the Daedra coming into our lands and you did push them back," Ulfric said in his ponderous voice. The king was thinking over Jinx's offer. Let Serra come to aid in taking out the Daedra that would try and conquer the world while strengthening everyone's relationship with those Daedra that are on Jinx's friend list. "I like the idea of being able to push the Daedra back for once. You can count on our support. After all you already have the support of my right hand." Ulfric pointed to Grishnake as he said this. "Regarding minerals well Tamerial has plenty and the Oblivion Planes have even more, I believe this alliance will suit us."
"In this case quite literally," Fenix said, "Let's get you suited up. We've got a command unit outside that is waiting for you."
"You have one of those metal men for me to command," Ulfric remarked, "Now that is a sign of trust if I've ever known one. Well that covers pretty much everyone's motives for being here except you two." Ulfric indicated Marion and Anders as he said this. "What do you want out of this deal?"
"Nothing," Marion said, "Jinx helped us fight for our home now we are helping her fight for hers."
"That is a noble heart you have then," Ulfric said, "If more of Skyrim was filled with people like you then maybe me, Galmar and Grish would not have had to fight so hard for her freedom. Which brings me to what I want in return for my help."
"And that is," Fenix asked.
"You and Serra's help against the Aldmeri," Ulfric said, "They are sure to come against us now that Skyrim is free of their Imperial puppets."
"The enemy of my friend is my enemy," Grishnake said, "You've got my support."
"It's a fair statement," Fenix agreed, "I'll see about getting Serra to aid us. Even without the aid from the planet we are more than powerful enough to aid you against this threat."
"So you are," Ulfric said as he led the group out of his castle. Outside the snow had stopped and just out side of the city could be seen the towering form of a UEF commander. In appearance it was similar to Ulfric in that it was tall and broad at the shoulders. It was different from Griffen's ACU however as this was a more battle hardened platform. Where Griffen's could be upgraded with build speed performance increases and AA Ulfric's version had a tactical nuclear missile silo on it's back, over charged shields and a massive cannon on it's non-building arm. Above the ACU and set against the backdrop of the mountains was the Lavadome, floating and glistening in the air.
"That is quite a sight you know," Anders said.
"That it is," Ulfric agreed, "Now you said that you had someone who could show me how to control that mechanical creation?"
"Yes Throon and Johnson," Fenix said, "they are outside the walls by the ACU."
"Why not invite them in," Ulfric asked.
"Wait until you see them," Marion said, "You may want to rethink that statement."
Five minutes later as Ulfric was staring at Throon and Johnson Marion was smirking until the High King said, "Why didn't you invite them in again?"
"I told you he is pretty open to new people," Grish said. "Most of the segregation started long before Ulfric came around."
"Huh well you're a better man then me then," Serana said, "Back at the castle I have to keep the factions away from each other or else they will tear each other to pieces."
"That doesn't sound like it is your fault then," Ulfric said, "Not that I would mind there being a few less vampires in the world."
"Actually you just might," Serana said, "The two sides are so caught up in their centuries old squabble that they rarely venture out from the castle from fear that the other side will get the upper hand. Me and Lydia are basically the only two vampires that still walk our world."
"And since you two are not here most of the time that makes it none," Marion said.
"True," Ulfric agreed, "Now how do I get into this thing?"
"There is a lift around back that will take you up," Throon said, "Follow me and I will show you how it works."
"Well," Marion said as Ulfric and Throon went up into the ACU, "Jinx it looks like your plan is working."
"So it does," Jinx said as she hoped up onto Anders' shoulder.
"Why are you still a cat, this is your home right," Anders asked.
"It is but I actually like being a cat," Jinx replied, "It is like a a slap in the face to the Daedra that 'cursed' me with this form."
"Now that is something I understand," Anders said.
"Speaking of the Daedra," Marion said, "How are we going to get their attention?"
"Oh my very presence here has already done that," Jinx said, "I would not be surprised if they were not already moving to try and figure out what I am doing here."
"So we just wait for them to come to us," Marion asked.
"Well not all of them," Jinx purred then she let out a yowl that echoed off the stones of the city and the mountains around the group. A few moments later a massive white stage came running down from the hills. It stood at ten feet tall with twenty points on it's rack of horns. It slowed to a stop in front of Jinx and bent it's head down to nuzzle her. Jinx climbed up onto it's back and then the buck spoke not with it's mouth but with the power of the soul that was within it.
"Immortals," it spoke it's voice sounding like a whirlwind, "I am Hircine Prince of the hunt and of man-beasts. You have brought two of my most cherished friends back to me, Jinx who is one with my heart and Grishnake king of the wolf kind."
"Wait you mean the smith is the king of the werewolves," Anders asked.
"He is the strongest of them all," Hircine confirmed, "Jinx tells me you all go to hunt my brethren. They will prove to be a most dangerous game I will hunt them with you."
"Glad to have you along," Grish said, "Can you get word to Malacath, I'm sure he has many reasons to fight the other Princes."
"Already done," Hircine said, "War has been brewing amongst my kind for a while now, ever since Jinx exposed Hermaous Mora's weakness. Azura and Meridia are both trying to play peace keepers for now but I think a little nudge will get them on our side. Sheogorath thinks this is all incredibly insane and has decided to join us, Jyggalag and Clavicus are both in agreement with me...Nocturnal will join with us. I can see why you've chosen now to strike."
"It will work out nicely," Jinx said, "Each of you can fight one of our enemies and I can fight Mora."
"You assume any one of us will be a match for Mehrunes Dagon or Molag Bal," Hircine said.
"Jyggalag and Sheogorath can take them," Jinx said, "they are complete opposites and of the four justice and insanity are stronger than destruction and domination."
"Justice," Anders asked.
"Similar to the spirit within you yes," Jinx said, "Though Jyggalag is much more controlling than your Justice."
"Ah so that is what is odd about you," Hircine remarked as he sniffed at Anders, "This one may not be as commanding but it smells more powerful."
"That's probably because he is," Marion said.
"Hello, hello, is this thing on," Ulfric's voice boomed out from the ACU. "Ah it is good, now who do we have here?"
"Have they seriously not been able to hear any of this," Fenix asked as he got off the radio with Delta.
"Not a word of it," Johnson said from the ACU, "Hey Jinx is that your boy you've told me about, he looks positively stagnant."
"Throon," Marion said as she face-palmed. A loud smack and Johnson shouting 'stop that' followed before Marion said, "Thank you Throon."
"It had to be done," Throon said. "Now if you all will excuse us we need to show Ulfric how to work this thing." The ACU lumbered off towards the mountains to the south.
"That is a unique way to travel," Hircine remarked. "You create a machine that is taller than most hills and then you give it the slow legs of the two footed races... It could move much faster with four legs." Then the ACU teleported out of sight. "Ah teleport ability, that would also work."
"Welcome to DC's way of doing things," Marion said, "This is just how we are."
"Jinxirattuholingtonbumin," a voice rumbled as the sky filled with eyes and tentacles.
"Mora," Jinx remarked as she washed her ears. "I can't imagine you are surprised to see me. Oh wait unless you can't keep a record of me..."
"Leave her alone Mora," Hircine said, "You can't win this battle here."
"We shall see," Mora declared as thousands of tentacle creatures were spawned into existence around the city. They were of two variants one was a land bound creature that had a large fish like face filled with fangs, a tentacle arm and an arm with a clawed hand. These creatures stood about nine feet tall with that height being divided between their two legs and the thick body. The other creature was a floating mass of tentacles with four arms, all of which were throwing orbs of green fire at the group.
"I don't think so," Marion stated as she took in the creatures. She raised her twin crossbows and started letting fly with bolt after bolt, dropping many of the floating creatures in one or two hits.
"I guess today won't be dull after all," Fenix exclaimed as he rolled into cover beside Marion and Anders. He reloaded his lancer and the three rolled out from behind the wall they had taken refuge in ready to fight more of the creatures when Jinx shouted.
"Al-Du-In," Jinx roared as she morphed from her cat form into her natural form. A thunderous roar answered her back and meteors started falling from the sky. Overhead a colossal black dragon of the Tamerial variety swooped by. Marion could tell even from this distance that this creature was no ordinary dragon. It's form was all a boney sinewy armor and it's eyes were pits of burning fire. "Meet the world eater, Mora. Meet my Grandfather."
"So that is where you got the ability to shout meteors from the sky," Anders commented as the falling, flaming rocks smashed into Mora's minions and forced the Daedra back into his plane of Oblivion. Alduin landed and the ground shook under his weight. He lumbered over to Jinx, Marion and Anders on his legs and arm-wings while Fenix called Delta to let them know not to attack the large, black dragon.
"So this is Alduin," Grish remarked, "I thought you said you fought him?"
"She did," Alduin rumbled, "Though neither of us wanted to we had different views about how the world should be and we were both in the position to take up the responsibility of pushing those goals."
"It turns out that between the two of us I was the stronger," Jinx said, "I could have absorbed him but instead I used my Thu'um, my shouting as you call it, to banish Grandfather."
"Now she can call me with my name," Alduin said, "and since she is the only one who can actually kill me it makes her unstoppable. That said I am still the world eater, I will bring this world to an end as I have done to so many others. Jinx simply helped me see that there is a time and a place for such destruction."
"And right now the Daedra that are going to be against us are at that time aren't they," Marion asked.
"They are," Hircine said.
"What is this," Ulfric asked as the ACU teleported back to the group. "Alduin... Jinx I thought you had killed him?"
"I said I defeated him," Jinx replied, "I will not kill family. Instead I trapped Grandfather with my Thu'um now his power and mine are combined and he can come into the world when I call him."
"That is how you can shout without effort then," Ulfric said. "You're the granddaughter of the World Eater." then to Alduin, "Is that why you were at Helgen?"
"Partly yes," Alduin replied, "I wanted for Jinx to join with me but instead it worked out the other way around."
"Well in an odd way you actually saved my life," Ulfric said, "If you had not appeared when you did I would be dead and the empire would still control Skyrim. It wasn't your intent so I do not count it as a point in your favor but I believe you should know that you helped. It also doesn't count against you though." By this time a large contingent of guards had gathered on the walls of Winterhold.
"I seem to be making your people nervous," Alduin said with a toothy grin directed towards the wall of the city. "Perhaps it would be best if I was called when we are ready to actually fight the Daedra?"
"No," Fenix said, "You should probably go to the Lavadome. The rest of our team is in it and you will want to get to know them before we go against these Princes. Fly me up there while you're at it, I can help explain to them the situation."
"Didn't you just do that with your radio," Marion asked.
"I was talking with Delta yes," Fenix said, "But AuRel and his family still need to be updated."
"There are dragons other than me that you've let live," Alduin asked.
"Plenty of others," Jinx replied, "Go and see for yourself."
"Get on then human," Alduin said, "Know this you are the first to ever ride me, the first of my kind."
"Huh and the first time I was offered a ride by a dragon I turned it down," Fenix said as he got onto Alduin. "I'm Fenix by the way. Now the entrance to the dome is on the top." Alduin roared and took off into the air heading for the Lavadome.
"So those two are definitely going to get into trouble," Marion said.
"Yup," Jinx agreed, "But it will be trouble that helps get Serra a fleet and get's the Daedra culled of those that would harm this world."
"Alduin is your Grandfather," Hircine commented, "Those who stand in our way will be very sorry they chose to do so.
"That's just because Marion is here," Anders said.
"Well everything else that I've ever fought has died so why break the pattern," Marion said as she finished picking up some of her bolts off the ground.
Character Tucker
Tucker was in a daze, quite literally since he was punched so hard his helmet shattered but also because a beautiful woman, well Fanus technically, had just appeared out of nowhere killed a Magog that was attacking him and his team and then had expressed her undying love to him with a passionate kiss. It was like all of the endings to every one of Tucker's favorite action movies, except he was the hero who got the girl.
"Lavernius come on," Noire called as she waved him over to help get Church out from under a dead demon dog creature.
"Right, I'm coming," Tucker said, "and you can just call me Tucker."
"Meow-chicka-meow-meow," Noire said.
"Huh, what oh wow you caught one that even I missed, that's impressive," Tucker remarked as he helped Noire and Jr get Church out.
"Hey thanks guys, you know that thing weighs a ton," Church said. "No really while I was stuck under it I used my pressure sensors to get it's weight, it is two-thousand and eighty one pounds by the way."
"Are you all okay," Carolina asked as she came over to the group. "If so we should move back to the camp."
"I think we are good," Tucker said, "Wait where is Caboose?"
"Hello," Caboose said as his head and shoulders popped out from another pile of the dead demons.
"Caboose seriously man how are you even still alive," Church exclaimed, "There is at least seven tons on you right now?"
"Oh that's okay it's not the weight it's the volume," Caboose replied as he pushed his way out of the corpses.
"He is actually not wrong," Sigma said as he, Main, Flowers and Tex came over. "Since most of the creatures are resting on each other Caboose was probably exposed to very little pressure."
"Okay sure but how do you explain that," Noire asked as she pointed to Caboose who was pushing the bodies of the large dog-demons out of his way.
"I'm telling you it is God's way of compensating," Tucker said. "and Church and me were saying that long before we met DC or got any of the proof that God actually exists and that we are working for a Leviathan he created and are fighting the very manifestation of sin. In hind sight it makes some the stuff I said as a joke seem very insulting..."
Flashback to when Tucker was talking with Church about how God didn't make women who would sleep with him.
Flashback ends with Tucker looking at Noire, "Yeah some of that stuff was pretty dumb," Tucker said.
"I know I watched an entire show about your guys lives," Noire said, "Look don't ask okay, just lets just say it was mentally challenging at times."
"Wait so there is a show about us," Tucker asked, "Oh crap I really am a hero in my own action movie and I really did get the girl!"
"Actually you got two," Noire said, "Remember Grif's sister?"
"What oh no I just told Grif that I boned her to mess with him," Tucker said, "No she wouldn't let me near her."
"Wait what really," Noire asked, "well I guess if Jr. is adopted and didn't bust out of your chest as a parasitic embryo that was implanted in you by another one of his kind then you and Sister not hooking up is actually not that surprising. I guess that just means you're all mine."
"You'd better believe it baby," Tucker said.
"So," Jr. interjected, "Does this mean that after thirty years I finally get a mother?"
"Oh yes, yes, yes, yes," Noire exclaimed as the five and a half foot tall woman somehow managed to pick the nine foot thee inch Jr. up in a hug. "Tucker I hope you took lots of pictures... and home videos, oh do you have a scrap book?"
"You bet I did," Tucker said as he pulled out a few photos of Jr. as he was growing up. Noire's attention snapped from Jr. to the pictures in an instant as she seemingly absorbed every little detail about them. It was actually a little creepy, almost obsessive really. "Uh Noire are you sure you don't love Jr. more than me," Tucker asked.
"If he is my son, even if not naturally," Noire said as she gave the pictures back, "Then of course I will."
"Not to spoil the moment here," Tex said, "But you two just met and are not even married... just saying."
"Tex has a point," Tucker said, "By Sangheili law you and me would have to be married for Jr to become your son through my adoption papers."
"Okay that doesn't sound to hard to do," Noire said, "We just find someone who can marry us that the Sangheili will recognize as an authority."
"Doug could probably do that," Main said.
"The Flood Gravemind," Church said, "seriously?"
"My partner has a point," Sigma said, "Since Doug is an Admiral and he is recognized as an authority on Sangheilos he could marry you two and get all the paper work cleared for Jr's expanded family."
"Well there we go then," Noire said, "So where is Doug?"
"Not here right now," Flowers said, "We do not really know when we will be able to get back to him. You see most of DC does not know we are here."
"Wait you guys left without telling the others," Noire asked, "Why?"
"Because Shade didn't want the RWBY from our Remnant to see this world and if they knew that we were going here they would have come with us," Tucker explained, "I can understand that logic."
"Oh I... I understand that," Noire said, "I wouldn't want another Ruby to become like Shade or any of the team to become like these Sith version of them."
"Pelicans are here," Carolina said, "Everyone in."
Tucker, Noire and Jr sat by each other on the way back with Church and Tex sitting across from them. "So how old are you Noire," Tex asked, "You look young but that is not always a good identifier."
"Ha you couldn't be more right," Noire answered, "I'm either ten, twenty-seven or forty-four and I can't tell you which it is."
"Well you'll be forty-four then," Jr said, "That will make you older then me by enough to legally be my mother."
"Oh okay then," Noire said, "I may have already told Shade that I was twenty-seven... though I don't think she will care. She knows me already."
"Wait Shade knows you," Church asked, "How?"
"Through the other Rubys I guess," Noire answered.
"I'd buy that," Tucker said as he took off the remains of his helmet, "I wonder how fast Sarge can fix this?"
"Sarge fixes your equipment," Noire asked.
"Yup," Church said. "The senile old man is still a wizard at building and repairing things."
"He is also good with that shotgun," Tex said, "and since he won't let anyone other than him, Lopez and Doughnut into the maintenance room we just let him fix everything."
"That still irks me man," Church said, "I mean I'm the freaking Director, how did Sarge get FILS to not let me into that part of the Invention?"
"I'd see if Simmons had anything to do with it," Noire said.
"Huh yeah you know we probably should have thought about that before now," Tucker agreed.
"It does seem kinda of obvious when you say it," Jr agreed, "He is a cyborg after all and good with computers."
The group was quite for a few minutes after that. "So what is the plan," Tucker asked.
"We systematically eliminate every Magog on this planet," Tex said, "The base that Shade has set up is one of four, each on the edge of one of the four kingdoms. Our goal is to take back the major cities, if they are still standing, and then clear each kingdom of demons. Remnant is huge though so it might take a while."
"And we are not getting any back up from the rest or DC," Noire asked.
"Not yet we are not," Church said, "If you can convince Shade to call for more of us then that would help speed things along."
"I'll do that then," Noire said, "If we are fighting against more than one of those creatures like I helped put down today then we should get all the help we can."
"Ha you even think like me," Tucker said, "I'm definitely in love with this girl." "Blag not getting everyone else involved. We should get all of the biggest guns we have and aim them at this planet."
"What and blow it up," Noire asked.
"No but use them to kill these demons," Tucker said.
"Hmm actually that could work," Jr. said, "Do you guys remember Requiem, the planet that the Didact was on?"
"Yeah how could we forget it," Church said, "Wait... why?"
"What if the Didact has some way to compose creatures on that world," Jr. continued.
"If he did then why did he go after that other ship," Tucker asked.
"Maybe whatever this composer thing is, is not big enough on Requiem," Noire suggested.
"That is what I am thinking," Jr. said, "We would need Kris, Allen and Lona to help us find the controls but if we could compose the demons and then have them fight for us..."
"It could also just give the demons very powerful robotic bodies," Tex said, "What would we do then?"
"We could at least test the idea," Church countered, "Though we would have to get a hold of Requiem and last I saw, it was floating over Middle Earth."
"Who are Kris, Allen and Lona," Noire asked.
"Some people that got composed," Tucker said, "Turned into AI's and then shackled to do the Didact's bidding until Master Chief freed them. If anyone will know if there is a composer type weapon on Requiem it will be them."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to call them," Tex agreed, "Does anyone have a way to contact them?"
"You bet I do," Tucker said, "Lona is a great cook I keep her on speed dial for when I get hungry at night. Give me a second." Tucker sent out a call through DC's inter-dimensional network thanks to a phone that the Doctor gave him.
"Well," Noire asked.
"It's ringing," Tucker replied.
"Hello you've reached Lona of DC I can't take your call right now but if you leave a message I'll call you back," Lona's semi-robotic voice said as Tucker got her voice mail box.
"Hey Lona," Tucker started then he was cut off by the voice mail saying that the inbox was full. "Ah come on who..." "Oh don't tell me that me and Grif already filled her voice mail with requests for different foods." "So I can't get a hold of them."
"Terrific," Church stated as they exited the drop ship back at Shade's base.
"Ye-ah we kind of are," Allen said as the three Battle-wagons walked up to the group, "Storm said you had a plan that involved us, so here we are."
"Hey there you all are," Hags yelled as he and Bad Co. came over, "We're going to go nab us a nice big shiny planet ship thing, are you all in?" Hags pointed to each of them as he said this.
"Have you no manners," Sweets asked as he pointed to Noire, "She is obviously new. I'm Sweetwater, this is Haggard, that is Preston and Redford. Who are you?"
"Noire," Noire replied, "Nice to meet you all."
"Likewise miss," Redford said, "I didn't think anyone was still alive on this planet."
"Noire is not from this Remnant," Tucker said.
"Wait not from this Remnant," Preston said, "Did she come with you from ours then?"
"No I'm from another one," Noire replied, "Don't worry about it, trust me the RWBY team there... and the other teams for that matter, have dealt with crazier stuff than this."
"How is that possible," Kris asked, "We are fighting the very manifestation of sin itself."
"We are fighting an external manifestation of sin yes," Noire agreed, "Let me tell you that is a lot easier than fighting off the internal manifestation of sin while also trying not to go insane and possibly blow up a kingdom by causing Yang to go all molten lave fire dragon on us... or survive creepy Ruby, or convince Weiss not to try and become queen of the universe."
"What about Blake," Hags asked.
"Oh I'm what Blake caused," Noire said, "We all survived me pretty easily and it was easier to convince Weiss not to try and take over the world than I would have thought, the other two were still terrible and I was not even technically around for one of them."
"Okay Noire how about we stick to not understanding you," Sweetwater said, "Cause all that stuff sounds a little farfetched."
"Yeah well I don't care how crazy her past is," Tucker said, "I finally found a girl who wants to hook up with me and she likes Jr too."
"And yet with one sentence we hear something even crazier," Lona said.
"It's true though," Noire said as she wrapped her arms around Tucker and snuggled up to him, "I came across a dimension, left everyone I know, to find Tucker and Jr. and maybe to help other team RWBYs if I can."
"Well it looks like you found us," Tucker said as he put an arm around Noire. "Why couldn't that Magog have knocked my chest piece off too?" "And we have one of the RWBY teams here the other one you'll be able to meet when we get back."
"Right so what is going on," Sarge started as he walked up to the group with the Reds. "What the... Tucker how did you loose your helmet and why is there a succubus version of Blake clinging to you?"
"Hey just because some one is sexually intimidating doesn't automatically make them a succubus," Doughnut said, "I think she looks like a sexy vampire."
"You all can look but only Tucker can touch," Noire said with a smirk as she and Tucker let go of each other, "So it's just us going to go get this planet thing then?"
"Yeah," Grif said. "Hey wait who are you?"
"Uh Grif were you sleepwalking again," Simmons asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Grif said.
"Ha well it is nice to see you guys are pretty much the same," Noire said, "Don't ask Simmons." Simmons who looked like he was going to say something simple muttered 'aw' as Noire continued. "So how are we getting to Requiem?"
"I am how you are getting there," Yishi said as the Sith version of Blake walked up behind Tucker, Noire and Jr. "We will go in the Hemorrhage and Noire, Shade warned me about you. I have one rule for you and only one rule..." Tucker backed away as Yishi pushed her way past him and Jr. to stand in front of Noire. "No molesting my crew in any way, got it?"
Everyone was just staring at the two women when Noire smirked and said, "Is that it? Pfft easy. Tucker isn't part of your crew and I don't think it's molesting if the other party is into it."
"Hey yeah baby," Tucker said, "Bow-chicka-bow-wow."
Yishi looked between Tucker and Noire for a few moments before the corners of her mouth curved up slightly in amusement. "We will see, I get the feeling that one or both of you is more bark than bite. Be on the ship in an hour or we are leaving without you." Noire actually looked shaken at this comment and Tucker made a point to asked her about it when they were alone.
"Well she is scary," Caboose said.
"No kidding," Preston agreed.
"I'll go get started on a new helmet for you," Sarge said to Tucker, "Come on Lopez I'll need your hands and your eyes."
"No you don't you just want me to stand around and listen to your rambling," Lopez said as the robot walked off behind Sarge.
"Aw hey that's no fair I want to help too Sarge," Doughnut said as he ran off after Sarge and Lopez.
"Fifty bucks says he'll blow it up," Church said.
"I'll take that action," Grif and Haggard added.
"We might as well go watch the train wreck," Jr. said as everyone started to head for the Hemorrhage. "Dad, soon to be Mom, you to coming?"
"Yeah we'll be there in a bit," Tucker said as he looked at Noire who had crossed her arms across her stomach and was looking at her feet in thought, or Tucker assumed it was thought.
"Okay see you there," Jr. said as he left.
After making sure that they were alone on this side of the base Tucker walked up behind Noire and that's when he heard the very quite sobbing. He quickly wrapped her in a hug and asked, "Hey what's wrong?"
"She's right," Noire said, "I am all talk."
"No you're not," Tucker said, "That kiss earlier said that."
"That's just it though," Noire said, "That is the first time I've ever been able to kiss someone without blacking out and honestly I think it was due to the adrenaline high from fighting that Magog."
"Wait you've kissed other people before," Tucker said, "Who?"
"It's a long story," Noire replied, "Let's just say I may have been possessing Blake's body at the time and Yang may have figured out what Yishi just did."
"Wait your first kiss was with Yang," Tucker exclaimed.
"I was technically in Blake's body but yes," Noire replied, "And Yang was just trying to get me out of Blake at the time. It worked so I can't argue with the results."
"So you've never kissed anyone that you loved in your own body," Tucker asked, "Or anyone that you actually wanted to kiss at all?"
"Until today," Noire said as she thought about it, "I... I guess not, do you think that is why I was able to kiss you and be fine?"
"One way to find out," Tucker said as he turned her around and kissed her. It didn't last very long this time though since Tucker's tongue found one of Noire's fangs and he jumped back with a "yow."
"Oops, sorry," Noire said, "I should probably have warned you about my fangs. They are very sharp."
"Yeh, no kibbing," Tucker said as he held his tongue where Noire's fang had stabbed it, "I'll hafv to be morph carethul this time."
"How about next time," Noire said as she put a hand up to keep Tucker back, "Unlike what Doughnut thinks I am not a vampire. Now let's get to Yishi's ship."