A/N: What is up everyone! I am here with a new arc in the newest chapter of OOO! I hope you enjoyed the previous arc and its ending. As you now know, the debut of a certain evil Rider will be making his appearance and this is where it begins! Don't forget to check out my newest story, Chalice: The Wild Card Chronicles (Kamen Rider Blade x High School DxD).
Also, I am glad you guys are enjoying the story so far and that I am thankful. Anyways let us begin the beginning of the new arc shall we?
Henshin!
Third Person View
'Thought'
Greeed/Yummies
It was the middle of the night as I was sleeping on the bed, Blake resting next to me as we slept through the night. However, as I was sleeping, I was flinching as tears and cold sweat running down my face. I was going through what I thought would never happen again, I was having another nightmare.
'Penny!'
'You humans don't know what the troubles you call cause. You are are nothing but walking desires for me.' Kazari said from the speakers. 'You think training the kittens, these… Huntsman and Huntresses to fight the enemy when you don't realize the conflict that brews every day.'
'You guys go help Pyrrha! I'll take care of the Grimm!' I shouted to Weiss and Ruby.
'PYRRHAAA!'
However as my nightmare continues, I saw who, more like what was in front of me as darkness surrounded me, the Dino Greeed who was growling at me. "You can't save everyone boy…!" He roared before he lunged at me.
My eyes shot open as I sat up, on the verge of screaming from the nightmare. After experiencing the nightmare, I was breathing heavily with cold sweat as my eyes filled were with tears before I try to wipe them away.
I looked to my side and saw Blake still sleeping, not wearing her bow to hide her cat ears. Ever since we got comfortable sleeping together, she decided to sleep without her bow since she knew I see her as a person than as a Faunus who were mistreated.
Needing air after what happened, I slowly and gently got off the bed before walking to my closet to grab my coat and left the room. Once I was out of the room, I went to the door and walked outside. I watched from the ledge as the moonlight of the shattered moon was casted down in the district.
I lowered my head and reached in my coat and pulled out the photo of Team RWBY, Team JNPR, Team CFVY, Ankh, and I together.
I just couldn't forget what happened at Beacon, I just can't. Losing two friends was very hard for Blake and I but I couldn't forget what happened to Pyrrha or Penny. Seeing what happened to them was still stuck in my head. I should have done something but I couldn't get there in time.
Just thinking of that day, my hands begin to tremble as I continue to stare at the photo before tears came down from my eyes, some landing on the photo. The incident had separated some of us, with Yang unable to fight due to her arm and Weiss going back with her father since the four kingdoms don't know who to trust after seeing those Atlas androids shooting the civilians.
"Enrique…" A familiar voice called out.
I turned my head and saw Blake by the door, but she looked concerned upon seeing how I am right now.
I looked back at the sight of the town, seeing the lights across the district glow in the night, "I just needed air…" I muttered, putting the photo back in my pocket. I heard Blake's footsteps approaching me closer before I noticed her by my side.
"Please tell me what's wrong," she asked, concerned.
I didn't want to tell her but she was there for me. I swallowed a lump in my throat before speaking up. "I...I was having another nightmare again." I answered. "Ever since Pyrrha and Penny died, I keep having nightmares, seeing them die over and over…" I felt the tears running down from my eyes. "Just like my family…"
Blake looked at me before placing her hands on my cheeks, making me look at her. "Enrique, I know how painful it was for us to lose our two friends but they wouldn't want to see you like this." She said. "They would want you to move on, being there for the rest of us. I know you couldn't reach out for them but that doesn't mean you should give up." She pressed her forehead against mine. "You are you, the person who took his steps, helping everyone you see. The one I fell in love with."
Hearing her small speech gave me comfort. She proved a point, Pyrrha and Penny wouldn't want me to be like this, they would want me to continue on and protect everyone like I have since the day I became OOO. I let out a small smile and said to her, "You're right."
I placed my hand over hers, feeling the warmth of her skin. "They wouldn't want to see me like this including my family."
Blake let out a small smile before she gestured me to head back inside. I nodded before I followed her to our room. Once there, we went to our bed and lay ourselves down on the mattress. Blake moved herself close to me, resting her head on my shoulder. I looked at Blake who slowly fell asleep and let out a smile. I soon felt the onset of sleep, prompting me to close my eyes and let sleep take over, waiting for the next day to start.
Remnants of Desires
Chapter 36: Aftermath, Poseidon, the Quest
It was now morning as Blake and I ate breakfast while Ankh was perched by the window eating his ice cream while watching the people walk about with their usual doings. However, I knew he is keeping an eye out for any sights of his actual body.
It has been a while since we last saw Ankh's actual body. Knowing the bird Greeed, the Lost Ankh might be searching for him as well but also watching the people. At least Lost Ankh hasn't met Kazari yet.
Not to mention it has been 3 months since Beacon fell…
For Blake and I, our relationship was doing well and we have gotten a lot closer as well. Despite the situation that often occurs with the Grimm, we still find a way to spend time together and such. How far has our relationship progressed?
You see, we have been taking things slow and it was working well for the both of us. Now… well… right now…
My girlfriend and I were now our room as we were both standing with Blake with her back against the wall while the both of us were wrapped in each other's embrace as our lips were locked passionately. She runs her hands through my hair, clawing at them slightly so she can feel every inch of my body against her own.
I unconsciously allowed my hand to travel to her chest as her cheeks grow a bright red blush from the feeling. I allowed my hand to move a bit around her chest area causing her to let out a cute sound as my hand was on her… 'treasure'. We soon pulled away from the kiss as we needed air to breathe. "You sounded cute, Blake." I teased.
"I-I'm… not cute.." She panted softly.
I let out a sly smile before I began kissing her neck ever so gently in which she let out a cute moan again before I continued to move my hand around her 'treasure' as my other hand held onto her wrist. "En...Enrique… " She moaned softly as I kiss her neck. "Ah…" I went back to kissing her on the lips.
"You are cute, Blake. I won't deny it." I admitted after I pulled away.
She panted heavily, her face covered in a bright blush as her cat ears folded back. She gently clawed my chest, as if asking to take her now. A soft purr was audible as she wraps her arms around my neck, and even rubs her leg against me.
Don't get me wrong, I love Blake very much and we never left each other's side. And while we have gone through a few… 'bases', we expressed how much we love each other.
Just as we were gonna continue, a loud knock on the door of our room was heard, making the both of us stop what we were doing before we readjusted our clothes which were a bit messy from our kiss as well as Blake combing her hair as she still had a blush adorned her cheeks.
"What's wrong, Ankh?" I asked.
"Oi, have you seen my treats? I hope you didn't hide them from me again!" Ankh shouted from the other side of the door.
Blake sighed, rubbing her temples, "No, we didn't. We left them in that bag with you when you walked out to recon." She frowned, not liking that Ankh ruined our moment.
We heard silence and the sound of the Bird Greeed searching through the bags until he heard some boxes being thrown to the ground, showing that he found them and probably began to eat his usual treat, ice cream.
I let out a sigh, "I still wonder how he doesn't gain any weight from eating that much…"
"I bet it goes to his bird brain..." Blake huffs.
"I heard that!" Ankh shouted from the living room. "Like I would 'gain weight' from eating the ice candy while you two act like cats wanting love!" He shot back.
Blake blushed heavily from that, "Shut up Ankh!" She shouted, covering her face in embarrassment. I walked out of the bedroom as we see him by the window, eating his usual treats and gazing out the window. The way he was staring was like he was waiting. To our guess, he is keeping a lookout for his real body.
"Still trying to find out where your actual body is?" I asked.
"What do you think?" He scoffed, taking a bite of his treat. "Knowing that my actual body is still out there…"
"At least the good thing is that our friend Sara is okay and Vale is under protection of the RideVendor Battalion." I remembered.
Hearing that made him glare at me upon the reminder, "Don't remind me, Enrique. Just be lucky that this city hasn't been invaded by Grimm for three months..."
"Shouldn't I say that?" I raised an eyebrow. "They are protecting everyone in the city, even more the RideVendors. Kougami even hired some Huntsmen and Huntresses to help out knowing the situation."
"Che…" He muttered before looking away but Blake and I could tell that he cares about Sara since she reminds him of the little girl he met all those years ago when he was a full-powered Greeed. Maybe Nora was right, maybe Sara was his friend but reincarnated since she somewhat reminds him of the little girl 800 years ago.
I took notice of Blake heading to the shower but I felt my eyes travel down to her rear. It seemed very slender… and I swear that she likes playing with me.
Before I continue staring, I felt Ankh slap the back of my head, getting me out of my staring. "What was that for?" I asked, rubbing the back of my head to ease the pain from the backhand he delivered.
"For being an idiot and a pervert." He huffed.
"I'm not a pervert!" I denied.
"Then why were you staring at her rear?" He questioned. I stammered, trying to counter or find an answer but I only looked away. "Thought so, pervert."
"I told you, I'm not a pervert!" I argued before the both of us were butting heads again as sparks was formed as we glare at each other. Before we knew it, somehow a 'dust cloud' was formed around the both of us as we began to argue and tried to hit each other.
Blake stepped out quickly while wearing a towel around her body as she sighs, grabbing something and blew hard on it. While no sound emerged from it, for me and Ankh, it sounded liked a jet engine being fired off right next to our ears as we stopped and covered them, flinching from the pain it emitted before Blake stopped, "Now, will you two stop fighting already?"
Ankh glared at me when I was staring at her before he punched my shoulder. "We will." We said before giving a quick glare at each other.
"You think we should head out…?" I suggested for the three of us as I rub my shoulder.
Blake smiled, "That does sound nice." She agreed.
"What about you Ankh?" I asked the Bird Greeed.
He looked at me for a moment before letting out an irritated sigh, "Fine… it's better than being holed up here for hours. However..." He pointed at Blake without looking. "Stop standing there with that towel on! I rather not have the idiot here ogle more than he already has!"
A tick mark formed on my head while I looked away. Though Blake blushed before hissing and slapping Ankh hard enough as some Cell Medals spilled from his arm, for some reason. She huffed before heading back in to finish up her shower.
After getting ourselves ready along with Blake putting on a fresh set of clothes along with myself, we were now walking around in the resident district as the citizens were walking around as well. But Blake and I could tell they were still mourning for the loved ones they lost during the Battle of Beacon and the massive breach. It was gloomy to be honest...
But thanks to the RideVendors, they have been searching for them due to experience. I can guess that the RideVendors are former Huntsmen and Huntresses along with soldiers that Kougami recruited. Plus, they have been patrolling the city as well, making sure no one causes trouble along with any signs of the White Fang or Grimm.
But… I still couldn't forget that day…. Even with the 3 months that past, it didn't change the fact that it was the day lives were lost and the loss of our two best friends… Glancing a look from afar, I could see the still frozen Grimm dragon on top of Beacon Tower. Just remembering it, made me lower my head as my hands clench.
But that was until I felt Blake's hand holding onto mine, having a soft smile on her face as she nuzzles me gently, "I know Enrique… I know.." she said, knowing me too well for my own good. I turned my head to her, seeing her soft smile before a smile grew on my own.
As we walk more, I heard a ringing noise in which I stopped before reaching in my pocket and pulled out the Batta Candroid since the only ones I know who contact me via Candroid was Akira. "You guys… Akira is calling." I said to the two.
Blake lowered her head upon what I said, making me remember that she, well, the both of us ran away after what happened and we never contacted the others since with the CCT being destroyed, preventing any calls for the Scrolls to make in which the only way to contact others was the Batta Candroid. "You want me to answer…?"
"I don't think it's a good idea…" Blake frowned, worried that it could be another call to try and trace them, so Yang and Blake can talk.
I slowly nodded before pressing the panel, ignoring the call and placing the Batta Candroid back in my pocket.
"Are you two afraid or something?" Ankh questioned.
"You know why Ankh…" I replied with a down look. "It's… complicated… Being away from them for 3 months and not calling them… it's best that we be away from them…"
"Che, I will never understand you humans or Faunus… You both think by running away that your problems will never come after you…" He scoffed.
"Ankh, it isn't easy okay!" I snapped. "I am afraid of losing those I care about, Ankh! Me and Blake had to! We are afraid of losing those close to us! I know you are too!"
He scowled before grabbing the collar of my jacket, lifting me up. "Like I would be afraid!? I don't feel afraid!" He denied.
"You are Ankh…" I grimaced. "Ever since Sara nearly got hurt, you didn't want to lose her like the girl you lost 800 years ago. I know she completely reminds you of her!" His anger rose as he reared his fist back, willing to punch me as I was ready to receive it.
But instead, he just dropped me on the ground and began to walk off, but as he reached a wall, he smashed his fist through, causing a lot of damage from that blow. Blake frowned, helping me up, "He can be a jerk sometimes…" She said to me.
I sighed, "I know but he is like that after what happened to him…" We looked at the Bird Greeed as he stood where he punched the wall as if he was thinking something over. I felt guilty for saying that to him but he needed to face the facts to what has happened.
"Come on, I think we should head back to the apartment." She insisted.
"Yeah… you're probably right." I nodded before my eyes flashed purple for a moment, my Semblance reacting to the nearby presence of a homunculus filled with Cell Medals. "Ankh…"
"I know, I sense it too…" He replied, moving his fist away from the wall.
The three of us looked around, being on guard as my eyes remained purple to detect the source.
"Well… well…. Well…" A familiar voice said, making my body freeze. I slowly looked back and saw a familiar Alchemist. "I finally found you, 'former' Core Vessel." It was Gara, fully healed and having his signature grin.
Blake stood in front of me, her arms holding out to prevent Gara from doing anything, "What do you want, monster?!" She shouted out. Even Ankh was holding back the urge to kill Gara since he was responsible for what happened to me before the Vytal Festival.
A crazy grin formed on his face before reaching for something in his coat, making all three of us prepare ourselves. He soon pulled out an object from his coat, revealing a circular buckle which had a jagged edge around it. In the buckle was also three openings that look to hold… Core Medals. "Revenge for preventing me from completing the perfect Greeed." He placed the buckle on his waist, a belt materializing around it, catching us by surprise.
He then presented three Core Medals we never seen before and placed them onto the Buckle, instead of placing them in like a coin machine, the openings expanded as he placed them in before the openings shrunk, keeping the Cores in place. "Henshin!" Gara announced, as if it by command, the driver on his waist began to spin.
SAME!
KUJIRA!
OOKAMIUO!
He became surrounded by three spinning coloured Medals which accompanied the transformation. In front of him, we saw images of the three Medals he was using appear. Same was of course on the top, Kujira was in the middle, and Ookamiuo was at the bottom. The three images then formed into one large, inverted, triangular crest which flew backwards and into his chest. His body then became enveloped in energy which swiftly hardened into solid armour.
He now wore a black bodysuit under his three-toned suit of armor. His torso armor was dark blue and had matching gauntlets which were primarily black with deep blue trim. The shoulders were asymmetrical as a whale's tail jutted from the left and a whale's head was on the right. On the chest were symbols resembling aquatic animals arranged in an inverted triangle. Hanging from his belt were red hip plates. The same red armor adorned his legs in boots. His helmet was aqua blue, sporting a pair of yellow eyes and three fins that were pointed forwards. One of the fins was on the tip of the helmet while the other two flanked his faceplate, framing his mouth. In the centre of his belt was a circular buckle which had a jagged edge around it. What caught my attention were the three Core Medals he had embedded in his buckle: Same (Shark), Kujira (Whale) and Ookamiuo (Wolf Fish).
He actually has his own set of Core Medals. The three of us were shocked to what we witnessed. He created his own Driver and is in armor.
"You… You created another power…" Ankh uttered.
Gara chuckled evilly as he slanted his new Lance, leaning forward as he spoke. "Didn't you forget, Ankh? I was the creator of the O-Driver. If I can make the O-Driver then I am able to make another. However what lacks is being able to use a Full Combo and the same materials for the O-Driver. Was I disappointed? Yes. But, my new power can match the Full Combos you hold." He explains with an amused tone. "Plus this era is more interesting for me to find the perfect essence to make more Cores to add to my collection."
I gritted my teeth at the alchemist who stood straight up. "And now, in this armor, the name is now Poseidon, named after the Greek God of Water from your home world!" He pointed his Lance at me. "And now I finally have the power to kill you, boy and take back those three purple Core Medals!"
The now renamed Poseidon charges towards us three, prompting me to grab the O-Driver and placed it on my waist, the belt wrapped around me and I quickly placed the King Combo into the slots. Once titled, I grabbed the O-Scanner and scanned the medals.
"Henshin!"
TAKA!
TORA!
BATTA!
TA-TO-BA TATOBA TA-TO-BA!
Now in the TaToBa form, I quickly blocked Poseidon's Lance and tried to strike him, only for him to block it and strike me across the chest, sparks casting off the armor.
Poseidon was gonna strike me again but was stopped by Blake's ribbon which was wrapped out his gauntlet. "Pesky animal!" He growled as he pulled back but Ankh took the chance as he thrusted his blade at Poseidon who blocked it before the Bird Greeed delivered a haymaker at the armored alchemist.
The armored alchemist stumbled back from the hit before looking at Ankh. "Impressive Ankh. Even in that flesh puppet you are in, you have made it slowly adjust to your skills." Poseidon mused before blocking the red blade that Ankh wielded, their weapons locked. "I wondered why you trained your newest student."
Ankh growled as if something triggered a memory. "Oh that's right. You haven't trained anyone since you lost that child, a friend you called it, that you cared about. Such a shame."
Seeing that he is making Ankh bring back bad memories, I took point as I charge at Poseidon with a swift strike using the Medajalibur. "Ankh, don't let Poseidon's words get to you." I said, blocking the Lance that was gonna pierce me. "I know you won't make the same mistake again." I punched Poseidon away from us before using the Batta Legs to deliver a double kick.
"Hmph. As for you…" Poseidon scoffed for a moment before vanishing before my very eyes. And in a second, I felt a sharp pain as sparks flew off my armor. I quickly turned around to see Poseidon standing behind me. "You are still very weak.. I'm surprised you lived this long?" He sighed before he swung his lance as me, more pain came from it as I was tossed away from him.
"Enrique!" Blake shouted out, drawing out her Gambol Shroud before pulling the trigger, Dust Bullets flying out and striking Poseidon but it barely did any effect as he slowly turned to her.
"Ho? Never thought of you to have a pet, OOO…" He said, walking towards Blake slowly.
I gritted my teeth in anger as I slowly got up. My hand clenching as I focus on my Semblance, my Aura glowing before it formed the three Purple cores in which landed in my hand as I then replaced the three medals in the buckle with the purple cores and scanned them.
PTERA!
TRICERA!
TYRANNO!
PU-TO-TYRA NO ZAURU~!
The crests of the said Cores aligned and formed the PuToTyra armor as ice formed around me before shattering and I charged at the newly armored enemy. Using the Medajalibur and struck him across the armor. When he tried to strike me, it only made it be nothing since I was in the Invincible Combo.
"Che… That devil power you have won't help you…" Poseidon scoffed, gesturing me to strike him.
Our weapons locked once more as we were glaring at each other, our power at a stalemate, the both of us trying to overpower the other. I couldn't use too much knowing that I would be subjecting myself to Greedification if I do. So, I used the Tricera Spikes to pierce his armor then used Tyranno tail and swing him away from us, crashing into the wall as the Alchemist's armor was smoking and he stumbled a bit.
"Che…. I'm getting bored of this boy…. I think I shall end this fight we have and take my medals back." Poseidon stated to me.
We got ourselves prepared for another round but Poseidon saw members of the RideVendor Battalion approaching making him growl. "Damn…" he cursed from the number. He looked at us three before pointing his lance at me. "Know this, OOO. This is only the beginning, I will do what my King should have done 800 years ago. This is the beginning for the Rise of Poseidon!"
And like that, Poseidon vanished into thin air, leaving us restless that he now has the power of new Core Medals, and one that can match my PuToTyra power. I turned to Blake as she walked up to me, a worried look on her face, "Are you alright, Enrique?" she asked.
I tilted the buckle back, dispelling the armor and nodded, "I'm alright…" I turned to where Gara vanished. "But now Gara has his own power… We have to be careful." I took a deep breath before looking at Blake. "Let's head back to the apartment…"
She nodded as the three of us made our way back to the apartment. However, I was in my thoughts upon what happened. Gara, now calling himself Poseidon, has made his own Driver with those three Cores he has. It brought concern for me knowing that it will be a tough fight the next time we face him.
Back at our room, we pondered over what happened while Ankh was in his room, fiddling with the Core Medals we have. Gara now being a warrior, similar to me as a rider, known as Poseidon, and what's worse is that he has power rivaling that of a Full Greeed. Not even my power could make much dents in him… and I fear this was only a fraction of his true power that he is trying to achieve.
I clenched my hands upon the memory of when Poseidon tried to harm Blake. There has to be something that can stop Gara from getting stronger… there has to be… If I can't find a way sooner or later then he will harm everyone I care about. I didn't want that to happen again…
"Are you sure you're okay…?" Blake asked, now wearing her yukata sleepwear without having her bow on.
"I'm…" I wanted to say I was okay but I had to be honest to her; she is everything to me. "I'm not okay… I'm just… Just scared of losing you… I don't want to lose anyone to Gara…" I admitted. "Not after what happened three months ago…"
She smiles softly, placing her hand on my cheek, "You will never lose me Enrique…. I'm yours now… And nothing will change that…" She leans in to give me a tender kiss to which I return... It felt comforting for me to hear her words.
Though the moment was ruined yet again by Ankh, walking into the room as he slams his fst against the wall, creating more damages. I swear, if he doesn't stop, they'll kick us out cause we can't afford the repairs!
"Gara… That cynical bastard…." Ankh growled out.
"Ankh, look we understand what we saw earlier," I said. "I know that Gara made his own power with his own Cores to use. But we have to just find a way."
"No…. You don't understand Enrique…" Ankh said, his fist and body trembling more and more. "If he now has the ability to make more medals that easily, then he has more than enough power to…. To…." He lowered his head, not wanting to finish his sentence.
"To what, Ankh?" Blake asked.
"He has more than enough power to erase our medals if he comes in contact with them…." He finished. "He is the creator after all. If he made them then he can break them." He pointed at me. "But the only thing in his way is you since the three Purple Cores are now your Aura/Semblance. In other words, you are an antithesis to the Cores he makes. Before the festival, he wanted to make the Dino Greeed from you since without desires and with desires, he would basically have the only way to stop him but since it didn't happen, he wants you dead." He said, before looking up at us, "And should he obtain the medals we have instead of destroying them…. He can erase Vale in an instant…."
"So if he gets the Core Medals we have… then everything will be gone…" I realized. "Then we have to find a way to stop him for good and destroy whatever Medals he makes!"
"There is only one place I know that can provide the answers to defeat Gara for good…" Ankh muttered. "The Lost Kingdom."
Hearing this made the both of us look at him. "But Ankh, didn't they take away every single evidence involving the Multi-King?" I pointed out.
"They didn't take down the ruins."
"What are you talking about?" Blake asked.
Ankh let out a sigh of irritation before looking out the window. "When us Greeed confronted his Majesty, the day I was betrayed by him, the kingdom was already in ruins due to his actions." He answered. "Kougami did bring old artifacts from there, in other words it is still intact."
"Do you know where the kingdom is?"
Ankh walked to the desk to grab the map before placing it on the table. "It's northwest from here," he pointed at the said place, the island shaped like a dragon that was breathing out fire.
"You mean the Lost Kingdom was close by all this time…" Blake uttered.
"What do you think?" replied the Bird Greeed.
"Then that settles it, we are heading to that island so we can find the answer to stop Gara for good." I declared. "We have been staying here too long and it's about time we leave and stop Gara, Kazari, and Cinder…" I clenched my hands. "I know they won last time but we won't let it happen again. Not again."
Blake placed her hand on my shoulder while Ankh leaned against the chair, "You're right." She agreed.
"It's better than lazing around this town." Ankh huffed. "I was already getting bored of fighting the Grimm at the other district."
"Then let's get ready to go." I declared.
With that said, all three of us went to grab our new combat/casual attire to put on. In the bedroom that Blake and I sleep in, I was looking at myself in the mirror after I changed out of my pajamas and into my usual attire.
I put on my jacket that I have kept with me before I looked at the dogs tags in my hand before I clenched them before putting them on, allowing it to hang around my neck and placing it under my shirt. "Semper fi…" I muttered to myself before leaving the room to see Blake already in her clothes.
"You sure you want to do this?" Blake asked.
"If anything, we have to stop Gara before he causes more trouble." I nodded.
"Then let's go, I am already waiting to get out of this stupid boredom." Ankh said impatiently.
Blake and I just rolled our eyes as we started to get ready by packing what we needed. And after packing everything together, we made our way to the door before I stopped, making Ankh look at me in annoyance, "What is it now?"
"Before we go, I think this is also a good chance to visit Beacon Tower one last time." I replied, raising my head to the two.
"What? Why would you even want to go there, you idiot?" Ankh questioned.
"We are not gonna come back here to Vale, Ankh." I replied. "And knowing that we are heading to the Lost Kingdom to find the answer to beating Gara, who knows how long we will be there."
"I see… Very well.. We can visit her before you leave. Unlike you all, she did have good skill." Ankh said.
We both sighed before we grabbed our bags and left the apartment to visit Pyrrha's grave one last time.
The three of us headed up to the Beacon tower once again to visit Pyrrha's grave to say our last words before we depart. The Grimm activity has decreased thankfully since the RideVendor Battalion and the three of us have been clearing out Grimm in the area since they have been attracted by the Dragon Grimm.
When we made it to the top of the tower, Blake and I approached the grave we made for her as we placed flowers in front of it, paying our respects once again. In front of the flowers was a small stone, with Pyrrha's head piece on top. Blake leaned next to me, having her hand wrap around mine, though I could feel her trembling softly.
It was a painful day for us to remember. "I still miss her…." Blake said softly. "Why did she have to die? She…. she had a future unlike the rest of us… She even finally shown Jaune her feelings…. And now…"
"She fought to the very end to protect everyone…" I replied, gently holding her hand. "And we promised that we will do our very best to stop those like Gara…"
"We should get going you two…" Ankh pointed out.
We gave one last look at Pyrrha's grave before we quickly made our way out of the tower as Ankh got onto his RideVendor while Blake and I got on the other and drove away.
"How will we get to the Lost Kingdom?" Blake asked.
"I know one person that can help us get there. You might hate this idea, Ankh." I replied before taking a deep breath. "... We are heading to the Kougami Foundation to see Kougami and request a Bullhead to get there."
"ARE YOU INSANE OR JUST THICKHEADED?!" He shouted, "I will NOT risk any more of my medals for that thief!"
"He is the only person we know with enough resources for the three of us to get there." I pointed out. "Who else would we go to in order for us to get there?"
He growled before he finally said, "Fine! But you owe me a few boxes of the ice candy!"
Upon agreeing much to his irritation, we made our way to the Kougami Foundation which was a bit of a long drive but we eventually made it to the location. We got off of the motorcycles upon the building. It has been a while since we have last been here.
"Can't believe I am agreeing to this…" Ankh muttered.
"Hey, maybe if you're good, he'll give you some ice pops?" Blake teased.
The Bird Greeed glared at the both of us before we entered the building. I approached the front desk, seeing the receptionist. "Excuse me, can I speak to Kougami?" I asked.
The receptionist looked up, seeing me, Blake, and Ankh. "He has been waiting for you three. He is at the top floor," she smiled, gesturing to the elevator.
We walked towards the elevator, but once it opened, we were greeted by an unexpecting face, "Enrique? Blake? Ankh?" Standing in the elevator was none other than Goodwitch, surprised to see us.
"Professor Goodwitch?" Blake and I said at the same time. "What are you doing here? We… haven't seen you since…"
"Since…. The fall of Beacon… I know…." she sighed, "As to answer your question, I work here now."
That was then Ankh cackled upon this, "The stern Goodwitch now working for the good for nothing old bastard? Hahahaha!"
That was when Goodwitch used her riding crop to pin Ankh to the ground, much to his displease, "Keep it up Ankh… Otherwise I may ask Kougami to penalize you further to only having one Cell Medal…" She taunted him.
He scowled before finally keeping quiet in which Goodwitch stopped as Ankh got back up. "So Kougami hired you…?" Blake said.
The former professor nodded, "After the fall… This Foundation has used much resources to protect Vale due to the RideVendor Battalion. They are still continuing with rescue missions which somewhat surprised me to see how capable Kougami is." She explained. "Now, most of the Squadrons are former Huntsmen or Huntresses."
"So what? Then that makes you a member of the RideVendor Battalion?" Ankh raised an eyebrow, arms crossed.
"Yes. Though, I did not expect you three to be here. I'll direct you to Kougami's office…." She said, gesturing us to follow her inside the elevator.
We entered the elevator as Goodwitch pressed the button, the doors closing and began to elevate to the top floor.
"So…" I started, trying to begin a conversation with our now former professor. "How long have you been working here, Professor Goodwitch?"
"For 2 months, a month after the Fall…" She replied. "I take it you two have been staying here…?"
"Well… we have… for now at least," I answered.
And just in time, the elevator doors opened to reveal the path to Kougami's office. We followed Goodwitch as she got hold of the door handle and opened it, revealing Ms. Haven and Kougami who was baking another cake, humming happy birthday but behind him was footage of the fight, but this surprised Goodwitch upon seeing the armored figure who was shown in the footage.
"Kougami." Goodwitch called out.
The said man looked up and saw the four of us. "Ah, you arrived. Today is a special day! The birth of a new power!" He gestured to the image of Poseidon.
"You know, I'm standing right here?" I pointed out, frowning, "I rather not be reminded of him?"
"Do you know something, Enrique?" Goodwitch asked.
"That warrior is really Gara who created his own Driver, calling himself Poseidon. Named after the God of water where I'm from." I answered as my hand clenched. "And his power is on par with the Invincible Combo..
"That is exactly why we should celebrate! A new life being made from the power of desires!" Kougami beamed out, lighting the candles on the cake that he just finished.
My hands clenched more, feeling upset until I felt Blake's hand. I turned my head to look at her, seeing her give a soft smile. Deciding to calm down, I looked at Kougami, "Listen, Kougami there's something I would like to request."
"Oh? What kind of request?"
"I would like to request a bullhead to the ruins of the Lost Kingdom."
"You wish to use a bullhead to the Lost Kingdom?" Kougami repeated.
"It's the only place that can provide answers to stopping Gara, Kougami." I replied, placing my hands on the desk. "I understand we still have to collect Cell Medals for you but this is something that Blake, Ankh, and I need to do… to stop the people responsible for the destruction they caused in Vale and Beacon Academy. We're doing this not just for our friends but for everyone. When I reach out to help those in need..." I clenched my hands. "..I keep my word to the very end… I don't want to let anyone down again..."
Kougami was silent, he sighed softly before walking over to the mini fridge in his room. He opened it up and brought out a box that was inside it, he smiled at us, opening it up to reveal a cake for…. Us? "SUBARASHI! That is the response I like to hear for you, Enrique. Go. Take a bullhead and search for your answers. Let this be your desire. The desire to protect and save all. With that in your mind and heart, you'll be able to defeat anyone in your way, maybe even gain a new power from it?" He beamed out, handing us the cake. The cake had chibi faces resembling us, along with the rest of RWBY and JNPR.
Seeing it brought back memories before the Fall, my times with my friends… the ones I consider family to me. A smile grew on my face as I nodded.
"Now before you depart!" He snapped his fingers. Ms. Haven soon brought three cases, placing them on the desk and opened the first two, revealing… another Birth Buster and Birth Driver!?
"You made another set!?" Ankh questioned.
"That's correct! However it is only in the Prototype stage but still functional. And~ it is for you, Ankh." He said.
"How am I- wait, can you repeat that?" He argued at first until he stopped and asked to make sure he wasn't hearing things.
"I said, it's the Prototype, and it's for you, Ankh." He repeated.
He slowly looked at the belt before grabbing hold of it before looking at the Birth Buster. "Why would you give this to me? A Greeed that is an enemy to the rest of you?"
"Simple! You are different than the other Greeed, Ankh. After all… you were known for your former kindness between humans and Faunus." Kougami smiled. To me, it felt like Ankh was gonna punch Kougami but… instead he merely nodded, as if he admitted it. He closed the cases while placing the Birth Buster by his side.
"And now for you, Enrique." The assistant opened the third case since it was slightly longer than the other two cases that were placed on the table. She opened it to reveal a black device along with a small black box.
"What's this?" I asked him.
"Well, that device is an attachment to your Medajalibur. It'll upgrade its power, and give it a gun form too." He explained.
"And the black box?" Blake asked.
"That…. Is only mean to be open in a time of need… In a time where there is no hope left for you all…" He said cryptically.
I grabbed the device to examine it before I unsheathe the Medajalibur. I looked at the two objects a few times before pressing the key on the device. It opened up before attaching to the blade, fusing with it and now the color changed. From its silver and blue, to now a full black blade, with purple lines replacing the blue down the middle, and the blue edge of the blade was now purple. The hilt of the blade had a hidden gun as it morphed into a weapon, resembling a pistol, but handcannon sized.
Once back in its sword mode, I twirled the sword as a grin formed in my face. "A perfect blade," I commented before placing it in its sheath. "Thank you, Kougami."
"Good luck, OOO."
After getting our weapons, all three of us went to the landing area where the other bullheads that were owned by the Foundation are. As Ankh got inside, Blake and I were with Goodwitch.
"Professor, thank you for what you have done during our days at Beacon." Blake thanked.
"And for helping everyone learn what it means to be a Huntsman and Huntress…" I added.
She had a soft smile on her face, finally showing it for once, nodding to us, "Even without what happened… I believe you two would become excellent Hunters and Huntresses… Stay safe you two… And please… come back safe." She said to us.
Blake and I smiled, "There was a saying my dad would say during his days, Professor. Semper Fidelis." Hearing this made the professor confused until I continued. "In translation, it means Always Faithful. And that is what we all are, Professor. We are faithful to what we promise to our friends and family."
"Good luck you two…." She smiled, heading back into the office.
The two of us soon entered the Bullhead as Ankh was in the pilot's seat. "Since when do you know about driving a bullhead?" Blake asked the Bird Greeed.
He presented a manual, "This. Does that answer your question?" Ankh threw the said manual behind him before he started the controls, the bullhead now soaring into the sky as Blake and I looked out from the window.
"After 3 months, we are finally starting a mission…." I said.
Blake nodded as she moved herself closer, nuzzling me. "Maybe…. We can put a stop to this and everything goes back to normal?"
"I hope so…" I responded. "If we stop Gara, the only thing left to do would be… Finding Ruby and the others… I know we have been away from them but… a part of me wants to see them since they are family to me while the other part wants to be away from them after what we decided to do since that day…"
"I…. I know… But.. what would they say? We pretty much abandon them… They… they could hate us for that…" Blake frowned, her head lowered, unsure what Yang would say or even do.
"Maybe we can find our answer when we see them again…" I answered, gently bringing her close to me. She cuddles close to me, sighing softly as my hold as we wait to get to the Lost Kingdom. She had her hand on mine, holding it softly. I could easily tell she's still glad we admitted our feelings… I feel like that without myself telling her that, I wouldn't know what to do… Maybe I would've stayed put in the safe area and didn't even try to be a Kamen Rider. But now…. I feel like nothing can stop me. I lifted the black box, looking at it carefully, wondering what it held.
"Blake?" I asked her, she looked up at me before I handed her the box, "I feel like you should hold onto this… Maybe it's a power that only we can use together?"
She smiled and nodded, "I'll keep it safe…." She said to me, as she put it away in her pocket.
As the flight continued, I saw Ankh was resting with a loud snore while keeping the bullhead on autopilot. I found it ironic and amusing since Ankh is a Bird Greeed while flying the bullhead, making me let out a soft chuckle. I looked at Blake as she seemed distracted about something. "Something wrong, Blake?" I asked softly.
"Just… thinking is all…" She said softly.
"Thinking of what?"
"Just…. What Gara plans on trying to do to us is all…." She frowns, worried about his plans.
Hearing this made me look out the window. "Don't worry, Blake… we won't let whatever he will do happen." I assured before looking at her, giving her a soft smile. "And we will stop him."
She smiled upon my words as I decided to give her a passionate kiss. She blushed for a moment before it faded as she closed her eyes. Her cat ears folded down, as the bow bent as she hummed softly as she kissed me back, placing her hand on my cheek.
"If you two pork back there, I'll throw you off…" Ankh said, causing us to quickly part from the kiss. "Good." He soon went back to sleep. Seriously, how can he even tell what some do behind his back? Then again, he is a Bird Greeed so he must have eyes on the back of his head.
Later on we finally arrived at the Lost Kingdom. It was covered in ancient, ruined buildings and structures of the whole place. Almost looking like a huge graveyard for what Vale and the rest of Remnant could become… It was eerie and felt wrong.
"After 800 years… still hasn't changed, excluding the plants that are covering them…" Ankh said, walking ahead of us. We slowly followed behind him, wondering where he was heading to. We made it to what seems to be a plaza since there was an old fountain as the water was not clean. He looked around before he turned his head to a building and slowly approached it. When he made it to the door, he stopped as he hands slightly… trembled…
"Ankh…? Are you okay?" I asked.
"Just shut up…" He said. "It's nothing…" He slowly opened the door as it reveals a large room, almost like an old living room. Ankh slowly entered the room as he looked around before Blake and I entered. We saw old items of 800 years ago. As I took more steps, I felt my foot step on something in which I looked down, moving my foot away. I knelt down, moving away the dirt and saw a very old portrait… I looked up and saw Ankh enter a room, showing he is out of our view in which I looked at Blake. "Blake, over here." I called her. "Look at this portrait."
She walked over to me as I showed her the old portrait. It showed a woman but with her was a little girl with pink hair and her dull-grey eyes, showing she was blind. But it wasn't the only thing shown, with them was a certain Bird Greeed when he was in his real body as the little girl held his hand.
"Is… this her?" Blake asked, "She does look a lot like Sara… It's eerie.."
She was right about that, the little girl in the portrait and remembering Sara, they look the same if Sara was a little girl. "What if Nora was right?" I whispered. "What if she is her but reincarnated?"
"You have a point…" She nodded, looking at the portrait. "It was like the little girl really cared about Ankh… and her mother seemed to not mind at all either…"
We heard Ankh's footsteps, prompting us to quickly get up and saw him holding something in his hand. In his hand was an old fashioned, small stuff toy. I looked at the old portrait then at him, "Ankh, here, I think you should keep it." I insisted.
"No…. I won't need it…" He said, placing the stuffed toy in front of the portrait.
"But don't you-"
"I. Don't. Need. It." He said sternly, his bang shadowing his eyes. "We will be sleeping in this place for the night… don't bother me…" He stood up, grabbed a sleeping bag and went to the room he walked out of before closing the wooden door.
"Ankh must have really cared about her…" My eyes soften from this. "I never seen him like this…"
"Do… Do you think he loved her?" Blake asked.
I rubbed the back of my head from that question. "I… don't know plus the girl was really young from what we can see in the portrait." I pointed out. "And Ankh doesn't know feelings remember? But seeing as how he is still controlling his host… he is experiencing what we feel, the experience of emotions and such…" I looked out the window as the sun began to set. "We should set out the two sleeping bags." I walked over to our bags as I took off my jacket and grabbed the two sleeping bags before I placed them on the ground after sweeping away the dust and cobwebs that was around the room. After setting down my sleeping bag, I glance a look at Blake, seeing her look out the window.
I approached her before placing my hand on her shoulder but just from the touch, she jumped a bit, making me concerned. "Blake, are you alright?"
"No…. I think I'm fine.." she said, moving herself close to me.
While I do wonder what was wrong, I assume was the paranoia she was experiencing for a while now. While we are alone, she didn't show it but when we are out in public, that was where I get worried about her. Hell there were a few times she felt it during our travel here.
"Just know I am here for you, okay?" I assured her.
She nodded before the both of us went into our sleeping bags. While she slowly fell asleep, I focused on what we will find. Hopefully there will be something that can help me-no, all three of us to beat Gara for good.
In the old bedroom, Ankh was on the ground, looking at his Greeed arm. The room he was in… it was the room that the little girl he once knew lived in. It was too painful… since when can he feel the utter sadness…
'Promise you will protect me, Ankhy.' the echoes of the little girl's voice echoed in his mind. 'Promise you will be with me to see the world as I grow up.'
Remembering the promise he made, he suddenly felt something running down his face. He moved his hand to what it was and saw what he couldn't believe.
Tears of sadness...
"Why… can I feel this emotion….?" He asked himself. "I can't feel these emotions... it's all in the flesh puppet…"
A faint memory appeared in his mind. He tried to shake it off but it only grew stronger. 'Ankhy.' A voice rang in his mind. Burning back into his memories once again, he tried to hold it off, but it didn't work as her face and smile returned into his memories as some tears ran down his face.
"No more I can't let it get to me…" He muttered, turning away. However the name and image kept on coming back. He closed his eyes, lacing his hands on his head not wanting more but when he opened his eyes he saw the surroundings looked like it was as if it was in normal condition before the King went mad.
He noticed he was standing and he was like a ghost. He looked back at the bed seeing the little girl placing her hands on the book, her hands tracing over the pages due to her blindness. She was humming until the sound of a window opened. He turned around, seeing himself when he was at full power. "Little bird…" He called out.
The little girl turned to the window and her smile beamed. "Ankhy!" She beamed, running up to him. "You're back!" She nearly tripped until Ankh from the past prevented her fall.
"You should be careful… I told you before." He sighed.
"Why? I know you'll help me." She smiled to him.
He sighed, "You're… right about that…"
"Can you help me see the world again, Ankhy? Please?"
"Fine... "
The girl's smile grew before hugging him. "You are the best, Ankhy!" she said.
Before he knew it, his surroundings went back to the way it was now. He felt more tears running down his eyes, causing him to fall to his knees. "I can't feel sadness… I can't remember this... " His voice finally choked. "Damn it flesh puppet, stop it… I don't need to see more memories…!"
"Geez man… You serious need to stop calling me that… I have a name ya know?" A voice rang out in his mind.
He quickly got up looking around. "Who…"
'It's me ya know. The one you are controlling?'
He looked at the slightly shattered mirror and saw his host, Nathan Westborn. "What do you want? Why make me experience this!?"
"It's not me making you do this. It's your own mind and heart." Nathan said to him, the host in the mirror crossing his arms as if he was trapped in there for Ankh to see.
"I can't experience what you humans and Faunus feel!" He snapped. "I am a Greeed! We have a void in our own souls!"
"And who told you that? Gara? The King?" He frowned.
"We were born with nothing! NO feelings, NO memory, NO personality, and NO purpose! We were a Blank Slate"
"You seriously believe that?" Nathan questioned, stepping out of the mirror like a phantom as he walked over to Ankh.
"What do you think?"
Nathan sighed, and oddly enough gave Ankh a hard slap. The Bird Greeed reeling back from the blow, "Wake up you idiot…. You and the other Greeed always had a soul. You just didn't realize or wanted to accept it." He pointed at the Greeed arm. "Didn't you say the Cores are the source of your conscious?"
"So?"
"So… that's showed the Cores hold your soul." He replied. "How else would you be able to produce Aura? I mean sure you can only be hurt by Core Energy but if you didn't have a soul, you wouldn't have this Aura. And don't say it's mine…. You can easily tell that my Aura is minimal compared to yours."
He growled. "I…" He tried to argue.
Nathan sighed, "And I thought my older brother was a little harsh…" he looked at the Bird Greeed. "Ankh, being soulless would be like the Grimm. Only death and bloodshed but you and the other Greeed, you guys are only doing this to fill the void you all have with Desires."
"That is what we do, well the others do..."
"But tell me this Ankh…. If you think you need to fill the void, why would your heart say otherwise?" Nathan asked, as he moves to the side to show a picture of the little girl then she changes into what appears to be Sara. "To me… Your Core Energy, your soul, and your heart, is telling you, that you have everything you can need…" Behind Sara then showed Enrique, Blake, Ruby, the rest of Team RWBY, JNPR and more.
He clenched his hands as the memories were coming back in his mind. From the day he gave Enrique the O-Driver to now. "Alright…" He said quietly.
"What was that?"
"Alright! I get it!" He snapped.
Nathan smiled at him, nodding, "Good… And Ankh? You should realize this as well…" Nathan slowly began to fade away, "You're not just some doll made of Desires… You're a living being… and one of the First Five Huntsmen. Keep that in mind alright?" And like that, Nathan faded away, fully, back into his sleeping mind. Ankh looked at the human hand and his Greeed arm, then turns his head to see the picture of the girl he knew, flashes of Sara showed in his head as a soft smile and oddly enough a soft blush appeared on his face. He quickly slapped himself to keep his mind together. "I hate this…" He muttered before falling back to his sleeping bag. He sighed before closing his eyes and falling asleep.
CURRENT MEDALS:
Blazing: Taka (x2), Kujaku (x1), Condor (x1)
Scorching: Lion (x1), Tora (x2), Cheetah (x1)
Strongest: Kuwagata (x1), Kamakiri (x1), Batta (x1)
Legendary: Kobura (x1), Kame (x1), Wani (x1)
Water: Shachi (x1), Tako (x1), Unagi (x1)
Gravity: Sai (x1), Gorilla (x1), Zou (x2)
Invincible: Ptera (x1), Tricera (x1), Tyranno (x1)
(NEXT TIME)
"So this is where the Multi-King lived at…" I said, looking at the surroundings.
After a while of running, Blake and I came to a stop as the cloaked figure was tracing her fingers across a wall. "Look… just who are you?" I asked. "How do you know about the Multi-King."
"Time to bring you as a Homunculus." He poured the last piece onto the Core and Cell Medals.
Next Time: Lost Kingdom, Last Alchemist, Secrets
A/N: Well that is it for part one of the Rise of Poseidon Arc! I hope you all enjoyed the debut of Poseidon as well as the fight. I wonder what will happen next as we are getting close to the last chapter of this story. Well we will find out soon enough, see you all later.