Doctor Avian has been cooped up in his office for most the day. He tried to monitor the systems that normally were Peacock's job but since she left on a mission at Painwheel's forced request she has not returned to his dismay.
He sighed exhausted as he reviewed the schematics for a new project in their main mission to destroy the skullheart. A new parasite called Project: Shamone. He was against the project since it used the genetic structure of several parasites one of which was the Sekhmet parasite. About a month after Peacock left the director feared that she failed her mission boarded up the chamber and forced the plans and funds through the kingdom council to start the creation of what they regard as the super parasite.
His calculations were giving him some very unfriendly results. "This director's insane." He stated looking at possible simulations in the mainframe. An intercom went off to his shock. "Yes?" He yelled into it as he hastily hide the project's files.
"Hey Professor, It's Big Band." His voice came in through the intercom. "Peacock Back on the beat she may need a tune up though." He said as something heavy could be heard falling on to him.
"Can it Windbag." An angry child's voice can be heard through the intercom now as well as ruffling from what he guess was an unconscious Big Band. "Hey Doc, I'm back and I have a surprise for you." Avian could see the music notes in her voice with how she rang her voice. It meant she is extremely pissed or the mission was a success and on top of that it means that Project: Shamone could be put on a hold.
He left his office passing the system generator moving toward the elevator to reach the Avery Unit barracks or "the club house" as Peacock named it. It was a long ride up from the underground lab making the entire wait a boring one. He combed his hand through his hair as his own eyes gave signs of his own parasitism.
The elevator came in through the ground finally entering the facade building that Lab 8 was assigned to hide their research. It went up an additional three floors before it came to a halt He exited to see that the entire once cleaned safe house had turned into what looked to be a war zone with Big Band glaring angrily at Peacock and the rest of the Avery Unit backing her. Big Band had Hive, Leduc, and Ileum. Painwheel was off in the corner with three men he did not recognize. To his surprise, she actually had the leather mask off and fashioned like a bandana while talking to the three strangers.
Normally he would get introductions out of the way but he could tell all of the Avery Unit as well as most of Lab 8's living quarters are about to be demolished if he did not stop the two feuding sides.
"Damn it side show." Leduc yelled angrily. "You were not even back two minutes and your trying to prove yourself better than everyone."
"Hey, Don't talk to the boss dat way." A talking Anvil spoke up Avian recognized it as Andy, one of Peacock's trusted lieutenants.
"Ironic coming from the very definition of imaginary friend." Hive countered.
"Why I outta." Both sides got into more fierce combat poses.
"HEY IF YOUR GOING TO FIGHT EACH OTHER SAVE IT FOR THE SIMULATORS!" Avian yelled angrily at the two sides. "Patricia your shows have been recorded they are in the SGSS."
Peacock looked at him blank faced. "Really?" Avian nodded as he watched her. "Well why did ya say so?" She spoke happily as she and her team walked off in the usual happy attitude she gave to people.
Big Band approached him still angry. "Smooth groove doc." He complimented "Don't know what she was doing but she made a few friends." He turned to face the group Painwheel had her mask down over her face now. Guess she was expecting a fight to happen soon.
"I see I'll listen to peacock's story once the hostilities die down." Big Band stood there silently looking at him. "That'll be all." Big Band nodded as he signaled for the original Avery unit to follow him. "(Must be his turn for going out hunting. Hopefully he will have new leads.)" He turned his attention to the three strangers and a unmasking Painwheel. "You are dismissed experiment eighty-four." He spoke up only to get an unfriendly glare from her. She got up and trotted off as she went to the area they affiliated for her.
The gray haired man looked at him unamused if he were to guess who he called Painwheel is the cause of the look. "You are aware she has a name." He spoke up calmly his tone though had hints of disdain toward him.
Avian rubbed his forehead before adjusting his tie. "Hardly." He responded as he gestured for the three to follow him. "Who the hell are you three anyway?" He decided to ask turning to look at them just to have faces of disapproval on them.
The man in the green jacket was the first to speak. "You can call me Ozpin for now. My associate on the left is Bartholomew Oobleck. To my right, General Ironwood." The entire time Ozpin spoke Avian never turned his head which suggested he was not listening. "As for our origins. You can say it was quite the trip to get here." He still seemed like he was not focused on him. In fact, Avian appeared to be reading a result that just came in from what could be a recent experiment. "I have to thank the ASGL for suppling the transportation." Avian turned and looked at the three of them.
Avian's mind was not sure what to say about the mysterious trio. "(Transport? When did we do that?)" His thought in his rummaging. He stopped as he was lost in his thoughts.
Ozpin looked at him clearly aware he was troubled by something. "I would never have thought Peacock was well known here." His voice echoed slightly in the corridor as he looked at a handful of photos and news clippings regarding her creation. "The citizens from the other side were rather busy trying to arrest her for disturbing the peace." Avian looked at him with a face of pure shock. "It seems you have caught on as to where we are from." He gave off a cynical smirk as he looked at Oobleck and Ironwood. "Mind if we go somewhere more private?"
Avian observed the three more cautiously as he slowly nodded. He gestured to the elevator. "This way to my office please." He had an unsettled tone as they entered the machine.
Ironwood looked at the inside of the elevator. Metal to mimic gold was used as trim inside what looked like a wooden paneling. Avian pressed a button signaling floor B-8. If he were to guess it must be Lab eight. The descent was long to many of the elevators occupants awkward silence. Only Oobleck's pencil was running at a rapid rate.
"Can you stop recording data?" Avian Finally erupted slightly annoyed. "Has it ever occurred to you that this area is top secret?" The three travelers looked at him shocked that it was Oobleck writing was what got him to erupt.
Oobleck looked upward in his thought and immediately nodded. "Apologies I never considered that." His voice for once seemed to be more mellow despite his more eccentric tone. He stowed his journal and pen and began to look toward him as well as the two named Ozpin and Ironwood.
"So, you want to speak with the Canopy Kingdom?" Avery asked curiously. It seemed the subtle nod was all the proof he needed. "Hate to break it with you but Parasoul is not exactly on speaking terms with The ASGL organization." His new information seemed to make things look bad for him as the three stared two of which had light shielding their eyes he was certain it was not a friendly look. "You are familiar with Lab zero I imagine?"
Ironwood's stone cold face looked at him with suspect questioning eyes. "The people that made the rift device." His tone was not much friendlier.
"Correct." Avian applauded on Ironwoods guess. "Unfortunately, unknown to the other labs, lab zero was doing an unexpected project. Using Skullgirl blood to destroy the Skullgirl." He went for his keys when a noise caught his attention. Seems Peacock was making more of a ruckus to the team's disdain. "While the project was a means to an end None of us knew what they were doing." He unlocked his office door as he looked left and right before signaling the three to enter.
Avian's office was not as elegant as the headmaster of Beacon's office but it was meant for function over astatic. He sat across from the three in his desk as the other stood still completely. "Please continue." Ozpin calmly pushed his to finish his story.
"The new head at the time was a director named Brain Drain. He is a powerful psychic that took over lab zero after undergoing cognitive enhancement." He began digging through old newspapers. "Here., They were posted all over Maplecrest." He handed Ozpin a few papers. On them was an innocent looking Valley girl with a short chin and pinned up hair bun style. "Does she look familiar?" He asked as they examined the photo.
Ironwood's eyes widened immediately realizing why the girl looked familiar. He saw her in the cell the day a psychotic woman devastated an Anti-personal vehicle with her bare fists. "Is this?" He began to ask.
Avian nodded. "Lab zero for a long while had been kidnapping students for experiments. Once Parasoul found out she stopped working with us and halved our funding." He leaned back in his chair annoyed. "What's worst is I have a traitor in my own division that had been smuggling our parasite creations over to where ever the hell they are at. Big Band has been looking around for a while though I doubt much will change for now."
Ozpin looked at the poster of Carol again. "Did you alert her parents?" He asked his blank slated voice left no trace of sorrow or nurturing.
Avian closed his eyes, his face showed the look of disappointment. "Painwheel I'm afraid already made contact with her original family a month before Parasoul found her." He was showing a lack of concern. "They couldn't even stomach her." The three looked in shock at the realization that the ASGL organization may be more dangerous than initial expectations. Ironwood had the hardest time gripping it Avian was lucky none of the students were here they would have probably injured him.
"After that she just moped about here for a few months. Going on about killing Him and her, whoever that is." His voice changed "Until a monitor showed a female break into that rift room and accidently slingshot herself through it. Began calling her an old friend." He took a sip from the water on his desk. "It meant some time where we don't have to deal with some annoying hair trigger so most the researchers took it as a luxury."
Ironwood began to glare at the scientist in front of him. This man was supposed to be a protector though he seemed to have no regard for the lives that were ruined by the company. Avian looked him in the eyes his face was unamused at how they were acting. "What kind of sick group are you?" Ironwood growled angrily in an attempt to intimidate the unamused scientist.
Avian looked slightly confused "Excuse me?" He asked already certain of what he was about to press.
"Your company has destroyed that girl's life and none of you look as if you have shame in it." His eyes narrowed on the red eyes of the scientist. "How many more have you ruined."
Avian sighed as he massaged his temples. "Why bother?" He grumbled looking at the overly stoic man in front of him. "All of us are blamed for a single rouge branch." His tone showed annoyance since this interrogation was a waste of time. "I saved Patricia from certain death when the slave traders nearly killed her for trying to defend a friend she won't tell the name of." The three looked at him. "I'm blamed for Brain Drain's endeavors simply because we have no way to get rid of his psychic grip of her mind." He looked at Ironwood returning the cold glare that he received from him. "I have been like a father to those two. Even if they are by your definition, monsters."
Ironwood looked at the man in front of him shocked that a man like this existed not only did he seem unamused by him it seemed that he was true to his word. All around his office Avian had several photos of him spending time with Peacock. "Apologies. I promised Carol that I would take care of the ones who did this to her." Ozpin looked at him examining his face. It was not the first time he had this kind of drive but it looked to be something that could come in handing.
"I assure you Brain Drain has whatever hell Carol has planned for him will be delivered in due time." He leaned back in his chair "So, you wish to talk with Parasoul correct?" He pointed at Ozpin as he asked.
Ozpin nodded as Avian closed his eyes. "If I'm not mistaken she should be near the far west side of New Meridian tonight though I'd wager you won't get there in time." He snapped his fingers. "Of course," He confirmed something but the others were left in the dark on what it was about. "She was planning on taking down the Quarter jar gang tomorrow night."
Oobleck looked at him curiously. "A queen that takes on threats personally?" He began writing it down in his notebook which he pulled out when he heard they were discussing how to negotiate.
The door to his office flung open with Peacock on the other side. "Hey principle." She yelled getting their attention. "Looks like Bed Hair and Tuna Breath are bout to fight. Wanna watch?" Avian looked at her slightly confused.
"Thank you, Peacock." Ozpin answered back "I suppose it would be best to learn how one is to fight in this world's set of rules."
Little Innsmouth.
Ruby's hands were clinging tightly to the railing in front of Yu-Wan's shop. Both her team and Juane's were watching as Ms. Fortune took a fighting pose across on of the pier like walkways that inhabited the aqua slums called Little Innsmouth. Yang, her sister was looking around noticing how several people had stopped to observe the two fighters who have not moved a muscle from their initial pose.
Blake observed how several seemed to be exchanging currency as if they were betting. It seemed Minette was watching as well close by. She leaned toward her. "What are they waiting for exactly?" She whispered into her ear.
Minette looked at her dumbfounded before remembering what Ms. Fortune said. "Oh right. The Skullgirl for a little under a century has made New Meridian her home. Because of that warriors or women that believe they have a chance against the creature come in masses." She looked back to make sure they had not start yet. "To test themselves while they wait for her to surface they train against one another. So, New Meridian has somewhat turned it into a tourist thing."
Wiess looked at Minette annoyed at the fact they have to watch these two fight. "What does this got to do with Blockbusters?" She questioned her getting in Minette's face.
Minette took a few steps back to make some distance from the cold aristocrat. "A lot." She answered as she regained her composure. "Blockbuster's work of crowd hype."
Wiess and Blake turned to notice a lot of people have begun to watch several boats with passengers had actually stopped. "Looks like we're in for a treat folks. Two skull-hunters are about to square off."
Ms. Fortune looked at Filia who was clearly nervous. "You ready hair ball?" She asked looking at them. Filia nodded reluctantly. Ms. Fortune grinned a little. "Hey barge man!" she yelled with a very big grin on her face "ring the bell!"
"Ladies and Gentlemen" The barge captain announced. "It's Showtime!"
Ms. Fortune started off strong by severing her head and kicking it skyward. Filia dashed toward the headless cat feral.
Unfortunately, Filia tripped over her self-making her flail around a little before regaining her balance. Her drop in guard allowed Nadia to Axe kick the parasite infected individual square in the head. As Nadia's foot dropped Samson snapped out of his daze fast enough to catch the falling foot. He wrapped his body around her squeezing her and to a lesser extent his host in an Octopus looking form of hair. Ms. Fortune did eventually broke free from the hair monsters firm grip. Eventually she saw an opening. In a fast attempt to escape she sliced through some of Samson's hair. Filia and Samson winced in pain as she escaped the grasp of hair essentially.
Ms. Fortune made a mad dash for an unknown reason to her opponent. Samson took a defensive vine formation expecting an dangerous full force strike. Filia placed her feet like Samson recommended during combat so she had an optimized evasion from rapid hits. Samson had to take special care that Filia's vision was not covered by bangs or any of the defensive tentacles he made to cover most vital weak area's in her dodges.
Ms. Fortune's headless body stopped thirty feet away from her as it took a weird stance. Samson was waiting for the random strike. "Common" He grumbled. "You know your generally faster than us so what is your plan?"
Filia looked at the headless body's positioning. She had a feeling deep down that the positioning was a little too familiar. "(Where have I seen that stance?)" kept moving through her head. She tried to recall it but it seemed to be pushing her memory as the headless body jumped in the air doing a backflip. Filia's eye's widened recognizing the posture "(OH CRAP! It's from soccer meaning…)" She never finished that thought as the head of Ms. Fortune was kicked by her own body and collided with Filia square in the forehead.
Samson braced Filia's knees as she teetered left and right she was not out cold she still was conscious "Hey kid, how many spikes do you see?" He asked as a strand came in front of her with three spikes sticking out.
Filia looked at the spikes. She saw several in front of her she tried counting them but they kept moving. "MMMmmm, eight" She answered. A slightly dazed grin on her face.
"(Great she's out of it.)" Samson grumbled as he looked toward Ms. Fortune's body which was seeming to taunt him. He glared at her as he tightened the bonds on Filia's joints to control her while she was dazed. "Kid don't try to move much." He ordered her.
"Okayyy" She said as she was forced to duck underneath a punch followed by being quickly thrown onto her back by Samson barely dodging a flying roundhouse kick. She was pushed back up once the flying foot was gone Samson the sprung her into the air to get advantage on the Feline Feral.
Ms. Fortune looked at the black mass that was soaring over her. She got ready for the drop. She knew it was coming but not sure when.
Meanwhile Ruby sat watching in shock the fighting here was less sporadic between individuals. No extreme strikes from rapid speed. Yet she felt something foreign yet familiar as the fight was progressing. She heard the onlookers cheering which is not unheard of except the energy in the air felt raw. She saw the look on Pyrrha's face suggesting she felt it to as did the others that traveled from Remnant. She turned to look back at the fight curious as to what was with the strange presence in the air.
Filia in that small frame had come back to her sense in time to dodge a few quick swings from Ms. Fortune's tail as it swung past her face not even inches from her nose. She countered by doing a Door kick pushing the cat feral away from her to give her space. Samson responded by throwing several powerful strands that slammed into the ground as she jumped left and right. Eventually Samson hit her with two powerful downward strikes with a set of hairs shaped like a comb. The hit sent her into the air giving Filia time to run toward the airborne opponent. Samson formed two alligator like jaws slamming her in between them. She cut free of them and knocked Filia to the ground. She stuck her claws out with an ominous grin on her face. Filia was paralyzed with fear.
Samson in a last-ditch attempt before she began to curl around Filia wrapping both two in a giant hairball. The black-haired orb began to spin and bounce uncontrollably until a giant jaw appeared on its side spitting out Ms. Fortune. Filia eventually jumped out as Samson reabsorbed into the orb and back into his usual fighting pose.
Ruby began to get jumpy for some reason. She felt a startling adrenalin rush that devoured her patience. She had to do something to drain it. Yu-Wan looked at her and knew exactly what was wrong. "First time feeling this kind of energy?" He asked grinning a little as he looked at the others who were in similar situations. "Don't worry everyone who is a trained fighter is like that their first time. Even your friend Filia was like that in her early days of working with Samson."
Ruby looked at him "What is this?" Her face showing clear signs her adrenaline was flowing through her veins.
"You are feeling a raw untapped form of energy. Not even the parasites know how to explain it other than it exists." Yu explained as he looked at the fight. "It is used to do attacks like this." He pointed toward the fight.
Ruby turned her head to see that Filia and Ms. Fortune were standing a good distance apart from one another. Filia had a decent scratch on her left cheek her clothing was torn a little from the fight. Samson looked like a mess with bits of his ends beginning to split and other parts look as if they were tangled.
Ms. Fortune was holding her arm right where her stitching would be. She was grinning a little. Both had the same kind of energy flowing through them and Ruby could tell by both their faces that they were focused. On Filia's face, a concerned glare. Ms. Fortune's face showed a daredevil grin similar to Samson before a fight. Samson however had a glare on his face he really feeling the energy.
Filia looked at Samson. "You ready Samson?" She asked as she looked back at Ms. Fortune who was clearly ready.
Samson grinned while looking at the Feral. "Show 'em a bad hair day!" he yelled in rage." With that remark Filia dashed right at Ms. Fortune.
Ms. Fortune grinned as she dashed at them. The two were running angrily without stopping. "Transform!" Filia yelled as Samson began to spread himself across her back forming a shell. Six insect like legs began to come from the shell. Two antenna poked from the top of the figure as the back popped open showing a bunch of hair shaped like wings. Filia was hovering above the ground by a few centimeters as she shoulder rammed Ms. Fortune.
Nadia responded by slashing multiple times into Filia's insect like armor She eventually got a hold of her and drilled her with her hand. The two stopped the bombardment both standing still. Ms. Fortune lost an arm as Filia and Samson fainted.
The crowd erupted into a roar of applause as Ms. Fortune bowed to the crowd. "Thank you are too kind." She yelled walking up to her opponent. "And I thought I had hair troubles." She taunted as she picked her up. Her severed arm latched to her tail as she walked back to the restaurant.
Teams Rwby and Jnpr froze in place at that grand finally. Ruby was in utter shock at how fast the two moved they were almost a blur. "That was… AWSOME!" Ruby yelled making both teams jump. "They were moving so fast clashing into each other. Then they did the classic sword dual pose." She was continuing her freak out as Minette slowly pushed her back into the diner.