The Anti-SkullGirl Labs remained mostly quiet after Ironwood's return from MapleCrest. Carol's mystery seemed to just get more and more of a twisted headache the more he read into it. At first it looked like it was a kidnapping, done by Brain Drain likely done by his assistant Valentine. Why would one of them give an apology if they had done this at Carol's count eighty-four times possibly more now. None of it made sense to him.
"For the last time you weirdo!" Peacock's voice screeched angrily toward Oobleck who seemed to have finally ran out of provided reading material for his studies least, till the morning "I am not going to talk about it!" The same story bared repeating as he had found out since leaving the labs. Oobleck discovered that Avian had saved her life with the use of the parasites that she had in her. He asked a few questions for her to be either confused or annoyed, usually both. In response her body guards a living anvil, weight, and several bombs with arms and legs had done everything in their power to distract him. This was for not as Oobleck proved to be very tenacious.
He groaned as he felt a rather unexpected urge appear in his gut. He kicked the habit to smoke early when he first meant Ozpin but at the same time it felt he needed the relapse given the new levels of stress he has endured learning all of this during his visit to Vale of all places. Quietly he slipped unnoticed to the elevator wanting to think in peace of the whole lunacy of the situation. As the Elevator was called, he turned an eye to a vending machine selling the desired nicotine. The ASGL was kind enough to lend some cash, so he approached it looking at the random batches.
"If you're going to buy some, stay clear of the River King rolls." Avian's voice came from behind him. "The Medici's like to cut corners only thing they are good for is an extended fuse to a jerry can."
"Sounds like you know from experience.' Ironwood responded selecting one of the other brands. The head scientists nodded as he looked at the arrow on the elevator. "Done for the evening?"
"Only on break." Avian's tired tone implied a very large lack of sleep. "Workloads on crunch with the new project Shamone."
"Shamone?" the name caught the interests of Ironwood.
"New Parasite in development. Not sure what the higher ups are thinking, if at all." The last bit muttered barely as the ding of the elevator signified its arrival.
"Seem on edge with it." Ironwood's glance made it certain he is now undivided.
"It's likely nothing." Avian remarked as he pulled out his own carton of cigarettes and pulled a lighter as they went toward the roof. "Shamone couldn't operate unless it were to meld with someone. Doubt anyone would dare get near it."
"So, you say." A tone of partial distrust.
"Any luck in your little mission?" The Doctor asked looking at the general who looked in mild contemplation.
"No." He let out a defeated sigh. "I don't think either of them will ever be able to recognize Carol as is unless she were to somehow return to before her disappearance. "
Avian chuckled at this. "Welcome to the world of monsters my dear general, careful not to lose yourself less you wish to become one," Ironwood's face gave a placid gaze, his eyes filled with an apathetic malice at the doctor's cynicism. "Got to make peace with it sooner or later, less your no different than those you hunt."
"As if I can speak from experience." Ironwood remarked angrily at the doctor.
The tone in Ironwood's voice made Avian smirk again. "Perhaps a game of questions then?" Ironwood's gaze turned slowly to that of an undivided glare. "Why did you take pity on experiment- eighty-four?"
Ironwood's hands balled up at the way this one toyed with him. "Who wouldn't, should it be different from the reason you saved Peacock."
The Doctor's eyes perked at that his response followed by an exhausted nod in acknowledgement "touché."
"My turn then." Ironwood spoke up before Avian could ask his next question."
Avian let out a halfhearted chuckle "Very well."
"Why is it you seem to distrust us?" Ironwood decided to focus that as it seemed he had been abnormally hostile toward them since their arrival. "We have not done anything to wrong you."
"Besides our first meeting where you accused me of Brain Drain's handywork, no you have not." Avian remarked. Ironwood did not like his answer. "Very well, I'll elaborate." He continued expecting more to come. "What is it when you see me?"
"A person who cast away ethics." Ironwood affirmed to him only to see the small smile disappear from the doctor's face.
"Fair." Avian relented. "Well, when I see you, your researcher, and that Ozpin individual, I don't see your occupation." Ironwood's eyebrow cocked hearing this. "I see three people claiming to be ambassadors yet only two of you I imagine could even fill such a claim."
"This is regarding Ozpin then." Ironwood concluded as he leaned his back against the elevator's walls.
"Astute." Avian confirmed to Ironwood. "Yet with all of that charisma and vast intellect, why does he come off as the weakest link to your mission."
Ironwood's gaze hardened "That can't be right."
"I believe it may the case." Avian remarked as he took a long puff of his cigarette. "Ozpin seems to believe that he is presenting an even playing field, yet I can't help but notice a few problems when informing Professor Oobleck on our world's, well physiology, to put it bluntly."
This piqued Ironwood curiously. "Go on." He remarked waiting to hear his thoughts.
"With Pleasure" Avian spoke up taking a puff of smoke. "When it comes to Ozpin, he often shows himself as a no-nonsense hero type, likely seen his fair share of failures as well. Yet I don't think he is aware of how analytical the Renoir family is."
"Parasoul's family." Ironwood remarked. "Oobleck mentioned they have their share of blood, there's even an entire wasteland dedicated to the wars they have been a part of and fought in."
"Correct." Avian applauded at his recollection. "And while generally it was against the Gigans one of our nicest 'neighbors' they certainly have us beat in terms of raw power."
"I don't get your point." Ironwood blurted out half annoyed.
"Fine, fine. Tch, soldiers." The doctor muttered under his breath. "I believe Ozpin won't have a grasp on just how cutthroat the world of monarchs is."
"Seems like a shallow excuse." The general relented massaging his temples feeling his cigarette's heat reaching his lips. He put it out in his left hand and produced a fresh one from is pack.
"The question is how much does Parasoul know about him?" Avian mused, after a pause showing Ironwood doesn't understand he looked the general head on and continued his analysis. "So far interactions came with her learning of an accident's return along with a representative from the so-called host world. She doesn't know much else though likely has begun to investigate the supposed quacks' claims even though it is true."
"So, she's likely researching us." Ironwood concluded the doctor's theory slowly coming to terms with his madness. "There's more to it, isn't there?"
"Indeed. You see, while I was listening to your anthropologist ambassador and pestering Stanley something concerning caught my ear." Ironwood remained focused of the pointed eared doctor as he continued. "During the conversation I noticed him note lot of contrasting similarities."
"Contrasting Similarities?" Ironwood repeated yet again holding a heavy deal of skepticism.
"Are you familiar with Mirror theory?" Avian asked holding a stone-cold gaze that made the Atlas General hold in place for a few ticks.
"It's the theory that runs on the idea the more things that differ the more they remain the same, right?"
The Doctor nodded. "Close but not quite, it's more that the more that things parallel each other, the likelihood that the other will have a similar entity in its stead."
Ironwood's eyes rolled at the pompous theory. "The get on with you example."
"In your world you draw on a metaphysical Aura and Semblance. How did your world describe it?" Avian spoke up with heavy curiosity. Ironwood Felt the same feeling in his gut he got when Ozpin was verbally baiting him into one of his hastened lessons.
"The manifestation of one's soul." He answered with weary hesitation.
"Again, dear general, you see the parallel, don't you?" The doctor concluded letting out slow and methodical puff as if in deep contemplation with his data. Yet Ironwood grew tired of his games and refused to humor it.
"What parallel? He demanded his answer not wanting him to utter nonsense. Avian looked at him somewhat disappointed.
"Why; the way your metaphysical manifestations parallel this world's parasitic soul matrix fused manifestations." Ironwood looked at him in confusion and disbelief. His mind had begun to conclude that Avian had cracked from the work he did. "You look begs to differ, very well then, an examination of the two specimens."
Ironwood leaned on the railing stubbing out his cigarette fully focusing on the professor as he continued his monologue. "In your world, as described by Professor Oobleck and with-holding any doubts of this action. Aura and Semblance manifest as if part of one's biology. Whatever they are brought about via puberty or a forced awakening of some sort it really does not matter. What does is the origin of the manifestation the turmoil and the awakening of one's soul as a form of extended power." Avian spoke before smirking a bit. "Honestly, I'm a little jealous must be nice to live in a world where anyone can be a hero or villain by the flip of an on and off switch. Perpendicular to you however, we create extensions or harness extension to create new attacks and weapons with the use of parasites. Limited by numerous, and some cases, fatal setbacks but can persist in both worlds as they do not adhere to the rules of manifestation."
Ironwood snorted at this idea but humored it. "You expect me to believe that our worlds reflect one another on the account that parasites operate similar to an aura and a semblance." He chided with almost disappointment that the man called himself a scientist.
"Not exactly one to one yet the soul is always constant." The doctor reconfirmed.
"I'd say you're a fool." Ironwood remarked.
"Then why is it in Oobleck's report when I glanced at it noted that Filia her parasite, Samson gained two auras but a single semblance?" Avian rebutted catching the general off guard.
He continued to think, (Avian is right about that report, I even read it and witnessed it. In Carol's case it was noted she had three.) He looked the doctor dead in the eyes "So you believe that the fact both concepts harness the power of the soul is where they are similar. A base blueprint if I were to use a less refined analogy."
Once again Avian was lighting a new Cigarette the elevator was halfway now. "Big Band was certainly right about you. but let's address the bigger question rather than the example."
Ironwood froze a bit at this sudden change in pace, but he stood firm flicking the new roll despite having just lite it a second ago. His mind was trying to concentrate on the new proposed question.
"The final question is this General Ironwood, what does your world fear?" Avian spoke up now his eyes having a look of contemplation almost as if he believes he is n the cusp of a new break through.
"The Hordes of Grimm, the White Fang, and lack of protection." He remarked quickly.
"Wrong, what is it your world fears?" He asked again.
"I can't think of anything other than the current political threats and the aged old ones." He refuted. "What is it your world fears?" He asked again.
Avian answered coldly almost as if calculated. In some ways Ironwood can tell he may have just lost this game. "The Skullgirl and her Legions of undead."
(Legions of undead?") Ironwood pondered (In terms of mass that would be the Grimm unquestioned, then why bring up the Skullg-) he had a sudden flash inside his head. It hit him and worse of all was He learned Ozpin's secret had been discovered. "You believe the Grimm are being controlled."
Avian nodded seeing Ironwood look at him in silent shock. "Indeed General, the difference between the two if how they operate, while Grimm are world encumbering, the undead only manifest from the Skullgirl herself. Meaning…"
"The Grimm in theory should have a ringleader." Ironwood remarked. "And you believe Ozpin is somehow connected to this ringleader."
Avian finished his cigarette chucking it aside into an ashtray. "Hard to say on that front but seeing as many individuals as possible, like Annie are connected to such monstrosities I only believe that there's someone who is. Ozpin with a near otherworldly life experience seems to match the same motif as the immortal teenager of our world."
"I see." Ironwood remarked in slight shock. "Perhaps we should head your warning about Ozpin if we wish to arrange for these accords."
"If Ozpin believes that he can play with Parasoul like any other diplomate it may prove to be bothersome, though I'm certain the accords will go by with an alliance forming. How stable, well, that's another question all together.
Ironwood made a mental note to warn Ozpin that someone was able to piece together his secret war with some form of margin. A sign that he needs to be cautious but for now the roof called his right as the ding of the elevator announced their arrival, they are met with an emergency stretcher sitting on the center of the roof top. The two eyed it concerned Ironwood going for his revolver as they approached it.
The twos eyes widened when they saw the surgical scarred face of Carol motionless on top of the stretcher. Ironwood immediately lowered his gun and approached hastily, as did the scientists concerned at the abnormal discovery. Avian grabbed her arm and placed his fingers on it concentrating on picking up her low pulse.
"Is she-"
"No." Avian interrupted "She's gone catatonic likely her override pushed her past her breaking point. What did Brain Drain have her do this time though?" He looked over what he could see, heavy scratches stitched up bruised face and likely a fractured jaw. It was made worse when they saw the blades on the Buer Drive parasite to see two of them had heavy dents and were warped while another one was shattered.
"The damages she sustained." Ironwood whispered in surprise. "What did she go up against."
"Honestly I'd be more concerned for the blonde." A new voice spoke up from behind the two. Instinctively Ironwood raised his revolver to where the sound came from only t find it met by a Syringe going directly into the exposed chamber of his cylinder. "That anyway to treat a rescuer?"
Ironwood looked at the black mass that sat simply in a way to ensure that the figure could not be seen. After a few seconds though the sound of high heels on pavement could be heard. As the shadowy figure of a female could be seen soon enough the figure too form for the two to recognize as Valentine. Ironwood's glare got much more intense he holds little respect toward AWOL soldiers his army or not.
"Valentine!" Avian spoke up in shock it had been a while since he had seen her up close the last time was after Peacock's surgery.
"So, the entire other world rumor is true…" She mused looking at Ironwood. "No way in hell we could build a cybernetic that advanced, if it wasn't for the motion of the Sternum Muscle and the shape of your upper Deltoid, I would have thought it to be actually organic." The Nurse complimented the work though Ironwood still seemed more keen on getting answers from her.
"What did you do to her?" Ironwood demanded angrily.
"You will have to be more specific especially in her case." Valentine mused only to meet an annoyed scornful look from the two. "Alright, Alright the truth. Ugh. Truth is I quit."
"You quit?" Avian repeated skeptically.
"Yeah, Brain Drain believed I was intentionally slowing down his projects, so he built a new one based on the water slum thief. This was my act of rebellion."
Ironwood glared at her incredulously Valentine kept her distance from the two for now he had to play along. "Why the sudden change."
"I've never abandoned my side, just my circumstance dictates how I should act." As she spoke, she threw a bottle at the two. "It's a new experiment I've been working on. Should help if you want to trust it. For now, I have one other I need to see the safety of."
"Wait!" Ironwood demanded as he glared angrily at the nurse who seemed to be more interested in giving them the slip. Unexpectantly, she stopped in place though refused to face the two. "Why did you save her? Out of every single monstrosity you and those scientists did you choose to save her. Tell me!." His tone shifting into the usual authority type common to make sure his presence is recognized in Atlas. Valentine however, he could tell, was just doing this out of courtesy.
"I've made a lot of enemies." She spoke coldly "Some of them truly deserve their vengeance." Her head turned a little looking at Carol still in her partial coma. "Carol, a young girl that should only have to fear the name of the Skullgirl like any citizen now lives with the fact her existence is intertwined through a drive to rid the world of such monstrosity. One resulting in a family that will never accept her, a school that will shun her, and a government that detests her. For what? A bit of mild respite believing that The Trinity won't just bring it back to toy with mortals again and again."
Ironwood looked toward the Avian who stood in quite contemplation. He seemed to understand Valentine's nihilism. "This has to do with what happened the day of Last Hope's defeat." Ironwood spoke up putting it together. His eyes narrowed in abhorrent surprise at her plan. "You work with her, don't you?"
"Theories for another time soldier." Valentine quipped "For now, I have a blond sleeping on a fire escape that needs to be reunited with her friends in Maplecrest as is the nature of a house called nurse." As she went to take the plunge off the side of the building, she turned to face the two. "Carol is the only one I'll put my life into her hands but only when my mission is done. The next time we meet; I will not be as friendly."
As she jumped stirring could be heard from the gurney. Carol had started to wake up again with a massive headache.