Rise Of The Grimm Reaper

by BlackDragonDevilGod

For ever path traveled in one reality, another one is taken. In one version of the world, Loki's invasion failed and his allies fell. But in another, the invasion still failed but Loki's Servant attempted to spite the Avengers and as a result, two worlds have become one. How will our heroes fare in this new world of bloody evolution.

19. Nightmare Sequence 2

Hello once more my lovely peeps!

So here we go with part 2, moving onto the Dead War and part of the reasons why Xero has, what one of you loyal readers so eloquently put it:

Siege Mentality.

As i said before, Xero already had plenty reasons to be fearful of others being a Magus and all. We've all seen the history of how witches or anyone that shows unique power get treated. Then adding into the fact all the memories he not only got from his Servants, his journey during the Grand Order and the final nail in the coffin, the Dead War.

That wasn't what i was originally going for and in all honest, i had never heard the term Siege Mentality but i cannot deny, that does describe Xero's personality down to a T when dealing with new people.

Again, for plenty of damn good reason as you will all see soon.

In a world where everyone is out for themselves, where kindness can get you killed and honest can also get you killed, no matter what you do, people will try to either kill you or screw you. This isn't something that happened over night, Xero has learned behavior and the sad part? Is the fact he is right, cause his Avenger self had proof that people will screw you over no matter what.

Good intentions or not.

He's lived through it!

Do note, this isn't just random, he's got about two and a half years left before the world goes to hell and all those people that will screw him over, are ALIVE and well, right now.

Not in the past, not in the future, right HERE. In the present, where he is barely twenty years old, at least by aging anyway.

It isn't just paranoia, he has genuine, real reasons to be afraid of being betrayed by everyone around him. He's SEEN people unleash their darkest demons when the world fell and ever time he tried to be kind, he got screw over in the worst way possible. It also didn't help that Xero had to continuously make terrible, impossible choices really to survive.

Choices that had no right or wrong answer, the type where you lose either way, no matter what. Even if he made the "Right" choice, it could or rather it WOULD cause potential down the line that could not be ignored.

Many of those choices had pushed Xero and eroded his humanity slowly but surely.

Again, to add insult to injury, some of the worst people he's ever met can quite possible walk right past him, normal and well. Unlike their post apocalypse, he has no real good reason to kill them and have no actually reason to do so, as they've done nothing to him or anyone else. People like Carver, David, Arvo, etc.

Although David might be okay in a certain way, he can differently be a dick at times but i suppose i shouldn't be putting him on the same level with people like Carver and Arvo. When he took AJ from Clem, as much as a i hate him for doing it, he did have a logic point. AJ WAS safer away from his mother in everything but blood. At least for the moment, as he was sick and he needed a place to get better, which he did and was safe up until it was attacked by, whoever attacked the ranch.

Probably Raiders.

Still the point remains, David is an asshole and a dick but his actions possible saved AJ's life at the time. But is he as bad as Arvo and Lily?

Nope. Lily wasn't so bad at first but by the final season, she's just the worst and a bitch in every sense of the word.

It's one thing to be betrayed, it's another to KNOWN the betrayal is coming and there is nothing you can do, because they haven't actually done ANYTHING to earn you're wrath. While it might be a gamble to leave them alive, it would be wrong to punish someone for something they HAVEN'T done yet, which would make Xero just like the hunters, who hunted his people during the dark ages.

Punishing people for something they might do, not his style.

This chapter will explore the darkest aspects of humanity and will delve deeper into Avenger Xero's future, so i won't talk anymore and let just start this show. As always i own nothing but my OC.

So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"

---

Chapter 14: A Discussion, The Monster Within And The Price For Survival

"Hey, wasn't that Mikasa in there?"

But first, she had to figure out just what was going on here.

"Yeah, i'm sure that was Mikasa but she looked different."

"Very different."

Jean had no idea what to think, as the woman he had a crush on since their academy days looked so different from the one they saw on screen. The Mikasa he knew was a well built, beautiful woman that was well muscled and toned. A prefect blend between soldier and woman. The one on screen...wasn't.

The Mikasa on screen had no viable muscle on her, she was a bit skinner then the one in the theater room but that could easily be explained due to the fact that she probably hasn't eaten a proper mean in so long. It be hard to find a real meal, when the entire world has gone to hell and everyone is hording everything. But there was one thing, one glaring obvious thing that needed answering.

"Is it just me or did Xero, well that Xero have a kid with future Mikasa? Or is it Avenger Xero? Ugh, this whole thing is making my brain hurt."

The brown haired man rubbed his head, trying to stall the headache coming on, as Connie nodded,"Yeah no kidding. This is so confusing."

"Well i'm sure the Xero was see is Avenger Xero and the Mikasa on screen was the one coming from his future, so..."

Remy grinned, as he leaned over to the woman that had just realized what had happened and the implications of her future self having a c-child with him. Oh she knew that every there was an infinite number of realties, where ever opportunity was possible. Even, even, even...

THUMP

"Guys, Mikasa just passed out!"

The mutant gambler laughed as he watched the dark haired woman pass out, face so red it make a lobster jealous.

"Father in law, we need to talk."

As the members of the Scouts all tried to help Mikasa, Tony found himself staring at the King of Knights. The Saber one, prim and proper as ever, her pretty face gave nothing away, save for her stern look. He nearly told her off for keeping the ever growing lists of secrets that Xero had and ones Tony needed to known, so he could help his son.

He understood, he really did and after watching that last video, he honestly couldn't blame his kid for being so cautious around everyone. Hell, he could see any misgivings capsicle might have had about Xero with holding secrets from him had died an ugly death. Seeing three, normal looking, kind people turning out to be cannibals and murders had shocked Steve to the core.

Everyone was effected, even the super spies and one eyed willy too.

That sliver haired prick wasn't the only one who had lost his lunch and Tony would freely admit, he lost his own. But that was not here or now, as he had to address the blonde before him,"What is it Knight girl?"

"I asked the Curator too hold off the next episode, so we can talk. It involves my queen and this next episode won't do him any favors."

"What do you mean?"

Tony's full attention was on the short blonde before him, as she shook her head,"Not here father in law, too many eyes. The Curator is right, my queen will have many enemies once this episode over and it's not because of his power but it will call into question his mental stability."

That didn't sound good, frowning Tony followed the blonde to a section in the corner of the room. One that had Pepper, capsicle himself, the Berserker Healer, Blondie's male version, the old wizard that turned into a woman rather then a frog, the Red Archer, miss Shieldy, the Elder Dragon woman, Xero's self proclaimed bodyguard, Mr. Dark and Broody Count, Olga and of course, the dark skinned, scantily clad queen of Sheba.

"What's this all about?"

"I'll get right to the point Father in Law, would you love my queen, no matter what he did or what he could become?"

Huh?

Tony narrowed his eyes,"I do love my son. Nothing and no one will ever change that fact, even if he became a darker version of Lord Voldemort."

"Even if the world turned against him, casting him out as a monster?"

"Even if they call him the devil himself, nothing will stop me from loving my son. I wasn't there for him during the first sixteen years of his life and i have no intention of missing anymore."

"To be fair Mr. Stark, his mother didn't mention anything about my beloved about him to you."

The Dark skinned, busty Caster chimed in with a chipper tone, making Tony relax a little at the very true statement. But that didn't mean his eyes didn't lighten up, as he looked wary at Artoria,"Why are you asking me this?"

"Because my queen is about to gain a lot of enemies. Not out of some sense of justice, just that he is too powerful and won't allow himself to be used by fools that have no idea what true power is. You see Father in Law, we have been doing some research and as far as we can tell, we are going to have quite a few problems."

"What kind of problems?"

Tony asked, feeling dread settle in, as an ice block drop in his stomach. Was something or someone going to come for his son, his children?

"The kind where some people will see master as a means to an end. Where they believe he is too dangerous to be left alone and this little tug of war can only end, when one side dies. Even then, it might now end as the side that is defeated will have allies that agreed with the defeated and seek to make our master's life impossible to live in peace. I think you agree with us when we say this, Atlas, Schnee and Ironwood will never leave master alone. He has that look, the look of someone who cannot leave well enough alone and will only stop when dead, maybe not even then."

Emyia said bluntly, making Tony slowly nod. Yeah, that was the impression he got of the "Good General".

"Like Archer said, the general is the type of person that will not allow someone like master and Lady Ritsuka to walk around freely. Even worse, he and his allies will more then likely seek to conscription them into the military, by any means. In addition that Schnee is someone who is used to getting what he wants and will more then likely seek to destroy my queen, seeing as he can pose a threat to everything he stands for and will want my queen under his thumb. Seeing as their world is at war with the Grimm and as my queen has the power to turn the tide, no action is bad with Schnee fully backing Ironwood in doing the deed. Believing that trying to mentally break my queen into being their little soldier is for the 'Greater Good'. After all, what's one life vs millions more?"

The Saber spat out, making Tony both growl and pale at the thought. Yeah, that sounded very possible.

Entirely possible.

Too possible.

"Hey, hold on now, we don't know for sure. Maybe we can-"

"You are either with us or against us, Mr. Rhodey."

Otika Alter said firmly, giving the man a hard stare,"Like it or not, master is our MAIN priority and all else is secondary. That includes the kingdoms AND the countries of Earth. I am sorry but as a Servant, my duty is quite clear: Protect master at all costs. If that means sacrificing a thousand lives to save his, then i will do so."

Rhodey sucked in a breath, seeing how serious the dark skinned woman was and much to his horror, saw Pepper and Tony slowly nodding along with the woman's line of thinking.

"Tones, you can't be serious."

"Had you asked me about two years ago or hell, even a year ago if i'd do that, then i would have laughed in you're face. I was spoiled and arrogant, but i'm not nor will i ever be evil or heartless. But now that i have a son, one that has been several traumatized a hundred times over, to the point he expects everyone to try and screw him over in one way or another, it's more then enough reason for me to put him before the world. I always thought those parents who said they'd give the world for their kids we're blowing hot air, now i know better. Now, if need be, i'd fight the entire world to protect my son and daughter. Even...even if that means fighting you buddy, sorry but i will if i have too."

Against all odds, Rhodey actually sympathized and understood what his oldest friend was telling him. Respected it even as his father always told him, a man puts his family before everything else.

That's exactly what Tony is prepared to do and Rhodey respected him for that.

He was fully aware of Tony's strained relationship with his father and how the fact it was never repaired, thanks to HYDRA. He thankful held nothing against Bucky, as the man clearly had no control over his actions and was as much as a victim as Tony had been.

Both got screwed over HYDRA and many others as well.

"Yeah, i get it, believe me i get it and i don't hold it against you."

"Thanks pal."

"Okay, i understand why you're letting us know this but why tell us now? Rather then tell us before the entire viewing started in the first place?"

Steve asked, watching how the Servants either looked nervous, ashamed or troubled. Finally, it was Mash who spoke up, despite looking like she wanted to curl up into a ball for what she was about to say,"Well, you know everyone has a dark side right and senpai's no different. But..."

"There's a reason why master may become an Avenger class Servant."

Dantes spoke, earning the human's attention,"I won't go into details, as it will all be explained but just known, what we will see is going to make many people question his sanity. You already know master isn't a normal person and his reaction to everything is complete different from a normal human, thus would in many people's eyes make him 'insane'. Simply because he doesn't have the same reaction everyone else has. However not many people have limitless power and seeing as many people don't react well to a normal person having unique power, how do you think they will react to a person with unique power that is not all there in the head?"

Shit.

Steve knew Xero, he is his friend but he wasn't blind to some of the Mazoku's policy of "Killing those that try to kill me" with a touch of brutally to top it off. Having fought in a war, Steve had killed plenty of soldiers, so he had no ground to stand on if he tried to tell Xero off for killing those that tried to kill him but that wasn't the problem.

The real problem was Xero's mental health.

As far as it goes, Steve knew Xero would be classified as a high functioning psychopath with a touch of split personality disorder, but he meant that in the best way possible.

He felt empathy, he felt shame for certain actions he had to take in order to do whatever it is he felt needed to be done and cared deeply for the people he cared for and loved. But if you were an enemy to him?

Well, there was a reason why Xero acknowledge the fact he is indeed a monster.

Steve had seen it during the war, the way Xero could be sassy and kinda goofy one moment, then the next he just kinda...switched. His personality that is, as to his friends and allies, Xero was a angel. To his enemies however, that was a completely different story. Like turning on a switch, he can just as easily be cold, cynical and unforgiving.

Still, why would-

His eyes widen in shock,"You think our enemies will use Xero's mental state against him? To discredit him and turn people against him?"

"No doubt about it."

Olga said instantly, nodding at how quickly the good captain caught on,"Xero is their worst nightmare, someone who doesn't follow the law but does nothing to actively harm innocents, nor does he let any red tape stop him. Seeing as he hid behind a mask and no one could make a connection to him, our enemies are all but stumped on what to do, seeing as he has proven to be too powerful to be killed and no knowing who he is, makes it impossible to find him. However, now that he's revealed himself, they can go after him legally but thanks to his deeds and Stark's political clout, no one would dare do so. The underworld can't help, as he's proven himself to powerful for anyone to attack him directly. The Magus don't care either way, as it's none of their business and don't care who is targeted for death, not to mention becoming the poster boy helps too. Only the truly arrogant, stupid or desperate would try only to end in failure but now the truth of his abilities will be revealed, that's going to change."

"Trying to use his own past against him, disregarding all the good he's done and focus only on the bad."

Pepper said suddenly, making Tony bite his lower lip as Olga nodded. Fuck, that wasn't good and it could work too, if done properly.

"Not that it matters. Whether it works or not, won't change the fact we'll have black ops coming for him and Gudako."

Emyia said, leaning against the wall, a deep frown on his face,"Public opinion can be very fickle and can change at the drop of a hat, regardless if what changes their opinion is true or not."

Tony looked down, clenching his fist, god didn't he known it.

"Doesn't matter what his intentions are, be they good or evil, some people will always be afraid of master and will do anything to make sure he's dealt with. However this will not only reveal master at his worst, it will always show him at his lowest, when he loses all hope. Even i don't know if it'll help or not but no one can say he's pure evil, just a young man who's had too much put on him too fast. Even if he can be very vengeful beyond all belief when you attack his loved ones. Being a queen, i know how to sway the public to our side and this will be the first step into securing his position. Showing he has nothing to hide about himself, will destroy anyone's ability to blackmail him and seeing as he's you're son, no one will be able to slander him without getting server backlash from it. We just need you to make sure certain keep of his back, simple enough yeah? The Church and his own bloodline puts him in a very high position in the Magus world but we need an 'in' so to speak, in the Non-Magi world too. You can provide that in, as you're both influential and powerful, thus can prevent morons from trying anything for a time. Think you can handle them?"

"Of course i can."

Tony said to Sheba. Yeah he could do that, if it was anything like dealing with idiots like Hammer, it be a walk in the park. It was just dealing with people of Remnant that could prove to be a problem but Tony could only leave them to the Servants.

Tony blinked, wait didn't the brown skinned woman say something about his son being vengeful?

"Oh yes, master can be quite vengeful if he feels like he or his loved ones have been wronged."

The newly minted female mage giggled, as she graceful moved to her seat, as Tony's worrying grew.

"Alright, let's get back, the viewing is about to start soon."

The small group nodded as they all returned to their seats, as the theater room's lights dimmed down and the screened started up.

CHAPTER 4: NIGHTMARE SEQUENCE Part 2:

THE PRICE FOR SURVIVAL

"You're wrong, a person only loses when they give up. So long as we keep putting up a fight, we haven't lost just yet."

Mike Zacharias- 2018, April 13

Cinder narrowed her eyes at that, feeling a new surge of angry well within her for some reason. She couldn't explain it but something about it pissed her, maybe it was because that how humanity had always beaten by the Grimm, they refused to give up, even in the face of the inevitable. While she was confident she could take them down, that didn't make it any less annoying.

Why fight what was inevitable?

Why fight a battle you couldn't win?

Because it was the right thing to do?

Why would anyone fight a battle that could not be won was beyond her and quite frankly, it was annoying. Especially when they stood in the way of her, attempting to claim the Maiden's power.

Ozpin the fool, Ironwood the fearful general, Lionheart the cowardly lion and Theo the rock headed headmaster.

All of them, save for Leo, stood in her way with their even more foolish followers like Goodwitch, Branwen, Rose, Schnee, the Ace Ops and many more. All fools that stood in the way of an unstoppable force of nature that couldn't be beaten and unlike them, she chose the winning side. They, Branwen most of all was very annoying, as the male twin had stopped her from gaining the FULL Fall Maiden's power and the sister had Spring. An annoyance and setback at worst, it was only a matter of time before she claimed what was hers but that didn't mean she wouldn't make the fool pay for interfering with her plans. Oh yes, he and his family would pay dearly for it.

Time was on her side and truth be told, all she had to do was wait till either Amber died or Ozpin did something foolish that would speed up the process. Either way, she won. But that didn't stop Cinder from being anger with the fools. All of them just didn't understand there was no point in fighting and the fact they did so, only infuriated more.

Especially those damned former Maidens, Winter and Summer.

The Summer Maiden, like Winter one, had become very old and Salem sent her Grimm to kill the old woman with Hazel and Tyrain taking the lead. They attempted to corner the Maiden, convince her to join but the old fool wouldn't listen. So when they tried to kill her, she didn't resist and in fact let them do it!

"I will die here, there is no doubt but you all will fail. This power...you're mistress will NOT have it, it'll be in much more safer hands from both Salem...AND Ozpin!"

Those were her last words and originally none of Salem's inner circle understood what she meant.

Now Cinder did.

She understood what that old woman meant and it made her grit her teeth. Oh yes, the last Maiden's gambit had indeed stone walled Salem plans but only for a moment. Did she really think that simply given the Maiden powers to someone who didn't even have aura would stop her?

Was she that senile in her old age?

Yes, getting Mikasa alone and even killing her would be a bit harder then most huntress seeing as she was an agent for this SHEILD organization but also easier, given the fact she WASN'T a huntress. No huntress meant no aura and no aura meant no protection from attacks, making her easy pickings. But Cinder knew that didn't mean she should underestimate the Ackerman woman, as they knew very little about her and as they say, knowledge is power.

After all, it WAS knowledge that lead her to the discovery of both Salem, magic, Ozpin and the Maidens.

But no matter how much she convinced herself otherwise, Cinder was beginning to have doubts and knew, she could not allow any type of alliance be formed, otherwise she may never have what was hers. The other Maiden, Gudako was a whole different beast, that Cinder knew and it would be impossible tricky to get the power from her but it could be done.

It had to be.

Nothing was impossible and she would not be denied. One way or another, she WOULD get the Winter Maiden's power, one way or another.

This, she swore.

Seven Years After Judgement Day

November fifth, 2019

The Northern Sea, Paradis Island

City of New Avalon

Xero's vision was blurry, as he slowly rubbed his left hand down his face with a heavy sigh.

"That dream again..."

Xero's room looked like a mixture between a bedroom with a lab. Along one side of the room on the right, was a desk and several shelves full of all kinds of different potion, all in different colored bottles, in various shapes and sizes. Sprayed on the desk, was both empty bottles and opened books of alchemy. Atop the small lab, was a glass casing of several different potion bottles.

On the left side, was a massive book shelf, with it completely full to the brim. On the end of the room, was a dresser, with his scythe hanging from a rack on the wall.

His sighed deeply as he fell back on his red pillows, staring at the ceiling with a tired look. Goddess what a fucking mess. He didn't know what the hell happened but all he knew, after escaping the farm, the group he was with just fell apart. It was cracked, fractured in a way that simply couldn't be repaired.

"Shit, that's not good."

Ororo muttered, as her sharp shooter friend/teammate nodded.

Though the only thing that was noteworthy, was that his eyes had changed to a permanent yellowish gold, rather then him needing to send yoki through his body to change their color. He knew from his memories as Miria, that his body had come close to an Awakening, even though he had only basically ten percent of the power, it was enough for his body to transform.

"Awakening?"

Everyone was curious as to what Xero meant by 'awakening' but knew better then to ask.

"Ever since the farm, everything went down hill. Those goddess damned bandits certainly didn't help the tension and even if they gave me a chance to relive myself of stress, the Walkers that kept coming were actually more fun to kill."

Mostly because they didn't die right away, when he delivered one of his bone shattering punches. The fact he had to crush their skulls to kill them, allowed him to rip and tear all he wanted.

Even if they did stink to high hell.

"Shocker. Dead things stink, truly shocking."

"Shut up."

If nothing else, they made it worse, like everything else they ruin all good things. Would it be too much hoping that those damn cunts to go and shoot themselves or something like that? Just, for the love of the goddess, just fuck the fuck off and go die in a ditch somewhere, not like anyone's going to mourn them, once their dead.

He doubted even the dead wanted them, quietly clearly they saw them as worthless as well and didn't want them in their ranks.

The fact it was a very true statement and seeing as she pretty much burned ever bridge possible, save with Qrow, Raven silently sucked in some breath, feeling dread wash over her. Nobody would care when she died, if nothing else many would celebrate the death of Raven Branwen with only a handful mourning her death for all about five seconds.

Five seconds before they remember how much of a bitch she is and stop caring. The only people who would care, would be her former teammates, husband and daughter but given her relationship with them(Namely the lack of one) wouldn't last long. It was a somber thought and one Raven tried to ignore but her mind kept going back to that fact.

Damnit!

Cruse these feelings or worry, fear and growing longing for the old days. Those days were gone and never coming back, she couldn't afford to focus on it and had to learn everything she could about her new prey, before she could dare to even think about striking. But the more and more of the hatred the boy held for her people was making Raven nervous and even if she would never admit.

She was strong and the boy said it himself, he was weak. The strong always won.

ALWAYS!

However despite all the shit going on, tensions within the group grew worse and worse, till something finally gave in the worst way possible. The moment when it became clear their group would fall apart and everyone had a high chance of dying.

"That doesn't sound good."

Neena said, brows furrowing as a sinking feeling settled into her gut. Something bad was about to happen, she just knew it.

All because of one boy's stupid mistake and his own inaction.

Flashback

BANG

Xero barely had time to register the fact Carley's blood and brains were all over his face, before the former reporter dropped to the ground with a loud thud, dead before she hit the ground.

"Okay, i know i'm not as smart as Armin but i'm pretty sure that's not good."

The 104th tried to laugh at Reiner's attempt to lighten the mood with humor but it only came out in weak, strangle breaths. It was honestly a good joke but it was just a very bad time for jokes like that.

Dark humor jokes would be better and that one wasn't dark enough and if it could be considered a dark joke or a joke at all. It wasn't that funny.

"Fuck, that's cold."

Roman shook his head, seeing how a supposed 'friend' just killed another without a second thought. Seriously, Cinder was bad but at least she never pretended to be his friend, just told him like it is and didn't mince words on where he stood with her.

Hopefully his new boss would make sure, Cinder would never be able to make good on her threat.

"Kenny, what was that?!"

"Kat, keep Duck inside!"

"Xero/Daddy?!"

"Don't come out, it's dangerous out here!"

WHAM

Lee slammed Lily against the RV, glaring at her hatefully,"Drop it."

"Or i'll drop you."

Xero growled, having pulled out Terminator, leveling it at the military woman's head, all but begging for her to give him an excuse to blow her head clean off.

"I don't understand, why did that woman kill the other one? Aren't they suppose to be friends or comrades at the very least? Won't fighting each other, only help the undead?"

Penny looked very lost and confused, now more then ever people needed to support and trust each other more then ever before. Yet this woman seemly killed the other for no other reason she could.

"Because girl, humans will always find one reason or another to destroy each other. Best get use to it."

Jalter Berserker spoke bluntly, ignoring her 'sister's' attempt to get her to be nicer.

Ugh.

She was rid of the original one for a moment but now had to deal with the more insufferable one, damnit!

"I had to do it, she was a danger to the rest of us, Lee."

Lily spoke slowly, as she dropped Carley's own Glock 22. Xero wanted to bash his head against the wall, tree, something! Ever since her father got killed via an arrow to the head by one of the raiding bandits, Lily had been slowly losing it. The stress of more Walkers coming, increased (Failed) raids and not only food running low but more then a few supplies began to vanish.

Xero had a pretty good idea on who was doing it but he kept his mouth shut, simply because he wanted to stay out of it AND he had far more important things to do. Sad as it sounded, Xero didn't have time to deal with the pissing constant between Kenny and Lily, as he was working on something that could save their future. Namely, working on the duplication rune, allowing it to not only work on bullets but allowing it to duplicate food, water, medicine, the whole nine yards.

It was EXACTLY what they needed to survive and not just survive but thrive too. The Rune was his second priority with his family's safety being the first naturally. However, making the Rune that would be capable with everything was a necessary item and one that could save their group one day.

No, it WOULD save them one day, as resources will without a doubt, draw up one day. One day they won't be able to find canned food and most likely either by the dead or other humans, animals will all probably die out too.

Most likely by the undead!

They could always set up a farm set-up but how long until that ended? Till someone came along and fucked everything up or worse, the weather creating disaster!

No, the completion of the duplication was a complete necessity and he couldn't let anything or anyone stop him from making the rune a prefect tool for survival! Without the rune, they would have run out of ammo months ago!

It is prefect for bullets but that was it, it worked only for bullets. Hence why he was doing everything he could, to prefect the rune to make it a use for everything was the biggest gamble he's ever played.

It had to work, it had too!

"When he says-"

"Yes, the duplication rune is not only a brain child of Oni-chan's, it does exactly as the name implies: It multiples things, anything. Hell, Clint, Neela, Remy, Sam, Mr. spider butt and Natasha have their own versions for their own weapon's ammo. Give it enough time and i'm positive Oni-chan can found the right formula to multiple even Dust itself. Best watch out Schnee, maybe we'll start out own company in selling Dust that is far cheaper and much more safer then your own."

Gudako grinned, as Jacques went red in the face, steam practically coming out of his ears, if what that damn bitch said was true, then the SDC might be in huge trouble. Was there no limit to what magic can't do?

Jacques clenched his fist, if that boy founded a way to recreate Dust without the need for the purifying process, while it could be such a massive boon to the SDC, Mazoku himself was a problem. Much like those filthy animals, he knew nothing on how to respect his betters and in the past few hours, being to doubt his so called "Daughters" would be able to sway the boy.

Useless as always.

Then there was the fact the boy had his own version of "Faunus" and seeing them being so lovey dovey together made Jacques sick. Clearly the boy was a lost cause and he may very well side with the White Fang if they played their cards right. There was very little he could do, as the boy's father was suppose to be Earth's version of the SDC and he had pull anywhere on Earth.

Well, he'd just have to get some bounty hunters or better yet, Ironwood to do the dirty work for him and deal with Mazoku.

Guess he just have to have Whitely ensnare the redheaded one, that should be easy enough, as he had done the same thing with Willow. Tony Stark was a business man after all and he knew business, all it would take was a matter of giving the man what he wanted. Surely the SDC could give Stark Industries so many wonderful things they could only dream of.

He only needed to have his daughter marry his son, simple enough.

"And he better much sure to do it fast."

He could already see the gears turning in everyone heads and he knew that it could spell the end of the SDC if Jacques didn't act fast. Something that could replicate Dust at will, with seemly no limits could no it WOULD change everything. He had to get the boy under control and if Ironwood wouldn't do it, he'd do it himself. It would just be a matter of getting everyone else too turn on him and with all this information, it would be a simple matter of having the boy within Atlas borders by the end of the month.

It didn't matter how powerful he was, no one was stronger then the SDC.

Boy, he'll be in for one hell of a shock.

"...and that rune alone could save hundreds of lives, if you would just-"

"Sorry, not sorry but it's Oni-chan's personal project and you'll have to ask him about it. But seeing as our entire culture revolves around keeping secrets to ourselves and for ourselves it's not going to happen anytime soon. The only reason he's allowing the mentioned is because they are trustworthy and have proven themselves. Besides, you're track record in keeping things out of enemy hands is very poor, so why would we allow a weapon that basically has infinite ammo fall into the wrong hands? So some arrogant hack can try to show off and prove themselves better then everyone else, only to lose it just as quickly or worse, be used against us. No thanks, you want one, you figure it out for yourselves."

Jacques saw his eldest grit her teeth, as she looked down. Hmph, obviously she had tried and failed(No surprise there) to get the Rune.

Just that one rune alone could set the SDC up for several life times and then some. Now he just had to find a way to get it. Hmmm, maybe he could get Ironwood to do the dirty work for him, after all the man looked like he was ready to have a heart attack after learning the boy basically found a way to have infinite ammo. Prefect for a brute like Ironwood and his little army.

"No. That's no excuse, you should have seen this coming stupid and now..."

Now Carley was dead and it was all his fault. Another body to add to the MOUNTAINS of bodies he has left behind in his wake of friend and foe alike. At times like this, he often wondered if he was just cursed, forced to survive while everyone else dies around him?

"You're not the only one."

Muttered Levi, as several military personal felt the same, easily understanding the young Mazoku's pain. How many times had he been too late to help one of his troops, often just seconds too late?

"Losing the ones you care about and are swore to protect is never easy Lord Mazoku."

Ozpin quietly sighed to himself and into his mug, brothers it was never easy and it never would be either.

"...Lee, Xero we should just leave this crazy bitch. How long till she turns on us, on Katjaa, Mikasa or our kids."

Kenny's voice snapped Xero out of his thoughts, just in time to hear Lee speak,"Tou're not coming with us."

With a desperate look, Lily turned to Xero and opened her mouth, no doubt to try and plead her case.

"Despite being right about a traitor in our group, you killed Car with little to no evidence and nothing more then hearsay. How long is it going to take for you to start accusing everyone else. Right you may be but you've done nothing more then prove how impulsive you are, we can't have that. You'll get us all killed before the year is over."

"I'll die out there."

"Should have thought of that, before you decide it was okay to kill someone with no evidence of their guilt."

Xero only shot back coldly to Lily's words, she should have known this was going to happen. Did she honestly think they let her stay, after the shit she just pulled? No sir, no fucking way.

"He's just going to leave her there?"

Pyrrha knew what she was did was wrong but to just leave her on the side of the road, with Walkers around, she will most certainly die,"That's just..."

"Wrong? Yes, it is indeed the wrong move."

Pyrrha was surprised, as she looked at the dark Saber in shock. She believed it was wrong too? Huh, maybe she wasn't so bad-

"My queen should have killed her and be done with it from the very beginning.'

Never mind.

Turning to her, Pyrrha glared,"But that's wrong, you can't just-"

"It's a new world order red. The old rules of society are gone, dead and as you will learn, that killing Lily would have saved him a lot of grief. Because of his refusal to kill her, many more would die because of his inaction."

"Let's go people."

Wordless, Lee released Lily and got into the van, Xero doing the same. As the Van started moving, Xero watched as Lily's form slowly faded away and vanished completely in the distance. Any guilt he might have felt, vanished just as quickly as it came, as he saw the vacant seat next to Lee's.

This didn't need to happen, no one needed to die.

Flashback End

Xero sighed, as he slowly got out of his bed. Leaving Lily behind was one of the worst mistakes he ever made.

Pyrrha looked smug, as the dark version of Artoria merely smiled back a much crueler knowing smile, making the redhead wonder just what was-

He should have killed her right then and there. Otherwise, New Avalon wouldn't be at war on two fronts:

The New Frontier and Lily's community, The Delta.

A community of raiders, that kill everything they find, steal children to make them soldiers and pretty much destroy everything else that isn't of use to them. They are a group of the worst sort, thugs, killers, rapists, every bad thing a person can be they're it. They should have never survived as long as they have but thanks to Lily, she was able to bring order and stability to the community thanks to her military training.

"Should have known sparing Lily was going to come back and bite me in the ass."

And that wasn't even including this goddess damned Nazi cult that has popped up in recent years.

"You wish to run by me again, what my queen should and should not have done?"

Pyrrha said nothing just burying her head in her hands, completely embarrassed. How was she supposed to known this was going to happen?! Weiss, oh so wanted to defend Pyrrha, she truly did but with both her sister and father her, she knew better. Logically, the Altered Saber and Mazoku were right this time around, he should have killed Lily to prevent both her and this Delta group from becoming too big of a threat to his people.

But that was purely the logic course of action, that didn't make it right for him to do so.

No matter how Weiss saw it, this was their win and she didn't want to walk right into any trap they might have laid out, that just something those lowlifes would do.

And it only got worse.

After leaving Lily behind, he and Lee had discovered a shocking revelation, one that would set a series of events that would change their fate forever.

"This can't be good."

Laura muttered, feeling a new spark of dread fill her own stomach.

Duck, Kenny's eight year old son, was bitten.

"Fuck."

Logan summed up everyone's thought, as Ruby gasped in horror,"Wait, bitten? Does that mean?"

"Yes, Duck is going to die."

Ruby whimpered, as she buried her head in her mother's side.

"Shitting hell."

Qrow gripped his flask tight, as Ozpin closed his eyes.

"Fucking hell Eddie, we should find those damned cultist and bite all their heads off!"

For once, Eddie agreed with his partner. These people needed to fucking die, if they were trying to bring THIS upon them all.

Xero sighed sadly, as he thought about the boy. Goddess, could fate be anymore bitchy? Life was cruel and in the grand scheme of things, there had to millions of children and quite possible, a massive number of BABIES that had be either eaten or turned. It was a very depressing and it made Xero shuttered, thinking about the first days this all went down.

"Fucking hell, when he puts it like that."

Qrow took a deep swing of his flask, trying and failing to get the mental images his mind conjured up.

Nobody knew what the hell was going on, all around the world the undead came in force, thousands upon thousands of undead just...appeared. All over the globe, swarms of undead came in droves, invading cities, countries, nations it didn't matter. Wherever the living where, the dead came for them.

No where was safe.

"That doesn't make any sense. Even if it was a surprise, there's no way the dead can just suddenly appear in that number, not without alerting someone."

Stryker wasn't buying it, there was just no way an army can suddenly appear without someone raising the alarm.

"It wouldn't be that h-hard. T-think about it. With the Rotten W-World's essence seeping into our w-world and e-effecting everything. H-how many are buried right now i-in just o-one country that's been c-counted? T-there's numerous dead bodies all over t-the world, p-plenty of c-cannon fodder for the S-Six to use. B-by the time anyone r-realized what was truly g-going on, it be a-already too l-late. T-that's not even counting all the m-mass suicide's, car w-wrecks, m-murder, overdoses, just a-about anything that k-kills a person, can make an u-undead thrall. What's worse, i-it doesn't matter h-how you die, j-just know if you die y-you come back either w-way."

That certain grain of truth had shocked everyone, along with making many go pale as a sheet of paper. Some even shook so bad they looked ready to keel over in shock, the purple haired necromancer idly heard one of Earth's people whisper,"God help us."

Adenela couldn't help but smirk.

God?

God wasn't going to help them, they had to deal with this on their own. Maybe this will stop those fools from killing Xero. She doubted it but a girl could dream, she supposed.

"How in the hell are you suppose to fight or even prepare for that?"

One of the soldiers asked no in particular, looking like he and his leaders had lost all hope. Everyone from Earth looked very ill, easily thinking about the sheer number of undead that could rise up during Judgement Day, just how? How the hell we're they suppose to stop something like that?

What's worse, was that they hadn't even heard the worst part of it but Adenela knew, they would learn very shortly, why Xero's actions were a necessary evil.

"How can we win against such an enemy?"

"Fight."

All eyes turned to the elder dragoness, as the redhead merely smirked,"No matter how powerful, strong or intelligent an enemy is they can be beaten. Nothing is invincible and as you humans say, a wise man once said this: A person only loses when they give up. So long as you keep putting up a fight, we haven't lost just yet."

That brought some whispers among the crowd, as people's hope being to rise up and the dark skinned dragoness nodded her head. She highly doubted her little brother would let it get that bad, now knowing what was coming but everyone needed a pick me up, every now and again.

Though to how long that would last was debatable.

Before this was over, everyone would realize the massive gap between Magus and non-Magi.

It was only later did Xero learn that it doesn't matter how you die, unless the brain is destroyed, that person WILL come back. That's what made the undead near impossible to defeat, as humanity was overwhelmed by sheer numbers alone. With no need to eat, sleep and unable to actually feel anything at all, which included fatigue, the enemy was nigh-unstoppable.

Little wonder why all armies of the world were defeated by such an overwhelming force.

It. Never. STOPS!

Just...they just never stop, always going, always moving, always looking for meat just...never stopping for anything. Not even the elements could stop them, slow them down sure but never really, truly stop the march of the undead army.

"Just like the Grimm and Salem."

Lionheart believed he had seen all the world's evil, everything it had to offer and believed he was right to be scared shitless of Salem. After all, Salem couldn't be stopped, couldn't be reasoned with or anything like that. His best bet was too do as he was told, keep his head down and hope for the best. But hearing of a new, more powerful and obviously dangerous enemy bond to come, made Lionheart question whether or not he made the right choice in secretly siding with Salem.

"What's the difference between two monsters after all? Either Salem will kill me after i outlive my usefulness, Ozpin for this betrayal or that damn monster Mazoku, simply because i did something to piss him off?"

Mazoku wouldn't care for how useful he could be, as he didn't let any red tape stop him and it was becoming more clear, he was stronger then any huntsman could hope to be. Probably even more with his magic and to make things worse, he now had TWO Maidens on his side, both loyal to him. Either Ozpin or Salem would have him do something, trying to recruit either Maiden and he would screw it up.

Then there was the possibility of Ironwood trying to secure the Winter Maiden, simply because Lady Stark could cause Atlas to fall by stealing the Staff or the Summer one stealing the Sword.

"It figures that two Maidens that would be align against us would be the ones that hold the keys to two of the most dangerous of the Relics."

The Staff could create pretty much anything and the Sword...well, when something is called 'The Relic of Destruction' it didn't take a rocket scientist to understand that it would be very bad, if that Relic fell into enemy hands. There was no telling what kind of damage that Sword could do.

Especially the hands of a Magus.

"Son of a bitch, little wonder why a zombie apocalypse is so bad."

Ymir shook her head. Damn, just damn.

The way the boss talked about it, was doing nothing to lift the woman's hopes for victory. An enemy of overwhelming might, with endless stamina and hungry? It's no wonder why many believe a zombie apocalypse would bring the end of the world.

"Personally, the first step you should take into stopping the six is thinning their ranks."

Namely, by destroying the bodies of the already dead, to ensure the Six don't have a massive army waiting for them to use. Of course that would mean the countries of the world would have to dig up ALL the world's cemeteries and that's not including all the unmarked graves in the world. Of course Ember was fully aware that in some cultures, for one reason or another, destroying a body goes against their religion and while she could respect that, it didn't change one simple fact:

The dead do not care.

The dead will use everything they can get their hands on and that included their loved ones. Not that they would listen, people never do and even if the entire world loved her little brother and actually meant it, that wouldn't change the fact there will always be those that hate him.

It was just a political landmine the Red Queen wasn't willingly to step on.

She was also aware of the fact her wording earlier, namely about how nothing is invincible could possible come back to bite her little brother in the ass, Ember had faith he and his allies could over come them. After all, even if he had many enemies, Xero had plenty of allies and friends as well.

But what happened when they went to go...take care of Duck, it took a turn for the worse.

"For fuck sake, what can be worse then shooting a kid?"

Clint grumbled, before Natasha could shut him up. She had a feeling he just made it worse.

Flashback

BANG

"NO!"

Xero and Lee looked at each other for a split second, before Xero wrapped his arm around the older man's waist and Xero ran towards Kenny yelling. It only took seconds for the two to reach the spot and what they saw shocked them.

"Oh god, Kat, Kat, Katjaa...why? Oh fucking god why?"

Laying dead on the ground, pistol in hand Katjaa stared off into space, a hole in the side of her head. Duck, still alive but not for long, breathing heavily as he laid on a tree bark, skin growing more and more pale. Kenny himself was crying, weeping for his wife as he cradle her head to his chest.

His end was near.

"Nice one."

Natasha hissed at the archer, who held his head in his hands, as Emyia patted his fellow Archer's back,"Just be glad you're not in master's position right now."

Clint's head shot up, mouth open in shock."Wait, don't tell me, he's going to..."

"Yes. Yes he is."

"Ken, what the hell happened?!"

"I...i don't know, Katjaa she... oh fuck, she just couldn't do it. Couldn't..."

Couldn't take the pressure of having to kill her only child. Lee looked at Duck, as his breathing got heavier and back to Xero, who slowly nodded. With a deep sigh, Lee helped the redneck get to his feet, as he looked at his son.

"What do we do?"

"YOU and Lee will go back to the train. I'll...i'll take care of Duck. I'll also bury Kat and Duck once...the deed is done."

No parent should have to kill their only child, Kenny tried and failed to keep his tears at bay, as he nodded to Xero,"You're a good man Xero."

No he wasn't.

Xero said nothing, as the duo slowly walked away from the soon to be dead pair of son and mother. Looking down sadly at Duck, Xero made sure to wait for Lee and Kenny to be far away enough, before he actually did what needed to be done.

"Goddess, i don't know if Atalanta would either strangle me for killing a child or thank me, for ensuring said child did not suffer a fate worse then death."

"I'd probably do the second one."

Said Archer said, as her Berserker self nodded, looking away from the terrible scene.

"Is there really nothing they can do?"

Nora asked miserable, looking ready to burst into tears herself, as Dantes pulled his hat over his eyes,"No. Once you are bitten, that's it. Game over. No coming back from it, his fate was sealed the moment he was bitten. This is the harsh reality my master has faced for years now, of a world where it's just one nightmare after another. Keep that in mind, when you're people believe he goes too far, this is the type of hell he is trying to prevent."

"Fuck me."

Roman took his bowler hat off and pressed it against his heart, in a rare show of respect and even a rarer case of him cursing,"This is so fucked up, it's a little wonder why boss is trying so hard to stop this 'Dead War' from becoming a reality."

"Ditto."

Neo helpful held up her sign, even she was disguised by what she was seeing and couldn't help but give Avenger Xero respect, by doing something no parent should have to do.

Kill their own child.

"Hey bud, be sure to say hi to you're mother, once you see her on the other side kiddo."

Duck didn't answer, as Xero clocked Terminator, silently pointing it at the boy's head and let out a very quite:

"I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened but then again, life doesn't care and neither does the dead. So many have perished because of the dead, now you're just another innocent victim in this harsh, cruel world. Heh, maybe you're the lucky one, being able to escape this hellish world and move onto paradise. You are too pure for this world lad and not only you paid for it, you're parents paid the price too. All becaause of someone's greed. Best of luck Duck and may you find peace, in the embrace of the goddess."

BANG

There were some light crying and sobs in the theater room, no real need to understand why. It was just a very emotional scene for everyone.

Flashback End

It goes without saying, but that event fractured their group even further and why wouldn't it? The world and everyone in it was going completely mad, with parents having to kill there own children to stop them from becoming monsters.

It pissed him off, as he thought about those bandits from before.

They did this, they were responsible for not just Duck's death but Katjaa's too. If they had taken the hint and fucked off, none of this would have happened.

"My only regret, is that i didn't make them suffer more or maybe, if i had just acted more quicker and more decisively i could have stopped it."

No point in crying over spilled milk he supposed, the past few years saw him destroying one bandit camp after another. He didn't have the chance to do it in the first four years since his world became a living hell. Naturally after Duck's death, the next hit came right at home, one that not only another piece of his heart out(Along with snapping another thread that held onto his humanity) but one that had devastated Clementine too.

"Oh brothers, what's next?"

Sun was in no mood to see even more carnage and death, brothers when would this end?

Lee got infected.

"Fuck."

That was the general thought in everyone's mind.

"The world really does become a living hell."

Erwin said to no in particular, seemly staring off into space as Fury nodded next to him,"That just means, we'll have to do everything we can to stop it. That means getting Mazoku everything he needs, to ensure it never happens."

One of the Walkers had been hidden among boxes and when Lee walked by it, said Walker jumped him and while it technically bite him as it's lower mouth was missing, it's top teeth weren't. It got ahold of him and was able to sink it's teeth into his flesh.

If only for a split second, just enough to tear skin and flesh.

"Just one scratch and it's game over."

Jaune said sadly, having seen his fair share of zombie movies.

If that wasn't bad enough, the reason Lee got infected was because their mysterious stalker and radio man had tricked the naive girl into leaving the group and heading to him. Knowing his time was short, Lee went after her with Omid, Christa, Kenny and himself to go find her and save her from the bastard that had kidnap her.

To make matters worse, Lee and Clem did indeed find her parents.

As a pair of Walkers.

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me but i cannot begin to image the trauma the young lady must have felt in seeing them like that."

Oobleck said sadly, as he rubbed his head in sorrow for the young girl.

"True, there could be a more horrifying sight for a young girl then seeing her parents reanimated as flesh eating monsters."

Glynda had no idea what to think or feel at the moment, only saying what she knew for certain was true. All the while she was trying to absorb all the information she had gathered and make sense of it all. The blonde woman found herself wondering more and more if turning Mazoku to their side was worth it.

Originally she believed he was some arrogant, know it all and was a danger to not just himself but everyone else around him with his power. She knew that some Maidens gained god complex's because of their magic. From a certain point of view, the Maidens could be considered gods and she feared Xero was the same, personal believing he was in fact insane for believing the end was coming via a zombie apocalypse.

Even if it was a tab bit hypocritical of her to say so, sounded far fetched. After all, what could be a greater threat then the Grimm and Salem themselves?

The fact the Maidens, the relic's and even the gods existed sounded far fetched too but they had proof of that. All the poof of the coming Dead War was the boy's say so and he had little to no proof, other then coincidences and hearsay.

Not anymore though.

Make no mistake, Glynda still thought Xero had a screw lose in his head but now because he was just naturally insane. So far she saw only a small glimpse into the hellish future and so far, the headmistress wonder how long it would take before Xero either completely become a cold, unfeeling man that was trying to survive, a man who would completely lose his mind to madness or just commit suicide to end the pain of it all.

Not that she could blame him for doing so!

Just...just what the hell is wrong with people? Why would they do this? Why...why the hell did her WORLD get dragged into this mess?! As if things weren't bad enough between the growing tensions between humans and Faunus, the growing threat of the White Fang, the attack on the Fall Maiden, Mantle and Atlas gearing up for a civil war, now this?!

What's next?!

ANOTHER alien invasion?!

Despite blaming herself, Xero didn't blame her, as she was just a kid. One who wanted so badly to see her parents that she was willingly to believe anything, in a desperate attempt to see them again.

In her young mind, anything would work and if going with the strange man meant she could see them again, even if it was a lie, she would take it.

Again, not her fault, as Xero had some face to face time with the nutcase and the man reminded him far too much of Lev.

At the mention of HIS name, Olga growled, as Mash flinched at the name.

Not only was he an insane and completely fucked up bastard, but he was a master manipulator. From his own first and last conversation with the stranger, Xero was almost convinced he actually meant well.

Almost that is.

Fooling a desperate young girl would be nothing more then a walk in the park for him. However, the event taught Clem a very valuable lesson.

Trust was much like supplies, in short supply and not nearly enough to give to everyone. As the years went by, the number of good people had dwindled down to pretty much nothing. It became apparent to Xero, that those that could be trusted, those that weren't scum bags either got killed trying to help others or by those they tried to help.

Everyone was out for themselves and Xero tried to be a good man, he really did but in this world, this hellish world? How can a man being a good person be expected to survive in a world, where everyone is waiting for a chance to screw over else over and more often then naught, for stupid and idiotic reasons?

Being good meant nothing.

Not when it clashed with survival but that didn't give people the right to act like jackasses.

"Why does that sound familiar?"

Logan thought bitterly, unknowingly thinking the same thing as the Gorgon sisters, the Avenger class Servants and all those that were betrayed in their first lives. The same could be said of some more bitter humans, the White Fang and even Blake herself. No matter how much she distrusted Xero, seeing far too many similarities between the Magus and Bull Faunus, she could see they were even cut from the same cloth in a sense.

Both had suffered horribly, been hurt by humans by trying to be a good person and often got their efforts stomped on as a result. Try as they might, their efforts in trying to be good, decent people only to get screwed over by those that took advantage of that kindness.

The more and more she watched and learn, Blake begin to realize the Magus and Faunus really were alike. It scared her, cause she knew, they're was only so much a person could take, so much hate they can put up with before they begin to break down.

It happened to the Faunus, it happened to the White Fang, it happened to Adam and now, Blake was witnessing Xero's own break down from a good man, to someone who was just trying to keep his family alive in a world that was as cruel as it can be.

"And with all the power he has..."

Both political and physical, anyone that tries to go against him might as well be lambs to slaughter. Namely, if the White Fang or brothers forbid, Adam tried something it could spell the end of the Faunus!

She had to prevent that, at all costs.

And it only got worse, as Xero had to fight his way through a massive horde of undead in Savannah, whom were attracted by the train they used to travel to Savannah. Of course, during the ensuring fight, Kenny somehow, someway got lost and was presumed dead after they escaped Savannah with Omid and Christa.

"Presumed dead? Doesn't that mean Kenny survived?"

Ruby asked hopefully, as Cleopatra sighed,"Honestly young one, it would have been better if he had died in Savannah."

"What? Why?"

The Assassin didn't answer, merely turning back to the screen.

Time skip two years later, with Omid being killed and Christa having a miscarriage, Xero his family and Clem had cut there were across seven states in search of a safe haven known as, Wellington.

It wasn't an easy journey as Xero and his family made their way across an unforgiving world, he discovered what happened to the Magus. He wonder why they and even the mutants weren't able to stop things from getting so bad. Why there were so few left and even then, those that survived had near impossible chances of survival.

They and the mutants, were being hunted.

Not just by the dead but by other survivors as well. Unlike his first group, Xero had learned that many people blamed Magus and even mutants for the state the world was in, casting a dark shadow to fall over his family. If a Magus was revealed to a group, they were either immediately killed, tortured just because they could use magic or worse, turned into living weapons.

The same with the mutants and as Xero learned the hard way, it doesn't matter if they were innocent or not. Be they adult, teen, child, boy, girl...baby, the Non-Magi would kill them without a second thought or break them down mentally or in a worst-case scenario, the Magus or mutant would become both a weapon and punching bag for them.

It was just like the Witch Hunts all over again, only a hundred times worse.

"...And you wonder why he doesn't trust anyone, Mr. Stark i'd like to say this here and now: You won't have the White Fang as you're enemies. Seeing as the Faunus have been treated in a very similar manner, you can call upon us for aid, should you ever need it."

Sienna said, seeing a chance to pounce on getting in the Stark's good graces. Ghira saw it too and in a rare display of agreement, he nodded,"While i no longer hold the reins of leadership and despite being at odds with Sienna's methods, i agree. Seeing as the Faunus were treated more or less the same as the Magus, i'm hoping we can come to an agreement of sorts. Not just with the Avengers of the Mazoku clan but the Church too, if that is okay Father Vincent."

The bald man merely smiled,"Mr. Belladonna, i do believe we can. It's a new world after all and i'm hoping, if you are willing to be open to talks then the rest of the kingdoms will be the same. It's quite clear both the coming undead and these creatures of Grimm are a threat to ALL of us. Humans, Faunus, Magus and mutants are all in this together. I see no reason why we cannot come to an accord, within reason of course."

"Naturally, if we are to do this, it is only fair that we help each and the White Fang can be reasonable, when people are willingly to listen. While yes, some of our more...enthusiastic people won't like the idea of working with humans but the White Fang was formed to fight the injustice of discrimination. Having new human allies can help the healing process and lead us to a better future."

"Indeed. Once they see Lord Mazoku past and our possible future, i'm certain they will put their animosity aside for the betterment of the Faunus. That is WHY the White Fang was formed after all and seeing our current and previous leader agreeing to work together, should help any distrust between our groups."

Ironwood could already foresee difficult times ahead. Watching the two leaders of the White Fang, former and current with those Albain brothers all but cementing an alliance in all but name with the Avengers would not sit well in Atlas or the SDC.

At all.

And the worst part, was there was nothing he could do to stop it. By Earth's own laws, the White Fang have do no wrong and so long as they play nice, Stark had no real reason to refuse them. Jacques would no doubt lose control or someone else in the council would be unable to stop themselves from doing something stupid, which will only give the White Fang more credibility.

James knew he could work something out with the Avengers but he couldn't do that if some moron decide to attack the Avengers or Stark unprovoked. No matter how much of a growing threat he was proving himself to be, Mazoku had for all intents and purposes, has done nothing wrong in Remnant. Even if he allied himself with the White Fang, he could be tried on Remnant for helping a terrorist group but there was no guarantee that Earth or more to the point, the USA would willingly give him up.

That wasn't even counting SHEILD, the Church and the Avengers allowing Atlas to jail Mazoku in the first place.

Atlas had a bad rep among the Faunus and among the other kingdoms, thanks to it's superiority despite being the youngest of the four kingdoms. That kind of thing fostered resentment and anger among the other kingdoms. Before, as Atlas not only held the strongest military in the world but the SDC, none of the kingdoms dare act on their hate for Atlas.

But now?

Now with new potential and alternative energy sources might spur them on to act on their shared hate for Atlas. He could try to soothe relationships but it was becoming more and more clear that the Mazoku's talents and power would be a complete waste if he did nothing to help Remnant, something James could not allow. Whether he liked it or not, the elder Stark would have to understand that his son and daughter could change Remnant forever and if need be, pressed into service.

It would be pure foolishness not to do so otherwise or worse, Salem could turn the two against them.

Yes, just from watching all this Ironwood was forced to admit, Mazoku actually had good reason to distrust people. Brothers knows, he understood that better then most but that advantage would undercut his efforts for corporation between the two groups. Despite what Qrow thought, James didn't reach the rank of general by being heavy handed all the time, it was just a matter of finding out what Mazoku wanted(Within reason of course) and using that as leverage.

Now he just had to keep more of the bullhead council members from doing something stupid and Remnant's dark age of having Salem's shadow being cast over them would become a thing of the past.

If only it was that easy, after all it was easier said then done.

A fact Xero learned the hard way, when his youngest friend paid the price for it.

Flashback

BANG

"CLEM!"

The young girl dropped like a rock in a lake, gasping in shock as that little Russian shit just shot her. Her breathing was wild, as she looked to Xero for help, as Mike and Bonnie were panicking. There's no way Ken-

BAM

"What the hell is goi-Clem?! Oh my god, what the hell happened?! Who did this to you?!"

The young girl's vision was darken as she barely made out Xero saying something, while he moved his hands over her wound, as Kenny begin yelling at the traitor's. Barely a minute later, Mikasa had also bragged out and the youngling could only make out her face, as her vision slowly faded completely into darkness, as she passed out from the pain of being shot.

The bearded man watched as the young girl took a shaking breath, before she passed out from the pain of being shot. Which was all that was needed for Kenny to go red in the face with rage, as he glared at the traitor's.

"We didn't mea-"

"YOU GODDAMN SON'S OF BITCH'S, I'LL-"

"Kenny stop."

Everyone froze, as Xero slowly raised himself up, hands covered in blood.

Clementine's blood.

PLAY:

(MONSTER by Image Dragons)

Ever since I could remember

Everything inside of me
Just wanted to fit in (oh, oh, oh, oh)
I was never one for pretenders
Everything I tried to be
Just wouldn't settle in (oh, oh, oh, oh)

"Hey, is that music?"

The president furrowed his brows, as everyone heard the music slowly pick up. They had heard music before, but this was different, like more purposeful then just background noise. Tony had a sinking feeling in his stomach, as he knew this song.

With his eyes shadowed by his hair, he spoke to the southern man,"You and Ika make sure Clem stays alive. I will deal with the traitors."

For the two years, Xero has done everything he could to keep his family safe, trying to help everyone he found along the way and it was only thanks to him completing the duplication Rune, supplies becoming a problem became a thing of the past.

"Wouldn't that just leave his group open to attack? Like, becoming too tempting of a target for thieves and bandits?"

Historia asked, looking a little worried about that fact.

Unfortunately that made them a prime target for bandits and raiders.

"Nice one Historia."

The blonde said nothing, just hanging her hand in shame, as Moriarty and Ymir patted her shoulders in comfort her. Her and her big mouth, why did they have to get her in trouble all the time.

More then once, had Xero been screwed over by someone he tried to help. Either they tried to steal supplies, kill him for said supplies and even going so far as to lead others to his stash, causing a fire fight to break out. More then once did the bastards attempt to use the girls against him and every time someone so much as LOOKED at them the wrong way, they die a death worst then any Walker could inflict on them.

Only one out of ten, survivors actually proved to be good people, while the rest were as bad as they came.

Naturally, it only got worse when Carlos and his group came to Xero's humble home, seeking shelter from a man named Carver. Being the nice and understand man he was, Xero let them stay and even though his Wards only worked against the dead, he was confident he could take on Carver's people.

Course, a small war broke out between Carver's group and Xero's, which destroyed their home, forcing them to leave and head north for the mythic settlement of Wellington, in hopes of finding a new home.

"Little wonder why Xero/Mazoku has trust issues."

Was the collective thoughts of everyone in the room, now seeing more and more good reason why the powerful Magus was so paranoid of everyone around him. Even the more arrogant and selfish ones could see that any plans that had about tricking Xero into working for them, had long since gone up in smoke.

The teen's just been betrayed too many times and seen too much of the world.

Which had to many deaths in their group, leaving no one of Carlos's group alive, save for Rebecca's baby, Alvin Junior or AJ for short. No one, not even the kind hearted Luke or Carlos sweet if naive daughter, Sarah, had made it. The last of their group had been ambushed by Arvo's people and said little shit had LIED to his group, causing them to open fire on his own.

Yet despite that, the ONLY reason he was alive right now was because of Clem's word.

His little sister in all but blood had vouched for the Russia prick and now, after all she had done for the bastard, he still had the balls, the GALL to shoot Clementine?

After talking Bonnie and Mike too not only turning them against him but obviously talked them into to stealing ALL their supplies had been the final straw. Did he think he could do all that, including SHOOTING Clem to top it all off, did this little bastard actually believed he would get away with it this time?

No.

Hell fucking no, teen or not, this skinny fuck had tried to kill one of his family members and he WOULD PAY! Kenny and Mikasa could keep Clem alive, HE would deal with the traitorous fucks.

Everyone had a limit to how much they could take, how much shit they can put up with before they needed a reason. A reason to keep dealing with the bullshit, a reason to keep putting up with it and not doing anything about it.

"Just like the Faunus."

Despite his stature, Ghira was not prone to violent outbursts. But he did have a limit to how much abuse he himself could take before he would unleash his anger. It's the reason why he step down from the White Fang, because he could no longer stand the abuse and if he, the chieftain of Menagerie fought back or brothers forbid, kill a human then it would spell the end of the Faunus.

Things were already tense enough and he had no doubt Atlas would look for something, ANYTHING to either bomb their island back to nothing or worse, enslave the Faunus once more.

Ghira knew if he attacked, Atlas would use that as a latch key to invite hell back to Remnant and regardless of what Adam, his followers the Albain brothers and even Sienna thought, they could not win another war. There just weren't enough Faunus left and now that they've merged with a new world, any chance they MIGHT have had was long gone.

It was impossible.

That's why he did nothing to stop Sienna from proposing an alliance with the Avengers and the Mazoku clan. This...this is what the Faunus needed.

To branch out of Remnant, hands extended to a new world for new allies and new places to settle down in. The fact Sienna was trying to sway one of the strongest people on the planet to their side, while ambitious could work better then they could possible image. True, the fact they're world will come to an end in less then three years thanks to an enemy none of them could have ever possible imaged existed, let alone believed were real, would end not only Earth but Remnant as well.

Whether Sienna realized it or not, she was offering her and the White Fang's help in stopping the apocalypse and if they succeed in not only getting an alliance but stopping it, it would put all Faunus in a good light. One that could pave the way to the future they all wanted and there would be nothing anyone could do to stop it. Those that oppressed their people for so long would lose whatever argument's that had and even those on the Faunus side would lose whatever support they had for another Faunus war, as they would have gotten what they want.

Even if they DID attack the humans, they would lose whatever support they had from the neutral factions and be hunted down by BOTH sides. So yeah, Ghira decide it would be best to just wait and let this play out. So long as Adam or some other radical didn't act out, Ghira believed there future could be secured.

He would just have to wait.

Well ladies and gents, Xero had finally reached his limit and he was about to take it out on those assholes.

If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me

"Oh, they're so screwed."

No one could really disagree with Xero on this, as it sounded like he had ever right to do what he was about to do. Even the more optimistic ones couldn't fault him for finally having enough with the shit being shoveled onto him.

After all, everyone had a limit and he had finally reached his.

Normally the now one eyed man would have argued but seeing Clem slowly bleed out, in of help had been enough for Kenny to huff,"Fine. But make sure they don't do this again."

"I intended too."

Xero's voice taking on a demonic tinge made Ken smile, oh those son's of bitches were so screwed now.

Mike held his hand up, shaking as he did so,"Hey, look Xero we didn't mean too-"

SLENCH

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger

Mike let out a wordless scream, as the large man looked down to see Xero arm had gone right through his lower stomach, going through and through.

"Ya know, i had a feeling you'd tried to leave. I understand if you were afraid of Kenny but let me tell you something Mikey-boy..."

He leaned in, glaring, staring him right in the eye,"It wasn't Kenny you should have been afraid of. It was ME. Now BURN!"

Xero was aware that if he did this, he would be eroding his humanity even further but he simply couldn't find it in himself to care anymore. They hurt, no tried to kill Clem and for what? Some misguided hate or some other ridiculous reason, it didn't matter to him. They tried to KILL Clementine and that was all the reason he need to kill them in return, he would kill them in return.

Which is why he set Mike's body on fire!

The man screamed, as he tried to put out the flames but it was useless, as his entire body was burning inside and out. He died a few seconds later, as Xero dropped his body without a care in the world and then stomped on his head, ensuring he wouldn't come back.

"No, no way, he wasn't supposed to be this..."

Ruthless.

Emerald knew that the advantage she and her mistress had over the so called 'heroes' was they're unwillingness to kill. For all their skill and strength, the one thing the streets taught her was that, if you were unwillingly to kill, you were done. Most huntsman and huntress were chained down by their pathetic code and the laws, which allowed Emerald's group a natural advantage.

With the Fall Maiden and beaten with her power stolen(Even if it was only half) the rest of the world none the wiser thanks to Ozpin's little group, the green haired believed nothing could stop them.

Till now.

Now, Mazoku has gone and completely flipped her entire world on it's head, then kicked it away.

Even after the snow bitch attacked her, nearly freezing her to death, it didn't sink in how dangerous Xero was till now. Watching as he just killed a 'friend' with no hesitation, had finally strike home how deadly he really was.

"It doesn't matter, Cinder can beat him. She won't lose."

Bonnie screamed, as did Arvo, pointing his gun towards Xero, as the man merely tilted his head, as each shot missed by a mere inch, never once moving his entire body to dodge the bullets.

Can I clear my conscience
If I'm different from the rest
Do I have to run and hide? (Oh, oh, oh, oh)
I never said that I want this
This burden came to me
And it's made it's home inside (oh, oh, oh, oh)

"Sloppy. Very sloppy."

With a voice, cold as ice as Arvo's rifle 'Clicked' several times, showing it was indeed empty of ammo. That made the boy panic, as he tried and failed to reload, shaking hands trying to push more rounds into the rifle but wasn't able to keep his hands steady enough to do it. Not that Bonnie was any better, as she tried to pled for their lives.

"Wait, wait, wait, please wait Xero. J-just let us go, i swear to god, you'll never see-"

"You know the last time i let someone go, after swearing to god i'd never see them again, you know what happened? Well i'll tell you, red. Not only did he prove to be a LYING jackass, he brought lots of friends, intent on not only stealing all our supplies but even wanted to make my darling little girl his personal sex slave. Now, tell me lair, why should i believe a goddess damned word you say? How can i guarantee you won't come back to haunt me? After all, a kind man, not only let you go but even allowed you to take a good amount of supplies with you and how do you repay him? By bringing that Carver bastard back with you and got Walter killed! And for what?! For giving safe passage to a group, wanting to just live their own lives, away from his so called community?"

Bonnie nearly belched out her stomach contents at that, looking very pale, shaking like a leaf in the wind. That...that was true, she truly had no idea that was what Carver would do but clearly, Xero wasn't going to listen.

Not this time. This time, she had crossed a line, she knew this was crazy but held out hope they could get out of this alive. However the second Clem went down, she knew her fate was sealed, Xero loved that girl like she was his own. Even Arvo, for all his bad English understood enough to know what Xero said and how badly screwed he was, even more so as Xero glare promised nothing but a messy death for him.

"And you, shit stain. You've fucked up big time. Not only did you're people attack us, unprovoked i might add, you lied to us. You lied every step of the way. You lied about Clem stealing from you, when we both know she let you go, supplies in hand for no other reason then her wanting to be kind to a stranger. Not only did you spit on that kindness, you then lead you're people to us, ambushed us and nearly killed us all, on YOUR word no less. But that wasn't enough for you was it, you're lies not only cost us Rebecca but got Luke killed as well. Then you nearly got AJ killed during the ambushed, along with my own daughter and her mother too boot. But ya know what, after ALL that, Clem was STILL nice to you. Gave you food when no one else would, kept Kenny from BEATING you to death and even saved you're skinny as on the ice but what do you do? You fucking shoot her! But not before turning Mike and Bonnie against us, convincing them to steal all our supplies. So tell me, in what universe, in what reality, do you believe neither of you should be punished for that? In what reality, do you believe i will let you get away with not only betraying us but trying to get the rest of our group killed?!"

"I honestly don't know if i should feel bad for them or not."

Elm really had no idea what to think, after hearing all that and seeing neither of the two denying what Avenger Xero said, had really hit home for the large woman. If they were in the military, Atlas or not, those two would have been shot and shooting a child, what the ever living fuck?!

One that wasn't even ARMED! That's just straight up assault and attempted murder right there.

Regardless that wasn't the point, the point was she that Elm didn't care what happened, you don't just shot a child in cold blood like that!

"Neither do i Elm, neither do i."

Clover was of the same mind, along with the rest of the Ace Ops, even Harriet too. Despite hating Xero, she could understand his reasoning for what he was doing and even approved of his actions.

"Honestly, i say they're getting what they have coming. They knew what would happen if they followed this course of action and now, are paying the price for their actions. What happens next is no one's fault but there own, best keep that in mind."

Annie however felt no such sympathy. Did they really think they could pull this shit and NOT get punished for it? Woah and she thought politicians were arrogant.

"For once, we agree."

Even thought Mikasa tasted bile in her mouth as she said that, she meant it. Rivals or not, Mikasa and Annie could agree just this once, those bastards were getting what was coming.

"I've only seen that look on Xero face once, this won't end well for them."

Levi knew that look, it was the same look Xero had on his fast, when Loki stupidity boosted on giving Gudako a "most painful death". Not even a god could walk away from the beating Xero gave him afterward.

If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared?
I get the feeling just because
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
If this problem lies in me

"I, i, i..."

With nothing left to lose and her panic rising, Bonnie did the dumbest thing she could have done at that moment. She raised her pistol and aimed it at the one thing that could stop Xero.

Mikasa.

Desperation made people do crazy and beyond stupid things, anything to survive. Bonnie, for all her experience in surviving in this cruel, unforgiving world and in that moment, she had done the the single most dumbest stupidest idiotic and down right insane thing she could have done in that moment of desperation.

It would be her last.

Said woman, was beginning to carry Clementine away and into the house, so she could be properly treated, only to freeze at seeing the gun being pointed at her, shock clear on her pretty face.

"Don't move or i'll-"

Bonnie was cut off, as Xero had once more moved faster then the eye could follow and appeared in front of her. Without messing a beat, he grabbed her arm and lifted her up a couple of inches off the ground by grabbing her by the face.

Hard.

"No way. He's not going too..."

Yang trailed off, seeing how the Xero in screen was gripping the redhead's face. It almost looked like he was going too-

Bonnie tried to scream, only for it come out as a muffed one. She waved her hands around, kicking Xero as hard as she could but he didn't budge. She tried to raise her gun up, only to scream into his palm, as he gripped her wrist hard enough to break her bones, turning them into grinded dust by his monstrous strength.

"That, was you're last mistake."

Bonnie's eyes widen in fear, as she saw Xero's eyes had turned a twisted gold with veins growing across his face, giving him a more monstrous appearance to the terrified redhead. She tried to shake her head, tried to plead for her life, but she was stopped as pressure begin to build around her head.

"No, no, no, no, no!"

Bonnie tried to fight it, but it was too late as tears and blood begin to spill out of her eyes.

"PLEZE DOE'T KIZ-"

C-CRACK

Bonnie hands went limp, as her skull caved in around Xero's fingers, blood dripping from them.

"...Fuck, did boss just crush Bonnie's head like a zit?"

SMACK

"OW!"

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger

Dropping her body, Xero turned his attention to the shaking Arvo, eyes wide with fear,"Now for you, you little shit stain."

Arvo tried to run, only for Xero to moved faster then his eyes could follow and with a quick swipe of his leg, Xero's much more stronger one slammed into Arvo's more fragile leg, easily snapping it, causing one of his shin bones to come bursting right out of his leg!

Yang hissed in discomfort,"Ow, now THAT had to hurt."

"OI!"

Arvo landed hard on the snow, wide eyed behind his glasses, as Xero glared down at him. Shaking, he tried to get away,"Zhdat', zhdat', Wat please, i not mean hurt-"

"Shut up. I'm done letting people like you get away with hurting my family."

He then grabbed the little bitch's hair and started dragging into the forest, ignoring how the Russia tried to plead with him, begging him not to kill him. After getting a good couple of feet away from the house and getting tired of listening to the whining little shit, Xero hoisted the motherfucker by his hair and forced him to look at him, despite crying out in pain.

"SHUT. UP."

Xero clocked him in his face twice, breaking Arvo's nose and glasses, making the boy look even more terrified then ever before.

"Yeah know, i am so sick and tired of people like you getting away alive, while good, honest people die. Probably by you're own fucking hands no less, just because you're too weak to find you're own shit. So instead you steal from others and then you LIE about Clem stealing from you for you're so called 'sick sister' was she ever sick to begin with, shit-stain?! Huh?! Answer me you fucking shit-stain!"

Xero started punching the teen in the gut, face, anywhere his fist could connect making Arvo cry out in pain.

"Net! Net! I, didn't want hurt..."

"Oh now you're just lying. I saw that look in you're beady eyes. You WANTED to hurt Clem. You WANTED to fucking KILL a CHILD! WHY?! WHY DID YOU TRY TO KILL CLEMENTINE YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

"ONA UBILA MOYU SESTRU!"

The teen finally yelled, blood and teeth flying out of his mouth, glaring hatefully at Xero, as he merely stared blankly at the boy.

"Um, excuse me but does anyone understand what he just said?"

Sage asked, not understanding a word that was just said, as Anastasia spoke,"Mr. Arvo said 'She killed my sister.' Possible the same so called 'sick sister' i'll bet. But that wouldn't happen, unless she was there during the firefight and that is not a place for a sick person, so he is clearly a lair."

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me
I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me
A monster, a monster
I've turned into a monster
A monster, a monster
And it keeps getting stronger

"...If Clem did kill her, then it's you're fault she died. You started that fight, we just finished it. So in reality, Clem didn't kill her, YOU did."

(Song End)

Arvo looked beyond pissed at Xero's words and would have argued, had the tale tell sign of Walkers coming not stopped him.

Then Xero got an idea, as an evil grin made it's way to his face.

Eyes widen, as breaths hitched in horror. No, no way, he couldn't be seriously considering-

"Looks like the dinner bell has been rung, guess who's dinner?"

Arvo like he was ready to piss himself and before he could even think to beg, Xero's leg came crashing into his unbroken one

SMACK

C-CRACK

"AGH!"

Snapping his other leg in half and effectively breaking it in two. Bringing the boy closer to his face, Xero looked him in the eye before speaking,"You brought this on yourself and have no one to blame but yourself. Now, do the world a favor and just, fucking DIE!"

Grabbing him by his coat, Xero threw the skinny teen towards the slowly approaching Walkers, barely a couple of inches away from him. The boy tried to crawl away but the Walkers were coming fast, seeing fresh meat before them. With no hope for survival on his own, Arvo tried to reach out to his tormenter for help.

"Please help…"

Arvo began but he didn't get to finish as a walker bites the right side of his face, making him scream in pain. Another one started feasting on his legs, starting from the lower ankle, making him scream even more, despite missing part of his face.

He watched as even more walkers started to move closer to Arvo as saw one walker pulling Arvo's face apart, while another started ripping his nose off. Another pair of walkers soon began tearing his neck apart as blood fell onto the ground, as Arvo began to choke on his own blood but was still very much alive. He was still trying to get away but was soon completely surrounded by the group of Walkers, who begin to eat him from all over in a very painful manner.

One of them even being to tear open his stomach, eating his insides!

Xero watched silently as Arvo reached out his hand for help, just one last part of him that had been eaten but that was soon feasted on by a female walker biting his fingers off. Then a few started biting his skull, ripping flesh apart with their rotten teeth and somehow, an older male Walker had bit into Arvo's skull in such a way, it ripped his face skin off!

"BLURH"

Many being to vomit voilently, everyone losing their lunches at the sight of a human being, being ripped apart like a piece of meat in a very grotesque manner.

"..."

No one, not even Xero's father had anything to say at Xero pure savagery attack on the younger man's face. The Servants had nothing to say, as they knew this was coming and could do nothing but weather the storm that was too come.

"Ozpin, i hate to say this but i don't think we will be able to recruit him to our side, not without revealing everything. I don't think the kid will take kindly to ANYTHING being kept from him. Even less of a chance for him to be tempered into a huntsman, no self-respecting huntsman would ever do this."

Ozpin stared unblinking at the screen, as he slowly nodded towards his deputy,"Perhaps you are right Glynda but all is not lost. This is the FUTURE, as such it has not happened yet and if we play our cards right, we can steer him from his bloody path."

The blonde sighed,"I hope you're right."

"And be sure too keep Jimmy on a short leash. I highly doubt the kid will take well, to some authority figure, a military one at that telling him what to do and what not. That'll make the kid defensive and if he gets it in his head, that we're his enemies, he won't be forgiving."

"I know Qrow, i know."

"Don't forgot, i'm sure Xero said he works for or works with SHEILD too and i don't think they'll like some foreign military attempting to pouch one of their own. James no longer has the only army in the world anymore, you'll have to remind him of that Oz, before he says or does something stupid like trying to press Xero or Gudako into service."

Ow, when Summer Rose said something like that, you know you'd best do what she says.

She's usually right and seeing as they were talking about James, that is something he would do.

"Things could be so much easier if Lord Mazoku was alone."

Ozpin meant the boy no ill will, no of course not as he could understand the teen's anger and truth be told, he could see himself in the boy. But he would be lying if he wished that he didn't have the position he was in now. Namely having the backing of a powerful organization, his father's clout and of course, his Servants. Hell, even if he had been backed by the SDC, it would be easier to approach and recruit the boy.

Cause even then, Ozpin would have the power to ensure the SDC didn't cause too many problems for him if things went south.

But now things are different, as a powerful warrior with otherworldly skill would usually be alone or a wander. Thus making it easier to press that person into the fold if needed but if Xero refused, Ozpin had nothing to pressure the boy and Salem would not take no for an answer.

Neither would Ironwood but even he was beholden to the laws and no matter how much Atlas bended them, Salem was always so much worse, seeing as she could act with little to no restraint in getting what she wants. That wasn't even including her allies and the near limitless army of Grimm.

The fact Xero and even Gudako had such backings of powerful people and figures would cause them all problems if James or worse, the Atlas council were to push things. At the very least, James would listen(Even if it was barely) while the council would bull on a hand, regardless of the consequences. Hell they probably wouldn't even considered them, thinking they couldn't be touched because of their positions.

And that wasn't even thinking on what Jacques would do, to secure such otherworldly power.

The entire situation was just like a volatile Dust crystal, just wanting to go off and explode in all their faces.

That wasn't even mentioning how Xero clearly didn't like taking orders or listening to anyone in general. It was clear Xero did not trust easy and was very good at spotting if someone was lying to him or have one of his allies help see a liar. That would make it even more difficult for him, as Ozpin hasn't revealed the whole truth in brother knows how long. It was impossible to know if Xero would press or not but clearly, if he thought his secrets would hurt his family for any reason, Xero would considered him an enemy.

Something that would possible doom them all.

The worst part of it all, was how independent Xero was and all his own otherworldly knowledge. It was clear to Ozpin, Xero is someone use to doing things on his own and being the leader in such things. As bad as it sounded, Ozpin would have preferred it if Xero more controllable and not as confident as he was cause then it would be easiest to steer Xero in the right direction.

There were so many things he didn't know about the boy and he hoped he could find something that would make it easier for Ozpin to form his own alliance with the Avengers. If Summer and Ruby are his related to him, then he would be pinning all his hopes on those two being a positive influence on the boy and making him more controllable.

Hopefully.

"Neo, i don't care what we have to do, i don't care if it's Cinder or her bosses that come knocking, we cannot betray Xero or his family, no matter what. You got that?"

Roman was as pale as a sheet of paper, with Neo rapidly nodding alongside him. He wouldn't lie, his new boss's just scared him five years out of his life and any thought of screwing over Xero(For whatever reason) went right out the window. No way, no fucking way was Roman even going to considered talking behind his back. What he just saw, his boss just might mortally wound and break his body, leaving him for the Grimm to finish him off, if he believed he betrayed him.

Clearly he didn't take betrayal well and honestly, Roman was kinda pissed too at what those two little shits did to the kid. He wouldn't stick his neck out for someone he didn't know but he could see the appeal of the girl and if someone betrayed Neo like that, he go berserk too. Neo was his daughter in everything but blood, the same way Clementine had become to the future Xero, so seeing him brutal kill those three ass-hats, Roman couldn't, no he wouldn't blame him for it.

Still, Roman felt his position was secured, so long as he didn't do anything to betray him, the boss wouldn't betray him.

That made Roman smile, despite feeling a bit sick to his stomach, he could do that.

However he wasn't the only one that was sweating badly, the not so nice people were looking like pigs on a hot day with their fearful sweating. One of them being Cinder Fall, who could only recall one person as ruthless to actually fed their enemies to monsters. She could actually SEE all her plans crashing and burning if Mazoku ever caught wind of what she really was. That wasn't even including how he'd react to her attack on the Fall Maiden and what she did to take her magic. Cinder doubted Mazoku would understand just why she did what she did and quite possible kill her, simply for that act alone.

She understood he had some sort of religion pertaining to magic, given how he says 'goddess' rather then Brothers or even God, as she had been hearing throughout the theater room. She was just thankful he wasn't some nutjob about it like Tryian was.

One of him was enough already.

It was becoming more and more clear that Mazoku was a whole other beast from Ozpin and even Salem herself. Not only his willingness to kill but to be as brutal and bloody as possible while doing it. She would have to trend carefully from here on out. From her seat, Cinder could see her minions shaking in fear as well, thinking the same thing as her, once they realized just how different this new beast really was.

They had to be very careful from here on out.

As this happened, Xero watched on with an emotionless face, not even blinking as his cries died out and all that was left, was the sound of human flesh being eaten.

The uneasiness everyone felt, yes even the Avengers and his own father felt uneasiness from his owly son, only grew worse at seeing not even blinking at the scene. Just...watching.

It was pretty disturbing to say the least.

"Burn in hell, you son of a bitch."

With nothing left, Xero made his way back to the house, praying to the Goddess Clem would be okay.

"Hey pal."

Xero then felt a hand on his shoulder, making Xero look over his shoulder, to see Kenny smiling,"Nice work on getting rid of these pieces of shit man. Should have seen this coming but, fuck i didn't and don't worry, thanks to you, Clem's going to pull through. She'll be sore shoulder but she's going to be just fine."

Xero sighed again, this time of pure relief and happiness, as his eyes returned to the natural yellow state, rather then gold. Hard to tell for sure, but it was easy to tell when they were glowing and when they weren't.

Oh thank the goddess for small mercies.

"Good. That's good."

"Yeah and even got the truck working too, so that's another plus. Once Clem can stand up, we'll get out of this frozen hellhole and head to Wellington."

Xero nodded and smiled, as he flicked the blood off his hands.

"Yeah, looks like our luck is finally changing."

Flashback End

And it did.

For the worst.

"Oh come on! Can't they just caught a freaking break already?!"

Sun yelled everyone's thought, huffing as he sate back down, glaring at the screen,"Enough with all the bad stuff, where's all the good stuff?! Surely something good should be coming there way!"

"As nice and kind as that is, Monsieur Sun, my husband sadly does not have such luck. The world often takes and doesn't stop, regardless of who it takes from, it does so till there is nothing left."

D'eon spoke sadly, as they shook their head. Sun gritted his teeth, as Neptune forced him to sit down,"Dude, listen i'm pretty steamed too but there's nothing we can do at the moment."

"This is crap."

"It is but the best we can do, is ride this through to the end."

Sun sighed, as he dipped his head, nodding,"Yeah but you have to admit, Xero is one tough SOB and he doesn't even have aura! What's that make us?"

"Lucky enough not having to live through this hell?"

Neptune offered, as his respect for Xero was growing as he watched the events of the past/future. Watching his team leader nod, the two members of SSSN braced themselves for what was to come next.

"I hope it's nothing else too gross."

Ruby spoke, still looking green in the face and ready to burst into tears at seeing how badly things have turned out. How badly Xero had fallen, since the world ended. She wanted to believe Xero was a good guy, a good man but watching all that...she honestly didn't know anymore.

Barely a day later, they got ambushed by a horde of Walkers. They were able to get away in the truck he and Kenny had fixed but thanks to the blizzard starting up, they had crashed. While Kenny and Mikasa went looking for somewhere to hunker down, their last traveling companion, Jane, had proven that Xero's gut feeling about her being bad was proven true.

"Oh god, now what?"

Roman always knew people would show their true colors once they believed their lives were over or beyond scared. But to actually see it happening before his eyes, he wouldn't lie saying he felt happy about being right.

Sometimes, being right sucked!

The bitch had suddenly and without warning, took off with AJ into the blizzard, leaving him, Clem and Velvet behind in shock and horror. Xero had Clem take his daughter, as they looked for the two and ultimately ended up in the old rest stop where Mikasa and Kenny were. Upon learning what happened Kenny, beyond worried, ran out to find them.

Only for Jane to show up...with no AJ.

Many gasps were heard throughout the room, as Eren glared at the screen, gritting his teeth hard,"No. That bitch didn't-"

"She fucking did."

Jean snarled, glaring at Jane, as she said that AJ was gone. However, shockingly she knelt down to Clementine and said something about 'seeing their true colors.'

What happened next, was Kenny coming back, beyond enraged and started to attacking Jane. It would have been a long, drawn out fight, had Xero not grabbed the damn bitch and beat her to death!

Literary slamming her on the ground and started punching her face so many times, there was nothing but red paste left, once he was done.

"Good."

Levi nodded in approval of what his friend did, despite his grouchy attitude, even he would never kill a baby. That was just all kinds of wrong and even Kenny would never stoop so low as to do something so cruel as that.

Everyone, yes even Peter Parker, felt Xero was a little justified in killing the clearly insane woman. Killing babies was just, just wrong and no amount of justification would prove otherwise.

However, a miracle had stuck, as Velvet's ears picked up AJ's crying and thankfully, they were able to find him stashed away in a car.

"Oh thank god."

Steve slumped in his seat, as Clint breathed out a sigh of relief, as did everyone else. But that relief was short lived, as they heard what happened next.

While everyone was overjoyed to see AJ alive and breathing, they never noticed a Walker sneaking up from behind the abandoned cars and made a go for the baby. Kenny, who was holding him at the time, tried to move but he slipped on the ice, causing them all to slip on the ice. Before anyone, even Xero himself could react, the Walker had bitten Kenny's throat out, leaving him to choke on his own blood. Yet instead of going for a pistol that could have saved him, he chose to slid AJ away. He could have gone for the gun but then the Walker would have gotten AJ and...and there was just simply not enough time to do both.

Kenny died protecting AJ.

"Like any true huntsman, to give their life for an innocent."

Theodore spoke, nodding his head in respect to the older man. Even the girls of team NDGO, who like many of the huntsman and huntress of Vacuo looked down on everyone else not from Vacuo, couldn't help but bow their heads in respect. Many of the huntsman and soldiers did the same, bowing their heads in respect to the man's willingly sacrifice.

"You mean dying like a damned fool."

Raven oh so wanted to say it, to mock the man who died like a fool but after watching how far Xero would go to hurt those, who in turn hurt his loved ones, she kept her mouth shut. A few minutes of satisfaction simply wasn't worth it.

Remembering his words from before, about just letting him go if he was badly injured and unwillingly to bring the man back down for more hell, Xero finished him off, ensuring he didn't come back as one of them.

Even going so far as to bury the poor man, with his hat placed atop his cross, as a final farewell to a good man.

"Fuck me."

For the first time but more then likely not the last, Sun actually cursed.

"No."

Ruby felt tears build in her eyes once again, she she gripped her combat skirt. Why?

Why did this keep happening? Xero was a hero, he was the strongest Magus of his generation, that priest guy said so! So...so why, why did good people keep dying?! Why couldn't he save anyone?!

"You could be the greatest, strongest warrior mankind has ever known young one and even then, people will still die. Be it their own fault, yours, it doesn't matter. The world is cruel and unforgiving. Life, like so many other things, is unfair. Best to learn this now, no matter how hard you try, you can't save them all. Magic, aura, weapons or some godly power, it does not matter. There are just some things that are beyond our control and all we can do, is learn from our mistakes, to ensure you never make it again."

Medea, as if she was reading Ruby's mind, spoke those words to her, making the redhead tear up, as her mother pulled her into a hug once again. Summer would have loved to glare or reassure her little girl but knew this was a harsh lesson Ruby needed to learn if she was going to be a huntress.

It's just like the witch said, you can't save them all.

It was on that day, everything change for them. Not just for Xero but the rest of his family and Clem. Losing Kenny made the day terrible and it only got worse after that. The memory caused him to look at his right arm.

"I tried to be good and look where that got me? I tried to show that little shit mercy and look at what i got for my mercy."

His right, METAL arm and clenched it in either angry or self-loathing, he didn't know which one.

Unbidden, Xero's mind wander back to the events that lead up to him losing his original arm.

"Not. A. Word."

Tony glared at everyone, not wanting to hear a pep from anyone, as he glared at the screen, wanting to see just how his son lost his arm.

Flashback

"F-fuck, where are you?"

It was freezing, probably below zero as the blizzard seemed to rage on but that didn't bother Xero as much as it should have. In fact, everything that's happened, all that's he's lost and all the people he's either killed or seen get killed it all boiled down to just one thing.

He was tired.

So very, fucking tired of fucking EVERYTHING!

Slowly moving through the blizzard, Xero guessed he must have been awake for two, three days maybe? He lost track sometime...fuck if he knew, as it was only because of both his magic and yoki keeping him alive at this point. Even then, it was slowly dwindling down to nothing and he estimated he had an hour or so before both energy sources ran out.

Yoki at least, as his magic could only keep him alive for so long before it had to stop before it ran out, killing him anyway.

"No matter how i look at it, i'm finished either way. There's no way out of this one."

And why should he keep going?

This entire world, everything in his life, all he cared about was fucking gone!

ALL GONE AND IT WAS ALL HIS FUCKING FAULT TOO!

Survivor's guilt.

It was very easy to spot the signs that Xero had some symptoms of survivor's guilt.

"Oh no."

Ozpin, once again, silently sighed to himself as he idly played with his beloved cane. That look, the one on Avenger Xero's face was one he knew all to well. That was the look of a broken man, who had, after fighting and surviving for so long had finally lost hope.

He had reached the end of his rope and could go no further without something to prop him up again.

Even if everyone was wondering how his magic and this 'yoki' thing kept him alive for so long, they were too in depth in watching the scene unfold before them.

Just as the storm seemed to be getting worse, nearly blinding him with nothing but pure white, he attempted to move forward, ignoring the freezing winds that seemed to be trying to freeze his legs, when suddenly they gave out from under him!

"Wha?"

With blurred vision, Xero felt his body lurch forward, as he begin to fall face first into the snow. Slowly and painful, he tried to get up but his body protested very strongly and it fucking hurt like...

"What?"

His vision was blurry, as black spots begin to form in his vision as he felt... wait, he didn't feel anything? What? Slowly moving his right hand forward, he saw his finger tips had turned completely blue, tracing down his redden hand. Flexing his fingers, they barely moved and he didn't feel them move.

In fact, he didn't feel anything at all.

Nothing.

It almost felt...liberating.

Was this the day he finally died? Was this the day he could finally just let go?

No longer have to worry about what tomorrow would bring. No longer have to worry if today was the day they ran into bandits or some other crazed person. No longer have to worry if someone is their group would betray them or turn on them, like those two shits Mike and Bonnie for that other shithead, Ar-FUCK-vo.

"Is this how i die?"

Honestly it wasn't too bad, for someone, who cannot die from old age thanks to the blood running through his veins, Xero was aware he could stay alive to be the very last human on Earth. It didn't matter how long it took for the Walkers to die out, once humanity had either died out or stayed out of their reach, he could do it.

It could be a hundred years and if he played his cards right, he could see the end of the Age of the Walkers. So long as he could get a steady supply of food and water, thanks to his yoma genes, he could live long enough to see it all come to an end.

Just like Miria, who had been the matriarch of the Mazoku clan for over nine hundred years.

"What? How the hell-"

"Shut up."

"Stark, listen we-"

"I said, SHUT THE FUCK UP! Whatever fucking questions you have can wait, now SHUT. UP. NOW!"

Ironwood backed down, when he old friend gave him a look and he had to stop Winter from going off on the enraged elder Stark's face. As much as he wanted to question just HOW Mazoku played to live that long, all their questions would be answered. He only needed to be patient about it.

No matter how much it annoyed him.

He knew the moment the elder Stark saw his son with a metal arm, he would want answers and what he planned to do with those answers was a no brainer. As much as he wanted to know just what was going on and these 'yoma genes' thing, he would just have to wait or face the elder Stark's wrath.

Something that would be counterproductive.

But now he didn't have too. There was nothing left for him now. Mikasa, Clementine Velvet, hell even Kenny were all gone and he had nothing left to keep him anchored anymore. There was no hope and nothing left to fight for, so why shouldn't he just leave this plane of existence. What did Kenny say about dying?

"You know what it's like to be nearly beaten to death? Peaceful. It feels peaceful. I feel like i'm falling away from the world, floating up in the sky watching everything happen, as i just...float away from this hellish world. It felt so good, like i could finally rest and never have to wake up again. But then i do and i realize, nothing has fucking changed. I'm still taking a beating, with no end in sight. Everyday, every FUCKING day is a brutal struggle for survival and let me tell you this friend, this isn't how man was supposed to live. Everyday, i feel like i'm taking a beating. I know i've said you're not suppose to give up, just because it's hard but when i was on the verge of death, for the first time in nearly three years, i felt peace. Maybe this is the end, maybe it's not but next time i start bleeding out, do me a favor and DON'T save me. I'm not asking you not to try, i'm asking you to let me go, to finally be set free from this hellish world. So i can go see Katjaa, Duck, Sarita and Lee again. I want to see them again. Selfish of me to ask, but that's what i want man. I'm not what Clem needs me to be. Besides, you'll do a far better job of looking after that girl and Velvet both then i ever could. Love them to death, i really do but i can't be what they need me to be. So i'm asking you, as a friend, when the time comes please just let me go."

"Unbelievable."

Whitely had no idea what to think, what the man just described was, was...well, he honestly didn't know what it was. It was just, it sounded so wrong and yet, the world they live in at the moment was a living hell, wasn't it. Never once in his short life, had the youngest Schnee ever hear someone sound so...broken.

Broken beyond all repair.

Maybe...maybe death wouldn't be so bad. If he just closed his eyes and let the winter winds take him, he can finally be free of this nightmare. Once and for all.

He was just so, so tired of running and fighting.

So maybe the best thing for him to do, would be to just let g-

"Xero."

Flashback End

Xero blinked as reality came back into focus, the endless waves of white and the cold that had frozen his body, right down to his very bones was gone from his eyes. Blinking, he found himself back in his room as he spotted a young woman entering said room, a cup in hand that looked like it was boiling.

The young woman looked to be about seventeen years old, standing at 5'7 foot tall. The woman's attire consisted of an off white henley under a light grey hoodie, the outermost layer being a dark denim jacket. Her once olive green cargo pants, mottled with what one can only hope to be mud, were well fitted to her figure. On her feet she wore knee high black boots, red laces done up tight, she had chocolate brown hair down up in a side pigtail. Completing the look was a dirty blue and white baseball hat with a D on the front.

"Goddamn it."

Tony cursed, unaware if he should be angry or happy that he didn't get to see his son lose his arm. He was honestly disturbed at how his only son seemed to embrace his death with open arms and a smile. Was the world so bad, he would welcome death so easily?

Did he even want to know?

Could Tony actually help his son or was he merely delaying the inevitable?

"Master really needs a break."

Habetrot looked sadly at her master, trying so hard to do the right thing, only to be met with death and descent at every turn, around every corner. That wasn't even including the enemies he had to face, both alive and dead. Not to mention overcoming the many challenges with many more to come and even harder then the previous ones.

Well, as his loyal Servant(Even if she was newcomer) she had no choice but to help relive the pressure he was under the best she can.

"This is why i wanted him to stay with me in the Fairy kingdom."

Morgan was of the same mind as her oldest friend. This is why she wanted her husband to stay with her in the Lostbelt, regardless if it wouldn't last, he wouldn't be under the immense pressure he was now. Not to mention, all the new enemies he will have to face but unlike before, she was here now to help him and come hell or high water, none would touch Morgan's husband.

"Probably for the best."

Iskander muttered to himself, knowing full well his master had a small break down during that time and why shouldn't he? Xero had just kept on losing and losing everything over and over again till he could take no more. When he believed Mikasa and the others died during that blizzard, he had lost all hope and was ready to die.

Till he was saved by none other then-

"Hey Clementine, what time is it?"

"About twelve, you've been asleep for nearly two days and i figured you want some coffee, when you woke up."

Smiling the Caucasian girl slowly made her way into the room, as Xero moved over, so she could sit on the bed with him. Seeing as his bed was a king size bed, with wooden walls and one window right beside the large bed. That allowed the bright, full moon to shine through the window, as it hung high in the sky.

"Clementine?"

Tony looked to Gudako and the Servants, as they shook their heads at Tony's silent question.

Xero quietly drank his coffee, as Clem fiddled with her thumbs in a rare show of uncertainty. Sighing in Satisfaction, he casted one golden eye over to her,"Yeah know, i all but raised you for the past seven years and i like to think i know you pretty well by now. You're practical my daughter/little sister, with Lee as you're adopted father. Namely i know what makes you tick, all the little quirks you have and all the signs that indicate that you want to say something but feeling too nervous to do so. So, what's wrong?"

"Had a dream about Lily last night. About what happened too..."

She trailed off, as Xero sighed again, mind whirling back to the woman he once called a friend.

Flashback

XERO VS. LILY

PLAY:

(YOU'RE GOING DOWN by Sick Puppies)

"Oh, it's a new song."

Nora perked up, wanting nothing more then to forgot the horrible things she saw, if only for a few minutes.

"Let's hope this one will be better then the others."

Jaune knew he was grasping at straws but hey, a guy could hope. The more Jaune watched, the more shitty he felt about himself. Not because each one proved how much better Xero was compared to him, but because of how much the dark haired teen suffered and now Jaune felt like an asshole for being jealous of him for it. He was now learning what it took, to become a living legend like Xero and he did not like it.

Not one bit.

Define your meaning of war
To me, it's what we do when we're bored
I feel the heat comin' off of the blacktop
And it makes me want it more
Because I'm hyped up, out of control

Everyone looked at each other, as the screen keep going, even as the song kept playing.

"The lyrics..."

Weiss knew some songs liked to have word play to them, silently converging a message through it's lyrics and while not all of it made sense, some verses of the lyrics would directly mean something. She doubted this BB character would just randomly pick a song just for the fun of it.

It had to have some kind of meaning to them and it would be up to her, to discover which lyrics meant what.

"Lily, you known there's only one way both of us get out of this alive. Out of respect for our past friendship, i'll give you only one chance. WALK. AWAY and NEVER come back."

If it's a fight, I'm ready to go
I wouldn't put my money on the other guy
If you know what I know that I know

Xero and Lily slowly walked in a circle, sizing each other up, as the now short haired woman merely growled,"I know but you and i both know there is just one way this ends: Either you die or i die. That is the nature of war and we are on opposite sides. Unless you kill me right here and now, those kids will never be safe. The Delta won't let them go, not after this and i know where they are. If you want to keep them safe, then you need to kill me here."

KA-BOOM/CRACK

The sky sounded like it was cracking open, as the rain poured down harder on the two, with the destroyed ship's fire gave them lighting.

Thanks to her raider ship exploding, the duo we're forced onto the beach, where the fire illuminated the darkness of the night. Seeing as Clem and the other kids had already made their escape, it left Xero and Lily alone to finish what he started.

It's been a long time comin'
And the table's turned around
'Cause one of us is goin'
One of us is going down
I'm not runnin'
It's a little different now
'Cause one of us is goin'
One of us is going down

But despite everything that happened, Xero had no words for Lily, not at all surprised at Lily's choice of words the stubborn woman. They may be enemies but they held respect for each other and now Lily was giving him an ultimatum:

Kill her now or those kids would be endangered of being hunted by the Delta, out of spite if nothing else, for killing several of their people.

The choice was already made.

Slowly, Xero summoned his family's sword and Miria's blade:

The Black Rose.

In a flash of light, the massive claymore appeared in his hand, as it's blade point slammed into the ground, cracking it as it made contact. This only made Lily raise an eyebrow at the intimidating weapon.

"Oh...that's a very big sword."

Ruby, despite having all her ideals and beliefs come crashing down faster then a meteor, was still able to eye the new weapon with a critical eye. It well maintained, a double edge blade with a stainless steel gray color and what she assumed was his family's symbol near halt and guard. It was an old fashion cross guard with brown wrapping around the handle and if Ruby's eyes didn't deceive her, she spotted several runic symbols carved alongside the blade itself.

"I would hate to be hit by that thing, aura or not."

Sun shivered at the massive weapon, as he looked at his teammate,"Hell i'm certain that thing twice the size of you're blade, Sage."

The dark skinned teen nodded. He had a big sword but Xero's? Xero's was an absolute monster in size.

"Lord Mazoku appears to handle a two handed weapon quite well with just one hand."

Penny observed, seeing how easily Lord Mazoku swung and moved the massive blade around without breaking a sweat. Even a trained huntsman would have difficulty using such a weapon with such ease, the way Lord Mazoku is using it. Even with his metal arm, someone with prosthetics like general Ironwood would have a hard time in using such a weapon like that.

Penny's eyes widen, wow he was truly strong and without aura too!

She wonder just how strong Lord Mazoku truly was. She wondered if it was because of his magic or perhaps of this Yoki thingy.

"What? Not going to blast me with you're magic? No matter what you do, you and i both know i don't stand a chance either way. There's no way a normal human, soldier or not could ever hope to stand up to a Magus, much less one that is as powerful and experienced as you?"

Define your meaning of fun
Is it fuckin', druggin' or guns?
I feel the heat comin' off of the blacktop
So get ready for another one
Let's take a trip down memory lane (do you remember me?)
The words circlin' in my brain (look what you did to me)
You can treat this like another, all the same
But don't cry like a bitch when you feel the pain

"Believe it or not, i don't kill those that can't fight back or are unable too. I'm not like you or as weak as you cowardly raiders and bandits, i don't make it a habit like you. Now, you can either pick up that axe, crossbow or whatever and fight me or i wound you, leaving you to die by Walkers. You're choice."

Why that son of a-

Raven gritted her teeth, wanting nothing more then too skin that little shit alive. So what if Lily and the Delta did what they did, she did what she had to do to survive. There was nothing wrong with that.

Lily scowled but said nothing, as she grabbed her fallen comrade's axe and swung it on her shoulder,"Don't expect i'll just roll over and die."

"I don't, cause that be far too easy and like everything else-"

"It can't ever be easy."

Lily finished.

KA-BOOM/CRACK

As if the lighting was the sound of a bell, Lily charged forward with surprising speed for a normal human but in Xero's eyes, she was moving sail speed.

Lily swung down, only for Xero to block it with ease. Lily growled and attempted to swipe at his legs with her own, only to be rebuked by his own kick, making her grit her teeth as she felt her body shake. Fucking hell, it was like she was kicking metal!

Slipping her unarmed hand her pocket and pulling out a hunter's knife, she attempted to stabbed him in his lower stomach. Only for Xero to seemly vanish out of thin air, leaving an afterimage behind making her eyes widen. Only to feel a blade dig into her back, not enough to kill her but enough to bloody fucking hurt!

"You're too slow."

"FUCK!"

It's been a long time comin'
And the table's turned around
'Cause one of us is goin'

Lily growled, as she was forced to her knee's, placing the back of her knife hand on her back and glaring at Xero, as he stood behind her and without looking, stabbed a Walker in between the eyes with his hidden blade, that was within his metal arm.

"Is this what you wanted? To see an old friend bite, claw and scramble to delay the inevitable?"

She spat hatefully, as Xero's emotionless mask cracked for a second, as he asked in a soft voice,"Lily...what happened to you? The Lily i know would never do something so, so evil. Not this, i knew you were a hard-ass but you were fair and kind. What happened to you? Killing you're enemies is one thing but to kill kids? Kidnapping them to be some sort of soldier, in a war they had nothing to do with and even going so far as too brainwash them to the point they would even kill their own sister, it's sick. Why did you do this, you at least own me a reason why you became this?"

"Don't you know?"

Lily gave him a grim but tired smile,"Nothing and no one stays good in this twisted world, not anymore. You have to decide, whether you are a follower, meant to die in someone else's stead or be the one to send them to their deaths. So what if we kidnap those kids, we have them food, shelter and even weapons to defend themselves. All we ask in return, is that they defend our home with everything they've got, that's the way the world works now. You don't get anything without fighting and killing for it."

"So you kidnap kids, brainwash them to the point they would kill their own siblings?!"

Xero snapped, remembering how Tenn's sister, Minerva had so easily said, she killed her own twin for the Delta.

"Yes, I have a problem with it. Your "leadership" is going to get my little brother killed."

"Yeah, and we all survived it! Marlon would've never made them fight the way you did. He wouldn't have gotten people killed."

"Yeah? Then how come so many people are dead?"

" She...she died protecting the Delta. A hero"

"Our boat leaves for the Delta in two days. Then it'll be a couple of weeks before we can come back for the rest of you. When we do, don't fight. The only way you're gonna save your people is to let us take them. I'm serious. Don't fight this."

The entire thing sounded exactly what a brainwashed person would say. No doubt from a year of spending with the Delta, combined with browbeating and stockholm syndrome had twisted Minerva into the monster she is now. Yet by the uncaring look on Lily's face, he knew the answer he was about to get would probably piss him off something fierce.

"So what if they did? She survived and thrived didn't she? What's so wrong with surviving in a world as harsh as this?"

The more and more she heard, Raven knew the Delta used the same methods as the Branwen tribe and agreed completely with them. But she knew better then to say that out loud, as many of these so called 'civilized people' would never approve of it and would put her tribe in an even shitter position. It was clear that the Servants knew SOMETHING about her and the tribe, clearly not approving of it and Xero had deep hate for her people.

Being strong didn't mean making enemies of everyone around them and no matter how much she hated to admit, Xero's magical power far surpassed her own by far. She just didn't have enough information and it would be wiser to figure out everything she could, before pissing him and everyone else off.

She just had to bide her time until then.

"So? What does it matter what we have to do to survive. The people we're fighting against us, make the Delta look like the Virgin Mary. Now, it's all about survival and before you judge me, let me ask you this: How many bodies of you're fallen friends and comrades you had to crawl over to get to where you are now? How many 'innocent' souls have you had to sacrifice to ensure you're own survival?"

One of us is going down
I'm not runnin'
It's a little different now
'Cause one of us is goin'
One of us is going down

Xero said nothing, vaguely reminded of hearing something similar from that Carver bastard.

"Killing one in order to save many is part of survival. It's one of the tough decisions that a weaker person couldn't make. It's why it falls to people like us to lead them to safety. Do you understand? Well, I wish it was different, I do. But they are weak... and we are strong. That's why it's our responsibility to shepherd the flock... to keep them safe. It's their nature to follow... not to lead. You of all people should know, you either lead and survive or be a follower and die. I know you're type, you are terrified of you're true nature, what you TRULY are. You can either embrace what you are meant to be or just be another worthless lamb to slaughter."

Xero growled, as his left hand burst into white flames, making Lily's eyes widen. Was he going to-

"RAGH!"

Only to spin around and with a swipe of his hand, set fire to many Walkers that were slowly encircling them, creating a wall of pure white fire! The scent of burning flesh soon reached Lily's nose, as she could have swore she heard the Walkers scream in pain, as they slowly melted from the sheer power of the burning flames.

This is hardly worth fighting for
But it's the little petty shit that I can't ignore
When my fist hits your face and your face hits the floor
It'll be a long time comin'
Bet you got the message now
'Cause I was never goin'
Yeah, you're the one that's going down

"Okay, i have to ask, what it with-"

"Quiet!"

Ymir's mouth clicked shut with a 'snap' at Tony snapping at her. Normally she would have bite back, but seeing that dark look in Iron Man's eyes had her cowed. Her question can wait, she did NOT want whatever horrible things Tony could do, direct towards her. No thank you sir.

"Xero-sama..."

Asia didn't know what to think. There was no doubt she knew what pain was, not physical pain but mental and emotional pain. Something everyone can agree was far worse then physical pain, as it healed faster then mental ones. But even then, her pain was nothing compared to her savior and it hurt her that she could do nothing to help him.

"Why am i so useless? Why can't i be strong like him?"

Tears of frustration built up in her eyes, even as she was hugged by the healing Berserker. She paid no mind to Nightingale, as she gripped her tiny hands together so tightly, blood began to pour out of her palms. Xero-sama had once said her hands were meant to heal and save lives, not inflict pain or take them away. She believed that, she really did, why else would god give her such a wonderful gift, but that didn't mean it wasn't so annoying that she could do nothing, while he and the rest of her family risked their lives.

The best she could do, was ensure that whatever wounds and injures they got, while protecting her and everyone else, was to ensure they were healed to the best of her ability.

This, she swore.

"Those lyrics."

Weiss's frown deepen, as she listen to the lyrics and watched the bitter fight progress. She remembered how some of the Servants said the world owned Xero a debt for saving them a couple of times and now hearing not only that but the words of,"...letting rumors turn me into a legend"

Sounded vaguely like Xero's situation, letting rumors and his actions turn him into a legend among the people. Then there was the one before, where it said "...i've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger."

"But what does it mean? What is this song trying to converge?"

She could understand what this song meant, seeing as one of them WAS going down. Lily had given Mazoku her challenge and made it clear only one of them can survive and listening to the song, she understood how it was "...a long time coming."

But that didn't explain the first song!

What did it mean, when it said "It keeps getting stronger"?

His desire to kill, his impulses, what is it?!

"Fancy trick, couldn't you have done that before?"

"Never needed too. Even before you were kicked out, i had to crank up the heat to a whole new level of hot, my fire turned white. Best way to ensure the dead stay dead, is create a fire so hot it melts you right down to the bone and even melt said bone or more importantly, the spinal cord. While normal fire can kill a human, melting their flesh off, it wouldn't work fast enough on the undead, so i had to make it hot enough to work. Can't be too careful now a days, just like Omid say. Digging up dead things isn't what it used to be and so is killing."

"That's worrying."

Clover wasn't one for making enemies out of people he didn't know unless they threw the first punch, but hearing just how hot Xero made his fire was a red flag to him. If that fire can melt bone, would aura even stop it?

Could it stop it?

"And what of their weapons, could magic be infused into them like aura?"

He already understood the implications and could see the potential of the duplication rune, knowing full well everyone would want it. The general, SDC, the kingdoms and hell even criminal organizations like the White Fang would kill for such a power. The ability to duplicate anything would be a massive boon, even if it had some setbacks, such as Xero having to recreate that rune specifically for that item.

Like recreating dust ammo.

But given the history he's seen so far, Clover knew Xero would not give up his secrets so easily and had ever reason to distrust them no matter what they did. He just had to have faith that he would not give that rune to anyone unsavory, like the White Fang.

Even if given the order, Clover didn't see the Ace Ops taking Xero down, without them going down with him. That wasn't even including what those Servants of his could do either. It was just a terrible gamble for them to play on and he knew the general knew it too.

But above all else, Clover knew everything would go to hell if the council actually did something beyond stupidity impulse and start an all out war, over their own pride no less!

Xero said simply, as the pure white flames seemed to melt the Walkers down into goo. He glared down at Lily,"This is between me and you, Lily. I won't have some undead fuck interfere."

"How kind."

Lily sneered, as her hand had drifted down to a pistol she hid on her person and quick as lighting, pulled it out and aimed at Xero.

"DIE!"

One of us is going down
i'm not runnin'
It's a little different now

BANG

BANG

BANG

Lily popped off several shots, only for Xero to easily block each bullet with his hand, each one bouncing off said hand harmlessly. Lily merely stared in disbelief, as she saw the metal bullets be reduced to to stubbed bullets, landing on the ground helplessly. Before she could even blink, Xero was upon her, grabbing the woman by her face and in a show of pure strength, lifted her up off the ground and with before she could even realize what happened, she was throw through the air like a ragdoll.

In doing so, her back slammed into a tree bark, causing splinters cracks to appear on it, as she let out a gasp of pain, blood flying out of her mouth. Before she could get her bearings, Xero had seemly appeared in front of her once again and delivered a harsh kick to her face.

"Urk."

'Cause one of us is goin'
One of us is going down

Which sent the older woman spalling on the ground, blood leaking from her mouth and even losing a tooth in the process.

"Fuck, that has got to hurt."

Even Mercury winced at the brutal way Xero had thrashed his old friend around. The kick he performed was a prefect one, meant to inflict lots of pain but just weak enough not to kill,"He fight's like a damn demon."

Focused and ruthless, not giving her an inch but giving her a chance to fight back, showing just how pointless it really was, as he didn't even bother to use his magic. Just attacking based on pure skill and strength.

"He's brutal."

Yang felt her heart race at seeing the fight unfold. Whether from fear, excitement or a combination of the two. His fighting was something Yang herself had done in her earlier years, not realizing how badly she could mess some kid up, if she hit any harder. Of course she was weaker back then, she was a kid and she knew, if she preformed the same type of kick Xero had, even someone who was weak with kicks like herself, she would have kicked Lily's head right off.

Before Yang wanted to fight Xero.

Not for the glory or anything dumb like that, she just wanted a good old fashion fight and if what people said about Xero was true, then she wanted to see the living legend in action. He and those two Magus girls were all the same age as her, with one proving to be worth his salt. The way they walked, talked and moved told Yang they were very skilled and in Xero's case, experienced fighter.

Hell Gudako was a year younger then her and even if she wasn't as powerful as Xero himself, Yang could feel the power coming off of her. That redhead was certainly no slouch either!

Original, she wanted to see if the legend lived up to his title but now?

Now she wasn't too sure.

"Brutal fighting style with a massive weapon that he can use with little to no problem, you're training is certainly showing Berserker."

The Amazon queen smirked at seeing her husband employ her training against his old friend. No hesitation, no mercy, just as he should treat any other enemy. Even if that enemy was once a friend and a woman at that, Lily made it quite clear they were enemies now, thus he treated her as such.

As what she expected of him.

"What do you expect Shu? Our human can be quite a brutal and unrelenting fighter against his enemies. That little shit Arvo had pushed our human too far and now everyone else is paying for it."

The ring leader of Mt. Ooe spoke with a bloodthirsty grin on her pretty face, watching as her "claimed" human fought like a demon. As is expected of the human she had laid claimed too!

"After what happened with that Russia, my husband is no longer showing mercy to anyone. Former friend or not."

Morgan spoke, a tab bit sad at seeing what her husband would be reduced to in order to survive in a cruel world. Her desire to protect him grew more, as she once again felt her hand tighten on her staff/hammer, as her old friend looked at her concerned. The little Fairy didn't know what to do, so she decide to give the queen, her silent support.

Something Morgan appreciated.

"Get up, i know that isn't enough to keep you down Lily."

Slowly but surely, the short haired woman slowly rose and growled, spitting out another tooth as she did so. Slowly but surely, she got up, leaning on the axe and glared at Xero over her shoulder.

She spat out more blood, as she moved towards him, axe raised once more, above her head,"FUC-URK!"

Once more, Xero had kicked Lily, this time square in the stomach and sent her back, crashing against another tree. She spat put more blood, eyes wide in pain. Head swaying and feeling like her skull cracked open, Lily could see the writing on the wall.

She was finished.

Leaning back against the tree, with no will left to fight, Lily laughed brokenly,"I never stood a chance, did i?"

"No."

Xero shook his head, as he rested his claymore on his shoulder,"No you did not. Goddess damnit Lily, it didn't have to end this way."

"Oh please, you and i both known this was how it would end this way. The moment i shot the wrong person is what set us down the path we are on now. So do it."

Lily then, with what little strength she had left, threw the axe aside, glaring at Xero, not even bothering to get up from her sitting position. She knew a losing battle when she saw one and she had lost this one.

Badly.

"I won't beg for mercy, i know full well i don't deserve any, not after what i've done. But just one last question, how long do you think you can keep going until you become like me? Like the Delta? The world has forever change Xero, there is no going back and we must do whatever it takes to survive. Do you believe you can remain good? Well, do you?! How long with you're so called morals keep you and you're group alive before they get you all KILLED?! HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP SURVIVING IN THIS HELLISH WORLD WITH THOSE SHACKLES, WEIGHING YOU DOWN?!"

"...I don't know Lily, i really don't but i do know one thing for certain."

Xero raised his claymore over his head,"You won't be around to find out."

SLENCH

One of us is going down
Down
Down

(Song End)

Flashback End

In all fairness, Lily's words proved to be true.

The Delta did not take the death of their raiders too well and declared all out war against the people of New Avalon and Paradis Island. It only got worse, seeing as Avalon was at war with the New Frontier and seeing as the two groups were hurt by Xero and Clem personally, they united in there hatred for Avalon.

And both Xero and Clem, again seeing as both the man and young teenager had done a lot of damage to both groups in the past four years. Xero against the Delta and Clementine against the New Frontier. Doing their own versions of hit and run attacks, had pissed off both groups pretty bad, that only gave them an excuse to go to war with the scouts.

After Kenny died and Wellington had been destroyed by the New Frontier, Xero and Clem went out for revenge against them, seeing as their attack had not only nearly killed AJ but Velvet too. Learning of a new safe haven on a remote island in the Northern sea, had given them new tools to fight against the New Frontier. The fact the New Frontier had costed Xero his arm, while they destroyed Wellington, had only given him more incentive to fight against them.

"The New Frontier..."

Tony narrowed his eyes, he will remember that.

But that wasn't even the worst the night had too offer.

"Somehow i doubt that."

"Dude, shut up."

For you see, Xero had discovered just how broken some people could become, when all hope is lost and they embrace death with such happiness, they believe it would best to drag down others with them. Just, the sheer horror of how badly a person could be broken, was no less shocking then it was horrifying.

"Oh, it's THAT one."

Mata Hari spoke, as she shivered. Of all the memories, it had to be one of the worst ones they could ever see.

"That one? What's the 'one'?"

Tony demanded of the spy, as she looked nervous,"I can't say, it's just too horrible. Trust me."

The father looked at her for a couple of more seconds, before grunting and turning his head back to the screen.

Flashback

"Well, that's not a death trap. Not, just a nice, rickty old bridge. Totally safe, so safe in fact i should give it the Xero seal of safety approval. Really, not one of the worst places to get caught during a zombie apocalypse. Nope, just fine."

Clem and AJ laughed at Xero's not so subtle joke, as Violet glared at him.

"You got a better idea."

"Hmmm, let me think. Oh wait i know, how about NOT going across it and finding another way. One that doesn't included of getting stuck on a bridge. An OLD bridge i might add, one that is bound to be falling apart and when we need to make a quick get away, THAT'S when it starts to become unstable. No doubt when we start running, the plie wood will give, not enough to fling us downward but enough to get our legs stuck, then we'll be really screwed."

The skinny girl said nothing, merely flipping off the older man, as Clem and AJ burst into laughter, with Tenn trying to laugh too but it came out more forced, still reeling from what happened not too long ago.

"Oh my, what happened to that boy?"

Kali asked in shock at seeing Tenn's scared, burned face. Ghira looked closely at the scars with a keen eye,"No zombie did that."

"Couldn't say."

Gudako shrugged,"It's one of those things only Oni-chan knows and doesn't like talking about."

"Can't image why."

Steve muttered, as Bruce nodded. Nobody wants that in their head and clearly, Xero didn't want to put it in her head.

"Come on, the sooner we get over the bridge, the better."

"Alright, all jokes aside, i'll go first. I'm heavier but i'll be able to survive a fall if it does give out."

The skinny as hell blonde nodded to Xero's plan, as he slowly made his way over the rotting bridge, noting how there were no Walker's anywhere.

"Hmmm, the ship being destroyed must have draw them all towards it."

If that was the case, all the better for them.

"Must have been one big explosion then."

Ilia spoke, mostly to herself as Elizabeth looked at her,"Girl, have you ever seen a steamboat explode? Shame, case it's great!"

The little dragoness laughed, as Ilia shook her head at the question.

But just because there were no Walkers NEAR, did not mean they were out of danger just yet. Either by what was left of Lily's people or more Walkers being draw to the load sound from miles away.

"Good thinking, let this be another lesson to you students. Just because you don't come across the enemy, doesn't mean you can let you're guard down, while in enemy territory."

Port, once again, spoke wisely as he thumbed his magnificent mustache.

After carefully walking across the rotting, sorry excuse of a bridge and an old flatbed truck, Xero came to a stop of a small gap. Looking down, Xero saw the rushing water below, with some very sharp and pointy rocks that would kill anyone, had they landed on them from his height.

"Bloody hell, got to be careful here. I don't fancy becoming a Xero pancake or swiss cheese for that matter."

"Who does? His logic has lots of holes in it, like the swiss cheese. Ha."

"Sasha, smack Connie for me, will ya."

WACK

The ash haired man groaned, as the redhead woman wacked him.

"Pancakes?"

Naturally, Nora perked up at the word 'pancake' as Ren shook his head fondly. Nora is Nora, no matter what.

Waving his group over, the rest saw the gap and some like Tenn and AJ gulped.

"That's a long way down and that's a big gap."

Tenn shuffled from one foot to the other, as his friend nodded,'Yeah. a very long way down."

"Come on, the gap's not that far and if need be, Xero can help us get across."

He nodded at Violet's plan, it was true, he could easily toss them across no problem if he needed too-

"Never mind the darkness~"

Everyone froze at the sound of a new, female voice. One that made Tenn and Violet freeze, as Xero felt his blood run cold.

"Oh no."

"Another Raider?"

Ellis looked to the Servants, as Otika Saber shook her head sadly.

"No, it's worse. MUCH worse."

The pink haired Saber then turned and glared at Raven and her tribe members,"You all should watch closely. We know who you are Raven Branwen, leader of a tribe full of hypocritical, murdering, cowardly scum. We also know you kidnap anyone who shows potential and indoctrinate into you're dying tribe. You should watch closely, as this will be the result of you're way of life and what it will lead too."

"You wanna go bitch?"

Vernal growled, as Otika merely shrugged,"Sorry but like my beloved said, i don't make it a habit of fighting people weaker then me. Of course, even then i wouldn't be surprised if you were all killed off by one of you're own."

"The fuck you mean? We're members of the Branwen tribe, no one is stronger then us!"

"You'll see. You can only push someone so far before they snap."

Vernal wanted nothing more then to attack the smug bitch but knew full well the Curator would stop her and what did she mean pushed too far? So what if they did take people and show them the best way of living, that was the Branwen way!

"There's no way any of this is real, they're all full of shit, no one is stronger then us. No one!"

Ah, the perils of denial.

Xero and the others looked back into the darkness of the forest, as a figure slowly made it's way out of the darkness, as the song continued.

"Never mind the storm~"

"Never mind the blood red moon~"

"The night will be over soon~"

Clementine felt herself shivering as the song rang out of the darkness and the figure got closer. It was a very beautiful song with an equally beautiful voice singing it, but...but something was off. Like, looking into a mirror, only it was broken and it showed all the ugliness a person had inside them and reflected outwardly.

Like a twisted looking glass.

"Brothers, it sounds like a nice song, like how Weiss sings but there something just so..."

Ruby furrowed her brows, what was the word?

"Disturbing? Twisted? Foreboding?"

Ren listened off, as Ruby nodded,"Yeah. All three of those."

"Agreed. Something bad is coming."

Sun groaned,"Man, more bloodshed. I like killing Grimm and zombies as much as the next guy but i think i had my filling for the next twenty years or so."

"Well, having you're fill or not, you forgot yourself. You only have to watch this once, while my queen has to relive these memories for the rest of his life, monkey boy."

Sun winced at the darker Lancer's words cutting through his complaining. Right, he had honestly forgotten that and now he felt like a bastard for complaining. Maybe he should just keep his mouth shut from now on.

"Bullshit."

"Bree!"

Harriet crossed her arms and glared at Clover,"What? You know it's bullshit Clover. There's no way one man, let alone one with no aura can defeat an entire army by himself. It's bullshit."

"Keep talking bitch and i'll show you just how not golden you're attitude is."

Kintoki growled, cracking his knuckles as he did so, more then willingly to throw down with the arrogant bitch. He held a certain amount of respect for his boss, seeing all the hell he and boss-Gudako had been through, you couldn't help but respect them for simply surviving those living hells. The Grand Order was another beast in on itself and this new one would go down, just like all the others.

He'd see to it.

"Berserker stop. It hardly matters what these fools think, the truth will come out, one way or another and whether she can see it or not, is not our problem. If she wants to wear blinders for the rest of her life, then let her. Her arrogance will be her downfall."

Gudako however cut in, stopping the large man from giving Harriet her just desserts. The gold obsessed man nodded,"Yes boss-Gudako."

Harriet glared at the busty redhead, who merely stuck her tongue out. She looked ready to attack, when Tony cut in with a glare of his own.

"General, i hope you can keep a tight leash on you're dogs, otherwise i'll have to muzzle them for threating my daughter."

"Specialist Bree stand down, now."

Ironwood knew it wasn't an idly threat and he had to nip it in the bud, before one of his overly prideful specialist said or did something she couldn't take back. The dark skinned woman scowled but nodded, doing as she was told. No matter how much she wanted to knock the bitch's head off, Harriet knew she couldn't do that without causing an international incident.

Even if it was bullshit in her mind, she could do nothing. No matter how big of a threat he clearly was, he was lucky the fact his father was so powerful, otherwise he'd be clamped in chains by now. On the fact he was far too powerful to be left alone, he couldn't be allowed to work with some of the more dangerous people like the White Fang or Salem.

But not before beating him black and blue, just to knock him down a peg.

The group's eyes widen in horror at seeing the figure come out of the darkness, to reveal-

"M-Minne?"

"MY GOD, WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HER?!"

"By the brothers!

"How the hell is she still alive?!"

"And how the hell is she dragging that massive sword?! She looks like a twig!"

"Oh god, i'm going to be sick again!"

"God, just stop! Make it stop, i can't take anymore of this nightmarish shit! God, how the hell does Xero live like this?!"

Minerva.

Only the girl that was once Tennessee was no more. Slowly, limping her way towards them the girl had clearly seen better days. Her red hair was messier the usual, as her skin had gone deathly pale and given the fact part of her cheek had been bitten off, only reinforced her deathly pale look. Blood was dripping down her cheek, as her eyes reflected the pure madness that was in her pale green eyes.

Her right wrist had been bitten and she was dragging her weapon, a massive claymore that looked very similar to his own, the sword making an eerie sound as she dragged it across the ground. However what stood out most to Xero, was the red light coming from the pentagram that had clearly been craved into the young girl's chest.

"That's not a good sign. Is that the symbol the cult uses?"

The president asked as he looked at Gudako, who nodded. She had rearrange into a more comfortable position and was sitting in her first Servant's lap,"Yep. As cliche as it sounds, that pentagram is their sign. It's one of the oldest symbols and use for blood magic sacrifice. This one, the way it's made and where it's at, will enhance Minvera's physical abilities. To the point, even a frail looking girl like her can will that massive sword."

"Shit."

"Yep."

"Oh Tenn, i found you. I finally found you."

Minerva spoke, a tone of madness leaking into her voice as she trudged forward with a deliriously happy smile on her face. The younger boy however looked devastated,"You're dying."

The redhead merely laughed a crazed laugh.

"Yes...yes i am. I'm FINALLY dying, i can finally leave this world behind. Come with me Tenn, we can leave together and go to a much better place."

Despite her voice being soft and even sisterly, everyone could hear the pure insanity in her tone, as she looked only at Tenn.

"Okay, not to be a jerk or anything but i think it's clear that girl has gone cuckoo."

Roman spoke, swirling his finger around his head to further prove his point. Moriarty nodded his head, looking sadly at the young girl that had been pushed to the brink of madness, thanks to her fear of both Lily and dying,"Indeed. What Xero-kun faces now, is a person with absolutely nothing left to lose and only one goal in mind. This is what happens when people are forced to be loyal to another for survival, you cannot expect them to stay loyal and if they do, they'll eventually grow unstable and simply kill everything in their path. Young Minerva here has in fact killed more Walkers then most adults but it has costed her, her sanity. Not only because of the Delta but because of the world they live in, she can no longer take it and in her own twisted mind, she doesn't believe she's killing her brother. Merely 'saving' him from a cruel world."

Everyone stayed quite at that, all having easily picked up on just WHAT she was trying to do and while normally they would have been horrified thy didn't have any horror left to feel it. After watching all that's happened, nothing would surprise them anymore about just how far people would fall.

Tenn slowly moved forward, only to be jerked back, as Xero grabbed his shoulder with his metal arm,"Dumbass, she's going to try and ki-"

BANG

"SHUT UP! YOU'RE NOT HIS FAMILY!"

The loud sound of the pistol going off, as Minerva shot in the air, drawing the Walkers to them all. Something that made Xero cruse, as he looked at Clem,"Okay, time to boogie out, get over that gap and-"

Xero had to raise his metal arm, blocking a pot shot from the redhead, as the Walkers slowly moved past her and towards his group.

"What's going on? Why are they ignoring her?!"

Hange looked shocked, as she gripped her pencil tightly, looking to Gudako for answers.

"Okay, this is really important everyone, so listen up. The Walkers, from what Oni-chan has told me, are basically blind. The Walkers have very good hearing and can hear things over for miles, along with a good sense of smell but only if you're bleeding. If you cover yourself in their scent, either by rubbing their guts all over you or even just spraying their blood on yourself, they won't be able to tell the difference between the living and dead. But to really sell it, you have to move SLOWLY, move like them and if you do it right, you can get through an entire herd no problem."

Hange's hand was moving faster then Ruby when she used her semblance, as Erwin smiled at the redhead,"Thank you Gudako, this will be very helpful."

"And hopefully useless. So long as we can stop the end of the world from happening, this info will become useless. Another thing, you can survive a Walker bite or any type of injury, so long as you cut off the infected limb fast enough."

"How long?"

Gudako gained a thoughtful look on her face, as she tapped her chin,"Five minutes i think. It really depends on what kind of wound you have, like say if it's a very deep bite, you've got less then five minutes to cut it off or else, you're done. However if it's just a scratch or even a nibble, then you've got more then five. At least i think. It's hard to say, as it's best to cut off the limb and quickly. It various from person to person, like it would spread faster for a small person and it go slower for a very big person. Also, i think it has to deal with how close the bit mark is to the Occipital Bone, where the skull meets the spine bone. Oni-chan told me, that's where the virus or whatever it is, causes a person to come back. I don't know exactly but that's why you have to destroy the brain, cause that's where it connects to the rest of the body, creating a Walker."

"Alright, that's good to know. This will be very helpful, once again, thank you Gudako."

Ozpin looked at James, as he nodded to Winter, as she was doing the same as Hange, writing down the need to know info. This is why Mazoku and Stark needed to be questioned on everything they knew, information like this will save lives if shit really does hit the fan.

He normally would have just forceful taken the two for interrogation but he knew that would never fly in this new world order, even if he could prove Mazoku was a clear, present threat to everyone. He was backed by some very powerful allies and Atlas had no political standing or clout to force the issue. As a soldier and general, he knew PTSD when he saw it. Both Mazoku and Stark clearly had it, Mazoku worse then Stark and that's not even including everything they are watching right now.

The way he killed that kid, even if he was an enemy...was just inhuman.

The actions only a monster would take and even though Mazoku hasn't crossed that threshold yet, this IS the future. Which means he COULD become that and needed to be either stopped before he could become that monster, before Salem could find a way to enthrall the boy to her side or just destroyed Remnant himself for whatever reason.

He was far too powerful to be left alone and his apparent mental instability would make him a threat to everyone around him. Ironwood would do what he had to, to protect Remnant and her people.

No matter what it took.

Even if the boy could become their greatest ally, with his magical talents he could help turn the tide against the Grimm and Salem. But that worked both ways, as Salem could turn the boy to her side, it was something Ironwood couldn't allow. For Mazoku to either seat out of the war or join Salem, he was either with them or against them, there could be no middle ground. Ozpin wouldn't let his decision but there could be no room for mercy.

"I'm sorry Oz but the second that boy becomes a liability, he must either be put down or detained."

"VIOLET, GET THEM OVER THE GAP, NOW!"

The blonde nodded, as she begin to help everyone across the gap, as Clementine begin to shoot arrows at the approaching Walkers horde, as Minne seemly vanished into said horde.

"I thought i told you to go."

Xero grunted, as he stabbed his hidden blade into a Walker, while Clem shoot another beside him,"I'm not leaving you to fight alone Xero."

"Why am i not surprised?"

Xero managed a smile, as he hit another Walker hard enough to make it's head turn into a fine mist, as he stomped on another one's head"You never listen to me anyway. Why should you start now?"

The brown skinned girl smiled, even as the horde of Walkers had basically piled up into one, big kill box for the two, as she fired off another arrow,"You love me and you-"

"DIE CLEMENTINE!"

The Caucasian girl barely had time to look up, as Minerva appeared before her on the bed of the old pick up track. The massive claymore raised above her head, with both hands, as she smiled insanely and brought it down to kill Clementine.

"NO!"

Xero however, moving faster, grabbed Clem by the back of her shirt and desperately moved to throw Clem out of the way. But seeing as it was too close, Xero opted to move their positions around, so when the claymore came down it would strike him rather then let it try to slice Clementine in half.

"FUCK!"

"MASTER!/XERO!"

Xero yelled, as he threw Clementine across the gap. But in doing so, it caused Xero to fall on his back, nearly falling off the rotten road way and nearly hauling down the gap. With wide eyes, he looked in shock at his leg being nearly split open by Minerva. The wound was a massive slash going from the top end of his knee cap, down to his foot, causing his inner flesh and a bit of bone to show.

"Oh no, that looks really bad."

Ruby wiggled in her seat at seeing the blood spraying out of his leg like a fountain of red water. Roman hissed, as did Rhodey, suddenly having a vision of himself walking around, wearing metal leg bracers. The vision made him shake his head.

"What was that?"

It wasn't the fact he was wounded that shocked him, it was the fact he could feel the yoki in his leg...leaving? No, it wasn't leaving but rather, it was being suppressed.

"What? Is that even possible?"

Tony looked very alarmed, something could suppress his son's yoki? Sure that claymore miss insane was using looked very similar to Black Rose but how was it suppressing his son's power? Did it have something to do with the fact those weapons looked so similar?

"Very interesting."

Cinder making a note to see if she could find a weapon that could weaken Xero or better yet, kill him. She could see everyone else was very interested in hearing this latest piece of info had gotten everyone attention, eager to know more. If she played her cards right, she could those fools to do all the hard work for her and her hands are as clear as freshly fallen snow.

With a glare, Xero kicked Minerva back into the truck, as her blade was stuck in the ground, making her groan as she felt her back crack a little. Deciding just how the girl and more to the point, the Delta had found such a weapon, let alone given the girl the ability use magic, Xero knew he had to get off this rotten bridge.

Now.

"Still remind you of Budapest?"

Natasha quietly chuckled at Clint's remark, making her nod a little. Not exactly but it was close enough.

With a grunt, Xero lifted Black Rose and tossed it over the gap. Readying himself to jump, Xero moved faster then the Walkers could catch him and with some effort, jumped across the gap, causing a plank to fall off as he did so.

CRASH

Xero landed on his side, just barely making it onto the gravel road. Rolling onto his back, he looked back to Minerva got up with a growl, back handing a Walker that tried to bite her, as she slowly moved towards the small group.

"No, no, no, no, no, no way. You're not getting away...YOU'RE NOT TAKING MY FAMILY AWAY FROM ME AGAIN!"

"Minne please stop-"

"If you keep this up and i'll have to kill you Minerva!"

Xero yelled over Tennessee, as the redhead merely laughed like a psychopath.

"Y-you kill me? I'm already dead and now i'm going to leave this hell with MY BROTHER!"

Grabbing her own claymore, the girl started to tear it out of the rotten wood and was about to make her own jump, when she saw Xero take a deep breath, as Clem and AJ moved away from him. What was he doin-

"FUS-RO-DAH!"

Before the redhead realized what just happened, she was suddenly hit with an invisible forces that not only sent her back, sent back the Walkers and caused the bridge to become unstable. Her eyes widen, as the bridge began to collapse and fall into the river!

"TENN-"

CRASH

The redhead's words were silence, as the truck fell onto of her and died in a instant.

Xero sighed, as he laid down and looked at the sky with a tired look. He sighed again, as he slowly got to his feet and even quoted Lee.

"...Man."

Flashback End

"Oh my...WHAT WAS THAT?!"

Ruby yelled everyone thoughts, unable to believe what they just saw. Ruby begin flaring, waving her arms as she spoke,"What, how, he, Xero just opened his mouth, he shouted and, and..."

No words came out, unable to form the words she needed, as the two dragoness chuckled in amusement, as did the Servants. This made everyone look at the pair of dragoness, as Ember spoke,"THAT dear Rose, is the power of the Voice and it's, well i guess you could say, it's basically dragon language amplify. A lost art of the Magus when old Avalon fell and my little brother in law is one of the few left that can use it to it's full potential."

"And how does one learn how to use this Voice ability? Can anyone learn it?"

Ironwood immediately, only to frown as Ursula merely smirked,"Not telling. Simply because i know many of you believe you could learn this power but you can't and are merely wasting you're time trying. The only reason my mate actually learned it, is because it was during his last Trail of Magic, is that correct, Mr. Curator?"

"That it is Ursula. One cannot just LEARN how to use the voice, you either have the ability or do not. Much like being a master or even having magic, you either have it or you're not, that's just the way things are."

Many grumbled but quite down once they realized they wouldn't be getting any answers out of them. That's fine, they'll just wait and watch HOW Xero acquired the ability to use it. Just like everything else, they're best bet would be to wait and watch.

"That's still such a hack power!"

No one disagreed, even as Gudako laughed.

It goes without saying but the mission to save those kids from the Delta was both, a great success but also left them with more questions then answers. It was only after getting back and a couple of run in with the Cult had somehow found weapons the Organization used during it's war against Miria and her warriors.

The ones that suppressed their yoki and somehow, they found a way to create a weapon that would negate their yoki, so they could be killed. Thanks to their regenerate abilities, be they defensive or offensive, taking that away for twelve hours could kill a warrior.

It was only after returning to the island, did they receive intel, that Minerva and the Delta finding those weapons wasn't just thanks to pure dumb luck.

It was a trap.

The entire thing was just a mission, solely meant to kill humanity best warrior and the greatest threat to the Cult's plan.

Himself.

"Not surprising."

After watching everything up to know, Erwin knew humanity would need Xero's help to defeat the Cult and the Six. If not for his powerful magic, then it was for his experience in dealing with such powerful foes. Experience was a strength in on itself after all and if those zombies were improved by the Six's unique brand of magic, they would need all the help they could get.

After the mission was over, Mikasa had become a real worry wort, not that he could blame her. Knowing those insane bastards were targeting him specifically was certainly a cause for worry. That didn't even mention how Clementi-

Shuffle

Xero felt Clem hug his side tightly, as she buried her head into his shoulder, as he swore he felt a couple of tears streaming down her cheeks and onto him.

"I'm really glad you're back, i got real worried when you're team went dark and i, i..."

I can't lose anyone else.

After losing so many, many that were so dear to her heart like Lee, Kenny and even Carley, had mentally scared Clementine badly. With one of them being her own fault, she hardly let anyone else in. The only people she truly trusted, was Xero himself, AJ Gudako, Mikasa and Velvet. She had nothing against Erwin, Levi, or even Historia and the scouts.

She was just so sick and tired of caring about others, only to have her heart stomped on, when they died brutal, horrible deaths. Many of them died for incredibly stupid reasons too.

But none of them struck home like Lee's death, her first guardian, mentor for surviving in this cruel, unforgiving world and her second father.

Xero was the last connection she had to Lee and even though she cared for Mikasa too, she and Xero had a different bond. One that could only be forged in blood and fire, having been partners during their missions for the scouts in the past four years. If she lost either Xero or AJ she feared she wouldn't be able to recover from such a terrible loss.

But losing BOTH would fucking kill her, kill her dead.

Tears fell from the younger girl's eyes, as Xero pulled her into a warm hug, causing her to bury her head into his chest, while he rubbed her back trying to soothe her fears. Despite being seventeen, she had suffered so much and many people wouldn't have been able to keep going like Clem did. So Xero vowed to do everything he could, to help the girl live in this terrible, shitty world of their's.

"It's okay Clem, everyone made it back and we're all fine. Don't you worry everything is going to be alrig-"

"GENERAL! GENERAL XERO! THE, THE DEAD, THEY-YOU'VE GOT TO, TO..."

"General?! Him?!"

Winter asked, eyes wide in shock and disbelief. That brutish, rude, annoying and disrespectful was granted the rank of general?!

How?!

Xero and Clem looked up, to see a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a green cloak bursting into his room, panting heavily with sweat running down his head, as he laid his hand on his knees trying to catch his breath.

"Slow down soldier, take a deep breath and then speak."

The solider breathed heavily, as he nodded,"Yes general."

"Now, what is the probl-"

"IT'S THE DEAD SIR! A MASSIVE HELL STORM HAS APPEARED ON THE COAST AND IT'S ALLOWED A MASSIVE ARMY OF UNDEAD TO BE SENT OUR WAY SIR!"

"WHAT?!"

"Oh, that doesn't sound good."

"Way to state the obvious Connie."

Jean grumbled, as Eren grinned in anticipation,"Must be the army boss will be taking on by himself. Man, this is going to be good. How many times will we get to see him go all out."

"No kidding, i'm getting kinda excited myself, to be honest."

Pieck was also feeling the anticipation, wiggling in her seat as she did so. She wasn't the only one, as many looked very eager to see just WHAT Avenger Xero had planned, to stop the army. Yeah, the whole "Hell Storm" sounded bad it had HELL in it's title after all, but she still wanted to see just what crazy plan he had this time.

She wasn't the only one, as many leaned forward, wanting to see just WHAT a Hell Storm was.

Ten Minutes Later

Standing atop the massive, thick fifty meter wall that has protected New Avalon for so long Xero, Clementine, AJ, Erwin, Levi, Hange, Mikasa, Jean, Connie, Pieck, Reiner, Armin, Gudako, Annie, Sasha, Historia, Ymir, Karl, Jun, Boris, Shola, Bruno, Dot Pixies, Adenela, Esdeath and even Velvet with many nameless soldiers standing on the wall too.

Having switched out his sleep wear for his family armor, with his family's sword, Meigasukirā strapped to his hip and Black Rose on his back, he cut in an intimidating figure with his hair tied in a pony tail.

It was as Clem said, nighttime but unlike the usual star gazing, black sky it had turned red.

Blood red.

The redden sky seemed to stretch on for miles, covering all over the island, like an omen of death.

At the shore line, where ships came to enter the island was a MASSIVE hand like tower. Thick, with black magma rocks and a beaming ornage light coming out of it's open palm with hellish runes all over it, it's light seemed to cause a hole to appear in the sky. The sky honestly looked like it was trying to sallow something, as the massive hole was slowly eating up the clouds in the sky.

There were no stars to be seen tonight, no sir, as it had even begin to rain blood and across the massive, barren landscape was a massive army of undead soldiers slowly making their way towards the wall. The land was no better, as the marching army were infecting everything with every step they marched.

It looked like Hell on Earth.

"OH. MY. GOD."

There were no words, none at all, as everyone stared at the hellish landscape before them.

"It looks like hell on Earth."

Nobody knew what to say, what could they even say at all? This...

This was there future? This is where it all leads too? All the fighting, striving, learning and evolving. Is this where it would all end?

"Take a look, you'll see what were up against out there."

Erwin handed Xero a pair of binoculars, allowing him to see just WHAT they were facing.

"Hmmm, let's see. Got the standard cannon fodder zombie soldiers."

Said zombies looked like ordinary soldiers with all kinds of different military uniforms, showing they had come from all over the world. Wielding ever kind of weapon possible, from firearms to hooks and even maces.

"And here come the special ones. The first ones of course, being Flamers."

The Flamer was a tall zombie, wearing a standard gas mask with the Nazi symbol on it's helmet and a huge tank on it's back, connected to a, you guessed it, a flamethrower.

"Oh boy, i really don't want to face something like that."

Jaune winced, already seeing himself being burned to death by the unique zombie.

"Got plenty of Heavy Gunner's and even Butchers too."

The two zombies looked the same, both being huge, burly men with full faces masks and both were shirtless. However one had a huge, twin MG42's machine gun in hand with a large ammo pack on it's back, connecting the two. His look alike did not have such a deadly looking girl but he did in fact have a very large, double bladed saw blade in hand.

"My god, that looks even worse then the last one. I don't know which one is worst would be a worser death. Death by being shot to death or being cut in half."

Sun winced, really not sure which one would be a worser death.

"Being cut in half kid by that massive saw blade kid. Being shot it might have the same effect on you're body, being torn apart by gunfire, but at least you won't have to draw out the pain."

Logan said gruffly, knowing it hurt more to be stabbed then shot at.

"Bloody hell, they even brought a good number of Blind Screamers, Suiciders, Creepers, Shadow Demons and even Grenadiers. Fuck, they even got Snipers too."

The Screamer was a severely mutated creature that looked like it's face skin was pulled over it's face and even had a deformed, hunched back with some sort of glow to it's hump. The Suiciders had no arms but it's mouth and upper chest was stuffed with multiple dynamite in it's body, ready to go over. The creepers were small, four legged creatures that looked more like animals then man with glowing, yellow eyes. The Shadow Demons looked like completely blacken skeletons, with an eerie red glow to their skeleton bodies, in their chest and eyes. The Grenadiers looked like hooded people, that had an odd shaped shield and several pouches around it's waist. The sniper looked very much human compared to the others, save for the odd gas like masks and the eerie green glow of their eyes.

"If these things are zombies, they're sure as hell ain't no zombies i've ever seen."

Mercury said with a shake of his head, as Jaune nodded. As lover of comic books and games, both had played plenty of zombie games and never once had they ever seen these types of zombies.

"They're still creepy as hell though."

Pepper shivered at the sight of these monsters. Is this what her step son had to face? She honestly didn't know what to think or say. Her years of dealing with Tony had did nothing to prepare her for this new nightmare.

"And is it just me or do those Creeper things look like some sort of screwed up ghoul?"

Remy asked, still trying to wrap his head around these odd looking monsters.

There's no way these things are zombies, they're just too twisted looking.

There were a host of another mutated zombies slowly making their way towards them. Hell from his position he could spot at least twelve Dead Sentinels, a good number of Dead Tanks, Half Tanks and even six Dead Zeppelin's over head.

"No doubt carrying Blood Bombs on board."

What?

Everyone's jaws had once again dropped in shock and horror at what they were seeing. What the hell, that wasn't supposed to be possible, the dead infecting...metal? How?

But what caught Xero's attention, was the one man standing in front of the army, riding the lead Sentinel's shoulder.

"HEY YA'LL! ZED HERE TO FUCK SHIT UP!"

DARK PURVEYOR
ZED

Zed looked like what you expect from a punk, emo rocker teenager, on the verge of adult hood. With a large, bright red mohawk, pale skin and whiteish eyes with piercing all over his undead body, Zed looked like a metal faced teenager. He wore a sleeveless black, leather shirt with a white tank top under it, black pants and a pair of boots.

"...He looks like one of those emo kids."

Yang said, trying to keep her mind off of what she just saw and what kind of evil they would have to face.

"They've certainly gathered quiet the fighting force to invade our humble little kingdom. You do realize, if this kingdom falls, humanity falls with it right? We haven't been finding any other survivors lately and it's clear the Cult has either captured them or killed them, we're all that's left of humanity."

"A-and if it f-falls, it's all o-over."

Ah, leave it to Adenela and Esdeath to get right to the point and make sure he understood just how dire things really were. Not that they were wrong, as Xero nodded,"I know."

Xero then looked at Zed, then the Hell Tower and his army with a critical eye.

"They're right of course, if Avalon falls humanity is finished. I know that and clearly so do Zed, the Cult and the other Six. At this point, there's no where for us to run or hide. Zed is immortal, so long as that Tower is intact and with those runes, i won't be able to get close to the Hell Tower without losing my magic, even my yoki too. We get only one shot at this, as this is not a battle we can afford to lose, otherwise all hope is lost for us all. Therefor..."

Xero breathed in, as he finally made his choice. Something the short man noticed,"You finally ready to say something? I could have made dinner with how long you were taking to think of a plan."

Levi said, a little more then anxious to hear what the Arcane Warrior General had in mind, even if his face and tone never changed once.

Despite the dire situation, some of the scout members laughed.

"Classic captain. Even when all hell is breaking lose, he can still make light of the situation."

Eren laughed, as Armin nodded.

"Show us what you got Mazoku."

Ironwood nodded towards Penny, as the android nodded and begin to record what is sure to become a legendary battle for Earth's future.

"Honestly? More like a wing, a pray and a mad gamble, even for me. As you are aware, those bastards found a way to block my magic from those accursed Hell Towers. If our intel was right, so long as THAT ONE is still intact, Zed will be unstoppable, so long as he's connected to that damnable Hell Tower. I can kill him as many times as i'd like but it won't be enough unless we can make sure he stays dead for good. Undead he might be with his own brand of magic will make this difficult but not impossible, we'll just have to play our cards right. That's why I am going to fight the army head on, ensuring all their attention will be solely on me. Meanwhile Levi, you and the others must make there way to the Hell Tower and destroy it before they realize what were doing. I'll buy you as much time as possible but you HAVE to destroy the tower, so i can defeat Zed."

"That and the fact if we don't destroy the Hell Tower, not only will the undead be stronger but they'll just keep coming."

Over the years, the number of Hell Towers the scouts destroyed, they'd come to realize they portals in a sense. So long as they were intact, the dead would never stop coming. Without destroying it, they might as well be fighting a never ending battle and because of that, it made it all the more imperative that Hell Tower goes.

Otherwise, they will lose the war.

It wasn't a bad plan.

The military leaders of both worlds thought, while the plan made sense and sounded like there best bet in defeating Zed. However no plan survived contact with the enemy and no doubt they would have very strong defenses's around the tower to protect it. But the real question was this:

How did Xero plan to fight an entire army by himself?

"How so? Even if you try to attack the army, they'll see us coming."

"That's where my mad gamble comes in."

Wordless, Xero waved his flesh hand and a ring appeared on his ring finger,"With the Regalia ring, i will be able to more or less 'borrow' magical power from the Moon Cell to increase my magical power to the max. With the combined power of my own magic and the Moon Cell's, my Lighting Force State form will be able to reach new heights and i'll be able to not only take down the army but Zed too. Normally i wouldn't do this but for once, this is a battle of attrition here and while the undead have a massive army with so many monsters on their side, it's clear they intended to end the war once and for all. So i have to pull out all the stops if i want to give you all enough time and that's not even including just how powerful Zed is. Remember, they've found a way to block me out from getting close to one of those Towers while using magic, so we'll just have to deal with them the old fashion way. I'll just have to destroy the machines and the Zeppelin's before they can overwhelm the wards protecting New Avalo. At this point in time it's do or die now people, we cannot afford to lose this battle. I'll have to give everything i have if we want to have a chance at surviving this battle."

"Interesting."

Ozpin knew right then and there that ring would probably become one of the most sought after items that Remnant and Earth has ever seen. If what Lord Mazoku said was true, the old knight wouldn't be surprised if Salem's agents or her Grimm were knocking on his door before the week was over.

Hell, Ozpin was all but certain that even Raven and quite possible, Amber's attacker would come after that ring with everything they had! Though knowing what would be revealed and clearly the boy wasn't foolish enough to believe no one would try, the old wizard knew there was more to that ring then he was saying at the moment. Possible some sort of magical defense?

Regardless he knew things would get more difficult from here on out.

He wasn't even taking into account of Xero's ability to analyze the battlefield, form a strategy within a few minutes and even understand the enemy's objective in the spam of a couple of minutes. So not only was he a powerful warrior, he was an excellent battle strategist and cool under pressure.

Not exactly the type of person you wanted as an enemy.

"I need that ring!"

And take a wild guess on who's thinking that, all but salivating at the prospects of what they can do with such power.

"Then why am i sensing a 'but' coming?"

Xero felt his lips quirk up word a little, leave it to Clementine to see right through him. He nodded, as he looked at the sky,"The reason why i am using the Moon Cell's power is because it's like i said, i need to go all out. I cannot afford to hold back and when this battle is finished there may be a very high chance i will either die or be put in a coma. My body won't be able to hold all that power, no one's body is meant too and before this battle is over, this will either be the day humanity will finally strike a blow against the UNHOLY ALLAINCE and earn our first victory or this will be the day humanity dies. Either way, this battle will be one for the history books."

The young girl gripped her fists tightly at that, as Mikasa simply sighed and looked at the approaching army.

"Well then, let's hope their is someone around to record it then."

"Well, i do believe-"

"WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO MY SENTINELS!"

Ah, there it is.

---

Done.

I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY!

I'M SO FUCKING SORRY!

I know i said we would see the first battle of the Dead War but...but come on! I have over 35'000 words written here.

35'000 WORDS MAN!

That is the LONGEST running i have EVER had and like Xero, i myself am a bit paranoid that if i try any further, something is going to destroy ALL my work and i...i wouldn't be able to come back from it. I have written and revised this chapter four times, purely just so i don't have one file copy of this made. Could be nothing, could be something but i am not willingly to take that risk, just to finish off one last bit for a fight scene.

But i swear to god, i WILL show the first battle next chapter and it won't take nearly as long as this one did, as it should be easier to do so. Hell i planned to write both a nightmare scene and even a fluff scene between Xero and his mother, Lilith. Talking about just how much has change since he interfered with the timeline and WHY SHEILD, the mutants and even the Avengers weren't around to help when the dead begin to rise.

The reason might surprise you, it might not.

So, yes i have written some scenes from "The Walking Dead Game" following Clementine, as she has become a latch key in Avenger Xero's life and everything else that has happened?

These scenes you saw, these were, ARE, the building blocks that helped create Avenger Xero and the current one. His ruthless and distrusting nature was born and breed during this time, as his personality wasn't created in a day.

This took years of heart break, a number of betrayals and fighting to survive created Avenger Xero and the current one is fighting to prevent himself from BECOMING Avenger Xero. I'm also making a point to say this:

It doesn't matter if Xero has magic or not, the world where the dead walk and everyone is out for themselves, anything could happen but the one thing that is constant, is the fact you can't save everyone. No matter how hard you try, you can't save them all.

As sad as it sounds, that is the truth, even for a magic user.

That's not even mentioning how the Witch Hunts started again, with people blaming the Magus for what had happened to the world and let's be honest, it could happen for real. Which had only reinforced his distrusting nature and why he cannot trust anyone, no matter how much he wants too but just can't.

It's the only thing that has kept him alive all this time, after all and that is a hard habit to break.

So anyway, i know somethings need to be cleared up and they will, i promise. It's just i really wanted to post this, as again it's the longest chapter i have ever created and i cannot afford to lose it, no matter what cause that's just how my luck goes.

So i promise, cross my heart hope to die, next chapter WILL have the battle, this i swear.

I just needed to finish THIS monster of a chapter. So i hope you all enjoyed!

Devil out.