Hello once more my ever loyal and ever lovely peeps!
So here we are, the moment we have all been waiting for, the first official battle of the Dead War. But as always, we need to learn a little more about the Dead War, the Six and of course, dear old Clementine. How she met Xero, what the Six are up too, how the Rotten world has effected not just other but other worlds in the multiverse.
Like, why now?
Why are the Six invading Earth NOW, when she has a powerful defender?
Why right here and now?
And...why Solomon aka Goetia wanted to destroy humanity by destroying the timeline. Some things in this story will follow cannon, some of it won't and one of things that won't follow cannon is why humanity was originally destroyed. Cause, ya know it seems a tab bit close between Xero saving the world only for five years later, for it to be destroyed by the Rotten one. Along with just how much has changed with Xero and Gudako interference, answering some questions.
Like...where was SHEILD or the Avengers?
Where were the X-Men and others like Banner during the fall? Where was anyone?!
Welp, wonder no longer as this chapter will reveal everything! Why they waited so long and just how far the duo had influenced the events of Pan-human history. Remember this will have serve cannon-divergence and Marvel is now apart of that divergence and now we shall see the after effects of those changes.
Much of it however is not good.
Not good at all.
But sadly this will only be the first part of the battle, for highly complex and personal reasons i cannot finish this chapter with EVERYTHING i want to put in it, so it'll be a lot shorter then the previous chapter, as it kind gets an insight of what's going on. So as always i don't own nothing and fucking wish i did.
So please read, review and "What the fuc-BOOM"
Chapter 15: The True Horror Of The Enemy And A Decisive Battle Part 1
"WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO MY SENTINELS?!"
Trask was not happy, not one bit. This entire day has been(In his mind anyway) has been going from bad to worse. Not only was he discovering that magic is not only real but there was an entire society of magic users, hidden from outsiders eyes. As much as he believed mutants were a threat to human life, they were at least easy to understand and even predict at the best of times.
Magic...magic was not.
Magic was supposed to be fiction, pure fiction and not real in any form.
It was completely unpredictable with limitless applications, unlike mutation.
Since the battle of New York, Trask knew things had been changed forever. Magic was not only real but gods, ones from Norse mythology no less, were also real and humanity was hopeless, hilariously outgunned and out matched.
That wasn't even including the fact that dragons are not only real but a new world merging with their own, bringing it's own problems had his head spinning so much, he wasn't sure if it would stop.
Something had to change if Earth was to survive another alien invasion and he would leave humanity's future in the hands of a bunch of freaks like the Avengers or those so called 'huntsman' either. They clearly had no idea what they were doing, if the Grimm creatures were still around after god knows how long, then clearly they weren't doing their jobs right.
That was something he hoped he could use and the possibility of another hostile alien invasion, in order to bring his Sentinel program off the ground, into fighting shape humanity clearly needed. If not for the mutants, then against the Grimm, rogue huntsman and possibly even the Magus themselves if need be.
But now, having been dragged into this whole new circus and learning humanity didn't even have five years before it would fall, to a zombie apocalypse no less, had left him feeling a tab bit bitter about the whole thing. How the hell could this have happened, in his life time no less?!
Just, why now?!
Why did all this have to happen in HIS lifetime?!
"What they did, was destroy every concept of a zombie apocalypse you believed would be right. The Six didn't just infect the living, through the use of twisted magic, were able to infect machines as well and even other items, like those Zeppelin's you saw earlier. As insane as it sounds and even i have a hard time believing it, Avenger Xero's memoires don't lie, this is what the Six can do. They can twist ANYTHING, anything at all and bend it to their will. Not limited to just humans and even machines but the Six's magic can also reanimate animals as well, much like you're Grimm only a million times worse. Originally, it was only the Walkers Oni-chan and the others had to deal with or as everyone knows them as the dim witted, slow zombies or more commonly known as husks. However the machines, like the Zeppelins and even you're Sentinels we're actually twisted by the Nazi Cult itself.
"Unlike the Walkers, when the Six came to our world, they created a new type of zombie, one that wasn't completely dead, as they resurrected just enough to jump start the brain to carry out simple tasks but not enough so they could think for themselves. Think of them as blood and flesh robots with human bodies rather then actually machinery, just empty husks waiting for reprograming and orders. They do this, so the zombies have just enough brain power to wield weapons and even think complete tasks like throwing bombs, shooting guns, opening doors, etc. Walkers, while slow and dumber then a box of rocks, can kill a person if they so much as scratch from them, it's game over unless you cut the infected limb off fast enough, like i already told you already. These types are only really dangerous in packs and hordes but these new zombies...there a whole new level of dangerous. The Cultist however found a way to merge metal and flesh to create a whole new abomination, the result is what you see before you. Our guess is, the only way for their zombie magic to work on any type of machine, is to make it a somewhat living item for them to infect. Metal skin over living organs, which allows their twisted magic to effect them, creating a whole new monster for humanity to face. The more advanced ones you all saw towards the end, like the Flammer's and Gunner's are specially made for war and fighting from fallen soldiers. What you all don't know, is that this isn't the first world the Rotten ones has invaded. The Six were created throughout the Rotten World's conquest from numerous worlds and dimensions that have fallen to them. For those that have played the video game DOOM, it's kinda like that only with zombies and magic, rather then demons and magic. Not that it really makes it better i'll admit but now they're targeting Earth with Remnant now being caught in the crossfire as well. I suppose it wouldn't change anything i suppose, as there is no telling how many other worlds they've destroyed. Sooner or later, they've would have invaded Remnant as well with the same intent they have for our world."
That wasn't even including the fact the multiverse theory was not only true but if EVERY reality was possible, then there was no doubt in her mind that the "DOOM" world did indeed exist. But that was a can of worms she wasn't touching with a hundred foot poll.
Not going to happen.
Gudako's explanation of what was to come had left everyone speechless.
The more they learn about the Dead War, the more horrifying they became as time went on. Just, seriously, just what the hell we're they facing here?! Personally Gudako found it funny, these people had no idea just how much BETTER their situation was now, as her Oni-chan had done more then they could possible image to stop the coming Dead War.
There was a reason why she and Xero interfered during WW2, despite the fact they could have in fact made things worse, had they failed.
Then again, within the original timeline, Steve had failed thanks to Cu Alter and more then half the US had been destroyed with millions dead, she failed to see how things could have become worse had they not helped Steve stop Red Skull.
Oh well and oh, it seems that drunk man was going to speak, as he wiped his lips after taking a very long drink.
"Damn and here i thought Jimmy's little metal men were useless before but they can't even stand up to the Six without becoming their cannon fodder, isn't that just shitty? Just what nightmare have we fallen into Summer?"
The sliver eyed woman didn't answer, merely staring into nothing in particular as her mind whirled with all the new information she just acquired.
Xero or Avenger Xero, gave up. He...he was willing to let go and quite possible commit suicide, rather then let the Walkers take him or possible shoot himself. She honestly didn't know which one was worse.
Summer has always been the type of person that wanted to help everyone and if Xero truly is kin to her and Ruby, then all it did was give her more reason to save him from his inner demons. She didn't need to look at her daughter, biological one, to know she was having the same thoughts as her. Ruby was her daughter, practical a bloody darn clone of herself!
Really, right down to hair color, skin tone and eyes!
It was beyond ridiculous and as much as she loved her, at times Summer wonder if she had actually given birth to a clone rather then a daughter. But that was beside the point, the point was that Summer knew she wouldn't be able to NOT help Xero not with all she knew now and the simple fact Salem would never allow someone that powerful to wonder around freely.
"Neither would Ozpin."
Dark thoughts.
Ever since she begin to considered Raven might be right and Ozpin's silence on certain matters, those dark thoughts had begin to circulate more and more in her mind. Certain things and actions Ozpin took were setting alarm bells off inside Summer's head and at the top of those actions was Ozpin admitting Ruby earlier to Beacon.
Seeing her daughter so happy about it and the fact she did stop Roman from robbing Dusk to Dawn, Summer allowed her to go without a fuse. But with the attack on Amber, making Ruby team leader and now the White Fang or Taurus's White Fang starting to get bolder in attacks had made Summer a little more then worried for Ruby and Yang's safety.
Tai too and even Qrow found Ozpin's actions a bit suspicious but without anything, other then just a 'gut feeling' the three did nothing.
That wasn't even including the fact Ruby's team had not only her sister but the heiress of the SDC and for all intents and purposes, the princess of the Faunus too. Summer feared with the way things would turn out and if her family was indeed related to Xero's, she would have to decide where her loyalty lies.
With someone she trusted, believed in and followed for so many years or someone she discovered was family.
On one hand, Ozpin had opened her eyes to the truth, showed her how truly special her eyes were and the reason why her family was killed. However it was no secret that Ozpin kept some things close to the chest, like his first life, how he knew Salem personally other then fighting her and of course, the Relic's themselves. Like...how to use them.
That wasn't even including the fact Ozpin had told her little to nothing about her eyes, other then what they can do. That was fine and all but what was their origin? What happened to the other Sliver Eyed warriors and more importantly, why did her eyes work on the Grimm?
How and why, Ozpin never told her.
Even when she directly asked him, he never told Summer.
Not even with a new world merging with their own, he said nothing and Summer was certain if she demanded answers, he talk her down. He had more then thousands of years to develop a sliver tongue after all. So, Summer decide to wait and see if Ozpin would open up to her. If not, well...seeing as more then likely that Xero is indeed kin to her, she was certain he wouldn't mind to give her safe passage.
Even if Ozpin had good reasons, that didn't make them right and certain secrets would get her or worse, Ruby killed if they didn't have all the information they needed. So if he didn't tell her, Summer was jumping ship. She would no longer work with someone if he was intent on keeping secrets from her.
No more.
Summer really hoped it wouldn't come to that, as Ozpin only wanted to what was best for Remnant but that didn't necessary mean or included what was best for her family. She would protect them, no matter what.
Xero struck her as the type of person that would protect his family above all else. Sure, he might be a little crazy and probably just as paranoid as Oz but unlike him, Summer could clearly see WHY Xero is so paranoid but that wouldn't stop him from protecting his own. Something Summer could get behind and even if it came to blows with Ozpin, she and her family would have a powerful backer to help them. Ozpin's way of doing things would no doubt clash with Xero's own way and will prevent the two from becoming allies.
Not to mention, Xero revealing his own past, his secrets to the world, while Ozpin wouldn't just to one person?
Yeah, she can already see how well that would go...right up in white flames.
"I really, REALLY don't want to do this Oz but they're can't be anymore secrets. I almost died and if it wasn't for Raven, i would have died. The very least i can do is listen to what she is saying and see if it's true. So far, Raven is completely right about you Oz. Please, don't force me to chose who to trust, you won't win."
Summer really hoped if it came to that, Qrow would side with her as he was family too but if he didn't...then she would do what had to be done.
To protect her family. Brothers, she really hoped it didn't come to that.
"Well, sitting here talking about it won't help anything. All we can do is watch and learn."
Someone voice, she didn't know who, spoke, as all eyes went back to the screen as it started again.
CHAPTER 5: NIGHTMARE SEQUENCE FINALE
A DECISIVE BATTLE Part 1:
HORSEMAN XERO VS. DARK PURVEYOR ZED
"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."
Winston Churchill, June 4 1940
"How fitting."
Erwin couldn't help but snort a little at reading the quote, how it fit so well with what was about to happen.
Three Years Ago At The CDC
"Give me play back for TS-19."
"Beginning play back of TS-19."
The good doctor Jenner spoke, as Xero and Rick's group followed the man. The large screen lit up, as it showed them the Vigil of Jenner's old friend.
"I thought we we're suppose to watch a battle? What is this?"
The ambassador from Britain, a forty year old looking woman with short brown hair but sharp eyes asked in a no nonsense tone, as Gudako smiled sadly at the sight of Jenner. She didn't know him personally but knew him from what her Oni-chan told her.
"We will but first, it's quite clear to me that Oni-chan is remember key-points in Avenger Xero's life. The point we are at now, is how the dead come back. What we are about to witness, is how the virus kills a person and how it reanimate the body."
That got everyone's attention, as everyone couldn't look at the screen fast enough, wanting nothing more then to actually see such a rare sight.
"Hange..."
"Already on it Erwin."
Hange pulled out a new notebook, complete with a new pencil too.
"Penny."
"Understood sir, recording now."
Ironwood nodded towards the machine, as Winter did the same as Hange, pulling out a notebook with a freshly sharper pencil. This intel could prove to be invaluable.
Xero, Clementine, Pieck, Rick and the rest of his group watched as the screen powered up, showing an MRI of a person, viewing their body. Then it shifted to show their brain and then went INSIDE their brain, showing off a massive amount of light ways.
"It's so pretty."
Nora spoke in awe, as Ren agreed with her for once,"Indeed it is."
"What are those lights?"
Yang questioned, very confused to what she was seeing and why it was relevant.
"What are those lights?"
Yang blinked as Shane asked the same question. Talk about echo.
"It's a person's life."
Jenner said, a smile creeping onto his face, as he begin to enthusiastically explain, as the screen begin to explore the brian,"Experiences, memories, it's everything. Somewhere in all that organic wiring, all those ripples of light...is you. The thing that makes you unique and human."
"Human? You're not making any sense."
Daryl said, brows furrowing in confusion.
"Those syanpses electric impulses in the brain that carry all the messages. They determine everything a person says, does or think from the moment of birth...to the moment of death."
Jenner explained, drawing vague looks of understanding from the group.
"So, anyone actually understand what he just said?"
The group in the room however, not so much.
"Okay, what does this have to do with how the virus doctor. Sorry but this vigil isn't exactly what we came here to see."
Pieck said, as Jenner nodded,"It's actually a playback of a vigil."
"You mean this person died."
Andrea said, as the doctor nodded, causing Clementine to ask,"Who?"
"Test subject 19."
The doctor said sadly,"Someone who was bitten, infected and volunteered to have us record the process."
"Hange..."
"Already on it."
Hange already wiped out a new page, ready and eager to watch, as Winter did the same.
"VI, scan forward to the first event."
"Scanning to first event."
The screen changed forward from inside the TS-19's head to the outliner, where they couldn't see the impulses but could clearly see the head connecting to the neck and brain stem, where it had a light green/blue glow to it. But parts of the brain had begin to grow dark and cold.
"What is that?"
Glenn asked in amazement, as Dale moved to get a better seat.
"It invades the brain like meningitis. The adrenal glands hemorrhage , the brain goes into shut down. Then the major organs...then death. Everything that you ever were or ever will be, gone."
As he said this, TS-19 moved around, like they were under attack, as the brain progressively grew darker and darker, till it finally went dark completely. Death.
"Good lord."
Pieck swore, as Carol's daughter, Sophia looked at her mother,"Is that what happened to Jim?"
Her mother nodded, as Xero finally asked,"But that's the end of it, is it?"
Jenner shook his head.
"VI, scan to the second event."
"Scanning to second event."
As the video fast forwarded, Jenner being to explain once again,"The resurrection times vary wildly, we've had reports if it happening in as little as three minutes. The longest we heard of, is over eight hours. In the case of this patient it was, two hours, one minutes, seven seconds."
"Hange, did you get that?"
"Got it director."
The brown haired woman nodded to Fury, as Ironwood mulled over what he was hearing.
The screen had finished fast forwarding, showing TS-19's dark brain begin to light up as red sparks appeared around the brain stem, sending red lights through only a couple of pathways throughout the brain.
"It restarts the brain?"
Lori asked in disbelief, unable to believe what she was seeing.
"No. It restarts the brain stem, basically it gets them up and moving."
"But their not alive."
Rick needed to confirm that, as Jenner merely waved his hand towards the screen,"You tell me."
The former sheriff did, as Xero spoke his own thoughts,"Sorry Rick but that brain is not alive, it's still dead."
"Yeah, it's nothing like before. Most of that brain is dark."
"Dark, dead, lifeless."
Jenner spoke lowly but clearly, as he looked at the two leaders,"The frontal lobes, the neocortex, the human part that doesn't come back. The YOU part. All that's left is just a shell, driven by mindless instinct."
"An instinct too feed."
Clementine said sourly, glaring at the screen, as Jenner nodded,"Yes. A mindless hunger, need to fed on all living things. Though why they are driven so mindless, so desperately to feast on any thing living is still unclear. We may never know why."
"Lovely."
Xero growled to himself, slumping his seat, leaning his head onto his hands. What where they going to do now?
"Fascinating, truly fascinating."
Oobleck quickly wrote in his own notebook, as everyone started thinking on the information of what they had learned. Many believed they knew zombies inside and out but after watching all that...they honestly weren't so sure anymore.
What would this mean for them and the people of Remnant? Could it effect the Faunus or worse, the Grimm?
Too many questions, not enough answers.
Present
The brown skinned girl didn't know why that memory suddenly popped into her head but it did and it made Clem shake her head. She had to kept her head in the game and the past was the past, nothing could be changed.
Let it be known Clementine was as stubborn as she was distrustful.
When the dead begin to rise, she was but a wee slip of a girl with no idea that her entire world had changed forever. Not just for her but everyone around her. The only reason she was alive today, was thanks to her guardians:
Lee Everett and Xero Mazoku.
Looking back, Clem couldn't help but wonder how in the seven hells, was she so naive?! She was smart and crafty, after all during the first days of the apocalypse, she had the forethought to hid in her old tree house and even understood her old babysitter was killed. She originally didn't understand how but she just knew something happened and Sandra was no more, so he opted to hide in her tree house. Where the Walkers couldn't reach her or even find her. Walkers were slow, dumb and driven only by hunger, EI not smart enough to actually THINK to start climbing up the tree.
"Now that IS smart."
Oobleck nodded in approval at the girl's quick thinking.
Moaning, banging and smacking against the tree? Sure.
But actually climbing it? No.
Far too dumb for that.
However it was many other things about her behavior and how she acted during those early days that made Clementine want nothing more then to go back and smack her younger self upside the head for her sheer stupidity!
That got many eyebrow raised, what did she do exactly to make her want to actually do such a thing.
Clementine couldn't even count on her own two hands the number of things she would have changed, if she could go back. The first and foremost would be actually thinking Ben was her 'friend'.
Oh no, back then in her sweet, navie mind, Clementine actually believed the skinny boy was her friend but now? Ha, she would laugh if it wasn't for the fact she knew the truth about the boy. Namely, the fact he was a pathetic, cowardly piece of shit, stupid beyond all reason and was not only the reason Kenny lost his entire family, he almost got her killed back in Savannah!
Not to mention, he got Chuck killed, as he died protecting her, when that coward didn't!
God, how Clem wished Lily had shot HIM instead of Carley. At least then, she would have gotten the right person but, nope. Nope, as always fate was not so kind and as usually, her luck could only hold out for so long.
Nobody really knew how to respond to Clementine's train of thought, as they knew she had a very rough time, who wouldn't in a zombie apocalypse but to hear it from her POV made it sound so much worse. Since they knew this person, it made it all the more worse to hear her hardships and how saddening it was to hear someone who wasn't even in her twenties, have so many regrets.
It was just sad.
What made it sadder was the fact the girl barely looked twenty years old and she had seen more things then many adults in a lifetime. Even for those that hunted the Grimm for a living.
The second thing she change, would be smashing that damn walkie-talkie to a MILLION GODDAMN, FUCKING PIECES! JUST FUCKING STOMP, DESTROYING THE THING UNTIL THERE WAS NOT EVEN DUST LEFT OF THE FUCKING THING!
"Yessh, Clementine almost sounded like Eren there for a second, when he gets angry."
"I was going to say the same thing about Yang."
Jean and Ruby promptly ignored the loud "HEY" they got from the hot head duo, merely laughing at them, as they just proved their point.
It was because of that goddamn walkie-talkie that Lee died and her own foolish naivety that caused Lee and Xero to tear across half of Savannah in efforts to find her. Oh how she wished she could go back in time and slap her younger self silly, then shake her till her head fell off or she swore to NEVER got to that creeper.
Which ever one came first.
"We all make mistakes that can get our loved ones killed Ms. Clementine, i know that better then most."
Ozpin sighed to himself, recounting of the countless mistakes he had made in trying to save Remnant from Salem. More often then naught, he ended up getting them killed, rather then saved. The perils of youth he supposed but even after years of learning, he still fails at certain things.
You'd think he learn by now.
The next would be to prevent Omid from trying to save her from the bitch that had so coldly killed him, with Clementine's own gun no less. No matter what anyone said, Clem knew it was her fault Omid had died. Her only regret, other then freezing up when she came, was letting Christa kill her.
SHE should have been the one to kill her.
Glynda bit her lip to stop herself from saying something that would get her snapped at. No matter how much she wanted to disapprove of that, Glynda knew she had no place to say it, no ground to stand on.
There were many things she would change, but then again who wouldn't take the chance to change something? Clementine had many regrets in her short life and had lost many people. She could only hope, Xero would not become another precious person lost to her.
"Don't you dare die Xero."
She whispered to herself, as she walked to follow everyone else.
She did not want to bury someone else precious to her, Clementine wouldn't be able to handle it, it would kill her.
Nobody said anything, only feeling sympathy for the young girl, who had lost so much in her short life. That was just the kind of cold, cruel world, Earth would become if the Dead came back to life.
A dog eat dog world, one where only the strongest would survive and the weak will die.
The time had come.
After sending the troops away and dismissing his armor, while Levi and the others were awaiting his signal to make there approach towards the Hell Tower, Xero stayed on the wall. He dismissed his armor, since speed and agility were about to become his two best friends in this fight. Watching as the massive army slowly came closer. Well, he had no time left to waste did he?
Time to get started.
"First step, enter Lighting Force State."
His Force States were something he was quite proud of, as they were techniques only he and he alone could use and if he were to be honest, they were something of a trump card for him. While to most Magus, their true power lied not in their strength but their minds.
For Xero, his strength lied in both.
Mind and body.
Silently calling upon his magic, he felt it begin to surge through his body, through his magic circuits as he felt the lighting strengthen his muscles, as the lighting sparked around his body. Unlike most Magus now a days, the Arcane arts had taught Xero had to use his magic, through his strength. To pump it directly and through his muscles. Heightening his senses to the absolute max, make his already insanely fast reaction time damn near godly, etc.
These arts, if used properly and smartly, made a Magus a virtually juggernaut on the battle field.
Really?
That's all it took to enter a form Xero called a trump card?
For many it sounded so simple but for those that have magic, knew full well it was anything BUT simple. It was hard to control magic, one mistake and it could kill you but for someone to flood their body with magical power, using every magic circuit in his body to enter this Force State of his...it spoke volumes of Xero's exemplary control over his magic.
Only the best could do something like that without blowing themselves up.
"Doesn't sound tough."
Someone muttered, not that anyone was paying attention, as all eyes were glued to the screen in anticipation.
Feeling his magic flood his body, Xero's body sparked with electricity colored red with black containing the sparks. His hair gained a bit of spike to it, as the lighting outlined his entire body with a powerful aura, as sparks emitted around his body.
"Oh pretty..."
Ruby stared amazed at the beautiful lighting sparking around Xero's body, like a dancer around their partner.
"Now, Reinforcement x10."
His magic washed over him once again, as he felt the magic reinforce his body. Can never be too careful after, even if the lighting SHOULD protect his body against any incoming attack, after Minerva showing him that the Cult has weapons that can hurt him, he decide it was best he not take any chances.
"Reinforcement?"
Ozpin looked at the Servants questioningly, as Emyia spoke,"It's something i taught master personally and it's a difficult spell to master with the purpose of pushing a basis to the utmost limit. Reinforcing the purpose of existence would be increasing the sharpness of a knife, the nourishment of food, or in the case of a living creature, physical strength and durability. It is impossible to reinforce something vague. As living things will resist invasion of Magical Energy, reinforcing someone else is the hardest. Master can use this magecraft to reinforce his body to the point he can take a nuclear bomb at point blank range and come out unharmed."
"Amazing!"
Jennifer smiled brightly, as she looked at the tan Archer, opening her mouth-
"Yes. Master and i can also Reinforcement other items and people if we chose too, no matter what it is."
"Oh that is such a broken power."
Mercury thought to himself, growling at how Mazoku can basically make himself invincible. How the hell were they suppose to fight that?!
"Now that is an impressive skill, Archer would you-"
"No, we cannot Reinforcement you're soldiers or even armor."
Ironwood frown and narrowed his eyes at the Emyia,"And why not? Do you not understand the number of lives you and you're master can save from the Grimm, if you just cooperate with the Atlas military."
"For one you're military, any military really more often then naught doesn't get along with my master. Seeing as we won't be mindless drones, only obeying and do whatever we're told just isn't our style."
Emyia smirked at that, as Ironwood's frown turned into a scowl at that. That man was starting to sound like Qrow and it was beginning to piss him off."
"Second of all, while Reinforcement is powerful, it doesn't last."
What?
Ironwood blinked, as Emyia went on,"It's very much like armor and Reinforcement, a full body one that is, is very powerful it is not without it's limits. It can only take so much pressure before it breaks. Again, like armor. That's why mast-Avenger Xero is casting multiple layers of Reinforcement over his body. To ensure, even if one does break, another will cover it. He's not foolish enough to believe it will last him the entire battle but rather, protect him during the heat of battle, giving him a second to dodge or block a fatal blow. As a general, you should know that if you blindside a soldier for a second, that can kill him. Just one second can mean the difference between life and death."
That it does.
Ozpin mused to himself, nodding to what the red Archer was saying. A second, no a split second can mean the difference between living and death. He should know, he's experienced it plenty of times.
"Reinforcement is a very advanced spell and a full body one is nothing short of impressive. But it means nothing if it gets broken, hence why Avenger Xero is casting several on himself. That and because of his brittle bones won't suddenly break in the middle of a battle isn't very ideal."
"That's smart, good strategy."
Bucky nodded at his leader's choice in handling the situation. Best not to leave anything left to chance, not if you could help it.
"Tch, if he can't take a hit, then he's a weakling."
"Wrong."
Florence cut off Vernal with a stern glare,"It is not the commander's fault his skeleton structure, as you can blame his sickness on that. One, i might add, none who have had it survived and yet he does. So i suggest you watch you're mouth shut, otherwise i'll have to wire it."
"Oh and why is that bitch?"
The bandit queen's right hand woman glared death the Berserker, as she merely said in a very bland tone,"Because i will have broken you're jaw in several places, it will need to be wired in order to healed. Along with the rest of you're body."
That's it!
With an angry yell, Vernal threw an aura enhanced fist at the Berserker's face,"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE BITCH! I'LL-"
CLAMP
Much to her shock, the healing Berserker caught her fist easily, clamping her gloved hands over her own. Vernal growled and tried to push forward, so she could punch her but to her shock, Florence didn't budge an inch.
"It appears you're wrist will need a cast, as you have several broken bones."
"The fuck? I do not you-"
BREAK
CRACK
"AGH!"
Vernal looked on in shock, as she felt the mentioned bones, all her fingers and even wrist starting to break under the iron grip of the pink haired woman's hand.
"Yes, it seems i'll also have put you're entire arm in a cast as well. Truly miss Vernal, you bandits really are the worst type of patient. Unruly, rude, beyond filthy and do not known when to listen to the doctor's advise. As the commander's personal psychiatrist , i cannot allow filth like you be anywhere near him, otherwise you might infect him with said filth yet i am bound to my oath to help all. Oh well, i'll be sure to take care of it."
Vernal, deciding her pride wasn't worth more pain, started to frantically trying to pull her arm free but to no avail. The Berserker then begin to ruthless break Vernals arm in several more places by twisting it at odd angles, resulting in several "CRACKS" and "POPS" as Vernal cried out in pain.
"Stop it you damn bitch!"
Raven, finally having enough went to draw her sword, only to realize it was missing and was thinking on whether or not revealing her Maiden powers would be a good idea of not.
Thankfully, she didn't have too, as Florence looked at her with blank eyes, Vernal's arm now twisted in a thirty degree angle,"If you wish for me to stop my diagnosis, then you must ensure miss Vernal won't be so foolish as to insult my commander with little to no credit. Stupidity and high arrogance such as hers will lead to an early grave and as a doctor, i cannot allow that to fester any longer. As is insulting my commander, as it can lead to an early, bloody and painful death."
Insult Xero and you die a horrible, painful death.
Seeing no other option with no weapons and aura clearly not helping with too many eyes watching, Raven gritted her teeth and nodded reluctantly. Then, without pause, the Berserker half threw, half tossed Vernal to Raven, as she settled back down in her seat, her expression never changing from her usual stoic one.
"..."
No one said anything, even as Raven personal attend to Vernal's now twisted arm, getting a glare from Yang.
Oh she bet if it was HER that was in pain like that, Raven wouldn't lift a bloody finger but if it's one of her precious 'tribe members' she'd sell her own arm to help them. Still, it watching the pink haired Berserker tear into Vernal and shatter Raven's pride like that filled Yang with vindicated pleasure at that.
Yeah, fuck Raven!
If she wanted to play leader to a bunch of bandits, let her. Yang decide, Summer was her one true mom, not Raven as she can go to hell for all Yang cared.
Yang threw the Berserker a thumbs up with a smile, when no one was looking, as Florence merely nodded, still stoic. They insulted her commander for no other reason then they could, as a loyal Servant she could not allow it to go unpunished.
Vernal made her bed and now she had to lay in it.
"Nice work Berserker."
The healing Servant stiffly nodded towards Tony, noticing how he had not said anything for a while. The man was going to unravel and soon, he was going to be done waiting for answers.
Not right now but after this battle, this vision, Florence knew the father of her husband would be demanding answers and she would not withhold them anymore. If anyone was entitled to them, it was Xero's father.
"Now, for the gamble."
Xero said, mostly to himself as he wiggled his hands, letting out a shaky breath. He was really doing this, wasn't he?
What was he feeling? Fear? Excitement? Adrenaline?
...Insanity?
Who knows.
"Hopefully my body will be able to hold out long enough for Levi and the others to destroy the Hell Tower and i can kill Zed."
If not him, then hopefully Adenela and Esdeath will be able to finish him off. If not, well...that was it. They had a lot more Magus here in Avalon but none were as strong as himself and the two women. Adenela thanks to her enteral youth with Esdeath a prodigy with unnaturally skill and power, even more of a prodigy then himself.
For anyone that knew his past, knew what he went through and how he climb to the top, then enough would be said.
Having to fight one monstrously powerful opponent after another, each one stronger with unbelievable skills then the last goes to show:
If you kept throwing yourself at these insanely powerful people and survive, you're bound to get stronger. Fighting someone stronger then you will either kill you or make you stronger.
After all, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
"Funny how i, his father, was never made aware of such things. In fact, it's really funny i don't know much about either my son or daughter's past, care to explain Knight girl?"
Tony deliberately pointed his not so subtly direct that question towards Saber Artoria. To her credit, she didn't flinch at the acussing tone,"It was not my choice to tell you my queen's past, it's his."
"D-Don't forget, Magus culture revolves a-around keeping everything a s-ecret from ou-ou-outsiders."
The purple haired Magus said simply, as Tony merely grunted but otherwise said nothing else, not noticing how Saber Artoria sighing look. She hated keeping things secrets from her allies but her queen's past was not hers to reveal and she would respect that. Just as Xero respected Artoria's past and wouldn't reveal without her OK.
The King of Knights saw Pepper say something to her father in law and whatever it was, he didn't appear happy about it but nodded never the less. Tony only wanted to help Xero, Artoria knew that but you could be betrayed so many times before whatever trust you can put in people, even family, would run out sooner or later.
Hell during the first six months, her queen was convinced that Tony would betray him or worse, try to kill him simply because he wielded magic. Thankfully that never happened and Xero's ability to trust was healed.
Not by much but enough for him to start to trust others again, even if it was barely.
Even if it was pretty sad to think about it.
Personally Raven kinda of agreed with that as fighting stronger enemies did make you stronger but since he was clearly an enemy of her tribe, she had to disagree with him. If only on principal of the matter.
"Well, here goes nothing."
If he dare hold back, it would be all over. Time to go all out, all or nothing.
With that thought in mind, Xero looked to the sky, where the moon would be hanging over the sky had it not been blocked by the red clouds. As he did so, he held his ring finger up to the Moon Cell and spoke:
"Oh great lady, goddess of magic, i humble beg thee for aid in this fight. I beg you, to give me the power to destroy my enemies and protect my family. Please help me in my time of need."
"Ok...what the hell was that?"
Roman scratched the back of his head,"I thought he would be borrowing power from the Moon Cell not...not doing that."
"Yeah. It honestly sounds like he's praying or something."
The luckiest member Avenger supported the thief, as she had never see the boss do that.
"It's not that surprising. Before many great battles, the warriors who fight them often pray to their gods for protection and help, my little brother is no different. He just so happens to pray to the Goddess of Magic."
Jeanne Archer spoke with a fond smile. Something Father Vincent supported,"Indeed. Everyone has their own religion, their own godly figures to look to for guidance and help in times of need or worse, war. Lord Mazoku is one of the few Magus that still believe in the goddess, as he comes from one of the oldest Magus family. One that has been around before and after the Age of the Gods. Not many survived that era and as far as we known, Lord Mazoku's family is one of the last families to still be alive since that era."
"So if i am to understand correctly, the longer you're family line, the more magic you have?"
Ren asked, as Father Vincent shook his head.
"Yes and no. Magical power and ability mostly depends on what family you come from and blood. First generation Magus are more often then naught, very weak due to them having lesser magic circuits then one that does come a family of Magus that have been around for several generations. It's harder for a first generation Magus to learn magic, as they have fewer circuits but that doesn't mean they can't become powerful if they train hard enough. In fact it's easier for them to learn how to use magecraft, once they get it down but that works both ways. For a Magus with many magic circuits, it's harder for them to control all their magical power, simply because they have so much of it. Lady Stark and Lord Mazoku are prime examples of that, as Lady Stark can use magic more easily but not as powerful as Lord Mazoku can but in doing so, allows Lord Mazoku to branch out in magical arts because he has more circuits. But because she has lesser circuits, Lady Stark can only really focuses on one magical art or even two at a time, allowing her to use it's power to the full extent of it's abilities but Lord Mazoku has more abilities then Lady Stark. It's confusing i know but think of it like this, less magic means it's easier to control but more magic, makes it harder to master. Do you understand now?"
"I think so, thank you Father Vincent."
Ren nodded, yeah that made sense. It's harder to control something if it's bigger, like using a shotgun over a pistol. It's easier to use a pistol, as opposed to using a shotgun, one has more power then the other. But on the other hand, it's easier to use a pistol over a shotgun and it doesn't leave you with a sore shoulder either.
"That hardly seems fair."
Emerald sipped hatefully, glaring at the Servants, as Medea merely smirked,"Life isn't fair, might as well get use to it, RAT."
The green haired girl grinded her teeth in anger but said nothing, knowing full well it was better to leave it at that. She was strong sure, but these guys were on a whole other level, much to her ire.
"Blood is power."
Gudako said simply, as she looked at the green haired girl,"Despite having so much power, it is a double edge sword. If someone has power, then there are those that will seek it out and try to take it...by ANY means necessary. It's one of the reasons why the Magus world hid itself for so long, so others won't attempt to try and take our magic, even if it is futile to do so."
"Ain't that the truth."
Qrow thought a bit bitterly, as he took a swing of his flask. The attack on Amber and the state it left her in only further proved the red/orange haired girl's point.
Xero silently looked up into the sky, waiting for a response of some kind, when his pupils became silts.
"Hrk."
Then he felt it.
POWER.
UNIMAGEABLE POWER.
"Grrr..."
Xero growled, as he felt the power threaten to overwhelm him, as his knee's buckled and he fell to his knee's, slamming his flesh hand so hard against the wall's ground, it cracked, creating spider webs to appear as he did so.
"Ah, what's happening?"
Ruby squirmed in her seat, watching as Xero seemly struggled to hold his body up, as a pure white light appeared all around his body, like a cloak. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, as she felt the unbelievable power flowing into Xero on screen.
...Wait, how could she feel that, if it was happening on screen?
"Hehehehe, this is going to be good."
Cu Lancer grinned, as he eagerly awaited the ass kicking of a lifetime he was about too see, as did many Servants. All eager to see their master in action, hell even Nobu, both Archer and Avenger seemly grabbed popcorn out of nowhere and begin to munch on it, in anticipation, eager smiles on their faces. Hell even Gorgon looked excited for the upcoming battle.
Even Kama!
Tony and the rest of the Avengers looked vaguely eager. Pepper looked more worried then anything, as did Bruce, while others like Remy and Logan grinned wanting with equal anticipation for the upcoming battle. So did Fury and the world leaders, with the two dragon sisters leaning forward, not wanting to miss a second.
Ozpin and the rest from Remnant just watched closely to see what their possible new ally/enemy could do and what kind of power he could truly wield. As did rge teachers, all eager to see what the Mazoku could do, when his back was against the wall and his family in danger. Would it be similar to the Maidens power or would it go beyond that, beyond Ozpin's and Salem's own magic.
Only one way to know for certain.
"Oh this is going to be good.~"
"What is this?"
Cinder held her breath, feeling like the sword of death itself was hanging over her, waiting to slice her head off.
How?
How the hell was this possible?! She had only half of the Maiden's power but even if she had the full might of the Fall Maiden, she knew that it still wouldn't be enough to stand up to, to THIS!
"I'm suppose to have a power greater then anymore on Remnant can gain."
So how?!
How was it possible this man, this BOY had a power greater then the MAIDENS?!
HOW?!
"This power it's, it's..."
Raven felt the air leave her lungs as she was unable too look away from the screen, feeling the godly power this boy now had and it KEPT ON COMING! The urge to run, to flee nearly overwhelmed her but that was overshadowed by the fear that gripped her very soul. Having the power of the Spring Maiden for nearly a decade now, despite not having the chance to train with the power openly, Raven knew she was a force to be reckoned with and could defeat any agent Salem sent her way, possible two at once if she played it smart.
But this...this power, it was too big, too much.
She couldn't fight that!
"This is supposed to be impossible. Besides Salem or even her damned lackeys, no one is suppose to be stronger then me."
If that boy was, brothers forbid, STONGER then her then what did that mean for the tribe?
For her?
"What if they decide to kill us, just for being bandits?"
The boy's hate for bandits were very clear to everyone present, Raven had seen that kind of hate directed at her more then once and none and i do mean, NONE of them made her so fearful for the future as this boy, this MAN did. Unlike those weaklings, Xero Mazoku/Stark had no restrain for the laws of society like Due process and what not.
If given the chance, he'd wipe them all out and wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over it.
For the first time, in her entire life Raven being to doubt herself. She would admit, if only to herself that she was indeed a coward and only feared one person. Said person was an immortal and ruthless beyond all belief, so Raven believed she could be forgiven for being afraid of a being that cannot be killed or stopped.
Now she had another enemy, one that was certainly shaping up to be her worst nightmare.
Raven could kill him, through careful planning and a cunning strategy but that wasn't including those Servants of his or the rest of the Avengers. Not to mention, this Dead War thing and this Nazi Zombie Cult too boot. There were just too many variables in play that Raven couldn't completely plan for and even then, all she saw was a lose-lose situation.
What was she going to do?
Xero gritted his teeth, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, as he gripped the ground with both hands creating more cracks as he did so.
"More...power."
Xero felt like his teeth would snap, but he held it back, as his eyes changed from yellow to red,"It's not enough. I need more...POWER!"
"ROAR!"
KA-BOOM
Letting out a powerful roar, Xero's hair flew in every direction, as lighting struck down on his position!
"AAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"
Many screamed as Xero roared, scaring the living daylights out of all of them. Those who had magic and those that had been around magic could have swore right then and there, they felt a sudden explosion of magic. Not in the room, nor on the screen but far away, like it was in several rooms over.
Is what the Curator said true?
If everything that happened to Xero on screen, would the Xero in the present felt the phantom pains of it?
"Holy shit!"
Connie and the other scouts watched in amazement as the lighting seemly struck down on Xero, like the wrath of god himself. The blinding light coming from his position atop the wall, forced them to all look away, as it soon died down.
"Well, if the general wanted to get their attention, he's got it now."
Jean commented, noting how the massive undead army stopped as soon as the light show started. Levi shook his head, as he looked at his newly put together rag-tag group of soldiers,"Listen up, as soon as we're certain Xero has their attention, we'll start making our way towards the Hell Tower. Our mission is to destroy it, no matter what happens so Xero can kill Zed. As long as that Tower is active, both Zed and the army will be unstoppable. Esdeath and Adenela are here to stop any kind of special or heavily mutated zombies we come across. DON'T be a hero. If we find any of them like that, leave it to these two, Gudako or myself. That Tower is our priority, we HAVE to destroy it. If we don't, Avalon will fall and with it, humanity. This is our most important mission yet, failure is not an option."
"Yes captain!"
"One hell of a pep talk. Maybe you should throw a little 'We Did It' party afterward."
Roman snarked to Levi, who merely grunted and otherwise ignored the thief. But that didn't stop Rhodey from asking,"Yeah, well we already known who Adenela is but who is this Esdeath person? From the sounded of it, she is really strong and is someone we want on our side, so is she? Is she an ally, like right now? In the present?"
"She is and i'll tell you this, that woman is a Prodigy and that's with a capital P. Despite focusing primary on Ice style magecraft alone, there is no denying she is a very powerful Magus, second only to Oni-chan himself and stronger then me, when it comes to pure magical power but that's because i'm a first generation Magus, while she is a several decade one. With top-notch sword skills and survival skills to boot. I can still beat her of course, without my beloved Servants but that's simply because i have more experience then her. After all, experience can make all the difference in the world and power means nothing, if you don't know how to use it properly."
Many agreed with that statement, as it was very true.
"She must be very strong then."
Cinder spoke mostly to herself, as she looked at Gudako,"Strong enough to perhaps fight Mazoku to a stand still in the future?"
"In the future? Hell no, she's strong enough to fight Oni-chan on equal footing right now! That woman isn't a woman, she's a bloody monster in disguise!"
Despite the last part sounding like something of a joke, the message was clear. Someone able to fight a person that has been called the strongest Magus of his generation and is considered to be his equal, even in the present?
Just what kind of training do these Magus go through to achieve such power?!
Yeah, there was no doubt to everyone that Esdeath would become a person of interest and have to be watched from now on. That is, when they figure out where she is and what group she was aligned with of course.
"Lets get this done. I've seen enough people die and i ain't losing no one else."
Daryl Dixon said, loading his improved crossbow, as everyone nodded. Too many people had died and they will not fail this time!
Elsewhere
"Well fuck me a running, that son of a bitch put on one hell of a light show."
Zed dangled himself off the Sentinel's head, watching Xero power up.
"Man, that guys curses a lot, doesn't he? He cursed three times in the same sentence. He's almost as bad as you Logan."
Ororo was used to hearing cursing, Logan, Xero and a good number of her teammates did the same all the time. Said man merely shrugged his shoulders,"Eh you're not wrong."
Zed looked at where Xero was-
"Wait."
He was gone.
Blinking, the undead general looked around the wall and found no sign of the Magus,"Where did he-"
CRASH
In slow motion, the screen showed Zed's face slowly cave in, as a metal, lighting coated fist slammed into his cheek, tearing flesh, bone and even teeth as he was LAUNCHED away! The undead general slammed several times into the ground, slamming into his own soldiers, killing them in the process, as he was sent several miles away with a shattered jaw, broken teeth and destroyed eye.
(PLAY: SNK(Attack On Titan) S3 OST- K21)
"Ah yeah, now that's music for the soul."
Yang grinned as she heard the new song, bobbing her head to the beat. This was going to get good~
The Dead Sentinel turned it's ugly head towards Xero and had it been a human, it would have been surprised by Xero's new appearance. Unlike before, where his skin had been pale, it had turned into an alabaster tone with his hair turning from sliver to pure white and his eyes had turned to their usual hellish gold with a tinge of red around his silted pupils.
"Oh damn, boss really is going all out huh?"
Robin winced, feeling very happy he was NOT on the receiving end of that glare of his boss. While the Archer might be lazy, he wasn't stupid enough to try and anger his master in anyway, thankfully said master wasn't so easily angered. Not to mention he was an understanding man and kind one, so making Xero angry was a terrible idea.
One should always be wary of men who are slow to anger, not the one that is easily angered. The one that was easily angered are the predictable ones, the quite ones...not so much.
"Of course he is, my queen is smart enough to know when to fold it and when to go all in."
The Ruler version of Artoria nodded her head in agreement, smiling as she watched what was sure to be a great battle.
"Elimin-"
BOOM
Before more could be said, Xero KICKED it's head off, leaving the massive bot to stagger and shut down, as the lights went off inside it. The second Sentinel raised it's hand towards Xero, it's intent clear.
"Eliminat-"
Only to be cut off, as Xero seemly vanished in a whoosh of lighting, as Xero had slammed himself through the Sentinel's chest, ripping out the power source with his metal arm, gripping it tightly between his metal finger.
The heart.
With a harsh squeeze, it burst into a shower of blood around his fingers, as he remained seemly emotionless. Like he didn't just kill two massive robots.
"Eliminate that bolt head."
"Damn. That was a good one."
Tony cursed softly, as Steve nodded, that was a good one liner.
"ROAR"
A Butcher came up from behind and swung down on Xero, trying to slice him in half, only for Xero to catch the two bladed saw with his metal hand and shoved his human one through it's heart, causing lighting to burst out of every part of his body, turning him to ash. Without missing a beat, Xero slammed his hands down on the ground:
"LIGHTING NET!"
All around him, the undead that had survived the crumbling of two Sentinel's were quickly destroyed in a show of pure force, as the pure white lighting seemly burst from the sky, striking down half a dozen undead soldiers for over a mile all around him, covering everything in a net like manner.
Being free for just a moment, Xero grabbed his claymore, as he begin to draw it the wind picked up around him. Holding the massive blade with his metal hand, Xero then swung it over his shoulder, up towards the sky with a loud:
"WIND BLADE!"
From the claymore a blade of wind, so powerful, so strong it was actually viable as it cracked the sound barrier and sped towards it's intended target:
The Dead Zeppelin
CLING
As if in slow motion, the Zeppelin slowly came apart and fell to the Earth, destroyed.
Undead killed count:
384 soldiers.
2 Sentinels.
1 Butcher.
1 Zeppelin.
"...Holy shit."
Everyone's mouth was dropped open, oh well, the humans were but the Servants?
Not so much.
On their faces were nothing short of proud smiles, cheering and praise all being directed at Xero.
"He killed them all so quickly, within less then five minutes, he killed over three hundred."
That was it, she could no longer deny it.
The truth had been revealed and it forced her to see the truth of the matter.
It was official, Raven has become very terrified of Xero, of the monster he truly was, as were the rest of her tribesman. The Branwen tribe had over two hundred followers within the encampment and that number only grew as Raven came into power, nearing nearly three hundred men. But seeing how the so called 'boy' wipe out over THREE hundred undead with two machines and an aircraft to boot, forced Raven to see the sheer difference between their powers.
Even if those zombies were so closely clustered together, it didn't change the fact it was down right terrifying to see just HOW powerful his attacks were.
That wasn't just lighting the boy was using, it was real, true lighting. Not the type Dust or a semblance might use either, it was REAL lighting called down from the heavens above. Raven knew it and from the looks of the Schnee's, all of them they all realized the same thing she did. That for all their work in purifying Dust, no matter how good they make it, nothing could compare to the real deal of nature's wrath.
It's true wrath.
"How the hell are we suppose to fight THAT?!"
"Two Sentinels down, one Zeppelin and Zed is gone for a second. Goddess knows how long it'll take for him to get back on his feet and i honestly have no idea how long my body can hold this power. I'll have to be quic-"
MOVE!
Instincts blaring, Xero brought his claymore up, just in time to stop Zed from his using guitars, a GUITAR of all things, from bashing his head in. Grinning ear to ear, the zombie general spoke,"NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT BOY! COME ON, LET'S HAVE SOME FUN YOU FUCKIN-URK!"
Only to be cut off, as Xero slammed his metal arm into his jaw, forcing the undead to bite his own tongue so hard, he bite if off.
"AAAGGHHHH! UY TINGUE! YHU BAGASRD! I'LL-"
Only to get caught off again, as Xero slammed his blade on his shoulder, slicing his arm clean off, along with a good portion of his side, as he delivered a strong kick to his right leg, causing it to bend at an odd angle.
"You talk too much."
"Heh, just like Oluo."
Petra smiled sadly, as she thought of her old teammate and while the captain didn't show any emotion, she could see the sorrow and self loathing in his eyes. Captain Levi also kept all those who died under his command close to his chest, as a reminder to do better next time to ensure no one else dies.
"As much as i'd love to send him flying again, i need to see how his regeneration works. Is he an offensive like me, needing to grab his body parts to reattach limbs or is he a defensive type, where he can just regenerate on command? If so, how fast is it? Does he need a couple of minutes or is he just playing around and can regenerate in an instant?"
"Now that's smart, can't tell you how annoying regenerate enemies are."
Cu sighed in annoyance, as Shirou Amakusa nodded, his ever present smile on his face,"True but dealing with immortal enemies is even more annoying."
"You got that right."
Ozpin twitched, as he felt both hope and despair. Hope because if he could indeed recruit then it wouldn't matter of Salem was immortal or not, he could just seal her away! Right here and now, for the first time in Brothers knows how long, he had actually hope to defeat Salem once and for all!
But...that would also include telling his allies he had been lying to them since the beginning and seeing as how some of them acted in the past, once the truth had been revealed had Ozpin wary of telling them. The boy was powerful, that was clear now and if his allies were even MORE powerful then himself, then Salem wouldn't stand a chance, army of Grimm or not, she WOULD be defeated.
But there in lies the problem.
The boy, XERO, was powerful.
VERY powerful and he honestly doubted the council's will allow someone as powerful as him roam free. Hell James would probably be on the frontline, wanting the boy under their control, simply because of the threat he COULD become. It didn't matter if he was a threat or not, the fact he could become one, would be more then enough for to try and imprison him or worse, kill him out of sheer fear.
Not only would that fail horribly, Xero wasn't alone. He had friends and family, very powerful ones too and it would cause all out war between Earth and Remnant. Ozpin's world might be better equipped for war thanks to Dust but the people outnumber Remnant by 10 to 1. Not to mention all the Magus, mutants and even heroes roaming around Earth.
All different with unique and wondrous power that could make semblances look weak.
It would only in disaster and Remnant would lose, no ifs or buts about it, they would LOSE.
Period.
Brothers, the boy's father could make the entire R&D of Atlas look like morons by comparison and Xero didn't strike him as the type of person that would submit to another will. He would fight tooth and nail to protect his freedom, as well for his friends and family's freedom.
Ozpin just saw no good outcome if it came to war and even if he told them that, the headmaster was certain he'd just be ignored.
The damned fools!
"The fact Lord Mazoku had decide to take in Roman and his partner will only make it worse. They will use that to try and discredit him, despite him having good reason to trust them more then Vale."
Cause Roman would have to be the dumbest, stupidest and arrogant fool of all time to try and betray Lord Mazoku and NOT expect serve retribution for it. The master thief wouldn't dare but the Council's will and expect to get away with it and that kind of thinking will start another Great War!
And that's not even mentioning what will happen if the Dead War really does kick off, if that happens, all hope is lost.
"Get the hell up captain! I don't know what you were thinking and to be frank, i really don't give a flying fuck. Now, get you're short ass up and let's get out of here! We, no I'M not leaving anyone else behind, so COME ON! LET'S GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"
Levi shook his head, remembering Xero's word to him back down in the ruins as he watched the various emotions flicker across many people's faces. What he was seeing made the short but very dangerous and very lethal soldier sigh in annoyance. God, these idiots were going to be unbearable before this was over, they'll see Xero as a dangerous threat and will do everything to ensure he's either under their thumb or dead.
Judging from the look on Erwin and Fury's faces, Levi knew they saw it too and nodded towards Levi.
Whatever happens, happens.
Xero risked his life, the entire world and it's future just to save his own sorry ass and even Salim down in the ruins. Now, it would be his turn to have Xero's back, when, not if, WHEN the fighting broke out.
With that thought it mind, Xero charged the wind to Black Rose once more and sent another Wind Blade, this time staying on the ground. The viable air blade then processed to cut into many undead soldiers, leaving behind a massive stain of blood on the ground.
Kill Count: 523
"ROAR!"
Xero looked over his shoulder to see another Butcher coming at him, with a Gunner and two Flamers behind him. The Butcher tried to slice him up, but Xero vanished in an instant, appearing behind one of the Flamers.
"Hope you don't mind if i borrow this."
Grabbing the hose line connecting the tanks to the weapon, Xero ripped it out with his metal arm and with his flesh hand, gave it a little spark of white flames. The Flamer tried to grab it, but Xero kicked the Flamer towards another group and aimed his arm towards it.
"Burn."
The Flamers eyes widen, as the tank let out a small 'Hiss' before it-
KA-BOOM.
...Explode.
"Now i've got to take out the next-"
Xero suddenly titled his head to the side.
KA-POW
Narrowly dodging a sniper's bullet aimed at his head.
Narrowing his eyes, he quickly located the Sniper, who was riding inside a Zombie-Half Tank.
"Not for long."
Ignoring more undead coming for him, Xero launched forward once again with blinding speed, electing any undead soldier sore enough to get close to him, as he left behind a trail of ash and blood. The Sniper tried to shoot again, aiming his sniper-
CLING
Only for the sniper rifle to be sliced in half, as it's head slowly fell down, having it's neck sliced open like it's rifle. Then, without missing a beat, Xero gathered lighting in his head, creating a ball of lighting, as he slammed it into the zombified vehicle.
"DISCHAGRE!"
The undead transport seemed to vibrate, as lighting appeared all around it and with a mighty "BOOM" came to a stop, as it 'died" from Xero's lighting attack.
Kill Count: 906
1 Flamer.
1 Half-Tank
"DIE!"
Xero had to once again block an attack from Zed, only this time it was words?
"What the?"
Big, bold, words that spelled out "DIE" slammed into Xero forcing him several feet back, digging up dirt and blood as he slammed his feet down into the ground. Lowering his massive blade, Xero found himself completely surrounded by the undead from all sides. Flamers, Gunners, Commanders, Half Tanks, Zombie Tanks and even Sentinels aiming at him, as the common undead soldiers were ready to charge at him at a moment's notice, while Zed stood atop a large pair of Speakers, as he drummed his weapon.
"'YA GOT NO WHERE LEFT TO RUN BOY! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE HERE BOY, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER HUMAN ON THIS ROCK!
Die huh?
Xero couldn't stop a smirk coming to his face, as he snarked right back at Zed,"Oh i know i will die Zed, one day. Death comes for us all one day but not tonight, i won't be dying by your hand!"
"Damn, that was a good one-liner."
Done with part 1.
Part two coming soon, so until then.
Devil out.