Here we are at Chapter 74. Time to see what Yang and Weiss have been doing since we last saw them. I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 74. Enjoy.
Chapter 74: Of Fire and Feathers
"Someone want to explain to me how I'm floating like this?! It's freaking me out?!" the shady man says as he hovers in mid-air while moving forward.
Yang and Eizen drive their motorcycles with Eleanor and Weiss riding with them. Meanwhile, Zaveid (who is in Eleanor at the moment) uses his wind artes to keep the shady man suspended in mid-air as they ride through the forest on their way to Raven's camp.
"Just keep your mouth shut unless we ask you something about the camp's whereabouts. It's either that, or you stop floating and start skidding along the dirt road. Your choice," Eizen calls out.
"Just keep your cool and tell us how much further. The sooner we get there, the sooner you can get your feet back on the ground," Yang says.
The shady man quickly looks around, "Um, just up ahead. You can pull to a stop there in the clearing," he says.
A few moments later, the group come into an open space in the forest and pull over to a stop. Zaveid puts the man back on the ground and he dusts himself off from the air ride.
"Feel better now?" Eizen asks.
"Just give me a moment alright. I almost had a heart attack over here. Maybe I need the pretty lady to help me recover," the shady man says while eyeing Weiss.
Yang steps in front of her girlfriend, "You so much as look at her the wrong way, and I will bury in pieces," she threatens him.
The shady man backs off, "I'm good, I'm good. Okay, just let me go ahead and check around to make sure the coast is clear," he says before running off into some bushes off to the side.
"You know I can protect myself, right?" Weiss asks as she walks up to Yang.
"Yeah, I'm well aware, I just don't like the way he talks to you or looks at you. It makes me sick. You're not some piece of meat to be ravaged. You're much more than that," Yang says.
Weiss smiles at the gesture and kisses Yang on the cheek, "And that's why I love you so much. Because of how much you care about me," she says, holding Yang's hand and making the blonde smile as she calms down.
Zaveid then joins in. "Anyone else feeling like that guy is taking too long. This is smelling like a trap to me," he notes.
"Of course it's a trap. I trust that guy as far as I can throw him. Let's get ready for the obvious fight that's about to happen," Eizen says.
The group get their gear ready, and a moment later, a shot rings out aimed at Eleanor, only for Zaveid to block it with one of his pendulums. The group look around to see a large number of bandits surrounding with them with swords, guns, and even a few that don't have a weapon at all. Leading them is the shady man.
"Man, I can't believe you believed me and let me lure you here. You guys must be really stupid," the shady man says.
The group look around, unfazed, "Is this all of them?" Yang asks.
The bandits look puzzled, "Uh, yes blondie, this is all of them. Well, if you don't count the rest of the tribe waiting back at camp back that way," the shady man says, pointing behind him.
"That way, right?" Eleanor says, pointing to the same direction.
"Yes, sweetheart. That way," the shady man says.
"Well, thanks for the info," Zaveid notes.
"Now then, to pay me back for this tooth, we're gonna take your bike, and you're gonna take your lumps. And after I take your bike for a ride, I'm gonna take your little pretty girlfriend there for a ride too," the shady man says, pointing at Weiss.
Weiss aims her rapier at him, "Try it, and I'll be sticking my weapon where the sun doesn't shine with you," she warns him.
"Oooh, feisty, I'm gonna have fun watching the others break you down when I'm done with ya," the shady man replies.
Yang then activates her weapons, "You just signed your death warrant," she mutters darkly.
The bandits are actually a little spooked now, "Okay... Get them. Leave the white -haired girl to me!" the shady man yells.
The bandits attack, with some firing off their rifles. Weiss conjures up a glyph beneath her feet and shoots over at one bandit, dealing a quick thrust of her blade before making a pair of swings to finish them off. Meanwhile, Yang calmly walks up to one bandit that attacks bare-handed. She blocks one punch from him and then makes a low sweep kick to knock him off of his feet, ending it with a hard, downward punch to the ground. She then blocks an attack from behind and performs a roundhouse kick to knock him back. She then grabs him by an arm and flings him over her into another bandit that was making their way to Eleanor. Speaking of said spear-wielder, Eleanor twirls her spear around to block a few shots from one bandit as another charges at her with a blade drawn. Eleanor blocks a downward strike with her spear and then bats it away in order to shove the back end of her weapon into her opponent's chest. She then follows it up with an upward swing that sends him flying. As for the bandit firing at her, Zaveid comes in, knocking the rifle out of their hands with his pendulums and then makes a couple of hard punches to their face, sending them to the ground. Meanwhile, Weiss creates another glyph to send out a few fire balls at two bandits, blasting them away past Eizen. The Reaper catches a thrown punch from one opponent in his left hand and throws an uppercut so hard it breaks a few ribs and he simply drops them to the ground. Yang runs by him to jump into the air and deal a drop kick on one opponent, firing off her gauntlets to send her flying at another to deal a right cross to their face. Eleanor thrusts her spear several times in quick succession at another bandit, while Zaveid is behind her to block some bullets with his pendulums. The two then work together to create a wind arte that conjures a small tornado that blows both of their opponents away.
Seeing his comrades getting their butts handed to them, the shady man gets nervous but then notices Weiss with her back turned to him. He grins and runs at her. Weiss is focused on fighting against another bandit that she doesn't notice him coming. She manages to push her opponent through a black glyph behind them, sending them flying, and turns around just in time to see the shady man get right behind her.
"You're mine!" the shady man yells.
However, just before he reaches her, his left arm gets caught in Yang's grip, with Yang looking very pissed.
"Keep your perverted hands off of her," Yang growls.
She then throws a few punches to his chest and then jumps over him land behind him and throw a huge haymaker at his back, sending him flying into another bandit that just managed to get back up. After that, Yang and Weiss look around to see the rest of the bandits defeated on the ground, unconscious or in pain, thanks to their travelling companions. With the battle over, Yang's left hand starts to shake as she tries to calm down. Weiss notices this and holds her hand while kissing her cheek. The gesture helps Yang regain herself and she smiles in thanks.
"Well, that was a disappointment. These guys were no challenge at all. I'm getting bored here," Zaveid complains.
"I'd rather we have easy enemies to defeat for the time being. It would make our mission that much easier to accomplish. Besides, these criminals were harming innocent people, not to mention that one guy was incredibly rude, perverted, and downright repulsive," Eleanor notes, glancing at the unconscious shady man.
"Well, I think we got our point across. We know where to go now, so let's get going," Yang says as she starts walking back to her bike.
As she does, the shady man rises to his knees, "Who the Hell are you? It doesn't matter. When Raven finds out about what you did, you're dead, and so are all your little friends here," he warns them, grinning.
Yang sighs, "Possibly, but I doubt it. I am her daughter after all," Yang admits, while the others smirk.
Hearing this makes the shady man turn pale, "Oh crap... I'm dead," he mutters.
Eizen then walks up to him, "Now then... Take us to your leader," he demands.
…
In Mistral, Ruby's group is eating an early dinner in the living room of their house.
"So, how was the trip through Mistral guys?" Ruby asks while eating her meal.
"It wasn't too bad. I mean, I know a lot about Mistral, so not much surprised me. But it had been a while since I was last here so it was a good opportunity to retrace my roots," Jaune notes.
"I've never been to Mistral before, so I thought it was a good learning experience. I hadn't had the chance to see the sights when I first came here because I had to look for Qrow," Oscar says.
"Yeah, it didn't take you long to find me. Ozpin really does know me well," Qrow notes.
"So, what you two lovebirds do while we were gone?" Magilou asks.
At this, Ruby and Velvet go wide-eyed for a moment as their faces redden and they look away from each other.
"W-we mainly just hung out and talked while you were gone. It's not like there's much to do in this one house while we're holding down the fort," Velvet lies.
However, Nora notices their blushes, "Oh-ho, did something else happen while we were away. I mean, now that I think about it, you had the whole house to yourselves for a few hours. Anything... hot happen?" Nora asks with a knowing smirk.
"N-N-N-Nothing happened okay. We talked and hung out, and-and we kissed, that's all!" Ruby quickly retorts.
"Ruby!" Velvet yells, a little embarrassed.
"Nora, leave them alone. What they do in their private life is their business," Ren says.
Qrow facepalms, "Give me a break. I'm not nearly drunk enough for this stuff right now," he mutters.
"Will you all shut up already!" Velvet yells.
…
Back with Yang's group, they force the bandits (after slapping them enough times to wake them up) to lead them to the camp and grant them entrance. They walk through the camp, keeping their eyes out for all the other bandits in the vicinity. One bandit up front, a woman with short brown hair and a tattoo of a black bird on her left arm, walks out to check the commotion. Once Yang's group reach the center of the camp, standing before a large red tent, a woman with long black hair wearing a Grimm mask steps out. She pulls off her mask, revealing the face of Yang's mother, Raven.
"Mom," Yang mutters.
"...Yang," Raven notes and puts down her mask. "So, after all this time, you finally decide to visit me. I'm touched," Raven says, smirking.
Weiss holds Yang's arm to help her stay calm while Yang speaks, "You know that I searched for you. I spent years searching for you," Yang notes.
"And now you've found me. You were patient, determined, and strong enough to make your dreams a reality. Well done, Yang. But, did you and your friends have to be so rough with my men?" Raven asks.
"Maybe if one of your 'men' had shown my girlfriend some respect, then I wouldn't have had to clean his clock," Yang replies.
"Besides that, how can we just allow criminals like you just do as you please and not have any kind of repercussions," Eleanor adds.
"I know my daughter, and I know her little friend there. But, you three I don't know. You are who exactly?" Raven questions Yang's companions.
"We are Yang's friends, and we're here to help her with her goal," Eizen says, crossing his arms.
"Who we are is of little importance to you. What matters is why we are here," Eleanor adds.
"Well, whoever you, are I guess it IS of little importance. You lot have proven your strength; you most of all Yang. So, in light of this, I will answer any questions you have, and I'll allow you to stay the night here. Your little friends are free to join you as well. I'll even have the cooks make something for you all tonight," Raven says.
"That's not why we're here," Yang almost yells.
Raven stares at her, "What was that?" she asks.
"I'm not here for you. I'm here for my sister, Ruby. She's in Mistral and she's going to need my help. I just need you to take us to her," Yang says.
Raven crosses her arms, "And why would I do that?" she asks.
"Because she's your daughter. Because she's your family," Weiss says.
Raven grunts, "Hmph. Family. Only coming around when they need something. I must admit, I was hoping for so much more from you Yang. After all, you were able to find me. Why not use that drive to find your precious sister. You're allies here seem like they know a thing or two. Perhaps they can help you find her instead," she says.
"Unfortunately, we don't have the time for a wild goose chase," Zaveid says.
"We came to you because you're going to save us time. Ruby is going to Mistral, but there's no guarantee that she's already made it there. However, Dad told me about how your semblance works," Yang says.
"...Tai," Raven mutters begrudgingly.
"You can bond to certain people. And when you do, you can make a portal that takes you straight to them. You've got one for Dad, one for me, and you've got one for Qrow. Uncle Qrow is with Ruby. He promised me that he'd look out for her before they left. And I trust him. So, make us a portal to my uncle and sister, and we'll be out of your hair," Yang says.
"You know, it takes real strength to march in here and demand such a favor of me. I've got to say, I'm impressed. It's very noble to want to help out your sister. But if she's with Qrow, then she's already a lost cause," Raven notes as she walks off to the side.
"What does that mean?" Yang asks.
"You don't want to get mixed up in all of that, Yang. Ozpin is not the man you think he is. And Qrow is a fool for trusting him. I would know, I trusted him once, too. If your friends here ar as smart as they appear, then they would do the same," Raven explains.
"I don't care what you think," Yang states.
"We're not here to help Ozpin. We're here to help Yang and Weiss. That's all," Eizen says.
"Your choice is your own. All I'm suggesting is that instead of getting wrapped up in something too big for you, for any of us, that maybe you take a moment to wonder if you're already where you belong," Raven says.
"I'm not like you," Yang mutters.
Raven grunts again, "And what about you lot? Are you sure you want to keep following them, knowing you're walking towards your own demise?" Raven asks.
"I already have a crew. When I'm done here, I'll be returning to them. I'm here to help them. That is part of my creed," Eizen says as he steps forth. "I control the wheel of my own ship. If I'm not the one steering the ship, then I am not truly alive. THAT is my creed," he says, flipping his coin.
"You may not want to fight this battle, but we do. We don't care how dangerous it is. This is our choice, and you can't change that," Eleanor adds.
"I know Yang, and I know she won't abandon her family like you did. That's one of the reasons why I love her so much," Weiss states, holding Yang's hand even tighter.
"...So you can spout off whatever nonsense you want, but nothing is going to keep me from helping my sister," Yang declares.
"...Well aren't you all stubborn," Raven notes.
"I get it from my mom," Yang says.
"Well, if that's how you all feel, then it appears we have nothing left to discuss. Escort them out," Raven says as she turns her back to them.
The group look around as the bandits surrounding them start walking closer to them with weapons drawn.
"Did you not hear us?" Yang yells, gaining her mother's attention again. "I said send us to Qrow damn it!" she yells, her eyes turning red.
"That's enough! You watch your mouth in front of our leader!" one leader yells from the side.
Yang's group prepare their weapons to fight, "Make me," Yang challenges him.
The bandits get ready to attack. However, before the fighting can begin, a sudden roar his heard from the horizon. Even stops and looks out to the forest beyond the camp walls.
Eleanor turns to Eizen, "Eizen!" she shouts.
Eizen facepalms, "Sorry, my bad. You know you should be used to this by now," he replies.
And that's the chapter. Again, a little short, but it's the best I can do for this chapter for now. Anyway, Yang and her party meet Raven, but now thanks to the Reaper's Curse, they have a bigger problem to deal with. We'll see how the others are doing in the next chapter. Will Yang's group survive this next challenge? Will they convince Raven to help them? Until then, please Read and Review.
