Hey guys! Well I managed to get another chapter early in the week like I promised.
I will now try to post Saturdays like I used to starting now until it's time for my next break.
Also thank you all for your support and understanding for why I couldn't add the day I promised, your support means a lot.
Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Unwanted Reunion
The land was covered in cold white powder.
What was it called again?
Snow, yes his father called it snow.
It was more than he thought it would be.
A bulky humanoid shape was floating with black wings on it's back.
Eclipse looked around the land he was floating over, this was the first time he was allowed out of his father's island and so far he was enjoying what he saw.
The environment was so different and he saw many different Grimm around that even his father didn't have. It was so cold and the snow was so pretty, it was better than the pictures his father showed.
He shook his head, he had the first mission that Lady Salem herself had given him.
The artificial Grimm needed to find a place to wait for his targets and wait for them. Then take their new toy so his father can look at it.
Eclipse landed on the ground and walked forward intent on laying low until his targets would get here.
Just then he noticed something that distracted him.
Tracks, no doubt made by a human. He sniffed the ground to have the scent. Maybe they were those people his father said he could fight, the ones that fight Grimm. He never fought them before his father said they'd be more fun than just robots.
Just as he did his shoulder was struck.
Eclipse glanced at his shoulder bone armor, it felt itchy, he glanced at the source of who had fired at him.
It was four men all in different outfits with different weapons.
Eclipse tilted his head and made a noise meaning he was curious who he was looking at.
One of them started talking.
"The hell's this thing?" He asked and looked at his men. "It's armor's strong, it might be an alpha... whatever it is." He said.
Eclipsed listened to what the man said and tried to figure out what and who he was looking at. Four men, with weapons and trying to figure out what kind of Grimm he was.
That's them! The humans his father and Lady Salem said he could fight!
Huntsmen, that's what they were.
Which means he can have fun! His father and Lady Salem told him to do one thing if he's spotted!
"Boss whatever you did i have a feeling it wasn't a good idea."
"Don't be such a wimp we have to-mmph!" Just then his face was grabbed.
The other huntsmen turned to see that the Grimm they found had stretched one of it's arms like a nuckelavee.
Eclipse then pulled the huntsman while making a noise that sounded like demented giggling.
Once the huntsman was within reach he kicked up with his armored knee striking up the huntsman's chin.
The huntsman yelled as he was propelled in the air.
"Idiots, do something!" One of the other huntsmen shouted.
Another huntsman dashed forward with a speed semblance wielding a katana dashed towards the mutant Grimm, faster than most speed Semblance users.
But Eclipse rose an arm to block then incoming sword strike with the bone armor.
The huntsman looked surprised at how quick Eclipse was despite his bulky build.
Eclipse then kicked into the man's stomach sending him rolling away.
After that Eclipse regrew his nevermore wings and flew up catching up to the huntsman he uppercut into the air.
The huntsman looked up in terror to see the mutant Grimm fly above.
Eclipse then elbowed down the huntsman's head sending him downward.
After that he was hit by a rocket on his arm which forced him to scream and fly to the side holding his arm. Showing cracks on his shoulder armor, showing that his durability did have a limt.
The other huntsman started shooting at him two with rifles and one with a missle launcher.
Eclipse spun while moving out of the way of the attacks and rose up with his wings shielding him. He then outstretched his wings.
Like a Nevermore the wings released many feathers with sharp tips.
Two of the huntsman were pierced by multiple feathers against the ground, one in his face and died instantly, the other was pierced in the gut and impaled to the ground. And one managed to deflect the feather with his aura though he looked really discomforted.
That must make him fun to be able to take his feathers! Which were stronger than most nevermores like his father said.
Eclipse landed on the ground intending to take him on in close combat.
As he did the fast one with the katana sped up and attacked from behind.
Eclipse was struck in his right arm and was slashed across. He roared and glared at the one that cheated and grabbed his face.
The huntsman leader was about to throw himself to save his comrade.
But Eclipse wanted to save him for last, so he spread his wings and started to force them back and forth.
The snow on the ground rose up and spun in the small gust of wind he created.
This kept the leader at bay and couldn't see where he was going.
Meanwhile, Eclipse was punching in the speedy huntsman that cheated in his stomach over and over again.
The huntsman was helplessly unable to escape the grip of the brute and tried stabbing into his arm but it did nothing to slow him down.
Just then his Aura shattered, and he looked down.
Eclipse's left arm was inside of the huntsman and out the other side with spikes showing at his knuckles.
Just then the mini snowstorm he created went down.
The leader can finally see what happened and looked terrified that his last living teammate had suffered a fatal blow.
As for Eclipse he made a whining noise and lifted up the now-dead huntsman. He tilted his head confused and made another whining noise and tossed the corpse as if it were a broken toy.
"Die!" The leader yelled as he ran at Eclipse with a battle axe.
Eclipse watched the rushing leader, he yelled so loud, he must be upset he didn't get to play with him yet.
A green smile formed on his face and he ran to the huntsman determined to make up for it.
The leader swung his battle axe but Eclipse rose an arm to block with his arm-bone armor.
Eclipse then head but against the leader in the face making him go back, just then his gut was pierced.
The leader looked down to see what looked like a small Deathstalker stinger. He looked at the tail to see it come from the mutant grimm, it apparently grew a deathstalker tail.
Eclipse looked down at the leader and tilted his head. It made a whining noise. He thought this huntsman would last longer.
"M-monster," The leader said as he drew his last breath.
The artificial Grimm retracted his tail and looked all around the huntsman, the ones his feathers impaled had died.
They were fun, hope his targets with the new toys his father wants are more fun.
Eclipse moved on to the spot where his next playmates will be sent to find him.
Beacon Academy
Yang hit the ground and pushed herself against the ground. She panted as she did so.
"Hey, I think this is over, looks like you're done!"
The girl looked up at her opponent.
She was an orange-haired girl dressed in a white shirt and pink skirt. Her weapon of choice was a war hammer, definitely the powerhouse of team JNPR.
Yang shook her head as she stood up. "Come on Nora, remember if you win, I'll treat you to lunch for a week."
Nora drooled slightly when she said that but she shook her head. "Hmmm, I don't know, it was fun at first but you always use training bots before we fight." She said. "It feels like you're just asking me to beat you up and makes me feel like a bully. I'm not a bully! I break the bully's legs! Is that what your doing are you trying to make me look like a bully how dare you! That's a form of bullying I'm gonna break your legs! Or is it? I don't know! I'll ask Renny!"
The blonde braced herself against the energetic ginger. Part of her knew she was right this training that she's given herself was absurd. But she had to do it, that boy Kron he was strong. Ridiculously strong. She needed to increase her power intake.
And change up her fighting style to evade and recharge her Aura. Like he had said, even though she hated using his advice after he rubbed her mother's lessons in her face. But it's been working so far, she's been able to utilize her semblance more effectively with it, and she's been increasing the amount of power she could take by avoiding and defending while being struck and recharging her Aura before getting hit again.
If she can keep doing so she can increase her power even further. And hit that stupid Kron in his shit-eating grin!
"That's enough!"
Yang sighed and turned to who said that.
It was a blonde woman in a white outfit with a purple cape.
"Miss Xiao-Long, you need to rest, you are forbidden from training for three days."
"What?" Yang asked annoyed. "Bu-"
Glynda glared at her which froze the blonde.
Yang wanted to argue but couldn't bring herself she was too exhausted. She slumped her shoulders and started to leave the training area.
The professor watched her go and sighed. She's never seen a student work themselves to death. The woman turned to see someone.
"Thank you for informing me, let me know if you see this behavior again."
The student who told her was a young woman about Yang's age with white hair and dressed in white. "No thank you professor Goodwitch she wouldn't listen to any of us."
Glynda nodded and stared at Yang walking away. That girl has been pushing herself for a while now and has been getting worse. Perhaps she needed to send her to receive counseling to work on this new obsession with training herself ragged. She then walked away to continue her duties elsewhere.
Weiss watched her teammate leave and sighed. She thought that Yang had trained had started taking her training seriously and brushed off any worries Ruby or Blake had. But watching her spar non-stop with various training bots and someone as strong as Nora or worse Pyrrha, she seemed to be on the brink of collapse.
Ruby was right they needed to find out what was going on with her and see how they can get her back to her annoyingly happy self.
"Hey, Weiss! Come on! I want to play with you now!"
Speaking of annoyingly bubbly.
She turned to the pink girl and sees her aim her grenade launcher.
"Wait what, Nora do-"
"Fire!"
Weiss screamed as she was now dodging the energetic berserker of JNPR.
"Nora! Stop it now!"
"Sorry Weiss I need a new playmate now!" She said giggling.
Weiss sighed and pulled out her sword. When this was all over she was going to make Yang owe her for this.
Team RWBY Dorm Room
Her team needed to find out what was going on with Yang and stop her from this nonsense.
Blake walked up to her dorm room, she sighed knowing what was next. She opened the door.
Rose petals appeared as a hooded girl stood in front of Blake.
"Blake! How was it, did you find anything out?!"
The Cat Faunus in disguise had a stoic expression this happened every day fulfilling Ruby's request. The girl was so impatient, not that she can blame her given what Yang was doing to herself daily. Still, it'd be nice if she gave her more room to breathe.
"Ruby, relax." She replied. "I can't tell you if you keep bombarding me with questions every day."
Ruby nodded and immediately sat on the floor in front of her teammate.
Blake entered the room and sat on her bed while looking at her leader.
"Here's what I found out so far, I went to a couple of bookstores and asked around."
"Bookstores? Why bookstores?" Ruby asked. "She hasn't read anything since she stopped reading comics." She frowned missing those days the two shared that interest.
"That was the last thing she said before she started acting like this remember?"
"Ohhh right, I guess that I couldn't believe it so much that my brain just zoned out, hehe"
Blake rolled her eyes and continued.
"So they told me that she was looking for a boy," Blake explained. "About our age with spikey black hair."
"A boy? Who?" Ruby asked and grimaced. "Is he a beacon student?"
Blake shook her head. "I don't think so, all I know was that Yang asked about him, definitely the day she went and came back training like crazy." She said. "I just wish they'd give me a picture or something, I'm sorry that I haven't found anything else out yet."
Her bow curiously went down once, meaning her cat ears dropped showing she felt bad for not being able to find out more about her partner's situation.
"Don't be Blake." Ruby smiled. "You figured one thing out, now we need to find this boy, maybe he knows something."
Blake looked away when she said that. She had an unsure expression.
"That's not much of a description Ruby, whoever this guy is doesn't stand out much." She said knowing there are plenty of boys with that description.
"Well, we know he goes to bookstores a lot right? That should narrow it down right?"
Bookstores. There's one boy she remembers with spiky black hair that enjoyed reading history books.
"Your right about that." Blake faked a smile as if happy to hear that even though she wasn't. "You should check on Yang, she probably still training."
"Right!" The younger girl stood up and walked out of the dorm.
As she did Blake stayed sitting thinking of the description they have so far. Spiky black hair, and enjoys reading.
What if it was him? What should she do? She remembered how Kron was tricked and enraged by Raven's manipulation. Her father and Sienna's actions. Did he still hate the White Fang? Did he still think her mother tricked her?
She knows he wouldn't listen if she talked, especially if he's still loyal to Raven. Would he give her the same beating he gave her father? She wanted to believe she wouldn't but she has no idea what he's been up to or what he was like now.
Blake wanted to prove to him her mother's innocence but at the same time, she can't help but be angry at him. Regardless of what happened he still harmed her father and maimed Sienna. She just couldn't commit to either wanting to help him from being misguided like the White Fang or find a way to bring him to justice.
The disguised Faunus shook her head. It didn't matter. There's no way it's him here. He's got no reason to be here and she had asked the bookstore owners if he had a tail. All of them said no.
She looked at the mirror to see her bow covering her cat ears.
Then again it wouldn't be hard to hide her Faunus traits.
She shook her head and lay down.
If it really is him she needed to find him first, to see why Yang is after him and see him for some questions she needed answers to.
She hoped that her mother was right about him.
White Fang Hideout
Many masked members of the White Fang were walking picking up boxes filled with many weapons.
Inside a man wearing a mask was filling in a paper, a spreadsheet for what was in each crate.
The task was mundane but it needed to be done.
As he penciled in his final task his wrist was grabbed.
He looked up and was about to scream only for a hand to cover his mouth.
The man was wearing a mask but it wasn't generic and was far more recognizable.
"Hi, just have questions to ask," Kron asked behind his mask and he went through the window carrying him.
Kron arrived at a small building that was clearly abandoned.
He came inside and tossed the White Fang member inside, he landed on the floor.
The White Fang member pushed himself up and looked at the Scourge of Anima. Unlike the last one, he was more cowardly and tried to run into the building.
Which is fine that's what Kron wanted.
He closed the door and stepped away from it.
This was routine, he couldn't bring himself to beat down these White Fang members for information, which is why his ''partner' comes in handy.
Hopefully, he'll be able to answer what he needs.
Inside the White Fang member went upstairs hoping to find a window to get outside.
Just then he tripped on something. He turned around while on the ground and looked up.
He couldn't see who it was, he thought it must be the scourge but he couldn't see as it was too dark.
Neo put a hand on her mouth as if she was giggling. She thought that this Scourge guy was weird, he couldn't hurt these White Fangs but could bring them to her to get info out of them instead.
She shrugged. More fun for Neo.
The girl used her semblance to change into Kron with his mask and outfit.
Kron crossed his arms and looked around.
He sighed. "Should start bringing a book for these things."
"Ahhh!"
The Saiyan turned to the building and sees Neo Walking out. She gestured for him to go inside like usual.
Kron did so and sees the White Fang member without his mask showing a bucktooth in his mouth. Meaning he was a beaver Faunus or maybe a Chipmunk. Not that it mattered.
"I have questions, will you answer?"
The Faunus nodded.
"A couple of things." Kron began. "What do you know of anything that can grant multiple semblances, where to find your human partners, and what happened to Slate?"
Immediately just like the last ones he found the Beaver Faunus spoke. "I do not know anything of multiple semblances, I only know that the humans that hired us are named Cinder Fall, Emerald, and Mercury"
Names he already knew from Roman so that was useless.
"As for Slate" He began. "I don't know what happened but w-we got rid of his body."
Kron was silent with that. That was not what he wanted to hear. With Slate dead Garnet can't get the money she needed to bribe officials for them to look the other way while holding a Beacon Academy student and keep everyone from targeting Dead End Arena.
Now he definitely can't have his audience.
"Tch, that will be all, I'll be taking you out of town soon, wait here unless you think the White Fang will forgive you for selling them out." He said as he walked away.
The Beaver Faunus just turned away and hugged his knees. "Ok, just please no more, don't, don't hurt me anymore."
Kron rose an eyebrow hearing that and eyed the doorway. What did she do?
The Saiyan walked out the door and looked at his 'colleague'.
Neo looked up at him and tilted her head.
Kron looked down at the pink-haired girl and growled. "Can't you talk? You haven't spoken once."
Neo frowned and shook her head, Roman was right he was rude. Hasn't he heard of people that are mute?
The Scourge growled. "Whatever" He wished Roman was here, at least he can talk. "Found something useful, this lead of yours was a big catch."
Neo smiled and seemed pleased to hear that.
Kron crossed his arms and looked down at the half-pint woman. "Tell me, what exactly can you do, this time he thought I was the one who interrogated him."
Neo smirked as if happy he asked, the girl glowed pink and her body seemed to have changed.
She turned into a full copy of Kron as the Scourge of Anima including the Berringel Mask, only he was holding a pink umbrella.
Behind his mask, Kron looked surprised and looked at Neo up and down looking identical to him.
"Huh, interesting." He glanced at the pink umbrella she was holding over her shoulder. "The umbrella though looks ridiculous though."
Neo glowed pink and went back to normal and smiled.
Kron crossed his arms and looked at the petite girl. "To be honest I don't really like semblances like yours, tricky and deceiving, also I don't like the idea that you can just disguise as me on a whim."
The petite girl glared at him and rolled her eyes.
Kron chuckled seeing that reaction. "Still I'll admit you are useful, I see why Roman keeps you around." He complimented. "Just remember not to use my look too much."
Neo went back to smiling and bowed sort of politely ignoring the slight threat in his tone.
The Saiyan found Neo annoying for how she refused to talk, but he admit he found her somewhat interesting. Sure he didn't like her semblance but she was efficient he'll admit.
Neo turned to the doorway and sees the White Fang member shaking hugging his knees looking away from the door. She smirked and started to walk inside, but a hand grabbed her shoulder and she pulled away. She glared at Kron for stopping her.
Kron looked down at her. "He hasn't seen your face, and I told you, no deaths." He replied seeing her roll her eyes. "If you want to kill do it on your own time, not during my affairs."
The petite girl slapped his hand off her shoulder and rolled her eyes and shrugged. As if to say 'fine'. He really was too soft for her liking, she heard stories as a child he was a murderer for the Branwen Tribe, why couldn't he stay that way?
Kron learned that this girl was bloodthirsty, almost as much as he was when he was a brat. While he didn't care if she was like that, he still rather avoid death if he can, especially for the White Fang, he did enough harm to them. So if he can keep his 'associate' from killing he'll do it.
He only needed to get the information out of them to find the source of this Soul Dust.
After that, he'll decide how and when to have his long-awaited grudge match. Or deal with another multiple Semblance user first, which would be fun. Whichever comes first.
"Leave, I'll make sure he gets out of town," Kron instructed Neo.
The girl had a pouty face upset that she wasn't allowed to kill again but shrugged and walked away.
Kron thought of himself as a child, while he was a murderer, everyone he fought could at least fight back. This girl wanted to kill everyone in her path, whether they can fight or not. Maybe she was more bloodthirsty than he was.
He shrugged. Not that it mattered, now it was time.
Kron picked up his scroll and called.
"Kron, have you found anything?" Garnet asked eager for an answer.
"I have," Kron said. "Slate, he's dead."
They were silent for a couple of seconds.
"I, I see" Garnet sighed hearing that. "Well as I said, without Slate, I can't afford you bringing a Beacon Academy student here, the deal is off."
The Saiyan couldn't help but glare upon hearing that. His death match, the crowd watching and screaming for blood. He's lost it. He can't have his audience now.
He'll have to remember that when he's looking for those bastards who ruined it!
"I'm aware," Kron replied, anger in his tone.
"I, have to go now Kron, good luck."
The Saiyan felt the urge to say something.
"Wait, Garnet" He began hearing her brothering on the other end. "I" He hasn't said this in a long time and so many others deserve it more, one family particular. "I'm sorry and thank you for your help."
Garnet didn't say anything surprised to hear that from the Scourge of all people. Though she lost a champion she blamed herself for not having a tighter leash on him and allowing him to use this so-called Soul Dust.
"Goodbye Kron." She responded and hung up.
Kron sighed still angry that he lost his audience.
He's going to rip off Tyrian's tail.
But first, before anything else can go wrong. He needed to find Yang.
Or rather have her find him.
Kron grinned, at least before his fight with Raven he can have a nice warm-up fighting fist-to-fist with her daughter. Maybe her team if she decided it.
He turned to the White Fang still cowering. He'll have to get him out of tow.
After that, he'll fly to his safehouse intending on changing into his civilian clothes and going around in public. Waiting for Yang and for his chance at revenge.
Then, he will have to pay whoever granted Slate this Soul Dust and screwed over his plans.
Far Away
In the last cave, Raven had been in, two other explorers were inside.
Taiyang stood in front of a display without anything on it.
"Guess she's not here anymore." He sighed.
Qrow was looking on the ground to see tracks that someone was here, recently.
"Least it looks like we're on the right track if these are her tracks." He said as he stood up. "Come on."
Taiyang nodded as the duo started walking out of the cave with the blonde ahead of his partner.
Qrow then suddenly stopped. "Shit, not again."
Years Ago
Qrow had awoken as a young child, he wasn't surprised. This has happened a lot since his training in the Void Vault.
In front of him was his twin sister Raven at nine years old he believed, and beside him was his father.
He had short black hair with thrills at the top that looked similar to the hair on Qrow's forehead, with scars all over his face and in red armor.
Corvus Branwen looked down at Raven who looked down in shame.
Qrow remembered this day, it was after his first raid, after his first kill.
The father of the twins backhanded Raven across the face making the small child fall to the ground.
Qrow only looked down at his sister, he remembered how he felt at this moment when his sister was innocent. Nothing. No pity, no resentment towards his father, nothing.
Corvus glared down at Raven and spoke. "You hesitated."
Raven pushed herself off the ground and looked up at her father. "B-but you said we only had to kill one of them Qrow already did."
Qrow right now felt sick to his stomach remembering the child he had murdered. Young, brown hair, innocent, and younger than he was. It was sickening remembering how he did it.
But he can remember what his younger self felt, nothing, just nothing.
Corvus crossed his arms and glared down at the young girl.
"Yes, but remember my instructions before the raid?" He asked. "Each of you were to take one life, any of the children, it was supposed to be your first kill."
Raven looked up at her father still holding her cheek in pain. "W-why? Why do we both have to do that?"
Corvus growled at the girl annoyed at her weakness. "The Branwen way is to do anything to survive, do anything to that weakens the enemy's resolve, throw away any feeling of mercy, it's the best way to survive." He explained. "If you show that you are not willing to kill those they care about you are showing them mercy, showing them your weakness. To be the strongest you must be cold-blooded and heartless."
The scarred man grabbed Qrow by his shoulder. "Like Qrow here, he got his first kill without any hesitation. You can learn a lot from your brother."
Qrow wanted to push the man's arm away from him in disgust but couldn't as the vision kept playing out. He remembered feeling nothing but pride from his father satisfied with making him proud.
Raven looked at her brother, her eyes pleading.
And he wouldn't, he would only look up at their father and returned the smile. Ignoring his sister silently crying for help.
Corvus continued to praise his son. "Qrow, my son you have truly shown that your mother died giving this tribe something special. The day will come when you slay me and take my place as the Chief of the Branwen Tribe."
Qrow wanted to gut him when he said those words.
But his childhood self only enjoyed the praise. "Thank you, Father!"
Corvus turned to his daughter and frowned. "I can't say the same about you." He shook his head. "Your mother is rolling in her grave that her daughter ended up too soft, if only your brother was the only one that she birthed, then we'd have her and wouldn't have dead weight."
Raven glared and squeezed her fists, fighting back the tears.
The next raid, you better take the kill when you have the chance." He said with a glare. "You do not want to disappoint me a second time Raven."
Raven only nodded. "Y-yes father."
"The strong live and the weak die," Corvus said to both of his children. "Raven, you best show me that you are strong at the next village."
Corvus's idea of strength was being as cruel and vicious as possible. To kill anyone no matter how weak or strong in your way.
And Qrow followed his father while glancing at Raven who was looking at the ground shaking no doubt trying to keep herself from crying.
He remembered how he felt sympathetic for his sister but did nothing to comfort her and walked away.
Qrow tried to force himself to go to his sister to try to comfort her but the vision wouldn't allow it, he'd only relive his regrets unable to change anything.
While the former bandit felt betrayed by Raven, he remembered how as children he was the monster of the two.
His regret here was that if he had been there for his sister, perhaps things would be different than in the present.
Present
"Qrow! Qrow!"
The huntsman was shaken and looked around awake from his trance, he sees Taiyang grabbing his shoulder.
"You awake?"
Qrow shook his head and sighed. "Yeah, thanks." He started walking.
"Wanna talk about it?"
"Pfft, what do you think?" Qrow responded as he walked.
Taiyang sighed and nodded.
"I still get my visions to you know," Taiyang said. "Can't say they're as bad as yours but"
"Tai" Qrow rose his hand. "I'm fine, let's just go alright? Ozpin said they'll stop, sooner or later." He said as he walked.
Taiyang watched him go and sighed. Maybe he should have just taken the Void Vault alone, his visions seem to be getting worse.
At least it wasn't a waste, his semblance hasn't been active for a while. Maybe he's finally learned how to shut off his semblance.
Hopefully when they find Raven he can see that his trip to the Void Vault was worth it.
Kron's Safehouse
Kron was reading a new book he got from Dusty Pages.
The book was titled Pact with the Human Grimm.
It was about an alliance that was forged before the Four Kingdoms were founded.
Long ago there was a man named Xander the Human Grimm.
Xander was one of the first humans to wield Aura. He used this ability to do whatever he wanted without any concern for anyone. Fighting anyone he wanted, taking anything he wanted, all with no one strong enough to stop him. Whenever there was resistance he'd murder without mercy.
For all his monstrous nature he was known as the Human Grimm.
One day Xander encountered and survived a pack of Grimm that had evolved to the point where even he was helpless.
He would barely survive and know that there was only one way to survive, he needed help.
And so Xander decided to find any people he could find to awaken and utilize their Aura. All to deal with the pack of Alpha Beowolves and survive.
The Alpha Beowolves were dealt with.
And once that was done the survivors who Xander had awakened their aura turned to the Human Grimm.
Xander had fought tooth and nail but the exhaustion and number of his students overwhelmed him, and in the end, he was killed by his own students who had suffered his wrath for so long.
Kron was surprised to read that part. "Huh, how ironic, he trained them his ability and paid for it in the end." He chuckled at that.
Strangely it reminded him of his own idea he has, though he believes it would have a different ending.
Just then Kron's scroll rang and he answered.
"Yeah?"
"Hey kid" Roman greeted. "I heard from Garnet, your deals off with her?"
He sounded worried which was weird since it wasn't his concern.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I mean what does that mean for our deal?" He asked. "You agreed to find out about Garnet's main guy right? You gonna leave me high and dry?"
That made sense, the Saiyan rolled his eyes.
"Our deal is still on Roman so calm down." Kron sounded annoyed. "Luckily for you, that Cinder woman you mentioned, got in the way of my plans and I need to pay her back for that."
While he did enjoy the random chaos that has been entering his life lately, that woman cost him the audience of his awaited deathmatch and he can't let her or Tyrian get away with it.
"Great to hear I was just checking," Roman replied. "So, that means you'll be ready when I give you my next lead?"
Kron was silent for a moment and thought of one thing.
"I need time to take care of something personal, I'll call when I'm ready to continue."
"Great, I'm glad to see that you are committed to the deal, I see why Garnet likes you."
Kron hung up and placed the scroll on the table.
He went back to his book to see if there was anything he missed.
Cinder's Hideout
Cinder sat in her chair, she was in a foul mood. Which was the norm ever since that Scourge had come to the city. While she doubted he was working with Ozpin he was a variable she couldn't afford. During the Fall what would he do? Would he involve himself just for a fight? Would he fight all the White Fang the Grimm? Herself?
Her left eye glowed showing her Half Maiden ability if only Qrow hadn't gotten in the way the day they found Amber. Though from what Salem guessed, he may be beyond a Maiden if her hypothesis of what happened in Atlas was correct.
So even with her full potential she still wouldn't have a chance?
Cinder breathed in and out to calm herself. No use getting angry over this, it wouldn't end well if she acted in rage.
Just as she calmed herself something was entering through the hallway. She tensed up being ready for whoever decided to come uninterrupted.
But she calmed herself again once she sees a floating mass of tentacles.
Cinder immediately bowed before the Seer knowing what was next.
The Seer opened its head showing an eyeball and inside showed a pale woman.
"Cinder, I've heard you haven't been faring well."
The young woman looked up at her mistress and fought not to scowl at that. It sounded like she didn't care that her mission had a threat, if anything she sounded amused.
"Salem please" Cinder began to plead. " I implore you, hand me some Soul Dust. It's the only chance we have to get rid of him! If that fool you used was able to make him bleed, surely a Maiden, half or not would be able to kill him!"
Salem still had a friendly smile as if she didn't believe Cinder was in such a dire situation.
"My dear Cinder" Salem began to explain. "While I do believe you may match or defeat him, you have to think of this long term. You've seen the side effects, you wouldn't want to risk what happened to our guinea pig to you, would you?"
Cinder usually would obey but her thirst for power won out and tried to convince her to allow her these abilities.
"What of the ripening?" She asked. "You had said the ripening should reduce the side effects, has Dr. Merlot's creature not completed its task?"
Salem frowned a bit hearing that.
"Cinder you seem to have selective memory." She replied. "I had said in 'theory' the ripening should reduce the Soul Dust side effects. Even if you are able to end the Scourge what will you do if the negative effects start again and kill you? Your Maiden abilities may go back to Amber giving Ozpin a Maiden at his disposal."
Cinder wanted to argue but bit her tongue, both because she sees the logic and can see that she was pushing the Grimm queen. She kept quiet and waited for her to continue.
"We have two test subjects here." She clicked a black device on her throne armchair and a hologram of two people one woman with red hair named Carmine and another brutish man with grey hair named Bertilak. "So far neither has shown negative effects, however, they haven't been exposed to Soul Dust for as long as our test subject had. We need to wait and see."
The woman and red squeezed her fists, she wanted to argue more but knew it was futile. "I-I understand."
Salem smiled again but can see that she was unhappy with the decision.
"That being said I didn't just come to lecture you." She said. "I've had Tyrian do some investigating more about the Scourge, he's found something interesting."
Cinder looked up, her eyes this time showing hope in what she said.
"What is it? Is it the source of his power? Can we replicate it?"
She sounded excited hoping that was the case.
"Not quite" She sees Cinder falter at that and smirks. While she would like to know the Kron's power she enjoyed the mystery of it. Not knowing what he was using kept her interested. So she was in no hurry to find out what it was. "Tyrian has been looking into the 'incident' at Menagerie."
"Incident?" Cinder asked. "The fight he had with Ghira, Adam, and Sienna? What more is there to learn of it? Adam told me everything about it."
Salem smiled at that.
"Not quite, there's more to it than what he told you." She said. "Adam is hiding something from you, he knows something that can work to your advantage."
Cinder heard this and asked. "Why would he hide it? He wants the Scourge gone as much as I do."
Salem chuckled at that. "My dear, you have much to learn, not everything is so simple, call it pride, call it honor, for whatever reason, he's not telling you everything he knows of the Scourge. Tyrian discovered he was staying somewhere on the island before that fight."
The woman in red looked confused. "Staying with someone, with Raven?"
"No, not her. He hasn't been able to find out who he stayed with." Salem admitted but still smiled. "However three people would know, one of them is Adam, I recommend pressing him for information."
Cinder heard this and wondered if this was true. Salem wouldn't lie to her about this, but she couldn't fathom why Adam would have that detail. Did the scourge have family there? Family, they could use?
If so, she'll be burning Adam for purposely hiding what they needed.
Far Away
Qrow and Taiyang made it to a ruin one of many that Ozpin has told them about.
They looked around the ancient place for the artifact that was supposed to be there.
"Looks like Raven already found what she was looking for," Qrow said with a sigh.
"It's fine, we'll just have to find one that hasn't had the artifact taken yet," Tai said. "Once we do we wait for her."
Qrow didn't share that optimism but nodded.
As the two left the ruins they entered the Airship and Taiyang flew it while waiting.
"Alright, if I know Raven she would try to search in these ruins next," Tai said as he pulled out one of the many maps Ozpin had given him.
Qrow rose an eyebrow and walked forward. "What does this one do?"
Taiyang was about to answer but then a loud noise was heard.
The two huntsmen looked around until they notice another airship was on fire and was plummeting to the ground.
Taiyang turned the airship they were flying in an attempt to help whoever was crashing.
"No," Qrow said to his partner. "Stay on course."
"Qrow we can't just leave them!" He said as he was about to turn the airship to save whoever survived.
"I mean you go after Raven, I'll catch up."
Taiyang looked like he wanted to argue but understood that finding Raven was important and they couldn't afford to lose her trial. Besides the power they've reached, perhaps one of them would be enough to handle her.
"Good luck."
Qrow rolled his eyes. "I see where Yang got her sense of humor."
Taiyang only chuckled as the door opened.
The scythe wielder jumped out and started free-falling.
Without any emotion, his form started to shrink and change. Until he became an actual crow.
The avian drunk flew down close to the crash, once he was close to the ground he shifted back.
Once he was in human form he began to run at speeds faster than most, even speed types like Ruby's.
Just as he was getting close to the crashed airship he stops. "Damn it."
Another vision.
17 Years Ago
He sees Raven holding Yang as a baby, they were in the tent Raven usually stayed in.
"Qrow you're here," Raven said smiling. "So you really have chosen the tribe?"
Just like before Qrow can't stop the vision and spoke the words he spoke that day.
"I've made my choice alright." He said as he looked at the baby in Raven's arms who was giggling. "Y'know Tai isn't going to take this lying down you know."
Raven nodded and she glanced down at the baby in her arms.
"I know but I've told him if we want Yang to grow up with the skills she needs to survive this world." She began. "To survive Salem, we have to raise her with the tribe." She explained. "Soon enough he'll come around and join the tribe, she'll be a strong capable warrior with the three of us here."
Qrow figured she would say that and took his flask out drinking it.
"Yeah, just like Corvus did with us right?"
Raven looked annoyed at the mention of their father and placed baby Yang in a bed.
"Corvus was a true monster, he didn't care for our survival." The woman said. "I will make sure she will only receive the training she needs, not the excessive punishment we received." She held up the Branwen Helm. "And the tribe will be better under my command."
Qrow looked at the helmet worn by the leaders of the Branwen Tribe.
"So you took him down?"
"I challenged him as tradition dictated," Raven said with a smirk holding up the helmet to her face. "And someday" She looked down at her sleeping baby. "Yang will take the title of Chief from me."
Qrow didn't respond to that and focused on Raven's previous statement.
"Define better, you mean the tribe will stop stealing and killing?"
Raven sighed.
"It's not that simple, we will only take when we need to, and kill only if they stay in our way," Raven said and received a look from her brother. "We won't be killing the weak and defenseless like Father had us do."
Qrow winced at that remembering his 'First Blood' as a brat who wanted to please his father.
"You don't really think this kind of life would be good for Yang right?"
Raven frowned at that and put a hand on her sword hilt.
"This kind of life will ensure her survival, she'll be spoiled, weak, and vulnerable if I agree to raise her the way Tai wanted."
Qrow sighed.
"Sis, I think you really care for Yang in your own way, but I know for sure that she'd be better off not having the regrets we have in this pisshole we call home." He looked down at his flask, it comforted him whenever he thought of his younger days. "Which is why, I did what I had to do."
Raven was about to question what he meant but then an explosion was heard outside.
Yang heard the explosion and actually giggled at the sound.
"Raven!"
A loud angry voice that she knew well was heard outside, and she glared at the one who brought him here.
"You didn't."
Qrow didn't reply as more screams and explosions were heard outside the tent.
"Raven! Where is my daughter? Give her back!"
Raven glared at her brother before running out of the tent ready to defend her tribe from Taiyang.
While she left, Qrow glanced at baby Yang in her crib who was laughing at the sounds of explosions outside.
"Huh, your gonna be a real firecracker when you grow up."
He can hear another explosion which seemed to make Yang giggle more.
"Come on, I'll take you home, your dad has some business to talk with your mom." He said sadly and he took the infant in his arms. "We'll sneak away, best let them settle this in them settle this in private."
Yang only kept giggling as he took her.
Qrow frowned feeling guilty for betraying his sister like this. But he knew that it was for the best, if Raven only wanted to be a parent in this tribe then she shouldn't be one at all.
He didn't regret saving Yang from this life, but he regretted that he couldn't talk Raven into just bringing Yang home.
Present
Qrow sighed and grabbed his head.
"God damn it, the Void Vault better have been worth it." These visions were distracting as well as painful to watch.
He finally made it to the crash and sees something he didn't expect.
A large brute of a man was standing over another large man with a white beard.
The man on the ground was glowing and his body seemed to age.
Qrow remembered a body that looked similar.
Back in Anima when he was searching for the Scourge, he saw a corpse that seemed to have aged, it involved Tyrian. And just looking at the back of this man he knew who it was.
The brute turned around holding a Soul Dust crystal that changed from glass to black.
It was a bearded man that Qrow recognized with red Dust crystals stabbed into his arms.
"Qrow" Hazel said looking at the man.
"Hazel" The huntsman greeted.
The large man pulled out a marker, labeled 'Tremor' and wrote on the Black dust in his hands. He then placed it in a pouch behind him.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot allow Ozpin to know what you've seen." He glanced down at the corpse behind him. "I can guarantee you a chance to survive if you agree to come quietly to see Salem."
Qrow chuckled and put a hand through his hair.
"Yeah, I'll pass on that offer." He replied. "Here's mine, tell me, what are with these bodies that have aged? Answer me and I'll go easy on you when dragging you to Ozpin."
Hazel rose an eyebrow at that threat, the last time they fought he broke every bone in his body the last time they fought. Something's changed. He'll be cautious, he likely has, backup somewhere.
"You've made your choice."
He raised a hand and thrust it releasing fire from his palm.
Qrow watched as the fireball approached him.
The fire exploded as it made contact with him.
Hazel looked confused again, he was expecting him to dodge that. Fire from Dust wasn't as potent as a Maiden's, but it was definitely something even a veteran huntsman would want to avoid.
He watched the smoke clear and was surprised at what he was seeing.
Qrow was standing unharmed with his hand held out where the fireball hit.
The former bandit looked at his hand. "Huh, not even a burnt mark." He glanced over at the brute who looked flabbergasted. "You shouldn't buy discounted Dust Hazel, they're mostly just rock underneath."
The large man growled as thrust his hands to throw a larger fireball.
This time Qrow vanished as his fireball hit the ground he was standing on.
Hazel looked shocked seeing Qrow right in front of him. He didn't even see him move!
Qrow smirked at his surprised face.
Hazel threw a massive punch encased in fire.
Qrow rose one arm and caught his larger fist in his hand, the fire only became smoke against his palm.
Hazel was again shocked, something did change. He thought he'd receive training but to this level?
The huntsman let go of his fist and punched Hazel in the stomach.
It forced the brute to keel over from the force, his semblance Numbing Agent prevented him from feeling pain but didn't stop his body from reacting to the force.
Qrow then kicked straight in his stomach launching him several feet away.
Hazel hit a boulder that caused several cracks to form behind him.
The brute couldn't help but think how different Qrow was. His Aura was stronger than ever. But he's stronger than any huntsman he's fought. No huntsman should be this strong. Did Ozpin find some kind of Aura enhancer?
Hazel pushed himself up only to be forced against the boulder. He looked down to see a Qrow with his sword in his abdomen.
Qrow looked up at his opponent. "Lucky I need you alive for questions, just don't move or I might nick something even Aura can't fix." He said matter of factly.
The brute didn't respond to the pain as usual. But he knew that Qrow was definitely in another league, with Aura as dense as his, Qrow shouldn't have been able to pierce his body so seriously. And yet here he was pinned against a boulder.
"What is this? What did Ozpin do?"
Qrow shrugged his shoulders. "Recommended a good diet and exercise." He looked up at the larger man. "Gotta say, I've been questioning if it was worth it." He thought of the visions he's experienced in and out of the Void Vault. "Looks like it was wouldn't you say?"
Hazel was always Salem's physically strongest fighter, the fact that Qrow was knocking him around like a toddler it showed him all the improvements he made. He wondered how well he'd do against a Maiden. Or maybe the Scourge.
"Now, here's my question, what are with these corpses?" He pointed to the aircraft where the aged corpse was. "What has Salem been planning?"
Hazel didn't respond, it was clear that he was no match for him. As he is. He wanted to avoid using any before Eclipse could ripen them but it's his only chance.
He reached into his pouch and pulled out his picks for the Soul Dust he chose for himself.
As he pulled his hand out Qrow used his hand to pin Hazel's large wrist against the boulder.
"None of that," Qrow warned glaring at him as he started pushing Harbinger deeper into his gut.
Hazel growled he could feel his Aura about to give.
"Talk, now" Ozpin's subordinate demanded.
Hazel still had the Soul Dust in his hand, Qrow thought he needed to inject them into his hand, but that wasn't the case. He sighed, he hoped that he could take his harvest to Eclipse before the side effects kick in.
He crushed the Soul Dust in his hand.
Qrow glanced at them wondering why he broke them, he expected an explosion but instead, two trails of Dust smoke were formed. One was purple, the other was light blue.
They started to go into the nose and mouth of Hazel.
One of Hazel's eyes turned purple, the other turned light blue.
With a roar, he swung his arm with enough force to send Qrow flying while holding on to his sword.
Qrow was knocked back with Harbinger in his grip, he flipped until he landed on the ground with his hand on his face. "Damn it" Just when he had a cake walk the first time in a while. He looked at Hazel who was walking out of the boulder he was pinned to.
Hazel breathed in and out taking in his new Aura, and his additional semblances. He has to avoid getting his Aura shattered to avoid the side effects. He glanced down at the wound Qrow pierced his gut with, it began to close thanks to his additional Aura.
"That's new." The huntsman noted taking a stance, wondering what surprises Hazel has in store.
"Qrow" Hazel began. "Whatever Ozpin has done, it will not stop what Salem has provided."
The brute growled as he stabbed lightning Dust into himself to further his might.
"Just when it got easy!" Qrow sighed as the two charged at each other ready to battle.
Vale
Kron was at Dusty Pages reading a new book from the shelf, waiting and hoping for his key to revenge to find him.
He's been here for a bit and no sign of her.
She must be still be training, which is fine, better even to provide a warm-up.
Though she's not going to reach her mother's level with whatever training she's doing. Maybe he should just, break into the school find her, knock her out, and fight Raven then and there.
He shook his head. Not a good idea, the other teachers might get in the way of his fight, also he didn't need to put any weaklings in the way of the fight.
She'll show up, he can still remember the look in her eyes. The rage and the need to fight him, it was all there. A true warrior, unlike her mother.
It made him forget that she was Raven's brat.
Likely more than anything she was training which was for the best, after all, he wanted as good of a fight as possible.
Kron closed his book and began to walk out of the bookstore.
As he did someone else put their book down.
The Saiyan walked on the sidewalk wondering what to do next. He can just walk around where he used to eat at the same places and hopefully bump into her.
Though that might take way too long.
Now that he knows there was no reason to wait, he was impatient. If only he knew of Slate's death, he could've just knocked Yang out then and there and get his revenge. Or try out that idea he's had if Raven didn't show.
Oh well, what's done is done, she'll show up sooner or later.
Kron stopped once he was a bit in a block with no one around.
He sniffed the air, maybe that's her right now.
"Come out! I know you're hiding." Kron said as he looked around. "Come on, I'm not in the mood for hide and seek, come out now."
And someone did come out, a shadowy figure jumped down from a tree over the fence behind him.
Kron turned around wondering if it was the White Fang again, he wasn't sure if he could keep himself civil again after the last one. They better hope that they're not here to fight or-
The Saiyan ceased all thoughts at the person he was looking at. His eyes widened at the sight. He wanted to believe that it was a mistake and that this was someone else.
The person who followed him was wearing black shoes, black leggings, black boots, and a white top with black straps on her arms. Long black hair, yellow eyes, light purple eyeshadow. She had what looked like a sword on her back. The only thing that gave Kron some small hope was that it wasn't who he thought it was at the top of her head. A black bow on her head.
The Saiyan for the first time in a while wasn't sure what to do. Was this really Blake? Why was she following him? Is she angry about what he's been doing to the White Fang? Was this even Blake? She's wearing a bow, maybe she doesn't have the cat ears.
Kron looked at her face and remembered Kali. No her face looks too similar not to be her daughter. He remembered her and can't help but think this was Blake.
Blake looked cautious with her hand on the hilt of her sword. She looked at Kron and took a stance in case he showed aggression. If what she heard from Sienna was true then that must mean that Kron wasn't the monster she led herself to believe. She wanted to believe that the boy that Yang had asked about wasn't him.
But if it was Kron she couldn't just leave him be. She needed to know what was going on with him and what was going on between her and him. And she had a question she needed to ask him.
"Kron?" Blake asked looking at his waist no doubt looking for his tail but couldn't due to it being concealed. "Is that you?" She asked taking a step back, even though knowing that he was manipulated by Raven she was still afraid of the boy but wanted to believe that her mother was right and that there was more to him.
Kron said nothing and was confused. It was as if he was afraid to speak.
He was conflicted about what to do.
Hope you guys enjoyed that. Now you got an idea of what Eclipse is capable of, and we'll be seeing more of him hope u like it so far.
Now Kron has no reason to wait to get to Raven since he now knows Slate is dead. But now Blake is confronting him, let's see how that goes first.
And Qrow shows the results of the Void Vault. So as you can see the Void Vault has one side effect that made Ozpin want to stop using the Void Vault. You experience visions of the regrets you had to ignore in the Void Vault which can be a real problem.
But as you can see Qrow was able to toss Hazel like a ragdoll and force him to resort to using unripened Soul Dust. Well see how a huntsman training in the Void Vault fares against a Soul Dust user. What semblances do you think Hazel got for himself?
Next chapter a good bit of the chapter will focus on Qrow vs Hazel and I hope u guys'll like it. It's the first side character fight in awhile, the last real fight one was Hazel vs Raven but that was cut short cause Raven portaled Hazel away to focus on the Mutant Manticore.
That isn't to say Kron will have a minor part of the next chapter. Blake and Kron's reunion will also have a good portion of the chapter and hope u guys can enjoy that.
And then there's Cinder plotting, so far she's stayed away from Kron. But Kron knows her name so she better hope she can come up with something before he finds her. He's pretty pissed that he can't have an audience anymore.
With all that hope you guys are looking forward to the next chapter.
Review Responses
Guest: I responded in your review. TLDR, Kron is not Vegeta I don't need to redeem him the same way. Plus I'm doing it slowly, if u still don't like that than oh well. Can't plz everybody.
trollzor69: Thank you!
epantoja521: Ok, glad to hear it, and your right. Kron pretty much has the power in every situation.
Shrine: My headcanon is Cinder had better magic training from Salem who also has magic and had a usable semblance in battle with equal power while Raven trained on her own and did little training to hide her power. In my opinion, it's best to try to headcanon it and accept it. What else can we do?
Well the good news is Kron will likely not go on a rampage across the world, he's no longer interested in mass genocide because of Kali's influence. And he doesn't want to join the Saiyan Army anymore.
Interesting theory about the White Fang. But there's somethings to keep in mind. Kron has huge regrets for acting the way he did when he fought Blakes father, and would rather not repeat it. Also in the previous chapter he couldn't bring himself to harm the Goat Faunus at all. But we'll see, Kron still has anger issues.
Your basically right, in Kron's eyes Raven ruined any chance he had with Blake's family. Kali was the only person who was kind to him without wanting to gain anything from him and Raven's plan kinda destroyed that. But at the same time he feels his past actions of murdering on his own ruined any chance he would ever have with the Belladonnas. Kinda sad to think about.
Lol, I never expected Kron x Salem to be mentioned as much as it had. She'd probably win if she succeeds with that.
ThatSaiyaGuy: Thank you! Well Blake found him now, so we'll see how it goes.
Yep, basically it's a small chance, Saiyans are just hard to compete with an unfair, but we'll see.
Well it's hard to speak Neo and write it actually. It's kinda fun trying to write her 'talk' but also hard. Still looking forward to writing her talk more.
Well see what the Abyss Armor does, your kinda on the right track actually.
Kron does love to talk about himself so maybe lol. We'll see.
Thank u hope u enjoyed!
ZamasuAutonomous22: Hello! So I PM'd you and hope I've addressed your concerns and u can enjoy the story.
WingNut48: It is now, thank you. Well now he's reunited with Blake, hope I can make their interaction entertaining if Kron doesn't decide to just run though given his regret.
anon953: Kron has stopped killing huntsman, showed mercy, and regret for his actions. So why do u think that?
Guest: Thank u for your support. We'll see, Raven is the strongest Maiden right now so she might be able to. And yes that's what he wants an all out fight no more holding back.
Kron already knows that Roman is using him. He's fine with it so long as he doesn't betray him. If he does, he'd probably kill him. So long as Roman keeps his end of the deal, he'll probably live.
Bear295: Thank u for your understanding. It's kinda like the Berserker armor only it's like a light armor version of it you'll see.
Well right now Neo is pretty handy to have, but who knows I might be able to make it happen, just hope Kron doesn't have to murder him.
Always feel free to share ideas man, u never know I might use em.
1. I've been wanting to try Sifu but haven't had the time. When it's time for a new outfit for Kron I'll consider it I do like how it looks, I'll think about it.
2. So funny thing. I had a similar idea already but that, seems way better than what I had. I will definitely do that in the future and give u credit thank you! Great idea!
Overlord TH: Glad you think so hope u enjoyed this to.
Lelouch of Zero: Thank you for your support and everything's settled down now. And now Kron and Blake get to be reunited with questions to ask. Kali will be shown soon I think you'll like it. Yeah, Kron's actions really costed him, he truly wishes he can go back and undo it. Backstabbing is Raven's specialty also she didn't want the armor for herself so yea, she's definitely not someone to be trusted. But Sienna was kinda put in a tough spot both by Adam and by Kron's actions indirectly, but we'll see maybe Raven learned. Maybe.
Runeion: Hope u liked it!
davidvllafranca99: Good point didn't think of it that way, well I hope you can enjoy the character interaction next chapter.
sarmadsadiq95: Don't worry man i don't judge or blame u feel free to share what u think and want always.