A/N: *coughs* Here's the next update! Headed back to the doctor's today, still not feeling well. But first, an update~!
Here we go, more March updates for RWBY, as promised!
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws near, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
No questions this time. I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes! They're tributes to legends far better than me.
Now, then. Are you ready? Yes? No? Maybe so? Because! Here. We. Go.
You're not ready for Naruto.
Once more, I own no quotes, references, or memes. Not a wit or a one. NOT! A! THING!
They've only ever been tributes to bloody legends, and that's all they will ever be.
Papa!Naruto is still best Naruto, and woe betide anyone who hurts his kids.
Speaking of which, some have guessed at the name of Adam's team...
But I don't think any of you saw this coming...
"The things we do for love."
"Oh, hush. Don't make that face. Its only for a few days.
...I won't deny, it'll be fun cracking a few skulls again. Like old times."
~?
Let the Games Begin
"Ozpin, no! Please!"
"...I am sorry, my old friend."
Leonardo Lionheart did not die well.
Bit of a pity, really-now that he'd wrung the answers out of his treacherous old friend there was no further use for him. Likewise, he had no choice but to end the man's life; not when the alternative meant he would run to Salem. He could hardly let that pass after everything he'd done. Leonardo had betrayed the trust of not only Mistral, but many of its huntsmen and huntresses, cutting countless careers short.
And so he would pay for their lives with his own.
T'was the work of a moment to do the deed; a stern tap of his cane over the blubbering man's chest and a bit of magic did the rest; aura shattered as his craven heart ceased to beat. A clean stroke all things considered. One far better than that which d the Tribe would have given them; a merciful end what remained of his craven heart.
It was a quick death-one that shamed Ozpin to deliver nonetheless.
Leonardo had been a friend once. Brave and loyal. The boldest of the bold. It pained him to see what he'd become. He lowered his head and took a moment to mourn the friend he was before, not the craven he'd been at the end. Then drew his cane free, and stowed it behind his back. Best not to linger overlong. Questions would be asked.
All that remained was to dispose of the Grimm Seer hiding in that antiquated chamber.
He wasn't at all surprised to find the hidden door open when he reached it, nor said Seer waiting for him within. If anything he'd expected such happenstance. He'd not been subtle coming this far. Neither him, nor the tribe he'd commandeered. Doubtless his dear "friend" was busy begging for her to save him before he arrived.
Sure enough, the Grimm sprung to life as he drew near, countless tentacles tasting the air as its orb fixated upon him.
A low voice emerged from its inky depths. "Ozma."
Ozpin closed his eyes and stifled a sigh between his teeth. How long had it been since they had spoken to another? Since he'd heard her voice like this? If he kept his eyes closed, he could almost let himself think she was here, in the same room with him. That things were the same as they'd always been. It was tempting to dwell upon the past. So easy. Simple even, to lose oneself to it...
.
..
...but that way lay defeat.
He opened his eyes and lifted his chin. "Salem. You sound well."
"Well, he says." She scoffed. "You've killed Leonardo, then? A pity. He was a coward, but a useful one."
Anger sparked in his chest. He smothered it with a small, sardonic mile. "I will remember him as he lived, not as he died."
"How benevolent of you." Was that anxiety in her voice just now? Surely not."Enjoy your victory and return to Vale. Events have progressed in your absence."
"Have they now?" What game was she playing at? "Are you that eager to remove me from Mistral?"
"Listen to me, you impudent oaf!" This time there could be no denying didn't miss the stress warbling her words."If you had told me that THING had returned to Vale, I would haveve waited until he grew bored or moved on." Thing? She must mean Naruto. "Now its too late. He's been provoked, which in turn provoked my minions, and round and around the cycle went. I've all but lost control. Cinder is dead, Tyrian is a drooling mess, while Watts and Hazel prepare a catastrophe the likes of which you've not seen for hundreds of years!
Catstrophe? His smile faltered. "Now wait just a moment-
"All of Vale will burn if those two have their way!" She most assuredly did not. "His loved ones will die in the cataclysm that is to come! All of them! Each and every one! How do you think he'll react to that, hmm?! Poorly! That's how! He'll become a plague upon us both! Upon this world!
He held up a hand. "If you would but let me finish-
"And where have you been?!" The Seer surged forward, her seething voice rising from it in an angry hiss. "Stomping around cracking skulls, reliving the glory days! Fool! Return to Vale and help him avert this disaster at once!"
"And what, pray tell," he adjusted his glasses, "do you wish for me to avert?
Despite the distance, he felt her stare sear into his soul.
"Death."
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto clapped his hands.
"Alright, kids!" Keen blue eyes considered the three exhausted fighters assembled before him. "I've trained you as best I could, given what little time we had left. Ready for the festival tomorrow!"
Adam rubbed his jaw and slouched on a stool, no doubt mulling over that very reminder. "You call that training? And here I thought you were trying to kill us."
And they'd survived it. That was proof enough. "Well, you're faster and stronger than before, aren't you?"
Neo flicked him a silent thumbs up.
Roman grimaced a little. "Somehow...
Naruto hummed. "Then we'll call it a success.
"Minor problem there, pops." Roman tilted his hat down, briefly hiding his eyes and looking to be in need of another cigar. "Last I checked we only had three members. Preeetty sure we need at least four to compete, even with the brand of bullshit you pull. Still don't know how you managed to get us seeded in the damn festival in the first place...
"Bribes and promises to Port, mostly. And I'm well aware of your fourth member. The matter's been rectified...among other things.
Adam glowered at him. "You are? It has?"
"Yup." He clasped both hands behind his head to hide the little flare of pride he felt. Not so his smile. "Your fourth member should be along shortly." They'd better be or he'd tan their hides. "Had to put some work in to bring them up to par in time. Twice as hard, really. Had to shell out a fair bit of lien for their fee, too. I hope you appreciate my efforts.
The door opened behind him.
"Ah! Speak of the devil!" he stepped aside from the counter and swept out an arm. "Say hello. They're shy."
Clenched knuckles barreled into Naruto's back hard enough to bruise. He took the blow with a smile.
As one, they swiveled to face the newcomer. Adam quirked a marked brow. "Holy...
...shit." Roman finished. "Is that who I think it is? How'd you pull this off?"
Neo grinned, bounced in place and clapped giddily.
He smiled. "Well, at least someone approves...alright, you four. Off you go. I've got orders to fill and cookies to bake.
Adam and Roman looked between themselves. He could tell they suspected something; if not about their new "teammate" then their silence. He could see it in their eyes. None of them voiced those questions, bless their simple little souls. Neo...well. Neo was Neo. She probably didn't care so long as she got to have her fun. In short order they were off, and no wiser to what he had planned.
The door opened behind him again. Raven stepped through. Vanessa and Sapphire joined her shortly thereafter.
Raven's chin came down on his shoulder, eyes half-lidded. "You didn't tell them about your plan, did you?
"No," he smacked his lips, "No, I did not. Nothing like a little surprise to motivate them."
Vanessa didn't bother to hide her smile. "That's cruel, even for you.
Sapphire took hold of his arm. "Then they'll learn from this."
Naruto certainly hoped they would.
The next few days promised to be...entertaining.
(.0.0.0.)
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Let the Vytal Festival begin! For our first round we have-
Nora clasped her hands and prayed to the stands as Port's voice rang through the arena. "Not Adam's team, not Adam's team, not Adam's team!"
Jaune clapped a hand to his forehead. "Nora!"
"What?! I don't wanna fight him! Brother or not, he'll shishkabob me!
Yang hid a smile behind her hand.
"Not helping, blondie!"
"Presenting team SSSN of Mistral aaaaaand SVRN of Vacuo!"
SSSN? Sun's team. She remembered that much. But SVRN? There was something about that name. He'd pronounced it as Saffron. She looked down among the contestants, lilac eyes narrow. Watched now, widened as they emerged. Her eyes caught four familiar faces. Younger perhaps, but she knew the well enough all the same.
Ohhh yes. She knew those faces well. Very well. They'd barely bothered to disguise themselves.
One of them, a blue eyed blond wearing an eyepatch, looked her way and winked.
Her heart sank right down into her stomach and bought property there.
Yang palmed her face. "Ohhh, that is bullshit."
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
We'll see that mystery fourth member next chapter among other things. Wasn't subtle.
If it isn't abundantly clear, that was Naruto hinting that he intends to enter the Vytal Festival a well, with him, Raven, Vanessa, and Sapphire disguised as younger iterations of themselves. Solely for the sake of raising hell.
About two chapters left now, more or less, and they're hopefully going to be far longer than the last two.
Feels strange to have this story wrapping up soon. I almost don't want to see it end...
As ever, reviews are my lifeblood. Without them, I cannot write.
So In the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?
They keeps an old man alive.
And enjoy the previews.
As ever:
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Get ready to smile~!
Obvious references are obvious~!
(POTENTIAL!) Previews! What can I say? I've been busy.
"Hey! That's cheating!"
...and you think Port cares becaaauuuse?"
Naruto loomed over Jaune. "So you're the on crushing on my little girl."
Pyrrha buried her face in her hands. "Daddy, no!"
"Daddy yes! I just wanna talk to him."
This is a trap.
Wuh-oh, there she goes again. Weiss! Get the glyphs!
Don't you dare!
Watts raised the remote. "Wait for it...any moment now...!"
Ozpin palmed his face. "What have you done?"
Hazel roared. "You'll die, Ozpin. Over and over!
The world erupted into fire.
"Sorry, but this is as far as you go." he stepped out the shadows, blocking their path. "I wanna let the kids enjoy their first tournament in peace, ya know. So unless you found someone willing to take Cinder's place...?"
The silence was their answer. He cast a glance back.
"You did, didn't you?" his lips thinned. "Who was it, then? Sienna? Ilia? Trifa? Some other White Fang fool? None of the above? C'mon, give an old baker a hint."
"..."
"Tell me their name and I'll spare you."
"You overestimate yourself. You're just one man. All men die sooner or later. Even someone like you."
There it is. Right there. That's the look. Everyone think's they'll be the one to defeat me, to outrun me, to outwit me; but no one's escaped me yet.
Do you think you're the first to try this, hmm? No, no, no. There have been so many now. I've honestly lost count of them. Its almost...sad.
There it is." he raised a finger, pointing. "Right there. That's the look. Everyone think's they'll be the one to defeat me, to outrun me, to outwit me; but no one's escaped me yet. Do you think you're the first to try this, hmm? No, no, no." he shook his head, setting his blond bangs swaying. "There have been so many now. I've honestly lost track of them. Its almost...sad.
What is?
I no longer remember all the men and women I've killed. And by the end of the day...I won't remember any of you, either.
They broke ranks.
"Slow." He slapped the whip out the air. The bat faunus blitzed him. "Sloppy." A quick twist to the right. Sad. You're not living up to White Fang legend here, kids. Alright." he stepped forward and spread his arms wide. "I'll play. YOU HAVE NINE SECONDS."
Credit where it was due, they acted quickly. He'd give them full marks for that.
A whip cracked out, obliterating his right eye. He allowed it.
One second.
Clenched knuckles slammed into his face, obliterating half his skull. Two seconds. His head snapped backward. Five. In the same instant that fist closed around it and smashed him down. Once. Twice. Thrice. He was still reeling when his would be killer leaped away; when the rest unloaded on him, filling his body with holes. Six. Explosive rounds. They'd done their homework. Seven. He slumped where he lay. Eight. Blood slid down the concrete. A sword slammed into his back and severed his spine. Nine. Crimson pooled beneath him as his ruined body slumped to the street.
Silence pervaded the night...followed by low laughter.
...excellent." His head rose, the wounds in his body already regenerating. "I haven't had this much fun in ages...!"
With an awful pop, his broken bones realigned themselves. His eyes sought their leader.
"What did you say your name was...?"
R&R~!