Disclaimer: I do not own the blazblue franchise or the RWBY franchise they belong to their respective owners
(A/N) Thanks to a lot of you guys, especially to the guest reviewer who gave me a lot of information. I have a better idea of how to handle Es when she makes a proper debut in the story. It is still too soon for her to appear but when she does. I will have a proper approach and role for her. Which also falls in line with some of the concepts I have for her in the story.
Also, I have seen the questions about Hazel and Tyrion and don't worry. Those two will be making an appearance real soon.
To answer a question about Tsubaki's family
I'm trying to be subtle about it but I'm confirming it since there are some questions about it. Her parents have A LOT more in common aside from genetics than most people think. This fact has been confirmed canon in the main Blazblue games.
Chapter 65 A time to talk
(Anima Forest)
There was a good deal of tension in the air as everyone sat around the Campfire. After having an intense encounter with Relius, barely able to survive due to him not wanting to kill his intended targets. Once the current situation has been stabilized, the group with the new inclusion of Qrow decided to set up camp and rest for the rest of the day.
After they were all rested, Qrow spent a good deal of time explaining everything to the group regarding the Maidens and his part in Ozpin's inner circle. Once Qrow was finished explaining everything to them. Everyone was silent while taking in everything that they learned. Qrow was slightly surprised that the group weren't bombarding him with questions. But it caught him off guard that Jin kept his eyes on him the entire time. While giving him a focused gaze. Qrow suspected that Jin is exceptionally observant. Yet after Qrow explained everything, he thought Jin would have questions. Yet the silent and intense gaze, has caused Qrow to be on guard.
"So, no questions at all from any of you?" Qrow asked the group while looking at each of them
"We do have questions, its just a lot to process." Ren answered while in deep thought
"Yeah, makes a lot of sense. It would be a lot to take in for anyone if they learned all of this." Qrow said as he was taking a drink before Ruby spoke up
"Just so I understand, these Maidens are powerful fighters who can use magic without dust?" Ruby asked
"Yep." Qrow answered
"There are four Maidens, right?" Nora asked which Qrow nodded in agreement before Rem spoke up
"So when one of them dies, the power transfers to someone who was in their thoughts last?" Ren asked causing Qrow to speak up
"It's whoever was in their thoughts last, that's the most important distinction. If the person that's in the Maiden's last thoughts is an old woman or a male. Then the power is transferred to some random person. Best case scenario, its someone we can trust. But as a result, their souls are merged and become one with each other. In a manner of speaking, their souls are combined." Qrow said as took another drink. After taking a drink, he took a glance at Jin and decided to speak up
"I noticed that while I was filling everyone in about the Maidens. You were a bit too quiet and took everything in. While also giving me that icy glare of yours. If I didn't know any better, I have a feeling that your angry about something I said. Since along with your glare, I feel my body getting cold. Something you want to say Jin?" Qrow said while making a mental note to grab his sword. After Qrow spoke, Jin walked around for a few seconds before speaking
"So that was your plan, that was what you planned from the start." Jin said in a tone that suppressed his anger
What do you mean?" Qrow asked in a curious tone
"I knew about the Maidens, but I didn't know anything about the process of how the power was transferred. Or about what would happen to the soul once the process was complete. But now that I've heard everything, I see what Ozpin was planning." Jin said before he spoke up further to Qrow
"I saw that Vault back in Beacon, including those two pods with the previous Fall Maiden inside. Ozpin said that he was going to use it to bring the power back. But when I spoke to Pyrrha before the Tower fell. I realized what was going and saw what your inner circle asked Pyrrha to do. But if I'd have known the full process, I would have stopped you guys myself." Jin stated to Qrow
"We were desperate and we gave her a choice. With ample time to make that choice and she chose to protect Beacon. If we did nothing, that power would have gone to the assailant who we now know as Cinder." Qrow responded
"So you put it in her head that she had to sacrifice herself to protect the Kingdom. You all knew that she would say yes." Jin stated to Qrow
"Oz didn't make the choice lightly, he knew that she was the best candidate. Pyrrha was strong, determined, kind, and ready." Qrow said defending Ozpin's decision
"You all know Pyrrha is a kind person. There was no way she would say no to something like this. As for the time you gave her to think about it. A couple of days isn't ample time for someone to make a decision for something like this. Not to mention that she'll be giving herself up for something she doesn't fully understand. I never thought I would say this, but my brother was right." Jin said causing Nora to speak up after thnking about a few things Jin said just now
"You knew about all of this, didn't you Jin?" Nora asked while giving him an intense gaze
"I didn't know about everything, but I knew just enough to be cautious." Jin answered which angered Nora
"You knew what was going on with Pyrrha and didn't bother to tell us. What were thinking, she's a member of our team. We had a right to know if something was wrong with her. Because unlike you, we actually care about her." Nora stated to Jin
"First, I didn't get the chance to tell anyone after learning what the inner-circle was planning with Pyrrha. Second, you were all on the same team with her. One of you should have been able to at least suspect something was wrong. Do you honestly think Pyrrha is the type of person to let others know when something is bothering her?" Jin explained to Nora causing Ren to speak up
"Jin, earlier before we went to the destroyed settlement, you said that you won't allow something to happen twice. What do you mean by that?" Ren asked causing everyone to give Jin their full attention
"Ruby, what do you know about the fallout between Ragna and Yang?" Jin asked while Ruby gave Jin an angry glare before she spoke with suppressed rage.
"Ragna knew about Cinder for months. Yang and Weiss wanted to bring in Nu but Ragna didn't let them. After that, a lot of things got out of control." Ruby said while she was suppressing her anger
"Ragna wasn't the only one who suspected Cinder." Jin said causing everyone to be surprised before Qrow spoke up
"You must have a pretty damn good reason for keeping quiet about your suspicions." Qrow said as he took a drink
"Similar to the same reason you all kept your mouth shut about hiding the Maiden under the school. We suspected Cinder but we couldn't prove anything that connects her to anything. Besides, I didn't know anything about her plans and all we had to go on was suspicions and theories. If we say something and it turns out nothing could be proven. Then it would be a waste of time. I figured out the main concept of Cinder's plan, but by then it was too late." Jin explained to everyone before Qrow took a drink and responded
"Makes sense, if you accuse someone of a major crime and there is no proof or evidence that connects the person. Then not only will the person get off scott free. But will also be more cautious and will have potential targets. A tough call but one that had to be made." Qrow said before he took another drink. After a brief second, Ruby spoke up
"If you were there, would you have helped Ragna or Yang?" Ruby asked remembering everything she learned at the top of the tower that night
"Nu was a threat and contributed to the Fall of Beacon. Ragna was an idiot for protecting her and if I was there. I would have helped Yang and Weiss." Jin stated which caused Ruby to have a thoughtful look before Qrow spoke further
"Speaking of Nu, I learned some interesting details about both her and Ragna. This also includes you Jin." Qrow said getting Jin's attention
"What did you learn?" Ren asked in a curious tone
"Before I tell you that, I have to get through another crucial detail that concerns Oz. For starters, this world's been around for a long time. Long enough that people started all kinds of stories involving gods. But there is a certain story that rings true according to Oz." Qrow said before he continued talking
"There were two brothers, the older brother is the god of light, who found joy in creating life. The younger brother is the god of darkness, spent time creating forces of destruction. Whatever the older brother made, the younger brother would counteract and destroy it. Then one day, the younger brother made something that shared his love and talent for destruction." Qrow said which Ruby answered
"The creatures of Grimm." Ruby said before Qrow responded
"You guessed it, now as you can imagine. This was the tipping point and the older brother had enough. After an intense confrontation, the older brother proposed that the both of them create something that they both could be proud of. That creation would be able to create, destroy, have knowledge to learn about themselves and the world. While also having the power to choose. The creation was humanity and that is how it came to be." Qrow explained to the group
"What do the story of the brothers have to do with us?" Jin asked in a slightly impatient tone
"Well the power of knowledge, creation, destruction, and choice are more than metaphorical. But it's also literal, because they exist in physical forms. Left behind by the gods before they left Remnant. Each of them are extremely powerful and if they are gathered. The world can change for either the better or worse. Which is exactly what the enemy wants. Each of the relics are hidden under each of the Huntsman Academies." Qrow explained before Jin interrupted
"Let me guess, since each of the relics will be underneath a school. They will be guarded by hundreds of armed and capable fighters." Jin said figuring out what Qrow was going to say
"I knew you were smart Jin, With the relics underneath the school, they would be easier to hide and defend. While most importantly, they would be out of her reach." Qrow said emphasizing the female
"You mean Salem?" Ruby asked in a slightly nervous tone
"Yep, not much is known about her but to be frank That's not important and it doesn't matter now. What matters is that she wants the relics, and if she gets them. Then its not going to end well for anyone. The light show you did at the tower has no doubt gotten her attention. But you're not the only one who has her attention." Qrow said as he looked at Jin along with the group
"Jin, when you saved Vale from the Grimm Breach with your power. You put yourself on Salem's radar. Along with your brother, when he went berserk with the power of the Black Beast and attacked a lot of people. As for Nu, she is already with Salem and that's a bigger problem than you think." Qrow said before he took another drink
"You said that you learned a few things involving me, Ragna, and Nu. What did you learn and why is it so important?" Jin asked losing his patience before Qrow spoke up
"For starters, that announcer who said Ragna has the power of the Black Beast is partially correct. Thanks to a massive learning session from Jubei, who is Ragna's master. I've learned that both Ragna and Nu have the power of the Black Beast called the Grimm Aura." Qrow said causing everyone to give him a questioning look
"Grimm Aura?" Ruby asked before Qrow spoke up
"Yep, Jubei and his bratty benefactor doesn't know much about that power. But the only detail that's consistent is that the power not only makes the Grimm stronger. But also gives them aura, something that should have been impossible. Because of this, it was decided to give it the name Grimm Aura. There is also another reason it has that name, and it's a doozy." Qrow said before Ren spoke up
"What's the other reason?" Ren asked in a curious tone
"This relates to the Black Beast, it's true that the Six Heroes were able to destroy the Black Beast. But something happened that nobody expected. You see, the Black Beast's body was destroyed, along with its mind and consciousness. But the soul is an entirely different matter. Initially the Six heroes didn't know anything about it and assumed it died like the rest of the world. But Nine suspected something and when she found out. Terumi killed her, not too long after warning a couple of people she trusted. I assume you all had a run in with that snake." Qrow explained causing the group to have a shared bothered look before he continued to talk
"Keep in mind, the Six Heroes didn't have anything easy and most of the Kingdoms acting against them didn't make things any easier. But despite the odds stacked against them, they still managed to create the Nox Nyctores and find a way to bring down the Beast. So with Terumi betraying them, you can assume that it made things a lot harder. Especially after the corrupt Kingdoms found one of Nine's workshops. That specific workshop didn't have a lot of information. But it was enough for them to start the Murakumo Labs." Qrow explained further before Nora spoke up
"What are the Murakumo Labs and the Nox Nyctores?" Nora asked in a worried tone
"The Nox Nyctores are what the history books and many scholars call Aura Weapons. Back then, the Kingdoms changed the names just to spite the Six Heroes. But since not knowing the true names would prevent people from trying to recreate them. They decided that it would be best not to correct that detail." Qrow answered causing Jin to summon his sword and look at it more closely
"Nox Nyctores, Yukianesa." Jin said before Qrow spoke further
"As for the Murakumo Labs, with what little information the Kingdoms stole from one of Nine's Workshops. They had enough to start those labs and begin their own projects." Qrow said before Ruby spoke up
"What were those projects?" Ruby asked while remembering that Nu came from the Murakumo Labs
"The projects were to create the ultimate weapon that would serve the Kingdoms. Officially they don't exist and the ones in charge of the labs knows how to cover tracks. But unofficially, they are still around and are in business. The Scientists in those labs, would perform all kinds of inhumane tests and experiments to get the results they want. With the end goal being to create the ultimate weapon. Unfortunately, the survival rate of those inhumane experiments is really low. Nu is from those labs, and I can't begin to imagine what she went through there." Qrow explained causing the group to be visibly disturbed by what they learned
"How would those labs get people to run their tests on? Someone should have at least noticed or suspected something." Nora said with Ren nodding in agreement
"Like I said, the ones in charge of those labs knows how to cover tracks. As for test subject, the answer to that is quite simple. When the Grimm or Bandits destroy a village or settlement. The Labs are able to get the survivors as test subjects. But in most other cases, let's just say that nobody will lose sleep over a few missing street kids with no homes or families." Qrow said which disturbed the group even more. Especially Nora who was visibly shaking
"That . . . . that could have been me and Ren. We could have gone through what Nu endured." Nora said in a disturbed tone before Ren spoke up trying to stay composed
"What was the second reason the Grimm Aura was given its name." Ren said changing the topic because he saw that the details of the Murakumo Labs were bothering Nora
"I was actually getting to that, as you know the Black Beast's soul was able to survive. Despite being literally split in two. I don't know how, but both halves of the soul wandered around Remnant for years. Eventually, the two halves made its way to two individuals. One half is within Nu while the other half is within Ragna." Qrow explained causing Nora to have a shocked look on her face after a sudden thought
"the Black Beast's soul was able to survive. Since it made its way to Ragna and Nu. That means . . . . the Black Beast is still alive. Through the both of them." Nora said in a shocked and disturbed tone
"Yep, that display of power Ragna unleashed when he went berserk. Is a fraction of what he can do with his half of the power." Qrow said before he took another drink
"Ragna's aura, has it always been the Black Beast's?" Ren asked causing Qrow to speak up
"Don't get the wrong idea kid. Ragna's aura and semblance has always been his own. Just think of his half of the Grimm aura as a very powerful and extremely dangerous reserve. A reserve that Terumi knows how to trigger and cause Ragna to lose control." Qrow answered
"If Ragna uses it enough times, does he become the Black Beast?" Ruby asked in a concerned tone
"Nope, a very specific condition has to be met for both halves to be united. Since both Nu and Ragna have both halves of the Grimm Aura. One of them has to kill the other. Once that happens, the both halves will merge and the Black Beast will be fully resurrected. To make things even harder, both Ragna and Nu have the Life Link. When one dies, the other part of the Life Link dies as well. It's possible to cut the life link off, but that would be very difficult." Qrow answered in detail causing Jin to speak up
"You mentioned Jubei, did he tell you about the power I used during the Grimm Breach? Or did he give you vague details like he told me?" Jin asked in an impatient tone
"Both him and his benefactor did, and that involves the story of another god. All of you know the story of the brothers. But I was told of another story involving a different God.' Qrow said before he continued
"This God was different from the brothers of light and darkness. For starters, this was a God that actually loved and adored humanity. The name of this particular God is named Amaterasu." Qrow told everyone
"Amaterasu?" Ren asked with Qrow nodding in agreement
"Amaterasu has kept a careful watch over humanity. Always amazed at the great potential humanity always had. The potential for greatness, to overcome their trials and despair. To achieve great things with their hard work and determination. Yet in a sense of irony, Amaterasu adored humanity, but also couldn't interact with them and for good reason. As God, Amaterasu knows that regular interactions with humanity. Would invite all kinds of trouble and problems. Not to mention that their would be a risk of unintended conflict with the brothers." Qrow said before he continued explaining
"There was also something that Amaterasu noticed among humanity. They could overcome a lot, but at the end of the day. They would always be their own worst enemy. Amaterasu knew this and decided to give humanity gifts to ensure that they wouldn't destroy themselves. These gifts, came in the form of the Three Azures. The Power of Order, The Eye of Blue, and The Azure Grimoire." Qrow told the group
"Are they physical manifestations like the four relics?" Ren asked
"Nope, they are actually powers with different traits. As a matter of fact, Jin has the Power of Order." Qrow said causing everyone to look at Jin
"Jubei told me that it's name, but he didn't tell me how to use it on command." Jin told the group
"For someone to use the power of the Three Azures. Certain conditions has to be met, but the common point is that the user has to display a strong will." Qrow said causing Ruby to speak
"How does someone get the power of the Three Azures?" Ruby asked in a curious tone
"How someone gets the power of the Three Azures is much more complicated compared to the Maidens. For starters, Humanity has always been aligned with one of three core traits. The Chaos alignment which represents freedom, individualism, and passion. The Order alignment which represents balance, structure, and logic. The neutral alignment which represents observation and existence. Each of the Three Azures will always go to someone who has the strongest specific alignment. The Power of Order will go to someone with the strongest alignment to the law alignment. The Eye of Blue will go to someone who has a truly strong neutral spirit. While the Azure Grimoire will go to someone who has the strongest chaos alignment. These alignments can be interpreted in countless different ways. But the alignments has always been consistent with the three Azures." Qrow explained to the group causing Jin to think for a few moments
"So does that mean that anyone who has a specific Azure. We will know which side they are on?" Ren asked Qrow
"Nope, like I said earlier the alignments has countless interpretations. So its entirely possible that an evil person can have the Power of Order and a good person can have the Azure Grimoire. How the person uses the power of one of the Three Azures is entire up to them. Each of the Three Azures are very powerful in there own way and can even counter each other. The powers aren't good, but they aren't evil either. That is a very important detail to remember." Qrow said before he took another drink
"A bad person can have the Power of Order. That doesn't surprise me in the slightest." Ruby muttered while giving a glare at Jin causing him to speak up
"I know you have something on your mind Ruby. So just speak up, since I have a good idea of what you want to say." Jin said while mentally on guard
"You have a semblance and a weapon that can restrain people. So why is it you didn't do anything to help Penny?" Ruby asked while angrily looking at Jin
"I did what I had to do, if I'd have done nothing. Then she would have killed you. You saw clear as day that she was being controlled." Jin told Ruby
"But you could have just froze her and stopped at that. You didn't need to destroy her as badly as you did." Ruby told Jin
"If your expecting me to apologize for destroying Penny. Then it would be best if you stop waiting. Because I'm not going to apologize, I stand by what I've done." Jin said which made Ruby and Nora upset
"I can't believe you, Penny is my friend you should have done more to help her. As Huntsman we should be doing more to protect the people instead of being quick to kill them." Ruby stated before Nora spoke up
"Don't be surprised Ruby, Jin has always done what he wanted. Thinking he was above everything and knows what's best for us." Nora stated which frustrated Jin
"You two can't possibly be this naïve about your careers of being Huntresses. Our profession does require us to protect the people. But don't forget that we are being trained to fight against all kinds of threats. Or did you honestly think that the Grimm would be the only thing you'll be fighting?" Jin asked which angered Nora as well
"We know Jin, but we can't be quick to kill people just because we can. I get that Penny was being controlled. But with your abilities you could have easily froze her." Nora stated to Jin
"What would have happened if she'd have broken out o the ice. In case you've forgotten, the only reason we're still standing here. Is because the man needed us alive. If you'd have let her live and she killed people. Then all of that would have been on you. I am not going to stand by and allow that to happen. If your going to hate my guts, then so be it. But I am prepared to do what's I must." Jin explained to Ruby and Nora while Qrow and Ren watched the entire thing
"Where do you come off as the guy that makes the decisions for the rest of us?" Ruby angrily asked
"Someone has to make the thoughtful decisions among us. Seeing as though none of you have made real choices. I made the decision to step up and take the necessary actions to protect us." Jin stated causing Ruby to speak up
"Me and my team have been doing something to make this world a better place. We investigated the White Fang and learned about their base in Mountain Glenn. We're even going on this journey to stop Cinder and Terumi and the ones who helped them cause the fall of Beacon. You only did one thing and that was because of a power that to be honest you don't deserve." Ruby stated angering Jin
"You call that disaster an investigation? You and your team learned about Mountain Glenn. But in the process caused a lot of collateral damage and when I went to bring you all back. I almost had my back broken for my troubles. As for your mission of Mountain Glenn, I wouldn't have been in a position to save Vale. If your team along with team BLST, hadn't failed because of poor leadership. If my moronic brother had come to me when he first became suspicious of Cinder. Instead of provoking her to go after our family. We could have easily prevented the Fall of Beacon and I WOULDN'T HAVE FAILED EVERYONE!" Jin angrily yelled before he realized a second later what he said which surprised everyone. After thinking for a few seconds, Ruby calmed down and calmly spoke
"I've made some mistakes as a leader and I know that there are a lot of things I could have done better. We're not going to see eye to eye about what you did to Penny. But I'm still going to keep trying to protect people. Which is why I'm determined to make this journey to Haven and do something about all of this." Ruby told Jin
"I haven't given up either, but there are many things that could have been handled a lot better. Somebody as to see the bigger picture and work towards it. I'm doing what has to be done to prevent a worse outcome. I don't know what it is, but I don't want to find out and see it become a reality." Jin told Ruby before Ren spoke up
"I think we all could use some rest. A lot has happened today and we still have a long way to go for our journey." Ren said to everyone
"Good idea, there's a few more things we need to go over and you kids need some sleep. I'll keep watch and make sure the area is secured for us." Qrow said as he started to walk away
"Uncle Qrow, is there anything else you want to tell us?" Ruby asked in a concerned tone
"Tomorrow, but for now you all need to sleep." Qrow said as he walked away further. Before he went too far, he noticed a Raven was looking at him and it appeared that its been there for a long time.
"Guess you learned a lot." Qrow muttered before the Raven flew away
(Campsite)
A few hours after the encounter with Winter and Potemkin. Jaune spent a good deal of time using his semblance to heal the group. After making sure the area is secured enough for them to do so. Yet during the entire time, Ragna was angrily quiet and didn't speak a word to anyone abou what happened. He didn't speak about how he felt about what Winter said or about how the General sent people to bring him to Atlus. He especially didn't talk about how his master Jubei allowed himself to be brought to Atlus to save him.
Once everyone else went to sleep, Ragna stayed up and was in deep thought about a lot of things. Everyone filled him in on how his second seal attracted the Grimm and made them stronger. Which was another thing that occupied his mind. Along with everything that happened up to this point. After thinking about a few more things, Ragna made a decision and decided to take action. He proceeded to take a sheet of paper out and spent a few minutes writing a letter. The second he was done writing the letter, Ragna placed it near Jaune using a rock as a paper weight. After the letter was placed, Ragna grabbed his sword and bag and started to walk away.
"Your all much safer and better off away from me. This has always been my fight, against Terumi and Cinder." Ragna said in a low tone as he was walking away. Almost an hour after Ragna left, Lambda woke up and proceeded to follow Ragna.
(A/N)
Jubei told Qrow everything he knows, and in turn he told Ruby's group everything as well. While Raven was able to listen in and know everything. I'm jumping the gun a bit, but now Ragna is an even bigger target for Raven.
In a previous chapter, Relius mentions the Grimm Aura has mutated into the Azure Grimoire. Something that shouldn't have happened in the first place. The reason Qrow didn't tell the group was because neither he or Jubei knew about that. Rachel did, but that is something she kept a secret. In this story, Rachel has A LOT of secrets and she's very selective on who she tells those secrets.
In case there are questions about Amaterasu and Izanami. The answers are a MAJOR SPOILER and I won't be able to answer them.
For the argument between Ruby and Jin
The both of them ultimately want the same thing but sees things and are going about it in a different way. With the situation with Penny, Ruby saw a friend that was being controlled while Jin saw a threat that needed to be dealt with. Ruby hasn't been in a situation where she had to fight her friend in a life or death situation. Since the main series never touched upon Ruby's willingness to kill someone (As far as I know and remember). I wanted to bring that issue to light.
Jin is taking the Fall of Beacon hard because he knows that there are a lot of deaths that could have been prevented. Especially since a lot of major things that happened with Jin has occurred either directly or indirectly by either Ruby or Ragna.
For example, the investigation that the both of them started. When Jin tried to step in and bring them back before they got into some serious trouble. Jin had his back broken as a result, an would have been paralyzed if not for Celica and his strong aura.
Another example is the Grimm Breach. Team RWBY and team BLST were sent to stop it, but despite their best efforts, they still failed to prevent it and Jin stopped it by awakening to the Power of Order. He was rewarded with the title Hero of Vale. But that also means people will look to him as a protector and a threat.
For Ragna coming to Jin for help. Jin realized that Ragna only came to him for help after provoking Cinder into targeting their family. If Ragna had gone to Jin for help before confronting Cinder. Then there would have been a good chance that a lot of things would have turned out differently. I know its obvious but Jin does disagree with Ragna defending Nu.
So Jin's frustrtion with Ruby and Ragna's way of doing things is for the most part justified. Ruby is a good person, but she has made several mistakes as a leader (Especially with certain decisions in Volume 7). Also, nobody really questioned or challenged Ruby's leadership skills in a meaningful way in the series. Which adds more to my plans to deviate more from the canon of Volume 7. Especially with the several plans I have for when this story gets to Voume 7.
For the ending scene of this chapter. More details will be revealed in a future chapter. But Ragna has a lot on his mind and he's feeling a lot of guilt for the things that's been happening.
So read and review
Thank you