This Fic had gone through some rigorous changes (Again) and I want to know what people think about it, so leave a review to tell me if something seems off.
Hello Again! (Or for the first time!) I finally have my life together enough to start writing again! I'm going to be re-vamping this fic to double the length of the chapters as well as rewrite some chapters to hopefully fix continuity, my atrocious spelling, etc.
I watched helplessly as the people who called themselves "The Insitute" cut into another one of my pack members, they seemed hell-bent on finding a way to improve us. I thrashed and gnawed against the metal bars that hold me in my cell, trying desperately to attack the humans that were cutting open my pack members. I looked around the cell looking for a weak spot or a way out. But it was fruitless, as the sleek metal walls refused to falter to my strength. There were thick steel bars at the front, giving me a view through the window where my pack member was currently being torn open and dissected.
Before we were captured by the Institute we were a pack of Intelligent deathclaws about fifteen members strong. After some close encounters with the Enclave, we fled the area and traveled to a place the humans called Boston. There we set up a home base in vault 95, just outside what was called "The glowing sea"
The residents inside vault 95 seemed to of died of either a drug overdose or fled a long time before. A few days after we set up our home, the Insitute found us. Five of our clan members died in the battle before we were captured.
I was completely lost in thought when I heard my cell being unlocked, I swiftly turned and put myself in a defensive stance as some scientists and metal humanoids came into my cell. They didn't even have to tell me to do anything, I knew exactly what was in store for me. Weeks of watching my pack being torn to pieces in front of my very eyes gave me quite an idea of what came next.
"Onyx, It's time for you to undergo some... tests." The Institute scientist spoke, with a soft smile on his face. If he wasn't sentencing me to my death, I might have even said it was an apologetic expression. An expression I would be more than willing to rip apart.
I gave a grunt in response, mostly because I didn't want to give the scientist bastards the privilege of hearing me speak. I hopelessly followed the scientists, I thought about trying to escape, but the sheer amount of metal humanoids prevented me from trying. The scientists guided me into an operating room, where they ushered me onto a large metal surface. The Metal humanoids attached restraints to my body as a scientist put a clear modified medical mask on my face, pumping a sweet-smelling chemical into my lungs. Soon I felt the urge to fall asleep... At that moment... I panicked, I thrashed around in a futile attempt at self-preservation. After a few seconds, the final wave of dread set in right before I fell unconscious.
To say that I was surprised to wake up is an understatement. Though when I woke up I felt... Different. I felt... Taller, my body felt lighter, and my movements smoother. I looked around to see multiple scientists observing me and writing down notes from a protected room above me. As the screech of a Microphone made itself known, I looked up to a scientist smiling down on me.
"Onyx. This will be the first of many tests you will be undertaking in the coming months... Inside of the cage in front of you is a Savage deathclaw. I'm sure you know savage deathclaws are much stronger and faster than even Deathclaw matriarchs. We have had the opportunity to run some experiments on you, and the result of them should be displayed during this first test... Think of it as a placement test, though I doubt you understand what that is." The scientist announced, chuckling to himself, "A reminder, Onyx. We have spent quite a bit of our resources to perfect the process we have put upon you. Try not to fail on the first test, would you?"
After an audible click coming from the cage in front of me, a large timer above the cage counted down from 60 seconds.
Right when the clock reached ten seconds a terrible shaking forced itself through the area, knocking a few scientists off their feet above me. I waited as the scientists seemed to panic and run around, yelling at the others to seal the doors. Another explosion went off knocking a metal human backward, slamming into the window separating me from them, shattering it on impact. The scientists immediately yelled at the metal humanoids to subdue me, they nodded and started charging at me, shooting their blue lasers that bounced harmlessly off my scales.
I roared and charged at the first group of attacking metal humans and in one swipe of my claws, cut one in half. I backhanded another one into the wall with ease. Suddenly realizing what they had done to themselves by improving my ability to fight tenfold, The scientists quickly unsealed the door to getaway. As soon as they unsealed and opened the door they were met with a hailstorm of bullets from the other side. The first thing to walk through the door was a man in power armor, which at first I feared was an Enclave soldier, but instead of the Enclave insignia, it had an insignia that showed a sword with wings sprouting out the sides above three gears.
I was so preoccupied watching these new arrivals that I completely forgot that I was still being attacked by three metal humanoids. I yanked my attention back to my attackers, who had realized I was distracted as soon as I turned my head back to them. I was smacked across the face with a shock baton, which did no absolutely no damage. I raised to my full height on my back legs, towering over the Metal human who looked up at me.
"Enemy resistance encountered. Reinforcements necessary." The Metal human stated. I raised my claws in the air and swiped down at it, slicing an arm off. I quickly spun around, slamming my tail into the Metal human that I had just dismembered. The other two Metal humans charged at me, one managing to jump onto my back. The Metal human on top of me started repeatedly slamming a shock baton onto the top of my head, disorienting me as I stumbled around reaching unsuccessfully for the assailant on my back.
I reached forward and grabbed onto the Metal human that was in front of me and ripped him in half, before continuing to try and grab the Metal human on my back.
As the Metalman continued his repeated attack on my head, it started affecting me majorly. I started seeing black spots in my vision and I stopped attacking the Metalman and focused on staying conscious. I was suddenly engulfed in a hailstorm of bullets, while each one stung as they battered my scales, not a single one even managed to crack them. The metal human on the other hand stopped his attack as bullets ripped through his fake skin, falling off my back.
I hold my arms up to protect my face, raising it to see the man in power armor standing a few meters away from me, unloading his minigun at me. I rise up to my normal standing position and lower my arms, ignoring the pain of the bullets pinging against my hardened scales.
"This is Paladin Jenkins, I've got a fifteen-foot tall Deathclaw here! Heavy weapons are ineffective! I need explosives or anti-material in here!" The Armored man, whom I now know as Paladin Jenkins spoke into his armor.
Two more power-armored people rushed into the room with their Gatling guns. They revved up their guns and started hailing me with more rounds I stood my ground and stared at the three people.
"Umm... Do we have any idea what kind of deathclaw this is?!" The person to the side of Paladin Jenkins yelled.
"I have no clue... Is it even going to attack us?" The other Armored person replied. I shook my head left to right, as I have been told that what humans associate with the word no.
"Hold fire! Hold fire!" Paladin Jenkins yelled, shocked at my reaction to the other's question.
I huffed, standing still and looking at the Paladin.
"Well... Shit. Can you speak to us?" The one left of Paladin Jenkins asked.
"Yes," I answered, One of the Power armored men takes a step back.
One of them revs up their minigun again, shaking his head, "Abomination,"
"Bastards." All four of us turned our heads to an Institute scientist that was leaning on a wall with a hole in his stomach.
"I may die here... But I sure as hell will take you with me." The scientist said laughing maniacally and grabbing a device out of his lab coat and pressing a button, pointing it at the three soldiers, who vanished with a blue burst of energy. The scientist then turned to me, I immediately charged the man. The fear I saw in that man as I charged him, the sickening terror of a human, just inches away from a gruesome death, I would almost feel bad... If they weren't the bastards that tore my pack apart. He pressed the button just as I reached him, I felt immense pain as I seemed to hit a wall of blue energy, knocking me out.
I groaned as I slowly started to regain consciousness. At the moment I was face down on a thick green carpet of what I assumed was grass, I didn't know for sure though. I have never seen true grass because humanity's war against itself had irradiated the world so much that grass could only grow in small patches. I slowly rose to my feet and looked around to see that I was in a very lush forest. The area was covered with more trees and bushes than I've ever seen in my lifetime.
I looked to my side to see that the three soldiers that helped free me from the Institute were laying near me. I walked up to each of them and poked them, seeing if any of them were conscious. The only one who showed any reaction was the Paladin Jenkins, who batted my paw away before realizing there was a deathclaw standing above him. He freaked out and pulled a small pistol and fired multiple rounds at my chest, which bounced harmlessly off of my hardened scales.
After he shot at me I backed up to give him some room and to try and calm him down, as his breathing had become heavy and erratic. After that he seemed to regain his composure a small bit and dropped his weapon at his side, holding his hand to his breastplate. After the gunshots, the other members of his pack, or 'unit' as humans call them started to wake up. I was peppered with small-caliber rounds, which I could barely feel.
"Ceasefire, brothers," The Paladin ordered, the other two seeming to obey.
Paladin Jenkins slowly rose to his feet and grabbed his pistol off the floor and holstering it.
"Uh, sorry about that... I didn't mean to shoot at you... I mean. I did, but... I Didn't..." The Paladin shakes his head, sighing, "Sorry,"
I simply nodded at the apology.
"What the hell did that scientist bastard do to us?" One of the power-armored people asked, getting up.
"It seems like he had teleported us in some way." The other power-armored person replied, walking over to a tree and leaning on it.
"Seems so... Our first course of action is to find some sort of civilization, If not, Build a compound. The main point is that we need to find a way to contact the Pridwin or any Brotherhood units that are here." Paladin Jenkins spoke.
"Brotherhood?" I questioned.
"Oh. Yes, we are a part of a faction called the Brotherhood of steel. My name is Paladin Jenkins, The one leaning on the tree is Knight Ryson and the one next to him is Aspirant Jade ." The Paladin Jenkins said pointing to the soldiers.
"I'm guessing the first part of your names is some sort of rank?" I asked.
"Exactly." Knight Ryson answered.
Jenkins looked like he was about to ask me a question when a flare was shot into the sky somewhat close to our location, leaving a red glow in the air for a few moments before falling back down.
"People. It seems that they need help, Paladin do we assist?" Aspirant Jade asked.
"Our first course of action is to find civilization, We have no choice. Also, while... Against better judgment... it would be statistically advantageous if you come with us... Do you have a name?"
"Onyx. While I do not particularly want to fight, you did save my life, So I will accompany you." I answered.
"Good, let's move." Paladin Jenkins said as we started a slow jog to the location of the flare. We could have gone faster, but the three were carrying heavy Vulcans. All three also had full sets of power armor on, which did also slowed us. It amazes me how these creatures could survive when they need this much technology just to match that of a young deathclaw.
We came to a small village, Which looked like it could hold fifty people at most. Half the buildings were on fire and people were screaming and running from large creatures that resembled wolves, bears, and boars. At least, from pictures I have seen.
"We have multiple hostiles attacking people, Open fire on the ones that are farther away from people to avoid casualties via crossfire. Onyx, I need you to get the creatures that are closer to people." The Paladin ordered.
The last thing I want to do is protect humans... but, the debt I owe to the group for saving me is something that I cannot ignore. I nodded and looked around as the two Soldiers opened fire on a large group of dark creatures. As soon as they opened fire, I saw a small child cowering under a house as a wolf-like creature slashed at him. I charged at the dark creature, who easily noticed me. It turned towards me much too late though, as I reached it before it was able to defend itself. I slashed at its throat, slicing through the flesh of the creature easily. It fell to the ground and started dissipating almost instantly.
I looked behind me to see children and defenseless humans huddled in a group with able-bodied humans, including the Brotherhood soldiers, forming a protective ring around them. While their strategy was smart in a pinch, they were quickly being overrun. I looked back down at the child hiding under the house,
"Don't move tiny human," I ordered the child. I ran as fast as I could to the assistance of the soldiers, But I was too slow. A Wolf-like creature was finally able to break through the gunfire and pounced on one of the power-armored soldiers. I grabbed the creature and yanked it off of the Brotherhood soldier, throwing the creature into a nearby building. I looked down at the Brotherhood soldier to see that Asprient Jade's armor was ripped apart, as well as her insides. While she was still breathing weakly, I knew she had almost no chance of survival. She would be of no use to us anymore. I returned my attention to the rest of the people to see that half of the protective ring was either being pounced on or was already dead.
Multiple dark creatures began charging at the center group of frightened people, I stood between the creatures and the humans. The dark creatures seemed not to care as they continued charging, so I roared at the dark creatures. A shockwave of energy exploded out from me, and Almost instantly, every single creature looked up to me for a few moments, then quickly ran away into the forest. This wasn't an uncommon reaction, as the roar of a deathclaw is a terrifying sound to hear. Out of all deathclaws, intelligent deathclaw roars are not the most frightening of roar, but it is still more than enough to scare away most foes. Though the shockwave of energy was a tad confusing, I decided to ignore it.
The humans turned to me with frightened eyes as I walked over to two power-armored bodies. One, which I assumed was Knight Ryson due to a marking on the back of the armors helm. He was laying over the Paladin, with massive pieces of the back of the suit torn out, revealing a bloody mess of mangled flesh I assumed was caused by a Wolf-like creature, as the cuts looked like they were caused by claws.
The Brotherhood soldier underneath the Knight was trying to push the body off of him, with little success. I decided to help him by pushing Knight Rysons body off of him.
"Paladin Jenkins?" I asked, getting his attention, as well as some other humans who gasped at my ability to speak.
The Paladin looked up at me for a moment then looked around us, seeing the last of the dark creatures retreating into the nearby forest.
"I-I need a moment." The Paladin said, holding his hand to his chest once more.
After some time*
It's been about a week since Paladin Jenkins and I arrived in this cursed world. We've been fighting almost non-stop with the dark creatures I now know as "Grimm." At this point, I cannot tell which is worse, my homeland or this place. One thing I know for sure is that the humans seem to see me as some sort of heroic creature. They celebrate when I get back from driving the Grimm away and give me many gifts, like food and water. One human that was passing through the town, I think he called himself "Qrow" even gave me some alcohol. I didn't particularly like the taste of it, I prefer Nuka-Cola over any other drink myself. He then said that he was going to tell "Oz" that I existed, whoever that is. Today, I was going to go out with Paladin Jenkins to help build a protective wall around the town.
I stepped out from under a building where I usually slept, as many of the buildings were too small for me to fit through the doorway. I stretched and yawned, looking up at the sunrise.
"Mornin' Onyx," A human greeted as they walked past me. I simply nodded and started walking to the middle of the village. As I reached the village center, I saw what I was looking for, a small building with an old lady sitting out front. The sign connected to the building said "Butcher" and it was where I went to get food, as it was one of the few places that had enough food to fill my stomach. My favorite food is brahmin, but, of course, they don't have any. As I neared the building, the air was filled with a horrible droning noise, accompanied by a strong wind. I looked out at where the noise was coming from to see a bullhead coming down to land. I hoped it wasn't more huntsman, because the first thing huntsman do is shoot at me. And the bullets from this world sting quite a bit more than the ones back home.
An old man with a cane and green and black clothes stepped out with two others. One was a tall female wearing a black and white dress with a purple cape, the other was wearing a white military officer uniform and held many medals on his chest. I stopped looking at them and drew my attention to the heavy footsteps of power armor. I turned around to look at Paladin Jenkins, who was also looking at the three exiting the bullhead.
"You're Onyx and Jenkins I assume?" The old man asked nicely.
"Paladin Jenkins," Jenkins corrected.
"I'm assuming Paladin is a rank?" The military guy asked.
"Yes, I am a part of the Brotherhood Of Steel," Jenkins answered.
"Hmmm, how does this Brotherhood Of Steel work?" The military guy asked, starting at a long explanation from Jenkins. I immediately stopped listening, the first time I asked was enough.
"Well, that means you are Onyx?" The old guy asked, I simply nodded in return.
"I am Ozpin, this is Glynda Goodwitch. The one talking to your friend is Ironwood." Ozpin stated, gesturing to the woman next to him.
"Why do you come here?" I asked, getting impatient. Ironwood and Glynda seemed surprised that I was able to speak, while Ozpin either knew about it or didn't show his surprise.
"How old are you?" Ozpin asked, not answering my question.
"If my knowledge of human years is correct... I'm about seventeen years old." I answered, wondering what this human wanted from me.
"I came here to make an offer," Ozpin announced, pulling out a piece of paper. "I want you to join my schools staff," Ozpin stated, much to the surprise of his colleagues.
"Oz, you can't be serious!" Glynda shouted.
"I don't think it would be very smart to put a deathclaw in a school with children," Jenkins stated, abandoning his conversation with Ironwood.
"It's called a Deathclaw for god's sake. Do we really want this abomination in our school?!" Glynda screamed, waving her arms at me.
Not to exaggerate, but, I was pissed. I rose to my full height, staring at Glynda angrily. At this point, Jenkins seemed to notice my anger and grabbed his Vulcan.
"Ma'am I don't think he likes being called an abomination," Jenkins announced, reviving up his Vulcan. Glynda stopped arguing with Ozpin and looked at me. I towered over the four for a few moments, thinking. I huffed and lowered myself back down, leaning towards Glynda to the point where we were eye to eye, an awkward position for me, but worth it for intimidation.
"I may be a Deathclaw, but I am no abomination," I growled.
PoV (3rd)
Onyx stepped back from Glynda and angrily stomped away, crawling under a building to get more sleep.
"See! I told you it is dangerous," Glynda stated, not wanting to yell.
"Possibly... But, you see, He showed restraint. I think he would be a perfect addition to the school. Along with someone who could control him if things did go wrong," Ozpin announced, turning to Jenkins.
"If you think I can control him then you're dead wrong. I can barely put a scratch on him with this thing." Jenkins stated, putting down the Vulcan.
"That makes my point even more relevant. It would be better to have him on our side, rather than against us." Ozpin reasoned.
"What is that weapon exactly?" Ironwood asked, pointing at the Vulcan.
"This is a modified M61 Vulcan. 5mm. Six thousand rounds per minute and powered by a dual fusion core battery. But, weighs about four-hundred pounds with the battery and rounds," Jenkins stated, patting the Vulcan.
"Four hundred pounds? How are you able to lift it?" Glynda asked, staring at the bulky Vulcan.
"Power armor, though this one running out of power quickly. Do you know where I can find some fusion cores?" Jenkins stated.
"I'm afraid not. There is no such thing as fusion cores here." Ozpin stated taking a drink from a cup that seemed to come out of nowhere.
"I accept going to whatever school you said, but I can't promise that Onyx will be as accepting," Jenkins announced, turning to the house where Onyx was.
"Can you convince him?" Ozpin asked, taking another sip of his drink.
"Probably not... Ah hell, fuck it, why not," Jenkins answered, walking towards a house and kneeling down next to a hole that led to the underside of the building.
"What?" Onyx growled, obviously still pissed off.
"They sent me over here to try and convince you to join their school," Jenkins stated, nodding to the three that were waiting patiently next to their bullhead.
"And what makes you think that I would want to join their school?" Onyx spat.
"We could make an offer. Give you something in exchange for you enrolling," Ozpin stated, walking up behind Jenkins.
"...No," Onyx stated, seeming to move around under the house.
"Come on, they must have something that you want," Jenkins negotiated.
"Oh, you think they do? What could you offer that I would possibly want?" Onyx asked.
"Safety, free food, and free shelter," Ozpin listed, smiling.
"I can get plenty of food here, I have shelter, and I can protect myself just fine," Onyx argued.
"How about a possibility of you finding love?" Jenkins asked slyly.
"Finding love? I doubt there are any of my kind in that school." Onyx answered, narrowing his eyes at Jenkins.
"Ayy, who said it had to be a deathclaw?" Jenkins asked.
"Not a deathclaw? Wait... Are you seriously implying that I would mate with a human? Are you deranged?" Onyx asked, growling.
"Hey, everyone needs some lovin' every once in a while. And I haven't seen a deathclaw in a while... Damn... I think I know why I keep getting referrals after my medical exams..." Jenkins stated.
"Most of them are children, Mr. Jenkins. I would appreciate it if you avoided that subject." Ozpin announced.
"Well... How about..." Jenkins started, thinking.
"Fine, I'll go. Just stop pestering me," Onyx growled, getting annoyed.
"I knew I could do it," Jenkins stated proudly.
"Thank you, Mr. Jenkins," Ozpin announced, smiling.
"So what happens now?" Onyx asked, crawling out from under the building.
"Follow me, I'll explain everything on the way," Ozpin answered, walking towards the bullhead. Onyx and Jenkins both followed the man, sitting on the bullhead and waiting for it to take off again. Ozpin explained that he was the headmaster of a school that trained humans to fight the Grimm.
"Then what do you want me to do?" Jenkins asked.
"I want you to be our survivalist teacher. You know, teaching kids to take care of themselves when they are separated," Ozpin explained, sipping his tea. The bullhead shuddered and shook as it came in for a landing.
[All Criticisms are welcome! Anything to improve my writing, which is very much needed.]
(Or if you want to please my ego that is very much welcome too!)