Chapter 7 – The Cell
Blake
Back in Menagerie…
Blake stood with Yang, Ilia, Kali and Ghira, alongside the rest of her commanders as they laid out a map of the island. Scattered around the island were many holographic images, showing new towns that were being built, alongside new Dust Mines for the Legion to use, recently discovered thanks to the Delvers who could safely explore the wilderness of Remnant without fear of the Grimm.
Although the current threat remained to be a severe issue to peace itself, one which was rapidly approaching, as marked on the main Train Track that was running through Menagerie itself. Marked on the track was the Freight Train that all eyes were focusing on right now. "How bad is this?" One commander asked.
"We can't tell for sure, but that latest raid we carried out? We are certain that those crates they were moving in trucks all contain explosives. We've been raiding multiple Feral Ones Outposts over the years and I remember spotting some of those same coloured crates being shipped away and we couldn't catch them. So… if we're going to make an estimate?" Blake explained to all the Faunus Commanders, including one of Sienna's Representatives for the White Fang and Menagerie as a whole.
"It's probably enough to destroy Menagerie, or a lot of it. Either way, a payload of that size will kill thousands." Yang explained, crossing her arms as she stared at the Holographic Map.
"We've been losing shipments of mining explosives for the past few years. This must be where they've all wound up." Sienna's Representative stated.
"We should consider evacuating the civilians from the area." One commander suggested.
"We don't have the time for an evacuation of that scale. That train is likely on its way soon. And we know there are Loyalists still in Menagerie, people informing the few Feral Ones left. If they find out we're evacuating civilians, they'll launch the attack immediately and it will still be the same problem." The Legion Representative stated. Blake tapped her chin, then her ears flicked up with realisation.
"Then that's exactly what we do." Blake suddenly revealed as she pressed her hands against the table.
"High Leader?" A Commander asked.
"We need to rush them, make them desperate. They will have far less time to plan, and that way, it will force them to attack on our timetable." Blake explained. Ghira nodded his head in agreement.
"She's right, and I'm not just agreeing with her because she is my daughter. The Feral Ones are not a cohesive military, especially not anymore." Ghira explained. "They're fanatical terrorists, nothing more. They will most likely flee Menagerie if they fail, knowing we can use the train tracks to locate their base. But we can stop this attack now." Ghira agreed.
"It's risky. If we don't stop that train, the explosion will kill so many." Kali stammered nervously.
Ilia walked around the table and she moved the holographic map with her hand, following the tracks. "That's why we're gonna board it when it crosses from this station. We'll know the train will be coming thanks to the Grav Tracks being online, so we'll know to get there quick. Everyone else focus on evacuating the people to this area here." Ilia explained, highlighting a safe position on the map, not too far from Menagerie, but outside of its Blast Radius.
It was an unfinished expansion of Menagerie, designed to be a Leisure Resort, but for now, it would make for a fitting safe zone.
"That still leaves us with the train. Any plans on stopping it?" Another Commander asked.
"That's where we come in. Me, Blake and Yang. The three of us, small team but skilled. We'll board the train, fight our way through and stop the train at it's controls." Ilia explained, then another Commander cleared her throat.
"There's still one thing we must consider. Yes, the Feral Ones lack the discipline and power they once had, but we know their leader is the former White Fang Lieutenant." She explained, bringing up a photograph of him on the screen. "True Alias unknown, but what we do know is that he is certainly Military-Trained, and he's a tough adversary. And worse, he's smarter than he looks. My point is, it is entirely likely that he will sabotage the controls, meaning you won't be able to stop it." The Commander explained. Ghira nodded his head.
"He was always a cunning strategist, and was always extreme, too. If it weren't for Sienna, I would have excommunicated him along with Adam a long time ago." Ghira stated.
The Commander had brought up an excellent point, one that left the three of them stumped. Everyone combed over the map to find a way, when Kali raised her brow, getting an idea. "The Bridge." She revealed, getting everyone's attention.
"Huh?" Yang asked. Kali moved the map, following the tracks and finding a large bridge that crosses a ravine where there was a gorgeous waterfall.
"If we plant explosives in the right places, and time it right, we could destroy this bridge and sent it crashing down into this ravine if we can't stop it manually. The explosives will be set off as well, meaning that at the very least, the Feral Ones can't steal them back." Kali explained, and the Legion Representative nodded his head in agreement.
"A good idea. But if we do this, your escape plan will have to be tight." A Commander said to Blake.
"Not the first train job I've done… we'll be fine." Blake assured with a smile. "Alright, that's the plan, then. We monitor the Grav Track, and we evacuate the civilians from Menagerie tomorrow, and hopefully their informants warn them. Once that Grav Track is online? We head to the furthest station and prepare to board the train, and we stop them at any cost." Blake explained to everyone, the Commanders all nodded their heads.
"We'll stop them… hopefully for good this time." Ghira promised with a smile, stroking his grey beard. Everyone departed from the room, bar Ghira and Kali, staying with Blake and Yang. Blake pushed her hand through her black hair, sighing and shaking her head.
"It never seems to end, does it? Even after everything we've beaten, everything we've survived… the fighting just keeps coming." Blake sighed. Her heart rate steadied when she felt Yang's hand warmly squeeze hers. Blake smiled, and she rested her head on Yang's shoulder. Ghira and Kali walked over to them and they hugged them both.
"We'll get them out, I promise." Ghira assured.
"I know." Blake said with a warm smile. Yang then pulled out her scroll and she flicked through her contacts.
"I'm gonna call my dad… any extra help with the evacuation would be good. That and… he's always been good at killing the tension for our kids." Yang said.
"Would be good to see him again." Kali said, smiling brightly. Yang held her scroll up to her ear, hearing that still cheery voice on the other end.
"Hey honey, you okay?" He asked her.
"Yeah… I'm sorry. I wish I was calling just to check in, but I need your help. Can you get to Menagerie? Like as fast as possible?" Yang asked.
"Sure, what's wrong?" Taiyang asked.
"The Feral Ones… we've uncovered a plot of theirs. They're planning to destroy Menagerie with a shitload of explosives. We're evacuating tomorrow, wanting to force them to attack tomorrow. I need you here, Dad… to be with Ghira and Kali to look after our kids." Yang begged.
There was a pause.
"On my way." He promised, getting up from his chair back in Vale. "See ya soon, Sunny Little Dragon."
"Love you, Dad." Yang said.
Yang lowered her scroll, sliding it shut and shoving it in her pocket. Blake gave her parents' warm hugs, then Yang smiled and gave Ghira a hug as well. "Kick their asses, especially that lieutenant. Been wanting him to be taken down for a long time." Ghira requested.
"Consider it done." Yang promised. As Ghira and Kali left, Blake grabbed her trembling wrist, then she exhaled, stepping outside and staring across the town at the Prison. "At least the Prison is outside the Blast Radius." Yang said. "Would've sucked to get him out of there just to save his sorry hide." Yang stated, touching the faint scars on her throat, her voice still sounding fragile after what he did.
But Blake sighed.
"I'm gonna go talk to him." Blake revealed.
"Are you sure?" Yang asked.
"He's my responsibility… and he led them once. He's been giving us lots of good information over the years now that he's given up. Maybe he can give us some more info on the mysterious Lieutenant." Blake explained, still shaking.
"Want me to come along?" Yang asked, but Blake just held Yang's hand.
"I got this… just make sure the kids are ready for bed, okay?" Blake asked her, and Yang smiled. She then held Blake close and gave her a loving kiss.
"You got it, boss." Yang promised, turning and walking away from her.
Blake exhaled shakily once again, then turned to where the Prison was… even in her blindness… she still knew exactly where in Menagerie it was.
Where he was.
Ruby
She walked back with Pyrrha and Dutch to where Oriana and Jaune were waiting for them, still a bit shaken from what they saw in that garden. It had been so long since either of them had seen a Beowulf, or any Grimm.
And to think there was one more still out there?
A Hound of all things?
Ruby sighed as she walked with them. Then Dutch stopped her, letting Pyrrha return to her family. "Can I ask this of you? To go with your wife, Winter and Oscar? To track this thing down and eliminate it? I don't want it to kill anyone." He asked her.
"Of course, although now that you mention it… have there been any deaths that could be linked to the Hound?" Ruby asked.
"There is one, a man butchered in the woods a couple of days ago. At first I thought it was an animal, but this Hound showing up only a few days later? Not very far from Forever Fall? It's seeming more likely now that it could be the Hound's doing. We already took the body, though, and we know it's in the area." Dutch explained. Ruby nodded her head.
"Thing could be anywhere, but Grimm tend to be predictable. They stay near any locations with negativity. There's a Cemetary nearby, right?" She asked.
"That's right, it could be drawn there, especially if there are any people there mourning loved ones." Dutch agreed.
"Okay, we'll start there later today, see if we can pick up any signs of it being nearby. Could be tricky, though. Hounds are unpredictable, and as we already know, this one is capable of flight." Ruby explained.
"Keep me in the loop. I'll do what I can to assist." He assured, patting her on the shoulder, returning to the rest of his men to get this hunt underway. Ruby exhaled, and she pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head. Then she turned, spotting a lonely Oriana sat on a bench nearby whilst Pyrrha spoke to Jaune about what they just saw.
Ruby approached her niece, who was fiddling with the Smee's Circuitry. "Hey, pipsqueak." Ruby said with a bright smile on her face as she approached, lifting her red cape before sitting down on the bench next to Ori.
"Oh hi, Auntie Ruby." She seemed a lot less hyperactive now. Normally Ruby would just chalk that up to her being sick from that Night Terror, but she could tell this was something more.
"How's Smee doing?" Ruby asked.
"He's okay, wanted to make sure his circuits aren't fried. Sometimes I mess up." Oriana shrugged, Ruby nodded her head, then she put her arm around Oriana, holding her close.
"So… Misty huh?" Ruby asked her with a smirk, Oriana's eyes widened and she glanced up at her smirking Auntie.
"Y-Yeah, she's my bestie!" Oriana lied, blushing.
"Oh, I don't doubt it, especially from the way you two were looking at each other." Ruby said as she crossed one leg over the other, looking at her little niece. "Have you told her yet?"
"T-Told her what?" She stammered.
Ruby raised her brow, staring at her. "C'mon kiddo, I know exactly what a girl looks like when they have a huge crush on someone. It's the same way I looked whenever I looked at Penny, and the same way my sister looked whenever she saw Blake. And… the same way your mom looked at your dad." Ruby stated, Oriana crumbled, her cheeks flaring red.
"Oh gods, is it that obvious?" She fumbled with terror.
"I mean, you're the daughter of Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos, two of the most hopeless romantics I've ever met. And well that's honestly saying something, considering how bad I was at admitting my feelings as a kid." Ruby explained, ruffling Oriana's hair, making her chuckle.
"I can't imagine you ever being nervous." Oriana giggled.
"You're kidding me, right? I was way worse than you as a kid. I couldn't dance. I was terrified of public speaking and any social gatherings. Always stayed buried in my video games or in making Crescent Rose to avoid it." Ruby explained to her. "Honestly, it was only after I lost Penny for a while that I realised how much I loved her."
"The Vytal Festival?" Oriana asked, and Ruby nodded her head. Clearly the events of the Vytal Festival were remembered, and also clearly… that would mean that Oriana knew it was Pyrrha who did it. "Did you ever find out who tricked my mom into doing that to Penny?"
"Yep, and you've met her. Emerald Sustrai. You've met her before, green-haired girl who works for the Legion now?" Ruby asked her, Oriana's eyes widened.
"She did it?" Oriana gasped.
"A long time ago, she was once our enemy. But she was a victim just as much as the rest of us, forced to do the things she did, or face a fate worse than death." Ruby explained. "In the end, she and Mercury helped us and are the reason we escaped and take on Salem." Ruby explained. Oriana nodded her head.
"Did Penny or my Mom ever forgive her?" Oriana asked.
"They did. Actually Penny forgave Emerald first, of all people." Ruby admitted.
"Heh. That honestly doesn't surprise me. Penny is one of the nicest people I've ever known. Although it's hard to picture my mom ever holding a grudge, too." Oriana admitted.
"Your mom is a force of nature… just like Cinder was." Ruby said, her large silver eyes dropping as she mentioned her name. "Something I learned after I lost Penny that first time, though? It was to not waste time… I know things are better now, safer now… but that rule still applies." Ruby explained, looking at Oriana, who hugged her knees.
"I'm… scared…" she admitted.
"Of what?" Ruby asked.
"What if I mess it up? I've never had a girlfriend before… and she's my best friend. I've known Misty all my life. I can't bear the thought of losing her." Oriana said, resting her head on her knees.
Ruby looked around and saw Misty at the market, buying some snacks and drinks for her and Ori. "Nobody ever fell in love without being a little bit brave. Confessing those feelings is a leap of faith. And if you take too long, she may give up on the thought of being with you and move on from it, and you'll regret that too." Ruby explained. "And besides, I saw the way Misty was looking at you. It's painfully obvious that she's in love with you too, and who could blame her? You're such a beautiful little dork." Ruby teased, playfully pinching Oriana's cheek.
Oriana laughed, playfully shoving Ruby back. Ruby laughed with her, then she turned and gave Oriana a warm hug, kissing the top of her head. Ruby turned, seeing Penny walking with Winter and Oscar, called in by Dutch and arriving with an Airship.
"Uh oh… Penny's got that look on her face. I think I'm in trouble." Ruby whispered to Oriana.
"It was really good to see you, Auntie Ruby." Oriana said with a sweet smile.
"Until next time, pipsqueak." Ruby said, winking at her. She got up from the bench and walked towards Penny, who gave Oriana a cute wave, which Ori couldn't help but wave back to. As Ruby approached her wife, Penny crossed her arms.
"I heard you got arrested." Penny stated.
"Uhhh… ehe?" Ruby teased, only for Penny to suddenly pinch Ruby's ear and drag her away. "Ow, ow, ow, ow…"
Blake
Cold air brushed against her neck and cheek as she walked down the path, using her Mobility Cane to help her find her way, passing by some people still walking home. Some looked at her in awe as she walked, seeing her for the celebrity that most of the heroes who fought against Salem's Tyranny were.
But she didn't feel like a celebrity right now, or a war hero.
Whenever she had to speak to him, she still felt afraid, like she was still that scared girl all those years ago, even though he was a shadow of his former self. She approached the Prison, approaching the guards, letting her inside without question. This Prison was hardly as secure as the Black Cells and their Asylums, but it was secure enough to hold the one prisoner inside.
Blake walked down the hall, passing by empty cells which were only gathering dust. They had captured many Feral Ones over the years, but none of them were kept here in Menagerie, and instead were sent to the Legion for their punishments. But there was one that Blake and Yang demanded to remain here in Menagerie, to keep a close eye on him.
One that Blake felt her heart rate rapidly increase when she got closer to his cell, hearing him whistling.
The constant rhythmic pounding of a tennis ball bouncing off the wall echoed louder and louder as she approached. Hearing that familiar tune, he whistled twenty-five years ago. As she was about to approach the bars of his cell, she froze. Her hands were shaking and icy breath left her parted lips.
Then she heard him softly chuckle.
"Twenty-Five years… and you're still afraid of me." He chuckled. She hardened herself and walked into view, seeing his silhouette in the shadows. The ball suddenly launched and bounced off the wall by the bars, rebounding back into his hand. She could not make out much of his face, but she could make out his long curved horn protruding from his skull, and the other still snapped, permanently destroyed and incapable of growing back. "And here I thought I was the one who was trapped in a cell." He chuckled.
"I'm not here to trade insults with you, Adam." Blake stated, her voice filled with resentment as she said his name. He bounced the ball against the wall once again, catching it as it came back.
"Well? What stories do you have for me today?" He asked her, tossing the ball again. "Made more deals with Humanity? The Legion?" He scoffed, shaking his head as he repeated the same throws.
"I'm here about the Feral Ones." Blake stated.
He chuckled. "Of course you are, clearly not to catch up on old times." He said, smirking from the shadows at her. He sighed, then set the ball down, leaning his head against the wall as he stared at her, only his burned eye visible as moonlight bled through his window.
"They've been stealing Legion Shipments of Mining Explosives, for the new Dust Mines we've opened around Menagerie." Blake explained. He chuckled once again.
"I applaud them, standing up against Humanity's tyranny. Dust Mines… here in Menagerie… this place was supposed to be a haven for the Faunus, and now I see Humans walking the streets with our kind, like they belong here." Adam scoffed, shaking his head as he stared outside, his fist clenched.
"The Dust Mines are ours. We mine them at our own rates, and pay our miners far more than the S.D.C ever did. It is one of Menagerie's biggest exports now, alongside fishing." Blake explained to him, but he just shook his head.
"Go on… what do you need to know?" He asked her.
Despite his hatred for Humanity and the new world, he still gave Blake any information he knew about when it came to the Feral Ones. At the very least, she could trust him to sell them out.
Although that was the only thing she could trust him to do.
"They're being led by the Former White Fang Lieutenant. You know the one." Blake stated, crossing her arms as she spoke.
"Ah yes, the big masked man… the mystery surrounding his face and name almost matched him in size. Not like it matters." Adam stated.
"So even you don't know his name?" Blake asked.
"Of course not. He didn't take his mask off to anyone. Only thing I knew about him was that he hated Humans almost as much as I do." Adam explained, looking out the window as he spoke.
"He's been loading all the explosives onto a train. He and the Feral Ones that are left are planning to attack Menagerie, send that train into the centre and crash it, blowing it up. If I don't stop them, Menagerie will be destroyed. Thousands will die." Blake explained.
"Tsk… shame they're targeting Menagerie, like the blind fools they are. They should target Vale, where the Legion is. Better to use that payload on their kind than wasting it on our own." Adam sighed, shaking his head. "They've truly forgotten who they're supposed to be fighting for."
"As if the Feral Ones ever fought for the Faunus, as if you ever did." Blake scoffed, he stared at her.
"I may have stopped hating you, Blake, and gave up my pursuit… but don't mistake where I stand in the divide. I will always fight for the Faunus." He stated. Blake shook her head, then took off her blindfold, showing the scar across her eyes.
"Say that to me again. Say that to Sun." she hissed, gripping the bar tightly. He stared at her, then sighed, looking back at the wall.
"The White Fang Lieutenant won't give up the train, and he won't be taken alive, not after last time. He'd rather die fighting… just like I would. So be ready to do whatever it takes to stop that train. He's strong, but he's weak in his abdomen, so have Yang aim for his gut." Adam explained. Blake loosened her grip on the bar, then stepped backwards from it. "I don't care for what happens to the Feral Ones anymore… if I ever did. Honestly, I only created them so I could hurt Humanity, and you." He admitted.
"I know." Blake answered. "And thank you for telling me that about the lieutenant. It may be useful."
As she walked away, she froze when she heard him laugh again. "Like old times." He said. She slowly turned to face him. "A train… loaded with Dust…" He said as he looked at Blake.
"That was a long time ago." Blake said with a sad sigh.
"It was… and yet I remember it so clearly." He said as he looked out the window at the Shattered Moon. "I know you won't… but you should let me come along. Been itching for a good fight." He said.
"Oh, I'm sure you have. But that's the point of this cell, Adam… you've always been one to look for a fight. Against Humanity, against me… against your own kind. I told you what's going to happen. You're going to die behind these bars, and the beautiful world we've been shaping will continue to blossom. Humanity and Faunus alike, living together in Harmony. For a long time, I didn't think it would be possible… but it is. And will continue to be." Blake stated.
He laughed softly, shaking his head. "All these years… and you're still so fucking naïve." He said, staring at her, rotating on the spot and planting his feet down on the floor, hands gripping the edge of his bed. "Humanity will always need a monster, an evil to fight. It's the only way they find purpose in the world."
"You're wrong." Blake stated.
"Just because you married a Human Woman who is good to you doesn't change the truth of what they are." Adam stated. "First they hated us, hunted us like beasts. Then they turned their eyes to the Huntsmen and Huntresses. Then Salem… and then the Grimm… and then the Feral Ones. And I promise you this, Blake… their eyes will fall on us again. And you've build the groundwork for another slaughter of our kind. The Legion? Give it time, and the good military power who has protected your rule will turn into something just as cruel as the Black Gallows were." Adam explained, standing up from his bed and walking towards her.
Even from behind bars, Blake still felt the need to cautiously back away from him.
"Humanity is born from hatred, and it will continue to drive them. So go ahead, Blake. Enjoy this life of luxury you live… enjoy it while you can. Because once the Feral Ones are gone, they will find something else. Maybe we'll be next, or maybe it will take decades… but they will hunt us and abuse us again. And when that day comes? You be sure to come down here and tell me all about that day, too." He stated, grabbing onto the bars, now fully in the light.
His hair was barely red anymore, mostly grey, and crows feet covered his face, yet despite his age, and how much he had given up on his pursuit of Blake, it was clear that his hatred for Humanity would never fade away.
That much was cemented in him the moment the Schnee Dust Company burned those three letters onto his eye.
Blake turned and walked away from him, and Adam watched her go, whistling as she left. The very same song he'd whistle when he hunted her twenty-five years ago.
The Deacon
Grains of sunbaked sand rolled across the dunes, with cacti catching some of them in the wind.
A Legion Airship soared across the dunes, kicking up the sand as it soared overhead, passing by old Obsidian Spires formed from Magma Storms. The Airship weaved between them, and inside the Deacon held the controls tight as he effortlessly flew towards the abandoned remains of Vacuo. The Kingdom was practically abandoned now, has been for many years, and most of it had been buried in sand.
However, the roaming Nomads who had lived beyond these walls long before they were ever built had now claimed it for their own. As a free settlement, potentially a free city one day. The Legion continued to offer them assistance, free of any conditions, primarily in providing fresh water pumping systems, and even scientists who aimed to hydrate the land once again. But these projects were still in their infancy, and the fruits of these labours were a long way off being completed.
The Airship approached the district which the Nomads occupied, the large arena which they had repaired, once used by Shade Academy for their combat training. Now it was a Colosseum and was part of the very same International Competition that Pyrrha and Coco would commentate and judge. The Airship flew towards one of the landing bays, which were covered by sand, and were barely holding together.
The ship descended and unfolded its landing gear, settling down inside, and the workers approached. Nomads were pretty much all very versed in mechanics and engineering due to having to use whatever they could find out in the dunes to survive. The Deacon powered down the Airship and emerged, walking with his dark red poncho over his armoured body as he walked, breathing through his helmet.
"Holy shit, it's the Deacon." One nomad stammered with disbelief as he walked past them. He stopped and turned to them, pulling a collection of Lien Cards out, handing each of them to the workers.
"Go on, get something nice for yourselves." He said, walking ahead.
"Hell yeah!" One girl cheered, running with the others to wherever they wished to indulge themselves. The Deacon walked through the sandy streets of Vacuo, passing by many eroded buildings, looking ahead at the ruins of Shade Academy. He passed by the old burned down home of Lil Miss Malachite, destroyed by Raven Branwen and her Tribe when Amber was taken and sold to Lavinia Vasillias, a big mistake on Malachite's part.
However, as the Deacon passed it, he saw more Nomads working on repairing it. For once, it was a very popular bar. Perhaps it could see a resurrection under their rule. He continued on, and approached the Stadium where most of the Nomads were, seeing Nomads coming and going from the dunes to sell the loot they found out in the dunes.
But with the Dunes being picked clean over the years, it was no surprise that the Nomads were now looking for a place to lay their hats down and build something for themselves from the ruins of what was.
The Deacon walked up the steps to the Colosseum, and was approached by a familiar face, Fox Allistair. "I recognise that breathing… the Deacon here in Vacuo? To what do we have the pleasure?" He asked. He was a long bigger now than he once was, yet he did not look that much different, covered in scars, blinded and his hair as red as it always was.
"I'm here to fight. A specific challenger who I know is scheduled to fight today." The Deacon said.
"The Valerian Gladiator?" Fox asked, raising his brow. "Well, I'm afraid his challenger slots are already filled out." Fox stated.
"C'mon, surprise challenger? The Deacon himself? You'd be sure to make a boatload of Lien today with a fight like this." The Deacon stated, crossing his cybernetic arms. Fox exhaled through his nose, also crossing his arms, then he nodded his head.
"Well, we could always use more Lien, got a lot of repairing and renovating for this city." Fox stated.
"And remember, you ever need help. All you have to do is call the Legion, we don't expect Vacuo to kneel to our rule. This isn't Atlas. You'll be able to make your own rules and laws, be the Free City of Vacuo you always wanted this to be. Our scientists have made a lot of progress in fixing the land for you all." The Deacon explained.
"So I've heard." Fox said, walking up the steps with the Deacon towards the Colosseum. "We've made a lot of progress the past few years, but this city is vast and deep. Many secrets hide here and I intend to find them all, keep them safe." He explained.
"Well, the offer for a partnership with the Legion is always available." The Deacon stated.
"I'll think about it. As the leader of the Nomads, I have their safety to consider, and after the U.G.R and the Black Gallows… well… you could say that many people lost their faith in Governments and Military Power." Fox explained. The Deacon had noticed the Nomads had dramatically increased in numbers over the years. They were always a large people but the sudden increase?
It was obvious that many people chose to join them and live out here, to be free, rather than live under the rule of a new Government.
A feeling he could completely understand, because of his distrust of politicians and business CEOs.
They walked together, and the Deacon looked down into the Colosseum, seeing some smaller fighters battling for the cameras down below in the arena. Crowds cheered. It was here that he saw just how many people joined the Nomads. There were thousands in their seats, the Nomads were once a small group of people.
Now they ranked in the thousands.
No wonder that Fox wanted to take Vacuo and give everyone a home. With so many lives in your hands, you'd do whatever it'd take to keep them safe. "Alright, you can challenge the Valerian Gladiator. Honestly, that will be a pleasant surprise for today's show. So give them one hell of a good show… and I'll keep thinking about your offer." Fox said to him, and the Deacon nodded. "Although I have to ask… why? It's just you… nobody else came with you. I may be blind, but I can tell that you're looking for something here."
"I need his help, and I know the best way I can get his help is to beat him. I'm sorry I can't go into more detail than that." The Deacon explained, and Fox nodded.
"Well, I hope whatever it is you plan to do goes well. And good luck… the Gladiator is tough as nails." Fox warned, making the Deacon chuckle.
"Oh, I remember." He said, walking down the stairs.
A few moments later, the Deacon was waiting for the fight, opening his mechanical fist and closing it, repeatedly. He stood tall when he heard the buzzer blare, and he took off his poncho, letting his armour be on full display, and rolling his shoulder as he walked out of the changing room, and into the arena.
The crowd erupted with surprised cheers. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WE HAVE A SURPRISE GUEST TODAY!" the commentator cheered from his booth with his partner.
"Holy shit, this wasn't on the schedule. Last-minute changes?" The other asked as she checked her timetable.
"Everyone, hold your popcorn tight. This is gonna be one hell of a fight! GIVE IT UP FOR THE DEACON!" The Commentator cheered, and the crowd cheered as the Deacon held out his hands to everyone, pumping them up. He turned, staring through his glowing green visors at the other door, waiting for him to emerge.
"But is the Deacon prepared for his opponent? The fan favourite?" The other commentator asked. The doors slowly opened, and everyone started clapping their hands rhythmically. The Deacon exhaled as he stared ahead, cracking his neck, and slamming his fists together, Grave Dust flowing through his cybernetic arms, preparing to print any weapon his mind could think of.
The doors were now open, and a weak Atlesian Knight, covered in rust and filled with sand, limped out of the room. The Deacon tilted his head in confusion. When suddenly he erupted from the shadows, and smashed his enormous mace down into the Knight's skull, smashing the robot into thousands of tiny pieces. And he stood tall, clad in armour, holding his mace, which ejected from his cybernetic arm in his metal hand, roaring to the cheering crowd.
"THE VALERIAN GLADIATOR! CARDIIIIIIIIIIN WINCHESTEEEEEEEER!" The Commentator cheered as Cardin pounded his fist against his armoured chest plate. His red beard had grown longer, and his hair was longer as well. He turned and stared at his opponent, clearly surprised to see the famous Deacon stood at the other end of the arena.
"Well hell, lookie what we have here everyone! The Deacon himself come to challenge me? This is gonna be a fun fight, been a long time since someone has been able to match me in this arena." He chuckled, boosting everyone's hype and cheers.
The Deacon chuckled.
"Sounds like crowd don't know who to cheer for." The Deacon said, suddenly forming Russel's Dual Knives, spinning them through his fingers. Cardin's eyes widened when he saw that, and he froze like a deer in headlights.
"R-Russel?" He stammered.
"Hey, focus. Let's give them a good show first. Then we talk." The Deacon said, and Cardin swallowed that concern, then smirked, spinning his mace through his fingers.
"Alright then. C'MON THEN DEACON!" He roared, smashing the mace against the sand by his side, and sprinting towards him. Boosters built into his boots and armour erupted with fire, launching him high in the air, the mace held above his head, and the Deacon jumped towards him.
And their weapons clashed.
A fight to be remembered had begun.
Author Note - Cardin has returned!
I must admit I was chuckling when I saw some reviews guessing that the Deacon was Cardin and I was like "Well. Wait til next chapter XD" Honestly Cardin is gonna be one of my favourite characters to write fighting in this story, you'll see in future chapters and you see the upgrades he's gonna get.
Also I was gonna write the fight here buuuut I wanna go all out with this fight so I'll save it for next chapter XD
My other favourite part of this chapter was Blake speaking to Adam, he may no longer obsess over her like before but the dude is still a bit insane with his views of humanity and his hatred. Dude would not hesitate to kill Humans if he escaped that cell. And also it's fun showing how even after all this years the dude still has a sinister presence about him.
And Auntie Ruby is so sweet to write, I love making her be the fun supportive figure to Ori just like how Qrow was (before the truth in Act 2 of course)
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review, follow and favourite!
Stay tuned for the next chapter - The Valerian Gladiator
- Matt