RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 21: Magic in the Heavens
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
Evol hummed a tone as he danced around in amusement. The world had been watching the ongoing battle and he was already exhilarated by the humans with their efforts in destroying his base. Well, one of them. He had tons more so it was no big deal.
But this world, 'Remnant' has been the most fun he had had in eons! Ever since he first came here when the Brothers were walking on the land. The last one either just simply laid down and accepted defeat with no struggle, or they tried to find ways to survive. He remembered the last planet just went insane and didn't even try to fight back. They just went at it like crazy animals. He didn't waste time eating that world in a flash as it bored him.
But this Remnant and the people here? Oh they have been a tasty treat, with each and every second. Sure his brother and Blood followed him here and they're still trapped wherever they are, and he may have a son. But this has still been entertaining to his fullest! This one he'll have a special place in his 'heart' for once he eats Remnant in the end.
His only setbacks have been his rebellious son, and bat-chan. Now that both of them are working together, alongside Vernage's reawakening. He has to be a bit more serious this time around. No more kiddy gloves. As troublesome as Vernage is, she has been the only being he has fought, and killed, nearly on par with.
If she wasn't just a human, she could've been an equal to his own might. Yet she remains a thorn in his side. He thought by having bat-chan close to his side, he could control her so that Vernage wouldn't become a problem in the end. But sadly, it failed. A mental note he'll take on now.
'Never take on an enemy and keep them close. Just kill them.' He plopped against his throne. Well he had already sent an invitation to the two.
"It's time to start part one of the big show!"
XXX
The small fleet of Atlas airships began to land, granting all the freed experiments alongside the Winter, the Atlas soldiers who joined her (including Penny), Team RWBY, Cody, and Lily. The freed subjects were safely exiting the said transportation as the Atlas soldiers helped them to a location that was picked out to find out their backgrounds and safely return them to their home and families.
Lily watched as the two kids that they found last, looked at the pair, only to run over and hug them tightly, thanking them before heading off to the soldier.
Cody smiled as he patted Lily's shoulder, "We did good, Lily…"
"Yeah…" Lily murmured. "We did…" the duo noticed Ozpin and General Ironwood.
"What you two and Team RWBY did was by far… the most dangerous thing but in the end." Ozpin's lips curled upon seeing the outcome. "You managed to free them."
"Oz." The headmaster glanced at Lily. "A majority of the children don't have families as they are from ravaged villages… what will happen to them?"
Ozpin sighed heavily. "We will be aware who's who. But I would damn myself first, if I just let them go back on the streets… We will find them homes and family to be care for, and properly."
'Don't believe his words, Lily.'
"I know that." She earned puzzled looks from them. "Sorry… I'm… just talking to her…"
"Evol mentioned it before Lily. Who exactly is Vernage?"
"Ahem." Ozpin cleared his throat. "Perhaps this can be discussed more privately."
"Uh, okay."
XXX
Cody was nervous while Lily had her arms crossed. Ozpin was with them, so was Qrow and Ironwood. The diner was being used as the right place given recent events thus just being them.
"As you recall what Evol said about the tale the Saint and the Cobra," Ozpin reminded. "The Saint's name was Vernage. A royal member of her family who was honest without lies. Saw the… lies and deceit given she had started to take responsibility due to her father being ill." Ozpin took a deep breath. "A maiden Evol claimed to be far beyond era past."
"And you are right." Lily conceded. "But she said more to it but is not sure your companions know given the history. It isn't right for a hero in her words."
Ozpin's grip tightened on his cane. Something Qrow noticed just like before. The headmaster coughed to clear his throat. "I… assume Vernage is awake in you?"
"She is… and is not happy."
"That's an understatement." Qrow quipped.
"To Ozpin, not Evol."
"What did he do to make Vernage unhappy?" Ironwood inquired.
"Ask Ozpin." Both Ironwood and Qrow looked at Ozpin who stared at Lily silently by the words. To the headmaster he could see the glimmer of emerald behind the lilac eyes. Whenever Lily responded, she was relaying what Vernage said. The bitterness he felt was only swelling.
Ironwood then spoke up, "Right now, that's not important. We need to know more about this Vernage and what happened in the past with her and Evol. Is there any way we can talk to her."
"… She won't until her fight with Evol."
"Can't you-"
"Listen to her words, General James Ironwood." Lily hissed and again the emerald hue appeared in her eyes. "Right now, she is reserving herself for her confrontation. She… has been asleep for 12 years and only awoke months ago. She needs time to prepare. In case you haven't noticed we have 6 hours left and Evol is waiting for me and Cody."
"She's right." Cody agreed. "We don't have much time. You can talk to Lily, or Vernage, or… GAH! Just the two!" It was going to become weird for him to address Lily as Vernage or Vernage as… he should stop thinking about that!
"… Very well."
Lily pushed herself off her seat as did Cody before Lily stopped. "Ozpin… when this matter is resolved… Vernage wants to talk to you, alone. She didn't look at my memories to know who you really are." With it she exited the diner with the blonde.
The headmaster sat there, already able to tell the questions Ironwood and Qrow have. As much as he knows what she'll say to be true… he himself can't have such trust after all these years. He can only hope he'll take his truth to the grave when this is all over with.
XXX
Cody sat with Lily at the riverbed, watching the waters and just relaxing to the sounds of peace and quiet. There was too much at the moment for both of their minds, but they needed some way to relax and just talk to one another, alongside anything they needed to say.
"How are you holding up, Lily?" Cody asked her.
The bluenette took a deep breath. "I'm… okay."
"Really?" The blonde inquired. "Are you… still thinking what happened with Crystal…?" Lily's head lowered. "I… know it's private to ask but were you two…?"
"No. We weren't in any form of relationship."
"Oh…"
"… Only a night."
Cody darted his head to Lily who had looked away in embarrassment, her cheeks tinted pink.
"I-I… see then…" Cody nodded, already feeling awkward about this. The silence was now embarrassing before he took a second, "what about… you know… about being dead?"
Lilac eyes looked at him before looking at the water. "Vernage is the only reason I am alive… without her, I'm dead." Her finger touched her collarbone. "I was dead but later woke up alive and saw you instead of her."
"That… was when you woke up?" Cody gawked out with surprise. "S-So the day we met… you were dead but then woke up alive?" The fellow rider nodded. "W-Wow.. That… thats honestly horrific to think about… I'm.. I'm sorry I never asked about your feeling during that time…"
Lily shook her head, "Don't be… I don't think I would've been sane without you holding me there either. I realized I had a new purpose which was to make sure you were happy and free. Heh… it took awhile to get here though."
"Hehe, yeah… But I will keep that promise to not let go of you again… As of right now? We're family…" he rubbed her shoulder. "I'm glad you're back, Lily."
Lily rested a hand on his. "I still have much to atone for, Cody. In the eyes of everyone, I was an agent of Faust. An organization who is terrorizing humanity far more than the White Fang."
"True… but with what just happened? I know it won't take long before people become relaxed around you… Time heals all wounds after all."
"But for how long?"
"That is hard to say… Just make use of your time, okay?" He understood how Lily felt. Unlike him, she had been working for Faust for five years. She only had hatred and pain surrounding her life and couldn't have a single ounce of support or praise. She killed people as told. Fight as ordered and many more crimes.
Lily believed she didn't deserve a new life or even a life outside of Atlas cells due to all of it. Yet Cody's gaze showed reassurance, that he will make sure she isn't under a cell again. "Have a little faith in yourself."
"… Okay."
Cody smiled, giving her a gentle hug, "How about I show you around? Now that you're like me and free, you can see everything in a better light now!"
"… We can. After we deal with Evol. We have five hours left."
"Right… Meaning just us this time…" Cody grimaced. "Will we even be enough?"
Lily nudged the dragon rider's shoulder. "Like you say, have a little faith in yourself'. Right?" Cody looked at her, seeing her thin smile and chuckled softly. "Yeah."
XXX
Three hours were left. Cody took deep breaths as he was double checking his Rider gear. Everything had to be in shape and ready as this still could be his last fight. He may have some faith they'll come back, but he still worries he won't be strong enough. Evol proven he was much stronger than him. Stronger than anything on Remnant.
*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*
"Hm? Who is it?" Cody called out, wondering who's at the door to his apartment.
"It's me." Yang's voice rang out from the other side.
"Yang?" Cody blinked, as he walked over to unlock the door to let the blonde in.
"Mind if we talk?" She requested.
"Sure, what's up?"
"Just… wanted to talk is all." She said, walking into the room as she sat down on the bed.
"Well, I'm all ears. What's on your mind?"
"It's about what you are about to do…. Are you sure you are up to it?"
"I don't really know.. But I have to try." Cody shook his head. "If I don't do this, then Lily won't be able to have a chance against Evol… Nor will the rest of us." He let out a chuckle, "I remember when we met… I was so mean to you."
"And I remember you didn't let me into Junior's bar for my strawberry sunrise." Yang quipped.
"It was my job to keep you away. Can't blame someone for doing their job." Cody chuckled out.
"You still owe me."
"If I had the job but I don't."
"Who said you had to have a job to owe me one?" Yang questioned as she then scooted a bit closer to him. "Maybe… when you come back, we can do something together… Just the two of us?"
Cody looked to Yang a slight tint on their cheeks, "I mean… it would be nice to celebrate your return…. Right?" She pointed out.
"T-True… I guess we could do that." Cody said, rubbing his neck.
"Then… its a date." Yang said with a small smile on her face.
"Date?"
"Y-Yeah! What else would it be?" Yang huffed with her arms crossed.
"… What's a date?"
"SERIOUSLY?! For Brothers' sake! Did they make you dense with everything regarding the opposite gender?!"
"Trapped for years… remember?" Cody reminded her once more.
"Oh right… ehehehe…"
It was now awkward as before but Yang rubbed her knuckles. "There's something else I want to ask. It's about Lily. You know people haven't stopped talking after watching her walk out of the airship with everyone Faust taken in."
"Yeah… she's worried too that she won't be free and just in a cell… But I promised her, that it won't be like that. She will be free, everyone is just going to need time to adjust and forgive her."
"Easier said than done…" Yang hasn't forgotten the words Lily said. The harshness and criticism. The things she did when they met.
"I know… she still hasn't forgiven herself either… But time heals all wounds. All we can do is just try and give her a chance… Like you all did with me." Cody placed his hand on her shoulder.
Yang looked at him before a knock made them notice Lily leaning against the doorframe. "Cody. We have to go."
"Alright." He moved off from the bed. "Let's get that son of a bitch."
"Wait!" Yang called out as she stood up. She took a deep breath before she walked over, as she soon pecked Cody's cheek, as the tint on her cheeks now was more brighter, "For… good luck… okay?"
Lily snorted in amusement upon Cody's reaction. "Let's go lover boy." She teased.
"R-Right… S-See ya later…" Cody responded as he followed after Lily, his face showing confusion yet was also blushing from it.
XXX
The two took an airship with Lily piloting the controls. She flipped a few panels to ensure the steady flight whereas Cody watched her work. "I'm really amazed you learned alot in five years, Lily. Fighting. Piloting. Leadership…"
"It's part of my training during my time in Faust. As second in command… I had to learn everything involving war." Her lilac eyes drift slightly. "Any mistakes I made had to be corrected. Repeatedly and painfully."
"Hey… that's in the past now… You can focus on a better future once we stop Evol." He looked ahead. They suddenly heard an odd thud. "What was that?"
Lily used her Semblance, digitally projecting a view of what landed on the moving airship. Perched near the tiny gap in the side was a raven. "Just some stupid bird." Before she could dismiss the screen of her Semblance, Vernage's whispers reached her ears.
'There is magic at work around the raven. 'Tis but a disguise.' Vernage revealed. 'Inquire her reasons to stowaway herself with the ship.'
"…" Her finger moved and tapped the autopilot.
"Sis?"
She walked out before opening the hatch, feeling the wind slam her clothes. With a metal claw digitally forming, she gripped the perched bird who squawked in bewilderment and yanked it inside.
"L-Lily?! Why attack a birdy?!"
"Dismiss it, now." Lily demanded… to the bird? "She said magic is coursing in you so stop hiding."
"Uh… Lily? Why are you talking to a raven?" Now Cody was confused. What on Remnant brought the fellow experiment to pin a raven.
"It is not a raven."
It was silence before feathers danced around the pinned bird and revealed an older woman in black and red. A Grimm helmet over her head but her black hair was noticeable. The metal claw Lily created grew accustomed to the size of the now restrained individual.
"Did a bird just change into a woman?!" Cody gawked, as this was new to him.
"She has magic, Cody." Lily glared at the woman. "The essence she emitted is the same as Ozpin's but at the same time, she holds her own."
"Is she wanting to help?" Cody asked, as his innocence was at max right now.
"Not if this woman happens to be the leader of a bandit tribe."
"A bandit leader?!" Now Cody gripped his driver in preparation.
Lily never left her gaze away from the helmeted woman she pinned. "Evol said he took a panel from a tribe of bandits. The Branwen Tribe."
"Branwen… Branwen… where have I heard that surname…" Cody murmured.
"It's your girlfriend's mother."
"HAAAAAA?!" Cody gawked looking at Raven now in shock, as the woman sighed and Lily harshly removed the mask, showing him the similarities. Her hair and face was near identical, with the only difference being black hair and the eyes remaining red.
"Answer me, why did you, the bandit leader, follow us?"
"I want payback from that snake." Raven answered. "He killed many of my kin and I won't let that slide."
"… hmph." Lily snorted but moved her head slightly as if something earned her attention. "She should be put down…."
'Killing her won't solve anything.'
"She is a murderer, Vernage…"
'I know. Nor having her with us is good either. Knowing what I can see in her eyes? She'll fight and then sneak out to most likely take Pandora's Box herself. The box can't be in anyone's hands… not again.'
Lily glanced at Raven before snapping her fingers, the claw grew larger and became a restraint, leaving only her head exposed while her body was shrouded violet.
"You are going to stay here. As much as I want to put you down, she is against it." Lily glanced at Cody. "Just keep an eye on her. We are 10 minutes until we arrive at Eden's shores." She walked over to the pilot seat and turned off the autopilot.
"Er.. r-roger that." Cody nodded as he turned his attention to the bandit chief.
"So.. you're the boy, my daughter has caught her eye?"
"… You sound like you don't care about her."
"Why should I? I chose this path. She just wasn't fit for it." Raven huffed. Cody frowned in disapproval to her response. "If you think that frown will solve anything it's pointless."
"Did you even know she has been looking for you?" The blonde hybrid questioned her. "She has been searching for you… for answers. Why leave her? Why didn't you even come back."
"What about you?" Raven responded, "Why are you fighting this thing? Isn't it your father?" She questioned, earning a flinch of annoyance from the rider, "What if this is his plan? Drawing you in and doing something that'll make you just like him? After all, you're a monster too."
"I'm not like him nor is he a father to me." He hissed.
"You say that, but I can tell one thing. And it's that you'll become like him, one way or another…" a metal clamp was slapping over her mouth, courtesy of Lily's Technomancy..
"I'm already tired of mind games…" Lily frowned. Knowing what Raven was doing to him. It was the same thing Evol does but the alien does it far better than the bandit.
"Thanks Lily…" Cody sighed with some relief.
Raven glared at Lily. She understood from the broadcasts that she was dangerous. She crawled out of the pits to get to where she is now. Harbored magic far beyond Salem's time. An equal to Evol. She grew strong by her own hands. And with her being a defect, a worthwhile candidate.
"We're here." Cody peered over Lily and saw the close proximity of the red barrier. A hole melted away, granting entry and when they did, Cody's jaw dropped.
"Holy…"
The ancient architecture was refurbished to look new, crimson technology mixed to it made the place look like a metropolis. Far below they saw Guardians not even moving, thousands of them.
"He literally could destroy the entire world with this army…" Cody grimaced at the sight. His eyes witnessed the sheer numbers but shockingly were the sight of humans and faunus walking about; followers of Evol. "So many people… but why aren't those Guardians moving at all?"
"Those Guardians that are not on call, that you see below, await for the order - War."
"We have to do our best… for everyone." Cody gulped down his worries and fears.
Raven saw the sheer numbers as well. The snake amassed so many followers unlike Salem and created a vast army of advanced machines who wouldn't disobey. Never betray. All under his command. His own civilization who revere him as their high leader.
If Raven could just take a single ounce of that tech and make it her own, she could keep her tribe safe from anything! Even from Salem and Evol themselves…
"Where do we land?"
"Follow the holosigns."
They tensed and saw the holograms of Evol across the holographic boards.
"Welcome to Eden. Like what I did to the place? This wasn't just refurbished but after gaining so many followers who have been living here, creating so much Guardians, this place is what I like to call home."
"I can't wait to turn this place into rubble with you in it…" Cody glared heavily. He paused when he noticed Lily's eyes shift a brief green and the brief tears that formed. "Lily?"
"S-Sorry… it's Vernage's emotions…"
"Oh… right…. This was her home…" Cody frowned sadly, realizing that Vernage has witnessed her home, bastardized due to Evol's mischief and chaotic nature.
They hovered across the capital of the kingdom before the boards were pointing at the tower that reached the heavens.
"His domain." The duo noticed two amphibious appear to their left and right, ensuring the escort. They flew away just as the airship landed.
"What do we do about her, now?" Cody pointed to the still trapped Raven.
"She stays. Evol wants only us. Even if she were to escape, Faust has its defense on standby."
The hybrid nodded before turning to Raven as he pointed to her, "Once we're back in Beacon? You're coming with me to see Yang…"
Raven rolled her eyes.
XXX
Cody and Lily walked with slight unease as they walked up the steps to the very too. The air is almost thinned by the oxygen. As Lily took another step, she stopped and held her head. "Lily?"
"I'm okay… just a brief headache…." She took the next step and collapsed.
"L-Lily!" Cody cradled her, looking worried. He checked her pulse and felt it but she wasn't waking up. He gently set her against a pillar, his eyes full of concern. To suddenly collapse he wasn't sure if it was the air or Vernage. Looking at the stairs, he rested a hand on her head. "You found your freedom, Lily. I want to make sure you keep it."
Standing up he pressed on until he saw the ancient box that is Pandora's Box in the center. "Pandora's Box!" He recognized it. He rushed to it but gasped when the gold-res figure landed on his feet from a hovering platform.
"Hey kiddo, welcome home!" Evol chimed.
"Evol…" Cody hissed in anger. "Should've guessed it wouldn't be this easy."
"Yup! I can tell you are just antsy to give your own old man a beating. Why, I'm hurt you would do that."
"Just a beating, isn't enough for me… I'm going to erase you." Cody glared, his eyes flashing crimson red for a moment. He raised the Sclash Driver and set it on his waist. "Henshin!"
DRAGON IN CROSS-Z CHARGE!
BUUUURRRRAAAAHHHH!
Evol hummed before he clapped his hands. At first Cross-Z thought he was calling for reinforcements but instead were orb-shaped drones that flew around. "Let's give the world of Remnant a show, kiddo!"
XXX
Within Team RWBY's dorm, the girls waited with worry only for their scrolls to activate and form a screen, soon showing their friend there alongside Evol.
"He's going to show us them fighting?" Ruby questioned.
"To show everyone should they fail…" Blake realized, "He wants us all to see it should they fail to beat Evol…"
"He'll win…" Yang spoke up, looking at the screen, "They'll beat him… I just know it."
XXX
"Ring the bells cuz this fight is going to be quick before you all know it! Let's rumble!" Evol cackled.
Cross-Z's arms ignited in flames and ran towards Evol with a battle cry. His fist drove straight into Evol's chest but the bastard only staggered by a centimeter. "Gotta do better than that, boyo."
The teen growled and repeated the punch with a barrage, his anger towards the bastard growing by the second. "If it wasn't for you… My mother would be alive… Lily and Crystal having possible families! All of the people you killed and tortured… YOU WILL PAY FOR IT!" Cody howled in anger and desired vengeance.
The punches quickened before Cross-Z Charge stepped back and used both fists and punched him, finally pushing him back a few steps. The Rider panted, seeing Evol brush a few ashes off his golden armor.
"Huh… guess your Hazard level is increasing. Come on, you can do better!"
"You want my best? FINE!" Cross-Z shouted, igniting his entire body in flames, spawning two Twin Breakers as he inserted his Dragon Bottles and Cross Dragon into them as he lunged forward with his fists raised and slammed them into Evol, letting out all of that power into the snake. Each punch and kick, he gave his all but Evol stared as he staggered. Just as Cross-Z planned to impale, the snake caught both fists.
"Consider me… disappointed." The bastard slammed his knee into the dragon's armored stomach, making the blonde nearly vomit. Then, he hoisted him up and flipped him, both of them landing on the floor like a wrestler. Then, Evol twisted his hold before pinning the teen onto the floor and held the right arm. "I learned this 10 years ago from a guy who wanted to pick a fight." He snapped his grip, dislocating the Rider's arm.
"GAAAHHH!" Cross-Z howled in pain, holding his now limb arm.
The snake gripped the teen's legs and raised him up, his limbs shrouded in violet. "This I learned when I used magic to pulverize some lame brute!" He slammed him left and right, the left side twice before driving him to the right. "And this!" He grabbed Cross by the helmet. "I learned from my big brother." He slammed the teen to the ground again, dragging his armored head across the floor before spinning on his heel and threw him to the other side, crashing into a wall that cracked on impact.
Cross-Z grunted in pain, slowly trying to get back up before he noticed Evol was churning the lever on the driver, igniting more power into the snake's body before he vanished in a flash before appearing right in front of him.
EVOLTECH FINISH!
Evol soon unleashed the built up power, striking him with what looked like a literal spiral galaxy into the young rider, igniting an explosion and broke the boy out of his armor as he cried in agony from the attack.
Cody fell to the ground, more weakened and bloody than when Evol showed off the armor for the first time. But what made things worse was the Sclash Driver. It was broken, cracked and shattered against the ground, as the Dragon Jelly was now encased in what looked to be obsidian.
XXX
"CODY!"
"Yang, calm down!" Weiss snapped at the blonde, as they were attempting to hold the brawler back from leaving.
"Let me go! I have to help him! He's going to die!"
XXX
"You see boyo? You just can't get up to my level. I am the strongest being in this side of the universe."
"I'm… not… done… yet…" Cody hissed in pain, slowly trying to get back on his feet as his only working arm held the Magma Knuckle in hand.
The snake sighed, flicking his wrist that caused the earth to ensnare the teen. Evol idly approached the box and rubbed his hands together. "Guess what? You lost." He raised one hand high. "Let's bring up the walls!"
"I… won't stop… until I'm dead…" Cody panted, struggling against the earth that has ensnared him.
The hand came down, and suddenly a red beam shooting up into the sky.
XXX
"Brothers help us…" The whole world saw the beam of crimson light.
Salem too saw it from the Evernight Castle. Its crimson beam shooting straight into the heavens.
And the ground everyone stood on rumbled.
XXX
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Evol cackled, the sky briefly turning red before red lines became to erupt in a plus formation that began to reach out of Eden.
Cody's eyes dilated to the sight of the light. 'Please… someone… please…'
The tremors echoed all around as there was no doubt Evol was victorious.
But suddenly the red beam stopped.
"Eh?"
"Huh? Oi, what gives!?" Looking down at the box, he saw a golden sphere shrouding the box.
"I believe that is enough… Evol." A calmful, gentle voice rang out to them. Evol and Cody slowly looked at the entrance to the stairwell and a familiar girl walked.
"Lily…?" Cody grunted.
"She is resting right now." The voice was not Lily's but of a young woman of identical age as Lily with an air of maturity.
"Well I'll be damned." Evol hummed. "It's been a long time, Princess Vernage the Saint! How long was it? Ah right, 12 years? I remember impaling you were it not for Lily to protect you. Poor little girl."
"You made her suffer through experimentation. Lied to her. Manipulated her!" Vernage exclaimed. "You desecrated my home! My memories of this kingdom!
"Oh you think that's bad? I turned your old room into my.. 'Toilet'." Evol cackled. "Even made your family into cup holders and other decorations. I think your little brother is currently my throne's pillow?"
The snake stopped when the bluenette reached to her ponytail and swiftly pulled the familiar golden hairband, allowing her hair to fall free.
"You wouldn't."
Vernage brushed her fringe that covered her eye, clipping it in place to prevent it from obscuring her eye. With the bracelet, she set it onto her wrist she said. "I am." The moment her bracelet was set, light surged from her.
Cross and those who were watching the broadcast of the event watched to fascination as Lily's or in this case Vernage's blue hair wavered before silver hair washed across it. The magic that was hers which had also granted Lily was no longer suppressed, the air around her thickening until it was balanced by her presence.
XXX
Ozpin's cane fell from his grip upon the sight of Vernage. The gaze in her emerald eyes. The flowing moonlight hair. A memory flashed in his mind of a maiden of older form who spoke to him and Salem before she departed in her journey she said was to 'hunt a snake'. She had been living through her own methods of reincarnation.
They were the same person.
He was sure Salem was witnessing this.
And correct he was as Salem and her few followers had witnessed the shift in the young human girl.
"That… girl…" Salem uttered with shock, "I… I remember her…"
"My queen?"
'She… was one of the few who helped saved me…. She taught me how to control my magic…'
How was Vernage thriving? It couldn't be the work of the damn Brothers. How?
No, she can't let such feelings bother her. She still had an objective of capturing her. Vernage may be the one and same, she needs that maiden on her side.
XXX
Evol stared at her before spun his finger on the hovering camera drones. "Keep em cameras rolling. Might as well give the world a show."
Magic gathered in Vernage's hands, the elements solidifying into two swords in her hands. "As long as my soul remains, Evol, I will not let you taint the world with conflicts. With blood. All for the sake of your games to devour Remnant. You formerly sank my home… you were the reason why so many people suffered, including my home and the people I met through each rebirth… the reason why Lily's in so much pain. The pain you gave this world to this day." Her emerald eyes looked at Evol, the eyes that flared with words that were beyond any normal person. It spoke of a warrior. A maiden. A royal member of Eden.
A saint.
She twirled them before readying herself. "I am Vernage of Eden. Daughter of King Ignis. The Saint of Eden… Evol, it's time we fight once more! Glory to mankind!"
She bent her knees while crossing the blades in her hands and launched herself forward. Evol quickly conjured a barrier which slammed into. However Evol gasped when her eyes glimmered.
Gravity shrouded him and was thrown over her, crashing into the box that rolled and landed beside Cody.
"Oh you done it now, you moonlighted bitch.."
Evol launched several blasts of magic, causing Vernage to use the wind to dodge each one, drawing close.
From the upper corner of Evol's lenses, he saw data gathered and created a metal being. It lacked legs but energy served as its flotation. The torso-like form was egg-like but it was broad in the upper area. An angular head seen with a glowing V-shaped 'eye' that was locked onto it. It held large yet almost bulky forearms and sharp metal talons. Its back held a single thruster exhaling energy.
Its metal digits curled and attempted to claw Evol but he effortlessly stopped it after pushing Vernage back. Alas the brightening of colors made him notice the maiden with magic coursing around her. "Ah crap."
"HA!" She slammed her boot into his chest, piercing his form through the wall and outside the tower itself.
The armored snake rolled across the rooftop of the building far below and got himself back up. The cosmic entity focused on his own magic before launching it at Vernage with the equivalent of a railgun.
The silver-haired saint gasped before her creation assisted her to leap off the edge, earning a cry of protest from Cross.
The maiden kept her arms downward as she was avoiding the raining debris and blast of magic Evol released. "Assimilate!"
The metal entity latched onto her back but unfolded. The large claws shrouded her arms while her torso was reinforced by the metal as well as the lower half of her face. With the combination thanks to Lily's Semblance, the thruster launched her directly at the snake.
Evol groaned in dismay. "I've always hated that girl's ingenuity."
"HRAAAAAAHHHHH!" Vernage's large metal talons punched him through the floor, into another building, and both him and Vernage landed across the streets of Eden.
Evol grunted, rolling himself over slightly and got back up. "Color me impressed, Vernage. You are making such varieties with Bat-chan's Semblance. An evolution to it perhaps?"
"Like you, I learned by watching and learning… I can use her Semblance in ways you can't comprehend…" technoblades appeared behind her and fired, but each blade was infused with magic.
"Aw, I'm flattered! Think we could kiss and make up?"
"No." Debris and smoke erupted upon the swords hitting him. She narrowed her eyes but gasped to see Evol running towards her. Fire and earth gathered to become a cobra that hissed and lunged downward.
The result was an explosion when it crashed into the maiden. When Evol reared his arm, a familiar sword slammed into his armor and into the wall.
The large katana that was as tall as her adult self in the past held with both hands, her emerald eyes burning with magic.
"I thought that sword was left behind when you died."
"It was but it is my magic that calls it back." Both swords of magic was formed on her hips, giving Evol flashbacks of their previous encounters of having three swords.
Evol grunted in frustration before he extended his hand to cover Vernage in the violet aura. The silver-haired maiden gasped and was slammed into the wall. Yanked and punched in the face before being slammed back into the wall. Again. And again like a game of ping pong. The snake repeated it until he grabbed her by the neck, seeing her bleeding forehead.
"You honestly think you can win this round, my dear?"
The maiden slowly lowered her head to meet Evol's gaze. "I'm counting on it."
A metal fist that held her treasured sword struck his side, sending him flying. Vernage coughed, touching her neck as the metal limbs hovered behind her.
"Now I'm pissed!"
He raised his own blade of magic to behead her but saw the smile on her face. Wait a minute… one of her swords of magic that was on her hip, where was it?
"HA!" Evol's arm was struck and noticed the battered teen that is Cody using his working arm to strike him.
"Still got some fight in ya huh?"
"Not just… me… grh…"
Evol raised an eyebrow under his helmet until he stopped the red odachi that tried to gut him. Red lens met red eyes beneath the helmet.
"Oh… you."
XXX
Flashback…
"Before I go down to go after that snake… free that woman of magic." Vernage instructed.
"Wha-H-How…?"
"I know you have so many questions Cody… but right now time is of the essence. Free that woman. I need her to buy time. I need to do something… for your sake to win this battle. Trust me as you have done for my precious flower."
Cody painfully sat up, clutching his dislocated arm. "What about her intentions…?"
"Trust in Vernage, Cody. Please." That was Lily's voice.
"Lily…" Cody out before he sighed and nodded, "Okay… I'll trust you."
Vernage nodded before she leapt off the tower, earning a cry of protest from the blonde.
XXX
"Yeah, me." Raven grunted and barely managed to land a hit on him. Her arm flared with magic before creating her own blade.
"Oh? You want to do this, when we're live?" Evol questioned.
She tapped her helmet. "They don't need to know." She lunged.
Vernage jogged over to the prone blonde. "Cody, she won't have much time. I need you to close your eyes."
While too weak he nodded and did as told. Vernage rested his head on her lap, placing her hands over his eyes. "Listen to my voice… I need you to look deep within your soul… ignore the pain. Ignore the tragedies. Find what is deep within. Not like a Semblance but the gift the brothers had once bestowed humanity in the past before they left us." She whispered. "Look into your soul. Remember the most joyful thing you had before the tragedies."
'My most… joyful thing? I… I don't have any…' Cody said within his thoughts. His enclosed eyes fluttered in hesitation. "I-I can't…"
"You can." Vernage reminded him. "Look into it. Before everything. Before the bonds you forged with them. That light who started it all."
The blonde wavered before he remembered her. The smile that was weak yet gave him so much assurance of his heart. The hands that held him and gave him her last smile. "Mom…" His brows knit. "I… see it."
"Grasp it… don't hesitate… remember Cody… like me… use it… use it without the Brothers. Use it… as who you are. Tell me, Cody Aldrich… are you just a human? Or the son of Evol?"
"No… I'm nothing like Evol.. I'm…" Cody pondered to himself, remembering everything he went through, but also the people who have changed his life. For an instant, he also saw Yang in his mind.
"I'm Cody Aldrich… I'm a survivor… A fighter and friend… a brother… I'm… I'm a Kamen Rider!" He declared with all of his heart and might.
"Then fight by my side, with the gifts we wield." She moved her hands away. "Together."
With Evol, he punched Raven several times in the head before tossing her through the window. "Ha! You oughta try another millenia to beat me, Branwen!"
"Who said… I was simply here to beat you?" Raven gritted from the damage.
Fire slammed into Evol's armor but unlike fire from a semblance it was the work of magic.
Evol staggered and darted his head. "Vernage you-" he stopped. It wasn't Vernage who did it. Cody's arm was out, magic flickering off the fingers of his functioning arm. "Son of a bitch."
Vernage had unsealed Cody's magic.
"Surprise. Time to return some payback." Cody stated, as shards of metal came from blow Evol, striking and piercing the snake.
Evol conjured a barrier, protecting himself but saw Vernage with her blade set for an overhead strike. He focused on her but Cody managed to catch up, his fist infused with magic. "This is for mom, you bastard!" The fist and sword slammed right into Evol's armor, creating a flash of light. An explosion erupted on contact, sending both sides flying. Evol crashed against a lightpost whereas Cody and Vernage were saved by the metal limbs of the creation Vernage's semblance forged.
Evol gritted in pain… Pain? The alien could feel pain for once in his entire existence. He has been bested from time to time, but never had pain before! Evol grunted, raising his limb. "What a beautiful day…" He noticed Vernage supporting Cody as the two stopped before him.
"It's over, Evol." Cody gritted.
Evol chuckled.
"What's so funny?!" Evol pointed behind the duo. Cody and Vernage looked back and gasped. A tall wall that reached the sky was the thing they saw.
"You may have stopped the Sky Wall from leaving Eden's continental shores, but it is here forever."
"The walls that reach the heavens…" Vernage uttered.
Evol grunted, slouching against the wall. "Go on. You can take my box. You may have won against me but that wall, all of Remnant has seen here in Eden is merely a sign of what I plan to do. Go on, shoo."
Cody and Vernage wanted to kill him on the spot but they saw Guardians heading their way.
"We will be back… and next time, we'll finish this." Cody glared at the snake.
"Oooh, I am shaking in my boots." Evol joked but coughed.
"I just made you bleed, Evol. And that means you can be killed like everything else. You're just another mortal like us." Cody stated, pointing to him, "and you will pay in the end."
The metal construct lifted Raven up before the trio made their way to the ship. They may have beaten Evol, it was merely a small victory because of the Sky Wall that appeared on Eden.
XXX
Cody rested soundly on Vernage's lap, the maiden brushing his hair to give him comfort. The ship was being piloted by a construct she created by the Semblance. Raven stared at her damaged helmet. Her eyes glanced at Vernage. "… How?"
"Hm?"
"How can you be thriving and be against… it."
"… When the gods choose not to do so, I made the choice on my own." Vernage admitted. "I've lost my faith and trust in them."
"How old?"
"I was only 15. It was adult age back then. I fought him, i died, i was reborn. A repeated cycle I casted onto myself." She confessed.
"So why continue? How can you even think you can beat him?" Raven questioned. It nagged her to no end. Why would the woman, no better than Ozpin, fight an extremely dangerous foe countless times.
"Because I love this world… I don't want it to be simply a monster's next meal. So I will continue to fight until he is stopped… And should I fail, I'll make sure to chase him to the ends of time and space itself until he is put down." Her emerald eyes looked at the glass of the airship. "I've lived for so long… every time I was reborn, I had gained various mothers and fathers. Brothers and sisters. Families who I confessed to who I am. They loved me because they still saw me as their flesh and blood. I've seen so much darkness in the world, in the hearts of people… it was starting to tire me down… until one day, I met a delicate flower."
"The girl you're possessing…." Raven realized.
"She reminded me there is still some light in the hearts of the world. I still keep my honesty. To never lie as it goes against my creed when my people had called me their saint. The truth can hurt but lying hurts more than anything else. When people lie, I can see it. That is why I am cautious of the man you call Ozpin."
"… At least that is something to agree on." The Spring Maiden earned a look from Vernage. "He isn't to be trusted because he keeps hiding the truth from us. I know there is more to it. Of Salem. Of him…"
"Would you like to hear it from me?" The Saint offered.
Raven said nothing at first before she slowly looked at her. "I'm all ears."
XXX
"Well, that was in interesting sight…" Cinder said, as she and the twins watched the fight along with everyone in Remnant. 'This still doesn't bode well… Now I have to worry about two brats with full magical might….'
Evol was on his throne, slouched against the throne. He has been awfully quiet since he came back to his throne. He wasn't sleeping. Just silent.
"… Well at least it is an excuse to kill 932." 898 shrugged.
"Can't argue with that."
Cinder and the twins jumped when Evol suddenly barked out in laughter. He didn't sound upset at all.
"Lord Evol…?" Did the snake have a screw loose?
"Ah man… that was one of the best fights with her, ever." Evol wiped his lens. "She even helped awaken boyo's magic he got from me too, which made it so much fun! Ahahaha!"
The raven-haired woman glanced at the twins who shrugged. "Lord Evol, in case you don't recall, you let them take the box."
That was where Evol stopped laughing. "And?"
"Um…"
"Cinderelly, Cinderelly, I am the most brilliant mind of all of Remnant. Think for a second. Why would I let them take the Pandora Box as the walls have only separated Eden and not the four kingdoms?"
It was silence before the trio's eyes bulged.
"You get it now don't ya? Boyo had all the Fullbottles. The very items needed for the box." Evol grinned under his helmet. "All I need to do is to place them in and I get my trigger. After that, the next phase will finally begin."
Cinder swallowed. He fooled Cross-Z and Vernage into their partial victory.
'Evol really is a cunning snake.'
XXX
Within Ozpin's office, the older man sat at his desk. People may have felt fear when the walls came up, it didn't separate the four kingdoms. Especially when Evol admitted a mere temporary defeat, warning the world the walls was just the start of his biggest plan for them.
… the dreadful feeling told him Evol allowed them to savor their victory. To savor it until he crushes it.
The positivity was all around as the duo were labeled as heroes. Alas Cody had to recover in the hospital upon several broken ribs, a dislocated arm, and possible other fractures given the beating Evol gave him.
He needed to ask Cody for his assistance. If he and Vernage were able to stop Evol, surely he can earn their support to stop Sal-
The elevator suddenly dinged, earning his attention. The doors slid open and out walked not Lily but Vernage. Her emerald eyes glimmered with nobility and magic, her aura screamed of her experience of battle. Evidence being her intensive fight against Evol.
His mind racing from not only that fight, nor the young boy unlocking his magic. But that of Vernage who calmly strided the floors of his office. Her eyes were on full display to detect any lies and deceit, only to hear the truth.
It was pointless to lie on his introduction. "Vernage… it's… been awhile."
"That it has… Ozma." She created a seat and sat down. Her posture was elegant and her hands gently placed together on her lap.
"Ozma the Hero, it is time we talk… About you."
XXX
A/N: Welp another chap another thing done. So while short as this is, this was just meant to be shown not only that Evol has someone on par with him, but enough to make sure he can't recreate the Sky Wall. Vernage here is meant to be both somewhat like that in Build, but more akin to a Saint/Huntress on here. Of course more will be revealed soon.
Until then, later minna!