A/N:...I need therapy after the latest RWBY episode.
Pretty sure we all do; those last five minutes were dark. Game of Thrones level dark.
I'm simultaneously impressed and horrified. What in blazes was that? Darkest thing I've seen in awhile...
I'll say it right now, SPOILER AND SPOILER is NOT happening to our dear sweet SPOILER, SPOILER, and SPOOOIIILER in this story! No-thank-you!
*Shivers*
Antibiotics and antivirals are starting to fix whatever's been beating me over the head, but the fact is, I'm old. Might be a part of it.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Only a few questions, comments and concerns this time.
Q: Update schedule please?
A: Foxfire and Dance of the Dread should be next, as the others need more time. I'm mostly updating by myself this month -Slifer's doing one story and that requires his full attention to make it marvelous- I'm trying to get around Demon and Genshin updates. Not to mention God of War, Elden Ring and everything else. I also want to make them long updates. Folks have been complaining about the lack of length this last week; suppose that's what I get for writ
It will take time, but they will arrive.
Q: WHERE THE F IS BLAKE?! Don't tell me she died offscreen!
A: Recall what was mentioned of an "incident" with her family some chapters ago.
Q: Is Neo going to dye the rest of her hair soon? Also Death to Neo's parents. That is all. And where in blue blazes is Roman?
A: In order? Yes, careful what you wish for and As to Torchwick, he's in Mistral at the moment according the books. We'll see him eventually. As to whose side he'll be on...well. That would be telling now, wouldn't it?
If it wasn't obvious before, Naruto has essentially become Neo's "One thing" her "Roman" in this story.
Woe betide anyone who tries to hurt him.
Q: Naruto and Sasuke's companions are going to foils of one another, aren't they?
A: Glad someone noticed.
At present, Naruto has Winter and Neo as dedicated allies, with Young!Yang taking a close third.
Ruby is still young, and can't truly fight, thus she don't count at present.
Meanwhile, Sasuke has Cinder and Emerald. Don't want to spoil anything else.
Alright, I've kept you waiting long enough, methinks. Enough of this old man's rambling; you're here for a story.
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I' won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; holidays are HERE and basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore. My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Once more, I own nooooo references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one. Nope.
They're simply tributes to legends far greater than little 'ol me.
Fair warning! Naruto channels Roman Torchwick here...
...and someone else. Because you see...
...our boy's angry. For good reason...
"Its getting late, dear. Time to send Trivia home."
"Sure."
"Why are you smiling like that?
"No reason~! Remember, Trivia. If you need me, just whistle."
~?
Curiosity Kills
Their door was unlocked.
She almost couldn't believe her luck.
Finally, after so long, she could finally have some food.
Stealing made her feel dirty, but it was either this, or starve.
Don't think about it. Don't think about Mom and Dad. Don't think about what she'd lost. Eat. Food. Hungry.
The golden-eyed girl looked left. Then looked right. Not a soul in sight. The house seemed well and truly abandoned. Had her luck finally turned?
The girl didn't question.
She scampered inside and shut it behind her.
(.0.0.0.)
The urchin wasn't eating.
Sasuke supposed she had every right not to; given what this green-haired girl had endured in the last few hours. Poor thing looked scared out of her wits. It didn't matter that he'd set a plate full of fine foods before her; neither steak nor potato nor leafy greens could sway her. Those wide red eyes remained glued to him at all times, her tan face screwed up in a rictus of fear.
.
..
...am I really so terrifying?' he stifled a sigh. "What's your name, girl?"
"Em." the little urchin whispered, trying to master herself and failing utterly. "M-My name is Emerald...why did you help me?"
"Eat first." he gestured to the feast arrayed before her. "Then we can talk."
She quavered. "...its not poisoned?"
Salem grant him patience. "Why on earth would I rescue you if I was going to poison you?"
"I dunno...
Tyrian tittered behind him, tail swaying. "I could poison it, if you like?"
Emerald squeaked. Message received! she attacked her plate like a starving Beowolf. "Thank you!"
Sasuke stifled a sigh against the back of his hand. "Listen. Its important that you tell no one, and I do mean no one, that you saw us here. Swear to do that and we'll leave you be-
"But I don't want to stay here!" the girl cried out between bites. "This town is awful!" she seemed to falter for a moment, then rallied. "Take me with you!"
Tyrian tilted his head. "We could always take her tongue instead...
Emerald whimpered.
Sasuke rose from his chair, stood, closed his eyes, and walked to Tyrian's side. He beckoned with one finger. The faunus bent down, eager to receive his wisdom. The former Uchiha raised his left hand to the ceiling...and delivered an absolute SLAP to the back of Tyrian's head. The faunus bounced off the table facefirst, accompanied by a dull crackle of aura and a groan.
"There will be no taking of tongues. Are we clear, Tyrian?"
"Aw...
"Wait. Emerald." looked past him. Truly saw Tyrian for the first time. Squeaked. "That's Tyrian Callows!"
"Oh?" his uncle perked up, golden eyes gleaming. "You know me?
Emerald foamed at the mouth and passed out.
Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This is my life now...
Honestly, how was he the adult here?! He was the youngest one in the room! Tyrian was pratically a child at heart himself, well a murderous manchild, but a child nevertheless. Cinder was going to lose it when he brought Emerald home.
Home?
Strange to think of the Grimmlands as such, but there it was, he supposed.
And speaking of home, he could hardly leave Emerald like this. Needs must, he supposed...
He walked over to the dazed urchin, channeled a tiny bit of lightning to his palm and zapped her arm. Not enough to harm her, just enough to-aha! There. She jolted awake with a yelp. Almost immediately, she scrambled back to the table and grabbed her plate of food, as though she were afraid they might take it from her.
Sasuke paid her little heed and turned to face Tyrian once more. "Uncle. Say your sorry."
Tyrian blinked innocently. "For what...?"
A muscle jumped in his jaw. "For being you.
The mass murdered tilted his head. "I'm sorry for being me...?"
"Yes, that. Exactly that."
He pivoted to apologize to Emerald himself, only to find her now looking at him with bloody awe. "He listens to you...?"
"Of course he does." he sniffed a little, unable to hide a tiny smirk. "He may be an idiot, but at the end of the day he's technically my uncle. Right then, I'd say its high time we get back, but there's still something I need to accomplish in this town. You!" he flicked a finger towards Tyrian before he could follow. "Stay with the girl."
"Awww, but young master!" The madman giggled. "Her grace told me to protect you at all costs!"
"And you are presently protecting my interests by making sure no harm befalls Emerald."
Said misfit raised a hand. "Sir...?"
"Do not." he pinched the bridge of his nose to stifle a shout. "Call me that."
She quailed a little, but rallied. "Yes, sir."
"What did I just say?!"
...when this is done...are you taking me with you?"
Sasuke grunted and walked away. "I suppose I am. You brought this upon yourself."
Emerald all but threw herself at his feet. Her head kissed the floor as she babbled her thanks.
Now she was making him feel old. His sole spiteful relief in all this was that Naruto had to be suffering something similar. Had to be.
He'd drawn all manner of odd allies to his side in the past before, and if this life as anything like the last...
Wherever he was, he prayed the blond bastard wasn't having a good time.
Misery loved company after all.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto sneezed into one hand. Violently.
Scowling, he looked around himself.
"Someone's talking shit...
Shrugging, he paced to the door.
Ozpin's cane lay in its holster nearby, sealed for the night.
He picked it up with a merry hum.
"I'll just be borrowing this.
(.0.0.0.)
Trivia eased the door close behind her.
It eased shut with a soft click.
Success!
A tiny smile touched her lips as she locked the door behind her and kicked off her shoes. Another happy outing in the bag with her parents none the wiser. Times like these had her wishing they'd never return from their trip. Life was good. Better than good. She almost felt free. Perhaps she'd treat herself to some ice-cream tonight. It wasn't as though the servants could stop her. They'd given up on that ages ago.
Strange that she hadn't seen any yet. Ah, well. Must've gone to bed.
Trivia didn't much care. She enjoyed the silence. So much better than noise.
Idly she caught sight of herself in the wall-mirror near the stairs. She paused, considering her reflection.
A smug girl stared back at her, quite satisfied with herself. Well, not quite. What had Naruto said? He liked her with her hair down. Hmm. Nimble fingers danced through her braids, free her dark tresses. Better. She took a moment ti admired the long streak of pink in her hair, but it wasn't enough. She wanted to go half and half. It felt better right. At least then it would match her eyes.
...would he like me better this way?'
She smiled at the tiny, traitorous thought.
Of course he would. He was her dumb-dumb. Her Partner in Crime. Nothing could change that.
Her mind made up, she skipped her way to the kitchen, easily navigating through the darkened house. There was the fridge and her spoon on the counter, just as she'd left them. Maybe she'd try the vanilla tonight, maybe with a hint of chocolate syrup
The lights snapped on, blinding Trivia.
She flung up an arm, mismatching eyes squinting against the glare.
"There you are young lady." a low voice intoned ahead. "Where have you been?"
Trivia pivoted in place.
Shock froze her for a moment; but only just. A large smile stretched across her face a moment later. Father and Mother must've finally come home. Ha! Of course they had. She'd known this moment would arrive sooner or later; in truth, a small part of her had known from the moment she'd first struck out on her own. It was all coming to a head. The moment she had One Thing, one tiny bit of happiness, the universe conspired against her.
Not this time.
She could see them standing across the kitchen, waiting for her near the table. Mother Father was poised halfway around the corner. Why...?
"Oh, Trivia," Mother saw her and mourned with false sympathy. "You dyed your hair...
Anger bubbled up in her. 'Bitch, I'll dye it again. You won't stop me.'
Had she possessed the capability to speak, Trivia would've guffawed. As it was, she settled for a scoff.
"Arrogant as ever, are we?" Father sneered. "That, at least, I could tolerate. But now you bring your filthy faunus friends over to fleece us while we were away?! Have you no shame?!
.
..
...what?
Still sneering, Father reached the rest of the way around the corner and stepped into view, dragging a small girl by her hair behind him. The poor thing struggled against him, to no avail. She looked thin. Dangerously so. Almost emaciated. As though she hadn't a proper meal in days. But friends?! Friends? She'd never seen the black-haired girl in her life. Gods, she was so small. Smaller than her, even! And that was saying something!
"Please," the little thing begged, "I didn't know there were people here! I was just hungry! I'll leave! I swear, I'll leave!"
Father cuffed her. "Filthy wretch! You will speak when spoken to! Not before!"
Trivia twitched.
Father ripped something from behind his back, something he'd had in his belt. Steel flashed in the moonlight. She tilted her head at the sight of it.
He shoved it into her grasp. "You will take this gun and kill this girl, or so help me, I will shoot you myself. Are we clear?"
Once upon a time, the sight of a gun would have filled Trivia with fear. Now? She'd seen far worse. Oh no! A gun! So scary. Bitch, she had aura and her Semblance unlocked. The latter had evolved only last week. Nor was she unarmed. She had her new knife -or kunai as Naruto called them- up her sleeve and she knew how to use it. Father had a hostage at the moment, so he was safe, but the moment he didn't he was so much meat. She didn't fear a gun any more than she did a Grimm.
And so she slapped the revolver aside.
It set Father right off, as she knew it would. "You dare?!"
Good. Focus on her. Not the girl...whoever she was. Maybe if she distracted him long enough she could escape-
A hand cracked across her face. Aura flashed. There was no pain. Trivia turned the other cheek and sneered at him in silence. She couldn't speak, but she had other ways of communicating. She'd grown particularly fond of one these last few weeks...
And so she raised a single finger to flip him off.
Father went absolutely stark-raving mad.
"Jimmy, don't!" Mother pleaded.
"Quiet, Carmel! I don't care! She's disgraced us long enough!" he thrust the pistol in her face. "Speak, blast you! You're not mute!"
Trivia stared at them for a long moment. She eyed the girl in his grasp...and made her decision.
Her right hand twitched.
Father yowled as a knife sprouted in the meat of his left shoulder. He lost his grasp on the girl as he staggered back to clutch at the wound; the moment he did Neo grabbed her by the arm and yanked the quivering child behind her. The girl didn't say a word, but clung to her all the same. Neo squinted her way.
Who was she...?
No, no time for that. Trivia put two fingers to her lip and inhaled deeply. Then she whistled. Hard. Sharply. A single piercing note filled the kitchen.
"Aha!" Her fool of a father brayed at her, teeth bared like some savage beast. "See, she can make noise!"
Her mother simpered. "Dear, just because she can whistle doesn't mean she can speak-
The window behind them all but flew apart as dark shape came crashing through.
In the same instant, every single light in the room guttered out and died.
Father turned towards the noise-and a shoe collided with his face.
"Geronimo~!"
Trivia watched -and savored!- time unfolding in slow motion as his cheek dented inward; his face contorting into a rictus of broken agony. The moment seemed to drag on forever, until finally the man she once called her father crashed to the floor in a heap.
She would've happily paid millions to see it happen again.
"Salutations!" Their cloaked savior sketched a bow, capturing her attention once more. He paused, straightened up, then touched a finger to his cheek. "No, wait. That one's taken, isn't it? Meh, semantics."
"Who in blazes are you?" Father dragged himself upright, cradling his dented jaw. "Do you have any idea who I am?! I'll have your head for this!"
"Who am I?" Their unlikely ally straightened up and cast his cloak aside, flinging it onto Mother. She went down with a yelp, unable to free herself from the surprisingly heavy garment. "Hmhmm!" Merry laughter dimpled a pair of whiskered cheeks as she struggled. "I'm so glad you asked. Y'see, I've been wanting to meet ya for a looong time now...
Only then did Trivia finally recognize who had come to call. At least, she thought she did. He'd acquired a black bowler hat from somewhere and that...was that the headmaster's cane he was leaning on? She really hoped not. Those whiskers were a dead giveaway as always but something else was different about him. She figured it out a moment later as her gaze traveled higher, idly taking in his vibrant purple coat as she went. He wasn't wearing his blindfold tonight. She could see it dangling loose from his neck. Sure his hair looked different without it, but his eyes...they were out in the open, and glaring right at Father.
Oh.
Wuh-oh.
Wasn't that a bad thing?
Trivia would've laughed if her heart wasn't beating so damn fast. Father didn't recognize him; of course he didn't they'd never met until this moment. Judging by the laughter rolling off Naruto, he was about to wish he never had. There was brittle edge to his voice that she'd only heard once before. It hadn't ended well for that person and she doubted it would for Father.
Shame she didn't have popcorn.
Father clicked the safety back on his pistol. "Answer me!"
"I," Naruto gave his borrowed cane a twirl and flicked his hat off. It settled neatly atop Neo's head as she clutched at it, but he didn't miss a beat. "Am tonight's entertainment." Blond brows wiggled above those sparkling blue eyes. "And as for you, well!" The cane struck the ground, sparking once. "You must be Trivia's old man. Thanks for the coat, by the way." he tugged at his temporary attire. "It was fairly expensive. You oughta know, ya bought it. Or your lien did. Speaking of buying, wanna see a magic trick?" He withdrew a number two pencil from his borrowed coat. Gods knew where he'd kept it in there. "I'm gonna make this pencil disappear...
Father went still as stone. "...what have you done?"
"Raided your vault. Your lien is my lien now." A card appeared in his Naruto's hand and vanished a beat later. "Thanks for the donation. I'll need it for my plans going forward. Now about that magic trick...?"
Father scowled and shot him dead in the head. Naruto's skull snapped backward.
Trivia screamed in silence. No! Not like this!
Her scream died when he didn't fall.
"Jeez," the persistent prankster grumbled and dug a finger into his ear, uncaring as the flattened bullet dropped at his feet. "That was awfully loud, ya know. Gonna blow my eardrums out at this rate."
Father stumbled back. "That...that wasn't aura. What are you...?"
"Plenty of things!" he hopped onto the table, planted the pencil in its wooden frame and flung out his arms. "I'm the future headmaster of Beacon, savior of the world, your daughter's best friend! And-
CRACK.
Ozpin's cane flashed out. Father fell to the floor, spitting teeth.
...your worst nightmare. That about sums it up.
Trivia clapped politely.
"Thank you, thank you, you're too kind!" Naruto ate it up and bowed like the showman he was. But that's enough foreplay, don't you think? Time for the magic."
Trivia took the little Faunus girl by the face and turned her head into her side, averting her gaze.
Just as well she did; because Naruto whirled, grabbed father's head, and slammed it down into the pencil. Eye first.
"Tada!" He spun away, arms spread wide hands empty as the man's lifeless corpse topped over behind him. "Its gone! Now for my next trick...
Mother was still struggling beneath the weighted cloak; for what little good it did her. Naruto tucked his father's cane into his belt. Then he stalked her way. Mother only heard him; she never saw him coming. By contrast, Neo did. She stood by and watched her mother die. She could've intervened she knew, done something, anything, but she didn't. Why should she? This hadn't been her true Mother in anything more than name for...a long while. Tonight was the end result of a lifetime of torment.
The girl clinging to her squirmed away and dove under the table, unwilling to watch.
Naruto was, at least, more merciful with her. A quick twist of the wrists and it was done. Mother's neck snapped with a harsh crack. She hit the floor and breathed no more.
"Well, that was easier than expected." He immediately trundled her body up and laid it beside Father's cooling corpse. "And here I'd thought they would at least have guards...
Trivia dug her scroll out her pocket and pointed to him.
The whiskered warrior tilted his head. "Yeah?"
Then she wrote something else. Neo. She pointed to herself.
"Ahhh, you want a new name.
Her head bobbed.
"Don't see why you can't have both." He rolled on shoulder in a shrug. "You've always been Neo, just as you've always been Trivia. It can even be your codename, if you like."
Trivia gave it some thought.
She was a clever girl; clever, and all too willing to adapt. But where could she go from her? For the longest time, freedom was all she wanted. But now that she had it...what came next? She could hardly stay here, and to be frank, she didn't want to. This house had too many foul memories. Best burn it down and start over.
Although it looked like Naruto was well on his way to doing just that; as Neo looked on he scraped Ozpin's cane across the floor, conjuring a flowing fireball in its wake. What was that? Magic? She'd seen him use tricks like that one before, but he'd only ever conjured wind, never earth or fire. He swung his arm outward, hurling it at a nearby wall as one might a baseball. It caught upon the curtains near the window, igniting them with a soft whoosh of heat.
"There we go. This place should burn down in a bit. Tell you what," Naruto turned to face her, face limned in the slowly spreading flames. "I've got an idea. Whaddya say we team up?"
Neo tilted her head. Her fingers flew across her scroll. "Partners in Crime?"
Naruto laughed. "That sounds strangely specific, but sure why not aaaaaaaaandwhyareyaholdingmyhand?"
Trivia didn't give him the chance to protest further; she took hold of his right palm and yanked him forward with all her might. The second -instant!- he was off balance she reversed course, launching herself into him to tackle him to the floor. From there she in his lap, sprawling herself atop him. She gave him a grin and nuzzled her cheek against his. He'd struck a chord in her very soul. Trivia. Neo. Two halves of a greater whole, made once once more. And she had him to thank for it.
She was finally free.
A tiny sniffle behind Neo -and under the table- reminded her of the third wheel. "I wanna go home...
She sat up with a jolt. Blast it, she'd forgotten all about the girl!
Bad Neo! she chastised herself! Bad!
"Why're ya crying?" Naruto did the same and looked her way, perhaps just now noticing the younger child clinging to her. "You lost?" She nodded as he tugged up his blindfold again, but not before Neo glimpsed confusion in his eyes. "She you sister or something?"
Neo shook her head. No! Definitely not! Not this one!
She would've remembered someone so small and so cute being in her family.
Slowly but surely Naruto coaxed her from her hiding place. The girl sniffled, rubbing at her dirty, teary face. Neo took the chance to scrutinize her while she emerged. Dark hair. Golden eyes. Were...were those cat ears? She really was a faunus after all.
Naruto sighed and scooped her up. "C'mon, up ya go."
The girl thrashed in his grasp, to no avail. "What're you doing?!"
Naruto grinned. "Givin' ya a piggyback ride, silly. What'es your name?"
She faltered. Her watery smile was lovely to behold. "Blake...
"Alright then, Blakie. Up we go...
(.0.0.0.)
How his son vexed him.
Ozpin loved the boy, he truly did, loved him with all his heart and split soul, but times like these reminded him why he had stopped procreating in the first place. His blood produced powerful children to be sure, that much had never been in doubt, but oftentimes his progeny were of them were always a little...quirky. As were their friends often enough. Strangeness attracted strangeness. It was a simple fact of life, one he'd thought himself accustomed to.
Not so!
Case in point, come dawn, Naruto had returned to him and Glynda with two girls in two. One beside him, the other cowering behind him AND the other one like some skittish kitten. They would deal with the latter...later. It was the former that worried him; if only because his wife evidently knew her, judging by her wistful expression.
Ozpin quirked a brow. "Who is this small sassy child?"
The girl waved but did not speak. Curious. Was she unable to...?
"This is Trivia!" Naruto made his introductions with a grin. "Or Neo? Maybe both. Semantics. Mom already met her."
...unfortunately." The maiden in question looked away. "She's an acquired taste."
Neo bowed.
Ozpin turned a bemused look her way. "And your parents?"
"Pushing up daisies." his son chirruped.
"Naruto."
"Hey, its not like I killed them...
Ozpin heaved a hearty sigh of relief. Thank the gods.
...I just encouraged them to pass away. With force. And a number two pencil. Then I burned their house down to hide the evidence."
Glynad swatted his shoulder. "NARUTO!"
"What?! They're happy in heaven." He held the facade for all of three seconds before he gave up. "Bah, who am I kidding? They're probably burnin' in hell for what they did to Neo! B'sides, she helped me stop them!"
Ozpin sighed. "I can't believe you've done this."
"Then don't ask questions you aren't prepared for, old man."
Glynda tutted at that. "Even criminals do not deserve such an undignified demise."
"Yes, they do." came the immediate rejoinder. "Because they're bad guys. No one will miss them.
That was a given. Oz knew what he wanted. "And I suppose you expect miss Vanille to stay with us for the time being?"
"Yup." he was still speaking when Neo latched onto is son's waist. "See? We're besties. She's got a pretty handy semblance too.
"I don't doubt that but-ack?!"
In an instant he found himself staring at...well, himself. Unusual, but not unheard of. He'd seen illusion Semblance before.
Ozpin went left. The illusion mirrored him.
Naruto grinned. "That's not all she can do."
"Oh? Do tell."
Naruto leaned down and whispered into Neo's ear.
Quite suddenly the illusion smiled and smacked Ozpin' across the shin with his cane.
Well, well! Color him curious!
"Solid illusions then." he gave the specter a poke only to grunt when it poked him back. "Fascinating. Perhaps I was a bit too hasty in turning you away."
Glynda clicked her tongue, eyes burning with fire. "Ozpin, no. Our son is far too young to have a girl staying with him!
Perhaps. But I must ask, who is the girl that's been hiding behind you all this time?"
He'd noticed her from the very beginning, but Neo had proven herself the more pressing issue. Now that the matter was settled, he couldn't help but notice her. She knew it too; because she hunched down behind the two older children for all she was worth. Poor girl was actually trying to use them as a human wall to hide behind. What could have traumatized her so...?
Naruto nudged her. The little lass poked her head out.
Ozpin stared. He stared hard.
Golden eyes. Dark hair. Cat ears.
No. Surely not. Surely his luck wasn't that bad.
...would you happen to be Blake Belladona, perhance?"
Much to his chagrin, the young girl managed a single, tremulous nod.
"Lovely." Because this surely wouldn't blow up in his face. No, certainly not. "Come on, then, we best get her something to eat...
Neon held up her scroll, three words hastily typed within. "Ice cream, please!"
Ozpin sighed. "Of course you want that...
This was his life now. He knew what he'd done to deserve this.
Somewhere out there in the universe, the Brothers Gods were likely laughing at him.
A/N: Aaaand scene.
Roman! Naruto stole your shtick...for a chapter.
But how DID Blake come to be in Vale indeed? Thereln be a story.
So, what say you? Did you enjoy it? By all means, let me know~!
As ever, the Embers rule Remains; sad as that may sound, its the truth. If folks don't like this story...well, it won't be continued. Most likely, I'll delete it and consign it to the void should it come to that. I haven't the time to write something folks don't like. Two jobs keep me terribly busy as such that I have barely any time to write.
So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly!
And as ever, Le warning!
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
(Previews)
"I have to go on this mission. They need me."
"Ruby needs you more."
She whirled. "Wha-
Naruto's fist thundered into the back of Summer's head. She dropped like a sack of potatoes.
Ruby tugged at his arm. "He's my friend!"
"Nuh-uh! I saw him first!"
"First is the worst, second is the best!"
"Nonsense. Third is the one with the treasure chest."
Naruto sighed. "This is my life now, isn't it? Guess this is what I get...
Apparently Winter liked to text. Even if she was pants at it.
Trivia hefted the bucket and flicked him a thumbs up.
"Hey, hey!" Naruto flicked her a chastising look. "Don't go playing pranks without me!"
"Hey, firecracker. You alright...?"
"You're fighting with her, not me. Is it because I'm weak?
You're not weak. She's just older than you.
Then I'll get stronger!
Another one?" Salem crooned. "Delightful. Do keep up the recruiting, son.
Sasuke heaved a sigh.
"One year, Raven. Don't forget."
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? Well, it won't be continued. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Looking forward to chatting with you all~! Have a great day~!