YO I'm back! Now, there are two reasons why I hadn't immediately work on this chapter.
One, I am studying for another backup test in case I failed the first one... which turned out not required since I passed the first test. Yay, got into University.
Two, I am also working on another story in the general section. The premise is the same, but the new guy is Ruby instead of Jaune. Plus the setting is 'tamer' compared to this version of Remnant x The City.
Alright, with that out of the way, enjoy the story.
It was a full moon that night.
The Man of Golden thought that statement to be beautiful and ironic at the same time. The moon that shone upon Remnant was not full, it was broken, always had been since the dawn of man. Yet it was full, in the sense that every parts were visible from the planet, reflecting the light of the sun and illuminating even the darkest night. That was the night where Jason Oliver D'Arc walked the earth once more.
In his gaze was a king, not of man, but of Grimm. A king that inspired its subject, led them into a unity, and stood tall in the face of mighty Hunters. A king that was Grimm, yet essence had fused with the flesh of man that it became more of man than Grimm. Its corpse laid before him, the black flesh of Grimm remained intact after its passing. A smile rested on its visage, if that twisted grin qualified as a smile. It was... a peaceful image. A peaceful corpse of Grimm. He genuinely believed that, no matter how much of an oxymoron that was.
Hm, it seemed that His Majesty's idea wasn't as bad as he had thought.
"John? Johnathan? You okay there buddy?"
He'd seen enough for the night. His successor was satisfactory. That was enough for the old soul. And with that, the essence of Golden faded and in its place remained Jaune Arc, or commonly known as Johnathan Amsel.
"Yes Ruby. Just... feeling melancholic, but I don't know why."
The Young Rose glanced at the corpse of the King, then back at John, then back at the corpse again. Her face looked confused and then she decided to focus really hard on it. Eyes squinting, face scrunching, and even closing in onto the corpse. Scrutinizing the weapon, body, and face. Nope, she didn't get it, might be something personal from John's past, which resulting in her giving a shrug.
And then she realized something, "Ummm... why is it not breaking down?"
The lone Beast Hunter came forth and inspected the corpse. Her xiphos met the hole on the corpse's chest and carved it deeper. She sliced downward, exposing more of the innards, which surprised both Ruby and John but not Miss Nikos. The corpse didn't look like a Grimm at all. It was closer to a big faunus than an actual Grimm.
"This... is definitely how the Grimm Queen was born."
"This is definitely how the Grimm Queen was born." Ruby had the same idea as him; the difference was that she vocalized it.
Miss Nikos didn't object to Ruby's idea, which mean it was correct, or partially correct. "This man was an impressive warrior when he was still breathing. Knew him from two years ago and trained with him until he reached up to this point. Sad to see such potential being snuffed this early." She then turned towards the Index duo, "Now, back to both of you. What is the Index doing here?"
Johnathan was about to answer but Ruby beat him to it, "I feel that one is a rhetorical question, Miss Nikos."
Ruby, we shouldn't talk like that to a Beast Hunter. But it seemed she didn't mind, "Hahaha, sorry sorry, force of habit. But yes, I figured out you have the same reason as the Thumb and other offices that went here. Congratulation on surviving by the way."
Ruby then nodded in a satisfied manner, before inquiring about the xiphos and javelin. She just went ballistic with the questions over there, even Miss Nikos glanced at him for help. Nope. Let Ruby had her fun; relaxation is a part of being a warrior, and they deserved it after that grueling battle.
Their quote on quote relaxation didn't go smoothly though, NOTHING IN ANY CITY EVER WENT SMOOTHLY.
"Bravo! Bravo!" An exclamation of compliment came from the street above, grabbing their attention. It was a figure clad in white, and was that fire he saw? John glanced at his companions to see their reaction. Ruby squinted her eyes again just to see who the newcomer was. Miss Nikos... Oh, he didn't like that expression.
The figure jumped down, and like Miss Nikos before, kicking up dust in the process of landing.
"Ready your weapons," Miss Nikos commanded.
Without questioning the order, Ruby pulled out her red cursed spear and Pyrrha turned her javelin back into a rifle. Johnathan entered a stance with Crocea Mors, but then something happened. The Sword and Shield of The Golden clattered uselessly to ground as Johnathan crumbled; panting, he used both arms to support himself before he could dive face first to the dirt.
"John?!"
"Mister Johnathan!" Only by a glance, Miss Nikos understood the problem, "His last attack must've taken a lot of his Aura and stamina."
"Don't worry John, we'll protect you! Just stay there and leave the rest to us!"
He really wanted to help them, even though his body screamed at him to stop. Sensing her master's distress, Crocea Mors glowed once more and hugged them in the warm light of Gold. Yet unlike before, the radiance did not shine like the sun, it was akin to a dying torch. The weapons and the master were exhausted from the last bout.
"I can defend myself. Just focus on the enemy."
The dust finally settled, revealing the figure—the being. To his horror, it was a being that he recognized. Clad in white suit and black trousers, he moved forward in a very relaxed yet cocky manner; swinging his cane around as if the place was his private property. But then there was his face, or a lack thereof. There was no skin there, no meat, no muscles, just skull. Plain black skull, lit in eternal red fire under the nice bowler hat. How the hat, or his entire clothes for that matter, hadn't burnt yet, he didn't know.
There was no mistaking it. That was—
Star of The City
Mister Matchlight, Eternal Candle of The South
"Do you have any idea how powerful that Grimm was?" His voice, raspy yet oozing confidence in every syllable, "Let it grow another night and it might reach Impurity! Just like me that one time!"
He did not want to see that face this night. Well, their mission detailed to kill him if possible, but not in this condition! They may have Miss Nikos, but her condition was not the best, it wasn't optimal; fighting a former Impurity in that state would be a bad idea. There was him, which was in worser condition than Miss Nikos, she at least had Aura. Ruby was—"Oh... that is... concerning."
She was breathing hard and her entire body visibly trembling. Red lights of her Aura circulating from head to toes in erratic patterns, the excess of the energy even began solidifying into roses that were tangible. Most alarming however, was a translucent red cloak that formed around her and fluttered like in the wind. "I think I know where this is going... and it's not in the good direction."
"By the brothers..." Even Miss Nikos agreed with him.
The burning skeleton didn't seem to care and kept nonchalantly walking straight at them, "Although I must thank all of you for giving me that wonderful show. It was quite some time since the last time I saw something of that grandeur, and you know what makes it great other than the struggle?" His cane pointed at them, "The cast! We have the Gallant Stallion of The Council! A Light of Golden that should have died together with the Emerald Order! And last but not least, an ancient lineage of Silver!"
Both of his arms pointed at Ruby with manner befitting of a showman, "And what is this? Oh, Ladies and Gentlemen! It seems our lovely Bearer of Silver is eager for another stage play. What are you presenting tonight, my dear? Little Red Riding Hooded Mercenary together with The Big and Will be Bad Wolf?"
Johnathan and Pyrrha heard a growl and immediately scanned the area for a Beowulf; they found nothing. The only living creatures in the arena were themselves and the approaching Distortion in the form of a burning skeleton. They heard the growl once more and realized that it came from beside them; it came from Ruby.
"Ah, shit."
The sword with Death inscribed, Harbinger, burst forth. The Little Red wielded it with both hands, the black handle extended; the segmented blade extended and curved inwards, mechashifting into a scythe.
It was quite an intimidating sight. A reaper clad in classic cloak mashed with modern suit. Then when you look at her face, all you see was total blackness with only her sharpened teeth and raging silver eyes visible.
In the middle of that, Johnathan and Pyrrha remembered a detail, Harbinger demanded Ruby's blood and flesh.
A second after Harbinger transformed into a scythe, blood erupted from her arms and be absorbed by the Death inscribed blade. The blood coagulated on the entire length of the scythe and soon combined with her Aura. The result was a scythe burning in black and red.
"Ruby don—"
"Miss Ruby—"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
The Little Red Riding Hooded Mercenary sped forward in a blurry of roses, uncaring of her two companions. She heard only one; she saw only one, the one being that stood over there with his unchanging smile. He was her focus, her one and only goal. This was the one moment that she dedicated her life for!
Avenging the death of Summer Rose
She stood in a field of Rose, her mother rested peacefully in that sea of white roses.
"Please, Little Rose. Stop."
Yet Ruby Rose kept moving forward, to a direction that none knew its end.
In her advance, Harbinger was pulled back and set into its warscythe configuration.
At that moment. At that place. She would do it. She would reenact the legendary feat of Kali from Atlas. THE legendary feat that crowned her as The Red Mist!
Great Split: Horizontal.
The mannerism of Matchlight remained unchanging. Nonchalant and cocky as always, even when the redness of Roses and blood culminated in the form of a screaming beast known to some as Nothing There.
A hurricane of roses and blood approached him and he finally responded, "You're wide open." The left knuckles of Matchlight met the flat part of Harbinger mere moments before the Great Split decapitated him.
The split was redirected slightly upwards and the burning skeleton simply ducked a bit, completely evading the devastating attack. In retaliation, his right palm surged and claimed the chest of the Rose.
Ruby committed everything of herself into that attack, as such, she was in no position to evade nor strike back when a burning palm met her chest. Time stilled for Ruby, her mind processing many information at speed far greater that she was used to. In that fraction of seconds, her mind processed the next event in excruciating detail. She felt it when the palm made contact; she felt it when sparks lit from the burning palm; she felt it when a flare of grand magnitude burn through her clothes and directly impacted her chest.
"BURN!"
The force of the attack sent her ragdolling back to her companions.
"Ruby!" The knight quickly approached her limp body. Ruby's Aura finally shattered, letting the fire freely burned her skin and flesh. He frantically ripped away every burning parts of her clothing, leaving the maiden laid bare. Previosly, she was coated with all that energy, and was in a state of incomplete Distortion. He honestly preferred Ruby in that state; at least she wasn't burning like now.
BANG
"!"
A flare came speeding straight at him, "Protect—"
Pyrrha's back filled his vision.
BAM
She blocked the flare with her shield without buckling. Johnathan could feel the dissipating energy of the blast; that was no weak blast. It sure was a weak one to him if he was in optimal condition, but he knew that one could do a number on an average Hunter's Aura with or without defense. Pyrrha blocked it with ease, which meant she still had good stamina and Aura for now.
BANG BANG BANG
The next consecutive shots were blocked too, unmoving she was. Johnathan used this opportunity to patch Ruby up.
BANG BANG BANG BANG
He kept ignoring the barrage of flares, trusting Pyrrha to keep her defense up.
"CAW!"
"!"
A single nevermore came swooping down.
BANG
Pyrrha's focus was divided between the Nevermore and Matchlight, resulting in the next blast staggering her backward. It forced John to hold her before she could fall. Even after that, her focus was still on the Nevermore; that monster wasn't focus on them, it was coming for the corpse of Imperator.
"The corpse!"
BANG
"Pyrrha, focus!"
She managed to block the incoming blast, albeit barely. Glancing at the now fleeing Nevermore with a corpse in tow, her arms twitched to reach her rifle and shoot the bird down. But if she opted for that, she would be leaving herself vulnerable to the flare. Normally, that would be a beneficial sacrifice, the situation wasn't normal sadly. John was low on Aura and Ruby had second degree burn and loss of consciousness, a miracle when considering the punishment she had endured. She couldn't just let these people to die.
BANG
The next one came and she was prepared for it. "Johnathan, focus on Ruby." The blond knight heeded her words and resumed his treatment. Pyrrha stole a glance at Ruby, her skin was Red, that was expected, and John used the last remaining of his Aura for those red areas.
"You know Horsey," that gained her attention, "I am quite confused why those old fools up there deemed you fit to be a Beast... especially considering how inexperience you are." She frowned, where was he going with this? "I know you're strong, but it's textbook definition of strong, it's not enough to be a Beast. So why?" Matchlight caressed his chin, "OH! I know why, those old coots want good relation with Mistral. Oh, I can see it. A girl born from a family of nothing, crawled her way into the tournament and emerged as the Invincible Girl. She embarked in a pilgrimage to Vale and ended up as a Beast, The Stallion of Vale! Mistral's fools must be feeling cathartic over there!"
Johnathan had done all he could do for Ruby, she would hold until she receives proper treatment in Vale. He then turned to Pyrrha and saw the Beast Hunter trembling and clenching her shield hard. He understood where her agitation came from, hell, you must be a true master of your emotion if Matchlight's words didn't irritate you. Soon, words of encouragement formed—
BANG
Pyrrha staggered from that and John wasn't sure she would be ready for the next shot if Matchlight kept talking her down. A Beast Hunter should have more willpower than this, but when he saw her face, there was something deeper that bothered her, not just Matchlight's accusations.
So he did the only thing he knew best.
Crocea Mors were back in his hands and he took a stance.
"Johnathan don't!"
Matchlight actually stopped in his track. His cocky and nonchalant mannerism replaced with a silent gaze. The skeleton man reached deep in his pocket, retrieved a cigar, and lit it. "Kid, why are you doing this?"
Johnathan confidently replied, "My friends are hurt and I see an enemy in front of me. That's enough for a reason, no?"
He sighed, "You know kid," his tone was different too... there was respect in them? "The me from a decade ago would have laugh at your stupidity. Shielding others and to die as a hero, laughable. But then I met this man. His titles many, The Emerald Wizard, Wise Owl, Champion of Man, Headmaster of Beacon... You know the man, Emmanuel Ozpin.
I met him in the final act of My Rebellion. My army routed... and Neo was in my arms. We were running together with what remained of my closest comrades, just trying to escape the burning hell that was Vale. And then suddenly, that man just crashed in front of us, clad in his E.G.O., an ancient armor from age long gone. We couldn't run you know. Where could we run? Nowhere! So, I did something that even I did not expect. I stepped forward, my Neo behind me, and I stood tall against that man—I stood tall against Fate, just like you.
Ozpin knew my intention and I knew the result of that meeting." The half finished cigar was thrown and crushed beneath his cane, "But his face kid... He pitied me... and respected me. I remember what happened that day in clear detail, even to this day. On his right, the holiest of dragon that ever exist; on his left, the most cursed being in the planet, they lunged at me. And you know what happen after that? I woke up alive. I was saved, kid. By another Distortion that selflessly helps other of his kin.
Now I'm helping my savior achieves his goal... and hope that one day I have a rematch with The Champion once more."
Johnathan lowered his shield. This... this man didn't feel like a criminal at all. It was like talking with Uncle Jensen again. But Johnathan knew and understood that this man would kill them in a few minutes, "... I guess we aren't that different aren't we?"
"Hahahaha! We are different, kid. It's just the current circumstances that led to a coincidental similarity." He flicked his cane and Johnathan raised his shield again. There was no way him and Pyrrha could kill him, but they could die trying. "It was a nice chat, kid. But I think I'm already overtime for this meet and greet."
His cane aimed at both warriors and they responded by raising their shields. Johnathan with Crocea Mors, Pyrrha Nikos with Milo and Akouo. "It was nice knowing you, Johnathan."
"Same, Pyrrha."
Star of The City
Mister Matchlight, Eternal Candle of The South
V.S.
Junior Index Operator
Johnathan Amsel, Golden Knight of Vale Index
And
Beast Hunter
Pyrrha Nikos, Galloping Stallion of Vale
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight, two challengers stand before a Star! Will the couple dethrone the Star or the Star shale rises higher to the sky, we shall know the answer tonight! This battle will be legenda—"
"Boss! BOSS!"
A random shouting from the street above interrupted the Star and caught their attentions. It was a White Fang grunt, "What!?"
"The train has crashed into Vale!"
A collective of "WHAT?!" resounded from the three combatants.
"That was your plan?!"
"How is The Council not know something this big?!"
Matchlight actually gave the time to answer John, "It's not mine, it's the red bitch's idea." He then regarded the lone White Fang grunt, "Why didn't I receive a call?!"
"We have problems! It's The Black Sun and The Crow! And there's a robot tagging along! They sabotaged our comms!"
John heard Pyrrha whispered, "Qrow? What is that guy doing here?"
Matchlight responded with aggression, "Well! If the plan succeeds, we have no more thing on our hands right! Then scram, BOI! I have business here!" He regarded the challengers once more, "Where was I? Ah yes, our battle will be legendary!"
As soon as he finished his sentence, the area's temperature steadily rose. It was a rather cold night, but after a few seconds, it felt like standing in a room with an AC set to the highest temperature. The challengers' wary gaze scanned the area for an abnormality, but the only abnormality they could find was the action of Matchlight. The burning skeleton was glancing around, acting as confused as they were.
"This... this is not me." His orange Aura began circulating around his body, "And this energy... this is an E.G.O., and it's not an Armament E.G.O... This is a Marble E.G.O.! I don't remember there's a Marble E.G.O. in this kingdom!"
They heard a sound, and of course, they pointed their weapons at it. It was a Grimm pool nearby, a byproduct from the wounds of Imperator. Bubbling was all it did but slowly, a figure emerged from it. They were obviously human because only human could use an E.G.O. Plus they had human figure.
Johnathan deduced the newcomer as an ally due to the black suit with an Index insignia. The only difference in the uniform was the silver armband with the number '1' on it. The figure's head might be shrouded in total blackness, but there was no way that figure was their enemy, the uniform said it all.
Matchlight scanned the area once more, before putting his finger on the trigger of his cane.
"Before you proceed," they sounded masculine, Johnathan noted, "I will admit that my E.G.O. is not comparable to the likes of Sir Emmanuel Ozpin. But, I can assure you, that mine can and will impede your endeavor of leaving the area. Unless, if you want to tango with us?"
The Star of The City Distortion genuinely mulled over the statement. And after some moments of deliberation, finally made his decision. Mister Matchlight, Eternal Candle of The South, bowed to the challengers and the new audience before conjuring an explosion under his feet, propelling himself to the sky. Up there, he conjured another explosion to blast himself away from the big hole on the ground. The next consecutive explosions they heard indicated that he used it to flee the ruined city.
With the Distortion gone, the temperature returned to normal.
Only the three Index and a Beast remained.
Johnathan relaxed his stance, but the same could not be said for Pyrrha. Still with her shield up, she approached the figure and was about to make an inquiry, but was interrupted by the figure throwing a Scroll at her.
She caught the scroll, "Open the notes," he commanded. Pyrrha was hesitant, yet before her was an Index Operator with an E.G.O., which already outclassed her by a large margin. Furthermore, Johnathan would be inclined to side with his superior if a fight broke out.
Pyrrha Nikos The Stallion was clearly stuck with no clear way of surviving besides obeying the Index Operator.
With trepidation, she booted up the Scroll and began reading the content of the notes.
In the meantime, Johnathan stored Crocea Mors and Harbinger in his gloves before bringing Ruby closer to the Grimm pool. His superior took notice of this and gestured at the pool, Johnathan couldn't help but ask, "Is it safe, Sir?" The Senior Operator just gazed at him. The eyes were hidden but Johnathan definitely felt the gaze, "Sorry Sir, stupid question." He gently set Ruby down on the viscous substance and watched with trepidation as she slowly sunk deeper into it. He couldn't help but worry honestly, especially after what they have gone through together in this night. His superior didn't seem to worry though, so he casted his worry aside as best as he could.
The sobbing behind him definitely helped the effort, "Hm? Sobbing?"
He pivoted and was greeted with a completely foreign sight. Pyrrha Nikos The Stallion was bawling her eyes out. It was not borne of sadness... It was from desperation mixed with hope and gratitude; her eyes told him that much.
"P-p-please... I b-beg of you! I will gladly accept t-this! Tell me what to do! I will do anything!"
Johnathan frowned, "That is not a good statement to make." He then glanced at his superior, "Is this personally your doing or a direct order from The Boss?"
The Senior Operator made his voice heard once more, "Everything is detailed in the next file, including what you must write in your report regarding this incident."
Johnathan expected despair to appear in her fragile face; that sounded like a deal with a devil. Alas, that was not the case. Pyrrha exploded in absolute joy and proceeded to prostrate to his senior, even her head touched the ground, "What was this pose again? Dogeza? I think Ren called it that."
"Thank you! Thank you! I will not fail the Index!"
"See to it that you don't." With all said and done, Johnathan and his senior began sinking into the black pool. He wasn't ashamed that he let out a yelp when the tar-like substance was sucking him in. It felt like being drowned in gelatin, of course he would be surprised! But he decided to put his trust in his senior once again.
The last thing he saw before fully submerged was a tear stricken but smiling Pyrrha looking straight at him and mouthing the word thank you.
A.N.
And that's end of this Meet and Greet folks! Mister Matchlight makes his grand debut and Pyrrha Nikos is now working for Damian Super Hikaru Takahashi. Let's see how it goes from there; how much chaos will ensue with The Council, Damian, and Ozpin himself making their move. Then there's the new factor thrown into the mix, Matchlight's savior. How will he affects the story? We all have to wait for future chapters.
P.S. I love the scene where Ruby tries to recreate Horizontal. I originally made Ruby just do a standard desperation attack but then I remembered that Little Red is part of Gebura's Abnormality, after that the action just flows into that.