RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 27: Duo Tag! Altered Changes
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^
Cinder stared at the ceiling of her room, her garbs consisted of sleepwear fitting for her. She had an arm over her forehead, her amber eyes staring at the aimless ceiling. She had been recovering from her fight against Lily/Vernage but she had met a humiliating defeat. Not by Lily but by the Saint Vernage. The woman was no slouch in her combat after centuries.
Her magic ranging beyond the Maidens. Like Salem. Like Ozpin. Like Evol.
What made her intimidating wasn't her strength and speed but the spell that froze her in time. Salem doesn't even have such a spell yet Vernage does as she had been around when the Brothers made humanity. Evol had already been told of it but it turns out he was aware of it. The snake didn't care given it was a double edged sword as it affected the life of her.
Yet even still! It made her furious! She wanted such power too. It is why she joined Salem. Joined Evol. To gain such power so that everyone can feel her might and fear her! Yet even when gaining the Nebula Steam Gun and the Crimson Snake bottle that Evol made for her, it wasn't enough! She still lost in the end.
Vernage was the pinnacle of all things good. She had read the articles in Eden regarding the princess and she got more than imagined. A girl who was only 15 years who supported the people. Who had to take over ruling when her father was ill. She fell for Evol's honeyed words to advance the kingdom. Naive as it was, led to war.
War that eventually turned when Vernage chose to chase after Evol. The last log was when she left the kingdom carrying a sword - sword that is identical to the one today - to hunt down the snake to the ends of Remnant.
The Saint and her people lost faith in gods and relied on humanity as a whole to continue onward. In turn, Vernage had dwelled deep into the arts of the magic thus making her a formidable warrior through the years. Thus the tale of the Saint and the Snake. A woman who can see deception like it was visible to her eyes. To never turn away from those in need of succor. To support them. A saint in the eyes of many.
Cinder wasn't stupid to recall seeing a woman with moonlight white hair with three swords on her person in the past. During her time in that place to call home. When she took out the garbage as a child, the Huntress would be in the midst of purchasing items then out to 'hunt a serpent'.
Yet, even back then, the 'Saint' did nothing to help her either. To the torture and despair she had for that hotel she worked in for years. She had no one to trust and in the end, she may have gotten her freedom from that horrid 'Mother' and her daughters, she wasn't free from her pain. Thus she decided to drown this world herself, even if it must mean she has to kneel to earn it.
'I am sparing you from death. Leave now and if we are to fight again, I will have no choice in the name of humanity to put you down.' The words of Vernage that echoed in her mind.
Cinder bit the inside of her cheek with annoyance. If Vernage wants to play it like that? She'll make her regret this. She just needed the right pawn to set it off.
'I may need to alter certain rounds to distract everyone…'
XXX
As the next day of the Vytal Festival arrives, the Doubles Round was already making people excited for each new match that came through and finished. Of course, the dragon rider was more of waiting for Yang's match than the others, as he knew that the team planned for the brawler and the heiress to be in the doubles round.
Ruby and Blake were in the stands with him, with the young leader holding Cross in her arms happily as the dragon seems to have enjoyed being hugged by the young lady, but Cody trusted them all enough so he had nothing to worry about.
"How much longer for their match…?" The experiment groaned out.
"They said they had a technical error so they are fixing it." Blake replied. "They are taking it seriously because Evol's recent statements had him hack into the CCT with ease, remember?"
"Besides, it's nice to just sit and relax for once, you know?" Ruby smiled as she fed the robot dragon some screws. "If anything, we have some freedom with the festival."
"I… guess…" Cody murmured, his eyes returning towards the arena.
"You just wanna see Yang fight and dazzle you more, don't ya?" Ruby snickered.
He gained a blush as he didn't respond to her, making the two girls giggle as it seemed the scythe wielder was correct.
"I just like how she fights, that's all." The experiment denied them.
"And Blake likes reading filth." Ruby countered, making the Faunus flinch.
"I-It's a romance novel…"
"It is filth! FIIILTH!" She stated with animosity as the robot dragon nodded in agreement.
Blake lowered her head for a moment, only for her Scroll to beep as she looked at it to see it was a text from Lily, making her smile softly at the message.
"Who texted you?"
"I'm guessing, Lily." Cody commented with a smile, "Kinda glad Lily is wanting to reach out more."
"She and I are just discussing certain stuff we do is all." Blake smiled softly.
"Well since it is being broadcasted everywhere, why not go hang out with Lily and watch the matches with her?" The experiment suggested to her. "You both might find something you like together?"
"What? Lily is probably busy with Vernage. You know how they are."
"Yes, but I also know they need downtime as well. Why not take that time to try and connect with her like I did?" Cody suggested to her, "Besides… she could use more friends too. Hardly anyone else wants to be friend her…."
He was reminded what happened back at the stalls. People had been harassing her, calling out on her, denying her any of the items they sell because she was formerly one of Evol's minions. His right hand before her defection and not purely human due to her ingestion of the Nebula. No one wanted to be her friend. All she had was him. He knows the rest of Team RWBY and JNPR still have their wariness and doubts on her. He wasn't stupid to see it in their eyes. Just because they try to talk to her, their eyes speak of a different matter entirely about Lily.
He also knows that by staying more with the either escapees, Lily is only distancing herself more than coming to terms and able to move forward with her life. It's tough, but he knows that path as well. And thanks to a certain blonde brawler, he's now healing and accepting the reality as he keeps moving forward. And if he can do this? So could Lily and those who'll take the chance to reach out to her.
"I mean… he isn't wrong…." Ruby admitted, "I'm just…"
"I know. I'm sure Lily is aware too." Cody nodded as he patted Ruby's head, "At least you two are slowly growing as well. I mean…. You both like cookies." He snickered from that.
"She promised not to tell anyone!" Ruby pouted, earning a chuckle.
"So go on and try it. Maybe you'll find something to bond over?" Cody suggested once more to the Faunus, hoping they can be friends with each other.
Blake contemplated on the options before she knit her brows and sighed. Lily could use an outside company. The cat Faunus pushed herself off from her seat and made her way out.
Cody smiled upon seeing Blake leave, already able to tell that the Faunus planned to see Lily and try to connect with her. Ruby smiled as well as she looked at the experiment.
"You would make a great Team leader too, Cody." Ruby complimented as it earned his attention.
"Heh… I don't know about that, Ruby…" He shook his head, unsure if that would be possible. "I'm not like you guys."
["Ah there we go! Ladies and gentlemen we apologize for the delay but we will now begin the Duo Round of the Tournament!"]
["For those who are just tuning in. This is the second round of the Vytal Festival. Teams are split into two members at a time and like before, must fight against another team to proceed into the next match and round. The last 10 teams remaining will then proceed into the final rounds tomorrow. Now, who will be the next match for us to witness?"]
The screen displayed a moving roulette before it slowed down onto Yang and Weiss against two people. One a Faunus girl with orange hair and a young man with a fedora.
["And now that we're back, our next match is Yang Xiao Long and Weiss Schnee from Team RWBY versus Neon Katt and Flynt Coal from Team FNKI!"]
"This ought to be a good fight." Cody beamed.
"Punch them in the face, Yang!" Ruby cheered.
XXX
Yang and Weiss were unsure how the fight will go.
Sure they had their teamwork cut out for them but the fact they were still adjusting to this whole debacle was another. Their skills are good for sure but from everyone they knew, Lily was still the top of the chain due to her ability and her gift.
"Okay, we got this… we… uh, we got this, right?" Yang asked the Schnee.
"Just keep it together." Weiss hissed.
"I must say, those hair extensions are great! Where do you get them from?" Neon asked the brawler.
"Hair extensions?"
"Or are you just top heavy?"
Yang's brow twitched at the comment. It was obvious what the Faunus meant.
"Easy, Neon. Don't wanna antagonize the heiress's friend there. Who know how much she bought into this." Flynt said, showing he too was in on the taunting.
3…
2…
1…
BEGIN!
The bell rang as the two teams charged ahead, Yang quickly heading to Neon with no hesitation while Weiss and Flint began to battle about. This one was the Team of Powers versus the Team of Style, and one many have tuned into see.
Neon manages to roll ahead of every blast from Ember Celica, skating on the railings and making faces at an irritated Yang. She continues to flip and slide over any terrain in her way, all the while repeating a mantra to herself.
"Never miss a beat! Never miss a beat! Never miss a beat!"
"Stand still will you!" Yang growled, taking a few shots.
"Hehe, how could I when you're so top heavy?" Neon grinned.
Yup, this girl was pissing her off.
"Head's up!" Neon shouted, rushing past her before Yang felt the weapon's, the Faunus had, hit her as well a her arm and leg feeling cold. She looked down to see her left arm and leg now covered in ice, "Look! Now you're bottom heavy too" She said, slapping her lower body.
'Why you…!'
Yang quickly broke the ice as she charged after Neon who turned around, only to be greeted with a fist that sent her flying through a few of the arena's obstacles. "How did you like that?" Yang sneered.
With Weiss and Flynt, the two continue their clash as the now 'former' heiress quickly avoided some of the attacks Flynt sent at her. She quickly spawned her glyph, zipping around as she struck him several times before sweeping him away.
Flynt though, quickly got up as he dodged some ice sent at him. He looked up to see her throw more, but he quickly noticed the lava pool below, ready to blow. He flipped onto his knees before using his weapon to blow fire, melting the ice quickly before he got up.
"Not bad, Miss Schnee… But I think it's time for a tune up." He said, smirking as he stomped his foot down, as next to him, four versions of himself, aside from the hat ribbon being different colors stood tall. They all took deep breaths before playing their trumpet together, each one harmonizing with one another as their attacks actually took a toll on Weiss.
[My word folks! You all just saw Flynt Coal's Semblance and weapon at work! Bare witness to Flynt's Killer Quartet!] Oobleck announced as the four Flint's bowed after the attack was done, showing Weiss's Aura is now halfway gone.
Weiss grimaced as she slowly got back up and grabbed her weapon before looking at Flint.
"You got this you guys!" Cody encouraged.
The words gave the two some encouragement before Weiss rotated the revolver in her weapon.
She cast another Glyph as Flynt exhaled in his instrument, only for him to realize that ice was blocking the end. He quickly looked at Weiss to see her unleash an attack on him, striking him as the power sent the young man flying towards Neon.
"Hey, Kitty! You better look out behind you." Yang pointed behind her with a smirk.
"What are you-" she saw her partner before the two fell onto the ground upon collision.
Yang smirked, seeing Weiss walk up to them all, "Say, would you be so kind and mind giving me a bit of a jump?" She requested to her teammate politely.
Weiss sighed before casting a Glyph. "They are all yours."
"Thank you Weiss." Yang chuckled, rushing up to the glyph before bouncing off of it, into the air, she then came flying down at Flynt and Neon, her leg extended before striking the two out of the ring as the bell rang off, showing a ring out on Team FNKI.
[And with that, Team RWBY are now allowed to participate in the Singles Round of the Festival!] Port announced with glee.
"Alright!" Yang cheered.
"Did you seriously have to show off like that?" Weiss questioned.
"Well, I did promise someone." The buxom blonde replied with a sly smirk. Her lilac eyes glanced at Cody who cheered for her victory.
"We… we lost?" Neon got out, as the two turned to see her, she first looked slightly pale from that before she bounced up, now regaining her color, "That was totally awesome! I didn't expect someone from Beacon to be strong!" She complimented them.
"Uh… Thanks?" Yang got out.
"We should totally hang out! Also, heh... sorry for the taunts. Just was trying to find a way to win for Atlas." she apologized.
Yang chuckled, "Well next time choose your words wisely."
"No promises~!" Neon chimed.
'I hate her.'
"Hey! Weiss Schnee!" Flynt called out, gaining her attention, "I think what you're doing is a good change…. Make sure you keep that view in your sight and not let your father force you away from it, alright?" He smiled, holding his hand out to her.
"I shall, and I also promise to do my best to rebuild everything my father tore down, including the nice Mom and Pop shops." Weiss smiled, reaching out as she shook his hand in return.
Of course, as the duo walked out, Ruby swiftly rushed to hug Yang happily, before following it up with her hug for her best friend, who groaned yet softly smiled and returned it.
"You both did great! Kinda pumped up from the fight." Cody cheered for the two as he smiled at them.
"Thanks! We appreciate the comment." The brawler winked. The Y member of RWBY noticed one missing person amongst them. "Wait, where's Blake?"
"Went to talk to Lily." The former experiment answered. "It's the least Lily can get to have some company given the circumstances."
"What circumstances?"
Cody massaged his knuckles. With the three here it was about the right time to at least talk. "Look, I am not going to be stupid about it but I am just going to say this: all of you are still wary and nervous about her being around you."
"Who said-" Weiss argued but Cody cut her off and said, "Don't. I wasn't born yesterday nor am I blind you guys. I get it, she has brought harm to each of you and others in some way but everyone and I mean everyone all look at her as the one who sided Evol to have the world devoured. Ruby looks at her warily. You look at her with fear because of what she did to your sister, Weiss. Yang… you… don't put any faith in the girl who kept me going when I was in that cell…"
All of the girls lowered their head from this. They weren't denying that's how they felt about Lily. True, she has changed sides due to Vernage, but the wounds she caused before haven't fully healed for them just yet, thus making them more unsure about the bluenette.
"Like Blake, she changed. She isn't with Faust and she is barely living." He held his lip at the term he spoke. "If it wasn't for Vernage she would have been dead. She would have never been there for me growing up before the escape. I… would have probably stood by Faust if that were the case…" With how he had no hope towards heroes. The way he once looked at people. It was clear his mind nearly broke if it wasn't for Lily. "She has been trying, trying to help but all people does is treat her like shit. You girls may have defended her at the food stalls but what about before? What of after that? All you did was try to make an excuse to avoid her."
"Cody we were-"
"I want the truth, and now." He gritted. "Do you have faith in her… or no?" All he earned was silence. "So that's it then… you don't. So Blake is the only one in this city who does."
"We're doing our best!" Yang shouted out to him, "It's tough, we know! And we know you trust her… But it isn't that easy for us… We can't just quickly ignore the fact she was Evol's right hand after everything that happened… she hurt so many people, Cody. She tried to kill us. She killed people and tortured Weiss' sister."
"She almost killed me too… I know well. And I've killed people too… the ones who were the Smash. The fellow 900s who didn't get the chance of freedom because of my stupid attempt of escaping." He frowned softly.
"But you had no choice!"
"I still have their blood on my hands, Yang. Nothing will wash that away." He shook his head, "But even still… if you can reach out to me and try to be there for me… Why not Lily too? She needs friends just as much as I do. Vernage and me… we are all that she has left in her life. Who else would support her when there may be a time that I can't or Vernage herself? Will she turn back to her hatred because of the people who are currently discriminating against her for what she did? For being human no more? Or… hurt herself by…." He grimaced at the thought of suicide. He had the same thought after his escape but he kept going despite the struggle of his time in the streets.
"Cody…" Yang grimaced as she and the other two girls looked at one another.
As much as they too had words to say, they also couldn't deny his logic either. It is true that if left alone, certain people do tend to do something very dangerous just to stop emotional and mental pain. Neither of them want to see Lily die, yet it's still going to be some struggle to get past everything.
But like Cody himself, if they didn't reach out to him, he would also be in a position where who knows what he could do, let alone any self destructive tendencies. For now, they had to swallow a bit of their fears… and try as well.
"Just give her a chance. That's all I ask… more like begging you to please, please at least listen to her."
Weiss rubbed her arm whereas Ruby fiddled her fingers. Yang shared a simile reaction as she swallowed and sighed.
"Well, we all are this deep in it anyways. Whats one more step in this pond gonna really do?" Yang shrugged before she got closer and patted his shoulder, "Okay. We'll try as well, sides I can't stand seeing you be upset again. Not unless you want another lap pillow from me?" She winked playfully to try and lighten the mood.
Cody blushed.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Ugh, will you two get a room already."
"Shut up Weiss!" The blonde duo exclaimed.
"… I don't get it." Ruby stated.
XXX
Lily stared at the screen of the fight and leaned against the chair. The children had all watched it in another room. She remembered hearing them cheer or comment on who would win. It gives some warmth to know they were overcoming their difficulties as former experiments. The teenage experiments had been tending to them as well so it wouldn't put so much work onto her. She was hesitant at first but Vernage had insisted to allow them their support in which she accepted.
The youngest of the experiments, the said duo were fast asleep on her lap. Her lilac eyes stared down at the two siblings, brushing her hand against them. 1931 and 1932. She faintly remembered they were the youngest of all experiments. Found within a small closet of a village that had been overrun by Grimm.
The boy, 1932, had the cloth over his eye given his fear towards the machines had drawn Grimm when the Guardians were extracting potential child survivors to take in. His paternal twin sister (from what the health screening showed) 1931, was protective of her male twin. For a girl so young she wanted her brother safe.
Just as she did when she wanted to protect Cody. She took a shuddering breath to ease the memories of her days in Faust. She still hasn't gotten a good sleep because of the nightmares. All the souls of those she killed asking her why she killed them. It wasn't easy. Vernage had been the only one to comfort her in her dreams but it also exhausts her energy that she too needed rest to recharge her magic.
"You okay, bis sis…?" 1931 asked tiredly, looking worried for the bluenette.
"I'm okay. Just rest."
The little girl yawned and went back to sleep. She heard footsteps and the small commotion of the children. She internally grunted and gently set the young twins in comfort before walking. She paused to notice Blake struggling to walk around the mob who were pulling her left and right for attention.
"H-Hey! Easy now!" Blake spoke gently to the kids.
"Blake?"
"U-Um… l-little help please?"
The buxom bluenette briefly saw the flicker of Blake's aura from her wrists. The children were exerting too much of their enhanced abilities. "Children, enough!" The mob stopped. "Remember what I told you about exerting yourself too much against people who aren't us."
"Sorry…" the children mumbled.
"Stay and watch the screen. If there is any arguments between any of you you will be grounded. Understood?" They nodded. "I'll have Indigo and Coral prepare lunch in the meantime."
"Yes, ma'am…" they said in unison before slowly heading back to the tv screen.
"I'm sorry for what they did Blake. Their need for parental affection has been difficult for me."
"It's okay, you didn't have to do that much." Blake smiled softly.
"Why are you here anyway?"
"I thought you could use an outside company. Cody told me you… haven't been yourself."
"He needs to stop worrying about me."
"He sees you as a sister, you know he can't do that." The Faunus smiled softly.
Lily snorted before returning to her quarters and sat down. She made sure to not awaken the two children. "Vernage asks the same thing. I am fine."
'You're not.' Vernage's words made the former agent grit her teeth.
"As someone who had to lie a lot? I know when someone is… you don't have to lie to your friends, Lily." Blake empathized. "Do you want to have the ones you are looking after worried about you?"
Lilac eyes drift towards the direction of the other room before shifting to the young twins who were fast asleep. She opened her mouth but clenched her jaw. The last thing she wanted was to have the children she promised to protect scared about her state.
"I know how you feel about how the world is still against you when you defected." Blake calmed the girl. "Thinking about what you could have done to turn back the clock to fix your mistakes."
Blake looked at the screen. She clasped her hands together and looked down at the floor. "Being in the White Fang, there were things I was not proud of doing. I thought of it as something that would help but it is only taking lives needlessly. They didn't have to die just to raise awareness of the cause."
Growing up in the White Fang, it was literal. Her father was chieftain of Menagerie and formerly the head of the White Fang before Sienna took over. She remembered yelling at her parents as she joined the cause to grant Faunus the equality they deserved. In the end, violence had always been an answer. An answer she did not want. "You feel like-"
"Like everything you have done has only been a means for another, but it does not bring closure for the sins you did." Blake raised her head and looked to her left to notice Lily's eyes averted. Lily spoke the words that Blake herself had planned to say. Words from the heart.
"… All my life I had hated Cody when he left me. Left all of us of Group 900 to our dreaded fates. I survived it but it gave Evol a means to fuel my hatred and soon enough I became his right hand. His sword. His assassin. His trained killer." Lily pressed a hand against her eyes. "But what good is there when I have committed atrocities against humanity. Giving Evol a means to eat our world for his strength. You wanted equality for your people, I wanted a means to an end… and an end I got. Evol who will eat the world while watching the factions of this world turn on one another, seeing it all burn amidst his feast."
"That's only true if we just sit here, do nothing, and let him win." Blake stated. "I don't believe it's over just yet. So why are you just giving up like that?"
"Who said I gave up…" Lily looked at her hands. "I am following what Vernage did. To finish what she started. To kill that son of a bitch snake and protect humanity as she did from those like him… like Salem."
"Then trust your friends to have your back as well." The ravenette smiled softly, "You can't do this alone… That's one of the first things that we learn when training to be Huntresses. You and Vernage are just one person risking their lives to protect the world. Vernage may be a Saint and you a former agent of Faust but you, especially you Lily, need to know you are only human from the beginning."
Lilac met amber. The bluenette took in the words Blake spike. She was only human from the beginning. Unlike Cody who was a born hybrid she was born human. Her values were human.
Blake suddenly felt a foreboding sensation but noticed Lily a bit too close. The Faunus' eyes took in the closer inspection of Lily. The jacket was too large for Lily but she didn't care. The way it exposed her shoulders.
The sleeveless dress shirt that hugged her buxom figure. The fair skin that despite the exposure to Nebula and harm, there were barely any signs of scars. The wild sky blue hair that was styled in a ponytail. The fringe that covered her right eye. To any male, it was a sight many would keep in the depths of their minds.
The Faunus almost felt cornered but Lily paused her own movements. Her lilac eyes wavered as unknown to Blake, Lily nearly saw Crystal in the former White Fang member's place. Her mind recalled her death and that one night she had with the Lost Soldier.
Lily immediately moved away, standing up and left the room with haste.
"Lily?" Blake attempted to call out to the bluenette, showing worry.
XXX
Lily cupped cold water in her hands before splashing it against her face. The cold water was her attempt to shove down the heat that rose to her cheeks, to stop the emotions that came from her heart. Upon the last splash, the bluenette panted. Her mind reeling from what she nearly did.
'I almost…' Lily grunted bitterly. Her emotions nearly got the best of her. It wasn't until the memory of Crystal's death stopped her. Crystal and her were not lovers by any means. It was a night they had shared but it had caused a rise of emotions within Lily herself. Did she care about Crystal?
… She did.
Crystal was someone who gave a damn about her in their missions. Though, this also reminded her of the few times she lashed out at the older woman. Yet even when she did, Crystal didn't sway from her side.
She didn't want the emotions to get the best of her. Blake doesn't see her in any form of affection. Friends yes but beyond that? Not even close.
To feel love… was a concept Lily long forgotten.
"Is… everything okay?" Blake's worried voice echoed behind the door.
"It's fine, Blake. Just…" The former agent held her tongue. "Sorting things out. Just let me be…"
"I'd rather stick by… and comfort you." Blake said as she stepped past the door, coming behind the bluenette as she then hugged her. "Like I said… you need a friend… so if you won't make that step? I will… Heh, after all. A fellow blonde did that for me too."
Lily lowered her head and the last thing she felt was a tear leaving the corner of her eye.
XXX
As the sun set, Cody and Yang were looking out over Beacon, simply just enjoying the dusk settling. The blonde's enjoying the soft wind that blew through them. Though for the experiment, he still had one thing he wanted to do as he reached in his pocket.
"Say, Yang?" He called to her as it earned her attention, "Here… A good luck charm for tomorrow's match." Cody held in his hand the Dragon Fullbottle, wanting her to hold onto it for her match.
"Your bottle?"
"Yeah… A good luck charm to have…" He mumbled, looking away softly.
Yang looked down at the bottle before handing it back to him. "It's yours Cody. I think you should hold onto it." Cody was puzzled. Smiling, Yang gripped his collar as she pulled him into a surprising kiss. Making the boy blush brightly from it as she then pulled away.
"I prefer that as my good luck charm." Yang winked at him.
"I-I… You… uh… but…" Cody could barely get out anything as he was too stunned from the kiss to realize what just happened and what this meant now.
"Just promise me one thing."
"Wh-What?"
"Just keep getting stronger in your battles."
Cody blinked a bit, before he smiled and nodded. "Yeah… I promise well. Sides, I like living here and I don't want it gone either."
Yang playfully punched his shoulder before the two basked in the serene silence they shared together.
XXX