"And you're certain you saw them?"
"Positive." Corsac told as he bowed politely. The man before him simply smiled, a devious glint in his eyes as it twisted into a curious grin. "One of them matched the description you gave, however it was a woman."
"I see. Well then, it seems we'll get to test the newest batch after all."
"Are you certain about this?" Corsac looked up. "While I do not question your knowledge I fail to see how this will help us in the end. You haven't forgotten the only reason we agreed to partner with you was to bring freedom to our kind. Human's such as yourself haven't been the most pleasant in that regard."
The man waved him off.
"I haven't forgotten. Faunus are just the next step along the evolutionary trail, however as I stated before there is another step beyond your own. Once I perfect the modifications we'll gift mankind with unimaginable power, and there will be no need for petty delusions of superiority. All shall be as one, and as the top predators of this world the very land itself .will bow to our whim."
"You don't care about any of that though, do you?" Corsac asked as the man gave a bountiful laugh.
The Albain brother felt he should have been questioning the man's sanity, however the prospect of having a powerful partner along with the skills he already showcased in deducing the origin of Vermillion's pouch made Corsac hold his tongue for the time being. It was especially important that he never connect that pouch to Vermillion in any way; should he do so Corsac felt he might abandon their project entirely. After all why go back when the boy was a key witness to everything before? It would be as easy as doing away with them and prying into the boy's mind for answers.
There was a time and place to dispose of used pawns; this was not it.
"True, true, I simply wish to evolve us into the state of absolute perfection. If I have to topple a kingdom or two along the way; so be it."
He was a madman, that much Corsac was certain, but even so madmen had their uses. It was unfortunate the human had clearly lost his marbles, but at the moment they needed him if their plan had any chance of success. If Vermillion had truly arrived from the past that meant time travel was indeed possible to an extent at the very least, and if it was possible to arrive from the past did that not allow the reverse to exist as well?
If they could somehow go back to before the feud between the two races then there would be a chance to stop it. Corsac had no idea how they would do it, or if it was even possible, but with the aid of this madman both his brother and he were determined to try.
"If that is all then I shall take my leave." Corsac told as the man smiled and waved.
"If that is what you wish... although." Corsac saw the smirk curled on the deranged scientist's lips. "Do thank that boy for me. His news was most valuable."
"I will." With that Corsac made his way out, and as soon as the door shut he found himself let out a sigh of relief.
"So is everything good or no?" The perky voice next to his ear had him rolling his eyes tiredly.
"As good as it could be. He says thanks by the way, for spotting the group." Gold was in a chipper mood, but that wasn't strange as the boy often seemed to play off everything anyway.
"Cool. So we doing anything yet? I'm itching for some action."
"I can see that, and no, nothing yet." Gold's mood dropped slightly as his cheeks puffed a tiny amount.
"Bummer. Well, anything else happening?"
"For the most part no, however I did learn something interesting." Gold perked up at that.
"Oooh, sounds juicy, what is it?"
"He talked about evolution and perfection, the usual, however he also mentioned his willingness to 'topple a kingdom or two'." Corsac put extra emphasis on that part and Gold's smirk widened.
"He's willing to help fight."
"So long as it helps him fulfill his goal."
"Does that mean we get to break them out again?" Gold asked as Corsac hummed.
"I believe so."
"The shopkeepers have paid their fees though. I don't think they'll like what's to come."
"True." Corsac said as he thought about it. "So far they remain uncontrollable, however if he's willing to let them loose for this one group then it means the plan is moving ahead sooner than expected."
"Good." Gold was giddy. "Soon enough they'll fall and we can move onto the real battle." The boy calmed himself as he thought aloud. "I wonder how the green bastard will handle seeing his precious students in danger; Will he defend them, or abandon them like before?"
.
.
Pebble watched as Ruby looked out to the rapidly shrinking land mass. After all the excitement they were quickly on the move again. The older woman seemed troubled however as she watched the waters below.
He felt a small twang of drive spring within; as much as he wanted to forget everything back there he didn't like seeing Ruby in such a sad mood. Just something about the way her face fell into that calm look of thoughtful fatigue had him wanting to do anything to erase it. Pebble walked up to her and tugged at her hand.
"Yes?" Her eyes focused down on him as she turned, and caught in the sudden spotlight he laid a question on her.
"Did you know them?" It was directed to her seeming familiarity with the queen and her daughter from before. While that alone surprised him it also made the last moments before their departure a little awkward as the - recently revealed - princess had cared for him so closely up until they left; he felt sort of embarrassed at being so near royalty, especially royalty that didn't hate him.
"In a way." Ruby looked back to the sea. "I'd seen them often when I was younger. In those days I was a servant to a particular noble family, and eventually got close with the rulers who they were personal friends with."
"Are you still friends with them?" Pebble asked. She mentioned it was from her younger days, and her generally lonesome demeanor gave off the impression to him that she may have lost touch with those from before.
"In a way. It's just that I haven't seen them for so long."
"Then why not visit them?" The boy questioned, wondering why she'd separated from her friends and family for what sounded to him like a long time. Ruby laughed slightly and ruffled his hair.
"I wish I could, but at the moment I have something very important to do first."
"Will you visit them after?" Pebble tried again, only for her to gain a peculiar look in her eyes.
"Maybe I will-"
Their conversation was cut short as the ship shook. Pebble nearly toppled over as he felt Ruby pull him close. There was shouting and a wave of heat flowed over him. He tried to look up but was blinded by smoke.
"Pirates!" The call was screamed aloud and Pebble felt himself taken in Ruby's arms as she moved. Pirates: often rumored as violent and horrifying; Pebble didn't quite know what to think, but with the way Ruby moved with such ferocity had him cling to her desperately.
A wave of nausea flowed over him as his sense of grounding was stolen away. Ruby had flung him down the hatch, and as soon as he hit the boarding below it was slammed. The landing hurt, but the fear of what was going on above deck had the boy pull himself up quickly. He rushed to the hatch, but found it locked, and no matter how hard his fists crashed against the barricade it refused to yield.
His fear was only eclipsed by his worry for the woman who threw him down. Pebble could only hope she would be okay.
.
.
Ruby let the small amount of relief relax her. Pebble was safe for the time being, meaning she could focus. It wasn't much of a surprise really, in fact the only thing Ruby wondered now was why it took so long for the pirates to appear. They were like any other criminal group in their time period; no aura but a viciousness that rivaled the Grimm.
They would soon learn she could be just as frightening.
They moved for the sailors, who with weapons drawn held their own. It was no shock to her the crew could defend themselves, as even the lesser experienced of them had at least some sort of formal training. The way they moved, the way they waltzed around the ship in a show of swordplay was almost mesmerizing, however it stilled her.
Ruby took particular notice of how the pirates made no moves to go for lethal strikes. Several of them had minor firearms, just some small little pieces that often shattered after a single shot and were easily cheap and replaceable; the people had yet to design one that could withstand the explosion of dust. Yet the vagabonds never made to draw them. She was about to go after one for answers when a blade flew across he face.
Ruby remained in place however as the edge just passed an inch away from her eyes, leaving her perfectly fine.
"You've got some serious guts I'll give you that, but let's see how well you handle this!" Ruby had to actually move and avoid the following slashes, again noticing how they were directed away from the vital areas. Either these pirates had no idea what they were doing, or there was something else at play.
Ruby gambled on the second.
"What's this? Calling it quits already?!" The woman taunted with a cocky attitude as she made several more slashes, all of which 'coincidentally' fell short. Ruby could see the lady begin to show irritation as a smirk of her own danced it's way into place.
"I could say the same." Ruby raised a brow as she tossed quick glances to the battlefield. "You certainly aren't trying. What game is this then? There are better ways to provoke a fight then just charging out of nowhere, especially when you don't intend to finish it."
"Snarky little lass too." The woman shrugged as she sheathed her blade. "Shame, was hoping for a good bout; can't win 'em all I s'pose. A'ight lads drop it all!"
The shout stopped everyone in their tracks, and even the Star-Bringer's crew withdrew, despite the confusion on their side. The other pirates seemed oddly content - albeit a bit disappointed at the outcome. Ruby felt an odd sense of negativity wash over everything, and despite the smiles and slight laughter she heard from the pirates it felt as though something was troubling them.
The fact that she could feel the negativity added onto her own worries. Her corruption was noticeable now, and the changes in her body were making themselves known to only her. Despite this being the end goal she couldn't help but question how much of her humanity would remain, or even if she could retain enough of it to see things through. That was all pushed aside though as she focused back on the woman before her who gave a curious glance, and it was then Ruby realized something.
Perhaps she could use them.
"What's on your mind?" The woman asked as Ruby crossed her arms.
"Debating whether you're all scheming for trouble now, or later." Ruby watched closely as the woman laughed. It was loud and boisterous with a hint of desperation edging along.
"No worries girly, I ain't about to throw you under or nothing." Her laughter calmed to a relaxed breathing. "Fact of the matter is I need you."
"Need me?" Ruby was suspicious. "Do you even know who I am?"
"No. You change your name every time you go anywhere; how's anyone s'pose to keep track of you." The woman wore lidded eyes. "Though that's what 'chu want ain't it, to not be found easily."
"So how'd you find me?" Ruby questioned with less venom than before. They weren't out for blood, they'd proven that with their odd behavior alone, but still they wanted her for something.
"Silver eyes are rather rare, to the point I'm debating whether to keep my bargain or steal you away for myself. But who can resist an order from a queen?" She smirked and Ruby watched the way her eyes wandered up and down her body. "Rumor spreads fast, and the complete destruction of a kingdom isn't something that can easily be swept under the rug."
"No, it isn't, but if a kingdom on it's own isn't enough to stand against me what makes you believe any of you stand a chance?" Ruby challenged as the woman raised her hands in defence, smirk still present.
"Don't get me wrong, I love a good fight as much as the next lass, but I already said I ain't come to off you. I's just here to deliver a message is all."
"Message?" Ruby uttered as the woman's smirk grew.
"Yep, but there is this tiny little detail we need to work out." The woman walked around her as if to size her up. Ruby only stared not bothering to move from her spot, confident in her ability to beat back any attempts against her. "I'll give you that message, but only when you help me first."
"And what's stopping me from killing you and taking that message from your lifeless corpse?" Ruby asked as the woman giggled in amusement.
"Thought you'd say that. See you've gained a bit of a reputation for throwing yourself into things for seemingly no reason. We have this little problem in the west, and thought 'who better to help flay the catch then the woman actively fishing for it?'" The pirate stopped her wandering as she focused on Ruby; a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "You're headed to the Mirage Desert too aren't you, to the kingdom of Halvali? Why not help us out along the way? We can pay you back tenfold."
A tempting offer, and more numbers would make things easier for them. Worst case scenario if the pirates tried anything funny Ruby knew she could just kill them and be done with it. Ruby sighed as the woman's smirk edged tauntingly along her lips, something she'd just have to get used to if past experience was anything to go by.
"Fine, I'll help in your little games. Just make sure to give me that message afterwards or I'll show you why no kingdom so far has been able to quell me."
"Spicy words from a lonely hag, but don't worry; I'm a captain of my word. If you want I can give it to you now."
"And then what would you have as leverage to make me help you? I could just off you once I have the info." Ruby asked as the woman wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. Ruby refrained from cutting it off.
"You won't."
"And how can you be so sure?"
"Your cautious, you keep track of things and plan around them. You could kill me, but you can also use me; you're planning it right now aren't you?" Ruby nodded, not even trying to hide the fact that she saw the pirates as mere tools to an end. "Then why throw away perfectly good friends, especially when they have things you want? You help us, and not only do you get your message but you also get some well versed swashbucklers."
"And you're fine with that?" Ruby questioned as she backed away from the woman. "Being treated as disposable pawns to another's game?"
"No, but regardless of how you see us we'll get your help, and at the moment we're desperate." The pirate woman admitted. "Things ain't exactly great for us, so we need every little bit of help we can get."
"Help with what?"
"I'll explain it on the way." The woman told as she turned. The other pirates had already started to leave and board their own ship again as the woman took a few steps.
"Wait!" Ruby called as the woman turned back. "What was that message?"
"Ah, interested now?" The smirk served to piss Ruby off slightly, but she pushed the feelings away to focus on the woman's words. "You've got friends in high places, but what's most surprizing of all was that the queen of Mobius commanded me to inform you that some guy named 'Vermillion' has gone missing; a knight I think. She also said to give you a new set of orders directly from her."
Ruby felt her heart sink, and it did so even more as the next words were uttered.
"She wants you to find the knight and keep him safe while she wages her little war."
Author's Note
...
Last week never had a chapter, and to be honest this week almost never had one either. Several major events occurred on my side and I completely lost the will to write entirely. Luckily that has passed and I managed to pump this out.
I'm not particularly satisfied with this chapter, both in execution and length, however I felt the need to at least get out something this time so here we are.
We have a few major plot points show up this time, but other than that it's little to go off of.
Next week I should have a more proper chapter for you all, so until then see you later.