A/N: Hey guys, I have recently returned from my time in Japan and had a lot of fun. Took pictures, shopped for several souvenirs and whatnot. I already made plans to make this a yearly thing for me by going places for the sake of having time for myself but to also widen my perspective and mind. Being in Japan had allowed my mind to have some fresh air while learning much history of several places in Tokyo while gazing at the view of the city from Tokyo Tower itself. My typing and wordings may not be the best but I do my best in making these chapters for the stories. Also I want to let you guys know my updates will probably be every two-three weeks or monthly depending on what I deal with at work. I hope you guys understand this and thank you for still reading this story. Now, let us get back into the story with the continuation of the Arrowfell arc.

NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ REMNANT OF DESIRES AND REMNANTS OF DESIRES: AFTER THE FALL, READ THEM BEFORE YOU START READING THIS STORY. THANK YOU.

Third Person View

'Thought'

"Greeed/Yummies"


If he were to describe the city of Atlas that hovered above the city of Mantle, there were various words that came to mind. Advanced. Extravagant. Displaying their symbol as a militaristic kingdom. Alas there were a few things that overwritten it. The kingdom was dull, the scent of nature extremely lacking, and furthermore…

"They create weapons to suppress life." The man grunted in frustration as humans classify the emotion as. His build was almost well-toned. His skin was of fair color with emerald green eyes full of life yet held a sliver of laziness like a cow but also noble grace of a gazelle. Not as hollow and chaotic as Muchiri or their lord. His golden hair was ruffled yet several strands curved upward, almost styled as short horns. He wore a white uwagi with the sleeves folded neatly to his elbows. His pants were akin to a zubon but held a few black markings. A long dark orange sash ran diagonally over the torso of the outfit.

He was told by Grimm to test his might against OOO and the humans affiliated with him. Muchiri had already proven to their lord he was strong… but must Muchiri always go to such extremes? He was part bee, he should have held some passiveness given their nature unless provoked from their activities or hive.

Though even as he walks through Mantle to Atlas. He saw the people divided, the hard workers being pushed into the dirt while those with power and money floated above them like they were superior. A form of disbalance just as nature does. It honestly made him disgusted seeing this as while he had his mission, he still felt something connecting him to Remnant and he was unsure what it was. Maybe it was due to his power as a Greeed.

He paused his movements to briefly catch a few kids gathered around a small pit of dirt. His eyes narrowed slightly before noticing a plant being set into it. Barely a mere sprout. They were trying to have it grow in such a terrain when the snow and cold temperatures outside the cities would not allow it to last. The cities may have their heating systems but it can't last forever.

His green eyes glimmered a trio of colors and walked away. The sprout suddenly grew into a plant full of fruits. He could hear the awe from the sudden growth. People began to converge on it.

Nature is life. Life is balanced to nature itself. There is dark and there is light - an everlasting equilibrium. He had a duty to uphold such a role.

Steam blew through his clothes and air through his nostrils. Like a mad bull who is kept at bay.

The humans will see first hand the might of nature itself.


Remnants of Desires: Edge of Avarice


Chapter 10: Team Efforts, Balance of Nature, Arrowfell

After the defeat of a Grimm Goliath as well as the encounter with the supposed Team BRIR, the five of us returned to Atlas, our flight full of idle chatter amongst each other. I had my head craned down, staring at my violet Medal. That gut feeling I had earlier regarding Bram. A part of me wondered if there was something he actually knew about the orb. Or if there is more to this than we realized. I just hope that the gut feeling was wrong.

Ruby was the most chatty in regards to the spectacle of Team BRIR. She was jubilant and was very excited, her eyes glimmering in excitement. "The way they did their teamwork was so awesome! For that woman to mimic the abilities her teammates have? Aweesommee~!" She praised the recollected spectacle of Team BRIR.

Weiss however reacted differently than her team leader. "But very rude mind you." huffed the former Heiress. "The nerve of them. They practically saw us as kids! We are adults!"

"I'm pretty sure the only one who is a fully fledged adult is Blake here." Yang jabbed her thumb towards her partner.

Blake's shoulders tensed and sent a nervous yet puzzled look at her teammate. "Wha-What?"

Yang grinned slyly.

The Cat Faunus stared before her face became red to what her teammate meant. I overheard that part and my face flushed red as well. Dammit Yang. Did she have to bring it up? I turned my head to hide it. That memory Blake and I shared back at Beacon after the PuToTyra incident was something to cherish.

"Ugh, do you have a single decency, Yang?" Weiss admonished.

"Yanggg! Come on, I don't need to hear whatever goes on! It's their privacy!" Ruby complained.

Blake gave an appreciative nod to her team leader. "Thank you Ruby. At least you understand."

"I mean, given how loud they are, I'm surprised that everyone in Atlas doesn't know." Yang snickered. "Not like you two shared a night in Atlas."

"…."

"Oh my god you two-!" Ice suddenly formed over her mouth, making her words muffled. She flailed her arms, before trying to pry the slab of ice off.

"Not. Another. Word." I had a hand over my face due to it being beet red.

"Finally. Someone turned on the mute button on her." Weiss grumbled. She could feel the daggers from Yang which she paid no mind to. The blonde got what she deserved.

"Oh! Oh! Enrique, what did you think of Team BRIR's Semblances?!"

I raised my head from my hand, blinking. "Oh, well, unexpected being what I have to comment."

Blake however pondered, "Wait… we were the only ones who knew about that location… How did they even find us? It's not like they just wandered around, waiting for something to show up." She pointed out.

"Well, Mr. Bram mentioned they were mercenaries." Weiss brushed a lock of her hair. "And given they do it for pay, my best guess once they heard about the Goliath, they came straight for it right as we were the ones dealing with it. Honestly, what they're doing is unacceptable. All for money like Akira?"

"Hey Mr. Akira isn't like that, Weiss!" Ruby protested. "He was fighting under Kougami's pay for 1 million Lien!"

"That's because he was using the armor owned by the company. Performing tests." Blake agreed with the red-cloaked girl. "And the RideVendor soldiers consist of former soldiers and hired Hunters?"

Weiss raised a finger before lowering it. "Hmph!"

Our Scrolls blipped, making us reach for our devices and saw it was a message from Yang in the group chat amongst the five of us. It said 'Tsundere~'.

"Hey!" The snow-haired Huntress looked at Yang who elicited a muffled laugh.

Another blip came up as it was on my scroll from Yang as it read, 'Think you can remove this now? I need to sneeze!'

I rolled my eyes.


The five of us approached Ironwood's office as we entered the main area. We stood in a horizontal line since we had to brief our report. However instead of the general it was a dark-skinned woman garbed in Atlesian clothes. Her black hair was short whereas her eyes were dandelion color.

"Um… where is General Ironwood?" Ruby inquired.

"He and Specialist Schnee are currently in a meeting with the council but will return shortly. I am currently the one assisting in their place." The woman replied. "Oh right, perhaps introductions are in order. My name is Lieutenant Olive Harper."

"Wait, you're Olive Harper?" Weiss realized.

"Is something wrong?"

"We were told from Mr. Bram to speak to you!"

"… ah, now I see. You must be Team RWBY alongside Enrique. Pardon me for not realizing it."

"It's no biggie." Yang shrugged. "I take it you got the report of what happened?"

"Correct. You five have certainly done the right thing by coming to see me at Bram Thornmane's recommendation." The Atlesian confirmed. "Carrying military technology with you would be a very reckless thing to do. Who knows if it could detonate…"

"A-Ah." Now that Olive brought it up, we never thought of that possibility but given it was military technology then it must seriously be dangerous.

"Lieutenant, you wouldn't happen to know anything about where that orb came from, do you?" asked Yang.

The Atlesian shook her head, "No, it all sounds very unusual to me. It's probably nothing worth losing sleep over."

"But we found it just after we had finished fighting off an onslaught of Grimm." That was Ruby who explained to the lieutenant.

The woman stifled a small giggle. "Sounds like you made quite a scene."

Yang shrugged with a smile. "We like to make an entrance."

Blake brushed a finger against her chin. Her delicate brows furrowed and looked at Olive. "If it is military tech, isn't it strange that it would be there without General Ironwood's knowledge in the first place?"

Olive sighed. "Tell you what. If it'll ease your minds, I'll put some feelers out there and research this for you? Just follow up with me later. By then, I'm certain I'll have found a lead."

"You would do that? That will be great!" Ruby cheered.

"We appreciate it, lieutenant." I appreciated it.

"Of course! Anything for our brave Hunters. It'll take a bit but in the meantime, Ace-Ops will soon be arriving to speak with you about your next mission. … Ah… I do believe that's Clover I'm hearing at the hall right now."

"Okay, thanks!" We exited the office and walked the hall and sure enough we saw Clover speaking to an Atlas soldier who saluted and walked away.

"Ah, Team RWBY! Enrique! Your timing is impeccable."

"More like a stroke of luck in your case?" I quipped.

Clover chuckled, gently brushing his crest. "You could say that."

"I bet Ankh is still swearing about that whole Luck thing." Yang whispered to the rest of her team, making Ruby giggle.

"Hehe! He would be so mad at you, sis!" Ruby giggled.

"I take it Olive told you what happened at Essen village?" I assumed.

"That's right. And thankfully we're about to have our daily Ace-Ops assembly. I would like you five to join us today."

"A meeting with the best around… we're honored!" Yang beamed.

"Excellent. The other members of the team are arriving momentarily." Sure enough we saw Marrow, Elm, Harriet, and Vine.

"Well look who brought the squirts." Harriet smirked, teasingly.

"Not little." Ruby grumbled. "I'm about to be 17…"

"Now that everyone is gathered, as you may have noticed, Team RWBY alongside Enrique are taking part for today's assembly." The leader of Ace-Ops stated. "The five have successfully taken down a Grimm Goliath on their prior mission"

"Ha! A Goliath? You kids sure have grown from those brats we first met in Mantle!" Elm bellowed with laughter as she patted my back. I buckled from the strength she put into it. Dear god does this woman ever take a hint? I'm just glad my Aura protected my back otherwise I would have been kissing the floor.

"Considering I had to use SaGoZo and being smacked around by a frickin elephant…" I massaged my back. I still felt a little numb from the thrashing it gave me.

Clover peered at his team briefly then at the rest of us. "Today, as you know, all of Ace-Ops will be embarking on our individually assigned solo missions."

"By strengthening oneself, united we grow strong," Marrow quoted with a mumble. "Yeah yeah we know the drill."

"Precisely! However today's a bit different. We won't entirely be on our own." The man looked at Team RWBY and myself. "Team RWBY. Enrique. Now that you have Hunter responsibilities, I'd like the Ace-Ops to be able to lean on you for our missions today."

Ruby looked excited about it. "Roger! We're on it!"

"With that said, we'll be splitting everyone up, a team of two for everyone. Make sure you know your new partner for these missions and do your best." Clover informed. "Dismissed!"

"Yes sir!" His teammates saluted.


Task was simple, we helped the members of Ace-Ops in their assigned missions individually for the time being. That said, since there were five of us, it meant there was an even split between people. Ruby was with Clover. Yang with Elm. Weiss with Harriet. Blake with Vine. And myself?

I was assigned with Marrow on his assignment in Mantle.

"Man, it is great to be back here!" The Faunus stretched.

"Sounds like Mantle is your home."

"Oh that's because it is. Born and raised here," Marrow casually admitted, earning surprise from myself.

"Wait, so you're not from Atlas?" The Faunus chuckled at my realization, "Nope. 100% Mantle."

He looked at the people. "Looking up to the Atlas Huntsman, it was my dream to be like them. Didn't care what people said to me, since I am a Faunus of course, worked hard, and years later here I am as a former recruit of Ace-Ops!" He gave a grin.

"You really worked hard to reach such a position. Well I say your efforts really paid off." I complimented him.

"I appreciate the flattery." Marrow smiled, though his tail wagging showed he was happier than he seemed to be. He saw it and grabbed his tail to stop the wag. "What about you?"

"Huh?"

"What brought you to enroll at Vale?"

"I… uh…" I trailed off. "Well, for starters, I never attended a combat school in my life until Beacon."

"Oh? So you're like Jaune in a way? Never had training and somehow got into Beacon?" Marrow guessed.

I massaged my neck, "Ozpin offered me a place in Beacon. Well… probably because I was able to become OOO." I remembered how Ozpin had recorded the plaza of my first transformation as OOO.

"Right. That makes sense." Marrow agreed, as he could see the potential should he have been in other parts of the world. "But do you regret it?"

"I'm… not sure." I know I told Oscar I didn't regret becoming OOO to fight the Greeed but after the discoveries in the summit, it was slowly waning. "What I do know however is to help my friends. That is what matters to me right now."

"Then simply focus on that. I'm sure things will work out, buddy." Marrow smiled once more with a pat on my back.

"Yeah, sure."


Yang was with Elm as she was doing a task for the Ace-Ops member. If you can call it a mission. The fact she had to get a fresh grape soda? It was total bull for it to call it a mission when Elm admitted she did it minutes ago!

"I can't believe I am doing catering!" The buxom blonde grunted. She was in Atlas which was good but still! All for a can of soda!

"At least she gave me the Lien for it." She reached for the said money upon approaching the vending machine. "This is the only machine that sells this crap."

With the money placed inside, the girl pressed the button and waited. She stared longingly at the glass. "I wonder how the others are with their miss-" She froze when the glass reflected an incoming fist. She ducked with haste, the glass shattering and contents of all the drinks erupted in a frenzy upon the powerful impact.

"What the hell?! I just washed his jacket damn it!" Angrily looking she had to raise her head slightly to the man who towered her by several feet in height. He was as tall as Elm. His emerald eyes were staring down at her and for some reason she felt small. "U-Uh… nice… build?"

Steam blew the cloth before the attacker shockingly lifted the machine without effort and slammed into her. Yang gagged and rolled across the pavement. She readied her weapons. "Alright bub, what the hell was that for?!"

"To test to see if you humans are a nuisance."

"Human… oh fuck." Yang uttered, recalling Muchiri's warning. The other Greeed, Borvin.

The kaijin charged like a mad bull, forcing the blonde to fire her shotgun rounds. The vending machine served as a shield before he tore it in half and slammed the earth.

Upon the impact, Yang gasped to the erupting of bark-like vines towards her. Her eyes widened as all she saw was the wrath of nature.

With Elm, the woman was tapping her foot slowly and grumbled. "What on earth is taking that girl so long for my soda?" She marched to the vending machine she told Yang to go to. "Hey Xiao Long, what is taking you so… long…"

Her voice died down upon the blonde entrapped midair by what is best to call a wall of tree bark. The vines crawled across the bark itself but the girl was unconscious. "This is Ace Operative Elm! I need backup at the shopping district! Unusual activity by-" from the corner of her eye she saw a fist in which she used her Semblance to stand her ground but grunted and skidded several feet.

Before her was a man with a build that was almost well-toned if she had to admit. His skin was of fair color with emerald green eyes full of life yet held a sliver of laziness like a cow but also noble grace of a gazelle. Not as hollow and chaotic as Muchiri or their lord. His golden hair was ruffled yet several strands curved upward, almost styled as horns or antlers. He wore a white uwagi with the sleeves folded neatly to his elbows. His pants were akin to a zubon but held a few black markings. A long dark orange sash ran diagonally over the torso of the outfit. For a second she thought steam blew from his nose.

"You must have protective tenacity… but you are not the other four I was hoping for." The man's voice was calm yet there laid a tone of disappointment.

Elm drew her hammer in wariness.

"Are you responsible for attacking Xiao Long?!"

"Yes but only to test the five people which are her, a girl with silver eyes, a cat Faunus, a girl with hair white as snow, and OOO." He explained. "The balance of nature must be made by completing my task."

"So you're after them, eh? Well, I can't let you pass and hurt them!" Elm said, lunging towards him with a twist of her back. The weapon slammed into the man, creating a blast of air on impact.

But he did not move.

"What the…"

Borvin snorted and gripped her weapon. She gawked when he slowly crushed the shaft until it snapped in two. Elm took a step back, seeing her weapon then at her opponent.

"I do not wish to harm those who are not my task. Either leave, or I will be forcing my hand."

"She is under my protection! I won't let a monster like you harm them!" Elm declared, showing that she wasn't willing to back down.

Borvin took a deep breath and exhaled. "Then I apologize for this." His eyes glowed and wood erupted beneath her. She pulled and tugged but the amount kept increasing.

Elm was placed beside Yang, squirming to free herself to no avail.

"Thus another disbalance… I apologize for it, ma'am."

"Another disbalance? If you're here for balance, you'd be fighting with us against the Grimm and other Greeed!" Elm glared.

"When there's dark there's light." Elm blinked. "Selfishness and selflessness. Good and evil. Life… and death. You humans, have been pushed to the brink but in turn you have learned thus creating balance… alas it is humanity's mistakes that tip the scales."

"The 'mistake' is us having to fight a monster who wishes to destroy everything. If anything, we're doing 'our' best to fix that imbalance!"

"Has it ever been fixed before?" Immediately Elm was silenced. "Or before that? And before that? Centuries no one has chosen to do so aside from this… 'Ozpin' yet he chose to keep secrets. His very secrets disbalance the very meaning of what is the truth and what the world must know. Never has your general chose, on his own volition, to tell all in the past. Never has humanity treated other species with such disgrace like they were dirt. Your desires, your selfish choices… are that very disbalance to nature. The great war, the Tyranny of Solaris, humans and Grimm. Faunus Revolution. All caused by humanity's desires."

"Then isn't your creator doing the same by being selfish and hunting the kids down?" Elm questioned the Greeed.

"Achieving it is different than having it. The boy is only delaying the inevitable outcome."

"What outcome?"

Borvin opened his mouth but paused and immediately raised his arm to block a sword. His emerald eyes met red.

Yang groaned, groggily opening her eyes and saw a familiar person on the ground. "Uncle… Qrow…?"

"I got the call and I was close by when I heard it!" Qrow grunted as he flipped back while Borvin frowned. "Hate to break it to ya big guy but you sure are one big tree hugger."

"… Is that a joke, a comment, or an insult?"

"Whatever pisses you off more, grass licker."

Wooden vines erupted and lashed at Qrow. The Huntsman transformed his sword into scythe, slicing a few and dashed towards the Greeed. He shifted into a crow, avoiding the piercing attack and changed back, using his scythe to cut down the incoming wood. A few grazed his Aura but kept moving. With a battle cry, Qrow spun and struck across Borvin's torso. The beast in disguise grunted, stepping back slightly and paused. He looked at the scythe in Qrow's hand and noticed a small attachment to it.

"Heh, good thing Akira gave it to me back at Vale." A cell medal ejected before he rapidly placed in another to imbue the scythe with Core Energy.

"Uncle Qrow!"


Few Minutes earlier…

Marrow and I rushed back to Atlas after Elm gave a distress call regarding unusual activity. Without any doubt, it must have been either two things: Salem's agents or the Greeed. Alas we weren't sure on the former so we somewhat hoped it was the latter. After entering the city Marrow groaned in frustration. "We gotta get there in time!"

"I have one." Reaching into my pocket, I procured the O-Driver before placing Taka, Tora, and Cheetah into it. "Henshin!"

TAKA!

TORA!

CHEETAH!

The crests aligned before donning me in TaToTah.

"Woah."

"Get on my back."

"Uh… should I be worried about anything?"

"Hope you have a good stomach to hold." I joked.

"Pffft, please! I am a member of Ace-Ops! I can handle it!"

"If you say so." Marrow hopped onto my back and I shook my hands to take a quick breath. "Hold on tight!" With one step, the Cheetah Legs granted me enhanced speed.

"W-Wooaah!!!" Marrow cried out from the speed, already in shock at how fast I was going. His arms nearly strangled around my neck but I was thankful my Aura shielded me. It didn't take long thanks to it but when I saw Ruby and the others, I skidded to a stop. "Guys!"

Marrow however waddled left and right. "S-See? Nothing to it… hehe…" He covered his mouth to prevent the need to vomit.

"Enrique!" Ruby cried with relief as the other rushed to me. "You got what Elm sounded off, right?"

"Yeah, something unusual."

Clover lowered his fingers from his earpiece. "That was Qrow. I was just informed he was already nearing the scene."

"Which means we gotta get there too!"

All eight of us nodded but not before Harriet released an exasperated sigh and lifted Marrow over to drag along.

Entering the district we skidded to a halt, our jaws dropping upon the sight. Trees and plants were all around, coiling the metal technology but there was mostly wood that looked natural upon growth.

"Holy cow… when Elm said unusual activity…"

"It's like… a wooden forest grew out of nowhere!" Marrow raised a hand.

"Look, up ahead!"

Ahead of us was none other than Qrow who was focused on a man unknown to us but Yang and Elm looked to be ensnared by the wood they were trapped in.

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby called.

"Glad you can make it. Could use some help over here!" Qrow requested as he dodged another swing of the man's fist.

Alas seeing us, the mysterious man sighed. "So they have arrived." He sounded relieved. "Then it means I must start my task as they are here." He grunted, steam blowing from his skin and his nostrils flared smoke. He charged towards me and Weiss, forcing Vine to use his aura to grab him but wood erupted to prevent it.

"Oh crap!" I shielded myself and Weiss with ice but when the man slammed into the ice, it was obliterated by what felt like piercing damage and threw us both into the air.

"Did he just throw them up like a bull?!" Marrow gaped.

"Ace Ops, assist Team RWBY, Enrique, and Qrow to take down this enemy." Clover ordered as he and the other Ace Ops rushed in to assist us.

"Hello! Xiao Long and I are still stuck here!" Elm barked.

"Oh right."

In the air, I grunted to the damage on my armor. And man was that one hell of a headbutt the guy had. Who was he? To command wood meant… shit. Muchiri's warning. It was that Borvin guy which meant we were facing a Greeed at full power! "Weiss, I need you to call your Lancer!"

"Huh? Oh, of course!" She forgot she had a summon that can fly us back to the ground. The Schnee used her Semblance, allowing the Lancer to carry us.

"Okay, now I am going to need to borrow it."

"What?!" Her shriek was replaced with surprise when she noticed the three gray Core Medals in my hand.

"The higher the elevation the stronger the impact is based on weight and momentum." I stated. "Think of this as a dive bomb but on a gravitational scale."

"That would mean…" Weiss' mind began to shift gears with calculations before her brows raised in disbelief. "Enrique, that would put you straight through Atlas' soil and right below the city on the ground! That level of impact could snap your neck if you don't cast the gravitational force correctly from SaGoZo!"

"Borvin's already kicking our ass just as Muchiri did. What other options do you suggest?" I watched her chew her lip. "Tell Marrow to use his Semblance and for the others to cover him."

"… F-Fine! Just don't go out on us you idiot!"

I laughed dryly. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Once at a safe elevation, Weiss hopped off while I used the Lancer to fly higher into the air. The cold air grew colder upon the increase of elevation. Frost began to build up but my Semblance and Aura kept it at bay. The Lancer slowly froze before I scanned the three Medals after replacing Taka, Tora, and Cheetah.

SAI!

GORILLA!

ZOU!

SAGOZO… SAGOZO!

I exhaled as I muttered a few words before I took the leap upon the nose dive. I spun around, my Gori Bagons beating against the crest of my armor.


Ace-Ops and the Hunters began to feel the air shift, making Weiss look at Marrow. "Marrow, use your Semblance on Borvin!"

"Huh?"

"Just do it!"

"Okay, STAY!" He snapped his fingers towards Borvin. The human-disguised Greeed grunted, his feet genuinely feeling like it was glued to the earth. His emerald eyes locked onto Marrow before casting wood to sprout from the ground. However Weiss used a Glyph to shield him. More erupted but upon seeing Weiss about to be hit, Vine held his Aura tangibility to coil around them.

"Why tell Marrow to keep the Greeed at bay?"

"Enrique is going to deliver a gravitational battering ram! Right through the ground of Atlas!"

"At that height and speed!? It could kill him!" Harriet scolded. "We are talking about a hundred foot layer of metal and gravel of Atlas ground then to the soil on Mantle!"

"We need to trust him, Harriet." Clover assured, patting her shoulder, "As reckless as this is, if he's doing something like this? It has to be for a good reason."

Borvin gruntled but saw the wood splintering and hovering into the sky. He barely was able to do it but he dipped his head upward to see an incoming gray bullet. Slowly, through Marrow's Obedience, he slid one foot to the left and right, firmly planting his heels. His fingers curled before he exhaled sharply.

Medals danced around his body, allowing everyone to see a full view of the Greeed.

His entire head was of gold, revealing two emerald eyes with a headdress akin to a deer but the antlers not only curved but it framed his eyes. His broad bronze shoulders were smoothly furred in black but antlers sprouted out from his back whereas his forearms held curved wooden blades. The legs were another story as they were a white color that almost were mistaken as baggy legwear were it not for the hooves that were shaped as a boot and the nose rings on his elbows.

"I knew a cow was involved!" Yang pointed.


I pounded my chest repeatedly as the gravitational force was increasing the speed and weight of my body whereas the ground below was being lifted. Heaving a grunt, I extended my arms as I watched the Greeed reveal his true form. I also heard Yang shouting about being right about a cow.

"HRAAAHHH!" Everyone felt the earthquake as Borvin and I plunged into the earth upon myself delivering the powerful headbutt. I felt Borvin bash against my armor but we came out from below Atlas and fell towards the ground below. The both of us began to cause a fracas, delivering one punch after another to the opponent in the air.

The ground beneath us grew larger the closer we got no thanks to the gravitational energy created by SaGoZo. I twisted my hold, allowing Borvin to be the one to meet the ground with an exploding thud. I on the other hand felt air knock out of my lungs upon the landing. While the new Greeed sponged the force of impact, I still took some of it but less due to SaGoZo's passive defensive traits. Otherwise the injuries would have been more serious.

Alas I felt Borbin's feet slam into my midsection, launching me a good several feet across from him. The Greeed grunted but got himself back up. "Impressive… grh… Now I see why Lord Grimm sees you as his object to kill to fulfill his desires."

"Muchiri said you're Borvin. What type of Greeed are you if he is the Poison Greeed? If you were wble to do all that stuff earlier then it has something to do with nature."

"Correct. I am the Wood Greeed."

I shifted my combat stance but out of wariness. The fact the Greeed withstood that blow meant its defensive capabilities were equal if not more than Gamel's own.

The now dubbed Wood Greeed leapt fast much to my shock before slamming its fist into my torso, causing a blast of sparks to erupt from the armor.

My body tumbled before I beated my chest with the Gori Bagons. Gravity began to do its work as the Greeed began to lose his footing. Alas Borvin used his powers to remain anchored. He took one steady step, wood occasionally erupting to keep him grounded.

I would have focused more but too much of the gravitational power would bring down Atlas. I even doubt that if I used all of my power, it wouldn't do much to him. Such is the type of creature he bears within himself as his power. Sturdy and resilient.

Like a freakin bull. Or was it cow? Or whatever else it was? Dismissing the power, I reared my arms back, making him do the same and our fists clashed. The crater gained another crater upon the gravitational and natural clash.

'Why do I get the feeling, he isn't even using all of his power? Just what else is he hiding?' I grunted. With a heft, we delivered a headbutt, only creating a loud ringing.

This guy really has one hell of a tenacity.

"That strength you draw from the combo is impressive…" Wood coiled from his arms and onto mine, as if he was tightly latching. "But only one can be greater." He shockingly hefted me like I was a feather before turning himself around, slamming me into the ground. He tossed me up slightly and used his horns and three me way up until my back landed against the dirt that was beneath Atlas.

I grunted slightly, but my embedded form began to loosen. "Oh fuck." I immediately fell, flailing my arms. I aimed my Gori Bagons downward. I fired the first one, briefly slowing the fall and repeated the motion. Just as I thought my landing would somewhat soften, wooden vines latched onto me and quickly pulled me down like an eel poking out to bite its prey and retreat.

The ground shattered, a groan seeping through my helmet. I tiredly raised my head to see Borvin approach me.

"You still have much to understand."

He towered over me, raising one arm as a horn grew from his bulky limb. Borvin stared down at me before he lowered his fist, confusing me. "… wha…"

"Taking a life for someone is different than taking a life for my own volition. That isn't my goal." The Wood Greeed stepped away, shifting into his human form. "I have done my task and now you and those four girls know you lack the strength to equal myself and Muchiri. The 'Ace-Ops' are unable to counter us. The crow's lack of luck only brings consequences for him and those around him. That is what I see in each of you… you especially, OOO."

"What… the hell are you talking about…?" I gritted.

"You are starting to be contested by your own desire. A dangerous moment. Sooner or later, it will only destroy you into madness." Wood erupted around him. "Remember my words, OOO. For even selfless desires can become selfish ones." The wood shattered, revealing the disguised Greeed was gone.

I grunted painfully before falling unconscious.


A pained groan seeped my lips. God, it felt like I was trashed by a stampede of bulls. My ribs were aching and my arms were sore as well. My vision adjusted, slowly opening my eyes.

"He's awake!"

Moving my sights, I saw Ruby who fumbled from her chair. Then I noticed the rest of her team behind her.

"Enrique!" Blake hugged me with a worried look only to feel relieved. "Are you okay?"

"Felt like countless bulls rushed through an alley and pummeled me in the midst of it."

"Uh…"

"A reference from-" I quickly cut myself off when the doors slid open and saw the Ace Ops entering.

"Guess the happy chatter we were hearing from Team RWBY here was proof you were now awake." Harriet noticed.

"How long was I out?" I asked.

"Meh, a day at least." Marrow counted. "Nothing major."

Harriet rolled her eyes. "Aside from a literal hole going from the floor of the shopping district all the way to below the crater beneath Atlas. Where we found a second crater with you in it. Now I really don't want to know what the Gamel fella of yours can do if he was complete."

I scratched my cheek sheepishly. Given they were aware each Full Combo was basically the full might of a Greeed, they were able to guess which is which. "Ehehehe… I-I'm guessing it will be awhile to seal that?"

"Do you really want to ask?"

"Just take your time to rest up, we all can handle whatever will come Atlas's way." Marrow reassured.

"Which will have to wait." The operatives quickly saluted to the presence of General Ironwood. With him were Qrow, Winter, and Ankh.

"General Ironwood," Ruby stood up from her seat.

"Sit. This is important." Ruby did as told, shifting in her seat nervously. "As you all may have noticed, we have not just Kazari roaming in the two nations, but came to discover Poseidon is here, with two more Greeed. Already a total of four here. Two being unidentified until now. What I want to know is why had there been the existence of two more Greeed?"

"Old man, let me say it for them." The general glanced at Ankh who was leaning against the wall.

"Speak then."

Ankh moved off before walking over to the window. "I am sure that Poison Greeed may have told the idiots here."

"Hey!"

"But if I have learned anything from this," He raised the journal he and I kept since I first found it in the bookstore. "Is that we Greeed were born with the essence of life of animals that forged our Cores, a blank slate the moment we awakened. Some would say it is akin to a soul, much like your android girl Penny." The blonde Greeed inhaled to ease himself. "While it is that case, the shit bastard Gara had once pondered on a possibility."

"What possibility?"

"If a Greeed would inherit a memory of the life essence of the creatures used to make them."

"You mean… inheriting memories? Grimm don't have…" Clover trailed off. "The Gara you speak of."

"Precisely, four leaves." Ankh snorted, his arm shifting into the Greeed arm we all were familiar with. "As the five have learned from Muchiri, Poseidon has inherited not just Gara's hatred, anger, and rage. But the memories. Memories of his life. Memories that include the process of making Greeed."

"But… what of the one we fought? It didn't act like anything Muchiri was in that fight." Ruby noted. "Muchiri was… well…"

"Crazy." I started.

"Batshit insane." Yang was next.

"Bloodthirsty." concluded Weiss.

"Yeah that."

"Like I said we were a blank slate when we Greeed were born." The red Greeed snorted. "Perhaps this 'Borvin' learned something Muchiri didn't? Maybe he wanted to understand something? Beats the hell out of me."

"His belief in the balance of life." Vine recalled.

"Like Muchiri, all he did was to test his might at us, for Poseidon but also as a message." Ankh raised a finger. "Team RWBY and Enrique have seen what Muchiri did. You operatives, the drunk bird there, and these brats also saw Borvin's prowess with the use of the wood element. Based on my observations, that bull freak can forge as much as he wants through that element itself."

"Considering that thing practically turned the district into some wooden-techno place…" Marrow mumbled.

"It was only there that I detected his Core Energy. When he used his powers, but went undetected when he suppressed his power. A form of camouflage if you may. I'll give Poseidon credit for his ingenuity to add such a feat unlike the rest of us older Greeed."

"In other words, you can't sense the two new Greeed when they are in human form."

"All you can get is a description of their faces, other than that? Ain't my problem." The bird shrugged his shoulders.

"Great… so it's like a needle in a haystack…" Marrow groaned out.

Ankh snorted before exiting the infirmary. He stopped a step. "Hope you can be set for it. From what happened, there's no doubt Poseidon will make his move to strike now that his two Greeed proven they can overpower you." With the parting words, he was gone and back to wherever he stays at for the bird he is.

"Poison and Wood… not the type of things I want to deal with." Elm crossed her arms.

Ironwood held the bridge of his nose, eliciting an exasperated sigh. "With his… words said, I want all of you to remain on high alert to any encounters regarding… 'Muchiri' and 'Borvin'."

"Yes sir." The Ace Ops saluted.

"You are dismissed." The operatives left the infirmary as well.

"Hope you five will do the same with the tasks." The words from the general were directed to Team RWBY and myself.

"Yes, general."

Ironwood left with Qrow and Winter in tow. Qrow's hand rested on the doorframe, glancing at us. "Just give James a little slack. With the crap that just happened within the week, he just needs a bit of time." He gave a wry smile and resumed his leave.

The five of us laxed in relief to see the tension in the air fade away. "Ankh isn't wrong…" Weiss held her arm. "If he really did send Borvin and Muchiri to test us, and to come next? It's not going to work well for us. We all thought SaGoZo would do the trick but instead, well, this."

"You're gesturing to all of me, Weiss." I deadpanned.

"That's the point. He withstood all of that and still thrashed you. He is like… stubborn as a bull!"

"Technically a cow." Yang raised a finger. "Which I was right about my guess!"

"Not something to be proud of, Yang…" Ruby sighed.

"Still right."

"The point is, we really need to understand more regarding the two if they strike again. We know Muchiri has abilities to become a swarm of bees, fire toxic stingers like a gun, and his… egh… hair being a centipede and coil anything."

"Multidirectional sights." Blake added. "And the energy shield is shaped like a honeycomb."

"As for Bovin, wood and nature is his power. But also overwhelming strength." Yang pointed out, "I swear, I feel like he's still holding back his full might. I just don't know how or why?"

I pondered. My mind replayed the fight against Borvin. The way steam escaped his body. It solely focused from the elbows and knees. As if…

"The rings."

The girls looked at me with puzzled eyes. "Pardon?"

"Hear me out. Yang, what happened as you fought him?"

Yang rested a hand on her hip. "Aside from his display of brute force? Steam blew out from his clothes. Mostly from the sleeves and pants he wore."

"Did he change to his Greeed form during my descent?"

"He did." Weiss confirmed, "He readied himself and steam blew from the elbows and knees due to that."

"And what did you girls see on his knees and elbows?"

The four looked at one another before their eyes widened. "Rings." They connected the dots. "The rings are suppressing his power."

"Question is… how much stronger would he be if all those were released?" Blake grimaced.

I held my ribs. "If I learned anything from my world… the ramming force of a deer and cow are deadly enough to break the human bone and in rare cases, total vehicles. Adding to the pouncing force of 10 feet including the speed of a gazelle that goes up to 68 miles per hour…"

"And what does that even entail on how much damage he can do?" Weiss questioned.

"Adding to our Auras…" I swallowed. "I-If my math is correct, I don't think our Aura will help protect us from becoming either torn decorations on those horns of his… or just bloody paste splattered around like roadkill."

"Which means, we don't stand a chance if he decides to go all out…" Weiss groaned.

"Basically we're screwed against nature's powerhouse." Yang summarized.

"Maybe…. We can try to find some common ground with Bovin?" Ruby suggested. We all looked at Ruby with incredulous looks.

"Ruby, we care about you but are you crazy?!"

"It worked with Gamel didn't it?!"

"That's Gamel, this is a 6 foot tall brute of a Greeed who was created by the Grimm Greed!" The former heiress flailed her arms.

The Huntress raised her hands defensively. Her smile turned awry by the look on Weiss' face. "I-I know that. But… he doesn't seem that evil or bad either. Maybe if we can just talk to him and learn, we can find some common ground where we don't have to fight each other." Ruby noted. "If he was just as the other Greeed, he wouldn't have backed off or kept Yang alive. He wouldn't have to kill Enrique either."

"Only because that brute was testing us as Muchiri said! Gamel and Ankh are special cases. Not once there was common ground with Uva. Or Kazari. Or Mezool. Or Muchiri. You honestly think this is an exception?!"

"Yet he didn't harm anyone else. He barely even touched the other surroundings or got people involved. I truly think he's just a kind soul, being taken advantage of by Poseidon."

"You- that kindness is just gonna-UGH!" Frustrated, the Schnee stomped out of the room.

Yang cupped her mouth and said, "Dormitories are-!"

"I KNOW THAT!"

Ruby lowered her head with worry and shame, looking at me for an answer of some sort. "Don't you think Borvin can change?"

"I…" I held my tongue. "It's… in between Ruby. I-I know you didn't want to hear that but Borvin works with Poseidon, the monster who practically spawned from emotions from the bastard who brought me to this world. How can we trust a Greeed made by the monster of a Grimm born from Gara's negativity of me and his desires?"

"The same way you trusted us and Ankh, no?"

My brows were raised by Ruby's words. The trust I had with them as they became my friends during our days in Beacon. I closed my eyes, furrowed my brows and took a deep breath. "Maybe…" I murmured.

Is Ruby right?

Is Borvin truly akin to Ankh and Gamel?


Poseidon silently waited as he relaxed on a crate, his lance jabbing into the stream of water that flow across the water channel of Mantle. Patrols had increased, no doubt Borvin's doing from his attack.

Didn't matter if the numbers grew but at the same time, he felt his Grimm instincts smell the growing negativity in the air from these little morsels.

He paused. "Seems you have stirred the nest well, Borvin."

The said Greeed grunted an acknowledgment and sat on a wooden stump that formed. "They have lost against me. However I was confronted by extra hands from their comrades."

Poseidon snorted.

"Che, and you didn't just kill them all? You would've saved us so much trouble!" Muchiri sneered.

"Muchiri." Borvin noticed. "So you were somewhere else?"

"I just came back after a lengthy fight that was thrilling." The yellow coated man shrugged. "A scorpion."

"And?"

Muchiri's enclosed eyes shifted and tossed a human arm. "My prey fled just as I wanted to have more fun. But at least I had some extra fun before coming back."

Bovin frowned at the sight of the limb, "You didn't need to kill a simple person for your fun."

"Pfft, I didn't kill him, cow brains. The scorpion fled no thanks to the stupid roadblocks that popped up in the streets. I just think you're too soft and should've killed those brats!"

"Enough." Muchiri and Borvin tensed, black energy crackling across their forms and fell to their knees. The special Cores in their bodies reacted upon the rider. "There are no petty squabbles to be created, understand?""

"Yes, Lord Grimm…"

"Borvin did as I told him to: test his might against them. And he did so. Just as I told you, Muchiri. Next time you speak out of your mandibles, I will ensure you lose your privileges of having full powers as a complete Greeed."

"Please… forgive me, my lord…."

Poseidon snorted and stood up from the crate. "The people's anger is festering like a tremor. It's only a matter of time until the dam bursts with their anger to Atlas."

"What of OOO and the brats?"

Poseidon opened his mouth but his red eyes narrowed and pointed his lance at the depths of the alley. "Show yourself."

"Peace, I come unarmed; in regards of providing assistance." The individual raised their hands.

"Assistance?" Muchiri questioned, "And why should we trust you, human?"

"You see Team RWBY and Enrique as a problem. In my view, they're starting to snoop into my business. If they find out, my plans regarding the general are done for."

"You honestly think-" the Poison Greeed guffawed.

"Keep talking human." Poseidon allowed, earning befuddlement from Muchiri. "You said you desire to overthrow the general?"

"Yes… he's a fool that threw me and my ideals aside… I want him to pay." The individual nodded. "You've seen how he is. It's only a matter of time before his paranoia hits him."

Muchiri and Borvin looked at their lord. Poseidon stared before he grinned evilly. Slanting his lance to use as support, he leaned forward.

"I'm listening."


CURRENT MEDALS:

Blazing: Taka (x1), Kujaku (x1), Condor (x1)

Scorching: Lion (x1), Tora (x1), Cheetah (x1)

Strongest: Kuwagata (x1), Kamakiri (x1), Batta (x1)

Legendary: Kobura (x1), Kame (x1), Wani (x1)

Water: Shachi (x1), Tako (x1), Unagi (x1)

Gravity: Sai (x1), Gorilla (x1), Zou (x1)

Invincible: Ptera (x1), Tricera (x1), Tyranno (x1)

Cold: Seiuchi (x1), Shirokuma (x1), Penguin (x1)

Ultimate King: Super Taka (x1), Super Tora (x1), Super Batta (x1)


(NEXT TIME)

"Arrowfell?" Blake questioned, the rest of us agreeing to her confusion.

"The hell?!" What shocked us more was the next thing. The goons chucked the Cell Medals into their foreheads and out came Yummies.

Just as we thought the search was going to take forever, Blake's cat ears twitched. "Wait." She stopped us. "I think we have a guest."

Next Time: Arrowfell, New Yummies, Amoncio Glass


A/N: And that concludes this chapter everyone! Another Greeed has been introduced into the fold and I am sure you guys realize what this means right? Eventually our protagonist will gain all of the new combos that were exclusive in the CSM Collection much like with SeiShiroGin. Alas new problems will begin to arise for our protagonist upon Borvin's ominous warnings. What does it mean and what will happen now? You guys will have to wait and see.

Don't forget to leave a review, favorite and follow the story! See you all next time!