Chapter 15: Ashton vs. Anubis
Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, I only own my OCs.
Team RXDY
Ashton Fall, Rena's informant, travels inside the Forever Fall Forest and heads for Vale City. His senses are on full alert knowing an ambush can happen at any time. Coming to a brief stop to check the time the young man decides to have lunch. Spotting a rock Ashton walks over, parts his robe and opens the backpack he stole from a poorly guarded supply base he came across while in the Forever Fall Forest. Taking the item was easy.
Inside the backpack are meal replacement bars ranging from chocolate peanut butter to salted caramel. He's been living off of these for a while but the young Fall knows he needs to eat an actual meal soon. Undoing the wrapper he sits down chilling while taking bites of a milk chocolate flavored bar and taking sips of water. Staring at the clouds Ashton enjoys the peaceful quiet.
Although the job is rather boring without a partner by his side.
He chuckled, "Known each other for five years and haven't made any progress getting past that tough exterior of yours, Rena. I wonder how lucky she is having a hot body like that. Easily a solid ten in the looks department. Meh, she likely doesn't think much of it. I wouldn't mind having a night with her." He reprimanded himself, "Oops, need to watch myself. That faunus can easily rip me apart. She came close the first time we met." Ashton eats the last of the meal replacement bar and tosses the wrapper. He takes a final sip of water, screws the cap back on and places it in the backpack.
Standing up he dusts off his robe and continues his journey.
Hours later a clawed hand picks up the wrapper and brings it close to its face, sniffing the contents before directing its gaze where its prey was at, growling.
Ashton sees the sun dipping below the horizon through the top tree line indicating nightfall is imminent. Minutes tick by until the shattered moon of Remnant rises in the night sky, Ashton sits by a fire he set up using nearby wood laying on the ground.
Suddenly fog rolls in, somehow extinguishing the fire. This fog isn't normal, something's producing it and it's coming closer.
Ashton stands and turns as the fog gets thicker, bright amber eyes locking with evil red. The mysterious entity steps into view.
It had the body of a human male with impressive muscles, face of a Beowolf, black coloration all Grimm shared, stood slightly taller than Ashton, bone plating that resembled battle armor covered its torso, wrists and shins and a lethal Khopesh sword was clenched in its hand.
The monster glares at the young Fall, lips pulled back in a vicious snarl.
Ashton commented, "You traveled all this way just to see me? How generous of you. The entrance needs work, though. I'll give it a seven out of ten just to be fair." He removes his robe not wanting to get it ruined and drawing his dual pistols based on the M9A1 semi-automatic pistol.
The guns were black with gold lining, the handle was light gray with rigid grips to reduce slipping, resting under the barrel was a blade that, when switched to combat mode, produced a standard one-meter long blade. Ashton named them Wrath and Vengeance.
Ashton twirls his weapons around before aiming them at the Grimm.
He queried, "What should I call you? How about...Anubis?" The beast growled making Ashton smile wickedly, "Ah, like that? Alright. Come, Anubis! Let's dance!" The Grimm roars charging at him, swinging its Khopesh. Ashton jumps back retaliating with his pistols the bullets get deflected by Anubis' sword.
The young Fall sees the Grimm coming at him switching Wrath and Vengeance to their blade form. The handles straighten, the sides split open producing blade guards and the blades themselves extend.
Anubis swings its blade Ashton deflects them and counterattacks, slashing Anubis' cheek with Vengeance. Snarling the Grimm backhands the young man, Ashton skids on the ground. Releasing a roar it charges. Ashton blocks a lateral slash and kicks his opponent in the chest, his aura enhancing the power. Anubis rolls on the ground before digging its claw into the dirt halting the momentum. It sees its opponent twirling his gun-swords as if mocking Anubis then forming an X with them.
Ashton taunted, "Stop toying with me, mutt. Come on, put up a fight!" He speeds toward the Grimm slashing his primary gun-sword at Anubis, the enemy angles its Khopesh to block Ashton then thrusts his secondary at the chest. Anubis catches it with its hand and retaliates with a head-butt staggering Ashton. The monster scores a direct hit to the young Fall's chest rocketing him into a tree, bouncing off it.
Anubis bellowed loudly as Ashton got to his feet with a grin, "That's it. I detest fighters who hold back or are piss-poor in skill." The Egyptian god themed Grimm produces fog again before stepping into it, disappearing from view. With eye detection rendered useless Ashton uses his other senses. He picks up the sound of a fallen leaf crunching and turns toward the direction, crouching to evade a beheading. The Khopesh vanishes again continuing the game of guessing. Detecting sound from his 4 o'clock he forms an X deflecting a downward chop. Swiftly shoving the Grimm's sword to the side Ashton pokes Anubis in the eyes earning him a yelp then swings his dual gun-swords in opposite directions, scoring hits on the Grimm's waist. Anubis' hand instinctively goes to the cut briefly gazing at it then glares at its opponent who's throwing a smug smirk at Anubis infuriating it more. However, that smug smirk is quickly replaced with a serious expression. Running at top speed the young Fall launches a serious of swift strikes slicing into Anubis which to Ashton's surprise tanks them. He finishes the combo with a vertical slash on monster's sternum. Nodding at the Grimm's durability he charges again jumping over a leg sweep and kicks Anubis on the side of the head with all his might. The blow staggers the Grimm. Releasing a snarl Anubis backhands prompting Ashton to block with his forearm. The blow staggers the human more, hissing at the pain flowing through his nerves.
'After this, I should invest in gauntlets.' Ashton mentally noted to himself.
He jumps to the side as Anubis' fist erupts out of the fog, he looks to cut off its hand but the Grimm retracts it. Ashton waits for the next attack. Spinning on the heel of his boot he intercepts a strike from the Khopesh. The two parry each other then enter a blade lock. Being physically stronger Anubis presses down making Ashton fight to remain upright. He spots his opponent raising one hand to swipe him, Ashton quickly frees Wrath and stabs Anubis' foot then scores an uppercut. Halting a counterattack with Vengeance he switches Wrath into its gun form and empties the entire clip into Anubis. The Grimm sneers and swings its blade sending the young man back. Ashton rolls on the ground then kicks back to his feet. He activates his semblance.
The sound of crackling electricity fills the air as lightning arcs around Ashton's body and gun-swords without ill effect. He runs toward Anubis clashing blades with the Grimm. Swatting the Khopesh away he slices the sword hand off earning him a cry of pain. He briefly switches his dual gun-swords into their pistol mode and rapid fires, lightning rimmed Dust bullets hit the target. Anubis stumbles backward releasing groans of agony. After a quick reload Ashton switches Wrath and Vengeance back to their blade form and lightning accumulates on his dual blades until they glow a bright yellow. He runs at his opponent, carving a Z into Anubis' body and stops behind the Grimm in a lunge position, gun-swords held in a reverse grip and facing the ground. The hacked Grimm collapses, breaking into three pieces along the Z-shaped cut. Straightening his posture Ashton turns around watching Anubis evaporate that all Grimm do upon their deaths. Deactivating his semblance he holsters Wrath and Vengeance. He witnesses the fog dissipate.
He praised the deceased Grimm, "You put up a fight. However, you Grimm deserve no mercy." The young man slips his robe back on, starts another campfire and sleeps for the night.
The next morning comes. Ashton wakes up to the sound of the alarm clock on his scroll. He shuts off the alarm rising to his feet and stretch, sighing in relief when his bones pop. Hearing his stomach growl it was time to eat. Not wanting to eat another meal replacement bar Ashton hunts for local wildlife. He stalks the forest floor soon spotting a pair of rabbits. Ashton slowly draws his dual gun-swords and pulls the trigger. He watches the rabbits drop dead the second the bullets pierced their hearts, killing them. Taking his kills back to his campsite he begins skinning the carcasses and starts a new fire to cook with using some fresh wood. After making a rabbit kebab he places them in the makeshift fire pit. As the carcasses cook, he walks to a bush close by and takes care of business. Once that's done he returns to his campsite seeing the rabbits are ready to eat. He grabs the kebab stick and pulls it away from the fire. He uses a sizable rock for a plate, its flat top smooth from decades of erosion.
Ashton eats his food in silence unaware something's watching him. After picking most of the first rabbit carcass clean he moves to eat the second when he hears the rustling of bushes coming from behind him. He automatically gets to his feet weapons drawn and pointed at the bushes, cocking the hammers back.
Moments later, an adult female Tyrannosaurus Rex emerges.
It stood around 13 feet tall, 40 feet long and had interestingly charcoal gray skin instead of the pitch black color, bone-white plating donned the top of its skull to the tip of its strong tail and a mouth full of 5-inch long teeth already strong enough to crush bone and red eyes.
The two stare down.
Ashton broke the silence, "If you're thinking of eating me, then I'll have you taste my bullets. I won't hesitate putting you down." The dinosaur Grimm tilts its head confused by the young man's threat.
The human raised an eyebrow, "Well? Are you going to attack? If not then get out of here. Now, or I'll make you!" Again the theropod just stood there, leaving Ashton confused, "What the hell's wrong with you? You're either brave or foolish." The T-Rex next does something that Ashton didn't expect.
It said, "I'm not like that monster you faced last night, human."
Ashton's eyes nearly popped out, "Did you just talk?"
The dinosaur Grimm nodded, "Of course I can, human."
Ashton closed his eyes with a twitching smile, "This is my imagination playing tricks on me. I must be dreaming." He holstered Wrath to pinch his cheek and winced, "Ow, okay. Definitely not dreaming."
His visitor giggled or at least close to one, "You're funny."
Ashton lowered Vengeance, "You don't appear hostile and you can speak our language perfectly. So what do you want?"
The dinosaur Grimm's stomach growled, "I believe that provides your answer."
Ashton pointed at the cooked rabbit, "You can have that. It might tie you over until your next meal. Know this, though. If you turn your hunger on me, I'll blow your brains out. Is. That. Clear?" The adult T-Rex nods.
Walking back to the kebab he pulls the rabbit off and tosses it toward the dinosaur Grimm, who catches and swallows it whole.
He said, "Better now?"
The T-Rex nodded, "For the time being." Ashton douses the campfire with dirt and turns around.
Ashton waved, "See ya."
His visitor asked, "Where are you going?"
The young Fall replied, "To Vale City."
The adult dinosaur queried, "Can I come?"
Ashton turned to her, "Don't you have a pack to go back to?"
The T-Rex said, "They were killed by an unknown Grimm the Queen created."
'Queen? Mostly likely Salem.' Ashton thought.
He scratched the back of his head, "Well, I guess you can come with me. Keep you company and it'd make my job less boring."
The T-Rex perked up, "Really?"
Ashton nodded, "Y...Yeah. Better get going." He next face palmed, "I can't believe me, a human, befriending a Grimm. Although getting there without you drawing attention will be a problem. I sincerely doubt Vale City would tolerate a Grimm roaming the streets."
His companion shook her head, "No worries, I know just the thing."
The human asked, "Really?" He watches the dinosaur Grimm change form.
Her face shortens and in a more pulled back position, her neck takes on a slender shape, her tail retracts until it's no longer visible, arms lengthen moving to her sides and gain three additional fingers and claws retract into nails, the same process happens with her feet, her legs straighten joining at the hip and curves develop, her torso points upright and two prominent female features appear on her chest and her lethal teeth shift into human teeth and hair emerges from her scalp.
What was moments ago an adult dinosaur now stands a drop dead gorgeous human girl around 19 years old, stood around six feet tall, athletic physique with impressive muscle definition, bordering D cup breasts, almost snow white complexion, alluring orange-red eyes and jet black hair that reached the small of her back.
She stands there gazing expectantly at Ashton.
Ashton's cheeks are bright red as he queried, "How the hell did you do that? Grimm can't shape shift."
The T-Rex smiled, "It's a trait all True Grimm share."
Ashton blinked, "True Grimm?" He quickly removed his robe and tossed it to the disguised theropod, "Here, don't need you walking around in Vale City in your birthday suit." The young man turns around giving the girl privacy, as much as he wanted to look over his shoulder he decides against it.
The dinosaur Grimm called out, "Done now." Ashton returns his gaze to her seeing the robe fit snugly against her.
He asked, "Do you have a name?"
The theropod shook her head, "Nope."
Ashton said, "Are you shitting me? Fine. How about Klawdia?"
The dinosaur Grimm repeated the name, "Klawdia. Klawdia. I love it."
Ashton nodded, "Okay, Klawdia, let's get moving. Once in Vale City, I'm getting something to eat. It's been forever since I last had a proper meal."
Klawdia tapped her index fingers together as she blushed that was admittedly cute, "Um...can I eat with you as well?"
Ashton asked, "Are you getting hungry again right now?! You having a huge growth spurt?!"
Klawdia acknowledged, "No. Ever since the unknown Grimm ate my family, I had to fend for myself, devouring as many animals as I could to sustain my growth. We Tyrannosauruses undergo our biggest growth spurt between ages fourteen and eighteen. I'm turning twenty next month so I'm done growing but still need to consume great quantities of food to sustain myself."
Ashton said, "So you have a void in your stomach."
Klawdia puffed her cheeks out, "Hey!"
Ashton waved it off, "Whatever. Let's go, Klawdia. After our lunch, I'll get you some clothes and weaponry. If you want to travel with me in human settlements you need to look the part." The two walk through the Forever Fall forest with Klawdia telling Ashton about the True Grimm, their contempt with the Grimm Remnant faces and more about herself.
Before long, they hitch a ride into Vale City and stepped out in the entrance of the town, thanking the driver. Looking at his companion Ashton sees Klawdia take in the scenery with fascination.
He directed, "Follow me. I know a five-star restaurant." As they journey on the sidewalk they walk past two thieves, the female stops in her tracks.
Her partner asked, "Something wrong, Em?"
The girl said, "I'm not sure but that guy who just passed us feels like I know him from somewhere but can't place my finger on it."
The young man smirked, "Why? Thinking of asking him out, Em?"
Emerald glared at him, "Oh, shut up, Mercury. Let's follow them maybe we can discover his identity." Back with Ashton and Klawdia, the two enter the five-star restaurant he mentioned and both eat steak, salad and water or in Klawdia's case, just steak.
Seeing the way Klawdia is devouring her meal in such a horrible manner causes Ashton to lightly whack her on the head with the handle of his steak knife.
Klawdia asked, "What'd you do that for?"
Ashton lectured, "You're in a city not the woods. You need to eat like a human being. Watch me." He held up his fork and knife, "See these? Stab your fork into the steak then with your knife cut a piece to put in your mouth, chew then swallow and wipe your mouth if need be. Like so." He demonstrates.
After swallowing a bite he looked at her, "Your turn. Do what I did. Don't wolf it down, either." Klawdia follows his instructions, eating in a better manner. Ashton nods his head in approval.
Once they're full and Ashton pays the bill, they head for a clothing store. She lets the tailor do her job.
'My Oum, I'm gonna have my work cut out for me when it comes to teaching Klawdia how to be more human. Fuck my life.' Ashton thought.
He feels Klawdia tap him on the shoulder, breaking Ashton out of his mental rant.
The dinosaur Grimm stands in front of him wearing a maroon sleeveless halter top with a T-Rex skull etched on the back, hugging her torso to show the swells of her breasts and her visible six pack abs, beneath the halter top he could see the straps of a white bra, she wore black jeans and over them were red colored chaps and wore brown steel-toed boots.
She asked, "Well, Ashton, how do I look?"
Ashton stated with a small smile, "You look great. Reminds of a cowgirl character in a book I read once. Love the coloration, it both matches and contrasts your appearance."
A gray blush stained Klawdia's cheeks, "Thank you, it means a lot to me."
Ashton said, "Although it's missing something. Hmm, let's see." He looked around until he found it, "Ah, here we go." Grabbing a thick gray glove off a rack and black hooded cloak that stopped above the ankles they walk to the cashier to pay for the clothing. They're in luck because they get a 40% discount making Ashton cheer mentally. After paying they depart.
The cashier stated, "Thanks for shopping at Jade's Fashion! Hope to see you again soon!"
Stepping outside, Klawdia hands her friend his robe back her natural scent all over it. He makes a note to find a cleaner store to wash it. He cuts price tag off the glove and hands it to Klawdia making her put it in her pocket followed by putting on the cloak.
Ashton said, "Next up, weaponry. There's one forgery here in town that can provide what you need." They resumed walking when he felt Klawdia's hand grab his, "What are you doing?"
She replied, "Just so I won't get lost. Despite your appearance you are different from the other humans I had unfortunately encountered in the Forever Falls."
Ashton asked, "Unfortunate?"
Klawdia answered, "Yes. They attacked me because they assumed I was like those beasts."
Ashton told her, "We humans fear what we don't understand." They soon reached their destination, "Here we are. Schwartz's Forge." He opens the door causing the service bell to ring, alerting the owner.
Smith came into view, "Hello. What can I do for you?"
Ashton said, "My friend here needs a weapon."
The blacksmith queried, "What kind?"
Ashton looked at the ceiling, "Let's see. How about a bow-sword? Something for ranged and close-up combat."
Smith stated, "You're in luck. I recently made one. Wait here, I'll go get it." While he does the two survey the items Smith created, admiring the craftsmanship.
The older man returns holding the item Ashton requested.
He extended his arms to them, "Here you go. Forged out of the finest material Remnant has to offer." Ashton takes it, studying the weapon that was currently in its sword form.
Moving the weapon away from its creator he sees the button on the middle of the cross guard, pressing it the sword shifts into its ranged form. A line briefly shines before splitting into the shape of a tactical bow as durable cable cord emerges from the broad sides and the ends of the cross guard point toward the hilt. Pulling the cable he watches the mechanisms work then lets go, releasing an imaginary arrow. He also discovers an aim sight extending to the right side. Pressing the button again the bow morphs back into sword mode.
The hilt and cross guard was forest green and the blade was gray.
Ashton's so busy studying the weapon he doesn't see Smith grab a quiver. It itself was of tactical design, gray in color, had slots to hold dust arrows and came with straps so one could wear it like a backpack.
He looked the quiver over, "Wow. Damn, this is awesome work."
Smith laughed, "Well, I've been doing this for a decade. I have a natural talent for this kind of stuff."
Ashton lowered the quiver to look at him, "Seriously, you should attend forging competitions. With your skills, you'd win hands down!"
Smith told him, "If there is any. Blacksmith is rare nowadays, its glory years ended when I was a teenager. But I try to keep the memory of it alive."
Ashton replied, "Regardless, how much I owe you?"
Smith said, "Two thousand lien." He saw the customer reach into his pocket pulling out an envelope filled with money and pulled out the amount, "Holy shit, where'd you get all that money?"
Ashton smiled, "Won it in cage fights in the lower levels of Mistral. Turns out they were betting odds. The reigning champion boasted how unstoppable he was until I kicked his egomaniacal ass." It's a carefully crafted lie on his part. He forks over the money.
Smith said, "Oh, yeah. I found this on my doorstep earlier today. It's for you." He walks over to a box and brings it to Ashton, opening it to see a gray technological mask shaped like the face of a Deathstalker with red lenses and two gauntlets that were blood red and had different gray buttons.
Ashton raised an eyebrow at him, "For me? Do you know who sent it?"
Smith answered back, "No. But whoever sent it must have known you were coming. They even left a note."
Ashton picked up the piece of paper and read it, "These items are forged out of some of the finest material Atlas has. Use them well. There are no booby traps or tracking devices in those items."
Could it have been Rena? No, there's no way she knew Ashton came to Vale. Someone in Atlas, perhaps?
The young Fall said, "Let's try them out." Starting with the mask, he puts it on. From inside the lenses come online, showing Ashton the outside world in clear detail.
'Cool, high definition.' He thought.
He picks up the faint sound of recycled air pumping through filters inside the mask. The young man sets the gauntlet on his left forearm, he presses each button to see what they do.
The leftmost controlled the visions going from regular to thermal to x-ray and finally neurological. The middle was for activating a cloaking system rendering him invisible to almost every sensor and the final button was for audio recording.
Ashton nodded with approval, "These will prove quite useful." The voice changer in the mask altered his voice to a deep, synthetic baritone that sent a chill down the occupants' spines.
Klawdia takes the other gauntlet finding it suddenly adjust in size to fit her arm. Like with his, Ashton tests the buttons. The first was for cloaking, the second was an adrenaline enhancer and the other altered Klawdia's appearance, making her appear fully human complete with blonde hair and blue eyes. So it only changed her physical appearance, not clothing.
Bidding the man farewell the two exit, heading for Dust and Ammo for arrows. Ashton briefly stops and looks over his shoulder.
Klawdia noticed it, "What's the matter?"
Ashton said, "Feels like someone is following us. Meh, must be hearing things." They resume walking when Klawdia sees a towering structure.
She asked, "What's that?"
The young Fall replied, "That's the Central Communications Tower or CCT for short. It's how the kingdoms talk to each other. If I wanted to launch an invasion, that tower would be the first target. Take that out and no outside help's coming." Emerald and Mercury poke their heads out from their hiding spot.
Mercury said, "This is stupid, Em."
Emerald rolled her eyes, "For you. But I want to make sure about something."
Mercury asked, "You don't think he knows about the virus Cinder planted in the CCT mainframe, do you?"
Emerald shook her head, "That's impossible. Nobody followed her." Stepping foot inside Dust and Ammo, Ashton leads his new travel partner to where dust arrows are, buying four arrows of fire, ice and lightning and a scabbard. When that's done they head out with Klawdia strapping the quiver to her back, tightening the straps and the scabbard through the loops of her jeans. After getting his hooded robe washed, the duo walk around Vale. Again feeling they're being followed Ashton tells Klawdia they're taking a detour.
Emerald and Mercury lose sight of their target.
The mint-haired girl asked, "Where'd they go?" The next thing she feels is cold steel pressing against the skin of her neck, one swift move is the only thing separating her from bleeding out. Her attacker also has the other gun-sword pointed at Mercury in a silent warning for him not to do anything stupid.
Ashton said, "Did anyone tell you following somebody is creepy?"
Emerald stated with nervousness, "U-um, I'm afraid you are mistaken."
Ashton retorted, "Spare me that bullshit. I know you were following me, Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black."
Mercury had a look of surprise, "How do you know us?"
Ashton smirked under his mask, crafting another lie, "A friend of mine told me about you. You, Emerald Sustrai are a master thief who can create illusions so well it makes the recipient believe it's real. And for you, Mercury Black, suffered abuse from an asshole of a father ultimately driving you to kill him but at the cost of your legs." Pulling Wrath away from Emerald's throat, he quickly spins around joining Klawdia's side again.
He took a moment to study Emerald's appearance, "My friend always said you were pretty but you look amazing now. Interesting choice of attire, I'm surprised you are not into espionage using your charms." A blush inadvertently forms on Emerald's face at the assessment of her appearance. The flirty tone adds further effect.
Ashton looked at Mercury next, "Though yours looks more like a tracksuit. You training for a triathlon?"
Emerald muffled a laugh while Mercury said, "It's my choice to wear whatever I want!"
Ashton said, "Pfft." He returned his gaze to Emerald, more importantly the gun handle sticking out behind her, "That's a neat looking weapon. May I see it?" After some hesitation Emerald's hands one of her guns, Thief's Respite for Ashton to look over.
He gently moved the weapon about in his hands, "Hmm, yes. Definitely great design choice. Dual-wielding pistol. It has a kama attached to the end, which from what I see can be swung from chains as a kusarigama. General versatility, I like that. You have a pistol, kama for both close-range combat and grappling rolled into one." Returning the weapon back to Emerald he directed his observation to the guns attached to Mercury's boot, "And from the look of those things, you're more of those in your face type of fighters. They can inflict serious damage or even fatal to those unprepared. What do you call them?"
Mercury answered, "Talaria."
Satisfied with his answers Ashton turned away from the thieves, "It's a shame your talents are being wasted being Cinder Fall's lapdogs. Especially you, Emerald."
The mint-haired girl asked confused, "What are you talking about? Cinder isn't like that."
Ashton said, "My friend once thought as you do." He turned on the heel of his boot sending a stern look their way, "Has it ever occurred to you why Cinder recruited you two? You, Emerald, were chosen solely for your semblance. That's all. As for Mercury, she was looking for his father, a well-known assassin but you were the consolation prize. In reality, you are only tools for Cinder to use and when you outlived your usefulness she'll toss you aside like garbage. All Cinder cares about is power and will do whatever it takes to get it. Power is like a drug, after that first taste you crave it more. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will! As it almost did with me. But you do not need to share that fate. There is someone else out there who can appreciate you as people instead of tools."
Mercury raised an eyebrow, "Really? Who?"
Ashton flashed him a hidden side grin, "That's for you to figure out."
Emerald shook her head, "I'm afraid you're mistaken, sir. Cinder is nothing like you suggested."
Ashton withheld a sigh, "Ignorance is a blessing. Sometimes people have to learn the hard way. Keep telling yourself that, Emerald. Don't blame me when Cinder decides to get rid of you. Let's go, Klawdia." Both turn to leave.
Mercury called out, "Hold up! What's your name?"
Ashton replied, making up one, "It's Stephen." The two teens watch Ashton and Klawdia leave.
Emerald said, "We need to report to this to Cinder." With Ashton and his travel partner, the young Fall leads them to one more location down at the docks.
Looking over a map of the continents of Remnant was a young man with slanted, dark green eyes, bright, long, orange hair with long bangs covering his right eye, black eyeliner traced his visible left eye, fair skin and stood around 6'3" tall.
He wore a red-lined white suit with long black pants and black shoes. For accessories he wore a small gray scarf, black gloves with buckled sleeves and a black bowler hat with a small feather tucked into the red brand. Next to him was his cane Melodic Cudgel. Leaning against a crate was his partner-in crime Neo.
The man grumbled, "I swear that Cinder is so bossy."
He heard a voice saying, "My, my, never imagined someone like you would become her lapdog. Did she promise you a treat if you behaved?"
The ginger spun around, "Who's there?" Neo places her hand on Hush, her weapon.
Ashton walked into view, lowering his hood followed by removing the mask, "Long time no see, right Roman Torchwick?"
Roman smiled, "Sweet Oum. Ashton Fall, so nice to see you. Been quite a while since I last saw you." He watches Ashton come closer and lock hands in greeting for a moment then release.
Ashton said, "Don't mind if I showed myself in." He next felt himself be tackled by the ice cream themed girl, "Hi to you as well, Neo."
Neo pulled out her scroll typing, "Why did you leave last time?"
The young Fall told her, "I'm sorry I did that but I had good reason. I pissed someone off and couldn't risk you two facing that person's wrath."
Klawdia asked, "You know these people?"
Ashton nodded, "Mm-hm. Klawdia, meet Roman Torchwick and his close friend Neopolitan but we call her Neo. Roman, Neo, this is Klawdia. I picked her up on my way here."
Roman tipped his hat to her, "Pleasure to meet you. Never seen a faunus that has your physical traits. Is that something your species have?" Klawdia looks at Ashton, the young Fall silently telling her to go along with it.
The disguised dinosaur Grimm confirmed to Roman, "Yes. It's a trait my species share. Because of our freaky looks, we aren't exactly liked."
Neo typed at Klawdia, "What is your relationship with Ashton?"
The theropod answered, "We're traveling partners. We just got done shopping for clothes and weaponry."
Ashton grinned at the mute, "Why do you ask? You jealous, Neo?"
Neo glared at him, showing the new text, "No, I'm not!"
Klawdia asked, "Can Neo talk at all? Has she always been a mute?"
Ashton shrugged, "I guess. It's possible she could have been born a mute or experienced a horrible accident that robbed Neo of her voice." Roman returns to his map while Neo gets off of Ashton.
The ginger-haired man queried, "So what have you been up to all these years?"
Ashton said, "Been working for someone as their informant. No, it's not Cinder. Been working for Rena Schwartz. Surely you've heard of her."
Roman smirked, "The infamous One-Eyed Devil. Heard stories about her. This armor-clad, one-eyed badass faunus built like a tank. Even if she's getting beaten, she will mess you up before she goes down. If I recall correctly she even purged an entire village of Grimm all by herself." They spend the new few hours catching up until Ashton receives word from his travel partner it's dusk and better stay in Vale for the night.
Ashton agreed, "Yeah, we'll book a room. Tomorrow we begin your training. Take care, Roman and Neo. This meeting happened between us, don't tell anyone."
Roman gave him a two-fingered salute, "Thief's honor."
Ashton said, "Better not. Don't want to make enemies out of me." With that, the duo leave.
Inside their guest dorm at Beacon Academy, Emerald informs Cinder of their encounter with Ashton.
She explained to the black-haired woman, "He claims to know us very well. All of us, including you."
Cinder hummed, "Interesting. Did you get a look at his face?"
Emerald shook her head, "No, ma'am. He wore a mask and a hood. At least we got his name. Stephen."
Mercury asked, "Want us to deal with him?"
Cinder ordered, "No. I'll meet this Stephen personally tomorrow, to see if I can convince him to join our cause." After booking a hotel room for the night, Ashton orders him and Klawdia food.
Following a hearty meal Ashton finishes showering, chilling on the bed while Klawdia showers, his robe, mask, gun-swords and boots at bedside but left his clothes on.
The young man sighed in relief, "That's better." He hears the bathroom door open and Klawdia steps out fully clothed and finishes drying her hair. When she deems it's dry enough she tosses the towel into the bin. She walks over to the bed, her bare feet virtually silent on the floor.
Getting on she grabbed Ashton's hand in her own vowing, "I promise I won't disappoint you. I'll give it my all."
Ashton said, "See that I don't. You only have one chance, Klawdia."
Klawdia titled her head, "Did someone wrong you?"
The young Fall told her, "That's none of your concern." The two spend the new few hours watching TV until it's time to sleep. Under the cover of darkness, Klawdia snuggles closer to the human.
A/N: Chapter 15 done.
Not gonna lie, 2020 sucked.
The holidays and the stress of it robbed me of motivation to write.
Anyway Ashton gets some attention. Fighting an Egyptian themed Grimm, obtained a partner in a dinosaur True Grimm, met Emerald and Mercury and Roman Torchwick and our favorite girl, Neo.
Read and review.
Stay tuned for chapter 16.
Vader 23A