Ozpin Walked through the streets of New Meridian. He never exactly enjoyed the towering Skyscrapers of big Civilizations they were often too much of an eyesore in his opinion. However, Given the obvious tech differences between Remnant and The Canopy Kingdom. he was impressed by how much more towering the buildings were here. Only the Kingdom of Atlas would try to boast buildings of this caliber Even then he was not sure if the buildings even of the capital matched them for size. Often towns limited height so Grimm like the Nevermore couldn't send gigantic pieces of concrete and steel crashing on to civilians below. He wasn't sure what power the Skullgirl has but it seems living with her as the daily threat is more manageable by comparison.
He continued strolling the busy downtown area covered in flashing lights advertising various items. One stall was called The varbeater parasite cure all. The stall selling it however reeked of oil. More than likely it probably was not that effective at removing parasites. His mind flashed back to the day he first meant a parasite.
"Samson is a parasite." Filia's voice echoing in his head. The recording he made note of that day sped forward until a specific statement she said that day came creeping into his mind. "And Should he ever be remove both of us would die." He reopened his eyes as he looked around curious as to how many people in New Meridian were infected with one of these so-called parasites.
He was not too certain what to look for given that he has had only three experiences with them. Peacock, who was a little kid with missing eyes as well as artificial parasites which could possibly varied since Carol, another artificial infected individual shared similar signs as Filia who was naturally infected. To make it worse the group had three different Psyches. Peacock acted for the most part like a kid who watched to much TV. Carol most her time is fighting off a mental intruder named Brain Drain so She would range from polite and friendly to an Easily agitated monster in a matter of seconds. The biggest outlier was Filia since she never exhibits a dual personality disorder or childlike behaviors.
He continued observing Trying to spot any infected individuals however they seem to be rarer that he thought. His line of thinking was cut short when a mass number of citizens were crunched up together in a mob like fashion. This mass of people perplexed him into investigating what was going on.
He passed through the crowd spotting several strange people that looked like Faunace should they had been more animalistic than mostly human. They all were in his way as he slowly pushed his way to the front of the crowd to see what was happening.
"Everyone get down!" A man yelled as an explosion emanated twenty feet from the crowd forcing Ozpin to try to keep his balance as many fell to the asphalt or began running away from the active scene. He noticed a News caster as well as a camera man off to the side trying to remain calm as the chaos surrounded them as well as their being. "We are here live." The person shouted as he turned to look to make sure there was no gunfire. "Outside the alleged hideout of the dangerous Quarter Jar Gang. Where not too long ago their leader, Aalsmeer the third had just lobbed an explosive from the third story balcony. Police were tipped off to the occurrence when, "
"GET DOWN!" Ozpin yelled as he pushed the news reporter toward the ground as a bullet went flying through the air missing him and Ozpin by mere centimeters. The bullet's trajectory went into the ground impacting right in front of the camera man. Ozpin raised his head for a second looking back toward the police blockade then returned his attention to the reporter. "are you okay?" He ducked down as more gun fire happened breaking glass of a nearby building. He shielded the back of his head for protection.
Suddenly more gunfire happened. This time it seemed it was coming from close by. Ozpin tilted his head up to see a line of five men in Olive green uniform jackets. Each of them dawning helmets that looked as if they cut the side of green flower pots to make room for their gas mask. The men looked as if they were armed with a form of assault rifle with a magazine sticking out of the right side of the gun. Closer observations Ozpin noticed a red band on their forearms suggesting they were of same unit.
"On your Majesty's mark." A gray-haired man came walking past them eyeing the building the gun fire was coming from. He was also in the same hue of green as the lackeys though in comparison he was wearing an Officer's coat that bared resemblance to that of Ironwood's. He had a white formal shirt on underneath as well as a purple tie. His shoulder mounted holster while lacked a gun contained a few supply pouches as well as to two strange looking devices that looked like a baton with extra weight at one end. The observant headmaster was certain that the two strange things on his person where grenades.
Behind the man however stood a woman who stood in a straight posture. One of her eyes covered by her red hair as she looked unamused at the building in question. She restraighten her black sweater so if lined more comfortably with her miniskirt. She dawned a red band as everyone else though she wore it closer to the elbow in comparison. Her hands were placed firmly on her umbrella as if she were some kind of knight. Her face was empty from emotion though her yellow irises glared simply with disgust as her hand left her umbrella for a holster designed to be hidden in the skirt that tugged on her body. The gun she drew was a slim looking thing with a long and just as narrow barrel. It looked as if the magazine was held in front of the firing mechanism rather than behind it in the grip which in this gun was made of wood. She took aim at the building and shot a single round scaring the man who was lugging a heavy machine gun to hide under the window.
Not even a second after the first shot the military looking men with expert precision shot several shots into the building's windows causing the people inside to drop metallic shutters for the time being.
The woman yawned a little as she looked at her men. "I want a two-block perimeter established ASAP. All civilians are to be evacuated from their buildings. remember you are who they expect to protect them don't betray their trust. If you think they are in danger jump in the way to take the shot." Her tone was very much demanding as to be expected by a military person. She turned and looked at the man in the suit. "Adam, get a tent build so we can discuss our plan of attack."
The man named Alan saluted as he spoke. "Right away mam." He turned around and began to dash toward the other troops that were waiting in a truck in an alley way. The Woman turned around to look at the building as she sat there observing it as if waiting for something.
"Princess Parasoul." The reporter got up pushing Ozpin off him forcing his way to the barricade. "What were your thoughts regarding this incident?" His tone was as brash as ever not even caring a minute ago he was just shot at.
Parasoul rolled her eyes as she turned to face the man. "I cannot give you any details at this time. Once our job here is done Officer Adam will be happy to take your questions you may have." She turned around as the news caster continued to ask questions simply for her to ignore him.
Ozpin put his hand on the caster's shoulder giving him a look that he often gave Glynda if she was over grilling a student that clearly told them all that they knew. The reporter stammered as he began to just cast about random proceedings before the two scampered off. Parasoul turned around when she heard the way he acted to see what happened only to see a gray-haired man in glasses and a green formal attire standing there one of his hands calmly on a walking stick. To her a possible sign of wealth since he clearly had no need for it.
"Thank you, citizen, but it is best if you leave the combat zone." Parasoul spoke very calmly as she slowly turned her head back to the building. The tent seemed to be almost dome to her satisfaction as she continued watching the building intently.
"The pleasure is mine of course." Ozpin responded, "However I do have matters of my own I need to discuss." He was certain Parasoul was ignoring him now or at least trying to. "Regarding Operation: Exile." To his shock Parasoul seemed to freeze in place hearing that statement.
She tilted her head looking at him. "I do not know what you are talking about." She responded calmly and blankly. Ozpin had to give good marks on her she had as good a poker face as him.
"Is that so?" He responded as Parasoul gestured for some guards to come fast. "Several months ago, in the early summer you were tracking down a high school girl you believed had information about the Skullgirl's where bouts." Parasoul glared out of the corner of her eye at Ozpin getting annoyed as the guards were being slow to get to her position. "At the time, you were working as an operative with the ASGL.
"Guards remove this man from the A/O now!" She ordered angrily as she began to storm away to the tent.
"She fell upon that project by complete accident and was forced to be left there." Ozpin retorted coldly looking at Parasoul still calmly though She was at the edge of her seat gripping the Umbrella tightly in her hand. The guards grabbed Ozpin by the shoulders as they began to move him. "Under my care."
Parasoul's eyes widened as she turned to look at him. "Halt." She ordered as she walked up to him. Her eyes clearly reading him more intently now.
Ozpin adjusted himself as she approached. "My name is Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy. You have not heard of it I assure you." Parasoul continued looking at him skeptical of what he has to say. "If you do not mind I would like to continue discussing things in a more appropriate environment." He asked calmly.
Parasoul calmly began to think to herself before she turned her head toward Adam. "Have Roxie run a calculation of plan fifteen delta five." She ordered as she turned back to Ozpin. "Excuse me but I do have something to take care of I will be back with you in a few minutes." She said sternly almost as if holding anger. She turned around as she entered the tent.
Ozpin on the other hand stood calmly waiting to see what her answer would be. More than likely it was not going to be a friendly remark. Parasoul was still eyeing him suspect as if trying to read him. He was impressed by how she handled the rather sumptuous nature of this person. Easily feeling just how much the Canopy Kingdom meant to her. It was like how he views the way his job was to prepare students for the life of a hunter.
Adam came dashing back whispering into her ear. She did not change the way her face looked when he talked to him. She nodded before talking quietly so Ozpin to not hear what she was saying. That was if it was not for the fact Ozpin learned to read lips during his career as a huntsman.
"Good to hear" He read from Parasoul's mouth. "Tell them we will begin our assault at noon. We can't wait till three to many pedestrians will flood the streets at the student home rush hour." While Ozpin could not see Adam's mouth Parasoul seemed to be asking about him.
"We don't have time to take his meeting now, I will give him a personal invitation to the party we have planned in a few days." She responded as she eyed over to Ozpin's position. Her eyes widened looking at him as she glared at him turning away from him.
Ozpin remained still as he looked at the two's back. He admitted to himself he was somewhat asking for it. All he knew was she planned to do delegations at some form of formal ball. To his shock he saw Parasoul seem to say something and Adam saluted her as she readjusted herself to go and speak with him once more.
"Ozpin, was it?" She asked as she approached. He nodded for an answer. "As ruler of the Canopy Kingdom I accept to listen to what you wish to discuss. I have arranged for you as well as any other ambassadors to come and discuss treaties on the night of the Renoir family ball."
"You are too kind." Ozpin complimented as he politely bowed. "If you must know we are at the ASGL apartment complexes."
"Dually noted." She spoke back as she heard a few gunshots go off. She turned her head back to the building to see a lens flare coming from one of the third story window. "Damn I heard they got their hands on a few sniper rifles." She reached back into her sweater and pulled out a portable radio. "Agent thirteen." She said into the device. Within seconds of the name being said a loud crack was heard as it crashed into the window the sniper was in. "Excuse me." She turned away once again entering the newly constructed tent.
Ozpin, he turned to leave the estimated combat zone wiped the sweat from his forehead. Parasoul was truly a tricky figure to him. Neither of the seemed capable of reading each other. So far though, it seemed to be going mostly to his plan.
The Bastet's Den.
Emerald looked toward the massive complex that sat before her. She angrily grabbed some of the cups on the ground as Mercury at her expense threw his plastic cup on the ground. She glared at him as she picked it up to only see him smile at her.
"Come on, that's not how a host's acts." He said taunting her. He was still on the receiving side of whatever torturing illusion Emerald would have concocted for him by now. That was if they did not lose their abilities when they crossed over.
Mercury leaned back in his chair only to find a sharp edge jabbing into his back side he turned around confused to see a red blade jabbing into his back. He quickly jolted up following the blade in the process. His shock turned to fear noticing Eliza in a bathing suit eyeing him with a sicker looking grin compared to the others.
"Mercury my dear, while she may be in training you should learn how hostess handle unruly patrons." Her calm demeaner with a sadistic look in the eyes was more than enough to scare either of the two. She approached Emerald as she observed how she was dressed. For the most part, she seemed to be doing a standard host look though a little more reserve compared to herself. "I must say, Emerald you may not believe me but you'd be a natural at this if it was not for blindly robbing your customers when they are not looking." She complimented as she slowly reached into the pocket that stored order sheets to show a few wads of bills.
Emerald looked in shock at how she was found out so quickly. "honestly, Emerald It's not hard to piece together who was responsible in fact it is a very simple deduction. You started working here. Being the proprietor, it is my job to keep an eye out for thieves amongst my staff My reputation would be ruined if I didn't." She closed her eyes as she turned to look back at several patrons sitting calmly by the spa room the Eliza enjoyed spending her time in. "Excuse me I have to check on the other one." She said slowly walking pass the commotion.
She was approached by a big bird man person in a blue staff uniform. It was hard to tell his face due to sunglasses. "Horace?" Eliza asked curious
Horace bowed respectfully as he looked at her. "No new news about the Skullgirl yet Lady Eliza. You will be the first to know if anything is discovered."
Eliza frowned looking at him. "Is there a reason you are telling me this and not the client?" She asked her eyes beaming at his very being in an unsettling manner.
Horace stammered a little. "I was wondering if you could inform her." His remark seemed to disappoint Eliza dearly. Horace leaned in as he looked in the direction of the bath house. "She's scary when mad." He was having flashbacks of how he hurt Albus when he reported nothing new."
Eliza rolled her eyes. "Fine I've been wanting to soak anyway." She stated as she made her own way toward the Bath of Tefnut spa room doors.
She entered and used her own blood to form an appropriate bathing suit as she entered the tub of Ra which at the moment seemed to be a sauna. Eliza entered the room looking at inside to see thick masses of steam engulfing the medium size chamber's volume. She entered cautiously not sure what to expect from this person. "Cinder, Darling?" She yelled out curious not getting a response. "Are you in here?" The foggy room was to be dampening to see in. "If you are I need to tell you the good word." She yelled getting ready for what she expects to come next. "Horace had not found any thing on the Skullgirl yet but Albus will make a full recovery so you don't have to hide."
Eliza had to duck quickly to avoid a blast of fire that emanated from the steam. She quickly reformed looking in the direction of the attack. She began to smirk as she entered the haze. She eventually found Cinder sitting in the middle of the room in an empty pool. She has been like this since the Skullgirl's blood left her system. Surprisingly she kept her pyrokinetic abilities when crossing through though Emerald and Mercury were not to lucky. She was certain that her best bet of defeating it was with her own abilities but as Eliza has demonstrated it is a rare form of tainted blood. Most Skullgirl blood is confiscated to the ASGL. With Roman gone she had no real way of getting her hands on it. Since then She had been studying possible ways of winning that would not require it. Her current plan was to find it before it reaches full power.
Eliza looked at her as she was about to supper charge another blast of fire Eliza ducked behind Cinder when she released it. "Easy Dearie." Eliza growled at Cinder "Do you know how much it cost to replace burnt tile?"
Cinder ignored her as she saw the soot stained tile in front of her. She grinned seeing the scorch marks. She turned to look at Eliza. "I think I know how to defeat her." She said grinning maliciously.
Eliza was less than happy to hear it. "That is great to hear." She snapped her fingers as Horace poked her head in looking at Eliza still scared. "Get her ready for her shift. She owes me for ruining the most popular bathhouse." She said as she walked off.
Horace approached cautiously as Cinder looked at him confused. She got ready to scare him until she realized who she was employed to. She decided to come willingly to take over Emerald's shift.
Howdy lot, hope you have been enjoying the Return to New Meridian arc. I figured I should announce that the net chapter will be delayed indefinitely. Mostly because I have been busy on a new project I am working on with someone. More details on that later. Due to how long the next one is it may be a while (The next chapter literally has four fights I am trying to put good detail into it so trust me it will take a while.)
regardless thank you lot for the support you folks have showed to this project I honestly did not expect to get 10 followers let along 64 but to have 85% of them favorite it. Well that is just something I was not expecting what so ever. It truly something I was not expecting.