The Phases of Remnant

ESKK: Hey guys I know I said I'd quit RWBY for a while now, but this idea would not stop bugging me. So anyway, here is the new story I made. But before we proceed there is a few things I'd like to say. Now my main issue with RWBY Fanfics was that certain unnamed users would make endless requests for RWBY fanfics when I don't take requests or suggestions for stories unless the one giving them is my co-writer. I've voiced this several times to people and even went out of my way to try and contact them to let them know but they did not listen. What became the nail to the coffin were two things, the first was the fact that you people would not let me write at my own paste keep asking me to update such and such stories and even reviewing my other fanfics for updates of an unrelated story. The second part was that the requests were all Jaune related as the main character.

Now what I'm about to say will trigger a lot of people but here it is. I don't like Jaune I absolutely hate and despite the guy and you all keep trying to request that I make a fic centered on him. I'm sorry but that is NEVER going to happen no matter how many times you ask. Now a lot of you are going to accuse me of bullshit but hear me out on why Jaune was the deciding factor for me to give up RWBY. I my other fanfics OC centered or otherwise I feel obligated and forced to include Jaune even when I want to just get rid of him entirely. I know a lot of you will complain to me, cuss me out, and several other things if I ever dared to kill of Jaune. So, a lot of my RWBY Fanfics suffered for this in order to please you guys.

So, I'm getting back on the saddle and seeing where things go from here. So, Wish me luck.

"Talking."

'Thinking.'

(Scene Break)

-Music Insert/Lyrics-

Disclaimer: Neither myself nor Mr. Unknow own RWBY In anyway shape or form they belong to Rooster Teeth. .Hack / G.U. is property of Bandai Namco Entertainment. Please support both their official releases.

(Begin)

Unknown where the Cursed Wave was born…

After the stars doth cross the heavens,

The sky in the East doth darken and air doth fill with mourning.

From the chosen land beyond the forest, a sign of the wave comes.

Riding the wake is Skeith, the Shadow of Death, to drown all that stands.

Wave reaches the Pinnacle, and escape none can. Tarvos still remains with more cruelty to punish and destroy.

-The Epitaph of Twilight the First Phase of Morgana and the Seventh Phase of Morgana

(Start Location Unknown)

Life was a funny sort of thing for one man, a man named Ryou Misaki the true name of Haseo of The World R2. It was funny to him because life was finite for many. He lived a good life grew old and for what it was worth he lived life well. His friends were all gone now and soon he would join them. His time as the Terror of Death had passed and now it was time for this Terror to know the peace of Death. Surrounded by his remaining loved ones Ryou let his life slip away and closed his eyes for the final time.

Haseo was returning to The World as he remembered it where all his friends were waiting for him, beckoning him to return. Then it was darkness empty blissful silence for the young man. Floating in the darkness the Terror of Death floated yet in the darkness he stirred. Opening his eyes for a moment he saw himself looking upon a familiar woman in white as she stood in the center of a circle. Looking around with his eyes he saw, to his shock, the Eight Epitaphs in their order, starting to his left, Innis the Mirage of Deceit, Magus the Propagation, Findell the Prophet, Gorre the Machinator, Macha the Temptress, Tarvos the Avenger, and finally Corbenik the Rebirth.

Standing between them all the woman began to speak with a soft voice and a kind smile. Glancing to the ground with his eyes Haseo saw none other than the image of Skeith where he was and thus looking to the woman, he knew who it was. "Aura..." Haseo spoke as he saw the woman. He had never met Aura personally, but he knew of her after his adventure's curiosity had him seek out Kite and the others who played a role in Aura's awakening.

"Little Children of Morganna... it always begins with death but ends with rebirth." Aura said her hair covering her eyes yet did not take away from her divine beauty. The Beauty that is the ultimate AI as she stood between the Eight Phases. "Now sleep and be reborn." She spoke and thus Haseo was lost to the empty voice all over again. All he could hear was one final word spoken in the shadows.

"WELCOME TO REMNANT."

(Scene Break Unknown Location)

Darkness was all Haseo saw as he floated there. He could not move, he could not speak, and he could not see. What... what was this... where was he? Just then Haseo heard words from the shadows, words that felt far yet near but all important in the end. "-sh m-!" A muffled voice was heard in the darkness in which Haseo struggled to listen. The former Terror of Death noted that it sounded far away.

"Push!" The voice managed again which Haseo noted the tone that was used. The tone he heard only heard when... on shit. Soon enough a bright light overwhelmed his vision in darkness before the next thing Haseo knew, several people were crying out in joy as a baby cried in turn. There were two wailings of a newborn child meaning siblings as Haseo knew he was one of the kids crying out.

Haseo was soon moved to what he would assume was his new mothers' arms after being wrapped in a blue blanket. "Oh, look at him little Yin Xiao Long." A blond-haired man spoke causing his mother to scoff to this.

"Tai you know we talked about this you got to name the girl, so I get to name the boy." The black-haired woman said to Haseo's new father.

"Fine ruin my fun." Tai said pouting to this. "Well Raven, what are you going to name him?" Tai asked as he sat next to Salem on her bed looking at the twins.

"I think... I'll name him Haseo Branwen." Raven said which Haseo would smirk if he could. All he could do was smile at the pair.

"I think he likes it." Tai said as Haseo saw that they had no idea they just gave him his old PC Name from the World. "Welcome to the world... Haseo." Tai said as Haseo knew this was going to take some getting used too.

(A few months later)

It had not been a year yet, but Haseo knew something was wrong. IT was the middle of the night when something drew him from his sleep. He was trying to get a hang of his body as fast as possible working out the kings of it. His father Tai thought he might be gifted, Raven his mother saw something else. When he wasn't trying to adjust his body, he was either sleeping, eating, or having incidents. Damn his infant body to high hell and back.

From what he gathered by listening in to topics he was in a world called Remnant and he was on the Island of Patch just off the coast of Vale, one of the four Kingdoms of Remnant. Despite them being called Kingdoms an elected council operates them. Apparently, creatures known as Grimm roam the world and are attracted to negative emotions like moths to a flame. Haseo knew he might need to face them in the near future. There was something of a military group trained to combat the Grimm called the Huntsman who train in one of the four academies before receiving their licenses. There was a lot of information to note and since Haseo still had issues with his small body he could not take notes of it all forcing him to rely on his memories.

Laying in the crib with his sister, Yang Xiao Long, Haseo stirred and saw his mother looking down on them both. Something was wrong here and Haseo knew it. It was the middle of the night so why was Raven dressed like she was preparing to go somewhere. Something was very wrong here and Haseo knew deep down that it would affect them in the long run. So, laying there Haseo looked around for a means to find answers and for a moment Raven reached down to them... no she was reaching towards him.

But before she could do so a sound was heard getting Raven's attention. She then opened a window before to Haseo's surprise turned into a bird and flew off. Haseo would not know for a few weeks, but this was the night Raven ran out on her children, Haseo never thought that sort of pain would hurt this bad.

(Scene Break 2 years later)

The now two-year-old Haseo Branwen looked down upon his newborn half-sister Ruby Rose with his crimson red eyes. After Raven had left Summer came in to pick up the pieces. As Haseo looked upon his younger sister he could not help but notice how small and innocent she looked in her crib. Growing up Haseo had noted how his new body looked near identical to his body in The World R2 just minus the face pain. So far Yang's Aura had been awoken and her semblance was very much a trouble magnet. Semblances from what Haseo could tell were like superpowers in this new world he found himself in.

Right now, Ruby was napping and Haseo could not help but be reminded of Sakubo. Hopefully, they do not end up like this considering that the last Haseo had seen them they were old woman. As Haseo grew these past two years he always felt like there was something more inside him. Sometimes he closes his eyes to focus and for a moment he sees a familiar set of three crimson eyes flashing. Did Skeith follow him into this world? Was Skeith inside Haseo even now just waiting for Haseo to call to him? He did not know but if he was Haseo feared what it might do in this world.

This world was real not data like The World R2. With this in mind Haseo had to be more careful in how he moved and more so how Skeith may affect things. But he was then drawn out of his revere when Ruby began to stir and opened her big Silver Eyes to him. Haseo smiled down at Ruby as he began to feel the emotions Ovan felt for his younger sister Aina. Looking at his sister Haseo knew from the moment he laid eyes on her that she would be loved and protected.

"I'll protect you. I'll protect you all." Haseo said vowing to make sure that his loved ones would live. Haseo would not let Ruby become anything like the Lost Ones. If anyone dared to harm his family, then they will be met with the Terror of Death Himself.

(3 Years Later)

Tragedy hit the household again when Summer had died in the line of duty. The now 5-year-old Haseo had to act as the rock for his sisters. Holding Ruby and Yang close Haseo saw the heartbreak hit them hard. Tai was once more going through the depression he went through when Raven left only this time Summer was no longer here to pull him out of it. It did not escape Haseo's noticed that Yang was looking more like her own mother by the day and it scared Tai a bit.

"I promise." Haseo spoke as he held his sisters close. I promise you guys that everything will be ok." Haseo said as he held his sisters close while keeping a strong front for them. They needed a rock but deep down Haseo was hurting just as much as they were. 'Shino... give me strength.' Haseo thought hoping for some sign on how to make things better.

(Scene Break 12-Years-Later Mistral)

The now 17-Year-Old Haseo sat in a locker room as he was putting on his gear. He had enrolled into a Combat School when he was old enough with Yang. Funny enough Uncle Qrow taught there, and it made Haseo happy to find the Scythe User there. Haseo's Semblance, Adept Rogue, had proven itself a godsend for the reborn Epitaph User. During his time at Signal Academy Haseo had been hard at work improving himself regaining the skills he had as the Terror of Death in The World. For starters he modelled his current outfit after his Outfit in the World after his first Job Extension Event. It provided him with more protection for when his Aura cannot. Haseo had been noted to have a large amount of it growing up that it surprised many who saw it.

Reaching into his locker he pulled the first of his weapons was a pair of daggers that had triggers on them and teeth of a chainsaw on them. These where his daggers/handguns that he had designed himself off of his weapons from the World. They were a mixed of the guns he had with his Xth Form and the daggers he had when he first started out in The World. He had to use Uzi's for the base design to get the guns just right. Still, it was worth it for the main project he had been working on. These weapons were named Light Claw and Dark Fang from the engravings on the weapons. Once the weapons were holstered, he reached in and pulled out a much larger weapon. Using Qrow's weapon as a bases he constructed this weapon with mixtures of both the Borad Legged Broadsword and the Scythe Shouxiao from the World. This in of itself was a nightmare to get right but in the end with some help Haseo got it done. In the end Haseo's weapon of choice, the Twilight Legend was born.

Swinging the weapon and sheathing it on his back Haseo was ready for combat. This was another reason for his outfit choice, magnets so he can sheath his weapon without the issues a sheath would bring to the table. "Haseo!" Came a familiar voice that Haseo knew well enough to identify as Ruby. Looking to the source he saw his twin sister Yan Xiao Long, and his younger half-sister Ruby Rose approaching him.

Ruby all but flew at Haseo and latched onto his arm hugging him opting Haseo to raise his arm up. "The Finals can you believe it!?" Ruby said gushing that her big brother made it to the finals.

"I mean come on Rubes, bro-bro here is the best fighter in Signal second only to yours truly." Yang said boasting which made Haseo smirked.

"Yet I'm the one fighting and you're the one in the stands." Haseo said causing Ruby to giggle.

"Burn." Ruby said but then HAseo looked to Ruby with a look.

"Ruby, can you let go of me now?" Haseo asked as he wanted his arm back.

"Oh sure." Ruby responded and thus she let go of Haseo's arm. "Sorry." Ruby apologized causing Yang to giggle.

With his arm freed once more Haseo began to finish up his preparations for the Tournament. Haseo had been given special permission to enter the Tournament in Mistral where he would be facing Pyrrha Nikos in the competition. Pyrrha was known as the reigning champion of Mistral and thus would be a tough opponent to beat. Haseo was good one of the best fighters in Signal and had his own fair share of tournaments mainly ones Yang strongarmed him into taking part in. Still, it was still a surprise for many that Haseo made it through it all the way to the finals. Though Haseo was happy that it didn't involve him busting out Skeith by accident like in The Demon Palace Tournament that did not mean the concern was not there.

Thankfully, he was more mellowed than he was back then so there was no chance of that happening again. He was thankful for that small miracle, but he needed to get his head in the zone. "Anyway." Yang began as she walked over to her twin brother. "We'll be cheering you on from the stands with Uncle Qrow." Yang said patting Haseo on the shoulder.

The Terror of Death smiled to his sister for her words. "Thanks." Haseo said before both Yang and Ruby nodded. With that Haseo closed his locker and got ready to head out.

(Later out on the stage)

"Here it is folks the match you had all been waiting for!" The announcer called out as Haseo walked out onto the stage. "This young man had become the underdog of the Tournament coming from the small island of Patch in Vale this Huntsman in Training was hailed the strongest in Signal." The Announcer spoke with the cheers of the people raining around him. "Hopefully, his friends back in Vale are watching because he stands before you, the Terror of Death HASEO BRANWEN!" The man roared as Haseo was surprised by this turn of events.

Though while Haseo can see his family cheering for him he was also surprised by what the man called him wondering how that came about. But before he could question it further Haseo then saw a red-haired woman in gold armor walking out onto stage with a spear and shield in hand. "But can this underdog defeat the four-time reigning champion of the Mistral Tournament!?" The Announcer called out as Haseo got ready. "Our Champion, our Spartan, our local hero, our Invincible Girl; PYRRHA NIKOS!" The man screamed causing the cheers to reach their apex for the hometown girl.

Haseo and Pyrrha stood before each other ready to fight. "Good luck." Pyrrha said in a friendly tone.

"Thanks." Haseo responded as he got ready to fight against Pyrrha.

The Stage was set as Haseo drew his daggers and held them at the ready. Pyrrha did the same with her own weapon as she knew what was about to happen. "Three... two... one." The Announcer counted down as Haseo got ready to attack. "BEGIN!" He roared and thus the battle began with Haseo charging in on Pyrrha.

Slicing at her Pyrrha blocked the first attack with her spear before parrying the other one with her spear in a Kris form. Once that was done, she jumped back and opened fire on Haseo. Haseo sliced the Dust Bullets with his sword before moving out of the waw of the shots. But while he ran to the side Haseo opened fire on Pyrrha forcing her to block with her shield. Moving fast Haseo went after her and sliced at her with his swords only for Pyrrha to easily weave through the attacks as they came. She then bashed Haseo back with her shield getting the first official blow on him in this match.

Haseo slid back a bit as he looked at Pyrrha trying to figure out what had just happened. From what he saw Haseo's attacks should have been able to hit yet it was almost like she dodged the attack at the last second to draw him into a perfect counter. But before Haseo could contemplate it any further Pyrrha threw her shield at Haseo who dodged the attack before Pyrrha opened fire. The attack missed Haseo only for it to bounced off her shield and hit Haseo in the back catching him by surprise.

The fact it hit him in a spot his Twilight Legend did not cover was a damn good shot. Haseo was pushed forward and in turn Pyrrha went on the attack again. Blocking her attack Haseo managed to force Pyrrha off of him, but she jumped over and grabbed her shield arming herself with it once more.

Haseo stood there for a moment as he knew a shot like that was a one in a million sort of shot. So how did she manage to make it, was that her Semblance. Wait thinking back Haseo's previous attacks didn't seem to work out as he intended, and he had a theory. Haseo then smirked a bit as he had an idea on how to approach this. "Your pretty good." Haseo said as he looked to Pyrrha.

"You're not bad yourself." Pyrrha said as she had to admit Haseo had talent. "Though I've been wondering why you don't use the big sword." Pyrrha said noting Haseo's great sword.

"Well, been meaning to bust this out." Haseo said gesturing to the weapon. "So how about we start cutting loose!" Haseo called out and thus went on the attack only with increased fury. Slicing at Pyrrha she blocked his attack from his daggers only to be shocked when the blades began to grind like a chainsaw forcing Pyrrha to jump back. Pyrrha blocked a barrage of bullets from Haseo with her shield no doubt being quick on the uptake. The Champion had to admit that Haseo was good at what he did as while it may seem like he was wild Haseo was actually testing the waters. But just as the flurry of bullets stopped Pyrrha was surprised to find Haseo swinging his great sword at her. Pyrrha was forced to move and in doing so had to use her Semblance giving Haseo what he was looking for.

When Haseo's sword hit the ground Pyrrha went on the attack only for Haseo to have one of his daggers in gun form fire at her forcing her to back off. Once that was done Haseo sheathed the dagger and shouldered his sword. "So that's how you do it." Haseo said after noting what Pyrrha could actually do.

"Pardon?" Pyrrha asked as she looked to Haseo.

"Your Semblance I figured it out, Polarity, right?" Haseo asked as he looked to Pyrrha.

"Wait but how did you?" Pyrrha asked and thus Haseo got down to it.

"Simple my great sword I felt the weight of it change suddenly when you dodged it." Haseo said to which Pyrrha realized she was met whit a fake out prior. "The thing about large weapons is that any sudden differences in their weight would instantly be noted by the wielder." Haseo said explaining how he figured it out.

"Impressive, no one had ever figured out my Semblance." Pyrrha said impressed with how Haseo had figured it out. Then again, he had a point, larger weapons mean more weight so her Semblance shifted the weight for Haseo to notice it. "I'll have to take that into consideration next time I face an opponent with a large weapon." Pyrrha said as she smirked a bit noting that this might prove to be a challenge for her.

With that the two proceeded to battle once more Haseo and Pyrrha clashing weapons with Pyrrha going on the offensive. The two clashed weapons until they met blades and struggled. But then Haseo smirked and to Pyrrha's shock the weapon had saw blades before it grinded like a chainsaw forcing Pyrrha back. Looking at her weapon she saw the scratches on it as Pyrrha had to admit that weapon had to be illegal or something. Haseo pointed Twilight Legend at Pyrrha as he smirked to her.

"Surprised?" Haseo taunted and in turn Pyrrha chuckled a bit.

"Does every weapon you have come with a chainsaw?" Pyrrha asked with a tone suggesting she was starting to connect Haseo to chainsaws.

"Just the ones I make." Haseo said before Pyrrha came at him again. Using a combination of her sword shifting between its spear and rifle forms before launching her shield at Haseo. The former PKK blocked and avoided the attacks before he jumped back. The way he was moving though struck Pyrrha a bit before Haseo went offensive. She noted how he seemed to constantly switch weapons after a few attacks forcing Pyrrha to go on the defensive. How easily he switched his weapons put Pyrrha on edge as she began to step back. Her Semblance was good, but she constantly had to adjust with how quickly Haseo was using a different weapon.

She knew he had the Twin Blades/Gun combo weapon and his great sword so it gave her some hope she can find a pattern. Just then Haseo dodged another of her attacks before jumping over her. Pyrrha saw he was going for the sword and moved outside its reach. But then she saw and heard gears turning before the sword began to shift into a massive scythe. Pyrrha was wide eyed by this as she saw that she was in the weapons reach. Forced to block the attack Pyrrha was sent flying as she rolled across the ground and almost fell off the stage for a ring out.

Haseo spun his scythe about before taking a battle stance with it as the saw blades on it grinded in response. It was the weapon he was famous for back in The World: R2, so it came as no shock that Haseo was a natural with it. "Come on." Haseo taunted and thus the two started to battle once more. With the scythe out Pyrrha found herself pushed to a corner as she tried her best to hold her ground against her foe.

Their Aura's being twiddled down bit by bit with both fighters attempting to best the other. Pyrrha had to admit that Haseo was proving to be a challenge for her and seeing as he figured out her Semblance, so she knew that using it would be pointless. Continuing their battle Pyrrha did find this to be thrilling it had been a long time since she had been able to challenge herself in battle. They continued to do battle becoming two warriors locked in battle the cheers of the crowd echoing for all to hear.

Haseo zoomed through the battle as he put all the training, he got from Qrow and all his past experiences with scythes to their full use. Fighting against a Champion of Mistral Haseo surged through recalling his times becoming the Emperor of the Demon Palace, then the Holy Palace, and finally the Spirit Palace. For Haseo it was like those Palace Tournaments minus the possible threat to his own life. The two parted ways again and thus Haseo knew that it was time to end this.

So, in turn Haseo charged into the fight once more and Pyrrha was ready for him. Slicing at her Pyrrha dodged the attack but Haseo used a faint. He in fact used his scythe to throw himself over Pyrrha and opened fire on her with his guns. Once he hit the ground Haseo grabbed his Scythe and slammed the shaft of it into her side. Then with a roar Haseo swung and threw Pyrrha across the field before she used her spear to stop herself. But she was then caught off guard when Haseo came in with his scythe back into its claymore form and with it slammed down forcing Pyrrha to move abandoning her weapon. Haseo saw this coming and swung his weapon to its flat side with her shield. Pyrrha never saw it coming as she went flying out of the field and thus was given a ring out.

The buzzer blared out and thus the cheers echoed once again. "I don't believe it people the Kid from Vale has done it!" The announced called out as the cheers echoed through the stadium. "Haseo had done the impossible and bested Pyrrha with a ring out!" He called out and thus Pyrrha got up and could not help but smile.

Pyrrha walked over to Haseo smiling to him at his victory. "Well, that was a unique way to fight." Pyrrha said praising Haseo for his ingenuity.

"Thanks." Haseo said nodding to Pyrrha before the two shook hands. "You ok with me breaking your streak?" Haseo asked as he looked to Pyrrha.

"It's ok I suppose that all stars must fall eventually." Pyrrha said being very welcoming to her first defeat.

"Thanks." Haseo said and thus the two parted ways so Pyrrha can allow Haseo to enjoy the spotlight. As Haseo basked in the light he felt a pulse from withing and outward followed by a quick vision of three red eyes. Haseo looked around for the source but in the end found nothing afoot. While he focused back to the crowd, he took his leave so he can get ready for the ceremony right after. But unknown to many as Haseo walked his shadow took another form, the form of Skeith.

(Later with Pyrrha)

Pyrrha was walking down a hall when she passed by a familiar figure with pink hair. "So, you lost." The woman said adjusting her glasses a bit.

"Yes, and I have to confess that it was a humbling experience, Pi." Pyrrha said looking to the young woman now known as Pi.

"Good to know." Pi said as she then walked with Pyrrha putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. "This will be an ideal time for you to learn from defeat and improve yourself, little sister." Pi said and Pyrrha nodded opting to take her words to heart.

"I'd like that." Pyrrha said and thus the two departed while Pyrrha was left unaware that her sisters shadow was in the form of the Epitaph known as Tarvos the Avenger.

(TBC)

ESKK: This is the first chapter of the new .Hack/GU RWBY Crossover and my first dive back into RWBY Fanfiction. Please be sure to leave a review before you leave and as always folks, ja-ne.