A/N: EDIT: I'm so sorry, this chapter was published with a LOT of errors that I didn't notice right way.
That's what I get for writing with Long COVID and being distracted.
I went back and patched them up fast, sorry about that.
Added more content to make up for it~!
As promised, we're back. Kinda have to be, since it doesn't seem we're getting a Volume 10 anytime soon, if at all. Meanwhile, we have RWBY: Evermorrow, a fanmade series on Youtube, going strong. Give it a look! Its got six episodes and each is better than the last.
Really made me long for the old volume 3 days.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
As ever, I own no references, quotes, themes or memes. They're tributes to legends far greater than I.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
"You people seriously have a twisted sense of humor."
"Awwww, Emmy! You just realized that now?"
"Oh, Gods. You're both absolutely insane!"
"Says the one who joined up with us.
"Kinda regrettin' it now!"
~The Trio.
Pop Goes the Weasel
Tyrian wasn't in his head! Huzzah! Thank the gods for small mercies!
Naruto noticed it rather quickly as he emerged from the portal, if only for the sweet, blessed silence that followed the lunatic's demise. He had full hold of the scorpion's semblance-anything that let him cut through aura was damn useful- but there was no presence lurking within alongside it, no unwanted guest, as it were. Ordinarily he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, buuuut...
"Welcome back, sir."
He muttered a half-hearted greeting to Emerald in return and flung himself down in the first chair he found. He didn't even have the heart to correct her for calling him "sir" again, much less look for Amber. His mind was already elsewhere, parsing through his latest acquisition and all the perks that came with it. So far there didn't seem to be a downside for this, but...
Why? His lips pursed at the thought.
What was the difference here?
He'd missed something.
Some small shard of Cinder's soul had come along for the ride when he killed her and took her semblance, yet subsequently when he'd killed that punk with the electric semblance back in the store, he didn't get another nattering soul in his head. But after he stabbed Adam and threw him off the train, he did appear, albeit it took a bit longer than Cinder. Then he'd beaten Raven within an inch of her life, yet still snatched her semblance, so no voice there, if only because he'd endeavored to keep her alive.
Tyrian was very much of the dead persuasion however, yet he had his semblance...
.
..
...and no voice.
Meaning he was currently two for five.
But was his absence such a bad thing, really? Two's company three's a crowd and all that.
Maybe it had something to do with ego? Or perhaps strength in addition to death? Cinder and Adam were both, true, but they'd been somewhat sane. Tyrian wasn't and he had all but broken the mad Faunus even further before bursting his head. Maybe that was the cause.
And speaking of voices in his head...
He could still feel the power of Spring simmering inside him; not angry, but...restless? Dare he say eager? Was that the right word? It whispered in his ear like a child even now as he sat here; longing to be free, to whirl and dance and sing to its heart content.
"Play, play, play! I wanna play!"
...yup, no ignoring that. He'd heard another voice just now. It almost sounded like a young girl...nope, not going anywhere near that landmine. The last thing he needed was a kid in his head. Assuming that's what the power of Spring meant-no no, no stop thinkin about it! He didn't want to dwell on this problem right now, much less solve it!
"We'll play later." he muttered. "I'm busy right now.
"Awww...
He glared at his hand instead, frowning as it sparked fitfully. Still no dice. He couldn't call upon the Maiden's power. Just what was it, exactly? Where did it come from? How had it latched onto him? Why couldn't he use it? So many questions, and nary a single answer between them. He knew what a Maiden was in theory thanks to Saphron, but this power felt old, more ancient than anything he'd encountered before.
Seemed Saphron was right. It really wasn't a Semblance.
Adamn was suspiciously silent. Cinder too.
...either of you know anything?"
"Possibly," the former hedged. "There are legends passed down among my people, of warrior women with great powers, gifts bestowed by the gods themselves-
"Absurd!" Cinder scoffed in his head cutting him off. "Superstitious nonsense. This power came from one man and no other." She was clearly sulking, but couldn't ignore a chance to one up them, something he used to full advantage by holding his tongue. "It came from Ozma, or as you now call him, Ozpin. I know little more than that."
Adam scoffed. "Liar. You bragged otherwise to me when we first made."
Cinder made a strangled noise in her throat. "Fools should be silent!"
Naruto gave her a nudge. "This Oz must've been powerful then."
"He was." Really, it was all too easy, goading her into speaking. "In a sense, he still is, though he was much diminished by splitting his power.
"And you want that power." it wasn't a question; he knew her desires all too well.
"It is mine by right, Mercury!" the sheer fervor in her voice had him reeling back for a moment as she railed at him. "I had a plan! It would've been glorious! That illusion girl would've served me well! If only I hadn't gone for you first! And now you have another maiden with you! Its not fair!"
"Tough." he shrugged one shoulder. "You played your hand and lost. Deal with it."
Adam offered a low whistle. "Gonna need some ice for that one.
Naruto laughed.
"Damnitall!" Cinder made angry Cinder noises, raging impotently against them. "Both of you..! Just you wait! This isn't over!" Without warning, her once sullen voice gained a silken spite that hadn't been there before, vibrating with subtle menace. "There are horrors you have no knowledge of, monsters you can't comprehend. You're strong, Mercury, I don't deny that, but your strength means nothing against her. You'll see soon enough. And then I'll have the last laugh. You'll see!"
Would he? Probably not. He wasn't here for any world-saving shenanigans.
Or any mad meddling maidens for that matter.
Speaking of which...where was Amber?
He should've heard from her by now.
Mildly concerned, he drew Adam's sword and used Raven's Semblance again.
A crimson tear opened in reality once more as a portal spawned; imagine his surprise when the Fall Maiden tumbled out of it and landed in a heap at his feet.
Emerald snorted into her hand. "...you alright there?"
Evidently not; because Amber sprang to her feet, eyes ablaze.
"What the hell was that?!" She glared at him with her glowing gaze. "I've been falling for five minutes!"
"Have you?" he scratched at the back of his head with a rueful laugh. "Sorry, haven't really ironed out this semblance yet."
It was the wrong thing to say. Amber blinked. "This semblance...?"
"Might wanna sit down, its a bit of a long story...
(.0.0.0.)
Mercury was insane.
Amber had known from the beginning that her new friend was a bit "off" but she still hadn't expected him to be quite this broken, or so brutally honest about it. He made no attempt to hide what he was from her either; didn't even make an effort to conceal his abilities, let alone what he'd been up to since they last spoke. Somehow that terrified her even more than any duplicity on his part would've.
He could snatch Semblances.
The very essence of someone's soul, and he could just reach in and...and scoop it out like...like it was ice cream or something!
Her throat went dry at the very thought as she sank into the couch.
She asked her questions and the answers didn't sit well with er.
"I can take the semblances and energy of others. There are conditions, of course," he prattled on as she balked at him, "I have to shatter someone's aura, break them mentally or physically before I can take a semblance. Then again, compliance is also a factor. I had at least someone offer themselves up willingly," there was a strange twist to his words just then that got her hopes up, but he barreled on before she could grasp it. "Really, its a bit of a pain sometimes, but I won't deny that it has its uses."
Steadying herself, she crossed one leg over another. "And how many do you have now...?"
"Well, when last we spoke, I really only had the one...
Oh. Good, then. Relief was sweet.
...buuuut...!" He began counting down on his fingers. "I've been petty busy since."
Emerald snorted. "Tell me about it. How many do you have now anyway? Five?"
"Six, actually." he amended with a gentle glare her way. "Just got another."
Her face lit up. "Oooh, you killed the scorpion, then?"
"Yup." he clicked his tongue, producing an audible smacking sound. "Pop goes the weasel."
Amber's world spun eve as an arctic chill shot down her spine. "Why tell me all this?"
"Because I trust you." Mercury's smile was sincere. "You won't tell anyone."
"I won't?"
Emerald gripped her weapons. "Not if you wanna live."
"Emm," Mercury laid a hand on hers. "No need for that. We're all friends here, aren't we?"
Was that a threat? It didn't sound like one to her. Was he that naive? No, surely he couldn't be. That wasn't innocence in his eyes. Amusement maybe, but he didn't strike her as the sort to blindly believe in others at the drop of a hat. So why entrust her with such a secret? It was maddening! She had to know!
She could fight them and flee. She might even escape. She was almost tempted to...
Mercury's last remark came back to haunt her. Hesitation is defeat.
So she wouldn't hesitate.
But a thought struck her just then. She didn't have to fight at all. With that power of his, she could be rid of...yes! That was it!
"Oooh! Me! Her hand shot up! Me, me, me! Do me!" A silver brow rose and she flushed. "You know what I mean!"
Mercury tilted his head, both baffled and bemused. "Do I?"
Amber wasn't having it. She lunged to her feet, dodged past Emerald ~too slow girly~ and latched onto Mercury's jacket. From there she yanked him close, all but smacking her forehead against his in her haste to get at him. She had no doubt he could've broken her grip seven-ways-to-Sunday, but instead he let her hold him, his gaze evenly meeting her own.
"Take my power, please! I'm a-
"A maiden, yes, yes, I know." he waved a hand. "No need to shout. Tyrian was pretty vocal about it. For the love of- I didn't even know what a Maiden was yesterday, and now I've met two...am I Maiden magnet or something...?
"Two?" That just made her curious...and jealous. No doubt he saw it in her eyes. "Who's the second?"
He shook his head. "She's not anymore-
"Aha! So it does work!"
"Hey, hey!" He gave her cheek a pinch, drawing a whine from her. "She found me, not the other way around. I'm already holding the power of one Maiden, and I'm not keen to go for two at the moment...
Emerald raised her hand, observing the scene with thinly-lidded amusement. "I volunteer as tribute again."
Mercury rounded on her with a splutter. "Oi! Cut that out!"
Amber spun with him. "Are you sure? This power...its not a gift, its a curse."
Her lip curled in a sneer. "I'd still use it better than you. Wouldn't be afraid of it, either."
"Why you...I was trying to be nice!"
"Hey-
And then Mercury twitched.
(.0.0.0.)
Naruto twitched
He had good reason too-given what just happened.
A rush of memories flooded his head, so poignant and startling that he darn near fell over.
One of his hidden shadow clones had just dispelled themselves. That wasn't the problem, it meant they were doing their jobs; no, the problem in what said clone had seen, what he was seeing even now, its life flashing before his eyes.
He saw an image of a descending bullhead, and there, standing in full view on the ramp, a man with a cane.
Ozpin.
His eyes widened, narrowed, then widened again. Already? It was too soon. He'd only just collected the bounty; Beacon's headmaster should've taken days to show up...! Nope, nope, nope! All the nope! He wasn't getting dragged into his nonsense!
Adam made an annoyed noise. "Did you honestly expect someone like that to adhere to reason...?
The power of Spring stirred restlessly in him. "Leave, leave, leave...!
Cinder crooned darkly in his head. "Told you so...
Naruto slapped a palm to his forehead. "This is just great. No, really, it is!
Amber tilted her head. "Wait, are you being sarcastic, or are you happy? Because I can't tell-
"I AM ONE HUNDRED PERCENT SARCASM RIGHT NOW! Time to leave! No more Ansel! We're getting out of here!"
Emerald winced. "But what about Saphron and Jaune? We have their numbers, sure, but shouldn't we at least say goodbye before-
He brought his boot down.
Hard.
She must've realized that he'd put all his strength into said stomp because the ground absolutely burst beneath his foot.
"No. More. Delays." he fixed her with a withering glare. "Ozpin is here. We're leaving Ansel."
"Ozpin?!" Amber panicked outright. "We can't stay in Vale; he's strongest here, has the most influence, he won't rest until he's brought me back into the fold by hook or crook!"
"Don't worry," he absently tousled her hair as he moved to pack his things. "We were already plan on leaving."
His mind whirled to the fore as he considered their next destination. He didn't like sand and the idea of snow didn't appeal to him without warm garb, which they were lacking. Menagerie sounded like a good place to be cornered, so no thank you!
...Mistral it is, then!"
Amber jumped him. "My hero!"
Emerald wasn't having that and promptly grabbed her. "Leave off! You're smothering him!"
"Time to go!" he took advantage of their squabble as they wrestled and slashed at the air, only to remember too late what it was that Raven's semblance did, exactly.
It created portals to bonded ones. Not just his, but those Raven held a living bond with. Really should've thought on that.
Naruto thrust his head through the tether he'd created and found himself face to face with...
.
..
...a blond mini-Raven?
She jolted upright from where she lay,sprawled amidst the grass, wide lilac eyes bulging in disbelief. "Who the hell're you?!"
"Nope!" He jerked backward and slashed it shut before she could think to lunge in after him.
Another attempt led him to a rather robust blond bastard singing in the shower.
He saw things he was not meant to see amidst the steam.
Gah! His eyes!
He retreated with a mental scream before the brawler could see him and slashed at the air again.
Nothing happened. So much for the third time being the charm.
"Oi!" he glowered at the air when nothing happened. 'C'mon! You're my semblance now! Get us outta here...anywhere but here...NOW!'
He overcharged it with his chakra and pushed until he felt something TWIST deep inside him. Before his very eyes the air shifted, taking on a brighter tinge, more scarlet than crimson. Curious. He poked his head through it and glimpsed a burned, abandoned hamlet ahead. Wherever it was, it didn't look like here. Worked for him!
Back he came. "Better than nothing! C'mon!"
He swept up Emerald and Amber.
"In you go!"
(.0.0.0.)
Ozpin had made many mistakes.
More than anyone living or dead, more than any many, woman or child.
He didn't much enjoy being reminded of said mistakes through said lives...though they were worth repeating, for he'd learned from each.
Raven Branwen was one such mistake. He had led her astray through inaction on his part, exposing her to secrets for which she wasn't prepared. He was the reason she'd gone down the path she had. An while it baffled him that she had somehow resurfaced here in Vale right under his nose, it didn't change the fact that she remained one of his students. In that regard, he'd brought Qrow with him just in case she made to portal out.
Not that it looked like she could or would mind you, what with her body sprawled out on the prison cot, her head swaddled in bandages and one eye swollen shut.
All in all she'd taken quite the beating.
Even after all these years, his former student was no slouch. It would've taken a mighty foe to fell her indeed.
He turned to address the constable in question, a large, balding, barrel-chested man clad in an ill-fitting sheriff's uniform. "Do we know who did this to her?"
Aye, the man crossed both arms before his badge, "An up and coming hunter. Beat the brakes off her and her lads by himself.
Curiosity reared its ugly head in his heard. He always had eye out for talent. "One boy did all this?"
"Not a boy, a young man." The respect he had for him was clear. "Tore through 'em like a bloody blender, ain't never seen the like."
It was not unheard of he supposed; some hunters in training wandered the wilds for the sole sake of testing their mettle. Likewise, it was not beyond the realm of belief that one such individual would stumble upon Ansel and defend it. That one had been nearby...well, Miss Arc would not be pleased when she returned and learned of said close call. She might want to have words with said defender. As did he.
"Does he live here?"
"No," came the gruff response. "e took the bounty on her and moved on."
Unfortunate. He prodded him ever so gently. "Do you recall what he looked like?"
"What's it to ya? Mercury's done us good service and if you're one of those lot looking for revenge-
Ozpin tried to hold it in. Really, he did. A startled laugh burst out of him, startling the sheriff and Qrow both.
"Forgive me," he thumbed a mirthful tear from the corner of his eyes and shook his head. "I mean him no harm. Of that, you have my word."
He'd grown rather used to recognition wherever he went; was rather nice not to be known for once. Far be it from him to jeopardize the poor fellow. Hmm. Now there's an idea...
"Here," he pressed a generous stack of lien into the startled man's hands. "For your trouble. You may open the door now."
Credit where it was due, the Sheriff tried to look brave. "Ye sure about that? If she tries to run-
"Rest assured," he stood just a little straighter, "She will not. My associate and I are here to prevent such happenstance."
...you're a good one, ain'tcha?
Not always, not as much as he wished to be. "I'd like to think so."
A pause followed for a great while, so long in fact, that he thought himself ignored altogether. And then...
"Silver."
Ozpin paused, his hand on the cell door. "I beg your pardon?"
"You wanted to know what he looked like, aye?" the sheriff heaved a sigh and ran a hand through his thinning hair. "The lad had grey hair and silver eyes. Fought like a right demon. Had a girl with him too, real quiet type that one; she had dark skin, green hair and bright red eyes. They both looked like they knew how to handle themselves, they did.
And just like that, Ozpin found himself intrigued again. A silver eyed warrior? How rare. Miss Rose would be delighted...well, Ruby would once she inevitably entered Beacon some years from now and realized what the true potential of said eyes. But that was neither here nor there. For now, there was work to be done.
...my thanks."
He opened the cell.
The very moment he did, Qrow swept past him with a face wrought like thunder.
Ozpin didn't have a chance to advise caution; his agent didn't give him the chance to even consider it.
His old pupil stormed in and snarled down at his sibling. "Wake the hell up!"
Raven still lay sprawled but at his call she stirred, opened her good eye and turned her head to stared at them with her good eye. Comprehension flickered through that crimson orb; comprehension and perhaps a touch of confusion. That much was to be expected. Doubtless she wouldn't be happy to see the two of them.
Ozpin tapped his cane against the ground and braced for the outburst that was sure to come. "Good morning, miss Branwen."
Raven blinked blearily up at him within her cell.
And then she smiled at him. "Hey, boss."
Ozpin paused. "Boss?"
Raven must've been hit harder than he'd thought. She'd not called him that in ages.
She tried to rise, only to notice the manacles binding her arms and legs. Her wounds seemed secondary to her by comparison. "What's the big idea? Why am I chained up?"
It was to much for Qrow; he stormed forward and seized his sister by the scruff of her neck. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
"No?" She tilted her head, frowned, then looked past him. "What is this place? Why am I here? Where's Taiyang and Summer?"
Grief. It hit Ozpin like an Ursa."...what is your last memory, miss Branwen?"
"What?" Her very visage screwed up in confusion. "What're you on about? We had one hell of a graduation party. You were there and...and...huh?" She looked down at herself and balked. "Why am I wearing this getup? Feels like I got run over by a Goliath..."
"Perhaps you should see for herself.
Ozpin offered the battered bandit his scroll, allowing her to see her reflection therein.
Raven recoiled with a shriek. "Ugh! Why am I old?!" Her hands flew up to her face, flailing in vain. "I have crow's feet! What the shit?!"
Qrow growled, low and deep in his throat. "Just how hard did she hit her head...?"
She squinted at him. "The hell do you mean?! I didn't hit my head!
"Your skull is literally covered in bandages!"
Amnesia? Ozpin considered the prospect thoughtfully as the siblings began to squabble. It was possible he supposed traumatic brain injuries often caused memory loss, and in some cases radically affected the victim's personality. But this...it was as if her very mind had been reset, turned back to that of her teenage years, large swathes of her memory utterly wiped out. But then that would mean...
Raven stiffened suddenly, startling them anew. "Where's Summer?"
.
..
...oh, dear.
"Right, screw this. "Qrow stalked out the cell, shaking his head. "I'm entirely too sober for this shit. Getting a drink."
Raven called after him. "Bring one for me!"
"Raven, no!"
"Raven, yes!' She hollered back! "Being old is thirsty work!"
Ozpin pinched the bridge of his nose in a vain attempt to stifle an impending migraine. He did no succeed. He'd come here prepared to punish Raven for her crimes, or barring that, offer her some small form of amnesty, provided she saw sense and agreed to work with them again. This...he didn't know what to do with this. Black and white he could handle, Good and Evil made sense, but this...this was all grey, muddled and confusing. He didn't know what to do with grey.
Clearly, this "Mercury" fellow had clearly done something to Miss Branwen.
And yet he had fled rather than face him head on.
Why had he done this to Raven? And how?
Morever...wherever had he gone?
Where indeed.
(.0.0.0.)
Something was wrong.
Naruto felt it nudging at the back of his mind like a sharp splinter as he scanned his surroundings.
From the moment they'd set food in this dead, desiccated village, he'd felt something stalking them. Even now it lingered in the back of his mind like a wraith, haunting his every thought, setting his every nerve on edge. In all fairness he didn't rightly know where Raven's semblance had taken them, only that it was somewhere far, far from Ansel. But how could he? Anywhere but here was a rather broad term.
No, that didn't matter right now. He braced his right foot and felt his hackles rise.
He could sense a presence here but what? Where-
"REEEEAAAAAARGH!"
Something crashed down behind them and he winced as his sixth sense shrieked a warning; just an ear-splitting yowl of a beast rent the air.
Amber and Emerald whirled to face the new threat, but he'd already beat them to it. Because you see, he knew that noise. Marcus Black might've been an ass, but the bastard was a thorough one; he'd made him learn of just about every Grimm out there. One one had a scream like that.
"Ah, crapbaskets...
Nuckelavee.
This one was large even by his standards, a ghastly fusion between horse and man with curving, hideous horns and ghastly red eyes besides, darkness itself come to life. It shuffled forward on its black steed, crunching bones underfoot, heedless of the weapons embedded in its back. Those wretched eyes were fixed firmly upon them; it had only one thought, one reason, one reckoning.
Death.
But he felt no fear-only confusion. Why was such a beas there?
Adam grimaced in his head. "Well, that's unfortunate-
'For him.'
"Oi!" Amber tugged at his sleeve "We need to MOVE before it-
Emerald held up a finger. "Shhh. He's got this."
"What she said."
Naruto raised his right hand as the beast barreled forward, fingers clenching into a cruel claw. His palm sparked with vivid blue-white light as he called upon his second semblance, the one he'd snatched from that foolish thug shortly after encountering Emerald. He'd not really had a chance to utilize it properly; its original owner hadn't realized even a tenth of its potential.
But he did.
Lightning leaped from his fingers, arcing toward the Grimm in a torrent of pure plasma. The mindless beast charged right into it without a care in the world, heedless of the danger. Its baleful red eyes saw only prey and never once comprehend the trap.
Mistakes were made.
No sooner had it done so than its every muscle clamped down, thwarting its charge as it crashed to the ground. The abrupt impact broke one of its hind legs with an awful crack and another scream rent the air, eliciting a wince from the lot of them. He closed his heart to it and fired off another blast, blowing off another leg just to make certain it couldn't run away.
Cinder hummed sullenly. "Not bad. I could do better...
Heh. Throwing lightning at fools. There realy was nothing more entertaining in this world. Kurama would've enjoyed this.
As the creature writhed and spasmed in pain, unable to move, he looked to Amber. "What's a Greater Grimm like this doing here?"
"I've heard rumors of this place." The Fall Maiden hissed aside. "A village on the outskirts of Mistral was wiped out overnight by a single Grimm."
Emerald winced. "And what was the name of this village?"
"Kuroyuri."
...well, shit. The name didn't much register with him. The Grimm did, however, despite the terror its presence inspired. They could leave it be, he supposed, but that would be disrespectful to the dead. And yet he didn't really feel like dealing with it himself...wait. He could kill two Nevermore with one stone here.
He stepped back. "You're up, ladies.
Amber blinked. "Me?! Why do I have to-
Emerald shoulder-barged her out the way. "Step aside, I can handle this by myself."
"Like hell you can!"
"What was that, bitch?!"
"Then lets make a game of it." he held up his finger, diverting their attention before they could come to blows once more. "First one to kill that Grimm chooses were we go once we're done with Mistral."
Amber rounded on him. "Atlas!"
Emerald was only a heartbeat behind. "Vacuo!"
Naruto offered them a cheshire grin. "Don't tell me that, tell the Grimm-
Emerald burst forward in a rush of speed before he could finish. "Early bird gets the worm!"
Amber jolted after her. "Hey! No fair!"
What followed was a slaughter; simple and...well, not so clean. The poor Nuckelavee didn't know what hit it; they had it down, defeated, and destroyed in a matter of minutes. Wasn't hardly worth mentioning really; the girl's so-called duel ended in a tie as both struck the killing blow; Amber lopped off the Horse's head, just as Emerald did that of the rider. Pure poetry.
"Alright," he hummed, watching the abomination dissolve. To the city."
Things were finally starting to look up here!
What could possibly go wrong...?
(...?...?...?...)
Everything was wrong.
It was every bit Pyrrha's fault, of course.
She'd been the one to pick this fight...gods, she was regretting it now.
A fist whistled past her face to which she clumsily ducked, only for her foe to pivot and bring his leg right leg 'round to strike at her unprotected flank. She tried to block the oncoming attack really, she did, but she wasn't ready and they both knew it. Her foe's merciless boot smashed into her guard like a falling star and struck her chin, snapping her head back. Even as she reeled he swooped in and hammered his fists straight into her sternum, then her neck, followed by her solar plexus, leaving her gasping for air.
Pain.
Stars.
Entire galaxies.
An open palm smacked her collarbone and launched her backwards with a startled yelp. Unprepared for her sudden flight she crashed out of the room, aura protesting as she hurtled into then through a nearby wall. It crumbled like so much driftwood, as did another, another, and still another. The people of Mistral just didn't build things to last, did they? Her back struck the ground, then momentum dragged her down, sending her tumbling out into the foggy street.
"You alright there, little miss champion?" a familiar voice sang to her through the mist. "Did I kick ya too hard?"
Green eyes narrowed. She tried to rise, only to wince as her flagging aura protested feebly at the motion. "N-No...not...yet...
Mercury Black emerged, hands in his pockets. He tilted his head and grinned at her, eyes smoldering with menacing silver flames. "That's the spirit~!"
How had it come to this...?
A/N: To clarify, yes, Naruto accidentally forced Raven's semblance to evolve, albeit unintentionally.
Next chapter will explain how and why Naruto and Pyrrha are throwing down and then some~!
Do let me know if you want weekly updates! Feedback is important, the wind in our sails!
Hope you enjoyed this little ficlet. Well? Should this remain a story? Yay or nay? What say you~?
As ever, the Embers rule still persists. If folks don't like this story? Well...I'll not continue it. I can't bear to write something no one likes. Its the simple truth, though a sad one. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do! I'm literally working every day now, so I have less and less time to write. Daily updates might...slow down in the interim, but I know that would upset a lot of people.
So, in the Immortal words of Atlas...
...review, would you kindly?
And of course, enjoy the previews!
They're mostly the same. Wouldn't do to spoil things, no?.
That said, you know the drill: SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS AHOY! Sail these waters at yer own risk, yar~!
(Previews)
"MOM?!"
Raven blanched. "I have a kid?!"
Taiyang smacked his forehead. "For crying out loud...
You're not where you want to be. You feel like you're supposed to be somewhere else. Say you could snap your fingers and be wherever you wanted to be. I bet you'd still feel this way, not in the right place. The point is you can't get so hung up on where you'd rather be that you forget to make the most of where you are. Take a break from worrying about what you can't control. Live a little. After all, life happens wherever you are. Whether you make it or not. Wherever you go, there you are.
"You're a good singer. Might wanna work on that temper a bit, though."
Excuse me? Who are you?"
No one important. Have a nice night~!"
Ruby squeaked. "Meep!"
The boy tilted his head. ...that's your name? Meep?"
Shame. Embarrassment. Ruby's face burned redder than her namesake.
Oh gods, she wanted to curl up and die. "N-No! That's not it at all! I'm Ruby! Ruby Rose!"
"Huh." That actually got a grin out of the silver-haired warrior. "Neat. Like the color, I'm guessing?"
"Yeah! So how did you do that?" her confidence surge gack waved her hands excitedly, mimicking the motions and high kicks alongsdie the punches she'd seen him use. "You were all "hyah!" and "boom" and "kapow" back there!"
...you saw that, huh?" For some reason that seemed to embarrass him and set him to scratching a whiskered cheek. "Practice, and not the good kind. These idiots didn't even have aura or semblances...they weren't worth my time."
"You mean someone taught you to fight like that?!"
"Well, yeah, like I said before, it took practice-
Ruby latched onto his leg. "Teach meeee~!"
"Hmm...going to a school full of beautiful women like you? Sounds fun buuuut I'll have to decline." he crossed both hands behind his head and walked away. "I'm not a fan of being stuck in one place for one year, let alone four. Hard pass. Later, firecracker."
"Ha?"
"Sorry, school just ain't for me."
Roman took one look at the ruined city block and shook his head.
"Nope. Not getting involved with that. Neo! Time to go-
A hand settled on his shoulder. "Hello...friend."
Ahhh, crapbaskets.
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed~! Have a great day/night~!
R&R~!