Yo!
Let's begin with Merry Christmas to you all. As Grimm's Evolution won one of the weekly polls again, here is the next chapter. Remember though, due to two wins in a row, this story won't be available in the poll for the next week. That is so no story will win every week as I want to give other, less popular stories a chance.
Also if you want to vote for the weekly updates, get some insider info about my stories (And much more) or just support me, you can visit the sites below. One is just my name on pat-reon while the other is a tree of links where you can find a link to my discord, original story, pat-reon, etc. Those links are also available on my profile.
Link: (standard pat-reon link)/chaos65 | Or Linktree: linktr .ee/Chaos65
Enjoy this short, something akin to an Interlude, chapter.
Chapter 20. After the Storm
Neo snorted as she walked through the full streets of the Patch Village. Umbra really overestimated the danger of her coming here. Oh, she did listen for the first few days, but teaching Bob to fetch could entertain her only for so long. Besides, she already wasted enough Scroll batteries that Umbra would probably have a fit. From what he told her, those things weren't easy to get outside towns and they couldn't recharge them like normal people.
As such, Neo decided that enough was enough and it was time to have some fun. Umbra taught her enough about Aura and Semblances so with some practice she finally managed to get what she wanted. An illusion that made her appear a bit older to everyone and hid her unique features as Umbra called them. Like he is one to talk, Neo scowled, as she weaved through the crowd.
For an island so small, the Village had a much bigger population than Neo expected. Huntsmen and Huntresses relaxing in the few bars or hotels, dozens of people just walking around, taking care of their everyday needs. And the children, Neo narrowed her eyes at the group of kids running around a playground. They've no clue what is out there. How hard it is to survive.
She tried to turn her glare away, it wasn't their fault after all, but she just couldn't. For years, she lived out there, far away from the safety of Hunters or advanced technology. Neo lost the count of how many times, she had to follow the survivors of her destroyed village, only to live as a street urchin in another one. And now, seeing children act so careless, so free... pulled all the wrong strings in Neo's mind.
It truly is the safest place in Vale, She sighed, finally turning her gaze away. Like on autopilot, she began trudging through the streets again, her feet carrying her to the one place she really enjoyed in the village.
Entering through the wide-open door, Neo inhaled deeply and smiled as the various aromas assaulted her nostrils. At least a dozen people sat by the many tables, talking and laughing as they enjoyed their day. As for Neo? Like a mouse, she strode to her usual table in the corner and took a seat.
Taking out her scroll, Neo typed the standard text and waited, casting her gaze across the small restaurant. Or is it a bar? She shrugged, Whatever, as long as the food is good I don't care. A moment later a grin crept up her face as the familiar patter of shoes reached her ears.
"Hello there. It's nice to see you again," the brunette waitress smiled, stopping next to Neo's table. "The usual, I take?"
Neo grinned and tapped her scroll. The waitress leaned closer and gave a nod. "Dish of the day for the main course and large portion of ice cream for the desert," She repeated, adding the order to her own scroll. "Give us about twenty minutes and I will right back with you."
As the woman walked back to the bar, Neo grabbed her scroll and like every day, she began searching the news. Where is it, where is it? Here! Clicking on the right link, she took a look around before pressing the play button. The screen lit up instantly, lights flashing as a woman with way too much makeup stepped in front of the camera.
"Welcome to another daily news, presented to you by the Vale News Network. I'm Jasmine Lee and I will be your reporter today." The image on the screen shifted once again to the familiar city floating in the sky. "As you all know, for weeks now, Atlas, and Mantle especially, was suffering from the Virus created by the mad doctor Merlot. We're very happy to report that Atlas' governors are finally putting an end to this horrifying situation."
Eyes widening a bit, Neo turned the volume just a bit higher.
"We were informed by our friends in Atlas, that the work on the possible cure is mostly complete and soon the threat of the infected will be gone." Neo's shocked face turn to a scowl in a second as Merlot's ugly mug appeared on the screen. "Unfortunately, the mad doctor still remains at large. From what little information General Ironwood released, Dr. Merlot escaped during an assault against his hidden headquarters. The General ensured the local reporters that Atlas' military will do everything in their power to bring the doctor to justice... Moving on..."
Neo stopped the video and pocketed her scroll as a nasty frown spread across her face. She didn't know how much she could trust some news on the web, but if Merlot really escaped then Umbra wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. Or worse, he would never come back, just like everyone Neo ever cared about.
She slumped in her chair, tracing patterns on the wooden table with her finger. Many would call her crazy for having a Grimm as a guardian, but the last few months had been the best in her short life. If Umbra didn't come back then Neo had no clue what to do next. She had enough of running away from her problems...
Please come back.
A miscalculation. Salem almost sneered as she glared down at the body of her most loyal follower. It laid unmoving on her conference table, frozen and preserved by magic long gone from this world. To think that this little creature could crush my entire plan into pieces and cost me an invaluable soldier. No more. It enjoyed its freedom for long enough.
Never in her wildest dreams did Salem expect Tyrian to fail his task. With the information she gave him, it should have been a quick grab and escape after the doctor agreed to her offer. And yet, thanks to Merlot's stupidity and certain Grimm's rage, both the doctor and Tyrian were dead. The loss of Merlot didn't move Salem too much. Yes, it did mess with a few of her plans, but nothing that couldn't be adjusted or fixed. It was the death of Tyrian that made her almost destroy part of her castle.
The scorpion Faunus was mad, but he was mad for her. He worshipped the ground Salem walked on and ate her every word like it came from the lips of a god. Not once did she hear a complaint come out from his mouth and she needed that. Her circle of followers was already small enough and she couldn't lose another. Maybe there is still some use for you, Salem mused, her eyes settling on the dark pools in the distance. But it will need to wait. First I need to get my new toy under control.
Salem didn't know if the God of Darkness decided to interfere and mess her plans with a special Grimm, but she had let the beast roam free for too long. With the powers it showed against the Prowler, Salem could definitely find some use for the dragon. Especially if she could make it even stronger by the time her plans came to fruition.
Yes. This can work. Salem smiled lightly as another idea formed in her mind. At once she reached deep into herself, searching for the connection she received when she fell into the Grimm Pool. Her smile widened as a deep growl answered her calling. Come to me, my child. Your Queen has a task for you. A very special one.
Another growl, stronger than ever, reverberated through her head. She hadn't used this creation in a long time, but against a creature that dared to stand against her, it should do just fine. Beings stronger than this little dragon tried to escape Salem's grasp, and yet, the Jailer didn't fail her once.
With a pleased smirk on her face, Salem gazed at the vast Grimmlands, her Kingdom. Today one plan might have failed, but in the end, Salem always got want she wanted.
I will see you soon.
"Ozpin," Ironwood greeted as the face of the Beacon's headmaster appeared on the large screen in his office. Qrow straighten just a bit and pocketed his flask at the same time as Oz lowered his coffee mug. Truly a fellow man of culture, there was nothing better than your favorite drink before a boring meeting.
"James," Ozpin nodded back and turned to him and Blondie. "Glynda, Qrow. I'm glad you are both fine... I heard there were some complications on the way."
The Branwen snorted. "Understatement of the year. Trust me, if I had known what awaited us here, it would have taken much more to convince me to take this job. What a shitshow," he finished with a mutter.
Ozpin sighed. "Then I'm happy that you were there with Glynda to fix it, Qrow. I sent you because I knew what you two are capable of and with James' help it was only a matter of time before this entire fiasco was resolved. Now, James, if you could tell me how is the cure coming along."
Qrow shook his head. We didn't do shit. Lightning and ice flashed before his eyes as yesterday's events once again sped through his mind. Umbra provided the intel required to make the cure and find Merlot. And if our suspicions are right, then he saved us from certain death... What a shitshow indeed.
He didn't voice his thoughts though, the meeting had just begun and there was time to talk about everything. No way I hell Qrow was leaving this particular subject untouched, not after the talk he had with Glynda. But that was later, for now, he focused on the images that Ironwood pulled on another screen. A grimace already spreading across Qrow's face.
"The cure is finished and ready to be spread across the infected districts of Mantle. There is just one problem," Ironwood took a breath and pointed to the picture of a grown-up woman that possessed arms very similar to Umbra's left one. "As you see, the cure gets rid of most of the infection. And most is a keyword here. No matter what my scientists try, they can't get rid of some of the mutations left by the Virus... Ozpin, I don't need to tell you what this means for the future of Remnant."
"Indeed, you don't," Ozpin nodded, his voice low. "Just like with the Faunus, we will have another minority group that will be a reminder of what happened in the last few weeks." He blew out a sigh and took a sip from his mug, "It will be a political nightmare. I truly pity you James, but I will offer whatever help I can. Those people deserve a second chance, especially after everything they just went through."
Thousands of wasted lives. Qrow thought, scanning the images again. Some people hated Faunus for having a single animal trait. Humans with Grimm characteristics just asked for this hatred to grow and blossom into something worse. Just thinking of the eventual consequences made Qrow's insides twist painfully. Merlot really managed to destabilize the most advanced kingdom in Remnant.
"Of course they do," Ironwood stated. "They were the victims of Merlot's plan and I, along with the rest of the governing body, will do everything we can to give those people a happy life. This is the least we can do after failing to protect them. We already got the support of some citizens of higher standing, but it is the public we will need to convince. I won't let my people hurt anymore."
Good luck Jimmy, you're going to need it. Qrow sighed and took a step forward. "This is all good and nice, and I hope it will work for the best... But I think it's time we tell Oz what really happened yesterday."
Ozpin arched his eyebrow, directing his gaze toward Ironwood, who was busy glaring at Qrow. What? You won't help those people by talking about them with someone who doesn't even live in Atlas. As much as Oz wants to help, he has as much power in Atlas as I.
The General held the glare for a moment longer before sighing, his posture slumping a bit. "You are right." With a few clicks on his scroll, the images on the other screen switched again. "Ozpin, I really hope you can shed some light on this situation."
And so Ironwood began explaining everything that happened. Starting from Umbra's arrival to his fight against Qrow, and ending on yesterday's disaster. The Branwen and Glynda added their own bits to the story, all the while a recording of the fight between the two powerful Grimm played in the background.
"This is truly disconcerting," Ozpin rubbed his temple. "In the many lifetimes I lived, I had never encountered a human with the ability to turn into a Grimm. Normally I would have discarded the idea straight away, but as you three pointed out, there are too many connections between this Umbra and the Dragon Grimm."
"Could Salem be behind this?" Glynda questioned from the side.
"No," Ozpin shook his head. "Of that I'm sure. No matter how you look at this, Umbra and this dragon helped you... Salem, while having nothing to truly gain from the Virus in Atlas, wouldn't go out of her way to stop it. The only other option would be Merlot, but how did he even achieve such a thing. What had Umbra told you about his time as Merlot's experiment?"
Qrow shrugged, "Not much and that is if we even believe his story."
"As of this moment, it's everything we got so we can't just dismiss it," Ironwood said. "This man is dangerous, but if he really came here to help, then he could be a powerful ally. It's essential that we find him."
That's new. Qrow raised an eyebrow. Jimmy usually wasn't the first to make allies and the man loved to be in control of everything. So to see him admit that he wanted Umbra as an ally was surprising to say at least.
"I agree," Ozpin nodded. "Even if this entire thing is one big misunderstanding and Mr. Umbra died in the explosion of Merlot's base, we can at least attempt to find him. We have nothing to lose and way too much to gain. The question is, how do we find a man or a Grimm that can be anywhere at this point in time. Did he mention any home? Family?"
Ironwood cleared his throat. "From what Specialist Ebi gathered, our target mentioned the areas around Vale quite often. During one of their conversation, Umbra talked about a home in the wild so that should be a place to start. His story also mentioned Merlot's base in the Deserts of the Vale."
"Excellent," the Beacon's headmaster smiled. "Qrow, I take it you don't want this task and would like some much-deserved vacation?" Qrow nodded, a grin on his lips as his mind drifted to his last break from work. "Great. Summer and Taiyang had been flooding me with demands to give them a mission. A week or two of scouting in the wild should please them. And you Qrow must be dying to spend some time with the children of your best friends."
Hold up! I didn't agree to become a babysitter! Qrow shouted internally, his mouth opening to voice his protest. Only he was too late as Ozpin was on a mission to ruin his vacations.
"Fantastic," Ozpin added, hiding the bottom of his face with the coffee mug. "I will contact Summer and let her know about the arrangements. I will see you both soon, Qrow, Glynda. James, please contact me later about the cured population."
With the last word, the screen faded to black, leaving Qrow glaring at the godforsaken device.
Ozpin, I hate you!
And that's it for our little Interlude. I hope you enjoyed it and that it cleared some things out.
As always if you want to vote for the weekly updates, get some insider info about my stories (And much more) or just support me, you can visit the sites below. One is just my name on pat-reon while the other is a tree of links where you can find a link to my discord, original story, pat-reon, etc. Those links are also available on my profile. New polls will be available later today.
Link: (standard pat-reon link)/chaos65 | Or Linktree: linktr .ee/Chaos65
With that said, have a good day/night everyone!