AN: This chapter is dedicated, to my dog Shelby, who passed away three days back. I Added this in post and pray she finds peace and happiness in the next life.
I don't own RWBY or Call of Cthulhu.
Grand Central Station, sometime close to midnight.
3rd POV
Jaune crashes into the tracks, knocking the air out of him again. As he groans in pain, he looks up to see the killer looking down at him. She gives a slight bow before stumbling away in pain. Jaune quickly tried to peruse her when he was pulled down. Looking down his eyes widen in horror. His entire leg broke through the track, and because of the brace it was stuck there. If things couldn't get worst, he hears the sound of a train. Looking down the track he can see the train barreling down with no signs of stopping. In a panic he begins pulling his leg, with all his effort he couldn't. He begins to pull harder and with more force but his leg wouldn't come loose. The train gets closer and closer as Jaune frantically pulls hard and harder before finally the train races by and over Jaune.
The train races by before the scene goes quiet. After a full minute a hand reaches out of the hole before Jaune pulled himself out. Huffing and puffing in a mixture of exhaustion and terrified relief. Two minutes ago, his leg was trapped in the tracks. As he tried to pull himself out he noticed that their was a small ditch bellow. Used to prevent flooding in the train station. So, acting quickly he tore the wood, not only allowing him to slip down into the ditch just before the train took his head. While filthy it allowed him to survive.
After struggling he finally pulled himself up, to which now he is glad he doesn't have Ruby's uncles semblance of bad luck. As he laid there, the thoughts about the phantom returned to him and he quickly looked around. She, was nowhere to be seen. Damn. Must have escaped after. With a heavy sigh he got to his feet and struggled to walk back to the apartment. Covered in filth and lipping painfully. As he does, he failed to notice a figure lurking in the background. A man in a black pinstripe suit, with a yellow Trench coat wrapped around it. Atop his head was a wide brim pasture hat with a yellow band to go with it. Hiding his face, was a golden yellow pallid mask.
"…Hmm, h' ahornah ahnyth ymg' vulgtmnah. Mgng ahf' ot mgahehyee? ephaih' c' mgah'n'ghft ngnah ephaih' lloigazath c'?" The figure said before pulling out his pocket watch with the strange symbol.
As he looked down the symbol begins to glow before a train passes by. As it passes by the figure disappears, leaving nothing but the strange mark scratched all over the walls and floors. The view pulls in on the large one on the ground. The view pulls in on the symbol as it glows a fain yellow. As it pulls in closer the symbol got closer and closer before it became the only thing seen.
Ten minutes later Outside's Jacque's apartment
The view pull's back revealing it to be Jaune's blond hair in the cold wind. He had made it to the apartment where he saw that the commotion had attracted a big crowed. Trish managed to save Jacque, however he needed to get to a hospital, so she called for help and sure enough they came. By the time Jaune had made it back Trish was watching from the sideline, Jacque was grumbling something incoherent as his gurney is brought towards the ambulance.
"Ggrggourse ggggereesapter grgrgrgrgrgust gegegegregern grrgrgrgrge." Jacque struggled to say as the doctors held bandages to his neck as he was gurnied away.
As he was picked up another officer approached Trish and begin asking questions. As she answers them Jaune approach the three.
"Is he going to be ok Trish?" Jaune asked gaining the attention of the two officer.
"Huh, guess what you said ain't hoarse shit." The officer remarks to his fellow officer.
"I know. Though the idea that Jaune arc thinks he can do a better job this us." The other officer said before giving a chuckle.
"Um, excuse me but what are you two talking about?" Jaune asked.
"They thought I was a loon." Trish remarks with an annoyed look on her face. "Told them that me and you found the Frenchie and have been cracking jokes that you will solve all crimes in the city."
"Oh." Jaune remarks. While he had respect for the officer's in the NYPD, there were a few that couldn't tell the difference between basic right's and obligation. Specially those who came in from the south. Still, if he had to guess; they didn't like the fact that he had done more in one night then any officer's could in the six years.
"Yeah, still did you catch him?" Trish asked.
"Heh, yeah did you, Johnny boy?" The officer asked as the other one chuckled.
"… Her. Person I was chasing was a she. Blond too. But no before I could get a look at her she threw me on the tracks at Grand Central station. Barley survived the train." Jaune remarked only for the officers to snicker louder.
"Oh sure. What did you pull yourself out at the last minute or, did the train stop to get your autograph?" The officer said before him and the other broke out laughing. As they laugh Jaune clenched his fist. Four people died in less then two days, four if it wasn't for him. He was about to snap when a well dressed man grabbed the two officers.
"Pulaski, Wellington. The hell you think your doing?" The man snapped at the two.
"Oh… we were doing nothing sir." The officer said quietly.
"Y-Yeah nothing." The other officer said with a fake smile. One that faded when the man slapped both of them in the back of the head.
"Yeah nothing. It's no wonder why a crippled performer and a two dollar street girl found more on this killer then the NYPD's best." The man shouted before grabbing their collars and pushing them off. "Now get to Grand central station we got blood on the ground and we need officer there half an hour ago!"
The officers quickly trampled each other out of fear for what the man would do to them. Once halfway down the street he turned to Jaune and Trish. In a soft voice he said. "I'm sorry about that. Since we lost a few to probation laws we just about hire any prick off the street."
"Yeah, I'm sure the Old Lion is rolling in his grave from the sorry state of the NYPD." Trish remarks sarcastically.
"Tsk, true but even a giant of terror can slip and fall face first. Regardless is everything you said true? About chasing down the Phantom?" The man asked as he pulled out his notebook.
"Yes, I chased her down, officer…" Before Jaune could finish the man interrupted.
"Detective. Detective Johnny Broderick." The man now known as Detective Broderick stated as he licked the pencil before writing down something, as he asked. "Now, how did you know she was female if you didn't see her face?"
"I tackled her and when I held her umh… I may have… accidently. Touched her… well. Bit's. But like I said it was an accident." Jaune explained quickly.
"Uh huh. Sure kid." Detective Broderick replies as he scribbles something about Jaune being a possible pervert. "Least you narrowed the list down to female."
"But what about the blond hair?" Jaune asked.
"Could be a wig but we'll keep an eye out." Detective Broderick replies before placing away his notepad. "Now, Ms. Clover, would you kindly accompanied me back to the station?"
"What?! Why?" Trish asked with look of shock on her face.
"Your covered in blood." Detective Broderick points out. "If we let you walk on by, officers will get the wrong idea."
"Oh… fair enough." Trish remarks before being helped up by Detective Broderick. The two begin to walk away but Trish stop's for a moment before turning around. "See you tomorrow Jaune."
"Alright. See you tomorrow." Jaune said as the police lead Trish away.
"Yeah, just remember. Tomorrow is the ahog n'ghftyar. l' llll ah ah'ehye'drn llll nilgh'ri." Trish said before her words begin garbling.
Jaune realizing what was happening tried to speak but the moment he blinked they were gone. Everyone disappeared and he was left alone on the empty street. And like last time, he heard a car crash. Knowing what will happened, he quickly hobbled down the other street, away from the crash. Yet when he turned the corner he found himself looking at the wreckage. Turning around he somehow found himself closer, and closer. There was no way to turn away from it. Realizing he wouldn't be able he decided to just get it over with.
Jaune walked to the car, before racing down the alleyway. The ladder unlike last time was pulled down. So he begins to climb as the sound footsteps can be heard behind him. As he climbs halfway up the ladder he felt something grab his good leg. Letting out a painful ugh he looks down to see a pallid mask man, wrapped in a yellow trench coat with a yellow fedora; was holding his leg as hoards of people came down the alley way. All wearing Pallid Mask's.
"Ymg' mgepah mgepmgr'luh turor hnahr'luh? Ymg' mgepah mgepmgr'luh turor hnahr'luh? Ymg' mgepah mgepmgr'luh turor hnahr'luh? Ymg' mgepah mgepmgr'luh turor hnahr'luh?" The man states as he pulls on Jaune's leg. Jaune yelped in pain as his bad leg was forced to hold him up. He would have let go if someone didn't grab ahold of his arm from above.
Jaune looked up to see a red-haired girl pulling him up. Her hair waved in her face making it rather difficult to see her face, but thanks to her assistance he was able to give a good aura enhanced kick to the man's face. The kick sent him flying back as the hoard seeing this quickly broke into a sprint after Jaune. Not wanting to relive this nightmare he pulled himself up quickly just before multiple hands could grab his heel.
Once up the lady grabbed his arm and pulled him inside and into the hall. The hoard of Pallid masked goons chasing after the two. They had a few close call's with the tenants of the apartment, all wearing Pallid Mask's. And Jaune's crippled leg didn't help either. As the two ran, Jaune couldn't see her face but yet he felt a sense of familiarity. The two were eventually chased up to the top of the building upon exiting the women let's go and quickly barricades the door. With a few boxes and crates nearby. She turned to Jaune and was about to pull him somewhere safe when Jaune called out to her.
"Wait (Huff, Huff) before we go any further (Huff, Huff) I want to know. (Huff, Huff) who are you?" Jaune asked in a few puff's of exhaustion.
The girl didn't say anything, rather she simply looked at him through her red hair. Jaune could now get a better look at her. Wearing a white flowing dress, no jewelry, and pale white skin. It wasn't till he could see the emerald eye's did his heart stop. Words could not describe what was going through his head. After a few moment's Jaune uttered a single word, a single name. "Pyrrha?"
The women remained quiet for a few moments before pushing aside her hair, revealing indeed that behind the hair, was Pyrrha Nikos. Jaune couldn't say anything. The shock alone made the poor boy stand still as his world came down around him. As the two stood their Jaune was unable to escape the shock. So Pyrrha took the first step forward while saying. "Jaune...SHRIK"
Before she could even finish, a blade plunges into her chest from behind. Blood spewing everywhere and Pyrrha shaking as she looked down at her chest. Worst of all Jaune could recognize the blade. It was his. And the bastard who stabbed her was adorned in his clothes, pacifically the day he met Pyrrha. All while wearing a Pallid mask. The figure leaned forward before whispering in his own voice.
"Ý̷̛̤̬̳̭͖̹̓̇̇̄̄̍̈́͘͠m̷̢͍̲̘̪̟̂̑͑̂̍̕͝g͕̠̲̈̉̀̿̒͗̂͜͝'̷̗̦͓̼̮̔̒̾̆͂̋͂́̒̋ ̴̛͕̘̪̝͑̿m̶͕̙̎͆̾́̽͂g̡̺͓̫͕͕̩̳̥̺̈̈́̓̂͋̈͒̕͝ę̫͉̝̳̉̀̊͠͝pa̵͖̹͖̘͓̻̚h̵̲͓̘̞́̓͊͠ ̵̙̝̣̋̆͛̇̅͑̿̚͠͠m̴̗̮̃̏̑͛̈͆̅̀͝g̨͙̖̘̭̩̃̐̏́̅̒̂̾ě̷̡̖̻̯̩͕͉p̵̧̩̠̤͚̦̣͕͌̓͒m̴̠̼̫̰͓͈̌͗́̉̓̂̅͗̚͘͠g̮̟̱̳̥̉̔̄̉̈́͒̏͛͆r̶̹̙̜͇͎̪̘̎́'̵̡͇̟͈̖͍̪̲͇̃ĺ̶̾͊ͅu̴̧̨̟̰͔̰̯͓̤̒̿͘ͅh͕̻͔̜̯̉̆̃̑̄͂ͅ ̻̝̣̩̜̭̫̦̳̉ṯ̷̡̢̬̬͎̼̩̮̊͐ư̶̫̱͉̺̺͈̹̮̠̂́̊̅r̴͇̖͍̍o̶̡̡̡̤̻̻̱̤̣̐̋́̈͗́͘r̵͍̤̭̯̗̞͚̫̞̈́̋̒̔̿͛͜͝͝ͅ ̷̭̟̱̀̑̉̓͘h̵̺̓̐͘n̷̡̲͙̞̮͇̳͗̈͋͊ã͙̄ḣ̴̛̩͇͇̠̙̥̒͂͊͋͂̇̀̚r̶͇͉̣̩̈̚'̵̨̣̝̉̒͘͝ḷ̤͙ṳ̵̮̩̘͎͕͈̞̮͕̈̎̈́̀̋̈́͝h̷̢̛̰̥̲͉̗̻̱̆̍̔́̓͋̕͜͜͠͝?̷̮̱̟̠̺͎̓͒̓̑̓̉͜ ̰͖̋͑̐͂͘ ̷̢̗̫̻̙̭̯̲̒̈́̈" The figure said before removing Crocea Mors from Pyrrha's chest. Pyrrha fell to the ground as the figure carelessly flinged the blood to the side. Just as he did, Jaune finally broke free from this shock
"PYRRHA!" Jaune shouted before racing forward in rage. "YOU BASTARD!"
Before he could even get close, he suddenly felt something wrapped around his entire body. A black outline that Jaune recognize as Pyrrha's semblance. Struggle as much as he could he could not break through. Looking down he can see Pyrrha breathing her last with her hand up. She whispers his name before flinging Jaune off the side of the building. The last thing he see's before hitting the ground. Is a yellow cloaked giant, pulling the strings to the Pallid Mask version of himself.
The next day
"PYRRHA!" Jaune shouted in a cold sweat as he huffed in fear and terror. Looking around he found himself back in his room. His apartment. Must have sleep walked back here, but that wasn't on his mind. He knew it was a dream, nothing more but what he saw… it felt too real to him. He couldn't help but cry a few tears as he held his head in sorrow.
"Pyrrha." Jaune mumbled through his hands. As he cried the view pulls back to reveal an incomplete symbol was drawn above his head. Written over it, was her name. In blood, Pyrrha.
He stayed like that for five minutes before a banging on the door interrupted him. It wasn't till the second bashing on the door did it got his attention. Quickly rubbing away the tears in his eyes he walked on over to the door as the banging got more violent.
"Hold on a second, hold on!" Jaune shouted in annoyance. He had just got to the door when he mumbled. "Can't anyone just be patient for two whole seconds?"
Jaune looked through the peep hole, only seeing darkness. Then something large pulled back revealing a muscular pan holding a huge wooden shaft. By the time Jaune realizes he was about to ram it, it was too late. Jaune was sent to the ground as the door burst open and multiple men came racing into his apartment.
Jaune tries to stand up and fight back but was knocked to the ground by a swat across the face by a led pipe. He was then set upon by kicks, punches, and beatings from assorted weapons. His Aura prevented him from getting hurt but eventually they begin to tickle and bruise. After these thugs had their fun kicking his ass, they stopped and pinned Jaune to the ground. As Jaune laid there he soon recognize the thugs. They were the ones who attacked Nikola a few day's ago. Must have tracked him down or something. But before he could think about it for too long, a small pudgy man walked on in with an angry look on his face.
"You, young man. Do you know who I am?! Do you know who I am you little shit!" The man asked before hitting Jaune in the side with his cane.
"Ugh, (Cough, Cough.) I don't know. Santa Claw's?" Jaune remarks sarcastically, earning himself another swat from the old man's cane.
"Alright smart ass let me give you a picture seeing that you don't know shit." The old man said before motioning the thugs to help up to his knees.
"See, I run a business. Pacifically, electricity. Now, while I produce some of the best to offer in this form, I am second best compared to that Serbian dog. The same dog that you intervened (Whack…) when (Whack…) he (Whack…) had (Whack…) a (Whack…) proper (Whack…) beating (Whack…) coming. (Whack…)." The man said before bashing Jaune across the face with his cane over and over again.
Jaune's aura held up as he is constantly bashed over the head till finally the entire top part of the cane snapped off. Yet Jaune only had a few bruises and a cut across his lip. He simply replied by spitting a small speck of blood onto the old man's shoes.
"Tsk, you can take a beating, I'll give you that. However you need to learn a lesson, you little punk. This is America. And American's shouldn't get their power from a fucking ingrate sycophant Serbian." The old man said before walking back to the door and was about to leave when he turned to the tallest of the group of men and remarked. "Take care of this Mr. Miller. I want his other leg crippled."
"We will see to it Mr. Edison." The brute of a man said before closing the door behind the old man. He then turned around and walked over to Jaune as he winds up his bat.
"Remember fellows. Mr. Edison want's us to break his legs. But try not to crush his chest. I got front row seats for my girl this New Years. And if he doesn't give an amazing performance because of us then I'll break your legs as well." The brute said in warning to which the thugs gave a nod in response. As they did, they failed to notice the door silently opening behind them.
"Huh your girl is a fan?" Jaune asked.
"Yeah. Should be turning twelve come February. Admittedly I enjoyed that one you sang last Christmas." The thug remarked.
"Baby it's cold outside?" Jaune replies.
"Yeah that one." The thug said with a snap of his fingers before grabbing the bat with both of his hands. "So as a curtesy, we won't break your larynx. Maybe both your arms and the other leg."
"Gee, how thoughtful." Jaune remarks sarcastically.
"Yeah well… Business is Business. Ain't nothing perSZZZZZZZZZWWWAAAAAA!" Before the man could even finish he falls to the ground screaming as his hair stood on edge. After a few seconds he fell to the ground with a familiar person behind him.
"Huh, so that's what twenty volts to the spine does to a human." Tesla said as he drops a suitcase and crank a knob on a metallic hand with multiple wires and metal at the palm and tips. He then flex's it causing multiple sparks to emulate from the glove. "Wonder what would happen if double the amount were conducted to the human face?"
The thugs looked on in shock. Using that, Jaune broke free and quickly cheap shot the one apposing. Twisting him into the other as Nickola quickly punches the closest one in the face. The power of the mechanical glove sent the thug flying back into the wall. Seeing this the thugs shook off the shock and quickly charged at the two. The thugs had a difficulty hitting Jaune, but Tesla wasn't as nimble. Though when ever they punched him they were met with a shock of some sort. Seemed he had installed a set of wires and small metallic tubes inside his suit. He was like an eclectic porcupine.
As the two fought on, they were winning with a few thugs falling to the ground while others quickly raced out. Nickola embolden by their cowardice quickly raced out the door with his glove at the ready. However a few moments after exiting he was sent flying back from a massive swing. In walked a huge brute of a man who doubled in size to the last man. Both in height and mussels. Acting quick Jaune quickly retrieved a led pipe from one of the down goons before charging at the big man. Jaune easily evaded the swing by using his aura to cut off the pain in his leg. However, no matter how hard he bashed the bastard with the pipe, it did nothing. One swing ended up bending the pipe in half. Looking at it and questioning how a normal man was capable of doing this, distracted Jaune. Allowing for the thug to send him flying towards Nickola with gut shot.
Jaune crashes into the wall. Falling to the ground with a loud groan. As he tried to stand he noticed the glove Nickola had fallen off. Jaune reaches out to it before suddenly yanked back and tossed him towards the kitchen. He crashes into the counter beside the sink, chipping a bit off the side. As he let's out a painful cough the Thug grabbed him by the neck and force him back. Jaune couldn't break free from the man's grasp, so he looked around for something to use before noticing the sink. He quickly grabbed the side hose and sprayed the thug in the face. After a few seconds Jaune stopped and the thug simply spit the water from his lips.
"Tsk, was that supposed to hurt?" The muscular thug asked as he blow the watery hair out of his face.
"Well no, (guak). That was meant to be the conductor." Jaune answers with a croak.
"Conductor? For what?" Thug asked.
"This." Jaune replies before holding up Tesla glove. Before the thug could react Jaune touched him with it, sending 95 volts through him. The muscular thug let out a painful scream for the entire minute Jaune held the glove to him. After a few moments after Jaune stopped, the man fell to the ground with Jaune still in hand. He was unconscious but still held a death grip. After struggling for a few moments Jaune finally broke free.
"Huff, Huff. Shocking huh…" Jaune said with a small smirk. He couldn't help but feel that Yang would be giving a thumbs up in approval, though he'd doubt the rest of his friends would say. That's when he remembered Tesla and quickly raced over to him.
"Hey Nickola. You alright?" Jaune asked as he shook Tesla awake.
"Hmm Šta se upravo dogodilo?" Tesla asked in his native tongue before continuing in English. "Oh… did we win?"
"Heh, yeah. Thanks to your winning hand here." Jaune joked as he held up Tesla's glove. Tesla didn't bother with a response, rather he grabbed the glove and looked it over.
"Hmm not bad for a prototype. Wish I could add more voltage to it, but not without a heavier power supply." Tesla remarks as Jaune helped him up.
"Maybe add a device that spray's water. Give yourself an extra shock seeing that water conducts electricity." Jaune suggested.
"Oh, that could work. Not many minds like you in this city could come up with creative ideas." Tesla complimented with a smirk as blue prints for a mystify to be added to the glove.
"Oh, speaking of which. Why were you here Nickola." Jaune asked with a perplex look. "I mean, thanks for the untimely rescue and all but why were you here?"
"Oh, because I just finished your request. Wanted to give it to you myself and well. When I saw that thief walk in with a hoard of hired bully's. Well. I knew you may be in trouble when he demanded your name." Nickola explains before remembering something. He quickly went over to the brief case and brought it over to the kitchen tabled. "Speaking of which, this is for you. I hope you like it."
He opened the case and Jaune went silent. Right before him was his blade, Crocea Mors. No longer a broad sword but now a cane sword with a leather strap attached to the side. He picked it up and inspected it from all sides. As he does Nickola went on to describe the details of the weapon.
"I had the sheath molded into the core cane and the blade compressed. However with a small flick it should come right on out." Tesla explains as Jaune removed his blade from the cane. As he inspects it he noticed a button and with a press, the blades pushed to the side. Extending back to it's normal short sword length. Only missing part was the cross guard. It was placed at the bottom to act as the cane's handle. At his request it still bares Pyrrha's tiara on it. He then inserts the cane back into his shaft, hiding the blade.
"This is amazing Nickola. Though how do I get the shield feature to open up?" Jaune asked.
"Twist the hilt with blade in counterclockwise and the cane will become the shield." Tesla explains to which Jaune did, watching him open up the shield. It was lighter, however the metal used for both the blade and shield were designed to stop dust powered rounds. So, it will do well against a 45. Up close but rifle rounds or slugs could send him to his ass, if not punch through the shield entirely.
"I sadly had to remove the sword's extension feature. And was unable to add that grapple hook feature, but seeing you handle these thugs without it I'm sure it will be a great assistance to catch that phantom." Tesla remarks.
"Ah… was hoping for that grapple hook… but this will do nicely." Jaune remarks as a small chibi version of himself in his head cries in the corner. He wanted to be like Valve or X-Ray. However this was all put aside when a familiar voice can be heard by the door.
"What in lucifer's asshole happened here!?" Mari shouts in utter shock at the pile of unconscious thugs scattered about the apartment.
"Um… House guests." Jaune replies before a sudden idea came to his mind from seeing the little pup in Mari's hands. "Hey Nickola. Remember that one invention you were dying to try out? By chance I can borrow it for tonight's performance. I have a feeling it will come in handy."
"Oh, for sure. Just make sure she comes back. She is one of my favorites." Nickola said before he and Jaune walked out the door, leaving a confused Mali behind.
"Hey Johnny boy. What do you want to do with these mopes?" Mari called out to which Jaune replies.
"Call the police… then the landlord." Jaune called back before entering the elevator.
That evening, at the Washington theater around 8:30
(For Added suspense, Play 'Liar' by Lucas King.)
The day carried on as if nothing was going to happen. However, their was a big buzz happening in the background of the day. Tonight, was New Years, along with that the play despite the number of death threats will continue. Despite the protest of the many, Monsieur Petit refuse to shut it down. So, a large force of the NYPD Manhattan division was sent to the theater. Patting everyone down, and making sure that no blood will be spilled this night. Jaune arrived thirty minutes before the play began. Dressed in his fine tux and yellow bow tie he brought along Mari as his plus one. She was adorned in an expensive evening gown under a fur coat. The two were patted down, but were weapons free. Well, excluding Jaune's cane. The police were unaware of the hidden blade feature.
From there Jaune with Mari being close by mingled among the crowed of people. All wishing Monsieur Petit the best of luck, while secretly wishing to see the Phantom himself. Course the afterparty was much to talk about. If everything goes blood soaked free, Jaune will be giving a performance outside. Just before the New Year's start. After thirty or so minutes of awkward conversation, the lights flickered. Signaling everyone that the play was about to begin. The police escorted everyone in and seated them in before stationing every officer by the door's. No way to enter of exit the theater without someone noticing now. Jaune and Mari were seated in upper right Box seat overlooking the stage. Five minutes passed before the lights dimmed and everyone went quite. Shortly after, the curtains raised and everyone held their breath as it reveals a single man on the stage. He remained quite before raising himself, and beginning the intro monologue to Shakespeare, King Richard the third.
"Now is the winter of our discontent. Made glorious summer by this sun of York. And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house. In the deep bosom of the ocean buried. Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths; Our bruised arms hung up for monuments; Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings, Our dreadful marches to delightful measures. Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front; And now, instead of mounting barded steeds. To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber. To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion, Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, Deformed, unfinish'd, sent before my time Into this breathing world, scarce half made up, And that so lamely and unfashionable That dogs bark at me as I halt by them; Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, Have no delight to pass away the time, Unless to spy my shadow in the sun And descant on mine own deformity: And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, To entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am determined to prove a villain And hate the idle pleasures of these days. Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous, By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, To set my brother Clarence and the king In deadly hate the one against the other: And if King Edward be as true and just As I am subtle, false and treacherous, This day should Clarence closely be mew'd up, About a prophecy, which says that 'G' Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be. Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here Clarence comes." The man said before giving a bow and the lights dimmed. The audience clapped as shadow silhouette altered the scene.
For the next hour and half the two watch as the play went off without anything horrible or suspicious. It wasn't till the near end that things began to go estrange. A strange device begins blinking within Jaune's inner blazer pocket. Pulling it out he realizes that something had tripped the device Tesla loaned to him. He looked up at the raptors where it was set up but didn't saw anything. Least till Mari spotted something moving. She pointed it out and Jaune quickly left leaving Mari behind. He made his way to the raptors, making sure not to be caught by the police patrolling the halls. Eventually he made it up only to be greeted by a panicked white pigeon with a backpack attached to it. Tesla's latest invention. A pigeon sentry device. Should something spook the trained bird then a wireless signal will be sent to the device, giving those holding it a heads up that something was wrong. While it may not have worked if there were multiple people up there, nobody was supposed to be up that high in the raptors. He calmed the white squab before noticing something off about her. A streak of blood was splattered across the white bird. Worst still, it was still freshly wet. So, he sent her away through a nearby sky roof before he Pulled out his blade, and slowly walked forward into the raptors.
He slowly made his way across the thin metal grates, trying hard not to look down. He recalled the swiftness that the phantom showed, and it didn't help that he was walking blind up here. Multiple narrow catwalks, sand bag's swinging midair, and loose wires had turned the theater into a dangerous jungle where one bad step would have him plummet to the stage far below. As Jaune wandered through the maze-like structure, he had an ever-disturbing feeling that he was being watched. The feeling played on his mind as whispers of an unknown language can be heard swirling around him.
ŝ̴̡͔̳͈̯̐͒͑́̌h̷̡̺͙̜̑a̷͍͉̓d̶̰̤̮̣̼̲͂̕é̵̼͠s̴̠̟͇͚̞̈́̉̾̈́͜͝ ̷̧̳̖͌̓̌͂̑̌͜n̷̛̬̺͑̈́̅̏ȧ̶̡̧̻͕̞͍̽fl̶̛͙͉̻͉͊͌͘͜'̴̢̹͉̪̘̈f̴̧̝̪̠͋̾̅̍h̶̡͖̫̀̃̽̆̕͘t̷̻̂̀̀̐̍ạ̴̝̥̄͂̏̓g̜̼͎͕͉̈̐̋̎n̵̡̨͚̰̲̒̐̀̒̽͋ ̷̪͈̘̥̥͚̈́n̵̦̺̲̤̾̐̑̏̂g̴̼͕̥͉̰̏̏ ̵̟͋cư̵̗̣̜ͅr̶̝̜̼͚̟̀̓̿̌͠t̷͔͈͉͌͆͛̕͝a̶̡͍̹͇͇̭̿í̵͙̘͉̪͖̋͠n̶̥̄̑̀͗s̷̪̳͆̈́̏̿̾ͅ ̶͍͂͑̃͑͘a̷͔̝͊̄͊̃̕ȟ͍̳͑m̴̹̺͖̝͒g̷͉͔̃̋e̷͕͔͆̌̉̒͌ṕ̣̲,̵͓̖̏̕͜ ̳̱m̵̯̼̘̮͎̰̒͝g̷͓͋ ̭͕̀̒͗̍̊y̵̞̏̉̑̓͘m̴̜͚̞͒ġ̶̫'̴̖̖́ ̵̦͕͈͂̓̇a̴̤̤͈̓̑̀̾͒͝h̵̭̻̹̳́͗̾̕ ̶̧͎͈̀m̷̠̪̝̬̑̒͜g̴͎̯̗̱̈́̂e̷̦͊̌̓p̴̪̩̘̬̎͆̎̃̕ḥ̵̡͉͆̌̌͗̚a̴̡̘̾̏í̻̲̚̕ ̴̢͚̭̖͈̏̈̽͒͘l̶̻͙̺̾̉̄͋͐̀ļ̷̩́ľ̶̫͇̟̣̜̾̈́͊̽͝l̶̺̘̦̋̀̊͝͠ ̴̲̱̺̂m̶̧̖̮͖͙̥͒̕͝g̷̮͍͝͠e̶̦̼͇̦̤̺̎pà̮͕͔̤̓h̷̲͍̺̃͌̈́́̀͠'̵̳̄͛ḙ̵̡̟͒̀h̵̞̱͚̙̍ͅy̴̗̲͔͖̹͎̆e̴̹̔̅͠ ̷̧̼̲̰̇̉m̵̛͕̯̠̲̌͘͠ǎ̷̧̬͑̔̃̕͝ṇ̱͇ͅą̴̟̈͊̏cl̴̫̥͍̻̘̰̊e̼̋̀ͅṡ̵̪̥͚͇̹̟̎̚ ̶̛̖͇͇͈̤̻̇͛̃̏̕ŏ͔̺̪t ̶͎̓ḅ̷̣͂͜t̷̝̝̱̳̠̓̇̎̈́̍̃ḧ̶̢̙̟́ņ̵̨͔̹͑͌̽̈͠kỏ̷̩̟̂́̋̓r͇̲͕̩̹.̶̘̬͓̎̉ ̶̛͓͔̪͕̗̏̅̐̋ ̵̢̲͔͕͎͔̉̌́̇̏L̷̢̹̠̠͓͝i̵̲̯̐̏̍̏͘͠s̷̢̜͖͔̉̊͑͂̽t̷̘̃̐̒ẹ̟n̶̢͔̮̑́̀͗̀ ̴͓̿̀͗̈̚l̶̳̳̓̽̊'̷̡̣̪͌̍͝͝ ̵̲͕̪͇̏̔̍l̷͉̦̘̖͛̊̓͗̆͠ư̷̭̦̘̐͌͆͗͘ț̴͌̈́̀͋̎͝e̵̡͓̼̐͗̔͝,̶̮̼̒ ̦ṋ̵̣͚̩̀̈́̾g̷̞̪̤̯̯̒ ̷̲͙͎̼͕̲̓̀͗͛̓Y̶̺̺̤͓̏̅' ̵̤̜̺̗̊ͅa̴̩͙͎͌̉̿͊͘ͅh̵̖̆̀͂ŏ̳͛ṙ̵̜̞̙͙̃ ̷͕̤͈͇̘̭̋̆̐͆͝ỵ̶͔̥͔̎̅͠ḿ̶̺̖̏̚͝g̷̘̘̑̍̆'̴͇̳̎̀̊̿̕͝ ̴̡̝͔̪̟̀̎͗ͅŭ̵̺̘̪̰̥̀̃̕ả̡̧̟͝à̝͖̽̓͝͝a̶̡̙̞͙̓̌̎͑͠h̵̖͑̌̓͝ ̷̨͚͔͙̘͋̅̇ͅf̷͝ͅļ̻̯̉͋̈́ó̶̥̩̜͕͝a̷͉͓̭͐͂͠t̶̘̗̆̃̕.̧̢̘̖̲͇̃̿̕͝ ̷͖̮̩͙͌͌̈́̈́ͅL̷̫̐̋'̷̨͔́̐̇͋̇͜͝ ̦ṅ̴͖̭̼͔̙̄̄̈́ȧ̴̛͚͕̱̃͛͝f̷͚̦̠́ĺ̷̮͇̤̂̑͂'̶̧͉̔f̵̛̹̗̅̿̊̄̾h̴̢̪̳̗͒͒͠t̶̜̤͌̓͆́̒a̴̢̺̲͍̪͊̕gn̵̥̬̞͛͆͋͆͜ ̥̙̗̞͇̌̈́͝š̷̘̠͚̉ó̵̡͍̦̳̼̽̂̕u͇̯̮ͅn̷͎̎͊̒̓d̶̥͙͈̈ ̴̨̯̝̜͋̃́̒͋̍o̶̦̹͇̓͋̈́̑t ̶͔̪̰̙̐͂͒̌̌m̴̱̦̘̽̑̏̊̆ͅǘ̶̡̿̌͛̀̀s̵͙̻̔̚̕͝i̴̳͊͋̑́̂͜c̷̬̲̱̦̤̔͐̓̈,̵̳̯̳͈̅̂ ̴̧̈́̇̈́͝n̵̘͙̰̟̐͑̐͜ͅḡ̵̨̞̫͖͓́ ̶̬̟̜͎͔̋̂̍̔̃͝a̶̭̞̖̭͋̿̌́̔͂h̷̼͕̭̺̋͊̂'̴̥̤̦͍̰̂̿̊̾h̴̭̣̤̓̇ŗ̵̛̰̫̀̒͆̈́i̵̢͔̮̺͆͂̉̆͊̇ ̶̨̙̤͇̖̉̍̀͒̌c̶̜̓̃ö͍̦̞̭n̶̤͚̖͚͆̀d̴͈̅̔͑u̴̧̽͌̓̚c̴̭͎̼̙̞͗͐̑̓̂͠ͅt̶͚͈͔͆̔̔̚͝͝ͅo̶̯̬̪̯̹̎r̭͓͔̖̈̆'̴̨̹̫̬̼̭̃s̷̢̫̟̗̺̈́̎͐̈́̽ ͕̳̦͚̀̒̈̕ẘ̶̺̺̳͚̙a̵̗̾̔n̴̠͙̮̓̚d̷͎͈̯̠͚͆̆͌̉.̴̟̭̝̄́͝
As the chant can be heard, something broke through the hissing chant. A small creak behind Jaune to which he quickly spun around and nearly hit Mari who let out a small gasp as she fell ont her back to avoid Jaune's swing. Jaune realizing his mistake stutters back, nearly loosing his balance as he looked down at Mari.
"Monty Almighty, Mari what are you doing up here?" Jaune hissed in confusion.
"You came up here. No way was I going to miss out on a chance to see who this Phantom really is." Mari spat back as she got back up to her feet.
"Mari, this isn't some detective story. You can die. Hell, I almost cut you. What if I was the phantom up? What then?" Jaune scolded.
"Please, you two might be literal bitches, but even if you were I can take care of myself just fine." Mari boast as she crossed her arms. Jaune was about to snap back when he heard something behind him. Mari heard it as well. It sounded like something large was dragging. Pointing his sword towards the noise the two held their breathes before a figure dragged himself into the light of the moon. Wearing a fine suit, Jaune recognize him. John Sanchez.
"Mr. Sanchez. What are you doing up here?" Jaune asked as he lowered his sword for a moment. Before realizing something. Something off about how he was walking. It wasn't like he was actually walking, more like he was pulled along. He raised his blade as he held an arm out for Mari to stay back. "… Mr. Sanchez. Are you alright?"
Sanchez didn't reply rather remained quiet as he slowly moved into the light of the moon, revealing something ghastly. His throat has been slit, veins along the leg and arms were too. Piano wire wrapped around and pierced his flesh, worst of all his eye's plucked out and replaced with dolls eyes that rattled around like googly eyes. Blood crying out from the sockets as the string pulled him along like a human marionette doll. Weilding a blood-stained knife that was sowed into his hand rather crudely.
"My god." Mari remarks with utter horror as she takes a step back in disgust. With one step Sanchez head shot up with a sickening crack before lunging towards Jaune like a ragdoll puppet unsure how to react the puppet Sanchez crashes into Jaune before plunging the knife multiple times into him.
His Aura protected him, but he struggled to get puppet off as it slashes him multiple times. Crying out in agony, Mari quickly snapped out of her fearful trance and quickly looked around for something to use. She spotted a wrench in the darkness and quickly raced to grab it. Unaware of the wire noose that laid in front of it. She was about to grab it when she felt the wire around her neck and before she could react the wire pulled tight and pulled her up. As she felt the cold thin wire cutting into her neck, Jaune took noticed. Seeing her swing back and forth and her face turning bluish purple he quickly pushed back with protective invigor. Using his aura he grabbed ahold of puppet Sanchez before tossing him off. He then raced over to Mari and with a quick swipe she fell to the cat walk, gasping as air slowly return to her.
In that moment the puppet launches itself at Jaune. Landing squarely onto his back before slashing at his back. This not only pushed Jaune down but also Mari to the side and off the catwalk. If it wasn't for Jaune's quick hand she would have plummet down towards the stage far below. As he held her by her hand, the Sanchez puppet begin stabbing into Jaunes arm, trying to get him to drop her. Acting quick Jaune spotted another catwalk and managed to toss Mari on before his aura gave in and the knife pierced his shoulder blade. As he let out a painful scream, that non bellow heard, Mari struggled to pick herself up onto catwalk. As she does the first thing she saw made her stop and scream in utter horror at the sight of something twisted. Jaune hearing her screams quickly pulled himself together. The adrenaline flooding through him, gave him the strength overcome the pain for a moment. In that moment he used the bottom tip of his cane to puncture the left eye hole. Pushing him off him before placing his sword back in and twisting it. Causing the cane to open up into shield mode within the head. The results, was gruesome, but effective. Whatever was controlling Sanchez corpse was now severed, and his body was left to be at piece.
Normally a badass one liner would come after but this was too gruesome for that. He quickly navigated his way to Mari, but when he came to where she was last, he found something horrific that it caused the poor boy to cover his mouth in horror and disgust. A hoarse, a kingdom for a hoarse, or rather what a horse would look like if formed from a horse. Multiple bodies, some he recognized, others not so much. A flesh putrid being made of victims to form a hoarse. The smell alone was nauseous, but seeing it up close would make anyone vomit. To which Jaune did. Over the side, and landing in an empty dressing room. As he spat it out his imagination of what Mari pulled him back up. That's when he felt something behind him. Turning around there was the Phantom, now holding a hand over her mouth and a sword to Mari's neck.
"… You won't get away with it." Jaune said as he slowly turns to her. "I'm sure by now someone must have heard us up here by now. Even if nobody does, the play is almost over. And Mr. Petit is still, alive. You have failed… Ms. Boulton."
The Phantom didn't say anything for a few moments. Rather she simply removed her blade from Mari's neck and grabbed her mask. She pulled it off, revealing indeed it was Boulton. Once off she then spoke. "I have yet to fail, Mr. Arc. Rather, you came to early now. Though I have to ask. What gave me away?"
"Blonde hair, and female, and the fact that you got around fairly quickly. But let's just say I met your type before. The one who pretends to be someone, when really. They are a monster underneath." Jaune answers, all while Mari noticed something to the side. A screwdriver just within reach of her. As she slyly reaches for it Ms. Boulton began to mock Jaune.
"Heh, you mean Cinder. Heh, truly a sly woman. I wonder who would have welcomed her more. Yig, Hastur, maybe even his half-brother." Ms. Boulton said with a smile as Jaune's eye's widen in shock. "Oh but a shame she was beyond the vale of vengeance now. Course we all don't have long either."
"Wha… how, how do you know her?" Jaune asked as he was taken back by her words.
"You saw the Yellow Sign, Jaune Arc. We are connected upon the first witness, and we shall serve our lord Hastur willingly." Ms. Boulton said with a smug smile before noticing Mari trying to break free and put's her sword to her neck. "Though you are a bit resistance you shall adorn the mask soon."
"I'll never serve this, Hastur guy. Much less wear that mask." Jaune spat as he grabs ahold of his cane's handle. Course in response Boulton let's out a small mad chuckle.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh… Oh you stupid boy. Do you really think you won't ever serve him? You saw the Yellow sign, and now his mighty strings are bound to you. Though I suppose you are somewhat right about one thing." Ms. Boulton said before placing back on the Pallid mask.
"Yeah, and what is that?" Jaune asked as Ms. Boulton begin moving her hand like she was holding a puppeteer cross.
"You won't worship our mighty King in Yellow. Because you won't get the chance." Ms. Boulton said as she pulled her hand closer.
Jaune didn't realize it till it was too late. The half headless corpse of Sanchez sprung up from behind Jaune. Implanting his knife into his back right shoulder. Jaune hollered in agony as he tried to shake the puppet from his back. The corpse moved to Ms. Bolton's hand, seeing this Mari quickly got ready and shoved the screwdriver she nicked into Boulton's hand. Boulton screamed in agony as the puppet falls still. Enraged she punches Mari in the face hard enough that it sent her over the side. Mari managed to grab onto the rail before going over, however Boulton was just as fine to cut the little shit's head off. She had just swing when Jaune's blade countered. Jaune then delivered a powerful punch to her face before the two fenced each other on the catwalk.
As the two blades clashed Mari struggled to pull herself up. She didn't have the upper body strength to do it, and the bloody nose didn't help. However when she saw her shoe fall to the ground, landing out of sight of the preforms her adrenalin kicked in. Fear of falling overtook her and she slowly begins pulling herself up. Meanwhile Jaune was fighting with a disadvantage. His Aura was drained heavily from being butchered by a human puppet. He was bleeding from his arm, neck, shoulder, and back. Along with that this woman fought with the strength of aura on her side. Yet it wasn't aura. He got a lucky shot and impaled her through the neck, yet she pushes it to the side and the wound mended itself. She kept on going, putting Jaune on the defense as he parried and countered multiple blows. This all came to ahead when the two interlocked blades, coming mask to face.
"You think you can win because of your aura? Pff, Hastur has gifted me with powers beyond those two brothers magic of aura. There is no outcome that you can win." Ms. Bolton said before Jaune head butts her.
"Alright, guess I'll do something I haven't done since my school days. Cheat." Jaune said before spotting a rope holding up a weighted bag. With one cut it dropped right onto the back of Bolton's head. Giving Jaune time to slit her throat and impale her through the heart.
This of course didn't kill her, rather she continued on more enraged if anything. Jaune used a variety of cheap tricks that his school yard bully would pull. Using the environment to his advantage, hocking a loggie into her eye, and once kicking bellow the belt. Course that one backfired and she sent one back with more effective then his. As the two fought on however, neither one noticed that they accidently cut a few too many wires. Resulting in the catwalk as well as the human hoarse began to slowly become unstable. This fight however concluded in how Bolton described it. She had knocked the blade cleanly out of Jaune's hand before delivering a massively powerful kick to Jaune's bad leg. Sending him to the ground in agony before delivering her sword to his throat. Luckily Jaune used his cane to push the blade to the side, resulting in his shoulder being punctured. Though the word lucky isn't how Jaune would describe it. He was on the ground and the blade pointed at his throat.
"I'd told you. There is no outcome where you win." Ms. Bolton said as she placed the tip of the sword against Jaune's throat. "Shame too, you would have been a prized follower of the King."
She was about to kill Jaune their and then. However before she could she heard a small voice in front of the two. Looking up she can see Mari, holding Jaune's sword in hand. She was shaking in fear and bleeding heavily from the nose but holding the blade firmly.
"Let him go right now or else." Mari threatens as she holds the blade. However, Ms. Bolton was anything but intimidated. Rather unimpressed.
"Oh, please girl. Do you really think you'll do any better then this fool?" Ms. Bolton asked sarcastically.
"No…" Mari replies honestly before looking at the only wire holding up the catwalk. "Though, I don't have to be better than you. Just smarter."
Realizing what she was going to do, Ms. Bolton tries to stop her but it was to late. She cut the line and the entire catwalk along with horrific mule came tumbling down. The catwalk slammed into one and another, causing the entire raptures to come crashing down on top of the play. The audience screamed as the actors dived out of the way. Jaune mid fall grabbed ahold of Mari as the two fell. They barley evaded falling to death and were lucky not to be crushed by falling debris. As the smoke cleared, Jaune and Mari found themselves under the stage curtain.
"Ugh… Jaune… you still alive?" Mari called out from underneath. "Groan if your still alive."
After a few seconds a groan can be heard much to Mari's relief. "Phew… good to know your alive… Say Jaune."
"Ugh… Yeah?" Jaune replies painfully.
"If I ever think of doing something that stupid again… punch me in the face. Hard." Mari instructed.
"Noted." Jaune replies before grabbing his sword from Mari and cutting a hole for the two too escape. As the popped their head out, they were greeted by multiple police issued pistols and shotguns. All of them pointed at their heads.
"Um… Jaune did it." Mari lied with a cheeky smile, much to Jaune's annoyance. Just then Trish came running over dressed in costume.
"Officers wait, I know those two!" Trish shouted as she and Monsieur. Petit came running over. "Though I have to ask. What the fuck did you two do?!"
"Your not going to believe this, but we just fought the phantom." Mari said gaining the attention of everyone.
"Vraiment ... oh merde. Your serious?" Monsieur. Petit asked.
"Yeah. Even saw her face." Jaune replies as the officers picked him up.
"Who. Monsieur. Arc. Tell me, who has caused me and my friend such misery these past few days?" Monsieur. Petit demanded. But before Jaune could finish however the debris behind them burst upwards, with Ms. Bolton still in her phantom disguised emerged. However her mask had cracked considerably from the fall.
The officer all fired upon her but despite the 38. And buck shot ripping into her flesh, the wounds still healed like it was nothing. She charges forward, gutting the two officers in front and decapitating another who got in her way before leaping upwards towards Monsieur. Petit. The audience gasped in horror at the sight, yet not blood was spilled. Moments before She plunged her sword into him Jaune had inserted his sword into his cane and twisted open the shield. He raced forward and the sword sparked as it made contact with his shield. As the sword slides to the side, Jaune pushes the blade to the side before delivering a hard no aura enhanced punch to the face of the phantom. This shattered the mask all while sending her to the ground. Police quickly rushed her and pulled her to her feet as she screams obscenities with her face now revealed.
"Mon Dieu… Ms. Bolton is the Phantom, but how?" Monsieur asked.
"I think she was a copy cat. Original one may have died back in 1919. Regardless, she is the killer. Sadly killed Mr. Sanchez as well." Jaune explains as she damning them all as Police struggled to hold her still long enough to apply handcuffs.
"Mr. Sanchez is dead… Oh dear… well suppose if it wasn't for you… and your little friend I'd be dead." Monsieur Petit remarks.
"Hey! I ain't his friend!" Mari complained.
"I was talking about that strange cane of his." Monsieur Petit points out as Jaune twist it to cane mode.
"Oh." Was Mari's only response.
"But regardless thank you as well. Both of you." Monsieur Petit remarks as he finally felt safe enough to let down his guard for once this evening. That was till Ms. Bolton broke free from her restraints and grabbed one officers gun. She fired a few shots, but one only hit's Trish, grazing her and kneecapping Monsieur Petit. Without thinking Jaune pulled the blade from his cane and with a quick flick, removed Bolton's hand clean from her arm. She let's out a scream in agony before fleeing away. Jaune didn't go after her, rather quickly racing over to Trish.
"Trish! Jaune shouted as Trish was on the ground holding her leg.
"Ugh, I'm fine. Go get the bitch!" Trish shouted as she held her leg.
Jaune gives a nod before racing after her. For some reason the police didn't follow. Jaune didn't had time to think about why. She had hurt his friend, and he refuse to allow women like her, hurt any more of his friends. Pressing on despite the agony of his leg he finally found her struggling to get outside into the alleyway. Just as she did Jaune tackled her outside and the two landed in the snow.
"Ugh… you fool. Have you any idea what you have done to me!" Ms. Bolton said as she gave a pitiful kick to Jaune's face. Doing nothing more then scraping his lip. "You doomed me to a worse fate. Hastur will…"
"Shut it!" Jaune interrupted before deliver an aura enforced punch into Bolton's face sending her back. His Aura had barley came back to him and continuing to push on will eventually exhaust him. Though he didn't need that much more to stop her. "Blame this Hastur guy or whatever, but the blood of Calhoun's, Mr. Sanchez, that guy Jerry, and everyone else you killed, is on your hands, and your hands alone!"
As Jaune's furious words reached Ms. Boulton's wounded ears, this got something that Jaune didn't expect out of her. A chuckle. Not a crazy chuckle like before, but a nervous one. "Heh, Heh… I killed many people as my time as the Phantom Jaune Arc. But that failure of an artist. I didn't lay a hand on him. Even worse, that Message. It was meant for me."
Before Jaune could continue a chuckle from the side interrupted the two. Looking to the side, Jaune was surprised to see another man before him. A man in a black pinstripe suit, with a yellow Trench coat wrapped around it. Atop his head was a wide brim pasture hat with a yellow band to go with it. Hiding his face, was a golden yellow pallid mask. Beside him were well dressed people, all wearing different Pallid masks. Confused Jaune quickly pulled out his sword with the shield mode activated.
"Who the hell are you? This Hastur guy she keeps on blabbing about?!" Jaune demanded.
"Hardly. No I'm just another servant." The man said before putting on Red leather gloves. "Though I'd must say. He was greatly impressed by your performance tonight young man."
He then takes a few steps closer causing Jaune to get into a defensive stance, which prompted the others to pull their various weapons from within their suits. However, before anything escalated the Golden Pallid masked man held up his hand and they stopped.
"We wish nothing for you. Our lord has willed us to spare you… for now. For some reason you have been… resisting his call. While it angers me so, he finds it to be interesting. Now I see why, quite entertaining stunt you have pulled." The Golden Pallid masked man said before giving an applause. To which the other pallid masked goons followed. Jaune was creeped out by this, but Ms. Bolton. She was horrified of them. After a few claps more the man stopped and so did his followers before turning to Ms. Bolton. "Sadly, you had failed to entertain Hastur. Worst still, you allowed for one of his masks to break. For that. Punishment can not come sooner then now for this offense."
He motioned to his followers who moved towards her. She cries out for mercy and for anything but this. Literally anything but this. Jaune barley having any understanding about what was going on stupidly got between them and Ms. Bolton.
"Hold on. I am not some gods damn plaything! I don't know whoever this Hastur asshole is but if is the reason she did this then I'll stop him just like Salem." Jaune snapped much to The Golden Pallid masked man annoyance.
"Please. The witch's power is meaningless. Ozpin's power is squandered. And those two gods' can never face his holiness in open combat." The Golden Pallid masked man said as he walked forward. In response Jaune charges forth only for something horrible to happen. The Golden Pallid masked man whispered words and Jaune fell to the ground in agony. "Mgah'ehye bthnknah ot mgepnah ng mgepog shrivel ng age. Mgah'ehye bone lw'nafh'nahor, ng bthnkor l' rend. Llll ahornah ya will, force h' l' ah!"
With those words Jaune fell down and felt intense amount of pain in his leg moving upwards. Looking at his skin revealed that his flesh had become rough and old. Like he aged eighty years within a matter of seconds. Then his flesh began to tighten and wither a mummified brown texture. Jaune looked up as The Golden Pallid masked man stared down at him.
"Don't worry. I won't kill. Not unless my lord commands it. But, should you try something like that. I will bring you his soul, and make my deepest apologies to him. Is that clear Mr. Arc?" The Golden Pallid masked man asked rhetorically as Jaune struggled to even breath. "Good, now then. Ms. Bolton. The king demands your presents… In Carcosa's court."
He pulls on his red leather gloves, as Ms. Bolton is brought before him. On her knees begging she was forced to look up as The Golden Pallid masked man put's his hand upon her head. Sure enough her eyes begin to glow. With a golden yellow around the iris, and a carving in her forehead appeared. She let's out a painful scream as he literal soul was pulled from her body. Slow, and painfully. All Jaune could do is watch helplessly as her body dropped to the ground, and The Golden Pallid masked man dragged her soul by the neck down the alleyway. As he gets to the dead end, a golden ring formed with a symbol. What little Jaune could see was a castle under Blacken stars, twin eclipsed sun's sinking bellow the shadow of a massive lake. The last thing he heard before consciousness had failed him was the screams of Ms. Bolton, as her soul was pulled through. To face judgement of the King in Yellow.
Five minutes to Midnight, and the new year.
An unknown amount of time had passed. But Jaune was awakened by a familiar face. Detective Broderick. He had arrived just now on the scene. While there were questions to be asked about what had happened, he felt that now is not the right time to ask them. Jaune nearly had bled out. And Ms. Bolton had used death to escape justice. An unfortunate end to the Phantom of the Broadway. However, the silver lining to all of this, was that the nightmare was now over. Jaune was rushed to an ambulance in the street. Carried out on a stretcher where Jaune recognized a few people.
He had recalled everything he had witnessed and experienced within those few moments in the alleyway with The Golden Pallid masked man. While grateful he wasn't becoming a living mummy, he felt that this wasn't a victory. He had no idea why this Hastur, wanted to do any of this. How that mask gave Ms. Bolton those superpowers, or where this Carcosa is even. Yet despite saving the life of Monsieur Petit. He couldn't help but feel bad for Ms. Bolton. He couldn't quite describe it, but some part of him knew. That the fate she is now condemned to. Is a fate that nobody, would wish upon another.
He was pulled up along the road towards the ambulances. Crowed of people watched in horror as Jaune was carried. However that horror turned to anger. Anger at Ms. Bolton for hurting him. But also, because of his injuries. The show he was supposed to preform after the play was now canceled. Hearing the disappointment caused a pang in consciousness for one individual. She didn't like Jaune. But after the stunt he pulled. She felt that he owed him. So, as people begin complaining, they were soon interrupted by the sound of a microphone stuttering. They turned around to see Mari on the stage that Jaune was going to perform on. All eyes were on her, as nervous as she was, she takes a deep breath and started singing.
"Start spreadin' the news… I'm leavin' today. I want to be a part of it. New York, New York." Mari sung into the microphone before pausing. Everyone remained quiet as Mari's face begin to blush in embarrassment. Before she could continue, another voice can be heard from the side.
"These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray. Right through the very heart of it. New York, New York." Trish sung as she made her way to the stage, still in costume. Giving a nod Mari was going to continue when another voice came from behind her.
"I wanna to wake up, in a city that doesn't sleep. And find I'm king of the hill. Top of the heap." Mr. Small from the band added, before continuing with the three singing. "These little town blues. Are melting away. I'll make a brand new start of it."
As they sung the band joined in, before familiar faces in the crowed joined in. Sinning along. First just a few faces then these voices became a crowed. It echoed across the entire city. Could be heard for miles on.
In old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York
Mayor Hylan had expected Jaune to play and was sad to know that despite stopping one of the city's most infamous killers, he couldn't play. However, it seems this tragedy accentually brought New Yorkers closer together. In this one moment of unity the city was ablaze in good spirit never before seen in all his years. He needed to get this on record. So acting quickly he got the recorders and reporters to do their magic. As the whole of Times square went up in a blaze of music, Jaune looked up from his Gurney. Hearing it from inside the open door's of the ambulance.
New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
And find I'm a number one, top of the list
King of the hill, a number one
Looking out the door he can see the people singing as the ball dropped kicking off the new year and the whole crowed broke into applause. Something strange about seeing this, made him feel. Well like he was home, just for a brief moment but still like he was there. He leans back as the two door's close on him, leaving him alone in the back of the ambulance. As he looks up he can see something in the darkness. He squints his eye's to see, only for them to go wide.
These little town blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it
In old New York
It was that same symbol he had seen in his nightmares, and the one the Phantom brandish. As he stares on a felt a hand on his right wrist. He twisted his head and before him was another Pallid masked goons, glowing a disturbing yellow. This one simply adorned with the mask and much to Jaune's horror, his clothes. His Pumpkin Pete hoodie, his white armor. Hell, the creep had his own hairstyle from first entering Beacon. As Jaune struggled to call out he felt another hand on his other wrist.
And
If I can make it there
I'm gonna make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York
New York
New York
He turned and before him was a face he would never forget. Her Emerald Green Eyes. Her long flowing crimson hair. And that pleasant smile. Pyrrha, she was glowing a calming white aura by his side before reaching out to stroke Jaune's bloodied face. He knew this wasn't real but seeing her again. He swears it was like she was here. So with a sigh of release, he leaned in and enjoyed the moment of this hallucination. All while muttering something as the scene goes black.
"… Happy New Year… Pyrrha."
Play Golden Hour by Electric Swing Circus.
A story that unfolds this way
Is only bound to eb away
Illuminating our concern
Exaggerated when the light hits you that way
The view opens up in a Broadway changing room with various Art Deco posters hanging about. The first portrait was a photo of the Phantom herself. She stood there with a golden city hanging behind her. Similar to Metropolis, after a few seconds the poster falls to the ground revealing the one hanging behind it. This one of Jaune, in the Yankee Meloody. The view was similar to William Foxes Dry Martini, with the advertising saying bellow;
(Lewis Sargent staring as Jaune Arc)
Was it comfy under the wing
Your sacrifice to reign supreme
But in the golden hour
Easy to forget its over now
Your back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
We see you struggle when
You squeeze your way into my life
Back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
Time to quite your wriggling
Oh when will you be satisfied
The view pulls to the side showing another Art Deco poster of Moulin Rouge. In the frame however was a portrait of Mr. Sanchez, after a few moments the portrait falls revealing another portrait. This one of Det Juntre Hjørne Tivoli with the women listed as;
(Gloria Swanson as Trish Clover)
I love it when the light hits you that way
Such ecstasy in my escape
Now I see you another light
But in the golden hour
It is easy to forget its over now
Your back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
We see you struggle when
You squeeze your way into my life
Back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
Time to quite your wriggling
Oh when will you be satisfied
But in the golden hour
Easy to forget its over now
The view then comes upon the third and final poster. It was for a Broadway play of Hamlet. While it was in art deco art form, except rather having Hamlet, Claudius, and Polonius, it was the Phantom, and the unfortunate Calhoun's. After a few moments the poster fell revealing a secondary one beneath it. That of Mari dressed in a red cocktail dress, posing as the Scarlet lady, with the actress bellow;
(Mary Jane Irving playing as Mari Meier
Your back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
We see you struggle when
You squeeze your way into my life
Back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
Time to quite your wriggling
Oh when will you be satisfied
The view pulls back before the camera or whoever eyes we see through fall over, looking up at the ceiling. There painted in blood was the Yellow sign. As the blood dropped down the symbol glows yellow before the ceiling tears of violently. Looking above was Hastur. Pleasurably torturing Ms. Bolton's soul, before noticing the viewer bellow. He reaches down with his horrific hand before the viewer quickly gets up and runs.
Your back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
We see you struggle when
You squeeze your way into my life
You're back here for trouble again
We know just what you're like
Time to quite your wriggling
Oh when will you be satisfied
The Viewer quickly races out of the changing room and into a poster was not something seen in story, rather a poster by Sam Beck for an upcoming German Gruseliger Film titled; RWBY Noir, Nette Sache. In it Ruby looks up into the night sky, dressed in a flapper, all while the König in Gelb looks down upon her. Offering her, the Yellow Sign. Quickly turning the corner, the viewer ran into the man with the golden Pallid Mask. Sporting a ritualistic dagger in his red leather gloves, he burst forward. Tackling the viewer before painfully plucking out the viewers eyes. Leaving nothing but a gruesome black view.
*After a few seconds, the view opens up on a stage with a sleeping Jaune in a tuxedo with a pallid mask over his face. Next to it is a stranger in a gold pallid mask and tuxedo. After a few moments the man in the gold Pallid Masked removed it from it's face to reveal a Russian gasmask.
Hello everybody this is Wombag1786, whishing y'all a Happy New Year's!
So, this is the conclusion to arc two. And just in time for New Years. Heh, yes I know I timed these thing's but can you blame me, the set up was perfect. Am I right Jaune? *Wombag gives an elbow tap but Jaune didn't move.
… Huh, guess he's really out. Anyways I want to wish you all a happy new year. Specially seeing that the vaccine for Covid is out and I'm sure by the time of this chapter's release we will have something to look forward to in 2021. For me, it's more swing and the Evil dead video game. I digress, as Jaune is currently out let's get onto the questions and comments.
From Carre: 1. No problem.
2A. Yep, or at least the only two referring to Hollywood. (Few noteworthy one's include, The big orange, City of angles, El Pueblo, and Lotusland to name a few.)
2B. His idea? Oh you mean his inventions. Well, a few thing's other then predicting the internet. (He actually did.) Includes. Alternating current's (Improves electrical output in electric lines.) Tesla Coils. (Don't know what they are used for but are really badass.) Remote controls (Think you know what I mean.) Neon Lamps (Which are badass as well.), and the Tesla Turbine. (Used in Niagara Falls power plant.) He is rumored to have invented a death ray. So safe to say we would be seeing something along a steampunk world.
3. No, see I want you to try and figure it out. I encourage you to do it. Submit your theories and seeing that you were right on the money. (except the boyfriend which in all fairness didn't really die from a car crash. More like cut in half but a ritual in his family home… in Scotland.) Regardless you were right on the money so with that, you get this sherlock hat.
*Put's it on your head.
4. … huh, either you can see into the future or you make sherlock homes look like Lindsay Lohan.
Alright, 2/3 not bad.
5. Yep, but I'm back from a party with the cast. Am I right Jaune?
*Tap's Jaune again but still refuse to move.
Heh, oh well. Still Thanks and I'm glad to be back.
Thanks for writing Carre.
From Crimson Weresloth: Alright but just so you know. It ain't scary rather shattering. Like… SCP 2******* ******* ********** ******* ******** ***** ****** ********** ******* *****. That's all I say.
Thanks for writing Crimson Weresloth.
From Combine117: Yeah, it's a sad day when you loose a human shield… I mean brave and outstanding officer of the law.
Thanks for writing Combine117.
From Enigma42: Oh trust me. He shot the bartender by accident. But yeah, they will be recurring characters. Like Tesla. (Maybe in the thirties or forties depend on how WW2 goes.) This is an active, breathing world. So expect referenced and historical figures to make appearance and the characters interacting with them accordingly. Like Detective Johnny Broderick. (Nick named Broadway Johnny. Man was considered a one-man riot squad. Put him in any riots and he will personally walk every last rioter to the local jail with nothing but a rolled-up newspaper.) That and if I had enough time I'd have Joe Simon in the crowd.
Thanks for writing Enigma42.
From Black cross0: Maybe, Maybe she's waiting for him. Or it's his psyche latching on to something to hold his sanity together. Or perhaps, someone had spiked his coffee. It's anyone's guess at this point. Mine'sssssssed, included. Heh.
Writing? Oh, that. Heh thanks. Found it on a website called LingoJam. (Website has multiple fictional languages on it.) It's definitely made my life easier. Before that I would write crazy lines, like So as you can see It'S RaThER dIffuLt.
But with this it's now e̷͔̫͌͑͐̈́͐̓͐͝͝a̵͎͍̤͉͊̾̐͂́͐s̵̡̩͚̻̠̬̝̭͙̹̮̈́̑̆͆͒́͋̓̎͠i̴̝̭͑̌̓̄͐͑̂é͍̺̟̮̰̇̅̂̈́̍̑̉̓͌͝ͅr̶͙͑̈́̒̓̆̚ ̴͖̠̝͖͈̺̱̣͚̳̤͗̀͌ţ̷̢̘̲̟̯͙̺͌͂̿͘ͅo ̷̰͈͇͕͍̽ͅw̡̺̜̠̟̦̭̥̆͒̈́̊͊̆̾̚r̵̡̢̪͎͓̭̙͉̩͋̄̀̋͑i̵͕̰̣̻̯͂̌͗̃͜͝͠͝t̶̥͎͇̫̄͂́̂͐̀̿̚e̶̛͕͚̾̆͊̇̇͘͘͝ ̢͇̩̫̣c̶͔͓̩͙̲͈͒̈́̈́̎̎̄̃̕͝͝͝r̬̗̱̪̂ả̡͚̩̭̭͇͓̦̦͔̍̈́̅̽̈͛͝z̷͙̻̟̄̇̾̓͘y̴̲̘͍̰̓̍͊͛̑̒͐̊́̕͝ ̷̛̱͎̙̲̘̫́̍̈l̵̡̮͉̘͉̜̬͍̍͑̎̔̈̄̕i̵̱̘̐̀͑̑͂͝ǹ̵̨̺̠̘̪͈̝̟̗͛͋̎̃̓̒̅͠͝ȩ̷̩͍͚̺͖̙̈̓̐͊̊̏͆͝͝s̵̡̮̥͍͉̀̌̎. Even can be adjust it to how crazy I want.
Mutilated corpse: C̴̳͍̼̗͙̩̦̱̫͎͒̕r̷̡̡̘̘͈̖̬̖̠͛̐̔͆ȧ̵͕̝͖͗̈́̽̂̆͑̚z̵̨̩̪̲̖̝̱̰̔̇̏̌ͅy̷͍̎̇̀̏̍͒͌̚̚͠
Zombie: C̴̛̭̾͋̈́͌̓̔̐̌̌͒̈́̔͒̇̌͛͋̌͑́̑́̽̚ŗ̷̧̨̡̙̙̙̣͓̤̣̲̼͚̞͚͉̠͙̮̪̘̹̹͖̰͈̘̱̻͎̫͚̜͕̘́̆̓̓̑̃̍͊͊̿̕̕ͅa̷̧͍̋z̷̡̨̨͚̩̼̼͎̹̙̣̣̮̫͓̗̞̞̣͉̞̲̜͓̺̮̊̍̍͝y̴̨̼̳̪̱̩͙̜͓̘̪̤̜̮͈̣̞̹͛͆̎́
Someone you knew Zombified: C̴̢̧̧̢̨̧̧̢̛̛̛̛̛̱͍͕̺͕̥͖͈͉̤̥̼͕̥͉͉̹͈̱̝͇͕̪̤̰̗͍̟̬͔̞̪̣̬̻̙͉͔̮̤̝̲͕̳̯̭̱͇͓̝̮̙̮̭͈̻͎̪͕͙̥̤͈̮͇̙̼̖͈͕̤̮̻͚̺̝̺̺̝̣̍̒̂̈̀̆̑͑͂͌̾͐̎̊̓̈͋̓̏̑̔̈͑͋͛̊͒̈́͒́̾̊̾́̈́̌̋̄͋̃̚͘̚̚͜͝͠͝͝ͅr̵̨̧̧̡̛͈͎͙̰̩̥̗̞̜̳͍̜̣̟͈͓̦̖̳͓͖̥̙͍̺̱̩̩̯̤̲̥̜͔̟͉̤͉̜̱̗̝̦̗̻̳͕͎͚͔̮̦͈͑͆̽̾͂͌͊̔̅́̌̓͌̽͋̆̓̅̔͗̓̓̀̑̓̄̅̋̎͋̎̈͜͜͜͜͝͝ͅͅͅą̧̢̛͍̫̳͎͇̟̮̦̪̲͍͔̟͖̭͎̣͚͔͎̩̻͚̺̰̝̲͔̩͔̹̟̼͔͕͚͙̝̜̞̗̠̖̮̭͈̦̣̝̞̜̘͍̠̗̜̘̯͈̀̈̊̏͆̿͊̈́͊͋̿̐̈͗̂̑̂̊̉̏̉̀̐̈́́̇̎̃̓͑̐̉́̔͐̒̔͒̌̀͊͋̆̌̚̕̚̕͝͝͝͠͠z̶̧̨̨̡̢͉̦̟̬͙̰̣͔̞͎͕͈͚̠̮͈̬͍͚̘̪͖̟̬̝͉̥͎̰͇͉͉̻̫̬̜͍͔̙̰̫̯̤̞͙͉͍͛̓̔͌͋̀̏͋̓͑̐͐̓̅̔̽̆̈́͑̃͐̈́͆̔̓̂̒̽͗̐̈́̃̊̇̒̒͂͂̆͌͑̋̔́̀̇́͂̈́͆̾̇̎̈̈́̈́̔̿͆̄͐̕͘͝͝͠ͅͅͅÿ̭̪͖̀̉̋̔̀͆̈́̋̽̉͑̀͒̓̓̏̾̇̂͒̍̃͂̍̿͘
Falling eyeball the size of the moon: C̵̡̨̢̢̧̨̡̛̛̛̮̺͔̗̪̬̺͎̠͖̦̰̖̥̭̺̝̟͈̥̖͍̦͚͓͙̯̻̯̯̲̫͍̳̩̲̳͕̪͓̫̫͙̗͔̥͍̫̖̼̰͙̺̮̱͚̗̎͊̽͒̈́͒̈̇͛̏̆̅̋̌͛̉͑́̉͑̏̉́̈̔͌̈̾̇̍̓͌͛̈̇͆̔́̽̆̏͑̈́̉̉͊̉̄̂̒͗͋̎̎̈́͊̌͒̔̂̄͐́̆͒̽͆̿̏͋̈́̈́͑́̄̏̊̊̋̏́̓̽̔̃͛̒̈́̑̚̕̚̚͘̕͘͘̚̕͜͜͜͝͠͝͠͝͝ͅͅͅͅr̨̡̧̨̡̢̢̢̢̢̧̛̛̪̣͓̗̗̼̹͔̮͇̫͚̹̯̳͇̟̣̗͙͙͔̝̝̟̝̺̪͇̯͓̘͎̰̰̳̻̮̪͓͈͉̮̱̦̪̖̪̪̗̪̹̭͙̬͇̩̳̟̹̲̰̹̠͕̦͚̪͔̳̘̥͈͈͔̗̹͕̱͕͎̩̙͔̤̯̙͉͖͔̣̹̞̗̲̘͚͎̼̦͇̰̺͚̱͎̱͕̘̰̞̭̥̤̱͙̈̇͛͛̍͊̆͑̂̈́̃̆̌̔̐̍́́͌̃̇̒͂̋́̆̀̐̒̉́̀̋̐̄͆̂̆̀̐̃̆̈͗̊̍͋̀̓̊̄̀̾́̇̿̃̈́̋̿̐̀͂̔͗͛̾͆͒̋͑̒̐̒̃̈́̇̍́͛̈́͑̉̈́̌͌͆́̚͘̚͘̚͘̕͘͜͜͜͠͝͠͝͝͠͠͠͝ͅͅͅͅà̶̢̤͕͎̥̮̗̘̀̋͑̈͗̋͝͠z̡̨̡̨̢̛͙̥̟̳͈̬̦̞̥̜̦̖̖̥̖͇̣̦͚͇͚̮͎̺̤͓̯̝̙̝̩̣͍̤̲̗̯͖̗͓̮̖̦͚͍̯̤̪̲̠̣̞͉͖̘̠͙̱̬̮͓̘̜̥̱̱͍̙̪̉̄̽͐̈́̑̉́̇̈̌́̿̓̽͂̈̈̅̿̆̌̉͑͐͗̋́̈́́̃͐̌̐̈̍̃̽̆͆̈́̏̌̈́̏̊̔͆͛̕͜͜͝͝y̴̢̢̧̡̨̨̧̡̢̨̡̢͖̠̗̖̠̰̘̲͕̲̤̻͈̥̻̩̖̩̪̯̖̝̠̺͖̱̘̠̱͙̟̖͓͚̟̲̺̱̪̜̟̼̬̦̱̤̫͙̙̜̮̺͇̬̖̩̖̹̫͍͚̮̫̩͇̞̻̼̪̩̻͉̝̥̭̘̞̗̠͙͈̫͈̾̿̅͗̀̇̉̃͛̔͑͒̏̽͋̾̑͗͒̌͐̊̈́̐̒͊̃͋̔͊̆̋̔̓̅̀̀͆͋́̌̽͐͆̓̆̀͌͌̏́̀̃̈́̅͆̑͑̆̀̓̒̓̑̿͗̈̆͆͗̄̌̀̔͋̆́̎̒̈̍͘̚̚͝͝͝͝͝ͅ
Cthulhu: C̴̨̧̢̛̥͈͙̯̲͉̠͍̙̳͈̩̝̟̹̩̭̤̮̭̖̤̬̳̰̩͖̰̑̄̐̈́̈͂̔̃̂̾̋̏̔̅͆̆̂͆̍́̅̓͌͗̋͌͊͗͊͂̂͗̎̔̎̎͊̈́̊̓̈̏̋̈́̆̔̄͑̈́̓̓͆̏͗̍͋́̓̀̅͂͂̐̀̈͋̃̌͐̀͊̈͑́̈́̈́̍̈̈́̐̏̐̆̂̔̇̌͘͘̕̚̚̚̕̚͘̕͜͠͠͝͝͝͝͝͠͝͠͝r̴̡̡̡̧̧̨̧̧̧̢̨̡̡̨̡̡̡̨̡̨̤̘̬̱̻̞̪̤̠̞̖̼͕͙̟͇͚̯̩̰̗̫̮͕̩͈̼̙̜̬̥̲̟̤̖̗̤̻͙͕̱̦͕̩͚̜̻͙̙̥̟̠̬̻̣̙̱͚̰̟̖̗̟̳̙̭̦͍̮͍͉͖̝͈̟̫̮̯̦̣̰͍͚̫̣̦͚͓̫͓̤̦̫̣̥̝̺͚̟̬̩̦͙̩̲̹̺̘̩̤̜̦̦̱͚͍̩̼̟̣͓̘̬͔̗̠̪̟͉̥̹̫̙̖̘̫̟̠̘͍̭͙̩͎̜̭̦̣̖̫͓͇̹̮͖͇̺̞̯̞̣͍̹̤̠͔̺͉͚͚̙̺̞͎̠̝̯̮̫̯̰̟͍̻͔͎̠̮̣̤̺̙͈̬̹̣̟̲̠̯̹͕̣̻͉̅̓̐̀́̌̐̇͗͊̒͑͂̉͘͜͜͝͝ͅͅͅã̡̡̡̨̡̡̢̨̢̧̧̨̢̡̡̡̧̧̨̢̧̢̡̧̨̧̨̨̛̛̛̼̤̣̤͕͉̥͓̼̳̞̠͎̙̭̹̟͚̫̭͙͔̪̫̦̬͚̜͚͈̻͈̹̜̤͎̞̦̤͍̪̦͎̬͈̲̩̯̙̻͓͖̤̳̪̬͉͕̦̩̫̟̭̦̲͓̥̺̜̺̫̩͍͙͈͚̭͚͙͖͍͉͎̙̗̣̱̠̭̖̭͚̬̬͚̮͕̦̥̘̟͇͍̭͍̻͎̯͇̮̹̤̺̣̻̻̖͎̖̻͖̼̟̘͓̜̠͓͓̳̼͈̖̤̗͍̪̣̹̬͖̖̬͉̳̪̗̲̹͖̥͍̰̗̗̬̠̫̙̹̬̹̜̻̟̱̮̮͈̪̯͈̝̖͕͓̺̮͔̱̭̝̭͙͍̫̗͎̻͈̠̣̩̤̠̼̪̥̤̗̩͕̼̟̬͍̠͚̦̩̫̺̮̼̠̮̤̺̲̯͈͓͔͎̟̿̀͌͗̓͒̿̀̅͐͊͒̒̃̋́͌͂͌̔̊̇̂̆͌̓́̍̂̿͆͑̋̏̀̇͂̓́͐̊̄̀̈́͛̅̄̓̐̒̈̋̊̉̉̒̾̃͂̈́͑̈́͌̑̓͒̐̃̎͊̀̿̀̿͒̿̇̔͛̋̏͛̅̓̀͊͛̿̍̉͋̚̕͜͜͜͝͝͝͝͠͝͝͠͝͝͠ͅͅͅͅͅͅž̷̧̨̢̧̨̢̧̨̨̧̧̨̧̡̧̧̢̨̨̢̨̧̧̡̨̛̛̜̳̤̺͇̼̻̞͚̞̝̬͍̗͕̙̼̦̼̳̮͖͔̹̰͔͙̝̩͙̬̫̟̻̱̖͕͎̠̻̳̗̗͇̖͉͈̺̘̳̟̠̤͕͎͖̦͇͕̯̰̼̲͈̫̭̮͈͔͍̺̭̟̬̯̟̲͕͙͎͙͉͔̹͓͔͙̖̱̗͙͉̜̞̠̟͕̺̩̫̳̰̱̪͍̙̥̰̝̤͖̪͇͈̖̰̙͍̘̗̝̯̲̭͕̬̝̮̲̺̦̣͎̼͔̠̣̰͚̬̼̭̦̰͕̝̭͉̭̮̱͎͚̻̜͉͔̰̘̗͎̥̰͙͓̳̺͈̳͉̰̥̣̟̼͚̰̞͉̖͕̖̘̭̫̼̳̬͚̯̣̭̹̺͎̯̳͇͓̣̼̲̠̰͇͕̻͔̳̣̝̳̹̜͇͓̗̱̣͈̼̦̘͔̟̝͖̩̻͍̘͓̱̤̮̖͖̜͍̜͈̮̘̤͇̱͖͚̝̼̺̟̝̹͔̪͗̃͂͗͂̈́̈́̌̄̒̋̋̍̈́̔́́̇͆̈́̿̾̓͌̔̍̒͒́̍̃͐̃̐̽̓̊͑̒̃̉̌͆͆͆͛̀̐̐̑̑̄̂̕̚̕͘̕̕͜͜͜͜͜͜͜͜͜͠͝͠͝͠ͅͅͅͅy̨̡̢̧̨̨̡̡̨̧̨̢̡̢̧̡̡̡̢̢̡̡̢̛̛̛̛̛̛̛̛̛̛̛̛̛͈̮̹͖̼̫̯̻̼̖̣̼̫̮̱̳̱̩͎̬̲̤͓̰̦̝̱̫͍̱̘̞͉̺̩̯̤͔͉̤̬͎͎̼̬̘̼͍̰̱̳͕͓̖̝̭͖͖̣͙͇̟̞̰̰̗͉̦̜͎̣̪̣̭̯̣͍̱̣̠̗̣̫͎̺̮̬͚̹̜͈͕͕̻̜͔͚̼͈̭̝̟̗͙̠͓̙͇͚̮͖͇͙̟̗̰̗͍͖̹̗̟̻̻̠͉̲̫̯̪͇̞̘̥̘̹̲͍̗̠̘̞͍̫̝̙̳̦͔̯̗̦͔̪̝̖͙̜͎͙͓͎̠͓͈̥̹͔̪͔̫̰̦͙̤̦͎͕̝̭̖̺̰̺͕̯̣̲̬̻͔̝̥͖̖͎̲̩͙̤̬̫̳͓̘̪̗͉͔̋́͋̽̉̆̓̊̆͑̒͂́̈́̽̍̎̇̍̑̓́̾̊͌̌̂̈́͆̉͑͋̈́̅̌̈́̈́̒̉̈́́͐̓͑͑͗̓̀͒͌̾̐̓̀̉̆͒̑͌̒̿͊̋̒̿́́̃̉͌͐̄͂͐͌̓͋̿̓͛̈́̊́̍̀̔̐̑̎̊̄̄͛͊͐̈́͂̈̌̔̽̀͗̀́̆̒̈́͛͆̏̔̀̇̊̐̈̉̎͛̅̒̃̀͌͗̉͑̋̌̽̆̈́̎̊͗̍͋̊́̔́͂͑͌̋̂̋͋̇̾̽̐̽̒̌̓̅̂̄̔̄͋͂̌̃͂̒͂̉̄̔̂̃̋͒̎̄̓̐̈́̀̊̐̓̐̆͂̏̽̽̿̆̏̐͗̓͂̈́͂̈̇͆̒̈́̀̈́̿̀̑̏̒̓̓̐̄̃͋̊̋̍̓͊̑́̑̕̕̚͘͘̚͘̕̚̚̕͘͘̕̚̕͜͜͜͠͝͝͝͠͝͝͝͠͠͠͝͝͠͝͝͝ͅͅͅͅͅ
Though, It does make the lining somewhat difficult, so I think I'll stick to the mutilation for now.
Heh, close but no cigar. Though to be fair she didn't kill Jerry.
Yep, here's hoping. To that I raise a glass to it.
Thanks for writing Black cross0.
Well, that's that. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas and have New Years resolutions set up. Mine is to eat a carrot. (Not glamorous as most, but hey. At least I will complete it.) Now, I should try and get Jaune backstage. Think this performance took a bit out of him. Till then fav and fol the story. Leave a comment or question bellow and I'll answer them next time.
*Wombag was about to close when Jaune suddenly slouches up. He then creepily turn to Wombag. As he stares at Wombag the stage opens up behind the two revealing the entire RWBY Cast wearing Pallid Mask's.
… dude, you can stop now. I'm not in the mood for scares. Nor am I drunk for Anita Berber style party.
*As Wombag tries to get Jaune to stop the entire RWBY Cast surround Wombag and only now did he notice them. All wearing mask's and holding knifes.
… Um, can I presume that I have a choice in saying no to whatever you are planning?
*They remain quiet before Jaune slowly reaches up and removes the mask. Behind it was so horrifying that Wombag's right eye popped like a grape. Causing him to fall back in agony as the crowed quickly swarm around him and began going at him with jagged knifes. The last thing seen is Jaune's face. No facial features, just a hole with a Yellow sigh at the center. That symbol glows brightly as Wombags screams can be heard in the background while the view grew pitch black around the symbol. As the screams died away so did the symbol. The view then slowly lights up somewhere much different.
In Bellevue Hospital, in the early parts of the morning, a few days after New Years eve.
Jaune slept silently. He was still coming to grips what he saw the night Boulton had died. All those people dead. For this… Hastur guy. A man who is treated like a god, and is worshiped like one. Still, least he stopped her. If the Newspapers are to be believed Jaune's now a hometown hero. How he stopped a killer that NYPD's best could not catch. Course he kind of wished that they didn't published his name. Now he's being hounded by reporters all day. Each one constantly asking about his life before New York. It was getting so bad that his manager had to hire some mussel to keep Jaune from being hounded. As Jaune slept silently he was awoken by the sound of the wind tapping on his window. His eyes slowly open to see that the window in his hospital room was open, and by his stuff was a strange woman.
She was short brunet haired women in her thirties. How she managed to get in through his window… on the seventh floor, was beyond him. However, he did not like that she was going through his personal belongings on the other end of the room. As she mumbles something to herself Jaune Sit's up and turns on the light causing her to freeze.
"Um excuse me. But what are you doing?" Jaune asked as he sits up. The lady remains quiet for a few moments before slowly turning around.
"Um… just, taking your things… to the wash." The lady said with a big fake grin. Clearly seeing through that lie Jaune simply chucked it up to a crazy fan and decided to give her a head start.
"… uh huh. Just so you know, there are two guys outside this door. I'm sure they won't punch a lady but incase I'm wrong, I recommend going out the way you came." Jaune said as he motions to the window.
"(Sigh) Yeah. But can I at least get a few answers to some questions? I'm from the Arkham Gazette, and I was sent down here after a friend of mine saw your… big performance." The lady said as she pulled out a pen and pocket notebook.
"Oh so you're a reporter?" Jaune asked with a raised brow.
"Suzie Kempston. Pleaser to make your acquaintance Jaune. If that is not a stage name." The lady known as Suzie said with her hand out reach for a shake.
"No it's my birth name. Now, please get out. My manager already planned an interview session next week." Jaune said starting to get irritated that she is not leaving.
"Aw, but are you sure?" Suzie said as she sat at the side of Jaune's bed. She then let her finger walk up Jaune's good leg in a seductive manner. "I want an exclusive interview. And if you comply… maybe I can give you something in return."
She then booped his nose and gave a seductive pose with her leg. Jaune responds with a chuckle and a toothy grin before saying. "Heh, sorry. But no." Jaune then turned his head and was about to call the mussel in the hallway. Before he could, Suzie had placed her hand over his mouth.
"Alright, jeez. I get the memo. Seems all you blonds hate reporters." Suzie said as she let's go of Jaune.
"Well, when you fell onto a stage with a derange killer. You try being cheery." Jaune said sarcastically.
"… Fair enough. Least you won't go and break my nose like 'Iron Arm' Long. I'll be leaving you to rest. Sorry about this whole thing." Suzie said as she was about to leave. But before she could she felt Jaunes hand on her own. He had nearly fallen out of bed to grab her.
"Wait, Iron Arm, Long? As in, Yang Xiao Long? Blond hair, Lilac eyes? Missing a right arm and using a robotic arm. Um… very big, breast?" Jaune listed off a description of his friend's sister.
"Um, yeah… How do you know this woman?" Suzie said as she pulled out a photo from her inner coat. Jaune looked at it and sure enough the photo was Yang. Dressed in different clothes. With a pair of womens riding pants, and a trench coat. She was entering a shabby apartment but had turned around to look for someone.
"Monty almighty it is her." Jaune said as he leaned back in bed. He stared at the photo for a few moments before realizing that Suzie was staring at him. "Oh, we met in school. I… I'm trying to find her and a few friends that I lost touch with."
"Ah, well sad to say you won't like what happened to her. Unless she was a real trouble maker the last time you saw her." Suzie said sarcastically as she crossed her arms.
"What? For Monty's sake, what happened to Yang. Please tell me." Jaune begged. Seeing him do so caused Suzie to smirk.
"Oh, I will. But I want something in exchange." Suzie said with a smug look.
"What is it? I will pay anything." Jaune said with a serious look on his face.
"An interview. Exclusive, with few questions off limits." Suzie said as she held up her little pocket note book and pen.
"Fine. But first you must tell me everything." Jaune said as he points to a nearby chair. Happily agreeing she grabbed the chair and pulled it over before sitting down. She then begins to regale how she met 'Iron Arm Long'.
"Well, I first met Yang in Arkham. She was looking for last week's newspaper. The one detailing a break in at Miskatonic University." The view pulls sideways, past Jaunes bed and into the wall. It then pulled out into a new room that didn't look like a hospital room, but rather a back office somewhere else.
Arkham Massachusetts September 12th 1924, three months prior
Inside this dark makeshift office, a single fat figure sat silently at a table. He was a chubby Irish looking fellow. He was inspecting a golden gauntlet when a cargo door opened up. In walks a huge group of gangsters. Some were more bruised and bloodier than the others. They had within their hands two strangers. One man and another young woman. Both had a potato sack covering their heads as they struggled to break free from the mobsters. More mobsters were holding the female who had a bit more fight in her then the man. Sadly, neither one could break free from the group. They were dragged before the mob boss and forced down into the chairs. The mob boss gave a small nod and the bags came off, revealing Schmidt and Yang.
"Ah, well, well, well. If it isn't my good friends from Chicago. Jacob Schmidt and Yang Xiao Long." The mob boss said in a sarcastic greeting. "Got to say, I wasn't expecting you two to be the one's pushing the product this Far East."
"Well, what can I say… that's just business." Schmidt said in defiance, earning himself a shotgun stock to the face.
"Uh huh, well if it's all the same to you. I have to whacked the both of you for trespassing on my, 'business'." The mob boss said while making it clear he was holding a carpenter's hammer.
"True but do you really want to start a war with Al, McMurtry?" Schmidt asked, the goon was just about to bash his face again when Yang broke free. She quickly grabbed the shotgun and broke it in half. Tossing both pieces at the two more before delivering a knockout head butt. She would have fought on longer till the rest of the gangsters pulled out their guns and held it to Schmidt.
"Don't try anything lady. I may be crazy enough to fight that Chicago Dago. But I won't fight Yang 'Iron Arm' Xiao Long in a fair fight." The mob boss said as he gave an invite to sit back down. Yang have a furious stare at the Mob boss before returning to her seat.
The gangsters put down their arms and the meeting continued. "Now, I don't like you messing in my territory. However, with recent raids and some shady shit coming from Blackwater Marsh, I could use some, imported goods if you get what I'm saying."
"So you wish to propose a truce?" Schmidt asked with a raised brow.
"Yeah, but for me to trust yeah. I need a peace offering that won't upset Capone." The Mob boss said.
"Alright let us go and all is forgiven." Schmidt proposed.
"Uhp uhp, that there be my side of the peace treaty. What I need for this to work is a favor boy-O." The Mob boss said.
"Really now? Wouldn't been easier to ask us instead of sending your so-called tough guy?" Yang asked spitefully, getting an arise from a tall man. Before he could take a second step the mob boss held up his hand. The grunt gave an angry murmur before storming off in rage.
"I'll give you that lass, but don't try my patience. I can be real... unpleasant, when shit doesn't get done on time." The mob boss said as he illustrates his point by tapping a carpenter's hammer on the table. Yang lets out a small snarl but a single serious look from Schmidt told her to stop. He then looks back at the mob boss.
"(Sigh) Fine, what's this favor? Better not be something stupid like robbing the federal reserves." Schmidt asked as he rolls his eyes. The Mob Boss reached below his desk and pulls out a picture of a smug looking thief. He had black oily hair pulled back. A smug grin and a pointy nose. Looked like a real rat faced bastard.
"This here, is 'Sticky' Jack Fulton. Small time crook who owes me." The mob Boss said as he points to picture.
"How much?" Yang asked as she gets a good look at the photo.
"That's the thing." The Mob Boss started before standing up and walking over to a shelf filled with imported liquors. "I don't know what he owes."
"Well that really helps." Schmidt remarks sarcastically before the mob boss finishes.
"What I do know is that some bastard paid him to steal three things in a single night. Problem is, he didn't cough up my… permission fee. A little tax everyone pays for operating in my territory." The Mob Boss explains as he pours himself some Irish whiskey.
"So you want us to shake him down for the cash?" Yang asked with a brow raised.
"No, that twerp has done me wrong one, too many times." The Mob Boss said before pausing to take a sip. "I want him iced, and what he stole brought to me."
"... Fine." Schmidt said begrudgingly. "But let me make something crystal clear. If this is a trap or some kinda fuck up. I will bash your brains out with your own hammer."
The Mob boss was unfazed by this threat. He simply finished his drink before setting his glass aside. "... Very well, you two have a week to find him before I get... impatient."
The Mob Boss said before nodding his head to the gangsters. They then toss the bag back onto the two heads before leading them out. Along the way one grabbed ahold of Yang's gauntlet. Once gone a single mobster spoke up.
"Is it wise, boss? I mean putting aside the fact that we have to work with that filthy mongrel fucker and his chink bitch. But once Capone gets word that we grabbed his best he will send his worse after us." The mobster said nervously.
"Yeah, well something doesn't feel right." The Mob Boss said as he sits down on a bar stool.
"What do you mean?" The Mobster asked.
The Mob Boss turns to the Gangster and spoke in a nervous tone. As he spoke, the view slowly pulls down. As it slowly pulls down, the scene changes from the Mob Boss office to a flat room. "Well, it could be a feeling, maybe instinct, hell could just be my mind playing tricks. But something just feels off. Like that deal with those Owt twins. Or that business in Blackwater. Hell, I would dare even say it feels similar to the strange o'l days outside of Arkham. You know the one next to that ungodly hearth."
As he pause from his narration the scene of the flat becomes clearer. The living room was torn to sunder, completely ransacked in nature. Next to a few papers was burn marks in the shape of two adult males. Above that was a man in raggedy clothes huddled in the corner of the room. As he held himself rocking back an forth, he stops as ghastly sounds begin to emulate from the door. He slowly turns around revealing himself to be the thief, 'Sticky' Jack Falconer. As he looks outward at the origin of the sound, his eyes slowly grow wide in fear. He lets out a panic shriek, but it was masked by a loud otherworldly roar of something... maddeningly impossible.
Play "Gat Rirzy's Continuance Cube - Song" By Scary Story Time With Liam.
The view cuts, In the black void we see the last comic book standing. After a few moments, a new comic book falls on top of the last issue. In the front art was Schmidt and Yang on a bullet ridden car, with an unknown body on the ground. Schmidt was sitting on the hood of a car with a sawed-off double barrel cracked open pointing at the ground. Beside him is Yang, leaning against the side with a tommy gun pointed up with smoke emulating from it. The side holding the bubbles of main protagonist and above the story, reading.
RWBY NOIR
Missed Dues
STARING:
Yang 'Iron Arm' Xiao Long: The girl with no past.
Jacob Schmidt: Capone's top Bootlegger.
Suzie Kempston: Arkham's best reporter.
