Chapter 6
Back to school
Week 1: Day 5
(Johnathan's POV)
Note to self, never go shopping with Coco, she WILL use me as a pack mule. Velvet didn't seem to mind as much, but then again she knew Coco longer and has gotten use to it. Now I know how my housecarl felt when I was in Skyrim. Another note to self, pay Lydia a lot more for her not complaining. Now Rhody and I were in our bunks, fast asleep. Rhody is more then likely dreaming of ponies and rainbows, me on the other hand. I got the regular night terrors that refuse to leave me alone. I just want to forget those memories and let the past stay where they belong. Tossing turning in my sleep has become a regular thing, sometimes I feel like I am reliving the pain all over again, my night terrors are part of the reason why I can't get a good night's sleep anymore.
(Dream world)
Tamriel, 2 years ago
I was currently tied to a mossy stone wall by iron chains, Stripped almost naked and with blood caked all over me, most of it not my own. Thalmor captured me for who knows how many accounts of murder (Bastards had it coming), three accounts of trespassing, talos worship (absolutely no idea where they got that from), and one for lollygagging. Greedy elven bastards started it by raping and killing my Twi'lek companion, Alcylone Starblast, in front of me while I was paralyzed. One thing led to another, then another, then I just completely lost it and slaughtered as many of them as I can get my hands on, I didn't care about documenting or Intel gathering or the balance of this sector, I want them to pay in blood for depriving me of yet another friend and companion. Forget the exact number I killed, high fifties to low sixties I think.
My bare chest was shown, surgical and battle scars littered all over. Most notable was three claw marks across my upper chest. Plenty of old plasma burns and projectile wounds, few fresh cuts from struggling to get free. Room was dimly lit from a single torch, bloody tools of torture littered the floor around me, jackasses got me pretty badly, yet Serena's short 'Justin Bieber phase' was a lot worse then anything these idiots can pull on me. Robotic arm covered my entire right side up to my bicep. Top part was to ensure the arm wouldn't pop off easily, underneath is what make me control it. Various buses and ports all along the numb of what was my arm.
"Who do I have today to play with today?" A sinister voice rang as a midnight black robed figure walked it. I can see my armor and weaponry behind him in a neat pile. They are organized, I'll give then that. The being was easily as tall as I was, pointed ears so he was an elf, yellowish skin so he was with the Thalmor most likely, deep brown eyes that held so much hatred for me. I sneered as he casually walked in, hands behind his back. Aura of control radiating from him. "You got some pretty interesting weapons here." He said picking up on of my energy swords and activating it. "Never seen anything quite like them. Craftsmanship is remarkable, not even the Deadra have weapons like this." He complimented I guess as he walked toward me. "This will be over quick and painlessly if you answer a few simple questions. Where did you get them from? Who made them?" He asked slowly.
"The weapons from your sister, the armor from your wife, the metal arm from Talos." I replied chuckling. His face scrunched up as he threw my sword aside and stabbed me with a flaming dagger just below my ribs. My chest felt like a star is trying to explode inside, but my body won't let it. He pulled it out and forced me to look into his eyes, squeezing down on my skull.
"I don't got the patients for your smart-ass remarks. Just answer the damn question so I can kill you and be done with this. Where did you get those weapons?" He asked again with a lot more noticeable venom oozing into his words, I must of hit a sensitive nerve.
"Your sister gave them to me, remember? That was a fun night, who knew she was into that weird shit. Never looking at a conjuration mage the same way again. So many tentacles, didn't know so many could fit inside a woman. Don't even get me started on how tight her ass was somehow after all that, i thought my dick was in a vice. Never underestimating the power of magic in the bedroom again." I replied smiling again from my own crappy insults. I was going to die anyway, might as well go out laughing, even if I am the only one laughing at my own cheap humor. He slammed my head to the back of the wall this time and clocked me across the jaw. Hurt but nothing I ain't use to. He got up and grabbed my sword again. He activated it and held the plasma blade millimeters away from my neck. Heat searing the short hairs as it was nearly pressed against my throat.
"You killed several of my friends today, I will see to it that they will be avenged. But first I need to know where did you get them from. If you say my sister again I will slice your fucking head off and mount it on my wall." He threatened.
"Alright then, I got them from your wife. You sadistic, dick-less, cheese brained,bastard." I replied using every insult i can think of. He plunged the flaming blade deep into my leg. This time my leg felt like someone injected a fresh batch of napalm into my muscles. I had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from screaming. He took the blade away from my neck but kept the dagger in my leg while stabbing my arm with the sword. I bit down harder as the searing hot plasma burned its way though my arm. Mostly the tip but doesn't make it any less painful going in. . . bow chicka bow wow. He yanked the sword out of my arm and threw it aside with my armor.
"I'll ask one more time before I get angry. Where. Did. You. Get. The. Damn. Gear?" He asked slowly as he twisted the dagger with every syllable. I held in my screams and shut my eyes. I hope Davian is having a better time then me right now.
"Found them in a dwarven ruin. Just casually strolling through, ht my head on a pipe, woke up and they were there." I lied. He wouldn't believe me so might as well make it up. Unfortunately he caught on and zapped me with the lightning. Every fiber in my body ached in pain, I could feel every megawatt course though my veins, the area around the arm took the worst of it. I even started to smell flesh burn. Still been through worse
"WHERE DID YOU GET THEM!" He yelled.
"Out of your mother's ass." Another blast of lightning coursed though me.
"WHERE!"
"Go fuck a Falmor harlot." Another blast.
"WHERE!"
"Over my dead body." Another blast. This time he didn't stop. Just kept pumping more and more into me, causing me to bite my tongue harder. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth as I bit harder to not scream. The pain is indescribable. Everywhere hurt and I can swear I smell flesh cooking. Not even a sith pumped me full of this much lightning. The pain was too much, I let out a blood curdling scream as he kept pumping me with more bolts. Laughing as the pain over took my body and I blacked out screaming in agony.
(Reality)
RWBY-verse, beacon dorms
I bolted upright from my bed screaming like I was still being electrocuted, still in my combat suit. Rhody shrieked in surprise as she fell, face first, out of her bed while in her pink footie pajamas. I was breathing heavily and irregularly, bed was drenched in sweat. Heart was going a million miles a minute, I look around to everything was still the same. Another night terror.
"It was just a dream, it was just a dream." I repeated to myself quietly brushing my human hand through my hair. Robot one resting on the nightstand beside my bunk. I look at the clock beside my arm, '3:27am', oh I can tell a lot of people aren't going to be happy about this wake up call. Rhody groaned as she got up.
"You okay John? What happened?" She asked wit her voice full of deep concern.
"Nothing Rhody. It was. . . just another nightmare." I replied holding my head. "I swear they are getting more realistic by the night." I told myself softly. I tried to repress that memory for the past two years, Why did it have to show up again? Which divine being did I piss off bad enough to deserve this hell?
"Was it the troodons again?" I shook my head. "Flood?" Same response. "Really don't want to talk about it?" Nodded my head pulling a bit of hair out. She got up beside me and held me in a deep embrace. "It's okay John." She replied cradling me. Normally if someone tried this on me, I would push them away and try to bury that memory under a glass of scotch, hell for this particular one the whole bottle. But I just can't bring myself to it, one reason is because I don't have a bottle on me. Rhode did this all the time back during our time with Freelancer; Few of them did, even Carolina in her own way (went somewhere along the lines of her saying 'don't let your past control who you are, learn from it to make a better tomorrow' and had me take a few sleeping pills). South didn't care either way and normally threw a pillow at me. Maine tried in his own way to help, usually letting me borrow his teddy bear.
Agent Maine; The Meta. Toughest, strongest, merciless, and scariest fucking mute in the known multiverse, sleeps with a teddy bear. He claims it is to remember his childhood and what he is fighting to protect, but I say other wise with how fondly he held it. He isn't a bad person once one gets to know him, as long as they be respectful and keep their distance when he is having a bad day . . . . . or even a mildly bad one. Just when Rhode started to hum some tune I can't put my finger on, Nora kicked down the door army style and was wielding a frying pan like a weapon. Wood fragments flew as she essentially busted though the lock. Just how strong is this woman?!
"What happened, I heard someone scream! Who's in trouble!" She yelled waving the pan around like she was prepared to hit something with it, wearing pink heart shorts (At lest I hope they are shorts) and a black shirt that read 'Boop'. Well my neighbors are at lest concerned, far more then I can say for some people I've meet and traveled with. She looked at me and Rhode for a bit before lowering the frying pan. "Did I interrupt something?"
"No Nora. I had a really bad memor. . . a bad dream, Rhode was just comforting me. Just need to take my medication and I'll be fine." I replied. Thank god I came across those pills in the Halo-verse. They help me sleep and keep the night terrors at bay. Spartan III's of gamma company take them to keep their minds from deteriorating I think. Just need to take them once a day. To save trips I only take them when absolutely necessary. Think I got half the bottle left? No idea if I can get more here, is Miso-olanzapine even legal here? Do they even make it or know what it is?
"Oh okay. False alarm Ren, was just a nightmare! No need to get out 'Leg-breaker' tonight!" She announced to pretty much everyone in the dorms. Well now I am a 100% sure Nora is a psychopath underneath her cheerful exterior. I don't even want to know what the 'leg-breaker' is, probably a big hammer or baseball bat with nails in it. What kind of weapon does she fight with again?
"That's all fine and handy, tell the boogeyman I said to leave him alone before I come after him. Some of us prefer to not be half dead during class, so would you kindly Go! To! Sleep! Nora!" A voice I remember as Weiss replied loudly with an audible door slam, guess she is my neighbor too. Well Princess next door obviously isn't a morning person, then again anyone being woken up by pain filled screaming at 3am would be cranky too. I forced myself out of bed to get my medication.
"I'll be fine, see you in class later Nora." I replied opening the pocket on my suit and taking out a orange pill bottle.
"Okay, good night John, well I guess this will technically be morning. . ."
"Nora!"
"See you in class guys!" She replied happily skipping out. I swear that woman is on some serious drugs to stay this happy and peppy even at 3am. But what ever she is on, I want some. Twisting the cap I shook out one of the little red pills, smaller then a dime, into my hand and swallowed it. Tasted a bit like strawberries when they hit my tongue, no idea why.
"You sure those pills work?" Rhode asked.
"Been working for me so far, no need to question them now." I replied curling up back in my bed. "I'm heading back to sleep, who knows what awaits us tomorrow." Oh it feels so good to be in a fluffy bed again. I almost instantly fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, This time it was a dreamless few hours, only side effect of the pills. But one I can live with.
It was already 8:07am. Me and Rhody were jogging around the school in our under armor suits, few other students had the same idea but paid us no mind. It was partly for fun, partly for sport, mostly to keep us in shape to stop me from growing soft and getting fat. Even though my highly enhanced metabolism prevents me from getting fat to begin with, it's still good to run on occasion. I must say that this school is magnificently well built, even went past the area I first arrived in. The orange partical clouds were long gone, but I can't help but feel like I missed one. Oh well, no use worrying about it now. We kind of trekked our way to our dorm. Both drenched in sweat.
"I call dibs on the shower first." Rhode claimed as she nearly jumped over me and raced to the shower. I was about to point out she forgot a few things, but she beat me too it and grabbed a uniform the school provided for us wear during class. I was surprised they had a set in my size. Not many places have clothes for people almost seven foot. They really weren't that great. Just a green fancy suit and tie with brown pants. Pretty simple and easy to remember. Of course if I know Elizabeth by now, she'll more then likely decorate her uniform with jeweled studs that spell out who knows what.
Well since she's going to be a while, I might as well check out what classes are when and what to expect again. Closest one starts at 9 so I know we have time. Might want to give myself a few extra minutes to account for us getting lost.
About 40 minutes later
This was one of the few times I'll willingly be out of my combat suit or armor, all though I still kept one energy sword hooked to my belt at all times; just in case. The uniform was surprisingly comfortable. Elizabeth and I are currently walking down some hall to find our first class. Rhode wanted to attend classes too so Ozpin kind of pulled a few strings and let her. Man he must be a puppet master for how many strings he pulls for me and Rhode. We kind of skipped breakfast so we can be on time. Why she wants to go back to school is beyond me. Perhaps just as something to do.
"What do you think 'Grimm study' means?" Rhody asked looking at her schedule. Well if what Ozpin says is true, then I think they are something this academy is training to fight against. I have no clue what a Grimm is, maybe this class will help solve that problem. Maybe Velvet can help answer that.
"Hell if I know. We just got here." I replied accidentally bumping into someone and knocking them down, scattering papers and books. "So sorry ma'am." I apologized helping pick up some of the books on the floor.
"It's okay, I should look were I'm going more often." a familiar voice replied. I look up to see Velvet. Speak of the devil, there she is.
"Hey Velv." I greeted handing her the books I picked up. "Quick question. Which way is Oobleck's history class at?"
"I'm on my way there. You were going the wrong way." She replied smiling. Thank god I made some allies here. "Hey Elizabeth. Looking for Oobleck's class to?"
"No someone called Mr. Port. Any idea where he is?" She asked, appearing to restrain herself from petting some random Faunus's ears. I'm not affected because I know that human hybrids, Anthropomorphic beings, and furry like beings all value their 'extra parts' with pride and don't let random people touch them. But also all depends on which world one is in as well. A animal like being from an Anime world maybe more lenient on strangers touching their 'extra parts' than a animal hybrid from a book world or game world. Khajiit from Skyrim are a prime example. Many are not too fond of being pet like a cat and will get pissed. Now the Anime worlds are a completely different subject all together. Again it varies from world to world, but over all I would expect either a fight or a busy night. There is rarely a in between from what a few co-workers bragged on about.
"Down the hall behind me, first door on your left. Word of advice; Smile, nod, and agree. You'll keep your sanity a lot longer. He is well known to go in hour long rants about his many 'adventures' when he was younger."
"Thanks." Rhody thanked as she bolted down the hall. Well with less then 5 minutes to find your class, I don't blame her. Then again I missed the last 4 years of school thanks to my sister's clever hacking and government intervention. Back when I didn't have a care in the world and loved my life, good times.
"Wow she runs fast." Velvet commented.
"Pttth. That's nothing, you should see her when it's Taco Tuesday. She'd put a cheetah to shame." I added chuckling a bit. "Which way was history again?" I asked looking around.
"Just follow me, it's my first class anyway." She replied. "It would be a lot easier on both is us."
"Lead the way Madam Scarlatina." I replied in a British butler accent. She just giggled a bit and lead me toward the first class. With a friend like her, how bad can this place really be?
"Good morning class." A man I remembered as Professor Oobleck greeted zipping around the room at speeds I can't even keep up with. "Today we'll be learning about the Faunus rights revolution..."
Well I was wrong with my earlier accusation. I forgot how boring school really is. Well I better listen well if I wish to survive. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Room looked like a amphitheater, only add a blackboard with maps and red line to it and enclosed. Teacher must be trying to look for the Illuminati or something with a map looking like that. Or finding clues to when Half life 3 is coming out. I was next to Velvet because if two reasons.
A.) She is the only person in the room I know and trust. JNPR seems nice but I don't know them too well to make a head/tails decision on them yet. Don't see anyone else from CFVY so Velvet is the only one I know well enough to trust and like.
B.) She is pretty close to the teacher so I don't have to spend too much time trying to get noticed if I have a question. If this is history class, then I'll be lost and not know what is going on half the time because I don't have the basic history knowledge of this place. I better come up with a excuse beforehand or learn fast. Know how I'm going to spend my weekend now.
Damn can this man talk fast and move fast. It's like he teleports or something. What is in that coffee of his? Must be really good cocaine if he's moving that fast with no noticeable ill effects. Is cocaine even illegal here? Does it even exist here? Why am I even thinking about it? I should be focusing. He stopped rambling and moving to take another sip from his bottomless coffee cup.
"Now, have any among you have been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?" He asked, snapping me out of my train of thought and looking around a bit. How long was I zoned out? A person behind the whole class with wolf ears raised his hand. Velvet raised her hesitantly next. All while some jock looking fellow was looking at his nails with his feet on top of the thingy, guess it is a ledge, above Jaune who looked half asleep. Something about that guy strikes me as 'he's an asshole'. The way he holds himself, the way he is acting right now, he's setting off every 'he's big trouble' alarm in my head, and it has yet to be wrong. Not even Maine set off as many alarms as this guy did. Then again I hardly know the guy, I'll give him a chance to prove my gut wrong.
"Dreadful simply dreadful! Remember students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence." He lectured taking another sip of coffee. Seriously how much can that tiny cup hold? "I mean, I mean, I mean look at what happened to the White fang!" Okay now it is time for one of my questions. Just the mention of that name set off even more warnings in my gut, must be bad news. I raised my hand. "Yes Mr. Grey, you have a question?"
"I'm probably going to sound like the biggest idiot in the room for asking this, but what is or who are the 'White Fang'?" I asked. Well now I can feel every pair of eyes in the room, besides Velvet and the teacher's, directed right at me. Was it something I said?,
"What rock have you been living under?" Weiss asked.
Smartass mode: On
"Somewhere in the middle of Death Valley for a month or two. Scorching heat during the day, blistering cold during the night, little to no rainfall all year. Not a sign of civilization for miles on end. Had to eat mega mutated scorpions and drink putrid water to survive while always being under attack from drugged up bandits or mutated monsters. Dang bugs left a nasty aftertaste in my mouth. But they do make a good casserole if one knows how to cook them right. Does that provide enough of an answer to your question Heiress?" I replied with my voice laced heavily in sarcasm. Her expression was priceless, was somewhere between 'Holy shit I didn't expect that' and 'Gross'. Don't ask stupid questions if you don't want stupid answers. Yes that did happen to me sort of. Replace death valley with the Mohave Desert in Fallout. They do taste terrible if one doesn't season them with a little mint and sage. Maybe marinated with a little prickly pair fruit juice. Taste like chicken if one cooks it good enough.
"Disregarding Mister Grey's previous statement. The White Fang use to be a peaceful protest group for Faunus rights, but they grew more violent in recent years when a new leader stepped into power. Such a shame really, I always liked joining the peaceful rallies and seeing some old friends." He explained. Okay makes much more sense now. Like with a LOT of groups though out history back home, none of whom I will mention because I don't have Google with me to look them up to be sure it is right. I need to remember to brush up on history when I get back home. I got a long list of shit to do when I get home. "We'll get to them more in depth later within the year. I understand your new to the area but please do brush up on some of your history in your spare time. One must learn from the past to predict the future. Now, any more questions?"
"No sir." I replied. Smartass mode: off
"Good, now which one of you scallions can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the war?" He asked. Well I obviously don't know shit here so now is the best time to try to blend into the background. Well the green haired teacher found someone and called on them.
"The battle at Fort castle." Weiss replied with pride. Seriously, Fort Castle? I won't judge but could these people come up with more, I don't know, more creative names? Well if they really want to go by that name then by all means go ahead. I'll be building a snow fort on Hoth to keep the Wampa distracted while a few rebels cough up the credits they owe me. Last time I try to steal Han's star ship keys as collateral. Chewie almost ripped my arm off to get them back. Must really love that bucket of rust and bolts. Iconic star ship but I wouldn't trust my life flying in it. I'll take my chances stealing a Tie fighter from the Empire.
"Precisely, and who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?" He asked still zooming around at insane speeds.
"How do you keep up with this guy?" I whispered to Velvet.
"Read ahead in the text book and keep a record his lectures to review later at a slower speed." She whispered back showing me her scroll. Well that is a brilliant way to take notes. Especially when the teacher talks a mile a minute. I should bring my Helmet next time, after I get around to fixing it. I'll do that after last period. I look out of the corner of my eye to see the guy I pinged at a douchebag furthered my suspicions by flicking a paper football at Jaune's head. Causing the half asleep blond to wail his arms around a bit and say something along the lines of 'hey'. Before I could even blink, Oobleck was in front of the unprepared Jaune.
"Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?" He asked the poor lad. I can't help him out even if I wanted to. Maybe Velvet would know.
"Before you ask, It's night vision. Most faunus can see perfectly well in the dark." She whispered. Well that makes sense now. Explains how Velvet could see me almost perfectly the other night. I let out a sigh in relief.
"And here I thought I was the only one." I whispered joking a bit.
"Wait you got perfect night vision too?" She asked still whispering.
"All part of a few surgeries I underwent few years ago. Let's just say I was in a lot of pain when I woke up the next morning, and I can't stress that enough." I replied. I can still feel the side effects of the augmentation some days. When I look back at everything I done, everyone I saved/killed, everything/everyone I lost, I wonder 'was it all worth it in the end'? Then when I look at my baby girl and my sister, the answer is a yes.
"...Had over the other guy's stuff..." Jaune continued to answer hopelessly. He knows he can just say 'I don't know, please explain' and not risk looking like a complete fool. I look behind me to see Pyrrha using her hands to make them loo like binoculars over her eyes, with Jaune's line of sight right at her. Oh please don't pick the obvious wrong answer blondie. "Uhh. . .Binoculars." I hit my head on the ledge as the class room filled with laughter, I look up to see Velvet do the same, as well as a black haired girl smacking her head. Okay Jaune, you are a trip that is for sure. While Nora is a drug trip that keeps you wondering what just happened.
"Very funny! Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!" He asked.
"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal then a soldier." He replied smugly. Yep, He's a douchebag, my gut wasn't wrong. Alright, I stayed quite for too long. Time to chip my two cents into the mix.
"That is bullshit!" I yelled standing up, slamming my hands on the table in front of me, causing it to crack and splinter.
"Mr. Grey, Language!" Oobleck scolded.
"Sorry just couldn't restrain myself when someone makes such an idiotic comment like that. I've beaten with my own arm for less. Hell I, myself, have beaten idiots with their own skulls for a whole lot less. . . " I replied crossing my arms.
"That doesn't seem physically possible." Cardin interrupted.
"That's exactly what their last gurgled words usually were." I answered looking him directly in the eye "Let me tell you a little story. About a year ago, I was in a quiet little place named Lute Village, back to back with a Racoon dem. . Faunus named Raphtalia. Both of us only armed with our swords, my armor in the shop, wearing only basic hide to cover my butt. We were completely surrounded by monsters, both of us exhausted from hours of non-stop fighting. I trusted with my life to watch my back, and she trusted me to watch hers. She was knocked down by a large bear monster, I threw myself on it and sliced it up like a glaze ham. By the end of the fight I was occupied with several wolf like breasts and this damn dragon ran up on me. Bastard bit down on my left shoulder straight to the bone. Before it could move to my head, Raphtalia ran up and stabbed it though the chest with one of my swords." I replied moving part of my school uniform away to revile the jagged bite wound. Velvet let out a gasp and covered her mouth at the site before I covered it up again. "When your out there in the real world, fighting every day just to survive. You learn quick to care less about what someone is, and more about who they really are." I replied sitting down, As usually Nora look ready to ask a question from behind Pyrrha. "No Nora, I won't show you how to pop someone's skull out while they're still alive. Rather tricky to do." She closed her mouth. "Sorry for that little out burst sir, continue."
"That was a . . . interesting story Mr. Grey. Let's move on with the lesson. Pyrrha! You have something you would like to share on the subject?" Oobleck asked. This was going to be a long unexpected vacation, more then likely unpaid. At lest it can't get any worse.
2 hours later
I WAS WRONG! Oh so very wrong! It can get so much worse! Currently sitting in the same style room as before, no map this time, just pictures of some of the animals I fought yesterday, and a shaking box off to the side, I don't want to know what is inside. This time the teacher is a fat man with a cool mustache was ranting on about his childhood, its always the fat ones. Dear gods this is high school all over again! Is this Karma for skipping a few years to explore the multiverse? I must of pissed off some really powerful god, did I remember to disarm the charges in Aphrodite's closet before I left? No, this is way beyond her rein of control. More then likely someone higher up in terms of power. Great, one teacher talks too fast an the other never stops. God help me if I wish to survive this new hell I put myself in. I look to my left to see Pyrrha to my left nodding and agreeing to the teacher. My right was the black haired girl from earlier, no idea why they were by me of all people. Ruby and Weiss were off to the side, with Ruby bored doodling something and Weiss ready to strangle her.
"You're Johnathan right?" The black haired one asked keeping her voice down. Her cat like amber eyes looking at me with curious content. Her eyes kind of remind me of Elaia a bit. Must be a coincidence.
"Yep. And you're. . ." I replied sort of asking her name.
"Blake. I just had a few questions regarding your story from earlier." She asked.
"I don't mind, ask away." I replied as the fat man down below began to talk about something called a Death Stalker.
"Before you corrected yourself when saying Faunus, what were you going to say?" She asked. I had to think about this one for a little bit.
"I was going to say Demi-human, a term people in that region to refer to Faunus. I corrected myself because I don't know if some people here take offense to the term, and I didn't want to give jackass any ammo to use. I'm sorry if I offended anyone." I said partially lying. Demi-human is a term people of that sector use to refer to humans with animal like traits. Only from what I've seen Demi-humans tend to have more animal like traits than Faunus. Raphtalia has both the racoon ears and tail, while as far as I know, Velvet only has rabbit ears. Blake looked at me and blinked for a minute.
"That's a new term I've never before." She said to herself quietly. I almost would have missed it were it not for my augmented hearing. "Thank you for clarifying that." She said to me. I was going to reply back but the fat man decided now was a good time to notice I existed
"Now I understand we have a new student. Johnathan Grey if I'm reading this right." He said looking at his scroll with one hand, the other had a weird blunderbust/axe combo weapon. Seriously... He's been rambling for the past half hour and just now noticed he has a new student? Well at lest he got my name right, I'll give him brownie points for that. "Mind telling us a bit about yourself." Now the Freelancer in me kicked in. Back straightened out so I stood upright in my seat, still towering over those around me. I begun reciting a common introduction I memorized. Military heavy worlds are a lot more common then one would think.
"Johnathan Ian Grey. Ex-Elite Special Forces, Sergent 'Agent Ohio'. Ex-Leader of 'Beta Squad' from Project Freelancer. Serial number 02309-67743-JG. One year of military service, twelve missions, at least 1200 confirmed kills during that time. I'm specialized in close quarters and heavy weapons. Use a heavily modified ARC-920 railgun named Arcflash, duel plasma swords named Truth and Reconcile, two desert eagle pistols from my father, and twin trench knives for situations requiring more elegance. Trained outside the kingdoms and learned to fight the hard way." I replied reciting the serial number Freelancer gave me from memory. I slunk back into my seat, ignoring the stares from everyone around me. From what I'm told, Atlas is military heavy. What I picked up and learned from Freelancer will actually help my story greatly. Pyrrha and Blake both slowly turned their heads to me with eyes wide, as well as several other wide stares at me.
"Twelve hundred. . . in a year. . . How?" Pyrrha asked.
"Clustered enemies and explosives tend to make up a bulk of it. Also heavy machine guns and never ending waves slamming into your position. Oh lord that was a long day." I answered
"That's . . quite an impressive arsenal you carry, and a equally impressive kill count if true. Almost rivals my own from my youth. Your initiation yesterday was quite impressive. I can't remember the last time someone used a Deathstalker corpse to crush their foes. May I ask you come up and give us a demonstration for how you dispatch your foes." He asked tapping the box to his right , resulting in said box shaking violently. Well I talked the talk, now it's time to back up my word.
"Okay, let's go." I said getting up from my seat and begun heading down to the teacher. Said teacher looked rather surprised to see
"Uhh. . don't you want to get in your armor, or get your weapon before you fight?" Pyrrha asked.
"More often that not I'm not 100% ready before I find yourself in a fight for my life. This will be no different" I said reaching the center of the class room and turned to face the box.
"At least have a weapon at the ready." Port said "My teaching methods may be unorthodox. But I'd feel better knowing you ain't fighting bare handed with something that can kill you." I reached down and pulled my energy sword off my belt and showed it to them. "I don't see how that is a. . . " He didn't even finish his sentence before I flicked it, igniting the blade. Out the corner of my eye i see Ruby smacking Weiss, pointing to the sword. Looking all to eager to see my baby in action. I turned to face the box with the fat end of blade in a guarded stance to my chest. What ever is in there, I give it two minutes max before it's mince meat. "Alright then, let's see that beauty in action." The fat man said hefting his weird axe weapon up and brought it down on the lock holding the box.
Inside was one of the weird rabid boar things. It snorted and screeched as it charged toward me. I moved to the side and swung my sword,severing it's tusks at a 45 degree angle. The beast screeched in as it skid to a stop. I turned to face it again with my blade extended toward it. It curled up in a ball, and rolled toward me a lot like a droideka. Well time to employ my favorite tactic. I began running toward the beast, jumped out of the way just before it could hit me, and I turned and let the beast's own momentum to have it slice itself with my blade. It went flying in two parts across the class room, flopping uselessly as it began to smoke away.
"Target down." I say deactivating my blade and turned to the rest of the class. Most of which were completely wide eyed with Ruby in a silent fan girl like scream. Well so much for trying to lay low.
One hour later
I winced as Jaune flew to the other side of the arena and hit the wall. His opponent was Yang, who from what I seen hits like a fucking tank, smiling away as she reloaded her shotgun gauntlets. Well this was a unfair fight from the beginning. All Jaune had was a sword and collapsible shield, no real counter-offense against ranged opponents. Granted yang's weapon choice was more meant for close quarters with some range function from what I can see. Maybe this was his style, look weak and pathetic at first to lure your opponent into a false sense of pride, then strike back hard when they least expect it. I would admit, he would have had me fooled. He must be a really good actor to be failing this badly and make it look genuine, or he's just really terrible in a fight. I'll go with the acting option to keep the glass half full. I winced again as he got a uppercut to the jaw and was knocked to the ground with a hard thump. That has to hurt, he'll definitely be feeling that in the morning. Before Yang could go any farther an alarm blared signaling the match was over. Okay maybe he realized he went too far on the acting and is trying to throw off future opponents. Thinking ahead of the game, I can respect that.
"Ms. Xiao Long, I recommend toning down the brutality of your strikes when against other students, medical ward can only hold so many at a time. Mr. Arc once again you need to gauge your Aura meter every now and again to know whether it's a good time to slow down, make better use of your strikes, and when to switch to defense." Ms. Goodwitch commented to both of them. We were standing in the middle of a arena like building. Everyone was in their combat cloths. Me and Rhody were in our Freelancer armor. Yang helped Jaune up, He gladly accepted as they walked back to the crowd of students.
"Now the next match is..." The wheel on the giant screen tarted spinning two columns of people. Interesting way of pairing people for a fight. Forces the combatants to adjust to new strategy and to improve their own to combat the unforeseeable. Clever. The first wheel stopped on a picture of my helmet. "Johnathan Grey and..." The second one stopped. "Cardin Winchester. Combatants take your positions." She ordered.
"Good luck." Rhode wished. I handed her my swords so I won't be tempted to use them. I rather not dismember him on the first day. I quickly jogged up to the arena. On the other side was Cardin in a set of armor that looks a bit like something a castle knight would wear with a gold bird on the front, well chest piece wise anyway. Wielding a nasty looking mace, obviously a Juggernaut type of fighter. Which translated to hard hitting but slow attacks. Recovery from said attacks would take a while.
"Because Mr Grey has no Aura, the fight will continue as I see fit." Goodwitch informed as me and Cardin stared each other down. Funny, he looks nothing like other Winchesters I know. All though I highly doubt Sam and Dean ever managed to make it to another universe.
"This will be too easy." Cardin taunted hefting the mace over his shoulder and smiled tauntingly.
"Against someone like you, it will be." I say getting into a basic boxing stance. I got the advantage in several aspects. Superior training, superior armor, biologically augmented, more combat experienced.
"Begin." Goodwitch ordered. As soon as the last syllable left her lips, Cardin came barreling toward me ready to swing his mace. This kid is too predictable. Once he got close enough I ducked under his mace swing, grabbed him by the arm and waist, flipped him over me and threw him to the ground. I reeled my bionic fist back and slammed it down where his chest should have been. He moved aside as my fist made contact with the ground, cracking the stone beneath it. He kicked up and caught my helmet, making me stumble back a few inches. He got back up and swung his mace, I reached my arm out and caught it mid swing, sending a punch of my own across his jaw. Knocking him back enough for me to send a hard kick to his chest. He skid across the ground for a few seconds before getting up. He held his jaw side to side before spitting out a tooth. Silence filled the air as we stared one another down once more.
"Okay, Now I'm mad!" He yelled in rage and began to charge me once more. This time I went on the offense and went running toward him. Just before we could meet I went into a slide, fired off my grappling hook that hooked onto his mace. I pulled it hard as I slide by his legs, making him stumble and release his mace. I jumped up in a fluid motion and grabbed said mace by the handle with both hands, taking it into a swing as he turned to me, hitting him dead in the chest with his own mace. What ever was in that mace, it exploded in a rather impressive lightning cloud as he went back a few feet from the force of the explosion. I skid back looked back at him as he picked himself up.
"That all you got? I've seen better fights from old drunks." I taunted throwing the mace behind me getting back in a boxing stance. He did not like that and ran toward me once more. He doesn't learn does he. I had my fun, time to end this. I ran toward him once more fainting a punch while readying my foot. He was focused on dodging my punch he tried to move to the left, only for my titanium boot augmented by my Spartan like strength flying straight to his family jewels with a loud resounding crunch. I can hear everyone in the audience wince and recoil at the strike to the privates. Yang commenting how that had to hurt. Some type of a scarlet field around him completely shattered when my foot made contact. He went flying up a good three meters and fell to the ground little under a meter from me, groaning in agony as he held his groin like it would help the pain. All though it sounded less like a groan and more like a high pitch yowl. Total fight time, maybe two minutes. "Never underestimate your opponent." I say as he tried to get up but fell back down due to the sheer pain he was in. I can hear Goodwitch scolding me for using such a 'cheap and dirty move' as I reached down and picked Cardin up by the back of his armor, then threw him over my shoulder like he was a sack of flour. At least I am sportsman enough to pick up my opponents after nearly neutering him. "Which way to the medical ward?"
Two hours later
Ah, lunch period. Always my favorite part of school, only part I never liked about it was the cardboard tasting goop I use to have for a school lunch. I was walking down the halls talking to Rhode. Both of us were still in our armor. Apparently this place only had four classes, I won't complain. Less crap I need to remember. After I dropped Cardin off at the medical ward, Goodwitch had me write on a chalk board a hundred times 'I will not kick anyone in the balls' with me paraphrasing. Last class was a leadership class after lunch. I can understand why I would need to take it. Already have some experience leading a small team of four low ranking Freelancers, that mission ended horribly. So many covenant reinforcements, so much blood, so many dead. We ended up surrounded, fighting to the death to make it out. Only me and Rhode survived that mission, poor Michigan and Kentucky. Never forgave myself for leading them to their deaths, but quickly turned that anger toward the director for picking a newbie like myself to lead them into the torch and burn OP. Safe to say the ship was quiet that day.
"No way, you actually have a daughter? I thought you were a virgin?" Rhode asked.
"I still am, she's adopted. Cute little rascal that one, knows when to pull the sad eyes to get what she wants. More then once I had to surrender sugary sweets to her. Yet I love her like she's my own flesh 'n blood." I replied happily. Adopting Elaia was one of the decisions I made in life that I would do again a million times over in a heart beat. Dad never lived long enough to meet her, but I'm sure he'd congratulate me for doing the right thing, even if I got chewed out by the boss for doing so. Serena had blackmail material on him that his wife would love to see. Turns out he went on a few unscheduled and unprofessional trips to a few Anime sectors, used that as leverage to keep Elaia safe inside MERC. Still scrubbing my eyes clean from taking the pictures, never want to see him doing 'that' again. Rather be used as South's favorite moving target. "Should of seen the glimmer in Elaia eyes when I introduced her to the wonders of the modern world. Though she isn't allowed on the internet till I remember to put a child proof system in it. Certain sites I don't want her near for obvious reasons. Not ready to have that talk with her nor am I in any position to, that's Serena's job for I will be a coward and jump through a portal to avoid that awkward conversation. I know very little on female human anatomy and even less on Khajiit female anatomy for that matter. Yeah that is Serena'a job, I don't know that shit."
"You'll have to introduce me some time. Always wanted to be an a god-mother." She replied as we rounded the corner only for me to bump into someone again.
"Damn it, I need to really watch where I'm going." I replied looking to see Velvet again. This time she doesn't look the natural cheery self I know. Instead she was rubbing one of her ears and looked to be in a bit of pain, even a few tears of sorrow. Could I have caused that? I quickly reacted and helped her up. "So sorry again Velv, are you okay?" I asked with my voice full of genuine concern.
"I'm fine." She lied as I helped her up. I knew that tone of voice all too well. Some jackass hurt my friend. Happened before I bumped into her because some of the tears were dried and her voice is cracking up. Before I can say anything else she quickly bolted down the hall toward a set of doors. I tried to stop her but it was already too late. I look to Rhode real quick.
"Go to the Cafeteria, try to gather what info you can. I want to know what happened and who is responsible. Don't act unless provoked." I ordered. "I'll talk to Velvet, get her point of view. Meet up back at the doorm for the beatdown of who's responsible at 1630."
"On it." She replied heading to the cafeteria while I ran toward Velvet's direction. As much as I wanted to beat the jackass who made her cry, I can't let her go through this kind of pain alone. Call it instinct, but I just feel the need to be sure she's alright and happy again. Friends are always their for each other. Granted I only known her for less then a week, but I'll need people I can trust and rely on. Respect is a two way street. I help friends in their times of need, they help me when I need it. I opened up the set of doors that lead outside. I see Velvet slumped under a peach tree holding her ears over her eyes. Wind was blowing gently with a slight chill on my face. I quietly walked up behind her and took off my helmet.
"Hey Velv." I said softly, startling her as she jumped at my sudden apperence. I set my helmet down and sat beside her, one knee propped out with my hands on it. "I sent Rhode to the cafeteria to find answers to why you are crying, are you sure everything is fine?"
"I...I"m not sure anymore." She replied defeated with her ears drooped low. I know look, Elaia always has that look whenever someone makes fun of her or says a racist comment about her. Most common one is calling her a cat or Rug. Kitten she is alright with, but for some reason Cat seems to strike a nerve with her. I know nothing on Faunus so I'm using what I know with Elaia as a reference point.
"You want to talk about it, might help." I asked.
"It was Cardin and his team. He just got out of the medical ward half an hour ago with a ice pack taped to his groin. He sat beside me and after some time started pulling on my ears." She replied softly. Well, looks like my foot and his balls are going to be pretty well antiquated soon. Oh when I'm done with Cardin and his team, what I did to him in class would be mercy in comparison. I wonder if Coco or Pyrrha would be willing to join in this friendly 'bonding experience'. Nora I've know for not even a day and I know she'll be on board. " Commenting on how real they felt and how he thought I was just wearing fake ones to be like a Vale Playgirl bunny. His team just laughed."
"How long has this been going on?" I asked keeping my cool on the outside. I need to get all the facts straight first before I go storming the beaches. People have pulled on Elaia's tail before, those people ended up in the ER with a broken/ruptured/punctured anything and everything, sometimes on the brink of death by the time the docs get to them. I don't mess around when it comes to friends and family, I become dead serious. I follow one simple golden rule. Hurt my friends and family, there won't even be a body to find.
"Little over a month now. I tried everything I can think of short of violence and other things, but they keep coming back." She replied. I can understand why she won't tell her team. She must see it as her problem that she needs to fix herself. I can respect that but if it has been going on this long, why hasn't Coco taken notice? Surely rumor has reached her at some point about this. Now that I think about it, Coco or her team beating Cardin that would cause a lot more trouble for them then it solves in the long run. If Coco draws first blood, he can pull the victim card with ease. The general public would reverse the roles and have Cardin be the poor innocent victim instead of Velvet. Me on the other hand, I don't have those types of restraints since I don't care and won't be around for long. So he is fair game, and it's open season.
"Why don't you fight back?" I asked.
"That will give them a reason to pin me with the White fang and have more people harass my heritage." She replied softly as well. "If only I was never born with these cursed ears." Okay now I stop listening and start acting.
"Don't say that, your ears are a blessing, not a curse." I used my fleshy hand to wipe a tear away from her eye. "They're part of what makes you special, they're something no one can take away from you. Cardin is an idiot who needs to be put in his place. Don't think for a second that you're anything but an amazing woman." I'm use to having conversations like this. Elaia sometimes came back to the dorm crying and cursing her Khajiit heritage (Not using real curse words of course, I mind my language around her). I always tell her the same thing and she listens, after a bowl of ice cream to calm her down.
"Your just saying that to make me feel better. Just like Coco. I know your trying to help, I appreciate it, but I just want to be alone right now." She replied. " No one understand what it's like to be picked on for the stupidest of reasons." She softly said now had her head in her hands with more tears flowing. So I'm in one of those situations again. If only she knew the truth of what lies beneath some of these scars. Didn't want it to have to come to this, but she's leaving me no choice. I grabbed a hold of my robot arm, just above the elbow. I really hate doing this, always reminds me of everything I lost, but she needs to know she's not alone. Only had to do this to Elaia once and it ended with her changing how she viewed her life for the better.
"Arm locks: Detach." I ordered quietly. Small hiss of air escaped from the locks on my arm as it became slack. I pulled down with a sharp stab shot though out my entire left side. The phantom pain, only thing i felt come from that arm for the last few years. I let the arm drop a bit, as the pain subsided I moved my arm and had it lay on her lap.
"Johnathan I don't. . ." She didn't finish her sentence as she picked up my detached robot arm, then looking at me wide eyed. Where the arm detached from was a deathly pale fleshy/mechanical small numb of an arm, full of small various electrical ports, both input and output. Multiple scars littered the tiny nub, both surgical and self inflicted. She gasped a bit as she looked at my biggest and most horrific scar to date. She left me with no choice but to bust out the big guns.
"Four years ago I had to cut my own arm off to stop a deadly venom from reaching my heart. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. It was . . . difficult adjusting to life with only one arm, even harder getting use to my robot one. I literally can't feel a damn with that arm half the time. Not the green grass, not the cool air, not the softness of someone special's skin. Just the pain of it use to being there. My co-workers would often poke jokes at it and often try to pull at it to see of it was real. I've been called it all out in the field. Cyborg, robot, freak of nature, abomination, you name it. The jokes hurt, the insults hurt, it all hurts inside. But I kept my head up high because I knew that as long as I am happy with who I am, what other people think of me doesn't matter. Not in the slightest. I'm not proud of how I got that arm. But it's saved my ass more times than I can count." I replied resting my hand on her shoulder. "I understand what it's like to feel alone in a big world with few people to run to, more than you'll ever know. So if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen. I'm here for you."
"I feel better now." She replied. Well she was no longer sad and crying. Now she kind of look relieved yet regretful. Most likely from forcing me to revile my mast painful scar. She gave me my arm back. "Sorry I put you in that position. I didn't kn. . ."
"Don't sweat it, and don't mention it. Just remember, I'm here for you. That's what friends are for." I replied smiling putting my arm back to where it is suppose to go. Auto-locked into place and I was able to move my fingers again. Before I could do anything else she engulfed me in a hug. Her ears were now flat against the back of her head.
"Thank you." She whispered in my ear as a few tears rolled down her cheeks. Not sure if they are of joy or sorrow. Instinctively I wrapped my arms around her gently and started petting her ears with my human arm. They were soft and felt just like a rabbit's, who would of guessed. Don't judge me, I'm going with what my gut says
"It's okay, let it out. I won't be leaving anytime soon." I replied letting her cry into my shoulder. Call me insane, but I think I fell my heart beating faster with her in my arms. No, bad heart. I can't afford to fall in love again. I can't take another break up or death. Plus I only known her less then a week. I can't keep falling in love with people when I know it will never work. I'll have to leave her to go home and I can't take another break up like that. I can't stay here, I have a daughter and sister who will miss me dearly. Sorry heart, but my mental integrity can't take another girlfriend's death. Not after Emily's betrayal, not after that day.
And the plot thickens. We got more back story on our main character and included a bit of a tweaked canon-event. Now this was the longest I have done so far. Made it so long as a apology for not updating. Finals have been hammering me good. Now I am in the clear and on to graduation, which means more updates if I can't find a job. I would like to thank 'wetworkzNinja' for agreeing to Beta the rest of this, catching the errors I often miss and giving me feedback on how to get better. Now to answer some reviews.
ShadowBladeKnight- Davian did make a mentioned appearance in this. Will include him once I done a fair amount of research on Destiny.
Ww1990ww- I know it takes a LOT to kill him, I haven't put any of those types of universes in yet because I don't know of many that have magic that isn't harry potter or related to a Japanese anime I can't understand or follow.
Huntre101- Haven't thought of alpha universes. Sectors maybe but not universes. I'll keep that in mind. I like the way you think.
WetworkzNinja- glad you like it. I gave her storm call because your the only one who suggested something. I'll go back and edit those typos as soon as I can.
Trninakiller- As I said in the PM but will repeat to prevent confusion to others. I know the Mjolnir armor doesn't use servos. His robot arm on the other hand does, small ones but they are there. I have done my research. The joy of writing about a explorer of the multiverse, I can make small mistakes like with the augmentation, the wiki doesn't exactly give a straight forward answer half the time, yet I can still find a way to have it make sense without changing too much. I know ODST's arn't augmented but he views himself, training wise, possibly as good as one or even as good as a IV but nowhere close to as good as a II.
I can debate with you guys on which is better but all I have to say is this. Give them the same armor and the winner will be pretty clear. Only advantage I found the IV's have is numbers and equipment. Other then that, they are basically promoted a ODST with fancier armor and a 'how to be a SPARTAN' crash course. Not saying all of them are bad, but a single II could whoop the asses of a entire company of IV's easy. Not including the Chief, not much needs to be said here.
Well i'm done. It's midnight here, I'm tired and still need my sleep. Happy memorial day. I'll see you all later.
~Dgreen20