Narrative II:
"Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
Chapter 24
Mad queen of Beacon
-William Jennings Bryan, 1899
Week 9: Day 65
(Johnathan's POV)
It's been over a month since Rojo's funeral. Still hurts when his name is mention. Velvet helped ease the pain as much as she could, mainly with us going to his grave and having me 'talk' to him. Ruby's idea because she does it all the time with her mom. It's been working, sort of. Most of the time I stand there blaming myself for his death, then cry into Velvet's shoulder. She pats my back and tells me to let it all out while I soak her shoulders.
Finally got figured something out for Elaia and Serena. Had to talk Ozpin into it. Serena and Elaia can live in my dorm, as long as they don't do anything to disturb the students or staff during class hours. The AI we're still finding solution for them. Alice can't hold them for much longer. She's extremely resilient mentally but they're starting to get to her. She may not say anything, but her body language tell me she is beginning to go a bit crazy. Need to find a solution for her fast. Mu is easy, she can stay with me but she is 'Freelancer's' third member, and I have to keep her in my dorm during class so I don't cheat on anything. Understandable reasons, Mu can teach Elaia while she's in there as well. Everyone wins.
Delta found Penny, currently have her downloaded in Alice's scroll until we find a body for her. Strangely enough, Delta has gotten pretty close to Penny over the past month. Found the two having a rather intelligent conversation about each other's worlds. Comparing the similarities and differences between the two. Delta is really interested in Aura and how it works. Penny on the other hand is interested in human behavior and emotion, worst person to ask that crap to is Delta. But he answered her surprisingly well. The two get along scary well. Now I know Delta pretty well, in the entire time I've been at Freelancer, he has rarely showed human emotions. When he is around Penny, it's pretty obvious he is happy yet nervous. . . . Delta never gets nervous, or happy for that matter, or any emotion really. So I think he may like Penny. But that is none of my business, not my place to mess around at either.
Velvet and I have gotten closer as a couple. We decided not to go the cheesy 'gushy gushy bragging-to-everyone-that-we're-together-all-the-time' route. No everyone already knows, and we're not too obnoxious about our relationship. Took her out of a date to the bowling alley. She got a lot lower then I did, while I broke a few sets of pins by accident. Even with the worst ball they had I still broke some. That left a dent in my wallet. Think she got like . . . 98 or something while I got 154 with mostly strikes. Downside to my augmentation, I can't play sports fairly. Baseball is out of the question, I'd break the damn bat and ball easy. Probably someone's car as well, an expensive one too knowing my luck. She is a beginner at this so it is understandable and justified. She got her revenge by taking me to a chick flick. Being the way I am, I powered though that sappy movie just to see her happy. Though my commentary made it a lot better in my opinion. I was courteous to others and kept it to myself . . . mostly. Velvet laughed at some of them and almost snorted out her soda, pop, whatever this place calls it. I made her laugh, so I'm off the hook. It works like that right? Right?!
Elaia loves it at Beacon. Almost everyone thinks she's a faunus and goes on with their day, no questions asked and I like it that way. To the faunus haters, they learned quickly not to pull on her tail or fur. Cardin got a 'fus ro duh' though a window, then off the cliff into the forest below. Forgot that she knew that shout. Then again, what dragonborn doesn't know unrelenting force. It was pretty funny actually, for a brick; Cardin flew pretty good. Glad she didn't use storm call on him. That would have been a can of worms I wouldn't want to open. I am sure no one here likes lightning striking them, other then Nora. I like my ass not being extra crispy. Goodwitch on the other hand wasn't too happy about her shouting a student through a window, and over a cliff. Ozpin was more impressed then concerned, saying she has a lot of potential. He has no idea what she can really do. With the right shout, Elaia could kick all our asses. She is rather limited to what she can do, being as young as she is and all. A full powered shout exhausts her so she can only do it once a day. How she uses it is up to her, and it's my job to teach her right and wrong. She did get let off with a warning a slight slap on the wrist by Goodwitch. Me on the other hand, I gave her ice cream for being able to take care of herself and for the free entertainment . . . I mean sternly told her not to do it again unless I have a camera ready . . . I mean . . aw forget it. I rewarded her for shouting the asshole off a cliff.
Did she kill him, no but I believe his Aura saved him from the fall, Grimm on the other hand are a different story. But he will be more respectful toward Elaia from now on. Pull on her tail, I will let her shout them off a cliff and I'll shoot their ass on the way down. With what will depend on my mood before. Overkill, just a little. Necessary, not really but was it funny to see. Sends a message to the other bullies who even think of hurting her, hell yeah and I will let her do it again if conditions are right. Serena never knew about Elaia knowing that particular shout. I told Elaia to keep it a secret, and she listened till now. I'm so proud of her.
Velvet has been teaching me how to control my Aura and semblance, my degree of control is still non-existent but I figured out some of the things I could do. After a bit of research, it is a support semblance. I can use it to cover my allies and defend them if need be. Turns out I can create hard light shields to cover me and my allies, hard light bridges to cross ravines, extend the blades on my swords for better reach and killing potential, and shapeless orb like things of light so my allies can see in the dark. Because of how limited I am due to my small Aura supply, I can't use my semblance for very long, longest I've managed to keep a shield or bridge up is two minutes before passing out. So that is something I need to work on later down the line. When I use up too much Aura, I pass out and wake up the next day tired as hell. For now, it's a last resort type of thing till I get better at controlling it. Well, it now gives me a slight weakness to stop me from becoming too power crazy.
Word on the Meta or Emily has been non-existent for the past month. Meta I understand why I haven't heard a thing on him, takes a while to heal several shattered bones without Aura. Plus longer to nurse his bruised ego. Emily, she is a clever girl, she'll stay hidden and off the radar so I won't expect her when she strikes, or she's preparing something really big. Why would she need that much Dust in the first place. I've done the math, if it is right. In one central location, the amount of dust she stole alone; is more than enough to easily level eight city blocks and almost all of the ninth. Scattered in key areas, that is enough to blow an entire city off a map, or a most of a huge one. That much Dust would be extremely hard to hide, so where would she be keeping it all? No Johnathan, do that type of thinking later. Focus on Elaia's gift now.
Tomorrow is Elaia's birthday, and I have yet to get her something she can read, to develop her mind a lot better. So she can learn to think for herself when I am dead or beyond insane. Yeah I know, I need to focus on the now instead of the future. With Emily and the Meta here, I don't know how long I have till they come after me full force, guns a blazing, with a army at their backs. Might as well use this time to prepare Elaia for when I am gone.
I was in Tuskon's boot trade searching for a last minute gift for her, it was a clearance sale so why not. I like the owner of the place. He is a friendly guy. No idea what to look for, but I know Elaia likes to read fantasy and a good adventure. I wasn't in my armor right now, I was in basic civilian clothes. T-shirt and jeans. Nothing too fancy or over the top. Just getting a few things while in town, not going to a dinner party or an active warzone. Honestly, what's the worst that could happen? I did bring my Desert Eagle just in case, the one with lockdown paint. Don't want to kill anyone, not unless I have to. I got a promise for Velvet I need to keep. Had it on my side in a holster.
Apparently this city strongly supports open carry, also requires that one person in every household to have a weapon and know how to use it properly. Make perfect sense in my head, they want to be sure people can defend themselves, just in case. I got plenty of weapons and I know how to use them all properly, so we're good there. I am loving this world more and more the longer I stay. It's one big gun filled paradise, where everything can also be a gun. Only down side on it's own is the White Fang and the Grimm, nothing I can't handle. There is one major question I need to think about while I am here. Is the consequence of staying here permanently worth it? MERC will send someone to hunt me and my family down, to kill us for knowing too much. Damn secret government programs, always needing to kill people to preserve the secrecy of it. I love it here but is the danger to my family worth it in the end? Would it be wrong of me to endanger my family's lives, just for our happiness here? I'll have to ponder those questions later. Right now I need to find a gift for Elaia.
I liked how this place is set up. Everything was neatly organized by author, genre, alphabetical order as well. Makes finding for what I'm looking for so much easier. Few misplaced books but that is to be expected. Wall to wall with book shelves, several of which include comic books. This guy does have every book under the sun, at least for this world that I know of. Let's see, what type of books does this place have for Elaia. Doctor Jackle and mister Hyde? Nope, that is a horror. Elaia is not a horror reader. The Thief and the Butcher, doesn't sound right her her age group. Third Crusade, sounds like a historic fiction. Serena might like that, I know she is into Game of thrones. This is the last copy too, must be a popular book. . . . an it's written by the store owner as well. Good for him, hope he sold a lot of copies. Going to get that for Serena. . . . Holy shit! They have Fall of Reach! My personal favorite book throughout the entire multiverse! Same author name, universe, and summary! This guy is really good. Tuskon, I don't want to know how you got this book. But I'll gladly pay whatever price you name for it. Good book but not suitable for Elaia's age right now. Maybe in a few years when she knows not to repeat or copy everything she sees/reads/hears. I'm getting it for me, I love this book. So hard to find outside my universe and in my own universe. Violet's garden, sounds like a romantic novel. Not for Elaia till she's older and into that kind of thing. Velvet has a copy of this, so she's good.
"Finding what you're looking for okay, Sir?" Tuskon asked poking is head from beside the aisle of books. I like him, he is friendly and reminds me of Wolverine from the Marvel universe. Mutton chops and everything. Maybe Monty had Wolverine in mind when he created Tuskon. I don't care, I like him, he has my trust.
"Yeah, just about ready to check out. Do you have any fantasy or science fiction books suited for children under seven?" I asked grabbing 'Fall of Reach' and the 'Third Crusade' off the shelf. Hope no one else wants it. Eh, Serena needs something to do here, might as well get her a book. She can be bookworm when she's not saving my ass. The next people will have to wait till he gets new ones in. I owe Serena this much.
"Yeah, I think I got a few in the back, follow me." He said. I shrugged my shoulders and followed with the two books in hand. He knows this store a lot better than I do. I'm just here for last minute shopping.
"Hey is this any good? Might as well get my sister a book while I'm here." I asked holding up the Third Crusade.
"It's not bad, has enough of a plot hole to continue the series of the writer wants to. They sell pretty quickly, so I'd get it now before it sells out again." He explained opening the door to the back room. He knows me and trust me for how much I come here, Velvet comes in every now and again to get a new book, usually taking me with her as a 'outside opinion'. She loves a good romance novel, as her hidden stash under her bed is evidence of that. She even has some book called 'Ninjas of love'. I am not touching that with a fifty nine and a half foot pole. My gut tells me it is a 'Fifty shades of gray' type of thing. Found her reading it before the trip to the bowling ally, she instantly put it under her pillow and had me turn around so she can hide it again. Blake has one too apparently, I am not going to judge or question. Not my place to do so. The less I know the better in that case. I know how girls can get when it comes to their smut. . . .I mean romance novels. Romance novels my ass, that crap is so full of freaking smut it's not even funny. Never took Velvet to like that kind of thing. Like I said, it's the quiet ones you have to look out for. "Here you go. Fiction and fantasy is down the hall to your left, right is graphic novels and comic books." He informed as a bell rang. "Be right there."
I gave him a quick nod as he closed the door. One light bulb was flickering, needs changed. Let's see. What would Elaia like? Xray and Vav, no she isn't into comic books too much. This world's version of Red riding hood or snow white, maybe but depends. If it's the brothers Grimm version . . . . . It is. Good stories but not suited for Elaia, not at her age. Twilight. . . NO! Just hell no! Read it once out of curiosity, it is printed toilet paper. Don't want to know how this world puts it. Vampires don't sparkle in the goddamn sun light people! Depends on what universe one goes to, they freaking burn like an old log in a bonfire. Except for Moka and Blade, they are some scary-ass vampires. Moka would kick Edward's ass up one city street, down another, then beat him to a pulp. Blade would slice and dice him to mince meat before feeding him to a dog, no beating around the bush. Blade would straight up kill him. Would not piss either off for good reason. Though a fight between the two would be nice to see, from a mile away, though a sniper scope, with a .50 caliber at the ready. Wouldn't get near that shit storm. Bingo, here we go, way in the back. Story of Peter Cottontail, well this place's version of it anyway. Quick glance through the pages . . . eh close enough. I put it on my stack and headed to the door.
"What . . about. . . Third Crusade?" A new voice asked, bit hostile like as well.
"Um . . I . . don't believe we carry that one right now." Tuskon answered. A book slammed shut as the air grew tense. My hand went to my Desert Eagle as I bent town as I put my ear against the door to listen. My gut is telling me to be careful, I don't like the sound of this. "I'll have to order a new shipment next Monday. Just sold the last copy."
I peaked through the window on the door. Two new people in the shop. A green haired female with rather revealing clothes that reminds me of a gender bent Tucker, and a gray colored male that reminds me of Church to an extent. Both relaxed but Tuskon wasn't. Whole room was darkened, windows were tinted so no one can see in or out. Place is more than likely sound proof as well, if I know my luck by now.
"I hear you're planning on leaving. Moving all the way to Vacuo." The female noted. Tuskon is leaving? That explains the clearance sales lately. Why Vacuo, isn't it all desert? Then again, what better place to hide then the middle of a barren wasteland where there is nothing but sand and rock for miles on end. Explains a lot about my world actually. Let me guess, there are groups waging war over there for control over oil fields, oh wait this place doesn't use oil, Dust mines then. But who is he hiding from? "Your brothers in the White Fang won't be happy to hear that." She said more serious and with a threatening tone. Well, that explains a bit. "And neither are we . . . You know who we are, don't you?" She asked.
"Yes." He replied calmly.
"And you know why we're here?" The guy asked this time. Knew it, they are hit men, or women. Whatever people call it. Assassins, close enough. I know where this is going. I put the books on the floor and stood up but kept my ear on the door. Hand by my gun, other hand on the doorknob, ready for a fight.
"Yes" He replied calmly. I flicked the safety off my pistol and slightly twisted the knob. Not looking for a fight today, but a fight found me. I came here to buy a book, not get into a fire fight dammit! I am not prepare for this right now.
"So . . . are you going to fight back?" The girl asked.
"Yes!" He roared as a loud clash followed though. I opened the door and raised my pistol. The teal girl dodged to the side as Tuskon went for a slash. The gray guy readied a kick. I fired two shots from my pistol. Both hit the guy's boot and forced him to misfire and clogged his barrel after it fired. Having his round graze Tuskon's shoulder instead of shooting his head. The girl saw me and started to open fire with her dual revolvers. Her rounds impacted the area around me as I rolled under the front book shelf. Tuskon rolled beside me and held his shoulder in pain.
"Talk about rude customers. I'd invest in a silent alarm if I were you. Well worth it when you're four minutes from a cop station." I joked poking me head out and fired a few rounds. They missed as my target ran behind a bookshelf as well. The gray guy ran behind the storefront shelf, probably hoping to flank me. "They're fast too. I knew I should have worn my armor today." I complained.
"You not going to ask why they're trying to kill me?" He asked.
"Could care less for their reason. I like you, so you won't die on my watch." I replied keeping an eye on both sides. I won't let them kill my favorite merchant. He is friendly and doesn't care for my height or robotic arm, so he gets my protection for free. Like that lizard jeweler in Riften, forget his name. Good guy, and a friendly one too. Sold him a dragon skull for a hundred septims. Safe to say he has a real good living room coffee table and conversation piece. "Stay low, and head for the door. I'll cover you. Live now, explain later. I expect a huge payment for this later, missing bonding time with my daughter for this." I ordered as the gray guy ran from his cover. I took a shot but missed as he dove behind the adult fiction shelf. The green girl fired again at me. I ducked down just in time before they could hit me. "Great, I bought a paint gun to a bullet fight. Why didn't I bring my swords, I would have made them into Grimm chow by now." I complained as I reloaded my gun. "If you assholes wanted the last copy of 'Third Crusade', you could have just said please! Don't need to start a fight with a freaking Freelancer to get it!" I joked poking my head out and fired again at the green girl. My rounds hit one of her guns and plastered it to the wall, along with her hand, effectively pinning her for now. The gray guy took advantage of my moment of vulnerability and rushed me. I moved my pistol to fire but he kicked it out of my hand. I dodged right to avoid a gunshot from his boot. I used my robot arm to block another kick just in time to punch him right in the nuts with my other fist, so hard Tex would be proud of me. Let's just say I never knew a guy could sing that high before. Tuskon didn't question a thing as he ran for the door. The green girl used her other gun to fire at him. I grabbed the gray guy by his boot the threw him at her. Tuskon duck in time before the rounds could hit him. Okay, the civilian is out of the way, time to get the goods and EVAC.
I rushed for my pistol. The green girl noticed and used the butt end of her gun to break the paint, freeing her hand before opening fire again. I grabbed my pistol and rolled behind a cart as her rounds hit the ground behind me. Two on one, Piss poor odds, for them. I looked over the side of the cart. The Gray guy was coming from my left while the girl stayed behind her cover. Wow he recovered fast. What did I vaporize his nuts when I punched then so he feels nothing there now? Must be a fast healer.
I used all my strength to kick the cart into the air toward the duo. The guy ducked under it and charged toward me. The girl went back behind her cover as the cart exploded into a show of books. I dodged right and left to avoid the shotgun blasts from his only working boot. He dodged and countered by pistol fire as well. I would say it was a even match, but considering I am dodging fire from two angles I'd say this fight is unfair. Then again, I don't fight fair either. When in doubt, get dirty and cheat.
I grabbed his boot as he went to kick again, then squeezed with as hard as I could. It sparked and creaked as my hand bent the metal around it. The guy switched tactics and used his free foot to kick me in the chest to back flip away. I stumbled back as the girl charged forward with her sword. I ducked under her sword and delivered a few swift punched to her gut, grabbing her sword and twisting her entire arm to a very painful position, forcing her to drop her weapon. I looked back and missed another kick from the gray guy. I used my hold on the girl to threw her into the guy. Making them both fall to the ground. I holstered my pistol and ran for the back room. I quickly grabbed my books just in time to get clocked in the face by the guy.
I countered with a powerful punch to his torso by the solar plexus, collection of nerves right below the sternum where the ribs join in the front. Excruciatingly painful blow if one hits hard enough and one of South's favorites when she was kicking my ass. The resulting blow knocked the wind right out of him as I went for a swift punch to the groin full force, and then a kick chest again with a distinct crack. He went flying to the wall as the girl came at me hard and fast with her sword again. I dodged left and right, but she managed to nick me in a few areas, making me bleed. She is skilled with metal blades, I'll give her that. But I know pressure points pretty well. I ducked under her strike and hit her right in the rib cage, enough to hear a crack but not a snap. She stumbled as I ran under her legs, swept her feet, then kicked her in the back hard. She went didn't even know what hit her till she was face deep in a pile of comic books. I ran to the door and picked up my pistol on the way out.
The door rang as I exited the store. People were still walking by like nothing happened inside. I was huffing and puffing as I laughed at my luck. Tuskon wasn't too far away, sitting on a bench holding his shoulder in pain. I jogged over to him and laid the books in his lap. He looked up at me surprised. I was trying to catch my breath as I sat beside him.
"Better buy that book in bulk next time. Your fan are bat-shit crazy over it." I joked. "Now, I'd like to buy theses books please." he waved it off holding his shoulder.
"It's on the house, for saving my life." He said as his store bell rang again. Popping out was the duo I just fought. They look like they have seen better days, well to be fair, my punches can dent metal. So they are lucky I was merciful today. Had I not promised Velvet I wouldn't kill anyone unless I had to, they would be drowning in a pool of their own blood. My hand went to my pistol again but Tuskon stopped me. "Let's get out of here before they want to go for round two. Wise to not go looking for the fight, but to always be ready for it."
I had to agree with him there. Maybe he was pacifist, to an extent. I noticed he uses violence as a last resort. Like a life or death type of situation. I nodded as we got out of sight. Oh man is Velvet going to kill me, I was not suppose to get into a fight today. To be fair I didn't go looking for one but I am still dead. I pray she is more merciful than Tex or South. Oh well, where is the sporting goods store? I need to get Elaia something she can use while camping.
(Velvet's POV)
Hour later
"Johnny you okay?! What happened?" I asked as Johnathan stepped off the airship, black eye and bandages all over him. He wore an apologetic look as he carried several bags beside him. He's been gone half the day and told me to 'keep Elaia busy'. He had an entire month to do that shopping, why wait till the last minute? She wasn't too hard to keep busy. Found out she loves listening to stories. I've sat there in my dorm reading to her for the past four hours. She really loves picture books. Let her read one of my old books, the ones from when I was a little girl. It's almost scary how fast she learns. Elaia was with RWBY right now in the lunchroom. Last I saw of her, Nora threw a pie at Weiss's face and Elaia used Serena as a human shield as she threw it right back and hit Rhode. Which in turn, she threw a hand full of mashed potatoes at her, and hit Blake. I saw the bullhead pull in and I bolted before it could get worse.
"Two hit men tried to whack our favorite store owner earlier. Nothing major I couldn't handle. If it was anything bad, I would have called you for back up." He replied tossing me something from the bag. I caught it mid air and looked to see what it was. A small box of chocolates, heart shaped chocolates no less. All is forgiven Johnathan, for now. "For keeping Elaia busy while I did this. I owe you one."
"Not a problem Johnathan. Mu gave her a quick lesson on magician while you were gone, whatever that is." I informed. He smiled and nodded as we walked.
"Her universe's version of Aura . . . sort of. Hard to explain without first hand examples." He explained. "Where is she by the way?"
"With Ruby in the cafeteria. Nora threw a pie at Weiss when I left." I explained. He opened his mouth to say something, but the cafeteria doors slammed open as people ran screaming from the building yelling 'food fight'. We both turned to the doors with the same expression. What did Nora start this time?
"Hundred lien says Nora or Yang started it. Fifty says Rhode or Ruby are joining them in some way." He bet handing me the bags "Can you please take these to your dorm and hide them till I get there. The blue bag right there is for you. Love you bunny." He explained kissing me on the head before bolting toward the chaos. I look to the side and found the blue bag. Inside was a small little red box. Okay curiosity has the better of me. I reached in and opened the box. Inside laid a gold and brown necklace with my emblem, heart with stitches, etched into a shining silver plate. On the other side was his emblem, a flame with two swords crossed over it. Johnathan, you have been forgiven for getting yourself hurt . . . again. . . . for the hundredth time this month, you crazy Freelancer.
(Johnathan's POV)
Well . . . shit. Looks like I owe Velvet a hundred and fifty lien. Damn it, there goes my monthly budget. Nora was on top of a castle made out of tables, chairs, and vending machines with the rest of JNPR acting as her guards while she sang 'I'm queen of the castle' with a tone that thirsted for power. Rhode was behind overturned tables resembling a foxhole with Elaia and Serena, she was holding an orange like she would a grenade, with a large stockpile of oranges and lemons behind her. RWBY looked like they were beginning a siege on the castle. Everyone but Serena and Elaia in their school uniforms. Seriously, I leave for three hours to do some shopping, and you start this shit without me! What the fuck guys?! I like participating in a food fight too, don't forget about me!
I didn't waste time as I bolted toward the fallen table as RWBY begun their attack. JNPR launched over a dozen watermelons at us. Yang rushed forward and started beating them out of the air with turkeys. Rhode threw her orange as hard as she could toward the mad queen. Good news, it hit something. Bad news, it hit the lovable idiot I call Jaune as he 'took a bullet' for and got splattered by orange pulp. I kicked a table up and kicked it full force down the room. Nora noticed this and use her melon hammer to move the table to the other side of the room. I tucked and rolled under a hailstorm of food aimed right at me as I landed by Rhode in her foxhole as she threw more oranges at the adversary.
"Situation report." I ordered throwing a chicken leg like it was a throwing knife at a advancing Nora. The wing hit her face with enough force to leave a large bruise but Yang quickly distracted her from my area. Thank Allah.
"Fighting just started and the queen is waging a war on two fronts. JNPR has build a castle that is heavily guarded, with Nora as their queen. The mad queen has sent out her knights to finish us all off." Rhode explained throwing a lemon grenade at poor Jaune still. "Pyrrha and Nora are the biggest threats on the battlefield right now. Pyrrha's combat skill and semblance is enough to take us out, don't get me started on Nora. Ruby's speed may be enough to turn the tide but I can't be certain. What is the plan Ohio?" Okay, went from a fire fight into a food fight. This is acceptable, I won't get too hurt here. Okay, we need a plan of attack. Break down of our opponents.
Pyrrha: Skilled in ranged and close quarters combat. Undefeated Mistral champion. Semblance is polarity, she controls metal like Magneto. Weapon of choice right now, long loaf of bread. Be cautious when engaging in combat against her. Take her out ASAP. No need to prolong the fight any more than it needs to be. Possible weakness, no idea.
Nora: Skilled in close quarters. Psychotic hammer wielder who is not afraid to break legs. Semblance is electricity manipulation a bit, makes her stronger and faster. Weapon of choice is a melon hammer. Avoid at all costs. I rather not spend another week in the hospital for broken bones. Find a way to neutralize her first. That hammer can give us problems if the fight goes on for too long. Possible weakness. . . . cupcakes?
Ren: skilled in aura manipulation and keeping Nora under control. Practically a ninja with a magic shield over him. Semblance is aura manipulation, enough said there. Weapons of choice is two leeks. Taking him out is going to be a challenge. Touch Ren when Nora is still up, and I'll regret it while she's smashing my bones to dust. Eliminate after Nora is downed. Possible weakness. . . Nora. Enough said
Jaune: . . . Not really that skilled in any area. Lovable idiot who is too freaking dense to realize Pyrrha loves him, seriously! I bet she could walk right up and kiss him whatever way she likes, and he'd still wouldn't take the hint. No idea what his semblance is, super healing maybe? Weapon of choice . . . is bottles of mustard and ketchup. Take him out last. Save the easiest for last, they won't take too much energy to finish off. Possible weakness, Weiss accepting his love advances? Hell would freeze over before that happens, and I do not see her cooperating with that plan, so I'll go with quick strikes and ranged attacks.
Okay Johnathan. You've been in this situation before at least once. Well not this exact situation. . . . Freelancer had a food fight once. We even got Carolina and Tex to join surprisingly, no idea how that happened or how they got along without killing each other. Let me remember the teams again. I was on blue team with Rhode, Wash, York, North, and CT. Red team had Wyoming, South, Maine, Carolina, Tex, and Utah. The two surprisingly got along long enough to kick my ass. It was a absolute battle ground, Freelancers do not go down without a good fight, no matter what fight it is. Food or with bullets, we do not go down easy. I mean food was flying everywhere, no one was spared, and I mean absolutely no one. The Director got a face full of mashed potatoes, courtesy of CT and myself for the fun of it. Yes, we were in our armor with our enhancements but that just made it more fun. We all had to scrub that room spotless but it was worth it. Blue team won, so as any blue team member would say in this situation. . . 'Suck it, Reds'. Think we might need something similar here. I smell a plan worthy of Church's noble lea. . . . . Who am i kidding, Caboose's idiocy. But at least it will be fun.
"Rhode remember the Freelancer food fight, before half of us cared about that stupid scoreboard?" I asked blocking a cola can shot by Pyrrha with a food tray. I swear, her semblance lets her be mobile MAC with how hard she throws metal objects. All the more reason to take her out first and foremost.
"How can I forget, Carolina hit you in the head with a mush pile while Tex nailed your groin with a rock hard bread roll." She reminded. Oh yeah, I forgot she did that, the one time the two cooperate and it involves hurting me, figures. Well there are only two guys over there, and I don't think their girlfriends would like it if I nailed them in the groin with a lemon or orange. I'm still laughing internally at Wyoming being nailed by Rhode with a crumpet. No idea what the hell it is, think it's like a biscuit type thing, or something. Maybe a cookie? I have no idea, never been to England so I have no freaking idea.
"Remember how we won?" I asked blocking yet another can exploding on the tray. Serena joined in and threw a lettuce head at Ren. She missed but managed to hit poor Jaune again. Man he is not having a good day.
"Yeah, you, York, and Wash jimmy rigged a food cannon out of a spare duct pipe and an oxygen compressor. We spattered so much of that mashed crap all over Maine and Wyoming, it wasn't even funny." She reminded as Nora hit Yang right in the chest, sending her through the roof with a loud yelp. Well, we're not seeing her again for a while. I raised a eyebrow and motioned to Elaia. Rhode looked to Elaia real quick and figured out the plan. "I see what you mean now."
"I'll keep them distracted. Rhode, you and Serena load up the cannon." I ordered blocking yet another blast of soda. "Elaia, you'll know what to do when the time comes."
With that, I ran out from my cover and charged toward the castle. Weiss and Ren were locked in combat. Swordfish vs leeks. I reached down and grabbed a fallen leek, then charged toward Pyrrha. She noticed me and ran forward with her weapon of choice out. I raised my weapon to block hers. We clashed in the middle. I forced her back and blocked another strike, then another, then another. She is skilled, I'll give her that. I ducked under another strike and bashed the end of my leek against the back of her head. I looked out the corner of my eye, I saw Nora charging toward me. I ducked under her initial strike and grabbed the 'hammer' by the pole. I turned the tide of the fight in my favor as I spun the hammer wielder around; then let go, sending her clashing into her own fortress. Pyrrha stood back and sending a pop can swarm at me. Okay you want to play with Semblances, game on.
I raised my human arm up in a defensive position, a blinding blue light popped up around where my arm was, and formed a shield wide enough to protect me. One similar in design to that a Promethean knight would deploy. The cans impacted the shield with enough force to shatter wood with ease. I stood my ground as can after can hit my shield. Each blast vibrated through my arm and made it go numb, the floor in front of me was being coated in endless amounts of soda and aluminum. My feet dragged against the ground as each blast sent me back an inch. With each hit I felt myself getting tired and ready to fall from exhaustion.
I broke my stance and rushed toward the athlete, dodging clusters off soda cans as she shot them toward me. I raised my shield and blocked a strike from the mad queen. I used my leek to sweep Nora's feet and kick her into Ren. I ducked under the mobile MAC as she swung at me with loaves of bread. I looked back quickly to find Rhode, Ruby, and Serena loading up a mountain of food and cans of pop on a table. There was enough edible food in that mountain to feed half of Africa for a day. No offense to the people in Africa, but all work and no play makes people cranky. This is going to be a fun way to waste it all. JNPR was getting ready for their counter strike. I smirked as I know what to do next.
"Hey Elaia, what's your three favorite words to say?" I asked using my grappling hook to latch onto a ceiling support, and reeling myself to safety from the shit storm to come. Jaune looked confused as he looked back to see what I meant. Elaia shouted at the top of her lungs her three favorite words as Rhode, Ruby, and Serena got out of the way. This is one reason out of many why I love Elaia so much.
"FUS RO DUH!" She shouted with a mighty voice that could crumble mountains with ease, and it did. The mountain of food in front of her went flying forward in an avalanche toward the castle. Jaune and Ren went wide eyed as they were staring down the avalanche of edible goodness, and started praying for mercy for the afterlife while they held each other. They were swallowed by the wave as it clashed into Nora's castle. Pyrrha was smart and used her semblance to make a dome shield from the metal materials in the room. But it did little to help as she was too swallowed by the wave of food. The castle went crumbling down in a violent crash then slammed into the wall; leaving poor JNPR stuck to it, exhausted and beaten.
"Alright, you win. Your queen has admitted defeat." Nora announced as she slid from the wall and onto the floor with a loud clunk, leaving a perfect outline of her on the wall. The rest of JNPR slid down moaning in exhaustion. I repelled down from the ceiling and hugged Elaia, who looked physically exhausted from using a full shout (A/N I know in the Elder scrolls universe that the dragonborn doesn't get exhausted after using a shout. But those are adult users. I can imagine a six year old, like Elaia, getting exhausted after one shout. Even with an early game shout like 'unrelenting force').
"Good job sweetie." I encouraged as Ruby gave Elaia a high five. Off in the distance I heard a bit of growling as the room began to fix itself. I looked behind to to find a rather furious Goodwitch standing at the door adjusting her glasses, with the SPARTAN behind her to enforce her word, full armor. Oh crap. Fun time is over.
"Children please. Don't play with your food." She warned. As if on cue, a screaming Yang came crashing through the roof and landed at Ruby's feet. She picked herself up as all of us laughed it off. I shook my head as Alice held Goodwitch's shoulder. I was able to pick on on their conversation a bit.
"Let them go Glynda. They're just kids." Alice informed as Ozpin entered beside her. Smiling and drinking from his coffee cup. I swear his cup is endless, with how much and often he drinks from it.
"They're suppose to be the defenders of our world . . ." Goodwitch said.
"And they will be, in time. Now is not the time, so let them be. Don't try putting them through what I had to at their age, just to make them mentally strong enough to survive. I promise you that the results will not be pretty later down the line." Alice informed. " Nothing lasts forever. So unlike my childhood, let them have their fun while it lasts. Let them be kids while they still can. They'll have plenty of time to act like protectors later."
Good to know the SPARTAN is on our side. . . sort of. Forgot she never got to enjoy her childhood like these guys can. I know my life has been hard, but Alice's life has been harder. Forced from the age of six to be the best of the best alongside seventy others. Augmented at the age of fourteen which killed half her group off and forced to endure unspeakable pain and suffering, just to survive wearing a set of armor and to be stronger. Then forced to fight for your species right to exist at all. I do not envy her life, not at all. But I am glad she finally found peace in this world. Now she has a chance for her own happiness, to make her own choice on who she wants to be. Lucky girl.
So I go back to my original questions. Should we stay here for a chance at happiness, or go back to MERC so my family won't have to suffer? I want to find mom's home universe and put her to proper rest, but I want my living family to be happy as well. Is it selfish of me to yearn for a shot at a normal life here, when I spent so much time and energy to complete Dad's mission? Is it wrong for me to want to stay when I know I can't? Is it wrong that I want my family to be safe as much as they are happy?
(Third person POV)
"Dare I ask what happened to you two?" Roman asked as Emerald and Mercury walked in the door to the warehouse, beaten and battered like he would not believe. Roman was casually leaning against the wall waiting for an answer. "You look like someone beat the crap out of both of you. Did you finally get annoyed with each other and snap?"
"No, some guy with a robot arm did. Went to take care of your deserter problem and got our asses handed to us." Emerald replied holding her ribs in pain. Head bruised with a comic book picture tattooed on her forehead. Her other hand was on her back right where she was kicked.
"He knew pressure points and right where to hit us. Man does he pack a punch." Mercury said holding a ice pack on his groin. Left boot gun was damaged and the right one was covered in a purple goop. He wasn't in much better condition. "Said he was a Freelancer, whatever that is suppose to mean."
"I believe you two got well antiquated with Agent Ohio." Sigma said popping up beside the duo, who seemed unaffected by his appearance. "I remember Cinder telling you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale. Do I need to tell her you disobeyed a direct order?"
"No Sigma, technically our hands are still clean. Are they not?" Emerald asked.
"Technically yes, you are correct. But if you were to succeed then you would have been disobeying direct orders. So I'll let this slide for now." He countered moving to Roman's shoulder next. "I believe our work in Vale is done. All the Dust has been moved, all the our forces relocated to the southeast. I think it's time for a little heist on the side. Wouldn't you agree Roman?"
"Depends. What's your version of little is and how much would it be worth?" Roman asked pulling out a cigar. Out of the shadows Maine popped out and took the cigar from him. Neo was swinging upside down, tied up with duct tape and rope, pouting as she swung from the roof. Maine finally got annoyed with her messing with his stuff. His wounds have healed up majorly, he was in his full armor minus the helmet. Sigma smiled as he relocated to Maine's shoulder. Gamma and Omega were still with Neo, Sigma was still mad at them for tormenting their host, so he's having them stay on her a bit longer. To teach them a lesson. What lesson, he won't tell them.
"Stealing one of the best military mechs in the known multiverse. Priceless and one of a kind for this world." He replied as Maine light up the cigar for himself, and smoked it as a portal opened up behind him. "Just one small question, do you know how to pilot a Metal Gear?"
That's a wrap people. The beginning to season 2 is here and the writing train has no brakes. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Starting to make them a lot longer now. I added a small hint on what is to come next chapter. I got to thinking 'I included the multiverse into this world. Might as well add more aspects to it'. Which Metal Gear I won't say till next chapter. Thinking either Rex or Ray. I'll get back to you on which one , but it will be a Metal Gear. Imagine he Fang with the power of one, that would be insanity, and I am a insane writer. Let me know what you all think of it.
Yes the Meta is back and pissed off. What you all think I would have him be hurt forever? This is Maine we're talking about. Takes more than a few broken bones to keep him down. Hell, he got shot in the throat nine times and still kicked some ass rest of the episode. Only one review from last chapter.
Pwnerdude- Most of the deep crap I think of while working. Let's face it, when you stand in one spot doing the same thing, over and over again, you tend to question everything in existence. This is only the tame crap I ponder about when I'm bored. Newest one is where humanity, as a whole, is going to drive itself at our current rate.
Computer still won't connect to the internet . . . so I got plenty of time to write with no distractions. Time for me to give this to my Beta. Have fun WetworkzNinja.
Guy's… i'm sorry to say… If you didn't see Elaia 'Fus Roh Dah'ing at least one person off a cliff, then you haven't played skyrim. I laughed myself out of my chair when i first read it… and did he really say Metal Gear or is my sleep deprivation and insanity getting to me. Because the last thing in the multiverse… 102nd last thing I'd want to face throughout the entirety of the multiverse is the Meta, In a Metal Gear. As stated before I need sleep so I hand this off again, so until next time all. God bless and have a good day night or whatever else you find yourself currently...i don't care, goodbye.
Dgreen20~
It's me again, figured I'd add this bit to clear something. Yes i did say Metal Gear, and i know which one it will be. I'll give you all a hint, long live the queen.