A/N: Oh, hey. Reviews. Well then...
Guest-YOOO! SUN XD Nice to have him again. Hoping for more interactions with the rest of vacuo and since Jaune is in Vacuo, possble run in with one of his former vacuan lovers? Eh? *eyebrow wiggle* XD
Wow. Someone's a fan of the Wukong Man.
Guest-I love the change in POV dude. Glad to see the other RWBY casts in battles and yeah, like in novels, different POVs makes the story more interesting. Wasnt expecting that at the end. Keep it up dude cuz im excited for more
Glad you liked it. I really should listen to the other RWBY novels. The first one was fun for me. And yeah, I was hoping to catch readers off guard with that. He may not be able to get to Remnant, but Darkness still has more than enough influence on the world to make a scary appearance. And trust me, this guy is terrifying.
xlbubi-Great chapter! I bet Sun is one of the most fun characters to write. Also, some great set up for the next few chapters. Looking forward to the discription of a city like Atlas (just smaller most likely) underwater. This story is highly underrated imho. Keep it up!
He honestly is, though I feel like I don't do him much justice, actually. Hm, not a bad description, actually. Thanks for that. Might not be that underrated, though. I get plenty of readers and visitors, just not a lot of reviews. Oh, well, right? Just keep on writing for readers like you. Hope you enjoy this chap.
Ratcliffe was shaking in terror before he groveled before the Grimm, holding his hands together in a pleading manner. "Y-Your Grace. Your Majesty. Please, I did not mean to show you such disrespect. But I am overjoyed you are here! I need your blessings! Please, sire, grant me more of your godly strength."
MORE? WHY SHOULD I GIVE A FAILURE MORE POWER? SO YOU COULD DISAPPOINT ME MORE THAN YOU ALREADY HAVE?
"But Majesty, I am so close to waging war against Arc! I haven't even seen the life leave his face yet!"
YOU HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN HIM YET. YOU ARE WASTING YOUR TIME BEING HUMILIATED BY MERE HUMANS. I GAVE YOU DOMINION OVER THE CREATURES OF GRIMM IN THIS LAND, YET YOU CAN NOT EVEN BEST AN OLD MAN AND HIS BAND OF MORTALS.
"Please, sire! It isn't as horrid as it looks!" A roar was heard, making the Skadegamutc look up. Everyone else followed its gaze to see the white head of the King Taijitu scream in agony before it fell, dead, beginning to fade away, Ratcliffe's eyes widening in horror.
YOU ARE RIGHT. IT IS WORSE.
"M-Mercy, liege." Ratcliffe then crawled over to the Grimm and grabbed its cloak, looking like a mere beggar instead of the armored lord he wanted to be. "MERCY! JUST GIVE ME A SECOND CHANCE! I JUST NEED MORE GRIMM! MORE POWER! YOU PROMISED TO GIVE ME MORE GENERALS LIKE THAT SAVAGE FROM EARLIER! AREN'T THERE MORE WORTHY CHAMPIONS THAN IRON VEST YOU CAN GIVE ME?! PLEASE, MY GOD! MERCY!"
The Grimm looked down at the groveling, crying man, the fool's lip quivering as tears and snot fell down his terrified face.
DO YOU BELIEVE ME TO BE MY BROTHER?
"W-What," Ratcliffe whimpered. Ratcliffe cried out in terror when the Grimm placed its hand on his head in the blink of an eye.
I DON'T GIVE SECOND CHANCES. NOR DO I SHOW MERCY. I ONLY GIVE WHAT IS DESERVED, AND A FAILURE LIKE YOU ONLY DESERVES DEATH OF THE DARKEST DEGREE. DEATH OF THE SOUL.
"SIRE! SIRE, PLEASE, NO! I'LL DO ANYTHING! MERCY! MERCY! MERCCCCIIIIAAAAAAA-" Ratcliffe screamed as the Skadegamutc yanked out Ratcliffe's screaming ghost. his empty shell of a body falling flat with white eyes wide open. It held the spirit above it before its face began to stretch. The face then tore apart into a roaring maw, a dark light-like black flame shining within. Ratcliffe's ghost screamed in horror as it reached towards his corpse before looking towards Nimo.
HELP ME, the ghost screamed as it reached out towards Nimo in desperation before being sucked into the Grimm's mouth. As soon as Ratcliffe's hand vanished into the mouth of the Grimm, it clamped its mouth shut and gulped. It then looked at Ratcliffe's lifeless, empty-eyed body, placed a hand on its head, and turned Ratcliffe's body into dust, not even leaving his armor behind. All that was left of Ratcliffe were his two sickles.
Nora was shaking in terror. "THAT'S the God of Darkness? THAT'S what Jaune's up against?!"
OF COURSE NOT, STUPID HUMAN, the Skadegamutc went as it looked at Nora. THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A MOUTHPIECE. NO DIFFERENT TO ME THAN THOSE SILLY LITTLE STONES YOU CALL SCROLLS.
"Then that means the God of Darkness is even worse," Ren said in a cold sweat.
AREN'T YOU CLEVER, FOR A MORTAL? THE POWER I GAVE TO THIS PARTICULAR GRIMM IS CHILD'S PLAY COMPARED TO MY OWN. NONE OF MY CREATIONS CAN COMPARE TO MY OWN POWER. THOUGH ONE SEEMS TO BELIEVE SO, FOOLISH AS IT IS. THAT IS WHY IT NEEDS TO BE PUNISHED FOR ITS BLASPHEMY. FOR BELIEVING IT CAN IMPROVE MY PERFECT CREATURES.
"STOP CALLING HIM AN IT," Nora yelled, her terror replaced by rage. "HIS NAME IS JAUNE ARC!"
Darkness did not respond. IT SEEMS YOU TRULY CARE FOR THAT TRAITOROUS CREATION.
"YOU DIDN'T CREATE HIM," Ren yelled.
OH, I DISAGREE. MY BROTHER AND I CREATED HUMANITY TOGETHER. I CREATED THE GRIMM ON MY OWN. NOW, THAT MAN IS BOTH HUMAN, Darkness explained as he held up one hand. AND NOW GRIMM, he continued as he held up his other hand. NOW THAT HE IS ONE IN THE SAME, he went as he brought his hands together, THAT MAN IS MY CREATION MORE THAN HE IS MY BROTHER'S. I OWN HIM.
"LIKE HELL YOU DO," Nora yelled.
"We will NEVER give Jaune to you, devil," Ren said.
THAT ISN'T YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE, MORTAL. WHAT COULD YOU, WHOM I CAN SNUFF OUT WITH JUST A SNAP OF MY FINGER, POSSIBLY DO AGAINST A GOD?
"We've beaten a god already," Ren said.
WHAT YOU DEFEATED WAS A WOMAN WHO ABUSED BOTH THE CURSE MY BROTHER GAVE AND THE MAGIC I ALLOWED HER TO KEEP. SALEM IS NOTHING COMPARED TO ME. SHE CAN BARELY COMPARE TO THIS, Darkness said as he motioned to the Grimm he was controlling. IT'S TIME YOU LEARNED WHAT TRUE TERROR IS, MORTALS. I WILL RELEASE THIS CREATURE AND ALLOW IT TO TEACH YOU WHAT DESPAIR TRULY MEANS. FARWELL.
"Darkness," Ren called, gaining the god's attention. "This is not the last time we meet. We have faced impossible odds before, and we have beaten beings that seemed unbeatable. We will never allow Jaune to be killed or controlled by you. We may not be as powerful as Jaune is, but he wasn't that powerful when we defeated Salem. And just like stopped her, we will stop you."
Darkness stared at Ren before huffing. INTERESTING. MAYBE WE WILL MEET AGAIN AFTER ALL, MORTAL. BUT MOST LIKELY NOT. With that, the Skademgamutc slumped over, hair covering its face.
Then, it began to convulse. Its arms started to flail around before it wrapped its arms around its body, bending back, the sound of bones breaking. It then began to contort; more bone snapping was heard. It was bending more and more until its body was completely folded, the monster not moving.
Moments passed.
"So... did it just... kill itse-" Nora began.
The Skadegamutc then shot forward with a roar, its hair flying away from its face, showing its mask-like face just stretching down, halfway towards the ground, the sheer volume of its screech causing the ground to split apart.
"That would be a no," Ren panted, feeling exhausted now that the Grimm was unleashing its full power.
"This might be hard to smash," Nora said as she and Ren prepared to fight the SSS-Class Grimm.
Nora's eyes widened when the monster appeared right in front of her before she could even begin to blink. It tried to slash her, but she held up her hammer just in time to block the strike. She was gritting her teeth. 'So fast! And this strength! It's like being punched by Cordovin's robot!' As soon as the thought left her mind, Nora was sent flying.
"NORA," Ren yelled before shooting at the Skadegamutc. It raised its arm, a stone wall appearing and blocking the bullets. It then zipped past the wall and charged at Ren.
Ren activated his Semblance, the Grimm stopping right in front of him. It growled as it looked around, searching for Ren. Ren was keeping still, looking for the perfect opportunity to strike. He thought he saw it when the monster turned its head. Unfortunately, when Ren moved, his heel kicked a pebble. That little piece of hardened dust was enough to make the Skadegamutc snap its head back towards Ren with a roar before smacking him away. Ren smashed through a boulder before rolling to his side with a groan of pain.
"HEY!" The monster looked towards Nora's yell, only to have its head smashed by Nora's hammer. "NO ONE DOES THAT TO MY MAN," she roared as she continuously slammed her hammer on the beast.
However, with her next heavy swing, the Grimm caught Nora's hammer, looking right into her eyes. It then roared right in her face. It felt like her very soul was rattling. Then her Aura began to flicker as if it were about to shatter, despite Nora still being in the green. Then, it grabbed her by the head.
Nora's eyes widened in realization, the thought of what happened to Ratcliffe still fresh in her mind. She then grabbed the Grimm's arm right as it was about to pull, surprising the monster. Still, it didn't stop. It just put in more strength, Nora's pink soul beginning to rise but just barely above her head. Nora put more strength on her own hold, keeping the arm down.
The two glared into the other's eyes. The Skadegamutc roared in rage, but Nora roared back in defiance, refusing to lose to this monster.
Then, the Grimm screeched in surprise. It looked back to see Gambol Shroud stuck in its back.
"HANDS OFF MY WORKOUT SISTER!"
It looked to the side, only to receive Yang's fist to its face, releasing its hold on Nora and being sent crashing through its own stone wall.
Nora fell to her knees, panting, before looking up to see Yang's hand, looking further up to see her smile. Nora smiled back as she grabbed Yang's hand, letting her friend help her up. "Thanks, Workout Sis."
Blake appeared next to them, looking towards the smoke as a silhouette appeared. "Nora, what is that thing?"
"A Skadegamutc."
"A what?! I thought those things were myths," Yang went.
"Well, we thought Nightmares were myths too. Then Jaune and Ren took one down and became International 1st Classes."
"This thing would only be hunted by them... or four International 2nd Classes," Blake said.
"Well, there're three 2nd Classes right here," Yang smiled.
"And Ren. I think we're allowed to hunt this thing," Nora said with a smile.
The Grimm then stumbled out of the smoke, contorting in a disturbing way.
"First they got more disgusting. Now they're getting more disturbing," Blake went with a grimace.
The Grimm then roared at the three Huntresses, its mouth stretching more and more until it tore open. Then its fangs clamped shut, flames seeping through.
"Whoa, boy," Nora went.
It then belched out a wave of black fire at the three, who jumped out of the way, Yang using her gauntlets, Nora riding her hammer, and Blake using her natural speed.
As soon as it shut its mouth, Ren slashed it across the face. He then slashed it across the chest several more times before slashing upwards. He then jumped off of it, shooting at its body as he tried to get some distance.
Unfortunately, the Grimm used its elastic arms to grab Ren and proceeded to swing him around, dragging him across the ground before slamming him hard enough to make a crater, his Aura now sparking. It then began to drag him, which shattered his Aura.
But before its arm reached halfway, Blake slashed its arm off, making it scream in agony, Nora catching Ren in midair.
Yang then appeared in front of it and punched its chest, covering it with grenades. She then jumped away and detonated it, a massive explosion engulfing the screeching Grimm. "BOOM GOES THE BITCH!"
Yang then gagged after an arm clamped around her throat before she was yanked into the smoke. She was now face to face with a growling Super Grimm. She then began to scream in agony as it electrocuted her.
As Yang screamed, the Grimm regrew its arm, reaching for Yang's head.
Fortunately for Yang, Nora tackled the Grimm, making it release Yang before she grabbed its hands, allowing it to electrocute her. "OH, YEAH! THAT'S THE STUFF! KEEP IT COMING! GIVE MAMA EVERYTHING YA GOT!" As she absorbed the electricity, Nora's hair stood up, her old scars glowing purple.
The Skadegamutc noticed how Nora was changing, so it switched to ice, making Nora release the creature. She looked at her frozen hands before merely balling them into fists, shattering the ice. She then grabbed her hammer, the weapon now electrified thanks to Nora's Semblance, the woman ready for a fight. "ALRIGHT, LADY! YOU AND ME!"
The Grimm growled at Nora. It then looked towards the sound of an explosion, looking to see a red-eyed, flame surrounding Yang walking towards her, the beauty punching her fists together. "Mind if I cut in?"
Yang then shot towards the creature, throwing a punch at its face. But the Grimm was able to catch her fist and throw her towards Nora, but Yang was able to spin and land safely next to her.
The Grimm looked at its burning hand before shaking the fire off and roaring at its enemies.
"Looks like we pissed it off," Nora said.
"Good, because I'm pissed too. Let's end this thing sister," Yang said as she held up her fist.
Nora fist bumped Yang, flame and lightning flashing before the two took their stances.
"BRING IT! LET'S DO THIS," the two yelled in perfect unison.
The Skadegamutc roared as if accepting the final challenge.
Yang and Nora ran towards the Grimm, the creature swinging its arm to create a Wind Blade, which Yang jumped over and Nora slid beneath. Yang was able to land a dropkick while Nora slammed her hammer into the Grimm's stomach, making it skid away. When it stopped, the Skadegamutc roared fire in their direction.
Once again, the two powerhouses easily dodged the attack, Nora riding on her grenade launcher with Yang using her gauntlets. Nora then flipped into the air and slammed her hammer down on the monster's head, Yang ready to land a powerful uppercut that made the Grimm float. When it was in midair, Nora swung her hammer with all her might, smashing into the monster's gut. Before it went flying, Nora pulled the trigger, adding an explosive edge to her strike that made the Grimm smash through a boulder before slamming into another one.
The Grimm was obviously in pain, close to death if the labored breathing and low growls were anything to go by.
Unfortunately, Nora was spent. She fell to her knees, her Aura shattering. "Sorry, Yang. I'm spent."
"No prob. I can handle this bitch just fine," Yang said as she punched her fists together before walking towards the wounded Grimm.
When Yang got close enough, the Skadegamutc shot up, eyes glowing red. It then roared its loudest yet. The force of the roar was enough to send even Nora flying. Still, though struggling, Yang stomped forward, her Aura beginning to spark. "Is that... The best... YA GOT?!" She stomped forward.
The Grimm then held out its hands. One was unleashing ice needles while the other was letting out lightning. Still, Yang powered through. She was determined to kill this Grimm and put an end to this war.
When Yang got close enough, the Skadegamutc raised its hand, vicious claws growing out. At that moment, Yang's Aura was just a second away from shattering. That swing would absolutely kill her.
BANG
The Skadegamutc was shot in the head, the Grimm stumbling before it glared in the direction of the shot. There Nimo was, standing, panting, using his good arm to hold up his shooting arm, his tomahawk still smoking.
"Hey." The Skadegamutc looked towards Yang, only to get punched right in the face. "Give this message to your boss. Leave my family the hell alone, unless he really wants to get burned." Yang's eyes flashed red before she gave out a battle roar as she put every last bit of her strength into her final punch. The punch had enough force to send the Grimm flying over the cliff. As it fell, it saw Yang's grenade beeping on its face.
Yang then turned her back towards the cliff. "Out with a Yang," she said as she activated the grenade, a loud explosion occurring.
Out of the smoke fell the Skadegamutc, giving out a final death roar before it splattered onto the ground. Then... finally... it began to fade away as smoke. The SSS-Class Grimm, Skadegamutc, had been slain.
Yang's Aura finally shattered, the woman stumbling before regaining her balance. She then looked up to see Nimo about to fall. She immediately ran and caught him. The old man looked at Yang with tired eyes, eyes asking a question. Yang answered with a nod, making Nimo smile.
Then, shuffling was heard. They looked to see a banged-up Nora, a battered Ren, and a bruised Blake and a burned Kocoum walk, or more accurately limp, towards the two. Nimo then looked towards the cliff, Yang realizing what he wanted without the man talking, carried the man to the cliff.
When they reached it, the remaining Huntsmen and Warriors were looking up towards them, all of them waiting with bated breath.
Nimo gently got off of Yang, standing tall and proud, and walked forward. He looked around at the brave heroes before feeling warm. He looked up to see something impossible. Sunlight in the Black Canyon. He took it as a sign from the Spirits and smiled. He then looked down at his heroes and held up his tomahawk triumphantly.
"ON THIS DAY, A MADMAN BENT ON REVENGE WAGED WAR AGAINST NOT JUST US, NOT JUST OUR LAND, BUT AGAINST THE HERO WHO PROTECTS THESE LANDS! WE HAVE SHOWN THAT EVEN WITHOUT THE GUARDIAN, WE CAN PROTECT OUR LANDS! FOR ON THIS DAY, WE STAND VICTORIOUS! WE HAVE WON THE WAR AGAINST THE DARK SPIRITS!"
Everyone cheered at that, battle cries, whistles, hollers, and chants ringing loudly.
Later, everyone returned to the Gero Village. The wounded were being tended to, the dead were being honored, the heroes were starting to relax, and the village was throwing a celebration. It was already a full-blown party. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Well, almost everyone.
"Are you sure you cannot stay and rest," a bandaged Nimo in his bed asked as he was being tended to by Lena.
"Well, I would love to stay and eat," Nora said.
"But this is an urgent matter that needs to be reported immediately," Ren said. "We would use our scrolls, but Gero Village is too far from any CCT Tower, making it impossible for us to reach Glynda. We need to report to her about this... event."
"And tell her that Jaune is over his head," Nora said.
"I mean, the guy is annoyingly tough, but not even he can take on that alone," Yang said. "We had to throw everything we had at that monster, and there are more like that after Jaune? No way is ol' Goodwitch going to let that stand."
"Jaune is a stubborn fool, but Glynda is one of the few people who he listens to," Blake said. "If anyone can convince him to stay out of harm's way, it's her."
"I understand. Please, do what you must to help my friend."
"We will, Great Nimo. Get well soon, mighty hero," Ren said as he bowed and turned away, the others following his lead.
"Lie Ren," Nimo called, making him and everyone stop. "Nora Ren. Yang Xiao Long. Blake Xiao Long. You have done many a great deed in these lands. Deeds to be immortalized in songs that will be passed down for generations to come. You... are always welcomed among my people. May the spirits allow our paths to cross once more in the coming days."
Ren turned towards Nimo and smiled. "I would like that."
"Yeah! You guys are awesome," Nora said. "Besides, Lena's one of Jaune's exes, right?"
"EEP," she went.
"That's a yes if I ever heard one. Be sure to tell me some nice and embarrassing stories about him when we come back," Nora said with a wave as she left, making Ren sigh.
"I'm sorry for my wife, Lady Lena. Farwell," Ren said as he left.
"Though, I really could use some dirt on-ow-ow-ow," Yang went as Blake tugged at her ear.
"Come on, Yang," she said as she dragged her wife out of the tent.
Nimo chuckled. "My old friend has such interesting companions."
"Yeah. Interesting," Lena said with a roll of her eyes as she tended to the rest of her father's wounds. She smiled anyway. "May the Spirits protect them."
Nimo nodded. "May the Spirits protect them."
A/N: That ends the Black Canyon Battle Arc. It was a shot arc, but a fun one. Did you guys like it? My personal favorite character in this arc was Nimo. That is one tough old man. Which of these characters did you like the most in this particular arc? Did you like the fight against the Skadegamutc?
The Skadegamutc (the Ghost-Witch) is one of the most badass and terrifying Native American monsters I've ever read about. I HAD to make it into a Grimm. Hope I made it as scary as it deserved to be.
Next chapter... yer gettin' a special! Let's just say that Jaune's past actions came back to bite him in the ass.
Until then