RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 7: Thorns of Emotions
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
There were many things Ozpin had experienced during his lifetime on Remnant. He wasn't like many people due to his past. A past that spanned ages ago, in a time magic was a gift from the gods. A Time when the Brothers rested in their domains. His mistakes grew as did his sins; things he wasn't proud of, carrying it year after year through each life. His battle against Salem never ended nor concluded to this very day. He had thought the past was that, the past. Alas, that didn't mean all was well for him.
The recent event of another victim, a student of his academy, subjected to the cruel mind games of the now revealed organizer - Evol.
Evol. Not a name he would repeat, ever.
Just thinking it sent a bitter taste to his tongue as he took a sip of his beverage. A snake who was not sent by the gods but had reincarnated through blood. An entity who had survived through those who held his blood. If one were to die, he would resurrect in another host. That was the dangerous element regarding the monster. To add to it, he was alive when the Brothers roamed, thus having magic. The very magic that remained strong through each bloody reincarnation, unlike him whose magic weakened through one life after another.
Salem was one but Evol was another. The way the snake talked, his ambitions, he wasn't doing it for the sake of power. Evol was doing this as a sick form of amusement; seeing life as nothing more than a toy and the snake was the child playing with it.
A sadistic, magic snake who would do nothing more than see the world burn. Alas it was the boy the snake had constricted in his grasp.
Evol warned him of the consequences should any student dares near the blonde-haired body. Three of his students being such examples.
It was through Goodwitch that Team RWBY was told to refrain from any contact with the boy known as Cody. No confrontations. No idle conversations. Period. It didn't sit well with them but they regrettably understood.
This very situation was already told to those in his circle.
Ironwood being one such soul he told him about.
"You can't be serious Ozpin!" He wasn't happy.
"I'm afraid so James. Evol has the same powers as the Maidens."
"That can't be possible… how? Is he…?"
"Like me? Partly… when he said 'were it not for this mortal flesh' it meant he has lived through those with his blood. The problem is… there's no telling who holds his blood. Given his… life expectancy, the risks of countless having it."
"And we just let him do as he pleases? Until another person vanishes?"
"I don't like it as much as you do, James. I really don't…"
The Atlesian's face darkened in regret but also furious.
"There is one matter that doesn't settle well with me, James." Ozpin clasped his hands together. "A matter that I pray it isn't it."
"And can it be worse than what you have told me?"
"The young man Evol took great investment and interest in." He sent Ironwood the photo of Cody. "Any records of his birth are likely to be removed from the database by Evol's agents. However… it is what I peered behind his eyes that gave a grim possibility."
"What?"
"…" Ozpin's eyes turned grim. "Evol said everything runs through blood. Especially for the snake himself."
He waited before the reality of confirmation made Ironwood's eyes widened in both shock and horror. "By Brothers… Oz you can't possibly mean…"
The general held his tongue to the dark reality of the truth behind the young man. It churned his stomach to the implications behind it. For a snake to.. to… god it made him sick to his stomach but angered for what the bastard may have done to an unfortunate soul.
"I'm afraid so. And it is suppressed within him due to the snake. Only time will tell when it awakens… and when Salem will act against the snake."
"Ozpin, if this is true…" The general gritted his teeth. "I am going to inform Ace Ops to-"
"Don't."
"Ozpin, if what you said is true-!"
"Evol will do everything in his power to prevent anyone from taking him, James. This man has countless agents lying in wait, for generations to answer. There is no telling if your military is already compromised."
"Damn it… I am not going to remain idle of this Ozpin. If Qrow is aware of this as well, you know better that if we don't act then she will or this bastard of a snake chooses to act again as he already did."
The call ended, making the headmaster take a deep breath. His friend is going to send his operatives without a doubt.
He looked at the glass, seeing the view. A view that no doubt Evolto sees as well.
The third player who will continue to toy with people's lives. Ozpin's grip on his drink tightened. If everything does run through blood as Evolto claimed, what can it mean for those like him?
Jaune sat on the edge of the statue in the front of Beacon, his head filled with confusion and worries for a little bit now. Things were fine at first, but when Yang came back one day talking about someone that angered but fascinated her was something she kept rambling on about. To the young Huntsmen, it sounded like a crush, something he could relate.
But when Yang and Blake soon closed themselves off one day, it made everyone worry. Her sister, Weiss, and his team were concerned heavily when they barely would leave their rooms. But things changed and now Weiss was starting to act the same. Though with the previous two friends feeling better gave him relief, the fact that the girl that stole his heart was now being affected by whatever it was, made him upset.
They wouldn't tell him or his team about what happened, nor anything new about this boy. In fact they all became silent, minus Yang's usual small jokes or jabs at this other boy alongside some drawings. It seemed she still wanted to do something yet for some reason she had to stop.
Jaune wanted to help cheer up Weiss, and while she has told them she was fine. He knew fully well when a girl lied. He was raised alongside several other sisters (seven to be exact), so he fully could take notice of certain things…. Other than dating of course.
The blonde knight shook his head. He had to help cheer up Weiss. Maybe something happened with the boy who took her? I mean, for nearly a whole day he was wanted only for his profile to be erased with only RWBY and JNPR still remembering the situation.
Furthermore to add to the pot was the Headmaster having to call Team RWBY and being told about something. From the looks of it upon leaving Professor Ozpin's office, the four were dreadfully silent but it was something they must have complied to.
Whatever the problem was, was with this boy. This 'Cody' person. Jaune stood up with determination as he was going to march out and find this boy and make him talk. Or at the very least comply to his questions? If he could make Yang gush about his strength, Jaune could tell he wouldn't make a dent compared to Yang. He can only hope the Arc luck was on his side today.
Come to think of it…
"Where does he even go to anyway?"
XXX
"Achoo!" Cody sneezed only to fumble the items in his hand.
"Hey, if you're sick, don't get the merchandise infected with it." Tuskon warned.
"S-Sorry don't know what brought it up." The blonde apologized.
XXX
Jaune stood with a straight posture, swallowing slightly upon staring at the door that belonged to the dorm of Team RWBY. Since it was the weekend, there were no classes but the four girls no doubt had to do remedial lessons due to their grades. He inhaled sharply before knocking.
…..
…..
No answer….
"Welp, another knock should maybe do it?" Jaune spoke to himself as he knocked on their door once more. "Um… anyone there?"
The door opened as Yang slowly peeked out to see Jaune, "Oh… Hey Jaune. What's up?" The blonde brawler questioned.
"Er, I was hoping if you girls know where this guy goes?"
Yang raised an eyebrow and opened the door a little more. "Who?"
"The guy you call Co-" The door was immediately closed on his face. "Dy…"
"Jaune… just do yourself a favor and leave it be…." Yang's voice muffled from the other side. "No one should be around him."
"You say that, yet you still make some jokes about him. Even doodle! You clearly still want to care about him!" Jaune spoke up, knowing Yang was denying such thoughts.
"JUST LEAVE!" The leader of JNPR jumped to the brief dent in the door.
"Tried talking to my sister?" He looked to his right, noticing Ruby with a stack of books in her hands.
"Yeah. Why get so worked up about this Cody guy?"
"…" Ruby's eyes dimmed slightly. She was told by Ozpin to not get involved in anything regarding the blonde who is supposedly a criminal. After the incident with Yang and Blake then her bestie Weiss, it was obvious something involving Cody led to such states. Like their very lives were toyed with within hours.
"It's… something we can't talk about anymore, Jaune… Ozpin said so." Ruby responded softly. "While I wonder the same, I just want the three to be better after whatever that mean blonde did. Oh uh, not you, I mean the other."
"I know." Jaune chuckled softly with a nod. "Still… I just want to help. Please, is there something I can do?" He pleaded with the scythe wielder as she pushed past him to her dorm room before she stopped.
"Jaune… if Ozpin said to not be involved around Cody, then whatever Cody is in, it hurts my sister. My friends. What I want is for them to not keep saying boogeyman. I'm scared of their conditions, really, I am. Not a day goes by when I ask myself what I can do." Ruby lowered her head in shame. "Some leader I am…"
After Weiss came back, the poor Heiress would sleep with her weapon beside her. When she woke her up previously, she nearly got stabbed if it were not for her Aura. Like her sister and Blake, all they murmured was boogeyman or the snake. Those titles and adding to it being connected to Cody, it was a lot of trouble for just one man.
"Ruby…"
"For now… the best you can do is to let them rest and heal…. Hopefully it'll be enough." Ruby said softly before closing the door, leaving the young knight to his thoughts alone.
What kind of situation was this Cody in that brought such states to the girls minus Ruby?
They were his friends, and practically his precious family too. If an Arc was one thing, it was a symbol to keep their family together and strong no matter what they have done.
If they can't tell him, he'll find out for himself. He made it this far with his strength, and now with friends and a team? He's stronger than ever. He'll find a way to get this boy to talk even if he's beaten to the ground. Both figuratively… and literally.
XXX
Cody stared at the window, his mind replaying regarding the incident with Evol. He toyed with another person's life, to the heiress of the SDC no less. He wanted that blondie what would happen and look where it ended? He blamed her for it as she was responsible for getting her friends involved. The snake was legitimately dangerous. However he had so many questions.
Like the panel. What was so important for them that they would inquire about the use of Dust to safely deliver to the bastard? Furthermore…
He reached into his pocket and procured the odd Fullbottle.
The new Dragon Fullbottle. It wasn't just a prize for winning the sick game but a message.
Evol was already starting to develop weapons for his agents across Remnant. Why 'already' you ask? His eyes drift to the television his boss was watching, discussing news of stolen Atlas cargo that carried the latest technology alongside Dust and missing people in the span of 24 hours.
24 hours. That was how fast Faust worked. He knew their line of work. They don't remain idle for too long unless it is in regards to their experiments or watching potential threats and studying them.
Whatever was happening, it meant a new phase was beginning. But what did it have to do with him and this new item?
A heavy groan of frustration escaped his lips as he buried his head into his hand, groaning into it to vent. Whatever this plan was? He'll let it continue…. If he can get more power to smack down that snake? Then he'll go along for now.
He just hoped others wouldn't get caught in the crossfire again. Not the Faunus girl, not the Heiress or the red hooded girl…. Not even that annoying girl, Yang.
This was his problem and only his.
"Cody."
"Yes, Mr. Tukson?"
"I'm about to close shop for the day."
"This early? Why?"
Tukson pointed to the television. "With how things are at the moment, I want to make sure none of this occurs as a precaution."
"Oh… okay."
"Sorry about that kid."
"It's fine. I understand you are doing this for the sake of our safety."
"Just take it easy kid. It'll get better somehow." Tuskon patted the blonde's shoulder to try and give some moral support before he took his leave. Cody sighed heavily and helped close the shop, exiting it while Tukson locked the door and flipped the sign to signify the official closure for the day.
Giving their respective goodbyes, the blonde made his trek back to Junior's club. Hopefully the crime boss won't be deterred from letting him work, but with everything that has happened, he's not expecting a good welcome.
The small dragon flew around him before landing on top of his head, nestling in his hair. The blonde gently reached up and petted it. "I know… I'm worried too. All we can do… is wait until they strike again." He consoled, his eyes drifting to the new bottle. "It only makes me wonder why he would give it to me… as a message of their weapons development or…" He trailed off bitterly.
As Cody reached the bar, he was about to enter only for the guard to stop him with his hand holding out, making him confused. "Uh… Are you new here or something?" The experiment asked the guard, confused as he never needed to be stopped before. "I work here."
"Not anymore. Boss said that you have to move on kid." The grunt said to him, soon pulling up a slip to show him a notice.
"… W-What?"
"He knew about the incident with the Heiress. And he would rather not deal with more headaches than he already has."
"B-But…."
"Sorry. You'll receive your year's payment in advance soon."
Cody was utterly flabbergasted. He was fired from the club? That's…
He internally gritted his teeth, his arms shaking to the turmoil of emotions he felt. Saddened that he was fired from the job that gave him a place. Angry for losing it. But most of all his anger was putting his mind into accusing the blondie and her friend. If they had not snooped around, this wouldn't have happened! To not have the heiress kidnapped to cause such a damn ruckus!
The moment he saw a broken down car he slammed his fist into it, denting the vehicle and turning it from a horizontal design to a vertical one. He needed to hit something badly…. Very badly.
"Let's go find some Grimm," he said to his dragon and stomped his way to Forever Fall.
XXX
This was a lot harder than it seemed…
Jaune was sitting on the edge of the pier, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he sat there. He tried to use what he could remember not just from what the others have said about his appearance, but also from the wanted poster.
The blonde knight holding up a very poorly drawn face. He hoped that somebody could've recognized him or the very least remembered the incident with Weiss being kidnapped, yet everywhere he went nobody seemed to remember or know the guy. He was like some kind of ghost.
Not a single person had a single clue to who he is. Like the whole city forgot him. It was quite scary. What could make everyone forget in the span of hours? He whined, pressing his face against his hands. "Why is everything always so difficult? Maybe Ruby was right… if no one remembers him then something about that dude is extremely serious. It's not like he would just show up."
He grunted upon standing up. "Guess I should wait tomorrow…" Jaune turned around and slumped with his walk. There were so many questions about what happened and not a single soul aside from Team RWBY and the headmaster. Team RWBY was out of the question given they were told by Ozpin to not have any contact or mention of the blonde.
His curiosity may probably get him beaten from the fellow blonde or from the girls for not heeding the warning.
Just as he was about to turn the corner he paused and quickly hid. Poking his head out, he noticed a young man with blonde hair and a metal yet blocky dragon resting on his head. He was waiting patiently for the next ride but from the tapping of his foot, he was getting impatient.
Blonde hair like himself? Check.
Always with a blocky toy dragon? Check.
Looking like he can toss a Vertibird like a frisbee? Double Check.
Yup, it's Cody.
Jaune coughed to calm his nerves and approached Cody. "Are you Cody?" He tensed when Cody looked at him and for a second he swore the eyes were blood red. Not Yang when she is angry red, but literal blood red.
"Who's asking?"
"The name's Jaune Arc. Short sweet-"
"Don't care." Cody deadpanned. "What do you want?"
How rude. How can Yang deal with him? Mentally setting it aside, Jaune cleared his throat for a second. "I wanted to ask about one of my friends. Weiss Schnee."
Cody stared at him, his eyes scanning over before the frown deepened. "If it's about the incident, I am not in the mood. I have a lot on my mind right now." He huffed. "Just stay away from me. It's best for people to avoid me."
Jaune hearing this was pondering in his thoughts about that. He was a smart guy and can piece things together quickly. It took him a few moments, but he was able to put something together. He too was being subjugated by whatever hurt Weiss, Yang, and Blake.
Taking another breath before gulping it down, he walked forward only to grab Cody's wrist, causing the experiment to turn with annoyance.
"I'm sorry but I can't…. Too many of my friends are hurt and I need answers."
"I am giving you three seconds to let go. One."
"H-Hey can't we just talk it out?"
"I told you, not in the mood. Two."
"I-I'm trying to help my friends! Especially Weiss!"
"And they got what happened as a consequence for sneaking into other people's business. Three." Cody's fingers gripped Jaune's arm and the blonde student yelped to the indescribable pain, finding himself to his knees and trying to yank his grip off. His Aura fluctuated to the pain to heal but by Brothers, Yang was not joking about how unnatural the strength was! "Thus I don't want to hear any more of it from you. I warned them and they didn't listen. End of story."
"S-So instead, you just push people away? Make them scared of you so they don't get hurt?" Jaune winced.
"I didn't scare them, damn it! That bastard did!" Jaune gasped for air when his arm was now starting to be crushed by the tightening grip.
"T-Then why don't you do something to change that?!" Jaune questioned, powering through the pain, "If you think this is helping them, its not! Heck, Yang still seems to care!"
It was there Jaune saw it. Blood red. The unnatural yet ominous shade of red. Cody raised his arm back, making Jaune's eyes widened.
Yup, he knew this was going to happen.
*WHAM!*
Jaune flew across the street before sliding into a garbage can that was dented. He groaned, clutching his head and eye.
"It is their fault for what they are feeling! It is their fault that the incident was the last straw to lose my damn job!" Cody snapped. "If you or anybody from that school does this again, that snake will only tear your life apart! Going after every person you love and they will never remember you! Just a toy to be thrown away!"
Cody saw the airship in which he sent a scowl at Jaune. "I hate Huntsman. They are no heroes to me, just cowards who refused to save kids like me." Entering the airship, Jaune watched as it flew to the next stop.
XXX
"Oh hey Jau-WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?!" His partner who happens to be the supposedly famous Pyrrha Nikos gasped upon seeing the bruised face with the black eye. He was also holding his arm.
"Was it Cardin again?" His other teammate, Ren asked with a sigh.
"N-No… it's um, well…" Jaune winced upon moving his arm. "I-I kinda spoke to the Cody guy Team RWBY mentioned."
"Ooh, did he break your legs? Oh! Oh! Was it your arm?!" The eccentric orange-haired girl Nora Valkyrie inquired.
"I'm still walking, thankfully… just my arm is almost crushed like a soda can…"
"Why didn't you go to the ER, Jaune? By Brothers!" Pyrrha said with complete worry as she quickly picked up a nearby first aid to help her teammate.
"I-I just wanted to talk to Cody and he just snapped at me when I asked him about Ruby's teammates," the team leader explained with a wince. "I-I didn't expect him to react this much. I wanted answers about it."
"Did he say anything?"
"All Cody said is 'he' numerous times. Oh and included the word 'the snake'."
"The Snake?" They questioned.
"Sounds like some kind of complex if you ask me…." Nora shrugged. "Sneaky. Crafty. Devious."
"But after that it kinda scared me. It wasn't just about hearing how the 'snake' would tear my life apart and make everyone forget me, his eyes, Pyrrha. They were suddenly glowing red. Not like Yang. But literally more red than a Grimm. I-It felt like…" he swallowed and shivered. "Felt like I would have drowned in blood…"
"Oh Jaune…" Pyrrha frowned with sadness and worry, giving him a gentle hug as she knew he was just wanting to help the others over this.
"So? You're still going to try and convince him to change, right?" Ren questioned, as he knew his leader well as he had started to become the type to not give up.
"I-I'll try but I'm sure of this," He gestured to his condition. "It will happen again next time."
"Then we'll break his legs in return!" Nora grinned deviously.
The oriental-dressed teen pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nora."
Unbeknownst to them, a teal snake flickered its tongue, staring at the teens from the window.
XXX
Evolt was a man of many talents. After his war machina had stolen the Atlas tech and dust, he had already begun the recent phase of creating the next line of weaponry. He popped a joint as he watched the sight of the Guardian Bots processing the parts onto the conveyor belt, moving across to create the weapons.
His lenses gleamed in delight as he had ordered a few to work on another weapon but a special one. A… present if you will for the boyo.
The crest glimmered, making him pause. He flicked his wrist, allowing a hologram projection of Beacon dormitories. He thought he told Ozpin what would happen if those girls snoop into his territory?
Meh, not like they will remember after he does the business and-
"Ha?" Evol moved his feet off the table and noticed it wasn't the girls but two boys and two girls who made an agreement to find Cody.
"Is that the Invincible Girl? My, my… guess this is quite a sight." He twirled his fingers, allowing a brush of rock to shove a device. "Night Rogue, I need ya to send a Smash. Oh and you will be taking part in a battle recording the drones will do." He tossed the device over his shoulder and chuckled darkly. "Once the four see the reality of entering the snake's domain, Ozpin will have to answer. How exciting."
XXX
"So you saw him around here?" Pyrrha asked as they followed Jaune. It had only been a few days, but the blonde was ready to go find Cody once again as Team JNPR were on the case this time, though Nora seemed more eager to smack the boy instead of talking. Evidence being the hammer in her hands.
"Yeah before he took the airship to… er, somewhere?"
"Are you positive he didn't just take an airship and move away?" Pyrrha questioned with worry for her leader.
"I-I don't know. That's all I recall, no thanks to the shine he gave my eye."
"Lucky you have a lot of Aura, huh?" Pyrrha joked, trying to lighten the mood for her leader.
"Yeah I guess…"
Ren paused his steps, his magenta eyes peering at his surroundings. "Wait." He called, earning puzzlement from the rest. "Where is everyone?"
Now they noticed, the entire district was nothing but a ghost street. Not a single soul was amiss, no sound of cars passing by them. Just eerie silence.
Nora jogged to the shop and barged inside. "Hellooooo!" She called. Looking over the counter she blinked. "Hey guys! Over here!" Her friends joined. "Look!"
Looking over the counter they saw an employee but they were snoring softly.
"Uh… maybe sleeping on the job?" Jaune guessed.
Nora merely raised a hand and swiftly slapped the employee but got no response. She pouted and did it three times until Ren stopped her enjoyment. "Aww… I was enjoying that."
"To even sleep through that…" Jaune winced. "Is… everyone in this street asleep at such a level?"
"That it is to prevent any witnesses from seeing us"
Team JNPR immediately turned around and saw smoke glimmer before gathering and hardened, revealing an armored figure whose yellow visor was staring at them.
"Who let Batman in?" Nora quipped.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Pyrrha questioned, her arm at the ready to fight, as is Ren.
"… the Boogeyman's loyal fighter." He thrust his arm, presenting a firearm. "But, you will have to deal with our attack dog first in the midst of combat." Smoke gathered before escaping into the ventilation systems.
"A-Attack dog? Did he just say attack dog?" Jaune gulped.
"Yup!" Nora chimed.
Pyrrha wondered what he meant too. Was it a Grimm? It sounded impossible-
"Duck!" Ren shouted, the four ducking as white needles slammed into the wall. Poking out of cover, they saw a white-colored humanoid with countless spikes protruding from its body.
"Oh! Oh! That is a porcupine! … wait, they sent a porcupine to attack us?"
"It's not a porcupine, Nora." Ren corrected.
"Well whatever it is… We need to leave. I don't think we're capable of fighting it." Jaune stated as he was feeling the same fear he felt from Cody.
"What about the people here?" Nora inquired as they took cover again from the spikes that were hitting their cover like a machine gun.
"I think it's only focused on us, so the more we try to get away until we reach Beacon, the safer everyone will be." Jaune said, blocking a few lingering spikes that tried to hit them.
"Let's go!" Pyrrha raised her shield before she and Jaune immediately took the brunt of the attacks while covering Ren and Nora. It wasn't easy for the four but kept pushing through but that didn't mean all was well.
Pyrrha and Jaune saw their shields were slowly chipping away. The materials used for Pyrrha's and Jaune's shield was well enough to withstand the strikes of an ursa and other Grimm but this was no Grimm.
"Almost there!" Just as they were about to exit the block, Nora grunted and landed on her rear.
"Hey, what gives!?" She yelled.
Ren pressed his hand but saw the ripple of energy. "This is Hardlight…"
"Hardlight energy? As in Atlesian Hardlight?!" Pyrrha asked.
"Nothing this sophisticated to be so transparent! I don't think this is even Atlas technology."
"Then stand back! I'll break it like glass!" Nora shouted as she stood back up. She spit on her hands before gripping her hammer as she swung as hard as she could, only for her to start shivering like someone hitting metal against one another, causing her to drop her weapon. "P-Plan… B?"
They saw the monster stalk towards them, snarling as its spikes grew. It roared upon rearing its head back and dashed like a madbull.
GET CROSS-Z DRAGON! YEAH!
Until a flaming blue fist sent it away from Team JNPR. That fist belongs to Cross-Z.
"I said you should've kept away… Ugh, how many more times I'm going have to save your sorry butts from your stupidity?" Cross-Z growled out, as Jaune recognized the voice behind it.
"Cody?!"
"Wait, Cody? That Cody who I want to break his legs?!" Nora asked.
The rider did a double take as he looked at the orange-haired girl with honest surprise. While Yang said she'd hit him until he was brought in. This one only wanted to break his legs?
"Why is Beacon full of weirdos and idiots?" He questioned them.
"Hey!"
Cross-Z extended his hand, making Jaune gawk to the sword that materialized from the belt to his hand and strike the pale humanoid across its spiky hide. The Smash inflated before unleashing spikes at the blonde, causing him to conjure a ball of fire and threw at the center. He dashed forward and clenched his fist, causing the azure ball of flames to expand and explode, removing the projectiles in his line of fire and leapt. The monster staggered in shock and felt the solid blow to its pointed head.
The impact caused an audible crack while flinging it across the street. It rolled a few times before landing against the wall, stuck. It wagged its arms and legs in an attempt to free itself.
"There… Time to put it out of its misery now…" Cross-Z said almost coldly as he began to approach the beast.
"I think not."
The azure rider gasped to the smoke that appeared and the fist that slammed into his helmet and to the ground. He saw the arm before the rest of the gray mist gathered to form Blood Stark's underling.
"Night Rogue…" Cross-Z hissed in anger.
"You are to deal with me while those humans face the reality of their consequences once they see what the Smash truly is."
"Heh, sorry but I called dibs on the beat down. You'll just have to run back to master like a good dog."
While it annoyed the bat, he scoffed at the insult and kicked Cross-Z into a window.
"You still have yet to reach my level, Experiment 931."
"That's not my name…." He grunted, slowly picking himself up to fight once more. "I want answers… why is that snake making weapons now?!"
"You want answers…?" Night Rogue spread his arms as he began to turn into smoke, soaring away. "Then come and get it."
The rider growled and chased after the mist, leaving Team JNPR with the monster.
"Did he seriously leave us with this thing?!" Jaune grimaced as they saw cracks in the walls that the Smash was stuck against. It squirmed before it finally freed itself.
"I think he saw that 'Night Rogue' as his top priority…" Ren murmured.
"I'm going to break his legs twice now…" Nora growled with annoyance.
XXX
Cross-Z rolled across the pavement, raising his arm to stop the steam sword Night Rogue used, their weapons meeting in a flurry of sparks.
"My Lord has been gathering what is needed for his plans."
"To burn the world?! That's genocide and you know it!" Cross-Z tried to deliver a vertical strike but his opponent easily dodged the attack and countered with a knee to his azure abdomen.
"That is merely the pillar. It takes a journey to climb the mountain." The bastard cryptically responded yet coldly. Smoke formed, startling Cross-Z before he felt several slashes across his armor.
Sparks and blood splatters flew off of his armor as he cried out in pain, dropping to his knees. He panted heavily. He felt the boot of Night Rogue pressed against his head, forcing him to bow further.
"You ran when we cried for help. You failed us."
"You keep saying 'we', 'us'! Why do you keep saying that?!"
"Let me enlighten you… to these voices." Night Rogue moved his talons to his collar and adjusted himself, activating a key.
"931, I'm tired..." A young boy's voice echoed.
"We gotta keep going 931!" That was another child's voice.
"Pull me up! Please 931!" Another voice called but that was of a girl who was possibly a child as well.
"Don't leave us!"
The world crashed down onto the blonde as he mustered what strength he could to slightly raise his head. "You… You were one of the kids who escaped with me…"
"You LEFT us to die."
"I was told to survive…. SHE told me to survive!" He snapped but in sadness.
"The very girl who asked you to get her up first. Tell me, do you remember the betrayal she felt when you didn't?"
"Sh-Shut up!"
"The cries of their voices when the Guardians snatched us while you watched in hiding?!"
"I didn't watch or hide! I tried to help! I-GAH!" Cross-Z's helmet was forced to the ground.
"You failed us and ran! Failed me."
Cross-Z gritted his teeth and elicited a cry of defiance, finally standing up and delivered a powerful strike across the helmet. Glass finally echoed in his ears as the dark rider tumbled a few steps. He panted but froze when the bastard turned his head slightly. The yellow visor lost half of its portion, revealing a pained yet angered green eye but it wasn't male… it was feminine.
Cross-Z's eyes widen with shock upon seeing it. Those deep purple eyes…. They were the same as the one who helped him continue onward… His cellmate and the one he saw as his first friend….
"9-9-932….?"
"She isn't here anymore… because of you." The distorted voice echoed with the female voice of the damaged helmet. "Live with it… for you failed us." Smoke gathered around the now revealed female rider. "Their deaths are in your hands. Those students will see what it is like for us when blood is on theirs."
"Wait!" He reached out but the smoke slipped through his fingers.
932…. She was his cellmate…. She helped him through some of those worse times…. She gave him hope that he could live. She told him to live no matter what…. Yet here she was… now a prisoner of hate and rage. She saw him as a traitor not because of leaving Faust but because he left them. Left her when they pleaded for his help.
"I-I…" Cross-Z placed his hands on the pavement, his eyes burning by the emotions that swell in his heart. Was he really responsible for their fate to end in such state?
Yet before his mind could even erupt with his bottling emotions, he heard the painful cry of the blonde knight, snapping the azure rider out of his stupor.
His head lowered, the rider began to even think if he should save them. They got themselves into this mess. They can get out or perish, like every other "hero" out there. Yet, those words that 932 said were still burning in his ears.
He didn't save the others who fled with him…. But he can at least save these idiots from his mistakes. Then he can stew in his thoughts later.
XXX
Jaune was holding up a very broken shield, his limbs were filled with spikes as one graze had made his right eye blind with blood as he was shielding his injured friends. While they are still injured and unable to move at the moment, he remains strong still. He won't let them die, not here and not from some porcupine monster!
As the monster folded its arms in for another spray of spikes, Jaune was ready to jump forward to take the hit, but the moment he tried to move he felt his legs finally giving out as he dropped to the ground, staring up with dread in his eyes as he was about to accept the fate.
But in seconds as the monster launched its spikes, Cody dropped in front of them, taking the hits as the spikes pierced his armor and the boy, as blood began to trickle down from the entry wounds.
"Can… you move…?" The azure rider grunted out, slowly looking at the knight.
"H-Huh?" The fellow blonde blinked.
"Can you still move?" He repeated with a more harsher tone.
"I-I think so…" Jaune gritted his teeth, slowly trying to push himself up.
"Well… hurry… I'll buy you time…" Cross-Z said, pulling the spikes out as he turned back to the Smash, as he decided he won't let them die.
Flames encircled his limbs, cauterizing the wounds beneath his armor before running towards the monster. It roared but the rider procured his blade again and relentlessly struck its hide. It staggered but Cody made sure to not let it recover and resumed another combination of attacks against its hide.
It tried to get up but Cross-Z punched it across the pointed face.
"I'll end your suffering soon, so just bear with it." He said to the Smash, as he slashed it a few more times before he picked it up before driving it into the ground below.
The beast weakly but shakingly turned to see the sunset gleaming against Cross-Z who shakingly raised his sword.
"I'm sorry I left you all…. I'm… so sorry…." He weeped, a crack in his visor fell off as it showed a tearful eye behind it.
He slammed the weapon into its abdomen, freezing the beast in place.
From hiding the four members of JNPR watched as the sickly green aura shrouded the monster and melted away, revealing a human who was their age.
The monster was a human.
The body slowly discolored before crumbling into ashes. Team JNPR could only watch with tears in their eyes as the rider dropped to his knees, his armor fading as tears were dripping down his face.
He knew this monster and had no choice but to kill it, to save them from such a fate.
XXX
"Being outside school grounds past curfew. Being reported of the destruction of property, both public and private. Furthermore are the injuries all of you sustained in a reported deadly scuffle with several individuals who pointed you four as the attackers." Goodwitch read to the four.
Within the Hospital Wing of Beacon, JNPR laid there as they had to recover a bit from the incident. All of them reeling from Goodwitch's scolding. The fact the 'reported' destruction of property and deadly scuffle had to be from the bad guys who no doubt made a false statement. They were able to lie so easily it made the four look like idiots.
"Seems we're going to have stricter curfew rules now because you and Team RWBY refuse to heed our warnings…" Glynda pinched the bridge of her nose.
"B-But the bad guys-!" Jaune flinched to the glare directed at him.
"We will expel you all if you do this again…. Do I make myself clear?" Glynda threatened, as this was now too serious and dangerous that they have no choice but to use their worse outcome callout.
"Yes ma'am…"
Goodwitch adjusted her glasses and sighed. "Children, I do hope this puts some light into your roles as future Huntsmen. Never act in such.. brash ways." She exited the medical wing, the four looking at one another.
"We nearly got ourselves killed… and this is our result?" Pyrrha droned. "Possible expulsion?"
"Now it makes more sense to why Ruby and her team had to remain quiet… What we saw? It's something that we can't simply fight." Ren shook his head.
"That guy… was our age… and that Cody just…" Nora murmured. "Killed him… we saw it."
"It was a weapon for that bat thing…" Jaune spoke up. "It obeyed him without question… I don't think they could've been saved no matter what other than that… Plus his reaction to it was different from seeing us… It was not only remorseful, but pain. Like he knew that guy."
Who on Remnant does the bat person work for to do such… travesties? To bring so much emotional pain and toy with them like a fiddle.
Meanwhile, Cody was slowly making his way back to his home, just wanting to sleep and be done with this whole thing. He was tired. Emotionally and physically tired.
He just… He just wants this pain to go away. That's all he wants now.
XXX
Watching afar tho was a small drone, examining the boy as it seemed to have been watching him for a little bit now. But on the other side of the camera were several screens, ranging from the earlier fight, to analysis on the armor and weapons he had to a still image of the boy's face.
Stepping forward was James Ironwood, general of the Atlas Military. He looked back to the screens before turning his attention to whoever he was showing it to.
"As you can see, this boy is both a danger to the people but also something that can be used if given the right opportunity. Your task is to take him both alive and at least in one piece and bring him to Atlas. We'll figure out who he is and where his allegiance lies. Do not let anyone know you're there, especially Ozpin. He's being too soft at this point and right now there's a danger we need to learn from." Ironwood briefed.
Ozpin had been idle on keeping distance from the boy due to the leader of Faust making threats to ruin the lives of his students. At first it was all a bluff until the reports of two teams already under scrutiny was evident the snake wasn't idle when it came to making threats and ruining their lives.
Ironwood, as Ozpin told him regarding Faust agents, had been extremely careful after the revelation that Faust had people across the world for generations to follow the order of one entity who lives through those with his blood. Within such generations to have such a spy network was enough to keep his activities close and to only those he can truly trust.
"This mission, will be for the greater good. Now Ace Ops… any questions?"
A/N: Now ain't this a big twist of emotions and reveals? :3 Hope you all liked this chap, cause many things are coming their way! Until then, later minna!