RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 8: Turmoil of A General
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^
It was late in the morning, the sun was already up and the people walking about. Though walking along the streets was none other than Yang. The blonde simply holding a small piece of paper as she was making her way to Tuskon's Booktrade.
She had to ask her partner for help as she didn't know where Cody lived and remember what Blake had said about his job. She did try last night to talk to Junior, but she already heard that he was let go. Once she learned about it she made her way inside as the bell rang, yet surprisingly the boy wasn't at the counter as she walked towards it and rang the bell, hoping he would be hear.
"Coming." An older voice got out as when the owner walked out, the busty brawler only frowned softly. "How can I help you miss?" He asked her.
"Do you know where Cody is?" Yang asked as Tuskon had a hesitant look. "I'm not here for trouble… I just wanted to give this to him." She said, handing the note.
Tuskon took it up as he opened it, as his hesitant look turned into a softer expression as he sighed, "While I would, the kid wasn't in his room… I think he left on his own." He informed the blonde. "Whatever happened a day before, must've made him too scared to stay… Sorry kid. But… if I do end up seeing him again, I'll pass the letter along."
"Thank you…" Yang appreciated as she walked out of the store, a sad look on her face. She finally got the courage to apologize, but knowing how he was, she figured he wouldn't listen, hence the letter instead. But now that he seems to have left, her heart began to grow with guilt as she wanted to make amends.
Ozpin had told them to never be around the boy. After Team JNPR had gotten involved, expulsion was their last and final warning if they approached Cody. There was the lingering feeling the snake had actually crossed with the headmaster himself to issue such a warning of being expelled. Blood Stark had people all over Remnant. Sleepers who will do what he asks with just a gesture and they can do his bidding. He was the master and they were his puppets dancing under the strings.
But with him now gone, it only made her worry more. Not only due to her wanting to make amends to the boy, but wished him well. It was obvious from what JNPR said to them, that he seems to be slowly breaking down, meaning he could use all the support he can. Yang only hoped that he would be safe.
Cody stared at the water, his reflection seen on it. He was in so much pain after the incident and its grim revelations. Those students from Beacon got involved and were already back at school, possibly under faculty watch due to their involvement. Then there was the revelation of Night Rogue being his cellmate. One of the escapees who was left behind during the escape. He left them when the enemy drew close. Now being accused for the traitor he was to abandon them when they pleaded to help them climb the broken ladder of the base' underground systems. The emotional turmoil was already at its tipping point in his brain.
He did his best. His damn best to suppress such emotions but it only burst like a damn. He wanted this pain to end. He didn't want to be that snake's toy anymore… he just… wants the pain and torment to end.
'Where can I even go now? If Faust always has tabs on me, and just going to exploit me…. Would even leaving be possible if they just can track me so easily?' Cody questioned in his thoughts as he was even unsure what to do right now.
Faust had agents all around. Anyone could be such a follower to the cursed snake. Civilians. Employees. Police. Anyone can be allied with Faust.
And while the worst option would be to just end it all, he could tell that Faust wouldn't let him get the chance. He was still trapped in their grasp, and he was losing more hope than ever before.
The trust in people was dwindling. His hatred towards Hunters is only festering and growing. The hopelessness hanging over his head like a fishing line, sinking further and further into the depths.
The metal dragon nudged against his cheek but Cody gently pushed him away. "Not now…" he murmured. It tried again but it only irritated him. "I said not now okay?!"
The little toy hopped and drooped in shame. It has never seen its master like this before. Even when he had those night terrors where he spoke in his sleep, to the rundown hut they used to have for a home didn't make him this depressed. This was much worse and the dragon wanted to do something to cheer him up. They were partners after all.
But the silence soon ended as what caught Cody's ears this time was something being thrown at him. He quickly reacted to move away from whatever was being thrown at him, only for something to coil his body, making him squirm.
He was under attack. He gritted his teeth, gripping the object. 'I am not… letting Faust take me back to a cell!' Wires and sparks began to peel upon the force of the pull in the device that restrained him, the Hazard Level within his body gradually seeping into his ligaments and tendons strengthening his body's form before he tore it off.
He wasn't going to be caged by Faust. He wasn't going back and being their toy!
He was about to turn to face whoever tugged his collar only to hear one word…
"STAY!"
In seconds he felt every part of his body freeze up. This wasn't a paralysis, nor some kind of dust to hold him in place.
It was the work of a Semblance. He tried to exert, his anger boiling. Azure fire leaked through his fingers before his Semblance quickly burst.
"Woah!" The voice yelped.
Cody's eyes saw the person and noticed the white outfit.
Wait, since when do Faust agents wear white? All of them always wore gray combat fatigues including the scientists. Not once they would ever wear such outfits.
As he got a cleaner look at the person, the male was also a Faunus, something Faust normally doesn't possess in their ranks.
He also began to feel his body come back to him, since spooking this Faunus made him lose concentration, letting Cody leap forward to tackle the Faunus.
Cody was about to demand answers only for yellow energy limbs to reach out and grasp the body within it. Frustrating grew more as he unleashed his flames, attempting to burn through this other Semblance.
The other assailant too wore a white outfit though there was a sash included with it. His skin was pale and held a clean-shaven head.
'Wait a second… aren't their outfits Atlas military?' The young blonde realized. What were Atlas soldiers doing in Vale? People under Faust payroll? No, that couldn't be. If so, for people to have such Semblances meant Faust would have either experimented on them, or kill them as potential threats.
As he was pondering in thought, the hands raised up only to slam him into the ground. Regardless of who they were with, it was obvious they were taking him in. Something he didn't appreciate either.
"I am not going into another cell like they did to me!" Cody yelled, slamming the buckle onto his waist. The dragon immediately flew to his buckle on its hand, making him shake the Fullbottle and place it into dragon.
WAKE UP! CROSS-Z DRAGON! ARE YOU READY?!
"Henshin!"
WAKE UP BURNING!
In seconds, the two trays of armor collapsed inward, attaching to the teen. In moments, another set of armor attached to the back, first forming wings before they folded into shoulder pads and another faceplate.
GET CROSS-Z DRAGON! YEAH!
Conjuring the sword into existence he struck away the tangible arms that extended but his dragon squeaked from his buckle. He gasped and stepped back, avoiding the heavy weapon that slammed into the pavement.
He looked up to see another Atlas person there, but it was a woman with dark skin, taller than Yang and muscle for days as she held a large hammer in her hand.
"You got good insight, kid!" The woman complimented, "Think you'll listen and come with us?"
"Not happening…" He hissed in anger, sword ready to duel with the woman.
"Well you heard him. We tried just doing it easy and then chatting. But it looks like you're going to have to take a nap." Another voice called out as he soon felt several jabs into his side, he tried to swing at whoever hit him as he only was greeted by a bolt of lightning and more jabs.
'A speedster now?' He gritted his teeth from the flurry of hits before he let loose his flames all around him, attempting to push all of those around him away. The azure flames built up, his Semblance shaping them into a wall of fire. He heard leather skid across the ground no doubt having to slow down. He lunged, narrowly landing a serious blow were it not for the older girl's eyes to notice. Cross-Z leapt back, looking at his surroundings. The flames were the only thing keeping him safe. At least-
"Eh?" He noticed a hook on the bevel of his armor. "Is this a fishing hook?" He was suddenly pulled, making him yelp and focus on his flames towards the line. But the spectral arms managed to push through the flames to grab him to provide extra force to pull. Like a fish out of water, or in this case flames, he was yanked out of his shield of flames and across the street.
The azure rider tried to get up but he felt the pressure against his armored back.
"Hold him steady! We can't hold him much longer!"
"How strong is he for a teenager?!"
"How should I know?!"
"Get off of me!" Cross-Z shouted quickly, thrusting back and throwing them off of him. He panted, finding now five people. He was outnumbered but wasn't going down without a fight.
"What do we do now, Clover?" One of them spoke up, as the other girl, while much shorter was obviously the speedster as she had robotic limbs on top of her arms, and a style that read 'Can't catch me'.
The one she spoke to was obviously the leader as he had nothing but a fishing pole for a weapon and a simply metal 4 leaf clover on his Atlas outfit.
"The general said this would be tough. But we have to hurry before we draw more eyes on us all. We're going to have to knock him out, even if we have to break a limb…" Clover grimaced, wanting this not to escalate even further, but they were running out of time and options.
"General…?" Cross-Z repeated. "If you people are dressed in those clothes… you're from Atlas!"
"Uh, yeah?" The Faunus replied.
"… I am nobody's weapon!" Cross-Z yelled in rage, charging forward like a mad dragon.
The group dispersed from his charging as the one with the hammer stayed put. Green energy covering her ankles as she planted herself into the ground as she clashed with Cross-Z, but she didn't budge from the hit.
Hammer met sword in fury but Cross-Z repeatedly bashed against it. The woman didn't budge at all but the ground was cracking, a glowing orange line slowly forming on the weapon the more the sword slammed into it. He was beginning to break through the weapon's grip.
"Kinda need him to back off now!" The large woman requested as the energy hands reached out again, holding the boy as the woman raised her hammer and swung into his chest hard, enough for his armor to actually crack from the blow.
The teen placed his hands over it, panting as he locked his jaw to the bruising and possible hit to the ribs. The armor flickered with blue energy, trying to repair its systems.
"Don't let up on him. Keep hammering!" Clover ordered as the speedster woman nodded and charged in.
Cross-Z gripped his sword and initiated the finisher by pulling the pommel below his weapon.
"Is it me or is his sword playing music?" The Faunus spoke up with worry.
HIPPARE!
SMASH HIT!
With his Semblance, he raised the weapon and swung it, releasing an arc of fire that danced to the energy bars that mimicked its music. The group held up their arms to defend from the arc of fire, each one taking the hit as they were pushed back.
Suddenly the tangible arms from the bald one shrouded himself and his companions, but also damaged his Aura. "Marrow!"
"STAY!"
Cross-Z froze, gritting his teeth to the force placed into his body again. Flames began to fume, his lenses burning with fury.
"Harriet!"
The speedster nodded as she rushed in, her Semblance making her move like lightning as she got in close and began to strike him, rapidly. Blow for blow, his armor cracked more and more from the hits.
"Elm!"
With a nod, the larger woman held herself in place with her Semblance, as she converted her hammer into the missile launcher. Harriet soon backed off just in time as the few missiles were launched out, exploding against the young rider.
Cross-Z crashed into the wall, a fragment of his visor shattered to reveal his left eye. What was almost intimidating was how it nearly glowed red as blood upon reacting to his rage again.
"Clover!" The four said together to their supposed leader.
The man brushed across the crest and threw his fishing line. Just as Cross-Z aimed with his Semblance, somehow to his utter bewilderment the flames practically missed by a brush of wind moving the fishing line by a few centimeters away from the flames.
It soon hooked onto a tub of water barrels above as with a simple tug, it came crashing down on top of him. Each one slammed onto Cross-Z's helmet while drenching away the flames. Cross-Z groaned, raising his head only for one smaller barrel to suddenly drop down and hit his head. His body clenched before dropping his head back onto the ground upon being knocked unconscious, nevermore birds humorously dancing around his head like stars. Upon his incapacitation, the armor finally disappeared from the damage and inactivity of the human.
The group sighed in relief as Clover and his team walked over as they removed the barrels before strapping on the wire cuffs as he was lifted up by the leader.
"Mission accomplished, Ace Ops. Back to Atlas." Clover said as the Vertibird soon flew over to pick them up, taking the boy to Atlas and away from Faust.
The dragon suddenly quivered before it flew off the belt with the bottle in tow right as the doors closed, flying into the darkness of the night.
Alas what they didn't know was a Guardian drone saw the flight. Its optics took pictures of the individuals and the entire fight.
XXX
The cafe was bustling in the morning, Team RWBY having coffee or tea in Weiss' case, mulling over their classwork and remedial work.
"We finally caught up with our lessons!" Ruby clapped in joy. She sped away before returning with small slices of apple pie.
"It took awhile, but now we don't have to worry about missing out our chance for the Vyteal Festival." Blake stated with some relief.
"Least I don't have to blame you girls." Weiss mumbled.
"Hey, not like we had much of a choice," said Yang.
"H-Hey guys! No fighting, please? We've done our homework, remedial work, and improved our combat lessons! Isn't that good?"
The heiress sighed, "I guess so…"
"We should also get something for JNPR, since they could use a boost in confidence as well." Blake spoke up about their friends who were just released from the Hospital Wing today.
"Good idea!" Ruby was about to grab the small spoon but found it snatched from her grasp. "Hey! Birdie took my spoon!"
"Can't you just get another spoon, then?" Weiss questioned, spinning her utensil in her tea but yelped to the hot liquid spilling onto her skirt as hers was taken as well with the cup tipped over.
"Pfftt…" Yang nearly laughed. "Digging the new color on your skirt, frappuccino."
"Uh… guys?" Blake pointed at the outdoor lights above. The three looked up to notice a small metal dragon ripping pieces of the utensil off to eat. Its small jaws nibbling on it before swallowing.
"Is that what I think it is…?" Weiss got out with some surprise. "Wait, what am I saying? If that thing is here he is around and I would rather not get expelled."
"Would he though?" Yang questioned, "He doesn't want to be found or seen by anyone… So he wouldn't let that thing be out of his sight either."
"Not like you know him alot Yang. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have been put into potential expulsion right now. Ozpin said if we, as even a small approach to him, we are kicked out."
"Then… wouldn't it be the same for him? Distancing himself and his little friend from others?" Ruby pointed out.
"How should I know?! This is our stay in Beacon we are risking and I am not going back to Atlas because of that!"
Suddenly when the word of Atlas was mentioned, the dragon immediately lunged onto her hair, pulling her off the chair. Her scalp nearly ripped by the dragon's jaws. "Owowowowowowowow! It hurts! Get it off!"
Yang quickly got up as she moved towards the dragon. It looked at her with a growl, causing the blonde to flinch.
"It sounds… almost enraged. Like a mad dog." Ruby stepped back with a squeak.
Yang gulped down any fear as she slowly got closer, "Hey now… It's okay… We're not here to hurt you." She said to the dragon calmly.
It snapped its small jaw onto her index finger, causing her to retract her hand. It continued to assault Weiss who quickly used her Glyph and threw it over the second floor balcony. They heard a small clank no doubt landing inside the trash bin.
"Ugh! I've just had it with all of this!" Weiss growled, as she stormed off, making her way back to the Academy to fix her hair.
Yang on the other hand, felt odd about it as they should just be leaving it be. Yet… part of her walked over to the ledge to see where the dragon landed. She sees it against a trash can, but the dragon seemed defeated, its head lowered with a few sounds escaping as if it was whimpering.
"Say Ruby? Remember when we found Zwei?" Yang asked her sister as she nodded, "I… think this might be the same reaction he had…"
XXX
"Ugh…" Cody groaned out, slowly opening his eyes to find himself in what looked to be a medical ward. He felt a bit weakened as he attempted to move, only to find himself unable to. His eyes widened as he began to hyperventilate and struggle, scared for a moment he truly was back within Faust. He tugged and pulled with his might out of growing fear. The monitors began blaring due to his heart rate increasing as well as the heart tracker being disconnected.
Suddenly the doors opened as several drones, not like Guardian Drones, abruptly entered upon the alert. They weren't adorned in fatigues like Faust bots but still carried firearms much like them. Nonlethal.
"Assailant must remain here. Do not leave or be restrained."
"I won't be a prisoner again!" Cody shouted, only to soon feel high power voltages coursing through him as he cried out before finally ceasing his struggling. He panted heavily as he began to look around the room, unsure what this place was, as if it truly was Faust, they'd use more drastic means to stop him instead of voltages of electricity from Dust.
"AKs, stand down." The bots immediately followed command unlike the Guardians who follow directives instead of voice commands.
Soon walking in was an older man, short black hair with a slight metal plate on the side of his forehead and wearing a general military uniform. One that was easily put together by the young blonde that this was the 'general' those people were talking about.
"Where… am I?" Cody asked between pants. "You can't keep me here…"
"Do you know who I am?"
"Should I?" The former experiment drawled. "Some general I don't know or care to know…"
"My name is James Ironwood. I'm the General of Atlas's military might and headmaster of Atlas Academy." He introduced himself to the boy.
"Should I give you a medal then?" Cody huffed tiredly. "Your people kidnapped me… just like they did."
"Kidnapped is a strong word. No. I asked my Ace Operatives to bring you here before Faust could even know about your disappearance." Ironwood revealed. "With the power you display alongside the dangers that Faust has, it would be best to have you away from those eyes, thus I brought you to the most secure place in Remnant. We already have a hidden terror out there, we don't need another."
"What does that even mean?"
"It's none of your concern." Ironwood responded, "So don't think of this as a prison, think of it as a place of peace. One where you can escape from such terrors and problems."
Cody could only laugh.
"Do you find something funny?"
"Faust is everywhere…." Cody looked at the barred windows. "Just because I am in here doesn't mean it is safe. If you say 'before they know', they already do. They always have eyes everywhere. People everywhere… it is only a matter of time before that snake takes back his toy…"
"Toy, huh? So that's what you see yourself as?" Ironwood questioned.
"It's how he sees everyone." Cody nearly shot up from the bed but couldn't. "He would ruin anyone's life and watch what they have built throughout burn to the ground. He did a mere portion to several students at Beacon…" Cody merely ignored Ironwood's presence. "I know what your aim is - I'm not working with people like you."
"You know my aim is? Then please, enlighten me. What is my aim?"
"You see benefits given I am not like other people. I have a weapon that you guys don't know a damn thing about its operations given it belonged to Faust."
"True. You do have something that my scientists have yet to crack." Ironwood nodded.
"And there lies one of the reasons."
"But what I see… is a scared boy. One who is running from an obvious answer to it all."
Immediately Cody finally broke the restraints and his eyes were glowing red. His arms burned with flames which caused the drones to aim out of its protective program.
Yet surprisingly, Ironwood held his arms up, dismissing the drones to fire as they lowered their weapons. The general wasn't scared by the boy's rage or flames.
"So tell me… 'Cody' was it? What do you plan to do? Just run away from Faust? Shove everywhere away until you can't fight them anymore? What happens then? Just keep running or going back to them with your will broken?" Ironwood questioned the boy.
The general fully could see what this boy is, what he wants to be. Yet seems fear is holding him down and unable to see the full picture nor the obvious answer to his question.
"No matter where I run they follow. Faust is only readying themselves and I won't get people involved." He seethed.
"Then stop running. If you think that you're doing this to protect others, you're mistaken."
"I'm not running damn it!" From behind Cody, the glass cracked by a brief burst of wind.
"Then why don't you fight them? It's obvious that if you want them stopped? Get stronger, enough to crush them so they can never take you again."
"I've tried! Don't you get it old man?! They have far superior people to prevent it!"
"Clearly you haven't tried enough." Ironwood said, as he reached into his pocket as he pulled up the unknown item that Stark left him, "And it seems, someone else also thinks that too."
"That's mine!"
"Then come take it, if you can." Ironwood taunted, pocketing the item.
Cody growled angrily, and Ironwood saw the brief wind and fire. Not of the azure but he saw the normal colors of flames within it.
'Ozpin was right at the grim possibility.'
Blood Stark saw Cody as an investment for a reason. There was no doubt it was for that reason yet there was the underlying feeling there was more to it.
"Give it back to me!" The blue flames erupted as he lunged.
Ironwood dodged the swipe, kneeing the boy in the stomach hard. This wasn't just a normal hit though, as he felt the feeling of metal hit his stomach, causing him to drop to his knees.
Cody nearly vomited, clutching his stomach. "Cyber… netics…" He rasped.
"Yes, due to many, many past mistakes." Ironwood nodded, as he rolled the sleeve farther, revealing the general had most of his body in cybernetics. "And instead of giving up, I kept going on. I made sure that I wouldn't be put down so easily. And now, I'm the general of this massive military might and headmaster of Huntsmen and Huntresses."
"Until he decides to burn it all…" Cody grunted painfully.
"Many have tried and failed." Ironwood said, rolling his sleeve back to normal.
"Not him, general. He sees any as opportunity."
"Then let me at least assist you, so you can get stronger. If you just let him do this to you, you'll become just another tool for him to leave behind."
Cody glowered. "No. I am not working for anybody. I told you, I am not."
Ironwood closed his eyes and exhaled. "So that is your answer… very well. Until then, you will be remaining under detainment."
"I won't be in another ce-" He was about to attack, only for the drones to respond and shoot at him with several pellets of thunder dust rounds to stun him, causing the boy to drop to the ground.
XXX
The drones carried Cody as the General was being escorted by his operatives. It was awkward silence in which James coughed into his fist. "You are free to speak."
Marrow opened his mouth for a moment. "Um, er, well…"
"James, what on remnant is going on?" James cocked a brow. That wasn't Marrow who spoke. Turning around, he saw a familiar elderly man who had used a unique seat with four metal legs move aside with bewilderment upon seeing a mere 17 year old being dragged away. "I was coming to speak to you until seeing… this!"
"Pietro…" Ironwood took notice, "Simple. I'm containing a dangerous obstacle. If he doesn't comply and join our cause, he will remain locked up like any other weapon."
"Dangerous?" The scientist flabbergasted. "Brothers' sake he is just a boy!"
"A boy who almost actually defeated my Ace Ops." He pointed out to the scientist. "What are you doing here, Pietro? Don't you have final additions to add onto Penny?"
"I was requested in regards to the strange device. A buckle of sorts?"
"Yes, it seems to give him armor of unknown origin and power. One not fueled by Dust." Ironwood revealed to the elder scientist as he walked over, handing him the unknown item. "There was another thing he used to change, but it seems to have fled us. So instead, study this. I want you to also examine this, and see what it can be added to."
Pietro looked at the small bottle that was handed to him. "James, just why? What is humane in having to send operatives to take away a boy?"
"Simple removal of an obstacle. After all…" Ironwood turned as he began to walk away, "What better way to remove a hazard weapon from Faust, then by having their attention elsewhere?"
The dark-skinned man could only look at the bottle and sighed in regret. That was uncalled for. He has a daughter and to see such a treatment was not acceptable in his own eyes. It didn't matter if the boy was an irradiated child or a monster. Children should not be treated like this.
For now, he can only comply as he realized that maybe being in a place like Atlas, isn't the best for someone who just wants to help the world. Looking over to the distance of seeing Ironwood then at the bottle in hand. The man furrowed his brows and made his decision.
If he is to understand the buckle then he needed the expert: the boy.
XXX
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Yang?" Blake asked, as the three girls were on ground level of the cafe, trying to bring the small robot dragon out of hiding and calm it down.
"Look, whatever is going on with Cody, we can try to find more by showing his dragon that we mean no harm." Yang said, as she had several utensils to try and lure it out.
"But we were told to leave him be…. I thought even we all agreed to let him go?" Ruby pointed out.
"I know!" Yang groaned but sighed, "But… I just can't leave it alone like this. Just like when we found Zwei, we kept doing our best until it finally trusted us. And now look at Zwei! He's family!"
"Who is Zwei anyway?" Blake asked.
"He's our pet dog. A cute little corgi!" Ruby smiled.
"A DOG?!" They noticed Blake react greatly, almost standing on top of the trash bin upon the mention.
"Uh…"
Realizing her reaction, Blake embarrassingly stepped down and calmed down. "S-Sorry.. Um.. I uh…. Have a bad time dealing with dogs." She said, hoping the lie would work.
"Oh… my bad."
"But seriously, if Ozpin ever finds out, which he always does, we are in serious trouble." They heard the trash bin rattle before it poked out from the garbage. It spit out the rusted nail in its mouth with disgust and saw the small utensil gleaming under the sun. It immediately looked left and right before its blocky form hovered down and nibbled on it like a chipmunk.
Yang and Ruby smiled as bit as the blonde offered a bit more to the dragon, waiting for it to respond to them and get closer.
Seeing the limb, it looked up to see the blonde and her companions and hissed aggressively, its small wings spread wide on its blocky form.
"Hey, hey! We're not here to hurt you. We just want to… be nice." Yang spoke up, knowing that if she even mentioned the idea of helping, it would retaliate. So for now, just being nice would be enough.
Its wings lowered but by a hair which they noticed but still kept its aggressiveness active. Yang laid out a few more utensils for it to eat. Slowly she sat down in front of it as it began to nibble on the first one. It jerked its head to tear and it did before swallowing slightly. It repeated the motion, using its front legs to keep the metal pinned while its own metal jaws tear it into fragments.
"Hehe.. its kinda cute when it eats." Ruby giggled softly from amusement. Like a lizard that caught its prey.
"Do you only eat utensils or are their more things you can eat?" Yang asked it, as she could try to grab other things for it.
"It's made of metal Yang what do you expect?" Blake deadpanned.
"Just making guesses is all."
"Horrible ones." They heard a snort. The trio looked at one another before looking down to see it roll its eyes and resume eating. It was the one who snorted in dissatisfaction by the response, especially rolling its eyes in annoyance.
"Guess we should not argue or question and just assume anything small and metal, it'll eat?" Yang shrugged as the other two nodded before turning to the dragon. "Is this where you'll be staying?"
The dragon stared at her, chewing its fragment before it used its teeth to crumble it into a ball and spit it right at her forehead like a bullet.
Yang flinched from the hit as she rubbed her forehead, "I'm only asking so we can drop by to give you more is all… No need to be rude. Jeez, you sure are rude as your friend."
The mention of Cody made its small green eyes lose its bright shade. It pressed its chin against its meal, curling itself away from the humans.
Seeing this, made Yang's eyes widen, "Wait… what happened to him? Is he okay?" She asked, now showing worry once more. The dragon hissed and bit her finger, making Yang gasp with a sharp breath and held her finger to see it bleed.
"We're just trying to help is all! You don't need to push us away!" Yang barked, frustrated over how the dragon and its master could be. Great minds that think alike. Or rather stubborn minds.
"Yang enough." Blake rested a hand on her partner's shoulder.
"I… just want him to trust us is all…" Yang lowered her head. "Nobody deserves to be alone…" they watch it pick up the last piece and fly back into the garbage bin, the clatter echoing from it no doubt showing it had been scurrying inside to hide from sight. Or rather hide from potential Faust agents.
The girls looked at one another, seeing that if Cody wasn't here, it would have no reason to hide like this. It was obvious something happened, but without any info, they can't do anything.
"Faust did take him back…" Yang murmured. Just as that bat guy and snake stated. Cody was the big boss' special 'boyo'. But seeing how the dragon was alone and without anyone, Yang walked over to the bin and reached in for the dragon, already feeling it snip and bite at her. She grimaced, already using her Aura to heal the bites. By gods the little thing has one hell of a nasty bite.
"Yang…" Ruby called with worry.
It took a bit of struggling but she soon held up the dragon in her hands. It thrashing around in her grasp before she then gently hugged it, having it being pressed against her as she had one hand simply pet its head.
"Shh… it's okay…. It's okay…" Yang spoke softly to the dragon. "I know you're scared…."
The dragon hissing and making whines as Yang held it more gently. It seemed ready to just fly away but it soon began to stop thrashing before it just rested in her hands. It made a soft whine before it then buried its head into her, Yang already can tell it was 'crying' so to speak.
"You were so strong while being separated… You truly were doing your best." Yang said to the dragon with a smile, "But, I won't let them take you either…. I promise, okay? So…. just trust me for now until he comes back."
It could only continue its call of pain. Even though they didn't know much about it, it was obvious it had a very special bond to the boy as well. For now though, it can at least be safe in good hands.
XXX
HQ of Faust was dreadfully silent as the weekly meeting had begin. There was unease and discomfort amongst the high council members/scientific team. Reason why? The loud yet firm strumming of Blood Stark's fingers on his arm rest was evident there laid a hint of anger under his calm yet aloof mood.
What made things worse, were the several energy snakes around each of the high members, ready to strike if they dare spoke out of turn or against Stark's orders and wishes.
The drone had projected images of an Atlesian airship taking Experiment 931 while Night Rogue was reviewing images and biographies regarding the members of Ace Ops.
"So… Atlas has a pair to take boyo, eh?" Blood Stark drawled. "To study in hopes to counter us?"
"T-That is correct, Lord Stark…" Phi said, a heavy gulp escaping him.
"To peek into my technology. My precious work. My boyo."
"Y-Yes…" Omega's voice was like a high pitch squeal of fright. "I-It seems so…"
They felt their muscles clenched when Blood Stark ripped the armrest off his throne but with a calm aura.
"I-If I may, sir?" Delta spoke up, wanting to find a way to calm their leader down before he decides to kill one of them out of spite. The teal visor turned to him. "A-As annoying as this is… This still c-could be a boon for you. W-With Atlas tech adding… onto your own, you'd be even more unstoppable… They could finish the designs… f-for the Sclash Driver and more!"
Blood Stark slowly stepped down the steps by each word that spoke, drawing closer and closer until Delta felt small upon being towered over. The armored snake stared.
"T-They… could even… reconstruct your Driver!" Delta squeaked out, closing his eyes as he waited for his death, only hoping it would be swift.
Instead he was gently hefted up and dust brushed off his shoulders.
"Maybe you are right." The man exhaled in relief. "But there is one little thing to add." He immediately turned around, thrusting the broken armrest into Delta's abdomen. "Reconstructing it doesn't come close when it has been hidden from me by that magic lassy who sealed me away in the Time of Gods ages ago!"
Once Delta dropped to the ground, the ethereal snakes quickly went to work to consume his body, leaving only smears of stained blood left, as it left the others shivering a bit in fear.
"Then if that's the case… Why not profit from it?" 932 spoke up, out of her armor but still in the shadows. "If they have some type of technology that could detect it, or already have it built. Wouldn't it be wise to control Atlas's minds and find it out? I mean… since she's dead, her magic would be too, no?"
Blood Stark pondered before they swore a lightbulb popped above his head. The terraforming lifeform patted the girl's shoulder. "Good thinking, Bat-chan!"
"Ugh… please don't refer to me as that…" 932 rolled her eyes.
The cobra-themed leader looked at the remaining council. "Contact our agents in Atlas and Mantle, have them open a path for yours truly! I have an idea of just the right person who will be beneficial to the work!"
"As you wish, Lord Stark." Alpha bowed, as the first high councilor was already at work to fulfill his master's plan.
"What is it you plan to do?"
"There is only one mind so brilliant, so smart that can create the tech needed to make way for phase 3. And that is the one and only…" a screen appeared, displaying a dark-skinned man. "Pietro Poledina."
XXX
Cody began to awake, slowly opening his eyes as he finds himself in practically a fully hardlight dust cage. Nothing around him was 'solid' other than being made out of hardlight dust. He looked around to see he was fully suspended in air from it, meaning even if he broke through, he might plummet to his death.
The blonde boy already looked angry enough but he just sighed, sitting on the 'bed' with a look of defeat. From one prison cage to another. He didn't know what to do now as he could only sit and wait. While his driver and the new item were taken, without Cross-Z and the Dragon Fullbottle, they won't be able to crack anything. He just hoped his little friend was okay.
Now alone with his thoughts he began to recall his older days within Faust. Especially the talks and times he was with 932.
"I truly gave up on them… Didn't I?" He said to himself. Even though they all agreed to try and escape no matter what nor who can't make it, the feeling of being free was too intoxicating to them, that the moment he had a chance, he took it. But in the end, he didn't pull them up to their freedom because of his own fears.
He failed them by giving into his fears and left them. Who knows how many became the Smash he defeated, or how many became like 932 into Night Rogue. He can only hope that they can see reason.
Though with that thought, he soon started to ponder his own mistakes. Angry at everyone, pushed many away upon leaving, then easily went into the arms of a criminal bar owner and a ex-white fang member. How easily they could've found him back, yet they didn't cause they already had eyes on him even here.
Not to mention the encounters of that annoying blonde brawler. How she always kept coming back before getting her friends involved. It made him chuckle that the peace of silence he's wanted from them now has him in this new cage. It was ironic that the moment he tried to leave he'd just be put back in a cell again.
"Hope… they're okay…?" He muttered to himself. Unsure why he even said that about those brats. They were Huntresses and Huntsmen. Heroes who didn't even save them! Or… maybe he just wanted to blame someone for the misfortune and they were the obvious choices.
He bit the inside cheek and turned over. Just complete silence…
The sound of the entrance reached his ears but didn't bother to look. It was probably the bots doing the usual inspection of him.
"Excuse me, young man. But may I have a simple chat with you?"
Cody did a double take as this wasn't bots, the 'Ace Ops' or the general. This sounded like a simple elderly man. He turned over to the voice to see the dark-skinned elder man in the mechanical walking chair as he was more confused as to what this one wanted?
"Hope you wouldn't mind some lunch?"
On que, Cody's stomach growled, making him flush in embarrassment. "I-I'm not-!" his stomach gurgled in protest. "Mugh…" he grumbled.
"You don't need to be stubborn, boy. I'm truly only here to give you food and some company." The elder man smiled gently. "I may not be a cook, but I do make a mean PB&J." He chuckled a bit.
"PB&J…? Uh… what's that?"
The man blinked in puzzlement. Goodness the boy never heard of that?! "Hm? You… never had a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich?"
"No…"
Pietro shook his head as instead of the simple slices he had, he placed the full set of sandwiches he made for him and the boy on the tray and sent it his way. He was doing the right thing by letting him have it completely, only hoping he can have a simple chat to know the boy who desperately looked like he needed a hug.
As the tray arrived, Cody looked at it confusingly. Holding it up as he took a few sniffs of it before having a small bite. But the moment he did he took a bigger bite, surprised at how good this was! He never had food like this, well aside from other foods he either stole or bought thanks to the expenses from Tukson and Junior.
"My, you seem to be very hungry. Have you been starving yourself out of guilt?" The elder man asked him, as this was something he has seen before from certain customers in Mantle.
The blonde paused before he could take the next bite. His silence already proving the elder's point as he looked up to him with skepticism.
"And? I bet you want something out of me too?" He asked with a frown.
"While I do, but that can be for later. Right now, I just want to be an ear for you, young boy." Pietro said to him, wiping his glasses, "To be honest… I would love nothing more than to free you from this cage. No child should be treated like this, regardless who they are. It's just inhumane."
"Che… what are you, a father?" Cody huffed as he took another bite.
"Why, yes I am." He answered innocently. Coughing was earned by the former experiment, having to pat his chest a few times and swallow the bite.
"I know it seems that I'm suspicious. I would be too in your position." Pietro noted, "But even I, a man of science can see this is just immoral. I don't care what James has said about you, you're still a child. Someone who needs support and love, not just thrown into a cage like an animal."
Cody turned away softly, not wanting to look the man in the eyes, "I wouldn't even consider myself normal anyways… Sides… why should you care about me? I'm not like anyone here… the only place there are those like me… are Faust."
"Because you remind me a lot of my daughter." He answered, "She's not like anyone at all either. Heck, I'd wager she's just as far apart from being 'normal' like you." He chuckled out, "But yet, I still love her. I truly didn't expect myself to see her like that at all, but I did. And I could never be more proud of her than I am now."
"Who are you..?"
The elderly man opened his mouth but a ringing echoed. Pietro blinked. "Now where did I put my Scroll…" He checked himself before looking at the entrance, "Penny dear do you have it?"
"Yes father I do! It is ringing a lot!"
"Penny?" Cody repeated.
"Penny is my daughter." He informed the boy, "Now Penny, do please be careful, okay? We only got one shot at this."
The girl stepped inside, making Cody gawk at the man's daughter. She wasn't human but almost… android-like.
"Wait… is she…?" Cody looked at the elder man.
"Ah yes, this is my daughter." He was given the Scroll. "Strange… it isn't from my coworkers." He tapped the screen.
"Testing. Testing. Is this the right number?" Cody's skin ran pale upon the voice, the sandwich dropping back onto the plate.
"Turn that off now!" Cody cried out with dread.
"Is that my boyo?! Aha! I did get the right number!"
"Just who is this?"
"Evol! Leave them out of this!" Cody pleaded.
"Now, now, don't be so hard on yourself boyo! You have been so down lately in emotions haven't ya?"
Penny's eyes blinked. "Father, I just got a message Atlas communications has been hacked… and it is in speaker mode."
"What?"
"You think Atlas truly can take you away my special boyo?" Now everyone across the base heard the snake's voice. "I've been around when they were just one land stuck to Mantle. My work should never be stolen by the likes of anyone after what that lassy did. I am speaking out of… goodwill if you may. All I want is to make a simple request. But that will only be towards Pietro Poledina."
The elder man flinched as he frowned, "If it has anything to do with my daughter…." He warned the snake.
"Daughter? Ah yes androids… quite interesting but nah. I got better fish to catch." Now even Cody was confused. "One sec, switching communications back to your Scroll so it can be between us scientists. Ahem, anyways! I want two things: one, a device that can perform internal seismic scans capable of detecting unusual zero matter energy."
'Zero matter?'
"And secondly… I recall my boy has his present. I want you to make him a new buckle."
"Eh?"
"My lord, what are you thinking?!" Night Rogue's voice was heard in the background, 'his' voice full of bewilderment and shock. "Giving him a new buckle will only grant him a means to counteract!"
"So? I need more test runs and he is good enough to do it."
The young experiment was baffled by this. Evol was just going to give him a boost? What was all of this for?
Pietro squinted his eyes with distrust, "And if I say no?"
"One second."
Suddenly lights flickered across the room, happening across the base. Then they heard alarms which made Penny peek out to notice personnel frantically moving around whereas the Aks began to collapse like wet noodles.
"You are talking to the guy who designed the super duper Faust xeno technology. My brain works like a supercomputer, I bet you don't have those? In short, I can disable all AKs, remove all of your data, spill so many secrets it would make a gossip page look like paperweight. Your military… defenseless and under my command. So! What do you say? You want to help boyo, right? You're a father after all."
Pietro remained silent for a moment. He fully could tell that what Evol was saying, not only was true, but that'd mean any secret spilled could also mean harming Penny too. He sighed softly before nodding.
"Fine… but on one other condition…" He requested.
"Ooh, and that is?"
"Let the boy go…. Please."
"Let go? Please clarify, I think I got wax in my ear."
"Not only get him out of this place… but please stop hurting him. The boy has been through so much pain…. He doesn't deserve it." Pietro reiterated.
"Hrm… you drive an interesting bargain." They held their breath. "I can do that!"
Cody was the most baffled. It was that easy?!
"However! If anyone, I mean anyone else decides to snoop in aside from my special boyo? Well, boyo knows what I mean like I did to those students."
Cody growled, "Leave them out of this!"
"Oi, oi, chillax. I am simply making an example. You can butt into my 'evil' actions, no one else can't. You want freedom? Real freedom? Then I say "take the deal."
Cody gritted his teeth. He knew this had to be a scam… Yet… if that also can mean he can be free of this monster…. "Fine…" He said, agreeing to the deal.
The hardlight glimmered before deactivating.
"Okay, you three have 10 minutes to get your butts straight to Mantle. I left blueprints at your little hospital dear Pietro."
"You best not have your fingers crossed, snake.." The professor frowned.
"I'm a man of my word! Rest assured! Even snakes have their agreements kept clean!"
With a heavy sigh, Pietro nodded as he looked up to his daughter, "Come, you two should hurry."
"Are you sure it is a good idea, father?"
"I don't… but this is the only option we have right now. To have this boy be free and you safe as well Penny? This has to happen." He nodded to her.
Penny blinked a few times before nodding. Cody rushed out, but paused. "M-My buckle! I need my buckle back!"
"Don't fret, I have it with me." Pietro reassured, "Come on before James even thinks about reaching us."
Penny nodded as with a smile, she took hold of Cody's hand as the android girl lead him out of the cell, following her father to the landing bay.
The call had ended as in moments they saw the lights flicker a bit, most likely returning the base back to normal. Cody dreaded what Evol has planned, knowing there still must be something he has hidden to them.
"Hold it right there!" The trio saw several soldiers with their firearms. "Dr. Pietro, you must step away from the prisoner!"
Cody slowly took a step back in fright.
The ground rumbled, confusing them.
"What the hell-" The metal wall burst open by a claw and pulled into the darkness. The other two fired at the dark pits of the ventilation until they were rammed into the wall by a Smash. It was designed similarly to ice due to its design. It flicked the dangling ice of its body into the two, killing them in cold blood.
"This way!" Penny tugged Cody, the blonde looking over his shoulder to see the monster tearing apart the room that held the command consoles.
"Wh-What about…" Cody trailed off.
"As painful as it is…. We have to leave them behind…" Pietro stated with grimace, "I know you want to save them… but either choice you'd make wouldn't save them in time…"
The gunshots echoed as the shouts and roars could only echoed. Penny slid to the door with glee but forgot about Cody who accidentally hit the wall and clutched his nose.
"Oh! Hehe, sorry! I just never slide on ice before!" Penny smiled innocently.
Pietro pressed the security code but it was denied. "James must have activated the full lockdown!"
"Let me then…" Cody said as he walked forward as he slammed his fist through the crevice of the door..
"My boy how can you-" Pietro nearly felt his glasses fall when the blonde slowly pulled the door until it was pried open.
"I'm an experiment that escaped Faust…" He responded to the professor. "Like Evol said… I'm his special boyo…"
The scientist could only look with sadness in his eyes, knowing that he'll talk about it later. For now, they had to escape and flee to Mantle.
"There's an airship we can take!"
"Do you know how to fly it?"
"Nope~!"
The hatch suddenly opened making them tense and saw a Guardian drone who tossed a dead pilot aside and hefted the rifle. It rotated and gestured robotically. "Subject 931. Scientist Poledina and Unidentified Android to be employed into airship." It droned.
"Guess we have our ride…" Pietro gulped as he took a short breather before they entered the airship.
"Initiating take off."
"Flight 25 you are making an unauthorized departure! Turn off your engines!"
"Beginning escort." It pressed the controls as the hangar doors opened.
"Turn around or we will- wait, weapons aren't activating?!"
"Evol must have hacked it… to make sure the flight isn't interrupted" Cody murmured.
"The fact that he easily hacked into this without any alarms going off… It's terrifying…" Pietro noted, knowing that should he even think about making some failsafe or something, it'd end terribly.
The airship slowly landed in the center of the street, causing several cars to stop in bewilderment.
"Destination reached. Exit transportation and report to your assigned location." The Guardian repeated.
"Well, best get moving then." The elder man said as the doors opened for them to exit the airship. Pietro not taking notice of it beginning to take back off into the sky only for it to explode above them all.
"Erasing their presence like ghosts…" Pietro looked at Cody who stared at it. "They make sure no one sees them. More than you can imagine…." Cody responded, following the professor.
Penny gave one last look above with sadness before she assisted her father and new friend.
XXX
The base was currently recovering from being hacked and attacked by an unidentified monster. The said beast was still being located as it was scurrying like a rat.
Ironwood sat at this desk, angered that his systems were hacked like it was nothing. Even more so, his prisoner had escaped and he had no clue where he was. He first tried to find clues, but the cell was nothing but shrapnel, broken metal and blood everywhere. There was no way to trace the boy again.
Evol had given his warning to everyone in the base. You take his toys, you pay the price for the boogeyman he is.
But before he could even think of another plan, his screen appeared as on the other end was Ozpin with a very disappointed look on his face.
"I thought I said it would be best to leave the boy alone, James…" Ozpin said to the general.
"…."
"Evol is no ordinary man but a snake." The headmaster continued to James.
"He shouldn't be walking out in public, Ozpin…" James spoke up. He was currently calm at the moment.
"And look what happened, James? Already there's coverage about some attacks in Atlas. I already can tell what happened. You sent your Ace Ops to detain and persuade him, and he denied. You then locked him up like an animal."
James slammed his fists against the desk. "Like you can do any better in your ways to ask him?"
"I've stopped asking him… I know better than to keep him against his will. Especially from Evol. If he wants help, he'll ask for it." Ozpin frowned, "You best calm your people James… For now, that should be your focus."
The call ended and with it, James swiped his arm across his desk, shoving everything he had to the floor.
"General sir." The man recomposed himself and turned to see a snow-haired woman who saluted whereas Ace Ops stood behind her.
"Have you located that… thing?" The general almost demanded.
"Well if you consider two giant ghost snakes having to crush it via constriction." Marrow replied sheepishly, earning a jab of the elbow from Harriet. "Sorry…"
"So you got nothing."
"Sadly sir… all security cameras were inactive during the lockdown. Systems connected to the air defenses were shut down with it. It immediately activated just recently."
"Go over every section… Every coding and program we have… We need to find something to locate them and reinforce our systems…." Ironwood said, seething with anger.
"General about what that person said in the speakers…? Just who was that man?" There were many things but for one lone man to openly declare to never steal from him, to create such a havoc in seconds… to somehow release an unidentified beast into a heavily secured military base…. This was almost intimidating to know someone out there infiltrated with such resources in seconds after making one mere scroll call.
"He is another enemy we have to deal with…. One that we need an advantage against… Look through the files of the kid, see what we can learn and recreate."
"Um…"
"Don't tell me that it's missing too?"
"All records connected to him have been… deleted, sir."
Ironwood growled, slamming his fists through his desk, breaking it in half as the others stood there in shock. The general saying nothing but they took that notice as they left him be, knowing anything else would set the man off.
Ironwood was bested, and by someone he could even know about. He needed time to refine things in his kingdom, so that next time that snake appears, he'll see the full wrath of his army and might. To snuff out every possible Faust agent to ensure such an attack never happens again.
With it meant to make his eventual departure to Vale.
From the vent, the teal snake flickered its tongue and faded away into dark laughter.
Another age, another man broken like glass. It's always so fun to mess with these people and make them suffer. For now, the snake waited. Waited to see how his fruits bore and what it'll bring? And if it works out, he'll have his power again, and this world will die, just like all the others.
A/N: And once again, another chap done! As we can see, some things are getting closer and closer to be done. We got something for Yang to bond with to build up her relation to Cody soon, we got him meeting Penny and most likely his friend true friend, and of course Evol making a fool of Ironwood. Hope you all enjoyed it, until next time minna!