RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 31: Road Through Recovery
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 had been a year since Beacon fell. Ozpin is dead, communications with the kingdoms cut off. Salem would have felt impressed by the success… but she wasn't. Her followers were seated while she watched the Seer display Evol Phase 2 annihilate Grimm as he was making his way to wherever Vernage and Lily were to retrieve the box.
Any Grimm that was sent to attack, were wiped out into ash. This amount of power Evol now wielded was anything unlike the first time.
He used his magic and newfound growth of power to resume his journey. He was frolicking over the ashes of Grimm like a child jumping across a meadow.
Salem swiftly vanished the orb in a flurry of rage. Gripping her throne enough for cracks to form on it and the ground beneath her feet. The witch thought overwhelming forces would've done him in… But that was before his evolution into this 'Phase 2' state.
He was drawing close to true victory the second he got the box.
Salem will not be bested from this! She will not have everything that was planned for all these centuries gone to waste by some parasite! Salem needed to have a foot hold and cripple Evol, once and for all, and she needed it now.
To find Vernage and destroy the damn box. Vernage was Evol's equal but also a nuisance to her goals. Two birds, one stone. Get the box, lure the Saint and Snake in one go.
"Hazel." His Semblance was nulling pain and he would use Dust to power himself. To Evol it would be a waste but to Lily is a questionable decision but there was one weakness that Lily, not Vernage, holds. The little experiments she safeguards. Like Lily is to Vernage, as is the two little ones to Lily. A cycle. "While Tyrian finds the girl with silver eyes, I want you to find Vernage, or rather, her vessel. Retrieve the Box she holds before the snake gets his hands on it."
"Ma'am…" Hazel bowed. While Evol and Vernage were tough enemies to even dare to face… Vernage's vessel was still human. As long as he can get the box without killing anyone but Ozpin, he will do as he is commanded.
Salem stared with a smoldering gaze at the image of Evol. Hatred for the alien entity was still pulsing through her mind. This was an intruder on her land and plans. She will not lose everything she has worked to accomplish by some lousy parasite that can't stop eating.
She will find a way to end this and continue her plans to make the Gods regret this whole incident.
And nothing will stop her.
XXX
A year.
That's how long it has been since Beacon fell. No more was she a 19 year old girl than she was before. She was a practical young adult. With it came a change for her in her outfit. Unlike her previous clothes that were a mixture of black, green, and purple colors, it was more of black and gray colors.
A blazer-like jacket with the ends of the jacket reaching just below the knees was over her sleeveless black dress shirt that hugged her buxom figure. She wore a set of black shorts that reached halfway her thighs all the while a gray set of stockings reached up to her thighs but left some exposure of skin between her shorts and stockings. A short gray rested over her chest and her wild blue hair still kept in its unruly ponytail, a fringe still covering her right eye.
Virtuous Steel, the large katana that belonged to Vernage rested over her back as the weapon was still as tall as her.
And at the moment, Lily had just put the twins to bed as it was going to be a long ride to Menagerie. They were lucky Blake helped them out a week back with the attack from Tyrian and Mercury.
To everyone Lily was still a former killer who aided Evol. They only tolerate her because of the twin experiments that clinged to her.
But the ex-commander didn't care about their opinion. She only wanted to keep those she loved safe. The twins, the other escaped experiments and Cody were here only ones that she cared for and was willing to give her life to save them…. Well maybe also those that Cody trusted too.
Speaking of the boy, she did ponder on how he was? While there was no real way to connect and talk due to the STC towers only working for a few places, it was difficult to know. But given how he went to Patch with Yang to be by her side as she recovers? Lily can assume that he's living a very peaceful life. She can only hope Evol only targets her due to the Pandora's Box in her hand and will leave her brother alone.
She (and Vernage) vowed to ensure Evol is dealt with but right now… she… just… needs to get her head cleared and mind together.. The moment she stepped out of the cabins, she was greeted by Blake, who was looking around worriedly.
Like Lily, Blake too had a change of attire. She was wearing a long white coat and a black crop top. The crop top exposes her midriff and has rectangular and diamond-shaped holes surrounding her neck. Across her torso is a diagonal strap that contains a smaller magnetic clip used to sheathe her weapon. Additionally, she is wearing a white belt and pouch over dark, tight stretchy pants that hugged her legs lovingly. She also wears a pair of thigh-high black heeled boots with gold-colored edging around the top. The left boot has a pair of belted straps tightly wrapped around the thigh. Each boot bears her belladonna emblem in white on the outer side of the thigh. She also kept her bow on.
"Everything okay, Blake?" Lily asked, as the Faunus jumped from her voice, turning to the bluenette.
"S-Sorry… I've just been getting this odd feeling I'm being watched…" Blake apologized to the maiden vessel.
"… Do you want me to patrol around to ease your concern?" asked the buxom bluenette.
"I think… I'll be okay as long as you're with me… Thank you Lily…" Blake smiled softly, feeling a bit more at ease with her there. Though the Faunus's ears dropped as she looked down at herself.
"Um… have… you heard anything about Yang..?" She asked her, hoping she would know.
"My last call was shortly after Beacon fell. As of recently… no." Lily took a deep breath. "I'm sorry if that doesn't help you but-"
"You are giving the honest answer…." Lily really was taking in more and more thorough information from Vernage. From what Blake had seen, it's been nearly a decade since Vernage resided within Lily, only to awaken nearly two years ago. She wasn't sure if Lily was starting to act like Vernage or if Lily is hiding how she acted in the past - as a killing machine she was described as. "Well… what about you? How has everything been?" Blake asked the bluenette as she was given enough info as is about Yang.
"I've been better…" Lily sighed, "but… those twins keep me sane."
"Heh, I could tell from how much they talked about you during lunch." Blake giggled, "Seems you're a great mother to them."
Lily slanted her head. "… I don't wish to abandon more people. Just as I had that experience of being abandoned…"
Blake winced. She forgot that Lily had once lived in the streets of Mistral before Vernage took her in shortly before her first death as a child. Then being abandoned by Cody during the escape. Abandoned by her family to live on her own in the streets. Abandoned by a close friend to the enemy who experimented on them. Abandonment was something Lily did not wish to perform or experience any further than she already had.
Like Lily, the twins were just children who had been subjugated to stage 1 of Nebula ingestion which sickened Blake to know how young the subjects Faust would do experimentation on. There were times Blake would notice Lily look at the duo, as if she was reminded of her days in the cell with Cody.
The names 1931 and 1932 give serious evidence to it. Lily was 932 and Cody was 931. The experiments were 1000 numbers apart.
"Have you given them names yet?" Blake suggested. She earned a glance. "They can't stay as numbers forever Lily. Do they remember their own names?"
That was where Lily lowered her head. "They don't…. They're barely out of toddler age, Blake. I…" she held her tongue.
"What is it?" Blake asked, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You can tell me…"
"Why do they still cling to me… after everything I did before. After everything I have done when I worked for Faust. For that snake. When everybody still sees me as a monster."
"It's easy." Blake pointed out, "They are so young and innocent, they can see past your defenses. They see someone they can trust and believe in. They don't see you as a monster…. But a mother to them."
"…" Lily's gaze softened but only slightly. She shut her eyes slightly, her mind riddled with bitter memories.
Stop thinking like a killing machine… and be human.
The words Crystal had told her that led to her defecting Faust. The words that broke her free from her rage and sadness, to fight against Evol and stop him.
The bluenette took a shuddering breath, her shaking fingers curling and uncurling to calm herself. Blake took notice of it as she gently reached out to Lily, brushing her hand on top of the agent to give her support.
Lily moved her hand away, "I'll… be exploring a bit. You go and get some rest."
"... okay…" Blake muttered softly, a sad frown of worry on her face, but the Faunus couldn't blame the bluenette for her response. After all, much like how Lily was struggling with this new life, so was Blake. She did leave her team… her friends behind after all.
With a heavy sigh, Blake went into the room they all were staying in as the night was beginning to approach for them all. It was such a long journey to Menagerie after all….
XXX
Yang was sitting on her bed, her eyes lazily watching the tv as most of the color and fighting spirit she had? Well, it was lost… Lost the moment Evol came by and took her Cody away. She couldn't fight back, nor could she stop him from taking her boyfriend away. And she didn't know what to do now, only sit there and remember her times with him.
Even the robot dragon, Cross was with her. Its head laying on her lap as it too was sad for losing its master, its first friend and partner. Though even with him gone, they can try to support one another emotionally for now.
Her lilac eyes stared at the window, seeing the shattered moon. Sometimes she wondered if that bastard Evol did that when he came to Remnant in the far past. Did he feel anything other than the need to consume Remnant? To lie and betray others for his own gain? Just what even was Evol at this point? A snake? An alien? A cosmic being that even the Brothers can't touch?
Evol was intelligent enough to create new technology that surpassed everything on Remnant. He was able to outdo and outsmart Vernage into a near endless cycle of battles just to toy her emotions with his only failure of losing most of his power.
If he was this aware of everything, why doesn't he understand the concept or even state of emotions that the people of Remnant do?
The way he laughs, jokes, smiles, all were just sick facades.
He doesn't know real anger. Pain. Real joy and love. The snake doesn't know a damn thing about how humans struggled.
And yet, he keeps taking all of that away… All for the sake of his evolution.
Just what could she even do now that'd make a difference? What can she do to free Cody from Evol? What if… Evol truly took over Cody as he was the offspring with untainted genes and there was no way for him to return?
Just the thought alone made her feel uneasy. She wanted to know he would be okay. She had to know he could come back! Yet… even so…. tears soon ran down Yang's face, gripping the Dragon Bottle in hand as her heart sank further.
"Cody…" The blonde brawler wept out, unable to keep these emotions bottled up any further as the young lady, who was stronger than most others. Who could also smile and move forward… crumbled at the mere loss of someone who made her heart sing.
XXX
Lily tossed and turned in her sleep, the voices of the souls she killed. Of the people she failed to free when she was with Faust. Her lungs hastened with air as it went on.
'Why did you kill us?'
Lily screamed, frantically sitting up as her blanket fell off her. She panted, looking left and right.
"Shh. Shh." Vernage had sensed her distress. "It was a nightmare, Lily."
The bluenette's lips quivered and buried her face against her legs. No matter how hard she wanted to forget those days in Faust, as a commander, of her failures, she couldn't get the words and thoughts. The repercussions of her duty. No matter how much she wanted to forget it haunted her. Especially Crystal's death.
"Lily?" Blake called out, gently knocking on her room's door, "Is everything okay?"
Lily bit her lip. "Everything is… fine…" She lied through her teeth. A horrible lie and it did nothing to hide her guilt and anguish.
"... it's… It's okay if you're not." Blake spoke up as she hugged herself, "We're both still trying to heal and change… but our pasts hold us down severely… Yet… we can always try to reach out to someone to help… Even if we don't deserve it."
The former Faust agent turned her head to the moon before turning her head to the door where Blake's voice originated from. Blake had did her time in the White Fang whereas Lily herself was put into Faust when she was little. She grew up experimenting on and when she was fit for combat, she was given a weapon and put into missions. Her hatred led to her rise in the ranks. The body count slowly piling behind her year after year. After she turned a new leaf, she was thrust into fighting for others but it also meant to continue the bloody massacre she made.
She and Blake both joined their respective terrorist organizations because of their goals and wishes. White Fang wanted equality… Faust wanted the world to burn by the ashes of war before being devoured by Evol.
She fights for humanity but she wouldn't call herself a saint like her mother figure who was born with a royal status and had to mature after Evol fooled her into advancing Eden in centuries past, leading to war she never wanted. Peace being what she wanted and nearly did until Evol foiled her by crushing it. Vernage vowed to continue her role as a Saint whereas Lily herself… was trying, trying her best.
Blake attempted to reach out, as not only could she see Lily needed another person by her side… but one to help Blake reach out from her fear coiled self again. But she pulled back at the last moment, shaking her head as she figured it would just end poorly.
"Rest up… okay…?" Blake called to Lily before she returned to her room, leaving the bluenette alone.
XXX
Morning came and Vernage had to take over to allow Lily a much needed rest. After the night before, it was painful. She understood how much pain Lily harbored and how everyone looked at her like an abomination because of her enhancements and former reputation.
Vernage elicited a heavy breath and rubbed her knuckles. "If only they had tea there…" Perhaps it was out of nostalgia in her childhood in Eden. She never forgot that one blend that soothed her. To even get those tea leaves nowadays are next to none given how long. Soda? Not her thing. Coffee? No, even sweetened it just tastes odd to her taste buds. Tea she rather have her choices.
The Saint's eyes glanced at Blake who stared at the waters before looking over her shoulder to see the construct from Lily's Semblance entertain the young twins. They all had already eaten thus now they were to take the boat to Menagerie. If Lily's memory was correct, it was an island that was inhabited by Faunus before they were given free reign to live outside of it.
Such discrimination upsets her heart. To her, everyone was equal.
… except that damn conniving, self-centered, sarcastic, sadistic, no-good, scheming, and dastardly, bastard of a snake that is Evol.
"Flower…"
Vernage scolded Lily to return to her sleep. As much as they both want to take care of Evol. They needed to rest and recover, thus Vernage has told Lily to refrain from even thinking any bit of the alien until Vernage believes they're ready to continue their fight against him, much to the bluenette's dismay. The young flower needed rest and rest is what Lily will get. No excuses.
"Momma!" 1932 called out, waving to the saint to gesture her over to play with them.
The Saint smiled, gently patting the child before the other sneezed, though rather adorably. She was sure Blake heard it because she caught a glimpse of the bow twitching.
Vernage strided over, observing the vast ocean. "… You know you don't have to keep hiding it." She informed. Blake was puzzled in which Vernage pointed at the bow.
Blake instinctively held her bow.
"Fret not, Blake. I am just providing you with some words: sometimes taking even the most minuscule of steps can provide some progress into finding closure." Vernage stated. "I speak of it from my own experiences in my days when I was fooled by Evol. If you don't try, that festering feeling in your heart will only hurt more than it already suffered from."
Blake pondered at the words Vernage gave her. She first hid her true self away, in fear of not just judgment from her teammates, but Beacon as well. She hid it away in fear of being discovered from her past. And all it did was to push her further away until she had to crawl back home… just to find some peace.
The young Faunus girl slowly then reached up to her bow, undoing it before finally letting go of the ribbon, letting it flutter away from not just her, but her past.
"Better?" Vernage smiled.
"… a little…"
"The littlest still counts as something." Vernage assured. She paused before giggling. "Seems my little flower blurted out 'cute' when she assumed I wasn't distracted by the conversation."
"Hm?" Blake turned, confused at what she meant by that.
Vernage waved her hand but paused, looking at the ocean.
'Waters are churning with evil.' She frowned before she focused her mind. She clapped her hands together, "I'm sure the boat serves beverages for such an extended time of travel."
Blake rolled her eyes but her lips thinned, positively at least. Vernage may be a battle hardened Saint, she often acted as the little teenage girl she used to be in her quest long ago.
She followed before entering the cabin of the boat. There were various Faunus waiting for the stop but her eyes laid on Vernage who gently nudged the twins to a chair. She watched Vernage calm them before flicking her wrist and to her brief amazement was a flower. A small white flower.
"What was that?"
"Hm?"
"That flower… I… never seen one like it."
Vernage's eyes softened but smiled, her mind tickling with nostalgia. "This was what my people call a Moonflower."
"Moonflower…?"
"It is a flower that can only blossom and bloom in the moonlight. It was abundant in my time…" Vernage reminisced. "It symbolizes both calmness, collectiveness and serenity. But also the purity that is our hearts and how wonderful it can be, especially when given to another." she said, soon handing it to Blake. "My mother used to tell me they could grant a wish… as long as your heart remains pure from the darkness that tries to grip you. I used to care for such flowers… but I know by now Evol had desecrated it when he originally sank Eden…"
"Is this… the only one?"
"One of three I keep. The other two… are kept safe from Grimm. From people. From Evol. The former experiments care for them in my stead. I hope that one day when Lily comes back to that settlement she will see a meadow full of them…"
"You make it sound like you won't… be here…"
"Death can take me but I am only reborn again. Evol knows that no matter how many times I die I will be birthed by another family. And again. And again… but deep down, I know my time will soon expire when Evol succeeds."
"Don't say that!" Lily's voice rang in the Saint's head. "We'll… we'll be together forever… We have to be! You're… you're my mother after all…"
Vernage closed her eyes. "I know… it is only an assumption on my part Lily. Now go back to sleep before I cast another spell."
Lily grumbled and did as told.
"Everything… okay?" Blake asked, as she looked confused from Vernage closing her eyes for a hot minute.
"Yes, yes. Just Lily acting like a child again."
"I'm not!"
"What did I say?" The saint warned.
Just another bickering between them.
The twins giggled before 1931 blinked his only eye, poking his head up and over the bench he sat on. The cloth over his eye may be obscuring his blind eye, he still had good eyesight on the other. The young male twin stared upon seeing a muscular man idly taking a seat and returning to sleep. 1931's nose twitched - something was weird about the man. Maybe it was the bad stuff in his body but like others, it enhanced their bodies to a super heightened level which included good sense of smell. The man caught the stare in which the child squeaked but not before Lily's techno-created construct gently hoisted 1931 up and set him back down to sit beside 1932.
XXX
As another day went on, Yang sat lazily on the couch, watching tv with not only a hazed look of emptiness, but the color and full of life she had was dull and fading for her as she simply was wasting time away. With only the occasional chores and some exercise as she played with Zwei or was petting Cross as it never left her side now.
Footsteps could be heard as from the corner of her eye, the door opened as Taiyang came back, not just with groceries but a large box as well.
"Hey dad…" She called to him softly. "Back from the store?"
"And a package." After setting the groceries onto the table, he walked to Yang and presented it to her.
"It's… to me?" She questioned, not having any idea what it could be.
"I requested it myself, I assure you."
Yang slowly blinked before taking the box as she took notice it was from Atlas themselves and opened it, revealing a metal prosthetic.
"Before I could even try to request or even beg for it… Ironwood's himself responded to me that it will be taken care of, free of charge." Taiyang informed as he smiled, "He said that you were very brave for doing everything you could do at Beacon and then some… He wanted me to tell you that he wishes the very best for you and well… Cody too."
Yang looked at the new metal limb softly, her fingers tracing the cold metal and whatever additions they added into the limb…. A freshly made replica arm. A prosthetic for her alone….
"Yang… I just want you to know, that I have been so proud of you and everything you did." Taiyang reminded her, "Take as long as you need before you feel ready to put this on… Whatever you choose? I'll support you." He finished before patting his daughter's shoulder as he took the groceries to put away, letting the brawler decide on what she wanted.
Lilac eyes stared at the metal arm in the box. Her human arm hesitantly reached and retracted. However she remembered Cody and the bastard snake who took him away from her.
Soon a flash went through her eyes and mind… A flash first from a single sound of a sword, then the devious chuckle of Evol making her snap back into reality. Her face flushed and drenched in a cold sweat as her hand shivered and quaked in fear.
Yang simply sat back down as she held her stump of an arm. Biting her lip from the fear and helplessness she was feeling. She was scared… scared if she could even return to such a lifestyle again…
As she closed her eyes, the young woman felt a tug as she looked down to see Cross tugging at her shirt. It gave a soft howl, showing it was trying to cheer her up as it nuzzled and poked her for attention. It wanted to help her ease her mind and relax.
With a soft smile, she reached over and petted the robot dragon, feeling a bit relieved from its help. For now she'll wait and heal. Hopefully her mind can be settled on what she wants to do with her current path. At least she wasn't fully alone here, just missing the piece of her heart that was taken.
"I'll… hang in there Cross…" She whispered. "I… just need some more time…"
The dragon chirped with a nod, flying up to her face to nuzzle the brawler for not just more affection, but a relief of her stress and worries. Something it got practice from, by being there for Cody when he needed it, and now it'll do the same for Yang who it now trusts as much as its master.
XXX
Dusk was encroaching the air and it was all the simple matters with its silence. Blake glanced at the slumbering trio of former experiments who rested comfortably whereas the metal construct hovered above, its singular optic scanning for any possible hostility.
She exited the cabin and saw the ocean. Her amber eyes lowered but almost gasped to the flower Vernage gave her. It was illuminating in the dusk covered sky.
Like a little beacon of light shining in the darkness, brightening the path.
Blake was still stunned at the beauty of the flower, even after being told by it. Just how gently and majestic it was, made her walk to the flower to see more of it. She remembered Vernage mentioned its legend. It was said to make a wish to the purest heart… but it sounded childish.
"What could I even wish for? That wasn't already ruined…" Blake muttered to herself, casting her eyes downward to herself as she hugged her figure, "As if I could even be considered a 'pure heart' anymore.."
Her cat ear twitched, making her look back but caught a glimpse of a hooded figure watching her.
"W-Who goes there?" she called out, weapon now ready as she attempted to chase after the figure, only to bump into Vernage. "Vernage!"
"What is the matter, Blake?"
"I-I… I saw someone!" She pointed to where the figure was. "I… I knew this was bad… I should've just went into a small boat by myself…." The faunus said with worry and fear reaching her mind again.
Vernage frowned before conjuring with her technomancy, creating three metal orbs that hovered around her. "Seek one in a dark cloak."
They acknowledged and hovered around the ship.
Vernage turned back to Blake as the young girl was hugging herself, shivering in fear. Given how her worst enemy found her so easily at Beacon? It was safe to say, Blake had been worried he was still following her.
"He's here… Adam's still following me…" Blake muttered as her fear was taking hold, "I'm… I'm going to be the cause of more people dying again…"
"You do not know it is Adam, Belladonna." Blake winced. The only times Vernage addressed her by last name is if she was scolding her. Lily would do the same on occasions but that was out of respect.
"It is! He found me once before at Beacon and he'll do it again!" Blake stated with tears in her eyes, "He said he would always keep finding me no matter where I go… I can't ever be free of him…"
"Do you know that?"
"Ye-!" Blake held her tongue when Vernage frowned.
"I ask again, do you know he is here? When we stepped foot onto the boat? Before that? During the ride?"
"I… I don't know…" Blake shook her head, "I'm.. I'm just scared…"
"Fear is the ultimate weapon of mortals, Blake. It is no different than what Evol brought to the world. What the White Fang brought to humans. Fear is not just a weapon but a reminder. You can't always let it consume you otherwise that fear will only drown you into the depths of the abyss you feel." An orb suddenly zipped to her and blinked a blue light a few times. "Bring them here."
"They found them?"
"Seems so."
The orbs returned though they had small metals hands that dragged the cloaked person by the back.
"Owowowow! Hey, watch the tail!" A familiar voice rang out from the cloak.
"… Sun?" Blake recognized as she marched over and tore off the cloak.
"Oh! Uh.. Hey Blake! Fancy meeting you here!" The monkey Faunus smiled innocently.
"… You know of this Faunus?"
"Yeah… He's a… 'friend' so to speak. One I met at Beacon, and is part of Team SSSN"
"Hey uh… Vernage right?"
"That is me. If you ask, Lily is sleeping." Vernage tapped the side of her head.
"Huh?" Sun blinked with confusion as he looked to Blake who nodded, "Oh, uh well then. It's good to meet you!"
"Sun, what are you doing here? And why were you in a cloak?"
"I figured if you saw me, you'd just shoo me away from following ya!" he responded innocently.
"Well of course I would!"
"See? So I had to be like this, just to make sure you didn't notice! And for the record, I was following you because I thought that you were planning something against the White Fang." Sun swiftly answered an upcoming question, "But seeing this? I guess I was mistaken for that."
"Blake is merely heading home whereas Lily deserved a needed fresh air from recent events last year."
"Yeah, I figured that out. But I just don't get it though…" He said, turning to the other Faunus, "Why leave your friends behind? That isn't like you."
"You don't know 'what I'm like' at all, Sun…" Blake frowned softly.
"Of course I do! You not only want equality for Faunus and Humans coexisting, but your brave enough to help out others in need. You fight for what you believe in alongside for the greater good." Sun named off several things about Blake, "So it just doesn't make sense as to why you'd leave them!"
Blake lowered her gaze, rubbing her arm out of discomfort. "I…"
The boat suddenly wobbled, disrupting their balance briefly until it halted.
"What was that?!"
"RED ALERT!" The trio heard one of the crew members shout.
The alert immediately sounds. Two red lights next to a speaker pulse with the sound. The Captain and his First Mate come running out and look at the water from the upper deck, just above them.
"By the gods…" the Captain uttered.
The long-necked creature is revealed to be a large sea dragon Grimm. It has a pattern of glowing red lines along the scales of its neck, and its eyes glow yellow. The Grimm swings its head back and forth, roaring and spreading its short forearms outward.
The Captain turns to his crew and calling out to the ship, "All hands to battle stations!"
"Sir, we've never fought a Grimm this big!"
"We've never seen something this big! But we'll give 'er a fight nonetheless!"
"Woah, thats a big Grimm!" Sun got out with surprise.
"We have to do something!" Blake grimaced as she ran towards the Grimm, heading in first.
Vernage focused on Lily's Semblance, conjuring several technoblades and unsheathed Virtuous Steel. The Grimm's form almost reminded her of the Brother of Light. Its serpentine body and near draconic head. Unlike Blake and Sun, Vernage sees this as an easy fight for her if she wishes to use her prowess and speed that equaled Evol.
Blake had used her ribbon to spin and propel herself up to the serpentine grimm, shooting at it with her weapon as she dodged a tail swipe before climbing onto its back to slash at it, only to be thrown back onto the ship with the others. She was caught by a pair of large metal claws, making amber eyes see the singular optic of Lily's construct.
"Don't get too reckless, Blake." Vernage threw the blades, several impaling the beast that bellowed in agony. Its glowering gaze saw Vernage who stared unfazed at the serpent. Her eyes flared with magic before she flicked her wrist. Lightning danced before slamming into her swords as a lightning rod. The Grimm bellowed before diving back into the water.
"Where did it go?!" Sun gasped.
With Technomancy, it meant whatever piece of technology close to her or made by her can be sensed. She can sense the radio of the boat. The Scrolls people carried. The construct… and the technoblades that impaled the beast. For a second the connection was gone but on one of the blades.
"It seems the beast is trying to rid the blades dug into its skin." Vernage huffed. She snapped her fingers, and bubbles burst several times.
"… you detonated those swords?" Sun guessed.
"Yes but it will only drive the beast in a state of rage… and focus on me as the greatest threat."
"You're planning to have it target you? Are you insane?!" Sun gawked in shock from Vernage's actions.
"No, simply making a tactical strategy given my experience spanning centuries." She replied though innocently.
"Hey, this isn't the olden times, lady! Things have changed." Sun pointed out. "We don't allow others to work alone. It's team time."
The water bursts, the Sea Feilong snarling. Parts of its body elicited black miasma that are its wounds but its skin rippled below its neck area, revealing its small wings. It roared at them.
"It can fly?!" Sun cried out in shock.
"So it seems." Vernage observed. "We will need to render it wingless. Sun, what is your Semblance?"
"I can create aura-like clones but I have to keep focus."
The Saint's mind turned gears, generating tactics that could incapacitate the Grimm. Blake's Shadow Semblance can allow her to briefly dodge attacks or harness Dust to it. Lily's evolved Semblance of Technomany can create technological weapons, manipulate technology, or even create any form of construct. Adding with magic…
"I need you to summon forth your two clones, Sun." The maiden created two harpoon-like bows. "Blake, you will draw its attention." She nudged the floating construct to the Faunus. "On my mark, your clones will release those arrows and with your utmost effort, pull when it goes."
"Roger that, ma'am!" Sun saluted, understanding well of the plan, as Blake nodded in agreement. "So uh, what will you do?"
"As you two draw it close, I will forge a weapon to behead it. Now let's get to it, shall we?"
"Gotcha!" Sun placed his palms together, creating his two clones that held the bows. The metal being picked up Blake and flew after the Sea Feilong while Vernage clasped her hands together, data slow merging, her hands moving as her mind focused on the image of the weapon.
Blake saw the Grimm open its jaws wide in an attempt to devour her but the metal being evaded with her in tow. It then tossed her up, allowing the Cat Faunus to log her blade into the nape of the neck. She gritted her teeth and yanked to the left, forcing the serpent to follow the direction. Her hands holding on tightly.
The Sea Feilong howled and hissed in pain as it thrashed around against her control, attempting to fling her off as she steered the Grimm into position for Sun and Vernage to handle it.
"Now!"
The two clones fired the bows, hitting the wings directly. Blake briefly saw the sharp barbs unfold, latching onto the appendages. With it, Sun mentally commanded his summons to pull. The Grimm resisted strongly but Vernage's metal construct assisted, pulling with the two.
Blake casted her Shadow landing and helped as well. Her Aura fluctuated by her joints popping.
"Now would be a good time!" Sun exclaimed but gawked at Vernage's weapon. Shrouding her arm was a cannon while her mouth was guarded and a hologram over her eye, displaying the lock on. Her magic channeled energy for the weapon, her eyes flaring with power.
"Checkmate." She whispered.
What could be described as a ray of lightning of a railgun, it was released from her weapon and obliterated the Sea Feilong's head. Its body flailed before collapsing into the ocean, its form slowly disintegrating in the water.
The cheers of the crew and some of the other passengers cry out, praising the three of them for helping them kill the attacking Grimm. This gave Blake some relief, knowing they were okay as Sun gave a thumbs up. Blake then looked to Vernage, but more importantly to Lily, to see how she felt about the praising?
"Vernage, does Lily… hear this?" asked Blake.
"She does… and unsure how to react…" Vernage answered.
"Tell her, she did great with her Semblance for ya!" Sun smiled, patting Vernage's back.
"Why not tell her yourself? Little flower, I'm going to sleep now." After trying her hair into its wild ponytail, in an instant, the moonlight white color was replaced with its sky blue color and the emerald eyes faded backwards to its lilac hue. Lily wobbled and saw all the eyes on her. "U-Um..."
"Woah, so you can switch minds!" Sun gawked as he thought it was nothing more than a case of split personalities. "Was digging the snow white color."
Blake's eye twitched as she raised her hand and slapped Sun into the boat's floor.
"Don't start getting weird!" Blake sighed as she looked to Lily before giving a soft smile, "Though.. It is good to see you again, Lily… did you rest well?"
"… I did…"
"I'm glad to hear…." Blake smiled softly, feeling relieved that Lily is feeling better.
"So, what's the plan next?" Sun asked, hopping back to his feet as he got in between the two girls and their moment.
"… Who's the monkey?" Lily jabbed her thumb towards thumb.
XXX
Evol was sitting comfortably in his airship, taking its sweet time to reach to his rival as he had all of the time in the world now to get to the next phase. He wanted to give some time for them to believe he was away at the helm only to appear and shatter their expectations. Of course, with the power his son held? He'll be easily taking Vernage and Lily, just like the boyo.
A snicker of excitement left Evol's lips as it was like a candy store for him! And he was going to take every ounce of those sweets for himself. He even pondered how he's going to toy with the Saint? How should he go at it? Act like boyo for a bit before jumping them? Simple attack them in his base state before showing the new form?
No, that wouldn't work. Vernage would see the deception in a heartbeat. She would act and freeze him in that Timelapse in an instant and go beyond the extreme to force him out of Cody. Unlike Lily, Vernage was sharp as hell.
He needed the proper plan and attack method if he wanted to get to Phase 3. Luckily with his flight? He can take as long as he wants to prepare and be ready to sink his fangs on the blue rabbit.
"It won't be long now…" Evol grinned from ear to ear.
XXX