RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 36: A Bat's Haven
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^
As the drive continued on, Yang was quickly able to deduce that this was meant to be a set up. Predictable as was the man who was 'leading' her to this trap. But she isn't no fool either.
"How much further, pal?" Yang asked the man who was on the motorcycle with her.
"This should just about do it." The man replied. Yang stops the bikes at the clearing. "You wait here. I'll go up ahead and make sure the coast is clear."
The mook dismounted from the bike and jogged into the bushes. Yang shook her head in annoyance and discarded her sunglasses, sleeve and coat tails before stretching.
Suddenly, she heard the pull of a trigger from a gun, prompting her to avoid the gunshots. The buxom blonde noticed the creep from before but he wasn't alone as several bandits were in tow.
"I can't believe you two were dumb enough to let me lead you here." He sneered as the bandits present all had their weapons drawn at the couple.
"Is this everyone?"
Shady Man chuckled, "Yes. This is it. Well, unless you count the whole rest of the camp back that way." He gestured behind him with his thumb. Yang pointed a finger in the same direction.
"That way?" She repeated.
The man grunted in confusion, looking at his tribe mates then back at her. "Yes. That way."
"Good to know, thanks." Yang said.
The man aimed his gun at the girl,"Now to pay me back for this tooth, we're going to take your bike. And you're going to take your lumps."
Yang engaged Ember Celica on her left arm. The bandits became cautious and kept their weapons trained on her.
"Get her!"
With a shake of her head, she held up her fists and stepped forward. She dodged a punch from one before she struck him with her fists a few times before axe-kicking him to the ground. She then moved to the side from one who attempted to impale her as she gripped the spear and tugged it with the attacker in tow.
With an uppercut she sent him flying into the air before using her Ember Celica to shoot him towards many of the other attackers. But that brought the others to fire upon her, causing the fiery blonde to hold her arms up to not only defend her face but to process which next opponent to take down before their ammo chew through her Aura.
"Could've just made this easier for us blondie! But you had to be stupid." The leading man taunted…. Only for him to hold up the Dragon Fullbottle. "Wonder how much this thing can be sold for?"
"You son of a bitch." Her eyes turned red and her hair on fire. "Now I am PISSED!"
The blood red eyes immediately made the bandit realize his worst mistake. Only two people have blood red eyes. Evol the bastard snake… and their boss Raven Branwen.
That meant the blonde was her daughter.
Yeah, they definitely signed their graves.
With a burst of fire and explosion from her weapon, Yang went full assault on the bandits, bouncing off of one and another with one powerful punch to give out, literally making it a pinball effect as each other bandit fell swiftly from her attack only until the leading man was left.
He panicked and attempted to fire, only for his gun to jam. This gave Yang what she needed as she marched forward to him with anger in her eyes and fists, but right when he attempted to back hand her, she slammed her weapon onto the ground to somersault over him only to land behind him as she gave one last powerful punch, sending the leading bandit into a tree.
Yang panted with anger only to soon feel her arm twitch and shiver, causing Yang to snap out of her rage before she gently grasped her hand and sighed, calming down. Once back to normal she marched over to the bandit and plucked the Dragon Fullbottle off and back into her possession.
"Next time, don't mess with what is precious to me… Didn't my mother, Raven, teach you that?" Yang pointed out as it was one little code that she knew her mother had.
Once back on her ride, she looked to where those other bandits came from and realized what that meant. That way was where the camp was… and her ticket to Ruby and hopefully Vernage. With a rev of her bike, she soon drove towards that direction ready to confront her mother but more importantly get to her sister.
XXX
There were many things Qrow wanted to say in regards to how things were over the past year and half. Brutal. Frustrating. Harrowing? There were various words to describe it. Following his niece and her three friends, dealing with one of the witch's lackeys, his niece and friends killing a Nuckleave, and of course making it to Mistral. To add more to the pot was meeting the young farm boy Oscar who holds the soul of Ozma.
The old soul had a lot of nerve to come to him after what happened back at Beacon. After what he hid from him!
Qrow spent most of his time avoiding Oscar as he was in the bar, drinking his time away to forgo such involvement.
He trusts Vernage. Not Ozma.
After everything he learned? Any trust he had for Ozpin was gone, and if anyone dares to be part of his circle? He'll make sure they leave. Vernage was right: either be truthful or the consequences are brought.
Finally (and most recently), it was the arrival of Yang and Weiss. To see the two sisters reunite was heartwarming but what Yang told all of them was bad. Very bad.
Evol had achieved Stage 2 and took control of Cody's body, absorbing the Evol Genes to strengthen him. He was far stronger than he already was. Stage 1 was one thing but now that Evol had Stage 2 with increased magic power? He was stronger than any person on the planet. No one could stop him…
All except Vernage who was still not found.
"And… thats why I had to get here as quickly as possible… If anything is about to happen here? Vernage will be here too." Yang explained.
"You thought she was with us."
"I thought… she could help separate Cody from that snake…" she lowered her head. "I know it is alot to ask-"
"Alot?" Qrow repeated. "Firecracker what you are asking her is something that is stuck on two bridges. Think. One bridge you have the possibility she does succeed but we still have Evol with Phase 2 and alive and I am sure as hell none of us can stop him. And then the other bridge is… hate to say it… put him down as he is in Cody's body."
"I know that… But… I don't want to just give up after everything…. I love him, Qrow…"
"So you are willing to let the whole planet die."
"N-No!" She immediately answered.
"You are still hesitating."
"Wouldn't you be, if the one you love to death is in the same situation?" Yang questioned her uncle.
"… Either save them to prevent doom and not have a snake steal their image? It's called making hard choices Yang. And I would do just that but also be reminded of the burden I will carry with it." Qrow set his flask in his pocket. "Let me ask you one last time and you better give me an answer. What is more important to you? Our future where we can live without Evol devouring our planet? Or lose our lives as the snake roams freely and goes to brothers knows what else to cause more suffering to more lives and so forth."
"That's not fair!" Yang called out, feeling more despaired at such a thought. She knows saving Remnant from Evol is just as important, but she can't go with that option…. It's not in her heart to just give up on him.
"Not everything is simple Yang. Look at Vernage. The girl cursed herself so she can stop him. Went as far as seaing herself with him until we humans got greedy."
"I think… we should give it a chance…" Ruby spoke up, earning their attention, "Even if there's such a slim chance? We should take it… But we also understand that should it not be possible, then it would be best to end this as well." She smiled softly to her big sister, placing her hand on her for support, "We'll try to save him as much as he saved us, Yang."
"Ruby…." Yang smiled from hearing that resolve as the sisters hugged once more.
"Hope you make the right choice then cuz if what you said is right. Then he will be coming and you all know we can't do jack on a guy with that much power. Cody couldn't beat him. Ozma and Raven were barely able to do anything too. Evol has all magic and tactics older than us."
"He's right." Ozma's voice spoke from Oscar. "Unlike Salem… Evol had spent millennia before I was born to plan and coordinate to earn such a massive network across Remnant. Even after being sealed and freed, he easily recreated it to ensure all eyes, ears, voice, everything was in his grasp just like the black hole he is: snuffing out everything."
"And just what are you doing back in here?" Qrow glared at the older presence. "I said we have nothing to talk about… Ozma." He ended the sentence with venom in his voice.
"I know there is much-"
"Like Salem being immortal." Qrow frowned.
"Telling us you and her were once lovers." Yang added.
"The Brothers left Remnant and our world still in danger if Salem gathers the Relics. You told us everything about it, we know." Ruby mumbled. "I don't know what is worse… being eaten by a black hole or wiped out by the Brothers…"
"I know!" Ozpin raised his voice only to sigh heavily, "I know… which is why I'm talking now… I… I will explain everything about my history alongside Salem's to you all… To make amends for everything."
At least there was one good thing Ozma said: he told all of them everything. About the past before the gods left Remnant. About Salem. Everything about it. Guess Vernage really gave him one hell of a lesson about telling the truth. Something Qrow was glad to know.
"And with that, I'm asking you for this once more… Please help me and save this home planet we live on from them both…" Ozpin pleaded as he got on his knees, bowing fully onto the floor for their forgiveness.
Qrow stared at him. "I won't forgive you for what you did. Nor will I forget it. I still trust Vernage and her kid. Not you." He turned around. "If you two girls need me I'll set things up so we can head to Haven."
"Well… that sure happened." Nora spoke up, trying to break the tension everyone was having.
"Thank you Ruby… for having my back." Yang thanked her little sister.
"We're family, Yang… Plus this is the first boy you've ever truly gotten attached to. I can't lose a potential brother in law that I can enjoy over!" Ruby giggled, making Yang smile as they hug once more. These two sisters truly were inseparable.
The chirp of Cross made them look over as the robot dragon flew over with two flowers in its maw, one to give to Yang and one to Ruby, most likely also wanting to cheer the sisters up as the two smiled from the sweetness of the robot.
"And thank you for looking after my big sister as well." Ruby smiled petting its head in response. "Don't worry, we'll get him back in one piece. I'm sure of it."
Yang nodded in agreement. No matter what, she is sure that they'll save Cody and free him from Evol with Vernage's help. She promised she would do so and she believes it'll work out.
Tomorrow was the day they spoke to Leonhart to hopefully sort things out and hopefully get their plans rolling.
XXX
Lily's eyes stared with a holographic magnifier, a few metal claws hovering around her as she was in the midst of adjusting her first creation's mechanism while forging a smaller drone who would watch the twins once the matter with the White Fang is settled. Her eyes didn't waver nor dim, they were focused.
"The concentration of magic is growing the more we draw close to Mistral."
'Yeah…'
"And we both know why."
Lily nodded, a hovering claw throwing a dagger into the still photo of Cinder. The woman was going to have her judgment and no one. No one will plead or stop her from executing her for the crimes she had done. That woman will not live the second she pierces Cinder's heart and ensure the magic she stole will be given to Vernage herself.
A few knocks were heard as coming into her temporary room within the boat was Blake with some tea, as she set it next to Lily.
"Is… everything okay, Lily?" Blake asked the bluenette.
"Preparations." Lily leaned back against the chair, pushing the hologram aside as it faded away upon her Semblance' command.
Blake's eyes saw the countless daggers on the still images of Evol, Cinder, Mercury, Tyrian, and Hazel. Though Evol has the most daggers.
"I take it this means, Cinder could be in Haven too?" Blake frowned at the thought of that woman being there.
"Vernage told me she can sense magic and those it originated from."
"Then go help Yang and the others… Adam is the Faunus problem after all." Blake suggested to her.
"…" she… didn't expect to hear that from Blake. She was allowing her to go after Cinder and her cohorts. "You… giving me permission huh?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Blake said with confusion to her question.
Lily stared before she chuckled before laughing. She rested a hand on her forehead upon her laughter, nearly falling off the seat. Blake gasped and reacted to catch Lily in her arms, as she seemed worried but more confused on all of this.
"It's funny that you of all people would even say that, Blake." The bluenette wiped away a tear of laughter before her brows softened slightly. "Giving me permission to kill…" It reminded her of her recruit days into the assassination unit with the 800s. Being given permission on execution of her targets. She still remembered her first blood when she was only 15. It was in Vacuo, to assassinate a councilman in order to grant a replacement who is also a Faust agent. Back then she proved her worth.
"Cinder… killed Pyrrha. She killed many other people all for the sake of power and getting the Maiden's magic… In my eyes, she is no different from Adam… And both of them need to be stopped at any cost." Blake admitted to Lily. "Besides, its as I said before. Adam is the Faunus's problem… not yours. So in that sense, it means you don't need to help us with the fight against him. Just… promise me you'll be okay? Even if you're going against them all… I… I don't want you to lose yourself either."
A tense silence lingered in the air. No words slipped out from the buxom Rider nor from Blake but the kunoichi felt herself held by the arms of Lily. It was a gentle grasp given her augmentations.
"I promise I won't Blake…"
Blake smiled from hearing Lily's response as Blake then returned the hug, feeling relieved from Lily's words as she didn't sense a hint of a lie, nor deceit from the bluenette, only warmth.
An honest answer just as Vernage taught her.
The two shared the hug for who knows how long to them, just completely in an embrace and enjoying the warmth from one another, only for a message from their Scrolls snapping them out of their trance. It made them flinch from hearing it as Lily looked to see the notification that they're now in Anima airspace, meaning it won't be long left before they land in Haven.
"W-We should get ready…" Blake said, as she stood up, brushing some hair away from her face.
"Right…." Lily nodded as well as she watched Blake leave her room. And once gone, Lily started to feel… different. She could feel her face was much warmer than before, even excited for a moment before knowing that Blake was gone as she felt… lonely?
"Something must be wrong with me…" Lily muttered, unsure what this feeling was that emerged out of nowhere. It felt familiar yet foreign. Like-
Her mind trailed off, recalling that similar feeling during that one night with Crystal. Her fingers clenched.
"You love Blake."
"…" Lily's cheeks tinged pink.
"She reminds me a lot of you… Caring, sweet, and fighting for what's right… Maybe you should say something to her before you land in Haven, my little flower."
"Would she even see me that way? I… am not sure she is… erm…" She didn't want to sound insulting.
"You will never know unless you confront her about it."
Lily sat there as for once, she was unsure what to do. Even with Vernage's counciling, she wasn't sure how to even well… move. She felt frozen in time, not in fear or with dread, just unable to move with her judgment.
This was something she truly never felt before. Sure she has felt love and been loved thanks to the twins and Cody. But this type of love… was something she never expected to have. Was this… what Cody felt for Yang?
Lily rested her hand on the inactive Cyclops. Her head lowered. "Someday… I have to repent… I wonder how you and the rest will go upon it… you deserve more freedom… than being confined by my Semblance that made you and the rest." Her fingers brushed across it before moving her arm away and exited the room, her mind steered for one objective: kill Salem's followers. "I won't let this opportunity be wasted."
It was quiet but Lily's magic unknowingly seeped into its panel. The lingering silence, the sensation of emotions and memories the girl had. The sadness. Loneliness. Devotion. Redemption. Her love. The days when she had curled into her sleep due to her pain and anguish.
To protect her. To protect those she loved. To protect the younglings she had constantly requested it. To be a guardian to a saintess.
Its large metal talons twitched on its own, without any mental commands from the bluenette before its form faded back into Lily's Semblance.
XXX
As the next evening came, Yang, Qrow, and the others soon made their way to Leonheart's office to see what he had planned for them from all of the requests he gave them. It was odd to do it in the middle of the night, but they had nothing better to do for now.
"So what's going on with the council?" Qrow asked.
Lionhardt hesitated but asked in return, "There's… a bit more of you than yesterday. Why… did you bring your weapons?"
"What?" The man cocked an eyebrow. "Leo, we'rw Huntsmen. You okay?"
"Of course! Of course, sorry. Just haven't had my evening coffee."
Yang seemed concerned as this felt… off. Something was wrong but what caught her eye was a familiar… bird?
"Mom…?" She noted as that brought everyone's attention.
The rest of the party turned their attention to the bird. It flew away just as Qrow took a quick shot at it but not before landing behind the headmaster and shifted into her human form, removing her mask.
"Raven…" Ruby realized.
"What do you think you're doing here, Raven?" Qrow questioned, already on alert from her presence. "Last I recall Evol forced you and your bandit buddies packing after stealing from him."
"Simple brother. I'm here to make sure my tribe remains safe… Even if it means I must kill you all…" She said only to slash behind her before a portal opened up, only for a familiar fireball to launch out and strike Ruby to her knees.
"Ruby!" Yang supported her sister but when they looked at the portal they saw Cinder Fall.
"It has been far too long, hasn't it?" Cinder smirked as she and her allies walked out of the portal.
Yang growled. "If Lily was here she would have put you on a stake."
"Which is why it was the best option for us to take advantage of it. You all are done for."
'For now.' Ozma's voice whispered to Oscar, confusing him. 'She just arrived on Mistral…'
Oscar pursed his lips for a second and knit her brows. "You're wrong!" Oscar spoke. "She is already here!"
"Then we'll just have to kill you all before she even gets here." Cinder commanded as they drew their arms at the group.
Yang stood up, readying her weapons. If Oscar said is true then it meant Lily will come. Lily and Vernage. Her only chance to free Cody. "Then we just have to fight for time. After what you guys did back at Beacon!"
"Please blondie, this time you have no savior to help you out. Didn't your boytoy die?" Mercury smirked.
Yang gritted her teeth. Her eyes flared red but paused to a minor glimmer from the window. It looked like… a flash of fire. Like from a missile? No it can't be. It would detonate upon such a distance… then that means…
"Guys… do me a favor."
"Y-Yeah?" Ruby whispered.
"Fire in the hole!" They ducked before a burst of fire pierced the window and rammed Cinder like a mad bull past them and away from her allies.
Cinder grunted angrily. Who the hell-
"Hello Cinder." Her visible eye met the cold merciless lilac eyes and blue hair. "Remember me you bitch?"
"Lily…. W-Why are you here?!" Cinder shivered in fear.
The bluenette pointed her large katana at her. "Your magic leaks like a faucet. No matter how good you wield it, she sensed it. Like a shark following blood."
"Kill them all!" Cinder howled out with her command, causing most of her allies to charge in, while Qrow and the others helped out to fight alongside Lily.
Cinder dashed towards Lily in fury, her two blades crashing against the large katana.
"You know why I am here." Lily whispered. "To put your head on a hall for everything you did."
"If you think you can kill me as easy as that? Then maybe you would've saved that boy of yours…" Cinder taunted.
Lily's eyes narrowed before she hissed and shoved then blades up and backhanded the False Maiden's across the cheek.
"Oh look, you are kissing the floor. Didn't you do that as a cleaning girl here in Mistral?"
"You leave her alone!" Emerald shouted, firing her weapons at Lily.
"Cyclops."
The floating metal construct appeared in front of Emerald, stopping her to see its glowering gaze of its singular eye. It punched Emerald a few inches back. The mint haired girl rubbed her cheek, feeling her teeth loosen by the swing.
"You should learn the truth, young one… Cinder doesn't care about you." Lily frowned, as she could easily see that Emerald was too enthralled by Cinder's fake help.
"This woman. This monster is one who fiddled with her playthings."
"You don't know what you're saying! She saved me from being just a petty criminal!" Emerald shook her head.
"Evol saved me and look what he did to me."
"Evol was a monster! Cinder isn't anything like that!"
"Cinder works for one and you know that!" She quickly stopped Cinder's attack and retaliated with a blast of wind.
The False Maiden hissed in anger, only to soon hear a warcry as she turned just in time to dodge a slash from none other than… Jaune?
The blonde knight panted as he gripped his sword tightly, tears dropping from his face, "I'm going to make you pay… Pay for killing Pyrrha!"
"Jaune stay out of it, she is my target!" Lily hissed.
"She took someone from me! She is just as much of an enemy as Evol is to you!"
"You think I don't know that!? You are still learning unlike me!" She evaded a few blasts of fire.
"I don't care! If I can just get one good blow to her and end this monster? Then Pyrrha can be avenged." Jaune gripped his sword tightly.
"Gargoyle, keep him away!" Her Technomancy reacted and her third construct appeared.
"No! Stop! I won't let you take this from me!" Jaune shouted, soon struggling against Gargoyle's stallment.
"You are stalling me from doing what Vernage wanted!" Liky pointed at the downed Cinder with her blade. "And I will make sure all she killed are dealt."
"It won't be the same! She needs to fall to my blade for killing the only woman who loved me!"
Lily turned around as Cinder moved back, seeing the former agent approach. Her katana dragged across the floor before raising it high.
"You tossed away your humanity with that arm. You murdered for Salem. You toyed with those like Emerald. Cinder Fall, your mercy is null and no more will anyone save you."
Cinder quickly rolled but she screamed to her foot impaled by the weapon. She painfully yet angrily looked at Lily who gave the cold glare with its emerald hue.
"You are only a coward, Cinder Fall. Avoiding death from me. From Lily is inevitable." She twisted the katana.
Cinder's eye swelled with tears, her lips biting to prevent the scream from increasing.
"You now have your boogeyman to fear. Not Salem but me." Lily whispered. With both hands on the weapon, she was about to yank for a full dragging strike to bisect her. Her instincts rang, forcing her to summon a technoblade that stopped the fist with a loud clang.
Now it was round two against him again. "Hazel."
"Sorry, but I must stop you from killing Salem's personal Maiden…" Hazel apologized only to slam his fist into Lily's face, sending her flying into the ceiling.
Cinder gritted, casting fire to her left foot but elicited a muffled scream through her teeth. It severed any feeling to her toes, rendering the limb useless. Now Watts would have to make a damn prosthetic… damn it. Damn that girl.
"K-Keep… her away… I still need the Relic." She ordered, looking to Raven and nodded to have her and Vernal help her.
Vernal nodded as she then lunged towards Weiss who was dealing with Mercury for a moment, only for her to cry out in pain, earning the shocked look of the others as they see the twin pincer blades from Vernal's weapons impaled in Weiss's body, causing her to drop to the ground.
"Weiss!" Lily gasped.
"Nonononono!" Jaune gasped as he rushed over first, trying to stop the bleeding. "Please no… not again…"
With that distraction in place, Cinder, Raven and Vernal went into the depths of the Academy to get to the relic.
Lily's eyes flared angrily. No… she won't let more loss of those around her happen again! First Crystal. Then Cody… it can't happen again. She evaded Hazel's fist before she slammed the Evol Driver onto her waist. "It's time I stop fooling around and kill that bitch!" She evaded again and placed in the two Bottles.
KOMORI!
HATSUDOKI!
EVOL MATCH!
ARE YOU READY?
"Henshin!" Lily announced coldly as the pipes collapsed and shattered for her armor to attach to the girl.
BATENGINE!
FUHAHAHAHA!
The energy burst before she punched Hazel several times, energy released from each swing. When she saw the incoming swing, she caught it before using her other hand to grab it. She yelled, spinning on her heel and threw him through the window. "Now to find Cinder."
"Lily!" Yang called out to her stepping forward, "Please.. Let me go after them instead…"
"You want to prevent me from killing the woman I was hunting?!"
"No. But this matter involves my mother… And she needs a reality check from the only one who'll snap her out of this… Me." Yang stated. "You can deal with Cinder once I get Mom out of this."
Mad Rogue gritted her teeth beneath her helmet. Her eyes turned towards the path then the ongoing fight. "If Cinder survives eventually it is on you to blame. That is what Vernage agrees to."
"I know. I'll take whatever you think is right."
"I hope so. Because she is choosing the right decision when Evol shows up. Don't get in her way."
"All I ask is if you can save Cody from him… Nothing more… please."
"… That is if I can, Xiao Long. I can't delay nor let him do as he wants." Vernage's voice seeped through the helmet. Yang lowered her head, given the clear picture of the decision. "I am sorry. Lily, ensure Jaune and Nora are protected as they tend to Weiss. The boy seems to have traits of a paladin in my time."
"Fine…" Her violet lenses glanced at Yang. "I am sorry Yang… I don't want to do so either but Cody would have wanted Evol gone from our lives. My hands are tied."
"Please… don't make him suffer." She jogged to the entrance of the vault.
Mad Rogue stared, her hand brushing across the belt for a brief second. "Yang." Said girl looked back. "I promise."
Yang smiled as she nodded to her, "Thank you…" She then dived after her mother and stopping her, hopefully Cinder as well.
Mad Rogue took a deep breath, turning her attention to Hazel and Mercury. She twirled Virtuous Steel, stabbing the tip of it onto the school floor. "So… who wants to lose a few limbs?"
XXX
Evol watched the chaos that was occuring on Haven Academy, watching from a pair of binoculars a Guardian Drone provided. He was also drinking soda while a bucket of popcorn was held by the other machine next to him. Ah war. Such a wondrous event to watch, seeing lives lost, blood spilled, oh and the fun of seeing it all burn to the ground.
"It always brings me enjoyment seeing these lower lifeforms act out. I can never get enough of this!" Evol cackled with delight as he tossed the empty can and cracked open another one. This truly was great entertainment for him until he claims his prize here.
"Tell me Hell Bros, who do you think is gonna die here? Other than Remnant of course." He turned to the twin brothers who were at attention. After being missing for so long, they had survived. He applauded their tenacity but scolded them immensely for their disobedience and had forced them under a metaphorical leash as punishment.
"Um… maybe the heiress? They don't have any way to truly heal her." 899 pointed out.
Evol looked through the binoculars and hummed. "I wouldn't be so sure of that." He tossed the item to the redhead. 899 used his good eye to observe and gasped. "Amplification of Aura… that is impressive. Hmm… maybe I could make a Smash out of him or draw his Semblance to my collection…" the snake pondered.
"Ohh ohh! I know who's gonna die next!" 898 jumped up with delight.
"Denied." said Evol. "You two are still punished."
"Aw, no fair!" 898 pouted.
The twins were gripped by the necks, effortlessly hoisted upward by the blonde lifeform. "Who was it that failed to report to me for six whole months. Who did not report to me when I had made waves of progress?"
"U-Us…"
"Then you know my answer." He dropped the two. "Now! If you excuse me, the party is almost over which means I got a box and bottles to retrieve!"
"Y-Yes Lord Evol…" The twins said in unison as they were dropped to the ground.
As Evol looked back to the chaos, he waited for his chance. His chance to evolve once more into his near completed form. He can't wait to see and taste their despair from this.
XXX
After a grueling fight against both Cinder's group and the White Fang outside? Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang were now all back together again. The four girls, the four friends, the small family was fully back together.
Emotions were high as the girls and their friends teared up over this event. Even Lily looked onward with a faint smile of joy, seeing Blake back with her team and friends. True it may still be a rough trip to get over everything in the past, but she knows they'll make it.
Lily glanced at Yang, recalling what she had told her. Cinder wasn't seen when she confronted her mother. At first Yang assumed Cinder was no more but Vernage sensed the faint power drifting away.
One day… one day she will execute Cinder.
"Well, I think we all had enough excitement for today… We should get back and rest-"
Clapping earned their attention, making everyone look at the window but Yang gasped whereas Lily quickly unsheathed Virtuous Steel.
"Wow, wow! What a show! Magnifico~!"
It was Evol.
"Evol…" Yang hissed in anger, glaring at the snake possessing her boyfriend's body.
"I must say you all shaped such an amazing fight against Salem's followers and the bandits! Taking back the White Fang? I applaud you! An awakening of a Semblance? Congratulations! And seeing the Brother's Relic? SURBARASHI!"
"And just what are you doing here, Evol?" Qrow questioned the snake.
"Oh. Taking back the Box and bottles to get my key." Evol shrugged. "So! Mind handing it to good old me?"
"We won't let you continue this destruction of our planet, anymore.." Ruby frowned as she and the others stood ready to fight.
"Mah, mah, you all sure are antsy. Well, maybe you do need to see the facts."
"And that is?" Qrow frowned but grunted to a powerful blow to his stomach. He was launched away, shocking the rest. Evol had appeared within a nanosecond and already in armor with his fist out.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby gasped as she was about to rush over to help him up only for Evol to appear in front of her.
"You all have zero chance."
"Get away from my sister!" Yang shouted, her eyes red as she lunged forward to strike the snake.
Evol raised a hand and Yang suddenly found herself still as a rock. He wagged his other finger. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Didn't I tell you before? I won't kill you all for giving me this body but that doesn't mean I can kill you if you don't give me my box and bottles." He slowly rotated his palm, his gravity magic making Yang gasped for air. Her aura was fluctuating but felt her organs slowly being crushed one by one.
He quickly thrust his other arm, stopping the others and sent them flying to the walls. Rocks erupted and binded them. "Last chance~. On five, give me the box. One."
"Go to hell!" Yang gagged, her voice dying in her throat.
"Two."
"We… won't give up…. You'll be stopped…" Ruby grunted to try and break free from the rocks.
"Three~." Yang coughed blood, horrifying Ruby and Qrow.
"Four~ one second left~."
"Then why not take me on, Evol?" Evol slowly glanced, noticing Lily as she held Virtuous Steel while the Evol Driver was on her waist.
"Normally, I would enjoy our bout. But the moment I gained my perfect body? You've become just another fly…."
Vernage frowned and took over. "Let us test that."
She dashed forward forcing Evol to drop Yang and quickly block the blade. Sparks erupted and the clash continued. Each one made the duo appear and reappear, the speed being blinding to their very eyes. Blade marks were littering the walls and floor, scorch marks and small dents forming the longer it dragged one.
"Impressive! You always made these fights so enjoyable, Vernage. Oh how I'll miss this until our next reunion in the next two-three decades! Oh wait, you probably won't be here for this planet is gone by then! Ahahaha!"
"No matter the life here on Remnant or on another planet, I swore to ensure you are stopped! I have all the time I need to understand you Evol! If so we both will go into the box together!"
"Oh? You think you regained that power after all these centuries? I'd like to see you try…"
Vernage twisted herself and slammed her heel against the snake's helmet. While a loud crack echoed, the snake grunted slightly. His neck was going to be sore for a good few months
"Hehehe… well… That sure did something… Let's see how you fair against my newest form?" Evol questioned as he held up the Evol Dragon Bottle.
DRAGON! RIDER SYSTEM! EVOLUTION!
The alien lifeform cranked the knob of his buckle, initiating the transformation he had waited for.
ARE YOU READY?!
"Henshin." Evol raised his arms, allowing the armor to meld onto him.
DRAGON….! DRAGON…! EVOL DRAGON! FUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Only Yang knew this form from that night as the others were in shock in seeing it for the first time.
"It's… literally like Cody's armor…" Jaune gawked in shock.
"Yeah… and just as dangerous…." Yang grimaced.
Evol gripped his neck and cracked it audibly enough as he moved his head around before sighing in relief.
"Ahh… that's much better…" The snake commented before looking to Vernage, as his fist ignited in the same flames that Cody had, only to slam his fist into her chest, sending the Maiden into the statue to the vault, destroying it. "Opps, I think I hit her too hard."
"L-Lily…" Blake grunts from their rock prison, worried over the bluenette.
"Aw, worried for her, kitten? Don't worry, you'll be joining her soon… Ten feet in the ground with the rest of the bodies."
He paused to the dozen blades above him and rained upon him. He staggered before creating a roof of fire, melting away the rest that tried to impale his armor. Vernage grunted, stepping forward and spit some blood aside. "We are not done, Evol."
Evol sighed and raised a hand but stopped. She wasn't there. He just saw - oh.
A powerful blow landed in his stomach, his lenses meeting the burning emerald eyes and her growl. Blood was trickling her lips. She was using Timelapse, not once but on a repeated scale.
"You're dying with that technique… you won't last another usage… forcing you to undergo rebirth."
"Ten seconds is all I need to ensure you and I are in the box." She twisted her arm to snap her fingers but Evol quickly gripped her hand into a fist, encasing it in rock to prevent her from snapping her fingers again.
"Too bad… I think you drew the short straw. I'm much more powerful than I was last time…"
"You were at full power when I sealed you away and I can do it again!"
"Prove it then…"
Vernage snarled and blasted wind at Evol, separating her from him. She raised a hand and through golden light was the Pandora's Box, shrouded in a golden ward. She made it hover and pressed her hands on its sides. "By my life…" Upon the change, Evol acted. Cyclops appeared to protect her but he used gravity to throw it away.
"Thine Soul of the good and evil."
Evol grunted when Gargoyle and Cerberus pulled him, trying their best but failed as he rushed more.
"Entwine our lives so that none shall awaken our souls from the prison that binds them. For it is our-!"
Vernage's voice died in her throat upon Evol clutching her neck.
"I am not letting you finish that last word." He tightened his grip. Vernage wheezed, slowly raising a hand but Evol shoved it down. She was struggling to breathe. "For eons you put me and my brother and cousin in that box. This time I will succeed. I will devour this world. I am a Blood Tribesman, Vernage. While I commend you for being the very first lifeform to ever match me… you will also be the last to be such."
'Vernage… I'm sorry.'
"Lily?"
Suddenly the white hair and eyes faded back to normal before Lily grinned slightly. "How about one last hurrah then, Lord Evol."
KOMORI!
HATSUDOKI!
EVOL MATCH!
ARE YOU READY?
"Hen… shin!" Lily announced.
BATENGINE!
FUHAHAHAHA!
The transformation put a distance between Mad Rogue and Evol Phase 2. The girl slowly raised a hand before curling it into a fist. "For every child you took in and harmed… let this… be our last refuge! Phase 1!"
Her body exhumed energy.
"Phase 2!"
"Lily?!"
Mad Rogue gasped for air but held on. Everyone saw blood leaving the jawline of the helmet.
"If you think you can master my Tribe's Phase Modes, you are solely mistaken."
"My soul may already be on the door to death… but I am not backing down! Phase 3!"
The air around her was distorting, twisting and crumbling. Mad Rogue gagged as more blood escaped beneath the helmet.
"Lily, stop! If you go once more I won't be able to stall the damage to your soul!"
"I know…" Vernage's astral eyes widened in horror.
"What the hell…"
"PHASE… FOUR!" Mad Rogue bellowed. Her body exhaled large amounts of energy as the girl screamed upon the injection.
"Im… possible… Hazard Level… 6?!" Evol looked in shock as not even his brother made it to such a level.
"We go together, Evol!"
Evol then… simply grinned underneath his helmet, gripping the Evol Driver's crank and started to churn it, letting his energy raise to try and match Lily's.
"Then come… 932- no… Come… LILY!" Evol shouted out, finally saying her name for once.
The two charged at each other, their fists shrouded in energy but just as Mad Rogue was an inch close, her body couldn't take it anymore as the energy quickly vanished whereas Evol… delivered the attack. It caused the armor to crack completely before the girl was launched a few feet, rolling across the floor and crashed against the pillar. The armor shattered, revealing Lily who was weak and bloodied.
The alien lifeform marched forward, panting as he too dissolved his armor. A grim curled his lips at Lily only to grasp her by the neck and lifted her up.
"In the eons of my Tribesman… Not a single one ever reached to such a Hazard Level.. But look where it got you now? Your soul is already approaching the door. Vernage can't save you now." He dropped the bloodied girl, his head swiveling to the box and bottles. He hummed a melody and approached. "At last… I have all that I need to recover my form! Congratulations everyone you have all failed! And now to open it-" Evol paused his glorious speech. The tip of his fingers felt an opening which wasn't supposed to be. Slowly he rotated the box… and saw a Panel missing.
"Eh?"
"HRAH!"
Evol grunted, astonished upon Lily grabbing hold of him from behind.
"What did you do to my panel?!"
"Doing what I should have done from day one."
The alien's lenses darted down slightly from behind to see… the white panel inside the Evol Driver. With the panel in her buckle, she gripped the crank. "If there is a place in Hell waiting for us both… then we go together, EVOL!" Lily thundered.
"Oi! Oi! You really are crazy to have a piece of Pandora in the buckle! That could get us in a massive pickle!"
"If it means to save Cody and take you down with me, then so be it!" She began to turn the lever, causing an energy fluctuation from the buckle. 'Vernage, I want you to go to your next rebirth.'
"Lily, if I do that, your life will-!"
'I don't care anymore! I… don't…' her eyes harbored tears. 'You deserve to live more than me. You are a Saint to so many people and I am someone who murdered so many people… this is my way to repent for my sins. You can live again.'
"But Cody, the twins, Blake…"
"JUST DO IT VERNAGE! LIVE AGAIN!" Lily wept. "Who would love a girl… when she is already dead." She could taste the copper in her tongue, the blood from her beatings, the Phases, and the slow drifting of Vernage's soul leaving her.
Lily looked at her friends who were shocked at what she was doing.
"Lily…" Blake got out, as she looked the more distraught over this.
"Lily, don't do it!" Ruby called.
"Take care of Rose and Jared…" Lily smiled sadly.
"LILY DON'T!"
Lily rapidly cranked the lever, the energy cackling. The ground rumbled beneath her and Evol as the energy began to form a dome around the duo. Evol rapidly slammed his elbow against her to pry himself free but she wasn't letting go. With her Semblance she created a large bind, trapping them both.
"You've truly done something unique here, my little assassin! Don't think this won't come with consequences…"
"We die together Evol… and you won't see it." Lily coughed.
"Ah maybe so… but.. Isn't Vernage's magic the one that bound me, my brother and cousin? What happens should she be forcibly revived?"
"As long as she is revived… you won't be the problem unlike your family…" Lily felt her insides weaken. Her energy drained more and more. Her brain was starting to lose any function.
Her whole body was shutting down. More blood left her lips but she was smiling. Her smile grew. "I have no regrets whatsoever… for we go to hell… together."
"LILY!"
Lily closed her eyes tiredly, a tear leaving from it before opening her eyes.
"Glory to Humanity!" A burst of light erupted from the two, creating a shockwave of energy that knocked everyone off their feet. The windows shattered, the ground cracking and everything flashed before their eyes.
Everyone felt the rock prison and every other magic that Evol used against them vanish, causing them to drop to the ground safely. Yang gasped and coughed as she felt her Aura already working to fix her internal injuries.
A body suddenly slid across the ground. Cody's body. She frantically crawled to him, cradling his unconscious form. His hair was no longer spiked up. It was matted down.
"C-Cody! Please wake up!" Yang pleaded as she was worried he just died. "C-Cody!"
She prayed it wasn't Evol. The blonde bombshell watched Cody's eyelids flicker before opening revealing blue eyes. Eyes that were not Evol's but Cody's.
"Ngh.. Y-Yang? Am.. I in heaven? Did… we fail…?" The young rider's voice got weak.
The Huntress felt her eyes water and tightly hugged Cody. "You're back… Thank Brothers you are back!" She cried.
Cody grunted from Yang's hug, feeling the crushing might of it yet felt her warmth. He wasn't dead, nor was she. His vision still blurry as he attempted to look around and figure out what just happened.
"… Ruby…? Blake? Ren? Nora? Jaune? Weiss? Mr. Qrow…?" He slowly recognized.
"Hey… welcome back." Jaune smiled weakly.
"Where's… sis?"
The other stayed silent for moment before Ruby spoke up, "She… She sacrificed herself to save you…"
"Wh-What? S-Sis is… gone?"
"It seems she used her new Hazard Level to destroy herself and Evol… alongside saving you." Ren informed him, "I'm… sorry we couldn't help her…"
"L-Lily is…" Cody lowered his head. His life was saved at the cost of hers. He desperately searched around but saw the smoking yet burnt circle and in the center was Lily. He wanted to go over and thank her while mourning her loss, yet his body was so weak for once in his life, he could barely move.
"Here… let me help ya." Yang smiled softly, helping him to his feet to walk him over to Lily's body.
"Thanks Yang" He smiled back, feeling some relief that he can be with her again. A sound from the body made them freeze for a moment.
"Guhhh…" 'Lily' grunted, rolling onto her stomach and slowly getting back up. Looking at her hands, she flexed her fingers. "Well what do you know… guess that theory did work but man did that hurt like hell."
Standing before them wasn't Lily… it was Evol. His voice mixed with Lily's own.
"N-No way…" Yang got out in shock.
"Evol…" Cody felt his own sweat of fear dripping down his neck. "How.. are you alive?"
"Hold that thought." Evol raised a finger while shaking it. He held his hand out as red energy was forming around it, only for then a new Evol Bottle emerged, one with a red rabbit on it before it dropped to the floor.
"Well, it's something but was unexpected." Evol reached down to the floor, plucking the Fullbottle from it. "But it looks like Bat-chan suits the bottle."
"Give… sis back…" Cody growled, as Yang was holding the boy back as he attempted to fight Evol.
The Rider marveled the new bottle but not before glancing at Cody. "Boyo, you don't get it do you? Unlike you, Bat-chan's soul was on the brink of death. Vernage was the only reason she was alive but with her certainly going to be reborn as a baby, it means Lily's soul had diminished upon Vernage's separation from her. Thus…" 'She' grinned. "Lily is legitimately and permanently dead. I am now the permanent host of this body"
"Bastard!" Cody shouted, soon getting out of Yang's grasp as he threw a punch…. Only for the young rider to howl in pain as his fist was now scrapped, bloody and looked nearly broken.
"Hehe, hurts doesn't it? I should've told you beforehand. When I possessed you, my dear boyo. I took every ounce of not just my genetics back, but as well as all of the remnants of the Nebula Gas within. In short term? You're back to being just another pathetic human." He kicked Cody straight in the stomach, flinging him back to Yang who caught him.
"Cody!" Yang cried out as he was quickly brought into an unconscious state from the kick. Making Jaune rush over to help heal him with his Aura Boost Semblance.
"Now let us begin the next phase, ne?"
RABBIT! RIDER SYSTEM! EVOLUTION!
The alien lifeform cranked the knob of his buckle, initiating the transformation he had waited for.
ARE YOU READY?!
"Henshin." Evol raised his arms, allowing the armor to meld onto him.
RABBIT! RABBIT! EVOL RABBIT! FUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Unlike the Cross helmet or Evol helmet, the Rider's new helmet was a deep crimson color with two yellow stripes running diagonally across the helmet while the lenses were of the shape of the side view of a rabbit.
"Phase 3…" His fingers brushed across the left lens. "Complete."
The power he wielded was much stronger than before. Now, he was near unstoppable. With his magic, the upgrade of power, and finally…
With a flick of Evol's wrist, out came dozens of technoblades.
He had inherited Lily's Semblance that is Technomancy.
"Now this is complete overkill… but not that I'm complaining since I can make things much easier…" he laughed darkly upon glancing at the humans. "Because I can kill you all here and now and be on my merry way." More and more blades appeared around the group and behind Evol who laughed with pride.
The group felt despair as there was no way to escape the barrage. No method to evade his enhanced magic.
Evol had won again.
"Ciao~, everyone… forever." He slowly raised a hand, each sword aimed at the humans, spinning slowly and then rapidly.
Yang clutched Cody tightly as everyone had no chance to stop him.
As if time had slowed, a claw suddenly yet digitally manifested, slamming Evol straight into his helmet and out the school. Evol's body dragged across the ground until a few trees collapsed onto him, leaving the lifeform unconscious.
Yang hesitated but slowly she opened an eye and gasped. "G-Guys…"
One by one they opened their eyes and saw the large claw retract and noticed the hovering machine. It slowly turned to them, its v-shaped optic turning and shifting.
"… Cyclops…?"
It said nothing, looking at its own claw then lowering. Static reached their ears, almost hurting their eardrums upon the sound that was akin to nails on a chalkboard.
It continued until its volume died down.
"… tr…" a voice echoed. "Ad…"
"Was that you?"
"Not me." Qrow replied.
"Re… tr…." All eyes went to the machine. "Re… treat… advised."
"The clawbot talked!" Nora gasped and pointed to it.
"… retreat… advi…"
Blake stared at it for a moment before she stood up, "It's telling us to retreat. Most likely to get out of this school before Evol comes back to finish what he started."
It slowly nodded, hovering over to the blonde and helped Yang pick up Cody and Weiss who were the most injured. "Retreat… advised."
"We will…. Thank you for saving us." Yang said to the technoclaw.
Nora looked at it all around in bewilderment. "I thought Batgirl summons this thing through her techno Semblance? Isn't she… gone gone?"
"Maybe she set something up to make sure she can still defend us from Evol?" Ruby suggested.
"Nega…" its optic glowed through the word. "Negat…"
"Negative? Wait wait… she didn't?"
"… gic… emo…"
"… Magic." Ozma realized. "Her emotions coursed in her magic?"
It glanced and nodded. "Fle… must. Snak… wak…"
"Yeah, we might wanna leave now." Jaune agreed. It was trying to say fleeing is a must or the snake will wake up.
They did as told but Blake gave one last glance at the buried alien before she bit her lips in sorrow and resumed following.
While everyone deep down was happy to see Cody be returned, the boy and faunus girl within the group on the other hand were deeply sad to know that Lily just gave up her life to save him… only for Evol now to take her body like a doll and play with it as he pleases.
Lily was permanently gone and Vernage onto her next rebirth as an infant wherever she is in Remnant.
But deep down they still don't feel defeated or lost any hope. As while they fled to safety… deep within Cody's body a new power was slowly about to awaken to fight back once more.
The DNA glimmered red… the genes of Evol. Only for then a tint of blue begins to replace what was taken. A new change was occurring, one that not even Evol nor Vernage could predict.