RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 38: Rebirthed Saint
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
There were many things Vernage had thought after leaving Lily. The pain of leaving her to die. The anguish upon her own life. Her soul had drifted in the sea of other souls, away from the likes of the Brothers due to her loss of faith in them. It was a place she had found after her first death that initiated the reincarnation spell. The familiar sensation she had always felt here. The soft sounds of something being hammered echoing the far reaches for as long as she remembered…
She cried. She prayed to herself. All she had done in hopes to await the next rebirth. Just like before. And before that. So many times….
Her soul was tugged and found herself by a familiar table. Her soul gave shape, her body but it was more of a glowing silhouette. Her eyeless gaze saw the familiar entity still carving another figure as ever before.
"How long has it been since you've last been here?" It asked.
"… Far too many to count." Vernage admitted softly.
"As much as I enjoy your company… Don't you think it's time to let go?" It questioned Vernage.
"I could never let go of what Evol had done to the world your creations made."
"True.. but as for those who teach and train the next generation… Maybe it's time to let them handle it instead of you? You've already done so much as is." It gently stood up, walking around the table. "Live, death, rebirth. An equilibrium you have casted on yourself by bringing yourself agony from suffering all the while rejoicing the most precious of memories you kept death after death."
The Saint raised her head to the stars that were souls. "How can I accept… when I had none after. To gain and lose. To overjoyed but grieve. To see others suffer… I couldn't go back on what I promised." Her glowing digits curled into her lap, droplets leaving her head. "Never in so many years I thought to feel the light again after meeting Lily. Only to perish and set myself to her to let her live… but all it had done was made her suffer day after day. Year after year…" the Saint began to cry. After so long she was crying. "I wanted nothing more than to stay with the girl who was a daughter to me! I wanted to save her… *hic*… I couldn't let go of what little light there was…" Her wails grew and covered her face.
"Then maybe… instead of continuing this cycle… Give that will back to your flower to let it regrow and blossom anew?" It stated, placing its hand on Vernage's shoulder. "It's time we let them be the ones to defend it from such threats than those of the past."
It knelt down to the glowing head that glanced at it. "Maybe… that alone is enough?" It concluded.
Vernage's glowing silhouette glimmered and lowered her head. No longer pulled away, her soul returned to the sea and resume its wandering.
With Vernage away from hearing, it said "You are a light as she is to a darkness. Darkness can become what it once was. Light as its equilibrium."
XXX
Evol picked up the box and Bottle. "Now then…" he opened a panel and placed it inside. Upon closing it, it glowed brightly. "Begin the lightshow."
It hovered off his hand, all the panels glowing and the box spun around rapidly. The box glowed brightly before releasing a small device that gently hovered and allowed Evol to hold it. The device looked to be a trigger with a turn gauge with a spiral barely showing, with a triple horn on top of it.
"Like I said… you have already lost."
OVER THE EVOLUTION
With the Trigger activated, Evol placed it onto the right of his buckle, clicking it into place.
"Now… the whole world shall bear witness what I am! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Evol was shrouded in a pitch black twister that sent everyone flying and crashing on the dirt. The twister grew taller as everyone witnessed it.
"W-We're too late…" Ruby uttered in horror.
A violet light was seen in the dark twister, earning more dread from everyone.
BLACK HOLE! BLACK HOLE! BLACK HOLE!
REVOLUTION!
HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE…!
The voice of the belt's systems echoed and high in the sky was Evol… only his armor was different. While his arms and legs held the armor of his previous stages, his body armor, shoulders. and the helmet was not. They were white as snow with a black under color across the armored segments. A black waist-covering fluttered against the wind as the ends of it were red as blood. The helmet was the most ominous as it was similar to his Stage 1 but it held extra armor segments with a pink-red line running across the lens of his helmet and a dot in the center, similar to looking into the void of a black hole.
"Final Stage… complete." Evol ominously announced with delight.
He landed on the dirt, his arms spread like wings and laughed. The whole world has finally witnessed his final form. The bottomless black hole that he was within the vast cosmos.
"I won't let you do this!" Cody hissed, rushing towards Evol to fight back. "HRAAAAAHHHH!" When he swung, Evol suddenly vanished in a small black hole. "Eh-"
And reappeared, grabbing the Rider and slammed him into the ground several times. With the teen down, he threw him up and spun his arm, black energy gathering into his limb. The moment Cody drew near, Evol punched him directly in the chest, sending him flying across the village.
The rider, now out of his armor as he coughed and gagged out blood from the attack, showing that once again Evol's strength surpassed what he had before, as it only made Yang rush over with worry to help him back up once again.
"Ahh, to feel my power again after so many centuries! I feel so rejuvenated!" Evol spun around, looking up at the sky. "The full might I had now ready to eat this world! My precious Tower, here I come so I can eat! Remnant is now mine! Huehehe… AHAHAHAHAHA!"
Cody trembled in fear as did everyone. With Evol finally at full power, they have no way to stop him.
"G-Get… away everyone…" Cody gritted, coughing up another puddle of blood as he tried to stand back up to fight.
"Now where was I again? Ah right!" He swiftly spun to look at the feared group. "How about I show you a taste of what this nifty form can do?"
He raised an arm and snapped his fingers, echoing in the night.
"Wha…"
"Look at the mountain waaaay behind me."
As they do, Ren and Nora noticed it was the same mountain where they found not just the ruins from their village, but the one that the Nuckelveel Grimm had as a lair. A speck was seen but it rapidly grew into a dark orb, rocks and trees briefly seen sucked into it. It grew larger until it immediately shrunk and was gone.
Evol on the other hand burped, making him cover the mouthplate of his helmet. "Oh, excuse me. Guess it had been so long since I had a snack!"
"Did… he just… 'eat' a mountain?" Jaune gulped.
"Is it true, that it tastes like rock candy!?" Nora jumped up with curiosity.
"Nora!"
"What? I've been wondering if rock candy comes from rocks?" The hammer user shrugged.
"This is serious! He made a black hole on a damn mountain!" Qrow barked. Forget Salem, Evol was by far the most powerful threat to all of humanity. Evol ate a tiny portion of the world and just presented what he can do to them.
"Meh, it depends on how it is. I do taste a hint of Dust."
"Now does that taste like rock candy?"
"NORA!" Now all of her friends yelled at her.
"I'll.. hold him off…" Cody panted between breaths and not coughing up blood.
"Cody no!" Yang tugged him. "He one-shot you without any effort! You'll die! You promised me…"
"Oh he sure did, blondie! Which is why this time? You'll be my next toy…"
Cody's eyes widen quickly reaching out to Yang with utter terror in his eyes.
"But!" They tensed. "I'll let you savor this adorable reunion you all have, dead body there included! So! Savor it and then you will all watch when I come for you and devour whatever place you stand on. Ciao~!" He vanished into a rift, leaving everyone in despair.
"We're doomed…"
XXX
Jaune was doing what he can to restore Cody's Aura to have it heal him, though he was struggling a bit to break free from the others who were holding him down easily due to his injury from before.
"Will you stop being so stubborn?! Ugh! You are too selfless for your own good!" Yang growled, as she made sure he wasn't going to go after Evol.
"But Evol-!"
"STAY IN BED DAMMIT!" Yang's eyes flared red as her hair gleamed, making the boy flinch as finally stay still.
"Whipped." Nora snickered.
"Stop making the situation worse, Nora…" Ren sighed, chopping the redhead to get her to relax.
"Still… just how long are we going to wait for him to come back? We got no plan, he already reached what he wanted. At this point we're basically dead and just waiting for the movie to end." Weiss frowned, arms crossed. "Face it… we lost… we truly lost and about to lose our home…"
Ruby wanted to try something to cheer everyone up, to stop focusing on what will happen. Yet the young huntress couldn't even muster anything for once. Weiss wasn't wrong… they lost. And it didn't help as she eyed her uncle already back with another bottle of booze to drown in.
Though he wasn't the only one just drowning in their fears and sadness as she saw Blake holding Lily's body in her arms. The faunus unable to let go of the bluenette as she hugged her gently.
Oscar clutched the cane, reeling from earlier events. 'O-Ozma… is there… anything to do?'
'All we can do right now? Is just be here for one another before it truly ends…. There's nothing we can do.' Ozma never felt a heavy defeat in his lifetime. Even in his time as a Hero ages ago, never had he felt such an almighty blow of loss. Evol had truly slithered his way into victory. Faster than Salem could ever do. He felt ashamed. Guilt. Even disheartened.
He was sure Salem was now aware of what Evol had done to the mountain and devised anything, anything to end the snake… which will only end miserably.
"Hey… Blake?" Yang called out to her partner, not even earning a look from her. "I… just wanted to say… sorry for what I've said before… I… I was just upset and scared like I was before… I'm sure Lily loved being with you every minute I wasn't there…"
"…"
Yang moved away but heard Blake whisper, "Thank you…" at least that was an answer for her.
A soft smile was on the brawler's face before she sat down, placing Cody's head on her lap as Jaune continued to help heal him.
"And you… Jerk." She said, but slightly flicking his forehead, "Don't ever scare me like that again… Otherwise I'll just haunt you."
"More than you already have been?" He joked, earning another flick. "Easy, I'm still injured, miss firework."
"Don't get sarcastic, dragon breath."
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ugh, you two really need to get a room."
"Hey!" The two exclaimed.
The ongoing interaction brought some positivity in the air, pretending the world outside wasn't going to end.
"Still… I owe you all for this…" Cody admitted, earning their attention, "I thought… the moment Evol took my body, I'd never be able to see Yang or you all again… I thought… I would just be forgotten and only remembered as Evol's vessel… But… you didn't give up on me… thank you for not giving up on me…"
Tears built up around his eyes, trying to rub them away as he felt embarrassed for telling that to them, yet was also glad that these people never left him, and it'll be something he treasures forever.
"We're family Cody. All we have to do is hold onto what little hope there is and prevail." Ruby gave a gentle smile.
"Thank you… Ruby…" He smiled softly back, feeling a lot of relief and stress be freed from his heart. "All I want… All that I wish for…" he sniffled. "Is for some answer… into stopping that bastard… something…" his eyes grew weary from exhaustion. "Some… thing…"
With the teen fast asleep, the others decided to acquire such as well. Blake on the other hand didn't sleep but she rested her head against the shoulder of the deceased Rider.
"Lily… please… come back to me…"
A lone tear fell from her eye, falling onto a familiar white flower that was tucked in the pocket of Lily's blazer jacket. Unbeknownst to any of them, it glowed a faint light.
A wish from two hearts shall be given.
XXX
Salem sat upon her throne, the castle she had stayed within for thousands of years trembling in anger. She easily felt the surge of power as well as knowing that the snake was on his way to greet her. She had only one last chance, if this attack fails she will not be able to fight back against Evol's might anymore.
For once… she never thought to feel such defeat in her lifetime. All by a snake.
She had told her followers to do their given tasks and leave her alone for a while. She waited for him.
The castle doors of her home suddenly rippled before a large gap was made by an orb that quickly disappeared. "Honey, I'm home!" The snake joked.
"Must you joke around every corner?" She glared at Evol.
"It's who I am."
"Then I'll cut to the chase… This will be my last attempt to destroy you…. If I truly fail? Then that means I won't fight back when you eat this planet… But there is one thing I want to ask…"
"Ho? Go on."
"If you find those Brothers? Kill them… as painfully as possible…"
"I've eaten plenty of worlds that had their gods… meh, I can make most of it happen." He spread his arms.
"As long as they suffer painfully, I don't care what you do to them… I just want them to know this was part of their fault."
"Come on then. Show me what you got if you are that desperate."
Salem soon stood up from her throne, the castle rumbling as if it was in the middle of both an earthquake and a tornado as pure magic pooled out of her body. The white witch of the grimm ready to duel this snake.
She cupped her hands together before a magic circle appeared beneath Evol who looked down. He tilted his head in curiosity before everything turned bright as a massive geyser of magic erupted. It became a literal beacon that pierced the ceiling of Ever Night castle and into the sky. The windows shattered and the ground the magic circle was on was nothing left.
Salem stared as she waited for any response, expecting him to pop out of the ground, walk out with another body again, or something to taunt the witch. Something to make her blood boil and continue to fight until she would actually be spent for once in her immortality.
She saw nothing where Evol stood. With bated breath she waited… and waited. Nothing. She laxed against her throne. Did it actually work? Did she… that must be the obvious answer. She slouched with a giggle before laughing softly. She didn't think to feel such an emotion of joy again.
"I guess… I can-" A ripple appeared behind her before a claw whipped to her neck after impaling the throne's backrest. Salem coughed, turning her eyes to see Evol materialize through a black hole.
"I must admit, that was truly powerful. If you fought me long ago, you actually would've won with that power!" Evol praised, "Sadly though, it was null the moment I unlocked this power.. Good try tho." He tossed her across her table, walking around the throne and sat on it, conjuring a rocky footrest for his feet. "I won. You lost. Badda bing badda boom. Get the picture?"
"I…. do…" Salem hissed as her body quickly healed the impalement she received only to sigh, "At least… I can know, not only I can finally move on… but those damn Brothers will pay after this is done…"
"Tell me what is so important of these doohickeys you are after anyway? I get its made by the gods but what the hell are they worth?"
"Simple… Not only does it summon the Brothers back, but they're imbued with their own power… Using them all? You could basically become a bigger god…"
"Pause right there. Did you say it calls them?"
"Yes… they were left as a signal… Once humanity is finally united… or when I was going to grab them? It would summon them back here… I would've then used it to kill them…"
Evol tapped his helmet. If he calls them, he would make gods watch as their own planet and creations perish with them. Devious and sadistic. He likes it. A double edged sword of a plan.
"Hmm… maybe I could eat those along the way…" Evol pondered.
Salem looked up to the snake, shocked from his words. "You're… letting me continue with my plan?"
"The Brothers have worked so hard on making this planet. But oh, I am not letting you. I am watching to see what occurs."
"Hmph… At least I'll be able to achieve in making them pay…"
"Don't get relieved just yet little Salem. If I get bored I could just eat this entire continent and you included with it." He leaned down to her eye level. "Capisce?"
"You have been watching longer than I have… Have I not once made my doings entertaining?" Salem pointed out.
"Here and there. Occasionally boring and made me sleepy. Bore me again, and well…" he snapped his fingers. A rumble echoed and from the window a small portion of her territory was gone.
For once… Salem felt intimidated. There was nothing there. Just a perfectly shaped crater.
"Well… since I'm given an extra chance? I'll show you something very entertaining… How about a floating city and it's 'General' weep with sorrow before I make them plummet to their deaths?"
"By all means. Prove it."
"Oh… I shall…"
Tension rose before it lightened by Evol clapping his hands together. "Well! Seems I will be given front row seats! I'll bring the popcorn! Oh and by the way, I am in charge now!"
"Wha-?!"
"Ciao~!" And vanished without another word.
Salem growled, biting the inside of her cheek enough to tear a piece off before it healed over. This snake truly was a nuisance… But if it kept allowing her to continue her plans against the Brothers? The end result won't change… only slightly as Evol wants the gods to watch the world be devoured all the while the two join with it as his meal.
Either way…. She gets what she wants.
XXX
Morning arose as the sun's beams hit the blonde brawler's eyes, waking her up as next to her was the sleeping face of her boyfriend. A sigh of relief, believing not only this whole thing was a dream, but that he wouldn't be there upon waking up either. Yang simply reached out as she cupped his face, feeling some delight and tranquility knowing that this sensation was real. She looked at the time and frowned slightly. It was only a matter of time before Evol shows up… and it scared her.
Yang didn't want to die nor everyone to die either… She couldn't fight back as shown by how easily Evol took down Cody's newest power. For now, she could only embrace him and just hope whatever happens is quick. Yang soon moved over as she gently held Cody in her arms, just wanting to enjoy this warmth until the end.
"Is it my birthday already…?" A soft groan came out as Cody opened his eyes to see Yang as he gave a cheeky soft smile at her.
"Not yet." She chuckled. "I just… hope this lasts a little longer because of what is about to happen…" she trailed off in bitterness.
"Yeah… I still owe you a christmas present after all…" Cody nodded gently. "I know you are scared Yang… so am I… when I thought I got new power… so did Evol."
"Yeah… you looked really cool beating the tar out of him upon returning." The brawler chuckled.
"Really? Maybe I should show off more next time…" He chuckled in response.
"If there is a next time…"
Cody reached up as he hugged Yang gently yet happily, "I… truly am glad to have met you Yang… I.. I love you so much…"
The brawler smiled before an explosion rumbled outside. They immediately got out of bed and rushed to the balcony, seeing smoke not too far but they heard screams and gunfire. They retreated back inside, rushing downstairs and saw their friends grabbing their gear and weapons.
"Evol?"
"Yeah but from the sound of it…" Cody grimaced. "I-I think he brought extra company…"
"Bastard," Qrow cursed. "Is he really sending his Guardians to kill anyone on sight?!"
"He has his full power Qrow. He doesn't need to do anything and let his things do what they want by his command!" The blonde argued. He gritted and lowered his head. "He is practically calling out on us to try and stop him… he knows we can't beat him. He wants us to try…"
"… I'm going…" They saw Blake grabbing her weapon but she looked to have gotten barely any sleep.
"Blake… Trust me, I want to give him a good hit too… but… maybe you should stay… I mean… someone has to look after Lily…." Yang stated, as she rather see her partner not fueled by rage like she has been.
Blake shoved her arm aside. "I'm going whether you like it or not." She jogged ahead,
With a heavy sigh, Yang shook her head as Weiss patted her back, "I know you're trying to mean well… but at this point? We either can fight for all we got… or just wait for the end… I would rather at least fight instead of staying still…" She followed after Blake.
Cody put on his belt. "Can't hurt to try, right?"
Yang looked at her metal limb, only for her to clench as she nodded in return.
"Yeah… might as well give it our all and show him we're not cowards at least." They all rushed out of the room of the hotel. If they were going to die from Evol? They won't be hiding away and they'll face him head on.
XXX
Chaos erupted in the streets of Mistral. Buildings erupting in flames and bodies slowly increasing by the numbers. Evol happily skipped as he sang, watching the Guardians kill as many humans all the while dragging away potential experiments or vessels for him.
Of course, he already felt his boyo near by. A grin already on his face as he was glad at least that little 'pep talk' didn't scare him away. There was nothing he hated more than cowards. He'll enjoy this final moment with his 'son' before he lets Salem continue her little toy game before he devours it all in front of those Brothers.
"Rejoice everyone! The end has come knocking on your doorstep! Relish in your joy that is being crushed by yours truly!" Evol laughed. "Guardians keep on the bloodbath! Take whatever suits me as necessary! For we are all bound by blood!"
"Even when getting your full power, you still choose to be the snake as you are… Can't you leave people alone?" Cody growled, weapon in hand as he cut down the Guardians in his path.
"Even a snake must have some enjoyment in their lofe sonny!" He slid to the right as Great Cross-Z's sword hit the ground instead. "Besides, I was letting you and your friends have fun for a day!"
"How is it fun when you plan to eat our home?!"
"I say, imagine it as a… 'pizza party'." The snake alien snickered.
"I don't know why, but I feel very offended by that…" The young rider glared. He tried to strike Evol but the evil bastard deflected the blows with frightening ease and countered with several jabs to the torso. The teen grunted before Evol jumped and delivered a repeated kick, each one pushing the dragon rider back until the tenth kick sent the poor human into a store.
"One idiot cleaned up, on Isle 2." The alien snake cackled from it, dodging a swipe from the Faunus girl. "Aw, I missed you too, Kitty Cat. Ready to chase the ball?"
Blake snarled and whipped her ribbon but the snake casted his magic, burning it into ashes. Lightning danced in his palm before thrusting a bolt at her. Of course the girl used her Semblance to evade but it won't last forever.
"How about we play a little game? Like say…"
Soon several other 'Evols' appeared around Blake.
"Pick a snake, any snake? Loser gets a beating!"
Blake hissed as she lunged for the one that she first aimed at, yet the moment she got close, surprisingly she stabbed it… only for the mask to shatter and reveal Lily's face.
"Oooh, tough luck." He kneed her in the stomach, making Blake vomit and land on the ground.
"Wha…"
"I can shapeshift to any individual I possess, kitty." 'Lily's face shifted into Soichi who smirked.
"That's… not…" Blake coughed again.
"Fair. Yeah I know.. I don't play fair, kitten." Evol said as his clones vanished as he kicked Blake to the side as she landed on the ground. Evol attempted to follow and stab her, but the blast of fire from Yang and Nora made him change his target once more.
Nora pulled the trigger repeatedly as each grenade soared. Alas each one hit a rift, the detonation swallowed by the antimatter.
"Thanks for the spicy meatballs! Needed a brief snack on the go." Evol joked before the rifts appeared and exhaled the projectiles back at them.
Explosions erupted in front of him, allowing him to marvel the fireworks.
"Ahhh, what a beautiful day!"
XXX
There was complete silence in the room. Lily's corpse has been laid still ever since. No movement, no heartbeat. Nothing.
Gunfire and explosions echoed far from it.
The moonflower glimmered as it slipped out from the pocket.
"Lily… I know there is so much you could have done… if it wasn't for me… you could've lived and not be in that dark place."
The glowing flower glimmered again.
"You meant so much to me. As a daughter I never had. As my best friend… All I wanted to see the world no longer in Evol's clutches was becoming so selfish of me…" the hand gently touched the bluenette's cheek. "I know you wish for me to live again… but I want you to do so…" The glow slowly leaned down. "Fight in my place… become who I am as my successor in the throne. My precious little flower."
The glow faded away.
A sliver of movement stirred.
A few fingers twitched.
XXX
Jaune skidded and panted, his reforged shield dented after defending Weiss who was now on the ground in pain. Her Arma Gigas tried to cleave the snake but he grabbed its sword and cut off its legs. With a mighty leap, he impaled its head, forcing it to vanish upon death before sending some shrapnel to the Heiress which was mostly blocked by the said paladin.
"Booorrring! You guys are tenacious but man, you all suck at this."
"We… rather fight… and keep going instead of cowering.. Below you again.." Cody panted, leaning against Yang.
"Look at you all. Nothing but bloody bodies who was beaten, pummeled, thrashed, and then some. You just don't get it do you? You lost. You failed the world. I am going to savor all of it and you lot can do nothing about it."
"Says.. the snake… who lost nearly all of his power.. To a simple girl." Blake smirked weakly, knowing that memory will truly still haunt the alien.
Evol stared before he raised his hand. A small ball of fire manifested before it grew and grew into a giant ball of fire.
"Ugh… C-Cody? Can't you absorb that?" Jaune gulped.
"I-I… can't…"
"Say goodbye kiddos~. This is your last moment so why not hug each other before you all become ashes? Just like how cinderelly incinerated your redhead friend?"
Ruby's face was struck with fright at the memory.
"Goodbye~!" The ball of fire was brought down.
Cody hugged Yang who did so in return, whimpering to their coming end.
"You guys are still not getting up?"
A sudden beam pierced the ball of fire, removing it from existence.
"Eh?"
Cody and the others painfully saw a familiar girl who slowly strided towards Evol.
"L-L-Lily…?"
It was Lily.
She lowered the railgun and made it vanish, slowly approaching them.
"You're… You're alive!" Blake got out, tears racing down her face as she quickly got up and rushed over, hugging the buxom bluenette tightly and happily to which she returned in kind.
Evol rubbed his helmet, pointing at Lily. "How did-? I thought she was… okay, there must be a scientific or magical explanation to this." He inhaled for a second before, "HOW THE HECK ARE YOU HERE?!"
"The magic you stole wasn't Vernage's magic, Evol." Lily revealed. "You stole the magic I had. I knew there may be a case where you would dig into my memories one day and use it but instead you did… which I figured you would."
"You clever girl… you actually played me."
"Yeah, I did and this?" Raising her hand slightly, everyone saw magic flaring from her palm. "Is the power of what mother handed down to me. Her power. Her gifts. Her strength… she gave everything she had to me as her successor." She lowered the limb. "I've studied, learned, understood the good of humanity. With it led me to realize there is a way to stop you."
"Ho? And how can you do that when boyo and his group could not? Not even Salem can stop me, Lily."
The girl reached into her jacket and procured something that surprised everyone, even Evol.
In her hand was a large Fullbottle. It was black with metallic silver coloring over it. "I reverse engineered the white panel… to forge this."
"A Fullbottle…?" Cody recognized.
Evol couldn't believe it. Lily had used the White Panel and created a new Fullbottle. One that is purified from any of the Nebula chemicals.
"So… let us begin your judgment." Lily tapped the bottle, activating it before twisting the cap.
GREAT! IWAE~!
The former agent of Faust slowly raised the new Fullbottle before slamming it into the buckle.
SAINT!
A sudden meadow magically appeared around everyone, witnessing the glowing white moonflowers bloom with its radiance. Pearl white platform rose beneath Lily, elevating her as she cranked the knob.
HAE (Glory)! HAERU~ (Shine)! HAE! HAERU~!
Metallic segments appeared around her, each one blooming a Moonflower.
"Only my friends and family are allowed to call me Lily, Evol…"
ARE YOU READY?!
"For my name to everyone else, especially you, is Vernage! HENSHIN!"
A silver symbol that is best described as three swords connected to half a chakram with five spikes appeared before slamming into the revived girl.
YAMI YORI YOMIGAERU~ SEIJOOOO! (A Saint rising from the Darkness!)
Black armor manifested upon white petals forging across her body. Unlike her forms as Mad Rogue and Night Rogue, the form before them was of a gothic style yet held serene elegance fitting for one to call the new Saint.
Her black torso armor hardened, as it held silver accents with more pristine and smoother form unlike the crude themes of her previous two armors with a pearl white bodysuit underneath the armor she wore. Gothic black leather waist covering shrouded her lower body, dipped with silver accents. Her gauntlets held gunmetal black colors with markings of her representation etched across in silver.
The back of her armor spun before unclasping, like a bud blooming into a flower as it revealed a small short cape that draped over her armored shoulders. Her legs were shrouded in black armor as it too held silver accents that made it look akin to knee high boots but on the knees was armor that held the symbol of Eden - the symbol of a bipedal dragon.
As the finishing touch, her helmet was more sleek unlike her previous two helmets. It was black but held silver accents and a silver crest shaped as wings of not a bat but a dragon. Her lenses were barely noticeable but were a baby blue color the crest hid.
SAINT RO~GUE! SUGEI! IWAAEEE!
Saint Rogue swiped her arm, the white petals of the moonflowers flowing by the wind around her. Light surged around her before dimming, finally completing the transformation.
"It is time I finish where we left off, Evol! Glory to Humanity!"
Evol's hands slowly curled into fists. His Guardians aimed their guns at her. Before they can pull the trigger, they suddenly found their rifles missing from their grasps. The snake turned around to see Saint Rogue who dropped the guns but not before he noticed the Guardians collapsed with their metal heads detached from their bodies.
"F-Fast…" Ruby weakly uttered.
"I… I couldn't even keep up…" Cody responded with shock.
"The hell…"
Saint Rogue rushed towards Evol who blocked several of her attacks. Bursts of pale yellow light erupted from each impact she delivered onto him. To Evol it doesn't make any sense. How did she create a Fullbottle without his knowledge? How was she capable of being the only soul on the planet to truly reverse engineer a piece of Pandora?
Why…
"What the…" Evol placed a hand on his armor. "Why am I actually getting so… upset over this?" He was genuinely feeling upset over the fight. Each attack she delivered was causing such a sensation to erupt from his heart.
No, he won't accept that possibility! He wasn't like any of the lifeforms on the planets he had been to! Not like them and certainly not like these Remnants!
"What's the matter Evol? Afraid for once in your life?" Lily questioned with a hand on her hip. "I mean… I would be too, if I found another equal after Vernage left my body."
"YOU DARE EVEN THINK YOU'RE AN EQUAL TO ME?!" Evol shouted with rage for once, creating a black hole above him to throw at the revived Saint.
"H-He's actually reacting…" To witness Evol display such raw yet genuine emotion.
Saint Rogue grunted, her feet slightly dragging across the pathway.
"How can I believe that a human like you can achieve this?! Many other species have failed and never have defeated me! There is no such thing as heroic deeds!
"Simple… you underestimated us." She said calmly as with a wave of energy, the black hole that Evol was about to throw… was erased by the energy of her bottle.
"D-Did Lily…"
"She countered the black hole with a white one…"
Evol on the other hand stood there with shock. Nothing should be able to beat a black hole. Not even certain gods he faced! The girl made…
"You created the spacetime and singularity…" he uttered. It was seen as a hypothetical region that cannot be entered from the outside but in a sense was the reverse of the black hole - A White Hole. He growled before he tapped his wrist. All of his Guardians who were here converged, connecting into the familiar machine Yang had faced before in the past.
"You think just because you're alive now that you're some hero that can save them? Well you're wrong! Heroes don't exist!"
"It may be true heroes don't exist… but you can forge their existence!" Saint Rogue barked. "To fight for what you believe in! To fight as their shield! As their sword!" Her hand crept to her torso. "TO FIGHT AS THEIR LIGHT WITHIN THE DARK WORLD WE LIVE!
Her Semblance activated, markings of a circuit board appearing beneath her feet. The data surged like a geyser behind her. Two familiar bulky large claws rose but they were slightly larger than before. The lower ends of it have blades. The familiar body that was her favorite metal construct pulling itself but two bulky yet heavily armored legs that were angular and clawed firmly planted onto the ground one by one. It stood up, towering Evol and Rogue. Two long yet rectangular objects mounted on its back, its thruster still seen in the center. Its chest had gained a circular-shaped orb that glimmered with energy capable of absorbing Dust and magic.
Its size was no longer two heads taller than Lily, it had become the size of an Arma Gigas. Its bulky yet refined claws were as tall its body much like before, reaching just above its knees.
Her technological creation Cyclops had become a complete form upon her achievements via semblance. Her Technomacy had evolved into its next spectrum.
"Defend!"
[Command, accepted.]
It readied itself as the combined guardian fired relentlessly at the Rider. Her shield protected her before it slouched forward, revealing the rectangular objects and glowed and charged.
"FIRE!"
By her command, it released a highly pressurized beam of energy, obliterating the Guardian mech.
Evol staggered and was now enraged. He conjured several barriers, stopping Lily from attacking. She stepped back and flicked her arm, brandishing Virtuous Steel. She firmly planted one foot and twisted her back. With a battle cry, she reared it as the hilt was shrouded in its familiar pale-gold ring and threw it.
Evol thought it wouldn't do anything but… it pierced through each barrier until it impaled the last one, stuck in the barrier that it struck.
Saint Rogue gripped the lever and rapidly cranked it.
DRAGON SIDE! BAT SIDE! SAINT SIDE!
She knelt slightly as white energy shrouded her black armor and white bodysuit. Saint Rouge charged forward, breaking the remains of each barrier before leaping slightly with a spin.
SAINTECH FINISH!
"HAAAAAAA!" Her kick forced the large katana to break through the final barrier and straight into Evol's torso. Crimson ichor seen on his back due to the tip of the blade. Lightning coursed across the snake as he staggered, stunning the humans upon what they just witnessed.
"Ma… saka… I actually… found defeat again?" He bellowed and exploded in a blaze large enough for nearly everyone in Remnant to see as the light from it faded.
The black Rider landed on her feet, catching the large katana. She flicked it aside before gently letting it hover to her back. Her hidden blue lenses saw the crimson orb of Evol who sucked in the buckle and its Trigger before flying away.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips as the armor vanished. Lily staring up at the sky as rain began to pour to not only douse the flames but ease many minds.
She turned around to see her friends agape. "Hey guys." She gently waved.
It didn't take long before she was soon tackle hugged by Cody and Blake, as both of them were sobbing and trying to speak but unable to due to their emotions running wild with joy, happiness, relief and more.
"H-How…?" Weiss uttered. "Lily… you-"
"What?"
"Your hair."
Lily paused. She released her embrace from the two and gently moved a few locks and saw it was moonlight white. It was blue when she woke up! She created a digital reflection and saw her eyes were emerald too.
"What… what's going on?" Cody wondered. "Only Vernage has that trait… sis…?"
"I…" she wondered the same.
Blake gasped. "Guys." They saw a glowing figure float before them. It morphed and laid before their eyes was a little teenage girl who looked to be 15. She was dressed in black robes with silver lining across the royal outfit. A black headdress surrounded the upper half of her head that shielded her eyes but revealed pale skin and flowing moonlight-colored hair. In her hand was a staff that bore a crest of a dragon.
"Because of me…" her voice was no longer mature but held wisdom through the youthful tone.
"V-Vernage…?"
The little teenage girl nodded. "Yes…" her fingers drummed across the staff. "I brought you back… by giving up my life."
Lily stepped back as did the others.
"Wh-Why? Y-You promised me you would live again after I used the panel!"
"I was reminded that this isn't my time… My duty? I'm passing it onto you… the ones who are meant to remain for a future rather than me." She strided towards the girl, looking up at her with a smile. "It has been long overdue for me, Lily."
"B-But…" The girl sniffled. The saint gently cupped her cheek, brushing away the tears.
"You have grown so much. No more you are my little flower… but a blossoming lily that shines its radiance beneath the moon." She began to hover, making Lily grab her hands.
"Don't go, momma!" Lily wept.
"I must… Besides… I'll always be with you, in your dreams. Now go… you and your friends have this world to save from two great evils…" Vernage pressed her forehead against Lily's. "Let your wings fly free, my dear Vernage. For there is Glory to Humanity."
She faded into the light that casted through the rainy clouds. The motes of light rained down and moonflowers sprouted in the grassy patches of Mistral.
XXX
The village that held the experiments had recovered well from being in hiding. The motes of light awakened them as they saw them gather into the small garden Lily had made before she left them.
Parches of moonflowers bloomed with their glowing radiance. The lights even awoken Glynda as she quickly marched out, only to see the flowers before she smiled softly. Knowing this was a good omen.
XXX
Many of the flowers bloomed across Eden, no longer burnt or wilted by Evol. The sky wall's energy not even disintegrating the petals that flew by the wind. The very flowers that had originated from this old kingdom. Some even rained upon the Guardians across the four regions of Eden, causing them to short circuit and either shut down or break apart. These flowers were erasing everything Evol had made and worked up, showing that he can be defeated.
There truly was hope once more for Remnant to grab onto.
XXX
Lily stared at the light in the cloudy sky, her tears being endless. As if the heavens had accepted Lily to finally come home and rest in peace. Slowly, she reached up to the golden hairband that kept her ponytail up. She removed the artifact which undid the ponytail and saw it lost its radiance upon Vernage's departure. With it, her hair fell as it still obscured her left eye.
A hand was placed on Lily's shoulder, making her turn to see Cody and Blake, both of them holding their hands out to the moonlight haired saint as they smiled to her.
"Welcome home… Lily."
Lily wiped away her tears before she smiled. "It's… good to be home."
XXX
Vernage had accepted the embrace of the afterlife. To feel such warmth comforted her soul. To know Lily has a way to stop Evol. Hope being reignited back to Remnant.
"Do you regret it?"
She knew that voice.
The Saint of Eden smiled, her hidden eyes glistening with the onset of tears. "I do not."
A soft chuckle of amusement echoed out. "Good to hear… Now go… Everyone is waiting for you."
"Every…" Vernage trailed off and saw the souls reform to reveal so many familiar faces. The people of Eden. Her eyes watered as she saw a man step before her alongside a woman, both in royal garbs.
"Vernage… It's so good to see you again, our precious moonflower…"
The girl smiled with tears leaving beneath the blindfold headdress. Stepping forward she began to walk before running towards them, her appearance changing… changing to what it was when she was happy and at peace…
To even when she was a child as she hugged the two adults as they embraced her happily.
"Let's go home."
She nodded eagerly before looking at the entity. "Thank you for everything… Great Tree." She slowly faded away as she walked with her family.
The entity could only wave as the souls of Eden finally reunited, allowing them all to move on in peace and rest forever more. Relaxing in the seat, it set a wooden carving onto the table.
"Such is balance… I welcome the guests who will come soon." It walked away, vanishing into the rift that was its domain.
The carving it had made was a winged dragon shrouding a saint in black as her guardian while a small black cat was curling up against the saint's feet. A guardian and her sword.
A/N: Hello minna! Once again, chapter drops have been achieved. Now, I wanted to talk more about this chap over the others, simply because this one was a much different idea to work with. I knew, I wanted to do both Great Cross-Z as well as the defeat of Evol during Vol 5 but before vol 6. Thus, working that this all happened on that same night was the choice I went with.
Also, big thanks to ShadowBladeKnight once again for not only his assistance, but this chap as well. As we were writing throughout the story, we were severely pondering on how to counter Evol without Build Genius. Cause while I still think I could've worked something out? In the end, I was convinced to not only give Lily a new form, fully replacing Mad Rogue and BatEngine, but gave it a better meaning for this story instead of just a copy of Build Genius.
Thus, Saint Rogue was formed. Now with that unlocked and Evol now on the run? We can not only continue onward with Rwby story, but change it as well to give it the impact I was planning along well.
As for Blood and Killbus? they will both still appear as we've already tied them in and hinted at. I can't say when they'll drop, only that Cross-Z/Evol will still appear in vol 9.
Until then, later minna!