RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts

by striberx

As a new era begins, a new danger emerges not from the past or below. But from it's people. Faust is here, creating experiements to further their goal for the ultimate source of power, Pandora's Box. But they need a subject to become the catalyst for it. Enter Experiment 931, the only one to have survived the Nebula Gas thus far. What will become of him in this tale?

51. Chapter 51: Following A Lead

RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts

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Chapter 51: Following A Lead

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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^

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Within Atlas Academy, Cody was pondering over what happened so far. From the infected people, to the Blood Tribesman appearing, and now the odd activity where Grimm appear from thin air. Something was wrong and it will be only a matter of time before all hell broke loose.

The young rider couldn't let another kingdom fall again, he had to find a way to save everyone this time alongside his friends and family.

The blonde jolted lightly then as he felt a cold can touching his skin, making him notice Yang with a drink in hand. The brawler smiled and handed the offered drink to him.

"You should relax, Cody." She said to the young rider, "I know you're anxious and wanting to stop them. But you can't run ahead so blindly like that."

"Heh… speaking from experience?" He teased, earning a slight jab from her elbow.

"Don't get smart on me, mister." Yang playfully rolled her eyes before sitting down with him. "I just don't want you to fall into such a routine like Lily use to do. You have all of us here together, as well as me…."

"I know.. I'm… just scared of failing everyone again… I couldn't do a thing against Evol in the long run. He tricked and used me… almost used my body to hurt you… I don't want to see that happen ever again…" Cody frowned, still remembering those hurtful days. "Evol was one thing but two others, one of which has two other Tribesmen? That's a big deal Yang."

"Understatement of the year, Cody." She drawled slightly. "Have some faith. After all, we wouldn't be here and Brothers knows we were lucky to even survive Evol's plans. Come on, when was there ever something in our history where someone actually killed an alien lifeform who is literally a part of the universe we live in?"

Cody's fingers tapped his beverage. "None until recently…"

"Exactly." She poked his temple.

He smiled softly before leaning against her, using his free hand to hold hers. "How would I be able to continue on without you, Yang?"

"Hmm… very poorly." Yang gave a huff of amusement.

"Poorly for me? Or poorly for you, since I'd have to bail out your sorry butt nearly every time?" The rider playfully smirked and laughed.

What he received next was a punch that knocked him off his seat.

"You were saying?" Yang huffed.

"My… point… still stands…" Cody grunted out from the hit he received.

"Now come on, let's go see what the others are up to." Yang smiled as she offered a hand to him. The blonde hybrid accepted the gesture and stood back up as the two made their way out to find their friends and teammates to see what they're up to.

XXX

Penny hummed as she and Ruby traversed the hall together. "Sooo Penny, how are your um… you know?"

"Oh you mean my artificial joints? Doing AOK!" She saluted. Ruby giggled before her smile instantly faded to a brief bang and darted her head behind her, only noticing a soldier accidentally dropping a crate. The sound that reminded her of a gunshot.

"Ruby? Is everything okay?" Penny asked, worried about her best friend.

"… Y-Yeah! Spick and spam!" The scythe wielder gave a strained smile and a thumb up. "Ehehe… heh…"

"You can always talk to me, you know? Isn't that what friends are for? To be there and support one another?" Penny stated to the young leader.

"…" Ruby's head dipped down. "It's not easy is it?"

"Is what?"

"Killing someone."

"I… um…" Penny chewed her artificial lips. Now that was something her program does not know exactly to feel. While the docks a couple years ago didn't technically kill any of the White Fang, she never actually killed a human being. Unlike the other android. Her green eyes lit up. "There may be someone who can help you get that glum look turned upside down! … or is it rightside up?" She pondered before grabbing Ruby by the wrist and bolted.

"H-Hey!"

"Come on, it's better not to dwell on such thoughts, no?" Penny smiled sweetly at her friend. "There is approximately one person nearby who can help with your question! By six rooms over!"

The android skidded across her klaxons whereas Ruby wobbled, using the wall as support before shaking her head. The android knocked three times. She blinked and repeated the knocks.

"I said bugger off! Honestly I know you researchers are pestering me with questions about the whole dynamics of astrophysics you lot deem foreign and whatnot but stop pestering me every hour!" Ruby knew that voice.

"Salutations~!"

"…" Ruby swore the door was hit with someone's forehead and muttered something. The doors slid open and Ruby saw Lily who nursed her head with ice she made. Yeah she definitely slammed her forehead against the wall. Oh and there's her android busy staring at something on the table. "Oh it's you two. Pardon my words before."

"It is okay, Lily!" Penny smiled before pushing Ruby forward, "My friend, Ruby, has a question for you. One that I believe you can help with, plus allow you two to become even closer as friends!"

Black fabric met silver.

"I-I um…"

"We can talk as we walk."

"Hey that rhymes!" Penny chimed.

The saint rolled her eyes beneath her blindfold and gestured them to enter. Ruby had to swivel her head left and right, astonished the young queen of Eden had busied herself.

"H-How much have you been making with your Semblance?"

"Lost count which led to losing my break and lunch from the constant surroundings in this room."

"C-Cody wouldn't like you skipping out on basic necessities due to work." Ruby pointed out.

"My lady has been ensuring she has her meals and showers to prevent any stain of her image." The silver-haired android kept his eyes on the object on the table.

"Oh! U-Um… how have you been?" Ruby asked the android with a soft smile.

"Observing for my lady."

"Observing what?" Ruby questioned.

"An invention she made."

"Do… you ever want to visit the outside? Just walk around and take in the world?" Ruby asked him.

"I ensure my lady is okay… that's all we care about."

"We?"

"Something for another time." Lily interrupted, lightly brushing her fingers against Technosis' hair. The said android almost nuzzled before her covered eyes glanced at her. "You have a question about something right?"

Ruby chewed her lip. Now she understood why Penny brought her to Lily. The saint had killed people before.

"I-It's… about… how you handle it… How do you handle… knowing you killed someone with your own hands?" Ruby confessed to Lily. The Saint noticed through the young girl's eyes, how it was affecting her.

"… Technosis, go set tea for me and Ruby." The machine bowed in obedience. With him gone, Lily sat down, spinning the chair slightly to face the leader of Team RWBY. "You wish to know?" The girl nodded. Lily leaned back before Ruby witnessed Lily remove the black blindfold, revealing the dull pale colors but there laid an extremely faint green glow. Her calm demeanor only turned into a weak smile. "It is never easy, Ruby."

She addressed her by her first name. She had always called her Rose, never by first name.

"Taking a life means you are to realize the burdens that come with it." The Saint moved her head slightly, the fingertips delicately touching her scarred eyes. "At times you wake up wondering if it was right or wrong. Sometimes asking yourself what could have been better than killing. But at the same time, trying to prevent those bitter feelings from swallowing you."

"But… I also possibly took the life of someone… someone who could've had friends, a family…. A child…" Ruby hugged herself, worried about how they feel.

"Ruby, look at me." Her silver eyes were lifted. "Look at these eyes and tell me what you see."

"The scars from Evol… and its dull colors…"

"I often ask myself if this was punishment for everything I had done before. To be blinded from the world so that I would know the sins I committed can never be forgotten." Her hands gently pressed onto the scythe wielder's own. "These hands you feel have done so much. Ruined families. Murdered even. These hands of mine can never be washed away of the blood I spilled… but it is these very hands that allow me to find solace. To find peace with myself and help others just as my mother had done as the Saint before me. I may be a Saint now but I am still a sinner no less for it. Sometimes…. You have to think of what is there. If that incident resumed, what would have been Penny's fate?"

"She… would've died again…." Ruby grimaced as while they know Pietro uses his own Aura to rebuild Penny, that's something that can't keep happening forever. "And… she may not be able to come back…"

"It can be difficult but you have to weigh the options that lie before you. The consequences and the results. It is a never-ending equilibrium. Plus… I'm sure Cody would give just an meaningful insight to this as well."

Ruby sniffled before feeling her tears gently held by Lily's finger. The smile the held was warm and comforting.

"You're still a good person at heart, Ruby. Don't let the darkness of this world break what you have." The inheritor of Vernage said, giving her a comforting hug. "Just as it had once done to me before mother brought me back."

"Thank you… Lily…" Ruby hugged back the Saint, letting her tears rolling down her face, but had a comforting smile on her lips as well.

"I brought tea as requested my lady."

"Thank you." The blind young woman tried to reach but Ruby gently held it and handed it to her instead. Vernage glanced at her before smiling. "Technosis."

"Yes?"

"Why not go with Ruby and her companions for a bit?"

The android blinked. "What of testing HAZ-" his lips were immediately clamped shut by the claw that manifested. He quickly bobbed his head, understanding that silence was needed to not say the name of the project she finished in front of Ruby and Penny.

Lily smiled. "Good, now run along. I should-" Her blinded eyes twitched. "Asura!" The said machine tensed. "Back on the dock, now. You are still 90% from having your finished upgrade for your special piece." The said machine quickly placed itself on the wall. "Honestly… they can be such children at times."

"Hehe… busted~." Ruby chimed, only to earn a flick on the forehead by the moonlight-haired girl.

"You don't get to tease them about it. That is my job."

"Fine, fine." Ruby laughed. "And… thanks."

"As my sworn brother would say, 'isn't that what friends are for'?" Lily quoted.

"Hey! I said that too!" Penny chimed in. The trio laughed.

XXX

Ruby patted her cheeks as she regrouped with her team (and Cody) to make an inquiry to the Lieutenant Harper Bram mentioned.

"You look to be in a good mood, sis." Yang noticed but had a smile of pride and relief from seeing the change.

"Just had some girl talk with Lily." Ruby smiled.

Cody's lips curled into a smile. "Glad to hear it, Ruby. I know Lily would be happy that you reached out. She may be a realist on the facts but she means well."

The inherited maiden's ideals from her mother and her time in Faust made her accept and deal with situations as they are. To be sharp in her words to not beat around the bush and give the straight answer without hesitation. She may be harsh but she does it because people can be blinded to the reality of the world. No matter how naive they may be; she doesn't have excuses. That's who she became as a Saint - to ensure her duty is upheld for the people beneath her wings.

"Yeah…" Entering the office of General Ironwood, the group entered the room but noticed not the general but an unfamiliar woman in the Atlas uniform. The rank on her cloth displayed she was a lieutenant. Ruby blinked, "Uh, is Genera Ironwood here?"

"He is currently occupied in official matters at the moment." The woman answered. "I'm currently here in his place for now until he gets here."

"Oh… we were gonna ask him about seeing Lieutenant Harper."

The woman blinked before laughing softly. "You're looking at her." She revealed.

"Wait, you're the one Mr. Bram mentioned?!"

"Bram?" She trailed off. "Oh you must have met Bram Thornmane. He told me about you five. What can I do to help?"

"Yes, it's about the orb we gave to Mr. Bram." Ruby explained. "Though we were told from him it could be dangerous when Lily said it wasn't."

"Well, given it's possible military equipment, it can be a risky thing to have." Olive explained. "But as to where it came from, I am not sure sadly."

"So nothing… aw man…"

"But." They perked up upon Harper's interjection. "I can out some feelers out there and see if there's more in regards to the orb."

"You would do that? Thanks!"

"Anything for our brave Hunters. It will take a bit but in the meantime, why not see if Ace-Ops requires any assistance with any sort of tasks? They may have some missions that may be beneficial for you all."

"Ugh… do we have to?" Cody groaned out.

Weiss rolled her eyes, "Only you would be the one to complain."

"No I don't!"

"You have done so as my Lady has scolded you countless times before regarding it." Technosis corrected. "She also gave me the order to inflict punishment if you for laziness."

"Or… I can just do this." Weiss said, before she marched over to the rider, and pinched his ear and began to pull, like a disappointed mother would do.

"Owowowow! Let go, Weiss!" Cody cried out, trying to pry away from her, yet somehow unable to.

"… registering method and relaying it to my lady." He and the rest followed after the two.

"Please, no!" He cried out comically. "Ow, Weiss, will you let go?! I'll help!" He staggered upon being freed. "Jeez, Weiss, do you have to be like that? What are you, my mom?"

"No, that is to ensure you don't be lazy. Just because you don't have a Huntsman license like the rest of us, you still can't disregard providing help."

"I'm never laz-OW! Okay! Just let go! You're gonna rip off my ear!"

"Thought so." The former heiress scoffed. Approaching the Ace-Ops, the latter took heed of the six. "Ah, Team RWBY! Cody!" Clover greeted before looking at the sixth member. "And, let me guess Technosis right?"

The coated teen gave a formal bow, one arm behind his back while the other to his chest. One foot stepped back slightly, "A pleasure to meet the one who has sparred with my queen. I assume the rest of your operatives are approaching?"

"Correct," Clover smiled and sure enough as if by luck, the rest of Ace-Ops approached Clover though Cody could feel the stink eyes from Harriet.

"Hey it's you guys!" Elm greeted. "We heard you five went against a Goliath!"

"If you consider getting whipped by the damn trunk of theirs…" Cody grumbled to himself.

"For newbies into the field, you truly did well!" Elm bellowed out patting Yang's back. The blonde buckled forward, giving a wry smile to suppress the minor pain to her back.

"That being said, as you know, all of Ace-Ops will be embarking on our individually assigned solo missions." The leader of the operatives explained to the young adults.

"By strengthening oneself, united we grow strong," Marrow quoted with a mumble. "Yeah, yeah we know the drill."

"Precisely! However, today will be a little different as we have our companions here." With an arm, Clover gestured to Team RWBY and the two boys. "Now that you have responsibilities, I'd like the Ace-Ops to be able to lean to you for our missions today."

Ruby beamed in excitement. To work with Ace-Ops will definitely be a plus! "Roger! We're on it!"

"Then we are all in agreement. Each of us will split up in teams of two." The Atlesian was cut off when the silver-haired android raised a hand, "Pardon the interruption, Clover but based on numbers here, there are a total of ten people here which makes five teams of two. However, adding myself makes eleven people. Those numbers are at odds to place an even count."

"Just means one team will have three members. Easy enough, Technosis."

"I see…" He murmured.

"So, who's on who?" Harriet asked, arms crossed with a glare to the rider.

"Rose will join me," Clover said. "Belladonna, you will join Marrow whereas Xaio Long will go with Elm. Schnee will join Vine. Harriet, you will be partnered with Aldrich as is our android friend."

"With Him/Her?!" The pair shouted with shock, pointing at one another.

"Clover, you can't be serious!" The speedster protested against the idea. To be working with the hybrid?!

"I am. Don't think I haven't already noticed the glares and words under your breaths. If we are to work together to face Salem and the Tribe in extension, any bad blood must be forgone. Otherwise we'll just end up making things worse. Should I remind you two of how you were during the last training session?" Clover pointed out.

"That was his/her fault! What was that?!" They snapped once more at each other, growling before Technosis stepped in, pinching their ears and 'softly' tugging on them.

"Seems excessive improvement of teamwork is required." The android informed the duo. "I shall ensure they do so." His artificial blue eyes turned yellow upon glancing at the two in his grasp. "Is that clear?"

"R-Roger…" The two shivered, knowing that making 'him' upset would be just as bad as if Ironwood or Lily did.

XXX

"I can't believe I have to do this…" Cody grunted in dismay.

"Speak for yourself. I'm not convinced you're not just a mind controlled minion…" Harriet huffed.

"I told you for the last time, it is not like that alright?!" His eyes directed at the operative in frustration. "If I was, then I wouldn't have been mindless like the others were!"

"Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that, monster."

"Who says I am a monster?!"

"You are that freak's son. What else is there? Just because people forgot his name and organization due to your sister but she only did it to those affected."

"That freak is not my dad!"

"Right, and I'm not from Atlas." She quipped.

"Do you just hate men or am I some secret crush you got?" He snickered. What he got was a swift punch to the face, sending him to the ground.

Harriet had her fist out, her eyes glaring angrily at the blonde hybrid. "The only thing to hate is the fact you are an alien hybrid. Did your mom choose to get hit by one?"

Cody's eyes flared at the cold words about his late mother. "DON'T YOU DARE SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HER!" To make such an assumption was way out of line. He reared his arm to punch her but she dodged like a bolt of lightning. He went for another but was yanked away by a tail whereas Harriet was lifted by a claw.

Technosis stood between them, his head hung low. "This is where the line is drawn, for both of you." He droned. "Either you two shut up for one moment for me to say my piece or I will shatter your very legs that will render you both crippled for the next decade."

"Y-You can't put me in the hospital for that long!" Harriet stated. "We have too many missions and assignments! Do you really want to hinder our forces by doing that?" She questioned, hoping her logic would make the robot stop. She froze when his eyes were yellow.

"Let me say. My. Piece. Human." This quickly made the two remaining silent, as both knew, not any words could help them this time.

He forced them to look at him. His yellow eyes drift to Harriet. "What I see is someone being a potential xenophobic."

"Who says I am-"

"You hold hate towards Cody who is a mix of humans and Blood Tribesman." He frowned. "Tell me, do you know of relationships between Humans and Faunus?"

"What does that have to do-"

"Answer the question." Harriet winced to the tight hold on her vest, "Yes…"

"And do they have children?"

"… Yes."

"Do you hate those children whose parents are human and Faunus?"

"… N-No…"

"You fear the unknown that is out there in our vast universe. Just because the Brothers brought life to this world, doesn't mean they are the only deities." He made her look up at the sky. "What I see is one blinded."

"I am not blinded-!"

"You hate Cody for being a hybrid. Something he never asked for. Did Evol choose to raise him? No as did all other former experiments. Did he love him? No. Tell me, Harriet, who is it you hate? Cody? Or is it actually Evol?"

"Of course I hate Evol! He killed my younger brother!" Harriet revealed, clasping her mouth shut.

Cody's voice that briefly rose in his throat immediately went back down to his lungs.

"Thus lies the source of hatred."

"I… I can guess how you found out…" Cody said, as she turned to him, "From one of my fights… yes?"

"When we first started getting reports about you, it took just as much time as it was when you kept moving from place to place… It was then the moment you started to live in Vale, that the first fight we were able to capture… showed you killing my brother who had turned into a Smash…" Harriet turned her head.

"I…. didn't know he was your brother… I'm sor-"

Harriet hissed at him. "Don't… just… don't…."

The android released the two. "During whatever mission it is Harriet, both of you have much to think over. For one, to you Harriet, think on who you should actually blame and not at another source who did nothing wrong." Harriet opened her mouth. "Before you say a protest, Cody did what was logically right. There was no cure to remove the SMASH from the person without the host dying. Evol made use of that. So think for a second on that. As to you Cody, you too have much to think on working well with this operative here. Just because you dislike her, you have to think it over as much as she does."

"If she just laid off me, I would've been fine! But everytime we lock eyes, it's always a flame war with her!" The rider pointed at the Atlesian.

Technosis took a deep breath. "Do you know what my lady would say about this? "

"That I'm being petty?"

"Stop staying in the damn past is what she would say."

"Easy for her to say…" Harriet huffed until she wheezed by the tightening grip.

"You never killed people nor regret any actions from it. Do not patronize her on seeing both sides of the world we live in." The silver-haired android warned. "That said, lead us to our destination, Harriet."

The Atlesian's fingers curled into a fist, shaking slightly but it relaxed. Her mind stilled for that brief moment and cooled it. "Heard you the first time." She murmured, leading the duo.

The trio continued their way for the joint mission they were all on, as it seemed it was nothing more than checking up on some old Dust Mines as some complaints have stated possible Grimm. The situation could pose a problem should there be some left over Dust within the mines.

Cody gave a glance at Harriet who peered at her surroundings. She didn't send a look at him. Not once.

"This is odd… This mine while still closed off, seems to have been renovated. Can't you feel it?" Harriet noted, pressing her ear against the stone wall, "There's electricity running through them…"

"Electrical conductor much?" Cody quipped.

"It's more than that… I think it might've been here for a few months." Harriet noted.

"How is that possible without anyone knowing?"

"Hard to say… Seems whatever the rumors heard were true. We might have goons in our midst." Harriet frowned.

"Goons? Like what? Do both cities have that? Aren't you guys the biggest military?"

The operative sent a glare at the blonde, "Just because we are, doesn't mean all is okay in case you haven't noticed." She rested a hand on her hip. "Yeah, we are a military but that still doesn't scare local mass of criminals in the underground."

"So you guys-"

"Say it and I will use my weapon to double the punch." Cody raised his hands before Harriet resumed her walk. The trio stalked but the android stopped the duo. "What is it now?"

"Don't you hear them?"

"Hear what?" asked the Rider.

The machine stepped lightly, causing his companions to follow. Each step is quiet as a mouse, not saying a single word. As they drew closer they could hear voices. It wasn't Grimm but people.

"Is this where we were supposed to drop off this orb thing?"

"How the hell should I know?"

"Hey! Careful with it! If that thing activates, this whole place will be crawling with Grimm!"

"Orb? Grimm?" Harriet wondered quietly. "Wait, didn't you and your friends encounter Grimm at the summit?"

"Yeah with an orb involved."

The revelation earned a stern look from the Ace Operative. With her attention back at the individuals, and seeing the orb, they had just found a connection. "Looks like we just got a new lead then." Harriet smirked. "Be ready, and don't just go jumping in!"

"I know that already, Hare." Cody responded.

Having enough, Harriet's face contorted with frustration. "IT'S HARRIET YOU STUPID-!" The Atlesian clasped her mouth shut, now glaring at Cody who winced. The thunderous voice alone made their presence known.

"Intruders!"

"Look at what you've done now!" Harriet growled, her weaponized fists extending to cover her limbs.

"I just-!"

"Just stay there! That is an order!" Harriet vaulted over and dashed towards the individuals.

Cody just remained silent, as this was different than he wanted it to go as he didn't even quip back, just held up the Magma Knuckle, ready to fight.

Harriet's Semblance was fast as Ruby's, electrical energy shrouding her. She evaded the gunfire that was aiming for her, bullets unable to land directly at her. Cody briefly noticed one of the goons placing what looks to be a jetpack onto her back.

"Harriet, look out! One of them has-!" It was too late. Before Harriet can notice, she was tackled by the female goon. The Atlesian grunted, rolling across the ground.

"Die, you Ironwood dog!" The goon cried out, blade raised and ready to impale the Atlesian.

Yet right when Harriet closed her eyes, a powerful punch sent the goon flying away, Cody there as he held out his hand, "Get up! I won't let you die like this!"

"I told you-"

"Like hell I am!" The Rider protested. "If it means to let myself feel guilty watching you die? I am not letting that hang over my head!"

"You are just one kid against eight of us! You honestly think you can beat us?!"

"You actually miscounted."

"Huh? We can clearly see that its just you brat!"

"Actually he isn't wrong." The six quickly looked back but were launched to the rocky wall by three tails.

Harriet turned to see Technosis whose tails had sprouted from the back of his waist. She then turned back to Cody who had his hand reached out to her, waiting for her to take it. The operative remembered the words the android told her. Swallowing the metaphorical bitter pill, she grabbed Cody's hand, the latter pulling her up.

"Cross! Let's go to greater heights!" He raised the Great Dragon Fullbottle as emphasis.

The dragon howled out as it flew in, as the Rider took it into his hands, placing in the bottle and inserting it into the driver, he cranked it as the Great Cross-Z armor formed around him.

ARE YOU READY?!

"Henshin!" He cried out as the armor then folded on top of him, completing the form change.

WAKE UP CROSS-Z!

GET GREAT DRAGON!

YEAH!

Cross-Z cracked his knuckles. "Alright, let's teach you punks a lesson!" He declared.

"Kill them! We can't let those military officials know about this operation!" One of the goons commanded.

"Don't say I warned ya," said the Rider. He flexed his fingers and dashed towards the goon on his far left due to the hammer the guy was carrying. He avoided the swing and countered with a jab to the ribs.

"Che, think you can take me down, you armored bra-"

Yet another hit was all it took to bring the big guy down, granting the Rider to focus on his next target. Meanwhile, Harriet was speeding through each goon that came to her, easily knocking them out with a few jabs or making sure they can't get back up with a dislocated limb.

The speedster was annoyed that he caused yet another issue for her! Once this is done, she'll give him a talk about his idiocy.

"Gotcha!" Another big goon called out, grabbing and holding the Atlesian in his arms as he cackled, "Now without those arms of yours, you're just another helpless-"

A sickened crunch echoed. Harriet's foot had firmly planted on the punk, making the man squeal but not before she used her head to slam against the nose. With the brute releasing her, she spun her leg, slamming the foot directly into the temple which knocked her assailant down for the count.

"Don't see me as a helpless girl just because you caught me off guard." Harriet hissed. She ducked as a few of the antagonistic individuals flew over her head. The woman from before lift her jetpack; said object was crushed by the large claw that had formed over the android's hand. It looked like crumpled paper now.

Said android who sat on a small pile of the other criminals, idly polishing a shard of Dust like it was a treasured gem.

"Don't just sit there, you weird robot!" Another set of goons jumped towards the android, unaware of its power.

"I believe the correct term… is showing you your place." The three tails coiled around each one, the blades at the end churning with a need to shred their heads into pieces. "I don't wish to commit slaughter unless my lady commands it. So please…" his blue eyes turned yellow. "Don't make me butcher you all as my prey."

Each one of the assailants stopped, swiftly either shivering in fear or swiftly surrendering to the intense aura that the android had, showing their defeat easily.

Harriet yanked the orb from one of them, forcing each criminal to their knees. She rested a few fingers to her ear. "This is Ace Operative Harriet. I request a pick up for individuals arrested for trespassing and attempted Grimm surge."

"Copy that. We will send a transport to your location."

Satisfied, Harriet elicited a sigh of relief. With the situation resolved and the orb prevented from activation, it was now clear.

"Yosh! Job well done, Hare!" Cody smiled as he reverted back to normal, raising his hand for a high five. He received a small glare from the Atlesian. "Uh I take it no high five?"

"If you didn't anger me, we wouldn't have been caught!" Harriet snapped. She jabbed her finger into his chest angrily from the results of the fight. "Just what were you thinking, you idiot?!"

"I… was trying… to forgive and forget…" Cody confessed to the speedster, "To maybe try and start over… as friends."

Harriet scowled but stopped when she felt a firm grip by the android. She was reminded of the harsh words Technosis said to her. That and his eyes were still yellow.

"Guess this would mean we're just going to be simply 'allies' then… Heh… sounds about right… for a 'freak' like me, eh?" Cody said with a sadful tone before he marched away, leaving the android and operative.

"Staying in the past will only make you risk losing sight of your future." The android whispered before being next to walk.

Harriet watched on as the two left her, causing the operative to huff as she looked at the orb, pondering in thought. She was in the right about it all! Clover was just being nice until the freak let his guard down. She knows he would be doing the same she is doing right now…. Right?

XXX

The metal room was empty yet cold. No cameras nor any interference from anyone. Scorch marks and countless blades were stabbed into the entire room itself. In the center, Lily panted heavily. Sweat lingered on her face, her mind fuming upon that sensation she felt several times already. She shakingly gripped the buckle and removed the attachment from the belt.

Raising her hand, her blindfold stared at the black piece she had made. Her body was shaking not from fear but from the after effects of her finished project.

"F-Finally… it's done…" Lily panted looking at the item in hand, "The Hazard Trigger…"

The prolonged use had caused the mess around her. It was a dangerous piece but the Saint Fullbottle soothed it. Without it… she felt unfiltered fury that was unleashed. A double edged sword. She just couldn't fathom if Evol felt any of this at all with his own trigger or if it was even more powerful than what she created. Regardless, this should give them the edge they need to defeat the Blood Tribesmen.

"Time to hunt for blood."

Further behind her wasn't just the damage but wrecked debris and training bots that looked to have been ripped apart mercilessly caused by the lone Trigger and her Rabbit-Tank combination without the Saint Fullbottle.

A hazard has been spilled into the river of blood.