Hey guys, not much to say except enjoy the chapter.
Next Update: Nov 18
Reunions
Taiyang struggled as we woke up, next to him was Qrow who was unconscious who definitely needed some rest from the looks of his bandages.
For now the Xaio-Long patriarch had to find a way out.
And once he did, he noticed that something was off he felt a familiar feeling, slower, weaker.
He looked down to see an Aura Suppressant.
"Damn it no!" He yelled looking at the Aura cuff.
"Dad!" A woman yelled.
Taiyang turned and sees Yang standing up and looking at her father.
"Yang?" He asked. "Yang!" He wrapped her arms around his daughter.
And Yang returned the hug with a sad smile, happy to see her father again but not under these circumstances.
Taiyang pulled away from the hug and spoke. "Yang, you need to help me." He pulled up his arm showing his Aura Cuff. "You still have your Aura, right? You need to break this, then we get Qrow and Ruby and get far away from here."
Yang shook her head. "Dad no, please, just listen!"
Taiyang shook his head and grabbed her shoulders. "Yang!" He yelled like a father about to lose his child. "You don't understand, Ozpin, the Scourge!" He yelled. "Your mother warned me that we couldn't trust him, and I didn't listen!"
"What?" She asked. "My mom?" For a few seconds she thought he meant Summer her true mother but then she realized something. They were sent to find Raven. "You talked to Raven?"
"Yes! Look, we need to go now, and find Raven, together we will keep you safe!" He yelled and held up his arm.
"Please Yang, we have to do this! To protect ourselves from both!"
Yang looked at her father and immediately understood that he was afraid. She shook her head.
"No dad, look you don't get it, we can't let get away with this the longer she's free the more people she'll hurt."
"What?" Taiyang shook his head. "I don't know what you heard but this deal you made it's wrong, you're basically agreeing to be bait for your mother."
She shook her head and glared. "That's if I lose, he's giving me a chance to keep him from killing her!" She yelled back and thought of all she did. "Even though she probably deserves it."
Taiyang took steps back and shook his head. "Look Yang, your mother, she's done horrible things." He admitted. "Abandoning you, hurting innocent people, but she's done a lot of good in her life to, and I know deep down she cares for you in her own way. It doesn't excuse all she's done but it's complicated whatever he's told you need to understand that it isn't as simple as he made it out to be."
Yang crossed her arms and glared giving her father attitude like she did when she was younger.
"Yeah? What's so complicated about being a bandit, killing and stealing?" She asked.
"That" Taiyang sighed. "There's no excuse for that, all I can say is that it was how she was taught. She thought she could one day lead her tribe to a better path then her father did. Not that I supported her decision."
"Oh, and her Semblance?" Yang yelled crossing her arms. "If I had known she could just see me whenever she wanted maybe I wouldn't have been so obsessed with looking for her!" She yelled.
"Maybe I wouldn't have almost gotten me, and Ruby killed!" She yelled remembering that night where she made a stupid decision and almost dragged Ruby to her death on her wagon.
"I" Taiyang put his hands to his face and sat on his hospital bed. "I wanted you to see her for yourself, to meet her and judge her for yourself when you were ready."
Yang gritted her teeth. "I'm not going to break you out dad, not until you get that I'm agreeing to Kron's deal and accept that whatever happens to Raven will." She said to him.
"And if I can't beat him than she deserves what's coming to her."
Taiyang shook his head.
"Yang this isn't you." He pointed out. "Family has always meant so much for you, I know that you can't feel that way about her." He explained.
"Even after everything she did?" She asked. "To those villages, those innocent people?"
"I know, but Qrow also has blood on his hands." He sighed. "And Raven's complicated, you don't know the full story."
"I know plenty now." Yang said to him. "How about you start telling me now huh? All you say is that Raven doesn't deserve it or that I can't live with getting her kill, stop telling me that I don't know the whole story and tell me!" She yelled.
Taiyang sighed, he remembered his last talk with Raven. She wanted to protect yang in her own way and thought of Ozpin as a manipulative liar.
And she was proven right.
"Alright Yang, I'll tell you everything, and afterwards, you can decide for yourself if you want to help me and Qrow get out." He explained. "I won't hide anything no matter what."
Yang nodded and sat across from her.
"I know that she can't replace Summer, but there's more to her than it looks, she wanted you in her life but not a way I would have approved of, and I only pushed her away instead of trying to to come up with a compromise."
He sighed thinking of that day he basically told her that Yang was better off without her and how she would be better off if she stayed away from her.
That response led her to do just that, if he had used his head, maybe things could have been different.
"She spent her whole life in the Branwen Tribe with your uncle."
He had wanted Yang to learn of her mother when she had finally met her, but now he had no choice but o reveal all he knew.
"She was taught all her life that power was what mattered most." He said to her. "She wanted to raise you in the tribe, but I told her otherwise, over time she gave up but still I know that she regrets not being with you."
"I'm not excusing her behavior, but do you understand what you're doing?" He asked. "Using yourself as bait to lure Raven? If and when he wins Raven will die, she'll die trying to save you." He said to her. "Do you really think that's right? That she dies because she wanted to save you?"
Yang flinched when she heard that and lost some resolve when her father pointed this out. It wasn't anything she hadn't thought of before but hearing her father say it did affect her.
"I know, but that's if I lose." She spoke. "He's making me stronger, giving me a chance to stop her."
"No, he's not." He said to her. "He knows you can't win in two months he knows he didn't give you enough time to get strong enough to beat him, he's letting you think that just so he can have fun fighting you in the end before killing Raven. I've fought him he's far the strongest I fought, when he made this deal, he knew out didn't have enough time to stop him. This 'deal' is rigged, and he knows it."
Yang saw Kron fight against both Qrow and her father at once, they were far stronger than she remembered, and he fought both at once while holding back.
She didn't want to admit, she wanted to think that it was possible to surpass him. She was going to train to make it happen no matter how long it took.
But in two months, can she really surpass him or even get near his strength in two months? No, she can't. She knows she can't no matter what training she does.
"Even if that's true" Yang continued trying to defend her newest friend. "Raven was horrible to him, did she tell you what she did?"
"No" He admitted. "She didn't"
"Not surprised" Yang continued. "She tricked Kron into hurting people he cared about, she made him think that he was betrayed to try to get him under her control! She ruined his future to have a family."
Taiyang looked away, he knew Raven was no angel no matter how much he wanted to remember when she was a part of team STRQ.
"She never told me that." He said to her. "Not surprising, she did keep secrets." He said to her.
"And if her plan worked, she probably would have used him to hurt more people and drive them out of their homes." She said to him. "Can you really say that she didn't dig her own grave."
Taiyang sighed hearing that. He couldn't, he accepted that Raven was not the same person for a long time. He would never welcome her back with open arms, even if she had agreed to rejoin the fight against Salem, he could never forgive her for abandoning Yang after accepting that she would never be brought to her tribe.
"Even so, you never thought to call me?" He asked saddened. "I went on a mission to protect you from him, and he was here this whole time? Why didn't you call me when he made that deal with you? When he was near your sister?"
Yang sighed. "Ozpin asked me not to, he said that he didn't want to risk you coming and maybe making things worse." She said to him. "But I knew it was wrong, I'm sorry dad, I should've told you."
Taiyang was still disappointed in his daughter's choice and had to ask. "Does Ruby know?"
"Yeah" She admitted. "My whole team does actually, my partner Blake, she and him were almost siblings." She said to him. "Before Raven happened."
Taiyang was struggling to accept all this information. He wanted to break out and protect her. But before anything else he needed to say one thing.
"Yang, I am sorry that I kept you in the dark about your mother." He said to her. "I realized that you were old enough to know the kind of person she was before all this, if I had, maybe you would've had a better time accepting who she was and enjoy your life more."
Yang only nodded accepting her father's apology.
"But there's something you need to know." Taiyang said. "Kron might also be hiding something from you."
"What?"
"Kron, he tried to kill Qrow." He spoke. "Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Yang's body shook when she heard that, feelings of rage and betrayal surfaced. "I know."
Taiyang's eyes widened hearing that. "You know that, and you still are trying to get your mother killed?"
Yang shook her head, her father, uncle, Ozpin, and Kron all seemed to hide things from her.
"Kron might've done that and kept it from me, but it doesn't change the kind of person Raven is, can you really tell me that she's not manipulative, a thief, and a murderer?"
She asked. "How many people are going to get hurt before she stops?"
Taiyang couldn't respond to that, he was in no state to do that.
"Look, Kron" She said to him. "Even though he was using me to go after Raven, I kind of became friends with him, but I didn't know that he tried to kill uncle Qrow, if I had known that I wouldn't have taken his deal."
It was why Ozpin kept this from her to. She hated how he kept secrets from her but she understood in away.
"Yang, look" Taiyang continued. "Help me break free, we need to get you away from here." He said to her. "He's a threat to our family and so is Ozpin. Please"
Yang shook and looked at the Aura Suppressant Bracer, she wanted to do it, to free him.
But she shook her head and turned.
"Yang!"
"I'll be back dad, I just give me some time, ok?"
As she walked away Taiyang was struggling and sees the vision of the Scourge standing over her and Raven's corpse. "Yang please!" He yelled slamming the door.
Yang flinched when she ignored the call and walked out. She remembered how Kron seemed to be warming up to her team, how he was becoming less and less of a bad guy.
But knowing that she was growing close to him and learning that she hid this from her made her feel stabbed in the back.
She was going to go through with their deal and see it through to the end, but she didn't want to see him again anytime soon.
Vale Rooftops
At night not long after the battle between Kron and Qrow and Taiyang, Ozpin waited in the city on top of a roof top.
He sighed he seen better days, he's existed for eons, and he felt like his current body had aged hundreds of years.
Things transpired not the worst possible outcome.
Over the course of the deal, he made with Kron he made sure to know as much as possible about him. To learn what countermeasures were necessary and how to create them in every situation.
Taiyang and Qrow arriving early, he accounted for, sadly what he couldn't account for was them arriving without their scrolls.
Resulting in him not having the time to explain things appropriately.
Though he did have the means to convince the most concerning party.
He heard someone landing behind him.
The headmaster turned to see Kron in his Scourge mask and all. Like he was ready to make someone pay.
Ozpin didn't fear Kron's wrath.
Still, he had prayed for better results.
"I'm glad to see that you're here." He explained. "Thank you for meeting me."
Kron crossed his arms and clenched his fists.
"Don't thank me yet." He replied with a tone of anger. "Right now, Ozpin your life is at risk."
The headmaster did not show any fear, not surprising since he's seen death in many scenarios. "I know."
Kron looked at Ozpin and felt conflicted, none of what this man had done made sense. He wanted to kill him for hiding the fact he sent people to search for Raven when the deal involved luring Raven here.
"Alright Ozpin, talk, why did you not tell me you had Taiyang and Qrow to recruit Raven?" He demanded. "What were you planning? And Why shouldn't I end the deal right now?"
Ozpin can hear the anger and fought the instinct to ask if he really would. Ending the deal means robbing Yang of her chance to save her mother.
Not after his newest guilt with Yang.
Instead, he responded as he planned.
"It is true, I did send Qrow and Taiyang to recruit Raven" He admitted. "Though it was months before you made your presence known, in preparations for threats, Tyrian, Hazel" He looked at Kron. "And for you as well, not long after your…battle with Winter." He explained. "I wasn't sure if you were a threat or not, just that I didn't know you or your goals, and had to get as much allies as we can to protect ourselves in case you ever proved a threat to mankind."
The Saiyan listened and thought of everything trying to find any hint of deceit. He still felt like he was really plotting behind his back. But after learning of his mistake with Qrow, he knew not to assume, it almost costed someone who didn't wrong him their life.
And it already costed him something else. He thought of Yang that look she gave it reminded him of what he thought Blake and Kali should look at him with.
Kron shook his head and remained focused. "Fine I get that part, it makes sense how everyone in the world would see my power as a threat." He chuckled feeling complimented by that.
Funny enough years ago Ozpin wasn't exactly wrong, he was plotting to end mankind when he was a child. And someone with his power beating down Maidens, huntsmen and others would make those in power worry about the Scourge of Anima.
"But still why did you not tell me?" He asked. "What were you planning to do if they succeeded?"
It sounded like he was plotting to have Raven fight him and have those two joins on the fight him during the fight. Kron had proven he can take on two Maiden level opponents on his own. But three? That would be a challenge. Not that he would mind it of course.
Still, he did not like the idea of being duped. Not again.
Ozpin can tell that he was making an angry expression not that he could blame him.
"They were never going to." It was as if it was a fact than an assumption. "I knew for a fact that Raven would not rejoin us."
Kron crossed his arms and tilted his head. "And what makes you say that? Raven's a coward, surely there's some chance that she'd crawl to you for safety." He said to him. "She had been comatose for five years, meaning she had three years to portal to me and try to take me down and she remained in hiding."
True, it can be argued that Raven might have a change of heart, at the very least out of concern for her own life.
"Because Raven had made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with me." He explained. "On many occasions I as well as her former team tried to reconcile with her, however she's extremely set in her ways, she would never work under me again no matter who spoke to her." He said to her. "In the end the closest she was willing to do for us was to provide us information on other enemies in exchange for us leaving her tribe be, there was no chance for her to rejoin our cause."
Kron mulled over the details he didn't know what happened between them, but it was clear that Raven had a reason to do what she did.
"That still doesn't answer my question." Kron said and vanished and appeared in front of Ozpin looking up at him.
Ozpin did not flinch from that action he simply stared into the masked fighter.
"In the off-chance Raven did go back to you, what were you planning to do?"
The headmaster expected that question, he was sharp and paranoid which was a lethal combination. Fortunately, he had an answer for this as well.
"In the event that would happen" Ozpin began. "I was planning to try to convince you to spare Raven before they arrived, if I was unsuccessful, I would allow you two to fight and let nature take its course. as we agreed"
Kron couldn't tell if he was saying this out of fear or if he meant it.
"You're kidding right?" He asked. "That's it, that's what you had planned?" He expected more from him and was flabbergasted that he thought he could 'convince' him to spare Raven of all people, it was truly laughable.
"Yes" Ozpin responded. "It was the best I could do given the situation." He said to him.
Kron thought of what he had said and debated what to do, take him out now or take his word on it. He had to ask one more thing.
"I want to end you for doing all this behind my back." He said to him. "Knowing that you tricked both me and those who work for you makes me think your no different than Raven."
Ozpin didn't argue, yes he may have good intentions compared to Raven, but he's done it for eons in situations where he thought of the 'greater good'. At the end of the day, he was more manipulative than Raven if anything.
"But there's one thing I don't get." Kron said to him. "As manipulative as you are, why didn't you let that witch kill me?" He asked thinking of that teacher about to kill him only for Ozpin to step in. "So, what you're saying matches what you did, it's clear that your goal wasn't to kill me, just can't see why."
"I will admit that if the opportunity presented himself two months ago, I would have allowed Glynda to do what she needed to be done." He admitted with no fear in his tone which Kron respected to some degree. "During the course of our agreement I learned what kind of man you are, your past with Miss Belladonna and your drive to keep your word, all these are qualities that give you hope to be a great benefit to all, allowing you to die knowing you could learn to use your power for good would be a waste."
"Tch" Kron chuckled by that response. "So now you're thinking of recruiting me? Please I have no interest in working for you, the only reason I've been benefitting you is due to our arrangement, and the only reason that happened was because Yang was someone of interest to me, and Blake was there to talk me down." He said to him. "If it wasn't for those two, this deal wouldn't have happened."
If Yang had turned out to be exactly like her mother when he met her, he would have knocked her out right there and taken down Raven. Before he would even know Blake was in Vale.
"Recruit you?" Ozpin asked. "Not at all, while I would welcome you in open arms, you are a free spirit intend on being independent, your only bound by your word, I see no chance of you joining us, unless I provided you with something you want."
Kron thought of everything he said, it all made sense to him. Still his opinion on Ozpin was knocked down a couple notches.
"I can see how Raven became the manipulator she is today." He said to her. "She must of learned quite a bit from you." He said in an insulting tone.
Ozpin took no offense to that. "Myself as well as someone else." He thought of Raven and Qrow's father.
Kron turned and walked away. "Fine Ozpin, our deal continues, as manipulative as you are, I don't have enough proof that you were trying to betray me." He said as he walked to the edge of the rooftop.
"Thank you, Kron, for hearing what I have to say." He said to him. "I must say, you truly have learned a bit from that video I showed you, didn't you?"
The Saiyan turned to him and tilted his head as if asking what he meant.
"Before you would have just assumed I was plotting to betray you before speaking, now though you seem to be grown up and are recovering from what happened in Menagerie."
Kron said nothing but stared at Ozpin and looked ahead. He jumped and flew off leaving Ozpin alone.
Ozpin sighed, weirdly enough this was the easy part, now came the hard part.
Though Taiyang and Qrow will take more time convincing.
Kron awoke from his bed and had gotten up while cracking his neck.
He looked at his scroll and sees the time of the day.
With a shrug he walked out of his home and flew towards the usual location.
He descended and landed on the training ground he and Yang have been using in the Emerald Forest.
Once he was there he waited wondering if she was even going to show up.
To his suprise he sees the blonde walking towards him.
Was she going to continue the deal.
Yang looked at him with a glare, the same she would usually stare at him with.
Kron can see that nothing has changed. "Are we training or not?"
She looked at him for a few seconds and said. "I'll train alone."
"What?" He asked.
"You heard me, let me train alone."
Kron growled. "You really think you can train without me? Your stilla novice with Ki, you might need me."
"I'll be fine on my own." She replied. "So let me train by myself, I know what I'm doing."
The Saiyan didn't respond to that he thought of maybe bringing up Qrow and try to explain himself again. No, it wouldn't make sense for him to do it.
"Look" Yang continued. "Our deal didn't say I needed you around right?" She asked. "Let me do your last lesson on my own, I'll message you when I'm ready for what's next, and I'll be fighting in Dead End Arena on my own."
Kron was a bit suprised hearing that she was still following through with the deal, he felt some relief hearing her say that. But felt some dissapointment that she didn't wish to be trained directly.
"Is that really how you want to do this?" He asked. "I can still-"
"I don't want to see you right now." Yang interrupted again and glared. "So go, let me train by myself."
Kron can see that she wasn't going to budge he stood up and sighed as he walked past her.
As he past her Yang would say one last thing. "Don't worry, I'm still going to train to kick your ass."
He can tell that she meant though she didn't say it in the same tone she has been after they've known each other for weeks.
Still part of him was pleased to hear her say that, she seemed more motivated to take him down then ever. And yet at the same he missed the excited tone she usually gave at the thought offighting him.
"Good" Kron said as he flew off leaving Yang behind.
Yang didn't look back she was happy that she didn't bring the rest of her team hear this time.
She held up her hands formed fists, her hands glowed yellow and this Ki seemed to have some flame like properties.
Whatever happens she'll keep training till the end not like she has much choice.
Outside of Vale
As Kron had flown, he thought of what to do, should he stay at home? No, he read everything there was to read. Plus, he didn't feel like reading.
Right now, he needed to vent, and he will vent the only way a Saiyan should. He flew past Vale and out into the wilds where he trained last time.
Before he would just train his techniques, but he wanted to hit something. And to do that he had the perfect thing to think about.
He thought of his situation with Yang, the look she gave him it affected him more than he liked. He wondered if she had told her team, told Blake what he had done. What will she think of him now?
What would Kali think of him for attacking an innocent man, imagining how she would react drew in plenty of needed negativity.
These thoughts of negativity drew in Grimm of all shapes and sizes, beowolves, ursa, and a deathstalker.
He turned to the monsters that he lured in.
Giving into his Saiyan battle lust Kron smiled and charged at the pack.
It seemed to serve it's purpose, this was natural to a Saiyan no emotion just combat, it was relieving doing this.
Also, part of him was glad to see Yang despise him now, it will motivate her to get even stronger, yes this was a good thing. Power is what she needs for their fight.
And the fight is all he needs he doesn't need attachments.
At least biologically speaking.
As Kron pierced through a beowolf he looked to see he still had quite the horde to power through.
With a smile Kron held up to Ki orbs, he wanted to get more practice with this attack. "Scourge Grimm" He dropped the orbs and formed two beringels this time instead of beowolves, fitting considering his species.
By moving his fingers, the Ki beringels charged at the hordes of Grimm.
The creatures all attacked trying to take advantage of their numbers to overpower them.
Kron moved his fingers commanding the Ki beringels to strike in similar ways to how a Berringel would.
These two Ki constructs each held a small amount of strength, enough to compare to a huntsman. One Ki Berringel grabbed a beowolf and slammed it to the ground and tossing to others.
Though the other Ki beringel was being attacked.
Kron smiled, this little technique was fun to use, it made something trivial like dealing with Grimm hordes into a fun game. And decent training, to make this game fun he'll have to learn how to multitask with his Ki puppets.
He can feel the emotions he went through melt away, though still he was bothered that he lost whatever he had with Yang.
But again, it will be good motivation for her.
Emerald Forest
After a training session with Ozpin, Yang had sat down with the rest of Team RWBY.
She was glad to have landed at least a couple hits on Ozpin, it let her vent out some frustration.
Though she understood why he did it, she felt angry all the same.
"So Kron really tried to kill uncle Qrow?" Ruby asked sadly.
Yang nodded with her arms over Ruby comforting her sister.
Weiss glanced at Blake and looked at Yang. "Are you sure he tried? He didn't just fight him like he did with my sister?"
Yang looked a bit surprise it almost sounded like she wanted him to be innocent. "He tried Weiss, he admitted it."
The girl in white looked saddened hearing that and looked away. Not too long ago she would have simply said she knew that he was trouble, but after he had almost gotten himself killed to save her and Blake, she couldn't really hate him as much as she used to.
She sighed and gave no comment.
Blake looked at the sisters, they looked betrayed. Especially Yang, she can understand why to.
To learn that someone you have grown fond with tried to hurt your family was a hard thing to go through.
She went through that back when she was a child, she felt sadness for days that Kron would hurt her father, her friend Adam, and a woman she respected Sienna.
All after her mother helped him and still tried to help him while he was locked away and learning of his crimes with the Branwen Tribe.
After all that he attacked her family and assumed her mother had betrayed him. Which her father had admitted that he should have allowed Kali to see Kron at least under supervision.
"So" Blake began gently. "You and Kron aren't going to train together anymore?"
They've been doing that ever since the start of their deal, and from they've seen both have enjoyed it.
Yang looked over to Blake with a sad look. "Blake, I'm sorry, I know it's not that different from what happened to you, but I don't think I can be around him right now, I just want to do the training and then finish this deal before anything else happens."
Blake can tell what she was going through and nodded her head. "Don't I get it." It took her a while before she could move past that to.
Still whatever reason he had it won't be enough to explain this.
And yet it was something she needed to find out.
The Cat Faunus stood up and started to walk away.
"Blake?" Yang asked where she was going.
The Cat Faunus glanced at her.
"Just have somewhere to be." Before any could question her further, she sped away and looked at the scroll with the tracker Ozpin had him agree to keep on him.
As she listened to Yang explaining what happened between Kron and her uncle, she was reminded of Adam again.
He almost killed someone over a misunderstanding.
It doesn't sound that different from what Adam would do.
She shook her head, it felt like this proved him right but no, she knows he's not.
Outside of Vale
Kron was dealing with another horde of Grimm testing out his fighting style and trying to refine it. That fight with Taiyang and Qrow, it was fun, but it showed him how flawed his fighting technique was on an even playing field.
He thought that perhaps he wasn't doing enough fighting and too focused on training Yang, he might be getting rusty because of it.
So, fighting these Grimm should help him stay in shape.
Or so he thought.
Kron axe kicked an Ursa's head, the head came clean off.
"Grr, I keep forgetting how delicate Grimm these days are." He said to himself annoyed. A beowolf attacked from behind which he back handed without turning sending it to crash against a rock.
"What's the point of this? I can't even get any fun out of you weaklings." The Saiyan said, as he vanished.
And appeared in front of each Beowolf and Ursa and struck them in different ways. Each of them ended up dissolving unable to take the impact of Kron's strikes.
"Ugh" He was disgusted, ever since he left the arena he felt less and less desire to train. Because whatever he found provided little benefits and he didn't have much competition to care to try to train to begin with.
What's the point of training if your only goal is to kill some old hag with a power you surpassed some time ago?
If only he could train Yang again, it was fun watching her get stronger, but since she doesn't want him near her then he'll have to hope she can be fun in the remaining time she has.
Yes, shell provide some enjoyment he knows that.
Still would be nice to see it in action now.
"Is this what you've been doing?"
He was so distracted that he didn't pick up her scent.
Kron turned around to see Blake coming from behind a tree.
"What do you want Blake?" He asked.
"I heard what happened." She said to him. "Is it true? Did you try to kill Yang's uncle."
Kron's hardened expression softened a bit before he sighed.
"Yes, I did." He admitted having no reason to hide it.
Blake sighed hearing that, she kind of hoped it wasn't true.
"What?" Kron asked. "That all you came to ask? I'm busy."
Killing Grimm wasn't effective training, but it made for some good stress relief.
"Kron are you ok?"
"I'm fine, now leave." He said to her as he walked away.
"Kron" Blake grabbed his shoulder. "Look, I know Yang's angry at you and she doesn't want anything to do with you right now, she'll just need time, she can accept what happened like I did."
"Tch" Kron chuckled as he pushed her hand off him. "No, this is how it should be."
"What?" Blake asked remembering how the two seemed to enjoy their time together.
"Let her hate me, it will motivate her," Kron said to her. "She'll get stronger in the long run and make the fight all the more exciting." He said as he walked away.
Blake shook her head. "So you don't care about her? All she is is your next opponent, you don't care about her at all?" She asked.
"So, what if I do?" He asked though not in a convincing tone.
"You love fighting, but if all you cared about was fighting then you wouldn't care about me or my mom or me, right? But that's obviously not true, otherwise, you would've kept fighting and let that man kill me and Weiss." Blake pointed out the obvious fact when he had chosen to save her and Weiss from Bertilak, clearly showing that the Scourge of Anima was no longer a typical Saiyan and had grown attached to those most Saiyans would rather kill than have anything to do.
"Tch" Kron seemed to hate that she made a good point. "Whatever, I've got something else to do."
"Kron waits" She watched him fly off again to who knows where. She sighed, he always left whenever he didn't get the conversation the way he wanted it to.
She wanted to see if she could get to the bottom of what happened with Qrow and also to see what he had been doing since Yang had started training with Ozpin and had gotten less training with her.
Fine, maybe she can't interfere with what's happening between Yang and Kron, but at least she can figure out what he's been doing.
She decided to explore a bit, clearly, he was doing more than just killing Grimm, he looked bored while he was disposing of them.
So she'll figure out what he's been doing, she needed to, in order to put her mind at ease. It can't be anything bad.
She kept thinking of how Adam pointed out how similar he and Kron were and wanted to refuse it.
To do that she'll have to looked at her scroll and all the locations Kron has been from the tracker he has. He's usually in the same area, there should be a village a few miles from here.
Maybe they know something and give her peace of mind. She had faith in Kron why wouldn't she?
Vale Prison
Ozpin took a breath while walking towards the room he had placed both Qrow and Taiyang.
He walked inside and looked at the duo.
Both glared at him angrily behind iron bars that any huntsman can break out of if only they didn't have the Aura restraints.
"Déjà vu" Qrow said sarcastically. "First Raven holds us prisoner and now you of all people." He chuckled trying to find some humor in their situation. "Now I imagine if we break out, we'll be in Jimmy's cell next."
Ozpin was hurt by that but kept a stoic expression, it was hard to look either of them in the eye.
"I am sorry about this if I had the power it wouldn't have to have resorted to this." Ozpin said sadly.
Taiyang grit his teeth and pulled the bars angry that he couldn't access his true strength.
"Ozpin" He said to him. "You, what you've done is cross the line, we were loyal to you, we trusted you." He backed away and put a hand on his face. "I told Raven I trusted you more than her."
That offer she made sounded better and better.
The headmaster was hurt hearing that and inquired. "Are you saying you would have joined her had you known what I've been doing?"
Taiyang shook his head and glared at him.
"I would have told her that the Scourge had Yang and she would have agreed to help us." He said with no doubt in his voice.
Ozpin can tell that he meant, and he didn't harbor any ill will towards it. "Yes, that is what I imagine you would do, and I wouldn't fault you for it either." He knew all too well the pain of losing a child.
"I still can't believe this." Qrow said shaking his head. "After everything, I stayed with you, I took your orders, told Jimmy that you knew what you were doing, always told Raven that you weren't what she thought you were." He sighed with his face in his palms.
Ozpin was saddened hearing all of this, Qrow was one of the most loyal and faithful subordinates he ever had. And he rewarded him through lies and deceit.
Qrow stopped and eyed him as if something had don on him. "Wait a minute, Jimmy" He looked panicking. "Does he know?"
The Headmaster sighed and shook his head.
"Fuck" The drunkard put a hand to his face. "Seriously? You know what's going to happen right?"
Taiyang also looked disappointed at Ozpin and shook his head. "You know James is going to respond in the worse way when he hears of this right?"
Ozpin didn't dispute that, he always told James the importance of trust, even though he of all people had no right lecturing about that with the mountain of lies he's buried in.
"And telling him would lead to a worse outcome." He pointed out. "James is dedicated, loyal, and driven to ensure the good of mankind." He explained. "This drive can lead to some of the worse decisions, such as what happened to his body." He pointed out his cybernetics.
The headmaster remembered telling him that battle was a lost cause, but he continued anyway and it accomplished nothing except for permanent damage.
"While James had matured and risen to the rank of general, as I thought he would, he still carries that drive, and it may become his downfall one day." He said to him. "Qrow, had I told him about Kron being here, what do you think would happen?"
The reaper thought of that and wanted to say that things would've been alright. But he knew that Ozpin had a point.
"If you had taken the time to explain it to him, I'm sure he would've come around."
Ozpin kept his calm demeanor and asked. "Do you know what he did when he first heard of the Scourge of Anima?" He asked. "Before Kron had even entered Atlas's borders, he had murdered the previous Winter Maiden without telling me a thing, what are the chances he would have reacted similarly when he realized that the Scourge was here, doing as he pleased?"
Both Qrow and Taiyang tried to wrack their brains for anything that can prove that James wouldn't have reacted in any way that didn't need to be done. But they knew the man and why Ozpin didn't always go to him to solve a problem.
"James would have sent his army, with the permission of the Council and had tried any means to apprehend or kill Kron while the deal was taking place." Ozpin explained. "And if that happened, the deal wouldn't have been as beneficial as it is now, he kept his word and saved Beacon, saved Vale from a plan Salem's agents were going to use during the Vytal Festival." He said to them."
"And we wouldn't have learned the source of his abilities, which we will need in the future, I think you know that we cannot rely on the Void Vault and have the students or even huntsmen suffer in there, this power, Ki is a far better alternative."
Both were silent for a few moments as if understanding Ozpin's view but neither were entirely convinced, that was a given.
"You still sent us on a mission to recruit her and never told us that the one thing we were afraid of going after my daughter was here with her." Taiyang sighed. "Ozpin, I understand why you did what you did, but this, this was too much, I don't think I can trust you."
Ozpin did not blame him and glanced at Qrow who was silent, but he displayed that he felt the same way.
It will be a long time before will be able to take any order he gives.
"I understand but you should know one other thing we gained with this." He said to them and held up his hand. With focus a green orb of energy floated out of his hand, glowing bright in the room.
Both huntsmen looked at the ball of light in his hand.
"Salem is gaining power by the day, there will come a day when she has an army of Grimm, Soul Dust users and more even I do not know." He explained. "When that happens, we may not just need Kron on our side, we will need to have our own army ready to fight back." He explained.
The green ball in his hand dissipated.
"So, he even taught you?" Qrow asked remembering Yang shot light out of her hand to.
"No" The headmaster admitted. "Kron does not yet know I have this power yet."
"Why am I not surprised?"
Ozpin thought of Kron and the course of their deal. Though he had no intentions of betraying him he had kept this secret from him. Originally, he did this behind his back because he did not know how he would react to learning Ki himself without his knowledge.
Still, he had learned quite a bit about Kron and knows that he can be reasoned with at this point. Though perhaps he should be open about it now before he figures it out himself, especially given that it had been shown that he was hiding something.
"Yang only has a little over a month before Kron's deadline, when you are ready you can begin training her, she'll need it." He said to them and bowed. "I am sorry for everything."
With that Ozpin left leaving them behind.
Both Taiyang and Qrow still looked angry but with their Aura suppressed, with the Void Vault being limited they had some understanding to Ozpin's actions.
The brawler looked to Qrow. "What now?"
Qrow thought of Ozpin's offer to train Yang, he thought of taking advantage of it and just running off with her and Yang. But given how stubborn she is about finishing this deal to the end and how the Scourge is with her it seemed impossible.
"I don't know." He said in a defeated tone.
One thing was for certain, whatever his intentions Raven was right that Ozpin was not to be trusted.
Emerald Forest
As Ozpin left the subordinates, he betrayed to think of what he had said he took his mug and pulled out his own flask.
He poured it in and mixed its contents. Funny he spent lifetimes conquering this habit only for it to come back.
At the end of the day, he was still only human.
He took a long sip before stepping out into another corner of the Emerald Forest where he was sure that Kron was not anywhere nearby.
Once he made it to the training area, he sees exactly what he wanted.
A girl in bronze army with a long red ponytail floating off the ground.
She smiled as she spun around, she floated up to the trees before descending before Ozpin.
"Headmaster!" She landed in front of Ozpin and smiled happily. "I've done it, I've been able to fly successfully for a while now." She said to him.
"I see." Ozpin said proudly this girl was exceling quickly with Ki perhaps not as quickly as Yang had but she had been able to understand what he had learned to and is continuing to learn.
"Now that you have learned flight." Ozpin himself started levitating off the ground and above Pyrrha, he did it with no effort. After all, in his prime he was able to fly with magic this was no different. "Let us see how you can fight in the air." He said to her as he gestured with his cane.
Pyrrha floated upward and smiled as she pulled out her spear and shield ready for combat.
Ozpin knew that what he's been doing was wrong, but at the end of the day, everything he does is to benefit humanity.
Pyrrha dashed towards her and tried to swing her spear only for Ozpin to block with his cane.
He only hoped that he's been making the right choices.
Time went on.
As Yang had wished Kron had left her alone to train to her hearts content without any involvement himself. At first, he wasn't sure if he should hope that she performs the training right. But for whatever reason he wanted to respect her wishes.
Yang had been doing the drills Kron had shown her to increase her proficiency with Ki, firing Ki shots at targets, flying over the trees of the Emerald Forest.
And sparring against her team as well as Ozpin to sharpen her reflexes.
She even started fighting nevermore in the air to get used to aerial combat which she had to admit was fun to do.
And of course, the most fun for her is fighting to keep her title as Champion of Dead-End Arena.
All with the absence of Kron, nowhere to be seen.
Days came by, and even weeks until finally the third of their deal had arrived.
Yang had been sweating all over from her own personal training, she had been pushing herself to the limit like never before.
As she breathed in and out, she heard a sound. She turned to see someone she didn't want to see.
Kron stood there with his arms crossed.
"Yang" He greeted as if nothing was wrong.
"What is it?" Yang asked. "Is this important?" She still didn't want to see him until the end of the deal.
Kron wasn't surprised by the greeting but like any Saiyan he hid his emotions well. "It's the third month, you have one more left until our deadline."
Yang didn't flinch when he said that. "I know that already, I haven't forgotten."
She had no fear in saying that showing that she wasn't afraid of their upcoming battle.
Good, she hasn't lost her edge or the rage in her eyes.
And bore a serious face in his presence instead of a smile as if she was happy to see him.
Kron twitched a bit thinking that but hardened his expression.
"Fine, now come here." He said to her.
"What?" Yang demanded.
"You know the deal, hit me, let's see your progress now." He said his typical test to find out Yang's limits.
Yang walked to him and looked at him. Before throwing a powerful punch infused with both Ki and Aura.
Last time she did it, the strike was barely able to move his head.
This time it was strong enough to force the Saiyan to stumble back a bit. And he had a surprise look on his face as he stopped.
"Interesting, that strike, actually hurt a little." He said to her wiping his cheek and looking at it. He frowned. "Damn it, still though, no blood." He was really hoping she'd be strong enough to make him bleed this time.
Yang gritted her teeth her father had told her that this deal of his was rigged and she wasn't going to surpass him in this time frame. Was he right? Was he just giving her false hope?
Not like it mattered.
"Still, good" Kron said to her. "You got a Ki technique ready?"
Yang was silent for a few seconds, she felt excited when he mentioned that and fought the urge to smile. "I do actually."
"Really?" He asked surprised to hear that and positively so. "Show me."
"I can't" Yang replied. "I've used up my Ki and I'm about to start training with Ozpin."
Kron can tell that she also wanted him to get lost, fine, if it was what she wanted. He walked away and started to levitate.
As he did Yang frowned and had a saddened look. "Wait"
Kron stopped flighting and turned to her.
"Kron" She began. "I want to ask, my uncle, why did you try to kill him?"
The Saiyan descended and looked at her.
"Why does that matter? Didn't Qrow tell you?"
She shook when he said that and responded. "He did. But I want to hear it from you, my uncle said that you thought he activated his Semblance on purpose, but I want to hear it from you, what made you think he was trying to trick you?"
Kron thought of that and sighed.
"The day Raven fooled me, I thought that there was no way I could be tricked by someone like her again." He explained. "That she nor any Branwen can get away with manipulating me again, her trick made me do something I regret."
He remembered the Menagerie incident which he hated with all his heart.
"I thought that after I had been tricked by Raven, that her brother tried to do the same." He said to her. "The Branwen Tribe like to pretend their warriors that believe in survival of the fittest, but really their just weaklings that will pull any dirty trick to win, to get what they want, and I thought Qrow was no different after he made a deal with me, only seconds later for him to activate his Semblance to try to take me out and think he had nothing to do with it."
He did deduce that his Semblance, but he did not understand that his Semblance is always active, at least at the time. Clearly whatever Ozpin did has at least provided him with an off switch.
Yang shook her head. "That could've been just bad luck. You could've just refused his offer."
Kron thought back to that day and nodded. "I know, and I am sorry Yang."
The blonde can tell he was being sincere but still she felt anger in her heart preventing her from forgiving him, she felt like she was fooled.
"Kron, I thought you and I were becoming good friends, but you hid this from me, were you ever going to tell me about this?" She asked. "I felt like you were tricking me."
That angered Kron but not at her, at himself for not being forefront about it. He hated trickery and it felt like he performed it himself.
"I wasn't, I didn't think to tell you." He said to her. "I thought I'd tell you if you ever needed motivation to train, but since you didn't it never crossed my mind, you and I were supposed to be opponents nothing more, I didn't expect it to turn out like this."
Especially not with Raven's daughter of all people, who would've thought that.
Yang looked away and agreed with him. This, whatever it is was so strange how it started. It shouldn't have come to this anyway.
"Well Kron, I just, let's just continue your game, we'll get to the end and then" She thought of her mother. "Go our separate ways."
The Saiyan kept his façade and nodded as he turned.
"And Kron" Yang brought up, he didn't turn around, but she continued. "I get why you did it, but I don't know if I'll be able to accept what you did."
Kron didn't respond and flew off he closed his eyes again mentally exhausted from all this mess.
No matter, he can tell she hates her, and it will make her get stronger which will lead to a greater fight.
That's all that matters.
Still, he couldn't help but feel like he did the day he found out Kali was incident that he had lost something.
He hardened his expression, he needed to kill some Grimm, maybe find some slavers on the way.
As Kron flew off Yang watched him go, she sighed and squeezed her fists.
Train, she needed to keep training, she was still angry at Kron but at the same time she felt a twinge of sadness at what happened.
She wished that she could say they'll still be friends, but she wasn't sure.
Whatever the case she was down to one month, one month to surpass him and she was going to make the most of it.
Anima
Penny had been getting acquainted with her prisoners for some time now, it was a slow progress, but it had to be since they were here without permission from Anima's council.
She had to spend weeks here confirming information from Vernal and promising to take her and her tribe away from Anima in exchange for everything they know of the Scourge.
"Sepia" She said speaking to her comms with her partner. "I have all the Branwen Tribe ready for transport, how has getting the boat ready coming along?"
"It will be ready for us to head to Sanus."
"Excellent, I will report once all the prisoners are on board and appropriately restrained." She said to her.
"Copy that, let me know if they try anything."
"Will do, see you in a few hours." She said as she cut off her communications.
All that was left was waiting for their transport to arrive which took weeks to approve.
"Alright, thank you for all your contributions." Penny said smiling. "As we agreed you will be sent to Atlas where you will be safe." She said to Vernal and her tribesmen.
Vernal scoffed hearing that wanting to get rid of this happy go lucky monster, but she and her men knew better after shooting her several times with bullets and Dust.
This was the plan though her men weren't happy about it. Turns out Ironwood is desperate for any information regarding Kron, she gave some info they can use now, she'll give the rest once she and her tribe are taken to safety.
She doesn't trust the Atlesian Government, but their better than dealing with Raven. She'd rather do hard time then have to deal with her especially if she knows what she told Kron. Once this was over she was going to reorganize the Branwen Tribe and give it a new name. She'll make it better than Raven ever could have.
An Atlesian Airship arrived and opened.
"Perfect" Penny said smiling and looked to the Branwen Tribe with smile. "Please enter the transport, we are on your way to Atlas." She said with a smile like they were all going to an amusement park which grated the prisonor's nerves.
Though the tribesman were all distraught that they seemed to be captured, the one who was elated seemed to be Vernal, she felt like she truly escaped dea-
Just then the transport was struck by lightning from the sky, it caused an explosion that pushed the tribe back.
Penny remained standing unbothered from the impact, she looked at the source of who struck the airship.
The tribesmen all looked up and seemed terrified.
One fell on their knees and hit the ground, shaking as if preying, but not to god, to who came to see them.
Vernal slowly looked up, her eyes widened.
Standing over a ledge looking down at the Branwen Tribe with a blank expression on her face was a black-haired woman with red eyes.
Raven glared down at Vernal paying no mind to Penny whatsoever who seemed the most terrified.
"Vernal, it's so good to see you again."
As Kron adjusts to his newest rift with Yang.
Raven has finally found Vernal! Will Penny be able to stop her from taking her former student?
And what has Vernal told Penny of Kron?
Find out next time on One's Own Path!
Well not much to say guys except where close. So after way too many chapters lol, we finally are at the third month. Which is going to go by quicker than the others and we will reach the climax of our arc.
Of course because I'm not the best at pacing I do not know how many chapters it will be just know this, I will do my best to make it worh the wait.
Hope u guys enjoyed the chapter.
Review Responces
The last Wither: Yes to the Ozaru form though not sure when to add ikari, I'm still working out when to give it to him.
AlejandroDiaz: I definitely do have something like that in the works at some point, we will use gravity Dust thank u for the suggestion and I really hope your enjoying the story so far. Also thank u for going out of your way to translate your reviews for me as I do not speak spanish.
nodozelol: K. Thank u for giving my story a try.
Playboyk: Can't plz everybody. If u want an evil Kron go to One's Many Paths and vote for any evil options u see.
ThatSaiyaguy: Glad I was able to suprise you, yeah Kron's attempt to kill Qrow was going to come up sooner or later. It's kinda hard to tell how long Yang will hold this because Kron doesn't really have a good excuse why he did it, but it might be understandible.
She does understand Kron pretty well given how they had grown a bond that neither had expected, stop resenting over it will happen, forgiving will take time. Qrow and Taiyang as they are will never work for Kron, well she did clear up the misunderstanding last chapter lol. Hopefully it's been cleared up.
I debated wheather or not Ozpin would tell Qrow and Taiyang since their the most concerning party but after discussing with a friend we both agreed that Ozpin would keep it secret in order to learn a bit about Ki especially when Salem is creating Soul Dust and monsters like Eclipse, they can't just rely on the Void Vault as it does have quite a bit of drawbacks and they can't just put every huntsmen to use it.
Yeah, depending on the secret it can be detrimental if you want to unite and rise againts a powerful enemy. And right now neither Ozpin or Ironwood have learned that lesson.
Glad u enjoyed the fight had a lot of fun figuring out how Qrow and Tai can work together.
Yeah the thing about the Void Vault though it does have risks, at least it provides training to, while Soul Dust are just steroids, a messed up form of it. Kron definitely thinks something is up with Ozpin since he reacted quicker than he should have been able to againts Taiyang before he struck, so he knows somethings up. But he sort of trusts Ozpin because though he lied, Ozpin had a chance to kill him and didn't take it so it makes him doubt that he has anything bad coming to Kron and he's right. Also he's too bummed about Yang to concern himself with that.
Yeah I haven't done too much with JNPR, there is going to be a point with Pyrrha and I'll try to include JNPR before the hiatus I think I just got too much on my plate with this arc lol, a lot of storylines to wrap up.
And also, u got your wish lol.
Bashleyz: Thank u
Keybladelight: So Kron isn't at his Cave home he's at the house Garnet lended to him to stay in Vale. As for Ice Queendom I would like to that arc someday but there's simply not enough time to do that at this arc. Don't worry though I will do it at some point. As for your hopes lol, we'll see it's gonna be awhile though before it's time for transformations.
Abyss Emperor: It has been established that the Void Vault does force you to be more volatile and amplifies your weaknesses, so yeah, good job cacthig that btw.
Lelouch of Zero: Thank u I'm really happy to hear that. Taiyang is a master martial artist while Kron though skilled is still a flawed fighter. Yeah it's gonna take some time but don't worry, they'll get through this.
Your welcome! Thank u for reading!
Ruenion: Yeah hopefully they fix it. Thank you.
I will have the Ki girls fight I just don't think I can make it happen in this arc, don't worry though they will fight I promise.
Guest:Good guess, but not queit Blake is a bit pissed at Ozpin for how he handled everything but she's more concerened with Kron losing something he gained like what happened in Menagariea and what Yang is going through to.
halo 69: Yeah poor bastard
KenSanders: Don't be sorry I agree with u if it makes u feel any better. I PM'd u my thoughts if u want to read it, I hope that even if the previous chapter triggered u that u still enjoyed it, same for this one.
Alright guys, hope u enjoyed the chapter thank u for reading and I'll see u in the next.
Have an awesome day! :)