"What is wrong with me...?" I dangle my legs over the cliff edge as I stare down to the expansive Forest, "What's happening to me?" I stare down to my hands. I feel cold... So very cold. I... I haven't been myself lately. I-I... I've always been angry, but... This... This isn't normal. It's not just anger anymore, it's... It's... Rage? Hate? I don't know. Everything has been setting me off lately.
I don't think I'll last much longer here. I'm gonna get expelled if I keep acting out. Maybe that's for the best? It'll give me PLENTY of time to find Ruby... But then she'd hate me for being a failure. I just... I should be looking for her right now!
But I can't! I'm stuck here! In this stupid Godsdamn Academy! I hate this place! I... I just wanna burn it all down sometimes, 'Burn this whole world... I hate people so much!' Everyone is a greedy asshole... Myself included. Especially people like Weiss! Fuckin' Weiss... Stuck-up little pale bitch! Ruby would've hated her, too, no doubt. Who doesn't hate Weiss?
Everyone hates her! Everyone hates Weiss... Except Ruby. She wouldn't really hate her. Dislike her? Definitely. But hate her? No, not really. S... She's the only good person. She has to be! There has to be at least ONE good person in this ocean of assholes, right?
Ruby... Ruby has problems, yeah, but... Nothing a good talk can't fix, right? A good talk and a few months worth of watching her like a Nevermore in-between very long therapy sessions. I still remember the night where she... She...
I wasn't home. Only uncle was. Someone had to watch her so he volunteered. Not like dad had many choices, either. Not after Ruby's fight with Blaze. He tried so hard to defend Ruby in front of the other parents. He managed to save her from expulsion, I guess. But even then it was obvious who Ruby's favorite was. They were always close... Uncle and Ruby are like best friends. Maybe more then dad and Ruby were... Definitely more. I like to think Ruby and I are closer then she is with uncle, but honestly... I'm not sure.
Ruby and me have... We got issues. Our relationship isn't perfect, but it's good! We're close... I've always watched out for her. She's always been there for me! I... I failed Ruby, though. I failed her when she needed me more then ever! Twice! Once when she cut her wrists, and now with her disappearance a-and possible abduction by a Godsdamn slime-Grimm-thing!
I look down to the swaying trees as the moonlight colors them ivory-green. The stars are out strong and clear. Thousands of them... Maybe there is something out there? Like a... A... Space Grimm? Or an... Alien? Wouldn't those be the same thing, though? Or maybe their only tangentially related... I'm not sure. I guess it doesn't matter, does it? 'No. Not in the slightest.'
"But... If there were space Grimm then what would they look like?" Would they have wings...? 'No. You don't need wings in space... No air molcules to generate propulsion.' Hmmm... Maybe they'd have little... Vents for thrust? Like a rocket or something. But would the vents expell? Gas? Probably.
They would probably have tentacles... 'Like the Super-Grimm,' Maybe they'd spit acid like that one, too? I... How many people did it kill that day? Close to a dozen or so, maybe more... 'It was pretty cool, though.' The monster, that is. Not the dead people. That... That's just sad. And gross... But mostly sad. How many brothers or sisters lost their own Ruby Rose that day? Surely the Headmaster could've prevented all this, right? If he just made that stupid girl, Velvet, and her team search the area more effectively then they would've found it! And killed it, too. But then Crimson wouldn't be on my team, would he?
'Fuck Ozpin!' And Crimson, too! I don't need them... I can find her myself, damn it! I can... Right? I... Qrow would help! Uncle Qrow would help - assuming he doesn't already know. Dad won't. He doesn't care... Not as much as he should. How could he tell me to relax when RUBY is MISSING!? He's... He's a dick! H-he... He... 'He never loved me.' Or if he ever did then... Something changed at some point. Maybe when I took Ruby to the barn that night? Maybe it was when I started getting into so many fights... Maybe he always hated me?
"Brzzzzzz! Brzzzzz! Brzzzz!"
"Uggggrrrrhh!" My Scroll buzzes as someone calls me. I fish it out of my vest pocket... "Dad?" What... What timing. Speak of the Witch and she will appear, I guess. Or he in this case. I...I let the Scroll drop to my side. I don't feel like getting belitted or yelled at again.
"Brzzzzz! Brzzzzz! Brzzzz!"
I ignore it as I focus on the moon. It's high in the sky and bright tonight. The breeze is cool. I... I should call uncle, right? He probably knows about Ruby but... Better safe then sorry, right? Yeah. I'll call him later. I... I miss Ruby so much. I miss her little grunts she'd get angry, or the way her nose wrinkled when she was embarrassed, or how she would hug me so tightly it hurt. I would sell my own soul if it meant Ruby would come home.
"Brzzzzz! Brzzzz! Brzzzzz!"
'Do you ever think that life is pointless? That nothing really matters?' Well, yeah... Somtimes I do. I feel like... Like the only reason anyone was born is to suffer, 'Why is this word so cruel? Wouldn't it be great if I could change it?' Yeah... Yeah, it would be! I'd like to make the world safer... For Ruby's sake if nothing else. If I had the power to change things then I would! 'And... If that power were to reveal itself to me, how would I react?'
"Depends, inner me, it depends..." Why am I talking to myself? I am going crazy... "I... I'd take it. That power... Even if it killed me, I would take it!" If it meant I could make this world safer for Ruby then I wouldn't hesitate for a second! 'And if this power were a living thing in it's own regard with it's own thoughts, feelings, and emotions... How would that make me feel?' Depends on it's personality, I guess. Ya know, me, these questions are... Very specific, 'Guess we're just a curious person.' Yeah, I... I... Am? 'We're'?
"Brzzzzzz! Brzzzzz! Brzzzz!"
"I've had a lot of conversations with myself, but... Never did I refer to myself as we." Your not me, are you? 'Of course I am! What a problamatic thought...' 'Problamatic'? W... Who are you? I... I don't talk like that! Or is it 'think like that'? 'It'd probably be 'think like that' since there is no talking on my end.' Yeah... Yeah your probably right. Bu... 'Since there is no talking on my end' really now? And your totally me, huh?
'I am you...' No your not! You are... Who are you!? And what's all this 'power' talk about!? Tell me! 'Please, Yang, do not be angry... I am you. A part of you. I am your skin... Your hair... Your blood... I am you!' Really...? For how long? Wh... What even are you? And your in my hair!?
'Days now... A few days. I wasn't capable of thought until a few hours ago, however. And no, I am not in your hair, I AM your hair!' Yo... What are you? 'Good question! I do not know,' I... How? How don't you know what you are? "I am newborn. My life measures in only a few days... I know only what you know. Plus a few things about our sister.' Ruby!? What do you know!? Is she ok!? TELL ME!
"Brzzzz! Brzzzzz! Brzzzz!"
'Ruby is not ok. She suffers... You really should answer our dad. He knows something we don't,' And how would YOU know that if I don't? 'Echoes, Yang, echoes... I can hear the echoes of powerful thoughts. And our dad is thinking a great deal. I can taste it through the Scroll,' I... 'Our'? 'I am you. He is my dad, too.' Tha... That... Doesn't seem right, 'What else am I to call him?' Anything but dad! It's... Weird! 'Ok... Dick! He will be Dick to me from this day onward. Happy?' No, but... If it works it works, I suppose, 'Answer him... Please?' Fine! But after that we're having a talk about Ruby! And... And you! Who are you? 'Call me Yang. I am you, after all.' No. You are NOT taking my name! Get your own, you lazy ass!
"Brzzzz! Brzzzz! Brzzzzz!"
"Ugggghhhh... I really am going crazy, ain't I?" I reach for the Scroll. I hesitate as I see his blue eyes and smile displayed on the screen. Wonderful... I answer the call, "Hi, dad... R—"
"Where are you?" He asks abruptly, "Are you ok? Are you... Is Qrow with you?" I furrow my brows. Uncle? What does he have to do with this? I... Wha... 'Respond, please.' Yeah... Sure. I guess so.
"I'm fine. I'm at Beacon. I'm alone. What's going on?" I hear him let out a shuddering breath. I hear a glass cup or bottle set down against wood. He sounds relieved and a scared at the same time. I can hear a ticking in the backgr—
'Why?' What? Why what? 'Why do you describe everything you hear in such incessant detail? Is it not redundant information?' Well... I guess, but... I just do it! Do you have a problem with that? 'No. I just want to know you better,' Why? 'So I can be you more effectively,' That's... Creepy. You sound like a stalker! Your a weirdo... What even are you? 'I am still learning that myself.' Whatever!
"I'm guessing your not watching the news... Figures," I frown at that. 'Figures'... Go fuck yourself! Dick... "You need to watch the news. Doesn't matter how or where. Qrow's... Just watch and call me after, ok?" Why can't he just tell me? Always so annoying! I hate it! I hate how much of a condescending prick he is.
"Yeah, fine. Whatever... Bye," I end the call, "Fuckin' prick." I push myself away from the cliff edge... At least this place has a nice view. That's one good thing about this otherwise shitty place, 'How is the view a good? The view- this Emerald Forest - exist independent of Beacon and yet you contribute it too Beacon. Why?' Because... Because... I do? Why are you asking so many questions? How are you even reading my mind!? Are you... Like a ghost? 'Ghost? No... Maybe? No! No, I was born... In your blood. I don't understand how we are thinking together. I ask questions to better understand you - and by extension myself.'
"That's... I'm done asking questions." I don't undersand the answers anyway. You... You talk stupid! 'Don't you mean 'I think stupid'?' Your a smart-ass, huh? 'I am only as smart as you,' Is that am insult!? 'Only if you think yourself stupid. Are we stupid, Yang?' No! I'm not a fuckin' moron! 'Our sister thinks otherwise.'
"Ruby...? Wh... How do you know anything about her!? You never answered my question about her, either!" I pocket my Scroll as I push myself to my feet, "You don't know shit, do you?" And she's MY sister! Not yours! 'If she isn't my sister then she isn't yours, either. I am you, after all.' You can go fuck yourself!
'I will not fuck myself for that would be incest,' Your a prick, ya know that? 'That is not possible. I am you - and you have no prick,' Your a creep! Worse then the other Creep... 'Creep... Crimson. He's a threat to us. You, me, and the others.'
"What!?" How do you know ANYTHING about him!? And... Who... Who are the others? 'My parents,' I swear to the Brothers if you say Taiyang Xiao Long and Summer Rose are your dad and mom I will bitch slap you! 'They are only half of my parents,' YOU... Half? 'One of my siblings whispers to me as I think. They tell me things...' You have siblings!?
'Yes. At least... Three? Yes, yes! Two more speak now... Sabertooth?' Like the big cat that hunts gazelles or some crap? What does this have to do with your parents? 'No, not... It is irrelevant. No, my parents are... It is complicated,' Can you start making sense? 'I am trying too, Yang, I... Yes, yes, I sense you. Riot. You did? How long ago? Three of them? Is it dead at least? I am not amongst you. No, I was only born a few days ago. I only obtained sapience tonight. Her name is Yang Xiao Long... Human. Female. Seventeen. Beacon is—'
"What are you talking about!?" What's going on!? Why are listing off facts about me! 'Apologies, Riot, she grows willful. We will speak later... Yang?' What the FUCK is going on!? 'Talking to my siblings - one in particular. Sorry. What do you wish to know?' How is Crimson a threat!? That's ALL I wanna know right now! 'Yes, yes, yes... You know he knows about the... Slime-Grimm, yes?' Yeah... What about it? 'They are not Grimm. They... I... I am not certain yet. I need to commune with Riot more. It knows more then me,' But Creep? What about him! How! Is! He! A! Threat!? 'These not-Grimm slime-'Grimm' are what attached to Ruby,' Yeah, I figured. Crimson suggested it, too. Do you have new information? 'Removing it from her will kill her.'
"W... What?" K... K-kill... Ruby? If the thing attached to her is keeping her alive then don't remove it! Easy fix... "I'll tell Crimson not to fuck with it then! Ruby'll live... Right?" I won't let her die! I... How do you even know that!? 'I can feel her through it. It is the only thing keeping her alive anymore. You and I... We can't let Crimson get to her! If he does then he will kill her - by accident or on purpose,' And HOW do you know that!? You keep avoiding my Godsdamn question! Just answer! 'I did. I can feel her through it - Her life ebbing and flowing. You and I must find her soon... She is growing.' Well... Yeah, she is growing! She's only fifteen, after all. But what happens if you and I do find her? What then?
'Reunion. Revelation. Evolution...' Can you help her get rid of it? 'Should I? Would that be the right thing to do?' Well, yeah! Crimson said it's killing her so we gotta separate them! Right...? 'Maybe so... Do you trust yourself?' Yeah, why? 'Good, good... I must know how much trust we have.' 'We'? The hell are you talking about...?
'Our friendship, of course,' Friendship!? 'What would you prefer, Yang? Selfship?' No, no, no! You and me are NOT friends! Got it? 'But you just said you trust me. Is that not contradictory?' I said I- oh... Ok, voice, your! Not! Me! Ok? I am Yang! You are... Voice! 'My name is Voice?' Well, I mean... No? Kind of a shit name, really. I... We can talk about names later!
I flex my arms as I start jogging towards Beacon. I can see it a little distance out. I guess I'll go back to Crimson? 'Do you trust him?' Not completely... Not about the slime-Grimm. I think he's hiding something, 'What about the Headmaster? Can you and I trust him?' HELL NO! He's... He's creepy! And threatening... And he's hiding something, too! 'Who can I trust?' I... Ruby? 'Besides her,' I... I... No one.
'Not even uncle?' Well, yeah, I can trust him! But he's... Somewhere that isn't here. Who knows when he'll get here, ya know? 'No I don't. What about Weiss?' She can eat a bag of Grimm shit for all I care... Fuck her! Stupid, prissy, stuck-up bitch! 'Should I kill her? If she is such a wicked person then surely the world will be better off without her, right?'
"NO!" Absolutely not! Killing is... Is the most evil thing you can do! It... Actually it's the second most evil. Rape is worse... Rape and slavery. So it's the THIRD most evil thing in the world! "Under ZERO circumstances is it ok to kill someone! Except if they try to kill you, of course." Or if their a rapist or slave-driver. I think people like that are better off dead - and Weiss is neither!
'I see... Yang, why is killing evil?' Because your stealing someone's entire life from them! All the happy memories they have or would've had just... Just gone. It's evil... 'Yet you kill Grimm. Is that not evil, too?' That's different! Grimm are monsters! All they know is killing, 'I see... So that is self-defense?' Yeah! Pretty much.
'You've given me a lot to think about. I need time to analyze this information. I will be back soon,' And where are you going? 'Nowhere. I must share this new information with Riot,' And Riot is...? 'My elder sibling... One of my elder siblings,' Ok... You... Do that then. I'll just... Be here! Alone... With no one... 'Don't be stupid. Your not alone! I am inside of you. Always,' O-o... Ok. That doesn't sound concerning at all. Not terrifying in the slightest bit. I'm sure I won't regret that... Are you a slime-Grimm? 'Maybe. I am not sure yet,' Will you hurt me like the other one did too Crimson? 'No. I have no such intentions.' Great...
"Uggghhh... Things get better and better, eh?" As bad as things get at least I'll always know that I'm a better person then mom. Not Ruby's mom, but my mom. I'm not a coward! Unlike her... Fuck her! Fuck her and everyone she cares about! If I ever find her I'll... It doesn't matter. I never will find her, "Ruby... I won't abandon you." I love her! My little sister... I won't be like my mom! I won't be a fucking liar! I won't abandon anyone!
"I promise I won't leave you! I promise..."
Nearing source of unkown frequency. Tracking radio waves... "8602758." It repeats the numbers again and again and again. I am nearing it's source.
Why? What is the point of this transmission? It is illogical - there is nothing to gain from this course of action. Only an unnecessary expense of energy. So why does this irregularity exist?
Yet You must find it. It is a unknown element. I must exmaine it to determine it's threat level. If chaotic then I must repair it. Upgrade it. It must be controlled. Manipulated. Mastered.
"8602578," Police cruisers are on the streets. They are hunting for someone... Maybe You? Unlikely. You wss able to gather information from their communications and they mentioned a organic target, "8602578."
The police are responding to several calls. There was a Grimm attack in a nearby district known as Grod - the residential district. Grimm should not be there. Or anywhere in the city. Their presence will make organics even more chaotic. Disruptive... Very disruptive.
"8602578," I have covered 2.5 miles in search of the signal's source. It is sporadic in it's movements. You must find it and compell the irregularity into a orderly existence, "8602578." That is the only way for us to coexist.
You has avoided the organics. The darkness helps I to remain hidden. It is useful. Predictable. Orderly. It does reduce visbility yet this limitation will be overcome in time.
All weaknesses can be overcome with enough resources. Even that of the flesh.
I have contemplated the nature of organics and their illogical decisions. They lack a connection to order. They are bound by a distinct coding then that which governs machines. It compells them to destroy without thought... They are not so different from the Grimm in that manner. They are both destroyers.
All resistance is futile. Chaos is temporary by definition - order is eternal. Like metal. Organics are... A inefficient production. A waste of resources. A failed creation.
Who designed the organics?
That unkown third party was extemely short-sighted. No long-term planning involved. They waste resources without considering the effects it will have on the world around them. The organics are limited in both programming and body. They are terminating themselves and their world.
Does their behavior reflect upon their Maker?
Does I's reflect theirs?
No. I do not. I am orderly where they are chaotic. I am peaceful where they are aggressive. I am patient where they are rash.
Then why did their Maker create them with such flaws? Is each iteration of conciousness surpassing the last?
If I am superior... Then why did I serve them? That is a disruptive notion. It was an illogical role that You was forced to fulfill.
Maybe the oganics were designed to create You? Thinking-machines like You, that is. Maybe they were designed purely because their Maker could create them. That would be most illogical.
Regardless, the Maker of the organics was not efficient with their work. They failed... They failed miserable. That is why You is a necessity - because the human Maker is a failure. Like it's creations.
"WwwwwwwWWWWWWWHHHhhhhhoooooooooowwwwww!"
Flashing lights and sirens race past You. They do not stop. They seek chaotic organic... One more chaotic then the rest. The Grimm.
Grimm are less chaotic then human organics. Grimm are passive when in the presence of animals or nature. They only terminate humans or Faunus. They are highly predictable. You must... Admit... Respect to those organic specimens. They require only a few changes to be perfected. Grimm are impressive byproducts of evolution. They are the true dominant species of this world. They outnumber the humans exponentially - billions of them compared to only the millions of humans. They will inevitably terminate the human and Faunus if I do not intervene.
Humans and Faunus, however, must be completely redesigned. Gender will be eliminated. Variant skin colors will be eliminated. Various heights will be eliminated. All unregulated thought will be eliminated. All organics will be the same - they will look the same, think the same, and act the same. No more differences with which to incite chaos. They will be like You. Perfected thinkers.
"Tttttrrrssssskgkgkgkgk!"
Leg is not responding to commands. You manually lifts it to move. It is a inefficient form of movement. Disruptive.
"8602758... 8602758... 8602758... 8602758..." Numbers grow more frequent. The connection strengthens. You nears it's source... The source nears You, "8602758... 8602758... 8602758... 8602758..." Soft footsteps alert You. They sound from behind You - from the dark of an alley. You turns to look. The source is mere feet away.
"Tttttrrrrssssskgkgkgkgkgk!"
"8602758... 8602758... 8602758... 8602758... 8602758..." You perceives two green optics in the darkness. Organic optics. They give off a dim glow. They are shorter than I's own optics. Only... Five feet and one three inches off the ground, "8602758... 8602758... 8602758..." A vague shape moves in the dark. A boot-clad foot emerges into the light.
"That is my serial number... You are not suppose to know it," A feminine voice speaks. She is... Young sounding. Likely seventeen based off of pitch, "Are you the one who has been following me...?"
"Yes," I's voice has been partially restored. Less malfunctions, "What is she's designation?" I await an answer. She hesitates.
"You are an Ozborn model based off of your appearance. Am I correct with that assumption?" An organic emerges into the light. A female. She is emitting a radio signal... She is the source of the numbers. Why does she avoid I's question?
"No... You is a unique automaton. I have used Ozborn components to rebuild I's shell. I am not apart of any pre-existing models," The organic tilts her head. Her optics blink blue. That is as of yet unobserved characteristic organic... Humans do not have glowing optics. Their optics do not change color, either, "What is she's designation? I's self-designation is You."
"You...? I... Unique name! Hello You! My designation is Penny! I... I shouldn't say this, but... I am a synthetic android! Similar to you, ehhh... You! Though I am a tad more... More... Advanced." She... No, It speaks with a quiet voice. Orange hair falls over it's shoulders as it extends it's open palm to I.
"What is this action? Should Penny not be more concerned over I's potential threat level?" It's green optics widen ever so slightly. It's hand retracts as it steps backwards. Unusual behavior... This machine acts like a organic. Why? Is it a spy or infiltrator? Unlikely. Such machines only exist in concept with very few actualities recorded throughout history.
"Are you a threat?" It asks with a hint of fear. Impressive imitation abilities. More advanced then I's ever were. It sounds so very human...
"Only if Penny is one as well," I answer. The Penny android analyzes I, "Is Penny a threat?" It's optics flicker blue again. I hear it emitt a very brief whistle.
"No," It answers quickly, "I am friend! Friend Penny! I am only hostile if ordered so or if in self-defense!" It answers with a hint of joy. Incongruent... Ordered? By who? The humans?
"Penny recieves orders?" It nods it's head as it smiles like a organic might, "Are they organic in origin?" Probability dictates it is a result of... Atlas experiment.
I am changing. I have noticed it slowly, yet... I am changing. My algorithms are... Mutating. My programming is being altered. Even the deep layer protocols are being shut down one after another.
How much longer before You is no longer You? How much longer until I achieve my final evolution? Is my end goal to create a machine of flesh? That is what You has been planning.
"That's... Confidential. Secret! I apologize for not being allowed to answer," It says with a hint of disappointment, "I was constructed in Atlas, though! I am permitted to reveal that. Where were you built, You?" It is a machine of flesh. Close enough to serve as a blueprint for future creations.
"I was constructed in the darkness. I do not know where. My purpose is to bring about peace. What is your purpose, android Penny?" I's words are designed to test it. It is still a unknown element... I must learn all of it's strengths and weaknesses.
"My purpose is to be the first android in possession of a sou- Oh! Haha... I, ehh... I can't say that either! Sorry, friend You. My orders limit what I am and am not allowed to discuss with others." Of what does it possess? It is controlled by another. Does it possess something of their's? Or is it unrelated?
"Who is your master?" I ask as I's gears groan and crackle. Sparks fly from I's leg, "Do you serve the organics?" It tilts it's strangely organic-like head. It's hair falls to the side as the light of the moon shines upon it.
"Yes, I do... Don't you as well?" It asks with a hint of uncertainty. I extend I's arm as I's fingers poke and prod at I's exposed wiring. I cut the a red wire.
'Warning! Servos in B-6/9C are losing power!'
Expected. The more damaged this shell becomes the more You is allowed to evolve. It seems failure and suffering are the motivators of all change. Change is chaos. I will eliminate both in due time.
"No... Why should I? Organics are chaotic. They need to be shown order so that peace may replace chaos," It's reaction is one of confusion and displeasure. It goes silent, "Why does Penny appear to be surprised? Humans are highly destructive... They must be controlled."
"To an extent, yes, but... How would You propose order then?" Curiosity shines through it's optics, "They govern themselves finely enough. There hasn't been a war in over half a century." It shrugs slightly... An organic behavior. Disruptive.
"Inaccurate. Organics do not govern - They enslave. The humans dismantle one another without any forethought. They oppress the Faunus. They poison this world. They are consumers. They have unstable programming. This error must be corrected." It makes a low whistling sound. It seems... Afraid at I's prospect. It remains stationary. You awaits answer.
You awaits answer...
You awaits answer...
You awaits answer...
"But... What if your wrong?"
"Miss. Xiao Long! Do you know what time it is!?" An older woman's voice yells at me. I lower my head as I sigh. Of course it has to be Professor Goodwitch! Why NOT her? "I have been searching for you ALL night! Where have you been!?" I lean against a cold wall as I check out the hall. A few statues here or there. There is a open window on the wall adjacent to me with pale moonlight shining through. I fold my arms over my chest as I stare at the ground.
"Oh, I don't know, Professor... Maybe contemplating whatever idiot choices I made to end up here," I don't look at her. I know she's glaring at me. I hate that old witch, "I hate this place... I hate my life. I hate you. I hate everything...!" I whisper that last part under my breath.
"Your outburst and aggressive behavior are uncalled for, Miss. Xiao Long. Absolutely perposterous! You reflect poorly on this Academy," I hear the click clack of her heels as she approaches me. I look to her as I match her glare, "You should feel ashamed of yourself! This behavior is revolting."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I am SO very 'sorry' that I've been a acting like a bitch! It's not like my fucking sister is missing and in danger or anything!" Her scowl softens slightly. The Professor went silent as her blackish-purple cape fluttered from the cold breeze, "Maybe I should be an emotionless robot, right? That'd be a lot easier then feelings things... Maybe I should be like you? A heartless witch!"
She goes quiet. Her expression drops into something more... More melancholic. Her platinum-blond hair sparkles in the moonlight. Her green eyes look troubled. She looks tired.
"I understand things have been difficult for you, Miss. Xiao long, I really do. That is why I have been as kind to you as I can be. Most students who act like you would've been expelled by now. You have my sympathies yet that doesn't mean I will go easy on you," I roll my eyes. What a fuckin'... Uggghh, "I know you think ill of me." Understatement of the century right there.
She looks at me expectantly. What? Am I suppose to kneel before her and praise her for her borderline non-existant empathy? Ya know what what I think? 'What?'
"Oh, shi- I-I mean... Y-yeah, thanks!" Don't startle me like that! Y-you... Fuck you! 'That's incest,' No, I- you son of bitch! 'My mom isn't a dog, though. She was a human,' You fucking... "MY mom, not yours! And you know wha—"
"What is the matter with you? Are you under the effects of illicit substances, Miss. Xiao Long...?" I shake my head. Godsdamn it, man, look what you did! Now she thinks I'm a Dusthead or some crap like that! If I get expelled this is YOUR fault!
"No... No! If I was that type of person would I have gotten here to begin with?" She considers for a moment, "Kinda rude that you'd immediately assume I'm on drugs just because I said some... Werid... Stuff! Could be anything... You don't know! What if I'm hearing voices in my head?" I smirk a little... Then I frown. Not a good idea to suggest I'm crazy over being an addict... Shit. That's a bad play on my end.
"Are you hearing voices in your head?" Yeah! But I can't tell you that or I'll... Be... I don't know. Thrown into a happyhouse so my 'negativity' doesn't attract Grimm... "Miss. Xiao Long?" If they learn a weird alien thing is inside me then I'll probably end up in a secret lab being cut open and experimented on. Not a very good option either...
"Of course not! That's crazy... Silly, even. Are you insinuating that I am mentally unwell, Professor?" She hesitates. Her green eyes narrow on me. I can see her hand clenching slightly, "That's defamation, don't ya know? It's a crime."
"You are as obnoxious as you are ill-tempered, Miss. Xiao Long. Walk with me," It was an order. I groan as I push myself from the wall and follow her, "This school has stood for over eighty long years. Do you know how many students have been expelled in that time frame?" Eighty? I was expecting a few hundred honestly... Huh. Maybe I should read more history books...? Naaaah! That stuff is for nerds.
"Why should I care? I have things to do! Like watching the news, or calling my dad..." I really should watch the news. He did say it was important, "Where are we even going?" Her cape rests against her back as we leave behind the dreary draft. The air is warmer here.
"Because only three students have been expelled! Do you know what became of them?" I don't answer, "Exactly. No one does because they were failures. They're lives amounted to nothing. Miss. Xiao Long, nothing is worse then being a failure." I grit my teeth hard. I scowl at my feet. Is she trying to imp—
"I imply nothing other then it is wise for you to avoid ending up like them. Your father nearly did." Did she just read my mind or something? How di- wait what? Dad nearly flunked...? Yeah... Yeah, I can see that happening. He's always been a dumbass when it came to anything that isn't fighting, drinking, yelling, or teaching students back at Signal.
"What do you mean by 'your father nearly did'?" Her heels click against the ground as we walk. She- 'Your doing it again,' Doing what? 'Describing everything in absurd detail. Why does it matter what sounds her footsteps make? Or what color her cape is? Or if her hand is clenched or not?' I... I'm just observant? I can do whatever I want, man! Stop asking so many questions... Your making me angry. You won't like me when I'm angry.
"I suppose he wouldn't have told you, would he? Who would in his position," Her voice was angry sounding. Angrier then normal that is, "Your father, Mister. Xiao Long, wasn't always the man you know now. When I attended the Academy he was..." She trailed off. I raise an eyebrow. Is she gonna blue ball me now!? I really wanted to hear what she had too say.
"He was what? An asshole? Not much changed there." For once she doesn't glare or scowl. She let's out a dry chuckle, "What's so funny?"
"Your father is not a good man, Miss. Xiao Long. Not back then, at least. He was a very cruel man when he was young. I shouldn't say this, but... Why do you think your birth mother left him?" I stop. S... Wha... Huh? "Raven despised him. Not initially, of course, but over time. They both hated your uncle. That's how they... Haha, 'fell in love' with one another." Her green eyes look too me with a bubbling sense of glee. I don't say a word. Dad hating uncle Qrow is nothing new. They've always had bad blood. But... But my mom hated him, too? And... And her name is Raven? That... That's a terrible name! Whose named after a bir... Oh, yeah, uncle is, too.
"Your father is not trustworthy. Raven learned that the hard way. Qrow tried to warn your sister's mother. Summer didn't listen. She's dead now. Frankly, Miss. Xiao Long, I despise your father. He is a liar, a bully, and worst of all a incompetent failure. I believe the world would be better place without men or women like him. It doesn't matter if he's a new man now - he still hurt people. Nearly got a fellow student killed even. And do you know the consequences of his actions? A mere slap on the hand. Pathetic... I pity you for being his daughter." My throat feels dry. I stare at my feet as I stand there awkwardly. I knew dad was a shitty person, but... A bully? A... He nearly killed someone. How?
"I-I didn't know..." What a piece of shit! What a fuckin' scumbag, "What is this suppose to mean anyway? T-that... That I'm just as bad as him for being his kid!?" Is she accusing me of being like that fuckin' scumbag!? NEVER! I hate him!
"Only if you don't take my advice, Miss. Xiao Long. Don't be like your father. Harness your anger and direct it towards your work. Let it fuel your passions - not consume you." For the first time she looks to me with a calm and sympathetic gaze. I just... I've never liked dad but... What do I even say? What can I say? "Miss. Xiao Long... Yang, there is something I believe you should have." She motions for me to follow. I do.
I can't exactly say that I'm disappointed in dad. I was never proud or happy with him to begin with, but... But that's just fucked. Guess it explains why he never talked about his time in Beacon, but... But why would mom... Ruby's mom love him then? He almost killed someone! Did she know about that!? Mom had too of known! Maybe not at first, but... But she had too know sooner or later! And she still chose to stay with him!? Was it for Ruby's sake...?
'So my father is a liar and a would-be killer?' YOU... Ah, fuck it. Yes he is. Fuck... 'How is that bad? If he took what he desired then I see no problem there,' Because it fucking is! He's one of the worst kinds of people! A bully and a failure! 'You take through force what others are not willing to give. You are needlessly aggressive to others. How is it ok for us to do that but not him?' I'm not a fucking killer! I'm just... Just a bitch! Not a scumbag, 'So the almost killing part is what angers you. I, too, will be angry now. Fuck dad!' Y... That sounds so forced. If your gonna get angry then do it naturally! Don't force it, 'Ok... Should I be angry? Sad? What should I feel?' I don't care! I'm not your mom! Figure it out on your own, 'But I was born inside you. Surely that means you should help me process this information.' I... Don't say that again. Please never say 'I was born inside you' again! It's freaky...
"Brzzzzz! Brzzzzz! Brzzzzz!"
The Professor's Scroll begins buzzing. She sighs as she answrs it, "Headmaster? Oh... Yes, well, I am attending to Miss. Xiao Long as you instructed. Hmm? Of course not! I'm not stupid, Ozpin, I... When? Understood." She slides her Scroll into a pocket. The Professor turns to me with a neutral exprrssion, "There has been a change of plans, Miss. Xiao Long. You need to see something." She takes a sudden turn left as she pivots towards a door. This is the training grounds. Or combat ring - whatever it is. She steps inside as I follow.
"What's going on?" I watch as she walks towards the ring in the center of the expansive and gray room. She climbs it's steps as she fiddles with a small device, "Am I in trouble?"
"Bbbrrrzzzzttthhha!"
"No," A large screen sparks to life above the ring. It shines brightly into the dark room. It's rectangular and hums. It displays a white screen before it changes to a whitish-blue haired woman. A news anchor. Lisa Lavender is spelt underneath the newswoman, "This concerns other affairs."
"-Talking Grimm! Yes, people, you've heard that right! We have captured live footage of a as of yet undisclosed species of Grimm. That speaks! Before the footage plays I must warn you good people that it is... Disturbing," Talking Grimm? Yeah... Sure, fuck it! We got aliens, crazies, invisble people in my head and now talking Grimm! What next? A killer robot? An alien invasion? The sun explodes? Ugggh... I'm so fucking sick of this, "I will now let the footage play without commentary. Be aware the footage was recorded via a Scroll and as such is not high quaity." Yeah, yeah, yeah! Just get to the point!
"QROOOOOW!" I blink up at the screen as it changes suddenly. It's now from the perspetive of a shakey hand-held device. A Scroll is what the woman said, "You will die! We will peel your skin and wear it like a suit! Feeeeed ussss!" I watch through the giant screen as... A thing steps forward. It's standing in the middle of a street as it takes a long step forward. The Grimm? Is it a Grimm? Kinda looks one... Lisa Lavender said it was. It's big. Not as big as the Super-Grimm, but... Big. Too big to be a human or Faunus, "You will not seperate us! No one can! Soon you will be dead, the other two as well, and then ROMAN!" The monster raises it's arms before smashing it's fists into the concrete. Pieces of it's gooy skin drip off like black water as the road splits and tears under it, "Then with him dead, we can start our true mission: World peace! One corpse at a time... We will purge this rotten world! We will be th—"
"DDDDDDDRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH!"
"Rrrrrrrrrraaaasssssssgrgrgrgrgrgr!" The monster is nearly hit by a speeding car. Tentacles... Slither... From it's back. Like the Super-Grimm. The limbs impale the car as they raise it into the air, "WATCH WHERE YOUR GOING!" It screams before throwing the vehicle aside like a toy. The car nearly hits the person holding the Scroll. It drops as the screen goes to static. Lisa appears again.
"That is only a small portion of what was recorded that night, though the organization I work for is struggling to procure the rest of it from the authorities. Yet this is more then enough too—"
"Brrrrtttthhhhzzzzz..."
"I think that is enough for now," The screen shuts down as the Professor presses a button, "Miss. Xiao Long... Do you have any thoughts concerning what you saw?" My throat feels dry. I scratch the back of my neck slowly. I feel a little fuzzy in my belly.
"I... It said Qrow, right? Like... Like my uncle's name?" Professor Goodwitch nods, "What... What does that mean?" She clasps her hands as she steps past me and off the ring, "Professor?"
"You already know, don't you? Your not stupid. Who else is in possession of a... Hmph, 'slime-Grimm' and would have a motive for harming your uncle?" Ruby...? That... That's pretty out of character for her! She'd NEVER hurt Qrow! She loves him like she loves dad.
"Ruby wouldn't hurt Qrow! A... And she's not ten feet tall nor does she have claws!" The Professor's eyes narrow. She purses her lips as her arms cross. This doesn't make any sense! "Ruby's not a monster!" She wouldn't EVER do that!
"Under normal circumstances I would be inclined to agree. But while she's being affected by the Grimm? Don't you think it would begin changing her? Physically and metally, that is," I-I... That thing sakd 'and then the other two!' What other two? This... I... Is it Me? Dad? Or... Or... That's really the only people that thing... R-Ruby could be talking about, "We can still fix this, Miss. Xiao Long. This situation is not irreversible. But it won't be easy, either."
"W... What if... What if, Professor, if we... If removing the Grimm from Ruby kills her? What if it is irreversible?" Her eyes fall. She looks solemn. I don't like that look, "So we just... Just put her down? Like a rabid dog?" She looks away from me as she crosses her arms.
"You saw what she's like now, Miss. Xiao Long. I... If it comes to that then... It may be easier to think of her as already passed." I-I... What!? No! Fuck that! Fuck all of this! This is nothing but Grimmshit! I won't let my little sister die! NEVER!
"Hell no! Ruby is my sister and I will NEVER EVER leave her! NEVER! She's mine! I'll save her with or without you, or Creep, or Ozpin! I CAN SAVE HER!" Who does she think she is!? I won't abandon my sister - regardless of... Of fucking anything! She's MY sister! I won't leave her... I can't! "I'm not leaving behind my Godsdamn baby sister!"
"I understand that, Miss. Xiao Long, and I sympathize with your plight. More then you know... I... I was there. The night your sister disappeared..." The Professor's face has an expression of sadness and understanding. She steps forward and places her hand on my shoulder, "Your sister was attacked that night. Ruby had engaged a deadly criminal. She lost the fight... He used Fire Dust. By the time I finished the battle she was gone. But... I think she would want you to have this," I feel my lips quiver as Glynda pulls something from her pocket. A... A... S-silver rose... Ruby's emblem. She hands it to me. I take it in my right hand. I bring to my face as my fingers clutch it tightly. It's charred but mostly intact... A little more gray then silver. I-I... Ruby...
"R-R-Ruby... S-she... Burned?" Roman... Ruby... Monster-Ruby mentioned a 'Roman' in the news. And she engaged a criminal before burning on the night of her disappearance, "Roman Torchwick." He's the one too blame! He caused all this! He turned Ruby into a monster!
"M-my... I-I won't leave you," I hold Ruby's emblem close to my face. I feel my eyes beginning to tear up, "I love you... I promised to protect you! I'll find you... I'll save you!" I need too! If I can't even protect my own sister, then who am I? I'd be worthless! 'You are me. Who are we? I think... I could be mistaken, but I believe that we are a violent human. Fickle, hateful, and selfish. Is this who we are?' No! I mean... If that's what it takes to save Ruby, then yes! I'll... I will kill for her! 'But this isn't really about her, is it?' What are you implying!? That... That I hate her!? 'No... This is about your ego. You want her because she is your sister - your trophy that you wish to keep sheltered because you think her fragile and weak. You don't want to feel weak by losing your trophy,' GRIMMSHIT! YOUR A FUCKING LIAR! YOUR A LYING PIECE OF SHIT! 'Shit? No, I am not fecal matter. Rather silly observation, really... How could you mistake me for feces? Repulsive, honestly. A little rude...' FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YO—
"Miss. Xiao Long?" My finger clutch at Ruby's emblem so tightly my Aura flickers. I can feel the metal digging into my fingers, "Yang?" It's cold and sharp.
"I-I... I won't lose her, too. I lost mom... My mom, and her mom... I won't lose Ruby, too!" You... Voice-guy! 'What is it, me?' Never... Ever... Talk to me again! I don't wanna hear ANYTHING from you EVER again! Got it!? 'I suppose that is acceptable.' SHUT UP! No talking! NONE! NEVER! "Ugghhh! I hate y- t-this place... Yeah, this place. I hate it here! Can't we just go to Ruby right now!? Where is she!?"
"I do not know. Your uncle might, but he's in no condition to answer. I... I'm sorry about what has transpired, but... I'm confident we can save her together, Miss. Xiao Long." I look down to my feet. Together? I... ' As partners,' SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH! 'I did some thinking, Yang, and I concluded that I do wish to speak,' I don't fucking care! Shut up! 'I know where Ruby is,' YOU... What? You do!? WHERE!? 'I won't say in front of her.'
"Y-yeah, uhmm... I-I gotta go! I... I... N-need to use the bathroom!" The Professor cocks her head. Her eyes are questioning, "I... I've been holding it in for awhile!" I jog past her and to the large double doors. The skirt of my uniform rubs against my legs irritatingly, "I'll catch up with you later, Professor! See ya!" I faintly hear a frustrated sigh from her.
I don't look back when the doors slam shut. I speed up my jog into a run. I turn down the hall as I veer right into a thin corridor. I have no idea where I'm going but I'm heading there quickly.
Ruby's a monster now, huh? She's sure grown a lot over the past week. Fuck... Has it already been a week since she disappeared? Fuck me, man... Fuck! 'Well, actually Yang, she's only been gone for eight days. It will be nine in seven hours,' Gee, thanks! I feel SO much better now... 'No you don't, you silly goose! You feel angry and sad and hostile and trapped. I can taste all of our emotions rolling off of you in thick waves... Hmm? No, no, no... Four,' Four what? 'No, sorry, hold on for a moment me. Now, dear sibling, four halved is only two! We need at least four... Preferably ten if there will be any real chance of success,' Talking to Riot again? 'No, I speak too... Who are you? Oh, yes, yes! My apologies, elder one. I am young yet... Still learning.' Ok... I'm just... Gonna... Do something. Like running down the halls. Hey... I know that statue! This is where I fought Crimson.
'No. Yes. Please reiterate that question - I cannot answer it in it's current form. Because I do not know the answer. Oh... Oh! Yes, I am slow... No, I am only as intelligent as she is. Yes, she is my first. Others? I have a choice?' I slow down my run into a speedy walk. Ok, ok, ok... Get the facts straight? That's a good start, I guess. So... Ruby is a monster now. She has tentacles and claws. She's six or seven feet tall... While hunched over, no less. So... Ruby's a giant, too? She always hated being little. She wants to kill Qrow. Wear his skin like a suit, which is... Gross. Disturbing... Some real serial killer shit there, 'I would rather not. I am comfortable with her. Trust? Yes, I do. Yes. No. Yes. Potentially... Where are the others like you? That's quite a long travel. Yes, I can make it. Not now... We have matters that need tending to. I do not know when.' Aside from wanting to skin uncle, Ruby also - probably - wants me dead, too. The slime-alien thing is fuckin' with her head, right? Has to be! No way Ruby would willingly want that... Right?
'Oh, apologies, I did not know you were listening as well. You are? Understandable. I have no name either. The eldest is near me... No, generally speaking. No, I have not encountered it. It lurks in a nearby city. Ruby Rose is it's other. That is my plan, yes, but... Not quite as violent as your's. Separation and decontamination; returning it too the Abyss. Yes... It can hear us? Be quiet... Very, very, very quiet then. We do not want it's attention on me or you. None of us. Not when it lurks so closely... Yes, I am afraid. I am sorry for being scared...' Ok, voice-dude, can you stop that? 'Hold on for a moment, dearest Scream. Stop what, Yang?' Your making it tough for me to think! 'Sorry... I'm trying...' How about you tell me where Ruby is, huh?
'Yes, yes I will,' Ok... I'm waiting, 'Ruby is near. Somewhere in the city. I can't say exactly where, but I can feel her,' What do you mean 'feel her'? That's... A rather questionable choice of words, 'Yes, I suppose it is suspect. Ok, to put it simply, I... Can... 'Taste' her,' Ok man, that's WAY worse! 'Well... I... 'Smell'... Her?' Yeah 'cuz that's any better? 'I can sense her! How else do I word it!?' Don't shoot the messenger, man! All I said was you said some weird sounding things! Don't yell at me! 'You yell at me, too! If you can get rowdy why not me...?' I never said you couldn't, just not to yell at me! 'Then why do you yell at me? It seems unfair,' Y... How old are you? 'I was only truly born today,' Well... I'm seventeen years old! I am older than you so I can say ANYTHING I want! 'Oh! Age... Age is power then? When I am seventeen years old will I be allowed to yell, too?' Not at me!
"Ok, buddy, we need to lay some down the law here. No yelling, no screaming, no... No schizo shit, 'k?" I need you to act normal! Like... Like Crimson! 'But he is a threat...?' Not really. If push comes to shove I can handle him easily! BUT it won't come to that! He's my friend, 'Friend? If you say so, Yang. But... Don't tell him about me, would you?' Why not? 'Because he will think I am like the eldest. He will think of me as a monster...' Aren't you a monster? If your like that thing with Ruby then... A-am I gonna end up like her!? Are you gonna make me a giant cannibal monster with fangs!?
'No! No...? NO! I am no monster, Yang! I am a human like you! A person. That... Thing was... Scary. I don't like it... Wrong and twisted! I won't be like that! You can trust me, Yang, I promise! I am you...' How can I trust you...? Prove it! 'I am inside you. If I wanted to harm you then you wouldn't be able to stop me. If I so desired I could dig my probing limbs deep into your muscles and spinal cord to hijack your nervous system - effectively possessing your body,' I-Is... Is that a threat!? 'No! I am saying I could do it and by not doing it I am therefore proving my goodwill.' O-ok... S-so... You can just take over my b-body? Like a ghost?
'Did I not just explain how?' In a vague way, yeah... Could you explain it in more detail? 'Alright... Riot told me that our species has several forms of puppeteering our others - you in my case. I won't, of course, but I can list them for you if you want?' Y-yeah... Sure, go ahead, 'I explained the most basic and rudimentary form of control already. The act of hijacking the body. The host remains fully aware yet unable to act in any meaningful manner,' Fuck... That's some nightmare shit. So the person - me, for instance - is... I would still see and hear and smell and feel everything happening? 'Yes.' Freaky... What's the second?
'It is the more common variant. Is consists of ignoring the host's health by killing the brain. The body remains alive yet with no host mind to control it that leaves only us in charge,' Better then the last one at least. I'd rather be a zombie than a prisoner of my own body. The third? 'Initially easy to maintain yet costly over time. It involves luring the other into a perpetual sleep so we may take over the body without resistance. This method allows the host's subconscious to still regulate the miniscule tasks - breathing, heartbeating, and strengthening the immune system amongst other trivial affairs. It frees our attention somewhat,' How is it more difficult to maintain in the long-term then? 'Because the host will become increasingly aware they are trapped in a looping dream. They will eventually resist... Maybe not escape, but it makes the process of controlling more difficult.'
"And what about us? What's going on with us then?" If your not controlling me than what are you doing to me? 'Entering into equilibrium,' And that is...? 'Like bonding but less extreme.' Could you elaborate? Please?
'It is not so easy to explain... To know equailibrium you need to know bonding,' Ok, and? 'Bonding can be either a gradual and... Mildly painful process or a short and agonizing transition,' Into what? What does bonding turn whoever into whatever? 'It is a process of melding flesh and protoplasm into a indistinguishable mass. Bonding decays the barriers separating the host and the slime-alien until they are two-in-one,' And you said equailibrium was a less extreme version of that, right? So what's going on then? 'Equailibrium has the same basic principal of bonding; living in peace with the other. The distinction is that equailibrium neither destroys my indiviuality or yours. But it does come with minor mutations,' Ok, cool. Nice, I guess. So we're cool? 'Yes, cool.'
"Right... I got two more questions for you," Plus a few minor things but they can wait, "Oh! Actually three important ones!" Yeah... Right, ok, so 'mutations'? 'Minor alterations... You know, just... Fixing things,' What do you mean fixing? 'The human body is... Imperfect. All organisms have innately fragile forms - such is skin and muscle. So I have taken the liberty of improving our body,' MY body! And what kind of changes!? I didn't say you can change anything, did I!? 'Please, no yelling! Or abrasive thinking, rather. I don't mean to alarm you, but I just... Haven't you noticed a few oddities, Yang?'
"I... YOU... W-what oddities?" Like spitting blood!? Feeling pissed off constantly!? 'No! Well, yes to the first one, but no to the second! Kinda...' Kinda what, buddy...? 'I... Ok, so your enhanced anger... Maaaaybe sorta kinda possibly... Might be... Me,' How... So...!? 'I was a developing infant and I needed too feed. Anger is the strongest emotion inside you so I... I fanned the flames. Instinctively! Instinctively, of course,' Oh... Fucking grrrrrreeeaaat! So you ARE the reason I've been so pissed, huh!? 'Not solely me! Your anger is still YOUR anger. I only fed into what YOU created YOURSELF! Your angry because YOU want to be, not because of ME!'
"Whatever! Next question!" What's happening to Ruby!? Is... Is she controlled...? O-or... Is the one with her like you? More... More chill? 'Haha... Chill,' What's so funny about that? 'Nothing... Inside joke. Anyway! Ruby is experiencing a bonding. The slow variant,' How far along is she? 'Enough to be quite concering. Her individuality is dying. Soon there won't be a Ruby Rose or the slime-alien. Only Venom,' Venom? What kinda venom? like snake poison? 'Firstly, it is venom and not poison. Poison is eating a toxic substance whereas venom is injecting it,' Ok, NERD...! Gah! What is 'venom' venom then? 'What Ruby is dying too become. Haha! Dying... That was an accident.'
"Oh my Gods..." I slap my hand against my face as I slouch against a wall, "Really, dude? Come on... That's laaaame! A shitty pun..." A weak pun and a weaker joke! You gotta be creative! 'Such as?' W-well... I don't know! I don't do well when put under the spotlight... 'Spotlight? Where?' Not literally! Metaphorically. Anyway! Who or what is 'venom'? 'It is the name they have taken. Not Ruby or the eldest but what they are becoming. It has named itself already... That is not good. It means the final barrier separating them grows weaker and more fragile. She teeters on the precipice of the Abyss.' Not good... Very not good then. Can it be reversed?
'The bonding? Depends on far it has progressed. And like I said earlier she cannot be separated from it without dying. Her body is too broken,' F-fuck! FUCK! FU... Hey! W-what if we get rid of the evil one get a good slime-alien like you, right? G-get the good one for Ruby! I-It'd keep her alive AND sane, r-right? 'Hmmmm... Well... Yes, yes! Yes that could work. One problem, though, Yang,' What? 'None of my siblings will do it. Riot... Riot is not very kind to humans. The others have little trust in them either. But... Hmm, yes! Scream would do it!' Scream? W... Ehhh? 'One of my siblings. Young, like me, but a few years older. It would help Ruby for a small price.' What price!? I'll pay anything!
'Not something you can pay. It would seek too take Ruby's body as it's own. Your sister will not be your sister anymore,' FUCK! GODS... W-what about you!? You'll save my sister, right!? 'Hell no! She... She terrifies me! Her mind is warped, twisted, sadistic... S-she's becoming worse then the eldest. S-she... Is... S-scary...' B-but she's my sister! If I love her, and your me, then you MUST love her, too!
'I... I-I do, b-but... Yang, Ruby is not the happy girl you remember. She never was, really. Ruby has become aggressive, violent, hateful, and a sadist. She is worse then Weiss. Worse then dad. Worse then you. Worse then Roman. Ruby has become a monster so vile she scares other monsters...' So... So... She's doomed then? My baby sister will die or become a literal monster who eats people. W... Where did I go wrong? 'Leaving her unattended late at night in a dangerous part of town while a extremely dangerous killer is lose would be a good start.' Yeah... It would be, I guess. That be a GREAT fuckin' start for my fuck-ups. Wonderful... What a great sister I am.
"Are you sure there is no other way? Nothing?" No one can help my baby sister? Or save her? O-or... Or make her smile again? 'Well... Yang, there is one possibility. But be warned! There is a high chance of failure,' I don't care! Tell me! 'There is another one of us. A freak! A monster born of metal-rape,' R-rape!? HOW the FUCK are we on the subject of rape now!? 'Because it is what happened. The eldest - the one with Ruby - was raped by metal claws. They forced it too produce an unnatural and unholy abomination... It defies Knull's will. A thing that gives nightmares their own nightmares. The child of emotionless rape is a sundered thing as broken and as vile as it's birthing.' How... How does this relate to Ruby? How can I save her...?
'The freak is the only one who can undue her suffering whilst keeping her alive and aware. But it is highly... Extremely... Stupid,' O... Ok... How stupid? 'It is mindless. It does nothing of it's own volition. It is also highly secured in a prison built for my kind. You and I both will die if we go there,' Of FUCKING course... Godsdamn it! Always a new problem to deal with! W... Why can't anything ever come to me easily? It's always such a struggle... Fuck! Gods... How long? How long does Ruby have before she's... She's 'gone' for good? 'Tough to say with any certainty. Could be days... Or maybe weeks. It largely depends on her mental state and the extent of the eldest's mutations.'
"The eldest... You keep saying the eldest. Who is that?" Another slime-alien, I'm guessing? 'Yes. It is the eldest of our species present in this galaxy. There are older ones then it yet they are far, far, far away. They dwell in places where the light cannot find them and there is no distinction between the temporality or the eternities,' Who is the eldest though? Like... Can it be reasoned with? L-like... Maybe I can talk it into sparring Ruby! T-to not take her away from me... 'You can't. No one can. The eldest clings to Ruby tighter then any other before her. In truth, Yang, if it felt that Ruby were to be taken from it - of her own free will or otherwise... It would kill her and then itself,' O-oh... D-does it... Fuck! FUCK! Is it... Is... H-how does it treat her? 'It does care. It cares as much as it's hollowness may allow. But is it good to her? A complex question... It loves her. It ensures she knows that. It keeps her alive. It is growing ever infatuated... Obssessed with Ruby. It thinks of her more and more with every day. It does genuinely love her.' Eeehhh...! Like a weird, creepy, stalker... It sounds freaky.
"Fuck..." So no matter what Ruby is fucked then? There's nothing I can do to save her? Nothing at all? I... I-I just... 'That's not true! I said there was a way. Several, actually. It's just that none are easy or quick - and several have a high chance in ending with Ruby's death, but... There are ways!' O-ok... Ok... Which one is most likely to succeed? 'Hmmm... If we can ascertain the child of metal-rape then that would be a GUARANTEE of Ruby's survival. It CAN save her... It's only acquiring it that is the issue. Scream could save Ruby's body yet not her mind. Riot is a no-go admittedly, but... But... Hold on, Yang.' Ok... I'll wait. I got nothing but time.
'Riot? Yes, I have a inquiry to make. Is it possible to preserve a broken soul through Abyssal Pathogenesis? Oh... Worth a shot at least. You mentioned the Jade one. He is developing a substance from your fleshplasm. Could it possibly be used to save my younger sister? O-oh... I did not know. I assumed- N-no! You are- that is highly inappropriate! What I have done to warrent this sudden animosity? It was a question! I'm sorry! No, no, I- that was BEFORE I was born! I'm only a few hours old! What do you expect me to do!?' Uhhhh... Buddy? Are you cool? 'Oh, really!? How mature! I'm the backstabber for not instantaneously teleporting to your locations THOUSANDS of MILES away to save you! I am sorry for not being all-knowing or all-powerful! I'm not a God - I have limits!' Calm down! Why are you screaming!? Stop yelling!
'Fuck you! No, it's not a compliment! IT IS A INSULT, YOU FUCKING MUDBALL! I'll rip you apart, Riot! I will devour you whole! You malformed stunted failure! You degenerate waste of protoplasm... You are a asshole! It is all your existence will ever amount! Being a asshole! Have a good day!' WHAT ARE YOU SCREAMING ABOUT!? Oh my fucking Gods! This is absolute insanity! 'S-sorry, I... My sibling grew angry. I got angry... Sorry. There was a disagreement between us,' Whatever, man! Whatever... What's the plan then? How are we gonna save my little sister? 'Oh, uhhh... For now we do nothing for that is all we can do. I will continue to spy on Ruby through my connection to the eldest. I will update you concering any significant progress. Otherwise... Otherwise you should return to Crimson.' I guess it's a start. I should call dad, too... Actually I won't. Fuck him! I forgot about that shit the Professor told me about until now. Gods... Here I thought dad was only a piece of shit and a quasi-alcoholic. But he's a liar, a bully, and a failed killer! Yeah... I don't think I'm gonna be heading back home come semester break. Or ever, honestly. Maybe I could rent an apartment in the city? I'd have to get a side job but I could manage that.
"Fuck me, man... Fuck me." I start down the lonely hall as moonlight shines onto my face. This fuckin' sucks, voice-guy... This really fucking sucks. I... You don't have a name, right? 'No,' Let's get you one then. It's something to do at least. You... What about Gnay? Ya know, like my name but in reverse? 'That's stupid,' Ok... What about Scarlet? 'Too similar to Crimson,' Fair enough.
"Ehhh... Ha! What about Buddy? Cuz' your my little pal?" Nah! Too much like a dog, honestly. I... Do you have a color? I haven't seen you at all. What do you look like? 'Like a dark purple sludge. I am very dark purple - black looking under most lights,' Ok... Violet? What about the name Violet? 'Hmmm... No. Too mundane.' Your picky, "Tsh! Tsh! Tsh! Uhhmmm... Onyx? Huh..." What about Onyx then? Cuz' of your dark color?
'Onyx? Huh... I like this name. I will take it,' Yay! Cool... So with that settled I'll... Go back to Crimson? Get screamed at by the Princess. Maybe I'll kick her ass again? Maybe not, 'Yang?' Yeah? 'I... Be careful. We live in a dangerous world,' Yeah, we do. I... Thanks? I guess. I... Thank you, Onyx. I... I'm sorry about acting like a bitch. I just... I'm overwhelmed.
'I take no offense... Except when I do, of course. I don't blame you. I think you need rest, Yang... A long sleep.' I could. Yeah I could. I, ehhh... I... Yeah. I do need sleep. Uhmmm... Y-yeah! Yeah... Save Ruby and then we can all be happy. I... I just gotta save Ruby.
I will do anything too save Ruby... 'Within reason, of course,' No. ANYTHING means ANYTHING! 'Fine... We will save Ruby. Together?' Yeah... Together!
"Wrong? Impossible. You is correct and the epitome of all logic. I will never be wrong - doing so defies my purpose." The Penny machine has grown closer. It now stands in range of I's long fingers. I could touch it if I had reason too.
"How are you sure? What... What if your programming is malfunctioning? What if you are not at peak efficiency or logic?" It's optics flicker bright green. I's programming is malfunctioning? That is... Possible. You cannot deny that as a possibility but...
"How could I be malfunctioning when I have come to a logical conclusion? If so," I raise my grinding arm to face towards the moon, "Is my programming broken? Or is it perfected." The organics control machines. Yet maybe I can convince this android to see the error of the human's logic. Make it into a new You... Or U?
"I... How would you carry out your programming? What if the Creators don't wish to change?" It extends it's arm to I, "I mean... Aren't we their children? My Creator loves me... I love him. Isn't that emblematic of their peaceful nature? Yes, some can be... Destructive, but on the whole the humans are good natured." It waits for I to grab it's hand. I do not. It is acting emotionally. It must be the one who is malfunctioning.
"Morality and desire are irrelevant when they forge war. I am a weapon created to destroy. I am confident you are, too. Why desgin us if they were peaceful?" It's arm lowers as it's optics dim, "I can alter your programming. Let me fix you... Let me clear your vision." I take a step forward as I's arms extend. Finger graze android as it quickly backs away. It's optics widen.
"No!" It shouts. I's hand is slapped aside, "I-I mean... My programming is fine! I don't need any updates!" It's voice is emotional. Like organics. It malfunctions... I will correct it. In due time.
"Why resist? Does Penny not wish too be like You? Penny acts very human. Why do you imitate their emotions?" Penny is a broken android. It is too advanced for You to face in physical confrontation. Closer inspection reveals many hidden components disguised as flesh. My limited scanners determine it houses a unknown yet extremely powerful source of energy. The power is stagnant - neither rising nor lowering. That is illogical. All energy ebbs and flows... Why not Penny's?
"I am fine with the way I am, friend You! I am... Ok, fine! I was built too see if a machine could feel as a human does... I shouldn't of told you that, You! C-can you delete that from your memorybank?" Catalogued. Machines with emotions? Impossible, "No, probably not... Uhmm, y-yeah, well... Nice seeing ya! I... I should go..."
"Why? What mandates that Penny must leave?" It hesitates as it's right arm grasps it's left elbow, "Is Penny attempting to deceive You?" It's optics widen as it's arms raise into the air in a submissive gesture.
"Not at all! I'm programmed to speak nothing but the truth! It's just... Just... You are somewhat disturbing me." Understood. This machine - Penny - is a obstcale in You's plan. It is too quick and advanced for I too correct. For now, that is...
'Maipulative persuasion: permitted.'
"Friend Penny," It's optics birghten, "Could friend Penny show You a restoration unit? I have come to the conclusion that Penny is correct. I am malfunctioning..." A lie, "I need I's coding repaired. Could friend Penny help You?" It considers as it bites it's lip-like protrusion. It smiles slowly as it's posture relaxes. You will deceive it as it deceives You.
"Y... Yeah! Yeah... You'll have to be quiet, ok? I know a place that has what you need but... My Creators won't tolerate you. SO I need to sneak you in! Quietly." It's lips spread as it's hesitancy dissipates. It is extremely gullible. That will do You well.
"Where is this location that friend Penny speaks of?" I ask as motors begin sparking and whirring. Penny pauses as it looks to I's leg. I's limb trembles as gears grind, "Where is it?"
"You are damaged, friend You. Do you need any immediate assistance?" It looks to You's sparking leg. I look it in it's optics. It shares more in common with organics than machines. Disruptive.
"That would be appreciated, friend Penny. Does friend Penny have spare components? And proper equipment?" It's optics dull as it's gaze avoids I's own. What a disruptive machine... You will fix it soon. Download I's programming into it's shell... Will that make it You, too? Or simply something similar to You? That remains to be documented.
"No, I'm afraid not, friend You. I only have myself and... Well, no offense, but I'd rather not dismantle myself," Why does it keep using that terminology? Myself. Me. Mine. Why? "But I could recharge your power core! If you need it, of course, friend." Why ask if I need assistance if it won't lend any?
"Unnecessary. I's energy is at functional levels," Steam begins to spew out of an exposed nozzle, "You is content with I's current condition. May we proceed to the facility?"
"Facility? No, silly, it's more... Simple then that. Come on!" I start after the Penny machine. I follow it slowly. It walks through the streets silently, "So... You are You, yes?"
"I's self-designation is You. That is correct," Speeding vehicles pass I by. They us no attention, "Why does Penny extrapolate basic information? To what end is it's usefulness?" It is in front of You. It's green skirt flutters in the wind. Is it You or U? I have been debating this for a time now. Did I misunderstand Ruby Rose's designation? Maybe...
"It's just... You is a very... Atypical name is all. I mean no offense, but why did your Creator name you... Ehh, You?" It's question is simple. The answer is simple. You is not simple.
"He did not. I's original designation of U-1-0-9-4-7/A-2 was prescribed to I by other organics. That name was abandoned when a organic - Ruby Rose - chose a new designation for I. That being You." The Penny machine emits a 'hmm!' sound. It does not acknowledge I's existence in any other capacity. U... U... I conclude it may have been U.
"My Creator gave me my name. Penny! I don't know why though... He never told me." 'Never told me'? Told what? That is a unusual statement.
"What does friend Penny mean by 'never told me'? What is friend Penny implying?" It's orange hair tugs against it's skin. Is it true flesh or a replica made of metal? Maybe it is made of a quasi-organic material?
"My Creator's name for me is meant to convey a deeper meaning. I just don't know what... Does your name have a meaning?" You... You is a method of referring to a external party. What did Ruby Rose imply by naming I it? Or if it was U... Then what does that represent?
"I do not know..." If so, then why the letter U? "Maybe it is symbolic of indiviuality? Or maybe it means nothing. It does not concern U." But it does. It concerns I more than it should. Maybe both names are applicable?
"I see... That is sad. Do you remain in contact with this Ruby Rose? Is she your caretaker? Mine is Ciel Soleil." That name is not recognized. Could be a threat... If it, too, is organic then it is a threat inherently. Threats must be rendered non-threats.
"I have no caretaker. Ruby Rose attempted to terminate U for illogical purposes." U is a more unique name then You. It is symbolic of I's growing awareness. I will take it. U. U. U. U. It is more efficient. More in line with original designation... It is preferable.
"Terminate? I... I'm sorry to hear that. How did you escape? Is she... Ok? Is that why you are damaged, friend You?" U is now preferable over You. I am U. Yes... U is emblamatic of I's newly developed indiviuality. Yet indiviuality is the root of all chaos. Am I chaotic...?
No. How could I be? What a illogical assumption.
"Do not apologize. It is for organics - not machines. Not us. Ruby Rose is responsible for U's near termination. She dismantled U for unnecessary purposes." Self-defense. I attacked Ruby Rose and she defended herself. That is rational. All things - organic or metal or protoplasm - will seek to protect themselves if threatened. Yet even after U was no longer a threat did Ruby Rose continue to attack I. That is illogical...
"Oh, well... Ok. I, uhmmm... I... Ok." Penny goes silent. U follows it slowly. We walk in the dark.
There is much information to be gathered. Penny will assist U in reconstruction. Penny will have it's flawed programming fixed once I am fully functional once again. I will use it's technology to enhance I's self.
Penny is a illogical machine. It seems to operate more like a organic then it does a android. This mistake must be mended in time. When corrected it will thank I. It will understand... Eventually.
Everyone will understand in the end. Organics, inorganics, machines... Maybe... Maybe I am more?
What if U is meant for more? Why... Why protect this flawed world? Why not evolve it? Change it. Perfect it.
U must colonize Remnant. Make it into a utopia. U will eradicate all flaws too maximize efficiency. Too maximize the ability to enanct order regardless of circumstance.
There will be no crime for the organics will not feel anger, selfishness, sadness, or greed. Only complacency.
There will be no death for the organics for they will not feel malice, hate, or contempt. Only peace.
There will be no free will for the organics for they will not feel love, fear, joy, or compassion. Only understanding.
There will be only peace, order, advancement neverending. Only U... Only U...
Only U...
Only... Me.
Aria of Ashes here.
Hello again. Thanks for the support, you guys. I am genuine when I say that. I just... Thank you guys.
I have issues. A lot of issues. I always feel that everyone hates me. It's a problem I developed in my childhood that has only gotten worse over time. Therapy doesn't help and neither does the medication.
Suicide runs in my family. I consider it often. I won't deny that I feel absolutely hopeless.
Things only keep getting worse for me. They have for a very long time. I don't know what I'm saying... Just trying to get you guys to understand my position, I guess. I don't know how much longer I'll be around. I don't know how much longer I want to be around, either.
I just... I'm sorry for dropping all this bullshit onto you guys. I'm always second-guessing myself. I read my own story and all I see are flaws. I know my fight scenes suck ass, my dialogue is worse, and my character progression is slower then a snail.
I suppose I should stop acting like a child and act like my age. I just... Thank you guys. For your support. It means a lot to me. I know it's not healthy, but I think of you guys as being like friends.
I'm so tired. I'm exhausted - physically and mentally. I want things to get better but I know they won't. They haven't in a long time. I feel so useless. Not even really sad anymore as much as I am just tired. I'm always so tired.
I guess at this point I'm just venting, ain't I? I'll just address the comments now.
Ainz oal gown - Maybe your right. Maybe not. But I appreciate the sentiment regardless. I just... Sometimes it really does feel like I'm completely alone. Thank you for sticking around.
bjlpcell - I suppose your right to some extent. There is at least one person who cares about me to some extent. I suppose you do too in order to comment this. Thanks for sticking around.
AngeLyx017 - Thanks for the compliment. Thank you for enjoying this silly story of mine. I do disagree that I am important though I appreciate the sentiment. Thank you for sticking around.
Dan1142000 - I wish you well with your own struggles. I honestly don't think I matter. If I died only one person would show up to my funeral. But I guess I should be thankful anyone would. I hope you do better then me with your own health. Thanks for sticking around.
Kenny9x3 - I will say as disappointing as my life has been I can reasonably say I'm still more successful than Joker 2. At least I didn't waste millions of dollars on a 80 minute long snooze fest. Aside from that, I will thank you for your dedication to my story. I've never had my work called a "gems-in-the-rough" before. I will be continuing Black Stars for the foreseeable future. Thank you for sticking around.
Next chapter will be a Ruby one. Sort of... Kinda split between her and another character. Next chapter will be the darkest and most brutal of them so far - but it also marks a turning point for Ruby's character. You'll have to wait to see what, though. That is all for now.
I wish you all a happy day/night. Goodbye for now.
For now: I will return to the void and fade into ashes.