The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Archer's identity, Project Progidium, the case of Voyager, all these things and more came rushing into Cat as they took in this new form of theirs.
"Lewis," they sang. "Oh Lewis! Oh, how did you write me?" Song turned to laughter. "All this? Just for me?"
Curious-Sanson's arm stretched just as they should. The executioner's sword also appeared as Cat intended.
"French revolution?" Cat wondered. Memories were still flooding in. "Oh, how dreadful of a life you live, dearest Sanson!"
Marie Antoinette. The Jacobins. The White Terror. Charlotte Corday. Napoleon Bonaparte. So many names and so many faces appeared in Cat's eyes. A place far from Remnant when they had so foolishly thought that Remnant was the end goal.
Cat already learned much thanks to the Holy Grail's knowledge but this? This was a personal and intimate look into the livelihood of an individual. Knowledge that they could only understand by living through it for that is what it felt like for Cat.
Then, there came Sanson's life while he had been in Remnant. Shaped and marked from another summoning, Cat could see the works of this League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Chiron, Sasaki Kojirou, James Moriarty, Henry Jekyll, and Sanson himself. A project of sorts, meant to combat against Cat's maker, or is it the maker of their living self? Being a Heroic Spirit—Cat laughed at the thought. Heroes? Ha! Being a Heroic Spirit meant that they are more a product of great influence than anything genuinely heroic.
Back to the project. Cat could see that the League has plans for the god of light. A recreation by the greatest minds that the League could come up with, it was an inefficient variation of a conceptual weapon, one that could bring down immortals.
"But that's not the only one of its kind is it?" Cat was ciphering through the call. James Moriarty is the Archer? And one allied with Caster's Master no less? Well, well, Holy Grail Wars certainly are full of backstabbers. Such horrid barbarity. What riveting curiosity!
Then, there was what this Chiron told them. A previous Grail War, one involving a Jason of the Argonauts gaining a task by one Gilgamesh. A prototype meant to give them that same task should they be unable to accomplish this Black Cannon in time.
Curious-Sanson's eyes began to water. Such a fantastic and brutal world. No Grimm and no Jabberwalker and yet these people continue to destroy each other! Such hopes for a bright and beautiful future while their insignificant little blue dot slowly decays into gray.
"What's this?" Cat saw that which was certainly wasn't Sanson's. Or perhaps it really was. It was hard to tell with Cat ciphering through them all, including what might have been their own. "Akashic Records? Oh, now that sounds interesting!"
Cat was someone defined by their terrible curiosity. A desire to know everything regardless of use or morality. A single-minded purpose that makes Cat ignore all others. With the prospect of getting to definitively know everything? It is a match made in heaven!
"Oh, but first," Cat said, returning back to these League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. "I can't let my dear old maker win the Grail War now, now can I?"
Cat was learning more about the god of Light here than they ever did. After leaving the Ever After, both he and his brother of darkness created this one. And it would have been their own playground to do as they wish. But with this… Foreigner appearing in Remnant, their experiment now has an extraneous factor that could never be their own.
These Salem and Ozma people? Their curses are no longer as permanent anymore. My, my, what a world you all come from! Such a wonderful world!
Remnant no longer has much to offer Cat and they didn't spend that much time here at all. There was little to be done about the Ever After but this? This Earth? What better place than to go there! And god of light intends to destroy the only means out of here? Jealous much?
"Yes." Cat nodded. "Yes, you are, dear maker of mine." There was an air of vengeful anger around them. "You left me there. You left me without any means to heal my own broken heart. I'll play your game. But do not think that I will stand by and let you destroy my only ticket out of here!"
Curious-Sanson shrugged. They supposed they would be doing as Companion Servants do and aid Remnant against the brother gods themselves. Well, light at any rate; darkness was nowhere to be found. Perhaps that one decided to leave Remnant be.
"Always wanted it your way," Cat commented. Their head staring up into the sky, wondering if that pathetic maker could even hear them. "You never liked it when brother dearest does anything better than you, don't you? Jabby and now these Grimm."
Their eyes then turned towards where they had come from. The fires still burned in that distance. Cat wasn't certain if they had died down already or if Caster had already left.
"Well," Cat thought. "So long as I don't help the Master of Assassin, everything should be fair game, no?"
Still, before any of that, Cat tested a few things. Personal skills and even tactics of the possessed added to their own. Cat supposed that it is one way that makes things rather simple. Cat let a little bit of control loose. Nothing had happened. They smiled wider than what Sanson's face normally would have allowed. It would seem that once possessed, there is only one method for them to break free. Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Curious-Sanson strutted with a cartoony jump with each step. Arms swung wide as each step was longer than the leg itself allowed. Their head bobbed up and down, as if listening to some funky music that played only in Cat's head.
The fires ahead were still there and the scent reached Cat's nose. Cat took a deep sniff. Nope. There was no effect on the host at all. Then again, none of the things burning were those leaves. It was just the scent of a few fried sea-food that made Cat's mouth water a little.
"Hello!" Curious-Sanson peeked out their head and was immediately attacked by nearby Cthnonians.
"Oh?" Caster commented. "Possessing a new vessel are we?" Caster did not at all have any sympathy nor concern. "I wonder if it would be as one when this goes to Master's spellbook."
Caster looked to Cat without much concern nor desire. Perhaps it had something to do with his targets getting away? Or did it have something to do with its Cthnonians being possessed?
Cat avoided one only to run into another Cthnonian. Each one obeying the whims of their summoner. One flaw in possessing another Servants was that, despite gaining their abilities on top of Cat's own, Cat would lose the ability of changing another's purpose. Cat would have to abandon Sanson's body if they wanted to alter another's purpose.
"Really Lewis?" Cat asked. "Can't let little old me have some fun?"
With Sanson's own blade, Cat cut down a Cthnonian. Moving and weaving past another in similar motions and habits as the original, Cat had cut another.
"Okay," Cat said. "Maybe I can have a little fun." Stretching out their new body beyond what it should be capable off, Cat continued, "why don't we work together for real this time, Sanson?"
There was no response, as it should be. One could never be too sure about sudden resistances. There may not be any of those leaves but that doesn't mean that Cat's hold still wouldn't be broken free from. Cat is not taking that many chances here.
Cthnonians surrounded Curious-Sanson. But time spent with them also allowed Cat to learn more about their habits.
They preferred entanglement and complete restraint before any sort of significant damage. Sludge were spat out at them, meant to slow Cat down so that they could be more efficient in their entanglement.
Cat and Sanson's respective parameters did not, in any way, get combined which was a shame. It was more accurate to say that it averaged out. Sanson's worst stats would be raised by Cat's better ones and vice versa. This also, sadly, applies to their best stats.
"Nothing a little breaking in wouldn't fix!"
Cat moved over and around the Cthnonians. Sword wildly swinging and slashing. Movements irregular as Sanson's body contorted, stretched and returned to its original position as Cat cut Cthnonians without much care for anything else.
They managed to catch Caster's growing interest. That raising of eyebrows and growing smile, a normal one for once, could not be mistaken for anything else.
"Fascinating," Caster commented. "Not as good as my Master's and certainly not as elegant as the Grimm, but there is an art to it. A different art style, if you will."
"Glad I could please you." Curious-Sanson managed to bow when they had a chance. "I do try to please."
"Still," Caster continued. "My Master's orders remain the same." He commanded a smaller group of smaller Cthnonians to attack Cat. A few tentacles have begun to manifest from the ground.
"We need not be enemies for that long!" Cat offered. "Sanson, bless his aching heart, it is in so much hurt you wouldn't believe, and I are both Companions, you see."
Caster nodded. "Yes. My Master and her pieces are aware of your existences." He gestured the spellbook. "We have a place for you."
A tentacle just brushed past Curious-Sanson's foot.
"And what if I were to tell you that there is another enemy? One that might just change your Master's mind?"
Cat's claws expanded from Sanson's arm and slashed a Cthnonian to fine paper. Heh. Paper.
"I have no interest in your offerings. I only live to serve my Master. And my Master desires death."
Nearly avoiding a tentacle that came for them like a javelin thrown, Cat lost their balance and was falling from a tree. Cthnonians already gathering around them.
Clever. Cat would give Caster that win after seeing their surroundings. There were less trees and bushes for Cat to jump to and from. Can't break him, though. He's too deranged. Shame really. In another life, we might have been friends.
"What if I were to tell you that said opposing Master could grant it? And without the Grail, too?"
Oh? That one made Caster pause. Though in hindsight, Cat wasn't sure if that had been the right choice. Caster, rather than being elated at having his Master's wish fulfilled without the Grail, was filled with a furious anger instead.
"The Master of Assassin," Cat continued. The Cthnonians have stopped attacking as well. "One of two of Remnant's makers, the brother god of light. It is why we Companions are here in the first place!"
The Cthnonians all stayed in their places. Tentacles were flailing lazily as they waited for orders. Caster himself stood in place, anger burning in his eyes.
"Assassin," he whispered. There was a strange affectionate tone behind it. "Assassin. Oh how you've been saddled with a terrible Master!"
Cat tilted Sanson's head, unsure of what to make of the sight before them.
Caster said things that were inaudible but carried a stinging disdain for the brother of light.
"I'm… Sorry?" Cat remained unsure. "But am I missing anything here?"
Suddenly, Caster's ramblings stopped and he turned towards Cat. Cat nearly shrunk back with how those oily eyes stared through both Cat and Sanson's souls. There was no pleasure behind it, only a possessive and jealous anger.
"They will not take her away from me," Caster whispered. But Cat was too close that they could hear it as though he was speaking. "I still have so many, so many methods to try!"
"I'm—"
"She will not be taken from me!" Caster exploded. "An immortal. A genuine immortal, and one who craves death. I will be the one to grant it! It shall be me! I will be the one to find that manner of ending. It is I who will find and create every form of killing that can and will ever exist. I! I shall become the greatest artist of the art of death!"
Caster's sword pointed at Sanson's neck. Cat gulped for them both.
"So be it," he continued. His voice calmed down enough at least. "A willing Companion you will be. Perhaps, I shall have these gods bend to her will instead. Show her that only I can bring her the death she craves."
"Okay." Cat's voice was high-pitched, almost a squeak.
All of the Cthnonians obeyed the will of their summoner. Cat followed Caster as they made way towards the docks. There were no ships left; they were all taken away or were sunk along with the faunus on them. That did not stop Caster from walking onward anyway.
Rather than go towards the wharves, Caster stepped to the side and stood on the shore.
"Now then, dear Hazel," Caster said.
Oh right, Cat thought. He's here. For a man so large, he does have quite the knack of keeping himself hidden. Looking at Caster though, Cat wasn't so certain about that assessment.
Hazel sighed and brought forth a jellyfish-looking Grimm, a seer. A voice was heard coming from the other end.
"Caster?" said a feminine voice, Caster's Master. "What is your status?"
Caster gestured towards the form of Curious-Sanson. "I have found two other Companions, my Master. While the other one resisted, he had been possessed by this one here."
Cat couldn't tell where they should be looking at. There wasn't any face that they could see and there certainly wasn't any kind of projection that was being made here. Cat wasn't certain if the thing could. One thing was certain: there was a familiarity about the woman speaking and that of the Jabberwalker. A particular air about them that reminded Cat of its own makers: the other brother.
A minute of silence had passed before Caster's Master spoke again. "You wish to offer your services to me willingly?"
Cat bowed with the same reverence from their vessel's memories of their time period and living. Sanson seemed to be familiar with royalty at least. It was certainly different from the ones where Cat comes from; those ones would be considered childish by the standards of Remnant. It was a good thing too. Cat could hide their own face while they're at it.
"Very well," said Caster's Master. "One who serves willingly is far more useful than those enforced."
"Very wise, my Master," agreed Caster.
The seer then turned towards Hazel. "Hazel. How goes the supply?"
Hazel hesitated to answer. "You are too generous on your Servant, my Queen. He has… foraged during our travels."
"Has he now?"
Caster did not at all look guilty. He accepted it with glee.
"Alright then," the Master of Caster continued. "Both of you are to return to Evernight Castle. Let us see what this willing Companion of ours has to share."
At this, Cat smiled. "A pleasure to be of service… my Queen."
The seer then left their presence, going who knows where. Had it always been there? Cat's eyes turned towards Caster again. Such a horrid presence that anything and anyone might as well cease to exist. Cat's expression turned somewhat serious.
Caster then summoned the larger Cthnonians and had them begin working on crafting them a raft. It was small and humble but with Caster's familiars serving as both rudder and sail, it was the swiftest sea faring vessel that would ever grace Remnant.
The two—three of them left Menagerie behind. The fires have already died down and nothing remained of it but ashes. That home for the faunus was wiped from the maps of Remnant.
/-/
Blake was still out there on the deck. For once, Sun wasn't certain if his usual demeanor would even work. She'd probably get angry at him for staying as upbeat as he could and Sun wasn't sure either if that was preferable to this miserable state that she was in. He even wore a different shirt, one of the White Fang's former uniforms that was a size too large for him.
Sun helped out wherever he could on the ship. But he always volunteered for anything that was up there on deck. He, with some help from a White Fang member named Ilia, brought Blake to one of the rooms where she had been stuck the whole voyage. Blake wasn't the only one; a few other rooms had them and not a single one of those still moving hated them for it. Only difference was that they eventually kicked themselves back into acting; Blake did not.
At least, Blake had enough sense to eat, even if only a little. Sun had to reduce the portions just so that it doesn't come back out when Blake tried. Sun practically only carried half a plate's worth with the other half going to him anyway.
"Is she still out of it?" the girl, Ilia, asked. After some conversations, turns out to Sun that both she and Blake used to be comrades.
Sun said nothing and only nodded.
Ilia sighed. "Great. Look, I don't mean to sound entitled but Adam isn't right in the head right now and Blake's parent founded the White Fang. I don't know. We're just—"
"Looking for someone to take the lead," Sun guessed. "Wish I could help you guys there but I couldn't lead any of you guys. Not like this."
"Aren't you a team leader?"
"Not much. Called a few shots here and there but most of them were really just doing their own thing. Definitely can't do the same here."
A White Fang member came to talk to Ilia who responded. Neither of them seemed certain but that moment wasn't missed by Sun.
"Don't." She shook her head. "I really can't do this. It's not really for me."
"But they're listening."
"They'd listen to anyone that isn't… whoever that monster was. We're going for Vale; Mistral isn't safe."
Sun sighed. "Yeah, figures." A few seconds passed. Ilia didn't really leave and Sun didn't ask her to. "But what are you planning to do when you get there?" The White Fang's actions against Beacon didn't need to be said.
"Negotiate? Spare the civilians and arrest the rest of us? We don't expect to be treated well there, justifiably this time. The least we could do is make sure the others don't get dragged into it. Oh, and you might want to get your shirt back when that happens."
"Nah," Sun shook his head. He pointed to Blake. "She can keep it."
"I'm not offering," Ilia already brought another. It was a plain one with no means of opening and it wasn't quite Sun's size. "I… you seem like a good guy. I'm not letting you get involved with one of us."
"Like Vale's going to listen? Look, I know my innocence but I don't think that many people could vouch for me there. Even if there were, I'm sure not everyone is going to listen anyway."
"Wouldn't hurt to try."
Ilia left the shirt by Sun's shoulder and left him there. Blake had to have been listening to their conversation; they weren't even hiding it from her and her eyes were at least in their direction. But there was nothing. Blake still did not respond nor did she comment on Ilia's plans.
The ships were silent with only the monotonous splashing of waves against their vessels disturbing it. Occasionally, one would hear the gulls flying over their lowered heads. Conversations were few in number and only spoke in whispers; those were only comprised of instructions for navigation and ship handling.
In all that time, Sun never left Blake's side. Ilia would pass by there, usually to check in on Blake. Sun would always give her the same answer: no update.
The skies were at least kinder, and nights were as peaceful as they could hope. Some of the children, and even adults, have begun to recount tales of lost loved ones and begun to cry. The grieving process had finally begun for most of them. Even Blake's eyes had begun to shed their first tears. It was slow but it had begun. Blake curled herself into a ball as her body trembled and sobs gradually grew louder.
Perhaps it was insensitive of Sun and Ilia to be smiling at the sight. But they would rather have Blake begin to cry than permanently lose her into that state that she had been earlier. At least here, they could do something. She was getting more responsive as well though still small.
A quiet morning greeted them next. Their vessel wasn't one of the fastest but they were also avoiding most sea routes. Their flags bearing the White Fang may have been torn down but Mistral was still a danger to them. They were still around Mistral's borders and it would take a while longer before they would even reach within Vale's territory. Vacuo had been suggested but that trip would take longer.
There was a forced happiness among the vessels. Despite the strange circumstances of not having met any yet, there hadn't been any Grimm in the area. Ships were always equipped to deal with Grimm in some way, only those meant to stay close to the shore did not and those boat had long since been sunk were converted into something else.
Blake still hadn't left the room but the sobbing eventually stopped and was replaced by the rhythmic rise and fall of sleep. Nothing had made Sun and Ilia happier.
During that time, both Sun and Ilia had gotten to know each other a bit better. Ilia made no denials that there had been something between herself and Blake though that had been one-sided. Sun himself confessed something similar.
"Part of the reason why I tagged along," Sun raised his arms in surrender. "Course, I knew she didn't feel the same."
"Something 'bout the way she looked at someone else?"
"Yup."
The two chuckled among themselves. Blake had fallen into deeper slumber to hear them. The one pleasant thing about it was that Sun could finally go up on the deck and take in some air. He would still go down there and check on her if Ilia wasn't the one doing it.
"I promised both her parents and Sanson that I'd look after her," Sun said. "Appreciate the help."
"Anytime. And thanks for helping out with the White Fang."
"Are you kidding? You're doing great!"
"Oh sure," Ilia rolled her eyes. "Just second-guessing every decision I have to make. No big deal."
"Every leader goes through that someday."
"Why don't you lead them instead? You're an actual team leader."
"Yeah, not a White Fang member, remember?"
"The shirt you're still wearing says otherwise."
Sun was more of a muscle among them. Being a huntsman-in-training meant that he was the one doing the heavy lifting. He found a rather neat use for his semblance here since that meant four could work at once at the cost of one.
Having nothing much else to do, Sun had resumed his exercises since he hadn't been moving much at all watching over Blake like that. Ilia could do the same but White Fang training wasn't much compared to proper huntsman training.
Taking advantage of a current, their vessel zoomed towards their destination much faster. Many vessels followed suit with a few departing from them. Their reasons for doing so were unknown to the two but they wished them luck anyway.
"I have to ask," Ilia said. "You ever think that maybe all those fairytales are true?"
Sun paused before answering. The cause behind such a question wasn't lost to them. "I mean… if one of them did exist…"
"Would have been nice if he had been there."
"Yeah. It would be. Definitely would have better than them. Don't remember the Cat doing that from the stories, I'll tell you that much."
"I know right? Like, when did that happen?"
The two went quiet for a while before Sun started again. "I just hope that the others are at least true to their stories. Could you imagine the Jabberwalker of all things being our hero?"
Ilia exhaled. "Wouldn't be the first time." Her fingers traced the White Fang mask.
"Yeah," Sun said. "Would be nice if the Rusted Knight is at least as heroic as the stories."
/-/
"So we're good?" Rider asked.
"Yup," Qrow replied. "Not much we could do about Raven but we could at least secure the key to the Vault."
"You need some extra muscle?" Lancer offered.
"You," Qrow emphasized. He was still bitter about the alcohol supply that had been reserved just for him when he found out about it. "Stay in spirit form."
Chiron shook his head. He turned to the students. "Are you ready?"
"We're disguising ourselves as students of yours," Ruby said. "Most of us anyway."
"And I'm coming back home," Pyrrha added.
Rider's fanciful outfit remained as they all walked like a group of friends towards Mistral. Chiron took the role of guide with Qrow and Rider taking the role of guardians.
Pyrrha's pacing was slow but she kept up with the rest of them. She was at the end of the group with Rider just in front of her. He would look back and smile awkwardly at her but Pyrrha had been more focused on staring at his new outfit. It wasn't something that would be found here in Mistral and it certainly drew attention. If it was that or the tunic, at least this one made Rider look like he was dressed for an occasion.
Keeping a façade of a more experienced but still youthful huntsman was easy for Rider. Children were certainly a fan of him and he entertained them accordingly. He acted like those fairytale knights with such ease, most mistook him for genuine nobility. Some even called him a prince.
"Master?" Rider asked. He also often stood still and waited for Pyrrha to catch up. They all did eventually.
"Sorry," Pyrrha said. She took a deep breath. "Just a little anxious, that's all."
Rider approached her and offered her a hand. "Then, would milady be gracious enough to accept me as a humble escort?"
Pyrrha's red face lasted a moment. Chiron and Qrow rolled their eyes. Ruby, Nora, and Ren gave her full support. Nora was especially supportive and volunteered Ren to do the same for her, just so that Pyrrha wasn't alone. Vernal was hard to read, maybe disgust?
Master and Servant walked as though they were headed to a formal dance. Pyrrha couldn't look at Rider without turning away immediately after. She didn't know where to look since the onlookers were also staring. Qrow and Vernal just pretended to never have known them at all.
Pyrrha had imagined moments like these once. Her and Jaune walking together, hands intertwine. It was chaste and simple, certainly. But she wondered now if Rider ever thought of the same in his time. Neither of them had that chance to try.
Even the circumstances here weren't the same. She pictured that it would be through the hallways of Beacon academy. The one time she would have been happy at the attention would have been at the sight of the two of them together.
The bitter reminder of reality hurt her a little. Such things could never happen and those circumstances could never be. Even now, it wasn't like those stories she would imagine for herself. Should she?
Haven Academy soon greeted them over the horizon. It was mostly empty of staff and faculty. The students were all absent and have been sent home. Chiron led the way as they went inside without much security blocking their way.
There were a few staff members here and there but those were only finishing up whatever duties that they had. At the sight of Chiron, they already knew that these guests were expected by the headmaster.
"Headmaster's at his office, sir," said one of the janitors, ignorant of the fact that it should just have been Chiron.
"Thank you," replied Chiron. "Perhaps you and the rest should consider early."
"No need to tell us that, sir. Headmaster Leo already told us to. Don't know what it is with him, lately."
"I'm certain that the illustrious headmaster of Haven has a lot on his plate. What with the Vytal Festival and Beacon. Perhaps I could help relieve him of his duties."
The group then proceeded towards Leo's office. The hallways, much like the rest of Mistral, reflected a balance between culture and nature. Paintings and statues reflected the arts but the ones they had at their base overshadowed them in quality. The colors were vibrant and cool, windows letting in more of natural light into these silent hallways.
At night, these hallways gave a view of serenity if the skies were cloudless. A night sky full of stars made Pyrrha imagine herself walking underneath that dark veil with her Jaune. Perhaps it was naïve and amateur of her, but she also pictured the sound of melodic tunes playing as she and Jaune, wearing an outfit similar to the one Rider currently wore, dance underneath the shattered moonlight.
Pyrrha chuckled to herself a little. She remembered that Vytal dance. He wore a dress that time. She wished she could go back to it.
You could, Pyrrha's thoughts intruded. She then turned towards Ruby. Her free hand tightened then loosened. It's wrong. The whole world is at stake.
They all stopped at Leo's door. Chiron turned to them one last time; his stare lasted the longest when it came to Pyrrha.
Chiron then turned around and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" The calm in Leo's voice sounded forced.
"I'm finally here, headmaster," said Chiron.
"Chiron?" There was elevation in Leo's voice and a hint of frustration. "It's about time you got here! Do you know how many of my calls had you been ignoring?"
"Sorry. I have been a bit busy."
AN: I'm just going to say it: I make no promises about Sun and Ilia over here. I have an outline (still mostly intact) and these two were never really accounted for. I generally try to leave myself some flexibility for these sorts of things while having enough to have some idea of what I'm doing. Plantser is what I think this style of mine is called.