Author's Notes:
-Warm greetings, my dear readers. Despite me helping out family members, rushing to get the booster shot (which I had been putting off for a number of reasons for far too long, and getting said shot right as it seems the world is about to go to hell in a hand-basket... (Again...)) and everything else, I still managed to get this chapter out just in time for Christmas. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
As such, here is a Christmas carol a la RWBY style.
It's beginning to look a lot like RWBY, everywhere you go
Take a look in the sea and sky, Grimm all passing by
With their red eyes aglow
It's beginning to look a lot like RWBY
Chaos and adventure galore
But the prettiest sight to see, is the beauty that will be
The Champion at the door
-(sees carol) Well, I tried. Nonetheless, I'd like to say that this chapter will be bright and merry, but then I'd be lying. Much like ch. 64 and 100 (which were also published around Christmas), things are getting... dark again. With this (and the title) in mind, let me ask you this; What does it mean... to be part of the undead army?
The village of Aslolis was laid out before team JNPR-Ruby. Aslolis appeared to be about the same size as Aletheia, only this time they could take the sights in without worrying about the Grimm. Cottages and small cabins were by the coastline, while further out were small buildings of wood and stone. In the distance on large hills, there were some larger buildings, likely rich manors and/or big businesses. The quintet entered a market square, with stands set up and goods to sell, but no one was there.
In a few places were pieces of tape or nails on the wall, but no posters or pictures being held up. Team JNPR-Ruby left the coast and went further in.
"Well, this is a nice place." Jaune remarked.
"Certainly better than our previous location." Pyrrha agreed. "But where is everyone? It looks like a ghost town."
"No idea." Nora answered, turning to Jaune and Ruby. "So what's the plan?"
"Well, it's mid-afternoon." Ruby began. "We should get some more supplies here, perhaps some dinner at a cheap tavern, and then get on the road."
"Sounds like a plan."
The four continued to roam the village in silence, seeing what appeared to be a Grimm shelter far ahead of them.
Ren looked around. "Is there even anyone here? We've been here for three minutes and so far we haven't seen anyone."
Nora shrugged. "Maybe they're all taking breaks or something?"
The heroic quintet tried not to let it get to them and ventured further into the town.
A brief montage was shown of them buying some MREs, canned goods and even a few fresh things for later. Then it showed them refilling water bottles and canteens and getting some of their dust on clearance.
The montage ended, with a content Ruby, Pyrrha and Nora going forth. Jaune was neutral, and Ren seemed unsettled.
Nora noticed Ren's worry. "Is something wrong?"
"Have you guys noticed the behavior of the vendors we have encountered so far?"
She nodded side to side. "No. Why?"
"Well that first vendor seemed to glare at us when we told him that we were huntsmen and huntresses in training." he answered. "And the second one had his eye twitch the entire time we were there."
"Maybe it's involuntary?" Pyrrha suggested.
"I don't know." Jaune spoke. "This place is getting weirder and weirder the more time we spend here."
"I'm sure there's a reason for all this." Pyrrha reasoned.
At that moment, a man came up to them, "Hello there, new visitors! Are any of you Pyrrha Nikos by chance?"
The five gave each other weird looks before she turned to him and answered, "I am. Is there something you need help with?"
"Oh no, no, I just wanted to be kind and give back to our lovely heroine for all the hard work she has done." the man answered. "Your dinner's on me."
Pyrrha appeared surprised at the idea. "Really? Wow, um, thank you?"
"You're welcome." the man said. "Now, if you'll kindly follow me."
"Free food?! Count me in!" Nora cheered.
"Maybe our good luck is finally kicking in!" Ruby cheered.
The strange man walked forward, Pyrrha ran up to him, with Nora and Ruby in tow. Ren and Jaune lagged behind.
Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Ren and Jaune silently thought.
As they walked forward, the two noticed there were a few people that looked at them, sometimes even staring at them for at least a second or two, but would either turn away or outright run from them.
"Something's strange here." Jaune whispered to Ren.
"Yeah no kidding." Ren whispered back. "But why?"
Meanwhile, Emerald Arc had reached the city of Mistral. As she stepped from the forest to the city, she observed her surroundings. She was in one of the lower levels of the city, and she knew that there could be criminals lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on her.
Day 140. I have reached the capital of this kingdom. Now that I'm in a safe place, I can release this lock on my heart. But for how long will I feel something?
She stood with her arms out, thinking of memories with strong emotions tied to them; the secret sorrow she felt when she was leaving her family, her birthday celebration of her turning sixteen, the thoughtfulness of the presents she had received. Slowly but surely green energy circled around her arms and channeled to her heart. Her green eyes blinked and suddenly filled with tears.
Poor Brianna... Does she have a family? They're going to be devastated. Maybe I shouldn't do this...
No. You are going forth and telling them what you saw.
The messenger went to the door and entered it.
Moments later, Aya Swaran, Kin Li, and Leonardo Lionheart were seated around a raised table, with Emerald standing before them.
"Ms. Arc, is it?" Lionheart began.
The normally emotionless messenger nodded. "That's me."
"Why have you summoned us here?" Kin asked.
"Lady and gentlemen, I'm afraid I have terrible news to report. One of your council members, Brianna Braith, was found dead." All three council members gasped. "I have reported this to the local authorities of Zephyros and took it upon myself to deliver the news to you. You will likely hear a report from them in the future."
Oh no... Leonardo thought to himself. Is this... my fault? Did... Salem's agents do this?
"What happened?" Kin asked.
"How did she die?" Aya added.
"My best guess, based on the evidence; a bat-fanged faunus tearing out her jugular veins." The three looked at her confused. She pointed to the side of her neck in demonstration. "The veins in your neck."
All three nodded in grim understanding. "This is bad news." Lionheart stated.
"If one of us has been taken down, who's to say they won't come after the rest of us?" Kin told his fellow council members.
Aya stated, "We need to do something before another council member falls."
At that moment, Warden Cayenne entered the room. He looked frizzled, and like he hadn't slept in days.
"Warden Cayenne?" Aya asked in concern. "What are you..."
"Isabelle Bluebell has been murdered!" he quickly blurted out.
Everyone else gasped.
Aya struggled to hold back tears. "Bluebell... is gone too?"
At this, the warden tensed up. "Gone too? What do you mean 'gone too'?"
Mr. Li gestured to Emerald Arc. "This messenger has just told us that Brianna Braith has been murdered by an unknown bat-fanged suspect. Killed as they tore apart her jugular veins."
"Oh my..." Cayenne appeared horrified, covering his mouth with his hands.
Emerald pointed towards the warden. "And who might you be?"
"Warden Caleb Cayenne. I run the Catacombs Correctional Facility, the second harshest, or I guess now the harshest prison in Mistral with the destruction of Argus Harbor..."
The messenger looked on in dread. "And how do you know about Bluebell's death?"
"I saw a strange figure leaving from Bluebell's house, but I was in doubt, so I tried to ignore it. I don't know if ghosts are real, or if I may be losing my sanity, but deep down, I feared something was wrong. Two weeks later or so, I went in to investigate, and I found her dead. Her throat was slit open, likely with a dagger or some kind of knife. Judging by the smell, among other things, this happened the night I saw..."
"You saw what?" Emerald asked.
"What did you see?" Lionheart followed with.
"I saw... someone who looked like Maura Celandine. Or maybe it was her! But it couldn't have been her! She's been dead for months! And that's not even the beginning. Earlier I thought I saw a sphere of purple energy collapse, albeit it may have been a person's aura, and I thought I saw the backside of a woman with deathly pale skin and black flowing robes with a strange symbol on the back."
Oh no... the secret spy shivered. Did he see Salem herself?
"What's happening?" Cayenne questioned. "Am I going mad?! Or are the dead coming back?"
Everyone was silent. Even Emerald Arc, who was likely the smartest person in the room, did not know what to say.
A full minute had passed. Someone finally broke the silence.
"This is the worst possible news..." Lionheart spoke.
"And after just learning what happened to Braith..." Aya softly cried.
"We need to protect ourselves, first and foremost." Kin stated. "All of us are going to need bodyguards, preferably huntsmen or huntresses if we can find them."
"Not necessary." Lionheart insisted. "At least, not for me. I have huntsman skills. You guys need professional bodyguards more than I do. I'll be fine. Not to mention there's a shortage of huntsmen and huntresses, so how would we even find enough guards to go around?"
"Nonsense! You're the oldest headmaster among them."
Emerald appeared surprised. "He is?"
Aya nodded. "Yes he is." She blew her nose into a handkerchief before explaining. "Ironwood is forty-five. Going to turn forty-six sometime in June. Ozpin was forty-eight years old at his death, and I believe his successor Glydna is thirty-nine? Additionally, Theodore is forty-nine, going on fifty in a matter of months. Councilman Lionheart is fifty-five now, and will be fifty-six before this year ends." She turned to the headmaster of Haven. "Your fighting skills are not what they used to be, and even if they were, we can't take any chances. You're getting the best guards we can find."
Oh boy... Well, this may or may not be a bad thing. On one hand, I won't have to report to Salem. On the other hand, I won't be able to report to her... This may or may not be a good thing. Lionheart thought.
Mr. Li addressed the informants. "Well, Ms. Arc, Mr. Cayenne, we thank you both for your valuable information." He looked at the warden. "You may go, and I suggest you try to get some good sleep."
"I will try," he said. "but who knows whether or not my efforts will be successful?"
With this, Warden Cayenne left the hall.
"As for you, Ms. Arc, this information you have given us should ideally save our lives, and for this, we are giving you a reward." Kin told her.
He got out a checkbook and a pen, writing something out before giving it to her.
She was given a check for... "Three thousand Lien? You are too generous." The messenger pocketed it. "Thank you very much. I'll be sure to deposit it before I leave this city. If that is all, I shall bid thee goodbye and good luck."
"Be careful, young lady." Kin advised her.
"Bonne chance, young dame. Be careful out there." Aya said to her.
"Farewell, Ms. Arc." Lionheart solemnly spoke. "May light be eternally on your path."
After this, Emerald left the room, leaving the council members to try and find ways to protect themselves.
Back in Aslolis, the heroic quintet were led further into the village. The man led them all the way from one side of town to another, and after about twenty minutes of walking, they reached their destination.
"Here we are," he spoke. "Just follow me right in."
The man walked into the tavern. The heroes gave each other puzzled looks before entering the tavern.
"Why is it so dark?" Ren questioned.
The lights quickly came on and a chorus of voices shouted, "Surprise!"
All of them saw some banners and posters of Pyrrha hung about the solid oak walls of the tavern. There was even one poster that read with the caption underneath; "You are the best!"
"You guys are too kind, but my birthday is still a long while away." Pyrrha told them.
"Oh this isn't meant to be a surprise birthday party." one of the female patrons spoke from a table, a mug in her hand. "We're hosting a surprise party to celebrate you and your accomplishments."
"We heard of your tales from Aletheia, how you faced off against Scarlatti's faction of the Trojan Alliance, and how you and your friends ultimately saved the village from complete destruction." their tour guide told them. "Like I said earlier, your dinner's on me. Get whatever you want- appetizers, drinks, desserts, you name it and I'll even prepare it." He turned to the bartender at the bartop. "Barkeep, get some menus for our esteemed guests."
Ren noticed there were at least a hundred customers here and looked back at the posters and banners. "This seems way too good to be true."
"Oh come on, we're finally having some good luck. Why shouldn't we enjoy it?" Nora asked as they started to examine the menus.
Jaune pondered her words as he looked over the appetizers.
"Can I get you guys started with something to drink?" the barkeep asked.
"I'll just take a water." Pyrrha said.
"Also a water." Jaune nodded.
"Water, and... do you have any lapsang tea?" Ren requested.
"I can check, but I doubt that we have any."
"If not, I'll just take green."
The barkeep looked at Nora. "A water, and... you know how to make a Pink Lady?"
"Easy money, Miss Valkyrie." He turned to the youngest member of their party. "And for you?"
"I'll take a water, and a red cream soda."
"Very well, I'll get those drinks right in."
Jaune looked back at the menu, as did everyone else.
I know I said that we should be getting some good luck, so does it feel like something's horribly wrong? he thought. Is it possible that after all our time in eastern Sanus being persecuted by the Trojan Alliance that we've all become paranoid?
After a few minutes, the barkeep came up to them, giving them glasses of water and all the other requested drinks. A few more minutes passed by and he asked, "You know what you would like to start?"
"We would like your bacon-wrapped stuffed dates and some boneless teriyaki wings." Ruby answered.
"Excellent choice. I'll get those right in for you."
The server left and went into the kitchen, clearly marked on the doors as "employees only".
"I'll be right back, I have to use the restroom." Ren told his fellow trainees.
With this, the lotus warrior left the bartop. Nora took a sip of her drink.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, the tour guide was shown wrapping bacon slices around dates that had been stuffed with two or three almonds inside them.
The woman with white fake flowers in her hair came up to him. "Hello there. Fancy seeing you here."
"Greetings CA." the tour guide/chef greeted. "Or should I call you Mrs. A?"
"Doesn't matter, as long as the plan succeeds." CA answered. "You have the liquid Hg ready?"
He pulled out a large vial of silver liquid followed by another. "Right here. Even if this chemical doesn't knock out their lights, they'll still be affected and their strength and skills will weaken. And the best part? It's odorless and I'm pretty sure that it's tasteless too."
The chef put the dates in the oven to bake.
On his way back from the restroom, Ren walked by the kitchen, overhearing a woman say, "Are you sure she won't detect it?"
"I'm positive. Even if they heard our code, I doubt they're smart enough to realize what Hg is. They'll never see it coming."
The eavesdropper gasped, a little too loudly.
"Did you hear something?" CA asked.
"I'm sure it's fine." her ally responded.
Ren quickly and quietly left.
A moment later, he arrived back at the bartop as Pyrrha sipped on her ice water. "Guys, we need to leave. Now."
Nora, along with everyone else, was heavily confused, nearly choking on her cocktail. "What? Why?"
"They're trying to poison us. I heard them mentioning Hg, and I think they're trying to give us food poisoning."
Nora and Jaune gave each other worried looks. Pyrrha was in disbelief.
Ruby scratched her head. "Hg?"
"The atomic number for mercury."
The silver-eyed warrior raised an eyebrow. "Mercury? But isn't it a metal?"
"Mercury is liquid at room temperature," Pyrrha confirmed, beginning her answer. "and it's very poisonous." She appeared sad. "But it doesn't make sense... Why would...?"
Soon thereafter, their appetizers came out of the kitchen.
Under the table, Pyrrha's left hand had a black glow and she saw it around their food, confirming Ren's suspicion. Softly gasping, she showed her hand to Jaune.
"Here you are. Bacon dates and teriyaki wings." The barkeep smirked after placing them on the table. "Enjoy."
"The jig is up!" Jaune shouted, standing up. "We know you're trying to kill us!"
The crowd gasped.
"Well crap." the barkeep cursed. "Time to do this the old-fashioned way. Too bad they weren't poisoned first."
Pyrrha stood up in sorrow as Jaune stepped in to defend her from incoming arrows the barkeep shot at them. Everyone else started firing guns, arrows or attempting to approach them. Ren blocked the attacks from the front with an aura shield.
On the bartop counter, ground floor and her seat respectively, Nora, Ren and Ruby stood up and tried to understand what was happening around them. The Valkyrie swung her hammer at an incoming guy with a mace, knocking the weapon to the ground and sending him flying through the wall.
"You started this fight! Why?!" she lashed out.
How can this be happening? Pyrrha questioned.
"Pyrrha!" she heard Nora call out. "Arrows at nine o'clock!"
The Mistralian champion soon came to her senses and protected Ruby from the female patron who greeted them with her shield, the patron's mug having been traded for a sword.
"Who are you?!" Pyrrha asked, pushing her back.
"Is this even a real restaurant?!" Nora shouted above all the noise.
Ruby spun her scythe around to protect her friends from incoming attacks, and kicked down a guy right in the stomach.
"Ugh. What a disaster." a voice spoke. Before them, a woman with white fake flowers appeared, very unhappy. "You had one job. One job! And you failed it!"
Jaune instantly shivered upon seeing her. "Crimson?!"
"You know her?!" Nora asked, ducking under some arrows.
Ren soon noticed her horse-emblem badge and exclaimed, "Guys! It's the Trojan Alliance!"
Pyrrha's heart lurched into her throat. "The Trojan Alliance?"
"Get them!" Crimson ordered.
Many of them rose up and started to surround the heroes. The barkeep even grabbed Nora's leg, trying to drag her down. She screamed and stomped on his hand.
"There's too many of them!" Ruby cried out. "We have to get out of here!"
Nora threw two bottles of alcohol into the crowd and the quintet used the distraction to try and escape.
"Run as fast as you can, you'll never escape!" Crimson claimed. "They're all over the village!"
The heroes ran out the backdoor and into the village.
"My aunt is a traitor..." Jaune began.
This makes no sense... Nora thought. They thank us yet they try to kill us!
Sounds of gunfire were heard and seen as they tried to escape the village. The bar patrons were right behind them in addition to everyone hiding out and shooting from a distance.
"They're everywhere!" Pyrrha shouted.
"Great." he sarcastically remarked. "This can't get worse."
But not even two minutes later, found themselves surrounded by Trojan Alliance fighters, including policemen.
"You're surrounded!" the police chief shouted through a megaphone. "Put your weapons down and surrender!"
"Aw crap..." Jaune cursed.
The sun began to set over Anima. Somewhere within a forest far to the east, the Branwen Tribe was settling down for the day. But the tribe's leader was rather unsettled.
Vernal entered the tent. "Is something wrong?"
"Something doesn't feel right." Raven confessed. "I... I sensed something... dark during our recent raid on Black Queen Village. I have a feeling she may be growing smarter and/or suspicious of the tribe."
There was a moment of tense silence.
"What are you going to do?"
"There's only one thing to do, Vernal. The bait and switch method."
"And how are you going to do that? I thought maiden powers couldn't..."
She lifted her hand and dismissed her concerns. "There is another way."
Raven took a circular metal piece and inscribed a symbol on it with a metal knife. A closed eye. She enclosed her hand and channeled a small of amount of green energy into the charm, her eyes having the red glare around them and the charm glowed with a green light for a moment before unfurling her hand to show the completed charm.
"This amulet should prevent other magical beings from sensing my energy, and prevent Salem's negative emotions from finding me. Now all I need is a string."
Vernal took out a small metal chain that was once part of a necklace. "Here. Take this."
"You're too kind."
The tribe leader took the chain and put her charm on it.
The false maiden blinked in astonishment. "How did you even learn this?"
"How do you think?" Raven put the completed amulet necklace around her neck, tucking it in under her top. "Ozpin and his predecessors have used this method for centuries, if not longer. Simple, yet effective. Can be used by any magical user if they know how to do it right."
"A smart move." Vernal complimented.
"I would like to think so."
But will it be enough? Raven thought.
All the while, team JNPR-Ruby was in a nearby forest at night. All sans Ruby were tired and trying to catch their breath. Their only source of illumination was a torch Jaune lit up and held in his hand. The village of Aslolis was far behind them.
"Well, that was a bust." Jaune remarked. "So much for good luck."
"I can't believe this!" Nora was outraged. "They congratulate us for saving Aletheia, give us respect, and then they try to kill all of us! Those ungrateful bast!-"
"Nora! Keep it down!" Ren whisper-warned. "There could be more of them lurking nearby."
"I can't believe my own aunt is part of the Trojan Alliance. And I thought Rouge was bad..." The knight soon noticed Pyrrha staring at the village they had left behind. "Pyrrha?"
"How?" she began. "How can this be possible? After everything..."
Brief flashbacks in a montage were shown; Pyrrha assuming her disguise as Rouge Gorlois, using Froidcoeur in battle, Tyrian speaking to her before the fight between them and Scarlatti Trojan Alliance began, Tyrian's betrayal of said alliance and fighting him as he destroyed her masquerade mask.
I know disguising myself won't work, but why do I feel like crawling into a hole and never coming out? she thought. It seems I'm still a coward...
Nora turned to Ruby and Jaune. "What do we do now?"
"We have to keep moving forward." the former of them answered.
"Easier said than done." Jaune remarked. "With most, if not, all refusing to listen to reason, it's as though we are fighting the undead."
Ruby looked at him sadly. "Don't you think that's cruel to say about them?"
"Considering that they tried to kill us? No."
"They won't stop until she's good and dead." Ren remarked in sorrow.
A man with a creepy grin approached them. "So they won't stop until Pyrrha's dead, eh? Well. Isn't that unfortunate?" He smirked. "I may just be able to help you with that problem."
Nora frowned and raised an eyebrow. "And what do you mean by that?"