(A/N): Got another chapter that splits focus between RWBY and BIONICLE worlds this time! We've got some long-awaited Snowbyrd development, plus a special mission in the Matoran Universe for Penny!
Special thanks to Ethereal23 for helping me workshop the coffee shop conversation between Winter and Robyn. They're the one who sold me on this ship, so I feel it's only fair to credit them both for being the biggest catalyst and for being a good friend throughout the process. Hope you all enjoy what we managed to come up with!
"Oh, thank you Miss Hill. A thousand times, thank you."
Robyn gave a warm smile at the fox-eared woman standing in the doorway of her new dwellings, who almost collapsed under the armful of colorful fruits being passed over to her. "Anytime, Copper. Consider it a house-warming present, for you and the girls. Any issues moving into the new place?"
The Faunus woman gave a bittersweet smile as she passed the Dustfruit along to her daughters, little eyes brightening as they grabbed at their breakfast. "No…not physically, at least. We didn't lose much in the fire - mostly because we didn't have much to lose. So it wasn't hard to adjust to a different complex like this one, at least for the girls. Crimson's already started making friends in our new neighborhood, and Cerulean…heh. She hasn't stopped singing the praises of that Winter Maiden to anyone who'll listen."
One of the girls, the one with a big bushy vulpine tail, twitched excitedly as her favorite subject came up. "She was so cool!" she said through a mouthful of seeds. "She was all like 'wham, wham WHAM!' right through the walls! And then she jumped out a window with me and Crim in her arms, without bein' scared at all! We must've fallen like a hundred feet!"
"It was only forty feet, Ceru," deadpanned the other girl. "We weren't that high up."
"Like I said, a hundred feet!"
Robyn chuckled and shook her head. "Yep, that's Winter for you. Always taking the most direct solution…no matter how crazy or dangerous it might be, she's never scared. It's breathtaking…"
Copper cocked her head to one side.
"I-I mean it's aspirational!" The former hero of Mantle coughed to clear her throat. Jeez, was she really having these kinds of moments on the clock now, too? "Anyway, is that enough to last you the day?"
"More than enough," Copper assured her. "I wouldn't want to take too much, when others might need it more than us…"
"Copper, that's why we're out here," said Robyn. "That's why we've been coming out here. I'm bringing twice as many fruits here when I visit tomorrow, and I won't take 'no' for an answer. You and your girls are allowed to take as much as you want - the Dustfruits aren't going anywhere, and neither are we."
The fox-eared woman gave a squeak of protest, then relented. "…okay. See you tomorrow, then."
"Bye Miss Hill!" said Cerulean just before the door closed.
Robyn took a moment to breathe in the morning desert air, then let out a small sigh as she turned back to her work. The current block of buildings in the Glass District was being swarmed not by Grimm or angry wildlife, but by children of all ages working together to cart around crates many times their size. Normally she'd be opposed to letting them work out in the open like this, but they'd spent months cooped up inside their crumbling orphanages while the rest of the world burned around them. It was only fair that they be allowed a chance to see the sun, while the fires were dimming for a little bit.
While the Glass District was still as cramped and crowded as it usually was, it no longer felt quite so gloomy and oppressive. Now that they weren't at each other's throats for basic survival needs, Atlesians and Vacuans on the whole were a lot more willing to engage with their neighbors regardless of differences. Sure, there were still some outliers in the new community - like racist assholes who refused to touch anything related to the Faunus, or hard-hearted desert warriors clinging to old grudges - but things were far more peaceful and civil these days than they'd been for the last three months. There were even some Agori and Glatorians who'd chosen to move into Vacuo itself, rather than continue to live on the Ark. It was a bit odd to see armored aliens greeting her little helpers alongside humans and Faunus, and yet somehow it warmed her heart even more.
Maybe a united Remnant wasn't such a pipe dream after all.
Maybe.
"Yo, Robyn! Good morning!"
She was snapped out of her musings by a shout from behind, and she whirled around to find four boys strolling up the street like they owned it. A blonde monkey Faunus with a golden tail and a bright grin, a tall green-haired stoic swordsman, a redhead who walked with a confident swagger, and a guy with blue hair who reeked of false confidence…yep, this was Team SSSN alright.
"Hey Sunshine," she said with a warm smile. "Flyboy. Ladykiller. Chuckles."
Sun somehow managed to smile even brighter. Scarlet gave a salute and a smug smirk. Neptune shot a pair of finger-guns at her, oblivious as usual to his ironic nickname. And Sage just grunted and nodded.
Several of the kids immediately turned and ran at the Huntsmen-in-training, who extended their arms and returned the excited shouts. Scarlet hovered off the ground while two little boys hung from his bare arms, Neptune exchanged a complicated series of hi-fives with a shy freckled young man, and Sage did his best not to look annoyed as three girls climbed him like a living jungle gym.
"Seems like someone's popular with the kids," said Robyn with a snort.
"What, you're really that surprised? C'mon, people love us." Sun grinned as he scooped up a little brunette and hoisted her onto his shoulder, where she got to see the world from a higher perch alongside a pair of dog-eared twins. "So what are you and the kids doing out here in the Glass District?"
"Handing out the Dustfruits." She gestured to the many, many crates of magical food that were stacked neatly onto carts in motion around her. "There's some folks out here who either can't make the trip to the Orchard every week, or who can't carry their portions back themselves. I brought the kids partly to give them something to do, but mostly so we have enough hands to help hand these out - rain's coming this afternoon, and we'd like these delivered before then."
Neptune gulped. "Um…ah…hah…rain? Again? Winter's still doing that, huh? I thought she'd have stopped, considering the Dustfruits solved that whole 'water shortage' thing…"
"Sure, but the trees themselves still need water," explained Robyn. "Most of the Water Dustfruits we harvest are reserved for drinking and sanitary purposes, at least until we can get some dedicated reservoirs built. Plus, the trees we already have regrow their fruits a few hours after a good shower, so at this point it's more efficient to water them than plant new ones." She smiled. "Besides, the whole city just started liking the rain, so it'd be a shame to stop now."
"Winter probably also does it to make herself feel useful," said Scarlet with a thoughtful hum.
Robyn frowned, but before she could admonish the redhead Sun silenced his teammate. "Careful, dude…you know what they say about people who piss her off," he said warily.
"What's the fuss?" Scarlet rolled his eyes as he came back to ground and set his passengers down gently. "What's she gonna do, drop out of the sky and smite me where I stand?"
CRASH!
A splatter of wooden splinters and elemental juices went flying as something fell hard and fast right into one of the crates. Several of the kids screamed in shock and instinctively backed away from whatever fell from the heavens, while Robyn and Team SSSN started reaching for their weapons to deal with the possible threat. They needn't have bothered, though, because the source of the disturbance revealed itself with a groan and a flop onto the ground - or rather, revealed herself.
Scarlet's eyes widened. "…I'm a bloody psychic."
"Oh my gods!" Robyn was already taking steps towards the wrecked crate and the dazed Maiden pulling herself free. "Winter! Are you -?"
"I'm fine," intoned Winter as she dragged herself to her feet, hissing and arching her back and pretending like she hadn't just fallen out of the sky. "I just…ran out of magic while I was flying, and couldn't course-correct fast enough."
Neptune blinked slowly. "You…ran out of magic? How do you run out of magic? Is that even possible for a Maiden?"
"Yeah, I thought you ladies had the whole 'infinite phenomenal cosmic power' thing going for you," added Sun.
"Maidens are still human - we have our limits just like everyone else." Winter hissed in pain once again, massaging her sore side with one hand and using the other to flick a smashed piece of Dustfruit off her shoulder. "These new fruits are good at recharging Aura, less so at restoring my magic. I'll need something a little stronger to get back into the sky, at least in time to make it rain this afternoon. Robyn, is…is that offer for coffee still on the table?"
She blinked slowly, her heart racing and her brain struggling to keep up. "Y-yeah. Of course. Um…did you want to go now?"
"That would be preferable, yes." The drained Maiden looked at her expectantly…almost pleadingly.
How could she possibly refuse those eyes?
"Ah…okay," she stammered. "Well, um, let me finish up here with the kids and then we can…uh…"
Robyn's gaze fell on the other crates and carts, many of them just over half-full and manned by confused, worried kids. On one hand, she needed to guide the orphans in their work and get them back to their shelter safely. On the other, she couldn't let Winter strain herself any further. Her mind kept passing between those two hands as if she was holding a hot potato, with no clear solution in sight.
I can't just leave these kids with a half-finished job, all so I can go on a date with Winter… she mused, then mentally shrieked. Wait, did I think the word 'date' just now? No! Come on, Robyn! Focus! That's not the important part here! Ugh, what do I do?…
Fortunately, Sun seemed cognizant of the current situation, and stepped up to reclaim his title of "Remnant's Best Wingman."
"No worries, Robyn!" The monkey Faunus grinned as he put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest. "We can finish handing out the goods, and take care of the kids! Right, boys?"
Sage and Scarlet nodded with smiles of their own. So did the kids. Neptune shook his head vehemently, but a quick elbow to the side had him mirroring his teammates.
"Thanks, Sun," she said with a sigh and a small smile. "Alright Winter…right this way. Lemme take you to that cafe I told you about…it's not too far from here. Um…can you walk?"
"I'm exhausted, not hurt." Winter took one step forward and winced. "…ow. Okay…maybe I'm a little hurt…"
Rolling her eyes, Robyn slipped one of the Maiden's arms over her shoulder and helped her limp away to the coffee shop.
For their totally normal, totally platonic, totally-not-a-date outing.
Robyn considered herself lucky that Truthseeker wasn't a passive Semblance.
"Remarkable…you say that you grew these yourself?"
Penny nodded as she plucked another Vuata Maca berry off a low-hanging branch, her mouth still too full from the last fruit to properly answer Norik. The crimson-scaled Rahaga ran one clawed hand down the mossy bark of another tree, awe shining through the glowing orange slits that served as his eyes. And Pyrrha was standing at the edge of the Ga-Metru canal, checking the roots of the trees to make sure they were getting adequate liquid protodermis to keep growing.
"Each one looks healthy and full of life," remarked Norik. "Fine specimens, grown so quickly…if I hadn't seen you command heat and flame while we were fixing the Great Furnace, Penny, I would've suspected you were actually a Toa of the Green."
"Oh, my elemental magic is not nearly as focused and specialized as a Toa's," said Penny after she swallowed her current mouthful of fresh fruit. "I am only a novice Maiden, after all; I may be capable of wielding many elements, but my mastery of each one still pales in comparison to what someone like Gali or Tahu can do with their powers." A sudden sigh escaped her lips at the memory of the Toa Mata, and a heavy frown settled over her face. "I hope that I can see them again soon…"
Pyrrha came over and laid a hand on her bare shoulder, squeezing gently and reassuringly. "Don't worry, Penny. I'm sure that you'll get a chance to return, especially with how quickly we're fixing Metru Nui. If we keep up the current pace, we should have half the city online again by this moon's end - and when the Matoran return from Mata Nui, they will surely be able to finish the rest."
Penny was not certain that the Order would let her return to that distant island even after repairing Metru Nui, nor did she know if the Matoran even could return to their former home. According to Iruini, the Toa Metru - the ones who became the Turaga - evacuated the sleeping Matoran from the decaying city, in an attempt to keep them out of Makuta's clutches after he set off the Great Cataclysm. If there was a way to come back to Metru Nui, a way to leave the island behind and descend into the depths…then surely they would have done so by now, especially with the Master of Shadows sealed away?
But she did not have the will to protest, or even permission to share what she knew or suspected. So instead she settled for smiling and grasping Pyrrha's forearm with both hands. Even as she did so, a pit formed in her stomach as she kept yet more secrets from her friend, mandated by the mysterious Order of Mata Nui.
I know that saying nothing is not the same as lying, she mused with a smile that was only somewhat forced, but it feels wrong, all the same. I hope that I will not have to do so for much longer…
As if on cue, a pair of thumping footsteps echoed from behind.
Pyrrha looked over her shoulder - which was not hard, given the height difference - and waved at the approaching titans. "Ah, Axonn and Brutaka. Hello again!"
The axe-wielding warrior gave a curt nod, while his golden partner huffed and narrowed his eyes. Coming from them, it was an enthusiastic greeting.
"Greetings, Toa Pyrrha." Axonn's gaze fell on the little Maiden. "I hope you're feeling better today, Penny."
"Much better, now that I have a reliable source of food," said Penny as she turned to face the giants. "I am ready to work now. What needs fixing today?"
"We have something else in mind for your talents," said Axonn with a shake of his head. "You say that the Moto-Hub is missing crucial components?"
Penny nodded. "I checked it over first thing in the morning. The damage is not as extensive, but the systems are compromised by the feedback surge from the Great Cataclysm. I did what I could with the materials on hand, but there are limits to even what I can fix with my Semblance alone. Powering the chute network will require specialized pieces, ones that I have not been able to recreate. I do not know where to procure replacements…"
"Well lucky for you, we do." Brutaka gave something that almost resembled a smile. "How do you feel about going with Axonn on a little trip outside of Metru Nui?"
Emerald eyes sparkled in delight.
"And no, I'm not talking about going to that island of yours."
Penny deflated somewhat, but she maintained a hopeful grin. "I would be more than happy to explore more of the Matoran Universe! Where would you have us go?"
"To the island of Xia, south of Metru Nui," said Axonn with a tight nod.
Norik frowned suddenly, eyeing the silver titan warily. "A…curious destination. You're certain you need to go there, of all places?"
"If we want the chute network repaired in a timely manner, yes." Axonn hardly seemed deterred by the Rahaga's apprehension. "I make regular ventures there every three moons, to do business with the merchants and metalsmiths who ply their trades and sell their goods. I can think of at least one scrap vendor with influence enough to have what we need - but I would prefer to have a second opinion, and a sharp mind, on matters like these. And since my usual partner made a fool of himself on our last visit…"
He shot a glare at Brutaka, who shrugged. "Still not apologizing," growled the brutish titan.
"My point exactly." Axonn turned back to Penny. "Gather whatever food or tools you need for the mission - we should not be gone for more than a day, but be ready for anything. Brutaka will transport us there with his Olmek, once you are ready."
The Maiden nodded and reached out with her Technopathy into a nearby pile of old parts, using some spare cabling and a storage case to create a makeshift satchel. Once she slung the metal bag over her bare shoulder she started filling it with choice fruits, leaves, and fibers that she and Norik harvested from the Vuata Maca trees. The berries were obviously for sustenance, but the other materials would work as improvised bandages should the need arise. Penny hoped that she would not need them, but she knew it was better to be safe than to be sorry…or worse.
"Are you sure about this, Penny?" asked Norik quietly as they pulled metallic twine from a Vuata Maca trunk. "Xia's no place for outsiders, certainly not outsiders as special as you."
"If that is where I am needed, then that is where I will go." She hummed as she noticed the lizard-Matoran hybrid's hands shake. "Are you okay, Norik? You seem…distressed."
Her new friend gave a humorless chuckle. "That obvious, huh? Let's just say that we Rahaga have a certain…history with the Vortixx, the people of Xia. Or rather, we have a history with one specific Vortixx - a rather nasty piece of Makuta-spawn named Roodaka."
Penny nodded with a sympathetic frown. "Right. Iruini told me about how Vakama was once influenced by her, how he captured him and the other Rahaga as proof of his new loyalty. It must be painful to remember your friends being taken like that…I am sorry."
The expression Norik gave her was one she could not understand. "Oh, Penny…I wish that was the worst of what she did to us."
Emerald eyes blinked slowly. "Norik? What -"
"You can swap stories with the old Rahi-herders later," growled Brutaka as he stomped over. "Ready?"
"Almost," said Penny, undaunted by the brutish titan as she clasped her makeshift satchel closed. She resolved to ask Norik later about what had truly happened between the Rahaga and this Roodaka, when there were fewer giants breathing down her neck.
Although speaking of giants…
"I must ask about something that confuses me." Penny rose to her feet and let her bag sway innocuously from her bare shoulder. "Why are we using your Kanohi Olmek to go to Xia, and not our mutual…friend?" The last word felt like sand in her mouth - Botar was many things to Penny, but not a friend.
Brutaka gave something resembling a harsh laugh. "Because the last time he took us to Xia, he got jumped by a band of starving Vortixx hoping to turn him into stew. Needless to say, he's not exactly keen on going back…not willingly, at least. So unless you want to take a moon-long sailing trip across the Silver Sea, this is the quickest way there and back."
A frown overtook her face. She set aside the sinking feeling in her gut as she remembered how she could not create portals for herself, an ability she found herself missing almost as much as her friends on Mata Nui. No, she was far more unsettled by the idea that there were places within the Matoran Universe where even Botar feared to tread - and she was being asked to travel to one such place, with no ability to escape under her own power.
No wonder Norik had been so concerned.
Pyrrha echoed the unspoken sentiment and frowned as she stepped forward, putting herself between Maiden and titan. "If it's so dangerous to any friend of yours, then surely it'll also be too dangerous for Penny?"
Brutaka scowled, spearing Pyrrha with a towering glare. "Know your place, Toa. This goes beyond your Duty."
"This concerns the well-being of my friend and companion." The Toa of Iron returned the deathly stare with one of her own. "I would say that falls firmly under my Duty. And I would do anything to protect her - even if it meant tearing you apart without even lifting a finger."
"Oh, you could?" The smile that Brutaka gave the Toa made Penny extremely nervous. "I'd like to see you try."
"Believe me, I'm considering it."
Axonn, fortunately, picked that moment to step forward. "Enough, both of you. We burn daylight while you squabble like Gukko birds over a berry. Stop this fight, before I finish it for you."
The golden brute had the sense to lower his aggressive stance, while the Toa did not. Penny frowned and gently took a tightening metal fist in both hands, only feeling its pressure relent when she gave it a meaningful squeeze.
"Pyrrha…" she pleaded. "I appreciate the intent, but please do not get into trouble for my sake. It is not worth it. Trust me."
Though power no longer coursed into her fists, Pyrrha's eyes never left the giants. "I want to come with," she declared with iron in her voice. "Whatever business you have there, Axonn, you can conduct it under my vigilance."
The silver-armored titan shook his head. "A Toa on Xia will attract the wrong kind of attention, especially a Toa of Iron. Remember that warriors of your element are a rarity, Toa Pyrrha - and the Vortixx won't hesitate to exploit that. I must ask that you remain here in Metru Nui and wait for our return, however indignantly you choose. In return, however, I promise that no harm will come to Penny under my watchful eye. Any who wish to harm the Maiden must first contend with me."
That seemed to slightly placate Pyrrha, but her temper did not cool until Norik stepped between the conflicting parties.
"If I may suggest something that makes everyone happy…" He looked first to Penny, then to Pyrrha. "Penny, you said that Vakama once used Aura as fuel for his elemental powers when you first arrived, and that the flame he created mimicked the essence of both your soul and Yang's. If a Turaga could perform such a feat, then perhaps a Toa could do the same?"
The pair looked at each other with a tilt of their heads for a moment, then reached out and touched palms while pulsing their respective powers. A barrier of green pulsed briefly at the point of contact; the Maiden stiffened as she felt the Toa siphon a small portion of her soul armor, but maintained their touch all the same. Her trust was rewarded when Pyrrha drew back her hand and took a glowing orb between her fingers, which she began to infuse with steel fibers that spun into existence by her will alone. Soon the metal softened and shimmered like liquid mercury, melding with the sphere of Aura until the two were almost indistinguishable from one another.
"Good, good," coached Norik. "Now shape it into two objects…one to keep, and one to give away. If my theory is right, the two will both be connected to Penny's Aura - if it breaks, then your constructs will reflect that."
Green eyes blinked pensively behind a crimson Hau. "And then we'd know that she's in danger, even if she's far away?"
"Exactly. Perhaps it can even guide you to each other, should you need it…but hopefully you will not. Either way, a little preparation never hurts, hmm?"
Pyrrha nodded as she divided the swirling mass of metal and energy into two equal halves, one fusing itself to the back of her gauntlet, then looked at her friend. "That makes sense to me. Any preference for what I make, Penny?"
She hummed for a moment before her eyes brightened. "Something small and easily concealable, and useful for more than just attacking. A knife, perhaps?"
"Solid choice. One can never have too many knives."
The Toa of Iron twisted her hands and stretched one of the floating congealed masses into an elongated triangle, handling the semi-solid steel with the care and artistry of a potter working wet clay. Penny could not help but watch her friend in fascination, could not help but admire the mastery over metal on display even at such a small scale. A pull on one end brought forth a curved hilt. A pair of pinched fingers dragged along another side formed a sharp cutting edge. Slowly the final form of a blocky knife began to emerge, one with a four-inch-long blade and a palm-sized handle and glowing veins of emerald running down its length.
After a few more moments of elementally-powered metalsmithing, Pyrrha let the knife fall into her palm as she knelt and offered it to Penny. "Here, my friend," she said with reverence in her tone. "Vlépo shall be your watchful guardian on your quest, wherever it may take you that I cannot follow."
The Maiden of Mata Nui felt tears pool into her eyes as she cradled the newly-forged knife, then hugged the Toa around the armored neck. "Thank you, Pyrrha…I will be certain to come back to you."
"I know you will." Metal hands that were somehow so warm settled onto her bare back and squeezed gently. "You're strong and brave in every possible way, Penny. Just promise me you'll be careful."
She nodded tightly. "I promise."
The pair held each other for another moment before finally withdrawing. Penny wiped her eyes, slid Vlépo into a slot within the satchel casing, then looked up at Axonn with a nod. He returned the gesture, then looked to Brutaka, who squinted his eyes as his mask glowed with golden light. After a few more seconds a stormy rift of deep violet and blue appeared in front of the pair, one that the silver-armored titan walked into fearlessly.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, and waving goodbye to Pyrrha and Norik, Penny followed Axonn into the gap within reality itself.
The smell of roasting beans and steaming milk wafted through the air as soon as Robyn opened the door, enveloping her with a different kind of warmth than the one coming from the harsh sun they were escaping. This modestly-sized shop's interior was a stark contrast to the rest of Vacuo - the walls and floor were painted white and silver without a speck of sand in sight, and the domed glass ceiling was tinted with darker colors to create a naturally relaxing aurora within the shop itself. One-half of the shop was dedicated to mahogany shelves and display stands that diligently bore rows and rows of books; the other half was taken up by cream-colored stools, tables, and booths that gave thirsty patrons a place to sit and nurse their drinks. It was a cozy little place, with just the right amount of people coming and going…and best of all, no sand in anything they served.
Next to her, Winter blinked as she looked around. "Are…are you sure this is a coffee shop? It looks more like a library to me, with all the books."
Robyn laughed softly and elbowed the Maiden gently. "That's the best part about this place. It's both. C'mon, let's get our drinks and grab a seat."
She reached down without thinking and took Winter's hand in her own, nearly freezing mid-motion as soon as she realized what she was doing. Her heart stopped beating, her face grew hotter than the outside sun, and her violet eyes squeezed shut in anticipation of a verbal tirade. Surprisingly, though, the Maiden didn't pull away. Even more surprisingly, she let Robyn lead her hand-in-hand through the shop, barely reacting to the contact except for the faintest of blushes.
Did she…?
No, she's probably just too tired to care right now, thought the rational part of her mind. Can you really blame her, though? She's been using her magic more in the last few months than most Maidens probably ever use in their lifetimes…Specialist or not, that's gotta take a toll on her.
Still, Robyn let herself enjoy guiding Winter by the hand for a little while until they got to the serving counter, where a woman with long dark hair was waiting to take their order.
"Welcome to Foam and Tome, how can I -?" The clerk blinked and paused midway through her rehearsed greeting, and sprouted a genuine smile as gray eyes brightened in recognition. "Oh, Robyn! Hello!"
A laugh escaped her lips. "Hey, Gillian. Berry's got you working the front desk again, huh?"
"Yeah, but it's not as scary as it used to be. Just gotta avoid making eye contact with folks." Gillian looked over at the woman standing next to her favorite customer. "Oh, and the Winter Maiden's here too. Neat. That doesn't happen every day. What can I get you?"
Robyn chuckled again at the odd little woman's antics, then bumped Winter in the side. "Anything on the menu strike your fancy?"
Winter's lips curled into a frown. "I…don't recognize even half of these words. I may need your help ordering…"
Gillian raised her eyebrow, clearly fascinated to meet someone even more socially awkward than her.
"Alright," said the blonde with an amused smile. "What kind of drink would you like?"
"Something highly concentrated in caffeine, with enough kick to recharge my magic -"
"I didn't ask what kind of drink you needed." Robyn cut her off with a wave of her free hand. "I asked what kind of drink you wanted."
The distinction gave the Maiden pause for a moment, before she finally sighed. "…something sweet and warm and not too bitter."
…huh. Winter Schnee had a sweet tooth? That notion had a sort of amusing irony to it, which kept Robyn smiling as she pulled out some Lien cards and laid them down on the counter.
"Two medium lattes, Gil. Extra foam on hers."
Gillian turned away with a nod and got to work, expertly blending steamed milk and boiling espresso into thick-walled paper cups. Winter watched the whole process with a fascinated look in her eye, as if she was surprised there was more to coffee than bitterness and pain. Within minutes the dark-haired server slid two lattes down to the women, lids placed on the side to expose the shapes drawn with foam. Robyn's drink had a bird with outstretched wings reaching for the rim, while Winter's was nearly overflowing with a surprisingly-detailed snowflake.
"Enjoy!" said Gillian with a genuine smile. "Feel free to look at the books if you want, just don't spill on the pages."
"Thanks, Gil." Robyn sampled her drink with a pleased hum. "Great work, as always. Say hi to the missus for me?"
The woman snapped a salute and a grin. "Of course! Vanessa's always happy to hear from you. Don't be a stranger, Robyn."
With that the pair headed over to a nearby table, Robyn pulling out a chair for the Maiden before sitting down across from her. Winter seemed to stare at her drink for a long moment, as if she was afraid to disrupt the artistry on the surface…or as if she was gathering the courage to try it for the first time. Robyn watched as an internal debate raged within her companion, watched her take a deep breath and bring the drink to her lips, watched her tilt the cup back and take a small sip…watched her eyes flutter shut as she savored the flavors…
Goodness, how did Winter make something so mundane as drinking look so beautiful?
Robyn immediately clamped down on that part of her mind once more. No. Come on. It's rude to stare.
She managed to get herself under control again just in time for Winter to finish her first taste of a latte, witnessing the Maiden hum and smack her lips as she lowered her cup.
"Well?" she asked expectantly. "How is it?"
"It's…" Winter blinked slowly, still staring at the drink as her cheeks grew warm. "…not bad. Better than what I've had before, at least."
Coming from the Winter Maiden, that was practically a ringing endorsement. Robyn chuckled softly, and for a little while the only sounds between the two women were the pensive slurps and soft exhales between sips. Her gaze was focused on Winter the entire time, who herself was looking at anything but the blonde in front of her. Icy blue eyes took in the other customers, the painted walls, the domed ceiling of glass, the awkward barista, the books on display…
And then, all of a sudden, Winter's cheeks went red.
Robyn raised an eyebrow in both alarm and curiosity. "Hey, you alright? If you don't like the latte, you don't have to finish drinking it -"
"No." The Maiden shook her head and attempted to regain her composure, eyes quickly darting away as she mumbled under her breath. She didn't catch most of it, but she definitely heard the words "to think they have that so openly on display" from the embarrassed Schnee. Curiosity took a firm hold of Robyn, as she wondered what could have garnered such a reaction from the stoic woman, so she turned to look behind her…and grinned at one of the novel titles in the featured section of the library.
Cold Heart, Hot Passion.
"Recognize that one, eh? Don't tell me…" A wicked grin spread across Robyn's lips. "Does the proud Schnee like her literature…adult-themed?"
To her credit, the Winter Maiden maintained an excellent poker face. "Of course not. My tastes in novels and books are far more refined and…suitable for public discussion."
She didn't need her Semblance to know that Winter was lying through her teeth.
"Is that so?" asked Robyn, gauging her friend's body language as she probed deeper. "Well, from what I've heard it's a pretty interesting tale. The characters, the setting, the romance between the leads…all quite revolutionary within the genre. Although I think that Fenris and Hawke really should have ended up together -"
"Absolutely not." The brow across from her furrowed defiantly. "Hawke and Isabela were a far healthier couple, and the ending was perfect with them being together…"
Winter's words trailed off as she realized she'd landed right into the blonde's trap. Robyn's mouth curled into a smile.
"…dammit," she whispered under her breath, bringing her cup in front of her lips to hide her embarrassment. "I suppose this means that…you read it too?"
"From cover to cover, several times over," Robyn said proudly with a smug grin. "It's one of my absolute favorites. I even saw the terrible movie adaptation they made. Twice."
"I…only saw the film once…" mumbled Winter behind her paper shield. "And thought it was decent…"
"The cinematography is pretty good, if nothing else." Robyn chuckled softly. "You can clearly tell where the effort went…especially with the love scenes."
The Winter Maiden squirmed in her seat, face turning an uncharacteristic shade of scarlet. "Oh my gods, please stop…" she pleaded with a rare whimper in her voice.
Another soft laugh escaped Robyn's lips. "Aww, but you're so cute when you're all flustered like this."
It was at this point that the brains of both women effectively flatlined, if their suddenly-blank faces were any indication.
Oh gods…did I really just say that?! My mental filter must be totally fried right now…
Winter was, thankfully, the first to compose herself with a quick brush of her own bangs and a bittersweet smile. "I…was called a lot of things, growing up," she said slowly. "Strong. Graceful. Dependable. Elegant, even. But…'cute?' That's…new, for me at least. My classmates were cute. Weiss was cute. Even Whitley was cute, for a little bit. But not me. No one ever said I was…well. Cute."
Okay it's cool, we got it under control, go ahead and say something now.
Robyn swallowed the fluster and gave a soft smile. "Really? Well then…I'm honored to be your first."
WAIT NO NO NO WE DON'T HAVE IT UNDER CONTROL SHUT UP AAAAARGH!
"I-I mean, I'm honored to be the first!"
Perfect recovery. She won't suspect a thing.
"Not so smooth with words after all, hmm?" Winter smiled knowingly. "And here I thought you were a politician."
"Eh…" She gave a noncommittal shrug as she spoke. "I was a lot of things back then. Heroine, Huntress, political activist, organizer for Thursday Night Bingo, guest singer at the Crimson Hawk…"
"…thief, vandal, insurgent…" added Winter with a sudden frown.
"Aw come on, you can't still hold that against me…"
"You didn't let me finish." The Maiden started counting off on her fingers. "Instigator, saboteur, spy, conspirator, public enemy number one…"
Robyn cringed in her seat.
"…and someone I should've trusted much sooner," finished Winter with a heavy sigh and a more sorrowful frown. "Someone I should've turned to before things got…the way they did…"
…ah.
The former hero of Mantle gave a small bittersweet smile of her own. "You're still blaming yourself, huh? Even after all this time?"
"I never stopped blaming myself, Robyn." Ice-blue eyes stared tiredly at her half-full cup. "I was…many things back then, too. Some things that I was proud of, and a lot more that I wasn't. I was Iron…I was his most trusted advisor, and for too long I stood back and watched as my Kingdom crumbled beneath its own weight. As everything I fought to protect fell out of the sky, while the man I thought had all the answers did nothing to ease its load. And when I finally joined the fight, it was too late to save people. Too late to stop Cinder or Salem. Too late to take back the Relics. Too late to keep Weiss and her friends from falling to another world. Too late to do…anything that mattered."
Robyn's hand instinctively reached out to clasp the Maiden's palm, but to her disappointment Winter's arm reflexively withdrew under the table. She simply pulled away again and studied the elder Schnee, watching as thousands of emotions flickered behind the icy mask she tried so hard to maintain. Anger. Sorrow. Shame. Guilt.
"And now without Atlas…without him…I don't know what, or even who, I'm supposed to be."
Another silence settled between the two women, this one far less awkward and a great deal more solemn.
"Well…now you have the freedom to figure it out," Robyn finally said. "To find out who Winter Schnee is, really. Maybe she's the Winter Maiden. Maybe she's a Huntress. Maybe she's a Specialist. Maybe she's none of those things…or maybe she's all of those things, and so much more. That's up to you to decide, Winter, and no one can take that away from you. Not anymore."
She leaned forward and waited for the icy eyes to finally meet her own before speaking again. "And whatever answer you find, whatever you decide you want to be…just know that the friend sitting across from me is pretty great on her own. At least, I think so."
Winter's gaze bore into her. "…friends? Is…that what we are?"
Robyn had to will her heart to stop skipping beats. "Yeah…that's what I'd call us. Unless you have any objections, of course."
That was enough to get a small chuckle from the Maiden, along with the rarest treasure of all.
A smile on Winter Schnee's lips.
"I…think I can live with that, Robyn Hill." She raised her cup awkwardly. "To friendship, then?"
Robyn raised her own coffee and lightly touched the paper rims together. "To friendship."
For now.
The rest of the coffee "date" passed by without much incident. A warm mundanity settled between the two of them as they finished their lattes before they got cold, punctuating the slurps and sighs with idle talk. Favorite bands. Favorite shops. Favorite teachers from Atlas Academy. Biggest Grimm they'd ever put down. Weirdest Grimm they'd ever put down. (That one went to Robyn, whose tale of a six-winged goose managed to make even Winter laugh - a soft chuckle that made blood rush to the blonde's face.)
Throughout it all Winter's gaze still wandered around the shop, but Robyn noticed that she was more often than not the focus of those gorgeous icy eyes. It took all her willpower to fight the blush whenever their stares met. She idly wondered if her formally-declared friend was fighting that same battle. Or maybe she outright hoped.
Eventually, when their cups were drained and the hours had waned, the pair stood up and took their leave. Out of the little sanctuary, and back into the world of sand and dust and scorching sun. Out of the calming smell of coffee and cream, and back into the stench of mildew and dust.
Out of the dream, and back into reality.
Though if the way Winter turned and looked at her was any indication, maybe some parts of that dream would bleed into the real world.
"Thank you, Robyn," said the Maiden once they'd taken a few steps back into the sandy street. "I…feel much better now. More energized…in more ways than one."
Her heartbeat quickened, though she masked it behind a smile and a pat on her friend's shoulder. "Happy to be of service, Winter. Come find me again anytime you need a pick-me-up, alright? Preferably before you fall out of the sky trying to make it rain again."
A soft laugh escaped Winter's lips, still curled into the faintest of smiles. "I'll be sure to do that. Until next time…my friend."
And with that, her piercing blue eyes burned with sapphire flames as she soared into the sky.
Robyn stood there for a long while, watching as Winter disappeared into the blue-gold expanse. With distant gestures and waves of her arms she willed dark clouds into existence, spirals of black and gray laden with water vapor pooling into droplets. After a few booming rolls of thunder and flashes of lightning, rain began to fall over Vacuo - a sight that could only happen with the magic afforded by the Maiden.
People around her started to react to the sudden shower, either in confusion or annoyance or joy. Stray cats yowled and darted away in search of shelter. Children giggled and danced and splashed in the forming puddles. An elderly couple produced a single umbrella and walked home under its protective canopy. Everyone moved on. Everyone moved along.
Everyone except Robyn Hill, who was still lost in her own thoughts.
Not sure what you are anymore, huh Winter? She let out a mirthless, mental chuckle. Join the club. All those things you thought I was…all those things I thought I was…they're gone, too. There's no Mantle to be the hero of anymore. No big tyrannical regime to overthrow for the sake of the people. Everything I fought for…everything I worked to protect…the Kingdom I've known my whole life…it's all in ruins, just like my hopes and dreams.
Water from the sky splashed onto her face and dripped down her cheek, which had the hidden benefit of hiding her own budding tears.
And at the end of the day…what's left for me? Where does someone like me fit into this new, unfamiliar world? Sure, I can put out a fire here and there, and kill some Grimm, and hand out food to folks who need it…but that's just keeping the darkness at bay for a little bit. How do I shine a light to folks who need it, like Ruby does? Or Oscar? Or even you, Winter? I'm just a woman with a crossbow and a voice - and I don't know if that's enough anymore. If…I'm enough anymore.
She stood there in the rain for longer than she'd like to admit, and longer than was probably healthy. Part of her wanted to rush back into the coffee shop and curl up with a good book and a hot drink, but the rest of her didn't want to return just yet. Besides, there was still more work to do. Still more monsters to hunt. Still more food to hand out.
Standing around in a rainstorm like some brooding novel protagonist wouldn't make any of those problems go away, and neither would indulging her pining heart. The latter, especially, would just make things complicated. Would just distract them both from their respective duties. Would just confuse and frustrate Winter even more than she already was.
…heh. Well, at the very least, I know one thing that I am.
Robyn sighed as she headed down the now-rainy street, head hung low and hood pulled over her face.
I'm a damn fool who's gone and fallen in love with the Winter Maiden.
Penny was not certain yet if hell existed, but she decided very quickly that Xia was almost as bad - if not worse.
From the moment she and Axonn had emerged from Brutaka's portal, she had been assaulted by the pungent aroma of heavy pollution and burning sulfur. The sky overhead was an infernal orange, with a horizon broken by a tangled mess of smoke-spewing factories and massive warehouses and a single towering mountain. The guts of the island were not much better - everywhere she and Axonn went they were surrounded by dockworkers and welders and hawkers selling their wares, all of whom were sleek and tall with ebony armor and silver highlights and snake-like faces. Most other colors of life within the surroundings were blasted out of existence, leaving room only for the grungiest browns and the coldest gunmetal grays and the tainted gold of spent embers.
Xia reminded Penny a little too much of the worst slums within Mantle, yet somehow it was even more unpleasant - and unlike her days as the city's robotic protector, she was experiencing every sensation her lack of sensory input had once been blind to.
"Stay vigilant, Penny," warned Axonn as they passed a pair of shifty-eyed, long-legged street vendors. "The Vortixx may be masters of mercantile and manufacturing, but they possess an equal capacity for cunning and cruelty. Good, evil, right, wrong…none of that matters to them, as long as they get paid."
"So they are driven by profit and nothing else," noted Penny glumly, opting to look down at her dusty bare feet. "I was…familiar with such people on Remnant."
The silver-armored titan nodded with a bitter smile. "Greed is hardly exclusive to one world. Fortunately for us, that also makes the Vortixx highly pliable to trade, and useful for acquiring rare materials and items. Keep your head down, and try to avoid using your powers whenever possible. The less attention we draw to ourselves, the better."
She gave a tight nod of her own and hugged herself with her own freckled arms as they walked, avoiding the gaze of the Vortixx and trying to ignore their fascinated glances in her direction. Penny could hear snippets of whispers among excited traders eagerly discussing how much a specimen like her was worth, making bids and speculations using monetary units she did not recognize nor understand. The human girl just ignored all the gossip as best she could, and kept walking in Axonn's shadow. She was not interested in selling herself - or any part of herself - to anyone, certainly not to an entire island full of Roman Torchwicks or Jacques Schnees.
Mercifully, her partner for this errand was far more confident. The Vortixx almost seemed to move out of his way as he marched through the winding streets, and those that dared to approach were beaten back with an icy glare. Despite most of the residents being a good head taller than the silvery titan, everyone seemed to shrink and slink back into the shadows at his mere presence. Clearly there was a history between Axonn and the people of Xia…a history that Penny was not entirely certain she wanted to know about.
After what felt like hours of walking, the pair finally came to a large circular courtyard off the beaten path. The outer edges of the plaza were nearly buried under several large piles of scrap metal and rusted parts, some of which seemed to tower over even Axonn himself. And a twisted sign hung over a stack of metal crates just left of the entrance, marked with Matoran letters too faded for Penny to read.
"This is the place," said Axonn with a hiss of steam from his mask. "Don't touch anything besides what we're buying, Penny. And let me do the bartering - this merchant has fairer prices than most of her peers, but that's not saying much."
Once she nodded in understanding, the titan marched up to the stack of crates and rapped his massive fist against aged metal. "Wake up," he rumbled. "We're here to do business."
A sound not unlike an agitated rattlesnake rang out from behind the crate stack, followed by a grumble and a sharp hissing breath. A moment later Penny watched as the merchant finally emerged and awoke, stretching her long ebony limbs and shaking the coils of snakes that hung from her head like a scaly ponytail. While she was almost identical to all other triangular-faced Vortixx they had seen on the way over, there was something about this one that sent chills down the Maiden's spine…something beyond the twitching blue eyes, the shapely hips, the legs that seemed to go on for literal miles…
Huh. Was that what "butterflies in the stomach" meant? As alien as the Vortixx woman seemed, there was something…strangely attractive about her that Penny did not have words for.
The Vortixx shifted to a falsely pleasant demeanor with the ease and quickness of a switch being flipped. "Well well well…" she hissed, triangular lips curling into a smile. "If it isn't my favorite customer, coming around every third moon like a broken sundial. And what's this? You even brought a little friend with you…or perhaps an exotic pet?"
The shopkeeper leaned closer to Penny, who could hear what sounded like snakes rattling beneath each darkly feminine purr. "Hmm…I hope you intended to use it as payment for your purchases today…I could use some new…specimens…"
Penny quickly decided that she did not like this particular Vortixx, in spite of the twitching in her stomach.
Axonn seemed to sense her discomfort, because he stepped in front of her and glared daggers at the pushy merchant. "She's not for sale," he said brusquely, "and even if she was, I certainly wouldn't leave her in your claws. Enough chatter, Roodaka - we came to trade, not engage in idle chatter."
…this is Roodaka?! Her head spun and her mind reeled at the revelation. Axonn has been trading with Roodaka this entire time? But…I do not understand. She is a villain, is she not? Why would the Order of Mata Nui do business on the regular with her?…
She filed her confused questions away to ask later, to better focus on what was happening around her. Roodaka, who was every bit as intimidating in person as she was in Iruini's story, gave a melodramatic huff and a hiss before folding her arms across her…rather large chest. (For reasons she still did not quite understand, the little Maiden blushed.)
"Straight to business as usual, hmm?" The Vortixx woman heaved a disappointed sigh. "You're just as boring as your mask power…no wonder the Order always sends you to run their errands here, Axonn." She flicked a claw through her scaly ponytail. "Who else could resist my charm?"
The Maiden tilted her head. "You…you know about the Order of Mata Nui?"
"Of course I do, little pet." Roodaka scoffed and gave a small smile, filling Penny with dread once more. "Oh, Helryx might be able to keep her little faction hidden from the rest of the Matoran Universe, but all of Xia has known about them and their mission since at least the Hand of Artakha's collapse. Never try to lie to a Vortixx - we are the masters of deception, and no secret stays safe from us forever."
"Then I won't bother hiding what we need this time around," said Axonn, reaching into a bag at his waist and handing over a slate as tall as Penny herself. "Here's what we're looking for. You have it all, I trust?"
Suppressing another snarl of disappointment, Roodaka took the tablet in both claws and stared at it for a pensive moment. Her grin widened with each line she read, which only made the knot in Penny's stomach twist a little bit tighter every time it grew.
"Hmm…a protodermis flow control module, valve and pump arrays, and…heat exchangers?" The Vortixx looked back up with a gleam in her dagger-like sapphire eyes. "Why Axonn…if I didn't know any better, I'd almost think that you were trying to restart Metru Nui's chute network. That eager to undo all my hard work there after the Cataclysm, are you? I'll have you know that I'm quite proud of how the Visorak took over that city…truly, it was one of my crowning achievements."
The silver warrior said nothing, opting merely to furrow his brow.
"Ohhh…" Roodaka's eyes seemed to shimmer once again, the hissing noise returning as her lips twisted into a smirk. "Is that what you're working on right now? Oh my…how bitterly, deliciously ironic. To think that you'd trade so much treasure and conduct so much business with the very Vortixx that caused the damage you're trying to fix in the first place. Tell me, Axonn - are the Rahaga still hanging around Metru Nui? How do you think they'd feel knowing you were coming to me for these parts? Me, who led the Visorak Occupation. Me, who freed the Nameless Makuta. Me, who turned your friends into adorable little freaks when they were once proud and strong -"
"The parts, Roodaka." Axonn's voice brokered no patience, and his hand inched closer towards the shaft of the weapon slung across his back.
Penny's blood ran cold for a moment, her grip tightening on the hilt of Vlépo. It took all her willpower to keep the knife in its slot.
The Vortixx finally rolled her eyes and slunk back, sliding the slab of stone back to the waiting Axonn. "Fine, fine. Pile seven should have everything on your list, somewhere in there. Bring whatever you're buying up here, then we can talk about payment. Go ahead, take your time…I'm not going anywhere, after all."
With a clipped nod the silvery titan took several rumbling steps over to a stack of rusted components as tall as he was, and knelt at its base. Penny swallowed the lump in her throat and joined Axonn's side while pulsing her Semblance, allowing threads of teal energy to weave into the pile of old abandoned technology. There were many things in the heap that did not match what she was looking for - old disk launchers, burnt-out cutting torches, a spear that seemed to pulse with strange power, and stalled engines - but she ignored them all. Only the task in front of her mattered. Only the parts she needed mattered.
Eventually, after almost an hour of digging through twisted steel scrap, the Maiden and the titan had a tidy little pile of components sitting in front of them. A sorry little collection of gears, wires, and devices, thrown into a pile and abandoned for centuries. Part of Penny wondered if these were the original components of the Moto-Hub that had gone missing since the Great Cataclysm. The rest of her was not brave enough to seek answers.
"The parts are rusted…and in poor condition…" she mused after giving them all one final inspection. "But they will serve our purpose well enough."
Axonn nodded again, then gathered the selected components and brought them back over to Roodaka's merchant stall. The Vortixx lady hummed and inspected every piece laid in front of her, seemingly taking her time weighing and measuring each one. When she finally set them aside and looked expectantly at the titan, Axonn emptied the contents of the bag around his waist, revealing that it was filled with sparkling jewels and bricks of golden protodermis.
Roodaka seemingly balked at the treasures being offered. "Really, Axonn? Trinkets and baubles as payment again? Last time you visited, you paid for your salvage with the Spear of Fusion, which you'd freshly pilfered from the Nameless Makuta's lair - all of this is worth at least twice that in value. Surely you have something else you can offer? Another special weapon, perhaps? I've grown rather fond of collecting them."
The silver titan scowled. "I'm not trading you my axe, if that's what you're asking."
"I wasn't going to say anything, but since you offered…"
Penny frowned as the pair of giants began haggling…or perhaps "bickering" would be the more proper term. Something uneasy settled into her gut, a sensation that something or someone was watching them, but when she turned to look over her shoulder she saw nothing but empty buildings. They were not safe on Xia. She was not safe on Xia. And the longer they spent here, the less likely it would be that they lived long enough to return to Metru Nui…much less live long enough to see her friends again.
But they needed the parts, too, and Roodaka was driving a hard bargain.
So Penny flew up onto the crates and got between the taller figures, who both paused and looked down at her once she cleared her throat.
"I wish to make an offer," she declared once she was certain she had everyone's attention.
Axonn's brow furrowed behind his mask. "I told you to let me handle the bartering -"
"No…let your little pet speak." Roodaka's words held a malicious, almost playful purr. "I could use a good laugh."
Taking a deep breath to steel herself, the Maiden of Mata Nui took a fistful of her burnt-orange hair in one hand and Vlépo in the other. Two pairs of glowing optics widened as she used the blade to carefully trim her ponytail six inches shorter, the excess ribbons dangling loosely once separated from the braid. Penny turned to Roodaka and held the liberated locks in both hands, presenting it to the Vortixx woman as though it were a goat being sacrificed on an altar.
"This…is human hair," she proclaimed proudly and reverently. "This is my hair, first woven by the Spirit of Creation in a distant world and well-cared for by my own two hands. To a human, our own hair is more valuable than any precious metals or rare forms of protodermis - it is an extension of ourselves, a reflection of our identity, and an expression of our very souls. You will not find any material like it in the Matoran Universe, which makes it exceptionally rare…and if you accept it as payment for these parts, then you will be the only Vortixx in all of Xia to possess such a treasure. The only merchant in existence to own part of a creature from another world."
To her credit, Roodaka did a very good job of masking just how much her left eye was twitching greedily. Remembering her time in Po-Koro, Penny laid her bundle of hair down on the treasure pile, then stepped back and folded her arms.
"That is our final offer," she finished with certainty in her voice. "This much of my hair, plus Axonn's payment, for those parts. Take it or leave it."
A war waged across the Vortixx's face, before she finally sighed and gathered the bundle of copper-colored locks. "Very well…it's a deal. Now take your junk and go, little pet, before I change my mind."
Penny gave her best smile and salute as Axonn gathered up the parts. "Pleasure doing business with you!" she chirped, before hopping onto the silver titan's shoulders and letting out a sigh of relief as they finally started walking away.
"You didn't have to do that," noted Axonn once they were out of Roodaka's earshot. "We could have worked out a different bargain, one that didn't involve you giving away a piece of yourself."
"Perhaps, but it would have taken a very long time, and the sooner we are out of Xia the better." Penny leaned over and whispered into the titan's audio receptors with a grin. "Besides…I did not tell her the best part about human hair. It grows back."
For the first time since she had seen the titan, Axonn gave a small smile.
The conversation was cut short by Roodaka calling out to them. "Oh, since you gave me such a wonderful new…treasure…I should probably mention that I'm expecting company, and I may have promised them that you'd be here when they arrived."
Penny's breath hitched as the titan stopped in his tracks, his eyes snapping a glare over his shoulder. "What did you do, Roodaka?" he snarled.
The Vortixx woman balked, threading the copper hair through her clawed fingers. "Me? I've simply conducted business. They gave me goods, I gave them information. I'm not the one who hired them…I wouldn't dare lay a claw on my favorite customer."
Somehow, Penny doubted that Roodaka had anything resembling a sincere servo in her body.
"My colleagues, though? Well, they might be a little upset over all the business your Order has been costing them, and they might have put out a bounty for your head…one that some unsavory individuals might have taken on as contracts. And said individuals might have been hanging around, bored out of their skulls, for two whole moons as they waited for your next visit. In fact, I think I hear them coming right…about…"
Several heavy growls made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up straight. So that was the danger she sensed.
"…now."
She whirled around to see six ten-foot-tall figures touching down in a circle around herself and Axonn, a dozen crimson eyes aglow with anger and malice. At first she thought they were Toa, but dismissed the notion immediately - though they were ten feet tall and bore armor in the familiar shades of the Toa Mata, these figures were anything but heroic. From their massive organic spines to their huge hulking shoulders, from the way their rubbery faces framed maniacal grins and rows of sharp teeth, from the deadly weapons each one carried in two clawed hands…Penny did not know who or what these ambushers were, but she knew instantly that they were dangerous.
Axonn seemed to recognize them, one hand already reaching for his axe. "Dark Hunters…" he grumbled, as if this was nothing more than an inconvenience. "I see that the Shadowed One sent his least favorite Skakdi to try and claim my mask, as though the six of you are nothing more than trained little attack Rahi. Isn't that right, Zaktan?"
"You should be glad he sent us, instead of his other agents," snarled the green spiny figure, in a voice that sounded like millions of damned souls speaking at once. "With us…there might be bodies for your friends to find. Maybe. If Reidak's in a good mood."
The black-and-gold figure growled. Penny suspected that this thug - Reidak, presumably - was hardly ever in a good mood. The frown behind her friend's mask confirmed that suspicion, eyeing the other figures as they closed in on the pair. They did not attack - not yet, at least. Clearly they were waiting for the Maiden and the titan to make the first move, in an attempt to fight for their lives.
Or perhaps they were letting them marinate in fear?
"Didn't realize we were hunting two targets," mused the ivory-armored Dark Hunter, who was using the sharpened end of his tool to pick at a gap between his teeth. "Wonder if this means we can ask for extra pay? Maybe I won't have to swipe Hakann's share after all."
"Watch it, Thok," snarled his crimson counterpart. "Or I'll break your teeth so bad you'll wish you could wear a mask."
Thok scoffed. "Please. Like I'd ever cover up this face."
"Who cares about the extra pay?" rumbled a third brute, this one with armor as blue and black as the deepest sea. "His little friend looks soft and crunchy…can't wait to see what it tastes like."
"Careful, Vezok," said the bronze figure with a sharp cackle. "Wouldn't want you to get an upset stomach."
"That'll be the least of your problems if you don't get off my spine, Avak."
"Just saying. I'm not cleaning up after you this time."
…or perhaps they were not as unified as they seemed, though no less dangerous.
"Penny…" Axonn whispered. "Do you remember what I told you earlier?"
"Yes," she said with a firm nod. "You said that I should avoid using my powers whenever possible, and keep a low profile. Are you rescinding that order now?"
The armored titan unslung his axe and readied it in both hands. "I am. Show no mercy."
She did not need to be told twice. Penny's eyes came alive with blazing emerald flames as she leapt off the titan's shoulders and whipped up a windstorm around them both, knocking the Dark Hunters off-balance long enough for her and Axonn to act. Lances of fire and spears of lightning struck the shoulders of stunned brutes, which were followed by the mighty cleaves of a huge axe. Avak was sent flying into a pile of junk and scrap. Hakann roared as frosty daggers struck his eyes. Vezok and Reidak stumbled to recover, then lunged at the silvery titan. Thok growled as flames scorched his armor. And Zaktan seemed to dissolve into swarms of emerald insects that wove around every attack, reforming after avoiding a flurry of stone only for a beam of magic to strike the side of his head.
The green-clad Dark Hunter snarled as he clutched his scorched face, glaring up at Penny as she soared overhead. "What are you?" he hissed.
Penny clapped her hands to summon a dozen swords of glass and stone, which spiraled behind her like angelic wings.
"I am Penny Polendina, Maiden of Mata Nui," she proudly proclaimed, eyes ablaze with magic and fury. "And you will not claim my head, or Axonn's, on this day."
Zaktan just grinned as his body once more dissolved into a cloud of locusts. "We'll see about that, you little freak."
And with that proclamation, the Dark Hunters finally closed in on their prey.
(A/N): I imagine that some of my regular readers are gonna be very happy about the BIONICLE characters that appeared in that last scene, haha.
On an unrelated note, I have some bad news. See, I'd planned to take a break from the fic and put it on pause once I finished all the chapters for Act One (which I'd assigned to around Chapter 22 or so), but last week I realized I was hitting a breaking point a lot earlier than I thought. The latest draft (AKA next chapter) was a lot harder to complete and work into a satisfactory state than usual, and that usually means that I'm slowing down and getting tired both emotionally and creatively. More than that, the chapters that close out this part of the story are absolutely important to get right, as they form the linchpin of everything else that is to come, and right now the drive and the energy just aren't there to give them the attention they deserve.
Unsurprising, considering I've written over 200k words for the story so far…more than that, if you count stuff for future chapters I've been jotting down as they come to me. It's getting harder and harder for me to keep working on future drafts to stay ahead of the curve, and that's been a source of anxiety for me, which has made it even harder to sit down and write, which only escalates said anxiety…you get the picture. Despite how cool it is that I've managed to keep the fic going uninterrupted for about eight whole months, it's becoming clear that I can't keep going like this. This story deserves my absolute best, and so do you.
So consider this an advance warning that after the next chapter (which is coming in two weeks, as usual) I'll be going on break for a few months to rest, recharge, and work on building up a backlog yet again. For those who have been regular readers, thanks so much for being part of this journey with me so far! I can't wait to show you where the fic goes, and I'd love to have you when we come back. Stay safe, stay sane, support RWBY in whatever form it takes, and keep being awesome!