A/N: Here we go!
Shorter than I'd like, but my eyes are killing me.
As ever the Embers rule persists, reviews are my fuel, my fire, my life.
Without them, I lose all inspiration, all hope, all ability to write. That's no joke. I have so little time to write these days with two jobs, and silence hurts. So by all means, speak up! Make yourselves heard! Every bit of feedback, no matter how small or large, matters! Really, it helps a lot. Its a joy to talk with you all and bandy ideas back and forth; it really is. Sorry if this seems shorter than usual, working on a tight schedule here.
Now, lets answer your burning questions, comments, and concerns:
Q: How goes Elden Ring?
A: POORLY. I'm stuck on Astel Naturalborn of the Void, who has been kicking my ass to kingdom come for the last day now, even with a Mimic Tear on my side. At this point, I'm just about ready to get an Xbox Live membership so I can play online, summon help, and beat the bastard. He' just! So hard! To hit! This is from someone who bead Radahn and Renala relatively easy. Level's high, even went and got Radahn's armor to help.
Send halp plz. I'll be on later tonight.
Seriously, I'm right outside the bloody boss door.
At this point its taking time away from my writing; I just wanna beat that bastard and I'll not rest until I do it!
Q: Whose behind the madness in Menagerie?
A: That's the question, isn't it?
Q: Wait, 'hold up! Tyrian's worshiping Naruto? Is he for real? Is it fake? A charade? A shame? A ruse?
A: You know I can't answer that.
Alright then, I think I've kept you waiting long enough.
As ever, I own noooo references, quotes, memes or themes.
Not a wit or a one. Ought to be reeeaaally bloody obvious by now.
And yes, I went there with that title, its a big honking references, though I'll not say to who!
"Sorry, got distracted by the kiddo. Now where was I, Neo?"
Right, right, so there we were, surrounded by a whole horde of angry Faunus, the island rigged to blow if we didn't play along.
What IS it with madmen and bombs? Never really understood that. Yeah, things...did not entirely go to plan. Life seldom does, but c'mon, no one expected THAT to happen...
~Torcwhick (Future).
Fear is a Sure Bet
Menagerie really knew how to throw tournament.
Or was it a festival?
Semantics.
By the look of them you'd never know there was any danger; wouldn't even suspect it until the knife hit your spine. It was only Kurama's sixth sense that told Naruto otherwise; that oh-so-useful ability to sense negative emotion which had saved him time and time again, that now warned him of the coming danger.
"They stink of fear...
Indeed they did. saw it in their eyes, smelled it in the air, felt it in his very soul. Mothers clutched their children close as they walked by. Men shot them hateful glares. HeWhy? What had they done? Nearly ever single Faunus on the island was terrified. As if the world were holding her breath, waiting for the hammer to drop.
But for what...?
Willow squeezed his hand and he returned the gesture in kind, not trusting himself to words. Cinder stuck close to his side, Sienna the other, and Roman...well, he couldn't blame the boy for hiding in his shadow. Certainly Team STRQ found strength in unity; they all but encircled Kali and Ghira, keeping them from harm.
Which begged the question...who was causing it all?
For his part Tyrian seemed oblivious to the peril altogether; humming happily to himself as he led them to the center of the island. Seemed he was genuine...or very adroit at hiding his true nature. He wasn't sure which and it worried him more than he cared to admit. While young, the man moved with lethal grace-the walk of someone who had ended many lives, and would likely end yet more if left to his own devices. Dismissing him as he was now really wasn't an option. Best keep him close and ascertain his motives later.
"If he tries anything, he'll regret it. We're far faster than him."
In short order they found the one in charge; Tyrian led them right to
Menagerie's chieftain -or rather, the man who usurped the throne in Ghira's absence- was certainly a large fellow. Large enough to fill out that chair -throne?-.
A swarthy man clad in a robs of deep burgundy lounged before them without the slightest care in the world. Naruto took him in in a moment. He didn't like what he found there. Broad of shoulder was he, muscles rippling beneath the beneath those seemingly harmless vestments. Skin tanned by the sun, bristling with a dark beard, he regarded them intently from the dais. A high, wild light burned in his dark green eyes, a gleam that spoke of a mind fastened on its goal the exclusion of all else. A single mangled ear -a bear?- stood atop his head, chewed and gnawed.
"Is that him?" he muttered aside.
"No." Kali whispered. "The one who nearly killed me and Ghira was smaller than that. Slender. Less muscle."
The man rose from his throne, bringing a hand with him.
"No closer, false god." his voice carried, rich and resonant. "You will remain there."
Qrow scoffed. "Friendly fellow...
Poisonous green orbs roved over them, noting the size of their part and not liking the look of it.
"Look at you." his upper lip curled in a sneer. "Barely nine words in and you already look like you want me dead. You're getting all worked up over nothing. You've changed, Naruto." placing his chin on a hand, he leaned back with a sigh. "You're getting weak these days. But what can one expect of a false god?"
Confusion sparked to life, warring with anger.
...have we met?"
It wiped the smile from his face. "Excuse me?"
"You. Me. I don't know you."
"Of course we've met! You...!" A spark of rage burned in his gaze. "You took everything from me! My family! My destiny! My life!"
Blue eyes fluttered in a baffled blink. "Buddy, pal, I don't even know why you are."
He would've remembered someone this...large.
"Insolence...!"
The man surged upright in his throne and he wondered if he would lunge at him; almost hoped he would. Everything would be so much easier if he could just cut the head off the snake and be done with this. It was not to be. At length he exhaled softly and sank back into his throne.
...you will." he all but bit out the words. "You have been watched. You are known to us." A pause then, as he considered them anew. "You were meant to come with the Schnee. No other."
"Ooops." Naruto shrugged with a selfsame smile. "Didn't get the memo...
"I am Father Kolgrim." a burly arm gestured. "Give us the Schnee now and we will let you leave with your life, pretender. I will not make offer again."
Willow clicked her tongue. "So nice to be wanted."
Raven stepped forth, one hand on Omen's hilt. "Why do ya want her?"
An ugly smile bloomed on the handsome man's face. "Her child will be of use to our god."
Tyrian titered. "And they call me crazy...
Summer hissed. Actually hissed, like a scalded cat. "Oh, screw that-brrr!"
Her words piqued in a yelp as the temperature plummeted.
"Oh?" Willow touched a hand to her cheek, all smiles. "I'm sorry. Would you mind saying that again?" When he didn't, her smile spread yet further, revealing pearly white teeth. "I see, I see. Yes, I understand perfectly now." her head bobbed, eyes blazing with blue fire. "So that's your game." Her temper, already strained, began to fray yet further as he made no move to respond. "Well in that case, you can just DIE-
Naruto wrestled her arm down before she could smite him.
"We were warned of your ways," the leader was still braying as she glared pale daggers at him", "Of your silver tongue! We will not be swayed!" a finger furled in his direction. "If you brainwash me, my lieutenant has orders to shoot me!
"Brainwash...?" Naruto choked down a laugh. That wasn't the word he'd use. "And if I convince him?"
"Then he shall be shot and someone will take his place as well." the braggart raised his arms, face slicked with sweat. "You will have no victory today! For we have been graced with her glory! It has been foretold!"
"Bloody zealots." Taiyang muttered. "They were always the worst to convince...
Naruto elbowed him, fighting down a shiver. "No arguing there."
"My lord?"
"Not you, Tyrian." he waved absently, then caught himself. It was a dark day indeed when you put your trust in a madman, but at least this one wasn't ranting at them.
"So?" he called up to the man. "I'm here. You wanna fight me? Lets go."
"Not I." Kolgrim's smile was nothing short of oily. "While I would like nothing more than to crush you myself, your punishment must be more...severe."
Naruto dug a finger in his ear. "Not liking the sound of that...what're the rules?"
"Fight and die. That is all. Should you somehow survive the gauntlet, you will be free to leave in peace, with the blessing of our goddess."
"We done? I think we're done. Kill him. Now."
He stepped forward.
...and if I take you down here and now?"
"You show your true colors at last! Kolgrim sneered, exposing a mouth full of yellowed teeth. "A brute, masquerading as a man. She was right about you. So was he!"
In the same moment he reached up to his robes and ripped them away to reveal his chest.
Raven swore. "You gotta be kidding me...
"This is a dead man's switch." Kolgrim sneered, uncaring of the eyes on him or the ghastly vest he wore. "One of many. Should any harm befall me or mine, this island will be cleansed by her holy flame."
Taiyang bulled forward, shoving the kids behind him. "You'll die too, idiot!"
He only smiled. "Then we shall burn together under her gaze."
Roman tugged at his hat. "Not a great retirement plan, that.
...he's not bluffing."
Naruto switched gears, seeking another avenue of attack. "Who the heck is this she, anyway?
"You are unworthy to know her name!" spittle sprayed down at them, earning a few disgusted looks. "She has returned to us, and it is SHE who will deliver us our glory!"
Qrow reached for Harbinger.
"I see that look in your eye, huntsman. You want to stop me. Come, then." Kolgrim spread his arms wide. "You may even succeed. But can you best us all in an instant?" he crooned. "A true god could, you know. He could but snap his fingers and this would be done.
"We could try...
Naruto fought down a wince.
...but if we screw up, it means the end of Menagerie.
Without knowing where the other detonators -or these supposed bombs- were hidden, he had no way of acting in time. It would'be been one thing if he knew. Given time, he might well find a way. But now? The thought boiled in his blood, if only because there was no easy answer. But if he thought they were going to dance to their tune forever..
"Fine." he clicked his tongue. "Send out your champions. Or champion. I don't care."
"You will remove your false arm. The Schnee shall not aid you. Your companions will be under...guard at all times."
Another shrug. "Have it your own way."
Raven grabbed at him. "You do realize this tournament is rigged, don't you?"
Naruto didn't stop smiling. "They can rig it all they like. They'll still lose."
But what if they take your arm?"
"S'fine." he shrugged. "I've got one more."
Kali flinched like a skittish cat. "But you'll be in danger!"
"Naw. This isn't danger. This is pest control. Don't worry. I'll fix everything."
"Here." he flung it over his shoulder. Summer caught it with a yelp. "Bring out your best fighters."
He knew at once he'd said something wrong, if only for the laughter that followed.
Kolgrim's smile was nothing short of ugly.
"Certainly. Let the games begin!"
A/N: Here we go, getting back into the swing of things, as it were.
As ever, reviews are the fuel that keeps me writing. That's no joke. I'm sorry the chapters are shorter, but silences hurts more than any flame...
Without them, I can't write a single world. Seriously! So speak up! Every word -and every review!- really does matter!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review, Would You Kindly?
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R&R~!