A/N: EDIT: Went back and added more content. This chapter felt too thin, so I gave it more substance. Hope you enjoy~!
Shorter than I'd like but here we are.
Here we are, RWBY updates in February as promised.
Season 9 certainly looks...trippy. While we're on the topic of such things...
As my fifteen year anniversary on this site draws near, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. So many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
Only a few questions to answer this time around, as these ones were needed:
Q: Update Foxfire again!
A: Oi! That one's monthly for the time being, and I DID just update it. I'm trying to spread the love around as it were; Slifer is working on Scarlet Sky at present, Dylan's occupied with that So I'm a Spider/Naruto crossover and Ronin...I think he passed away. Haven't heard from Dark in a bit.
Meaning, at present, its just the three of us running around like madmen. Madmen I say! I have at least THREE new stories I could post, but I'm trying to hold those back in favor of updating everything else. Shield Hero, Demon Slayer, Elden Ring, the works.
Q: Reveal the pairing already!
A: It has been revealed. I just didn't outright state it. Doing that would ruin the surprise, the suspense, and an entire arc.
Though I can promise you this. Team RWBY will be a thing in this story, and by the brother gods, they're going to be fun to right and an outright menace for their enemies. We've already got a prototype version of Penny bopping around early, to say nothing of Alma, Cinder, Sienna, Roman...
...and I've not forgotten Neo. Her reveal isn't something I can just pencil in. It has to be done proper. Properly!
Hell, I've already hinted at her in the quotes for the last few chapters...
Q: Would you kindly explain the dragon?! Who is she?! A leftover fragment from the Brother Gods? A wild beast?
A: I've already stated that "she" isn't a Grimm. She's a bonafide dragon, big enough to give other known ones a run for their money.
As to "her" origins...well. You'll just have to read and see.
Alright, this old man has 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, but I'll say it again.
Reference from a certain popular show with dragons here.
Gee, I wonder which one?
*whistles innocently*
"What? Is this the end? No, no, no, Neo. You'd think things were sorted on Menagerie.
But they weren't. Nope. Not yet.
Not by a loooooong shot.
~Torcwhick (Future).
Welcome to the World
"Good dragon. Niiice dragon...
She certainly was; the massive beast trilled once and lowered her head to the beach with a pleased purr, humming contentedly now as Naruto scratched her chin. Almost made him think of a kitten. A gigantic, flying fire-breathing cat that had come screaming out of a mountain for fire and blood, sure, but a cat nonetheless. Her head was bigger than him for crying out loud!
Hard to believe they'd been fighting only a few hours ago.
"You're just a big softy ain'tcha?" he cooed at her. "You didn't mean to hurt anyone...
The Dragon laid her head down on the sand and folded her wings down with a low rumble. Yup. Definitely purring. It wasn't even trying to fight him anymore, he'd utterly cowed it into submission. He wasn't entirely sure if that was a good thing or not. It also begged the question: now that he'd beaten her, what the hell was he going to do with her?
On a whim, he thrust an open hand at the eldritch beast. "Paw!"
The dragon instantly slapped a giant claw into his palm.
"Good girl."
He plucked a particularly large fish -more a shark, really- from the basket at his feet and tossed it her way. The dragon snapped it up instantly; giant jaws closing around the fish with such force that she bit its tail clean off and left it flopping at his feet. From there she craned her neck to give him a sidelong glance. Although she lacked the capacity of speech, the gesture spoke volumes.
"Still hungry, eh?" His lips twitched ever so slightly when she made a mewling noise. Practically pleading with him, she was. "Alright. One more. Roll over...?
Remarkably the dragon did just that -righting itself with startling speed for a creature so large- and opened her mouth.
"Well done." he upended the entire basket into Andraste's waiting jaws. "Here you go. You've earned this."
He tried to ignore the awful crack that followed as her powerful jaws crunched down on today's catch. Poor fish. They never stood a chance. Not yet satisfied, the dragon's tail began to wag, threshing out great amounts of sand from the beach. Within moments, she'd kicked up a localized sandstorm. Naruto held up a hand to ward it away.
"Hey, hey!" he coughed as gritty grains peppered his face. "Stop that! No more natural disasters!"
The giant dragonling complied at once.
"Huh." Naruto lowered his imbs. Didn't think I could actually train a dragon. Now what are we going to do with you...?"
Things had...not quite settled down on Menagerie in the last day, but they were calmer. Once he'd bested their so-called" Andraste" the surviving cultists had given up soon thereafter. Kurama's appearance had rattled them to be sure, but breaking their dragon likewise broke them, A few of them even knelt and screamed his praises, much to his chagrin. He could already feel a migraine coming on just thinking of it. Tyrian was bad enough, but at least he had his uses. This lot...
...please tell me I didn't just start my own cult."
Kurama grinned. "Alright, I won't. Still, we're going to need more-
-Fish!" A familiar voice interjected breathlessly. "Look! I brought more fish!"
Andraste caught the scent of and raised her head at once.
Naruto joined her and did just that, craning his neck back. Sure enough he saw Cinder hastening his way from the shallows, dragging two baskets of fish behind her, one to each hand. He could respect her sheer dedication if nothing else. Nearly everyone else was off preparing for tonight's festivities, cleaning up the isle or barring that, actively hunting down the stragglers of Kolgrim's cult. Team STRQ had taken to that task with relish. He pitied the survivors, but objectively he could see why they'd insisted on the task; better for them to bring them in, as they had Kolgrim. And besides, it would be good practice for the kids.
"Salutations! It is so SENSATIONAL to finally meet you all!"
"Penny, wait! Lungs! You gotta let 'em breathe!"
Roman groaned in her grasp. "Why meeee...
Naruto smiled at the fond memory. Alma-and by definition the newly-born "Penny" were little darlings that needed protecting, but likewise they also needed real-world experience. Hopefully this would nudge them in the right direction. If Watts and Pietro could play nice, so could they...
.
..
...right? Maybe? Hopefully?
If it were him, he might just slaughter the surviving cultists and be done with it. He was fresh out of mercy for those fools.
Not so little Cinder. She wanted to be here, with him...or more aptly, with the dragon. His brave, fearless child. She plucked a fish from one of her baskets -a burnt tuna, by the look of it- and walked right up to the Dragon without so much as an iota of fear in her heart.
Andraste loped to her feet, shaking the earth.
Naruto sighed. "Easy now. Make sure you don't lose a-
The wyrm reached out and, with startling gentleness, nimbly plucked the fish from Cinder's fingers as one might a small child.
Cinder hummed her appreciation and planted a fist on her hip. "Good girl. Lay down, would you kindly?"
Andraste did just that. Another fish was offered and happily received.
Cinder opened her mouth-
"No," Naruto cut her off at the pass, "We can't keep her."
His foster daughter adopted a decidedly mulish look. "I wasn't going to suggest that, father."
Oho? Father? She waned to be formal did she? Two could play that game. "Then what were you going to say, daughter of mine?"
She looked away with a huff. "...nevermind."
Gotcha. He could've challenged her further, but chose not to. A part of him was curious to see what length's she'd go to to convince him.
"Still," she ventured on seeking another avenue of attack, "Doesn't she at least deserve a name?"
"Pretty sure she already has one." he quirked a blond brow at their unlikely pet. "Andraste, right? That's what they called you."
The dragon snorted derisively, the act of which blasted their hair back.
Cinder smirked. "I don't think she likes that name."
"Yeah, no kidding...
"She may be a newborn, but she has power." His daughter stroked the beast's face with both hands and placed her head against its snout, drawing a high-pitched trill from her. "A proper name is the least we owe such a gorgeous beast." It nosed closer, rubbing against her, and a rare giggle fled from her lips. "Hmm." she closed her eyes and matched the dragon's hum with one of her own, his brave fearless little girl. "You'd like that, wouldn't you. No normal name for you. Someone of your stature deserves something grand indeed...
Naruto held his tongue and let her ponder it.
Golden eyes snapped open. "Syrax." the word rolled off her tongue
The dragon perked up.
"Syrax." Cinder repeated, drawing the word out for her to hear. "That will be your name now. Do you understand?"
The Dragon tilted her head, considering her with a giant slitted iris. Leaned forward now and-
"Meep?!"
Cinder squeaked as the great beast lunged forward and licked her with its long tongue, all but slathering her in drool. She warded off another attempt with a sputter only to falter and hold on for dear life as their resident dragon thrust its snout into her face and nearly knocked her down.
Curious choice. "Where'd you get that name?"
"Read it in a book. See?" Even soaked as she was, Cinder's smile radiated childish pride. "She likes it."
"Stop." he said again. I know what you're thinking."
Her face paled. "No, you don't."
"Yes, I do." And he did. She'd said the words just a little too quickly there. "We can't bring her to Atlas. Where would we even keep her?"
...we have resources. We can build her an enclosure."
"And then what?" he hated to rain on her parade, really, he did, but someone had to be the realist here. "Dragons hate the cold, Cinder. Would you keep her in a cage?"
"There are mountains in Atlas! Caves! Surely we could find a place for her!"
"What would she eat?" Another hole in her argument. "We don't even know what she is, let alone where she comes from."
"We can't leave her here." she railed at him. "The people of Menagerie fear her. She'll be killed within a week!"
"..."
Or she'll kill them." Cinder continued with implacable patience. "You saw how she takes to being attacked."
...she does have a point." leave it to Kurama to torment him. "Our scaly friend here could wipe out the entire island if she anted.
Likewise, killing her himself wasn't an option. This was an innocent creature that had been slumbering in a volcano for...well, forever. It hadn't asked to be awoken-let alone unleashed upon the world. Killing it solely for the the sake of convenience just smacked of casual cruelty. He liked to think he hadn't fallen that far yet. However much he might've hardened his heart to battle, he wasn't about to butcher something to make a point.
Syrax trilled a wordless question.
"Please, please, please, papa!" Cinder saw his weakness and pounced now; desperately clasping both hands before her face, golden maiden fire flashing from her eyes. "I'll never ask for anything again, I swear!"
Right, had to deal with that now, too. They didn't know which Maiden she was, but between Spring, Summer and Fall, he could hazard a guess as to which season she embodied. Only one resonated with dragons. Fire had ever been Cinder's element after all, even with her Semblance...no, now wasn't the time to think of that. They could focus on their training once they made the journey back to Atlas. For now...
He palmed his face. "I can't believe I'm even considering this...
Cinder didn't move. She didn't even breathe, for fear of tipping his decision the other way. He could still sense her anticipation. She'd never wanted something so badly as she did in this moment. Taking in a dragon would be a massive undertaking. Yet they did have the resources for it, did they not? Ironwood would no doubt have questions. As would others. And yet...
...she will be your responsibility."
"Yes!" Cinder slammed into him and latched onto his waist, for once acting her age. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"I'm not done." he patted her head. "I expect you and Sienna to take care of her. Roman, too. This is a big responsibility, Cinder. "Don't go offloading your work onto Penny or Alma, you hear?"
"Roman?" a quizzical look flashed across her face, follow by comprehension. "He's coming back to Atas with us, isn't he?"
Naruto granted her a rueful grin. "He is, he just doesn't realize it yet."
Cinder's grin was euphoric.
"Do you hear that, girl?" she turned and stroked Syrax's long neck. "You're coming with us. I'm going to ride you someday!"
Now there was a terrifying image.
"When the hell did you get this stubborn?
"We are Schnee. It falls to us to lead, to be better. Like you said.
He chuckled and patted her head, mussing her hair. "You sound just like your mother."
Cinder preened and hugged him again, burying her face into his hip. "I learned from the best."
(.0.0.0.)
Ironwood wasn't looking forward to this.
He knew it needed to be done; just as the call had to be made.
Staring at the screen only made his nerves worse. In the end, he gave in and pressed the button.
Credit where it was due, his benefactor picked up quickly.
...hello, James." the face that stared back at him within the monitor seemed grainy, made blurry by distance and poor reception, yet the audio came though crystal clear. "To what do I owe this sudden call?
"Ozpin." No point beating about the bush, then. "Hazel has escaped."
James watched the words hit Ozpin like an avalanche. Even through a video call, James could read him well as ever. He watched his face fall, his shoulders droop, an almost invisible weight bowing his back, and knew he had nothing to do with this. It had seemed a silly suspicion at the time, yet one could never be to sure. Nevertheless he was glad to be rid of it now.
...how did this happen?"
"He received a visitor shortly after Uzumaki left for Menagerie. The Grimm descended shortly thereafter. Neither were found."
"That is...unfortunate." Ozpin looked to his mug, raised it, then seemed to think better of for a moment. Eventually he withdrew a silver flask from beneath his desk and upended it into the cup. Only then did he drink and he did so deeply. "He is an implacable adversary. Salem will doubtless make good use of him."
"We do not have proof it was her-
His fellow headmaster heaved a sigh. "Who else would have the resources or the gall to extricate him in broad daylight?
James clapped a hand to his face. "He won't get far. That is my hope."
"Hmm." Ozpin leaned back in his chair.
"Anything else to report?"
James considered telling him. He really did.
Cinder Schnee was a Maiden. He'd seen the footage sent his way by Pietro...and summarily deleted it. Had it been any other kingdom, such wouldn't have been possible. Fortunately -or unfortunately as some might say- Menagerie wasn't a kingdom. They thankfully lacked a CCT tower; that was the sole reason this fiasco wasn't aired across the world.
Word would get out sooner or later but for now...did he dare speak up?
Ozpin was a good man, but by his own admission he'd made many mistakes. Too many. If he knew Uzumaki had another Maiden in his family, he'd want them under his thumb. That would be a disaster; and not for the reasons one might think. Naruto would fight tooth and nail to protect those he loved, and that fiery little girl was right there near the top. They didn't even know which Maiden she'd inherited. Winter was quite obviously accounted for and likewise Willow Schnee was grown woman and quite untouchable do in no small part to her connections, but an impressionable child was another matter.
He didn't think Ozpin would go so far as to kidnap a child, but one could never be sure.
...nothing at this time." he loathed himself for the lie even as he said it. "How fares Vale?" he asked instead.
"Well." A careworn smile was his reward. "The current Fall Maiden is getting a bit on in age and looking to train up a successor. She's had no luck yet."
Fall was still secure, then. James stored that tidbit away for later. Willow was the Winter Maiden, which only left spring and Summer in the wind. Should he ask Leonardo...no, best to keep his cards close to his chest. Leo was not the man he'd once been. He had his doubts.
Personally he thought she might be Summer-the irony of the name wasn't lost on him. She'd shown an alarming affinity for fire.
"I'll leave you to it, then." he feigned a smile he didn't feel. "Do keep me posted."
"Rest assured, I will. Farewell, James."
With a soft click the screen went black, leaving Ironwood to slump at his desk.
Should Ozpin learn of Cinder he would want to keep her close, or worse, in Beacon. Naruto would never stand for that. No, he reaffirmed his decision; he would hold his tongue for now. His old friend might be hurt by such a revelation, but he would understand in time.
Silence, as they say, was golden.
Surely this was for the best.
He would understand.
(.0.0.0.)
Night had fallen on Menagerie.
Summer reveled in it, the merrymaking, the madness, the simple release from the chaos of of a long day.
As far as the people of Menagerie were concerned, between those cultists and that dragon, they'd survived the apocalypse. Only natural that they celebrate, relaly.
She wasn't one to partake of course; no, no, she lived vicariously through others. Yup, better to nurse one drink and stay sober than drink yourself into oblivion. Drinking and partying aplenty in Qrow's case. His efforts against the cultists hadn't gone unnoticed. Not by that faunus girl Naruto dropped in his lap, and certainly not by Taiyang.
Raven was even more merciless by comparison. "Would you look at that?! My baby brother's got himself a girlfriend! She gonna pop your cherry?"
"Quit it, Rae!" he struggled against the arm slung round his shoulders to no avail. "It ain't like that!
"Tell it to the bunny, bird boy...she keeps making eyes at you."
"She's got a point there, but...
"Not you too, Tai!"
As team leader Summer knew she should help Qrow...should, but wouldn't. As far as she was concerned, this was revenge for all the times he'd teased her. She took another sip of her beverage -some fruity cocktail Kali had recommended her- and restrained a giggle as the younger Branwen found himself dragged towards a certain bunny.
"Heh." she giggled a little. "Turnabout's fair play, birdbrain."
She was still watching him squirm when a finger tapped her shoulder. "May I have a word?"
"Sure," she pivoted thoughtlessly. "What's up-
All the blood drained from her . Willow had cornered her at last.
"Hello, Summer." Drink in hand -water, thankfully-the Winter Maiden smiled back at her. In hindsight, Summer knew she would cotton on eventually; just as she knew she couldn't avoid her forever. She liked to think she'd done a decent job of it, dodging the question all this time. And really, Willow, looked good. Positively glowing, really. "I'd like you and yours to keep quiet about what you saw here today."
Meeping intensified. "About what?"
"You know perfectly well what. The Maiden. In exchange..." she paused a for a moment, considered something. "Naruto. "You care for him, don't you? I've seen you skulking about."
"Who, me?" Summer's voice rose in a nervous squeak. "No, no, no." Oh gods, her face was so warm right now! "You've got it all wrong." All right, more like! "I'll just be going-
An ice wall sprang up to bar her path even as she turned to flee. She smacked right into it. A hand took her by the shoulder and spun her round.
Pivoting, she found Willow smiling softly. Odd. Wasn't she angry?
Willow leaned in until her forehead touched hers.
"Lets talk about these feelings of yours...
(.0.0.0.)
It was time to leave.
Roman knew it was coming when the dawn arrived; knew his happy little dream couldn't last forever. Nothing good ever did. It was a fact of life. No matter how hard you tried to cling onto anything, it slipped through your fingers sooner or later...
.
..
...but he wished it wasn't so soon.
He tugged at his hat as they reached the landing strip. "So, I guess this is goodbye, huh?"
"What are you talking about?" Naruto quirked a pale eyebrow at him and jerked a thumb over his shoulder to where their vessel awaited. "Get in."
Roman's brain fizzled. "Come again?
"You. Ship. Now." Naruto spoke each word flatly, but there could be no hiding his smile. "Unless you'd rather ride Cinder's dragon...
"She's keeping that thing?! Most girls want a pony...
"Cinder isn't most girls."
He was stalling, he knew. Trying to make sense of it all. It was a strange thing to be wanted. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like.
"Well if I'm staying, in that case...!" Roman flung himself at Raven's feet. "Train me!"
Her jaw clicked open. "Ha?! Why me?!"
"Because you're a certified badass!"
Naruto howled with laughter. "Enjoy your new apprentice!"
She glared bloody red daggers at him. "I WILL END YOU!"
"Promises, promises!"
Tyrian raised a hand. "Can I have an apprentice too, my lord?"
"Sure, you can help me train Sienna.
The poor girl whimpered. "Why me...
(.0.0.0.)
Time waits for no one.
Neither man, nor woman, nor child.
She marches on silently. Steadily. Relentless. Until...
One day...she bears new life.
Welcome to the World.
(.0.0.0.)
On a cold winter night, much like her namesake, Winter came into the world.
"Welcome to the world, Winter~!"
She was born with glowing blue eyes...and chakra.
Naruto cooed at her, grinning as she giggled up at him from Willow's arms. "Well, aren't you special."
How little he knew. Her birth would change everything.
A/N: Aaaand scene.
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.
Reviews are the fuel that keeps me writing. That's no joke. I really am sorry that the chapters are shorter these days, and the updates slower, but I'm trying my best. Silence hurts more than any flame...without feedback, 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?
Here, have some previews. Lemme know what you think!
And as ever: Possible spoilers! Seriously!
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT AHEAD!
YOU WERE WARNED~!
(Previews)
"My queen, an empire toppled by its enemies can rise again." a finger tapped the table, further emphasizing his point. "But one which crumbles from within? That's dead...forever."
Dark red eyes considered him for a long moment. "What do you propose, Merlot?
"That we destroy the Schnee from within."
"We still haven't tracked down that semblance booster yet?
Evidently its cropped up in Mistral now.
"Lovely."
...you have no idea what you've unleashed. There are things far worse than death.
"Ruby Rose! Put the cookie down!"
"NEVAH!"
"I do not take sass from insects.
Insect?! I'm the strongest Hunteress in a generation!
A beetle is still an insect, no matter how loud it might scream.
"What's gotten into you, Winter?"
She wouldn't look at him. She mustn't. She refused.
"I heard what you said to mother." Father arched an eyebrow at her, and in the absence of his words, child though she was, she found the strength to continue. "You think I'm weak because I'm not like you and mother, like Cinder and Sienna, or even Roman." she stomped a foot and looked down, unwilling to meet his eyes. "I know I was never what you wanted, but I thought after all this time, maybe things were different.
His stoic gaze drilled into her. "When did you get the impression I didn't want you? You don't know everything kiddo...
"No, she sniffled, "but at least now I know the truth.
"The truth, eh?" he thumbed his chin. "Alright." a quick shove pushed his chair out from behind his desk. "You want the truth? C'mere." A metal hand patted his knee. "I'd wanted to wait another three years, but I suppose now's as good a time as any."
Her legs betrayed her and she found herself climbing into his lap. At the end of the day he was still her father and she was only five.
She tilted her head up to get a better look at him. As such she saw the moment his sapphire eyes snapped into scarlet.
Winter gasped despite her best efforts. "What did you do?! Is that a semblance or...?
"Nope. I'm a jinchuuriki, girl." she watched golden light dance across his face as he spoke, burning bright. "From another world, far from here. When I first met your mother I chose to be who I am now. To be more than a fight, but a leader as well. But the truth is, I'm far from perfect." he held up his false arm from her to see. "I killed my best friend. It wasn't something I wanted to do-that's how I got this arm. Even after that, I destroyed many who were deserving...and many who were not."
"That still doesn't explain why you think I'm weak-
"You think you're weak, Winter? No, no, no." he shook his head, setting his pale hair swaying. "You're strong; the only other person on this planet with chakra besides me. Hell, you're probably going to be even stronger than me, once you grow up. Which is why you must be BETTER. I didn't want to tell you any of this until you were ready."
"Why not tell me all this before?"
"Because it could go to your head. Because strength without experience can create a lifetime of tragedy if you're not careful. I also wanted you to have a normal childhood."
She scowled at him. "How is anything about my life even remotely normal?"
He granted her a small smile.
"Fair enough...
Winter wasn't cut out to be a big sister. Truly, she felt she wasn't. She'd been born broken. She only knew how to fight and kill. That was why she seldom spoke. Why she shunned others.
It was precisely why she was hesitating now, as the mewls of a newborn infant filled the hospital room.
"Oh, stop that. Come here and hold your baby sister. Weiss won't bite."
"Naruto, stop! This isn't you! This isn't who you want to be! They need to face justice!
Rationally, yes. But he wasn't feeling very rational right now.
"They came for my family. This is justice."
He squeezed their neck harder.
CRACK.
R&R~!