In the last chapter we saw the discovery of jacque other daughter she had along with robyn and ironwood forming a new alliance. Now lets continue with the group in belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. I own the OC's, AU. Hope you enjoy
Chapter 29:Guilt Ridden
It was a bright new day in atlas as already up and about right now was marrow. Who actually was in an apartment complex a few ways down from where harriett, elm and bonnet live. Though in his apartment complex it consisted of his roommates mainly being ramierez, harper, and even vine surprisingly. They shared the apartment together to save room on expenses. But mainly did it too be close by each other at times, clover luckily had his own place unlike the rest.
The wolf was already awake right now changed into his casual attire right now. Along with making breakfast for everyone right now. He was cracking some eggs as they spilled into the pan as he let them sizzle.
"So wags. Who do you think will be sent on that mission to vale?'rameirz asked as he was in something different not in his standard atlas uniform.
That being a pair of blue jeans with a tan longsleeve with luckily fire dust woven into the fabric to keep him warm. While it revealed his face to be that of hispanic decent from the looks of it as his head was shaved completely. As he sported a black goatee with light red eyes. Their was a scar
Marrow flipped the eggs as they got cooked enough to make some fried eggs. He dumped the contents onto the four plates for them all as he faced him.
"Honestly i got no idea, probably clove or heck maybe even tort if shes willing too. Probably a saud of you guys even"marrow answered sitting down setting the plates out for breakfast today. Once he did rameiraz took a bite humming in delight.
"Man forgot out of all of us here you can cook pretty good"ramzieraz complemented
This made marrow tail wag for a bit as he tried to stop it grabbing it stopping it momentarily.
"Thank my mom. I had to self teach myself on how to cook for my little sister. Spent most of the time after class taking care of her"marrow replied eating his breakfast himself that being some sauge links with some fried eggs and pieces of ham.
But as they ate for a good while he noticed two gleaming fact that being their two missing bunkmates. Vine was understdanble he was probably still asleep or busy mediating right now like he usually does in the morning for his routine. But he woke up at the crack of dawn and still hasn't seen harper.
Marrow took a bite of his eggs"so…those two still aint out of their rooms yet. You think harp being childish or something"he asked nerovusly
Rammiraz paused slightly looking toward the soiler room that had his name on the door along with his right next to it. Close by to that it was vine room that didnd't reall have anything marking it being his.
"Your one to talk mr i like to joke about everything at any given moment"ramzier retorted back but he decided to counter it
"Oh come on everyone loves my sense of humor. Better than clove dumb luck puns every waking second of the day"marrow countered making the soldier choke on his juice mid sip sitting it down before staring at him for a moment then he gave a small smirk.
"Alright you got me their wags, i wonder how his teammates back in atlas dealt with that. Though the insutrctors here were pretty hard on us back in the day"ramieraz replied as the wolf knew what he meant. Because him, ramieraz and harper actually met each other up in basic becoming friends in a way. But it seems he become very sour about the kids death.
"I guess so…though still i understand harp is hurt about the kids death. But…"he paused for a moment as his tail drooped to the ground.
Ramierez noticed his pause as he was finishing off his breakfast placing it in the sink to wash off later. Then the soldier walked over taking a seat next to him placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on man i know you miss the kid too. You guys were just a little too late….at least the kid isn't here to deal with people giving him shit"ramierz reassured him which it did because alot of people despise that dumb kid he used to watch out for.
Before long harper room door was heard being opened as it revealed the man in his atlas spartan uniform. Already geared up preparing to leave as he payed them no mind it seems. Once he reached the door marrow rushed over stopping him.
"Hey man you aint gonna eat breakfast, why are you even geared up ram over here said you had the day off"marrow said
Harper scoffed glancing at the hand on his shoulder"Take your dam hand off me before i snap your wrist in half"harper growled scowling at him.
Marrow quickly removed his hand putting a hand up in defnese right now because he understands he pissed off. But he doesn't need to be so cold toward them when he just trying to keep their friendship going steady.
"Come on man, the guy and bree did all they could to save the kid. They didn't make–"he was stopped
Becuase harper gorlwed before turning around grabbing marrow by the collar slamming him hard against the wall with a loud thud being heard. Ramieraz as qutie surprised as was marrow by his sudden action as a certain monk like man door was slightly adjared it seems as he listened to the current altercation.
"Can it you dam mutt! You left behind someone for dead praticualrly you should have gotten their on time! Seriously when our unit heard about that dam brat finding his family alot of us were happy for the kid!"harper said as he had a quivered breath for a moment
Marrow tail drooped even more seeing him with tears about to form because pratirucalry they took some shot nose brat in for the last eight years. Taking care of some kid because they had ordered to but in reality it felt like he was one of them he just let him get it out right now.
Harper shook slightly before squeezing tight around the wolf shirt collar threatening to throw him or just choke him out right now it seems. The man swallowed to compose himself for a moment before slamming him against the wall again.
"You two should have made sure to stay by the dam kid! Because of you two a dam kid is dead! I hope you two are happy for following orders under good old ironwood watch. Because…"harper stopped for a moment letting him go as they watched him approach the front door to leave the apartment right now turning the knob but stopped look at the two.
"Because you all are his good little lapdogs, have fun being what you are as a faunus masters little dog"harper finished with venom hitting a very sour spot right that calling out his faunus traits. Then he slammed the door emphaziing where he stands with them.
They stood in complete silence for a moment as marrow just held his head sighing heavily as he walked over toward the couch. He sat down holding his head for dear life right now hearing those words be uttered from his mouth. Because it really hurt hearing that from his close friend he knows hes he's hurt too because he actually misses that kid deeply right now. He just been trying to keep up this tough act telling everyone hes okay with him being gone. Though he deeply misses the kid severely their isn't a day that goes by where he doesn't miss him wishing he was still here right now doing one of his stupid jokes.
As the wolf sat their for a bit footsteps could be heard as a hand was placed on his shoulder as he glanced up to look at vine who kept a calm look.
"Oh…hey zeki guessing we disturbed your mediation. Sorry about that"marrow apolgized to him.
Ramzieraz grabbed the palte of breakfast for the monk like soldier offering it to him as vine eyed the breakfast before him for a moment.
"I rather not take your food, you shoudln't let yourself go hunger"vine replied
Rameriez rolled his eyes"its your you monkish string bean. Seriously no offense you gotta bulk up your starting to look like a pencil"he joked as vine stared at him not really understanding it. Because for starters he wasn't that really great at understanding jokes at times.
"It my choice with my current appearance. But i may need to build up my msuculary appearance"vine replied in a monotone voice.
Marrow rolled his eyes before standing up as his tail swayed around for a bit as he decided to crack his back. Stretching for a moment he cracked his back with a loud crack being heard which satisfied him alot right now.
"Yeah well sense of humor isn't your strong suit zeki. Though you guys eat up i'll probably go take a walk"marrow said
But right as he got to the front door vine used his aura hand pulling marrow back over which confused him heavily. Then holding him in his aura hand placing a hand behind his back vine dragged marrow into his room as he shut the door behind him
Rameriz stood their confused as he took a long sip of his coffee in hand before deciding to not ask questions and get to work on the dishes.
Inside vine room it was a simple little room for someone matching his style. That being a room with a bed for him to sleep on in the corner that seemed to fit one person in it. Along with that the room was bathed in a myriad of lights, mainly switching every few seconds from the main traditional colors.
Which was being projected off the light bulb in the room that had a special bulb that would switch colors every few moments to set the mood of the room. Their was also a simple little desk in the room for someone to get work done.
Their was also one giant shelf that had several different types of items on it. Their was a large selection of books on mainly subjects for self improvement matching the ace op perfectly. Their were also books on the history of remnant, fairy tails even, along with a few pieces of literature in the mix. Their were books also on mediation, first aid how to be with ones self with several more subjects. Though in the very center of the room was a very large rug in the center that was a praying and mediate mat. As marrow was pulled into the room he was let go as he was curious why he was dragged in here by vine right now.
"Alright zeki why did you drag me in here, what you gonna confess your love or something"marrow joked
But got a look of silence from him which made his eyes go wide because for starters he swing for girls. Marrow backed up toward the door to make a quick escape if that is the case.
"Which if it is. Look your a great guy and friend but i swing for girls"marrrow quickly said neoruvsly.
Vine titled his head slightly as he just got on his bed as it creaked slightly. Then he began to get in a mediataive position getting comfortable. The man then closed his eyes before moving his arms up to the wolf confusion.
As more silence came it wasvery eerie as none of the two made a sound at first. But after what felt like eternity the silence was getting to marrow who couldn't take it anymore.
"Gah! Why did you bring me in here you dang silent monk!?"marrow asked shaking the man for a bit annoyed right now. Vine stayed motionless not really moving much before removing the faunus away from himself.
Vine opened his eyes"i suggest you get in the same position i am in, then i will explain to why your in here"he suggested to marrow confsion.
"Listen i don't really take mediating as my cup of tea"marrow replied but vine gave him that look for him to do it.
Marrow sighed before sitting on the ground doing his best to copy vine. As he crossed both his legs together getting comfortable enough for a moment. Then he put one finger inward together like vine was doing staring at him for a silent moment passed between the two as vine stared at the faunus before him as the man wanted to see about one thing right now.
"Are you doing alright? Because as of late you and harrett have seem very troubled in the last month over something. "Vine said getting straight to the point making him flinch slightly which just proved his theory it seems.
Marrow tail nerovusly wagged around avoiding his gaze"i..i…look i'm fine alright. Just worried about these grimm knights is all. Seriously one of them is in atlas of all places even after we closed our borders. I'm fine don't psycho analysis me"he warned about to sit up
But before he even made a movement vine decided to just say it which will stop the wolf dead in his tracks.
"You two feel guilty about not being able to save the child are you?"vine asked as it made marrow freeze in place for a moment. The wolf just stared at him with a neutral face but soon enough his true colors showed until marrow had an upset expression form on his face he was right.
Marrow groaned slightly hanging his head placing his hands on his kness.
"Your right…i do feel pretty guilty about not being able to save that kid. I…know we had orders but seriously saying how he died as a huntsman"marrow started to explan as vine sat their listening to his worries.
The wolf needed to get this off his chest"i sometimes tell myself yeah he did. But seriously he was just a kid that never asked for any of this. Never asked to be thrown into some stupid prison pretty much for eight years of his life"he said before he paused as a few tears formed.
"That particularly we all took him under our dam wing training him until he finally went to beacon. Hell even when we arrived in vale and hare tells us that he actually found his family. I was happy for that kid because i…i…"he stopped for a moment as vine took action
Vine sat up before taking a mediaitng spot infront of him as marrow heard him moved revealinng him with a few tears beginning to escape. Without even speaking vine motioned for him to continue but stay in that position.
Marrow sniffed sighing with a very quivered breath"i..i just miss the dam kid…seriously finding his corpse was…just upsettting. He sees his family but goes into a city to go kill himself thinking he helped killed so many people. "He finished with some tears dripping onto the mat.
"I suggest you take a deep breath and exhale. Hold it for three seconds then exhale slowly"vine insutrected
Marrow thought for a moment taking a deep breath inhaling some air before holding it for a three seconds letting it out.
"Again"vine said as he did it again, he kept doing it a few times until he finally relaxed gaining his composure right now.
"If you are feeling better. Dealing with someone death is quite hard our orders were to keep an eye on the child if he harmed anyone which would mark him for termination"vine started making marrow glare slightly hearing that but kept his peace guessing this was leading somehwere.
"But the more you dwell on things like this the tougher it'll get. It hurts when you loose someone you cheirhsed that being a sister, brother, mother, father or very close friend. That same thing applies to those you aren't even related to."vine said before opening his eyes again staring into his eyes as he did the same.
"Think about something positive,maybe even the first time you met the child. "Vine insutrcted
Marrow thought about that day because it was a very long time ago. It was just like yesterday because at the time it was the day he finally got to join the ace operatives of atlas. Which was the best day of his life when that happened.
Eight years ago
It was eight years ago in atlas command right now as nothing was out of the ordinary right now. But right now getting a tour of the base who was all smiles right now was a much younger marrow amin. Who tail was wagging like no tomorrow because today was something joyous right now because he just joined ace operatives.
"Man i can't believe i'm on ace ops, though uh…this is kinda nerve racking"marrow said to someone else. That being clover who was showing him the ropes around the place.
Clover chuckled"you'll be fine rookie, be worried about me i'm taking the reigns on being squad leader for our group"he replied nervous himself it itnrigued the wolf faunus hearing he was the leader now because he did hear about the previous one getting in some sort of accident or something. It resulted in her being put in an early retirement it seems but he wondered what happened exactly. He been here for about three months now but barely knows the place since he was suaulyl stationed at outpost.
"Oh right didn't it used to be some chick by the name of tortuga or something?"marrow asked as someone cleared their throat infront of them. The wolf faunus froze slightly looking toward the source.
Which revealed a much younger maraina tortuga who right now didn't have her porshetics at the moment. Instead she was wearing some baggy grey sweatpants with a teal athletic crop top showing off her midriff. But her right leg and arm sleeve hung their very loose. She was in a wheelchair being pushed by winter.
Marrow immeidlaty saluted the two as his tail drooped very low to the ground, because he might have just messed up right now.
"Oh uh….ma'am! I didn't mean to sound rude or anything. I was just…"he tried to come up with a decent excuse.
"Relax their wolf boy. I aint gonna bust your balls too much for acting so carefree"mariana replied making him sigh in relief.
"Thank god, seriously i thought you'd be mad at me replacing you ma'am"he replied but went wide eyed because he opened his big mouth again. Clover chuckled at that statement patting him on the back sending him forward slightly but he kept his balance luckily.
"Relax the women isn't mad at yah rookie. But now she gets to spend more time with her kids she hasn't seen in two years"clover said confusing him
"What you've been on mission that long and unable to see your kid?"marrow stupidly asked
Winter gave an icy glare to the wolf which made him flinch right now. Because at this time it was before the women icy heart was melted away with the help of a certain commander at the time. But the women kept her title of ice queen at this time.
"Have you not read your reports in the last three months? Because the general has tasked your group and those in his inner circle with something very important"winter coldy reminded him
Marrow tail swayed around"umm does the excuse that i kinda forgot what is was. Because no offense i've read like several of them"he replied as they walked down the hall toward a certain direction. As they did winter scoffed heavily pushing mariana wheelchair.
"Of course you used that excuse. For starters she hasn't seen her wife and kids in the last two years since arthur watts kidnapped her. "Winter reminded
Then it came to him about that report he read a couple weeks ago. How they were sent into some valley in solitas a while back to find some scientist their that went rogue. But all they found their was a bunch of hired guns in the area.
"Oh i know who your talking about, that helped jog my memorie now"marrow replied
"Good because for starters your going to be reading alot of reports. Though speaking of my wife their she is"mariana replied as they glanced down the hallway
Their down the hallway was carmine alcus standing outside a room right now with a worried look right now. With the distinct sound of grunting being heard along with some familiar voices being heard from inside the room.
"Huh wonder what their up to"marrow said outloud.
"Probbaly checking on that kid right now, guessing hare having trouble despite being a babysitter before joining the military"clover said confusing the wolf, what did he mean by a kid why would the military lock some kid up. Walking over which didn't take long carmine noticed them sighing a little.
"I take it your here to check up on me dear?"carmine asked walking over hugging mariana who returned it with her one good arm.
"Sort of though let me guess junior here is…"She was stopped as the sound of someone yelping could be heard.
"Gah! Dammit he bite me again! Seriosuly does this dam kid hate me or something?!"hariett voice could be heard in the room making marrow and clover snicker a little. Then from the room out came hariett with an annoyed look right now rubbing her hand that drew blood slightly.
"Let me guess you aint having luck convincing the kid to leave his room?"clover asked as she grumbled to herself rubbing her hand. Marrow titled his head at them.
"Kid? Why are you watching a…"marrow stopped glancing inside seeing what they meant. Their in a simple little room was a pure white room with all the walls being white with a singular light source being a long light. Along with a simple little desk for someone to use, but their was a simple bed in the corner of the room. But bundle up in the corner he could hear someone sobbing right now.
Carmine noticed his pause"i take it you haven't seen the person that james considered dangerous, despite being a child"she said with annoyance.
"Hey he might be a kid but that brat took her limp and almost tore my head off"hariett growled as he thought for a moment and back at the kid. Because for starters he looked very tiny because how could a kid tear off someone arms and leg.
"Bullcrap some kid did that, this has to be a joke because thats just a little kid"marrow said in disbelief.
Winter sighed annoyed"have you not read the reports. That child in their is from what we gathered part grimm. The scientist we've been tasked to track down"she reminded yet again
Marrow went wide eyed hearing this"Wait that psycho watts made people who are part grimm?!"he shouted but then a gasp could be heard as he stared into the room. Seeing that same blanket with a lump in it violently shaking right now. Carmine glared at him right now pinching his tail as he yelped.
"Don't say that man name around him. He has panic attacks because of that psychopath"carmine said as felt hurt that a kid even has that hearing someone name. He had to make it up as he entered the room slowly approaching the shaken up kid who noticed him.
"Go…away…your..l-like the scary…men in black"he cried choking on sob, but the wolf gentle took a seat at the side of his bed.
"I aint like those guys kid, look you may not know me but just relax. Sorry for mentioning that guys name, why don't you take a deep breath"marrow insutrcted as in the doorway was harriett rolling her eyes.
"The kid doesn't listen to anyone your in a losing…"she was stopped as the little kid slowly took a deep breath to her surrpsie. Then the wolf decided to gently remove the blanket which made the kid pull back but he eventually looked at the younger zane who had tears running down his face still shaking, but he noticed a collar upsetting him a little.
"Listen kid no one here to hurt you alright. Just calm down"marrow softly said as the kid stared at him before lunging for a hug which he offered. The wolf felt content right now wondering how some little kid might be dangerous.
Present
Marrow opened his eyes for a moment as he felt surprisingly relaxed as he met face to face with vine. The wolf exhaled feeling a little better right now, without a word he got up hugging vine suddenly who returned it with a pat on the back.
"Thansk for that…i'll probably talk to the geneal or clove to see whos heading to vale"he replied leaving the man feeling a little better about himself right now.
Though across the city was harriett who left atlas entirely almost as if she had somewhere she needed to go that was in mantel and she knew exactly where is was. She woke up this morning to bonnet snuggling her but luckily got free but needed to do something. It took her about a thrift minutes to get their even thought she would've split the time in half using her smeblnace but she wanted to walk.
She was not in front of a cave that had a small train track going into it. She looked up at the sign that was above as it read dust mine #5. It was her old post she had very long ago before becoming an ace op back when she was a private. And it just brought back very bad memories on all the things that happened here.
"Hey! No civllians are allowed here!"an atlas soldier state as he came up from behind her. Harriet turned around and met the man face to face as she noticed his rank with only two stripes.
"Gotta a problem corporal?"harriet aksed her authority kicking it. The man immediately knew who it was as he stopped himself and saluted her.
"Liteienant bree. I didn't recognize that it was you ma'am. Forgive me"the corporal said
"At ease coportal."she said he put his hand down" now how are things fairing out here?"She asked wondering about the mines condition.
"Well everything is in working order ma'am. The workers are working hard though admittingly slowly. The dust they've collected would be sent all over remnant if it weren't for the dust trade routes being closed off"the corporal stated. She was very well aware of that since the general closed them with artemis supporting it and mactvaish.
"And how about the workers? Are they doing alright?"she asked again
The man scoffed"A colony of ants could get things done faster. They take too long to get dust that atlas needs and they are comaplitnaing that we don't do anything for them. I heard jacque built living quarters for them. They should be grateful he doing that for those animals"he stated
Harreit had to restrain herself from punching the man face in as she clenched her hand into a fist though she knows for a fact that he was a devil. But she remembered why she was here and coudln't let her emotion get the better of her.
"Coproal if you don't mind i would like to report the mines myself"harriet said
"Oh uh…shoudln't you report to the general?"he said
"I'll be in and out. Ten minutes top. Shouldn't take too long"harriett stated and before he could answer she walked inside the mine. Almost immediately she could feel how cld it was in the mine as she trudged onward. She heard clinking of metal picks hittign stones as it repeated over and over seeing faunus workers was pick axe working. She also saw a bll faunus carting around the railcart picking up any dust that was gathered hauling it away.
It she could describe this all in just one words it would be depressing as she looked around. Faunus workers of different ages that were teenager to even a few elders. She only spotted a few kids that were between the ages of seven and ten years old. It made her sick to her stomach that the faunus were being treated this way and even worse they didn't pay attention to her in the mines. She just walked on their were less and less workers spotted.
She walked on until she came to a section that felt familiar to her. The place was already mined out of dust but she saw four large mounds with stone placed on top of each other however she looked at one that was second from the left. Why was this mound so special because it belonged to someone she was forced to hang as a private.
She stepped in front of the mound and bent to a knee an even though there was no name plate she knew who was buried here.
"Hey kumo. Wished i came by all that time ago to tak to you. Things have been happening late and all that"harreit said to the buriel
Harriett sniffed slightly as emotion were starting to come up"you know…i wished that i had got to know you not as a faunus but as a person. Everyone believe that faunus are nothing but…savages for lack of a better term. Why can't human look past that and notice that were all not so different from each other?"She asked getting no response.
"You had a little brother and…i took you away from him. I wish i could forgive myself for what i did though i know i'll have to live with it for a long time. Like i did failing to save that kid…his mothers probably heartbroken"she said as she sieltnyl prayed.
"Paying respect to the dead"a man voice said from behind her. She turend her head and noticed that man. He was tall with a slight muscular build with ash grey hair and dark blue eyes. He was wearing a wore down shirt and pants that were ripped at the kness. On his head a pair of sharp horns as he was a bull fuanus.
"You can say that. Or one person in particular."she replied
He looked a the mound as thought ran through his head before he spoke"an old friend perhaps?"he asked. Harriet didn't say anything for a second as she contemplated what to say but it came out differently.
"Could've been. She was an older sister to some little boy all she had left maybe. She died way too soon honeslty and this is all she gets. A mound and some rocks to rember her by. Makes me sick to my stomach"harreit said a tear escaping her eyes.
"I mean theirs is not much that anyone can do really. For us…we just keep out head down and hope for the best"the man said
Hariett coudln't even argue with him about that as she looked at him"what about you? Got someone you're visiting"she asked
"He nodded as he looked to the mound to her left"my wife. Died from the cold deep in the mines"he said
"Sorry to hear that hope she went on peacefully"she said as the man nodded
"Yes sometimes we must find the will in us to go on and live from day to day. Thats what she always told me"the man said. Ahrriett decided it would be time to head back as she figured she overstayed her welcome.
"Excuse me but i must be going. It was a pleasure talking with you"harriett said as she wiped the tears from her eyes before walking away.
"To you as well"the man stated as hairett walked out of the mines her breath able to be seen from the coldness in the air as she came out into a more equally cold air of mantle.
"Oh liteutant. Was their any trouble"he asked
"No. nothing what so ever. Resume your post corporal"she ordered as he gave her a salute as she walked herself out and away from the mines. Though a thought ran through her mind she wants to apolgize to one person since she got a letter from nezumi weeks ago. That being a certain lynx faunus mourning for that kid she couldn't save, but…part of her told her the others needed to know the truth. She lied about his body as she walked back to her home in atlas to prepare.
We got to see how both hariett and marrow are dealing with the guilt of not being able to save zane. Along with that a bit of backstory for harriett along with hearing of a girl named kumo weaver. Wonder who shes related to? Thanks for reading!