Intermission Special II:
(Bleach 'Reaper' by SennaRin Starts)
Remnant's shattered moon is briefly shown before changing to show the Great Tree of the Ever After, the sky darkening.
(Looking down at the sky)
A single key shaped sword is shown embedded in a rock, deep in the forests of the Ever After.
(I was dreaming)
A broken shed is then shown, approached by a young girl pulling a red wagon.
(Emptiness brought through being in contact with)
The girl looks on with a look of uncertainty, before red eyes peek out from the shed.
(Those ordinary eyes and lives)
The girl gasps, stepping back with a fearful face, trying to pull the wagon back.
(They follow the path that leads to the ending)
Three glass mural platforms are shown next, one of them showing a young man with brunette hair, a young woman with blue hair and the other a boy with blond hair.
(Decided from the beginning)
A little girl with a red cloak and hood is then shown kneeling before a white gravestone.
(Despair pulls it in and points out)
A girl with white hair and a lonely looking face stares out the window of an empty room.
(Hope is right here)
A girl with black hair, cat-shaped ears and yellow eyes is then shown, running into the arms of her parents.
(My selfishness and thousands of regrets)
A boy is then shown at a farm, looking up at the sky, his hazel eyes flashing green before he gasped, as if he suddenly woke up.
(You would hold them in your arms)
A girl with brown and pink hair is then shown, sitting on a bridge, looking down at the water, the rippling figures of a man and a woman are shown, their faces showing looks of disinterest before being replaced by three more girls and a man in a white coat and a black hat that makes the girl smile.
(And cry out that this is the heart)
A woman with blond hair is shown next, kneeling next to a girl with long hair matching the woman's hair color, a soft look on her face.
(Any kind of emotion)
A man in a white military uniform is then shown, his face stern as he stands up straight and passes by men and women in similar uniforms.
(Will head towards you)
A white-haired woman stands out amongst the troops, a man with similar hair and a white beard appearing behind her, dressed in a knight's armor and red cape while holding a large sword, his face as stern as the woman's.
(I cover up the voice)
A woman with red eyes and black hair is shown next, covering her face with a white mask resembling a demon before vanishing.
(That bursts out from the body and explodes)
Appearing next is a black feathered bird, becoming a man with red eyes and hair like the woman before him, eyes narrowed.
(Looking down at the sky)
The woman in blue hair is shown next, appearing in a snowy land with the shattered moon shining down on her.
(I watch the time pass by)
The land changes around her and she changes, her ages flashing between old and young, all of them coming back to her original form as her eyes close.
(Fact and fiction weave between the clouds)
Her clothes morphing in between dresses, armor, casual outfits but all settle back on her first outfit, black with blue clothes tired around her waist as she opens her eyes again.
(And gradually bury the line)
Monsters and strange creatures appear around her, only to vanish a second later.
(I follow the path that leads to the ending)
Ozpin is shown, standing at the window of his office, Glynda Goodwitch appearing next to him. Theodore is then shown in Shade Academy, followed by Peter Port standing in a field with Bartholomew Oobleck, Arslan Altan and her team appearing in a room at their school, Sun Wukong appearing with a smile as he sits in front of a waterfall, Neptune Vasilas screaming as he fell into the water, their two teammates Scarlet David and Sage Ayana appearing behind.
(Decided from the beginning)
Team JNPR along with CFVY appears next, followed by Team NDGO and ending with a photo of Team STRQ.
(Silence points out continuously)
A green and gold armored figure appears, facing two more figures in armor, bronze and red, silver and blue.
(Hope is right here)
Key shaped swords appear in their hands as they prepare to fight.
(My selfishness and thousands of regrets)
The blue armor fades, showing Aqua slaying a dozen monsters before showing Ven doing the same. The bronze armored man holds up his weapon as something charges him and he swings his weapon down.
(You would hold them in your arms)
Oscar Pine, holding Gungnir is next, facing down someone wearing a dark coat.
(And cry out that this is the heart)
A dark-skinned girl is shown next, holding a knife as she screams out.
(Any kind of emotion)
Neopolitan grins as she holds up the Way to the Dawn, her brown and pink hair turning black and white, an angelic and demonic wing sprouting from her back.
(Whatever you choose)
The armored warrior Gilgamesh is shown, wielding a long spear, followed by a figure in royal blue armor appearing next.
(I won't take away anything even if you hurt someone)
A demented looking clown is then shown, grinning at the camera as he holds up a knife, vanishing to show Aqua and Poppy, readying themselves for battle.
(I simply believe)
A flashback of Aqua's life in the Land of Departure is shown next, smiling with her two friends: Terra and Ventus.
(That there are things that I can protect)
This is followed by Taiyang Xiao Long, looking at a picture of his old team and then seeing young Ruby and Yang playing out in the front yard.
(With these hands)
He puts down the picture and steps out with a small smile. Memories of his old team and mothers of his children flash briefly.
(I believe that)
The back Willow Schnee is shown, the portrait of the original Schnee family shown before changing to the one in the new timeline.
(This is the only thing)
She smiles as Ansem appears next to her, the dark memories of Jacque Gele fading away as they face each other.
(That I want to protect with my own hands)
They see the portrait, smiling in pride at their children and for a moment all is silent.
(My selfishness and thousands of regrets)
Aqua is shown landing on her feet, a single light shining on her as she summons her Keyblade.
(You held them in your arms)
A pillar of light explodes around her, forming into a spiraling tower of water that becomes ice and causes snow to fall around her.
(And cried out that this is the heart)
The Bronze Knight appears next, the earth shattering and burning with each step as he prepares to fight.
(Any kind of emotion)
Ventus appears last, his Keyblade held in a reverse grip as a gust of wind surrounds him.
(Whatever you choose)
The Keyblades glow and broke into seven other blades, with seven hands reaching out to grab them.
(I won't take away anything even if you hurt someone)
The dark sky breaks to reveal a sunny day, the darkness fading away. Aqua blinks as she is surrounded by everyone, blinking in surprise.
(I simply believe)
Terra and Ventus appear, surrounded by the friends they made as well.
(That there are things that I can protect)
Team RWBY, blinking before smiling as Team XION and Penny appear next. Ansem and Willow, holding hands. Winter appeared with two women around her age, one with rosy pink hair wearing a white jacket with an ankle-length red cape attached to the left side of her back and a light brown miniskirt with a burgundy red leather detachable pocket on her left leg. She wore blue fingerless gloves with a black arm cover on her left arm and buckled brown boots with metal soles. The other had green hair with a pink hair ribbon, blue eyes and wore a red leotard with pink sash around her waist, a blue cape, tights with floral patterns and red boots and red bracers on her arms.
(With these hands)
Jaune and Pyrrha turn and face each other, smiling as they lean in close while Nora sighs with an exhausted look on her face before smiling at Ren. Behind them was a man wearing a long red robe while carrying a long zanbatou sword.
(I believe that)
Neo and the Gullwings smirk as they appear, Roman Torchwick turning away before smiling at Lisa Lavender.
(This is the only thing)
Everyone gathered together, they turn to watch as the sun rises.
(That I want to protect with my own hands)
The sun shines down on everyone and the screen shines before fading to black.
(Bleach 'Reaper' by SennaRin Ends)
Intermission Special:
Paint It Black II
"Dang it…Might be late for Winter Solstice this year."
Stumbling out of a bar, Qrow Branwen sighed as he walked around the village, another of his contacts having given him another dead end. The Spring Maiden was one of few black marks on his record as Ozpin's top agent and it irked him that it was taking him this long to find a single lead on her. It didn't help that he had an idea where she might be but that made all the more difficult.
"The Branwen Tribe?" A bartender asked at the next bar. "They've been quiet for the last couple of years which is a relief to many of us."
"So, you haven't heard anything?" Qrow asked.
"We get a couple stories here and there. Word is a few of them have been taking missions on the board, usually bounty hunting or killing certain Grimm." The bartender answered.
"Is that so?"
The Branwen Tribe going legit?
Not in a million years and even less likely with his sister in charge. Something has happened and it's enough that even his sister, a former fellow Huntress and someone who prides herself on strength was willing risk against. His first thought was the Grimm Queen, but Raven made it clear she was done with that war.
And that was not even taking into account of the last time she interacted with the…family.
"Uncle Qrow!"
He remembered the three girls rushing up to meet him at a safehouse in Mistral, their guardian trailing behind them with a smile. The girls piled on him but he managed to remain standing.
"Hey, girls." He sighed in relief, hugging Ruby and Xion tightly while Yang hugged his chest. "Miss me?"
"Yeah!" The girls nodded happily.
He looked down at Yang, seeing she was surprisingly optimistic. He looked to the person who had been with them for the last couple of days.
"Thank you." He said gratefully.
"You don't have to thank me." Aqua humbly.
"Yeah, I do." He put Ruby and Xion down. "You girls hang out in here for a bit and I'll get out ride back to Patch."
"Okay, Uncle Qrow." The girls nodded, heading into the house while Qrow closed the door and sighed. "I'm glad they're okay. Can you tell me what happened?"
Aqua frowned. "…Raven knows about the Keyblade…and something else. She claimed Ozpin knew more about it and me than he was letting on."
Typical Raven.
"Yeah? Anything else?"
"She wanted to gain one of her own…because she knows-"
Qrow's flashback was cut off as his senses screamed at him to move which he did, dodging bullets as the sound guns firing from behind echoed throughout the bar. He ducked and rolled, hand grasping his weapon Harbinger in its sword form. With a simply flick, it was in shotgun form and he jumped up, aiming and shooting at the gang of thugs that had their weapons on him.
BANG-BANG!
BANG-BANG!
BANG-BANG!
Three went down with the last one dropping his gun and putting his hands up. "I surrender! This wasn't my idea! I swear! He said it would be easy!"
Qrow's weapon switched back to sword form which he then pointed at the man's throat. "Then whose idea was it?"
"Mine."
Qrow moved his head as a knife shot past him, embedding itself in the forehead of the last thug. Having no time to pay attention to the dying man, Qrow spun his sword in one hand, blocking several more knives that would have hit a vital spot if he had been slow. He aimed and fired again at the hooded figure that stood out in the middle of the village.
BANG-BANG!
The figure disappeared in a flash of light, but Qrow knew he was nearby. He jumped as another knife missed his nose by mere inches and he fired in the direction it came from.
BANG-BANG!
Another flash.
However, he knew the attacker teleported near one of the buildings, a pillar giving out and causing a railing to fall on him. "Gah!"
Qrow spun around, his weapon changing into sword form as he swung and slashed the attacker across the torso.
"Gah!" The man clutched his torso, his grey Aura protecting him but his hood was still slashed, revealing white hair followed by dark grey eyes underneath it.
Qrow stepped back, watching as the man threw away the remains of his cloak. "…Marcus Black."
"So you've heard of me." The man said with a dark smile.
Qrow sure did. Marcus Black was an infamous assassin, known and feared throughout Mistral and his reputation even reached Vale and Atlas.
"That's me." Marcus grinned. "Marcus Black, the best assassin in the world, taker of Semblances and number one bad ass, at your service…Well, if you weren't my current target."
Qrow narrowed his eyes. So, someone had hired the famous Marcus Black to take him out huh? Well, it wouldn't be the first time Qrow had to deal with assassins sent to take him out and he made it through each time.
"So glad you could remember my name." Marcus pulled out a knife in one hand and a pistol in the other. "Cause it's the last name you will ever hear."
"Hmph… Before we get to it, let you me ask you something." Qrow replied. "Do you know what they call a heard of qrows?"
Marcus scoffed. "Why the hell I care about something like that?"
"Because if you did know, you'd know the name of it. It's called…" Qrow said lowly before he shouted and charged forward. "A MURDER!"
(Jeff Williams 'Bad Luck Charm' Begins)
Qrow charged at Marcus who raised his pistol and fired.
BANG!
Qrow dashed to the left side, ducking into an alley as another shot was fire.
BANG!
(Pain)
Marcus teleported on the other side of the alley, his pistol ready but to his surprise no one came out because no one was there.
(Is your reward for being near me.)
There was a sound of movement behind him, and he turned around in time to see Qrow swing his weapon in its sword form down on him. However, in that instance, instead of making contact with his skin and his Aura, Harbinger passed right through the assassin's body, surprising Qrow and leaving himself open to a kick to the chest.
(Fate)
Qrow grunted as he flew back, rolling along the ground and jumping back to his feet. He looked up in time to see Marcus shooting again and blocked with his sword. With a mere flick of his hand on the hilt, Harbinger's blade curled while the hilt extended into a pole, the weapon now becoming a scythe.
(Won't be your friend when I'm around.)
Marcus narrowed his eyes as Qrow charged forward, twirling his weapon in one hand and using its longer range to strike. Marcus jumped into the air, aiming his pistol down and fired.
BANG!
(Blame)
Qrow jumped back as the shot hit the ground but when he looked back up, Marcus had disappeared. Eyes narrowed, Qrow remained on guard, weapon ready as he looked around.
(Me for the tragedies that follow.)
Marcus then appeared behind him, pistol aimed at the back of his head.
Just as he pulled the trigger…
(Grave)
The gun jammed.
"Wha-"
POW!
(The situations that surround.)
Taking advantage, Qrow spun around and punched Marcus directly in the face, following with a few more before sending him flying back with a kick to the chest.
(I'm a harbinger,)
Marcus staggered back and hastily teleported as Qrow swung his scythe. Qrow looked up to see Marcus reappear a few feet away, looking at his pistol and seeing the trigger was broken. Scoffing, he threw it away and pulled out a second knife to go with the first one.
(I cannot lie,)
"Guess we do this the fun way." Marcus grinned as he shot forward, moving much faster than before.
(I will change the color of your life.)
Qrow's eyes went wide as he realized that Marcus was somehow using a new power, almost like a second Semblance in addition to the teleporting one he had used up to this point. Unfortunately, he was caught off guard as Marcus was right in front of him and was slashing at his form, chipping away at his Aura.
(I don't mean to bring you pain,)
Qrow grunted as he tried to bat Marcus away but the assassin moved out of the way, a silver blur left in his wake and he delivered a kick to Qrow's ribs.
(But I will, just why, I can't explain.)
Qrow swung his scythe, but Marcus dodged again and with well-aimed kick, Harbinger was sent flying out of Qrow's hands.
(I am no one's blessing,)
"Gotcha now!" Marcus stabbed his knives forward, aiming to strike Qrow right in the heart…
(I'll just bring you harm.)
POW!
Only to be slugged in the face again by Qrow's fist.
(I'm a cursed black cat,)
"Good thing I'm used to fighting people faster than me." Qrow remarked before dashing to catch Harbinger.
(I'm an albatross,)
He spun around as Harbinger shifted back into sword form, catching Marcus's knives and with a simple twirl of his sword on one hand, Qrow batted both knives away and swung at the assassin's head.
(I'm a mirror broken,)
Marcus leaned back, the sword sailing over his face and he saw his chance.
(Sad to say,)
Dropping one knife, he reached up and grabbed Qrow's arm before he could pull back and grinned. "Gotcha now!"
(I'm your bad luck charm.)
Qrow raised an eyebrow before he felt something…seeing a grey light surrounding Marcus's hand and reached into his arm, causing his Aura to shimmer and glow with his opponent's Aura.
(Jeff Williams 'Bad Luck Charm' Ends)
Pulling his hand back, Qrow gripped his weapon with both hands tightly as Marcus laughed with a savage grin on his face. "What's so funny?"
"I got it." Marcus snickered. "I told you, I'm the taker of Semblances…Yours included."
Qrow blinked. "…What?"
"Oh, look at you and that dumbfounded look you've got!" Marcus threw his head back as he laughed even more. "They always have that same look on their face. The dumb confusion as I literally take their Semblances, their own powers! That's because my Semblance lets me steal anyone's Semblance as soon I touch them!"
Qrow blinked again, seemingly stunned beyond belief at what he was hearing.
"I know what your Semblance is Qrow Branwen. You cause bad luck to anyone you face, human or Grimm. A neat little trick and I just had to have it for myself." Marcus snickered. "Now I can use it to give you nothing but bad luck until-"
"Hehe…"
Marcus blinked.
"Hehehe…" Qrow chuckled lowly, bringing a hand to his face. "Heheheheh….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"What…" Marcrus trailed off, watching as Qrow broke down laughing in front of him, a look of pure relief on his face shining and…
Was he crying too?!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!" Qrow wiped his face, unable to stop laughing.
"What is this?!" Marcus barked. "Why are you laughing?! I stole your Semblance!"
"That's-HAHAHAHAHAH-why-HAHA-I'm…HAHAHAHAHA- so happy!" Qrow stuttered, trying to speak and laugh at the same time. "You have no idea…HAHAHAHAHA-How happy this makes me!"
"What?!"
"For my whole life, my Semblance has been the bane of my existence!" Qrow slapped his knee. "It brought bad luck and misfortune to me and everyone around me! AND NOW IT'S GONE!"
Marcus couldn't understand why Qrow was so happy, and it irked him.
He was so use to his targets fearing him, especially after he stole their Semblances and used their own power against them before putting them out of their misery.
So…
Why…
Was…
He so damn happy?!
Snarling, Marcus moved to finish Qrow off…only for his shoelaces to become undone and he tripped over them. "Wha-OOF!"
He fell face first onto the ground, scrambling to get up and staggered back to a house, just as the beam gave out and fell on him.
CRASH!
Marcus screamed, his Aura shimmering from the wooden beam that fell on him. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"
"My Semblance…" Qrow took a deep breath as he managed to calm down but a big smile was still plastered on his face. "It does more than bring bad luck. I couldn't turn it off, it was always active."
Marcus's eyes widened. "…What?"
"It also doesn't discriminate, even against whoever has it. It never stops, no matter what." Qrow wiped a tear from his eye.
That…
…
…
…
…
…
"You're…YOU'RE LYING!" Marcus shouted, ready to throw his left knife…
Only it suddenly slipped and cut his hand.
"Ow!" The assassin shouted, clutching his now bleeding hand.
"Yeah, that happened to me a lot as a kid." Qrow remarked with a relieved sigh. "I got to say, Marcus Black. You're every bit the bastard people paint you as but, in this moment, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My Semblance has been a source of misery my whole life and I never thought I would ever know what it was like to not be a bad luck charm. I guess I am lucky to know the rumors about how you steal Semblances turned out to be true."
"You…son of a…" Marcus grit his teeth. "THIS ISN'T OVER!"
He teleported away, leaving Qrow to fall to his knees and let out another sigh as he looked up at the sky with a relieved look on his face.
It was gone…
He didn't have to be a bad luck charm to his friends and family anymore.
He was…free.