Welcome back to another chapter!
Quick thing: I'm taking tomorrow off, so I won't be around to respond to comments. April 27th is my birthday, and I'm gonna spend the day chilling, but even if this fic hasn't been going on for a year, I just wanna say I appreciate all you guys!
We hit 1800 followers the other day, which is absolutely wild.
Anyway, let's get into this!
Beta Readers: Chris72637, Luxutor, MegaDumbo, and Tupjunk
...
The room smelled like chemicals and disinfectant.
Yuji sat there, wondering why he hadn't paid much mind to it before, hovering over Fox as he did almost every single night, trying to get a feel for his senior's soul like he'd done dozens of times before.
The vessel gave a somber smile, lightly shaking his head, "You know, I always hated the stench a' that stuff, but it's only now that I'm startin' to get why."
The two were alone, but he paid it no mind, "I've never had much use for hospitals or doctors, and between you and me, Senpai, I'm kinda afraid of what they'd find if they went poking around my insides, so I avoid 'em whenever I can, but-"
The sorcerer's face tightened, "Maybe it's 'cause I got death on the mind, but every time I go to one of these places, it's usually to say goodbye to someone, and that's never been easy for me. It just leaves ya with that hollow feeling that you could've done more for them, sorta like how I keep coming here to bug ya, hehe."
His somber smile returned for a brief moment, "I just don't want our time together to end, even if it was a little short. You don't seem like a bad person, and I think your team would miss you lots if you were gone, but I guess that's what makes me selfish. I'm choosin' to keep you alive when, pretty soon, I'm gonna have to do something that'll make the others look at me differently, probably for good."
Yuji sighed, hearing a nearby clock tick every moment, "I don't like hurting people, but sometimes, I can't help but wonder if this was something I was meant to do...it sucks to say, but it might just be the one thing I'm actually good at, and I-I hate that about myself. It just comes so easily to me, and I don't know if it's because of him or just something wrong with the way I am, but-"
He lowered his hands, clenching them so hard his knuckles audibly popped, "When I heard that those people actually pray to him and worship him and try to be like HIM. I knew that I had to-no, that's not it. I-"
The vessel barred his teeth, feeling his Cursed Energy instinctively bubbling up, "I wanted to kill them, to show them what it's like to be helpless in front of someone so much stronger than you that you might as well be a speck of dust. I thought this about people I've never met, all because I hate HIM that much, and that...that really scares me, man, because that's exactly how he would think."
It was a simple yet terrifying thought process: someone's doing something I don't like. The easiest response is to kill them for it.
When had this become so natural for him that he almost didn't need to think about it?
Maybe it was when he got Cleave and Dismantle for himself? It was a horrible revelation of how easy it was to end someone's life with those at his disposal, one he struggled to get over using against anyone except the King of Curses himself.
The mere thought of putting those slashes and cuts across living people sent tremors through his very soul.
Yuji stared at his hands for a moment, watching them shake, "I'm so terrified that if...if I use his techniques on anyone, for whatever reason, that'd, I'd end up just like him. That one day, I won't kill because I have to, but because I'll learn to enjoy it, and I know how crazy that sounds, but-"
Images of his 'mother' flashed to mind, "I'm not the sort of guy that questions where I come from, but, damn it all! I was made from him! I have so much of his energy in me that I might as well be part of him, but it's not just that. I was born from a sorcerer who did nothing but the worst things to people because he wanted to be entertained...what if I'm like that?"
"What if one day, I wake up and forget where I came from? What if I don't remember what my grandfather told me the day he died in a room just like this? Me and Choso are the only ones in our family who try to do right, and sometimes...sometimes it's so hard to keep this path going, like we were just made to be awful-"
Yuji's list of failures was more than enough proof of that-
His mistakes had gotten so many people killed, all because he couldn't accept reality for what it was.
Junpei, Nobara, and Nanami were all dear friends he thought about every second of the day. They died because he couldn't stop Mahito in some stupid belief that what he was doing to Curses was somehow any different from what they did to humanity, and now?
He was stuck between a rock and a hard place, with no good answer in sight: Do nothing, and those imitators would wreak havoc, and he'd have to live with that. Sparing them would just kick that can down the road and make it someone else's problem, and the vessel couldn't put that burden on anyone else, not when it was his sin to bear.
Itadori knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he would have to kill these people, even if it destroyed every bit of his sense of self in the process.
He paused and glumly smiled, looking down to the floor, "...Sorry, Fox, I- uh, guess I got lost in my head for a second there. A sorcerer should never question these things. Our job is to suffer, endure, and push forward until it's our turn to die and leave the rest to someone else. I can't waste time on these what-ifs. That's not my role in things. The only thing I can do here is what I'm good at."
Yuji bit his cheek, "I don't think things will ever be the same after this. I'd have to be pretty blind to not notice what my friends here think of me, and it's definitely not a murderer. I dunno if they'll hate me, never wanna talk to me again, or what, but this is how it has to go."
The vessel slowly stood, patting his senior on the chest, "I won't let this get out of hand, even if I have to go down with them."
Itadori pulled out his scroll, plus a little something Ruby had given him, some little chip that tiger-lady wanted him to have, and it didn't take him long to realize it was some weird kinda USB stick.
He plugged it in, watching as random names and faces popped up along his screen, settling on the ring leader himself, with horns and all-
Adam Taurus, according to this, was someone important, with random notes made over the years about his potential like some sort of video game stat sheet.
Intelligent, ruthless, goal-oriented, but not smart enough to keep away from some cult full of nutcases, apparently.
What could make someone worship Sukuna of all people like a god?
If they met him in person, they'd be dead before they could even sing his praises. The King of Curses had no love for anyone, not even his most devoted followers like that Uraume dude...chick...whatever they were. Either way, maybe he could-
Stop.
No...stop dodging the issue.
Yuji was supposed to give this info to his Gramps, but he wasn't doing it.
He was supposed to give Adam a chance-
But he wasn't.
He knew the old him, the one at the start of all this, the one that would probably understand where Ruby was coming from more than anyone would wanna give this guy the opportunity to redeem himself, but-
That's just not who Yuji was anymore. He had seen way too much and learned that very few people actually try to fix themselves. Most just get worse, and he wouldn't let that happen.
Never again.
He closed the device, shoving it back into his pocket before walking off, knowing that thinking about this anymore would be pointless.
Every single one of those maniacs would be dead by the end of the day.
...
A bit later
The door to PYRN's dorm room clicked open as Yuji stepped in, seeing the lights were off as usual; not that crazy since it was six in the morning, but given the kitchen was going bright, he had an idea of who was up.
He walked in, seeing a drowsy redhead leaning over her mug of tea, giving her a pat on the back, "Hey py-"
"Eep!"
He paused, seeing her shiver like a cat in her pajamas, "You good?"
The not-so-armored girl slumped over, looking up at him with shaky eyes, "I'm sorry, it's just...your hands are so cold!"
He tilted his head, "Ohhh, my bad. I was workin' on Fox all night, and that infirmary can get kinda chilly. I didn't think it was THAT bad-"
She deadpanned, "Are you kidding? You'll catch a cold if you keep this up-"
"You know I can't get si-woah!"
"Come here!"
The redhead yanked him into a seat, wrapping his hands around her mug before hopping up to make another, "You might not get sick, but you should really take better care of yourself."
He cracked his trademarked Itadori girn, "Says the one gettin' no sleep either."
Pyrrha pouted a bit, rubbing a hand on her arm, "It's...kind of a force of habit. I used to have a really strict regiment-"
The vessel chuckled, "You did? You have one now! You're in the gym about as much as I am at this point."
She flustered a bit, "Well, that's because you're...ther-...nevermind, I-"
The redhead cleared her throat, "My mom used to call it my 'warpath,' so to speak. I'd get up at four, do my exercises, and do a few practice rounds on my dummies, and be done with my first training session for the day to make her breakfast when she got up."
Yuji just smiled, "Awww, that's sweet. I bet she really appreciated havin' someone awesome like you as a kid."
The invincible girl cringed a bit as she dumped the hot water in her cup, "She...had her concerns with my interests-"
"Really? You seem like you got your head on straight?"
She giggled, "Well, my mother's a doctor, so when I was coming home with scrapes and bruises, she'd get concerned and tell me that breaking my aura so often would leave lasting damage."
Pyrrha swayed from side to side, blowing on her drink before trying to take a sip, "Though, I suppose that's how all parents are, don't you think?"
Yuji hummed, "Are they? My mom was an evil scientist, so she wasn't about th-"
*PTOOOOOOOOOO
Tea shot out of Pyrrha's nose, sending her into a coughing fit, making Yuji jump up in concern, "Oy!"
He raced over, rapidly patting her on the back, "You're good-you're good!"
A few seconds later, she was leaning against a wall, huffing and puffing, "I'm sorry, but it's just...your mom's a scientist?"
Itadori blanked, staring up at her, "Seriously, why is that so hard to believe? My dad was some kinda smart guy, too, ya know?"
She coughed again, squinting, "And what job did he have?"
"I dunno, but I saw him wearin' glasses in a picture, so that's gotta mean he's smart."
Pyrrha raised a finger, wanting to explain why that made no sense in the nicest way possible, but seeing that goofy look on his face made her not want to break his enthusiasm-
So she just reached out a hand to ruffle his pink hair with a gentle smile, "Never change, Yuj."
He had no idea what was going on, "Huh?"
"Nothing, just letting you know I appreciate you."
His eyes stopped being white, going back to his usual grin, "I'm glad to have ya too! I'll have to tell your mom thanks for givin' me such a good partner!"
Pyrrha turned into crinkled paper, "P-please don't do that!"
"Why?"
"She'll assume things!"
"Assume what?"
"Yuji, please...you'd give my dad a heart attack!"
"Why?"
"You're giving me one right now!"
"For real?"
"N-no! Not for-real-real! Just...whenever that happens, let me be the one to introduce you-"
She looked off to the side, "First impressions matter for stuff like this."
Itadori was so confused, but she seemed so serious about this.
He raised his hands in surrender, "Okay-okay, whatever makes ya happy. How about I make us breakfast and we can talk about somethin' else?"
The not-so-armored girl's green eyes betrayed her, flashing back to the sorcerer the second he mentioned cooking, "What are you thinking of making?"
An annoying grin crossed the vessel's face, "I dunno...maybe a few bowls of some Pumpkin Petes?"
Pyrrha's face matched her hair as she lightly stomped a foot, "Mmmm! Stop teasing! You don't even like cereal!"
Yuji just laughed, "Yeah, but you're fun to joke around with."
She blew a raspberry at him, crossing her arms, "Honestly, if I have one regret, it's doing those ridiculous commercials. If I had known how bad that sugary nonsense was for you, I never would've gone through with it."
Pyrrha pouted, "Those poor kids..."
He shrugged, "At least they get a cool toy out of it. Nora seems pretty deadset on getting one-"
Her green eyes dulled, "Tell me about it. Every time I take a trip to the store, she makes me buy five boxes of the stuff...I've had so many embarrassing encounters because of it. I don't even know why she wants that stupid toy version of me."
"Eh, she just thinks you're cool. It's kinda sweet if you think about it."
"Is...do you really think that's why she wants one?"
"What else would it be? I mean, we got the real one, and you're a lot better than some piece a' plastic, don't ya think?"
Pyrrha smiled at that, turning to walk off, "I would hope so. Well, I guess I should wake the other two up, hm?"
"One sec."
"Y-yes?"
"We gotta practice your war face-"
"Mmmmm, not this again..."
"You're not loud enough, Pyr!"
"I don't like to yell..."
"Well, she's not gonna wake up if you try the whole whisper-whisper-nudge-nudge thing. You gotta puff up your chest and let it loose."
"...Actually, could you wake her up? Please?"
"Pyr."
"Yuji, please..."
"Pyr, lemme see your war face."
She opened her mouth an inch, whispering, "ahhhh..."
He briefly saw stars at how cute that was, "Awww, no, wait...come on! Lemme see your war face!"
"Ahhhhh."
"Pyr-"
"I'm sorry! That's as loud as I can get!"
The vessel put his hands on his hips, "You gotta get loud if you wanna get what you want, momma bear. She ain't gonna wake up unless you help her. Do you really wanna risk wrecking Nora's sleep schedule 'cause you can't yell?"
"Mmm..."
"Pyr, she'll be up all night again if you doooon't."
Her face flushed red as she buckled in for a second, pushing out her voice at mild room volume, "Ahhhhhhh!"
"Pyrrha, she needs you!"
"AHhhhhh!"
"Almost, come on, Nora's gonna-"
"AHHHHHhhh-"
*tap-tap-tap-tap-tap
"Morning-borning!"
Pyrrha guffawed, her mouth hanging wide open as Nora walked in, already dressed for the day, "Were...were you-"
"Already up? Of coursies! Me and Renny stayed up all night watching monster truck movies, I just pretended to sleep so you wouldn't get mad!"
Yuji stared at her, "Why're you admitting that?"
The ginger academically raised a finger, "Pyrrha doesn't get mad when you're around, so I can just say stuff!"
"Ohhhhh."
The redhead, meanwhile, was suffering a brain misfire, "Then...then why didn't you stop me when I was yelling!?"
The hammer-user reached up to boop her on the nose with a finger, "'Cause it was just soooo cute!"
Pyrrha grumbled, dragging her hands over her face, "MMMMMM, I hate today..."
Itadori booped her on the cheek with a finger, "You don't mean that-"
"I know I don't..."
By the time Ren walked in, things had devolved into Yuji and Nora relentlessly poking a broken Pyrrha.
All things considered, this was an average morning despite the circumstances.
Though, only Yuji was aware of this.
...
Some hours later
The sorcerer took a moment, looking over himself in the mirror as he held a piece of cloth in his hands-
This outfit was all kinds of fancy, and not just by his standards, probably worth more than all the clothes he ever owned combined and then some.
The vessel wore a form-fitting black suit with a crimson red dress shirt underneath and even a pair of shiny new shoes to go along with it. If it wasn't for how starchy the thing was, Itadori might've admitted he felt pretty cool wearing it, like he could've walked into work with Nanami and no one would question it.
Honestly, Yuji really didn't like dressing up at all; it made him feel all kinds of constrained in these unfamiliar clothes, and if it were up to him, he would've gone to this thing in his usual street outfit, but something told the vessel that would make Weiss mad somehow.
He glanced off to the side, "Hey, do one of you guys know how to work a tie?"
Pyrrha's voice echoed out from another room, "I can!"
The second she walked in, the not-so-armored girl stopped in the doorway, "I...wow-"
Yuji tilted his head, "Huh?"
Pyrrha tried not to show it, but it was very blatant. She was just looking him over, "N-nothing, it's just. You clean up pretty well."
He lightly scoffed, running a hand along his hair, "Don't get used to it. I'm telling ya, I'm rippin' this thing off the second I get back."
"Aw, don't be like that. You look nice."
She took a step forward, a playful smile on her face, "I might just make you wear one on our missions every now and then, here, lemme see that."
The taller girl bent down, working through the tie like magic to the vessel's eyes, "Woah, how come you're so good at that?"
"It's nothing. I have to do this sort of stuff for my dad all the time. I'm just glad you're the one getting put on display for once, not me."
Yuji stuck his tongue out, "I'd make you come with if I could, teach you a lesson, but I figured Weiss would wanna see her sister."
Pyrrha just smiled, "I'm sure we'll do something else together."
"Yeah...definitely, just-"
Yuji looked off at nothing in particular, "What are you guys gonna do tonight, you know, when I'm gone?"
She hummed with a playful smile, "Nothing much. We might watch the broadcast later and finally see what Ozpin's grandson is like."
...
...
"Yuji?"
She looked up at him, seeing a blank expression on his face, "Are you alright?"
...
...
The vessel didn't look at her, "Hey, uh...think you guys could take a pic of what you're doing later and send it to me?"
Pyrrha tilted her head, "A...picture? Seriously, are you feeling okay?"
"It's nothing, just...people always see us four together and assume things and-"
Yuji put on a smile, "I just wanna prove that's not true for once and that this is all me."
The redhead just stared at him, "All you? What? Why are you being all cryptic? This isn't like you."
...
...
"Yuj-"
Her hands moved to his shoulders, "You know you can talk to me, right?"
His fake smile persisted, even as he raised a hand to clasp it around hers, "I know I can, but-"
He looked her in the eyes with an expression she had never seen before as if he were scared of something, "Can you do that for me? Please."
...
...
Pyrrha looked down as if she were a bit hurt, "...Okay, I promise."
His expression softened a bit, "Thanks. I can always count on you, can't I?"
She didn't respond, and soon, the sorcerer walked away, making idle chitchat with his other teammates before walking out the front door, ready to face what had to happen.
Through all that time, Pyrrha just stood off to the side, watching him, knowing for certain that Yuji was hiding something.
He was always like this-
Whenever someone asked about where he came from or what he did before Beacon, Yuji always gave a half-baked answer, and most of the time, she knew it was just his way of shortening a story, but sometimes-
It felt like he was cutting corners so that he wouldn't have to say something.
This was one of those moments, and she still didn't have the guts to call him on it. She wanted to, but every time the invincible girl tried, he got that sad-sad look in his eye, one so uncharacteristic for him, it felt like no one had the right to talk to him about it, and she just-
Backed down.
Every
Single
Time.
She watched him go, closing the door as he went, but there was a weird static in the air, an unseen tension.
Something felt off today, like a cloud hanging overhead-
She didn't know why.
It just felt terrible.
...
Not long after
*Click-click-click-click
The sun shined as clouds gently passed overhead. The vessel made his way up the metal stairs toward the bullhead landing zone, his heels clicking every step of the journey.
Yuji blinked as he crossed the top, briefly blinded by glare, seeing a familiar yet changed figure looking off into the city.
Her usually braided white hair hung loose, with each strand flowing with the breeze, staring off into the distance, her pale hands clasped behind her back.
She wore a form-fitting white and blue dress that loosened up toward the bottom, poofing out in every direction like some sort of flower, even having a dark blue ribbon tied along her hip.
Itadori just smiled, walking up to stand at her side, squinting as he saw what could only be described as something out of a video game, but he didn't quite have the words to say what it looked like-
Instead, he just glanced at her, "Hey."
Weiss spared him a glance, giving a tiny smile, "Hi."
"You look different."
The heiress shook her head, "Eight hours of prep, and all I get is a 'different...' remind me to enroll you in a manners class when we get back."
The sorcerer just tilted his head, "Well, whaddya want me to say?"
"You should know. You invited me, and I believe compliments are required for one's guest."
"Are they?"
Her blue eyes went wide, "Well, no, but...they might as well be!"
Yuji shrugged his shoulders, "Seems kinda shallow, don't you think?"
"What does?"
"One-time compliments. That's like saying, 'Oh yeah, put more effort in this time, and I might like you a little more.'"
As Weiss turned to look at him directly, he just flashed her his usual kind-hearted smile, "I think it's better to say something that lasts. Like, I might not know how fashion works in your countries, but I always think you look nice."
...
...
*Poof
Her face felt warm, "I-wa-..."
"I-"
"You-"
...
...
"Weiss?"
He waved a hand in front of her burning face, "You good? You're lookin' kinda-"
The Schnee's brain booted back up as she waved a hand at lightspeed, blocking her face, "I-I'm fine! Just...stop saying stupid stuff like that!"
She looked away in a huff, "It's embarrassing..."
The vessel just laughed, "Is it? Sorry, that sorta stuff goes over my head, but you're usually the one callin' me out on that, so you probably know by now, huh?"
The Huntress shifted on her heels, clearing her throat, "...I don't know that I do-"
"Hm?"
Her blue eyes looked off into the vast urban landscape of Vale as it loomed below the sun, "When we first met, I...had some presumptions of you, and many of them weren't...particularly kind, I-"
Weiss bit her cheek, "I grew up away from a lot of things and was raised to think a certain way, and...you aren't particularly like that-"
She raised her fingers one by one, "You're crass."
Yuji's mouth hung open, "What's that mean?"
The Schnee rolled her eyes, her tiny smile remaining, "You have absolutely no filter."
"Damn."
*BOP
She lightly punched him in the rib for that one, "You have no sense of privacy."
"Hey, that's why-"
Her finger shot toward his face, "I'm getting there you-you, eugh!"
She took a calming breath, "...but you were the one who gave me the push to reconnect with my sister and...start trying to understand my peers, so-so."
...
...
Her face burned as she looked off to the side, "I...suppose...you're not...all bad, and"
"And-"
Weiss might as well have been a volcano at this point.
"And-"
Her eyes snapped shut "Ithinkyoulooknicetoo!"
...
...
She didn't get a response, so she eventually peaked out of one, seeing him looking all confused-
As usual
Yuji was seeing stars, leaning closer, "Sorry, you said that kinda fast, can you-"
She puffed up, "No way! I'm not repeating it!"
"Huh? Why not?"
"Not happening! Not in your lifetime!"
Yuji's face went blank, "Ruby's right, you're so angy."
That set something off.
A giant tick mark bulged on her forehead, "Oh, don't you start calling me th-"
*Tap-Tap-Tap
"It's a magnificent sight, isn't it?"
The pair stopped their bickering, with Yuji's eyes widening a bit. He saw Ozpin approaching in his usual attire, his cane bouncing along the ground with each step.
The vessel immediately walked up to greet him, "Heya, Gramps! Why didn't you text me? I coulda helped you get up here!"
The Headmaster lightly chucked, reaching out to pat the teen on his shoulder, "While I appreciate the gesture, I certainly hope I'm not THAT old to you, Yuji."
The Director let off a sigh, staring off at the massive metal structure floating in the distance, "Though, the times have undoubtedly changed. In my youth, I could hardly imagine the world would reach such astounding heights, yet here we stand...tell me, do you know what that thing is?"
It was a massive, hulking piece of metal, with giant struts shooting out in every direction, with some parts giving off a faint blue glow, like a plane but way more advanced than anything the sorcerer knew of.
Honestly, Yuji could see Master Chief getting a ride in something like that.
Itadori tilted his head, the mere sight making the Ozpin chuckle, "That, my boy, is an Atlesian Airship. Think of it like a sort of armored transport, mostly for military personnel. That old friend of mine never seems to leave home without an escort."
The vessel squinted, "And...you guys are just cool with another country puttin' troops in yours?"
Off to the side, Weiss let off a huff, "You'd know the reason if you paid attention during our lectures."
Ozpin smiled, "Ah, who better to describe the state of military affairs to a foreigner than a resident of Atlas herself? Miss Schnee, if you would-"
She gave a courteous nod, "Certainly, Professor Ozpin."
Weiss waved a hand toward the looming vehicle, "I'll keep things simple for you, Yuji-"
He clasped his hands and bowed, "Thank you."
She only smiled a bit at that, "Nearly a hundred years ago, the Kingdoms of Vale and Vacuo fought in a conflict against my home country of Atlas, which was known as Mantle at the time, and of course, Mistral as well. This deadly encounter would come to be known as the Great War, one that lasted almost ten entire years and one that changed the world around us as we know it."
The Schnee raised a finger, "I can tell you about the nitty-gritty when we have time later, but it's because of its resolution and the agreed-upon treaty that only Atlas is allowed to have a proper military force that it uses to protect the interests and stability of the four Kingdoms, who each received a Huntsmen Academy of their own, to train and foster new generations to guard them when needed."
Yuji was squinting so hard, "So...can I ask somethin'?"
"I suppose."
"So...only Atlas can have an army, and if the other countries can't ask them for help, then they gotta pay for mercenaries?"
What is this? TF2?...that sounds kinda funny, actually, Mercs in Remnant...
"In essence, why?"
"That-"
He deadpanned, "That is so dumb. Like seriously, whose idea was that?"
Weiss seemed genuinely shocked, "T-the King of Vale?"
"Was he stupid?"
Ozpin looked kind of hurt when he said that, mumbling that he thought it was a good idea at the time, though no one had heard him.
Weiss huffed, "Why is it stupid to you?"
He raised his arms, "I-I don't even know where to start with that. So, you put all your cards on a bet that another country's gonna protect you, and what if they don't?"
"Well, we're legally bound to-"
He raised a hand, "Yeah, and the Americans were bound to protect my country, but the second they found out about sorcerers, they tried to invade and capture us. That's how I know it's dumb, but even Japan has a Defense Force!"
Ozpin seemed to sense the Schnee's confusion, "Well, Yuji, your country has sorcerers like you to protect it, much like the Huntsmen-"
"We don't work for the government."
"I...I'm sorry?"
"Most sorcerers might come from Japan, but we sorta just live there and do our own thing fightin' curses. I mean, my Senpais' spend most of their time doing whatever, like Hakari runs a fight club with his ladyboy girlfriend, Kirara."
Weiss was seeing stars, "L-ladyboy?"
"You know, one of those guys that dresses like a girl, so he's his girlfriend."
"W-what kind of country do you come from!?"
He pointed a finger at her, "Oy, don't judge what makes a man's fever run hot."
"I'm not judging, I'm just...wait, fever? What sort of nonsense are you talking about!?"
*Click-Click
Ozpin tapped his cane along the ground, waving a hand, "While this conversation has been...enlightening. I believe it would be best to go over some things before we arrive at the event, hm?"
Yuji gave a mock salute, "Yes, sir, Mr. Gramps, sir!"
Weiss' expression dulled, "...Why did you say it like that?"
The Headmaster only smiled at the interaction, "Yuji, while I know you're not the sort that minds what others think of him, this event will be televised across the Kingdoms. You've driven up quite the stir-"
The vessel tilted his head, "Stir? Oh yeah, Weiss mentioned I was some kinda celebrity a while back."
"Indeed, though that's simply the way our media works, sensationalizing everyone and everything to garner their views, and your story is particularly interesting."
"Why? 'Cause they think you hooked up with my grandma and dipped?"
*PTOOOOO
Weiss spat to the side, still never used to how blunt Yuji was about everything.
Ozpin casually nodded, "Quite so. However, if we're speaking about celebrity status, my popularity among younger men has noticeably risen because of it. I'm even on the top searches lately."
"Yeah, 'cause they think you got Grandpa Rizz!"
"Rizz?"
"You know, it's like saying you got the moves."
Weiss really regretted being part of this.
The Director nodded, "I see. Well, speaking of moving, as part of your first public appearance, you'll have to shake a few hands, but the most important of all is my aforementioned friend, James Ironwood. He's taken quite the interest in you-"
Weiss let out a huff, "That's not surprising. He's always trying to find new talent to join up."
The Headmaster flicked his glasses, "Aptly said Miss Schnee, though his methods are often questionable. If there is anything I can say of him for certain, it's that James has a way of inspiring the masses in ways even I struggle to understand at times. Why, he even convinced your older sister to join him-"
The heiress seemed to glare off to the side for a moment, "...There were other reasons involved in that, so I think it's better to say he opened a door, and Winter chose to walk through it."
Ozpin gave a reaffirming smile at his student, "And she is a brave individual for doing so, no doubt, just as you are for becoming a Huntress."
The Schnee silently smiled at that, but her expression soon shifted to fascination as the sounds of a whirling engine drew near as a bullhead landed along the platform.
Ozpin hardly paid it any mind, beckoning the two students to follow him, "I suppose it's time we make history, hm?"
Yuji raised a brow, "History about a party? That sounds kinda lame."
The older man let off a sad sigh, "When your societies are as boxed in as ours, people tend to focus on the most ridiculous things to 'pass the time,' as they say. Believe me, young man, they'll be talking about this for months at the least."
Ozpin put a foot up into the vehicle, glancing over his shoulder, "And while her presence is always appreciated, your choice to bring a Schnee will certainly turn some heads."
Yuji looked at his partner for the evening, "Is it really that serious?"
Weiss rolled her eyes, "It's like he said. Gossip is all the rage these days. You-"
Her blue eyes took a more somber look, "You really didn't have to do this for me. It's probably gonna cause a lot of trouble for both of us, I could-"
Yuji shrugged, "Don't worry about it. If it does, I can handle it."
"You really don't know what you're saying. The type of people at this event could-"
The vessel shook his head, "I promised ya I'd take you to see your Sis, and I don't back down from that sort of thing, just-"
His gaze hardened for a second, "If something bad happens, I'll deal with it, okay?"
The Schnee gave him a questioning look, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why go through all that trouble for me?"
"Do ya really need to ask at this point?"
"Hm?"
The sorcerer put one foot up, offering a hand to her with that usual smile of his, "You guys are always worth it to me, so just look forward to bein' with your family for a bit, and don't worry about what comes from it, alright?"
...
...
"Hehe...hehehe."
Itadori could only tilt his head, watching her giggle into her palm, "Weiss? You good?"
"I'm fine. It's just...you're always so-"
She took his hand, "Ridiculous."
The bullhead soon took off into the distance, heading for the venue.
...
Minutes later
The place was packed.
It was a massive building, clearly made for showy events like this, with an enormous entrance and a winding staircase heading up from the street with reporters snapping photos of whoever happened to walk through, though the bullhead had the perk of landing along the rooftop, but even then, Itadori couldn't help but stare.
The sky was covered with more of those airships, and while they were definitely massive and looked kinda cool, Yuji couldn't see the use in them, but then again, it's not like these people could do what sorcerers did, so maybe that was why.
The vessel's eyes flashed around, noting each and every presence, and there were a lot of them, soldiers as far as he could see, some waiting along the walkway ahead, some across the various rooftops going for streets on end, but something was weird-
Only a few of them had souls, and with that black armor, it was like looking at Mechamaru all over again, but without Cursed Energy, his tactical mind came to a pretty quick conclusion-
"So that's how it is, huh?"
Weiss gave him a look, "How what is?"
Itadori just smiled, "Nothin', I'm just thinkin' out loud is all."
"You think about things? That's news to me."
"Oy-"
He saw the lightly playful smile on her face, "Oh, haha. I'll have you know I consider the most philosophical things."
"I'm gonna guess it's usually something about food."
"I...how did you know that?"
The Schnee rolled her eyes, "I'm just used to your nonsense at this point. So what is it this time?"
"You really wanna know?"
"No, but you're going to tell me, then ask me what my favorite is if I don't, so get on with it."
Yuji nodded at her astute logic, "Well, my favorite food is a bowl of rice with food on it. How about you?"
"Wait-wait-wait"
"Huh? What?"
"That-That's not an answer!"
"Why not?"
"You can't just say 'I like food with food on it,' that's so unspecific!"
"But I like everything!"
Weiss groaned, "Talking to you about these things is like chewing on cardboard!"
"You eat cardboard?"
"N-NO!"
*Click-Click-Click
Yuji blankly watched as one of the metal beings broke formation, approaching the trio, cutting their conversation short as its visor glowed red-
"Scanning...Identifying...Recognition software confirmed. Welcome, Headmaster Ozpin."
As if on cue, the artificial entity and the others gave way in perfect unison, parting to the side to allow the group to pass.
Itadori idly stared at them as they went, "Robots, huh?"
Ozpin nodded, "Indeed. Though I must admit, I was expecting more of a reaction from you. Are they common where you're from, Yuji?"
The vessel shrugged, "Ehhhh, there's not a lotta young people in Japan, so the bots work in like factories and stores and stuff. One made me my tea one time. That was pretty cool, but putting them in an army is just beggin' for trouble if ya ask me."
Weiss seemed to puff up, "My family makes those models, you know. What's so bad about them?"
The sorcerer crossed his arms behind his head as they entered the building, following a path into a marked elevator, "You're puttin' guns in the hands of things that don't have souls, and no soul means no morals. Honestly, that's like armin' a buncha telemarketers."
What a nightmare that would be.
Ozpin flicked his glasses as the elevator started to go downward, "Just like everything, progress is a tricky matter, my boy. The people fear the Grimm, and with a lack of Huntsmen, some believe automation is the best way forward. However, on the other hand, a noteworthy part of the population simply does not trust their authority figures with this kind of power, furthering the spread of negativity, making a 'right' answer hard to find."
The Professor sighed, "Though, if you asked an old man like myself, just because things move forward doesn't necessarily mean they're heading in the right direction, but it might be best to leave those thoughts to ourselves. James can be...defensive about his decisions."
Yuji tilted his head, "So what? He's insecure?"
Ozpin chuckled, patting the teen on the shoulder, "And very stubborn, but if there's any person in this world I could call a true friend, it's him. You'll see what I mean soon enough."
The doors opened up on the second floor, putting the trio into a world of chaos. Stagehands ran about like crazy, but with the experienced Headmaster guiding them like it was nothing, they blazed through the crowded area.
Soon, a thought came to Itadori's mind, "So...what am I doing exactly, Gramps? Shaking this guy's hand?"
"More or less, although I may have neglected to mention something-"
The Director gave him a closed-eyed smile, "You may have to give a public statement to the media."
...
...
...
"statement?"
...
A bit later
"Oh my God, you were being serious."
Yuji found himself standing to the side of a massive stage-like balcony overlooking a crowd on the ground floor, with more than enough screens to show the insane amount of camera flashes going off every second.
He had to say something to these people?
What the heck was he gonna say?
How cooked was he?
Probably very.
Ozpin didn't pay it any mind, gently leaning on his cane as he stared ahead, "I wouldn't concern yourself. Just do as you normally do."
Itadori made a noise, "What do I normally do?"
The man smiled, "You're an honest boy, Yuji, and frankly, I believe our world could use more people like that. Say what feels right, and I'll trust your judgment."
"...Did Goodwitch put you up to this?"
"Perhaps. After all, she is the one who orders my hot chocolate for me."
Yuji's eye twitched, thinking back to the many-many-many detentions he'd gotten since starting at this school before slumping over, "...I can't compete with that."
Ozpin smiled as he pictured his beloved drink, "Few things can."
...
...
*FWOOSH
The curtains drew back as the crowd went silent, with only the thudding of a pair of heavy boots making their way forward before a man came to a stop before the railing, hands clasped behind his back, standing in perfect military posture.
He was a tall, older man with a massive build, having a perfectly trimmed set of greying black hair, wearing a flowing white coat, a grey undershirt with a red tie, and similarly blank dress pants tucked neatly into his silver-lined boots.
If this wasn't your typical army guy, Yuji wouldn't know what else to call him.
A microphone clicked on.
"To the people of Vale and those of all Remnant, I, James Ironwood, and the military personnel of Atlas have stood before you many times before. You may see us patrolling on the streets, having a rest in a local business, or if you've looked up recently, maybe even the skies above, though those are just rumors, I assure you."
The crowd chuckled a bit, and so he continued, "Nevertheless, I believe we all know the necessity of these interactions. The kingdoms are no longer divided as they once were, and while we find ourselves in ever more troubling times, it's important to remember what unites rather than what divides, as so many would-be radicals seem to focus upon."
The General waved a hand, "It's strange to consider that a mere generation ago, we could hardly tolerate one another, yet now, here we stand as equals. However, these efforts weren't without trial and tribulation. I should know. I used to be part of the problem."
He placed a hand against his heart, "Raised by a military family, I believed in the might of the sword more than I cared for an open conversation, and what a fool I was for it, though at the time, I simply couldn't see it, or perhaps, I didn't want to."
He faintly smiled, "It was on a day much like this, the first time I had arrived to see Vale for myself, sent over as part of an exchange program between our great states and their respective Academies. I had the privilege of representing Atlas in my own little way, and what was the first thing I did?"
The man chuckled, "On my first day of sparring class, I picked a fight with a boy who spent his day tucked away in his books, thinking him a waste of resources, and I lost handily."
The people joined him in his laugh, "I know, I know, it reads something like a movie script, though I can promise you, it indeed happened, though, even he surprised me afterward. There were no insults, jabs, or even a mention of where I was from. All I received was a simple 'good fight' before he went back to that damn book of his, and let me tell you, I did not like that, not one bit."
Ironwood's palm rested on the railing, "So I sat there, stewing in my thoughts, and after a while, I demanded to know what he was so interested in, and he showed me. The book was nothing special, some nonsense about brewing the perfect mug of cocoa, but there we were, two boys from two different kingdoms, sharing a moment. Although I didn't know at the time, that would be the start of a lifelong friendship, one that continued even as we came to lead the institutions of our respective homelands and one which I'm honored to retain today. May I introduce Professor Ozpin?"
There was a surge of applause as the Headmaster of Beacon strolled his way onto the stage, approaching the microphones with a smile, "While you certainly didn't care for it, I can assure you, James, that just might have been the best read of my life, until recently of course."
Ozpin stretched out a hand, which the General readily took, "That comes as little surprise. You've come upon a shocking bit of news lately, haven't you? Mind if we ask how you handled it?"
The Director didn't seem bothered, very used to the showmanship these events required, "I suppose I've handled it well enough, though our first encounter was anything but ordinary. Perhaps it's a running theme in my life?"
The Headmaster leaned on his cane a bit more, "While you've undoubtedly taken the years better than I have, I can say I've never been one to let my age limit my actions, and as a way of dealing with the revelation, I went on a stroll through the Emerald Forest and found myself face to face with an Ursa of all things."
There was a gasp from the crowd, followed by whispers. Yet, the aged immortal pushed ahead, "And it was there I met him for the first time, fought his way barehanded through more Grimm than I could reasonably count, and defeated the thing for my sake, and let me tell you, that boy was standing on death's door by the end of it, and you know what the first thing he said to me was?"
He raised a finger, "'Gramps, what are you doing in a place like this? It isn't safe for an old timer like you,' and then promptly fell unconscious in front of me. That was how I met my grandson, and every day since, it has been something to that degree of energy. So, to answer your question, I'm managing."
There was a mix of laughter, and cooing sounds from the audience, drowning out even the microphone-
Behind the stage, Weiss idly bumped Yuji with her elbow, "Did-did that actually happen?"
The vessel scratched his cheek, "Yeah, somethin' like that, but I was like...really-really weak back then, like maybe, I dunno, five percent? It was only a few days before we met, actually-"
He just laughed, "You sure were mad at me that day."
The Schnee sighed, looking down as if she had just eaten something sour, "I've been meaning to say...I'm...sorry about that. I was-"
*Bop
Her eyes widened a bit as Yuji gently dropped a hand on her shoulder, "You don't gotta apologize. I was never mad at ya, Weiss. Honestly, I've probably caused enough trouble for you to make us even, huh?"
She just gave him a questioning stare, "Are you ever angry?"
"Sure, I get mad. Who doesn't? Just not at you."
"...why?"
Yuji hummed, "Just a feeling-"
"F-feeling?"
He gently smiled, "Yeah, just a feeling that you were a good person. I mean, who else woulda dropped their plans to come waste time with me, right?"
Weiss stammered, never understanding how Yuji was always so forward about these things, "I-I don't-"
"Hmm?"
She really wanted to hide behind something, "I don't think it's a waste of time-"
The heiress briefly caught his stare, "N-...not with you."
...
...
Yuji's brain misfired, "Eh?"
*Tap-tap-tap
Back on the stage, Ironwood's voice echoed out after bopping a finger against his microphone, "Well, I'd like to personally thank the boy responsible for saving my old friend's life, so why don't you come out here, Yuji?"
The vessel awkwardly laughed, scratching behind his head, "Guess I gotta go give a speech, huh? Wanna be in it?"
Weiss was back to her old self in the blink of an eye, shoving a finger in his chest, "Don't you dare."
Even when angy, she was still pretty scary.
"Okayyyyy."
With that, Yuji took a step out into the world beyond, briefly getting blinded by the flash of a distant camera, his brown eyes widening as he saw the sheer amount of people looking up at him as they applauded from below-
Gramps sure was popular, huh?
He approached the giant figure and, with a nod from Ozpin, reached out a hand, "Nice to meetchaa-"
He could feel Weiss' cold stare behind him, forcing him to straighten up.
Itadori cleared his throat, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Ironwood. My Gramps talks a lot about you."
The General stared at him for a moment, observing his every move, and although it was short-lived, their cold gazes briefly met, and a flicker of understanding went unspoken between them.
Ironwood gave a curt smile, taking his hand, "And I hope some of them are true, just as the things we've heard of you, young man. The world seems to have high expectations."
"I do my best whenever I can."
The veteran leader nodded, "A good man with a firm handshake, that's the start of every success story, though enough from me, I'm sure the people are dying to hear a bit about yourself."
Yuji's eyes flickered toward the crowd below, with an odd silence reigning supreme.
What do you even say in these moments?
...Well, Gramps did tell him to be honest.
The sorcerer took a breath-
And awkwardly laughed, apologetically raising a hand to no one in particular, "Sorry if you're expectin' some big speech from a guy like me, but...I'm just a kid from the sticks tryin' to fit in with you smart big city folks."
That earned a few chuckles, but he paid no mind, "Honestly, even if this is all new to me, some things are sorta the same...I-"
The vessel's expression softened, "I grew up without parents. My dad died when I was young, and my mom...well, I guess she just didn't care enough to stay, but that might've been for the best. She was never a good person, not even for a day in her life, and so, for the longest time, it was just me and my grandfather, Wasuke Itadori, and he-"
Yuji laughed, "He was the best, and while he never really liked my mom, my grandfather did his best to raise me all by himself, teachin' me right from wrong. It was just me and him for as long as I can remember, living in some tiny little apartment in the middle of nowhere, but to me, it was always enough. We never had much, but he always did what he could to make sure I was happy."
The sorcerer sadly smiled, "He died earlier this year, and I was the only one who ever visited him in the hospital, and everyone called me stupid for caring about such a 'mean old man,' even him...he'd yell at me nonstop, saying I needed to go live my life, but I never listened, I just wanted to be like him, but the last thing he ever said to me, was-"
"'Don't end up like me.'"
"A good man, better than anyone else, said that to me before he died, and ever since, I've done my best to live up to that, always trying to help people, even when things got hard and I had to leave and come here, I still try, but I was so confused and lost, I didn't know left from right...until Gramps picked me up and got me settled again-"
Yuji turned to face Ozpin, away from the crowds, "I'm not too good with how you guys do things here, but back home, this is how you show respect."
Itadori put his hands on his thighs and bowed, "I promise to live up to your expectations, so thank you for everything, Grandfather, and-"
On live television, the sorcerer turned and bowed to the crowd, "And thank you all for giving me this opportunity. I won't let you down."
He then promptly turned and just walked off stage, leaving everyone in stunned silence.
Out of every possible outcome in the world, very few people could predict Ozpin's grandson would act like that-
There was no arrogance, no boasting, and no sense of entitlement you'd expect from a rich kid like that, and while Yuji Itadori remained an unknown in their world, most would admit to one thing-
He was humble to a fault...and pretty awkward at giving speeches.
...
Sometime later
Yuji found himself in a massive ballroom on the second floor, his eye twitching as he watched the rich and opulent conversing and dancing in the center, with elegantly decorated tables strewn about the room.
He glanced at Weiss, who seemed completely in her element, "Sooo...guess you're gonna go talk to your sis, huh?"
The heiress shook her head, staring off across the room, "I can't just talk to her, Yuji."
"Eh? Why not?"
"Because she's in the military, you dolt! She's on duty!"
Itadori shrugged, "I mean, wouldn't she have to talk to me if I went up to her?-"
"What?"
He raised a finger, "Think about it. I mean, it's kinda obvious Gramps threw this party to hang out with his buddy, right? They did just sorta ditch us here to go talk on TV, and no one's talkin' to us."
Weiss bit her cheek, looking at the slits along his face, "I'm sure they have...other reasons for avoiding us, but...what's your point?"
"My point is that she can't make her people look bad, right? And if this party's for me, it'd look pretty rude if she ignored me-"
The Schnee's eyes widened, "She'd...she'd have to talk to you, wouldn't she? Yuji that was-"
Her blue eyes stared at him, "That was smart!"
His face dulled, "Why'd you say it like that?"
Weiss didn't respond, just awkwardly looking away, making him lose even more color, "Seriously?... Either way, we just gotta find her first. Got any ideas?"
The snow-colored girl tapped her chin, "Knowing my sister, she's running the security forces here, but given her position in the military structure, she'd be forced to make an appearance at some point."
Yuji squinted, looking over the crowd, "Maybe we can ask someone...I mean there's-"
He saw a kinda familiar set of spiky black hair near the bar, "Oh, I know that old guy!"
"Who?"
"That guy! The one who looks like crap! I think his name's...a bird or...something Branwe-"
Weiss' eyes went wide, and she shot over his mouth, "Don't even think about asking him!"
"Mmmm-tmstgm?"
"What?"
Yuji gently grabbed her wrist and moved it off a few inches, "I said, what's so bad about him?"
Not like Itadori had the highest opinion of the guy, but still-
"That is Qrow Branwen."
"Okayyyy?"
"My sister-"
"Yeahhhh?"
"Hates him."
"Huh?"
"He is a vile, womanizing drunkard with no sense of tact or professionalism, and I don't want you associating with him...he's a terrible influence."
Why did she seem so serious about that?
...
...
"Can I even drink in your country?"
Ignoring that he and Yang were drinking at Junior's before-
The Schnee raised a hand, poking a finger into his cheek, "That has nothing to do with this!"
"Well, you said bad influence, and booze is an influence...kinda? I don't think I can get drunk, though."
The Schnee glared at him, "I was referring to how he treats women... unless you're like that too?"
Yuji looked around, pointing a finger at himself, "Huh? Me? I've never even been on a date!"
She stared at him for a while-
...
...
"Hmph, you better not be lying."
"I'm no- WOAH!"
Weiss grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him along for the ride. All the while, Yuji was so confused, "Did you spot her or something?"
"No."
"Then where the heck are we going?"
...
...
She didn't look at him, "I'm tired of standing around, so you and I are going to dance, got it?"
He was honestly too scared of her to say no.
Itadori just bowed his head in defeat, "Understood."
...
Across the room
*Clink-Clink
"Leave the bottle."
The bartender blankly stared at the mountain of already left bottles in Qrow's collection before she slowly nodded, walking off to serve someone else.
The Huntsman took a swig, swished it around, and, without missing a beat, pulled out a flask and dumped it in, "Eugh, still got that shitty taste in it."
"Slacking on the job, are we? Should I even be surprised at this point?"
The Branwen chuckled, glancing over at the cold pair of blue eyes staring blankly at him, "What job? I'm just here for the open bar."
"I don't recall your name being on the guest list."
"Never was, Ice Queen. I crashed it 'cause I felt like it."
He could feel her glare, but it only made him chuckle-
Winter Schnee, Atlas 'Specialist,' wearing a perfectly maintained Atlas uniform, from the white longsleeved coat to the blank trousers and pale colored boots, the only color coming from the red brooch around her neck and the black gloves along her fingers.
Winter clasped her hands behind her back, "I see you're still the same as ever."
"And you still have a stick up your ass...find any gold yet?"
"No, but I happen to have a penchant for finding troublemakers, but what is there to search for when I smell you across the room?"
Qrow ran a finger along his scratchy beard, "Who knows? I'd smell like disinfectant and bullshit, too, if I kissed as many boots as you do."
*Click-Click-Click
"Specialist Schnee, if you wish to engage in the activity of...' kissing the boot'...might I suggest a store in our local area? We are approximately five miles from the nearest-"
Winter raised a hand, "Stand down, Penny, it's a figure of speech...and a crude one at that."
"...understood, I will adjust this term to suit my vocabulary."
Qrow spared a glance, seeing a blob of orange hair close to the ground, "So, Atlas recruits kids these days? And here I was thinking you were the good guys..."
The short stack in question looked around Ruby's age with pale skin and green eyes, wearing some old-timey dress Qrow couldn't even think of finding anywhere but an antique store, complete with black leggings and shoes, making her look like some weird kind of dress-up doll.
The specialist sighed, ignoring his sarcasm, "Ms. Polendina is an exception due to her...abilities, and while she wasn't supposed to be here, she was...quite insistent."
The ginger gave a pitch-perfect salute, "I was quite curious, like the cat! Though, I hope it doesn't end in my murder, as the saying goes."
Qrow just stared at her, "...What? Oh, you mean curiosity killed the cat?"
She innocently smiled, "Is that not what I said?"
"No, you said it stupid."
"Confirmed."
He looked at Winter, spinning a finger in circles near his temple, "Is she...you know? A...special case?"
The Schnee nodded, "Special is a way one could describe her, though not in the way you're suggesting. The rest is classified and on a need-to-know basis."
Qrow hummed, taking a sip of his drink, "Yeah-yeah-secrets-secre-PFFT"
He spat it back in the glass, earning a grimace from the specialist, "Is the menu not to your liking? I picked it based on the General's preferences and assumed you both enjoyed a ...what is it you call it? Stiff drink?"
The Branwen smacked his gums, letting off a cough, "Eugh, well, whatever you chose tastes like wax, can't believe the stiffies out there are drinking this piss...and I thought I had a tolerance-"
Winter reached over, spinning the bottle with a curious eye, "Must've been a bad batch, a shame, though the crowd likely thinks the same. Unlike you, most have an image to maintain."
Qrow chuckled, "Ah, you know me too well, sister...speaking of, I think I saw yours in the crowd earlier-"
"You've met before?"
"No, but besides her looking like a mini-you? All you Schnees' have that 'I'm better than you' look... I think Oz's kid brought her-"
"Hmph."
"Is that an 'I know' hmph, or an 'I'm pissy' hmph?"
She scoffed, "There isn't much I can say on the matter. I spoke with him once for a brief moment. He seemed...exciteable."
"Don't let that fool you."
Winter glanced at him, quirking a brow at the sudden change in tone, "What are you implying?"
Qrow shrugged, raising a glass of that awful-tasting drink, leaning it toward the crowd, "You're probably gonna find this out from Oz sooner or later, but that kid...he's got some freaky-ass powers."
She took a second to think, "I would expect nothing less from Ozpin's lineage. From what I heard, his semblance is quite-"
"That kid doesn't have a semblance, not even an aura."
"...What did you say?"
He leaned closer, "I said. No aura. I fought him myself, and I'll tell you now, Ice Queen, that boy is the same age as my niece, and I thought he was gonna take my head off, only to find out from the Headmaster himself that he wasn't even trying."
Qrow pointed a finger at her, "I don't know what his deal is, but I'm gonna give you some real advice here: no matter how goofy he seems, no matter how unsuspecting you think he is, don't underestimate that kid."
...
...
"Stop making faces!"
"I dunno what you're talking about."
Winter turned, hearing a familiar voice coming from the dance floor, seeing her sister and the boy in question dancing...shockingly well together.
Camera drones were flying overhead, getting the entire thing on film, though neither seemed aware of it-
Weiss was struggling to hold it together, "Seriously! Stop doing the-the-face-I'm gonna...people are watching!"
Yuji didn't pay it any mind, spinning her around, his feet moving with grace, "So? We're havin' fun!"
She let him lead her, her chest rising and falling as she tried to hold it in, "D-don't do i-"
He bowed, with her leaning toward the floor, and at the last second, his eyes crossed, and his tongue went straight up-
Just like his 'mother.'
The Schnee snorted, smacking him on the arm, "Stooop! You're so bad!"
"Oh, who cares? It's not like we're botherin' any-oh-"
He looked across the room, then down at her, "Is that your sister?"
...
...
Weiss slowly followed his stare, seeing a familiar pair of blue eyes-
"huh?"
What followed next was Weiss pushing him like a feral cat and sort of-maybe-probably-definitely punching him a few times.
After straightening herself out, the heiress started to approach but found herself coughing-
Yuji patted her on the back, "Oy...you okay?"
Weiss took a breath, "Fine...fine, just a little tired from our dance...if you can call it that."
The Schnee took a breath and walked up, a smile coming over her pale features, "Hello...specialist Schnee."
Winter remained professional, but gave a curt nod with the tiniest of smiles in return, "Miss Schnee."
...
...
"Awwwww."
They both turned to look at Yuji who was cooing over the entire thing, but Weiss spoke first, "Is there something you want to say?"
Itadori shrugged, "I dunno, it's just...you two look so alike!"
"And that matters because?-"
He just gave one of his happy smiles, "It's like you're a pair! It's just cute, is all."
Winter could only watch Weiss try to frown but couldn't, "I...can you go somewhere else for a bit?"
The vessel laughed, "Yeah, guess I could hit up the-"
A pale hand shot up, "I volunteer to provide escort!"
Yuji didn't have time to look before an unnaturally strong hand grabbed his, only seeing a green pair of eyes looking at him from below, "Eh?"
*FWYOOOM
Winter raised a hand, which she then used to slap herself in the face, "Eugh...Penny!"
She gave her sister an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, Weiss, I have to track her d-"
From the bar, Qrow idly raised his hand, "Nah-nah, I got it."
"Got...what exactly?"
The veteran hopped to his feet, "Something-something go contain the ginger girl before she gets in trouble. I'll handle it, so spend time with your sis'."
"You...really?"
The former bandit shrugged, grabbing a bottle as he went, "Family's family. I'd be pissed too if I couldn't see my nieces."
The Schnee just watched him walk off into the crowd, uncertain of what to make of it, but soon returned to her sister, with neither really knowing what to say.
...
On the dance floor
If it wasn't for how fast he could normally move, Yuji would've been dizzy. One second, he was talking to Weiss, and the next, he was across the room with a really bouncy girl with orange hair looking up at him.
Was it bad that crazy stuff like this didn't bother him anymore?
He cleared his throat, "Uh...hi?"
She sweetly tilted her head, "Greetings are appropriate under these circumstances, are they not?"
The ginger perfectly raised a hand, "How are you today? I am designated as Penny Polendina!"
Why was she talking so weird?
Yuji stared for a second-
...
...
Ohhhhh, that's why.
The sorcerer reached out a hand, letting her clasp his, "I'm alright, so are you...wow, you got a strong grip, you know that?"
Penny smiled, adjusting her heels as they clicked on the floor, "I have heard such things before. You are the first individual whose fingers I haven't broken! Are congratulations in order?"
Why was she so casual about that?
"I...I don't think so? I dunno, people do weird things in these places."
She pouted, "Agreed. I try to mimic their standards but often find myself confused, but that is why I chose to request your assistance!"
"You want help? With what?"
The Atlas girl hummed, looking down at her shoes as they tapped along the floor with no rhythm, "I have been told I do not have the necessary coordinational skills for advanced movements, but seeing you do them so effortlessly-"
She zipped toward him, clasping her hands around his, "I request that you 'show me the moves.'"
"Wha?"
"Requesting clarification."
"You wanna dance?"
"Confirmed."
The vessel didn't concern himself that much, just nodding as he listened to elegant music playing from the band, squinting a bit as he heard people coughing in the crowd-
Maybe there was some kinda cold going around?
He smiled down at the girl with his usual energy, "Alright, lemme see your hands."
Her fingers felt like rocks covered in rubber-
Yuji nodded, "Kay, so here's how it works. You gotta try and go with the flow of the music-"
"I do not follow."
"huh?"
"Flow often refers to bodies of water, such as rivers, streams, estuaries, and-"
"Are you a dictionary?"
"I was given the knowledge of several."
"Really?"
"Confirmed."
Itadori hummed, "Okayyyyy, no-go on the flow-go...how about...you follow my lead, kay? Try and match me."
Simple movements, left foot forward, right foot back, swivel to the side-
He smiled, "See, you just go, 1, 2, 3...1, 2-"
*Crunch
His smile turned to abject horror as her foot crushed his, and all she did was giggle as if she didn't weigh a few tons, "Oops! My apologies. I mistook your right for a left."
Yeah...gonna have to RCT that one...
Yuji forced a smile as the sounds of his bones totally not popping back into place echoed out, "It's fine...really. Let's uh-let's take it slow, alright?"
They went back into motion, with a thought soon springing into the vessel's head as he looked down at her orange locks of hair, "I never told you my name, huh? It's-"
"Yuji Itadori. I am well aware of who you are. Identities are...one of the few things I can absorb and interpret with ease."
The sorcerer tilted his head, "Must be hard bein' a robot."
...
...
Penny's eyes visibly zoomed out as steam briefly flew off the top of her head, "...I am not a robot."
"Yeah, you are."
"No."
"A-huh."
"I can assure you, I am most certainly made of the highest quality of grade A meat material available."
Itadori paled, "Don't say it like that. You're giving me Silence of the Lambs vibes."
"I am unfamiliar with that reference, but still the statement remains, I am not a-"
Yuji only snickered, "Since I know a secret of yours, how about I tell ya one of mine?"
The Polendina looked around, unable to make eye contact, "Yes...I am, most certainly, one hundred percent capable of maintaining the keeping of 'the secret...though I am still not a synthetic being created by-'"
He leaned in, "You know I can see your soul, right?"
...
...
"Scanning-"
"What?"
...
...
The ginger gave him a curious stare, "Minimal signs of deceit...you are not lying."
"Did...did I pass?"
Penny tilted her head, "There was a test?"
"Huh?"
She mimicked him exactly, "Huh?"
A second passed before the android raised an eyebrow, "I have a query-"
"Shoot."
"You lack proper authorization."
Oh my God, it's Pyrrha all over again.
"I mean, you can ask whatever."
Her smile returned, but she leaned in to whisper, "Oh, wonderful! Does my mechanical nature bother you? If so, I can disengage from this activit-"
"Nah, not really."
"Requesting more detail."
Yuji shrugged, "It's not that big a deal to me, is all. I mean, I'm buddies with a giant...well, he's small now, but he's still a panda, and I...talked? With a robot guy before, but he used like mechs and stuff, but besides-"
The vessel happily smiled, "I'd be a pretty lousy guy if I judged you for somethin' like that, dontcha think?"
He heard the tiniest of mechanical whirs from her head, "I believe it would be natural to dislike what one does not understand, as dictated by the order of biological responses."
"Who says I don't getcha?"
"I do not follow."
Yuji only laughed, looking down at her with his brown eyes, "If anyone here's a freak, it's me, so trust me, I get it. But even if we're a little different, we're still people, so don't worry about the little stuff so much and have some fun, buddy."
"...Buddy?"
Penny's face literally glowed a little bit as she zoomed closer, "Are you referring to me in the affectionate terminology suited for a companion?"
"I...What?"
Yuji stared at her, "Are you askin' if we're friends?"
She rapidly nodded, looking like a bobblehead, earning a casual shrug from the vessel, "Yeah, I mean, if you wan-"
Penny stopped dancing, grabbing his hand before bouncing up and down. "Splendid! I will create and mark a unique identification tag beneath your contact information as my first and only 'friend.' I hope you don't mind, but I already scanned your scroll for your cellular number!"
He sighed, "I really gotta teach you to talk normal."
"Is there a problem with the way I communicate?"
"You talk like a robot."
"I am indeed a robotic being. You have my thanks for noticing this, friend-Yuji."
The vessel pinched between his eyes, "Okay, this is gonna take a lot of work."
Hopefully, Pyrrha wouldn't mind another student.
*tap-tappity-tap-tap
An uneven set of footsteps echoed out, "Alrighht you, you- kids...no more-"
The pair turned, seeing Qrow walking toward them from the crowd, but-
something seemed off-
Yuji took a step toward him, "Old man? You alright?"
"Who the-"
The former bandit squinted, "Who the hell are you callin' old? I'm...I'm fiine-"
He fell into a coughing fit, soon raising his bottle to drown it out.
Penny helpfully raised a finger, "I believe he is under the effects of alcohol to the extent that a sense of inebriation has been achieved."
Itadori stared at him, "I don't think he's drunk...hold on-"
He walked up, even as the Branwen tried swatting him away, "You look super pale-"
Qrow chuckled, staring at the floor, "I've...felt worse...come on, Ice Queen wants to-wants to-"
*Hrk
The sorcerer blitzed into motion, catching the Huntsman before he could hit the floor, putting a hand to his head, "The hell? He's burning up...hold him for a sec, would ya?"
Yuji dumped him in Penny's open palms, the mere sight of a tiny girl holding a fully grown man like a baby being eight kinds of ridiculous.
Itadori sniffed the bottle, tilting his head, before raising it and taking a swig-
The android guffawed, "You are not of legal age to do that! I will have to report you to the proper...proper-"
She saw the strange look on his face, his eyes narrowing, with every breath becoming short and rapid, "Yuji?... Why are you showing signs of being ready for combat?"
...
...
The vessel stared at the bottle, "...There's poison in this."
He turned, looking over the crowd, seeing more and more people showing similar signs by the second, with some slumping into their seats and others wobbling back and forth in a daze, from the pale skin to the coughing, but...if it was in the drinks...why was Weiss-
Wait
Wait-wait-wait
Yuji hadn't noticed until now, but only he and Penny weren't showing any signs. Even Gramps and his buddy looked off, and Gramps never drank anything but that cocoa stuff...that means-
"IT'S IN THE AIR!"
*CRACK
The vessel took an explosive leap toward one of the walls, and with the slam of an open palm, the entire structure sliced apart, sending a blast of debris and rubble to the ground below.
As he fell, the sorcerer couldn't help but notice that the skies and surrounding buildings had all emptied out-
Those robots from earlier were nowhere to be seen...the hell?
Yuji landed, scanning over his surroundings, ignoring the looks of confused panic taking over the crowd as they watched him with wide eyes, taking deep breaths as the wind billowed in around him-
"Where?"
"Where!?"
This couldn't be it, but what could-
*CRRR
"What?"
The floor was shaking, but why was it-
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
A colossal blast rang out from below, sending windows outward as dust followed in their wake, shaking the entire structure as it struggled to stay upright.
Yuji stayed firm, his eyes glancing around every corner of the room, looking for any weaknesses...until he heard it-
*BANG
Gunshots, short and precise...his tactical mind could only guess the surviving security was getting finished off downstairs, that can only mean-
*BANG-BANG-BANG
He could hear it, the screams, the laughter, and the chorus of footsteps all running below where they stood, rushing toward the sole stairway leading up to them in a blind rush-
He had seconds at most-
Think-think-think!
He couldn't run off alone and leave the others here, any stragglers would have a field day, even if it was only a few seconds, but either way-
Old man Qrow was down.
So was Weiss-
Gramps and Ironwood were awake but struggling to do anything-
The only other person that was still on their feet was Weiss' big sister, but even she was wobbling.
Then...that basically just left him-
Then that means-
That meant-
...
...
Yuji clenched a fist so hard his nails tore into his skin, knowing everything was about to change.
Sorry, Ruby.
He took a breath, staring straight down, "Penny, I need you to do something. Get Qrow as far away from here as you can, alright?"
The ginger looked confused, "Him? Why not the oth-"
The vessel snarled, his teeth barred, "We don't have time! What I'm about to do...I...I can't take any chances, and with his semblance messing with my luck, I-"
The android stared at him, "I request to know what you're going to do."
"Penny, I'm asking you as a friend, just...go...please."
...
...
She blankly stared at him, "...Request acknowledged."
A moment later, there was a flash of green as she shot out of the open wall, flying off with the Branwen in tow, leaving the vessel to his fate.
Yuji could hear them tearing their way up the stairs, and so-
He walked to the center of the room, reaching up to tear his jacket off, throwing it to the side, grabbing his tie, and wrapping it around his palm, hoping his old teacher would help him through this, knowing that he was the only person who could stop this massacre from happening.
No matter the cost.
*BOOOOM
The doors blasted off their hinges, flying across the room before slamming against the floor, sliding to a stop nearby.
Through the smoke, a demented voice echoed out, "Well, well, well, looks like the mix was a bust, huh? Told you lot we should've made our own shit."
They were hairless, shaved completely bald, with their lower faces blocked by thin gasmasks, their exposed torsos lined with self-inflicted scars to imitate the markings of their god, with their animal parts sharpened and filed to look jagged and deformed.
Itadori knew this without even looking at them. He instinctively knew what was in front of him.
Another voice rang out with a cackling laugh, "Oh, 'cause one of them's still standing? I'd call that a success, wouldn't you?"
"Right, 'cause we work on half-assed solutions; learn your place before you speak, fool."
"If that were the case, why don't we just start cutting up this human meat before it gets cold!"
There was a firmness in their tone, "The boss said to wait, so we WAIT!"
There was silence before the same voice spoke again, "We will wait until the cameras start rolling. No longer shall we hide in the darkness, for the world will be sliced to nothing by his light!"
The sounds of footsteps rang out as more and more people flooded into the room, some taking up a stand near the fallen camera crew, panning the view of the fallen attendees to audiences across the world before-
Yuji's teeth clenched, "...His light?"
There was more silence, with the camera slowly turning to face the vessel as a pair approached, "Well, shit, guess you are a fighter, kid! Can't believe you're even standing. That stuff would put the best of us down-"
The other scoffed, "It's too bad he's a filthy race traitor, fucking around with some Schnee...Oooh, the boss' gonna have a good time with those two, ain't he!? AIN'T HE BOY!?"
The sorcerer's scowl grew, "...Why are you doing this?"
There was a chorus of laughter, with one of them answering, "Why the hell not? The world sure as shit never cared about our peoples' suffering. Instead, you throw these little parties and pretend everything's alright...the Faunus make your food, make your drinks, and we even wipe your asses when you tell us to, but it's never enough, not until we're dead at least, so we figure, why the hell don't we just-"
*CRASH
A blade slashed straight through a table, "SLICE 'EM TO FUCKING BITS!?... It's a nice thought, isn't it? Make someone else feel like we do for a change, tear down the whole world, and rebuild it in his image...just as he wanted-"
"Say it-"
"Say what, boy?"
"Your god...tell me his name."
There was another cackle, "Why, who else but Ryomen? Who else could bring the kingdoms to their knees? Who else could make the human race tremble before his might? What other God could inspire us that there was a better world before us? One without the human race."
Yuji took a sharp breath, "You...you worship him? After everything he's done? After-"
There was an audible snap, as if something opened, "After all the death he's caused? And for what? Just so you can spread more suffering?"
...
...
There was a sudden tension in the air as if energy were building.
"If that's the case..."
"If that's how it is-"
*BANG
A series of gunshots rang out as fire dust rounds blasted toward him, only to be sliced apart by an unseen force, their colorful fragments scattering to the floor around him.
There was a stunned silence, followed by-
"What?"
"The hell was that?"
"Did he...block it? But...I-"
"I didn't see his aura?"
Itadori's hands burst into a sea of red, rapidly mutating into their cursed form, "If you think it's okay to mock others for their suffering... then-"
There was a sudden burst of movement, as on live television, before the entire world, Yuji's head shot up, staring straight at them, with all four of his eyes wide open, two a golden yellow, the others a hellish red, with lines slowly swirling around each like a vortex toward the center-
Cursed Energy flowed around the vessel as he growled, "How about I show you mine?"
What happened next could only be described in mere seconds, if that.
*BOOM
The sorcerer took off running, and the moment his foot hit the ground, it exploded into cracks, forming miniature crevices on impact.
BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-CRASH
His footsteps were heavy as if there were an otherworldly amount of power behind each one.
Yuji's right hand opened, with droplets of his own blood flowing around the still-shifting appendage-
BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-CRASH
He neared the two in front of him as one drew an elongated blue sword out from its sheathe, coated in ice dust, "You think you can stop this!? Come and get some, you little-"
*SCHWING
Time seemed to slow as he swung downward, his blade arcing toward the vessel's exposed neck, but before it could-
Yuji's open palm slammed into his torso-
And before the entire world-
Before his own teammates and friends as they watched from Beacon-
For the briefest of moments-
White lines and scissor marks appeared along the man's exposed flesh, running in each and every direction.
Onlookers would blink-
And the man exploded, torn apart into chunks of flesh-
His blood splattered across the vessel's face as he coldly stared ahead, his eyes so dull-
It was as if he were someone else entirely.
...
No Chibi today. I felt like it would kill the mood this chapter tried to end on.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you guys in the next one; cheers!
BTW: If you have anything for the QnA, ask away. This arc only has like 1...maybe 2 chapters left?
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