Hey, a quick thing of note:
I'm not a vindictive person, and while I normally try to keep my head on straight, I just wanna say:
To the dude who was stealing my fic, running it through google translate into the most God-awful Spanish I have ever seen, and crossposting it on Wattpad, enjoy that DMCA, you colossal asshole.
If any of you ever see someone posting my fic to another site, please inform me so I can have it taken down; thanks.
Anyway, pettiness aside, let's get into this.
BetaReaders: BFTyrant, Chris, Daki, Rockmean, Luxutor, ReallyRey, Hackerman27, Chepatard, Jasonzzldude, Tupjunk, and Megadumbo.
...
In the Goblin Cave, after a few minutes of context
Sun nodded, raising his left leg over his right as he crossed his arms, sitting on an old paint can, "That is a predicament."
Nora tilted her head, "Predicawha-?"
"I dunno, I heard some smart guy say it in class."
"What's it mean?"
He deadpanned, "You're in deep shit."
...
...
He nearly fell out of his "Pfft-hahaha! Look at your faces!"
Blake glared, "Can you take this seriously?"
The monkey Faunus grinned, glancing in her direction, "Why would I? There's no proble-"
There was a flash of motion, and the blonde was right next to her, leaning an arm against the cavern wall, "Hey there."
The cat girl blankly stared up, "It took you that long to notice me?"
"Maybe you didn't wanna be seen?"
"Yeah. Not by you."
He looked her up and down before lowering his head, "You know, dark really suits you, but-"
The chiseled teen raised his head, a cocky grin on his face, "Everyone needs a little Sun in their lives."
...
...
The collective wince of cringe was palpable.
Blake pointed a finger at the Faunus, looking at a certain sorcerer, "Remember when you said you'd beat people up for me? Can you start with him?"
Sun laughed, backing off as he raised his hands in surrender, "I get it, I get it. I know how to take a no...for now-"
He ignored Blake's glare, turning his attention to the vessel, "But damn. I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to meet you in person. Honestly, I thought you were some propaganda story Atlas came up with."
The carefree teen leaned down, "Gotta say, you're way shorter in person."
Yuji had to look up at the much taller teen as they stood off in complete silence.
...
...
In the blink of an eye, Sun gripped a fist, sliding a foot back along the dust-coated ground, throwing a right at the vessel's face before-
*BOOM
Spittle blew from the Sun's mouth as Yuji casually slammed a fist into his stomach, the sheer pressure denting his skin and muscle inward, making his eyes bulge as he backed away in agony, soon falling to a knee as he gasped for air.
Blake reached for her pistol, but-
Ren stuck a hand out to stop her, "Don't."
"But, he's-"
"It's just what he does."
Sun opened his mouth but fell into a coughing fit, having to look up at the sorcerer who stood there, unmoving, "You done?"
The monkey Faunus scoffed, swiping a hand over his drool-covered chin, "Holy shit...you don't screw around, do ya? I-"
He tried to stand but fell to his knee, panting, "I guess I shoulda figured. You did kill Taurus, and even I wouldn't mess with that guy if you paid me."
Blake noticeably stiffened up.
After a few seconds, Yuji reached out a hand, and the teen took it, but as he pulled him up-
Sun grabbed Itadori's shoulder, lurched back and-
*CRACK
Their foreheads collided with an audible thud of bone, and even as a trickle of blood flowed down the Faunus' face, he didn't back down, his grin ever-present, "You might be stronger, but don't you ever think I'll let you look down on me, got that?"
Yuji didn't budge, their eyes inches apart, "You've got fever, don't you?"
It was unspoken, but Sun's grin grew at the word.
"That's what you call it?"
...
...
The staff user chuckled, pushing back to a healthy distance, adjusting his open jacket with his hands, "We might be able to help each other after all."
Sun wiped a hand over his face and, with the flick of a wrist, splattered his blood to the floor, ignoring Nora's screams about her snack stash getting ruined.
He waved a hand at the grieving ginger and an uninterested Ren, "See, there's a certain way things work in Mistral, one me and my friends here have never been fond of, and from what I've heard, neither are you."
Yuji kept his hands at his sides, "And how's that?"
"Easy. The powers that be don't care about anything except the bottom line, and I've seen more than enough to figure you stand on business...kinda reminds me of home if I'm bein' honest."
"Wait. You ain't from here?"
Ren idly checked his magazines, "He's from Vacuo. You know, S-
The Faunus raised a finger, "Ah-ah, say it."
Lie sighed, mumbling a few profanities, "Danger... I never asked, but why did you come to Mistral, of all places, for Huntsmen classes?"
Sun sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "This place sounded a lot nicer on paper, but after I had been here a while and realized how bad it was...I dunno. I had people I cared about and didn't wanna ditch. It was a whole thing."
Blake raised a brow, "What made it sound so great? Don't get me wrong, it's pretty, but this whole kingdom is a walking nightmare."
"What's not to like? Haven's the one school on Remnant that doesn't have that stupid question on their application papers, you know, the one, 'What's your race? Mark here.'"
"Is it really that big of a deal?"
"I wouldn't even call myself a Faunus if people in the other kingdoms didn't scream 'monkey' at me. So, It just doesn't vibe with me, is all. Vacuo's not like that, and I'm not like that, so I went where I felt was right... and now I'm in deep because of it, so here's the issue-"
Sun pulled out his scroll, swiping through a newsfeed of nothing more than happy-go-lucky narratives of peace and prosperity, "They never report on crime in Mistral. Have you ever noticed that?"
Blake stepped closer, "That's not right. They report on White Fang attacks all the time-"
"Yeah, maybe in the titles, but they're never honest. Read between the lines, and you'll see the same thing. 'Mistral took zero losses, and we destroyed the enemy,' and that's only when it benefits them to talk about it."
He pointed toward Itadori, "What you did won't make the news, and anyone that talks about it is gonna end up in jail."
Yuji's eyes widened, "Really? But...we kinda wrecked half the town."
"Yeah, and that's exactly why they won't talk about it. You made them look bad, and bad things aren't allowed here, but there's an upside to this. Getting out of trouble is actually really easy. You just gotta bribe the right people, and the problem goes away, but-"
Sun ran a hand along his arm, "They also won't help if something's wrong. Most crimes don't even get looked at if they need an investigation. They'll just blame someone, throw them in prison, and let it go, even if the victim isn't found, and it's why I need your help, bad."
Nora hopped to her feet, circling around him, a concerned look crossing her face, "You're not usually like this. Did something happen? Was it-"
"It's not someone you know."
"But it's someone you know."
"Yeah...it is."
The monkey Faunus put his hands to his face, dragging them up and through his hair, "Something really weird is going on in this city. People...mostly students at Haven... have been going missing, and no one is looking into it. One of them...one of them is my friend, Neptune."
He marched across the room, dropping his hands onto Itadori's shoulders, "I need muscle on this, and you're probably one of the strongest people around and one of the only ones who actually gives a shit about people. So, if you do, I can hook you up and get you off the hoo-"
Yuji reached up, gripping the teen's wrist, his eyes firm, "Do you have any idea where he is?"
"...You'll help?"
"Yeah, I will."
Sun nodded and let go but soon sighed in frustration, walking aimlessly around the room, "I don't have shit. One night, we're walking back to our dorms, and there's this lady, and she's...smoking hot, right?"
Blake glared, but he waved her off, "It's important for the story...she wanted one of us to walk her home, and I...I just didn't trust it. Where I'm from, you trust your gut, and everything told me to get the hell away from her, but I just chalked it up to not wanting some disease or something, but-"
In the background, Yuji started typing on his scroll, sending off a message.
"Neptune went with her, and I haven't seen him since."
The catgirl lowered her glare, "Do you know anything about her? A name? How she looks?"
"I didn't buy it, but she said her name was "Miss Fire."
Blake deadpanned, "That sounds like a last-second lie."
"I know."
"Then why did he go with her?"
"...She's hot."
She glared again, and Sun pushed ahead, "She had long black hair, these super bright yellow eyes, and a really red dress."
"That's it?"
"It's all I've got."
*BRRRRR
The quiet girl pinched between her eyes, "That's not really narrowing it down."
"Tell me about it. You match all those things except the dress...especially the hot part."
*BRRRRR
She scoffed, "You're really gonna do that when your friend is missing?"
"...Sorry, it's just...awkward...tryna lighten the mood, ya know?"
*BRRRRR
Sun and Blake's ears both twitched as the former looked around in confusion, "This might sound weird, but...does anyone hear a jet engi-"
*BOOOOOOOM
The sunlight was blocked as a pale face came crashing through solid stone, revealing an unblinking set of bright green eyes, "SAAAAALUTATIONS!"
Sun screamed, jumping into the air as Blake caught him, then unceremoniously dropped him to the ground.
Yuji happily waved at the intruder, "Hey, Pen. I figured you'd be around for this."
The android smiled back, walking through the rock like it was nothing, walking forward with her arms outstretched at a perfect angle for a hug.
The vessel met her halfway, and she buried her face in his chest, "I really missed you!"
Yuji chuckled, patting her back, "I miss ya too, but why didn't you take the way I told you?"
"Oh. Do you remember our previous conversation with regards to 'expressing human emotion.'"
"...Somethin' like that, yeah."
"I discovered the joys of 'scaring' living beings with my mechanical capabilities. It is most humorous, although the General has reprimanded me on multiple occasions for nearly making him void his bowels."
Ren sighed, "TMI, Penny."
"Definition...searching...Too Much Information...I will compile this into my logbook titled, 'things humans do.'"
Nora zoomed closer, "Did you get the secret upgrade we talked about?"
Ren squinted, "Secret?"
"Ginger secret, you soul-havers wouldn't understand."
Being a ginger is a heavenly restriction in its own right.
Penny frowned, her head falling low, "I put in the request for a toaster slot to be added to the top of my head, but my father stated, and I quote, 'That is stupid, you'll burn your pretty hair and get crumbs everywhere, and I am too old and short to pick them out like some kind of primate,' in that regard, who is your primate compatriot currently on the floor?"
Yuji nodded, slowly backing away, "Yeah-see, this guy could really use a favor, and since you're hooked up to computers, I figured you could give it a shot. See, his friend, Neptune, is missing and-"
The android turned to Sun, her eyes glowing as data flowed over them, "What is his full legal name?"
The Faunus bristled, "I-uh...wait...isn't she with Atlas!?"
Penny waved, "I am indeed Atlas property, yes."
"P-Property!?"
Yuji nodded, "She's a robot. I wouldn't think too much on it, you'll waste time."
Sun groaned, letting his forehead hit the rock wall, "I...dude, you can't just drop this on a guy...what if she tells her boss what we're up to?"
Penny mechanically marched, dropping a hand on the taller boy's back, "Not to worry! Atlas' current objectives in the region are to neutralize the source of public disappearances in the name of maintaining global and regional security. For the time being, I am on your side!"
"...Did she just say 'for the time being?'"
Ren nodded, "She does that."
Sun took a breath before looking up, "His name's Neptune...Neptune Vasilias."
Penny remained emotionless, "Does he have blue hair?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Identity confirmed...bypassing rejection from local security systems...individual located...last seen several days ago via security camera XJU3214 with...identity not found."
Penny bobbed around like a bobblehead, "I will require time to process all relevant information. May I suggest returning to Haven in the meantime?"
Yuji yawned, "Easier said than done, Pen. We're kinda trying to get this sorted, and going outside ain't much of an option."
"You are referring to the current manhunt targetting you, correct? May I suggest semi-lethal force?"
Sun gawked while Itadori shrugged indifferently, "Nah, we don't gotta go that far."
The monkey Faunus stuck out a hand, "Okay-okay, before you let her go, all killer robot on us, how about I just show you the way back to campus? Hm?"
He pointed a thumb back toward the stairwell, "There's a path through the tunnels I found a while back. I gotta get in contact with my guy in the bureau, so it'll take a while to get a price out of him, but sitting around is kinda lame so..."
Penny raised a hand like she was in class, "Also, your designated chaperone is quite irate at your tardiness, and if I may quote something she said in private, you are in, as people often say-"
She smiled, "Deep shit."
Yuji tilted his head, "Wait...chaperone?"
"Were you not informed? You are in Mistral to complete your mandatory internship under Atlesian Specialist Winter Schnee, meaning-"
The android rushed in for another bone-crushing hug, "We get to spend more time together! Initiating mandatory celebratory gesture!"
Itadori could only stare at the ceiling, wondering if this was what Weiss wanted to talk to him about.
Normally, the vessel wouldn't really care to make a show for someone, but impressing your girlfriend's family was part of the deal, wasn't it?
That and, like..not getting your hoodies back or something, but his info on this was limited to random videos he saw on his phone.
At least it was better than the Japanese way of asking a girl's parents for permission to date her 'with the prospect of marriage.'
Yeah, as if that's not the most awkward thing to say when you haven't even started going out, but still-
Yuji scratched his chin, "Hey, Penny. How do I get Winter to think I'm good for Weiss?"
Ren rolled his eyes, "Dude, don't ask the robot with no people skills for dating advice-"
Nora put a hand over his face, "Noooo, I wanna hear what she says!"
The android blankly smiled, "If I were to quote her most recent statements about you to General Ironwood, it would be summarized as, 'While I appreciate what he has done for us. I am not comfortable with that thing being near my sister."
...
...
Ren's brow furrowed, "Did she seriously call you a 'thing.'"
Yuji's head slumped down, "Man... I thought she liked me."
Penny nodded, "Considering that I live with Specialist Schnee for the majority of our operations, I can confirm she initially held you in very high regard, although recent revelations have changed Atlesian policy toward you."
"Huh? Like what?"
"You do not have authorization for this specific request."
...
...
Penny's green eyes glowed as she raised a fist, "Though, I would not be discouraged. Give it your best shot, as they say!"
With that, the robotic girl walked up the stairs, beckoning them to follow, "Now, let us commence in marching friend formation!"
Sun squinted, "There is no chance she knows where she's going."
Off in the distance, Penny yelled, "My GPS seems to be malfunctioning, but worry not! For I have an immaculate sense of directio-"
*BOOM
"Now, who put this wall here?"
They quickly followed her to make sure the android didn't cause a scene or unnecessary destruction.
...
At Haven's landing site
A cane pushed against the ground as a figure leaned forward, observing the intricate designs of the infamous academy in the East.
Much like Beacon, Haven had a tower standing amidst the center of campus, modern and sleak, though the same couldn't be said for the rest of the property.
Most buildings were of an older design, using wood over the standard metal and concrete of the other kingdoms with shingled roofs and bronze supports and decorations...the word 'dojo' came to mind, although for the life of him, the Headmaster could not place where he heard it before.
The place was reminiscent of times even the immortal had long since forgotten, but when a regime focuses on what unites, sometimes, it's best to look at once was rather than what is.
A set of footsteps came to a halt beside him, methodical as always, and the director hardly bothered to look, merely sipping from his beloved mug, "How did the flight treat you?"
Ironwood huffed, grazing a finger over a fresh layer of stubble, "If I had known being a leader would imply spending most of my days traveling, I never would've taken the oath."
Ozpin chuckled as the two began to walk, finding themselves on the pathways winding through campus, "True, though. The sites are often quite worth it, wouldn't you agree?"
"What you see as different, I see as more of the same. A kingdom on the brink, doing everything in its power to hold onto whatever normalcy they can."
"I suppose that's a given, though it may benefit you to know it wasn't always like this."
"Everything changed with him, didn't it?"
The immortal stiffened at the implication, but it soon faded, "It's a bit of yes and no. The Faunus have never been treated well, and in older times, it made sense, in a dire sort of way. The world population was limited, as was our understanding of how to combat the Grimm. We needed to develop rapidly, and so, many were conscripted against their will to build the structures we value today."
The Headmaster sighed, "It was never right, but it was necessary...and I'd like to think, with the introduction of your kingdom's automatons as a new source of labor, we could've broken down those oppressive institutions and allowed the Faunus to experience true equality, but-"
Ozpin looked to the sky, "Ryomen changed everything. An unstoppable monster from the lowest caste of society, butchering his way across the world for about twenty years, with no end in sight, and the sole reason there are so few settlements outside of our capitals today. In his own way, he left a mark on our psyches that's lasted all this time, and I suppose it's why the Faunus are still hated and why many feel the need to suppress their existence."
The General clasped his hands behind his back, "I've done what I can to limit it in Atlas, but there's only so much the government can do when the Schnees throw their money behind every anti-Faunus movement they can get their hands on."
"He paid me, you know?"
"Hm?"
"Do you remember that asinine 'deal' he proposed?"
"You...you didn't actually-"
"Of course not, but the lien is certainly in my possession, and I have more than a few questions to ask that ward of mine."
Ironwood raised a hand, "There won't be a need for that soon. The asset is on her way with a military escort."
"Escort, you say?"
"We've nearly lost three. I will not allow another to fall into enemy hands...Once she's arrived, we can discern the truth once and for all and be done with it, then decide how to proceed from there."
Ozpin let out a breath, "I'm still not certain if this is necessary."
"There are too many risks to leave unaccounted. That boy is mentally unstable, and with his powers, he poses a threat to himself and others. One incident, one little trigger, and he could go on a killing spree-"
"But he hasn't."
"Not yet, but I've seen it too many times to leave open-ended. Itadori's case isn't like dealing with an unstable veteran. You can take the gun away from the latter. We can't do this with the former. It's like sitting on a timebomb waiting to go off...and with what Alistair told us, it led me to think-"
Ironwood marched ahead toward the Grand Hall, a massive structure at the center of campus, "He was made for an unknown purpose, with an unknown biology and powers almost identical to his. What if we're overthinking this?"
Ozpin stopped in his tracks, "What are you implying?"
The General paused, glancing over his shoulder, "What if he was made using Ryomen as a template?"
"I've already checked with my samples. Their DNA isn't a match."
"Yet, like you said. The body Ryomen was using wasn't his own. It was hijacked, much like how you change hosts and faces every time you die-"
He took a step toward the Headmaster, "Ryomen's host couldn't handle his power. You said that much yourself that the body was clearly dying during your encounter, and given how strong that boy is-"
They were mere feet apart, "What if he was made to be the new host? What if he's not the only one in that head of his?"
...
...
Ozpin's eyes widened, and just like that, Ironwood turned around and began to walk once more, "Sorry, that was a strange thing to say."
As the pair approached the massive building, they saw an unexpected yet familiar face standing near the entranceway, her red hair flowing in the breeze.
Pyrrha Nikos approached.
...
At the same time
A floor vent shook and rattled, eventually giving way as a tan hand tried to quietly move it aside before-
Penny happily shouted, "Allow me to do it for maximum efficiency!"
Sun screamed, "IS THAT A FUCKING LASER!?"
A green glow emanated from within, "Worry not! It's set to neutralize!"
The teen tried to scramble up to no avail, rapidly getting consumed by the ki blast, screaming as he shot out of the floor, bouncing off the ceiling before crashing down below.
Penny's orange locks breached the surface as she flew out, landing with a look of pride, "My tasks have been accomplished!"
The charred Faunus whimpered, unable to move, "What taaaasks?"
"Winter directed me to punish any troublemakers before sending me on my way. You broke multiple Mistrali laws by illegally traversing the underground."
She gave an innocent smile, "Be grateful I do not have the authorization to arrest you...yet."
Sun gasped for air, "Why does she keep saying 'yet?' More importantly-"
"WHY DON'T YOU DO IT TO THEM!?"
Penny watched as Blake, Ren, Nora, and Itadori made their way out of the tunnel, soon pointing a finger at the sorcerer, "Initially, it was due to my self-preservation protocols, seeing that I am unable to defeat him in combat. However, I recently overrode that directive entirely-"
The android put her hands behind her back, tilting her head with a smile, "I simply don't wish to hurt my friends."
Sun coughed up smoke, "Can...we be friends?"
"My contact list is full. Please contact Atlesian support if this error continues to occur."
"Mannnnn."
The Faunus slumped over, defeated.
Yuji walked up, dropping a hand on the shorter girl's head, "I'm glad you're comin' into your own, Pen, but I gotta ask, where's all that comin' from?"
The robot tilted her head, "Seeing your genetic logs in the Atlesian database provided credence to your previous claims of biology playing little role in the grand scheme of things. As the saying goes, 'If you can do it, so can I!"
"...Genetic what now?"
"Were you not aware? I apologize. I must not understand familial ties as well as I thought."
She blankly observed him as she stared up at his face, "Atlesian researchers put in a request to study your genetic makeup, and Professor Ozpin assisted in providing both data and samples."
Blake sputtered, soon walking toward her, "Gave them samples? Why would...why would they want that?"
"As I said, to study him, which has already garnered fascinating insights. For instance, did you know the toxicity of his blood nearly matches that of a box jellyfish sting?"
"One can only wonder what it would do to a living person."
Blake hissed, closing her eyes, "...We don't need to wonder. I saw what it did to him."
"You are referring to Adam Taurus, one of the main leaders of the White Fang, correct?"
"Former...former leader."
Penny blankly stared at her, her blank smile giving off nothing, "...They never did find his body, did they?"
Blake winced, turning away.
Yuji shook the android by her shoulder, "Penny, stop. Can't you tell you're upsetting her?"
The ginger looked at him perplexed, "I am only speaking to what I am allowed to discuss on this topic."
The catgirl's eyes widened, "Allowed? Why are they-"
She turned back, looking down at the green-eyed girl, "But...that happened right before he...why are they still adding censors about someone who died?"
Penny twiddled her thumbs, "There are multiple reasons. To prevent his legacy from inspiring would-be imitators, to stop hazardous information from reaching his networks, and most importantly-"
"Most importantly?"
"Data not found."
The metallic teen hummed, her components briefly glowing, "Strange, I did not notice until now, but my logs from that night seem to have been erased, and all attempts at retrieval from cloud storage have been denied. How curious."
...
...
Penny's green eyes widened, "I see another friend in the distance!"
The robotic girl took off in a sprint, and right as a group of figures rounded the corner, there was a scream, "SALUTATIONS!"
Ruby looked up at certain death, "Pen-OHMYGODIDONTWANNADIE!"
There was an explosion of dust, and Ruby and the robot disappeared, crashing through a wall.
From the cloud, a figure emerged, swiping a hand over her neatly brushed white hair as she stared down at Itadori in disdain, "I trust Penny has informed you of our arrangement?"
Yuji dumbly waved, "Hi, Winter. How's it hangin'?"
...
...
He swore smoke started coming off the operative's head.
The Atlesian deadpanned, "Would you like to try that introduction again?"
The vessel shrugged, "Nah."
"Do it again."
"Why? I just wanted to say 'Hi.'"
"You can stand to speak like a normal person."
It was then the operative remembered she was speaking to the least normal person she had ever met.
The Schnee squeezed between her eyes, "Forget I said anything...now, I'm vaguely certain Penny informed you of...some of what we're going to do while you're assigned under my watch."
Nora raised a hand, "Not really. She kinda just messed around."
"...That sounds like her."
If you squinted, it almost sounded like Winter said that with a tiny amount of pride, and it might've looked like she was smiling a bit-
Maybe.
Winter straightened herself out, "Regardless, as part of your curriculum, we'll begin with introductions-"
Yuji looked at her, then at himself, "Don't we already know each other?"
"The Atlesian manual on aspiring educators says to start by introducing oneself to their students. Therefore, we will follow it to the greatest ability. Have I made myself clear?"
"Wow."
"What do you mean, 'wow?'"
"I wondered who Penny gets it from."
"...Gets what from?"
Off to the side, there was a yawn, followed by a hand dropping on the operative's shoulder, "He's saying you're a sperg, ice queen. Just like little Miss Nuts and Bolts over there."
Winter cringed, swiping his hand off in a fit, "Eugh, don't touch me. I have no idea where you've been."
"You've got no clue how many chicks have said that to me."
...
...
He yawned, pulling out a flask to her annoyance.
Winter dully stared, "You do know that drinking in public is illegal here, correct?"
"And crushing my niece with a robot is too...probably, but you don't see me complaining about it."
Winter rolled her eyes, snapping a finger, "Penny, at my side."
The android shot out of the hole she made, the light revealing a crushed Ruby buried in the floor.
The Schnee leveled a stare at the former bandit, "Happy?"
Qrow smirked, "If you took a few swigs and got that stick out of your ass? Maybe."
"Don't curse in front of my sister. It's unseemly."
The veteran belched, making her cringe, soon waving over his shoulder, "Nah, she likes it. Ain't that right, kiddo?"
Weiss stood there, dead inside, "Can I switch instructors, please?"
"Hey, she said please!"
Qrow gave the specialist a shit-eating grin, "She's already better than you!"
Weiss plugged her nose, "Argh! You stink like bourbon and cigarettes!"
"That's the smell of shameful adulthood, kiddo. Get used to it."
Winter couldn't help but take a few steps back, trying to breathe in the other direction, "If you must know, little sister. Professor Ozpin was quite insistent we play to each team's strength. As such, your instructors were chosen based on your respective areas of weakness."
She pointed at Ruby, who was still struggling to breathe, an indifferent Blake, her angry little sister, and Yang, who was honestly just chilling, "Your team lacks any and all coordination, and given his tendency to speak without thinking, you'll be assigned to-"
"...Branwen."
Weiss glanced at the majority of PYRN, minus the P, "And they're lacking...what-"
Winter deadpanned, staring right at Yuji, "Discipline."
Nora put a hand over her chest, "Us? Undisciplined? Why I NEVER!"
Ren watched her in disbelief, "We literally ran from the cops like...not even a few hours ago-"
Winter glared at them, "We will be discussing that at some point, but for now-"
"That will have to wait."
*Click-click-click
They turned toward the entrance, following the sounds of a cane tapping against the cold floor.
Yuji's eyes widened as he took off running, ignoring Winter's orders to stop, soon skidding to a halt in front of Ozpin, "Heya, Gramps!"
The professor's face contorted into alarm before settling into its usual calm demeanor, "Hello, Yuji. I trust your trip went well?"
The vessel shrugged, "Yeah, it was alright, but how about you?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. I mean, flyin' is kinda dangerous for old timers like you. I just wanted to make sure you're alright and don't need a nap or something."
The Headmaster chuckled, "I appreciate the sentiment, but I'll have you know, I'm not that old, not yet, at least...but I must ask-"
"Are you alright?"
Itadori nodded, "'Bout as good as usual, why?"
It was then the sorcerer noticed Pyrrha and Ironwood lagging a bit behind the immortal.
He leaned to the side, waving at his partner, "Hey, Pyr. How come you didn't run from the cops with us?"
The redhead looked...off, like she was paler than normal, or maybe he was just seeing things?
Pyrrha's hands gripped the edge of her skirt, "...Sorry."
"What for?"
"I...couldn't...I couldn't risk losing my sponsorships, not with my family...you know-"
"Oh, it's cool."
Yuji gave a goofy smile, "I mean, I'm the one who started that fight; it's not on you to jump in."
The armored girl looked even more uncomfortable, walking past, mumbling a simple, "Yeah...thanks."
Yuji watched her go, confused but soon turned to the General, who seemed to be eying him a lot more than normal.
The vessel gave a mock salute, "Yo, how are ya, General?"
Ironwood watched him in silence for a few seconds, soon walking past, all but growling, "If you're going to salute, keep your upper arm parallel to the ground."
Itadori hummed, sensing the tension in the air, "Hey, Gramps. Is somethin' wrong?"
Ozpin smiled, "Why would anything be wrong, young man?"
"'Cause he was reachin' for his gun when I looked at him. The one he keeps in his jacket."
...
...
It was quiet for a second, but everyone's attention soon turned to them.
The Headmaster froze, "You must be mistaken. An old friend like him would never do such a thing-"
"Isn't that right, James?"
Ironwood took a breath and slowly lowered his hands, "No, you're right...it's like you said, Itadori, old men like us don't take flights well...tension runs high, and things get said. You'll have to forgive me, it's just-"
Yuji nodded, "Instinct?"
"Something like that, yes."
"No big deal, it's not like a gun can hurt me anyway."
Ironwood stared at him for a long while, an unspoken tension in the air, "I suppose that's right...you are quite the anomaly, aren't you?"
...
...
"Say, I've been meaning to ask you a question-"
Ozpin dulled, "James-"
Ironwood ignored him, taking a step closer to the vessel, "Speaking on that topic...may I ask...why haven't you awakened your aura?"
It was subtle, but-
Yuji winced, "No reason. I uh...I just don't have a reason to use one, I guess. It's not like anyone can hurt me, right?"
"Is that right?"
*Click-Click-Click
Ironwood approached, giving off a presence of authority as he towered over the sorcerer, "I've never been one to discard opportunity when it's presented to me, and I'd imagine many think the same way. Why waste your own potential? Why not use every tool at your disposal to achieve what must be done? That's what you want, isn't it? To protect those close to you?"
"It's a simple matter. With a simple chant and the right knowledge, you'll walk away with a new asset at your disposal to use as you see fit."
Yuji backed away, "I don't need it."
"And why's that?"
A trail of sweat trickled down Itadori's face, a vein bulging on his neck, "My soul, it's...it's just not a good idea for someone to mess with it, alright?"
Ironwood kept following him, "Biologically, you are abnormal, but a soul is a soul unless, of course, there's something you aren't telling us?"
The General raised his right hand, reaching out toward the vessel, "This will only take a second."
The shadow of a hand loomed over the vessel's face.
Yuji panted, his eyes narrowing into nothing more than gleaming yellow slits before-
*CRUNCH
Without warning, Yuji's left hand shot up, catching Ironwood by his wrist, and just like that-
*CRRRR-CRRRR
The General stopped in his tracks, unable to move, but the pressure-
He hissed, feeling sparks crackling off his unseen cybernetics hidden below layers of cloth.
Yuji Itadori may have been much smaller than him, but at that moment-
A mere teenager felt like an overwhelming presence.
The slits on the side of his face had opened, and those extra red eyes were looking right at the older man, their stare sending a cold sensation through his body, right down to his soul.
Yuji spoke, in an emotionless tone, "That would be a really bad idea."
...
...
It felt like the moment had dragged on for an eternity, as if any movement at all-
Would end in sudden death.
...
...
"Ozpin! Ironwood! My old friends! What can I do for you this fine evening?"
A figure came down an elegant, carpeted staircase, his tone a strange mixture of excitement and deep anxiety.
He was a middle-aged man, sporting a lion-like mane of a rough head of grey hair and a beard to match, wearing a flowing brown coat over a simple dress shirt and tie with dark brown pants and shoes to match.
The man stopped, observing the odd sight below, "I wouldn't be interrupting something, would I?"
Ironwood shook his head, pulling his hand free to no resistance, turning around to approach, attempting to raise his right, which soon proved fruitless-
That kid bent aura-reinforced steel with nothing more than a handshake?
What kind of monster-
Ironwood put on a statesman-like smile, reaching out his left to shake the man's hand, "Leonardo, it's truly been too long. I trust you've been cooped up in that study of yours?"
The timid man laughed, "Ahahaha, you know me too well. Afraid I've never been quite a people person, though, I gander that says quite a lot of the fool I am for accepting the role of Headmaster at an academy like this, hm?"
Ozpin approached, "Great men do rise to the occasion."
Leonardo shook his head, "Bah, I'm merely a space filler for someone greater than I to come. Ah, but where are my manners, all these guests, and you're forced to stand around. Come along, and I'll give you a tour of the facilities!"
Ozpin raised his mug, "While I do enjoy your storytelling, it'll have to wait. We need to finalize the forms to allow our Huntsmen in training to operate within Mistrali borders-"
He shared a look with Ironwood, one that spoke volumes of the mistrust they held this seemingly courteous man in-
"And, of course, we have some...personal matters to discuss as well."
The refined gentleman raised a brow but beckoned them up the stairs, "...By all means. For the sake of not boring our young friends to death, they have my permission to act within the kingdom."
Leonardo smiled, looking across their faces, "Let this old man handle the nitty gritty, my young friends-"
His gaze landed on the vessel, a visible tremor going over him as those red eyes seemed to look back of their own volition-
He mumbled, "It's you."
Ozpin tapped his cane on the ground, "Something wrong, old friend?"
Leonardo cleared his throat, adjusting his tie, "No-no...of course not...it's just that seeing so many young faces reminds me of how hectic my schedule has become as of late-"
The man quickly raised his scroll, tapping along the screen, "I had almost forgotten to inform my...my staff of your arrival."
Ironwood sighed, marching past the man, "All these years, and you're still as meek as ever."
Ozpin simply smiled, "At the risk of sounding a bit offensive, I've always found it charming, in a sort of ironic way."
Leonardo grumbled, waving him to head upstairs, "I'd appreciate it if you kept that quiet."
Soon, the leaders had disappeared, leaving them to their devices.
...
...
Ren watched them go, keeping his eyes on the Mistrali leader, "...He's giving off a lot of weird emotions."
Nora looked at him, "Like what?"
"A lot of fear and anxiety."
Yuji yawned, walking toward them, "Well, I kinda figured. The dude's hiding that he's a Faunus."
Qrow's eyes widened, "No shit? How can you tell?"
The vessel tapped his nose, "He smells like a cat."
Winter shuddered, releasing her hold on her weapon, instinctively holding it during the sorcerer's brief encounter with the General, realizing they were nowhere near each other for the sorcerer to pick up on that, "How far can you...-"
She visibly cringed, realizing the vessel's extra eyes were open, staring right at her, "Put those away."
Itadori tilted his head, "Put what away?"
"Your...additions."
Weiss stomped a foot, "Winter!"
The sorcerer seemed totally indifferent, raising a hand, dragging his fingers along his face, "I don't got any control over 'em. They just do that-"
Sun reappeared, still smoldering from Penny's final flash, "Tell me about it. When I was a kid, my tail broke so much shit. My mom had to start buying plastic cups."
Yang looked at him, "Who the hell are you?"
Ruby coughed from her crater, "S-swear!"
The monkey Faunus shrugged, "Just another blonde tryna make his way in the world."
"You a monkey?"
"Yeah, why? Got a problem?"
"No, it's just...that's sorta a Gibbon. Eh-eh?"
Everyone died a little inside, but Sun took it in stride, "Nice, but-."
"Did you learn your Ape-y Cs today?"
*DONK
A rock hit him in the head, followed by Ruby weakly standing in the broken hole in the wall, "Get out!"
The Faunus raised a hand, "Name's Sun. You don't gotta worry about why I'm here, but while I am, how 'bout I show you around school?"
Qrow leaned over him, "You know your way around?"
"I sleep in my dorm and ditch class every day, so...kinda?"
"Oh, I like you."
Winter sighed, "Let's just get this over with."
...
At the same time, deep below the surface
Watts pulled his suit into perfect posture, crossing his legs as he sat at his desk, staring at a series of messages strewn across his monitor, a content smile on his face, "As expected. You're right where I want you."
Cinder didn't bother to look, letting Emerald paint her nails a fine red as she watched, "Excellent work as always. You make me quite proud."
The green-haired girl happily smiled, "I do my best."
The half-maiden sighed, hearing the scientist across the room making noise like always, "What are you cackling about over there? It's getting on my nerves."
Watts stared at her with those unsettling green eyes of his, "You're more than welcome to wander the facilities if you're so inclined."
"Please. Every time I turn a corner in this hellscape of yours, I see one of your playthings. One even begged me to kill her."
This was the main reason Cinder stuck close to Watts at all. The things he did were twisted, even by her standards.
She'd seen more than enough mangled bodies with pulsating veins swimming with who knows what to last a lifetime.
Their whimpers got annoying after a while.
He hummed, "The one with patches of scales on her skin?"
"That's the one."
"You didn't kill her, did you?"
"Why does it matter?"
"If I can't ruin Adam Taurus, I'll shatter her instead. It's simple logic."
Emerald rolled her red eyes, "Sounds more petty than anything."
Cinder huffed, blowing air on her nails, "You have a grudge? Against that walking piece of steak?"
The scientist reached into his desk, pulling out an old military badge, "I used to work for the Atlesians, you know? I made and designed more than a few of the weapons they've come to rely on. What did years of service get me?"
He chuckled, "I may have pinched some lien off my yearly budget to construct a few...secluded facilities across Remnant...including the one we're residing in now, but it's their fault more than anything. The fools throw money at their military apparatus like it's candy. I'd be the simpleton for letting it go to waste in some-"
The inventor raised his fingers, "'Development Program' for the poor, bah!"
Watts huffed, "Children die to the Grimm every year, and no one bats an eye, but a few Faunus are born with extra limbs, and suddenly, Atlas is accused of committing crimes against Faunus kind, and that fool Taurus was the one who told my superiors."
Cinder crossed her arms over her chest, a disbelieving smirk on her face, "You expect me to buy that Taurus did anything besides kill? I can count the times I met him on one hand, and all I saw was a deranged moron with too much power for his own good."
"Who do you think gave it to him?"
Watts laughed, "That boy was a nobody working in the mines with dead parents. No one even noticed when I took him; they just thought he killed himself in some corner like the others, and from there, I brought him to Menagerie...back then, Atlas had a 'peacekeeping' program, so it was easy to justify a few...investments."
The scientist grimaced, "But I made the mistake of thinking he had learned to appreciate the gifts I had given him, and the next thing I knew, he was gone, and the brat was smart enough to go to the local government, who raised hell on the world stage."
Cinder leaned back in her seat, laughing, "Wait...that was you? Holy shit, I remember that! Even Atlas wanted your head!"
"That's the greatest joke of it all. The Atlesian government condoned my experiments so long as I kept them under wraps, but the moment I was caught, they played dumb and accused me of treason. The fools seemed to forget that I designed their security apparatus and had more backdoors than they could imagine."
Watts reached across his desk, grabbed a tiny piece of metal, and raised his eyes to reveal a tiny drone no larger than a fly, "Even now, there isn't a thing in this world I am not privy to."
...
...
Watts slapped his knees, his jovial smile returning, "Now then, I believe it's time to wait for your target to arrive, and on that note, I know exactly where she'll arrive."
He turned on a series of monitors, displaying a map of the tunnels beneath Mistral, focusing on an exit just near the outskirts of town, atop a mountain, "You'll find a campsite out here, and once you do, no matter how tempting, do not kill the person living there. Wait, and she will arrive."
The scientist stared at her intently, "Do you remember your roles?"
Cinder begrudgingly nodded, "It seems simple enough. I kill her and take what's rightfully mine."
"Do not underestimate her. Raven Branwen was and still is one of the most formidable people on Remnant, but she is not the same person she once was, and if my theories are correct, you will need to use what I provided."
"Yeah-yeah, Mercury has been training with that stupid thing all day. I don't really see the use of a weapon that short."
"You'll see soon enough."
Cinder huffed, kicking a foot out, slamming it to the ground as got up, marching out of the room, soon stopping at the doorway as she faced away, "You're not the kind of person who helps without gaining something for themselves...so what is it you want?"
"I have my reasons. You'll have to be satisfied with that."
"Tch...whatever, as long as I get what I want, I could care less."
...
Later, back at Haven, after wandering around for some time.
The campus was yet more cultural whiplash, with Yuji wondering who stole Japan out from under the Japanese, turned back time a few hundred years, added in tech from the future, threw it in a blender with the Chinese, and filled it with Europeans.
That was Mistral in a nutshell.
What could you make of that besides wonder if you were in some weird dream?
Sukuna's eyes stayed open during the entire thing, which was strange.
The King of Curses almost never took an interest in anything Itadori did, but for whatever reason, he had decided to observe things in closer detail this time, but why that is, Yuji couldn't say.
It's not like they ever spoke outside of how much they despise each other, but it doesn't take a genius to see those eyes moving around, studying various things in their surroundings.
He wanted to slug himself to make them shut, but then Weiss would get mad at him again so-
Not an option.
Eventually, the group had made their way to a series of outdoor sparring arenas, with Qrow all but dragging his underlings away to do what he called 'friendship exercises.'
From what Itadori could see, that involved him and a newly acquired Penny taking potshots at team RWBY with his shotgun and her lasers and telling them to dodge to varying degrees of intensity.
One was mean. The other wished them luck as she tried to vaporize them.
Winter stood front and center, her boots perfectly aligned with the white demarcation lines beneath her, hands clasped behind her back, looking across the members of PYRN plus Sun because he had nothing better to do-
The Atlesian cleared her throat, "While I have had the privilege of seeing each of your individual files, for the most part, we have not had the chance to speak, and if you are going to be working beneath me, I will need to know what it is I am working with."
The snow-colored woman's icy blue eyes gleamed over them, "I will assign you sparring partners, and you will battle one another until one of you is rendered unable to continue. I trust you are competent enough to not maim one another, but if you do, expect consequences."
Yuji bristled, realizing how ice-cold this lady was when she felt like it.
The Schnee raised a finger, "Pyrrha Nikos, your magnetic abilities pose a dangerous threat in our modern world, turning the tools we rely upon so dearly against your opponents with little warning. However, your rather meek nature will work against you if it causes even a moment of hesitation."
She looked toward a certain ginger, "Nora Valkyrie, where you hold nearly unmatched strength and a vapid mind capable of unpredictable decisions, you lack self-control. As such, you two will fight. Try and learn from one another, will you?"
Pyrrha only met her stare for a moment before giving an uncomfortable nod, followed by a bouncy Nora who seemed more excited than anything.
Winter dully observed the quietest teen in the vicinity by miles, "Lie Ren, while you are the most well-rounded of your associates, your refusal to express emotion has notably hampered your development, and I will therefore pit you against Sun Wukong and although I lack his information-"
The specialist cringed, seeing the monkey-Faunus sending selfies on chat-snap, "I believe he is your opposite...sadly."
Sun gawked, "Wait. I gotta fight in this?"
"You have nothing better to do with your time."
"I...Wha...man, why are all the chicks so mean today?"
Ren put a hand on his shoulder, "Would you rather they be mean or crazy?"
Sun gave a wide smile, "Give me the crazy!"
"You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Huh?"
Ren marched off, with no one capable of telling whether he was upset or not, with a confused Sun following behind, leaving only two.
Yuji yawned, putting his hands behind his head, "Well, I guess that's that then."
He turned, "Ima go find a bench to lay down o-"
*Bump-Bump
His head tilted to the side as a sharpened blade passed by his neck, with the vessel's yellow eyes meeting a pair of cold blue.
Winter spoke first, utterly unmoving, "When did I say you could leave?"
Yuji blankly stared back, "You don't wanna fight me, lady. You'll lose."
"Do you really think those thoughts matter in the grand scheme of things?"
Itadori stared at her for a long moment, "Lemme ask this a different way. What can you even do?"
The Schnee huffed, "You'll have to find out for yourself."
With that, her wrist bent, piercing the ground, sending a black glyph out around the vessel, with the surrounding air distorting before-
*WHIRRRRR
The ground gave way as invisible pressure slammed onto the sorcerer from above, making his knees bend just a bit as he stood there, observing the specialist as she realigned her stance, holding her blade to the side-
Winter's gaze was blank, "Gravity dust, an often ignored variety, has a unique effect on my glyphs, creating an environment with over three times the gravity of our planet. I've wished to speak with you for some time, but I knew you would be difficul-"
Yuji huffed as he interrupted her, "Only three?"
He raised a hand, clenching it as he felt the relentless pull toward the ground as the light around him seemed to shift and darken.
Itadori raised a leg and stepped forward, his foot sinking through solid pavement, then he raised the other, again and again, marching out as if it had no effect on him to speak of until they were face to face, leaving a trench in his wake.
He let out a breath, "No offense, but that was pretty weak. There's no point in this, so why don't we just stop?"
The operative raised her sword, observing their reflections along its surface, "Yuji Itadori, you are always so quick to defuse things, aren't you?"
A glyph appeared beneath the Schnee's feet, with a small clock arm ticking down, and in the blink of an eye, Winter was gone-
The wind whirled around him as she reappeared at his side, swinging at his exposed arm, only for the sorcerer to lean back and fall onto his palms, and as his hands hit the ground, her blade harmlessly glided over his chest before the soles of his feet impacted the back of her sword, but-
The glyph beneath them expanded and reversed, moving all too slowly as Winter stared down at him.
"All the power in the world, and you despise violence. It's a bit ironic, isn't it? Can you imagine the lengths most would go to achieve a fraction of what you can do at such a young age? I can only wonder what you'll do once you've grown."
The vessel hissed, and with a pulse of cursed energy, a giant slash shattered her glyph into colorful pieces, his reignited donkey kick sending the operative into the skies above as she gracefully flipped backward, landing in a crouch as she swiped a stray lock of hair aside.
Itadori stood upright, hands at his sides, "There's nothin' good about fighting...it's just an endless game of people born with too much power for their own good thinking they're the best and that it gives 'em the right to treat others worse."
Winter watched him intently, "And you aren't like that, I presume?"
"Who knows?"
"Do you truly think you're the only one burdened by the genetic lottery, as they call it?"
"Hm?"
Winter flipped her sword upright as dozens of glyphs appeared around them like a sphere, the billowing wind going through her white hair as her blue eyes gleamed, "I am a Schnee. I was born into a family that is incapable of anything but hate, with a semblance I reviled as if it were poison, but do you know what changed my perspective of things?"
A billowing squawk echoed out as dozens of nevermores emerged from the spirling snowflakes, their ethereal forms glowing beneath the sunlight as they circled around the pair.
Winter aimed her sword at the vessel, "I became an older sibling, and suddenly, my curse turned into something more...something I could use to protect my family and others too. I joined the Atlesian military not to flee from that manor but to prove that a Schnee is capable of good-"
"Under the right tutelage."
The nevermores screeched, diving toward the sorcerer, who raised his fingers-
And snapped-
*SCHWICK
All at once, a single line crossed through the center of each summon, shattering them like glass.
Itadori stood beneath the falling fragments as she approached, "I've noticed something about you, that whenever you use that ability, that 'Shrine,' as you call it...you become ruthless and efficient, taking no unnecessary steps to ensure a job is done, not out of a desire to help others like you often claim. No-"
"I believe you do that out of hatred for what you've been given."
Itadori furrowed his brow, "It wasn't given to me. Don't act like this is some gift when you have no idea what it took to get it."
How many people had to die for that technique to burn into his body?
How many friends had he lost?
How many could he have saved if he had awakened it just a bit sooner?
Winter nodded, "Yet, you still have it... I understand better than most what it's like to live with familial burdens. Our father is a bastard, and it makes people assume the worst of me when we haven't met. Weiss and Whitely endure the same treatment, and there are ways of managing this, but the way you do it is simply not sustainable."
She raised her sword, "I won't coddle you like Professor Ozpin. I'll explain it to you bluntly. You blame yourself for things outside of your control and behave in a way that you think is right out of some vindictive spite for those who are long gone. It goes against your nature as a living person. You cannot expect perfection from anyone, let alone yourself."
Itadori shook his head, "...He's not gone."
"Pardon?"
"No...what I mean is-"
The vessel clenched a fist at his own mistake, "There's a cycle to these things like life is just a big moving wheel powered by cogs. The parts change, the direction it spins does too, even how fast it moves, but-"
"It never stops spinning. Every person has a role to play, and the most you can do is get things moving in your favor and stop the other side from getting a thing...but it's all temporary, depending on whoever's alive and fighting, and right now-"
"It's my turn to keep things in check."
His yellow eyes spiraled even more, "If I don't take responsibility, then people die. Someone needs to carry that burden, and it's my turn to endure it."
Winter circled him as he did the same, "And when does this crusade of yours end? People have limits, and you can only push so hard before they give way. What then?"
"I'm not stoppin' until someone puts me down, even if I hate every second of it. Even if it's all meaningless on the larger scale of things, and I find out I wasted my life on some pointless task. I won't stop because despite all of that-"
Images of Sukuna and his mother flickered in Itadori's mind, "I hate them more."
Winter hissed, "You can't let your hatred for another person dictate how you live your life. You're already stronger than I am, but I can tell you you hold your own potential down because of your own insecurities. That day-"
The day the attack happened.
The specialist growled, "You showed us a fraction of what you can really do with the right motivation. Your abilities are versatile, yet you use them rigidly like some delicate machine you're afraid of breaking-"
"That machine or...cog, as you like to call yourself, is your own psyche."
The vessel raised a brow, "Who told you that?"
Winter charged in, swinging her sword from below, crashing against his elongated nails as sparks rang out, their eyes locking, "My sister is worried about you. We talk."
"She doesn't need to."
"But she does, and if anyone makes my little sister upset, you'll have to forgive me if I take offense."
Yuji pushed out with his right, and that nudge sent her careening back as the soles of her feet dug into the ground, "Then let's stop and talk it out."
Winter rushed in, a time glyph appearing beneath her as she took off running, leaping over the sorcerer's head as dozens more appeared around them, with jagged icy projectiles moving out, firing with explosive force.
Itadori casually moved, leaning back and forth as jagged blades missed him by inches, leaping backward, taking small jumps as the projectiles chased after him, tearing across the ground as he blankly stared at them, "There's no point in this. Let's just stop."
Winter landed on a floating platform above, raising her sword as a billowing roar echoed out, with dozens of small Ursa tearing their way out of portals across the ground. All the while, she shouted, "We can stop when you show me something different!"
The false Grimm charged, and Itadori stood there.
He raised a leg, pulling it back before-
*CRACK
False bone gave way as one of the summons's neck audibly snapped, careening across campus, shattering an entire section of wall along a building before dissipating.
Yuji blurred into motion, unaware of the time and speed glyphs appearing overhead.
He jumped, slamming his feet into another's back, and as he sank to the ground, another lunged for his face, its fangs outstretched, only for him to lean back, allowing it to float by over-
His eyes widened as a white blur flickered across the sky-
Winter had sped herself to speeds nearly incomprehensible to the human eye before another glyph appeared in the center of her formation.
The Schnee launched herself at terminal velocity, audibly cracking the sound barrier as a sonic boom shattered nearby windows, reaching the vessel in less than a second, her sword blitzing toward his exposed neck-
It was a moment of sheer instinct-
Itadori knew, even with an aura, the operative would turn to paste, hitting the ground that fast. Was that her plan? Force him into a situation where he can't do anything but something new!?
He needed to stop her fall, but-
His hands shot out, slamming into Winter's sides-
Followed by an audible, metallic crunch.
Time seemed to freeze as the Schnee stared down at him in shock as bits of her sword clattered to the ground.
Yuji's expression dropped, "W-wha-"
"W-wha-"
His eyes widened, realizing he heard himself say the same thing twice.
The vessel stared at his reflection along what remained of Winter's blade-
Seeing another mouth on his neck that had bitten straight through the metal.
Just like what had happened in-
Yuji hissed, all but pushing her off of him, storming off, "We're done here."
...
That night
A fire burned as a group of figures kneeled before a pathway leading up to an open altar.
Vernal held out her arms, presenting her leader with her sword, still held within its holster.
Raven took the weapon, attaching it to her hip with a swift motion, her sole red eye staring down at her follower, "I trust you can keep things in line while I'm gone?"
Vernal lowered her head more, "You won't hear so much as a sound from us."
"Good. I'd expect nothing less."
The chieftain stood, gazing over the crowd of her assembled tribesmen, "As you know, things have been all too quiet for us as of late, and for that, the fault lies with no one but myself."
She raised a hand over her missing eye, "Stagnation is a disease that rots the soul, and while I never allowed it to consume me, I fell into the pitfalls of believing there was nothing more the world could show me, and for that...I was punished-"
She smiled, pulling her hand away, raising it high, "But through trial and tribulation-"
Her fist ignited in a burning haze of sickly blue energy, "We can achieve more than ever thought possible. A road has been opened, and we will follow that path alone-"
The leader looked to the stars above as smoke rose around her, "It took some time to adapt after losing my semblance, but what I've gained-"
She allowed herself a sadistic smile, "Is more than enough...now-"
"Which of you wishes to volunteer?"
There was silence, but a man soon stood, "If it is for the cause, I will do it."
Raven stared at his face, recognizing him as one of the oldest members of her tribe, one who served with her father...one she cared for-
If the Branwen had learned anything over the course of her life, every action is a trade-off, and every decision that ends in gain also comes with some form of loss.
If you were to gain something immense, you would need to give up something of equal value.
Even if it's an arrangement you made with yourself.
Raven nodded, marching toward the man, reaching out a hand to his chest, and as she stared into his gaze, she waited for that pang of guilt before-
*SCHWICK
Her sword cleaved his head off without warning, and the body slumped over, dead, with blood pooling around the corpse.
For a few moments, there was silence.
Raven did not address her people, only looking off into the distance as though she were observing something that was otherwise unseen.
"This won't take long."
*CRRRRR
There was a sudden pressure as if the air itself had gotten heavy before-
*FWIP
The bandit disappeared entirely with no portal to speak of, seemingly vanishing into nothing.
...
In the cliffs above Mistral
A lone figure sat at a campfire, and her hood pulled down as a woman with drooping dog ears tended to a meal cooking over the flames.
The night was silent as it always was.
She stirred the broth once mor-
*FWIP
The world around her grew heavy as the young woman suddenly slammed into the ground without warning, sending her meal tumbling to the grass as she plummeted with it.
Just as soon as it arrived, it was gone, followed by an authoritative voice, "My apologies."
She looked up, her brown eyes widening as she prostrated herself, "Mistress Branwen! I'm sorry for the mess. If I had known you were coming, I'd have prepared! It's-"
She gave a dog-like smile, "It's so good to see you again."
Raven gave a curt smile in return, dropping a hand on the girl's head, "I'll have our people send some of the good stuff your way as compensation. Don't allow yourself to be spoiled, hm?"
The young woman's eyes lit up as she clasped her hands together, "Any gift from you would be-"
Off in the wilderness, there was a small spark in the treeline, followed by many others before-
*BWOOOSH
Raven leaped back as her follower was engulfed in vibrant flames, screaming in agony as she thrashed on the ground, her skin melting down to the bone, releasing darkened ash into the nighttime air as she died within moments.
Raven hardly reacted to the death. Instead, she drew her sword, its red glare illuminating her surroundings, "Show yourself."
There was a crunch of leaves and twigs as a figure approached slowly and methodically.
With the flick of a wrist, the burning campfire and corpse were snuffed out, and the only source of light was the broken moon and the Branwen's blade, until-
*FLICK
A blaze ignited in a pale hand, a pair of yellow eyes staring out from the darkness as a dark-haired woman approached, crushing the body's skull without a second glance, sending bone dust everywhere.
As the ashes rose-
Cinder smiled, "Hello...friend."
...
Anywho, that's about all for now.
I'd enjoy the relative calm. You won't have it for a while.
Take it easy, and I'll see you all next time; cheers.
Discord:
/4edf44FSSn