Firstly, thank you again, everyone, for the continued support! It means so much to me!
Secondly, we're over 40k words. 40k words! I've never gotten this far, HAHAHAAAA!
*ehm* Sorry bout that, hehe.
Now, time to respond to your reviews!
Review Responses have been moved to the end of the chapter.
Oh, and another thing. Do you guys enjoy line breaks more, or maybe stuff like
0_X_0,
O – O – O – O – O – O – O,
Stuff like that? And is the centred A/N a bother?
Personally, while editing, I usually just centre XXXXX as a scene break, but that's just me. Tell me whatchu think, I guess. I'm kinda on the fence myself.
Special thanks to Skeletalrepublic for the chapter title!
Anyways, enjoy!
LQ-84i lunged at Raiden, face still expressionless. He detached his HF Chainsaw and swung it at his opponent. The ninja blocked it with his HF Sword, their weapons meeting with a clang. Raiden dashed in, electricity crackling from underneath his heels. He swung his HF Sword in an upwards arc, cutting across LQ-84i's chest. The wolf faunus staggered back from the blow.
LQ-84i threw several knives at Raiden. The ninja ducked low, the knives flying past where his chest had been. Raiden rolled forwards, closing the distance again. He swung again at LQ-84i. This time, the wolf faunus blocked it with his HF Chainsaw. Raiden grit his teeth and swung again. LQ-84i blocked again. The faunus redeployed his knives and used it to swipe at Raiden, who tilted his body just as the attack missed him.
LQ-84i didn't let up. He continued swinging faster and faster. The natural way swiping his knives like claws came to LQ-84i, both as a faunus and as a result of the Patriot's modifications, allowed him to eventually catch Raiden, swiping across the ninja's chest. Red blood slightly spurted from the shallow wound. Raiden yelled and swung his HF Sword down, however LQ-84i easily dodged to the left as his opponent's sword hit the ground and cracked the asphalt.
Raiden pulled his sword from the ground and held it tight. He saw LQ-84i's body beginning to glow, clearly from HF vibrations. The wolf faunus tensed his feet and lowered his stance. In a flash, he began moving around Raiden. As he circled Raiden, he spoke the words "Evade my blows."
Raiden kept careful track of his opponent. His eyes followed him carefully, until…
"Behind you, tovarich!"
Raiden turned around as LQ-84i lunged at him on all four limbs, HF Chainsaw and knives pointing straight at him. Raiden tensed his feet and skilfully blocked. He could feel his heels dig into the asphalt as LQ-84i recoiled in the air from his block. Seizing his chance, Raiden dashed forward and appeared in front of the wolf faunus. LQ-84i was unable to react and was forced to take the attack full force. LQ-84i stumbled back and Raiden continued slashing. The wolf faunus groaned in pain as Raiden's barrage continued. Finally, Raiden ended his combo with a kick using his heel-attached sword, sending LQ-84i flying away.
LQ-84i flew back from the kick and rolled on the ground. He quickly lifted himself off and deployed his railgun. Its auto-aim protocols took control and fired at Raiden. The ninja sidestepped the blow…right into a swinging unattached HF Chainsaw. Raiden noticed it too late and took the blow head-on, followed by a wide swing and lastly an overhead slash. Raiden cried out in pain as the HF Chainsaw sliced him up even more. LQ-84i reattached his HF Chainsaw. "Combination complete."
Raiden stepped back and focused himself. With a yell, he rushed at LQ-84i. Raiden attached his sword to his heel and kicked. LQ-84i tried to block, however Raiden's more powerful slash broke through. LQ-84i's HF Chainsaw flew to the side, leaving his chest open. Raiden back-kicked with his foot, scoring another powerful blow at his opponent. He followed up with a flying triple kick.
Raiden continued his attacks, kicking his sword in a flurry of blows. LQ-84i was unable to defend, Raiden's stronger-than-before blows giving him no openings. The ninja's HF Sword cut and chipped away at the wolf faunus' latest-edition-armour. Eventually, a clean gap was formed in LQ-84i's armour. Raiden finished his attack with a slash across LQ-84i's chest. White blood poured from his wound.
Raiden took note of this. 'White blood...he really wasn't lying when he said he was modified under Patriot supervision. When cyborg technology was mass-produced, all of them were already using red artificial blood.' He gripped his sword tighter. '…If I take him down without killing him, we could probably find out more about Desperado's weapons capabilities.' Raiden nodded to himself. 'Right. Let's do this.'
Raiden ran and jumped at LQ-84i. He gripped his sword with his foot and slammed the blade down. LQ-84i jumped back, avoiding the blow. LQ-84i lunged forward, Raiden grit his teeth and lifted his feet quickly, just as he planned. His sword cut LQ-84i deeper, white blood sprouting even more. LQ-84i stepped back, showing a shocked emotion on his face. Raiden quickly got up and moved. He rushed and grabbed his opponent by the shoulder. Then, he gripped his HF Sword hard and plunged his sword deep into the armour gap. His sword pierced the wolf faunus true, its tip visible through his gut. LQ-84i gasped in pain and fell as Raiden pulled his sword away. He didn't get up.
Raiden sighed and flicked his sword away from the blood. He opened his CODEC and contacted his support team. "Raiden here. LQ-84i's down. I think we could use any info he's got, for intel purposes. So, can you guys-"
"We are already on it, my friend." Boris responded. "A team of ours have just landed a few moments ago. We'll send them to retrieve him."
"You really think he's gonna hold out?" Kevin asked Raiden. "I mean, you messed him up pretty bad, man."
"I know from-" Raiden shuddered. "experience…that he can survive those wounds. White blood's not as effective in carrying energy, but it's far more sustainable. If the team can get here in around an hour, he should still hold out."
"They'll get there." Courtney assured him. "The path you cleared before was pretty thorough. But Raiden, about the Patriots, his modification..."
Raiden grunted. "What about it?"
"Well, we managed to look over some declassified DARPA files." Answered Kevin. "And here it looks like he was pulled in a year after your…" Kevin moved his arms. "You know. Which means…"
"He's me if I never broke free." Raiden finished. "I remember. You know, the Patriots modified my memories too. Usually ones that subtly influenced the decisions I make so it'll suit their benefits. I only got my real ones back after the Big Shell Incident." Raiden looked at LQ-84i once more. "Judging from him, though… I wonder how much he really knows about himself…"
"I will do my best to update him once he gets on my table." Doktor responded. "While I do not know if I could restore memories, the least I can do is try to update his physical features."
"Thanks for that, Dok. He'll be useful, I hope." Raiden confirmed. "I'll be heading deeper now. Keep me updated on the details."
With a chorus of agreements from his teammates, Raiden logged off his CODEC and left the area. He ventured deeper into Neo-Abkhazia, ready to take on what's next.
I am a loyal soldier! I will not abandon my comrades, wherever they may have come from!
Sir, as a reward for your service, saving a U.S soldier, alone, DARPA has offered you a one-time opportunity. We know you're from Europe, so getting this through was hard enough. Will you take it?
We'll start with some small tests, okay?
The Patriots? Who are they?
You are our experiment. You shall stay loyal to us, to me, or face the consequences.
Oho, un loup? C'est intéressant...
You will stay loyal to me, loup.
Don't let them push you around, Wolfy. Find your own loyalty.
Six Days Later…
Armstrong walked the halls of the Mexican lab along with Sundowner. The two of them were being guided along by the head of the Mexico Lab, Dr. Pinto.
"I'm sorry, but we simply do not have enough specimens to meet your requests today." Dr. Pinto said. "The process of acquiring the brains of children is simply-"
"Then send us what you do have!" Sundowner growled. They saw soldiers switching their duties right in front of them, yet Sundowner didn't pay them any attention. "We've already commenced VR Training."
Dr. Pinto hummed. "The Sears Program?"
"Yup," Sundowner responded, popping the p. "Same one ol' Georgy-boy used on the kids back in Neo-Liberia. But now, we're using the scenarios in VR! Lots easier to manage than in real life."
Dr. Pinto clapped his hands. "Your work is astonishing!"
"And your work is late!" Sundowner growled again. "We need to ship 'fore our cover is blown! We've got some assholes snooping around… We don't wanna be here when people start comin' in."
"L-like I said, we just do not have the full quantity yet! Each brain has its own unique requirements – It's not like we can just pop them out and-."
"All right, you've made your point." Armstrong conceded. He stood firm as ever, not reacting as the doctor approached him.
"Oh, thank you, thank you for understan-!"
"Send what you have now, and destroy any pending inventory." Armstrong interrupted. He ignored the doctor's surprised gasp. "Don't act surprised. Last I checked, vagrant children weren't exactly rare in this part of the U.C. You can get more once we set up a new lab, fees included." He didn't miss Dr. Pinto's sly grin at that. "These kids live in hunger and pain. We're doing them a service here, for them and the cities they burden. As for our current payment, we'll forward it once we get back to our soil. "
Dr. Pinto nodded eagerly. "I will dispose of our inventory once we can confirm that."
"Good." Armstrong confirmed. "In the meantime, we'll send one of our own to oversee you." The senator and his Desperado employee walked away, turning a corner and hearing a door close behind them.
Armstrong turned to Sundowner once they were safely away. "Get in touch with Jaune. He needs to be here ASAP."
Sundowner chuckled. "Really? Kid's not gonna like it, boss. The doctor won't either."
"Yeah. Just make this part of the current contract." Armstrong smirked. "It's not like the good doctor can deny us anyways. Jaune will serve as Pinto's guard should something interrupt the disposal process."
Armstrong looked away once his message was clear. "Let's move. I've got a full slate today. Tecumseh's no easy task, and America's suffered long enough."
The Next Day...
Jaune strolled the sewers near the Mexican lab. As instructed by the old man, he was here to do some guard duty. He rolled his eyes at that. 'As if I'm just a normal guard. But...' Jaune smirked. 'At least he came. Now, it'll at least be interesting…'
Jaune was referring to the fact that the 'snoopers' as Sundowner put it had hired Maverick to take them down. Ah, and he could remember the surprise he felt when he heard that Raiden had returned, then took down LQ-84i and Mistral in their respective last missions for Desperado no less.
'Seems to me that you've got more bite than bark, Raiden.' Jaune thought idly as he continued to walk. 'Heh. But I'll see how good that is… or if it's all just bluster.'
With that thought over, Jaune re-checked his Soliton Radar. 'Control told me to capture the runaway kid. George, was it? According to the Soliton Radar, he should be right…'
Jaune turned a corner and saw a small child surrounded by four black-suited guards. They turned towards him and tensed, drawing their HF Machetes.
'Here.'
Jaune grinned and drew his sword, HF Murasama. With a smile, Jaune lunged and engaged his opponents. He delivered a powerful strike to the first guard, who tried to block it. Big mistake. Jaune broke through the guard. With his enemy wide open, Jaune thrust HF Murasama at the first guard, killing him. He quickly pulled his sword out and parried a leaping strike from behind him, done by the second guard. Jaune ducked low and dodged a swing from the third guard. With a single circular swipe, he took out both of them. Sheathing HF Murasama, he focused his speed and eliminated the fourth and final guard before he could react.
Jaune flicked his blade, cleaning it of blood. He turned to the kid, who was cowering silently behind a wall. "George, right?" Jaune asked. He gripped the boy's arm before he could run or say anything. "Come on. You're coming with me."
Jaune dragged George inside the laboratory facility. They walked through a shortcut that few people knew, skipping many of the earlier parts of the facility. Jaune had the distinct feeling that had they went through the usual route, then they'd encounter Raiden. On that thought, he heard faint, yet noticeable sounds of battle.
Yep, that was probably Raiden, a few sections back. Man, that guy worked fast.
As Jaune's path merged back with the main halls, he came across a sight he didn't expect to see. He smiled at the person he saw.
"Hey there, Wolfy." Jaune greeted. "Good to see you survived. Not that I thought you died, that is."
"Jaune." Bladewolf said neutrally. He kept his voice even. "…It is nice to see you as well."
"Ah, and I see you've got some upgrades!" Jaune said as he looked up and down Bladewolf. "New armour, sleeker design, higher-quality white blood, damn they really did you good." Then, Jaune's face turned serious. "I take it you're with Maverick now?"
"Yes."
"Hmm." Jaune could feel George start squirming as he stood still and conversed with Bladewolf. Kid's got guts, trying to break free and cursing him all the while. However, Jaune paid the boy no attention. "And…are you going to fight me?"
At that, Bladewolf didn't respond. His eyes turned lost. His posture became unsure.
"I see." Jaune said neutrally. He turned around, to head deeper into the lab. "Then I'll see you later, Wolfy."
Jaune ran away, dragging George with him. Meanwhile, Bladewolf could only stare at the ground, unable to follow Jaune one bit.
Unable or unwilling?
Raiden and Maverick had helped him. They made great efforts to break him free from the grasp of Desperado, of World Marshall (not that they knew of the last one). They gave him various upgradeshe never thought he'd get. And they were all so kind to him, reassuring him that even if he didn't want to fight anymore, they'd try their best to find a place for him.
As such, Bladewolf felt that it was right to pay them back, even if for only a short while. He never asked for any of their help, and yet they gave it anyway. From that, something spurred inside of him. A strong feeling of support and allegiance.
He didn't feel any attachment to the normal soldiers at Desperado. They were never kind to him. At best, they'd give him a passing thought. At worst, they'd treat him as nothing but an outdated freak. But Jaune… he wasn't like the others. He gave him a hand, encouraged him to find his own loyalty. He showed him kindness, some of which were very similar to the kindness Maverick showed. And now, after Jaune gave him kindness, it had backfired at the blond, Bladewolf now on the side opposing his.
Or had it backfired on Bladewolf? Did seeking true loyalty mean to betray another person, and, dare he say it, a close friend? Was that what loyalty boiled down to? Blind devotion to a cause?
Is that what Jaune wanted him to find?
Right now, he worked as a scout for Maverick. But for whatever reason, he couldn't find it in himself to warn Raiden that Jaune was here. Maybe it was because he didn't know who would most likely win should they come to blows.
And he didn't know who to support when that time comes either.
Jaune opened the door that lead to the Head Scientist's room and greeted Dr. Pinto. "Hey there, Dr. Pint-dick."
"Pinto."
"Pint-dick." Jaune stressed. The blond leaned against a wall. "How's the brain extraction going? Old man wants an update." He didn't. Jaune was just looking to start up a conversation.
"It is going well." Dr. Pinto spoke through gritted teeth. He filed some papers, gripping them tighter than needs to be. Documentation required to keep for the projects. "We have successfully transferred 50 percent of the available inventory to storage for transportation."
Jaune hummed. "That sounds good. On another note, we've been breached."
Dr. Pinto dropped his papers. "WHAT?!"
"Yeah, looks like you're gonna have to step up your game." Jaune said. "Some of the guards have already been dispatched to the sewers, but they've blown through them all. They're coming closer as we speak. It's only a matter of time before they find your little projects. Heh, they might find it already."
Dr. Pinto growled. "Mierda!" He looked at Jaune with worry and anger in his eyes. "Then what are you standing around here for?! After them!"
"Uhh, I dunno…" Jaune rubbed his chin. "Two intruders are too much, y'know?" Jaune's eyes flicked to a tablet pocketed in Dr. Pinto's pants. "I might need Aura…"
Dr. Pinto's eyes narrowed. "You…" he growled. Then, the doctor recomposed himself. "No. I refuse."
Jaune's smirked gained a dangerous edge as he looked the doctor straight in the eye. "And if I choose to ignore that?"
"You won't. Mr. Armstrong won't stand for it."
"Eh," Jaune shrugged. He immediately relaxed. "I guess you've got a point." He lifted himself off. "Well, guess cause you're so important, then I'll have to guard you then." He idly thumbed HF Murasama. "Can't let our precious VIP get in danger, after all."
"Yes…" Dr. Pinto smiled nervously. A bead of sweat trailed down his forehead. "And the child? Have you found him?"
Jaune tilted his head to the door. "He's outside. I told him not to run. He probably won't." Which was logical considering the kid just witnessed four people murdered in cold blood. And besides, he was way too deep in the facility. Guards were also on high alert. There's a slim chance that he'd find the courage, and an even slimmer chance of him actually using that courage.
"Alright." Dr. Pinto sighed out. "Now, just stand outside and prevent anyone from coming inside." He started filing his papers again, this time with more haste. "After that, we'll take a trip to the containment chambers. And I'll be taking the child with me."
"Fucki-Kevin out!"
Raiden heard his CODEC cut off. Earlier, he and the team had discovered the details behind this laboratory by hacking the visual recordings of guards. Specifically, they accessed the previous day's recordings. It was brief, yet it was enough for them to deduce that the facility was harvesting child brains. Child brains! Then, they're to train them and send to wars far away. If that wasn't enough, the children whose brains and organs weren't harvested yet were to be disposed of. Killed!
Raiden growled in rage. He opened the door in front of him, one last room before the containment chambers. It was then that his CODEC rang once again.
"Look to your left, Raiden." Doktor said as Raiden stepped into the room. "That is an artificial-blood cryopreserver. It looks like they have begun preparatory freezing."
"What do you mean, Dok?"
"That device is filled with synthetic blood plasma." Doktor explained, "It can slow the metabolism of a harvested organ, circulating the plasma to maintain oxygen levels. You can preserve an arm, a brain - almost any body part, really - for several hours!"
"But what are they freezing for?" Raiden asked. "And why?" though Raiden had a distinct feeling that he won't like the answer.
And it seems, neither did Doktor. "I could not say…perhaps they plan to sell of the organs of the children they were told to, ahem, dispose of."
Raiden clenched his fist hard. His voice gained a low growl. "Unbelievable."
"You had best hurry, Raiden."
"Right." And with that, Raiden turned the CODEC back off. Quickly, he ran towards the final door and opened it. As the door slid open, Raiden stepped into the room and saw a glass wall right in front of him. Behind the wall, several children sat in various positions, all looking confused and afraid. He quickly approached the wall and pressed a hand on it. "What…"
Suddenly, an alarm blared in the room. A gas-like chemical substance began pouring out from the vents. The kids noticeably reacted to the gas almost immediately. They swooned, their eyelids slowly drooping. Some of them coughed in their hands. Raiden panicked as he saw all of this happening. "Shit!" He desperately looked around from his spot. Maybe a switch, or a lever, or-!
"Hey stop right there!" A voice called out. Raiden turned to a door in his left, and in stepped Dr. Pietro, holding a gun to a child's head. That child being – "George!"
"Raiden…" George weakly gasped.
The doctor stood straight, a smug smile etched on his face. Curiously, the door didn't close behind him. "You've heard of chloroform?" Dr. Pinto began, "A potent anaesthetic in smaller doses, but breathe too much of it..." His eyes flickered to the kids behind Raiden. "And adios, muchachos!"
As he said that, more kids started dropping to the ground. Their breaths were now shallow, their bodies barely moving.
Noticing this, Raiden gripped his sword and prepared to break the glass. He was milliseconds from smashing the glass when the doctor interrupted him.
"Break that glass, and I'll blow the child's brain out!" Dr. Pinto yelled.
Reluctantly, Raiden relaxed his grip. He lowered his sword slowly. Yet, he held it in his hands still.
"Surrender!" Dr. Pinto cried. "Or decide: The needs of the many, or the needs of the few?!"
It was then that George decided to speak. He looked Raiden dead in the eye. 'Raiden… don't worry 'bout me, nah?"
Dr. Pinto growled and pushed the gun harder against George's head. "Quiet pendejo!" the doctor smirked. "Surrender. I won't ask again!"
Raiden could feel something overtake him. The feeling was cold, and he could feel something change inside of him. Everything became clearer yet muter at the same time. He felt weightless, his body more natural than it had ever been before. His vision swam between different colours. He struggled to maintain his tone of voice. "George." Raiden bit out. "Are you sure…"
"I'm ready." George gasped. Then, his voice gained noticeable courage. "Just do it! Dis skunt-."
"¡cállate!" Dr. Pinto looked even more worried as George started trashing about. The doctor started looking behind him, to the door that didn't close when he walked in. He looked worriedly, whose entire posture now stood firm.
"That's all I needed to hear…" Raiden gripped his sword tight and began walking towards the doctor. The feeling from before was now stronger than ever.
Dr. Pinto panicked, his stance becoming unsure. His voice gained a higher note as George started trashing even more. "Stop it, now!" He pressed the gun closer. "I'll kill him!"
Then, George's courage solidified. He quickly took hold of Dr. Pinto's gun and lowered it, bringing the doctor's entire frame forward. The child screamed at Raiden. "Now!"
Raiden could see it clearly. He quickly plotted his sword's arc. It'll cut the doctor in half…but George will lose his right arm and shoulder. He felt time was moving in slow motion as he lifted his sword and brought it down. 'George… I'm sorry.'
Then, something unexpected happened. His sword stopped mid-swing, parried by a glowing yellow blade. Raiden recoiled back from the unexpected parry. He regained his footing and growled as he saw the man in front of him.
There, standing between him and the child being held by the doctor, was Jaune. The blond gripped his yellow blade with his right arm, smirk on his face. Jaune idly twirled his yellow sword, one that Raiden hadn't seen before. He continued looking at Raiden with taunting eyes.
"Ah, Jaune." Dr. Pinto relaxed as George lost his courage. The boy deflated, looking defeated. "Now, if you could please take care-"
Jaune moved. Without any warning, he stopped twirling his sword and gripped it tight. Then, he yelled and threw it at the glass wall holding the kids. The glass broke with little resistance, the sword impaled on a wall far from any kids' heads.
"What have you done?" Dr. Pinto cried out. Jaune didn't answer. Instead, in one motion, he turned around, grabbed George with his right arm and pried him roughly away from Dr. Pinto. In that same movement, Jaune's left hand drew HF Murasama and thrust it right at the doctor's chest. The doctor could only weakly grab something from his pocket and put it over his chest to stop the blade.
It didn't work.
Jaune's blade pierced through the item the doctor held and straight through his chest. Dr. Pinto could only gasp weakly in surprise. Then, Jaune pulled HF Murasama away. He cleaned it of blood and sheathed it. Jaune drew a deep breath and his shoulders relaxed.
Raiden could only stare in surprise at what had happened. 'W-what?!' He felt his senses return, his vision going back to normal. The unnaturalness of his cyborg body came back, the warmth of the world touching what little skin he had left. 'He turned on him…'
Jaune tilted his head slightly, just enough to see Raiden from the corner of his eyes behind him. He opened his palms towards Raiden. Raiden flinched, prepared to attack, but was surprised when the yellow blade from before flew past him and into Jaune's arm. He sheathed it with no issue. "You should get those kids checked out." The blond finally said.
With echoing steps, Jaune left the room. He didn't say anything else.
Raiden shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He hurriedly ran to George and checked over him. Raiden knelt and looked at George dead in the eye. 'Are you all right, George?"
George slowly nodded his head. His voice returned to him not long after. "Yeah. Mi body is better now." The boy turned his head to Dr. Pinto. He shivered from the sight. "Hee... is dat skunt.."
Raiden turned his head to look at the doctor's corpse. He stood and walked over to it. He didn't see Dr. Pinto's chest rise or fall. He couldn't pick up any life signs from the man either. 'Yeah. He's dead.'
However, he noted the tablet that the doctor held. Earlier, it was pierced by Jaune with HF Murasama. Yet the doctor seemed to hold high value to the tablet. Did he mean to make Jaune 'lose' by destroying it as he died?
Slowly, Raiden picked up the tablet from the man. He turned it over and inspected it. "Maybe we can make use of this…"
Raiden's right hand went to his right ear. "Boris, Raiden here. The kids have been secured. Get the follow-up team moving." Then, he switched contacts to Doktor. "Dok, maybe you could check this thing out. Might have some intel on it."
He heard a chorus of agreement from mission control. With that, he turned the CODEC off, just in time to hear another set of footsteps approaching, though these seemed familiar.
Raiden didn't tense as they came closer. He only looked straight at the man they belonged to as that person walked in the same door Jaune left.
Bladewolf stood before Raiden. He couldn't look him in his eyes.
And just like that, Raiden knew something was wrong.
End scene!
Fun fact, I tried to implement Raiden's CODEC mid-fight with LQ-84i. It's a glaring difference between him and Jaune, after all. Raiden has his support while Jaune had no other person. But then it botched up the fight's momentum too much, so it had to be scrapped. It's not like when a team in Remnant has a discussion mid-battle, where everyone in the team is fighting. The Maverick team is just sitting in the control room, so the best they can do is just converse and give advice. With that said, the Maverick team's just gonna have to shine pre- and post-battle.
Anyways, tell me what you thought!
Thanks for reading!
Review Responses:
ToSplitsShot, yes, Bladewolf did have a life before the Patriots, and though that is going to be explained a bit, I may or may not expand on it too much. I do have some plans, but I'm not certain on whether or not I should go through with it. As for the Taiyang section, remember back in Volume 2, when Zwei was sent to Beacon 'cause Tai had to leave the island? I decided to play around with it, sending Tai on the mission you saw before (not saying that Zwei's gonna appear in the story, though). Yeah, it's related to the future. Lastly, for the plan on this chapter, well you're just gonna have to find out~
To TheNineNerdGhouls, I'm glad that you thought that their relationship was good! I'd tell you Raiden and Jaune will duel in the next chapter, but I think we both know by this point that I'm terrible at plotting chapters, lol. I guess all I can say is that it'll come soon.
To Zakuzilla, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
To Undertotem, NANOCRINGE, SON!
To Salamandra134, regarding the teams dynamics there, I guess we'll just have to see. Though one thing that I'm almost certain is that it's going to be a bit unorthodox.
Lastly, as much as I'd like to include the Raiden v Mistral fight, I think the story might get bogged down too much. After all, while Mistral did bring up some good points about Raiden's philosophy in MGRR, I don't really feel like Raiden changed majorly after that fight.
Here are the botched battle conversations. Feel free to read them if you wish:
"Any intel on this guy?" Raiden asked his mission control team. He continued observing LQ-84i as the wolf faunus regained his footing.
"We're working on it." Kevin answered. "Courtney and I are surfing through some old DARPA docs."
"For now, just focus on the fight." Boris continued. "We'll give you instructions once we find the data."
"Yeah," Raiden narrowed his eyes. He noticed LQ-84i preparing to attack. The wolf faunus reattached his HF Chainsaw and tensed his knife-claws. "I've got it."
"Raiden." Courtney piped in as Raiden entered his stance once again. "From what we found, his armour's the only thing that's up-to-date. You're going to have to focus on powerful, single strikes, one that'll slice the armour in one fell swoop. After that, just push through the gap."
"Power-based strikes. Got it." Raiden nodded. With a yell, he rushed at LQ-84i.