PLEASE READ!
One's Many Paths has been updated! The chapter is a bit shorter than some but I think you'll like it. Also remember to vote you guys got till the March eighth!
Hey guys, back for another batch of chapters, first of the four before my next break.
Hope you guys enjoy.
Rising Tides
Kron stood in the center of the ring standing across was a Faunus with kangaroo like legs.
The Kangaroo Faunus threw a couple punches all of them were avoided.
While the Saiyan cared little for defense, he was too quick for his 'opponent' to land a hit.
Speed needs a lot of work.
Now how hard does he hit.
He stayed still as an incoming punch made contact.
Of course he didn't flinch the blow wasn't too much for him.
The Kangaroo said nothing looking concerned. "Did I pass?"
"Don't know." The new leader responded. "You have a lot more competition you will find out after the others.
The Faunus nodded and walked away panting.
Kron went on to look at a lizard Faunus who was not competing. "Strength is a 7, speed 4."
The lizard wrote it down.
"Next" Kron said while crossing his arms.
Next was Lycan who walked in staring down at Kron.
"Surprised your bothering, I'm already sure your the strongest here."
"I wanted to earn my place." Lycan responded.
He shrugged his shoulders. "All right, you know the rules, no Semblance or weapons allowed, hit with full force from the beginning."
Lycan nodded and swiped with his claws in multiple angles.
And Kron evaded each blow with ease, still he was impressed,
Now came a hit he stood still for, his face with struck but it wasn't enough force to make him flinch.
It had more force than the others as he thought.
"I think it's safe to say you passed." Kron stated while looking at the Lizard Faunus. "Strength 8, speed 9."
Lycan watched as one of their subordinates wrote it down.
"Tell me, how many again are you teaching?" Lycan asked concerned.
"Ten" Kron said and saw the glare. "For now."
"Why not more of us?"
The Saiyan replied quickly. "There's a total of 28 of you, so each of you can protect three, I can't teach all of you because you haven't earned my trust yet."
Lycan growled. "We pulled out of that rubble."
"Yes, and you also tried to help Adam burn down a city." Kron pointed out. "With only ten of you wielding Ki your easier to manage, if I teach all of you, you might use your power to kill huntsman just doing their job, just because their from Atlas."
The Wolf Faunus growled but wasn't fighting against that possibility.
"You promised we would be able to protect ourselves." He responded.
"And you will." Kron pointed out. "With ten of you training together against me you will gain enough power to protect each other, not to mention no aura cuffs will hold you."
Lycan squeezed his fists.
"You are our leader, you should trust us."
Kron stared up at the tall Faunus. "Then earn it first, than all of you will have it."
Lycan growled as he walked away unsatisfied.
The Saiyan was about to yell for the next contestant.
"He's in a fowl mood, you sure you couldn't sugar coat it?"
Kron turned to see Roman who was smiling with Neo at his side as usual.
"What is it Roman I'm busy."
"I see that, I just thought you'd be interested in a business opportunity."
"I'm not interested in stealing for you." Kron responded.
"No, no, I think you'll like this." Roman said with a grin.
The Saiyan rolled his eyes and turned to him.
"Turns out this job is turning into something long term with you offering to train some of these ex White Fang, so we'll need money, especially if we want to have good intel."
Kron realized he might have a point, these people can live off hunting any wild life, but money would be good to have. "How do you propose we make any."
Roman spread his arms smiling. "How about we recommission this arena?"
The Saiyan paused surprised at the suggestion. "What?"
"Think about it." Roman walked closer to him. "We've been sprucing this place up, it won't be long return it to it's former glory, we can start fights to entertain folks from the underworld and have your new students get some fighting experience, make money and train your new fan club, two birds, one stone, what do ya say?"
Kron was surprised at the suggestion before looking all around the Ice Spear Arena, he wasn't wrong this place wasn't far from going back to how it was.
The heater was working, the rooms where the former fighters were cleared out.
He gave up the arena life almost a year ago, but owning an arena? That doesn't seem like a bad idea.
"Alright Roman, I like it, do it."
Roman nodded before walking off, but then he stopped.
"Oh right" He turned. "Some of your people have been asking for a new name?"
"Say what?"
"A new name for this new group you formed." Roman pointed out. "I mean they can't be called White Fang anymore, they work for you now, what are we calling this, also a new banner would be good."
Kron didn't think of that, he begrudgingly accepted his new role as 'leader' but he didn't think of naming this ragtag group.
Also a banner, he supposed he wouldn't mind a flag in his name.
He thought of the Oozaru, or as Remnant knows, the Unmasked Berringel.
The face of the Oozaru, that would make a decent flag.
"I'll think on it, I'll decide after I go through the candidates."
"Alright" Roman accepted right away. "I'll have some contacts do some needed renovations on this place, we'll have it up and running before you know it."
Neo waved as the two walked off.
Kron was starting to think Roman wasn't too bad to work with, he still didn't trust him but he had his uses. "Next"
Now he had to go back to selecting his warriors.
XXX
An Airship was across snowy mountains.
Inside was a pilot turning to the passengers. "We'll be in Atlas in two hours, I'm sorry for the long wait."
Inside was a young woman with white hair and blue eyes wearing a white dress with blue on it. "It's fine, so long as we get home."
"Yes" An orange haired girl agreed whole heartedly. "We are happy with your service."
Winter looked at the bubbly girl, it was strange how most saw her as a weapon when all she can see is a happy go lucky girl.
Just then a hologram appeared showing a man with white hair and glasses.
"Councilman Sleet, how may I help you?"
"Specialist Schnee, Penny Polendina you are to head to Fort Bismark." He ordered.
Winter rose an eyebrow. "May I ask why?"
"It is for special training." The councilman replied. "You are to attend in the defense of the Scourge of Anima in Solitas."
This confused the young woman. "If the Scourge of Anima is in Solitas would it not make sense for me and Penny to be in Atlas to keep our home safe?"
"You are not to question our orders, please head there now."
Winter scowled but kept her temper. "I would like to speak to the General."
"General Ironwood is still on probation, he may still have a seat on the council but until further notice he cannot contact you."
Of course he is, no doubt her father's decision.
She's the strongest in Atlas and she was still bound to the whims of these councilmen.
"I understand." Winter said with a sigh.
The hologram vanished leaving Winter and Penny confused as to why they couldn't return home just yet.
She hadn't spoken to General Ironwood since she had to leave for the Vytal Festival. Now that it was over it was as if they were trying to keep her from talking to the General.
Why though? Her father couldn't be the only one pulling the stings, was it this Dr. Rockshow had anything to do with it? He had been talking to the council since the Crusader Armor Research facility.
Perhaps, she'll need to look into this, she was going to make sure General Ironwood stays in his position no matter what.
XXX
Ozpin was in his office sitting across from Yang and Blake.
After Blake had told him about Kron visiting the Vytal Festival Tournament he had asked Yang to come to his office to discuss the new situation.
"Thank you both for coming." Ozpin said to the duo. "I wanted to discuss what happened with Kron, as well as the new situation."
Blake thought of Kron leading the White Fang in Solitas, she knows there's more to it, but what could it be. Why is he leading them?
And her thoughts went back to that strange sentence. 'Both your species are so needy.'
"Headmaster" Blake began. "Have you ever found any island with Kron's tribe, you said were looking into where he came from."
Ozpin had been sending spies and informants all over searching the 'tribe' Kron originated from or any rumors of the power of Ki. Nothing, it was as if the 'Monkey Faunus' was the only one who knew of it before coming to Vale, which he had no doubt.
"I have conducted a search for months, even before he came to Vale, nothing ever came up." Ozpin stated. "If this island did exist, if others have discovered this power I would have known of it."
It's a shame in all the time he trained across his incarnations he never once considered a power other than Aura. He was so focused on learning the limits of Aura he never considered another power source since magic became so limited for their people.
Aura had it's uses and some advantages over Ki. Recharges quicker, minor healing factor, and a unique ability in their Semblance. However as he learned Ki has more room to grow, Maidens are now being surpassed even by Beacon students, and they were considered the top five strongest beings on Remnant right behind Salem.
Blake shook her head. "I always thought he was strange but I didn't think he was something other than a Faunus."
Ozpin couldn't blame her, he himself thought he was until he turned into that beast. "I don't think anyone could have foreseen this, I suppose it makes sense he would be something different, after all no Faunus can turn into a monster like what we saw." He remembered the red eyed ape that destroyed the Grimm King as if it were tin foil, thank all that Kron had revealed how to stop it.
Blake remembered that creature he became, he knows it's still Kron but this ape monster was out of control, it might've been the end of Vale if Kron had stayed that way.
"I'm just glad it's not some Ki technique." Yang giggled. "I did not want to be anything that hairy, I'm glad I can never go ape." She told the pun in away to help the mood.
The Cat Faunus rolled her eyes hearing that feeling annoyed.
"So Ozpin we've been thinking." Yang continued. "Kron won't spill the beans until I can scratch him, so maybe it's time for to up my training. My dad and uncle got training from you before they learned Ki, can you help me to? I'm sure I'll be able to make him talk if I use it."
She had stars in her eyes just thinking of finally being able to hurt Kron, before the best she can do is force him to move but she never once was able to wound him. Not that she wants to hurt Kron rather to keep up with him and get a serious fight out of him.
Ozpin smiled at her eagerness, the Void Vault, surely with it she can potentially catch up with Kron given the right time. Though it's not something that can just be used over and over again. Taiyang and Qrow have used it for another month, however since they fought the Scourge of Anima they have to survive a duplicate of him this is willing to kill, he had to pull them out just before the duplicate lands a fatal blow.
"I admire your dedication, however I cannot give you this training without your father's permission." Ozpin stated. "Also it would be too dangerous for you for now."
Yang stubbornly persisted. "I get that Ozpin but we need to know more about Kron and I don't know what other monsters are out there, the Grimm King was actually able to fight him, Kron won't always be around us, we need to get ready for them. To protect my sister and my teammates." She glanced at Blake and smiled before turning back to Ozpin.
And she was right, Kron can't be everywhere at once and sooner or later more of whatever this monster was will be created.
"I understand Miss Xaio Long, however I have already betrayed your family once, I will not do it again." Ozpin wasn't so proud of what he did, even if it was the best he can do at the time. "Please wait, I'm sure they will understand with some time."
Yang wanted to argue more but realized that her uncle and Qrow were still angry at him, even a bit towards her for not contacting them. "Ok, but what about what he's doing in Solitas? Is there anything we can do about that?"
"Yang's right." Blake continued. "Kron is leading the White Fang in Solitas, I know there's more to it than that." She squeezed her fists. "My dad told me that Faunus that were involved in trafficking with the Silver Bullets, they were brought to Anima and before he could escort them he was attacked." She wished she got a name for that huntsman from Atlas to make him pay.
"Yes, and I thank you for sharing that information." Ozpin nodded to her. "We are doing everything we can to gain control of the situation." He stated. "However I will let you know if your services are required."
Blake looked down hearing that, she wanted to help now but what can she really do? As a Faunus she might make things worse.
Yang put a hand on Blake's shoulder and gave her a comforting smile before turning to Ozpin. "Just let us know if we can go, I wouldn't mind a real huntsman mission."
Ozpin smiled and nodded his head at her eagerness.
"I will, thank you both for telling me all this."
The partners stood up before walking away.
Blake only hoped that Kron wasn't going to do anything even more rash.
Ozpin looked at his scroll waiting for a call from Qrow and Taiyang, they were still in Anima monitoring the land waiting for Leo to make a move, they were so occupied but he needed their approval for Yang's training.
He hoped that Leo would come around and confess what he had done, if not he may want to consider the best way to deal with him without Mistral knowing.
And that James is protected, he did say he was planning to contact him as soon as he can, he only hopes that he's careful, he has to be monitored.
XXX
Anima
Qrow was leaning against a tree while taking a sip from his flask, while he didn't show it he hated how he and Tai were sent on this mission during the Vytal Festival, would've been good to see how well the girls did. But given how Leo was a possible leak to Salem they didn't have the luxury.
While he was drinking he looked at his scroll to see Ozpin's recent call. He wants Yang to use the Void Vault but he nor Tai would want that. It's too dangerous to use, he also suggested that 'other' method he discovered.
Oz claims that he's been making good progress on his 'mixed energy' and he had a way to do it safely. Still he didn't want to put her in any remote danger. Then again he knows after everything he wouldn't say he had a safe way to do it if it was, he was done lying at least from the past five months.
"Good to see your not passed out."
The former bandit turned to see a blonde walking to him. "Tai, find anything?"
The blonde kept waling and Qrow followed along.
"I checked Daim's arena, theres a few fighters with more than one power." He responded with a sigh. "There no evidence, but I'm sure that they have Soul Dust."
"How many?"
"Too many for just us, for now anyway." Taiyang admitted, he didn't think Salem would decide to spread her Soul Dust to the underworld.
"I just don't get it." Qrow admitted. "It seems like a waste on recourses, why use this on people that aren't on her side? What if one of them turns against her."
"Maybe she needed test subjects." Taiyang responded as he kept walking.
Qrow nodded as the two kept going through the forest, he decided to bring something up. "You remember our talk with Ozpin?"
"I do."
The reaper looked ahead. "Y'know the girls need to get as strong as possible, Maiden's are starting to become a thing of the past, if they don't level up again they might not be ready for whatever twisted idea Salem has."
Tai glared at Qrow. "Are you saying we let her use the Void Vault? You remember the last time we used it?"
"No" Qrow admitted. "Even Oz says that it's too dangerous for her to use it, but not the other method he found."
Taiyang kept silent as they kept walking as though he was contemplating what he's saying.
Qrow continued talking. "Y'know Oz has been keeping his end of the bargain since the whole thing right?"
"He has." Taiyang admitted. "But he shouldn't have kept it from us in the first place."
"True" Qrow agreed. "Look Tai, I know you still don't trust him, hell I don't know if I do either, but one thing I know about Oz is that he learns from his mistakes, when he says something big is coming he means it, Salem knows we have Ki it's why he now wants Kron to join us, but if he doesn't we need to be as strong as possible along with the girls, we won't always be there for them, you know that."
Taiyang stopped for a moment and realized how right he was. Even if they can be with Yang and Ruby all the time, whatever their shielding them from might get past them and then how will they fend for themselves?
"Let's discuss this later." Tai said to Qrow. "Come on."
The reaper just shrugged and followed along. "Surprise you wanna bother dealing with the Manticore Gang, their small fry." He thought it was best to change the subject.
"So were the Branwen Tribe before we let them fester." Taiyang said bitterly.
Qrow couldn't help but agree, they needed Raven's intel on Salem but doing so ruined so many lives, Summer tried to stop it but Raven knew how to avoid her.
"They should be this way." The former bandit said.
Taking care of the Manticore Gang would put Anima in relative peace, a way to apologize for not doing the same to the Branwen Tribe.
It should be easy given their power.
XXX
Not Far Away
A dozen men all dressed in black jackets with the Manticore skull in the back were sitting around a campfire.
"Aw man, ever since our leader bit the dust we've been falling to pieces." One of them complained.
"I know that damn freak, showed up naked and punched our leader's head off like he were a mannequin." He remembered that man with long green hair just casually murdered him before taking his clothes.
"Hey" Another interjected. "At least he left after asking for directions, I don't envy whoever he's looking for."
"Guess your right it could have been a lot wo-"
Just then a black figure dropped from the sky in front of them.
The Manticore Gang all aimed their weapons at whatever just appeared in front of them.
It stood tall showing a block body covered in white armor, and a mask resembling a bone dragon's skull.
"Shoot it!" They fired their guns at the Grimm.
But just as they had the humanoid dragon opened it's mouth unleashing a torrent of flame in front of it.
The bullets melted and the forest caught fire.
The Manticore gang all hit the floor from the force and one of them was dragged towards the dragon Grimm.
Ekhi smelled the terrified man and sniffed him, he found a familiar scent.
His King, he can smell him.
He was done here, but no need to leave them alive, he threw a clawed strike threw the chest of the man and released fire on all the rest.
One man ran away and the Grimm dragon gave chase.
The manticore member ran until he bumped into what felt like a brick wall, he looked up to see a blonde standing next to a black haired man.
"Hey aren't you.." Taiyang recognized his jacket.
"Help me!" The bandit yelled before a black claw grabbed his leg from behind the bushes and his body was dragged into the trees.
Tai and Qrow followed the dragging body and stopped only to see the body being torn in two.
They saw something that shook them to their core.
It was a humanoid Grimm biting down the head of the bandit, a moment triggered the duo as they remembered the last humanoid Grimm they meant.
Only it looked different, it had bone armor all over it's chest, claws and dragon like wings, and appropriately a dragon like mask, similar to the Zhulong, the sun dragon Grimm.
They didn't want to believe it but this wasn't the same Grimm King that Kron had destroyed, which meant something worse than it coming back.
"She has more of these things?" Qrow asked remembering the last encounter with a monster like this, like what had pushed Kron to fight all out.
Ekhi turned to see two others, he recognized them from the information Dr. Merlot had given him.
"Qrow…. Taiyang"
Just like the last monster, it can barely speak, they remembered it calling for it's parents, only this thing who they were.
"DIE!"
The draconic Grimm spread his wings and roared.
"Shit" Taiyang rose his fists to his chin. "Get ready!"
Qrow pulled out Harbinger in it's longsword form.
Ekhi flew towards the two huntsman with it's arms spread, once he was close he swiped his arms across hoping to strike them both.
Taiyang ducked underneath one of the arms, while Qrow held up Harbinger and blocked a claw.
The blonde got beside Ekhi and smashed a fist into the Grimm's side forcing it's body to tilt.
Qrow went to swipe it's neck.
Ekhi used one of it's wings to block it but it was cut and it forced the mutant Zhulong to back away.
Both Tai and Qrow stood side by side, it was strong, way stronger than the Grimm King was when they fought it, but so were they thanks to the Ki training Ozpin passed down to them.
Taiyang punched the ground.
A yellow light appeared beneath Ekhi and exploded sending it up.
Qrow jumped up and tried to slash it's neck again.
But the mutant was again able deflect it with one of it's wings, he then swung a claw.
Qrow blocked it with Reaper and was sent back.
Taiyang jumped behind the draconic Grimm and threw a fist.
Ekhi turned around and caught the punch in his palm.
Which made the blonde grinned as a yellow light spread through the Grimm and on to his back.
Ekhi's back exploded as Taiyang's Semblance can make any part of whatever he hits explode if he makes contact.
The hybrid retaliated by backhanding the huntsman.
At the same time Qrow stabbed into the creature's back, he then pulled the trigger firing a bullet powered by both Aura and Ki.
It was strong enough to send Ekhi towards the flying Taiyang.
Ekhi spread his wings and opened his mouth to unleash fire towards the blonde.
Taiyang put his wristguard together forming a shield to protect himself from the flames.
The human Grimm turned and rose it's arm to block a swipe from Qrow's weapon.
Taiyang undid his shield and aimed a hand forward releasing a yellow energy ball.
It collided and sent Ekhi back but it stopped itself with it's wings spread open.
"It might be as strong as the one that fought the kid" Qrow diagnosed their opponent.
"That's good." Taiyang commented while throwing a fist into his palm. "We can take it down then."
Their Ki training for a few months on top of the Void Vault have taken them to knew heights, Ozpin believes they might have surpassed Salem, at least as far as he knew they were sure that she had something new as well.
Ekhi growled looking between the two, he can kill them one on one, but together they were a hinderance, it does not matter, he can still win, if he separates them.
He rose a claw ready to attack again.
"Ekhi… come.. now."
He stopped hearing his captain speak into his head, he growled but knew he couldn't afford to disobey, he glared at the two in front of him before unleashing a roar.
As he did packs of Beowolves, Berringel, Ursa, and Never more came and were surrounding the two.
Taiyang threw multiple punches across multiple Berringel's and Ursa.
Qrow slashed through Beowolves and sliced the heads off multiple Nevermore.
All were done in less than a minute, they immediately turned to their real opponent.
The humanoid dragon Grimm was gone.
"Damn it."
"We gotta report to Ozpin." Taiyang said realizing how grave the situation was.
Qrow nodded, how many more of this monster does Salem have?
As Taiyang was making the call to the headmaster he realized something, this thing was out there. It was as strong as what fought the Scourge of Anima, it took both he and Qrow to bring it down.
He won't let Yang use the Void Vault, not yet, but he will allow for Ozpin to try his mixed energy with her.
He prayed he won't regret this.
XXX
Far Away
On the other side of Anima Ekhi flew with his dragon wings until he landed, he glared at his chest armor seeing the crack that human caused. He made sure to remember the scent of that blonde, he was going to enjoy ripping his spine out!
Just then three others landed in front of him, all of them with pure black bodies and white armor, each in different sizes masks.
One with a dual horn mask with sharp tooth, with a thin body but sharp bone armor on his shoulders. Another with a bird like skull with sharp horns over it's eyes like an owl.
And the biggest one with a horned skull with long rabbit looking ears.
"Ekhi" One with long ears spoke. "Have you found the scent?" Clearly it had a better handle on speech than Ekhi and perhaps the others.
"Yes… General Metzli" The dragon pointed in a direction. "Our king…. That direction."
Metzli and the other members of Team MUNE stood tall.
"King Eclipse, we will find you sire." He wondered just what was he doing out there.
Is he still recovering from that monster? Is that why he left the group of humans alive?
Whatever the case they will retrieve.
XXX
Vale
Team RWBY was walking in a hallway.
Yang had a smile on her face as though it was a good thing.
"Wipe that smile on your face." Weiss told her. "I doubt this is what you think."
"Your always such a wet blanket Ice Princess." Yang smiled at her. "Come on it's only been two days since me and Blake were in his office."
Weiss said nothing in response to her, she had a point, what else would they do? How she misses the chance to have a normal life in this school right now they should have a break, but she guesses not.
"If it is do you think we'll get a new power?" Ruby asked with an excited tone. "Maybe he'll be able to do what Kron does with those energy figurines remember those?"
Blake chuckled remembering the little 'puppet show' Kron does. "We'll see Ruby."
They were in the office looking to see Ozpin seated behind his desk.
"Greetings Team RWBY." The headmaster greeted them. "I know it wasn't too soon since I discussed with Miss Belladonna and Xaio Long, however, it took some coaxing, but your father and uncle agreed to allow me to train you Miss Xiao long."
Stars showed in Yang's eyes making Ozpin chuckled at her enthusiasm.
"Sweet! So I'm going to have the same training you gave them?" She remembered her father and uncle were actually able to make him bleed maybe that will be solution.
Ozpin kept him smile. "I'm afraid that you're father hasn't given me permission to give you access to the same training, but he has given me permission to teach you a method that can increase your power drastically, maybe even more than the same"
Yang felt pumped hearing that, just what kind of trick can help her get even stronger? Maybe she would have been able to take on Pyrrha with it. Either way it was going to be fun.
"While I'm happy for Yang." Weiss interjected. "What about us three?"
"Forgive me Miss Schnee, I was getting to that." Ozpin stated wanting to bring her back to reality. "I'm not sure how long it will take, but if your willing to sacrifice your upcoming break you will receive training before being handed a mission of going to stop the Silver Bullet Brotherhood, find and speak to Kron, perhaps talk him down from causing chaos in Atlas, at the very least ask him why he is doing all this."
That surprised the four of them to hear that.
Blake was more than willing to help wanting to make sure Kron doesn't do anything stupid, but she looked to Weiss remembering her situation.
The Heiress wanted to help but she remembered what her sister said, if she goes on Atlas soil, her father will have permission to apprehend her no matter the cost. She wasn't afraid of her father but she didn't want to burden her friends.
"Weiss" Ruby looked at her partner. "You don't have to come, we don't want to risk you having to go back home."
Weiss smiled at her happy to see her care for her.
"Your sister talked to me about what is happening Miss Schnee." Ozpin got her attention. "It is true if you return to Atlas your father can force you to stay, however if you were there on a mission from Beacon Academy, no one, not your father, General Ironwood, or their council has any authority to demand you to stay, they would face an international incident if they tried."
Weiss couldn't help but be astonished at that, so she could help without fear of her father.
"Yes!" Ruby yelled grabbing her shoulder. "We're really getting a mission Weiss, and your mean old dad can't do anything about it!"
Weiss groaned at her hug. "Let go of me you dolt." She looked away hiding a smile.
"So" Ozpin interrupted them. "I take it you all accept this mission?"
"You know I'm up for it." Yang said punching a fist into her palm ready for more training and a chance to spar with Kron.
"Of course." Blake nodded wanting to make sure her people do not fall to more oppression.
"Atlas is my home, I can't just let that oaf do whatever he wants." Weiss responded she may have complications but she will protect her home.
"Team RWBY sticks together." Ruby said with a smile looking forward to a true and honest mission.
Ozpin smiled happy to see they were willing. Now they just need someone to accompany them to sway Kron to join. And he has the perfect person for the job.
"Very well, starting tomorrow I will begin your training, I also will be training Team JNPR, perhaps have you spar with them." Ozpin stated with a smile. "Thank you for your courage, I will do what I must to take you to new heights."
Salem will make her preparations with these new Grimm and so will he.
Hopefully the four kingdoms survive this upcoming war.
XXX
In Vale's Forest
A cabin was deep inside a lush forest not far from the city of Vale.
Cinder was in a room of the cabin they had acquired.
She squeezed her fists in anger of her last conversation with Salem, she made it clear that she was starting to doubt her.
Thats why's she wanted her to stay in the castle longer, she thought she wasn't fit for the job.
All the more reason to acquire more power, it won't be long before she sits on the throne.
Just then the cabin door opened.
Two people walked in carrying a huge bag.
"Ma'am" Emerald said bringing the bag in front of her. "We've done it, it took a lot of searching but we found where they were keeping his body."
"Didn't have much security." Mercury sat down and lifted one of his legs showing blood on his boot, before he started wiping it. "Guess you were right about them not teaching EVERYONE that guy's power."
Cinder smirked as she knelt down and unzipped it.
It showed a tan man with green hair. "Bertilack Celadon, as I thought they wouldn't dispose of it without proper study." She stared down at one of the recruits used to test ripened Soul Dust, and now she can take it for herself.
Cinder rose a hand forging a sword with her Semblance and started cutting the body open.
Mercury was disturbed by this which he was surprised with given how many kills he got.
Emerald tried to ignore it and was worried for her savior. "Ma'am, don't you think we should go back to Salem first?"
Cinder pulled out one of the Soul Dust crystals and looked at it.
"I know that Salem had said that with magic theres a chance you might be able to take in another Soul Dust crystal but we don't-"
"Silence" Cinder interrupted before placing it in a pouch, she then cut the body more. "You saw the festival, we need all the power we can get."
Seeing how those seven children possess that level of power maybe too much for even her, also she's sure more in Ozpin's circle weird that power. Maybe even some of the teachers that are not involve in his cause.
"Cinder" Mercury began not wanting to tick her off. "Why are we doing this? Even if you become a full Maiden, it won't really change much will it?"
Cinder didn't get angry she only smirked. "That's where your wrong, Salem had told me that the more magic I possess the more easier my body will be able to collect Soul Dust." She was shaking at the thought. "Salem told me that the more magic I have the more my body will be able to absorb Soul Dust, once I become a complete Maiden I'll be able ot take even more, which means, imagine, maybe I'll be able to take in three, or maybe four Semblances, I would be too much for even the Scourge of Anima."
That was mind boggling to her followers, taken two extra Semblances was always thought to be the limit, they didn't think of taking even one more but 4 extra Semblances? Absolutely insane.
"Alright" Mercury lamented. "But even if you take an extra Semblance will it be enough to find Amber?"
They still had multiple users of this strange power, no doubt some professors have it as well.
"The boy is causing trouble in Solitas, we will wait until Ozpin has to divert his attention there, his forces will divide and Amber will be less defended, and once she is mine, I'll grow far beyond even Salem herself."
Salem had become so soft after this boy came about. She treated her mission like a game more than a goal, she was looking forward to proving her wrong.
"That could take a while." Mercury pointed out. "After they found out our plan they're probably more on edge."
"And we will wait a while, do you have an issue with that?" Cinder asked glaring.
Knowing he had no choice he nodded.
"So what do we do in the meantime?" Emerald asked.
Cinder placed the Soul Dust she collected in her pouch saving it for after taking in Amber's magic. "We will look for weaknesses to exploit, and of course confirm where they are keeping Amber, maybe find hostages we can use, just give it time."
Patience she had that in spades after what she went through taking in these Soul Dust.
There was a knock on the door.
Emerald and Mercury turned to the door and opened the door aiming their weapons at whoever found them.
They put their weapons down once they saw who it was.
"You?" Mercury asked.
It was a red head dressed in black, with bull horns and a scar with the letters S-D-C on his face.
"Adam" Cinder smiled seeing him. "I was wondering where you were."
Adam tried to walk in but Emerald had one of her blades at his neck.
"Let him in." Cinder commanded.
Adam walked in the cabin and glared at Cinder. "I knew you'd come back considering your operation failed miserably."
"That was cause of you has been." Mercury chuckled making the red head angry. "What? Haven't you seen the news?"
He did! He saw that imposter leading his men! Leading an attack on Atlas's greatest facilities, something that he dreamed of!
But Adam kept his composure he looked to Cinder.
"Whatever you're here for, I want what you promised me." Adam stated. "Give me Soul Dust, I need it to take back everything that was stolen from me."
And to put that traitor in her place, he was going to make Blake redeem herself for what happened. He was going to force her to teach him that strange power she acquired, after that he'll take that bastard's head and show her to remind her to never go against him again.
Cinder smirked not at all offended by his demands. "You are lucky breaking you out was part of our plans, but we realized you escape already, I'm happy to see you tracked us down." She turned to Mercury. "Give him what he asked."
Mercury nodded before pulling out a bag with two bright crystals, one labeled, Double Impact, and the other Recoil.
"These two Semblances should suit you nicely." Cinder said with a grin. "But no this, it will not be easy it took us months to adjust, I'm not sure how quickly you will adapt."
"I'll do it quicker, you will see." Adam stated simply.
"I hope so, best of luck, Adam." Cinder said as the Bull Faunus grabbed the Soul Dust.
Adam crushed the Soul Dust crystals and the two started to enter his body.
He got on his knees and growled as he felt the worse pain he ever felt.
It will be worth it, to put things back the way they were.
Cinder smiled at seeing Adam struggle, she now had another pawn to be of use, she will wait, soon she will be a complete Maiden.
Before she handles that boy, she will do one thing in the past she only dreamed of doing.
Salem herself will be nothing compared to her, she will dispose of her, she will be the one to rule the world alone.
XXX
Somewhere in Anima
The human Eclipse was in his jacket with a manticore skull on the back wearing his hood walking through a forest.
"Hmm, what should I do?" He asked looking at a newspaper seeing that Kron was in Solitas. "I could head to Solitas but if Kron is still too much for me, I don't know if enough of me will survive to molt again."
He jumped and stood on a tree branch still considering his options. "I could go home, but then it might be awhile before I can be allowed to leave father's island again, he would want to examine my body again." It took months before he was allowed to leave on his first mission after he had molted. "Plus, I actually like my freedom right now, I was on his island for too long."
Going after Kron for a rematch was the goal, but Atlas was in full alert and they might discover him which might affect Lady Salem's plan they didn't want him to reveal himself yet.
"Solitas may not be as big but I'd have a hard time finding him in a continent that big." Eclipse said tilting his head and scratching his head struggling what to do. "Should I head there now or wait here for him to return home?"
He tried thinking the pros and cons of trying to find him there.
On the one hand he's sure to grab his attention by just causing trouble there like he did with the man with the metal arm that he tried to take the armor.
On the other hand he can't just cause trouble because then his father might get mad at him for disrupting his plans.
What he did in Vale was one thing, he was attempting to wipe out Lady Salem's biggest obstacle, but doing it again in Solitas might make things complicated, she did say to only use it as a last resort.
He needs to find him without making too much of a ruckus to alert their enemies. Father always said it's better to use a scalpel instead of an axe.
"Oh I got it!." Eclipse snapped his fingers. "First I'll search for places he's been, maybe find out where he came from, that'll be a good excuse to tell father when he finds me and asks where I've been, I can keep my freedom a little longer, he'll be so proud, I'm sure Lady Salem will reward him for the information and father will be ok with me exploring the world before we conquer it."
Eclipse jumped down from the tree branch onto the forest floor and looked into his palm.
"Also I'm not used to my body yet, I should take my time and train, I might be stronger than ever but I'm sure the same can be said about Kron." No one fights that brutally and stays at one place. "Yes, training and info gathering, a good excuse to enjoy my freedom father shouldn't mind too much about that."
The hybrid walked forward planning to leave but then he stopped and sniffed the air.
He can feel four strong sources of negativity headed for him.
They were arriving too fast for normal Grimm which can only mean.
"Wait, don't tell me, has father already gotten them ready?" He asked turning, should he run? No they'll catch up, plus they might get discovered, he'll stay for now, maybe they weren't sent to take him home, hopefully.
Up above four black figures dropped from the sky and landed in front of him, the ground beneath cracked and made a huge impact.
Eclipse showed no reaction as the wind from the force pushed his hood back and went against his long green hair.
He saw four Grimm of different shapes, sizes and colors, and from the look of it they were further along in their evolution than he was back when he was first reborn.
"Huh, well this could put a damper on my plans." Eclipse said annoyed.
The four creatures took a knee in front of him and placed a fist on the ground in reverence to him.
"Grimm King Eclipse." Metzli stated. "We are Team MUNE your royal guard, I am your general Metzli."
The one with a dual horned mask introduced himself. "Uvall"
Another with feather wings with an owl like skull spoke. "Nox"
And the last with dragon like wings and a skull. "Ekhi"
Eclipse remembered them, father was working on four more after his mission in Atlas to hopefully give him help one day, he thought they would take a few more months before they'd be ready.
"Well it's nice to meet you four, I'm guessing father sent you." He said smiling. "I hope we can be real friends." He meant it, though he's not sure how sentient his fellow hybrids are, still it felt nice to see that his new race was rising.
"As do I." Metzli stated. "Now your father asked me to speak to you before you come home."
Eclipse glared at that, he didn't want to go home yet, but he kept his tongue, talking to his father felt nice, it's been a total of six months since he had seen him.
The long eared Grimm then held up a device and dropped it.
A hologram showed of a white haired man with a mustache and beared along with a robotic arm and red eye.
"Doctor, we have found your son." Metzli gestured to the human like Eclipse.
Dr. Merlot dropped his arrogant loo and focused on the young man standing in front of his hologram.
"What?" He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "This is" He looked at him, he had light green hair just like Her. "You, are you really?"
Eclipse looked at his father and felt a sense of ease and longing, it's been awhile since he had seen him, he had wanted to see him but wanted to have his rematch first.
"Hello father, I hope your doing well, I'm happy to see you again." Eclipse said genuinely, he had missed him.
Dr. Merlot grinned. "Oh, I knew you were alive and" He looked at him up and down. "You look so much like your mother! Eclipse, I am so happy to see you, if only I had been able to see you all grown up!"
Eclipse chuckled happy to hear the praise from his father he always liked it even when he couldn't speak.
"Where have you been?" Dr. Merlot stopped before glaring. "Wait where have you been? Why Haven't you come home?"
"Uh, well" Eclipse looked the other way as though he was a child caught doing something wrong. "I was uh, just surveying Anima, you know? Since we still need the Spring Maiden to get the Relic Lady Salem wanted."
Dr. Merlot rose an eyebrow. "Surveying Anima? Where the Scourge is? Are you sure your not looking to fight him? Without allowing me to examine you?"
Yeah, he knew that wasn't going to fly under his radar.
Guess it was time to do one thing he never dared to due in his earlier stages. Argue with his father to let him do wha he wants.
"Father" Eclipse looked at him with a stern expression. "Look I know I should be home but, I've been having so much fun. I've just been exploring Anima, following Kron's trail wherever I can but I'm not just going to fight him, I also have a plan that will make you and Lady Salem proud."
Dr. Merlot was surprised to see how his son was thinking this much, he was relieved he wanted him to have free will.
Still he can't just wander free. "You can tell me during your examination."
"Father my last examination took two months, I don't to wait that long." Eclipse stated.
"These examinations are for your own good, we need to know the ins and outs of your new body, do you understand?" Dr. Merlot said calmly.
Eclipse looked down and growled slightly akin to a beast. "Yes father." He knows he was only doing what was best for him.
"Good then come home now, Team MUNE will escort you." Dr. Merlot said with a happy smile.
His son was about to agree but he thought of how limited that island is, how he wanted to go on his own explore the world he one day will rule.
He couldn't bring himself to agree and said something else he never thought he would say to his beloved father.
"No!" Eclipse crossed his arms and turned his head.
The other hybrids seemed to be shocked despite having skull masks.
None were more shocked than their creator.
"What?" Dr. Merlot thought he misheard that, he was always willing to follow his words before. "What did you say?"
"I'm not going home yet, not until I fight Kron again." He said like a child. "I have been cooped up on your island for too long I want to see everything Remnant has to offer before going back."
Dr. Merlot still happy to see his son again tried to reason with him. "Son, please, come home we will talk about it, I'm sure I can talk to Lady Salem and see if we can arrange you to explore any part of the world you want.
"I said no." Eclipse stubbornly said. "I don't want to go home, I have my own plan and I will beat Kron, and I will come home after not before, I know you and Lady Salem will be proud if you just trust me."
"You are not ready to act on your own! You only just molted we need to be sure your body structure is perfect." Dr. Merlot reasoned and he can see that he was being quite.
Eclipse was now looking away with a stern face.
"What's this, are… are you pouting?" Dr. Merlot was frustrated but also somewhat happy, his son didn't grow up to go through this phase, still he wanted his son home now so he took a more stern approach. "Young man, come home now! You are not ready to wander Remnant without supervision, you will have your time, but I am not allowing you to fight Kron again not until you are ready."
Eclipse still pouted and refused to look his father in the eye ignoring his father, things weren't going to change like this, looks like he'll have to change tactics.
Hopefully he and Lady Salem won't bee too mad.
"What?" Eclipse asked as though he couldn't hear him. "Father I think your device is broken your breaking up."
"What? But I'm receiving you just fine, why is-"
Eclipse immediately stomped on the small hologram projector before he could finish the sentence.
"Sorry father, but I'm doing things my way." Eclipse stated with some sadness. "I'll make sure to make you proud, I'm sure you'll see that I'm now old enough to make my own decisions." Despite being less than a year old.
Team MUNE looked surprised that Eclipse was so willing to rebel against his father, they thought he was his most devoted follower.
"Now that that's done, go to father and tell him that I'll return with Kron, the Scourge of Anima." Eclipse grinned. "And make sure he knows I'm going to fight whoever he sends after me,."
"We cannot do that." Metzli said as though it were fact. "Please, we were ordered to bring you back and we will use force if you keep refusing."
Eclipse heard that and smiled. "I get it, I'm pleased to see that you wish to serve my father loyally, ok how about this, try to force me, but I will fight back, it will be good training before I find the Scourge of Anima."
"Sire" Metzli stared down at Eclipse. "Your father would be angry with us if we harm you."
"Harm me?" Eclipse closed his eyes and chuckled. "Metzli, I understand you're job is to protect me but even though I look human never forget" He opened his eyes showing the same green glow they had in his previous bodies, he then spoke in a similar voice to Metzli, a demonic distorted tone. "I am your king! Never doubt my power!"
Eclipse threw a fist straight at Metzli's skull.
The larger Grimm hybrid rose his arms and was able to block it but he was pushed back and crashed through multiple trees before coming to stop.
The other Grimm stared at their leader who was struggling to move from one hit.
"He is… dangerous." Ekhi stated to his other comrades.
Nox and Uvall looked to Eclipse seeing him stand confidently as though they were no threat.
Eclipse smiled looking at the other Grimm. "Also in case your forgetting, this body is what my father's hoping you all can achieve, my human cells have properly bonded with the Grimm gene, I may not have Aura, but it was burned away in exchange for a stronger body."
The evolved mutant rose a fist and grinned. "From the look of you four, you need to go through at least another molt before you can reach my stage, until you reach this body you have no chance on your own." His back started to produce black appendages
Just then Eclipse sprouted black wings just like he used to in his prior stages.
Metzli stood up and realized he was correct. Eclipse was ahead of him at the level he is at, they shouldn't worry about destroying him. They needed to worry about him destroying them.
"Now then" Eclipse spread his arms apart and stared at Team MUNE with a smile. "If you still insist on bringing me to father and Lady Salem, then give me your all, lucky for you four I was just thinking about training, what better training partners than my own Royal Guard."
Metzli realized how serious he was and pointed a finger. "Team MUNE, attack!"
Eclipse smirked as the four attacked him looking forward to a decent fight.
He could use the time to train with them before heading to Kron and having his rematch.
His father and Lady Salem will see that he is more than ready to take the world.
XXX
Dr. Merlot's Island
The mad scientist couldn't believe what he saw, his son was alive, he was ecstatic, but he went against him? This soon after molting.
"I don't believe this, he's less than a year old and already he has a rebellious phase!" Dr, Merlot smashed a fist on the console. "That boy, he's a chip off the old block, however I cannot allow him to wander Remnant as he pleases."
"Be calm doctor." A Seer with Salem's image had a tentacle on his shoulder. "Allow Team MUNE to try to capture him, however if he is strong enough to keep fighting them off maybe consider seeing how he does."
Dr, Merlot nodded and calmed himself.
It was fine, Eclipse was alive and he was stronger than ever.
And besides he has more warriors on the way, if he can't force him back he can send them to his side to keep him safe.
What Hazel brought him, along with what Watts will bring him from Atlas will make great warriors.
Soon Eclipse will have a kingdom behind him, he won't need his protection.
Still he made a note to have a stern talking to when he gets back.
He should get a book on disciplining teenagers.
XXX
Vale
As he promised, Ozpin was teaching team RWBY in the Forever Fall forest.
Blake was sparring against Weiss.
The Cat Faunus was attacking all over the place while Weiss was learning to place her Glyphs at any part of her body for protection, she was learning to make smaller Glyphs to more accurately protect herself.
Ruby was standing glaring with her eyes trying to do what she did back with the Grimm King.
"You cannot force this Ruby." Ozpin stated. "You need to be calm and think of anything that brings you joy."
The youngest member of the team stopped and looked up at him. "Ok, but are you sure it won't hurt anyone?"
"Yes" Ozpin said smiling. "Your power will only work on Grimm, it will be harmless against anyone else."
Ruby nodded but was still anxious she didn't know what to do really.
Ozpin frowned that she was struggling but it wasn't her fault, he wasn't a silver eyed warrior nor was he a Silver Eyes. At least not long enough to learn that power in a rare few of his incarnations.
What he was doing was based on what little he knew and Summer knew a bit more than he did on how it worked.
If only he found another Silver Eyes to teach her.
He turned to the Yang who was mediating a rare sight for someone so energetic, but it was necessary to properly learn how to properly mix energy.
Yang was meditating fighting to stay still she never liked this kind of training, she hoped it would be worth it.
"Remember, what you have done before was using Ki on top of Aura." Ozpin explained. "What you will be doing is mixing the two and become one, a new form of energy.."
Yang was having trouble as sweat showed on her face.
She opened her eyes and her purple eyes became more vibrant, her Aura glowed brighter and then returned to normal. She then panted as though she had done a whole workout.
"Very good" Ozpin was happy to see progress, he made sure to study every bit he can, he learned to combine them without creating an explosion like the first time he did it.
"I felt something just then, like I was weightless and stronger than ever." Yang said looking into her hand. "But then it just went away."
"Good, and that is the first step." Ozpin stated. "I'm sure that in time you will master this power, just be patient, at this rate you will hold a power beyond anything Remnant has ever seen."
Maybe not before him but still, with this maybe just maybe she can meet Kron's requirement and they can get their answer.
XXX
One Month Later
Kron stood in the center of the ring between ten of his white fang that he had chosen to teach Ki, he looked around at his selection.
The process was quick but he thought he chose well.
Lycan the strongest of the ten ran forward and threw multiple swipes with his claws.
Of course Kron evaded all of it before throwing a straight kick into his torso sending him to crash against one of the arena walls.
"Faster Lycan."
Another Faunus with a snake tail raced towards him with a purple energy ball in his palm and tried to fire it up close.
Kron grabbed his palm, it made an explosion that made the Snake Faunus shake from the pain, the Saiyan then grabbed the tail and swung him away.
Another with a shell around his back, he threw a couple punches before turning and thrusting his back using the shell on his back.
Kron caught in his palm before lifting him up and forced his hand forward sending him away.
A Snow Leopard Faunus with a grey tail attacked with multiple punches and kicks
"Good try Chrome, almost as good as Lycan." He then grabbed one of his risen legs and threw a palm strike in the center of his chest sending him back.
The rest of his pack of students attacked him from behind hoping to land something against their leader.
Kron merely jumped and struck each of his seven remaining students with one attack each.
All of them landed on the ground unable too stand up to him.
The Saiyan landed on the ground and he can see that already they were all unable to keep fighting.
"All of you did better, still you have a long way to go." Kron stated. "Not one of you can handle a crusader armor user, but at least together you can escape them, I expect better tomorrow." He chuckled as he walked away from his pupils who were struggling to get up.
As he walked away he looked up to see the new banner they had made for their 'group'.
It was a skull looking design of an ape with a wolf like mouth, with red eyes looking like a skull.
Basically he got the idea to use the Unmasked Berringel and added Grimm like aspects. A symbol of his Saiyan heritage and his Grimm based fighting style, a perfect blend.
The banner of Scourge Troop, a new group made from him having this following, a group that is dedicated to give everyone a chance to find their own path, even if it means causing a scourge.
No longer were they Ex-White Fang.
Kron kept walking until sat in a chair that looked like a throne that overlooked the Ice Spear Arena, he had no attentions of being in charge but he had to admit it felt nice to be a leader for once. He wondered if the old hag felt like this when she became chief of those cowards.
Lycan walked to him having been more able tot take the beating he had gotten. "Sir, I am thankful for the training as usual, however I must ask, has Roman reported any new information?"
"Not yet, Rockshow is still in hiding."
"If I may ask, why do we not attack Atlas now?" Lycan asked. "I am aware that we cannot stand up to most of their armored huntsman yet, but with you I am sure that we can force the information out of anyone there."
"Our goal is the Silver Bullets, not the whole city." Kron pointed out. "Just wait, trust me I know how annoying it is to wait." He was willing to wait four months for a fight with Raven, even though it ended up being three it was still a long wait. " but some things are worth waiting for, besides do you really think anyone knows where he is? You think he'd be stupid enough to reveal his location to anyone?"
Lycan grunted but agreed and bowed before walking away to have his injuries looked at.
Kron looked at the men, his men, all working together to have this arena up and running again. Roman was right running this little gang was a good thing, he wondered though how long it would take would last, their better than the Branwen Tribe that's for damn sure, still he wondered how far their loyalty would last, he was the one who captured Adam after all.
He had gotten used to this lifestyle, training others Ki, sparring with his men and going out to hunt. It wasn't too bad, it's almost like what little good he had in the Branwen Tribe, only he was doing much less monstrous activities.
Sure finding his pod was taking longer than he thought, but it didn't matter, he had plenty of time to find it.
He was sure that they can't open his pod, still he had it for a month, could he have opened it?
No, besides what harm can this idiot really cause? Whatever experiment he comes up with, will be no match for him.
XXX
Silver Bullet's Hideout
Rockshow was in a laboratory looking at the pod hooked up to wires. A whole month and still they couldn't open it.
He was on the verge of giving up on this thing.
It was unbearably frustrating, no Dust explosions, a dozen Crusader Armor wearing huntsman couldn't open it by force, and worse of all he could not hack it, it was far more sophisticated than any animal should have.
All he knew was that it was made from alloys that are unrecognizable. Wherever this thing was, it wasn't from any of the kingdoms, maybe it's from the Grimm lands of the dragon shaped continent. Or dare he say not even of this world.
Outlandish but not so considering his DNA has nothing in common with Faunus.
Speaking of, while he made zero progress with the strange pod, his other pursuit proved more fruitful.
He looked at the screen showing a picture of Kron with a DNA strand. A month of study and while he did not know what to make of his DNA he can at least make it into some kind of serum one that may help him create something that can destroy him.
A syringe showed with a strange liquid. "Now, then to find an appropriate test subject."
Though first he may have to lure the Scourge somewhere, he has no idea what the DNA will do.
What he does know if he can tame it, it will become the greatest power Remnant has ever seen.
XXX
Atlas
It's been a month since Rockshow appeared with Amaranth, slowly but surely they have been taking control of the military, taking advantage of his crippled authority.
For instance they ordered Specialist Schnee along with Penny to Fort Bismark and forbidden him from contacting them.
All he had was a seat at the council, he was an adviser at best.
The Ace Operatives were in Atlas but he could only talk to them with him present.
It was though he was on his own, trying protect this kingdom from the real threat.
This whole time he had been digging for intel on Rockshow, something, anything that can lead to his capture.
Of course he can't send any men, he has no authority.
Through countless informants and favors he found something.
An island with that was a resort, that allegedly used to be Starhead Industrial Company's main facility, before Fort Lee converted it.
Perhaps it still was, it made no sense for a CEO of a technology conglomerate to convert it's main base into a resort.
He looked to see a drone he had acquired from Dr. Polendina, he's not sure if little did anyone know he had found the common sights the Scourge was found when he wasn't in hiding.
He had typed in coordinates, he only hoped it would find him in time.
Once he had finished, he walked outside his office and released the drone.
He watched it fly out of Atlas, according to Polendina it should have enough power to travel across the continent.
Ozpin better be right about the Scourge of Anima.
Otherwise, Atlas will suffer his wrath.
XXX
In a military base there were many prisoners trapped in Light Dust forcefields, some were banging against them protesting their innocence.
"Quiet down all of you!" The warden shouted with a sharp glare. "If you don't calm down I'll have you in solitary confinement."
That didn't deter the prisoners they only got louder.
"You have to believe me it wasn't me!" One soldier cried out to the warden.
"Same with me!" A huntsmen screamed. "Someone is framing me! I Didn't attack anyone!"
The others made all sorts of excuses while the warden just kept trying to quiet them down.
"Alright that does it!" He turned to the huntsmen in his cell. "You, you're facing a week of solitary confinement." The warden turned to one of the guards.
The forcefield went down showing the huntsmen trapped in Aura Cuffs.
"Let me go!" The huntsman yelled. "Please!"
One of the guards used a taser at his neck to knock him out.
The warden smirked as though he was happy to see the prisoner knocked out and watched him head to the metal room where he will be locked away alone with only three meals a day without any human contact.
Officially that is, no one will really know what goes on.
Once the prison suited down the warden stepped into the bland room, the cameras were unable to see him given his access to their cameras.
He placed a hand on the huntsmen's neck, he was absorbing the Aura even with it suppressed by the Aura Cuffs.
The 'warden's eyes glowed light blue, this was a great choice to carry out his creator's orders. At first he had to find people in secluded places, stealing their Aura and shapeshifting into them. Eventually he came across a man who worked as a prison warden and had formed the perfect plan.
First he would take just enough Aura from those with the most, such as huntsman and attack a soldier out of the blue, then leave before he is captured. Framing the huntsmen and taking him to prison. After that he had absorbed the Warden's Aura granting him the ability to turn his body into a copy of his.
The warden is locked away in Epeius's home, the soldier he first took Aura from where he cannot reveal what happened. He absorbs his Aura in order to keep his shape.
Now in this prison he can absorb the prisoners Aura while they sleep and avoid suspicion. His Blank Soul Dust was stockpiling Aura, he will repeat this for a few weeks, perhaps a month by then he will become stronger than ever fueled by the Aura.
Still there was one problem.
The Semblances he finds are... much to be desired. Some are decent such as wall crawling, others are hard to make use of such as making himself still as possible.
He needed more... substantial abilities to find.
And the Android had the perfect specimens.
He looked at a paper showing five well known individuals.
The Ace Operatives.
Their powers will be substantial.
A month's time to gain Aura, with there five Semblances on top of it, perhaps he can dispose of the Scourge of Anima.
XXX
Solitas Wilds
Kron was out hunting for food, looking around the snow for any antelope.
As he looked around a robotic sphere headed for him.
"A probe?" The Saiyan aimed a hand to it.
Just then the sphere stopped and a hologram showed.
A man he had only seen in pictures, he had black hair and steel like eyes.
"Ironwood?" Kron asked. "Never thought I'd see you face to face." He looked at the hologram and said. "Well sort of face to face.
"Scourge of Anima" The General said. "I am not here to fight only talk."
Kron tilted his head. "How did you know where to find me?"
"You have a few common sightings, I advise changing your travel pattern." Ironwood stated. "It only took two days to find you."
Kron realized that he might be right, he never really thought of that since he was the strongest and all.
"I want to know the truth, why did you lead White Fang against the Crusader Armor Research Facility?" James asked.
"Does it matter?" It was strange to be asked why considering what he saw on the media was all he needed.
"It does because it is not your MO." Ironwood stated. "Also the White Fang had no cause to attack it, there was more going on wasn't there?"
Kron was surprised at how sharp he was. "There were people that I had a score to settle with." The Saiyan stated. "As for those White Fang, they were freed from inside the building, the one in charge of it was using it as a base for the Silver Bullet Brotherhood, using them for experiments, I suppose you heard of them?"
Ironwood had, he had his suspicions but he had no real evidence that showed their existence. "I see, so your goal is to find it's leader?"
"I already know who it is." Kron stated. "Fort Lee Rockshow"
Ironwood nodded as though he thought that was him.
"I found out where he is." Ironwood stated.
Kron rose an eyebrow hearing that. "And your going to tell me just like that?"
"Yes, I only ask one thing."
"Nice try." Kron interrupted. "This is a trap."
"No" James stated. "Rockshow is a threat to me and all of Atlas, they brought a man I can never trust, an ex captain of our military named Amaranth."
Kron's eyes widened hearing that, Amaranth the leader of those three he had killed.
"Also Ozpin told me everything about the whole situation in Vale." Ironwood continued. "Your deal with a student named Yang Xaio Long, and how you taught her your ability."
He should't know this unless Ozpin told him.
"Ok, Ironwood, what are your terms and where can I find him."
James couldn't believe he was conversing with who he thought once was the greatest threat to Atlas.
He prayed he was not making a mistake.
Ironwood has finally made contact with Kron.
Will the Saiyan accept whatever conditions he has or will he do as he pleases.
What results have Team RWBY's training produced and will they be able to contact Kron before he goes too far.
What of Cinder? Will she succeed in her new plan to become a full Maiden, even so will she gain the power she dreams of?
Find out next time on One's Own Path!
Alrigthy so you guys will be happy to know that next chapter will have a Kron fight, as well as Team RWBY to have improved.
I was gonna save the time skip for next chapter, but I felt like for something like a month we can just do it in one chapter.
The Scourge Troop, red it goes to Lubmin for that name thank you so much Lubmin.
Kron likes wearing his Berringel Mask, which is the gorilla Grimm, a pack of gorillas is called a Troop so I decided to go for that.
As for the banner, I felt like it was a no brainer, a Grimm Oozaru, hope you guys like it.
Hope you look forward to next chapter.
Also go read One's Many Paths it has just been updated and don't forget to vote! You have till March 8th! Good luck!
Review Responses
Guest: I think I got one planned out.
angrypotatoe: Thank you
AlejandroDiaz: 1. Spoilers, you will see
b. I do actually, not 100% sure but I am planning to make it relevant.
c. Today
d. Spoilers you will see
e. Yes and I'm pretty committed to it.
2. a- yes I have plans for that
b. yes, which is why Team RWBY are far head of the Faunus Kron taught.
Guest: Thank you, possibly, not sure though cause there is already a lot going on.
GoD Arnoc: Lol, not sure, maybe I'll come up with it later on.
Jay: Thank you.
Yep and he's enjoying it more than he expected
Possibly, I like the name but decided the Scourge Troop would suit them best.
Kron may learn that when they attack the main base.
Amaranth is kind of based on how Ironwood ended up, only he's like that from the get go and much less emotional.
ThatSaiyagGuy: Thank you and I get it, it is a strange idea, but I think you'll like how it ends up.
What do you think is worse for Adam? Being beaten by Blake who used to look up to him, being used as a training dummy for Yang, or having his followers now follow Kron?
Possibly, though we have to remember they were apart of the plan to make Beacon Fall, let's hope it doesn't come back to bite him.
Yep, it's not exactly attraction it's more like she admires the bloodlust, and how he wants to do whatever he wants. Funny thing is one thing they have in common is they both value freedom only Kron has developed lines that shouldn't be crossed which, Neo doesn't like, also Roman and Neo aren't really to be trusted, for obvious reasons.
Lol, she is never going to let them forget if they find out.
I guess technically, that would count since Kron didn't specify, but I think Yang would find it more rewarding if she actually was the one to make him bleed. Weather she can or not only time will tell.
Glad you liked the fight, as for free will, the hybrids do have free will as you see with Eclipse though who knows if all of them will have it.
Corvus was the type to do anything to win. He was everything wrong with Raven on steroids, he abused his kids, used children as hostages, all the dirty tricks you can think of so that's possible.
Thank you hope you like the next!
Guest: Thank you. Not bad, may his soul rest indeed, I've been imagining Garou's English voice actor Greg Chun.
Guest: Thx, 28
Lubmin: Thank you.
Lol, Canvas pretty much is a horror monster.
Also thank you for the name Scourge Troop! I really like it and it really turns Kron's title into a brand.
I think I have to a couple times not gonna lie.
surcamstock: Thank you.
Hope you like the name Scourge Troop.
Also no as I said int he reviews Neo only enjoys seeing Kron's sadistic side, they will not be together.
Lelouch of Zero: Lol how dar I and I did.
Ya younger Kron would have killed both of them on a whim.
It might not be he seems confident thinking he can control them he better hope he's right.
Runeion: Like the names, hope the Scourge Troop was good enough for you.
Imperial Stormtrooper: Lol, I get it, makes you feel any better we'll be getting more action soon.
TriplexZoro: Not bad, hope you like the name I chose.
triscythe59: They sure, tbd they don't really know enough about Kron.
James is now directing them to Rockshow so hope your happy with that.
We will see.
Alright guys hope you liked the chapter and tell me what you think
Have an awesome day! :)