A/N: Once again back with another chapter to another story. Things have been very busy for me with work and with Monster Hunter Wilds reeling me in, I thought it was right to upload this chapter before MH Wilds drags me back in to the hunt. So, here you guys go!
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ REMNANT OF DESIRES AND REMNANTS OF DESIRES: AFTER THE FALL, READ THEM BEFORE YOU START READING THIS STORY. THANK YOU.
Third Person View
'Thought'
Greeed/Yummies
"In the light of recent events, we will like to apologize for any inconvenience the deceased suspect Bram Thornmane had caused amongst the populace of both Mantle and Atlas." The screen displayed Ironwood who had made his recent broadcast in regards to the incident that had ended. "Rest assured, any of his collaborators will be apprehended to the fullest extent of the law and brought to justice for their heinous acts."
The incident Thornmane caused had become known to the public. As by who spread it well, news can travel fast based on the individual.
"Due to Ironwood, Team RWBY and Team BRIR's heroic deeds, not only have the huntsmen and huntresses who helped received awards for their duty in stopping such a diabolical scheme."
A glass with liquor was thrown at the tv screen, shattering both as Jacques hissed in anger. Not only did Ironwood's public image be given a positive light but now most of the people are backing his intentions!
It was a matter of time before Robyn became next in the council. Given the lousy woman's reputation amongst Mantle, it was clear sooner or later she will take Ironwood's place. And that woman has well intentions unlike Jacques himself.
He needed some plan as soon as possible to deal a deadly blow to both of them for his chance at victory at being both on the council and leader of Atlas. But given how so many are against the SDC owner, he had to find more… darker way to win without putting suspicion on himself.
His eyes stared at the footage of his daughter and her so-called 'true family'. But nothing made him more bitter than the young man who she saw as part of that family. The young man who had the gall to downright call out on him and take Willow away to safety because of his doings that drove the woman into such a state
'I have fought many things before. Compared to them, you are nothing.'
Those words showed the punk wasn't afraid of him; nor afraid of the threat that was made. It infuriated Jacques after hearing every single insult the brat made. He was looking down on him.
He hated that brat. How dare he looked down on Jacques Schnee of the SDC! Obviously, the brat needed to be taught some respect. Even he didn't tell him where his belt came from. Those coins were similar to the three that hang in his collection of valuables.
Just what are those coins and how did he obtain them in the first place? Though it smelled like the workings of his business rival Kousei Kougami all over it. The man had rejected constantly on business collaborations and with the embargo, there had been no method to communicate with the rest given the towers went offline when Beacon fell.
Yet the rumors had been going around. That Kougami had been on the workings of communications that don't require the CCT. Nor to require Dust. As if his Foundation had another source that rivaled Dust to make it a reality.
This made Kougami one of his biggest rivals to the elder Schnee. He wanted that tech, he wanted that property and everything inside it! Yet he had to remain in the public's graces for their damn votes. If he could just get the data on it and recreate it for the SDC, he would ruin Kougami's hold in Remnant forever.
Jacques had too many eyes to keep fully track of now. He needed some way to cripple them all and succeed in the election now, otherwise he won't be able to win this bout.
"Something troubling you?" Jacques noticed Watts who was here as well. Ah right, they had been discussing the current election. A man who Atlas thought was dead but no, Watts was alive and well.
"Just troublesome brats." Jacques never left his eyes on the image.
"Ah, that is a problem." Watts nodded as he sipped some tea. "Now what will you do about it?"
Jacques contemplated the options. He needed to succeed in the election of council but given Robyn's reputation and the succession James displayed, it was a nuisance.
"I'm open to any suggestions…" He demanded the scientist.
"Hrm…" With Jacques' cooperation he could benefit from it, that is if he wins the election. Ah, that's it. "You would need to win the election of council. Of course, we will have to create a blame in regards to Ironwood."
"You mean to manipulate the election." The CEO realized. "That sounds good enough, but problem is those damn brats."
Watts paused when the CEO of the Schnee Dust Company mentioned a group of brats. One in particular Jacques seemed to have disliked based on the glare directed at a young man in black.
Watts wouldn't show it but he frowned. It was OOO. This now complicates things if the brat is here in Atlas and Mantle. He needed to inform Tyrian of the problem before their plan is ruined.
Remnants of Desires: Edge of Avarice
Chapter 15: Relaxation, Confliction, Tyrian's Attack
It has been a day since the problem Bram Thornmane caused had settled. Things have somewhat settled after that incident but we were not ignorant to the reality of Grimm and his two fellow Greeed are not backing down. We were successful and obtained another Full Combo from it.
Harper, despite being the mole within the military for Bram, didn't deserve such a death nor did the latter. It was ruthless.
But we now have some new allies with Team BRIR, as having new friends to help us will do everyone some good, should more trouble come.
To which speaking of… Poseidon. Not only was he behind all of the incidents, but he still had some of those Emotion Orbs left over. We have no idea how to track them nor what plans the Grimm Greeed has. We can only wait and hope we have enough people to stop his plans again.
I remembered examining the Venomous Combo, seeing the newest combo added to our arsenal.
Now, we had nine Full Combos – GataKiriBa, LaToraTah, SaGoZo, ShaUTa, TaJaDol, PuToTyra, Super TaToBa, SeiShiroGin, and MukaChiRi. It was funny, there was never a combo that involved Super TaToBa. SeiShiroGin, or MukaChiRi.
Back then, I merely watched the OOO episodes but that was it. Never dwelled much into the series much else. Especially this world adding in so many things that didn't happen in the show. Especially with the new medals.
Alas, that wasn't the only thing I was thinking about. It was the deaths of Harper and Bram. While I wasn't unfamiliar with witnessing death given my past, the same cannot be said for Ruby.
While she had lost her mother, she was still at a young age not to remember too much from it. But from the death of Pyrrha and at the time, Penny. She was still new to death… and the moment we finished that mission. Ruby was curled up on her bed for the rest of the day.
The deaths of now 4 people, all still fresh and painful as ever lingers in her mind. It made me worried about Ruby as the girl didn't need to see such gruesome imagery. Since we have the day off, I was hoping to maybe hang out with Ruby and help her with such issues. I can only hope she'll agree to it.
I approached the dorm her team stayed in before knocking on the doorframe. "Ruby, it's me." I saw the Huntress on her bunk.
"...hey…" She said softly to me, still curled up on the bed with her blanket covering everything but her face.
"You okay?" I cringed upon the first question that came out of my mouth.
Ruby only had her gaze lowered, her silence answering for me. Such a sight made my heart twist and churn with sorrow from it. Ruby simply wanted to be a Huntress, a hero to those. Yet lately it's been feeling like none of that has happened, only to see death during her start as an official Huntress. The death of the patrol squad by the mines, delivered by Kazari's hand. Former Lieutenant Harper who was killed by Muchiri. And Bram Thornmane impaled by Poseidon's water spike.
"I… just don't know…. Are we truly doing the right thing?" Ruby questioned me.
I walked over and sat at the end of her bunk. I interlock my fingers together and l slouched forward albeit slightly. Taking a deep breath, I said, "Death can be a scary thing to witness. It may be from the hands of another, by something else or by your own hands." I looked at my hands after unclasping them. "To ask how it could have been prevented or if there had been another way to save them. I know where you getting at Ruby. And how it feels regarding it. I speak from my own personal experiences. Losing my mom and sister, the deaths during the breach… the Fall of Beacon." I briefly caught Ruby's grip on her blanket tighten. "There's a bitter saying in my world. You can save them, but you can't save them all. As hurtful as it sounds… it's how reality is. I was given the full picture of it slapped into my face."
When I lost my family, I was given the cruel facts of reality. I had to deal with the emotional trauma. The bitterness and the images that were seared into my brain in the past. The Fall of Beacon had brought up such grave memories I wanted to suppress. PTSD isn't something that goes away willy nilly. It takes weeks, months, sometimes years for it to stop. It took me 5 years (adding to the Fall of Beacon) to finally push through it. The dream incident the Grimm Yummy caused at Menagerie was the final step of overcoming my past and its traumas.
"I've seen it… I've committed my first…" I gave a wry smile. "It never… never gets easy."
"How…" Ruby spoke up softly. The scythe wielder moved slightly to sit up. "How do you make it easier…? Does.. the fear ever go away or get easier?"
I laid back, seeing the bottom of the upper bunk, placing my hands over my chest. "As long as that fear doesn't get to me, I have to take one step at a time. There may be moments where you step back, but you can't forget what you are doing it for. It's… not easy but as long as you muster that courage. That strength within you. You can overcome what is in front of you, one step at a time."
"But what if… I'm not enough?"
"It's up to you to decide on it, Ruby. For anything goes."
The leader of Team RWBY knit her brows slightly. Her silver orbs shifted slightly to the side. She seemed to be contemplating for a moment before she squinted her eyes and took a slow breath of air. The slight shaking of it was there but Ruby was grasping the words said to her. "I'll… try."
I smiled and raised my hand into a fist. Ruby moved her arm and pressed her knuckles against mine.
"Atta girl. Doing the littlest things is better than doing nothing."
"Thank you…" Ruby smiled softly, only for her to soon hug me tightly, like that of a little sister. "And… you do your best too because I believe in you."
I patted her head. Ruby was the youngest amongst the group and a leader. From all of us, I understood how Ruby is feeling. She was only 17 and never saw the reality of death or the world's colors. It isn't easy but it's a process. Looking down at her, I can only wonder one thing that concerns me about Ruby.
How will she be if the trauma ever puts her to the edge.
You know that feeling you get when you are told by your bosses that you are given time off? Not having to deal with anything work related and all that jazz?
The sweet feeling of freedom! It was a first to feel this way and by god to relax from all the Huntsman work I had to do was what I needed! No repetitive missions, no one to request anything for him to do anything. Just the feeling of R .
"Thank god!" I slouched against the table. With the Arrowfell incident, Ironwood had granted the Teams the day off.
It was currently the breakfast hour and right now I felt complete relief by it.
"You can say that again." Yang agreed, leaning back against her seat, munching on a breakfast bagel before swallowing. "We finally got a day off from all the nonstop crap we dealt with! Especially with Arrowfell!"
"So what should we do then?" Blake asked, brushing her hair.
"Well I for one will be with Winter and Rouge for a few hours." Weiss stated.
"You just want to dote on your nephew." Yang deadpanned.
The former heiress spluttered at Yang's accusation. "Th-That is not true!"
"You fawned over him when he put up a shy facade back at Argus for the escape plan."
"That was for our escape!"
"You recently wanted to have Rouge try out clothes, clothes you picked." Blake added.
"I-I have to make sure they fit and don't cause some allergic reaction!" Weiss denied, her face more red than my TaJaDol combo.
"How can a homunculus have allergies?" asked the buxom brawler.
"He-! I-I-!" Weiss stammered.
"It's okay, Weiss. I was the same with Zwei when we got him." Ruby patted her friend's back.
"Thank you!"
"What kind of clothes you choose for Rouge anyway?" Weiss facepalmed. She picked up her tray and marched away in embarrassment.
"Nice one, Rubes." Yang and Ruby high fived.
We jumped slightly when our table was lifted towards one direction, all sliding downward. Nora tried to save her pancakes but it was too late as we all turned our heads to notice Gamel who dropped the table and belched loudly, causing a brief push of air. Blake quickly held her nose, her ears folding to the foul smell. Yang and Ruby waved their hands as I did.
"Food refueled!" The Beast Greeed chimed.
"Gamel! Those were ours!" Nora whined.
"I wanted food! Patrolling took forever!!" The gray-haired homunculus grumbled.
"Then get your own food, don't take our breakfast!" Ruby pouted. "I was supposed to eat that sweet toast Enrique made for us…"
"French Toast." Yang corrected.
"Yeah that."
Gamel patted his abdomen before he felt a fist slam his head. We saw Gamel on the ground and smoke leaving his head. Ankh shook his Greeed arm, his red eyes scrutinizing us.
"Quit your whining. It's just food you humans eat."
"Says the guy who can't help but eat anything ice cream related…" Yang spoke up.
Ankh flipped the bird before adjusting his jacket. "In case you idiots haven't noticed, we just returned from a near week long scouting to track Kazari's and Grimm's whereabouts." He grunted. "Having to listen to that drunk crow… he is lucky I am not wringing his damn neck!"
"Hey! Uncle Qrow has changed. He doesn't touch booze anymore." Ruby huffed, her cheeks puffed out in annoyance. "He has been sober for a few months already!" Qrow truly did his best to work on that addiction and he's been now clean for a few months. Which was surprising for us all.
"Till he hits the bottle again." Ankh yanked Gamel up onto his feet. "Poseidon has remained off the grid as is Kazari. Whatever they are up to, I don't doubt they are watching for potential Yummy hosts. Which means…" He pointed at me. "You are still going to be busy keeping an eye out."
I whined. I completely forgot about that. "Way to ruin my one day vacation."
"He's just jealous he doesn't get a day off." Yang pointed out with a smirk.
Ankh stared before he barked out in mocking laughter. "Jealous? Me? Of the reckless idiot here? HA! Yeah right."
"Should we call his girl with the Candroid and tell her how much he misses her?" Yang grinned. "I mean come on, I am surprised a girl like Sara digs the bad boy type."
We froze to a brief projectile flying past all of us, missing Yang by a literal hair. All eyes turned to the burning feather embedded in the metal wall. Yang's eyes slowly saw a small strand fall, forcing her brow to twitch.
"Say it again, goldilocks."
"..." Yang said nothing as she stood up. Ah, right. I think I knew where this was heading to and I'm sure the others felt the same. We all began to shuffle and get out of the room as quickly as possible.
"Here we go again." Blake rolled her eyes. "Three…. Two… One."
A loud explosion shot out as the mess hall shook heavily. We then peeked to see Yang giving a sigh of relief alongside a hole where Ankh was.
"Well, I think I'm gonna see if Team FNKI wants to go clubbing later on in the evening!" Yang smiled before she made her way out to ask them.
Gamel munched on the bucket he carried, almost oblivious to what just happened. "… popcorn?" He offered us.
Afternoon hit and to say the least, it still gave a lot of time as it was barely past noon. Ankh and Yang had to help fix the hole the latter made. Ankh would have been scott-free were it not for the fact he provoked the brawler. Oh he made a few colorful comments about it. There should have been a swear jar for each one he says.
But as for me, Blake wanted to have some time together, as it has been awhile since she and I were just having a normal day together. The Faunus first wanted to walk with me around Atlas's Botanical Garden together.
"Man… I didn't ever think we'd get a day off…" Blake sighed with delight as she nuzzled against me with an audible purr, "I thought for sure with Atlas, we'd be unable to get something like this…"
"Couldn't agree more. It was nothing but nonstop work." I moved my hand. "Dealing with the missions day by day and returning to the dorms exhausted. Now I know how my dad feels when he comes home from work."
"But now we have this day together, just the two of us." The cat faunus giggled happily. "No missions, and hopefully no Greeed-related activities."
"Please don't jinx it. It's starting to feel like I am not on a one day vacation when you bring that up." I grumbled in dismay.
"Hehe, sorry." Blake giggled softly, pecking my cheek, "Still, we deserve this especially after the Arrowfell incident. Not sure to call it a complete success all things considered..."
She wasn't wrong on it. Given Bram is dead as is Harper, it was clear Grimm hated nuisances. It is true we managed to succeed by prying a Combo out of them but it isn't as easy as it sounds. We were lucky to even get a set from them given they were Complete Greeed. Next time won't be simple because they will be ready.
"But let's not focus on that. I just want to spend this time with my fiance." The Faunus kunoichi said with delight in her voice, hugging my arm tighter but affectionately.
My lips curled slightly. While there had been some things we had disagreements on, we have progressed in our engaged relationship. Blake truly is my other half to me, she is my everything and I'm truly glad to have met her and fallen in love. She had filled the void I had in my heart.
And I know she too feels the same way.
"Say…. Enrique?" Blake spoke up to me, as it caught my attention to see what she wanted.
"What is it, Blake?" I asked her, curious what she wanted.
Blake simply smiled as she pressed her lips against mine, the Faunus girl kissing me gently and warmingly as she held it for a bit before parting.
"I truly love you, Enrique." She whispered with the brightest smile on her face, enough where it felt like we were flying in the air at this moment. She turned around and proceeded.
Recalling everything I went through, adding to the brief sightings of the golden robed OOO. I lowered my head before curling the fingers of my right hand. With my left, I reached out to Blake.
"Enrique? What's-" I silenced her as I pulled her back to me and returned a kiss of my own to her. I felt the Faunus' form pressing against me, the brief sound of a purr leaving her and the brush of her hand across my shoulder.
I parted, seeing Blake's beet red face. I smiled thinly, brushing two of my fingers across a lock of her hair. "Same here Blake. More than anything." I gently released my hold on her and walked ahead. Glancing over my shoulder, I gauged her reaction just for the fun of it.
Blake was standing there, lost in a daze of love and happiness only for her to soon snap out of it before quickly following after me. Seemed the kiss worked too well on her for Blake to be left stunned.
It was now the late evening, Blake had joined Yang with Team FNKI to have fun. On the other hand, after returning to the base, I heard from Marrow regarding the upcoming victory party Robyn was hosting in regards to the election. Last I checked, the poll so far was Robyn having 67% while Jacques had 33%. Couldn't agree more regarding what I saw so far given Jacques was a greedy prick.
Thus, I volunteered to help out. I was in my armor, just idle and seeing the ongoing party.
"Seriously, thanks for the help with this, Enrique. Having you here, gives me relief knowing there's a Greeed detector to make sure there's no surprises…" Mallow sighed with relief.
I sighed. "I wouldn't call myself a good detector when Ankh beats it by a long way."
"Better to have something, than to have no sense for it at all." The Faunus pointed out.
"I agree! It is sensational!" Penny clapped her hands together.
"I guess…" I looked at the ongoing crowd. "Besides… I wanted to help. There's a saying, 'Evil triumphs when good men do nothing'."
"That is quite a saying, but a valid one." Penny nodded in agreement. Marrow seems to have taken the phrase more seriously based on the contemplative look on his face.
My gaze was fixed before my green lenses saw a familiar scythe wielder alongside Nora and Ren. "Ruby? Nora? Ren? Didn't expect you three."
"Enrique, what are you doing here?" Ruby asked. "I thought General Ironwood told us-"
"I volunteered to help Marrow and Penny." I replied. "An attack on political events like this is bound to cause a panic anywhere."
"Experience from home?" Ren guessed.
"Something like that." I answered. "Plus, I had a feeling they will aim for Ms. Hill and the people attending this rally other than Jacques. He is, to be blunt, a greedy bastard after seeing him again."
I was sure I pissed him off and got into his shit list after I told him to piss off and took Mrs. Schnee to the Atlas base. If he ever tried anything, he will get what he deserved. Like they say, the bigger they are the harder they fall.
"Plus, I'm trying to find a way to get that man to reopen the Dust stores without him winning the election." I added on. "Ms. Hill also asked me to help with that knowing that I pissed him off."
"Wait, she spoke to you?" asked Ruby.
I sighed, rubbing my neck. "It's about my powers and the Greeed. The incident involving Mrs.Schnee and Kazari's attack got her attention and concern."
Ruby remembered what happened along with the confrontation by Robyn when she, Qrow, Clover, and Penny were transporting the resources. Her people must have watched everything during the attack in the mines and in Mantle.
"Something wrong Ruby?" I noticed her state of mind.
"Just… something feels off is all… I can't explain it, but I still feel uneasy…" Ruby stated with some worry in her voice.
I rested a hand on her shoulder, "Just hang in there okay?"
"Okay."
I leaned over, starting to notice Nora and Ren getting into an argument. Either it was a lover's quarrel or something else I do not want to interfere given it was between them. I heard my Candroid Ring, making me reach for one of the five I brought with me.
"I'm gonna be outside. Gotta answer this." I waved my hand and walked out.
"Enjoy your call!" Penny waved.
Once outside, I pulled the tab which made the Candroid transform into its Batta mode. "Everything alright Blake?"
"Yeah, everything is okay. Was wondering if you still have time to join me, Yang, and Team FNKI at the club?" My fiancee inquired.
I looked over my shoulder then at the Candroid. "Well the election results are about to be announced. If there is still some good hours left I'll definitely make my way there."
"Better make it fast cuz Blake seems to be eager for it." That was Yang's voice.
"Yang! Give me back my Candroid!"
"She has been truly missing being beside you. Like I hear kitty whimpers every few seconds.~"
"You can't prove that!!"
"Tell that to-okay! Okay! I'll give it back to you! Sheesh." Yang grumbled.
I could hear the fumbling of the device. "Sorry you had to hear that."
"It's fine, Blake. Yang's just trying to mess with ya." I chuckled.
"But yeah… I'll save a slow dance with you when you get here…"
"Aww."
"What did I say, Yang?!"
"Pfft." I held back a laugh. "Listen, I'll be right there. I promise. I just have to-"
The sound of screaming startled me.
"Enrique?"
"I'll call you back." I quickly ended the communications and rushed inside but nearly got trampled by the number of civilians fleeing. I grunted to the brief shoves, practically pushing me back before I was finally squeezing through.
The first thing my helmet picked up was the sight of blood. That was not a good sign. Then I began to hear the sound of bodies falling.
My armored eyes noticed someone jumping across the people they killed but when I saw the stinger and weapons, my eyes widened to the familiar weapons and scorpion tail. There was only one Faunus I know who is doing this.
Unclasping the Candroids, I let them hop onto the support beams above without anyone noticing. If they are planning to frame someone for the murders, it's better to have evidence to clear their names.
The Battas climbed and perched themselves across the entire room. I saw Penny at the stage trying to locate the bastard in the darkness of the area. However she was having a hard time tracking him due to the chaos of the scared and confused people moving around. Unlike me as my helm saw clearly through it like a natural instinct with the Taka Helm.
However the scorpion did something when Penny shoved Robyn away. Alas the Faunus leapt onto the beam and repeated it by fleeing. Looking at Penny who was on the stage, I turned back at the maniacal Faunus.
"Screw it." I cursed under my helmet and went after the Scorpion Faunus.
My green lenses were right on him and I leapt across before finding myself closer and closer.
"HEY!" Tyrian stopped before slowly turning his back, seeing me with my sword.
"You…" He recognized me greatly.
"The others may not have seen you do it but I did you bastard." I growled under my helmet. I was glad I wore the armor before the blackout happened. However, after what the Scorpion Faunus did, it was obvious the blackout was staged. "I am going to take you in."
Tyrian scowled at first before he laughed maniacally. "Fine by me, OOO! You want to fight? I'll take joy in taking your head for my Queen! She will be delighted when she hears I finally kill you!"
I brandished my two blades while the Tora Claws remained folded. I had to be careful. While Ankh and I were lucky back in Menagerie, this was different.
My green lenses took notice of a slight difference in the faunus. His left arm seems to be prosthetic like his stinger. Did that mean someone actually cut his arm off after our last encounter?
"Guess someone taught you a lesson if you have that prosthetic arm?" I noticed. "You must have pissed someone off really bad."
"Yes, I did… Sad we had to be on other sides, as I'm sure he and I would've worked wonderfully. Sadly, his allegiance to that thing, is nothing compared to my Queen."
"Thing? Wait a minute… you are talking about Muchiri and Poseidon!" I realized.
"Oh? I didn't know you gave those things pet names… Now it makes sense why that bird brain was with you."
I brandished the O-Calibur, twirling both it and Medajalibur. "Whatever the case is, you are going to explain a lot for what you did to those people inside that party."
"As much as I'd love to… I have to leave now. Can't stay and play with you kids just yet."
His face met ice, making him step back and rub his nose.
"Think twice before you act as they say." I manipulated the ice again and threw sharp projectiles at him. With it thrown, I dashed forward with both swords spread like wings.
Tyrian quickly blocked several before one grazed his cheek. He clicked his tongue before raising his metal arm, allowing both of my swords to collide in a blast of sparks.
"I must ask… how is that silver eyed abomination doing? Still upset?"
I frowned under my helmet. "I am not falling for your stupid taunts."
"Then maybe I should go ask that cat of yours… I'm curious how her pelt will feel."
I spun on my heel, slamming my foot against his stomach which sent him crashing through the ice wall. Tyrian growled and lunged his stinger at me. I yelped, ducking and rolled to the left. Medajalibur shifted into its gun form in which I aimed and pulled the trigger. The assassin dodged left and right and leapt forward. 'Crap!' I moved the other sword but it hit the gap of the pincer blade of his other arm, catching it in place.
Tyrian then slammed the ball of his tail against my helm, smacking me enough to daze my vision. Then I felt the other set of blades strike my armor, casting a blast of sparks and aura. He yanked the Medajalibur off, the weapon sliding across the pavement. I used my Semblance to use ice to launch it back to me but Tyrian tackled me to the wall. After dropping O-Calibur, I balled both hands together and slammed onto his back. It didn't deter him in which I raised my arms again but his tail wrapped the left forearm and whipped me to the side.
Turning myself over, I gasped and caught him by the wrists on his arms, his blades inching closer to my armor.
I gritted my teeth as I had Tyrian's hands locked in place by my own. He was trying to behead me. However I saw the swaying tail rising above.
"Sorry but you failed." Tyrian laughed, the stinger aiming to pierce my armor.
"No, I didn't." I focused on my Semblance and a pillar of ice erupted next to us, stopping the stinger. Tyrian tried to tug his tail but it was stuck to his bewilderment. He snarled but I slammed my helmet against his head. With him disoriented, I slid back and kicked him right in the face as the ice vanished.
Tyrian rubbed his jaw and paused. He frowned and spit to the side a tooth that was now seen on the ground. I finally delivered a good hit on him.
His tail swayed before it lunged, prompting me to duck and use the ice to slide away. I made ice appear from behind, hitting him in the back, towards me before I drove my knee right up his chin, slamming his jaws together.
When Tyrian aimed for my head, all his weapon met was a statue of ice upon myself sliding back. He yelled, breaking the ice that trapped his weapon and went for a vertical swing. With the Taka Helm enabling to see, I used my arm to block it but not before the Tora Claws activated, flipping over, trapping Tyrian's left pincer sword. I punched him three times before unfolding the left claw and powered my double kick with the Batta Legs. Landing on my feet, I swallowed some air due to the adrenaline rush.
"Who's failing now?"
With a hiss, Tyrian lunged at me slashing before hopping back as he began to pelt me with rounds and rounds from the guns on his wrist blades as he closed the gap as his eyes glowed purple, using his Semblance to deal more damage than before.
I quickly brought up a cover to duck before leaping over to allow my feet to slam into him. I rotated my arm, making the ice shift and latch onto the appendage to the ground.
With the ice trapping his tail instead of his stinger, I used the Tora Claw and finally severed the appendage into three pieces. The crazed man screamed, staggering as the entirety of his tail fell.
"My tail!" Tyrian screamed.
"Paybacks a bitch isn't it, for all the lives you took?" I asked with a taunt.
The killer Faunus angrily looked at the severed pieces of his tail then at me. "You…. YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT!!!"
He dashed towards me angrily and viciously. I dodged the blades but one scraped across my armor. I grunted before he kicked my leg to force me off balance. I rolled to the right to avoid impalement and grabbed the stump that was his now gone tail to pull him and slam my elbow against his back.
"Your tail made you wide open." I hummed. "Seems you have failed your orders from your boss to kill me, again."
To hear of the possible disappointment seemed to have struck a chord on the Faunus. Good thing his mind can be read like an open book even the time when he tried to capture me back at Menagerie.
There was fear in his eyes before it hardened into fury. I remained defensive and focused on my Semblance. When he made another move, I flicked my wrist to allow ice to ensnare his feet. He pulled but I made the ice go up further to his arms. Back then, I was still practicing my use of my Cryokinesis. Now? I was mastering it in numerous ways; offensively and defensively.
"Too bad you froze, huh?" I joked. "You're under arrest, Tyrian."
I approached him as I presented the Unagi Candroids. Just as I was in arms reach, the street barrier erupted between me and Tyrian. It startled me. How in the world did it activate on its own?! There were no vehicles. Unless...
"Outside help...of course." I groaned. "You had help in entering the Kingdom."
Tyrian didn't say anything before I saw someone approaching from behind him. I remained on guard but I couldn't be too cocky. The man was unfamiliar to me but based on the approach to protect Tyrian, it was obvious they were partners.
"For a young brat, you are more crafty and sly than I expected."
"Comes from learning from experience." I retorted, my hands clenched with the Tora Claws remained active. "Who are you anyway?"
"Call me Watts, OOO. A pleasure to finally meet you in person."
"What is it you two are planning if you tried to kill Robyn?" I demanded.
"Spare me the useless answer when it will come to place. However." His eyes narrowed at me and added, "Your interference makes anything go your way it seems."
"Not so. I just happened to be here when your maniac killed people." I retorted. "Your objective is as simple as you can get: panic among the populace to obtain the Relics and cause war."
"Did you really think you figured us out that easily?"
"Considering your only plan is to create panic and war, I doubt you have anything else in mind." I snarked. "Even the Greeed are better than this, when their only objective is taking their Medals back from me."
"Ah yes, the Greeed." The man hummed. "They may be interesting creatures but in the end, they met their fall haven't they as did the king?" My body clenched at the mention of Solaris. "What is it your fate will be? Will it be as a Huntsman you so focus on being to stop us? Or is it a mad king who will meet the same end as his predecessor?"
"I decide my own fate, Watts."
"That remains to be seen." He made the ice shattered by his firearm, freeing Tyrian. "Let us go, Tyrian."
"Let me deal with that brat!" The Faunus argued.
"And lose you in the end? Better to remain alive to continue our task than dead."
Tyrian scowled at him before he looked at me. "Next time OOO, you'll be next on my kill list."
"And I'll be ready. You're not the first madmen who made that threat to me."
The two retreated, allowing the barrier to fall back into the street. Seeing them gone, I finally felt the adrenaline wear off and dismissed my armor. I fell on my back after the grueling fight. I was lucky but I suffered from some of Tyrian's attacks. My eyes trail to the severed tail fragments and picked it up. "Yuck… I can't believe I am even doing this."
This might be the proof we need to inform the general of the presence of Salem's followers. However given that I knew the two were here, I am sure I would be targeted to be silenced to prevent any interference.
Watts began his work on creating a new tail after the endeavor Tyrian suffered. The Faunus sat on a crate, his Aura stopping the bleeding of his missing appendage. Oh Watts can see how infuriated Tyrian was despite the pain. A stinger he lost by the girl with the silver eyes but now, it was his whole tail by OOO.
"You lost a part of your tail twice and your arm with it. I'm starting to wonder if you are worthy of being called an assassin."
The mad man angrily looked at Watts and barked out, "I don't see you having better ideas when that brat ruined a part of the plan! He needs to be silenced!"
They had missed the fact he was even in the party. He must have been outside right as the plan was initiated!
"Hmm… what if we make it seem like he was an accomplice to the murder we're establishing?" Watts pondered as he began to look over any footage that he could work with.
"And how when he barely showed?!"
"Hrm…" The scientist grunted irritably. Tyrian was right. OOO had only popped up once and left to go after Tyrian unlike the android Penny. He looked at the footage but paused. He zoomed in very closely and noticed OOO dropped something.
More like five little things.
"Bloody bastard." Watts whispered to himself.
"What? What is it?" Tyrian asked, confused by the footage.
"It seems the brat had released one, no, five recorders." Clever he was and smart. It would mean OOO would turn the devices to the general to provide innocence to the android.
"Then can you track one of them down and alter the footage?"
"This is Kougami's technology. He runs his private network in Vale." Watts hissed. To use Core energy to create a network of machines that provide their own communications is indeed impressive but also showed Kougami had the master key in regards to control of everything made in his company. He remembered the man's goals to have OOO unite the four kingdoms.
"Tch, some hacker you are!"
"Says the assassin who couldn't handle two brats."
"Grr." Tyrian stopped and quickly pointed his weapons at the ledge of the rooftop above. It was nothing but a small bumblebee flying away. Since when were there bees in Mantle?
"It's just a bee you idiot." Watts huffed, dismissing the holoscreen and walked.
Tyrian stared at the now gone bug.
It was no ordinary bee.
CURRENT MEDALS:
Blazing: Taka (x2), Kujaku (x3), Condor (x3)
Scorching: Lion (x1), Tora (x2), Cheetah (x1)
Strongest: Kuwagata (x1), Kamakiri (x1), Batta (x1)
Legendary: Kobura (x1), Kame (x1), Wani (x1)
Water: Shachi (x2), Unagi (x1), Tako (x1)
Gravity: Sai (x3), Gorilla (x1), Zou (x2)
Invincible: Ptera (x1), Tricera (x1), Tyranno (x1)
Cold: Seiuchi (x1), Shirokuma (x1), Penguin (x1)
Venomous: Mukade (x1), Hachi (x1), Ari (x1)
Ultimate King: Super Taka (x1), Super Tora (x1), Super Batta (x1)
(NEXT TIME)
"That—That's the Faunus from last time…" Ruby recognized as did Nora and Ren. "That's who was at the rally." Her eyes trailed to the severed stinger. "Then you…"
It was pointless to lie. So I gave her my real answer. "I'm going to have to talk to Ms. Hill, without Ironwood knowing."
"Enrique that's-!" Blake recognized the woman in horror.
Next Time: Evidence, Trust, An Aquatic Return
A/N: Seems things are now taking a turn now that Salem's agents are making their move. While our protagonist has been keeping steady, it's only a matter of time before the faltering begins. What will occur now? You guys will just have to wait and see in the next chapter. Don't forget to leave a review and favorite and follow the story.
Now if you excuse me...
*Hefts up Long sword*
Got me some Monsters to hunt! See you guys next time!