"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."
Steve Jobs
Chapter 10: The Hunt Inquisitorius
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Mistral.
Heh…
…seems that they've certainly been making the headlines recently.
Located on the second largest continent of Remnant, Anima, and possessing one of the greatest diversities of land and weather in the world, there is certainly something there for everyone for Mistral. So much so that it also serves as a "haven" for the less than law abiding folks around.
Great, Taiyang and Yang have infected me with their puns.
Recently though, Mistral has been going through quite a paradigm shift, gaining the attention of everyone else around them, for better or for worse. Such attention hadn't been seen since The Great War. Funny enough, it's actually from the time of the Great War that they brought something back.
The Hunt Inquisitorius. Also referred to as Inquisitors.
I'm not really one for history, that's more Barty's turf, but given my "work" and the fact that it's a part of my old stomping grounds, I made an exception just this once.
The time period back then was an uneasy one. The Kingdoms rife with nearly a century worth of tension and locked in a cold war with each other. For the former empire of Mistral however, this tense and hostile environment also served as a catalyst for enemies to even sprout up from within their own borders. Rebels who criticized and were tired of the poor way the monarchy ruled and wanted to usurp, criminals who took advantage and gained wealth and power that shouldn't have been in their hands, and even members of the state who turned traitor and fed secrets to foreign powers.
And the solution at the time was the Hunt Inquisitorius.
The Inquisitors were a secret faction of law enforcement, one that was created by and answered ONLY to the Royal Family in order to weed out and combat against these dissidents, and hoping to prevent the other Kingdoms from smelling blood in the water and capitalizing on the opportunity. They operated in the shadows, outside the usual confines that tended to undermine the integrity of typical law enforcement, and infiltrated many aspects of society in order to flush out those who threatened the status quo. From the aforementioned Rebels and Criminals, to corrupt Nobles who overstepped their boundaries and potential spies and saboteurs from enemy Kingdoms.
They were ruthless, scarily efficient, and above all else loyal. True sons and daughters of Mistral.
That is… until they weren't.
Now, most of what I learned of what they did next was definitely recorded in the history books surprisingly, but Oz also gave me his own accounts about his experiences with the group. And they were certainly… something.
When Remnant was engulfed in the fires of the Great War, the role of the Hunt Inquisitorius was greatly expanded in scope. No longer were they merely the police of Royalty, they would in fact become spies and saboteurs themselves under the direction of not only Mistral, but their alliance and wartime allies from Mantle as well. Using their experience in infiltrating aspects of Mistral society and the criminal underworld, Inquisitors were sent into enemy territory to acquire intelligence and secrets to aid their allies, as well as sabotage the war efforts of their enemies from Vale and Vacuo. This greatly contributed to many of Mistral and Mantles victories across various campaigns in the war.
It didn't stop there though, as the Inquisitors would later be given a new role alongside being spies and saboteurs, and dipped their feet into the realm of assassination. They would observe and scout behind enemy lines, and identify high profile targets: Admirals, Commanders, Generals, highly skilled soldiers and doctors, as well as suppliers that were responsible for bringing key resources such as food and munitions. Once they would find targets, the Inquisitors would get to work and… wipe the pieces from the board so to speak.
It's generally agreed by historians, as well as Ozpin himself, that this is where things started going downhill. As the Great War escalated over its 10-year run, the Hunt Inquisitorius were given more power and influence and autonomy throughout Mistral territories. Because of the carnage of the war, the goal behind this course of action was to better secure Mistral against potential outside attacks, as well as sniff and weed out any corruption that attempted to take advantage of the war for their own purposes. However, the power and influence they had gained ended up going to their heads, corrupting themselves. They grew drunk and high off this power.
Suddenly the Inquisitors were no longer patriotic sons and daughters who served their emperor. Instead, they began enforcing their own will over Mistral and its territory against the wishes of the Royal Family. Because of this, many war crimes were committed both against the enemy, and even their own people.
Soldiers and spies captured were subjected to horrific methods of torture and cruel treatment in order to get them to spill their secrets. It was even worse if the soldier or spy was a Faunus, with many having their animal characteristics being slowly and painfully ripped or sawn off. Sometimes they did it simply for amusement rather than trying to gain something from it. Even after the torture inflicted on them, Inquisitors would simply send the soldiers and spies to concentration camps. Many would die from either their previous torture inflicted wounds, or from the poor conditions of the camps themselves, resulting in either disease or starvation. They would also target medical facilities such as hospitals, executing wounded soldiers and civilians before destroying the building, depriving the enemy of a place for their people to recover.
It wasn't just the military that Inquisitors would target. They would also drag civilians into their actions as well. One particular act had the Hunt Inquisitorius approaching the ambassadors for Vale/Vacuo forces under the guise of possible diplomacy and negotiation. This was a ruse however, meant to lower their guard before launching an assault. They didn't even hesitate to gun down innocent men, woman, and children, before setting their soldiers loose to pillage. They would steal objects dedicated to religion, education, art or science, before destroying buildings and monuments of equal association.
Those who weren't gunned down would later wish they were, as many Inquisitors and soldiers under their command would… help themselves to their "services". I think you can take a guess as to what they were. Just thinking about it makes me need a drink.
The worst war crime committed by the Hunt Inquisitorius however, was something that not even their own allies could ignore and let slide.
They used the Creatures of Grimm as weapons of war.
Setting aside the question of how the hell they even managed to lure Grimm to area's they wanted, even Oz was scratching his head at that one, just about everyone from both sides of the conflict agree that this was a truly disgusting act committed by the Inquisitors. It was something that only truly depraved criminals would think of doing. Whenever Grimm were riled up and attacked as a result of all the negativity created by the war, both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire and even team up in order to deal with them before focusing back on each other. But to actually weaponize the Grimm against your fellow man? No one, not even their own allies from Mistral and Mantle, would EVER agree to do such a thing. Many saw this as not just completely crazy, but as a betrayal to humanity as a whole. As if they chose to side with Grimm.
Heh… if only they knew just how possible that part actually is.
Following the end of the Great War with the King of Vales victory in the Vacuo Campaign, and society began to rebuild and shift into what we now know today, a lot of the actions and crimes committed by the Hunt Inquisitorius were brought to light to all the Kingdoms new government and the public. Needless to say, everyone was horrified and outraged at what they learned, and I'm not surprised that it could've easily kick-started another war with how many called for blood.
With overwhelming cries for justice from the general public, a warrant for the arrest of all Hunt Inquisitorius members was announced. It took many days to track down and bring in all members of the organization, with some members resisting and attacking law enforcement to avoid being captured, and others taking the cowards way out by committing suicide. In the end, the members were all brought before the courts and tried for all the atrocities and war crimes they committed, with many sentenced to life in the deepest darkest hole they could find with no chance of ever seeing sunlight again, while the rest were sentenced to death.
With the sentencing of its members complete, the Hunt Inquisitorius organization was officially terminated. The power and influence they accumulated over the course of its lifetime and during the war was equally dispersed amongst the newly created Mistral Council and fledgling Huntsman and Huntresses, and as time passed, the group would soon fade away into obscurity. Forgotten by society except for those in high up positions of power in government like the Council, or those knowledgeable in Remnants History like teachers or historians.
Until now.
About a month ago, the Mistral Council got a tip about Grimm being used as weapons. Not just any Grimm, but those new Titans that almost nabbed me a couple times. And the same people who gave them the tip, a bunch of kids, wanted to go to Atlas and put a stop to it. They said they knew how to stop it and wanted the chance to do so.
That's when the Council, mainly Councilwoman Redwood, temporarily brought back the program and gave those kids their chance. And boy, did they use it.
Turns out this doctor-guy named Watts found a way to make Titans respond to commands he could give them through a collar. It took a few days, but the new Hunt Inquisitorius caught him and handed him over to the proper authorities. I didn't think twice about the news, since I thought it would all be over now.
I was wrong.
I guess some people in Atlas didn't like foreign agents helping out and doing their work. One of those people was James, who had more than a bone to pick with the Council and those kids working for them. Now I've seen some crazy things in my life, but I never thought I would see James getting shut up by the Council and those kids.
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Okay, maybe I didn't see it for myself. But I wish I could have seen the look on his face when the Council started the program up again.
Things got serious when Oz gave me the more in-depth history lesson than what I already knew, though. I said I could keep my eye on them, but Oz had a few more pressing matters for me. And it turns out the news was actually doing a better job of watching them than I could. One minute, this group is totally corrupt, and the new kids on the block are national heroes. Arrests of criminals and making peace with the White Fang definitely got our attention. I actually started paying attention when they supposedly nabbed a corrupt team of Huntsmen and Huntresses. Team SMMK, I think.
That's when Oz got more serious about all this.
"Fate, it seems... is not without a sense of irony."
Yeah, that's putting it lightly, Oz.
The news once had a layout for each member of the Hunt Inquisitorius. So far there are only eight members, and they're still mostly kids, but they all are definitely something to have gotten the recognition they've received.
The first is Lie Ren, a quiet and calm guy who certainly knows his way around the traditional martial arts of Mistral from what the footage of him in action shows. He usually hangs around and teams up with Nora Valkyrie, and all I can say about her is that she's loud and proud. And strong, if the news footage is anything to say about it. Loud, hyper, and armed with a damn grenade launcher/hammer. Talk about one hell of a combo.
Next up is Mercury Black, the team's blacksmith from what I gather. He's the one who built his friends' weapons himself. Pretty impressive pieces of work as well I'll admit, especially Yeagers, but that might mean his friends don't know how to properly maintain them. That doesn't mean he can't kick some ass either. He's kind of like an inverse of Yang, with kicks and guns in his boots, whereas she punches and has guns on her arms.
Though his last name, Black… that name raises some flags. I'll have to look into that another time.
Emerald Sustrai also rings a bell. I think I heard that name circling around in Vale. A petty thief, I think. But she's in Mistral now, and from what I've seen she's as loyal as they come. Other than that, nothing else really comes up. Not sure if that is a good thing or not.
Not much to say about the one called Ymir though. As far as records are concerned, it's like never existed, and that right there rings a lot of alarm bells. A lot of skeletons can exist in the closet of one who basically never existed until recently. One thing I will say for certain is steer WAY clear of her if she has a gun in her hands. From the news footage regarding Bull Faunus Adam Taurus's attempted coup of the White Fang, she was VERY excited as she unloaded on the WF grunts. Almost like a trigger-happy maniac.
After her there is Winter Schnee. Oh boy… where do I begin. The former Ice queen of Atlas, and former top Special Operatives agent of Ironwood. I gotta admit, I spit my drink out when I heard she joined up with them. James said he dishonorably discharged her for going AWOL and not following military protocol, but if you ask me? I think he's just pissy because she opened her eyes and had a change of heart. I guess she wasn't happy with how things were in the military, and honestly, I don't blame her. I just hope she knows what she's getting herself into.
Out of everyone in the new Hunt Inquisitorius, Winter is the oldest in the group. With that comes experience and insight that she brings to the table. Combine that with a lot of classified Atlas information, and that right there is a potent mix.
From the footage shown of her in action, I've also noticed her in possession of Raven's sword Omen. That is something I need to get answers to. I won't say that I have sympathy for my sister's death, given everything she has done and what she put Yang and Taiyang through, but I would to at least get some answers into HOW she died. She is not one who is bested so easily.
These kids are changing Mistral like there's no tomorrow. But now they wanna change the whole dang Huntsman system entirely. At least, that's what Cinder Fritz wants. An activist turned hero who's been determined to "reform" the Huntsman system with ideas that has the Council's attention. I got a look at some of these ideas, and they're really cutting us dry here. Not to sound dramatic, but it's like Fritz is on a witch hunt here. And we're the witches.
Worst part is that she isn't necessarily wrong with her beliefs, if what she's had to put up with is true.
James told me that Fritz was definitely the most vocal member of this team. That's probably how she ended up speaking for all of them, each and every time they're on camera. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Fritz kinda likes the spotlight.
But that guy she's dating is a different story.
After the hearing, James told me about each kid that's working with the Council. He didn't think too much about them, except this one guy. Someone who, according to James, knows how to fight.
Eren Yeager. The last member of the group.
I've heard about him on TV too. The interview he did with his girlfriend helped with that, but the media's saying that he knows how to fight. And his friends say that he's the one who trained them, against Grimm and people alike. He knows the battlefield like he knows his opponents. Smart kid, from the sound of it. And the footage of him in action shows that her certainly knows his way around combat
Maybe a little too smart, too good in a fight for someone around Yang's age.
His gear is also quite unique as well. The perfect blend of close range with his swords, mid-range with guns, and mobility those wires he shoots out and reels in when anchored into something, as well as gas for thrust in mid-air. All these components combined with a mind for combat that seems completely foreign for a teenager to have makes for a VERY dangerous opponent.
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Something feels off with all of this. It feels almost unnatural. All of this change happening at such a fast rate, reviving an old tradition as a new modern-day organization. Not to mention with events going on like the negotiations with Sienna Khan and the Council, the attempted White Fang coup by Taurus, and the appearance of those new Titan Grimm.
Even the symbol of the revived Inquisitors gives me ominous feelings. Not the gradual fading blue, that's obviously representing Mistral, but those 2 wings. Those black and dark grey wings. In many religions and tales across Remnant, creatures and entities with dark wings like those never spell anything good. So, for this symbol to embrace wings like that, it fills me with a sense of unease. Like it's the prelude for… something.
I wonder if SHE has anything to do with this.
But I digress, it's outta my hands, for now. Only time will tell if this group lives up to the reputation it has earned itself. One thing is for sure, if Ozpin is interested in them then you know things are likely to get interesting. And whatever it is that Oz is planning, I'm all in.
And if things turn ugly. If it's a fight these kids want?
Well… I'm ready when they are.
[OFFICIAL HUNTSMAN RECORDS]
Name: Branwen, Qrow
Place of Issue: Vale
Authority: Beacon Academy
What is going on everyone, The Avenging Titan here! I hope you've all been doing great, and boy it once again has been a HOT minute since I did one of these. The last chapter was near the end of August, now it is midway into November. I'm really bad at this. (U_U)
But anyhow, here we have a new addition to the world of Remnant of ANP, the Hunt Inquisitorius.
The idea was for Eren and the others to be their own faction, not Huntsman given their own experiences, but not exactly your traditional law enforcement. And I was inspired by Star Wars with this idea from the Imperial Inquisitors, an organization who hunted down remaining Jedi, as well as any political dissidents. The agents of the Hunt Inquisitorius share the same name as the Inquisitors of Star Wars, that also being Inquisitors, and even the later half of the organizations name was drawn from the headquarters of the Star Wars group known as Fortress Inquisitorius.
The Hunt Inquisitorius was originally conceived as "Huntsman Hunters" that went after corrupt and evil Huntsman and Huntresses, such as Team SMMK and the late Marcus Black, but quickly evolved into the Mistral equivalent of Atlas's Ace-Ops, a team of highly trained individuals under the direct command of the Council. Unlike the Ace-Ops though, Eren and the others aren't blind and obedient sheep.
I would like to personally thank "predator1701" for the idea of this chapter, as well as the symbol for the organization. On his DeviantArt page is a version of the Survey Corps Wings of Freedom, only black and grey instead of white and blue, and even had a Qrow style narration down in the description. With his permission I used that as template and inspiration for what I've written here.
Now even though half of the group will be going to Beacon Academy for the upcoming Act III of A New Path, we will still see the Hunt Inquisitorius in action.
Before I close this off, I do have something from Court that he wishes to convey:
"Hey everyone, Court of Talons here. Hope you're all doing good and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The Avenging Titan's been wanting to do this for a while, and it seems his patience paid off. With a little help from predator1701, who provided a symbol for the Hunt Inquisitorius on DeviantArt, he gave us quite the fun chapter for us!
Speaking of patience, I hope this chapter makes the wait for A New Path a little easier. The last chapter took a lot of energy, so I had to take a little break. But I'm getting that energy back, and I've already started the next chapter. AT and I can't wait to share it with all of you, we're pretty excited!
I hope you understand my need for a short break. And I hope you enjoyed AT's work as well. You'll hear from me again soon, I promise. Until then, stay tuned and stay awesome!"
Anyway, that's all I have left here. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and take care of yourselves!
This is The Avenging Titan, signing off!