AN: We're back with more. Always a good sign. Enjoy the chapter, everyone. Because I sure did enjoy writing it.
Chapter 73: The Scorpion
Who is Ray Stein? Who is 2 of Clubs? The truth was that the true name of the 2 of Clubs no longer mattered, not even to the man himself. For he went out of his way to discard everything whenever it became necessary. And it often became necessary because sometimes he just could not help hurting people; killing people. He had to discard his name to continue onwards…constantly.
From an early age, 2 of Clubs had an unhealthy fascination with life and death. Especially death. When he was seven, his parents caught him dissecting a live bird. They were drawn to the bird's cries of agony. When he was thirteen, 2 of Clubs kidnapped a local bully and tortured him for three days in an abandoned cabin in the woods he found. The bully ultimately passed away from his injuries and a lack of care, falling into a coma he never came out of. Once he was of age, 2 of Clubs started to volunteer at a retirement home. There, he would psychologically torment his charges by whispering horrible, venomous lies that slowly broke them down. After six of his elderly charges killed themselves under his watch, 2 of Clubs decided to become a doctor and later a surgeon.
At first, he worked as a surgeon, preying on the poverty-stricken neighborhoods of Mantle, Mistral and Vacuo. He would fail surgeries on purpose for the sole purpose of studying the results of how his 'patients' die under his watch. He made sure his team was filled with surgical staff he could blackmail and manipulate with the greatest of ease. He would even sometimes complete seemingly impossible surgeries just to throw off suspicion of his true nature.
Eventually, Gray Jackal came calling. More specifically, the Jack of Clubs, leader of the science division in the organization, came calling. 2 of Clubs was recruited specifically because of his medical knowledge. That medical knowledge was key to understanding the effects of human experimentation in creating monster soldiers, hybrids between Grimm and people. 2 of Clubs cared very little about Gray Jackal's endgame. In fact, he would be the first to tell you that. What he did care about was finding new ways to hurt people, kill people, drive them to the kind of despair one feels when they're on the brink of a horrid death. And the assignment he got to go around Remnant and experiment on possible candidates was perfect for his ultimate, most wicked of desires.
He even had a similar formula injected into him. That same formula would be what gave him the ability to transform into a human Deathstalker at will. The same kind of human Deathstalker that had his claws, tail and pincers trained on Ruby Rose and Hansel Kobalt.
"What the hell?" Ruby muttered again, her voice slowly becoming clearer and rising in volume and franticness. She had seen it happen, but she still could not believe it. "What the hell? Professor…what am I looking at? What is that thing? Is that still…that can't still be Stein, can it?!"
"It is," Hansel narrowed his eyes, "only now, he's taken a form way more appropriate for that defective, monstrous personality of his."
"Rude," 2 of Clubs scoffed in that distorted, monstrous sounding voice he now had.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised you can use that." Hansel scoffed at 2 of Clubs. "A monster should be able to transform into a monster."
"I suppose you would know what a monster is, eh Hansel Kobalt?" 2 of Clubs taunted.
"At least I didn't murder a bunch of kids, you sick fuck." Hansel growled in a low tone of voice.
"I can see where the brat gets it from if you're getting all hung up about a bunch of orphans. You really think anyone in Thimble is going to care? Nobody noticed them when they were alive and nobody is going to notice them now that they're gone." 2 of Clubs said uncaringly. "Why do you think it worked so well? Thimble wasn't the first target, Mr. Kobalt. And when I'm done here, it certainly won't be the last."
"Over my dead body." Hansel warned.
"Ha! That's the idea!" 2 of Clubs countered. "I'm going to mount your head on my wall and then maim that brat before taking her to my superiors."
"Kid, run!" Hansel immediately exclaimed. Ruby tried to move. Not to run, but to help Hansel. However, much to her horror, she found her body completely immobile. It was like her body just…died, but her soul was still in her body.
"Professor…" Ruby trailed off, horrified as she realized her current situation. Hansel, understandably, presumed she meant to disobey and insist on fighting with him again.
"No arguments this time, Kid!" He yelled. "This guy isn't someone you can fight! Not when he's transformed into this…thing! Just go! Inform the bureau in town and have them evacuate the townspeople!"
"Professor," Ruby whimpered in horror, "I can't…I can't move!"
"What?!" Hansel gasped before realizing what was wrong.
No…her powers…they must've drained her so much that she can't even find the strength to move! Damn it, no! Why now? Why of all times when I have to fight against something like this!
"Well, isn't that just peachy!" 2 of Clubs laughed in maniacal amusement. "Seriously, I can't believe my luck! And I can't believe yours for that matter! It's like the heavens themselves are judging me as the one who's in the right here and are giving me one hell of a handicap!"
Hansel knew immediately that the situation had just taken a turn for the worse for him and for Ruby. If Ruby could not flee the fight, that meant Hansel had to not only focus on fighting this monster, he had to protect her as well. Not only that, but this guy was twisted enough to use that against him.
And most of my fighting style doesn't discriminate between ally and enemy. I can't sense any Aura from the kid. That means if I use my Semblance carelessly, she could get burned and killed. Dammit! Why did this have to happen?!
Ruby saw the look on Hansel's face and her eyes widened in horror. She also realized immediately that this situation had taken a turn for the worst. And what was even worse was that it was entirely her fault.
Professor Kobalt can't fight at his best if he has to protect me. No…this is my fault…I let myself lose control and now I can't move. And I…I don't even have anything to show for it! What was even the point? She lamented inwardly.
Before Ruby could continue her lament, however, she felt herself being picked off the ground with a grunt from a familiar voice. She gasped and saw that Hansel was picking him up with his left arm. His eyes never left 2 of Clubs. She gasped again, realizing what he intended to do.
"Professor, no!" She exclaimed. "You can't mean to fight him while holding me!"
"Don't argue," Hansel muttered while 2 of Clubs laughed in amusement, his laugh monstrous and distorted, "I can't just let him use you as a hostage. This is the best I can do, especially with you motionless."
"Oh wow, this is not what I expected from the big, scary Blue Demon." 2 of Clubs taunted. "I mean, really. Are you even the same Hansel Kobalt who's ruined so many of our operations this past year? You've gone soft."
That made Hansel growl. He hated 2 of Clubs for having the audacity to talk like that to him. He hated him even more because a part of him actually agreed. Hansel was starting to go soft. This was what he feared happening most of all when Ozpin told him to come to Beacon to teach. Hansel did his best to maintain the image of an unbeatable Huntsman. A cold, consummate professional, who was only focused on victory over the many evils all over Remnant. But things were now different. Hansel had a chink in his armor. It was time he was honest with himself. He had come to care for Ruby and the other students. It was a weakness that the enemy could exploit, like what 2 of Clubs clearly intended to do.
"Come over here and find out just how 'soft' I've gotten." Hansel warned.
Why the fuck did I say that? Am I that angry about the fact he's right I am going soft? Hansel wondered. Okay, let's think this through. What can I do right now? I can't afford to use the Purgatorial Flames with the kid in my arms. I'll burn her for sure. And if I'm carrying her, that means my movement is slowed down as well. I'm going to be on the defensive entirely. There should be a Huntsman Bureau in Thimble…but the thought of them going up against 2 of Clubs when he is in this form is…concerning. But for the kid's safety…I might have no choice.
"Ask you and shall receive, Hansel Kobalt. Believe me, I'm more than happy to come over and tear you to shreds." 2 of Clubs grinned. "The girl is to be brought to Gray Jackal…but you have no such luck, regardless of what the Ace of Spades wants from you."
Hansel's expression darkened further at the mention of the Ace of Spades. Memories of Winter Schnee's horrid injuries at the hands of the Ace of Spades flashed through his mind. Ruby's frantic voice cut him from the memories.
"Professor!" Hansel gasped as 2 of Clubs suddenly pounced at him. He quickly ducked underneath as the hulking monster swiped one of his scorpion claws at Hansel. Ruby watched in horror as the shockwave of the slash carved through several trees, chopping them down like it was the work of a lumberjack.
No way… She trailed off, realizing just how in trouble she and Hansel actually were. They weren't even the target! Just…collateral damage.
Hansel wanted to attack, but he was not confident he would be able to cut 2 of Clubs in the position he was in. Then he saw the tail lunge for him. Hansel quickly leapt back with Ruby in his grip. His eyes widened when the impact actually created a crater in the ground.
"The truth is, I wouldn't consider myself a fighter, not in the slightest." 2 of Clubs revealed. "So imagine my utter jubilation when I discover this serum can turn even a humble scientist like myself into a killing machine."
"At least you recognize you're a monster." Hansel growled.
"What could possibly be so wrong with embracing one's nature?" 2 of Clubs taunted as he sprinted towards Hansel.
Hansel found himself moving backwards with Ruby in his grip, frantically blocking claws and a lunging scorpion's tail. He grit his teeth. His frustration was visible on his face.
He can't fight at his best while he's holding onto me like this. Ruby knew that already, but seeing it in action was horrifying. She was so used to Hansel being this juggernaut of a Huntsman, seeing him fight with such a clear handicap frightened her. She wanted to yell at him, tell him to just drop her and forget her. However, she could see the concentration in his eyes. She could tell if she even distracted him for even a nanosecond, 2 of Clubs would take full advantage and they would both be dead. In other words, this was the definition of a bad situation all around.
Hansel continued frantically blocking 2 of Clubs' attacks as he stepped backwards, holding on tightly to Ruby. 2 of Clubs' new pincers clicked together threateningly as he chuckled.
"You're not living up to the legend, Blue Demon." He taunted before changing tactics with his claws. Hansel's eyes widened as he started trying to clamp down on his sword, Wolf Fang. His sword. If Hansel lost his sword, he and Ruby would be unimaginatively fucked.
Damn it, I have no choice! Hansel realized as he held the blade in front of him in defense, blocking the scorpion tail. The impact pushed him and Ruby away from 2 of Clubs. I've gotta retreat and hope the members of the Thimble Bureau are forming a response to this!
Hansel turned and began to sprint as fast and as best as he could with Ruby in his grip. 2 of Clubs' pincers clicked together again as he chuckled once more.
"Ooh, a chase? I love it when they run." 2 of Clubs chortled as he broke into a sprint. Hansel looked over his shoulder and saw 2 of Clubs pursuing them.
"Shit," Hansel muttered, he looked at his feet as he sprinted.
Should I use my flames to try and speed up? The kid has no Aura, so the intense heat of the flames is something to worry about- Hansel was suddenly cut off by an intense pain in his midsection.
"Fuck!" Hansel screamed in pain as he found himself stumbling. 2 of Clubs continued his ruthless pursuit, closing the distance.
"Professor?!" Ruby yelled in worry. Hansel looked down and saw his Aura flickering. He then saw the visible markings on his body from the blows Ruby rained on him earlier. His eyes widened in realization.
No way…I'm not healing. The kid's attacks completely scrambled my Aura. Hansel realized. Ruby seemed to realize the same thing.
The Professor can't recover from his wounds. Oh Gods…I hurt him. I hurt him with these powers of mine. I'm…going to get us both killed. Professor Kobalt is going to die…and it's all my fault. Ruby thought in horror. What's the point of these powers?!
2 of Clubs was upon Hansel and Ruby now. His claws and tail were ready. He cackled at the sight of Hansel on his knees. Hansel looked up at the 2 of Clubs with uncharacteristic fear on his face. Normally he would have no fear of a monster like this, but he was in what was quite frankly one of the worst possible situations any Huntsman could be in, let alone a particularly skilled one like himself.
I have no choice! Hansel realized, flames exploding from his feet. He rocketed off the ground, taking Ruby with him. He winced when he heard Ruby yelp in pain from the intense heat from Hansel's powerful flames. I'm sorry, kid. I had no choice, I swear.
He looked over his shoulder as 2 of Clubs' claws and tail stabbed into the ground they had been earlier. Ruby's eyes widened through the pain from Hansel's flames singing her.
He almost got us. She thought, paler than usual.
Okay, we've got distance between us. Hansel realized, looking back at 2 of Clubs once more. He then turned off his flames. He felt Ruby shudder in pain in his grip. I'm sorry, kid, just bear with it.
Hansel's eyes widened as a sharp pain shot through his chest. He heaved and then coughed up blood. He gazed at the ground in shock.
Gods, even if I HAD tried to sacrifice the kid to fight that monster properly, I'd have probably lost either way. I can't fight properly like this. Hansel realized. He was glad he did not sacrifice Ruby to fight 2 of Clubs properly now. However, he was also horrified that the darkest parts of his mind even considered it to be a good idea. Hansel resumed his retreat. He winced, feeling his body practically scream at him to stop, warning him that he was already at his limit and unable to recover properly with his Aura thoroughly scrambled.
"Aww, you're slowing down already, Hansel Kobalt." 2 of Clubs taunted, still in hot pursuit. "You know, I do love a good chase, but I was expecting better from you. If you're going to fall over almost immediately…well, where's the fun in that right?"
Hansel desperately pushed his body to continue sprinting away from 2 of Clubs as far as he could manage. He bit his bottom lip to avoid crying out from the intense pain he was in just from moving. However, he could not stop the blood from seeping from his mouth due to his internal damage. This did not go unnoticed by Ruby, who was feeling even worse, if that was even possible.
He looks like he's tearing himself apart, just trying to get away from that…that thing. Ruby realized. He's tearing himself apart trying to save me…no, trying to save us both.
"Professor!" Without thinking, Ruby blurted out, "Just leave me! Maybe you can get away if you drop me! Don't get yourself killed for my sake, please!"
Hansel winced. His mind flashed back to the moment Ruby slapped him and yelled at him for not valuing himself. A part of him wanted to be angry at Ruby for being such a hypocrite at this moment. However, a good majority of him was only angry and upset that the girl was in such despair that she would actually consider throwing her own life away. She was 16 for gods' sake. At the back of his mind though, Hansel was also worrying if he was responsible for this new mentality.
"Professor!" Ruby cut Hansel off from his musings as he continued running away, ignoring the pain he was in. 2 of Clubs was still in hot pursuit. "Please! Just forget me and go! He said it himself, he's not going to kill me! I'll be fine!"
"Oh, I think at this point I can snatch you and kill your precious teacher, Ruby Rose." 2 of Clubs taunted while still pursuing the two. He then stabbed his tail forward with such force it actually created a pressurized blast of piercing air that flew at Hansel like a projectile Hansel managed to shift his body, but still found it grazing his body. He grit his teeth from the pain. Without his Aura to protect him, an attack like that hurt like hell. 2 of Clubs then cackled and swung his scorpion claw once more. "Time to take a little off the top, Hansel Kobalt!"
Hansel gasped and managed to duck underneath the flying slash just in time to avoid losing his head. He watched in horror as the slash once again carried onwards and brought down several dreams. Unable to stop his momentum as he ducked and feeling his strength give out, Hansel fell to the ground. He finally let out a yell of pain as all his injuries started to catch up to him. Ruby soon became more frantic in her pleas.
"Professor!" She screamed. "Please! Just go!"
"Just shut up, damn it!" Hansel finally snapped at Ruby, making the girl fall silent. "I'm not letting you go, do you understand me?"
"But you'll-"
"No arguments!" Hansel cut her off. "You haven't lived this life long enough to get to sacrifice it!"
Amused by this sudden display, 2 of Clubs slowed his pace to a walk. The arrogant and monstrous Gray Jackal agent felt confident enough in his current situation that he could finish off Hansel and take Ruby at his leisure.
"I'm a Huntress! I've long been ready for moments like this!" Ruby proclaimed, tearing up. "And it's my fault you're like this! At the very least…let me save you by letting him take me…besides…you hate being a teacher. I know you do…maybe we have had some good times together…but I can tell you still wish you were anywhere but in a classroom, teaching all of us. You want to be in the field, making a real difference. That much has always been obvious. So…what do you care about what happens to me?"
That hurt Hansel more than he cared to admit. He wanted to convince himself that Ruby did not mean that. And maybe she did not mean it and was just trying to say something, anything to convince him to let her go. However, he did want to return to the field, he knew that. But not like this. Definitely not like this. So, without thinking, Hansel forced himself to his feet and snapped at the girl.
"Don't you dare tell me what I do and don't care about!" Ruby was taken aback by his declaration. "For fuck's sake, are you really so ready to martyr yourself over what happened to those kids and to me that you'd run your mouth about shit you know you don't actually believe?"
"I…" Ruby trailed off.
"Listen you…I do want to go back into the field. I do think I can make more of a difference there than in a classroom. I'm not cut out to be a teacher. I'm trying, but it's not who I am!" Hansel exclaimed. He then started sprinting again, a quick burst of small flames gave him an extra burst, allowing himself to avoid a swipe from 2 of Clubs' claws. 2 of Clubs smirked
"The chase resumes…" He mused as he started pursuing again.
"But don't you dare tell me that means I need to sacrifice you to make that happen!" Hansel continued to rant furiously. "I'll decide what I'm willing to give up in order to reach my goals…but there's no way it's ever going to be you or those annoying classmates of yours!"
"But…"
"No buts!" Hansel screamed at Ruby. "I didn't get hospitalized by that asshole, Hazel because I wanted to! I did it because I wanted to fight him! Because I wanted to and had to protect you all from him.! I wasn't going to let any of you die then…and I'm not going to let you die now, do you hear me?"
"But…" Ruby muttered again.
"I said no buts!" Hansel repeated before continuing. "And make no mistake, they WILL kill you once they've used you for whatever they've planned! So get over yourself and just let me try to save us both, dammit! I am NOT going to let you die, Ruby Rose!"
Ruby was taken aback by how angry Hansel sounded. It was just like in Neverland Gorge, anger born of worry. She knew she was in the wrong. She knew that Hansel did care in his own way. She knew he would never let her or her classmates die. In the end, she just did not want him to die. She just wanted to save one person today.
"My, my, my!" 2 of Clubs laughed in mad, giddy amusement as he continued to pursue the two. "You could've been quite the thespian with such a dramatic flair for monologuing, Hansel Kobalt! I can't wait to report to my superiors and tell them just how much of a disappointment you turned out to be! The fact a member of the Science Division of Gray Jackal is going to be who kills you is quite the disappointment after all that buildup!"
"Go to hell!" Hansel snapped at 2 of Clubs through gritted teeth.
"Oh believe me, I know I'm probably bound for the inferno if it exists!" 2 of Clubs acknowledged. "So I might as well enjoy myself while I'm here!"
He swung his claw once more, this time it was a vertical slash that sent a projectile of pressurized air that tore across the ground towards Hansel. Hansel saw the attack and managed to leap to the side in time.
"Struggle all you want, Hansel Kobalt!" 2 of Clubs proclaimed. "We both know you're a dead man walking!"
Damn it, he's right, Hansel realized, I can feel my body losing strength again. No…if I fall again, I don't think I'm going to get up this time. Please…no…I just…at least let me get the kid to safety first! Come on! We've been through worse! We can endure this! Please! Please!
2 of Clubs smirked as he began to catch up. He brandished his claws and his tail, prepared to pounce yet again.
"You're slowing down again, Hansel Kobalt." He taunted, ready to strike.
No…no… Hansel's eyes widened as the claws opened up. The tail was ready to stab. Please no…this can't be where it ends…I've long been prepared for this moment…but not the kid too…please, don't let her die in my war too!
"Goodbye!" 2 of Clubs lunged, intent on killing Hansel in three different ways with the weapons he had on his monstrous body.
"Professor!" Ruby exclaimed in worry, powerless to help as the attacks neared.
2 of Clubs then gasped just as two figures came bounding out of the woods, striking him in the face simultaneously, knocking him away from Hansel and Ruby. Hansel finally collapsed to his knees in exhaustion, still refusing to let go of Ruby.
"We made it just in time." Ruby's eyes widened at that familiar voice. "Ruby, are you alright?"
Ruby looked up to see Gardenia LeSouhait looking down at her with an uncharacteristically concerned expression on her face. Her lip quivered, relieved that there was still a chance.
"Gardenia…" She muttered. She then looked at the man who had helped to strike 2 of Clubs. "Chief Doom…"
Baza Doom grinned at her for a brief moment. That smile then faded as he gave the girl and Hansel a nod of respect.
"It took awhile to get here. I'm sorry about that." He said sincerely. He then turned to 2 of Clubs. Ruby then gasped as more people came out of the trees into the battle. She looked around to see the entire Thimble Bureau stepping in. Baza continued to speak. "I don't really get what the hell's going on and what that thing is…but it doesn't matter."
"Just leave the rest to the Huntsmen of Thimble."
AN: What do you get when you cross Cioccollata from JoJo Golden Wind, Orochimaru and Medusa from Soul Eater. You get Ray Stein/2 of Clubs. Dude is every sociopathic doctor/scientist rolled into one horrible monster.
Also, isn't it amazing how even when he's trying to be nice and protective, Hansel still comes across as a ginormous asshole. Well, what can I say, he's one of the best at what he does, and what he does isn't very nice.
Anyway, short chapter again compared to the others. This was definitely one of my more tense chapters though, considering Hansel of all people spent it retreating from 2 of Clubs. But now, the Thimble Huntsmen Bureau is here to help. At least, we hope they are. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I'll see you all next time.