AN: Whew, get ready for some really heavy, depressing shit folks. Then again, that's kinda par for the course on quite a few of these chapters, isn't it?
Chapter 77: Sever
Before what became known as the 'Human Deathstalker' Incident in Thimble, the local Huntsmen Bureau had 50 professional Huntsmen of varying skill. 32 had gone to face off against Ray Stein–now known as the 2 of Clubs of Gray Jackal– while the remaining 18 had been on different assignments. Of the 32 Huntsmen that faced off against 2 of Clubs, only 2 survived with serious injuries. Bureau Chief Baza Doom had lost an arm, a lot of blood and received several serious puncture wounds. But as his visibly disturbed but hopeful wife and daughter proclaimed, Baza was far too stubborn to die. The other survivor, Bureau Vice CHief Gardenia LeSouhait, had broken bones and torn muscles all over. Thankfully, she would also live after a long period of rehab.
Not only were 30 Huntsmen dead, several orphans from the local Thimble orphanage were also found dead, their bodies horrifically distorted, making them appear Grimm-like by nature. The authorities had no choice but to tell the people of Thimble the full truth, leaving many frightened at the thought of their tourist trap being ruined by such a massacre. A few of the Huntsmen who had been lucky enough to not be involved in the massacre had gone to the orphanage run by Citrine Gosling to inform her of the tragic events that had befallen her charges. However, upon arrival, they were met with what seemed like an awful discovery at first: Citrine Gosling had been brutally murdered.
The sight made all the Huntsmen present vomit in disgust. Her body looked awful. Her limbs had been twisted horribly multiple times at a full 360 degrees, to the point where they were almost torn right off. Based on the look of agony on her face, stained by tears no doubt from the pain and dried up blood and vomit on her shirt, whoever did this to her had no doubt saved snapping her neck for last. And much like her limbs, whoever killed her twisted her neck around completely multiple times, to the point where it looked like it would fall off at any moment. It was a nightmarish sight of black and blue and red covering the body of the goose Faunus.
On her body was a single sheet of paper, taped to her forehead with a single word written on it: punishment. That left the investigating Huntsmen curious enough to investigate the whole house for clues. It would be a few days later where it would be discovered that Citrine Gosling was allied with Ray Stein and a low-ranked agent of the terrorist organization, Gray Jackal. Needless to say, no one was eager to mourn Citrine when this news came out. Cedric, her last surviving charge, would not be told the truth for years until he was mature enough to handle the simple fact that the woman who took care of him was a monster.
Two days after the incident, Hansel Kobalt swung Wolf Fang outside the nearest hospital in a grassy field. He nodded in satisfaction, feeling no residual pain. However, that satisfaction was quickly replaced by frustration. Though he had received injuries from the incident with 2 of Clubs, he knew that he could have continued fighting if Ruby Rose had not accidentally scrambled his Aura while in her berserk state. He was frustrated, frustrated and angry. Frustrated that he let his guard down and as a result could not aid the other Thimble Huntsmen, which may have cut down on the casualties. Angry at Gray Jackal for taking more lives. And worst of all, angry and frustrated with Professor Ozpin for so many, many reasons.
"Mr. Kobalt?" Hansel turned to see an orderly approaching him.
"What is it?" Hansel replied, sheathing Wolf Fang.
"Ms. LeSouhait can see you now." The orderly informed him. "She's well enough for visitors."
Hansel nodded and followed the orderly back into the hospital. He had to resist sighing when he heard people whispering at the sight of him. Hansel wanted to believe he was used to it, but that was something else that had frustrated him lately. Ever since he came to realize a certain someone's opinion of him mattered, it made him very aware of one very simple fact: the way people felt about him sucked and it was becoming harder and harder to pretend it did not bother him. Hansel soon found himself in Gardenia's room. He winced at the sight. Though she had recovered well in the past two days she still looked terrible. She was covered in bandages and almost completely immobile.
"Mind giving us some space?" Gardenia asked the orderly. The orderly looked unsure. Hansel then looked over his shoulder at the orderly.
"It's fine, I'm more than capable of calling for help if she needs it." Hansel promised. The orderly nodded and walked out of the room. Hansel then turned his attention back to Gardenia. "I'd ask how you're holding up, but we both know that'd be a stupid question."
"Indeed, three fifths of our bureau are dead…and neither myself nor the chief are in any condition to tell their families how sorry we are that they died under our watch." Gardenia sighed, her expression turning sorrowful.
"You shouldn't blame yourself," Hansel shook his head, "I mean, Remnant is filled with cases where a dangerous Grimm or a dangerous criminal manages to go on a killing spree, and even the local Huntsmen struggle to stop them.
"How many of those cases involve a dangerous criminal transforming into a Grimm?" Hansel did not have a response to that. "I get that you're trying to make me feel better…but I have to bury 30 of my men…I'm not going to feel better for a while."
"...Fair enough." Hansel sighed. Gardenia then spoke up once more.
"Why did you panic and use that iaido attack before you were ready?" Gardenia asked. "I went into that fully prepared to die to give you the best shot to kill that monster. Why did you panic?"
Once again, Hansel did not have an answer for that. He was just too ashamed to admit that he panicked because he knew Gardenia's death would break a certain someone further. He was too ashamed to admit the only reason ANY of them were still alive was because they were lucky Taiyang Xiao Long was there just in time, and Qrow Branwen was close behind. That last part was something Gardenia was not afraid to point out.
"If Tai wasn't here…she would be in that monster's clutches for who knows what reason and we'd all be six feet under." That made Hansel shiver. It was not a thought he relished.
"...I know." Hansel said quietly.
"As a professional, I can't praise you for panicking and messing up your shot like that." Gardenia told him. "Yeah, I'd have likely died, but so would that thing and the threat would've been over. As a professional, I have no choice but to condemn you for that mistake."
Hansel could not argue with that. He tried his best to operate on logic in the field. It was often the only thing that made sense to him. However, he was not prepared for what Gardenia said next.
"That said, as a person…I must say, thank you for saving my life, Mr. Kobalt." Gardenia said sincerely. "I would not be here if you did not panic and fail at what you set out to do."
Hansel had no response for that. He still was not used to people thanking him for anything, outside of Glynda and Ozpin. Gardenia noticed this and awkwardly cleared her throat.
"Listen…about Ruby…how is she? I tried asking some of the orderlies and nurses and they said she went back home yesterday. Is she doing okay? Do you know?" Hansel thought it over. He did not know. He was released from the hospital the same time Ruby left Thimble and returned to her home with her dad and Yang. Hansel had not been able to bring himself to approach her for many reasons, but he did manage to catch a glimpse of her leaving. The best way to describe her appearance was shell shocked.
"She's…" Hansel trailed off. Gardenia sighed, already knowing the answer.
"That bad, huh?" Hansel nodded. "Listen, you're her teacher, aren't you? Professor Ozpin for some reason made you a combat professor or something like that?"
"Yeah, yeah I am." Hansel admitted. Right now though, he honestly hated that he was. Not because of her, but because it was clear he was losing his edge and that was a death sentence in a job that was life and death.
"What is your relationship with Ruby beyond that?" Gardenia asked calmly. Hansel froze at this. That was a loaded question.
"Beyond that?" Hansel muttered. Gardenia nodded.
"Look, I don't know why you came here to Thimble, but the fact is when we found you and Ruby, you were risking your life for her sake, to get her away from that monster." Gardenia pointed out.
"Don't…read too much into it." Hansel said, a bit quicker than he'd have liked. "I'd have done that for anyone."
"That's not how she sees it." Gardenia pointed out.
"How do you know?" Hansel asked, a hint of defensiveness in his voice.
"Ruby was an open book in the time she got to know the bureau here in Thimble." Gardenia admitted. "A few of the Huntsmen had been curious about what Ozpin could've been thinking when he hired some kid who was 'barely a man' to teach the next generation."
"I find myself wondering the same." Hansel admitted.
"She spoke highly of you." Gardenia said. "In fact, Ruby had nothing but good things to say about you. The way she talked about you told me that you're more than just a teacher to her, you're becoming a dear friend to her as well."
"That's…" Hansel almost said that was a mistake but he stopped himself.
"Look, I don't know what your relationship with Ruby is," Gardenia acknowledged, "but…the fact is, she thinks the world of you. When someone has that high of an opinion of you, that comes with great responsibilities."
"I never asked for her to view me as such." Hansel denied.
"That doesn't matter." Gardenia insisted before her expression softened. "Or perhaps I'm just selfish and I'm in no state to go where she is and try to help her through the trauma she's no doubt dealing with right now, so I'm pushing it onto you instead."
"Maybe you are." Hansel muttered.
"Maybe I am," Gardenia acknowledged, "but it doesn't change one very simple fact. A healthy person does not define themselves by how others view them. But a good person does not discount their feelings entirely…especially the feelings of those who think the world of them. Ruby clearly looks up to you. You need to take responsibility, even if you didn't ask for it."
"What am I supposed to do?" Hansel asked softly, unable to bring himself to argue with her.
"You already know the answer to that. The girl just went through hell. Go to wherever she is and try to comfort her…in whatever way you do. The important thing is sincerity." Gardenia advised.
"I don't…comfort people Ms. LeSouhait." Hansel admitted. "And besides she has her family for that."
"Respectfully, Mr. Kobalt," Gardenia sighed, "her family won't be of much help to her."
"And I will be?"
"It's…the one downside of a family's unconditional love." Gardenia sighed. "We expect love and comfort in tough times…so when someone is traumatized, it can be hard for family to bring them back because we expect them to help us, therefore our minds minimize their attempts to help instinctively. It's a known fact that people are more likely to listen to things like therapists or priests to help them work through trauma for that reason. But someone they think the world of outside of family…someone who doesn't necessarily HAVE to go to them and offer comfort in trying times but does it anyway out of candor…that means more than you realize."
Hansel had no response to that. He knew there was a lot of truth to Gardenia's words. More importantly, he knew she just wanted him to go to Ruby and try and help in her place. Gardenia would be the first to go to Ruby, clearly. She could not though, because her body was still repairing itself from the grievous injuries she suffered. Hansel was frustrated. He was frustrated because he knew he was losing his edge, all because he was truly starting to care for the students Ozpin had charged him to mentor and guide. All because for some stupid reason he was starting to care how one student in particular saw him. That said, Hansel was a man of strong morals, and he was not scum enough to refuse a genuine plea from someone for such a petty reason.
"I know where she lives…there's no doubt in my mind she's gone back home. I'll…see what I can do." Hansel promised. Gardenia nodded and let a smile, sad fall on her lips.
"You're not used to people who need you outside of combat, are you Mr. Kobalt?" Once again, Hansel had no answer for that. He simply took a deep breath and turned around.
"Get well soon, Ms. LeSouhait." He gently said to her, "This town needs both you and Chief Doom more than ever."
"You just do your best to do right by Ruby and we'll call it even." Gardenia promised with a small smile. "Don't worry, I've no intention of dying yet. I've already planned out my retirement after all."
Hansel nodded and walked out of Gardenia's room. He silently made his way through the hospital near Thimble as he fully processed everything Gardenia had said to him. Hansel's mind was a torrent of frustrations and emotions now. Because he hated himself for actually caring how Ruby saw him, but he also hated himself for the simple fact he probably would not have ever considered going to Ruby's home to check on her if Gardenia had not called him out on taking responsibility for how highly she thinks of him.
"Gods, I'm so fucked up." Hansel muttered to himself, referring to how his mind seemed to constantly be at war with itself, and the fact he honestly considered abandoning someone who needed help. And worst of all, it was someone he knew thought highly of him, and someone he himself was actually starting to care for.
"Excuse me, Mister?" Hansel was suddenly drawn to the cautious voice of a young boy. Hansel turned to see the timid face of Cedric Keeper. He was the boy Ruby had befriended and also, sadly, the only survivor of the Thimble Orphanage. Of course, Hansel was not privy to either of those details at the present time. So, he merely assumed the kid was here for an autograph or something else.
"Look kid, I'm not one for signing autographs, so-"
"I'm not here for that," Cedric shook his head, cutting off Hansel, "umm…do you know Ruby?"
That caught Hansel's attention. He did not trust himself to say anything in particular, so he did the next best thing: nod.
"Umm…I haven't…really gotten a chance to see her. I only briefly saw her get taken into the hospital." Cedric nervously explained. "Do you happen to know if she's well enough for visitors?"
"How…do you even know I know her?" Hansel looked at the kid in bewilderment.
"I saw you get admitted alongside her." Cedric explained. "When I heard about the big battle that happened in the forest involving Dr. Stein…I kinda figured people were going to the hospital, so I figured that was the best place to find Ruby. So I saw you both getting helped here. So…about my question earlier…"
"What's your name, kid?" Hansel asked.
"Cedric, Cedric Keeper." Cedric introduced himself. "Ruby uh…Ruby saved my life a few times while she was here. And well…when I saw her getting taken into the hospital, I…I saw how she looked and I was scared for her. So please, tell me, can I see her or what?" Cedric asked.
"...I'm sorry kid," Hansel sighed, "She's already been released. Her family took her home."
"She didn't…say goodbye?" Cedric looked hurt.
"It's not that, kid. She…she went through a lot in that forest." Hansel shuddered. Just saying it out loud made him realize just how much Ruby had been put through the wringer. "It's nothing against you…it's just that saying goodbye to anyone is the last thing on her mind right now."
"Well…it's a good thing I thought about doing this either way then." Cedric then held up an envelope to Hansel. Hansel looked at it in confusion.
"What is this?" He asked.
"A letter." Cedric explained. "I spent two days figuring out what to write for Ruby."
"You…wrote a letter for her?" Hansel was surprised by such a simple act of kindness. Hell, he was just as surprised by the simple fact anyone went to the trouble of writing a letter. Who the hell writes a letter anymore?
"...I lost all my friends in that forest to Dr. Stein." Cedric said sadly. "I feel like…a part of me should be mad that no one was able to save them. But I can't…because…I may not know Ruby too well…but I know her well enough that she probably tried her best to save everyone. And well…she did save me. So…I wrote a letter to just…get it all out. Umm…I'm probably only assuming you two know each other. But even so…can you make sure she gets this letter?"
Hansel took the letter with shaky hands. He looked at the boy, stunned by the display of maturity for someone so young. He then nodded again. But this time, out of respect, he spoke.
"Don't worry," he promised, "I do know the kid. I'll make sure she gets it. I promise."
"How…do you know her exactly?" Cedric asked curiously.
"...She's my student." Hansel replied.
"...You look like you're only a few years older than her." Cedric pointed out. "I wouldn't have guessed that at all."
"Yeah, yeah I know, I've heard it all before." Hansel sighed. "Now…if you don't mind, I've gotta get going."
"Yeah, sure. Please…just tell her I hope she gets better, okay?" Cedric pleaded. "I've known her long enough to know that Ruby being…upset is just…not right, you know."
Hansel was not sure how to respond to that. He sighed.
"Don't worry, I'll tell her everything." Hansel promised before leaving the hospital finally, leaving Cedric alone. Cedric watched Hansel leave. At that moment, two others entered, one being the baker he had shoplifted from the day he met Ruby. The other was a woman who looked around the baker's age. It was the baker's wife. Cedric had been placed under their supervision for the past two days at their request due to him having nowhere to go
"Did you drop off the letter, Cedric?" The baker's wife asked him.
"Yes ma'am." Cedric nodded. The baker's wife smiled at the baker.
"And you said he was just some thieving truant, dear. Honestly." She chided.
"I stand by it," the baker said gruffly. He then looked at Cedric with an even expression. "Son, listen, my wife and I've been talking…and I'd like to make you an offer."
"An offer…sir?" Cedric raised an eyebrow. This was the most civil he and the baker had ever been with each other.
"We'd like to adopt you." The baker said bluntly, much to Cedric's surprise. The baker's wife sighed.
"Dear, try to finesse things, he's a little boy. You can't just drop this on him all of a sudden."
"You…want to adopt me?" Cedric looked at the baker in surprise. The baker nodded. "But…you hate me."
"I never hated you."
"You could've fooled me." Cedric pouted a bit.
"You did have a bad habit of stealing from my store." The baker pointed out, folding his arms with a stern expression. His face then softened when he saw Cedric lower his head. He sighed. "Listen, son, while I was mad whenever you stole from me, I never hated you. Sure, it was mostly because you were stealing my livelihood…but at the end of the day, I was also harsh because I was afraid of a boy with his whole life ahead of him throwing everything away by starting some bad habits early on in his life. And the fact is…as much as our governments try, children in foster care don't have it easy. My wife and I…we lost a little boy of our own when he was around your age several years back. So…we'd like to try again, with you…if you'd have us as your parents of course."
Cedric started to tear up. He lowered his head in sadness.
"It shouldn't be me." He muttered. "My friends…they deserved homes more than I did…and now they're gone."
"The town of Thimble let you and your friends down, Cedric." The baker acknowledged. "We…can't change that…so will you at least let us help you change your present and future?"
"...I'd like that very much." Cedric said softly, ready to begin a new chapter of his life. Meanwhile, Hansel continued to make his way through Thimble, intent on leaving town to track down where Ruby Rose lived. Of course, he knew exactly how to make it easy. Though he hated asking Qrow Branwen for favors due to the man's irresponsibility and alcoholism, he was his best chance to get the girl's address. So, he took out his scroll to contact Qrow and quickly typed out a message.
"Mind sending me the kid's address? I wanna check on her."
Hansel then moved to put his scroll away. Before he could, the device vibrated. He then saw a message from a familiar number: Ozpin's number.
"Come down to the bureau. We need to talk."
A lot of emotions went through Hansel's mind at that moment. Emotions he felt were appropriate at the moment. First, there were the nerves. Hansel knew he had disobeyed direct orders to come to Thimble. He was likely in for it once he got to the bureau. Second, there was disappointment. All of these horrible events, and Hansel had nothing to show for it. The bad guy had gotten away. Then, as he thought of the 2 of Clubs being taken away by the other Gray Jackal Agents, and what Ruby had gone through, a third emotion filled his heart that made him shake.
Rage. Hansel was enraged. Granted, he was often angry about something, but this was the first time ever his rage was directed at Ozpin. Was it misplaced? Maybe. But right now, Hansel needed somebody to vent to and Ozpin was the best possible target, because in his eyes, the man bore some of the blame for everything that had happened. So, with a look of pure anger, Hansel stormed towards the Thimble Bureau. He was given a wide berth by everyone he passed. Nobody wanted to mess with him right now.
Meanwhile, at the Thimble Bureau, Qrow Branwen raised a curious eyebrow as he received Hansel Kobalt's text on his scroll. He then looked at Ozpin, who was patiently waiting for his student and adopted son's arrival. Qrow winced. He knew Ozpin was not happy about Hansel disobeying orders.
This…isn't going to end well. Qrow immediately realized. He looked and saw Baza Doom's daughter, Cianne. He had to admit, she was a tough girl, coming into work even though her dad was still in intensive care. However, when he saw the uncomfortable expression on her face, Qrow realized that she felt the tension too. Then, moments later, Hansel Kobalt came storming through the door to the bureau. As soon as he saw Ozpin, his glare intensified. He stormed towards the man. Qrow's eyes widened at how downright furious Hansel looked. Yeah, this is definitely not going to end well.
Ozpin narrowed his eyes. He instinctively spoke challengingly to the young man glaring at him.
"Something on your mind, Hansel?" He asked, deciding to let Hansel have the first few words before his reprimand began. Hansel stormed up to the table and slammed his hands on it in anger. Cianne flinched off to the side at the sound.
"You told me to stay off duty for a bit and focus on teaching!" He yelled at Ozpin. "You were wrong!"
Qrow winced. He knew that Ozpin had tried to take Hansel off active duty for a bit after the incident in Ever After Forest. He should have realized that Hansel would be pissed by such an act.
"I wasn't wrong." Ozpin said firmly. Hansel was not hearing any of it.
"Of course you were!" Hansel shot back. "I should've been back in the field as soon as I was up and out of the hospital! I could've caught onto what was happening here sooner! Put a stop to all of this sooner!"
"You are focusing too much on hindsight. You had no way of knowing things were this bad." Ozpin sternly told him. "Furthermore, while your injuries had healed, you still needed time to mentally recuperate after everything that happened. I made the right choice in asking you to refocus your energy on teaching-"
"NO!" Hansel snapped, cutting off Ozpin. "Because I listened to you…"
Hansel trailed off. His expression softened as memories of how destroyed Ruby Rose looked after having to put down those Grimm-children came into his mind. His fist tightened in anger. He resumed speaking, with a much more frustrated and saddened tone of voice.
"Because I listened to you, that poor girl had to put down children." He said to Ozpin. "I warned you she wasn't ready for this! Do you have any idea how hard it's going to be for her to come back from that?"
"This is a surprise, Hansel." Ozpin said calmly. "You really have come to care for Ms. Rose."
"Don't turn this back on me." Hansel growled. "You put way too much on her shoulders right off the bat! She's just a kid!"
"Were you any different when you begged me for training?" Ozpin countered. "And for what? To go on your quest for vengeance?"
"I'm already fucked in the head! Better to just go further off the deep end!" Hansel snapped. "But not her! You had no reason to tell her the truth about her powers! Now she's feeling every single failure more than ever because of her responsibility! I warned you, she wasn't ready!"
"I had to tell her, after the Vytal Festival-"
"Bullshit!" Hansel cut off Ozpin again. Ozpin's expression was turning angrier now. "We both know there were many options, you just chose to rush her because of what you thought she could be rather than what she was! Now, we could very well lose what you call an asset in this war because she's probably traumatized by what she just went through to continue as a Huntress! People are dead, sir!"
"You have seen many die Hansel, why does this in particular hurt so much?"
"Because I can take it!" Hansel yelled. "She can't! You didn't see her! Dozens of people are dead in something that could've been avoided or at least minimized! Your trump card just got traumatized! All because you for whatever reason keep trying to make me something that I'm not-"
Before anyone could comprehend what happened next, Hansel's head whipped to the side with a loud crack. Qrow gasped in shock when he saw Ozpin's hand out to the side and he immediately realized what happened.
"Oz…" He trailed off in disbelief at what transpired.
That's the first time Oz has ever hit the kid outside of training. Qrow realized. Hansel clutched his stinging cheek. Ozpin had slapped him so hard it had gone right through his Aura. He then stared at Ozpin in disbelief. The older man was shaking with rage, but saying nothing. He could not. Then, without another word, Hansel turned and ran out of the Bureau.
"Kid!" Qrow called out to Hansel, but to no avail. Cianne kept her head down, too exhausted and nervous to get involved. After the shock wore off, Qrow then turned to Ozpin. For a moment, the man forgot his loyalty to his benefactor and glared at him. "What the hell was that, Oz? Hansel's done everything for you, how could you…"
Qrow trailed off when he saw Ozpin shaking. He gazed at the hand he struck Hansel in disbelief. At that moment, the adrenaline from all the anger and frustration from everything that had happened wore off and Ozpin realized what he had just done. Qrow winced. He then looked at his scroll once more and took a deep breath, knowing what he had to do.
Meanwhile, Hansel Kobalt just ran, ran until he was out of Thimble and in the forest. His breathing, however, was not slowing down. In fact, it was speeding up. The echo of the slap rang out in his mind. The stinging sensation on his cheek did not fade. At that moment, Hansel found himself collapsing against a tree, breathing rapidly as horrible memories came rushing back.
"Monster!"
"Murderer!"
"You're the one who killed her!"
"You are a disgrace to our family!"
"No…" Hansel muttered weakly, like that of a frightened child as his breathing quickened. He felt his mind shutting down. "No…"
Hansel just sat against the trunk, shaking and breathing heavily, undergoing the worst panic attack he has had in years. At that moment, he was no longer the Blue Demon, a feared Huntsman. He was a frightened, triggered child.
Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, the 9 of Spades stood before three monitors that were slowly turning on. 4 of Spades stood off to the side, pouting about the battle with Taiyang Xiao Long. 5 of Spades then emerged from the shadows and tossed the barely cared for 2 of Clubs to the ground. He was still visibly battered from the fighting a few days ago. Stranger than that, he was also restrained.
"Wake up." 5 of Spades said sternly. 2 of Clubs groaned as he awakened. He immediately shook, feeling the restraints.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded. "Let me go!"
"Silence," 9 of Spades ordered, "your tribunal begins now."
"Tribunal?!" 2 of Clubs indignantly demanded as the three monitors came to life. 5 of Spades ripped off 2 of Clubs' mask.
"He said to be silent, Ray Stein." 5 of Spades sternly said to him. Ray looked at his cohorts in disbelief. He knew what being called his real name meant at this moment. He was in trouble. Before he could say anything in his defense however, a distorted voice spoke up from the center monitor. A heart was on the screen. A diamond adorned the screen of the monitor to the left while clubs adorned the screen of the monitor to the right.
"Ray Stein, you have displeased the rulers of Gray Jackal." Came the distorted voice of the Queen of Hearts.
"Displeased! How could I have displeased you?" Ray demanded. "My lady, my research has helped prove that we can mass produce our ultimate weapon! I just need a bit more time!"
"Time you will not get." Came the distorted voice of the King of Diamonds. "There was a discussion and we found your methods…displeasing."
"My methods?!" Ray indignantly snapped.
"You and the agent formerly known as Mother Goose displeased us through your use of child test subjects. The reports your superior has given us, along with the corroborating statements from the Spade Numbers are most disturbing. I have made it clear to my fellow Rulers as well as all Numbers and Numberless that any activities that directly harm children such as trafficking are off the table in funding our activities." Queen of Hearts reminded Ray. "You have deliberately disobeyed me."
"Respectfully, my lady, that was never explicit! If a Ruler disapproves of any member's actions, all four Rulers must vote with the tiebreaker going in favor of the accused member! That was the rule you all set!" Ray grinned triumphantly. There was no way the others would vote against him like that woman would, right?"
"I'm afraid that's where you are wrong, Ray Stein." King of Diamonds proclaimed. "I'm afraid you are the one who is outvoted."
"No!" Ray immediately screamed in denial. "Who could've possibly voted against me after the results I have given to you all?"
"Well, Ace of Spades for starters." King of Diamonds admitted. "Of course, she did not give a concrete reason. She just decided she wanted to vote for you."
"But that would only bring it to a tie!" Ray exclaimed.
"Denial is not a good look for you, Ray," King of Diamonds said to him, "of course if it makes you feel better I voted in favor of you."
"But then…that would mean…" Ray trailed off. At that moment, he realized his superior, the Jack of Clubs, had said nothing. He glared hatefully at the monitor with the clubs on the screen. "You son of a bitch! You're stealing my research!"
"...I have had a very rough couple of days, Ray. I don't appreciate such accusations." Jack of Clubs finally spoke up. "And keep in mind, I was the one who started this research. You just latched onto it and added to it. But don't worry, I'll be sure to perfect your theories and finish my work for you."
"So there you have it, Ray, three votes to one." King of Diamonds grimly revealed to him. "And in the end, it's not like you would've gotten off without a punishment anyway. Not after things had gone horribly wrong in Thimble, according to the reports 9 of Spades gave us."
"N-no!" Ray exclaimed. "Please, it wasn't my fault! Even though things went wrong, it was only because of outside interference! Hansel Kobalt, and a man named Taiyang Xiao Long! They both intervened and fought back hard! If those two hadn't gotten in the way, I'd have returned with the girl! With Ruby Rose! Surely my near success with bringing such a crucial element to your plan would've made up for my mistakes, yes? I was overzealous, I admit! But I beg you, considering how close I came to bringing you a high-priority target in Ruby Rose, that should alleviate my punishment, yes?"
"I'm sorry, Ray." Jack of Clubs said coldly. "But your punishment has already been decided."
"N-no!" Ray exclaimed in horror. He blinked instinctively, then he saw the figure of a woman standing in front of him. A single katana was mostly out of its scabbard. The tip was already sheathed.
"Decided, as well as carried out." The woman spoke and began to slowly sheathe her katana.
"Your timing is impeccable as always, Ace of Spades." Queen of Hearts praised her associate.
"All the yelling interrupted my nap." Ace of Spades admitted as she continued to sheath her sword. It soon clicked against the scabbard as it was sheathed completely.
"Carried out…" Ray muttered weakly. His vision then twisted and turned. Wait, did Ace of Spades suddenly get taller…also why was she sideways?
"I can never get enough of how fast you are, Lady Ace." 5 of Spades praised. 9 of Spades nodded in agreement.
"H-huh?" Ray muttered in confusion.
"It was a quickdraw. Iaido. A technique from Mistral." 4 of Spades explained smugly. "You poor thing. It was so fast, you don't even realize you've been decapitated."
At that moment, Ray saw his headless body fall in front of him. His mouth opened before he started moaning in terror and pain. The brain was still very active after the beheading as he became horribly aware of what was happening to him.
"Thank you for carrying out his punishment, Ace of Spades." Queen of Hearts said gratefully. "I was growing weary of his incessant-"
"Hold that thought, Queenie." Ace of Spades cut her off and with a wave of her hand, Ray Stein's decapitated body and severed head were incinerated by familiar black flames that came from her hand. "Sorry, his noises were getting on my nerves."
"...Noted." Queen of Hearts nodded. Ace of Spades then removed her mask. 9 of Spades' breath hitched as the beautiful but cold face of a woman was revealed. Complete with pale, almost pearly white skin, pitch black hair, and cobalt blue eyes. Hansel Kobalt had always said his family was dead, but other than to a select few, he never specified that some family members were merely dead to him.
"Now then," Gretel Kobalt, older sister of Hansel, spoke up with a disturbingly calm smile, "what has my precious little brother gotten up to this time?"
AN: So in a twist that probably surprises no one, the Ace of Spades is Gretel Kobalt. In fact, I'd like to make a personal request. In the reviews, considering this IS kind of a plot twist, when we talk about Gretel, let's refer to her as [Redacted] for now. After all, we don't wanna accidentally spoil new readers that one of Gray Jackal's high-ranking members is Hansel's sister. But yeah, the monster who hospitalized Winter is Hansel's older sister.
Now, as for this chapter, if you haven't figured it out, it's called Sever for two different reasons: 1) the obvious severing of Ray Stein's head. And 2) the severing of the relationship between Hansel and Ozpin.
Though this was a pretty heavy chapter, emotionally, I hope everyone enjoyed it all the same. I'll see you all next time. Favorite, follow and review.