Hunting or Bust: The Journey Continues
Dust 21: More Things Change, More They Stay The Same
Players are moving and moves are being made!
Happy April Marathon!
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Jinn smiled pleasantly down at her audience. A group of startled and unsuspecting people caught in the breadth of her magical smoke. They were separated from each other now, but all still listening as she weaved the answer to their question through her story.
"Long ago, in a far and solitary land, a young princess was locked in a tall tower. Placed there by a loving but paranoid king who wished to shelter his daughter from death…even if that meant robbing her of a life. This princess' name…was Salem."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Are you ever going to come back into the castle?" Salem watched as Jūgo stood outside in the dark and barren wasteland surrounding the castle, "I can count the number of times you've come back inside on one hand."
"I don't want to go back in. Not yet."
"Any reason why?"
"I'm not sure how much I've changed." Jūgo looked down at his pale hands and gripped them, "I barely feel the need to rest or eat. There's a restlessness I can't quite explain. And the Grimm…" He looked down at the small and large Creatures of Grimm that somehow seemed to peacefully rest around him, "This doesn't feel right."
"You're not going to feel any better sulking out here by yourself."
"And how did you react when you changed?"
"Poorly, yet I didn't have anyone to help me through it. You on the other hand do." Jūgo spared a look back at the castle where his comrades, master, and dearest friend resided. But he turned away and stared back out into the distance with the Grimm continuing to be at ease around him. It was clear his new state of being and altered body weighed heavily on him, as well as the return of his clarity and autonomy. It was the kind of change that would take careful time and consideration to come to terms with.
Something Salem wasn't going to bother with.
"Come inside." The dark-clad woman turned around and made her way back to the castle. Jūgo looked hesitant but he could tell by her tone that it wasn't a request, "If you are so interested in understanding your new self, then see how you've changed firsthand, not just by mulling it over out here. I'll have a test ready for you inside."
"A test?"
Salem smiled knowingly, "And we can let all of your associates see your new body for themselves."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Then along came a hero from a faraway land, a warrior known as Ozma. He raided the tower and freed the Princess not for a reward but because he believed it was right. But with their hands locked together, there was something there they had never felt before. So the two set out for faraway lands together and lived happily ever after. At least…that's how it should have been."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"We're almost there! Almost! Three! Two! ONE!"
The train passed through the station arriving at Argus, and with Nora's narration, everyone in the cramped train cars knew when to cheer. The other people waiting at the train station stared as just the first few cars of the Argus Limited slid into place and finally arrived. The cheers and cries of joy drew the attention of pretty much everyone in the station as the people jumped off and hugged the ground.
"Gods dammit, this is a mess." Dee grumbled while hopping off the train, "Less than half a train with gouges all over it!"
"And we're not gonna be able to recover the rest of the train! It's gonna hold up the rest of our schedule!" Dudley complained as he rubbed his head in aggravation.
JNPR and half of NKTS shared unamused looks at their griping. Kiba picked up his and his teammates' bags with a huff and shrugged, "Don't know what to tell you, guys. I mean I'm sorry you missed the rest of the train, but the passengers are alive and so are you so I don't know what you're complaining about."
"Yeah! You guys nailed it this time around!" Nora piggybacked off Kiba's comment, jumping up and circling her arms around the Huntsmen's necks to bring them in, "You're the heroes who saved the Argus Limited!"
"The railroad might have some grievances, but the people and the public are going to know you prioritized passenger safety." Ren clarified.
"And what more could people ask for from two exceptional Huntsmen?" Jaune added, raising his eyebrows as he could tell they were being swayed.
As Dee and Dudley shared a look and seemed tempted by the prospect, the young crew walked away with Sasuke speaking up, "If we ever need help, we know to turn to the two most capable Huntsmen in Argus. Farewell."
They walked away and exited the train station before any more could be said. Once the former Beacon students were out in the street they looked back over their shoulders before sighing, "I give them a month before they screw up the goodwill."
"I give it less than a week."
"Who cares?! We've made it!" Nora rushed ahead, throwing her arms out wide as she looked out over the shoreside city, "We've made it to Argus!"
Before them was a sprawling landscape beautifully connected to the northern sea of Anima. Unlike the other cities of Mistral, there wasn't as much nature and natural beauty to the city's architecture. More stone and metal went into its creation than anywhere else in Anima. Solitas' influence could be felt through all the brick and mortar, no more evident from the huge military base at the end of the road that drew the eye upon arrival.
Ren looked around, "What should we do now? We intended to head to the military base immediately after we arrived. But with Qrow and Weiss sticking behind we don't have much of an appeal to approach them with."
"We should still try." Kiba shrugged, "It'd be stupid making our way here and not even trying."
The others agreed with his statement. And as they walked along Sasuke looked over and noticed Jaune staring back towards the platform and the train tracks, "They'll make it back. We have to believe in them for now and carry on what they trusted us to do."
The others looked back at Jaune as he stared out towards the wall and the landscape beyond. But a moment later the young Huntsman turned with a fierce determination, "You're right. So we go to the military base and see if they'll listen to us." Jaune walked ahead of everyone, "But if we don't want to approach them with our weapons and luggage then we need to drop them off."
"Sounds good to me." Kiba groaned, "Don't know what Naruto and Tenten are bringing but it freaking ways a ton."
"Then I think I know where we can stop off first."
Jaune led the way as the group walked through the streets of Argus. There were shops and vendors along the way that begged to be visited, but the former students moved ahead with purpose. They didn't know where Jaune was taking them but the scraggly blond didn't seem lost or desperate. If anything he seemed nervous, and for once it wasn't because he was worried about his friends.
They arrived at a small townhouse connected to other homes on each side. The others watched as Jaune boldly walked up to the door and paused. After a moment they saw the blond leader's shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath before he looked back, "Pray for me."
That didn't inspire confidence.
Jaune knocked on the door and took a half step back as he waited for what was on the other side. The door swung open to a short, pretty young woman with sandy blond hair and a giggling baby in her arms. When she looked up at Jaune her breath caught, "Jaune? Is that you?"
"Hey, Saph."
"Oh my gods!" The older woman chirped and immediately wrapped an arm around Jaune, her infant son giggling in her arms, "Jaune! I can't believe you're here! I just didn't expect this! Terra! Hey, Terra! Guess who's at the door?"
"Is it Jaune?"
"Yeah!"
"Not hard to guess, sweetie, your voice carries through the house." Another woman, with dark hair and glasses wearing a sweater, stepped out beside the blonde and smiled, "Hey Jaune, this is a surprise. Didn't think you would come over to Mistral with everything that's going on."
"Yeah, sorry about that, Terra. Didn't mean to drop by unannounced, but in my defense, all communications have been down recently."
"And you're smart enough to know that local communications are fine. I'm making sure of that." The bespectacled woman said with her chest puffed proudly, "So how did you get here?"
"And what are you doing here?" The blonde woman said with a big smile, "I mean I'm happy to see you but I don't think you'd make the trip just to visit."
"We're here to make a stop." Jaune stepped aside, showing the two women the group of shocked friends standing at the end of the steps, "Guys, this is my sister, Saphron Cotta-Arc, and her wife, Terra Cotta-Arc. And my nephew, Adrian" He tussled the giggling infant's hair, "Ladies, these are my friends."
The high-pitched squeal Nora let out after introductions was enough to shatter glass.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"The hero passed, and the princess was left devastated. Unwilling to allow this tragedy to stand, she traveled to the farthest reaches of the land, to a well of light in hopes of pleading her story to the God of Light. But despite her hopes, he did not falter for it was the natural order and simply the hero's time to pass. So instead the princess turned to the land of darkness, hoping that his brother would have the answer she needed."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Forced to hide her face and shuffle around in rags while it poured around her was a humiliation she thought she had long since moved past. She wasn't supposed to be the starving little girl hiding in the shadows and on the run anymore. Her newfound standing, influence, and power should have assured that no one could touch her ever again.
Yet here she was, trudging through the dredges of Mistral society in the rain while reports about her failure were broadcast for all to see.
("Though many of the terrorists behind the attempt at Haven Academy were apprehended, these four individuals are still at large.") Profiles of Emerald, Mercury, Hazel, and Adam all appeared across the screen - Anima's most wanted to get attention from everywhere.
She wasn't up there, and that was probably because everyone assumed she was dead. Was it a greater insult that she failed, or that she failed so spectacularly that she wasn't even considered a threat anymore?
("Although the other three have yet to be found, sources say that Adam Taurus has been forced on the run after this failed attempt to attack the heart of the Kingdom. Efforts by Huntsmen teams and the newly restructured White Fang have been hot on the trail of the disgraced rogue; freezing his assets and shutting down all known safehouses.")
Looks like the poor fool was on his last legs. If Cinder had an ounce of empathy in her heart she might have almost felt pity for the damn man. But that well had bottomed out a long time ago, and all she wanted was the information she had been waiting for.
Following a series of cobweb markers and spider tags along the walls she traversed a few days prior. After raiding that woman's closet and belongings Cinder had come upon a sum of Lien. A middling amount compared to what she had at her disposal before, but enough that she was able to secure the services of a certain information broker.
Cinder walked into the shady establishment filled with strangers around the lobby and by the bar. Strangers who were no doubt there under orders from their patron and matriarch.
"Ah, there ya are, darlin'. Been waitin' for ya." Cinder raised her gaze in the direction of the amicable and folksy drawl of the woman in charge of this group, Lil'Miss Malachite of the Spider's Den. For the last few years, the Spiders had been making a name in the Mistralian underworld as information dealers, hired muscle, and crooks to turn to when a job needed done. And all that expansion was due to the work of the plump but diabolical woman sitting at the table, "Yer right on time. Here I was thinkin' ya wouldn't show up."
"I paid for your help and I expect results." Cinder pulled down her hood and shook off some of the raindrops on her. Taking the amount she'd lifted off the unlucky patron that picked her up, Cinder found the Spider's Den and paid for their information network to track Ruby and her cohorts. After a particularly unsubtle metaphor from Lil'Miss about making spiders work for her and waiting a week it was time for results, "Anything?"
"Quite a bit of somethin'." Lil'Miss took her out her cigarette holder and took a quick drag on her stick, huffing out a cloud as she smiled devilishly, "Yer little group of friends were quite a big part of that attack on Haven."
Cinder's grip tightened on her hip, "I'm aware."
"And then word through the grapevine says they got themselves caught up in some business on the railroad up to Argus. That group seems to be a magnet for trouble." Cinder rolled her eye, exhausted from how much of an understatement that was, "Now last we heard some more happenings had gone down in Argus followin' that. And if they bothered to travel to Argus-"
"They're going to Atlas." Deducing the gangster's line of thought Cinder immediately turned and made for the exit. She pulled her hood up to protect herself from the rain and reached for the door-
"My, you are impatient. It's a marvel ol'Roman ever managed to work with ya."
Cinder's hand stopped in place, her eye narrowing under her hood before she looked over her shoulder, "You knew Torchwick?"
"That I did. Scrappy little punk used to be one of mine before he cut off and tried to make it on his own." Lil'Miss looked up wistfully, "I always wanted to meet him again at least once. To be honest, I wanted to skin him alive and hear him beg and plead for me to end it, but knowing the runt is gone leaves a bittersweet taste behind." She took another puff and spared Cinder a look, "If you're expecting a crack team of Huntsmen and Huntresses to drop down on your head, spare me. I might give them the odd tidbit here and there, but I never invite them to my establishment. Wouldn't risk it. However," She tapped her holder and broke off the ash forming on her cigarette, "I promised an old associate that if you came back, I'd let them know."
The swinging doors creaked behind her and Cinder spun around in time to see and avoid the boot swinging in for her head.
She turned and slid away before looking up at the figure hiding behind a wet and familiar parasol. The boot slowly lowered itself back by the other leg standing firmly by the swinging doors. The fancy parasol twirled and slowly raised so a pair of pink and brown eyes could peek at her with a glare.
"You survived?" Cinder sighed tiredly, standing up and shaking her head, "Of course you did."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"The princess had gotten her love back, if only for a moment. But that momentary victory came at the price of the Brothers' ire, and they quickly exacted it. Whether to be considered a blessing or a curse, Salem had been gifted an immortal body and eternal life. The goals coveted by many heroes and kings that had risen and fallen during humanity's history, yet doled out as punishment to the princess so that she could never be reunited with her true love. Where despair should have taken her, Salem decided on a new course of action; with this new body she'd travel the land, find allies, and force the Brothers' hands."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Jūgo slowly walked forward through the shadowy passage leading to a large training room with plenty of space to move and fight in. Salem had ordered him to wait before a Seer floated out and ushered him along. As he approached the entrance to the room, he could hear quiet muttering and whispers from some other voices.
He walked in, making way for Salem in the center and looking over to see that they had an audience watching them. Tyrian. Watts. Nagato. Orochimaru. Kabuto. All his allies – or former allies it felt – from Elysium were staying in the Evernight castle.
Kimimaro sat up and looked like he wanted to run over when he caught sight of him. Jūgo lowered his gaze and tried to go unnoticed as he made his way to Salem's side.
"Today, I would like to have an examination of our newly rejuvenated member, Jūgo." She announced to everyone, "And to do that I thought an exhibition would be the most effective manner."
"Exhibition?"
"Indeed," She turned and looked up at him, "Your new body must come with new abilities and skills you haven't been able to test yet. I think now would be a good chance to see what you're capable of."
Orochimaru stood up a little straighter at the prospect of an exhibition. The snake Faunus had to hold his tongue after Salem had taken his greatest experiment and tossed him in a pool. Even after Jūgo had re-emerged he was wholly different than how he was last recorded and difficult to theorize. But a demonstration might just be what he needed to see if his original adaption experiment was still viable.
"Your Grace," Tyrian stepped forward, his tail with a metal cap on its severed end trailing behind him, "If you require a volunteer, I would be more than happy to offer my blades." The scorpion Faunus drew his eyes away from Salem's glory and turned to Jūgo, glinting with sadistic expectation, "To see what your new body can handle."
"I'm sure you would be a magnificent tester, Tyrian," The killer seemed to preen from her praise, "But I already have a subject in mind to practice with young Jūgo."
"Who-"
"Jūgo, move!"
A giant fist slammed into the side of Jūgo's head before he could register Kimimaro's warning. Everyone else flinched as a Beringel suddenly dropped from above and smacked the pale man away like a fly. His body slammed into the opposite wall as the huge Grimm drummed its chest and roared at the top of its lungs.
"Come, Tyrian," Salem casually walked aside and ushered her loyal servant to follow as the Beringel started bouncing in place in preparation for the fight.
As the beast charged like a stampede towards the other side of the training ground, Jūgo pulled himself out with a groan as black ichor leaked from his scalp and down his face. He felt the ground shake with the Grimm's ferocious charge and held out his hand to calm it.
"That's not going to work." Salem warned without looking back, "That one listens to me more than you, and I told it to kill you."
The Beringel raised its fists and Jūgo had to scramble aside before he could get crushed. The giant ape turned, grabbing a slab of concrete and spiking it towards the pale man as he just barely ducked beneath it. Before he could stand up the monster had already rushed towards him and wrapped its huge hand around his body. It lifted Jūgo easily and slammed him into the ground before tossing him into the wall again, lines and drops of black marking the ground Jūgo flew over.
"This is utterly disappointing." Tyrian derisively scoffed as he watched the pitiful display of Jūgo's abilities with violent disdain, "He has received attention and even a blessing from Her Grace, and this is all he has to show for it? It's a disgrace!"
Watts blew out an exasperated groan, "I have to say I agree. A human/Grimm hybrid brings with it a wealth of questions and quandaries about capabilities and processes. Instead, we seem to be blessed with a particularly hardy punching bag to watch."
"Jūgo always had a remarkable ability to adapt along with a strong constitution. He was the perfect subject for my experiments on adapting to harsh environments and evolution. The only flaw in his involvement was his docile mindset. He doesn't wish to fight or even defend himself against others. It wasn't until the Grimm influence started taking his mind that he acted on instinct instead and fought like a beast uncaged."
"What a waste of potential."
Unable to find a counter to Watts' disdainful comment, Orochimaru watched his former pet project be wailed upon and shook his head, "I suppose so."
Kimimaro's breathing came out in short bursts as he watched the brutal showing unfold. His hands twitched at his side as he struggled to hold back the desire to rush in and kill the Beringel from behind. Listening to all the people deride and mock Jūgo was causing his blood to boil.
If he just stood here listening then Jūgo was going to die.
He had to step in and do something!
Kimimaro stepped forward but felt a grip on his forearm pulls him back. He looked over and saw Suigetsu having stopped him, the sharp-toothed man's expression frightful and disgusted by what he was watching but too scared to step in and endanger himself.
All of them…they were just going to throw Jūgo away. With teeth mashed and veins throbbing in his temple, Kimimaro channeled his Semblance-
"AWWWAAARRRRGGHHHHHH!"
The training room fell silent as the Beringel suddenly let out a painful, unsettling screech. Something seemed to work its way through the Grimm's arm, shooting out and then swimming back in through the gaps of its bone arm before biting into its neck.
It was one half of a small but long King Taijitu…with the other half coming out of Jūgo's mouth as his black blood spilled from his jaw. With a gag, Jūgo spit the white half of the Grimm out of his mouth as he stumbled up to his feet. The black blood dripped along his face and his whole body seemed mangled and broken. Yet as the seconds ticked by Jūgo's posture straightened and started to recover. The pale man looked down at his bloody hand and closed it tightly.
He cupped his mouth and closed his eyes…before reopening them and pulling his hand away.
His jaw was sharp and jagged like a Grimm's, with sharp claws taking form where the ichor coagulated over his fingers.
The Beringel roared and swiped its massive hand towards Jūgo as the pale man stepped in. With a wave of his arm, he struck the center of the Grimm's beefy arm hard enough that it snapped in half before it could hit him. The damage the King Taijitu had caused left the Beringal's arm weak and open for retaliation, the pale man growling as he rushed in and punched into the giant ape's stomach. Jūgo's blows were knocking the Beringel around senselessly, his punches and slashes cracking and grounding through the bone plate armor.
With a mighty kick Jūgo sent the ape flying back, bone spikes shooting up from the blood he spilled along the ground and shredding through the Beringel's back as it flew over them. As the ape slammed into the wall and dropped like a sack of bricks the audience went silent in shock. They watched with bated breath as he stomped across the room towards his broken opponent.
The Beringel forced itself up and let out a monstrous roar that shook the foundation of the room. It was enough to make most of the audience flinch and cover their ears.
But Jūgo stood steadfast and didn't react at all. He simply stared down at the mindless beast he had brutalized until its roar finally fizzled out. As the Grimm lost all its intensity and looked up at the pale figure standing over it, Jūgo slowly reached out his hand and stopped just in front of the ape's head.
The beast was outmatched. It had been ordered by its queen to kill the flesh in front of it, and for a moment it had seemed to succeed in crushing and battering it to death. But before it realized what happened the flesh had retaliated and broken the beast beyond salvation. Now under the flesh's fierce gaze, the Beringel felt like it was being pressured by an elder or alpha Grimm.
It crawled forward and lowered its head before Jūgo's open palm. The beast showed subservience to its stronger opponents and hoped that it would show mercy. Jūgo's hand settled atop the Beringal's head, his thumb gently rubbing and tracing the fuzz of its fur as he tried to calm himself.
His grip tightened and he yanked back with a sharp motion. The Beringel's body toppled over and Jūgo didn't look down as he dropped whatever was in his hand that he ripped off. As the pallid man caught his breath and calmed himself he looked down at the particles rushing out between his fingers.
The sharp, clawed fingers.
His other hand came in and frantically yanked the plate armor off his fingers and hand. The bone snapped and peeled away easily, and once his hands were clear he rubbed his chin and cleared it away as well. A moment later all the armor on his body was gone and the murderous intent started to subside…
All he felt was the rush of adrenaline and excitement he felt dominating the Grimm a moment ago.
"Magnificent."
A soft clap followed after Salem's words broke the silence. And as she clapped the others followed her lead and applauded Jūgo for his exhilarating performance. Watts and Tyrian seemed to begrudgingly applaud him for his showing as the Elysium members were a little more eager.
"Bravo, Jūgo, bravo!" Orochimaru strode forward with a bright smile on his face. The doubt and annoyance that plagued him watching his experiment lose was forgotten as the snake Faunus clapped Jūgo's shoulders, "That display was exhilarating. I thought you had forsaken your instincts and killer edge but I see you just need it coaxed out. Your abilities have changed with this new body." Orochimaru looked over him critically before sparing a glance to Kabuto, "We can't continue the original experiment but this is certainly something we should monitor."
"Of course, Master."
"Welcome home, Jūgo," Orochimaru clapped the young man's shoulders again, "We're glad to have you back."
His old master was speaking with him again. The members of Elysium were willing to approach and congratulate him. Salem looked pleased and he knew what he was capable of now.
This was everything he had been hoping for since crawling out of the muck.
He just didn't pay any mind to how unfulfilling it felt.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Salem had rallied countless forces of the tribes and castles around her, promising them the same immortality that plagued her. With them at her back they marched upon the lands of the Two Brothers and demanded that their creators give them the same gifts. But at the sight of their children rebelling, the God of Darkness quickly acted. A light spread across the surface of the world…and every voice but Salem's was silenced. The Brothers, stricken by grief and apathy at their failed experiment, vacated the world…and left it a shallow Remnant."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Oh my gods! Look at you! You're so big now!" Saphron clapped her brother's back before laughing as she looked up at him, "And tall!" As Jaune blushed and mumbled under Saphron's inspection she noticed something and lifted his hair, "And you have a scar too! Like a real Huntsman!"
"Saph, please, you're embarrassing me."
"Oh, shut up, you do plenty of that on your own I wager." When the friends he had traveled and fought alongside let out hums of agreement the blond couldn't look more devastated, "But man, I can't believe how much you've changed! Mom and Dad told us you were going to school, and I even saw your match during the tournament, but I still can't believe you've made it this far!" She giggled wholeheartedly while pinching his cheeks, "My little brother's so grown up~."
"Enough!" Jaune shirked out of her grip and knocked her hand away. The siblings had a quick exchange of wimpy slaps before Jaune puffed out his chest, "You can't keep treating me like the baby of the bunch. I'm the leader of my team, and a genuine Huntsman now!"
"Technically we never got to graduate."
"And do you not want us to warm the bottle of milk before we go to bed?"
Jaune balked at his teammates for their failure to back him up, Ren and Nora simply shrugging and giggling respectively. With a shake of his head and sigh Jaune looked back to his big sister, "I'm sorry for putting you guys out like this, Saph."
"Pfft, don't sweat it." Saphron waved off her little brother's concern as she heard footsteps come down the stairs. She stood up and walked over, meeting her wife Terra and her infant at the bottom as Sasuke and Kiba followed her from the second floor, "Is there enough room?"
"I think they'll manage." Terra handed their giggling son over to her wife, "So you said that the rest of your group is lagging? How long do you think it'll be before they make it back to you?"
"They're capable so we don't need to worry about them." Sasuke answered their hosts and made sure his point assured the blond he knew was worrying about the rest of their party, "We'll probably get word from them within the next day or so."
The Uchiha's trust in their friends made the others feel a little more certain that things would work out for the best. Adrian let out a little giggle in Saphron's arm, and as Kiba chuckled and stretched his finger out the infant started to reach and play with it, "We came to Argus to handle some other business. If we're just going to be waiting for the others to arrive we want to try handling it ourselves."
"What other business?"
"There's something important we need to talk to the soldiers at the Argus base about." Ren answered, "We were hoping to secure passage to Atlas with their help." A look of quiet apprehension immediately showed on the married couple's face, "We understand that's a tough request but the Huntsman we are traveling with is a compatriot of General Ironwood and could put in a good word for us."
"I believe you," Terra had a conflicted expression, "The thing is that the soldiers at the Argus base…they haven't been the most accommodating. Ever since the CCT went offline and Atlas was dealing with the blame of the attack the Argus personnel have been uncooperative with travelers and unfamiliar visitors."
"Pfft, like that's when they started being jerks." Saph rolled her eyes before cooing to her son, "Mommy's bosses are a bunch of jerks and they always have been~. Yes, they have~."
"Don't say that where they can hear you, sweetie," Terra warned before looking at the former students. She shrugged, "She not wrong."
Nora jumped to her feet, "We've got another trump card! We're traveling with the beloved and missing heiress of the SDC! They'll have to let us through! She's not here right now but we've got photo evidence!"
"I mean I can take you down there and introduce you, just - y'know - don't hold your breath."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Ages and eras passed as Salem was left to wallow in her squalor, not even the Gods' abandonment a relief from the curse that kept her alive. But after untold years the God of Light reached out to Ozma in the afterlife, giving him a chance to return to Remnant and make it a better place. Should he unify the world and unite the Relics together, the Brothers would return and bestow gifts and prosperity to everyone. But should the people still be divided and warring, no mercy would be shown to them by their creators. With this solemn task in mind and the great threat that lingered if he failed, Ozma returned to life."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
She did try to use diplomacy to de-escalate the situation with the multi-colored girl giving her a death glare. Saying things like she didn't have time for this and that her grudge was misaimed and that she didn't want to risk a fight with her.
None of that seemed to ward off the psychotic little thief as she drew the blade from her parasol and lunged at Cinder. She jumped back and dodged the swift and precise lunges of the mute criminal trying to poke her full of holes. Cinder retreated by sliding over tables and jumping over to gain distance from Neo. The short killer easily flipped and slid to close the distance with her in an instant. Cinder growled and lashed out with a punch when Neo got close but only shattered an illusion when she landed her strike.
One of Malachite's Spiders walked in and looked like he was trying to stop Cinder from causing a scene. But Cinder saw through the scheme, lashing out with a kick that Neo was forced to block as her illusion shattered.
They exchanged blows throughout the bar as they gained and lost ground against each other with every move they made. Their spar got so out of hand that Lil'Miss complained and barked for them to finish things outside before she had to sic her goons on them.
Neo knocked her outside and used the fog that settled around the bar to try and ambush her. There was no cover and she had no weapon to protect herself from the killer's misplaced rage out in the open.
So Cinder stopped playing around, releasing an intense burst of heat and wind in every direction that dissipated the fog in an instant. Any illusion Neo had cast was reduced to shattered pieces as the true, weary, broken form of the silent killer was revealed to Cinder. The Fall Maiden considered for a moment barbecuing her as retribution for even daring to raise her weapon at Cinder. Yet as she looked down at Neo fiercely she pondered on the advice Malachite had forced her to listen to.
Even if she hated spiders…the best thing she could do was make them work for her.
"You're angry about Roman, right?" Cinder asked, the fire and wind rushing around her easing but still present, "But you realize your anger is misplaced, don't you? I was across the city attacking Beacon while you and your partner were falling through the sky in that Airship. So you shouldn't blame me…" The fire finally faded, "You should be focused on Little Red."
Neo's eyebrow raised in intrigue at Cinder's statement. As she lowered her parasol Cinder stepped forward, "Suffice to say I have some bad blood with her as well," Cinder rubbed the scared side of her face with her thumb, "Along with the rest of her little crew of bugs for interfering constantly. But Lil'Miss was able to provide a clue to their next destination. And if you would like to exact some of that righteous anger on her and her friends, I'm sure we can catch them."
Neo stared at her for several moments, letting Torchwick's bowler hat tilt on her head as she considered the offer. She didn't look convinced but did stash her parasol away as she decided to listen to Cinder's proposal.
"Wonderful. Then if we're past the homicidal intentions, do you mind waiting out here for a moment?" Cinder turned her back to Neo, rounding the corner with the entrance of the bar in sight as she narrowed her eye, "I need to settle some business."
She pushed the hinged doors open so hard they nearly snapped off. Lil'Miss looked up from her drink and smiled as Cinder swayed in, "You're still alive. That's good. Does that mean the little lady…"
"We called a truce for the moment."
"Congratulations! Then I guess our business is concluded."
"There's someone else I would like your help finding."
"Already?" Lil'Miss raised an eyebrow before shrugging, pulling out a fresh cigarette, and stuffing it in her holder, "I'm happy to offer my services. But didn't you spend a life savings on my work before?"
"You're doing this one for free. Considering you tried to sell me out."
Lil'Miss paused just short of lighting her stick. She spared Cinder a look, "I don't do jobs for free, darlin'."
"You're doing this one."
The crime lord's eyes narrowed with annoyance and she subtly nodded her head. From all around the bar Spiders started to approach Cinder, some discreetly drawing knives as they prepared to jump her.
A wave of heat and fire exploded out with Cinder at the center. The Spiders were sent flying into tables and walls from the eruption. Lil'Miss felt her skin start to dry from the heat and looked down to see her cigarette had been reduced to ash in an instant.
"You said you'd skin people alive if they disrespect or waste your time, right? I've never had the time or concentration for work that delicate. For me, internal immolation or burning them alive was always satisfying enough." Cinder walked forward, "And this kind of backstabbing would constitute a response like that. But…I think I'll take that advice you gave me earlier."
Cinder sat atop the table Lil'Miss now sat at alone. She picked up the box of cigarettes Malachite had left on the table and gently took the holder from her fingers, "Instead of hurting or vying with each other, how about we just make things simple for the both of us?" Cinder pulled out a cigarette and placed it in the holder, "I'll let this little mishap pass and in return…" She lit the end with a touch of her finger and offered it back to the Spider's matriarch, "You give me info on someone I'm sure you've been keeping tabs on. Do that and we wipe our hands off each other forever. What do you say?"
"…"
Lil'Miss took back her accessory and had a long drag on it before blowing out the smoke and crossing her arms, "Who did you have in mind?"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"In a body that was not his own, and with a woman tainted by the pools of destruction and ages alone, Ozma and Salem somehow reunited in this new world. They shouldn't have been able to recognize each other, yet in an instant, they knew who they saw. They settled down together; Salem informing him of this new world of humans and Faunus, overrun by Grimm and ruled by Dust. And Ozma told her that the Gods had given him another chance, informing her of his task yet keeping the truth of the Relics hidden. Salem suggested that in this godless world, why do they not step up and take that empty seat? Why should they not rule?"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Jūgo stood at the steps of the Evernight castle looking out across the barren land around them. The distant sounds of Grimm howling and chirping as newborns crawled out of the pools had become a comforting norm to him ever since he emerged.
They also helped him collect his thoughts after the brutal showing. The violence he showed against a mindless creature…and the dull sense of accomplishment he felt when his comrades welcomed him back into their good graces.
"You're not going to head back out there, are you?"
The hybrid paused before he could take a step down. Looking back he saw Kimimaro stepping out from the shadows to join him, "Kimi. No, I wasn't going out there. Not for long, anyway. Master Orochimaru wants to re-examine me and all my new peculiarities. Says that we need to start from step one with the exams considering how my body acts now." Jūgo looked over himself, "I guess things are going back to normal."
As Jūgo quietly examined and contemplated what that meant, Kimimaro came up to his side. He looked out over the distance with Jūgo before shaking his head, "I nearly jumped in to help you during your skirmish. Watching you get hurt right after we finally got you back was unbearable."
"I don't think Lady Salem would have appreciated you jumping in."
"Wouldn't be the first time I went against her wishes." Jūgo raised an eyebrow at his wording as the white-haired man chuckled, "Right, I don't think anyone's told you. When she told us she dropped you into a pool I…charged her during the middle of a meeting and stabbed her in the chest."
Jūgo's brow shot up in shock, "I-I can't believe she let you live."
"I think she found the attempt amusing at most. After that, she would have discussions with me. Asking me if what she did to you was cruel or kind, because it might have freed you from the condition you were in before. The condition I couldn't help you with."
Jūgo could see the conflict on Kimimaro's face from his dilemma. He took the fighter's hand, squeezing it in his own as Kimimaro looked up, "I never thought I'd get to talk to you like this again."
Kimimaro smiled solemnly, "I never thought I'd see you again."
"Even like this?"
"I don't care. I'm just happy to have things a little back to normal. How they were before it all changed."
…
Jūgo lowered his gaze before shaking his head, "I don't think I want things to go back to how they were." As Kimimaro looked at him curiously, the pale man's eyes hardened, "I can't."
The faint sounds of the dark lands around them punctuated the silence that followed.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"With their knowledge and magic, the two created a prosperous kingdom together. Their influence stretched far and wide, becoming the most powerful dynasty this world had seen so far. And at the heart of this new kingdom blossomed a small, wonderful family. But even as this new comfort became his norm, Ozma felt as if he was astray of his original purpose. And at Salem's urging and the reveal that their children had inherited their gift of magic the path ahead was split; try to unite what was left of this world, or ignore it in favor of a new race they could make together?"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Will you just listen to us for one second?!"
"Special Operative Cordovin does not have time to waste responding to tourists!"
"We're not tourists! We have something important to talk to you about!"
"All suggestions or complaints must be lodged through our public liaison!"
"Oh my god!"
Ren stepped in front of his annoyed and – in the case of Nora and Kiba – seething friends to address the guards on the other side of the Argus gate, "Look, we are not tourists or civilians. We're students accompanying licensed Huntsman Qrow Branwen on an important mission from acting Headmaster Namikaze and the Mistral Council. He's also associated with General Ironwood."
"Never heard of him!"
"Who? Qrow or General Ironwood?"
"Yeah, 'cause if you don't know the name of your general then you guys are seriously bad at your job." Nora and Kiba snickered while the two guards fumed on the other side of the gate.
"Enough!" A sharp, authoritative voice cut through the arguing between everyone as the guards snapped to attention. The sound of fierce, echoing footsteps caused the Beacon crew to clamp up and prepare for the commanding power that demanded their silence.
Then their heads had to drop to look down at the grey-haired crabby woman scowling up at them.
"I am Special Operative Caroline Cordovin, and I do not answer to the Mistral Council, the Headmaster of Haven, or whatever messengers they bother to send." The high-ranking Atlas officer turned her head in frustration, "The only authority I answer to is the Kingdom of Atlas and General James Ironwood."
"But we're trying to get information to General Ironwood. It's urgent-"
"There is nothing a group of so-called 'students' from Mistral could have to offer or update to General Ironwood that he couldn't find himself! He is the most capable man in the strongest military of the greatest Kingdom on Remnant! Now be on your way-"
"Oh for cryin' out – we have Weiss Schnee with us!" Kiba yelled over Cordovin's posturing, causing the officer's mouth to clamp shut, "We're traveling with her and we could use your help getting her back home!"
"Oh, you are accompanied by Miss Weiss Schnee? Why didn't you say so?" Cordovin responded with an exaggerated tone of excitement and a phony smile that immediately unsettled the kids, "This claim must be genuine - unlike the dozens of other people who have claimed the same thing in hopes of a reward or seeking attention. May I ask if is here with you now? Or is she still putting on her wig and makeup before appearing?"
Jaune leaned into Sasuke's ear, "I don't think she believes us."
"This would be easier if she was here." The Uchiha whispered back before pulling out his Scroll and showing her the photos, "Look. These are photos we took with Weiss and her friends recently. In Mistral. They're coming-"
"Oh, look, photographic proof!" Cordovin rolled her eyes towards the guards, "As if no one can forge that."
"~You put the Devil in me~."
"What about this?!" Kiba forced his Scroll forward with the video playing on it, "This is exclusive footage we got with her when we were students! See that! That's her!"
"She's gonna kill you for showing that to other people."
"You vile - that is enough!" Cordovin shrieked with her face turning red with rage, "It's bad enough that you riffraff would come here lying about knowing an exemplary citizen like Weiss Schnee, but now you're brandishing false photos and videos of some lookalike dressed like a strumpet?!"
"This is her! She's the strumpet!"
"I will not suffer any more of your lies! Leave now or you will be apprehended for loitering on a military base!"
"Fucking hell!" Kiba pulled at his hair, "Why is everyone from Atlas so goddamn pigheaded?!"
"What did you-"
"Kiba, stop." Sasuke grabbed his friend's shoulder as he could see that his frustration was reaching dangerous levels, "We aren't convincing them like this. We need to wait until the others get back." He turned away from the base and nodded to his friends, "Let's go."
"That's right. Leave. And please don't bother us again."
"Oh, you can bet we're gonna come back to bug you!" Nora got the last word as Ren grabbed her by the collar and dragged her along.
Cordovin scoffed and made to turn back to the base. But she paused, sparing a look to the students as they walked away. More specifically she watched the retreating backs of Sasuke and Kiba as they crossed the bridge.
A sight she'd sworn she'd seen flashing into existence on security footage not too long ago.
"Ma'am, is something wrong?"
"Call security. I want them to pull up the footage the day the supply ship arrived from Atlas." The short Special Operative turned with narrowed eyes, "I think our trespassers have returned with friends."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Ozma could see that Salem wanted nothing more than to subjugate the world. And he couldn't trust her; not with their kingdom or their daughters. But she found them, sneaking out in the night, and she would not suffer this betrayal. The fight was short, but the damage was irreversible. Their kingdom toppled in a night. Their girls were slain in the crossfire. And the bond they shared through death and life…shattered. What they had was lost, never to be reclaimed. All they were now…were opposition to each other."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"He went that way!"
"Don't lose him!"
"This is the night we take him in!"
He ran down an abandoned path through Mistral's countryside and came up to a ruined village. There was no hesitation as he ran through, jumping over a slab of a broken home and ducking behind it with Wilt & Brush clutched to his chest.
His Dust ammunition was low, and he hadn't had a proper meal in days.
"You've got nowhere to run, Taurus!"
"Surrender now and we'll take you in without hurting you!"
Wasn't that convenient? But he doubted he'd make it back alive for a trial or processing. Sienna or Kushina's human mate would make sure he died before he could be shown to the public.
No, he had to take a stand.
He slowly drew his blade, the sound of it unsheathing warning the Huntsmen who had tracked him down.
"Last chance, Taurus. Three!"
He'd either make it through them or die trying.
"Two!"
This wasn't how his story ended!
"One!"
The flashes of Danzō and Blake from days long past made him angry enough to charge.
"Open fire-"
A flash of orange light intensified from behind the stone wall and Adam felt like he was standing by a furnace.
The flames and heat suddenly faded away and Adam no longer sensed the skilled Hunters that had chased him down.
Now there was only something much more vile and demented waiting for him.
"You could afford to say thank you, at least." Adam slowly stood up from behind the broken wall. Amidst the scorched landscape and smoldering bodies of the men that chased him were two women looking at him with amusement.
Torchwick's little silent servant…
And Cinder Fall, smiling coyly while fired played in her hand, "You look like you could use some help. So how about you put that sword away so we can have a chat?"
Adam's eyes narrowed behind his blindfold as he sheathed his sword.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Ozma was broken in the wake of his fallout with Salem."
They looked on at the broken visage of Ozma's newest incarnation, old and grey as he withered in his chair.
"It was only with the intervention of four sisters that some modicum of life returned to his eyes. And with their kindness, he gifted them with a majority of his magic, in hopes that they would use it to help better the world he had ruined in his wake. As time passed, Ozma rekindled his fire and marched on with the purpose given to him by the God of Light."
They watched as another Ozma took up a weapon and inspired a group of frightened villagers to fight the approaching Grimm.
"Knowing that Salem was still out there and most likely planning for something, Ozma decided to search for allies he could rely on. People he could trust in his mission to protect not just the people but the Relics from harm."
Multiple iterations of Ozma joined forces with multiple different people to secure what they could.
"And sometimes, when he found people he trusted, he passed on even more of his magic to them. As gifts in hopes that they could make things better."
Ozma stood before a large community of Faunus in a village besieged by Grimm. One young woman with Faunus ears sticking out of her hair stepped forward and approached him. He extended his hand and the woman looked wary before taking it. After she did, the light of her Aura carried over her body and startled the rest of her community. But once they realized it was still her, stronger than ever, Ozma asked if anyone else would take a stand.
Eight more Faunus stepped forward.
Naruto and Blake felt their breath hitch as they saw the nine youths take Ozma's gift and claim great strength.
"Many times his gifts and trust were proven worthwhile."
Ozma looked out over the community, smiling warmly as he saw so many of the Faunus he gifted helping their people and making things right.
"But soon he would realize…not everyone could return that trust."
He ran out into the forest and stopped when he saw the horror before him.
Heaps of human bodies were beaten and mutilated into a heap. And sitting atop it like a throne was that young woman he first entrusted with power. She looked down at him, a vicious sneer on her face as the light covered her body again and she leaped for him. Before he could respond, the light from her arm stretched out to catch him.
Most of them looked away before she could close her grip.
"Years passed and Ozma learned to be wary with his trust. Many times it paid off, and the people that stood beside him were ones he could fully rely upon to protect the world."
A new group of men and women stood by Ozma's side as they ventured out.
"Yet even though he had no way of knowing, the choices made then would go on to have other consequences."
One of the people by Ozma's side, a young man with familiar black hair, looked forward with shimmering silver eyes. He closed them and when they opened again they were red and sharp with focus.
Weiss gasped as she realized why he looked so familiar.
"Even after I told him that killing Salem was impossible, Ozma continued to move through time - transferring and coming to bond with his hosts and the people of every new incarnation. Through conflict-"
Ozma helped an ally to their feet as Grimm rushed around them.
"Through peace-"
Ozma sat at a table with a brand-new family.
"And even war-"
A gallant, untouched king stood over a defeated, screaming Madara as the crowd around them knew the battle was over.
"He raised the schools with gates of magic protecting each Relic. And as time marched on he found new people to trust-"
Ozpin was surrounded by Qrow, James, Glynda, Leonardo, and Theodore as they made a solemn oath.
Ruby and Yang welled up when they saw a young Team STRQ making their way through Beacon.
"And new heroes he could rely on-"
A confident, bulky brunette gave a wide grin as she took her weapon and led her team forward.
Tenten's breath hitched when she saw Pyrrha smiling and walking alongside the rest of their friends.
"Even when that trust wasn't reciprocated-"
Qrow looked away in shame as Leo cowered before a Seer and pledged his allegiance.
Ruby covered her mouth and Yang's fists tightened at her side as they saw Taiyang cradle a crying blonde baby without a mother, Qrow and Summer by his side.
"And those heroes never got the chance they deserved-"
Hazel mourned as he sat in a sterile morgue beside a sheet covering what was left of his sister.
They all went cold as they saw the arrow pierce Pyrrha's chest, and watched helplessly as she reduced to ash.
"Even though he does not have an answer to how to end the war, Ozma marches ever forward. Recruiting new comrades to help him fight the good fight. And always wondering…"
They were faced with mirror reflections of themselves, staring into their shocked faces.
"How will this end for them?"
The blue smoke swirled, rushing by their feet, and swallowed up inside the lamp before falling into the snow.
Time started again, the wind softly rushing by as snow fell around them.
And all of them were left silent by the truth they had learned.
((((((((Extra: At Any Cost))))))))
Yang palmed her face, "I can't believe you wasted the questions like that, Tenten!"
"I said I regret nothing and I mean it!"
"Now what do we do?" Qrow asked while holding the wasted Relic, "Nothing we can do about this."
"I can do something."
All eyes turned to Naruto as he stepped forward, a dour determination on his face. Qrow scoffed, "How are you going to do that?"
He held out his hand and Qrow passed the Relic over. With a deep, shuddering breath he looked back at his friends pleadingly, "Please don't judge me."
They all shared a confused look as he held up the Lamp of Knowledge.
"Erza~! We need help~!"
The blue smoke returned and the giant woman reappeared, "Naruto? Is something wrong?"
"We need more questions! Will you let us ask them?"
"Naruto," Jinn's tone was more stern and reprimanding as she frowned, "You know you can only ask three questions. No exceptions."
The whiskered blond looked up at her with puppy dog eyes and his ears lying cutely in his hair.
"Ah, not fair! That's too cute! Fine dammit! You can have more questions!" Jinn exhaled, "You're using your new appearance against me."
"You're one to talk!"
"What?" She looked herself over, "I'm a giant, naked blue woman."
"…"
"Does this work for you?"
"I mean I think it works for a lot of people. Don't call me out-"
"Oh~?" Jinn floated down with a sultry smile, her hands against her cheeks as she giggled, "Well, if this form is so appealing, we should make the most of it while we can, right?"
Everyone watched from the side as they flirted for them all to see. Yang cringed and shook her head, "Nope, I'm gonna judge him. This is weird."
"This is a fetish but I have complicated feelings about this," Blake stated while also reminding herself to take notes when she had some free time. She heard a soft sniffling by her side and looked over to see Weiss with tears in her eyes, "Weiss?"
"Naruto!"
"Eh?"
"Ai shite ita yo! Konna koto o suru nante shinjirarenai!" Weiss screamed before she ran while tears spilled from her eyes.
"Iya! Rias, matte! Ore wa mada anata o aishite iru!" Naruto cried out while reaching for the runaway girl. As she disappeared he fell to his knees and yelled, "KUSOOOOOO!"
The others could only watch the strange scene in silent confusion. Qrow pulled out his flask, "Yep, I think we'll judge him harshly."
"Agreed."
Ruby tilted her head, "If we're doing this bit should I call him Tou-chan?"
"Don't make this weirder, Ruby."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Done
If I don't do that omake now, I'll never get it out of my head. Seriously, it just wouldn't leave.
But now it's out and things are happening! The Argus crew isn't having a lot of luck. Jūgo has started to return to things in the Evernight castle but isn't feeling too happy about it. And Cinder has found allies of her own.
All while RWBY and friends learn the truth of the world and their mentor's past. I hope you enjoyed the tidbits sprinkled in the past to enjoy.
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