Hey guys, real sorry for the late chapter.
Work is still busy but it's starting to calm down now, I should be able to write weekly again.
Hope the wait was worth the chapter.
Next Steps
Raven crossed her arms looking at the pot she brought in displayed on a table.
Surrounding it were Faunus looking at every paper they had on it.
None have figured out how to activate it.
Hopefully they can soon, because if so, they can fix everything.
She then glanced at the med room next to her.
Raven sees Sienna on life support, still wearing the Abyss Hide.
If only Ozpin hadn't gotten in their way, they'd be better off.
Unless she can succeed in her next plan.
If they can't figure out how to activate Jade's Jar, then she has two options.
Either get Cher to agree to help her.
Or convince Tai and Qrow to help her.
Or better yet both.
She needs all the help she can get, she wondered if Kron had come up with a plan to track her down yet and if he's in the process right now.
Near Vale
In Dead End Arena the audience surrounding a ring floating with gravity dust were cheering, looking forward to the next fight.
Above behind a window was Kron with his arms crossed, tapping his finger.
Next to him was an older red head, Garnet with a smile on her face. She glanced over at the Scourge of Anima.
"Nervous for her?"
Kron chuckled.
"If I had to be nervous for her, she wouldn't have been worth training." Kron replied. "I'm more anxious to see how she would do."
Garnet nodded and pressed a button.
"Begin the match."
Just then both entrances to the ring had a spot light.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the next match!" The announcer yelled. "First off I like to introduce a newcomer who is intending to become our next champion!" The announcer spoke. "For personal reasons she has not given us her name, while she is new, she has been rumored to have fought against the legendary Scourge of Anima and lived! If she's willing to clash with him, than it's no wonder she intends to take Slate's throne!"
Someone walked through the otherside of the arena.
A young woman with a long blonde ponytail, wearing a tight black jumpsuit with fur around the neck area. A golden breastplate and familiar matching golden gauntlets as well as golden boots.
And most of all she was wearing a Grimm mask, though instead of white it was golden, it was in the shape of a Grimm dragon's skull, specifically huntsman would recognize it as the fire breathing Sky Zhulong, cousin to the Sea Feilong. The Zhulong s mask with red lines beneath the eyes.
In the eyeholes anyone can see familiar purple eyes.
"Meet our newest entry! The Golden Zhulong!"
Yang wearing the mask looked around the crowd and held a fist up high.
Some cheered most booed her.
Not that she cared, Kron did say that they rooted againts newcomers usually.
From the window Kron turned to Garnet.
"You told them she fought me?" He asked concerned, she made it clear that it was best she had no connection to him as well as hiding her name.
"While it is important we be vague of your connection to her, she did need something to excite the audience, who wouldn't be excited about a fighter who clashed againts someone who defeated Slate three times?"
Kron shrugged his shoulders it made sense, more importantly it was about to start.
"Now the Golden Zhulong wishes to prove herself worthy of taking the trial to be our champion!" The announcer shouted. "To prove that she wants to run the gauntlet of some of of our strongest fighters! She'll be facing five of our strongest, let's hope she can put her money where her mouth is!"
Yang turned to her opponent, who was a large brute wielding a battle axe that seemed to double as an axe.
"Let's see how this first match goes against Onyx the giant, this brute has always gotten back up no matter how many times he's been brought down, let's see how the Golden Zhulong can handle this giant.."
She chuckled looking up at the man twice her size.
Onyx roared as he swung down his axe.
"Wait, I didn't start the match!" The announcer yelled.
Kron chuckled as he was already seeing what was about to happen.
Just before the axe could reach her Yang threw a Ki and Aura enhanced fist into his stomach.
"Gah!" Onyx roared as he felt a punch to her gut and actually dropped his axe.
Yang smirked as she pulled back her fist and threw an uppercut.
That blow sent him upward over the ring and againts the wall.
Onyx fell to the ground groaning for the pain.
"Um Onyx?" The announcer asked. "Can you continue?"
Yang grinned and held up her fist already enjoying her victory.
"I guess it's over, ok I'm starting to see how this new competitor can become our champion!"
Many booed her, no doubt the ones who lost their money thinking she was an overconfident newcomer.
And Yang still enjoyed the attention, oddly similar to how Kron would enjoy it even if he preferred to enjoy positive attention.
"Alright let's move on to our four next matches!"
And just like the first Yang had easily won these next three matches without even using her Semblance.
Throughout her fights Kron couldn't help but enjoy the sight.
This power she gained was being seen on full display, watching gave him some sort of fufillment. He enjoyed watching her use what he taught her in her own way.
Yet around the forth fight Kron had noticed something that he didn't like. It felt nitpicky but at the same time it seemed like a problem, and if he was right she wasn't going to 100% dominate the next fight.
"Golden Zhulong has already proven herself to be one of the strongest to grace Dead End Arena, now let's see how she fares againts an old favorite, this fighter clashed against our late champion Slate the Mirror Wall a couple of times! She has unrivaled speed in the arena!"
"It's Phuisia, the Blitz Queen!"
With a smug expression, the woman skated around the ring at quick speed, it looked as though multple copies of her were in the ring until she stopped at her corner of the ring and she bowed to the audience who cheered.
Kron rolled his eyes, he can see why she Slate was a champion, he didn't seem to have much competition.
Yang had gotten to her side of the ring with Phuisia on the other side.
"Hmm, aren't you a little young to be in a place like this? Give up and run along little girl."
She growled and responded.
"You first old lady, wouldn't want to break a hip."
Phuisia squeezed her fists and got into a runners stance. She was going to knock her out as soon as it starts.
Yang took her own fighting stance in her typical boxing stance.
Kron from the stands frowned a bit at that, it was the same stance she always used, yet he seemed annoyed.
"Begin the match!"
Phuisia used her roller blades to skate around the arena surrounding her opponent with many images of herself with just the speed of her roller blades.
Yang couldn't help but be impressed, she might be as fast as Ruby and she doesn't seem to be using a Semblance.
The purple haired woman chuckled as she then pressed a button on her glove.
This seemed to trigger her roller blades as they fired bullets every time she pressed.
Yang felt a projectile at her gut and again at her shoulder.
From the window Kron couldn't help but have a strange look. Why was he suprised? From what he's seen anything on this planet can be made into a weapon, roller blade guns shouldn't suprise him.
In the arena Yang watched as the young woman kept shooting her in different directions, she was hoping to see if she can do something else. Oh well, if this is all she can do, she might as well end it now.
Phuisia giggled as she turned a corner of the ring and was about to release a hail of bullets. But she looked shocked.
Yang was in front of her with a fist raised up, she swung enhanced with Ki and Aura.
But her opponent leaned back and the fist just grazed her nose.
The blonde cursed as she barely missed, she looked at her opponent who stopped.
Phuisia's nose was bleeding, she looked suprised. She wondered what would have happened if it had been a direct hit.
Then again she sees the Golden Zhulong already in front of her with her fist raised.
Just as the fist almost made contact, Phuisia vanished.
Yang was confused as she missed again only this time she didn't see her opponent dodge.
Then Phusia appeared a few feet away and dashed behind the blonde.
Just as the blonde was about to turn around she gets kicked across the back of her head making her stumble.
Yang angirly turned around and swung for her face.
But again Phuisia vanished again.
This time appearing at the other side of the ring skating and shooting at her with her roller blades.
Yang growled as she turned around.
"Something wrong little girl?" Phuisia yelled.
Yang's eyes glowed red, her mask almost looked like a dragon Grimm's face.
From the window Kron was somewhat impressed, a teleporting Semblance, he's never seen one before.
"That's impressive, Phusia normally doesn't have to use her power this early." Garnet complimented and turned to the Scourge. "You've taught her well."
Kron watched with an unamused expression as Yang kept throwing fist after fist missing each time.
Not well enough it looks like.
Yang was getting angrier and angrier as her attacks kept missing and this girl just kept dodging.
"What's the matter?" Phuisia asked as she vanished and appears multiple times, each time she would press a button releasing a hail of bullets at her.
The blonde growled finally having enough and rose a fist. This time punching the ground with her hair glowing.
Phuicia then tripped as she appeared again.
And Yang took advantage of that, she punched her across the face sending Phuisia flying and crashing againts the arena wall making a crack.
The girl groaned as her body fell on the ring and she couldn't get up.
Yang smirked behind her mask.
"And the winner is the Golden Zhulong!"
The blonde rose her fist smiling at the crowd.
Most booed her while a few cheered her on.
"Well there you have it, sorry for those who have been betting against the Golden Zhulong, maybe she'll be a new gambling favorite from now on, hopefully she can earn your money back!"
Yang smirked as she walked back into her entrance pleased with her performance.
Once her fight was over Yang was inside the waiting room and took off her Grimm dragon mask off and smiled. She felt great today, she thought the arena would be fun and wasn't disappointed so far.
She panted exhausted from the fighting she's done today.
Once she was close to the room she was assigned to change her clothes she sees Kron standing with his arms crossed.
Yang smirked and brought an arm up.
"Hey Kron, not bad for my first day huh?"
Kron shrugged his shoulders.
"Meh, you did alright."
Yang looked confused almost offended.
"Alright? Did you not wacth my fights? I was kicking ass at every fight."
"Sure, you did, with each fight, you've proven just how far Ki has taken you, your strength and speed has grown to huntsman levels." Still she was quiet a bit far behind him but still, she can now compete with fully fledged huntsmen, and she was still a student.
Yang smirked smug of how she was getting acknowledgment on her strength.
"Buuut, there's a big problem we need to work on."
"Problem? Yang asked annoyed. "What's the problem, I've fought here like you wanted I know I'm not champion yet but Garnet said I had to fight in the arena for a bit before I tried right?"
Kron sighed shaking his head.
"I was hoping you'd know what it was, whatever." He started to walk away. "Once you get some rest meet me outside, we'll head to the Emerald Forest where we can work on this problem your having."
"What hey wait"
She couldn't say anything as he seemed to have vanished. She sighed annoyed.
He can be such a prick.
Oh well she better get changed to see what 'problem' she was having. Maybe she'll get to punch some sense into him.
Emerald Forest
Kron had flown brought Yang to the Emerald Forest and dropped her on the ground.
"Gah!" Yang yelled as she stood up. "Damn it, would you stop just dropping me everytime?" She yelled at him.
Kron chuckled.
"Think of it as motivation to learn how to fly."
Yang growled as she stood up.
"Fine, so what's my problem?"
The Saiyan was amused by her anger and walked forward until he was within striking distance.
"Now hit me."
"Again?" This was how they measured her strength? Was he having a problem with her power after all? She thought he said that her power wasn't the problem. She began to lift an arm deciding to attack.
"Left straight." Kron said and swayed his head.
Yang's punch missed his face and was confused.
"What? Why are you dodging now?"
"I didn't say I'd let you hit me." Kron said. "Keep going there's a point to this."
Yang growled and pulled back her left arm.
"Right spun elbow strike."
Just then she spun and aimed her elbow for his face.
Again the Saiyan swayed with the greatest of ease.
The blonde pulled back her elbow intending to catch him off guard.
"Left side kick."
Yang was surprised as she launched a kick aimed for his side.
This time he ducked underneath her leg and backed away.
Yang growled annoyed and stepped in focusing on landing at least one hit.
"Right jab"
And like clockwork Yang threw a right punch which was closest to Kron and he swayed his head. Her eyes turned red and she threw another attack.
"Left uppercut."
And once again she threw a punch aimed up his chin.
All he had to do was reel back his head as the punch missed.
Yang's pupils shook, she didn't even move when he called out what she was going to do next.
Kron then relled his back but slammed his head into Yang's forehead.
It was enough force to force Yang to stumble backward and landed on her rear.
She grunted as she grabbed her head and glared at him.
Kron chuckled amused by her anger like always.
"So do you get the problem?"
Yang wanted to attack but she knew better, every strike he called her out on it before she even moved her body.
"You were yelling attacks I would do just before I did them." Yang said to him.
"Exactly" Kron said to her. "Your hand to hand needs some tweaking, it's kind of mediocre and easy to predict."
Yang growled as she stood up.
"What? I'm one of the best in combat classes!"
Kron chuckled.
"Well, in your combat classes your fighting other students, so not much skill to work with." He replied. "I'm sure your skills are good compared to your peers, but against real warriors, actual huntsmen your not that great."
Yang squeezed her fists fighting the urge to throw another attack but didn't want him to call her out on it again.
"Ok if I'm so mediocre, why did you even want to teach me Ki? I thought you said I was what you were looking for."
The Saiyan did say that, but it looks like she didn't hear everything.
"The reason I decided to teach you Ki is because you refuse to back down from a fight and have a power based Semblance that's interesting to me." Kron stated. "That's why I chose you, I wasn't too concerned with your skill as I know that is something that can be fixed."
Yang crossed her arms calming down after being somewhat complimented by her Ki instructor.
"But of course that was what I thought a fight with Adam would fix, I thought after the fight you'd learn to mix up your style a bit, but I guess seeing you use your brain by yourself is too much to expect of you."
That triggered her, the blonde yelled as she ran at Kron.
Of course not worried at all Kron merely chuckled.
"Left cross"
And she threw a left punch aiming for his right cheek.
Like before Kron dodged it but this time grabbed her wrist and shoulder threw her.
The blonde hit a tree making it timber behind her.
Yang growled annoyed that she was predicted again and stood up looking like she was going to attack again.
"And that's another thing." Kron continued seeing her standing up. "When you get angry, you get sloppy and even easier to predict, it's the real reason that last fighter made you struggle a bit, it wasn't just that you were exhausted."
The blonde stopped herself from attacking again not wanting the embarrassment of being called out again and failing to hit him. She thought of what he said and there was some truth to what he said. She always muscled through every problem she had, every opponent she ever had. Her father used to call her Semblance a temper tantrum where she would just rely on it to solve every problem she had. She thought she solved that problem by not using her Semblance for every fight, but it didn't solve the problem.
Is she that predictible?
"So I need to stop getting angry?" Yang asked, that was a tall order, especially since her Semblance activates on anger.
"No" Kron replied. "Anger when used right it can provide a way to win, used wrong and you can trip over your own feet, like a weapon it can either help you or hinder you, depending if you know how to use it." He paused for a few seconds, he was embarrassed of this, but she needed an idea of how anger can make you screw up. "I once had a fight againts a woman named Sienna, I was stronger than her, but she was the better fighter, I was angry that I wasn't winning and she managed to knock me out." He remembered how their first fight happened, he kept making mistakes and even was struck with his own Ki and was captured by the White Fang.
Yang listened and was a bit suprised hearing about how he lost a fight seeing how strong he is.
"When your angry don't let it control you, control it instead, use it as motivation to turn things around. Think of it like this, if you win while angry that'll be extremely satisfying, use that as motivation to get yourself under control."
She heard that and she seemed to be calming down, taking all that in. She's been told that her anger was a weakness, but hearing that it can be used made her satisfied to hear that.
"So we will be now be working on upgrading your fighting style, even if you one day become my equal, it'd be pointless if I can predict you."
Yang couldn't help but smile.
"Y'know I'm starting to think you want me to win."
"Wanting a challenge isn't the same as wanting to lose." Kron countered and crossed his arms. "So before you get in anymore fights in the arena let's work on your attack style."
"Ok, so what do we do?"
The Saiyan smiled.
"I'm glad you asked."
The Saiyan took a fighting stance his right arm raised with a flattened hand over his shoulder.
"Luckily for you, I've made a fighting style that I you can mix with your own."
Yang was suprised to hear that, she didn't think he'd teach her how to fight instead of just Ki.
Kron remembered as a child he had nothing but basic strikes that Raven had taught him.
Over the past eight years when he was on his own, fighting in the Underground Arenas getting stronger, he also worked on creating his own fighting style. For that he picked a bit from what he copied from Sienna's fighting style, some of Hazels timing strikes, little martial arts he picked up from martial artists he found after 'visiting' fighting temples when he was in the other continents and combined it with the attacks from Grimm he fought on the side.
The Grimm Fighting style, designed to break through an opponents defense, create openings and striking them.
Using punches in the upper body like a berringel, flattening hand strikes into the throat like a death stalker stinger, straight kicks like a lancer stinger, grabbing like a king taijitu, flips like a boarbatusk, and axe kicks like an alpha manticore's tail strike.
"So what do you say? Want me to teach you my style?"
Yang smiled as if she was going to agree.
"Can you please wait a moment?"
Both Yang and Kron stopped and turned to the voice.
It was Ozpin with his hands on his cane, smiling as he usually did.
Kron felt annoyed that his lesson was interrupted.
"What is it Ozpin? We're in the middle of something."
"Forgive me" The headmaster responded. "I just couldn't help but overhear, you were going to improve her combat style, you have a very good assesment on what she needs to improve on I must say."
Kron crossed his arms wanting to get back to training.
"If you approve then out of our way, she's got three months to solve this problem and I'm not going to waste them."
Yang chuckled and looked at Ozpin.
"Sorry headmaster, Kron's just a little grumpy today."
Kron growled at the annoying comment.
"Need anything? Do I need to go to class again?" She asked both a little bummed that at the idea and somewhat liking the idea of some more normalcy in her life.
Ozpin smiled at her. "While I would like for you to officially continue your education, there's a more important matter at hand." He looked to Kron.
"You are correct that Miss Xaio-Long's skills can be further polished, that being said would you mind if I take over this part of her training?"
Kron looked confused as did Yang.
"You take over her training? Why? You think I can't do it?" He asked annoyed.
"Not at all, however while teaching her your personal fighting style would be effective, I have a few in mind that can suit her more and mix well with her Semblance." He replied.
Kron growled.
"Sounds like a waste, what about her flying lessons?"
"After my lesson, you can handle that." Ozpin offered.
Yang wasn't sure how to respond, she's been used to getting trained by Kron, she was open for lessons from a different person, but she didn't think it would happen now.
Kron crossed his arms. "I don't know."
"What if I can teach her a fighting style that can counter yours?"
The Saiyan's widened hearing that. It sounded promising, not only would she be strong, she'd also have a fighting style he'd have more trouble predicting. That was too good to pass up. Still, he glanced over at Yang, he sighed as if dissapointed about something.
"Wanna take him up on the offer? It's your call."
Yang scratched her hair thinking of what to do, the point is to learn to be less predictible at least for Kron. So going for Ozpin's offer would make more sense.
"Sorry Kron, I think I'll see what I can learn from Ozpin."
The Saiyan felt some form of dissapointment, but it was for the best. Sure his attacks are more unpredictible but if he can teach something to her that would make her better in the long run then that was fine. Still he liked the idea of training her his personal technique.
He shrugged.
"Fine, but Ozpin, make sure you teach her well, I wouldn't want her wasting time." He said as he started to walk away.
"Where you going?" Yang asked wacthing him leave.
"Now I got some time to kill, train well and message me when your ready for your flying lessons.
Kron floated and flew off in a direction with a bored expression on his face.
As he left Ozpin seemed a bit amused, it's almost like he was sad at not training Yang. He seems to be enjoying training her. He kinda acted like a child being seperated from a friend they wanted to play with.
Once he left he turned to Yang who looked where he left.
"You and him seem to be on better terms."
She looked at her headmaster. "Huh? Oh yeah, I guess so." She said still not used to this strange connection she somehow made by getting to know Kron and his desire for making her stronger. Ver strange considering how this whole thing started and how he wants to kill her estranged mother. And finding out why changed her perspective on it. Not that she would let him do it, she till aims to save her, but only to repent for her actions not for any non existent relationship.
"Not sure If I'd say we're friends, but I feel like he's not a bad guy either, even though he did do a lot of stuff when he was younger." Yang said to him. "Don't you think that's weird?"
Ozpin can see why she or others would finf this strange. Perhaps both of their love of fighting brought out a form of kinship, their shared ideal of never backing down from a challenge. And maybe more so, both of them at some level were victimns of Raven, one from neglect, the other from betrayel.
"Believe me Miss Xaio-Long it is not the strangest I've seen, life can form the oddest of friendships, I hope you two can stay that way regaurdless of what happens."
Yang heard that and thought of her mother Raven. Despite, her abandoning her, hearing what she'd done and understanding why Kron wants to kill her. She couldn't bring herself to want her dead, or imagine herself accepting that happen. She tries to accept the idea that she'd have it coming, but part of her still wanted to prevent it.
And somehow keep this bond she formed with him. But she doubts she can have both.
It's just more motivation to get stronger.
"I do to."
Ozpin can see the sadness in her tone and turned.
"Come, let's begin your training."
Yang nodded despite having a sad expression, she sighed, no use moping about it. Like Kron said she can't waste time.
Whatever happens she'll try her best.
Far Away..
Qrow hadn't felt like this in a long time. Myabe since his first hangover.
His head was throbbing, he reached for his head groaning.
He couldn't remember what happened last night, he better not be with another woman. He hated forgetting the fun he can have with them.
"Qrow?" A male voice asked. "You awake?"
The former bandit's eyes widened. "Tai?" His vision finally filled, he was in a bed he didn't recognize as well as hooked up to some machines around him. He turned to his right to see his partner in another bed wrapped in bandages.
"Tai what-ah!" He groaned as when he tried to get up but couldn't due to his injuries.
"Don't bother, your too hurt to move." He said to his partner.
Qrow started to remember what was going on, the fight againts Raven, that thing showing up out of nowhere.
"Also" Taiyang continued as he lifted up his wrists with a white bracelet and a chain at each of them. "We've got Aura Suprressers, I doubt we're going to escape." He glanced ahead of him.
Qrow turned to look ahead, it was a wall of light, Hard Light Dust no doubt. Kinda like what you'd find in an Atlas jail.
"Damn, I thought we'd be ready."
"I know" Tai chuckled and grunted annoyed. "But hey could've been worse right?"
He's got no idea how right he was. Raven had an opprotunity to run but didn't. That's one brightside of this.
Qrow looked at his cuffs and sighed.
"Any idea where we are?"
"I can hear ocean waves outside, no doubt we're on some remote island. No idea where."
Qrow was about to ask more questions but then they heard footsteps as someone walked in front of their cell wall.
Raven stepped in front of the Hard Light dust wall with her arms crossed.
"Raven" Taiyang said while Qrow groaned annoyed that she captured them after they fought at her side.
Raven looked at the brohter and husband she abandoned. She felt less burden seeing them awake.
"Tai, Qrow" She said softly. "It's good to see you awake."
She meant it to.
Qrow scoffed while Taiyang looked at her strangely and at the cuffs he was in.
"Raven, how long have we been knocked out?"
Raven thought back to when she had basically forced the White Fang to treat them.
"Three days" She replied, looking at all the machines hooked to their bodies. "You were lucky considering what happened."
When she said that the two remembered what put them in the states they were in. And the horrifying creature that took all three of them on.
"That thing" Taiyang said. "What happened to it? Did you get us away from it?" Seeing how that thing took two users of the Void Vault and one Fully Realized Maiden at once, he couldn't assume that it was destroyed.
Raven couldn't help but be amused at what he had said, she fought not to smirk.
"I destroyed it." She said to them, both seemed surprised to hear that. "It will no longer trouble us again."
Both the huntsmen like she expected seemed suprise to hear that.
"No way" Qrow responded. "That thing was ripping us apart, how could you have killed it?"
She couldn't have, Raven doesn't hold back in her fights unless she has something to gain. There was no reason she wouldn't just destroy it when given the chance. And not to mention, if she had the kind of power to destroy that thing, she would have just knocked them out during their battle.
Raven chuckled at her brothers reaction.
"I found a way to increase my power even above Fully Realized." The Maiden said honestly. "Like you, I've been training, finding new methods to increase my power, to protect myself against the Scourge of Anima, I even found a certain place, specifically created to make Maidens rise in power."
Once she had said that the duo had realized what she meant.
"No way" Tai said. "The Spring Shrine, you found it." He said to her.
"So Ozpin did tell you about the shrines, I'm surprised he explained them to you knowing how he likes to hoard secrets from his pawns." She responded. "Yes, I found the Spring Shrine, and managed to make use of it."
Qrow shook his head. "Bullshit"
Raven stared at Qrow not suprise at his reaction.
"Ozpin told us about those shrines, they can't help you, you need the previous Maiden to be willing to help you, and there's no way Cher would." Qrow yelled. "You killed her didn't you?"
Or maybe she didn't. Qrow felt some hope thinking that, it must be it. Maybe he only assumed what she did after finding out that she was a Maiden. Right? Maybe she just died while under her wing. Unless she found a way to force it, which she would do if she had the chance.
Taiyang said nothing while looking at Raven not making any assumptions. While he did have some soft spot for her, he knew her. The current her as well as the old her.
Raven wanted to lie and say she didn't, but she won't. If anyone can tell when she was lying it would be these two.
"I did" Raven admitted, though it wasn't by her hand, she didn't say it in a proud tone. "I did kill her because she wasn't taking the training well."
Qrow felt disappointment and at the same time wasn't so surprised. That makes more sense that she would do it. But it also left the question.
"But why did she help you? She wouldn't, she knew you killed her, she had to."
Raven thought back to Cher, she had a hunch why she helped her but didn't say, so she offered a vague explanation.
"I found a way to win her over." She wasn't exactly wrong but not right either. "She's not exactly on my side, but I can convince her with enough time."
The duo were shocked hearing that, they knew of the shrines but were convinced that Raven using it would be a non-factor. She couldn't have gotten that power increase. But somehow she had gotten through to the previous Spring Maiden, and if she did it once, she might do it again.
Taiyang looked at Raven and sighed looking around at the med room he was brought in.
"Changing subjects, but" He looked back at his old flame. "Where are we?"
"In a White Fang base." She replied. "I convinced the White Fang to heal you." By convince she meant she basically forced them, not that she thought these two should complain.
Qrow galnced at his wrists to see the white bracelets attached to them with chains.
"I'd say thank you but, we could do without these." He pointed at the Aura Restraints.
Raven shrugged.
"What were you expecting? I can't trust you, you should just be thankful that I didn't just leave you in that cave considering how you insist on blindly following Ozpin's orders."
Her brother grunted annoyed, but truthfully he should be thankful, after all she did have a chance to run away. He remembered being furious how she flew out of the hole in the ceiling of the cave. For once, he didn't run, he couldn't help but be a bit proud of that.
"So what's your plan Rae?" Taiyang asked. "Are you gonna keep us here while you collect more artifacts?"
Raven shook her head.
"No, just until you to give me what I want, after that I'll let you two go."
"How many times we gotta say it." Qrow groaned. "We're not joining you."
Raven looked at her brother.
"While I would like us to be reunited, that's not what I'm looking for." She turned to Tai. "Both of you have reached Maiden levels, two huntsman, without any artifacts." She didn't think it was possible. While it is possible for a competent huntsman team to defeat one Maiden, maybe even a Fully Realized Maiden. there's no way one or two of them can give her trouble. She was so suprise how Taiyang on his own forced her to unleash her full power.
"How did you do it? How did you increase your strength to this much?" She asked.
Qrow and Taiyang of course didn't tell her, not wanting her to be aware of what they have.
"The Void Vault?" Raven asked.
The two tried to keep a poker face but Taiyang couldn't help but give a look of suprise.
"The Void Vault" She put a hand to her chin.
Taiyang couldn't help but ask. "How did you-"
"I've done a lot of traveling, finding the Void Vault was one of my first and most disappointing finds." She sighed remembering the destroyed room she wanted to use. "I guess Ozpin rebuild it, seeing it's effects, I have to say it doesn't disappoint."
Taiyang cursed himself, he always did lack a poker face while Qrow rolled his eyes at his partner's inability to hide anything from her.
"Anyway" Raven continued now that she verified what they used. "What I want to know is, would I be able to open the Void Vault?"
Qrow figured that's what she was after. So that's what she's after, makes sense considering she was a power hungry Maiden now, looking for anything that can give her an edge.
"You can't, neither can either of us." Her brother replied. "The only one who can-"
"Is Ozpin" She finished.
The two were glad knowing that the Void Vault needed Ozpin to willingly open it. Still they hoped she wouldn't try to force him they doubted he would even knowing she maybe the strongest on Remnant.
"Why do you even want the Void Vault?" Qrow asked. "I've seen the kid, he's strong, but you got to have some chance againts him." He remembered how helpless he was through that fight, he doubts even with the vault he can take him on.
Raven shook her head.
"Kron is far from normal." She said remembering when she was a boy and discovering he had a power that seemed unique to him. "I'm not even talking about his ability, what isn't normal is his ability to grow, when he was a child he excelled with my training, more than he should have."
He picked the basic hand to hand she taught him, was able to turn these tricks he had into actual attacks with little guidance from her. It was as if he was meant to fight.
"In the short time I trained him, I realized that he had an abnormal growth rate, if I had trained him like I have with every pupil he would have turned into a real monster in a short amount of time." She remembered how in mere months in her training his attacks felt harder, he was faster than he should have been at just 5 years old. "So I had to limit his training a bit to limit his growth, whenever he fought a huntsman I made sure it was againts those that I knew he had no trouble againts ."
Taiyang was able to put it together.
"So your saying you limited his strength when he was with you, and now that he's not-"
"He's had 8 years without me holding him back, and" She paused remembering what she did to him. "motivation to end my life." Regret surfaced thinking of that cruel and idiotic plan she made. "That's why I haven't confronted him and am still not willing to, I need as much strength as possible before I face him and before I face Her." He thought of the pale woman with red eyes and black lines on her face.
She sighed as she crossed her arms mulling over the life that Kron might have had if it wasn't for her. Though she told herself that they would have locked him up anyway once they realized who he was. There was no way he could have lived happily ever after.
That's what she told herself mentally before looking to her former teammates.
"While I would be willing to force Ozpin to grant me access to the Void Vault, I'm sure that if I did that, he'd be able to trap me within it." Ozpin was a lot of things, but an idiot wasn't one of them, there was a reason he had the relics while Salem didn't have one. Not that it would last. "So what I need from you to is to speak to him on my behalf."
"What?" Taiyang asked.
"You've seen my power, know what I'm capable of." She said. "And he has to understand what a threat Kron is, you know that with the Void Vault neither he or Salem can best me." She looked over at Taiyang. "I can make sure that my mistake will be destroyed before he even lays his sights on Kron, I can save Yang."
The blonde was suprised hearing her speak this way, to be saying she's doing anything for Yang at all. This sparked a rage but he quelled it, perhaps she meant it. Her attempt at kidnapping her when she was an infant was in her own words for her own good.
Right away Qrow reacted.
"No way in hell." He responded. "We've been over this, we aren't helping you." He said to her and glanced at Taiyang.
He nodded.
"He's right, if you really want to do the right thing then you need to come with us, free us and let's go to Ozpin."
Raven scoffed at the two expecting it wondering why she was disappointed.
"If you two really cared for Yang, you'd follow through with this and help me." She said to them. "Give me enough time in the Vault and I'd have all the power we need to solve our problems."
"Exactly" Qrow said. "You would have all the power, you would use it throw your weight around and keep me and Tai on leashes." He said to her. "We can't trust you with that kind of power."
Raven looked at her brother.
"You don't trust me, yet, you try to convince me to rejoin Ozpin?" That didn't seem to make sense.
"We wanted you to earn it." Taiyang said in disappointment.
She looked at Taiyang her expression softened slightly.
"We were going to give you time to re earn our trust before officially welcoming you back to our side." He said to her. "Me and Qrow would be able to see if you had a scheme and prevent it, if you had proven yourself we would have helped you increase your strength."
Once Raven heard that she hardened her features again.
"And if I hadn't?"
Taiyang looked at her and said.
"If you had, we would have restrained you until we can confirm how to safely extract your power."
Raven sighed.
"And you trust Ozpin with that? You think he would be honest and not make killing me while extracting my magic look like an accident? Or make it look like I had no choice?"
Qrow can see why she would think that, that was something he himself suggested a few months back.
" I wouldn't allow it." Taiyang demanded.
Raven turned to him with a stunned look at the man he left.
"I'd do everything I could to make sure it was safe." The huntsman replied. "You've done a lot of wrong Raven, but your still Yang's mother and you care for her in your own way. And I want to give you the opportunity to right your wrongs."
The huntress sighed as she walked away.
"Rae?" Taiy asked.
"I'll keep you two here until you agree to my terms." Raven said glancing at them. "Don't worry I'll enure the White Fang keep you around, let me know when your ready to agree."
"Hey sis!" Qrow yelled annoyed at the Aura restraints. "This could not have gone worse."
Tai chuckled.
"You sure about that?"
The misfortune huntsman thought of that and remembered how Raven stayed and saved their lives when she could have ran.
"Maybe not." He said looking at the restraints. "Still we gotta get out of here."
Taiyang nodded in agreement as he looked at the restraints. Even though they were trapped it was a welcome change to see her saving them. Maybe the old Raven was still in there.
Hopefully.
Emerald Forest
Yang was brought to the Emerald Forest near wear she and Kron started their training.
On the way Ozpin spoke.
"For your training your going to have sparring partners tune up your attacks, and I believe you'll be pleased to see who I've chosen for your sparring partners."
And he was right, Yang was happy to see three people there.
"Yang!" Ruby yelled smiling and hugging her sister. "Guess what we get to be apart of your training again!"
"Great!" Yang said smiling and looked at Weiss. "Sup Ice Queen."
Weiss scoffed. "One day I'm going to get you to stop calling me that."
Yang rolled her eyes hearing that and looked at Blake.
The Cat Faunus smiled at her.
"Hey Yang, are you up for this? Hadn't you fought in that arena Kron recommended."
She grinned and lifted her arms. "Yep but still haven't broken a sweat yet, kinda hard to have a challenge with Ki now."
Blake wasn;t sure how to feel about how Kron brought Yang to an underground fighting ring but seeing how Yang was in good spirits eased her up. She's not sure why she was so worried about his training anymore, he's proven that he only wants to make her stronger.
Yang turned to Ozpin and grinned.
"Alright, so how do we do this?"
Ozpin walked up to Yang with a smile.
"As I have said, I have a few hand to hand techniques under my belt that you may benefit from." He said. "What I will teach you will be to increase your defense and capitalize your defense, in addition to making sure your less predictible." The headmaster explained. "Also from what I've seen of Kron's latest battles, he has one notable weakness to take advantage of."
Yang loved the sound of that, not only did she want to land a hit on Kron she also wanted to at least measure up to his skill. Her blood was pumping at the thought and she was looking forward to the training.
"Your teammates will be your sparring partners, though you will be having these on." Ozpin held up Aura Restraints that Yang had wore during the month Kron had trained her how to use Ki.
The blonde didn't like wearing those, but if that's what it takes, then fine. She'll do what she needs to do to get stronger.
"Alright, I'm ready, girls" She turned to her sister, the Faunus and the Schnee heiress. "Don't go easy on me."
"Like anyone can go easy on you." Weiss said ready.
"Yeah!" Ruby yelled.
Yang was ready to take her training to the next level and looking forward to catching up to Kron.
Anima, Kuchniashi
The Golden Daggers Arena had lost it's luster.
The crowd that was once energetic for every fight from the Scourge of Anima seemed to have shrunk.
Two fighters with lesser names and unable to step up to be the next champion were fighting in the cage.
Both crowds were booing at both of them.
In the glass window overlooking the arena Daim threw a glass at the window.
"Fuck" He put his hands to the sides to massage his temples and looked at the winnings he'd gotten from today's profits.
Very little, almost no one was betting.
These fights just werne;t up to snuff. he had no fighters that could keep up with Slate the Mirror Wall of the Dead End Arena, or Mull of the Bloody Sands Arena. Both of them always got bested by Kron, and he always benefited from it.
One of his staff came in the room with sweat down his brow.
"Sir, someone's here to see you."
"Tell em to get lost, I'm not in the mood."
"Um, well, I'm afraid they got through security, eep"
He walked in and turned to see who came in the room.
Daim looked at who came to his office. "What do you want?"
One was a woman with long brown hair with two tuffs on her head and brown eyes.
Standing at her side stood a young woman with orange hair in a green dress, wearing a pink bow and green eyes.
"Salutations" Penny yelled friendly. "We are here on the search for the Scourge of Anima, please tell us everything you know."
"Ugh!" Daim whined and turned to his associate, and tilted his head. "Another reason to hate that kid, he ditches me and attracts flies that want to know everything about him, look you two, I'll tell what I told everyone else, I got nothing, I have no idea where he is."
While he said that his staff walked to the wall and moved a cover revealing a button.
Sepia walked up to Daim with a stern face.
"You must know more than that, our reports say that he was with you for eight years."
Daim growled and sees his employee pressed the button.
Just then the wall behind his chair split apart showing five men with weapons and armor, combatants he kept in case any of Kron's stronger advesaries gunned him for info.
Sepia rose an eyebrow looking at the warriors behind him.
"Like I said I know nothing, now ladies, leave or my friends here will have to escort you."
His men got out to surround their employer.
Sepia took a step forward, but Penny rose a hand.
"Please Sepia, allow me."
The Owl Faunus wasn't sure about that, she maybe more than she meets the eye but she wasn't sure if she had the mettle ofr this.
"Are you sure Penny."
Penny looked at the strong adveseries getting ready to attack.
"Do not worry Sepia" Her right arm seemed to have grown armor, no doubt Atlas's latest weapon. "I am combat ready!"
The Golden Daggers Arena glowed green, many combatants screamed.
Daim never thought he'd be this terrified of someone who looked so delicate.
Sepia wacthed as all his men went to the ground covered in burns and bruises.
"Oops" Penny said putting a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, I meant to hold back, Sepia was this ok?" She asked standing in front of Daim who was on the ground and his desk destroyed looking terrified.
Sepia looked around at all the men on the ground, one was barely concious.
Atlas really did create a powerhouse, she looked at Penny and smiled.
"I think you did excellent Penny."
Penny smiled glad to hear that she didn't go overboard.
Daim looked freaked out, this girl took out his guards like they were children. They were some of the strongest he had to!
Just then the brown haired woman stepped up to him and kneeled down to him.
"Now that my friend has shown you the error of resisting us." Sepia began. "Tell me everything you know of the Scourge of Anima."
Daim nodded terrified for his life, he did have one hope though.
He hoped these two would be enough to take down Kron, at least he can get back at him for ditching him.
Far Away
Raven is outside the base after ensuring that Sienna would not bring any harm to Qrow and Taiyang.
It was a struggle talking to them and will be for awhile.
She hoped they would give her what she needs soon.
But just in case, she needed to have another uncomfortable talk with somone.
She sat and meditated.
Totally silent on the outside but on the inside she was calling for her predecessor.
"Ugh, what do you want old lady?"
Raven opened her eyes and sees Cher floating in front of her with her arms crossed.
"So it worked, I really can contact you."
"Yeah and let me tell you it's annoying." She said rolling her eyes. "It's like having a loud scream in my ear, so maybe don't do it."
"Cher, you had saved me, I want to know why." Raven demanded.
Cher glared at her and crossed her arms.
"You could have left me die, I was beaten, by that thing." She remembered she was being taken away by that monster.
The young girl glared.
"It wasn't for any sort of loyalty I used to have." She said to her. "I did it because while I hate your guts and am praying for Kron to find you, I don't want Salem to win, if she does, then who knows what the world will be like."
Raven thought so, back when she met her, she always seemed concerned for the lives of others. On raids she would limit casualties as much as she can, she even asked for tribute to prevent them.
"So I was right, you really do care for people don't you?"
"Dont' patronize me." She glared at her former teacher. "Yeah, I care, I wasn't a saint, but I would never want Salem to win, if she does, a lot of people will get hurt, while scum like you might live off of their misery." She shook thinking of her greatest mistake. "And then when I was terrified of what Ozpin planned for me, I was so scared that I ran and then bumped into you." She seethed at Raven.
Raven closed her eyes remembering her encounter with the young girl, the fear she had made her easy prey.
"Yes I know" She admitted. "I'm sorry for that."
Cher squeezed her fists wishing that she could physically hurt her.
"Why did you kill me Raven?" She asked.
Raven was surprised to hear that question looking away she thought back to when she gave Vernal the order.
She hated this, she didn't want to answer but did it anyway. She owed her that much.
"Because I was terrified of Salem." She admitted.
Cher glared at her even harder.
"I fought Salem once before, fighting side by side by the strongest huntress I ever met." She remembered how Summer had asked her to help, if she hadn't agreed maybe she'd be alive. "I realized just how one sided the war against Salem was, I thought that her winning was inevitable, and the best we can do is survive when she makes the kingdoms fall."
Raven thought of how in the past when she always hid behind the facade of the strong live and the weak die.
"I made many more mistakes after you." Raven thought of what she had done to Kron. "I wish I could undo what I've done, Cher."
"So your a coward." Cher scoffed. "That's your excuse?"
"No, it's the truth."
The pink haired girl glared and said.
"I hope I can see that terrified look when you reunite with Kron."
Raven didn't react to it but she asked one question.
"And if Kron continues to live how do you think the world will fare."
Cher glared at her.
"He can't be so bad if he takes you out."
"I wonder" Raven said to her. "You never knew Kron like I have, you didn't watch me all my life only when I was risking my life, you never saw Kron growing up."
"So?"
Raven pointed at her head.
"So, you should worry what kind of person he is and if the world really would be safe with him in it." Raven stated. "Come see inside my head, look through my memories."
The pink haired girl looked at her and thought of what she said. She had a point, she never met Kron, only seen him when Raven was close to die.
Cher got closer and looked at her face.
She then got phased into her body again, not to merge but to see her memories.
Inside Raven's mind Cher saw the young 'Monkey Faunus', a memory of Raven's.
Her mouth dropped when she saw him in action.
The young Kron wasn't just killing for the Branwen Tribe, he was smiling, laughing. He was more cruel than any of the others in the tribe.
And the more she watched the more disgusted she was.
Cher shook her head not believing what she was seeing.
He was so young, but he was so cruel? Was this Raven's influence? No, it couldn't be. Raven was evil she knew that, but not to this degree. He was sadistic, cruel, and bloodthirsty.
Cher left Raven's body and looked shocked.
Raven can see the horror on her face.
"Believe me now?"
The pink haired girl looked at her.
"I, I still think the world is better off without you." Cher said to her. "I won't help you."
Raven had a blank expression.
"That's fine, I just want you to understand what kind of person your rooting for." She replied. "You'll have to consider who the greater evil is."
Cher scoffed at that.
"If he's so bad then why do you not want to kill him?"
Raven was suprised when she heard that.
"What do you mean?"
"Did you forget?" Cher asked. "I can see your feelings, you don't want to kill him do you?"
The red eyed woman thought of her years with Kron. Teaching him how to fight, survive, and even read. Despite how bloodthirsty he was, she had developed a fondness for those times.
"Even monsters can have attachments Cher." Raven responded. "It doesn't always make sense, I had done something unforgivable to him due to my fear, if he's anything like he was a child, when we meet it will either be me or him, I intend to kill him because I don't see any other choice, if there was another way I'd take it."
Cher looked at Raven and thought of how she protected Qrow and Taiyang instead of running. She hated watching that, to see her not the same coward she knew.
"You told me that I have an unfavorable afterlife ahead of me." Raven said remembering what she had said of the Wailing District of the Spring City. "I welcome that hell for all eternity, it's what I deserve."
The pink haired girl can detect that she meant it.
"But in whatever amount of time I have, please, help me do some good with it" She said. "I have no right to ask, but you know that I am one of the strongest to have become a Maiden, and you wish you had used your life to do good instead of running away, help me do what I can to save this world, together we can stop Kron and Salem."
Cher didn't respond unsure how to respond to that.
"Please Cher, will you help me?"
The pink haired girl looked at her and thought of what she saw in her mind. That boy. That monster had slaughtered many huntsman all with a smile on his face. She couldn't have faked those memories.
This Kron, he was a horrible monster, yes he was a child but that does not excuse his actions. Raven didn't deserve any mercy or redemption just like Salem.
And the same goes for this boy.
But instead of answering Cher vanished.
Raven looked around seeing that she faded back to the Spring City.
She sighed, looks like she didn't get through to her.
Thoughts of contacting her again came to mind but knew that it would lead to nothing.
It was fine, if she won't help than fine. It was what she deserved.
Raven walked back to the base, hoping to find a way to get through to Tai and Qrow to allow her to use the Void Vault. It maybe her only chance.
Hopefully it will be before Salem manages to create another monster.
In the forest where Raven believed she destroyed the monster.
After only three days the crystal had grown larger.
Inside Eclipse's crown skull can be seen.
It made a familiar crying sound not able to see, only able to know that he was still alive.
And he heard a woman's voice.
"Eclipse please, grow big and strong, for your father, he's going to need you." The woman's voice said.
He didn't understand where he heard this voice but it soothed him and encouraged him.
When he recovers no one.
Not the bird man.
Not the mean lady.
Or even the Scourge of Anima.
Will be able to stop him from helping his father.
Eclipse in his crystal cocoon made a loud noise that sounded more like a roar than crying as he grew within.
Kron has made many enemies in his time.
Just who will be the next to clash with againts him?
Will Penny and Sepia reach him first?
Will Raven or Eclipse reach his level?
Find out next time on One's Own Path!
Sorry for not showing Kron much this chapter, but I promise will be seeing more of him again along with others. We're actually close to the end of this arc, likely at chapter 60, unless I screw up the pacing again lol.
We'll see, I'll try not to rush it or take too long getting to it.
I think a lot of u guys will like how I'll end this arc.
Hope you look forward to it.
Review Responces
SSJ 2: Well I hadn't said Kron isn't allowed in other Anime, I'll think about it after all I do have fanart so I guess I can try. Appreciate the suggestion and feel free to ask any more questions.
Bashleyz: Raven definitely does feel regret for what she's done, but not sure if Kron will listen as he is now, we'll see though.
Guest: Raven doesn't want to definitely but she definitely feels like it's her or him. Ya she saved Tai and Qrow because she's done so much running away and it always made things worst, so she decided to for the first time risk her life to save people she cared about. So kinda like Kron Raven is also experincing change. And oh yes Cher hates the idea of her changing.
keybladelight: Eclipse will continue to grow up and mature, think of him right now he's a toddler that ages quickly, I think you'll like it when he's all grown up. Lol maybe.
Cher doesn't want Salem to win, simple as that.
I am looking forward to Kron vs Eclipse, I've been waiting to write that fight for a while lol.
I hope to also make Kron vs Raven worth the wait I am sorry if it's taking too long.
ThatSaiyaGuy: Thank you! U know what's scary Eclipse is still grown up and he's gonna get more and more vicious. He will be one of Kron's biggest problems.
As For Taiyang and Qrow, yep Raven is doing whatever she can to get more power.
Also I am sorry I wish I could respond to your entire review as I love long reviews but as I'm writing the review responces It's like 2 in the morning for me but know that I really apprecaite this and all your reviews.
epantoja521: Thank u!
James is bored: I'm suprised you liked Cher's part, and happy to see that
Bear295: Thank you! Maybe and also Fu has the craziest and best ideas.
Ruenion: Thank you!
Ghffcc: Possibly, there's a few out there.
Lelouch of Zero: I'm glad you enjoy it and Eclipse will be back to play before long.
Red: Thank u for letting me know I fixed it, I am sorry for my errors I do try my best to minimize it.
Halo69: Ya I think either one would be fun to write with Kron. There's also Weiss but I haven't gotten much opprotunity to write them together, which is a shame cause I know alot of people ship them to.
Kamencolin: Thank you, Eclipse is only going to evolve even more, which he'll need for when he meets Kron.
Imperial Romance: Well Eclipse was partly inspired by Doomsday, he even looks like a Grimm. Though he won't have his broken immunity.
ForeverTruthful95: Thank u. I get it, that's a fair thing to want lol.
Hey guys, so sorry I didn't respond comepletely to your reviews I enjoy every word in your reviews it's just I am really tired work was hectic this week to and really need to head to bed.
Hopefully I'll be more energetic next chapter.
I hope this chapter was ok to, and I am sorry if it wasn't worth the wait.
See guys next time.
Remember to check out One's Many Path's if you haven't already!
Have an awesome day! :)