Hi guys!
Before I say anything I got fanart!
This time on Twitter.
Artist: Kaosmerah
Site: Twitter
Title: Kron's blushing & adorable moment
Art: It's of Kron being carried by Yang. Aww that's nice. And of course Kron's embarrassed he better no one sees this.
Commisisoner NekesRaven
Artist: Kaosmerah
Site: Twitter
Title: Kron and Weiss
Art: It's of Kron running with Weiss on his shoulder. This art was back in July and for some reason I forgot to reveal it when it came out so sorry if you already seen it.
Commisisoner NekesRaven:
First off I apologize for the extended break, it was to take care of personal issues and cement what I wanted to do with the final chapters.
I think I got everything I wanted planned and am ready to do this.
We will have at least 5 chapters before ending the Arc and entering our next hiatus.
I hope you guys enjoy.
End of the Deal
Yang couldn't comprehend what was happening, the black hair, the red eyes, and the sword.
Thoughts of what she went through as a child, memories of her finding out that Summer wasn't her mother and how she wondered why she abandoned her.
And of course, what she did to Kron.
Was this her? Why suddenly would she show up? What should she do?
Raven took in her looks, the blonde hair, the purple eyes, and the gauntlets.
Thoughts of the last time she saw her came to her mind. Memories of when she had tried to take her to her tribe and when she watched her grow from when she was a baby came to mind.
She had grown up, and the top of her hair even had the same cowlick as her.
The former Branwen Tribe member's hardened expression faltered for a few seconds before she regained a serious glare. Now wasn't the time.
"Yang?" Raven continued looking at her daughter's awestruck face. "I know this is a lot, but we need to talk, now." She said to her.
Yang had tried her best to process what was happening and finally started to speak. "Mom?" It felt wrong of her to say that. "Is that you?"
The woman could tell that she wasn't exactly happy to see her, it made sense but she was affected by the look she was giving her.
Raven shook her head, they had to go now. "Yes, but listen Yang!" She yelled panicking. "We need to go now, you're in danger." She needed to get her out of Vale, who knows if that monster hasn't found out what she looks like. "Come with me now." She demanded gesturing to the road away from Vale.
"What?" Yang wondered what she was talking about, did she just find out about Kron? "What do you mean?"
Raven was getting frustrated, but she kept her cool. "There's no time, I'll explain on the way, come, we need to get you out of Vale."
Yang took steps back. "What do you mean? What are you talking about?"
Raven was finally starting to lose patience, so she tried to give a brief explanation.
"Have you heard of the Scourge of Anima?"
Not just heard, she knows him, but Yang merely nodded. "I heard he's from your tribe."
The older woman squeezed her fists, great Tai had told her about her people, or former people rather, but it wasn't the time to be angry about that. "He was, but now, he's found out about you and is hunting you." She said to her which made Yang give a confused face. "Do you understand? We need to go now!"
Yang was confused because she sounded like she was worried. Ever since she learned about her mother, she imagined that she didn't care for her at all and was certain she wouldn't 'save' her from Kron anyway. As much as she hated to admit it, she felt good hearing that.
But then she remembered what she had done to the kid she raised. She wasn't sure what to do, but she knew that she couldn't go with her.
"Look, Raven," She said her name instead which caused Raven more hurt than she let on. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
"What?" Raven asked. "Didn't you hear me? You don't understand the danger you're in, we have to go."
Yang felt a bit conflicted hearing that, she didn't want her near Kron thinking he'll hurt her. But if she can have those feelings then why did she do what she did?
"No," She said to her. "Look, I know you're my mother, but I don't know you, and I don't trust you." She wasn't sure what else to say. "If you want me to trust you, then you need to answer some questions."
Yang had been getting information about her mother from Kron, Blake, strangers, and barely any from her father or uncle. She decided that the first thing she'd do is get information from the source, and find out what kind of person she is. She trusts Blake, she knows she's telling the truth. And even Kron even though what happened between them.
But she thought it'd be fair to hear her side of the story, maybe it wasn't what it seemed.
Raven sighed, she was getting more and more frustrated. She didn't know if that boy was anywhere close to them, and she wasn't going to find out. "You can ask your questions."
Yang was surprised to hear this and was letting her guard down.
Only for Raven to activate her Maiden abilities and grab her arm with her magic-enhanced speed.
The brawler was surprised, it was the same speed her uncle and father showed against Kron.
"After we get far away from here." Raven started to race away from Vale while Yang protested.
"Let go!" Yang shouted struggling in her mother's grip. "Damn it, stop! I said I'm not going with you!"
Raven ignored her daughter's demand and completely focused on the forest ahead. She needed to get away, she was not even sure if her Semblance would work. First things first she'll head to the forests away from Vale, from where she and Yang can find a ride that will take them to-
"I said let go!" Yang shouted and used her Ki to break free from Raven's tight grip.
The black haired stopped and looked at her daughter falling. As she fell, she couldn't help but think how she broke free, not even huntsmen should be strong enough. Seeing her daughter fall she decided to never mind that, she was pretty high up even with Aura that fall could cause serious damage.
She flew down with her hand out to save Yang, but she stopped as something else happened.
Yang stopped herself, in midair a few feet above the ground, she panted as if surprised that she pulled it off and stared up at Raven.
Raven's eyes widened her pupils shook at the sight
Yang slowly got on the ground, she was lucky she managed to get the hang of flying with all the training she'd been doing, if only she did it in a way for her not to notice. She was thinking of easing her into what she'd seen.
And she can tell from her look that she was panicking.
Raven floated down in front of Yang her eyes glowing a red flame. "Yang, how did you do that? Was that your Semblance?" She hadn't seen her ever since she woke up from her coma in fear of Kron finding out about her.
Yang got her hands up in case she tried grabbing her again. "If you stuck around you would know." She looked at Raven's eyes and cans see the red flame glowing out of her eyes. She learned her Semblance Kindred Link, so her flying and the fire in her eyes are something else.
That must be the Maiden thing Kron told her about.
Raven growled, she needed her to go with her now for her safety and to ask some questions of her own. With greater speed, she dashed towards her.
Yang with the training she received from Ozpin can follow Raven's movements even though she was faster, she can see her once again trying to grab her arm.
The brawler pulled back but not in time as her arm was grabbed again. In retaliation, she threw a fist aimed at her head.
But Raven weaved and grabbed her fist surprised at how quick she was to attack.
Instinctively Yang threw another punch with her free hand only for it to be grabbed as well.
Yang growled as Raven grabbed her arms. "Don't make this difficult Yang, come with me now!" She yelled as she was holding her wrists and about to fly.
The stubborn blonde didn't relent and just shook in her tight grip.
And Raven's arms would move, she was struggling to keep her hold on her.
The former bandit couldn't help but panic. This wasn't right. Even fully trained huntsmen shouldn't be strong enough to break a Maiden's grip. She's been a Maiden long enough that her magic amplifies her Aura, she should even be stronger than power type Aura's to like Yang or Tai.
She grunted as Yang was starting to break through. Did Ozpin take her to the Void Vault too? No, not possible. Taiyang wouldn't allow it, unless Ozpin did it behind his back. She wouldn't put it past Ozpin to deceive those blindly loyal to him.
But Raven couldn't shake away what she thought she saw, Yang floated, that could be her Semblance, it must be. It couldn't be-
Yang was so frustrated that she instinctively opened her palm and unveiled a yellow light.
Raven's eyes widened as she looked at the yellow light.
A yellow Ki ball was released and hit Raven in the gut who was too distracted to dodge. The ball of light hit her gut and she was forced to let go of Yang and reared back from the attack.
Yang cursed as she took a few steps back, she felt like an idiot. Now she did out herself, there's no way she doesn't know what she did, the worrisome thing is how was she going to react.
Raven didn't look at Yang, she only looked down at her stomach, where Yang's attack had landed. Her light had landed. It felt familiar, not like Light Dust, it felt more physical, and at the same time heated, but not quite fiery.
Only one other person has ever made her feel an attack like this.
Raven looked at Yang who had her guard up, not only did she fire a blast, but she saw her fly.
Saw her speed react to attacks no Beacon student should be able to track.
Felt her strength challenge her grip.
It couldn't all be an effect of her Aura or a Semblance, it's too similar.
Her eyes widened, she shook with both surprise and fear. She didn't know what to think, but her being able to do all this only points to one possibility. But it made no sense. There's no way.
Ozpin! Yes! He must be behind this. Must be. How did he do that? Did he discover the power himself?
Raven forced herself to speak. "Yang" She had to make sure. "How did you do that?"
Yang held up her guard and circled Raven. "Let's just keep calm ok? It's a long story." She said to her. "I'll talk if you answer questions." She wasn't sure if Kron would be ok with her telling everything but what choice did she have? She has to at least suspect that she's met Kron at least.
Raven thought of just taking her now, but she couldn't not without causing a scene. Knocking her out wouldn't be simple.
She'll have to go along with this for now.
"Fine, I'll tell you everything."
Yang held her tongue and kept her guard up not wanting any surprises. Not only physically but mentally, she had to listen carefully, she may not like what she's heard about her, but she still wanted to see for herself the kind of person she was.
"First tell me, exactly why is the Scourge after you?" Of course, Yang already knew, she just wanted to know her response.
Raven wasn't expecting this question, she thought that she'd ask why she left her. In half a second, she realized telling the truth would ruin any chance of her cooperating, so she decided to tell her only what she needed to know.
"The Scourge" She began. "I found him when he was just a young boy, I trained him within our tribe." So far she was honest. "Then over time, he grew more violent towards my people, he even killed a large amount of us, I had to protect them, so I fought him."
This was when she decided to shorten the story and fabricate it a bit.
"But he proved more, resilient than expected," Raven remembered the energy ball hit her out of nowhere followed by an Ursa Claw attacking her abdomen. "He almost killed me, put me in a coma for five years, and now he's gotten even stronger and is out for my blood, and he doesn't care who he has to hurt to find me." She looked at Yang's face, her expression hadn't changed but Raven continued. "And that's why I'm here, to get you far away so he can't find you."
Even Raven seemed to believe her story which skimmed over some details. The best lies have a hint of truth in them.
Yang was silent for a few seconds processing what she heard, she fought not to call her out but she had more questions first.
"How come you never showed your face to me?" She asked making Raven look away for a few seconds. "You had 17 years to see me, how come you never came to see me? Even you could whenever you wanted to."
Only three people could have told her that.
"Who told you that?" Raven asked while taking a step back. "Qrow? Your father?" She feared her last one. "Someone else?"
Yang's eyes turned red and her hair started to look firey. "Save that for later, you need to answer my questions." Also, she was buying time to come up with a plan for when this inevitably goes south.
Just like her father.
"Fine" She said but looked on edge expecting an attack from out of nowhere, by someone in particular. "I didn't go to you because your father wouldn't allow it, he had me choose between my tribe or you." She said to her. "At the time I was too dedicated to them, I wanted to raise you in the tribe but he wouldn't have it."
Yang couldn't hold back with that. "Guess not every parent wants their kids to grow up with murderers."
Raven closed her eyes in shame, especially after they had kicked her out. "I don't know what I was thinking, I regret not staying with you." She meant it to.
The blonde wanted to believe it but couldn't considering she had told a lie to the first question.
One more and then she'll think of how to answer her questions.
"What was he like?"
Raven was confused hearing that.
"The Scourge" Yang continued. "What was he like growing up?"
She can tell she was bitter about how she raised him over her own flesh and blood.
"Monsterous" She didn't have to lie about this question either. "He enjoyed fighting and killing, more than any in the tribe. He was also extremely selfish, put the tribe in danger, and abandoned any plan we made so he could have a fair fight." She remembered the issues he caused among her people. "Ironically, he believed in our tribe's ways better than any in our people, we were all talk but he lived by it." She admitted the hypocrisy of her tribe. "The strong live and the weak die, I doubt any of us truly believed that."
Yang was surprised that she was telling the truth there, it matched Kron's story. It made her sad thinking how Kron used to be, but he admitted it to her, and she knew that wasn't him anymore.
And even if what she had said was true, that doesn't change the fact that she had been lying.
"Ok Yang, now" Raven continued. "It's your turn, tell me how you did that, why do you have that power?"
The blonde shook her head.
"I said you had to tell me the truth," Yang said to her. "You told me a big lie."
Raven can tell from the tone that she meant it. She shook her head.
"What reason would I have to lie?" Raven asked.
So far, her mother was proving Kron right. She looked more disappointed at her.
"To cover for yourself." Yang accused. "To make yourself not look like the bad guy."
Raven scoffed. "I'm no angel, I admit that, but this boy, he's a true monster." She explained. "He thrives on fighting and murder he's killed more people than you will meet."
Yang remembered his crimes from when he was a different person and shot back.
"That was back then, not now." She backed up seeing her getting more panicked.
The bandit couldn't help but be shocked hearing that.
"Ozpin, didn't teach you this power, did he?" She couldn't fathom why, but there was no other explanation. While she wanted to suspect Ozpin, he couldn't have known about his power, not unless Kron taught it to him. She looked everywhere for any hint of that power, but she couldn't find anything, Kron was the only person in the world who had this power.
At least he used to be.
Kron had months to find Yang, and no one was strong enough to stop him.
Not even Tai or Qrow could.
So, the only logical explanation was that he had met Yang and for whatever reason had taught Yang his power.
Too many things to process, and she had to get to the bottom of this.
"You met him." Raven looked around. "He taught you this." She had her hand on Omen's hilt and looked around. "Why? Where is he?"
Yang could see her getting more erratic and started to talk. There was no point in hiding anything.
"Your right, Kron did teach me." She can see her getting more panicked. "Didn't even know who he was when we met."
The former bandit can't believe this, who would have thought her daughter would wield his
"You even know his name." Raven wanted to say this was a joke, maybe it is to Kron. "What else did he tell you?"
Yang glared with her guard up as if expecting her to attack. "He told me everything." She said angrily. "Including about Menagerie."
Raven was looking even more paranoid and looked away not able to meet her daughter's hardened gaze.
Her instincts kicked in, her so-called survival instincts. She not only wanted her daughter safe, but she also needed her daughter. She can get Yang out of her, learn this power for herself.
Then in time, she will have the power she needs to put an end to both Kron and Salem.
"Yang" Raven began. "Kron is cunning as well as strong, do you really think he's telling the truth?" She asked. "Whatever he's told you is a lie, has he shown you any proof?"
While she and Yang had no relationship she was a blood relative, someone that had been with her father. She has no reason to completely trust Kron if he doesn't have any proof.
To her dismay Yang's temper got the better of her as her eyes turned blood red.
"Oh my god!" Yang shouted. "You're an even bigger liar than he said! You just can't stop!"
Raven's eyes widened recognizing the rage she inherited from her father.
"I'm not lying." She said calmly. "You are being blind and putting your trust into someone you just met at most a few months ago."
"And he's proven that I can trust him more than you." Yang pointed out.
Raven scoffed and chuckled. "You mean you believe him my potential murderer over me?" She asked. "You have no proof, no reason to trust him, I know I left you but I have no reason to trust him over me."
Yang only kept a disappointed stare as she kept talking.
"I met Blake, she's, my partner." She brought up her teammate.
"Blake?" Raven legitimately didn't know that name. "Who's that?"
The blonde scoffed that she couldn't remember one of her victmns. "Kali's daughter, she confirmed everything."
That shook Raven to her core, she looked away shaking and scared. What else can she say?
Her daughter met Kali's daughter? What were the chances? Why would she be here of all places so far away from home? Why doesn't she hate Kron?
Then she remembered Sienna, she found out about her involvement at the Menagarie incident. The tigeress must have told Blake what she did.
And she's Yang's partner. What a ridiculous coincidence.
Raven squeezed her fists un able to come up with anything to say.
Yang continued her rant towards her. "Kron had a chance to have a family that would have cared for him, you took that away from him." She told her. "You tricked him into turning against Blake's family."
"Wrong" Raven said as storm clouds gathered around the sky above them.
The blonde looked up to see lightning starting to break, she looked at Raven wondering if this was her power.
"Kali didn't know a thing about Kron until I leaked information to her husband, she would have found out and if she did, she would have gotten as far from his possible." She said as if it was a fact. "She would have rejected him, or worse, Kron would have killed her and her family. I took nothing from him."
Yang shook her head was she was going on and on.
"You don't know that."
"I DO know that." Her eyes flared even brighter. "Kali would have been afraid and disgusted!"
"Oh yeah?" She glared her eyes still glowing red. "Then why does she still want to see him?"
Raven fell silent hearing that and the glow in her eyes started to shrink.
"Blake said Kali still would like to see him, and no offense but I believe her over you." She said to her.
Raven was speechless hearing that for a few moments. "Why would she.. but he's not even hers it makes no sense." She thought that Kron had gotten attached and was sure that she wouldn't want anything to do with him.
"Kali saw in Kron that he needed someone, someone you couldn't be." Yang explained remembering how she had to act motherly with Ruby after Summer was gone. "She's a mom, like Summer, unlike you."
That seemed to enrage Raven but she kept her cool, she had one more card to play, it would work.
"Would you still say that if he tried to kill Qrow?" Raven brought up.
And that seemed to have an effect on Yang.
But to her surprise she replied with a simple. "I know."
"What?" Raven asked.
"I said I know, I found that out to." Yang said with a sad look. "And meeting you, I get why he wouldn't trust him."
Raven shook her head hearing this. "I don't believe this, you know he tried to kill him and you're defending him?"
"He didn't have an excuse for trying to kill Qrow, but meeting you and seeing you throw lie after lie, I can see why he wouldn't trust anyone related to you. He didn't even trust me either." She remembered how their second fight went with her team by her side, he was so vicious at that fight. "If it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have done all this."
Raven gritted her teeth and glared at her daughter.
"That's ridiculous, you can't blame me for what happened with Qrow, I didn't make that happen."
Yang kept her glare remembering one other thing about her Semblance.
"No, but's unfair to say you weren't apart of it." She pointed out. "And you were going to let Qrow die."
So she knows that she can detect the life force of those she's linked to.
"Yang enough!" She said as lightning fell from the sky between them startling Yang. "Why is Kron teaching you this? What does he gain from it?"
There would be no point in hiding anything, she'll have to talk to Kron later.
"He made a deal with me if I can beat him after four months of training under him he wouldn't use me to get to you." Her mother was looking shocked at that." If I can't, then if you show up, he'd" She paused not to proud of it. "he'd fight you and kill you. He's teaching me because he doesn't just want revenge, he wants a worthy opponent."
Raven looked shocked hearing those words from her own daughter.
"You mean to tell me that you and him made a game weather I lived or not!?"
"I didn't make a game out of anything! He gave me a chance to save you, besides I couldn't warn you anyway, whose fault was that?!" She asked making her look away. "I wanted to try to save you."
Raven felt elated hearing that, for the first time since their reunion.
Yang wasn't done either. "But after finding out what you did, I can see why he'd want you taken down, that was when I stopped wanting to save you." It made Raven look saddened to hear that. "Instead I'm going to capture you, lock you away and make sure you can't hurt anyone else again."
Raven took a step back, she never thought her first meeting with Yang would be this badly.
"I don't believe this, so you're saying you'd rather be on his side, someone that tried to kill me and your uncle over me?!"
Yang thought of the last few days how she had avoided Kron, and how she didn't think as much about what Raven did to him as much as she should have.
"Yes"
The Branwen shook her head in disbelief, it didn't matter. Kron could be around the corner for all she knows, she needed to get her out of here now. She can figure out how to get her to teach her Ki later.
"I'm sorry to hear that." She placed her hand on her hilt.
Yang was surprised to see her prepare for a fight.
Raven appeared in front of her daughter with a risen light blue blade.
Yang rose her arm to block the blade with her gauntlet, thinking she was attempting to cut her.
But it wasn't to cut her.
As Raven's blade collided with her Ember Celica, but only by the flat of the blade. Her arm got covered in ice.
"Grr" Yang growled annoyed as her arm was coated in ice, she through another punch with her right arm.
Raven was about coat that arm in ice like she did the left by raising her Ice Dust blade.
But the punch stopped midway just before her blade.
Yang immediately spun kick and it landed on Raven's waist.
This surprised the woman and was even sent a few feet away. She looked down at where the kick had landed, the amount of force was more than she thought, not to mention that feint she performed showed that she had been greatly trained.
That couldn't be from Kron alone, could it?
Yang focused her Ki into her left arm to break free of the ice, she looked ahead to see Raven no longer there.
Raven was behind her and placed an arm on her shoulder.
Her eyes glowed a firey red, sparks showed at her hand.
Yang's entire body was covered in electricity, she felt her Aura breaking down and her body feeling shocking pain throughout her body.
"Ahhh!" She shouted as she her knees hit the ground.
Raven looked down at her daughter, she didn't enjoy this but she needed to knock her out. For her own good.
But her daughter was more resilient than expected.
Yang slammed a fist covered in Ki and Aura into the ground.
The impact was enough to shatter the ground and force Raven off her.
The blonde turned and threw an uppercut.
Raven in surprise raised an arm to block the punch but she was sent in the air, with her Maiden abilities she caught herself in midair. She shook, it was clear that she was still ahead of her daughter's abilities, even with Kron's power.
Still, it wasn't going to be easy to take her with her.
Looking down she sees Yang standing up despite the shock she had given her.
Her daughter was glaring up at her, not looking worried at all, ready to fight.
Raven shook, not in fear of her, but rather in fear of something else.
People were starting to come out of the buildings, if Kron is here, he will notice the mess soon. She looked down at Yang and can see that there was no talking her into going with her and Kron might get here any minute now.
The Branwen immediately tossed a ball of fire toward Yang.
Yang tossed a Ki ball at the fire ball, which exploded between them creating a smoke screen.
The blonde aimed her fists forward, she wasn't sure if she could win, but for her to have a chance she needed to land her Ki attack.
Her fists were positioned against each other, coated in flame-like Ki, and she was ready to unleash her first Ki technique.
But when the smoke cleared, Raven was gone.
Yang put her arms at her sides, looking at where she once floated. She turned expecting an attack from behind, and all around.
Nothing, no one was around.
She kept her guard up expecting a sneak attack for some time, but there was nothing. It was clear she was gone.
In the skies far from her, a little black bird was flying away.
It didn't matter, Yang had to go, she had to tell Kron everything.
But then she thought of Raven, how she appeared thinking she was in danger. Weirdly it felt nice thinking she was going out of her way to try to save her.
And she also lied, was this part of some plan? Kron might say so.
Whatever the case, she had to tell someone.
Yang flew up thankfully it was night and no one was around to see her fly. She dashed over some buildings and called someone.
"Blake!" She yelled into her scroll. "Is Kron with you? He's not answering his scroll!"
"No, he's somewhere far from Vale, he's probably training, I think he wants to be alone." She replied. "What's wrong Yang?"
Yang closed her eyes and sighed, she felt like she screwed up here.
"We need to find him, I met Raven."
"What?" Blake responded. "She's here?"
"She was" She mentally scolded herself for letting her go so easily. "She knows that I have Ki, we need to find Kron now."
On the other side of the call Blake frowned and looked worried. Now that Raven knows that Kron was in contact with Yang, does that mean she'll go after her family? Would she do that?
"Go to his house and wait for him there, I'll send his address," Blake yelled. "We need to get a hold of him."
"Right" She said to her. "We'll meet up after we find him."
"Yeah" Blake responded and smiled on the other end. "And Yang, thanks, I'm glad you have his back."
Yang thought of the situation with Qrow and her first meeting with Raven. Now things have been made more clear to her.
"Thank you for the talk, let me know if you find him first." She replied as she hung up.
She continued flying while Blake sent the address. She made a call to Ruby intending to tell her the situation and spread the search.
Now there are two reasons to find him and it was more important than anything now.
Ozpin had been in his office drinking his coffee that he had spiked, it felt necessary after all he wrought. He told himself that it was for the best for everyone. At least that's what he told himself, if only he knew Kron's true nature early on.
Had he known that he was truly a man of his word, he would have been comfortable explaining to his inner circle his decisions, his deal with Kron.
All these eons and he seemed to never truly trust people. He can't, given the many betrayals he had suffered and even those he benefited from opposing sides.
One by a warrior Greyhound, he stabbed him in the back after believing that his family would have a better chance surviving siding with Salem. He even wielded the Abyss Hide that Salem had created, thankfully it had a side effect that even she couldn't benefit from, he shuttered at the thought of her commanding an army of Grimm hybrids.
That betrayal led him to believe that it was best never to reveal that Salem was immortal. It made people lose hope, give up, or worse fight at her side.
And one betrayal that was actually to his benefit was from a Maiden under Salem's command, Jade. She had committed numerous atrocities, all out fear. It was until she had learned to create her own artifact, her jar. Jade's Jar.
That creation allowed mankind to sprout into the four kingdoms. They knew peace, until the day the Jar was reopened thus unleashing her upon the world again.
It was then that he couldn't bring himself to fully trust people while fighting for them for eternity. With no end in sight.
He had thought of reusing Jade's Jar many times, but the price was too much for him to pay, he could not bring himself to-.
The ancient man stopped and turned.
A familiar red portal had been opened, one he hadn't seen in a long time.
A hand came forth and grabbed his neck.
"Raven?" Even with Ki, he couldn't break her mighty grip as he was pulled into the portal.
His coffee cup dropped and shattered into pieces.
Far Away
Ozpin was pulled out of the portal and thrown against a boulder.
Before he could move a katana blade was stabbed next to his head.
He looked at it unafraid and looked into the face of the one who dragged him here.
Raven glared at him with venomous intent.
"You just can't stop finding a new low can you." She said to him while inching her blade closer to the headmaster's neck.
Ozpin didn't flinch he only stared back with a sorrowful expression. "I take it you've seen your daughter, and know what she can do."
Raven pulled back her blade grabbed Ozpin by the throat and smashed him against the boulder cracking it behind him. "I know more than that! How dare you let him use my flesh and blood!"
The headmaster grunted feeling the pain but responded calmly. "I did the best I could with the options available to me." There wasn't much else he could do. "I'm sure someone as pragmatic as you could understand."
The Spring Maiden turned and tossed Ozpin across from her like a ragdoll.
Just as he opened his eyes he saw Raven standing over him and stabbing her burning red blade into his gut.
Ozpin felt his inside burn and screamed from the sudden stab. It was nothing new but still unpleasant.
"So you did have something to do with it." Raven seethed. "You just can't stop manipulating children in your war." She asked as she pushed the blade further stabbing into the other side.
The headmaster grunted feeling the blade pierce his body. He had thought to use his Ki to either fight or escape Raven, but he refused, he couldn't just go to his office, and while he was captured he couldn't reveal his new ability to her. He decided that he needed information.
He had to play along like he couldn't escape, once he has the information he needs he'll make his escape.
"If I had the power, I never would have agreed to Kron's demand." He admitted. "I had no choice, also we need to acquire more power to prepare for what's coming."
Raven kicked Ozpin up the chin sending the headmaster rolling away, reveling in how helpless the manipulated was.
However he still had no fear, he's been in similar situations, he stood up as blood fell from his face.
"I am sorry" He apologized. "But I assure you Kron is not a threat to-"
She appeared in front of him and smashed her fist across Ozpin's face.
The headmaster fell to the ground stained in blood with his hands on the ground.
Raven walked forward and placed Aura restraints at his wrist, she scoffed knowing there was nothing she had that can restrain his magic.
She'll need to have someone watch him.
Sienna wouldn't react well to knowing she captured an important figure such as Ozpin. She had plans to find and apprehend Adam Taurus to question him on his plans in Vale. No explanation would win her over.
She needed him supervised by someone that knew how crafty he truly was.
A thought came to her. She sensed two individuals in Vale that had stayed in the same place for some time.
Maybe they can help like she had wanted.
One way to find out.
She slashed her blade opening another portal.
Taiyang was asleep and snoring.
Qrow couldn't get a wink of sleep since his cell mate was snoring heavily. It's unfortunate that his daughter got that from her.
He groaned and covered his eyes, it's been days since they were brought in here and he still coulnd't stand what happened.
His niece was being used as bait for her mother and there was nothing he could do about it.
After thinking of Ozpin's positon he can understand why he did it, but he still couldn't forgive that he kept it from them and still sent them to find Raven.
And to make matters worse, she was right about him. Ozpin really does only see pawns in those who follow him.
He had so much faith in him, he thought he could do enough good to make up for what he had done under his father's tribe.
Now he wasn't sure if he could follow Ozpin anywhere after this.
Just then a familiar red portal appeared in front of him.
Why now?
"Tai!" He yelled to his teammate.
The blonde huntsman woke up gripping his face like he was sleeping at home, he woke up looking at the portal.
Raven walked into their cell and looked at the duo.
"So this is what Ozpin rewards you for your blind obedience." She said to them. "I warned you."
The duo were silent for a few seconds.
Taiyang was the first to speak. "Raven, why are you here."
Raven looked at her former flame and looked at Qrow. "The same reason your here, I take it you found out about your favorite headmaster's deal with Kron?"
Qrow wanted to say something but all he could do was look away in shame.
"Rae" Tai began. "I'm sorry, I never thought he'd-"
"Save it." Raven turned back towards the portal. "I have a plan, one that will save Yang, and put an end to Kron." She offered. "I'll ask again, will you help me?"
The other remaining members of Team STRQ looked at each other.
They've been loyal to Ozpin for a long time, but their loyalty to family, proved greater.
Now without Summer, their team have seem to properly reunite.
On Raven's side, againts Kron.
Vale
Ruby was walking around the bookstore 'Dusty Pages', Kron's favorite bookstore.
After hearing what Yang had told her about Raven knowing about him being here she was told to wait here in the chance that he showed up.
She had conflicted feelings about Kron, he saved her team, was kinda fun to be around when he was calm when he used his energy puppet show to entertain her and a good friend to her sister.
Only to find out what he almost did to their uncle.
She steeled herself, Yang had told her that she wanted to talk about Kron when this was over and that he can still be their friend. Right now they needed to handle the Raven situation now.
Ruby looked her way to the bookstore wondering if there was any comicbooks she could read while waiting for Kron. She started to walk towards the entrance but she trapped and landed on something durable.
"Oww" The girl said getting up and rubbing her head.
"Salutations"
The red-hooded girl looked down and saw an orange-haired girl on the ground. "Oh, I'm sorry!" She yelled getting up and offering a hand to her.
"Do not apologize, I remain completely optimal." Such a strange way to say she was fine.
Ruby was confused hearing that but didn't judge as he held her hand out.
"Um, are you going to get up?" She asked.
Penny kept her smile and responded happily. "Yes," She grabbed Ruby's hand.
And Ruby felt pain as she squeezed her strong fingers around hers and was lifted up. But she toughed it out. "So um, my name's Ruby."
"Nice to meet you, my name is Penny Polendina." She introduced herself and looked at Ruby up and down. "Pardon me, but are you a Beacon Academy student?"
The huntress in training couldn't help but be giggled hearing that. "Um, yeah, I'm in my first year."
"That is very nice, are you going to be at the Vytal festival?"
Ruby smiled hearing that almost forgetting why she was in front of the bookstore. "Yep!"
"Really? I was supposed to this year, but sadly I'll have to miss it." Penny said sadly thinking back at her father's original plans.
Ruby was surprised to hear that. "You were you going to be in the Vytal festival?" She asked looking at Penny thinking that shouldn't she have a weapon on her? But she kept that to herself because she wasn't... Weiss. "Well um, what happened?"
Penny with a saddened smile spoke. "Something important came up and unfortunately my time had to be delayed."
The little reaper looked at her being so sad and felt bad hearing that. "I'm sorry to hear that but hey, that only means that you'll have two years to train before your first tournament maybe you'll even win!"
The orange-haired girl looked at her and smiled.
"Yeah, your right!" Penny said giggling and looking at Ruby. This was the first conversation she had with someone who didn't know she was an Android. She was so excited she almost forgot why she was there and decided to ask. "Will you be my friend?"
Ruby found the girl to be a bit weird, but she seemed sweet and couldn't bring herself to say no. Plus she was another huntress in training maybe she'll look at her weapon. That would give her some normalcy with the hectic school year she had.
"Ok, yeah."
Penny smiled widely and grabbed Ruby's hand. "Oh thank you, I'm happy that I made a new friend! What do you want to do?"
Ruby was a bit taken aback. "I uh, sorry but I'm looking for someone right now but maybe later?"
"Oh really? I am to!" She yelled. "Maybe we can look together?"
"Uh"
Ruby wasn't sure what she got herself into. Hopefully, she can find Kron while Penny tags along.
Beacon Academy
Weiss was on her way to Ozpin's office, and on her way she saw one of the professors.
"Mrs. Schnee" A man with glasses addressed her. "Are you looking for Headmaster Ozpin?
The heiress stopped and nodded respectfully. "Yes, is he in today?"
"Afraid not, he isn't in his office, he must have had an urgent matter because he hadn't given us any prior notice." He said in a slightly annoyed tone.
Great, today of all days.
"What about Professor Goodwitch?"
"Off on a mission, only Ozpin would know when she'll be back."
A teacher off on a mission? She supposed it made sense given that she has proven to be one of Beacon's strongest.
"I see, thank you professor Oobleck." She replied.
"Doctor" Dr. Oobleck then as usual dashed away highly caffinated.
Weiss watched him run away and sighed.
"Excuse me."
Weiss turned around and had a friendly smile. "Oh Pyrrha, good to see you."
"Hello," Pyrrha said smiling. "Did I overhear right that Ozpin is out?"
Right, she just remembered that Pyrrha was taking lessons from Ozpin both with her team and in private.
"Yes, have you seen him?"
Pyrrha shook her head. "No, I was just on my way to see him, I'm sorry." She looked disappointed as if she was looking forward to Ozpin's tutelage.
"I'm sure he'll turn up, the headmaster can't just vanish."
"Right, I'll be sure to message you if I see him first," Pyrrha said smiling. "I suppose I'll head back to my team's dorm, I'll be seeing you."
Weiss nodded and watched her leave, she couldn't help but wonder what exactly was Ozpin teaching her.
A question for later, she needed to find Ozpin. She wished the reason why didn't have to be so secretive.
What she wouldn't give for a normal school life!
Far from Vale
Blake looked at the tracks on the ground. It was footprints from a pair of shoes Kron wears.
While she was looking at them she used her scroll to make a call.
And still, Kron hadn't answered.
"Why didn't that jerk keep his scroll?" She asked annoyed as she put her scroll in her pocket.
Looking at the tracks wasn't much help since Kron flies for far distances.
Damn it, she needed to find him. To tell him that she's here, that the reason they weren't raised together was here.
She may not have met her, but after what Raven did to her family she knew it wasn't good having Raven around, she might come for Yang again and who knows what she'd do after.
Would she go after her mother?
That thought terrified her, all the more reason to find him before it was too late.
"What are you doing here?"
She turned with a hand on Gambrol Shroud not recognizing the voice.
It was a young woman with brown hair, with two tuffs on top of her head, wearing some kind of slim armor.
"Who are you?" She asked the woman.
"My name is Sepia Ugla, I have to ask you to vacate the area." She showed her huntress license.
"And why's that?" Blake asked somewhat relaxing her guard.
The owl Faunus looked at Blake and eyed her bow. With her senses, she could tell she was also a Faunus only she needed to hide her trait unlike her.
"There's a dangerous fugitive that I am looking for, please return home young lady." She said sternly.
Blake can tell that she was after Kron, another thing she'll have to warn him about.
"I'm sorry, I will leave immediately." She replied and began walking away.
As she did Sepia looked at the tracks and saw that they led nowhere.
"One more thing." She said turning back to Blake.
The Cat Faunus turned around with a stoic expression knowing how to behave in front of authority in her days with the White Fang.
"Have you seen any Monkey Faunus, with a brown tail?"
She was definitely after Kron.
"I've seen one with a yellow tail but no brown." The cat lied like it was the truth, another talent she developed in the Fang.
Sepia eyed her and seemingly couldn't tell. "I see, carry on then." She said as she looked at the tracks.
Blake walked away while glancing back at her, she needed to find Kron to warn him about Raven but something told her there was something dangerous about this woman.
Sepia looked as though she was focused on the tracks but glanced at Blake, she knew something, she'd have to keep an eye on her.
White Fang Base
After a few miles of flying across the ocean Raven had finally made it to Sienna's hideout.
She had explained the situation with Kron being in Vale and that they needed to accelerate their plans.
It was time to start the ritual.
The Branwen Tribe were all freed from ice and hanging in restraints.
All tried to break free, cursing at Raven or begging her to be let free.
None will be.
Raven stood before the tribe with the jar.
"You sure about this?" Raven asked surprised how simple the jar's ritual was.
"Yes" Sienna said looking at the scripture and glanced at Raven. "Are you willing to sacrifice them?"
Raven looked at her tribe all chained and all looking ready to please.
"Raven!" Vernal yelled. "Stop this, it's insane! We didn't want this, you gave me no choice!"
The former bandit looked at Sienna. "Do it."
Sienna pressed a button releasing one bandit from his chains.
Raven immediately grabbed the jar and walked towards him.
The bandit backed away. "Raven I always preferred you as leader." As he stepped back his hand touched a hilt at his back. "I'll follow to Salem if it means you get to lead us"
Raven said nothing and walked forward holding Jade's Jar.
"I'll gut Vernal myself, come on boss you know you can count" Once Raven was within striking distance he swung with his blade aimed for her neck. "me!"
But Raven not even unleashing her Maiden abilities grabbed the bandit's wrist and cracked the wrist.
"Ow ow oww!"
Raven had shown no compassion glaring into his soul and forcing the bandit's hand on top of his jar.
"Let me go you bitch!"
The former bandit thought of the steps of this 'ritual' and was surprised at how simple it was. It seemed to be worth trapping Salem.
First, place someone else's hand on top of the jar.
Second, say the name of who you wish to contain.
"Kron" Raven said aloud.
The bandit stopped moving for a few seconds before his body was wrapped in a jade colored light.
"Ahhhhh!" He screamed as his body began to age rapidly.
The bandit looked like an old man and fell limp.
Raven looked surprised watching one of her former subordinates age rapidly.
Third, if the participant or victim knows and fears the person who's named, their life force will go into the jar.
Raven looked at her tribe members all fearful of what had happened. "Vernal, and the Branwen Tribe your probably wondering what this is." She held up the silver jar with green jewels in the center and edges.
"This is Jade's Jar, created thousands of years ago by a Maiden named Jade." She explained. "What it can do is trap one single person within it that the weilder knows, but there's a price." She kept a stoic face but she felt a sense of catharticism seeing them all fear her. "It needs people that know and fear the target to be sacrificed, once I say the name whoever I have their hand on the top will give up their life into the jar. Once it has enough sacrifices, all I have to do is open it before the target I set, that being Kron will be pulled into it."
The Branwen Tribe members all begged to be let go in response.
"You have what you need then," Vernal yelled. "You can just leave us be right?" She hoped that was the case, Raven was never the revenge type from what she remembered.
Raven turned to the look of fear in her eyes and smirked.
"I could try but see, the pull of the jar will depend on the amount of sacrifices it holds, so far it only holds the fear of one person, do you think someone as strong as Kron could be trapped with the fear of one person?"
Vernal started to move against her restraints as if trying to break free as did the rest of her men.
"Sienna, let the next one go."
Vernal watched helplessly as one by one her tribe members were offered to the ritual to Jade's Jar, helplessly.
Raven was halfway done with the tribe members while Cher was focused on Vernal's fearful expression.
As the life of the fifth tribe member drains she feels not only satisfaction but relief.
Relief that everything will end now, all the struggles, all the losses she suffered will finally be avenged.
Now it was time to end her greatest mistake.
It was time to end Kron.
But first, she had to set the stage for him.
And ensure her daughter will be safe.
"I have one more thing to do before we start," Raven explained to Sienna looking at the jar.
The time draws near.
Kron's House
Yang had gotten to Kron's house and waited while pacing. She was looking around for any portals, keeping her guard up for any portals for Raven to pop out of.
Her mother was stronger than she expected, as much as she's proud of her strength she knows that she still has a mountain to climb to match Kron.
More importantly, she needed to find him, before she came back, who knows when that will be.
The front door opened and she turned with her fist cocked back.
Kron stood there surprised to see Yang with her fists up at his house. Though he supposed that he shouldn't be given their current situation.
Yang seemed to calm seeing that it was him and put her fists down.
The Saiyan took his mask off and stared at her. "What is it, Yang? I get you want to smash my face in but you have a month left before our deal."
As much as the blonde hated to admit it, she was still angry but she pushed it aside quickly.
"Where were you? Why didn't you have your scroll?"
Kron was about to respond but before he could she raised a hand.
"Wait no, Kron listen, it's Raven, I saw her."
He didn't respond with words, he was silent for a few moments, he just put his hand on his mask and pulled it off revealing his face.
It looked flabbergasted and for one of the few times in his life, he was speechless for the longest time.
Yang didn't think she'd react this way but she understood why.
"You sure?" He finally spoke.
"Yeah" She replied. "Fought her to, she just found out that you were looking for me." She explained.
Kron looked surprised and put a hand through his hair. "How did she" He looked at her. "Does she know about the deal?"
"I told her about the deal." She admitted. "She already saw me use Ki I didn't think it was a good idea to lie to her."
The Saiyan was annoyed but appreciated that she was telling him.
"Lying to her wouldn't do any good at that point, she knows I'm the only one that could have taught you." He put a hand on his face still annoyed that again his plans have been ruined. "Wait you used Ki? You fought her?"
Yang saw that he was getting a better mood at the thought. "Yeah, she tried to force me to go with her, she was strong, I had to use Ki."
He had an unreadable expression she couldn't tell if he was upset or happy.
"How did you do against her?"
Yang should've figured he would ask that, she answered honestly.
"She was strong but I was able to land a few shots on her, I don't think I can take her but she couldn't just drag me away like she expected." She sounded disappointed in herself.
But Kron saw it differently, he trained a student, not a huntress to be strong enough to fight back in just three months, he felt a sense of pride hearing that. A smile came to his face for a few seconds but he frowned when he realized something.
He still had a problem.
The deal, what good was it now? She has to know that he taught her Ki, it's the only explanation for what she was able to do. But there was something that confused him.
"Why tell me this?" Kron asked looking at Yang. "You could have kept this to yourself, could have told Raven not to come during our fight." He thought it would be something she would do considering their situation. "So why?"
Yang shook her head. "Kron I may have a problem with you, but I'm not my mother, I'm not going to stab you in the back for her." She said to him.
Kron felt good hearing that, at the end of the day weather their enemies or not, she was honoring her end of the deal.
Still that doesn't solve the situation. He spent so much time on this deal and now he may not get the revenge he wanted.
"So do we just fight now?"
Kron looked at her with raised eyebrows. "What?"
Yang rose her arms. "We might as well right? What else can we do?"
"Tch" She had a point, she knows he's here, so if she's going to show up he might as well rough her up to lure. But he didn't for one simple reason. "Even if she was willing to save you now, I promised you four months, and I mean to keep it."
"What good does it do if she knows your teaching me?" Yang pointed out. "What else can we do?"
Kron put a hand under his chin trying to figure out what their next step could be.
"First we need to get in touch with Ozpin." He said to her.
"Weiss is looking for him, I tried calling him he's not responding" Yang pulled out her scroll showing that her messages to him.
The Saiyan took the scroll he left behind and sees a few missed calls from Yang probably to warn him.
Just then his scroll shook showing a message from Ozpin.
"He sent a message."
"To you when I'm the one calling him?" Yang complained and looked over his shoulder at the scroll.
Kron pressed the button and the message had a picture that surprised both of them.
It was Raven standing next to Ozpin in restraints and knocked out.
"She took Ozpin?" Yang asked shaking her head.
Kron wasn't so surprised, it was too much of a coincidence for her to show up and Ozpin vanishing. He growled, he wasn't keeping his end of the deal, because of his negligence Ozpin was taken. He hated not keeping his word, it made him feel incompetent, and worse like her.
"There's a message." He said looking at words she sent.
'It's been a long time Kron, tonight at midnight I will appear before my daughter. If she is harmed in anyway, I will alert everyone of your connection to Kali Belladonna, thus putting a target on her back.'
That made Kron fight not to crush his phone, that wretched hag would use a hostage.
"What?" Yang couldn't believe she was threating someone who couldn't fight even if it wasn't a huntress. She got even more disappointed in her reading that.
'Do not worry for Ozpin, he will live, for now. You and me will meet one more time. Let's end everything tonight. I'm looking forward to see how you've grown up.'
Yang immediately made a call for Ozpin's phone, but all he got was message.
"Raven, I know you have Ozpin's scroll, stop all of this, bring Ozpin back to Beacon now!"
"Don't bother Yang, she likely destroyed it now."
Yang stopped and looked at Kron who had a blank face. "You ok?"
Kron put his scroll down as he processed that message. He finally had something from Raven herself. For half a year he tracked her and could only find Yang. He thought it would be a month before he can settle everything.
But it was going to be tonight, he didn't know whether to be excited that he would have his revenge, or upset that he couldn't give Yang her last month to prepare.
One thing was for sure, Raven was not going to fight fair.
"Kron" She placed a hand on his shoulder getting him out of his thoughts. "Are you ok?"
She actually sounded worried to his surprise, it felt nice if he was being honest.
"I'm fine Yang." Kron said as he walked away out of his home.
"Where are you going?"
Kron looked at his scroll to see the time.
"Raven's plotting something, the whole point of this deal was to force her to fight me without any of her tricks." He explained. "Now that she knows, I have to figure out what she's up to, she won't fight fair, I just need to figure out how."
As he exited his home Yang came to his side.
"I'm coming to, I'll try to help."
Kron turned to Yang in surprise. "You still want to help?" As far as he knew she wanted nothing to do with him after the deal is done.
"I do" Yang nodded and looked him in the eye. "And Kron."
The Saiyan was surprised not seeing anymore of her wrath.
"About before, I'm sorry, I didn't think enough about what you went through." She thought to how she was treating him. "After meeting her just once, she tried to trick me over and over, so I get why you thought my uncle was tricking you."
Kron was surprised to hear that and felt relief hearing that. But he kept a serious face and responded. "I would've done worse in your position."
She nodded knowing him by now, but she had her own serious face. "But, never threaten my family again, got it?"
The Saiyan heard that and crossed his arms. "And Raven?"
Yang hesitated to hear that, she tried to save her. But she also tried to trick her into thinking Kron was just a monster. And how she tried to make her team up against him. "Summer was my mother, not her." She said to him. "Like Kali was to you."
Kron could hear the sincerity in that voice, for whatever reason he missed it .
"Right," He replied not denying Kali's connection to him this time. "Come we got five hours to figure out what she has planned."
Whatever it was, it wasn't going to be enough to stop her.
She is right, tonight, he will finally have his rematch with the old hag.
Raven has ended the deal early.
Now with Jade's Jar and with Taiyang and Qrow's help will Kron finally fall?
Or will he triumph with Yang back at his side?
Find out next time on One's Own Path!
That's right guys, it's coming. The end is near, and will be running for at least 5 chapters unless something changes.
So now we know what Jade's Jar.
I want to apologize for trying to hide what it does I made it too obvious.
So now you got an idea of what it costs to use, only that's only a part of it.
The cost is so much worse that only Ozpin and Salem know.
Let's just say you would understand why Ozpin won't use it on Salem, the real price is too high for him to pay.
Hope to see u guys in the next chapter!
Kron iq: Yep, Kron has some idea of what she's going to do and will not allow her to outsmart him. Though he may not expect Jade's Jar
ThatSaiyaGuy: Your basically right.
Hope you the chapter lived up to the hype!
Sepia and Penny are getting close!
As for Eclipse, who knows we haven't seen him in a bit lol.
Hope the chapter lived up to the excitement!
ZamasuAutonomous: Lol, at the very least Vernal will have no tribe to lead. Kron staying and watching other people get stronger for him to fight is a possibility since he enjoyed watching Yang getting stronger. As for Oz and Salem not learning about ki, my reasoning for this story would be that Salem was immortal and had no drive to train, while Ozpin focused on learning about Aura and trying to see if he can restore his magic. It's not perfect but I think it fits.
Penny might have something extra we'll see.
Raven kinda wanted her to watch the 'family' she gave her to vanish before her eyes.
Thank you!
Eddyg125: Likely, as for dealing with his emotions possibly, Yang forgiving him also helps.
Lelouch of Zero: Kron going out of his way to help without being asked or gaining anything was a big step for him. Kron sure has changed the status quote for power. Yep took Raven time but now she sees it and yep it went sideways real quick!
Thank you!
Keybladelight: U got your wish!
Guest: Thank you!
Guest: Basically
Guest: Ya I agree, I think Remant's best chance is if Kron wastes his energy showing off and someone can go for the kill.
Kensanders: Yep lol
Ruenion: I can promise that Yang and Pyrrha will fight at some point, gonna look forward to writing that.
halo 69: The tribe betraying her kinda made Raven REAL petty
Sorry for the long wait bud lol.
triscythe: The match is coming! Get ready!
Now that that's done.
Happy holidays guys! I hope your ready for the final chapters of this arc!
I hope you guys have an awesome day! :)
And of course for those who celebrate a Merry Christmas! :)