Chapter 16: Changing Times
Last Time our heroes managed to defeat the Tuffles once and for all putting an end to their plans. However, Vale has been left in ruins due to the Tuffles, and Beacon is closed, meaning all the students were sent to other academies, Teams RWBY and JNPR have decided to transfer to Haven. In contrast, Team Jade, along with Elias, decided to go to Kai's mountain to continue their training. What happens next now!
Kai's Mountain…
It was early in the morning on top of Kai's Mountain peak as Kai and Mura were going about their business. Mura looked up at the sky as several clashes between Jason and Elias came about from their sparring match.
"It amazes me how strong they've gotten; they've made more progress with Ki than I have in my entire life," Mura commented as he watched the sparring match.
Jason and Elias had started an hour earlier like they usually do though Evan chose to spectate the sparring match today instead of participating. Four months had passed since the events of the Vytal Festival, and Team JADE, along with Elias and Amber, have increased in strength dramatically. Jason had finally managed to complete his training under the gravity dust vein some time ago, and it was estimated that he was put under thirty times the gravity of Remnant.
He did try to find another vein that would put him under more gravity, but no such vein existed, so Jason decided to continue with sparring matches. Jason and Elias touched back down on the ground as they finished their sparring match, Amber came up to them, offering them some water to drink.
"No, thanks, but if you want, we can spar next?" Jason suggested.
"No, thank you two are still we beyond my strength." Amber declined.
"I still see some great potential in you, Amber, so I wouldn't say that." Elias complimented.
"Thanks, but as it stands now, I'm no match for either of you." Amber thanked, blushing a little.
Mura smiled as he saw his student glad to see him making new friends and growing strong over the past four months, he even had changed his outfit. While he still wore a similar Gi like before, he changed the colors up a bit now wearing a red top over a black shirt with a black belt and pants finishing off with red boots. Evan wore the same outfit though he wore a red bandanna around his forehead. Elias began to wear a Gi like them, but he wore the original colors of the clothes.
Amber continued to wear her usual outfit with hood, saying that she felt the most comfortable in those clothes. But the most surprising change for the group was when one day two months back, Jason's tail grew back. When he saw it in the mirror, the boy was overjoyed thrilled to see his missing tail back.
"Not bad of a match. You've definitely improved." Evan commented.
"Yeah, way to further show the gap, guys." Damian joked as he and Alex came out of the main building.
They, too, have changed their clothes over the short period of time with Damian wearing a light grey hoodie and now sporting a second short sword along with his normal sword and Alex wearing a black leather jacket with short sleeves and several bands down his arms.
"Oh come on, you guys have grown plenty of strong, too," Jason replied.
"Still though in comparison to you guys, we're still behind." Alex pointed out.
"Hey, it's not about individual power. It's about how strong we are as a team." Evan assured his friend.
"Well, I'm glad to see that you all have prospered during your time here though I am surprised you didn't want to join your other friends at Haven," Mura said.
"Well, training here had done wonders for us, and while I do miss our friends, I think they can be safer with us here, plus this way we're able to help out anyone in the area," Jason explained. They all walked over to watch the sunrise into the sky as Evan noticed Kai watering some plants.
"What kind of plants are those?" Evan asked.
"Pot," Kai answered.
"A pot of what?" Jason asked.
"Pot," Kai said again, causing everyone to stare at him.
"I'm not getting rid of it." Kai insisted.
"Okay, well, ignoring that, I guess it's time to patrol the local towns to see if they need any help," Jason said, changing the subject. Ever since the Vytal Festival, people all around Remnant have been looming over the devastation of what happened even today, making Grimm attacks more frequent.
"Alright, well, I call the south this time," Evan stated.
"What, but you had the south last time!" Damian argued.
"He probably found some hot girl that he wants to see again," Alex theorized.
"You have no proof of that!" Evan defended.
"Fine, then Alex and I will take the east," Damian said.
"I'll take the west." Elias volunteered.
"I'll join you," Amber added.
"I'll take the north and visit my hometown while I'm at it." Jason finished.
"You all are acting like true huntsman protecting the people, I'm proud to be your teacher." Mura complimented.
"Thanks, master I'm glad to make you proud," Jason replied as he and the others departed.
Jason flew off into the north while Evan took off in the south while Kai transported the rest. Ever since Jason and the others returned to Kai's Mountain, they have gotten into this system of helping everyone they could in Anima with Jason giving free services to his hometown to help them out.
"I still wonder how the others are doing. I should give them a visit sometime. It would be nice to catch up." Jason thought as he approached the northern part of Anima.
He quickly spotted some Grimm near some villages and took care of them swiftly so that they don't cause any trouble. Jason had cleared a few villages of Grimm that was in their area before he went to his hometown. As Jason touched down on the outskirts of the village, he immediately went to The Mayor to ask him how the town was holding up greeting many of the people of the village as he did so.
"Good to see you as always, Jason. You came at a good time too." The Mayor greeted Jason as he entered his office.
"Really, what's going on, sir?" Jason asked.
"There have been sightings of a pack of Ursa just outside of town near the mountains, and I fear that they may try and attack soon." The Mayor fretted.
"I see well, don't worry, I am going to take care of them," Jason assured The Mayor.
"Thank you, son, having you help around here reminds me of when your mother was still around." The Mayor thanked.
"Yeah, I'm glad that I'm able to keep the place I grew up in safe and sound," Jason said as he left the office.
Once he was out of sight, he flew over towards where The Mayor told him the Ursa pack was continuing the journey on foot. As he got closer to the mountain, he could feel the presence of Grimm there due to the very recognizable feeling of death and darkness in the air.
"Guess I'm in the right place." Jason thought as he approached the area.
Once he reached the area, he could hear the sounds of battle coming from ahead, meaning someone was currently engaged with the Grimm. Jason rushed over only to see the result of the fight as the Ursa was about to pounce the person on the ground. Jason wasn't going to sit and watch. He made quick work of the Ursa, taking each down with one hit clearing the area keeping the person safe.
"Are you okay?" Jason asked as he turned to look at the person who was fighting the Ursa. His eyes widened as he recognized the person on the ground, unconscious.
"Neo!" Jason gasped.
East Anima…
Damian and Alex walked through the forests of Anima as they went to return to the village they helped rid of the local Grimm problem with. They were heading towards the next village on their list before they would return to Kai's mountain and regroup with the others.
"That was pretty easy," Damian said.
"That just means we're getting better," Alex replied.
"Yeah, I wonder what everyone back home would say if they saw us now." Damian wondered.
"They'd still probably bitch and moan about tradition." Alex guessed.
"You're probably right." Damian agreed. Suddenly both split as an arrow flew right by them and embedding itself into a nearby tree. Alex knocked an arrow as Damian drew both of his swords looking for the culprit.
"Who's there!" Damian demanded as he and Alex stood at each other's backs.
Alex soon spotted the culprit out of the corner of his eye, shooting an arrow right at them, causing them to come out of hiding to dodge the arrow. As Damian and Alex saw the culprit, they both immediately recognized the redhead girl. It was their cousin Diana Shade part of the dragon faction of their family.
"Diana, what are you doing here?!" Damian questioned.
"Shouldn't that be obvious? I'm here to take you back so the two of you can face punishment." Diana explained as she shot another arrow. However, she was surprised when Alex shot an arrow of his own clashing with hers destroying both arrows.
"Should've known they would send people to take us back, but we've been gone for years why start now?" Alex asked.
"Because we heard what happened at Beacon with you two being there, you know that it's…" Diana began to explain before Damian interrupted her.
"Against the rules and the tradition of the family, yeah, we know." Damian mocked.
"But after we left, do you really think we give two shits about the rules and traditions of the family?" Damian questioned.
"While that may be true, you have no choice but to follow it," Diana argued.
"Yeah, we're not going to do that," Alex responded as he rolled his eyes and knocked another arrow.
"Do you really think a runaway from the serpent faction can beat a member of the dragon faction with a bow?" Diana asked.
"I can and will, I've had years to hone my skill, and I'm confident that I'm just as good with a bow as you are maybe even better." Alex insisted.
"Don't make me laugh." Diana goaded.
She shot another arrow at Alex, who countered with his own, resulting in both arrows being broken apart. Alex quickly knocked another arrow this time, filling it with some of his semblance as he usually did and shot it at Diana, who tried countering with her own arrow, but it was split in half, causing her to quickly dodge the arrow.
"I see you both came up with your own uses for your semblances with those weapons, but you'll never be able to learn the true technique!" Diana declared as she was surrounded by blue energy.
"DRAGON ARROW!" She shouted as she shot an arrow surrounded by energy shaped like a dragon.
"That's what you think, DRAGON ARROW!" Alex shouted as he too shot an arrow surrounded by energy in the shape of a dragon.
"What!" Diana yelled, surprised at the sudden development.
But soon, she became more surprised as Alex's attack engulfed hers sending it right back at her along with his resulting in two dragons circling one arrow. Diana had no time to dodge as she was overtaken by the energy, and once the attack dissipated, she was left wounded and low on aura.
"That was the Rebound Dragon that is a highly advanced technique of the dragon faction that neither of you should know!" Diana sputtered.
"Really, I thought I was doing the normal Dragon Arrow, but I guess I can surprise even myself," Alex replied as he and Damian approached her crouched form. She quickly got up and backed away from the two glaring at them.
"This isn't over I'll be back with reinforcements, and we'll bring you back!" Diana swore as she ran away.
"Should we go after her?" Alex asked.
"No, there's no point if we stop her, they'll send reinforcements anyway. Let's just go to the next village and report this to the others once we get back," Damian answered. Alex nodded as they both continued to return to the village this time uninterrupted.
West Anima…
Elias and Amber finished clearing the western area of any Grimm they could find and helped everyone they could with anything they can. "So how do you enjoy living on Remnant like the rest of us?" Amber asked.
"I quite enjoy it, it's nice living like this with a purpose and with…friends," Elias answered with a smile.
"How about you? How's it like living amongst others instead of just moving from place to place?" Elias asked.
"I too enjoy it very much before I didn't have many friends or anyone to talk to, but now I have you and the others, and that makes me happy," Amber explained.
"That's good to hear," Elias replied as they walked through a bricked road.
Soon the two stopped as they heard movement nearby moving fast in the trees, suddenly they jumped back as a large claw came down at them. Eventually, its owner came out of the woodwork, a large spider-like Grimm with two large claws in the front.
"I don't think I've ever seen a Grimm like that one before," Elias stated as he dodged another attack from the Grimm.
"Such a large Grimm wouldn't have come here without a large source of negativity what could be causing it," Amber questioned as she shot a ball of fire at the Grimm who quickly dodged. Elias jumped to punch the Grimm, but just like with Amber's attack, it moved out of the way.
"What! But how no Grimm should be that fast?!" Elias questioned as he landed behind the Grimm. He then noticed something out of the ordinary there was no damage, where the Grimm hit, or it moved nothing broke from it.
"Wait, this is an illusion, which means someone around here is casting it." Elias theorized.
He remembered Amber telling him about how she was attacked there was someone who cast an illusion on her to trap her so this could mean that they're back for round two. Elias began to sense the energy around him like he had learned from his time on Kai's mountain, and he felt the energy of two people behind Amber.
"They're going to take her by surprise, but I won't allow that!" Elias thought.
He quickly sped past the illusion and behind Amber, slamming his fist into where he sensed the energy feeling his fist connect. Soon the illusion ended, and he could see clearly who he had hit, a girl around his physical age with green hair and red eyes who Elias remembered from Beacon as one of Cinders lackeys. She sat under a tree with a large bruise from where she was hit.
"The illusionist again." Amber scowled as she saw one of her attackers.
"I noticed the Grimm was an illusion as soon as it dodged my attack, it was too fast for any normal Grimm," Elias explained.
Before he could approach the girl, he had to dodge and attack from above flipping backward and kicking the attacker away. As he got a look at the boy, he noticed the attacker was the other one of Cinder's lackeys. If he remembered right, their names were Mercury and Emerald.
"What do you think you were trying to do?" Elias asked.
"Why should we answer?" Mercury shot back as he helped Emerald up.
"Because I think we both know that there's nothing you can do at this point, I can assume you're both here to capture Amber, but with just the two of you, it's impossible," Elias explained.
"I wouldn't say that we'll just kill you and take her, and I'll take it as revenge for Cinder!" Emerald affirmed.
"Revenge how? I'm not the one who killed her. That was Silas, and Jason and I killed him back at Beacon? And how do you plan on killing me and taking her we both can take the both of you alone you can't keep up with our power and your illusions won't work anymore?" Elias questioned. Neither of them responded, knowing that there was nothing they could do but retreat, but even then, it was a long shot that they could get away.
"I think I would be right in assuming that Salem sent you, right?" Elias asked, but once again, he received no answer. Instead, Mercury threw down a flashbang causing Elias and Amber to cover their eyes to protect them as Mercury and Emerald hurried back to the ship. They stole to get there to make their escape.
"They're getting away I'll go after them!" Elias said. However, before he could go, he noticed that they were too far away to risk it, for he didn't want to leave Amber here alone in case there were still others around.
"They're too far away it's best that we should go back to the rendezvous point to return the mountain so that we can inform the others," Elias explained.
"Okay, I understand." Amber agreed. They both headed toward the meetup point where Kai would take them back.
Saiyatown…
Neo slowly opened her eyes as she woke from her unconsciousness, the last thing she remembered was fighting some Ursa she encountered as she was traveling through Anima. She picked herself up slowly to see that she wasn't in the same place that she was when she went unconscious instead of a big open field next to a mountain she was on a couch inside a house.
The multi-colored girl looked around getting a good look at the building it was a small home that would fit a family at best, she saw several pictures of a woman and a young boy clearly mother and son until she saw a staff on a pedestal. But the one thing she didn't see in this place was another person, whoever had helped her and brought her here wasn't here anymore.
She got up slowly and picked up her umbrella and Roman's hat, both of which were thankfully set next to her, also taking note that her injuries were bandaged when the front door suddenly opened, and a familiar boy came in.
"Oh, you're awake that's good I thought you were going to be asleep for a while." Jason grinned as he closed the door. Neo quickly extended the blade from her Hush and pointed it at Jason right in the face as he held his hands up in defense.
"Hey, take it easy. There's no need to fight, not unless you plan on doing anything bad, then I guess I would have to stop you, but that's beside the point." Jason assured Neo as he put the tip of his finger on the blade, moving it away from his face. Neo narrowed her eyes as she stared at the boy raising her blade once again, not trusting the boy.
"Look, if you are going to fight me, can we at least do it outside? I rather not have to wreck my house?" Jason asked.
Neo raised an eyebrow as she looked around now with the knowledge that this was his house, which meant the boy in the pictures was him. After a few minutes of thinking, Neo put down the blade as she took out a notepad and began writing on the paper.
"Why are you...oh yeah, your mute, aren't you?" Jason pondered as she took of the piece of paper handing it to him. Jason took the paper and read what she wrote down.
"What do you want, and why did you help me?" Neo asked Jason.
"What do I want well I don't really want anything really, and why I helped you well that's because you were hurt and needed help why wouldn't I help you," Jason answered.
Neo looked perplexed at what Jason said clearly, not expecting that kind of answer from him. However this still didn't make her trust the boy still not understanding his reason for helping her, why would he help someone who was a criminal and hurt his friends, to her she couldn't understand.
Suddenly she remembered when she first met Roman when she lived on the streets alone. He, too, approached to help her for what seemed to be no reason. But this boy wasn't Roman. He was dead, and now Neo couldn't trust anyone.
As Neo studied the boy looking at him closely, she noticed something she hasn't seen before on him. A tail or a monkey tail to be more exact he was a faunus how'd she not notice when she first met him, at the time he didn't seem to have a tail but then again she could be wrong.
Neo thought about her current situation getting a feel for the distance between her the boy and the door, if she used her illusions, she should be able to escape. Jason noticed the look in her eyes and seemed to understand what she was thinking.
"Do you want to leave I guess you can, but I would advise trying not to overexert yourself you seem pretty exhausted," Jason advised.
Neo was once again surprised at this boy's nature, but she wasn't going to let this opportunity slip as she walked toward the door until an audible growl that came from her stomach. A large red blush came across Neo's face as she was embarrassed from her stomach growling begging for food, she had not eaten in days and would probably not make it far if she left.
"You sound pretty hungry I just caught some fish if you'd like to have some." Jason offered.
Neo knew she couldn't refuse. She had no lien to her name, so she would be unable to purchase any food, and she wasn't an experienced hunter, so it would be hard for her to get food otherwise. Reluctantly she agreed, knowing she wouldn't get a chance like this anytime soon as Jason went outside to cook the food over a fire causing Neo to be shocked by the size of the fish he had caught.
"I guess I went too overboard with the size of the fish I can cut them into a smaller size if you want?" Jason asked as he rubbed the back of his head.
Neo just nodded, knowing that she couldn't eat that much no matter how hungry she was. Once the fish was done cooking, he took them off the fire, and using Ki, he cut up Neo's fish faster than she could register.
"Order up!" Jason exclaimed as he handed Neo her fish on a stick. Neo was slightly stunned at the speed that Jason had just demonstrated, but it soon left as she gave into her hunger and ate the entirety of what Jason gave her up and even ate seconds.
"Wow, you must have been pretty hungry," Jason commented, getting a glare from Neo.
"Sorry, did I say something wrong?" Jason asked.
Neo just rolled her eyes as she stood up to leave slowly, but she fell over as she did so, not noticing that her left leg was injured. Jason quickly jumped into action catching Neo before she hit the ground.
"Are you okay your leg looks like it's injured I must have missed it somehow let me help you with that," Jason stated.
Neo pushed him away fo she didn't want his help. He was partly responsible for Roman's death. She just wanted to leave. She breathed heavily as she attempted to leave sweat dripping off her head as her vision blurred as she collapsed again into unconsciousness. Once again, Jason caught Neo looking down at her injuries, wondering what was happening to her.
"Her left leg must be infected!" Jason said, realizing the problem that Neo was facing.
"But how did I miss it I could've sworn that I inspected all of her wounds?" Jason wondered.
Jason knew he had to get her some treatment knowing he couldn't give it to her here he decided to bring her to Kai's Mountain, which had medicine that he could use to treat her. Wasting no time, he took off carrying Neo at full speed towards the mountain. He didn't know why he wanted to save her himself. She was technically a criminal, but he could feel kindness in her, and he always wanted to help those in need, and Neo was no exception.
"Don't worry, you're going to be okay," Jason assured the unconscious Neo.
Kai's Mountain…
Evan sighed as he flew back to the mountain, he managed to complete several missions today in the south, wiping out several packs of Grimm but to him today was a failure. Just as Alex predicted Evan wanted to go to the southern part of Anima because he met an attractive girl there, he had tried to ask her on a date but was shot down immediately.
"I'm starting to feel like I am as bad at picking up chicks as Jaune. Though Pyrrha obviously has a crush on him." Evan murmured.
"I had more luck with Yang when I asked her to the dance though we only went as friends maybe I'll ask her out for real the next time I see her." Evan thought as he touched down on the mountain top. As Evan landed, he spotted Kai walking toward the living quarters with a palette filled with things that Evan could only assume would be for someone who has a cold.
"Hey, Kai, what're you doing?" Evan asked.
"I'm bringing these to help treat the girl one of the maggots brought back." Kai answered.
"A girl, you say where is she I can help?" Evan asked till he got a chop on the head from someone behind him, causing him to crouch in pain.
"The last thing she needs is you perving on her," Jason said as he walked next to the crouched Evan.
"Ow, what the hell man did you have to hit me so hard, and how many times do I have to tell you I'm not a perv!" Evan yelled as he got up with a large bump on his head.
"Well, I hit you that hard to prove my point. She's sick, and I'd rather you not try anything." Jason explained.
"Oh, come on, you know I wouldn't actually do anything!" Evan complained.
"So, who's the patient anyway?" Evan asked.
"It's Neo," Jason answered.
"Wait, Neo, as in that chick you bumped into, then she forced you to dance with her, Neo?" Evan asked, surprised.
"The very same," Jason responded.
"But why is she here? Doesn't she work for Roman Torchwick?" Evan questioned.
"Yeah, but I found her being attacked by some Ursa in my hometown. So I brought her to my house to treat her wounds. However, her wound was infected, and I couldn't treat her there, so I had to bring her here." Jason explained.
"You can be too kind sometimes." Evan sighed as he and Jason walked with Kai to the room that held Neo. Her left leg was bandaged and wet from the medicine Kai had given her, Jason hadn't noticed the injury on her leg when he first helped her, and due to that, it got infected.
"I just don't understand how I missed an injury. Usually, I'm quite good at spotting these things." Jason pondered as Kai treated Neo.
"Maybe you're out of practice," Evan suggested.
"No, I doubt she had this wound when you treated her," Kai interjected.
"What do you mean?" Jason asked.
"This wound on her leg is more recent than the others much more recent you can tell by how the others have stopped bleeding, but this leg just started bleeding I'd say it she got this injury about an hour ago," Kai explained.
"But that can't be if that's true, then that would be the time when I already treated her wounds, and we were eating fish together!" Jason replied, perplexed at what Kai suggested.
"Maybe those Grimm she was fighting did this," Kai suggested.
"That can't be. They were just normal Ursa no known Ursa could do this." Jason denied.
"Then maybe it's a new breed made by that bitch." Kai concluded.
"You mean Salem?" Evan asked.
"Obviously," Kai replied as he finished treating Neo.
"She'll be fine. We should let her rest for now." Kai said as he got up.
"Okay, let's leave her be, for now, then the others are probably waiting for us." Jason decided as he, Evan, and Kai left the room.
"I wonder if Kai is right is there a new type of Grimm that could do that cast an injury that doesn't show up until hours later?" Jason wondered as he continued on to the courtyard. Once they got there, everyone else was waiting for them after settling back in once they returned themselves.
"How's the patient?" Mura asked as they arrived.
"She fine just needs rest," Kai answered.
"I'm still surprised you brought her here." Damian mused.
"Hey, she was hurt and needed help what was I supposed to do not help her?" Jason questioned.
"No, but still, can we trust her?" Alex asked.
"I don't see why we couldn't," Jason answered.
"That sounds just like you." Elias smiled.
"But what if she was sent to Anima on orders from Roman Torchwick?" Evan asked.
"That's not possible. He died when my brothers destroyed the Atlas Flagships. It would have taken a miracle for him to survive." Elias answered.
"Then would she blame you for his death," Alex suggested.
"I don't see why Elias didn't shoot down the ships." Amber countered.
"She might blame me since I did help get Roman captured." Jason pointed out.
"But she didn't try to kill me once I helped her, though she did threaten, so I don't know if I'm right about that," Jason explained.
"So, how was everything with you guys?" Jason asked. He received a mixed batch of facial expressions making him worry about what his friends were about to tell him.
"Well, for Alex and I were attacked by a member of our family's dragon faction, they were hoping to drag us back to our old home we obviously defeated her, but I doubt that will be the end of it," Damian explained.
"As for us, we were also attacked by the same people who attacked Amber before, they were no doubt sent by Salem. Before I could go after them, they somehow managed to get very far away, and I wasn't going to risk leaving Amber alone to anyone else that could be there," Elias told.
"Neither sounds good, but as long as we stick together, we should be okay, though we should keep our guards up for both I doubt this is the last we'll be seeing of them. Plus, as long as we're here, they can't get to us since it would be hard to track us down here." Jason planned.
"Good idea from now on. We should move as a group just in case." Evan suggested.
Everyone nodded, understanding the plan as they went their separate ways to either train, relax, or a little of both. Jason, however, approached Mura needing advisement over a technique he wanted Mura to teach him.
"Master, do you have a sec?" Jason asked.
"Of course, my student, what do you need?" Mura asked.
"Well it's about Neo you see she's mute and communication is pretty hard because of that, the thing is I remember back when we first met you were able to read what I was thinking, and I wanted to know if you could teach me how to do that," Jason answered.
"I see that can cause some trouble with communication. I don't see why not. I'll teach you the basics Jason, but let me tell you this it will only let you know the current thoughts of the person, not everything they know." Mura explained.
"I understand I think it would be nice to have someone like her to be able to effectively communicate without having to write it down." Jason smiled.
"This is going to take a little while, but knowing your aptitude for learning techniques, I think it will actually not take long for you," Mura added as he and Jason went into a secluded area to begin training.
Elsewhere...
In the vast wastelands of the Grimm, Salem sat in her throne room, quite disappointed with Emerald and Mercury's results from their mission. "So, you failed in your mission care to explain?" Salem asked.
"We would've been successful, but the Fall Maiden was with someone strong. It was one of those Tuffles who killed Cinder and attacked Vale during the Vytal Festival." Mercury explained.
"He managed to see through my illusion and get the upper hand on us, and we barely managed to escape him," Emerald added.
"That just sounds like excuses from a couple of brats too inadequate to do their job." Tyrian laughed.
"I have to agree if I was sent on this mission I would have succeeded the only reason Cinder was killed by one of the Tuffles was because she was too overconfident in herself if she had the full powers of the Fall Maiden then she would be fine," Watts added.
"You don't know what you're talking about. Those guys were insanely powerful way stronger than these maidens your all so obsessed about!" Mercury shot back.
"You dare question the goals of our mistress!" Tyrian yelled.
"ENOUGH!" Salem shouted.
"Mercury does have some points, Watts, the power of the Maidens are nothing in comparison to the power those people held, but now that I have their DNA, I will be able to counter them soon enough," Salem explained.
"For now, we will wait for an opportunity to arise for us to capture the Fall Maiden and continue to work towards Haven with a new plan." Salem finished as she stood up to take her leave.
She walked through her castle until she went outside to the Grimm pools that spawn the creatures of the same name. Salem took out one of the DNA vials and dripped one drop of blood into the pool, causing it to bubble in response. Soon several Grimm came out fully formed much faster than it usually took for Grimm to form. But that wasn't the only thing that changed for the Grimm. They also came out much stronger and with new powers each time.
"Coming out this powerful and with only one drop of blood, I could only imagine what will come from here if I were to drop it all inside." Salem pondered as an evil smile formed across her lips.
She ordered the creatures to spread out across Remnant so that she could test how they worked in different areas and if everything goes well, she'll be able to evolve the Grimm to new heights of power.
Unknown Location...
"YOUR JOKING!" A tall man with black hair shouted.
"No, sir, I am telling you the truth. He managed to use the Dragon Arrow and to make matters worse, it was the Rebound Dragon." Diana reiterated. Diana had returned to the Shade family's temporary base camp in Anima, where she explained to the head of the team sent to capture Damian and Alex why she had failed.
"This is impossible. No one can perform the techniques of the opposite faction!" The Leader denied.
"I know what I saw Sir Asher whoever they are with has somehow made them able to use the techniques though only Alex has shown it I believe Damian is able to use the serpent factions' techniques as well," Diana assured. The man now named Asher rubbed his forehead as he sat down on a chair in the main tent of the camp.
"This has grown more complicated than we anticipated from now on we must move in groups if we wish to take them back, we must not let the secrets of our family get out in the open," Asher ordered.
"But what if we can't bring them back?" Diana asked, doubting her own power to defeat the two.
"If they continue to refuse to return, then we'll have to put an end to them." Asher clarified. Diana's eyes widened at the words that came from his mouth was it really that important to bring them back.
"But brother…" Diana began before she was interrupted.
"When we are in the field, you are required to call me Sir Asher, do you understand?!" Asher snapped, receiving a small nod from Diana.
"Good now, I am going to need you to find where they reside currently so that we can make a plan of attack," Asher ordered.
Haven Academy...
"Uh, and I thought Professor Port's classes were boring!" Ruby groaned as she ate her food. She and the rest of her team were eating lunch with Team JNPR in Haven Academy's cafeteria.
"Quit complaining, Ruby, you have to pay attention. I will not let you do as bad in these classes as you did back at Beacon." Weiss insisted.
"I didn't do that bad." Ruby defended.
"A forty-two in Grimm studies say otherwise." Blake countered.
"Well, the classes are hard and not as interesting as when I can use my Crescent Rose." Ruby reasoned.
"Well, when Jason and his team were at Beacon, he still managed to get good grades even though he was more interested in fighting." Pyrrha debated.
"I wonder how he and the others are doing," Jaune pondered.
"I'm sure they're fine and getting super strong," Yang suggested.
"Yeah, I'm sure they're flying all over Anima, helping people out," Nora added.
"I do wish they'd call or something." Ruby murmured.
"Maybe they'll call soon, you never know!" Yang smiled, cheering up her little sister.
"By the way, have you guys gotten your first missions yet?" Yang asked.
"Yeah, we're going out towards the southeast part of Anima to clear out some Grimm," Jaune answered.
"We're going to wreak some Grimm butt!" Nora exclaimed, jumping onto the table.
"Nora inside voice," Ren requested as he set her back down in her seat.
"What about you guys, where is your mission?" Pyrrha asked.
"We're going to the northwest to help out a village called Saiyatown for a few days," Ruby answered.
"That's a weird name for a village," Ren commented.
"That's what we thought too." Blake agreed.
"I can't help but think I've heard that name somewhere before." Weiss pondered.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, I feel like I heard it before as well." Ruby agreed.
"It does sound familiar. Maybe we've heard it somewhere before." Jaune suggested.
"Well, either way, the village has had some recent Grimm activity, and they can't afford normal huntsman, so the school is sending us for a week," Yang explained.
"Sounds like fun, a long-term mission where you don't have any classes or homework to do, and WHY CAN'T WE HAVE THAT!" Nora complained.
"Maybe we'll get one next time, Nora." Jaune reasoned as Ren held Nora in her seat.
"Maybe you guys will get to see everyone on Team JADE during your mission," Pyrrha suggested.
"Well, the odds are slim, seeing as they could be anywhere on Anima since they could be working anywhere besides the northwest," Weiss commented, seeing as Kai's Mountain was in that area.
"Who knows anything can happen, Weiss," Ruby said as they all finished lunch.
"I wonder how people would react to Jason if he came here, though." Ruby wondered.
"Yeah, ever since we got here, I have heard several rumors about him that he and Elias are some kind of superheroes." Jaune agreed.
"I heard people talk like they were some kind of gods," Nora added.
"I hear a lot about how they were all monsters." Blake pointed out.
"Guess he would have a mixed reception if he were to visit anywhere big," Ruby concluded.
"Maybe it was best that he didn't come to attend another academy. He would be blasted with several kinds of questions and harassment." Yang considered.
"Yeah, I hope that's not happening to him out there," Ruby replied.
"Well, this is Jason I doubt he would have any trouble with stuff with that," Jaune commented.
"Well, now that lunch is over Ruby, it's time to go to the library to complete your homework," Weiss stated, grabbing onto her hood.
"What no, please don't, I don't want to!" Ruby complained as she was dragged to the library.
"Well we should go too, we have plans, let's go Jaune!" Pyrrha smiled as she grabbed Jaune and left.
"I still can't believe she finally got the courage to ask him out," Yang commented.
"It's about time too, it was torture watching her hide her feelings for him." Nora agreed.
Kai's Mountain…
Neo slowly opened her eyes once again. This was the second time she had passed out and woke up in a different place. Unlike before, she wasn't in a living room on a couch, but she was in a room lying on a bed. Why this kept happening, she did not know, but she was taken out of her thoughts by a voice.
"Looks like our patient is awake. How're you feeling, miss?" Mura asked. Neo looked confused at the man, not knowing who it was.
"Who the hell is this old man, at least it's not that boy." Neo thought as she preferred to avoid Jason.
"Now, you shouldn't think that he did save your life," Mura commented, causing Neo to recoil in shock.
"Did, did he…" Neo began to question.
"Yes, I read your thoughts, but don't worry, I am only reading the current ones so that I can understand what you want to say my name is Mura," Mura answered.
"That's kind of weird if you can read my thoughts then what did you mean by that boy saving my life?" Neo asked.
"Well, you see when you passed out, he noticed that you had an infected wound on your leg not there when he first treated you, so he brought you here to get proper treatment. And his name is Jason. You don't need to call him boy." Mura explained. Neo was surprised at what the man told her. Once again, that boy no Jason had saved her, but why what did he get out of it.
"Why would he help me though he barely knows me, I get the first time he's probably repaying me for saving him months ago but why again?" Neo questioned.
"Because he has a kind heart, he cares for everyone on Remnant and wishes to help people." Mura began.
"Plus, I believe he has a gift to see who people really are deep within, and I think he's realized that there is good within you, which is why he's been looking after you." Mura finished as he looked over to a chair that held Jason. He was fast asleep in the chair with a low snore escaping himself.
"How long has he been there?" Neo asked.
"Ever since I finished training him to use the technique that I am using to read your thoughts, he thought you could use someone to talk to, so he asked I teach him," Mura answered.
Neo blushed a little at the thought of Jason putting so much effort to help her he barely knew her. Yet he was trying to do so much. Going so far to even find a way to talk with her without her having to write things down. But even so, he was partly responsible for what happened to Roman, and Neo couldn't decide how she felt about him.
"I know your feelings about him might be confused since he did help capture your friend, but once he wakes, I would suggest talking with him and decide then how you feel he wouldn't blame you for hating him for that," Mura suggested as he left the room.
Neo sat in bed, thinking over what Mura had told her is there more to what she could think about Jason. Looking at the boy, he was sleeping soundly in the chair, having been watching over her while training. She attempted to get up until she felt a sharp pain coming from her leg.
"Guess my leg is still injured." Neo thought as she heard Jason begin to stir.
"Huh, what time is it?" He asked groggily, not realizing where he was.
"Oh your awake that's good, are you feeling any better?" Jason asked.
"That's the same thing the old man asked." Neo thought.
"Mura was in here?! Man, I am a hard sleeper." Jason laughed.
"So, you can read my thoughts." Neo thought as she glared at Jason.
"Oh, did Mura explain that?" Jason asked.
"Yes, he did, but why put in so much effort for me?" Neo asked.
"Well, because I thought that it would help with communication between us, and I thought you could use someone to talk to since it seemed like you didn't have anyone else to do so," Jason answered. Jason then handed Neo Roman's hat, and upon seeing it, she snatched it from his hands and put it on her head.
"I'm sorry to hear about what happened to Roman. No one should go like that." Jason apologized to Neo, who refused to face him.
"So, you are mad at me about that, huh?" Jason asked.
"What do you think," Neo answered.
"Well, while I can't condone what he did or what you may have done for him, I still wanted to give you an apology for that." Jason apologized once again.
"Is that why you helped me just to apologize?" Neo asked.
"Oh no, like I said, I wanted to help you because you needed help not because I felt obligated to, I wanted to. Plus, I thought we could talk." Jason answered.
"What would you want to talk to me about?" Neo questioned.
"Well, I wanted to ask you why you saved me a couple of months ago when I was fighting the Tuffles, also why you dragged me over to the dance floor to dance with me during the dance, but that's not as important," Jason explained.
"I just thought it would be fun to tease you, that's all," Neo answered bluntly.
"Okay, if you say so," Jason replied, causing Neo to turn to him surprised.
"Wait, are you just going to believe me? What if I lied?" Neo asked.
"Well, I don't think you'd lie or have a reason to lie right now, so I'm going to take your word for it," Jason answered.
"Has anyone told you that you're too trusting in people?" Neo asked.
"Yeah, I do get that sometimes." Jason smiled, rubbing the back of his head.
"But now that I think about it, I do have one more question," Jason stated.
"Why did you start a life of crime with Roman Torchwick in the first place?" Jason asked.
"Why should you care?" Neo asked.
"Well, I guess I was just curious why such a pretty girl like you would have to resort to a life of crime, especially with your skillset," Jason explained.
Neo blushed when Jason called her pretty, not expecting such a comment from the boy. She didn't know why, but she felt like she could tell Jason why she led that life by taking Mura's advice and continue to talk to Jason.
"For as long as I can remember, I have been alone even as a little girl, no one cared for me. My parents, whoever they were, must have abandoned me somewhere, and I was left to my own devices as a child, I was lucky to survive for so long as it was. Then one day, I was near death I hadn't eaten in days or had any water, and I was ruffed up by a shop owner who I tried to steal bread from." Neo began.
"I thought that it was the end, and no one would care until he came, Roman found me and offered to take me in and teach me his ways. I immediately agreed, and he took me right to the same shop owner who hurt me and robbed him of all his food for me. Ever since I trained and fought with Roman, he was the only thing I had close to a family, and now he's gone, partly because of you." Neo explained, turning away from Jason.
"I'm sorry to hear that, I can somewhat understand how you feel I too was abandoned when I was young, that or just sent away I don't know for sure, but as a baby, I was left alone out here in the wilderness of Anima until my mother found me and took me home." Jason began getting Neo's attention.
"Like you, I had no one, but she took me in and treated me like her own son, and for a long time, we were happy until one day she went on a mission and never came home. I learned that she was killed on a mission, and it tore me up. I couldn't even leave my house for over a week." Jason continued.
"Eventually, I decided to stop sulking and look for my mother's old master Kai to continue my training because I always wanted to travel the world and help people, plus there was one thing my mom told me that stuck with me for a long time." Jason went on.
"Before she left on the mission where she died she told me she wanted me to make a lot of friends so that I wouldn't be alone when she was gone and after I left to find Kai and after all this time I've done just that I've made so many friends, so I'm no longer alone anymore." Jason finished.
Neo stared at him after listening to his story they both were very similar while at the same time very different, they both were all alone and saved by someone and then that person was taken away from them.
However, with Jason, he was raised in a proper family home while Neo was raised in the criminal underworld, if she were found by someone like Jason's mother, then she may have probably ended up like him.
"That's a nice story, but what does that mean for me?" Neo asked.
"Well, if you want, you can stay here, and we can be friends I mean if I can be friends with Elias who was a Tuffle, who by the way was not involved with destroying the Atlas Flagships, then I think being your friend is also a good thing," Jason suggested.
"Or if you'd like once your leg is all better, you can leave and be on your way, ultimately it's up to you." Jason finished.
Neo didn't know what to say friends with him was that even an option for her. The only person that ever even showed any care for her was Roman, and even though she made fun of him, she still cared. Could she have that again with Jason even though he helped put Roman away he could never know what was going to happen to him? Jason was the first person in her life other than Roman to ever even show any sign of care for her. Thinking of this made Neo blush a little but did her best to hide it.
"I wouldn't mind having a friend, I guess," Neo replied.
"Great, well, do you want to meet the others here I can carry you or help you walk if you want?" Jason asked, making Neo blush deeper.
"I think I'm okay. I'm just going to rest for now." Neo replied, embarrassed at the thought of Jason carrying her around.
"Okay, then if you need anything just call, I left a scroll with my number on it on the nightstand next to your bed," Jason said as he left the room. After Jason left, Neo's face went full red. She didn't know why, but when she finally understood Jason and how he showed concern and care for her, it made her feel good, and her heart skip a beat.
"Is there something wrong with me?" Neo wondered as she laid down to go back to sleep.
Space…
Nearby Remnant just past the broken moon, a ship closed in and settled behind the moon over the unsuspecting planet. This ship was one of Cooler's scouting ships sent to scout the planet below.
"We've finally arrived at the planet Lord Cooler, and we await your instructions." An alien grunt told Cooler over comms.
"Begin the scouting mission of the planet below, find out how strong the local populous is and how much the planet will be worth," Cooler ordered as the call ended.
"All right people let's do this once we conquer this planet Lord Cooler shall have more planets under his control than his brother Frieza had ever had!" The grunt exclaimed, getting a roar of cheers from the other scouts. Soon their mission on Remnant will begin.
Four months have passed since the Vytal Festival, and our Heroes have made new lives in the wake of this new era. But threats from their pasts come back to haunt them, and threats from above come to end them as paths cross once more next time!
Author's Note:
Welcome to the next arc of the story. This is going to be one of my favorites, and like I said last time, I'm sure you already know who the main villain is going to be. Though at the moment it will be some time before he shows, Cooler shall come to Remnant, so this new arc is what I like to call the Cooler arc. I can't wait to reveal what happens next in this arc, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter see you next time!