Neo heard a familiar 'ding' in the system. Blake, Raven, Pyrrha Shizuka and Neopolitan had all gotten the same notification. It seemed different, as it played a small tune that reeked of 'get ready for a fight'. They checked the system and in popped a quest. For each of them.
[Ding! Confront and defeat Adam Taurus with Yang Xiaolong in the attack on Vale at the final day of the Vytal Festival!
-Part of the main quest!
-Not optional!]
Blake nervously broke out into a cold sweat upon seeing her obligatory quest.
[Ding! Confront and defeat Tyrian Callows, Hazel Reinhart and Arthur Watts with Qrow Branwen in the attack on Vale at the final day of the Vytal Festival!
-Part of the main quest!
-Not optional!]
Raven quietly read the quest out in her mind, not really knowing who Tyrian Callows is.
[Ding! Assist the Old Wizard Ozma in his confrontation against Salem until help arrives in the attack on Vale at the final day of the Vytal Festival!
-Part of the main quest!
-Not optional!]
Shizuka uncharacteristically tensed when she read that. She'd been told Salem was the big bad of this world and she was supposed to help the hero hold her off until help arrived. Good thing she was what Neo called their 'white mage' since according to Neo, nobody fucks with the White Mage.
[Ding! Confront and defeat Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai with Roman Torchwick in the attack on Vale at the final day of the Vytal Festival!
-Part of the main quest!
-Not optional!]
Neopolitan grinned and cracked her neck. She knew those two lackeys were tough but her and Roman were better. The only better team she could ask for was herself and Neo. Since they could often tell what the other was thinking.
[Ding! Confront and defeat Cinder Ella Fall with Pyrrha Nikos in the attack on Vale at the final day of the Vytal Festival!
-Addition: Defeat the Wendigo reincarnator and learn the truth of his existence!
-Part of the main quest!
-Not optional!]
Neo got the message and narrowed her eyes at the additional objective. She was still trying to figure out who the reincarnator was. She figured it was likely her half brother but he wasn't this smart. Antagonistic? Yes. But he could barely pass grade four, let alone manage to work with Salem and prod at her sorest memories. Pyrrha had also received the same quest, minus the addition. She gave Neo a cursory glance, which spoke volumes about her worry. Neo told them all Cinder had the other half of the Maiden powers and would be significantly more enhanced than the average person.
[>Neo²: That confirms it. They're gonna be attacking at the Vytal Festival<]
[>Prettykitty: I have to face Adam again<]
[>Spartanwaifu: You okay, Blake?<]
[>Prettykitty: I'll be fine I think. I had to face him again anyways. I ran from him last time but I don't wanna disappoint a certain someone by running away this time..<]
Blake glanced at Neo, who was under a parasol with Neopolitan, returning a smile at her.
[>Neo²: You won't. I trust you, Blake. What'd the rest of you get?<]
[>Yangsyummymummy: Some finks named Tyrian Callows, Hazel Reinhart and Arthur Watts. I'm fighting them with Qrow apparently]
[>Neo²: Fink..? That brings me back. Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a Nuclear Winter.. Anyways! What? Those two aren't supposed to be involved yet. I guess Mommy Salami is taking off the gloves to come grab Choice herself<]
Neo sighed. She started thinking of the total clusterfuck the giant whale Grimm along with the black river that spawned Grimm would cause. Now that magic empowered everyone, she was pretty sure she couldn't just one-shot Salem with Rhongomyniad like she did with the Grimm at the tunnel. It was an unexpected consequence and lesson not to mess around with Noble Phantasms. But her hype to use it was really high and caused the current circumstances.
[>Icecreamwaifu: Roman and I get to beat up Fire bitches' kids!<]
Neopolitan gave her an ecstatic smile that was contagious.
[>Neo²: Glad to hear it but avoid killing them if at all possible. I'll tell you some things to say to piss off Emerald during the fight later<]
[>BoobaphysicsFTW: I have to help the headmaster hold Salem off until you guys arrive to help..<]
Shizuka had tightly formed her mouth into a line and nervously thought of how she would be able to even do such a thing besides healing the old Hero.
[Neo²: Oh fuck me silly Salem's really gonna fight? Like actually participating? Yeah we gotta beat these jackholes fast. I'll need to tell the teams. They'll be unprepared when they attack. Ozpin's getting his people ready for a fight and we still have time to train. I'm kicking the training up to 'Spartan Mode'<]
Neo got up and scrolled through the system and buying a cheap megaphone. She pulled it out and cleared her throat before yelling into it.
"ATTEN-SHUN! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU LINE YOUR MAGICAL ANIME-LIKE ASSES UP HERE NOW!" She yelled out, making everyone, who was playing or reading stiffen up and walk over, even Qrow.
"Kid.. is this about the thing Oz-" Qrow had his mouth shut by Raven as Neo nodded at her and lowered the megaphone.
"I have something of significant importance to tell you. I'm one hundred percent serious in this. This is something you should be aware of as it involves the whole fuckin' world. At the final day of the Vytal Festival, Vale will be attacked by the bad guys. You know? The ones Roman was spying on for us? Forgot only Ruby knew that.. But it's true-" Neo was interrupted by Yang's awkward laugh.
"Well.. actually Ruby did tell us about that and that you and Ozpin knew. It made sense since.. you know? The missing two months and my Mom coming back?" Yang shrugged as the rest of team RWBY and JNPR looked away awkwardly.
"Okay.. Thanks for keeping it a secret, RUBY.." Neo shot a withering glare at Ruby, who was looking everywhere but at her.
"So.. these bad guys are basically 'simp joker scorpion faunus', 'my sister died to the bad guy so I joined them because Ozpin sends kids to die', 'GivE mE pOwEr rAwR', 'Big brain time', 'Shadow the Edgehog', Two mildly redeemable teens and of course 'Pissed off Immortal ex who wants to die'. Call her Mommy Salami if you want?" Neo categorized all the bad guys they'd be facing into different descriptions.
"What's with those names.." Weiss asked with a blank look on her face.
"My annoyance at volumes four to eight.." Neo whispered while rubbing her temples.
"Despite my dumbass names for them, they're strong. Even without the enhancement of magic. 'Mommy Salami' or.. Salem, is over at least a thousand, strong in magic, commands the Grimm and is immortal. As in unkillable by conventional means. Don't worry about killing her though, the goal is to stop her from taking some powerful magical artifact from under Beacon" Neo finished, seeing a myriad of different emotions from all of them.
Shock and fear from the ones who had no idea. Trepidation and anxiousness from the ones that did know.
"Why weren't we told this earlier..?" Ruby asked as Yang nods and agrees.
"You're literally in year one of training to be Huntstresses.. Not even full blown Huntsmen know about Salem. The closest to Ozpin know. Like Raven, Qrow, the Headmasters and who they confide in.. OH! Qrow tell Ozpin that Lionheart is Salem's bitch. He works for her. Damn, he slipped my mind!" Neo said casually as Qrow widened his eyes.
"What!? How the Hell do you know this!? Agh.. damn it!" Qrow took out his scroll and quickly walked away after calling Ozpin.
"Anyhow.. We're all going to be fighting and defending Vale from the White Fang, Grimm and the big bads. So I'll be training you guys hard as fuck until the Vytal Festival kicks off.." Neo nodded approvingly once she saw the confusion fade from their faces, replaced by determination.
"Yang, you need to control that temper of yours. You get impulsive when you're pissed and that could cost you an arm and a leg.. most likely just an arm" Neo whispered the last part.
"Ruby you need to work on your Silver Eye powers and unarmed fighting. Yang and Qrow will teach you the last part. The first part relies on emotional control so prepare for Hell.. I'll be putting you through an emotional grinder" Neo winked at her, making Ruby shiver.
"Weiss you need to perfect your glyphs and conquer your fear of the summoning. Blake, you should focus on what you are now but add on Senjutsu. Try to meditate and feel the energy in nature. Your race is able to grasp Senjutsu far easier than others and it'll help you in the fights coming" Neo looked at the two, who just nodded.
"Nora, you should also be less impulsive.. Try to take a note from Ren's book and think before hopping into danger. Ren, you need to be a little impulsive sometimes. Both of you can train each other in those things and switch every day. Also, for gods sakes just GET TOGETHER ALREADY! It's so obvious you check each other out!" Nora and Ren both got red in the face as she yelled at them.
"L-Leader!!? We're not-" Neo raised a finger.
"No you totally are don't even bullshit me right now.." She cut off any further denial as Ren and Nora snuck glances at each other.
"Pyrrha, you need to show no fuckin' mercy. I need you to fight this upcoming fight like your enemy killed the one you love most. Aside from that? Keep up the regular training you do" Neo saw Pyrrha's brow twitch at the thought of the ones she loved dying.
"Finally.. Qrow, teach Shizuka how to fight unarmed, she has the talent for it" Neo gestured at Qrow, who looked at Shizuka's arms, which looked soft and supple but underneath he knew her muscles were freakishly strong for some reason.
"OG? I want you to train with me and surprise attack the others during their training. It'll help develop your fighting style and their awareness. Be cheap as fuck too. Spam your semblance if you want, use your illusion eyes and have fun" Neo finished with a smirk matching the one Neopolitan was wearing now.
"I have to practice with the Yamato, Rhongomyniad, Maiden magic, Lightning magic and the Proxy form. I'm hard to kill in it but I need to test its limits" Neo finished and used her semblance to make it look like Vergil's coat was draped over her shoulders.
"Good luck and try to stay motivated, okay? World's depending on us" Neo watched as they all began to separate into groups around the beach and train.
The month they trained was brutal. Neopolitan kept ambushing them and fighting them using her full strength and tricky semblance along with her illusion eyes, which they learned to avoid. Neopolitan herself switched her tactics multiple times and went after Yang the most, alongside Neo. They always plucked a hair string off during the fight, which set Yang off all the time in the beginning. But after multiple beatdowns due to her recklessness, Yang learned restraint.
Blake learned a strange new natural power that flowed all across Remnant. It wasn't magic but it was very strong. It enhanced her body to a ridiculous standard and empowered her semblance even further. She could now create what Neo dubbed 'Shadow Clones'. Though they didn't look like shadows at all and she could touch them. That gave her a particularly naughty idea she'd save for later.
Ruby and Weiss made amazing progress in their Summoning and Silver eyes. Neo had made her watch a show downloaded to her scroll called 'Your Lie in April' and 'Code Geass' to start off. Then she had informed her Salem's bunch had been the ones to kill Summer. That did the trick to draw out her anger and despair. The only thing left were to call out her powers at will by controlling and directing her intense emotions.
Qrow trained Shizuka a little too well. She honestly reminded Neo of Tsunade now the way she punched and kicked up sand with every blow. Raven helped them all train their weapons along with Qrow when he wasn't terrified of Shizuka bending him in half.
Pyrrha had become a tad bit more ruthless. But only if Neo took a different form with her semblance. She hated hurting Neo, even if it was really hard to.
And finally... Ren and Nora became a couple. Both rubbed off on each other and had managed to balance the other out without changing themselves too much.
Neo got far too enthusiastic when using Yamato and constantly quoted him and referenced Vergil memes to 'channel her inner Vergil'. It seems to have worked..? She could reliably use Yamato's power more than she could at the beginning due to her swordsmanship mastery.
It was time to return to Vale, where the battle for Choice would be held at.
Hey so I changed the last chapter's thing with Salem. I realized thaaaat... it was really stupid and unneeded? I dun goofed. Anyway thanks for the stones and comments!
They had prepared as much as they could. The end of the training time period came and it came fast. The last day came and Neo finished it off by evaluating all of their progress. She went hard in their training, since, of course she didn't want them to die. They all significantly increased their combat power until the final day. Neo was satisfied with the progress and let everyone play at the last few hours before they had to board the bullhead and leave.
On the trip back, she had stared out the window in a slight fit of anxiety. It felt like she was forgetting something. She didn't forget their stuff or Jaune. Everything from the quest was collected. She still couldn't put her finger on it and it was driving her crazy. The others, saw it differently.
"She must be worried about us.. the Vytal Festival has started" Qrow said with a small sigh as the teams, Jaune and Neopolitan looked at her.
"Neo.. okay guys! We can't fail our trainer and get ourselves killed when the bad guys attack! We're gonna defend the city, right!?" Ruby stood up and announced with all the conviction she could muster.
~Fuuuuuuuuuck.. what am I forgetting? This is gonna bother me all day..~ Neo sighed wistfully.
Neopolitan just observed Neo's face and could spot exactly what kind of mood she was in though. She bit down the urge to giggle and watched as the teens rallied before Pyrrha touched Neo's shoulder.
"Hm...? What's up, Pyr?" Neo shook her head and looked at her partner, weirded out when she noticed everyone was looking at her.
"Don't worry about us, Neo. We're going to be all right. All of us.. So don't let fear hold you back, okay?" Pyrrha said with such confidence that Neo blanked.
~Wait what? What'd I miss?~ Neo looked at Neopolitan, who was really trying not to laugh and gave her a thumbs up.
"..O..kay?" Neo gave them a stiff smile and a thumbs up.
They all nodded at Qrow, who smugly grinned, thinking he was right. They all returned to Beacon at night. The festival would begin the next day. When they landed, Ozpin was waiting at the landing pad for them.
"Hello team RWBY, JNPR. I need to discuss a few things with Miss Jasmine. The rest of you should be heading to bed. You have a big day tomorrow. Now please follow me, Miss Jasmine, Qrow, Raven" Ozpin gestured at them to follow but saw Neopolitan step up with an expectant gaze.
"Oh she's asking about Roman. You've been treating him well right? She wants him released on the final day" Neo stood beside her and pat her shoulder.
"Treating him well? Well.. he has been eating only five star meals, he's gotten a television, a new scroll, games, free reign of the Beacon basement.. I've spared no expense in making sure he's comfortable" Ozpin seemed a bit irritated as he recounted everything Roman requested.
"He's gonna help a lot during the attack, don't worry!" Neo assured him with a placating smile.
"Good. Now come along, we have some plans to go over" Ozpin walked off, followed by Neo, Raven and Qrow.
"See you guys in a bit! Gotta go over some boring details" Neo waved to them and followed the group.
"Ozpin treats her.. sorta weird, don't you think?" Yang asks the group, most nodding.
"Uh.. well she does have that lance and that strange form.. annnd lightning" Blake retorted, earning a hum from Nora.
"I bet Tiny Leader is secretly A LIGHTNING HERO QUEEN!" Nora raised a finger and exclaimed.
"Woaaaaah..." Jaune gasped.
"You don't believe that, right..?" Ren slid his hand down his face.
"Uh.. maybe?" Jaune sheepishly laughed before Pyrrha cut in.
"Okay guys let's get some deserved shut eye.. We can grill her later on"
"Okaaaay MOM!" Nora snickered and ran into the dorms, followed by both teams.
-Grimm Whale, moving across the Grimmlands, next day-
Salem had begun to mobilize her forces. The Grimm army within her Whale numbered in the tens of thousands. Tyrian, Hazel, Watts were all on board. Each having been given their own assigned tasks and targets. Salem was guiding the beast forward and everyone aboard anxiously awaited the battle at Vytal. One more than the others.
The Wendigo was walking the interiors, lost in thought. He had gotten prepared, double and triple checked everything he needed to. Now he just needed to wait two days. He stopped by a cell and looked at it mutely, remembering what happened a long time ago.
-XXXX years earlier-
A boy of fifteen years old was floating in a dark expanse, seemingly asleep. He felt a light touch and the sight of light through his eyelids after an indeterminate amount of time. Groaning, he opened his eyes to a soft light. A man was there. He was sure it was a man but he had no definite form. It was like looking at an optical illusion. One second he looked like one shape, next second he looked like another. It was giving the boy a headache to look right at him.
"Urgh.. what is this..? Who are you..? What are you? Where am I..?" The boy asked in confusion, seeing pity in the man's eyes.
He became further annoyed seeing this, if there was one thing he hated, it was pity. He hated the way people treated him like some victim. Something to look down on and toss sympathy at to make themselves look better. He scoffed at the man and looked at him, despite how the light stung his eyes.
"I'm sorry. You have been called here with a purpose.. One which I don't think you'll enjoy. But it will be good for you. Both of you. As you exist right now, you are incomplete.. I'd even go as far to say I made you into some kind of cursed existence. Again, I apologize for that. But things had to be this way" The man said sympathetically.
"What are you talking about!? You talk about me like I'm some sort of.. mistake.." The boy gritted his teeth and spoke angrily.
"No. You came out exactly as intended. I have a mission for you. It will be hard and there will be sorrows ahead for you. But I need someone to take the wheel on this.. To guide the world in its intended path. Let me show you" The man tapped the boy's forehead and a look of realization, horror and anger hit him all at once.
"You cannot be serious.. All that..? It's so unreasonable!" The boy angrily pointed at the man.
"I'm afraid so.. if that fails, I have no idea what to do" He shakes his head in exasperation.
"I.. No.. I.. Will I really be able to find happiness at the end..? I can't get it out of my mind.." The boy sorrowfully clutched his head and said.
"You will live a long life. At the very end, you'll find what I showed you. Will you brave these uncertain times and come out on top at the very end?" He offers his hand and asks.
"As long as it eventually ends. Haha.. you really screwed me here you know?" The boy said wistfully and takes his hand.
"It's far better than repression.. It gets better for you but.. you had nobody and nothing. At least this way, you can finally find some happiness. You just have to put up with a long wait.. Those people will mess everything up. Their patron Gods have been openly rebelling against me for quite some time. Some of them have clairvoyance and will send some of them back in time. Kill them all. Good luck" And then the man touched the boy's forehead and he was ejected from that space.
The next thing the boy noticed, he was crawling out of an inky black substance that clung to him. He saw a western black dragon and a blonde woman. He received knowledge about the world and when the main events happen. This was far before that time. He looked down at his hands. He was tiny. About the size of a piglet. He was an amorphous mass of black substance with no definite form. Then he heard it while the God of Light appeared.
[Ding! Survive the apocalypse!
Reward: Uchiha bloodline!]
"Fuck" He cursed, though the brothers and Salem hadn't heard him.
-Ages later-
Salem had captured a Silver Eyes. Another one. This one was of plot significance. The only plot significant people he'd met so far was Salem, Ozma, God of Darkness and the Grimm Reaper woman. He was inclined to meet her. He skulked over to her cell and poked his snout between the bars. That earned him a kick in the faceplate. Though it only seemed to hurt the woman.
"Y'OWWW!! My foot! Psh.. dumb Grimm.." She started to sulk immediately upon failure to injure him.
"Ksh.. You're fun.." He said, making her gape in awe.
"YOU CAN TALK!?" She changed tune so fast and grabbed the bars of her cell, looking at the once-boy.
"I can talk, dance.. I can do a lot, really. Who are you?" He asked, letting her inspect him.
"Ya know it's rude not to tell your own name first when you ask, Grimmy guy" She snarked.
"I don't go by my old name anymore. Too.. eh.. human sounding" He shrugged.
"Just call me Wendigo" He said, showing off his impressive teeth.
"Oh.. gotcha. Wendy it is!" She said, bumping her fist on her hand, making him almost faceplant the bars of the cell.
"No.. NO. Ugh.. if Wendigo's too long just.. call me Wen" He sighed, though she giggled.
"Well nice to meetcha, Wen. I'm Summer" She gestured at herself with a smile.
-Whale Grimm, present-
"She was too positive for her own good.. Didn't even consider the possibility of being hostile... Kinda miss her now.." He whispered before hearing footsteps.
Turning around, he saw Salem walk over with a scroll and a frown.
"They're stronger than I expected.. Even with the magic in the air" Salem showed him a video of team RWBY decimating in their four versus four match
Ruby was splitting up into different rose petal objects and shooting while using her semblance. Yang was using flames to enhance her semblance so getting close to her was a nightmare. Weiss had summoned creatures made of ice that never ceased attacking the enemy team. Blake had essentially created shadow clones and had been hitting with strength comparable to Yang in close quarters. Scary.
He thought silently before noticing Neo up in the stands, smirking with pride. She absolutely turned them into monsters, he knew it. Instead of worry or sighing, however he smiled. His jaw curved up in amusement even further when team RWBY posed upon winning.
Salem was not happy though.
"What are you smiling for? Ozpin's pawns are stronger than we thought. Last time I checked.. that wasn't good for you either" She frowned at him.
"They're not as strong as us. Besides, I like the challenge. Come on now, embrace your inner ego.. You know it wouldn't be as satisfying to kill Ozpin if he was weak" He shrugged both arms as Salem paused.
"I see.. my victory does not mean yours, does it?" Salem questioned.
"No. But I'll still be helping, of course" He looked in her eyes before she turned away and left wordlessly.
"Might've soured the relationship.. Oh well. Won't matter much in two days" He said to himself before looking back at the cell with a melancholic gaze.
"It'll be over soon, Summer. No more.." He walked away, leaving the empty cell alone.
-Vytal festival, after RWBY's match-
"You guys beat them like redheaded stepchildren.." Neo told them as soon as they came back up to the stands.
"Hey!" Nora objected.
"Uh.. we.. were good then?" Blake awkwardly asked, scratching behind her ear.
"Yup! I'm proud. Just don't go showing everything off. Just like the first date, you don't show too much.. A little flash of leg? Sure. But when the last day comes.. flash em the goods" Neo winked.
"Pff! Good innuendo!" Yang smirked but the others just groaned.
"Well you know what I mean.." Neo snickered at the appropriate reactions and pressed her fingers together.
"They won't see us coming.."
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