Blake knew something was wrong.
This didn't feel as if she was sick. It felt... She didn't know. It was frustrating!
She struggled to breathe, finding it difficult to catch her breath. Her complexion had lost all vibrancy and was as pale as possible. She had been clammy before from profusely sweating, but now, despite attempting to sprint, she wasn't perspiring in the slightest.
That wasn't a great sign, compounded by the situation they found themselves in.
Losing her balance, Blake tumbled forward and nearly tripped. She didn't fall on her face only because she reached out, caught herself against the alley walls, and propped herself up.
"Blake!" Ilia rushed to Blake's side, and concern washed over her. Biting her lip, Ilia took Blake's arm and propped herself under Blake to carry her weight. "Let's go. I know you're sick, but we can't stop now. It won't be long before someone catches us and we have to fight."
Biting her lip, drawing a thin strand of blood, Blake understood and pushed forward despite her body's protest.
Yet as Neo led them through the back streets of Atlas, acting as if she had been here before and knew the way, Blake couldn't help but ponder.
Why was she so sick?
Why know of all times? She had to admit she hadn't been feeling the best in the days prior, but it wasn't bothering her to this degree. Did she catch a new strain of the flu?
...Could it be...
Blake internally growled at the thought. Logically, she knew there was a chance he could be a carrier of some sort of virus her world had never seen before. However, given his health and how she had seen his body recover, could a virus even live inside of him?
And if he did, wouldn't she have caught it earlier? She had been around him for such a long time...
"Please tell me you didn't sleep with him," Ilia whispered as they kept the rear, a hint of concern on her expression. "Look, it is your life, and you can do what you want... But so soon after..."
"I haven't had sex with him! We're not a couple!" Blake silently hissed at the accusation, shoving her shoulder into Ilia.
"Well... Um... Good..." Ilia grunted, absorbing the shove before flushing, looking over Naruto. "You shouldn't be rushing into another relationship so soon..."
"Ilia." Blake snarled and stared at her old friend, struggling to keep her footing and cursing under her breath. "Drop this line of conversation and focus."
"Here, allow me! I can take her, and we can continue at our pace without losing time." Penny chimed in, slowing her pace to assist Ilia.
"I don't..." Blake tried to contest when she was suddenly and easily lifted into Penny's arms in the most embarrassing way possible.
Bridal style.
Blake felt exposed. Weak. Helpless.
She would give anything not to feel this way! To be able to keep pace under her own power!
This was humiliating!
"Why are we even running?" Weiss stopped, scrunching her features, questioning their decision. "We're making this worse on ourselves. This is the Atlas military! Even if we somehow escape, what's next? We'll just be labeled as criminals!"
"Already am. I steal Dust from your Daddy with my Daddy." Neo smuggly responded, her eyes tinged with amusement.
"Seriously?! You what?!" Weiss's step hitched away from Neo before she glanced at everyone else present, noticing their nonchalant disposition to Neo's admission. "None of you care?"
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat," Ilia muttered, glowering at the Schnee heiress.
Thankfully, Weiss didn't seem to catch her mumble, but glared back at her regardless, having seen the nasty look.
"We don't have time for this." Blake exhaled, still quite embarrassed at the position she was put in, before her gaze sharpened and met Weiss's. "Why do you think we're running? For ourselves?" With a motion of her head, Blake motioned to Penny. "Or need I remind you what the General plans on doing with her?"
Weiss recoiled at Blake's chastising. Still, she grimaced as she sorrowfully glanced in Penny's direction before chewing on her lip. "I... Still... We..."
"Are you stupid or something? ...Oh wait, never mind. I forgot who I was speaking to." Neo raised her brow before scoffing.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Weiss snapped at Neo and gnarled her lips.
"Exactly what I said, princess," Neo responded with a sarcastic bow.
"Enough!" Blake barked, tired of the arguing. Her eyes sharpened and turned back to Penny. "Let me go right now."
"Okay..." Penny wearily followed Blake's command, worried she would lose her balance again.
Despite how weak she felt and how challenging it was to put one leg in front of the other, Blake approached Neo and Weiss. "Do you think we have time for this?"
She found renewed strength with each step as a strange warmth flowed through her. She still felt horrible, but empowered by this sensation, she could move forward. She had to because...
"Naruto is fighting and keeping an entire army occupied for us. All to protect someone we just met from an unjust fate. And you two are wasting the time he granted us by arguing?" Blake contained the hiss as it picked up speed before brushing right between the two and passing them.
"If you got the time to run your mouths, you got time to move your ass and help us find transport off this rock! We're not safe until then!" Blake finished and took point, her eyes scanning for threats and potential escape routes.
Only to see a flicker of electricity flash before her eyes.
Blake's shadow dispersed while she skidded back to her friends as a young Atlas soldier phased into existence precisely where Blake had stood before.
"You're pretty good. Most people I know can't dodge that. Oh, this might be good!" The dark skinned Atlas soldier grinned, her pink eyes glowing with enthusiasm.
"Harriet, curb your excitement. We are to capture without incident, if possible." A man's voice resonated from behind.
From behind, a tall, muscular man approached alongside a somehow more toned woman. The man, who seemed to have a peculiar and commanding air about him, led the powerhouse behind him, carrying a massive hammer.
"I know, Clover! I know! You don't have to remind me." Harriet scowled and huffed.
Blake's gaze shifted back and forth between the three. Her hand stood on end, and she looked upward at the buildings and hissed. A man with a naturally pale complexion was on one side, and a young, dark, and tanned faunus was on the other.
They were surrounded.
She wasn't the only one to recognize this fact. Weiss stumbled into her while Ilia stepped back, attempting to stay back to back, and Neo and Penny followed suit, the latter whispering. "The Ace Operatives. A special division of elite Huntsmen within the Atlas military."
Blake refrained from snarling. This wasn't looking good. She could handle soldiers. Atlesian Knights. Maybe a group of students. A group of trained elite Huntsmen and Huntresses...
There wasn't a chance they were going to win this. Escape was their only option, and even that looked impossible.
"Wait!" Weiss stepped forward in desperation, hands held up before waving behind her. "You must know this is wrong! Yes, she and all the Knights were hacked! They caused catastrophic damage..."
"I know... But orders are orders." Clover shook his head before releasing a soft exhale, his gaze falling onto a distraught Penny. "I'm sorry, but there's maybe a chance. We have only been ordered to capture you. General Ironwood may see reason yet..."
"And the best person to change his mind is to confront him. We're the back-up plan." Blake stepped beside Weiss, Gambol Shroud drawn.
"You're the back-up plan? You're just a bunch of adolescent adults who haven't figured out who you are yet." Elm frowned, lifting her eyebrow while her grip tightened on her hammer.
"And the fact that you are relying on that kid to impede the General and convince him he's wrong is laughable. He's fighting an army!" Harriet scoffed at the boldness, a laugh caught in her throat. However, her gaze honed in on Blake, and she clenched her fists. "I would think wisely before picking a fight with us. You might have dodged me earlier, but it won't happen again..."
"Ahk!" The Faunus on the roof yelped, drawing everyone's attention to where he had stood.
But upon inspection, he had vanished, and all that was seen was the briefest flick of gold. And in another second, his friend on the other rooftop vanished identically.
Blake's eyes shimmered. Was it... Could it be...
"Naruto?"
He had gapped the distance between rescuing her from Ilia and the moon when he sensed she was in danger...
"Huh, what's happened?" Clover's head was on a swivel, searching for the assailant. His head snapped back when a muffled cry from Elm alarmed him as she simply vanished.
"It's the kid!" Harriet cried, electricity crackling around her. "I'll grab Penny and..."
She vanished in a flicker of gold light before she could finish her sentence and rush forward.
And in one last flicker of light, Clover vanished.
A stupified silence followed. No one could utter a word. The silence stood until an amazed Penny broke it.
"Whoa. Friend Naruto is super fast! I could barely register his aura particles! He must be traveling at least light-speed!" Penny chimed with a wide smile.
"He's what?!" Weiss recoiled, her eyes nearly bulging out of her head, glancing at the other three. Her stomach sank.
While they were mildly surprised, they didn't seem bothered by the fact that Penny brought up.
"Let's go!" Blake didn't hesitate any longer, swallowing the bile building in her throat down, scanning the area one last time. She was sure Naruto didn't leave anyone behind that they couldn't handle, but...
"Is there an airfield nearby? I can fly anything, although I would prefer a Bullhead," Neo announced, and her attention shifted to Penny.
"None that are easily accessible. They should all be heavily guarded despite the disruption." Penny shook her head, accessing her memory and frowning.
"So we're going to have to fight to escape. Great." Ilia growled before rolling her eyes.
"I... I know of one that we can access." Weiss exhaled, deflating as she spoke. "Father keeps several in case of emergency on the premises... And the guard should be light."
[ X ]
"Father has likely turned off most of the Knights on premises in fear of an attack."
Dust and snow hung in the air. He could see the droplets from his opposition's heated breath into the cold air. He could see the steam vapor from everyone present. The shimming dots of surprise were just being realized in her eyes, gazing past him while he held her saber still with his middle and forefinger.
It was still surreal to experience the world in this manner.
It was amazing to think that his perception of the world drastically changed in such a short span after awakening this gift. The world felt almost frozen when he drew upon this power, and he had to actively concentrate to slow down and process the sound of others speaking. He knew it wasn't because he was capable of observing movement, and light still behaved relatively normally.
He was simply able to perceive rays of light illuminating the world.
But that wasn't the only thing he could perceive. Despite the foggy haze of this place that made it challenging to sense others, nothing could hide from him when he tapped into this well of power. He felt everything.
Now that he could see the world, many things worried him, but for now, he had to focus.
Despite his fight here, he closely watched Blake's group as they fled the area. Not only to ensure they escaped safely, but also to check on Blake's condition and that weird feeling he was having about her.
Something was physically off with her, and now he understood the underlying condition. It was probably why she was off in battle today.
How would he explain that to her later? He was clearly at fault...
Naruto scowled. A group was sent after them, confronting and surrounding them.
A skilled group of five. They were strong. Naruto wasn't sure even Neo could beat any of them in single combat. And while good teamwork could overcome many obstacles...
Naruto didn't feel they knew how to work as a team.
So he intervened.
A golden cloak flickered around Naruto, Kurama supplying his chakra and pushing his limits beyond what many would think was possible. He once thought the Fourth Hokage's feats, his father's, were impossible without bending space and time.
Were impossible.
He could travel the distance between where he was and them in what felt like an instant. It wasn't. They were obviously moving after each one he nabbed and brought back to the area of engagement he chose.
And they felt none the wiser...
Wait, could the Mohawk girl track him?
Neat. She probably had a hyper-speed Semblence. At least that was the only way he could reason why she could still perceive him.
Didn't change his goal. She was easily nabbed just as the rest, brought back to where he wanted.
Shifting his attention to Weiss' sister, he stepped back before her and grasped her saber again. Naruto took several deep breaths and focused his gaze on his opponent. Hastening his perception to where he could see her breathing. To where he could hear her voice.
"How... What did you just do? When did you transform again?" Winter's gaze quivered, still gazing past Naruto, and her rapier shook in his grasp.
Cocking his head behind him and giving a glance to the pile of guns he had collected, Naruto chuckled to himself as he tugged Winter's saber out of her hand and tossed it onto the pile while admiring the hefty laser cannon in his left before adding it to the pile.
Then there was the confused batch of trained soldiers, flabbergasted at where they were.
"What just happened?" The clear leader with suave hair asked, bewildered.
"Ask him." The shorter of the two women with dark, ebony skin tone responded, sharply staring at Naruto.
"Just protecting my friends by any means I have." The grin on Naruto's face faded while his cloak disengaged. His expression straightened and held an edge as he glanced at everyone present. "And I will do everything in my power to protect those bonds. So if you want to do something, you're getting my best! Ya better believe that!"
Everyone stood still, unsure how to proceed after what they had just witnessed. Naruto mused that they were digesting what had happened and trying to find some sort of answer.
Good. They were thinking. Others recoiled, looking upon him in awe and slight fear. While he didn't necessarily want that, he needed to clarify that this wasn't a fight they could win.
"You barely know her. That hardly constitutes being friends. Why protect her?" Winter stepped forward, eyes narrowed.
One would think she was talking about Penny in this situation. After all, this entire incident was taking place on her behalf.
But Naruto knew better.
It was about her sister.
"She's a good person. Do I need another reason?" Naruto cocked his head, hand on his hip.
Winter's eyes wavered, flinched again before glancing toward her superior, who stepped beside her.
"You are willing to risk your neck and stand before the might of the Atlas army because they are good people?" James simply asked, staring at Naruto with a cold and calculated gaze.
Naruto glowered. He knew that look—those eyes.
It reminded him a little too much of that old warhawk... And he only met that man once!
This didn't bode well.
"Hell yeah, I would. If it meant protecting my friends, I would bear the brunt of the entire world. I've done it before, I'll do it again. Watch me." Naruto whispered in response.
But his words held weight. They carried amongst the cold winds for all to hear, causing everyone to pause.
Except for the iron man.
"You expect me to fall for those words? The words of a man who is a compatriot with known criminals of the White Fang and partner of the scoundrel Dust thief?" James scowled, unmoved by Naruto's words.
"Mah, wouldn't be the first time I stuck out my neck for my friends and fought for them. It's just who I am. I just know a good person when I meet 'em. And isn't everyone capable of change? They're trying to better themselves and not let circumstance rule them, ya know?" Naruto smiled, responding without hesitation despite the unease created by the General's words.
Once more, it seemed the tide was changing. Everyone present felt restless. He could sense that all eyes were on him, and the leader of this city.
A scowl was permanently etched onto James' face, noticing the attention drawn to them. Yet he didn't fail to keep eye contact with Naruto or fail to acknowledge the situation.
"I am not one to be swayed by the words of a child... However, I recognize a battle I am not able to win. You may take the girl, but let it be known, I will have you all labeled as criminals to the whole world. Can you live with those repercussions?" James carefully stated his intentions.
"But my sister..." Winter protested the severity of her general's orders before holding her tongue and recoiling at the harsh glare he gave her.
His word was absolute, it seemed.
But Naruto had something to say about that.
"I already said I'm willing to bear any weight for my friends. So bring it on!" Naruto barked, cracking his knuckles before slowly approaching James. "And that means taking on everything for them, no matter the burden!"
"So I'm gonna beat some sense into every last one of you until I take full responsibility for this mess."
[ X ]
The kid was something else.
He was showing he had the capacity to show up James, his elite, and the presence of the Atlas Military. And it looked as if it was effortless.
Pietro had to admit that he had been carefully examining the kid since Penny returned with readings he struggled to comprehend.
A living being with that raw amount of energy felt impossible. The boy had enough energy that, theoretically, could provide power to the city of Atlas for days if it could be harnessed in such a manner. Unlikely, but still...
The kid was special, and it wasn't just because of that.
He was his daughter's friend. The first person who unquestionably accepted Penny despite her... Quirks.
Pietro saw everything through her memory. In the brief time with Penny, a connection was forged between them. From a few simple words and actions, she grew an incredible amount. She felt more... Complete.
Human...
He shook his head. This kid, with those simple actions, was capable of amazing things. This kid could influence the world if given the platform to do so. Even now, he was standing before James and attempting to sway him with a combination of force and speaking from the heart.
He was defending his daughter's honor in his place.
So he would look out for them and ensure they had safe passage.
"Not a bad plan," Pietro mused, having returned to his workshop and accessed his computer.
Now, he watched their escape, observing them through the cameras situated throughout the city. With simple taps of his fingers, no one else could access the network but him. He didn't want anyone catching wind of where they were heading.
But how to prepare an airship for them...
Pietro smirked, cracking his knuckles. All the Knights were offline due to the security threat. It made it easier for him to access them without being noticed.
As he went to work, his eyes strayed to the image of his creation. A pang of sorrow and guilt clutched at his heart. He wished he could have done more to protect her. To watch her grow.
But seeing her growth ever since he brought Penny into life, Pietro knew this was the correct decision. He wanted to see her flourish.
"Take care, Penny." A solemn expression washed over Pietro, yet he forced a smile. "Maybe one day you can show me all you learned."
"Until then, have a wonderful journey."
[ X ]
This was too easy!
Neo had been on many heists before. Stolen many valuable things. Jacked automobiles of all kinds for miraculous and daring escapes!
And while this was the Princess' home, she still expected some resistance when they accessed the hangar! But the security was offline! Every door that should have been locked was open!
And there wasn't a soul here! That she expected. It was far cheaper in the long run to automate personnel than to pay for them.
It was eerily quiet. It felt like a trap. Did the military know where they went and were waiting to ambush them?
So where were they? There was no way the damn brat was able to draw that much attention toward...
Was that an earthquake? How did a floating city have earthquakes?!
"What is he doing?!" Blake hissed before recoiling as all attention was directed toward her.
"You're joking..." Ilia's eyes shimmered, and her heart stopped as Blake met her gaze. "By Oum, you're not..."
"Excuse me, how is that possible?! He's a single person!" Weiss exclaimed, stopping before the hangar door, seething upon seeing the open door. "And what's happening? Why is every door open?!"
"Keep your eyes open..." Neo muttered, gnashing her teeth and peeking her head in.
She didn't give a damn about what he could do. She believed it was possible. She briefly felt an overwhelming yet benevolent force when he restored her speaking ability.
"According to my readings, from the raw energy I recorded from Friend Naruto, there is a high probability that it was him. He poses so much energy that, in theory, if he were to explode, the city of Atlas would vaporize." Penny added her calculations to Weiss.
"What the fuck? Don't tell us something like that!" Ilia snapped her head toward Penny, a sense of dread welling within.
"Yeah, didn't need to hear that when he's fighting an army." Neo scowled, opening the door to the hangar. "This feels off. The hangar bay is open. There is a Bullhead prepared... What is going on?"
"This has to be a set-up..." Blake nodded in agreement with Neo, scanning the hangar.
"Oh, let me access the network! There is a terminal on the other side!" Everyone froze at Penny's statement as she crossed the threshold into the hangar.
They all stood in horror, glancing at one another, before rushing in.
"Penny, wait!" Blake reached Penny first as she accessed the terminal before immediately knocking her away. "What are you thinking?! You were just hacked!"
Penny's electric green eyes wavered before she quickly bowed. "I am sorry! I didn't mean to worry you. I won't let it happen again. I'm so accustomed to my firewalls being enough protection that, despite what happened earlier, I felt the probability of a similar incident occurring was almost non-existent."
"Uh... Thank you, I think?" Blake blinked several times, digesting what Penny had said before exhaling. "Just don't do it again without telling us."
"Roger. Do you want me to inform you of what I learned? I was able to process the entire network and discovered what happened." Penny bowed again before smiling.
"You still got information? You logged on for what? A second? That kind of processing power is insane!" Weiss did a double-take, her jaw loosening.
First, she watched as Naruto saved and protected them. Next, she could hardly fathom the thought that he possessed enough energy to blow up the entire city of Atlas?! That was absurd enough and difficult to process! Now, this?!
Who were these people?!
"Yes. I found my father's presence in the network. He must have been guiding us and leading us in this direction. He also hacked an Atlaesian Knight to prepare the Bullhead." Penny nodded before her demeanor softened, and she solemnly frowned at the implications.
"Then that's our ride! Let's get out of here!" Neo growled, keying in on the Bullhead she had noticed earlier, and sprinted for it.
She slid through the open door, through the passenger seats, and hopped into the cockpit. Flipping several switches, she engaged the engine, hearing the roar come to life.
Neo grinned.
Oh, how she loved the thrill of taking something that wasn't hers. To control something this powerful...
Electric.
...If only Roman were here...
"Are you sure about this? This could be a trap?" Weiss's voice echoed from the passenger seats.
"You can always leave. You're home. I'm sure Daddy could bail you out." Ilia sarcastically responded loathingly.
Weiss gnashed her teeth and squinted. Her eyes darted back outside before her expression faded. The image of Winter's disappointed expression lingered in her mind.
"Just go." Several emotions coursed through Weiss before settling on sorrow, gazing back outside.
"You heard her! Get us out of here." Blake called out as she slammed the door shut.
Neo didn't need to be told twice. With the engine purring, she pulled back on the throttle and lifted into the air before pushing forward, out of the main hangar entrance.
She could only hope that the aerial defenses were hacked, too.
Otherwise, this was going to be a short trip.
[ X ]
This was impossible.
Who was this boy?
Nothing had phased him. Nothing they did could stop him.
Bullets ricocheted off him. Laser blasts, at worst, when they landed, left a scorch mark. Even if they hit, the wound instantly healed. And that is if he didn't summon that golden aura.
Nothing could penetrate it.
And that was when he allowed them to hit him.
However, he hadn't expected this. For each of his soldiers to be worn down. Their breath labored, lying in a heap, for those who weren't unconscious.
And his elite Huntsmen were incapable of matching him and were left strewn on the streets, thankfully conscious and breathing, but broken and beaten.
The Ace Ops... Bested in the areas where they excelled.
Harriet outsped. Elm overpowered. Marrow, frozen by some weird seal. Vine captured in genuine tree roots! Clover's luck turned to misfortune, strung and tied up by his own weapon.
Almost as if an old friend's luck had become his...
Winter... The finest soldier in his army. His candidate to inherit the Winter Maiden's powers...
Even if it was a little on the nose.
She was simply bested, left beside him on her knee, barely able to catch her breath.
Even James, with his mechanical enhancements, could not keep up. From brief contact, his joints were starting to malfunction.
From the outset, James knew this young man was an exceptional warrior. Watching him handle the incident, something strange about him seemed strange. How did he have so many Resemblances?
There were records of people who had multiple Semblance before. Most had a Semblance capable of mimicking and could use a Semblance they had seen recently if they understood it well enough. And they could only mimic so many at a time before they overtaxed their Aura.
Or there were those few who had the ability to steal Semblances in an attempt to make others their own. But Aura was the power of one's soul, and a Semblance reflected that. For another soul to use it to its full extent, their soul would have to mirror the person from whom they stole it.
But it didn't seem like he had such drawbacks. He was capable of using all different kinds of abilities without any repercussions.
He didn't even seem to be worn out in the slightest.
The boy was not from here. He was something else entirely.
Perhaps...
"I concede," James uttered, looking upon Naruto as he stood before him expectantly.
Naruto furrowed his brow and scrunched his face. Staring at the General, he shook his head. "The look in your eyes says differently. What are you playing at?"
James scowled. The kid was unnaturally gifted at reading others for his age. He could hardly fathom why some so young would need to acquire such a skill. It was... Unnerving.
"Very well, I will cut to the chase... I've seen your strength. You may very well be a force of nature yourself..." James stood to his feet with some difficulty, matching Naruto's gaze. "As such, I will grant your demands and place all the burden onto you alone. I only ask when the time comes to request your aid."
"A shadow is moving and prepared to consume our world."
[ X ]
Oh, she felt so much worse.
It wasn't even funny. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, she could barely stop from vomiting. What was wrong with her?
She struggled to focus. She simply lay in her seat, thankful the Bullhead had a stock of drinks and food. She could sip water and attempt to rehydrate.
For once, she was thankful for something the head of the SDC did. While it may have been for his relaxation and comfort...
It was helping her now!
Tilting her head to observe everyone else in the airship, Blake had to sigh.
Penny stared enthusiastically out of the window while Ilia and Weiss stared one another down. This would become a problem...
"I've never seen Atlas from above before!" Penny excitedly stared out the window, glowing at the sight below.
"Yeah, it's something..." Weiss exhaled with a mixture of bitterness and sorrow in her tone, her chin resting on her knuckles as she looked out of the Bullhead.
"What's your problem? Sad you're leaving home?" Ilia mocked.
"What is your problem with me? I've done nothing to you!" Weiss snarled without raising her voice, staring directly at Ilia.
"Maybe you haven't." Ilia hissed. She reached into the front pocket of her suit before withdrawing a white mask and laying it on her lap.
"You're one of them?!" Weiss seethed, her voice rising and her muscles tensing.
"Ilia, stop provoking her!" Blake weakly hissed before reasoning with her friend. "I understand why you're upset..."
"Well, I don't!" Weiss scoffed, her emotions clearly fueling her foul attitude. "And I don't care after all the suffering your group has inflicted upon me! What you've done..."
"Inflicted upon you?! Are you serious, girl?! You want to talk about suffering... Your father's shoddy business practices and skirting around the rules caused the death of my parents in the mine!" Ilia screamed as she stood up, towering over Weiss, who at first stood to respond to a possible threat of violence.
But after her statement, Weiss shuddered and recoiled away from Ilia, a stunned but sorrowful expression following.
This only pissed Ilia off further.
"I don't want your pity! I stopped wanting that long ago!" Ilia snarled, her eyes like hot daggers that pierced into Weiss. However, with a deep breath and a bite of her lip, Ilia followed with a whisper as she sat down. "All I want now is the power to change the injustices of the world. That is why I joined the White Fang."
Ilia said nothing further after her scathing follow-up, letting her words weigh upon a silent Weiss. She simply turned her gaze and watched the clouds pass by, letting everyone digest their confrontation.
Blake exhaled and winced. Those thoughts still swirled around in her head, constantly gnawing at her. She wanted the same thing Ilia wanted. But the way Adam and the White Fang had changed...
What they were willing to do...
"I don't believe it! How are you here?!" Neo broke everyone out of their stupor and looked through the cockpit...
To see Naruto waving at them as he flew in front of the Bullhead.
"He can fly!" Weiss' jaw dropped as everyone besides Blake stared in bewilderment while Penny was in awe.
"So cool!"
"Yeah, sure..." Blake muttered before approaching the door, cracking it open, much to the dismay of the others.
And Naruto bolted inside, closing the door behind him.
"Warn me next time!" Neo seethed from the cockpit, maintaining altitude after readjusting the Bullhead.
"Friend Naruto! I was worried about what could happen!" Penny greeted with a warm smile.
"I think we all were... For one reason or another. Good to have you back... It's been a day." Blake exhaled, flopping back down onto the seat exhaustedly.
"I can see that." Naruto grimaced at Blake's pale complexion before grinning. "But good news! I convinced the General to strike any of this from your records!"
"Seriously! How?" Weiss stared ludicrously at Naruto.
"It's amazing how speaking from the heart and a few well-thrown punches can change someone's mind! ...And defeating his entire army and special forces before his eyes... " Naruto chuckled before he rubbed the back of his head nervously and muttered.
"You did what?!" Ilia's jaw slackened, failing to process how a single person could defeat the Atlesian Army.
That couldn't be possible!
...Could it?
"Your records?" Blake scrutinized Naruto's word choice. Her brow furrowed and she stared at Naruto. "Naruto... What do you mean by that?"
"Heh, I figured you'd catch on." Naruto nervously laughed before sighing. "A lot happened today. Too much. With what happened with Penny and everything that happened after, someone needed to take the fall..."
"You're joking!" Blake unsteadily jumped back to her feet, her lips gnarled.
"But you aren't at fault for any of this! That hacker did this! Led to everything that happened!" Weiss questioned, her brow raised.
"And I'm gonna find that guy and give him what's coming for 'em." Naruto nodded before weakly smiling. "But that's where you are wrong. Not only could I have done things differently... I broke the law by defying authority. I used my leverage to ensure my friends weren't punished for the same mistake."
The silence was deafening. Everyone, including Neo from the cockpit, stared at Naruto. Baffled by his logic and decision.
All besides Blake.
"No... You..." Blake's eyes wavered as she stepped forward.
"It's okay. I chose this route. I can take on this burden. I'll figure it out, trust me, would ya?" Naruto smiled, laying his hand on Blake's shoulder, attempting to comfort her. But his expression faltered, and he grimaced. "And it is for the best for the rest of you... I didn't realize what my presence was capable of. Didn't think it would make you sick."
Blake jerked from Naruto's contact, giving him a questioning gaze. Naruto exhaled again before scratching his head. "Well, you see... Due to me not being from this world..."
"What?!" Everyone but Blake screeched and stepped away from Naruto.
Except for Penny!
"I thought that was the case! Your energy reading is so different!" Penny giddily responded, clapping her hands in joy.
"Uh, yeah, it is." Naruto awkwardly leaned away from Penny. His attention shifted back to Blake before his head sank. "And that is the reason why you are sick... I can only guess due to my proximity... You now possess chakra. You feel sick as your body is reacting and building coils."
Blake went rigid. She... What?!
She possessed the same power... Naruto had?
Blake felt woozy. She stumbled in place. It was all a little too much.
"Here! Let me." Naruto guided her to a seat, shaking his head. "I'm not sure if it is your body rejecting it or if it's just harder on ya the older you are... But this should help..."
As Naruto placed his hand on her forehead, Blake gasped. A warm sensation flowed through her, calming her frayed nerves and unsettled stomach. She felt refreshed...
So why was everything becoming so dark? Was she just that tired? Or...
"I'm sorry, Blake..." Naruto whispered into Blake's ear as the world turned black. "Thank you for everything you did for me. It meant a lot. It really did. I can't thank you enough, but... I'll handle the rest from here on out."
"I promise you, everything will work out."
[ X ]
"Naruto!"
Blake launched forward, sitting up from the bench of the Bullhead. She cocked her head, confused, looking out at the treeline and cityscape that surrounded the ship.
Where was she?
"Ah, sleeping beauty awakens. Sleep well?" Ilia's voice from the cockpit caught Blake's attention.
"What happened? Where are we? Where is Penny, and where are the others? Where is he?" Blake unloaded all the questions on her mind.
"One at a time, please!" Ilia snarkily responded. Blake scowled as her friend left the cockpit and joined her in the passenger seat. "You were so sick the moment he healed you, you must have passed out. As for where we are, we just landed outside the main city of Mistral. Bullheads are short-range airships. We weren't making a trip any longer than that."
"As for where Penny is, she's in town with Neo. Said something about wanting to help her with a mission to procure more fuel... I don't think she realized what that entailed or what that thief was planning." Ilia jabbed her thumb toward town before snorting.
Blake scowled. The last thing they needed after Naruto struck their records clean was for Penny to get into trouble with the law!
"Naruto? And the Schnee girl?" Blake glowered after a moment of silence, prompting Ilia to continue.
"The name is Weiss, I have you know." Weiss scoffed from outside the ship, leaning against the Bullhead.
"Yeah, the pain in the ass is still here. I dunno why. She's free to catch a ride with someone else and return home." Ilia shrugged before sharply glaring outside the ship.
"Like I want to go back..." Weiss muttered under her breath. Blake's ears twitched, and she lifted an eyebrow.
The bitterness in her tone was curious. If she didn't know any better...
"I was heading to Beacon in a month. I might as well ride with you all since that's where you guys said you were heading." Weiss huffed and glowered at the approaching duo. "Took you long enough."
"Admit it, you're curious just like the rest of us. Want to know more about the mysterious alien?" Neo laughed while Penny cradled several large containers of Dust.
"Oh, friend Blake! You are awake! Mission accomplished! I had enough Lien credit charged to afford fuel!" Penny brightly smiled and waved after setting the Dust down. "Are you ready to seek out friend Naruto?"
"Seek out?" Blake spoke, riddled with confusion.
He was conspicuously absent. Her stomach twisted, and Blake grimaced.
Did he...
"He left right after you passed out. Said something about protecting us and not labeling us as accomplices." Ilia shrugged and rolled her eyes.
"Think he forgot I'm a wanted criminal too... Asshole... His bounty is bigger than Roman's!" Neo scoffed before glowering, kicking a nearby rock in frustration.
Blake recoiled, alarmed at that information. Gnawing her lip, she growled in frustration. "So that's what he meant..."
"He's too altruistic for his good." Ilia snorted before side-eyeing Blake. "I have no idea what you see in him. He's just going to get himself killed."
Blake rustled at Ilia's comment. It wasn't like that!
"So, what's the plan? Are you going to look for him?" Weiss asked, glancing back into the Bullhead before shrugging.
"Why do you sound like you want to come with us?" Ilia glowered and glared at Weiss.
"I've got time to kill... And a favor to repay. I will help you find him, then we'll be even." Weiss shrugged before mean-mugging Ilia.
"Pay up!" Neo smuggly smirked as she boarded the Bullhead, holding her palm toward Ilia.
Ilia grumbled before handing several Lien cards to an amused Neo. Weiss bristled at the interaction while Blake stared awkwardly before her head hung.
Her earlier assumption was correct. Naruto... He...
Biting her lip, her eyes shimmered as she gazed at the motley crew around her. "Then we better get going..."
"I'm not letting him bear this burden alone."
A lone man wearing a cloak stood on top of a cliff, gazing upon the forest scenery stretching into the distance, slowly withering into swampland.
His cloak fluttered in the wind, revealing dozens of Grimm disappearing into smoke behind, kunai driven into their skulls. Two cerulean eyes sparkled, and spiky locks flowed as the breeze blew off his hood.
"Can't think of a better place to start." Naruto gazed upon the forest, his gaze focused on what lay beyond. "This place radiates with negative energy..."
"Could be because of those creatures," Kurama added.
"All the better. This world could deal with fewer of them while I search for leads where that hacker went." Naruto scrunched his face.
"Lost his trail somewhere around here. Must be using the swells here to mask his presence." Kurama growled.
"Then let's eliminate it and flush him out." Naruto cracked his knuckles and neck. "I promised Blake I would do something about the hatred of this world before I return to mine, one step at a time. And after I bag this guy..."
"I'll focus on the darkness that looms over this world."
[ X ]
Pain will come with the blade
Pain will wake up the despondent crowd in this dormant world somehow
Unsheathe a sword not to kill
Unsheathe a sword to rend those clouds above the ground
Wake up, it's time to gather now