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COMMENTS:
brian diaz requena[questionablequesting]:
Operation slut storm" lllololololol It was so funny
Avip:
Kind of proud of that one.
BadgeKazuma_desu[webnovel]:
is this some Easter egg, do they have same VA?
Avip:
Yes, google Burnie Burns
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[Roman Torchwick]
I lay here in this filthy cell, staring at this tray of junk the guards dared to call a meal.
"Cold porridge, hard bread..." I mutter frustrated while glaring at the tray. "Is this treatment worthy of a criminal of my caliber?"
Though I questioned aloud, no one answered since the only guard assigned to watch my cell is watching a soap opera with headphones on.
Adjusting myself on the hard bench, I feel a sharp pain in my leg - a constant reminder of that red-caped girl.
"She only beat me because of that weird metal scythe." I grumble, poking at the porridge with my spoon. "A weapon that drains Aura like some sort of soul vampire. Where's the honor in that?"
This place is depressing, but complaining won't get me out. I pick up the spoon and stare at the porridge.
"Dear lord!" I exclaim in horror. "How does it manages to bubble despite being cold?"
Swallowing hard, I finally take a bite of the foul gray sludge.
"Uorg!" I groan almost vomiting as the sour taste makes my body shudder.
I spit on the floor for a few seconds while trying to wipe my tongue with my shirt sleeve.
"Bloody hell!" I exclaim, internally cursing the person who thinks I'll be able to eat this.
TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!
A cane knocking on the cell bars grabs my attention. Looking toward the sound, I notice a short female guard with mismatched eyes: one pink, one brown.
I sigh frustrated as irritation rises in my chest.
"You waited until I took the bite, didn't you?" I ask dryly.
Neo responds with a fake innocent smile and shrug while opening the cell with a metallic creak.
With the door open, my cane flies through the air, spinning until it lands in my open hand. I stand up, feeling my leg throb.
"What a drag!" I grumble, leaning on the cane. "Now I'll have to use this to walk."
Neo stares at me, her heterochromatic eyes burning with silent fury and thirty for revenge.
"No." I declare while limping toward her. "We have nothing to gain from revenge, my limping leg may be annoying, but risking your life for foolish satisfaction is unacceptable."
Neo rolls her eyes, pointing toward the exit as her illusion Semblance covers us to aid our escape.
"Don't be like that, Neo." I whisper, limping down the dark corridor. "That fire bitch Cinder will want my head for getting captured. And with this weak leg... I doubt I'm still valuable to her plans."
Neo gives me an inquisitive look, curious about our next moves.
"I need more options, more room to think." I say thinking aloud. "And for that we need to speed up our plans to meet that Arc boy."
As if waiting for me to mention the boy, Neo shoves her hand in her pocket and pulls out a scroll, tossing it to me. I catch it mid-air and my eyes widen seeing Jaune Arc's number written there.
"Is this Junior's scroll?!" I question the girl despite already knowing the answer. "Did you steal the scroll from Vale's biggest criminal middle man?"
Neo points at herself in false shock, pretending to be insulted. I let out a muffled laugh of tiredness as I extended my hands towards her. Neo gives me a tender smile and comes closer so we can exchange a hug.
"Thanks shorty... you're the only one I can count on." I feel the dampness of warm tears touch my clothes from Neo, encouraging me to continue speaking.
"You are the most incredible and competent person I have ever met in my life, but Cinder Fall is not a person, she is a monster."
She pulls away and looks at me confused.
"I can't lose you." I say, also feeling my eyes water. "Just the idea of seeing you hurt is something that…" I cut myself off for a second, hesitating to open up more, but Neo's face encourages me to continue. "It scares me."
Neo sighs relaxedly, but nods in agreement with me.
"Now lead the way," I say, pointing to the doorway. "We need to figure out if what can defeat a mad monster is a well-meaning idiot."
[Adam Taurus]
I'm lying on a cold metal table, an intense light shining directly on my face. I try to move, but my body doesn't respond. The anesthesia has cut my control of my limbs, but I still feel pain throbbing in every muscle, every bone.
'According to the old human, this is necessary for any prosthetic operations.' I think silently, remembering his words. 'The nervous system cannot be 100% dormant.'
The light from the ceiling is so strong it blinds me, forcing me to close my only good eye. Even then, the brightness penetrates my eyelid, creating an insistent red glow.
"Where are you, filthy human?" I roar, my voice echoes through the room, filled with rage and impatience.
"There's really no need for such crudeness," The so-called doctor replies, calmly adjusting what appear to be steel-crafted carving instruments. "My purpose here is to make you 'combat-ready', not to indulge in the banalities of your pedestrian hate."
I grit my teeth, growling in his direction, but the skinny old man doesn't even respond. Watts turns to me, his gray eyes reflecting the cold light of the room. He shakes his head, a gesture of disappointment that only fuels my anger.
"When Cinder informed me of a new addition to her team, I had hopes you now…" He says in a ironic tone while putting on sterile black gloves. " Maybe she had at last found someone with a measure of maturity and restraint. Ideally, even a gentleman, to temper her rather... volatile disposition." His voice remains calm, almost dispassionately so. "Alas, it seems my optimism was premature… perhaps even foolishly."
"Shut your mouth and do your job." I snarl frustrated.
He opens a case beside him, revealing two prosthetics. One is a state-of-the-art ocular implant, something a faunus like him would never be able to afford. The other catches my attention because it is the complete opposite of the other, is a thin skeletal metal arm. The sight of that cheap, weak apparatus enrages me.
"Is this a joke?" My voice echoes through the room, filled with rage and disdain. "How am I supposed to kill the entire Arc family with such a pathetic arm?"
Watts looks at me with irritating calm. He doesn't flinch at my tone, which only increases my frustration.
With a tired sight, the human stares at me as if pitying my ignorance.
"It's quite clear you've no real understanding of the caliber of prosthetic you're about to receive, my boy." She speaks in a cold, threatening tone. "But no matter! Where Cinder conceals, I illuminate... for that is the inevitable duty placed upon those of exceptional intellect."
I open my mouth to respond but close it immediately without saying anything. Cinder promised me a new arm, something that would allow me to continue my revenge against the Arcs. Suffering the monologues of this arrogant human scarecrow is still a small price to pay for my revenge.
Noticing me ignoring his last rant, Watts shakes his head, disappointment evident in his eyes.
"In short, that girl's penchant for the dramatic, sadistic and unnecessary left you unprepared for what is to come." He says picking up a syringe with black and viscous liquid inside, dark enough to swallow the light around it. "Unlike her, I don't take pleasure in other people's pain, I'm just indifferent to it."
The syringe needle slowly approaches the stump where my arm used to be. I watch, helpless, as the needle advances. But before the metal touches my flesh, something strange happens. The black liquid inside the syringe begins to move, forming white openings that look like... mouths. Mouths filled with sharp fangs, as if something alive is about to be injected into me.
"What the hell is that?" My voice comes out hoarse, filled with distrust and fear.
Watts looks at the syringe annoyed and responds:
"Ah, this? Just a little gift from our dear queen." He adjusts his glasses and continues speaking. "Now be a gentleman and suffer in silence."
The needle touches my skin, and the black liquid is injected directly into my arm stump. The pain is immediate and excruciating, a mix of burning and cutting, as if a thousand red-hot blades were tearing through my flesh. My body convulses, and a guttural scream escapes my throat.
"Now then, I shall proceed with installing your prosthetic to coax the creature into the proper shape," the man states methodically, as though a beast weren't presently consuming the flesh, bone and nerves of my arm while I sweat like crazy. "There's no need for worry, Adam. You'll most likely survive."
[Jaune Arc]
I should be in Beacon, not in front of Junior's bar again.
Last time I was here, I used Doctor Octopus' tentacles to threaten the establishment's owner. So I'm a little hesitant to go in and face the owner and his guards, even though he was the one that called me to a 'super urgent' meeting.
"Come to think of it, that message was really weird, it doesn't even sound like him." I mumble, thinking to myself. "I must be imagining things."
I take a deep breath and enter the place.
As always, the bar is full, and before I can reach the counter, I'm spotted by the Malachite twins. Melanie, the one dressed in white, looks at me curiously, she seems to recognize me but isn't sure from where.
Miltia, on the other hand, recognizes me immediately, staring at me with her mouth open and eyes wide in shock. After all, the girl in red had participated in my meeting with Junior... the same meeting where I had slammed her to the ground like a rat I wanted to kill.
I raise my hand waving at Miltia, trying to find the right words to apologize for our last encounter. But before I can speak, she launches like a red and black missile, colliding with my body and grabbing my arm tightly. Her face buries into my chest, and she whimpers:
"I missed you so much, daddy!" She exclaims excitedly. "Why didn't you visit me?"
"Wait what?" I ask confused.
Her hug is tight, desperate for attention. I feel the warmth of her body against my arm, and her sweet perfume invades my senses. I try to gently free myself, but she clings even tighter, as if afraid I might disappear.
"Miltia, I-" I start to say, but she interrupts me.
"Wow daddy, you got taller and stronger... love it." Comments the red-dressed girl starting to rub against my torso like a dog in heat. "Why don't we go up to my room, want to see what else might have grown-."
"ARC!" A furious male voice cuts off the flirtation. "What do you want?"
Never thought I'd be happy to hear someone angrily calling my name.
Unable to shake off the leech, I walk with the girl literally attached to my hip toward the counter where Junior glares at me angrily. I stop right in front of him, our eyes meeting.
"You were the one who called me." I explain awkwardly to him. "Said needed to have a 'super urgent' meeting with me."
"What's a super urgent meeting?" The security guard asks promptly, looking at me needily. "Can I have one with you?"
He blinks, confused by my response.
"I called you?" Junior questions suspiciously. "I lost your number when my scroll disappeared a few days-."
He cuts himself off mid-sentence and with a facepalm, breathes while shaking his head negatively. Before I can ask what's happening, a finger pokes me in the back, and when I turn around I come face to face with one of the fandom's most beloved characters.
"Neo?"
Her heterochromatic eyes, one pink and one brown, shine with silent curiosity. Her hair, divided into brown, pink and white, cascades over her shoulders.
She's beautiful, but I know behind that beauty hides a competent and dangerous assassin.
The small assassin gives an exaggerated bow, a theatrical greeting that catches me by surprise. Then she nods her head, gesturing for me to follow her.
I follow Neo in silence, her light and precise steps contrasting with my heavier ones.
{{Just to clarify.}} Church communicates through my brain implants. {{The image you're seeing doesn't match the heat reading from your ocular implants, meaning-.}}
'Neo is already using her Semblance on me.' I think, cutting off Church. 'I can see heat?'
{{Your eyes can detect it, but to avoid overloading your brain with all the data, I don't send the information directly to you.}}
"Neat." I comment out loud by accident.
We stop before a dark wooden door, ornamented with intricate carvings, Neo makes an elegant gesture, opening the door and waving me inside.
I enter the room, feeling the cold, dry air. The door closes behind me with a soft click, leaving 'Neo' outside. The room is lit by several orange-yellow lamps, a dim light similar to candlelight.
Ahead, two dark leather armchairs face each other, separated by a dark wooden coffee table. A giant LED screen on the wall displays a crackling fireplace, creating an illusion of warmth and comfort.
In one of the armchairs, Roman Torchwick sits, his elegant white suit contrasting with the gloomy environment. He looks at me with a predatory smile, his eyes shining with a mix of amusement and malice.
Roman takes a slow drag from his cigar, releasing the smoke slowly before responding.
"Jaune Arc, the man of the hour." He says, his tone smooth but laced with sarcasm. "I've heard you've been busy. Your work in Menagerie is truly impressive."
He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, the cigar still between his fingers.
"But please..." He begins gesturing to the empty armchair across from him. "Have a seat, we have much to discuss."
[Roman Torchwick]
Jaune sits across from me, his eyes fixed on mine. I take a drag, release the smoke slowly, and begin.
"I have a problem, kid. A crazy fire bitch is giving me headaches... the kind of pain you get when someone wants to rip your head off."
Jaune interrupts me, his tone direct and dry.
"Cinder's already lost patience with you, Roman?"
I freeze with wide eyes and swallow hard.
'How the hell does this blond brat know about Cinder?' I think silently while keeping my expression neutral, but my mind is racing. 'First impressions and he has already proven to be more than just rumors.'
"So you know about her? Great!" I exclaim in false cheer, with a laugh that accidentally sounded to forced. "That just makes our conversation easier."
In response, the blond crosses his arms, looking at me with a raised eyebrow of suspicion. I lean forward, elbows on knees, cigar smoke creating a curtain between us.
"Look, kid, I won't lie. I don't see a future where I'm part of Cinder's plans. That woman is... crazy, unpredictable, dangerous and crazy. A combination I don't like, added to the fact that when she decides you're no longer useful..."
"You said crazy twice."
"So what?" I ask, shrugging.
I pause, taking another drag from the cigar. The silence stretches, heavy. Jaune maintains his steady gaze, not blinking.
"Do you think you can guarantee my safety, Arc? Because if you have something to offer, I'm listening."
My eyes narrow, studying his every move. The kid is young, but there's something about him, a confidence that doesn't match his age. He leans back, arms still crossed, a faint smile on his lips.
"If you want my protection, you need to follow some rules, Roman." Jaune says without looking at me.
"What kind of rules?" I ask curiously.
In the blink of an eye, Jaune moves. Raising his hand, he slices through the air to his left, quick and precise. For a moment, it seems like he's attacking empty air, but then the sound of shattering glass echoes through the room along with the image of the illusion falling to pieces. Neo, her heterochromatic eyes wide with surprise, is caught by the throat. The sarcastic smile that always adorns her face disappears, replaced by a look of shock.
"Easy there, kid." I say, raising my hands in a peaceful gesture, the cigar still between my fingers. "Neo's my partner."
Jaune doesn't even blink. His grip is firm, eyes locked on Neo. She tries to break free, but he holds her still.
"I'm already out of patience for invisible assassins." Comments the blond in a threatening tone.
Neo struggles, her eyes wide with panic. But Jaune tightens his grip, making her desperate. Her face, usually so calm, is now twisted in a mask of fear. She tries to kick, thrash, anything to break free, but Jaune's hold is relentless.
"Neo, stop fighting." I plead with my partner.
Neo looks at me, her eyes pleading. Her movements become more frantic, desperate. Jaune, meanwhile, maintains a frightening calm. His eyes remain fixed on Neo, unblinking, unwavering.
"Jaune, let her go." I insist, rising from the armchair. "She's not a threat."
The blond sighs tiredly but complies with the request, letting the girl fall to the floor.
I try to stand, but a cold blade presses against my throat. My eyes widen, and cold sweat runs down my neck. I look to the left and see a red-haired girl, her green eyes glowing with a determination that doesn't match her age. She holds the weapon with surprising firmness, the sharp point pressing against my skin.
"H-how?" I stammer confused.
Jaune laughs, a sadic sound that echoes through the room. Neo, still on the floor, looks at him with a mix of anger and confusion. She slowly gets up, eyes fixed on the blond who stills laughs openly.
"You think this is funny, kid?" I snarl, the blade still pressing against my throat. The redhead doesn't blink, her hand steady.
Jaune turns to me, the smile still on his face.
"Sorry, Roman." Arc stops laughing. "But it is funny seeing you caught off guard by a tiny invisible assassin."
"I'm not tiny." Retorts the redhead threatening me.
"Being called an assassin is fine?" Jaune questioned surprised by the girl response.
The redhead just shrugs at Arc as if it really didn't bother her.
I force a dry cough that echoes through the room. Jaune and the redhead's eyes turn to me, finally remembering my presence.
"So, kid," I begin, trying to stay calm, "are you going to kill me or you two will continue pretending I'm not here?"
Jaune stares at me with a sadic smile on his lips. He stands and approaches, steps firm, eyes locked on mine. The redhead moves the blade away from my throat while Neo pouts with crossed arms.
"I don't care if you fail Roman, or if you lie or run away like the coward you are..." He says pausing, letting the idea sink into my mind. "But if you endanger those dear to me, directly or indirectly, I-." Arc cuts off his sentence by punching the air to his right.
CRASH!
Breaking another of Neo's illusions, grabbing the girl by the throat once more.
Without ceremony, the blond brute throws Neo to the floor, cracking the room's tiles with his strength and breaking Neo's Aura.
"WAIT!" I shout standing up when he threatens to put his right foot on Neo's head. "I get it, no tricks and you protect us in exchange for information about Cinder?"
"What kind of information?" Questions Jaune removing his foot from Neo's head.
"Who the kids working with her are, for example." I respond confidently.
"I already know about Mercury and Emerald." Says Jaune in a tired tone. "Also know about Emerald's Semblance."
I scratch my head frustrated with the kid's response. I don't have any juicier information. Cinder cut me off, and now I'm here, trying to negotiate with a kid who has more power than I can imagine.
"Listen, kid," I say, exhaling cigar smoke. "Since the White Fang was wiped out from Vale, everything's been chaotic. Those four blonde sisters of yours hunted down all the fang members-."
"Four blonde sisters!" Jaune exclaims with wide eyes. "Explain."
The interest on the young Arc's face and the urgency in his voice brings a smile to my lips.
"But of course, my dear." I comment while sitting back down. "But before that, let's discuss how you'll keep me and Neo safe and sound."
I liked writing the interactions of Watts with Adam.
In my mind, Adam was ready to deal with an arrogant, racist human.
But I believe that Watts is an arrogant person who thinks he's better than everyone else, but he's not racist. Watts despises you for who you are as a whole, not just your race. In fact, I imagine he has a mental list of the flaws of everyone he's forced to interact with.
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E ai gurizada.
[#] I hope you enjoyed this chapter, we're back at Vale and with the main cast.
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