It was a quiet evening at Beacon Academy. Most of the students were out on their last missions for the year and those already done were either indoors keeping warm and away from the cold air or out enjoying the fields of snow that now blanketed the beautiful landscapes.
But unknown to the students and faculty, something strange was happening in the woods just outside of the Academy. A storm had begun to form around a small clearing where a disturbance of interdimensional proportions was breaking through the very fabric of space and time. The air circled faster until a tear ripped open and out stepped a man. Though he was a stranger to this realm, it was all too familiar to him. He looked around at the uncleansed land and laid eyes on a face he knew from his world; a face which would soon feel the vengeance and wrath he brought with him...
Fresh off their mission scouting parts of the Western lands of the Vale, team RGTS found themselves in their dorm ready for a well earned break. They had been tasked to retrieve a data disk from an airship that had crashed deep in the thick forests. Surrounded by Grimm the team found their options didn’t include hiding, only running or fighting. But this wasn’t the first time the team had faced an overwhelming force of Grimm and they were able to recover the disk and escape without any major injuries.
Now that it was all over and the four of them could finally relax.
“Man,” Robert exclaimed collapsing on his bed.
“The next time you guys want to try an S rank mission, remind me to call in sick.”“Don’t blame me.” Grane grumbled “Sand was the one who suggested we go for something that ‘truly tested our skill’.”
“I don’t see why you two are complaining. We succeeded didn’t we?” Sand responded quick to defend herself. “And seeing as none of us are in the infirmary, I’d call that a job well done.”
”I couldn’t agree more.” Trad said putting his arms around both Grane and Sand with a full grin on his face.
”We all fought hard and completed our mission, I’m proud of you all.” He gave the two a strong pat on the back before walking over to the closet. From it he pulled out a large black fur cloak that was made to look like the pelt of an Ursa.
”I’m gonna go out and enjoy the winter scenery, anyone care to join?”“Nah.”
“I’m good.”
“Zzzzz.””Alright. If anyone needs me just send me a text.” Trad threw on the cloak and left the dorms.
To: Trad Oak
From: Diamond Frost
Subject: Back Home
Hey, looks like we’re both back from our missions. Wanna meet up and swap war stories? Normally I’d say we meet at the usual place but the gardens have become sort crowded as of late. I do know of a small clearing in the woods we could use for now. I’ll send you the directions.
Trad couldn’t help but chuckle to himself as he read the message on his way out of the building once more embracing the cool breeze of snowflakes gliding in the air. He didn’t mind sharing the gardens with others, but he knew what a recluse Diamond could be. Still, he was eager to hear what she and the rest of team CODE had done this time around; seemed that group was always getting the most interesting missions.
Trudging through the snow Trad followed her directions as best he could, through the soft breeze had picked up into a harsh wind making it difficult to find his bearings. He could hardly see in front of him and realized if the wind continued to build like this, it would soon be unsafe to stay outdoors. Trad quickly pulled out his scroll to message Diamond but was unable to get a signal. Strange. Even in a storm like this he wasn’t so far from the school that he should have lost service… Something didn’t feel right.
Still, he had to make sure Diamond hadn’t gotten herself lost in the middle of this storm. Trad pushed through the biting winds until he finally made it to the clearing which just so happened to be the eye of the storm. However, when he was able to see what stood before him, he found not just his friend, but another
all too familiar figure.Standing there over a beaten and bloodied Diamond was, himself. Though he was older, wearing a heavy set of plate armor and sporting a large beard, it was undeniable that this was in fact Trad. A millions questions ran through his mind, but all would have to wait Because at this moment the other Trad had raised his double bladed sword and was about to deal the finishing blow on his friend.
”NO!” Trad yelled at the top of his lungs as he sprinted full speed toward his dople, whom we will now refer to as “Oak”. Oak must have been just as surprised to see himself as he froze giving original Trad enough time to slam into him, knocking him into a tree. Trad quickly used the time to check on Diamond.
”Are you alright? Can you walk?” Trad asked praying he wasn’t too late.
“I could have taken him.” Diamond answered with a cocky smile.
”Your broken Aura says otherwise.” Trad replied helping her to her feet.
“All part of the plan. Just give me five minutes and I’ll be kicking your ass in no time.” Diamond gave a wink as she spoke and nearly toppled over again as she got up.
”No. You’re too badly hurt to keep fighting. You need to leave now and get help, I’ll take care of… Well myself.” Trad pulled out his scroll and punched in the numbers to summon his locker. Within seconds it smashed into the ground next to him and opened to reveal his sword and shield which he donned just in time to see his double pushing himself off the ground.
”GO! NOW! He shouted to Diamond who while clearly against this idea, finally gave in and started running as fast as she could with her limp.
Once she was out of sight, the snow around the trees began to spin at unreal levels practically sealing them off from the outside.
It was now just the two of them.You...You dare stand in the way of justice? Oak rose to his feet and faced his younger self. His dual blades in hand and ready.
”Justice?” Trad questioned drawing Gram from its sheath.
”You attacked an innocent woman!”Ha! You believe her to be innocent? She is a thief, a criminal, her kind spit in the face of the innocent! She must suffer for what she’s done!“ Oak began circling Trad who followed Oak’s every step with his shield in front. The icy wind howled around the two warriors as if nature itself was waiting for their battle to begin.
”How can you protect such scum!” Oak launched into the first attack slicing upwards with the lower blade of Tyrfing.
Trad easily deflected the blade with his shield and brought his own sword down toward Oak’s head only to miss as his opponent side stepped out of the way just in time. Bringing his sword back Trad found his blade caught by the upper blade of Tryfing.
”She has paid for her crimes and mended her ways! She is not the thief she was before!”Trad swung his shield in a heavy left hook. Oak quickly pulled back and ducked below the attack and pushed forward slamming Trad with his shoulder and enough force to stagger the usually sturdy hunter.
”I know her kind.” Oak spoke, anger present in every word,
”They have no regrets for what they have done and never will. Only a fool would think they could change!”With his opponent off balance, Oak continued his assault sending strike after strike towards Trad who continued stumbling from each mighty blow that landed on his shield. Attempting to break the barrage Trad parried with his sword only to have it ripped from his hand as Oak locked the cross guard and sent it flying. He watched as the blade stabbed into the ground well out of reach.
Oak stood in front of his disarmed foe and laughed with sinister glee,
“I'm not sure if it was courage or stupidity that made you think you could take me on, but I'm afraid it ends here.” Oak spun his blades around and faked a low swing expecting Trad to try and deflect only to pull back and aim for a decapitation.
Trad was smarter than that and caught on to the fake swing. He instead ducked into the false attack successfully dodging the true one aimed for his neck. Low to the ground the hunter slammed the base of his shield down and activated it's kite form. The bottom part sprung out with enough force to launch the circle of the shield into Oak’s jaw knocking him back.
Not in a position to waste time, Trad quickly scrambled to his trusty sword and pulled it from there snowy soil.
”You underestimate me, just as you do others.” Trad now began circling the armored enemy who was holding his jaw and starting back; the fury of hell visibly burning in his eyes.
”You believe others lack the ability to change because your judgement is so absolute you don't give them time to do so. There is good in every soul and all it takes is time and guidance for it to bloom. When you kill those who have lost their way, you aren’t defeating evil, only destroying any chance they had at redemption!” Trads words burned the fires in Oak’s eyes higher.
”Such an imbecile! You must truly be the king of idiots if you don’t think there are souls out there who want nothing more than to watch the world burn! You know the cruelty of life; how the innocent are killed while the guilty get rich off their blood! Any who dare think they can commit such atrocities and get away with it will answer to ME!” Oak slammed his weapon into the ground shaking every tree around them.
Trad was unphased. He stopped in front of Oak and pointed his sword toward him,
”And who do you answer too? What rules define you? What line must be crossed before one is considered irredeemable? Perhaps you refuse to draw one because deep down you know no matter where that line is, you’ve already crossed it!”Oak’s teeth clenched as the words hit his ears.
”My actions are JUSTIFIED!” No longer wanting to listen to ignorant fool Oak ripped his blade from the ground and in an instant turned it into a massive machine gun immediately opening fire.
Trad opened his shield into a full tower and ducked behind taking each and every bullet. Oak slowly inched forward firing relentlessly on the defender who was forced to back up at nearly the same pace. Despite the constant harassment, Trad held strong so he would be ready when the metallic clangs of the bullets on his shield were replaced with soft clicks from the empty chambers of Oak’s gun.
Out of ammo and patience Oak charged Trad full speed once more trying to ram the hunter off balance, but only an inexperienced fighter falls for the same move twice. Trad kept his shield raised not to defend, but hide the slight green glow that now enveloped him. Oak might as well have run into a cement wall as he hit full force into the rooted Trad failing to move him even an inch. The vengeful slayer screamed in anger as he began unleashing a flurry of swipes and swings trying with all his might to break Trad’s defense.
In the end, all he succeeded in was tiring himself out. Dropping to a knee Oak breathed heavily trying to regain his energy. Seeing his opponent was out of breath, Trad deactivated his semblance and stared down and his exhausted foe.
”So quick to act you couldn’t take the time to see what truly needed to be done. Perhaps next time you attempt to take a life you will remember this?””Oh I’ll remember, while I’m taking YOURS!” Oak jumped up and grabbed at Trad. Though not taken by surprise, Trad found that Oak had managed to snag his cloak.
Cackles of electricity formed around Oak along with a dark glow similar to the one Trad had before; clearly this was no defensive semblance. Trad acted quickly undoing his cloak and sprinting a short distance before dropping his shield mounts down and rooting himself in place just before the overcharge went off.
The force of the explosion shook all of Beacon. The clearing the two fought in was now a crater and the storm itself had been blasted away. Trad felt a large weight fall from his arm and heard a large crash that hit heavy on his heart. He knew what it was before he opened his eyes, his trusty shield svalinn lay in pieces on the ground; not even it could withstand the power that was unleashed.
Oak, his aura now shattered but his spirit rekindled, began marching toward the defenseless hunter. Attempting to keep his distance, Trad switched Gram into assault rifle mode and began to fire several burst rounds before going full auto on the approaching knight. This time it was Trad who underestimated Oak, as he spun his blades at such a speed they deflected any bullets that came his way.
It was only a matter of time before the gap was closed. With Oak now right in front of him, Trad switched his gun back into a sword and faced Oak head on. Their blades clashed again and again, sparks flying from every hit. Both combatants were skilled, but without his shield Trad’s defensive fighting style was found lacking and after multiple hits, his aura was unable to keep up with the punishment.
In a flash of red the mighty hunter’s aura broke before him. With maniacal laughter, Oak slammed the center of his hilt over Trad’s head and spartan kicked him to the ground.
”It’s time you and everyone learned, mercy has no place in this world!” Oak lifted his blades over Trad’s heart ready to deal the final blow, when the downed protector said one last thing.
”Killing others won’t bring her back.”Oak froze. He knew exactly who Trad spoke of, the reason he began his rampage of vengeance in the first place; their sister Natur. He lowered his blade and growled,
”How dare you. It’s because of the people like them that she’s dead! They deserve to-””What? Feel the same pain we did?” Trad grabbed his most likely broken ribs and
pulled himself off the ground, ”Do you truly seek to bring justice? To make the world a better place? Or do you just want revenge for what was taken from you?”Oak said nothing and made no move to stop the hunter from standing up. For the first time he found himself questioning his ideals. And how could he not when the words were coming from his own mouth so to speak.
“Fighting fire with fire because you’ve been burned doesn’t save anyone, it only makes the flames grow until it has consumed everyone. But if you take away the fuel and show compassion to those who would burn you, you might not save them, but you can show others how to break the cycle, and one day the flames of hatred and evil will die out. Only then will those who are innocent will truly be safe.”The knight turned away, hiding his face now wrought with pain and confusion. The only person who he knew understood what he went through felt not anger towards those who wronged others, but pity and compassion.
”How can someone who has gone through the same torment think so differently?“”Because I’ve been where you have, filled with anger and thoughts of vengeance. But I learned what it truly meant to protect what’s good in this world, even in those who know only dark thoughts. Perhaps, that’s all you needed was someone to show you that as welll.” Trad reached out and placed his hand on Oak’s shoulder.
Oak was completely speechless, his grip on his weapon slipped and it dropped to the uncovered ground with a thud. he had just beaten this man and his friend to a pulp and yet…
He shook his head and pushed Trad’s arm off,
”It’s too late for me. I’ve done...so many horrible things.””Haven’t you been listening?” Trad reached down ignoring the pain in his ribs and picked up Oak’s blades.
”No one, is past redemption. What you once used as a means to end lives, use it now to protect and guide them while they find themselves.”Oak hesitated. He reached out slowly and took hold of Tryfing. Without another word he turned away from his good self and with a mighty thrust stabbed into the air and ripped open the portal that brought him here. After taking one step in, he turned back to Trad and whole hearted said,
”Thank you.” and just like that, he left their dimension.
As Trad stood there proudly watching a changed man leave on a new path in life, he heard the voice of his team leader yell from the trees.
“TRAD!” Robert, Grane, and Sand all ran up with the weapons at the ready.
“We came as soon as we-WHOA What the hell happened here?” Sand said stunned by the small crater the battle had created.
”I’ll tell you all about it. But first, it looks like I’m going to need a trip to the infirmary after all.” Trad let out a short laugh while clutching his stomach still hurting from his injuries.
Grane put away his glaive and helped Trad walk as they began to leave the scene. “Man, looks like you took a beating. Think you’ll be alright?”
”Yeah, Trad took one last look back where the portal stood,
”I think I will be.”
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