Chapter Two: Murderous Hobo

For the love interest, I'm thinking like: Weiss, Pyrrha, or maybe even Blake. Defitnelly leaning more toward Weiss out of all of them. Any other character?

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The bird cackled as he preached onto Mael's shoulder, as he rolled his eyes, exasperated. "It really took you an hour to figure it out!?" The bird managed to stumble out as he laughed at the man. Cayde had led them in a circle for an hour before Mael started to question it, the young man was tricked, hoodwinked, and bamboozled by his very own companion.

In truth, it was rather easy for Mael to be tricked by Cayde. After all, all Cayde had to do was make him focus on trying to race him. The man's mind had instance tunnel vision. "I was just enjoying the scenery." He mumbled an excuse to himself, as he made a note to not fall for it a second time.

"Dumbass!!" The bird's cackles never ceased as they entered the town, with the night following close behind them.

Finally, they had arrived: The City of Vale.

The town was relatively quiet, with few people mindless wandering with idle chit-chat. The few residents they did encounter eyed Mael warily, taking in his scarred appearance, dried blood-stained wrappings, and the crow perched on his shoulder.

Mael aimlessly wandered from shop to shop, hoping to find some new clothes, but nothing seemed to catch his eye. He felt the watchful gaze of the townspeople wherever he went, so he never even bothered trying to make a purchase - not that he could have, since he had no money on him.

"U'now, if you'd just ditch the whole 'murderous hobo' look, I bet these folks would be a lot more welcoming," the AI said with a chuckle.

Mael shot Cayde a sideways glance. "Gee, thanks for the fashion advice. I'll be sure to keep that in mind next time I'm picking out an outfit." Cayde's wing shrugged, as he looked around.

"I'm just saying - a little color, maybe lose the bandages, and you'd be giving off a whole different vibe. Less 'scary murder hobo', more 'ruggedly handsome adventurer'," Cayde quipped, nudging Mael playfully. "Maybe even do something about that bird nest of a head you have"

Mael reached up and ran a hand through his shaggy, unkempt locks. "What, you don't like the 'just rolled out of bed' look? I was going for that roguish, effortless charm."

"Mhm, sure. More like 'just got struck by lightning' charm," Cayde retorted with a grin, as he sarcastically agreed with the man.

With a sarcastic hum, Mael rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, oh wise fashion guru."

After searching for about an hour, Mael and Cayde finally came across the shop they were looking for - "From Dust till Dawn". Mael's head swiveled as he looked over the storefront, a grin slowly spreading across his face. A store that sells dust, named 'From Dust till Dawn' what a bad joke.

Cayde immediately sensed trouble. "Uh-oh, I don't like that look" Backing his head away from the man a bit.

Mael chuckled. "I was just thinking..." He paused for dramatic effect. "That this shop's name is really... Punny" The black-hair man wore a shit-eating grin, as Cayde visibly cringed from the horrible pun. "Really? That's the best you could come up with?"

Mael shrugged, undeterred by Cayde's lack of amusement. "What can I say, I'm a master of punnery."

"Master of pun-ishment, more like," Cayde groaned, shaking his head in dismay. "That was easily the worst pun I've ever heard. Please, don't do it again"

Mael laughed the bird off, as he entered the shop, the bell gaining the old shopkeeper's attention. The man behind the counter eyed Mael's rough appearance with a visible grimace but said nothing as Mael wandered into the store.

Mael casually strolled down the aisles, his eyes scanning the shelves filled with various crystals, that were in all shapes and forms. He made his way towards the back of the shop, flipping through the magazines the shop held. Leaning against a wall, Mael waited... and waited.

After wondering for a bit, Mael began to question the crow. He didn't even find the main character here, and he damn near searched the whole store. "You sure were here on time?"

Cayde flapped his fluffy wings, lifting himself off the shoulder and onto a shelf nearby. "patience, young padawan patience"

As if on cue, the shop's front doors suddenly burst open, a familiar figure striding in with a group of goons in tow. Peaking over a shelf, Mael spotted a group of black suits, and sunglasses pouring into the store. They parted like the Red Sea, making way for their leader: Roman Torchwick. A notorious criminal of Vale

"Speak of the devil," Cayde quipped dryly.

He was oddly tall and lanky, around 6,2 or 6,3 ish. He wore his orange hair with long bangs covering his right eye. Letting only his left dark green eye visible, dressing it in black eyeliner. "Do you have any idea, on how hard it is to find a dust shop open this late at night?" Torchwick strutted into the shop, his cane tapping against the floor with every step. His henchmen fanned out behind him, their weapons at the ready. [Image]

The balding shopkeeper, raises his hands pleading for his safety as one of the grunts points a gun at him. "Please just take the lien and leave!"

"Shhh, calm down. We're not here for your money." Roman tries to calm the shopkeeper as he turns his head, glancing at his lackeys. "Grab the dust."

Mael watches as Roman orders his lackeys around, tilting his head. "What did they want with dust again? I can't remember." it has been a while since Mael had even watched this show, so it was a bit harder to recall finer details.

Cayde's wings fluttered as if shrugging. "I'm not entirely sure what they plan to do with it. I'm a bit limited, with my knowledge."

Before Mael could ponder the situation further, Roman's eyes swept the store catching him. For a solid second, Roman and Mael's eyes locked...

~~~Stare~~~

The two men stared at each other for a long, tense moment, Roman looking thoroughly confused as he saw the mountain of a man, partially hidden behind the small shelf. "What the..." Roman muttered as he shook his head, before barking at his goons.

"Get that oaf in the back" The criminal mastermind mutters to his lackeys, having four of them break off from the rest. Four of the henchmen broke off from the rest and went to Mael's 'hiding' spot. Weapons raised, as Cayde let out a small chirp.

"Seems we've been spotted" Mael drawled, stepping out from behind the shelf with a casual shrug. He towered over the surrounding henchmen, even as they boxed him in.

"Hands up, now!" the goon barked, his voice laced with bravado. Mael simply stared at the blade, his expression unchanged. He made no move to comply with the order. "You deaf or something?" the goon growled, suddenly lashing out with a punch aimed at Mael's stomach.

But before the blow could land, Mael's hand effortlessly caught the henchmen's fist in a vice-like grip. The henchmen's eyes widened in shock as he tried to pull his hand free, only to find Mael's grip unyielding. His fingers dug into the man's hand, as Mael slowly crushed his hand.

The man's face contorted in pain as he let out a desperate plea. "Ah, fuck! Let go, let go! You're breaking my hand!" Mael held the goon's hand for a moment, then suddenly released his grip. The man stumbled back, cradling his battered hand and whimpering in agony.

In an instant, the behemoth's fist collided with the goon's head. A sicken crack sounded, as the thug was sent to the floor, embedding his head into it. Blood seeped from his nose, as his eyes rolled into the back of his head, passing out.

The other henchmen stared in stunned silence, their weapons suddenly feeling much less threatening

The more experienced thug jumped into attacking, literally as he jumped at Mael, with his curved sword raised above his head. The giant simply swats the man away, sending him through a pane of glass, much to the shopkeeper's dismay.

At the very same time, almost like it was planned, a young girl sends another thug flying through the other side's panel of glass. As the shopkeeper throws his hands and lets out a defeated sigh, as Roman mirrors his expression.

As he surveyed the damage with a disgruntled expression. The criminal's exasperated groan left his throat. "I don't get paid enough"

A small almost mischievous smile made its way to the crow's beak. "A bit unnecessary, don't you think?" The crow cawed out, as he hid his voice. To the others, he looked like nothing more than a loud crow. To Mael? He spoke actual words.

Mael chuckles, the corner of his mouth quirking upwards. "Come on, Cayde. Where's the fun in that? Besides, I think we earned his ire."

"Yeah, I don't think he appreciates us interrupting his little robbery" Cayde retorts, his tone laced with sarcasm.

The two remaining henchmen stare at Mael in stunned silence as he converses casually with the crow perched on a random light. The sheer absurdity of the situation seems to have rendered them speechless for a moment.

Suddenly, one of the henchmen gathers his courage and steps forward. His body begins to glow with a faint purple aura, and he starts visibly shaking and bouncing on the spot. Mael's attention is drawn back to the henchmen as the man's semblance takes effect.

With a burst of speed and power, the henchman hurls himself at Mael, slamming into the towering figure with the force of a freight train.

Mael is sent flying backward, crashing through the broken glass panels and landing outside on the street with a heavy thud. Skid marks are left on the pavement as Mael slides back, his arms crossed protectively in front of him.

The henchman bounces around for a few more seconds, a smug grin plastered on his face. However, as the smoke settles, it becomes clear that Mael is still standing, his forearms bruised but otherwise unharmed.

The henchman's expression falters as he realizes his attack, while powerful, has done little to deter the massive man. Cayde lets out a disapproving huff. "U'know, you really shouldn't get distracted in a fight." His body flew out of the shop, lading on a lamp post. Mael chuckles, shaking his head slightly. "You're taking unnecessary damage."

"Yeah, yeah~ I hear ya" he replies, his tone almost playful. He shifts his gaze back to the henchman, his expression turning more serious. "Gotta admit, that one actually hit a bit," Mael acknowledged, with a hint of respect.

Mael rolled his shoulders, as he eyed the henchman. The criminal's body began to glow with that same faint purple aura, as he readies himself.

This time, Mael was ready.

He raises both arms and catches the charging henchman, his hands gripping the man's shoulders. The henchman pushes against Mael with all his might, causing the behemoth's feet to sink slightly into the pavement as he struggles to hold his ground.

Mael's brow furrows as he feels himself losing ground. Letting go with one hand, instantly, the human train, pushed against Mael more, sinking his feet into the pavement. With his free hand, he swiftly delivers a punch to the sertum. Instantly stopping the goon's semblance.

The man let out a choked gasp, the breath knocked from his lungs as he collapsed to the ground, struggling to regain his composure. "I think I cracked his chest" Mael turned his head, side-eyeing the crow. He was 90% sure he heard a crack.

"Eh, From what I can see, he'll live." Spoke the bird, as his wings fluttered with a shrug. Being an advanced robot, had its perks. After all, a simple scan of the fallen man, Cayde could see the injury wasn't fatal.

With this fight over, his gaze was turned to the final one standing. The henchmen's eyes trembled, as he gulped in fear. Mael landed in a bit, and uttered a single word: "Boo."

The henchman let out a startled yelp and took off running, his legs pumping furiously as he fled the scene. Mael couldn't help but chuckle at the display, shaking his head in amusement. "Guess he didn't have the stomach for it," the massive man remarked, reaching down to pick up a small pebble.

With a casual flick of his wrist, Mael sent the pebble hurtling after the retreating henchman. Hitting him squarely on the head, knocking him down, and sending him tumbling. Cayde let out a series of caws that sounded almost like they were laced with laughter.

The sound of shattering glass drew Mael's attention, and he turned to see Roman Torchwick emerging from the store, surveying the scene with a mix of frustration and disdain.

His gaze swept over the street, as four of the thugs fought the series protagonist: Ruby Rose. She wore a black dress, that had a long-sleeved blouse with a high collar and red trim on the sleeves. It paired nicely with her black hair, like the dress, the tips of her hair were red. Oddly enough her eyes were silver. [Image]

Roman didn't focus long on Ruby, as his attention was ripped from her by the man he locked eyes with. "Well, well, well," Torchwick drawled, "looks like you've been causing quite a ruckus out here."

Mael regarded the criminal mastermind with a neutral expression. "The same can be said for you, terrorizing that poor old balding man" he replied evenly. "He's already balding, no need to stress him more"

Roman eyed Mael warily, he wasn't sure of what to make out of this unexpected factor. "So, what's your deal, big guy?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "You got a particular interest in my robbery?"

Mael shrugged nonchalantly. "Not really," he admitted. "But I am curious about something else." A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. What kinda of woman is your type?"

The criminal froze at the question, with a deadpan stare. Mael silently paid tribute to his favorite character Todo. His philosophy on this question was something Mael agreed with. Boring taste = A boring man.

"Uh.....my type?" Torchwick muses, adjusting his hat with a flourish. "Well, let's just say I've got a soft spot for the petite, and feisty type."

"I see," Mael murmurs, a hint of respect in his tone. "Not a bad choice, I must admit," With that, Mael swiftly steps forward and lands a solid punch to Torchwick's stomach, Out of respect for the answer, Mael held back his strength. Still, the criminal hunched over holding his stomach with a pained grunt.

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Mael's mouth. "I like'em a bit taller, curvier. U'know" He chuckles softly, a playful gleam in his eyes.

As Mael spoke, a group of the defeated henchmen suddenly sprang into action, one suddenly leaped onto his back, clinging to him. Mael reflexively reaches back to grab the man, only to have another henchman latch onto his arm. Then another, and another, until a veritable swarm of henchmen have swarmed Mael, hanging onto him from all sides. It was at least six or seven.

Through the chaos, Roman slowly struggled to his feet, wincing in pain as he reached beneath his shirt. Pulling out a small metal plate, the crime boss held it up, revealing a distinct dent in the shape of Mael's fist.

Cayde lets out a disgruntled caw, fluttering his wings in annoyance. "Well, this certainly complicates matters," the crow remarks dryly.

"Gotta hand it to you, big guy," Roman rasped, a begrudging note of respect in his voice. "You really know how to pack a punch."

Suddenly, Roman reaches into his coat and pulls out a glowing red Dust crystal. With a mischievous grin, he hurls it directly at Mael. "But I think I'll stick to my own tastes, thanks!" he calls out, before turning and making a hasty retreat.

But before Mael can respond further, the explosive projectile detonates, engulfing Mael and several of the nearby henchmen in a fiery blast. The Dust crystal exploded mid-air, the resulting blast far larger and more intense than a normal detonation.

"Oops, my bad!" Torchwick calls out, his voice dripping with feigned innocence, as he hits his own men. "Didn't see you there, guys." With that, the criminal turns and makes a hasty retreat, disappearing up a ladder.

Mael, his kimono now sporting a few scorch marks, looks on with irritation as Torchwick flees. The one henchmen clinging to his chest wince in pain tanking most of the blast. His coat caught on fire, and in a panic, he let go of Mael, trying to put the fire out. Mael turns his attention to the henchman still clinging to his back.

With a swift, forceful grip on the man's collarbone, Mael pries him off, earning a painful cry. "And now I'm getting a bit irritated," he admitted, brushing a few errant embers from his clothing. Tossing the henchman aside he begins to systematically rip the other men off his body, one by one. As he tosses the henchman aside, he makes his way toward the ladder Roman used for his escape.

Cayde, his feathers slightly ruffled from the explosion, lets out an indignant caw. "He keeps getting distracted." the bird mutters, keeping pace with Mael.

As Mael makes his way towards the ladder, "Wait for me!" Ruby cried, her Semblance propelling her up the ladder with incredible speed. Mael smiled at her flowery speed.

"She's fast" he murmurs, before effortlessly leaping up to the rooftop, the impact leaving a spider-web of cracks in the pavement below. There Roman stood, back to the two heroes, as he talked with a mix of annoyance and begrudging respect.

"You two just don't know when to quit, do you?" the criminal sighs, shaking his head. As if, on cue, a Bullhead aircraft emerges, hovering near the rooftop's edge. Roman grins and makes a beeline for the waiting aircraft. "That's my exit"

"Well, as much as I'd love to stick around and chat, but I'm afraid, I don't like jail very much, it's boring!" he calls out over the roar of the Bullhead's engines. "Try not to miss me too much, you two!"

Mael's brow twitches, as Roman effortlessly boards the Bullhead. He surged forward, trying to stop Roman's escape. Just as the Bullhead begins to pull away, Mael leaps up, his fingers grasping onto the wing of the Bullhead just as it begins to pull away.

Mael's feet skidded close to the edge of the rooftop, as they dug into the roof, he stopped the Bullhead in its tracks. Mael's feet leaned against the edge, as he struggled to maintain his grip. Gritting his teeth Mael's fingers clawed into the metal, with a firm grip.

Roman leans out of the Bullhead's open hatch, laughing mockingly and shaking his head in disbelief. "What did your parents feed you, kid?" Roman calls out, his voice holding hints of admiration. "I have to say, I'm impressed by your freakish strength."

Suddenly, Roman's cane pops open, revealing the barrel of a gun pointed directly at Mael. "But I'm afraid your persistence has worn a bit thin," he says, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

Eye widened as he stared at the end of the barrel, Cayde's worried caws were loud as he flew at blinding speed. Ruby herself, moved in, aiming to get the mountain man out of the way. Letting go of the bullhead, Mael raised his arms to defend the shot, but it was unneeded. A purple aura engulfed him, and he was forcefully moved away.

Cayde pursed himself onto Mael's shoulder, looking all over his body in worry. "You alright kid?" His caw was filled with worry for his well-being, as a smile grew on Mael's lips. He rubbed the head of the crow. "I'll live. You think a bullet would take me out?"

"No, but aren't invincible, unlike the others around here you don't have an aura ." Cayde pointed out as Mael nodded in agreement, begrudgingly, he would admit, that shot could have taken an eye out if he wasn't careful.

As they turned their attention back to the fight at hand. A scowl stains Roman's face as he leans back into the Bullhead, and shouts at another person. "We got a huntress!"

The huntress who saved Mael's life was a middle-aged woman who had light-blonde hair tied back in a bun with a curl hanging down the right side of her face. Her green eyes glanced at Mael before her gaze turned back to the Bullhead. This was Glynda Goodwitch. [Image]

Roman's figure was replaced by a woman's, her face covered by shadows. Mael's eyes narrowed, as he felt a twinge of familiarity. The woman's eyes glowed an amber color as she slid her hand across her dress, shooting a blast at Glynda. Who in turn, uses her semblance forming a shield, completely blocking it.

"Damn," His voice mutters, seeing the witch fight, as a small blush creeps onto his face. He watches as the witch who came to their aid, fights the woman, dodging the blast with ease.

She may or may have not been the boy's crush, in his past life. Shaking his head, forcing himself to focus on the battle, after all, he couldn't make it too obvious.

His eyes were caught in the sights of a cheeky grin plastered on a bird's face. The bird had a mischievous caw, as he glanced at Mael with a knowing look. "Well, well, someone's got a bit of a crush, hmm?" the crow teases, nudging Mael's cheek with his beak.

Mael's cheeks flush slightly, and he shoots Cayde a half-hearted glare, before pushing him off his shoulder. "I don't know what you're talking about," he mutters, trying to focus on the fight unfolding before them. Cayde steadies himself as they watch the fight, nesting himself on top of Mael's head.

On the Bullhead, the mysterious woman in the red dress uses the scorching shard that Glynda blocked attacking from under. With ease, the witch dodged the attack, as her eyes narrowed. Catching the debris, she swiftly formed a jagged spear, launching at the aircraft.

Roman quickly tiled the Bullhead, letting the bulkiest part tank the hit. The spear broke into serval parts, allowing Glynda to attack from multiple angles. Raising her hands, seemingly using more power, the red dress sends a wave of heat out, disrupting the control over the debris.

Cayde gives Mael a playful nudge, his feathers ruffling with amusement. "Eyes up, lover boy," the crow whispers. "Looks like the Huntress could use your help."

Mael shaking his head, "I'm going to deep fry you" He mutters, as he punches the ground, creating a small pile of rubble. He then crushes some of the debris into the shape of a baseball and reels his arm back. His hand lanches at blinding speeds, throwing the baseball-shaped rock.

Beside him, Ruby joins the assault, her Crescent Rose unleashing a barrage of bullets aimed at the escaping aircraft. The woman in red, blocks Mael's initial shot, along with Ruby's bullets with ease. However, out of the corner of her eye, a second ball appears. Too late to stop it, it sticks her in the face.

Knocking her off balance, she cries out in pain, her hand flying to cover the wound. Blood seeps from her forehead, down to her chin. "Heh~" Mael laughs, as he reels another ball, firing this ball at the bullhead's windshield.

Cracking it, Roman loudly shouts at Mael shaking his fist in anger. "Hey! Watch it, I don't have insurance!!!" He looks back at the woman. "That one's the most pain in the ass"

The woman found herself agreeing, and in anger she unleashed a series of blasts under the heroes' feet, forcing them to dodge her attacks.

Mael finds himself the target of the woman's relentless onslaught, as she creates at least three powerful blasts directly beneath him. With his quick reflexes and agility, Mael manages to evade all three attacks, though he sustains minor scratches in the process. "Too slow~"

Glynda, the ever-skillful Huntress, uses her Semblance to swiftly throw Ruby out of harm's way before jumping out of the blast zone herself. Both heroines emerge unharmed from Cinder's onslaught. All three looked back up at the aircraft, only to see it swiftly flying away as fast as it could.

Glynda's eyes narrowed, as her head flicked between Mael and Ruby. With stars in her eyes, Ruby asked a question she had been dying to know. "You're a huntress?! Can I have your autograph?!!!"

"I wouldn't mind one either" Mael found himself agreeing without thinking as a blush appeared on his face.

Cayde caws out: "Smooth~ Lover Boy, Smooth~" His body shaking in laughter.

~Interlude

The world of Remnant is an interesting one, unlike the others, it is quiet and secluded. As such, it doesn't really welcome outsiders like Mael. In a sense, this is where his reincarnation went wrong.

The world sensed a foreign soul, a being that did not belong, no matter how the world spun it.

So the world rejected this soul.

Denied any Semblance, or aura for protection, and spurn from ever using dust, the world denied the existence of this soul.

This denial was harsh enough to crack the foreign soul. The crack spread like a virus through the soul seeping into it. It weakened something, a chain. This crack weakened the locks and chains, that fate had placed on him.

This soul's existence was truly something special.

~ End

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Y'all ever been so irrationally angry at something? I have, DLC Radahn's move set isn't even hard, it's the fact that he's RELENTLESS with it, and never backs off. AND THAT FUCKING MIQULLESTER FUCKING TOUCHING ME TO DEATH.

Fuck Miqulla lowkey too tho, he messed with my sweet innocent Mogh, my beautiful Mogh. Oh, and St.Trina too.

Upload schedule: Monday and Friday at 12 O'clock. Wednesdays will be extra chapters like an Omake.