Beautiful Black

A breeze from the south, ruffling through the forest. The leaves too weak to hold on, drifted with the wind, as if pulled from a graceful hand. They sewed the air like needle and thread bobbing up and down with the wind.

A soft press on damp leaves, a faint crunch from twigs and sticks decorating the floor. So faint it was almost unmistakably a natural part of the ambience. Another, this time softer than the first. Delicate on the feet, like a dancer this one moved.

A crash, the sound of wood forced to split asunder. Black fur, glossy with the texture of wax. Its breath heavy, not as subtle as the ones hunting it. The creature was a hulking mass of muscle and bone, the Behemoth was breathing heavy as it moved. Sharp sticks and twigs brushed against its hide, not even scratching the surface.

The Hunters were following the scent of blood. The creature had killed in the area, the meat was bloody and raw, but he could swear the scent was sweet. His fleet paws bounded across the floor, moving swift but soundless. His boots touched the damp surface of leaves, slicked red from a recent kill. Nothing left but mismatched bones and flesh. The Hunter knelt down wiping his finger against the dry leaves turned moist with blood.

No more than a minutes worth of age, the scene was of sudden lethality. Whatever did this was large, and fast. A creature with expertise over its body, enough to move unseen, and soundless. This was no young Grimm, this one was seasoned with age. A Grimm this experienced would know when its being followed, and how to set up a trap. The Hunter was no amateur to the hunt, it was an art form he was close to mastering.

He had learned from experience, which senses he could trust, his eyes would play tricks on him. With fear and paranoia embedding itself like the talons of a Nevermore, they would tell him whatever they needed to make him run. His smell was compromised, too much interference. The tipped ears that sat on his head, began to twitch. Picking sounds, sifting through them.

It was raining earlier, but the sun had long since come out. The dew drops that clung to trees still dropped to the earth, affected by its natural gravity. The sound was like the feet of mice, with their pitter-patter scurrying across wooden floors. The sound of flies entrenching on what was left of the animal. And the unmistakable sound of a foot curling as it carefully inches closer. Every five seconds another step would follow. Slowly getting louder, and louder. The Hunter was tense the grip he had on his walking stick was firm. His fingers would curl, and uncurl in unison with the Grimm. He waited for the subtleties, the slight changes in sound that signaled an attack.

It stopped moving, the noise was on his twelve o'clock. Directly in front of him. Only a dumb or powerful Grimm would attack from the front. He didn't want to wait for it to move. So he slowly straightened his body till he was standing upright. Using the walking stick to support his crippled leg. The birds began to crow, he was ready. The Hunter swung his weapon in a wide arc, pulling the trigger. A blinding flash of black and blue, kickback so strong the hunter was left rolling back to compensate.

He heard the creature go into frenzy, but this beast was smart it knew it had lost its advantage. So it tore through the jungle, shredding its way through the shrubbery, the Hunter reloaded another shell into his walking stick.

"I found it. Won't get far though, I think I tranquilized him."

"Who's idea was it to split up anyway."

"Yea cover more ground he said. We'll find him faster he said."

"They're right, it is highly illogical we split up Ma…!~"

"See even prude McBitch face agrees!"

"EXCUSE ME?! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

"Ummmm, guys. Monster. Big. Getting away as we speak. Can you just come to my position?"

"How inspiring…"

The lead Hunter rolled his eyes.

Within minutes, the Hunter was joined by three others. They made chase, following the destruction the Grimm left in its wake.

The Hunters were a couple hundred meters away, the trail of ruin had eased back into natural order. With absolutely no way of knowing which way the creature was going due to the growth of thick brush. The Lead Hunter stepped forward, ahead of his pack. He took a long drawn out sniff. His nose twitched picking up on the scent. It smelled like blood and rot mixed with unique odor, all Grimm smelt distinct from everything else in the world.

"I've got a scent."

"Yea, we know. You do this thing with your face whenever you do."

"Looks kind of like this."

…

"I don't do that…"

"Its the exact face whenever Jason farts in the dorm room."

Another crash, this time much closer. They all picked up on the sound this time. Each drew a weapon from their mismatches of gear.

"Lavender, track it from above. But wait for us to catch up first." The leader spoke up, ordering a girl dressed in purple. She notched an arrow into her bow and let it loose. The arrow pierced a tree high above and soon enough she was sent reeling upwards. Disappearing into the thicket.

The Grimm raised a burly fist, without even trying shoved a large tree out of its way. The trees broke away giving space to a large river. The Grimm walked with its knuckles planted heavily into the ground, it looked similar to an animal called the Gorilla. It slowly wended its way towards the water, once it got in the river. Its fifteen foot height was submerged half way into the waters. The deceptively deep waters would be its downfall.

"NOW!" A gunshot rang out across the river, startling all the denizens of the forest. A black spike pierced straight through the creatures forearm. Hobbling the beast. The Grimm was suffering from the effects of the Tranquilizer, and was not nearly as quick as it used to be. The creature tried to pull itself from the water, once it neared the bank. A man dressed completely in silver was standing to greet it. In his hand a Morning Star named Mordé. He leaped upwards spinning simultaneously. The mace collided with the Creatures jaw, sending it back into the murky depths.

The creature had only one way to turn, the young hunters herded the creature back to the other side of the bank. The Third Hunter, a Giant in stature - held a flaming war axe. He twisted the handle, the weapons mechanism began churning, transforming into its ranged counterpart.

A jet of flame so intense sprayed out decorating the creatures fur with the volatile crimson light. It burned rapidly forcing the creature to go underwater to cleanse itself. When it didn't resurface, the sniper opened his intercom.

"Jason. If you wouldn't mind."

"Yea, yea. I got it."

The one who held the flamethrower carefully placed his weapon down, he soon began shedding his clothes till all he was left was a thermal layer covering his torso and a pair of love heart boxers.

"Nice." The female Archer called out. She was giggling, so was everybody else.

"Shut up." The one called Jason huffed. He held his nose before pencil diving into the deep pool.

The water began to sizzle, an orange glow struggling to burst through the muck. Soon the water was explosive with boiling spits of water flicking out in all directions. There was a stir a little ways away from the glow, the Grimm erupted from the steaming water. It flung itself onto the shores.

The one with the mace stood beside it. He rapidly smashed his weapon onto its exterior. Each blow proving to be more ineffective than the next. It swung an arm, it collided with the mace sending it skittering into the bushes.

"Angus run!" The sniper shouted before firing off another shell.

This round pierced its abdomen, going straight through the creature's chest. The wound left a toxic residue inside the creature. The poison caused it to curl over in pain. But soon the creature adjusted to the pain. The mace wielder had disappeared into the forest. An arrow flew out the shadows.

After a second it exploded sending the creature hurtling backwards. A petite figure with a lavender hood fell from the trees. Volley after volley, she let loose into the creature. The arrows dotted the creature hitting its joints and muscles. It rubbed its hand over each wound, pulling out each arrow.

Lavender reached to pull out another arrow from her quiver. But found nothing for her hand to grab hold off. She pulled the bow apart, retrieving two small daggers from its debris. She charged at the creature, not giving it the crucial time it needed to recover.

Lavender hurdled, spinning like a tornado, she used her daggers to cut upwards in a criss-cross pattern. She slashed an X into its skull before hitting the ground, she was moving so fast the Grimm couldn't catch her, she dug both blades into the creatures ankle. She tried to pull the daggers free but the flesh was thick and tough. Her blades trapped.

It tried swatting her with its left arm. A flash of silver and the Mace wielder, Angus, was back. Hitting the creatures arm full force. The bone inside shattered becoming useless. The Mace wielder rolled using the weight of his mace to charge his next swing. Keeping momentum it crashed into the ankle Lavenders blade had been embedded inside.

"Topple it!" The sniper shouted, he was still half way through reloading the powerful rifle.

Jason who had just waded through the river. Fully clothed and axe in hand, readied his axe. It swung heavy cutting deep into the creatures other ankle. The creature fell to its knees unable to stand. Its remaining arm being used to support its weight.

The sniper fired one last shell, it rippled through the creatures remaining arm, destroying the bone inside. Causing the creature to fully collapse on itself, Jason clambered onto its back, finding his footing at the creatures neck. He raised the great axe like an executioner, cleaving straight through its neck. With a thump the head came rolling off.

Lavender plucked an arrow from its body. She stuck the tipped end into her quiver. The mechanism wrapped itself around the head. She pulled it loose. Recreating her bow, she fired the arrow up towards the tree the Sniper perched on.

He slid down the makeshift zipline. Landing close to his team, and the severed head.

"Quickly. We don't have much time. We need to prove we killed it." Jason spoke rashly, he was right. The body was starting to evaporate.

"One sec. I just have to open ClickChat." Lavender fished out her scroll. Opening the social app. She held the scroll in front of herself the front camera taking a selfie of her and her team. The sniper had his arm around Lavender a smug grin found its way on his face. Angus climbed onto Jason's shoulders, the Grimm's head held high like a trophy of war. Lavender stuck her tongue out. With a click the picture was saved.

The sound of a bullhead screeched through the sky. Its roaring engines sounded much like that of a dragon breathing its deathly fire. Ropes were tossed out and the students climbed their way up to the airship. Once inside, their supervisor a fourth year student, gave each of them a pat on the back.

"Three weeks spent hunting Grimm. Not bad for a bunch of first years." He chuckled before moving towards the cockpit.

"I still can't believe this is your last week in Haven." Lavender collapsed into one of the seats, the Sniper slowly limped his way to the other end.

"Me too. This past year feels kind of like dream." The sniper remarked, carefully lowering himself into a seat.

"Don't tell me you're getting sentimental on us Marcus!" Jason the giant laughed, each step he took made the metal groan and strain under his weight.

"We understand why you have to leave, I just wish it wasn't so." Angus lamented.

"Don't get so down in the dumps! You remember the festival last year, the Beacon girls were mighty fine!" Jason bellowed, swooning over the memory.

"You oaf! Pretty girls like that wouldn't go anywhere near dirty trash like you three!" Lavender huffed, she had a cocksure grin on her face that made her team knew she was only joking around.

"Wasn't that the first time you were rejected Marcus?" Angus prodded his leaders shoulder.

"Big Bad movie star not used to rejection." Jason added.

"Actually, It wasn't a rejection if I remember correctly! She just… gave me a fake number." Marcus added that last part with bated breath.

"Anywho! At least we got a nice send off picture for when you leave."

"Guys, its not the end of the world. You'll be blessed with seeing my pretty mug soon enough. Festival's in Vale this year. I can't wait to give you the tour."

Today was a day of celebration, and remembrance, the Leader of team BLAC. Was transferring, from Haven to Beacon. Today was their last ever hunt together, as a team.

Tick

Tock

A year goes back on the clock!

Tick

Tock

The black night, not many words could describe it. Other than poetic. The way the stars glistened in its motherly embrace was the embodiment of myth and legend. How the moon hung upon its face like an adoring smile from a true love. Clouds rumbled far in the distance, thunder echoed from afar piercing the boom from the party.

There on top of the luxurious manor. Flood lights tore open the sky reaching far into the distant heavens. The light was followed closely by sound, electronic, rhythmic beat. To Marcus' sensitive ears it was like listening to invisible cats, howling like ancient women, or damaged instruments. He was never the less pleased by the efforts made.

Swaying bodies crowded the vibrant balcony, their hips gyrating with the pulse of music, music that vibrated deep into the open air. Extravagant laser lights beamed across the makeshift dance floor; which was being trampled upon by tipsy guests. Couples pressed their bodies against each other, in an interlocking moment of bliss. While singles had an abundance to practice their craft.

Marcus swindled his way through the pack. Stopping frequently to accept his birthday wishes, and chat with old friends. It was ideal for him to mingle with guests. This was both a welcome back to Vale party and the date just happened to be his birthday.

Drinks were being served on the terrace, and when he came out through the sliding windows there were dozens of small groups already laughing and dancing. Marcus could tell that everyone had been preparing for this night and like the glitter and neon paint they seemed to take and hold the amply filtered light. Marcus was talking to a somehow familiar older man and his blonde speckled wife; Marcus knew from his smiles and peels of laughter that he had no idea what he was doing. None of his best friends were even coming, and his sister Cora was still downstairs with his mother, interminably getting dressed for the night - or mingling with guests he could only guess the names. He took a tulip of champagne from a dark eyed waiter, and strolled off into the exquisitely cultivated garden terrace. The arch of the cobble path brought him round to a view of the front yard.

The various colored strobes illuminated the grass and swimming pool. Where guests were having the time of their lives. It brought a smirk to Marcus' pale face.

"All for me." He pronounced in false amazement, laughing to himself.

Although the party was welcoming, it missed something. His date had canceled and he lacked that feeling of comfort a companion would have provided. By this time in the party everybody had been coupled off or was soon to be. He looked rather stupid, his suit may have been a futile attempt at 'casual'. He was far overdressed than many other guests.

In the dark his clothing had a certain allure to it. Like they were hand crafted to bask in the darkness. His jet black blazer and matching tight fit trousers. He wore crease-less light blue button up shirt that fit his lithe body perfectly. His pitch black hair was short and carefully styled with it spiking upwards and slowly fading around the sides, two pointed black furred ears stood erect, twitching as the harsh sound vibrated through them.

Another waiter approached from his left flank. Carrying a large rounded platter of morsels.

"Would you be inclined towards some orderves, Mr Baron?" Marcus was famished, he was so sure the rumble originating from his stomach was louder than the actual music.

"It would be a pleasure." he took a small handful, much to the waiters astonishment. Marcus shoveled the various pocket sized meals into his mouth with zero discrimination. "Don't act so surprised I haven't eaten a single thing all day!" Marcus took more of the plate, this earned a small chuckle from the waiter.

"Shall I fetch you some more, sir?"

"Just keep em coming. You're my source of dinner tonight!"

With that order made. Marcus was soon again left to his own devices. He felt compelled to mingle some more but didn't have the patience to talk, and he was far too tired to dance like the hooligans on the central terrace. He wished to a certain degree somebody of genuine intrigue and substance would arrive. He walked back towards the central terrace, if his timing was accurate. Like it always was, his mother and sister should have finished soon. He clung close to the edges, like a wallflower. Many recognized him as the host and paid his due respect. Yet as he clung to the wall, he took a look around the room. He knew love came wearing disguises. He didn't know how to go about and choose.

He broke each of them down to shapes and sizes. He saw a lone girl. She bounced slightly on her brown leather heels a glass of champagne half empty attached to her wrist. She was... Peculiar: she wore a coal colored beret, and dark sunglasses. Since the light was dim she must have had a pretty hard time seeing much of anything. She wore a cocoa brown dress with a hem that cut short around the midsection of her thighs. Her skin was just as pale as his own. Her hair, auburn with a wavy lock of hair on the right side of her face dyed in a gradient that transitioned to red the further it got to the tip.

Marcus wormed through the crowd, he avoided conversation, dodging questions, refused dance proposals. If there was anything Marcus had an abundance of, it was solid determination. Once his mind was set, it was set in diamond. Now he was only an arms length away. He ran through dozens of possible ice breakers to open with, he went with what came naturally.

"I'm a man who's got very specific taste!" Marcus shouted over the music, she registered this lowering them slightly so he could see her hazel eyes. "You're just my type."

"I bet you use that one on all the girls!" She laughed, Marcus watched her careful not to miss any double meanings.

"Nope, you're the first! And by the way, its a little dark to be wearing sunglasses!" Marcus was easy with his choice of icebreakers, didn't want to blow the frozen glass into dust!

"Its never too dark to wear sunglasses." Her response… Well lets just say she didn't mince words.

"What brings you here. Especially in a dress like that!" Being the 'abundant' source of confidence that he was, saved the conversation from her blunted response.

"This is one the parties of the year. I expected it to be a….. a little more classy. I've heard stories about it from friends, last years one was some big wine tasting event. I was told it went horribly wrong and they ended up crashing a ship into a golf course." This time she took the glasses off signaling her full initiation into the conversation. She laughed a little at the end.

"Unfortunately that story is kind of exagerated. Having been there, I can tell you it wasn't a golf course... It was an Ice Skating ring. I guess they changed it up this year to try and keep things a little more 'civil'. Do you know the host, perchance?" Marcus decided to play it coy, this girl clearly didn't know who he was. Finally a person at his party he hadn't met before.

"Well, he's an actor. That much I know. Some say his movies are great - some say they suck. They call him the Bastard of film. Sounds kind of mean I know. But after hearing about Transmorphers 3, I'm tempted to agree." She laughed, adjusting the beret that nestled comfortably on her head. That nickname didn't sound good. That sounded awful!

"Nah, I'm sure 90% of the people here don't know him. And those who do must be the die hard fans." Marcus rubbed his ears, an obvious lie. "Anyway what have you heard about him?"

"I've heard he's a bit cocky." Marcus burned red, people were saying that about him! She continued. "But I heard different stories from his sister downstairs. She talks about him reading to her every night. Apparently he does everything with her. So he can't be all that bad." If Marcus wasn't already red faced, he was blushing now.

"Really… She always did say the nicest things…" Marcus trailed off into his own thoughts, the girl's interest peaked in turn.

"Are you friends with the host?" She asked while cocking an eyebrow.

"Friends?! I'm probably his second most loved person after Cora, respectively." Marcus was starting to enjoy this, talking about himself like this was new and fresh.

"That confidant? I didn't catch your name…?" She held out her hand.

"I go by a few names. I guess you know me as the Bastard of film." He took her hand and the look of stark confusion on her face, it was priceless. She cleared her throat before responding.

"I apologize for calling you~!" Marcus silenced her.

"Pft, I've been called worse. You know I was accused of chasing someone's cat down the street, it jumped of a bridge a mile down the road. My sister called me the Kitty Killer for a month." Marcus joked trying to ease the situation.

"Its because of the ears isn't it. People just assume the dog did it!" Coco returned the joke he hadn't heard that one before, earning a genuine laugh from him.

"I swear I wasn't trying to kill the cat, it stole my chew toy and I was trying to get it back." She giggled at him comment.

"Sure. So what brings you back to the Vale? I mean you don't live here do you?"

"I live in Mistral. Are family is mostly based there, I was born here though so I find it fitting I return every now and then. What about you, girl like you had to have come with someone?" This was Marcus' chance! All she had to say was nobody and he'd have this in the bag.

"I came here with a date. But he's over there, grinding with some… Girl. I'm wearing the sunglasses to avoid seeing it." Coco shrugged towards the main crowd. Marcus couldn't distinguish which aforementioned date she was referring too. What he could distinguish was that she had somebody, but they weren't here now.

"Well then. How would you feel about making him jealous?" And he struck the white nail. Her eyebrow raised, and her gaze lowered. Clearly checking him out, she didn't look to impressed, Marcus held his breath.

"Ok… Show me what you had in mind."

"Oh, you're going to love this."

Tick

Tock

1 Year strikes the clock!

Tick

Tock

A red sun. So bright and wholly luminescent its rays roasted all that it touched. Sand gathered in sudden gusts creating bladed whips that cut through most in its path. His skin felt like it was being stabbed by a million sun-spears. He had a dry, leathery texture inside his mouth. At this point he should have treated sand as his enemy, but this was quite the contrary.

Marcus lay beneath a camo tarp, the cloth was pegged down on all corners giving it an unnatural appearance from inside. But on the outside it seemed to mesh perfectly, entwining itself within the wall known as sand.

Marcus had heard many tales about the desert. But never had anyone described to him. The crypt like silence, motionless, and soundless. The eerie quiet had penetrated his system like a handful of tranquilizers.

It seemed so 'cartoony', a tumbleweed drifted through the sands, a black coyote with glowing red eyes carefully waded through the sea of sand. Its tongue flickered much like snakes, rolling and twisting. Tasting the arid air.

BANG!

Blood, it showered outwards in an instant. The fox was blown away by the blast, torn asunder by a single round. But this round was long, shaped like a spike with a unfurling flower like shape. This bullet, was a thorn.

A trail of black haze lingered on its trajectory, falling back and fading fast. The trail followed all the way back to the tarp. A rifle curved and distorted with bladed random edges, flourishing in nearly perfect symmetry along the length of the barrel. Along the gun were circular vents exposing blue and black light. Its design was expertly crafted, its appearance deathly - hollow of hope and spirit. Like a weapon sown from a book of sorrow. Its name, Penance Riposte.

"Out here… I am the law!" Marcus uttered under his breath, his voice low, deep and croaky. He grit his teeth, pulling the bolt from his rifle backwards ejecting the casing. His face one of steely determination. He remained in that pose for several. more. seconds…

"AND CUT!" He heard the director yell.

Marcus relaxed, the tarp was pulled free from above him. Revealing a multitude of cameras placed in uncomfortable positions around his face and weapon. The key grip lifted him to his feet, Marcus twisted the handle of his rifle, the scope retracted within and the barrel compacted maintaining its devilish appearance but becoming more solid and rigid.

He placed the end firmly on the ground. Taking the weight from his right leg. He limped away from the scene towards a large collection of tables containing an even grander amount of fresh cuisine. He took a handful of jelly beans quickly shoveling them into his mouth.

It was an explosion of various flavors all contesting for control. Sweet, sour, spicy etc. Eventually it all just meshed into a incoherent blob. He liked the bland taste.

"Great work Marcus, as per usual." He heard one of the crew members speak behind him. He turned with a mouthful of delicious sweets. His cheeks puffed like a ripe pumpkin. He swallowed slowly, it was one the cute girls who worked on his make up. She was blushing, her foot twirling nervously, her face tilted so her eyes could look up at him, begging for his approval. He swallowed with an ugly gulp.

"Thank you, couldn't have done it without you hiding all my imperfections!" Marcus flicked his face, his smile was pleasant and warm. She giggled. He almost wished she'd rolled on the floor laughing.

"I know its our last day of shooting. And I probably won't be able to do your makeup again. Like ever. So I was wondering if you'd like to get a drink with me or something..." She bit her lower lip, Marcus noted this.

"I can think of a dozen things I'd like to do with you." He pursed his lips, oh how he loved to flirt. But Marcus was a dog of the chase, and a girl throwing herself at his feet was hardly attractive. More of a bore. "However I leave for the Vale tonight. My family is relocating permanently and so am I." She kicked herself, Marcus hoped she wasn't trying to be obvious. Because he felt pity. And pity was weakness. "I would love for you to accompany me to the airport though." He added, silently wishing he hadn't.

She was lost for words but eventually came to an impasse. Marcus hobbled away, he wondered how such a sight could be attractive to anyone. Then he saw his face plastered all over the movie poster, the way he calmly looked to the distance as if contemplating a great philosophical question...

"Oh. That's why." He grinned like a hyped up kid on Christmas. Excited for the wonders he would explore on the long ride over there.

Tick

Tock

A year goes back on the clock!

Tick

Tock

The guitar riff started. It was hard, harsh sounds that came in a rough yet enticing way. The sound that came out was well received from the crowd. Marcus was playing it cool tapping his foot. The band Girls Undead Grimm began to sing.

"Listen up, strap in, notify your next of kin, You're about to take a ride a little on the blazing side, Guzzle down your Red Bull, you're gonna need a bucket full, You're watching me accelerate and tear apart the interstate."

Marcus' turned to look at Coco she was standing beside him, she was shaking her head from side to side. But she was smiling, enjoying the Song's smooth allusion to her name. She knew this one well.

"Caffeine. I'm caffeine. Caffeine. I'm caffeine. I'm a bad dream. I'm a rad scene. I'm a tad mean. But I'm not afraid to take you out."

The lead singer of Girls Undead Grimm took over. She was a girl with blood red hair tied in twin pigtails high above her head with black tassels bobbing to-and-fro. Her eyes as deep red as her hair. Her skin was tanned light yellow. She was tall, but shorter than Marcus and much thinner. Her lips were the most prominent feature on her face. The shade of which was the same blood red as every other part of her.

Her clothing of choice was classic punk rock. A crimson red leather tank top with a black corset covering the breast. Black leggings that slowly turned to lace the further they traveled down her legs with knee high pump boots with stiletto like sharpness. Her arms were decorated in a web-like fish net sleeve that gathered into a familiar shade of gloves.

It was his mothers gift to him. She managed to hire the band, because the lead singer was a fan of Marcus' movies. Her name was Kusuri she was looking him right in the eyes. She winked gingerly before continuing the song.

"You're a fan too?" Marcus asked gently nudging his shoulder against Coco.

"Of course. I feel like these songs were made especially for me." Coco bit her lip, she repressed the feeling of going absolutely crazy. She was keeping it together because he was.

"Wanna dance?" He asked extending his hand to her.

"Its not everyday your at a live concert." She took his hand.

He spun her in quickly, leaving her slightly dazed. She collided clumsily with his other hand. She grinned chuckling behind the music, she pressed her hands to his chest. In a second the moment looked sweet, then she pushed off hard. Sending him sprawling. He was ready to approach again but she was fast, her hips moving in sync with the music. Her arms moved in fluid motions, she was like water. It was elegant but fit the music like a prized glove. He didn't waste a second longer. Joining her, it was clumsy at first but they found rhythm. They meshed together perfectly.

They kept it up all the way until the song ended. Coco finished with her arms around his shoulders. They're faces close, he could feel her breathing tickling his lips. The sensation caused him to grin uncontrollably. Her hazel eyes met his sapphires, she noted that they glowed like gems.

"Your date, I presume." Marcus whispered to her ear, they turned slowly till Coco saw his face. He looked angry but couldn't do anything about it.

"Who cares. He wasn't enough for me anyway." She turned away from him. Looking Marcus in the eyes once more.

"What is enough for you then?" Marcus inquired, his brow raised.

"Lets just say, my tastes are like fine clothes. Quality and classy." She pursed her lips. He felt like she was wondering what he was. "What about you? What's your type?" She tilted her head exposing her slender neck to his gaze.

"As I told you before. I'm a man. Who's got very... specific taste… And you. You're just my type." He slowed his words making it sound as clear as possible.

"Say it one more time and I might start believing it." Coco pushed away, giving him enough room to think. Marcus boasted that he knew how all women thought.

"Lets go somewhere we can be alone." She smiled. Marcus' inner ego was screeching.

He followed her all the way to the grand hall on the first floor. All the way to the coat checker. She retrieved a bag. This bag was like any other high profile bag he'd seen before. Black leather gold studded. However the strap was made out of bullets, big bullets. Marcus knew a concealed gun when he saw one. After all he and his partner used something similar.

"I had a great time tonight." She slung the bag over one shoulder. She flicked her glasses on, tilting her head ever so slightly so he could see her eyes.

"It can be like this every night." Marcus was ready, this was the moment he always sealed the deal.

"Oh yeah? That confident eh, lover boy? You sure I'm not just leading you on?" She had mocking tone in her voice, it was easy to tell she was joking. All a part of the fun!

"I would be hurt! Girl like you tugging at my heart strings. How very cruel a girl you are!"

"I'm just messing with you… So what now. You sweep me off my feet and steal me away from this castle." She burst out laughing. Marcus could tell she wasn't one of those girls, if anything she would be sweeping him off his feet.

"How about this. You come with me back to my place downtown. We ditch this whole party. Just you and me." Nailed it. He bit his lower lip eager to hear her answer.

"Interesting offer. But I'm not that easy, maybe on the third date. Maybe the second if you play nice." Coco took out a pen and a long piece of paper from her bag. She began writing, within seconds she was done and ready. "Call me."

"Marcus!" He heard a squeal, a young girls voice. One he loved with all his heart.

"Cora!" He turned almost instantly.

Cora. His little sister. The light of his life, only 6 years old. Her hair jet black like his own, hers was long and flowed like the waves of the sea. Her blue eyes were big easily her greatest feature, although Marcus could never pick out her greatest feature. She looked similar to him, sharp jaw and pale skin. However her face was kind, gentle, and loving. The exact words used to describe her personality. She was less than half his height, and he liked to joke she'd always stay that way. Sweet, innocent everything expected from a girl her age. Marcus would do anything to ensure her a fantastic life.

Yet Fate works in mysterious ways.

Tick

Tock

1 Year strikes the clock!

Tick

Tock

"As I understand Mr Beaunoire… This was your first time interacting with someone from my school?" His glasses, set a little too low for Marcus' liking. The analytic stare in his eyes made Marcus a little uneasy.

"Yes, sir." Marcus was kicking it back, it was this moment Marcus should have composed himself in a poise and proper manner. Yet he was gauging reactions for Professor Ozpin. This was a game after all. Ozpin looked unimpressed to say the least. Movie star Haven washout was what he looked like. But that's what Marcus wanted him to think!

"You trained at Haven for a year, I'm curious. Why is it that someone with such a bright future would… Uproot themselves in an instant and transfer to the Vale. Its a rare occurrence to say the least Mr Beaunoire." Perfect, Marcus had him under his thumb now.

"My family. After the incident… Well lets say my Dad didn't really want to stay in Vale any longer. We stayed in Mistral where my Father managed both his company and my mothers. However it was proving quite difficult for him. He made a choice to focus on my mothers. So hence my father and sister moved back to the Vale, I tagged along for the ride." Marcus had rehearsed this encounter since he got on the ship to Vale. Practice made perfect and Ozpin was following his predicted script like they shared it.

"You dodged the question. You're 18, Mr Beaunoire. You're capable of making your own choices in life, why not stay in Haven?" Marcus furled his eyebrow. Interesting Ozpin made an approach he wasn't anticipating.

"My sister is the reason. After the incident…"

Tick

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Blood trickled down the clock...

Tick

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"Cora I'd like you to meet somebody. This is… Coco..." He hoisted his sister up putting her on his shoulders. Yet when he turned Coco was gone, a note was left at the desk. The note contained her phone number and a little addition.

Gotta Run. I'll catch you around sometime!

"Coco is a drink stupid." Cora tugged at his ears stretching them in painful ways. He grit his teeth allowing the torture to continue.

"Haha Funny. Talk like that and I'll drop you." Marcus playfully hopped, making her scream.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She giggled, he eased into a stop allowing her to keep playing with his ears.

"Hey! Don't touch the hair." Marcus wrestled his hands with hers trying to remove them from his head.

"I won't touch your hair! Its all sticky anyway." She shook her face as if disgusted with the idea. Marcus was grumbling but didn't press any further. "Why are your ears more pointier than mine?" She now stroked them, Marcus hated admitting it, but it felt really damn good.

"I thought I told you. I take after Mommy, and you take after Daddy. Simple as that. Don't you like yours?"

"Yes. But their so round, they're too big for me. Pointy ones would look good on me." She tugged as if trying to remove the ears from his head. He yelped and she released. "Your so wimpy Big Brother. How do you live without me?" She nestled her head into his hair using it as pillow.

"I know right. Where would I be without my guardian angel."

Marcus was lost. He didn't want to rejoin the party upstairs, and he was just standing there with Cora on his shoulders. She was growing tired, it was late at night and she would need to sleep soon.

"Marcus dear. Why aren't you up stairs?" Marcus was starting to think it was his lucky day.

Laura Beaunoire. The most beautiful woman Marcus had ever known, and the woman who raised him. His mother an elegant and extravagant woman, impossible for her not to be. The two siblings inherited her black hair and blue eyes, although only Marcus inherited her faunas features, where Cora inherited their fathers. Laura was the CEO of a Clothing Brand, Beaunoire Boutique. A very prosperous one at that. So her, and her children's outfits all one of a kind. Custom jobs all done by her hands. In fact, the majority of clothes worn in the Vale were designed by her

"Sorry Mom. I wanted to see Cora."

"He wanted to see me! Doo Da Doo!" She sung those last words.

"Oh. Is that right." Marcus' mom gave him the 'look'. It was that coy look where she knew he was lying. He simply grinned and stuck his tongue out.

"I was actually going to take Cora to the house downtown so she could get some sleep." He was insistent to get away from the party.

"We can take the car, I needed to talk with you anyway. Just make sure you return to the party afterwards. Its uncouth for a host to leave his own event." Laura walked leading them towards the garage. Marcus' grin disappeared but he nevertheless followed with a cheering Cora slapping his head like a drum.

The bright lights of the Vale had dimmed, the city reveled in the dark. Its true atmosphere came out, popping more than the bright lights ever could. The dark surrounding the buildings seemed to wrap it within a miasma of shadow. It was quite something to watch, especially from the clear windows of a moving car.

Cora was asleep by this point, her head nuzzled into her brother's shoulder. He had one arm wrapped around the younger girl, he had given her his jacket to keep her warm. Laura had not spoken a word since getting inside the car, he knew his mother was a woman of few words. But when she did speak, it was always important. Every now and then she would open her mouth, as if to start a conversation, but no words would come out.

"You wanted to talk to me Mother?" Marcus was starting to feel uneasy, if his mother wanted to speak, she would have done so by now. So whatever she was going to say bared weight, and troubled her.

"I… I wasn't sure how to start this. You know me son. I'm an honest woman, I work hard to make a living... But sometimes people like me get into some business that we would otherwise… turn our shoulders too. But I'm afraid I'm in too deep at this point. I've attracted the eyes of someone I thought I'd never live to see." Laura was cryptic, unusual behavior that her son had never seen before.

"Mum, what are you getting at? This is all weirdly secretive, even for you!" Marcus laughed, trying to ease the situation.

"I suppose it is." Laura laughed too, but it was half hearted. "Its not in my nature to dodge the point. So I suppose I'll just tell it to you straight. I've been in business with the White Fang. This business has gotten me in trouble with someone far worse." There was no words said by Laura after that. Her son thought he had misheard her the first time, hoped she had said Light Tang, the Juice company. But he knew the words she had spoken. It was at first a moment of shock, he wanted to say something but was uncertain what it was. They sat there in silence for a few moments, moments that felt like an eternity.

"You can't be serious! That's dangerous! Are you insane!" Marcus paused, then with a hushed voice. "The White Fang are dangerous. Why would you get into shady stuff like this." he had heard the rumors of his family's ties to the White Fang but he thought they were ludicrous! Faceless accusations! To hear the truth for his own ears, made him outrage!

"At first, it was nothing more than harmless backing. I funded the protests for Faunus rights. The group became reliant on my donations, asking for more and more money. At first I was happy to oblige. I thought it was all going towards the better picture. This sudden change in demeanor went unnoticed by me, until I was asked to join the leaders of the White Fang. I had discovered that all the people I knew were gone, replaced by militaristic heads. But behind them, was a man I thought was only spoken about in hushed rumors..." Marcus was shocked at first. Everything she just said was beyond even fathoming. His family had strong opinions sure. But not extreme for all he knew.

"Did you just say, the leaders of the White Fang. Your a…" Marcus gripped the handle of his cane, every inch of his body was telling him to use it. Every muscle tensed straining the metal handle in his grip. He felt it would cave any second.

"That's in the past. Marcus, your failing to see the bigger picture here!" Laura's gaze caught the window it was the flashing lights reflecting of her iris' that made Marcus relax. Such a sight could make even the most wrathful soul feel peace.

"However, it has left us in a… Dangerous situation. We leave the Vale tonight, we won't be coming back until I'm sure I've lost him and the White Fang problem has been dealt with." Laura turned back towards her son, who nodded in understanding. No more words were said between them.

His mother was a firm believer in silence, she thought that there was a certain beauty in the muffled peace. It is a place where the mind is pure to wander, where thoughts fly away. Its a curious thing, the room can be quite. But in a persons head, a symphony, a tale of grand epics for only one to savor. If one could describe it all they would be an artist. Silence had different meanings, between two lovers, and in this case a Mother and Son. Neither knew what the other was thinking both having visions not to be uttered, into realms of higher life.

It was in these visions Marcus would lose himself, even to the world around him, these daydreams could be described as prophetic. What he saw, It would swirl, and Marcus would mouth the famous words 'This - this can be nothing else but the great whirlpool of the maelstrom' after all his father was a man of poetry, passing this onto his son. These words however cannot impart the faintest conception either of the magnificence, or of the horror of the scene.

His eyes shifted slightly, their cerulean glow turned back to the real world. To what should have been wonders out the window, was dull grey, degenerate land an insult to the beauty of gothic architecture. These buildings may have once been great, run down slums were an unusual sight in the richer districts... Actually it was downright impossible.

"Driver? Where are you taking us?"

As Marcus' head began to turn, the hairs on his neck began to stand, cold sweat trickled down his spine. Instinctively his hand found the grip of his cane, the leather bounding the handle creased and shrieked as he lifted it to guard his face.

A sound so ear shattering, Cora jumped from Marcus' shoulder, her scream drowned out by a combination of sounds. Tires screeching, the low whine of a bullet passing through the air, Laura furiously trying to open the doors to the Limo.

Marcus was fast, the electricity generating from his clothes scorched the leather seats, his body moving faster than the lightning he generated. His arm buckled from an unseen force the unnatural sound of metal striking metal, his eyes followed the ricocheted bullet as it slowly passed into view - it bounced left, Cora screamed no more. The shock and pain made her hit the far door. Her eyes wet and wide with fear.

Two more gun shots, all coming from the drivers window, Marcus twisted his wrist. Blocking a second shot, the bullet bounced striking the window. Shards of glass exploded outwards, the rush of cold wind mixed with rain pelted Marcus' skin. The second shot was too fast, he felt its rapid puncture, his knee bone shattering as the metal tore through it. He bared his teeth roaring unnaturally as he readied his weapon. The sniper rifle had no brace other than his ribs. He pulled the trigger, the sound barrier was blown apart by the rifle - its intense recoil caused a sickly crunch against his torso. No more bullets but the car came to a dead halt.

The adrenaline had him cranked up it dulled the intense pain searing through his body, he saw beams of light much like the strobes at his party coming from the outside. Except these were attached to weapons, and the still hands of murderous intent. Marcus had no time to check on his family. Using all the strength he could. He climbed out from the car wreak, his face hitting the pavement, he felt the blood course from his body and out through a fresh scar on his lip. It fused with the water and grit on the paving. He began to rise, willing himself to stand.

His blood was hot with anger, it caused sparks to dance of his body jumping across the wet ground. The energy inside of him was building. His right leg bared his weight. His left rendered useless from the wound. He dragged himself forward, till all the beams were trained on him.

"I respect your conviction. Thinking that you can… postpone the inevitable."

Marcus payed no attention to the voice, it wasn't worth his concentration. His hand let go of the cane. It clattered to the floor, rolling far away from his reach. He flexed his fingers, the bones cracked, forks of cold fire jumped between them.

"She's only 6 years old." Marcus muttered his eyes static, skipping over each of the individuals, eight of them all armed with rifles - semi-Automatics judging by the shape.

"What was that?" One of them asked removing a hand from his rifle to scratch the stumble on his chin.

"Enough foreplay, take him down already." One of them took an aggravated step forward, a figure hiding in the darkness placed a hand on his shoulder.

"He's not the target. We don't unjustly kill our own. We're here for the Immortal." What this superior figure said. It made Marcus clench with anger.

"Unjust! You speak of Injustice my six year old sister is in there! There is no justice in what you're doing!" Marcus limped one step closer his screams rang out to silent heads. That same silence Marcus would have described as beautiful before. Now ugly with rage.

"Calm down kid, I'll show you mercy…~!" Marcus exploded at those words.

"SHOW ME MERCY! I'LL SHOW YOU LIGHTNING!"

It started off as rigid movements his arms flowed like water, his arms rolled in circular motions. Large forks of lightning branched out his fingertips striking the ground below him. He thrust his hand outwards, in a second a bright flash of blue and the first disappeared blown asunder by the unnatural power. He twirled drawing more sparks from the earth. In an instant his fingers extended letting loose two more bolts. Gun shots! He slammed both fists together, and the energy burst outwards.

A wave blasted out from the impact, the flashlights exploded when the wave made contact knocking all light from the street out.

Marcus paused he felt a dampness in his chest it wasn't the rain. This was warm, it caused him to stumble back, his inhuman eyes naturally adjusted to the darkness. The gunmen were all scrambling trying to find a source of light. He dragged himself back towards the car, opening the driver's side door. He dragged the drivers body out onto the pavement before slowly lowering himself into the seat. His hand found the clutch and with his only good leg. He punched the gas.

The car hurtled forward at blinding speeds.

"Direct me to the nearest hospital." Marcus ordered the satnav, it adjusted the route. He knew he had to look back, the back seats were awfully quiet. Not even the faintest of breaths could be heard. But he forced himself to remain focused on the road.

As the car neared the hospital he dialed the emergency servies warning them of his arrival. As the car stopped by the entrance. Marcus could feel himself slipping, the maelstrom he dreamed of earlier was beckoning. He had to know. Opening the door, he limped towards the backdoor he had climbed out off. His hand held firm to the latch. Forcing it open, revealed a gruesome sight.

If it wasn't for his night vision, the car would have looked the way it always did. But what he saw made his breath catch and tears well in his eyes. His baby sister was ever so still her chest rising and falling faintly, his mother was tending to her. A bullet wound in Cora's lower back. A similar wound in his mothers chest. Marcus collapsed inside.

His head was foggy, he slipped in and out of consciousness for what felt like an eternity but he knew was only seconds. His mothers hand were pressed firmly on his chest trying to stop the blood from spilling outwards. It was futile effort, but Laura knew she had one last card to play. Her trump card. She grabbed Cora's hand forcing it to grip Marcus'. She held tightly onto the other hand.

"Do it Cora. Like I showed you." Her voice was tender sweet, it sounded like honeyed words hiding malicious intent. Cora's eyes began to glow then her hands produced this blinding light. Marcus felt as if his soul was being dragged kicking and screaming through his hand. And something else was being forced inside. Something different foreign and wrong. Laura screamed. His lightning. His power was radiating from her. As if their semblances, nay, souls had been swapped.

Marcus felt only a lingering pain. Then the darkness slowly began to entrench him. He closed his eyelids, and he felt. No more.

Tick

Tock

Blood retreated back into the clock

Tick

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Marcus blinked once, twice. He pinched himself. A sting of momentary pain.

"Alive."

It was dark completely devoid of light. As if surrounded by the void. But the void isn't made of metal. He banged on the metal kicking it open. He heard scrambling from outside. Someone opened his metal container. Soon enough he was dragged back into the light.

For what he could tell. He was completely naked, other than a single white sheet used to cover his body. The only thing he could feel himself wearing was a toe tag. In front of him, the startled face of a young medical examiner. Her mouth was agape and her eyes completely stunned.

"You were…" She readjusted her glasses still in complete disbelief of what she was seeing.

"I want to eat your brains, but only if its grass fed and organic!" Marcus stuck his arms up miming a zombie motion the studious girl screamed she raised a scalpel above her head to defend herself!

"Woah! I'm just kidding!" He shrieked shielding himself from the blade.

"You've been dead for four days!" She belched out checking his pulse and eyes for any irregularities.

"Ha. Funny joke. Seriously though did my mother pay you to do this. Recovery joke she thought would be funny." Marcus stood up and the white sheet fell free from his legs. He crumpled his left leg felt weak. Much weaker than usual it could barely hold his weight. He looked down and saw what remained of brutal scar on his left knee. After he regained his composure. He looked a little bit closer to the right and saw a whole other problem.

He had forgotten. For the most part he was naked. The M.E's eyes lowered.

"Seriously! Show some decorum!" She slapped him hard across the jaw knocking him out with a single blow.

This time when he woke up. It was a hospital bed, for a moment he thought that must have been an odd and confusing dream. But the girl who had knocked him out was sitting beside the bed.

"Oh. You again." He grumbled pulling a face of disgust at her.

"I'm sorry about hitting you earlier, its just that. You were naked…" She scratched the back of her head nervously. She readjusted the giant spectacles that rested on her nose.

"And? I was in the morgue its not my fault." He continued to show distaste. Anyone who knocks out a defenseless nudist is a person he didn't want to befriend!

"Well not all people you inspect wake up days later. You can see why I was a little freaked out." Her glasses slipped off. The spectacles obviously too big for her, were easily caught and placed back on.

"Gee that's comforting." He huffed crossing his arms. He felt his ribs they should have been broken but instead they felt fine. It was only the pain in his knee that remained.

"Its strange, I've never seen someone's aura heal them even in death. Your semblance is really powerful!" What she added confused Marcus.

"My semblance is Lightning. Not. Healing." He said that last part slowly, he checked the wound that should have been on his chest. Nothing.

"Its almost as If your Immortal!" That's when it hit him.

That man said something about the Immortal. Was he talking about… What Laura made Cora do that night. When he felt as if his soul was ripped out and replaced with something else. Was that his mother…

"Where's my sister!" He shouted startling the M.E

"I don't know who that…~!"

Marcus flung himself out of the bed he limped out of the room. His father was outside, sitting in the lobby. His hands cradling his face, a steady stream of tears dripped out from the bottom of his palms.

"DAD!" He shouted, His father quickly got out of his seat and grabbed his son. Holding him in bone breaking hug.

"Marcus. I thought you were dead!" He refused to let go.

"Dad, where's Mom and Cora. Are they alright."

His father didn't say anything initially.

"They… They're alive, but. Laura is in coma. and..." He walked towards a room opposite the one Marcus came out of. Marcus followed, and as he drew closer he saw what looked like his sister, laying motionless on the bed.

"The bullet hit her spine. They say she might never walk again. And, whatever Laura made her do. It blinded her! They don't know if its permanent or temporary. But… How can so much evil be done to someone so innocent." His father, a man of strong business standing. A man Marcus looked up to as being proud and brave. Was broken, right before his eyes, he watched his world crumble. Yet he was left unscathed.

"Don't worry about it Dad. The people behind this will pay. I think Mom gave me this power for a reason. To avenge what happened to us." Marcus said all this to the window. His eyes focused on Cora.

"Who did this?" His Father asked with a tremble in his voice.

"I don't know who they are exactly. But I think I know where to start, The White Fang."

Tick

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A Year strikes the clock

Tick

Tock

Ozpin set a variety of bottles on the table, he sauntered off towards a desk retrieving two crystal glasses. I took a look at what he placed on the table. A bottle of expensive bourbon? Good Marcus was never big with scotch. He liked the smell, but couldn't quite deal with the taste, next to it a beer.

"Another test I presume?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

"No, I just didn't know what your preference was." Ozpin remarked, Marcus remained still waiting for the Headmaster who was taking his sweet time retrieving those glasses. Obviously waiting to see if he took the beer.

"I'd love to taste this Bourbon professor. I take it that you spot yourself a connoisseur?"

"Nothing of the sort I'm afraid. It was a gift from an old acquaintance with a passion for hard liqueur. I have a small glass with new students every now and then. All above the drinking limit, of course." Ozpin chuckled at his joke and Marcus couldn't help but smile.

Marcus sat up straight as the Headmaster returned placing one glass on his side and another to Marcus. Popping the cork he poured the brown liquor conservatively into each cup. Marcus raised the glass to his lips, he wanted to taste first smell later. He gently raised the glass tasting the liquid. Lowering the glass, Marcus savored the taste swirling it around in his mouth.

"Oaky, with a slight hint of… vanilla. A little sweeter than I'm used too, so I'll assume apricots were mixed in with the blend at some point. Other than that, Corn." Marcus took another sip enjoying the taste and light buzz it caused in his head.

"I never could get past that first taste. I'm more of a; Tea and Coffee man myself." Ozpin cringed slightly upon taking another sip.

"It shows a little bit." Marcus smiled, the Professor was smooth and easy to talk to. Marcus liked that about him.

"Your story is a harrowing one Mr Beaunoire. But I feel it gives you strength. Your inner fire so to speak."

"I'm glad we share the same opinion Professor Ozpin."

"However, I have this feeling. It would also be your downfall, In my opinion it is in your best interest to drop this hunt, and focus on your studies. Become the best that you can be. No?"

"You and everyone else I've talked too think that way. But for every day that I stop looking, the trail keeps getting colder. Who are you to tell me to give it all up?"

"I'm not telling you to give up. I'm just telling you what i think, what you do next. That's in your hands now Mr Beaunoir."

"Am I free to go now, Professor?"

"Yes, you are. We have a temporary room set up for you in the west wing. I have someone outside going to show you the way there."

With that, Marcus finished his drink. Getting up he nodded to Ozpin before walking out the door. Marcus swung it open, his eyes widened, as did the person who waited on the other side.

"Oh god. Just my luck." Coco hit her head against the wall.

"Its good to see you again my sweet hot coco. You never did return my calls?" Marcus tried to wrap an arm around her, she grabbed his hand wrenching it away from her.

"I would have if you actually called." Coco smirked getting in close to his face. "I heard you died." Marcus began to chuckle, his laugh almost evil and manic. As if there was magical camera pan. The window flared into the background the flash of lightning followed by the boom of thunder!

"I Can't die! MY PLOT MUST GO ON!"

A/N

A little chunky for chapter I'll admit. I knew it was going to be big the second I started the re-write. For those of you who read BLAC my first ever published FF I hope the send off to the originals was acceptable. It made me a little sad :'( I'll probably bring them back later as a more kickass version of SSSN. Now this story may have seemed a little off In terms of time, if it was confusing I apologist however it can't be helped.

The part that actually matters ^(0-0)^

Now I love throwing in references to my favorite games/animes/cartoons/movies/TV etc. anyone who spots these references, hell even the really obscure ones earns an instant deposit of 100 million (hypothetical) fanfiction dollars from me to you.

However if you spot one of the references you only need write down the reference in a review or PM and I will reward you with a single thing of your choice into the next chapter. A reference to any particular thing of your choice into the next chapter. Or even the title of next chapter. The more References you find the better the reward. This will be an ongoing thing throughout every chapter. So if you liked this be sure to play along. It makes my day :D

Hope you all enjoyed this. I know I did writing it. Au revoir mes amis 3