Milk_Is_My_Drug
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Chapter 94: The New Order
🕑 Added 2025-07-11 08:00:06 +0000 UTCThe aftermath of Ashborn's chaotic intervention rippled across the four kingdoms like a tidal wave. As soon as the broadcast ended, people poured out into the streets, eager to confirm the unbelievable. And there they were, the half-naked, bruised bodies of the White Fang members, dangling in humiliating disgrace. Scrolls were out in seconds. Photos, laughter, and mocking jeers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
Huntsmen and soldiers scrambled to restore order, trying to shoo away onlookers, but it was futile. The damage ,or in some eyes ‘the justice’, was already done. General Ironwood stormed toward his airship, fury etched across his face, intent on regaining command of his compromised systems.
Unlike the initial panic from Cinder’s hijack, the crowd this time responded with mockery instead of fear. They laughed at the terrorists, they laughed at the prancing Atlas robots still dancing in the background, and they laughed at the complete absurdity of the night. A mysterious man whose face was never shown had humiliated both terrorists and authorities and stopped a major attack while the world had watched, helpless and dumbfounded.
The four kingdoms came together for an emergency meeting. The tournament was postponed for a day. Experts were called to harden the digital systems. And due to the lingering message left by Ashborn at the end of the transmission, a loud public outcry surged, Yang should continue in the tournament, and Penny should be declared the winner of her match. After all, the mysterious man who had foiled the attack seemed to have judged it fair, and in the court of public opinion, that was enough.
Yet not everyone was pleased. General Ironwood was livid. Ozpin was quiet, but his frown was deeper than ever. Glynda Goodwitch seethed with restrained fury. They knew for certain that Ashborn had known about the attack long before it unfolded and instead of informing them to stop it, he had orchestrated an elaborate mockery of everyone involved.
___________
The next morning, the sun rose over Beacon as if nothing had happened.
Inside the cafeteria, students from Team RWBY, JNPR, and Penny were gathered at a large table, quietly sharing breakfast and trying not to relive the chaos of the previous night.
Then the doors opened. Ashborn and Amazo walked in casually, as if returning from a pleasant stroll.
“Good morning,” Ashborn said, waving a hand.
Heads turned. Several jaws dropped.
Ashborn’s eyes landed on Yang. “Where is my apology?”
Yang blinked. “What?”
“You tried to punch me,” he said, as if explaining a basic rule of etiquette. “Everything turned out fine. Don’t you think an apology is in order?”
Yang scoffed. “You knew what was going on and chose to stay silent and you have the audacity to ask me to apologize?”
Ashborn shook his head solemnly. “This world has no future. No one here knows how to be grateful.”
Yang chuckled. “Thanks for the help.”
“You’re welcome,” Ashborn replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Weiss frowned. “I’m surprised you’re here. I thought Headmaster Ozpin or General Ironwood would’ve caught you after last night’s stunt.”
Ashborn shrugged. “I think they’re still too busy scrambling to come after me.”
Nora suddenly stood up. “Wait, wait… what was that about Penny winning? That’s not fair!”
“I’m playing favorites,” Ashborn replied with zero shame. “Live with it.”
Nora gasped, clutching her chest. “Have you no shame to say that out loud?!”
Ashborn leaned back in his chair, chuckling. “I’m a bored guy who adopted an android, plays video games with a crime lord and a serial killer, and even had a sleepover with them. I let terrorists run rampant just to mess with them and you expect me to show shame? Or not play favorites?”
Nora blinked, sat down slowly, and stayed quiet.
The rest of the table stared in stunned silence.
Yang broke the silence with a laugh. “They should put you in a cell right next to the others.”
Penny, ever concerned, looked at him. “The General was furious. Will you be okay?”
Ashborn waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine.”
Then he turned to Amazo. “There are no matches today. Any plans?”
Amazo tilted his head thoughtfully, then looked at Penny. “Do you have anything in mind to do?”
Penny smiled but shook her head. “I’m supposed to remain in Beacon after last night… for security reasons.”
Ashborn nodded. “Then the two of you can go to Vale. As for the General, leave him to me… I’ll make sure he doesn’t notice you’re missing.”
Penny looked alarmed. “You’re not going to do something bad to the General, are you?”
Ashborn gave an innocent look. “When have I ever done something bad?”
Silence blanketed the table again.
Ruby leaned in. “You let a known crime lord escape.”
Ashborn raised a finger. “I’m a civilian. It was not my responsibility to catch him.”
Weiss glared. “You spent time playing with the said known crime lord.”
“I’m not from this kingdom,” Ashborn replied, “and I didn’t participate in any crimes. My interaction with Mr Torchwick is like any other citizen, so it doesn’t apply either.”
Blake frowned. “You knew something was going on and you stayed silent.”
Ashborn’s voice grew smooth and diplomatic. “I had concerns about the capability of this kingdom’s guardians and the visiting army. So I made the necessary preparations to ensure everyone’s safety myself.”
The students were once again speechless.
Yang leaned back in her chair with a smirk. “You should be thrown in prison. You’re definitely not a good person.”
Ashborn merely shrugged. “I’m not a bad person either.”
Before anyone could retort, the cafeteria doors opened sharply, and Glynda Goodwitch entered with her usual stern grace. Her eyes locked onto Ashborn immediately.
She walked directly to their table. “Mr. Ashborn Black, we need to have a word in the Headmaster’s office.”
Ashborn rose casually. “They came for me faster than I gave them credit for.”
Without further complaint, he followed Glynda out of the cafeteria.
Amazo turned to Penny. “Let’s go to Vale.”
Penny hesitated. “But what about your father?”
Amazo smiled softly. “He’ll be fine. No one can handle my father.” He placed a hand on Penny’s shoulder, and with a pulse of light, they vanished.
Back at the table, Yang leaned forward with a mischievous grin. “How old do you think Ashborn really is? Is he truly 26? If yes then he’s a good boyfriend material in my books.”
The group blinked at her.
Ruby frowned. “Are you serious?”
Yang just shrugged. “Just saying.”
___________
In the Headmaster’s office, the elevator doors slid open, and Ashborn stepped out calmly. Across the room, Ozpin and General Ironwood stood side by side, deep in quiet conversation. Qrow Branwen stood a bit off to the side, sipping from a flask.
All three turned as Ashborn entered.
Qrow was the first to speak, smirking. “Didn’t think the weirdo from the docks could pull off a stunt like that.” He gestured toward Ozpin and Ironwood. “Regardless of their opinions, a glorious job there. And thanks for clearing my niece’s name.”
Ashborn offered a faint smile. “I aim to please.”
His gaze shifted to the two irritated men. “But these two didn’t like it, apparently.”
Ironwood snapped, “Like it? You turned Atlas into a joke!”
Ashborn shrugged. “A joke to the public is better than a kingdom being led by a tyrant to attack another. You let a bunch of idiots hijack your systems. Be grateful I stopped it.”
Ozpin’s voice was calm, but heavy with disappointment. “Mr. Black, you knew about the attack… yet you didn’t inform us. Instead, you went ahead with that performance. It was irresponsible at best.”
Ashborn folded his arms. “I was bored with nothing to do. And if you’re angry about it… do better next time.”
Ironwood’s tone darkened. “You don’t understand half of it. There’s a reason we’re careful with our actions. But you… you mocked our defenses, our military, and you called for the retirement of Ozpin!”
Ashborn tilted his head. “That’s just an excuse for incompetence. And I do know more than you. It’s exactly why I said Ozpin should retire. I don’t like him. He’s a real piece of work. Honestly, I find Salem pitiful for ever loving him.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Ozpin paled, a tremor in his voice. “It’s… it’s you.”
Ashborn stared at him for a moment before replying. “I’m not. If anything, I’m insulted to be compared to him or his sunny brother. Both of them are beneath me.”
Ozpin froze. “What… what are you?”
Ashborn gave him a charming, cryptic smile. “Just a tourist. For now.”
Ironwood, watching the exchange with narrowed eyes, finally stepped forward. “What is this about?” His voice was low but firm. “Ozpin, you’ve kept telling me to let things go, even after everything we’ve seen from him and his android son. If you want us to trust you… then tell us. What is this really about?”
Ozpin remained silent, his expression unreadable.
It was Ashborn who spoke, his voice calm and clear. “He won’t speak. He’s a man full of shame and cowardice, so don’t expect him to talk voluntarily.”
Ashborn paced slowly across the room, turning slightly to glance back at the group. “But the part that interests you… long ago, humanity was destroyed by the God of Darkness. And this man,” he pointed at Ozpin, “was given a mission by the God of Light. A mission that, after thousands of years, he still couldn’t complete.”
Ironwood and Qrow exchanged stunned looks. Ozpin’s fists clenched behind his back, but he said nothing.
Ashborn’s gaze turned sharp. “He thought I was the God of Darkness because of my control over shadows. And he was afraid I’ll destroy the world again, just like in the past.”
He chuckled “Well, I’m not that childish fool. Though…” he paused for emphasis, “he’s right about one thing. I can end this world if I so desired.”
The words hadn’t even settled before the entire office was suddenly swallowed in darkness.
It wasn’t mere shadow, it was a void, an endless abyss stretching into infinity. Wherever the four huntsmen looked, they saw countless glowing purple eyes, of all sizes, staring at them. From the floor, ceiling, walls, from every direction.
The air grew thick, and their limbs stiffened. Breathing became hard. The crushing weight of something ancient and unspeakable loomed around them. They could not move. Could not blink. They could only stare into the endless eyes of the void.
Then, just as suddenly as it came, the darkness vanished.
The light returned.
Ashborn stood in the center of the office, giving them a cheerful, sunny smile. “I have no reason to end you. Let’s keep it at that.”
The group looked at him with pale, shaken faces, not a single word escaping their lips.
Unbothered, Ashborn continued. “Now, a few things in order.” He raised a casual finger. “Roman and Neo, they’re not to be hunted anymore. I’ve spoken with them. No more crimes. I plan to take them with me when I leave this world.”
Ironwood opened his mouth but no words came.
Ashborn didn’t stop. “And for Penny…” He turned to face the General directly. “Give her all the freedom she wants, so long as she’s with Amazo.”
Ironwood finally managed to speak, voice faint. “Why…?”
Ashborn looked at him with a perfectly straight face. “Because Amazo likes her. And I want them to spend more time together.”
Ironwood blinked, struggling to comprehend. “Are you… serious?”
Ashborn gave a lazy shrug, a smirk tugging at his lips. “What can I say? Children grow fast.”
