Mal woke up once more within what seemed like the vacuum of space. It's floor felt... fluffy... yet he couldn't make it out what he was stepping on due to the dense white mist that reached up to his knees. However, apart from the contrasting sky and mist, there were two other things within this unknown place. A countless number of weapons all stabbed into the floor and a familiar black obelisk resting in the midst of that ethereal plane.

After a good five minutes of walking and taking in the sight, Mal then approached the black obelisk and then looked at it's base and saw a familiar timer.

Mal then mentally said to himself "27 years huh?". He then pondered how he could possibly be dying faster. All he was doing after was using his sem- wait...

He then projected non-gun copy of Gambol Shroud, which, unlike usual just appeared out from the mist below. He then looked at the timer before closing his eyes and sighing. The blade managed to take away half an entire day's worth of time.

"I see... so using my semblance kills me faster... That sucks... But what about...".

He then began using reinforcement, allowing his entire body to be suffused in circuit-like patterns.

His eyes then widen, seeing as how this resulted in the clock ticking faster at a speed of a minute per second.

"I... see... so my aura itself... is killing this body... If that's the case, I'm guessing I lost 2 years from that stunt I did with Fenrir then.".

He then realized that maybe Fenrir's passive connection to him is also killing him as well as evidence by the fact that the timer was moving at one and a half times faster than a second per tick. But he refused to cut it off... that beodog needed it. After all, it's not wrong to help...

However, that thought made him flashed back to someone saying the exact same words.As he looked at the blurry visage of a red-haired man, all he could say was "Who are you? Who are you to me? Are you  my father perhaps? No... that can't be right... I saw through your eyes, so who ARE you? Are you me somehow? In some other life perhaps?".

"Mal"

While he said that, he could hear a voice slowly getting louder.

"Mal"

"Mal"

"Mal"

"MAL!"

Mal then jumped out of his bed only to see Ruby standing by his bedside.

"Y-yeah... what is it Ruby?".

"So... i-is your face alright?".

"Yeah, it is but a scratch. Besides, if this wasn't an accident, I'd probably be dead." He then gave a dry chuckle only for Ruby to pout and say "Mal, don't joke about that kind of thing!" only for Mal to shush her, saying "You have to keep it down, Lex and I promised to keep quiet about this remember? As far as Rogue, Cenn and Alice know, I just got cut when I stood near a construction accident.".

Ruby then covered her own mouth before nodding.

Mal then climbed out of bed and said "Come on, let's continue finding our friend.". Ruby then said "You don't have to- Oh wait..." before pointing an accusatory finger at Mal, saying "You're just gonna say 'It's not wrong to help' aren't you? Then you'll proceed to help anyways, aren't you?". Mal blinked before scratching the back of his head, saying "Hehe... you got me there...".

Later that day, everyone then decided to split off from each other. Lex had to go to an office meeting, Cenn said he was gonna pay homage to... some people dear, alongside Alice. Rogue decided to hit up a cafe he heard about ran by some dude named Tonio who apparently had a stand- I mean a semblance that enriched food and Mal decided to continue the search.

After everyone waved goodbye, Mal then joined team RWBY in finding Blake once more.

A couple hours later and still temp team RYWM(Ream? Rhyme? Requiem?) still find no one and, as handy as letting Fenrir loose would be in this situation, an unexplained grimm sighting in the city wouldn't be so good an idea.

Weiss then said "You know who could help expedite the search? The police." making the three siblings groan simultaeneously with Ruby saying "Ugh, Weiss.".

Ice princess then rebutted with "It was just an idea!" making Ruby mutter out "Yeah, a bad one.".

Yang then decided to try and be the mediator, saying "Weiss, I think we should hear her out before jumping intk any conclusions alright?".

Weiss then said "I think that when she does, you'll see I was correct all along.".

Mal then said "Saber, I think just because you're correct doesn't mean you're-" only to be cut off by Weiss, saying "Not. Another. Word." making Mal zip his mouth, only squeaking out "Okay Saber...".

Suddenly, Penny joined out of nowhere, saying "And I think Weiss's hair looks lovely today." startling everyone except Mal who just nodded.

Ah, classic Penny...

She then said "What are you four up to?" with her usual mirth.

Yang answered by saying "We're looking for our friend, Blake.", making Penny say "OOOOOH! The faunus girl?" making the three siblings nod.

Penny then asked "So, where is she?".

Ruby replied with "We don't know, she's been gone since Friday.".

Penny lets out a gasp, saying "That's horrible!" before side hugging Ruby, saying "Don't you worry, Ruby my friend! I want rest until we find your friend!". She then stared into the sky for an awkward second before facing Mal, saying "I'm sorry Mal, but I still don't knlw how to "hang out with the dudes"".

Ruby squeaked a bit before saying "Th-that's nice Penny but we're okay, really! R-right guys?" looking over at Weiss and Yang for backup only to have them disappear in a cloud of smoke while Mal stood there picking his nose.

Mal then said "What? Sorry, I wasn't laying attention."

Ruby then said "I SAID we're okay, really! Alright GUYS?" to which Mal the silently ah'ed before saying "The more the merrier Tai always says!", smiling blissfully as Ruby worded out "Not helping!" before being dragged off by Lenny who then said "Then it is settled! Come now friend Ruby, we shall-" only ro be interrupted by a familiar girl in the distance running towards them, saying "WAAIT! Penny! Stop running off like that!".

Penny then smiled at here and said "Sal-u-tations Cairy! We're going to find Ruby's friend Blake!" making Cairy groan in exasperation before saying "You're such a handful sometimes, sis...".

__________

Meanwhile, Weiss and Yang had just come out of the fifth shop  they have asked with Yang thanking the clerk for helping even if it was nothing substantial.She then huffed out "Ugh... this is hopeless!". She then saw how Weiss was non-chalantly filing her nail. In incredulity, Yang then exasperatedly asked "You don't care if we find her, do you?" to which the heiress replies with "Don't be stupid; of COURSE I do. I'm just afraid of what she'll say when we find her.". She then started walking off, leaving Yang, saying "The innocent never run Yang.". only for a new voice to interrupt saying "Unless they feel threatened that is." making both Weiss and Yang startled.

They both then turned to none other than Rogue sitting in a cafe two buildings away. He then waved with his usual air of non-chalance, saying "Hey boss's brother, hey Ice queen.".

Yang then said "O-oh R-rogue! W-what are you doing here? I thought you were going to sample the food in that." while her eyes darted around in horror. 

Rogue sighed before muttering out "Yare yare..." before pointing to the sign above him as he said "I was... but now that you have taken my interest...". He then takes the salad platter on his table, ate it all in one go, then proceeded to pay the bill, then go into a pose while sitting all in one fluid move. He then sat cross-legged, placed his hands together on the table, adopted a thinking position and then said "Alright, spill the juice, what's going on.".

Yang blinked before saying "I... well... you see..." only to be cut off by Rogue taking a chair, laying it on the side of the table opposite to him and then gesturing for her to sit. Yang then sat down subconsciously and said "Well, i-it's about Blake... wait how did I get here?"" freaking out about suddenly realizing she was on a chair. 

Rogue merely smiled before saying "Calm down, I just subconsciously goaded you into sitting by using subtle gestures to message you to sit is all, now, what's the juice with cat Alice?".

Yang then said "Well, you see-" only to be cut off by Weiss, who came back and then said "Hey get off your butt, we still have to find Blake." with Rogue calmly waving, saying "hey Ice queen.".

Weiss then said "Buzz off Rogue, we still have important matters to attend to.". Rogue then started to chuckle while cupping his face with one hand, before slowly transitioning into manic laughter before moving his middle finger off his eye and then pointing at Weiss before saying "But I refuse." with a dead serious gaze, making Weiss go "W-what?".

He then elaborated "One of the things that I, Rogue Morgenstern, like doing most is saying "I refuse" to those I see as pompous or self-entitled." with a face that was far too detailed for the rendering software being used to make this show, freaking both Weiss and Yang out. 

Rogue then jumped off his chair while in a squat position before landing on his feet, before saying "Your next line is "How dare you call me pompous and self entitled!"... to you.".

The former was finally able to snap out of it fast enough to say "H-how dare you call me p-pompous and self-entitled! Wait what!".

Rogue then patted his hands together before saying "Alright I'm in. You can both fill me on the way.".

Yang and Weiss could only stutter in response while walking alongside him.

____________

On a different street, Ruby, Mal, Penny and Cairy were all heading down to a possible lead. As they did, Cairy started feeling awkward from the cold silence they were putting off, so she decided to make small talk, "So is Blake your friend?". 

Now Mal and Ruby weren't listening so the sudden change from silence to small talk lagged their brains a bit, making them both go "Wha- sorry I wasn't listening./Pardon?" wherein Penny then dived in and said "Cairy asked if she was your friend or something.".

Ruby then sighed and said "Yes, she is, Penny, Cairy.". Penny then tilted her head and then asked "But you're mad at her?" showing an abnormal lack of hesitation in her part whereas her sister, if they are led to be believed was barely surviving the awkward tension.

While Ruby and Penny talked, Mal then discreetly went to the back, making it look like he was staring at a random bakery they passed, before walking back and observing the sibling dynamic of the two. Mal had a memory gap in the little RWBY he had watched so he knew something wa off about Penny and that Cairy didn't exist... or at least wasn't mentioned... but something was different about Penny. Something similar to that faceless android a week or so back, but less... cold. Mal narrowed his eyes. If she is really one, then he's going to have to take a closer watch on her. In short, SHE. IS. A. THREAT.

Penny then gasped saying "She's a man?!" which snapped Mal out of his thinking. He then made a silent chuckle before making a demure smile. Probably not.

Suddenly an explosion rung a dozen blocks forward, in the docks area. Explosions means destruction, destruction means...

Mal and Rogue then gasp. No way in hell will they live down a possible source of casualties. Both black-haired swordsmiths then screamed "Come on! Someone might be in trouble!/We need to go! Now!". They have failed people before, not again!

Meanwhile in a far off graveyard, a certain wolf faunus then quickly turned to the source of the loud sound and muttered "Hey Cenn, did you hear that?" to which her companion stood from the grave he just placed a bouquet on. Cenn then replied with "Hear what? What is it Alice?". She then replied "An explosion... ". Cenn then nodded before carrying her and flying off. However, being in the opposite side of the city means that they might be awhile.

Meanwhile at the docks, a freighter was then shot off, forcing a certain monkey and cat faunus separate before the golden monkey stumbled. In front of his face was the barrel of Melodic Cudgel as it's owner smirked at him. Suddenly

*CLANGK*

Roman Torchwick then quickly looked up at where the sudden sword embedded itself from and found a familiar red and white air of cloaks.

He then said "Oh hey little Red, littler white, isn't that a couple hours past your bedtime?".

Before Mal could retort and complain about the nickname, a flare was shot without warning aimed straight for Ruby and Mal making them raise their weapons in defense only to open their eyes and see Cairngorm in front of them with her hand out a segmented metal snake in front of her. The snake then retracted to her backpack as turned back to them, saying "Penny already said it before." before orange-haired girls went into serious mode as they both said "We're combat ready.".

Penny then jumped down as an array of swords appeared from her backpack. She then started to whale on horde upon horde of White Fang. After clearing the nearby enemies, she was then pelted by mounted guns of enemy controlled bullhead, forcing her into a defensive by spinning her blades like heli-blades. As she did, she then ejected two blades behind her, launched herself backwards and then charged some sort of lazer using her swords.

"So she's here too, huh? Tsch!"

Suddenly a familiar mannequin-like android appeared from one of the bullheads and jumped at the lazer as it fired before swinging a brand new, sleeker, more mechanized sword at the lazer, and somehow absorbing it into the blade. It then drew the sword into a position like that of a stance one does before doing a single-handed spear stab from all the way from at least ten meters away. 

Cairy widened her eyes before running towards Penny, as her instincts tell her something's up. She then brought out her bronze snake and formed a coiling barrier around both of them as a blue lazer fired from the sword.

The students all then stopped to look at their friends while Cairy whimpered as she could see the metal start glowing due to the lazer slowly reaching inside the metal snake.

"I GOT THIS!"

Everyone then turned to the voice as Rogue appeared out of the rooftops with his hand held out before tapping the bronze snake barrier and saying "Trace... on!". As those words left his mouth, a blue ring of fire then engulfed the snake as the damage dealt earlier fixed itself while a wall of swords began blocking the lazer. 

The lazer died down before the android made a dissatisfied 'hmph!', a sign that the robot somehow grew more sentient, something Mal took note off as he chained the unconscious White Fang into lamp posts. While that happened, Torchwick managed to escape as he then said "These kids just keep getting weirder and WEIRDER!" as he climbed one of the bullheads and fled.

A distorted voice was then heard from the ear piece of the android saying "So, is that guy in grey your person of interest 2J?" making the robot shake its head before saying "No, as similar as his powers are, the unknown particle was not detected, only regular aura."

The voice then said "Then who is?! We don't exactly have unlimited resources here, my daughter.".

Rogue then gave his signature smirk before saying "Oh boohoo, what'cha gonna do about it then? I may not be who you're looking for but I'll be the one to challenge you!". He then created a fiery blue portal beside him as a sword peeked out. He then aimed it at 2J before firing it while holding it, launching himself at the female-shaped mannequin as well. While he did, said mannequin also charged at him, while saying "But that just won't do." before aiming its one hand at Rogue, making him hold out Umbra with one hand to block, only for it to use the hand like a thruster to change direction, straight at Mal.

Rogue managed to roll on the ground but then looked in horror as the robot blitzed towards Mal. Luckily, Mal was able to react fast enough that the worst he felt was his hands stinging as his shields were slapped upwards. Mal then summoned a copy of Ealimh and, while he couldn't wield it properly, altering as much weight as he did meant that it gave him a pseudo counterattack while also stopping any follow-up strike from happening.

Both were then placed on a blade clash as Mal struggled to keep the sword pushing down while also balancing it so it didn't slide down. The distorted voice then gasped before saying "You are right! This one has the particle X! The very same from our benefactors! The crap our allies call "magic". You believe those bozos? Anyways, back to the present." before the robot said "However, father, the reason I took interest in this one is not that, but rather the illogical contradiction found in this one's belief." calmly, as if either it was unneeding to breath or... worse, it didn't find Mal's effort threatening despite him using reinforcement to levels that used to blow up blood vessels in his body. Luckily, it was just the former as the arms, despite being made of some futuristic material made creaking noises.

However, 2J then began talking once more. "Tell me... in this situation... who would you save? And who would you kill to do it?".

Mal took a bit to decipher it only for his eyes to widen in horror as Penny let loose a lazer beam, cutting three bullheads in half. One of the bullhead pieces was heading for Ruby, Cairy and Rogue, another towards Sun and Blake, another one towards Penny, and that does not even take into account the possible loss on the side of the White Fang. Finally another going towards them.

That slight moment of hesitation was all 2J needed to one Mal up, as it fired excess energy from the sword, shattering his fake sword into steel shards, before preparing to strike him down while saying "The answer? You save no one, you kill no one, you don't do anything.". If this girl-no... this soulless automaton had a face, it would be wearing a sadistic face as the blue orbs which he supposed were its eyes bore down with ecstatic glee on him.

___________

'Who am I?' a question all humans have asked at one point in their life or another. To Mal, that question was easy. An unworthy, fragile nobody who was rescued from the fire barring his past.

"[Fire is my blood and Glass is my heart]"

Yet there is more... there must be more... where did he get his insatiable need to help. That longing to save everybody that he could. Yes, he was a sword in most every manner. Hardened, multi-purpose, silvery, sharp, and, for all the destruction it could cause, is still a tool usable for protecting.

"[I am a blade for protecting]"

His mindscape was an infinite expanse covered in blades, most forgotten and unusable above an equally infinite yet empty sky. Yet despite all his lacking, he refuses to give up. If he has to, he shall manifest his own reality over the current one.

Mal then intoned "[My whole life... was INFINITE MIND WORKS!]" as he elected to push the robot. As he did so, reality began collapsing around everyone present, his circuit-like projection covering the entire port in the circuit-like markings of his semblance, as hundreds of ordinary looking swords began firing at the bullheads, deflecting them. While that happened reality began flickering around them as the cloudy night sky constantly swapped with a black, inky expanse and the concrete floor with a soft, fog-filled one.

The White Fang fell to the soft floor as they fell on the floor which swapped between concrete and what felt like either layered cloth or flower petals. Ruby and the others managed to get out from below the bullheads anyways and yet the most shocked out of everyone was the mannequin who Mal tackled away from the crash of the aircraft. Explosions shook , and yet, luckily, no one died.

2J then muttered "You... saved me..." wordlessly, its logic-based supercomputer of a brain, struggling to compute neither the reason nor the possibility of him doing that. Mal then looked up to the robot and smiled weakly before saying "I told you I'd save everyone didn't I?" before chuckling to himself.

The reality flickering then stopped as the lines of Mal's semblance quickly receded into him. As he did, his body turned into his usual pale color to a ghostly white as his hair turned slightly, yet visibly whiter. His eyes then rolled to the back of his head as blood almost quite literally exploded out from his eyes, nose, ears and mouth, along with him vomiting and going to what seemed like cardiac arrest. Weiss and Yang, the darn slowpokes, finally arrived and Weiss's eyes widened as she saw the robot looming over Mal's unconscious body while staring at him. 

Her mouth gaped open as Yang, Ruby and Rogue charged at her with weapons drawn with rage nearly blinding them. 2J then jumped back before saying "Interesting... you truly captivate me... Michael Dantes Espina." before using jet boots to fly off. Penny then took a running stance as if to chase after her, only for Cairy to say "Stand down Penny, our friend is the one needing attention here.". Penny looked hesitantly between the flying figure and Mal's bleeding figure before nodding.

Cairngorm then pushed everyone back before saying "I am trained in paramedics. Quick, call the ambulance.". She then run up to Mal, did the usual medical procedure of asking if the patient is conscious before conducting first aid. As she did the CPR, she also used her semblance. A nifty semblance which, similar to Mal, allows her to scan. However, instead of being able to scan objects, she can instead scan for any defects and damages like a real-time X-ray.

As she did, she then muttered out "Oh no...". Luckily, this was when Cenn had just arrived so both Cenn and Alice then rushed to the scene.

Alice then asked "What happened?!" while looking at Mal in sheer horror. After all, a scene of a team mate downed, bloodied and dying was a horrific memory all too familiar with the wolf faunus... actually to his entire team actually.

Cenn then looked like he was about to cry before he wiped the tears away and said "Let me fly em to the hospital." only for Cairy, not Cairi, to say "No, flight is too unstable. You might damage him more than he already is if you do. Instead, we will wait for the ambulance instead." making him purse his lips in fear.

[24:00:12:12:01:25]