*Ponyville, Equestria; October 16, 2018; 5:18 PM*

Alex and the others looked impressed at the weaponry Vinyl had created.

"Damn, some of this shit seems pretty cool." Cade said, grabbing a gauntlet that reached to his elbow. The gauntlet sparked and hummed with untold amounts of energy.

Yang herself grabbed a small canister about the size of a shotgun shell.

"What does this do?" Yang wondered aloud.

"That's what I call a 'Scratch-Shot'. The battery in place of the primer is good for about 100 shots or so. I asked the SDC a little while back if I could integrate this with Dust, and I paid a ton of Bits for the shipment I got!" Vinyl explained.

"Holy crap, what's this shit run on?" Cade asked.

"I made a deal back in 2017 for this stuff called 'Hoofstentium'. Almost unlimited power in such a small battery, but it isn't cheap." Vinyl said.

"Do you think you can integrate these with Ember Celica?" Yang asked, absolutely exited about the idea.

"Sure, but I can't give it to you for free, you know how it is, right?" Vinyl winced.

"How much?" Alex asked.

"About... 1,200 Bits." Vinyl told him.

"Twelve hundred?! I may be a hired gun, but that price is kinda steep for a gauntlet!" Alex gasped.

"Tell ya what, because we're friends, I'll drop the price. 850?" Vinyl suggested.

"Okay, that I can handle. How about upgrading our limbs?" Alex asked.

Vinyl inspected Alex and Yang's prosthetic arms and legs, wincing audibly at the damage done in recent battles, she nodded.

"1150 bits." Vinyl said.

"Deal." Alex shook Vinyl's hoof.

"Okay, so I know it must be a pain lugging those things around, how about I make you something else?" Vinyl asked him, pointing to Alex's lever-guns.

"Like what? It's not like there's a lot to Dual Wield!" Alex insisted.

"How about I model your new weapons off of, hmmm.. Maybe this?" Vinyl levitated an HK MP7 over to Alex, who inspected the weapon.

"Not bad, got anywhere to test-fire?" Alex asked, pointing the gun towards the ceiling.

Vinyl walked over to the uncovered wall and pressed a button, revealing a 50 yard range with several targets already set.

"Let's see what you got." Vinyl commented, tossing him a magazine of Scratch-shot rounds.

Alex loaded the weapon, and fired a burst at the five targets in a matter of seconds, most of which hit around the center in close groups.

"I'll take it. Make sure you can turn it into a sword." Alex told Vinyl.

"Alright... 1990 Bits." Vinyl said.

"This is definitely making a dent in the ol' pocketbook." Alex muttered.

Cade walked up to Vinyl, curious as to what he could get.

"Alright, since you are Alex's colt, I'll find you something cool. See anything you like?" She asked.

"How about that .454 on the wall?" Cade pointed to a Desert-Eagle style pistol with an extended barrel, which Vinyl levitated to him.

"The Dante .454. The barrel's longer to counteract the recoil or something, I'm not an expert." Vinyl shrugged as she tossed him a mag.

Cade sighted in his targets, concentrating deeply, before shooting the five targets.

The targets exploded, sending shreds of paper and splinters flying around the room.

Cade raised the weapon to the ceiling, smirking.

"Nice. I'll take it if this thing can turn into a short sword. I'll keep the sickle as it is." Cade nodded.

"Smart move. 1600" Vinyl said.

"Why does he have that thing again?" Oreonna asked Auburn.

"He uses it to block an opponent's sword, then he opens them up to a counter-attack. Ingenious, if you ask me." Auburn explained.

"What about you two? I noticed they're badass instruments, but mind if I take a look at one of yours just to see what it's made of?" Vinyl asked.

Auburn held out her guitar/axe, which Vinyl levitated to a table under a scanner.

"Abadeer's Flame. Analysis, Dust-Powered core and Dust laced strings. Upgrades: Hoofstentium-Dust core results in 50% power increase. Remnantian Steel blade replacement with Tenacia results in 45% durability increase and 35% sharpness increase." The Scanner chirped.

Auburn, who usually had her trademark uninterested stare, actually smiled a little bit.

"You know your weaponry, Ms. Scratch. I'll admit that much." Auburn said.

"Much appreciated, and I bet I can do something similar for your weapon, Oreonna." Vinyl added.

"Symphonic Discord V2?!" She gasped excitedly.

"If you want it, Alex'll pay for it, but they're each about 1500 bits." Vinyl nodded.

"Just make sure to tell your mother I'm buying you all this cool shit, I'd feel a lot safer without her breathing down my neck with her f**king Mary Poppins sword." Alex commented.

"Okay, Mr. Walker!" Oreonna agreed cheerfully.

"How are you guys doing on armor?" Vinyl asked.

"What's your latest model?" Alex asked her.

"Right here. The Avalon Mk. VIII, equipped with Tempered Tenacia armor, enhanced Bass Cannon exo-leap comes standard with this thing, and it's all powered by the Dust-Hoofstentium V-Core 9.0. Highest power output I could get out of this thing." Vinyl promoted.

"The HUD?" Alex asked.

"I took a page out of the Aura Scanner's book, along with extra-dimensional devices like them and lined the helmet with a visor with some combined capabilities. This thing can get a read on whatever you're dealing with even if they're purposely trying to hide anything." Vinyl explained.

"On-Board weapons systems?" Alex wondered.

"Since you're an Adenienite, the V-Core can act as a power boost when you need it, and it'll automatically enhance your electrical output in battle. If that's not enough, the Bass Cannon Exo-Jump can deliver a pretty strong kick." Vinyl elaborated.

"How much?" Alex inquired.

"For you, 2000 bits." Vinyl coughed.

"I'll take that as well." Alex nodded.

"I'll take one too at that price." Cade added.

"Sounds badass enough for me, I'll take one too!" Yang grinned.

"I'll just take the Exo-Jump. I won't need armor that much. Besides, I'd rather not have that kind of burden on my step-father's shoulders." Auburn said.

"Same here. Also, why would you need armor when you can just as easily dodge?" Oreonna asked.

"Alright, what's the total so far?" Alex groaned.

"For three new weapons, two upgrades, and three models of my best armor, plus six limbs... 14,590 Bits. You just paid my rent for about 3 months." Vinyl said.

"I have 15,000. Do taxes have to be a factor?" Alex moaned.

"No. This is just a personal business." Vinyl grinned.

"Deal." Alex shook Vinyl's hoof.

"Alright. You're not doing anything, are you?" Vinyl asked.

"Well, we were going to Adenien for training, but.." Alex muttered.

"Say no more, just stay at the Ponyville Hotel, It'll take about 6 days for me to get everyone's stuff done." Vinyl clarified.

"Alright... Since I paid for all of our shit, who's buying 2 hotel rooms for 6 days?" Alex groaned.

"I dunno, 410 Bits can go a long way around here. A room there is, like, 67 Bits a night." Vinyl said.

"So that's Yang and I taken care of, what about you three?" Alex asked Cade, Auburn, and Oreonna.

"Do you think Fluttershy will have room for all of us?" Cade wondered.

"Twilight might have some spare rooms." Yang suggested.

"I don't wanna just stay at someone's castle for nothing..!" Oreonna decided.

"Then maybe you could do some chores for Twilight while she does Royal duties and shit. Spike seems like he has his hands full." Vinyl figured.

"A castle stay sounds nice." Auburn agreed.

"Alright, meet me back here in 6 days. I'll have your stuff ready by then!" Vinyl promised.

"On an unrelated note, how often does Equestria use electricity?" Alex asked.

"Tourists prefer a rustic feel for their hotels, so not there. Why?" Vinyl wondered.

"Never ask that question, please..." Cade shuddered.

Oreonna, wanting to pay Alex back for mentally scarring her, leaned in to Vinyl's ear and whispered her explanation.

Vinyl grinned and let out a stifled laugh.

"FUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!"

*Griffin Castle; Werfen, Austria; October 31, 1945; 9:45 PM*

Der Eisendrache: A Group 935 facility centered in an Austrian castle, with views of the wintry Austrian forests littered with rockets nearly ready for launch. This is where Edward Richtofen would make his next move in his plan to kill the original cast. This was where Tank Dempsey would perish by his own hand...

That is, until they showed up.

Richtofen stumbled and fell onto the ground, clutching his knee.

"W-Wait..! Do you have any idea what you are doing?! You're dooming this universe for your own twisted goals!!" He yelled.

Wildcat stood over him with a blood-stained katana.

"Oink Oink, motherf**ker." Wildcat smirked as he stabbed him with the Katana.

Thinking quickly, Vanoss absorbed Richtofen's soul in the Summoning Key before looking at Delirious.

"So, what's the plan?" Delirious asked.

"You, Wildcat, Nogla, and I are group one. Mini, Lui, Basically, and Terroriser are group two. And Droidd and Moo Snuckel are with group 3, as for who else is with them, we'll ask around.

"We have bigger problems, Evan!!!" Nogla yelled, crashing onto the Landing Pad with numerous zombies right behind them.

"Shit! Did you get any of the targets for your Fire Bow?!" Wildcat asked.

"I can't hit shit!! I'M DOWN!!!" Nogla screamed as the zombies crowded him.

"God dammit. I'll handle Nogla. You and Delirious get your bows!" Vanoss ordered as the two ran away.

"You think we'll be ready for when Cinder f**ks us up?" Wildcat asked Delirious.

"We have badass weapons just like her's, so we might be good!" Delirious replied.

Vanoss quickly revived Nogla and ran towards the castle walls and up the stairwell leading to a Wundersphere.

"Evan, what's the plan after this?!" Nogla asked.

"We're definitely going to Gorod after this, then we'll explore some of the Black Ops I and II maps and try to get those wonder weapons from the box. For me, at least, I'm thinking Origins staffs, and maybe the Scavenger from Call of the Dead." Vanoss explained.

"How f**kin' long is that gonna take?!" Nogla asked.

"Based on how long it's taking us to get the bows, probably looking at... 6 months for everybody?" Vanoss figured.

"DESTOYER'S DOING A F**KING TIMESKIP?!"

*Location Unknown, Remnant; October 18, 2018; 8:45 PM*

Blake slowly walked into the stylized hut in the deserts of Vacuo, and had travelled for two days to find this place.

"I figured you would show up.." A feminine voice noticed.

"Yes.. I heard you might have something for me." Blake answered meekly.

Raven Branwen walked out, carrying a slightly rusted, still bloodstained Wilt and Blush, weapons that had once belonged to her long deceased partner, Adam.

"These are the weapons recovered by the Adenien Ryder Corps. I had long since saved these for you, Blake." Raven commented.

"Also, can I ask something of you?" Blake asked.

Raven nodded slightly, turning back to face the huntress.

"You're familiar with Adam's fighting style?" Blake asked.

Raven smirked.

"Adam was not only affiliated with the White Fang, but for some time, he was my student. A prodigy in the combat style I trained him in. Qrow went as far as to say he was my perfect student, on account of my own alliance with the White Fang." Raven explained.

"You were with the White Fang? Why did you leave then? Why did you let the White Fang be influenced by the Inquisitors?" Blake asked.

"I have a plan for this world, Ms. Belladonna, one that will benefit all mankind and Faunus alike. A plan that required the White Fang. One that required the Inquisitors. That required.."

"Alex..?" Blake asked.

Raven appeared slightly disappointed at the mention of his name.

"As annoying and unpredictable as he can be. My plan called for specifically him. As much as the little bastard annoys me, he does serve his purpose. As he is right now." Raven smiled knowingly.

"And what is his purpose..?" Blake asked.

"In his point of view, the Inquisitors are his mortal enemy. After all, they did kill his parents, some of his friends, and destroyed his chance of a full mental recovery.

"With Cinder, this is especially true, she has taken the most from him besides Agent Winchester. Meaning he will go through any means necessary to kill her with his bare hands.

That, Blake, is his purpose. He is a hunter born and made to destroy groups like this. To relentlessly root out every last member and either convert them to our cause, my cause, or kill them. And once he's done.." Raven explained.

"You're letting him go..?" Blake asked.

Raven laughed a little bit.

"Oh, my naive little huntress, that's for me to know and for you to not discover."

Author's Notes:

Just to let you guys know, the chapter after the next one, there will be a time skip.

It's going to be about 6 months and will deal with how prepared they are for the next threat, and what the next threat will be.

And also, while I think Raven served as the perfect mentor-figure for Alex in the last story, she seems a little more enigmatic to me, don't you agree?

-The Destoyer