A/N: Heyo! Once again, everyone loses crazy Cass, and they look forward to the drama. Well, you know I will deliver!

Chapter 11: Battle of the Sands

Yang's eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the morning light that was pouring through the open window. She sat up and ran her fingers through her tangled hair, making sure not to yank out any strands. She looked to the corner table, expecting to see Number sitting in his chair waiting for her to "wake" him up. She pulled her knees to her face and sighed, thinking "It's weird without him in here." Yang jumped out of bed to see that everyone else was still sleeping, and that the time was only 7 in the morning.

Yang slipped a pair of flip flops onto her feet and got out of the room silently, making her way to the cafeteria. It was really weird walking around without her mechanical shadow next to her, it made her feel lonely. As she got closer to the cafeteria, she started to hear Cassandra laugh and then Number's laugh follow. Yang walked into the cafeteria to see Number and his Earth friends sitting at a table that was damn near covered in food. Cassandra was the only one eating while Zerox-2 held a coffee cup and Number remained foodless.

Number looked over at Yang and waved her over, bringing a smile to her face. She hugged Number and greeted "Morning Number." Number was about to reply when Yang kissed his "cheek", or whatever qualified as his cheek. "Good morning to you too." Number finally replied as Yang sat down next to him. "Morning Zerox, morning Cass." Yang greeted as she leaned against Number.

Zerox-2 lifted his cup at Yang and replied "Morning. Sleep well?"

"It felt weird without Number being there, like I, we, were missing something."

Cassandra swallowed whatever combination of food in her mouth and replied "Welcome to how we felt for the past two months." Yang ignored Cassandra's comment and questioned "So are you going to eat all of this? Or can I snag some?"

"Go right ahead."

Yang took the plate of pancakes from Cassandra's personal buffet and started eating herself. "So what are your plans for today?" Yang questioned between bites. "Try and figure out how your tits got so big." Cass answered. Number and Zerox sighed at the same time, Zerox explaining "She's been fretting about it ever since she met you."

"Because it isn't fair! How old are you? 17? 18?"

Yang answered "I'm 17." Cass rolled her head back and groaned "UGH! I'm 25 and mine are the same size as your sister's! It's just not fair!" Yang looked at Cassandra with a raised eyebrow, listening to her whine about her cup size. Yang looked down at her own chest, feeling a little better about her chances with Number since Cass was nearly flat. Yang looked at Zerox and questioned "So, why are you holding a coffee cup?"

"I like the smell. It pleases my nasal sensors." Zerox answered as he held his cup to his face. He took a deep "breath" and sighed "It is so good to smell freshly ground coffee. I miss this back on Earth."

"So do you not have some of this stuff back on Earth?" Yang questioned in between bites. Number shook his head and replied "No, a lot of food that you have here can't be found on Earth. Coffee, pork, and certain fruits are practically nonexistent unless you have the Glimmer for it."

"Damn, that sounds awful."

"Why do you think Cass is trying to move up a size in her armor?"

Cassandra tossed a piece of sausage at Number, who simply laughed and placed the meat back on the table. "So what are you guys really doing today?" Yang questioned as she finished her breakfast. Zerox answered "We are going to talk to the leader of your military. He wants information on the Cabal and how they operate, and we have perfect experience." Cassandra added "Especially when it comes to full out assaults like this." Yang raised an eyebrow and questioned "What do you mean by that?"

"You'll see. You and your friends are wanted to be there since you guys decided to go headstrong into the fight."

"Cool. Well, I'm going to get dressed. Care to join me Number?"

Yang noticed Cass' grip tighten a bit on her fork as Number replied "Sure." The two got up and left the table, leaving Cassandra and Zerox alone. "I'm pretty sure that the fork has been strangled now." Zerox pointed out as he set his cup of coffee down. Cassandra dropped the now deformed fork and questioned "Has Number been acting strangely to you?"

"Number is always acting weird to me."

"I mean lately. He seems to like hanging around Yang a lot."

"What? Worried about a little competition?"

Cassandra shot Zerox a cold glare and replied "I'm not worried about some teenage skank taking my Titan from me."

O00000O00000O

Yang and Number walked through the hall, Yang taking the lead while Number hung back. He had to admit, Yang was a very beautiful woman. He knew it was his organics talking to him, but Number couldn't help but stare at Yang, particularly her very toned posterior. Yang looked back at Number, catching him staring at her ass. "Enjoying the view?" Yang questioned as she turned around.

Number knew he would have been blushing if he could since he was caught. "I… um… sorry." Number apologized. Yang stepped towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting a leg up as she pecked where his lips would be. "No need to apologize. You can stare all you want." Yang practically whispered. Number went slightly slack jawed at Yang's response since she normally got mad at him for staring.

Yang finally let go of Number and took his hand, practically dragging him towards her room. "Um, Yang?" Number called. "Yes?" She replied, stopping to turn around.

"I know that, um, you and I have… uh… feelings…"

"Yeah?"

Number took in a deep breath and sighed "I think that we should hold off for a bit. I still need some time to get my central processor… mind… my thinking thing around what I really am." Yang had a look on her face that just screamed she was in pain, so Number added "But that doesn't change how I feel about you." He placed his hands on her cheeks and assured "I still care about you Yang, I truly do. I just need time." A smile made its way across her face as she wrapped Number into a hug. "Okay, I'll give you your time. But just remember…" Yang exclaimed.

She took a step back and directed to her figure, finishing "This is waiting once you're done thinking." Yang spun around and headed back to her room, popping her hips as she walked. Number stood and watched her go, Shade appearing by his head and exclaiming "She does have some very attractive features." Number replied "Oh I know it."

"But that doesn't change the fact that we have a job to do."

"Right, the Cabal."

"And the Darkness. Guardian, we can't stay here."

Number turned his head to Shade and groaned "Can you please let me have this moment? Just for once?" Shade shook his 'head' and sighed "You will eventually have to come to terms with what is to be."

"I know, but let me enjoy these moments."

Shade materialized back into his helmet and Number headed to Team RWBY's room to find that they were already dressed for the day. "You girls ready for a debrief on possibly the most deadly enemy you have ever faced?" Number questioned as he leaned in the doorway. "You know just how to make everything exciting, don't you?" Yang questioned as she threw her jacket on. Ruby questioned "So what information do you have on the Cabal?" All of the girls noticed how Number tightened his fist at the question as he replied "All too much. Come on, Zerox is probably waiting on us and Team JNPR."

Number went across the hall and knocked on JNPR's door, seeing that they were just finishing getting ready. "Good, you're ready." Number exclaimed. "Let's get moving." They nodded and followed Number up to Professor Ozpin's office, finding that Zerox and Cassandra had already made it up there. Professor Ozpin sat behind his desk as usual with Professor Goodwitch behind him. General Ironwood stood on the other side with a familiar face sitting in the chair in front of the desk.

Penny turned in her seat and cheered "Number!" Penny jumped from her chair and ran to Number, jumping in his arms as he spun around. Number let Penny down so she could hug Ruby and cheer "Ruby! My friend!" Ruby hugged Penny back and replied "It's good to see you too Penny." Zerox questioned "So, Penny, why are you here?" She turned and replied "Because I was in Vale fighting the giant space monsters, and I'm like you."

Number put a hand on her shoulder and explained "Penny is a synthetic human capable of producing an Aura. She's basically this planet's version of an EXO." Zerox-2 scratched his chin and replied "Interesting. I would like to meet your… what do you call the person who made you?" Penny answered "My father."

"Right, I would like to meet your father"

General Ironwood cleared his throat and exclaimed "Now that we have everyone is here, let's get down to business. These Cabal are clearly ruthless beings and you three have had experience with them in the past." Zerox nodded and replied "Indeed we have. Especially in the past. Phantom?" A Ghost materialized by Zerox-2's head, but this one was a much different color Shade. Phantom had a black shell with a red streak down the middle vertically and a white streak across the center horizontally. The Ghost exclaimed in a female voice "Yes Guardian?"

"Access data file: Blacked Out."

Phantom lowered herself a bit and questioned "Are you sure Guardian? You specifically requested-" Zerox snapped "I know what I requested, but we need to give these people the information they need."

"I understand. Opening data file: Blacked Out."

Phantom's pieces rotated a bit before she expanded and displayed an image.

O00000O00000O

Zerox-2 stood inside of a tent with a war table behind him along with Number and Cassandra by it. "Are you recording Phantom?" Zerox questioned. "I am Guardian, just as you instructed." Phantom responded.

"Excellent. Now I want you to record everything until I tell you to stop. This is something that will shape the future."

Phantom nodded and Zerox took a deep breath. "We are on Mars. After a group of Guardians went into the Cabal stronghold to charge the eye of a Gate Lord, the accidently started a war with the Cabal." Zerox explained. "Teams of Guardians have been taking out Generals, but this is a mass assault. If we do not stop the Cabal here, then Earth is their next target since it is where all Guardians start. I, Zerox-2 the First Arcane Enchanter have been selected to lead this assault due to my fire team's reputation in the Iron Banner largely thanks to the resident Titan, Number." Zerox-2 went to the table and looked over the figures that represented the groups of forces. Zerox exclaimed "We have roughly 3000 Guardians with us, all of those numbers nearly symmetrical between each type of Guardian." Zerox picked up a figure that represented snipers and placed it along a ridge that over looked the main Cabal forces. Zerox explained "We'll set up snipers along the valley wall, providing support for our frontline troops. Cass, you will be leading this group, understood?"

Cassandra placed two fingers by her right eyebrow and saluted, replying "Roger roger."

"As soon as we make contact with the Cabal, we need the sniper support. The Cabal are heavily armored and have multiple turrets, so I need the snipers to take out the operators. Make sense?"

"Perfect. I'll let them know the battle plan."

Zerox pushed the figure that represented the air units and placed it in the area that represented the air and space above the valley. Zerox instructed "Number, I want you to lead the air units and provide air support. When their ships come to support them, have our fighters enter the atmosphere and send their ships straight to Hell. After you are through with them, turn your fire to the ground and assist with the ground forces." Number nodded and replied "You can count on me Boss." Zerox nodded and continued "I'll be leading the ground troops on sparrows. Cassandra, I need you to cover me until I reach the Primus. You're the only one I trust to have that good of aim." Cassandra nodded and replied "Won't find a better shot this side of the Milky Way."

"I know. Alright, get your troops ready. We'll be mobilizing very soon."

The two nodded and exited the tent, allowing Zerox-2 to plan out his final moves before it was Judgement time. A Hunter walked into the tent and bowed as a sign of respect to Warlocks. Zerox returned the bow and exclaimed "Captain, report." The Captain rose and removed her hood and helmet, reporting "Sir, it's a lot worse than we thought. There are a lot more than the 4000 our initial intel read." Zerox questioned "How many more?"

"They number 10,000 now sir."

Zerox-2 turned back to his map, placing his palms on the edge of the table. "Sir?" The Captain questioned. Zerox remained silent for a moment before muttering "Leave me." The Captain bowed again and exited the tent, leaving Zerox alone with Phantom. Zerox raised his fist and drove it through the table, roaring "DAMN IT! FUCK! This cannot be happening, how, how, how how how HOW!"

Zerox began to pace around the room, his body covered in purple flames. He slowly cooled off, placing his hand on his forehead and muttered "I cannot lose them. I cannot lose them. Not now… I need to tell them." Zerox was about to walk out of his tent when a female Awoke Titan walked through the opening and questioned "Tell them what?" Zerox looked up to see the woman and cheered "Alicia! You made it!" The Awoken was as tall as he was with long purple hair that was pulled back into a ponytail and had radiant green eyes.

O00000O00000O

Ruby threw her hand up and announced "Question! I have a question!" Phantom stopped the recording as Zerox questioned "Yes Ms. Rose?"

"Who is she?"

Zerox looked to the image of the Awoken Titan and answered "Her name is Alicia. She's an Awoken Titan that I had known my entire time as a Guardian. We were resurrected together and worked together for the longest time on Earth. We fought the Fallen and the Hive and even took down the Mega Servitor, Sepkis Prime, together." Ruby pointed out "She kinda looks like Pyrrha if she had light blue skin and purple hair." Zerox looked back at the image and replied "Yeah, she kinda does. Any, keep playing Phantom."

They recording continued…

O00000O00000O

The Awoken and the Titan wrapped her arms around each other as Alicia chuckled "Wouldn't miss this, especially if my bucket of bolts is leading the charge." The two let each other go and Zerox-2 groaned "This battle may be a little more difficult than previously thought."

"How much more difficult?"

"10,000 Cabal difficult."

Zerox turned back to see Alicia with a stern look on her face. "I know it seems impossible…" Zerox sighed. "FINALLY!" Alicia cheered. "A REAL fight! Come on Zerox, let's be honest. Each Guardian out there is worth 100 Cabal." Zerox sat down and Alicia knelt down before him and exclaimed "Look Z, I know it may seem tough but we can make it through this. You wouldn't have been put in charge if you couldn't handle it." Zerox smiled and sighed "Thanks Alicia. You always know how to cheer me up."

"You're welcome. Now let's go, you have an audience to address."

Zerox and Alicia rose from their positions and exited the tent which was set up above the rest of the encampment. Zerox instructed "Phantom. Can you project my voice while still recording?" Phantom answered "I can Guardian."

"Then make it so."

*cue Future of the Krogan, Mass Effect*

Zerox took a deep breath and announced "Attention Guardians! This is First Arcane Enchanter Zerox-2! I have an… unfortunate announcement. Our intelligence has informed me that the Cabal now number 10,000 rather than the 4,000 we originally believed." There was an uncomfortable murmur among the Guardians, one of fear and doubt over the success of their mission. Zerox-2 continued "There is no cause for alarm! Whether it be 10,000 or 100,000! We shall emerge victorious!" A Guardian shouted "We cannot fight such a force, we are so much weaker than them, it's just not possible to win!" Zerox-2 questioned "What. Did you just say, Guardian?"

Guardian 2 answered "He said this battle is impossible!" Zerox-2 announced "I see, and how many of you agree with them?" A large number of Guardians raised their hands, signaling their doubt of the entire assault. Zerox-2 replied "Alright, then let me ask you all this, how much are you willing to risk for the survival of the Traveler? Not much, I thought so. You are ALL DISAPPOINTMENTS!" A third Guardian questioned "What?! Why are we disappointments?"

"Because this force is going to destroy all life on Earth, yet you are willing to run! YOU ARE ALL COWARDS! YOU ARE WILLING TO LET MILLIONS DIE JUST SO YOU CAN LIVE! MY FIRETEAM IS WILLING TO FIGHT THEM WITH OR WITHOUT YOU! IF YOU LEAVE NOW, THE LIGHT WILL DIE AND DARKNESS WILL CONSUME EVERYTHING!"

"BUT IF YOU FIGHT, IF YOU STAND UP FOR EARTH, THE TRAVELER, AND YOURSELVES, WE CAN WIN! William Wallace and his men fought for their freedom, WHY WON'T YOU! People told the Wright Brothers that it was impossible to fly, BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THEM! They kept on going until they succeeded! That is an example that this fight is possible."

"Life is gonna push you down but you just gotta stand back up! You gotta push life back, tell it that you cannot be pushed around like a play-toy. YOU GOTTA SHOW LIFE YOU ARE NOT JUST ANOTHER OBJECT! And I know that you fear death. Fear will either create you or destroy you!"

"But behind every fear is the person that YOU WANT TO BE! Fear doesn't exist, it's self-imposed, IF YOU CAN CREATE A FEAR YOU CAN DESTROY IT TOO! IF YOU FACE YOUR FEAR, YOU WILL REALIZE IT'S NOT AS BIG AS YOU THOUGHT, AND ONCE YOU FACE IT YOU WILL THINK THAT YOU WERE SO STUPID TO RUN AWAY FROM SOMETHING SO SMALL! MY FEAR AND ONLY FEAR IS THAT EARTH WILL PARISH, AND THAT'S WHY I AM FIGHTING THIS FORCE OF EVIL! IF YOU FIGHT HERE AND NOW, EARTH WILL LIVE ON! Some of you will die but YOU WILL DIE HERO'S!"

"YOU WILL BE KNOWN AS THE ONES WHO PROTECTED THE LIGHT! So let me ask you one last time... What are you willing to risk to save not only millions of lives, but the light as well?"

All Guardians collectively bellowed "EVERYTHING!"

"NOW WHO'S READY TO KICK SAME ASS AND SEND THESE MOTHERFUCKERS BACK HOME WITH THEIR TAILS BETWEEN THEIR LEGS!"

"RRRRRAAAAAAAA!"

"ALL TROOPS, READY THE ATTACK!"

All of the Guardians began to mobilize to their appropriate positions, weapons ready and spirits high. "You really know how to rile your soldiers up." Alicia chuckled as she donned her Helm of Saint 14 along with a full set of Exodus Armor. "I had to say something. So, I want you to-" Zerox replied.

"Oh no. I'm going into the lion's den with you. No way in hell am I going to let you fight the Primus by yourself."

"What about your own fire team?"

"They have their places already. My place is right by my Warlock."

Zerox smiled and replied "Thanks Alicia. I never would have been here without you to standing by me on Earth." Alicia chuckled and replied "I'll always stand by you, as long as I draw breath I will stand by you."

O00000O00000O

This time, Nora threw her hand up and called "Oo! Oooooo! My turn for a question!" Zerox sighed "What is it Nora?"

"Were you in love with Alicia?"

Everyone looked around uncomfortably as Zerox chuckled "Yeah… yeah you could say I was. Every time I saw her, my central processor goes foggy and my power core heaves. I guess you could say that I was in love with Alicia." Nora questioned "Like Number is in love with Yang?" Everyone looked to Number as he barked "Can we get back to the recording!?" Zerox chuckled again "Resume the recording."

The recording resumed once again…

O00000O00000O

Zerox-2 waited with Alicia by his side with 1500 Guardians behind him on their sparrows. Number took his place in orbit while Zerox-2 awaited Cassandra's signal. Zerox-2 gripped the handle to his sparrow as Alicia exclaimed "Relax or you'll burn out your motors." Zerox-2 took a 'breath' and replied "Just anxious. Once the fighting starts I'll as loose as water."

"That's the spirit. We'll show these Cabal why you don't fuck with Earth."

Zerox nodded when Phantom exclaimed "Our Over watch has set up. We are ready." Zerox nodded and bellowed "READY GUARDIANS!?" The Guardians gave out a collective bellow "RRRAAAAAAA!"

"CHAAAAARGE!"

*cue Archangel, Two Steps from Hell*

Zerox revved the throttle of his sparrow and launched forward with Alicia by his side. The army of Guardians revved behind him as they made their turn into the canyon where the Cabal had set up operations. The massive turrets that defended the land tank started to turn towards the massive assault, ready to decimate the lines. Once the first turret made it to its target, the first sniper shot rang out and the turret ceased to move. Then another and another shot rang out, causing turrets to stop moving.

Unfortunately, a few turrets were able to fire off and blew massive holes on the Guardian ranks, but the warriors of the Light pushed on until they flew past the Cabal blockade. Zerox jumped off his sparrow and threw three massive Nova bombs that devastated a group of unsuspecting Cabal. Alicia dropped to the ground and pulled out a heavy machine gun, unloading the rounds into the enemies of the light. Guardians began to fly over the blockade and clashed with the Cabal, the eternal conflict of Light and Dark. Zerox pulled out his Solar Flare Pulse Rifle and pushed through the Cabal front, making his way towards the Primus with Alicia by his side, Atheon's Epilogue firing from her shoulder.

A Colossus appeared in their path, but Alicia threw a Void grenade that landed on the brute's face and caused it to stumble. Zerox-2 took the opportunity to pull out his rocket launcher and blast the Colossus into pieces, clearing their path. Zerox heard the sounds of the Cabal air forces flying overhead, and then the sound of heavy weapons fire. He looked up to see the air ships locked in battle, keeping the heat off the ground forces. Zerox pushed deeper into the Cabal encampment with Alicia by his side until they entered the heart of the encampment.

Zerox and Alicia gunned down the Cabal that acted as guard for the Primus. The two Guardians stood before the massive armored Cabal as it raised its grenade rifle and growled in English "Your attack is wasted, and all of you Guardians will die." Zerox readied a fighting stance and exclaimed "The only one dying today will be you and your kind." Alicia charged forward while blasting rounds at the Cabal while Zerox-2 threw a grenade and caused the Cabal to stumble. Alicia took the chance and jumped at the Cabal, driving her fist into the Cabal's chest.

The Primus fell back but rolled and fired a grenade, nailing Alicia in the chest and sending her flying. Zerox charged forward and pulled out his Void Fusion Rifle, charging it and blasting the Primus in the chest. The Primus raised his grenade rifle and started firing, but Zerox jumped from side to side until he reached the Primus. Zerox pulled back and slammed his palm into the Primus' chest, sending him flying back. Zerox looked over at Alicia, who was getting up and growled "I'm going to beat this mother fucker down."

Zerox chuckled and looked back to the Cabal, who was getting up and raised his grenade rifle. The Primus began to fire rounds at the two of them before they were ready, Zerox bracing for the impact. He heard the explosions, but never felt the impact of them. Zerox reactivated his visual sensors to see that Alicia had deployed her Ward of Dawn to protect them. "Got your back. I've got Blessings on so we've got a little more armor." Alicia updated as she pulled out her Dead Orbit shotgun.

The Primus bellowed in rage and charged the two, who easily jumped out of the way of the rampaging brute. Thanks to Alicia's Helm of Saint 14, the Primus was blinded the instant he stepped foot in Alicia's Ward. The Cabal continued its charge until it slammed into a barricade, turning it into a large pile of scrap metal. Zerox-2 swapped back to his Solar Flare and began to move forward, putting rounds into the brute while it was still down. Zerox was almost on top of the Cabal as he lowered his rifle and prepared to throw a Nova bomb when the Cabal spun and grabbed Zerox's arm before he could release his Nova bomb.

"ENOUGH!" The Primus bellowed as he gripped Zerox's body and pulled. Zerox roared in pain as his arm was torn from its motors, the Primus tossing him aside like he was a rag doll. Alicia roared "I'LL KILL YOU!" She charged and blasted her heavy machine gun as Zerox fought through the pain and stood up. He saw Alicia jump at the Primus, but he swatted her out of the air as if she were a fly.

Zerox pulled out his solar grenade and threw it, determined to continue fighting until his systems ceased to function. The Primus saw the grenade and tried to bat the grenade out of the air, but the grenade went off and melted his weapon. The Cabal tossed the molten pile of slag aside and grabbed a fragment of the barricade, wielding it as a knife. Zerox charged forward, intending to use his Scorch ability to push the Cabal back again, but the brute expected it. The Cabal dodged the melee strike and swung the piece of metal aimed for Zerox's head to cut it off.

Luckily for him, Zerox pulled his head back so the Cabal wouldn't take his head clean off, but the shard struck Zerox in the front of the throat. Zerox fell back and grabbed his throat, unable to scream since the metal sliced his voice box. That's when he heard Alicia roar in a rage "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" He looked up to see her charge the Primus with her shotgun in her hands, blasting rounds until the gun clicked empty. She ducked under a swing and started beating the Cabal with the empty shotgun like it was a club.

Zerox forced himself to his feet as he saw the Cabal grab Alicia by her head and then drive the metal piece into her stomach. Zerox watched in horror as the Primus ripped the metal piece out and threw Alicia aside, blood following her the entire way. Her Ghost appeared to try and revive her, but the Primus caught the Ghost and laughed "You Guardians depend so much on your Ghosts… let's see how you do without it!" The Primus proceeded to close his hand until the Ghost shattered into small motes of light. Zerox stood up and watched as the motes slowly drifted to the ground and vanished into the ground, all hope of reviving Alicia lost.

"What will you do now Guardian?" The Primus laughed as he approached Zerox. Zerox's remaining fist tightened as his figure began to emit smoke and he muttered "I'm… going… to… KILL YOU!" Purple flames covered his body as he charged the Cabal Primus, ready to tear the alien limb from limb. The Cabal tried to slice Zerox, but he ducked under the swing and grabbed the Cabal's throat. "DIE!" Zerox roared as the Primus fell onto this back screaming in agony. The fire that wreathed Zerox's body burned the Primus' throat until Zerox's hand burned straight through, taking the Primus' head off.

*cue It's Hard to Say Goodbye, Michael Ortiz*

The head and helmet rolled as the body twitched and Zerox climbed off the corpse and ran to Alicia's side. Zerox pulled her into his arm and tried to tell her she was going to be okay, but nothing came out but sparks and grinding sounds. Alicia looked up at him and chuckled weakly "We… we won… we won." Zerox nodded and tried to talk again, still nothing but sparks and grinding. Alicia coughed, blood coming out of her mouth as she groaned "The Primus… he destroyed… my Ghost…"

Alicia weakly lifted her head and looked at her wound, groaning "I'm… I'm not going to make it… Zerox… help me…" Zerox knew if he could cry he would be, but all he could do was spark and grind. Alicia placed her hand on his chest and pleaded "Please… I don't want… to hurt… please… end it…" Zerox tried to argue but Alicia pleaded "Please… I know… how you feel… about me… please…" Zerox didn't want to do what he needed to but he took the hand cannon Alicia always carried.

He looked at the revolver as Alicia exclaimed "I… I love you…" Zerox quickly brought his head down and pressed where his lips would they would be, Alicia accepting it with a smile. Zerox placed the hand cannon against her chest as she replied "Thank you…" Zerox pulled the trigger and Alicia went limp, Zerox pulling the Awoken close as he shook in sadness.

O00000O00000O

Phantom paused the recording as Zerox-2 looked at the ground with crossed arms. Ruby, Penny, Nora and Jaune were in tears at the moment while Weiss and Ren maintained looks of neutrality. Blake, Yang and Pyrrha each had tears rolling down their faces but maintained themselves. General Ironwood exclaimed "I understand your pain. Seeing the people you care about die in a war, tragic." Zerox was about to say something when Number exclaimed "Have you had to take the life of one of your own because they can't be saved?"

"I… no, I haven't."

"Then you know the pain of war, but not his pain… let's finish this recording."

Phantom resumed the recording.

O00000O00000O

Zerox looked across the battlefield, looking at the death, destruction and bodies that lined the sands. Number and Cassandra approached their leader, unsure of what to say. Number broke the silence and exclaimed "I'm… I'm sorry about Alicia. She was a damn good Titan, a damn good Guardian." Zerox turned his head back to his teammates and his throat sparked as he tried to speak. Phantom translated "My Guardian wishes to know how many we lost."

Cassandra answered "We have 200 remaining." Zerox sparked, Phantom translating "Then we have failed." Number argued "How have we failed? The Cabal are defeated, their leader kill and decapitated by your hands! How on Earth did we fail?"

"There are far too many dead, there shouldn't be this many dead. And Alicia shouldn't have joined them."

Cassandra saw Zerox's grip on Alicia's revolver tighten, putting her on edge. "What's the point to any of this?" Phantom translated as Zerox raised the revolver. Cassandra shot forward and grabbed his wrist before he could put the revolver under his chin. "Hasn't there been enough death yet?" Cassandra questioned as she held a firm grip on Zerox-2's wrist. "Do you think that this would help? Alicia wouldn't have wanted this. She wouldn't have wanted for you to give up, not now of all times." Number stepped up and exclaimed "The Vanguard can't afford any more losses. Especially not their First Arcane Enchanter."

Zerox-2 slowly lowered the revolver and Phantom translated "Thank you, my friends. Care to get my hand?" Zerox holstered his revolver as Number picked up Zerox's severed arm and Zerox picked up the head. The three moved towards the remaining Guardians, Number cheering for Zerox "WE'VE WON!" The Guardians cheered as Zerox displayed the Primus' head to them.

O00000O00000O

Phantom stopped and exclaimed "That is the end of the recording." Zerox stood up and exclaimed "The Cabal are a warmongering race. They destroy planets just for being in their way. The instant we get, we are going to wipe them off the planet." Ruby and Penny both had their hands up for questions, but they saw Number shake his head and they slowly lowered them. Zerox turned to Professor Ozpin and questioned "Are there any further questions?" Ozpin calmly sipped from his mug and replied "I have no questions for now, but I may have a few later."

"Very well sir. If that is all, my fire team and I will take our leave."

Number and Cass rose from their seats as Zerox made his way to the elevator. The trio entered and the doors shut, Number hitting the button for the school level. "So what do you want to do now?" Cassandra questioned. "I don't know about you two, but I feel like some Whiskey Protocol. What about you, Number?" Zerox questioned. Number chuckled and sighed "Aw man. I haven't activated that program for a minute. You up for it Cass?" Cassandra laughed "Oh hell yes!"

"Then let's have some fun!"

A/N: Well, there is some back story for everybody! Hope you guys enjoyed everything. So yeah, next chapter we get to see some drunk Guardians, fun! PM or review any thoughts comments or concerns. Until next update!

-Chief