This story may be my own original story, but RWBY, the characters and everything else is owned by Rooster Teeth and created by late Monty Oum(1981-2015). We all miss you Monty.
Also, you may notice a scene that says WBY Room. That's the room where Weiss, Blake, and Yang sleep in, minus Ruby. Just a heads up.
RWBY Volume 5 Divide: Chapter 12
A Little Help
FLASHBACK-THE CITADEL
Days after the attack, the now-abandoned Citadel is now occupied by the Grimm that are wandering around. As a line Ursa wanders at the Courtyard, an arrow goes through its head and it falls, disintegrating. Cinder, her bow drawn, lowers it and smiles.
"Nice shot."
Cinder turns and sees Torchwick, and a large group of Dark Seekers behind him.
"I'm pretty sure, you could take out all these Grimm, all by yourself." Roman said.
"I am not in the mood for sarcasm, Roman." Cinder said.
"Oh, why not?" Roman asked. "Is it because, your mission to kill Little Red failed? I would've thought killing Neo would've been satisfying enough."
"Neo was weaker then Rose." Cinder said. "And she didn't possess any Maiden powers."
Cinder then turns around and looks at the incoming Grimm.
"Kill every Grimm in the area." She said. "And after that...we take a look around."
PRESENT-ROOM
Yang is staring at Junior, who is snoring loudly on the bed, he's resting in. She turns and sees the Twins, who are sleeping on their own beds as well.
"Seriously?" Yang asks. She looks at the time on her Scroll. It reads one o'clock pm. Yang then sighs.
"WAKE UP!"
Junior snorts and quickly sits up. He yawns and looks at Yang.
"Geez. What's with the yelling?"
"Get up!" Yang exclaims. She also sees the Twins waking up as well. "ALL of you. And get dressed. The General wants to talk to you."
The three all stand up and stretch.
"I'll be waiting for you three outside. Don't take too long."
Yang then begins to walk to the door.
"I hate to say this." Melanie said. "But, I kinda liked her better, the last time we saw her."
"I agree." Miltia said.
Yang quickly looks at the Twins, who immediately look away. She then leaves the room.
PATCH
Jaune is sitting down, face-first on the dining table, groaning in pain. Ruby comes downstairs, talking on her Scrolls.
"You'll be there? Great. See you guys, then."
Ruby puts her Scroll away, and looks at Jaune. She walks to the kitchen, opens the freezer, and takes out an ice pack. She then walks to Jaune, who lifts his head.
"This will help a little." Ruby said.
Jaune takes the ice pack and places it on his head.
"Thanks." He said.
Ruby the sits across from Jaune, with a worried look.
"I'm disappointed in you, Jaune." She said.
Jaune looks at Ruby. "I know."
"What exactly were you thinking?" Ruby asked, with slight anger.
"I...I wasn't thinking, Ruby." Jaune said, ashamed.
"I'm trying to help you move on, and the next thing, I knew, I find you wandering the upstairs hallway, drunk out of your mind, mumbling."
Jaune turns to face the table. Ruby sighs and stands up.
"Come on." Ruby said. "We're going to Velvet's."
Jaune looks at Ruby. "Why?"
"Well...1)You've been in this house, for too long. And you need to see your friends. And 2) Velvet has a remedy, that'll get rid of your hangover in minutes." Ruby explained.
Jaune sighs. "Alright. Anything to get rid of this headache."
FLASHBACK-DOJO
Pyrrha is staring at the ground, angrily panting. She is holding a sword with one hand, and a dagger with the other. She looks up and sees Adrian, who is standing there, wielding a golden staff.
"Break time's over." Adrian said. "Time to continue your training."
Pyrrha looks at her weapons before looking at Adrian again. She then gives a loud yell, and charge at Adrian. Both the sword and dagger hit his staff, allowing Adrian to kick Pyrrha backwards. She charges again. This time, Pyrrha leaps over Adrian, and tries to swipe at him. Adrian ducks and spins his staff at Pyrrha's head. She ducks and with her leg, she trips him. Pyrrha then kicks the staff away and points the sword at Adrian's neck. They stare at each other for a few seconds. Pyrrha then sheathes the sword and offers her hand. Adrian chuckles and takes it.
"Well done, Miss Nikos." He said, as he gets helped up. "I guess, a week of non-stop, dual-wield training, is really showing."
Pyrrha bows. "Thank you, Master Forrest. But, I have a feeling, that this is barely past the start of my training."
"You are right." Adrian said. "The next step in your training, will involve all forms of hand-to-hand combat and how to use knives only. Sword and shield training after that. Then we will be moving on to guns and how to use them."
"That should be easy, for me." Pyrrha said. "I am a very good shot, when it came to my weapon."
"Yes, true." Adrian said. "But, that was your weapon. You'll be learning a wide range, Miss Nikos. From handguns to even the big machine guns. But, you'll know more, once we get there."
Pyrrha nods. She walks to a weapon rack and puts the sheathe and sword on it. She then picks up a spear and looks at it. It is longer then her old weapon, Milo, which was shattered by Cinder. The whereabouts of her shield, Akouo, is unknown. Pyrrha then sits down and takes off her shoe and sock. She would then stare at the scar, where Cinder's arrow pierced through after somehow flying through Akouo. Pyrrha then sadly looks at the ground, remembering that night against Cinder. Three years of her life. Taken away. Pyrrha then sees a water bottle, carried by Adrian. She takes it and nods at him.
PRESENT DAY-VELVET'S HOUSE
Velvet is lying on her couch, watching a documentary about the history of Remnant. Her Scroll rings. She angrily sighs and takes it out. Again, it shows Coco's picture. She closes her eyes and begins to think. She then moves her thumb to accept the call, but the doorbell rings. Velvet immediately rejects the call and goes to the front door. She opens it, and she smiles, when she sees Ruby outside.
"Ruby." Velvet said. "Nice for you to come by."
"Well...we kinda needed to." Ruby said.
"We?" Velvet asked, confused.
Velvet then sees Jaune, wearing his hood, and staring at the ground, approaching.
"Oh." She said. "Hey, Jaune."
"Hey." Jaune weakly said back.
"Sorry, Velvet." Ruby said. "He has a hangover. Do you have that special remedy, that he could drink?"
"Of course." Velvet answered. "Come on in."
Ruby and Jaune walk inside the house, while Velvet closes the door.
"You guys sit down, while I prepare the brew." Velvet said, before heading to the kitchen.
Ruby and Jaune go to sit down on Velvet's couch. Ruby picks up the remote and changes the channel. After a few channels, she finds one about weapons, and how they're made. Jaune lifts his head and looks at the smiling Ruby.
"At leasy, you're still a gun nut." He said.
Ruby chuckles. "Always will be."
Jaune smiles and proceeds to watch the show.
"Ruby?" Velvet said, her head sticking out from the kitchen. "Can you come help me, for a minute?"
Ruby stands up. "Yeah, sure." She looks at Jaune. "I'll be back."
Jaune nods. Ruby then walk towards the kitchen, where Velvet is putting a variety of ingredients into a blender. Velvet then makes sure that Jaune wasn't within hearing range, before looking at Ruby.
"How is he?" She asked, keeping her voice low enough.
"He...he's doing almost great." Ruby answered. "But, it may take a little longer, escpecially after his drunken rant, last night."
Velvet sighs. "I'm worried, about him, Ruby."
"Why do you ask?" Ruby asked.
"Both Pyrrha and Neo meant so much to him. After Pyrrha died, he was close to losing himself. But, after Neo and both his parents...I'm worried, he's been pushed to the breaking point."
"We can't have that happen, Velvet." Ruby said. "Jaune doesn't deserve to live out the rest of his life, sad and alone."
"I know, Ruby." Velvet said, as she puts the rest of the ingredients into the blender. "Okay. Here we go."
The blender turns on, and all the ingredients soon turn into a green liquid. After a couple minutes, Velvet pours the liquid into a cup. She and Ruby then walk back to Jaune, who turns to them.
"Here." Velvet said, showing the cup to Jaune. "This will guarantee, to relive you of that hangover, in minutes."
Jaune takes the cup and stares at it. "Looks like the stuff, Ren tried to give Pyrrha, during the Vytal tournament." He sighs. "Well...bottoms up."
Jaune then begins drinking the liquid. After a few gulps, he puts the cup down, and tries not to puke. He manages to keep the liquid down, and looks at Velvet.
"Thanks."
Velvet smiles. "Anything for a friend."
Velvet and Ruby then sit down. Ruby looks at Velvet.
"There's...something that I need to talk to you two about."
Jaune looks at Ruby. "What is it?"
"Well...I won't tell you yet. I'm waiting on a couple people to stop by here, first. When they do, I'll explain what." Ruby answered.
"But, exactly what is it going to be about?" Velvet asked.
"I... I think, I'll wait till the people get here, first. Just give it about twenty minutes. Thirty, tops. Then I'll tell you."
CONTROL ROOM
Yang, Junior and the Twins enter the Control Room, where Ironwood, Wesley, Qrow and Raven speaking to each other. They turn and see the group. Ironwood and Wesley walk to him.
"Hei Xiong, I presume?" Ironwood asked.
"I prefer 'Junior', sir." Junior corrects.
Ironwood then looks at the Twins.
"Miltia and Melanie Malachite. It has been a long time, since I've seen you two in Atlas."
The Twins look at the ground.
"You know them, General?" Yang asked.
"These two got involved in illegal activities with a former crime lord, a few years back." Ironwood answered. "Left a lot of people injured, before they escaped from Atlas. I always wondered, where'd they ended up."
"Technically, we didn't hurt anyone." Miltia said.
"We just watched those people get hurt, sir." Melanie said.
"But, you two are still accessories to those crimes." Wesley said. "But, since none of them involve murder, we're willing to let them slide."
The Twins look surprised.
"Hence, why you three are allowed to stay here." Ironwood said. "In exchange, you give us any additional information regarding what Roman Torchwick has told you AND you help us fight against Cinder Fall and her army."
"You're crazy, right?" Junior asked, surprised. "You expect us, to fight against the people, we provided weapons for?"
"It's better then jail, for sure." Yang said. "And you get a roof over your head, until your nightclub gets rebuilt."
"She does have a point, Junior." Miltia said.
"We would be safe here." Melanie said. "Away from Torchwick and whatever he would've done to us."
"Are you sure, about this, girls?" Junior asked.
The Twins give Junior a nod. He then sighs and nods.
"Alright. We're in."
Ironwood nods. "Follow me."
Junior and the Twins follow Ironwood to the center of the room. Wesley then goes to Yang.
"I hope you know, what you're doing." Wesley said.
Yang looks at Wesley. "I do, too."
"By the way." Wesley said. "How's Weiss?"
"...She's...she's getting a little better. But, she goes sad every once in a while." Yang answered.
"Perhaps, I should speak with her." Wesley said.
"You could do that." Yang said. "Hopefully, you'll get some time to do so."
Wesley sighs. "Yep. Been pretty busy, here in Alpha Base."
"Yep." Yang said. "Pretty busy.
VELVET'S HOUSE
Ruby, Jaune, and Velvet quietly watch the weapon documentary on the television. That's when a doorbell rings.
Ruby stands up. "That must be them." She turns to Jaune. "How's your head?"
Jaune nods. "All better."
"Good."
Ruby walks to the door and opens it. "Come on in, guys."
Jaune and Velvet look surprised, to see Ren and Nora, looking at them with worried looks. Jaune the looks at the ground. Nora walks to Jaune, crouches down, and hugs him.
"It's been a while, Jaune." Nora said.
"...Yeah. It has." Jaune said, still looking at the ground.
Ren turns to Velvet. "And same goes to you, Velvet."
Ren and Nora then sit across from Jaune on the coffee table, while Ruby still stands.
"Ruby." Velvet said. "Why are Ren and Nora here?"
"Because...it's about, what I'm about to tell you two about." Ruby answered.
Jaune looks at Ruby. "And that is?"
Ruby is silent for a few seconds, before she sighs. "I've decided...that I'm going back."
Velvet looks confused. "Going back? What do you mean?"
"I mean, that I'm going back, with Ren and Nora. I'm going back to Atlas, and I'm going to rejoin the fight."
Jaune and Velvet look surprised.
"So. You plan to leave then. Just you?" Velvet said.
"Not just me." Ruby said. "I know, you already gave your answer, Velvet. But, that's why Ren and Nora are here. To convince you guys to come back with me."
"No." Velvet said, standing up. "Absolutely not. Not while Coco's there. If she's still there, then forget it."
"You're not going to come back, just because of what Coco, did to you?" Ren asked.
"That's right." Velvet answered, anger in her voice.
"What exactly, did she do to you?" Jaune asked.
"...She...she got very drunk." Velvet said, lowering her head down. "Losing her father, really hit her hard. After finding a bottle of wine, that's when it started. I tried to get her to lie down and sleep. But, she started screaming at me. And when I tried to hold her, she hit me. Quite a few times, actually. I...I was scared. And hurt, that she would do that to me. So, I just left. I don't plan on seeing her again. And I won't."
"Velvet-" Ruby said.
"I said No!" Velvet yells, surprising everyone. "Just...just don't ask again. Please."
Ren and Nora look at Jaune.
"What about you, Jaune?" Nora asked.
Jaune looks at Nora. "I...I don't know. As much as I want to go back, help my friends, and win this war, I just don't know, if I should come back."
"Jaune." Ren said. "I know, that losing Neo and your parents, took a heavy toll on you. But, you can't let your emotions take over you. You have to accept the fact, that sometimes bad things happen."
"But, I can't." Jaune said, grabbing his head. "Every night, I dream of seeing Neo, again and again. And in the end of those dreams, I watch her die, every night. I keep seeing the images of her, lying dead on the floor, whenever I'm awake."
Ruby notices Nora, clenching on the table, very hard.
"And after my parents were murdered, I just lost it." Jaune continues. "I keep getting more and more depressed. And even more angry at the person who killed them. Who killed Pyrrha. And who killed Neo. But, I don't even do anything. I left you guys, because I'm a coward. I'm weak. I'm...worthless."
Nora quickly stands up, with an angry look on her face. As soon as Jaune looks at Nora, he's met with a hard slap to the face. Nora being the one, who did this.
"Nora!" Velvet yells, before covering her mouth.
Jaune looks shocked, at what had just happened.
"Don't you DARE SAY THAT!" Nora screamed, tears falling from her eyes. "Don't you dare say, that you are weak! That you are worthless! That you are a coward!"
"Nora-" Ren tries to say. But an arm grabs his. Ren looks at Ruby, who nods. Ren then stops.
"Do you have any idea, how hard, it's been for ALL of us, Jaune?" Nora loudly asked. "It's not just you, who's suffering!"
Jaune shakily turns and looks at Nora.
"Neptune's been depressed, when he lost his parents. Won't talk to anyone else, but Sun and Neon. He won't even speak to Jade. Cyan and Violet left Atlas to stay in Vale. Weiss has been sad, because of her father being held hostage by Cinder. And to add that, her mother is only adding to the sadness. Yang and Blake won't talk to us, except on missions. And not to mention Coco's drinking problem." Nora looks at Velvet. "A problem that started, when you left her."
Velvet gives a guilty look, before she leaves the room. Ruby goes to follow her, while Ren and Nora stay with Jaune. Nora then crouches down and looks at Jaune.
"We've all been hurt, Jaune." Nora said, her tone shifting down. "We've all lost somebody, that we loved, because of this war. Because of Cinder. But, we are still here, Jaune. We continue to fight her. Because, we still have hope. And as long as we keep on fighting, we will never lose the hope, we have in our hearts. We will not give up. And you shouldn't too, Jaune."
"...But...I just...can't." Jaune said.
"Jaune." Ren said. "This is going to sound harsh. But, you just sitting around, sulking and being depressed. This isn't what Neo, would want you to do."
"Ren's right." Nora said. "Neo would've wanted you to keep on fighting. To ensure, that nobody else out there, would lose a loved one, just as we all did. She would want you to move on, and continue your life."
Jaune tries to talk, but he can't due to holding back his crying.
"Just remember, Jaune." Nora continued. "Just because, they're all gone, and we won't ever see them again, doesn't mean we can't still remember them. And they will always be with us. In here."
And like before, Nora places her hand on Jaune's chest, where her heart is. Jaune sadly looks at Nora, who pulls him in for a hug.
"We are all here for you, Jaune." Ren said. "Us. Team RWBY. Everyone. We all take care of each other. We are your non-related, extended family."
"That's right." Nora said. "We all love you, Jaune. So very much. So, please...come back with us."
Jaune looks surprised. But he would hug Nora back.
"Okay."
Nora pulls away and looks at Jaune.
"I'll go back with you, guys." Jaune said. "But, only if you help me, get back on my feet. My mental recovery is going to a tough one."
Nora smiles and nods. "Thank you, Jaune. And...sorry for the slap."
Jaune chuckles. "It's okay. I actually needed that."
Ren and Nora turn to see Velvet and Ruby returning. They notice that Velvet's case, containing her camera, is held by her hand.
Velvet sighs. "Alright. I'll come, too. But, only because Ruby convinced me."
"Thank you, Velvet." Ruby said. She turns to see Jaune smiling. "I take it, you said yes, too."
Jaune nods. "I'm going to need to get my weapon and armor, though."
"We can stop by the house, first." Ruby said.
"Yeah." Ren said. "We need to go to Vale, after that. Nora here, wants to stop by that ice cream parlor, that she loves so much."
"Really?" Jaune asked.
"What?" Nora said. "We've been living in Atlas for two months. The ice cream there is okay, but nothing beats Vale ice cream."
Ruby chuckles. "There's the Nora, we all love."
ALPHA BASE-REC ROOM
Neptune sits on a table, resting his head on his hand, staring down.
"Hey, Neptune."
Neptune lifts his head up, and he sees Blake.
"Feeling better?" Blake asked.
Neptune nods. "Indeed. Thanks again, for the tea."
"No problem." Blake said, before crossing her arms. "You look a bit sad, today."
Neptune sighs. "Yeah, I do. Guess, I miss my folks, more than I thought."
Blake sits across from him. "They were very nice people. And I'm sorry, about them."
"Thanks." Neptune said.
They look at each other for a few seconds.
"Have...have you heard from Jade?" Blake asked.
Neptune nods. "No. Not today. But, I totally understand, that she doesn't want to speak to me. We both lost people, and we deal with losses, our own way. I stay here and fight for my folks, while Jade decided to go back Vacuo. I ain't mad or upset at her. And I don't mind waiting."
Blake nods. "You care for her a lot. Don't you?"
"Absolutely." Neptune answered. "Haven't felt this way in a long time."
Blake smiles. "Would you commit to just her? And no other girl?"
Neptune nods. "I would die, to protect her."
Blake looks surprised at his answer. "Wow. Wasn't expecting that."
Neptune chuckles. You wanted an answer."
CITADEL
Cinder is on one of the roof of the Citadel, overlooking the Dark Seekers, who are training below. She turns to see Roman looking down.
"Any luck?" Cinder asked.
Roman sighs. "I wish. They really kept their hanger bay, locked tight. But, we'll get there. Oh. By the way. Word is that Little Red and some of her friends are currently in Vale."
Cinder turns to Roman, and smiles. "Interesting. Tell Stryker to come here, at once. I want to speak to her."
"Already here."
Cinder and Roman turn around and they see someone, wearing a mask and hood, standing in front of them. Her voice is distorted. Possibly by a device in the mask.
"Stryker." Cinder said. "I have an assignment for you."
"I already heard." Stryker said. "How do you want me to handle this?"
"Simple really." Cinder answered. "Bring Rose and Arc alive. Kill the rest."
Stryker nods and she walks.
"Well, then." Roman said. "This is going to fun."
Cinder smiles. "It will, indeed."
VALE-ICE CREAM PARLOR
Ruby and Jaune are looking around, while Ren is trying to make sure Nora doesn't try to eat the ice cream. Velvet, having already gotten hers, sits outside.
"Nora." Ren said. "You're an adult, now. Please try to act like one."
"I'm trying, Renny." Nora said, in a sweet voice. "But, look at all these AWESOME flavors. Vanilla, Mint Chocolate Chip, Rocky Road..."
As Nora continues talking the different flavors, Ruby chuckles and looks at Jaune.
"Just like old times."
"Ha. Yep. Just like old times." Jaune said. "So. What are you going to get?"
"Hmm. I'm stuck between strawberry and cookie dough." Ruby answered. "What about you?"
"Well, when it comes to..."
Ruby turns to see Jaune staring down at something. She turns and sees the flavor, Jaune was staring at: Neapolitan. Ruby sees Jaune's hand starting to tremble. And before she could do anything, Jaune quickly runs out of the parlor. Ruby looks at Ren and Nora, who have worried looks. She then decides to follow. Exiting the parlor, he sees Jaune entering an alleyway, across the street.
"Is Jaune okay?" Velvet asked, as she approaches Ruby.
"I don't know, Velvet." Ruby answered. "I'm going to go check on him."
Ruby makes sure, no vehicles are approaching, before she crosses. When she arrives at the alleyway, she sees Jaune grabbing his hair, and walking back and forth.
"Jaune?"
Jaune looks at Ruby, and puts his arms down, before staring at the ground.
"Sorry, Ruby. Just...I just needed some air." Jaune said.
"I understand." Ruby said. "If you want, we could all just go."
"No, no. That's okay." Jaune said. "I think, I'll just stay out here. Ha. Besides, Nora will throw a fit, if we leave."
Ruby nods. "Okay. You want anything particular?"
"...Cookies 'n' Cream." Juane said, smiling.
Ruby smiles back. "Coming right up."
Ruby then walks back across the street, and back into the parlor. Jaune backs up to the wall of the alleyway, and sits down, clenching both hands together.
ALPHA BASE-WBY ROOM
Weiss is wearing a pair of red headphones, listening to something. Music, perhaps. She doesn't hear the door open, as well as the footsteps approaching her. She would then feel a hand grabbing her shoulder, causing Weiss to flinch. Weiss then looks up and sees Crystal looking at her.
"Please don't do that, again." Weiss said, taking off her headphones.
"I apologize, Weiss." Crystal said. "Might I ask, what you were just listening?"
"Oh, nothing special." Weiss answered. "The sounds of the oceans. Nature. Really helps a lot. Ruby gave me her headphones and sent me some music, to help me."
Crystal nods. "I see."
Crystal grabs a chair and sits across from Weiss.
"How are you feeling, Weiss?"
"A bit better." Weiss answered. "I enjoy the peace and quiet, that I've been having, today."
"That's good." Crystal said. "You've improved the last couple months."
"Thank you, Mother." Weiss said, smiling.
Her smile fades into sadness.
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Crystal asked.
"When you came back, back at the mansion, two months ago. I took out all my anger on you."
"You had every right, to do so, Weiss." Crystal said. "I had to make you pretend, that I was dead for years. And to suddenly come back into your life...well...I kinda knew, you'd be angry."
"But, the things, I said to you-" Weiss said.
"Were correct." Crystal interrupts. "I was a cold-hearted woman. The only things, that I cared about, were money and the Company. You and Winter were both miserable. And I did nothing. You probably would've still hated me, if I was still that person, today."
"But...what made you change?" Weiss asked.
Crystal looks at Weiss. She then raises her hand. Weiss looks at the window, and sees the flowers outside growing higher. Weiss looks back at Crystal.
"The day, I received the powers of the Spring Maiden." Crystal answered.
"...Okay." Weiss said. "Tell me, the whole story."
Crystal looks confused. "The entire story? Are you sure? It's a long one."
Weiss chuckles. "Please?"
Crystal smiles. "Alright. I'll start from the beginning."
FREEWAY
Ruby, Ren, Velvet, Nora, and Jaune sit in the backseats of the vehicle, their in, eating their ice cream in cups. The driver and passengers keep their eyes on the road.
"I told you, Renny." Nora said. "Vale ice cream, is the BEST!"
Ren smiles. "I know, Nora."
Jaune smiles. "This is nice. The five of us, cramped up in a car, eating ice cream. It's just like old times."
Ruby turns to Jaune, seeing him happily smile for the first time in months. The lasts ones, were simple smiles. But, today, Jaune felt like his old self, back in Beacon, years ago.
"I agree." Velvet said and sighs. "It's good to have times, like these."
"Yes, indeed." Ruby said. "You guys remember-"
Thump
The group look up, where the noise occurred. Being cautious, Ren takes out StormFlower. Suddenly, the window of the drive's side, breaks. An arm grabs the driver, and throws him outside, and in the path of a speeding truck. Gunshots are heard, and the passengers is hit multiple times. The car the skids, and flips over. It crashes and rolls down the road, multiple times, before stopping. The vehicles nearby, come to a stop. Multiple Dark Seekers exits a couple of the vehicles, holding weapons.
Jaune groans, and he lifts his head up. He sees Ren and Velvet waking up, while Ruby and Nora are unconscious. Jaune manages to see the Dark Seekers approaching.
"We need to go." Jaune said.
Jaune then takes out Crocea Mors. He and Velvet crawl out of the car, and they see Stryker, who aims a grenade launcher at them. As she fires, Jaune pushes Velvet away, and lifts his shield. The grenade impacts the shield, but the force of the explosion, blasts Jaune backwards, and over the freeway. He hits a bus, which causes it to flip on its side and crash.
Velvet, hiding behind a vehicle, takes out her camera and takes out a picture of StormFlower from Ren, who is also hiding behind the crashed vehicle. Velvet then makes a light projection of StormFlower and they both begin firing at the Dark Seekers. Velvet sees Stryker aiming the grenade launcher. She quickly runs away, as the grenade hits the vehicle behind her, the explosion causing her to fall over the freeway. Velvet manages to grab a light post, which helps her land on the ground safely. She then begins to run down the street, where the crashed bus is.
Stryker throws the grenade launches down, and grabs an assault rifle from a Dark Seeker. She goes to the side of the freeway and sees Velvet and opens fire. The civilians run away in panic, as they try to avoid the gunfire. Velvet runs as the Dark Seekers join in on the gunfire.
"Bring me Rose, alive. Kill the rest." Stryker said, to a Dark Seeker.
Stryker then jumps over, and lands on the street, leaving small craters around her feet. The Dark Seekers turn around, only to meet the mighty hammer, Magnhild. They launch into the air, while Nora, conscious, smiles. She turns and sees Ren, who is trying to wake up Ruby.
Jaune wakes up, to see himself inside the crashed bus. He quickly gets up and grabs his shield, but his sword is nowhere to be seen. He then climbs out of the bus, and sees Stryker, aiming her weapon. She is about to fire, but but an explosion behind her, causes her to find cover. Jaune looks up and sees Nora, who just fired her weapon.
"GO FIND VELVET!" Nora screams. "I'll take it from here."
Jaune nods as he runs. Nora looks around, and notices Stryker is nowhere to be seen.
"Where'd she go?"
ALPHA BASE-CONTROL ROOM
Ironwood sees a red dot in Vale. He walks to a computer and presses a button. Live footage of the destruction, left by Stryker and the Dark Seekers is seen. He sees Ren, Nora, and an unconscious Ruby on the freeway.
"Miss Polendina." Ironwood said.
Penny, who was nearby, turns her chair to face Ironwood.
"Yes, sir?"
"Alert Miss Xiao Long and Miss Belladonna of the situation. Have them head to Vale, ASAP!"
"Yes, sir." Penny said, before turning back to her computer.
STREET
Stryker walks down the street, while the civilians nearby, flee. As she walks, she hears someone's voice. Velvet's. Behind a nearby vehicle. Stryker takes out a device, presses a button and throws it. The device lands near Velvet's Scroll, which is playing an audio message. The vehicle explodes, while Stryker watches.
Velvet then jumps at Stryker from behind, wrapping her legs around Strykers neck, and punching her head repeatedly. Stryker jumps backwards, causing Velvet to impact a wall. Stryker then grabs Velvet's and throws her towards a car. As Velvet lands, Stryker aims her weapon. She then hears nearby footsteps and turns to see Jaune, charging.
Stryker then jumps and kicks Jaune's shield, sending him backwards. She fires at Jaune, who blocks the bullets with his shield. Velvet finds cover behind the same vehicle, she just hit. Having run out of ammo, Stryker throws the gun aside and leaps off the vehicle. Jaune quickly gets up, as Stryker takes out a pistol and fires. Jaune manages to crouch behind a car. Finding the opportunity, he then jumps over, and manages to give a couple kicks and punches to his attacker. But Stryker manages to grab Jaune's shield, and punches Jaune, sending him backwards. Stryker then tosses the shield aside and takes out a knife, as Jaune gets up. Jaune charges at Stryker. They fight, with Jaune landing a few punches, while trying to avoid her knife attacks. Jaune then gets one good punch to Stryker's face, before kicking her, and she hits a truck. Jaune charges again and tries to grab Stryker, but she manages to grab him by his neck. Pulling him closer, she stares at Jaune for a couple seconds before throwing him.
Jaune manages to get up, and grab his nearby shield and blocks kicks and punches from Stryker, before being able to grab her. Jaune the grabs Stryker's head and flips her over, and sending her to the air. Jaune notices her mask has fallen to the ground. As Stryker gets up. She then turns to Jaune, whose face expresses shock. He recognizes the girl. Seeing the red hair, and her green eyes, which has slits of red in them.
"Pyrrha?" Jaune said.
Pyrrha looks confused. "Who the hell is Pyrrha?"
She then aims a gun at Jaune and fires. Jaune yells as the bullet penetrates his shoulder, making his drop his shield. He looks at Pyrrha, still aiming her gun.
"Pyrrha." Jaune sadly said. "Pyrrha. Please. It's me. Jaune."
Pyrrha tilts her head, but still aiming. "My name is Stryker. Not Pyrrha. And I don't recognize you, at all."
Pyrrha is then struck behind, by Ruby, who gives her a kick, sending her to the ground. Ruby lands next to Jaune, and tries to help him up. She then sees Pyrrha, right in front of her. Her eyes go wide in shock.
"Pyrrha?"
"Stop calling me that name!" Pyrrha yells, before taking out a device.
She throws it to the ground, emitting a flash, that causes Ruby and Jaune to cover their eyes. When the flash subsides, they see that Pyrrha is gone. Ruby turns to see Velvet approaching them. She has a surprised look.
"Was...was that..."
"I...I think it was." Ruby answered.
Shen then turns and looks at Jaune, who is staring, where Pyrrha stood, his eyes still wide.
"How is she alive?" Jaune asked.
ALLEYWAY
Pyrrha is angrily punching a nearby dumpster, screaming. After a few seconds, she grabs her head and falls to her knees. The red slits in her eyes then begin to disappear, leaving only green. She then looks at her own hands, before looking at the black armor, she's wearing. Now terrified, she goes to the nearby wall and sits on it. Shaking, she takes the gloves off and throwing them aside, before starting to cry.
"What did I just do?" Is all Pyrrha could say, before she sobs.
Nearby, Cinder watches Pyrrha cry, smiling at what had just transpired.
END OF CHAPTER 12
Damn. You are probably wondering what is happening with Pyrrha now. Well, it will be explained somewhere in the next few chapters.
And how this will impact the other characters, I'll figure out.
And Weiss' task to rescue her father, will be happening before the finale, so hopefully, I'll write a good rescue.
Also, for those, who still don't know, the second half of Volume 5 will have flashbacks, every chapter. So, yeah. Just letting you late readers know.
Hope you enjoyed the this chapter. Next chapter coming hopefully by the first day of Fall, which is the 22nd of this month! Bye!