AN: I do apologize for the long delay in this update I just don't have as much time to write anymore with school about to start back up and work in general being a pain in the ass. I'm honestly surprised most of you are still reading this story even with all the delays. Wouldn't surprise me if half of you just up and stopped reading it. I can say I will be coming back and reworking this chapter as it just feels off to me for some reason. If you guys agree or disagree on that point let me know. Also those waiting for VKS and WOOS they will be ready by Sunday so keep an eye out for them.
Lastly I have given the green light for dark habit to begin work on a prequel involving for now at least two members of the OC team. A good portion of what goes into that story will probably be referenced here as well so reading it would probably be a good idea. I do not know how long he want's to make the story but if it does end up running parallel to the PR timeline then expect it to be more focused on DRAB and CVFY, rather than JNPR and RWBY. Dantai and coldplayfan12 if you want your characters to be used in his story message him cause I have no say other than with certain details that I would not wish to be revealed. The story is called Dressed in dRAb. That is all. Enjoy the journey and don't feed the guard dogs. - Phoenix Commander signing off
Angels Fall is owned by Breaking Benjamin and the Hollywood Record Label
Chapter Eighteen: The Test
As Monty waited to see who would make the first move he noticed the candle on a nearby desk start to brighten. With a faint almost inaudible snap Summer's apparition was now held the now extinguished candle and it's holder. Only it wasn't her, just like Martin's left eye her eye was also different. Instead of silver it was lilac but tinged slightly with crimson, the only clue that he had used his semblance. Monty looked at the impromptu arena to see if the combatants had noticed the new arrival. They hadn't which only meant Martin was only revealing himself to Monty.
"So Commander, do you want to tell me why you asked for my help?" the older phoenix asked using their telepathic link while keeping an eye on the fight.
"Members of team CRMSN have been sighted. Though with my Hunters spread out as they are I can't spare any of them from the field to track them down and those that I can spare are few and still in training." Martin replied still a little on edge because of the day's events.
"That isn't all Martin. What else is troubling you?" Monty asked, he could tell his friend was holding something back.
"You know of the Fallen, the secret I have guarded?" Martin responded heavily, the aura technique he and Summer were using was draining his strength, it would only last for a few more minutes before forcing him back into his own body.
"Of course and I still agree with your decision to keep that secret. What's happened?" Monty replied realizing that if the Fallen was involved it couldn't be good.
"He is the reason CRMSN disappeared and I have reason to believe he has forced them to revive the White Fang and Black Claw Mercenary Company. Everyone is in danger because I can't kill the Devil!" Martin replied, his eyes shifting to crimson as his anger at himself and his grandfather grew.
"If he is still in his prison then not all is lost. Besides I have something that might help." Monty said sliding the list of names over to Martin.
"Twenty names and they are all students. Will twenty Hunters-in-training be enough? Even my girls have only just started their training as phoenix." Martin asked a little doubtfully as he looked over the list. Yes, he believed that if Monty had selected the students then they would be skilled. Skill was not everything though.
"Martin they will be enough all it takes is a little push. Remember the lesson I taught you when you were younger?" Monty asked as he thought about that memory. He had taught his friend the lesson during a particularly difficult training exercise developed to help him control his instincts.
"How could I forget? You made me turn it into a song and had me sing it six times a day." the apparition replied with a chuckle.
"Do I need to make you sing it to believe they have what it takes? After all you already know four of them meet your expectations and now you'll see if four others on that list will as well." Monty asked with a smirk.
"Monty, I'll only sing it if you join me on the chorus." Martin almost deadpanned the reply but the smile on his face belied his feelings.
"Then by all means, after you." Monty said with a simple nod. As it turned out the song had done more than just encourage his student to push past his limits. It had started a shared hobby between team MSQT and team CRMSN. Maybe when there was peace once more the nine friends would get the band back together, so to speak. Almost immediately the pair noticed that the fight seemed to the song. With each transition from verse to chorus the combatant's stances changed. Each time a verse was sung Summer would press an attack forcing the four students onto the defensive. When the chorus was sung they would find a way to rally just enough to hold off the seasoned Hunter. She was testing their limits but not pushing them past them. Summer was saving that point in their training for Martin.
I tried to face the fight within
But it's over
I'm ready for the riot to begin
And surrender
I walked the path that led me to the end
Remember
I'm caught beneath, there's nothing left to give
Forever
As soon as Summer started moving Azure immediately started thinking about which Lt. Commander the Hunter had referred to. "Obviously not Thamior he wields a katana. White rose petals don't fit with Qrow. That means…but I thought she was dead?!" Distracted by her thoughts, Azure didn't see Summer's attack as she swung her scythe toward Azure's chest.
"Azure what's wrong with you?! Get your head in the fight!" Haley's shout, along with the sharp sound of metal on metal as her twin scythes blocked the strike, pulled Azure from her thoughts. Haley tried to strike at Summer but the scythe wielder had moved again, only to show up beyond her reach.
"W-we're fighting Summer Rose, the Commander's late wife. The White Reaper." Azure said worried about what this turn of events could mean. She pulled out a pair of steel daggers holding one of them in a reverse grip, her rifle would not do much in a close quarters fight against a scythe, if she could get past the weapon's reach though she could use her blades.
"The White Reaper, I thought she died during the Rebellion?" Jason asked, twirling his kusarigama to keep up its momentum so he could attack when he saw an opening.
Rex shook his head as he chimed in, "Apparently that isn't entirely true. I know they say you're alive as long as your loved ones remember you, but come on isn't possessing yo-?" He never was able to finish his train of thought. Thanks to Summer launching off a nearby wall as if it were a spring board before slamming the back of Burning Rose into his stomach and knocking the wind out of him. The only sign that Summer had even moved again was the trail of rose petals she had left behind.
"Colonel Oum wasn't the only one to read the reports about the four of you, they've come across the Commander's desk a few times in the past. Mr. Rex, for someone who is supposedly always aware of what his opponent is doing you can't seem to pay attention to the fight that is happening right in front of you. I'm not impressed, I want you to prove me wrong." Summer smirked, twirled her scythe and vanished again.
When angels fall with broken wings
I can't give up, I can't give in
When all is lost and daylight ends
I'll carry you and we will live forever
Forever
"So you want me to impress you? Ok then, I'll impress you." Rex thought as he listened for Summer's thoughts and picked himself up off the floor. If she fought like everyone else she would think her actions through and then his semblance would tell him what was coming. He only saw a flash of white but Rex had guessed correctly Summer had thought her attack through. There was a screech of metal on metal as Necessity scraped along the haft of Burning Rose, shifting the strike just enough to miss. "This is the last time I'm blocking a heavier weapon with my saber." Rex thought, straining against the weight of the weapon. Any other person would have had no chance of blocking the attack let alone dodging it.
As the weight of the scythe started to force Rex's blade closer to his chest he heard the sound of Jason's kusarigama wrapping around the haft of the weapon pulling it away from him just enough to get clear of it. Before Summer could begin freeing Burning Rose from the chain she fired a single bullet into the floor using the recoil to recover her balance when the weight of her weapon left Rex's blade. She also used that same momentum to block the counter attack from Haley as she tried to take advantage of the opening caused by Summer's unbalancing.
Summer smiled approvingly at Haley as the pair tried to force one another to show an opening. "Planned or not, using Rex and Jason to unbalance me like that was a good play. You almost landed…" a subtle pop interrupted her as Azure used her semblance to get behind Summer in order to strike with her daggers. In the short second before Azure reappeared Summer fired again, this time using the recoil to spin her scythe and force Haley to move behind her and into Azure knocking the pair to the ground. "…a hit. If you plan on using a tactic like that against me Miss Raptor make sure you aren't thinking about it first. Your friend Rex isn't the only telepath." She finished with a chuckle before being forced to dodge the shots Rex fired at her. Two of the three them managed to hit her, the first hit her left leg and the second hit her right. Her aura absorbed the damage from the two bullets however that didn't mean they didn't hurt like hell. "Sorry Martin looks like you'll be feeling this later." She thought with a wince.
Gray skies will chase the light away
No longer
I fought the fight, now only dark remains
Forever
Divided I will stand
And I will let this end
As Summer dodged each incoming attack trying to maintain distance she was thinking her movements through on purpose normally she acted on instinct attacking or dodging only when required. Coupled with the fact she was hold back her semblance and only had sixty percent range of motion in Martin's right arm, she wasn't surprised the four had so far lasted thirty seconds. In short she was genuinely enjoying her first fight in the twelve years since her cycle had started. As she shifted her grip on Burning Rose she flipped the blade so that it pointed toward the four.
"Maybe I can afford to let loose a little more. Especially if they take my advice, it'll make this more enjoyable as well." Summer thought still smiling at the thought of being able to actually move again, even if it was only for a little while. Of course the pain from the bullets would also slow her down a little as well but that would only make it more fun for the Reaper.
The sound of Rex firing again forced her to dodge left toward Azure. Summer fired using the recoil to cover the distance between them but instead of using her scythe to attack Azure, Summer slammed it into the ground and let it stop her movement just enough to allow her to connect with a right hook to her stomach, before ducking under the flashing steel of the daggers. If Monty was to look at his scroll to check the aura levels of the five combatants he would be able to see that Azure's had just dipped into the yellow. After being directly attacked and then forced to block Summer's scythe Rex was in the middle of the yellow. Haley and Jason however were still just in the green. They wouldn't stay that way for long though. As Summer passed the winded Azure she moved to the her next target, heading directly toward Jason. With a few turns in order to dodge the raven-faunus' kusarigama she was quickly within range to attack. Summer again slammed Burning Rose into the floor only this time she flipped over the haft of her weapon and landed a solid kick on his chest knocking him to the floor. There was another subtle pop as Azure teleported behind Summer again. The reaper ducked under the blades and continued to sidestep each swing keeping just out of the dagger-wielding faunus' range.
"At this rate her semblance will tire her out and I won't even have to lift a finger." Summer thought with a quick glance at Martin's scroll. She was right Azure's semblance consumed a lot of her aura, it had just dipped into the red. Summer continued to sidestep until she heard the tell tale click of Rex reloading his pistol. "So your only trying to keep me distracted. Not bad but not enough." When Azure's next swing came Summer ducked it, placed her hand on the back of Azure's head and kicked her leg out from underneath her knocking her into Jason. Before she could do anything else though Haley attacked from Summer's right. She felt her breath leave her body as the young scythe wielder's weapon connected with her chest and knocked her a few yards from where they had been standing. Using her scythe to stay standing Summer glanced at her aura, it was in the yellow and draining fast. "I didn't even sense her thoughts, she picked up on my advice and stopped thinking everything through. Good they can adapt." Summer thought as she looked at her scroll. "They are doing rather well for only being in training. In a real fight though...their actions are not enough." She was having to use her scythe for balance at this point the Soul Shift was almost ready to expire and it was taking a toll on her strength, Martin would be ending the match soon. Summer readied herself for the next attack.
When angels fall with broken wings
I can't give up, I can't give in
When all is lost and daylight ends
I'll carry you and we will live forever
Forever
"I need to get in close if I'm going to be able to do anything." Azure said as she and the other three circled the Huntress. Their aura's were on the verge of failing and forcing them into unconsciousness so it could recover and Summer's was only just in the yellow. "Can you guys distract her long enough for me to get at least one good strike in?"
"I can keep her on the defensive with Wither and Blossom" Jason said tightening his grip on his weapon.
"You know I can definitely distract the Lt. Commander. You didn't have to ask." Rex said firing off an ice-dust bullet hoping to freeze Summer or at least trip her up. It didn't work Summer was no stranger to combat with dust. She changed direction almost immediately heading to the left.
"You'll have to try better than that Mr. Rex. I've been fighting with and against dust since long before you were born." Summer taunted with a laugh.
Haley took advantage of the sudden change of direction and intercepted Summer blocking the elder scythe wielder from continuing in the direction. There was a clash of steel as the pair met again only this time neither seemed willing to budge an inch. "We may not be able to actually beat you Ma'am but we will at least show you that we meet the Commander's expectations."
"You already have Miss Onyx." There was a bright flash of light as the Soul Shift ended and Martin's semblance ended the battle.
The sun begins to rise
And wash away the sky
The turning of the tide
Don't leave it all behind
And I will never say goodbye
As the four Hunters-in-training regained consciousness they felt themselves surrounded by the warmth of Martin's aura as their bruises were healed. "Congratulations. The four of you have met my expectations. At first you expected to fight me and you probably had a plan already made in order to beat me." Martin said as he helped each of them to their feet. "That said when you realized that you wouldn't be fighting me you tossed that plan out the window and did everything you could to hold Summer off, despite not having any real chance. Facing a seasoned Huntress and holding her off for almost two minutes with no real plan shows me you can adapt, it also shows me that no matter the odds you will fight if necessary. I'll be expecting to see you at Beacon next week when classes begin."
"Thank you, sir." The four replied in unison.
"Don't thank me yet. The four of you will not be just any students. You'll be part of a task-force that is being created to help deal with the threat from the White Fang and Black Claw Mercenary Company. That isn't all you will be facing either but for now I will save those details for later." Martin said, noticing that Rex's posture had stiffened at the mention of the White Fang. It was then that he noticed the notch in the boy's ear. "So I was right Thamior didn't confirm the kill after all. Seems we'll see each other again Adam." He thought darkly. As the four new students of Beacon left the conference room Colonel Oum motioned for Martin to take a seat as he poured them each a cup of coffee. The hour was late but the pair still had much to discuss.
"So what's with that look Martin?" Monty asked noticing the dark look in his eyes.
"It's nothing sir. But for now I would suggest considering Rex's story about Adam abducting his sister to be true. Only he would mark someone in that way." Martin growled clenching his fist.
"So it would seem. This makes me wonder how many of the White Fang and Black Claw lieutenants survived. We have our work cut out for us." Monty said as he mixed the sugar and cream into his mug.
"The Fallen, the lieutenants, CRMSN, the Grimm. This will be a tall order, I did notice the names of the members of team CVFY on that list. From what Glynda has told me about their training they are exactly what I'm looking for. At least I know twelve of those names are perfect, now I just need to test the other eight." Martin smirked a little, yes the coming months or even years would be difficult but his students would be able to toe the line. They would have to if they wanted to survive.
"So Commander would you like to tell me why you decided to raid the SDC? I would rather hear it from you because for some reason I only have vague details about shadows, clones, and fire." Monty said glaring slightly at the now uncomfortable faunus.
Somewhere in Vale
"We will make it through this. We just need to survive long enough for the Hunters to help us." Cinder said looking at her friends. The other four members of team CRMSN were sitting with her in a warehouse waiting to hear from the White Fang lieutenants or the Black Claw scouts before planning the Fallen's next move. As the words left her mouth Cinder felt a sudden pressure on her mind.
"What makes you so sure my grandson and his Corp. will help you Cinder? After the crimes the four of you have committed these last four years Martin is more likely to imprison you just as he did me." The Fallen said with a dark chuckle. Looking at the others Cinder could see they were having a similar conversation.
"Martin would never turn his back on us. He will get us out of here and we will stop you!" Neo shouted, voicing her words instead of using her telepathy was one of the few ways the acrobat was able to stay sane. She could never stand the silence in the warehouse she was always looking to find ways to help keep her friends sprits up. Either by singing, joking or just trying to hold a conversation with them.
Unfortunately this made her one of Fallen's favorite targets for abuse. "I've grown weary of hearing you voice Neopolitan. I think it's time I spared myself and everyone else here the pain of having to listen to it." He sighed. There was a brief pained look that crossed Neo's face as the monster that enslaved them destroyed her vocal cords. At first Neo tried to speak, tried to deny what had just happened. But no sound passed her lips, not even the sound of her sobs when she realized it was futile.
"You fucking monster! How could you?!" Cinder shouted as she and the other members of the team tried to do what they could to comfort Neo.
"Monster? No, Cinder I am simply the darkness of your heart given life. As to how it's simple. You and Roman failed me tonight, this is but the price for your failure." Fallen said before slowly fading into the darkest part of Cinder's subconscious to watch his pawns as they comforted their distraught friend. "The people of this world are so easily broken. I'll need to enjoy this game while I can." The creature thought to itself.
AN: Hello everyone this note was brought about by a sudden realization I did say I would combine it with this chapter when it was ready and here it is for those who missed it.
When I first started writing on this site in September there were around 4700 active RWBY stories. When Monty passed away six months ago I feared that like so many other communities the RWBY community would wilt and fade away into obscurity. I am happy to say my fear was ungrounded, when I last checked the archive counts the number of active stories was around 5100 active stories. I always said that when the show ended I would keep writing and keep the world of RWBY turning in my own way. Each and everyone of you is helping to do just that. The show may not be over but you are helping to keep this community going strong. If you are having doubts as to wether or not your stories are any good or if they are worth writing just remember that your stories do matter because they are your own vision of RWBY and no matter how insignificant you think it is, it helps keep the world turning. If you can bring at least a few moments of enjoyment to someone else then you have done an amazing job. If you are just joining this community then welcome to our rather large and somewhat dysfunctional family, I look forward to reading your stories. If you have been here from the beginning then all I can say is thank you for helping make this community what it is now, I'm glad to be a part of it. Keep dreaming, keep creating, keep living and keep moving forward. I'll see you all soon. Enjoy the journey and don't feed the guard dogs. - Phoenix Commander signing off.