RWBYond Home: Villains of Vacuo
AN: It's officially 2018. I'm starting this year off with a bang. This chapter has a lot going on in it so it might run a bit long. But after this it's going to be the 3-part final confrontation with The Lionhead.
Review Response: Jaqen H'ghar- Well, I've already given Prim an out. That's why I ended the chapter with her. There'll be a lot of her there in this chapter. Kyrogue- His fate will probably not be so dramatic.
Previously on RWBYond Home: Nova left the city for a meeting. Lionhead claimed another victim. Nickel discovered his identity and was nearly killed. Prim confronted the suspect and also met a terrible fate. Now, Glade, Chenzi and Johnny must track his next move before he claims another victim.
The Man in the Lion Mask Part 2: The First Lightbringer
Glade hadn't left the alleyway. Lionhead had gotten away and he had slain Prim. She was gone. Glade felt like his heart had been ripped in half. He had to keep telling himself that this was all a lie, that it was a dream. That maybe part of her Guardian status meant she couldn't be killed until her job was over, or at least began. He thought that surely if she was really gone Abraham or some other voice from beyond the veil would tell him and have her take her place.
But there was nothing. Just the decaying rhythm of his heart and a gentle desert wind. Police had arrived and set up a crime scene. Sun walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Glade didn't listen to what he said at first.
"I can't imagine what you're feeling right now." Sun said. "But there's still a fight to win. Don't let her sacrifice amount to nothing."
"Sun is right." A grave voice said. Suna Gull walked up. "Until The Lionhead is dealt with, we can't afford anyone knowing what happened here. There's no need to worry your parents until this fight is over."
"I still can't believe it…" Glade said. "Why her?"
"Because she thought herself the hero." Suna said. "She came here looking for a fight and got more than she expected. I've seen it countless times." Glade's temper flared as he decked the headmaster in the face.
"She's not just some huntsman!" He said. "That's my sister!" He pointed to the stone statue that stood in her place.
"You wanted a rational explanation and I gave it. The truth hurts. Now are you going to sulk or are you going to help us end this madness?" Suna said.
"We have his address." Johnny said. "We should go and investigate."
"If he took down Prim, he's not the kind of opponent any of us should fight alone." Suna said. "Chenzi, Johnny, Sun and Glade go and continue following the trail of breadcrumbs. I will work on getting us more men to sweep the city. Be discreet. And definitely do not tell anyone what's happened."
"Understood sir." Johnny said.
"Yes sir." Chenzi said.
"Glade?" Suna asked. Glade kept his eyes on the statue. "Glade!"
"Fine!" Glade stormed off.
"Thurston lives close by." Johnny said. "Follow me."
Prim sat across from Amon. So, this was Johnny's predecessor. This was the one who created Johnny's weapon and founded the Lightbringers. So long as Prim somehow made it out of here, this could prove to actually be extremely fortunate.
"I can tell you're wanting some answers." Amon said without looking from his book.
"I guess we'll start with what exactly happened to me." Prim said.
"It's hard to properly quantify since the barrier between Oblivion and Remnant has grown thin." Amon started. "When Gelel Thurston, the man called The Lionhead, grabbed you he turned you into stone."
"But he ran before he was finished." Prim recalled.
"He planted his aura inside of you, much like an aura bomb, and continued the process." Amon said. Before you properly died, Johnus tried transferring his life force to you to heal you with the sacred Lightbringer technique."
"Johnny can actually do that?" Prim was learning stuff already.
"No." Then again, maybe she wasn't learning. "Rather, he doesn't actually know how to do it. I could in my day and no doubt Johnus has read that but to him it's just a story. It was worth shot though."
"It brought me here." Prim guessed.
"When he did that, your souls merged as your soul slipped from Remnant to Oblivion. Because of that, you wound up in my little home instead of with the other proper Guardians." Amon said.
"You mentioned a way out." Prim said.
"It'd have quite the cost." Amon said. "Do you know what this tower is?" Amon asked.
"No." Prim thought for a moment. She recalled everything that she knew about the Lightbringers. "The Tower of Time?" She guessed.
"Well...excellent guess but no." Amon said. He took a piece of paper and began sketching. "I imagine if you were to see it on the outside it'd look like this." He held up the picture. A silver cylinder with runes etched in it.
"Wait, this is Johnny's weapon!" Prim said. "Gah, all this is making my head hurt."
"Precisely. I designed my Rod to be a gateway to Oblivion. I sealed my powers into it on my deathbed. The ritual created this place in Oblivion while the Rod staid in Remnant."
"Okay but why though?" Prim asked.
"Well, as the Guardian of Remnant, you must know about the King's Chart." Amon said.
"It's a parchment that imprisons King somewhere isolated in Oblivion. It was created by Abraham of Argent Way. He feared what would happen to the world should King return in a time after his death where no warrior of equal stature to Abraham existed."
"Precisely." Amon nodded.
"It contains his power. Anyone with his blood can activate it and call on his power to destroy Grimm. It seals them away, as do all Blades of Abraham."
"Very astute." Amon said. "Amon's Rod is basically the same thing only with my power, the ability to banish darkness. Using the level one and two attack, Amon's bolt and Amon's blast respectively…"
"Ego much." Prim muttered.
"They're limitless. They use his aura and can only be maintained for a short time but he'll never need to reload. The other attack is a bit more costly."
"Amon's Light." Prim said.
"By sacrificing his own life force, the currency of the Lightbringers, he can summon my full power. When this happens, I convert his life force into aura and send my power up the tower where it goes and vanquishes darkness wherever Johnus desires."
"I never knew how taxing it was." Prim said. "I guess it explains a lot."
"For your purposes, hypothetically, when he uses Amon's Light again, I could send you up with the light."
"And I'd be back up to Remnant!" Prim said with excitement. "Oh but he never uses that power unless there's no other way. He's smart like that. If only I could…."
"Even more problematic is that you're dead." Amon said. "You'd return to Remnant but you'd be a ghost. You'd only last a few minutes before you completely disappear from Remnant and wake up in Abraham's territory where you belong."
"Gah, I'm back at square one." Prim said. "Well, I guess my next question is, who exactly are you? What are The Lightbringers?"
"That….those are questions I hoped you would not ask. The Lightbringers have changed so much since I first created them. But since you're here and obviously determined...I shall tell you. And maybe in these truths we can find a way to restore you to life."
Lionhead slipped through the streets until he was in his hideout. This was a second home to him. His usual hideaway was in the comfort of his own basement but that was literally the first place the huntsmen would look for him.
This place was remote. Nobody knew about it except him. He had carved it from solid stone himself. It was a literal man made cave. So, imagine his surprise when he wasn't alone. Standing in the shadows was a woman wearing a White Fang mask.
"So, this is where you hide?" Eve said.
"Why are you here?" Lionhead asked.
"Not even going to ask who I am?" Eve asked.
"I don't care who you are." Lionhead said.
"Well, I know who you are Lionhead." Eve said. "I found this place by chance a few weeks ago. When I saw the mask on the desk I knew whose lair this was and I've been waiting ever since. You're in a tough spot but I can help you...if you help me."
"I have no interest in helping The White Fang." Lionhead said. "You're noisy and leave a mess everywhere."
"But I'm strong." Eve assured. "And right now, you have a lot of powerful people coming after you."
"I've already eliminated Nickel Polendina and Primrose Arc." Lionhead said.
"What?" Eve shook her head. "Well, you might have beaten them but can you beat the rest by yourself. Glade is just as strong as Prim. Johnny is practically invincible, even for your power set. Not to mention that, though she's out of town right now, the Summer Maiden is a friend of theirs too. And that is NOT an opponent you want to fight alone."
"Who said I have to fight?" Lionhead said. "All it takes is a touch. I can eliminate them one by one. I can move, relocate and start back fresh."
"They'll never stop." Eve said. "They're wise to your act. They'll stick together. And Johnny Clay, he has incredible powers of perception. You'd never get close to any of them so long as he's around. That's why you need my help."
"What's in it for you." Lionhead was beginning to become enticed by her offer. She made compelling arguments.
"I want Johnny Clay, Nova Wukong and her family dead. Humiliated...but dead. Their family destroyed mine."
"More names to scratch out." Lionhead shook his head.
"Usually I wouldn't join forces with a human but right now, my master has become laxed. She's content with following Cinder's rule and keeping the Belladonnas alive after everything they've done. It's not too many more. Sun Wukong is washed up and Blake is completely powerless."
"Can you assure me that you are up to the task?"
"I am the strongest fighter in the White Fang." Eve said.
"The strongest lion in a pack of malnourished cubs." Lionhead's insult cut into Eve's pride.
"I'm the best offer you're ever going to get. Unless you have enough money to get help from Cinder Fall and even if you did she'd probably have no desire to help you after you killed the Guardian."
"You make a good point." He held out his hand. "I think we can find good use for each other."
Johnny kicked down the door to Thurston's house. He could tell nobody was home. The entire place was clean. The smell of soap drifted in the air. Much like his store, there wasn't a spec of dust to be found.
"Search for clues." Johnny said. He and Sun headed to the back of the house while Glade and Chenzi checked the front. Johnny have expected the house to be empty and featureless. But it actually looked like an art museum. There were paintings, some pleasant and some eerie, that lined the wall. As someone who could see every detail, Johnny appreciated how every picture was perfectly placed.
"Well, he likes his art." Sun said.
"Considering he actually made Statue Garden…" A thought sent a chill down his spine. "I swear if we find a statue here…"
"You would have already seen them I'm sure." Sun said.
"I don't know." Johnny said. "Since this began, since Nightshade came to Vacuo that one time, I've been doubting my powers. Yuma, Flask, Hue, they've all managed to get the drop on me."
Meanwhile Glade found the door to the basement. He and Chenzi crept down the stairs and turned on the light. There were a few little sculptures organized neatly in various arrangements. There was a workbench against the back wall. A trash can filled with shavings and dust sat next to it.
"Man, I don't like this." Chenzi said.
"Shush." Glade said.
"You don't have to be James Ironwood to know you don't want to fight in a freaking basement." Chenzi said.
"There's nothing here." Glade said. "Just evidence of his hobbies." Glade opened a drawer on the workbench. It was full of sketches, neatly piled together. They were all designs for sculptures. But on top, was a picture. Glade recognized it.
"Isn't that the one that Sura guy took of us?" Chenzi asked.
"There's words on it. I know you are the Lionhead. Kill the people in this picture and your secret will remain safe." Glade read the words.
"This must be what Flask was doing, trying to help eliminate us." Chenzi said. "He must have made the same mistake...well...we did. Going at it alone instead of waiting."
"If he really plans on killing everyone in this picture then that means…" Glade's heart sank as his eyes scanned all the faces in the picture. Many of them weren't even in Vacuo anymore. Citrine and Eiess were in Mantle. Argent was in Vale. Nova, Ruby, Jaune and Gelb were on Patch. Prim was...and Nickel was down for the count which left….
"Oh no." Chenzi said.
"We have to go now!" Glade shouted as he burst up the stairs.
"Glade, what's wrong?" Johnny asked.
"That bastard is going after Hina!" Glade shouted.
To understand the Lightbringers, one must first understand the events that lead to the Great War. The Kingdom of Mantle, centered in the great city of Atlas, had made great strides to protect themselves from Grimm. They had discovered, or rather made it public knowledge, that the Grimm could sense emotions. It was inconsistent how their senses worked and oftentimes Grimm would outright ignore enticing emotions for whatever reasons. But one thing was for sure, the only way to completely nullify the Grimm was to shut off emotions.
There was a decree proposed by Mantle's King Revali. By degrees, the people willingly gave up their rights, their freedom of expression in exchange for their safety. They widely believed they outgrew the need for such dangerous expressions. Even positive emotions like extreme joy and pride seemed to lure certain kinds of Grimm so even works of art deemed wholesome were destroyed.
The being called Avarice predicted this inevitability and had long since taken measures to horde ancient knowledge for himself. Ozpin, who resided in Vale disapproved of Mantle's actions. Salem, who resided in Vacuo at the time, stayed neutral, expecting this to blow up in Revali's face and give her monstrous opportunities.
Zorrin created a council called the Ministry of Logic to enforce these laws. Eventually, Mistral's King Mipho saw how prosperous and safe Mantle was and opened trade routes with them. Mantle had a caveat with the trade agreement. If Mistral was to trade with them, then they must also enforce the art restrictions.
Mistral didn't take as kindly to this. The Ministry of Logic destroyed numerous temples and silenced opposition. Mistral forced these laws on their territory while ignoring them in the capital. Eventually, Mistral too began to prosper and extend into Vale's territory.
This is when things got messy. The King of Vale was a peaceful man named Hylio. But his chief advisor, and the one who really ran the kingdom, was Ozpin. And Ozpin was not the kind of man who would sway so easily.
Eventually, Mantle completely destroyed the kingdom of Dragna. They eradicated the kingdom for dissenting against Mantle while maintaining borders so close to the northernmost kingdom. Revali feared that should Dragna lure in the Grimm with their foolishness, then Mantle would be put at risk. And so, in a single night, Revali used the Relic of Destruction and lead the campaign through Dragna.
Vacuo stood against him as well. He tried seizing Vacuo's mines, which incited war against the desert kingdom. Meanwhile, Mistral had gone too far in Sanus and declared war on Vale. Vale and Vacuo joined forces against Mistral and Mantle and the Great War officially began.
Alas, even these alliances broke down. Vacuo and Vale were torn apart by Ozpin and Salem's vendetta. Mistral and Mantle were torn apart when Revali discovered that Zorrin could control Grimm and was using them in battle. The Great War went on so long that the kingdoms eventually forgot why they fought. The Guardian of Remnant from that era, managed to lead a small army to destroy the Grimoire in Vacuo, creating an era where the Grimm were a rarity despite the violence. Of course, they resurged as they always do. But by then the War was in its final days.
But as the Great War was officially beginning, Amon Rhond feared what Mantle's policies meant for civilization. He feared what would happen if society as it was, was wiped out. So, he recruited people from various trades and founded the Lightbringers. They were a spark of light against the darkness coming from Mantle.
"That's all we were." Amon finished his tale. "Librarians making sure that the bright and colorful civilization that we loved was not crushed by tyranny."
"That's it?" Prim asked. "Than...what about the dolls? What about Lightbringer Heal?"
"Both products of my friend's abilities." Amon said. "Vladimir Vanderbilt-the engineer. He's the one who made such things possible."
"So, I'm no closer to solving Johnny's problem." Prim sighed.
"I don't know what the organization turned into without a wielder of Amon's Rod. I can only see and know what my wielder sees and knows. But don't lose hope. In my tale there is truth that will help guide Johnny to his next step. But perhaps you should be more worried about your own problems."
"Like how am I going to get out of here." Prim huffed. "I guess my next question is, your silver eyes…"
"Ah, back in those days the Argentware were far more common." Amon said. "Sadly, most of us died in the war. Natural warriors and leaders tend to be placed on the front lines. Not enough of us were up to that task."
"Okay, unimportant question but is Johnny related to you? I mean, his middle name is Amon and…"
"He is distantly related to me yes." Amon laughed.
"Yeesh." Prim said. "That means I'm related to him." Amon laughed.
"Stranger things caused you to exist." Amon laughed. "Did you ever wonder why the Seerliveys and the Arcs have such similar semblances?"
"Oh no…" Prim pieced it together.
"They're both descendents from Gideon and by extension Abraham." Amon said. "The Arcs are just a side branch that lost the silver eye trait thousands of years ago whereas that trait stayed relatively strong in the Seerliveys."
"So my mom is related to my dad?" Prim said in disgust.
"Literal hundreds, no, a thousand generations back." Amon said. "Okay, that might be a bit hyperbolic but it's no more strange than your brother."
"All this genetic stuff makes my head hurt." Prim said. "I wish I knew exactly how long ago Abraham lived. Maybe that would help me piece everything together."
"By my estimates, nearly ten thousand years ago." Amon said. "Though, it could be as recent as six thousand. People were so pisspour at keeping records back then. I mean, the mistranslations in what exists alone...trust me as the founder of the Lightbringers it's way more complicated than anyone actually knows."
"And none of this helps me." Prim said. "I hope Johnny and Glade are doing well without me."
Hina had been busy all day. It was getting packed at Vito's due to the lunch rush and it being payday for a lot of people. She even heard one couple giving a toast to surviving another week. It was days like this that brought a smile to her face, lots of lien to her pocket, and sores on her feet. She stepped in the back for a quick break and checked her scroll. Good timing, as she just got Glade's text. When she did she went to Vito to ask for the rest of the day off.
"This is a bad situation you found yourself in." Vito said.
"Glade's voice message was serious." Hina said.
"Is he coming here?" Vito asked.
"Of course." Hina nodded.
"Then I can't in good conscious let you leave." Vito winked. "If he's coming after you, then you're much safer here than at your home." He gestured to a group sitting in the corner. "By my count there's half a dozen huntsmen here. Your boyfriend and his friends are coming here. On days like today, my restaurant might be even safer than Shade Academy."
"I understand." Hina said. "I guess asking to go home was kind of dumb."
"Hina, you're like a daughter to me." Vito said. "If you need the rest of the weekend off, if you need to stick with your huntsmen friends until this blows over, I understand."
"Psh." Hina blew him off. "Worst case scenario, Glade stalks around here like a security guard." Hina said as she saw him walking in. "Speaking of which, back to work."
"Hina!" Glade waved. Hina walked up to them and gave Glade a hug.
"You look like shit." Hina joked.
"It's been a bad day." Glade said. He was with Johnny, Chenzi and Sun.
"Where's Prim and Nickel?" Hina asked.
"She's…" Glade clenched his eyes shut.
"Glade." Sun put a hand on his shoulder. "Remember what Suna said."
"I trust Hina." Glade said. "They're gone. Nickel will recover but Prim…"
"Oh my God…" Hina covered her mouth.
"We can't spread panic." Sun said.
"So, stay calm." Hina nodded. "I can do that." She lead them to one of the only free booths left.
The rest of her shift went by smoothly. She had that constant sense of dread welling up inside her. Johnny told her what the guy looked like so she could keep an eye out for him but he never showed up.
"I'll walk you home." Glade said. "I'll also stay the night if that's alright."
"Of course." Hina said.
"I'm going too." Johnny said.
"I'll set up a perimeter." Sun said. "If things start up, we want to keep as many people safe as we can."
Hina, Glade and Johnny walked to Hina's apartment. On their way they passed up the convenience store Hina had visited the day before. Johnny stopped there for a minute and asked the clerk some questions. He walked out a minute later.
"What was that about?" Hina asked.
"Nothing." Johnny sighed. Glade seemed to understand what he was talking about. Based on Glade's reaction, Hina guessed that whatever happened to Prim, happened close by. They arrived at Hina's place a minute later, Johnny gave the all clear and kept walking towards his apartment.
"Can I get you anything?" Hina asked.
"I'm good." Glade said.
"I'm going to get in the shower then." Hina said. "You're welcome to…"
"I'm going to stand guard." Glade said. Hina frowned at the notion. She guessed Chenzi and Johnny would be staying nearby and keeping an eye on the apartment.
Hina walked into the bathroom and turned on the light. What she saw caused her heart to skip a beat and elicit a scream. The pitch black figure had red hair and a matching sword. She quickly lunged from the shadows. Hina blocked the attack with Sky Diamond.
"What?" The assassin growled. Hina's eyes turned silver as Sky Diamond whipped its claw and swatted the assassin through the wall and across the street. She planted her feet on the wall of the next building and launched herself towards Hina. This time, Glade busted in and blocked the sword strike.
"Of all the assholes." Glade groaned. He fired his spear, causing the assassin to back off. Her skin changed color to a more olive-like complexion and then a pale one. "What does the White Fang want Eve?"
"It's not what the White Fang want, it's what we want." Eve said. She swung her blade and it slid across Glade's shield. She maneuvered her body around his defences only to be caught by Heart's Grow.
Glade threw her through the hole in the wall. Hina followed up with a blast from her semblance. Eve sliced through the attack but was hit by Glade's follow up- Orion's spear. She took the momentum of that attack and threw herself onto the roof. Glade and Hina threw each other to follow her.
"I've had a really bad day!" Glade said. "Stand down and I might not put you in a god damn comma!"
"I wasn't expecting the little waitress to be a fighter." Eve said. "Otherwise she'd be dead."
"If I thought she couldn't hold her own for more than a second I'd have joined her." Glade said. "Why are you here?"
"She's here to help me." The grave voice said. He was so fast, Glade barely had time to dodge his swipe and Hina could only block it. Sky Diamond started turning to stone. Glade dashed forward to hit Lionhead but the murderer jumped over his attack and landed next to Eve.
"I offered up my services in exchange for the chance to kill Johnny Clay and Nova Wukong." Eve shrugged. "You guys put him in a bad enough mood to accept."
"He's in a bad mood?" Glade spat. "I'm going to make you pay for what you've done."
"You plan on fighting us?" Eve grinned.
"No...I plan to kill you."
"That's what your sister said." Lionhead growled. Glade screamed in anger as Heart's Grow joined his side. "Same words, same result." Glade picked up his speed right as he approached Lionhead's hand. He slid under the killer's touch and slammed Calamum Forti into the Lionhead's gut.
"It's time for the Lion's Head to be severed." Glade said. "Orion's Spear!" He fired the attack at point blank range. Lionhead caught it, turned it into stone and threw it back. Glade blocked it with his shield but was forced to cover his eyes.
He projected his aura to detect the follow up. He barely saw it in time to avoid the attack. Meanwhile, Eve effortlessly hacked through Hina's Sky Diamond. Glade fired a gun construct to force Eve away and in range of Sky Diamond's claws.
Eve slid away from the attacks and fired her gun. All Hina could do was block. Her senses were nowhere near good enough to avoid damage. She was tanking every hit and against a swordsman like Eve it was dangerous. But against Lionhead it would be fatal.
"You're not even as strong as they were." Lionhead said. Glade landed a kick to the top of his head and threw a barrage of jabs with Heart's Grow. Lionhead blocked each blow and tore through Glade's defences. He was too fast for Glade to dodge. Lionhead grabbed Glade's shield and turned it to stone.
At the last second, Glade fired the shield from its grip. Lionhead went flying. Glade fired five cannon constructs simultaneously, forcing Lionhead to use the shield and block. As soon as he did, Glade activated his trap card and blasted the killer with an aura bomb.
"It's over." Glade dove in for a final strike. "Moon Piercer!" Lionhead dodged the attack and grabbed the spear.
"You're even more compossed than she was despite having more recent trauma." Lionhead said. "You Arcs are quite interesting people."
"You have no idea!" Glade shouted as he broke the spear and stabbed the jagged hilt into Lionhead's face. The blow was propelled by Lionhead's aura and mask. Lionhead threw a palm strike, forcing Glade back.
The stone rooftop warped, trapping Glade's foot. Lionhead had manipulated the stone on the roof to be his trap. He rushed Glade and reached for his face. Glade tried busting out but he wasn't going to make it.
"Just like her, you lack the physical ability to stop me!" Lionhead shouted. Just as Glade though he was doomed, an orange streak of lightning flashed in front of him. Chenzi delivered a kick to Lionhead's face. Johnny intercepted an otherwise fatal strike from Eve.
"The cavalry has arrived." Chenzi said.
"Do you have any ideas of how I can get out of here without dying?" Prim said.
"You're already dead." Amon reminded.
"But I don't have to be." Prim said. "You said earlier that Johnny tried to resurrect me but failed because he didn't know how to actually do it. But you do!" Amon smiled. "But wait, you're already dead." Prim sighed. "You don't have any life force to give."
"Under usual circumstances you would be right." Amon said. "But, I sealed myself away in here before I used up my life force. I must warn you though, I don't know how much life you'll have. Do not ever use Lightbringer Heal after this. You'll live a relatively short life as it is. You can't afford to waste your life force doing what your body can do naturally."
"So then this is my one time 'get out of death for free' card." Prim said.
"If you want to look at it that way." Amon said. "Take a seat across from me." Prim did as he asked. Amon put a hand on her chest causing her to clinch up. "By my power, I add to your life." Red sparks flew from his hand. Prim felt her body increase in weight. She felt her aura again, taking hold and giving her body substance.
"I feel...heavier." Prim said.
"You are alive now." Amon said. "Now all that's left is to wait until Johnus uses Amon's Light."
"Gah, that could take years!" Prim said. "If I'm alive, I'm going to starve to death!"
"You'll die of thirst first." Amon said.
"Come on Johnny." Prim said. "Just use it, just once...for me."
"He can't hear you." Amon said.
"What am I supposed to do then?"
"Just wait." Amon said. There was a moment of silence between them. "He's fighting the Lionhead now."
Johnny was doing really well against Eve. Glade and Chenzi were getting nowhere with Lionhead. He was too powerful to be beaten so easily and his ridiculously powerful semblance meant Glade and Chenzi were constantly on the defensive. By all rights, Johnny would be better suited to fight him but Eve was determined to keep them apart.
"Your death will lead to victory for the White Fang." Eve said as she continued to swing her sword. Johnny deflected the strikes with Amon's Rod and kicked her away. Eve fired her gun to hit Chenzi out of the air. She dashed towards Glade and hacked at his constructs.
Lionhead took this chance to eliminate Hina from the equation. Johnny had just enough time to dive in the way of the attack. In that moment, he came up with the most perfectly asinine plan to take down Lionhead before anyone got seriously hurt.
"You're going to lose a lot of lifeforce doing this." Shimmer warned.
"Want to put a number on that?" Johnny asked.
"Two years."
"Two years to ice this guy for good? I'll take it." Johnny's torso started turning to stone. Before it could cause serious damage he kicked Lionhead away and towards Eve.
"You didn't have to do that." Hina said. Johnny's body sparked as it broke off the stone chunks and healed.
"Amon's Light!" He fired the blast, hitting both Lionhead and Eve. Eve screamed in pain while Lionhead simply growled. He slammed his hand on the roof and blasted his way out. But in that moment, a beam of light wasn't the only thing that same from the sky.
"Over...and over again…" Lionhead said. As the light faded, Prim stood where the attack had fallen.
"Did you miss me?" Prim asked with a smile.
AN: Ah how the tides have turned. Johnny's plan might not have worked but Prim's did. And I'll leave the possibility of Amon himself influencing Johnny's thoughts in that moment up for interpretation.
Next Time: Prim has returned. Is she ready for round two? Is this enough to stop these deadly killer? What is the limit to Lionhead's powers? Find out next time on the stunning conclusion of RWBYond Home: The Villains of Vacuo.