"Please, everyone settle down." Ozpin raised his hands to quiet a crowd gathering in front of City Hall, or what remained of City Hall. The president look back at the massive crowd, all demanding an answer from him.
The group was divided. Some were there to crucified him, some were looking for reassurance from a bender that didn't seem to be evil...
The reporters gathered and thrusted their mikes closer to the president. Ozpin smiled sternly as questions flew...
"Rumour has it that it was you that funded the Beacon Academy on the island. Along with Professor Asami, you have been secretly training your own benders army. Is that true? Care to comment?"
"This is not the time for this question." The president put up his hands to quiet the crowd as some of them booed.
"What's your thought on the bill you tried to pass last year? Trying to decriminalize bending..In light of today, do you think the outcome will be any different?" One reporter followed up with another question.
Ozpin sighed deeply. He looked at the unease crowd. "The cease-fire won't last forever. The priority is to make sure everyone is safe." Ozpin pushed his glasses up on his nose bridge. "As we speak, the army from Earth Kingdom is marching in to help defend Republic City. In the meantime, I am urging all benders that are still on our side, that are still in the closet, to come out! I am urging family members to put aside their prejudice and remember these benders are not someone to hate or fear."
A bottle was thrown from the crowd and Ozpin dodged. "What agenda are you trying to push?" The thrower accused.
The president simply pointed toward the sky. "The agenda is to make sure that when those circling airships start re-releasing their bender army, we have the power to counter that and save our people. Please come out, wherever you are! I know you are all scared...think about your families, your friends...I know Republic City has more than just a few benders. If we combine our powers, surly we can survive this! And non-benders, protect your bender brothers and sisters! Protect each other!"
Ozpin thanked the crowd and then followed the officers towards the police car. One reporter tried to follow, still not giving up on getting an answer out of the president.
"President Ozpin, just one last question. Not that you answered any..." He asked again, shoving the camera closer.
Ozpin turned and smiled sadly. "I know it's still illegal to use bending. Those that choose to come out and used their powers might be arrested." Ozpin flashed his handcuffs in the air for the camera to see. "It's their personal choice to make. Whether to take a stance, fight the fight? Or stay hidden and silent, and hope to survive?"
Before the reporter could ask any more questions, Ozpin ducked his head and climbed into the police car.
Qrow watched the arrest from a distance and spat at the ground in disgust. His team, or what remained, stood beside him.
Just then, his comm flicked and came alive. "Qrow, do you read?"
"Ironwood!"
"We are coming to you. I am bringing reinforcement." The general replied. Then there was a scruffle and then another voice spoke. "Uncle Qrow, are you okay?"
Qrow chuckled. "Ruby. I am guessing Yang's on the way as well. I'm okay, don't worry about me."
The general's voice came back on. "Look, we are coming to make sure that when the Earth kingdom army arrives, they don't kill any benders in the city! We are coming to defend the benders."
"It's gonna be a bloody massacre isn't it?" Qrow looked to the crowd in front of City Hall. "Ozpin just encouraged the benders to come out and protect their family and friends. Shit!"
A frustrating sigh was heard from the general's side. "Well, we are on our way."
"Are we ready?"
An old man in a white lab coat nodded. "All loaded."
The general nodded. He put on his green armour and crocked the rifle. It was a special type of rifle, of course...
"You sure this will work, even on those benders that had become immune to the previous virus?"
The scientist nodded again. "It will. It was tested multiple times at the camp."
"Alright, let's end this. Once and for all..." He waved his hand and his army started marching. It was a sea of green, their Earth kingdom flag waved proudly in the wind...
It was a weird feeling when the soul left the body. Blake blinked and looked down at her blue, translucent body, sitting cross legged across from Yang.
"Alright, let's see if I can find Usagi." She closed her eyes and tried to focus her chi.
She flew out of the airship they were travelling in and floated mid-sky. "Take me to the avatar." She whispered to herself...
Something started to yank at her soul and she let the force take her to wherever it may be...
Blake blinked and found herself inside a trailer. It was full of vials that seemed empty. Yet, the biohazard sign was enough to alarm the faunus. Upon closer inspection, she could see that they were full of gas...
"No..." Her ears fold back in fear. She blinked again and she was outside of the trailer. Thousands of soldiers were marching, wearing Earth kingdom armour.
"No..." Blake clutched her blue hand near her chest. It's all happening again...
The faunus blinked and she was back in her body. She opened her eyes and were greeted with Yang's usual sunny smile.
"Well?" The blonde couldn't contain her excitement. "You did it, didn't you?"
Blake frowned and looked down. "Sort of. I didn't find the avatar but I found something else." She got up and walked towards the flight deck. "I am afraid we have to fly faster. The Earth kingdom army is almost at the city, and they are ready to unleash their ultimate weapon...Again!"
"Oh..." Yang looked out the window and squeezed her brows together. Her hands folded into tight fists as her eyes started to turn red. "It's happening again...isn't it?"
"And this time...no one is safe..."
With the new intel coming in, thanks to Blake, Ironwood took control of the flying and pushed the speed to maximum. His heart pounded loudly, praying that he wasn't too late.
It was unclear how many benders were left in Republic city, but even one life lost would be one too many. He gripped the wheel tightly while he scanned the horizon.
Not far ahead, he spotted a sea of green. Team RWBY gathered behind him and there was a tense moment of silence.
Ruby clicked open her crescent rose glider. "If we disable the trucks carrying the gas, maybe we can slow them down."
"Not if they shoot you out of the sky first." Ironwood pointed at the huge cannons flanking either side of the marching army. "We need a plan…"
Yang squinted her eyes before letting out a gasp. "Uh oh…."
The group turned their heads to what Yang was staring. The army was marching through a ravine and Blake narrowed her eyes. "We need to go now. They are being funnelled."
The cargo door opened and Ruby swung her glider. "Let's go."
The sun peaked out of the clouds and shone down on the ravine. The green army marched forward, hopeful as they carried their weapon of mass destruction. The leader glanced about, eyes peeled for any hidden danger. He knew this would be the place to do it, if the benders were to make a move.
Suddenly, commotion were heard from the last section. Shots were fired, followed by a massive explosion. The general whirled his head around and saw five... no ten earth benders sliding down the mountain sides, bending slabs of rocks at the remaining survivors.
"Move, move, move..." the general waved at the trucks to get away from the ever closing explosions. Whatever the benders were throwing, it wasn't just rocks.
Then, another attack came from the front of the army. Fire benders breathed their fire down from above, and the front section was engulfed in seconds. Men screamed as they were burnt alive, thrashing about before dropping to the ground. In a matter of seconds, the army was cut down in half.
The general dropped his jaw. How did they fail so spectacularly? He raked his brain as he continued to fire using his platinum gun. He took three down before an idea took hold.
It's still too far from the city to release the virus. However, one dose might be enough to weaken their bendings... or turn them into a disease vector if they flee back to base. "Cover me..." he yelled to his soldiers as he sprinted back to the trucks.
He had to get there. Suddenly, he felt searing pain. He looked down in horror and saw a ten inch metal jagging out from his shin. He glanced up and came face to face with a metal bender. She smirked as she twisted her hand, causing the metal to drive deeper into the general's flesh.
"Stop!" A young girl's voice was heard before a whirlwind descended before the injured man. A girl in a red cape swung her ridiculously sized scythe and stood protectively in front of him. He took a double look. This was the battlefield, not a place for kids...
His heart skipped as he glanced up at the sky. Three more girls descended, clearly benders... yet they stood facing the attacking benders. The general eyes darted around, unsure if they were friend or foe...
The man stayed helplessly on the ground and watched with disbelief, as the four benders fought in the army's behalf.
He glaced over at the trucks and saw an opportunity... he started to drag himself over, painfully slow.. His vision was getting blurry but he persisted...
Ten feet... eight feet... six feet...
He reached up and his hand grasped the handle. Just as he was about to turn it, he felt a wave of heat radiating from within...
"What...?" Before his mind could comprehend, the truck exploded.
He squeezed his eyes shut and said his final prayer. That was when he felt a metal chain wrapped around his waist and yanked him out of the blast zone. The leader looked up, dazed, at a faunus. "Th..thank you." He stammered as he tried to stand up.
"I know what's in that truck. I should've let you get blown up." The cat faunus hissed.
The man hung his head in shame. "I know. A lesser person would, but you didn't ." He sank back down to the ground and stared at his remaining army. The enemies had been subdued, easily, by four young women. He shook his head again at how useless he was.
He gestured towards the field and looked up at Blake. "How can we not be afraid? The four of you did something that would normally take an entire army."
The faunus's cat ears twitched and her eyes darted around. "No time for that now. I can hear the grimm. We have to get moving now, the wounded won't be able to fight". She extended her hand and helped the leader back on his feet.
"After what we did to you people, you guys are still protecting us?"
The faunus's eyes softened. "Perhaps this is your redemption. Join us in the fight in Republic City. We need all the people we can get."
"Then we shall fight together." The general turned towards his army. The survivors nodded in agreement. They knew they wouldn't be alive if these girls didn't come to the rescue.
"Ruby, lead the way." The faunus's shouted to the air bender.