RWBYond Home: Villains of Vacuo
AN: Well, I was right about one thing. I pretty much have been writing non-stop, only taking small breaks to nap and to watch videos. That's what tends to happen when I'm at the end of an arc. I've spent so long planning out the steps that I get zero writer's block. It happened with RWBYond Vale (the last several chapters rivaled the average RWBYond Home chapter in size) and it's happened with every major story since. This kind of output will probably happen at the end of every arc.
Review Response: Kyrogue- Lionhead isn't that kind of villain. Runelt- that is going to be hanging over Prim's head for a while yet. She does have enough though. I'm not going to just have her randomly drop dead. Nintendoborn- I've been writing nonstop. Glad you enjoyed SS Starry Eyes setting sail.
Previously on RWBYond Home: Prim discovered the origins of the Lightbringers. Lionhead joined forces with Eve Taurus. They attacked Hina but were stopped by Glade. Johnny and Chenzi arrived, as did Prim after Johnny used his most powerful technique.
The Man in the Lion Mask Part 3: A Quiet Fury on a Quiet Night
"Prim?" Glade dropped to his knees.
"I killed you." Lionhead growled.
"Okay but how?!" Johnny had seen crazy stuff but this defied reason.
"TLDR, Amon's Rod works the same way as the King's Chart. Met the First Lightbringer. He gave me some life force to resurrect me. Had to ride in on his power."
"That's the TLDR version?" Chenzi scratched his head.
"It doesn't matter." Lionhead said. Prim glanced at Eve.
"I'm gone for a day and the White Fang are crusading, while Lionhead is invading." Prim chided. "Thurston, it hasn't even been a day and it feels like...well...even less than that." She looked at Eve. "And uh...I want to say Ead."
"It's Eve!" She swung her sword at Prim's throat. Fighting Dreamer caught the blade and then punched the Faunas in the stomach. "You're not even armed."
"An Arc is never unarmed." Prim said as she created a sword. There was something different about her constructs. They had a fiery white glow they hadn't before. "Speaking of which, where is my sword?"
"Police lockup as evidence." Johnny said.
"Okay, just making sure it didn't turn to stone because Dad would be pissed." Prim laughed.
"That's what you're worried about?" Glade said.
"I feel great." Prim sighed. "Like there was this well of energy boiling up inside me that's been unleashed."
"I can see that." Chenzi said. He jumped up and slammed his hammer towards Lionhead. The killer caught it and activated his semblance. "Figured you'd do that." Chenzi pulled a trigger, stunning the killer with electricity. Glade fired a cannon construct that hit Lionhead in the torso.
Johnny used Amon's Blast to force Eve to forgo her attack. Eve dodged Johnny's jab but fell into his left hook. She blocked the kick he followed up with but Johnny managed to land an elbow instead.
"Your attacks are light." Eve laughed. "I can't believe you're one of the people giving us so much trouble."
"There's a problem with your analysis." Johnny said. Eve dashed forward and swung her blade. She was skilled, an adept swordsman, but she was too direct. She didn't use dust. She rarely used blade beams. She was all at once the best and worst kind of person for Eve to fight. She was fast and strong, but Johnny was much faster.
"Hold still!" She cursed.
"Story of my life, strong and angry people telling me to hold still." Johnny replied. He ducked under a horizontal sword swing then slid to the right as she followed through with a vertical chop. He pushed himself off with his foot and landed a punch to Eve's face.
Eve staggered to the edge of the roof. Johnny fired a beam of light. Eve jumped out of the way of the blast only to be caught by the claws of Sky Diamond. The claws tightened, squeezing Eve and putting immense pressure on her aura.
"If you think I'm just going to stand idly by you have another thing coming." Hina said. "You mocked Johnny's strength so try mine on for size." Hina's eyes flashed with a brilliant light as she slammed Eve into the roof. In a flash, Johnny was on top of her and putting her in an arm bar.
"Eve Taurus, you are under arrest." Johnny said as he snapped her arm back. Eve's blade fell to the ground. He looked at the other fight. They'd have to go on without him. He had to keep Eve secured and be on hand to cover Hina's weak spots.
"Who has the advantage?" Hina asked.
"It's hard to say at this point." Johnny said. "There is something different about Prim's abilities."
"Stop ignoring me!" Eve said.
"Man you are spoiled." Johnny said. "Or not spoiled enough. You're thirsty for attention." He put a knee to her head. "But you'll never destroy this world we swore to protect. No matter how sharp your blade is you'll never cut the bonds we forged. You want to know why you lost?"
"Shut up!" Eve warned.
"It's because you're an idiot who joined with someone you have no experience fighting with. Plus, you singled out the absolute worst opponent for you. In short, you will never hit me at the level you're at now. You can brag about how tough you are but if you can't even land a hit you'll never win."
"And you said you wanted to kill Nova." Hina said. "You're lucky she's not here." A massive shockwave created a gust of wind that blew through their hair. "What is going on with her powers?"
"I don't know." Johnny said. "It's like a barrier that sealed her powers has begun to break. I wonder...is this the power of the Argentware."
There was only one thing Glade knew for certain. Someway, somehow, Prim had definitively surpassed him. There was a faint white glow that accompanied her constructs. Her movements were faster, her strikes were more precise and her blows were stronger. She wasn't fighting like she usually did. It was faster, more aggressive. She was trying to overwhelm him. That wasn't her style.
But it was working. Her movements had surpassed Chenzi. Her speed was on par with Nickel's. But it was working. Even fighting alone she was gaining ground. Chenzi and Glade's aid only cemented her blows.
"Prim." Glade said as he sent out Heart's Grow.
"Got it." Prim kept up Fighting Dreamer's barrage. Heart's Grow collided with the construct creating Heart's Dreamer. The orange construct only lasted for one attack before Glade fell out of sync with Prim and the special construct split into the two separate constructs.
But the attack blasted Lionhead across three rooftops. Chenzi chased after him. Prim fired an Arc Cannon to follow Chenzi's advance. Lionhead ducked under Chenzi's hammer but was blasted by Prim's energy beam. The beam of energy broke apart. Prim stretched her hand and solidified the dispirate fragments to wrap Lionhead's hands.
Chenzi landed a thunderous blast to Lionhead's face, breaking his mask to pieces. Glade finally reached Lionhead's position and pummeled him with Heart's Grow. Lionhead broke free from Prim's restraints and reached out for both guys. Prim closed the distance in an instant and forced Lionhead to duck. He landed a glancing blow to her face but without breaking stride she impaled him with a white blade construct.
The blade disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Lionhead dropped to his knees as the wound disappeared. Prim took no time off and hit Lionhead with an overhead strike. Glade followed up with an uppercut from a baton construct. Chenzi hit him next.
"Lotus Palm." He landed the electric palm strike. Prim hit him with a broadsword construct, slamming him to the ground and shattering his aura. She then grabbed him by the throat with Fighting Dreamer.
"Why...why are you so much stronger now?" Lionhead choked out.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Prim said. She really hadn't noticed. "It's just as you said before, two of us stood a chance, three of us were enough to kick your ass. But the game is up and you're going to rot behind bars for the rest of your life."
"Ha...do you think that'll make you feel better about your lot in life?" Lionhead asked. "I know what it's like to be part of a legacy, a long line of heroes. All you can hope to do is find something you love and focus on that."
"And if I love fighting creeps like you?" Prim asked.
"And killing people is what brings you joy?" Glade asked the more important question.
"No...all I wanted was to live quietly." Lionhead huffed. "But there's so much noise and pain in this world. I want it to be perfect. All the noisy people gone. Everything perfect like a work of art. Everything neatly in its place."
"That's not up for you to decide." Glade said. "But your place is in prison where you're going to be locked away for the rest of your life."
"If you think I'm going to go to a disgusting place like that then you have another thing coming." Lionhead said. His hand snapped forward towards Prim's face. She quickly bobbed out of the way, summoned a sword construct and sliced his hand off.
"You're right." Prim said. "You're too dangerous to be left alive."
"Prim that's not how we do things!" Glade pleaded. Prim created an axe to hack his head off. He slammed his hand on the ground and detonated the rooftop, causing them all to fall through. Lionhead jumped out and ran off. Glade created a barrier to protect the people in the building from the debris.
"It's alright!" Chenzi said. "Huntsmen business, fighting a villain."
"We're fighting The Lionhead." Prim said.
"Go, I got this." Glade said. Chenzi and Prim jumped back to the rooftop.
"One of you come help me." Hina said. She was holding Eve down. "Johnny went after Lionhead."
"I'll take her in." Chenzi said. "You go." Prim nodded and followed the direction Hina was pointing.
Johnny was having a hard time keeping up with the injured Lionhead. Johnny was faster on his feet but Lionhead used his powers to bypass barriers and close them up so that Johnny would have to go around. Johnny tried making up for this by firing his weapon but Lionhead was too fast for such direct attacks to work.
He spotted Prim trying to gain ground behind them. But Johnny would have to corner Lionhead in order for Prim to properly close the distance. Lionhead ducked into a sewer and Johnny followed. He slowed his pace so he wouldn't get ambushed. After a minute of jogging he realized that Lionhead wasn't even stopping.
He picked up the pace as he followed Lionhead into the main sewage line that lead outside the city. Lionhead exited the sewer and trekked through the desert. Johnny thought this was his chance to finally catch the killer but Lionhead just created more walls in the sand.
Johnny followed him all the way to the Statue Garden where he finally stopped. Johnny aimed his weapon at Lionhead, expecting a trap. Instead, Lionhead just opened his arms and admired the statues.
"This was my canvas." Lionhead said.
"There's nowhere to run and nowhere to hide." Johnny said. "Come in quietly and we'll get you a nice quiet, clean cell."
"No...there is no cell that could hold me." Lionhead said. "Isn't that right?" Prim ran up next to Johnny.
"We're taking you in." Johnny said.
"No...I will become perfectly silent and beautiful." Lionhead said. He put a hand to his heart and activated his semblance.
"This fate is too good for you." Prim said.
"Damn it." Johnny sighed. "I should have known." He withdrew his weapon. "At least we have him." Prim fired a blast that obliterated the concrete.
"He doesn't deserve to be immortalized." Prim said. "What happens when people forget the things he's done? I won't let future generations come here thinking he was worthy of being turned to stone."
"Speaking of which...does this mean we still have your stone body?" Johnny asked.
"You know what, just because only one person was killed by him since we first started chasing him...I'm going to let you have it." Prim winked.
"I don't think Nova is going to like that."
"Then I'll donate it to Shade...or even here. Primrose Arc, the girl who lived and kicked Lionhead's ass." She laughed. "Kinda has a nice ring to it."
"Yeah."
Johnny looked Prim over again. Her aura had calmed. Whatever power had shown itself in that fight had receded. Her aura was stronger. She's likely keep her increased speed and strength but the heat has vanished.
"What is it?" Prim asked.
"Nothing...I guess you just had a temporary boost from riding in on Amon's Light."
"Thank you by the way." Prim blushed. "You didn't know it but that saved me. So did you trying to heal me when I was turning to stone. I'll tell you all about it on the way. I have some great news by the way."
"Can't wait to…" Prim grabbed him and stole a kiss.
"Sorry." She said. "Don't tell Nova I did that. But that's my thank you gift."
"I won't, for my sake." Johnny said.
"Johnny...about this life force thing."
"Something bothering you?" Johnny asked.
"I...I really did die." Prim said. "Amon had to transfer his life force into me and I don't know how long it'll last. I...I'm scared that I'm going to die before I do everything I want to do."
"Don't worry." Johnny said. "I can sense your life force a bit." He assured her. "You've got plenty of time."
"Do I though." Prim said. "If I just sit on my ass I might but we're in a dangerous profession."
"And how is that any different than usual?" Johnny asked. "We live knowing we can die any day but we don't think about it. I didn't think you would dwell on something like that."
"But it's not my time anymore." Prim said. "I'm on borrowed time. But thank you for assuring me that I'll at least live for a while." She gave a soft smile.
It took an hour for everyone to unwind and debrief all the craziness of that day. Prim took Corcea Mors in her hand and gave it a few swings. Everyone else just drank coffee and chatted about the new status quo. The media was busy reporting Prim's heroism and Lionhead's death.
"Wow...I really feel lighter but stronger." Prim said. "I guess dying and coming back shaves off a few pounds." She slid the sword into its sheath and started feeling herself up. "Nope, still got all the right curves." She threw a wink at Johnny.
"You all deserve a celebration." Suna said.
"Woohoo!" Prim cheered. "I can use a good ole return of Drunk Prim."
"I think we should wait until Nickel recovers." Chenzi said.
"Oh yeah…" Prim sighed. "I know she'll be fine. But it still pisses me off that he managed to get to her."
"Well...you had your revenge." Glade said.
"Did I though?" Prim asked. "I didn't get the satisfaction because he took his own life."
"It doesn't matter how it happened." Suna said. "The important thing is that the people are safe. They feel safer. And in that emotion there is undeniable security."
"You're right." Chenzi said. Prim just nodded. "So, who wants to see if there's still a bar open?"
"Now you're speaking my language." Prim said with a clap of her hands.
"You did what?" Nova shouted.
"Yep." Johnny laughed.
"I leave for three days and you all kill the Lionhead!" Nova shouted.
"Enough about me, how was your trip."
"Same as always. And don't try getting out of this subject just because I'm pissed. You're not dodging this one."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Johnny said.
"Was he strong?" Nova asked.
"Strong enough to take Nickel down and hold his own against Prim, Glade and Chenzi for a while."
"You're such a coward." Nova mused.
"How so?" Johnny asked. Nova dropped onto his lap and wrapped her tail around his waist.
"You should have left a punk like Eve to Chenzi or Glade." Nova said. "Any one of you could take her down without much of a fuss. I mean, it was only a few months ago that Nightshade absolutely wrecked her."
"Yeah." Johnny said. "It's good to have you back." Johnny wrapped his arms around her. He left out the part where Prim died and came back. Something about that probably would have caused Nova to blow a gasket and ruin this moment.
"I'm glad you're safe by the way." Nova said. "I know he was dangerous." Her tone grew lighter. "Anything else happen while I was gone?"
"Pangur was a well-behaved child. Not going to lie, he might prefer me now."
"Whatever!" Nova said. "Pangur, come to mommy."
"Come on Pangur." Johnny tapped the cushion to his right. Pangur just stared at them, turned around and walked away. "Fine we don't want you anyway." Nova lightly and comedically slapped him.
"Don't say that, you'll hurt his feelings." Nova stood up and walked to him.
"Still a cat."
"Doesn't mean he doesn't understand our language." Nova said as she picked up her baby.
"Oh he knows, he probably prefers it without you smothering him."
"Whatever. Look at that face!" Nova showed him off. "He loves being holded."
"What is it about that cat that turns you into such a child?" Johnny smiled.
"He's my baby." Nova said. "Come here Pangur. Johnny's just jealous that I give you all the attention and loving first. He doesn't like being in second place like that."
"Oh don't even pretend that's what this is about." Johnny said.
"Fine, if you're really not jealous…" Nova set Pangur on the couch and crawled onto Johnny's lap. "Then I guess after everything you've been through you deserve some alone time with me."
"Unlike you I don't care if the cat watches." Johnny wrapped her arms around her again and kissed her neck. This elicited a giggle from her.
"I went so long without anything like this." Nova laughed. "Now I can't get enough."
"Neither can I." With that, Johnny pulled her into a passionate kiss and laid her on the couch. "I love you."
"I love you so much more." Nova claimed.
"Ok, I guess we're doing this now."
"I'm serious." Nova said. "I can't think of anyone I could possibly love as much as you. You at least have options. You love me more than you do anyone else but I love you more than most people can love anyone."
"Well, it's not a competition." Johnny said. "But I'm going to show you just how much I love you."
"That's the spirit." Nova giggled and blushed.
Blake set the sausage and eggs on the table and took a seat. Sun thanked her with a gentle kiss before he sat down. They had gotten used to spending their breakfasts alone together. Blake dug in but Sun was oboviously not feeling it.
"Something wrong?" Blake asked.
"It's just...I wish I could have helped more." Sun said.
"You were doing your job." Blake said. "This isn't our fight any more. I've long since handed everything off to the next generation. So has Jaune, Weiss, Nora and even Ruby."
"All out of necessity." Sun said. "You can't walk without your mechanical leg brace. Ruby can barely use her aura. Jaune, Weiss and Nora all have different responsibilities now. I'm still able to fight so it was hard to stand back and let Johnny and Prim handle everything."
"The important thing is that nobody was seriously hurt last night." Blake said.
"You're right." Sun said. "We're just getting old."
"I know it's hard for you. Unlike us, you never had your face broadcasted everywhere as a war hero. You never got the same level of exposure despite being right by my side so many times." Blake grabbed his hand. "We had our happily ever after now let's just live it."
"And if something bigger comes?" Sun asked.
"We'll do what we always do. We'll do whatever we can. Whatever they need." Blake sighed. "And right now, I think our daughter can use a little time alone with her boyfriend."
"As much as I'm glad they're together I am not looking forward to being a grandfather one day." Sun laughed.
"Now you sound like your dad." Blake laughed. "I'm glad there's someone out there who can make Nova smile and happy just to exist. Lord knows I could never do that for her."
"You always did what you felt was right." Sun said. "I think Nova understands that much. Even if she still resents you for it."
Systems were coming back online for Nickel. She looked around and examined her surroundings. She was in the science wing of Shade Academy. Her team and her family, sans Helios, were crowded around her.
"You're awake!" Prim cheered as she pulled Nickel an in embrace.
"What happened?" Nickel asked.
"What's the last thing you remember." Her father-Rubrum Snappes- asked.
"I was going to sleep." Nickel said.
"What were you planning on doing when you woke up?" Penny asked.
"I was planning on investigating a certain convenience store." Nickel said slowly. "I...I did...didn't I?"
"Nearly gave me a damn heart attack." Prim said. "He got you. But we got him."
"How long was I out?" Nickel asked.
"A week." Glade said.
"Did...anyone else get hurt?" Nickel asked.
"Well...I might have died...but I got better." Prim said.
"Is that a joke?" Nickel asked. "I...don't think I recall how jokes work."
"Boy do I have a story for you." Prim laughed.
Prim filled Nickel in on everything that had happened since she got knocked out. A lot happened in just the day after Nickel was taken down. Nickel just wished she could do more. She couldn't describe this feeling. She just wanted to descend into the darkness and give Prim less to worry about and kill anything that so much as thought about coming for her.
Suna sat in his office. He read all the reports that the various huntsmen turned in. He looked through all the results of the semester's finals. It was a good year for Vacuo. Things were looking up. Johnny's report was most encouraging. There was a power inside Prim that was beginning to be tapped. And it looked to be a valuable asset against the coming darkness.
His scroll buzzed. There was a message from Neptune. He opened it up to see what his colleague had decided to send him. It was most likely relaying information from Professor Lionheart about Haven's mid-term exams.
"Message from Nightshade: Rat in the Lion's Den. Mean anything to you?" The message read.
Suna sighed and replied. It didn't. Nightshade was not someone Suna liked working with but the former Lightbringer got results. It was his knack for being a teacher that lead to riddles like this. Suna was just as guilty of riddles in usual circumstances. But this wasn't a school exam. Nightshade really shouldn't be so obtuse with his information.
If Suna had to venture a guess, it would mean that someone within the higher ups of the huntsmen was feeding information to would-be threats. The important question was who and why. The only troublemakers that weren't just two-bit crooks were The White Fang and the Chaos Syndicate and neither one of them seemed to be gaining ground. What could Nightshade be after and why deliver a message like that?
Ruby waited with her husband and youngest son. Argent was coming home after his latest semester at Beacon. And he was bringing his whole team to visit since all three girls were local to Vale. They arrived at Patch right on time.
Ruby thought Argent's team was cute. He was the only boy with three girls in team SPRA- pronounced spray. All three girls had eyes that matched their hair color and wore outfits comprised primarily of that same color.
Sumire Mauve, the bashful and frantic team leader had a purple color scheme. Paris Wrinkle, the stuck up one who couldn't help but remind Ruby of Nova, had long black hair. Russet Sheen, the overly eager instigator of the group had orange hair and fox ears atop her head.
"Hey girls!" Ruby waved.
"Hello!" Russet waved.
"Did you all have a fun semester?" Ruby asked.
"School isn't supposed to be fun." Paris said.
"It was a blast!" Russet said.
"Um…" Sumire blushed. Argent simply shrugged.
"Well, I baked cookies." Ruby said. "So follow me." She lead the way. Jaune slipped in the back to walk next to Argent.
"So bud…" Jaune started. "Which of these girls do you...you know...like?"
"Huh?" Argent blinked. "They're all my friends."
"You're hopeless." Jaune muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Argent asked innocently.
"It's nothing." Jaune said. When they reached the house, Russet grabbed Argent by the wrist.
"Come on, show me to your room!" She commanded as she dragged Argent in. Paris scoffed at the action and Sumire looked down to the ground with a heartbroken blush. Ruby urged them forward and joined her husband.
"You don't think…?" Ruby started.
"That boy does not have the social skills for that sort of thing." Jaune shook his head.
There was a question burning in Eiess' mind that she desperately wanted to wait until after the wedding to ask. But cuddling up with Citrine at night the question wouldn't leave her mind. She checked to see if her fiance was still awake. After seeing Citrine blink, Eiess decided to bring it up.
"Citrine?" Eiess started.
"Yeah?" Citrine responded.
"I need to get this question off my chest. Even though I really wanted to wait until after our wedding. But that's a year away and I can't wait that long."
"Out with it." Citrine laughed.
"What are we going to do about kids?"
"Do you want kids?" Citrine asked.
"Yes." Eiess said. "I want to have kids. I want you to have kids. I want us both to be parents."
"Well then, after a while we'll do something about it. We'll see our options and act accordingly." Citrine said.
"Alright. Good enough for now."
"I think it's cute that you have baby blues." Citrine said as she turned to face Eiess.
"I guess it's natural when you and your partner both have some serious legacies to live up to." Eiess said.
So, there they were enjoying a meal at Vito's. They were all together but Glade's time was being hogged by Hina. Prim was getting drunk and obnoxious. Nickel and Johnny had to keep her from getting in a potentially property breaking arm wrestling match with Nova.
"I'm glad we can all have fun like this." Hina said. "I imagine it's not something you'll be able to do forever."
"No, no it is not." Glade said. "But you don't have to worry about stuff like that."
"If something is really coming and silver-eyed warriors are the best to fight against it then I want to fight alongside you." Hina said.
"If you feel so inclined but your place is here. Defend this." He pointed to how much fun everyone was having. "Protect places like this where we can all gather after our battles."
"Places like this." Hina repeated. "What's going to happen to you guys now? Now that you don't have to stay here to search for Lionhead I'd imagine you all have plans."
"Well, we'll see what happens." Glade said. At that moment Prim tripped and fell into Johnny's arms with a laughing fit. Nova grabbed the redhead by the collar and slammed her into a chair. "I'd imagine Prim doesn't want to leave this town so neither do I."
"Yeah, I wouldn't expect you to." Hina smiled. "By the way, you know that thing you and Prim do, I wonder if we could try it."
"You don't have the control necessary for that. Prim and I have a hard enough time doing it and we're twins."
"Still, it'd be worth a shot." Hina said. "We could call it Heart's Diamond. Sounds pretty cool right?"
"It sounds wonderful." Glade smiled as he put an arm around her. "I'm really glad I managed to meet someone like you."
"I'm glad someone like you came into my life." Hina pulled him into a loving kiss. Prim called for a toast and everyone cheered as they slammed their drinks into each other's again.
Meanwhile, in the depths of Oblivion, something was stirring. A Masked Man looked onward to the island of Murus, the home of Cinder Fall. It would be foolish to confront such a powerful sorceress directly. Trying to fight the Fall Maiden and wielder of the Relic of Destruction with anything short of an army was a fool's errand.
Still The Masked Man had business to conduct in this particular Grimm pool. He tried dipping a hand into the pool but was blocked by a mystical glyph barrier. The barrier froze his hand. He had to use considerable effort to pull it back before the glyph froze his entire body from the inside out.
"So…" He said. "You were killed by the heiress. What a troublesome team they turned out to be. They even managed to lock you away in here."
He squeezed his hand. Red runes appeared on his hand, arms and back. He slammed his hand to the glyph again and begin to undo it. The white glyph began to turn a pitch black and disintegrate.
"You once held the soul of Emerald Sustrai, a woman who still lives." The Masked Man said. "That makes my job easier but your job harder. But that was thirty years ago."
When the barrier broke, the pool turned red. Lightning struck in the distance. The Masked Man used his power to summon the terrible beast. The symbol of Truth, the symbol once used by Salem and Avarice, appeared on the ground encircling them.
"Now is the time to strike back with all your might conjuror of fright. RISE! Grimm of Fear! Rise! PANIC!"
The glyph shattered and the pool blew up in a burst of energy. A clawed hand broke through the surface. As its claws receded and turned more human-like, it grabbed the edge of the pool. She raised her head out. Her yellow eyes sparked with a powerful light. Then she screamed. She let out a ferocious war as her body reconstituted. She screamed, and this entire corner of Oblivion was overcome with the purest form of terror imaginable.
AN: End of the arc and you know what that means. Here's a special preview at what's down in the next 26 chapters: Mayhem in Mistral.
Fairbanks: Should we call a huntsman?
Nightshade: No, what we need is The Guardian.
Johnny: If he wants you to meet with him then we're coming too.
Lionheart: Welcome to Haven. I hope the journey was safe.
Chenzi: I'm just glad to be in a more agreeable climate.
Hina: I wish I could go with you.
Glade: I'll be back as soon as this is all over.
Johnny: You're not hiding everything from me any more Mr. Aldrich.
Nightshade: And what is it do you think I'm hiding from you.
Kurome: Shiro was our teammate. We should be the one to bring him down.
Prim: We're standing in the middle of the cultural capital of the world and you're all bored?
Glade: Between Nightshade, the police, and all the huntsmen running around there's not much left for us to do.
Chenzi: Are you okay?
Nickel: I'll be fine!
Verdant: It is so good to see you again Nova!
Nova: Likewise.
Ariadne: Team JANS is back together!
Scott: Following another Rose into a damned foolish idealistic crusade I see.
Nova: You say that as if all that business with Cipher wasn't partially my idea.
Yang: Who the hell are you?
Masked Man: Knowing who I am will not help you stop me.
Abraham: Breathe, take in the world around you. What is it you see?
Crocea Mors is lifted and clears a batch of storm clouds. A teenage Prim gets in her combat stance as she trains how to use her weapon. Ruby drops down and blasts the rest of the clouds away. Ruby and Prim join hands.
Present Day Prim sparks with power as she punches through the Veil and rises from Oblivion.
In the middle of the day, Johnny stands on the edge of a building in Mistral. An old Lightbringer journal sits in his hand. At night, Nightshade stares at the street from the opposing building. Margot looks back at the men with a concerned look.
Chenzi slowly turns with a disperate look. Glade stares determinately at the same direction. They're both staring at Nickel's back. Nickel's eyes see nothing but her family.
Nickel readies her blade for an attack in an alleyway at night.
Scott sits on a bench lost in thought about all the times he's nearly died.
Ariadne balls up as she remembers her family's murder at the hands of Tyrian.
Nova remembers all the times she was abandoned. But thinking about Johnny brings a confident smile to her face as she unleashes her powers.
Panic gives a blood-curdling screech as she sprints down the alley. Glade fires Orion's Spear. Nickel blocks the beast's claws with her sword. Chenzi dashes in and swings his hammer at the monster's face.
The Masked Man stands at the edge of a crater. Panic, Fury and Spite stand behind him with the shadow of King looming in the distance. Prim stands at the opposite end of that crater. Prim changes Corcea Mors to broadsword mode and attacks the Masked Man, who blocks it with his onyx blade.
Lionheart, Neptune, and all the Haven teachers greet the arrival of Team PNGC.
Nephrite and Topaz stand ready for a fight. Topaz creates a hippocampi water construct. Nephrite sparks with power.
Yang and August clash with The Masked Man in Arbiter Academy.
Prim and Glade activate their semblances and blast Panic away.
Sumire puts her hands in a circle against her chest while Argent pulls out his twin sabers and cuts down a Grimm.
Russet and Paris stand back to back while holding off a group of thugs.
Citrine blocks an attack from a one-armed assassin while Eiess counterattacks.
Verdant and Tetsu smile confidently as they stand against a group of White Fang soldiers lead by Eve.
Johnny charges at Nightshade but none of his attacks land.
Kurome pulls on her strings as Ao absorbs an explosion.
Nickel and Chenzi dodge Shiro's exploding energy sculptures.
Ariadne plays her flute to summon animals while Scott mans a turret against Tyrian.
Nova flies through an abandoned street and dodges energy blasts. She flies through the air with an arrogant smile as she continues to avoid the attacks and clashes with her opponent, the Grimoire Fury.
Teams PNGC, JANS, CTEN, SPRA and many more step into the spotlight.
Next Time: Nightshade Returns!