A/N: Updating a bit early because I don't think I'll have time tomorrow.

XXXXXXX

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Final Defensive

Germany paced back and forth, glancing at his watch. He was exactly fifteen minutes early to his meeting with Agent Jasper Tarleton, but had no doubt the man would be arriving early as well. A huge nature park outside of DC was not ideal for what was about to happen, but it may just work in their favor. The area had been quietly closed off, and there was no chance of civilians getting caught in the crossfire. Any 'civilians' that lingered nearby were not what they appeared to be.

Germany sat on an isolated bench and looked at the wide, open expanse around him. The area he had chosen was rather rocky, with a thick forest all around. He could hear the river rushing down its path nearby, and if he took a few steps forward, he would be able to see it frothing down below. He made a mental note of the churning water and the falls it led to and settled in his seat to wait. He did not have to sit around for long.

Agent Tarleton arrived seven minutes early. Rather than his usual suit, he wore the clothes of an average civilian. Cargo pants, a t-shirt, and a jacket for the chilly breeze that came from the water below. Germany glanced at his watch and stood up, waiting for Tarleton to come to him. The man smiled— so much like America— and offered his hand.

"Mister Beilschmidt." he greeted.

Germany shook his hand. "Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice."

"Of course." Tarleton said. He glanced around. "Though I didn't expect you to choose Great Falls Park as a meeting place."

Germany shrugged. "It's less obvious than a meeting room or America's home."

Tarleton chuckled. "I suppose so. What did you need to tell me?"

Germany averted his gaze, staring strictly towards the river. "America has been captured by Salem."

He watched Tarleton's reaction out of the corner of his eye. The man's smile had vanished and his skin was ashen even in the sunlight.

"What can we do?" he asked.

"Nothing." Germany admitted reluctantly. "We do not know the situation on Remnant. If we send more people there, they could appear in a war zone at best." He glanced at the watch Tony had given him.

"You're saying we should sit back and leave America in enemy hands. Surely we can take the risk?" Tarleton demanded. He remembered who he was talking to and winced. "Sorry."

"It is alright." Germany said. "I know Americans can be passionate about their country."

Tarleton kept his composure but his slightly red cheeks gave him away. "I suppose that's one way to look at it. For me personally, knowing that there is a person who represents my people and seeing him so, so— ...not carefree, but… optimistic and hopeful… Well, call me an old man but it brings out my protective side." Tarleton dragged a hand through his hair. "I know he is hundreds of years old but he looks so damn young."

"I understand what you mean. Even by nation standards he is quite young." Germany glanced down. "Your loyalty to him is admirable."

He looked at the 'watch' Tony had given him. It did not tell time. It showed that the seventeen Aura signatures around them had slowly become forty-eight.

"I served in the Army before I became a Secret Service agent. Almost my whole live has been spent serving my country, I would lay down my life for him." Tarleton said.

Claws closed around Germany's heart. "No, you won't." He put a hand on the man's shoulder and leaned close, whispering in his ear. "For it is in passing that we achieve immortality..."

Tarleton stiffened under his hand, but— as though he sensed what Germany was doing— he did not pull away. Blue light flared over the agent's skin and he gaped at his hand. The shot that would have killed Tarleton bounced off his chest. Another shot flew across the river and a body fell from a tree. Germany only caught a glimpse of brown hair before China fell upon the Atlas soldier like a bird of prey. It took two blows for the woman's white Aura to fade, and a single bullet to end her.

An explosion plumed out from within the trees but Germany was already moving. Despite his orders to hang back, the nations of AGATE were already engaged with the enemy. Prussia locked blades with a sword-wielding woman. Lithuania faced an axe-wielding man. Weapons clashed and energies flared, some less identifiable than others. What part of "Stay back" did these people not understand?

A pulse of energy rippled through the air and Germany fell to his knees. Pressure closed around his head, like he had been underwater for too long, and his skull felt like it was about to burst. He spotted a soft glow from within the trees and fired at it. The Atlas spy hit the ground and Finland's bayonet emerged from his chest. He yanked it free and the Atlas spy fell.

Prussia spotted Germany and silently tossed him his weapon, holding his sword in both hands. As Germany caught his ahlspiess, his senses tingled and he ducked. An orange-tinged light flickered past him and hit a tree, which burst into flames. He spotted movement on the other side of the river. Prussia followed his gaze and scowled.

"On it."

He dashed to the river and deployed his glaive, launching himself across the rocky water. A gunshot propelled him safely over the water and to the other side, where he vanished into the trees. Germany held back a curse and followed his foolish older brother. He launched himself over the river, rolling to lessen the impact of his landing.

Distant gunfire came from his previous position but over here it was eerily silent. He guessed any animals had vacated the area, scared off by the sounds of the fighting. Germany shifted his glaive into its semi-automatic rifle form and cautiously crept into the woods. The bright sunlight and serene nature was lost to him as every rustling leaf and cracking twig set him on edge. A particularly loud crack sent him spinning to his back and a lean figure stepped out of the shadows, hands raised. It was a struggle to keep his expression blank.

"Agent Aster."

"Germany."

John Aster, the Atlas spy that masqueraded as an American Secret Service agent greeted the nation much too calmly for his liking. Looking at him— with his plain blond hair and blue eyes— Germany could not help but think how American he seemed. Everything from his easy posture to his crow's feet— the sign of a person who smiled often— just screamed friendliness and trust.

There was just something about his face and his earnest blue eyes that made Germany feel… almost protective of him. If Germany did not know better, he would think the man was about to ask him to sit at a campfire and offer him a meal. Like he was a poor innocent who had done no wrong, who had been caught up in all of this—

That was not right.

Something wasn't right—

"Please don't shoot." Aster said, hands stilled raised. "We do not need to fight."

When had it gotten foggy? Germany blinked, trying to clear his vision, but kept his gun trained on the Atlas spy. "It's too late for you to make such claims. Not when your actions can be seen as declaring war."

"No. You are mistaken, Germany. We mean Earth no harm." Aster said quietly. Passionately. "We only came here to research your world, nothing more."

"You infiltrated America's government." Germany said lowly. "You gave his identity to your Kingdom and the information they needed to kidnap him."

"I didn't know." Aster whispered, and the peaceful mask cracked to reveal something hurt and sorrowful. Germany felt the foreign urge to comfort the poor man. "I swear to you I did not know Atlas intended to hurt America. I thought she merely wanted the personifications' identities to add to my report. It is as I said, we came here to scout your world to better understand it."

"You did more than that." Germany said. The words almost stuck in his throat.

Aster grimaced. "You're right. And I'm sorry about that. But even though my Kingdom's mission changed, mine has not. I care about this planet, and it's people, and we all still have the same enemy: the Grimm."

Germany found himself nodding in agreement, though a thought nagged at him so he spoke it. "Then why come here in secret? Why linger in the shadows and infiltrate our world?"

A flicker of anger flashed across Aster's face but his expression smoothed out. "Do you really think you would accept us if we appeared to you?"

Germany had to acknowledge they would not. Finding out there were superhuman beings with questionable motivations would not have gone over well in the slightest, especially if their presence opened Earth up to the Grimm. But that was what happened anyway, and it was in no way Atlas's fault. They did not intend for Salem to find Earth. They came here out of curiosity and nothing more. This man had done no wrong— had moved far from home and everything he knew just to learn— yet they were hunting him like an animal.

Aster was right. Why were they fighting?

Germany felt his muscles ease. Aster smiled at him and he felt his lips curve in response. He was… smiling? That was not right. He rarely smiled, usually only around his dogs. He certainly would not smile at this man, this enemy—

He blinked and a rifle was in his face. He blinked again and a blur of whitish-blue slammed into Aster. The Atlas spy's leg froze to the ground and he grunted, breaking the ice. Before he could move, Prussia descended from above, landing on the soldier feet-first. The snap of a breaking bone failed to shock Germany out of the haze and he blinked lethargically as his brother and Aster tussled. He should help… one of them. But who?

Aster kicked Prussia away but the nation got a hit in return, foot connecting with the side of the agent's knee. Aster swore lowly and shoved Prussia away, holding his weapon— When had it become a spear?— defensively. The sense of wrongness grew stronger and Germany's heart ached. What was Prussia doing? Why was he hurting this man?

Aster frowned. "Why aren't you affected?"

"Oh, are you doing something?" Prussia snarled. His gaze flicked to Germany and narrowed. "Playing up sympathy, hmm? I have no sympathy for cowards. You were the one ordering your spies around yet you sit safely away from the battlefield while they lose their lives. What commander does that?"

Aster said nothing and glared stonily at Prussia.

"Are you afraid to give your life for your cause? Is that it? I have good news for you, then." Prussia bared his teeth into a savage grin. "You get to come with me."

Aster gritted his teeth and raised his sword. A lance of pain stabbed through Germany's head and he felt the urge to rise to the agent's defense. He resisted the urge only because the wrongness that accompanied it like an oily shadow. He remained locked in place as Aster stepped backwards and… slashed at thin air? A perplexed expression crossed his face and he stumbled backwards, wobbling uncertainly. His eyes dilated and he clutched at his head, gaze roaming wildly like a trapped deer.

Prussia watched him struggle with a mischievous but slightly malicious look in his eye. "How do you like having your mind messed with? Well, it's not your mind, but your senses are close enough. Since you are so confused, let the awesome me teach you. Up is down, left is right, forward is back…" He took a small device out of his pocket. "...and the awesome me does not listen to spineless cowards."

Prussia punched Aster in the face. As the agent staggered, he closed the device around his arm, flicking it on. Electricity arced over Aster's body and he screamed. His Aura faded to nothing and Prussia grabbed his arm, yanking him backwards into the woods. Germany's foggy mind instantly cleared and he called to the other nations.

"Initiating Eagle-Strike! Pull back!" he commanded.

The other nations immediately disengaged from their enemies and retreated across the river and into the trees. The Atlas spies paused and hung back, likely expecting a trap, but Germany knew they would soon pursue the nations. Damn it. This was why he ordered them to remain out of sight—

Russia stopped beside him— eyes never leaving the spies— and smiled. He raised his hands, and small, cheerful balls of light floated from his palms. The Atlas spies paused, staring at the sunny balls of light as though transfixed. Weapons lowered, eyes glazed, and some reached out to touch the fairy-like orbs.

They exploded.

Russia watched the carnage with a maniacal grin. Germany tore his own gaze away from the flames and glanced at his watch, noting the labeled Auras he around him. He put a hand to his communicator.

"We're clear!"

"Fire!" an American voice shouted.

Gunshots echoed through the desolate park, rapid and unforgiving. The Atlas spies may have Aura, but it could not withstand hundreds of bullets and armor-piercing rounds. One by one they fell, until only the sound of the river remained. Germany would call overkill but after seeing how much firepower it took to take them down, he could not in good conscience. An agent in SWAT gear nudged a fallen soldier with his foot and looked at the shattered trees around them.

"Who would have thought a tornado would touch down here." he said blandly.

Germany decided all Americans were crazy. Then again, he already knew that. He left the agents to clean up and stopped beside Russia, who surveyed the damage he caused with a pleased expression. Germany studied the scorched areas the light-bombs had left behind.

"Was that your Semblance?" he asked carefully.

From fifty yards away, Prussia shot his brother a deeply offended glare. "Hey! You're supposed to ask me that, West!"

Germany ignored him.

Russia nodded. "I discovered it back on Remnant. The little lights are cute and harmless-looking like me but get too close..." He made an explosion sound.

Germany knew that if Japan had been aware of that little fact, he would have shared it with him. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Hello! What about my awesome Semblance? I'm perfectly willing to explain." Prussia called.

"Why would I?" Russia asked cheerfully. "You were so determined to hide how Aura works from me."

Germany did not recall doing that but kept silent. Who knew Russia could hold a grudge? Well, hopefully it was only a grudge. Preferably a minor one. Germany shook his head and stepped forward… only to move backwards. He froze in place and blinked, noticing everything was upside down. His eye twitched.

"Prussia."

Prussia smiled at him. "West! I see you've noticed my Semblance. I can reverse your senses and make everything backwards. Isn't it so awesome?" He frowned thoughtfully and tipped his head. "Oot sgniht raeh uoy esrever nac I fi rednow I. Nac I!" He did a little dance.

Germany felt a headache building, and it was only partly because everything was still upside down. "Prussia, not the time."

Prussia huffed and the world righted itself. Germany shook his head to clear it and ignored Prussia's smug grin. He saw Denmark and Poland heckling Aster— with Lithuania standing off to the side— and decided to interfere before something happened. Denmark had his arm around the man's tense shoulders, and even though his hands were cuffed, Germany did not trust the Atlesian at all. As he approached, he wondered who he was more worried about— Aster, or Denmark?

"—You spent all those years spying on us and now it's all gone. Poof. Just because you got greedy." Denmark mocked. "Let me guess: You got scared and wanted to capture one of us to use us as leverage so we'd get off your backs."

The Atlas soldier glowered at him stonily.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but your sneaky spy-games were found out ages ago. Sending a single guy to try to sneak one of us away was not a great plan." Denmark continued.

"Stop being flippant. This isn't all of them." Lithuania chided him. "Just the ones that were close by." He did not look grace the soldier with a single glance. "Once we attach Tony's device to a satellite we'll find the rest."

Aster sneered.

Lithuania held out his gun to Poland. "Hold this, please."

Poland took the rifle. Lithuania nodded in thanks and turned around, punching Agent Aster in the face. The Atlas spy's nose crunched and he fell like a bag of rocks. Lithuania looked down at the man likely responsible for America and Canada's capture and flexed his fingers, exhaling slowly.

"That was for America."

He stepped back and let the American agents take the man. Poland cheerfully locked an Aura-blocking collar around his neck and twiddled his fingers as Aster was dragged away.

Tarleton stopped next to Germany. "Do you have an issue with us taking him?"

"No." Germany said. "He's a traitor to your country. In more ways than one."

Tarleton's eyes grew shadowed. "I cannot believe it. He was always so curious about the workings of our country and other nations… I thought he was just that: curious. I never saw his real intentions."

"His Semblance is subtle. And he was likely sent here only to gather information at first." Germany acknowledged. "It was only when Atlas needed America that his mission changed."

Tarleton's expression was cold. "We'll find out soon enough." He shot Germany a look. "Thank you for telling me I was being used as bait, by the way."

Germany allowed himself a slight cringe. "I'm sorry I did not inform you. I could not let Aster find out the true purpose of this meeting."

"Understood." Tarleton grunted. He flexed his hands and looked down at them. "You gave me Aura."

"Yes." Germany admitted.

Tarleton paused, glancing sidelong at him. "Why me?"

"You were at a disadvantage." Germany said. "And if I got you killed, America would never let me hear the end of it."

"Damn right he wouldn't." Tarleton muttered. Again, he considered his hands. "I had a feeling one of you would unlock a human's Aura. I never considered that you would be the one to do it. It looks like Earth is going to change, and I'm test subject number one." Tarleton ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "I'm going to have to do so much paperwork."

"My condolences." Germany said genuinely.

Beep beep beep beep beep.

His phone was out of his pocket and to his ear before he fully registered the alarm. "Report."

"Sir." The usual agent's voice was notably shaky as he spoke. "Grimm are heading towards Washington DC. Hundreds of them."

Tarleton overheard the agent's message. His eyes went wide and he began speaking rapidly into his communicator. "This is Tarleton. Code Black inbound to home base. Evacuate Eagle One immediately."

"Is there a Spawner?" Germany demanded.

"No." The agent took a shaky breath. "There are three."

XXXXXXX

Get to Beacon. Just get to Beacon. Get to Beacon.

The words repeated themselves like a mantra in Oscar's head as he slashed and shot through Grimm after Grimm, always keeping Ruby's red cloak in sight. The ground and sky was not grey and blue, but black, with the only clear spot near their frantically fighting group. They never stayed in one place too long, instead heading towards the school as directly as they could. Hit and run. Hit and run.

Oscar was honestly surprised Ozpin let him have control in this fight. After he failed to stop America from being taken, how could Ozpin trust him with this? Perhaps it was guilt because his takeover may have cost them America. Or perhaps it was because they both sensed the end was near. Oscar could not say he was feeling himself weakening, but there was a definite strain in his chest, as if something inside him was being pulled too thin. When he was just a farm boy, he never thought he would spend his last moments fighting. He was trying not to think about it.

An Alpha's jaws filled his vision but Taiyang stabbed it through the head and threw it into the swarm. He punched another through an abandoned building and watched it crumble. Oscar had to gape. He knew Taiyang must be strong, but he did not expect this. The Huntsman paused and put a hand to the radio in his ear. His features sharpened.

"I just got word from CFVY. The Grimm are spreading out to the occupied parts of the city. The Huntsmen are getting overwhelmed."

"We need to help..." Ruby went silent.

"We need to get to Alfred." Weiss said quietly.

"But we need to help the civilians." Jaune argued. "Alfred's health is connected to this city, right? If it's being attacked—"

Pyrrha shot a Creep before it could lunge for him. She lowered her weapon. "Salem's trying to distract us."

"Or she's trying to murder Alfred." Nora pointed out.

Penny's swords whirred and she blasted a Nevermore out of the sky. She watched it hit the ground and stormed ahead. "I am continuing to Alfred."

"So am I." Arthur said instantly yet his expression was too terse. "Salem can't kill Alfred so she must be trying to weaken him." He did not sound very confident in his claim.

"Just keep going to the tower." Lovino snapped like the words had been yanked out of him. "I'll go help civilians and stop Alfred from kicking it. My Semblance can stop lesser Grimm." Despite his claim, Oscar could see his hands trembling.

"I'll stay with you." Taiyang offered.

"So will I." Jett said. "There's animals out here I can spy with to see what's going on." He pretended not to see Lovino's relief.

"We'll go too." Cardin said. He raised his mace and struck a Beowolf into the air. "Look, I don't understand half of what is going on, and I don't think we'll be much help against whatever you're facing. Let us help the civilians. You guys keep going."

Oscar was rather surprised. Perhaps Cardin was not as bad as he appeared. Then again, he was the poster child of 'not what he seemed.' America was one of the few who did not care though. Even after Ozpin tried to kill him, he still looked at Oscar as Oscar…

And I failed him.

Ozpin cringed.

"I'll help the civilians." too." Oscar decided. "I'm not as capable as you and I might just get in the way."

"I won't hurt them." Ozpin whispered.

Maybe not, Oscar admitted. But they don't need you.

Ozpin's consciousness recoiled like he had been struck. Oscar winced but did not take the word back. Thinking back on the fight against Hazel and Ozpin's interference, Oscar could not say he trusted Ozpin to do the right thing. And looking at them all— Ozpin's former students and the nations— and the way they spent time not only facing the enemy, but glancing at him… Oscar knew he was right.

He could let Ozpin take control. He could let him use his body to fight Salem with everything he had. But it would not be enough. Ozpin died when facing Cinder. He was so desperate for more power to face Cinder's boss that he tried to murder one of his allies. He would have caused Oscar's death if Hazel had not decided to knock him out instead of killing him. Call Oscar scared, or a coward, or selfish, but he did not want to throw his life away facing Salem. He did not want to be another needless sacrifice in this war. He did not want Ozpin anywhere near his friends during this fight. And he did not want the civilians to be sacrificed either.

He did not want to be Ozpin.

Ruby seemed to understand if her expression was any indication. She put a brief hand on his shoulder and hugged her dad. "Be safe."

They split up without another word. Ruby, Weiss, Arthur, Francis, Feliciano, Winter, and JNPR forged ahead while Oscar, Taiyang, Lovino, CRDL, and Jett turned back towards the city. A piercing shriek tore through the air and they looked up to see the Grimm Dragon circling Beacon. It ignored the humans below and continued dropping more and more Grimm.

Oscar ignored his instincts to turn around and kept on going. He was not meant to fight that Grimm, as much as he and maybe Ozpin wanted to. They were not strong enough. They did not have the power to bring down Salem. They never did before, and they did not now.

Oscar and Ozpin would leave Remnant's fate in the hands of those that did.

In the distance, something exploded, sending plumes of fire into the air.

XXXXXXX

An airship exploded as it hit a building and America shuddered, feeling the flames tear through his heart. A Nuckelavee tore into the Vale Police Station and he writhed as claws tore Vale's citizens apart. Roman was guarding the entrance to the Relic's chamber, waiting for Emerald to arrive. Meanwhile, Salem watched America in boredom, her anger slowly draining, and her lip curled in mild disgust, as if America was nothing more than a slug she was watching dry up in the sun.

America clenched his teeth to hold back a scream. He coughed and a splatter of blood bubbled onto his chin. It dripped down his cheek and he watched the pool around him grow with a distant fascination. He had always known something like this could happen, but he honestly did not expect it to be this painful.

Honestly, he thought he would gradually weaken before passing away rather peacefully in his bed. Or maybe a dagger to the heart would do him in. Instead he was laying helplessly in a pool of his own blood, waiting for a vital strike to end his suffering.

"I'm sorry." Vale sobbed. "I'm so sorry."

He felt her shift inside his mind, her presence settling gently in his mind like hot cocoa on a cold day. Occasionally America felt a burning sensation, but it faded too quickly for him to be certain it was real. America appreciated the apology, even though it was unnecessary and unneeded. Vale had no more say in this than he did. They had to live, because they could not die. They could not die, because if they died, it was over. Salem would rip Choice from his corpse. Literally.

America almost had to laugh. He didn't. He was too scared. Too scared to really think about what was happening to him, because what if one of his stray thoughts was seen as a "choice" so the Relic that may be keeping him alive did something terrible? Could the Relic even be used while it was inside him, or was his "choice" to protect it or die trying keeping it busy?

America did not know. England might know. He knew a lot about mystic stuff like this. If he were here, he'd scold America until his ears fell off for being dumb enough to not think about what he was saying when holding a magical artifact made by Gods. That was, if England did not hold him while he cried because Canada was—

Don't think about him. I don't want to join him yet.

America thought about his friends instead. They must still be in the middle of the woods right now, right? It would be nice to think they were nearby but that was unlikely. They still had weeks of travel left. Would he see any of them again? He wanted— chose to, because he was going to make it through this. No other avenues were acceptable.

America's ribs broke. His flesh tore. His throat was clogged with blood. His heart stubbornly continued to beat.

Salem sighed. "This is taking too long. You want to live that badly, hm? Why, when living causes you such pain?"

Love. Friendship. All that fluffy, cliché stuff you'll never understand.

"Spite." America rasped.

Salem almost looked amused. "That, I understand. I too survived on spite for a while."

She watched in disinterest as another attack send America into a brief seizure. Only when his body stopped spasming and he could once-again breathe did she continue.

"In hindsight, I'm glad Atlas found your world. If she had not, Ozpin may have reincarnated in one of you Terrans and the war would continue."

America's legs felt cold. Was that numbness from physical or mental shock?

"You never planned to leave Earth alone." he realized. "From the m-moment you learned it existed, you planned to destroy it too."

It was not a question, but she answered regardless. "Yes."

America thought of Hazel. His bitter laugh caused blood to splatter down his chin. "Y-You told each of your henchmen a different lie, didn't you? So t-tell—" He gasped as something in his abdomen tore. "—me the real reason. Why do you really want the Relics?"

Salem considered him. Her eyes slid to Roman, who paced nervously by the doorway, then back to her victim. "I suppose we have time while you're laying there, dying. So let me tell you the truth." She leaned over and her icy breath brushed his ear. "When brought together, the Relics can change reality itself. Destruction to erase this world. Knowledge and Creation to build it anew. Choice to ensure no one will disturb the peace, or change it without my permission. Not that humanity will be around to ruin it anyway."

America bit back a whimper as Grimm attacked a shelter full of civilians. "There might be other worlds." he gasped defiantly. "Other humans—"

"If there are, I will still have the Relics. I will simply destroy them as well." Salem said dismissively. "All life that is not of my making shall be extinguished."

America clenched his teeth and glared at her. "You're pathetic. All that talk of grand plans and deities, but you're nothing more than an evil witch who wants to be God—"

Salem's arm jerked as if to grab him but she pulled back before she could touch him. Her teeth clenched and her furious gaze raked over his battered body, seeking any way she could make him pay for his hubris. Her incensed expression smoothed out.

"Roman, come here."

The criminal jumped and almost tripped over himself in his rush to get up the stairs. "Yes, boss?"

"Touch him." Salem commanded.

Roman paled. "Uh, boss? I'm not a religious guy but I'd rather not touch a Godly Relic that fries people it doesn't like—"

Salem's aura flared black. "You will touch the Relic or I will show you what a God can do."

Roman's skin was so white, his blue eyes so wide with fear, that America almost felt bad for him. Then he remembered what the man had done and that pity drained away. Roman could blame the world all he wanted, but it was his decisions that got him into this mess. The criminal raised a shaking hand and let it hover over America's body. His throat bobbed nervously

"Burn." Vale snarled venomously. "Burn, you selfish, back-stabbing pawn—" Again she grunted, presence shifting in his mind. It was almost like she was trying to block something...

Roman took a shaky breath, like he was about to plunge into a dark ocean, and squeezed his eyes shut.

He laid a forefinger on America's side, on one of the golden leaves of the Relic.

Nothing happened.

America's heart sank.

"Shit." Vale breathed.

Roman cautiously opened his eyes and looked down at his hand. He prodded America's side experimentally before laying his palm flat. The Relic did not force him away— or turn him into dust— and he laughed.

"Phew. It seems my charm works even on magical artifacts. Of course, someone as charming and handsome as myself—"

"Roman." He froze in place, chest going still as he held his breath, but Salem was smiling. Her red eyes pinned America and glinted. "How would you like to crack open the Relic's new Vault?"

The way the criminal pointed at himself might have been funny in any other circumstances. "Can I?" he breathed.

"I need him broken and dead." Salem said dismissively. She retreated towards the edge of the steps and clasped her hands. "Do with him what you please."

Roman grinned. "If you don't mind, how about I get up close and personal?"

Green light flickered and familiar dagger appeared next to America's head. Roman gaped at it, then his smile returned, slow and malicious as it stretched across his face. He picked up the cursed blade and turned to America.

On the ceiling, the glow that lit Vale's symbol faded away.

XXXXXXX

Emerald hunted Hazel through the Vault's maze. The man had done well holding off Salem and fighting her, as to be expected from one of Cinder's comrades. And yet he had betrayed those comrades at the drop of a hat. He got cold feet and betrayed Salem. He tried to thwart her so Cinder's dream could not come to pass. For that, he would pay.

Just like Matthew Williams. Emerald almost had to smirk as she peered around a corner, the Relic of Destruction in her hands. Matthew Williams was finally dead. Cinder had been avenged. The peace she felt upon his death was brief but potent, and she would cherish the moment for the rest of her life. Yet that peace had been swallowed once more by rage because Hazel decided to turn on Cinder and Salem. Now the desire to destroy was back. She had another target, another enemy, another source of hate to keep her going. She was almost grateful.

She turned a corner and halted in place with a scowl. Another dead end. Would it be too much to ask to kill that Oscar boy if she ran into Ozpin's latest host? It was only appropriate retaliation for creating such an aggravating path to the Relic of Choice. Emerald huffed and turned away from the plain green wall that blocked her path.

Something brushed her arm.

She jumped, raising her sword, and squinted at the shadows in confusion.

What was she doing here, anyway?

Where was Cinder?

Emerald halted in place, blinking in confusion—

The look remained etched on her face as her head fell to the floor.

Her body fell after it.

XXXXXXX

In a hospital bed on the small island of Patch, Sun Wukong's finger twitched.

XXXXXXX

A/N: And now a story to break the mood: I was having trouble figuring out Prussia's Semblance so I asked my friend for ideas. My friend's immediate response was, and I quote: "Prussia needs a trollololo Semblance that lets him f*ck with people." (Love ya, E.)

Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, etc!

See you next Friday.