Chapter 35

Holy crap I can't believe we actually made it this far. Seriously though, with my horrible track record of giving up on stories because I get bored or can't think of new content I'm really surprised we're at 35 chapters. Maybe I'm writing shorter, or maybe because I'm following a series, idk. But either way, this is great, and I'm actually having fun with this. I hope you guys are enjoying this a much as I do, and I hope more people come to like this. Peace!

'This is not a tragedy.'

The feminine voice rang out over the crowd, piercing through the ears and hearts of those who heard it. In the wake of the fight, these words could hardly be considered true, as the broken body of Penny Polendina lay wasted on the tournament stage before them. On the other side stood the most unlikely of people, a girl clad in leather and armor, Pyrrha Nikos. The girl stood quiet, shocked beyond words at the horror that had displayed itself before her. The machine across her crackled and sparked, its eyes dead and lifeless. It was hard to believe that what they had been looking at, the bright and cheerful girl, was nothing more than a machine given power, technology given form. A lie of a life.

'This was not an accident.'

Yang placed her hands on the windowsill, her face frozen in a look of horror as she heard the cries in the distance. The horrid screeching of death and destruction. She watched as the wave of blackness closed in on their borders. Jaye scrabbled in his pocket for his scroll, flipping open the news, and swore aloud.

'And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students?' The voice came over his speaker, and he flinched at it. He recognized this voice. The black-haired woman from Haven, who'd been with Mercury and Emerald on their team. Cinder. He cursed his own foolishness, turning his eyes on the blonde girl.

'First a dismemberment, now this? Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and mercy. Yet I have witnessed neither.' Yang turned to face him slowly, her eyes wide, and Jaye let the scroll slip out of his hand, gathering her into his arms.

'Perhaps Ozpin felt as though defeating Atlas in the Tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invaded it's streets.' Zwei barked, stumping forward, and the couple gathered him into their arms.

'Or perhaps, this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting Kingdom with armed forces.' Cinder smiled to herself, her eyes glistening with victory. 'Honestly? I haven't the slightest clue as to who is right and who is wrong. But I know that the existence of peace is fragile. And the leaders of our Kingdoms conduct their business with iron gloves.

'As someone who hails from Mistral, I can assure you; the situation there is...equally undesirable. Our Kingdoms are at the brink of war. Yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark. So I ask you; when the first shots are fired.' The howling in the distance grew steadily louder, and the woman smiled, the hem of her red dress fluttering in the cold night air.

'Who do you think you can trust?'

The screens erupted into static, and Jaye picked his scroll off the floor, swearing loudly at it. He pocketed the device, grabbing Yang by the hand as the sirens began.

'Alert. Incoming Grimm attack.' The computerized voice reverberated across the Kingdom's walls. 'Threat level: Nine. Please seek shelter in a calm and orderly manner.'

Jaye leaped out the window, Yang in tow, rolling as he hit the ground. He dashed across the school grounds, making desperately for the landing pad. He glanced at the massive tournament hall perched in mid-air beside the CCT. The screams were so loud he could hear them from where they were, and he swore again.

'Jaye!' Yang cried, and he skidded to a halt. He noticed the shadow as it fell over him, diving out of the way as a pair of claws smashed into the ground where he'd been standing. He glared up at the Ursa that snarled over him, and promptly cut its head off. He swore at the body, glancing up at the tower.

'Yang, are you okay?' Blake's voice came out loud over a speaker, and Yang pulled her scroll out of her pocket.

'I'm fine, Jaye's here too.' She said, glancing at the fairgrounds. 'Is Ruby with you? She's not answering her Scroll.'

'No, she isn't.' She halted in her tracks, meeting Jaye's gaze with wide eyes. 'Yang I'm sure she's fine. She's our leader, she can take care of herself.'

'Right.' She whispered, lowering the device. Jaye grabbed her by the arm.

'We have to move. We're no good to the others over here.' He said, and she nodded, cocking her gauntlets.

'Yeah. Let's go.'

'This can't be happening.' Blake glanced at the heiress, still holding her scroll. 'Penny...'

'I'm heading to the docks near the courtyard.' She glanced down at the device. 'White Fang are releasing Grimm into the school!'

'The White Fang is here?!' She gasped, flinching as static poured through the comms. 'Yang!'

'Got to go!' She yelled, her voice crackling in the speaker. 'Be careful!'

Blake let her hands fall to her sides. Her face was a mask of emotion; shock, horror, fear, and a bitter realism that said she wasn't really surprised. Weiss glanced desperately around at the chaos surrounding them, balling her hands into fists.

'Blake, what are we going to do?' She looked to the silent girl, and Blake raised her scroll again.

'We're going to the docks.' She said, tapping on the device. 'And we're doing our job.'

A resounding thud was heard as her locker slammed down beside her, the door hissing open to reveal Gambol Shroud, already unsheathed and at the ready. Weiss glanced at the weapon, setting her jaw in a firm line.

'Got it.' She said. 'Let's save this city.'

The Nevermore cawed ferociously, slamming its claws repeatedly into the shielding of the arena roof. It held, just barely, shimmering in response to the repeated onslaught, and people poured out of the arena like wildfire. Ruby remained, kneeling on the ground, clutching her hands to her chest as her eyes never left the broken body of the girl before her. Shredded into pieces, Penny's eyes remained blank and vacant, unseeing.

'Pyrrha!' Jaune's voice reverberated through the near empty stadium as he leaned over the railing. 'Pyrrha that thing's about to break it, you gotta move!' She didn't respond, and he hurled himself over the rail. 'Pyrrha please! Snap out of it!'

The Nevermore flapped hard, rising high above the stadium, It reeled back, folding its massive wings in on itself, and plunged towards the barrier. With a resounding crash, the shield tore open, shattering into pieces as the Grimm descending with blinding speed. It smashed into the stage, releasing a shockwave that shook the entire stadium, and Jaune and Pyrrha were blown back by the sheer force of it. They crashed into the ground, rolling to a stop, and Pyrrha desperately shielded herself as the gargantuan creature thudded towards her, howling its fury.

A flash of red shot by, embedding a sword deep into the creature's neck. It screeched in pain, reeling back from the pain, and Ruby kicked herself off the creature. She raised the blade, standing protectively in front of the armor-clad girl.

'Leave her alone!' She screamed, her voice cracking, but her face contorted with anger. She raised the sword as the Nevermore shot into the air. It bore down on her, and she raised the weapon to meet it. As she did, several lockers slammed down onto the creature's back and wings, crumpling it in on itself. It crashed into the stage, skidding to a halt in front of the tiny, trembling girl. Ruby looked up in shock as the lockers hissed open. The tournament fighters stepped atop the downed creature, retrieving their weapons and equipment. Jaune smiled down at her, and she grinned back. They wobbled as the Grimm began to rise with a shriek, and promptly went to work on its exposed body. Ren slashed at its eyes, creating an opening for Nora to bring her hammer down on its head. Hurtling down from above, Yatsuhashi and Sage crashed down on the beast's neck, their massive, heavy blades severing its head clean from its body. The beast faded away into ash, and Ruby smiled at the mass of fighters gathered before her. Giving them a thankful nod, she turned her attention to the still-kneeling girl. Pyrrha reached a trembling hand out to her, her voice catching in her throat.

'Ruby I-!' She swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes. She brushed her fingers against the scrap of white cloth she was holding. A piece of a dress. Penny's dress.

'I'm so sorry!' She choked, and Ruby breathed a shaky breath, her eyes downcast.

'Me too.' She answered, looking grimly at the girl. 'But it wasn't your fault.'

'She's right.' Jaune spoke, his voice ringing in the empty stadium, carrying his words over the people gathered there. 'Whoever was on the microphone, they're the ones that did this.'

He locked eyes with the girl, holding out the weapons grasped in his hands. Pyrrha glanced down at the Xiphos and shield, Miló and Akoúo, and raised her eyes to the boy's again.

'And we have to make sure they don't take anyone else.' He said, his voice stern, and Pyrrha felt courage flood into her. She took the weapons from his hands, comforted by their familiar weight and feel. Howls erupted in the air, and the group glance dup as more airborne Grimm began to pour into the stadium. They raised their weapons, bracing themselves for the fight ahead.

'Griffons.' Ren groaned, sounding disgusted, and Neptune raised his rifle.

'Anybody got a plan of attack?' He said, and Ruby turned to the blond monkey boy.

'Sun!' She called. 'I need your scroll.'

He grinned at her, using his tail to flick the device to her with a shake of his hips. She snatched it out of the air, tapping the screen, and her locker plummeted down onto the stage. She dashed for it, skidding to a halt as a Griffon landed behind it, snarling at her. She groaned as spittle flied into her face and backed up a few paces. A gunshot rang out, striking the beast in its side, and it took flight once more.

'Students.' The smoking gun lowered itself, clutched in the hands of Professor Port, flanked by Doctor Oobleck, who brandished his thermos with a grin. 'I think it would be best for you to leave.'

'But we can hel-!' Ruby started, but Doctor Oobleck cut her off with a word.

'Miss Rose!' He said. 'This day will surely go down in Remnant's history.' He smiled gently at the small girl. 'I'd prefer it if my students could live to tell about it.'

She nodded in agreement, pulling her scythe out of her locker. Spinning it open, she slammed its butt into the ground.

'Let's go!' She said, and the students charged out of the doors. Professor Port gave a booming laugh, raising his gun/axe.

'One final match, Barty! Place your bets!' Ruby glanced back at the two teachers as they left, her last view of them standing back to back, Professor Port waving his axe like a madman, as the countless Grimm closed in.

Jaye grunted as he slashed through another Grimm, burying Excalibur deep in the body of another. He brought Caliburn down onto the creature's neck, wrenching Excalibur free and loping its head off. He staggered back, catching his breath. Beside him, Yang busied herself punching her way through a horde.

'Where are we going?' He yelled, and Yang shrugged.

"Wherever!' She yelled back, punching another Grimm in the face. 'Where the fighting's the thickest! We have to protect the citizens!'

Jaye ducked a massive paw, blocking with Hesperides. The shield lay attached to his gauntlet, both his swords drawn, and he slammed the butt of his blade into a Grimm's eye. Raising the shield, he fired a chain of bullets into its head, turning the still-spinning barrel on the horde surrounding Yang. He stumbled as the ground shook beneath him, and a brutal roar sounded in the distance. The first thing he felt was the heavy beat of wings, the gusts of wind so strong it beat him against the floor. Turning up, he swore aloud as he saw the source of the wind. Sitting on the horizon, closing in on them, was a dragon.

'What the fuck?!' He yelled, stabbing a grimm. 'They have a dragon?!'

'Seems so!' Yang grunted, wresting with an Ursa. 'How bad is that?'

'Like we're fucking screwed kind of bad!' He yelled. Deflecting another claw with his free hand, he felt one smash into his back. Turning on the spot, he smashed his shield into the offender's face, cracking its skull mask, and decided that fighting was probably not the best option here.

'We need to move! We can't clear these out on our own!' He yelled, breaking through a pair of Beowolves. Yang broke off from her pack, sliding between the legs of an Ursa and coming up running. Darting past several burning houses, they slipped behind a wall up ahead and down an alley. Tripping over a pile of rubble, Jaye tumbled to the ground.

'Dammit Jaye, can't you even run straight?' Yang teased, turning back for the boy. Jaye swore loudly, picking himself off the ground. As he did so, he came face to face with a broken cellar window, and he grabbed Yang as she reached him, dragging her in with him. Crouching beneath the opening, they huddled against the wall with bated breath as the horde of grimm charged past them.

After what felt like an eternity had passed, they eased themselves slowly away from the wall. Jaye rubbed his arm where he'd dropped on it during the fall, and Yang sat heavily down on a nearby crate.

'This is a mess.' She groaned, picking dirt out of her hair. Jaye grabbed a piece of wood, wedging it into the opening to block out the view. Digging through his pockets, he produced a flashlight and switched it on, the beam falling on the dusty ceiling. He glared at the spiders dotting it as they scampered away, swatting at one that fell on his shoulder, and turned his attention to the girl.

'Where do we go now?' He asked, dropping down on an old, dusty chair. Yang shrugged, pulling out her scroll.

'I don't know. We're not really seeing that many people, so they're either evacuated or gathered somewhere safe. As for the rest, they're not answering their scrolls, meaning they're probably in the middle of battle somewhere.' She tapped on the device anxiously. 'But I can't find out where they are unless someone pings a location or something.'

Jaye sighed, dropping his head onto the backrest. He stared up at the ceiling, groaning as another spider fell on him, and gave up trying to swat it away. He watched the spider crawl its path across his chest, making its way down to his lap, and poked it curiously. Startled, it scuttled back up his chest, and he cupped it in his hands.

'Hey Yang, meet my new friend Spidey.' He said, releasing the spider into the corner. 'He's a prickly little fellow, sorta shy, but nice enough once you get to know him.'

Yang smiled at him, shivering slightly as a chill fell over her. She glanced around, confused, at the fires surrounding them, before noticing the chill creeping around her feet. She followed it back to Jaye, who was sitting quietly in the chair, watching the spider scamper about. He shook his foot restlessly, cold air pouring out of him as he watched the creature, and Yang suddenly realized how helpless he had to be feeling.

'Hey.' Jaye glanced at the girl. She smiled brilliantly at him, her eyes lighting up the room, and he watched her quietly. 'We'll find them. Don't worry so much.'

Jaye returned the smile, his gaze lingering on the curves of her cheeks, before she raised a hand. He followed her eyes to the cellar window, raising an eyebrow.

'Do you hear that?' Jaye glanced out the small gap that remained, his eyebrow continuing even higher. A faint thudding sound could be heard, just barely over the roar of the fire. Yang's eyes lit up like fireworks.

'That sounds like a gatling gun.' She said, rising from the crate. 'There's only one person I know that uses one of those.' She turned to the boy.

'Let's move.'

Outside the CCT

'Weiss! You're okay!' Yang cried, dashing over to the heaving girl. Jaye skidded to a halt, scanning the faces in the crowd. 'Have you seen Ruby?'

The heiress shook her head, her breathing labored, and Jaye placed a hand on her back.

'What about Blake?' He asked, and she raised a shaky finger.

'She went after an Alpha.' She panted. 'And some members of the White Fang.'

Yang exchanged a concerned look with Jaye. He could see the hesitance on her face; torn between her partner and her sister.

'Go meet up with Blake.' He grasped her by the shoulder. 'I'll look for Ruby with Weiss.'

Yang nodded her thanks, turning down the street. Jaye watched her go, her wild blond locks streaming behind her, before turning his attention to the Heiress. She was doubled over, heaving, and her skin was clammy and pale. He pulled her over to the sidewalk, sitting her down on the concrete. She grabbed his arm for support, leaning heavily against him.

'What the hell happened to you?' He muttered, checking her for injuries. Weiss waved a hand at him, finally catching her breath.

'Just had some trouble, that's all.' She said, pulling herself to her feet. 'We have to find Ruby.'

'I know.' He said, raising her rapier to her. She accepted it with thanks, slinging it across her back, and Jaye turned to face the tower.

'As hard as it is for me to say this, we shouldn't go out looking.' Weiss said, turning to the landing platform. 'The first place she'd think to go is either the CCT to try and contact us, or the landing platform for evacuation.'

'Yeah. If we go looking, we'll probably miss her. And then, they'd have two more missing people to look out for.' Jaye groaned, catching the white-haired girl as she stumbled. 'We should hole up on the platform, protect those being shuttled off.'

'This whole time, right beneath our feet.'

Standing in a hollow chamber, deep within the school, Cinder stood, facing Ozpin. Behind her, Pyrrha and Jaune dashed for the elevator, but she ignored them, her gaze solely focused on the silver-haired man before her. Raising a hand, fire ignited from her palm, and she smiled sinisterly at it. Ozpin raised his cane, brandishing it in defiance to the woman, and Cinder raised a skeptical eyebrow at him.

'She was right about you...' She let the fire go out, forming two black, glassy blades between her fingers. Grasping the handles, she raised the blades to height, and Ozpin narrowed his eyes as she did so. Cinder's smile grew even wider, letting the blades fall to her side with a languid confidence.

'Such arrogance.'

Okay, seriously, I can't believe we're here. We're at chapter 35 now. Wow. Beacon's bought to fall WHOOOHOOOO HERE'S WHERE THE REAL STORY BEGINS. Okay seriously though I feel like my writing hasn't improved all that much since the beginning. I tend to rely too much on worded emotion, rather than implying it through actions or behaviors. Like idk how to show someone's confused other than saying "HE'S CONFUSED." Someone give some advice pls.