Chapter 37: Battle for Mistral City
Void stormed the wall, taking out the two White Fang up there, which drew the attention of the other White Fang, all firing on Void, just as the group had planned.
"They're taking the bait. Now we can get inside." Eric said, the group heading into the city, being met with two White Fang members. "Allow me." Eric said, focusing his eye. "Stand aside and let us pass." Eric said.
"Yes sir. As you wish." The White Fang members said, letting the group pass.
"Nice one, Eric." Ruby said.
"I have Ironwood to thank for once." Eric said, tapping his right side. "As well as Kieta for that fail safe."
"Come on, we've got to see if High Commander Richtofen is alright." Dempsey said. They ran through the city, White Fang destroying homes and buildings, chaos reigning supreme.
"This is just like my village. They attack and slaughter without mercy or conscious." Eric scoffed, anger coursing through his veins as he watched the chaos unfold.
"We have to save Richtofen first. He can then come up with a strategy to run the White Fang out." Dempsey said, finally getting to the main building. "Here! The Office of Defense of Mistral!" Dempsey exclaimed, the group running in. They got to the main office, but only to see their biggest enemy.
"Well, I was wondering when you'd show up." Cinder chuckled.
"You..! What'd you do to High Commander Richtofen?" Dempsey snarled.
"Oh, him? Let's just say he's decided to retire." Cinder said, holding up Richtofen's hat.
"You... YOU BASTARD!" Dempsey yelled, lifting up his MG08, but two White Fang held their guns to his head.
"Unless you want to join your friend in retirement, I'd suggest you put that toy away." Cinder said, Dempsey on fire with anger, but he knew better, and lowered his gun.
"How did you get here?" Eric asked, wanting to buy time to come up with a plan.
"Easy, we just had to regroup and take out the main guard. From there, it was child's play taking out Ironwood's forces." Cinder said.
Eric then finally noticed Cinder's condition. She was visibly wounded and bandaged, but she still emitted a fearsome aura. Though she was in a poor condition, she still could easily kill them all. "How did you survive Ruby's attack?" Eric asked.
"I'll admit, she took me by surprise. But you see, Kemuri was kind enough to have used himself as a shield, taking most of the attack. If it weren't for him, I'd be in much worse condition." Cinder said.
"But why would you want to awaken those monsters? Is it merely revenge? Or do you just not give a damn about life?" Eric said, his anger visualizing.
"My, such temper. I just want the Faunus to see humanity fall. We're just so used to being superior, it's time we change that." Cinder said.
"So all this is just a game of chess to you?" Eric snarled.
"I'm not the only one who thought that. Why, Ozpin treated all of you like pawns from the very beginning without you even knowing. All kingdoms use hunters and huntresses like pieces in a chess game. That is why they must fall." Cinder said.
"And stealing the Maiden's soul was your way of making yourself a queen?" Eric implied.
"I guess when you put it that way, it makes some sense. My, you sure are brighter than you look. Perhaps..." Cinder smirked.
"Perhaps what?" Eric said, reaching for the Aster Sword.
"Perhaps you should become another of my chess pieces. It only takes a single word: 3R1C-2." Cinder said, Eric falling to his knees.
"GAH! What- what are you- GAAAAAH!" Eric screamed, clutching his head, writhing in pain. Soon, he stopped struggling and stood up straight, his eyes dazed and no longer in control. "I am ready to serve you, Lady Cinder."
"Eric, what are you doing?!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Ah, he's no longer the Eric you knew. Now, he is the mindless drone you fought before." Cinder chuckled. "3R1C-2, annihilate these people."
"As you... wish." Eric said, seemingly trying to fight back.
"No Eric! Snap out of it!" Kieta exclaimed in his mind, fighting the long sleeping code that now awakened.
"Eric, please! Don't make us fight you!" Ruby said, tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Ruby, that isn't Eric anymore! We have to fight or die!" Papyrus said, taking out Meatball.
"3R1C-2, engage." Cinder commanded, Eric dashing with both Aster Sword and Vortex, Ruby blocking the strike from Aster Sword, Jaune blocking the other strike. Eric gritted his teeth and his mechanical enhancements activated, his strength greatly enhancing.
"Hey guys, hope you aren't gonna watch us die." Jaune said, struggling to keep his shield up. Ren fired some rounds into Eric, making him step back, letting Ruby and Jaune get a breather. Now, Eric's eyes were more focused.
"I'm trying to get the real Eric back on, you guys have to keep fighting him until I can get the code out!" Eric said.
"Wait, are you speaking in the third person now?" Ruby asked.
"No, right now, I'm Kieta. You HAVE to stop him. Try to knock him out, it'll be easier to erase the code then. I'll try to hold him so you have time to breathe, but-" Kieta said, Eric's head shaking.
"Stay out of this, K13T4! This mission is for you!" Eric said, slashing again. This time, Papyrus intervened and bashed him with Meatball, sending him flying through the window.
"You guys go after Eric. I'm gonna avenge Richtofen." Dempsey said, pulling out his MG08.
"But you'll be destroyed! Dempsey, this isn't the type of enemy you can just waltz with." Pyrrha said.
"I know that! Now go, before Eric kills civilians!" Dempsey shouted, the group going through the hole. "Now, time for you to know the power of a true soldier."
Eric tossed Vortex to slow down Ruby, but she blocked the blade, which then returned to Eric. He then fired his hand cannon at the group, who all dodged out of the way of the blast.
"Remember, neutralize him if you can! We don't want to kill him if we don't have to!" Pyrrha said, firing a round at Eric, who blocked the bullet with Vortex. He then fired his hand cannon at the rooftop, creating a giant hole.
"He's trying to slow us down! Split up, try to corner him! Leave knocking him out to Papyrus!" Ruby commanded, everyone splitting at the hole, Ruby and Papyrus going together, Jaune and Pyrrha going together, then Ren and Nora, and Dempsey was nowhere to be seen.
"Ruby, grab on to my cape!" Papyrus said, Ruby gripping on to Papyrus's cape as he launched Meatball to the top of a tall building. "FOR UNDYYYYYYYYNE!" Papyrus cried, the two flying into the air, on top of the building where Eric was.
"Boy, you two are persistent. If you were this good, why couldn't you have saved Kieta?" Eric snarled, unleashing a slash of light with Aster Sword, making the two split, Papyrus launching Meatball at Eric, hitting him square in the head. "You'll have to try harder than that to stop me!" Eric yelled, firing his hand cannon at Papyrus, knocking Meatball out of his hand and off the roof.
"You blasted my Meatball! Now get ready for some Spaghetti, specially crafted by me, the great Papyrus!" Papyrus shouted, taking out an iron chain about 30 yards long and flailing it around, continually hitting Eric. Soon, he got annoyed at this and grabbed the chain, but Papyrus saw this coming and activated the chain's secondary function, unleashing a 'hearty zap', shocking Eric. "Yay! For once, I didn't shock myself!" Papyrus cheered.
"Keep it up, you two! I almost got the override on the code, just a few more minutes!" Kieta said, Eric quickly pushing her back into his mind.
"I said stay out of this! They were the ones that let you die, they must suffer for their sins!" Eric shouted, his left hand charging a bright blue energy.
"Papyrus, watch out!" Jaune exclaimed, pulling Papyrus down as Eric fired a beam of pure energy that would have pierced any aura, even Jaune's.
"Thanks, human!" Papyrus said.
"Don't mention it. Nora!" Jaune exclaimed, Nora leaping from the roof.
"IT'S HAMMER TIIIIIME!" Nora shouted, slamming Eric with her hammer, sending him flying. She then launched a grenade at her feet and went flying after him, slamming him back to the ground, causing a great crater.
"Well, that's one way to get him down. I hope she didn't overdo it." Ren said.
"Let's get over there to see if he's still alive." Ruby said, the group heading to the crater to see Eric trapped in rubble. He struggled to move, but the mass was enough to trap him, and he was unable to use his hand cannon due to the rubble blocking the palm, so it would backfire and most likely blow his arm off.
"This will at least give us a break." Jaune said.
"Let's hope Kieta can override the code now." Ruby said, the group waiting for a few minutes until Eric stopped struggling.
"Alright, I finally stopped the code. Once I go back into Eric's subconscious, he should be back to normal." Kieta said, Eric blinking a few times before his eyes finally focused.
"Ugh, what happened? All I remember is us talking to Cinder, then she... that's right! She activated the code that Adam put into me back in the Atlas labs!" Eric said.
"And you're back to your normal self now?" Ruby asked.
"Last I checked." Eric said.
"Alright. Let's get him out." Ruby said, the group removing the rubble trapping Eric.
"I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble. Thanks for, well, not killing me." Eric said.
"We need all the hunters we can get, so we didn't want to lose you." Ren said.
"Alright! Now that Eric is back, we can drive the White Fang out!" Papyrus cheered.
"You're forgetting something. We also need to make sure they don't awaken Indominus, otherwise we can kiss this place, heck, our lives, goodbye." Eric said.
"Yeah, I know, but how do we know how or where they're going to awaken it?" Jaune asked.
"That, I don't know. But either way, we have to try. For the sake of everyone, living and dead." Eric said.
"Eric's right! At a time like this, Undyne wouldn't just sit around and cry over this! She would take action and search for clues! We have to prevail, for Undyne! For Kieta! FOR SPAGHETTI! NYEH HEH HEH!" Papyrus cheered.
"Well, gotta give him credit, he does know how to make a grim situation livelier." Ruby said.
"Well, first thing's first, let's drive put the White Fang. Once we do that, Mistral City will give us the supplies we need to hunt for Adam. He's probably setting up for it's awakening right no-" Eric said, a tremor shaking the whole city. "No. It can't be."
"Now I get it. The ancient Grimm can only awaken when it feeds on enough chaos. That's why they destroyed Vale and Mistral." Ruby said, her theory making everything clear to the group. Soon, the whole mountain erupted, an eardrum rupturing roar filling the air. They looked to the mountain to see a Titan Grimm the form of a Tyrant standing in its place, a whole army of Tyrants following.
"We're too late. I fear we may have lost this battle." Ren said.
"No! We can't give up yet! It may be a giant Grimm, but it's not a god! If we can stop it, victory is ours!" Papyrus said.
"You're an optimist, I'll say that much Papyrus." Pyrrha said.
"If Haven Academy recognizes this threat, then they'll take action, no doubt." Jaune said.
"So we need to drive out the Grimm and the White Fang, regroup, and strategize on how to take out the Indominus. Well, it was nice fighting by your sides." Eric said.
"Eric, you got a special item from Ironwood, correct? Why not use it?" Ren suggested.
"Hmm... Good point." Eric said.
"Speaking of the White Fang, here comes a few." Sans said casually, a group of White Fang members approaching with weapons drawn.
"Guys... Stand back and close your eyes." Eric said, everyone backing up. "White Fang, I have a question I would like you to answer. If being powerless is so, terribly wrong, then does having power make you right?"
"We have tried peace, but nothing came of it. Power against the strong is the only way they'll fall." A White Fang member said.
"I see... then that reality is the same for you. I, Eric Aeild, command you, all of you, DIE!" Eric commanded, activating the G3445 Ironwood gave him, it controlling them all.
"Yes, your highness!" The White Fang said, aiming their guns at each other and firing, all of them killing each other.
"Wow Eric, that was violent." Sans said.
"They were the ones who took several innocent lives. The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed." Eric said.
"Well that's dark." Jaune said.
"Either way, we should get going. Standing around won't stop Indominus, and the White Fang aren't going to kick themselves out." Eric said.
"I dunno about that. The White Fang seem to be leaving." Sans said. Sure enough, they saw the White Fang escaping the city.
"They're well aware of the destruction Indominus will bring upon this place, so they're saving their own, just like at Beacon. The cowards, they cause chaos, sit back I safety and comfort and congratulate themselves. They want peace, and they cause destruction. Void!" Eric said, avoid coming to him.
"What do you need, father?" Void asked.
"I want you to scan the area and find the White Fang's escape routes. Once you've done that, get to each and every one and destroy it. If you can, make sure none are able to leave. If the people are to die today, we'll take the White Fang with us. I'll make sure they die with us and burn in hell, even if I have to drag them down there with me." Eric said, clearly enraged.
"Eric, you can't possibly be saying this." Ruby said.
"If it means destroying the greater evil, I will stain my hands with evil to rid the world of it." Eric said.
"Eric, feelings like this will only consume you and change you for the worse. I'm sure Adam was engulfed the same way." Pyrrha said.
"She's right. If you let anger and hatred run you, those feelings will eventually consume your mind and make you become the greater evil." Ren said.
"Nonetheless, they won't escape! They must repent for their sins! It's not just Kieta I'm trying to avenge, it's Undyne and Penny too. If Adam never showed up, they'd still be here! We have to make sure their deaths weren't for nothing!" Eric said.
"We will make sure the White Fang face the consequences for their crimes, yes, but killing them directly is not the way. If we do this, it'll just put off the wrong idea, and more Faunus will rise against us. They'll say we killed them because they were Faunus." Pyrrha said.
Eric gritted his teeth as he said "Void... Forget the command I just gave. Right now, make sure no Grimm come into the city. If we can't save the city, we'll have to evacuate. Once reinforcements arrive from Haven, we'll finally have a chance of beating Indominus. And as for us, we need to get the civilians out of the way of danger. If we can't stop the White Fang from escaping, we can at least lessen the casualties. As for us, we'll guard the civilians until reinforcements arrive from Haven Academy. They'll most likely bring airships to pick up the civilians, so focus on getting them out before any fighters. If we can evacuate everyone, we can focus on bringing down the Indominus." Eric explained.
"Sounds like a plan. Let's get the people to safety like the hunters and huntresses we are!" Ruby said.
[For best effect, play Undertale OST Hopes and Dreams in the background]
As they gathered the civilians, they began to see some monsters that were trying to also save the humans. As well, some familiar faces to Ruby began to show up, like Greater Dog(not to be mistaken for Toby), Napstablook, and even Muffet and Mettaton NEO.
"Ruby darling, good to see you again! How has the huntress deal been going for you?" Mettaton said.
"Hey Mettaton! Yeah, we're helping the civilians get to safety before the Indominus arrives." Ruby said.
"You mean that great big monster? Oh, I certainly can help. I'll provide air support, with my fabulous wings." Mettaton said, taking to the skies and raining down blades of energy on some Grimm, giving the others some more time.
"Thank you." Ruby said, a Grimm nearly getting her if it weren't for another familiar face. "Qrow!"
"Hey there, kiddo. You should watch your back more often. That Indominus is closing in fast, so we need to evacuate these people soon." Qrow said.
"Incoming Tyrants! Get the civilians out of its path!" Papyrus exclaimed over Ruby's scroll.
"We'd better help them." Qrow said.
"Yeah, good idea." Ruby agreed, the two rushing to help their friends. As they did, more and more people and monsters began fighting, their ferocity admirable. 'If this keeps up, we might not need Haven's help after all.' Ruby thought, slashing through a Creep. As they got to the broken wall, they saw the battle raging, two Tyrants battling Jaune and Void. Meanwhile, Pyrrha and Papyrus provided ranged support, Papyrus using Spaghetti and Meatball, Pyrrha using the rifle mode of her weapon.
"We should probably help." Qrow said, aiming his weapon, Ruby doing the same as the two opened fire, aiming for the Tyrants' big heads, some rounds getting right in between the eyes and making them step back, allowing Jaune to get a few slashes in on them. Void then activated one of his subroutines and fired a beam of heat at a Tyrant, melting it within seconds.
"Couldn't he have opened with that?" Ruby questioned.
"Good news! The Grimm are retreating! We have some time to evacuate some civilians!" Papyrus said.
"No, this isn't good news. They're regrouping outside the walls. They plan to attack us head on with the Indominus, an attack that would wipe us out in no time. Those Haven guys had better get here quick!" Eric said, everyone regrouping and forming a plan.
"It's no good. No matter what we come up with, the Indominus always stays as a wall. We're one move behind in this game, and we short many pieces. If Haven send reinforcements soon, we'll have enough fire power to at least hold the Indominus back." Ruby said.
"We'll have to improvise until they arrive, so hold some perimeters around the walls and make sure nothing gets in or nothing goes out. Once again, our main goal is to stop the Indominus while trying to lessen the casualties as much as possible." Qrow said.
"I think our improvise will have to wait. Here comes some help." Sans said, five or six bullheads flying into the city, dropping off a ton of hunters and huntresses.
"Excellent. Alright, lets get to business. Haven students, you'll be holding the line around the west side of the city. That's where they'll strike. Have your best close range fighters take the breaches in the wall, while your ranged hunters take position on top of the wall and aid the close range fighters. Those who wish to, help get the civilians on the bullheads and get them out of the city. Once everyone's evacuated, meet up with the strike forces in the front line. For the rest of us, our job is to provide strategic support and to make sure no one dies." Qrow commanded.
"You're a lot better at this when you're sober." Sans said.
"Don't get used to it. Alrighty people, lets get to work!" Qrow said, everyone shouting and raising arms.
"Long live Remnant!" They cheered, going to the breach.
"Alright, Ruby, Jaune and I will provide strategic support from here. Everyone else, I wish you luck." Qrow said.
"Long live Remnant!" Papyrus cheered, the rest running to the front lines.
"I shall also provide some support." Gira said.
"Very well." Qrow said.
"We'll help get everyone to safety. I'm starting to get deja vou." Kerási said, her and Vasha going to help the civilians to safety.
"Then we're ready. Let's get to a place where we can see the field." Qrow said, the four going off. They went to the Office of Mistral Defense and found a digital map of the city, as well as it showing everyone on the front lines and the Grimm. "Perfect. Now we can organize strategies from here."
"Here comes a wave of Grimm. Beowolves and Borbatusks by the looks." Ruby said.
"Alright. Close range, get ready to engage!" Qrow said. Some hunters then charged at the Grimm, slashing the Beowolves in half and gutting the Borbatusks. Fortunately, no one was killed in the wave.
"Very good. Another wave is coming, these seem to be Alpha Creeps and a few Mutants. Ranged, shoot the Mutants before they can get a chance to engage!" Gira said.
"They seem to be saving their stronger forces for later in the battle. The Indominus must be aware of our forces." Jaune said.
"He's right. They want to wait for us to be worn out before they send the big guns. All forces, conserve your energy. They want to wear us out before they send their stronger forces, so don't go all out unless necessary." Qrow ordered.
"Concentrate fire on the lower bank! There's a large Creep pack waiting there, so decrease their numbers!" Gira ordered, many of the Grimms' forces being wiped out.
"Right. Eric's group, move forward and take out the Grimm in the area. Lavender's group, cover Eric's group from the rear." Ruby said, Eric and his group moving forward and taking out multiple Grimm, Lavender and her group taking out the Grimm that came to assault them.
"We have a Tyrant coming! All ranged groups, focus fire on it. If we can find a weak point in its armor, we may have a better chance!" Qrow said.
"I suggest we have Eric's group fall back. If they stay there, they'll get wiped out." Jaune said.
"Acknowledged. Eric's group, fall back and regroup with the others. Once the Tyrant gets in close, try to find a weak spot. Every Grimm has one." Qrow said.
"But sir, we got a clear shot of the Tyrant! We could easily take it out in one fell swoop." Eric said
"Overconfidence gets you killed, Eric. Remember, your life isn't the only thing at stake. You have a group to lead now, so act like a leader." Qrow said.
"Yes sir." Eric grumbled, his group falling back.
"Papyrus's group, hold the line and make sure no Grimm get past our perimeter." Jaune said. Papyrus complied and his group killed any Grimm in sight.
"Sans, fire Gaster Blaster straight ahead at the Tyrant, see if it does anything." Gira said. Sans fired Gaster Blaster at the Tyrant, the Grimm stumbling back and eventually dying. "Alright. Tyrant is down. We got some more coming in, about five of them. Take them out quickly."
"Eric, send in Void to at least slow them down. We also got some DeathStalkers coming in, so be cautious." Ruby said.
"We're actually doing it. We can! We can defend Mistral!" Eric exclaimed, slashing through a DeathStalker. Void used the L4NC3 subroutine and drew two giant swords, slashing through Ursi and DeathStalkers, coming to the Tyrants and decapitating the first one with one well placed swing. After that, he charged forward, impaling another Tyrant and throwing the corpse at another one, stabbing the Tyrant through the corpse. That only left two, one of which charged Void and rammed him into a tree, chomping into his arm.
"Ouch." Void said. "That was my favorite arm." Void then fired a ball of energy into the Tyrant's mouth, evaporating its skull. Then, the last Tyrant roared into the air, seemingly calling for backup. Void cut it short by grabbing the Tyrant's head and twisting its neck. That shut it up for good.
"We got a lot of Grimm coming! That Tyrant got his wish." Jaune said.
"There's no way we can hold out against this many!" Ruby exclaimed, seeing the giant force that was charging toward them.
"Don't panic. It looks like they are abandoning form and are using a direct attack, so I suggest we do the same." Gira said.
"But Gira, that would mean we're sending a ton of students to die!" Ruby said.
"If we don't hold out against this, then we lost. The Indominus is a coward and will only show up when he thinks we can't fight back. All forces, commence seek and destroy!" Gira ordered.
"But Gira, this is suicide!" Eric exclaimed.
"Yes. It will be a miracle if we can pull this off." Gira said plainly.
"So you admit we're sacrificing them!" Jaune yelled.
"All great victories come with a price. That is the real world." Gira said.
"If we fail, we at least fail fighting and doing our job!" Papyrus said.
Ruby, Jaune, and Qrow exchanged varying glances, Ruby not exactly sceptical about this idea, Jaune regretting ever coming here, and Qrow knowing the sacrifice they have to make. "We have to hold Mistral City. All forces, seek and destroy." Qrow said.
Ruby and Jaune knew they couldn't avoid this. "Do it." Ruby and Jaune said.
"Let's do it! For Asgore!" Papyrus cheered, all of them charging into battle. The two forces clashed, the Grimm slashing and thrashing, trying to get the upper hand on the hunters. However, though the Grimm outnumbered the hunters, their strength came in their skill, which allowed them to easily push them back, and with little to no casualties.
"LONG LIVE REMNANT!" The hunters cheered as the Grimm fell back. Then, a tremor shook the whole place, making their celebration short lived.
"So, here comes the king of the Grimm." Eric chuckled, reading his sword. Then, the familiar eardrum rupturing roar shook the whole area, making everyone cover their ears. Mountains crumbled as the king of the Grimm rose from hiding, his evil aura expanding for miles, nearly completely blocking out the sun. A spine chilling presence loomed over everyone, like their very souls were trying to escape this beast.
"It's even more terrifying than before. How can one Grimm manage this much power?" Pyrrha said.
"No, it's not just the Indominus. I'm sensing another being inside of it." Eric said.
"The Shadow King. He's controlling the Indominus." Ren said.
"Then how do we stop it?" Nora asked.
"We have to try. If we don't, all the kingdoms will fall." Eric said.
"Everyone, this is the decisive battle. If we succeed, then victory is possible." Gira said.
"And if we lose?" Papyrus asked.
"Then humanity and all living things will perish with us." Gira replied grimly.
"That's a nice thought." Sans said sarcastically.
"This battle... we will lose some people today. But know this: those that fall today, they will not be forgotten! This battle is the ultimate test! If we take down the Indominus, then the day is ours!" Eric exclaimed.
"Long live Remnant!" Papyrus cheered, repeating the cheer until the whole place was filled with cheers. "LONG LIVE REMNANT! LONG LIVE REMNANT!"
A/N
Ahh, cliffhangers. How I hate them with a passion. Queue the rage reviews. Anyway, yes, time for another episode of 'Who's the Nerdiest?'.
Reference 1: From what anime is the G3455, GUR3N, and L4NC3 from?
Reference 2: From what movie is the name Indominus from?
Not many references today, but still something. Also, allow me to sweeten the deal for getting these right. Not only will you have the chance to insert your own OC, but also you have the choice of having your own idea being put into this story, whether it be a certain event happening or just as simple as giving a weapon. I did say I wanted this to be a slightly interactive story, so there you have it.
Anyway, enough with the nerd stuff. I really appreciate all the support you all give. I know I've said this a thousand times, but I can't thank you all enough. You have no idea how humbling it is having such a large fan base recognize such a little story like this. But yeah, now for the next chapter look-ins.
[Ruby POV]
Even the greatest of warriors come to realize their worst fears. I never expected this to be the way. But I must prevail, for the future of humanity and monsters. But can we defeat a nightmare like this? No, I mustn't doubt our strength now. We can win, because we must. There'll be deaths, yes, but as long as we can defeat this beast, then the future will continue to live on. And because of that, that is why we fight. We shall not fall now, not when we've come so far! For the sake of those who have died, we will carry on!
Next chapter: Chapter 38: Power of the Heart.