Chapter 18: Forward

Disclaimer: I do not in any way or form own Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There or RWBY. They belong to their respective owners, Takumi Yanai and RoosterTeeth Animations respectively.

"This is stupid!" Yang cursed, pacing restlessly in team RWBY's new room. The room was small, as expected when a recently founded town suddenly had to deal with a massive influx of refugees. If not for Winter's influence, they doubted that they would even get a room to themselves.

"You're not helping, Yang," Weiss commented.

"I know! That's the problem!" said girl complained, "The freaking Gate up and died! We haven't heard from JNPR, or anyone really. And we're sitting here waiting. I want to be doing something to help!"

Weiss mentioned, "Well, we are technically still banned from-"

"Weiss, we are literally stuck here now. And Ironwood is missing, and your sister is in charge. I don't think anyone cares about that ban anymore," Blake wryly commented.

"So let's get out there and see what we can do!"

"Like what, Yang?" Weiss rebuked, "The Gate is, as far as we know, magic. Have you suddenly discovered that you're a magician? If not, then there's pretty much nothing we can do."

"Stop being so pessimistic, Ice Queen. Do you even want to go home?" Yang grumbled, even as she realized that she had no idea where to even begin.

Weiss narrowed her eyes, "Yes. I do. But mindlessly running around isn't going to help."

"Neither is arguing among ourselves," Ruby cut in. "I know we're all affected by this, but I'm sure we can come up with something."

"Like what? I'm being realistic. It's not like my sister is going to call and offer up a solution.

Ruby's scroll rang. She accepted the call and Winter's image popped up on the screen.

"Team RWBY," the new leader of Alnus base began. "As you know, the Gate has collapsed. Rory Mercury has provided a possible solution, but she wants your help. So, I'm asking you four to accompany her to find Hardy, Goddess of the Underworld, and convince her to reopen the Gate."

"Wait, Rory has a plan to reopen the Gate? We're in, of course!" Ruby eagerly replied, looking at her team. They nodded in agreement. "But why us?"

"Rory... seems to have developed a liking to you four," Winter sighed, "Unfortunately. The punishment that General Ironwood and Headmaster Ozpin will be lifted. Your father, Taiyang Xiao Long, will be accompanying you. I'll send you the full details later, but for now, thank you for your help."

The screen shut off, and team RWBY turned back to one another.

"Told ya, Ice Queen! Your sister is awesome."

"This is a good opportunity," Weiss admitted.

Ruby gasped as Winter's message sank in, "Dad's coming with us!"

"Yeah! I wonder how he's doing..."

The Empire had been busy in the time that Pina was on Remnant. Under orders from Emperor Molt to prepare for a full war with the 'Men in White', the army was busy. The Empire was both strengthening its own forces through a mandatory draft while attempting to weaken their enemies via the scorched earth strategy.

Almost every village near Alnus Hill had been razed to the ground, their lands scorched and their wells poisoned.

This did not go unnoticed. The Atlesian soldiers refused to stand idly by and watch as entire villages were destroyed. After getting permission from the higher-ups, the soldiers formed squads to assist the victims of these attacks.

With drones in the sky, the Atlesian army knew immediately if any groups of Empire soldiers tried to make a move. When they did, a group of soldiers, accompanied by Atlesian Knights, would take a Bullhead and rush over. Often, with the speed of the airship, the Atlesians would reach the village first and lay in wait for the Empire soldiers to arrive. When they did arrive, torches burning and swords gleaming, the Atlesians went to meet them. Their superior weaponry, tactics, and knowledge made every such clash a one-sided slaughter.

Unfortunately, they could not always make it on time. Perhaps there was no available pilot, or the Empire's soldiers were exceptionally enthusiastic. Whatever the reason, the strike force would sometimes come to a charred, desolate scene.

Jumping out of the airship at one of these scenes, Taiyang surveyed the area. Fires still flickered, the destruction recent. From under a collapsed house, a flicker of movement caught his eye. While the soldiers focused on securing the perimeter, Tai ran to help the survivor. He found a woman, her leg trapped under a collapsed wall, who froze as soon as she noticed him.

"I'm here to help," Tai reassured, grabbing into the stone wall. It was still in one large piece, landing over the woman's leg and trapping her in place. Finding a firm grip on the rubble, Tai grunted and pulled, his aura-enhanced strength allowing him to lift the debris and toss it aside.

Tai then reached for the astonished survivor, helping her up. Blood was covering her, and her leg was almost certainly broken. Carefully bringing her somewhere safer, Tai called for a medic, who responded quickly.

Looking back around the village, Tai noted that the soldiers were now scattered around the village, thoroughly checking for survivors. Leaving just a pair on guard duty, the soldiers efficiently combed the ruins of the village.

Unexpectedly, Tai's scroll began to ring. It was from Winter, which only added to his curiosity. She was supposed to be back on Remnant. "Winter? Is anything up?"

Winter got straight to the point. "Taiyang Xiao Long, the Gate has collapsed. You are required to return to Alnus base immediately and prepare for a mission to reopen it."

"What?!"

"The Gate has collapsed. We are trapped on Falmart for the foreseeable future. Rory has given us a possibility to reopen the Gate. You are to undertake this mission. Return to Alnus base immediately for mission briefing and preparation."

As ordered, Tai quickly returned to Alnus base, where soldiers immediately escorted him to Winter's office. The first thing that he noticed was that Ironwood, whom he had expected to be in charge, was not present.

"Where's the general?" he asked.

"Unfortunately, General Ironwood is missing. As the highest-ranking officer, I have taken command," Winter explained, "As you know by now, the Gate has collapsed due to unknown reasons, stranding us here, in Falmart."

"Yeah. So, what do you need?"

"Rory Mercury has proposed a solution to our problem. She believes that the Goddess Hardy can reopen the Gate for us. Your task is to bring her, team RWBY, my diplomat -"

"Wait, team RWBY? That is a very bad idea," Tai protested.

Winter sighed, "I know. But Rory refuses to help us otherwise, and they have already agreed. That's why I need you to keep an eye on them."

"But they-"

"Taiyang Xiao Long, this is our best chance to return to our home. I understand that you are worried for their safety, which is why I am allowing you to join them. The mission will go on with or without you," Winter sternly said.

"Fine. But weren't they banned or something?"

Winter raised an eyebrow. "Their punishment is literally irrelevant right now. Anyway, this is the plan. You, Rory, RWBY, Pina, Bozes and my diplomat will-"

"Yeah, who is this diplomat exactly?" Tai cut in.

"His name is Sedge Plain. James brought him over a few days ago. He's an excellent negotiator, if a bit soft. He'll talk to the Emperor and try to figure something out. However, he is not very good in a fight, so I need you to escort him to the capital."

"Wasn't I supposed to go to Hardy's shrine? Last I checked, its not in the capital."

"No, it's not. But the capital is not too far off course, and I need you to meet up with Doctor Oobleck and Ms Fauxen there so that they can accompany you. I'll draft up a letter to inform them about their new task."

"Bart and Fauxen? Why are they still in the capital?"

"Honesty, I'm not sure either," Winter admitted, "They were recovering our people, but by their reports, they've found everyone. Whatever they're doing in the capital, they haven't reported it yet."

"So I just give them your orders and they'll come along?"

"While they are on Falmart, they are under Atlesian authority. Yes, they will. After that, take Oobleck and Fauxen and go straight to Hardy's shrine. Once you get there, do whatever it takes to get her to reopen this Gate. Whatever it takes, Taiyang. This plan is our best bet, and I'm sure you know how important it is to get a path back to Remnant. Bribe her, threaten her or seduce her, just get it done."

Tai was silent.

"You must understand, Tai. We are cut off and everyone is on edge. This mission has maximum priority. We're low in resources, but take whatever you need. You set out tomorrow morning. Dismissed."

In a separate room, within Alnus base itself instead of the nearby Alnus town, Pina was trying to come up with a plan. Unfortunately, the behavior of her aide, Bozes, was worrying.

"Are you okay, Bozes?" Pina asked.

"No!" she cried out, more than a little panicked. "What the heck happened? The Grimm..." Bozes shuddered at their very name, "Demons! And they were everywhere. We cannot go back there. Going through the Gate was a mistake."

Pina had to admit that the Grimm did seem a lot like demons. Now that the adrenaline from the escape had worn off, both the girls were feeling the shock. The Grimm had been everywhere, inhuman screeches sounding out into the night. With Winter and her Beowolf in the lead, they had cut a path through the landbound Grimm to escape through the Gate. At that moment, with their survival at stake, their training had taken over, steadying their hands and blades to cut the Grimm down.

Every time Pina closed her eyes, she could see the devastation; the terrifying visage of the monsters looking at her. It would haunt her for weeks or months to come... but she would stand strong. For herself, and for the empire, she could not let it defeat her.

Unfortunately, Bozes was not so focused. Still in their room, Pina's aide was walking circles around the area, alternating between freaking out over the Grimm and raging at Remnant.

When her path brought Bozes in front of Pina, the princess reached out and gripped her shoulders firmly. Twisting Bozes to face her, Pina looked at her aide in the eye and demanded, "Calm down."

"Calm down?! We just went through the underworld! How can I calm down? Demons, magic, all kinds of..." Bozes sobbed, dropping to her knees. Her hands clutched her head tightly, and she shook her head violently as though to try to forget.

"Look at me," Pina commanded. Something in her tone, her stance, managed to cut through her friend's stance. When Bozes' vacant eyes locked into hers once more, Pina spoke in a solemn tone, "Bozes Co Palesti. You are a member of the Rose Order of Knights of the Empire. Focus."

Bozes eyes sharpened.

"Bozes, you have been my friend for as long as I can remember. We have been through the underworld together. We have slain demons. Now I ask, will you stand with me? Will you be my defender, my guardian, my friend? Noble Knight Bozes Co Palesti, will you be my Blade?"

To be a Blade was to be the right hand of a knight commander. It meant power and responsibility and commanded respect from any knight and soldier. It was an honor rarely given. Her training gave Bozes the sense of calm that she needed at that moment. Evenly and humbly, she replied "Princess Pina Co Lada. I accept your offer. I will be your Blade. I vow to serve you to the best of my ability and to protect your life as I would my own."

"Then our lives are bound from this moment forth. Rise, Bozes Co Palesti, my Blade."

And so the deed was done. Despite the lack of ceremony, the promotion was official and binding. Pina now had a loyal ally, who would be both a skilled asset and a lifelong friend. Bozes would have a focus, to surpass her fears and to become an unmatchable knight.

Bozes stood up, confident. Her skin seemed to shimmer, almost like metal. No longer did she fear the terrors of the past. Whatever she would face, it would be met head-on, with Pina by her side.

The princess gave a small laugh, "Well, Grey would have a stroke at that mess of a ceremony. How are you feeling, Bozes?"

"I'm good, Princess. What now?"

"Now, we must decide the Empire's next move. How can we take advantage of this? The Atlesians have been cut off. Should we try to learn from them, using their weakness to pressure them? Or should we simply gather our armies and march on Alnus, reclaim it and destroy them all?"

The manticore deposited Tuka in front of Salem herself, at the top of what used to be Beacon tower. She crashed onto the ground as the Grimm dropped her before flying off. Getting to her feet, Tuka looked at the pale woman before her.

"Hello," she greeted. It seemed like the only thing to say.

Salem smiled, "Greetings, elf. I have heard much about you."

"I'm Tuka."

"My name is Salem. Please excuse me for a moment," she replied, stepping beside Tuka. She turned to look just as Ariel blasted up in a blaze of light. Without a second of hesitation, Salem raised an arm, sending a spike of shadow energy to impale Tuak's rescuer.

Moving too fast to dodge, Ariel could only attempt to throw up a projected barrier between herself and the attack. The barrier glowed brightly, layers of aura upon one another. The spike hit it and promptly shattered the shield upon contact, before driving on, unaffected, to pierce through Ariel.

Her eyes went wide, disbelieving, before her golden aura glow faded. She fell, the spike falling along with her, to crash gracelessly at the bottom of the tower.

Tuka backed away in horror, "What-"

"She would have caused too much trouble," Salem said, dismissing the issue with a wave of her hand. "And she was of no use to me. But you, Tuka. Your spirit magic intrigues me."

"You... Killed her!"

Salem sighed, "She was going to be a nuisance. Focus on me, Tuka. There is something I want from you."

Tuka did not reply, so Salem continued talking.

"Your mind is troubled. You have lost someone close to you recently, someone you cared about, more so than that Huntress who foolishly approached just now. Yes?"

Fire filled her mind, a suppressed scene from the past forcing itself to the forefront of Tuka's mind.

The fire dragon, an unstoppable beast of pure destruction, stood over her village. Its shadow dominated the land, yet the village was lit, for it was afire. Arrows, wind, and water spirits filled the air as the elves tried their best to defend their homes and their lives, but the dragon swatted them away. Like insects.

"You must hide!" her father shouted, throwing her into the well. The screams of the victims and the crackling of the hungry fire filled the air, but all Tuka saw and heard were her father, his desperate face looking into the well as she fell...

Then a giant maw filled with too many teeth filled the sky.

"No! My father is alive!" Tuka denied, hands clamping onto her head. "He's..."

Salem smiled at the outburst. "Yet he is missing. You have not seen him since then. But, I can bring him here," she offered, "Safe. You can spend your life with him. You can see your father again. All I want is your magic."

"For my father... My magic?"

"Yes, child," Salem replied. "Tell me about your magic, and I shall reunite your family."

"Father..."

"I recommend you choose quickly, Tuka. My Grimm are getting restless," Salem warned. Around then, the Grimm growled to reinforce her point.

"Your Grimm?" Tuka muttered and looked around. Her eyes seemed to focus. As an elf, she was more in tune with nature than most other species. The Grimm gave off a strange presence. Now that she realized it, Tuka also felt that same darkness from Salem. "Unnatural creatures. Monsters."

At that moment, Salem knew that she had made a mistake. As Tuka began consolidating her magic, Salem acted first. A pool of shadow formed beneath Tuka's feet, from which a swarm of Grimm-like shadow hands emerged. They grabbed onto the elf, holding her in place.

"What a shame, Tuka. I had not wanted to kill someone like you," Salem sighed, "But it seems that I have no choice."

Tuka struggled against her bindings as Salem strode closer, but could not break free. She released her magic, calling lightning down from the sky to strike Salem repeatedly. Her target, however, did not even attempt to stop her, simply ignoring the repeated bolts of electricity that struck her. In desperation, Tuka sent a sleep spell at Salem, hoping that it would buy time for her.

Salem waved a hand, easily dispelling the magic. Stepping in front of her prisoner, Salem placed a hand on Tuka's forehead and began to draw out her magic.

Tuka stiffened as Salem forced herself into her mind. Unfortunately for her, she had no goddess to protect her. She was helpless as the very life was drained out of her, and soon the process was complete.

Salem's Grimm hands released Tuka's body, which fell flat onto the ground. Turning and walking away, the Grimm queen toyed with the new power swirling within her as she pondered her next move.

The strange elven magic was different from her own, yet seemed so similar. Just like how, to her, Emroy's presence felt so familiar. She had to investigate this further and to do so, Salem had to find a way to Falmart. The best way to do so was to open a new Gate, from the other side. But her forces there were very limited. That was her first priority.

A seer came floating along, and Salem stared into it.

"Well done. Cinder, I have new orders for you."

A/N: Salem gave Cinder her Grimm arm, which can somehow drain Maiden powers. So, in a similar fashion, Salem should be able to use her Grimm powers to drain stuff like aura and magic from her victims.

Sedge Plain is the literal English translation of Sugawara, the negotiator from Gate canon.