Part 22

-Confrontation (6): Ascension-

Ozpin closed his eyes as he tried to patiently wait out the bleak situation he had found himself in. If nothing else, at least he had figured out how their foe's powers functioned. It had clicked for him right as Wattz had lept towards Weiss earlier in the fight. His ability to rewind time was not unlimited. There was a set range to how far he could extend the rewinding effect, which was most likely why he seemed to preferred ranged Grimm. If Wattz could give his Underdogs a command to fire while time was rewinding, then it would definitely grant him an advantage. Doing so would allow their shots to cover more distance than they otherwise should. It wouldn't be unreasonable to assume this was the type of trickery he had used against Qrow. Without knowledge of how this ability functioned, most people would struggle in this type of scenario.

Abruptly, Ozpin's thoughts were interrupted as Wattz began to chuckle to himself before erupting in a full-on maniacal laugh. "I see, Ozpin, I see! So this is how you play chess, is it? By blocking a rook with your own king?" The mustached man's face contorted into a twisted grin. "How desperate of you... no... not desperate... how... pretentious of you. Yes, that's the word! How pretentious! I can already tell it, you believe you've figured me out, have you? Come, Ozpin, you of all people should realize you're not even seeing the entire board." The huntsman spoke in a chillingly even tone as he focused his sights on what his target had become. "Surrender, Ozpin. Admit checkmate to me, and I can guarantee the safety of your precious students. Refuse, and well... I suppose I'll just have to give you some incentive, won't I? You should know that I can be extremely... creative... in my punishments."

Immediately, Weiss spoke up! "Oz! Don't listen to him!" Her arms struggled to hold her position as Wattz pushed down on her weapon harder. But, even so, her eyes continued burning with determination despite everything! "There's more at stake than just me! I didn't have to come here, I didn't have to leave the safety of my father's manor. But I did it! I'm here because I'm a huntress!" Sparks erupted from her weapon as the force increased. The cane, now pushing itself down more forcefully, with enough power to make the huntress's feet start sliding backward in the dirt.

Oscar's eyes opened as Ozpin turned his head to glance back at the scene taking place. "Weiss, you don't have to-"

"Shut it!" The huntress snapped back as her body began to glow with white light. "I'm through living my life without control! I'm done being afraid of what's going to happen to me!" Sparks of energy began arcing off of her arms, jolting between the weapons as Wattz's confident demeanor began to quickly fade. "I'm done being the princess in distress! It's time for me to make my own decisions, and I decide what gives my life meaning! That's what it means for me to be a huntress!"

Without warning, Watts pulled back as Weiss's weapon overpowered his cane! Slashing forward in an arc that just barely cut across her opponent's aura as Wattz held his chest in shock. No damage... not yet, anyway. But it wouldn't take much more for his aura to fizzle out. Quickly regaining his composure, the man held his weapon out with one hand as he slowly backed away a couple of steps to observe his opponent. Watching cautiously as Weiss's glow swiftly fading after the burst of power. "I see." He casually began. "So your Semblance is still evolving, is it? I'm lucky I backed away in that case. In another moment or two, and who knows what would have awakened in you. But tell me, child... how long can you keep those feelings alive?" A sly smile crossed his lips. "Semblances can awaken during periods of intense emotion. For an ability as complex as yours, its no wonder it can awaken multiple times. Your own self-image is reflected in the creatures you choose to identify yourself with, I would assume. How interesting that you've chosen Grimm then, even if you, yourself, don't comprehend why. So it only stands to reason that if I can win quickly and decisively, then your new abilities would never awaken. Correct?"

Meanwhile, a set of familiar hands dug through the ground as Nezumi carefully tunneled under the scene taking place. Despite appearing mostly human, his rodent senses did provide some unique advantages in situations like this. Fitting for an assassin such as himself. As long as Oz's Aura maintained itself, his plan was fool-proof! First, he would tunnel under the scene. Then, he'd burst out of the ground and self-destruct, dealing enough damage to destroy all of their auras in one go! After that, his second and third body would both be free to capture Ozpin at his leisure. The faunus let loose a hissing chuckle at the thought. Easy money! No matter who came out on top, delivering Oz to the new White Fang leader would cement him instant status. They might even pick him as a successor! And once the White Fang hands Oz over to Salem, then they'd have her full support! No more deals with black markets or internal skirmishes, they'd be the new dominant race enforced by Salem's own personal army of murderous demon-beasts! Let's see how the humans enjoyed being on the lower rung of the social ladder, shall we?! It was all too perfect!

The blonde man swiftly put his plan into action as he slashed at the area around him with his hands, making a small pocket of space to move more freely in. Nezumi's time was now! With a groan of effort, the man kicked his legs out, launching himself straight up through the ground directly between Weiss and Wattz! The man's fist extended in the air as he smiled brazenly with his gnarly teeth.

Immediately, Wattz extended his right arm to warn his compatriot! "Don't, you idiot!"

The faunus simply sneered. "Boom!" A flash of light suddenly enveloped the area a second before the all-encompassing sound of the blast echoed out! Without hesitation, Wattz activated his semblance, rewinding time as Nezumi reformed, being sucked back underground. The instant time resumed, Wattz's mind raced to figure out the best course of action to stop what was about to occur.

"Stop!" He shouted. "Ozpin's aura is-"

Almost mirroring how he emerged before, the rat-like faunus shot out of the ground as he processed the situation. Just how much did he actually trust the words of Wattz? No, wait, why should he even trust him?! They were both after the same target right now! That was the whole point of the betrayal, to begin with! This was a man with a vested interest in watching him fail. If Wattz had his way, he wouldn't even be in this incredible situation!

Without talking, Nezumi simply turned his head to face the mustached man. Then, he simply extended his fingers to portray what seemed like a much more fitting gesture as his warped smirk returned. "A-boom!"

A sudden surge of anxiety pierced through Wattz to the very bone as the realization hit him. He had known that there was a delay between uses of his semblance. One that generally lasted a little longer than however much time he rewound, to begin with. But even if he could rewind, this situation wouldn't end! Nezumi was determined to act against him no matter what! The explosion blasted across the area as Wattz froze in place, his arm still outstretched as he saw the wave of smoke and fire flash across his body! The man stumbled backward, falling prone before sitting up. His face, grimacing as he gripped his right arm. His hand now sheered off, revealing exposed wires and metal with bits of burned synthetic skin covering the limb's iron frame. As glanced up, his worst fears were realized as a glowing wing swept the smoke away from the area. In front of him now stood a large white bird protectively shielding both Weiss and Ozpin from the bomb with its massive, luminous body. The huntsman's expression only soured further as his enemy stared through him, now actively pointing her rapier directly at him.

"I'm through with your games, Wattz." The huntress declared. Her authority carried through her voice, commanding the man like how a righteous queen would speak to a lowly thief who had been caught one too many times.

"Y- you-! Arrogant-!" The man stuttered, now brimming with absolute rage as his face snarled defiantly. "F-fire! Underdogs! Take them out at any cost!" Wattz's fingers twitched in a frantic series of motions as the Grimm quickly darted around, hopping from side to side in unpredictable patterns as they launched a relentless barrage of fiery blasts! Effortlessly, Weiss's bird curled its wings around its master, shielding both her and Oscar from the attacks. However, Wattz refused to relent! A mad sense of glee crossed his face as he continued his odd hand motion, his mind coordinating move after move from his favorite toys! "I refuse to go down like this! I refuse it, you hear me?!" He screeched in a panic. "I am the great Arthur Wattz! My semblance is undefeatable! My research, peerless! Founding member of Salem's inner circle! I refuse to be defeated! Do you even understand-?! All the time and effort Dr. Hamm and I put into this body?!" His eyes began bulging out of his head from sheer strain as his voice rang out even louder! "I was meant to be unending! My mind was chosen to become... Immortal!"

Suddenly, the white bird lunged forward as Wattz quickly found the summon's talons closing around his midsection. The crunching of metal could be heard as the creature closed its grip tighter and tighter... until... finally... the huntsman looked up to see Weiss snapping her fingers. As soon as he registered the sound, it was too late. The glowing bird crushed his body into scrap iron as broken pistons and oil spewed out between its claws. The task was complete. Slowly, the bird let go as whatever was left of the machine's body crumpled to the ground.

"Fantastic job," Ozpin stated. "But don't let it get to us. We got lucky today... in more ways than one." Before he could continue, the two were interrupted by the sound of machinery moving as another section of the ground opened up in front of them! Another square opening, like before. Except that this one probably wasn't just there to house another Underdog. "Weiss, listen." Oz continued. "My control over Oscar is fading, but he might be able to manifest his own aura with his soul since mine has run out. Don't fight. We need to make sure Ruby and the others are safe. Can you take the lead for now?"

Confidently, Weiss nodded her head. "I won't let you down."