Novus burst into Ozpin's office, where Ozpin, Hayden, and Ironwood were waiting.
"You needed to see me, sir?" he asked.
Ironwood nodded: "I'm sure you saw my announcement earlier."
"I did. Let me guess, you want me to bring them in."
"Indeed," Ozpin said, "Alive, if possible."
"However," Hayden interceded, "These are dangerous enemies. Termination of them is acceptable, but only if absolutely necessary."
"Can you do it?" Ironwood asked.
In response, Novus pulled out his shotgun and cocked it: "Oh yeah, I can."
"Good," Hayden said, "We've already figured out where they are, so I can have VEGA open a portal for you to get close. We can't get too close as that would get their attention; we need the element of surprise."
"One of my favorites." Novus chuckled.
"Well, you should probably get going" Ozpin explained, "The next final will start soon, so you should be out of public eye for some time."
"Good luck," Ironwood said.
Novus nodded: "Thanks, General."
Hayden then commanded: "VEGA. Open the portal."
"Accessing coordinates now." VEGA said as the blue portal opened behind Novus. Turning around to face the portal, Novus raised his shotgun and ran through, appearing in the empty streets of Vale City.
"The ship has landed nearby," Hayden's voice spoke over the com in Novus's helmet, "I'll input the coordinates to your helmet's digital map."
A second later, a red dot appeared on the map in Novus's helmet.
"I see it," Novus replied, "On my way."
He then took off down the street as he followed the map towards the ship. After a few turns he had arrived, spotting the medical ship in the distance.
"I got eyes on the prize." He said over the coms.
"Move in, but be careful." Ironwood advised, "We don't know what…"
Suddenly, Novus was tackled to the ground as a glowing orange dog jumped on top of him, snarling in anger. Just before it could bite into him, Novus brought his chainsword, driving it through the beast and killing it. As the beast slumps to the ground, Novus stood up to see a large, horned figure in green armor and piercing red eyes approach him; a Marauder.
"In all my years of hunting," it growled, "I've finally found you. Son of the Slayer."
"I'm not a child anymore, demon." Novus shot back, raising his sword, "You picked a losing fight."
"We shall see," the Marauder replied, igniting the blade on his axe, "I'm going to enjoy this."
Raising their weapons, the two fighters charged each other and clashed blades, trading blow after blow; both seemingly unable to be weakened. The fight lasted for several minutes, with Novus and the Marauder trading between putting each other on the defensive and getting pushed back themselves. Eventually, the Marauder brought his axe down, only for Novus to counter with his sword, leaving the two in a blade lock.
The Marauder slowly began to push down on the blades as he taunted: "You are skilled; I'll give you that. But you are nothing like your usurper of a father. Or your coward of a mother."
"Don't you DARE insult my parents." Novus growled.
"You know it to be true."
"My parents cared about me more than you could ever know. You are right about one thing, though."
"Oh?" the Marauder asked, sounding intrigued.
"I'm not like my parents." Here, Novus moved his thumb to a switch on his sword: "I'm better."
Suddenly, Novus flicked the switch, activating the gun mode on his weapon and blasting the demon with shells of fire dust, taking him completely by surprise. Novus continued his barrage, then quickly switched to the rocket launcher and fired a missile at the Marauder, sending him sprawling. As the smoke cleared, Novus approached the wounded and dying Marauder, his sword raised.
The Marauder simply laughed: "You fool. You have no idea what is about to happen."
"What do you mean?" Novus questioned.
"This was merely…a distraction."
"From what?"
The Marauder evilly chuckled: "It's too bad you weren't able to save the one you cared about most."
Novus looked in confusion for a second, then widened his eyes in fear.
"Penny…" he whispered to himself.
The Marauder continued laughing: "Who's better now?"
At that point, Novus was fed up with the demon, and drove his chainsword through its face. Then he immediately turned around and bolted for the arena.
…
In the arena, Penny was squaring off with Pyrrha, teams RWBY, JNPR, and RHPD watching.
Suddenly, Hector caught an unusual scent, and looked to see Mercury and Emerald in the arena. He nudged Julius's shoulder.
"Look," the faunus said, pointing to the two. Julius narrowed his eyes as he look in their direction.
"Let's get em." He finally said. Hector was more than happy to oblige, and the two head through the service tunnels and towards their targets, unaware that Ruby had decided to follow them.
As they continued down the tunnel, the two stopped to see Mercury casually standing in front of them.
"Y'know," Mercury said, "No one likes a snitch, Rose."
"I knew you guys were up to something." Julius retorted, drawing his pistols, "Now step aside."
"Sorry, no can do." Mercury replied, getting into a ready stance, only to have his legs kicked out from under him as Hector snuck up behind him, invisible, and tripped him with his tail. As Mercury fell, Julius teleported up, driving his foot into Mercury's face. Mercury lay prone on the ground, groaning as he woozily clutched his face, but the two fighters weren't done yet; Julius grabbed Mercury and lifted him up by his shirt.
"No more games," he growled, "Where's Cinder?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Mercury retorted. Hector responded by pressing his tail into Mercury's back.
"Talk, scum." The faunus threatened.
Just then, Ruby ran past the two.
"Where are you going?" Julius asked.
"I need to stop the fight before something bad happens." She yelled in response as she kept going. Suddenly, a series of terrified screams echo from the arena.
Mercury chuckled: "Looks like you're too late."
Growling in anger, Julius knocked Mercury out with a final punch, dropped him on the ground, and then took off after Ruby, Hector following close behind, all three unaware that Penny had just been torn apart by Pyrrha thanks to another illusion from Emerald.
The crowds are still terrified by the sight, and miles away in Mountain Glenn, Grimm of all kinds turn toward the Colosseum, and begin to charge.
Finally, Ruby turns a corner and emerges from the service tunnel, only to see with her own eyes that she is far too late.
Ruby falls to her knees "Penny..." She begins to cry, the tears fall as she sobs miserably as Julius and Hector arrive, gasping in shock at the sight.
Suddenly all screens changes to an ominous bright red with a black queen chess piece hovering over the scene. Then a voice is heard "This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians, but are, in reality, nothing more than men. Our Academies' Headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both".
Julius's expression turns from shock to anger: "Cinder."
"They cling to this power in the name of peace, and yet, what do we have here? One nation's attempt at a synthetic army, mercilessly torn apart by another's star pupil. What need would Atlas have for a soldier disguised as an innocent little girl? I don't think the Grimm can tell the difference" Cinder continued "And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students? First a dismemberment, now this? Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and mercy, yet I have witnessed neither. Perhaps Ozpin felt as though defeating Atlas in the Tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invaded its streets. Or perhaps this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting kingdom with armed forces. Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue as to who is right and who is wrong. But I know 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 on the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark. So I ask you: When the first shots are fired... who do you think you can trust?" Cinder finished.
The sound of a wailing alarm is heard throughout the structure, with humans and Faunus and even a Henchman holding a tub of popcorn looking up in alarm as the Warning Announcer is heard "Alert. Incoming Grimm attack. Threat level: Nine. Please seek shelter in a calm and orderly manner".
The crowds begin to flee, wild and screaming, through the exit tunnels, while Ironwood enters the announcers' box and grabs the microphone from between Port and Oobleck "Ladies and gentlemen, please. There is no need for panic".
With that said, a Giant Nevermore appears atop the arena's domed force field, giving a series of deafening screeches as it claws and pecks at the defense with its beak.
Sun stands up in alarm along with Coco "A Nevermore!?".
Coco lowers her sunglasses "How did it get past the Kingdom's defenses!?".
Ren appears beside them as he states "It wasn't alone".
Ironwood's fleet of ships are being attacked by even more giant Nevermores though to minimal effect, Soldiers scrambling to enter commands inside the bridge around their commanding officer "Dammit! This is Blue Four! Blues Two and Three, fall into defensive position!".
Blue Three is heard over the Scroll "Roger! Blue Three, in position!".
The Atlas Ship Captain contacts the last one "Blue Two, what's your status? Blue Two, come in! Someone answer me, dammit!".
He doesn't know that the bridge of the last ship is wrecked, computers sparking and men down as a pair of high boots walk through the destruction. Dressed in an Atlas uniform and holding both a pink umbrella and dark cane with a feathered hat on top, Neo opens the door of a familiar-looking cell with a devious grin.
"Well... it's about time..." Roman said as he leans out of the shadows and into the light.
Outside the Airships, the furthest craft suddenly turns towards its allies and fires several bright red lasers at the engine of the one closest to it. The aircraft is barely able to send out "We're hit! What's going-" before the flaming ship crashes into another in a series of explosions and sends both of them tumbling toward the waters below.
Roman laughs manically at the controls as Neo watches from the side "Woo-hoohahahaha! Oohh, it is good to be back!".
Finally, at Beacon's cliffside landing platforms, three Bullheads arrive, the middle one opening its hatch to reveal four members of the White Fang, and their leader: Adam Taurus.
Adam "Bring them to their knees!".
Another Bullhead opens its door, this time with several creatures of Grimm inside. A growling Ursa jumps from it and lands on Academy grounds. Another bullhead opens, however to reveal a group of Pinkys contained in a laser cage, only for the cage to deactivate, sending the demons charging out into the city. Novus, hearing and recognizing their roars, realizes they were he bigger threat; he couldn't let them get to Penny first. He turns around and, equipping his super shotgun, charges to meet them.
The battle for Vale... had begun.