Legal Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY, Red vs. Blue, or any of the shows' characters. They are the rightful properties of Rooster Teeth.

Chapter Thirty-Three:

The trek back to Mantle was hectic and chaotic, largely thanks to their having to fight their way out of Schnee Manor and the city of Atlas in general. Qrow still remembered the glowering look that Ironwood had given them all as they just barely escaped his trap only because of their comrades who had still been hiding in the wings of the mansion. A confiscated transport ride later at the outer wall, and they were well on their way back to the city.

"Well, there goes that job." Doc murmured as he leaned back against the canvased wall of the transport, looking rather haggard thanks to the ordeal they'd just gone through.

Donut and Neo were sitting beside him, the young woman raising her brown eyebrow at his comment while Donut patted his shoulder consolingly, "If it's any consolation, Doc," the pink-wearing young man said comfortingly, "It wasn't exactly a job that you were suited for. You're just way too nice!"

Doc smiled softly at the remark, blushing slightly, "Thanks, Donut." He murmured, reaching over and giving the dirty blonde's hand a squeeze. The tan-skinned young man in purple then looked over at Neopolitan questioningly, "But what about you, Neo?" He asked, "You didn't exactly have anywhere else to go after Hargrove took you in."

The dual-haired girl pouted and crossed her arms over her chest, a determined look flashing across her features as if she was resolutely saying she'd be fine.

"We'll have to make due on our own now." Carolina muttered from close by, Kimball's hand resting on her knee. She smiled over at the dark-skinned young woman slightly before her green-eyed gaze landed pointedly on Washington and Caboose who had also crowded around them, "Home is more where your heart is, besides." She said in a tone that brokered no room for argument.

Washington sighed, "I just wish we'd learned that lesson earlier." He muttered to Carolina, gray eyes closing in contemplation.

"We were all out of sorts after Freelancer. After Church." The redhead stated softly, her gaze lingering on Caboose worriedly at the mention of her deceased little brother, "It's better late than never."

"That's right!" Tucker exclaimed as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Washington and Caboose's shoulders, "No worries, we'll figure shit out."

"We?" Washington asked, eyes opening to raise an eyebrow at the teal-wearing man's curious wording.

"Fuck yeah!" Tucker said jovially, winking at the feline Faunus, "We're a team, right?" Washington's face inexplicably lit up, his cheeks reddening slightly as he realized Tucker's close proximity.

"I like teams." Caboose chimed in then, "Church would want us to be on one again."

"Then it's settled!" Tucker said, grinning cheerily.

Pyrrha sat further away in the transport with Jaune, Nora, Ren, Grif, and Simmons around her, the redhead smiling slightly, "I can't believe it. After all this time..." she murmured, trailing off.

Jaune squeezed her hand knowingly, "It feels good to be free again, doesn't it?" He asked, smiling at her.

"Better than I could imagine." Pyrrha admitted, however a frown fell across her face not a moment later, "I just wish it hadn't happened quite like this."

Nora waved her hand in the air and scoffed, "We'll figure things out. No worries!" She said enthusiastically as her blue eyes gleamed, "Now you'll at least get the chance to bash some Charon skulls in!"

Pyrrha smiled, "That is awfully tempting." She told her friend, green eyes alight with glee at Nora's enthusiasm.

"Payback always is!" Nora cackled, grasping Ren's shoulder, "Isn't that right, Ren?"

Ren smiled rather indulgently at her, "If you say so, Nora." He replied softly.

"Oh man, try to sound a little more enthused!" Nora exclaimed, her squeeze on Ren's shoulder tightening slightly.

Blake smiled as she listened in to the conversations going on then, leaning against Yang's shoulder. Her golden gaze fell on Weiss in concern a moment later, however, "Weiss, will your mother be all right?" She asked their white-haired friend.

After all, Willow had urged all of them to leave Schnee Manor, but had opted to stay behind herself. Weiss frowned at the question, pale blue eyes casted downwards to the floor of the transport, "I honestly don't know." She admitted quietly, causing Ilia to reach forwards and grasp the youngest Schnee daughter's hand in her own.

"I bet she has everyone convinced she was duped by us." Yang said comfortingly not a moment later.

"That's right. The General King would have no reason not to believe that." Blake added in with a grateful look to the violet-eyed blonde.

"She is very resourceful, Weiss." Ilia told her gently. Weiss looked over at all of them and smiled, nodding her head in quiet agreement not a moment later.

Qrow, meanwhile, was trying to keep it together as much as he could, tapping his fingers against his knee impatiently. They needed to get back to Mantle as soon as possible. Ruby, Oscar, Clover, and everyone else were there. Who knew what had happened in the interim since they'd gotten out of Atlas?

"Qrow." It was Winter's voice that surprisingly brought him back to focus, and he started in surprise as the transport stopped. The oldest Schnee sibling gazed back at the red-eyed Huntsman from her spot sitting upfront next to Robyn, her expression concerned, "We're here." She said almost gently.

That was all the statement he needed as he jumped to his feet, the others not too far behind. The streets of Mantle looked as though a war had broken out, with massive chunks of smoking debris everywhere and the ruined carcasses of Golems lining the streets. There was a loud banging noise not a second later, followed by a thud as the last of the gigantic automated creatures fell, Sarge lowering his shotgun as Lopez kicked the Golem's hand as its glyphs died to make sure it was well and truly inactive.

"... Les tomó bastante tiempo." {"...Took you guys long enough."} The young man muttered at the gaping, surprised faces peering over at him and his father, "Todos lograron evacuar a los refugios gracias a las Cazadoras Felices." {"Everyone managed to evacuate to the shelters already thanks to the Happy Huntresses."}

Robyn smirked and crossed her arms as if the outcome was completely expected, "Not bad, Sarge." She said with unhidden pride in her tone.

The older man in red harrumphed proudly, a gleam in his eyes, "Naturally!" He stated, cocking his head to the side, "Now let's get a move on. Time's a-wastin'!"


"Greetings, everyone!" Penny Polendina's voice rang out as they approached the former orphanage, her feet touching the ground once more as she landed, "Our headquarters have been successfully defended!"

"You're back!" Oscar exclaimed happily as Yang pulled him into a quick, sisterly hug.

Kai put her hands on her hips and glared pointedly at her older brother, "Took you long enough, asshole." She said, clearly grateful to see the older Grif despite the harsh words typical of their particular sibling dynamic.

The chubby Faunus rolled his eyes at his little sister's commentary, "Nice to see you too, Kai." Grif replied, although he did seem pleased in his own laidback way to see she still was in one piece.

"You should've seen how many Golems we handled!" Ruby exclaimed as she appeared in a burst of rose petals, "Did you guys have any trouble in Atlas?"

"We can tell you all about it later." Yang promised her sister, moving forward to muss up her younger sister's brown-with-red-tips hair slightly.

"You guys did an excellent job holding down the fort while we were away." Robyn told them all proudly as Kai grinned and puffed out her chest in response, though the tan-skinned blonde's expression darkened not a second later, "But something tells me that Ironwood won't stop with just one attack."

"Es cierto. ¿Pero qué podemos hacer?" {"True. But what can we do?"} Lopez asked.

Nora slung Ren's arm over her shoulder as she contemplated the artificial construct's question, "Is there anywhere else we can go so that Mantle isn't a target?" She asked seriously, as Ren simply shrugged his shoulders to indicate he didn't have an answer for her.

"Realmente debería dejar de sorprenderme de que realmente parezcas ser capaz de entenderme." {"I really should stop being surprised that you actually seem to be able to understand me."}

Robyn ignored Lopez as she turned to look at Qrow contemplatively then, "Think your tribe really wouldn't mind taking in more stragglers?" She asked him, "I don't mind offering some shelter here for a while, but if this keeps up..."

"There won't be much of Mantle left, will there?" Winter finished for her, frowning, "But with Salem possibly coming back..."

The group collectively frowned as Winter trailed off, putting their heads together. Running away would only be delaying the inevitable in a lot of respects. They all could see that, unfortunately.

"Let's give it a day to think things over." Robyn finally said at length when no immediate suggestion was forthcoming, "Worse comes to worse, there are some abandoned mines farther away that we can use as a temporary base of operations so that Mantle isn't directly involved in the crosshairs."

Lopez started at that, "¿Te refieres a los búnkeres subterráneos de Sarge?" {"You mean Sarge's underground bunkers?"}

"Good thing I always keep them stocked and ready!" Sarge exclaimed, sounding oddly happy over that fact.

As everyone began splintering off following Robyn's decision, Qrow looked around the grounds carefully, "Where's Clover?" He asked, light red eyes narrowed when he realized that Salem's Inheritor hadn't greeted them like the others.

"Oh!" Ruby exclaimed as her silver eyes widened slightly, glancing over at the orphanage, "He's still inside."

Oscar looked slightly sheepish as he added, "He had another nightmare about Salem, and..." he trailed off, absentmindedly touching his bicep.

The message was not lost on Qrow then, and he nodded his thanks to the young Huntresses and Oscar before he made his way inside the building, taking the familiar steps up to Clover's room. He was just reaching for the door when it opened from the other side, teal eyes regarding him hesitantly.

Qrow raised an eyebrow at the satchel that was hanging from Clover's shoulder, "Going somewhere, lucky charm?" He asked as he stepped inside the space, noticing the knocked over soup bowl laying haphazardly on the ground.

Clover took a few steps back and let out a deep breath, "Qrow. It happened again." He said as he motioned to the new bone growth on his arm, shaking his head emphatically, "I can't stay here. Salem is connected to me. I'm too much of a liability."

"If you're a liability for that, then so am I due to my misfortune." Qrow muttered, "Technically, I shouldn't be around anyone here either."

Clover paused, "Qrow," he began, reaching out a tentative hand towards the other man, "You're more than just your semblance."

The satchel dropped to the ground as Qrow's arms wrapped tightly around Clover, pulling the younger man closer, "And you're more than whatever hold it is that Salem has on you." He told him emphatically. The brown-haired soldier trembled in his touch, saying nothing as Qrow's fingers rested on the new bone growth, "Whatever this is," he told him, "We'll figure it out, shamrock."

"B—but—!"

Qrow's grip tightened momentarily, "We're going to decide what to do tomorrow. If you can hold on until then," he said, "If you still want to leave, we'll figure something out."

Clover's eyes widened, and Qrow smirked as he brought their mouths together. "You're not alone, lucky charm." He assured him as he reluctantly pulled away, "I've got you." And then Clover was crashing his mouth desperately against Qrow's once more, and the rest of the world seemed to fade away for a few moments.


The warmth surrounding him was pleasant, and for a brief moment Clover dozed off fitfully within Qrow's arms, not wanting to wake the elder as he wondered briefly when it was that either of them had had a decent rest.

But when he opened his eyes once again, a heavy feeling of dread suddenly permeated his entire being as he realized he was back in the nightmarish space, the Nevermore holding him in place as Salem approached, pain erupting in his chest at her sudden touch.

She gripped his hair then, pulling Clover's head upwards, "Resisting the transformation only causes more misery, dear." The goddess told him plainly, her fingers disentangling from his brown hair to trail along the bone fragments blooming past his scarring now, "Soon you will be a most magnificent Grimm, my lucky charm."

He shook his head, his exhausted and pain-filled body falling to the floor with unshed tears in his eyes as the Nevermore's wings stroked his back in a mockery of a soothing gesture. He could barely stay conscious, his breathing pained and shallow. "Soon enough, you'll be right by our side." Salem murmured, "Just be patient for a little while more, trinket."

Clover's eyes flew open, and he was once more back in his room at the abandoned orphanage. His panicked breathing and rapid heartbeat must have woken Qrow up, because red eyes were regarding him with obvious concern. "Cloves?" He asked as he reached up a hand to gingerly touch the side of Clover's face.

Clover sobbed and leaned into the touch, holding onto Qrow just as tightly as the lithe man held onto him not a second longer, "Qrow. I have to go. Now." He managed to breathe out, "Before Salem comes. Before I can't resist."

Qrow opened his mouth to respond when Clover felt the familiar heat and chill of magic on his skin, and he knew by how Qrow's eyes widened as he regarded him then that his Inheritor marks had reappeared. There was a nightmarish screech that came from outside, and both men were running through the building along with everyone else to see just what was going on.

Slowly advancing towards them on one side was a patrol of Golems, while on the other there was what appeared to be a sheer wall of Grimm. Clover saw Oscar's terrified eyes at the sight, "The barrier is broken!" The boy shouted over at him, "We have to—!"

Another horrific screech filled the sky and the largest Nevermore that he'd ever seen, the one that had haunted his nightmares so readily, was suddenly blotting out the sky overhead, its talons slashing down into the ground below as everyone scattered. Chaos erupted all around them as the other Grimm came crashing into the orphanage grounds, the Golems amongst them.

Clover was pulled back by Qrow before he even fully realized what had happened, the elder Huntsman's hands gripping onto his shoulders roughly as he was pushed against the wall just as talons pierced the air where he'd been standing moments before. Everyone else had scattered, many having no choice but to face the smaller Grimm and the Golems due to their headlong flights right towards them in their attempt to dodge the Nevermore's first attack.

Donut brought up his force field as the Nevermore dived down once more while Ilia, Weiss, and Kai pulled Oscar away. The force of the blow upon the shielding caused him to collapse onto his knees, the ground cracking around him, Kimball and Simmons both firing their weapons at the same time though even the impact they made on the creature's wings did little to deter it from readying itself for another dive.

"Shit!" Tucker yelled out, his energy sword that was his Semblance at the ready as he jumped backwards along with Blake, Yang, and Grif, "What has that thing been eating?"

The heavyset Faunus shot him an annoyed look then, "Why did you look at me when you asked that?" Grif asked, obviously taking offense.

Whatever sarcastic remark was on the tip of Tucker's tongue died away when the Grimm unleashed its projectiles, the sharp feathers embedding into the ground and railings and breaking pieces of metal and stone where they made impact.

"Gah!" Donut scrambled out of the way of some of the larger weapons as his force field faded out, Kimball and Simmons hauling him to relative safety off to the side.

It was an abnormally large Nevermore, towering above the group despite its added height in the air. Clover remembered Salem's earlier promise to come and get him, and his stomach lurched at the thought that this was what she'd meant. "Qrow." He managed to whisper over to the dark-haired man who was still gripping onto his shoulders as if his life depended on it, raising his own hands to grip his where they lay tightly, "You need to get Oscar and everyone away."

Qrow's red eyes narrowed at the idea, and he shook his head, "Only if you come along too, lucky charm." He said stubbornly.

"I think...I think it is here for me." Clover tried reasoning with him, "If you leave, maybe it won't pursue."

He was fixed with a pointed stare, "Salem tell you that?" Qrow asked knowingly.

Clover squeezed his hands and nodded, "Please, Qrow." He pleaded, fearing they were wasting too much time.

The monster sliced its wings through the air, creating a strong current that threatened to knock everyone to their knees, "Here it comes!" Grif shouted in warning.

Qrow unsheathed Harbinger and deftly blocked most of the feather projectiles that came at them next, Clover hating how he no longer had Kingfisher at his side to help, especially as small lacerations appeared all over the Huntsman's skin.

And then the Nevermore was slamming down into the ground, knocking Qrow over with the force of the blow. It was targeting the shapeshifter directly. Clover realized not a split second later, though the realization mattered little when one of its talons pierced into Qrow's side. Qrow's pained scream in response overcame the din of the fighting all around them, and Clover could only watch in horror as blood stained the snowy ground. The creature bent its head forward then, its pointed beak reaching down towards the broken body that lay underneath its feet.

"Stop!"

The Nevermore's mask swiveled around to face him, and Clover shuddered as he heard a cooing trill come from the beast that was threatening to eviscerate Qrow right in front of him. Somehow, he knew that it understood him.

"Clo...ver..." Crimson liquid was dripping out of Qrow's mouth then, his red eyes dimming more with every passing second.

Clover swallowed dryly, praying his luck would hold and that the Grimm was in fact listening to him despite the frenzy all around them. "I'll go with you." He heard himself say over the din of fighting. He took a step forward, dimly aware that he was stepping into Qrow's blood as he did so, "To Salem. Just don't kill him. Please."

"D—don't!" Qrow was practically pleading with all the fading strength he had left, and Clover had to keep his face fixed on the Grimm so that he didn't break down either.

The Nevermore seemed to consider his words, tilting its head to the side slowly. Carefully, it stepped away from the dark-haired shapeshifter, turning to face Clover completely. There was a trill just then, and the creature surged forward at surprising speed for its size. Suddenly, Clover's vision was entirely swamped by darkness.


Author's Notes: Things are getting more and more intense as we approach the final confrontations! Thank you for sticking with me. :)