Here we are at Chapter 116. Time to see how Velvet and the gang can handle working without everyone else together. I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 116. Enjoy.
Chapter 116: Multiple Fronts
Yang's group head to Pietro's pharmacy. They break through the front door, finding a few Atlas robot soldiers guarding the building inside. Yang makes quick work of the guards in the main room with her gauntlets. The rest of the group follow her inside as they enter the building, weapons drawn and ready to fight.
"Pietro said that this key was for the doors to the back there. I wonder what he was making there," Yang wonders.
"Probably best to move with caution though. There could be more robots in there," Jaune reminds her.
Jaune opens up one door, while Yang stands ready to deal with anymore Atlas robots. When nothing comes out to attack them, Jaune comes around and turns the lights on. Just as he does, Yang gasps excitedly with stars in her eyes, while the rest of the boys look on in wonder.
"Okay, the others are definitely missing out," Yang notes.
A few minutes later, Yang's group is riding through the streets of Mantle on a trio of hover-bike, with Oscar riding shotgun with Yang. Yang is loving her new ride so much, that when she notices an overturned car on top of another like a ramp, she can't resist.
Oscar sees what she's about to do and freaks, "Yang, no! Yang, no, no!"
But Yang jumps over the makeshift ramp, firing off her gauntlet to spin in the air, causing Oscar to accidently get some of her hair in his mouth and then lands with style. Jaune and Ren watch her, and Jaune looks like he wants to try it, but rethinks the idea when he hits a little speed bump and almost falls off his own hover-bike.
The crew move through the streets of Mantle. With their new rides, it'll allow them to cover more ground in less time, which will help with the evacuation efforts. Later on, the group are gathering civilians in one sector onto the streets. They go door to door, getting people to come out only with the bare essentials.
"Only take what you need," Jaune tells one parent before fist-bumping his son.
"Wait, so we're going to the crater? Will that be a safe place for us?" one female civilian asks while holding a snow shovel.
"Yes, ma'am. You'll all be safe there. Don't worry. We'll escort you there now," Yang calms her worries.
Just then, they hear roaring mixed with screaming and look back to see a pair of Sabres coming around the corners of a few buildings. Jaune runs ahead and throws out a small pod just as they charge. The pod lands in front of them and creates a hard-light shield to block their path. Ren then drops down from above and stabs his pistol blades into the heads of two Grimm, killing them. With the threat eliminated, the shield deactivates and Ren kicks it over back to Jaune, who pulls it in to attach to his shield before Jaune retrieves it.
"Way better to use than a hover-bike," Jaune mutters.
Oscar looks concerned, "Have the Grimm already pushed this far in?"
Yang thinks for a moment, "No, I think these ones were stragglers from last night. Remember, we never finished the evacuations back then, and while we dealt with a lot of the Grimm that invaded the city before, we didn't take care of all of them. To make matters worse, that giant Grimm horde showed up, which brought more of them and more negativity with them,"
"Yang's got a point," Jaune joins them. "We have to keep everyone calm and get them to safety. With Robyn's huntresses and us there, they'll feel safer, which will help us in the long run,"
Yang looks ahead, "But first, we need to get them to the crater. Unfortunately, it's not like that's around the corner, and with all of these people here, we won't get there fast. Even with the hover-bikes," but then, Yang gets an idea. "Hey Ren! If Jaune hits you with his aura amp, can you mask everyone until we get to the crater?"
Ren looks a little annoyed about the idea, but agrees to it, "We can give it a shot, but it IS a long trip through Mantle,"
Jaune then notices one of the kids crying. Deciding to keep the people's spirits up, and the negativity down, he speaks up.
"No, that's a great idea. We'll be able to have a Grimm free journey all the way to the crater where everyone will be safe,"
Of course, some people are not as positive about the idea, "Do we really gotta shack up with those animals in the slums? I'd feel a lot safer up in Atlas," one older woman complains, with a few more people giving similar looks.
Of course, Yang ia already ticked off by that, "Yeah, I bet you would prefer that. But, since you obviously don't understand the situation here, allow me to enlighten you. The people up in Atlas have decided you're no longer worth the trouble. They left you here to fend for yourselves, and they won't be coming back to help any time soon. However, the Faunus are ready and willing to offer you any help they can. Regardless of whether or not you deserve it. This isn't about being human or Faunus. This is about surviving, and the only way we're gonna do that is together, all of us..." Yang glances away for a moment, thinking about the others, but shakes it off. "Those Grimm out there won't care if you're human or Faunus. They'll kill everyone if they get the chance. So, unless you want to give them that chance, I suggest you do what we say, get moving, and forget about your stupid prejudices," Yang berates them.
Her words stun the woman and some of the other civilians. With no clear argument against her, they simply keep their mouths shut and go along with what she asks. With that being done, the group begin escorting the civilians to the crater. Jaune and Ren take the lead, with Jaune using his aura to amplify Ren's, allowing him to mask everyone. Yang holds up the side, and Oscar takes the rear. Of course, he's not alone at the moment. He never was.
"Why must it be so difficult to get people to work together?" Oscar mutters.
"That is one dilemma I have faced for a long time. Changing the minds of others after living a certain way for so long, or thinking a certain way, can be difficult... Oscar, I must apologize. You have all been through so much because of me, especially you. I can understand why you would be upset with me-," Ozpin speaks.
"I'm not upset you left. I'm upset you came back. I was starting to feel like me. Not like how I was before all of this began, but like the me that I always wanted to be. To really be a part of the team," Oscar stops him.
"Yes, unfortunately, things are still going as they were before. You're gaining greater control over what's left of my magic, and recalling more of my longest memories. It seems our souls are still on the path to becoming one," Ozpin says.
Oscar pulls out his cane, "But... I don't want that. It's like with Velvet. Velvet didn't want to become the Fall Maiden. She did it because she had no choice. I don't think any of us had a choice in any of this," he laments.
"Believe me... I wish it wasn't so either. But, we must learn how to work together. To defeat Salem and save Atlas, to save Remnant, it's going to take all of us," Ozpin says.
…
Meanwhile, with Velvet's group, Penny watches as more civilians are being gathered in the crater. Behind them, the rest of the group watch as May opens up a gate leading to an older building that most likely used to have security. Of course, with the end of the world on the horizon, security was called to elsewhere, which only makes things easier for them.
"Alright, everyone get moving," May ushers them inside.
Nora walks up next to May, "Thanks again for coming,"
May waves it off, "Don't mention it. Once Velvet told Robyn about the Amity tower, it was all she could talk about. Wherever she is, I'm sure she'd want us doing anything we can to get it up and running so we can get the word out and get global communications working again," May closes the gate behind them. "Besides, Fiona's got the rest of your group helping with the evacuation. I'm sure they'll be fine without me for a while," she walks by, not knowing that her words have the opposite effect when Weiss and Nora look sad.
"Yeah," Nora mutters before they head inside
"So, is there something in this place that's gonna get us up to Atlas without being caught be their security?" Velvet asks as they move inside.
They come inside to find large tubes at the center of a large circular room, with a few more around them. They see more of those Atlas robots, but these ones aren't holding weapons. Rather, they're loading crates into the tubes, which then get shot upwards towards Atlas.
"Snowshoe Shipping is a subsidiary company for the SDC," Weiss explains.
Velvet looks at the drones, "So, we don't need to destroy these robots because they're not from the military? I was actually hoping to break a few of them,"
Weiss smirks, "These pneumatic tubes here are designed to be used for the Dust that's refined in the crater. The Dust is collected and then sent up to Atlas. Each tube sends them to a different location. One of those locations being the Atlas military compound. It made things easier for them when they needed Dust in less time, which will now help us" Weiss explains as they all look up at the tubes.
Velvet looks at Weiss, "Does your family own most of the kingdom, or at least half of it?" she jokes.
Weiss feels mocked by that comment as she faces Velvet, "THAT... is not what we should be focusing on right now. If you please, we have more pressing matters to attend to," Weiss walks ahead, leaving Blake and Ruby giggle.
The group spread out and check the monitors and controls as they look for the tube that leads to the military compound. Luckily, the drones here give them no trouble, which is one less thing they will need to worry about. Penny walks up to one monitor, but starts going off into her own little world.
"Are you okay?" she turns to see Velvet appear next her. "You know, if something is bothering you, you have people you can talk to. I used to be like that; keeping my problems to myself. Not letting anyone in. But, I was lucky to have good friends to help me break out of my shell. So, as a friend, I am asking: what's wrong?"
Penny sighs, "I do not like it when friends fight,"
Velvet raises an eyebrow, "Are you talking about back at camp? Things are tense right now, and everyone has a different opinion about what's the right course to take, but-
Penny stops her, "No, I mean Winter. The General. They were our friends... But then, the Ace Ops attacked you, and then General Ironwood wanted to leave Mantle to die. He said that people were going to die... because of me,"
"Penny," Velvet gently coaxes her to look her in the eyes. "The General was wrong when he said that. He only said those things to hurt and scare you. He doesn't realize that he's making the mistake by leaving Mantle to fend for itself. That doing so will not reunite the world. He was wrong about that, just like he was wrong about you and so many other things,"
Penny still seems sad, "I was the protector of Mantle. But now, I'm more than that... and I wish I wasn't,"
Velvet takes her hands into her own, "Believe it or not, I know what that's like," Velvet shows her powers for a moment before they fade. "I never wanted to become the Fall Maiden. I never wanted that power, but I knew that if I didn't take it, then Cinder and Salem would still have it. I didn't have a choice. At the very least, I can use this power the way it was meant to; for Remnant. You were put into a situation just like me, but if I had to pick between you and anyone else, I'd choose you. Because you care about everyone, because you want to help everyone. That kind of heart is something you don't see too often. The only people I've known with such big hearts are Laphicet and Ruby. You saved Mantle and Atlas by keeping that power out of Salem's hands, and Ironwood would've used it to leave Mantle to die, not to protect it. You are still the protector of Mantle, even now, Penny. More importantly, you're still you. And that makes me even happier,"
Penny smiles a little thanks you her words, "Thank you, Velvet," and the two hug each other.
Just then Nora makes a discovery, "Hey, I found it!"
The group walk over to one terminal that Weiss and Nora are at, "So, this is the tube that should send us up to Atlas. I sure hope this idea of yours will work," Velvet notes as she looks between the controls and the tube.
"Well, with our special skills, two Maidens, and my semblance," May turns invisible for a moment before reappearing "-You all couldn't be in better hands,"
"So how do we use this thing exactly?" Nora turns to Weiss.
"It should be simple. Velvet go on and sit down in the opening in the tube there," Weiss asks Velvet, who does so and sits down in the tube, "If you lie down in the tube and press launch-," but then Nora presses the button, shooting Velvet up the tube with a loud scream.
"Velvet!" Ruby shouts as she watches her girlfriend get sent flying up.
The rest of the group watch in slight horror, but Nora only giggles and hops up with excitement for the idea of this new ride.
"Yep, Velvet's gonna be mad when we get up there with her," Blake deadpans.
…
Meanwhile, at the crater, Yang's group has just returned with their group of civilians safely. Fiona and Joanna come out to greet them.
"Hey, these are the people from Sector 7. It took us a while, and some sweet-talking, but we got them here like you asked," Yang greets them.
"You guys cleared out Sector 7 already? That's great? To be honest, I wasn't sure how you'd guys do without the rest of your group here," Fiona says.
However, her words have a opposite effect on the group. Ren walks off somewhere, Oscar and Jaune look sad, and Yang just looks upset.
"Well, as you can see, we're doing just fine," Yang crosses her arms, angry.
Joanna and Fiona notice the change in their mood and wonder if Fiona said something she shouldn't have.
Seeing this, Oscar decides to change the subject, "How has everything been here? Have there been any issues?"
Fiona sighs, "Well, there have been a few issues, but that's to be expected. Some fights, people feeling scared, and of course, making sure everyone stays warm and has something to eat,"
"Luckily, we've been able to raid SDC mines for Dust and a few other places for supplies. No one's getting arrested when the apocalypse is going on. The Atlas military is too focused on the Grimm outside to focus on what's going on down here," Joanna adds.
Yang looks around, "Where are you keeping everyone?"
"We've got people working in the mines to make some living quarters and other spots in the crater. The mines are warm and will offer more protection from Grimm coming from the air. It's all we can do right now with what we've got," Fiona explains.
Joanna looks up in the skies, "Still, to think that massive horde of Grimm is still out there, just waiting there. What are they waiting for exactly? The hard-light shields around Atlas will protect it, but even that won't hold off a Grimm horde that large forever. Why are they just doing... nothing?"
Just then, Fiona gets a call, "Fiona, Crimson again. We've spotted two groups of Grimm moving in from the east and the west. We can't take them with all the civies we got,"
Fiona pulls out a map with her semblance, "Oh, come on," she whines.
Yang looks at the others, and they nod in agreement with what she's thinking.
"Did you say east?" Fiona looks over as they all smirk and ready their weapons. "We'll take care of that,"
…
In the eastern sector of Mantle, Yang rides through the streets on her hover-bike while a Teryx Grimm flies hot on her tail. She makes a sharp left turn to head down one street as the Grimm follows. She looks to her left, seeing Ren and Oscar on another hover-bike down another street on the other side of some buildings. Yang kicks it into high gear and zooms under an overpass on the street. As she goes by, Ren and Oscar pull in and Oscar pulls out a small rod-shaped object.
"Throw it now!" Ren yells.
Oscar throws it and when the Teryx gets close, it explodes in its face, sending out a shockwave that damages the overpass enough to cause it to fall down on top of the Teryx, grounding it. With its wings essentially clipped, Jaune comes in and charges at it like a knight on a horse towards a dragon. He makes a quick swing of his sword, slicing the Grimm's head off. With the threat eliminated, the group take a breather.
"That went easier than expected," Jaune notes.
Ren looks at the wreckage, "Have the Grimm really pushed this far in? We're seeing more stragglers here,"
"It must be all the negativity. That's not going away anytime soon," Oscar notes.
Yang contacts Fiona, "Fiona, we've finished up things here,"
"Good, because now we've just received a report of more Grimm approaching from the west," her words make them sigh in exhaustion.
Just then, they see a pack of Sabres running towards them from down the street.
Yang groans, "Come on, let's finish up here and then-," but she stops when she sees the Grimm suddenly stop and then retreat from them. "-Here... What was that?"
Jaune is just as perplexed, "I don't know. I've never seen Grimm act that way before,"
"What were they running fr-," Oscar begins, only to get suddenly attacked by a new Grimm,
The Grimm, looking like a hound, grabs Oscar by his arm and tosses him away from the others.
"Oscar!" Ren yells.
The Hound pounces on Oscar. He tries to kick it away, but it grabs his leg, slams him on the ground, and then stomps down on his chest, taking out his aura and knocking him out. The Hound roars and then its body starts lurching as it changes form, growing its claws, legs, and changing its body so it can stand on two feet. The group do nothing but watch in shock as the Grimm, now looking like a werewolf, picks up Oscar. Yang charges at him, but the Grimm suddenly uses Oscar as a shield, taking her focus off. The Hound grabs her by her face and throws her into a wall. A few shots hit the Hound, making it turn as Ren shoots his blades into its body. He reels himself in towards it for a flying kick, but the Grimm extends its left arm and swats him away into a fence. Jaune gets ready to attack, but the Hound holds Oscar like a shield again.
"Wait, it's using Oscar as a shield!" Yang yells.
Jaune holds back, "But, Grimm aren't that smart,"
Ren gets onto one knee and aims his pistols at the Hound, which turns Oscar to him.
"Give him back!" Ren yells.
The Hound holds Oscar close to him and then makes sounds like its cracking its own neck.
The Hound looks right at Ren, "...NO..." the Hound suddenly speaks, something no Grimm in history has ever done.
This shocks everyone into submission, "Did it just...?" Jaune can barely speak what everyone is thinking.
The Hound walks away and lays Oscar down. It then twitches and lurches its body again before howling as a pair of bat-like wings suddenly sprout from its back. Now having a pair of wings, the Grimm carefully takes Oscar into its jaws and then jumps onto the side of a building before it flies up into the air.
Just then, Fiona comes back, "Guys, what is your situation? The west side is taking damage,"
However, the gang have more important issues to deal with, "We're not going to make it. We've got an emergency!" Yang replies as she, Jaune, and Ren take their hover-bikes and begin chasing after the Hound and Oscar.
"What kind of emergency?" Fiona asks.
"...You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Yang replies as they chase the Hound.
As they move through the streets, they pass one building where a young woman with long white hair in a red dress watches them go.
"...It seems their next test has arrived... Please be careful everyone... Jaune..."
And that's the chapter. The two groups move on with their respective missions, but while things are going smoothly so far for Velvet's group, the same cannot be said for Yang's group as they deal with a Grimm they've never faced before. What's more, it appears the Grimm wasn't the only one watching them. Will Yang's group save Oscar? Until then, please Read and Review.
