Titans Are Here
Amalthus was standing in front of a fresh battlefield. Praying in front of the bodies of soldiers that have yet to receive a proper burial. So many lives… So much death… And for what? What purpose does it serve? Still there was no use worrying about it right now. He had to get back to the refugee camp.
Back at the refugee camp, which consisted of tents and of people who lost their homes because of this war, Amalthus walked between them. He was part of the relief effort that was sent here in order to grant these people food, medical and spiritual support. But it was difficult to raise these people's spirits when his own was so low. Amalthus stopped as he felt something touch his leg. Looking down, the Quastor saw that it was a ball. Not long after two boys ran to pick it up.
They apologized for their ball hitting him, but Amalthus assured them that it was alright. The boys ran off, smiling despite the situation of this camp. The smile of those children made Amalthus smile. Perhaps all is not as terrible as it could be.
Days went by as Amalthus along with his fellow Indolines helped the refugees travel to a new home. The food supplies that were granted to them being rationed, but still enough to feed them all. And each of the Indolines preaching about the will of the Architect, Amalthus included, which brought the refugees much needed spiritual comfort. But spiritual healing isn't enough to heal physical wounds, which was why Amalthus also helped change bandages on the wounded ones. One man whose eye had been lost particularly stood out to Amalthus because the smile that the man had made the priest believe he was making a difference.
After finally finding a small town where the refugees could settle slowly but surely, Amalthus decided to pay a visit to a house that was outside of the town. For he had heard that the couple that lives in the wooded area had a baby recently. The priest felt the need to go give the couple his own blessings. After all, a bright new life to this world is something to cheer about.
These thoughts were interrupted when Amalthus arrived at the house to see a man collapsed on the ground. And the door to the house was wide open. Amalthus quickly moved to check the man's condition, only for his heart to sink as he found him dead. Not to mention when he moved the body slightly, he realized that the man had been stabbed multiple times.
Amalthus' head then snapped to the open door as he heard cries of an infant. Without hesitation, Amalthus dashed to the door and looked inside, seeing another man crouched over what seemed to be a woman. The man had a knife in hand and was raising it to stab the woman. Or so Amalthus thought, until he realized that voice of the crying baby was coming from there. Taking lives of people is one thing, but taking the life of an infant… As fast as he possibly could, Amalthus ran to the man that had raised the knife high. Quickly catching the wrist of the hand that had a knife, Amalthus stopped the man from stabbing the baby that he could now see was indeed what the man was planning to stab. A baby that was still in the arms of its now dead mother. The murderer turned to Amalthus, causing the man of cloth to have a shocked look. The man had bandages over one eye and looked confused to see the Indoline. The same man whose bandages Amalthus himself changed not so long ago and was so grateful for it has murdered this family and nearly killed an infant too. Amalthus managed to look to the man's side, seeing a small bag with trinkets peeking out of it. Realizing that this man, who he himself had helped not too long ago, just murdered this couple for just a few measly trinkets, Amalthus tightened his grip on the man's wrist. But what made him angrier was that when the Indoline shifted his gaze to the man's face again, the murdering robber had a crazed smile and was even chuckling.
Soon, the robber's screams came out of the house briefly as Amalthus wrenched the knife from the hand he had caught and turned it on its owner.
Shortly after, Amalthus came out of the house with the still crying baby in his arms. He wasn't sure what to do now. No matter how much he tries, the world just will not change. Sometimes it feels like the world is laughing in his face for every attempt at good he made. There have been many depictions of hell in Alrest history… But perhaps they already are in one. He has seen it when he was a child first-hand after all. And throughout his life, it just seemed that for every step forward was followed by two steps backwards. Amalthus looked down on the crying infant in his arms. Would it be right to let this little one suffer in a world as tainted as this?
Amalthus shushed the little one before slowly placing his hand over the little one's head. Soon the cries stopped completely as Amalthus looked towards the World Tree that can be seen from everywhere.
"O Architect! Is this the world that you intended?"
"Your Eminence!" One of the monks in Amalthus' throne called out, "The tower!" Some of the Blade Bots had managed to get past their defenses and blasted one of the four towers inside the energy vortex surrounding the city.
"At peace, brother." Amalthus said calmly, "The field of effect is only a little reduced." Then a sinister smile crossed his face, "It's about time."
Amalthus had barely finished that sentence when a huge beam of energy came from within the Cloud Sea and took out another large chunk out of the Grimm forces. And almost hit Marsanes.
Inside the ship, Akhos and Patroka got a little surprised as the consoles they were working on short-circuited.
"What was that?!" Akhos let out in surprise.
"Akhos, over there!" Patroka pointed to the Cloud Sea that was shown on the screen. From the Cloud Sea a large reddish-brown humanoid shape emerged.
With Rex and the others. They looked up to where the beam had punched a hole into the tower itself.
"That too close, meh!" Tora exclaimed, "If we just a little higher, it would have hit us!"
"Where the heck did that come from?!" Qrow let out as he looked to the direction of where the beam came from. "…You gotta be kidding me." And he did not like what he saw.
And neither did Mòrag, "Mor Ardain?! Impossible!" Indeed, the Titan that was the Special Inquisitor's home emerged from the Cloud Sea.
Inside the throne room of Hardhaigh Palace, Niall had stood up from his throne after a tremor.
"Your Majesty, are you hurt?!" Asked a sergeant that practically burst into the throne room.
"I am fine." Niall replied calmly, "What just happened?"
"Sir, the Titan just released a vast amount of energy from its chest. We believe this to be connected to the brownout." The sergeant reported. Then a soldier rushed in and gave a quick update to the sergeant. "Your Majesty, we have strayed off course, but we have confirmed our current location."
"Where are we?" Niall asked firmly.
"Look outside."
Niall did as told and looked out the glass roof. What he saw was the World Tree, but it was too close for this to be normal. Then he saw from the window that the Titan raised its head. "Again?" the young emperor said in worry.
Back with Rex and the others, they saw Mor Ardain's chest having six glowing points.
"It's glowing." Ruby muttered at the sight.
"Is it going to shoot again?" Azurda questioned in worry, "That is not good."
"Why is that?" Jaune asked.
"The Ardainian Titan is said to be at the end of its lifespan. If it were to release any more of the Ether energy stored within its body…" Azurda said in worry.
"What would happen?" Nia asked.
"It would collapse." Azurda said grimly, " Its joints giving way under its own weight."
As this terrible news set in, Mor Ardain pointed its chest at another batch of Grimm and fired. After this, a portion of the Grimm broke out of the battle and flew towards the attacking Titan.
"Are those things seriously planning to take on a Great Titan?!" Zeke let out in disbelief.
"No…" Qrow said as he squinted his eyes to see their flight path. Sure enough, they were flying towards Mor Ardain's left shoulder. In other words, straight towards Alba Cavanich. "They're going after the capital!"
"What?!" Brighid was the first to say.
"The Grimm are attracted to negativity." Qrow explained, "The people in the city must be scared and confused about what is happening."
Then Penny happened to look to another direction. "Friends! Look over there!" Everyone looked to where the Artificial Driver was pointing at. A familiar aquatic shape rose from the Cloud Sea.
In Marsanes, Patroka had pointed out the same thing to a now very displeased Akhos. "What?! Uraya?! Curse that Amalthus… Is every Titan under his control?"
In Fonsa Myma, right in front of Holy Gate of Fontana. Raqura was looking out the translucent holes on the Titan's ceiling. The Urayan Three were also with her.
"My Queen," Voluq said as he looked to see what his queen was seeing.
"The World Tree." Raqura said before taking in the other sights that she could barely see. "Mor Ardain... Indol... What the blazes is going on out there?"
Outside of Uraya, four glowing points appeared on its back, before releasing a barrage of homing beams that destroyed more Grimm and hit random parts of the World Tree.
Unfortunately, several shots hit way too close to Rex's group and the entire place shook.
"Is everyone alright?!" Yang quickly shouted as the dust and smoke caused by the barrage blinded her for a moment. Only to hear a scream that momentarily made her heart sink.
"Pandy!" Zeke's voice sounded out. Soon the dust and smoke cleared, allowing everyone to see that part of the walkway that Pandoria was standing on had fallen off. Thankfully Zeke had managed to grab the green haired Blade and was in the middle of pulling her back up.
Inside Marsanes, Akhos and Patroka were not happy about Uraya joining the fray.
"This is madness! Does he plan to summon all the Titans in one place?!" Akhos said.
Soon the intercoms came online, "Akhos, Patroka. You guys go and keep Jin and Malos safe."
This surprised the two Flesh Eaters that considered themselves siblings. "What is this all of a sudden?"
"We must be ready for the worst." Mikhail said with a stern look, "I'm not sure about that Emerald girl, but I don't trust Salem and the rest of her cronies not to try something."
"But what about Indol?" Patroka said, "They're gathering Titans from-" "I'll deal with it." Mikhail interrupted.
"Deal with it? Alone?" Akhos looked flabbergasted at hearing that before shaking his head, "Don't be a fool!"
"It's fine. I put this all together in the first place, remember?" Mikhail said as he motioned to the room he was in and all the Core Crystals powering the very ship. "I can control everything from here. Besides... I'm not exactly alone here." Mikhail then turned back towards the iceblock that contained Lora's corpse.
"Mik…" Patroka looked unusually worried.
"Go… and do what I can't." Mikhail said.
"…Okay." Akhos relented after a few moments. "Patroka." With that, the bespectacled member of Torna ran out of the bridge with Patroka not far behind.
"Patroka." The violent woman stopped and turned back to face the screen that still displayed Mikhail's face. "I love you."
Patroka gave the blonde man a blanched look. "You are so gross, Mik. Make sure you come back alive s-so I can punch you for saying that." Patroka said in annoyance which seemed to weaken on her small stammer.
"That's…a deal." Mikhail said with a smile, and with that Patroka moved to follow Akhos.
Mikhail waited for a few moments until he was sure that Patroka and Akhos would be out of the ship. Then he took the controls and moved Marsanes away from the tree. "Time to go all out." Mikhail said as he began the final sequence.
Outside Marsanes, parts of the ship began to shift their positions. The sides of the ship open up before the prow of the ship tilts upwards. The topmost pair of Ether Engines roll downwards. Then they roll downwards into vague shapes of legs, while the rest of the ship rolls over, causing the spiky end of the prow to point back, right below the three smaller engines, while the rest of the ship began to adopt a vague shape of a torso. The bronze-colored multi-sectioned cylinders on the sides then detach themselves to only hang from the top of the ship before they raised themselves, revealing them to be arms with five-digit hands. Finally, the topmost mast retracts into the ship before what looked like a four eyed head tilts from behind it.
The Tornan ship has turned into a giant mech.
"A ship that turns into a giant robot?!" Weiss exclaimed in disbelief. "Where did Torna get something like that?!"
"I know I shouldn't say this, but that's so AWESOME!" Ruby screamed at the sight of the mech.
"Ruby!" Her team let out in united annoyance. The excitable silver eyed girl had the decency to look sheepish.
"It's shape... It reminds me of a Titan." Azurda commented on the mech.
"…Or an Artifice." Roze muttered in low enough voice that only he could hear.
Inside Marsanes, Mikhail glared at the screen that now showed Indol. "Alright, you old fool! Here I come!"
With that, the thrusters on the mech's back upped their output which made Marsanes dash at Indol Titan. The giant mech wound up its arm before punching the flying Titan right in the head, actually hitting hard enough for the Titan to cry in pain.
"So it begins." Zeke said solemnly at the sight of the Tornan ship taking on Indol Titan. "Now's our chance, let's go after Jin."
"But the Titans…" Rex protested.
"Rex." Mòrag of all people said, "Let's focus on what we can do right now."
"But Mòrag!" Weiss protested louder, "That's your home out there!" the former heiress pointed at Mor Ardain that seemed to be charging for another attack.
"Don't worry. The Emperor's my brother after all." The Special Inquisitor said confidently as she gazed to the humanoid Titan that a swarm of Grimm was now approaching, "Besides, don't underestimate the Ardainian Military."
"But they're not equipped to deal with-" "Weiss." Aizen cut in, surprising Dahlia and others a little at the nobleman calling his Driver by name, " The Grimm are the greatest threat to humanity on Remnant... But here, they are pushovers compared to some of the wildlife."
"Agreed." Wulfric said, having faced some Grimm himself back when he and Poppi wandered Anima.
"…But…" Weiss still looked hesitant.
"Weiss." Ruby placed a hand on her besties shoulder, "Just trust them. We need to stop Jin, Malos, and Salem. If Malos gets to activate this ultimate Artifice, then who knows what he'll do."
At that moment Oscar piped up, "Besides, if the power of Mythra's Artifice is anything to go by, then if Salem manages to enlist Malos' help to Remnant, they might have the power to destroy the Kingdoms practically without a fight."
That sent some very scary thoughts into everyone's heads.
"We're not letting that happen! Not to Alrest, or to Remnant." Rex said with a determined look, "Let's go!" With that, everyone started running the walkway.
They didn't get too far before another blast from Mor Ardain was aimed at Marsanes that still had some Grimm as support. By now, most of the Grimm understood to get out of the beam's way while Marsanes created an energy shield in front of it with its left palm. The shield withstood the blast, but still pushed the mech back.
Inside, Mikhail growled at the interruption, "I've had it! You're done!"
Marsanes lifted its right arm towards the Great Titan and charged a beam on a cannon mounted on its arm. Then it fired a beam across Mor Ardain's chest. The Titan was pushed back, but it was still standing as the Grimm were nearly upon the capital. Until several military vessels came from the capital and opened fire upon the horde.
Inside the Throne Room, Niall saw the horde of shadowy monsters being blasted by Ardainian cannons. As much as the young emperor was glad to see the quick action of the army, he couldn't help but wonder, "Who ordered this?"
Then a messenger barged into the throne room, "Your Majesty. I was ordered to inform you, Grand Marshal Robalt has ordered all available battle ships to destroy the approaching monsters."
The Emperor resisted a relieved sigh, and instead smiled at the Grand Marshal's quick thinking. "Excellent work, but that will not be good enough."
"Sire?" The messenger looked confused.
"Issue the evacuation order immediately." Niall ordered, " All army vessels that can be spared can be used, including my private ones. Save as many as you possibly can. That is my order."
"You first, sire." the officer who hadn't left yet pleaded.
But the emperor shook his head, "Don't mind me. Now hurry!"
"But..."
"Go!" Niall ordered.
"Sir!" The officer, and the two soldiers saluted before moving out.
After the soldiers had left, Niall then looked up to the World Tree in worry, "Dear sister…if you're there… Please. Please… Save Mor Ardain and the world." The emperor then looked down as the Grimm that were trying to get to the capital were being blasted by the ships that Robalt had rallied.
In Amalthus' throne room, the Praetor crossed his hands behind his back as he watched the giant robot on the screen. "The lost technology of Torna. I'm surprised it still works."
Then the screen shifted to show Mikhail, "Surprised? There are still a few of us hanging on."
"Flesh Eater." Amalthus said, after noticing the Core Crystal on Mikhail's chest. "So you followed him down that dark path. In that case." The Core Crystal on the Praetor's forehead shined. In response, the energy vortex around Indol shot a wave that washed over Marsanes. But the Praetor looked surprised at the lack of reaction from the blonde Flesh Eater.
"Oh nice try." Mikhail said with a grin, "But that won't work on me. And that's because you and I are the same."
"What?!" Amalthus exclaimed.
"I…Am a Blade Eater." Mikhail said smugly.
"Impossible! The Blade Eater technology isn't known outside of Praetorium!" Was Amalthus' immediate response. Even though upon closer look, Mikhail's Core Crystal lacked the bloodstains that a Flesh Eater would have. The Praetor still couldn't understand how this was possible.
"That may be true. But that doesn't mean you're the only one." Mikhail then scowled at the Praetor, "Or have you forgotten what you did before implanting your Core Crystal?"
Amalthus' eyes visibly widened. When he had destroyed the remnants of Torna, Amalthus used what survivors there were for his experiments. Men, women, children, they were all used for his experiments. "You don't mean." Amalthus said as he faintly remembered a blonde-haired boy among the terrified prisoners. "You were one of the refugees from back then?! But all of them were-" "Disposed of, right?" Mikhail interrupted, "Oh you tried. But some of us weren't willing to die that easily. I lived on!"
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST: Over the Sinful Entreaty)
Outside, Marsanes managed to get to Indol and grabbed the large flying Titan by its neck and wing. This put the giant machine right above the refugee camp where the people, Gormotti and Indoline alike were now fleeing in terror.
"You didn't even evacuate them." Mikhail said as he watched the destruction he was inadvertently causing to the city. "You're the same as ever Amalthus." The blonde Blade Eater said as he cranked up the controls, which allowed Marsanes to throw Indol against the World Tree itself. "I'm sorry." Mikhail said to the people that had nothing to do with Amalthus' crimes, "But this is a fight I can't back down from!" With that declaration, Marsanes once again charged at the reeling great Titan. Only to be interrupted by two lasers hitting the robot in the back.
Out in the distance, two new Titans approached the World Tree. One with four legs, long neck, several dorsal fins on its back and curved horns on its head. The other was a turtle shaped Titan that Zeke was all too familiar with.
"Dad!" Zeke exclaimed at the sight of Genbu.
"Tantal too." Brighid said.
"And even Gormott." Nia also said as she looked to the long necked one.
"That's Gormott?" Blake said as she took a better look at the home of the Gormotti that the cat Faunus was able to pass as.
"Why?! Pandy!" Zeke looked very frantic.
"…It's no use. My voice can't reach him anymore." Pandoria said, her pointy ears drooping more than they usually do.
"Dammitall! What the hell is the Praetor thinking!" Zeke yelled, "At this rate he'll destroy Alrest before Malos does!"
"Desperation." Mòrag said, earning everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?" Jaune asked.
"Desperation of not getting the Aegis." Mòrag clarified, "That man… What's his plan? Why would he be so intent on obtaining the Aegis."
"He wishes to prove something." Aizen crossed his arms.
"Aizen?" Weiss looked curious.
"I'm not certain what it is or why, but that is the impression I get from him." the nobleman Blade said with an impassive look as he looked to Indol that recovered from being thrown against the Tree and was once again opening fire upon Marsanes that not only had to avoid the flying Titan, but the other four as well. Although currently Mor Ardain was using its one arm to swat at the Grimm that came within its reach. While the Grimm dispersed away from the Great Titan's arm, some of them weren't fast enough and were crushed upon impact.
"We have to stop this!" Ruby now shouted, "If this goes on…then…everyone on those Titans will…"
"Ruby, that's all good, but how are we supposed to stop something that big from fighting?" Qrow pointed out.
Rex on the other hand was observing the battlefield before his eyes fell upon Indol. "Got it! The glowing pillars. Just then, when one of the pillars got wrecked, Amalthus' power got weaker for a moment."
"So if we smash those pillars, then he can't control Titans anymore?" Yang said with a small grin at the idea.
"Let's break them!" Nora cheered at the idea.
Otohime gave the carrot top a dry look, "And how do you propose we do that?"
"That should be easy." Rex said before turning to Pyra, "Mythra."
Pyra was then replaced by Mythra, "And we only want to hit the pillars?"
"Yeah."
Mythra frowned as both Indol and Marsanes were still moving around. "It's moving too much, I can't get a clear shot… This isn't going to work."
"Oh man." Rex slumped.
"I know! Mythra." Pyra said inside Mythra's head.
"What?" The blonde Aegis asked before being replaced by the redhead.
"If we can get closer, we might be able to do something." Pyra then said.
"Is that true Pyra?" Rex asked hopefully.
Pyra looked to her Driver, "Probably. Think back, do you remember our fight against Jin? By rewriting the physical laws of our surroundings, we were able to match his speed. If we rewrote them in the same way in the midst of battle between those two..."
Mythra then replaced Pyra with a smirk, "From our point of view it'll be like they've frozen in place, huh? Ok."
"But how do we get there?" Nia then addressed the next problem.
At that moment Wulfric turned towards Roc, "Could you carry them?"
The avian shook his head. "Yes and no. I could carry them there, but not very fast. We would be a slow target for the Grimm that still fly around there. And that's assuming Amalthus doesn't realize what we're doing before getting close enough."
"Herald?" Oscar asked their second flyer.
"I'm not sure I would be much faster." Herald said, looking like she was ashamed of it.
"Ha! Tora have good suggestion!" Tora piped up, earning everyone's attention as the nopon turned to Poppi, "Poppi. Think you could grab Mythra and Rex-Rex and carry up there?"
Poppi placed her fists on her hips with a determined look, "Yes. Poppi can carry two people no problem!"
"Ta-daa!"
"Can Poppi's boosters fly Mythra and Rex all the way there?" Kos-Mos then asked.
"Poppi's booster time is very limited." Tora explained, "Need to get closer first."
"We could use that skyport." Roze said as he pointed towards a large platform that portruded from the side of the tower, slightly above them. More importantly, it lead somewhat out towards the battling Titans.
"Poppi should be able to cross that distance and back no problem." Poppi said confidently.
"Then we go there." Rex said before turning to Roc, "Roc, could you get us up there with Herald's help?"
"That I can do." Roc said as he offered his hands to Rex and Mythra.
Oscar turned towards Herald, "Herald, could you help them too?"
"Yes, but who will look after you?" The mech riding Blade asked.
"What're you talking about? I'm coming too." Oscar said, surprising everyone.
"Kid?" Qrow said in surprise.
"Look, Rex is the only one who needs to get there, but that doesn't mean that the remaining Grimm or Indol won't attack him on the way. He needs back up."
"Kid's got a point." Zeke agreed, "It would be safer if more people went."
"Then I'm going too." Qrow said simply.
"Uncle Qrow?" Ruby was also surprised.
"Ruby, Oscar is a good Driver, but he's not much of a back-up by himself." Qrow explained, "Besides, if Herald can carry Kasandra up there too, I can make it there on my own."
"But wait, Weiss could use one of her summons to get there too." Dahlia quickly said.
"I would advise against it," Aizen said simply. "Using them consumes Aura, and while miss Schnee's Aura recharges at a decent rate, it should not be wasted when we have an alternative on our hands."
"He's not wrong." Weiss agreed.
The conversation was interrupted by a bolt of energy hitting slightly below them.
"We don't have time for this." Rex finally said, "Herald, if you can carry all four, then we need to go."
"Four?" Herald questioned.
"Poppi not going without Masterpon." the mechanical child said surprisingly firmly, "Poppi not trust Masterpon alone."
"Meeehh!" Tora did not like the way it was worded. But before anymore comments could be said, the inventor was wrapped into one of Herald's mech's tails and swooped up.
"A single Nopon and Kasandra should be no problem for me." Herald said simply before also scooping up Oscar with her normal arms, much to the boy's embarrassment. "Poppi, Kasandra, grab on too." Herald extended the mech's hands to the two in question.
"Roger roger." Poppi grasped the hand while Kasandra did the same happily.
"The rest of you go after, Jin. We'll catch up when we can." Rex said right before Roc rose to his wings and carried him and Mythra to the skyport. Herald followed that example as Tora who was previously struggling to get out of the tail was now holding onto it for dear life as they left the solid platform. Qrow also jumped over the railing.
"Hey! What're you doing?!" Zeke exclaimed as Qrow disappeared from the view. The Tantalese ran to the railing and looked down, just in time to see a red eyed crow following Roc and Herald up.
"…Did we forget to tell him that Qrow can turn into a bird?" Jaune asked, which earned a giggle from Pyrrha who covered her mouth to hide it.
"Not just him." Mòrag said in mild surprise, "But we should move out now."
"Yeah. Let's go." Ruby said before taking the lead to the tower with the remaining members. Including Wulfric who gave Roc and Rex one last glance before moving off.
With Rex, Oscar and Qrow, the three Drivers along with the Blades they were able to take with them landed on the base of the skyport.
"Now we just need to get over there." Rex said, pointing to the very end of the large platform that they couldn't even see properly.
"Easy to say, but no doubt some of the Grimm might try to stop us." Qrow said after turning back to normal.
"Tora can handle smoky monsters." The inventor made a nopon equivalent of hands on hips with his stubby arms. "Right, Poppi?"
"Aye aye, Masterpon." Poppi said cheerfully.
"I-I'll help too." Oscar managed to say, still feeling embarrassed about being carried by Herald.
"Let's do this." Kasandra said with her usual cheer.
With that, Rex and the others moved towards the edge of the skyport.
With Ruby and the others, they ran into a problem. "Rosy Shot!" Ruby fired her Art against the Gerolf Sovereign that got in their way. But the thing raised its shield arm to take the shot.
"How are we supposed to fight here!" Jaune complained from the back of the team at the beginning of the walkway they were now fighting on. But there was a huge problem with this walkway.
"Less whining, more healing." Nia shouted back as she used a Healing Halo. If only they could gang up on the machine, but the walkway was barely wide enough for it to stand without its movements being restricted. Unfortunately, this meant that the gang couldn't move past it to the elevator that was behind it. Nor could they surround it.
"The fact that it blocks us isn't helping." Weiss added in as she fired another ether arrow from Aizen's bow, which was blocked by the shield arm once again.
Zeke swung Big Bang Edge at the machine that switched its blaster into a sword and countered the move, pushing the Tantalese back significantly. Then the Sovereign kicked at Mòrag who tried to take advantage of the momentary distraction. Fortunately, the Special Inquisitor moved to the side before taking a few slashes at the leg as it passed her.
"Shockblast!" Nora fired her only ranged Art at the machine, hoping that it would topple it. But no, it just stumbled backwards from the hit. "Come on! Just fall!" Nora complained.
At that moment, both Jaune and Ruby perked up, before smacking themselves on the head.
"Of course!" Ruby and Jaune let out together, surprising each other.
"Uhh… You go first." Ruby said awkwardly.
"Right. We don't have to beat it, we just have to throw it off the walkway." Jaune then said.
"Milord, that is ingenious!" Joana immediately praised her lord.
"Okay, but we need to topple it right next to the railing." Ruby added in.
"Or smash it at an angle." Jaune pointed out.
"Then we have a plan." Mòrag said before unleashing Azure II:Hellfire on the robot.
"Out of my way!" Nia shouted as she pushed past everyone else with Dagas' Greataxe in hand. "Brutal Blade!" And then she toppled the robot.
Zeke quickly followed it up with Stratospheric Thunder. "Your turn, Blake!" Zeke called out as he launched the Gerolf into the air.
But Yang had other ideas, "Drag, launch me." Yang had barely finished as she jumped to her Blade feet forward. But thanks to the affinity link, Dragunov knew what his Driver was aiming for. Dragunov braced his arms forward for Yang to land on before launching her at the airborne sovereign.
"Yang what're you doing?!" Blake cried out, seeing as she was the one with the Smash Art.
But Yang wound up her fist, with the claws now lit with golden flames. "Nova Crash!" And then she punched the Sovereign at just the right angle for it to fall off the walkway and down into the depths of the tower. "Booyah!" Yang pumped her fist at her success, "Now let's move." But when Yang turned to the rest of the gang, the rest of RWBY and Alrest team had surprised looks. "…What?"
"…Yang, where did you come up with that Art?" Blake asked carefully.
"It just came to me, why?" Yang wasn't sure why Blake or anyone else looked so apprehensive about it.
"Let's just move, we can worry about that later." Roze said, already running past everyone.
"Hey, wait up!" Ruby trailed behind.
"Worry about what?" Yang questioned, but the rest of the gang was already moving. Letting out a frustrated sigh, the blonde brawler followed the rest of the gang to the elevator.
"Uhh… Does anyone know how to operate this?" Nora asked as they all stared at the holographic screen that they guessed was used to operate the elevator.
"Kos-Mos do you know how to operate this?" Penny asked her Blade.
"…Unfortunately, no master." the android Blade replied.
"We really should've thought of this before splitting up." Pandoria shook her head.
"What's that over there?" Roze asked while pointing to a seemingly random direction. Everyone glanced to the said direction, trying to see what it was that Roze was pointing at. Which also meant that Roze was able to press the fingers of his other hand against the screen, the glowing blue stones on his gloved knuckles glowing a little brighter than usual.
"What?" Ruby questioned just before the elevator started moving.
"We're moving?" Otohime said in surprise.
"Roze, did you do something?" Aizen asked, just missing the reaper Blade retracting his hand from the screen.
"No, it just started moving." Roze said, looking as confused as the rest of them.
"…Not to complain, but that's a little convienient." Zeke said with his hand on his chin, with Pandoria mimicking the mannerisms.
"Who cares. We can now get ahead again." Wulfric said anxiously.
"What would your hurry be?" Otohime asked the beastly Blade.
"Rex is moving further away." The beast clenched his hands into fists.
"Right." Pyrrha acknowledged. Soon the elevator stopped, and the group practically rushed out.
All the while Roze felt guilty about lying. But then again, "How could I even try to explain this, when even I don't understand it?"
With Rex, Qrow, Oscar and Tora. These four and their Blades were running towards the end of the skyport like their butts were on fire.
"Hey, old man." Qrow called out to Azurda.
"Whuh? Old man?" Azurda was shocked at the blatant disrespect he was getting.
"We know Mor Ardain is about to bite the dust if it keeps shooting, but what about the other Titans?" the veteran Huntsman said without missing a beat.
"They will not be in immediate danger like the Ardainian Titan, but there's no doubt about the amount of destruction they can cause." Just as Azurda said that, a large beam ran right over them and barely past the World Tree.
"Where did that come from?!" Oscar cried out while Tora was visibly frightened.
"Judging by the direction, it came from Tantal." Herald said as she looked towards the turtle-like Titan.
"…We can't let that place be destroyed." Oscar said with a determined look.
"Kid?" Qrow was surprised by this, but none of them stopped running.
"That's Zeke's home, and… I want to prove that I'm a good Driver for Herald." At the last part, Oscar's cheeks lit up before he looked away from everyone.
Although Pyra looked over her shoulder just enough to smile at the farmboy.
Qrow also rolled his eyes in amusement. "Teenagers." The dusty old crow muttered under his breath. But then he looked to the battle between Marsanes and Indol, as well as the Grimm that seemed to now be spreading out towards the other Titans. "You know, I'm kind of tempted to ask to borrow one or two Great Titans to deal with Grimm on Remnant."
Mythra replaced Pyra and scowled at Qrow, "You do know that first you would have to somehow gain control of them, and then you would have to find means of moving them to Remnant. Something that we are NOT doing." Then the blonde Aegis gave Rex a sweet smile, "Isn't that right, Rex?"
"Yes." Rex said firmly, surprising Mythra, "We are not doing the same thing Amalthus is doing." That follow up made the blonde Aegis' sweet smile just a little more genuine.
"Less talking, more running." Roc commented as he flew slightly ahead of them.
"We're almost there." Kasandra pointed out as they were now a lot closer. But then to Qrow's horror Kasandra's mask rattled.
"No. Not now!" Qrow whined in his head as he looked around frantically to see what was about to go wrong. And then he saw two Teryxes swooping at them. "Of course." Qrow looked resigned to his fate.
By this moment, everyone else noticed the incoming problem. Oscar acted fast and pulled out Herald's cannon to open fire. But the flying reptile Grimm were smart enough to know that they don't want to get hit.
"Mythra, get ready." Rex said as he drew out the Aegis Sword, while Tora prepared Mech Arms with Poppi QT.
"We don't have time for this!" Roc exclaimed as he rose on his wings with his Dual Scythes at the ready. The Teryx Roc chose as his target lunged at the avian Blade, but the said Blade flapped his wings to get to the side before slicing at the flying reptilian's eye. This caused the monstrosity to thrash in the air, trying to attack the bird that took its eye. But as it trashed in the air, the last thing saw with its remaining good eye was a glowing blue tip fast approaching before it pierced through.
Roc drew the sharp bottom of his scythe out of the Grimm's eye as it fell down, disintegrating as it did.
Roc turned back just in time to see Tora blasting through the other one's chest with a point- blank Pow-Pow Cannon.
"That was easy." Rex said, not expecting Tora to dispose of it with just one hit.
"Rex!" Qrow snapped at the salvager, "Never. Ever. Ever. Ever! Say that something is easy."
"Why not?" Rex looked annoyed and just a little confused.
Qrow quickly looked around himself searching for something that would prove him right. But it seemed that the rest of the Grimm, or Blade Bots in the air weren't interested in them. "…Guess that was the worst of it this time." Qrow muttered under his breath.
"Rex, we're almost there." Roc said after landing back down. "We need to hurry if we want to stop Amalthus."
"Right." Rex said and ran off, with everyone else following his example. Although Qrow was still a little paranoid about his bad luck not being over just yet.
After finally reaching the end of the skyport, Indol and Marsanes were in the middle of an upclose and personal struggle, until Indol seemed to start getting an unpper hand, so to speak.
"Gramps… can you stay out of this one." Rex said to the tiny Titan riding in his helmet.
"Rex?"
"The going is probably going to be very rough. I don't want to risk you falling out in the middle of that." Rex said as he pointed to the Titan and the ship struggling.
Azurda sighed in defeat before flapping his tiny wings and got out of the helmet, "Just be careful out there."
Rex nodded firmly before turning a determined look to Poppi, "Alright, Poppi. You're up."
"Roger, roger." Poppi said before jumping off the skyport and engaged her jets. "Both friends, hold tight."
Rex and Mythra each grabbed a hand and then Poppi burst off with the two in hand. Just then, Indol was able to push Marsanes off itself. With Poppi flying past it towards the flying Titan.
Inside his throne room, Amalthus caught sight of something small flying past the warship. "Rex and the Aegis?" Amalthus commented after the screen zoomed in on them. "What are they doing out there?" The Praetor's face turned from curious to worry, "Unless…! Open fire! Don't let them near."
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST: Counterattack)
Outside, several blue shots were raining on Poppi, Mythra and Rex. Poppi dodged out of the way of multiple shots, occasionally zig-zagging around to avoid being hit. Ironically, when a few Grimm got interested in the three, the stray shots took them down before they could reach the three.
"Rex!" Poppi shouted out to the salvager.
Rex nodded firmly, which was Poppi's cue to throw the two straight at the city on Indol's back. Mythra quickly put up a barrier to block the few shots that did get to them in the hail.
"Rex." Mythra said with small strain.
"Just do it from here, okay." Rex said, seeing as they were now practically over the Titan's head.
"Okay." Mythra nodded before turning into Pneuma as Rex drew the True Aegis Sword.
Rex swung the weapon once, creating a large field that spanned enough to cover Indol's back from where they were. As planned, it looked like the Titan stopped moving completely.
"I've locked on. Siren!" Pneuma called out, which was followed by three pinpoint blasts from the heavens upon the remaining pillars.
Shortly after the pillars started collapsing, the energy whirling around the city dispersed outwards in a shockwave that threw Rex and Pneuma right back at the World Tree.
"Pneuma!" Rex called out as the two got blown just a little away from each other.
"Rex!" Pneuma tried to reach out to her Driver ast they finally began falling. During their fall, Rex was able to reach Pneuma and wrap his arms around her before turning them both around and fired the anchor to a single metal pole sticking out of the tower's wall.
"Come on!" Rex prayed that his aim was true. Fortunately, it stuck into the pole. With this, Rex was able to swing them right to a walkway that was above the skyport. When the two landed, Pneuma reverted to Mythra, just when Ruby and the others caught up to them, along with Qrow, Kasandra, Oscar, Herald, who was carrying Azurda, Tora and Roc.
(End song)
"Did it work?" Rex said before looking to what happened. The golden eyed boy's heart sank when energy gathered between Gormott's horns and then it fired. Which was shortly followed by Uraya sending in another barrage. Tantal also opened fire again. Only Mor Ardain was just standing now. "Why?! Destroying those towers was supposed to stop the Titans!" Rex yelled in frustration as the beams disintegrated more Grimm.
"Rex." Mythra said with a sad look before she perked up. "What?"
Then the blonde Aegis was replaced by Pyra, "Rex. Look closer." the red-haired Aegis pointed to the Titans that were still firing. Rex looked but didn't see what Pyra was seeing. Just another blast from the Titans destroying the now dwindling numbers of Grimm.
"Ahh! I see." Azurda said, having flown back to Rex from Herald's hand, "The Titans are only attacking the Grimm."
"Really?" Rex said as he took a closer look. But with the number of Grimm cut almost completely, the Great Titans didn't look like they were going to shoot anymore.
"Way to go, Rex!" Ruby cheered the salvager.
"Not to mention you made a cool entrance." Yang added in with a grin.
"So, Mythra, how did it feel to be heroically swept by Rex?" Dragunov asked with an evil smirk.
"Shut it, stone head!" Mythra said with a threatening tone.
"Poppi do Tora proud!" Tora cheered at Poppi who just landed.
The Artificial Blade propped her fists against her hips proudly, "No problem at all, masterpon."
All the while Penny was staring at her fellow robot with stars in her eyes.
Aizen then happened to look towards Indol. "Everyone! Look out!"
Everyone turned to look towards Indol that now fired a single large beam from one of its wings straight at them. All Blades instinctively got in front of their Drivers, ready to put up their barriers together. Only for them to be surprised when Marsanes got in front of them and took the hit.
"Wh-what?" Nia was the first to let out in confusion.
"What're you hanging around here for?" Came a projected voice from the giant mech, "Go!"
"That voice... Mik?" Nia recognized the Tornan Blade Eater.
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Ost: Walking With You)
"You guys were chasing after Jin, Malos, and Salem right? I said go!" Mikhail told them.
"What?" Nora let out in confusion.
"Why would you let us go after them?" Blake also questioned.
"Beats me." Mikhail's voice sounded out, "I don't even know anymore."
"…Mikhail…?" Nia wasn't sure what to make of this.
"I really hate this world. Like really. And humans most of all." Mikhail told the gang.
"You used to BE human!" Nia said.
"WHAT!?" Came out of Remnans, while the Alrestians looked surprised.
"…Shellhead isn't the first Blade Eater I've met." Nia said quickly, causing everyone to have varying thoughts on this.
"But you know what? There were people I loved once." Everyone could hear the smile in Mikhail's voice. "When I look at you guys, it reminds me of them. I wonder… if the people I loved were still around, would things be… different? I wonder that… and I start doubting myself… especially when I see you and your new Driver… Uncle Drag."
"Uncle Drag?" Dragunov let out in confusion, before his eyes widened, "Wait, Mikhail? Don't tell me you're that Mikhail! The little boy who Lora found?!"
"What?!" Ruby let out loudly.
"You're kidding me." Yang said, having red that part. Actually, now that it was mentioned, Mikhail kind of looked like the little boy in the picture.
"It's Rex, right?" Mikhail then said, ignoring Dragunov's question.
"Y-yeah."
"Have you found your answer?"
Rex smiled widely at this, "I have, and it's pretty spectacular."
"I see." Mikhail put his hands on his hips inside the ship. "Well then… I'll leave Jin to you."
Outside, the mech started to turn away from them. "No!" Dragunov roared. "You can't just drop something like this on me and leave!"
"Yes I can." Mikhail's voice rang out in amusement, "I know you probably have a lot of questions now… But I'll leave you with this, if things had gone differently, I might've actually called Lora and Thauron mom and dad one day.
Dragunov looked shocked to hear this.
"Now, go! And tell Jin your answer, Rex." Mikhail said before fully turning Marsanes to face Indol.
As the giant mech prepared to face Indol, Yang moved in front of her Blade and grabbed both of his hands, "Drag, come on! We need to go!"
"But-" "Look, I want to know so much about you too, but we can't stop here." Yang interrupted the dragon.
"Grr. Fine." Dragunov growled before running after everyone else who already took off.
As Marsanes accelerated, Indol opened fire again, but the giant mech powered through the barrage. Mikhail braced himself as the mech shook. "Amalthus… time to end this!"
Indol shot several more beams at Marsanes that Mikhail managed to maneuver under the flying Great Titan's neck. Then, by putting the thrusters to full throttle, Mikhail was able to throw Indol against the World Tree itself once again. However, the impact was much greater than previously, judging by how the Great Titan was crying in pain.
"Aaaagh!" Mikhail let out the battlecry as he put everything into charging at Indol with the fist upraised.
In his throne room, Amalthus was not happy. Not only did Rex dare to take away his control of the Titans, but this vermin dares to challenge him. "Fool. Who do you take me for?!"
Outside, Indol turned its head towards the rapidly approaching mech and opened its maw that charged energy. But Mikhail wouldn't stop.
"What happened? Are you alone?" Lora asked from a little blonde boy standing alone in the ruins of a village.
"Looks like the only survivor." Said Jin who had checked around the ruins, "These burn patterns don't look like Malos' handiwork. Must've been humans." The Paragon of Torna frowned, "Looting and pillaging while the world burns…"
The red-haired woman then looked to the boy. "Hey, it's okay. Would you like to come with us?" Lora asked kindly. The little boy finally lifted his gaze to look into the woman's kind golden eyes. "You don't have to worry. We're all good people, promise." Lora placed a hand over her heart like she swore by it.
Jin then kneeled down to the boy's level with a reassuring smile, "Can you walk?"
The boy nodded without saying a word.
"You can. Good going." Jin then patted the boy's head. Jin then stood up and the three walked away from the ruins.
"You know… if you smiled, I'm sure ladies would love you when you grow up." Said Thauron with a cheeky smile before ruffling the boy's hair.
"More than this blockhead, I can assure that." Dragunov jabbed at his Driver.
"Oh, shut it mister 'I growl at every woman I see'." Thauron shot back in annoyance at the smug looking dragon.
The little boy found himself smiling.
(End Song)
"Forgive us, Jin." Mikhail said as Marsanes was about to get blasted point blank, "We're going on ahead to see Thauron again."
The blast that resulted from the direct hit obliterated both Marsanes and Indol's head.
Somewhere in the tower, Patroka stopped at the sound of the explosion and turned to the direction she and Akhos came from.
"Mikhail..." If anyone said that Patroka sounded least bit sad, she would rip the offending person to shreds.
AN: Two months... Where did the time go? Anyway, here The Titans are mowing down the Grimm that Salem bothered to bring up. The heroes managed to get the Titans out of Amalthus' control.
Now, on Deviantart, Alex-kellar has made a single page oneshot titled heart to heart, which has a scene from my fic... At first, I couldn't help laughing, because I never expected something like this. But now... I just feel happy that someone did it.
Alex, if you're reading this, thank you so much for doing that.