ALRIGHT CLEAR OUT YOUR SCHEDULES IT'S TIME TO READ A FUCKING BOOK.

RebuffX7: ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY? ARE YOU TRYING TO BREAK THE 300k AND 400k MILESTONES IN ONE CHAPTER!?

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Rebuffx7: Boss, listen to me! Boss! Boss!

AHHHHHHH! *Rages*

Me: *gives up weekend to write long conclusion to the arc that will provide answers*

Some reviewers: *loses their minds*

Me: *still writing surrounded by flames and angry mobs while muse commits seppuku* :'D this is fine.

First off can I just say that some of your salt sustains me?

Because it does lol.

That said I'm taking a break after this one, my muse is dead. Or rather, exhausted, but this time I'm not leaving you on a cliffhanger and it won't be years. I hope. Just need a couple of weeks to relax since we just ran through like 50k+ words. That's basically an entire fic in a week.

But seriously though this has been great, this arc-as intended has caused so much engagement to the plot it's amazing. You all had me worried during the first part of this arc because a few of you read the entire thing and still thought it was Adam which made me wonder how badly these chapters get skimmed.

I get it, the chapters are long but just take your time and read at your leisure, or else you might miss something important. You DON'T have to do this in one sit-in. (especially not THIS fucking chapter lol. I wanted to split but not only did I not find a good spot to do so, but I also tried that once in the past and it did not work well)

I'm also a bit disheartened to see how many people could get this far into the story and still not trust me to have a method to my madness, but I am also pleased to see how many more of you do.

Now that doesn't mean that after the climax of this arc you will still agree with every decision I made, in fact, I still expect people to not get it/dislike my choices but you will understand why things went this route.

Believe me, it's VERY easy to tell who the veteran readers of my work are.

KoR only readers: WTF IS HAPPENING!?

RebukeX7 Readers: *Checks watch* Yep, it's about that time. Right on schedule, saw this happening since the battle at the docks.

Rebuffx7: Holy shit did you just make a meme?

Yes, Buffy, I did. I own that meme but…

Disclaimer: …I don't own RWBY.

Featured BGMs:

Bagbak [Explicit]- Vince Staples- Black Panther OST

Never Fade Away [Little V Cover] (Samurai Refused)-Cyberpunk 2077

Crown-Neffex

Pray For Me [Explicit]- The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar Black Panther OST

Shadowbringers- Final Fantasy XIV OST

This will Be the Day- Jeff & Casey Williams-RWBY OST

NOTE: I Left the last two BGMs off of this list cause of potential spoilers for the chapter given the theme of the songs and just when they occur in the chapter.

Betaed by: Will S. LaVi

Beauty and the Beast (Part 3-Finale)

(Alternative title: Black Rose OR Blake Belladonna)

(Bonus title: Jaune and Velvet BFFs)

Canon title (kidding): Jaune Arc: Semblance: Motivational Speaker

-Evermore-

The God of Animals stood silently only a cliff that overlooked his realm, watching silently of the creatures that inhabited as the sunset reflected in his golden eyes.

"Maiden of fall," The God of Animals murmured, thinking of The Empress who died in her throne room, "Two maidens of summer." The God of Animals pictured Yang falling in battle before her power transferred to Blake who then vanished. "Maiden of Winter." The last imagine the God of Animals pictured was a dying Wiess in a burning village as a faunus cackled maniacally over here.

The God of Animals took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he thought of the fallen, of those images that played endlessly on repeat.

"You know, your resistance truly is admirable." A voice spoke up, and the God of Animals said nothing as Salem strode forward and stood next to him, looking over his realm impassively. "But you're only prolonging the inevitable, the more you use your power, the more the distortion in your heart grows."

The God of Animals remained silent.

"I'll admit, I've transformed and corrupted a lot of huntsmen in my time, but a god? Well. I suppose there is a reason she is my mistress." Salem mused. "When you join us, we will win. You know that right? The only way this story ends is complete and utter darkness, and you will be the beast that brings the story to its end."

"Perhaps." The God of Animals finally spoke. "But may I interest you in another tale?"

"Oh?" Salem looked amused.

"Indeed. The God of Animals told her. "One of four maidens, that each command one of the four cornerstones of light. Hope, Love, Tranquility, and Resolve. Maidens that will rule the heavens, conquer the ether, and split the world. Together they will create a world of beauty and that beauty will not be devoured by any beast of your machinations."

"You preach to me about the story of the maidens?" Salem sneered. "No one knows that tale more so than I. I birthed them. Their power is merely a derivative of mine and that fool I once called a husband. They're glorified keys at best with only enough power to give me a slight, but useful, advantage over man."

"Understand this, girl." The God of Animals said before glancing at Salem with disdain, the whites of his eyes slowly being encroached by darkness. "You and your master are powerful. Of that, I have no doubt. Yet you lack wisdom. I have played this game far longer than you. You claim to know this story but, my dear child, you know nothing."

"Desperate words from a dying man." Salem scoffed as she turned around. "Enjoy your last sunset, I will come to pick up my mistress' pet shortly."

-Midnight: Vale-Capitol-

"Ruby, are you sure we shouldn't have brought one of the others?" Weiss questioned as she, Yang, Ruby, Jaune, and Pyrrha made it to the capitol building. "Surely Winter could help?"

"We're about to have a meeting with a group of faunus liberators," Ruby said as she raised an eyebrow. "Having more than one Schnee present might not be the best move, no offense."

Weiss reluctantly nodded her head, knowing that Ruby had a point.

"Besides if a fight breaks out, Glynda or Qrow will likely result in someone dying." Jaune pointed out. "If this is Blake, we should avoid that."

"I still think you're crazy," Yang said with a shake of her head. "There is no way the Beast is Blake she was kidnapped by the Beast. We should be trying to find her not giving in to the psycho's demands."

"Believe me, we are just as worried as you," Jaune reassured her. "Blake was kidnapped in my old timeline and it was the last time we saw her," Jaune stressed. "If I even thought that she was in similar danger, it would be all hands-on deck."

Weiss frowned. "But how are you so sure the Beast is Blake?"

"Her semblance, if trained as much as I believe, lets her be in two places at once, and if it wasn't her, Ren and Nora would be dead." Jaune pointed out. "She played them like a fiddle. She knew Ren would be there, knew that he knew she knew, and still believed he would charge into the obvious trap."

"And I thought Yang was headstrong." Weiss shook her head, getting a 'hey!' from her girlfriend. "Why would he do that?"

"Because Ren hates failure," Ruby said with a small frown. "He's a great ally but he does not know when to fall back after given a mission. With careful planning, Ren could kill anyone, but being able to kill and being able to fight are two different things."

"Don't sugar coat it, Your Majesty, Ren is weak as hell," Pyrrha said with an eye-roll. "I love him, but I've tried to get him to train with me multiple times but he always said his skills were needed elsewhere."

"Come on, Pyrrha, Ren is not weak." Jaune defended his brother-in-arms. "His combat skill is above the average huntsmen."

"We're at Beacon, Jaune. Everyone is above the average huntsman." Pyrrha drawled and Jaune had to concede that she wasn't wrong. "I'll even say he is the best at hand-to-hand combat, at least until Yang's dad teaches her everything he knows. Taiyang is world-renowned for a reason. But when it comes to an all-out fight? Yang, Weiss, and I can beat him in one-on-one combat, and no matter how you sugar coat it, he should have more experience than all of us unless what? He didn't fight?"

At this, Jaune grimaced.

"You're shitting me."

"If Ren fought, that meant he failed his mission." Ruby began. "Ren doesn't fail missions so it's rare that he fights. Which was fine because Nora more than made up for the both of them."

"When she could control her emotions," Jaune muttered. "She has incredible strength and speed but it's easy to forget she has no durability to speak of. Her magic and body are strong but her aura is weaker than you'd expect because her semblance does damage her so her aura has to protect her constantly."

"A glass canon." Pyrrha nodded.

"Blake didn't even need a zero-point to break her aura," Jaune muttered. "But Blake has always been careful and likely wanted to make sure she knocked Nora down."

Yang looked conflicted. "I still don't think it's Blake."

"Even if the Beast themselves isn't Blake, evidence is pointing to them being accomplices." Jaune pointed out.

"Why because she's a faunus?"

"Yes!" Jaune said as if it were obvious. "The Beast knew to expect Ren and Nora and knew to bring me to heal them. Play on Ren's arrogance, take him out, then use Nora's rage to make her predictable and take her out as well. It was an obvious plan one I could have easily worked around if my orders weren't being ignored. I never gave Ren the order to engage and Nora didn't stand down when ordered."

The silence was deafening.

But it was clear the Knight Captain was pissed.

And it wasn't just at Blake.

Jaune had worked too hard, gone through far too much to become a leader that could be depended on. He sweated, bled, and lived for his Knights, carrying the weight of their lives with each order he gave. For his teammates of all people to ignore him was a slap in the face.

"Insubordination is not tolerated. Period." Jaune told them but it sounded more like a warning to everyone but Ruby. "Even Glynda knows this. Unless Her Majesty is present, on the battlefield my word is law. No exceptions. You forget this? You die and then that's on me. Had this been Adam, all we worked for would have been lost."

Jaune looked at the non-veteran Knights pointedly.

"Being a knight will make you even stronger than a Huntsman, but you are not invincible," Jaune warned them. "Remember, humanity had the kingdoms and still lost to the faunus. The late Empress had the world and still fell. Anyone can be defeated and it doesn't have to be by someone stronger. History isn't written by the formidable, it's written by the fortunate. Luck will trump skill almost every time."

Which made Qrow a lot more terrifying in hindsight.

"We will deal with them when they wake up," Ruby said, calming Jaune down as they knew this matter had to be addressed asap. Nora needed to reign in her emotions and Ren had to learn how to retreat.

"Why…why is it so hard for him to accept failure?" Weiss asked quietly.

"Because it was his job to retrieve Blake," Jaune said solemnly, making the younger knights look at him in horror. "Ruby was trapped at the time and Blake was the only teammate she had left and Ren took it upon himself to save her. Not one day goes by that he doesn't blame himself."

"Blake is a constant reminder of his failure, which is why he is cold but caring to her," Ruby said quietly. "He doesn't want her on his path because he doesn't trust himself to keep her safe and sees his lot in life as his penance."

"I was not the only one held back by ghosts," Jaune muttered making them fall silent.

"If it is Blake, I'll admit I'm impressed," Pyrrha admitted breaking the tense silence. "Pissed, but impressed. She knows how to keep her cards close to her chest. Kept that 'I have no potential' act up very well."

Yang grimaced as she recalled the acting book that she caught Blake reading, wondering if that was a coincidence or the sign something was wrong.

"I don't know what's going on but we will get to the bottom of this," Ruby muttered, a troubled expression on her face. Catching this, Jaune frowned.

"What's wrong?"

Ruby sighed. "Earlier when were planning the mission, Blake taking charge surprised me. I was curious and wanted to check in on her potential…"

Jaune nodded. "So, you saw who she could be?"

"That's just it," Ruby said with a shake of her head. "All I saw was her."

Jaune blinked but then paled as he came to a troubling conclusion. "Are you saying that she is already at her full potential?"

"I don't know," Ruby admitted. "But we should proceed as though we are dealing with a Knight-level threat."

"Speaking of threats, where exactly is this Beast?" Weiss questioned, still not ready to call it Blake. "It's rude to not show up to the location they invited us to. Well, unless it's an ambush."

"Oh, please be an ambush," Pyrrha begged, all of this cloak & dagger nonsense had been getting on her nerves this last week. She hadn't had a chance to train, fight, or explore her newfound relationship and was now reaching the end of her patience.

"As horribly one-sided as that would be for us, no, this is not an ambush." A voice spoke up and they looked up to see Velvet standing on top of a lamp post.

Jaune blinked, surprised to see the faunus. "Velvet?" Jaune said, surprised to see her. "You're with the Claw?"

"Afraid so," Velvet said though she didn't appear apologetic in the slightest. "Someone has to do the strategizing to keep these people in line. I'm sure you understand." Velvet said to her fellow tactician and just like that the two seemed to age before everyone else's eyes

"You've had it rough, huh?" Jaune asked knowingly, his shoulders sagging.

"Indeed." Velvet responded looking just as exhausted as Jaune. "Does it get better?"

"No," Jaune said solemnly. "This is hell you're walking into."

Velvet's rabbit ears wilted a bit at that before she nodded her head and straightened her back. "I see, well someone has to do it."

Jaune smirked a bit. "Indeed."

Everyone else gaped at the exchange that had just transpired between two tacticians, who both wore an expression that said they had seen and dealt with their fair share of shit keeping their allies alive. Ruby felt the strange urge to give Jaune a raise even though she didn't actually pay him.

"Uh, mind explaining what's going on?" Pyrrha questioned.

"Ah, sorry. Got lost in the flashbacks." Velvet said, perking back up.

Jaune grimaced. "They get better."

"Really!?"

"No."

Velvet seemed to wilt once more before Ruby cleared her throat and glanced between them pointedly. Weiss, Yang, and Pyrrha sweat-dropped at the exchange and wondered if they should pitch in and buy Jaune a mug to show that they appreciated his efforts.

"We don't mean you any harm." Velvet said as she typed something into her scroll before pocketing it. "I sent you a file filled with the information we've gathered on our future and previous targets. The law won't get them, but the Claw and hopefully you will."

Ruby felt her scroll vibrate but ignored it, knowing full well what to expect. "I will have this researched in depth later."

"Of course, I'd expect nothing less." Velvet said before turning to Weiss. "Schnee, I suggest you read that the first chance you get after it's confirmed for your own sake. Unlike most faunus, I will not hold you accountable for the SDC's deeds, but your father will die."

It wasn't a threat.

It wasn't even a promise.

Velvet said that like a fact.

"Excuse me?" Weiss asked more than a little taken aback. "Some admittedly unethical work policies aside, his death isn't the answer to whatever grievances you have with the SDC."

"This has nothing to do with the fucking SDC." Velvet hissed, startling them as Velvet being angry was simply unnatural. "That monster has done things you can't even imagine to humans and faunus. I'm telling you this as a professional courtesy so that you can get your affairs in order before you inherit a multi-billion lien corporation."

"You can't-"

"Enough." Ruby interrupted them now glad she had made the decision not to invite Winter. Schnee's and the faunus did not mix well at all and even though they hated their father, they wouldn't want to see him killed.

Unfortunately, if Velvet had sent them what she thought and the crimes were as severe as she expected, Weiss would likely do the deed herself.

"Shelve this conversation," Ruby ordered and though she held no loyalty to Ruby, Velvet couldn't ignore the authority in Ruby's voice that reminded her so much of her leader's when she was serious. "We will review this evidence. I expect this was stolen from Lionheart?"

"It was."

"Then it seems we really are dealing with Blake," Ruby muttered, confusing Yang and Weiss. "Ren's mission for Blake was to assassinate Lionheart and retrieve evidence of his dealings. By sending me this, Velvet has closed that mission on Blake's behalf. We will take a look at this and I will send you a message when it is done. You have my word. So, until then, I can only ask that you hold off from killing my ambassador's father."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Velvet said respectfully but also showing them that she was in the know which only further proved Blake was their leader. "It's not my decision but I will tell the Chieftan all the same." Velvet sighed. "In the end, I can't make you believe me, but we are not your enemy. We have the same one."

At this, Ruby raised an eyebrow. "So, if I asked you would bend the knee?"

"I'd rather die." Velvet said with a sad smile, and something in her voice told them she was serious. "When you spend your life in a cage, you view it as home. Only when freed do you see it for the hell it was. It is not you, Your Majesty, it is what you are. Submitting to a human would put me right back in that cage and I now know that death is far more preferable to bondage."

Velvet's words hit Jaune and Ruby hard, as they got a glimpse into the mindset that sent so many faunus into the arms of Salem.

So much pain.

So much loss.

And all because the Empress was human. It didn't matter that she was the most successful ruler in history. That she was righteous and just, the faunus' feared the betrayal that they expected would come from humanity as it always did.

Many a night, Jaune and the Empress would try to come up with a solution.

Many a night they would go to bed frustrated as they could come up with nothing.

"We will win this war with the White Fang in your stead." Velvet informed them, and her eyes were filled with a fire they knew all too well. Within Velvet were the same flames that had forged the Empire. "Together we will defeat our enemy that rules the grimm but we will never be caged again."

"So what?" Weiss questioned. "You want to rule Remnant instead and we're supposed to just let you?"

Velvet shook her head, looking at one would a child. "As expected of a Schnee, us or them, that's all you see. This is why you're not the leader."

"Enough," Ruby said once more stopping things from escalating once more. "I want to talk with your leader. Weiss, don't say another word unless I tell you to." Ruby sent Weiss a surprisingly cool glance, the silver in her eyes cutting through her like a blade. "Today you will learn how to be a diplomat."

The message was clear.

Ruby would do the talking.

This made Weiss bow her head and nod, her first day on the job and she had already failed though Ruby was, fortunately, patient and wise enough to use this experience as the learning opportunity it was for Weiss.

"Forgive her, she is defensive when it comes to her family's actions."

"A lifetime of being blamed for the sins of others would do that to you." Velvet said knowingly. "Every time the White Fang attacked. I'd be harassed despite being half-human."

This made Weiss' head snap up and when she met Velvet's eyes, she didn't see any irritation, just understanding. This made Weiss' gut twist with something resembling guilt as she hadn't known Velvet was half-human or that she could relate to her.

"At least this time when I'm harassed when the Claw does something, it's not wrong, huh?" Velvet questioned with a small smile, extending an olive branch toward Weiss who hesitantly nodded. "Come on over to the park across the street, we chose this place as a neutral ground since starting a fight at the capitol wouldn't help either of us."

"Smart," Jaune admitted as Velvet hopped off of the lamp-post.

"Thanks, that's what I told them," Velvet laughed a bit before leading them to the park. Soon, deep within the empty park, they saw Sienna, Sun, and a hooded figure that was leaning against a tree waiting for them.

"About time, I thought you got lost," Sienna grunted, impatient as ever.

"Translation, she was worried you got snatched up by the, and I quote, 'untrustworthy humans'," Sun said getting a glare from Sienna as he ate a banana. "Told her they were cool but she still kept pacing until I was dizzy."

"Aw, that's sweet." Velvet teased which made Sienna rub the bridge of her nose.

"I hate you all."

"Correction, you hate most of us." Sun joked.

"Uh, excuse me, but what the hell?" Yang interrupted. "Sun!? You're with the Claw?"

"Oh hey, Yang!" Sun grinned as Ruby and the knights were more than a little surprised to see Sun there. "Yeah, joined-up not too long ago. I get to perform justice surrounded by beautiful women. This is the dream!"

Velvet rolled her eyes as she strolled forward and pet him on his head. "Ignore him, he's an intern." Velvet looked toward her leader. "Chieftan, the Empress is ready to talk."

"Good, hopefully, this can be a productive night," Nera said before she removed her hood, startling those who saw her. To see someone so similar to Blake yet obviously not her at the same time confused them greatly.

"What the hell is this?" Yang questioned, asking what was on all of the Knights' minds.

"Blake?" Ruby questioned visibly alarmed by the change in her friend.

"Yes?" A second voice questioned and it was then that they looked up to find their Blake lying on a tree branch with one of her legs lazily swinging back and forth.

Blake was now garbed in a black form-fitting one-piece stealth suit. Around her waist was a purple sash that was tied in a way that let its two ends hang behind her like a pair of tails. The lower half of her face was covered by a black mask, lined with metal that was fashioned to look like fangs. Most of her hair had been tied back in a ponytail and her long side-bangs framed the sides of her face and stopped just above her shoulders.

Ruby blinked when she saw Blake who looked every bit like an assassin that had been trained by Ren and looked back at Nera. "Then who…" Ruby trailed off not understanding what she was seeing.

"Ruby, is this a distortion?" Jaune questioned, refraining from reaching for his blade so that he did not escalate the currently peaceful situation into something else.

"I'm curious about that as well," Nera said. "My faith is strong, but after seeing recent events through the eyes of my better half, a healthy amount of skepticism toward strange men in caves might be useful."

Ruby frowned. "Strange men in caves?"

"Long story, I'll get into at some point," Nera said dismissively before grinning at Ruby. "Tell me, Your Majesty, am I distortion? What do you see when you look at me?"

At that, Ruby's eyes narrowed as they began to glimmer with unearthly power, startling the faunus besides Blake who could tell this was not a semblance at work.

"You," Ruby said before she cut the power. "I just see you," Ruby whispered as if she couldn't believe it. "Just what are you?"

"I've been wondering that for some time," Nera admitted. "I know the story I was given by the one who did this."

"This old man in a cave?"

Nera laughed a bit. "The same, but his powers are vast and I think we both know we should be wary of old men working for the 'greater good'."

Ruby pursed her lips as she thought about Ozpin.

"But that's good. That's a theory I can lay to rest now." Nera continued. "What do you see when you look at her?" Nera asked nodding up at Blake.

"Just her," Ruby answered.

"Hm," Nera hummed in thought. "Blake, come here."

Without a second thought, Blake hopped down from her branch, landing without a sound. It was eerie for the knights to see how Blake moved silently like a ghost, something they only saw from Ren yet though it was years of training and skill for him, for Blake it was just nature.

When Blake was close, Nera moved Blake in front of her, resting her hands on the smaller faunus' shoulders. Placing her chin on Blake's head, Nera smiled lazily at Ruby.

"Now what do you see?"

With a frown, Ruby's eyes shone once more.

And this time she gasped.

-Ruby's Mindscape-

The Empress' eyes snapped open and she sat up straighter in her seat.

It was then that a tear slid down her cheek.

"Impossible."

-Vale: Park-

"How-"

"Ah, ah, ah!" Nera interrupted raising her finger in a shushing manner. "We'll have more than enough time to talk about that privately but I can assume you saw something this time?"

Ruby swallowed, her eyes never losing their glimmer. "I did."

Nera grinned and Blake seemed to sag in relief.

"Looks like that theory is the winner," Nera said as she released Blake who quickly bounded back up into her tree. "That cunning bitch." Nera muttered. "Looks like you and I are more similar than we thought, sister."

"Sister?" Ruby questioned which made Nera pound a fist to her chest.

"In arms, destiny, whatever," Nera said before gesturing between the two of them. "We are bound, walking forward on the same path. If you saw what I think you did then you know we mean you no harm."

"I do," Ruby said, her voice wavering slightly as if she were forcing back tears. The knights were alarmed, each wondering just what the hell Ruby saw that had shaken her so and would have her believe the Beast so earnestly. Ruby closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she was back to normal, just as regal and poised as she was before the reveal. "The Man with Two Souls. You took your love of that book to an entirely new level." Ruby muttered but they heard her anyway.

"Ha! That she did!" Nera grinned.

"So, you wanted to talk. Let's talk." Ruby said simply. "Independence. You know what that means and you know why I am apprehensive about it."

"You need a unified front to stop our enemy." Nera nodded. "But unified doesn't have to entail falling under a single banner. The faunus couldn't stand on their own before, they had to choose between you or Salem, and given our bloodied history, being caged mere years after our birth, it is easy to see why."

"It is." Ruby agreed. "And it is an issue we have been trying to find a solution for."

"And do you have one? A solution?" Nera questioned.

"No," Ruby admitted though she didn't wilt or look bothered by the admission. It was a true test of her character, such openness, such willingness to admit one's ignorance that showed the Claw why they were even bothering to negotiate in the first place.

Ruby could be their greatest ally.

Or.

Ruby could be their worst enemy.

And the answer depended on how well they could teach Ruby of their plight.

"What makes you so certain the faunus can stand on their own this time?" Ruby questioned. "What is the difference between then and now."

"Now there is a Belladonna to lead them," Nera answered. "The Belladonnas have led Menagerie for generations, and the faunus as a whole for longer."

"Yet you are divided, your house having been targeted by countless coups," Ruby said remembering the political lessons Glynda had given her at the beginning of the year as well as the few memories of the Empress she had inherited.

"None of which succeeded."

"Yet," Ruby said knowingly.

There was, after all, a reason the Belladonnas were gone in her time.

"The faunus who would plan a coup are Fang," Nera grunted. "When the Fang falls, which they will without any leadership, none will challenge Belladonna for the faunus in the Fang who strive for equality will follow me."

"Divide and conquer." Ruby realized glancing up at Blake who was listening and staring down at them intensely even as she lounged. "One of you will rule Menagerie, the other will replace the Fang and rule it and together you will unify the faunus. You will need something solid to make that union last." Ruby glanced between Blake and Nera. "Marriage?"

Yang blinked at this. "Excuse me?" Yang asked as Weiss placed a hand over her mouth, stunned.

Pyrrha smirked. "Kinky."

"That's what I said!" Sun grinned

"Girl, you took self-love to an entirely new level," Yang told Blake who rolled her eyes, having long accepted the fact that she would never hear the end of this from her friends.

"Is…is that legal?" Weiss questioned.

"No," Nera admitted. "But not for the reasons you are thinking, it's because technically I don't exist."

"Actually, that's not true." Velvet piped up. "Finished hacking into the capitol's mainframe while waiting on Rose. As of today, you are Nera Bestia, daughter of your estranged cousin Tukson and his late wife." Velvet glanced up at Blake. "Good call giving her the last name Menagerie gives its bastards. Now please, feel free to praise me."

Nera blinked owlishly at that before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a carrot. "Fuck it, I'm playing favorites now," Nera said before tossing the root to Velvet who chomped down on it happily.

Jaune raised a hand and pointed at Velvet, never moving his eyes from Nera's. "Pay her."

Nera rolled her eyes. "I'll keep that in mind Captain. Well, never mind legality then."

Weiss still looked uncomfortable.

Blake shook her head. "Don't look like that when you're a Schnee."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?"

"That there is a reason you have a so-called hereditary semblance." Blake drawled. "Your family is a mess." Blake pointed at Yang and Ruby. "You two might be cousins." Blake pointed at Jaune. "Your house is essentially a breeding ground." Blake pointed at Pyrrha. "Your parents essentially sold you. Nora's abandoned her, but rest in peace to the Ren's I'm pretty sure they were a regular family."

Silence filled the park as the two parties stared at each other.

"How are your parents by the way?" Jaune asked an amused Pyrrha awkwardly.

"Great, they moved to Argus earlier this year like they wanted to," Pyrrha answered.

"Argus, huh? My sister's family lives there. Maybe they know each other." Jaune mused before Yang cleared her throat.

"Okay, ouch got it, kitty has claws," Yang said, her jaw-dropping a bit.

Blake rolled her eyes. "My point is that everyone's houses are made of glass so we should refrain from throwing any rocks." Blake drawled before pointing to herself. "My family has been filled with panther and cat faunus for as long as our history goes which is concerning because faunus features should be random."

"Old faunus families have a history of attempting to breed certain traits that represent their families' beasts," Sienna explained which made Velvet snort.

"But I'm the weird one." Velvet muttered.

"My family has bred tigers just as long as the Belladonnas have been around." Sienna continued with a shrug. "Our animal nature makes this far less dangerous for us than it is for you humans." Sienna raised an eyebrow at Weiss. "Or maybe it isn't as dangerous as I thought for you."

Weiss sputtered incoherently.

"As amusing as this is, let's get back on track." Nera drawled.

"Agreed." Ruby nodded. "Let's look at this from a worst-case scenario. Say your house gets destroyed. You've made a unified and extremely powerful force to follow you out of the faunus. If they lose you, this force will go to Salem and then we have a much bigger threat. The White Fang is one thing, but this Claw of yours can actually think. At least if I die, there are systems in place for people to take over and continue the fight without me and my people won't join Salem."

They listened as they heard Ruby's point.

Unlike humanity, the faunus' fate, their society, depended on their Chieftan.

"One problem." Nera crossed her arms. "Most of Salem's followers are human and don't get me started on the other threat."

Ruby's eyes narrowed as she had to concede that. It was hard to argue when the biggest threat wore your face after all.

"So, we're at an impasse," Ruby said making them all tense. "I don't care that your people want independence. They can have it after our enemies are dealt with but until then you need to let me lead."

"Why? So, you can die in the final fight and let the world break when we try to collect on this promise?" Nera countered. "Then again it's not like that would ever happen-oh wait!"

The knights glared at her.

She glared right back.

"Worst of all, we'll be out there collecting these relics, maidens, and whatever nonsense for you to fight Salem." Nera continued. "We get independence and then what? What will we have to protect ourselves when humanity decides to get bored and choose us as an enemy again?"

"Ruby," Blake spoke up, foregoing any titles and speaking to Ruby like a person, a friend. "One way or another this mess ends either when we face our enemy or shortly after. We can not reasonably make plans assuming we survive what will essentially be Armageddon. Should my people not be free in their last moments? Have we not earned that? Would you truly have an entire species submit in its final days as it has throughout its entire history?"

"We can't make plans assuming we won't make it otherwise what's the point?" Ruby questioned. "That is the same as accepting defeat."

"I agree," Nera said, surprising the Claw and the Knights. "But my mate isn't wrong either. Blind optimism isn't enough and if we can't agree on how to coexist here and now. We will die and the fallout would be much worse than a skirmish in a park."

This was probably the worst part of this negotiation.

Neither side present was in the wrong.

"This mission is about saving lives. Always has been." Blake said, using Ruby's own words. "But what good is that if those lives aren't worth living?"

They were talking in circles now, and members of both sides were beginning to argue. Ruby was getting frustrated because she didn't even want to make the faunus submit. Deep down she was even proud of Blake despite being caught off guard by the fact there were now two of her. But still, she needed the faunus to submit, the world did.

However, they had submitted so many times before and even when the Faunus "won" humanity went out of its way to make the Faunus suffer for besting them in a war about giving them equal rights of all things.

Ruby felt as though she were doing the right thing, too much was at stake, but she also felt disgusting. Is this what being an Empress was? Forcing an exhausted and tormented race to bow for the 'greater good'.

At that, Ruby's face shifted into one of visible horror and she didn't even bother to hide it

"I'm no better than Ozma," Ruby said, startling them. So focused on the greater good, the future, she was willing to ignore the pain in the here and now. Of the people mere feet away from her. Looking up she saw that even Sun was becoming frustrated.

Surprising both sides, Ruby slapped both of her cheeks as if trying to wake herself up

"Enough!" Ruby snapped. "We are better than this. Human, faunus, doesn't matter we are man." Ruby ranted. "This war is between us and the Grimm, we either rise or we die!"

Ruby had all of their attention now and Nera shot her a look of pure respect.

"We are leaders," Ruby said as she turned to Nera. "We are better than the ones that came before us. We are smarter than this. If I have to spill any blood, human or faunus, it will be because they joined Salem or threatened my people."

"And the same goes for me," Nera spoke up. "I've killed threats to both of our people. Our mission is the same, Rose."

"So why can't we co-exist?"

"You tell me?" Nera said before she held her head up high. "You don't know my origins, my story, and even I am not sure of how much of it I can trust. That said, know this one fact, Rose. Unlike my brothers and sisters, I was born free. If you want to cage me, want me to submit…" Nera extended her arms. "…then kill me."

"Never." Ruby practically snarled that would defeat the purpose of her entire journey thus far. The Empress of old would do the deed with a heavy heart, after all, is this not what Ironwood wanted for Atlas? As crude as his plan was and how much damage it could have caused, it didn't mean he had to be assassinated by Ren like he was.

Ruby paled.

History was repeating itself here and now.

However, there was one important difference, they had been in the middle of expansion when Ironwood wanted to break off, and his way of doing so at that time of all times would have destroyed the Empire. This, however, was a chance to plan around such an event before they could get started. Hell, Ruby didn't even have Vale under her belt yet.

"The kingdoms unify humanity," Ruby spoke up. "But they do not unify the faunus."

"The Chieftan unites the faunus." Nera nodded. "You take the kingdoms, unite your people while I unite mine. Together we can unite the world. We can share the weight." Nera pounded her chest once more. "I don't want to hurt you. You are my sister."

Nera had said that so earnestly, with so much emotion that if Yang wasn't actually Ruby's sister, she would have believed it.

Hell, did blood even matter if the emotions were that strong?

"Insurance," Ruby said looking exhausted, she didn't want to deal with this. She didn't want to limit the faunus' potential and turn one of her closest friends into an enemy. When Ruby looked at Blake, she saw a resolve that she had never seen. One that the knights had believed Blake couldn't possess.

And Ruby understood.

Blake was free.

Something she had never been under Ruby's rule in the current timeline or experienced at all in the previous one.

"I need, insurance," Ruby told Nera. "Something, anything, that would let me know that if you fall without an appropriate heir that your people will join me and not Salem."

"If I had such a way…" Nera began hesitantly. "...but there was a chance you would die, would you do it?"

At this everyone tensed.

"What are you talking about and why would I die?"

"Blake has told you of the three marks, yes?" Nera questioned. "Like your eyes, my fangs are special. They make the marks real. Blake has the mark of mates, the rest have the marks of submission, but I would never make you submit. You are my sister, my equal."

"The mark of equality." Ruby realized. "Should you fall, I would inherit your Claw."

Nera nodded.

It was very obvious that Sienna was unpleased and even Velvet was apprehensive. The idea would be the same as caging them once more if Nera died but they remained silent. Like the knights, they believed in their leader enough that they would follow her down this path.

This was a level of devotion that Ruby could not ignore.

"I am assuming these marks are essentially life pacts, but is there a way to get rid of or transfer the mark without me dying?" Ruby questioned, confusing them. At this question, they all turned to Sienna as being the former High Leader of the White Fang meant she would know.

"To transfer it would involve overriding the mark," Sienna told them. "Someone else would kneel and you'd have to bite them instead. You'd have to consent and as long as there is a witness it is legal in faunus law.

"If I die before that? What then?"

Sienna frowned. "Either your inheritance is given to whoever makes the first claim or you can choose an heir beforehand much like you humans would. Complete with paperwork and everything but why would you want to transfer it?"

"Because I am a woman of my word," Ruby said firmly. "I thought this mission was about saving lives but your leader has made me re-evaluate that. It's now about saving lives and making them worth living. Should you fall, I will carry on the mission, destroy our enemy, and then give the mark to someone of your choosing. Should they die, I will give it to the highest member of your Claw and so on until there are no faunus left to pick."

Even Sienna was stunned as she could see the sincerity in Ruby's eyes.

"Who the hell is this girl?"

"Velvet," Nera spoke up quietly. "If I die everything will go to Velvet."

"Me!?" Velvet squeaked out, startled by the decision. "But…but I don't know the first thing about ruling the faunus!"

"As if I wouldn't teach you." Sienna scoffed making Velvet gape at her. Blake and Sun glanced at each other but said nothing. Blake shook her head as Sun smirked.

"Not Blake?" Ruby asked curiously.

"If she dies, I'll likely be dead right beside her," Blake said and for a moment Ruby saw the image of a deceased Ghira and Kali embracing each other in the pools of their blood, smiles on their faces as they at least went out together. Ruby trembled as she, for a moment, pictured Nera and Blake in their position.

"You better stay alive," Ruby told Nera who grinned.

"And you as well, don't need you burning the world again." Nera teased.

"No, I'll make sure this is a world worth leaving behind in one piece. One ten times, no, a hundred times better than the world I was born into." Ruby swore. "If I die, Jaune and Pyrrha are to inherit my crown. You will be my witness." Ruby said before turning to the stunned knights. "As will all of you."

"Wait, what?" Jaune asked alarmed just as Velvet had been. "Your Majesty-"

"Don't make me order you, knight," Ruby interrupted, her voice surprisingly cold. "Please."

Jaune held Ruby's stare before closing his eyes and nodding.

In a way, this had been Ruby confirming what they had all been saying. This truly would be the last time they bothered to fight Salem, win or lose they would not be doing this again.

"This mark, why would it kill me?" Ruby continued.

"You're too weak," Nera said bluntly. "You know magic fills me but it has stabilized because I train it each day. Your magic is unstable, I can smell it leaking from you unconsciously, see the visible effort you use to use it. You only use your magic when you have to, correct?"

"I do," Ruby admitted as her power had been something she had tried not to use too often. "It exhausts me, causes me a lot of pain."

"Of course, it does!" Nera said as if it were obvious which confused Ruby.

"It's like a muscle Ruby," Blake spoke up. "If you don't train it, using it when you need to will not be pleasant. If you get marked as you are now, receiving foreign magic when your body hasn't even adapted to your own. You'll explode."

"It'll shut down my body." Ruby guessed, believing Blake was speaking figuratively.

"No, as in, you will explode," Blake said seriously which made them all pale.

"I can train you," Nera revealed. "Is it correct to assume the only real fight you've been in the one at the docks?"

Ruby frowned when she thought about it and realized that it was true. Though she had been there for the Willow incident she went out of her way to not fight then. Ruby had a few battles she relived via the Empress' memories but an actual fight, one on one, that wasn't a sanctioned school fight or Grimm isn't something she dealt with. Even her training trip with Qrow, while helping her grow tremendously, was more about mastering her scythe and drawing upon her power when she needed it.

"Yes?"

"As I thought, you have not been pushed to your limits." Nera nodded. "Had you been, you would have discovered your magic, and using it would have been as easy as breathing."

"So how do I fix that?"

"Simple." Nera grinned viciously at Ruby. "We take you to the lion's den and see how you do. Me versus you, no holding back." Nera explained. "Your body still can't handle all of your magic but at the very least we can stabilize it and teach you how to master what you can handle," Nera smirked. "Unless you're scared."

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "I am not scared of anything."

Nera's expression turned almost feral. "Good but this won't be free, this is an invaluable lesson after all."

"And what would you want? Land I don't have yet?" Ruby asked skeptically.

"No, we'll get to negotiating and cementing our alliance later," Nera said dismissively. "You've likely noticed that I have been pretty amicable, a few rough patches earlier aside."

Ruby nodded, despite the one heated debate, the Claw had been surprisingly pleasant to be around. Seeing how they interacted with each other like a family and not a murderous cult hellbent on destroying humanity was a nice change of pace.

"I'd like to say it's because I like you, which is true, but the truth is you simply have the stronger side at the moment," Nera admitted. "I love these idiots but they need help. So, if I'm taking you to the lion's den, I ask you to return the favor."

Both Sienna and Pyrrha seemed to perk up at this.

The negotiation was interesting, but this sounded like a chance to get their hands dirty.

"A neighborhood in the 4th ward is getting demolished soon," Nera revealed. "I want to stage a small battle, well, a war so to speak. The Knights of Rose vs. The Black Claw sounds like a good chance to get PR and do some training. Fending off the Beast should help your goals a lot in the long run. Even if you lose to me, the fact you fought me alone will only help your image."

"But wouldn't you hurt your image if I win?" Ruby questioned which made Nera grin at her, pleased to see that Ruby had enough pride in her strength to believe she could win.

"When the world sees how powerful you are?" Nera scoffed. "Hardly. Even if I did, the grand reveal of why we are killing, who we are will more than heal any damage to my reputation."

"I've spent the last week setting cameras up so please say yes," Velvet groaned. "I don't even want to fight but I have to on sheer principle now."

"Wait," Jaune interrupted. "If you're seen fighting as the Claw, you will have to leave Vale. You know that right?"

At this, the Knights paled.

"B…Blake?" Yang question and even Weiss grimaced at the thought of losing Blake.

Of losing Team RWBY.

"I've…I've run away from my problems my whole life," Blake said quietly. "Friends, family, fights, my responsibilities and finally…finally I know what I have to do. I don't want to run away anymore I want to run to the fight."

Everyone was silent as they listened.

"People are enslaved, tortured, killed, and worse by so many corrupt people in places of power that will never face consequences for their actions," Blake told them passionately. "You were sent a list, the things that are happening out there not to just faunus but humanity as well, I can't ignore it."

"And is that what you think we're doing? Ignoring it?" Jaune questioned.

"No. You need to be here. You need to take Vale and when that day comes the Claw will come to your aid." Blake swore. "But I see how it breaks you." Blake continued as she turned to Ruby. "I see how much it hurts to know what's going on out there and do nothing because you have to be here."

"But…" Weiss began trying to find the words that would make Blake stay with them where she belonged. "What about the Beacon 8?"

"They don't need its 'animal slut'," Blake muttered making them flinch as they realized Blake was more than aware of how she was viewed. Nera growled but said nothing, obviously far from pleased by how her mate was viewed. "You can replace me."

"Blake, you could never be replaced."

"Forget the Beacon 8, what about team RWBY!?" Yang snapped, her temper flaring for a moment as she briefly saw Raven when she looked at Blake. "We're a team, friends! We love you Blake and you're just going to turn around and leave us!?"

"I love you all too but this is bigger than us," Blake responded. Knowing that only remaining calm and using logic could reach her partner when she got like this. "We'll always be team RWBY, no matter where we are or how long it'll be before we see each other again. If you all loved me, you'd let me go."

Blake then smiled sadly at her team.

"Don't break your hearts on me," Blake said which made Yang tense and Sun flinch as he recalled his failed attempt to ask Blake out. "The only person I'm capable of loving enough to stay off this path is myself."

"You'll find your way back to us," Ruby said knowing, twin trails of tears sliding down her cheeks. Tears that belonged to both herself and her predecessor.

"I always do."

"You can't be serious, Ruby this is bullshit!"

"I don't want her to leave either!" Ruby snapped. "But what do you expect me to do? Cage her? She's grown and she is not a knight. I can't make her do anything."

"Let's make a deal." Nera interrupted. "There will be three groups. Blake and Sun vs. Yang and Weiss, Myself vs Rose, and lastly Jaune and Pyrrha vs. Velvet and Sienna. The winners of these fights get one point for their faction, the faction with the most points can decide who stays and leaves except for myself. There is a fight that must be fought outside of Vale and I must be there."

Nera then gestured between herself and Rose.

"However, there is a vast difference in power between our factions so there will be a handicap." Nera continued. "As the leaders, the winner of our fight gets two points but if one of us beats the other before either of the other groups has a winner, our respective faction wins right then and there."

"You're using our emotions against us," Ruby muttered. "You want us to fight tooth and nail."

"I do," Nera said before turning to Blake. "We are Claw but they are your family. If something happened to them while you were out with me, you'd never forgive yourself and you know it even if you know it was the right thing to do."

"But…what about you?"

Nera just laughed. "I'm strong, Blake, hard-bodied. I can survive on my own, you have my mark." Nera moved her jacket to reveal her own. "And I have yours, you will be with me no matter where I am."

"But what if you die?"

Nera grinned.

"Then whoever did it will be sorry when they see you, won't they?" Nera asked, clearly amused. Though the knights themselves were still varied in how they felt about the relationship itself-the culture shock having hit them hard-none of them could doubt that the love between them was real.

Blake wanted to protest but couldn't, not when she saw the look in Nera's eyes. The same look she saw her father give her mother when she would beg him to stay home or let her join him.

"The fight against evil exists within and outside of Vale's walls," Nera spoke gently her expression was determined. "You can fight the fight anywhere, but I don't want you to join me if you're just worried for my safety."

Blake looked away, clearly having much to think about, but then she stopped. Thinking would solve nothing, not when Nera provided a way for her to make her decision loud and clear. Hands clenched, Blake gave the rest of her team a look they hadn't seen on her before.

A look that was, ironically, identical to the one Ruby had given her when they fought in class.

"So be it."

Out of all the choices laid out before her, today was the day she chose violence.

"4th Ward, one hour," Nera called out. "Get yourselves situated."

"I'll see you then," Ruby said before she turned around. "Knights, let's go."

-Vale: 4th Ward: 1 Hour Later-

"You made it," Nera grinned when she saw Ruby and the others approach, both factions staring each other down in the middle of the abandoned street. Nera tilted her head when she saw the frowning forms of Glynda, Winter, and Qrow. "And you brought more?"

"I brought them up to speed," Ruby explained. "They won't interfere but if we are going to let loose as I expect, we both need the insurance that no one will die tonight."

"Referees then," Nera said acknowledging the older huntsmen. "One for each group. Well then, let this be a testament to our faith in you, Rose. I trust you not to betray us and have them bring us in."

"I am a woman of my word, and my word is law." Ruby told Nera firmly. "A law that even I am not allowed to break."

"Well said," Nera said as she placed a hand on Wilt's handle. "Then, since this is a learning experience, let's have Professor Goodwitch give us the signal."

Velvet smiled at Jaune. "I look forward to learning a lot from you."

Jaune nodded but looked a little confused. "You seem a lot happier about this than I expected."

Sienna scoffed. "She realized this was a learning experience. Her desire for knowledge dwarfs her sense of survival." Sienna shook her head. "How are you even alive if your instincts can be suppressed that easily?"

Velvet didn't respond, her eyes glimmering as she practically bounced in place.

"I hate asking humans for anything, but don't cripple her." Sienna face-palmed which made Jaune sweat-drop.

"I won't," Jaune reassured her as Pyrrha grinned at Sienna and banged her spear against her shield.

"High Leader of the White Fang is no small feat," Pyrrha told her. "You might even get my heart pumping."

Despite Pyrrha's words, Sienna grinned, at a human no less, baring her fangs. "Bold words for prey."

Pyrrha laughed. "I'll make sure to make something useful out of your pelt."

Lightning sparked between the two who were practically itching to hear the signal.

"Blake, you need to see reason," Yang said as she raised her fists. "Even if I have to knock it into you. You belong with us."

"You're one of my best friends, Yang," Blake said as she reached for Gambol Shroud. "But don't interfere with my life because of your abandonment issues."

"Hey, uh, can we sit this out?" Sun asked Weiss. "This totally seems like a them problem."

"Sorry, but I want Blake to stay as well," Weiss said as she unsheathed Myrtenaster. "Feel free to forfeit, will save us some time."

"And have the others kick my ass later? No way, Ice Queen!" Sun said incredulously. "Besides, Blake is my friend. If she wants to go, I'll make sure she can. We faunus gotta look out for each other after all."

"Alright, you understand the rules," Glynda said before everyone began to float above the neighborhood due to her semblance. With a wave of her riding crop, the combatants were separated into their respective groups and moved into three different areas. "We will not interfere unless someone is on the verge of death or if someone yields. If your aura breaks and you still wish to fight you will be allowed to do so, understood?"

They all gave their affirmatives.

"Very well." Glynda lowered her weapon. "Begin."

With that one word, she dropped them back down into their neighborhood, and immediately all hell broke loose.

"I do not like this," Winter muttered, overlooking her sister's fight. "We should be arresting them."

"Neither do I but it is Her Majesty's decision," Glynda muttered, looking down over Jaune and Velvet's group, two of the most brilliant students she had ever taught. "I have long since learned to stop questioning them."

Qrow took a large drink from his flask while gazing down at his niece. "I don't like it either, but Ruby has a point. If the roles were reversed and it was us wanting to break free from the Claw, how would you prefer the Claw respond?"

Winter remained silent as Glynda sighed.

"One day, history will remember this day as the smallest and most peaceful 'war' of all time." Glynda drawled. "Yet it will easily become one of the most pivotal. Regardless, if this works, we won't have to blow up a continent or have millions of deaths due to the constant fighting between the Empire and the Fang controlled by Salem."

"She will still have followers, but she won't be able to turn a nation into a damn farm," Qrow muttered and Winter had to admit he was right.

Though the Claw were criminals, The Knights didn't tend to stay on the right side of the law either.

"The General must never find out I was here," Winter said seriously.

"As if we would ever subject you to being focused on by his mettle." Glynda scoffed. Qrow offered Winter his flask.

"Drink up Ice Queen, something tells me we're going to need it."

Winter glared at him before snatching the flask, much to Glynda's amusement, and drinking it.

-The Empress, Ruby Rose vs. The Chieftan, Nera Bestia-

-BGM: Bagbak [Explicit]- Vince Staples- Black Panther OST

Ruby leaped back, shifting her body from left to right as she avoided each strike of Nera's crimson blade. With a well-timed petal burst, Ruby appeared shot under the next strike and reformed behind Nera before bursting up into the air as the faunus sheathed the blade.

Immediately, their surroundings were cut apart, massive gashes appearing that showed the carnage Ruby had barely avoided. In the air, Ruby narrowed her eyes before releasing a shot from her scythe that sent her right back down upon Nera. The faunus didn't budge even when the scythe slammed into her neck, drawing blood much to Ruby's surprise.

"What?" Ruby asked in alarm, caught off guard by the blood but also relieved she hadn't decapitated the faunus. Flipping her sheathed weapon around, Wilt shot from Blush with a resounding bang which sent the hilt of the sword into Ruby's stomach with enough force to knock her back.

Nera spun around and shot forward, catching her blade, and began slashing at Ruby swiftly and mercilessly which forced the Empress back. "When I said I was hard-bodied, I meant it!"

"You have your own semblance?" Ruby questioned before bursting to the side to avoid a vertical slash that split the ground when it made contact. "She actually did it…" Ruby said remembering the sight she saw when she looked at Blake and Nera together. Ruby began to released round after round at Nera, the shells of her sniper ammo falling to the ground.

"It seems so." Nera mused, shrugging off the bullets as if she were walking through a gentle breeze." Now focus!" Ruby's eyes widened when Nera shot forward only to cut through a cloud of petals. The gauge on Wilt was full, showing that a moonslice was ready but instead of using it, Nera sheathed her blade and the gauge drained from Wilt entirely and filled the one on Blush's side a third of the way.

This was interesting.

Nera couldn't catch Ruby easily and in return, Ruby couldn't even stagger Nera.

Ruby burst forward and began to release a deadly flurry of attacks at Nera who deflected most of them with her blade. Those that were too fast to stop cut her, but the injuries were superficial and healed in moments. Thinking fast, Ruby ended her combination of attacks by slamming the bottom of her scythe into the ground, as one would a staff, causing the concrete to break beneath them.

This caused Nera's footing to become unstable and when she slipped forward, Ruby pulled the trigger of her scythe which sent its curved blade slamming into the back of Nera's neck. The wound was deeper but still stopped by Nera's semblance.

Still, that didn't matter, Ruby had a plan now when she saw Nera's blood splatter on her scythe. Unfortunately for Ruby, however, instead of being dragged down. Nera slammed her foot into the ground, cracking it much as Ruby had. Now the one knocked off balance, Ruby was unable to stop the vicious haymaker from Nera that lifted her from the ground and knocked her into the side of an old car.

Ruby's aura flickered from the impact, and Ruby was momentarily dazed having felt as though she had taken Magnhild to the face. Nera placed a hand on Wilt's handle, its gauge emptying into Blush once more causing the sheath's gauge to now be two-thirds of the way filled.

"Smart. If you can't stagger me, disrupt the environment around me." Nera praised. "Unfortunately, that works both ways. Interesting that I can't hit you if you're looking at the attack but if I strike from your blind spot, despite you knowing the attack is coming, you can get hit?"

Ruby grimaced as she pried herself from the side of the car, knowing exactly what Nera was getting at.

"You can burst around attacks but you can't burst through them, can you?" Ruby glowered as Nera grinned. Yet, soon Ruby returned the expression.

"And it's interesting that you bleed." Ruby countered which made Nera pause. "I might not ever break your aura, and your injuries heal pretty fast but you still lose blood, don't you?"

Nera paused and then laughed. "Oh, I like you!" Nera grinned. "Good job, so let's see what happens first. You bleed me dry or I break you in two."

The two leaders stared each other down before launching themselves at one another.

BGM: END

-Jaune vs. Velvet-

"incredible," Jaune said as he went to shield-bash Velvet who responded at the same time with her own hard-light copy of his shield. The two-shield slammed into each other in perfect synch but Velvet was the one knocked back. "Your semblance is as amazing as I remember," Jaune said as his and Velvet's blades clashed in perfect synchronization.

Still, as the weapons clashed, Velvet's attacks were deflected with more force than his were.

"Says the amp," Velvet said as both she and Jaune spun around and kicked each other, causing their feet to slam into each other. For the first time in the entire battle when their attacks clashed simultaneously, it was Jaune that felt his attack waver a bit. Thinking fast, Jaune's leg was covered with his golden aura and Velvet's eyes widened when she was sent flying back. "No fair! I finally won an exchange!"

"Adapt, improvise, and overcome." Jaune lectured, grimacing a bit at the discomfort in his leg which his aura quickly took care of. "Also, lesson learned, never skip leg day. You have me beat in leg strength."

"Yes, but nothing else." Velvet sighed. "Lesson learned, even if I can copy your fighting style perfectly it will still not be good if I don't have the strength to utilize it just as well."

"So, think, how would you compensate?" Jaune questioned which made Velvet hum in thought.

"I could go primal." Velvet suggested and Jaune remembered the strength Blake summoned at the docks as well as what he knew of Ghira. This impressed Jaune as he knew being able to go primal for a faunus was no small feat. "But that would leave me drained."

"Last resort," Jaune concluded. "If the fight isn't important enough, you're better off retreating."

"Yeah." Velvet perked up. "Perhaps I could compensate with gravity dust?"

"Potentially." Jaune nodded. "Which reminds me, I am overdue for an upgrade. What else? Think, Velvet, it's simple."

A lightbulb went off in Velvet's head.

"Oh, I'm stupid," Velvet groaned before dispersing Jaune's weapons. Soon, her weapon flickered and projected hard light copies of Pyrrha's which made Jaune grin. "Counter-pick."

"Exactly!" Jaune said before he and Velvet charged each other once more, this time, Jaune found himself putting significantly more effort into defending as Velvet mirrored Pyrrha perfectly. Though she was still not as powerful as Pyrrha herself and lacked the semblance that truly pushed Pyrrha's fighting style into legendary status, it was clear that their similar builds had made this much easier for Velvet to use.

Velvet grinned as they fought and though it was clear Jaune was going easy on her, it proved to be a valuable experience all the same.

"But," Jaune continued, stepping forward and stabbing Velvet in her chest with a strike Pyrrha would have deflected with her semblance. Velvet's aura flickered at the impact before she was sent crashing back on her rear. "Be wary of fighting styles reliant on semblances."

Velvet groaned, rubbing her sore rear, before hopping up to her feet. "So, like, all of them?"

"Most." Jaune corrected. "I'd suggest analyzing the fighting style of non-huntsmen or looking at tournaments where semblances are illegal. Those may be a better fit. Not to mention Huntsmen with more subtle semblances."

"All good ideas."

"Want to take notes?" Jaune joked, resting his blade on his shoulder.

Velvet tapped her temple. "No need, photographic memory."

"…you want to join the knights?" Jaune questioned seriously. "We have good benefits. I can also get you all the carrots you can eat-wait-is that racist?"

"Extremely," Velvet said though she looked more amused and gave the poor man the benefit of the doubt. "That said I do love carrots. Most faunus love the food you think their animal would, just don't assume it."

"Noted." Jaune grinned. "I apologize."

"Accepted." Velvet said and to her surprise, Jaune sheathed his blade and sat down on the hood of an abandoned car. "What are you doing?"

"Do you even want to fight?" Jaune questioned. "We can talk shop instead, leave this mess to our better halves."

"I suppose we have enough footage to edit to make it look like we actually gave a damn." Velvet mused. "Better half? Don't you mean your better third?" Velvet questioned before walking up and taking a seat next to him. Jaune smirked a bit and nodded.

"So, you're really willing to leave Beacon over this, aren't you?"

"Duty calls." Velvet said which made Jaune nod.

"That it does, but don't lose yourself to the duty as I did," Jaune warned. "If your aura ever turns white, you're in too deep and the next thing you know you'll be fighting someone you love to the death when they're trying to slap sense into you."

"Personal experience?" Velvet questioned as the pieces quickly fell in place as she thought of Jaune's sudden aura change and the brutal fight between him and Pyrrha that she studied to learn their fighting styles.

"Yep." Jaune sighed. "Speaking of people that you love, your team, have you thought about them? Their hearts will be broken."

"I know." Velvet said, her ears drooping. "But it has to happen, Jacques Schnee must be stopped. We'll wait until you all tell us you're okay with the attack, it'll happen regardless, but it will be a professional courtesy."

"An appreciated one," Jaune told her. "Believe me. I know about Jacques. He deserves it but thank you for giving us a chance to let his family know and prepare for it. They're innocent in his mess."

"We know." Velvet nodded. "We want as little pain as possible. We'll even kill him quickly but he has to go. Attacking the SDC and dealing with him to us is what Vale is to you. The turning point.

The two sat in deep thought for a bit after that. Listening to the sounds of battle echo throughout the night.

"So, time travel huh? What's that like?"

"Very weird and headache-inducing." Jaune chuckled. "So, Blake one and Blake two? What's that like?"

"I think your answer fits here as well." Velvet's face softened a bit. "I'll tell you the story, but I have to ask. What did your Empress see?"

"I wish I knew, Her Majesty has always been optimistic, but for her to believe in you all so completely…" Jaune shook his head. "…whatever it was, I hope she shares. It will make planning a lot easier for me."

"I bet. Unknown variables are the worst." Velvet groaned.

"Arc!" Both of them blinked when they saw Glynda floating above them. "What in the world are you doing?"

"Fighting smarter not harder." Jaune drawled. "Besides, I think they have it covered."

On cue, a building exploded as Sienna knocked through it. With a growl, Sienna climbed to her feet as Pyrrha walked out from the dust, her prosthetic eye releasing a red light as she grinned at the tiger. Pyrrha's hair was a bit disheveled but she appeared to be otherwise unscathed.

"Not bad," Sienna admitted before she lunged forward. "Were you a faunus, you'd be at the top of the food chain!"

"I am regardless." Pyrrha taunted.

"We'll see," Sienna said before reaching for her chain whip.

"Sienna, no!" Velvet called out making the tiger blink before she turned to Velvet who had created a hard light copy of her whip. "Use this." Velvet said before tossing the older faunus the weapon. Sienna tested the weight before nodding and jumping back into the fray.

Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Hey, she needs a chance." Velvet defended knowing full well that Sienna's main weapon would be useless against Pyrrha. Seeing the look of joy on Pyrrha's face when Sienna began to fight with the weapon told Jaune that Pyrrha was far from upset by the interference.

Pyrrha dodged to the side to avoid the whip only for Sienna to swing it down and wrap it around Pyrrha's ankle, tripping her and sending her crashing down. Seeing her opening, Sienna pounced, barely giving Pyrrha enough time to block with her shield.

"Now this is much better," Pyrrha said before she used her semblance to push her shield into Sienna and knock her away. Rolling back, Pyrrha transformed her spears into a pair of rifles just as Sienna landed at the end of the street.

Swinging her whip in front of her, Sienna launched a group of arrow-head-shaped projectiles at Pyrrha who shot each one down before they could reach her. Transforming them back into their spear forms, the bronze on Pyrrha's body was tinted black as she used her semblance to propel herself forward at breakneck speeds.

Sienna grit her teeth and felt her chest burn as Pyrrha rocket toward her. Moving her head back, Sienna took a deep breath while the burning sensation in her chest grew. Stepping forward, Sienna released a roar so powerful the shockwave tore everything in front of her asunder.

Thinking fast, Pyrrha barely had enough time to summon her shield to her arm and braced herself for the attack. When the shock wave collided with her, Pyrrha grit her teeth while digging her heels into the ground as her shield vibrated rapidly as if threatening to break.

Around her, cars and twisted pieces of metal were tinted black before they slammed together in front of her, creating a barricade that was being reduced to rubble from the sheer might of Sienna's roar. Eventually, the barricade exploded making Pyrrha shout as she was once more forced to fend off the attack.

Fortunately, the attack soon came to an end and both herself and Sienna fell to a knee, panting as they tried to catch their breaths. Pyrrha's ears were ringing for a moment before she slowly regained her ability to hear.

"You…are the first human to ever survive my semblance." Sienna panted.

"Did you just try to kill me?" Pyrrha questioned, her chest heaving as she looked around at the devastation that came from Sienna's roar which threatened to flatten the entire street.

"Knew…you…could…take it…" Sienna explained. "I am out of shape…" Sienna muttered for collapsing onto her back. "Your win. Lesson learned. I need to start training again. I'm too young to feel this old." Sienna groaned.

Pyrrha frowned. "What about the primal state of yours? Are you really done?"

"It's not worth it." Sienna rasped out, her throat sore. "I'd just be even sorer in the morning."

"Then that settles it," Glynda said simply. "This point goes to Her Majesty."

"That was a powerful attack," Jaune said as he watched Pyrrha take a seat. Though far from the sheer death match the two of them had, Pyrrha worked up a sweat and appeared satisfied for now.

"Sienna's roar was said to be able to flatten a village." Velvet nodded. "Though she is out of practice and still recovering from her fight with the Chieftan, so for now this is the best she can do. Times like this I envy you knights. The Empress' blessing would be so helpful most of the time, but going Primal is preferable when in a pinch."

"Oh?" Glynda questioned and Jaune looked at Velvet curiously.

"I studied you when I could and Nera learned a lot through Blake," Velvet admitted. "Had to know your strengths and weaknesses in case we were unable to work together. The best way to put it is like this, and keep in mind these percentages are just to paint a picture, they are not to scale. An average huntsman operates, at maximum, at 75% of their full potential. The Claw operates at 80% if we maintain a healthy training regimen."

Velvet pointed at the downed Sienna as if to show an example of someone who didn't maintain such a regimen.

"You knights, however, are consistently at 100%." Velvet revealed. "Because of this, it's easy to tell Yang and Weiss have not been knighted because it's clear they are still growing. In a pinch, you can push yourselves a further 10% in dire situations. Your eyes kind of flash silver for a second when this happens. Most people miss it, hell no one is even looking for it but…"

"Photographic memory," Jaune said which made her nod.

"When we go primal, we truly become one with our inner animal." Velvet explained. "For a short amount of time, we can operate at 150% but that jump is damn near double. The strain is unbearable." Velvet told them with a shake of her head. "When a knight pushes past their limits, they can maintain it for the rest of the fight. When we do it, the clock starts ticking and whatever happens, happens, because when it's over we are sitting ducks."

"So, if Sienna went primal, all Pyrrha would have to do is wait it out," Jaune said which made Velvet nod.

"Yes, but don't look down on us for that. That is much easier said than done." Velvet warned them. "In her case, it would be like saying all an untrained human had to do is avoid a tiger and they won't be mauled." Velvet then shrugged. "You should also use your best judgment, going primal doesn't mean retreat. These percentages are only relevant on an individual basis. 150% of the weakest Claw member could still be weaker than you at 100%. If I went primal, I still couldn't beat someone like Nora."

Velvet then frowned.

"Well, at least when she's thinking straight." Velvet amended knowing full well what happened to Nora. Nora was practically unstoppable when in control, but if it was just a blind fury she could be out maneuvered easily and Velvet's skillset was practically tailor-made to deal with berserk threats.

"Ghira was known to be able to take out groups of huntsmen alone." Glynda mused. "Safe to say none of them could escape him before the time ran out."

"Fascinating," Jaune murmured already thinking of ways to leverage this for the attack on Vale. "You've given me much to think about."

"Consider it payment for the lessons. Besides, just because we aren't your enemies that other faunus won't be and they might be able to primal," Velvet said before Glynda began to lift them with her Semblance.

"Come there are still two more battles."

-Blake vs. Yang-

Yang's eyes flickered back and forth when she found herself surrounded by Blake's clones. Soon they rushed her and with a flurry of punches, flips, and kicks, Yang found herself fighting back the small group. Yang grimaced when she realized that it took more than one simple hit to dispel these clones which meant she could not afford to underestimate Blake. She'd have to hit harder, attack more lethally if she wanted to win.

After kicking one clone with enough force to break its neck, dispelling it, Yang extended her fists to her sides and released two shots at the remaining two clones. Unfortunately, these clones took the shots to the chest bet still moved forward to each grab one of Yang's arms.

Caught off guard, Yang was unable to defend herself when the clones began to shine blue and red before exploding in a storm of fire and ice. The impact of the explosions knocked Yang across the battlefield but she recovered quickly, her power rising, only for Blake to descend from the shadows and stab her in the back with her lightning dust enhanced katana.

Yang grunted in pain when she felt the current charge through her body but soon that pain turned into power. Reaching back with one arm, Yang grabbed the faunus that was trying to pierce her aura and launched her into a lamp post. Upon impact Blake's body vanished, revealing herself to be a clone.

"I'll admit, you're able to keep a calmer head than I expected," Blake said as she strode from the shadows. "Nora trained you well, shame she couldn't listen to her own advice."

Yang's crimson eyes shone brightly at that but she didn't fall for the bait. "Nice try, but you won't make me lose control."

Blake shrugged, this time appearing slightly apologetic. "Worth a shot."

With that, the two partners launched themselves at each other. Yang released a vicious right into Blake's face who replaced herself with a clone at the last moment. Unfortunately for Yang, the clones didn't feel pain and it grabbed Yang by her arm and flipped her over her shoulder before it dispersed.

Back planted firmly on the ground, Yang looked up to see Blake descending upon her and clapped her hands together to catch the blade before it could reach her. Blake's golden eyes held no remorse as she leaned into the blade as Yang glared at her with gritted teeth.

"5000 moons, I spent trying to make something of myself. Honing my skills, mastering my power." Blake told Yang. "Don't underestimate me."

Yang's hair was engulfed in a golden flame as she glared at Blake, barely managing to push her blade back. "I've never underestimated you!" Yang growled, knowing full well of Blake's potential. Though she fought hard, Yang knew that she had yet to even land a single blow on her partner.

Even now, Yang wasn't even sure if she was talking to the real Blake.

Hell was "Blake" even the real Blake? Or was the real one fighting her sister? Even if they won and kept "Blake" would it even matter if her real partner was out galivanting through the world in a new body?

"I see the question in your eyes," Blake said calmly. "Who am I?" Blake questioned as she leaned forward a bit as if preparing to tell Yang a secret. "The truth is, I didn't know until your sister confirmed it. The answer might surprise you."

"Get off!" Yang boomed, her power exploding, knocking Blake off of her, engulfing the faunus in her flaming aura only for Blake's body to once more vanish, proving that she too was just a clone.

"I'll tell you this." Yang turned to see Blake standing on the roof of a nearby building. "Even if you win, you will never be at peace. Keeping me here will matter little when you know the truth."

"So that's it then, the real Blake is Nera!" Yang questioned which made Blake tilt her head.

"You're not wrong but you're not right either." Blake mused. "I'll tell you this, however, 'Nera' is more 'powerful' than me, but if you think that makes her the bigger threat you're mistaken."

Yang blinked and when she looked around at the rooftops, she saw dozens of Blake's standing and waiting to join the fight when ordered. Blake swung her blade down in front of her and seeing the signal, all of the Blakes descended upon Yang, covering her in a massive shadow.

-Weiss vs. Sun-

"Either fight back or give up!" Weiss snapped, slashing with Myrtenaster and creating a frozen blade that Sun flipped over at the last moment.

Weiss was frustrated.

She was more powerful than Sun but his natural agility meant that her strength didn't matter if she couldn't hit him.

"Yeah, no I'm okay over here," Sun said, keeping his distance from the huntress with, in his opinion, the most bullshit semblance of all time.

When he first heard of magic, he was skeptical.

But if the Schnee's could do everything they could for no goddamn reason, magic became a much easier pill to swallow.

Falling to a knee, Weiss stabbed her blade into the ground and summoned an army of beowolves that charged Sun. Thinking quickly, Sun clapped his hands together, creating a group of clones that ran forward and launched themselves at the spirits, exploding and taking them out.

One explosion, in particular, had knocked one of the beowolves back into Weiss, which made her drop her weapon.

Sun saw his opening when Weiss tried to regroup and shot forward. Weiss cursed when she saw him approach, but inwardly thanked Pyrrha, as she met his flurry of explosive attacks with a series of rapid and well-executed kicks. Every time a nun chuck would release a round, she'd move her body to avoid the bullet and deflect the follow-up with her heel.

Fortunately, Weiss was able to keep him at a distance, had he been any closer she would have been at the complete mercy of the skilled huntsmen. Transforming his weapons into a staff, Sun slammed the end of it into Weiss' chest, knocking her down. However, in doing so, he failed to catch the propulsion glyph beneath his feet that sent him rocketing straight up into the air.

Rushing forward, Weiss grabbed her weapon before using the glyph to launch herself up at him. In the air, he was completely at her mercy as she formed a dome of glyphs around him and attacked him from every direction at blinding speeds.

After the last strike, Weiss flipped away, summoning a gravity glyph on the streets below that sent Sun crashing down into the pavement as she landed, shattering his aura.

"And that's my win," Weiss said knowing Sun would yield and Sun groaned, giving her a shaking thumbs up before his arm went limp.

"Good job Weiss," Winter called out making Weiss flush as she couldn't believe she had gotten disarmed by her own summon in front of her sister. Still, she could worry about that later, she had to deal with Blake. She had used more aura than she would have liked, but what she had left would have to do.

Using her glyphs, Weiss swiftly made her way to her teammates.

-Yang vs. Blake-

Yang fought hard against the army, but she knew that she couldn't keep this up forever. Even as her power rose, her aura was starting to get dangerously low. Yang was essentially pressed against the wall, but before she could get overwhelmed a massive blade cleaved through the clones, giving Yang a chance to break free.

Using the recoil from her gauntlets, Yang shot back and slid next to Weiss. Together they glared up at Blake who looked down at them as impassive as ever.

"Sun did better than I expected," Blake spoke up glancing at Weiss. "I expected you sooner."

Ignoring Blake's remark, Weiss' face turned cold. "Enough of this game. You know Jaune and Pyrrha won't lose and you can't beat both of us."

BGM: Never Fade Away [Little V Cover] (Samurai Refused)-Cyberpunk 2077

"Is that right?" Blake questioned, closing her eyes.

-Blake's Mindscape-

Blake knelt in front of a black cat. Offering her hand, Blake smiled as the cat placed its paw in her palm.

-Vale-

Blake's eyes snapped open and she felt the weight of her body vanish. Reaching up to her mask, she pulled it down as golden flames poured from her eyes when she felt the magic within her begin to flow wildly.

Blake's lips curled up, reveal a pair of sharp fangs to her teammates.

With a step forward, Blake fell from the building before flipping to place her feet on the side of it so that she could launch herself at Weiss and Yang who were caught off guard by her direct approach. Blake was upon them in moments and swung at Yang with her katana while swinging its bladed sheathe at Weiss.

Two on one, Weiss and Yang fought Blake who wasn't even remotely fazed. In fact, much to their confusion, it was Blake who seemed to have the edge. No matter what they did, they couldn't land a solid blow on the faunus.

Blakes movements were subtle and slight but they were enough to make their blows miss her completely. With a forward leap, Blake flipped over both of them and kicked them in their backs, sending them stumbling forward.

Spinning around, Weiss released an arc of flames and Yang released a blast from her gauntlet. Before the attacks could hit, Blake performed a split, showing a ludicrous amount of flexibility as both attacks went over her head. Transforming her blade into a gun, Blake began to shoot at them which forced them apart.

Launching her sickle at Yang, she wrapped it around the blonde's arm and used it to pull herself toward Yang. Flipping forward, Blake kicked Yang in her face before using her as a springboard and launching herself back across the street while leaving a clone behind to fight the blonde.

After landing in front of Wiess, Blake and her clone began to attack both Yang and Weiss at the same time using the same combination of attacks as if they were mirror images.

As this went on, the spectators could only look on in surprise.

"Unbelievable," Glynda muttered.

"As expected of a Belladonna." Sienna grinned seeing Blake run circles around Weiss and Yang. Jaune, having looked away from Ruby's fight to see what had caught their attention, frowned. Blake was easily a knight-level threat on par with Winter, which he had already expected but that wasn't what caught his attention.

"Her eyes," Jaune said noting the golden flames. "She really does have magic."

"I'm upping Weiss' training after this," Pyrrha said more than a little miffed her student was losing a two on one fight. That said, Pyrrha was even more impressed by Blake's skill.

"This is why you didn't care that much about our fight." Jaune realized, turning to Velvet. "You knew Blake would win."

"I haven't seen her skill before now, but I had faith in her." Velvet said with a nod. "If she could tame Nera, she had to be powerful in her own right."

Back in the fight, Blake ran around Yang who had managed to dispel her clone, and fired her sickle at the blonde, wrapping it around her neck. Yang gripped at the chord while Blake jumped over a streetlight and used it as a make-shift pully that forced Yang off of her feet.

Thinking fast, Weiss launched a spear of ice at the fixture, destroying the streetlight and freeing her hanging girlfriend. Yang coughed as she fell back to the ground while Weiss summoned a massive knight that charged Blake who ran straight toward it.

Blake took a deep breath, gathering her magic in her mouth, and jumped toward the knight that swung its massive blade at her.

-Flashback: Hours Earlier-

"We're really going to do this," Blake said, resting her head on Nera's arm as they rested on the floor of Tukson's library.

"Yep," Nera brushed away some of Blake's hair. "Don't fear the reaper, Blake, it's only when you stare at them that you can find out who you truly are."

"And who are we?" Blake murmured. "Which one of us is real?"

"Tell me beautiful, is our love real?"

"Yes."

"Then we both are," Nera said with a nod. "That's the answer. Love, our love. With it and the hope inspired by Ruby, we will stop the evil that threatens the beauty of this world."

Blake closed her eyes, thinking about the world.

"Answer me this, Blake." Nera continued. "Would you rather live forever unharmed while evil wins and our people suffer? If so, say so right now and we can leave without a second thought. Or, would you risk going out doing what's right for our people, possibly dying so that they can be free?

Blake was silent, but she didn't have to answer, not when the answer was so clear on her face.

Not when she was no longer the person who pick the former choice.

"What have you done to me?" Blake murmured.

Nera grinned. "Don't run anymore, you don't have to, because you-like all man-are beautiful."

-Flashback: End-

["And a thing of beauty? I know, will never fade away."]

Weiss' eyes widened when Blake transformed into a black cat, avoiding the slash that should have knocked her away. Reverting to her normal form, Blake opened her mouth, revealing the blazing inferno within.

["So never stop fighting Blake. Let that fire in your chest, that red flower, bloom."]

Weiss could do nothing as a stream of fire exploded from Blake's mouth and engulfed her point-blank. Weiss shouted as she felt as though her aura was melting. When the flames ended, Weiss collapsed to her knees, her aura gone, and fell to her side.

"Weiss!" Yang shouted before glaring at Blake who turned around charged her down. Cocking her fist back, Yang blasted forward prepared to use her strongest attack as she gathered her gathered energy into her fist. She may not have landed a blow on Blake, but she only needed to land this one to bring this to an end. In response, Blake channeled her magic into her katana, coating it with lightning.

Within moments, the two partners met in the middle of the street, glaring into each other's eyes fiercely. However, it was then that Yang's eyes widened as if she saw something surprising and her eyes turned from red to lilac while her fist…

…Fell.

In a flash, Blake was behind Yang, her blade raised to her side as Yang screamed in pain when the volts of electricity coursed through her and shattered her aura. Silently Blake stood, her head bowed, as her blade trembled ever so slightly while Yang fell to her knees.

BGM: END

"You stopped," Blake said, turning to face Yang's back. "Why?"

"Because you didn't," Yang answered quietly, looking up into the night sky with a defeated smile. "You have the same look in your eyes that Ruby does. You have to do this, don't you?"

"I do."

"Thought so," Yang bowed her head. "I see you as a sister, Blake, and it just hit me I was doing to you what I did to Ruby. I…I have this fear of being abandoned and I…I'm, sorry." Yang said her voice wavering. "I don't want to hurt you I don't want to hurt anyone."

"Yang no matter what happens, no matter where we are or when we see each other again, Team RWBY is eternal," Blake whispered before she walked forward and placed a hand on Yang's shoulder. "We will always be friends."

Yang smiled weakly at this and placed a trembling hand over Blake's. "The best, right?"

"Right," Blake said and with that Yang collapsed. Blake took a deep breath and stopped both her primal rage and the magic coursing through her. With a grunt, Blake fell to her hands and knees, completely drained.

"This match goes to the Claw, it seems," Winter said and it was clear she was not pleased but she had to focus on making sure Weiss was okay. With a nod, Blake sat down and Glynda lifted her to see the others.

The Knights of Rose and the Black Claw had tied.

It was now up to the leaders.

-The Empress, Ruby Rose vs. The Chieftan, Nera Bestia-

Blasting forward in a slip-stream, a group of rose petals blasted toward Nera, kicking up powerful winds that lifted nearby cars and debris into the air and toward Nera. Shooting up into the sky, the petals reformed into Ruby as the vehicles and large pieces of concrete were launched at Nera.

Narrowing her eye, Nera leaned forward, placing a hand on the hilt of her blade before swiftly cutting through each massive projectile, her blade cutting through like a hot knife through butter. The winds themselves blew her hair back and tore up her surroundings but Nera managed to not lose her footing.

Sheathing her blade, Nera closed her eyes, concentrating on her other senses as Ruby burst down toward her. Nera stepped forward and immediately the rose petals moved to the side.

"There!" Nera thought, her eyes snapping open as she reached to the side and stabbed her hand through the petals before they could split around her arm. Immediately, the petals reformed into a stunned Ruby who Nera had held tightly by her neck. "Got you!"

Eyes wide, Ruby found herself lifted back and launched into the side of a building, crashing mercilessly through the concrete. Crescent Rose fell and stabbed into the rubble in front of her. Ruby tried to get up but found herself pinned in place by a large piece of concrete.

"Come on, Rose, focus!" Nera barked as Ruby's eyes flickered with barely restrained power. "Let it out!" Nera shouted while Wilt's gauge drained into Blush, filling it the final third of the way and causing the sheathe to emit a crimson light. "You're a leader aren't you!?"

Ruby grunted as if trying to answer but only ended up coughing up blood.

"You need to have more than just hope to be a leader," Nera told her. "It's more than believing in our enemies' eventual defeat. It's about possessing the fire underneath! The fire that will fill your speech and have your people rallying in the streets!"

Nera placed a hand on the hilt of her blade.

"I know that fire is within you." Nera continued. "That fire, that red flower, is there, budding in your chest. So let it…"

A blade shot out from the side of Blush and the sheath extended, transforming the katana into a nodachi. With both hands, Nera grabbed the large blade and swung it upward, releasing all of the stored energy in one massive moonslice.

"Bloom!" Nera roared and Ruby's eyes went as the faunus was hidden by the massive ocean of red that filled her vision. Almost instantly, Ruby felt her aura shatter.

-Ruby's Mindscape-

"Well, I suppose that confirms it then." The Empress said quietly, smiling a bit as played with a rose that bloomed before her very eyes. The Empress laughed melodically, pressing her fingers against the rose's thorns. "To think that a promise could be kept so ardently."

A wounded Ruby didn't respond as she dragged herself forward, toward that pool of power that laid behind the Empress.

"Tell me little one, why is it that I'm still here?" The Empress questioned as Ruby made it to the edge of the pool. "Or, more specifically, on this throne?"

Ruby didn't respond, but the fact that she stopped showed that she was listening.

"You've replaced me in every aspect of your life except the one that matters." The Empress said, not looking back at her younger counterpart. "This is your mind so why have you not pulled me off of your throne?"

The silence was deafening.

"If what happened to Blake is what we suspect then you know my days are numbered." The Empress continued. "I have nothing left to teach you. You have grown far beyond the need for my advice, and my legacy is yours. Yet still, you cling to me like a babe to a blanket."

Ruby didn't respond, and the Empress wasn't even looking at her, but still, she heard the sniffle.

"It's okay to be afraid." The Empress said softly. "And it warms my heart that you care for me so, but you are becoming guilty of the same thing you admonish your knights for. There was more truth in your words when you told the twins I was your sister than you realized wasn't there?"

"I…I don't want you to die…" Ruby's voice was small.

The Empress laughed. "I'm afraid it's a little too late, besides I won't die. I'll be a part of you."

Ruby said nothing.

"I've fed and nurtured you all I can my little caterpillar," The Empress said warmly. "The time for crystallization is before us. This will be a terrifying period for you, filled with uncertainty and darkness but I have faith in you. That you will break free on the other side. You can do anything you put your mind to, in fact, you could just click your heels and defy gravity itself. Now go, I'll be here if you need me but Ruby, you don't need me."

The only response the Empress received was a loud splash.

-Vale: Beacon-

Ozpin frown, standing on his balcony as once more he saw the emerald light of Beacon turn silver.

-Vale: Ruby vs. Nera

"Ruby!" Qrow shouted in alarm as everyone exclaimed at the sight of Ruby and the building that trapped her being wiped from existence.

"Bloom was for our enemies Nera!" Velvet shouted, stressing the word enemies which the Knights likely now were considered their Empress just got murdered by their Chieftan. The only ones who didn't seem worried on angry were Blake, Jaune, and Pyrrha.

"There is no way, Her Majesty would die like that," Pyrrha muttered and Jaune agreed, but his lack of worry seemed to be from him being too stunned by something else if his incredulous expression was anything to go by.

"That speech," Jaune muttered. "It can't be."

On the battlefield below, Nera turned away from the building.

"My belief in the red flower is the only reason I wear this emblem," Nera said, referring to Adam's inverted wilt emblem. "Until the last petal falls, I cannot die. Which means I have a long journey for you are eternal."

At that moment the rubble exploded and Nera smirked, placing her weapon back on her waist as it returned to normal. Turning back around, Nera came face to face with a pillar of silver light. Within the light, Nera saw Ruby's silhouette and the pair of silver flames pouring from her eyes. When the light dispersed, they saw Ruby floating above the rubble, rose petals floating around her as the twin silver flames in her eyes burned brighter.

With the onlookers, Glynda gasped.

"She's doing it," Glynda said seeing Ruby perform something that the Empress herself couldn't until she briefly obtained the maiden powers. The Empress could mimic flight with her semblance and even slow her descent greatly but never freely fly. Even Nora took years to learn this ability. "She's defying gravity."

For a maiden, this feat was simple, instinctive as the magic had been passed down and used by countless wielders.

For first-generation magic wielders, this feat was nothing to scoff at.

BGM: Crown-Neffex

"Flight?" Nera questioned before laughing. "I'll admit I still haven't figured that one out."

Ruby glanced down saw Crescent Rose split in two, cleaved in half by the moonslice with both ends still glowing hot at the points it was bisected.

Ruby scowled.

"You say you're my sister in destiny, fated to carry this weight with me," Ruby said as her aura began to repair itself. "You know I'm not like the others. There is a reason I alone stood at the top."

"With all due respect, I'm not like the others either," Nera said as she drew her blade. "I will stand beside you.

Ruby inclined her head, gazing down at Nera imperiously, her crimson cape billowing behind her like a flag. "Then it's time to put your ass to the test."

With a sonic boom that shook the battlefield, Ruby shot back, disappearing. Confused, Nera didn't know where Ruby had flown off to until her left ear twitch. Turning around, Nera was just in time to catch a vicious right hook from Ruby who glared at her with blazing eyes.

Their surroundings exploded from the shock wave and though Nera hadn't budged, her face rippled from the blood and she could fill her aura quake from the attack. Around the glass from the nearby windows shattered and rained down upon them like snow.

"You're mad," Nera said as best as she could with a fist planted firmly in her cheek.

"You don't scratch Crescent Rose!" Ruby snapped before flying back and gripping her head as if it were in pain. With a pained scream, Ruby released twin beams of silver magic from her eyes. Startled, Nera unsheathed Wilt and absorbed the attack.

Beneath Nera, the streets shattered from the weight of the magic and she was forced to take a knee. This seemed to piss Nera off a bit as when the attack died down, she growled and immediately released a moonslice at Ruby who simply flew left a few inches, avoiding the attack.

The onlookers could only watch, stunned as the fight quickly began to evolve into something that was simply out of this world.

"Laser beams from her eyes," Jaune said, his eye twitching. "Of course, that's the first thing she tries," Jaune muttered remembering how disheartened Ruby was that silver eyes couldn't do that. In hindsight, after they realized that Ruby was unique, even amongst silver-eyed warriors, she probably should have attempted anyway. He couldn't imagine what the Empress within Ruby was feeling right.

-Ruby's Mindscape-

For once, The Empress appeared to be genuinely pissed off.

"Oh, this is fucking bullshit."

-Vale-

"She gains access to magic, and the first thing she thinks of is laser beams from her eyes?" Glynda questioned. Qrow just chuckled as Winter rubbed her temples, realizing that her leader was still a young teen.

"Yep. That's Ruby for you." Yang looking amused, but mostly completely stunned by the unbelievable fight she was witnessing her sister put up. Weiss, though surprised herself, looked more like Winter at this moment.

"Surely there was something else she could have thought of?"

"Hey, it's simple, but it's working." Pyrrha pointed out not seeing what the issue was. The best weapons were, of course, both effective and simple to use.

"Will the Chieftan be alright?" Velvet questioned realizing something might have snapped in the Empress when her scythe got destroyed.

"Yes, Nera just needs to regain her bearings," Blake said, unbothered by the turn of the fight. In fact, she even smirked a bit. "I just don't think she was expecting catching lasers to the face."

Sienna shook her head before extending a hand toward Qrow. "Pass me that shit."

Qrow obliged, knowing the woman needed it and handed her his flask.

Back in the fight, Ruby flew down at blinding speeds. Ruby flew into Nera, gripping her around her waist before hoisting the taller woman up on her shoulder and flying straight up into the sky. Nera went to stab Ruby, but the Empress simply threw Nera up into the air.

-Nera's Mindscape-

"Alright, she wants to fight? I am happy to oblige." Nera said as she approached a black panther and smiled while placing her forehead against the animal.

-Vale-

With a visceral roar, Nera released her primal rage and glared down at Ruby as if she were prey. Seeing Ruby's eyes burn brighter, Nera sheathed her blade and extended her claws while golden flames spilled from her eyes.

With a scream, Ruby released another blast from her eyes as Nera roared, coating her claw in lightning as she descended up the Empress. Moving her body to the side, Nera avoided the blast and slammed her claw into it, splitting the beam.

Like a bolt of lightning, Nera shot back down to the ground, grabbing Ruby by her face and slamming her into the concrete, destroying what was left of the neighborhood. Ruby's aura flickered as Nera slammed her head repeatedly into the ground. Before she could do it again, Ruby burst into rose petals causing Nera's claw to move harmlessly through her.

Surprised by a feat that should have been impossible for Ruby, Nera realized that Ruby's magic must have enhanced her semblance further. Ruby reformed behind Nera who immediately ran forward, already expecting what was next.

Sure enough, behind her Ruby released another beam and Nera transformed her body into a panther and ran through the carnage dodging from left to right to avoid the beam of silver destruction chasing her. As Nera ran, her pelt was coated in flames and when the beam died, she turned around and rushed toward Ruby.

Leaping into the air, Nera transformed back to normal, her arms crossed while her body was still engulfed in flames. Whipping her arms apart, Nera released a roar that made Sienna proud which was enhanced by the magical flames.

Ruby raised her hands and a silver sphere surrounded her, protecting her flames. Ruby yelled as she put everything that she had into it, making the sphere grow as the flames from Nera only burned hotter. Soon their combined magic grew and engulfed everything insight, even the onlookers were caught inside of the blast and before they knew it everything went white.

BGM: END

-Evermore-

In a flash of light, the Knights of Rose and the Black Claw found themselves stumbling into the wilderness of Evermore. However, unlike the majestic paradise, Black and Nera remembered, the realm had become dark, twisted with rotten plants, and filled with black pools of liquid that bubbled and birthed grimm.

"What the hell?" Sienna questioned as they regained their bearings. "Where the hell are we?

Blake looked around in confusion, wondering how they got there and why the realm had looked so eerily familiar. However, soon she felt her heart plummet when she saw a familiar home that was now in shambles.

"Evermore," Blake whispered.

"What?" Nera asked, horrified before she fell to a knee when the effects of her primal rage kicked in. Ruby turned in alarm only to collapse to a knee as well when she felt the previous battle finally take it's on her body.

"This is Evermore?" Velvet questioned, her ears drooping. "I thought it was a paradise?"

"It was," Nera said through gritted teeth. "I have no idea what happened, but this is not the realm I remember."

"What is Evermore?" Glynda questioned.

"The realm of the God of Animals, it's where Nera and I trained after he took us in," Blake answered. "We were here for 5000 moons, untouched by time on Remnant. It was beautiful. Living off the magic in the land is what gave us our magic."

"And where is this God?" Winter questioned and almost to answer her question, they heard a pained roar. Looking out over the cliff, they saw the God of Animal's forced to a knee, dark energy poured from his chest as Salem stood next to him with her hand outstretched toward him. "That's-!"

"Salem," Jaune muttered, his eyes flashing briefly with fury as he saw their adversary.

"He's a distortion," Ruby whispered before narrowing her eyes. "No, rather, he's resisting one buried within himself that she's trying to feed!"

"I must say your resistance has lost its novelty," Salem spoke. As the God of Animals trembled. "Give in and use your power to serve my mistress."

"Never." The God of Animals swore before sniffing and glancing back to see the newcomers. "Children! This monster has stripped away most of my divinity. Kill me now if you wish to save your world!"

"Hm? Oh well, well, what do we have here?" Salem drawled, looking at the gathered mortals. "This was your plan? Bring some mortals here to strike you down? Half of them look ready to keel over any second." Salem laughed. "I must say that is impressive, they must have released a lot of magic for you to use to locate and summon them here."

"Release him!" Nera roared which only made Salem raise an eyebrow.

"Or what?" Salem questioned before clenching her fist, making the God of Animal's roar as if his pain had doubled. Soon, the ground began to tremble as his body thrashed. From the grimm pools, grimm climbed out and launched themselves at him, covering his body before seemingly melding into his very being.

Soon the God of Animal's had been replaced by an inky black sphere that grew and grew until it quadrupled in size. When its growth stopped, Salem smiled in satisfaction.

"Now this just may be my finest work yet," Salem said, clearly pleased with herself. "I think I'll name you, Grand Chimera."

Soon the surface of the sphere began to ripple and before long a black, red, and white hydra exploded from the sphere releasing a roar that shook the after-life.

"What the hell are we supposed to do about that!?" Sun asked incredulously. "Not to mention that creepy bitch is still here!"

"I don't know but we have to destroy it!" Ruby said, frustrated by her lack of power. Hell, she didn't even have a scythe to use. "If Salem brings that into Remnant the world is doomed." Ruby closed her eyes. "Come on think, think, think!"

-Ruby's Mindscape-

"Little one, little one, stop." The Empress said trying to calm her counterpart who was forcing herself to come up with an answer. "With Salem and that monstrous grimm out there, there is no way for everyone to make it out alive as things are now."

"So what? We give up!?"

"No," The Empress said, raising a hand to stop Ruby's anger. "Little one, the time has come. We cannot put this off any longer, we must begin crystallization." The Empress said firmly. "I need to merge my personality core with yours, seal it within your very being until it is time for our final ascension."

"How would that help?" Ruby questioned with a frown. "We won't become one until the ascension. I'd just end up being me without you around to help!"

"During the crystallization, exists an opportunity. A desperate chance to set this right." The Empress explained. "While my personality is merging with yours there will be a brief moment where you will be wholly convinced that you are me in mind, body, and spirit. This will give you temporary access to all of my power. It will take some time to get to this point, but we must have faith that the others can hold the line."

"This is insane," Ruby muttered but she knew that she had no other answer. She was drained, in desperate need of power, and the only one who has ever bested Salem was offering it. "How do you know all of this?"

The Empress laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief as if she still had one last grand secret. "An old man in a cave once told me."

Ruby's jaw dropped.

"This is our best shot and you won't be alone." The Empress said before rising from the throne. "Empress Ruby Rose II. It is time."

Removing her crown from her head, the Empress stepped forward and placed it on Ruby's head, causing the crown Ruby wore to start merging with the Empress and taking the form of her ruby encrusted wreath.

-Evermore-

"I have a plan," Ruby said, stunning all but Blake and Nera as no one could imagine a way out of this hellish situation, especially when most of them were exhausted. "Ten minutes, that's all I need," Ruby said before looking at Nera knowingly. "Is that long enough for you and Blake?"

Smirking, Nera nodded. "That's more than enough time for Blake and me to recover our strength. Claw, The Empress is taking point, listen to her as you would me. Blake and I need to meditate."

With that, Blake sat next to Nera and they both closed their eyes, blocking out the world around them to increase their recovery speed.

The faunus nodded and Ruby began to give orders.

"Uncle Qrow, Glynda, Winter, you all deal with Salem." Ruby narrowed her eyes a bit at Glynda. "Glynda, do not use more than 25% of your power."

"Your Majesty, surely you jest-"

"Believe in me, Glynda," Ruby interrupted before nodding toward Blake and Nera. "Believe in us. Only if I fall do you go all out."

Glynda frowned but nodded before she Qrow and Winter shot at Salem who looked amused that they would actually try to face her.

"Claw, go Primal," Ruby ordered. "Pyrrha, Yang, and Weiss join them in facing the Chimera. Pyrrha you have to provide cover fire, you're the best marksman available. Jaune, you stay here and protect us. Charge your aura and distribute it as needed, I need you to keep the Claw primal."

"Yes, your majesty," Jaune said before moving in front of Ruby, Blake, and Nera. "Before us stands our common enemy, fight to survive, not win. Make every second count!" Jaune shouted and Velvet turned to face them.

"That said, go wild as if fight as if you're prepared to die." Velvet began as she strode toward the cliff. "And if you do die, die as predators, not prey. It's time to hunt." With that, Velvet led the charge hopping off the cliff with the Knights of Rose and the Claw behind her.

-Sienna's Mindscape-

BGM: Pray For Me [Explicit]- The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar Black Panther OST

Strolling through a jungle, Sienna stepped back when a large tiger leaped from the shadows, landing in front of her, and released a powerful roar that blew her hair back. Narrowing her eyes, Sienna stepped forward and roared right back, shaking the environment with its intensity.

Smirking at the tiger, Sienna placed a hand on its head and pet it.

-Sun's Mindscape-

Walking to the top of a massive temple, Sun grinned when he reached the summit and saw a large ape. Raising a fist, Sun grinned at it and in response, the Ape seemed to laugh as it bumped the blond's fist with its own.

-Velvet's Mindscape-

In a realm that could best be described as Wonderland, Velvet giggled as a rabbit hopped around her as she made her way to a table that seemed prepped for a tea party. Sitting down, Velvet smiled warmly as she picked her cup and caught the rabbit that jumped into her free arm, snuggling as it buried its head in her neck.

-Evermore-

-1st minute-

Landing first, Velvet shot forward, creating a crater where she leaped from as her body rocketed toward the Grand Chimera like a bullet behind, her the Claw followed after as she flanked the massive grimm from the right as the Knights of Rose attacked from the left.

"Get ready," Pyrrha called out to Weiss and Yang. "If you let the Claw upstage you, I'm upping your training!"

This seemed to unnerve even Yang who didn't even train under Pyrrha. Soon the metal on Yang's and Weiss tinted black as Pyrrha combined her spears and shield into their combined form.

"Go!" Pyrrha shouted before launching Weiss and Yang at the Grand Chimera, stepping back, Pyrrha transformed the combined spear into a large sniper rifle and aimed. The shots she released were powerful enough to knock her back, but they were also able to tear through the Grand Chimera's thick flesh.

-2nd Minute-

With a furious expression, Qrow descended upon Salem with a powerful vertical slash only for her to catch his blade effortlessly.

"Ah, the infamous Qrow Branwen," Salem smirked. "You know, your name was one of the last Summer whispered before I dealt with her."

"You'll pay for ever looking at her, you bitch," Qrow growled before transforming to a bird, catching her off guard as he flew behind her and reformed. Transforming his sword into a scythe, Qrow released a shot and the recoil spun him around and slammed the blade into her side deeply only for her flesh to push his blade out and heal.

Salem turned instantly and prepared to spear him through his chest with her hand, only for Winter to speed past and chop the limb off before it could reach.

Thinking fast, Qrow slashed Salem through her chest and wrapped an arm around Winter. Qrow barely had enough time to jump back, before a telekinetic push from Glynda crushed Salem into the ground. Glynda glared at the with, her green eyes flashing briefly with an ominous emerald glow.

"25%" Qrow reminded her before her temper could get the better of her. Glynda scowled but nodded before encasing them in a telekinetic barrier just in time to block a powerful unearthly wail from Salem which shook the realm.

-3rd Minute-

Sun ran up the back of the Grand Chimera, attacking the multitude of Grimm that appeared from the massive Grimm's body. With a massive leap, Sun flipped forward and summoned five clones that each landed inside one of the hydra's mouths before exploding with enough force to blow each head apart. Sun slid down the hydra's body and jumped off just as it began to transform.

When Sun landed, he was immediately swarmed by grimm but he fought the group with an unprecedented ferocity as his talent in close quarters combat seemed to improve drastically. Moving almost like a drunken monkey, Sun tore through his opposition, fighting them tooth and nail.

-4th Minute-

When the Grand Chimera transformed this time, it took the form of a massive lion that had a snake for a tail. Opening its massive jaw, the snake spewed venom that was potent into to melt through the ground. Thinking, Weiss used her glyphs to summon knights to stand in front of the others and take the brunt of the attack.

Still, a bit of it splashed on her shoulder, making her scream as she felt her very aura began to be eaten. Fortunately, an arc of golden light shot from the cliffside and slammed into her, healing the would-be injury.

"Weiss!" Yang shouted while punching away an Ursa.

"I'm fine, deal with that head!" Weiss shouted making Yang nod before a propulsion glyph appeared beneath the blonde's feet and launched her at the Grand Chimera.

"Schnee, me as well! Shoot me at the lion!" Sienna called out and Weiss nodded before launching the former High Leader at the Chimera.

"Eat this!" Yang shouted before slamming her fist through the serpent's eye, burying her arm up to its shoulder. With a powerful yell, Yang released all of her blazing aura, making the snake thrash in agony when its head was burned from the inside.

-5th Minute-

Sienna growled to herself as she climbed up the side of the lion's mane. She was battered and bruised but determined to get rid of this grimm as she saw it slashing its claws at the others. When she made it to its ear, she heard a screech and turned to see a Nevermore divebombing her but before it could get close, it exploded.

Turning to the side, Sienna saw Pyrrha in the distance give her a thumbs up before she went back to providing covering fire. Turning back toward her targe, Sienna took a deep breath and released the most powerful roar she could into the Grand Chimera's ear.

The massive beast roared in agony, rearing back as it transformed once more. Eyes wide, Sienna couldn't stop herself from being knocked back when it transformed into a colossal nevermore that bat her away with a flap of its wing.

Before she could hit the ground, she was caught by Velvet who hopped by.

-6th Minute-

As the Nevermore circled overhead, the three eldest knights continued to fight Salem who-while using visible effort-was still more than enough to fend them off.

The ominous emerald glow in Glynda's eyes seemed to burn even more. Stomping her foot on the ground, it shattered as gravity seemed to reverse and lift Salem into the air. Swiping with her weapon, Glynda slammed the large debris into Salem, encasing her in a moon-like sphere.

From both sides, Qrow and Winter shot through the sphere, slicing through it with their weapons. Crimson cracks appeared on the sphere's surface and soon it exploded knocking them back and revealing an unscathed Salem who looked far from amused.

-7th Minute-

Hopping rapidly from left to right at blinding speeds, Velvet was barely able to stop her and Sienna from being speared by the massive feathers that stabbed into the ground behind them and shook the battlefield.

"Drop me, I'm slowing you down," Sienna growled at her.

"Shut up and leave the planning to me." Velvet said before she spotted Sun. "Sun! Catch!" Velvet shouted before tossing Sienna to the blond who caught the tiger and summoned clones immediately to intercept the incoming feathers.

Her speed increasing, Velvet darted up the cliffside toward Jaune, who already had his shield raised. With a large jump, Velvet landed on top of the ancient shield, feeling Jaune's aura charge her before he pushed forward just as she leaped off. The force of the jump knocked Jaune back a bit as Velvet rocketed up toward the nevermore.

Taking a deep breath, Velvet summoned a copy of Crescent Rose and slammed it into the corner of the nevermore's beak. Using Ruby's moves as her basis, Velvet ran forward, her powerful legs being more than enough to help her tear into the Grand Chimera, splitting open its side as she ran forward. With one last jump, Velvet sprung off of the beast sending it crashing down into the ground. As she descended, she looked on in horror as she saw the grimm move to the fallen Grand Chimera, merging with it as it shape-shifted again.

"They're healing it." Velvet whispered. "No, they're making it even stronger!"

A loud roar shook the heavens as the Grand Chimera took its next form.

The form of a dragon.

-8th Minute-

BGM: END

"Poor God of Animals." Salem taunted as she flew up while several grimm attacked the knights she faced, forcing them to cut them down. "Trying so hard to be different from his creators, yet deep down he is the same."

Salem sneered at the Grand Chimera which took a form identical to the God of Darkness' dragon form. The way the mortals fought so desperately against it brought back unpleasant memories. The dragon raised its head, gathering a large amount of distorted energy that made the gathered huntsmen look up in despair, their hope dying fast.

"Just as the Brother Gods wiped out man, He too will wipe out you." Salem mused. "Die proud, knowing it took a God to defeat you." Suddenly, Salem's arm extended, wrapping around the three knights like a rope before throwing them toward the others before they could react when they landed all of the mortals were now in front of the Grand Chimera.

And with that, the dragon released its breath.

And all went black.

-9th Minute-

Their visions now an ocean of black, they could do nothing but watch in despair as the wave of distortion prepared to wash over them. With a shout Jaune landed in front of the attack and raised his shield, his bright golden aura contrasting against the darkness.

Like a golden flame in a void, Jaune alone stood the hold the line as his aura engulfed all around him.

He could not fail.

He could not falter.

He.

Would.

Hold.

The.

Line.

Eventually, the entire realm turned pitch black, leaving only the golden light of Jaune's aura and the disdain of Salem's crimson eyes.

Soon, the darkness began to die down

"Pathetic." Salem sneered when the darkness receded, revealing a devastated realm and a group of barely surviving mortals. Flying up the float above the dragon, Salem gazed down impassively at Jaune. "You did all that and for what? A few extra seconds of life? Just like the man of old, you will fall before the divine."

"Listen here, witch," Jaune said as he forced himself to his feet. "Don't compare us to the likes of those fools who were bound by your lies and deceit. Men with hearts that shallow, and minds that frail stood no chance against such an adversary. But we are different. We are bound by honor and loyalty."

Jaune raised his shield proudly.

"I will stand at the gates of hell and take down any threat that tries to pass for my fellow man. For my Empress." Jaune swore, and Salem's eyes widened when she saw the emblem on his shield. "Any threat," Jaune emphasized. "Including you, witch."

"That man…" Salem muttered before shaking her head. "…pretty words for a man on his last legs. What did you expect to achieve with that speech? One last attempt to rally some soon-to-be corpses?"

"No." Jaune then smiled. "I just need to kill some time."

-10th Minute-

BGM: Shadowbringers- Final Fantasy XIV OST

An explosion echoed throughout the realm and when Salem snapped her head up to see two large pillars of light shooting up from the cliff. One pillar was pitch black and had two golden lights visible within it. The older pillar was a bright silver that caused her discomfort from just looking at it. Inside of it, she could see a black silhouette with eyes made of silver flames.

- Flashback: Two Months Ago: The Cave-

When Blake's clone finally fell unconscious, the God of Animals fell to a knee in exhaustion, keeping his hands extended toward them. Soon his body began to shift and distort and soon, in his place, stood an older Blake.

From the shadows of the cave, the true God of Animals appeared and tossed a book onto the floor next to Blake.

'The Man with Two Souls.'

"Interesting tale." The God of Animals mused. "But how did it inspire this?"

"Because I believe the man was stronger than he thought," Blake explained tiredly. "His soul was split, yes, but each became their own person. Would that not make him twice the man?"

"I see, and that's what you seek to accomplish here?"

"It is," Blake answered. "Unlike the others, I have the least amount of time to get this right. They each had years, but I was given months. I have to split my soul to halve the time needed. One will have the person, the other will have my beast, together they will develop what is missing in the other."

"Divide and conquer." The God of Animals acknowledged. "You know if you do this, they will be drawn together like magnets, two halves desiring to be whole."

"I know, and it's my hope that will keep them loyal and on the same side," Blake explained. "That day will come when they will learn to truth and remember the few memories I have that they don't. They might even present habits I developed later instinctively."

"What will happen when they become paranoid of my ability to alter memories?" The God of Animals questioned. "They are, after all, half of you. What should I tell them when they which one is real?"

"Don't tell them a thing," Blake responded. "They are both me, but for this to work, they need to be their own people as well. It's why Ruby is doing things the way she is now, to protect her 'heart'." Blake lowered her hand and drew a yin & yang symbol in the dirt. The God of Animals nodded sadly as he saw Blake begin to wither away, transferring her very being to the two faunus.

"So that's why you said that nonsense of being born wrong?" The God of Animals said with a raised eyebrow which made her give him a wry smile.

"Ruby's ascension is hindered by her inability to see herself and her counterpart as two separate beings, this will help." Blake answered. "They will be mirror images, reversed, but not identical."

The God of Animals chuckled at that. "When I plucked each of you out of your timelines it was because out of all that had perished while being a maiden, you four worked the best together." The God of Animals whispered. "Yet, you four have proven to be the most interesting children in history. You are the best chance at winning this war."

As Blake continued to weather away, she laughed. "Of course, We're team RWBY. We've been fighting this war since the day we met."

With that Blake vanished.

-Evermore-

When pillars dispersed, The Empress stood with her arms crossed, her hair long as she stood a few inches taller garbed in her white dress and red cape. Beside her, Blake stood in a black one-piece stealth suit with a white version of Nera's jacket tied around her shoulder.

Gambol Shroud was in its katana form in her left hand while she carried Wilt in her right. The two stood on the cliff and gazed down at the Dragon and Salem.

"Blake Belladonna," The Empress spoke. "It has been far too long."

"It has," Blake spoke with a small smile. Though she had both Blake and Nera's faunus features, it was clear that this was the true Blake. One that had become one with the faunus that had fought with her in countless battles before her disappearance. "Shall we? For old time's sake?"

"Let's," The Empress said before she and Blake disappeared in a burst of red and black rose petals, The Empress having used her semblances to transport them both. In a moment, Blake appeared before the Grand Chimera. Spinning rapidly like a buzzsaw, Blakes sliced the grimm vertically, tearing open its chest.

Time seemed to slow to a complete stop as the Empress descended. Eyes narrowed at the literal opening Blake had provided for her, she petal burst forward at the speed of light and tore through the Grand Chimera's chest.

The resulting hole was large and sent the Grand Chimer stumbling back as Ruby landed in front of Qrow in a flurry of rose petals.

"Uncle." The Empress greeted, extending a hand toward the man. Stunned, Qrow nodded dumbly and handed her Harbinger. "Thank you." With ease, The Empress spun the scythe around as if testing its weight before slamming it into the ground with a nod

With that, the Empress was gone.

"Impossible!" Salem roared flying up and raising her hands high, causing more grimm to erupt from the ground and merge with the Grand Chimera. Immediately the dragon began to double in size.

"Listen, Ruby," Blake called out as she landed next to the Empress. "When a god breaks the rules their power and life force are drained. The God of Animals broke countless rules to get us to this point so that he would be weak enough for us to kill when this happened."

"So, this is our only shot." The Empress said, knowing full well that if Salem could succeed in bringing the Grand Chimera to Remnant it could bide its time and recover its strength. "We have to kill this thing now." The Empress narrowed her eyes at Salem but knew that this would not be the day for their final show down.

The Grand Chimera healed too fast which meant she and Blake had to go all out and focus on killing it here and now.

"Lady bug!" The Empress ordered and she and Blake disappeared and reappeared behind the Grand Chimera. The Dragon roared in pain, countless cuts littering its body, but to their dismay, it simply continued to grow and heal.

As the biblical fight continued the onlookers could only look on helplessly.

"This isn't good, its power keeps rising, and despite how powerful they are they can only fight for so long," Jaune muttered. "And to think I'd see Blake again…" Jaune shook his head, at that. It seemed that Team RWBY truly was eternal. "Salem's the problem, we have to find a way to destroy her for them. If one of them breaks off to fight Salem then we're dead and they know that."

"Salem can be destroyed?" Velvet questioned instantly.

"Yes, her body can be destroyed but she cannot be killed and will just return later," Jaune explained which made Velvet nod.

"I have an idea." Velvet bit her lip as she pulled off her weapon. "But I need time, time that I'm not sure we have if that thing gets any stronger." Velvet shook her head and began to work on her weapon. "I'll just put my faith that they can hold the line."

Jaune nodded. "As much as I hate to admit it, we'll just be liabilities if we tried to assist."

"But that doesn't make us useless." Velvet said with a strange look in her eyes. "There is a reason they made the Knights and the Claw. Jaune begin charging your aura, I feel myself settling and I need to stay primal just a bit longer."

With a sinking feeling in his gut, Jaune nodded, not liking the look he saw in Velvet's eyes.

As Velvet continued to work, Weiss punched the ground repeatedly, her frustration clear as Winter looked at her in concern. Weiss' face was flushed with anger as she felt so useless, so powerless, to be able to do nothing but watch.

But right now, Ruby and Blake were so far beyond her that she felt like little more than an insect.

"We're supposed to be a team!" Weiss hissed. "And I can't do a damn thing to help!"

Winter's expression softened knowing how helpless Weiss must have been feeling at that moment. She knew because she felt the same. The fate of the world depended on the fight in front of them and though they had a brief moment of hope, if Velvet was right then they were just prolonging the inevitable.

"Weiss–" Winter stopped when Weiss punched the ground one last time, causing a summoning glyph to appear. Startled, both she and Weiss watched as it grew before the second ring of runes appeared around the glyph reminding Winter of Willow's.

Winter paled, her heart clenching on reflex at the thought of that monster returning.

Soon, another ring appeared around the last, and so on until the glyph appeared beneath all of them. Startled, even Velvet glance a way from what she was working on to look at the glyph in confusion before forcing herself to go back to her task. Soon, the surface of the glyph began to ripple like water, and of all the things she expected to emerge…

…a feminine hand holding a bright blue Myrtenaster was not one.

Once its elbow appeared, the arm stopped, still holding the blade as if telling Weiss to take it.

Shakily, Weiss raised a hand toward it.

As this went on, Yang paid no attention having fallen to her knees next to Qrow, being forced to watch her baby sister and best friend fight to the death against an abomination. There had to be something she could do, there was no way she would just sit her like some damsel in distress when they needed her.

The thought of that alone made her angry.

-Yang's Mindscape-

Banging her hands furiously against the door to 'Valhalla' the realm of power Nora had shown, Yang fell to her knees.

"Come on!" Yang roared. "What good is this power if I can't use it to fight!?" Yang snarled and soon her face just crimpled, her eyes filling with unshed tears as she placed her forehead against the door. "I just want to keep them safe…" Yang whispered. "I just want…" Yang's eyes widened as she looked up at the unmoving door. "to…protect them…"

The silence was deafening.

"That's the answer, isn't it?" Yang questioned. "This power, it's meant to protect."

Yang's only response was a loud click.

-Evermore-

"Black Rose!" The Empress roared punching the ground as she was surrounded by dozens of Blake's clones who all immediately burst into black rose petals. The large cloud of petals could have darkened the sky as they flew into the Dragon's mouth and reformed inside of it, attacking everything they could.

Salem just laughed at the futility of the act.

"Is that the best you little girls have?" Salem taunted as the dragon reader its head back and released a stream of black fire into the sky that incinerated the clones within it. Even with Nera's semblance enhancing the clone's durability to unprecedented levels, they all fell to the might of the former god.

"Unbelievable." The Empress muttered. "I never fought a grimm this powerful."

"What of your eyes?" Blake questioned which made the Empress grimace.

"We need to weaken it first. I'll have to drain myself dry to take this thing out." The Empress told her. "If even a piece of it survives it'll just regrow and Salem cannot be allowed to have this grimm."

"The only way to weaken it is to kill Salem," Blake muttered. "But if we do that…"

"…they die." The Empress finished for her solemnly. The Empress cracked her neck. "Come on, we have a hell of a fight ahead of us."

"Oh, you're going to press on?" Salem was very amused now. "By all means try."

With that, the Dragon gathered the distorted energy in its mouth once more, and the Empress and Blake got ready to fight back.

BGM: END

Before they could attack, however,The Empress and Blake saw a literal mountain of ice erupted from the ground before the Dragon could release its attack. Before it was completely obscured from view, they saw a yellow flash slam down onto it before everything exploded.

The Empress and Black coughed while shielding their eyes when they found themselves engulfed in a biting cold fog. So thick, they could barely see each other but as soon as it came, it began to settle as they saw a bright flame that warmed them up quickly.

Above the cloud, Salem looked down at the mist in confusion as everything transpired too fast for her to react. However, when it began to clear, four shadows appeared.

The cloud dispersed and Salem saw Yang and Weiss standing alongside their teammates. Yang stood with a forward slouch, her body appearing limp as if she were a puppet held up by strings. Her blue eyes stared up at Salem blankly as an azure flame flickered across her body.

Next to her, Weiss stood with her right arm incased in a blue crystal-like substance that trapped her hand over her weapon. Like Yang, Weiss too appeared possessed and The Empress and Blake both had a feeling on just who possessed their friends.

"We made them interfere," Blake said before sighing. "Who knows how long she's been here or what she's been doing. If this impacts Weiss' ascension, she will kill us." Weiss turned to Blake and her gaze seemed to harden as if to say yes, yes, she would.

"We'll have to do this fast then. Can you two hear me?" The Empress questioned getting nods from Weiss and Yang. "Good, let's finish this."

BGM: This will Be the Day- Jeff & Casey Williams-RWBY OST

As if on cue, a black mass erupted from the ice, towering above them and revealing a grimm that appeared like a very muscular faunus that had four arms and a pair of white ram horns on its head. Raising its arms, the Chimera created a sphere of distorted energy and launched it at the four who calmly walked toward it.

When the attack collided into them exploded into a wave of oppressive darkness. However, within moments that darkness shattered and Team RWBY stood unfazed as Yang stood in the front, her palm outstretched after stopping the attack.

"Checkmate, V2!" The Empress shouted and Blake summoned multiple clones as Weiss summoned just as many knights. As one army, the two forces rushed forward to intercept the grimm Salem summoned before they could reach the Chimera and strengthen it.

Leaping up, fueled by the energy she had absorbed, Yang placed a hand on the Chimera's forehead, and immediately it was knocked back as a large handprint appeared on its face. The Grand Chimera howled as it stumbled back.

"Hail." The Empress called out and the grimm was surrounded by glyphs instantly. Time crawled to a stop as the Empress burst into petals toward each glyph and fired a shot from Harbinger into each one. When time resumed, large frozen blades fired from each glyph and stabbed deeply into the Grand Chimera.

With a grunt the Chimera flexed its muscles, shattering the blades as The Empress descended upon it alongside Yang.

"Sunflower!" Ruby shouted, grabbing Yang and disappearing in a burst of burning petals. The petals engulfed the Chimera and when they reformed, it roared as its body was now engulfed in flames. However, instead of reeling in pain as the Empress expected, the Chimera lunged forward, grabbing each one of them in its massive palms and pinning them down.

The four of them struggled as the Chimera threatened to crush them.

Off to the side, Velvet raised her weapon and tucked it under her arm done as it began to spark sporadically.

"Done!" Velvet exclaimed before nodding to Jaune. "Hit me."

Placing a hand on Velvet's shoulder, Jaune looked at her solemnly as she exploded with power, completely engulfed in his golden light.

"Velvet, what are you doing?" Sienna questioned in concern which made Velvet smile at her sadly.

"Earning my stripes." Velvet answered as she turned away, looking at the sunset of the once beautiful realm.

"Velvet," Jaune said quietly looking at her with no less respect than he would one of his knights who were preparing to give it all for the Empire. "Die with glory."

Jaune's words startled them all and immediately, Sienna reached out to stop the stupid faunus but she was far too slow. With a jump that shook the ground, Velvet blasted toward the fight at speeds she thought were impossible for herself to reach.

"Velvet!"

Tears fell from Velvet's eyes as she ran forward, her surroundings no more than a blur as she ran around the grimm horde that was rushing to the Grand Chimera. Velvet ducked under their legs, slid across their backs, and even hopped on their heads to keep moving forward.

Her jaw was set, her expression determined as she saw the cackling witch.

A group of nevermore dived bombed her only for her to jump left and right to avoid them before jumping up and using them as spring boards to soar up through the air. Within moments, Velvet flew up to an unsuspecting Salem.

Or so she thought.

Flying backward a few feet, Salem raised an eyebrow at Velvet who soared past her harmlessly. Velvet's eyes were wide as she missed only to refocus when the black-tinted form of Jaune's shield flew in front of her. Flipping forward, Velvet landed on it and kicked off flying right back at a now stunned Salem.

"Go away!" Velvet shouted, slamming the rapidly sparking weapon into Salem's face.

-Velvet's Mindscape-

Velvet smiled tiredly, rubbing the small rabbit behind its ear as she finished her tea.

"Not so bad for a half-breed, hm?"

-Evermore-

All sound in the realm seemed the vanished as a dome of bright blue light erupted after Velvet's weapon went critical. Both she and Salem had completely vanished in the bright blue explosion that managed to take plenty of the grimm with it.

When sound returned, the first thing that could be heard was Sienna's pain-filled shout of "Velvet!" Before the heavens, themselves shook from the power of her sacrifice.

Pinned, Blake's eyes went wide, Velvet's name echoing throughout her mind as her chest began to heave while her heart thundered. With a visceral roar, Blake destroyed the hand pinning her with her claws before grabbing Wilt and sheathing it, draining the gauge into Blush, making the gauge on the sheathe diminish in the process.

With a roar of her own, The Empress released a powerful beam of silver light from her eyes that tore through the hands pinning her and her other teammates, turning the hands to stone before they shattered.

Flying up into the air, The Empress glared down upon the Grand Chimera as her cape cloaked her. Her rage was palpable and it was clear the heartbreak had awoken Ruby.

"Die!" Blake shouted, surrounding the Chimera with her clones, who each transformed Wilt & Blush into Bloom and, as one, drowned the grimm in an ocean of red. From above, Yang descended with her fist cocked back while a golden dragon surrounded her. With an almost inhuman scream, Yang slammed the devastating blow into the Grand Chimera, tearing through its body.

Off to the side, Weiss raised her weapon high, creating a meteor just like Willow had in moments before launching it at the Grand Chimera. Slamming back down to the ground with enough force to shatter it, the Empress gripped her head tightly as if it were agony before releasing a blast of silver energy so powerful from her eyes that it engulfed everything in her field of vision.

The Empress' throat was sore from her screams as she stomped forward, breaking the ground beneath her heels as the blew only grew stronger. Behind her, her cape blew wildly as she pressed onward, intent on making sure the Chimera was dead.

Off to the side, a black female lion and Yang regrouped with Weiss and the three could only watch as their leader continued forward, drowning the heavens with her might. The closer the Empress got to the Grand Chimera, the more her body began to crack and chip away into a rose petal that flew away. Eventually, her body exploded into rose petals reveal Ruby who continued to press forward.

Even as she fell to her hands and knees, Ruby crawled forward until every last drop of her power was spent.

Finally, her power was spent and she found herself on the ground in a fetal position before the God of Animals who was missing half his body.

BGM: END

"Thank you." The God of Animals said hoarsely, tears fall freely as the distortion in his heart unraveled. "Listen to me, the days of the old gods are done." The God of Animals whispered. "But a new era is on the rise. One with new gods, new legends, and it's up to you girls to lead the world there after banishing the evil of old. You're the youngest, but the strongest, their leader and it's up to you to lead them to salvation, to protect my Claw, but that doesn't mean you can't have help."

The God of Animal's body began to deteriorate.

"Let's get you all home." The God of Animals whispered before raising his hand and snapping his fingers. Soon Ruby's body and the bodies of her allies began to vanish, covered by a golden light. "I robbed you maidens of your ability, your right, to rest in peace and for that, I am forever sorry. That's said it's time to complete your mission, the one you took up to save the world."

With that last message, they vanished and the God of Animals watch his final sunset. His paradise was ash and it was split by a massive fissure that seemed to extend forever into the horizon. That said…

…this sunset?

Was the most beautiful he had ever seen.

His only regret is that he wouldn't be able to see the looks on his creators' faces when they returned to the world they had forsaken. With that last thought, he closed his eyes and slept forevermore.

-Vale-

Back in their kingdom, the Knights of Rose and the Black Claw collapsed. Yang and Weiss were now unconscious with Weiss's right arm broken and discolored. Blake took a step forward and fell to a knee, her head bowed as she thought of Velvet.

Next to Blake, Sienna trembled a bit, her eyes blinking rapidly as she tried to stay strong though Sun had no problems shedding tears for the fallen woman.

"She was a hero," Jaune spoke up quietly, getting their attention. "She gave her life so that we could continue the mission and we have to live lives worthy of that sacrifice."

None of them could speak as Jaune talked, standing in front of them all.

"She could have revolutionized the world," Jaune said firmly. "And it will be up to us to do that now," Jaune spoke passionately as their eyes began to widen. "We can't let this issue divide us anymore. We have to come up with a real solution tonight. Human? Faunus? It doesn't matter." Jaune said firmly and as their jaws all dropped, Sienna finally let her tears fall while an enraged expression appeared on her face.

Jaune expected this but pressed on, knowing that this speech was necessary no matter how fresh the wound was.

"From now on, no matter what decision we make we have to ask ourselves, what would Velvet do?" Jaune spoke passionately as Blake began to openly weep. "And when we come up with that answer, we use it to press forward. To hold the line against the darkness. So, tell me, are you with me?"

"You fucking idiot!" Sienna snapped stomping toward Jaune who was startled. He knew some might be passionate, but didn't expect someone to want to fight him.

BGM: Back from the Dead [Explicit]-Skylar Grey

"Eep!" Jaune felt his heart skip a beat, his jaw-dropping as he turned to find a terrified Velvet hiding behind him, using him as a human shield from Sienna. "Jaune, help!"

"The human will not save you!" Sienna snapped.

"V-Velvet…how?" Jaune asked incredulously.

"Your aura is really strong." Velvet said before her ears drooped when Sienna firmly, but respectfully, placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder and moved the Knight Captain away. With one hand, the striped woman grabbed Velvet by her collar and lifted her with ease. "We can talk this out like rational people, Sienna, we can do it safely without the need of you putting your fist in my face."

"I am done doing things safely when it comes to your dumb ass," Sienna growled out before pulling the prey toward her and pressing her lips to Velvet's. Soon, Velvet got over her shock and returned it while Jaune just looked outdone, his shoulders slumping.

Jaune blinked when he felt a pair of lips press gently on his cheek, and turn to see Pyrrha pulling back with a smirk. "For all it's worth, Captain, I thought it was a wonderful speech."

"It was…" A voice said tiredly and they turned to see Ruby forcing herself to her feet. "Jaune, give me your sword," Ruby said and Jaune drew his blade and handed it to her though he appeared confused. "Blake. It's time we settled this."

Wiping her eyes, Blake climbed to her feet with a nod.

"It is," Blake said before dark magic covered her body and then split her in two once more.

An exhausted Nera raised Wilt and glared at Ruby who glared right back.

"You both can't be serious," Jaune said with a shake of his head but Pyrrha just placed a hand on his shoulder as they all watched Ruby and Nera move to stand away from each other. They both met each other's stare, their aura gone along with most of their magic. Until it recovered, they were just two young women with ideals.

As one they charged each other.

-Ruby's Mindscape-

Ruby stared at the almost empty pool of power that she could see was already refilling itself little by little. With a snap of her fingers, a wine glass appeared in Ruby's hand that she filled with the silver liquid before moving to sit on the empty throne.

"It's time to negotiate," Ruby said as she sat across from. "Are you going to split?"

"No need. This is between me and you." Blake said as she sat down across from Ruby and pulled out a small cup. Taking Wilt, Blake slit her palm and filled it with her blood before the wound healed itself. "You're my leader and friend, Ruby, I would follow you to the depths of hell but our relationship shouldn't determine the future of an entire species."

"It shouldn't." Ruby agreed. "But it should be able to help."

"Oh?"

"Let's start over. I need your people Blake and I need them to follow me in battle." Ruby said seriously. "But I don't need them to follow me outside of battle. I suggest combined military until this mess is over. One army that will obey me without fail. You can do what you wish but when it comes to this war, I have to be in the know. This is non-negotiable."

"Fine but the Empire's laws stay in the Empire and Menageries' stay in Menagerie," Blake said firmly. "You need my soldiers, not my people."

"Agreed." Ruby nodded. "But know that any Faunus that lives in the Empire will have to submit to my rule."

"That will be their choice and the same goes for any human that wishes to join me," Blake said, surprising Ruby. "Velvet is proof that some of the best people come from the unions of our species. These unions should be encouraged as they help us heal. Love is love and I won't bar any human partners or faunus sympathizers from my lands any longer."

"Then we agree." Ruby nodded. "Now for the Kingdoms themselves. All will belong to me but they will be hard to obtain without some help from you, I'm sure. So here is an incentive. You help me with the kingdoms, and I will give you one-fifth of Sanus, Anima, and Solitas. When we take out Salem, we can split her land in two."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Awfully generous Ruby."

Ruby smiled a bit. "Keep in mind these lands I am offering were destroyed beyond repair by Salem during our expansion. You helping us get the kingdoms early will save them. I never owned them, just like I never owned Menagerie, so nothing changes from the Empire's perspective."

Blake nodded seeing the logic.

"Besides, most of the friction between your species is because of how robbed you were in the faunus war." Ruby continued. "Those lands should have been given to you but were stolen, take them and heal your people."

"Consider this a deal." Blake smiled warmly. "Now let's talk about the relics. I trust you got rid of the crown?"

Ruby nodded which made Blake sigh in relief.

"Good," Blake said before taking a deep breath knowing this might be hard. "You keep the lamp and the staff, but I need the sword."

"Oh?" Ruby questioned though she didn't protest which was a good sign.

"Ruby, I saw you wipe Menagerie from existence with the staff," Blake said bluntly. "I know you wouldn't do it, but the day will come where you and I will no longer be in power. For the future generations to come my people need to be able to defend themselves just like yours can should we attack you."

"Tell you what I will agree on the condition that you agree now that we split the maidens two and two," Ruby said as she sat back in her throne. "In the event, three or all four maidens end up in my lands or yours, up to two will be transferred and all expenses to move them and their loved ones will be covered by the recipient."

"Deal," Blake said as Ruby offered her the glass just as Blake slid over her cup.

"Congratulations, Blake, Menagerie is the first and only kingdom to ever successfully obtain its independence from the Empire." Ruby while accepting the cup of blood. "Once again your people have stood by their ideals and goals and stood unwavering against the world."

"To new beginnings."

"To new beginnings."

With that, the Chieftan and the Empress toasted.

-Vale-

Together their blades struggled for dominance as they glared into each other's eyes. Nera's eyes flashed silver briefly as well as Blake's and the faunus grinned before reaching forward and pulling Ruby close. Biting the right side of her collarbone and drawing her blood, Nera marked Ruby as her equal. Nera pushed Ruby back and as one they glared at each other before charging forward.

In a moment the blades clashed and when they did…

…Crocea Mors, the blade that had slain countless faunus…

…and Wilt the blade baptized in the blood of humanity, forged from an acute hatred of the species…

Shattered.

And as one, The Empress of the Knights of Rose and the Chieftan of the Black Claw…

…collapsed.

Menagerie gained its independence, but arguably even more important in the grand scheme of things, the Empire gained allies.

The blow to Salem's forces was astronomical and done so without a single death of either human or faunus.

The future was bright indeed.

BGM: END

-Vale: Forest: The Next Morning-

BGM: See You Again (Feat Charlie Puth)-Wiz Khalifa

"I have to ask, what is it like being two people?" Ruby questioned Nera and Blake as they stood, hidden in the trees by a nearby railroad that ran through the forest. One was her Blake with the beast of the Empress' Blake, and the other one was the exact opposite. Mirror images that together made the true Blake.

The ascended one.

"Weird," Nera admitted.

"But comfortable." Blake continued before their bodies turned black and merged into one. "I definitely chose the more unconventional method for my ascension, that's for sure. That said, their love sustains me."

"What's it like?" Ruby questioned quietly. "Ascension, I mean. Will I lose myself? Even now that she's gone, I still feel her under my skin. I can't even forget about when crystallization happened last night, I became her. I even forgot how to even use some of my abilities."

"Oh Ruby," Blake said softly, bringing the shorter huntress into a warm embrace. "Listen to me, do not fear ascension. I am just as much me as I am them. Do you want to know the secret to the process?"

"What?"

"Live," Blake said firmly, her eyes searching Ruby's silver ones that appeared to be afraid of her future. "Savor every laugh, every tear, every moment of your life. Be you and live a life you would never be able to forget even if you wanted to. You're going to be someone amazing and I can't wait to see all of you again."

"It must be lonely," Ruby said quietly. "Being the only one to ascend."

"Ruby, look at me," Blake smiled. "I am never alone," Blake said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Ruby smiled. "That's right."

"By the way is your tactician talking to you again?" Blake said making Ruby's shoulders slump. "Velvet still won't acknowledge I exist."

"I said sorry." Ruby pouted digging her toe into the ground. "I didn't mean to break it. How is it that ancient blade saw that many battles and broke when I used it!? Jaune, Pyrrha, and I are going to his hometown. His dad wants to see him and apparently, they have a decent forge so we can do some repairs." Ruby narrowed her eyes. "And don't you think I forgot about what you did to my baby, if I wasn't so sad you were leaving, I'd still be fighting you."

"Wasn't me, it was my bad half," Blake said with a nod. "Kick her ass."

"I'll remember that," Ruby smirked.

"So, this is it, huh, you're really leaving?" Yang said with a sad smile while approaching with Weiss whose arm was in a sling. Even after Jaune healed it, her arm felt as though it would be hurting for a few days. "Kick some ass out there for me, okay?"

Blake grinned. "Of course." Blake then frowned at Weiss. "Weiss, I'm sorry about your father But I have-"

"Stop." Weiss raised her hand to silence her. "Let's not spoil this by thinking about that man. Just take care of yourself and make sure to call us weekly."

"Deal." Blake grinned as Sienna and Velvet approached.

"Attention all beautiful striped women and women who shall not be named." Velvet said, pointedly ignoring Blake's existence for breaking her baby. "Our ride is approaching."

On cue, they heard a train in the distance blowing its horn.

"I said sorry," Blake said only for Velvet to ignore her. "You have four ears. I know you hear me. This could be considered insubordination you know?"

"Did you hear something, Sienna?" Velvet questioned curiously which made the tiger grin.

"Must be the wind."

"Blake's the first to ascend," Weiss muttered. "We're doomed."

Blake stuck a tongue out at her as the rest of her team laughed.

"Just be safe," Weiss said, her eyes softening a bit. "Remember no matter where we are, or how far apart. No matter when we see each other, Team RWBY is eternal."

"Well said." Blake nodded and they all shared a group hug just as the train exited the tunnel. "Take care, I'll see you all again. Look after Sun for us, we left him out of the video so he could be our contact in Vale." Blake turned away. "He's also my best option to continue the Belladonna bloodline when an heir is needed, so please make sure he doesn't get himself killed."

"The Knights will make him an intern and look after him." Ruby joked which made her laugh before she ran and jumped onto the back of the train with Velvet and Sienna. When she landed, Blake split in two and both her halves held each other's hands and waved goodbye to their friends while the train smuggled them out of the Kingdom.

But it wasn't goodbye.

They all knew that.

"Man, I can't believe I figured out the answer to my power, kicked ass, and remember none of it." Yang groaned as they began to walk away. "I can't wait for ascension."

"Speak for yourself." Weiss groaned. "My arm is killing me."

"Aw, want me to kiss it better?" Yang teased only for Wiess to raise an eyebrow and lift her arm.

"By all means," Weiss said, making Yang flush as Weiss knew how weak Yang was to PDA even if the only other person around was her sister. Ruby laughed and shook her head at their antics. The future was uncertain, Ruby knew that.

But now Ruby knew another truth.

No matter what happened, she would not face it alone.

And really, what was better than that?

They would always be at her side.

Her family

Her friends.

Her lovers.

Her Knights of Rose.

BGM: END

-Meanwhile: Mistral: Temple-

The room was filled with dozens of people garbed in brown hoods, humming a loud chant, their faces obscured from view. At the front, three priests garbed in gold, silver, and bronze robes raised their hands as monitors turned on behind them.

One monitor showed Ruby reaching Jaune and Pyrrha after their fight in the ruins.

Another Monitor showed Jaune laughing with Ruby and Pyrrha as his aura turned from white to gold before switching to show Ruby enter the hall beneath the portrait of the king.

The last showed a news report that highlighted separate instances of the three fighting the Black Claw before freezing when Ruby released a beam of light from her eyes. The caption read, 'the Princess of the Vale: A second semblance? Is it possible or is it something even more?'

It was later followed by the questions: "What happened to Summer Rose?", "Who was she?", and "Could the great King's blood live on?"

"Brothers!" The high-priest called out, his heart filled with passion and they could see tears falling from the shadows of his hood. His voice was willed with an adoration that could only come from witnessing the vindication of a faith ignored for centuries. "It is time! The chosen ones have gathered! We must trek to Vale and assist them with the new world order!"

"Bronze! Silver! Gold!" The cultists chanted repeatedly.

"Gone will be the days of the false gods!" The high-priest fell to his knees. "Finally, salvation is upon us!"

"Bronze! Silver! Gold!"

To be continued…

Next Chapter: I don't even know, expect something light-hearted. Most likely it will be the Arc family reunion though.

Happy 300k Words, and 800+ reviews!

I got more reviews in a chapter, good or bad, than most stories get period. Thank you all so much, love you all!

I promise you will definitely see a chapter in May!

But for now, your boy needs a vacation, we did a marathon! Props on passing 300k!

Will: Congrats and rest up Rebuke! *gets dragged back by Thesis*

Reviews:

Jeffgass20: You are crazy if you think human and faunus are the same as different races in the real world, considering the small fact that each species HAS DIFFERENT RACES WITHIN THEM (example Flint Coal and Weiss or Blake and Sienna). A better comparison would be humans and elves in fantasy or lions and tigers.

Biologically compatible but not the same (the extra organs and senses and abilities like night vision is evidence of this.) Their animal features can be so potent that it's almost like having a second semblance (Example is Ilia, her camouflage is not her semblance it's her faunus trait).

Velvet is canonically half human and half faunus so anything I used is leveraged both off of her and the experience those who are mixed-race deal with in real life (real mixed raced individuals do have to deal with not being fully accepted by either side. It's sad, unfortunate, and stupid but it's true. Just because Roosterteeth admitted to giving up on this issue for whatever reason doesn't mean I will.)

Lastly humans existed long before the faunus popped up in canon so they are separate species entirely. (Faunus did not exist during the war with the old gods). The idea that one shouldn't rule the other means that one should not be able to dictate the entire future of the other species. Independence doesn't mean every faunus will up and move to Menagerie, it means they have the CHOICE and should they move, they will not be subject to the laws of humanity within their continent.

They have this already and Blake wants to keep it that way as well as make sure they are treated as equals across the world just as she will do for any non-faunus in her domain.

Ruby didn't rule Menagerie in the first timeline and the rest of the faunus didn't join her until after she was forced to destroy their home giving them nowhere else to go as even Salem's land had been taken by then.

Hope this helped but if not, feel free to stop reading you won't be the first and won't be the last and that's OKAY.

: Thanks man, glad you liked it!

Father of the Legion: Interesting take, I never thought of those comparisons but that's cool! Thanks for the review!

Null805: Be spoiled my friend, be spoiled! Well, I'll have to sit down and listen to more, pay more attention when I'm playing the game but that shouldn't be too hard of a request, I did drop shadowbringers again though since it fit really well here. Glad you like the story and the music choices!

RayD2Kill: Blake be wilding.

Valiant gloom: Haha you called it! Yeah, it's one of those hard choices that she has to make, doing what she thinks is best and yeah had Jaune known what he does now he probably would have let her lol. I'm trying to paint the picture that her team isn't bad just a bit ignorant to her struggles, something they will work on now that she's out.

Vesperon: Well, I mean it was planned since chapter 1 and the hints began the moment Ren said she had no resolve but I can't change the way you feel. Sorry to hear that.

Zifryt: Hope you enjoyed the confrontation, hopefully this sheds more light on just what happened to "Blake" and "Nera". You called it!

FL1G: Hopefully the next chapter feels like a hug after a haymaker. Trying to stay away from the drama for at least 2 chapters lol.

AJ LEEEEEEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE: If you thought you had a headache before check this out! *gestures toward chapter* lol thanks for the review and glad you liked the chapter!

Bond56: Never trust old men in caves in this case you were both right and wrong. He had Tyrant influence but in the sense that she tried to corrupt him and he did all his manipulating to set himself to be killed before he killed everything else.

Csad21: Hopefully this chapter shed light on the "OC" she's, at the end of the day, what "The Empress" is to Ruby. Blake had less time to merge and ascend than Ruby which is why she didn't take the delicate and slow approach the Empress had with her counterpart.

Riggy Minus: That's fair, just hope this chapter shed light on why this happened.

KumquatMan: HOW ABOUT 3 CHAPTERS IN A WEEK THEN DISSAPPEAR MUAHAHAHAH. I powered through the arc so hopefully you enjoy!

Jamsieboy: *spites you anyway and posts last chapter of the arc* Lol thanks for the review!

Freerunner4427: Haha Glad I was able to surprise you, hope you enjoy the conclusion.

0Akarigan0: Me alegro de que te haya gustado el capítulo. Técnicamente era Blake del pasado, pero no corrupto.

Espero que la pelea entre Jaune y Velvet no te haya decepcionado. Eran demasiado inteligentes para tomárselo en serio.

¡Gracias por la reseña!

MoonShadowpup: If last chapter made you go holy shit, what did this one does? Lol. Blake. Be. Wilding. Said fuck it, I'll do it myself lmao.

Bankerrtx01: Haha glad you liked it and believe me Buffy is glaring at me too. Don't worry I need a break but like I said it will NOT be 2 years (half of that was because the world blew up and my job's work basically tripled as a result. I will be back sometime next month, refreshed but I had to finish this arc first. Still feel like an ass for leaving a cliffhanger for 2 years). Thanks for the review!

Herpaderp: Lol that would be a decent side-story to dabble in at some point. Might consider it and glad you liked it!

Hero of the Multiverse: Did you see this whole everything else coming either? Thanks! Glad you liked it!

Shadowoel: Lol totally understand hopefully this has a nice resolution and no cliffhanger-well-cliffhanger as bad as the last.

Aku no Kotei: Lol had to get you in the first half, glad you liked it.

C3l3st14: Hopefully this chapter sheds some light on your question. It's time for the era of 'new gods' and I'll leave it at that. Glad you liked the chapter, thanks for the review!

Thanks for the reviews love you all and see you all next chapter, in May!

Stay safe!

Read and review…

…and as always…

…stay classy!

~RebukeX7