And I am back with the Volume 3 ending of Remnant Unleashed. I am now twenty-five reviews from the three-hundred marker. I don't know what it is I'm doing, but I am liking all the support you all are giving me. Thank you. It really makes me feel a whole lot better about myself then I've been feeling in a couple of months. Honestly, I feel like I'm always depressed and just want to give up. But things are looking up for me, in terms of work and all that.
Now, it seems I forgot to mention something. The armor the Rebel Marines wore when they boarded the enemy ship is actually the armor worn by the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers or ODST's from Halo. I got the idea after reading a story where Ruby put on said armor, when she was working with the Chief himself.
Now, before anyone thinks that this part will be one-hundred percent canon, you're all wrong and you'll see why.
Now, onto the reviews.
Monster King: Thank you.
Darth Cody: Incase you've forgotten, Rick is force-sensitive so even if I didn't say it, he sensed his sisters passing and he will want Cinder to pay. But whether that will happen or not, is still up in the air.
Luffy L Deathwalker: Thanks for the compliment, trust me though, the damage Remnant takes will be severe or as severe as I can make it.
54godamora: I was already planning on having Yang lose her arm. But there will be other changes to the canon, such as the one I already have with Penny and Tukson still alive and kicking.
Spartan-626: I had planned well in advance to use material from the 2003 micro-series when I brought in Fordo. Sure, it's not like The Clone Wars, but it is still a favorite of mine. Now as for Yang's new arm, those ideas you mentioned sound like a good idea. As for Ironwood, not much I can say about that now, but as for Adam, he'll get his ass kicked and then some.
Jack Smith1: It was actually Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War that I used in terms of Hamilton, but I did give Rick the nickname Three Strikes, especially since it was the first Ace Combat Game I ever played, even though I was into fighter planes at a young age. Now, if you're going to have the allied forces grow tired of the war on Remnant, I recommend you leave a squad or two that includes old Karl. Now in regards to the Rebellion helping the clones rebuild their numbers, you never know what might happen.
Chaotic Skunk Demon: Skunk Faunus? Guess that would explain a bit with your user name. Now in regards to my favorite lightsaber form, I honestly don't know.
42: Thank you.
The Guest ARC-77: Fordo has always been apart of this story.
Alright, reviews done time to start the chapter. Disclaimers are the same as before.
Chapter 41: Silver Hope
Deep down in the Vault, Cinder and Ozpin clashed their weapons against one another. One clash sent Cinder sliding back along the floor before she used her hand to melt the floor beneath her, summoning ice crystals which she hurled towards Ozpin. Moving at superhuman speed, Ozpin deflected all the projectiles before he darted towards Cinder and delivered a series of strikes with his cane on her, the last blow sending her back.
Unfortunately, Cinder soon floated in mid-air as she released her stolen maiden powers, forcing Ozpin to slam his cane into the ground, forming a force-field around him, but it did little good as Cinder unleashed a powerful fire blast directly towards Ozpin who leapt into the attack with barrier around him.
Above ground, another battle was about to begin as Adam Taurus stared at General Kota and the mysterious Fulcrum. Adam dashed towards the two lightsaber wielders with his blade drawn and readied for a quick kill, but to his surprise, Kota blocked the attack allowing Fulcrum to leap in and attack. Using his scabbard as a secondary weapon, Adam blocked the attack only to have Rahm kick him in the stomach. "Humans don't deserve to live! We've suffered at their cruelty for too long! Why do you side with the oppressors when we are the ones who suffer!?" he demanded.
"Even if your people have suffered at the hands of humanity, you blindly believe that all humans are your enemy when its only certain humans that are responsible for your suffering! If you attack all of humanity, you'll only start a war that will invite the Grimm to attack both the Faunus and Humans, a war that no one will ever win!" Fulcrum spat, leaping over and collided her own saber against Adam's scabbard. Adam leapt out of the way of the two and used the rifle mode of his scabbard to shoot at the two of them.
Both warriors slashed the bullets apart as Adam landed on the ground, gesturing for the two to come at him. Fulcrum and Kota were more than happy to oblige, sprinting towards the White Fang member, Fulcrum clashed her blade against Adam's sword, while Kota picked up several wrecked tables and sent them flying towards the bull Faunus with the force. Adam slashed the wrecked tables in half, leaving himself open for Fulcrum to swing her weapon at Adam's head, forcing the Faunus to step back, but not in time for the green blade to destroy his mask, revealing his scarred face with the logo of the SDC branded on his face and his left eye blinded.
"That scar, it is the reason you despise Human's, isn't it?" Kota asked. "Now I understand your grudge against humanity, but that still does not justify your desire for revenge against all humans. People like that, they are the worst kind of people, but to target the innocent and those of your own people who refuse to support you will only lead to more tragedy." He explained.
"You know nothing of my pain! People have hurt me for as long as I can remember and it's time, I hurt them back." Adam snarled, tucking his sheath away and much to Kota's surprise pulled out a lightsaber! Activating his weapon, the blood red blade ignited. "I have found this weapon to be quite effective when it comes to killing filthy humans. I will cut down all who get in my way, no matter what they are."
"I have been hurt too." Fulcrum stated, forcing Adam to turn to her. "My parents were murdered by humans who raped my mother before they killed her. They would have done the same to me, had it not been for a human who stopped and saved my life, regardless of whether I was a Faunus or not. Human's and Faunus are meant to live together in peace. But those like you and the humans who you fight are the ones holding us back. If you truly wish to do what's best for your people, then stray from your path of vengeance and death, and help lead the White Fang towards peace!"
"It's just like I told Blake, what the two of you want is impossible. This is the only path forward and if you're not with me, then you are my enemy!" Adam scoffed, dashing towards the two with his blades, letting out a war cry as they clashed blades once more.
Kota was quick to counter Adam's attacks with a defensive form of Juyo while Fulcrum used Djem So to attack Adam, forcing the bull Faunus to switch between offense and defense. Adam attacked Kota with both blades in an overhead downward strike, only to have his attack countered by Fulcrum who kicked him right ribs, before her saber made contact with his body, draining his Aura.
"Switch!" Fulcrum shouted to Kota who went from defense to offense while Fulcrum went from offense to defense. The change in tactics forced Adam's attacks to be easily countered by his two opponents. Adam soon decided to use his semblance like he did on Yang and readied himself to use it. Absorbing the energy from several attacks, Adam lunged at the two and swung his blade at the two of them.
Much to his surprise, Kota and Fulcrum dodged the attack and with him wide open, Adam soon lost one of his horns and arm to his opponents. "Now you know the pain you have inflicted upon to others. Surrender and we will treat that wound." Kota requested, holding out his hand to Adam who clutched his stub in pain.
"I will never accept help from a human!" Adam snarled as several White Fang soldiers arrived and fired their guns and blasters at both lightsaber wielders, forcing the two onto the defensive as the White Fang guided Adam onto a waiting Bullhead, which took off from Beacon, leaving the burning school behind them.
The White Fang weren't the only ones leaving the school, out by one of the docks outside of Beacon, Air Buses were picking up the last of the civilians and students while Port and Oobleck oversaw the evacuation. "That's it! Everybody on board! This is a mandatory evacuation!" Port announced.
"A safe zone has been established in Vale! Please, remain calm and listen to Atlas personnel!" Oobleck added.
Weiss, Arthur and their teammates stared at the scene in front of them in disbelief as Ruby, Galen and Alpha arrived with Zwei barking to alert the others of their leaders' presence. The four students turned around to greet them and they soon saw what they were trying to avoid. Both Yang and Blake laid on the ground, bandages wrapped around their wounds while Yang was unconscious as Mandalorian warriors tended to the wounds of the battered and bruised Nora and Ren.
"I'm sorry." Blake said, placing her hand on Yang's.
Sun assured that they were going to be ok, but upon seeing the state that her older sister was in, Ruby felt a strong urge to make the ones responsible for this attack pay, but that urge was replaced by a resolve to find Jaune and Pyrrha who were still missing. "Look, guys, that giant Grimm is circling the school! Even the White Fang are pulling out, the Empire included! We all have to go, now!" Sun reminded.
"We can't leave! If Pyrrha and Jaune are still alive, they'll be targeted by Cinder and Vader! We have to find them before either of them does!" Galen stated, noticing Sun's worried look at Blake, just as Kota arrived. "We'll find them!" he added.
He then turned to Rex, Cody and Hunter. "Top off your power packs and get ready for an assault! We'll need all the firepower we can get our hands on!" he instructed the troopers. They nodded. Both Hardcase and Hevy swapped out the empty power packs of their Z-6's with fresh ones while also grabbing a Westar-M5 blaster rifle with a pump-action-under-barrel grenade launcher attached to them.
The others grabbed whatever power packs they could get their hands on, loaded their blasters and readied themselves for the assault, with Wrecker grabbing Yang's DP-23. "PAYBACK TIME! YEAH!" he shouted before he looked to Yang with his fists clenched and ready for a fight.
"I take it there is room for one who once had a distrust of clones?" Kota asked, lightsaber in hand and ready for a fight. Rex and Cody simply told the general it would be an honor to fight by his side as they, Galen, Ruby and Weiss ran back towards Beacon, leaving Sun behind them and calling them idiots.
Back in the city, clone artillery blasted a horde of Grimm to atoms as the last of the trains left the station. Junior and the twins blasted and slashed at the Grimm before they began to become exhausted and would have been killed were it not for Fordo who blasted the Grimm that was about to pounce on them. "Keep up the pressure on the left flank!" he shouted.
"Hey! What about the right?" Junior asked.
"The Jedi and Rebels have the right flank." Fordo answered before his commlink beeped and he heard Rex who filled him in on the situation. "Commander Jet! Finish with the evacuation! I'm heading for Beacon! Rex needs backup!" Jet nodded as the Hellcat piloted by Tukson landed behind them, which the ARC captain boarded.
On the right flank, the former members of the White Fang watched in awe as Wookie warriors with Bowcasters, rocket launchers and Ryyk blades roared and charged towards the Grimm, slashing and shooting at them with a fire in their eyes that none have ever seen before. Their courage ignited the fires in the former White Fang members who despite the heavy loses, followed the Wookies into battle, working in unison with the mighty creatures of Kashyyyk.
As for the likes of Aayla, Kit, Serra and Zett, they slashed through the Grimm before Jet arrived and informed them of Fordo heading to Beacon, only to be pounced on by a Beowolf that killed him when it slashed right through his armor. "Fall back! We've completed our objective! We must retreat!" Aayla shouted into her commlink.
High in the air, the Galm Team, Garuda Team, Warwolf Squadron, Team SDOW, Strider, Cyclops, Golem, Mage, Skeleton and Gargoyle squadrons along with the Red, Gold and Black squadrons of the Rebellion and the clone fighters continued to hold the line against the airborne Grimm and Imperial fighters before Ghost Eye radioed them. "This is Ghost Eye to all fighters. Air Defense Command has ordered an evacuation. You've been ordered to give up Vale! Break away from this airspace and head west." The AWACS plane ordered, much to the surprise of the other pilots who felt the need to stay. "We are militarily at huge disadvantage. That thing in the sky is continuing to spawn Grimm at an increased pace and we've already lost too many fighters, comply with the order and head west. The evacuations are just about finished." They added.
"Galm 1 to Ghost Eye. We've still got transports leaving the city at a fast pace. If we turn and run now, they'll be defenseless! Galm Team will stay behind to cover their retreat!" Cipher declared and veered his Dagger back to the city, followed by Pixy.
"Alright then! Any squadrons that wish to stay and cover transports are free to do so! Everyone else, head to the rendezvous point!" Ghost Eye instructed. Most of the remaining squadrons exited the combat zone, but Team SDOW, Garuda Team, Warwolf Squadron, Captain Bartlett, Mickey, PJ and Red Squadron stayed behind to cover the retreat of not only the remaining transports but their allies as well. Rick, who had sensed something had happened to his sister was the last one to head back into the air-battle.
"Let's go, R5." He said and pushed his controls to full power.
(Escape from Naboo starts)
Diving in on several remaining imperial fighters, Rick launched his two short-range missiles at two enemy fighters, turning them into fireballs before he picked out another fighter and fired his gun. Upon landing back at base, the space that was originally used to store the Scimitar's second cannon was loaded with extra ammo for his gun, giving him more bullets to fire.
A quick pull of the trigger sent hundreds of rounds into the enemy fighter, destroying it before he pulled up to avoid flying through the wreckage. Just seconds after he pulled up, R5 alerted him to a Nevermore that was coming directly head-on, intending on ramming his aircraft. A determined look appeared beneath his visor as Rick switched from bullets to lasers before a pull of the trigger sent dozens of laser projectiles directly into the Grimm which sent it crashing down into the city below.
"This is transport epsilon! We're taking fire from enemy fighters and need back up! Crap! Their sending bombers! We can't go any faster!" a member of the crew belonging to one of the last trains leaving the city called out urgently over the radio. Rick spotted the train as it gradually picked up speed, slowing moving down the tracks as imperial craft made a beeline for the train.
"Time for Three Strikes to kick some ass!" he snarled and veered towards the enemy craft, arming all his long-range missiles and pressed the fire button. "FOX 3!" he called out. The missiles dropped of the hardpoints, streaking towards the imperial craft as their powerful radar in the six missiles locked onto the enemy bombers. Just as the bombers were about to drop their ordnance onto the train, all six missiles slammed into the bombers sending them crashing into the ground, several feet away from the train as it finally picked up enough speed to escape the city.
"Nice shooting, Rick!" Neo called out as she formed up alongside him, having expanded all of her own missiles as well, leaving her only with her guns. The Galm Team also formed up alongside them before they spotted a formation of Mutants heading towards several fleeing Bullheads. "Do these things ever give up? Wait, why am I asking that? The Grimm never give up!" she asked aloud before mentally hitting herself in the head for asking such a question.
"We've still got our guns, lets show them our firepower! Take out those Grimm and protect the transports!" Cipher ordered the two Garuda pilots who did just as Galm 1 ordered them to do while the Galm Team went in for a missile attack. Their sixteen medium-range missiles streaked towards the Grimm before making contact and turning them into explosions of flesh and metal. "Bogey's splashed!" Cipher called out.
Suddenly, their aircraft shuddered as laser fire slammed into their planes as their shields dropped down to sixty-four percent. The copilots of the Galm and Garuda team beeped in alarm as multiple imperial fighters dived down on the four planes from six 'o clock high. "Damn it! We've got company!" Cipher cursed and was about to order the Garuda team to form up with him and Pixy when all of a sudden, Trigger pulled his Scimitar into a climb, heading directly into the middle of the formation of imperial fighters. "Rick! What the hell are you doing!? You're going to get pulverized!" Cipher questioned in confusion. He soon got his answer as he saw the flashes of Ricks cannon as it fired at the enemy fighters, downing dozens of enemy fighters as he flew through the formation, but not without taking damage.
Leveling out, Rick took stock of his current situation. Flying through the formation of imperial fighters drained his planes shields and the gun run used up a third of his remaining ammo, but he didn't care. A fire inside of him had cut him off from the calls of his allies as he pulled a one-hundred-eighty degree turn and went in for another attack run only to find the imperial fighters were now gunning for him. 'Sis, I know you were killed and Cinder was the one who did it. If I make it out of this, I'll make the fucking bitch pay for killing you. If not, I guess I'll be up there with you, mom and dad real soon. Shame you didn't get to meet Ahsoka, you would have liked her.' he thought to himself and pulled the trigger.
His cannon roared to life as he emptied the rest of his ammo into five enemy craft, but a hit from one of the remaining fighters scored a hit on the area where his cannon was and disabled it. "So, this is how I die, huh? Well, I had a good run. I'll be seeing you real soon, mom, dad, sis. Ahsoka, if you can hear this, I love you." He said over the open radio as his vision began to become blurry as the enemy fighters drew nearer and nearer into attack range.
But fate had different plans for Trigger. A barrage of bullet and laser cannon fire from behind him destroyed the imperial fighters, the attackers were the Galm Team, Neo and Red Squadron. "Trigger! We've got to retreat! The transports are away and safe! We're done here!" Garven called out over the commlink in Rick's wrist gauntlet. Rick smiled before he turned control of his plane to R5 and passed out, exhausted and triumphant.
(End Song)
As the planes headed for safety, down in the front of Beacon Tower, Jaune and Pyrrha ran out of the front door as the muffled sounds of Vader's breathing could be heard following the. "This guy doesn't know when to quit!" Jaune groaned, pulling out the lightsaber Ruby gave him up in the coliseum as the elevator doors were blown open by Vader who walked towards the two of them. "Pyrrha, get out of here! I'll hold him off!" Jaune instructed his teammate.
"No! Jaune, it's too dangerous! He'll kill you!" Pyrrha protested, just as they heard an explosion from the tower as Cinder used her fire to fly up through the elevator shaft to the top of the tower.
"He's coming after you, Pyrrha! I'll delay him as long as I can! Besides, it's my job as team leader to make sure my teammates get out of this alive. I don't know what all that was about below us, but if it's you he's after, then you need to get out of here." Jaune proclaimed.
Deep down, Pyrrha knew there was a good chance that Jaune wasn't going to make it if he stayed behind, so she did the only thing she could think off. Grabbing her leaders head, she kissed Jaune on the lips who pulled her in and returned the kiss as well before pulling away and ending the kiss. "Be careful." She said sadly, making a run for the city.
Jaune smiled before he turned to face Vader, igniting his borrowed lightsaber as the Dark Lord of the Sith walked towards him. "I must commend your bravery, very few have the courage to stand and face me." he complimented before he took notice of the weapon in Jaune's hand. "The lightsaber you have, it belongs to a traitor. How did you acquire it?" he asked.
"You're smart! Why don't you figure it out?" Jaune spat.
Vader said nothing and ignited his own lightsaber before he dashed towards Jaune and began their fight. The Adegen crystals powering his weapon powered up as its blood red blade came to life and collided with Jaune's blue blade. "Impressive, your skills with a lightsaber match those of the greatest swordsman in the Jedi order. Had you been brought to the temple; you would have become a greater warrior than you are now. Tell me, who was it that trained you?" Vader asked, blocking an overhead strike from Jaune who just glared at Vader.
"I won't tell you anything!" Jaune declared, jumping back as Vader attacked him, intent on running his lightsaber through his chest. Jaune then dashed towards Vader, using a series of lighting quick attacks that Pyrrha taught him to use with his sword. The attacks kept Vader on the defensive if only for a few minutes before Jaune leapt into the air, ready to bring his blade down on Vader only for the dark lord of the Sith to catch Jaune with the force and slam him into the ground, knocking the lightsaber out of his hands.
"You are no Jedi, but you braver than most fools who have challenged me. Perhaps I was wrong about your skills." Vader complimented, readying to bring his blade down on Jaune when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"It wouldn't be the first time!" Ahsoka exclaimed as she stood before Jaune and Vader, a fire in her eyes.
"It was foretold that you would be here. Our long-awaited meeting has come at last." Vader replied.
"I'm glad I gave you something to look forward to." Ahsoka answered as Vader deactivated his lightsaber.
"You look the same as the last time I saw you, when you left the order." Vader said. "We need not be adversaries; the Emperor will show you mercy if you surrender and tell me where the remaining Jedi can be found." He offered.
"There aren't anymore Jedi! You and your empire have killed almost all of them!" Ahsoka spat.
"Perhaps this boy can tell me where the one I seek is hiding." Vader suggested, turning to Jaune who was badly hurt.
"I was beginning to think I knew who you were underneath that mask, but now it's impossible! My master could never be as vile as you!" she exclaimed.
"Anakin Skywalker was weak, I killed him." Vader answered, turning back towards Ahsoka.
"Then I will avenge his death." Ahsoka declared and ignited her lightsabers, as did Vader with his own lightsaber. Ahsoka then dashed forward, leaping into the air with a spinning kick as she and Vader clashed blades, much the surprise of Jaune and Pyrrha, who couldn't leave Jaune to face Vader on his own.
Ahsoka swung her blades at Vader using her mastery of Jar'Kai and her skill in Ataru to keep Vader from landing a blow on her. The resulting attacks kept Vader on the defensive who took not that Ahsoka's attacks were fueled by her anger. If he weren't wearing a helmet, Vader would smile at how far Ahsoka had come since her time with the Jedi.
However, Vader was able to land a few attacks of his own on Ahsoka, this time forcing her on the defensive with a series of powerful Vaapad strikes, one of which knocked Ahsoka's shoto out of her hands which he promptly destroyed. Now an even fight, Vader and Ahsoka became locked in a battle of Ataru vs Vaapad.
Ahsoka leapt over her opponent with an Ataru strike that made contact with Vader's back, causing the dark lord a bit of pain before he unleashed a powerful blast of force energy that sent Ahsoka skidding across the pavement and towards the nearby cliff. "Had you stayed with the Jedi, you would have joined the other traitors in death. You, Rex and his brothers who betrayed the Empire will be punished for your actions. But it is not too late for you, surrender and I will complete your training where the Jedi had failed you." Vader implored.
"I'll never join the dark side!" Ahsoka exclaimed, clashing her blade with Vader who pushed her to the ground.
"You are beaten, it is useless to resist. Don't let yourself be destroyed as all the other Jedi did." Vader demanded, only for Ahsoka to swing her blade from ground level and clash with Vader once more. Vader attempted to slice her head off, but Ahsoka ducked and hit him in the shoulder before she moved back close to the edge of the cliff near an out hanging branch.
She attempted to block another attack, but missed and ended up loosing her hand and lightsaber to Vader, causing her to cry out in pain as she clenched her stub. "There is no escape, don't make me destroy you, Ahsoka." Vader told her. "Ahsoka, you have much potential that is still locked away. Join me, and I will complete your training and make you worthy of being my apprentice. With our combined strength, we can bring an end to this conflict and bring order to this galaxy."
"I'll never join you!" Ahsoka shouted.
"If only you knew the power of the dark side! The others never told you what happened to your master." He added.
"They told me everything!" she snarled, moving further back onto the branch. "They told me you killed him!"
"No… I am your master." Vader declared and to further prove his point, pulled out a familiar padawan braid that he kept with him.
Ahsoka, shocked for the lack of better words tried to deny it but, in the end, she knew that her feelings were telling her the truth, just shouted into the air. "NOOOOOOOO!" Again, Vader implored Ahsoka to join his side, promising to make things the way they were before she left the Jedi order, but Ahsoka promptly let go of the branch, falling down the cliff where she was got by a Hellcat which also recovered her lightsaber.
Watching his former apprentice flee, Vader turned back to Beacon Tower and headed for the top, disappointed that Ahsoka wouldn't be by his side again. He didn't notice a nearby Pyrrha who had sent an injured Jaune into the city with an RPL, use her semblance to call the lightsaber Jaune had dropped. Taking a deep breath and adopting a determined demeanor, she walked towards the tower and stepped inside the elevator, mustering all her strength and forcing the elevator to take her to the top.
Meanwhile, Ruby, Weiss, Galen, Rex, Echo, Fives, Hevy, Jesse, Kix, Hardcase, Waxer, Boil, Cody, Hunter, Wrecker, Crosshair, Tech and Kota along with the recently arrived Fordo and Alpha continued their way towards the campus of the school when Weiss's scroll began to ring. Answering it, she was relieved to hear Jaune's voice, who landed somewhere in Beacon, but that relief turned to concern when Jaune told them that Pyrrha was going after Cinder at the top of the tower and Vader was going after her as well, begging them to save her.
Promising to save Pyrrha, the group was soon alerted to approaching Wyvern that caused the ground to shake as the massive dragon Grimm circled Beacon Tower with black ooze dripping from it as it perched on one of the arches, uttering a screech as the Grimm spawned from the ooze. "That's a lot of Grimm." Wrecker stated as the creatures began to charge towards them.
"Then it's time we kick some ass at take names." Hunter declared and turned to his squad. "Bad Batch! Plan ninety-four: Soundwave!" he ordered, prepping several sonic grenades, as did Wrecker and Tech while Crosshair readied his sniper rifle.
"Forty-two, mark fifty." Tech instructed as he and his brothers threw their grenades at the angle he calculated attaching to the Grimm, one of which was shot by Crosshair and detonated, followed by a chain reaction that detonated the other sonic grenades, killing dozens of Grimm. "Thirty, mark five-hundred." He instructed again, tossing another series of sonic grenades, these ones were shot in mid-air by Crosshair and again sending a chain reaction which detonated the other sonic grenades, killing more Grimm. "That will exponentially improve our odds by a hundred percent."
"Then let's get in there." Galen said as he ignited his lightsaber, as did Kota before the two of them along with Ruby and Weiss charged towards the horde of Grimm.
(My Demons starts)
Cutting through an Ursa with his blade, Galen reached out and shocked several Creeps to death with a powerful blast of lightning before plunging his lightsaber into the body of a Beowolf, killing his fifth Grimm. More Grimm charged towards him, but they were blasted out of the way by a powerful blast of force energy from him and Kota. "Try and keep up old man." He teased and dashed towards the horde of Grimm.
Kota chuckled and followed suit, slashing through Grimm after Grimm that got into his path, twirling his lightsaber around as each creature he killed turned to dust. A Beowolf would have killed him had Crosshair not killed the creature with a precise headshot. Looking back to the clone, Kota smiled before he continued to carve a path through the horde to the tower.
Her rapier in one hand and her vibrosword in the other, Weiss casted an ice glyph creating a path of ice which she skated on and slashed through dozens of Grimm. Performing a series of backflips, Wiess fired all six shots from her rapier's revolver mode, loaded with fire dust and igniting several creatures of darkness before sheathing her rapier, pulled out her blaster pistol and fired more shots at the Grimm, killing several more. "There is just too many of them!" she called out, raising her vibrosword and blocking a set of claws that would have killed her.
"Keep pushing! We've got to get to the tower before its too late!" Hevy shouted, as he and Hardcase opened up with their rotary blaster cannons, mowing down dozens of Grimm with suppressing fire allowing Cody, Waxer and Boil to lob a couple of grenades towards the horde, killing more Grimm. "Come on! We've got to keep moving! We're ARC Troopers and we don't know the meaning of the word surrender!" he bellowed, swapping out the empty power pack of his cannon with a fresh one, resuming his firing as did Hardcase who followed his suit.
Having used up their remaining grenades, Cody, Waxer and Boil kept their fingers poised over the triggers of their blasters as they cleared a path through the horde of Grimm. Ducking down to avoid a set of claws and putting the barrel of his weapon into the neck of an Ursa which he promptly killed, Cody watched as a flurry of rose petals and a green blade slashed through multiple Grimm as Ruby landed behind them and swung her borrowed lightsaber, bisecting multiple Grimm while firing her DL-44 at several other Grimm.
Leaping back to avoid the claws of an Ursa Major, she sheathed both her pistol and lightsaber, drew her scythe and proceeded to cut down the Grimm, her determination to save Pyrrha being her driving goal. Reaching out with the force, she lifted up a Creep and sent it flying towards several Grimm, knocking them down and allowing Wrecker to blow their heads off with Yang's DP-23.
"MAKE A HOLE!" he shouted, firing his shotgun at the last of the downed Grimm, loading a fresh pack into the weapon before he used it as a club and bashed the head of an Ursa in, before whipping out his old DC-17 ICWS and unleashed a flurry of blaster fire that riddled the Grimm with holes. Charging and firing his blaster, Wrecker pulled out a grenade, stuck it to an Ursa before pushing it back with his immense strength into several other Grimm before it exploded at took the Grimm with it.
Hunter slashed the Grimm with his knife, firing bursts of blaster fire at many of them while Tech and Crosshair followed his lead, firing their sniper rifle and pistols at those that dared to get in their way. "Crosshair! Keep hitting them with sniper fire!" Hunter shouted. Crosshair was more than happy to oblige and nailed several Grimm with headshots.
"Sergeant, we've just gotten word! All of our forces in the city have pulled out and the Imperial forces are starting to retreat! Only a few ships are still in orbit and I believe they are waiting for Vader to return!" Tech shouted to Hunter before he turned to Rex. "Rex, Commander Tano has been injured, she lost a hand and appears to be in shock!"
"She must have learned the truth about Vader. I'll have to have a talk with her about it." Rex said to himself, firing his pistols at four Ursa, riddling them with blaster bolts as Echo, Fives, Jesse and Kix mowed down hostiles with blaster fire.
Alpha fired the under-barrel launcher of his blaster rifle, killing several Grimm with the grenades explosion before he opened up with the blaster mode of his rifle, covering Fordo as he moved up with his blaster pistols and carving a path through the Grimm. Despite the dent they made, the Grimm horde still outnumbered them a hundred-to-one.
Galen noticed this and pulled his second lightsaber from Ruby's belt, igniting it as he slashed through more Grimm with double the effort than before. The Grimm were no match for the blades and resolve that Galen possessed, dashing into the center of a large group of Grimm before unleashing a powerful Force Repulse, which rippled through the Grimm and turning them into black mist as he unleashed his fury. Landing and narrowing his eyes on the tower, Galen pressed forwards towards the tower with the others close behind him.
If the Grimm could speak, they would have communicated with each other that the Demon Lord's power was not restricted to only the air, but the ground as well, something that Ruby found a little concerning but for the moment, she was focused on saving Pyrrha.
(End song)
While the group made their way towards the tower, in the ruins of Ozpins office, Cinder strode up to the window across the room with a smirk on her face as the Wyvern climbed to the top, peered through the window and screeched. "Shhhh… This is your home now." She said in a gentle and comforting tone. The creature of Grimm stared at her before uttering a shorter and quieter screech as Cinder conjured up a fireball in her palm.
The sound of sparks distracted her as the elevator door opened and Pyrrha walked into the room, shield in hand and the second lightsaber of Obi-Wan Kenobi in her hand, causing Cinder to smirk as the fireball she conjured up dissipated. "So, you've come all this way to die?" Cinder questioned with a chuckle. "I must thank you for coming to return what rightfully belongs to me." She added with a sinister grin.
"You killed Amber, Rick's sister. Attacked Beacon and hurt my friends. So many people are dead or hurt because of your actions. What is it you hope to gain from this attack?" Pyrrha demanded, readying herself for battle.
"You couldn't understand. It is my destiny to become the Fall Maiden and you are an obstacle in my path to become powerful. Anyone and everyone who gets in my way will die and you are only a pretender to the title of Fall Maiden." Cinder answered.
"You don't have plans to share the power with all of Remnant like the Maidens of the story. You are a murderer and terrorist, someone who doesn't deserve that kind of power. I will stop you." Pyrrha declared and ignited the lightsaber in her hand. Cinder followed suit with her own weapon and the two of them dashed forwards, clashing their blades against one another's.
"It only seems fitting that the invincible girl dies at the hands of the true Fall Maiden and show you the true power of the Dark Side." Cinder commented as the two began to trade blows with one another.
Cinder went in for an overhead Vaapad strike, forcing Pyrrha on the defensive and before swiping her hand through the air and attacking Pyrrha with an arc of fire before shooting a stream of fire and forcing Pyrrha to dive for cover. Six small fireballs formed in a circle behind Cinder before she sent another streak of fire towards Pyrrha who just barely avoided the attack, which was soon followed by another stream of fire, this one that Pyrrha blocked.
Leaping towards Cinder and powering through the flame, Pyrrha spun around and slashed Cinder's arm with her borrowed weapon, only to have Cinder block the blue blade with her red blade before slamming her open palm into Pyrrha's stomach and blasting her away, knocking her spear off her back and onto the ground. Slamming into the wall, Pyrrha fell onto her hands and knees, but brought herself back to her feet with determination still in her eyes.
As Cinder propelled herself forward with flames jetting from her hands and smirk on her face, she attempted to slam the butt of her lightsaber into Pyrrha's abdomen, but Pyrrha leapt into the air above her, wrapping her arm around Cinder's body, placed her feet on the wall and flipped Cinder over, using the momentum to flip and toss Cinder across the floor.
Cinder landed on her feet and slide across the floor, getting back to her feet before launching an arc of flame and lighting towards Pyrrha who raised her shield to block the fire and lighting, slamming her shield into Cinder's abdomen and pushed her over. As Cinder stumbled, Pyrrha leapt in with a flurry of attacks she had seen Jaune use before, hitting Cinder's right hand with the blunt end of her lightsaber, then slashing Cinder's left hand with the blade before spinning around and slashed across Cinder's abdomen and legs.
Pyrrha spun around to attack again, but Cinder backflipped while kicking Pyrrha with flames trailing her foot. The kick sent Pyrrha into the air, but before she could recover, Cinder grabbed her with the force and slammed her into the ground, sending the Invincible Girl skidding across the ground and damaging her clothing. Pyrrha was quick to send her shield flying towards Cinder, but the women in red hit it away before Pyrrha and Cinder collided blades once more. Their sabers hummed as the clashed, but Cinder swept Pyrrha off her feet and was about to stab her when Pyrrha rolled out of the way.
The two continued to trade blows until Cinder turned her gaze to the screeching Wyvern, getting Pyrrha to look in fear as the giant avian Grimm circled the tower, slamming its wing into the roof of the office as the structure containing the CCT transmitter fell to the ground outside in pieces. Cinder then took advantage of Pyrrha's distraction to send a jet of Sith Fire towards Pyrrha, forcing her opponent to block the fire and allowing Cinder to land several kicks into Pyrrha's body, slamming her into the wall and draining the rest of her aura.
Back on the ground below, the Grimm had been eliminated allowing Weiss to cast a series of glyphs on the side of the tower, allowing Ruby and Galen to propel themselves up to the wall with the help of Ruby's semblance before they dashed up the wall.
Back at the top of the tower, Cinder readied her lightsaber for the final blow as an injured Pyrrha crawled away after taking an arrow to her ankle. "It's unfortunate you were promised a power that was never truly yours. But take comfort in knowing that I will use it in ways you could never imagine." She said, readying her lightsaber above Pyrrha's neck.
"Do you believe in destiny?" Pyrrha asked, sitting up and glaring at Cinder.
"Yes." Cinder answered and readied herself to decapitate Pyrrha. Just seconds before the blade made contact with Pyrrha's neck, Cinder was sent flying back into the wall with a slam as Galen and Ruby arrived, the later of whom sent Cinder flying. "WHY MUST YOU TWO CONSTANTLY INTERFEAR WITH MY DESTINY!" Cinder shouted in anger.
"When it comes to saving a friend, we'll do anything to save them." Ruby answered as a Hellcat arrived, which Galen promptly loaded Pyrrha into with the force. Before Cinder could even stop the Hellcat from leaving, Galen unleashed a powerful arc of lighting forcing Cinder to block it and allowing the vehicle to escape with Pyrrha onboard.
"I'll track her down and kill her." Cinder promised, picking up Pyrrha's spear and melting it with her powers just as Vader arrived. "But not until I have killed the two of you." She added, brandishing her lightsaber once more.
Galen glared at Vader before he spoke. "I don't know why or how you are working with Cinder, but I won't let you harm any of my friends!" he spat, igniting his own saber. Ruby did the same, again filled with a fire of determination to put a stop to Cinder and Vader.
(Duel of Fates starts)
"Had I known of the threat you posed to the Empire, I would have killed you all those years ago, just like I killed your father." Vader stated, igniting his own lightsaber and readied himself for a fight, as did Cinder. All four of them waited for someone to make the first move and it wasn't long before Cinder dashed towards Ruby in burst of fiery speed while Galen engaged Vader in combat once again. "Now I shall finish what I started."
"You won't get that chance." Galen snarled, attacking with a strong Juyo attack, followed by a powerful blast from the Force, but Vader countered with a Djem So block followed by a Niman attack. Blue and Red clashed against each other as the former master and apprentice continued their duel, pushing them closer to the elevator shaft.
Cinder went in for an overhead Vaapad strike which Ruby was quick to block with a Djem So counter of her own before she used her semblance to get behind Cinder and slash at her back, only for Cinder to counter it with a wall of fire she created from her stolen power which forced Ruby to jump back out of the way of the flames. "I should have done this the moment we met in the hallway, but now I will kill you, little Red." Cinder declared with venom in her voice.
"Not going to happen!" Ruby exclaimed, bringing her saber up to counter a series of Vaapad strikes from Cinder while keeping her emotions in check, not only because of the Grimm, but because she didn't want her anger to take control of her and risk falling to the dark side. "You hurt my friends, attacked my school and nearly killed Penny and Pyrrha! I don't know what you have to gain from all this, but nothing you say or do will stop me from beating you!"
Cinder smirked in amusement before she held up her hand and sent an arc of lighting that shocked Ruby and drained her Aura quite a bit, allowing Cinder to move in for the kill only for Ruby to dodge her opponents attack and counter it with an attack of her own in the form of several Niman attacks that forced Cinder onto the defensive. One of her attacks was able to make its mark and hit Cinder in the arm, followed by a sweep kick that knocked Cinder to the ground.
Cinder was quick to jump back to her feet, feeling a cut on her cheek that she didn't like one bit. Channeling her anger and stolen powers into her lightsaber, Cinder dashed towards Ruby with a flame empowered Juyo strike that sent Ruby flying into the wall, slamming hard into the wall and knocking her aura down. "You are nothing compared to me. I've spent years training in the ways of the force and lightsaber combat, thanks to the one who took me in after that foolish huntsmen tried to guide me down the right path." Cinder spat, looking towards Ruby with a smirk. "Unlike me, you have only had a taste of what the Force can offer you. But, with the right training you could be something more. Unfortunately, that will never happen and you will die just like your pathetic mother." She gloated and prepared to bring her saber down on Ruby.
That was a mistake as the mention of her mother gave Ruby another reason to fight. Quickly bringing up her saber to block Cinder's attack, Ruby landed a double kick into Cinder's gut that sent her skidding back towards the edge of the wrecked window before jumping back to her feet. "No one. Calls. My mother. Pathetic." She growled and switched to a reverse-grip style like Galen and Ahsoka preferred, using the Force to dash towards Cinder and attacked with a series of Shien styled attacks.
Below them, Vader and Galen had taken their fight into one of the wrecked communication's rooms where Vader slashed several broken terminals in half when Galen sent them flying towards him. "Your emotions betray you, apprentice. Your thoughts turn to the girl in red above us. Yes, you care for her, love her." Vader observed, getting under Galen's skin who dashed towards Vader only to be sent flying into a wall by Vader. "Such distractions will only prove to be your downfall."
"And you are an expert on, aren't you, Skywalker?" Galen asked, getting back to his feet, despite his Aura being completely drained. "I know who you are and I saw the damage done at the Jedi temple on the capital. What was it that made you betray the Jedi Order!?" he demanded.
"Skywalker was weak and allowed his emotions to control him. I did the Jedi a favor by killing him." Vader answered, calling upon the force and pulled the ceiling down on Galen, burying him under a pile of rubble. "Your abilities are nothing compared to the sheer power of the dark side of the Force." He said and walked back to the elevator, unaware that Galen had blasted himself out of the rubble and headed back to the top of the tower.
Back in Ozpin's office, Ruby and Cinder continued to clash blades against one another, neither one of them giving the other a quarter to counter. Cinder's maiden enhanced attacks put Ruby at a disadvantage, but Ruby made up for it with her speed and determination. That all changed when Vader arrived. "Your friend is dead and now you shall join him." he told Ruby before swinging his saber at Ruby who leapt out of the way, only for Cinder to reach out and grab Ruby with the force, once again slamming her into the ground before unleashing an arc of lightning on the downed huntress. Cinder was quick to take advantage of her foes downed state and readied for the final blow, only for her attack to be blocked by the not dead Galen.
"I'm not so easy to kill!" Galen roared, reached out with the force and caught Cinder, who was running towards him with the intent on killing him. His anger strong, Galen tossed Cinder into the wall, ground and wrecked desk multiple times, before he dashed towards Cinder, slashing at her chest only for Cinder to leap out of the way. "I won't let you kill her!" he exclaimed and dashed towards Cinder, who for the first time since she learned of Galen, felt fear in her body. The resulting fear caused the Nevermore outside to slam into the tower, causing it to shake before it collapsed to the ground in giant cloud of dust and debris.
Getting back to his feet and casting a glance towards Ruby who was down but ok, Galen dashed towards Cinder causing her to try and block the attack, only to lose her saber holding arm in the process, causing her immense pain. "Now it's just you and me, Vader." He snarled and engaged his former master. Vader was quick to counter all of his former apprentice's attacks before the two had their sabers locked in a desperate attempt to overpower the other.
By now, Ruby started to regain her sense's and saw both an injured Cinder as well as Galen going all out against Vader. A Vaapad strike from Galen would have made contact with Vader had the Sith Lord not reached out and slammed Galen into the ground with the force. "Your skills have grown exceptionally." Vader noted before he dashed forward and slashed at Galen who attempted to block the attack, only to knock his lightsaber out of his hands, which he then destroyed leaving only the crystal. "But your skills are nothing compared to the power of the dark side." He added.
(End Song)
Galen just glared at Vader just as the Sith Lord slashed Galen across the chest before he plunged his saber into Galen's chest. The scene reflected in Ruby's silver eyes, which widened in despair and became filled with tears. Clenching her fists and curling her arms into her body she began to levitate off the ground slightly, flinging her arms out as a brilliant white light flowed from her eyes. "GALENNNNNNNNNNN!" she screamed as the light enveloped her, spreading out to the Wyvern, Vader and a completely shocked Cinder before Ruby passed out.
When Ruby awoke, Ruby found herself in an unfamiliar bed, wearing grey pajamas as birds' tweet and the sunlight streamed onto the wall behind the headboard. Taking in the new location, Ruby spotted her father asleep in the chair, sitting up and sighing quietly which caused Taiyang to stir awake. "Ruby! You're awake!" he exclaimed.
"Ugh… what happened?" she asked. Tai explained that Qrow had found her unconscious and brought her home. Ruby was then quick to ask about Yang, Galen and Vale. Tai hesitated for a moment before he told her that Yang would be alright, but Galen was a different story, as for Vale, Tai told her the truth that the Wyvern was frozen in place, but it was drawing more and more Grimm to the school, despite what Ruby did to it, which confused her but Tai was grateful that his daughters were home.
Qrow soon arrived to talk with his niece while Tai, who wanted to stay but after Qrow insisted that it just be the two of them went to make some tea. Taking a seat, Qrow asked Ruby who she felt, which Ruby replied that she was hurting all over, again getting confused by what Qrow and her father meant when they mentioned what she did to the Wyvern. When asked about what she remembers, Ruby recounted everything before she passed out and soon remember about Pyrrha. To her relief, Pyrrha was alive and well but injured.
Qrow then asked his niece about what Ozpin told her the night she first met him, mentioning about her silver eyes, which Qrow told her was a rare trait. "You're special, Ruby. And not in the 'Daddy loves his special angel' kind of way. You're special the same way your mom was. Remnants full of legends and stories, some of them true, some made up. But there's one Oz told me from a very long time ago. Back before Huntsmen, before Kingdoms, before the Jedi, it was said that those born with silver eyes were destined to lead the life of a warrior. You see, the creatures of Grimm, the most fearsome monsters' mankind had ever encountered, were afraid of those silver-eyed warriors. They were the best of the best. It was said that even a single look from one of these fighters could strike a Grimm down. Heh. It's a ridiculous story." Qrow explained, again confusing Ruby about everything.
"What happened to Galen? Is he safe? Is he alright?" she asked.
Qrow sighed before he turned back to Ruby. "Galen was seriously injured in the fight. That Vader guy you two fought against, he did a number on him so its possible he might not make it." Qrow said as honest as he could. "Look, get some rest. You're in no condition to go anywhere right now. Besides, our enemy's tail leads all the way to Haven. That'd be quite a trip for a pipsqueak like you." He added, winking at his niece before leaving her.
As for Yang, she sat alone in the spare bedroom with the remaining piece of Ember Celica resting on the nightstand next to the bed just as Ruby arrived, standing in the doorway. Both sisters shared an embrace with one another, but Yang wasn't doing so well. The school was gone, her arm severed and when Ruby asked about her teammates Yang explained that Weiss's father came to take her back to Atlas by force. Yang then went on and said that before the tower fell, the last thing anyone saw was Atlas and Imperial fighters attacking the evacuation ships while the Grimm destroyed the city. Everyone was scared and no one was sure who to trust, so despite Weiss's protest's, her father took back home, thinking it would be safe.
As for Blake she ran away and Yang didn't know or care about the reason why she left. She even mentioned that Ahsoka was in a much worse state then her. Ruby could sense her sisters fear and had a feeling that Yang had to figure things out on her own as the snow started to fall outside the window of Yang's room.
After leaving her sisters room, Ruby took her customized blaster and Yang's shotgun into the tool shed behind her house and combined both of them together into a hybrid weapon much like Rick's own weapon, which took her several days to construct. When she finished, she decided to go after Cinder and her associates on her own, or so she thought. To her surprise, Rex, Jaune, Ren, Nora, Cody, Fordo and Alpha were waiting for her.
Rex was quick to tell Ruby that Kix and Echo were going to stay behind with her sister and Ahsoka who Ruby saw in the living room along with March and his long thought to be dead sister. Fives and Jesse were going after Blake with Rose while Hardcase, Hevy and Arthur were heading for Atlas. An order given to him and his brothers by Galen incase something happened to him.
(The Force starts)
Taking one last look at her home, Ruby and her companions began their long trek to Haven, leaving many of their friends and families behind with a goal in mind. What Ruby didn't know was that her power that she activated at Beacon had inspired the hope of all those who saw it, from the armed forces of Remnant to the clones and rebel soldiers that had left to fight against the Empire with Plo Koon.
Her thoughts turned to Galen, Penny and Pyrrha the first of whom she made a silent promise to continue the training he had given her and become the Jedi he believed her too be. "I'll make you proud, Galen." She said to herself before she followed after the others.
(End Song)
However, in a dark domain, Salem smirked at her victory.
"A smaller, more honest soul… It's true that a simple spark can ignite hope, breathe fire into the heart of the weary. The ability to derive strength from hope is undoubtedly mankind's greatest attribute. Which is why I will focus all my power… to snuff it out. How does it feel, knowing that all of your time and effort has been for nothing? That your guardians have failed you? That everything you've built will be torn down before your very eyes? Your faith in mankind was not misplaced. When banded together, unified with a common enemy, they are a noticeable threat. But divide them, place doubt into their minds, and any semblance of power they once had will wash away. Of course, they won't realize it at first. Like you, they cling to their fleeting hope, their aspirations. But this is merely the first move. So, you send your guardians, your Huntsmen and Huntresses, and when they fail and you turn to your smaller soul, know that you send her to the same pitiful demise. This is the beginning of the end, Ozpin. And I can wait to watch you burn." She said to herself with and evil grin. "And no one, not even the Jedi can stop this."
And done. Now, many of you will notice that I have kept the part with Team RWBY splitting up, but sent a few troopers and a member of Team GARM after them, so yeah that much is canon. Except for Weiss trying not to leave her friends because of her greedy bastard of a father.
Now, before anyone gets on my ass about this. Let me clear something up, Yang is suffering from PTSD, something that even the strongest and bravest of people can't handle alone. Loosing an arm, watching your comrades and friends die before you, it causes people a great deal pain.
Now as for Blake, Adam threatened her friends and seeing as Blake cares deeply for her teammates, she ran away in order to protect them and try to figure things out. In other words, she ran away because she was afraid.
In regards to Ahsoka, learning that her Master and Vader are one in the same is going to take some getting used too for her. Trust me, when I say she will come to except the fact later on.
Now, don't go thinking for a second that Trigger is dead, you'll see him, Galen and the damage of the attack next chapter. Please be patient. Now before I end it here, let me all give you a little history lesson.
May 25th, 1977: Star Wars was released in theaters with a box office of $775.8 million dollars.
May 21st, 1980: The Empire Strikes Back aired with a box office of $550.9 million dollars.
May 25th, 1983: Return of the Jedi was released with a box office of $475.1 million dollars.
May 19th, 1999: Star Wars returned with the Phantom Menace which had a box office of $1.027 billion dollars.
May 16th, 2002: Attack of the Clone was released with a box office of $653.8 million dollars.
May 19th, 2005: Revenge of the Sith aired in theaters with a box office of $868.4 million dollars.
You'd think Disney would have aired their three movies in May instead of December to keep in tradition with May being Star Wars month. Oh well, no harm done. Anyway, please read and review and I'll see you all next time with another chapter.