It was relatively easy for Anton to find his way to the mines; just follow the trail of roadkill zombiemen. However, it was what he heard within the tunnels that worried him; he knew that screech anywhere. His only relief came from the added sounds of explosions, indicating there was a fight. Hefting his hammer, Anton charged in, unaware of the fleet of ships flying by in the distance…or that one of them turned toward the mine caves.
Meanwhile, down in the portal chamber, Julius was beginning to struggle against the demon, which Summer called an Arch-Vile. Unlike many other enemies he had faced, the Arch-Vile forced him to CONSTANTLY run just to avoid the fire it summoned. Finally, he teleported behind a rock, catching his breath as the Arch-Vile looked around.
"I'm starting to hate this guy!" Julius whispered, "He won't let me even get a shot off."
They are annoying Summer agreed, We're just going to have to try something else.
"Like what?!"
Just then, the Arch-Vile turned back to the cave entrance, only to get caught in the face as a Sentinel Hammer rocketed through, knocking the demon over before flying back into Anton's grip as he charged in.
He might help Summer suggested.
Julius simply loaded his pistols, "You think?"
He then teleported next to Anton.
"I see you made it" Anton said.
Julius nodded. "Yeah, but that thing has not been making it easy."
"They never do. How much time do you need?"
"As much as you can give me."
"I'll keep him busy; just get that gate open!"
Julius immediately teleported to the conductor poles and continued to send his magic through just as the Arch-Vile stood back up. Seeing Julius, it prepared to summon more fire from the ground, only for Anton to dash forward and swing his hammer into its torso, causing it to stumble back. It then glared at the Night Sentinel; fine, it'll have to settle for him right now.
Meanwhile, Julius was pouring everything he had into the conductors, sending it straight through the gateway, he could sense the heat from the Arch-Vile's attacks as it fought Anton, who seemed to be handling it a lot better than Julius ever would have.
Almost there! Summer shouted.
…
Back in Sentinel Prime, a small tremor could be felt throughout the city. The Slayer himself felt it along with Novus and Oscar, who were just about to leave.
"What was that?" Oscar asked.
"Someone's attacking the barrier" a Sentinel Guard exclaimed, "It's weakening!"
"Julius." Novus realized.
A massive crack could be heard, and the Slayer, the guards, Novus, Oscar, and Ekaj immediately went outside and looked to see a massive crack in the magic barrier…a crack that was widening fast.
…
Back in the cave, Anton landed on his back next to Julius after taking a backhand from the Arch-Vile. It was now fed up with both Julius and Anton and now wanted them to suffer. Raising its arms, it let out another roar, but this time, the dead zombiemen around the tunnels began to stand back up as they were resurrected.
"That's not good" Julius observed.
"Stand strong" Anton reassured, "We just need more time."
The zombiemen appeared behind the Arch-Vile and began to surge forward to attack. As they did, Anton raised his hammer, channeling the electricity he could and prepared to slam it down. Suddenly, for a split-second, the room went dark, and a red slice cut across the area, killing the zombiemen yet again and cutting off one of the Arch-Vile's hands. The Arch-Vile screamed out in pain and stumbled around, clutching its severed arm, and turned to see the new attacker as he stepped out of the shadows. Julius also risked a glimpse over his shoulder and almost stopped what he was doing in surprise.
"Is that…Adam?"
It couldn't be…and yet there he was, in broad daylight. His outfit hadn't changed since their last encounter, though he wore a new mask that was more angular and colored black, and his sword was already drawn, but it was indeed him.
Adam Taurus had returned.
The Arch-Vile sneered and roared in Adam's face. The faunus simply chuckled, "I've seen tougher."
In two blinding movements, Adam cut across the demon's abdomen and then its face causing it to stumble back in pain. As it did, Adam noticed Julius, who had returned his attention to the gate, and Anton.
"You two look like you could use a hand." He said.
"If you are willing" Anton replied with a dangerous tone, "But best be careful; I remember what you did at Haven."
"I don't let the past judge me anymore" Adam shot back, "Not after seeing what the real enemy is. Now, we've found a new cause to join together."
"We?"
Adam pointed his sword at the demon, and multiple White Fang soldiers appeared from the tunnel, firing at it. The Arch-Vile held up its hand, but it was clear it was weakening.
Adam made another slice across, this time, taking out the creature's knees. As it fell, Adam looked it in the eyes. "This is OUR home, and YOU are not welcome!"
Before Adam could deal the final blow, however…
"GOT IT!" Julius shouted, just as a massive blast sent everyone in the chamber sprawling, Julius included. The blast had come from the gateway.
…
"Sir?" Elena Richardson said, showing Hayden a datapad, "You should see this."
Hayden looked for a few seconds, then chuckled, "He actually did it."
…
Team RWBY, Penny, Nora, May, and Katrina were running down the halls toward the terminal when a violent shudder went through the entire building, stopping everyone in their tracks.
"Uhhhh, what was that?" Katrina asked.
Robyn and Qrow felt it in the prison cells. Qrow immediately sat back up and looked to Robyn, who was more wide eyed than he had ever seen before.
"Robyn?" Qrow asked, but Robyn was at loss for words.
Even Ironwood felt the tremor, looking at the holo-map, he could see it had gone through all of Remnant.
At the Monstro, the Gargoyle all began to get anxious and flapped their wings nervously. In Salem's throne room, Tyrian felt the tremor, but just like Robyn, he had heard something else, something also heard by Salem herself; a burst of voices shouting: RIP AND TEAR!
"Mistress?" Tyrian whimpered. Salem answered nothing; instead, she narrowed her eyes in an expression Tyrian wasn't sure of.
The rest of the Grimm and demons all stopped I their own tracks down in Mantle, some even began to tremble, something not unsees by Yang, Hector, Neo, Jaune, and Ren.
"What are they doing?" Jaune asked.
"They're afraid" Ren noticed, "But not of us."
"Of what then?" Yang wanted to know.
…
Back in Sentinel Prime, all the Sentinels watching the barrier looked up and began to let loose in cheers as the barrier began to shatter and fall apart like glass in front of them.
"He did it!" Novus said, pumping his fist.
I always had a feeling he would, Ozpin said in Oscar's head as Oscar looked in amazement.
The Slayer immediately turned to one of the guards nearby. "Spread the word. Tell every able bodied soldier you find to arm themselves and join their battalion. I want everyone we have ready for battle!"
The guard wasted no time running through the halls and telling the news. Within a few minutes, the sounds of clanging armor, roaring dragons as they were uncaged, and machines powering up could be heard throughout the city. The Slayer turned back to Novus. "It is almost time, but there are still a few more things we must do before we appear to Atlas. You, Oscar, and Ekaj will still continue ahead of us. Once Salem is where we want her, we'll be there."
"Is this Kaa's plan?" Oscar asked.
"No, it's mine. Kaa has no authority over my men."
"Good luck, father" Novus said.
"Good luck to you, son. You as well, Oscar."
"Thank you, sir" Oscar replied.
"One last thing, Oscar" the Slayer said, "Oz, try not to repeat yourself with this kid."
Oscar knew the Slayer was talking to Ozma, and only nodded as he turned to leave with Novus.
"VEGA" Novus said, "Open a portal to the gateway chamber."
Within a few moments, a blue portal opened up, and he and Oscar ran through, while Ekaj went through his own portal.
Back in the gateway, Julius and Anton recovered and were helping each other up.
"You good?" Julius asked. Anton chuckled, which then turned into a peal of laughter as he grabbed Julius in a bear hug.
"You broke the barrier! We're free!"
They then heard a cough as Adam and the other Fang soldiers stood back up. Julius walked over to Adam, who simply stared back.
"Not going to question that" Adam began, pointing at Julius's white skin, "but I do know you're questioning why I'm here."
"Hector said a squad of White Fang soldiers was coming" Julius said, "I'm guessing you're a part of it."
Adam smirked. "You really are a fast learner."
Julius shrugged. "I'm good like that. Now, we need to get back to Mantle."
"I can handle that." Adam replied, "There's a transport waiting outside. Come on."
Before they could run out, a blue flash burst from the gate, forcing them to cover their eyes temporarily as Novus and Oscar ran out. As the portal light dies down, Novus looked around in surprise at everyone before looking at Julius. "Did I miss something?"
"I'll explain later." Julius replied, "Right now, we got a ride back to Mantle."
"Fine with me" Oscar said. With that, the group ran out of the chamber, and as the camera backed out, an Arch-Vile's hand could be seen sticking out from underneath an icy rock, implying the creature had been killed during the barrier explosion when it was crushed by debris.
As they got on the transport and lifted off towards Mantle, Sienna called in to Adam with news that delighted both him and Julius; The first team had landed and the White Fang was now engaging the enemy.
…
Watts and Pierce looked at the monitors in Pierce's secret Atlas lab in mild frustration. Pierce had been secretly summoning Watts under the guise of Ironwood having need of Watts's help, when it was Pierce in reality.
"This certainly forces our hand" Watts admitted.
"What do you suggest?" Pierce asked.
Watts thought for a few moments. "We will still need the Polendina girl; I'm sure she'll make an excellent bargaining tool. However, we need a guarantee of her capture. I believe it is time to activate our own hunter; that should keep them on their toes.
One of the chambers in the lower levels then hissed open as a large figure could be seen inside. After a few moments, the head lifted up…and a single eye blazed yellow as it came to life.
…
A wall of the Monstro opened up, and Salem, an angered expression on her face, walked through, looking at the dog-like Grimm on the other end. As she entered, it perked up and walked over on four legs, growling in interest.
"I want Julius brought here or torn to shreds" she growled, "Do not fail me a second time!"
Understanding, the Hound took off on its mission.
Let me know what you think so far!