I literally started writing this chapter
Like the instant I finished posting the last chapter
I ended up staying up most of the night writing
So, now I'm already done and happy with what I've gotten
If my muse continues at this pace, be prepared for yet
ANOTHER chapter tomorrow lmfao
OH! And something I forgot to mention last chapter
Some chapters will be named after the songs (Or at least similar to the song)
that I listened to while writing said chapter so feel free to listen to the song
while reading!
Last chapter was 'From Shadows - the Black Trailer version'
This chapter's song is 'Cherry Bomb' by NCT 127
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY
Chapter 16: Cherry Bombs
Sparks flew.
Bullets ricocheted.
Bones were broken.
Aura shimmered.
Jumping back, creating a pocket of space, Adam fell for the trap. Swinging Wilt with all his might, using up the energy he absorbed, Jaune's shield took the hit, only fueling Jaune's rage and doing absolutely nothing to the boy. It aggravated Adam that everything he did to get rid of the boy was met with suffering defeat. It was as if his shield was impervious to Moonslice. Once the attack was absorbed and redirected, behind him, Blake jumped into the air, taking quick shots at the bull Faunus, only for her bullets to be absorbed by the red blade.
The bull ducked as her katana swung towards his neck. Still mid-air she didn't have enough time to evade. He swung out, bisecting her, only to find that she was a shadow clone and the real one appeared right next to him, shoving her leg and knee into his unprotected abdomen. He was knocked back from the aura blast she added, breaking his guard. Jaune quickly followed up with a heavy bash from his shield, stunning the bull for just a while. He brought his sword up and slashed across Adam's chest, cutting his coat and the straps that held his left pauldron to his shoulder. Preparing to strike again, he brought the glowing blade upon his chest, cracking his aura slightly.
But it wasn't to last. In Jaune's distraction, he didn't take into consideration Blush. Adam pulled the shotgun's trigger, sending it into Jaune's chest, forcing the air from his lungs with a force akin to Yang enraged. But something miraculous happened, that nearly caused Blake and Adam to freeze. Jaune disappeared in a white shadow, before reappearing beside him once more to follow up with a powerful strike. The hit he connected broke a part of his aura and sent him flying back a few feet. Jaune smirked to himself – Adam surely underestimated him this time.
Across the warehouse, Melanie and Miltia were trading blows with the equally fluid Neopolitan. Their kicks and swings were met in a shower of sparks and grunts. Neo, while being slightly smaller than the Malachite twins, she handled them as if she were a full-sized woman. She danced around them, using her parasol to block and redirect their attacks, all the while, weaving around each strike and feint. While the girls would probably fight any man into a standstill, Neo was no man. She flipped around like a ballerina, dancing between their attacks as if she were playing with the twins.
They continued their dance of death, leg meeting leg, parasol meeting claws. The sparks were undeniable and actually caused the three women to wince a little as the little bits made contact with their exposed spots of skin. Using her small size to her advantage, Neo kicked up, forcing Miltia to bring her arms to block, mid-strike, breaking her momentum and leaving her open. Mid-kick, Neo feinted and swung her parasol up, catching what little breeze she could. She practically floated over Miltia while Melanie came to a skidding halt before shoving her bladed boot into her twin.
Neo was no pushover. Melanie and Miltia had heard of her, Roman's favorite agent and best friend. Repositioning herself, Neo smiled at them with that cocky look in her eyes, never once saying a word or even a huff. Reaching at the handle, she twisted something and began to pull, drawing a long, thin blade. Swinging both parasol and blade, Neo charged once again, meeting the twins with a show of spiraling sparks and singing steel. She swung hard with her parasol, hitting Melanie's right temple, breaking her stance and nearly stabbed Miltia, if it weren't for her claws deflecting the blow. A pair of kicks were born of the defense knocking Melanie from the deadlock, putting the three back on square one.
Behind her, Carolina was blocking whistling blasts from Melodious Cudgel. Roman Torchwick was having a much harder time keeping the former Freelancer off his tailbone. She already knocked several of his White Fang henchmen unconscious and sent a few flying from the warehouse openings since there were no doors left for them to plow through. Next to her, the drill-bit lieutenant was swinging wildly, meeting his spiraling blade with Rosemary's bo-staff. The two weapons met with a storm of sparks flying in every direction.
But her bo-staff was unlike any other weapon – it was born in Chateau Du Arc's hottest forges, crafted by their most skilled blacksmiths. It was imbued with glyphs that could match Weiss's own. She moved swiftly and like water, fluid. Swinging her bo-staff around, she knocked the man back, cracking his mask slightly across the bridge of his nose and to his upper left cheekbone. In his confusion, she kicked him back, sending him stumbling over his excessive weight and size.
Roman turned around and with a tilt of his head, a series of White Fang operatives charged at the two women with swords and axes. Rosemary jabbed her bo-staff forward, shattering the mask of the first that came in her range. Spinning the staff about, it bashed the back of heads, the foreheads, the temples and even jaws of the White Fang charging at her. Carolina kicked, punched, picked up and threw, bashed and in the end, dispatched of the operatives trying to surround her. Roman gasped and looked with wide eyes. Bringing Melodious Cudgel around, he swung the cane about, meeting Rosemary's bo-staff with a powerful, rippling, air-distorting collision.
Carolina grabbed the drill-bit lieutenant by the face and kneed his chest, denting his armor slightly. Whipping around him, latching her legs around his neck, she repositioned her weight and sent him flipping over her in an entanglement of limbs. His drill-bit sword was knocked from his arms. Carolina, taking initiative, flipped over his body, cocking her fist back and began to pound his mask in, cracking and shattering it more. With one last punch, she didn't take into consideration the incoming blast. It collided with her, eating away at her overshield, putting her in the red.
Quickly flipping mid-air, she repositioned herself again. Glaring at the man from within her helmet she charged again, meeting Roman Torchwick as Rosemary attacked to supplement her assault. He was after all, their mission. He ducked and met each punch and kick with his cane, even dodging some. While he happily got his hands dirty, fighting in the trenches with whomever he was working with, his skill was something that the two women couldn't ignore. He met their blows with the right block and the right dodge at the perfect moment. It was almost as if he was untouchable.
Then, it was to Grif and Tucker. The two idiots were struggling, yet winning against their opponent. The blue of the two swung between the lieutenant's chainsaw teeth, ducking beneath the spinning, screaming, churning chains of mauling death, and actually landed a hit with his glowing blade. The lieutenant roared out in agony as the energy he put into the edge burned through his aura. Coming up, Grif jumped and landed a powerful kick against the lieutenant's face, creating a small pocket of space. Tucker quickly followed up with a series of quick slashes and swooshes, forcing the man to drop his defenses.
Grif obviously, drew his battle-rifle and opened fire, putting five bursts of bullets into the man, shattering his aura. What they didn't take into consideration is his insufferable size. He jammed his fist into Tucker's face, actually shattering the glass visor of his helmet, sending him flying to the unprepared Grif. The two toppled over each other but quickly recovered, taking pot shots and quick slashes. The lieutenant rushed forward, shoving his knee into Grif's chest, literally lifting the man off his feet and into the air. Tucker swung out, digging his sword against the man's side only to find that the man's torso was covered in armor beneath his tunic.
Tucker backed away cursing to himself all the while trying to give advice to Grif. Neither were doing too well in terms of actually putting their opponent out of commission but they were tiring him out. Grif kicked him again and actually managed to gun-butt the man, cracking his Fang mask. Tucker followed up with a swing at his chest, slicing through his tunic and actually cutting into his breastplate. He cheered slightly but quickly shut quiet, remembering the battle ensuing.
Jaune sighed to himself, the fight wasn't going exactly to plan as he'd hoped but it was at least something. White Fang reinforcements came into the fold, preparing to swarm them but he was prepared. Letting Blake get a few hits in on Adam, the bull backed away as Jaune rushed in with energy glowing in his now orange blade. Swinging with all his might, the blade connected with the concrete flooring, shattering it like a broken mirror. Cracks and crevices formed immediately as smoke and fire spread in every direction.
Rosemary dodged a quick jab with the drill-bit as Carolina clashed her kukri with Roman's cudgel. Melanie and Miltia caught Neo in a stalemate – Miltia's claws met with Neo's parasol and Melanie's boot-blades were caught against Neo's leg mid-kick. Grif had somehow gotten onto the giant Lieutenant's back and Tucker was caught in a blade deadlock.
The cracks and the smoke rose, causing all the deadlocks and stalemates to break immediately. They all jumped back, letting the great cracking continue as it ate up the warehouse. Jaune jumped back, pulling Blake and Carolina and his sister with his polarity semblance. Grif and Tucker, somehow escaped the lieutenant in the chaos and Melanie and Miltia stood with their weapons drawn and Neopolitan at knifepoint with her own blade.
The chaos and the smoke quickly subsided to reveal a massive crevice, a scar ripping through the earth. Almost like someone drew a hot knife against skin and carved into it. On the other side of the crevice, Adam Taurus wiped sweat off his brow, the Lieutenants were awestruck and a little surprised at what just happened. Roman Torchwick though was enraged, drawing Melodious Cudgel.
The sights popped open, revealing the glowing projectile within the cane. Jaune quickly drew his assault rifle, causing Adam to draw Blush, the shotgun barrel pointed right at him. Blake drew Gambol Shroud in its pistol configuration. Rosemary and Carolina both drew their SMG's, aiming at anyone in their sights. Tucker had sheathed his sword and picked up an assault rifle dropped by one of the unconscious operatives and Grif simply reaffirmed his grip on his battle-rifle. The lieutenants shifted their weapons and soon enough, the chainsaw transformed into a minigun, similar to Coco Adel's except it was black and grey while the drill-bit turned into a heavy cannon.
A part of him wanted to laugh at his displeasure. But of course…
"It seems we've got ourselves a Mexican Standoff!" Tucker bellowed with laughter.
Roman, despite how angry he was, scowled with a playful tinge in his eye. "And here I was, thinking I'd be original and say it myself."
"The early bird takes the worm, Roman." Tucker responded.
"Tch." He scowled. "I'll say this once, let Neo go." Roman glared.
"Then surrender, Roman." Carolina said with a harsh tone. "This is a bit unnecessary to continue going on like this."
"If I surrender…" Roman began. "Will you let Neo go?"
Neopolitan looked at him with wide eyes, almost confused and hurt that he'd do this. She shook her head against the Malachite twins vice-like grip. The blade was pressed deeply against her skin, slightly drawing blood despite her aura moving to heal the wound. Her parasol was grabbed and yanked from her hand and thrown away from her a few feet from the two factions.
"That depends on how your friends act when you do…"
Yang felt a terrible feeling rest on her stomach. She'd never seen a real battle between men before. She'd seen men fight against Grimm and definitely seen very heated spars – hell, she'd been the cause of a few. But never, had she felt the heat of a real battle, the rushing blood through her veins. Gunfire echoed into the night sky as they drew closer to the docks. Police officers were taking positions against the walls of warehouses and buildings, and against shipping crates filled with Dust and other imports. On the rooftop of one of the buildings near the docks, a series of snipers, both police and otherwise were taking shots into the open depot.
She could only imagine what kind of carnage waited within. With Weiss beside her, the pair burst through steel chain fences and rolled against the concrete ground. Rising to her feet, her lilac eyes immediately caught the sight of White Fang operatives with rifles and pistols – some even had missile launchers! Ducking behind cover, she shifted her fists, causing Ember Celica to activate and draw out. With a flick of her thumbs, both gauntlets spit out the shells she had loaded, letting the casings dance and jingle against the ground.
Reaching into her ammo pouch, she drew out a pair of ammo belts and soon enough, the shells were locked into place and armed. The gauntlets closed, locking into place, hissing softly. Rising to her feet once again, golden hair slowly beginning to glow, she shot her fist forward with all the force she could muster. The first shot was a powerful impact shot, careful to not ignite any Dust within the cargo crates. The impact shot collided with the White Fang she first noticed, breaking his armor and lifting him off his feet.
Eying her opponents, she drew her fist back again, landing her eyes on those who would dare to stand before her. The impact shots worked like a charm, meeting with unprepared operatives, shattering their armor and lifting them off their feet and sending them flying like rag dolls. To add to the exemplary show of power, before they could hit the ground, trails of ice shot up, latching the unconscious operatives in place, imprisoning them so the police could apprehend them. Weiss beside her, spun her revolver wheel, landing on the burn Dust powder.
"Yang, you have my back, right?" The scarred huntress gave her friend a confident look.
"You're goddamn right, princess." Yang smirked.
Pale white glyphs appeared beneath their feet and the pair took off. Yang collided with the White Fang first, shoving Ember Celica into the man's stomach, firing off an impact shot at point blank. It had enough force to kill a man if done at the right place, but luckily, the most the attack did was jumble his insides like jelly in a drum. Drawing her fist back, she flipped mid-air and kicked outwards, digging her sole into the man's mask, shattering it upon impact.
Beside her, Weiss was zipping by, using her semblance to burst through the scene. White glyphs appeared, allowing her to quickly close distances, bring people closer to her or even lock opponents in place. Dashing about like an ivory spectre, Myrtenaster was poised and struck viciously at the White Fang operatives, knocking them about like children at a playground. Weiss disappeared from sight, only to reappear with her blade making contact with armor and flesh. But just like Yang, her strikes weren't intended to kill. Despite her usage of burn Dust, the strikes merely burned her opponents slightly.
Within seconds, the entire section of the docks was cleared completely with White Fang either unconscious or trapped in ice. Little by little, the police and infantry gathered left their placements and carefully popped their heads from cover. SWAT and police quickly went to work zip-tying and hand-cuffing the White Fang where they laid or were frozen. Burn Dust powder was tossed over the small pillars of ice trapping the operatives and ignited, melting the ice immediately. Those that tried to run were put down immediately, scaring Weiss and Yang, echoing in their cores.
From the chaos, the rest of the group arrived scouring the area for signs of Jaune and securing the section with their weapons drawn and aura slowly building up within their chests. Slowly but surely, the White Fang began to pull form the area with their tails, literal and figuratively, between their legs. But from the gathered men and women, soldiers and officers, a man popped up with a maroon helmet and a missile launcher hanging over his shoulder. Beside him, several men and women wearing red and black combat fatigues stood up as well, bearing confused and worried looks on their faces.
"W-Who the hell are you guys?" Simmons called with a crack in his voice.
Yang tilted her head and looked to her little sister who came rushing in with a massive sniper-rifle-scythe. Ruby quickly looked up and faced the man with a stern look. To her, introductions could be saved for after the battle. "I am Ruby Rose, leader of Team RWBY, these are my friends from teams JNPR, NDGO and CNDR. We're students from Beacon and were in the area when the battle began –!"
Ruby acting so quickly the Fang member didn't know it until it happened. She swung Crescent Rose with such speed and expert grace, the great blade collided with the man, shoving him into the concrete. She twisted the shaft of the great weapon, causing the blade to shift and turn the scythe into a massive crimson-ivory glaive. Whipping around him, the curved blade practically scooped him up and with a powerful roar, she flung him into the air like a catapult.
He disappeared into the night sky, never to be seen again.
"O-Oh…crap…" The man's voice cracked once again. He dropped his missile launcher and immediately started typing on his scroll attached to his wrist docking port. After fiddling with his scroll, he brought his right hand up to his helmet. "Boss! The teams your mentioned! They're here!"
Before he could get a response, fire, rockets, bullets and tracers exploded from the grand warehouse at the edge of the docks. Shouts could be heard coming from the derelict structure as it collapsed into the sea. From the fire though, Jaune could be seen ducking and weaving between swipes from a blood-red blade. Every feint and dodge the blond made, Blake appeared, swinging her katana about, clashing the with red sword, causing it to glow a menacing color. The man sheathed his blade, causing the accents of his body and red markings of his clothing to glow.
But before he could even draw again, Jaune's shield came in, blocking the attack, absorbing it like every attempt before, causing the fight to draw out. The trio blasted at each other, weaving between one another and took off into the empty section of the docks. From the fire, more men and women dashed about, punching, kicking, shooting, swinging and preparing to kill whomever got in their way. One woman, despite how her armor looked, it was obvious she was a female, was blown back in a fiery smoke of orange and red, her helmet unlatching and flying from her body. Flipping mid-air, she repositioned herself, her bun unraveling releasing her black and blonde hair to fall freely. Once she landed, she popped her neck and sheathed her SMG's against her thighs and pressed a button on her scroll attached to her forearm.
Throwing up an arm, a beautiful bo-staff flew from the inferno of a warehouse and bashed against some unsuspecting White Fang and flew right into her open and waiting hands. Spinning the weapon around, she took a stance, left leg out and right leg bent. Her left hand was extended and the bo-staff rested against the nape of her neck. Her green eyes dared not make contact with the teenagers behind her.
"Doré, Clair!" Rosemary shouted, freezing the lost students where they stood. "Get into this fight – Jaune and Blake will handle themselves well enough. Ruby Rose – you and Nebula Violette have control of the teams present. Sun Wukong – you know what to do."
The students didn't know what was going on for a moment but the two Arcs mentioned stumbled forward, drawing their weapons. Doré's swords, Lumière and Foncé, light and dark, were slowly pulled from their sheaths channeling her aura within the blades and the Dust crystals embedded in the pommels. Beside her, Clair drew Joyeuse, her beautiful gold plated bastard sword. In the cross-guard, a small crimson Dust gem was embedded on either side of the guard, immediately siphoning her aura into the blade. The pair ran to either side of their armored sister, with more questions than answers.
"Everything will be explained; just be prepared to fight for the time being!" Rosemary commanded. Sensing hesitation in the two sisters, Rosemary turned to face them, her green eyes boring holes into their sapphire blues. "Trust me and trust our brother. We will explain everything when this is done."
"Oh gods…" Roman's voice echoed over the gunfire. "There're more of you Arcs?"
"Sister?" Clair asked with a shaky voice. "Who is that?"
"That is Roman Torchwick – mine and Jaune's mission." She frowned. "Do not kill him – knock him unconscious. We need him alive. Everyone else is a non-essential. Do with them as you please."
The three Arcs took off, kicking dust and debris in their wake. As they clashed with the gathered White Fang and Roman Torchwick and whomever else was still hanging around the derelict warehouse, the rest of the students watched with awe.
Sparks of white hot color danced in the air. Lumière glowed with a pale white aura while Foncé wallowed in a black aura. Lumière struck hard, nearly breaking blades and armor, while Foncé slowed enemies down and weakened their defenses with every strike. Joyeuse was lightweight, despite being a bastard sword with a blade length over a meter long. They way Clair swung her weapon, it couldn't have weighed more than a feather. Her control over her craft was masterful, the way she moved her feet, professional. What's more, the power behind the blade was unmistakable, actually shattering swords and assault rifles with each powerful strike.
Around them, infantry and police began to follow up on the Arc sisters, guns blazing and overshields ticking away. Ruby snapped from her awe and was immediately thrown into the reality of combat. There were no heroic deeds or exemplary stories to tell about this. Decorating the docks and concrete ground – the bodies of the dead and wounded laid. In large groups, there were bruised Faunus of all faces and types and were of both men and women. They were tied up, handcuffed or zip-tied to be transported to the nearest high-security prison no doubt. Her eyes ran between the trails of blood and spent bullet casings – the empty rifle magazines and the empty eyes of dead men.
Her hands shook against the length of Crescent Rose, watching the Arc sisters fight ferociously. The skill the second years and the professional huntress had, sent shivers up and down her spine. She could see them flipping, jumping, weaving and ducking beneath attacks and even around attacks. They were hit a few times but they shrugged off the strikes like rain. Ruby had never seen such power and concentration before with her own two eyes, leaving such incredible strength of battle to her mind's eye. The only time she'd seen incredible power like this was when she was a young girl and her Uncle Qrow had jumped in to protect her and her sister.
That was only once. Ruby felt her breath fall short, seeing the sparks and the men flying about. She'd defeated the Grimm in the Emerald Forest and protected students in Forever Fall; she'd defeated a Nevermore and defeated several goons as they tried to rob a Dust shop. But this, fighting murderers and terrorists wasn't exactly on the shopping list. The way their enemy moved, they intended to kill. Her age and status meant nothing to them – to them, she was a target. And that didn't sit too well within her stomach and racing heart.
Time suddenly slowed as the bullet casings danced against concrete. The sounds drowned out around her as gunfire became mute against her beating heart. Frozen in her own terror, men fell around her, bullets in their arms and chests, bleeding profusely. The cry of screaming missiles and wounded troops were nothing but muffles in the distance. She couldn't believe where she was – what she was doing. Her sister was firing off pot shots with Ember Celica while Weiss pulled the trigger on Myrtenaster, building ice barricades for the infantry to hide behind. But here she was, terrified as reality began to set in.
Ren, Nebula, Nora and Pyrrha were firing upon a line of White Fang gathered against one of the other warehouses along the docks. Bullets riddled the battlefield and bounced off Pyrrha's shield like stones against brick walls. Penny had somehow joined the fight, using blades she'd managed to procure from somewhere. The explosions were seen born in slow motion, sending debris and fire in every direction. Everything around her; it was as if her world was spinning wildly with no end in sight. But before it could get worse, everything froze for her. As if someone pressed pause, every man and woman around her had stopped.
Suddenly, her eyes glowed, shimmering brightly in the shattered moon's light. Just as quickly as it came, it disappeared before anyone can notice. Her eyes were wide, but quickly narrowed as reality came back screaming. Sounds and roars rushed into her ears. From the waves of the bay, to the bodies falling in agony against the concrete. Bullet casings danced and rung, tripping over each other into piles and messes against the blood-soaked ground. The shaking of her hand had stopped, fingers clenching tightly around the length of Crescent Rose.
"Yang, Weiss!" She shouted, voice steady. Her mind continued spinning, but it was no longer in pain or confusion – rather, insatiable clarity and perception. Her voice sent ripples down everyone's spine, actually causing them to stop what they were doing, just make sure it was actually her. "Continue setting up the line of fire. The infantry and officers behind us need a proper position to suppress the White Fang. Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, Nebula! You four will have to flank around the White Fang on either side! Ren with Nebula, Pyrrha with Nora! Penny! You're with me, we need to keep the White Fang occupied while the Arc sisters try to apprehend Roman Torchwick!"
As if the day couldn't get any stranger, Weiss and Yang actually lowered their weapons completely, staring at Ruby with wide eyes. The remainders of team JNPR did as well – completely surprised at her tone of voice. She was stern, well thought and well composed in articulation. She referred to each of them by name and made sure they knew she was talking to them. It was a voice she'd never used before. Her presence on the battlefield was upped, tenfold, almost as if she were an entirely different person. Without another word from her mouth, she swung Crescent Rose about and jammed the scythe head into the concrete locking it into place.
"Soldier, what's your name?" She called as she took shots at White Fang operatives taking cover.
"Erm, Simmons, sir – erm – ma'am!" Simmons' voice cracked again, completely caught off guard by the adorable girl's sudden tone of command.
Ruby was silent for a moment, firing off a few more shots. "Simmons, what is going on here? We need to know!"
"Uh-Uhm…" He fidgeted for a bit before taking a deep breath. "The King is making a move to defend his property, the Dust we bought from the SDC, from the White Fang. Roman Torchwick, an associate of the White Fang is the key to his ultimate goal – the person Lieutenant Rosemary Arc is dealing with at the moment. But something happened and the White Fang's major player, Adam Taurus arrived!"
"Go on." Ruby egged him, taking a few more accurate blasts.
"The White Fang are invading with a two-pronged attack with separate waves." Simmons continued. "The first phase was an air phase, we beat them back and managed to force them to retreat, but their second phase, the amphibious assault will be beginning soon, if our reports are correct."
"Alright…" She frowned. Shifting her weapon around, a pair of White Fang who decided to charge at her were met with her incredible skill and blinding speed. Just like the first man, the two operatives were sent flying back, landing in the bay with two large blasts of water in their wakes. Turning to face the remainders of her team, she took a deep breath – silver eyes beginning to glow again. "Yang, change of plans. Pyrrha, you too. We need Jaune and Blake with us if we're going to be defeating an invasion force. Yang, Pyrrha, go and help them out – I know Sun already went. Five huntsmen in training working together can't be too difficult, right?"
Yang was about to protest, but Pyrrha's gloved hand rested on the fiery blonde's confused shoulders and shook her head. The spartan nodded her head at Ruby, despite the girl not facing her. The pair sped off through the docks, sword, shield and gauntlets ready.
"Weiss, continue with the plan I set. Move back and support if you must!" She said, her silver eyes beginning to shimmer with a powerful intensity. "Ren, Nora, Nebula – open fire on the enemy with everything you've got. Make sure your explosives don't hit the Dust crates or it's over for us!"
A small thought popped in her head. Team RNNR (Runner). Hehe, what a nice name.
Nebula slid against the concrete, bringing her crossbow out, taking quick shots at the Fang positions, all the while dodging bullets and incoming missiles. Behind her, infantry positions were lit in flames as police and SWAT members were sent flying into the air; bodies glowing in electricity and others dead before they hit the ground. Beside her, Ren arrived, knee propped against the fallen piece of metal, and Stormflower blasting away. Above the two of them, Nora had Magnhild in grenade launcher configuration, surprising many of the men gathered behind them.
She happily pulled the trigger, raining explosives upon the positions and warehouses, destroying rooftops and hidden gunboats. Some explosives landed in the water, blowing up and creating massive fountains of super-heated water. As the huntsmen cheered and called their shots, the infantry behind them felt confidence boom within their hearts and minds. If kids could fight like this, so should they.
Immediately, the forces pushed onward, sliding and hiding peacefully behind Weiss's ice constructs. Popping their heads out and rifles, they took aimed and precise shots, taking their targets down with ease. Some tossed grenades, others took to concentrating fire. The bullets may not have struck anyone down, but they suppressed the enemy, giving them enough time to reposition and gather in force. Everything was going swell for the time being. White Fang captured in Weiss's ice were thawed and immediately put under arrest and those who continued to fight were put down with extreme prejudice or were arrested upon surrendering.
Weiss stared at Ruby, hand shaking as she barely managed to tighten her grip on Myrtenaster. A slight blush formed on her cheeks. She's scary when she's angry...
Jaune ducked, bending back as Adam swung with his perfect Iaido form. The near invisible strikes nearly scarred him and even nearly removed some of his hair from his head. He jumped back, creating space once again to allow Blake entry to strike. She moved in, swinging Gambol Shroud about, closing the distance with each strike, leaving behind a shadow clone, forcing the Faunus back with each consecutive hit. Every time he struck, she'd left behind a shadow clone, angering him further.
He was fast, but to face two huntsmen at a time was suicide. Especially if it they were as skilled as the two before him. Jaune's armor did nothing to hinder his movements – in fact, Adam swore it made him more agile and flexible than what he would be without it. His shield was a curse from the gods created as the bane of his semblance and existence. It absorbed everything, much like his blade and channeled it into him, only making him stronger. His sword acted like a conduit, channeling his semblance – which by the way, was incredibly vague to the Faunus, who'd done little to no research on the King of Vale.
He made things explode; he had polarity; he distorts time and reality; he makes his eyes turn crimson and his hair catches on fire, making him move faster, stronger and hit faster and even stronger – but of all the abilities the boy possessed, what made him burn with an intense rage – Jaune had Blake's semblance too. But instead of shadow clones that disappeared in a black warp; his disappeared in a white warp, the inverse of her own. And on top of that, when his sword, armor and shield glow white, he was impervious to strikes and his weapon cuts even through Moonslice enhanced fire arcs.
Everything about him rubbed the Faunus wrong. The way he moved, the way he read his movements like an open book and worst of all, the way he and Blake moved like a cohesive unit. It was almost reminiscent of when he and Blake would go on missions together and face hordes of Grimm, Atlesian robots and other forces that transpired against them. How she found him, Adam didn't want to know. Staring at the two as they stood close to catch their breaths, his longsword was pointed towards him, shield raised to cover his face. Beside him, almost uncomfortably close for Adam's taste, Blake stood as well, Gambol Shroud poised to strike out.
"You love him." Adam said, more as a general statement than a question.
Blake bent her knees, channeling her aura. "More than I ever loved you, Adam."
"Blake…" Jaune narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't know what you're doing but…I don't think making him angrier is going to make things better."
"Watch yourself, human." Adam sneered darkly. "You have no right to speak."
"Actually, as my boyfriend, he has every right to speak." Blake quickly added. "Why are you here, Adam? Why would you join in something so…as you would say…menial? Why not let Roman Torchwick do this on his own?"
"Because I heard that human would be here too." Adam straightened, finger on Blush's trigger with hands wrapped around Wilt's hilt. "The King of Vale is a blight, a threat. To find that you, my darling, have joined him…this is betrayal of the highest order…"
He prepared himself, adopting a stance. The battle behind them had started to calm down with the fires slowly being put out. His eyes trailed out towards the dreadnaught anchored in the bay and could see the transport ships already moving in. There were almost twenty different ships filled with twenty men each. The invasion had begun and he was going to get this Dust, no matter what. Turning his eyes back to the Faunus who broke his heart and the human who claimed hers, he clenched his sword, taking up proper stances, preparing to strike and parry.
Jaune Arc was a skilled swordsman, almost too skilled for his age. The blond read every move he made and prepared marvelously. Adam had no answer for this turn of events but he was no longer going to underestimate the boy. He knew Blake like the back of his hand, memorizing her movements and attack style, remembering every detail in high definition. She was grace, he was strength. Where she lacked, he picked up the pace and vice-versa. The two accented each other in ways that sent aggravation throughout his bloodstream and nerves, slowly causing veins to bulge in his neck.
Her words echoed in his mind. She already loved him. She already claimed him. A human no less. It sickened him, it disgusted him and of course – it only served to drive him more over the edge of fury. His accents glowed crimson as did his hair. Pacing around the pair of students, he watched their feet. The feet gave away their plans when their eyes and arms held the bluff. But he was also careful to not lose sight of Blake; she was a slippery cat and knew her way around his defenses, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Jaune may have the skill to read opponents, but he was more worried about Blake. The pair worked so well together, they didn't even have to say much to each other during battle, knowing already what the other was going to do.
If she was given enough time to think and give signs and signals to Jaune, Adam knew the human would find a way to defeat him. That was something he wasn't going to risk. His men looked up to him, depended on him and he wasn't about to abandon them through death.
Not tonight!
He rushed forward, drawing his arm back.
But before he could close the distance a powerful crack ripped through the air. Jaune and Blake steadied themselves but like slow motion, a bullet whizzed through the air, smashing through Adam's aura and punched through his back and out his chest, shattering his assault before he could even truly begin. Blood sprayed from his exit wound, spraying Blake's shocked face and across Jaune's helmet. Time no longer distorted, returned to normal. Adam dropped his trusted weapons, a silent agonized expression spread across his face as he collapsed to the concrete.
Blake had tensed beside Jaune, and slowly started to back away. He looked to her, seeing her discomfort and vivid terror. From the corner of his eye, he released a powerful sigh of relief. The images of Pyrrha, Yang and Sun came running up from between shipping crates and above them. The three students came to skidding halts, Sun especially, raising his arms to stop the two women behind him. His eyes were wide like plates, similar to Blakes. The three humans among them though, could not see what terrorized them so much.
Whipping his head around, Jaune felt his stomach drop. Adam was face down on the concrete, mask removed. Blood was dripping from his mouth, pooling around him and the wound from his chest. The Faunus was coughing, groaning and trying to push himself off the ground, but he was losing too much blood. With every move he made, his thin black eyes would shut with rage before collapsing. Jaune didn't who took the shot, but now, with light bending and writhing, the Arc finally saw what terrified his Faunus so badly.
A ferocious blood-red portal had opened behind Adam and from it, three adults stepped into the scene. One was a lanky man with an assault rifle slung over his shoulder, the other was a hunchback with a thick breastplate that was sculpted for his giant hunch. His hair had fallen to cover his face from view. But the one that really caught their attention, especially Jaune's, was a woman with wild crimson hair and thick, brown antlers protruding from her head. Her skin was a pale white with purple markings spiraling, inching, spreading across her face.
In one hand, she held a steaming pistol, in the other, she wore a pale ivory glove that went up to her elbow. Upon it, strange blood-red glyphs were embroidered onto the fabric. If it was even fabric. With a nod of her head, her hunchbacked companion charged forward, lifting Adam Taurus's wounded body and slung him over his spine. The five students were silent, the only sound aside from the battle behind them, the rippling waves of magic and energy emanating from the portal. The hunchback with a grunt, tossed the wounded Faunus into the portal.
The woman with antlers snapped her gloved fingers and the portal screamed shut, sending high-pitched sounds into the teenager's ears. Jaune, wearing a helmet wasn't too affected by the sound, but his friends around him were definitely hurt by it – especially the Faunus among them. Blake and Sun fell to their knees, holding their ears. Pyrrha and Yang, struggled to stay on their feet, barely able to stay conscious from how that abhorrent screech sounded.
Jaune had never seen these people before – or whatever they were. He stared at their features, finding the markings similar to that of Salem. The pale skin, the black sclera and the bleeding irides. They were definitely Salem's lackeys but they were new. They were vicious and clearly had a different plan in mind for the night. Jaune backed away slightly, overshields charging up. Blake had forced herself to stand, activating her overshield as well. The remaining three students struggled to stay standing but managed enough.
"Who the hell are you three?" Jaune clenched his teeth, swinging Crocea Mors and bringing his shield up.
The woman with antlers laughed softly, almost menacingly. "Who we are does not matter. Just know…her Grace, the one true goddess, does not take kindly to what you're doing."
"Her Grace?" Pyrrha asked, raising her shield.
"Salem." Blake glared.
Yang looked to her partner. "Who?"
"Are either of you going to explain anything right now?" Sun bellowed to the knight and ninja.
"Nope." The pair responded.
Jaune didn't face the trio but simply steadied himself. "We don't have time to explain yet. I promise you that we will explain everything when the battle is over. Just trust me, okay."
Pyrrha and Yang immediately dropped into fighting stances. Sun was more reluctant, drawing out Ruyi and Jingu Bang. "If Doré is trustworthy, I'd say you are too. I'll just say this now at least."
Before they could make a move, a heavy heat unlike any other fell upon the teenagers. Even in the cool night, water was beginning to steam from the, rising as swirling wisps. Sweat fell down Sun's brow as he looked at the Deer Faunus, sneering with pearly white teeth and blackened gums. Bringing her gloved arm to her mouth for a moment, she bit down, pulling her arm free from the glove and shoved it into her belt, letting it sling over like a tail. Lowering her now empty hand, she drew another revolver, glowing with aura and lightning Dust powder. The woman popped her neck and bent her knees slightly, cocking the hammers back. The lanky man beside her drew his weapon and the hunchback shifted his arms, causing blades and claws to spring from his black gauntlets.
After the show, Jaune tightened his grip, gulping slightly. "What is it?"
"These freak-shows scare the shit out of me."
Now team RRGE arrives, leaving sour tastes in our
intrepid heroes' mouths. And Adam was fucked up
Shows how powerful the Yurei are :D
Now, I wasn't going to make Jaune's journey in fucking up Salem easy
And Ruby activates her Silver Eyes unknowingly and the rest of their friends have
gathered ready to fight alongside them - and to get much needed explanations
hopefully, they'll be willing to listen after seeing all of this fucked up shit lmfao
Anyway! Please, Review, Follow, Favorite!
Ja ne!
gottahavekyuubi