Well folks, it's here. The chapter where shit gets real. But first, time for review responses. ChidoriKilledTheBatman- I'm glad you liked it and I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint. OutlastTheDark- Yeah, I was going for the 'Overwatch being the superior of the two academies' vibe. As for why no puns from Yang, I'm terrible at them. I wasn't trying to go for the 'dumb blonde roll' for Jaune and Yang, more like the 'He is going to find out eventually so might as well tell him now' vibe. Glad you thought the faunus comment was funny and as for the whole Neo thing, it doesn't say if she can talk or not but I assumed she has some way of communicating with people. But enough talk from me. Now, on with the show!
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Chapter 8- It's a Trap!
Forever Falls. A large blood red forest that spanned the land for miles around, separating Vale from the other Kingdoms. The only activity in the area were the Grimm that infested the forest like a parasite, or the odd school trip that centred on collecting the famous red sap that was indigenous to the area. But today was not like any other day…
Three Military Class Bullheads zoomed across the forest, the automatic turrets on the front and sides scanning for any Nevermore that came too close for comfort. Their destination; a large encampment that had set up base in the middle of the forest, where combined Atlas Military and VPD squads were preparing themselves for the catch of the century. The Vale Reaper.
"Just a thought, but I think you've gone a little overkill with your men." Valentine muttered as he overlooked a SWAT team trade supplies with a group of Atlas Soldiers.
"What makes you say that?" Ironwood asked, glancing to the Detective Sergeant who was currently puffing on a cigarette.
Valentine merely nodded to the right, where a large four legged tank fitted with a mortar cannon and a Gatling Gun strode past them, the ground trembling slightly with each step it took.
"I'm all up for catching this bastard, but you didn't really have to bring the entirety of the Atlas military with you!" Valentine stated, knocking some of the ash off his cigarette as he continued to puff on it.
"You're over exaggerating, I've only brought one battalion..." Ironwood chuckled, nodding to a pair of Atlas Soldiers who saluted as they entered the temporary command centre, filled with computer monitors that displayed head's up displays of multiple squad leaders.
"Still more than we needed..." Valentine muttered as he banged the top of one of the monitors which screen had become distorted, quickly bringing the film back into focus.
"If the 'Vale Reaper' is as dangerous as they have shown themselves to be, then we need all the help we can get!" Ironwood replied, his gaze never breaking from the monitors before them.
"True, but the reason they've killed so many before is because they've had one thing..." Valentine said, turning to face the General with a knowing smile. "The element of surprise! Take that away, and they're as good as dead."
"Perhaps...but as they say, expect the worse and you won't be disappointed." Ironwood quietly said, refocusing his gaze at the screen.
"What has that got to do with anything?" Valentine asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Just making a point Detective..." Ironwood replied before he leaned forward on the desk in front of him. "Do you mind going through the plan again?"
"Right..." Valentine muttered as he chucked the cigarette in his hand on the floor, the embers quickly scattering across the red grass in the tent. "We know the Reaper is targeting Beacon students, so we got an idea to lure them out. We had some of our specialists pose as Beacon students on Social Network sites, saying that they were heading out to camp in Forever Falls."
"And you're hoping the Vale Reaper will fall for this?" Ironwood asked, turning to face Valentine.
"How could they not?" Valentine questioned, raising his hands up exasperatedly. "Even if they do think it's a trap, they can't take the risk of it being actual students! Four students out here in the open with no help for miles around? They'd be crazy to miss out on that opportunity..."
"But instead of students, they'll find a strike team waiting..." Ironwood replied, grinning slightly as he thought over the plan.
"That and four fake students and the entire Atlas Military." Valentine sniggered, earning a small chuckle from Ironwood. Despite the somewhat carefree attitude of the Detective Sergeant, he did know how to set a plan up pretty well.
"I take it those are the 'Students'?" Ironwood asked, pointing to one of the monitors which connected to a camera feed of one of the SWAT leaders, who was gazing at four unmoving figures huddled around a camp fire.
"Yeah," Valentine replied, crossing his arms across his chest. "Amazing what a little duct tape and plastic can achieve..."
Ironwood smirked at the remark. It was silent for nearly a full minute before an Atlas Soldier popped his head through the tent.
"Sir, unidentified signature headed this way. Not one of ours and according to our eyes in the sky it ain't Grimm either!"
"It's them! Guess they took the bait after all." Ironwood stated before waving off the Soldier who saluted in return.
"Let's get this show on the road!" Valentine replied, rubbing his hands together readily before linking his radio to the strike team. "Teams Alpha through Gamma, Vale Reaper is en route to your position! I repeat, Vale Reaper is en route to your position! Initiate Operation: Blackwatch!"
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"Copy that sir, over and out!" Alpha leader replied, turning to face the rest of his squad. "You heard the boss, Operation: Blackwatch is initiated! Get to positions!"
"Yes sir!" the squad replied, sitting up from their position and heading to the edge of the clearing, where the 'Students' sat around a camp fire.
Alpha leader knelt down on the damp grass, aiming his rifle in the centre of the group as he brought his left wrist to his mouth.
"Alpha Team in position, over!" Alpha leader whispered, awaiting the response from the rest of the assembled teams.
"Beta Team in position, over!"
"Charlie Team in position, over!"
"Delta Team in position, over!"
"Echo Team in position, over!"
"Gamma Team in position, over!"
"All right boys, the Vale Reaper is nearing your position. Do not engage until you see the signal, radio silence from here on out!" General Ironwood stated over the radio, before it crackled into silence.
Alpha leader tightened his grip on the rifle in his hands, taking deep breaths in order to keep his aim steady. Then he heard it, whispers that sent shivers down his spine. He turned slightly and saw his team were experiencing the same cold sensation he was. Then it was silent. Not even the whistling of birds could be heard, nor the chirping of crickets.
Then all hell broke loose.
Faster than any of them could anticipate, a black form rushed into the group, quickly decapitating one of the 'Students'. As the 'head' hit the floor, the figure stopped, becoming curious. First it looked at its blade, and then at the floor, surprised at the lack of blood. It was also the first glimpse of the Vale Reaper Alpha leader had seen, and he was just as he had imagined.
They wore a black hooded leather trench coat with clawed gauntlets and armour here and there, a pair of sickles in each hand. Their face was covered by a skull shaped mask that was bone white, two black hollow sockets granting him sight. The figure slowly strolled over to the 'head', tilting their own head in confusion.
Slowly, they reached down and picked the 'head' up, which was nothing more but a piece of plastic with a crudely drawn smiley face on it.
"Wait for the signal..." Alpha leader whispered, his finger twitching as he willed himself not to pull the trigger.
Suddenly, a large amount of confetti shot out along with an air horn blaring, startling the Reaper and causing him to drop the 'head' and look around in confusion.
"NOW!" Alpha leader shouted, letting loose a torrent of bullets at the Reaper, followed by the rest of his team.
Soon enough, the Vale Reaper was caught in a crossfire of bullets, each one causing him to stagger as they pierced his body. Alpha leader continued to fire at the Reaper, aiming for what would kill or seriously maim. He continued until his clip ran dry, along with the rest of the strike team. Loading a fresh clip into the rifle, he raised it should the Reaper try anything.
The Vale Reaper groaned loudly as he staggered around on the spot, his legs nearly giving way. Then as silently as he had entered, the Reaper slumped to the ground as what could only be described as blood streamed out his open wounds.
He was dead.
"Sir, this is Alpha leader! Vale Reaper is down! I repeat, Vale Reaper is down!" Alpha leader reported, a wide grin on his face as the assembled squads cheered and hooted around him.
"Nicely done boys!" Valentine replied on the other end of the comms, the joy in his voice clear. "You've made Vale proud!"
"Agreed." Ironwood joined in, his tone more passive than the Sergeants. "Time to unmask this creep and find out who he really is!"
"Yes sir, over and out!" Alpha leader replied, turning to his squad. "Lets move in, secure the area!"
"Yes sir!" the squad replied, quickly making their way to the clearing, checking for any more hostile signatures.
They were soon joined by the other squads that made up the strike team, who circled the area like a vulture before the squad leaders surrounded the body.
"Turn him over." Alpha leader ordered, as two of the squad leaders hefted him by the shoulder and pushed him up, his masked face now facing the sky.
"His blood's slicker then I thought it'd be..." Beta leader mumbled, wiping his hand on his uniform to rid himself of the blood staining his hands.
"Also a lot blacker..." Echo leader added, gazing quietly at the small puddle that had formed under the Vale Reaper. "Guess they weren't joking when they said evil deeds blacken the soul..."
"Enough chit-chat," Alpha leader ordered before looking down at the skull shaped mask. "Let's see who's the man behind the mask."
Alpha leader quickly knelt down and grasped the mask, attempting to tug it off. When it did nothing but cause the body to twitch slightly, he felt around the edge of the mask. His hand then brushed past a button, pressing it and causing a large amount of compressed air to hiss out. Whoever it was clearly needed the mask to survive rather than to hide their features. With the mask now free, he slowly pulled the mask off...only to stare in shock at the sight before him.
Before him was no man or faunus, but the metal frame of an old Atlesian Knight model.
"What the hell..." Charlie leader muttered as he gazed at the lifeless metal face.
Alpha leader growled and threw the mask to the side in frustration before bringing his wrist to his mouth. "Sir, this is Alpha leader. It's a bust, we didn't get him!"
"What?!" Valentine shouted on the other end. "That can't be right, are you certain?"
"Positive sir! He knew we were waiting and he sent an old Knight unit instead!"
"That's impossible! Our sensors don't pick up androids!" Ironwood added, confusion present in his voice.
"Sir! Listen!" one of the SWAT officers shouted, quickly grabbing Alpha leaders attention. At first he heard nothing, but then he began to hear something odd.
Beeping, and it was getting louder and more consistent with every second.
The group looked around in confusion as they tried to trace the origin of the noise. Then Alpha leader fell silent as his eyes darted to the body before him. Moving swiftly, he quickly ripped open the trench coat and his eyes were met by something that made him pale.
A large digital clock that was flashing red. A large digital clock that read '00:05'.
"Get out of here!" Alpha leader shouted as he backed away hastily, causing the group to stagger around in shock. "It's a trap! It's a -"
A large explosion suddenly erupted, engulfing the clearing in a torrent of flame, the noise drowning out the surprised and pained screams of the strike team.
The explosion sent Alpha leader crashing into the ground, his body badly burnt, but at least he was alive. He wearily looked up, the rest of the strike team nothing more but charred carcasses. As he wheezed for air, a shadow appeared before him. The last thing he saw was a metal sickle headed towards him, the blade glinting in the light…
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Ironwood and Valentine quickly left the confines of the tent, watching the pillar of flame rise high from the thick forest before collapsing.
"Dear God..." Valentine whispered, removing his sunglasses and dropping them in pure shock at the sight before him.
"We've lost contact with Alpha!" One of the Soldiers shouted as others rushed around in panic.
"All forces, we've lost contact with multiple watchmen!" a panicked voice announced over the radio. "Anyone at the southern border be advised and-"
A scream suddenly drowned out the radio as the sound of metal piercing flesh was heard, alighting panic in the camp.
"They're here!" a SWAT officer shouted as he rushed forward, rifle raised.
Suddenly, the man let out a surprised yelp as a sickle yanked his ankle, dragging him behind a crate. Multiple Soldiers rushed towards the crate, only to find a bloody mess instead.
Another yelp was heard as one of the Soldiers was dragged away, causing the others to look around in confusion. He was soon followed by another, and another, and another until only one Soldier remained, who was visibly shaking, aiming his pistol whenever he heard movement.
Then he heard the whispers creeping up on him, as a cold void made it's presence known with a malicious chuckle. Reacting quickly the Soldier turned, unsheathing a combat knife, in an attempt to stab the Vale Reaper. The Reaper quickly caught the man's wrist, twisting the knife away and forcing it into its wielders own head. As the man staggered around in shock, the knife jammed in his helmet, the Reaper grasped him by his head and kneed the knife down further with a sickening squelch.
The camp was now buzzing with activity as the panicked forces attempted to find the Vale Reaper, aiming down every gap they passed.
"We got him!" SWAT officer shouted as he and another turned a corner and were met by the Reaper. They fired shot after shot as the Reaper stood calmly, dodging each and every bullet. Eventually, he spun around, dispersing into the black mist that fell onto the floor in a thin sheet, separating into the multiple tents in the area.
The two officers backed away slowly as they scanned the area for any sign of the Reaper. A cold sensation crawled up their spine as they registered the danger too slowly. Seconds later, the Reaper stood behind them, slashing in a large arc at the officers necks, decapitating them.
Panic engulfed the officers and Soldiers, many making their way to the Bullheads to escape. A large amount of Soldiers quickly jumped on, waving fellow escapees inside. Suddenly, a black mist quickly streamed into the Bullhead, causing panic immediately. One of the officers quickly went to jump out, only for the door to close, trapping them inside.
Those that had been fortunate to not enter the Bullhead watched in horror as it violently shook around, muffled screams being heard inside as blood sprayed onto the windows. It was silent for nearly a full minute until a bloodied hand slammed against one of the windows, sliding down as it left a bloody hand-print behind.
Those outside finally mustered their courage as they aimed their weapons at the door, one of them creeping closer to unlock it. With a swift tug, the Soldier opened the door, only to be greeted by a blanket of shadow that quickly engulfed him as he disappeared into the mist. The mist streamed up in an arc as the Reaper materialised for a brief second, dropping the Soldier who screamed as he fell to the ground, the impact snapping his neck with a wet crack.
The mist soon traversed behind one of the Soldiers as the Reaper materialised, sweeping the man's legs from under him before stabbing him in the chest with his sickle. The others fired at the Reaper who de-materialised yet again before he reappeared in mid air, delivering a spinning kick with enough force to snap yet another neck before he landed.
As he stood, a Soldier charged him in an attempt to tackle him to the ground. The Reaper quickly delivered a punch to the Soldiers gut, stunning him, before he unsheathed the knife attached to the Soldiers hip and forced the blade into his jaw, killing him. Tugging the blade out, a SWAT officer attempted to flank him, but the Reaper was quick to grasp his right arm and flip him over his back, before burying the knife in his visor.
Another Soldier charged, raising his own combat knife over his head, ready to bring it down. Quickly reacting, the Reaper raised his left arm to first block the incoming blow before slicing at the Soldiers stomach and slipping past him under the upraised arm. As the Soldier stumbled forward, the Reaper grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and buried the knife in the centre of his neck, leaving the blade in as he kicked the body forward.
The four remaining men, which consisted of three Soldiers and a SWAT officer, huddled around one another as the Reaper stared at them, unmoving.
The SWAT officer was the first to charge, rushing forward with an upraised fist. The Reaper quickly caught the arm and kneed the officer in his gut. Seemingly grasping his chest, he spun him round and kicked him in the back, sending him spiralling forward towards the Soldiers. The officer recovered and turned to face the Reaper, raising his fists defiantly.
In return, the Reaper simply raised his right hand, each finger with a grenade pin attached. The realisation hit the group too late as the officer fumbled with the jacket he wore, where four unpinned grenades were attached. They exploded seconds later, killing the group quickly and leaving behind a bloodied patch of ground where they once stood.
The Reaper heard a roar behind him as a Soldier wielding an energy baton charged him, quickly using his Semblance as the Soldier passed through him, confusing him greatly.
Quickly reappearing behind the Soldier, the Reaper tugged the Soldier to the left sharply, causing him to drop the baton. He then swiftly brought his foot down on the back of the Soldiers left shin, the Soldier screaming as the bone snapped. He quickly swept his right leg over the Soldiers head, bringing his foot down on his head, crushing it under boot.
As the Reaper wiped his bloodied boot on the ground, the ground began to tremble. He turned quickly and was met by the sight of an Atlesian Spider Tank, being flanked by multiple Soldiers, officers and even the prestigious General Ironwood who had a revolver aimed at his head, who was also joined by none other than Detective Sergeant Richard Valentine.
"It's over Reaper!" Valentine shouted, pumping the shotgun in his hand before aiming it at the Reaper. "The killing ends now!"
"If you insist..." the Reaper replied, laughing dryly as he reached for Death's Vice, quickly shifting into their shotgun forms.
The Soldiers, officers, Ironwood and Valentine fired immediately at the Reaper, who merely activated his Semblance and sped away.
The Soldiers and Officers fanned out as the Spider Tank slowly edged forward, Ironwood and Valentine staying in the vehicles shadow.
Suddenly, the Reaper appeared over the group, firing his shotguns in a torrent of bullets, quickly decimating the Soldiers and officers. The Spider Tank aimed the Gatling Gun at the Reaper and fired at his location, firing a round from it's cannon for good measure. As the bullets edged closer, the Reaper merely activated his Semblance again, the rounds passing through nothing yet again.
"Where the hell did he go?" Ironwood asked as what few of their forces remained encroached on their position.
"Show yourself coward! Fight like a man for once in your life!" Valentine yelled, turning slightly at the sound of a twig snapping.
"All right then..." a cold voice replied behind him.
Turning swiftly, Valentine aimed the shotgun only for the sickles to lock around it and push it up above his head, causing Valentine to waste the shot. With a sharp tug, the Reaper severed the shotgun, causing Valentine to stumble back and drop the weapon. He attempted to deliver a right hook, only for the Reaper to side step the blow. As Valentine attempted to bring his fist back, the Reaper quickly jammed the sickle in his left hand into Valentine's side.
Valentine coughed up a large amount of blood as he clutched the blade, looking up to see the Reaper stare him in his eyes. Valentine swore that he saw two small red orbs in the usually empty sockets, which only unnerved him more.
"Any last words, Detective?" the Reaper asked, drawing closer to Valentine.
His reply was to simply spit at the Reaper, staining his mask with blood. "Go to hell..."
"So be it..." The Reaper replied, before he forced the sickle in his right hand down Valentine's neck, quickly tugging it out as he split the chest in two and spraying him with blood.
"Valentine!" Ironwood shouted, watching in horror as the lifeless body fell forward. The look of horror was quickly replaced by one of anger as he turned to the Spider Tank. "Open fire!"
The operator quickly obeyed and fired a barrage from the Gatling gun, the Reaper streaming through the bullets effortlessly. As he edged closer, the Spider Tank brought it's left fore-leg down, attempting to crush the Reaper underfoot. The Reaper quickly jumped to the right before leaping upwards.
He quickly grabbed onto the main cannon and swung around it twice before letting go and landing on its fore-leg. The Spider Tank attempted to swing it's body around to knock the Reaper off, who merely ducked and clambered onto the top of the tank, slicing the Gatling gun off in the process.
The Spider Tank shook itself wildly as it attempted to shake the Reaper off, the few remaining Soldiers and SWAT officers firing at the Reaper as well, who was striking at the metal hull with his sickles, the blades sparking off as they merely scratched the metal.
Quickly improvising, the Reaper instead started striking the hatch protecting the operator. After a few futile strikes, the Reaper finally caused significant damage, slicing through the lock of the hatch. Replacing the weapon in his hand with a small black orb with red highlights, he pulled open the hatch, revealing the operator.
Clicking a small button on the device in his hand, he dropped the orb in before slamming the hatch down, activating his Semblance as he fled. Ironwood heard panicked screaming inside as the hatch quickly reopened, but it was too late.
The Spider Tank quickly exploded, engulfing the area in flame, quickly consuming all those present. Ironwood was sent flying as his screams joined those of the others. Then, there was darkness…
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Ironwood opened his eyes, his vision blurred as smoke and heat stung his eyes. He seethed loudly as he raised his hand to shield his face, his eyes still watering. He looked around at the carnage surrounding him, the bodies of Atlas Soldiers and SWAT officers sprawled on the floor, their bodies burned to a crisp leaving shrivelled forms behind. His eyes darted around the raging inferno surrounding him, his eyes resting upon the corpse of Valentine. He sighed loudly, looking for the revolver he had carried with him before he snatched it from the ground. He groaned as he stood up, a sharp pain shooting up his leg as he leaned against an upturned Bullhead. He looked down, to see a large cut along his leg, dried blood coating his trouser leg.
He bit his lip as he limped forward, pain shooting through his leg with each step he took. As he edged from his resting place, he saw a form head towards him. He squinted his eyes as he attempted to identify the man, the heat lines and his own blurred vision making it impossible. Then as the figure got closer, more distinguishable features became apparent. Black robes, clawed gauntlets, a sickle in each hand and a face hidden by a skull.
Ironwood's eyes widened as fear gripped him. It was impossible, no one could survive such a blast! He quickly raised the revolver, firing shot after shot at the Reaper, who merely blocked them all with the sickle in his right hand. Ironwood backed away as the Reaper gained on him, still firing bullet after bullet. Then with a single slash from the sickle in his left hand, he severed the revolver's barrel off, before piercing Ironwood's wrist with the sickle in his right.
Ironwood let out a pained yell as he felt the cold metal enter his flesh, before the Reaper pulled Ironwood closer.
"How's the arm, Ironwood?" the Reaper chuckled, digging the blade deeper into his arm.
How did he know about his arm? Only few people knew about his injury, how did he find out?
With a sharp tug, the Reaper pulled the blade out, splitting his arm in two as severed bone hung from the wound.
Ironwood looked in horror at his arm, his hand dangling from the top half of his arm whilst the bottom of his arm just hung lightly. The shock delayed the pain at first, but soon he was screaming loudly as blood gushed from the wound like a waterfall. As Ironwood stumbled around, the Reaper batted his arms to the side and kicked him in the gut, sending him tumbling against the Bullhead. As he hit the Bullhead, the Reaper quickly planted his sickles into Ironwood's palms, nailing him to the Bullhead.
He cried out yet again as the Reaper chuckled dryly, turning around and cracking his knuckles. Ironwood attempted to tug himself free, but the blades wouldn't move. The fear on his face quickly subsided as it was replaced by one of determination.
"If you're going to kill me, just do it!" Ironwood seethed, causing the Reaper to turn and tilt his head questioningly. "I deserve a quick death!"
"Kill you? Why would I do that?" the Reaper questioned, strolling over to Ironwood casually. Ironwood looked at him in shock as the Reaper lightly gripped his neck and pointed a clawed finger at Ironwood's chest. "How can you deliver my message if you're dead?"
"W-what are you talking about?" Ironwood questioned, the fear returning to his eyes.
"You're going to deliver a message to Ozpin!" the Reaper replied, causing Ironwood to look at him incredulously. "When you see him, tell him this..."
The Reaper then leaned closer to Ironwood, whispering into his ear so quietly he had to strain to hear him. When he was finished, Ironwood looked at him, more confused than anything.
"Don't worry, he'll understand..." the Reaper chuckled turning to leave the area.
Ironwood sighed as he let himself hang slightly, only for the Reaper to suddenly turn and grab him by his throat and lift him slightly off the ground.
"But first," the Reaper sneered, clattering the clawed fingers on his free hand before digging one of his fingers into Ironwood's cheek. "We're going to have a chat..."
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Told you shit was about to get real. I hope the chapter lived up to all your expectations and that you'll stick around for the long run. If you liked it, feel free to review and constructive criticism is welcome. Any questions? Feel free to leave them in your review or PM me. I'll be starting a new RWBY crossover soon to fill the void that will appear once I finish my other Fan Fic. More details will be posted next chapter.
Raging Archon out.
