A/N: PLEASE READ THIS AUTHOR'S NOTE, WOULD YOU KINDLY?
EDIT: Bloody hell those are a lot of flames. I know there's some serious hate for Cinder lately, but that just hurts...
...My poor puppy, Sugar, finally passed away yesterday.
Didn't even realize it until I woke up in the morning...and she was just lying there...and oh god I'm crying again...
To top it off, my other dog, Rascal, isn't doing much better. He was already older to begin with, but since she died, he just lays there looking sad. Doesn't help that he's going blind in both eyes.
Why do I keep losing everyone and everything I love...?
Sorry, you didn't come here for my tears, you came here for a story. First, are you prepared? I certainly hope so; because this chapter doesn't pull any punches. Second, damn, Hearts of Stone got a lukewarm reception. That hurts...T_T Third, reviews keep this old man writing. Without them, I cannot write. No joke. Every bit of feedback, no matter how small, or large, boosts my spirits. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters!
Now then, lets answer your burning questions, comments, and concerns!
Alright! Onto the questions, comments, and concerns!
Q: How many chapters are left?!
A: Hmm...I'd say about five after this, give or take...
Q: Wait, is the pairing...?
A: I'll let the story do the talking from here on out.
Q: James, no! What's he thinking?!
A: Ironwood is, at this point, desperate beyond belief. Mettle has him by the throat and it ain't letting go. No one told him Salem is immortal, so he's throwing everything into one last gambit to rid the world of evil. At this point, its not a question of whether he'll succeed...but how much damage he can cause. Salem and Naruto can laugh at him, but everyone else...
...why, they're quite mortal. And that's an armada sitting on their doorstep.
Q: Don't you do it! Neon, I swear, if you do it...!
A: Do what...? I don't understand questions like these...
Now then, lets get ready. Set! Go! Once again, chapter title is part of the lyrics from the song "All Things Must Die."
As ever, I own no references, themes or memes! Not a wit or one!
And so, with that said...away we go~!
Lets pick up where we left of, eh?
"That dread you're feeling? That terrible tightening in your chest? The catch in your throat as you struggle to breathe? That's called fear.
All men feel it, just as all things must die. And it's only just the beginning. In case you haven't realized it, you're outmatched here.
There will be no reinforcements. No rescue. No salvation. So take in the scenery. Breathe deep the night air.
Remember well the glorious sight before you...and take it to your graves. Now, then.
Hello, brave soldier of Atlas. And goodbye. I GIVE YOU OBLIVION."
~Declaration of War.
Soon Your Time To Go
Salem's tower shook.
Mighty blasts crashed into the base of the mighty spire to rock its frame, rattling it from top to bottom. It was a declaration of war; one those within immediately felt. Nor did the bombardment stop there. Scarce had the first barrage begun than a second was loosed upon the plains below. Even as the tower rattled, the Atlas fleet turned their cannons upon the countless spawning pools scattered across the wasteland. Grimm snarled up at them from within only to evaporate under a withering a rain of fire, a cannonade that echoed for miles.
As far as alarms went, it was certainly a fine way to wake up.
"The hell is he doing?!" Naruto all but stumbled to the window, eyes alight as he beheld the Atlesian air fleet. "Does he have a deathwish?!"
"It would seem so." Salem stretched sensually on the bed behind him, uncaring for the racket nor her nakedness. "The men of Atlas have ever been fools...but I didn't think them this foolish." as he looked back to her she rolled onto her side. It did...interesting things to her bosom. "It would seem the esteemed general's heart has cost him his mind. No matter." her hand trailed across one flank, pale fingers running across the curve of her hip. "Come back to bed, lover. The Grimm will deal with them."
Something about her blase attitude irked Naruto in the worst way.
"Excuse me?" He rounded on her for it. "Aren't you at all worried about your tower?!" another blast rained dust down from above, causing the ceiling to groan once more. They'll bring it down on our heads!" He stole a quick glance for Cinder, heard her in the bathroom and his ire returned to Salem once more. "Aren't you even a little concerned?!"
"Why would I be?" Salem's back produced a harsh pop as she pushed herself upright, a queen lounging among the sheets. "We are the both of us, cursed. We cannot die. If worst comes to worse and the others perish, we will simply rebuild."
White-hot anger burned through Naruto's chest.
"And your children?" he clicked his tongue at her. "I won't able to revive them a second time if they die here: I used up what little material you gave me."
"Fool." Kaguya tittered softly in his head. "Her bonds are her weakness. As they are yours."
Naruto shoved her presence away with a scowl. His attention lay elsewhere.
Salem went terribly still where she lay. The sight rather reminded Naruto of a pale marble statue. Those lovely red eyes, once lidded with desire, now widened with...was that fear? In that moment, he wasn't sure if he felt pity or disgust. Had she actually forgotten about her girls? Half asleep as Salem was, it seemed she had. She'd spent thousands of years without her children now, and to suddenly have them back...well. That was a lurch even for an immortal. When you were eternal, when you stopped caring, nothing could hurt you. But when you connected with others, made yourself vulnerable...?
"If they die again," he drove the point home with a scowl, "They'll stay dead. Is that what you want?"
Those words were the nail in her coffin. The Queen of the Grimm blinked once.
Twice. Thrice now. And then.
"NO!"
Salem didn't so much as she did slam to her feet with a shriek. As he looked on, a flowing black began to materialize around her, manifesting from her magic alone. She paid it no need and stomped past him, eyes intent upon the window, veins glowing wickedly bright across her entire body. Wait. Surely she wasn't going to...
A bolt of black light burst between her fingers, raging sparks cradled in her gasp.
...she definitely was.
"Step. Aside."
That was all the warning Salem gave. Even then, Naruto very nearly found himself struck by the attack itself as her blast roared out the open aperture.
Several strands of blond hair fluttered to the ground in its wake.
It was a very good shot he thought; her magic flew straight and true, crossing the distance without fail. Her target never had a chance; indeed, her strike pierced the distant hull of an Atlesian craft like a hot knife through flaccid butter. Fire bloomed in the sullen scarlet sky of her domain as the mighty craft split in half and pitched toward the ground. Grimm swarmed down over the wreckage. There were no survivors.
To their credit, the fleet fired again without hesitation.
Salem's hand snapped up and what could only be called a wall of darkness burst from the earth to intercept the next volley, diffusing beams of light against a shield of shadows. Her palms twisted into a claw and all of that roiling darkness became wings and beaks and teeth, birthing hundreds of avian Grimm in midair. They fell upon the fleet with a terrible cry, forcing them to abandon their barrage and fend for themselves.
Naruto whistled. "Well, alright. Didn't know you could do that."
Salem paid him little heed; rather than respond to his jab, she leaned out the window itself.
"GENERAL IRONWOOD!" she roared the words, long hair swaying in a sudden gale. "You've come to die!"
Much to his confusion. leaned back just as suddenly, red eyes slitted with hate.
"Brace yourself. He brought his Maiden."
Naruto frowned. "What makes you say tha-
An icicle the size of an Atlas battleship pierced the tower just above their heads, perforating the crystal spire with ease. Even as he looked up a second spear rammed in their direction, even larger than the last. He inhaled quickly and met it with a rush of flowering flame. What little remained lanced through that, forcing him to shatter it with a punch it away or risk being disemboweled.
"Point made!" Naruto grimaced, waving his now-aching hand. "Cinder! You're up!"
"Urk." A low groan rose from the bathroom. "Someone kill me...
...Cinder?'
As both immortals looked aghast, their resident Maiden stumbled out of the bathroom with a stutter in her step, visage white as a sheet. She saw them and groaned anew as she leaned against the wall with her good arm. It was...not what Naruto had expected to see. She looked ill, sick with fear, her eyes glazed by some inner thought he couldn't quite comprehend.
Naruto quirked a brow at her. "You alright?"
Beneath his gaze she stiffened, suddenly even more fearful than before. Her right arm reached across her body to clasp her wrist, squeezing it until he heard the bones creak. She looked away. Her eyes wouldn't meet his. Whatever was eating at her -and something clearly was!- she mastered it quickly and buried it behind a scowl. A seed of suspicion took root in his heart, but he shoved it aside.
"I'm fine." she gritted her teeth as another tremor rocked the tower. "Its nothing to concern yourself with."
"You don't look fine, dear." a coy smile plucked at Salem's lips. "Are you sure its noth-
"I. Am. Fine." Her eyes blazed with amber and scarlet flames. "What's the situation?"
Another tremor rattled the world around them. Naruto sighed. "Atlas is here."
Cinder twitched. "I gathered as much. I meant why?"
"Why not?" Salem casually cast a spell and slung it outside. Another explosion was her reward. "The poor general has lost his mind. No doubt he believes me mortal and thinks to defeat me through force of arms." her smile darkened, gaining an edge that hadn't been there before. "Oh, and he brought the Winter Maiden.
Her former minion stiffened. A hint of confidence bled back into her pale visage. "Is that so...? Well, if you'll excuse me-
The Queen scoffed. "Of course that would get your attention. Greedy girl."
The Maiden rounded on her with a snarl. "Arrogant witch."
"Both of you!" Naruto forced himself between the two of them before they could come to blows or worse. "Now is not the time! We have enough enemies without fighting each other."
When Cinder bridled he pulled her close and stole a quick kiss from her. It seemed to mollify her somewhat; until, Salem completely undid his work by leaning in to kiss him. Much to his chagrin he actually hesitated for a moment before he managed to wrestle her away. Cinder practically spit sparks, forcing him to reel her in all over again.
"Stop, that will you?!" when she looked fit to ignore him entirely, he chose a different avenue of attack. "Your kids, will they be safe?"
"Well, yes, their quarters are only a few doors...down...
As if to challenge that very statement the door creaked open.
"Mommy?" Autumn poked her head in, followed by her younger siblings. "What's happening?"
"Relax, everything's fine." Roman and Neo sauntered in after them, though it was the former who spoke, idly twirling Melodic Cudgel on a gloved finger as he did. "The little squirts were scared." Neo skipped in after him, carrying the youngest on her back like a murderous little sloth. "Thought it would be better to bring 'em here where its safe."
On closer inspection one could see the mastermind wasn't simply smoking one cigar, but three. Poor bastard was terrified himself, right and proper.
Salem's already pallid visage turned bone white. "Well, my dears, that's a rather long and complicated story...
"I'll simplify it." Naruto nudged past her and dropped down on his haunches. "Bad guys are attacking us. So we're gonna smash 'em. End of story."
Autumn touched an innocent finger to her lips. "Why are they attacking us?"
"Bad guys, remember?" the lie came all too easily to him. "Who knows why they do what they do?"
"And why," Salem ground out, "Did you think that "here" was any safer than where they were?!"
Roman frowned. "Because freakin' Ironwood started firing Paladins at their room."
Naruto whistled. Salem hissed.
Cinder's reaction proved more explosive. "He what?!"
"Now now, don't get your panties in a twist, hothead." Melodic Cudgel came down and he planted both hands atop its worn handle. "Watts and the kids are dealing with it. They're having a grand 'ol time out there. Last I saw of 'em, Emerald had three of them running circle around each other. There was something else, too." he tapped a finger against his chin, then snapped his finger. "Right, Mercury hijacked one and went on a joyride-
Another explosion rocked the tower, accompanied by a young man's triumphant whoop. "BEST DAY EVERY!"
Salem unbent enough to smile. "Such a child."
...and Hazel?"
Roman shrugged. "Said he had something to prove to his sister. Last I saw, those two were wading right into the thick of things."
To her credit, Cinder tried to rally. "That still doesn't explain why you brought the children here."
Neo raised a lone finger in salute. Cinder mirrored it.
"Um, excuse me? Do you really not understand what I just said? Eh?" Roman swept an arm at the anxious girls milling about at their feet. "Ehh?" the other indicated the pitched battle already taking place outside as Grimm mowed Atlas soldiers down by the dozens. "EHHH?!" finally he flung both arms up to indicate the already creaking ceiling above, only held in check by Salem's spells. "Are you being serious right now? If the Four Seasons here get squished, our "Queen" will go absolutely ballistic. Now, I don't know about you, but don't fancy seeing my insides on my outsides."
Naruto coughed into a fist to hide his smile. "You still can't die, Roman. You were never properly revived, remember? Right now, you're as immortal as we are."
Torchwick winced, caught out. "Yeah. Very funny. I keep forgettin' about that little tidbit...
"Uncle Roman was really nice!" Autumn piped up suddenly, drawing all eyes to her.
Roman sputtered, looking embarassed. "Not another word, you cheeky little-
Salem held up a hand and he abstained. "By all means. Continue."
Young Spring nodded in agreement. "When the tower got all rumbly, he and Auntie Neo came to get us right away!"
Winter and Summer sang their own praises. "He saved us!"
Neo tittered soundlessly as the redhead's face grew increasingly...well, red.
"Hey!" The undead criminal growled and tucked his hat over his head to hide his shame.. "Don't go saying that! I've got a reputation to maintain!"
"Not much of one now." Cinder muttered aside.
"You wanna go, Cindy?!"
Salem whirled back to Naruto, commanding his attention once more.
"I'd ask that you leave a detachment of your "clones" here with them just in case Please." Much to his chagrin, she actually clasped her hands around one of his and pressed their intertwined fingers against her cheek. "I'll reward you richly for your service."
"Sure, I don't mind, but you really have nothing else to give me-
In his haste to get away from her, he fell right into the trap she'd laid. "How about a child?"
Naruto's mind failed him as his tongue practically glued itself to the roof of his mouth. No one had ever made him such an offer before. A distant, logical part of him considered it even as sense failed him. Huh. Any child of theirs would be extraordinary. They'd look rather nice actually-no! Betrayal! Bad brain! Behave!
"Bwuh?" He managed eloquently.
Stunned as he was didn't see Salem's gaze meet Cinder's over his shoulder; nor the sparks that flew between the two of them.
"I did not stutter." Salem tugged one hand from his and touched it to her heart, just above her bosom. "I speak of a child, dear one. Yours and mine. Ours." her eyes danced at some unspoken joke, no doubt at his expense. "Would that be enough to repay you for all you've done? Anyone born of you and me would be exceptional; they would RULE this world."
Spring perked up at once. "Are we going to have a little brother?"
"Ooh!" Autumn clapped her hands and hooped in place. "Or a sister?!"
Salem's smile became infuriatingly smug. "That depends entirely on your uncle, dears."
The foursome fell upon him, babbling as one.
"Pleeaaase!"
"You have to!
"That would be wonderful!"
"We'd love to have another sibling!"
Cinder, silent for so long, lost her temper and threw her hands into the air.
"Enough!" she all but snarled the word. "I won't be privy to this madness. I have a Maiden to kill. We," she stabbed a finger against Naruto's nose, "Will discuss this later!"
She stormed off before he could think to reel her back in.
"Worry not." Salem smiled in her wake. "As you've seen, my tower is not without its defenses. Go." she waved a hand. "Fight your battles."
As they looked on, she raised her right hand and waved it through the air.
"Allow me show you how I defend what is mine, lover...
High above them, the clouds began to move.
(.0.0.0.)
This had to work.
No, it must work; because the alternative meant complete and utter annihilation.
To even consider such an outcome threatened to unman James entirely. Not only would it undo the work of this last wretched week, but it would seal Remnant's fate once and for all. Even now, the threat of failure loomed over him like a silent shadow, pouring poison in his ear. Did he have enough men? Did he have enough ships? How many lives was he willing to sacrifice?
This was it, then. All or nothing. Victory or defeat.
He'd brought three quarters of the entire Atlesian air fleet here to Salem's doorstep, leaving only a skeleton crew behind to protect the city and Mantle below it. The two would be vulnerable perhaps, with the majority of their military might taken elsewhere, but better vulnerable than destroyed. Salem must be stopped. No one else could do it. Ozpin had vanished, taking all his secrets with him. The huntsmen of the world were scattered and divided, unable to act as the unified force this world needed.
All this, while Salem already had a Relic.
His spies had gone silent shortly after the fall of Vacuo -no doubt silenced with its destruction- but he'd learned that crucial piece of information. She had the Sword. How long until she came to possess the Crown and the Lamp? In due time she could come for the Staff. For Atlas. For him. And she thought he would wait for such an end...? No. Nay! Never! He would not go quietly into that good night! He would fight!
She would not find Atlas lacking; so he swore as he watched hell on earth unfold before his very eyes.
It was a scene straight out of mankind's worst nightmare; countless aerial Grimm wheeled and dove among his troops, picking them apart. The larger vessels endured the onslaught by virtue of strong armor platting and overwhelming firepower, but even they began to sag beneath the sheer weight of numbers. through them with ease. It was the smaller craft, the bullheads and other single-pilot fighters that truly suffered. Those on the ground died by the dozens, buying time for the payload with their very lives.
Acceptable losses. His Semblance clamped down, keeping the grief at bay, forcing him to stay on task.
He'd ordered the comms silenced long ago, the better to prevent such lack of focus. The men might grumble about that, but it was or the best.
"Prepare the Weapon." he turned to one of his lieutenant's, fixing them with a steely stare. "I want it ready the moment Salem steps out of that tower."
"Sir!" The pallid soldier saluted and scurried off to do his bidding.
James swept back and watched the massacre unfold.
Their armada wasn't the true threat here; Salem had not fallen to force of arms before, and she would not this day. No, it fell to quality, not quantity to win this battle. Thankfully, his forces possessed quality in spades. If they could just distract her long enough, the tide would turn in their favor.
If the Ace Ops could slip in undetected and plant the charges.
If Penny could pry the Relic from Salem's grasp.
If Winter could find Cinder and slay her.
So many ifs.
James was many things, but he wasn't foolish enough to place all his eggs in one basket; he'd sent them in three separate teams, the better to prevent disaster. This would work. He knew it would. It must. Some might call him mad, but no, not he! He was the only sane one left in this world. They just didn't see! But they would. One way or another, Salem's tower would tall and her with it, forever ending the threat of-
THOOM!
An almighty thunderclap shook the world as an airship crashed out of the sky.
"GENERAL IRONWOOD!" A voice like thunder shook the bloody heavens. "You've come to die!"
Beneath his beard, Ironwood smiled. Good. She'd taken the bait. Now the moment she showed herself they would...what was that noise?
High above them, the clouds began to whirl with red light and thunder. James frowned up at them, glimpsing a looming shape lurking within the misty cover they provided. What was that? A ship? A Grimm? Nothing grew that large. Not even a Leviathan, and they were far from any known body of water. By the brothers, what was that-
He saw it a heartbeat before the rest and his heart failed him.
"Evasive maneuvers! Full reverse! NOW!"
"GWOAAAAAAAAARRRGGH!"
Too little, too late.
A giant Grimm whale plummeted out of the sky with a roar and struck his flagship from on high, all but smacking them out of the sky as the Gods would a falling star. Alarms wailed. Klaxons blared. Up became down. The lucky ones were slammed into their seats; those standing were dashed against the walls and ceiling until crimson stains remained.
The ground rushed up to greet them like an old friend.
Ironwood grit his teeth, closed his eyes, and braced for impact.
The last thing he saw before the crash was that monster belching fire into the heart of his precious fleet.
(.0.0.0.)
"I don't like this."
Clover grit his teeth and bit back the urge to snap at Marrow for what felt like the umpteenth time.
Wasn't the kid's fault, he told himself. They were all on edge here. Marrow more than most. This place...well...it was ghastly.
In the end, Harriet beat him to it and rammed an elbow into the young man's side before harsh words could be said. The faunus subsided with a grumble, nearly dropping his weapon. Elm reeled him back into formation before he could snap at her, while Vine brought up the rear and nudged their recalcitrant comrade forward
"Quiet, now." he whispered to him, eyes flashing in the dark. "You'll give away our position. It is imperative we remain unnoticed."
Marrow quirked a brow. "Little late for that, isn't it? They already know we're here. We've been attacked twice.
Truer words had never been spoken, but that didn't mean the Ace Ops had to like them.
Dark walls loomed high over them on every side, lined with burning violet torches. Their flickering lights cast frightful shadows on every wall and each of them; limning the five of them in strange shapes and stranger fears. These unholy halls felt like the very heart of evil, as though they were plunging into the belly of a beast. The deeper they went the less they heard; indeed it wasn't long before the more their senses failed them completely and they ceased to hear or even feel the distant bombardment at all.
What was once a steady thud-thud-thud in their ears was soon replaced by silence.
Infiltration had proven surprisingly easy; their fellow soldiers had sold their lives dearly to get them here. Now they had a job to do.
They had met with minimal resistance thus far, encountering only a handful of strange tentacled Grimm. He'd never seen the like before. Each put up a spirited fight before they went down, for while they were small, their whip-like limbs could inflict debilitating damage. Vine was still favoring his left leg as his aura mended a nasty gash and Elm had nearly been strangled when one of the creatures ambushed her near the entrance. That had been, what, five minutes ago?
It was quiet now. Too quiet.
Clover knew it, dreaded it, but he couldn't run from it. No matter what his thoughts on this situation, no matter what he might feel about the orders he'd been given, he could only advance; lead his comrades ever forward and hope they were prepared for whatever awaited them within the bowels of this cold, awful place.
If he had it his way, they'd blow this place sky high and never speak of it again.
"Alright people, cut the chatter. Just like we practiced." he waved them forward with the charges as they reached another pillar. "We'll place some more here."
Marrow had to ask the question. Of course he did. "Isn't this enough? How many more do we need?"
Clover shrugged. "As many as it takes...or until we run out."
...fat chance of that, boss."
They each had a satchel of explosives, two of which had already run empty.
Their purpose here was twofold; plant the explosives first and foremost, rendezvous with the others if possible, then blow this wretched place sky high. Penny and Winter's teams would have the truly difficult task ahead of them. Anyone who had to tussle with Salem or her inner circle wasn't someone Clover envied.
They could do this. They must.
Still, no one challenged the Ace Ops as they continued to place their explosives. As the minutes ticked by, Clover began to relax. There was just something satisfying about an easy mission. Maybe the enemy was busy outside? They'd spotted some of Salem's forces on the way in, but hadn't challenged them. Seemed his Semblance was holding after all-
He should've known better.
Without word or warning, the doors crashed open. Hariett crashed backward as a boot crunched through them to bloody her nose. Elm caught her before her head could crack on the unyielding stone while the rest of them rounded on the noise. Something skittered to the ground at their feet. Clover saw it and flung up an arm. The world went white.
Breach and clear.
He knew those words -that strategy!- from time immemorial. Classic tactics when entering a hostile territory; blow the doors, toss a few flash-bangs in and enter with overwhelming force. Anyone who resisted would be put down, and put down hard. Theirs was a tried and true strategy, one that hadn't failed them yet.
It was a rare thing indeed to have their own tactics turned against them.
"What do we have here?" a rough voice drawled over the ringing in their ears. "Rats in the basement? How rude."
Harriet struggled upright. "Who the hell is that?"
...who I am isn't important, rabbit. Still, if its names you're after...
"The hell did you just call me?!"
Clover squinted, vision returning in fits and spurts as he beheld their attacker.
He stood before them in the corridor, feet planted, hands in his pockets, a strange lamp dangling from his waist. His body was still in the way only a predator could possibly be; coiled and ready to pounce at the slightest provocation. Clad in fine dark silk with a worn orange-and-black jacket thrown over his bare chest, the newcomer looked more...sleepy than anything else. His blond hair was tousled, yet strangely pale one one side. Like they'd just woken him from a long nap and he wasn't best pleased with them.
...then Naruto will do." he finished with a soft sigh and a shallow bow. "You've really made quite mess down here." a clawed hand rose. I'm afraid I'll have to take that detonator off you now."
Clover concealed it behind his back. "I've no idea what you're talking about, friend."
"Sure, you don't." Blue eyes narrowed. "And you're no friend of mine. What're you, then? his gaze turned to the rest of them. "Some kind of suicide squad?"
Harriet bridled. "We're the Ace ops, you ass!"
...that sounds even worse."
Stranger still, his smile looked, wrong somehow. As if he were in the midst of changing into something else. Or someone.
"No, Kaguya." he said suddenly. "We're not going to kill them. First, we're going to give them a chance."
Vine offered him a contemplative frown. "Who are you talking to?"
His smile fractured a bit. "Someone you don't want to meet."
Clover edged back a step, finding himself oddly wary of this wild young man and all his smiles. Why did he have a horn jutting out of his hair? Was he a faunus? There wasn't any intel on this individual; nothing to suggest he'd allied himself with Salem, not even a scrap . Spirits, they didn't even know who he was. He looked harmless. Powerless, even.
So why was his heart trying to hammer its way out of his chest?!
"Seems the sentries were right. You sent multiple teams in, after all. Smart of you." Naruto tapped a clawed finger to his forehead. "Its what I would do. But whatever you're up to, it won't succeed."
Elm reached for her weapon. "What makes you say that?"
A short and sharp shriek of surprise echoed only a few doors down, matched by dark, exultant laughter. The former sounded like Penny.
Elm swore. "What did you do to her?!"
"Nothing. We have allies of our own." the blond frowned at them like a dissapointed parent. "I thought the great minds of Atlas were better than this."
The barb had Marrow growling. "Whoever you are, you're outnumbered and outmatched. Do you really think you can take us alone?"
Their quarry only smiled. There it was again. That strange sense of unease. Villains like to prattle, to give speeches, espouse how superior they were to their foes.
Naruto...just kept smiling.
"I don't think I can, doggo." his slim shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "I know. And knowing is, as they say, half the battle." He began to unbutton his jacket; working one arm through the sleeves at a time. "For the sake of decency, I'll give you one chance to flee. Lay down your weapons and go back the way you came. Do so and I'll see you returned safely to Atlas-
"Like hell!"
Harriet vanished in a streak of whirling light and reappeared to ram a knee into his stomach. Before her mighty blow, the man folded like a wet paper bag. But he did not cry out. Not once. Even as her hands closed 'round his head and dragged it into that very same knee, he didn't make a sound. He reeled back without so much as a word, clutching at his face. Clover didn't hesitate. Rather, he couldn't. Even as some sixth sense cried out at him to stop this madness, tried and true instinct reared its ugly head.
"Get him!"
Training took over and the Ace Ops descended on him as one. Semblances flared. Weapons descended. Dust barked. Naruto shuddered with each round and smashed back into a wall; one Elm brought down on his head with a well-placed rocket. He didn't resist, even as it buried him alive, bringing a portion of the ceiling down with it. Buried him, with barely a sound. Dust, the normal kind, sprayed through the air to hang about in a haze and the world went silent once more.
"Guys!" Marrow dared a grin into the fog. "I don't wanna jinx it, but I think we got him-
...so close. And yet so far."
With the ponderous sound of stone grinding against stone, the rubble began to shift before their very eyes. A fist -his fist!- crashed through the debris broken and bleeding. It planted itself on the ground and pulled. Yet a second clawed its way free and then he was suddenly there pulling himself from an earthen grave as if he'd been born there. Wind whipped through the air, banishing the fog of dust.
"I warned, you...
And then? Clover saw.
Those blue eyes weren't blue anymore. Now they were white, rimmed with violent veins at the edge.
He stood slowly, a puppet finally freed from its strings.
"So small. All of you." his back straightened with a horrid crack, lending an eerie undercurrent to his voice. "And so meaningless." he set his arm and corrected his fingers. "There's nothing I want from you any more." all across his torso, gaping wounds sealed themselves shut as flesh flowed across them like fresh milk. "None of you has anything to offer me now. No, wait." he cocked his head. "Your souls might be useful. I think I'll keep those.
Clover drew his weapon. "Our...souls?"
"You work well together." the man prattled on in that strange new voice of his. "A cohesive unit. It won't save you."
"No." Harriet whispered. "We beat you down! That's impossible...!"
"Sometimes the impossible becomes quite...possible."
"Monster!"
"No." He seemed almost sad to say it. "I am the devil."
An invisible fish smashed into Hariett's face and obliterated her right eye in a flash of red. She did not scream. She was a soldier. She grit her teeth, fell back, and slammed a punch at him before he could finish her off. It saved her life...
...
...
...
"What?!"
...until her fist slapped into an open palm.
Blood sprayed through the air as he ripped her arm free. There was an awful silence.
Elm broke it first. "Harriet!"
Naruto's head crashed forward in a jarring headbutt, leaving her reeling.
"Ace ops? Don't make me laugh! There's nothing "ace" about any of you. Not a one." he turned and spat a wad of blood onto the pristine floor. "I spent every day of my life training. I have cut my teeth on bloody battlefields that would make you lot balk! In this world and the last!" his body twisted, shedding the last of his bloody coat. "Where did you brats train?!" it fluttered to the floor as his voice rose with a snarl. "IN A SCHOOL?!"
Harriett crashed backward, clutching hat her shoulder. "I hate you!"
"You hate the fact that you're powerless to stop me." The monster before them tilted his horned head, eyes flashing as a another horn grew there. "That you're completely outmatched." A lazy hand caught her jab and shunted it into Elm, sending them both sprawling. "Well imagine feeling the way you do now. All of the time. Fools!" an elbow smashed into his Vine's face, denying him his attack. "You're no soldiers." he caught the pale man by the head, tore it clean off and flung his corpse over a shoulder. "Just a buncha bullies in uniform...
He surged forward with a snarl, a strange sphere in hand.
Harriett tried to dodge, she really did. She just wasn't fast enough. It slammed into her chest, shredded her aura like so much glass, and tore through her body. What was left of her crumpled to the ground in a crimson heap, twitching and choking out her last breaths.
Clover screamed. Someone screamed with him.
"Harriet?!"
"Don't worry." those eerie, glassy eyes turned to face Elm. "You'll be joining her soon enough."
Marrow panicked. His hand snapped up. "STAY!"
Naruto twitched, still reaching for Elm, suddenly unable to move.
Clover's sprang into action and smashed a fist smashed into the man's whiskered cheek. That tan visage twitched back, eyes flashing, and Clover crashed backward. Elm joined him a moment later, shrieking as her body caught fire. How?! He hadn't even moved!
...No." Naruto growled, voice lacing even further with that of Kaguya's. "I will keep advancing. Until my enemies are destroyed. Lets see how long you can hold me, Marrow!"
His eyes began to glow. A low roar built in the back of his throat. He took one step forward. Then another. Another still.
"IRONWOOD! YOU'RE! NEXT!"
(.0.0.0.)
Winter believed in her general.
She trusted that Ironwood knew what he was doing. She had to. She must. To believe otherwise was to invite doubt into her heart, and doubt would be the death of her. If the force of Atlas fell here today, the world would soon follow in its wake. There could be no defeat here. She wouldn't allow it. And so she plunged deep into the tower in search of her quarry.
Their spies hadn't been idle.
They knew Salem held at least one relic if not more. If she could just find it, or better yet, find...!
"Looking for someone?"
A blast of fire crashed into Winter's unprotected flank, propelling the Maiden forward, through a wall, and into an open space. Ice flared around her as she pushed herself aloft, only to be struck by a second blast from the shadows. It sizzled harmlessly against a wall of ice, but the damage was done. Momentum alone left her spinning in the air, struggling to get her bearings.
"Much better." someone cooed in the shadows. "We'll be able to fight as we please here."
Winter dared to open an eye, only to found herself in am amphitheater of sorts, all rimmed black marble stretching as far as the eye could see. No. A grand Colosseum, one lined with Grimm. Dozens of red eyes leered up at her, more monsters than she could possibly imagine. Angry. Hungry. Baying for her death.
One of them started towards her.
"No!" that familiar voice rang out. "This one is mine."
She rounded on the sound, burning eyes narrowed to azure slits.
"Winter Schnee." that same smooth voice called from the top. "Welcome."
Cinder Fall awaited her at the peak, smiling as if she'd been granted all the world on a silver platter.
"How kind of you to bring the power of the Maiden to our doorstep." She descended the steps with languid grace, heels clicking against the stone as she placed one foot in front of the other. "Do you have the staff with you as well?" burning eyes met hers across the way. "It would save me a great deal of time."
Winter bridled. "I'd be a fool to bring it before you."
"Hmm." Cinder smiled and tossed her hair over one shoulder and laughed, as an indulgent older sister might when they chastised a younger sibling. "Yes, I suppose that would be...unwise. Tell me then," her hands spread out, summoning her blades in a whirl of fire, "Before you die, why did you come here? This is a bold plan, but surely you must realize you have no chance."
"My life doesn't matter...so long as Salem is destroyed. And make no mistake!" Her saber flicked out, revealing the parrying dagger within. "She will be. This ends today."
For a moment, Fall's smile flickered.
Then it returned tenfold, brimming with scorn.
Laughter swelled through the air; a soft lilting sound that carried through the cavernous space. Her fellow maiden covered her mouth with one hand, smothering another giggle into a palm. Winter scowled at her. This wasn't the laughter of a madwoman, but the merry titter of someone who knew a great and terrible secret.
"Oh, you poor unfortunate soul." she sighed, wiping a mirthful tear from her eye. "You came all this way just to die."
Her heart skipped a beat. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
"Salem is immortal, you silly Schnee."
What? No. Her mind rejected the concept immediately. The power of the Maidens was a mighty thing indeed, but immortality? Such a thing only existed in legends and fairytales. Surely!
"You're lying!"
A dark brow quirked. "Why would I? I have nothing to gain."
"Silence!" her saber slashed out. "I'll hear no more of-
"I'm afraid she speaks the truth."
Winter's heart skipped a beat.
Looking back, she couldn't rightly say what it was about the newcomer that terrified her. Was it her pale face? Her red eyes? The pulsing veins in her skin? Some of these things? None of them? She didn't know. Didn't even realize she had entered the room until she spoke. But when she did...
"There it is." full lips quirked in a smile. "That's the look. The fear.
Winter backpedaled as her spine turned to jelly. "You...you're Salem, aren't you?"
"I am, child." the pale woman before her quirked a brow as she glided into the room. "And you? That dread you're feeling? That terrible tightening in your chest? The catch in your throat as you struggle to breathe? That's called fear. All men feel it, just as all things must die. And it's only just the beginning. In case you haven't realized it, you're outmatched here." she tilted her head just so, regarding her with those baleful red orbs of hers. "You would be wise to surrender."
Anger hardened into a pearl of defiance deep within Winter's chest.
Salem saw it.
"Dear girl. Be sensible about this." A pale palm rose, fingers beckoning. "There will be no reinforcements. No rescue. No salvation. Surely you realize this. There's no need for you to die here." Cinder's snarl said otherwise. "As you're new into your maidenhood, you may well be spared if you bend the knee." The same hand extended itself unto her. "Surrender the staff to me and Atlas shall be left to its own devices."
Surrender...? No. She couldn't do that. People depended on her now. Weiss -wherever she was in the wide world of Remnant- was counting on her. If she turned tail and ran now, her life was over. Remnant would be over if Salem had her way. This was all a lie. Had to be. Yes! That was it! A trick meant to make her lose heart! And they honestly thought she would fall prey to such?
"NEVER!"
A wickedly sharp spear of ice as large as Salem was tall burst out of cover and blew off her head. It was a good shot; a fair bit of her power poured into a single cataclysmic strike. Her corpse toppled backward with barely a gasp and a hot blaze of triumph burned through Winter's chest. Yes! Victory! It was done! She'd saved the world! Salem was dead, finished, silenced, slain once and for all...
"My, my. Is that it?"
...until her headless body simply grew another.
"No." the word tumbled from Winter's lips like falling snow. "That's not possible."
She looked on horrified, as Salem's body righted itself. Her back stiffened, regenerating her upper neck, then her chin, followed by the rest of her skull. Dark light flowed over her, forming the shape of a small smirk, and the hideous visage that wore it. Within moments she was healed, just
"Is this all the Winter Maiden is capable of? How...disappointing." Salem reached up and cracked her jaw back into place. "Shall I exert myself for once? Or...perhaps...?" She stepped aside, watching Cinder storm forward. "Let us see if you've learned your lesson, my dear."
Winter stumbled back, warding her away with her saber. Flames flickered in her eyes.
Cinder sneered at it. "Tell me what you love, Winter. Give me the joy of taking that from you before you die."
The Winter Maiden lashed out with a glyph and burst forward.
Cinder didn't deign to dodge.
A pale hand rose to intercept the blade, turning it to so much molten slag.
"I am twice the maiden you are." her eyes burned with wild flames, molten gold and crimson alike. "Literally. You never stood a chance."
They collided in a song of ice and fire; then there was only motion. Whirling, writhing, twisting; this was no battle. It was a dance. A wicked waltz between two women who commanded the very elements themselves, who bent the very seasons to their will. Their duel was swift and fierce. Glyphs gleamed. Fire flared.
One stood. One fell.
"You Atlas elite are all the same!" Cinder parried Winter's dagger and lashed out, raking a glass blade against her cheek. "You think hoarding power means you'll have it forever, but it just makes the rest of us hungrier!" A furious blast of napalm ripped Winter from her feet to slam her against the nearest wall. Aura crackled sullenly as her head lolled to one side.
Impatient as ever, Cinder saw that moment of weakness and seared a blazing line towards her.
"And I refuse to starve."
Winter counted the seconds. They very moment she came close, the Schnee reared up and slammed a dagger through her thigh.
Her foe cuffed her across the face for it and sent her sprawling.
"Clever girl." Her fellow maiden seared the wound shut before it could bleed overmuch. "It still won't save you." She banished her blades and summoned another, a wicked thing of black glass. "Naruto would try to do just that; find a safe away to extract the Maiden power from you and spare your life, miserable though it is." Her eyes flashed in unholy flames. "I'm not him." he sword flicked out, blinding her fellow Maiden in one eye, drawing a fresh cry of pain from her "You've had your time in the sun. And that time is up." Her blade cut down with flawless precision. "Goodbye."
Winter Schnee refused to look away. If this was to be her death, then she would meet it with bravery.
She would not beg. She would not whimper. She would not plead for her life. In her final moments, she would spite this chit of a girl. Cinder would fail, and hope would live on. One day, a Schnee would save the world. Even if it wasn't her. It was a nice thought, a grand memory, one she held to as the blade swept toward her neck. Tears pricked at the corner of her remaining eye. The other wept blood.
'I'm so sorry, Weiss. Wherever you are...live!'
Someone shouted. "Cinder! Don't!"
Blood spattered the floor.
A/N: Foolish, foolish Atlas. They paid the price for their folly.
Will Winter be spared? Suppose that depends on you, the reader. Make yourself heard!
Not much to say. Reviews keep me writing, and without them, my inspiration falls flat. Ever bit of feedback helps. Surgery hurts. Surgery hurts a loooot. But silence from readers and reviewers? That hurts even more. As ever, reviews keep this old man alive during this dark and crazy time. I ain't joking.
Seriously, we're all locked away anyways these days, feedback is all that sustains me.
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... Review...Would You Kindly?
And enjoy these previews! Remember those hints?
Yes? No? Hope you paid attention. Because!
SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
PLOT DETAILS AHOY!
YE BE WARNED!
Read at your own risk!
(Preview)
"Run away, Penny. Run away and never return."
Emerald gazed at her improved weapons and whistled. "Best dad ever."
Naruto rounded on Watts. "What did you do to that poor woman?! Let her go!"
"I will do no such thing. Summer Rose will stay as she is. I do not take orders from-ack?!"
"See, funny thing, I can't hear you over the THOUSAND FOOT DROP. Wanna run that by me again?"
Kaguya opened her eyes. "Soon."
She closed them again a moment later.
"You overestimate yourself."
"Child." Cinder clicked her tongue. "My sword is still slick with the blood of my enemies. I have mastered this power and made it my own time and again. But you?" golden eyes burned with amber flames, scarlet embers, and perhaps even the cold touch of winter itself. "You live through misguided mercy alone. Don't push your luck."
R&R~!