You already know the drill.
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Pokedex"
Pokemon Moves
'Telepathy'
Flashback
"Narrator/Singing"
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or Pokemon
Chapter:71 The Rescue in the Beast
As the Atlesian Military prepares to fight the scores of Grimmemerging from Monstra's body, Yang, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Randy and Nomad sprint down a corridor within the gigantic Grimm. They stop to catch their breath.
"Well that was harrowing," Yang said.
"Yeah no kidding, it's like a maze here," Nomad said.
"We're not in the clear yet. We still have to search this whole thing and find Oscar before the Ace Ops blow us to pieces," Jaune said.
"How are we supposed to find Oscar? It's going to be like finding a needle in a... giant... whale. Why did we think this was a good idea?" Yang said as Ren looks thoughtfully down the corridor.
"I... I might be able to help. I can sense spikes of people's emotions, I think. It happened on Winter's ship. If I focus my Aura, I can keep it up," Ren said.
"We need everything we have to rescue Oscar before this place blows to kingdom come, so give it a try," Randy said as Ren touches his temples with his fingertips, focusing.
"I can sort of tell where they are, but not who. They're more of less in the same area though. Further in. I can lead," Ren said as he makes to move down the corridor, but Jaune stops him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, you don't have to drain yourself. I can help too," Jaune said.
"And we'll keep guard," Nomad said as he, Randy and Pyrrha readied their weapons.
"Yeah, good thinking. Thanks," Ren said I appreciation.
"Well, lead the way," Jaune said as he awkwardly points finger guns at Ren while Pyrrha laughs nervously, Yang and Nomad rolls their eyes, and Randy facepalmed.
Elsewhere in Monstra, Oscar lies on his side on the ground while U. Pikachu squirm to get near him.
'She brushed off her bumps and bruises, for nothing hurt worse than the loneliness in her chest,' Oscar said.
'I recognize that.The Girl Who Fell Through The World?' Ozpin said as Oscar chuckles as he then laid on his back.
'I shouldn't be surprised you're so familiar with fairy tales.'
'I've lived through my share of them. How are you holding up?'
'I thought the idea of falling through Remnant into a new world was exciting. I never understood why she was so sad when she finally made it back home. But now it makes more sense,' Oscar said as he then stretches out toward the light emanating from beyond a membrane on the ceiling, and studies his gloved hand with U. Pikachu now beside him.
'She wasn't the same girl anymore,' Ozpin said.
'Yeah.'
'I think this plan to divide might have run its course. It's time we start thinking about a way out. Not having our cane certainly limits the options, so...' Ozpin said as Oscar curled up in a fetus position.
'No, I don't like what happens when we use magic. Every time we use it, I can feel us merging faster. I'm not ready for that.'
'I don't blame you. Honestly, I think you're doing just fine on your own.'
The door opens and Hazel enters. Oscar pushes himself into a supine position just before Hazel grabs him by the collar and hauls him up along with U. Pikachu.
Outside of Monstra, Atlesian soldiers are lined up on either side of a trench. Winter is walking between the rows, addressing her troops. Amongst the soldiers is Team FNKI.
"Listen up everyone. We're keeping this LZ clear for the payload we're going to put aboard that thing. If we can't hold this line, it will continue to spit out Grimm and we lose the city. Is that understood?" Winter said.
"Yes ma'am."
The Cat Faunus of Team FNKI then faced her human teammate, trying to stay upbeat, and said, "You wouldn't happen to know a tune for this, huh?"
"I don't know that anybody does," He said.
Vine leaps clear over the trench, using his Semblance to move faster.
"Another wave incoming. Keep them back," Vine said as with one last determined look at each other, the two members of Team FNKI climb the sides of the trench and join the fray alongside their fellow soldiers.
"Move, move, move!" One of them shouted to raise their morality while Marrow remains in the trench, watching them mobilize.
"But... they're just kids," Marrow said as Elm touches down in the trench.
"You can hash out your issues later. Right now, just kill Grimm," She admonished him as she then readied her hammer. She climbs back out of the trench and scrambles across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Hazel enters the room where Relic of Knowledge is being kept, and crudely drops Oscar and U. Pikachu along the path.
"Why did you bring me here?" Oscar questioned him as Hazel takes a moment to examine the Lamp on its pedestal before he responds.
"I've been thinking about what you said. If it's a lie and I took that lie to Salem, the punishment would fall on my head before yours. If what you said is true and I used the password myself, well, I don't know what happens when this thing activates," He said while eyeing the Relic suspiciously. "So let's see if you're bluffing."
"You want me to summonher?" Oscar said warily.
"Either way, it'll tell me what I need to know," Hazel said as Emerald appears, looking between Hazel and Oscar with a concerned expression.
"What are you doing?" Emerald said to Hazel as he just grunts noncommittally, joining her behind Oscar.
"Let's find out," He said.
Oscar slowly gets up, holding his side. He takes a deep breath and said, "Jinn."
Cyan mist unfurls from the Lamp. A nearby bubble of Grimm Liquid bursts and its droplets freeze in place. Hazel holds a protective arm out in front of Emerald, who takes a step back. Both look on in awe. Jinn materializes and stretches, settling into a relaxed position.
"Why, hello again, old man. Did you have a question for me?" Jinn asked as Oscar chuckles, waving hello to Jinn. He turns to look at Hazel.
"Actually, I think all my questions are answered now," Hazel said as Jinn looked at him, bemused.
"What are you going to do?" Oscar asked him as Hazel momentarily closes his eyes.
"What Gretchen would have done. And that starts with getting you away from here. The three of you," Hazel said as he turns to Emerald, who can only blink in concern. Oscar approaches Hazel.
"But..."
"I'll come back for it. Not like she knows the password anyway," Hazel said as he and Emerald turn to leave. With one last backward glance at Jinn, Oscar wordlessly follows them while carrying U. Pikachu. Jinn looks to the side, before returning to the Lamp in a puff of cyan smoke. In the darkness next to the door, a pair of differently-colored eyes can be seen watching the trio leave. A featureless red figure steps out into the light, shimmers, and turns into Neo. She slowly approaches the Lamp as she then look at it in worry.
Yang, Jaune, and Ren are moving down a corridor with Pyrrha, Randy and Nomad are just behind them watching for any danger.. Jaune is using his Semblance to amplify Ren's. Before long, Jaune's Aura shimmers, and he splutters, short of breath, as Pyrrha walk by his side to support him.
"Sorry," Jaune said as he tries to keep himself from falling.
"It's not your fault. I'm masking and tracking at the same time," Ren said.
"Do you guys need a minute?" Yang said.
"We don't know how much longer we have. Why don't you give masking a break? Give me directions and I can scout ahead," Jaune said.
"I'll come along," Pyrrha said as she grab Jaune's hand and he gladly held hers.
"Thanks. We should be heading straight for a while," Ren said as Jaune and Pyrrha takes off down the corridor, the two raising an arm in farewell. The other four watch them go.
"Those two are just great together," Nomad said with a smile.
"Yeah they are," Yang said till she noticed Randy sitting on the ground, deep in thought. "Anything wrong?"
Randy then felt that Yang was looking at him and said, "Nothing."
Yang frowned at this, along with Nomad and Ren.
"I... I'm sorry," Ren said with guilt as everyone looks at him, including Randy. "For everything that I have said in the tundra."
"It's okay, I--" Randy said.
"But you don't," Ren cuts in as he used his Semblance at Randy. "I can see that you have some animosity on me, and I understand now."
"And I guess you do now," Randy said as he stood up. "You are afraid, I'm afraid, and every single one of us are afraid. But that doesn't mean that you would hide your own fear by blaming another. While I am angry, I will not take it out to people I held dear."
Ren held his head after hearing what the masked teen said but felt a hand on his back to see that it was Randy having a smile on his face, but was hidden by his mask.
"But here you are now, now accepting your fear and now trying to face it. You're slowly maturing Ren, and I can see it now," Randy said as Ren smiled, Yang and Nomad also smiled as they watch them repair their friendship.
Suddenly, Jaune and Pyrrha comes sprinting at full force toward them. The two hurries them into an alcove and crouches by its entrance, expanding their shield and drawing their sword.
"Mask us, Ren!" Jaune ordered as the six of them turns monochrome as Ren uses his Semblance. A Seer hovers into the nearby corridor. Ren's Aura shimmers, and he struggles to keep his Semblance active. The Seer floats past them, but stops in its tracks after Ren's Aura breaks and his Semblance deactivates.
Emerald and Hazel are moving down a hallway within Monstra.
"You sure he'll be okay on his own?" Hazel said with uncertainty.
"I don't know, we just need to get... Wait," Emerald said as she then holds a hand out in front of Hazel, who comes to an awkward stop. Salem is coming down the corridor toward them. Emerald quickly grabs Hazel's arm, pulling him out of Salem's way. They stand to the side with their heads bowed in deference.
"Ah, Hazel. Have you gotten what we need yet?" Salem asked him as Hazel turns to look at her, his eyes wide. He glances down at Emerald.
"I... I, uh..." He drawled out as Salem's eyes narrow suspiciously. Suddenly, a loud screech echoes through the corridors, and she turns away.
"The Seers... seems we have guests," Salem said till her eyes widen, and her calm demeanor drops. "The Lamp! Find them!"
She speeds unnaturally fast down the hallway.
Yang, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Randy and Nomad have just finished destroying the small troop of Grimm that the Seer had called after them.
"What now?" Ren said.
"Let's do what we do best, charge blindly into danger," Yang answered.
"Would've gone with "keep moving forward," but sure. Ren?" Jaune asked his silent teammate.
"Forward, no matter what," Ren said.
"Then let's roll," Nomad said as everyone move onward down the hallway.
Outside Monstra, Atlesian Paladins make short work of a pair of Megoliaths while Vine and Elm clean up the smaller Grimm. The two members of Team FNKI get into formation, warding off a Manticore. Marrow is also doing his part.
"Stay!" He uses his Semblance to immobilize an airborne Winged Beringel, which is taken down by Harriet shortly after. After touching down, she contacts Winter over military comms.
"How much longer for the payload?" Harriet asked.
"It's approaching the LZ now," Winter said from the comms.
Overhead, an Atlesian Airship flies in Monstra's direction, flanked by several Mantas. Marrow casts a worried glance at Monstra.
"Come on, Juan," Marrow muttered.
The six then round a corner, coming face-to-face with Emerald and her companion.
"You," Yang said in anger as Emerald has her weapons leveled at the six of them, but Hazel steps forward, holding his hands out.
"No, wait, stop!" Hazel (?) said to them as his image shimmers and fades, revealing Oscar and U. Pikachu in the hallucination's place. Almost of the six lower their weapons with relieved smiles, but Jaune drops his sword and shield, running forward to embrace Oscar.
"Oscar!" Jaune yelled in relief as Oscar winces in pain, but chuckles weakly and returns the embrace.
"I knew I sensed some weak minds nearby," Emerald said which ruins their reunion as everyone look at her.
"What's going on here?" Jaune said warily.
"It's a long story," Oscar said as Yang step forward.
"You're gonna have to try and summarize it. Why should we trust you?" Yang questioned him.
"Because she's scared. Just like us," Ren said as raises her eyebrows in surprise. His friends expressions soften.
"Or maybe because I know how to get out of here," Emerald said as she moves forward down the corridor past them, only sparing a glance in their direction. "Anybody coming?"
"I don't like this one bit, but I now trust Ren enough to follow her," Nomad said as everyone followed the thief.
Winter steps aboard the landed bomb carrier, receiving a Scroll from a nearby soldier. She then turns to address the ranks of troops behind her. Marrow is at the front of the crowd.
"This is it, everyone. We're going to clear a path to that monster. We get the payload aboard, set the timer, and then we're out," Winter said as the soldiers salute her and disperse. Marrow runs onboard as Winter turns to inspect the explosive.
"They might still be alive in there," Marrow said to her.
"I gave them their window. We can't wait any longer," Winter said adamantly.
"Would you say the same thing if it was your sister inside? Are you gonna tell her what you did to her friends?" He questioned her as Winter's expression becomes more and more pained. Finally, she turns around, her demeanor not quite as composed as before.
"Yes, Marrow, because that's my duty. Now you do yours," She said as she places a sympathetic hand on Marrow's shoulder before he morosely turns and leaves.
Meanwhile, Yang, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Randy, Nomad, Oscar, U. Pikachu and Emerald head for one of Monstra's open-air landing bays. The outskirts of Atlas are visible in the distance.
"We're almost out!" Oscar said till a terrific rumble shakes the ground, forcing them to stop.
"This isn't good," Pyrrha said as everyone look around warily.
"What was that?" Jaune said as Emerald stares blankly straight head, the horror evident in her expression.
"It's her," Emerald could only say.
A massive screech sends the nine of them covering their ears. Then everyone except Emerald is knocked off their feet by a blast of purple magic. Salem stands at a freshly carved hole in the wall, her eyes sweeping over Oscar, then travelling to Emerald. The girl turns to run, but Salem extends her arms, grabbing her and pulling her close.
"You really have been honing that Semblance of yours," Salem said to her former subordinate.
Ren and Nomad fires at Salem, who turns and retaliates with another blast of magic. Jaune steps forward with his shield to create a barrier, but he, Ren and Nomad are blown off their feet and into the wall behind them, breaking the former's Aura. Yang and Randy presses on with Yang jabbing at Salem's front and planting her explosives there while Randy threw unstable ghostly kunais at the Queen of Grimm. Yang quickly gets out of range and detonates them along with the unstable kunais.
Salem's upper body bends backwards from the force with her chest ripped open. Her free hand then twists and spit outs an adhesive substance in Yang and Randy's direction. Randy back away while Yang blocks it with her gauntlets, but Salem pulls, reining the girl in as her body regenerates. She finally closes her hand on one of Yang's gauntlets.
"Let them go!"
Salem turns to face Oscar, and takes a rifle bullet, kunais, and a green beam of magic to the chest. She staggers, then glares and hurls Yang at Oscar, Pyrrha and Randy. They tumble bodily on the ground. Sigils appear on the ground, spawning Shadow Hands that immobilize Yang, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Randy, Nomad, Oscar and U. Pikachu. She uses one last sigil to immobilize Emerald upright. A roiling ball of magic appears in her hand as she interrogates Emerald.
"What did you do with the Lamp?" She questioned the thief.
"Nothing," She said as she appears resolute at first, but turns away when Salem moves the ball of magic toward her face.
"It's missing. Where is it?"
"I didn't do anything with it," Emerald said as she squeezes her eyes shut as Salem turns to look at Oscar.
"Where is it?" She said to the farmhand as the Shadow Hands binding Oscar force him into an upright position, his hands bound. Salem slowly approaches him as she let out a sigh. "Look how you've diminished. How you've lessened yourself, and for what? These children, this ruined world?"
Overcome by rage, she suddenly grabs Oscar's head from both sides, holding her thumbnails threateningly close to his eyes.
"Why...do...you...keep...coming...back?!"
"Why do you?!" Salem's gaze shift to Yang, who is still pinned to the ground. As Yang speaks, she ignores the Shadow Hands tightening around her. "All of this endless death, because something bad happened to you once upon a time?!"
Salem moves away from Oscar, slowly moving toward Yang.
"Nobody gets a fairy-tale ending! Everything I've lost, every person I've lost, is because of you!"
"And who is it I've taken from you, girl?" Salem said scornfully as Yang glared at her.
"Summer Rose, my mom," Yang said as Salem chuckles, bending forward to look at Yang with a bemused expression.
"Hm... Her, again."
"Your grace."
Hazel enters the scene, passing in front of a still bound Emerald.
"Ah, Hazel. I found our guests," Salem said as she gestures at the subdued teens and Pokémon as Shadow Hands shoot up to cover Yang's mouth.
"No!" Yang shouted before her mouth got covered.
Salem conjures another ball of magic in her palm, turning to look at Emerald and said, "This one was helping them."
Emerald looks at Hazel, pleading with her eyes, but his expression is indecipherable. The hands holding Oscar retract, unceremoniously dropping him to the ground.
"Take the boy back to his chamber. I have work to do with this one," Salem ordered as she caresses a now tearful Emerald's cheek with the back of her hand, the churning magic inches from her face.
"Yes, of course," He said as he moves behind Salem to get to Oscar, Emerald's wide, panicked eyes track him. He looks at the six teens and U. Pikachu as he passes by, then finally grabs Oscar by the collar and lifts him up to eye-level. He regards him for a moment, grimacing, before pulling him close to whisper in his ear.
"No more Gretchens, boy."
He drops Oscar, who lifts his right hand to find his The Long Memory. Hazel heads back toward Salem and Emerald.
"I really don't know!" Emerald cried out as Salem pulls her hand back to use her magic on Emerald, but is sent flying by a punch from Hazel. She cushions her fall with a swirling cyclone, and Hazel moves forward to do battle. The Grimm arms and sigils binding the others disappear. Hazel discards his vest, and produces a large Dust crystal.
"Go now!" He said to them as he embeds crystal after crystal of various types into his shoulders: ice, fire, lightning, earth, wind. Each sends tracks of glowing energy out under his skin, and his eyes start to glow from the power he is channeling.
"Hazel," Emerald said as Hazel turns to look at Emerald. Her eyes are glimmering, and she gives him a subtle shake of the head. He gives her a determined and reassuring smile, denying her wordless plea.
"Go," He only said to her, but it was already enough. He turns back to face Salem, who has levitated higher into the air.
"So you've decided against vengeance for your sister, after all this time," Salem said as Hazel sets his fists ablaze, settling into a boxer's stance.
"I'm doing what Gretchen would have done!" Hazel yelled in defiance as Salem gathers her magic, sending it at Hazel in short bursts. He uses Lightning Dust to augment his speed, weaving and dodging between them, then sends a barrage of fireballs at Salem. She easily dodges them, and sends a spread of beams his way. He dodges, before slamming Wind Dust at his feet. The resulting burst of air launches him toward Salem.
Hazel then combines the Dust between his palms, creating an oversized ball of rock, fire, and lightning, which he slams into Salem. She is knocked to the ground, and he bashes her stomach upon landing, slamming his fists into her face and head. The ground is quickly covered in dark, glistening blood. Even as she is beaten to pieces, Salem's hand crooks upright to make a gesture; her sigil appears on the ground, and Shadow Hands lunge out to immobilize Hazel's limbs, lifting him into the air.
Emerald can only watch, dismayed. She notices Yang, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Randy and Nomad making an escape behind her, and gives Hazel one last glance before taking off as well.
"Come on everyone, out!" Jaune ordered as Emerald races past him, and she, Yang, Ren and Randy safely make it outside while he, Pyrrha and Nomad was with him. "Wait, Oscar?!"
"Come on kid!" Nomad yelled out to the farmhand.
"We need to go!" Pyrrh called out to him
Oscar solemnly turns to face the three, holding up his cane.
"She'll just come after us," He said as he turns back to face the battle with U. Pikachu watching alongside him as he extend his cane.
Still holding Hazel immobile, Salem regenerates her head, her jaw cracking and popping back into place. Hazel readies a crystal hidden in his palm, and uses it to block Salem's burst of magic with a Hard-Light shield. Salem uses her Shadow Hands to fling him into a distant wall as Oscar watches. She grabs the back of Hazel's head and slams it into the ground repeatedly, the disappointment evident on her face.
The gears in The Long Memory start to glow, and a sudden breeze ruffles his collar and hair. Salem turns to look at him, then glides across the floor toward him at an alarming speed. However, Hazel stops her, closing his arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground. A sigil appears at his feet, causing Shadow Hands to wrap around his ankles and his throat. In one last act of defiance, Hazel parts his lips to reveal a Fire Dust crystal, which he then crushes between his teeth. Both he and Salem are engulfed in flames. The latter starts screaming in rage.
The hands around Hazel's neck tighten, and he painstakingly cranes his neck to lock eyes with Oscar and U. Pikachu.
"Do it," Hazel said as Oscar readies his now glowing cane as Hazel gasps, his eyes becoming unfocused. The boy depresses the lever on his weapon, causing its length to shimmer gold. A sphere of crackling green magic forms around him, and the immediate area is filled with bright yellow light.
Far away from the war in Atlas, the ground shook like something huge is walking towards the city with the weight of a mountain.
Till only the back of a giant was seen heading towards Atlas with one thing in mind.
To do it's duties once more.
And that is it for that chapter!
This story was once a story that I doubt, but became a story that continued for THREE years now, and it might continue for another year if Volume 9 comes really late or there would be a Volume 10.
If this story did ended this year or it would be put in a hiatus, the next new Pokémon x RWBY will be next in line!
I am excited to get to create that story and I can't really wait doing it with Volume 1 and 2 being more longer than this one.
I already imagine some scenes for the new story before I could even make it yet, and I am still excited to do it.
I do have other stories in mind but I really can't hold my excitement for my new story after this since it would be my third story that can be completed alongside VTR and AMA.
I would even try to step up my game in creating stories since I am getting more inspired by other authors.
For now, that will be the end of the chapter and I'll see you guys on the next one.
Vic out Peace.