Chapter 14: Hope You're Ready For A Revolution

(White Fang HQ, Vale)

Banesaw officially had enough. Never mind that he had gotten his ass handed to him by the Beacon Brats twice now, but this was the last straw.

Anyone with a brain could see that Ilia was a traitor, and apparently he was the only one with a brain anymore. All Adam saw was the potential gain, all at once. He was blinded by his... zeal. It would be a grave tactical error to commit all of their forces to the Beacon ambush. Hell, the Beacon ambush was obviously a trap, and would likely get any number of them killed or captured.

Banesaw took a breath. As Adam's Lieutenant, he was probably the only member of the White Fang that could get away with questioning Adam without immediate risk of death.

Hope I don't live to regret this... huh, maybe that should be the other way around.

Banesaw knocked on the door to Adam's office, and waited to be granted permission to enter. He didn't have to wait for long, a couple minutes, at most.

"Enter." Adam said from within.

Banesaw opened the door and walked in, Adam was not a man that fell prey to sentimentality, so there were precious few personal touches, the closest thing resembling such was Adam's weapons, Wilt and Blush, hanging on the wall behind his desk. Despite having revealed his brand to the world, he still wore his mask.

Banesaw knelt immediately. "High Leader."

"At ease. Banesaw, is everything ready?" Adam asked.

Rising from his knees, Banesaw swore that he could see his life flash before his eyes as he voiced his dissent. "It is, High Leader. However, as your Right Hand, I feel that it is my duty to warn you away from the Beacon ambush. We should go with the original plan to-"

Adam rose from his chair, in a way that Banesaw could only describe as menacingly. "Are you doubting me, Banesaw?" Adam asked, "Are you doubting our mission?" As he was talking, Adam crossed the room to stand in front of Banesaw.

"N-no, sir!" Banesaw stammered, "I just think that Ilia has betrayed us and that the Beacon ambush is a tra-"

Banesaw was interrupted by Adam's fist in his gut. He fell to his knees, due to the unexpectedness of the blow. "I thought that you believed in our mission." Adam said, "Do you want me to put you back in the SDC mine I found you in?"

Behind his mask, Banesaw's eyes went wide with terror. "No! Please!" Banesaw pleaded, "Don't send me back to the dark!"

Adam brought his mouth to Banesaw's ear, "Then, comply." Adam growled.

"Yes, High Leader!" Banesaw said, panic evident in his voice.

"Good." Adam said, his earlier rage gone as soon as it had surfaced. "Make sure the final preparations are complete. I'll join you shortly."

Banesaw left hurriedly, glad to be escaping with his life. How could he have been so stupid? Adam's word was law.

At least that's what he told himself.

(Beacon Academy, Team JNR Dorm)

Jaune had insisted on one last gear check before they left to meet the others. Ren didn't blame him, the battle they were heading into would likely be their hardest battle yet, on both them, and their equipment.

Stormflower was ready. Taken apart and put back together, something Ren could do in his sleep by now. The blades were sharpened, and his new magnetic holsters were working perfectly.

Nora was in a good mood. Today was going to be a great day. She had pancakes for breakfast, plus she would get to pummel some of the jerks who had attacked Beacon? Score. She didn't quite understand why Jaune wanted a extra gear check, but Nora wasn't about to argue. After all, the last big battle they were all in... resulted in Pyrrha's death. And Nora would be damned if she let anyone else hurt her family.

In any event, Maghnild was ready. She had plenty of grenades, its mechashift mechanism worked flawlessly, and she still had enough of the lightning dust cartridges for the electrification attack.

Jaune frowned. His gear was ready, that wasn't the problem. Crocea Mors's mechashift properties were working wonderfully, courtesy of Nora. Jaune reminded himself once again to learn mechashift mechanics, it was a gap in his knowledge that was unforgivable, and potentially lethal in the wrong situation. He had enough dust for two full reloads, which he hoped would be enough to see him through the day.

Jaune's hand brushed against Pyrrha's sash. This was the problem. Even with all the progress he had made, getting past the Bad Time, working through the grief, self-loathing, and the rage he had felt... he still felt like he needed to wear the sash.

"Jaune." Ren said, "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."

Jaune glanced at Ren, a man who for all intents and purposes other than genealogy, was his brother. "I know, Ren. I just feel like I still need to wear it, and I'm not sure why."

"Better not risk it then." Ren admonished, "The last thing we need is you having another Bad Time."

Jaune nodded, and began tying it around his waist. His mind wandered back to initiation, and when Pyrrha had unlocked his aura...

"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all, infinite in distance, and unbound by death. I release your soul, and by my shoulder protect thee."

"I think," Jaune said, as he finished tying Pyrrha's sash, "I'm starting to understand why Pyrrha left me behind, why she went to fight Cinder."

Ren and Nora glanced at each other. This was going to either be good for Jaune's healing process, or bad.

Jaune continued, "Before the Battle of Beacon, one line of the... chant Pyrrha said when she unlocked my aura always confused me. We become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all."

Jaune rested a hand on the sash, "At face value, it would sound like the chant makes it sound like Pyrrha had accepted the destiny that everyone pushed on her, but we know better." Jaune grinned, Ren and Nora smiled, knowing exactly how right Jaune was, "But I think... I'm not exactly sure how aura unlocking works, but I think that when she did it, that she could see... me. Saw what I would become, somehow. That's why she said we."

"Have you figured out why she went to fight Cinder?" Nora asked.

Jaune frowned. "Not yet, but I can't worry about that right now, we've got a job to do."

They left for the staging area set up inside Beacon's entrance hall, looking for all the world like it was just another day.

(Beacon Academy, Team CRDL Dorm)

Cardin glared at his scroll, more specifically a text from his father. Cardin had made the mistake of telling him that his team would be involved in a battle against the White Fang and...

"Good for you, son! Put those filthy animals in their place. Don't trust any Faunus on your side, they're just waiting for you to turn your back."

"You bastard. You don't know anything about the people that happen to be Faunus on our side. Velvet would never betray m- us."

Sky winced. Cardin had a bad habit of not being able to keep his thoughts in his head when his father pushed on what the rest of team CRDL called "the Velvet button." He would leave the pep talk to Russel. He had to focus on making sure that his new dust rounds were ready.

Dove sighed. "Don't reply, Cardin. It'll just make you angrier, and we need you to have a clear head."

After a moment of awkward silence, Cardin replied, "Yeah, I know, Dove. Don't forget to make sure your new weapon is ready."

With a smirk, Dove returned to his weapon. His original weapon, Hallshot, had been lacking. Its sword component had been perfectly fine, but it's ranged component had been less than impressive, in both stopping power and dust compatibility. His new weapon fixed that.

In addition to having a more powerful firearm component that allowed for dust rounds, the sword component was also improved. Dove's new weapon was a Falchion/Pistol combination. As for its name, Dove continued his naming tradition of combining the type of sword with a reference to its ranged function.

His new weapon was Falshot.

"Careful over there, Dove. You're starting to remind me of Ruby." Sky said, a teasing note in his voice.

"Both of you jokers should start heading for the staging area." Cardin said. "I'll be right behind you."

"Copy that, boss." Sky said, leaping down from his bunk, "Come on, partner." Dove nodded wordlessly, reaffirming his reputation has the "serious" member of the team.

After they left, they ran into Russell. "So? How is he?"

Sky scowled, an uncommon expression for him, "He got a text from his old man that pushed the Velvet Button."

"Damn." Russell said, "Alright, I'll take care of this."

Russell walked in to the dorm room to see Cardin glaring out the window. "You good, Cardin?"

"More or less." Cardin grumbled. "Come on, let's get this done." Cardin began to walk out the door, but was stopped by Russell.

"Cardin, do you really think that you can beat racism by helping take down Adam?"

"Since when did you become a psychic?" Cardin asked, he paused for a moment before the floodgates opened, "It's jerks like Adam that are the main reason people like my father think the way that they do. So if we take him down then..."

Russell placed a hand on his leader's shoulder, "Cardin, that won't change your father."

Cardin laughed, "You're right, but it'll keep Adam from making more people think like dad. That's a win in my book."

Alarm bells went off in Russell's head. "Cardin you're not going to try to fight Adam, are you?"

Cardin broke into a laughing fit, "Oh, that's hilarious! Are you kidding me? He'd tear me apart!"

They shared a good hearty laugh over the absolute hilarity of Cardin trying to fight Adam. "Come on, Russell." Cardin said after he calmed down, "Let's go save the day again."

"Think they'll have another Paladin for us to trash?"

(Beacon Academy, Team CFVY Dorm)

Fox and Yatsutashi had already headed down to the staging area, but Coco was procrastinating, because Velvet was taking her sweet time organizing the photos on Anesidora.

Okay, I only have one picture of both Pyrrha and Penny's weapons left. I should lock those so I don't lose... them. No, Velvet, that's stupid. Any other time that would be fine, but today it could be life and death, for you, your team... or for Cardin.

"You ready, Vel?" Coco asked. "We gotta go if we're going to make it on time."

"Yep! Just a moment, Coco!" Velvet said. She returned her camera to its box, then attached it to the back of her belt. "Ready!"

Coco looked at Velvet with a raised eyebrow, "Y'know, people here are really going to think we're heroes after we pull this off." She gave Velvet a smirk that could only be described as lecherous, "I bet we'll all have admirers lining up, anyone you're hoping for?"

Is this a heavy handed approach to find out if she's got feelings for Cardin? Yes, it is. Would anything else really suit me? No, it wouldn't.

Velvet giggled, "Well, there is this one guy."

Oh, you've got to be shitting me, Vel.

"He used to be an absolute ass, but he really turned himself around." Velvet said.

Coco frowned, "It almost sounds like you think that you think you're a reward for this guy."

"Ew! That's disgusting!" Velvet said, "Growing up he was always told two things that really screwed him up. The first was that all Faunus are nothing but filthy animals." Coco couldn't help but snort at that. There was no secret as to who the guy was now.

Velvet continued, "The second... was that men aren't allowed to show their feelings, because it makes them weak. While I was helping him with getting over his racism after the Miracle of Beacon, he opened up about that. I told him that he was safe with me, and that he could let it out if he needed to."

She actually... damn. Maybe I should just let this happen. Despite her... dislike of Cardin, Coco had decided that if Velvet wanted to give things a shot, she wouldn't stand in the way. "Then what happened?"

Velvet smiled sadly, "That was the first time I ever saw him cry."

"It's Cardin, isn't it?" Coco asked.

"Yeah." Velvet said, "I'm sorry, I know you don't really like him."

"It's fine, Vel." Coco said, walking out the door with a wry smile on her face, "As long as you're happy, and he treats you right, there's not really anything I can say, is there?"

Velvet smiled, "Guess not. Let's go be heroes."

(Beacon Academy, Team RWBY Dorm)

With a click, Yang reassembled Ember Celica, she had used the last of her explosive rounds back at the skirmish at Dust to Dust. Ironic, really. Her average concussive rounds would have to be enough. She glanced over at Ruby and Weiss.

Ruby was finishing up an oil change on the mechashift motor in Crescent Rose, and Weiss was checking her Dust load. It never changed, but it was a pre-mission ritual for Weiss, and the rest of team RWBY knew better than to question it.

"Hey, Blake?" Yang asked.

"What is it, Yang?" Blake replied, having just finished checking her dust, for use with her Semblance.

"Are you okay?" Yang said, "I mean, Adam's going to be there and everything."

Blake sighed, "No, Yang. I'm not okay. I don't want to have to face him. He almost killed me, almost took your arm..."

Yang remained quiet, when Blake trailed off like that, it meant that she had more to say, but hoped that someone would stop her. Yang glanced over at the others. Ruby was in Weapon Maintenance Dreamland, and Weiss tended not to butt in on sensitive conversations.

Blake continued, "And he said that he would... d-destroy everything I love. He'll twist that to mean everyone that's with us today, and I don't want to be the reason that we all-"

"None of us are dying today." Ruby said, having just finished with her final maintenance check on Crescent Rose, "Not again. Never again."

That had become Ruby's mantra in recent days. Deep down, Ruby still thought that she was to blame for Pyrrha's death in some way. If only she'd been a little bit faster. She refused to talk about it, even with Yang. Ruby knew full well that her favorite coping mechanism of shoving down the stress and trauma was unhealthy, but there were people to save, and she knew that if she let herself feel...

She might not be able to put herself back together in time to save everyone.

Ruby jumped down from her bed, "Alright, team RWBY, let's go stop the White Fang." They all nodded, gathered their equipment and left. All four of them united by a single phrase.

Not again.

(Beacon Academy, Entrance Hall)

"Alright, how're we looking?" Qrow asked. He looked at the assembled teams, if it had been up to him, he wouldn't have even involved team RWBY, much less JNR and the others. But they needed the manpower, especially if the reports that Neo had sent to Roman were accurate.

"My men are ready to deploy at a moment's notice." Winter said. "Our airships are ready to go too, as soon as I give the word."

Qrow nodded, "Good, Sienna, are you and your people ready?"

"Yes, we're ready. Ready to remind Adam what the White Fang is supposed to be about." Sienna said.

"I'm ready to try not to die, if anyone cares." Roman quipped, "Last I heard from Neo, she's got herself embedded right next to Ilia. So, at the first sign of trouble, our girl will be out of the way."

"As soon as you all leave, I'm putting the school into lockdown." Glynda said. "Are we absolutely sure about this? If you all fail..."

"We won't fail." Reign-Beau said. "On my word as an Arc."

With that, Qrow turned to the assembled teams and Sienna's White Fang. "Alright, it's just about go time. All we have to do is walk out to the airfield, if everything goes according to plan, Adam should ambush us there, and then we stop him there. Any one got questions, or want to give a last minute pep talk?"

"Not really interested in talking anymore." Cardin said, "We've got a job to do, so let's do it."

"Very well. Before we begin, there's someone I need to introduce." Winter said.

Everyone's comm circuit clicked, signifying that someone new had switched to their frequency. "Atlesian Air Force AWACS here, callsign Bright Eye. I'll be your eye in the sky for this operation, hence the name."

"Put simply," Winter explained, "If Bright Eye tells you to jump, you ask how high. He'll have more information than you do, due to the advanced radar he has onboard."

"Speaking of which, you've got bogeys inbound. At least twenty, identified as White Fang gunships." Bright Eye cut in, "Better get moving if you want to be in position."

"Well, you heard the man!" Sienna said, "Let's go!"

The group began the short walk to the airfield, where the airships that they were allegedly going to board were located. At least it was a sunny day. Which also meant that everyone could clearly see the armada of White Fang gunships bearing down on them.

"Damn, if they see we're not reacting to them, we're screwed." Qrow said.

"Nora, distract us." Jaune ordered.

Nora grinned. Distractions were her specialty.

From seemingly out of nowhere, Nora produced the chess piece that she had chosen back at initiation, darted to the front of the group and unleashed her battle cry.

"I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle!" Nora said.

One of the warriors that had come with Sienna leaned over to her and asked, "How is she keeping that balanced on her nose?"

Sienna raised her eyebrow, "That's your question?"

Bright Eye chimed in, "Well, that's certainly the most creative distraction I've seen, but... eyes up, ladies and gents. Missiles inbound."

"Bright Eye, I need to know where those missiles are going to land, and I need to know yesterday." Winter said.

"The grounded airships and... one on you and your group."

"Shit! Scatter!" Qrow yelled.

"No! That's what they want!" Jaune said, "Dad, Semblance! Weiss, Winter, Barrier Glyphs!"

"Everyone get behind me!" Reign-Beau roared. Golden light arced from his shield, creating a barrier, which Weiss and Winter layered with their glyphs.

"Brace for impact!" Jaune yelled.

The missile connected with the Arc-Schnee barrier, heat and noise blasted around them, but fortunately, the barrier held.

"Aura levels?" Qrow asked.

"We're fine," Weiss said. "Our glyphs take a finite amount of aura to make, concentration is all that is required to maintain them."

"I'm going to need to take a backseat for a bit, unless Adam's a talker." Reign-Beau said, a hint of humor in his voice.

"You won't need to take a backseat." Blake deadpanned.

Winter keyed her comm, "This is Specialist Schnee, Mage Squadron, Paladin Squadron, you are go for launch in five."

The gunships started dropping off a quite disconcerting number of White Fang, with Adam, Banesaw, and Ilia out front.

"Sienna, did you really think that I would let you pick your gravesite?" Adam said.

"You coward!" Sienna retorted, "This makes any claim you have on the White Fang null and void, no matter the result!"

Adam laughed, "It's amazing what a little voice print analysis and editing will do these days. I'll give you and the Schnee bitch one chance to surrender, that is, if you want to save everyone else from dying."

"You'll just kill us anyways!" Weiss retorted, "I'd rather go out fighting, thank you very much."

"Well, I'd definitely kill Sienna," Adam said, his voice becoming crueler as he talked, "But you, Ice Queen? I could be convinced to keep you as a pet."

Jaune had never drawn Crocea Mors faster than he had in that moment. "Like hell you will!"

Adam laughed, "Don't you know what you're defending, boy?" He ripped his mask away to reveal his brand, "This legacy of hatred and oppression! That's what you're-"

"BULLSHIT!" Jaune roared, cutting Adam off, "That's Jacques's legacy, not Weiss's! Weiss shouldn't be held responsible for her father's sins!"

"Where was your precious Weiss when my parents were killed in a dust mine?" Ilia accused, "Sitting on her dainty ass in Atlas!"

"You know there's so much more to it than that, Ilia." Blake said.

"Oh, darling," Adam said, "I think you're just jealous that I've replaced you."

The telltale sound of Ember Celica priming echoed, "As if, dirtbag!" Yang growled.

Everyone else drew their weapons, it was going to come down to a fight eventually, it was just a matter of time.

"Oh, Adam," Ilia said, "Thank you for putting so much faith in me. It made it easier to lead you here."

Jaune's eyes went wide. Was Ilia insane?

Adam froze in his tracks. "What did you just say?"

Ilia smiled, "I joined the White Fang to fight for equality, not to kill everyone who disagrees."

Adam's hand lashed out and closed around Ilia's neck. "Her blood is on your hands, Blake." Adam growled, he squeezed tighter, intending to choke the life out of her...

Ilia shattered.

Adam whirled around, only to find Ilia and Neapolitan standing with the others. "How much, Ilia? How much did the Schnee pay you to crawl in bed with her?" Adam said.

Ilia rolled her eyes, "And get between her and Jaune? Not in this lifetime." Ilia laughed, "Adam, it's over. We have you trapped."

"Over?" Adam asked mockingly, "Over? No... I'm just getting started. We have powerful friends backing us, you can't even comprehend what they're capable of."

Jaune's blood ran cold, he didn't mean Salem did he?

Bright Eye cut in to their comm circuit, "We've got a hell of a lot of Grimm signatures, all headed for you. Mage and Paladin squadrons are trying to hold them, but they're going to break through!"

Adam had indeed meant Salem.

"We can't deal with the Grimm and the White Fang at the same time, we'll get slaughtered!" Cardin said.

Perfectly on cue, the previously blue sky became dotted with black, and the cries of Nevermores began to reach them.

"Today, Beacon falls!" Adam taunted, "Properly, this time."

"Those Grimm will reach us in seconds," Winter said, "And then the White Fang will attack and then..."

"We're dead." Roman said.

"Not yet." Ruby said, "Jaune, give me a boost with your shield, Weiss, be ready with Velocity glyphs, Yang... be ready to catch me."

Coco looked at Ruby like she had just grown an extra head, "Why? What would you... and why are you two getting ready for it?"

Fox spoke up, "It's... okay, I think. All I can tell is that Ruby has a plan."

Ruby caught Qrow's eye. Qrow was about to say No, it's too dangerous, we'll find another way, but the reality was that they had to remove either the Grimm or the White Fang now, otherwise they were all dead.

"I'm not drunk enough for this." Qrow muttered. "Do it."

Unfortunately, Adam caught on when Ruby launched herself of Jaune's shield. "KILL HER!" He ordered.

Thanks to Weiss's Velocity glyphs and her own semblance, Ruby easily evaded the hail of gunfire that Adam had directed at her. She reached the apex of her flight, and was only a few feet from the lead Nevermore.

I won't let you win, Salem! I won't let Beacon fall! I won't let my friends die!

She felt... something. The something she had felt when she had seen Pyrrha at Cinder's mercy.

"Not again!" Ruby cried, "NEVER AGAIN!"

Her vision went white.

She came back to herself thanks to a throbbing migraine. Oh, and she was falling. Oh, and the Grimm were gone.

She drew Crescent Rose, and started firing to arrest her momentum. Ruby narrowed her eyes, why hadn't they started fighting yet? Probably too stunned by the literal fairy tale proven real.

I better say something cool to break the tension.

With a burst of her Semblance, Ruby landed flawlessly, despite the pounding headache that was, thankfully, going away. Ruby looked up, and saw Adam, stunned that his trump card was literally dust on the wind.

"Haha, Silver Eyes go woosh." Ruby said.

Adam's hand moved to his sword. "Kill them all." He said, "No mercy."

"Charge!" Sienna yelled, she unfurled her chain whip and leapt at Adam.

Jaune gritted his teeth and ran at the nearest White Fang goon, his shield raised to block the gunfire.

Time to go to work.

(Beacon Academy, Improvised Holding Area)

Tyrian was getting impatient, Adam had clearly started his attack, since Tyrian's guards had run from the room. However, Watts hadn't seen fit to release him yet.

Tyrian rolled his eyes, and pulled on a loose thread on the interior of his jacket, which popped the seam on the hidden pocket that contained a spare earpiece, which he slotted in his ear.

"You know, Doctor, I'm starting to get impatient..." Tyrian said.

Back in their hideout, Watts rolled his eyes.

"Then you'll complete your objective quickly, Tyrian. We don't have much time until someone realizes that the lockdown has been selectively overridden." Watts said.

The Hard Light field that kept Tyrian in his cell flickered and died, and Tyrian retrieved his weapons from the guard post.

Tyrian laughed when he figured it out. "This room used to be the vault, Watts! I have a straight shot to Ozpin's office!"

Watts's palm met his face with an audible slap. "You're just now figuring that out, Tyrian? Wasn't this whole operation your idea?" Watts shook his head, "I've overridden the elevator, it won't stop for anything on its way up."

Tyrian grinned as he hit the button to call the elevator.

"Good."

(Ren and Nora)

For Nora, this was personal.

She whirled her hammer around her, stymieing the attacks sent her way by the White Fang goons she was currently in the middle of, while keeping momentum for her bigger attacks.

These bastards were trying to hurt her family.

She unleashed a a giant swing, sending a group of them flying, while Ren took care of the ones she missed, the familiar staccato bursts of Stormflower sounding like music to her ears.

Ren grimaced, Nora wasn't holding back.

Because of her natural strength and choice of weapon, it was extraordinarily easily for Nora to kill someone without aura with a single swing of Maghnild. Broken bones piercing organs, things like that.

The vast majority of the White Fang they were fighting didn't have aura.

"Nora, you need to rein it in a little," Ren said, "You're overdoing it."

Nora shoved the butt of Maghnild into the gut of a leopard Faunus that had rushed her, then sent him flying with a golf swing.

"They're trying to hurt our family, Ren." Nora said, her voice tinged with anger. "You know what that means to me."

Ren did know. Ren knew exactly why Nora was so angry, and why he could feel his own self control slipping. For the longest time, all he and Nora had was each other, then they had made it to Beacon, and had found a family for the first time.

Ren dashed forward, landing a palm strike on a White Fang member that was trying to sneak up on Nora. He clutched at his heart, then fell over.

Ren paused, he had lost control. Unmoderated, his palm strikes could stop hearts. He pulsed his Semblance to regain control.

I know, Nora. I'm angry too.

(Blake and Ilia)

"Die, traitor!"

Ilia sidestepped the blow, then lashed out with her weapon, knocking the ox Faunus off balance, setting him up for Blake to finish him with shots from Gambol Shroud.

She wasn't a traitor, not anymore at least.

"Blake! Look out!"

Ilia sent the tip of her weapon out, hitting the wolf Faunus about to blindside Blake, then she activated her lightning dust, electrocuting him.

Blake turned to see the White Fang member topple over, Blake nodded her thanks, and moved on to the next one.

When the White Fang split, Ilia hadn't known what side was right. All she knew was that she wanted to get revenge on the SDC for allowing the death of her parents, and that she had a massive crush on Blake Belladonna.

Blake went to Adam's side, just as she always had, and Ilia followed. Ilia had been too blinded at the time to realize that was when she became a traitor.

Because Adam's goals were so very different from the White Fang's stated goals.

Blake and Ilia both moved towards the next target, a massive polar bear Faunus. Blake darted close, and the Faunus tried to smash her with a two handed slam.

The shadow clone exploded on impact, and Blake and Ilia finished him off with a few well placed strikes.

Ilia smiled, it was just like old times, more or less, and this time, they were on the right side.

(Ruby, Yang, and Qrow)

Being in a family of Hunters is a funny thing.

You know to live life to the fullest, whatever that might mean for you, because you know, that one day, one way or another, you're not coming home.

"Yang, watch your left!" Qrow yelled.

Yang spun, and obliterated the White Fang mook she found with rapid fire punches.

"Yang!" Ruby yelled. "Strawberry Sunrise!"

Yang moved immediately, the muscle memory for their team attack taking over. There was a White Fang member menacing Ruby, looked like a bison Faunus. Yang activated her Semblance, then rushed the poor guy, hitting him with an uppercut that launched him into the air. Yang jumped, following him, and threw him at Ruby, who caught him in a spin attack.

The members of the Rose-Xiao Long family that were present knew all too well what it would do to them if one of them died here, because they all already knew how the others would handle it.

So they were going to fight like hell to keep that from happening.

(Cardin and Velvet)

Since his team hadn't encountered the White Fang every other Wednesday like Team RWBY, Cardin had vastly overestimated how strong the rank and file would be. As a result, his team had ended up more spread out, to the point where they could each be considered to be fighting alone.

Things were going well, all things considered. At least until Bright Eye started talking again. "Got a group of White Fang that broke off from the main force, they're headed for the CCT tower!"

"I'm closest!" Velvet said over the comm, "I'll get them!"

"Not alone, you're not!" Cardin said. "I'm coming too!"

Cardin smacked the White Fang member in front of him with his mace, then made a mad dash for the CCT tower, meeting Velvet along the way.

By unspoken agreement, they decided on a stealth approach, team CRDL style. Because as everyone knows, there won't be anyone to notice, if there's no one left to notice.

They ran full tilt at the group of White Fang trying to break into the CCT, Velvet triggered Anesidora, bringing a copy of Halshott, Dove's old weapon, into existence.

"Hey, assholes!" Cardin yelled, "You have to show your school ID to get in there!"

The White Fang responded to Cardin's wit with gunfire, so he and Velvet did the only thing they could with no cover. They charged.

Cardin spun his mace as he ran, deflecting as many of the bullets as he could, he still took some, but it wasn't the end of the world with how much aura he had left.

Velvet fired as many shots from the copy of Halshott as she could, a happy coincidence of her Semblance was that when she did things like aiming, her Semblance "picked" the best example she had copied.

So whenever she aimed, it was with the aim of Ruby Rose.

Once he got within striking distance, Cardin showed no mercy. His first swing caught one of them in the midsection, and then sent him flying with an explosion of fire dust, knocking the poor lizard Faunus into his allies.

Velvet swore as Halshott flickered and died, the next weapon in line was Penny's blades, but it was the last...

Penny would understand, so just do it, Velvet!

Velvet took a deep breath, then spread her arms wide, and hard light versions of Penny's blades appeared. With movements similar to a conductor, Velvet directed the blades to sweep through and disable the White Fang.

"Take this, scum!" One of them yelled, throwing a grenade at Velvet an instant before the blades reached him. To Cardin, it sailed through the air in slow motion.

I still have to atone for the things I did. I can't let her die!

"Velvet, MOVE!" Cardin roared. He was already running, straight at the grenade. Velvet backflipped away, but was still too close for Cardin's liking. He pivoted, and kicked the grenade towards the last few White Fang taking potshots at them.

It landed perfectly where Cardin wanted, and took out their remaining aggressors.

Velvet keyed her comm. "This is Velvet, the CCT is clear!"

"Great work, but you've got more incoming." Bright Eye said, almost apologetically, "A couple of gunships made it past the Manta squadrons, and their course takes them right to you."

Velvet's shoulders sagged. "If I had known that there were more coming I wouldn't have used my last picture of Penny."

"If you hadn't, we might be in a sorry state right now, and in no shape to fight the ones that are coming." Cardin said, in a way he hoped was comforting, "I didn't really know... her, but I think she wouldn't want that."

Velvet smiled, "You're right, Cardin. She wouldn't want that."

They had a moment of peace, just a moment, as two White Fang gunships came in and dropped off their cargo, if you could call about thirty White Fang members armed to the teeth "cargo."

Not to mention that these ones had heavy weapons.

"Uh, we're gonna need backup." Cardin said into the comm.

(Roman)

Roman was not having a good time, all out battles like this were not his thing, thank you very much. He glanced over at Sienna, who was currently locked in mortal combat with Adam.

She was holding her own, at the very least, but not exactly making headway. That wasn't good, if she ran out of steam...

Roman's train of thought was interrupted by Cardin on the comm, "Okay, we really need that backup! We're pinned down!"

Roman whirled around, everyone else was occupied, even Neo. It had to be him, and only him.

I swear, these kids are going to be the death of me.

"Go, Roman!" Ruby said over the comm, "I'll grab Neo and be right behind you!"

Roman ran to the CCT, quickly dispatching any White Fang stupid enough to get in his way. When he got to the CCT though, he realized exactly how bad the situation was.

Cardin was hurt, his right arm and weapon lay limp by his side, and it looked like one of his legs wasn't doing too hot either. Velvet was keeping them at bay as best she could, but would soon be overwhelmed.

Roman gritted his teeth as he aimed Melodic Cudgel, and the sights popped up. This had all the makings of a last stand. Well, if it was his, he was going to make it look damn good.

"Hey, assholes!" Roman called out, "Exactly how lucky do you think you are?" Roman fired, sending a fire dust projectile careening at the White Fang.

"Get out of here!" He barked at Cardin and Velvet, "I'll hold them off!"

It was at this moment, that something that Roman thought would never happen, happened.

Roman Torchwick unlocked his Semblance.

5 percent chance of survival.

Roman used the grappling hook function of his cane to yank one of the White Fang to him and dish out a thrashing that particular White Fang would never forget.

Roman then scattered shots across the assembled White Fang, sending some sprawling, and others dodging out of the way.

10 percent chance of survival.

Roman swallowed, "Alright, let's see where having spirit gets me."

He dashed forward, and whacked the deer Faunus in front of him before sweeping them off their feet. Roman felt bullets pinging off of his aura, and retaliated in kind.

If Roman had the chance, or had realized that he had unlocked his Semblance, he probably would have named it Play The Odds.

It allowed him to detect the probability of certain outcomes, like his chances of surviving this mess.

5 percent chance of survival.

Only two were left, Roman rushed the first, swinging at him. He ducked under Roman's blow, and slashed him across the chest with his blade.

His aura flickered.

Roman delivered a knee strike, then finished him off with Melodic Cudgel, then whirled around to the last one, and pulled the trigger.

Click.

0 percent chance of survival.

"Roman, we're on the way, just hang on!" Ruby said over the comm.

"Uh, your safety's on?" Roman said lamely.

The White Fang member responded by shooting.

Roman felt something akin to a bee sting on his gut of all places, then he looked down and saw the blood.

Then the pain started, Roman fell to the ground, unable to do much except breath really. Maybe talk. The White Fang member walked up to Roman, and held his gun to his head.

"Any last words, human?"

"NO!" Ruby cried.

The blade of Neo's umbrella materialized from the White Fang member's chest, and Ruby rushed to Roman's side.

"Roman!" Ruby said, "Don't worry, I'll go find help!"

Roman grabbed her wrist, "Don't think I've got that long, Little Red. Got things to say, and not much time to say them. Neo?"

Neo came over, tears in her eyes, and knelt beside her partner.

"Neo, I've got one last mission for you." Roman said, wincing as a new wave of pain coursed through him. "Neo, if you would, be good."

Neo wanted to scream. To sob, to tell Roman "No, don't go, you're the one thing that ever mattered to me!"

But just like always, she was as silent as the grave.

Roman turned to Ruby to see her crying, head hung. Roman raised his hand to her chin and lifted it so he could see her face, "Chin up, Little Red, you're still at the table, and you're holding aces. Cinder and the rest know you're coming, but they don't know what you can do. I do, and I'd bet on you any..." Roman's hand fell away, and he stared into space, his eyes vacant.

Ruby knew that shoving down all the trauma and hurt wasn't healthy. But right now, she needed to fight, and she couldn't do that with tears in her eyes.

She stood, wiped her eyes, then ran right back into the fray. Until now, she had been merciful to the White Fang, using the blunt side of her scythe, and lightning dust rounds.

That mercy had been rescinded.

(Jaune, Weiss, Winter, and Reign-Beau)

Some would say that the most powerful force on Remnant was the Grimm. Some would say that it's the Atlas Military. Others would claim that it's the Huntsmen and Huntresses that keep the Grimm in check, often times through sheer force of will.

If you asked Jaune, his answer would make you scratch your head, and ask him if he thinks that he's living in some cheesy romance movie.

Jaune would tell you that the most powerful force on Remnant was love, in all its forms, romantic, fraternal, and paternal.

"Die already!" Banesaw roared, his chainsaw blade arcing through the air towards Weiss. Jaune stepped in, parrying the massive blade and causing it to momentarily get stuck in the ground.

"Can't let you do that," Jaune said simply, before retaliating with a counter slash.

Weiss had already spun away to fight beside her sister, and they were taking a group of White Fang apart. Fighting as only two people who have known each other since birth can, they didn't need words, they barely needed any communication at all. Their similar but different fighting styles melding together to create an unbreakable wall that the White Fang were all too eager to try to breach.

"Jaune!" Reign-Beau called out, "Switch!"

Jaune rolled out of the way, allowing room for Reign-Beau to come in. Banesaw attacked his new opponent with an overhand strike, only to find his blade caught in a gravity field after impacting Reign-Beau's shield.

Jaune took advantage of the opening with a rapid multi-slash attack, ending with a stab. Reign-Beau released the gravity field, allowing Banesaw to fall to the ground, soundly defeated.

"Good job, Jaune." Reign-Beau said.

Jaune grinned, "Thanks, dad."

Weiss and Winter turned their attention to the Arc men, "Well, as much fun as this is, we really should see how Sienna is..." Winter trailed off as she saw how Sienna was faring against Adam.

She wasn't.

Sometime in the last few minutes, Adam had injured Sienna, she was on the ground, clutching a stab wound. Her weapon was in pieces, and Adam was in the process of dismantling Sienna's guards.

With a blast from his sheath-shotgun, Adam eliminated the last one, and started talking. "This is a new day for the Faunus, Sienna! Under me, all of the White Fang will get exactly what we deserve." Adam kept talking and talking, oblivious to the fact that Jaune was about to do something very foolish.

"Damn it." Jaune said. "There's only one way to save her."

Winter nodded, "You're right. I'll hold off Adam, you and Weiss get Sienna."

"No." Jaune said, his voice as hard as steel.

Weiss sucked in a breath. She knew that tone of voice. It was the same tone of voice Jaune used with Jacques.

"You can't be serious, Jaune!" Winter said, "He'll tear you apart!"

Jaune looked at Weiss, "I won't be alone."

Winter shot Weiss a look, "Have both of you lost your minds?"

"No, Winter, but Jaune's right. We'll hold off Adam, you get Sienna." Weiss said.

"You can't stop them, Winter." Reign-Beau said, "And we don't exactly have the luxury of time."

"Why you two?" Winter demanded.

Jaune look Weiss in the eye, and recited part of the Knight's Oath. "I swear that even when all hope seems lost, and evil is about to triumph, I will resist it with all my might."

"I swear that when we fight side by side," Weiss recited, "We will show our enemies the meaning of strength."

Winter's eyes narrowed, "That just raises more questions... that we don't have time for. Go."

By now, Adam was standing over Sienna, about to administer the final blow.

"Ready, Snow Angel?" Jaune asked.

A glyph appeared underneath Jaune, ready to send him flying at Adam.

"As always, my darling knight." Weiss replied, "I'll be right behind you."

Jaune took a breath, started to prime a wind slash, and launched off of the glyph.

Straight at Adam.

Adam had been to wrapped up in his pre-killing monologue to notice Jaune Arc barreling towards him, and as such, was taken by complete surprise by the wind slash that knocked him away from Sienna.

Adam recovered quickly, and resheathed his sword, then took his stance. "Are you so eager for death that you'd come at me alone?"

Adam started to move, but had to dodge fireballs sent from Weiss's glyphs. "He's not alone, Adam."

Adam grinned, "Oh, I'm going to enjoy killing both of you far more than I should."

"No, you're not." Jaune said, "We aren't dying here, and we will stop you."

Adam laughed, "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Jaune and Weiss moved so they were standing side by side, and took their stances. "Together." Weiss said.

It was do or die, and they weren't dying here.

A/N: Finally. I've been looking forward to writing the next chapter this entire time, and it's going to be GREAT.

At least I think so.

As for the rapid-fire scenes in the battle, I wanted to invoke a sort of Avengers feel, like how the camera moves from one hero to the next. I hope I did it well enough.

Next Chapter: Jaune and Weiss Versus Adam.