ACHOOO! Sorry, I've got a little cold and I've been sneezing like crazy, plus I got all the other symptoms of a cold. Doesn't mean it will stop me from writing.
Alright, it's time for the moment you have all been waiting for and one I have been waiting to write for a long time: That's right, it's time for Cinder to die like the murdering power hungry bitch she is. I will admit, the only times I like her are when she is in that dress she wore at the Beacon Dance and stories where she doesn't serve Salem willingly or is taken down a different path. If any of you are interested in the names of these stories, PM me and I'll send you the names and authors.
Special thanks goes out to 54godamora for his suggestions on how Cinder dies, you have been a really big help in that regards.
I am surprised that many of you didn't say anything else about Hazel changing sides. No harm done.
Might be a spoiler for Volume 6, but I'll just tell you all anyway. A certain cute little green guy will be arriving in the story. I can't help it; I love that little guy and I hope we see him in the Bad Batch season 2.
Alright, onto the reviews:
Spartan-626: Thanks. I feel like there might be more to Gretchen's death than Hazel or Ozpin even knows and when it comes to Salem, some people can't quite figure it out. Trust me, Anakin telling Ahsoka to wake up will be worth reading. Don't worry, she'll help Ray.
Hamm1999: Yeah, I don't really think Half-Life will play a part in this story. The only thing I know about the series is Gordon Freeman, his suit, the Gravity Gun and the weapons. I never played those games and while I have watched videos of the games, I don't really know a lot about the series. Not to mention all that science mumbo-jumbo really hurts my brain.
54godamora: Once again, I thank you for your suggestions on how Cinder will die. I hate her myself and really, really wish for her to die in the series. Glad you enjoyed Delta Squads return to the series, figured I'd bring in some more back up, considering this is Maul and Cinder we are talking about here, plus Salem and the White Fang.
Luffy L Deathwalker: It's possible that Gretchen had silver eyes and was killed by Salem because of that trait, but there are still some things we don't fully know. Aside from the silver eyes being deadly to the Grimm, there's got to be something else about why Salem is targeting those with Silver Eyes.
Monster King: Thank you
Silverfox3456: By first movie I am talking about the film that started it all back in 1977. I will agree that the Apathy is also one of the scariest Grimm I have seen as well, and they do remind me of zombies myself. The draining willpower shriek is a real annoyance, but I bet it's not as effective at a distance for those who use guns, blasters or against those with a strong will like Galen. Hazel is not dead.
BlindFaunusGirl: Thank you. Glad I'm not the only one who likes that I had Hazel change sides. Of course, Ahsoka will live, I'll never kill her and I am really glad you are enjoying my character development for Trigger. A character with no weaknesses makes for a really boring story and I've learned a lot since I started writing.
Alright reviews are done, onto the story.
Songs this chapter are 'Ahsoka's Decision' by Kevin Kiner from The Clone Wars, 'Black Sun/Schwarze Sonne' by E Nomine, 'Crossing Field' the first opening of Sword Art Online by Lisa, 'Zen-Aku's' theme from Wild Force and 'Bring Me To Life' by Evanescene.
Disclaimers are the same as before, please enjoy.
Chapter 75: Haven's Fate: Part 3
The last thing Ahsoka remembered before everything went black, was fighting against Cade Bane when she saw that Cinder was about to throw an obsidian spear at Weiss. Her instincts kicked in and she ran to the former heiress pushing her out of the way and taking the hit meant for her while Ray screamed as she fell to the ground.
Her entire life flashed before her eyes, the day she was brought to the Jedi temple, becoming Anakin's Padawan, the various battles she fought in during the war, being arrested for a crime she didn't commit, being expelled from the Jedi Order, the betrayal by Barriss, leaving the Order, her interrogation by the Separatists for the Nexus Route, walking up Remnant, meeting Ray and learning about Anakin's fate.
"Get up Ahsoka, you have work to do." Anakin's voice echoed in her ears as she awoke and saw only white and the man she trusted. His sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin were unforgettable as was his attire from the day they met each other.
"Anakin." Ahsoka said silently, standing up and noticing her wound was gone. "What is this place?" Ahsoka asked, looking around.
"The Realm between life and death. My guess is, you took a nasty hit trying to protect someone, am I right?" Anakin asked before he chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit, always risking your life to help those who need it."
"You're not real." Ahsoka said bluntly turning her back to Anakin. "You're gone. Replaced by that monster Vader. The Anakin I know would never give into the Dark Side and become a Sith Lord."
"No. I am real. The real Anakin Skywalker you hold in your heart and truly remember. The one you could look up too and depend on for advice and guidance." Anakin answered. "And I couldn't be prouder of you."
Ahsoka turned around. "What are you talking about!? Master Plo told me that you were upset with the council for not standing by me and for not stopping me from leaving! How could you be proud of me for leaving you! If I had stayed then you wouldn't have…" Ahsoka began, taken aback and tears starting to fall from her eyes.
"If you had stayed, you would have died either way." Anakin answered. "I may not be the real Anakin Skywalker, but I know that Sidious would have done everything he could to kill you, so that your master would fall to the Dark Side. He was grooming him for years into being his new apprentice but saw you as a hindrance to his plans. He would have done everything he could have to killed you." Anakin explained.
Ahsoka just looked at Anakin in shock. "You learned so much from me and leaving the order, after they refused to believe that you were innocent was the wisest choice you could have made. You went to forge your own path but remembered my teachings and kept them alive. Despite everything that has happened, you've proven to the fallen masters and yourself that you are worthy of the title of Jedi Knight." He continued. "It's like I said all those years ago, you would have never made it as Obi-Wan's Padawan, but you certainly made it as my padawan."
"But I refused to come back to the Jedi Order." Ahsoka remined.
"And that's what's save your life." Anakin said again. "But that's important right now. Trigger needs you. He's going down the same path I went down, he needs you or else he'll be the same thing I've become. He needs you, Ahsoka and you need him."
"He's right." An unfamiliar voice said as joining Anakin at his side was a familiar girl that Ahsoka knew only from a single picture, Amber Autumn, Ray's older sister. "He needs you or else he'll become just like Vader. He needs you now more than ever." Amber said.
Ahsoka looked at the two and didn't know what to say. She and Ray loved each other, but at the same time she was still feeling guilt about Anakin's fall to the Dark Side. "Ahsoka, you've proven to me that you are a capable Jedi, far more than I ever was when I was a learner. If you give up and allow death to take you, then you'll just be running away from your problems. The Beskar you have is proof that you are a warrior, a Jedi Knight and my Padawan. I couldn't be prouder of you." Anakin said. "Don't blame yourself for what happened to me, it was my own fault for allowing Sidious to manipulate me. You have people that need you." Anakin said.
(Ahsoka's Decision starts)
"Salem needs to be stopped and my brother must not fall to the dark side. He need's you, Ahsoka. We may not have met in person before my death, but my brother couldn't have found someone like you in all of Remnant if he tried." Amber added.
"You have fought for Remnant, with courage and with sacrifice. The virtues of a Jedi Knight. A Jedi Knight worthy of the rank." Anakin said in agreement.
Ahsoka looked at the two before she finally made her choice. Feeling where her padawan braid once was, she had look of determination on her face that wasn't seen in a long time. "I won't let him fall to the dark side. I will save Ray." She vowed.
"That's the Ahsoka I know." Anakin said proudly, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Remember Ahsoka, I will always be with you and so long as you believe it's possible, the real Anakin Skywalker will return one day."
"Return now to Haven. Save my brother from falling to the dark side. It is and always has been your destiny." Amber added before she vanished from sight as did Anakin.
(End song)
Back in the land of the living, Ruby and Neo continued to face of with Maul while Yang and March were facing off against Emerald and Mercury. Both Yang and March switched positions before leaping forward to face their opponents. Yang was quick to punch Emerald while March took on Mercury. Using his feet, the son of Marcus Black kicked March's sword out of his hands. "Uh-oh, what're you gonna do now?" Mercury said sarcastically.
March just smirked before ducked down, avoiding the left cross thrown at him before slamming his head upwards, in a similar manner to what Ozpin taught Ruby. Mercury stepped a few feet backwards holding his nose in pain, growling at the rabbit Faunus. "Whatever it takes to shut you up." March retorted, cracking his knuckles and gestured for Mercury to come at him.
Meanwhile, Nora continued to hold her hammer defensively protecting Jaune who was still healing Ahsoka. "You guys doing okay?" Nora asked.
"I-I think so. She's coming to. I just wish it would go faster." Jaune admitted.
"How about you don't complain and just be thankful you unlocked your semblance when you did." Nora told her leader, who was surprised that it was his semblance that was healing the former padawan of Anakin Skywalker. But Jaune felt like he was amplifying her aura instead, remembering that Pyrrha told him that he had a lot of it.
Suddenly, Ahsoka's eyes opened up and her aura began to recharge. "Jaune?" She questioned.
"You're going to be alright now. You took a heavy hit, but you'll pull through." Jaune told Ahsoka who was quick to get back to her feet the moment she spotted Ruby and Neo fighting against Maul. "I'm sorry, I had no idea about Maul and that he was a Sith Lord. I didn't…"
"Jaune, it's not your fault. Deception is the art of the Sith. You didn't know, but you aren't like Maul. You fight for your friends, family and planet. Those are your goals, not revenge." Ahsoka told the blonde knight who smiled back at the Togruta, igniting his lightsaber and dashed to Weiss and Arthur who were starting to tire out from fighting against the IG-110's.
Maul countered a strike from Neo and threw her into a pillar with the force while Ruby came at him with a flurry of green blades and rose petals, but Maul countered her attacks, grabbed her with his free arm and threw her backwards. "Your skills with a lightsaber are formidable, young Rose. But you still lack any formal training." Maul commented, sensing something familiar about Ruby. "Your face seems to be very familiar, girl. I have a feeling that we met somewhere before."
"I think I would have known if I had meet a Sith Lord like you!" Ruby shot back connecting her two lightsabers back together and charged towards Maul, only to find herself slammed into the ground by the force.
"Now I remember, you are a striking resemblance to Summer Rose. That's it, you're her daughter." Maul realized before he laughed. "What fun. Oh, Salem will be most pleased when I deliver you to her and I'm sure my apprentice will want you as a form of stress relief. But you are far too dangerous to be left alive, so I'm afraid you must die." Maul chackled while Ruby looked up at the Zabrak.
"I've enjoyed our duel, but I'm afraid it's time for me to finish this." Maul stated, deactivating one of his sabers blades and raised his weapon, ready to deliver the final blow but just seconds before he could deliver his attack Ahsoka leapt over Ruby's head and kicked him in the chest, landing on the ground before she looked at the former apprentice of Sidious. "Well now, this is unexpected. Ahsoka…Tano, is it? I can't say yours is a name I am very familiar with." Maul admitted.
"Well, I know of you." Ahsoka answered.
"And it seems we have a lot in common." Maul commented with a chuckle, deactivating his lightsaber. "We were both tools for greater powers, only to be discarded when we were of no longer any use. Betrayed by those you once trusted." He continued.
"If you are planning on trying to convince me to betray those I trust, then you are wasting your breath. I'm a Jedi, like my true master before me." Ahsoka declared, igniting her lightsabers.
Maul just sighed. "A pity, but then again it can't be helped. But eliminating you will be an advantage to us over Ozpin." Maul replied, igniting his lightsaber and split it into two separate sabers. "I will only ask you once, where is Obi-Wan Kenobi?"
(Start Crossing Fields)
Ahsoka didn't respond and charged towards Maul with her blue and green blades which clashed with his red blades. Both combatants struggled to gain the upper hand over one another, but Ahsoka managed to kick Maul in the gut and sent him backwards across the ground.
Leaping into the air and ready to bring her sabers down on him, Ahsoka's attack was deflected by Maul, but Ahsoka used the momentum she built up to flip over his back, but not without a scratch. Maul managed to hit her, but both her aura and Beskar plating protected her. "Ah, Beskar. The pride of Mandalorian Culture and only given to those worthy of the wearing it. Perhaps I should have taken some for myself before I was abducted by Sidious." Maul noted.
"You're not worthy of wearing Beskar." Ahsoka spat, kicking Maul's legs out from under him and slammed him into the ground. "You murdered Satine, all so you could have your revenge against Obi-Wan. Is revenge all you desire!?" she snarled.
"Kenobi will suffer just as I have! I took his master and the Duchess from him; next I will take his life but not before I take the student of his former Padawan!" Maul countered, noticing Nora charging at her with a loud battle cry as she leapt into the air. Catching the orange haired girl in the air, he slammed her into the ground with the force before electrocuting Nora. To his surprise, Nora was enhanced by Maul's lighting due to her semblance, stood back up and flipped him over her shoulder.
Maul rolled several feet away before Ahsoka charged again, clashing blades with him. "Seems that your revenge against Master Kenobi won't come to pass. I won't let you kill him." Ahsoka stated rolling out of the way when Maul sent several slabs from the ground towards her. She dodged two of them and sliced through the third one. "I may have been asleep for seventeen years, but I'm more than a match for you."
"And yet you are more focused on me, than you are on the boy you love." Maul noted. "You and I both sense his anger and frustration. His desire for revenge against my apprentice. He's so close to the dark side. Are you going to let him fall like your master?" Maul gloated.
Hearing the mention of Anakin's fall made Ahsoka loss her focus on the battle, allowing Maul to put her on the defensive backing her against the wall with little room to move. One swing from Maul's blade knocked her blue blade out of her hands, leaving only her original lightsaber. It was at that moment that she remembered what she heard from the spirit of her master, the master she knew and trusted.
Just as Maul was about to run his sabers through her, Ahsoka called on the force and pushed him backwards. She watched as Maul used his sabers to slow his skid as she recalled her secondary lightsaber. "You can take him, Ahsoka. You are a Jedi Knight." The voice of Anakin Skywalker said in her mind.
Ahsoka smirked before she dashed towards Maul, zipping past Emerald, Mercury, Lionheart and the remaining IG-110's hitting Maul with a kick to the chest, flipping over him and slashed at his back, hitting his aura. Maul was quick to bring up his sabers in defense, but Ahsoka was able to get the upper hand on the former Sith Lord. "He won't fall. Not while I'm here. Besides, I don't need to hurt you…" Ahsoka began, ducking down as a massive hammer was swung at Maul.
"I just need you to Go DOWN!" Nora finished, slamming her hammer right into Maul's chest, the counterattack launching him through the wall and into another part of Haven. "You go help your boy; we'll handle things up here." Nora told Ahsoka.
"Stay safe." Ahsoka told the hammer wielder and ran towards the entrance to the vault, ignoring the hallucinations that Emerald created to try and stop her. Leaping over the last hallucination, she jumped into the opening and into the vault. "Hang on Ray, I'm coming."
(End Song)
Back outside in Haven's Quad, the White Fang had finally managed to 'drive off' Boba, Joan, Faye and the Bad Batch but their droid forces were nearly depleted. He saw Hazel run off with the daughter of Zhima Lah, confirming that Hazel had changed sides, much to his anger. Despite this, Adam was still determined to finish his goal. "Stay focused! Our friends are almost done here!" he shouted to his brothers and sisters.
"Uh, sir. We have a problem." One of the remaining droids reported as the White Fang continued their work. Before Adam could ask, a familiar voice called out to him.
"ADAM!" Blake shouted from the roof of a nearby building, standing proudly. "Stand down!"
The White Fang soldiers and droids were quick to aim their weapons at Blake, but Adam stopped them. "To think that I went through so much trouble to find you, only to have you deliver yourself to me. I must admit, I am surprised to see that the Albain twins failed." Adam said impressively. "And it seems that Ilia has betrayed me as well. Seems I am surrounded by traitors. Looks like I'll have to do some cleansing of the ranks when this is over." He laughed evilly.
"It's already over!" Blake countered, removing her face mask. "This isn't what's right for the Faunus! Stop what you are doing, and we can end this peacefully."
"You're wrong, Blake! There is no peaceful solution to this issue. The only solution is for the humans to fear and serve their rightful masters: The Faunus! We are the dominate species of the planet and with this single act, we will ignite the spark of revolution in all our brothers and sisters across the world. It will be a new era; the era of the Faunus." Adam shot back.
"And you don't care who you have to hurt to accomplish your mission, don't you?" Blake shouted. "There were humans who supported us during our days as a peaceful protest group and those who still support us despite all we have done. Humans claim us to be monsters, but there are monsters in both human and Faunus skin. And you're the worst. You preach and violence against all humans, even the humans who have been nothing but supportive to us. But you changed all that and turned us into monsters. I'm putting a stop to this."
(Bring Me To Life starts)
She raised her mask back up and leapt off the building, landing on the ground. The droids and White Fang soldiers raised their weapons, took aim and fired at Blake, hitting her but it was only an after image infused with lighting dust that sent a jolt through the bodies of the White Fang soldiers while the neural networks of the droids were destroyed.
"Fire!" one droid shouted and fired on Blake. The other droids and White Fang soldiers followed suit, but Blake dashed through their fire with a speed never seen before by Adam, drawing the lightsaber that was once used by the Jedi who saved her fathers life. Her blue blade rendered the weapons of the White Fang useless while the droids were turned into scrap metal.
"It seems that you have learned a few new tricks since last we met, my love. But no matter how strong you've become; you forget I am the one who taught you everything you know." Adam noted, casually walking towards Blake while putting the recovered detonator back into his pocket and drawing both his sword and lightsaber. "If you will not join me, then you'll just die. Unless you plan on running away again."
"I'm done running away!" Blake retorted just in time to raise her own blades against Adam's blades. Both swordsmen blades clashed against one another while it the White Fang and droids just watched as Blake countered Adam move for move while attacking with style of fighting similar to Form IV combined with the style of the Hasashi and Hayabusa clans style.
Against multiple opponents, those armed with blasters or in close quarters, Form IV was ill advised but against a single opponent it was ideal. Using her agility, Blake leapt over and Adam and attacked him with both blades, firing off several bullets at him which he sliced through with his blades. "So, this is your plan isn't it, Blake? Facing me all alone and hoping to kill me? Even if you strike me down, others will rise and continue to spread the spark of revolution to our comrades across the world. We will prove to all those who have stood against us that their time has come and that we, the people they tried so hard to put down are their rightful masters. First Haven, then Atlas and the rest of the world. The White Fang will inspire all those who have been persecuted." Adam snarled, swinging his sword at Blake its Dust infused blade burning.
Blake rolled out of the way before she fired off a few shots from Gambol Shrouds pistol mode. "The end result is a war! A war that no one will win! All you see in humans is the bad when there are humans who have fought for our rights. Humans like Triggers father who you murdered in cold blood after everything he did for us!" Blake countered, raising her blue blade to counter Adam's blades. "He fought for us and you cut him down when he was weak, an act of a coward."
"The only thing Humans are good for is serving their rightful masters, we the Faunus! Anyone who believes otherwise will die a traitors death. You, Ilia, Sienna! All of you will die!" Adam roared.
"More will die if you go through with this plan. War isn't the answer and there are things far worse out there then humans who mistreat us. You know it, I know it! We saw them at Beacon! The Empire will betray you the moment you are of no use to them." Blake countered.
"Who says I trust them." Adam spat. "Humans are nothing more than double crossing bugs, bugs who are easily squashed with the right about of force. We'll turn their weapons against them and make them serve their true masters!"
"Then you are a bigger idiot than I thought you were." Blake countered, leaping back to avoid an attack from Adam's blade and used her ribbon as a launcher and slammed her feet into Adam's gut, sending him flying back. "I've seen what they are capable of, they are lead by someone far more evil than you or Cinder could ever become."
"Cinder is nothing but a mere human, once she gets what she wants, I'll kill her." Adam laughed, getting back to his feet. "The only thing that humans understand is violence and that is what I am showing them, that we are not above pushing back without any resistance."
Blake glared at Adam. The man she once admired was far gone and it was clear that he was nothing but a true monster, worse than the Grimm, Cinder and the Empire. "I should have left with my parents when I did. They were right about you, all you care about is answering power with power." Blake said, sheathing her weapon and used her lightsaber against Adam's weapons. Her speed and agility made it hard for Adam to hit her before a summersault kick slammed into his chin and dazed him for a moment allowing Blake to knock his sword out of his hand. "That will be your downfall."
(End Song)
"My 'downfall'? That is ridiculous coming from you. You came here all alone to try and stop me. This will be your downfall." Adam countered.
"Oh, I can't stop you by myself." Blake agreed.
"That's why she didn't come alone!" Sun shouted from the left where he stood in front of a massive legion of Faunus armed with blunt weaponry while their shields bared the emblem of the old White Fang.
"Your brothers and sisters will stop you." Ghira shouted in agreement leading another massive legion of Faunus along with Gungi and Katooni. Landing beside Blake was Sienna along with Zett who had their lightsabers ignited and read. One of the White Fang soldiers spotted Mata who pleaded with the soldier.
Adam and his followers assessed the situation and Adam told his brothers that these 'people' were their enemies, and they would not let them ruin their plans. The situation changed once more when a Mistral airship shined its searchlight down on Adam and his group while several Clone Gunships loaded with 501st troopers hovered by them. "Adam Taurus, this is the Mistral Police Force! Lower your weapons and surrender peacefully." The captain of one of the airships demanded over the PA.
Adam snarled and turned to his followers. "They are all traitors. ATTACK!" Adam ordered.
His fellow White Fang members were about to fire when once again the Bad Batch and Boba opened up on them, blasting their weapons out of the hands of the terrorists while Ryu, Kasumi and Hanzo leapt from the tower onto the enemy. "We met again, Adam. It appears that you haven't learned anything since we last saw each other."
"There is nothing I could learn from a human like you." Adam snarled.
"Still, you to your anger and rage against the humans. I let go of my rage, and it saved me. As did it save Sienna, Ryu and Kasumi when they let go of their rage. To save yourself, you must do the same." Hanzo reasoned.
"Adam, it's over." Blake said as the crowds of Menagerie Faunus came closer to him and his group.
"Then it's over for all of us." Adam countered, pulling out the detonator, much to the surprise of his followers. Just before he could press the button, a gunshot rang out and slammed into the detonator, destroying it. "Huh?"
"Are you trying to get us all killed?!" one of Adam's shoulders questioned before in his rage, Adam cut him down with lightsaber.
"I am making humanity pay for WHAT THEY'VE DONE!" Adam shouted to the dead soldiers, causing the rest of his followers look at him.
"He just killed one of our own."
"What the hell is doing!?"
"I only joined to make humanity respect us, not kill our own people or wreck a school."
"Adam's lost it."
"This is wrong."
The words of his remaining followers echoed all around him, further enraging Adam especially after Ilia was revealed to have been the one to remove the wires from the bombs on the CCT tower. "I told you, Adam. The White Fang would never go down the path you planned for them. Your path will only lead to war that no one will win. You are a traitor to very people you claim to fight for." Sienna said underneath her helmet.
"It's over." Blake added.
Not having any of it, Adam yelled out in frustration and charged towards Blake once more. Taking out his sword, he slashed at her, but Blake used her semblance to dodge it, knocking him down with her balled up fists right in the back. Falling to the ground, his anger had reached the point where he finally gave an order to his droids. "KILL THEM ALL! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM MUST DIE!" he roared.
"Roger, Roger." The droids responded, cocked their blasters, took aim at both groups, the airships and opened fire. Adams former followers having decided that following him was not worth opened up on the droids, covering their fellow Faunus from Menagerie from enemy fire.
Several Faunus were cut down by blaster fire, but blaster fire from the 501st clones thinned their numbers, especially when Rex, Fordo, Gregor, Kara, Fives, Echo, Alpha, Cody, Hevy, Hardcase, Jesse, Waxer and Boil along with Delta Squad joined the battle.
A former White Fang soldier fired at a Super Battle Droid with lighting Dust ammo, destroying it but they were soon gunned down when several dozen Droideka's rolled in, unfolded into attack mode and opened up on the Faunus. "Oh great, rolling balls of death!" Sun groaned, leaping around and twirling his staff and knocking down droids left and right while Ilia slashed at the droids with her own weapon. Both of them knocked down a pair of droids and picked up their blasters. "Well, we used them before. Might as well use them again." Sun said to Ilia, firing his newly picked up blaster at several droids and knocked them down.
"Where did Blake ever find you?" Ilia joked and fired back as well.
"Actually, I found her." Sun joked back and ran for cover.
Ghira let out a feral like roar and charged towards the droids, lifting a Super Battle Droid up with his massive strength and tossed it towards several B1's. A shot from another B1 grazed his shoulder and Ghira charged towards it, ripping it apart like it was paper. "Shoot the monster!" one of the droids shouted to the others, only to be slashed apart by Hazno's sword.
"Take better care of yourself, old friend." Hanzo said to Ghira, kicking him a blaster rifle.
"You know I don't need a weapon, my friend." Ghira said with a chuckle. "I rely on my strength." He added, cracking his knuckles.
"Then let us fight like old times." Hanzo replied and the two sprinted forwards. Hanzo used his sword to slash apart two droids while Ghira delivered punched a hole right through the torso of a Super Battle Droid. Blaster fire was sent directly towards Ghira, but his old friend swung his kunai around deflecting the weapons fire. The kunai was then flung towards one of the droids and impaled its chassis. "GET OVER HERE!" Hanzo shouted and pulled the droid apart.
Ryu and Kasumi stood back-to-back as several Commando droids armed with Vibroswords encircled them. The droids charged at them with the intent on impaling them, but the two cousins leapt out of the way allowing several droids to impale each other while those that weren't taken out by their own comrades were slashed apart by the two steel blades.
Calling on his semblance, Ryu's blade was lit ablaze as he dashed forwards and slashed apart several droids with his red-hot blade. "Kasumi!" Ryu shouted to his cousin who was targeted by a droid sniper. The droid fired but Kasumi ducked down to avoid the shot just in time, raising her sword to block the second shot from the sniper, which was sent right back at the sniper.
"Thanks, Ryu." Kasumi said to her cousin, impaling a droid behind her with her sword before she threw her shuriken at the droids, taking out several of them.
Zett, Gungi and Katooni along with Sienna slashed through droid after droid while the Menagerie Faunus pulled back several of their wounded comrades to safety. Gungi roared before he blasted the droids with force energy like they were bowling pins. Zett, Katooni and Sienna followed suit, knocking down more droids with their own blasts while Faye and Kara focused on deflecting weapons fire. "Faye. I knew you were alive." Zett said in surprise.
"We can play catch up later, Zett. Right now we need to focus on the current task at hand." Faye remined him. She then turned to Kara. "Hazel will be alright, Kara. He has one of the best clone medics the army had."
"Hazel is here?" Sienna questioned.
"He is and he's changed sides because he's learned the truth!" Kara exclaimed.
"So, he's finally learned the truth." Sienna said with a smile, flicking her wrist and firing several whistling birds towards the droids, destroying them before she fired one of her wrist rockets at several Destroyer droids, turning them into scrap metal.
"Nice shooting, Sienna!" Rose shouted from the rooftop of the building she was perched on, firing another shot from her rifle that nailed a couple of droids in the head. "Come on, Crosshair! Give me some back up here!"
"Not going to be a problem, kid." Crosshair replied, firing his trusty Firepuncher. Five droids fell to headshots, followed by another seven and then another three. "Keep it up kid, we've still got a long way to go."
"Don't think you two can leave me out of this!" Sev called out and downed several droids of his own, one of which was armed with a rocket launcher. The launcher hit the ground hard and fired its payload straight into the door of the building over the vault, creating an opening where Blake saw her friends fighting.
"Yang?"
Yang saw Blake through the opening and stared at her in disbelief before Ruby snapped her out of her trance and pointed to the vault. Yang ran towards the vault as fast she could, but Mercury tried to make a grab at her arm, only for March to slam into him with a blast of Wind Dust from shotgun that knocked him back as Yang jumped into the hole. Emerald was about to give chase, but an ice wall blocked her attempt, thanks to Wiess who summoned a Queen Lancer with her semblance. "You want her, you have to go through us." The former heiress said as the rest of her friends joined her and readied their weapons.
Back down in the vault, Cinder looked to a motionless Vernal before she turned to Raven. "So, Vernal was a decoy the whole time. The last Spring Maiden must've trusted you a great deal before she died. I bet that was a mistake." She mocked. Raven growled but before she could even make a move, Galen leapt in between the two of them. "Seems you'll do me a favor and take out this pathetic Maiden while I tend to other matters." Cinder said turning her attention to Trigger.
"You and I have a score to settle. It's time you pay for what you did to my sister!" Ray growled in anger before he sensed a familiar presence as landing behind him was Ahsoka, alive and well. "Looks like I owe Jaune a soda after this is over." He smirked.
"Two Jedi, finally a challenge worth my time. Once I deal with the two of you, I'll take the maiden powers and kill your friends. Haven will fall and this time, no one will survive." Cinder said with evil in her voice.
(Black Sun starts)
"The only one who will die here is you!" Ray yelled.
"We'll take her together. Move in slowly…" Ahsoka began.
"No, I'm taking her now!" Ray interrupted and charged in only to be blasted by a blast of lightning from Cinder's Grimm arm, but he kept on going despite the pain. "This one's for Amber!" he yelled leaping into the air, ready to bring his fists into Cinder's face.
Cinder leapt back out of the way, but Ray was close enough to through a left hook at her which she blocked with her prosthetic hand. A sweep kick followed, following that a flurry of rapid-fire punches, then an upper cut but Cinder dodged all of those attacks with ease. "Cheating bitch!" Ray snarled.
"Your sister cheated me out of the powers that were rightfully mine. I took what belonged to me and I will make sure that I take your life." Cinder snarled back, ducking down just in time to avoid a rock thrown at her by Ahsoka. "And this time, I'll make sure I aim right."
"You want to back up your claim, then come and try it." Ahsoka challenged. Cinder was more than happy to oblige and ignited her lightsaber, separating it into two sabers and clashed with Ahsoka's blue and green blades. Both females were evenly matched with their lightsaber skills, but Ahsoka was a master of dual blade combat and had the advantage against her and matched her move for move. This left Cinder wide open to an attack from behind by Ray who swung his own sabers at Cinder's back, hurting her.
"Hurts doesn't it, bitch? This is the pain you inflicted on my sister and now it's your turn to feel the pain!" he growled ducking to avoid a swing from Cinder's Grimm arm which scratched his arm guard and that strike hurt her as well. "Looks like your ugly looking arm can't generate an aura. Lucky me, I'll enjoy killing you even more."
"Do you ever shut up?" Cinder groaned in annoyance, attempting a kick at Ray's crotch but the Mandalorian Jedi leapt up to avoid the hit.
"It's just part of my charm." Ray answered, grabbing Cinder by the leg and slammed her into the ground like a rag doll several times before he flung her over the side and down the lake below the vault. "You're not getting away that easily!" he then leapt after her.
"Trigger!" Ahsoka called out and followed after him. Both of them landed in the lake below them and found Cinder wielding both her lightsaber and a recently conjured fire sword. "Don't just keep running after her just to avenge your sister!" Ahsoka scolded.
"Worry about yourself!" Cinder spat, sweeping Ahsoka out from under her legs long enough for her to push her back with a blast of Force energy, slamming her into the rock near the lake before grabbing her with the force and flung her into the wall, ripping several stalactites from above and trapping Ahsoka in makeshift cage of sorts.
"Leave her alone, bitch! Your fight is with me!" Ray roared and swung his blades at Cinder's head only for his green blade to be knocked out of his hand. "Always playing dirty! You have no honor! Then why don't I school you in the way of the Mandalorian." He snarled.
Cinder just smirked, throwing her conjured weapon away before she gestured for Ray to come at her with her Grimm hand. Ray was more than happy to oblige as she ran through the water towards Cinder. Using Vaapad, he used his anger and rage as the driving force behind his attacks, determined to make Cinder pay for taking his sister from him.
Their blades collided once more and Cinder swiped at Ray's feet, but Ray leapt over the blade and swung his blade up, destroying Cinder's secondary blade leaving her with just one blade followed by a kick to the stomach that knocked Cinder to the ground. Leaping over and going for her back, Ray's attack missed as Cinder leapt back to her feet and kicked him in the face. "How's the taste of my heel in your face."
"SHUT UP!" Ray shouted in anger, becoming more and more aggressive with his attacks with every memory of his sister following through his mind. "First you lied and manipulated Neo into thinking I betrayed her and left her for dead. Then you attacked and murdered my sister. You've torn my family apart and I will make you pay for all the lives that you've taken in your quest for power. I'll kill you!" he yelled and once more attacked with Form VII.
"Then I'll make sure to finish the job." Cinder smirked attacking with Form VII herself. Now evenly matched, both opponents locked their blades on one another before calling on the force and tried to push the other back. Both were knocked back into the rocks but were quick to get back to their feet. "Salem could use someone like you in her ranks. A pilot in the rebellion, a Jedi and Mandalorian to boot. She'd make it worth your while."
"GO FUCK YOURSELF, BITCH! I'LL NEVER JOIN YOU!" Ray declared as he got back to his feet, battered and bruised but not down for the count. "It's just you and me, Cinder. Let's end this here and now."
(End song)
Back above them, the fight between Galen and Raven was about to begin. "It looks like we're about to have our rematch. This time the outcome will be different." Raven said, drawing her lightsaber and sword.
Galen followed suit with his own sabers. "You killed the previous Spring Maiden, didn't you? Don't you have any remorse whatsoever?" he questioned.
"It's like I told you before, 'The weak die, the strong live.' That's the philosophy of my tribe and as it's leader I will do whatever it takes to acquire the power I need to lead my tribe. Much like you Jedi." Raven countered back.
"Yang was right, you really are the worst mother of all time." Galen said before Raven swung her sword at him, creating an arc of fire. Galen dropped to the floor to avoid the flames before he leapt back up to his feet and raised his blades just in time as Raven's dual blades clashed with his blue blades. Switching to her lighting blade, Raven slashed at Galen who dodged each swing before hitting Raven's blade and destroying it.
"Those blades are expensive. It will really be hard to replace them." Raven snarled.
"Then go and steal them! That's what you're good at!" Galen snarled back throwing the broken blade at Raven who rolled out of the way just in time. Not wanting to lose any more of her blades, Raven sheathed her sword and twirled her lightsaber around. "Bet you stole that one from a Jedi as well, didn't you?"
"What does it matter to you? You're working for Ozpin in a losing battle. Salem can't be beaten and it's not worth your skills. It's like I told you before and what I told Yang, there's a place for you in my tribe. So, I suggest you take it."
"Never." Galen declared and sheathed one of his sabers and held the other in a reverse grip. Raven just smirked and dashed towards him, swing her lightsaber at Galen and pushed him back with a kick to the chest. "Underhanded tactics, figured you'd resort to something like that. What's next, trying to kick me in the groin?"
"Exactly." Raven replied before trying said move, but Galen avoided it. "But that's not all I'm good with." Raven added, using her Maiden powers to conjure up a sword made of ice and sent an ice based attack towards Galen, freezing his feet in place just as a feral roar from below caused the stalactites above them to start dropping around them. "Can't move so you might as well surrender." Raven smirked.
But she was wrong. Looking at one of the falling boulders, he grabbed one with the force and sent it crashing down to Raven, but she dodged the rock allowing Galen to shatter the ice and free his legs. Dashing towards her once more, Galen used the Shien style of lightsaber combat to attack Raven, forcing her on the defensive. "And you claim I cheat, you're the one using some fancy powers to try and kill me." Raven retorted.
"I'm not trying to kill you, I'm just trying to keep you from getting the relic." Galen replied, swing his blade only for Raven to do a massive leap into the air, landing on top of one of the falling stalactites which landed around them. Both of them began to fight around the stalactites, their Aura's shimmering with each hit before they fell to their knees, panting in exhaustion. "Is that all you got?"
"You should really learn to watch your back!" Raven exclaimed as a dying Vernal aimed one of her weapons and fired at Galen. Galen rolled out of the way to avoid the shot, but the shot ricocheted off a rock and hit Raven in her left eye, causing her to scream in pain as Vernal finally died. "Damn you, Jedi." She snarled, holding her eye in pain. Galen was about to speak when he sensed a familiar feeling coming from below.
"Trigger!" he exclaimed.
Back down below, Ahsoka watched as Ray and Cinder continued their duel from behind her prison. Cinder's attacks were strong and kept Ray on the defensive allowing her to use the force to push him back into the wall. Ray was dazed for a moment, but he got right back to his feet and flung rocks at Cinder with the force.
(Zen-Aku's theme starts)
Cinder slashed the rocks to pieces, but soon took a kick to chin that knocked her mask off and revealed her burnt face. This time she was put on the defensive as Ray attacked with the power of a rabid animal. Cinder twirled around him and the two locked sabers once again. "I sense great fear inside you. You have great hate, great anger, but you refuse to use them. You're weak just like your sister." She taunted with anger.
"SHUT UP!" Ray shouted and pressed his attack. Cinder was pushed back by the sheer power of his attacks before clawing at him with her Grimm arm. "I'll kill you!" he snarled, giving into his anger and kicked Cinder in the stomach knocking her into the lake and onto the ground. She rose her saber up as Ray slammed his saber into her repeatedly.
Smirking, she pushed him back with the force and moved in close to finish the job. That was a fatal mistake as Ray grabbed her prosthetic arm and sliced it and her Grimm hand off, holding both his and her saber in a x-shape at her neck.
(End song)
"Now you die." Ray snarled and prepared to deliver the final blow.
"Don't do it!" Ahsoka shouted, blasting out of her prison. "She's not worth it! Don't kill her!" she begged.
"She has to pay for what she did to Amber and all those she's killed! She's to dangerous to live. This is the only way to stop her!" Ray countered.
"Killing in the heat of battle of one thing. But she's been disarmed, this isn't the Jedi way. It's not you!" she exclaimed.
"I will have my revenge! It's over Cinder! Now you die!" Ray yelled and was about to make his move when Ahsoka spoke yet again.
"If you kill her like this then you're no better than her! It's like you're killing your own sister and Amber would never forgive you!" Those words hit Ray hard like an oncoming freight train. He was so blinded by revenge, he never stopped to think about what his sister would say if she was still alive. "This isn't the way of the Jedi or Mandalorian's. Revenge won't bring back your sister."
He pulled his blades back and relented. Even if he wanted her to die, killing her like this wouldn't change anything. Sheathing his stolen blade, he tossed the lightsaber aside and turned away. This was the chance Cinder was waiting for as her Grimm arm had finally regenerated. She took a swing at Ray's back only for her claws to be chipped by the Beskar and then the last thing she ever saw was the blue blade of Triggers lightsaber slicing through her neck as her head fell to the ground. Cinder Fall was now dead.
"It wasn't revenge, that was self-defense. I will never become the same person as she was." Ray declared, deactivating his lightsaber and recalled his lightsaber that was knocked away. Sheathing both of them, he pulled out an ascension cable, pulled Ahsoka close to him and fired the cable pulling the two of them up back to the top.
When they reached the top, they found Raven had unlocked the chamber to the Relic of Knowledge as Yang made a three-point landing and stood back to face her mother along with Galen. "I feel like we just finished one battle and walked right into another." Ray stated.
And I'll end it right here.
Cinder is dead for good. Raven lost an eye, and the Fate of Haven will be decided next chapter.
Until next time, please read and review.
F-Bombs: Four