Merry Christmas guys! And Happy Holidays to any who don't celebrate! I got this chapter out just in time for the end of the year. I hope you guys enjoy it and thanks for reading, I appreciate it. I promise this is the last flashback chapter for now, the next chapter will bring things back to the present.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
"Speech"
Thoughts
Chapter Twenty-One: Repercussions
Slade had his hood up covering his face as he walked down the sidewalk through town, he stopped and looked up at the colosseum overhead along with several Atlas airships, he sighed in contentment enjoying the cool rain on his skin. Slade continued to walk, not really having a destination in mind.
Didn't think I'd ever step foot in Vale again voluntarily, especially this close to Beacon. I could easily bump into anyone I know here Slade mused.
Better hope Ozpin doesn't figure out you're here, he'd have a full team of Huntsmen on you faster than- Salem began but was cut off as Slade closed his connection to her.
Note to self, don't get distracted- Slade was wrenched from his thoughts when he felt a weight slam into his shoulder "Hey!" Slade called as he was pushed out of the way.
"My bad! Sorry!" the girl shouted back to him as she rushed away.
"That couldn't have been..." Slade let the statement hang That looked just like the girl from the tournament match... what was her name... Slade pondered turning back on his path Blake? No, that was the dark haired one. Not the Schnee, and Ruby was the other one... Qrow's nieces... Ruby... what was the other one?
"There you are Yang!" a voice shouted from behind him. Slade turned his head toward the voice and saw the four girls together Yang... that was the name he smiled lightly.
"Sorry, I got caught up-" Yang started.
"Liar" Wiess scoffed "You were off ogling boys again weren't you?" she accused.
"Was not!" Yang argued back "I was eating and lost track of time"
"Whatever the reason, we should probably get to Amity soon. The next match is starting soon" Blake pointed out.
"Right! We wouldn't want Yang to get disqualified before she even started!" Ruby shouted in agreement.
Team RWBY... reminds me a bit of my team Slade chuckled lightly They seem like good kids. I hope Qrow keeps them close when things start blowing up.
Slade's scroll started ringing "General" he answered placing the device to his ear.
"Slade, I am glad I caught you. I want you to come to Vale and speak with Torchwick. Maybe you can make him give you something, or at the very least make him slip up"
"How soon do you want me there?"
"ASAP" Ironwood answered "Can you be here as early as tomorrow?"
"I think I can manage that" Slade smirked.
"Glad to hear it. I'll arrange for transport to my personal airship first thing tomorrow morning"
"See you tomorrow, General" Slade ended the call.
Ironic that I chose to come to Vale so soon... I really hope you can do something to stop this Ozpin.
Ironwood entered the detention level of his airship, he walked until he reached the cell he was looking for. Opening the door he stood face to face with Roman Torchwick.
"General! I wondered when you'd be stopping by again. It's been longer than I expected"
Ironwood scoffed "It's your lucky day Torchwick, you have a visitor" he smirked.
"You mean other than you right? You've been visiting me quite a lot since you arrested-" he stopped dead as Slade came into view from behind Ironwood "-me" he stared silently in shock for quite some time.
"I'll leave you two to talk" Ironwood smiled to himself as he walked away, leaving them alone.
"Roman" Slade greeted.
"What the hell are you doing here?! You're supposed to be staying away from Vale remember? I told you-"
"You told me something big was going down and you didn't want me anywhere near it. I know" he sighed "But you and Neo are going to be near it too, that puts you in just as much danger as I am right now. If you want me to leave and stay safe, well... relatively safe anyway. You and Neo are coming with me"
"I can't do that, Slade" he sighed "You know who I work for"
"Yeah I do, she's stuck in my head 24/7 and it's no more fun now than when it started. I've already lost too many friends thanks to her, I don't plan on losing anymore"
"You really think Ironwood is just gonna let me stroll out of here? Or are you planning to spring me? You'll become public enemy number one!"
"Yeah, I know. Breaking you out is gonna be hard since I know you plan on staying right where you are"
"Then why are you here?"
"To change your mind" Slade answered crossing his arms "Ironwood made me a deal"
"What kind of deal?" Roman asked suspiciously.
"I tell him everything I know about what you and your bosses are planning and he gives me a pardon for everything I've done to date. I negotiated for you and Neo to get pardons as well"
"Let me guess, in exchange I need to tell him everything I know?"
"Nope"
"What then?"
"Before you stupidly rammed a train into the city, he was willing to just hand me the pardons. Now he refuses to unless he stops your bosses. He wants Cinder"
"You know she's not the one in charge here, Slade. Have you told him anything?"
"Everything I know. I even gave him tactical reports on each of them"
"Then why hasn't he arrested them yet?"
Slade sighed with a small shake of his head "General Ironwood believes someone infiltrated Haven Academy and is searching for the one responsible before they cut and run. He believes that's how they got their ID's to be so perfect"
Roman started laughing "So... So, the Tin Man believes if he arrests Cinder and her team the one who erased their backgrounds is going to go underground" he shook his head "He's a bigger idiot than I thought, he's willing to risk Vale over one guy?"
"So it is one then?" Slade asked shutting Roman right up.
"I've already said too much-"
"Roman" Slade groaned.
"I can't tell you anything more! I barely convinced Cinder to stop Taurus from sending his guys after you. If she even finds out I talked to you, she'll kill Neo and I"
"Then help me, Roman. If this attack never happens, neither of you will be in any danger. We'll be free to do whatever we want!"
"I... I can't, Slade. I'm sorry"
"So am I" Slade sighed.
"Get out of Vale while you still can Slade, if Ironwood doesn't stop this attack... I don't want you to get caught in the crosshairs"
"And if he does stop it?"
"Then you and I are going to be the only ones who could've revealed their identities, Taurus never would. They'll break me before long, as much as I hate to admit it"
"Because they'll use Neo as leverage over you, I know" Slade sighed "Either way I guess I am being roped back into all of this"
"Slade, no! You can't stick around!"
"What're you gonna do about it?" Slade smirked "Just don't get yourself killed, huh?" he closed the cell door.
"Slade! Slade! Come back here right now! I know you can hear me dammit!" his muffled cries could be heard as Slade walked away.
"I take it he didn't give you anything?" Ironwood asked as he approached.
"No, but he did confirm there's someone in Haven that erased Cinder's background, the same goes for everyone on their team. He's a male" Slade answered.
"Anything helps"
"He also confirmed that the attack is coming, and soon. You need to coordinate with Ozpin to make the arrests before it's too late"
"After the incident with Ms. Xiao Long last night, perhaps you're right"
"Incident? Xiao Long? Like Tai Yang Xiao Long? Qrow's old teammate"
"The very same" Ironwood sighed "She broke Mercury Black's leg last night during her match after the matched was called in her favor. She swears he attacked her first, but the recording shows otherwise"
"Mercury... you're telling me that she broke a metal leg? Emerald must've caused her to see him attacking her!"
"I'm aware of that"
"You haven't told Qrow have you" Slade stated instead of asking.
"No I didn't, I thought it better to keep it to myself so as not to induce a panic amongst the people"
"Oh, so you let them believe his niece brutally broke a defenseless kid's leg after she won the match against him which is sure to scare people"
"Don't worry about it Slade, I disqualified her team from the tournament so no one would worry about it"
"Oh yeah, I feel so much better. Do you actually have a brain inside that head of yours? Or do you always let the other one do the talking?"
"Slade" Ironwood growled.
"You cannot obviously believe that everything is fine since you removed her from the tournament, your army being here already has people on edge enough let alone-"
"If you'll excuse me, Stroud. I have a call to make"
"Better be to Ozpin"
"It's to Leonardo. Don't worry, I will tell Ozpin tonight when I see him"
"I'll believe it when I see it"
"Excuse me?"
"I'm just saying I've heard all this before. If Emerald and Mercury faked his injury, it's for a reason. Whatever their planning is coming to a head. I hope you're ready for that" Slade walked past him to exit the airship.
Ironwood sighed as he passed "Fine"
"Hmm?" Slade looked back over his shoulder.
"Stay here and I'll make the call, just let me call Leonardo first"
"Do it"
Ironwood made the call, they both waited patiently for him to pick up "James?" Leonardo asked.
"I have information that should help expedite your search for the infiltrator of your school"
"That would be most appreciated, what did you find?"
"Torchwick slipped up, he confirmed there is someone there and they're a male. Any of your suspects that're female can officially be crossed off the list"
"That's good, that's very good. That will certainly narrow the search. Mind telling me where you got this information?"
"I told you, Torchwick slipped up"
"I mean originally, James. How did you find out someone infiltrated my school? Did Torchwick tell you?"
"No I-" he stopped as he watched Slade shake his head at him "I got it from a trusted source"
"Perhaps you could lend them to me? I could certainly use the help in finding-"
"Sorry, Leo. They're not exactly the type to follow orders. They just give me information when they feel they have something to gain from it, which in this particular case they did. I'll reach out though, see if they're interested. They'll call if they are"
"That'll have to do I suppose. Thank you for the information, I will put it into action at once"
"Take care of yourself, Leo"
"You as well, James. These are dangerous times it seems" he ended the call.
"There happy?" Slade asked.
"Yes, I will call Ozpin now, so you can relax"
"I'll relax when they're behind bars and I'm drinking in one" Slade replied. Ironwood placed the call waiting as it rung "Did Leo seem nervous to you, General?"
"Of course, wouldn't you be if you found out someone snuck into your school under your watch and erased the records of four people?"
"I suppose you're right"
"That's odd" Ironwood looked confused.
"What is?"
"He rejected my call"
"That doesn't sound like Ozpin, could he be busy?"
"That man is always busy, that doesn't seem to stop him from answering calls" he called again "Still now answer"
"Then go see the man in person, if you can't reach him, you need to tell him yourself"
"I need to make a quick stop at the arena for the next match, after that I will stop by his office. In the meantime I will keep trying"
"I didn't know you cared about the fights" Slade cocked his eyebrow.
"I have a vested interest in this particular match"
Cinder and Emerald walked into the arena to take their seats, suddenly her scroll rang with a notification.
"What is it?" Emerald asked as they sat down.
"It appears the General is making a call to good old Leonardo" she smirked "Having access to his scroll really is quite helpful" she laughed, she began listening in on the call "Cover for me Emerald"
"Yeah" Emerald used her Semblance to keep anyone in earshot from hearing them.
"James?" Leonardo asked.
"I have information that should help expedite your search for the infiltrator of your school"
"That would be most appreciated, what did you find?"
"Torchwick slipped up, he confirmed there is someone there and they're a male. Any of your suspects that're female can officially be crossed off the list"
"That's good, that's very good. That will certainly narrow the search. Mind telling me where you got this information?"
"I told you, Torchwick slipped up"
"I mean originally, James. How did you find out someone infiltrated my school? Did Torchwick tell you?"
"No I-" he stopped "I got it from a trusted source"
"Perhaps you could lend them to me? I could certainly use the help in finding-"
"Sorry, Leo. They're not exactly the type to follow orders. They just give me information when they feel they have something to gain from it, which in this particular case they did. I'll reach out though, see if they're interested. They'll call if they are"
"That'll have to do I suppose. Thank you for the information, I will put it into action at once"
"Take care of yourself, Leo"
"You as well, James. These are dangerous times it seems" he ended the call.
"It would seem that Torchwick accidentally gave the General some info" Cinder grinned.
"Is that going to be a problem?"
"No, Leonardo is going to continue his false search for an infiltrator at Haven when he knows full well it's been him all along" her face turned serious "It's this source I am concerned about, apparently the General obtained the information originally from a source feeding him information. If his source knows about the traitor at Haven, who's to say he doesn't know about us?"
"If Ironwood knew anything we wouldn't be having this conversation right now"
"I know that. That's why I am going-" she stopped.
"What is it?"
"He's calling Ozpin"
"He has to know something"
"Whatever it is, he won't be telling Ozpin" she swiped her finger across the screen, ending the call "That should buy us enough time to finish what we came here for. After all, Ms. Nikos is going to be helping us isn't she?" Cinder grinned looking up at his airship, soon finding a transport making it's way toward the colosseum "He wouldn't dare miss out on his new toy in action"
Slade stood outside of a bar, leaning against the doorway, his hood and mask covering his face. The bar was filled to the brim with people, watching the Vytal Festival match on the TV, not wishing to risk being recognized by anyone he kept to the shadows, his face covered and didn't make eye contact as people passed by him.
He watched the match with great interest. a fight between Pyrrha Nikos and Penny Polendina in Amity Colosseum hovering high above the city.
Pyrrha spins wildly as she deflects and dodges each sword, until she gets close enough to Penny to deliver a few slashes with the spear, sending her flying back as Pyrrha bats aside the blades called to their wielder's aid. Penny slides to a stop and makes a new series of motions, the weapons folding up until she's circled by several laser rifles, a few of which open fire on the approaching champion. Pyrrha avoids the blasts and fights off the remaining swords with her xiphos until she slides into position to charge at Penny and knock her back. Pyrrha straightens with a victorious grin that disappears into dizziness, just as she sees Penny rocketing forward, weapons firing behind her like a jetpack so she can leap into the air, then come down as an energized meteor on her opponent.
Rolling back to her feet, Pyrrha doesn't expect a sword to knock her shield off, then another to do the same for her blade. She tries to get the latter back with her magnetism, but has to use the power to send a flying sword back at Penny's side. It disappears behind Penny, only for her to grin and raise her arms as several appear above her, aimed to strike.
Penny sends them all forward, few in reality and hundreds strong in Pyrrha's mind, who is left with no choice but to spread her arms and send out a magnetized shockwave. Each blade is sent reeling back to Penny, who is also unintentionally affected by the Semblance attack. Pyrrha only has a brief moment to understand what's happening before Penny's arms are spread wide as she gasps, the strings attached to her own weapons curling around her left arm and midsection, which are crumpled by the force with the ease of an aluminum can.
There was a brief silence broken by the wire slicing through the electronics in Penny's torso, shocking Pyrrha, and the entire stadium watching the now unmoving swords drop to the ground. A piece of fabric flutters to the arena floor, only to be pinned by the point of a falling blade, away from the torn halves of Penny Polendina. Pyrrha stares in abject horror, eyes wide and mouth agape.
Slade watched in shock from his place far below the events happening right in front of him, everyone in the bar looked on in horror, Slade could feel the negativity in the room rising by the second.
Not good he stepped away from the bar and looked up at Amity from his place "C'mon, Ironwood. Do something..." he looked back to the screen in the bar to see the live feed was still going "Oh no..." Slade realized what was happening "This is what Cinder wanted" an ominous bright red and black queen chess piece appeared on the screen in the bar before an unwelcomely familiar voice spoke through the TV speakers.
"This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians but are in reality nothing more than men. Our academies' headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both" Slade cursed under his breath at Ironwood's stubbornness, he rushed through the streets away from the bar.
"They cling to this power in the name of peace, and yet, what do we have here? One nation's attempt at a synthetic army mercilessly torn apart by another's star pupil. What need would Atlas have for a soldier disguised as an innocent little girl? I don't think the Grimm can tell the difference. And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students? First, a dismemberment, now this? Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and mercy, yet I have witnessed neither" Slade made it to the top of the largest building he could find, looking out toward the trees outside the city, he saw flashes of gunfire, the Grimm Goliaths towering over the trees from afar Think, Slade, think!
"Perhaps Ozpin felt as though defeating Atlas in the tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invaded its streets. Or perhaps this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting kingdom with armed forces. Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue as to who is right and who is wrong, but I know that the existence of peace is fragile, and the leaders of our kingdoms conduct their business with iron gloves. As someone who hails from Mistral, I can assure you the situation there is equally undesirable. Our kingdoms are at the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark. So, I ask you, when the first shots are fired, who do you think you can trust?" Slade turned his gaze upward to see Grimm swarming around Amity and Ironwood's airships overhead "Dammit!" he shouted removing his scroll from his pocket, he attempted to call Ironwood but the line was busy "Shit!" he pocketed the device and looked around as the civilians panicked, running through the streets as a loud alarm started blaring.
"C'mon, Slade. Don't overthink this... focus... go for the source" Slade rushed toward the nearest TV station and broke into it through a nearby window. Rushing through the halls until he found the broadcast station. Connecting his scroll to the device, he began searching through the history until he found the Vytal Festival match most recently aired. He bounced through the signals trace to find Cinder's scroll "She's moving into the city... okay... I can do this" he disconnected his device and rushed back out of the building.
Easy plan, find Cinder, stop her, let Oz and Ironwood figure out the rest. I have to trust they can handle this he told himself as he made his way over the rooftops, making his way to Cinder's location.
Before long Slade found Cinder, Emerald and Mercury all standing at the edge of a building, watching the chaos beneath them "Got you-urgh" he was tackled to the ground by a Beowulf. Slade's right arm was pinned to the ground, the creature roaring in his face "My, what large teeth you have" Slade stabbed his wrist blade from his left gauntlet into it's neck, kicking the creature off of him with his boots to it's chest. Standing back up, he looked to see his target entered a Bullhead hovering at the edge of the rooftop "No you don't" Slade reached out with his Semblance to stop it. Suddenly, Slade's arm was grabbed by a scorpion tail wrapping around it, throwing him from the rooftop "No!" he shouted as the Bullhead flew toward Beacon.
Slade slammed into the ground painfully, looking up he found a shadow leaping down toward him. Slade rolled back as the figure's laugh echoed through the streets, avoiding being impaled by his tail.
"So nice to finally meet you" the strange man laughed.
"And who might you be?" Slade asked standing back up straight, Defiance in his hand, pointing back at the man.
"Tyrian Callows, at your service" the man bowed toward him "I've been eager to meet you for a long time, Slade Stroud"
"One of Salem's goons then, can't say I share the sentiment" Slade sighed "Sorry, but I don't have time for you right now. I've got an appointment to keep with Cinder-" he shifted out of the way of a bullet soaring past his face. Twisting toward his attacker, he found one of Ironwood's mechanical soldiers aiming toward him, firing Defiance into it's head dropped the construct on it's back "The hell?" Slade asked confused.
Tyrian laughed loudly "You're funny, Slade. Cinder never mentioned you were funny"
"Perhaps because she's a humorless shrew, Why did that soldier just attack me?" Slade asked angrily aiming his gun toward Tyrian.
"It just means Torchwick and his little mute friend accomplished their end" Tyrian answered with a shrug "Ironwood brought an army with him here to Vale, just like we planned. Most of that army is made up of his little toys" he chuckled "Using a virus we were able to appropriate his toys from him so we could play with him. Taurus and his pets have already gotten started tearing down Beacon"
Slade thought back to his vision of the girls and Adam in a burning Beacon from years ago I have to call Qrow.
"So... let's see here. We've got, Grimm, Atlas Mechs, White Fang, and our queens loyal servants all against a handful of Huntsmen, a handful of Atlas soldiers, and an army of undertrained wannabes" Tyrian grinned.
"You're not going to win. Salem's tried many times before, she might make progress. Win a battle here and there. But nothing is going to stop Ozpin from destroying her. She will never win against someone like him"
"What makes you so sure of that?" he asked, his grin never leaving.
"Salem doesn't care about anyone or anything but herself, Ozpin cares for everyone, even if sometimes it doesn't always look like it... I still believe in him. Despite what I have lost because of his actions"
"How disappointing, she always said you were deluded" he shook his head with a look of disappointment on his face "Well, at least no one has ever said you weren't strong. I'll still get some enjoyment out of-" Slade threw him backward using his Semblance, pulling out his scroll quickly and attempting to call Qrow. Tyrian's tail swatted the device from his hands, Tyrian's wrist blades embedded into the road as he slid to a stop "How rude, trying to ignore me isn't going to work" he grinned maliciously.
"I don't have time for you, Tyrian. I have more important things to do"
"By all means, try and ignore me, Slade. I'll just find my own enjoyment, maybe go after another Huntsman... Qrow Branwen sounds like an interesting one" he grinned. Slade glared, knowing what he was trying to do.
If I try and go after Cinder he'll go after Qrow. If I warn Qrow about Adam, he might be able to save his niece... but either way Cinder is still a problem and Tyrian is going to stop one of us... If I warn him and go after Cinder, Tyrian will still go after him and his nieces might not get away from the fight alive... think... think... there has to be something I can do here
"Trying to think of a way out of this won't get you anywhere, Slade. The only way you'll be able to accomplish anything, is if you go through me first" he charged forward.
Slade's wrist blades shot out as he blocked two strikes from Tyrian's own, he swept his legs for Tyrian's. Tyrian leapt up and slammed his heel down onto the ground as Slade slid out of the way, firing Defiance at Tyrian. He leapt backward, catching himself on one hand before sliding on his heels, crouched down for another attack. Leaping at Slade, he was thrown backward by his Semblance.
Using his wrist blades, Tyrian slid to a stop as Slade leapt toward him slashing for his head. Tyrian ducked, then twisted around Slade as he fired his right gauntlet at him. Slade turned back toward him and swung for his head, Tyrian rolled underneath Slade as he twisted for a strike with his opposite arm. Thrusting his right arm at Slade's back, he clashed with his left gauntlet, reaching around his back before twisting around to face him. Slade fired Defiance as he turned, Tyrian simply blocked the round with his tail and slammed his shoulder into Slade, throwing him backward.
Grinning, Tyrian began firing rounds from both the weapons on his wrists. Slade struggled to block them with his gauntlets from his place on the ground, using his Semblance to redirect a few away from him as he stood. Tyrian heard footsteps behind him, leaning backward as he fired he saw two Atlas soldiers making their way down the street, stopping upon the fight in front of them.
"What's going on here!?" one of them asked.
Tyrian stopped firing and rushed toward the soldiers with a sadistic grin on his face, slashing toward them. His blades met only Slade's left gauntlet being held out in front of him, Tyrian placed his second hand up with his blade and pushed against Slade as he did the same with his right, pushing Tyrian back slightly.
"Get out of here, focus on keeping the civilians safe!" Slade ordered before pushing Tyrian with all of his strength backward.
"Yes, Sir!" one of the men called back thinking he was taking orders from a Huntsman, they both rushed off back toward the fighting.
"You cannot protect everyone, Slade" Tyrian laughed "So many people are going to die today, and there's nothing you can do to stop it"
"I can sure as hell try" Slade slammed his head into Tyrian's knocking him backward. Tyrian's tail stuck into him as he used his Semblance to pass through it, stepping around it he slammed his heel into Tyrian's wrist as he blocked. Slade leapt over Tyrian as he fired at him, Slade blocked every shot with his gauntlets as he soared over him, firing Defiance as he landed. Tyrian ducked back away from the bullet as it pass over him, kicking Defiance out of his grip.
Slade used his Semblance to catch the weapon in the air, brining it back toward him. Tyrian's tail embedded itself into his chest passing right through him, Defiance abruptly crashed into the floor as Slade leapt away from Tyrian. Tyrian laughed loudly as he kicked Defiance away from them both "So... you can pass through solid objects and manipulate the world around you but not at the same time. Interesting" Tyrian grinned.
He's already figured out the limits to my Semblance, and he's not just keeping up with me, he's toying with me. I'm struggling to keep ahead of him and he's barely even trying Slade clenched his teeth in anger What am I supposed to do here? I need to defeat him before I can help anyone...
"Its about time I stop playing around isn't it? We should really wrap things up"
"I was hoping you would say that. You're starting to bore me"
"Bold words!" Tyrian laughed "Let's see you back them up"
Here's to hoping I can Slade charged forward, firing his gauntlets at Tyrian.
Tyrian's tail blocked each round and fired his own back at him around his Tail. Slade used his Semblance to stop the bullets before they touched him as he continued firing. Slade was suddenly shaken by a tremor ripping through the city, he fell onto his side, Tyrian wrapped his tail around a streetlight to keep himself level.
"The end is near" he laughed.
Slade looked up to see a Wyvern flying overhead, toward Beacon "Not if I have anything to say about it!" Slade reached his right arm out toward the Wyvern using his Semblance to grab it.
"You can't stop this!" Tyrian leapt at Slade only to find himself floating above the ground, unable to move. Slade had used his opposite hand to catch him with his Semblance "Gotcha" Slade smirked.
The Wyvern turned it's head back at Slade and roared in anger "Focus" Slade breathed out "I can do this" a large explosion knocked Slade over, freeing the Wyvern and Tyrian from the grip of his Semblance "No!" Slade rolled out of the way of Tyrian's strike. Looking to the source of the explosion, he found Ironwood's ship nosediving into the ground "Roman... Neo..." He breathed out.
"I do hope they made it out alright. They've been so very helpful" Tyrian grinned, watching as Slade's anger boiled over.
"I've had enough of you!" he turned and attempted to grab Tyrian with his Semblance, he missed as Tyrian redirected his hand with his tail, slamming his fist into Slade's abdomen then kicking him in the face. Tyrian grabbed Slade by his face and threw him behind him. Slade rolled to his feet as he grabbed Defiance and fired back at Tyrian. Laughing all the while, Tyrian approached while blocking each round with his tail. Slade passed through Tyrian using his Semblance as he struck for his chest. Using his Semblance he attempted to throw Tyrian, but was stopped by his tail striking him across the face.
Tyrian twisted around wildly, kicking Defiance from Slade's hand and slamming his fist into the other side of his face. Slade blocked the next three strikes, barely managing to keep his hands up from the force of his attacks. Tyrian smashed his knee into Slade's abdomen then his heel into the back of Slade's knee. Using his Semblance, Slade passed through his tail striking for his chest and rolled through Tyrian. Pulling his leg toward him as he stood back up, he slammed his heel into Tyrian's chest as he stood, his tail blocking the strike as Tyrian slammed his fist into Slade's throat.
Slade dropped onto his knees, coughing painfully through Tyrian's manic laughter "I told you, nothing was going to stop this" A black oval shaped corridor appeared behind him, a figure exited the corridor. The figure wore a black coat that swayed slightly from the draft. It had a silver zipper keeping the coat closed, black gloves and knee-length boots with silver trimming and high concave indentations in the top. The coat had a hood covering the figure's face but the physique defined the figure as a male.
"Time to go already?" Tyrian asked frustrated "Things were just getting fun!" The man crossed his arms over his chest "You're right, she wouldn't like to be kept waiting. Until we meet again, Slade" he stepped through the corridor with the hooded man as it disappeared.
"That's a new one" Slade stood back up using his Semblance to call Defiance and his scroll into either hand. His scroll had a few bullet holes in it "Come on!" he tossed it aside angrily "I've got to get to Beacon"
"Slade?" Ironwood called from his right. Slade turned toward him to see his clothes were damaged greatly, his cybernetic side shining in the moonlight "Thank goodness you're alright-"
"You idiot!" Slade growled pointing Defiance at him.
"Woah, hold on now" Ironwood tried.
"I gave you so many chances, General! I told you this was going to happen, I told you who was going to do it and I told you to tell Ozpin and you didn't do a damned thing!"
"I know..." Ironwood's gaze was downcast "I should've listened to you, but right now I need your help. Beacon is under attack-"
"Yeah, I noticed! The Wyvern flying overhead wasn't a dead giveaway!" he shouted exasperated "Where's Qrow and Ozpin?" Slade asked.
"Qrow is here, making sure the Grimm don't overrun the city while we're still evacuating. Ozpin is at Beacon... I am surprised you're not asking about Roman and Neo"
"I already know where they are" Slade growled gesturing to his crashed ship "It looks like they won't be needing those pardons, General" he seethed.
"I-"
"No, I don't want to hear it. They're just two more people I cared about who're dead now, I will mourn them later. We need to keep our heads on straight if we don't want to end up like them. Right now we need to focus on stopping Cinder, what's the situation here in the city?"
"My soldiers are doing what they can, but we're moving them to Beacon to secure the area, local Huntsman are taking care of the Grimm here and the destruction of my ship brought the control of my forces out of Cinder's. I could use your help-"
"I won't be following anymore of your orders, General" Slade shook his head "I need to get to Beacon, that Wyvern isn't going to stop itself, and Cinder is going to go after the Relic beneath the school. You and Ozpin need to make sure she doesn't get it, I will handle the Wyvern" Slade turned away from him.
"There's something else, Slade"
"What?" he asked without turning back toward him.
"Amber... the Fall Maiden is being hidden beneath the school. If Cinder goes after the Relic, she could steal the rest of her power and get the Relic.
"The rest?" Slade asked confused.
"Cinder's ability to control fire comes from the power she stole from Amber already when she attacked her. Qrow saved Amber's life but she's been comatose since then. Only the Fall Maiden can unlock the vault beneath Beacon to get the Relic"
"Of course" Slade placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head in annoyance "Then I guess you better get Qrow and get moving after her. You both know where the Maiden is, make sure she cannot get the rest of her power or we've already lost. Somebody still needs to take down that Wyvern or it's just going to keep calling more Grimm to Beacon and generating more while it waits to defend itself" he explained.
"Right, we'll see you there then"
"I hope we all live long enough" Slade sighed "I am going to need a ride"
Adam Taurus looked down at Blake with a small smirk "Just remember, Blake. You're the one who caused this" he walked toward Yang's unconscious form ready to strike.
"No!" Blake forced herself between them painfully, trying to keep Yang safe.
"Why must you hurt me, Blake?" Adam asked with a small frown, Adam suddenly soared through the nearby window, bouncing a few times as he slid to a stop on his side a few feet away from the building he was just inside. Blake looked to her left to see a figure rushing through the shattered window after him, she couldn't make out who he was because of his hood but she wasn't about to let this opportunity go to waste. Blake grabbed Yang and painfully made her way out of the other end of the building rushing to find help for her friend.
Adam returned to his feet, glaring back in the direction of his attacker, the figure stood before him with his arms crossed over his chest "Been a long time, hasn't it Taurus?"
"I was hoping we'd meet again, Slade" Adam smirked.
"The feeling is NOT mutual, Taurus. You've always been rather supercilious"
"Big words" Adam feigned surprise "I'm surprised you even know what that word means, spending all your time saving the lives of the scum of humanity every waking hour, where do you find the time?"
"Condescending" Slade replied.
"Very good, you've learned something after all"
"Arrogant, self centered, moronic" Slade listed on his fingers.
"That's not exactly-"
"Oh, I'm not defining it for you. These are other things that you are" Slade smirked beneath his mask, Adam growled in annoyance.
"You won't be talking much longer when I cut your tongue out, Cinder should've killed you when she had the chance"
"Maybe so, but she didn't and now I am your problem. You're a problem of mine I don't intend to allow to hurt anyone else, but I have a date with that Wyvern up there and I'd hate to be late on the first date. It's important to make a good first impression you know"
"You'll have to beat me if you plan on getting anywhere near it"
"I figured you'd say that" Adam held his blade ready to attack as Slade did the same with his wrist blades. Adam rushed toward Slade, slicing his blade toward his throat clashing with his own blades.
"Much faster than I expected you to be" Adam admitted with a smirk, he saw Blake retreating with Yang in her arms.
"You cannot afford to be distracted" Slade warned sliding his wrist blade to the left then kicking his abdomen throwing him back into a nearby tree.
"Guess I don't have much choice" Adam groaned lifting himself out of the indentation left behind "I'll just have to kill you first"
"Give me your best shot"
Adam charged forward with a downward strike, Slade blocked it easily countering with a horizontal slash for his legs forcing him back a step. Lurching forward he attempted to impale Slade only to be sidestepped and elbowed in the face. Striking downward once more he was blocked yet again, forcing his blade up he left himself an opening to attack Slade, slicing for his chest. Slade jumped back then shifted his head to the right narrowly avoiding his strikes. Slicing outward he forced Adam back several feet to avoid his attacks, he struck hard for his head clashing with his own.
"I was expecting more from you" Adam taunted head-butting him to the floor.
Adam spun his blade around thrusting it for his chest, Slade used his gauntlets to catch the blade between them. Pushing his blade back he stood up, sliding back away from another strike.
"Why're you resisting this, Slade? Why're you fighting against us when you abandoned these people before?" Adam asked lowering his blade, genuinely curious.
"My friends are strong, Adam. Strong enough to protect themselves without me. I was the one placing the people I care about in danger, my absence kept them safe" Slade answered honestly.
"You left to protect them?" he laughed "You're deceiving yourself if you think you can protect someone by not being present" he shook his head lightly "Be honest with yourself, Slade. You've had plenty of chances to change your lot in life, to live happily somewhere. Yet you continue seeking out fights, battling those you believe are wrong, protecting those who cannot protect themselves... you do it, not because you're a true Huntsman at heart. You do it because you like the grateful eyes, the accolades, the rewards, the reverence. You want people to like you, to be the hero in everyone's story"
"You think I do this because I want to be a hero?" Slade asked surprised "I'm no hero! I get people killed and I leave people behind to suffer the pain of losing them! Hero's save people, they don't cause pain!" he clenched his fists.
"So what, you're the monster then?" Adam asked with a smirk.
"You're the monster, Adam. You, Cinder, Salem, all those who follow her, those who seek to destroy our world. You're all the monsters! That is the role you all seem determined to play, so it seems that I must play mine!"
"Your role?" Adam asked "What exactly is your role then?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Slade asked cocking his eyebrow "I'm the one who stops the monsters"
Adam leapt toward Slade, he slashed Wilt at his face at him as Slade blocked with his right blade. Slashing down, Slade flipped backward away from the strike before leaping forward, slashing his left blade for Adam's chest. Adam slashed outward at Slade, clashing with his blade and pushing him back a few inches as he flipped back onto his right hand, blocking Adam's second strike with his left. Slade placed his left hand down and spun around Adam as he pulled his right arm up. Adam thrusted Wilt at Slade as he did receiving and powerful kick to his face, throwing him back and cracking his mask lightly.
"Why're you getting in my way!? Blake isn't one of your friends! She's none of your business!" Adam yelled angrily.
"None of that matters to me, Adam. I don't care who you are, I won't let someone just kill you for no good reason! I'd do the same for you if the roles were reversed!" Slade answered.
"Liar!" Adam yelled.
Slade flipped backward away from Adam's strike, then leapt over his head to avoid the second one, pulling Defiance from his holster, he turned to find Wilt being launched at him. Slade blocked with his left gauntlet, kicking the blade back at Adam. Adam stepped aside, catching the blade by it's hilt as it passed by.
"Enough!" Adam yelled as Slade leapt toward him. Adam blocked his strike, countering with three of his own. Slade blocked all three interchanging between his gauntlets. Adam slashed down at Slade clashing with his right gauntlet as he did and grabbing him by the same arm with his open hand. Slade grabbed Wilt's hilt and kept himself steady as Adam tried to force him to lose his balance. Slade smashed his head into Adam's, knocking him back a few steps. Adam unleashed his Semblance at Slade, who blocked it by absorbing it with his own Semblance.
Slade dropped onto his knees in exhaustion after doing so, Adam grabbed Slade by the throat angrily. Slade stabbed both of his wrist blades into Adam's chest, forcing him onto his knees, releasing him. Slade slammed his heel into Adam's face, throwing him backward, sliding to a stop painfully.
"You can't win, Adam, you're not strong enough" the roar of the Wyvern ripped through the air. Slade turned and looked up to Ozpin's office, watching the Wyvern perched there, he could see white glyphs on the side of it, a red blur rushing up the side of the tower. Slade reached out with his Semblance to grab the Wyvern, it's head turned toward him in anger.
"No time like the present-urk!" Slade looked down to find Wilt through his abdomen.
"You got distracted, Slade" Adam grinned behind him.
"No... I decided you weren't worth my time" Slade continued to focus on the Wyvern, forcing himself to tear it apart. He didn't honestly know if he could accomplish his goal, but he sure as hell was going to try "AUUUUURGH!" he dropped onto his knees in pain, Adam stabbed him through his chest once more.
"You can't stop this, Slade. Give up. You're done"
"No... I've only just begun... I will protect these people... starting with you!" he looked up at the Wyvern, using his Semblance once again.
"Nothing you do now is going to change anything if you die. Just what do you think you're going to accomplish? Why force yourself to protect such small minds? These people, they won't change the world, they won't change the life of somebody else, all they ever do is cause pain on those different from them. They're small, insignificant!"
"They've never been small to me... they're everything... they're what drives me..." Slade stood back up, Adam removed Wilt and watched "Don't make assumptions about how far I will go to protect them, because I've already come a very long way!" he focused on his task and ignored all else.
"You're a fool, an idiot who can't see past his blinding sense of morality"
"Of course" Slade chuckled, coughing through it "Everyone knows that" he smirked.
Suddenly a bright flash of light erupted from Ozpin's office covering everything in sight, Slade released the Wyvern and covered his eyes. The light made it's way closer, but everything was going dark, Slade fell unconscious onto his back. Adam ran as the light covered Slade.
Slade's eyes opened, it was still dark out, he could hear the Grimm closing in on him. Forcing himself to his feet, surprised at the lack of pain he felt, he slashed through the Ursa to his right, beheading it. Looking around, he saw many Grimm present but felt no Huntsmen or anyone around him. Slade rushed away from Beacon, slicing through any Grimm in his way, reaching the trees as he fired Defiance back at the Grimm pursuing him.
You don't need to fight them, Slade. They're not chasing you anymore Salem's voice echoed in his head.
"forgive me for not listening to the demon in the back of my head" Slade said climbing one of the nearby trees, he removed his armor and checked over himself, to see there was no trace of his injuries "What happened?" he wondered.
That light you saw is what healed you, Slade Salem answered him.
"That light? What was it?"
Silver eyes Salem answered appearing in front of him.
"What?"
"Silver Eyes are a rare trait. People born with them generally don't even know about them, but those who become Huntsmen... they're usually able to tap into that power to obliterate darkness, like the Grimm... It can even heal someone like it did for you, but that's not typical"
"Why? How can it destroy and create at the same time?"
"Creation and destruction are two sides of the same coin, Slade. Darkness and Light are the same in as many ways as they're different. Darkness can restore like the light can, both can forestall or create something new. Light can destroy things just like the darkness, just the same as both can heal those broken around them"
"So, Silver Eyes... they create raw light energy?" Slade asked.
"They use the very same power that the God of Light once possessed. They're the only remnant of that God that remains in our world, much like the Grimm are the only remnant of the God of Darkness"
"Remnant... that's what we call our world... is that why?"
"I don't know, but it's unlikely" Salem answered "The name wasn't around when I was young, but it's been used for far longer than I can remember"
"What happened?" Slade asked.
"What do you mean?" Salem turned back toward him as he placed his armor back on.
"What happened after I passed out, what was the outcome of the battle?"
Salem sighed as Slade leapt down from the tree and begun walking "Cinder defeated Ozpin and brought him to me. I killed him, he'll remain that way for a time until he returns" Salem disappeared from his view, appearing further ahead of him, leaning against a nearby tree "Qrow managed to rescue his niece from Ozpin's tower, many of the students of Beacon and from the other schools seem to have made it out alive. Pyrrha Nikos is the only fatality I know for certain, Cinder was the one to deliver the killing blow"
"The girl from the tournament match" Slade sighed "Damn"
"Yes. Much of Ironwood's forces were killed by the Grimm. Civilians were killed or injured as well, but not as many as I expected"
"So you failed... right?" Slade asked hopeful.
"Well I don't have the Relic yet. So yes, I failed in that aspect, Cinder was hurt by that girl with her damned eyes. The Wyvern is stuck in stone now, unable to do anything on it's own... but Vale has fallen, Beacon has fallen, everyone blames Ironwood for the catastrophe. Atlas has closed itself off from the rest of the world, and your dear friend Roman Torchwick is dead"
"Neo as well?" Slade asked sadly.
"No, she remains. Though I don't know where... what is it you plan to do now?"
"What else is there to do?" Slade asked "I've already fought against you at every turn and all I get are dead friends... but that's not going to stop me"
Salem looked at him curiously "You plan on resisting me even still?"
Slade smirked "Qrow will have a plan. He'll do something, and I know Ozpin will be back sooner or later, and when he is... he will do what has to be done to restore order, to stop you. I will keep my eyes and ears open... I will do what I need to do to keep you from having more people like the White Fang to help you accomplish your goals" Slade stopped, turning toward Salem.
"I would be prepared if I were you. Because by the time I am done, there won't be a single man or woman you can call upon to aid you. Ozpin will have his army of Huntsmen. When the time comes to stop you for good, I know he will be the one to do it. If I live to see it, I will know, because you'll be out of my head then... I will have done my part, without risking myself to your corruption"
"And if Ozpin fails? If Ozpin doesn't accomplish his goal in your lifetime, what then?"
"Then I die, knowing I will never have to hear your voice again. I can be at peace" Slade cut his connection to Salem, choosing to walk on in silence "I will beat you, Salem... or die trying"
That's everything for now guys, I will have the next chapter out sometime after New Years. Hopefully before the end of January as my free time is going to be limited for the next few months. Thank you guys for your patience and taking the time to read, I hope you all liked it.