"I knew it would only be a matter of time before I managed to draw you out of hiding." Blake backed away staring in undisguised horror as her old partner stepped closer towards her.
"Adam" She whispered
"Running away again? Is that what you've become, my love! A Coward." Adam asked as several white fang Grunts entered behind him raising their Laser Lances in Blakes direction, she dared not raze gambol shroud in fear of them firing, Alex had warned them about what those weapons were capable of and she wasn't fond of the idea of being turned into a smoldering pile of ash.
Adam raised his hand "No" He began his words halting there advance " This one is none of your concern my brothers and sister, I'll deal with her myself, the humans cowering at the docks still need to be dealt with. "The grunts nodded and quickly began making their way past Blake giving the cat Faunus a wide berth denying her any easy means of escape and avoiding their leaders semblance if he were to use it on the traitor.
"Adam you can't, those people have done nothing wrong!" He scoffed at her words and Blake took a step towards him "Why are you doing this?" she asks
"Why!?"Adam snapped back at her "It seems your time among humans really has made you soft. You and I were going to change the world, remember? We were the ones destined to light the fires of revolution!" Adam boasted drawing Wilt from its sheath as he stepped closer, Blake tensed as he pointed the tip of his sword towards her "Consider this..." He waved his sword towards the bodies surrounding them "The spark."
Blake darted across the dining hall, drawing her sword in a flash she slashed at Adam three times and each attack he blocked the first easily and parried the next two off to the side with little to no effort, on the fourth strike Gambol shroud came down clashing against wilt "I'm... Not... Running, not this time." Blake growled pushing against his sword with all her might, for a second, he almost looked surprised by the fire that had been lit inside his beloved.
Adam snarled, where had that been all those months ago... no matter "You...will!" He said kicking Blake in the stomach knocking her onto her back. A nearby Creep burst in through one of the destroyed windows making a beeline for the downed huntress, only for it to be shot by Adam.
"But not before you suffer for your betrayal to both our cause and to me...my love." The Bull Faunus said a cruel smile coming to rest on his lips as he walked towards her.
/
Back at the air docks, Ben, Ruby Weiss, Yang and Koan had formed a small huddle around Alex, his plumber's badge held out in the middle of them displaying a map of Beacon from above so that they could strategize.
"Ben If what you told us is accurate the White fang's main force should be moving in from towards the cafeteria and into the academy." Alex said as a dozen or so small red dots appeared on the map giving them a rough idea of the White fangs movements through the academy from what they'd been able to a gather from Ben, Yang and Koan "We didn't see any around Beacon tower or when we passed by the auditorium. So Right now, it looks like their holding position around the infirmary."
"There probably waiting for the Grimm and the androids to soften us up before moving in." Koan said Their current position, while defendable from any land base forces, was still incredibly open to an aerial attack and recent events had shown the Fang currently possessed a surplus of Bullheads they could use against them, and the general's airship had ceased its barrage on the academy taking up a new position behind Beacons mane tower.
Still, why not drop in more troops? He doubted whoever was onboard had already burned through their numbers in the initial attack at the very least they could try firing on them, it wasn't like they were out of range, so what were they waiting for? Whoever the piolet was had one of the most advanced war machines on the planet hovering just a few miles over their heads, it wouldn't have been hard to end them right here and now, fortunately, its weapons were currently focused on the avian Grimm still attempting to breach its hull.
"I don't like this" Ben said crossing his arms over his chest glancing back towards the academy "Something doesn't feel right."
"Yeah, no kidding." Yang said "It gotten way too quiet"
"Have Coco and the others checked back in since they left?" Ruby asked
"Arslan and Reese went to check on them a few minutes ago." Weiss said trying to set her partner at ease " If anything was up, we would have heard something by now." Ruby nodding in response to her partner's words.
Alex's eyes moved to two familiar faces among the crowd, Lilly was knelt down beside a small family and although he couldn't hear what they were saying by the look of it she was trying to console them, trying to keep the hope that they would make it out of this in one piece alive, and judging by the adult's faces they seemed to believe her, even the kids who a few moments ago had been bawling their eyes out seemed to have calmed down slightly and were paying apt attention to the woman in front of them.
Cassie was standing off to the right alongside three other Atlesian troopers speaking to the one in charge, a sergeant if the emblem on his shoulder plate was anything to go by, was pacing back and forth as they spoke, the man paused mid-step before his hand moving up to the comm link on the side of his helmet.
He nodded along with the voice on the other end before turning towards Cassie and the other three troopers they shared some words before they and the pink ranger in disguise snapped a sharp salute, turning on her heels Cassie started making her way towards the crowd of civilians crowd of civilians while the others began making their way down the cobblestone path, Cassie paused by Lilly whispering something into her ear, before moving to the center of the landing platform
"Hey, check it out." Ben said bumping Koan's shoulder alerting him and the others to the new development.
"Everyone, listen up!" Cassie called out drawing the attention of the pads occupants toward her. "We just received word that a safe zone has been erected in Vale, and they are sending a small squadron Bullheads to start evacuating people from the academy, we've already activated a beacon, so they know our location." A collective sighed of relief echoed from the crowd of people at the notion this hell might just be over. " When they arrive Woman, children and any injured will be the first to board and be transported to the safe zone, I ask that you all remain calm and be patient just a little while longer."
"Looks like things are finally starting to look up" Yang said as Cassie speech came to an end, pretty soon there job here would be done and they'd be on their way out of this hell, but that did beg the question, what would happen after all this?
Beacon was for all intent and purposes lost to the Grimm and after a siege of this size Vale's huntsmen population would be short in number and now the kingdom would lack the ability to train more until the Academy could be reclaimed, or a new one built in its place. In that time any surviving teams would most likely transfer to the neighboring kingdoms academies in order to graduate, overall the future of Vales huntsmen community wasn't looking so good.
Two small beeps echoed from Koan's jacket pocket drawing his and the others attention, the Blond shapeshifter pulled his plumber's badge from his pocket the center flashing indicating an incoming communication.
"Circuit?" He asked in both surprise and concern.
"Koan thank goodness!" The blue owl's childlike voice came through the feed "Is Alex with you?"
"Yeah, Yeah, I'm here." Alex said moving beside his best friend. "What's up?"
"It's the White Fang." Circuit said immediately drawing the attention of all those present except for one. "I spotted a large number of them moving past the cafeteria and through the auditorium on the security cameras, it looks like they're closing in around."
"You're sure." Alex asked for confirmation
"Positive" Circuit replied Koan's badge displaying a small security feed showing the small army of familiar Grimm mask wearing group moving through the academy grounds with no sign of stopping.
"Why would they attack now?" Weiss asked, "These people have been sitting here for over an hour why wait until more hunters showed up."
"The evacuation" Yang released Coco and the others would have already stating making their way back to the landing pads, meaning the fang would be able to move in without being spotted by the huntsmen on the perimeter "Didn't they just send some guys to start bringing the others back to the pad, they'll be able to get close without anyone noticing." And when they did, it would be like shooting fish in a barrel.
"Shit" Koan cursed "We have to warn them."
"Agreed." Weiss said, "Ruby and I can run ahead and make sure Coco and the others know what's coming." receiving a nod from her partner as she deployed Crescent Rose.
"I'll back you guys up" The Omnitrix bearer said.
"What about your arm?" Ruby said her silver orbs landing on Bens' forearm
"It looks worse than it actually is." He said shrugging off Ruby's concern for his injury. "Besides, we don't know if those freaks might be packing another ace like the one Rook and I ran into." Weiss couldn't help but agree.
"I see your point" She'd had her own run-in with a white fang lieutenant back on the train, while she may have gotten in a few good hits of her own, the strength and savagery of his attacks had quickly overwhelmed her.
While she doubted someone like that would be much of a threat to four teams of hunters-in-training on their own, an opponent of such caliber with the backing of a small army of White Fang armed with weapons from earth could quickly shift the tide of that battle, as such Bens abilities may help even the odds. "You can come with us" Weiss began. "But. If your injury starts to become a hindrance, I suggest you start pulling back, I... -We don't want you putting yourself at risk if you're not at one-hundred per-cent."
Ben nodded, both thankful and a little embarrassed by the usually frosty girl's concern for him. The trio of young heroes vaulted over the fallen pillar sprinting down the cobblestone path to warn Coco and the others of the oncoming threat.
"What about us?" Yang asked
"Blake" Alex began turning back to the Faunus "You're the resident expert on the White Fang if they're going to start a skirmish, we need to know what we can expect from them?" Alex asked, the stoic cat girl of team RWBY remained silent her head bowed slightly a complicated look on her face, as she stared out towards Vale.
"Blake, you ok?" Yang asked in concern, her teammate has always been the more reserved among them, even if she had been more open over the course of the festival, she'd been a lot quieter than usual after Ben mentioned that guy they fought at the cafeteria.
Alex stepped forward reaching out towards her "Blake?" He asked his hand settling on her shoulder, Blake form rippled and fluxed before vanishing. Alex stepped back in surprise as did Yang and Koan, he blinked once, then twice before his shock faded and his head snapped side to side frantically searching the landing pad for her.
"Blake!" He called out
"You don't think she went after the White Fang?" Koan asked
"Why would she go alone?" Alex asked, "This isn't the first time we've fought them, she knows we can take them."
"What about that guy Ben talked about, she was super on edge when he described him and then she just went quiet." Yang pointed out to them "Do you think she left because of him?" The blond brawler asked.
"Maybe" Alex replied, he didn't sound sure, but right now it was the only lead they had and any time they waisted the more it could put Blake in danger. His head turned back towards the two blonds "But the more time we spend standing around, the more Blake could need us." he said jogging backwards in the direction of the Cafeteria.
"What about the people?" Koan asked
"They'll be fine." Alex said looking past the duo "The soldiers are here with them, the others will be dealing with the Fang coming from the auditorium, and we'll push through the ones coming from the cafeteria, now come one!"
"Don't have to tell us twice." Yang replied cocking her gauntlets as she and the others sprinted in the direction of the cafeteria Alex leading the pack, there weren't that many people out there that could stand toe to toe with Ben, but the fact this guy could take out Rook and knock Ben out of one of his alien forms proved he was stronger than any of the White Fang they'd gone up against in the past and the thought that Blake Blake might be fighting this guy on her own made him pick up the pace.
/
The elevator doors slid open Ozpin sprinted out into the vast hallway spanning the length of the vault, Pyrrha and Jaune following close behind the Headmaster, the blond knight's eyes roaming over the interior of the vault, even after everything Pyrrha had told them about the offer Ozpin made to her, after everything he'd seen up until now, he still couldn't believe all this was really happening. "So..." Jaune began tearing his eyes away from their surroundings and back to his partner "This is-."
"The Vault." Pyrrha finished, looking back over her shoulder at the blond knight meet his worried gaze with her own. As the trio came to a halt in front of the machine Jaunes eyes roamed over the contraption as well as the young woman sealed inside one of the pod's, he felt his heart ache at the sight of Ambers pained expression, no one deserved something like this.
Jaunes eyes flicked from her back the headmaster as he approached the console, those usually gentle sapphire orbs hardened as his grip on Crocea Mors tightening. "Jaune" Pyrrha said drawing his eyes back to her. "It's going to be ok." She didn't know who she was trying to convince Jaune, or herself.
"Pyrrha!" Ozpin called out to her drawing the mistral champion attention towards the free pod as the glass cover slid open. "Get to the pod's" Pyrrha spared one final glance towards Jaune before following the headmaster's order and making her way towards the open pod. "Mr. Arc" Ozpin asked drawing the blond knights gaze from his partner "If you'd like to help, then you can stand guard here."
Jaune nodded silently, turning back towards the elevator at the end of the hall raising his shield he took up a defensive stance.
"What do we do now?" Pyrrha asked from beside the pod
The headmaster who was busy typing away at the control panel working quickly to bring the machine online paused in his work sighing heavily "We..." he began before resuming the activation process. "Do nothing" The machines let out a few small beeps followed by a long buzz, the pod hissed a jet of pressurized air spew from the opening as the glass casing lifted up "You, Miss Nikos." Ozpin paused turning back towards the red-haired girl "Have a choice to make."
Did she really?
Pyrrha turned towards the pod- she couldn't help but draw similarities between it and a coffin- sitting there patiently waiting for its user to enter, she glanced back towards Jaune one last time a single tear rolling down her cheek, she sucked in a calming breath through her nose, wiping the tears from her eyes Pyrrha turned back towards the pod stepping inside she lay back against the cold metal interior the glass cover closing moved back down sealing her inside
/
This could have been our day! Can't you see that!" Adam bellowed in outrage his blade still locked against Blakes own.
Blake pushes Adam back attempting to rise back to her feet, saying "I never wanted this! I wanted peace! I wanted equality! " She raised her sword the blade folding down, shifting her weapon into its pistol variant, she fired three shots at Adam, the bull Faunus drew Wilt from its sheath blocking each shot effortlessly.
"What you want is impossible!" Adam growled snapping his sword back into its sheath, reeling his hand back he struck Blake across the cheek knocking her on her side. Blake reaches up rubbing the large bruise forming under her right eye as Adam approached her. Blake stared up at him in fear ", But I understand. Because all I want is you, Blake"
Blakes tried to raise gambol shroud only for Adam to kick her weapon out of her grasp knocking Blake onto her back. "A shame your new love couldn't be here to see this." Blake's eyes widened before her hand lashed out to the side, fingers curling around the closest thing she had to a weapon, a broken piece of glass, she thrust the makeshift knife forward.
Adam caught her wrist before she could embed the shard in his abdomen, he glanced down at the appendage his face twisted into a snarl as he curled his fingers around Blakes own.
"I would have enjoyed cutting that arrogant human down for laying his filthy hands on what wasn't his." The bull Faunus squeezed Blakes hand in his own, she screamed as the glass shattered under their combined grip imbedding dozens of tiny shards into her hand. As Adam released her Blake rolled onto her side clutching her now bleeding appendage to her chest.
Adam knelt down beside Blake staring into her terrified amber eyes " But know once I set out into this world and delivers the justice mankind so greatly deserves, I will make it my mission to destroy everything you love, starting with him."
"Blake!"
"Blake it's us!"
"Blake!"
Three voices called out drawing their attention towards one of the broken windows, showing Alex, Koan and Yang stood in a circle outside the cafeteria fighting off a group of White fang grunts.
"Blake where are you!" Yang cried out firing a concussive blast from her gauntlets into a grunts chest throwing him back. Terroranchula leapt down from atop the cafeteria pinning four grunts that tried to rush Yang from behind to the ground with his webbing.
"Koan, you got anything!" Alex called out blocking a machete with his longsword
"Notta!" The shapeshifter called out batting another grunt aside with one of his legs " I heard her a few seconds ago she couldn't have gotten far, let's deal with these guys and start looking."
Adam looked back towards Blake seeing her terrified expression before turning back towards the others
"Then again..." He began drawing wilt from its sheath as he rose back to his feet "Why wait?"
/
Ozpin typed away furiously at the terminal before him, the school above them rumbled raining a thick layer of dust down upon them, Ozpin looked up from the panel towards the ceiling of the vault, he could only imagine what was happening up there, turning towards Pyrrha he asked the big question "Are you ready"
The invincible girl grits her teeth and nodded back silently.
Ozpin turned back towards the console his hands hovering above the keyboard, hesitant to continue with such a life-changing process, for the first time in years he didn't know what would happen after the process was finished. Would miss Nikos remain unchanged after inheriting what was left of the Fall Maiden power or would Ambers consciousness be transferred over as well assuming control of its new body rendering Pyrrha non-existent... or would they be someone else entirely.
" I... I need to hear you say it." Ozpin said. He wanted no regrets no wishes of what could have been, for him and Miss Nikos.
Pyrrha turned her head back towards him one final time "Yes" She confirmed
"Thank you Miss Nikos" Ozpin replied typing the final commands into the terminal beginning the transfer, the second pod rose up Ambers aura flared around her the girl shifting slightly in her comatose state as what remained of her was pulled from her own body, a moment later his ears were greeted by Pyrrha's screams of utter agony.
"Pyrrha" Jaune cried turning back to see his partner thrashing around wildly inside the pod, he rushed over to her standing alongside the headmaster who looked on emotionlessly.
The emotionless mask the elder huntsmen wore cracked and he looked away "I'm...so sorry" he said.
An arrow burst through the glass casing of Ambers pod embedding itself in the fall maidens chest, her eyes snapped open her dark brown orbs locked on the woman in red standing at the end of the corridor. Pyrrha gasps while Jaune stared wide-eyed at the woman Ozpins own expression showed both shock and some fear, Cinder lowered her bow a triumphant smirk forming on her lips.
/
Adam thrust his sword down stabbing Blake in the abdomen just above her left hip, Blake shrieked in agony drawing the trio's attention to them.
"Huh?" Terroranchula's head snapped towards the shriek
"That sounds like-" Yang said as she and the others turned towards the source of the screen watching as Adam pulled Wilt from Blakes flesh and turned to face them
"Blake!" Alex yelled Blakes' head shifted to the side and he was certain she was looking right at him
Time slowed for the Omni range the scene became warped and shifted and he was back in the catacombs under Zy'Skayr's palace, a red armor-clad figure lay across from him, smoke rising from the hole burned through her chest plate as she struggled to draw breath.
This...This couldn't be happening...Not again
"Get away from her!" Yang screamed in utter fury breaking Alex out of his momentary trance
Blake reached out towards them helplessly "No... please" She begged
Adam smirked sheathing his sword. Yang screamed her hair bursting into flames eyes shifting to blood red.
"Yang, no!" Terroranchula yelled attempting to block her path, Alex blinked coming back to his senses his hand lashed out to grab Yang's arm, but she was already gone. Leaping over Terroranchula she fired her gauntlets crashing through what remained of the cafeteria window, drawing her fist back tears burning in her eyes.
Adam draws wilt from its sheath a red glow enveloping the blade as he calls upon his semblance, the bull Faunus slashed in an arc unleashing a wave of energy impacting the blond brawler, Yang flies through the air her eyes fading back to violate as they drooped closed, the lower half of her right arm separated from her body.
Koan looked on helplessly as Yang almost lifeless body tumbled onto the stone floor, he could feel his heart hammering in his chest, the rage inside him building to a breaking point his consciousness slipping away and being replaced by something more...Monstrous.
/
The arrow embedded in Ambers' chest disintegrates leaving the dying maiden gasping for a few scant seconds, before her head falls to the side her eyes lifeless and empty dropped closed, Cinder being the last woman in her thoughts. Ambers body glowed brightly, as the now free power burst from her body shattering the glass in its path quickly joining its other half inside its new host, Cinder.
The newly anointed maiden began to hover off the ground, two long trails of fire bursting from her eyes, as three wisps of energy darted around her body. Jaune charged Cinder, readying his sword for an overhead slash.
"Stay back!" Ozpin warned, Cinder smirked thrusting her arms out her body unleashing a burst of pure energy throwing the blond Knight to the headmaster's feat.
"Jaune!" Pyrrha cried pounding her fists against the inside of the pod, Pyrrha planted her palms against the glass a black aura surrounding the pod, Pyrrha pushed her hands out tearing the cover from the pod and sending it careening towards Cinder, a dark figure leapt down from above slashing the cover down the middle, the two halves landing behind Cinder.
Psycho Red rose back to his feet resting his Psycho sword on his shoulder. Pyrrha leapt from the pod a black aura surrounding Miló and Akoúo̱, pulling them into her grasp, she rushed forward to engage Cinder, the headmaster thrust his arm out stopping her in her tracks "Take Jaune and get out of here!" He turned to Pyrrha "Find Glynda! Ironwood! Qrow! Bring them here right away "He turned back towards the Psycho ranger and Fall Maiden "The tower cannot fall."
"But I can help." Pyrrha tried to argue
Ozpin slowly turned his head to Pyrrha, looking her in the eye and said, "You'll only get in the way."
Pyrrha hesitated for a moment before scooping up Jaune and running away "Run along kiddies, the adults need to have a little chat." Psycho red called out to them as Cinder descended to the floor watching them leave alongside Psycho red as the flames surrounding her body and eyes vanished.
The newly anointed Maiden turned her attention back towards the headmaster." This whole time..." She began taking a few steps towards Ozpin, Psycho red moving around to the headmasters left, the ageing huntsmen's eyes darted between the two his grip on his cane tightening. " Right beneath our feet. She was right about you." Cinder says her eyes narrowing in disdain
Ozpin twirls his cane around, staring at Cinder and Psycho red hard.
Cinder shook her head slightly "Such, arrogance."
/
Adam turns to finish Yang when Blake suddenly leaps in front of him, he stared at her futile attempt to protect her friend in disappointment " Why must you hurt me, Blake?" he asks his sword to swing down on Blake, she clenched her eyes shut waiting for the inevitable.
An ear-splitting screech echoed through the cafeteria as a grey blur darted across the cafeteria. Terroranchula tackled Adam aside slashing at him with his front legs, the bull Faunus brought up his sword blocking each strike, though the strength behind each hit making him stumble slightly as he attempted to backpedaled away from the feral shapeshifter.
Blake screamed for Koan to stay back but he didn't listen his rage taking over both blinding and deafening him from the world outside of ripping the person in front of him apart. He swung wildly snapping his mandibles at the bull Faunus, the bull Faunus blocked each strike effortlessly countering with a vertical slash across Terroranchula's abdomen and a horizontal slash across his legs severing one of the large claws at the end.
Blake stared on in horror as her friend lashed out wildly at Adam "Blake" Alex called out pulling her attention away from the fight as Alex skidded down beside her and Yang. "Please, please, please" He muttered, his hand darting to her neck, he sighed in relief after feeling a faint but steady rhythm, he tore his jacket from his shoulders ripping it into three strips of fabric tying them around her bicep as a makeshift tourniquet.
Alex turned towards Blake with an unreadable expression "What the hell were you thinking?" he whispered reaching out to touch her bruised cheek, in all the time she'd known him he'd never sounded so distraught. Blake looked away shame welling up inside her, she'd caused this, in her attempt to protect the others from Adam she ended up almost getting them killed.
"I-I'm sorry" Blake whispered tears streaming down her cheeks. "I- I thought I could-"
"Stop" Alex cut her off "Yang needs a doctor, we need to get her to the docks, and I can't carry you both, I need to know if you can walk at all?"
Blake's eyes widened at the implications of Alex's words "I think so." she replied pushing herself up onto her knees, Alex wrapped his arm around her waist pulling Blake back to her feet, earning a small hiss from the cat Faunus. An earsplitting screech echoed through the cafeteria drawing the duo's attention back towards the fight between Adam and Koan.
The two of them watched as the bull Faunus pulled his sword from Terroranchula's chest, the attack having no effect on the monster before him, he glanced away from the monster in front of him and back to Blake, the boy, Alex, stood over the blond huntress his arm wrapped around Blakes' waist as she steadied herself against him.
He snarled, she was not getting away from him, not again.
Adam slashed Terroranchula across the face, the shapeshifter reeled back in agony as the blade's edge sunk into his left eye, taking the opening Adam leapt back sheathing wilt he channeled the energy he'd collected from Koan's attacks into his sword.
Koan charges towards him his remaining eye burned with utter fury, Adam smirked in response drawing wilt and slashing towards the shapeshifted unleashing an energy arc towards Terroranchula, a crimson flash enveloped the insectoid alien just as Adams attack connected resulting in a large explosion of aura, the shockwave kicking up a large cloud of dust in the center of the room.
Adam smirked before turning his attention back towards Blake "Now..." He began stepping towards them with his blade drawn "Where were we, my lov-"
"Ragh!" Koan leapt from the smoke, Blake and especially Adam were more than surprised by this with Adam slashing at the shapeshifter intent on removing his head, Koan ducked under wilt driving his fist into Adam's gut, the force behind the punch forcing the air from Adams' lungs and launching him back through one of the destroyed windows.
Koan stood their blood streaming down from the massive gash running the length of his chest, Koan tilted his head towards them, there was an almost predatory look in his eyes. "Koan?" Alex asked
His best friend chuckled maniacally "Guess again" he said in a sing-song tone flashing a toothy grin Alex's way
"DJ..." Alex sighed in exasperation
"Yeah fuck you too Fissure" DJ replied flipping Alex off, before turning his attention back towards the cafeteria window "Get the girls to the docks, I'll handle this prick!" He called out, although neither of them wanted to leave koan behind, not in his current state.
Blake then asked worriedly "What about yo-"
"Just get Yang out of here!" DJ yelled slamming his palm down on the Nemetrix his body was consumed by a crimson flash, DJ emerged in his Panuncian form unleashing a monstrous roar he bonded across the cafeteria towards the broken window Adam had been launched through
"Come on." Alex said tugging on Blakes' wrist the cat Faunus remained rooted to the spot her tears filled eyes locked on the window her friend disappeared through, that is until Alex stepped in front of her "Blake" he said tilting her head up so she could look him in the eye, she blinked once, then twice her amber orbs shifting from the window back towards him "Koan will be fine but if we don't hurry or Yang is going to die."
That one word snapped Blake out of her trance, she sucked in a quick breath before responding "R-right" She said even if she was still reluctant to leave one of her friends behind to face Adam alone, she knew it was a death sentence for Yang if she kept wasting time. Alex knelt down scooping Yang up into his arms before he and Blake made a run for it in the direction of the docks.
/
Adam groaned shaking his head lightly, broken glass and other small forms of debris falling from his body as he rose back to his feet. The Bull Faunus dusted himself off as he turned back towards the cafeteria gripping the hilt of Wilt as footsteps grew closer, a vibrant crimson glow shone through the cafeteria window illuminating the area outside where he stood.
Adams' eyes widened behind his mask and he dove aside narrowly avoiding being trampled by Crabdozer as the alien rhino ploughed through what remained of the cafeteria wall, skidding across the grassy field surrounding the cafeteria Crabdozer came to a halt his eyes locked firmly on the Faunus supremacists.
His eyes narrowed, his nostrils flared releasing a jet of steam. With a deafening roar, Crabdozer steamrolled towards him trampling over any and all foliage, Grimm or White Fang members that got in his path.
Drawing wilt Adam shifted its sheath into its more compact shotgun form lips peeling back into a snarl, this human had power, yes, but so did the hunters that had attempted to take his life before, he had not fallen to them, nor would he fall to this one. Adam sprinted towards the beast firing three shots from Blush, the rounds bouncing harmlessly off Crabdozer's hardened shell.
The alien rhino swung its head to the side attempting to impale the Faunus supremacists, Adam slid under Crabdozer's horn delivering several slashes across his neck and underbelly as he passed under him, rolling onto his feet Adam fired four more shots from Blush, once again they bounced harmlessly off Crabdozer's shell.
Adam ejected the magazine from blush slapping in a fresh clip in as the monster turned back to face him, he clenched his teeth tightly none of his attacks had so much as scratched the beast shell. Crabdozer's eyes settled on Adam taking note of his irritated expression, his eyes narrowed, and a strange warble emanated from deep inside his throat, he was starting to enjoy this.
The bull Faunus eyes hardened behind his mask, despite the unnatural noise emanating from the creature, he recognized it almost immediately... Laughter. From a human that wasn't anything new, his people had been degraded, mocked and pushed down for centuries, he was no stranger to such treatment growing up, it was what molded him into the man he was now, someone who would bring justice for his people, someone who would put humanity in their place, starting with this one.
His opponent judging by his reaction to the blond huntress being injured was clearly unhinged, he could use that to his advantage.
"Enough!" Adam yelled his face twisting in Fury and the sound ceased "Are you that much of a weakling that you can't even face me without relying on the power these forms granted you or are you simply too much of a coward to face me without them!" A low growl emanated from the back of Crabdozers throat, and Adam returns wilt to its sheath readying himself for the beast to charge.
"Coward..." Crabdozer spoke his monstrous voice a mix between Koan's own and a deep guttural growl echoed across the courtyard. Despite the shapeshifters tone, Adam could sense no malice, nor anger in his words just... amusement. "You know, coming from someone like you I'll take it as a compliment, but you know what."
Crabdozers body was consumed in a crimson flash, DJ emerged from within marching towards Adam " If that was a little too much for you, I can just kill you like this I really don't-" Adam form glowed red as he drew Wilt from its sheath slashing towards DJ "-care" he sighed as the energy wave impacted the blond shapeshifters chest launching him back across the courtyard.
Adam returned wilt to his sheath staring at the blond fools prone form, he'd used the last of the energy he'd absorbed from their fight to finish him, it had been strong enough to leave him in two like he wanted but the result was still to his liking. He raised his head up from the blonde's body and began walking in the direction Blake and the other humans had fled in, his men would have already begun the attack Blake would be cut off from the others, he still had time to finish what he'd come here to do.
As he passed the blonds corps, DJ's arm shot out grabbing Adams leg "Not bad" he said with a bloodied smile he lashed his arm out to the side dragging Adam's feet out from under him and flinging him through the air. Adam slammed back first into one of the pillars holding up the archways lining the outskirts of the cafeteria. DJ rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself onto one knee, the large gaping wound spreading from his lower left abdomen to his upper right chest knitting itself back together.
DJ spat out a glob of blood as he rose back to his full Hight alongside Adam, for a few seconds the Bull Faunus stared at him in utter shock, even with what little energy he'd managed to store in his sword at the time the wound should have been fatal, he shouldn't have survived, schooling his features his hand returning to Wilt, it would seem there was more to this human then he first thought.
"So" DJ knelt down picking up a fallen White Fang grunts machete, tilting his head to the side a maniacal smile formed on his lips as he strode towards Adam "Ready for round two."
"Are you?" Another voice spoke up from behind him, a green bolt of lightning struck DJ in the back making the blond shapeshifter stumbled forward, a beam of black light bolted past the shapeshifter sweeping his legs out from under him, Psycho Black skidded to a halt following up his assault with a roundhouse kick that sent DJ careening through the air, and through the brick wall into the cafeteria, the structure groaned followed by a large chunk of the ceiling above the new opening collapsing into the cafeteria and onto the young man inside.
The Psycho ranger turned his attention away from the cafeteria and back to Adam, the faunas scowled at him and Black scoffed " What no thank you." He said mockingly, Adam glowered in response.
" Why?" He asked
"If it were anyone else, I would have left you be" Psycho Black stated glancing back towards the cafeteria "Unfortunately, dying is a little beyond that one's capabilities and you remaining among the living means you are... of use to my brethren and our allies."
Adam drew wilt from its sheath pointing the blade at Psycho Black " I am no one's puppet. "
" No " Black responded evenly " But your little revolution is something we both desire." A sudden flash of red from inside the structure followed by a muffled roar signaled their opponent was getting back to his feet. " I'd suggest running along now, after what you did to the blond, I doubt Seinaruyami will be all that merciful." The ground beneath Psycho Black rippled and the Psycho ranger sunk into the cobblestone path vanishing from sight.
Adam returned wilt to its sheath his eyes lingering on the spot for a few moments before a low rumble drew his back to the cafeteria as a jet of fire burst through what remained of the roof illuminating the night sky above, the White fang agent took a step back, perhaps there had been wisdom in the monster's words.
/
Jaune and Pyrrha stumbled out of Beacon tower the muffled sounds of the Headmaster battle with Cinder and Psycho red behind them. "Okay..." Jaune said between his heavy pants, swallowing he took a calming breath reclaiming Ozpins instructions before they'd been forced to run. " I think I have Glynda's number. " he muttered turning away from Pyrrha as he flicked through the list of contact on his scroll searching for the blond combat instructor. "Oh, where is it."
Pyrrha stood beside him staring up at Beacon tower vacantly, they were too late, she waited too long to take the deal and now the maidens powers were in the hands of humanities enemies, this... everything leading up to this, Yang's abduction, the incident in the Coliseum and now the white fangs assault on Beacon it was all so that this woman, Cinder, could claim the powers for herself.
And she and Jaune had all but led her and Psycho red right to it.
Pyrrha was pulled from her thoughts by an explosion that erupted from inside the tower, the silence that followed was nothing short of defining, and the implications of that silence were clear to both of them, despite the headmasters best efforts it was clear Ozpin hadn't been able to walk away from that fight.
"Ozpin..." Jaune muttered his shock mirroring his partners, the blond blinked once then twice the reality of their situation quickly setting in, shaking his head a growl slipped past his clenched teeth " Where is that stupid Number! " he yelled while Pyrrha stared up at Beacon tower in silence.
"There's no time." Pyrrha muttered to herself, her gaze drifting back towards Jaune before snapping back up towards the tower, shaking her head she turned back towards Jaune, adopting a determined expression " Go " She said " Go to Vale and call for help. "
"Huh? What are you going to do?" He asked, wordlessly Pyrrha turned back up towards Beacon tower, following her gaze realization quickly dawned on what his partner planned to do. " No...no, Pyrrha, you can't. You saw how powerful she is." He said trying to convince her " No, Pyrrha I won't let you do- "
Pyrrha rounded on Jaune grasping his chin in both hands, silencing him with a long passionate kiss. After a moment of hesitation Jaune gently pulls her in returning the kiss in full, after a few tender moments they embraced one another, Pyrrha brakes off the kiss allowing Jaune to see the tears welling in her eyes.
"I'm sorry." She said placing her hands against Jaunes chest a black aura engulfing the armor covering his torso, using her semblance she pushed him into an open rocket locker behind him, the door slamming shut from the impact.
" Hey wait! Stop, stop! Pyrrha please don't do this." Jaune pleaded as Pyrrha walked over punching the desired co-ordinates into the keypad. She looked up at him for what felt like the last time, before stepping back and watching the locker fly away vanishing into the distance. Pyrrha clenched her fist's turning back towards the tower entrance once again she adopted a determined demeanor as she walked into the tower.
Ozpin had chosen her to shoulder the burden of becoming the Fall Maiden because he believed she was capable of handling such power, that she was worthy to become something more than just a huntress, that she was destined to be one of humanities greatest protectors like Alex was to his world.
And it was time she played the part.
Oh, Pyrrha... *Sigh*
Well, that concludes part four of the fall of Beacon, the next chapter will bring about the end of it all. Tears will be shed, friendships will be pushed to their very limits and a knight will fall. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter of Psycho remnant, feel free to leave a review any and all constructive criticism is always welcome.