Chapter 20. Death
(With Naruto)
Effortlessly and with no emotion, Naruto was using Fox Flower to parry all of Neo's attacks without even fighting back. The latter of whom was desperately using her umbrella to try and strike the red eyed boy. The reason behind her desperation was to protect the person she held more dear than anyone else in the world, Roman Torchwick. Who was currently laying on his back in a bloody mess, while also being pinned in place by the sole of Naruto's shoe. Which Naruto had firmly pressed onto the criminal's throat.
"You know at first I wanted to make you suffer." Naruto admitted honestly, as he glanced downward and softly pressed down onto Roman's neck. "But at this point I'm wasting time."
Neo glared at Naruto with pure hatred, while she noticed the pain in Roman's eyes. Though she couldn't beat the blond, as every move she made was countered with ease.
"Plus a guy with a near crushed throat and a mute don't make good fighting banter." Naruto added in with a small sigh, while he quickly backhanded Neo. Sending the umbrella wielding girl a couple feet away from the group. Then by raising his sword high into the air, Naruto lifted the pressure of his foot off of Roman. "So why don't we end this already?"
Roman coughed out and started to laugh at the blond, while his weak hands grasped tightly on his cane. "You're a bastard- . . ." The criminal insulted in a raspy voice. "But never count me out."
Naruto smirked, while his eyes flashed red. "Oh trust me you're out." The blond repiled, while he pointed the tip of Fox Flower down onto Roman. "Though it's nice to see you have some spirit left in you. Guess I didn't break you as much I thought."
Roman ignored Naruto and glanced over to Neo, who was slowly getting back onto her feet. Meanwhile her eyes were locked with Roman's in absolute horror, while Naruto prepared to strike the man down for good.
"I love you kid." Roman mumbled softly, while his fingers clicked a small hidden switch on his cane. Causing the weapon to glow a bright shade of red in response. "And I'm sorry."
Noticing the weapon was about to explode Naruto withdrew Fox Flower. "Fuck!" Naruto shouted in surprise, while he quickly jumped away from Roman and off of the ship. Escaping with just enough time to avoid the massive explosion that erupted from Roman's weapon.
Then holding Fox Flower outward, Naruto stabbed his blade into a flying Grimm and landed on the creature's back. Using his weapon as a method to hold his balance, while his crimson eyes watched the burning flag ship descended down into the city below.
"Well that wasn't what I wanted to happen." Naruto mumbled softly, while the ship exploded into the ground in a fiery blaze. Though he also saw Neo a good distance away, as the girl was safe and floating downward on her umbrella. "But looks like I still have some work to do."
Naruto pulled Fox Flower out of the Grimm and shifted the weapon into it's magnum form. Then taking careful aim he pointed his weapon at the defenseless Neo. However, a loud roar pierced the surrounding area and sounds of earth being cracked reached Naruto's ear.
"What the hell?" Naruto mumbled, while he lowered Fox Flower and looked over his shoulder. Noticing a large mountain on the outskirts of the city starting to crack and break.
'Naruto, I have a bad feeling.' Ren admitted softly.
Naruto was slowly descending to the ground, as the Grimm he had landed on was killed by his earlier stabbing. Though this didn't stop the boy from keeping his eyes locked on the mountain.
"Yeah me too." The red eyed bandit repiled, while another fierce roar carried through the air. This one however; sounding much more aggressive and even louder than before.
Then without warning the top of the mountain blew off with an explosive force. Causing rubble and dust to shoot into the air, while a giant black creature burst upwards into the night sky.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me." Naruto groaned, as his gaze locked onto the massive creature of Grimm soaring high in the air.
The beast was an enormous winged creature, with large red bat-like wings, large muscular legs and a long winding tail. The red membrane of its wings were translucent and it's skin was rough and pitch black. Then protruding out of its body was a white bone-like spine, which included an external skull, rib cage and rows of dorsal spikes.
The beast also had three bony spikes on its tail and large claws on its hind legs. Its skull had a pair of large prominent horns and six yellow-red eyes. Meanwhile it's jaw had teeth extending down along the creature's neck and reaching beyond its skull.
"It's a mother fucking dragon!" Naruto shouted in anger, while he watched the massive Grimm dragon set its course on Beacon.
'Think you can take it?' Ren asked in a nervous voice.
Jumping off of the Grimm he was on, Naruto landed onto the rooftop of a building. Then looking up into the sky, Naruto got a clear observation of the sheer scope of the massive creature.
"If I'm being honest, I have no clue." Naruto admitted softly, while he turned Fox Flower back into its katana form. "But I'm definitely stupid enough to try."
'Well just don't die, there is two of us in here after all.' The voice of Ren chuckled in a joking manner, while Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Trust me I don't plan on dying." Naruto replied, while he started to run across several rooftops and chase after the massive Grimm dragon. "Not yet anyway."
Quickly catching up to the Grimm dragon, Naruto threw Fox Flower up at the beast. Then as the weapon flew over the creature of Grimm, Naruto appeared right beside his weapon in a red flash.
"One dead Grimm coming up!" Naruto yelled confidently before he gripped down on his weapon's hilt and thrusted down onto the Grimm Dragon's neck.
However, when Naruto's sword bounced off of the creature's skin with a loud ping and showed no signs of damage. The normally cocky swordsman chuckled nervously and stood atop the flying beast.
"Oh we are so fucked." Naruto mumbled to himself before he started to desperately hack and slash the back of the beast.
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(With Blake)
Fighting for her life, Blake Belladonna tried her hardest to fend off Adam to the best of her abilities. However, Adam was always her superior in strength and skill. Something that was highlighted each time their blades clashed. Since Adam would beat Blake down, while giving the girl absolutely no opportunities to fight back.
"You've really lost your touch my beloved." Adam began in a twisted voice, while he slashed Blake on her forearm. Giving the female Faunus a decently sized gash on her arm. "Being around all these humans has made you weak!"
Blake gritted her teeth and took a slight step back, while a feeling of dread and hopelessness swept over her body.
"I'd rather be with them than you." Blake seethed in a low pain riddled voice. "You've become nothing besides a monster."
Adam scoffed and raised his blade high in the air, while he glared at Blake with pure anger. "Well in that case I won't hold back anymore." The White Fang extremists began, while he swung his sword down onto Blake. "I'll kill you here and now my beloved."
Lifting up her own weapon in response, Blake blocked Adams strike and gritted her teeth. Considering the force of Adams blow pushed her down onto her knees, while blood shot out of her injured arm.
"Damnit." Blake mumbled under her breath, as her grip on her weapon started to loosen and shake. Something that Adam noticed with a wide grin appearing on his face.
"Looks like you're about finished Blake!" Adam yelled loudly before lifting his sword into the air.
Blake held her blade up above her head to defend herself, but at the same moment Adam smirked. Considering Blake was trying to defend herself from Adam's weapon, but left the rest of her body open for an attack. Something that a highly experienced warrior like Adam noticed and took advantage of by kicking Blake hard in the stomach. This caused Blake's eyes to widen in pain and her body to bend over in response.
"Goodbye my beloved." Adam began in a spiteful voice, while he pointed is blade down onto Blake. "Enjoy hell you traitor."
With that final insult, Adam plunged his blade in a downward strike. Fully intending to skewer the young female Faunus alive. Then with a frown Adam watched his blade make solid contact with the individual crouched down before him.
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(With Yang)
Running at her fastest speed possible, Yang ignored most of the Grimm around her. Since her main objective was to link up with the majority of her friends. Yang did however, hear blades clashing, bullets flying and other sounds of battle nearby. This made the girl assume her friends were close by and defending themselves.
Though what Yang was not prepared for was the loud blood curdling scream that sent shivers down her spine. As the scream sounded familiar, but she couldn't identify who the individual was. Yang did note that the scream was loud, but died off very quickly. Almost like whoever created the scream was silenced shortly after.
"I don't like any of this." Yang mumbled to herself in a low voice, while rounding a corner of a building. "I just hope everyone is okay."
Running forward Yang heard explosions and other sounds of battle nearby. However, taking another sharp turn the young huntress froze in fear. Her body trembling in terror and her purple eyes grew wide in astonishment.
"Oh my god." Yang gasped, while she brought her hands to her mouth in order to repress her gag reflexes. However, this didn't work and Yang ended up throwing up in disgust. Considering the sight before her was too much for the inexperienced huntress to stand.
Though after Yang finished throwing up, she wiped her mouth and looked up. Allowing her to see Neptune who was lying in a pool of his own blood, while a large gash was seen on his backside. Then there was Scarlet or Yang at least believed she was looking at Scarlet. Considering a headless body resembling the boy was leaned against a bloody wall. Finally there was Sage, whose upper torso was sliced from his lower half and spread throughout the area.
"W-Who." Yang choked on her words, while she was unable to look away from the slain trio. "Who did this?"
Slowly regaining some courage, Yang stumbled forward and started to inspect the scene. Noticing that there was definite signs of a battle, but that was obvious. However, what wasn't obvious was who killed the three boys. Since their demise was certainly not the work of any Grimm. Yang knew this because there was no Grimm nearby and certainly if there was they would be devouring the boy's bodies by now.
"Just what happened here." Yang mumbled softly, her eyes glancing to a shimmering and familiar weapon on the ground. "That's Myrtenaster, but where is Weiss?" The blond asked herself before grabbing the rapier for inspection.
Looking around for the young and rich teenager, Yang started to grow uneasy. Considering there was absolutely no sign of Weiss anywhere.
"What am I going to do?" Yang gasped in a stunned voice, while her hands gripped tightly onto Myrtenaster. "Sun's Team is dead, Weiss is missing and I don't know where anyone is. I need to find- . . ."
Yang suddenly froze when a giant piercing roar reached her ears. Forcing the girl to look in the direction of the sound and observe the giant flying dragon like Grimm soaring in the air. A sight that filled the already frightened girl with even more dread.
"Ruby, Naruto. . ." Yang mumbled the names of her two siblings, as she watched the massive creature of Grimm. "I don't know where you two are, but I'm going to find you before. . ." Yang paused and took another look at the remains of Team SSSN. "Before it's too late."
Turning on her heel Yang took off running back towards where Sun and Blake were supposed to be. "But first I gotta make sure Blake and Monkey Boy are okay."
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(With Ozpin)
Laying on his stomach and slowly crawling forward, Ozpin glanced straight ahead with blurry vision to his glasses. Said item was knocked off during his battle with Salem and currently the headmaster of Beacon Academy was trying to retrieve his bifocals.
However, while Ozpin crawled forward he coughed up a large amount of blood and halted his movement. Though quickly regaining himself, Ozpin reached out and began to drag his body closer and closer to his glasses.
'I cannot give up.' The aged huntsman thought to himself. 'Too many lives are at stake!'
Almost reaching his glasses, Ozpin lifted up his shaking right hand and reached outward. Desperately hoping to reclaim his glasses and continue to hold Salem off. Unfortunately when Ozpin was mere inches from his glasses a foot stomped down with powerful force and crushed the glasses.
"Poor Ozpin." Salem taunted in a dark and twisted voice. "To build such a marvelous school and work so tirelessly for decades to stop me only to have everything you've worked for come crashing down."
Ozpin looked up to Salem with his impaired vision. "You haven't won yet and like Mr. Branwen would say." Ozpin began before he gave the woman a bloodied smile. "Don't get ahead of yourself you miserable bitch."
Salem glared at the man with an unhappy expression. Then by holding her hand down to Ozpin, she pierced the downed man's backside with dozens of tendrils that shot out of her hand.
"You know Ozpin, unlike most humans I don't hate the Branwen family." Salem admitted in an honest tone, while her eyes glowed a deep shade of red. "In fact I relate with them more than anyone else, but you're not a Branwen. So I feel absolutely nothing when I strike you down."
Ozpin started to feel weak, as a large sharp pain filled his body. 'Naruto. . . Nora . . . I'm sorry, but. . . I'm leave everything to you two.' The headmaster thought to himself, while his eyes closed and the man fell limp. Showing that the leader of Beacon Academy was dead.
Salem sighed and turned away from Ozpin. "Come Cinder." The evil woman began in a commanding voice. "We have two Maidens to find and kill, two relics to obtain and an Arc to torture to death!"
Cinder smirked and looked down at Ozpin one final time. "Shall we split up then master?"
"No we shall take our time and work together." Salem replied in a serious voice. "There is no need to make foolish choices. The battle is already won and now we just need to win this war."
"I understand master."
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(With Ruby and Nora)
Ruby looked at the older female with amazement, as a cold wind was surging around Nora. Meanwhile on her head a small blue ice flower was slowly taking shape, while her eyes started to shine with a bright luminescent hue. Then the red boar marking on her neck started to glow and Ruby could feel the power radiating off of Nora.
"Amazing." The silver eyed girl gasped in awe.
Hearing Ruby, Nora smirked and held her hand out towards Mercury and Emerald. "You haven't seen anything yet." The Boar Sin of Gluttony declared before a rain of ice shards pelted the two without any mercy.
"Shit!" Mercury yelled out, while the silver haired teenager started to kick all the shards of ice. However, the boy wasn't able to fully defend himself and ended up taking multiple hits of damage.
Emerald wasn't fairing much better, as she attempted to weave and dodge Nora's attack. Though the sheer number of falling ice was too much for the girl to avoid. So Emerald eventually took a few hits, which turned into taking several more. Then before Emerald knew it she was on the ground being mercilessly bombarded by an unending rain of ice that beat the girl into the ground.
Mercury saw his comrade had fallen and hovered over her body, trying his hardest to protect himself and Emerald at the same time.
"You two really defeated Amber?" Nora asked softly, her voice bored and void of all emotion. "Honestly you both are pathetic and I'm wasting my time and energy."
Quickly lifting up her hand, Nora summoned two pillars of ice to wrap around Mercury and Emerald. Holding the two completely still and at the mercy of the Winter Maiden.
"You beat them without even moving." Ruby mumbled in a surprised voice. "You're so cool Nora!"
Nora smiled and patted Ruby on the shoulder. "I'm not that great, but now we can interrogate these two."
Ruby pumped her fist forward. "Yeah let's do it!"
Nora took a step forward, but she suddenly caught a glimpse of something out of her peripheral vision. So reacting on instinct, Nora created a large mound of snow that pushed Ruby and herself back and away from the area. Doing so with enough time to avoid the massive Grimm that crashed into the ground and crushed Mercury and Emerald.
Both Nora and Ruby looked forward in shock, not because of the now dead Mercury and Emerald. No their shock was from the massive dragon like Grimm, which was wildly shaking its head into the air and trying to crush someone between its teeth. However, the individual in the mouth of the beast was the all too familiar face of Naruto Branwen.
"Big bro!" Ruby yelled out.
"Naruto!" Nora shouted loudly, while slightly worried for her boyfriend.
Hearing both girls, Naruto turned in their direction and smiled wide. "Hey Kiddo, Nora! Fancy meeting you two here! Like my new pet?" The bandit asked, while he used all of his strength to hold the beasts mouth open. "He's a playful little bastard!"
Nora sighed and held her hand out. "You're an idiot." The girl insulted with a small smile, while she created a hand made out of ice to swipe Naruto out of the creature's mouth and bring him over to her location. "But you're my idiot."
Landing between his sister and girlfriend, Naruto grinned and winked at Nora. "Right back at ya."
Ruby lifted up Crescent Rose and watched the dragon turn and face them. "You two are real cute and all that." The youngest of the group bagan in a nervous voice. "But what are we gonna do about that?"
Naruto chuckled and rested Fox Flower on his shoulder. "Probably die." The resident swordsman of the group laughed loudly. "I mean I couldn't scratch that thing at all with Fox Flower. Then my semblance wouldn't work on that thing at all. So I tried jumping in it's mouth to kill it, but you saw how that worked out!"
Nora looked at her boyfriend with an annoyed glare and bonked the boy on his head. "That's for being stupid." The Winter Maiden began, while holding her hand out at the Grimm Dragon. "And no one is going to die."
Unleashing a loud roar at Nora, the Grimm dragon was suddenly frozen into a complete ice statue. This of course caused Naruto to smirk and Ruby to throw her hands up in the air in victory.
"Yeah Nora's the best!" The small scythe wielder yelled happily.
"You said it kiddo-. . ." Naruto began, but stopped the moment the ice shattered and the Grimm dragon pounded its tail against the ground before releasing a powerful roar. "Well swords, relic powers and ancient seasonal magic doesn't work. I guess we are down to my final gambit."
"Final gambit?" Ruby asked in a surprised voice, while the Grimm dragon lowered itself for an attack.
Naruto nodded and held his finger up. "It's my final move, passed down through the Branwen family for generations."
Nora's mouth dropped in response. "Naruto when you say final move. You don't mean what I think you mean."
Naruto nodded confidently and looked between the two girls. "Listen this is something you're going to have to do for yourselves. Can I count on you?"
Ruby nodded and looked up to her older brother. "Just tell me what to do Naruto!" The girl declared showing her loyalty and faith to her older sibling.
Naruto smirked and faced down the Grimm dragon, while silently chuckling to himself. Then the moment the creature charged forward Naruto turned completely around and started to sprint.
"Run for your fucking lives!" The bandit yelled loudly, while pumping his arms and legs high into the air.
"Are you kidding me!" Ruby screamed in disappointment before taking off after her brother.
Nora held her hand out and used her powers to slow the creature before following Naruto and Ruby. "This is your brother's secret end all technique." The Winter Maiden pointed out in an exhausted voice. "The we are all fucked run for it Branwen family special."
"It never fails!" Naruto added in, as he lead the group in their retreat.
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(With Qrow)
Qrow was currently deep within the city and fighting off as many Grimm and White Fang troops that he could. However, things got worse when moments ago the robotic Atlas military soldiers started to turn and fight for the White Fang. An event that Qrow wasn't very happy about.
"Leave it to you Atlas rejects to make things even worse!" Qrow yelled in anger before slicing apart a group of robotic soldiers.
Winter Schnee snarled in anger and impaled a rampaging Beowulf. "Out of all the honorable men who have lost their lives so far it's beyond me how you're still alive."
Glynda sighed and lifted a rock into the air. "Would you two quit bickering and focus!" The woman scolded before crushing a Grimm with the suspended rock.
"Oh I'm definitely focused." Qrow replied before looking to General Ironwood. "What about you Jimmy?"
James sighed and pointed his gun forward and shot down a flock of flying Grimm. Meanwhile Team CFVY was surrounding the man and giving him support.
"Can we not do this right now Qrow?" The hardened general asked.
Looking around their location, Qrow held his arms outstretched and looked at the sheer number of enemies circling them. "If you haven't noticed we are all surrounded, so before I die I'm gonna let you know this is your fault."
James gritted his teeth in response, but held his ground. Though Qrow was right about one thing and that was the group wasn't going to last much longer with their numbers. However, the general knew he couldn't give up. Too much was on the line and he had to fight with everything he had.
"Qrow after we make it through this I'll buy you a drink and let you deck me in the face." James began before charging into a massive mob of his own robotic Atlas soldiers. "Till then don't you even think of dying!"
The drunken swordsman grinned and dashed into a group of White Fang and began to hack and slash his way through their ranks. "I'll take you up on that offer Jimmy!"
Glynda shook her head and continued to fight. "Those idiotic men."
"If you touch the General I'll kill you Qrow!" Winter yelled out loudly, as she fought by the drunks side.
Coco smirked at watched their elders fight with new found strength. "Come on guys, let's show why Team CFVY shouldn't be underestimated! Let's go guys!"
With Coco's battle cry lifting her team up, Team CFVY all jumped into action and began to fight back. However, despite everyone's lifted spirits it did very little for their odds. Considering they were still vastly outnumbered and making no progress in eliminating their enemies.
Qrow and Winter were the first to show signs of fatigue and exhaustion, as they were slowly losing ground against the White Fang. Meanwhile James was starting to run low on ammo and as he reloaded his weapon a group of robotic soldiers tackled him to the ground.
"General!" Winter yelled in fear, as she dropped her guard and a White Fang extremists tried to capitalize on her mistake. However, she was quickly saved by Qrow who blocked the attack with his sword.
"I swear it's like you've never been on the battlefield!" Qrow yelled before striking down Winter's attacker. "Worry about yourself or you'll get killed!"
Glynda frowned, but she knew Qrow was right. However, she held her wand up to assist the General by knocking the robots off of his body she dropped her own guard. Unfortunately this resulted with a group of Grimm pouncing on top of Glynda and clawing the woman.
"Glynda!" James yelled in fear, as he ran over to the woman's aid and barreled into the Grimm.
Meanwhile while this was happening Yatsuhashi dropped his massive sword and took a hard breath. Unfortunately this left him wide open for the horde of Grimm that tackled the boy and began to rip into him with no mercy.
"Yatsuhashi!" Coco yelled in horror, as she started to unload bullets into the Grimm to save her comrade. However, as a Grimm ripped its jaw into Yatsuhashi's neck it was far too late to save the boy.
"No!" Velvet screamed, while she watched her friend bleed out and couldn't do anything to save him.
Fox turned in the direction of Yatsuhashi and couldn't believe that his close friend was most likely dead. Though as Fox's attention was moved to his dying friend he was suddenly pelted in the back with a barrage of bullets. Resulting in the last remaining male member of Team CFVY dropping hard and liflessly to the ground.
"Fox!" Coco shrieked loudly before turning her weapon and shooting at her teammates killers.
Velvet clutched her head, as a sense of dread filled her body. Two of her dear friends were dead and the teachers were not doing much better. Then with the large mass of enemy forces surrounding their position, Velvet could only think one thing.
"We are all going to die." The bunny Faunus mumbled before falling onto her knees.
Coco hovered over her best friend and never stopped firing her weapon. She already lost two friends and she wasn't going to lose a third. Meanwhile, the General was desperately defending Glynda. The latter of whom was clearly bleeding and not moving, but it was unclear if she was dead or not. Finally there was Qrow and Winter who were doing everything they could just to survive the overwhelming numbers.
For a moment everything seemed lost, but then suddenly a monumental gust of wind tore through the city streets. Lifting every Grimm, robot and member of the White Fang high into the air. Spinning all the gathered enemies into a giant vortex of wind. Then with tremendous force the vortex soared high into the air and tossed every single enemy like rag dolls throughout the city.
"Honestly I'd expect this kind of pathetic display from my brother, but it's saddening to see the standards for Atlas and Beacon have dropped so low." The voice of Raven Branwen began in a condescending tone, while the woman slowly stalked her way in the direction of Qrow. "Lucky for you all I'm here to collect my children."
With every single enemy defeated, Qrow looked on in surprise to find his sister standing alone among their group.
"Raven?" The drunken twin began before falling on his backside and sighing in relief. "For once I'm actually glad to see you."
Raven nodded and looked around the area, noticing General Ironwood looking over the condition of who appeared to be Glynda Goodwitch. The mother of two then glanced over to see two unfamiliar girls crying over to slain boy's.
"I see things still haven't changed." Raven began in a bitter tone. "You fools still send children to their deaths."
Qrow glared at his sister, but instead of responding he hung his head. This surprised Winter, as she has never met Raven before and didn't know someone could make the normally witty huntsman hold his tongue.
Raven seeing her brother wasn't going to say anything sighed and walked over to Coco and Velvet.
"Girls, I'm sorry for your loss." Raven began softly, while she opened a portal beside the girl's. "Take your friends through this portal and ask for a girl named Ino. Tell her Raven wants them to have a proper burial. From here on out your fight is over."
Coco looked up to the powerful woman with a thankful gaze. "Just who are you?"
Raven smirked. "I'm Raven Branwen, leader of the Branwen Tribe and mother of Naruto Branwen and Yang Xiao Long.
Velvet bowed her head. "Thank you for saving us." The Faunus began softly, while she and Coco carried their fallen teammates into Raven's portal.
As Coco and Velvet disappeared, Raven turned to her brother and everyone else. "You idiots should follow the girl's. You all look like death and Beacons lost, my tribe has set up camp in Patch by Tai's house. This portal shall take you straight to safety."
Qrow stood to his feet and hobbled over to his sister. "And you think I'll just leave while Ruby is out there?"
Raven folded her arms and sighed. "I will save my niece along with my children. She will come back to you safely, that's a promise Qrow. Besides in your current shape you'd just get yourself killed."
"Fine, but if anything happens to Ruby-. . ." Qrow began, but stopped once Raven shoved him into her portal.
"Yeah, yeah, you'll drink yourself into a fucking coma I know." The Spring Maiden mumbled, while she watched Winter and James drag Glynda into her portal.
Raven then closed her portal and placed a hand to her hip before looking up to the cracked moon. "Now to find my children."
Suddenly a loud barking sound caught Raven's attention. So glancing to the side the alcoholic mother saw Taiyang's dog Zwei running right to her.
"Well if it isn't the mutt." Raven began softly, while she watched Zwei spin in circles around her. "Where is Tai?"
Zwei lowered his ears and head, while placing his paws over his head before whining softly.
"Okay can you find Naruto?" Raven asked impatiently.
Zwei looked up and titled his head in confusion, this of course caused Raven to groan.
"How about Yang?" Raven asked.
Zwei suddenly perked up and started to bark, while running off.
"Well guess the mutt has its uses." Raven mumbled with a slight chuckle, before she followed after the dog.
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(With Jaune and Pyrrha)
Jaune and Pyrrha both were running as fast as they possibly could. Since they were trying to get as far away from Salem as possible, while at the same time finding their teammates. However, they were still a far ways away from where Naruto and Nora should have been thanks to Jaune's earlier strategy. Meanwhile it didn't help that their scrolls where not picking up any signal, so they had no way of contacting anyone. This of course greatly frustrated Jaune, who was desperately messing around with his scroll.
"Man I can't get in contact with anyone!" Jaune yelled in aggravation. "What is going on?"
Pyrrha frowned and turned a corner with Jaune. "I don't know."
Jaune shoved his scroll into his pocket and looked to Pyrrha. "And Pyrrha what happened back there and who was that woman?"
"Jaune it's too much to explain at the moment. Just know from what I've been told that woman is called Salem and we need to avoid her at all costs." Pyrrha explained before her eyes caught a shadow looming overhead. So reacting with only seconds to spare, Pyrrha tackled Jaune to the side, which saved them both from being smashed from a giant black tendril.
"Oh you can try to avoid me." The voice of Salem began with a twisted sense of pleasure. "But you'll eventually die like all the rest."
Jaune looked back and saw Salem and Cinder slowly approaching his location. This filled the boy with fear and he tightly gripped onto the relic in his hand. Pyrrha on the other hand slowly grabbed her weapon and was about to get up and defend herself.
"What did you do with Ozpin!" Pyrrha yelled with a surprising amount of courage.
Salem noticed this bravery and smiled. "Such a bold girl, but to answer your question Ozpin is dead. Just like you and that revolting Arc holding my relic shall be."
Cinder smiled and created a bow out of glass. "Master can I kill them?"
"Only the girl." Salem answered with a burning red glare that was set right onto Jaune. "The honor of killing the Arc goes to me."
Jaune had shivers down his spine, as Salem truly terrified him more than anyone he had encountered. Even Pyrrha was worried, as she knew there was no way should could fight Cinder and support Jaune from a woman who was able to kill their headmaster. However, to protect the boy she loved. Pyrrha knew she had to surpass her limits and fight with everything she had.
"What are we going to do?" Jaune asked in a weak voice. "I don't want to die."
Pyrrha held onto Jaune and kept the boy close, then by leaning forward she gave Jaune a strong kiss on the lips. She then held their kiss for a few moments before backing away.
"I will protect you, now and always." The girl began softly before standing up over top of Jaune and glaring down her two opponents. "Because I love you."
Jaune was stunned by Pyrrha's declaration of love, but before he could even respond the young warrior dashed forward and threw her shield at Cinder.
Cinder reacted to this by ducking under Pyrrha's shield and shooting an arrow at the girl. However, Pyrrha simply batted the arrow away with her spear and used her semblance to recall her shield. This resulted in Cinder taking the shield to the back of the head and falling down to the ground. Pyrrha then reclaimed her shield and rushed Salem.
"Such an interesting girl." Salem mused with interest, while she created a large sharp blade made out of the black substance covering her body. "I believe you'd make a better Maiden than young Cinder here."
Pyrrha clashed her spear against Salem's black blade and gritted her teeth. Realizing that the woman possessed a surprising amount of strength. "I would never join you."
"Oh I know." Salem began before pushing Pyrrha back. "That's why you're going to die."
Pyrrha's eyes grew wide when Salem slashed her across the chest. Then with all her might Salem kicked Pyrrha in the stomach and sent the girl rolling forward.
"Pyrrha!" Jaune yelled in fear, while he watched the girl roll over a few feet in front of him. Meanwhile her weapons had fell out of her hands, but it didn't look like Pyrrha was any place to fight back anyway. Since Salem's kick knocked the wind out of the girl and she was hardly moving thanks to the large gash on her body.
"I'm going to make that bitch pay." Cinder seethed in a low voice, while a ball of fire burst to life in her hand.
Salem grinned and looked at her follower. "Just make her death painful." The vile woman instructed.
"With pleasure." Cinder repiled, while the fireball started to grow in size.
"No!" Jaune yelled loudly, while he grabbed his sword and shield and ran in front of Pyrrha. "I won't let you hurt her!"
Pyrrha looked up with a hazy vision. "No Jaune." The girl began in a weak almost silent voice. "Run away."
Cinder grinned and her fireball grew even larger in size. "Master he's in the way."
Salem sighed and shook her head. "You know what, this boy is pathetic just kill him too. I'm in a cheerful mood tonight, so I'll let you have the honor."
"Thank you." Cinder replied before sending the fireball right at Jaune.
Jaune held his ground and a small faint aura appeared around his body. Meanwhile Jaune began to recall all of his friends from Beacon. This woman was a threat to Nora, Naruto, Team RWBY, his teachers, the other students and most importantly the girl he loved. Jaune knew if he didn't do something right here right now, he could lose everything he held dear.
That's why as the fireball was inches from his body, Jaune exploded with a radiating aura. One that caused Salem to be taken by surprise and horror.
"There is no way!" Salem shouted in disbelief.
"I won't let you hurt the people I love!" Jaune yelled with pure anger and determination behind his voice. Before the boy swung his sword down onto the fireball and reflected the attack right back at Cinder with double the size and power.
"What!" Cinder yelled in astonishment before she was engulfed in flames and sent onto the ground screaming from the burns covering her body.
Salem glared at Jaune, who was looking at what he had done with amazement. Unable to believe that he actually deflected Cinder's attack.
"Unbelievable there hasn't been an Arc with that semblance for centuries." Salem began in an sickened tone. "And that brat actually has it. . . The semblance of the great warrior king, Full Counter."
Pyrrha looked up to Jaune with pride in her eyes. "You did it Jaune." The girl began softly, while her eyes grew heavy. "You unlocked your semblance."
"Pyrrha!" Jaune shouted, as he turned around and inspected the girl. Seeing that she was unconscious from blood loss. "Ah man this isn't good!"
While Jaune was busy looking over Pyrrha, Salem held her hand out and Cinder disappeared into a red portal. "He can deflect magical attacks and almost killed Cinder." The vile woman began, as she held up her black blade. "I'll just have to kill him before he becomes a problem."
Jaune hearing this turned around to face the woman. He didn't know much about his newly unlocked semblance, but he knew this woman had power that surpassed his own. So he desperately needed to think of a solution to his current situation. However, a miracle happened and a giant object flew from the sky and landed in between Jaune and Salem. This of course kicked up a large amount of dust that obstructed everyone's view.
"What now!" Salem yelled in frustration.
"I don't know what you think you're doing picking on my students." The voice of Taiyang Xiao Long began in a proud and powerful tone. Then as the dust settled Jaune saw the man facing down Salem, while a large battle axe was resting on his shoulder. "However I'm going to be the one to end you once are for all."
"Mr. Xiao Long!" Jaune yelled in relief.
Taiyang smirked and looked over his shoulder. "Take Pyrrha and run, I'll handle things from here kid."
Jaune nodded and grabbed Pyrrha and the relic, then before running off he looked at Taiyang one last time. "Good luck Mr. Xiao Long."
Taiyang watched Jaune run away and chuckled. "I don't need luck, I've already won." The proud father of Naruto and Yang declared, while he pointed his weapon at Salem. "So why don't we get this over with?"
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(Chapter end)
Well here is chapter 20 and I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations! It's hard to believe this is my 20th chapter of this story and I think it was a good one. Despite the fact that we are at about 13 named characters that have died so far, while many more people's fate is still in the air!
Anyways I wanted to get this chapter out before Christmas as a little gift from me to you guys. With that said happy whatever the fuck you all celebrate! And I hope to see you guys soon on chapter 21 when things really start to kick into gear and we slowly move to the climax of Volume 3 and slowly translation to volume 4!