Chapter 21. The Final Hour
(With Blake)
Adam snarled in anger, while the tip of his blade was imbedded in the shoulder of an unexpected savior. One who had saved Blake Belladonna from a fatal blow by taking the attack meant for her in her place. This person was none other than the monkey Faunus Sun Wukong, who was currently looking up to Adam with a grin.
"If you want to hurt Blake I got bad news pal." Sun began in a pain filled voice, while he slowly placed his hands together. "I'll stop you every time you try!"
"You stupid- . . ." Adam began in anger, but was cut off by the aura clones of Sun that materialized and tackled Adam to the ground. This of course caused the sword in Sun's shoulder to be be violently pulled out, as Adam had an ironclad grip on his weapons hilt.
"Shit." Sun winced in pain, while blood shot out of his open wound. "The bastard got me deep!"
"Sun!" Blake cried in a worried voice before grabbing onto the boy. "You need to get out of here! This is my fight!"
Sun glanced to Blake and gave the girl a small grin. "I know it's your fight Blake, but that's why I'm also making it mine."
"You idiot!" Blake shouted before pulling the teenager to his feet. "He's too strong, you'll die!"
Sun smiled wide and rested his torso against Blake. "Well keeping you safe is a cause worth dying for."
Blake bit her lip and clenched her fists on Sun's shirt, which was turning red from the boy's rapid blood loss. "Why?" The cat eared Faunus asked in a weak voice, while tears began to build around her eyelids. "Why go so far for me?"
Sun chuckled and watched Adam stand to his feet and glare the two down. "Heh, well that's easy." The monkey Faunus began, while he lifted up his weapon with his right hand and pointed it at Adam. "But right now isn't the time for talking."
Adam gritted his teeth, while he noticed Blake wasn't even looking at him. It pissed the White Fang extremist off to his very core to see Blake care so deeply for someone else that wasn't him right in his presence.
"You piece of trash." Adam began in absolute rage before he began to stalk his way over to Blake and Sun. "You think that you can take my beloved away from me? I'll kill you right in front of her eyes and then when she's broken I'll go kill her friends, her parents and then when I've filled her with complete unending pain. That's when I'll end her traitorous life!"
Sun gritted his teeth and watched Adam walk over to him slowly. "Dude you have some serious issues." The young monkey tailed boy pointed out in a low tone. "But if you wanna fight bring it on!"
"Sun don't!" Blake tried to warn, but her warning didn't stop Sun. Who slowly maneuvered away from Blake and struck a fighting stance.
"Let's go asshole!" Sun roared with power behind his voice before charging at Adam.
Adam watched Sun swing his staff for his head and scoffed. "Pathetic." The masked man insulted before blocking the staff with his sword. Then with one quick flourish, Adam swung diagonal across Sun's exposed chest. Resulting in a large gash across Sun's body and a large spout of blood shooting out of the wound.
"Sun!" Blake shrieked in terror before she watched the boy collapse onto his backside.
Adam grinned and held his sword high into the air, while the tip of his blade was pointed right for Sun's heart. "Just so you know Blake, this boy's death is on your hands!"
"No!" Blake cried in with desperation in her voice before leaping forward and landing over Sun's body to protect the boy. "If you want to kill him you'll have to kill me too!"
Adam's finger twitched, as he looked down at Blake's final display of affection for the boy. "If that's the way you want it beloved. Then die with your trash."
"Blake! Sun!" The voice of Yang Xiao Long yelled in shock, causing Adam to freeze and glance to the side. Where Yang was standing with her fists tightly clenched. "Get away from them!"
"Yang no!" Blake tried to warn, but as Yang's eyes exploded into a fiery red blaze. Nothing the black haired Faunus could say would stop Yang from charging right at Adam head on.
Adam's lips curled into a smile, while he turned to face the rampaging Yang. "Well if it isn't the sister of Naruto Branwen!" Adam yelled in excitement before swinging his blade in a downward strike and chopping Yang's arm clear off her body. "I'm going to make you pay for what your bastard of a brother did to me."
Blake watched Yang fall forward and land onto the ground and roll a few feet before stopping. Meanwhile her severed arm was a few feet away from Adam, a sight the filled Blake with dread.
"Yang!" Blake yelled out, while tears fought their way out of the corner of her eyes.
Adam snarled and kicked Blake in the chin, knocking the girl off of Sun and slightly disorienting her. "Today must be my lucky day! First I run into you beloved and get the chance to kill not one, but two people you cherish." The masked Faunus began, while he slowly walked over to Yang. "However, I can't lie beloved. There is someone I despise even more than you. . . Naruto Branwen the man who humiliated me and was responsible for taking my arm." Adam seethed before lifting his sword high above Yang. "Before I kill him I'll make sure he gets a good look at his butchered sister."
Blake looked forward, unable to do anything to save her friend. "Adam please don't hurt her anymore!" The former member of the White Fang begged desperately hoping the man would stop.
Adam laughed under his breath. "You're far too late to be begging for my mercy beloved." Adam declared before thrusting his sword down onto Yang. "Now she will pay for the sins of her brother."
Blake watched Adam move to strike her friend for the final blow, but was unable to do anything to help Yang. However, before Adam's blade could make contact with Yang. A strong compressed ball of wind shot into Adam's chest at blinding speeds. Resulting in the masked Faunus being lifted off the ground and sent flying backwards and away from Yang.
"I might be a no good alcoholic mother." The strong and commanding voice of Raven Branwen began in a low and furious tone, while slowly walking to Yang's side to stand protectively over the dismembered girl. "However, If anyone fucks with either of my two babies. I will personally kill whoever is stupid enough to harm my precious children."
Blake's eyes were wide in surprise, as she was looking at the mother of Naruto and Yang. Adam on the other hand wasn't pleased whatsoever, as he was growing tired of so many people interrupting him.
"You Branwen's are a cancer on this world." Adam growled in rage, while standing up to glare Raven down.
"Well you're not wrong about that." Raven replied in a cocky tone, while she pointed her sword right at Adam. "But you said my little Naruto messed up your arm? So you got the idea to do the same to my daughter?"
Adam grinned wide and looked at Yang, who was unconscious and surrounded in her own blood. "Well I wasn't finished with her y-. . ." Adam began but was silenced by Raven swiping her sword forward. Ripping up everything before her, while violent winds blew Adam back into the wall of the cafeteria. Then once Adam crashed hard into the wall the entire building started to collapse and fall onto the Faunus.
"I don't fucking care." Raven mumbled as she watched the building slowly topple downward. Then quickly she bent over to grab Yang before looking to Blake. "Girl grab your friend and get moving or die, I honestly don't care what you do." The bandit leader declared, while she started to leave the collapsing cafeteria with Yang in tow.
Grabbing Sun, Blake gritted her teeth and started to follow Raven. Only looking back for a second to see the remainder of the building fall on where Adam had been. Though as the building finally fell Blake ran over by Raven's side and looked up to the woman.
"Thank you." The Faunus began, but Raven scoffed.
"I was just protecting by idiot of a daughter." Raven replied in a cold voice, while a red portal opened by her side. "Take your friend through here if you want him to live."
Blake nodded and dragged Sun through the portal with no questions asked. Then as Blake and Sun disappeared, Zwei suddenly came running by Raven's side, his small eyes focusing in Yang before he started to whine. Raven saw this and rolled her eyes.
"She's fine mutt." The blunt bandit leader declared before walking to the portal. "But let's get her out of here and somewhere safe."
Zwei barked in response and followed Raven into her portal.
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(With Naruto, Nora and Ruby)
"I can't believe this is your plan!" Ruby yelled in disbelief, while the girl kept her pace with Naruto.
Said blond looked to the side and gave the younger teenager an eye smile and thumbs up. "I know it's pretty genius!"
"It wasn't a compliment!" Ruby shouted back.
Nora sighed and looked over her shoulder, noticing the Grimm Dragon was hot on their tail. "Can we not do this right now?" The Winter Maiden asked in a slightly winded voice. "We need to figure out a way to stop that thing!"
"Well I'm open to suggestions!" Naruto began in an exhausted tone, while he finally got a good look at Nora. Finally noticing the crimson Boar marking that was now on her neck. "Um Nora did you notice what's on your neck?"
Lifting her eyebrow in confusion, while she saw Naruto point to her neck. Nora grabbed her scroll and angled the mirror to give her a view of her neck. "Well that's new." The Winter Maiden began softly.
"It's just like Naruto's mark, but the animal is different!" Ruby pointed out, as she was curious to know what was going on.
"I remember you telling me about that story Ozpin shared with you and General Ironwood awhile back." Nora admitted softly, while she turned a corner with Naruto and Ruby. "Now that I've have one of these markings we really need to learn what they really are!"
Naruto nodded and looked over his shoulder, where the Grimm Dragon could be seen barreling through a building. "I agree, but let's deal with one problem at a time."
"Agreed." Nora began before holding her hand back and using her powers to slow the beast back once more. "So anyone have any ideas on how to kill that thing?"
Naruto watched the Grimm Dragon tear through Nora's ice and continue its rampage. He then looked over to Ruby, noticing her silver eyes were locked onto the giant creature.
"I have one idea, but it's a fucking long shot." Naruto admitted in a rather nervous voice, as his idea had a higher chance of Naruto dying than actually killing the Grimm Dragon.
"It's not more running is it?" Ruby asked in an exhausted voice.
Naruto laughed and shook his head. "Awhile back I snatched an old journal from my mom. It gave me a lot of good information about my family's techniques, but it also mentioned an ultimate weapon to use against the Grimm." The bandit explained, while talking about the time he stole Summer Rose's diary that was in Raven's possession. "It's a gamble and I'll probably get myself killed, but what's life without taking some risks?"
Nora didn't like what she was hearing especially with how Naruto had a sudden gleam in his eye. Considering the Winter Maiden didn't want anything to happen to the boy she loved. "Naruto what are you about to do?" The orange haired girl asked nervously.
Naruto grinned and kept his gaze on Ruby. "I love you kiddo and I'll do anything to protect you. I want you to know that."
Ruby titled her silver eyes at Naruto's words, as they seemed random and spontaneous. "I love you too big bro and I'd do anything to keep you safe!"
Naruto chuckled and stopped in his tracks before turning to face the rampaging creature of Grimm. "I was hoping you'd say that." The blond admitted right before he was forced to bring Fox Flower up to guard against the Grimm Dragon's claws. The latter of which came crashing down onto Naruto.
"Naruto!" Ruby shouted in worry, while she watched Naruto struggle to hold the beast back from crushing him.
"You idiot!" Nora yelled in frustration before she held her hands out and blasted a wave of ice against the Grimm Dragon's chest. Hoping her attack would relive some of the beast's pressure off of Naruto, but her powers had next to no effect on the creature. "What are you doing?"
Naruto gritted his teeth and glanced over his shoulder to Nora. "Honestly if I don't die here you'll probably kill me afterwards." Naruto admitted before he channeled his Semblance to steal Nora's strength. "Fox Hunt!"
"N-Naruto. . . What are you. . ." Nora began in a weakened voice, while at the same time falling to her knees in exhaustion. "Doing?"
His muscles expanding to double their normal mass, Naruto tightened his hold on Fox Flower and swung upwards. Pushing the Grimm Dragon's claw away and forcing the beast back.
"I really hope this works." Naruto mumbled softly before jumping up close and personal with the Grimm Dragon. "Take this!"
Standing over top of Nora, Ruby watched Naruto swing his sword into the Grimm Dragon's chest. Hoping the combined power of Naruto and Nora would be enough to damage the beast and even kill it.
"Go Naruto!" Ruby cheered loudly, but her tone suddenly shifted when she saw Naruto's blade bounce off of the Grimm Dragon's torso with nothing to show besides a few sparks. Then to Ruby's horror the Grimm Dragon batted Naruto into the concrete with its long winding tail.
Nora's eyes grew wide in fear, while she saw Naruto laying motionless in a small patch of rubble. "Naruto!" The Winter Maiden called out, hoping the boy would respond or stand to his feet. However, the young bandit showed absolutely no signs of moving anytime soon. "Get up!"
Ruby's eyes were wide in disbelief, as she had never seen Naruto get beaten down so easily. In her eyes, Naruto was the most powerful student of Beacon and practically unbeatable. "This can't be happening." Ruby mumbled softly, while she watched the Grimm Dragon slowly lift its claw to finish Naruto off once and for all.
"No not like this!" Nora shrieked hysterically before trying to stand to her feet and run to help Naruto. Though Nora was still recovering from Naruto stealing her strength, so the Winter Maiden simply fell forward onto her stomach instead. An action that caused Nora to grit her teeth and ball her fists, while her eyes focused in on Naruto's unmoving body. "Naruto Branwen don't you dare break your promise to me and get yourself killed!"
The Grimm Dragon unleashed a loud piercing roar and brought its claw down onto Naruto's unmoving body. Ruby saw this and felt a strong build up of pressure behind her eyes. However, her heart was heavy, as she watched the entire scene unfold before her with clear vision. Meanwhile the only thought going through her mind was her desire to protect the people she loved. Then in a single instance it happened and like a switch being flipped a blinding white light blasted right out of Ruby's left and right eye.
"Nooooooo!" Ruby yelled in desperation before the entire area was completely covered in the blinding light.
Nora closed her eyes, as the light was too much for her to handle. "What is this?" The girl asked softly, as she could feel the power radiating off of the youngest of the group.
Over with Naruto, the young bandit smirked softly and closed his eyes due to the blinding light from Ruby's eyes. "All according to plan." The Fox Sin of Greed chuckled to himself, showing he was aware of everything transpiring around him.
Slowly the light began to fade and Ruby closed her eyes before falling onto her knees. The youngest of the group didn't know what just happened. However, she didn't have time to question anything about what her eyes did. Considering she was completely exhausted and toppled face down in unconsciousness.
Nora opening her eyes saw Ruby laying by her side, but the most shocking sight was the Grimm Dragon. The latter of whom was turned into a solid and unmoving statue that was frozen with its claw mere inches from Naruto's body.
"What was that?" The Boar Sin of Gluttony asked in shock.
"The power of the Silver Eyed Warrior." Naruto spoke up with confidence, while at the same time standing to his feet. "It's a power Ruby inherited from her mother Summer Rose. It's a terrifying power that can slay creatures of Grimm with a single gaze."
"Naruto you're okay!" Nora shouted in surprise. "I thought you were going to die!"
Naruto scoffed in response. "Please I took a dive to see if Ruby would unlock the power of her silver eyes." The blond explained in a matter of fact tone, while Nora slowly stood to her feet.
"And what part of your plan involves making me and Ruby watch you almost die!" The Winter Maiden asked in an slightly upset voice.
"Well I had to make sure you wouldn't save me and had to convince Ruby I was about to die. So I stole some of your strength and let the Grimm Dragon hit me." Naruto explained in a casual voice, while he closed his eyes and held his hand out to the frozen creature of Grimm. "If Ruby wasn't in the right mental and emotional state her eyes probably wouldn't have worked. So I took a gamble and it paid off!"
"And what if your gamble didn't pay off?" Nora asked softly, her hands slowly tensing into fists.
"Oh I'd be dead as fuck!" Naruto replied with a loud laugh before tossing his head back. "Good thing I still have my insanely good luck!"
Nora started to laugh with her boyfriend, but her laughter was hollow and that sent chills down Naruto's spine. This caused the bandit to open his eyes and look at Nora. The latter of whom had tears in her eyes and two fists raised high in the air.
"Uh Nora are you ok- . . ." Naruto began, but was silenced by Nora decking him in the cheek. This of course caused Naruto to recoil back and hold his now red cheek. "Ow that hurt!"
"Heheheh." Nora chuckled before punching Naruto a few more times in the chest and face. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Please stop!" Naruto yelled in response before trying to shield himself from Nora's attacks.
"Boop." Nora giggled before tossing a hard punch into Naruto's nose, which sent the Fox Sin of Greed rocketing onto his backside. Then as Naruto laid on the ground Nora lowered herself down onto Naruto and straddled her boyfriend. Then holding Naruto's hands to the ground with her own, Nora bent down and locked lips with Naruto. Then after holding the kiss for a few seconds she backed away and smiled. "You're such an idiot, but I'll be damned if I don't love you."
Naruto grinned and looked up to his bubbly partner. "I love you too Nora." The bandit began softly before slowly shifting his body around. "And though I would like to continue this some more, we are in the middle of a war zone."
Nora sighed and rolled off of Naruto. Then by sitting cross legged under the frozen Grimm Dragon, Nora looked over the unconscious form of Ruby and listened to the sounds of destruction that surrounded them.
"What are we going to do now?" Nora asked softly, while at the same time taking a deep breath to steady herself.
Lifting himself up, Naruto relaxed by Nora's side. "Well we lost the Atlas flagship and the view I saw while I was on that Grimm Dragon wasn't good." The Fox Sin of Greed began in a low voice. "It seems the Atlas robots have been taken by the enemy and are assisting the White Fang. Meanwhile more Grimm are covering the ground and skies. Then to make matters worse our team and friends are still scattered around the city fighting a battle that at this point is a loss cause."
"You think Beacon is going to fall?" Nora asked with worry behind her voice.
Naruto scoffed and closed his eyes. "Look around Nora, Beacon has already fell." The blond then opened his eyes and slowly stood to his feet. "Everything is in shambles, the enemy has us surrounded and honestly me and you are nowhere near enough to turn this battle around."
Nora frowned and looked down sadly. "Especially if we have to worry about protecting Ruby." The Winter Maiden pointed out, while she watched Naruto walk over to the unconscious girl.
"Yeah, she did good." Naruto mumbled in a proud tone, while he gently cradled the girl in his arms. "But she is out for the count."
"So that brings us back to my first question." Nora began before she stood up and walked to Naruto's side. "What do we do from here?"
Naruto gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. "We survive." Naruto replied in a reluctant voice. "Beacon is gone and there is nothing we can do about that, but we can protect ourselves and our friends. So I say we cut our losses find Yang, Jaune, Pyrrha and the rest of Team RWBY and escape."
"And everyone else?" Nora asked.
"You know what I'm gonna say Nora." The blond replied softly, while Nora simply nodded her head.
"Yeah I do." The Winter Maiden began in a low and sad voice. "I don't like it, but where should we go first?"
"The bunker." Naruto answered almost instantly. "That's where Jaune and Pyrrha are and they are probably prime targets for the enemy. So we have to make sure we find them fast."
Nora nodded and agreed with Naruto's assessment. "Alright you lead the way and I'll cover you with my powers."
"Alright let's go then." Naruto replied before taking off in a sprint towards the bunker, while Nora followed close behind.
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(With Taiyang)
Taiyang faced down Salem with a strong and collected composure, while the vile woman merely grinned at the man with a sadistic smile. The two stood in relative silence for a few moments and didn't make any movements. However, after a short period Taiyang took a small step forward and began walking towards Salem. Meanwhile his large one handed axe was still resting on his shoulder.
"Oh?" Salem began with a sense of intrigue and superiority before pointing the black blade in her hand at Taiyang. "You're actually approaching me instead of running away? You know Ozpin died trying to fight me."
Taiyang remained calm and kept moving towards Salem. "I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer." The man declared in low voice, while his right hand gripped tightly onto his weapon.
"Oh ho, then come as close as you would like." Salem replied before she slowly started to walk towards Taiyang.
Saying nothing more, Taiyang lifted his axe up and swung down onto Salem. The latter of whom raised her black blade and clashed weapons with Taiyang. Resulting in the two creating a large backlash of wind that filled the surrounding area. The two then battled for supremacy for a few seconds before Taiyang pulled his axe back and swiped the massive weapon in a fast horizontal strike.
Salem seeing this brought her blade up and blocked the strike with ease. Then with a wide sadistic grin she pushed Taiyang's axe back and attempted to slash the man's neck. However, Taiyang reacting off his past experiences took a quick backstep and only managed to take a small cut to his shoulder.
"Is that the best you got?" Taiyang taunted in a cocky voice, while a small patch of blood began to build up around his open wound. "I'm not impressed."
Salem laughed and held her blade to her side, while her red eyes focused onto Taiyang. "Such an arrogant man, but I'm curious. What makes you think you even stand a chance against me?"
"Well you're after the Relics and Maidens and my son just so happens to have the power of a relic. So like any good father I have to protect my child." Taiyang explained as he lifted his axe up and pointed its blade at Salem. "That and I haven't even shown you my semblance yet."
"Oh, you're the father of Naruto Branwen?" Salem asked in a low voice, while Taiyang simply nodded. "Well then it's almost poetic that I am the one to kill you then."
Taiyang remained calm and dashed forward and reengaged Salem, which resulted in the two trading powerful strikes. Then as Salem's blade clashed with Taiyang's axe one thing was clear and that was Salem was starting to grow stronger and stronger as the battle drew out. It was only subtle at first, but after exchanging multiple blows Taiyang was able to see a difference in Salem's striking power and speed. Both of which were growing as the battle prolonged and meant Taiyang needed to find a way to beat Salem. Considering if Salem's power was growing like he theorized it was only a matter of time before he was either overpowered or would run out of stamina.
'I need to think of something.' Taiyang thought to himself, while he blocked a strike from Salem. 'Naruto told me a lot about his fight with her, but he mentioned killing her seemed almost impossible.'
"You're slowing down!" Salem yelled loudly, while she broke Taiyang's guard and slashed the man across the chest.
"Shit!" Taiyang cursed before stepping back and trying to create some distance between himself and Salem. However, Salem didn't give Taiyang any breathing room and continued an onslaught of sword strikes.
"To think you're the father of Naruto Branwen, he gave a much better fight than you!" Salem insulted before she sent a large overhead strike to Taiyang's head. "Compared to him you're a disappointment!"
Blocking the strike, Taiyang gritted his teeth and smirked. "Well both my kids are pretty amazing, but I think it's time I show you where they inherited their talent from!" The father of two yelled loudly, while he flexed his bicep and pushed his axe outward. Resulting in Salem getting pushed several feet away from the man.
Coming to a stop, Salem grinned ear to ear. "Well show me what you got!"
Taiyang took a deep breath and held his axe with both hands. "Well to be honest, Naruto inherited his mother's personality and a version of her Semblance. So he doesn't really take after me that much. Yang on the other hand did take after me, but her Semblance grows stronger as she takes in more damage. I on the other hand have a similar Semblance, but I store aura in my body overtime and have the ability to channel it into my speed, strength and other physical attributes." Taiyang explained before a thick outline of yellow aura covered his rapidly expanding body. "And I've been storing this aura for a long time."
Salem watched Taiyang's muscles expand and rip through his clothing, while his body started to grow large and larger in mass. Then as the man towered over Salem, the woman looked forward with an uncaring gaze.
"Is this really suppose to impress m- . . ." Salem began, but was silenced the moment Taiyang chopped her clear in half. Then as he body floated in the air for a brief moment, Taiyang punched Salem hard in the face. Sending the evil woman's upper half skipping away from her bottom half.
Slowly lifting his leg back, Taiyang looked to Salem with an uncaring expression. "Don't forget this." The man began before kicking Salem's lower half into her upper torso. Causing her two halves to collide and then crash into a building from the force of Taiyang's kick.
"I'm going to kill you." Salem seethed to herself in a low voice, while she began to place her body back together. "Then after I kill you I'll kill Raven and your bastard children!"
Taiyang rested his axe onto his body and slowly walked over to Salem. "Kill me and my family?" The man began in a monotone voice, while he dropped his axe to his side and clenched his empty hand for a punch. "You can try, but will fail in the end. As I will be the one to finally kill you."
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(With Naruto)
Running with Ruby in his arms, Naruto was keeping an even pace with Nora. The latter of whom was following close behind and keeping any threat at bay with her powers. However, the battle for the city and school had been going on for sometime now. This was something the duo could see by how many casualties and destroyed buildings they passed during their journey to find their teammates.
"This is awful." Nora spoke up, as she and Naruto passed a group of dead students. Their bodies were unidentifiable, so she couldn't tell what academy they were from. However, she knew they were far too young to die the death that they did.
"It's the reality of the world we live in." Naruto replied in a hardened tone, as from his lifestyle he was numb to scenes like this by now. "We just need to make sure that doesn't happen to us."
Nora sighed and hung her head. "Yeah you're right, it's just." The Winter Maiden took a pause and bit her lip. "I just wish I could stop all of this needless bloodshed and death."
Naruto was about to respond to Nora, but a familiar face running in his direction caught his attention. "Jaune!" The Fox Sin of Greed called out in relief, while he watched the teenager run over to him.
"Pyrrha!" Nora cried out in worry, as she saw her best friend bleeding and in the arms of her partner. So wasting absolutely no time, Nora ran ahead of Naruto and straight to Jaune and Pyrrha.
Collapsing onto his knees, Jaune released a hard sigh of relief. "Naruto! Nora! I'm so glad to have found you two!" The leader of Team JNNP declared in an exhausted voice.
"What happened?" Nora asked, while she stopped in front of Jaune and bent over to inspect Pyrrha. Who had a large gash across her body and was covering Jaune in blood.
"I don't even fucking know anymore." Jaune began in a tear filled voice, while he held tightly onto Pyrrha. "First Ozpin put Pyrrha in this weird machine and did something to her. Next thing we know Cardin and his team were dead and Cinder and some woman named Salem attacked us!"
This caught Naruto's full attention and the bandit looked down to his leader. "What? Salem is here?" Naruto yelled in disbelief before looking around for any sign of the woman. "Is she chasing you?"
Jaune shook his head. "Ozpin gave me this." Jaune explained and held the relic out for Naruto and Nora to see. "Then he told me and Pyrrha to run for it, so we did."
"It doesn't look like you two ran away." Nora commented in aggravation. "Don't tell me Pyrrha tried to fight!"
Jaune shook his head. "Salem and Cinder killed Ozpin and caught up with us."
"Oz is dead!" Naruto yelled loudly, while kicking the ground. "Fuck."
"Wait." Nora began softly, while pointing to Jaune. "If Ozpin is dead, where is Salem and Cinder?"
"They caught back up with us, but this time Pyrrha tried to fight them." Jaune slightly held the girl up and gritted his teeth. "She got seriously hurt, but I unlocked my Semblance and caught Cinder by surprise and took her out."
"And Salem?" Naruto asked in a nervous voice.
"Your father showed up and is fighting her now." Jaune explained to a wide eyed Naruto. "He bought me and Pyrrha both time to escape."
Slowly placing Ruby onto the ground, Naruto looked directly at Nora. "I want you to make sure these three get to safety." The Fox Sin of Greed began in a strict voice.
"Oh no!" Nora shouted in anger. "There is no way I'm letting you run off and fight Salem! If you don't remember she almost killed you last time."
"And I'm not letting her kill my father." Naruto shot back in a fierce tone, showing he wasn't backing down. "So I'm going to go help him and you're going to make sure these three make it to somewhere safe."
Nora stood up and pressed her chest against Naruto's. "You're not going." The orange haired woman snarled in an angry voice, as with Pyrrha's current condition and the thought of Naruto getting himself killed. Nora wasn't in the most happy of moods.
"I know you don't want me to go, but I have to." Naruto began in a soft voice, while he grabbed Nora's hands with his own. "I've hardly got to know my dad, so I can't lose him now. I'm sorry Nora, but you can't stop me from doing this."
Nora gritted her teeth. "Then I'll come with you!"
Naruto shook his head. "Nora look around, Jaune is exhausted, Ruby is unconscious and Pyrrha is on death's door. If you don't help them all three will die."
"Then let's take them somewhere safe and then go save your dad together!" Nora tried to reason, this time her voice sounding desperate for Naruto to listen.
"You and I both know that would take too long." Naruto replied before leaning in close and kissing Nora on her forehead. Then by removing his lips, Naruto lowered his forehead against Nora's. "I'll come back to you, I promise."
A tear trailing down Nora's eyes, the Winter Maiden sighed softly. "If you die I'll never forgive you."
Naruto grinned and slowly backed away from Nora and poked the girl on the nose. "Boop." Naruto replied with care in his voice.
Jaune watched the two and slowly pushing himself to his feet. "Naruto." The team leader began in a low voice, causing the bandit to turn and face him. "I have faith in you, I know you'll come back."
Naruto grinned ear to ear and grabbed Fox Flower. "You and Nora take care of the other two, I won't be far behind." The Fox Sin of Greed declared before running off in the direction Jaune had come from.
"Let's go Nora." Jaune began, as he held onto Pyrrha and started to run in the opposite direction of Naruto.
Bending down and grabbing Ruby, Nora watched the boy she love run off with a saddened expression. She's came so close to losing him so many times already, but Nora prayed that like all the times before Naruto would survive.
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(With Taiyang)
Clashing powerful blow's with Salem, Taiyang grinned wide at how the woman was able to keep up with his power. Meanwhile the entire surrounding area was shaking just off the impact of their strikes.
"Despite being faced against my marvelous Semblance you can still keep up!" The muscular man commented in a casual voice. "You truly are a lucky individual."
Salem continued to hack and slash at Taiyang with all her might, while she bore a displeased expression on her face. "I'm going to enjoy watching as Grimm feast on your dead body!" The woman yelled loudly, while Taiyang blocked Salem's blade with his one handed axe.
Taiyang laughed and used his free hand to try and punch Salem, but the woman brought her forearm up to guard. However, the impact of Taiyang's punch bent her arm inward, showing the raw power behind Taiyang's punch.
"Well for that to happen you would have to kill me!" Taiyang began with amusement behind his voice. "And at this rate that will never happen!"
Snarls of Grimm suddenly filling the area, Taiyang was slightly alerted to the presence of Grimm arriving to their location. However, oddly enough all the creature's began to melt into a black substance that quickly oozed its way over to Salem. The latter of whom seemed to be absorbing all of the Grimm that were coming to their location.
"That's right, keeping coming my children!" Salem yelled, while more and more Grimm began to appear and melt down into her body.
"What could you be planning now." Taiyang chuckled in a soft voice before holding his axe up for an attack.
Salem growled and exploded in the black substance that she used to create her weapons and repair her body. Then to Taiyang's surprise multiple tendrils shot out of the woman and wrapped around Taiyang's legs, arms and neck. All of which were tightly squeezing onto the man and trying to crush him.
"Is that the best you got?" Taiyang asked, as he flexed his body and tried to break free. However, the moment he began to free himself, more and more tendrils started to wrap their way around his body. "Shit." Taiyang grunted in response, as the sheer magnitude of Salem's constraints were too much for him to break through with sheer force.
"Just shut up and die." Salem seethed in a low voice, while she started to constrict the life out of Taiyang with her tendrils.
"Vanishing Kill!" The voice of Naruto yelled loudly, while a large sweeping blade sliced through the black tendrils protruding out of Salem's body.
"You!" Salem screamed in anger, as she saw Naruto standing a few feet away with his katana extended outward.
Naruto didn't reply to the woman, instead he held his hand out at the woman. "Fox Hunt!" The bandit shouted out, which caused Salem to slight drop in response and Naruto to fill himself with strength.
Salem gritted her teeth and rested her hands onto the ground. "I've seen that trick plenty of times child." Salem declared, as black tendrils expanded out of her hands and went right for Naruto.
"Don't forget who your fight is with!" The voice of the freed Taiyang declared in a proud tone, while the man punched Salem in the face with a powerful force. Sending her flying into an adjacent building and halting her attack on Naruto.
"Not a bad punch old man." Naruto laughed softly, while he rested Fox Flower onto his shoulder and walked by his father's side. "I just had to save your sorry ass first."
Taiyang laughed and shook his head. "God you're too much like your mother." The older of the two men pointed out. "I'll have you know i was fine, just a few more seconds and something would have awakened in me! I always come out on top after all!"
Naruto snickered at his father and watched Salem slowly exit the rubble she was sent flying into. "You might be even more arrogant than mom." The Fox Sin of Greed began before holding his weapon at the ready.
Taiyang scoffed. "I call it pride." The father declared, while holding his axe high in the air with his right hand and resting the other on his son's shoulder. "But what do you say Naruto, wanna team up with your old man?"
Naruto stared down Salem with a wide grin and tightened his hold on Fox Flower. "Sounds good to me old man, do you know Get Help?"
"Oh ho! I'm quite familiar with it!" Taiyang replied before tossing his head back in laughter.
"I will kill you both!" Salem roared in anger, while her red eyes began to glow a bright burning red color.
Taiyang smirked in response and motioned for Salem to attack. "Well bring it on then." The man challenged in a superior tone, while he grabbed Naruto by the back of his neck and hoisted the blond high into the air.
"Oi, what are you doing Dad!" Naruto yelled in annoyance.
Taiyang chuckled and cocked his arm backwards. "Get Help of course." The man declared, as he prepared to throw Naruto right at Salem. "Now- . . ." Taiyang began before taking a slight pause. "Go help Salem find her way straight to hell." The father finished before throwing Naruto forward with all his strength.
Being flung forward, Naruto raised Fox Flower up and smiled. "With pleasure." The blond began, as he swung his sword down onto Salem. Starting the battle between Salem and the father and son duo.
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(Chapter end)
Well here is the next chapter, I wanted to get it done a few days ago on this stories 2nd anniversary. However, that didn't happen :( Oh well what can you do? Anyways hope you all like this chapter, as we are basically almost finished with volume 3. Considering either next chapter or the one after that will wrap the volume up and lead into the next part of the story!
I'm really excited to move forward and I wanted to thank you guys for your continued support over this two year journey so far! This story has come a long way and it's only going to grow. So leave a review and until next time have a good day!