A few days had passed since Winter and Qrow arrived on Beacon and a lot of events took place during that time. First of all, Simba grew to like the drunk man as the two shared something in common : their distrust toward Ironwood. Of course the man in question got to pass some time with his nieces Ruby and Yang . Even better, he didn't seemed to hold a grudge against especially after Ozpin retailed him what she did so far.
Second, Weiss got lessons particularly on the use of her Semblance from her older sister who wanted her younger sibling to be better and not follow Jacques Schnne's footprints. Yang and Weiss later won (albeit with difficulty) their fight against some students from Atlas Academy , two members of Team FNKI named Neon Katt and Flynt Coal. White the students of each schools were fighting for the Tournament, Simba and Amethyst got to spend a lot of time together especially when Glynda or Ozpin sent them into the forest to look for Grimm.
The two Lions had been shocked to find that there weren't any Grimm in the Forest as they hadn't met one and so they returned to Beacon where they shared the news with the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress who were a bit shocked and worried of their reports. In addition, Mercury Black, one of Emerald's former partners, had tried to escape from prison but had been shot in the back by some Policemen. Apart of this, some good things came out of it : Emerald and Amber grew close to each other despise them being former enemies but were sometimes seen walking side by side, hand upon hand.
Simba, while happy for the two, couldn't retain himself as he from time to time teased them for their relationship, which in return, earned him dark glares or red faces (from embarrassment and/or anger). Amethyst was overjoyed for her childhood friend and asked the green haired girl as many questions as she could much to Emerald's embarrassment. Amber too seemed embarrassed by the attention she received from her dorm-mates but she couldn't blame them for being curious so she never got angry.
Speaking of the Lions, they too had been busy during those few days. Apart of the missions Glynda gave, the two Felines would enjoy being alone having only each other as company. No that they didn't liked their friends of course, but sometimes they could be kinda loud.. especially Yang and Nora. During those moments of peace and calm, Simba and Amethyst would go far into the forest to play together or enjoy some sunbathes. But each time they returned to Beacon Academy after a few hours out, they would be accosted by two worried 'mother-hens'.
'Mother-Hens' were the nicknames they gave to Kali Belladonna and (sometimes) Glynda Goodwitch. The two women mothered them a lot especially Simba, much to his chagrin but that doesn't meant that Amethyst was out of the equation. Kali seemed to saw the Golden Lion as the son she wished she had with Ghira and , after learning about his previous life and what he had faced before, she took upon herself to 'spoil' him a bit.
Glynda, the stern Blond Teacher of Beacon, would sometimes broke her image just to make sure the Two Lions were alright. For some reason, she seemed even more maternal with Amethyst… Simba ,sometimes, saw her shooting the reddish-browned Lioness sorrowful glances and each time wondered what was going on. Another thing that happened was Amethyst's Uncle's death. Apparently, the man had drunk to much and one day, fall into someone's pool, drowning.
Amethyst, who was never close to the man to begin with, had not once showed any sort of sorrow for his passing. At first she was a bit scared of herself for the lack of reaction from her Uncle's death but Simba had comforted her saying that it was normal and that she shouldn't be worried about herself. Having no real connection with the guy , why should she felt sorrow for him ? Right now the two Lions were laying down on the grasses not too far from the stadium where their friends were, watching the fights. The finalists of the Vital Tournament were Yang, Sun, Penny (whom Simba discovered was an android), Pyrrha (no surprise) and three other people they didn't know.
"I wonder who will face each other in the next round..." Amethyst asked her mate as she laid beside hi, her head pressed against his as they eyed the stadium from the distance "I don't know Ame but from what I heard… There aren't a lot of participants left…" Simba replied back as he looked at his mate before asking "Ame I may sound a bit paranoid but… do you remember the crow we saw during Winter and Qrow's little performance ?" Amethyst blinked in surprise but then frowned as she went deep in thought.
"I do… I saw it a lot of time recently… I cannot explain it but… each time I saw this bird… I feel that something is off with it… As if it wasn't a normal crow..." the reddish-browned Lioness responded back with a frown and his mate nodded at her before inquiring "I also noticed that it appeared only where there was either Yang and Qrow in the area… Don't you find this strange ?"
"It sure is… But maybe it was nothing and just pure coincidence..." Amethyst sighed with a shrug and Simba couldn't help but agreeing with her.
Simba then saw someone in the distance and called out "Hey Velvet !" It was indeed the shy Rabbit Faunus girl. Velvet had long brown hair and brown eyes while her actual combat skill was consisted of a cropped brown jacket with a thin gold zipper and her emblem on the right of the chest, over a thin black top and brown shorts that that decorated metal trim alongside black tights with golden metal flats. Accenting her outfit were a pair of gold spaulders, cuffs, a belt, that have decorative patterns. The box containing her weapon attached to the belt.
"Simba ! Amethyst !" Velvet called them back happily as she approached them. The Rabbit Faunus and her Team weren't in the Tournament anymore after loosing a fight from another Team from Haven Academy. Velvet was no more the shy Faunus from day one (well not entirely) and had became close to the two Lions to the point they saw her as a member of their 'pride' along side Team RWBY and JNPR.
"How are you Vel ?" Amethyst asked the Rabbit Faunus as the two of them shared a hug "I'm fine thank you ! I'm a bit sad that we didn't make it to the end but I know we made our best !" Velvet replied with a shy tone and Simba looked at her with a soft smile "You did ! From what I heard you were all impressive ! Shame they didn't allowed us in really..." The Rabbit Faunus looked at him with a smile before hugging his muzzle whispering a little "Thank you".
"No problem Vel ! By the way do you know who are the next fighters ?" The Golden Lion asked Velvet with some curiosity and she went deep in thought before answering hesitantly "Hmmmmm…. Oh yes ! Its Pyrrha Nikos against this girl… What was the name again ? Penny I think..." At those words, the two Lions froze in their tracks staring at the Faunus with horror in their eyes "Did you say Penny ?!" Amethyst asked Velvet who, despise being surprised by their reactions, nodded.
"Simba ! We must stop this fight !" The reddish-browned Lioness inquired her mate with panic in her purple eyes as she went back on her paws. The Golden Lion frowned as he looked at her before asking with confusion "Why ?" "Do you remember what is Pyrrha's Semblance ?" Amethyst asked him back in response after a roll of her eyes. "Of course I do ! Its Polari-"Simba began to answer before freezing in the end as realization flashed in his mind "Quick we must go !" "Wait ! Can one of you explain ?" Velvet asked with concern, stopping them in their track.
"Pyrrha's Semblance is Polarity and Penny is an ANDROID !" Amethyst shouted to the Rabbit Faunus whose eyes widened in horror as she seemed to realized where they were getting on. "OH ! THEN GO AND STOP THE FIGHT !" Velvet cried out to them and they nodded at her before dashing toward the stadium just as the next match was announced by Professor Port " It looks like our first contender is... Penny Polendina from Atlas… And her opponent will be... Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon !"
Hearing this, the two Lions looked at each other in horror "How could we get up there ?!" Amethyst asked her mate as the two of them stared at the flying arena with despair "Going somewhere guys ?" a familiar voice caused the two to look up to see the same Bullhead (and pilot) Ozpin assigned to them days ago ! "Yes can you take us up there ?" Simba asked the man hurriedly and he nodded as he opened his cockpit "Come on ! Climb in !" The Lions jumped in and the airship took off toward Amity Colosseum .
The airship then stopped near the highest docking bays where usually publics came out of their Bullheads. "Thank you !" Amethyst said as she and her mate jumped out of the airship "I will wait for you !" the pilot said back seriously and the two Lions nodded before dashing away to the seating area where the public was. There they saw the stadium were many people were sitting around a round arena where we saw two familiar forms facing each other : Penny and Pyrrha !
However before they could step in, a new voice called them out "Amethyst ! Simba ! What are you guys doing here ?" They turned their heads to see Ruby approaching them "Ruby ! We came to stop this fight !" Simba responded to the red teen who gasped as she replied back "Me too ! Emerald just told me who will fight next and I came here as fast as I can ! But how did you get here ?" "Tell you later ! First we must prevent this two to fight !" Amethyst retorted back as she looked back at the arena where we saw Pyrrha and Penny circling each other. Simba and Ruby nodded and the Golden Lion lowered his front part down looking at the red teen "Climb on !"
Ruby did just that before the two Lions faced back the arena just as Penny was about to attack Pyrrha. "Quick !" Simba shouted out before rushing forward with Amethyst, determined to prevent something to happen to two of their closest friends. Meanwhile, Pyrrha dodged Penny's attack before deflecting another one with a serious look on her face. Penny frowned as she threw her arms forward ready to launch her swords at her opponents when suddenly a cavernous roar caused everyone to froze in their tracks.
The two fighters didn't have time to react when two large forms jumped between them, blocking their path toward each other "Amethyst ? Ruby ?" Penny asked with wide eyes as she stared at the reddish-browned Lioness who was facing her with a sad look on her face while Ruby was looking at her from Simba's back "Simba ?" Pyrrha asked in equal shock as she looked at the Golden Lion who was staring back at her with a serious expression on his face. Around them, the crowd went silent as all eyes were focused on them.
"Simba please move !" Pyrrha inquired the Red Maned Lion who didn't backed down as he staid where he was. "Friend Amethyst please step aside !" Penny inquired the reddish-browned Lioness as she lowered her swords a bit "I'm sorry Penny but I can't !" Amethyst replied back to the orange haired android before Simba took over "We are trying to protect you !" Blinking at the unexpected answer, the two fighters frowned in confusion "Protect us from what ?" Pyrrha asked them with a titled head.
"From each other !" Ruby responded as she jumped off Simba's back to face the two girls "Pyrrha… Penny… If you fight each other, one of you will die !" the red teen's next words shocked the two and around them, the crowd were wondering what the Leader of Team RWBY meant. "Pyrrha ! Your Semblance is Polarity right ?" Amethyst asked the redhead who nodded at her despise her confusion of why she was asked this. "WHAT ?! Your Semblance is Polarity ?!" Penny cried out as she seemed worried.
"Yes but I still don't see your points… Its not a big deal..." Pyrrha began to say before Simba stepped in "It is when your opponent is made of metal !" Now it was Pyrrha's turn to be shocked as she looked at Penny with wide eyes, ignoring the stunned silence from the crowd "W-What ?" "Penny is an Android ! A Being made of metal ! If you use your Semblance on her..." Amethyst began to say before pausing deliberately. Pyrrha looked horrified if her paling face was any indication and Penny looked just as worried.
Then the Android looked at Ruby with what would have like tearful eyes "I thought you wouldn't tell anyone..." Ruby looked at the orange girl with a sad look "I didn't told them… They sorta discovered it on their own..." Penny looked at them before asking "How did you know ?" "I was the first one to notice… The first time I met you, you have a strong smell of metal around you and then I noticed that you didn't breathed like everyone do… That's when I saw Ironwood's metallic 'dogs' that I made the connection..." Simba explained as the Golden Lion looked at her with a gentle look on his face.
Penny nodded and then looked back at Ruby "Sorry for implying you-" the android began to say when suddenly she was engulfed into a hug by the Leader of Team RWBY "Its okay I understand..." Penny, at first surprised, smiled as she hugged her friend back under the smiles of Amethyst, Simba and Pyrrha. "Guys ? Can I ask how did you get here ?" The redhead asked the Lions who grinned in response before answering "A pilot we knew well took us up there~" Pyrrha nodded but then something caught everyone's attention : the images coming from the broadcast suddenly tinted an ominous bright red with a piece hovering over the scene before revealing the face of a laughing woman.
A pale woman with jet black sclerae in her eyes and glowing red irises. Her bleached pale hair were made into a large bun six offshoots wrapped with obsidian-colored ornaments. On her face, Simba saw dark purple veins and a dark diamond-like thing in the center of her forehead. Being the woman were the familiar shape of Grimm ! The sight only sent a wave of panic through the crowd.
"Greeting people of Remnant ! For those who don't know me I am Salem, the Queen of Grimm !" The woman explained with an evil smirk and another wave of panic came from the mass of people watching the screen. Simba and Amethyst growled at the broadcast with anger : despise their shock at seeing the Queen of Grimm herself, they refused to let everyone see their uneasiness. Beside them, Ruby, Pyrrha and Penny were looking at the screen with shock and disbelief.
"I have been in this world for centuries now… I was there when the Two Brothers killed the first Humans… I was there when Humanity was at it greatness ! Today you are nothing more than a mere shadow of what had been… The Headmasters, who are acting as your guardians, knew of my existence and yet they hide it from all of you !" At those words, Simba and Amethyst could detect the anger coming from everyone present and themselves were not happy about how Ozpin and Ironwood hide such important details.
" If I'm speaking to you now, its too let you know what is REALLY going on ! People like Ozpin tried to hide the fact the kingdoms are at the brink of WAR and yet let everyone in the dark ! If I'm here today, it is to denounce this injustice… and to start to finally achieve what I should have done a long time ago…" Salem paused in her explanation as an evil grin appeared on her pale face before adding with a maniacal laugh "The conquest of Remnant !" then the screencut, the sound of her laugh still coming from it.
A few seconds after the screen went on, the sound of a wailing alarm echoed throughout the structures just as on the orange flashing screens, some words appeared "CAUTION !" "What the hell is going on ?!" Simba asked out-loud in alarm just an a Warning announced indirectly responded him with "ALERT ! Incoming Grimm attack ! Threat level: Nine ! Please seek shelter in a calm and orderly manner !"
Hearing this, everything went wild when the crowd began to scream in panic while fleeing the scene as fast as they could through the exit tunnels. Suddenly Ironwood's annoying voice was heard echoing from the megaphones "Ladies and gentlemen, please... There is no need for panic !"But as soon as those words were said, a Giant Nevermore appeared above the arena's domed force field before giving a series of deafening screeches as it tried to destroy the barriers with its beak and claws.
Seeing, Sun Wukong , who was standing beside Coco went on his feet before shouting out-loud in disbelief "a Nevermore ?!" "How did it get past the Kingdom's defenses !?" Coco asked back loudly as she lowered her glasses a bit to look at the Dark Bird. "It wasn't alone..." Ren inquired as he rose from his seat while Simba roared at the Bird who cawed in fright when it saw the Lions' glares. It stopped his attack on the barrier for a moment, its eyes locked on both Simba and Amethyst.
The reddish-browned Lioness then looked at her mate before inquiring "Simba I think go back to Beacon..." "Why ?" Simba asked her back, looking away from the Nevermore. "Do you really think Salem would only attack Amity Colosseum ?" Amethyst asked him back and he nodded, understanding where she was getting at "Alright let's go !" The Golden Lion said before looking at Ruby, Pyrrha, Penny and the others "Can you take care of this ?" "Yes don't worry about us ! GO !" the Leader of Team RWBY replied and after seeing confident nods from the others, the two Lions dashed away toward where the Bullheads were.
"Come on climb on quick ! Grimm are attacking Vale ! They're too many of them !" the pilot explained to them as he opened the cockpit to let them in "WHAT ?! Take us there ! NOW !" Amethyst ordered the man with alarm and the pilot nodded as he closed the cockpit before flying away toward the city. From the 'windows', the Lions watched in horror as a large amount of Grimm entered the city, all heading toward Beacon Academy !
"HURRY UP AND LAND THIS AIRSHIP ALREADY !" Amethyst roared to the pilot who, because of the fear, quickly what he was told as he stopped above a small building before opening the cockpit "Good luck out there !" "What are you gonna do ?" Simba asked the pilot who grinned at him before answering "I will stay around and help as much as I can ! Again good luck !" The Lions nodded before watching as the airship flied away to who-know-where.
Then they turned their heads to see a large horde of Grimm heading toward them. "Are you ready Ame ?" Simba asked his mate with a growl as he unsheathed his claws "I am… We must stop those Grimm to come any closer to Beacon… Are you with me ?" Amethyst asked him back, unsheathing her own claws while looking at him with a fire of determination in her purple eyes "To the death..." Simba responded back seriously before looking back at the coming Grimm as people passed beside them to escape the area. "For Beacon ! AND FOR REMNANT !" The Golden Lion roared loudly before charging forward quickly followed by Amethyst. The panicked people, seeing them, stepped aside to let them pass before resuming their escape as the Lions attacked the Grimm, ripping them apart with their claws and fangs as around them everything was nothing but chaos.
At the Amity Colosseum, Ruby, Sun, Coco and many others were fighting the Nevermore while Ironwood sent his army against the upcoming group of Grimm. Ghira Belladonna ,who was with his wife and daughter along with Weiss Schnee, also sent his men to fight alongside Hunters and Huntresses of Beacon while Ozpin, Glynda, Amber, Emerald and the rest of the staff were protecting the school.
The Battle of Beacon had just begun…
(To be continue…)