Chapter 30
Blasts From The Past
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Flashback
"Scroll Communications / Tv"
Location / Date / Time Change
Oscar stared at the bag on his bed before picking it up and walking out of the barn. He started to march away from the only home he knew before looking over his shoulder. He shook his head and continued his march to Haven. 'I'm sorry.' Ozpin said from inside the boy's head.
"The weirdest part is how it feels, ya know?" Oscar asked. "Leaving home, going to the city, everything you've told me. It's all crazy. But now, it doesn't feel crazy. It feels like the right thing."
'Well, I suppose that's good.' Ozpin said.
"No, it's scary." The farm boy corrected. Thunder cracked over head and raindrops started falling, forcing him to run to the train station. Safe under the roof, he reached the ticket machine and tried to order one, only to find he had inseficnet funds. "Stupid thing. I'm guessing you don't come with an unlimited supply of cash?"
Ozpin chuckled inside Oscars head. 'No, I'm afraid you'll have to settle this matter on your-' The voice stopped mid sentence, catching Oscar by surprise. 'Be on your guard.'
"Wait, what do you mean?" Oscar asked.
"Here." Oscar turned and found Hazel walking over to the machine. He raised his fist and slammed it down on the box, making it beep in approval and spit out a ticket. Oscar bent down and picked it up as Hazel walked back into the rain before turning back to him. "Such a small obstacle should not block your path."
He walked over to the train as Oscar just stared at him. "That man... I... who is he?"
'A part of my past.' Ozpin explained. 'Someone who should not be taken lightly.' A train rolled by as Oscar stared at Hazel fading image.
Atlas
Kiryuin Manor
"Wake up, both of you." Satsuki pulled the blankets off Ryuko and Weiss, sending them crashing to the floor.
"What was that for?" Weiss asked, annoyed at the action.
"Your father is here, and he wants you back." The elder sister explained, shocking Weiss.
"And what, you're just gonna give her to him?" Ryuko asked.
"Don't be stupid. I'm sneaking you both out of here." Satsuki answer. "Klein is keeping Whitley busy. Get dressed, and then head to the study. Knock on the shelf nearest the staircase and knock seven times in a row. I'll know its you."
She started walking towards the door when Ryuko stopped her. "Why are you helping us? This isn't like you, sis."
"You're right, it's not." The older sister nodded. "But I must admit, it is much more fun." She left the room, leaving Ryuko and Weiss confused. Not wanting to take any chances, the two quickly dressed, grabbed their weapons and some spare clothes before sneaking out of the room.
"Which way to the study?" Weiss whispered.
"Follow me." Ryuko lead the way, Weiss heels clicking with every step. "Do you have to wear those?"
"Now is not the time to argue about footwear!" Weiss softly shouted back.
The two ran down the hall as softly as they could until a crash brought them to a stop in front of Ragyo's office. "Give me back my daughter!" Jacques shouted.
"She's a guest in my house, a house that you so rudely barged into!" Ragyo shouted back as the two girls listened in.
"Both of you, calm down!" Ironwood interrupted the two.
"Calm down!?" Jacques shouted back. "She takes MY daughter away from MY home, and you want me to clam down!? I guess you two are more alike than I thought. You BOTH stole my daughters!"
"Jacques, shut up about that!" Ragyo rubbed her temple in annoyance. "I cannot take another round of that argument."
"For once, we agree, Kiryuin." Jacques said back. "We have more pressing matters to focus on, starting with James' lunacy!"
"JACQUES!" Ironwood loudly shouted. "Winter is one of my best, and if she tells me that there is a threat in Mistral, I will NOT take that news lightly. She's been there for weeks. People are mobilizing, there's a spike in weapons and Dust trade. SOMEONE is about to do something, and I don't trust Leo to stop it."
"Other than yourself, who have you trusted?" Jacques asked back.
"There's a good reason for that!" Ironwood slammed his fist on the table and almost broke it in half. "If Ozpin had just listened to me from the start..."
"James, calm down." Ragyo requested.
Ironwood let out a sigh as he stood up straight. "Our people need protection. So by this time next week, Atlas will be closing its borders. Nothing in, nothing out. Not without the council's permission."
"What do you mean, 'nothing out'?" Jacques asked in anger. "You're cutting off our trading routes, that's insane!"
"Let's go." Ryuko motioned to for them to keep moving. "I do not want to get caught now." Weiss nodded and the two ran by the room, their footsteps drowned out by the aurguing.
The two reached the study and walked over to the nearest shelf. Ryuko knocked on it seven times and the case popped open, showing Satsuki in front of a staircase. "What took you so long?"
"Hey, you ever tried running in heels?" Ryuko asked, pointing back at Weiss. "It makes a lot of noise."
"Don't start that again!" Weiss demanded.
"Hurry up. Your ship is leaving soon." Satsuki declared.
"Ship? Where are we going?" Weiss asked.
"Mistral." Satsuki answered. "It was the only mother could get you two out of here; a Revochs cargo ship."
"Isn't that where Winter is?" Ryuko asked, making Weiss nodded. "I guess, in the end, you really can count on your big sister." The two passed Satsuki as she left the passage. "Hey..." Ryuko called out to her sister. "Thanks, Sats."
"Don't mention it,... sis." Satsuki closed the secret door behind them as they raced down the passageway. Ten minutes later, they reached the outgoing ship and the pilot let the, aboard.
"I could lose my lisense for this, but orders are orders." The pilot mumbled before taking off.
Menageire
Belladonna House
The sun shined through the screen doors as Sage slowly woke up, grabbing his shoulder in pain. "Easy there, buddy." Sun helped him up as Blake sat in the chair next to the couch.
"This is why, Sun." She said with her head down. "This is why I left everyone behind."
"Where am I?" Sage asked.
Blake stood up and walked over to the two. "I am sick and tired of seeing my friends hurt because of me."
"Blake..." Sun started.
"Shut up!" She shouted back. "Do either of you think I WANT to be alone? Everyday I think about them. Ruby, Weiss, Yang! They were all my friends! I loved them like I never thought I could love anyone. And I want them to hate me for leaving them."
"That's a lie..." Sage tried to sit up before Blake shouted him down.
"NO, IT'S NOT!" She shouted before sitting down. "Everyone thinks they can help me, but they can't. You both saw what Ilia last night, and she wasn't even the worst! They're better off without me, even if they don't know it. I made my choices, and I will deal the consqueses because they belong to me."
"You're not the only one whose made choices." Sage groaned as he sat up. "Yeah, that chameleon friend of yours got me good, but I made the choice to fight her. If it meant keeping my friends safe, I'd do it all again."
"Same here." Sun added with a smile. "And I know Yang would say the same. You can make your choices, but you can't make ours. When one friend fights for another, it's because they want to. So STOP trying to push us away. That's more painful than anything any bad guy could do."
An uneasy silence filled the room as Suns words sank in. "But hey, if it makes you feel any better, the next time I see lizard girl, I'm not gonna fight her for you. It'll be to get even for Sage."
"Hey, if anyone is gonna fight her, it's gonna be me!" Sage declared before grabbing his shoulder in pain. "Where's Aerith when you need her?"
Blake chuckled before the door fell down, showing her parents, specifically her mom, eavesdropping. "Oh, dear. Would you look at that. He's awake, thank goodness."
"Kali... please." Ghira grabbed the bridge of his nose and shook his head.
"Mom!" Blake shouted.
"Hey, Mrs. B..." Sun chucked.
Blake stood up and walked over to the door, or where it was. "What are you two doing?"
"Well, sweetheart, your father and I have something we need to speak to you about." Kali explained.
"Wait, what?" Blake asked as her parents walked in.
Ghira threw Sage his mended coat before placing Ilia' Scroll on the table. "Your suspicions turned out to be true."
"What do you mean?" Blake asked sitting down as Sage put his coat on carefully.
"Adam Taurus is planing a coup on the leader of the White Fang and stage an assault on Haven academy. It will be the fall of Beacon all over again." A series of 'thunks' drew their attention to the doorway. "What was that?"
Sage, already up, look out the hole where the door was before turning around as a high pitch whirring filled the room. "Get down!" Sage tackled Blake and Sun as Ghira covered Kali before the room, and roof, was blown to kingdom come.
All of Menagerie stared at the smoke cloud rising from the Belladonna home. The dust settled as shrapnel made from blast settled as everyone coughed. "You okay, Kali?" Ghira asked.
"I think so..." She nodded. Footsteps drew their attention as a in golden eagle mask walked in to the room glaring down at them.
"You just couldn't do it, could you?" He asked, taking out some kunais. "You couldn't just lay down and die!?" He raised his arms to threw them at the two when Blake raced up and punched him in the face.
The mask shattered instantly, revealing... "Raoul!? Why are you doing this?"
"None of your damn business! Now step aside!" He roared.
"I thought you hated the Fang!" Blake shouted. "Is this why you were following me? To kill my parents!?"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" He grabbed Blake and activated Semblance wings, taking off with Blake as a prisoner.
"We have to go after her!" Sun shouted.
"How, we don't know where he went?" Sage pointed out.
"Didn't he say he had a sister here?" The monkey Faunus. "We need to find her!"
"What's his last name?" Ghira asked as he Kali helped him up. "I know everyone in Menagerie."
"I think it was okami or something." Sage said.
"I know her." Kali spoke up. "I see her in the market from time to time. She's shown me to her house before."
"Let's go!" Sun and Sage took over helping keep Ghira up as Kali lead them to a small house. Kali knocked on the door and Jillian slowly opened the door.
"My brother said I'm not supposed to talk to anyone." She said from the crack.
"This is important!" Kali told her. "It's about your brother."
"My brother?" Jillian asked, opening the door all the way. "What's happened?"
"He's in trouble." Kali explained. "He might be hiding somewhere. Is there anyplace that means a lot to him?"
Jillian raced into the house and came back with a photo album before opening it to a specific page. "Here."
Outside the town, there was a small plain, free of any of the dangerous wildlife or the troubles of man and Faunus. It was an oasis, but now it was the sight of a murder attempted.
"How could you do this?" Blake asked as he threw her onto the ground. "How can you face your sister?"
"Everything I do is for her!" He threw a wave of his knives at her. Even with her Semblance, she was still pinned to a large rock. "I didn't want to do this! But I don't have a choice. If it means keeping her safe, I'll kill the whole damn world!"
"What is this about!?" Blake shouted.
"The Fang threatened her, and unless I took out your parents, they would kill her!" Raoul landed as he pulled out more knives. "All that maters is her safety, nothing else! They told you suffer, but I think killing you should get them to leave!"
"Stop!" Both looked over to find Jillian running in front of Blake, arms wide.
"Jillian, go home." He growled.
"No!" She shouted back before tackling him. "This isn't you anymore! I used to look up to, but now I don't even recogise you anymore! I just want my big brother back!"
Her words shocked her brother to the core as he dropped his knives. Dropping to his knees, he wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He picked her up and carried her over to Blake before pulling out the knives that held her in place. "Can you ever forgive me, Blake?"
"I guess..." Blake said, looking for any scratches.
The leafs in a branch rustled and the other four popped into view. "Man, she is fast." Sun panted as Raoul put down his sister.
"Look, there's some thing I need to-" He coughed up blood as the tip of a sword pierced his heart.
"No!" His body fell over, showing Ilia flicking the blood off her sword before jumping away. "Damn it!" Blake pounded the ground in anger.
"Big brother?..." Jillian asked as she tapped her brothers shoulder. "Wake up..." Tears filled her eyes as she knew what happened to her only family left as she broke down and cried. Kali crouched down and hugged the girl tight, letting her cry in the mother's arms.
"We have to destroy the White Fang." Sun said darkly. "They've caused too much damage."
"No." Blake stood up and turned to the others. "We're not going to destroy the White Fang. We're going to take it back."
Salem's Domain
Cinder could barely stand on her damaged legs as the Beowolves crept around her. Willing herself on, she swung her left arm and a blade of fire sliced three of them on half. Weakened by her use of power and her legs, she was almost crushed by Bobo the gorilla. A flaming palm strike to the gut turned it to ash before it did any harm to her before she dropped to her knees in pain and exhaustion.
"Enough." Salem walked from the safe zone and glared at Cinder. "You told me that you wanted power. That you were tired of being weak. Did you lie to me!?" Cinder turned and shook her head no in response. "Then why are you still holding back? If you truely wish to mater your powers, you must-"
The door opened, catching their attention as Tyrian walked in, sniveling like a dog before falling to his hands and knees. "It's her fault... just tell her that... she'll believe you..."
"Tyrian." His rabblings were cut off when Salem spoke up. "Your mission... was it a success?"
"N-no..." He dropped his head in shame as Salem walked away. "But-but all is not lost! My tail, my stinger, I poisoned him. He will not bother us any more. No, no, no, I made sure of that. Have I pleased you?"
"The last eye is blinded..." Salem mumbled before turning back to the Faunus. "Tell me, where is Neo?"
"She abandoned me!" Tyrian shouted. "After the girl cut my tail off, she forced us to flee and then just left!"
A buzzing noise caught everyone's attention as Emerald nervously fiddled with her Scroll. She pushed a button before walking over to Salem. "It-its for you."
She pressed the speaker button and a picture of Roman's old face popped up. "Boss lady, I've got bad news, good news, and great news. The bad news is the relic isn't here. We've searched all of the tower and only found broken stones and a mug. The good news..." A picture popped up on screen, one of Qrow's flasks, dented and broken. "I know who has it."
"Qrow took the relic?" Salem asked, looking down at Tyrian in anger fro not noticing it. "And what is the 'great news'?"
"My spies have been tracking Red and her friends ever since they took down the Ghiest." Roman explained. "They're headed to a place called Kuroyuri. And Neo has taken the liberty of sending the Spring Maiden and her guards there as well. If we play this right, we can get all three at once."
Salem smiled at the plan Roman proposed. "I approve. The rest of the Grimm will stay at Beacon. Take a Nevermore to this town, and gather as many Grimm along the way. An army for an army." The conversation ended and Emerald quickly backed away from Salem. "Seems they're proving their worth. You should try to be more like them, Tyrian."
Salem left the room as Tyrian started to sob. The last Beowolf sensed the disparity from him and pounced. In a crying rage, Tyrian turned and whacked it to the ground with the remains of his tail. He jumped on to it and unfolded his blades, before beginning his own version of Lingchi*. Even after the beast was dead, he still kept stabbing it, breaking into a psychotic laughter as Cinder watched in horror.
Anima
Kuroyuri
To call the place a ghost town would be an understatement. The gate was destroyed, buildings were scorched with old flame marks and bones decorated the streets. Houses had their roofs crushed in and old bottles rolled in the wind. "Well, this is welcoming." Yang said as the three plus victim arrived.
"Let's go." Jaune lead the group into the town.
"Does you guys see anything that looks like a pharmacy?" Ruby asked, looking around.
"Honestly, it's hard to tell, sis." Yang answered.
"Ren really didn't want to come here, did he?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah... seemed like it..." Jaune added.
"Do you know why, bunny boy?" Yang asked, trying to keep thing light.
"I think I have a pretty good idea..." Jaune answered with a sigh as they walked past an old, withered lotus plant. Qrow started coughing again, this time much more violently. Setting him down by an old tree, the three split to look for medicine. A few minutes later they met up again. "Nothing."
"We should get back to him." Ruby lead the three back to Qrow who was now mumbling. A soft roar drew their attention as Jaune and Yang turned to fight whatever made the noise. "It's far in the distance."
"I know, but the others are still out there." Jaune loosened the grip on his sword as Yang dropped out of her stance.
Ruby stood up from her uncle and walked a bit to the other two. "I'm sorry."
"For what, sis?" Yang asked.
"This is all my fault." The younger sibling said. "I never should have dragged anyone else into this."
"No dragged anyone into this." Jaune said back. "All of us wanted to come."
"But, Tyrian, this Salem, all of this-" Ruby started to rationalize how everything was her fault.
"Sis, everyone..." Yang paused and let out a sigh before continuing. "Everyone lost someone that day. Pyrrha, Penny, Natsu. We can't ever bring them back. But you... gave us the courage to move on. Weiss, Ryuko and Blake are gone, and we may never get them back. But you chose to come out here, because you wanted to make a difference."
Ruby looked up as Jaune put a hand on her shoulder. "We all made that same choice, because of you." Ruby wrapped the two in a hug and they followed her lead.
Mountain Path
Vergil climbed up a short ledge before giving Aerith a hand up. "So, why didn't you want to go to Kuroyuri?" He asked Ren, walking ahead of the other three.
"It's... a bit of a long story." Nora answered since Ren wouldn't.
"We have a lot of time." Aerith said as they walked after Ren. "We could use a story."
Nora looked to Ren for what to do and he nodded back. "I... I suppose I had to tell you eventually, it's just hard to go through it again, it's plagued my mind for many years." He took a deep breath to calm his nerves. As the group walked, Ren and Nora took turns telling the tale of Kuroyuri's demise.
"That sounds... traumatizing." Vergil said, trying to think of something comforting to say, but just failed.
"Probably because it was." Aerith said back before turning to Nora. "So, you two have been together ever since?"
"Not 'Together' together." Nora clarified. "But yeah, ever since that day."
Ren stopped near the front of a cave as the wind blew around them all. "Our path was never the easy one."
"Easy is never any fun, is it?" Nora joked before turning to Ren. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. And you?" He asked back.
"You're with me, aren't you?" She teased before walking forward. "Come on, there's more than one way up a mountain." Thunder crashed above them as Nora reached the cave. "Guys, there's wind coming from this cave."
"Cave?" Aerith asked. Ren and Vergil ran forward, the latter stopping when he noticed Aerith wasn't moving. As she stared at the opening, sweat was going down her face as she couldn't stop shaking. "My body won't let me move..."
"Is this about what happened to your friends?" Vergil asked, making Aerith nod. "That was then and this is now. Trust me, we can handle a few Grimm." He lead her over to the cave and to Ren and Nora, waiting for them. "So, think this might lead to the peak?"
"Only one way to find-" A piece of cloth hit Ren in the face, making Aerith and Nora laugh, while Vergil only smirked. "Yes, get your laughs out." He pulled the cloth off before looking at it.
"What's wrong?" Nora asked before looking at the fabric herself. "That's Shion's symbol..."
"But that's the village where we found the Huntsman." Aerith mumbled. "That was weeks ago."
Ren dropped the cloth and ran into the cave. The others, including a reluctant Aerith, raced after him and were met with a horror show. Black blood scattered the floor and walls of the cave as broken weapons acted as trophies. Ren noticed something on the ground and walked over to it; it was one of his father's arrow.
Nora walked over and stared in shock. Ren followed her eyes to bloody hoofprint on the ground. "What is it?" Vergil asked as he and Aerith reached the two. Ren raced over to the other entrance to the cave as a roar echoed around them.
"It's headed for the others!" Ren shouted. "We have to get to them!"
Another roar shook the cave, making a few pebbles fall. "Wait... shouldn't the noise be getting lower if it's heading for the town?" Vergil pointed out. A clopping sound made them turn to the entrance they used. "Me and my stupid mouth."
All four starred as the Ichabod entered it home, and it was not happy to find intruders. It let out a blood curdling roar as Ren and Aerith drop to the knees. It was their childhood all over again.
Cracking the bones in its two fingers, it launched its arm forward at the group. On instinct, Nora pulled Ren out of the way as Vergil jumped out of the way. Aerith sat on the ground as the arm flew by her and hit the wall. It galloped forward, intent on making her into a pancake.
Ren recovered from shock and slammed his hand on the ground. His arm glowed before Aerith was covered in the same glow, making the Ichabod stop in its tracks, confused. "What the hell did you do?" Vergil asked.
"Just snap her out of it!" Ren shouted. Not needing to be told twice, he raced over and grabbed his teammate as Nora fired grenades at the beast.
Vergil placed Aerith behind a rock formation and started shaking her. "Aerith, focus!"
Aerith curled up into a ball and covered her ears. "Make them go away, Cloud. Make them go away..."
"Aerith, snap out of it!" Vergil shouted as the Grimm whacked the rocks they were using as a shield. "If you don't do something now, you're friends are going to die again, and this time, it really will be your fault!" Aerith just rocked back and forth, mumbling names. "Forget it! I'll deal with your problem for you!"
He raced around the rock and fired his guns at the beast, drawing its attention to him. It swung both arms at him and he jumped over them before shooting the hands. Ren shot the beasts head drawing its attention as Vergil charged and unsheathed Yamato before slicing one of the legs.
He turned to swing again only to get kicked in the face, sending crashing into the wall, making his sword fly out of his hand. The beast turned to him and launched an arm towards him, aimed at his head. "Aerith!"
The girl snapped her eyes and raced forward, stopping in front of Vergil. "Not again." Aerith swung her staff and sent the arm away from them. "Never again!"
Vergil pulled himself out of the wall and walked next to her, picking up his sword. "Glad to see you're back to normal."
"Who said anything about being normal?" Aerith asked. "I'm still just a scared little girl."
"There's nothing wrong with being scared." Vergil said back. "Not gonna lie, I get scared too. But you cannot let it control you. Fear leads to courage, and that's what we need right now."
"Let's go. Everyone!" Ren and Nora glanced over to Aerith. "Move in a circle!"
Nora fired two rounds at the head and others ran a round it, firing their guns as Vergil charged with Rebellion, slicing another back leg, and this time, he dodged the hoof that raised to kick his teeth out.
The beast let out a short roar before the spikes in its spine grew longer. The gunk connecting its upper and lower jaws together separated, letting it screech that forced everyone to cover their ears. It swung its arms and whacked them all together as it stopped screaming.
Ren stood up and jumped onto a large rock before firing Stormflower. He jumped off, only to get pinned to the caves wall by an arm as it cracked its other arm, preparing to launch it forward. "Aerith!" Nora jumped off the staff as Aerith swung it, sending flying towards the wall.
Ren braced for the impact, only to hear a thud and some cracks. He looked up to find the other arm around Nora's hammer, leaving her hanging above him. "Don't look." She pulled up her skirt as Ren looked away. The Ichabod, still gripping the hammer, slammed Nora down on the ground before throwing her out of its grasp, her aura depleting as she rolled on the ground.
Ren stared at the sight before trying to cut and shoot his way free. Vergil sliced the back legs and the horse bucked, letting Ren pry the hand off and him fall free. In a mad dash, he charged the beast and sliced the arm, only to get hit by the second one. He tumbled back a bit before racing back forward.
"Ren, stop it!" Aerith shouted. Ignoring the cry, Ren missed the arm digging itself out of the ground and grabbing his legs. Spinning him around, Ren skidded of the ground and dropped his weapon before it flung towards Nora.
Nora pushed herself up to her knees and found Ren staring st the beast as it charged them, only for Nora to push them behind a rock. The beast followed them and the two waited for the impact. It never came.
Ren glanced around the side and found Vergil blocking the front feet. It pushed him down as Aerith fired her gun at it. The beast threw its arm at her and she polevaulted out of the way before the arm charged her again. Ren raced out to help them when Nora grabbed his arm "Nora, let go!" Ren shouted but she wouldn't let go. "Nora, if we don't help, they're going to-"
He turned to her and she slapped him across the face. Catching his attention to say the least, Ren looked at her as she dropped her head. "I won't let you kill yourself. After everything we've been through, I won't let it end." For a brief second, Ren saw Nora as he did when a child. "Not like this."
Ren glanced down and found his father's arrow, having been bounced around from all the fighting. He picked it up and gripped it as Nora grabbed his hand, making him look up to her. "We can do this." He stared at her for a second before nodding. The two moved out from the rock as Vergil and Aerith reached it as Nora picked up her hammer.
"Okay, what's the plan?" Ren asked.
"Me and Aerith will handle the arms." Vergil said and Aerith nodded.
"I'll deal with the horse." Nora added, gripping her hammer.
"And I'll take care of the rest." Ren finished as Nora jumped up onto the rock.
Vergil ran to the side and blasted its face, catching its attention. It swung its arm at him and he rolled to the side before pulling out rebellion and pinning the arm to the wall, making it scream in pain.
Aerith ran forward and whacked the beasts undercarriage, angering it even more. After rolling out of the way of the kicks, it swung its free arm at her. She spun her staff around and it wrapped around like a cork. It started pulling her towards it as she dug her heels into the ground. "Cathc!" Vergil tossed Aerith Yamato and she pinned the other arm in place, making scream in pain again.
Nora fell off the rock with a smile and slammed her hammer down on the horses head. Its mode of transportation dead, the Ichabod screamed in pain as Ren walked forward, arrow in hand.
The beast roared in his face as he gripped the shaft tight. 'For my mother, my father, all those you've slain.' He grabbed the beasts horn and stared into its eyes. "For myself!" He slammed his father's arrow upwards into the beasts head, killing it.
The cave filled with black smoke, forcing them to run for clean air. They reached the caves entrance and coughed a bit before Nora tackled Ren in a hug. "We did it!"
"You feeling okay?" Vergil asked Aerith.
"Yeah, I think... I think I'm fine now." She nodded.
He smiled back before looking forward. "Guys,..." All looked up as he pointed to Kuroyuri. "We have a bigger problem." They followed his finger to the destroyed town, as an army Grimm marched towards it.
Kuroyuri
A screech drew the threes attention as a Nevermore landed outside the town. Ruby jumped up on a building and looked down the scope of her rifle. "Oh, man, that's a lotta Grimm."
"How many?" Jaune asked.
"I... can't count that high." Ruby confessed, jumping down. The Grimm started marching into the to the city, lead by Roman and Neo. "He really is alive?" Ruby asked.
"We can't fight that many." Jaune said. "We need to hide." He picked up Qrow and Ruby helped him as Yang followed them.
"Little red, little red." Roman called out. "Come out now, and we won't kill your friends." A portal opened up before him and he smiled. "Right on cue."
The three able bodies plus Qrow huddled down and found a place to hide as all of Raven's tribe stepped out of the swirling mass. Jaune poked his head out of an old window just as the portal closed. "I think we just walked into the middle of a war."
"Stand aside, criminal." Raven said.
"What does that make you, bandit?" Roman asked. "Get out of the way, and I'll forget this ever happened." Raven glared through her mask before motioning her men to charge. "Get them!" Roman fired his cane and took out a man l as well as wounding two before the Grimm charged. Roman casually walked forward and dodged Raven's blade. Ursas charged her and after she took them out, Roman blasted her in the gut. "Let's go, sweet cheeks." Roman teased as more Grimm assulted her as Neo ran into the fray.
Tribesman and Grimm fought with savagery and brutality. No grace, no sense of glory and honor, just fighting for survival. Hina used the maidens' power to fling an Ursa into the top of the building, sending it crashing down on top of Ruby, Jaune and Qrow under it. "Yang!"
Quickly pushing the fading bear off her, Yang tried to lift the roof off, but the angle kept her from getting a good grip. "Stay there! I'll get you out!" Yang ran around a corner and found herself staring at Natsu. Time seemed to slow down for Yang as Natsu walked past her, showing just the tip of a new tail sticking out of his nub. He pulled his arm back before punching clean through a tribesman gut. He turned and grabbed another one before ripping out his throat with his teeth.
Blood flew onto Yang's face as Natsu slaughtered anyone who came across him. "Yang!" Ruby shouted, snapping Yang back to reality. She turned back to the roof and pulled it off before setting it back down with her behind it. "Yang?"
"We're staying here until the fighting is over." Yang said commandingly.
Roman blocked a swing from Ravens and pushed against the sword as Raven looked around the battle zone. Even with all her power, her men were no match for the sheer number of Grimm, but they were making a dent in them. Roman kicked her back as all the moss instantly died around them. The dried leaves floated onto the air as a ball floated up and back down and Raven knew what it meant. "No, no, no, no, no... Damn it, Hina!"
Roman smiled as he fired a shot into the air. "We got what we came for! Retreat!" The Grimm covered him and Neo as they escaped to the Nevermore.
The rest of the Grimm acted as a living shield for the two and when the last fell, Raven ran over to find Hina' body against a wall, her guts spilled out, her mask destroyed, and her face covered in strange burns. "Spread out and find the girl with silver eyes." The tribe began looking around as the four hid, the only time moving was to stop Qrow's coughing fit.
"Guys, I think I hear something." Jaune whispered.
Raven looked up as two airships flew into sight. "Damn it!" She hated the idea of retreating, but no one could see know of the existence of her tribe. "We're leaving!" The whole tribe ran out of the village as ships hovered over the town.
"Yang?" Ruby asked her sister, putting her arm on Yangs shoulder. She pushed the roof off them and helped Qrow up and into the sight of the crew on the airships. They landed in the center of town and once all four were loaded, the ships took off into the air.
"How did you find us?" Jaune asked as Ruby stayed by her uncles side.
"We were on patrol and saw all the smoke." The guard said. "No ones been out here for years so we came. Didn't think we find a massacre here." He looked back at the blood spattered town. "What happened down there?"
"You... don't wanna know." Jaune answered. "Our friends are still out there. They went up a mountain path."
"I don't think they made it." The guard said back. "There's a monster there that destroys everything it can."
An large shot came from the top of the mountain, catching everyone's attention. "That's them!"
"You sure?" The assistant asked.
"There's only one guy I know who can pull of something like that. Vergil." Jaune added. The ships reached the cliffs and the other four waved to their friends. Quickly boarding the ships, the vessels took off.
"What if we don't make it in time?" Ruby asked.
"Guys..." Vergil pointed to the side and both looked up to find the city of Mistral, coming out of a mountain.
Ruby smiled as she wiped the tears from her eyes before looking down at her uncle. "We did it, uncle Qrow."
On the other airship, Ren and Nora held hands as the wind blew their hair. Yang sat alone in the corner, her hair covering her face.
Mistral Hotel Room
Ruby walked into the room her uncle was sleeping in. The doctors there had treated Qrow for the venom and he would make a full recovery. She placed her weapon on the bed before turning to the desk and the pen and pad on it. She sat down on the chair and started writing to her dad.
She told him... she told him how hard it was to be away from home. Having Yang helped a little, but after what happened in Kuroyuri, she seemed distant. Every step took them farther from what they knew, and they started wondering if anything good could happen again.
She told him how that was scary, and that Yang once told her that bad things happen for no reason. But now, she knows she was right. Bad things happen for no reason, but so do the good things. That's why they were there, to try and make more good things happen in this world.
She told him that sometimes we lose something, or someone. But, if everyone gave up every time they lost, then no one would be able to move forward. That we'd never see what the future could be. Without the strength to change, nothing would ever get done, or bee there for people who need us.
Menagerie
Remains of the Belladonna House
Blake looked around the remains of the office and found her prize; an old box that survived the assault. She opened it and picked up the banner of the White Fang, and glared at it in hate. She placed it down Kali and Jillian walked in, tears still fresh in the child's eyes.
She picked up the old banner of the Fang and looked at it as Kali placed Jillian down. The little girl walked over and handed Blake the new banner of the new White Fang; Raoul's Emblem.*
Mistral Hotel Room
Ruby finished writing the letter as Qrow woke up. "Hey, looks like you saved me this time?" He joked.
Ruby wiped the tears from her eyes as Yang walked in. "Sis, Uncle Qrow is awake!" She hugged the blond in joy, only to be meet with a pat on the head.
"Ruby, I need to talk to Qrow alone okay?" Yang asked. Ruby nodded and left the room as Yang sat down on the other bed.
Qrow rolled over and looked at the blonde. "So, what do you want to talk a-"
"Natsu knows about the maidens." Yang cut him off, staring at her hands, "You said so in your ramblings. And I saw him at Kuroyuri. His eyes were blank and... he..." She let out a sigh as she looked up at her uncle. "Uncle Qrow, I need to know. Who is Natsu?"
Qrow sat up and swung his legs over the bed, clutching his gut. "Glynda's gonna hate me for this... but I think it's time you know."
Salem's Domain
Cinder snapped her fingers and Emerald triggered her Semblance. Yang appeared on her knees, both arms missing, before looking up for mercy. Cinder glared at her before disintegrating the illusion. Salem smiled as the door opened and Roman walked in. "Roman, you've returned. Tell me, did you capture the silver eyes?"
"No." Roman shook his head.
"Did you capture the relic?" Salem asked.
"No." Another head shake.
Salem was starting to lose patience. "What about the Spring Madien?"
"I didn't kill her." Roman answered.
Salem sighed in disappointment. "Then you have proven your ineptitude. Cinder?" The scarred girl pulled her hand back and was about to burn Roman when a vine shot out and pulled her hand upwards. All turned to the source of the vine, none other than Neo's palm, her eyes glowing with a tint of green.
"I said I didn't kill her. Neo on the other hand..." Roman chuckled. "So, am I still in trouble?"
"For the deception, yes." Salem nodded. "But, one out of three goals is not horrible. All we need now is Watts to report in." Neo stuck her tongue out at Cinder before turning to Natsu, smile on her face.
Cinder glared at Neo as Natsu mumbled a name.
Mistral
Lionhearts Office
"Thank you, professor." Watts picked up his tea cup and put his feet up on the table. "Salem did say you were... very hospitable..."
Mistral Bar
That was the worst conversation Qrow ever had, not to mention the one he didn't ever want to have. Doctors orders be damned, he need a drink. He sat at the bar staring at the liquid courage.
"Excuse me?" He turned around and found himself staring at a little kid.
"They don't serve milk and cookies her, pipsqueak." Qrow said. "I'd leave before the bartender gets back here."
Oscar turned and whispered to himself. "I'm getting there. Ummm... I'm supposed to tell you, I'd like my cane back?"
Qrow stared at the kid for a few second before nodding. He stood up and pulled the cane off his side. "Good to see you again, Oz." He tossed the cane to the kid and it opened up for him.
* Lingchi- Death by a thousand cuts. Used as an execution method by medieval Chinese armies*
* Raoul's Emblem. (The blue team flag in red Vs blue, minus the knives.) *
When Ren's mom told him that everything is okay, I just thought 'has anyone ever said in fiction that without IMMEDIATELY dying afterwards?'. Seriously, it's like those words are cursed or something. I know he used his dad's knife in canon, but to me, it just seemed more poetic if he kills Ichabod with something that his father failed to kill it with.
One of the biggest complaints I've heard about this volume was the lack of action. Personally, I liked the fact that they slowed down and didn't smother us in action. It gave R.T. a chance to explore the emotional side of the characters instead of just shooting and slicing stuff. But I am intuned to will of the people, so I hoped you like the extra action I put in.
Some told me that the last chapter of this volume was Renora confirmed. To that I say, where was that? Cause I did not see it AT ALL. All I saw were two friends closing a chapter of their past. For me, conformation is either a kiss or a confession. Don't get me wrong, it's GOING to happen. I just didn't see it CONFIRMED in this volume.
I don't know why everyone got on Raven for 'being stupid' for going after Ruby. The guest review nailed it. 'Raven has a Maiden in her tribe.' So she knows Salem will be coming after her, regardless if she captured the silver eyes or not. But I counter with this; did you really think she was just going to GIVE Ruby to Salem? If that's all it took, why not just give her Hina the second she became a Maiden? One bargaining chip is good, but two is great.
Well, that's the end of this run for the story. But don't worry, I plan on doing another RWBY story to fill the time until volume five comes out. Who knows, I might be able to squeeze two of them.
Beta read by Natsu is Awesome.