Okay, so apparently people still aren't getting this. Cinder and Tex are the same person. CT stole Cinder's powers, which are also Tex's powers. So Tex is Cinder, CT took that power thanks to device that "someone" had their team develop. Is that clear, everyone understand how that part of the universe works? Now moving on...


[Vault under Beacon]

Only flashes of green and vermilion are illuminated in the darkness. More flashes are shown as Ozpin and former student Connecticut clash weapons against each other. After a clash, CT slides back, using her hand to melt the floor below her, and summons ice crystals from the newly-formed substance, hurling them towards Ozpin. Ozpin deflects them all by moving at superhuman speed, and then darts forward and delivers a bunch of strikes at CT with his cane, with the last blow launching her back. Connie then floats mid air by unleashing her Maiden power. Ozpin then slams his cane into the floor, forming a spherical force-field around him. CT then unleashes a powerful fire blast, with Ozpin leaping into the attack with the barrier protecting him.


[With Church and Tex/Cinder]

Church slammed Tex back first through the burning doors, pass some library books and into a lone piller. He snarled his huge teeth at her, his fangs showing, nostrils flared and eyes seeing crimson. She told him everything, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So she understood and didn't fight back against his grip.

Church's claws were close to digging into her neck as he growled at her, "I should kill you... you know that right?"

"You could..." Cinder agreed, "...but in doing so you'd have little to no chance to fight off the threat that's coming."

"I'll manage... we'll manage without you." Church replied letting go of her throat as he loaded his guns.

Cinder reached for his revolver and pulled it out to inspect if it was good for use before Church could grab it back. She opened the loading cylinder and glanced back at Church, "You'll need armor piercing anti tank bullets for this one... and that's just to stand a chance."

"Thanks for your concern, now go!" Church yelled as he got his gun back.

Tex pushed him up against the wall and looked him in the eyes, "Listen here you stubborn jackass, she has the power of what is basically considered a demigoddess, you can't do this, but with me you have a chance. So, you just gonna throw your life away or do you wanna get shit done?"

"Fuuuuck!" Church screamed as he placed in his head about what the best option was. Trust the person who backstabbed him to take out the people who backstabbed her. Option 2 was going in alone on the suicide mission, "What's your plan... bitch?"

"Asshole." Cinder returned the insult.


[Caboose]

Sprinting through the streets of the city, Caboose had his head on swivel yo search for Emerald, making sure no one was left behind. Calling out her name after every block, fighting off Grimm and guiding many people to safety he still kept looking for her. Hope in his heart held out but was fading as he continued his quest.

"Emerald! Are you okay?!" Caboose called to his friend.

He waited for a bit but finally received a response, "Caboose..."

"Emerald!" Caboose cheered as he finally found her, now they could get out as he ran to her voice.

"Caboose... go... it's a trap..." Emerald shouted back.

Caboose continued to run towards her, "Emerald?!"

"Caboose, Run!"

"Em... Emerald?" Caboose finally rounded the corner where Emerald was to see her and her situation. She was tired, exhausted as she had to fight off what was literally an army in front of her. An army of the same man, a person in a red and black armor with a biker helmet in front of her, somehow surrounding her.

The got the upper hand and knocked her to the ground and began to curb stomp her, at least 10 of them gathered around her. Caboose wasn't alone as Grif and Simmons came up right behind to join him, but even still it was them against what could possibly be almost a hundred in an alley way. But the sight Emerald being harmed in such a way angered him greatly, his blood was boiling.

He rushed in and charged down the ones in his way and the ones surrounding Emerald, making a clear path for him, Simmons and Grif. They gathered around her and Grif picked her up while Simmons and Caboose aimed their weapons.

"Outgunned, outnumbered and shit out of luck. Any ideas?" Simmons asked.

The one clone or possibly the original stood behind the group and shouted to his army, "Surround them, make sure none of them get behind me!"

"We're already surrounded, dickless!" Grif called out to him.

Caboose stared at the ground and spoke so calm to Grif and Simmons, "You guys take Emerald and make a run for it, I'll hold them off."

"Are you crazy, he's an army and your arm is still messed-" Simmons stopped when Caboose flexed his muscles and began to crack then shatter the cast off his arm.

Caboose finally looked up with his eyes glowing green, a and his hands burning or what looked like they were burning as more energy filled them, "Not crazy... I'm angry... you wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

Grif carried Emerald in his arms as he and Simmons made a dash while Caboose made a charge for his enemy. All the two could feel was the ground shaking, they heard fists hitting bodies, multiple gunshots failing to slow it's target. Whatever happened to Caboose was just the beginning.

As they rounded a corner they ran into a troop of White Fang leaving the city, unfortunately they had time to spare. Once the three were spotted they immediately began moving the other way as Simmons began to cover the rear for Grif. They were being chased again, just like every other day.


[Dock outside of Beacon]

Air buses are continuing to pick up the last few civilians and students. Peter Port, Boomstick, Wiz and Bartholomew Oobleck oversaw the evacuation.

Port called out to everyone left, "That's it! Everybody on board! This is a mandatory evacuation!"

"A safe zone has been established in Vale! Please, remain calm and listen to Atlas personnel!" Oobleck advised alongside Port.

Weiss Schnee stared at what is in front of her, in disbelief. As Ruby Rose comes running down the path. Zwei barked to alert Weiss to her leader's presence, Weiss turned around to meet her.

Weiss went to her only teammate still standing, "Ruby!"

Ruby finally caught her breath as Tucker followed behind her, "Oh, I found you!"

Weiss worried for her teammate wanted to ask so many questions, "Ruby, where have you-"

Ruby tried to calm her friend before stepping closer, "Don't worry, I'm fine! What's going on?"

Unsure of what to say, Weiss lowers her gaze sadly.

Ruby immediately took notice of this, "Weiss? What is it?"

Weiss stepped aside, giving Ruby a clear view of Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long lying on the ground. Both girls have bandages wrapped around their wounds, and the latter is unconscious. Behind them sit Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren, who are too battered and bruised to fight. Blake reaches over and places her hand on Yang's.

"I'm sorry." Blake started running tears in through her eyes.

Ruby reached out and opens her mouth to say something, but in her emotional state, she doesn't know what to say.

Blake curled up, closed her eyes and repeated herself, "I'm so sorry."

Ruby called out to her unresponsive sister, "Yang..."

Sun walked over to them, "Hey. She's gonna be okay. The soldiers have a ship ready to take you guys to Vale."

Nora refused to leave, "But Jaune and Pyrrha are still missing."

Nora attempted to stand, but she quickly sits back down, groaning and holding her side.

"What!? Seriously!?" Tucker questioned.

Sarge, who had gotten Donut to carry Mercury onto the ship tried to get them to leave, "Look, kids, that giant Grimm is circling the school! Even the White Fang are retreating! We all have to evac, now! Return home so we can rethink our victory."

"We're not... leaving!" Ren stood up, but then fell to his knees.

Sun turned and casts a worried look at Blake.

Ruby stood standing in her friend, "I'll find them... I'll find them, and I'll bring them back."

"No! We will find them." Weiss turned to Nora and Ren, "Watch after Blake and Yang. We'll be back."

"I'm coming too... Church and Caboose are missing too, as well as Grif and Simmons." Tucker stated as Lopez joined them, "We're coming too."

Ruby and Weiss ran back toward Beacon Academy, while Sarge watched them go.

"You all better be come back... and bring Emerald back damnit." Sarge sighed.


[Beacon Tower]

Jaune and Pyrrha ran out of the front door. The muffled sounds of Ozpin and CT's fight can be heard.

"Okay, I think I have Glynda's number." Jaune started walking away, looking at his Scroll, "Oh, where is it?"

Pyrrha turned and stared silently at Beacon Tower, Jaune's voice soon broke her concentration.

Jaune still had questions, "Pyrrha? What was all of that?"

Pyrrha turned to look at Jaune, to answer him, "I..."

Their conversation is interrupted by an explosion, followed by CT and Darius used fire to fly up through the elevator shaft. The two teens stare at the tower in surprise.

Jaune stuttered as he realized what this meant, "But... Ozpin..."

"There's no time." Pyrrha shook her head, then looked at Jaune, quickly adopting a determined tone, "Go. Get to Vale and call for help."

Jaune grew even more confused, "Huh? What are you gonna do?"

Pyrrha slowly turned her head to stare up at the top of Beacon Tower. Following her gaze, Jaune realized what she planned to do.

Jaune started to stop her, "No... no, Pyrrha, you can't. You saw how powerful she is! Pyrrha, I won't let you do-"

Suddenly, Pyrrha grabbed Jaune's head in both hands and silenced him with a long kiss on the lips. After a moment of hesitation, he gently pulled her in and returned the kiss, while Pyrrha slightly raised her foot behind her. She then pulled away, ending the kiss, and stared into his eyes, one hand on his cheek and the other on his chest.

Pyrrha sadly spoke, "I'm sorry."

She then used her Semblance on his armor, pushing him directly into a nearby locker, which slammed shut from the impact.

Jaune tried to escape but was unsuccessful, "Hey! Wait! Stop, stop! Pyrrha, please don't do this!"

While Jaune pleaded to be free, Pyrrha walked over to the locker and began typing coordinates into it. She looked him in the eyes one last time, before stepping back and watching the locker fly away. Once it vanished into the distance, she clenched her fists and, once again, adopts a determined demeanor as she walked toward the tower.

Once she stepped through the entrance, she ran to the nearest elevator and used her Semblance to force the doors open. Inside, she found that CT has left a large hole in the floor and roof of the elevator on her way up. Pyrrha stepped inside the elevator, closed her eyes, and began to muster all of her strength. The elevator started shaking. She focused even harder, straining herself, until the elevator rose in a quick ascent toward the top.

Just seconds behind Church and Cinder make it to the elevator to find it gone, now realizing there may be only one way up.

"Hope Ozpin installed a second elevator." Church hoped as they ran to the stairway with Cinder leading the way. Upon arrival Cinder or Tex, (whichever you want to call her, same person), started climbing the stairs as Church looked up to see the seemingly never ending rectangular spiral that was the the only way up, "DAW SHIT!"


[Back to Beacon Campus]

Weiss' Scroll began to ring.

Weiss started to answer, "It's Jaune! Where are you?"

Jaune was in the street somewhere in Vale, panic in his voice, "Weiss! Please, you have to stop her!"

"What!? Who?! Jaune, where are you?!" Tucker wondered.

Jaune ignored his best bro's question, "Pyrrha! She's going after that woman at the top of the tower! She doesn't stand a chance!"

"Jaune, what are you talking about!? Where are you?" Weiss started.

Jaune shouted into the Scroll's speaker, "Don't worry about me!" He leaned against a wall and spoke at a normal volume, his voice full of sadness now, "Please, you have to save Pyrrha."

Weiss agreed to his plea, "We will. Are you okay?"

With one last flare of emotion, Jaune screamed and threw his Scroll onto the ground, breaking it. He collapsed onto his hands and knees, crying.

"Please..." was all Jaune could say.

Weiss tried to regain communication, "Jaune? Jaune!"

The ground shook, alerting Ruby, Lopez, Tucker and Weiss to the danger that approached them. The Wyvern flew into view, circling Beacon Tower with black ooze dripping from it. It perched on one of the arches stemming from the tower and uttered a screech. Ruby drew Crescent Rose, shifting it into its scythe form in preparation for the Grimm spawning from the ooze.

Ruby started to think, "I have a plan."

Weiss drew Myrtenaster, "You always do."

"Meet us up there." Tucker said as he unfolded his wings and Lopez strapped with his minigun arm as well as what looked like a heavy metal backpack. The two shot into the sky and started to aim for the Tower.


[In The Town]

Grif and Simmons are still running through the streets as more and more White Fang members chase them down. Simmons ran up ahead then would turn around to shoot at a couple while Grif tried to keep up. They were almost to Junior's bar, just a few more blocks to go.

But Grif was tired and could barely stand after his back took a couple shots, so they stopped just short. They were positioned behind an abandoned car as Simmons peeked his head up to see if they were still being chased, so far it was clear but it wouldn't be that way forever.

"Man, please leave me to die, at least I can go out while resting." Grif begged his friend.

Simmons tried to get the big man back on his feet, "Come on man, just a little further. Then you can steal Jr's booze and nap however long you want okay."

"I can't do it... Take Emerald, leave me." Grif repeated.

Simmons started to pull on Grif's arm, "I'm not... leaving... you behind..."

Then the bullets came as Simmons was forced to return to cover, he poked up to start shooting again, "C'mon man, you gotta get up. We can't stay here..."

A White Fang member jumped on the hood of the car, armed with an assault rifle, he took aim at Simmons but didn't see the ferocious twin that was dead set on him. Militia jumped from above and stabbed him in the chest, then began to keep stabbing before moving down to cover. She patted Simmons' shoulder for his hard work, "Heard you guys needed a hand."

"I got you big guy..." Melanie comforted the larger guy.

Simmons grabbed the other assault rifle from the White Fang member and started to give his friends new orders, "Take Grif and Emerald and get them out of here."

"What about you?" Militia asked, sounding more concerned.

Simmons placed the gun on the floor next to him peaked one more time, "I'll hold the line and follow you when they're safe."

Militia leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips, "For... good luck..."

"I'm not leaving you behind, I'll watch his back." Grif stated as he pressed his back up against the side of the car.

Melanie kissed Grif's cheek before the two sisters both took an arm from Emerald and ran for Junior's bar.

"Damnit, now I actually want to make it out this alright." Grif added.

Simmons blushed with a nod, "Watch my back."

With his backpack shoulder turret and rifle in hand Simmons shot and switched between multiplayer targets. Two to the left were shot with at least five burst rounds, three to the right with the remaining five and six shots from the turret. Despite his accuracy, the number of enemies continued to swarm them, so much so that Simmons started to back up to another car as Grif crawled after him.

Back in cover the fighting continued as the Withe Fang wanted to at least get these two for some reason. Simmons poked up again to shoot whatever he could, his left shoulder took a heavy hit. Forcing Grif to muster up enough strength to grab the other assault rifle and shoot back. His shooting was undisciplined, but was just enough to keep them back as his random shots continued to blast through at his opponents.

But soon Grif fell back as he was struck hard on the left side of his body, falling on his back, writhing in pain as the White Fang continued to approach them. Then Simmons rose up again, this time picking up the other assault rifle and shooting, the bullet that pierced him was a flesh wound. Three barrels, from one man gunning down a hostile mob as he and his friend kept backing away.

Simmons was seemingly unstoppable, until he saw about three grenades roll in front to left side of him. The blast knocked him far back past Grif and into another car. Grif looked to see his best friend in the worst state he has seen him in: his left face was ripped, burned, mangled, left arm gone the whole left side torn up. The arm that Simmons lost was right in front of Grif, as the White Fang crept closer Grif knew what he had to do.

Using his semblance and Simmons' arm, he absorbed the pieced of his friend within him to fuel him for the continued fight. With new vitality Grif grabbed his bat and went berserk, bashing straight into the fray, swinging left and right. Full of rage and aggression as he continued to avenge his friend just in time.

A white Van, belonging to Junior sped in behind them, with some of his men jumping out to begin shooting down the White Fang in a gang fight. Grif stumbled back to Grab Simmons and bring the two into the vehicle as they both came to finally escape. Now only time would tell if they would be okay...


[Top of The Tower]

In Ozpin's office, a large amount of smoke flows out from the elevator, masking the entrance of CT and Darius. She confidently strides to the window across the room, a determined frown on her face. As if sensing her presence, the Wyvern climbs up to the top, peers at her through the window, and screeches.

CT calmed herself with a gentle, comforting tone, "This is for a better future... without tyrants."

The Wyvern stared at her and uttered a shorter, quieter screech. Connie backed away from the window and held her hand out to the side, creating a fireball in her palm. The sound of sparks distracted her, and she looked over her shoulder at the elevator, her fireball dissipating. After a few moments, the sparks come to a stop, and immediately upon the elevator doors' opening, Pyrrha's spear flew towards CT, who casually leans to her right to dodge with a smirk on her face.

The spear is soon followed by Pyrrha's shield, backed by Pyrrha herself, and CT puts her arms up, blocking it and pushing it away. While Connie used her fire to hover in the air, Pyrrha calls her spear and shield back to her with polarity, staring down her opponent. CT gained a fiery glow around her eyes and swiped her hand through the air, attacking Pyrrha with an arc of fire. She then shot a stream of fire, which Pyrrha dived over.

Six small fireballs form in a circle behind Connie, and she sends another streak of fire toward Pyrrha, who barely avoids it. Once again, the Maiden sent a stream of fire to the young redhead's way, but this time, Pyrrha blocked it with her shield. She lept toward CT, powering through the flame, and as soon as the fire stops, she spun around and slashed Connie's arm with her spear. However, CT caught the blade and pulled, turning Pyrrha around. Connecticut slammed her palm into Pyrrha's stomach, and fired, blasting Pyrrha away.

Pyrrha slammed into a wall and fell to her hands and knees. She then stood back up and faced CT with determination still in her eyes. Connie propelled herself forward with flames jetting from her hands, stern look on her face once again. She attempted to slam into Pyrrha's abdomen, but met a sniper round from a lever action rifle to the side of her face.

Her vast energy protected her as she got up to see who it was Darius arose from his cozy corner to see who shot her. None other than Church, panting heavy alongside Cinder, armed with two revolvers on her hips and some bullets to give. After a few huffs he finally managed a few words, "I'm sorry... was I interrupting something? Give me a sec... fuck Ozpin for... making... his office... so fucking high..."

"Suck it up, fatty..." Tex rolled her eyes.

"Fuck... you... it's how... my fur... looks."

"Well, well, I thought you did." Darius came up next to Connie, "Now ain't this something, Vale's champion, the cowboy and the one who betrayed the cowboy, also our old boss."

"Yeah screw you too... Let's cut the chit chat and save time..." Tex raised her pistol up at Darius.

CT flew in front of Dr. Pill and made several fireballs appear behind her, "You're making a mistake... we're doing this for a better tomorrow."

"Yeah, well the people behind you fight for a better tomorrow..." Church smirked.

Dr Pill cocked his eyebrow, "Behind... us?"

A crash came from the window as Tucker flew in and delivered a devastating kick to Darius' face while Lopez shot a few rounds from his gatling gun at Connie. CT luckily dodged in time as the two flying warriors joined their friends.

"Bout time you hit them from behind." Church raised his arm to receive a high five from Tucker who folded his wings in.

Tucker smirked as he heard what his friend said, "That's how I like to hit it... Bow Chika Bow Wow..."

As the five fighters stood shoulder to shoulder the new Maiden and her lover smiled happily as they looked at the window behind them. It took the people fighting for good no time to realize what was happening. In an instant they all jumped to the floor, Pyrrha lost her sword in the proces which landed at CT's feet. Who picked it up and melted it in her hands as the hot liquid metal fell to the floor.

"Okay, so we're fucked... anyone got any ideas?" Tucker asked as he got back to his feet.

Pyrrha was happy her friends were there but wished that they would leave now, "She's too powerful for any of us, I think we'll need an army to beat her."

"You can feel her power, it's too massive..." Tex wiped her face as he grimaced at CT.

Church furrowed his brow as he looked past them, "That's not her energy... that's... what is that?"

In the distance everyone looked to see a large glowing light of aura accumulating in the center of town. A bright green ball of energy was blinking as blue lighting flashed all around, and the roar. The roar was loud as a freight train caught in hurricane, being tossed around in the howling winds. The roar sounded familiar.

Whatever or whoever was creating that massive aura Church saw this as an opportunity to win the fight. He calmed himself down and drew a beam of energy into his body, then let the energy flow into his friends in four separate streams. The energy pooled into them and brightened their colors even greater: Pyrrha a deep orange, Tucker a bright sea foam green, Lopez a tanned brown and Cinder a dark black.

He explained the power up before CT could react, unable to move as he held his arms out, "Just a perk to being able to manipulate energy, temporary but it should work so please kick her ass."

Tucker and Tex flanked opposite sides of each other, Tex firing her guns she borrowed while Tucker went straight for Darius, keeping him put of the picture. Pyrrha used her semblance to toss the large metal desk Ozpin once had at her while Lopez flew directly overhead. Once CT got the desk off her she realized that she was swarmed with all the cogs and gears that Ozpin's clocktower office came with. The plethora of metal objects crushed her in a tight compact space while Lopez used his backpack, which was also a missile pod launcher sending several small but powerful missiles her way.

The collective explosion made the team feel confident until a blast sent all of them back and down. CT was hurt but not as bad as they hoped, "That was a nice effort and all, but now you're gonna pay for all the wrong doings you're going to do."

"Going to? The fuck you talking about?" Church shouted as he kept his energy focused on supplying his team with it.

CT aimed her hand at him as he said her next words, "Oh... don't worry... you won't have to know..."

A stream of flames shot at him while he used his energy to block it as best as he could, the fire forcing him back against the wall. His focus and strength fading fast as he strained everything to keep the his cracking shield up.

Pyrrha looked over to Tex, across the flames as she looked down to see the sharp metal hand of the clock. Cinder used her strength to lift the metal piece and aimed it for CT's back so Pyrrha could save Church. Unfortunately Darius had one trick up his sleve.

Using one of his folding throwing axes, he aimed at Tucker but was really aiming for Pyrrha as the blade entered her back. A scream escaping her mouth as she fell to the floor in pain. Tucker grew a ball of rage in his belly and knocked the other ax away, leaving Darius to battle with only his large knife.

As Pyrrha fell so did Church's shield as he was being engulfed in flames. The heat scorching skin, fur and clothes as he too screamed for the pain was unbearable. The fire was seemingly never ending as he fell to the floor and CT still burned his body while he cried for help.

But CT didn't learn not to fuck with Tex, as Cinder approached form behind and stabbed Darius ax into Connie's back. Cinder spun her back around as she gained a small bit of her power just to manifest another ax out of dust and stab that one in CT's chest.

Darius rushed to CT as Tucker went to Pyrrha and Tex went to Church, all worried for their partner. Cinder got her half her power back but didn't care as Church laid there, a smoking, crackling man. Still alive as he could only force himself to breathe.

Pyrrha was alive too as Tucker held her hand and lifted her up a bit, "Pyrrha, you're okay. You're gonna be okay."

"Actually Tucker... I can't... I can't feel my legs... I can't feel my legs..." She repeated as tears formed in her eyes.

Lopez finally got up as Ruby made it to the top, "Guys... what's... no... No..."

"Nosotros tenemos que irnos ahora/ We have to leave, Now." Lopez tried to warn them as the Wyvern alerted everyone of it's presence with a screech.

Tex covered Church in her dress she tore off, (she had her casual clothes on underneath you sickos.) so she could pick him up a bit without hurting him too much. Tucker lifted Pyrrha bridal style while Lopez prepared to cover everyone with his gatling arm. Until Ruby refused to leave as she let her knees fall to the floor.

Lopez shook Ruby, who's eyes were closed as he stood in front of her. When she opened them they were glowing a bright silver. Lopez saw this and said one word, "Mierda."

"Church... Yang... PYRRHAAAAAAAAA!!!" She cried as a stream of energy blasted through Lopez and cloaked the vast area in a blinding light.


[Several Days Later]

"Thank you again Sarge... I cannot tell you how much this means to me."

"Relax Director, you're one of my friends... it's the least I can do..."

"We're still not receiving anything... without the CCT we got nothing."

"Ozpin's gone, we have no way Communication outside of Vale, and our kid's are in terrible condition. This is bad Junior."

"I know... I know..."


[Sarge's Farm]

Caboose slowly rose his head as he found himself in a bed that wasn't his, in a room he had never been to. There were bunk beds on both sides of the room, including the one he was currently sleeping on. As he looked around he saw a sight that made him smile, Emerald sleeping on a chair next to his bedside.

His movement made her stir awake as she saw his face she smiled and moved closer, "Caboose... how you feeling?"

"Good, just happy you're alright... what happened?"

"Sarge and the Director, Church's Dad, found you in a crater, knocked out or sleeping."

"What? I don't... Church!? What happened to Church? Is he okay, did he make it out of there?"

"He's fine. He's fine... he's just... recovering... as most of us are..." Emerald saddened her face as she thought about those who were crippled by the event.

Caboose then had more questions, "What happened to School? Vale? All those Grimm?"

"It's under control but... things aren't the same... Ruby managed to put a number on that flying dragon and you managed to take out a hell of a lot of Grimm in a second."

"What do you mean?"

"You seriously don't remember? You and Ruby kinda went ballistic, you exploded an entire district in a second and she turned that Grimm to stone or something."

"What...?"

"I think I should be the one to explain this... do you mind if I speak to Caboose, alone?" The Director spoke from the doorway.

Emerald began to argue, "But... I see... I'll go check on Mercury."

As Emerald left the room, the Director closed the door so he could speak to Caboose as he leaned against the wall, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay... kinda hurting everywhere..."

"Makes sense, after what you did."

"What did I do... What did Ruby do?"

The Director pulled out a tablet and played the video showing a drone view of Ruby using her silver eyes to freeze the beast in it's tracks, "You Miss Rose did THAT."

"Wow, I never knew Ruby was so powerful..." Caboose awed at her power.

The Director swiped left to show what Caboose did, the alley way camera showed him being attacked by several clones and Grimm as they dog piled him. Then came the explosion of energy as the blast literally blew up most of the district he was in, the clones, Grimm and the Demo man were all caught in the blast. When the smoke cleared Caboose stood there, bathed in a green glow as he let out his roar, "THAT... was you. Thankfully that area was cleared."

"I'm sorry... I just... saw them... beating up Emerald... I got so... so angry and so mean..." Caboose clenched his fist, gritted his teeth before letting go.

The Director reached his hand out, "It's okay... Kid... you're destined for something great, you might not know it but it'll come to you. When that time comes your friends are gonna need your strength."

"How do you know?"

"Let's just say... I have a... somewhat intuition about this." The Director patted the boy's shoulder and stood up to leave, "Now rest up... you won't be of any use to anyone like this. Especially if you plan on tracking our targets to Haven, where our trail leads."

Once the door closed in a few minutes past, Caboose rose from his position to learn more from anyone he could. Passing the hall he spotted Sarge and Junior both in the living room watching sports and eating chips. When he made it to the front door he found Emerald passing by, she missed him by a few seconds but her face was deeply saddened. Outside of the house was none other than Mercury who sat in his wheelchair looking out past the horizon into nothingness.

"Hey Mercury... how are you holding up?" Caboose asked with a flinch.

Mercury didn't even bother to look at Caboose, "I'm alive aren't I, at least that's what everyone is saying."

"I know things are bad now but... they'll get better..." Caboose tried to cheer him up.

Mercury faked a smirked sarcastically, "Yeah, school is torn apart, city in chaos and our team's are broken, oh, and I can't fucking walk."

"Right... wait, where is everyone?" Caboose pleaded for answer.

Mercury started listing off the people who left, "Ruby and Yang went home, Weiss' Dad came to pick her up, Blake ditched us, Grif went back to his sister, Donut went to Mistral, Tucker is probably picking up random women somewhere, the twins are here along, Jaune, Nora and Ren are still near Vale. The rest of one's that are broken are in Atlas, going through more powerful treatment."

"But what do we do now..." Caboose wondered.

Mercury started to roll back inside, "I don't know... I don't care... I'm staying here."

Caboose sat down on the porch thinking about the next course of action.


[Elsewhere in the world]

Ruby stepped outside, wearing a backpack, and quietly shut the front door.

"Hey." Jaune greeted her at the door.

Ruby gave her best smile, "Hey, Jaune. Haven's a long way to go."

"I know. It's the only way we have." Jaune replied.

Ruby double checked with her new team, "Are you sure you want to come along?"

"The journey will be perilous, and whether we'll find answers at the end is entirely uncertain." Ren pointed out.

Nora then added her cheerful side to the discussion, "But we wouldn't be here if we weren't up for it."

"Yeah we're all in this together. Right guys?" Emerald turned back to watch her new team.

"Right." Both twins said in unison.

Caboose walked with the team and answered, "Wouldn't have it any other way... that's what friends are for."

"Then let's get started." Ruby nodded.

The eight beginning their long trek, down the road leading away from Taiyang's home.


[Unknown Places]

"A smaller, more honest soul... It's true that a simple spark can ignite hope, breathe fire into the hearts of the weary. The ability to derive strength from hope is undoubtedly mankind's greatest attribute. Which is why I will focus all of my power... to snuff it out."

Sarge was bringing a plate of breakfast to Emerald's bedroom, but suddenly stopped in his tracks when he sees she's not there. The old war horse then turned back out of the room, with the note Emerald left behind on her bed. As Sarge walked past Mercury to tell Junior, he sat still watching the dust blow, the crops grow and an old crow out the window.

"How does it feel, knowing that all of your time and effort has been for nothing? That your guardians have failed you? That everything you've built will be torn down before your very eyes? Your faith in mankind was not misplaced. When banded together, unified by a common enemy, they are a noticeable threat. But divide them, place doubt into their minds, and any semblance of power they once had will wash away."

Grimm were marching toward the ruins of Beacon. In Vale, Glynda is trying to repair a shop with her telekinesis, but fails to hold it together only to be patted on the back by Salem. Elsewhere, Blake is running across rooftops. She stops to notice Beacon in the distance before continuing onward. Weiss is then shown sitting in a passenger plane with her father. Tucker is looking at the whole scene from an alleyway, as he tosses a toothpick away, throws on some shades and turns to leave.

"Of course, they won't realize it at first. Like you, they'll cling to their fleeting hope, their aspirations. But this is merely the first move."

Weiss is sitting next to her father on a transport ship leading to her house in Atlas, because her home was not truly a home. As another transport flys next to here is none other than the Director, in his ship were precious cargo. Specifically all those badly harmed in the fight: Pyrrha, Church, Simmons, Lopez and a few more, all in life preserving pods.

"So you send your guardians, your Huntsmen and Huntresses, and when they fail and you turn to your smaller souls, know that you send them to the same pitiful demise."

An ominous-looking stone stairway lined with dark, purple crystals, of what once was a home. A broken figure in broken black and green armor overlooking a barren wasteland stood by themselves overseeing it all.

"This is the beginning of the end, for you morons..." A humanoid figure spoke, who showed signs of burnt marks, imprisonment "...And I can't wait to watch you all burn."

[The End... For now]


Okay so now that the first three volumes are done now I get a chance to tell you what's happening. 1st I am not dying, if anyone was thinking that don't worry I'll at least live to 100, trust me my family members live that long on average and death is still pissed at us. But no... I'm leaving for a bigger better opportunity in life... this isn't a permanent leave. So don't worry. Yes... this nerd is making weight for the glory and honor in life. Wish me luck and I promise I'll keep making chapters before I go...

Churchisalive signing off for now... Take care everyone.