Chp. 20: Call to Action Pt. 2
As the Nuckelavee slowly trailed to Oniyuri, the SDF and the Japanese Huntsmen all armed themselves and prepared for battle. Team JNPR, Ruby, Jacob, Britney, Robert, Alex, and Qrow stared at the oncoming Grimm as Hayashi and Junichi run back into the base to get ready.
"We better get ready and help the SDF," Qrow said.
"Yeah, they might need us," Alex said.
Qrow and Alex race back to the base as Ruby, Jaune, Pyrrha, Jacob, Britney, and Robert follow. Nora looks at Ren with a worried look as he stares at the Grimm. The very Grimm that destroyed their original home, Kuroyuri and killed Ren's parents.
"Ren. Ren!" Nora said as she shook Ren's shoulder.
Ren snaps out of his shock and turns to Nora.
"We need to get ready," Nora said.
Ren nods as he and Nora turn around to catch up with the others. They catch up with the others as Hayashi steps out of a tent. He was now wearing a fully armored samurai suit which includes a helmet, sleeve shields, lower armor below the waist, a sword, and an arrow quiver. The body armor was made of thick leather, and it was lacquer covered to help the samurai with the humid climate. He is carrying a Jitte in his hand.
"Nice armor," Jaune said.
"Thanks, it does suit me," Hayashi said.
"Shouldn't we attack that Grimm from a distance?" Alex asked.
"The last time we did that, it tried to charge at us," Junichi said.
"Last time? It attacked you guys before?" Pyrrha asked.
"Yeah, but this time however, we are going to attack it up close with a cavalry charge," Hayashi said.
"Cavalry charge?" Robert asked.
Junichi points behind the group. They all turn around to see two dozen Japanese Huntsmen saddled atop of horses, standing in rows of four.
"Horses!" Ruby and Nora exclaimed.
"Yes. You'll all be riding with us and help us take that thing head on," Hayashi said.
"Everyone partners up with a Huntsman and gets on his horse," Junichi said.
The group then each got on a horse, sitting behind a Huntsmen. Hayashi and Junichi both got on to their horses in front of the cavalry. Alex climbed on the horse that Hayashi was on, sitting behind him. Hayashi's sattle is carrying a pole with a rectangular white banner bearing a crimson-red disc at its center, the flag of Japan. Everyone looks outside the base and notices the Nuckelavee is halfway up to the base. Hayashi blew on his whistle.
"充電: Jūden (Charge!)" Hayashi yelled.
The cavalry then charges out of the base and heads straight for the Grimm. The Nuckelavee looks at the charging Huntsmen on horseback, twitching its various body parts. It sends out a shockwave roar that causes all the Huntsmen to flinch.
"着実に、男性。周りを一周: Chakujitsu ni, dansei. Mawari o isshū (Steady, men. Circle around it!)" Hayashi shouted.
As the cavalry approached the Grimm, they started to circle around it. The Huntsmen started shooting at the Grimm as the shots were barely having any effect. The Nuckelavee lashes out with one of its arms, extending it at a far reach. It knocks a Huntsmen off his horse. A cavalryman with Jaune sitting behind him charges at the Grimm. He slashes at its left front leg, grazing it. Two cavalrymen each carrying Ruby and Qrow rushed at the Grimm from behind. Ruby and Qrow drew their scythes out and swiped at its hind legs, making it stumble. Another cavalrymen carrying Nora circles up close to the Nuckelavee as she shoots at it. The Grimm stretches its arm at the horse, making it fall and knocking Nora and the Huntsman off.
"Nora!" Ren cried out.
Ren jumped off of the horse that he was riding on and raced towards Nora. The Nuckelavee walks towards her. Ren hugs on to Nora as his aura shimmers over him and Nora, graying out they're appearances. Their negative emotions are being masked, thanks to Ren's semblance, Tranquility. The Nuckelavee stops and looks around in confusion, unable to find any negativity. Suddenly three shurikens struck the Grimm in its side. It turns to see Junichi as he unsheathes his katana and his sheath transforms into a handgun.
"Hey, you Norse mythological freak! Over here!" he shouted as he shot at the Grimm's face.
The Grimm then charges at Junichi as Ren deactivates his semblance and checks on Nora.
"Nora, are you alright?" Ren asked.
"I'm fine, Ren. Really," Nora said.
Ren was about to get up and race after the Nuckelavee, but Nora puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Ren. I don't want to see you act so recklessly like you did in Volume 4," Nora said with a sad look.
Ren looks at Nora then hugs her. Nora hugs him back, rubbing the back of his head in comfort.
The Nuckelavee stretches its arms Junichi as he rolled out of the way of its attacks. Hayashi rides in and slashes it side as Alex shoots it in the face. Robert jumps off of the horse he's riding on and shoots at the Grimm, getting its attention. It hurls its left arm at him as he jumps into the air, transforming hie sniper rifle into its spear mode. He impales its outstretched arm and pins it to the ground. Ruby jumps off of her horse and uses her semblance to quickly get to its pinned arm. She swings Crescent Rose and slices off its left arm as it screeches in pain. The Nuckelavee hurls its other arm at Ruby, but Pyrrha rushes over and bashes it away with her shield.
A cavalryman carrying Britney charges behind the Grimm. Britney jumps off her horse and lands on the horse portion of the Grimm and stands behind the humanoid portion. She takes her twin katanas and plants them on the horse Grimm's back. The Grimm starts to jump around in an attempt to buck Britney off of it. The humanoid portion swings its only good arm at Britney, but She quickly pulls out her katanas and leaps off of it before she is struck. Jacob races over and catches Britney, holding her bridal style. The Grimm hurls its arm at the two, but Jaune comes in and bashes its attack away with his shield. Jacob puts Britney down and charges in to help Jaune. The three tag team at the attacking arm, slashing it away. Just as the Nuckelavee stretched its arm at three again, they all impaled the other arm and pinned it to the ground. Qrow charges over at the Grimm and Swings his scythe, cutting off the other arm. The Nuckelavee screeches in pain then charges at Qrow, but Nora suddenly jumps out of nowhere with her hammer and slams a killing blow to the head of the horse. Ren walks up to the Nuckelavee as all the humanoid portion can do is thrash around helplessly. Ren pulls out a dagger that his father gave him before he was killed.
"For my mother," Ren thought, slashing at its torso.
"For my father," he slashes at it again.
"For all those you've slain," He slashes once more.
"For myself," he said.
Ren swings his knife, beheading the Nuckelavee. It dies in a pillar of black smoke. Ren drops the knife and breathes out a sigh of relief only to be tackled by a giggling, triumphant Nora. He hugs her back and gives a single laugh. Everyone gathers around and is relieved that Grimm is now dead.
"Glad that's over with," Jaune said.
"Come on. We better get you guys ready to go," Junichi said.
Everyone starts to walk back to Oniyuri, as the Japanese Huntsmen took the horses.
Beacon Academy, Vale
Headmaster's Office
Meanwhile back at Beacon Academy in the Headmaster's office, the sun was starting to set and Professor Ozpin is currently training Oscar at close quarters combat. Oscar throws a punch at Ozpin, but Ozpin effortlessly slaps it away. Oscar tries to kick at Ozpin's head, but Ozpin drucks and sweeps his leg at Oscar's feet, making him fall to the floor. Oscar rubs his back as Ozpin holds out his hand.
"I believe that will be all for today," he said.
Oscar grabs the headmaster's hand as he helps him up.
"Professor, I have a question," Oscar said.
"What is it?" Ozpin asked as he went to his desk and poured a cup of hot cocoa in his mug.
"How do you handle all of this? How do any of your students handle all this?" Oscar asked.
"Whatever do you mean?" Ozpin asked.
"I'm... scared. I'm more scared than I've ever been in my life, than I ever thought was possible," Oscar said "I always knew that I wanted to be more than a farmhand, but this? Who would ask for this?"
Oscar glances down at the floor as a tear drips from his eye.
"I can understand you are afraid and I know you didn't ask to be a part of this. None of the Terrans asked to be in this. But we all must press on," Ozpin said as he sips from his mug.
"How can you be so confident?! There are people out there that are trying to start a war and nearly succeeded! There is another world out there that knows everything about all this! How are you okay with any of this?!" Oscar yelled.
A long pause had passed before Ozpin spoke.
"Tell me, Oscar. Have you watched Volume 7?" he asked.
"Yeah?" Oscar said with a look of confusion.
"Do you remember my monologue at the end?" Ozpin asked.
"Yeah," Oscar answered.
"We all have a fear of something, but fear itself isn't worthy of concern. When I first met the Terrans and they revealed what our intended future was and that Salem can't be killed, my friends all feared that there was no hope," Ozpin said. "But they gave us alternate routes to avoid a terrible future. One of the young Terrans, Jacob Gordon, quoted someone from Earth that told the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself. And after he and his friends left, his brother told me an Earth movie franchise quote, and states that this is how he sees what fear is."
"And what did he say?" Oscar asked.
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering," Ozpin said.
"They sound like they know a lot more about fear than anyone on Remnant," Oscar said.
"They believe they do. But they chose to stand by us. They believe that we must stand united, even in the most darkest of times," Ozpin said. "And keep moving forward."
Oscar and Ozpin both share a smile at each other.
"You believe that these people can help stop Salem?" Oscar asked.
"I believe they are willing to stand up to anything that comes at them," Ozpin said.
City of Atlas
Concert Hall
Meanwhile in Atlas, it was nighttime and many people gathered in the concert hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome... Weiss Schnee and Richard Hugo.
The crowd applauded as Weiss and Ricky walked upon the stage. Weiss' skirt was now floor length and split to her thigh on one side and she wears chunky heels instead. The white ribbon has been removed from her waist. Ricky was now wearing a black suit and bowtie. The music starts playing.
(Ricky)
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
(Weiss)
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
(Ricky)
Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
(Weiss and Ricky)
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
(Ricky)
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
(Weiss and Ricky)
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Weiss and Ricky concludes their song and bows while the audience applauds. They look up to the balcony above stage left where Jacques and Whitley are watching. Jacques remains seated, not applauding, while Whitley Schnee is standing giving a slower paced, sarcastic clap. Weiss and Ricky look back at the audience, all clapping still in their seats. They turn and walk backstage, Weiss' feigned smile replaced with a frown as Ricky gave a sigh.
Schnee Manor
Ballroom
A half an hour later, a number of dressed up people all in conversation as several waiters were serving out refreshments. Jacques is conversing with a man in glasses and a gray-haired woman in a green dress. They are laughing. Weiss is behind her father, looking at the floor with her hands held primarily behind her back. Whitley stands similar further behind their father, only his gaze is directly on him.
"That's precisely my point. We offer Faunus the exact same wages given to the rest of our mining staff. Their argument's completely invalid right out of the gate," Jacques said to the businessman and woman.
"Weiss," A voice called.
Weiss turns to see Ricky and Neo, disguised as Britney, walk up to her.
"Mr. Hugo. Miss Connor. Glad you could join us," Jacques said.
"Mr. Schnee," Ricky said as he internally groaned in frustration.
Jacque turns to the two business people.
"These are two of the young Huntsmen that defended Beacon and Vale from the Grimm and the White Fang," Jacques said.
"Definitely trying to boost his image through us," Ricky thought.
As Jacques was showing Ricky and 'Britney' off, Weiss sneaks away from the group. She moves across the room.
"But really, does it come as any surprise, what happened to Vale?" A female voice said.
Weiss turns to see a woman in a black dress talking with her husband.
"It would have been in ruins if that mysterious military hadn't come in and defended it. Vale was lucky to be around if you ask me," the woman said. "Honey..." the husband tries to shush, but she shakes it off, leaving him to glance around the room with a forced, nervous grin.
"What? You said the same thing last night. And who does this military think they are? They're just trying to show off and try to be better than the Atlas military," the wife said.
"Shut up!" Weiss shouts out.
The room falls silent, and all of the party goers turn to look at her.
"Weiss?" Jacques said.
"Oh fuck," Ricky thought.
"You don't have a clue! None of you do!" Weiss yelled as she gestures to the guests.
"Excuse me?" the woman asked.
"You're all just standing around talking about nothing! Worrying about your hair, your money, your stupid problems that don't mean anything!" Weiss yelled.
Her father quickly approaches her while Whitley looks on with a faint smile on his face.
"Weiss, that's enough," Jaques said.
He grabs her wrist, and she immediately begins struggling to pull away.
"Let go of me!" Weiss shouted.
"You're embarrassing the family!" Jacques said in a harsh tone.
"I said let go!" she yelled.
Weiss breaks free her father's grasp with a harsh tug, but in the process, she loses her balance and collapses to the floor. Suddenly, a glyph manifests next to Weiss, and a Boarbatusk is summoned. She looks at it with wide eyes, her jaw dropping. The Boarbatusk Summon charges toward the woman.
"Please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just leave me alone," she pleaded.
It leaps toward her and her husband, jaws wide open, but it is shot down by General Ironwood before it can reach her.
"Arrest her! What are you waiting for? She's insane, she should be locked up!" the woman cried out.
"She's the only one making sense around here," Ironwood said.
"I agree, General," Ricky said before turning to the woman. "You're just being fucking stupid."
"Make that her and Mr. Hugo," Ironwood said. "Thanks for the party, Jacques."
The general casually makes his exit. Still on the floor, Weiss looks up to see her father turn to glare at her. Ricky looks at Weiss with worry, knowing what's going to happen next.
Author's Note: Some chapters are going to later than expected. This will not only give me a little more time to come up with more ideas, but also come up with plans to tie in RWBY Volume 8 and RWBY: Fairytales of Remnant. This process will stay this way until Volume 8 is aired. I hope you all are hype after watching the trailer.
