Chapter 10: Old Friends and New Enemies
A block away from Beacon's main courtyard…
Yang gritted her teeth as she fired shot after shot at the two White Fang soldiers approaching her, knocking them both flat before closing with the one in the middle, decking him with a right hook followed by a left uppercut aided with a blast from Ember Celica that sent the poor idiot flying.
Seeing another goon approaching her from behind, Yang spun to face him, landing a hard left backfist at the guy, following it up by sending them flying with a fierce right hook alongside a shot from Ember Celica.
Two more approached her from either side, but Yang leapt backwards, flipping back before firing Ember Celica behind her to propel her forwards, allowing her to tackle the one on the left and end their night with a mounted right hook, elbowing the one on her right in the gut before smashing him away with a left haymaker.
A quick glance at her scroll told her that her aura was still good, but it could be a lot better, since it was on the border between green and yellow, meaning that she had to end this fight quickly, elsewise she'd go down without making sure her friends were okay.
At which a hard right hook to her face drew her attention, knocking her back. Dammit Yang, focus! Dad taught you better than that!
She backed away to avoid further attacks, before stomping on her attacker's foot, bringing her other knee up into his face, and sent the soldier flying back with a hard right hook assisted by another shot from Ember Celica.
She took a moment to catch her breath, seeing another thirty or so goons rushing towards her. Great, Yang thought to herself as she readied herself to fight back.
Only for someone to hurl them back with a burst of energy.
Yang looked to see Nathan stood by her side. "Nate! Where'd you come from?"
"The arena." Nathan replied. "I've come to get you back to the courtyard where the others are."
Yang nodded saying: "Care to help me take care of these big bozos, first?" She asked, gesturing to the White Fang with a grin.
Nathan smirked. "Thought you'd never ask." He replied as he charged the White Fang, Yang right behind him.
Nathan immediately knocked his first attacker down with a spinning roundhouse kick, following that with a super-kick to a second before throwing a third over his shoulder and knocking them to the floor, stomping on their head and twisting their arm so it broke.
Using the new space to draw his lightsaber, Nathan slashed a fourth White Fang soldier from shoulder to hip, using the resultant momentum to bring his lightsaber down onto a fifth, bisecting them into two separate halves diagonally.
A sixth drew a pistol, but Nathan promptly cut that in half before beheading them, at which the seventh came at Nathan with a sword.
Backing away a couple paces, Nathan blocked the soldier's jab before impaling them on his lightsaber, jerking the weapon free before marching on the eighth, slashing through their stomach and leaving them holding in their intestines in an effort to stay alive.
Nathan felt a twinge of regret at killing these men and women, but pushed it to one side. These men and women were attacking his new home. And he wasn't about to let them destroy it when he had gone through so much to build his new life here.
To his right, Yang was making headway as well, taking down a fair few fiendish goons as she went along.
Nathan nodded, before ducking a sword slash and jumping over another, countering by slashing at his ninth White Fang soldier's arm, severing it at the elbow. Nathan didn't even allow the soldier to scream, cutting them in half at the waist to end their suffering.
A tenth attacked him with a sword, but Nathan blocked the blow and spun out of the resulting blade lock and reversed his lightsaber into the gut of his foe.
Nathan held the blade there for a moment, before jerking it free, letting the White Fang soldier hit the floor.
Looking up, Nathan saw that Yang had sorted out any stragglers. "Ready to get back to the others?" He asked.
Yang nodded, before her eyes widened with horror. "NATE, BEHIND YOU!"
Nathan turned just in time to see a heavyset White Fang soldier toting a massive bazooka aim said rocket launcher straight at him. Spinning on his heel, just as he heard the rocket fire, Nathan rushed towards Yang, barrelling into her just as the rocket struck the ground he'd been stood mere seconds ago.
However, the resulting explosion sent both flying, and they both crashed into the pillars behind them with a hard crack, hitting the floor just as hard.
Nathan was the first to recover, rising to his knees with a groan and reaching for his lightsaber, which had rolled away from him.
A rifle butt to the face broke his concentration, drawing blood as well as his nose broke from the strike.
"Not so fast, human." A voice said darkly. "Get them up."
Nathan felt himself being dragged to his feet before being shoved against the pillar, seeing their situation:
About fifty or so White Fang soldiers surrounded them with rifles aimed towards them, with a familiar face at their head.
Nathan was quick to recognise the White Fang lieutenant he had spotted a few weeks prior on the investigation he had helped Blake and Sun with.
"We meet at last, human." The lieutenant said, addressing Nathan. "Adam has been very vocal about his desire to meet you."
"Well; name a date, time and venue, and we might be able to figure something out." Nathan replied. "Better than being a bunch of butthurt cockfags about it." At that, he received a hard right hook to the face, which didn't help his still broken nose. "Geez, what is your problem? It's like you have a thing against people with busted noses."
"I don't." The lieutenant replied, before grabbing Nathan by the throat and pinning him to the pillar. "What I do take issue with is punks like you making a fool out of me."
"Did I though?" Nathan asked. "You're the one that was hosting two humans when I thought the White Fang hated humans like Grimm hate all life."
The lieutenant grunted with fury. "It no longer matters. When I bring you to Adam, he'll reward me generously. Maybe he'll give me a go with the Belladonna girl after he's had his fun with her."
Nathan started really struggling after that, gasping out: "You'll… die before… I give you the… the chance!"
"I doubt it." The lieutenant said sinisterly, driving his fist hard into Nathan's face.
Black spots danced in Nathan's field of vision like Nathan's master when he was drunk as Nathan sank to the floor.
"Tie him up!" The lieutenant bellowed. "The bimbo, too! I'll have plenty of fun with her, too."
Nathan shook his head to clear it of cobwebs, just as he felt his arms getting twisted behind his back so that he could be tied up.
Suddenly:
"What the?"
Nathan looked to see a few blinking red lights suddenly appear beneath the feet of at least thirty of the fifty White Fang soldiers accompanying the lieutenant. His eyes widened as he recognised a sound he'd know in his sleep: Thermal Detonators.
"Yang; get down!" He shouted, leaping towards Yang and allowing their momentum to knock them both to the floor as the bombs exploded, killing everyone in the vicinity.
Nathan recovered just in time to see someone dressed head to toe in black armour drop down behind one of the survivors and grinned. "Ghost…" He murmured.
The surviving White Fang member barely had time to turn and see their attacker before said warrior backhanded them across the jaw and raised a pistol, firing a single shot into their body and killing them instantly.
Nathan got a better look at his and Yang's saviour in that moment:
They were tall at roughly six-feet-two inches, and clad head to toe in black Mandalorian armour, with dark grey underclothes beneath that. On their back was the stereotypical Mandalorian jetpack, alongside a large rifle which Nathan recognised as a DC-15. On their left hip was sheathed some form of sword.
Nathan watched as the new arrival turned his blaster pistol on three soldiers to his right, firing on and killing all free of them as well, hitting another's grenade pouch and killing five more in the resulting explosion.
Turning towards a few more approaching him from his left, the newcomer raised his left arm and unleashed a torrent of fire at them, engulfing them all in flames.
Ignoring their agonised screams, the black-clad Mandalorian warrior advanced, firing his pistol at two more White Fang soldiers and killing them both, unleashing another burst of flames at another to his left, before decking two more with right and left hooks respectively.
One abandoned common sense and charged the Mandalorian blindly with a knife, hoping to catch them by surprise.
The Mando disarmed them within moments, using the same movement to wrap them in a headlock and spin them around with him, raising his flamethrower and burning another White Fang soldier that got too close before letting the soldier in the headlock go before pumping a blaster bolt through their skull.
Seeing several more approaching, the Mandalorian advanced to meet them, stomping his foot and unleashing a torrent of small rockets that struck three more, leaving them all dead at his feet.
The rest of the remaining White Fang soldiers turned tail and ran, leaving just the White Fang lieutenant.
"Come back, you cowards! Kill him!" The White Fang lieutenant demanded.
"Looks like you're all on your own, mate." The Mandalorian spoke, twirling his pistol around before holstering it. "Care to try yourself?"
The White Fang Lieutenant let out an infernal growl and charged the black-clad warrior.
Only for said warrior to leap up and over him with a burst jump using the jetpack, spinning around just in time to deck the lieutenant and knock him flat, ending the fight.
The Mandalorian then turned and walked over to where Nathan and Yang were stood, eyeing Nathan. "How many times is that now?" He asked the fiery haired Jedi.
"Add it to the tab." Nathan said, before starting forward and hugging the helmeted warrior tightly. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you, Ghost." He said relievedly.
"I can make an educated guess." Ghost replied. "Who were those guys anyway?"
"White Fang. Bunch of terrorists trying to gain equality for their people using violence. Basically this world's version of Death Watch." Nathan replied.
"Noted." Ghost replied, before turning to Yang. "Are you hurt, madam?" He asked.
"No, I'm good." Yang said. "Now can either of you please tell me who you are?!" Gesturing to Ghost.
"Sorry." Ghost said, removing his helmet and revealing an older man who must have been in his late twenties or early thirties, with worn, intelligent brown eyes and a mess of unkempt black hair held up with a bandana. "I'm Tristan Kast. Otherwise known as Ghost. I fought with Nathan during the Clone Wars."
"Got it." Yang said. "I'm Yang. Yang Xiao Long. I'm… one of Nathan's friends here at Beacon."
"Pleasure." Ghost replied, shaking Yang's hand. "What's the plan?" He asked.
"Me and Yang need to rejoin the rest of our friends in the courtyard." Nathan answered. "We could really use your help there."
"Then that's where we head." Ghost said. "Come on!"
At that, they started off down the road towards the courtyard, only for something small, white and pink to drop down in front of them.
"Oh, you gotta be kidding." Nathan muttered as he drew his lightsaber.
Neo closed her umbrella and faced them with furious, angry mismatched eyes. Clearly something had rubbed her the wrong way.
Nathan turned to Ghost and Yang, saying: "You two keep going. I have a little unfinished business with this young lady right here."
The two of them nodded and ran off past Neo, who still stared daggers at Nathan.
Nathan took a deep breath. "You know Neo, I never got to buy you that drink." He said. "Maybe you and I can get together after this?"
Neo responded with a pleasant smile and shrugged as if to say: "Maybe."
But before that, something landed between them.
It didn't take Nathan long to recognise what it was:
A familiar black hat with red fabric tied around the inside.
A hat that once belonged to Roman Torchwick.
Neo's eyes widened at the sight, before looking up at the sky.
Nathan followed her gaze, before meeting her gaze once again. He wasn't surprised to spot Neo's eyes brimming with tears. He sighed sympathetically and said: "I… I'm sorry. I may not have liked him, but… I can tell you and Roman were close. I know what that's like, and-"
Neo shattered into pieces in that moment, only to reappear in his peripheral vision moments later, swinging her umbrella at him.
Nathan quickly blocked her swing, holding position. "You don't have to do this." He said.
Neo met his gaze, eyes still wet with tears, and shook her head as if to say: "No, I don't." Her eyes said: "But someone has to pay."
Sighing again, Nathan said: "Then you picked the wrong guy." He replied, spinning out of the weapon lock and slashing at Neo.
As expected, she dodged the blow, and dashed towards him, swinging her umbrella in an attempt to counter him.
Nathan blocked the blow, spinning once again out of the resulting weapons lock and elbowing her in the face, sending her staggering away.
Neo backed up, checking her face for signs of blood, only to then charge Nathan once again, attacking him furiously.
Nathan blocked, dodged and parried many attacks, before using the Force to hurl her back. He could sense her grief for Roman radiating off of her like heat from the sun, alongside her hatred for anyone who she deemed responsible for his demise. Taking a deep breath, Nathan said: "Killing me won't bring him back, Neo. Just lower your weapon. We can find a better way to manage your grief instead of letting your rage control you like this!"
Neo responded by charging Nathan once again, only to shatter into pieces moments before reaching him.
Nathan sensed her behind him a moment too late, grunting as she smacked him in the back of the head, sending him staggering forwards. Spinning to meet her, Nathan slashed at Neo, and when that was blocked, parried her attempt to counterattack before dropping down and sweeping her legs out from beneath her. Getting to his feet moments before she could, Nathan lashed out with a vicious spinning back kick that much to his relief, met its mark, knocking Neo flat on her back, and out cold as well.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Nathan switched off his lightsaber and attached it to his belt, before kneeling down and lifting an unconscious Neo into his arms, looking around for someplace safe to hide her.
Nathan soon spotted a small alcove that'd be difficult for any Grimm to access, and trudged over with Neo in his arms, tucking her petite form into it as comfortably as he could, before recovering her umbrella and placing it in her hands. At the same time, he took Roman Torchwick's hat and placed it with her too, adding: "I'm sorry, Neo." Patting her on the head before stepping away.
Just as he did, his eyes widened as he sensed a great outburst of fear emanating from nearby. He'd know who it was coming from in his sleep:
"BLAKE!" Nathan uttered worriedly to himself, rushing to go help his girlfriend, praying he'd make it in time.
With Blake…
Blake groaned as she hit the floor, backing away as Adam advanced on her.
"This could have been our day!" Adam bellowed angrily. "Can't you see that?!"
"I never wanted this!" Blake protested, reaching her knees. "I wanted equality. I wanted peace!" At that, she switched Gambol Shroud into pistol mode and fired on Adam.
Adam merely blocked the attack with Wilt, saying: "What you want is impossible!" Sheathing Wilt into Blush, Adam smashed it into Blake's face, knocking her to the floor, smirking as he heard her whimper in pain. Waiting until she was looking up at him, Adam said: "But I understand. Because all I want is you, Blake."
Blake responded with one last ditch attempt to shoot Adam, but grunted as her ex-boyfriend kicked Gambol Shroud out of her hand.
"And as I set out upon this world and deliver the justice mankind so greatly deserves…" Adam declared as he knelt in front of Blake. "I will make it my mission to destroy everything you love."
"BLAKE!" A familiar voice called out.
Blake's eyes widened in unspeakable horror and her blood ran cold in her veins as she and Adam both looked in the direction of the voice:
Yang was outside the dining hall, fighting off a random White Fang soldier. "Blake! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Yang called out desperately.
Blake couldn't make a sound. Fear gripped her so tightly in that moment it strangled any attempt at sound she made.
"Starting with her." Adam added menacingly. Before drawing Wilt and stabbing Blake through the abdomen.
Blake screamed in pain as the blade pierced her, every second Adam held the blade within her a fresh cause for agony, until finally, he jerked it free.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Yang's now furious voice echoed across the area, drawing Blake's attention.
"No…" Blake whimpered. "Please…"
Adam sheathed Wilt, as if inviting Yang to come at him.
Blake reached out with her hand, praying that was enough to stop Yang from doing what she was about to do.
It wasn't.
With a scream of pure, unadulterated range, Yang's eyes went red, and she charged towards Adam, rearing back for a right hook that'd likely send Adam straight into oblivion.
Only that wasn't what happened.
Adam tore Wilt from its sheath with considerable violence, slashing at Yang with a considerable burst of energy.
Everything in Blake's field of vision turned a seething blood red, but one thing she saw was certain:
The sight of Yang's right arm separating from the rest of the body as her body hit the floor nearby.
NO! Blake internally screamed as she forced herself to her feet, despite the floor beneath her already being slick with her blood.
Adam approached Yang's unconscious form with Wilt still unsheathed, intent on making Yang his first victim in his quest for revenge against Blake.
Steeling herself and gathering what little strength she could muster, Blake burst forward, putting herself between Adam and Yang.
Adam scowled at her, saying: "Why must you hurt me, Blake?"
Blake responded with a glare so withering that were it a weapon, nothing would be left of Adam in that moment. She wanted Adam to know she hated him, and if that meant her death; then so be it.
Adam gave her a look of pure disappointment, and raised Wilt to end things.
At which a sound Blake had partially prayed she wouldn't hear filled the air:
The signature snap-hiss of a lightsaber igniting.
Adam paused, and turned to see who Blake was already staring at:
Stood a few paces away, lightsaber in hand, his face a mask of determination, was Nathan.
"Get the fuck away from her, you son of a bitch." Nathan snarled.
And the moment has finally arrived. Nathan Phoenix vs Adam Taurus.
I should start by apologising for failing to update the past couple weeks. Work has been an everpresent pain in the backside the past few weeks. But to make up for it; I will be updating tonight, tomorrow night, and the night after that, so you can all enjoy the explosive finale to The End of the Beginning.
With that said: let's answer some reviews, shall we?
april-551: As much as Nathan wants to see to Blake, I have a feeling he knows Blake would want her friends to be safe first. Hence why Nathan goes after Yang. As for his fight with Adam... that will come tomorrow. And with regards to Emerald's semblance... he can't see right through it; but the Force enables him to see what he's meant to see, along with what's actually happened. So that Nathan can make his own conclusions, like he did with Yang.
dragon44pride: You'll see.
Guest: I will spoil nothing, but a dark side Nathan Phoenix would be terrifying... considering his lineage.
keybladelight: Nathan isn't Galen Marek. And besides, the dragon's really the least of Nathan's problems at the moment.
M.H. Pintner: Who said it'd just be Nathan?
Spiderdeku25: Cad Bane would be cool... but I want this story to have minimal appearances from actual characters so that the story can stand on its own two feet without guest appearances propping it up, kinda like my Transformers-Lion King series.
All that said; thank you all so much for reading. If you enjoyed it... you know what to do.
I will see you tomorrow with Chapter 11, which sees Nathan finally duke it out with Adam... and more.
T-Rock14