Chapter 9: Breach

As the bullhead flew closer and closer to Beacon, the last thing Daria expected to see was the giant plume of smoke rising from Vale.

Also the last thing she wanted to see at the moment, turning tired eyes to the remnants of her team; Gail having receded into herself, holding her bow to her chest, dark eyes locked onto the city as well; Rainier, eyes closed, arms and legs crossed, having hardly moved or said a word since they had started the flight home; Nash, legs curled into his chest, the bottom half of his face buried in his arms, blue eyes locked onto the ground.

Or, more specifically: Tsuki. The veteran huntsman was laying down, a blanket cast over him, and unmoving, sweat still pouring down his face. The veteran huntsman had been stabilized, his aura slowly restoring and keeping him alive for the time being. That, however, didn't alleviate the guilt crushing down on Daria.

The DRGN leader turned back to the window, a frown slowly claiming her face. "Drop us off in the city."

The pilot frowned as he leaned forwards, looking down at the city. "Uh… are you guys sure? It's… kind of a mess down there."

That was an understatement.

The city streets were swarming with grimm, the plume of smoke arising from one of the natural walls of the city, a gaping hole filled with the remains of a rather large train. Huntsmen and police rushed to and fro across the battlefield, fighting the grimm off as well as they could.

"Absolutely." Daria muttered.

"What about-"

"Take him to Ozpin, or something."

The pilot gave her a long, uncertain look, before sighing, taking the craft to the nearest safe rooftop, touching down and giving the teens a thumbs up. The quartet began to pile out of the bullhead- before Daria put a hand on Nash's chest.

"I need you to stay with them, bud." She said softly.

"But-"

"Nash, you don't have Phalanx. He'll need help getting Sise to Oz. I need you to do that."

He stared at her for a long few moments, blue eyes clouding with guilt- before hesitantly nodding, climbing back up. "Be safe." He said quietly, before the trio took flight again, soaring towards the base of Beacon tower.

The leader of DRGN watched it go for a moment, before turning back to Rainier and Gail, a distasteful frown claiming her face. "The last few days have been the worst," She said, looking to her teammates with a stony expression. "I'm not gonna ask you guys to want to go save the city right now. Instead- who wants to go kill a buttload of grimm?"

Rainier's face slowly worked its way into a vicious smile. "I thought you'd never ask."

Gail nodded, nocking an arrow, taking deep breaths as she turned her gaze to the melee beyond.

"Alright," Daria said, stepping up to the edge of the building. "I'll be keeping count." She leaned back- then free fell, twirling like a top.

Shinai released a slow, shaky breath, leaves of the Emerald Forest falling peacefully around him. His free hand went to his throat with a grimace, his neck wrapped in dark cloth. He shook his head with a sigh, unfolding his legs from under him, his attempt at meditation forgotten for the moment.

'Breathe it in, samurai! This is it. Your last moments.'

The killer's words ran through his mind ad nauseum, never ceasing to creep back into his thoughts at any given opportunity. He let out a deep breath, staring down at the grass, guilt spreading across his face. If his team hadn't made it in time...

He may not have walked away from the battle.

"Being foolhardy isn't the same as being courageous." He muttered to himself, shaking his head again.

'NEXT TIME, SAMURAI! NEXT TIME!'

The man had promised a next time.

Shinai would have to be ready for it.

The distant sounds of sirens cut through the Forest's peaceful silent, bringing the samurai's thoughts screeching to a halt. He rose to his feet with a frown, before reappearing high above, at the edge of Beacon's cliff. Purple eyes narrowed as he gazed towards the city, black smoke rising to fill the air, the far off roaring of grimm filling his ears.

He took a deep, steadying breath.

Poof.

Oracle let out a frustrated yell as her revolver clicked empty, the heavily armored grimm still charging at her. She ducked its wide swipe, leaping forwards in a roll, loading a single bullet into the cannister. She spun as she hit the ground, holding her revolver outstretched, and fired. The bullet found its mark, passing through one of the creature's eyes, then out the back of its head, the beast nearly flipping from the momentum, crashing to the ground lifelessly. The gunslinger didn't waste any time before reloading her guns, looking off to the side.

Lance's eyes met hers for a split second, before turning back to his own grimm, spinning in place, massive greatsword carving upwards through the beast, taking it off of the ground entirely. He turned on his heel, Iron Maw cutting through the air, before bisecting the creature cleanly, the two halves flopping to the ground. "Ulysses! Fastball!"

The hulking huntsman turned on his heel at the call, eyes mostly filled with black, heavy smoke rising off of him. He bounded forwards with a roar, hands lashing out and catching the swordsman by the back of his jacket. He spun a few times, then released, sending Lance hurling off through the air, sword gripped tightly in his hands.

The swordsman impacted hard with the King Taijitu- an monstrous half-black and half-white snake, a head on either end raised high into the air. Iron Maw cleaved into one of the heads as Lance made contact, nearly cleaving the head off entirely, before coming to a screeching stop. The grimm let loose a hissing roar, swinging its head from side to side in an attempt to shake the huntsman free.

Lance grimaced with the effort to hang on. "Stupid friggin-" He raised his hand, clenching it into a fist. A large blue orb of energy exploded from beside the creature's face, nearly the entire half recoiling from the impact. The swordsman kicked off of the grimm, ripping his blade free-

But was a touch too slow, the other head lashing out and catching him by the foot in its massive fangs, drawing a yelp of pain from him. With a flick of his wrist, his blade shifted into its cannon form, bright blue shot already loaded. One eye closed in concentration as he was whipped from side to side, he took a long moment to line up the shot- then fired. The shot rang true, the white-scaled head of the Taijitu disappearing with a brilliant explosion.

Said explosion, though, sent him flying clear of the beast, crashing against the pavement with a groan, eyes widening as the remaining head hissed and dove towards him.

Poof.

The serpent's head hit the ground hard, landing just a few inches from the blonde huntsman, the now headless body going limp. Shinai landed in a roll, Shi En held out in front of him. Purple eyes met blue, the two teammates sharing a nod. The samurai extended a hand, helping Lance to his feet as he shifted Iron Maw back into its greatsword form.

The duo peered around the battlefield for a moment.

"You good, captain?" Lance asked, eyebrow raised.

Shinai nodded, twirling Shi En, ignoring the pain flaring through his arm. "I'm alright. How's the situation."

"Oh, you know. Shit?"

The samurai sighed. "Let's go." Without another word, he disappeared.

Lance walked through the smoke, waving it out of his face. "Stupid friggin' semblance," He muttered, taking off in a jog. "I can't teleport, just leave me here... stupid..." He trailed off into disgruntled grumbling as he continued his march onwards.

Daria twirled as she free fell, glowing ringblades ripping through the grimm beneath her, both beast and huntress crashing into the ground. She wasn't given a chance to recover, though, as another creature lunged at her. It never got close, though, a massive arrow piercing its body, pinning it to the ground. Rainier followed after, pushing off of the disappearing grimm, leaping into the fray, a flurry of steel and bullets as he zipped to and fro. Gail dropped down to Daria, new arrow nocked. The two huntresses exchanged a nod.

"Daria!" A very familiar voice called out. The short huntress turned as Ruby came flipping through the air, coming to a stop next to her, Crescent Rose held out in front of her.

"Rubes." The DRGN leader muttered.

"Are you guys okay?"

The shorter girl shook her head. "We will be. What's happening?"

"Uh..." Ruby looked around, slightly embarrassed. "It's... a long story."

"This better not be your fault."

"I mean... only slightly," The red-clad huntress muttered. "It's a long story!"

"Whatever. Where's your team?"

"Out fighting. Yours?"

"Out fighting. Wanna get back to it?"

"Oh, yeah, course."

The two huntresses turned their gazes forwards again, Ruby's scythe held behind her, Daria's ringblades held loosely at her sides. The girls exchanged nods before charging forwards again.

Shinai swiped upwards with his katana, steel blade carving through the grimm above him with ease, before turning on his heel, beheading the creature lunging at him from behind. Oracle's eyes met his, and the partners dashed passed each other, the gunslinger firing off a flurry of shots, while the samurai cleaved through the grimm ahead with deadly precision, the duo rapidly clearing out their street.

After a moment, she came sliding back towards him, firing off a volley of bullets at the massive beowolf she had been retreating from. "Captain. A thought occurs."

The leader of SOUL raised an eyebrow silently.

"We're not gonna be able to hold 'em off without A, someone to close the hole up; and B, reinforcements."

"You're not wrong," He muttered. "But we'll hold them off as long as we can."

"Not gonna lie, I hadn't planned on dyin' quite yet."

"Then don't."

"Love your optimism. If you see Lance, make sure he doesn't kick the bucket just yet."

The partners exchanged nods before splitting away, looking for others to assist. The samurai didn't get far, though, before an ear splitting roar greeted him, the hairs on the back of his neck sticking up as his instincts kicked in, turning on his heel, blade flying through the air.

He didn't get a chance to make the kill, though, as a gunshot cut through the din of battle, the grimm's head simply exploding, its body collapsing to the ground limply. Shinai looked up-

To Rainier, purple eyes meeting yellow. The two huntsmen stared off for a long moment, before breaking the staredown in near synchronization. The faunus stalked forwards, head on a swivel, before coming to a stop next to the samurai.

"Are you alright?" Shinai asked, twirling his blade, gaze filled with a touch of concern at his friend's appearance.

The Vacuoan snorted derisively. "That depends on your definition of 'okay'."

"Ah."

Rainier's eyes shot over towards his rival's for a moment, before turning back to the city. "Tell me, samurai; do we stand a chance right now?"

"No."

"Good, that's how I like it. Shall we then?"

"After you."

The faunus took off without another word, leaving the samurai alone for a moment.

Poof.

Gail charged forwards, arrow after arrow flying from her bow, face filled with a maelstrom of emotions as she let loose the stress of the last few days, loosing herself in the fog of battle. The archer charged forwards with a yell, glowing red arrow preceding her, eviscerating the grimm ahead. She didn't slow at all, leaping through the cloud of smoke, turning on her heel, a flurry of arrows shooting around her, the loose circle of grimm racing towards her going flying away. She hit the ground, rolling, another arrow nocked-

Right into the face of Ulysses.

The berserking huntsman grunted, hand raised to attack, before stilling as well, shaking his head, the sight of her making the black of his eyes shrink ever-so-slightly.

"Mr. Ebony!" She gasped apologetically, lowering her bow.

"Don't call me that," He muttered, turning on his heel. "It's fine."

The duo stood silently for a moment, before he inclined his head. "You wanna go kill some shit."

A blush crossed her face, lips pursed in embarrassment- but she gave him a tiny nod nonetheless, rising to her feet,

The duo took off at a run, Avenger swinging above their heads, arrows flying through the air with precision, hitting their targets one after another, the huntsmen carving their way through the grimm ahead of them.

Rainier grimaced as he ducked a wide swing from a grimm, leaping up and bringing his claws down onto the back of its head, the creature compacting under the impact. He hit the ground spinning, a cannon shot firing and stopping another charging beast in its tracks, before shooting back to his feet, twirling on his heel- and stared down a hulking ursa, the grimm roaring furiously at him.

"Okay," He muttered, stalling in place, hopping from foot to foot. "Let's dance, then."

He leapt forwards- but was beat there.

Yang lashed out with a flurry of shotgun-assisted punches, sending the grimm stumbling back, before leaping in the air, superman punching it in the snout. As she spun, she gave the faunus a cheeky wink, before landing. He shook his head, a small smile finally finding its way to his face as he charged forwards to join her.

Rainier leapt over her, silver claws crashing against the creature's nose, its head whiplashing backwards from the impact. She didn't let up, dashing forwards under him to let out a string of powerful punches. The faunus hit the ground beside her, a side kick crumpling the ursa in on itself, immediately followed up by a wicked uppercut from the brawler, the grim leaving its feet. He shot off of the ground again, pushing off of her shoulder to stall above the creature- before free falling, silver claws crashing against its head, sending both back down into the ground, the grimm lifeless.

Yang helped her temporary partner up, dusting him off. "You and Daria make up?"

"I... believe so." He muttered.

"Cool! I'll still castrate you if you hurt her again, though."

"Duly noted."

"Glad we're settled. Good to have you back."

"I... thank you."

She gave him a cheeky grin, pointing a thumb over her shoulder. "Hey, wanna go kill some more stuff."

"I'd be more than happy."

The duo took off again, the faunus' spirits slightly raised, before splitting apart.

His eyes widened at a familiar shock of red hair. "Oh, Pyrrha!" His eyes shot to the sky, widening. "Up, if you wouldn't mind!"

The warrior turned to him, blinking in slight surprise, before catching the other huntsman's intention, holding her shield above her head. Rainier leapt into the air and landed on it, using his momentum and her pushing upwards to vault high into the air, spinning to look down at the battlefield. Eyes narrowed, he let his momentum cease, freefalling back towards the earth as his eyes narrowed on the Nevermore- an enormous, hulking, crow-like grimm- flying above the battlefield.

A cannon shot brought his descent to a new speed, spinning in place, Wolf's Claws colliding against the creature's back, another shot sending both it and the faunus plummeting to the ground. Stone shattering beneath the impact, the grimm and the huntsman rolled across the ground. The Nevermore recovered first, screeching in rage and stomping over to the still grounded faunus, a scowl planted on his face.

It never got the chance- a black glyph appearing next to his head, followed by a blur of white as Weiss appeared next to it, foot crashing into its cheek and sending it into the glyph, the grimm going stumbling away, a crack echoing out across the city street.

She landed onto the ground solidly, bringing her rapier up with a flourish, before twirling it, stabbing the point into the ground and sending a stream of ice the grimm's way, encasing its head in ice, even as the rest of its body writhed.

The Atlesian turned back to Rainier- his eyes trained on her, and wide- and extended a hand, helping him to his feet. "Jeez, you look terrible."

"I... you're a sight for sore eyes, Miss Schnee." He said, shaking his head.

"Of course I am. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't happy to see you- only because we need all the help we can get." She added, eyes narrowing in an instant as his lips curled to retort..

He raised his hands abatingly, sighing. "You're so defensive, Miss Schnee. I'd simply wanted to express how utterly done with this bloody holiday I was.."

"...Well. In that case- you and I both."

"Are you aware of any reinforcements coming?"

Weiss turned back to him, frowning. "Reinforcement from who exactly-"

"Citizens of Vale- please remain calm."

Both huntsman turned their eyes to the sky- lo and behold, the white armored armada of Atlas began to soar into view. The smaller ships' sides opened up, Atlesian androids and soldiers falling to the city below, guns raised and firing at any grimm in sight. The larger ships began firing a volley of lasers and bullets, focusing on the larger grimm rampaging through the city.

The duo looked around at the soldiers beginning to push the creatures back, the massive force of proverbial cavalry quickly turning the tide.

Weiss sheathed Myrtenaster, crossing her arms and giving Rainier a smug look. "Atlas efficiency."

The faunus shook his head. "My dear, I didn't even say anything."

"You were going to."

"I was not-" He stopped as he caught her look, head bowing with a sigh. "Very well. You know me far too well."

She rolled her eyes, the huntsmen looking around for a moment. "If that's all... I think I'm going to go back to my room and take a long... long nap."

The faunus stared off at the skyline for a moment, before a sudden burst of laughter overtook him, building in intensity until he had doubled over, hands on his knees, tears welling in his eyes.

Weiss' face twisted back into a snarl. "And what is so funny, Platina?"

"Ah- it's just-" He wiped a tear from his eye. "I- I think I've just become hysterical with stress. Pay me no mind!"

"...Do I want to know to know what happened on your trip?"

"Aha... well... from the looks of it... we've a story or two to share!" He straightened back up, taking a deep, relieved breath, loads of tension draining from his body. "A pleasure talking to you as always, Miss Schnee. I have needed this."

She shook her head, turning to march away. "...So strange."

Gold sighed as he stared at the TV screen-

"City of Vale saved by Atlesian fleet after grimm attack." The headline read, a rather flat-speaking reporter speaking of the incident, scenes of Vale's destruction playing in the background- though, not for long as Glynda Goodwitch strolled about in the background, riding crop raised into the air as the city's infrastructure repaired itself, flying into the air to return to their original places- including the enormous hole in the side of Vale's neighboring mountain, the train cleared out of the way.

The criminal sighed as he held his arm with a grimace, the limb flaring up in pain with even the slight movement. Between the samurai and the gunslinger, the arm was shot for the moment, requiring actual medical attention. That, however, was the least of his worries at the moment, a distasteful scowl crossing his face.

"The attack on Vale wasn't supposed to have happened for several weeks," He hissed. "The White Fang and Roman screwed everything!"

"Don't worry, Goldie. Everything's going to turn out just fine." Cinder said soothingly through his earpiece.

"...You'd better hope so. I still have a rematch to keep."

Rainier sighed from his position atop his dorm's roof, watching the sun set in the distance, dark bags hanging under yellow eyes, legs kicking idly as they hung over the ledge.

"Rainier?" The faunus smiled in slight content as Blake walked towards him, frowning, black boots clacking against the tiles of the roof. "Why did you call me up here?"

The Vacuoan said nothing as his fellow faunus joined him, tanned face taking a content visage for the first time in the last several days.

"Rainier?" She asked again, this time in less irritation, and more genuine confusion.

"I… have almost died twice in a two day span. I've barely escaped with my life several more times over the past six months. Miss... Miss Belladonna, do you know a team by the name of... Cerberus?"

Blake paled, brilliant golden eyes widening. "Cer… were you... attacked by them?"

"Ah, yes," He nodded. "I would say that. We... tried, to fight them off. It went poorly."

She sat down next to him, staring at him in concern. "Are you guys alright? Did anybody get hurt?"

"Ah... no. None of us. Our mentor, Sise Tsuki, though... didn't make it out nearly as unblemished. He's... alright, last I had heard. Blake... who are these guys?"

She shook her head. "...They're Sienna Khan's personal attack dogs. They're shock troopers, assassins- the guys she sends in to clean up messes quickly, and then they get back out. You... you guys…"

"Are lucky we survived? I feel as if I say that every few weeks. Well… thank you for that information. It hardly makes me any more comfortable, but... thank you nonetheless."

"Sure… Oc... Octavius. How many... restraints did he open?"

Rainier sighed. "Three, I believe? I don't truly remember. The last one he opened sent a scorching wave of air at us, if that helps at all."

Blake sighed, surprisingly in relief.

"How…" He began, turning to her for the first time, face drawn up in a frown. "Many… restraints does he have?"

"…Eight. He has eight."

"My gods."

"Be thankful he didn't open anymore."

"Are they all so dramatic?"

"I've only ever seen him open up five, and it took him out of commission for a few days. Still... what he did with even that much power..." She shook her head. "It would've been more than enough to kill you five."

"Well... how lovely."

The duo sat in silence for a few moments before Rainier bowed his head. "That... wasn't all that I had called you up here for."

She frowned again. "What else was there?"

He opened his mouth to speak, before stalling, hands clutching and unclutching as he worked up his courage. "Miss... Blake… I…" He sighed again. "...I want to apologize. I apologize for everything I've said to you, and the ways I've treated you. It's been unbecoming and you have done nothing to deserve it," Blake stared at him with an expression he couldn't quite place. "There's much you don't know about me, and I've worked hard to keep it that way. But I imagine that there's much that I don't know about you either. I... suppose the last few days have put the last few years in a new light for me. Blake, I enjoy who you are, and... I forgive who you were. If it means anything to you after the last few months. And... if you'd accept a poor wolf's apology."

She stared at him for a long few moments, before a small smile claimed her face. "...You know, I always thought it was funny that it was the two of us who fought. Out of all sixteen of us: the two faunus were the ones who bickered the most... I... I know that Adam did something to hurt you. I mean it when I say I have no idea what his operation had been, why he went to Vacuo, or even if it was sanctioned by Sienna... and I know that that doesn't make it any better... I guess I never stopped to think that you might have had your reasons for hating the White Fang... if you don't want to tell me, I don't need to know. I guess... I don't need to forgive you. There's nothing to apologize for. But... thank you. For thinking enough of me to apologize."

Rainier smiled broadly back to her, before lifting his hand. "To new friendships."

"...To new friendships." She took the offered limb, shaking it. The two faunus rose to their feet, turning to watch the sun continue to set below the horizon.

"I suppose I should let you return to your team," He said quietly. "Give the girls my regards. Goodnight, Miss Belladonna." He saluted her- and then leaned backwards over the edge of the building, teetering backwards before beginning to fall. At the last moment, he arced his back, lashing onto the edge of a window sill, threw it open, and scrambled back inside, shutting it behind him- not before waving up at the night sky.

Blake watched him go, shaking her head at the act of athleticism from her fellow faunus. She gave a tiny wave back, before turning on her heel, marching back the way she came.

"Ms. Copper." Shinai said without opening his eyes, sat on one of the benches littering Beacon's campus, face turned towards the setting sun.

"Hey." She said quietly, sitting next to him, legs folded underneath her.

That prompted him to look over at her, face falling slightly. "Are you... alright?"

"I... no. It's been a long few days."

"I see."

"I just... wanted to say thank you. For what you said to me that night. I... think I'm starting to figure this whole thing out."

"Good," He said quietly, with a short nod. "Your team needs you."

"Yeah... I... have you ever messed up? Seriously messed up? Like, someone got hurt because of you?"

He faltered for a moment. "I... I don't think so."

"Our veteran huntsman got hurt during our mission. I'm the leader of DRGN, I should've stepped up, but... I didn't."

"Sometimes things happen outside of our control," He mused, purple eyes turning back towards the sunset. "The true test of your person isn't how you handle good situations, ones that you understand, but those that are unfortunate, that you can't account for."

She gave him a quiet chuckle, shaking her head. "You're just full of proverbs, aren't you?"

"When my friends need them, yes."

Daria went quiet for a minute, the duo letting the sun bath them in its warm glow. "...Are you leaving? After the tournament, I mean."

"I... I'm not sure."

"If you're not- or even if you are, maybe- I'd... if you'd let me- I'd like to train with you during the vacation."

"...Oh."

"I've got a commitment to my team, as their leader. And you're great at it! I... think I could learn a lot from you."

"I... will see what I can do."

"Thanks, Shinai."

The duo lapsed back into silence, before he broke it, eyes closed again. "You're not a poor leader, Daria. Inexperienced, immature; maybe,"

"Gee, thanks."

"But not a poor leader. It was easy for me to bring my team together. That was never going to be as easy for you, not with the four of you. But you've managed it, in your own way. That's something to be proud of."

"...Thanks."

"But yes. There are areas that you need to improve on. And no matter the circumstances, I'd be more than happy to help you find your stride as a leader."

"Gods, you're such a weird guy."

"Yes. I suppose I am."

She chuckled, a small smile claiming his face as well.

And the two leaders sat, enjoying the sun setting over Beacon Academy.