"No...no...NO!" Stephen yelled at his floating mirror that provided a view into the world of Remnant. For a master of the Mystical Arts, he was prone to an explosive temper. Especially when it came to the Incredible Hulk and his banishment bestowed by the Doctor himself. "How is this...POSSIBLE?" Stephen roared as he threw his right hand up and expanded his fingers. Books flew all across the Sanctum Sanctorum due to the immense pressure of powerful magic mixed with the Doctor's rage. Luckily, the Sanctum was embedded with its own magic and began to clean up behind its inhabitant. Books flew back onto their shelves as the Sorcerer Supreme continued to watch his mirror's projection.
"SMASH GRIMM," Hulk roared as he continued to battle countless Beowolves, Ursa and other types of monsters from Remnant. He couldn't tell what his fists crashed into as most of the Grimm moved on - racing to the speeding train.
"Come on, Bruce!" Strange continued to watch Banner's other half fight his way through the creatures of Grimm. The Doctor had seen this scene play dozens upon dozen of times. Each one resulted in team RWBY's failure to stop the train's destination toward Vale. The timeline was supposed to be different - Strange had sent the Hulk to save this one! A decision that still haunted him and caused major trouble across his own world. Due to the Doctor's meddling in other universe affairs, the rest of the Illuminati took to cast out the Sorcerer Supreme from the group.
In the new group's meetings, Captain America took the place of the Doctor. But instead of solving the Earth's endless problems and trying for a better future, the newest member of the Illuminati frequently clashed ideals with the founder of the group - Tony Stark. Eventually, Rodgers and Stark's feud came to an abrupt end. An end that lead to the dismantling of the new Illuminati and change how heroes would operate around the world. Now, Steven Strange found himself in isolation as the rest of Earth, his and Banner's world, faced a new war that raged. A Civil War between heroes and villains alike - brothers and sisters against each other and out for the other's head.
"DAMN IT ALL," Steven yelled as he finally snapped. He couldn't bear to see Penny and Pyrrha lose their lives, Yang to lose a part of herself and for Maria to think of herself as a failure. Flicking his fingers, a great magical property was cast and slithered to the mirror Strange watched. The glass began to vibrate and crunch into a million cracks as the Sorcerer's magic reached the universe the mirror showed. Once again, Stephen Strange had tangled with a world owned and ruled by another set of Gods. There would be grave consequences for a second offense. The Sky Fathers had promised the Doctor an unfavorable fate if he meddled once more. Now, one of them had sent their offspring to deal with the newest and final offense against the natural order. For some weird reason, a storm began above the Sanctum...followed by thunder.
A mighty, strong, rage induced yell matched the lightning it clashed with. "STRAAAANGE!" Soon, more thunder followed the attacker's voice as a blue streak of lightning struck. Sparks flew everywhere as it exploded against magical barriers. "You have upset the Allfather for the last time, Sorcerer." Thor Odinson, son of Odin, looked upon Strange's estate - intent on tearing down the entire Sanctum to get his hands on the Doctor.
"P-please," Strange pleaded to whoever would listen, casting his final spells that reached the world of Remnant, "save them." Now, the lives of this new timeline, including Banner, would depend on a sleeping Jaune Arc. The spells reached Ruby's scroll and sent out a warning message to the leader of team JNPR. Unfortunately, the Doctor would never see this Remnant succeed in passing its judgment from the Gods of Light and Darkness. For as soon as Stephen sealed the connection between the two worlds, Mjölnir broke through the constructs of the Sanctum Sanctorum - racing to take the Doctor's head off his shoulders. Now, the Sorcerer Supreme would fight to his last breath to make sure Banner saved Remnant.
Team RWBY laid upon the shattered middle of Vale's shopping district. Behind the four, the train grew out of the concrete and lead into the depths of the once blocked tunnels. Deeper into the darkness, Grimm swarmed forward and began to crawl out of the opening and out of the battered train itself. "M-meh..." Ruby groveled on the ground, unable to react to the Beowolves that charged toward the absurd amount of negativity - crowds of those who watched the scene. In the emotions of pure fear and anxiety, children cried for their mothers as adults were tackled from failing to outrun the Grimm. Soon, a voice would pull the young Huntress out of her concussion and daze.
"RUBY," Yang yelled as she recovered and looked around to asses the situation at large. She grabbed onto her leader's shoulders, "YOU'VE GOT TO WAKE UP!"
"Wha-," Ruby groaned as she was violently shook. Her silver eyes fluttered open to reveal a very blurry image of a golden outline. Recognizing the image of her sister, Ruby's groggy and sore throat choked out, "Y-Yang?"
Blake pushed off the ground to also find the wreck of the train, "D-did we fail?" Her arms shook from exhaustion and pain from Torchwick's plan of the dead-end crash. Looking around, the Faunus could almost smell the raw level of emotions. Stress, fear and pure horror radiated off the residents of Vale as the creatures of Grimm ran amok. Blake reached for Gambol Shroud which lay at her side. "Get down-," she stated as she squeezed the weapon's grip, "NOW!" Blake swings with all her might, the blade going over the heads of her teammates and slices into throat of a once attacking Beowolf.
"Gah-," Weiss cringes as the Grimm's head bounces off the ground and rolls toward her leg. The Ice Queen quickly backs up to her feet, grabbing Myrtenaster, and turns to Blake to show gratitude. "Thank you," she nodded to her teammate for stopping her from becoming chow. Looking down, Weiss found that Yang still had to help her sister recover. "Oh come on, you dolt," she remarked as she leaned down and helped her leader to her feet.
"We...," Ruby swallowed down the pain as it halted her from speech. "We've got to save the people. It's our fault that the Grimm got this far." Pushing away from her sister and Weiss, Miss Rose stood on her own two feet. "GAH-," the all-red Huntress let out as she fell to her hands and knees.
"RUBY!" Weiss gasped and came to her leader's aid. Grabbing at her arm once again, the Ice Queen tried to get her leader to her feet. "I won't allow you to give up! You've got to get up, now!"
Ruby's whole body began shaking from all the adrenaline that rushed throughout her body. It wasn't enough as her body was too worn out to benefit. She cried out, "I-I cant!" The young Rose began to pant heavily as the seriousness of the situation began to show itself. The leader of team RWBY would see death of innocence along with her friends and sister and there was nothing Ruby could do about it.
Tears began to form in Weiss' eyes as her fearless leader couldn't even push herself off the ground. The young Rose had no Aura that could be used to heal herself of the exhaustion. "R-Ruby...get up." In fact, the whole team barely had any Aura at all...
"Guys," Blake alerted as her weapon morphed and aimed forward, "we have a problem!" Bullets flew into advancing Beowolves that detected Ruby's fear and acted upon the chance. The Faunus threw out the empty magazine and reached to her side to reload with the only clip of ammunition she had left. Aiming Gambol Shroud back up, the Alpha of the pack introduced itself by swiping forward. A blow strong enough to tear a person in half with weakened Aura - Blake.
Blasting forward to her teammate's aid, Yang activated Ember Celica and placed her fists on the Alpha's waist. "LEAVE HER ALONE," the Golden-Warrior screamed as her weapons went off. The Alpha stumbled back with steaming pellets embedded in its night-black body. Yang stared down the creatures of Grimm as she stood between them and Blake. She ordered, "Everyone, run! I'll hold them off..." she gritted her teeth as her arms began to shake out of exhaustion but, it didn't matter. Yang would give her life to grant her team a chance of safety.
Blake objected with a scream, "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" The Faunus' grip around her weapon tightened as her strength diminished. "D-damn it," Blake sniffled as she was unable to raise up Gambol Shroud once again, let alone fight with it. Seeing that she would be nothing but dead weight in a fight and arguing would waste time, the Faunus swallowed down her tears and said goodbye. "D-don't you dare die on me, Yang!"
"Wha-what's happening?" Ruby asked as she was lifted to her feet by the combined efforts of Blake and Weiss. "Where's Yang?" The young Rose's heart pounded as she didn't get a response from her teammates. Looking over the Monochrome pair's shoulders, her sister was found squaring up to the four Grimm that watered at the mouth for her flesh. She yelled for them to halt, "What is she doing?" Getting no response once again, Ruby began to finally see her sister's upcoming sacrifice. "No...NO! Put me down!"
"Come on, you bastards," Yang breathed in heavily as the pack of Beowolves circled her. Getting behind her, one of the Grimm tilted its head as it looked to Yang's escaping teammates. "OVER HERE-," she roared as her left, gauntlet-coated fist slammed into the face of the nearest Beowolf that stalked. It stumbled back, blood dripping down its now deeply bruised cheek. "AH-," Yang gasp as she felt sharp claws grip deep into her shoulders. Before she could even look back, her spin slammed into the ground as she looked up into the sky. Soon, the beautiful view was slashed with black and white as another Beowolf leaned down to catch Yang's throat in its teeth. Bringing her arms up, the metals of Ember Celica clashed with the offense of a hungry Grimm. Tears rolled off her face as Yang's entire life flashed before her eyes. Images of Ruby, Blake and her mother appeared within the brawler's head. "I-I love you so much..."
Ruby cried out for for her sister - someone she considered her best friend and the one who was there for her the most. Her voice screamed with absolute fear and loss, "YAAAAAAANG!" A familiar burning pain came to the forefront of Ruby's face as her view was covered by the color of pure white. The immense power of the Silver eyes would have prevailed if a blur of gold hadn't rushed to her sister's aid.
Yang's eyes closed as the Grimm continued to nip closer to her neck. The Beowolf's bite loosened and the body fell to the side. "H-huh?" she groaned as she turned her head. The now fading creature had a shield of pure gold through its chest - Akoúo̱, half of Pyrrha Nikos' weaponry. Turning to the other side, one of the Beowolves had its face smashed in by a familiar hammer belonging to the most energetic member of team JNPR.
Nora's orange hair took up most of the view as she was now face-to-face with a downed Yang. "AWWW, come on! Did you think we were gonna just let you die like that? HAH, you're like a main character," Nora laughed as she reached and helped the blonde warrior up to her feet.
"N-Nora?" Yang asked as her arm went around the pancake-bandit for support. How were they able to get to Vale so quickly and protect the innocent bystanders? Looking around herself, Yang discovered the rest of team JNPR - here fighting instead of helping a nearby village outside of the Kingdom's safe borders.
"RAAH-," Jaune yelled as he slashed with a leftward angle, keeping his shield at the ready. The blade embedded itself in the neck of a Beowolf at hand - proving Mr Arc's new worth and many nights of hard training. Ren ran to the left of him, speeding past his leader and jumping into the air.
Lie came down upon another member of the pack of Grimm and prepared for attacks. He slashed his sickle-like blades attached to StormFlower downward and cut open the Beowolf's chest. Kicking off its face and rolling to his feet, Ren called for the last member of his team, "Pyrrha, NOW!"
With that, Miló and its beautiful colors of gold and red came flying through. The javelin-formed weapon stabbed itself within the throat of the final Beowolf of the pack. Moments after the weapon plants itself, its owner quickly follows behind. Pyrrha advanced forward at incredible speed, grabbing her weapon and planting her left foot against the Beowolf's chest. The Grimm flies back from the kick and fully fades into the air, creating a spectacle for Yang to witness Remnant's best Huntress-in-training for this generation. "Hello again," Pyrrha waves with overwhelming kindness as she turns to face the brawler of team RWBY.
"Ruby...Blake," Yang is able to muster out before her head droops down, revealing her severe state.
Jaune rushes to her side, "Yang!" Setting his hand upon her shoulder, he tried his best to keep the Xiao Long awake. "You've got to get up!" Now, the cheery JNPR realized the seriousness of the whole situation with the invading Grimm as they came to her side.
"Is she going to be alright?" Nora asked with genuine worry and angst. It was bad if even the most cheery member of the team was giving into the mood of dread.
"She's bleeding," Ren noticed as Yang's Aura had been broken. Deep cuts and gashes coated her arms where her gauntlets hadn't been able to protect.
Yang was going to be the first victim of the Grimm's attacks? NO! Jaune Arc would be damned if he allowed someone that defended him while he was down to be taken by evil forces. In the midst of his determination, the hand on Yang's shoulder began to lightly glow with white Aura - the leader of team JNPR had unlocked his Semblance. "YANG," Jaune continued to yell, heedless of his new ability, "wake up!"
Lilac eyes shot open due the surge of pure adrenaline that flowed throughout. "WHA-," Yang gasp as her yellow-colored Aura flickered across her body and gradually glowed brighter. Jaune backed up from the sudden resurgence of the blonde brawler. Everyone on JNPR was dumbfounded by how Yang was suddenly back to her feet with a decent chunk of Aura. She looked up, red now the main hue in her eyes. "Where's my team?" Ember Celica coated her arms in its metals as she clenched her fists tightly. Yang Xiao Long was back into the fight - ready to take the city of Vale back from the Grimm.
"YANG," Blake called out. Running, the Faunus fell into the embrace of her teammate. She thought she had lost one of her closest friends and possibly more. Behind Blake, came Weiss who panted as she held up a passed out Ruby.
Looking over, Yang gave a serious frown. "Blake," she said pulling away from the hug, "we don't have time."
"Y-yeah," the Faunus nodded as she looked around to find the situation at hand. Even though she felt hurt that her hug was shoved to the side, Blake knew it was for a greater cause.
Yang turned to the leader of the other team, "Jaune. I need you to do what ever you did for me and pass it on to my sister."
Jaune tried to explain, "I-I don't even know what I did! I don't think I could possibly-,"
"Jaune," Pyrrha said with calmness as she reached up and grabbed his shoulder, "it's okay. We believe in you," she smiled referring to everyone in both teams. Pyrrha's green eyes shined with confidence she hoped to share with her leader, "You can do it. I believe in you."
Jaune took a deep breath in and exhaled, "Okay..." Walking over to Ruby, rubbed his hands together before lightly grabbing her left arm. He concentrated on the same feeling that sparked when there was a possibility that Yang could die. Soon, that spark became an open flame within Jaune as both of his hands began to glow once more.
Weiss watched as Ruby's outline become one of pure white Aura. "Is..." She looked to Juane, "Is that your Semblance?"
"Y-yeah," Jaune said, feeling his own energy diminish. It seems he sacrifices his own Aura and strength to provide the same to others. His arms soon wobbled as he continued to hold onto team RWBY's leader.
And as with her sister, Ruby gasped for new air as she awoke frantically. "WHA-,"
Ren knew the drill now, "It's okay, Ruby. You're fine. You're with us."
Looking around frantically, the silver eyes of Miss Rose locked onto her sister. "YANG!" Dissipating into rose petals, Ruby escaped Jaune's healing grasp and reappeared - arms wrapped around Yang's waist. "I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO LOSE YOU!" Her tears soaked her sister's shirt due to the sheer volume. "Please," she looked up to see the red eyes of her sister, "don't ever do something like that again!" In truth, she also despised the pain that followed the mysterious power occurring during immense stress.
Yang, due to her active Semblance, responded with cold truth. "I can't promise something like that, Ruby. If it were your life versus mine...I wouldn't even hesitate to save you along with Weiss or Blake." The newly awakened Rose opened her mouth to object but her older sister halted her once again. "We don't have time for this!" Gently separating them, Yang looks around to find the Grimm already surrounding the two teams in the middle of the shopping district. "Now," she looks back to her sister with a slight smile, "be the leader I know you can be."
Pyrrha also spoke her mind to the leader of the other team, "We'll be here for you, Ruby."
Miss Nikos' encouragement was the last piece needed to help Ruby overcome her puzzle of emotions. She was a person Miss Rose looked up to due to being the absolute best at everything. "Y-yeah," Ruby nodded toward her sister and Pyrrha's words of encouragement. "Weapons up," she ordered as Crescent Rose was cocked back - ready to spill gunfire. Weiss spun her dust chamber within her rapier and assumed a defensive posture; Jaune raised his sword and shield; Yang assumed her boxing stance as the others raised their weapons and looked to the hungry Grimm. "Everyone, we'll need to take out at least five in order to-,"
A crackle of thunder burst throughout the city of Vale but no lightning followed. Before the group could question the new arrival, The Green Scar resumed his fight against the Grimm. "RRRAAAAAH," the roar of complete anger rumbled underneath everyone again but this time, it made the ground tremble.
Ruby remembered the last member of the group that went to the ruins of Mountain Glenn. "EVERYONE, MOVE!" As the two teams jumped, the once idle and decimated train tumbled below them - crushing all Grimm that were in the way. Luckily, it was just enough force to move the locomotive and have it not crash into the nearby shopping district. Landing, JNPR and RWBY looked to the hole that the train escaped from. Now, a King Taijitu as pale as a dead body, filled the hole where the once stationary locomotive occupied. It began to fade into nothingness due to its fatal wound of not having a lower jaw along with some of the throat torn out. Grimm lost interest in the civilians who ran and finally found safety inside the many buildings.
HAHAHAHA," Nora laughed, countering the multiple snarls from Ursa and Beowolves. She understood the new turn in their favor and how they would win. "You guys are so screwed now!" A gust of air brushed against her back as the Hulk landed, looking over her orange head to face the Grimm.
Yang looked up, finding the one who had protected her back on the train. How could she have forgotten about Banner? For a split second, her bloody eyes turned back to their peaceful hue. "Bruce..."
"Everyone, you know what to do," Ruby stated as she continued to look forward. Due to Hulk arriving and joining the fight, the young Rose felt a surge of confidence and direction. "Weiss, you're with me. Yang, Nora and Blake, you're to stay next to the entryway and slow down the horde that escapes. Jaune, Pyrrha and Ren, you are not allowed to let the Grimm reach the civilians. And Hulk," Ruby turned to look up at the one who could help the most. His green head tilted as he looked down to the voice giving the orders. She pointed toward the Grimm with no mercy. "Smash..."
"Heh," Hulk let out with a slight smile. Looking back to enemies at hand, he filled with rage once more. "SMASH YOU," the Hulk let out as he jumped through the air. His huge, green fists slammed into the side of a building and through the bony spine of a clinging Beowolf. Looking over to find another Grimm that climbed, Hulk turned with pure anger and struck. The back of his left fist crippled the other Beowolf who wished to reach civilians who took refuge at the top of the building. Hulk looked back, jumping off the buildings and soaring through Vale's skyline - crashing straight into a flock of Nevermore that were attracted from the Emerald Forest.
"GO," Ruby yelled out as the first of the mighty sky Grimm fell, crashing into the ground. She burst into roses and swirled forward, climbing the limbless body of the Nevermore. It dissipated into black mist due to the Hulk's savage attacks of ripping it apart. The roses feel off the faded carcass, continuing to spiral against the ground and toward a nearby Beowolf. "AHHHHH-," Ruby yelled as she reformed from her Semblance and swung down with her scythe. Catching into the Grimm's right shoulder, she turned the creature around and aimed the barrel toward another. Pulling the trigger, Crescent Rose blasted a bullet through the skull of an Ursa and allowed force that helped Ruby slice through the rest of the caught Beowolf. It fell to the ground in two pieces, revealing many more Grimm behind it. Regaining her footing, the red scythe cocked back once more and refueled the chamber.
"Always have to charge in, don't you?" Weiss questioned as she watched from afar due to her leader speeding off. She shook her head at Ruby's plan of literal attack, "You dunce!" Turning her Dust chamber to select the type of gravity, she aimed the tip of her rapier toward the ground. Weiss' glyphs, now the color of black, formed within a straight line for the heiress. She sped across her constructs and arrived at Ruby's side within a fraction of a moment. Or more accurately, Myrtenaster jabbed right next to Ruby and into the head of an advancing Creep that attempted to get the jump on her. "You ready?" Weiss asked as she stood back to back with the young Rose.
Ruby responded with Crescent Rose shining its beautiful red within the sunlight, "Always!" Morphing into a gust of roses once more, she blasted toward the onslaught of Grimm. Ruby easily went between the legs of many, appearing behind the creatures of Remnant and chopping off their heads with swift strikes. Turning within an instant from another slash, Ruby changed her scythe to its sniper form and took aim. "Pew, Pew, Pew!" The young leader of RWBY shot off and cocked back with every onomatopoeia. The heads of Grimm exploded from the immense pressure of Crescent Rose's bullets.
"AHH-," Weiss yelled out as she stabbed and sliced into an Ursa's upper body. Her technique and form being identical to a professional ribbon dancer as she tore apart the poor Grimm with Myrtenaster's blade and tip. For the Ice Queen's efforts, the Ursa fell to its back in separate pieces. Looking back to Ruby's antics, Weiss saw the situation at hand. "RUBY," she called out to her leader. She quickly sighed under her breath, "I can't believe i'm doing this..." looking back up to Ruby, "WHITE ROSE!"
"YES, FINALLY," Ruby cheered out as The Ice Queen decided to call out their team-attack. Running up to a stationary Creep, she stabbed into its hunched over back to get a launch point. The unlucky Grimm couldn't screech in pain due to Miss Rose planting both of her feet onto its head, closing its mouth. Kicking off the Creep and pulling the trigger, Ruby blasted backwards as her weapon's blade tore the Grimm down the middle. Right before she slammed into the ground, she morphed into petals of blood red once more and sped to Weiss' side. The roses came to a halt, spinning to form Ruby aiming Crescent Rose as a sniper, "PEW!" A bullet blasts out of the chamber, infused with a cartridge of Electric Dust, impaling one of the many Grimm within the small horde. "Weiss, NOW!"
"Nice shot," Weiss remarks as her leader's attack leaves a multitude of Grimm stunned from electricity. Raising Myrtenaster up, the rapier's Dust chamber spins to its user's favorite - Ice. Using an entire crystal worth, Weiss stabs forward and expels all that Dust could muster toward the paralyzed Grimm. Pure energy of ice blasts out of the sharp tip, converging with the other Dust type of yellow - mixing together to shock and freeze the Grimm in place. The Dust crystal of Ice shatters into pale fragments within Myrtenaster's chamber, used up and out of commission. Turning to another Dust type, there was no time to relish - they had to finish off their wide-open targets. Using the remainder of Gravity Dust, Weiss summons her family's glyphs in the color black on the ground in front of the thawing Grimm.
"He-he," Ruby giggled as she offered her hand to Weiss. She had waited so long for her stubborn teammate to finally call out AND willingly use their team attack.
"GUHH-," Weiss rolled her eyes at her leader's childish attitude. Slapping Ruby's hand in a tight grasp, she turned with a final glyph summoning under herself - propelling the living rose forward for the devastating blow.
Ruby shot forward, shifting between Semblance and physical form as Crescent Rose began morphing. Her foot tapped against Weiss' first glyph in front of the Grimm, her sharp blade on display for their impending doom. With that, Ruby spun with the scythe extended, "AAAAAAAAAH!" Crescent Rose tore into the frozen monsters like butter as its wielder went in a straight line and spun like a red tornado of death. Ruby's speed so great, she made her final cut in the blink of an eye at the end of the line of frozen Grimm. She ended in the position of her scythe's gun barrel aimed against the head of a still frozen Alpha Ursa. Pulling the trigger, Ruby caused the entire sculpture of frozen Grimm to explode into smaller pieces. The Grimmsicles tapped against the ground, now beginning to melt and fade away.
"Ahhh-," Weiss breathed out as she fell to her knees, Myrtenaster rolling to the side. That 'little' attack had used a fair bit of Aura to summon that many glyphs with her family's Semblance. Looking up, the Schnee found that their work wasn't done. Grimm still roamed the streets of Vale, only being halted by her team and JNPR's. Her eyes widened as she heard a deep growl from behind.
Ruby turned, seeing an Ursa standing over her teammate. She called out with the same fear as her sister's scene, "WEISS!" Pulling up Cresent Rose, the scope revealed the Ice's Queen's rescuers. A Bo-staff of dark red and gold metal swings at a downward angle, cracking against the Ursa's legs. Falling, the Grimm couldn't even slam into the ground before a Trident of grey and silver stabbed into its back and pinned it down.
Looking up, Weiss' eyes widened as she saw the silly monkey and the blue haired 'God' who had come to her rescue. "You have got to be joking!"
"NOBODY MOVE," Sun yelled aloud as he stared down his friends and opposing Grimm. Reaching down, he pulled out a gold badge and explained his tone, "Junior Detectives!"
Next to his best-friend's side, Neptune retracted his weapon from a now fading Grimm. With his left arm free, he also pulled out a badge from their own mission with an assigned Huntsmen. "We've got badges, so you know it's official!" Looking down, he greeted his partner from the dance with a wink, "Hello again, Ice Queen~." He followed up the romantic tone by offering his hand to the downed member of RWBY.
"Hello again, Neptune," Weiss rolled her eyes as she grabbed his open hand. Hoisted to her feet, she turned to find Ruby already next to the newly formed group of three. Myrtenaster was also in her grasp - she had picked it up on her on her speedy travel. "Thank you," Weiss nodded as she grabbed her rapier back. She refilled all chambers with dust as her leader devised a new plan.
"Sun, Neptune," Ruby ordered as her silver eyes locked onto the two, "I'm going to need you to split up and help Blake and Jaune's groups to fight off the Grimm. They're bound to now be exhausted and have low Aura. Make sure they can catch their breath and give them cover."
"Understandable, but-," Neptune stopped himself as he leaned to the left and struck behind himself. His weapon had morphed into a guandao and stabbed upward into the jaw of a pouncing Beowolf. The inside of the Grimm's mouth was bright as the weapon's blade glowed blue due to the stored electricity. Turning back to Ruby, Neptune tore out of the Beowolf's head, "And who's going to give us cover?"
"SMAASH," another explosive roar of the Hulk vibrated across the district. Crashing down meters away from the four, he combated new targets of Grimm. "Bad! NO HURT PEOPLE!" A huge, right overhand of green clobbered downward into the face of a Deathstalker. The Grimm's chin slammed into the ground, unable to screech due to having its head caved in and turning the brain to mush. Hulk gritted his teeth as he tore off the left pincer, getting most out of the now fading Deathstalker. Turning, the green Goliath impaled two Beowolves with the sharp ends and lifting upward. Now, the two Grimm slide down to the base of the embedded object. Benching the entire construct over his head, The Hulk hurtled his new projectile into a flying Nevermore. "RAAAAAH!" Despite his illiterate nature and rash thinking of pure anger, Hulk's accuracy was indeed matching to his strengths. Before the pincer with decorations of Beowolves disintegrated, it stabbed into the Nevermore's neck and downed the immense creature from flight.
"HULK," Ruby screamed toward him. Luckily, he wasn't so succumbed by rage and actually turned to the voice of the little rose. She yelled out more, "Yang needs your help! Grimm hurt her, GO!" The Hulk nodded, leaping to the aid of Ruby's sister. Now, there was a chance for the hole to be plugged and stop the influx of new Grimm. Turning back to the two new arrivals to the fight, "That's your cover."
Neptune and Sun were too stunned, unable to react due to Hulk's showing of pure savagery and strength. They had dropped their badges as they watched the Grimm being effortlessly slaughtered. The blue haired goof spoke up, "W-why are we even here? He could-,"
"GO," Weiss yelled in their faces - annoyed with their sissy attitudes. Snapping out of their fear, both nodded and began racing off to join their designated groups with their weapons drawn. Looking back to her leader, Weiss spoke her mind and the possible truth, "We can't keep this up forever, Ruby. If Jaune is too exhausted to supply us all Aura..."
"Then we won't let that happen," Ruby stated and stopped her teammate from even thinking about possible outcomes that were...Grimm. "We've got Bruce on our side," she smiled as she watched the Hulk blast through countless Grimm to get to her sister. "And," she exhaled with deep relief as she looked to the sky, "we may have gotten even more backup."
"How are you two holding...UP," Yang yelled out as she weaved left, cracking an uppercut into the jaw of a Creep. The strike disabled its jaw for the rest of its short life, leaving it open. Activating that same gauntlet, an entire shell unloaded from her right arm and blasted the head off the Creep. Turning, Yang faced the two who mirrored her panting and fatigue. They were the main force keeping arriving Grimm at a standstill.
"I can-," Nora gasped for air, "do this-," another one, "forever!" She looked to the ground as her arms wobbled lightly due to Magnhild. She sounded defeated, "I just need a break. For a few seconds though! Then i'll be in tip-top shape for Grimm butt-kicking," Nora said, trying to reactivate her childish attitude for energy.
"I don't know how much longer I can go," Blake agreed as she held her ribs. Her legs buckled and she almost dropped to her knees.
"I think I can be of some service," Sun stated as he ran up behind Yang. Jumping off the ground with one foot, he flipped over the muscle of RWBY and landed before Blake. "My lady," the Faunus bowed to the other as he held his hand out for her.
Blake rolled her eyes at the monkey's attitude and growled at the action, "Better late than never..." Reaching, she grabbed onto Sun's wrist and used his arm to pull herself back up.
"No offense, monkey boy-," Yang said as she elbowed an Ursa in the throat and flattened its trachea, "but we're going to need a lot more than just you to stop the invasion." The now dead Ursa fell to its stomach, revealing many more of its kind behind it as it faded.
"I know," Sun smirked as he broke his Bo-staff in half to form his trusty, dusty nunchunks. "That's why I brought him!"
"RAAAAAAH," Hulk jumped over the heads of Yang's group - straight into the open tunnel itself. He continued to yell aloud as his fists swung in every direction, smashing Grimm left and right into a paste. "Hulk stop you!" Beowolves, Creeps and Ursa all fell with a single strike from the entity foreign to Remnant. Due to the Hulk's strikes of pure strength itself, the tunnel leading to the depths of Mountain Glenn shook. As the vibrations collided with the walls, debris fell onto advancing Grimm - halting them briefly.
Yang looked to see Hulk's successful actions, understanding why Sun had brought Banner here. Turning to Vale's saving grace she yelled, "HULK! You've got to bring down the tunnel!"
Quickly turning to the blond warrior, Hulk understood. Nodding, he looked back to the oncoming monsters that sensed the city's emotions. The back of his right arm slammed into the side of the tunnel, "HULK STOP YOU!" All of the train tracks and walls cracked as the might of the Hulk sent a shockwave. The tunnel would have been closed if not for -
A bark of determination echoed back, "ARF!"
"PUPPY," Hulk grit his teeth - finally knowing where the last two of the party were located. He reached forward, green hands digging into the huge rocks and remains of the train. Now, he began throwing his newly created debris to the side.
"BRUCE," Yang yelled out of worry as she turned and narrowly avoided a boulder in the nick of time. It was just used to block the path that lead into the once closed tunnel. "What are you doing?" The green Goliath was beginning to dig back into the Grimm infestation - showing the dark abyss the light of day and giving the Grimm a destination once more.
Blake sliced leftward into the near calf of a Beowolf, her top ears pointing up and alerting of the upcoming projectile. "AH-," she yelled out as she pushed back, her Semblance allowing her to jump away. Her newly formed clone and Grimm were crushed by another boulder that soared through. Looking to Yang and her yells, Blake found the source of the hurtling debris. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH BANNER?" she yelled out to her teammate. Turning back, she noticed a pouncing Creep stalking the other Faunus. Gambol Shroud morphed and aiming upward, Blake took the shot. "SUN!"
"Huh?" Turning, Sun witnessed a bullet fly past his face and into the open mouth of his creeping Grimm. The Creep tumbled against the ground before standing up on its hind legs. For this unfortunate creature, the pain didn't stop as a sudden ball of grey, black and some white bashed into its side. The Creep faded into nothingness from an insane attack.
Due to the speed and angle of impact, the 'ball' flew toward Sun and landed by his side. Flipping onto his little legs, a corgi revealed himself to Yang's group. "BARK," Zwei let out to boost moral and as a threat to the Grimm.
"ZWEI?" Blake and Yang both called out as they saw him. Turning, they both understood Hulk's sudden rampage to reopen an entrance to Mountain Glenn. Both girls looked back to the hole, awaiting RWBY's assigned Huntsmen to show himself in spectacular fashion as always.
"WHERE'S MY COFFEE?" Oobleck yelled out from the dark tunnel. Jumping out of the newly formed opening, the Professor looked to the open skies of Vale, "Ah! So, that's where it would lead us."
"Professor," Yang yelled out, "you're okay!" In all truth, she may have forgotten about about the green-haired Huntsmen due to the sudden events of a Grimm invasion.
"OH, It's you," Nora said as she saw Oobleck. "Are we getting extra credit for this?" To demonstrate, she took a step back and tightened her grip around Magnhild. "WEEEEE-," the energetic, viking-like girl yelled as her hammer smashed an Ursa right in half. The Grimm slumped to its knees, revealing no more upper body.
Turning back to the matter at hand, Oobleck gazed upon the Hulk. "Banner, my good boy! Looking sharp as ever," the Professor remarked as the debris was set back down, halting Grimm in their tunnel tracks once more. Quickly deducing the situation at hand, the aged Huntsmen devised a new plan. "Hulk, in order for us to-," Oobleck's hat almost flew back due to an immense gust of wind blasting him in the face, "or we just let the cavalry do their job."
Above them and the buildings of Vale, was an entire fleet of Atlas Bullheads, all of them ready for conflict and battle. The main one blasted its speakers to everyone and the Grimm. "All civilians are to stay inside until all hostile forces are dealt with. Atlesian Knights are on their way to provide support to ground Huntsmen." As soon as the announcement ended, the backs of the Bullheads opened up. Inside were armored Androids by the dozen that soon dropped down. Looking around, everyone witnessed the reinforcements who had finally come to the people's aid.
Weiss slashed her blade out of a Beowolf's chest, sighing out in relief, "Finally." Her rapier dragged her down to her knees, allowing her to catch her breath as Model-200's came to her side and blasted the incoming Grimm. Very shortly, other ships from Beacon now, were now arriving in the skies of Vale. Aboard them were students and Professors of the nearby academy. Before the Ice Queen herself, landed the famous team of CVFY.
Velvet looked over her shoulder and smiled, "Hello, Weiss! Don't worry about anything; we've got it covered," the Faunus smiled and referred to her team. Turning back to the Grimm at hand, Velvet rushed to her team's side. She pounced and her left kick bounced her off an Ursa's chest. The Grimm stumbled back from the force, being sliced in half by Fox's bladed gauntlets.
"TALLY-HOO," one of the older Professor's yelled from above. Crashing his blunderbuss' blade within the spine of a Beowolf, Peter Port slayed his first of many Grimm this day. Looking to his left, he found the green-haired coworker. "Bartholomew! How's the weather?" he asked his once rival and he twirled his aged mustache. A Huntsmen had to be well fashioned while he dispatched the monsters of Remnant.
"Well, well," Oobleck nodded in agreement toward Port's friendly attitude. "A fine day to push the forces of Grimm back, I would say so myself. Maybe we could finally settle that score-," this Professor's words were cut short as he heard the sound of teeth gritting and exhaling from the nose. Looking to the side, Oobleck found the angering ally, "Oh dear..."
"Ironwood..." Hulk growled as his gaze lowered from the Bullheads to the mechanical soldiers that deployed. No matter what happened to him and Banner, the Green Scar would never forget this world's general. His fists clenched in rage as he watched Atlas forces handle the now fading numbers of Grimm. Luckily, there was another person on the battlefield that could soothe the rage of the Hulk. She was approaching now -
"Bruce," Glynda revealed herself as she walked toward the current host of the two souls. She met the Hulk's gaze as he reluctantly turned to face her, the rage in his green eyes cooling due to Miss Goodwitch's lighter color. With her wand, the Huntress motioned for Oobleck and the others to quickly get back. Yang stood her ground, unsure if Banner could be calmed by Glynda alone. The Professor quickly turned to look into lilac eyes and nodded, confirming she cared for Bruce just as much as everyone close to him. "Hulk, you need to calm down. James' army is not your enemy. They, along with your friends, are assigned to protect the populace. If you wish to dispel your anger," Glynda smiled, "smash Grimm."
Hulk nodded with the request of Banner's crush. It was the least he could do since this woman was the only one in this world that resembled Betty. Looking toward the remaining Grimm, he directed his anger. "SMAAAASH!" Leaping out of the crater formed from the train's entrance into the city, the Hulk combated the forces of Grimm.
"Good," Glynda sighed out in slight relief knowing that Banner was somewhat in control. Turning away from the leaping giant, the Professor focuses on what he started. Lifting her arm within the air and twisting her right wrist, her weapon of a wand began to effortlessly plug the hole back into place. Now, Grimm wouldn't have even the slightest chance of escape into the city. To make sure, Miss Goodwitch tossed a crystal of blood red within the tunnel before it completely sealed up - Fire Dust. A explosion slammed against the bottom of the newly constructed street that was reinforced with Glynda's semblance. Now, it was up to everyone to stop the remaining Grimm roaming Vale. Even those with secret motives...
Splitting away from the rest of her infiltrated team, Emerald walked along a sidewalk within the chaos of Vale. To the unsuspecting, she was only someone who transferred from Mistral to compete in the Vytal Festival. On her little walk, two Beowolves noticed Emerald from afar and began to charge her. "That blasted idiot," she remarked about Roman due to him activating the train ahead of schedule. Reaching to her side, her revolvers were unholstered and aimed forward as their attached chains juggled around. They kicked up due to recoil as powerful shots proved effective and dropped the once advancing Grimm. "Heh," she chuckled as she spun the left chain as she watched the Beowolves fade from this world. "I should name you two Tukson due to how easily you fell-,"
A huge Ursa with immense armor plating swiped from behind, slicing in a diagonal angle. "BRAAAH-," it screeched in a savage tone as it attacked its designed prey - a human girl. Or, we should say...tried to attack.
The Grimm's sharp claws clashed with morphed metals, revealing the sickles that completed Emerald's weapons. Her red eyes glared at the nuisance she faced. "Don't you dare sneak up on me like that!" Pushing back against the massive Grimm, Emerald sliced her blades in an X formation - tearing and cutting off the Ursa's attacking paw. It backed up in pain as claw and flesh fell to the ground, leaving behind a stump bleeding with black tar. Emerald yanked her right chain, retracting the same sickle and aimed to slice the neck of the Alpha. In the corner of her colorful eye, Emerald caught the scene of green racing through the air.
"SMASH," Hulk roared as his fist crashed froward into its target. The Ursa flew back with its skull wide open, already fading out of existence and dissipating into a black mist as it hit against the side of a building. Turning back to the one he had saved, Hulk tilted his head. "Hulk...remember you?" He took a step back, eying Emerald's figure and questioning his judgment. For some weird reason, the back of his head began to throb as he thought of this girl more and more. It felt as if it was a case of burning deja-vu.
"No..." Emerald grit her teeth, using her Semblance to confuse the Hulk the best she could. "I don't believe we've met, Mr Banner." If she had to keep this up, her Aura would shatter into a million pieces. Banner was one not to be easily messed with - physically or mentally.
Before Hulk could question anymore, he turned and faced the rest of the city that had a Grimm infestation. "Hulk come back for you," he said over his shoulder to the one affecting his mind in secret. He leaped forward, striking down the Ursa, Beowolves, Deathstalkers and Nevermore who opposed Vale and its citizens. Luckily, he had left for Emerald's sake as she tumbled down to her hands and knees. Having to lean against the side of a building for support, her teammate would surely never let this down.
"That could have been bad," Mercury said as he came to the trickster's aid. "I thought you said he wouldn't remember us," he stated and stood in front of her.
"Back...up," Emerald breathed out a warning due to her personal space being invaded. Her silver-haired accomplice obliged, putting slight space between the two. The well trained assassin relaxed his clenched fists, knowing there was no reason to be on guard. Thanks to the forces of Atlas security, Beacon assistance and the Hulk himself, Vale would live to see another blasted day. "I'm fine by the way," Emerald said as she looked back up to face Mercury. She felt blood drip out of her nose, quickly rubbing it away with her forearm. "And...yeah," Emerald shuddered as she looked back to the Hulk and answered, "he wasn't supposed to remember."
"Come on," Mercury shrugged off the comments of Hulk's mental durability, "we should get back. Cinder will need to know of this." He put Emerald's left arm over his shoulder, letting questioners believe she was ambushed by Grimm and needed to get back to their team's leader.
Nevertheless, it seems Vale would see another day and its buildings stood tall. "Guys," Jaune breathed out as his sword sliced out of a Beowolf's chest, "I think we did it." Looking around, Atlas and their security shoot down struggling Grimm as the professors held down crowded areas and calmed the populace. Not to mention, Ironwood had personally dragged the leader of this whole operation out of his hiding spot. To Jaune, the man seemed to be nothing more than a crime boss with a fancy top-hat and weaponized cane. "That the guy who ran the train into the city?" he asked, hoping to know this evil's name.
Instead of the outspoken leader of team RWBY explaining, it was the least social of the four to speak. "Roman Torchwick," Blake said as she walked to Jaune's side. She watched as Atlas' General dragged the man who seemed to lead Vale's operation of White Fang. "We've been tracking him for weeks. And..." the young Faunus took a well needed breath in, lessening her shaking due to finally catching Torchwick.
"Let me guess," Jaune pieced together RWBY's mission outside of the Kingdom's borders and protection, "he was the reason you seemed so excited to go on that mission? Blake, you shouldn't blame yourself. I would have done the same," Jaune assured as he sensed her feeling of guilt for all the pain caused today. "Yeah, a train was rammed into the city. But without you, a dangerous criminal would still be out on the streets."
Blake looked up, smiling from Mr Arc's words. "Y-yeah, thanks. It means a lot, Jaune." Though, before everyone could truly reform into one group they needed to take care of one more big, green issue. "Wait, where's Banner-,"
The immense roar of the Hulk continued to ring out as he pulverized now fading Grimm. "SMASH YOU!" His huge fists caved in the bodies of Beowolves and Ursa as they left this world. Taking his angered grunts as encouragement, the blond leader of JNPR raced over to confront Banner.
Ruby, who already watched the Hulk and his actions from a safe distance, noticed as an unsuspecting Arc who ran to confront him. She called out in fear as she used the last of her energy to dispel rose petals and blast forward. "WAIT, NO-,"
"Bruce," Jaune called out as he ran forward to confront who he thought was in control. "We did it. We stopped the Grimm-," his excitement clouded judgment and lead to a huge green hand wrapping around his head. Jaune grunted in pain as his entire skull felt the force a slow constricting grasp. Everyone was at fault here, not just the leader who assumed Banner hadn't been consumed by the addicting rage. Now, all Banner saw was blood red with a desire to destroy...
The Hulk, in full control, raised his clutched victim closer to his face for conversation. Though, his powerful voice didn't follow suit as he roared out his sentence for everyone to hear. "THIS HULK FIGHT! STAY OUT OF IT!"
Heart pumping in fear and his mind racing, Jaune tried his best to explain. "B-BRUCE! YOU DID IT! The Grimm..." it was beginning to get hard to breathe and swallow due to his predicament. "You smashed all the Grimm! Look around..."
"..." Trusting this voice's words, Hulk held still and awaited for something to hurt him. No pain came, allowing him to fully open his eyes and allow the cool breeze to blow away his anger. Instead of flesh hungry Grimm to combat, the Hulk was faced with much worse - everyone fearing him. Glynda covered her mouth in shock due to the sudden actions as Oobleck and Port held onto their weapons tighter. Not to mention, the rest of team JNPR watched in horror as their beloved leader was being ground into a paste. None more heart-breaking than Pyrrha Nikos' worry for her love.
General Ironwood turned back to the scene at play, a hand on his revolver. "Come on...Bruce," he pleaded silently as he looked upon the Hulk from afar. "Don't make me do this," he thought as he looked around to see the countless civilians stirring. Now, the fear of Grimm would shift to Banner and his other half due to their previous actions against Remnant.
Looking back to his clenched hand, the Hulk finally saw Jaune Arc within his grasp - one of his friends, in pain due to him. Jaune was freed from the clutches of a now stunned Hulk who had caused harm to someone he had promised Banner he'd protect. "F...friend?" he asked in fear due to Jaune's slow breathing as he laid upon the ground.
"B-Banner..." a soft spoken, tired voice came from below as rose petals came into the Hulk's view. It was Ruby Rose - the most important person on Remnant to the Hulk and Banner alike. Using her the last of her Aura, she had gotten between Jaune and his 'attacker' with a usage of Semblance.
Hulk looked down in fear of also hurting his greatest friend. "R-Ruby...?" His mournful eyes looked into ones that were colored silver with understanding. "Hulk no-,"
"BANNER," an excited squeal echoed throughout the area. Penny Polendina stood at the entrance of the Atlesian Bullhead stationed within the city to escort Torchwick into custody. Approaching the Hulk and brushing past Ironwood's instructions, she couldn't wait to see her bestest friend once more. "OOH, Banner! We have much to discuss. I missed you so mu...ch." Her programming cut through her colorful personality as it revealed the situation to her systems. She took a step back and fought back against protocols that wished to activate due to detecting Banner's state. Right now, she was moments away from trying to deal with the Hulk and his anger. "Banner...why are you hurting friend Ruby and leader of team JNPR, Jaune Arc?" she simply asked after asserting the situation. It was if this robot with a soul had her heart broken from the thought of Banner hurting innocence.
"Hulk...NO," Ruby called out too late. Seeing the pain he had caused and thinking of the worst, Hulk quickly turned and ran. At the edge of the city, his legs kicked off the ground and he flew through the skies with a powerful jump. "Bruce...please," Ruby sighed with forming tears as she was too late to calm the Hulk. Though, this wasn't to be a sad day as Vale had been saved from the tyranny of the Grimm and those who worked for its downfall.
An hour passed, allowing Roman Torchwick to be arrested and put into Atlesian custody. As for all the students and Professors of Beacon, they helped clear out single numbers of remaining Grimm before heading back to the Academy. Three stayed back within Vale, hidden in the shadows to plan their next deadly strike. Speaking of...
"I would call today a success," Cinder gloated as all, they could control, went to plan.
"Even with Banner?" Mercury questioned as he looked downward to the empty streets of the Kingdom that they had fooled by slaying Grimm. "Speaking of," he looked back to the leader of this group, "will your backer still stand with us after all of his people died within the tunnels?"
"And even a few weeks early?" Emerald added onto the questions. "And was it really necessary for Roman to get caught and put into a cell? He had plenty of chances to escape from the crash."
"Yes," Cinder said as her happy demeanor quickly burned into one of more seriousness. "It went according to plan, even with those inconveniences. The White Fang casualties, while sad, they are still our ally and will continue to help with the fall of Beacon. All will be revealed soon, you two. Isn't that right, Adam?" the secret half-Maiden asked, turning to face on the Faunus that stalked them.
"I do not care for your goals and ambitions, woman," Adam Taurus barked as he revealed himself. His mask continued to show forth in the evening sunlight, almost distracting from his casual grip on his chokutō. "While many of my brothers and sisters gave their lives for a cause I still do not understand, it shall not be in vain. If it means tearing down that school brick by brick to get to Blake Belladonna, I will do it a thousand times over."
Mercury and his big mouth chimed in once more. "That's great and all but what happened to your lackey? Did she get trapped within the tunnel as well?"
Cinder quickly spoke up, knowing Adam's temperament and quickness for a confrontation. "Taurus and I have decided that Ilia Amitola shall return to her post back in Menagerie. In the meantime we shall lie low, watch Banner and then strike. Thanks to Watts, we're all ready for the festival and for some exciting matches." Cinder's eyes began glow a powerful orange, "Find the rest of the Fall Maiden and get the first of many relics for Salem to complete her endgame."
Firstly, i want to say i'm extremely sorry for the delay of the chapter. I wanted this to be an epic finale to my version of Volume's 2 ending. Luckily, I'll finish the next arc before volume 7 rolls around. Thank you all for reading and i hope you all enjoy and leave your feedback