Chapter 10- Doing it Our Way!
The large blast of lightning made its way towards the airship with the intent on knocking the metallic bird out of the sky but the attack never came as a large black blur clawed the ball of yellow as though it was a balloon. "What in blue blazes!" Cordo shouted in shock as the blur came right into Cordo's sight before flying down to Ruby and the others letting out a hearty roar as it landed beside Ruby and the others. "Nice of you to join in." Ruby teased as Snowla slide down the large grimm's back, her claw gauntlets ready and raring to go. "Looks like we made it right on time. So what's the plan?" The lion faunus asked. "We need to keep Cordo off Weiss and Maria." Jaune explained. "You guys seriously want to fight this thing?" Weiss said from her ear piece. "We've fought giant monsters before. And this is just a tiny old lady… With one very big robot." Ruby said, glancing over at the large mechanical marvel of tech. "You little spider roaches thought you could creep your way into Atlas? Well see how your resolve holds up against the might of Atlas." Cordo said, as the robot's left arm's upper hatch opened revealing several missile though she only fired one at the airship only for it to explode instead of hitting its target. Looking over at the cliffside pathway Cordro saw Ruby had stopped the attack with Crescent Rose causing the elderly woman to growl in frustration. "So be it then!" The robot's arm cannon whirled to life as it began charging a large blast of ice dust ammunition. "Dive! Quick!" The heiress said getting out of her seat, Maria nodded pilotting the airship so it was low to the ground, and opening the side doors letting the white haired huntress off as she quickly formed a wall of stone with Myrtenaster stopping the incoming ice blast. Cordo watched from her position in the sea wanting to see if her attack had worked, waiting for the cloud of mist to disappear. Everyone else who had shielded themselves slowly lowered their arms to see what Weiss had done. "That was too close." Oscar said. "Agreed." Snowla chimed in. "We need to figure out how to stop Cordovin and protect the airship until we do." Ruby instructed. "Then let's give her some more targets to focus on." Jaune said. "You mean us don't you?" Nora asked in a deadpan tone. "Look at this thing. It's not made for small enemies, it's probably meant for larger grimm from deeper waters. We can turn our size into an advantage, we just need to be smart about it." The blonde knight said looking over to Ruby.
"Maria can you keep the ship out of harm's way?" The red huntress asked, pressing a hand onto her earpiece. "They can take away my drivers license but I won't let them take away this ship." Maria said confidently. "Very reassuring." Ren said, feeling slightly unsure about this. "I'd be more useful if I go with her. From up high I can spot a weakness." Oscar offered. "He's not the only one who can get a bird's eye view." Qrow added. "You said you need me on the ground?" Weiss asked looking over to her teammate and leader. "Well...not exactly." Ruby said with a sheepish smile. Cordro saw that her blast of ice dust had hit but her brown eyes widened in surprise as Jaune, Nora and Ren ran down the left side of the pathway whilst the airship quickly took off from the right side of the wall of ice and a red blur flew upwards from the middle of the ice. The red rose petal's disappearing and revealing Ruby who quickly shot a bullet at the viewing visor of the robot causing it to crack, Cordovin growled sending out five missiles at once all of them aiming from Ruby. But the huntress used her semblance easily maneuvering the incoming missiles before spinning around as she fell to towards the water which quickly froze into a ramp thanks to Weiss, as the duo leapt from the large portions of ice towards the robot. Nora helping out by firing several grenades at the robot's arm causing Cordo's attention to turn to her and the guys as they ran down the dirt road weapons in hand. "And you said it wasn't beach season." Nora teased as the three hid behind a few large rocks before the pink bomber fired off more rounds only for them to be blocked by the robot's shield. "Surely you know Atlas was the father of hard ight dust or do other kingdoms just lack proper education!" Cordovin mocked as she charged the arm blaster a third time this time with earth dust and blasting the three teammates causing them to flee. "Cordro just activated shield." Jaune said from his earpiece. "I saw that we need to find whatever's powering the shields." Oscar said, watching the fight from above. "You know in video games the bosses weak spot is usually in the back." Ruby offered. "Ruby! This is so not a game!" Weiss scolded as a black crow flew towards the robot going through a cloud as Qrow shifted from his bird form to human turning his large sword to his scythe and diving for the back of the robot hitting it quite hard. "Until the shields are down we'll need to get up close and personal with this thing." He said shifting his weapon into its gun form and began shooting at the back of the robot, when he noticed a large shadow descending on him. Qrow saw the large hand and quickly took off reverting to his bird form. Oscar watching from the airship as the robot's arm spinning as a new load of missiles got into place.
"Wait thats it when she- Oh no. RUBY MOVE!" He shouted, but the farmhand was too late as an explosion was made in the water, but as the water began falling a white and blue queen lancer grimm flew out, Ruby and Weiss riding atop its back. Ruby quickly leapt off the insects back and spun around, crescent rose in scythe mode as she slashed the robots thick armor. Cordovin grit her teeth as she backed up into the seaside cliff in a attempt to shake the red huntress off. "Go for it now!" Jaune said as he and his teammates charged the robot, Ren scaling up its arm, whilst Jaune and Nora attacked its legs causing it to stand upright again. Ruby waved to Cordovin as the older woman told the cocky huntress in training to get off of her as a large hand attempted to grab her making the red huntress quickly get out of the way as she fell towards the water screaming, when Weiss swooped in and caught her leader. "What if I hadn't caught you?" Weiss asked. "I knew you would." Ruby said with a toothy smile causing the heiress to roll her eyes. Meanwhile Ren was scaling the back of the robot when he spotted the back panel, using the blade of Stormflower he pried the panel off but fell in the process only to be caught by Qrow. "Nice find." The scythe wielder said as he and Ren began bombarding the generators with bullets easily taking out the shields. "No no no no no!" Cordo shouted, when she saw more pink grenades hitting against the robot. "You get back here with my man!" Nora shouted as she continued firing. With the shields taken care of Qrow and Ren's ride who happened to be Snowla and Okami flew over. "Hop on!" The pint sized lion shouted, the two older males nodded jumping onto the large grimm's back a Cordro turned her attention to Nora and Jaune. "I've had enough of you ingrates!" She said backhanding Jaune and Nora making the huntsman and huntress go flying, slamming into a large rock. As they struggled to get up Cordo took this as a chance to blast them with her arm cannon. "No!" Ren shouted, when Snowla noticed that the arm cannon was not being aimed at Jaune and Nora but at Okami. The large grimm tried to get out of the way but the blast of air dust sent the group flying as Qrow, Weiss, Ren and Okami landed on the dirt pathway whilst Ruby and Snowla began falling toward the ocean. The red huntress quickly used her scythe to slow down to a halt clinging to her weapon, Snowla's gauntlets clawing and scratching at the cliffside as she slid down slightly closer to the water. "This is what happens when you think you know better than whose rightfully in charge." Cordro said. "We have to do something." Oscar said running over to the cockpit of the airship. Maria thought for a moment before turning the airship around just as Cordrovin loaded another round of dust when Maria fired a missile of her own at the robot, only for it to be caught. Cordo spun around growling Maria's last name as she threw the missile at the airship causing a good sized explosion as the airship flew out of the smoke. "You just couldn't keep this rivalry between us could you Calivera you just had to rope in children to fail alongside you." Cordro said as Ruby and Snowla clung to the cliffside for dear life before they began climbing upwards until they were out of harm's way. "Ruby can you hear me? Are you guys okay?" Oscar asked worriedly. "Are we okay?" Ruby asked as she watched the airship dodged another attack from Cordo's robot. "I know we were supposed to stay low but listen I think I finally found a weakness." "Well were all ears." Nora said as she supported Jaune as they walked over to the others. "Guys!" Ren said relieved his teammates were alright as he ran over to help them. "The cylinder in Cordro's cannon locks in a giant dust cartridge every time she changes attack styles." Oscar explained. "We noticed." Weiss said. "Yeah but her missile launcher doesn't lock in it pops out. Without her shield one well placed attack can detonate the missiles while there in the launchers." The farm hand said. "That'll destroy the cannon. Oscar that's brilliant." Jaune said with a smile. "But can you make a shot like that?" Nora asked. "We only have one chance before she catches on to what were doing. I'd have to be practically staring down the barrel of the cannon." Ruby said. "Well I have a way to guarantee that." Marai said over the intercoms as she flew low to the ground and opening the side doors, Ruby running over and hopping aboard much to her uncle's worry as the airship took off again. Heading straight for the large robot as it armed itself again with missiles. "Are you two crazy?!" Oscar asked. "Sometimes the best approaches is the most direct." Maria said as Ruby aimed for the robots missile launcher, something Cordo noticed. Ruby fired her bullet but the attack missed as the projectile bounced off the launcher as it began returning to its usual position.
"You thought you could fool me!" Cordro asked as she prepared to fire a large blast of lighting dust. "Pull up!" Oscar shouted, as the airship began ascending, though it got caught in the crossfire as lighting surged through the airship, affecting maria's eyes. "Agh my eyes! Take control!" Maria said, turning to Oscar who nervously took control of the airship as he attempted to land it, claiming they were going to crash. While those on the ground watched as the airship crashed into the thick forest, Qrow quickly turning into a crow and flying after them. "W-Were still in one piece." Oscar said relieved as Ruby stumbled out of the airship falling to her hands and knees as Cordo laughed. "Very clever but even the smartest apes cant compete the intellect of man." Ruby managed to get to her fet as Maria tried to get her eyes to work. As the huntress in red began walking ver to the large robot a hand stopped her. "Ruby stop." She turned to her uncle, silver eyes filled with determination as she stared her uncle down. "I need you to trust me on this." Qrow sighed as he let her go. "Surrender for your crimes and accept your punishment." Cordro said pointing a finger at the huntress. "No!" Ruby said rebelliously as she planted Crescent Rose in the soft soil. "Were going to Atlas, bigger people have tried to stop us and failed. But were supposed to be on the same side. We supposed to use our powers to protect people but you just used your power to look down on everyone. We didn't wanted to steal from you but you gave us no other choice. Now I'm giving you one last chance to stand down and hear us out." Ruby stared at Cordo as the older woman thought for a moment. "I've heard enough." Arming the dust cannon, ruby growled softly as everyone else ran towards Ruby but the red huntress simply used her semblance, flying into the cannon barrel much to everyone's shock. "Is she nuts?!" Nora asked. "The missile launcher springs out but the raw dust gets locked in!" Jaune said, seeing what Ruby was planning to do. Positioning herself and her weapon Ruby took a deep breath and released it as she she fired a bullet at the raw dust, using the throwback to get out of the cannon right on time as Ice, lighting and earth dusts meddled together and formed a thick coating over the arm cannon. Ruby having taken the full force of this attack began falling out of the sky her aura flickering, Weiss quickly made several black glyphs to slow the huntress's speed as her uncle caught her. Qrow called his niece's name praying she was alright when she opened her eyes. "Told ya." She said with a weary smile as Maria's eyes finally returned to working order as the airship began to hover. "Oh don't tell me I missed it." She said with a light groan. Cordro screamed out, raging over the fact that a group of children had beaten her claiming they'd never get to Atlas before calling for the rest of her forces to her location. When one of her soldiers began reporting how they were trying to reach the commander, explaining how Argus was in danger, a large black sea grimm making its way to the seaside city. Several airships flew overhead battling it out with a pride of manticore grimm as the sea grimm leading this fight dove under the waves. "All units be advised the leviathan has submerged but is still on approach. Preparing Hard light shields over." One of the soldiers radioed. "Were getting slammed by hostiles out here. Where is Cordovin." Another soldier radioed. "This is your fault. Do you hear me? Your fault!" Cordo said as she shook the robot's free hand. "Ruby!" A voice called as everyone turned to see yang and Blake running out of the forest toward them. "Yang! Blake! Are you okay?" The leader asked.
"What happened?" Blake asked as the leviathan roared. "Was that a giant grimm?" Yang asked. "Yes. And we just ruined the only thing capable of stopping it." Weiss said grimly. The airship took to the skies, everyone on board save for Okami who was flying beside the airship leaving Cordovin behind as she screamed in frustration and anger. "I'm so sorry… If I had just managed to take out the tower none of this would be happening." Blake said apologetically. "Don't be. None of this is on you." Yang said taking the cat faunus' hands into her own. "But-" Blake said about to argue only for the red clad huntress to cut her off. "Your safe and that's all that matters." Ruby said, smiling reassuringly as Blake hugged their team's leader. "I suppose I have to be the bad guy and ruin this tender moment but getting the lamp to Atlas is still our top priority. And right now we have the perfect chance to head straight there. We might not get another opportunity like this again." Maria said. "Oh heck no. We are not leaving when grimm are attacking innocent lives." Snowla said, her arms crossed. "It's like you said, a huntress is supposed to protect others til the bitter end." Blake added. Maria turned toward the others and smiled. "We need to head for the Leviathan. Jaune, can you and Ren be ready to mask our ship?" Ruby asked. "I think we can manage." Ren said. "Got a few ideas?" Jaune asked. "I have one." Ruby said confidently. "Eyes up everyone, its back." Qrow said. The leviathan broke through the water's surface standing on its hind legs roaring. Everyone within Argus watched on in horror as the massive grimm made its way to the city. Atlas shield poles began surfacing from the ocean creating a barrier to hold the grimm at bay. With the leviathan stopped several airships began bombarding the beast with missiles and other firearms making it more upset as it charged a breath attack, opening its large maw and releasing a thick flame of fire, hitting the first set of shields directly. "It torched right through." Oscar said with disbelief. One of the soldiers ordered the others to begin evacuation protocol when Ruby leapt onto the airship's radio explain how she and her team could take the grimm down a peg making it weak enough for the Atlas military to attack. "We can?" Jaune asked feeling somewhat unsure of all this. "I can." Ruby said confidently. "Ruby? When I said trial by fire…" Maria started only for the silver eyed young woman to cut her off. "I did it at Beacon and at the farm." "Do you really think you can do it now?" Weiss asked. "I don't have much of a choice." Ruby said as a soldier told the huntress that their airship was hostile and wouldn't get any support. "Fine we'll do it alone if we have to. We can hit it when it gets to the next barrier shield. Alright Ren your up." She said. Ren nodded activating his semblance to mask the ship with Jaune lending a hand and boosting his teammate's aura. But just as the group's airship was right upon the leviathan, the beast unleashed its breath attack causing Maria to have to pull up and out of the way. Ren and Jaune falling to their knees exhausted.
"It's on the move again. We need to stop it." Blake said. "What do we do?" Yang asked. Ruby looked to Weiss, a plan already taking form. Soon Yang, Nora and Snowla were attacking the large grimm trying to get its attention focused on them and not the city. "Is it working?" Blake asked. "Unfortunately yes. Now hang on." Maria said as the leviathan tried to swipe its fin at the airship and failing to land a hit. Weiss focussing on summoning another queen lancer kneeled in the center of the ship, a large glyph surrounding her as Ruby rode atop the white grimm towards the leviathan, preparing herself on using her silver eyes. She began thinking back to those she cared about. Her father and older sister, her teammates, Penny, Team JNPR and Pyrrha though her mind began to wander to the darker times of her school days at Beacon, how the school fell and how yang lost her arm, Cinder kills Pyrrha right in front of her, Penny dying in Vytal Festival. Cracking her eyes open Ruby saw the Leviathan towering over her as it lunged toward her with the intent of possibly eating her. "JINN!" She called shielding her face. The world around Ruby began to slow down to a halt as the huntress sighed in relief. "I'm sorry I don't have a question for you. I just...needed a little more time." She said turning to face the genie who did not look pleased. "I know. And while you don't seek knowledge just this once I shall give it freely. And I won't let you use me without a question again." Jinn said giving the huntress a stern glare that morphed into a smile. "Even if this was quite clever." Ruby thanked the genie as she closed her eyes again. Thinking back to all of the happier times, as time began to slowly return to normal around her. Images of Blake, yang, weiss, the school dance, Team JNPR's fight during the Vytal Festival, her uncle qrow, Oscar, Maria, Snowla and her mother flashed before her as she opened her eyes again this time a pure white light shining from them as the leviathan was engulfed turning into stone. Ruby blinked a bit to clear her slightly blurred vision and quietly gasped at the sight of the now stone grimm standing before her, when Ruby turned to Argus hearing the citizens cheers a new sound cut through the moment like a sword. Stone Cracking. Facing the grimm again Ruby gasped seeing the beast's head was free! "No…" Suddenly Cordovin's voice was heard as the old woman said she'd take it from here. Everyone watched as the large robot charged the leviathan, it's undamaged hand turning into a bronze drill head. Stabbing the drill into the grimm's side make it roar out in pain before disappearing as blackened smoke and ash. Ruby thanked and apologized to the Atlas commander who stood within the robot its visor up. "The Atlas military can handle the stragglers." Ruby looked at the elder slightly confused. "I'm saying that I don't think anyone would notice if one more ship went missing in my… lengthy report." Cordro said with a smile as she piloted the robot toward the remaining grimm. Later that night the airship flew through the thick sea of clouds, Maria commenting on how they had just enough fuel to make it to Atlas, Qrow chiming in on how his niece did great today and advising her not to give him heart attacks like that again. Ruby smiled at this and hugged her uncle. Everyone else sat on the floor smiling over at the red huntress. "Hey what's with the staring? Stop it." Ruby said but everyone continued to stare at her. "You just petrified a Leviathan. After diving into the barrel of a cannon." Ren said, impressed. "Oh come on don't act like you all haven't done anything that crazy before." Ruby said with a sheepish laugh before pointing to Oscar. "I mean Oscar here made a successful crash landing. He's a fourteen year old farm hand!" Ruby said hoping to get the attention put on Oscar rather than her. "That was pretty impressive." Jaune said. "We'd have been stranded without you." Blake added.
"Thanks but I've been meaning to tell you guys. I didn't land the ship all on my own. Ozpin helped me to stay calm and told me how to land it." He explained. "Ozpin took control?" Nora asked. "No no he guided me and then he was gone again." "Does that mean he was just watching us the entire time?" Yang asked. "I don't know but at least he was looking out for us." "Hey if you kids have never seen Atlas in person before you so don't wanna miss this." Qrow said. Everyone went over to the cockpit and looked out of the window to see the large kingdom of Atlas. When Snowla backed up from the amazing view after her lion ears perked up to the sound of her scroll ringing, grabbing her scroll from her pocket she saw the caller ID. Her brother. 'Oh I have a tone of explaining to do...'
A/N: Hey Everyone it's Lopunnygal here with the final chapter of Lioness of Lore! :D
Lucario Terias: *Sneaking up behind her*
Lopunnygal: Thank you all so much for reading my first completed story on I am so happy ^^
LT: *Tackle hugs her from behind* Guess who's Backkkk~
Lopunnygal: Owwwww… Pain…
LT: I did not hurt u I'm hugging. *Pouts*
Lopunnygal: Thank you all so much for sticking around. ^^ I hope you all enjoyed this fanfic as much as I had fun writing it. Please keep an eye out for my other stories. Thank you all again and I hope to see you all soon.
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