Chapter 16
It was like the Battle of Beacon all over again. The closer they got towards the plume of smoke and the sound of fighting, the more people they saw fleeing. The fear they generated only meant more Grimm would be attracted to the city, it was a slippery slope and the only way they could stop it was to instil hope into the people, either by beating back the Grimm or by some other means.
As they drew nearer they could see the fighting. Beowolves, Ursai, Creeps and Boarbatusks clashed with the Atlesian soldiers. The military seemed to be having a hard time keeping the Grimm back, one soldier could be seen radioing for reinforcements suggesting they had been hit suddenly and taken by surprise.
"Yang, we have to help them" came Blake's voice from behind her as she turned back. Yang nodded firmly and looked to her gauntlet Ember. She hadn't fought Grimm since her accident. A hand reassuringly placed itself upon her shoulder. "I'm with you" spoke Blake with determined eyes.
That was all she needed. "Let's give it what we got then" smirked Yang as she ran for the conflict with her friend beside her. It didn't take long for the two to draw some attention from the Grimm as a Beowolf came leaping through the air towards Yang, claws extended and ready to slice down. It was time to see what Celica could really do. With a blast from the weapon she launched up to meet the Beowolf, far too fast for it to close its claws around her as her right knee came smashing into its chin. The impact halted the Grimm's momentum completely as it started to fly higher into the air from the hit, but before it could completely move out of her range Yang grabbed its leg before slamming it back into the ground.
The blonde landed upon her first defeated foe, looking up she saw a second Beowolf already swinging its claw towards her. Its arm was severed in one quick slash from Gambol Shroud as Blake intercepted the beast. The Beowolf recoiled before a black ribbon was swung and starting wrapping around its neck. Once the ribbon of Gambol Shroud had coiled around the throat of the Grimm the pistol fired, sending a bullet through its skull before the ribbon was tugged and in one swift motion it decapitated the monster.
Yang stood up to her feet and besides Blake as they looked ahead to more incoming foes. A Boarbatusk came spinning towards Yang in its flurry of sharp bone. She took a step backward and kicked straight with Celica, firing a shotgun blast upon impact and sending the Boarbatusk backwards as it struggled to climb back up its feet. She turned left to see Blake taking on an Ursa, she didn't seem to need any help at all as she already stood upon its shoulder, firing Gambol Shroud down into its skull repeatedly until it fell. Looking back to the Boarbatusk Yang saw some of the Atlesian soldiers open fire upon it as they began securing the area, they were definitely pulling their own weight.
The soldiers were finally getting their reinforcements as the gunfire increased and the Grimm were being pushed back, there was still more to do however. Yang gestured for Blake to follow her as she continued on into the main fight. As they drew nearer a Creep lunged through the crowd with its jaws open, quickly dispatched with a shotgun loaded fist into the mouth. Followed by a second that was blasted from a further distance with the same attack. Blake rushed by in front of Yang to engaged the next three in close combat. Watching Blake always dizzied Yang's head, the Faunus mostly looked although she was about to take a hit before it turned out to be a clone, and then she'd simply go in for the kill. Deceiving the Grimm seemed highly effective.
"Keep up the pressure!" yelled one of the soldiers as he reloaded his rifle and shot down a Beowolf alongside some of his comrades. The ground trembled beneath the small squad and as they looked down it cracked. "Retreat!" yelled one of them but it was too late, the ground opened up as a Death Stalker came erupting forth, its claws making wide sweeping motions as it knocked aside a number of soldiers. The gunfire that was returned upon it seemed to have little effect against the thick carapace that armoured it.
"Blake!" called Yang to catch her attention. The Faunus looked back to her and then to the Death Stalker, she nodded as she ran towards it. The creature prepared its stinger as Blake reloaded Gambol Shroud with a magazine. The piercing attack came down at her, but using her semblance she avoided the attack. But not only that, her clone had turned to ice and trapped the stinger of the large creature. Turning around the Faunus threw Gambol Shroud towards Yang who caught it. With a blast of Celica the blonde launched herself up while Blake tugged at the ribbon to swing her straight towards the Death Stalker. The back of Yang's heel came crashing down into the base of the stinger, dealing significant damage as the beast roared, the ice began cracking. Before it could retaliate against her Yang activated Celica and blasted herself off the Death Stalker, dealing enough damage from the shot to detach the stinger completely.
The Death Stalker flailed around in pain at the loss of its weapon. It's claws snapping left and right in any direction it could, knocking and colliding into other Grimm as a result before it finally fell to the ground defeated. Yang smirked to Blake as she returned her Gambol Shroud. "Just like old times?" she asked.
Blake smiled in response as she took her weapon back, as she made to reply her golden eyes widened as an Ursa came closing in behind Yang with its mouth open. Yang turned to see it coming towards her, she was too late to react. Headlights shined upon the face of the Ursa as a spinning tire smashed into its face, the bike revved as the tire increased its speed, devastating the face of the monster before it fell onto its back, the motorcycle falling with it as Winter jumped from her vehicle and flipped back over the two. They turned to look at her only to see that she just dealt with a Beowolf as she landed, pulling her sword from its head.
She offered the two a passing glance before she turned to engage more enemies. She was as a white bullet, passing from foe to foe. This was what a true huntress looked like. Every Grimm that dared get near her was cut down, others that were far away were pierced with a quick dash aided by a glyph. With Winter on the scene the Grimm began to rapidly fall as the soldiers pushed further on. Before the two realised it there were no Grimm around them. They followed after Winter in an attempt to assist her but she hardly needed it as she kept cutting down the beasts.
Suddenly amidst the fighting white Grimm were appearing and seemingly aiding the Atlesian soldiers. The soldiers themselves had moved back to let the white Grimm take the brunt of the attacks while they provided all the cover fire. Yang spotted Winter amidst the crowd, knelt down with her sword plunged into the concrete. A white glyph beneath her as more white Grimm kept appearing. Sooner or later the last of the black Grimm were slain and the military began fortifying the breach.
Yang could see Winter looking around searchingly before spotting her and Blake. Quite briskly she made her way towards the two. "I do not suppose either of you know what happened?" asked Winter in a tense tone.
"You were awesome!" yelled Yang in awe of the woman's combat prowess, to which Winter seemed puzzled. Blake was looking down the street, she seemed to have picked up on something during the fight.
"Yang" called Blake in a rushed tone to which she received the attention of both. "White Fang, I think I just saw one down the street" she answered.
"White Fang? Why am I not surprised..." spoke Winter with some disgust in her tone. "Miss Belladonna, lead on" she ordered.
It seemed to Yang that Blake was hesitant to do as Winter asked but in the end she did, she started heading in the direction she believed she had seen the White Fang. The three of them soon approached an alley and down that path was a large wide building. They stopped before it.
"This is an abandoned factory..." spoke Winter as she looked up at the building.
"It wouldn't be the first time they've used a place like this" answered Blake as she glared at the door.
The woman peered at Blake, "You are sure they went down this alley?" she asked with doubt.
Blake looked uncertain as she approached the door with weapon in hand. Yang walked up besides her, "Only one way to find out right?" she asked. It would make sense that the terrorist group would be around seeing as they no doubt allowed the Grimm into the city. It was the only explanation that made sense and it wouldn't have been the first time either.
Winter pushed before the two as she took charge, with a heeled boot she slammed the door open, forgoing any stealth as she entered the building. Yang looked around, it seemed the ceiling was lower than it should be, there was likely a second floor. Other than that the room was dark and empty with old machinery here and there. Straight on ahead at the other side of the large room was a metal staircase that led up higher. As Winter took a step forward and her heel echoed through the empty room figures started to appear from behind every piece of equipment, every corner. White Fang.
The three were on guard as steadily their foes outnumbered them five to one. One member of the White Fang was especially tall and wielded a chainsaw. He pointed a finger at two of his men and then gestured with his thumb back to the stairs. They nodded as they ran back to the other end of the room. Yang was ready to enter the fight as she moved forward, only to be halted by Winter's arm as she glanced down at her. "What do I keep telling you?" she asked before she looked forward, aiming her blade at the crowd ahead of them. "You and Blake get upstairs, find out what they are doing here if you can" she ordered.
Both Yang and Blake looked to her in surprise. "What? You can't be serious, we can't leave you to deal with this on your own!" protested Yang. Winter was good, but surely she couldn't be that good.
Winter smirked in response, "Then you should hurry up" she answered before a large white glyph appeared behind her, lighting up half the room as she took a ready stance to charge, her sharp eyes narrowing. The White Fang readied their weapons. "Go" commanded Winter before she vanished in a rush of wind. Yang and Blake looked forward to see the woman had outright cut a path straight down the middle with her charge, members of the White Fang still struggling to get back up to their feet, confused by what just occurred.
The large Faunus pointed his finger at Winter, "Another Schnee, this just keeps getting better" he chuckled as his chainsaw revved to life.
"Another..?" asked Winter as her expression started to shift into anger. Blake and Yang had taken their chance to run through the room, avoiding anyone that would try to stop them. Blake was the first to begin her ascent up the stairs as Yang paused to look back at Winter. She was worried for her safety but if anyone had a chance to walk out of this place without a scratch it was her. With that she chased after Blake up the stairs.
The lowered sun caused a dim orange light to fade in through the stained windows, tinting the room. Upstairs was more similar to a large office if anything but it still had equipment here too. Yang and Blake stood facing the two White Fang members that had been ordered upstairs, but behind them was someone else. The sound of fighting from below became apparent but their focus was on the figure who now stood before them. Yang took a step closer to Blake, almost protectively.
"Did you come to lose another?" asked Adam. The bull Faunus placed his hands upon both shoulders of the White Fang members in front of him, pushing them out of his way as he took a step forward, his left hand coming down to rest upon the hilt of his sheathed sword.
Yang's eyes flashed red, she hadn't expected to see Adam so soon but she was already furious at the memories. She thought she would be the one to strike first, but a dash of black showed that Blake had taken the initiative. Her eyes were full of hatred as she swung Gambol Shroud down towards Adam who fired his sword from its hilt, the pommel striking the blade of Gambol Shroud directly and forcing Blake back as the bull Faunus advanced, kicking her in the gut and sending her back as he caught his sword and swung in a wide arc towards her. His blade was halted by Ember as Yang intercepted the attack, she screamed in rage as her hair burst into flames, activating Celica to send a propelled knee towards the man.
He took the slam to the gut as he slid back on his feet before coming to a halt. His masked face looked up to Yang, "I was going to say you had something new up your sleeve... but..." he smirked as he looked to her missing right arm. The two members of the White Fang attempted to engage Yang but a single slam of her fist sent one of them smashing into a wall. The other suddenly looked unsure about his actions and outright ran past the two and back downstairs.
In rage Yang continued her assault as Blake stood back up to feet to assist her. Yang swung her fist forward as Adam deftly avoided it, he was forced to defend against Blake as they crossed blades. With a twist of her wrist Blake was aiming the gun of her weapon at the man who had to disengage to avoid the shot. His own sword quickly deflecting the bullets. Another swing came from Yang from his side as he turned to block it, only to take the shotgun blast to his aura as once more he was pushed back. Neither of the two let up though as a missile launched from Ember, Adam cut it from the air with his blade before moving onto the offensive, swinging towards Blake who used her semblance to avoid the cut. Her clone once more froze and trapped his blade but Adam was quick to aim his shotgun sheath at the image of Blake and blow it up with a blast, freeing his weapon.
From behind the mist caused by the ice clone came Celica upon Yang's right leg. The kick slammed into Adam's face as the blast from the shotgun also fired. The bull Faunus was sent hurdling back against the ground, his mask had been cracked as he knelt up. "Come on... hit more, you're getting somewhere" spoke the man as he stood up to his feet. He was fuelling Yang's fury as she came at him again, fist swinging as he parried with his sword, and again, and again. Blake came from his side with a stab from Gambol Shroud as he just barely avoided the cut, the blade grazing him as he took a few more steps back, sheathing his blade fully as he stood ready to draw.
Yang was prepared to attack again but felt Blake pull her back by her shoulder. "No, he's ready" spoke Blake as her golden eyes narrowed. Yang didn't remember much from her previous encounter with Adam, only that he had taken her out with one powerful slash. She looked to the sheath of his weapon now and could tell it was the same stance he had donned back then.
"How do we stop it?" asked Yang with her voice lowered, taking a ready stance.
"You don't" replied Adam as he drew his blade, in an instant everything briefly turned red. His arm had already finished its swing and he could see that he had connected the attack. Nothing could endure a strike from his blade in this fashion. Nothing. He watched with a smirk as his two targets shattered.
Shattered?
Beneath his mask his eyes widened as he saw Yang and Blake on the floor, a woman with mismatched eyes had her hands planted against their backs. He knew her. "You!? After the trouble I went through to save you!? You ungrateful bitch!" yelled Adam as Neo charged, using her umbrella to deflect a strike from his blade as she sent a kick to his head, knocking him to the side.
Yang and Blake were in disbelief. Before Adam had unleashed his sword they had felt something push them down to the ground harshly. Now they saw who had saved them, but it made no sense. "What- Neo?" muttered Yang as she watched her fight Adam.
The bull Faunus made a wide arcing slash at Neo who shattered and re-appeared above him, bringing down her umbrella against his head and causing him to drop to a knee before her own slammed him in the face, sending him back. He rolled upon his back and onto his feet as he charged back at Neo with a frustrated roar, swiping his sword into a reckless flurry. Each slice dodged, or hit to reveal an illusion. He took his sheath into his spare hand as he started using it to try and slam her and occasionally fire a shotgun blast alongside his sword. But again, he kept missing. His target was simply too agile, too deceptive, too calm. One blast from his shotgun hit a piece of machinery that extended up from the main factory below. The machine exploded into fire and caused all four in the room to stumble away from the blast. The building was quickly catching fire.
"Yang!" yelled Blake as she ran to her, helping her to her feet. They looked back to see that the wooden ceiling had also caught fire and burnt planks started to fall. Yet both Neo and Adam still fought.
Yang readied Ember, "We still have time! And now we have our chance!" she yelled as to Blake's protest she used Celica to launch herself at Adam. He turned during his fight with Neo to find Yang's fist smashed into his face once more, assisted by a shotgun blast. He slammed against the wall and fell to the ground face first as his mask shattered into pieces, his aura broke.
Before she could do anything else she felt a blunt jab against her chest, shunting her backwards towards one of the windows of the room. It was Neo's umbrella. Yang looked to her in confusion, Neo's eyes blinked and they swapped colours, she had no smirk this time. She sent a harsh kick right into Yang's chest and sent her through the window with a smash.
"No!" cried Blake as she launched Gambol Shroud towards Neo. She shattered and appeared once more, having caught the ribbon. With a powerful tug Neo pulled Blake towards her and when she came into distance she kicked her in the leg, forcing her to the ground. The Faunus looked up to see the same boot collide into her face and send her out the same window Yang fell from.
The blonde groaned as Blake landed on top of her. Her aura had taken some damage from the fall but thankfully no lasting injury seemed to have been made. She looked up the burning building and in the window she came from she saw Neo looking down at the two. From the tip of her umbrella a blade protruded and in silence she turned, dragging the tip of the blade against the ground. Blake slowly pushed herself up from Yang as she turned to look back at the building.
"Winter!" yelled Yang as another explosion came from the building. She feared for the worst but she should have known better. A large Faunus came slamming not through any of the windows but the sheer brick wall of the building. His chainsaw falling from his hand as Winter stood over him, glaring down at the two. She looked a little roughed up but seemed well. She moved besides the two and looked up to the top floor of the building.
"What happened?" asked Winter, her voice seeming calmer.
Yang and Blake struggled to their feet, "It was... the bull Faunus, and Neo" answered Yang.
Winter looked back to the two, "Adam Taurus?" she asked as she looked thoughtful. "And Neo is assisting him? That would explain her escape" she added.
"No... She..." Yang couldn't believe what she was about to say, "I think she just saved us... but she pushed us through the window..." she answered.
"Saved you..?" the woman looked perplexed as she looked up to the burning building again. Another explosion that caused the three to flinch. "We should get away from here, this place is about to burn to the ground" she answered as she turned, helping the two as they left the scene. Many questions raised in Yang's mind, was this really all still some kind of game for Neo?