A Golden Goddess

by goodwin761

[Waifu Catalog Story] I died with regrets of having done nothing with my life, but instead of Oblivion, I am given an offer too irresistible to ignore. Out with the past body and in with the stronger, more favorable new female body, I will ensure my new name will be a legend wherever I go! Abridged references, genderbending Hijinx, and Mature situations await!

55. Chapter 50 - Operation Defang Pt2

Chapter 50 - Operation Defang Pt.2

Kuo Kuana - RWBY World - Immediately after the end of the previous chapter

[ Three Hours Until Midnight ]

(General P.O.V)

The Scorpian Faunus cackles madly as he closes the gap between the RED soldier and RED scout as he sends his stinger to try and stab at the RED scout while he unfolds his vambrace blades, The Queen's Servants, out to try and stab at RED soldier in the exact same motion.

Both RED scout and RED soldier immediately take out their metal baseball bat and fold-out shovel respectively and block the incoming attacks. Tyrian grins as he suddenly shoots Soldier using the hidden SMG firearm in his vambraces, littering the crazed American with bullets on his shoulders.

RED soldier screams out in pain, which Tyrian takes a moment to relish in before his Aura is suddenly taking a drastic shot from RED scout's scattergun, forcing the Crazed Faunus to leap back briefly before using his speed and agility to engage in a gunfight with RED scout.

The two rush each other with their guns expelling bullets, some which graze RED scout and others impacting Tyrian's poison purple coloured aura as RED scout once more takes out his bat but keeps his scatter gun in the offhand.

With Tyrian having the distinct advantage of having Aura, RED scout is forced to use every advantage he can get as the crazed scorpion Faunus once again sends his Stinger hurling towards RED scout once more.

This time not only does RED scout once again block the attack with his bat but he even retaliates with a shot from his scattergun, once again shaving a sizeable chunk of Tyrian's aura although as RED scout goes to make another shot he hears nothing but pitiful clicks from the trigger as he has to reload his scattergun.

Seeing his foe is out of ammo, Tyrian seizes the opportunity to close the gap and this time stabs RED scout through the heart. "Well well, it seems that your luck ran out boy…how delightful.." Tyrian says before he removes his blade from RED scout's body.

While Tyrian is elated to kill such a unique fighter, he is suddenly forced to jump away from RED scout's body as a badly wounded RED soldier is charging at him while firing his rocket launcher. Tyrian expertly dodges each and every one of them and closes the gap, figuring that RED soldier would not dare attempt to fire at such a close range.

However, much to Tyrian's surprise in this case, the RED soldier actually does deliver a point-blank rocket right at Tyrian, practically taking out a full third of Tyrian's remaining Aura at the cost of killing himself in the explosion. While it still didn't injure Tyrian, it does amuse him that this red-wearing mercenary was so willing to give his life just to deal a sizeable blow to his aura.

"If just two of these unknowns can do this much, I wonder how many fall before they do manage to kill me…Oh I am very eager to find out.." Tyrian says before cackling madly as he rushes forward to the RED team's forward position. But had Tyrian bothered to look behind him as he ran forward, he would have noticed something very peculiar indeed..

For RED scout's Body has gone missing all of a sudden…

Meanwhile - Atlas Council Room

(General P.O.V)

"And that is why we simply MUST press our advantage, just think of the economic benefits that would be granted to Atlas if we manage to resolve the Civil War in that backwater!" Refined and yet slightly arrogant tone echoes in the Atlas Council Room. This is the voice belonging to one Jacques Schnee as he calmly looks about the room to both those who he is still convincing as well as those has already been convinced prior.

However, a Grizzled and determined voice would speak out and reply with.. "With all due respect Mr Schnee, the army is struggling to keep the peace in Haven after the death of its headmaster during the Chaos as it is..and yet you want us to stretch ourselves even further just to as you would say…bear the glory of ending the conflict..?"

This is the voice of one General Ironwood who prior to the start of the Haven takeover, was all too eager to show off the grandeur of Atlas's might. However, the efforts to keep the peace right after have shown Ironwood that while their forces are very capable of taking territory, it's a different ball game entirely to keep it content under military occupation..

It's only the fact that not only has Atlas routed the Blood Fang from Haven that keeps the populace from wanting to throw out their occupiers for now and Ironwood wants to ensure all that work his men have done in haven isn't undone due to trying to focus on two fronts simultaneously.

"Indeed, while the loss of the haven headmaster is a blow to stability to the area, I am quite confident in the abilities of our military to ensure that we can leave an adequate garrison while we press our main forces into the City of Kuo Kuana…" Jacques replies, although his words are reasonable to most, it is clear that he has an ulterior motive in pushing for a stake in Kuo Kuana directly..

Ironwood narrows his eyes at Jacques Schnee, wondering exactly how he believes that the army can even do that considering the influx of Grimm trying to press into the borders of Haven even as he is forced to sit on his seat on the council while his men fight to protect the people of Haven but then he realizes exactly what Jacques is implying..

"How exactly do you believe our army is capable of such considering the manpower focus on Haven right now, as it seems you clearly know something about our capabilities as you said so yourself.." Ironwood says, curious as to how Jacques would respond to this probing question. To his dark delight, Jacques replies by stating..

"Why I have been informed by a…friend shall we say that Atlas has finished building the first fully mechanized legion, the size should be more than enough to ensure we have adequate defences protecting haven, especially with SDC providing the funding for additional legions to be built later.." The CEO of SDC has a smug tone and expression although that turns to confusion as Ironwood chuckles in amusement before promptly replying by saying..

"Jacques Schnee, I would be very interested to hear exactly how a civilian CEO got his hands on classified information on a Secret Altas Project funded directly by the military budget itself, but fortunately for you that will have to come after the crisis has been resolved.." Ironwood having a dark smile on his face as Jacques freezes and curses under his breath at the blunder, although he fully expects to simply get a slap on the wrist due to being the source of a lot of Atlas's current economic boom.

However, this is merely the start of the problems for Jacques Schnee as suddenly his own son comes bursting into the room, having looked as if he just ran as fast as he could. Annoyed that his own son burst in here unannounced and having likely ran past security just to get here, he goes to berate his son but is left stunned by what comes out of his own son's mouth..

"Father, the manor…it's up in flames.." Whitley Schnee says, the words echoing through the Council Chamber as several members of the council who were previously supporting Jacques start to look rather nervous.

"W-what..WHAT?!" Jacques says, utterly shocked as soon he recovers and is quick to ask.. "How, what happened boy?!" While staring flatly at his son who is still catching his breath as he soon speaks up and says..

"T-they say it was an electrical fire, spread so fast that the guards ran for their lives…the butler and mother are…..unaccounted for…" Whitley says as Jacques Schnee pales as with Willow potentially dead, his hold on SDC is incredibly shakey now and due to the physical copy of his marriage to willow likely being destroyed in the fire, he only has the public record to link him to SDC.

"I..yes…I see.." Jacques says before shaking his head and soon calms before saying to his son.. "Whitley, this is important but I need you to go down to the public records office and ask for a new physical copy of my marriage to your mother, and be quick about it!"

Whitley nods his head before rushing out of the door to do as his father tells him to with all haste. While Jacques originally brought Whitley along in order to begin work on making the boy his heir instead of Weiss who has been quite stubborn in remaining at Beacon Academy, he realizes that his choice this day has had the unintended benefit of sparing Whitely from being there when the fire started.

Regardless, this unexpected situation has likely shaken the confidence of his supporters so Jacques decides to call for a brief recess in order to allow the Council time to consider his words while also allowing him to start looking into the fire at the manor and whether or not it was actually an electrical fire..

All the while Ironwoods watches Jacques carefully as he is considering how to finally remove Jacques from the council as he never liked the man's money over principles attitude that has infected the SDC from the top down due to his presence, but since the SDC is the biggest corporation in Atlas he's been forced to deal with the man every time the council forms..

However, if what Whitley said is true then today is both a tragedy and an opportunity for Jacques is now, for the first time since he took control of SDC, in a very tenuous position as CEO. This means that while Jacques is busy focusing on domestic matters, he can convince the council to his point of view before the man can return to try and resume his plans of bringing them to Kuo Kuana.

But first though, he plans on at least informing his subordinate Specialist Schnee on the tragic yet still unconfirmed news directly rather than being blindsided about it later. It is the decent thing to do for a loyal subordinate after all, and he appreciates loyalty above all else..

Meanwhile - Kuo Kuana Grim Controlled Sector

(General P.O.V)

The Grimm have been long since believed to be the biggest predator on Remnant, darkness incarnate for many and the bane of humanity at large. However many hunters of this world would be utterly stunned at the sight they would see if they were there when it happened..

For a single long-haired blonde woman with crimson eyes smirks eagerly as she rips through the Grimm as if she were a mere farmer tending to her wheat crops. Only her crop scythe in this case would be her bare claws as Aruceid Brunestud alone tears through blackened flesh and fur as her very nature is causing the Grimm to react in the most unusual manner..

They're fleeing the blonde with all haste…

Normally, the Grimm are supposed to be monsters without emotion, just animals acting on pure instinct. However, their instincts are screaming at them to run from this apex predator, this seemingly human-like woman who has the presence of a monster far more terrible than a Grimm can ever be.

Unfortunately for the Grimm, that same woman is much faster and stronger than them as their instinct to flee has them only able to run for several seconds before they're torn apart by the long-haired blonde.

Not even the most sturdy of their number, the Grimm Elephants native to this continent, are able to put up more than a token-level of resistance as their thick black leathery hides and lumbering bulk are mere slight inconveniences for the Blonde True Ancestor.

Still, Arcueid is quickly able to make her way down south through the waves of Grimm blocking the path to her destination. All while Mordred, Rias, Asia and both Artorias watch while escorting the White Fang they're bringing back from the now-lost northern outpost and have a first-hand view of the carnage.

Mordred looks at both versions of her father and says.. "Jeez, I'm gonna be honest and say I'm glad Sis basically brought Arcueid into the family.." Both Artorias just simply nod their heads in response as they're too enraptured by the carnage themselves.

"Hmmm, if I recall from my time reading Fate Fanfictions back in my homeworld, True Ancestors are basically their versions of vampires, maybe I can get her to teach my dear gasper some new tricks for her to use later…" Rias says, pondering on the possibilities while watching Aruceid basically butcher Grimm with an intense look in her eyes.

All while Asia and the White Fang Defenders they brought from the outpost look particularly wary of Aruceid's rampage through the Grimm, Asia mostly due to not being used to being a front-row viewer of such carnage from her family and the White fang due to humanity's hated enemy being practically torn through as if they're nothing but pigs to be slaughtered..

Eventually, Aruceid does manage to lead them back to the main White Fang Camp in the south, only briefly staying to watch them rush behind the walls of the camp before running back into the fray as she retraces her steps up north.

Rias watches Arcueid go from atop one of the camp walls before she goes to see Sona who looks extremely stressed while holding up her ring, likely in communication with one of her peerage out in the field…

"Thank you for the heads up Sayori, I'll let Ghira know about the incoming forces from the north.." Sona says before she alone hears Sayori's response before the call is dropped, while Sona simply sighs in exhaustion before seeing Rias come over.

"Everything alright Sona..?" Rias asks while Sona shakes her head, motioning for her fellow pureblood devil to follow as the two walks towards the Commander tent which houses both Arturia and Ghira, the latter now wearing a Tempest Jewel ring which is blinking the usual count-down for finalizing the capture.

The burly Panther Faunus is in the middle of talking with Arturia with Morgan Le Fay standing next to Arturia to offer advice but for the most part, the two have coordinated things well so far. Soon though Arturia and Ghira notice Rias and Sona at the entrance of the tent and Ghira smiles and says..

"Ah, hello there you two, I hope you both have good news to share…" Ghira's words make the two look at each other before Sona pushes Rias forward as she does want to soften the incoming news with Rias's own report first.

While Rias does briefly glare at her friend for doing that, she sighs before giving a soft smile and saying.. "I am glad to say that while the Northern Outpost in the Grimm Sector is lost, the men you positioned there before have been escorted back to the main camp safe and healed of any wounds they sustained.."

Rias's words make the giant of a panther faunus burst out in joy as he hears that his men made it out alright, making Ghira respond by saying.. "That warms my heart greatly young one, while it is regrettable that the forward position is lost, I can relax knowing that we did not lose men in doing so.."

Rias smiles at Ghira's jubilation but Sona soon comes forward with her own report, the atmosphere shifting as Sona's grim demeanour has everyone in the room on edge as she makes the following report by saying..

"My peerage, while out scouting the northern road that sits on the edge of Grimm and Blood Fang territory, has reported a large number of Blood Fang marching down towards our Main Camp, lead by Adam Taurus himself…." The news has both Ghira and Arturia worried, the former due to the fact it means that Adam has finally decided to try and push the White fang out of the city entirely..

As Arturia, she knows that even with the number deficiency, there is no way Adam Taurus is going to manage to break through the Northern barricade without some sort of edge to break through the gates.

However the moment Arturia uses Clairvoyance to find out exactly what that edge is, the sight of it is enough to make her pale. What she saw was several boxes of this world's version of C4 that runs entirely off dust, meaning that if they decided to use those on the buildings that work as part of the walls to prevent an assault…

However, she glances at Morgan who can see Arturia's expression and knows that she used clairvoyance and saw something that she can't exactly explain how she knows without giving away secrets she's not wanting to spill out in the open..

Arturia turns to Ghira and soon says.. "Ghira there is a good chance that Adam Taurus wouldn't come here if he had no way to break through the defences somehow, so I suggest allowing me and my family to move to directly intercept him before he reaches the gates of the camp.."

Arturia's words make Ghira think carefully for a moment as he contemplates whether or not to agree to let the Pendragons handle Adam Taurus directly. However before Ghira can say anything, a White Fang scout rushes into the tent and gives the following report..

"Temporary High Leader Belladonna, we have confirmed reports of Grimm making another assault on the western camp walls again with additional confirmation of Grimm Elephants mixed in the horde.." The report makes Arturia grimace as she knows that Aruceid is quite thorough with her work, meaning that this horde is likely something that Salem is influencing in some manner.

As a result, it is all but certain the timing of the Grimm horde coming down the west road and the Bloodfang going down the north road is not a coincidence but a coordinated plan by both Salem and Adam Taurus. It would also explain exactly how he got his hands on the Dust-based C4 as it is likely something Watts had smuggled in during the two-day time frame before Arturia and her family had arrived..

But there is a silver lining in all of this as with Aruceid shredding through Grimm in the far north, it means that this incoming horde is all the Grimm that remain in the city which means that if they can beat the horde of Grimm, the white fang can regain control of the northern sectors of the city..

Not to mention if Adam Taurus is killed during the assault on the White Fang camp, it would allow Jeanne alter, Izayoi, Kiba, Akeno and Kuroka to push through the Blood fang coming down the eastern road and decimate the Blood Fang camp which would then be leaderless, perhaps even come around from behind to allow a pincer attack on the remaining forces assaulting the camp itself..

However, this means that for this to work without too many casualties, those Dust C4 bombs must not be allowed to be smuggled into any of the buildings that act as part of the Camp walls. As such, Arturia looks at Sona and says…

"Call back your peerage, I believe it's time we take this opportunity to deal with both the Grimm in the city and the Bulk of the Blood Fang in one fell swoop.." Sona looks at Arturia before nodding his head as she realizes just exactly what the Blonde Goddess is planning..

"I thought you wanted to intercept the incoming Blood Fang..?" Ghira asks, confused by the sudden shift in plans but his eyes widen as he himself connects the dots and soon asks.. "So, the plan is to make full use of this assault to wipe out the majority of the Blood Fang and the Grimm in the city in one fell swoop..?"

Arturia nods and points her finger on the wartable's map, specifically tapping at the eastern road towards the Blood Fang-controlled sector. "The plan is for the majority of our forces to make full use of the defence works we have set up to grind the incoming assault down until we have a chance to kill Adam Taurus, with him gone the Blood Fang are essentially leaderless.."

She then slides her finger from the White Fang part of the east road on the map to the Blood Fang Camp on the map and says.. "During the assault, Jeanne and her squad will continue on to engage the incoming east road contingent coming down that road right now before heading right for the Blood Fang's Main camp.."

Ghira hums in thought before simply saying.. "You have that much confidence in your family to take on the contingent AND the main camp with just the five of them.." Arturia merely gives a simple nod in agreement to her words which makes Ghira grin widely, his confidence matching Arturia's own in the plan as he soon says..

"Well then, we had best make ready for both assaults coming our way then.." With the plan in action and Sona's peerage quickly making their way back to the camp, the combined forces of the white fang and pendragon quickly get to work shoring up defences in what little time they have to do so…

Meanwhile - Beacon Academy

(General P.O.V)

Willow groans as she slowly wakes up from her forced nap as she looks around and finds herself having been sleeping in a room that has modified bunk beds. As she gets up, the TV in the room is showing the events in Kuo Kuana being reported on the news but soon the door to the room opens as she sees that the woman who knocked her unconscious in the first place is bringing in…

"MOM?!" Weiss says shocked as she rushes over to hug her for the first time in a while, nearly knocking the still-dazed woman back on the bed as Willow finally realizes that her daughter is here with her and she's hugging her..

Willow, while strangely sober for the first time in a long time, hugs her daughter warmly and feels free despite not knowing where she is currently. It is a truly euphoric experience as she is no longer confined to her home in Schnee manor, in a new place for the first time in years..

As the two enjoy the warm embrace of a mother and daughter finally being away from a toxic environment together, neither of them notices Grey smiling with her hood down as she watches the tender moment unfold. It is a warm feeling in her heart as she feels satisfied in bringing the two back together..

She soon closes the door gently to let the two catch up without needing to deal with Jacques right now, Willow's part in all of this will come after the conflict is over so some rest is well deserved. As Grey walks through the halls, she's soon met by the RED spy who seems to have been waiting for her..

"Ah good, I take it has awoken and is now safe and sound..?" RED spy asks Grey as he smokes one of his cigarettes, idly examining his Ambassador revolver while doing so. Grey smiles and nods before saying..

"Both Schnees are now catching up in Team RWBY's dorm room right now, so she'll be spending some time with her daughter if all goes as planned…" RED spy hums in thought at Grey's words before smirking and now looks directly at Grey and says simply…

"In that case, would you be willing to do one small favour then Grey….?"

And thus, only two hours until midnight remain as the conflict enters its second hour..

Author's Notes

I am finally done with this chapter, holy crap did writer's block hit HARD on this one.

Let's get the plot points out of the way..

RED Soldier and RED Scout's loss to Tyrian.

As regrettable as it is to admit, Tyrian had the clear upper hand due to his aura and weaponry practically made for killing people, much like the RED team's own arsenal.

That being said though, Tyrian is going to be fighting an uphill battle from here considering he has slain two of the nine members of the RED team so far, which means that he'll be becoming RED's No.1 Priority from here..

The Atlas Council Room Scene

This is the beginning of Jacques's fall from grace as his previously stable foundation has been shaken up by the efforts of the Pendragons to secretly undermine his control over the SDC.

Plus for those wondering where Whitley is, now you know. I wonder if he'll find those records his father asked him to get though….?

Not to mention Ironwood, being in control of the Army, would naturally have a seat on the council and with the state of Atlas right now trying to maintain order in Haven, he knows that they can't control BOTH Haven and Kuo Kuana presently..

So think of him as the hammer to the Pendragon's Anvil as the two unknowingly help each other in dealing with Jacques Schnee once and for all.

Aruceid slaughtering the Grimm

Well, let's just say that the Grimm finally found something that they legitimately can be afraid of rather than be the monstrous and emotionless beasts they usually are. Full-power Arcueid is no joke after all.

The Plan

Originally the idea was to have the Pendragons directly engage the Blood Fang coming to the camp while the White Fang dealt with the incoming Grimm. However, both I and Arturia would know how bad of an idea that would be as both assaults have gate-crashers so there is no way the camp would survive without the aid of the pendragons.

As such, I ended up scrapping the original confrontation between the Blood Fang and the Pendragon idea real fast and decided to show some tactical sense here. Due to this, the pendragons will remain behind the walls of the camp in order to be able to deal with both assaults at the same time.

Which will result in a much more hectic scene to behold next chapter!

Jeanne's squad non-appearance.

Originally there was intended to be a scene where we'd see how they're doing before they clash with the incoming contingent along the east road, but I figured it might fit better with the incoming massive battle..

Willow and Weiss Reunite at last.

Arturia is definitely going to actually need to hire a proper family therapist for the entire pendragon family at this rate, one that can actually deal with the insanity that goes on across worlds.

Especially considering the truckload of therapy required for both Weiss and Willow alone due to the toxic home environment fostered by one Jacques Schnee. Weiss practically had to rush to get to beacon to avoid her father and Willow became a depressed drunk due to Jacques's influence.

I know for sure who's not gonna be winning father of the year anytime soon..

Still, we'll get more regarding the restoration of the two's relationship after the conflict is over since things in Kuo Kuana have yet to be resolved just yet. Once things have been dealt with though, it's high time that everyone involved can take some Rest and Relaxation before the next world..

Now you'll all have noticed how I'm referencing time-frames directly once again, like I said in the previous Author's notes when the clock strikes midnight, the final moves will begin.

The hints of what's about to go down are there in the prior chapters, you just have to look for the coinciding timeframe as that is the only hint I will be giving you. Good luck..

Next time on A Golden Goddess: RED retribution, Siege of White Fang Camp and Jeanne Alter's squad assaults the Blood Fang camp…

We're halfway through the war people, see you on Saturday!