GARO Saviors of Remnant
ESKK: Wow two chapters in one day I must be on a roll. Now then remember to review on the way out folks now let's begin.
*Insert When it Falls RWBY OP 3
The song began with a slow piano score as from it a red rose petal began to fall from the sky where Remnant's moon could be seen. As it slowly but surely fell it landed on a blooming rose as it was peaceful but the night was not for the night the Horrors ruled.
-Maybe red's like roses?-
When the guitar hit an Ursa was seen as it ran across destroying the flower as it ran across the land with a Horror riding its back. With the Grimm and Horror was an army of them from creeps to even Beowolfs as they were all accompanied by Horrors.
-Maybe it's the pool of blood! The innocents will lay in When in the end you've failed to save them?-
The screen began to change between Team RWBY, GARO, SSSN, JNPR, CMEN, and KIBA as behind the teams with Makai Knights were the armors of said Knights before the screen focused on Nexus, Akane, and Cinder as their eyes were starting to glow to show their own power.
-Their dying eyes! Are wide and white like snow! And now they know the cost of trusting you is obliteration!-
The screen went back to the army of Grimm and Horrors as they entered Beacon as the Horrors stopped to either possess any stray humans or for a quick snack on said humans as soon the Grimm, Hybrids, Horrors were upon Beacon Tower itself.
-Mirrors will shatter! Crushed by the weight of the world!-
The screen showed the Grimm and Horrors were at the window itself where Ozpin and Glynda were looking at it. But as Ozpin looked to the mirror he saw the past, four Makai Knights clearly identified as Garo, Yaiba, Bolg in its silver form, and Lord as the Makai Priestess with them looked like Salem but in a human form as behind her with a hand on her shoulder like a father to his daughter was a fifth Knight known as Kiba. Then the Window like mirror shattered showing James with his Atlesian forces on his airship.
-The pillars collapse in shame-
The screen then showed Aron, Blake, and Weiss walking as the trio were in what looked like Forever Falls but as they walked they soon looked and saw Adam with the White Fang there before his form shattered to revealed Jacque Schnee there but his eyes were showing Horror Markings as behind him was the shadow of a large Horror glaring at them. The scene then shattered revealing Akane as she was sitting on a combo of the CEO desk for the SDC and the throne for the White Fang as on either side of her was the White Fang's symbol and the SDC symbol showing Akane controlled it all.
-There'll be no rest! There'll be no love! There'll be no hero in the end who will rise above-
The screen then showed the Beacon people as Team's GARO, RWBY, JNPR, and the Atlas Soldiers lead the charge against an army of Grimm and Horrors who were being led by Nexus and Team KIBA as Gold and Nexus glared at each other before sliding to a stop and trading a crimson red and shining gold punch at each other causing he scene to change.
The screen then began showing Team's RWBY and GARO going against Cinder, Mercury, Emerald, and Adam and Team KIBA as they were in a major battle. Raymond and Yang were fighting against Mercury and Blaze. Blake and Aron were talking on Adam and Ico as it was clear this was an intense battle. Then it came to Weiss and Ollette as they took on Akane and Emerald as Weiss was trying to desperately save her half-sister from the darkness she was in. Trying to show the human Faunus hybrid that there are those who care about her but Akane wasn't listening as it may be Akane was too far gone. Finally it was Gold, Ruby, and Jaune vs Nexus, Solomon, and Cinder
-And when it ends! The good will crawl! The shining light will sink in darkness victory for hate incarnate misery and pain for all!-
The scene then began showing Qrow and Winter as with them was Ruby and Weiss as they left as from Gold was Lockwood another Makai Knight who had a cigarette in his mouth as the one who taught Gold got between the two to split them up before a photo flew in. On the Photo was an image of Team STRQ as the image zoomed in on Qrow's weapon's gears as soon the scene changed.
-When it falls!-
The song began to come to an end as it showed Team GARO, RWBY, and JNPR holding hands while falling downward before they were forced to split apart as the teams were being divided. But Gold look downward as Ruby was worried as she then glared seeing Nexus, Cinder, and Solomon there as Jaune saw this as well as did the rest of Team GARO as with the evil trio was the rest of KIBA.
Gold then flew downward faster as he then summoned his armor becoming Garo as the same could be said for Ruby and Jaune becoming Yaiba and Gaia. Nexus, Solomon, and Cinder all saw this and returned the favor as they jumped upward as Nexus and Solomon summoned their own armors becoming Kiba and Bolg as the two went at Garo and Yaiba while Cinder went for Jaune as when their blades clashed there was a huge flash of light.
Soon the screen showed the Madou Rings, Amulets, Brooches, Bracelets, and a scroll with what may be Penny's head inside it. The screen then showed GARO and RWBY sitting in a circle as the image circled around them as it looked almost sad for some reason. Soon the song came to an end as the image of Garo and Kiba appeared glaring at each other as with it was Yaiba and Bolg doing the same as it was clear this was only the beginning of things.
"GARO SAVIORS OF REMNANT"
(Start Ozpin offices)
Pyrrha and Ozpin were sitting at the desk in the office talking about the final round of the Tournament, as Pyrrha found out she made it in the semi-finals as Ozpin said to her, "Well, it comes as no surprise that they've chosen you to move onto the final round of the tournament. Your performance has been exemplary."
"Thank you professor Ozpin, but I would never have made it this far without my teammates," Pyrrha said a she knew she could not have taken all the credit with Jaune's strategy plans, and her other teammates support, as she may be strong and skill in her own rights, she can't take on every team solo.
"Yeah personally I'd have gone in myself... but Gold was just so excited to take on that Nexus fellow so he went in with Raymond instead of me.
"Personally I think it's the other way around." Qrow said as he was leaning on the wall.
Pyrrha was surprised to see this person as she didn't even sense his Aura. "I'm sorry but I don't believe we've been introduced." Pyrrha said as she was trying to be nice.
"Name's Qrow." Qrow said looking to Pyrrha and Ollette who saw him.
"Yeah I know about and of you no worried." Ollette said as she then smirked. "So wake up in a funny situation after some hard drinking yet old timer." Ollette joked as Qrow glared as Orva chuckled at Qrow's burn there.
"Qrow is a trusted colleague of mine." Ozpin said as Pyrrha felt something wasn't right as Ollette felt similar but more like her past was coming back to haunt her now.
"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, why have you called us up here?" Pyrrha asked as she looked to Ozpin as Ollette also wanted answers like Pyrrha did.
"Please, both of you take a seat." Ozpin said as he was being calm about this to which Pyrrha obliged until Ollette followed after some mental debate. "What is your favorite fairy tale?" Ozpin asked as he looked to Pyrrha and Ollette as they was surprised by this.
"I'm sorry?" Pyrrha said being caught off guard.
"Fairy tales. Stories from your childhood. Surely you must remember some of them." Ozpin said as Pyrrha looked as Ollette had a few.
"Well for me there was the story of the third Deity the Sister, um the tale of the five heroes, Loveless; The Golden and Black knights who fought Grimm in the tower to save one girl-" Ollette said listing off all the stories from her childhood and from her own time in training only for Ozpin to cut her off.
"What about the story of the seasons?" Ozpin asked as he leaned forward as this time it was Pyrrha who spoke up instead.
"Oh of course. A Callous old man who refuses to leave his home is visited by four travelling sisters. The first understands his reclusive nature and urges him to use his time of solitude to reflect and meditate. The Second brings him fruits and flowers, tending to his crops and revitalizing his garden. The third warms the man's heart, convincing him to step outside and embrace the world around him. And the fourth and final sister begs him to look at all he has and be thankful. In return for their kindness, the man grants the maidens incredible powers so that they may continue to help others all over the world. They graciously accept and promise to share their gifts with the people of Remnant until the end of days." Pyrrha said remembering the story like the back of her hand as Ollette knew that story was very much true.
"Winter, spring, summer, and fall. The Four Maidens." Pyrrha said remembering when she was told the story. "My mother loves that story." Pyrrha said as Ozpin looked as Ollette scowled a bit at that one.
"Would you believe me if I told you that one's been around since I was a boy?" Ozpin began as Pyrrha was confused as Ollette saw this.
Pyrrha laughing. "You're not that old, Professor." Pyrrha said as Ollette chuckled a bit.
"Really the grey hair there could have filled me." Ollette joked as even Eruba had to hold back a laugh there.
Ozpin turned from playful to deadly serious in a millisecond. "Well, would you believe me if I told you it was true?" He asked as Pyrrha looked as Ollette glared a bit.
"I'd ask where this is going." Ollette glared as she did believe Ozpin as she saw them the Maidens in action.
Pyrrha was silent for a moment, then gives an uneasy chuckle. "I beg your pardon?" Pyrrha asked as she was shocked by this.
"What if I told you that there were four maidens existing in this world that could wield such tremendous power, without Dust?" Ozpin asked seriously as Pyrrha heard this.
Pyrrha tried to make sense of this development. "You mean... like a Semblance?" She asked but it was Ollette who spoke next.
Ozpin gave her a small smile as he delivers his secret or at least he tried to. "Like magic." Ollette growled as she didn't want to be involved with the Maidens more then she had to not after Watts's betrayal of her.
Pyrrha looks down. "I…" All of this was starting to confuse her even more.
"Yeah. First time hearing this, it's pretty crazy." Qrow added suddenly as Ollette glared a bit.
Pyrrha turns her gaze from Qrow back to Ozpin again, amazed. "You're serious?" She asked as Ollette then spoke up.
"I honestly wish he wasn't." Ollette confessed as she wished the Maidens were just that a fairy tale but they were real she only narrowly avoided breaking the Orders laws when Watts tried to make her a Maiden by force.
"But... Why... why are you telling me this?" Pyrrha asked struggling to find the right words as she knew Ollette knew more of this then she'd admit to anyone.
Ozpin glanced at Qrow, who nods his approval, before looking into Pyrrha's eyes. "We are telling you this, Pyrrha Nikos and Ollette Francoise, because we believe that one of you may be next in line to receive the Fall Maiden's powers." Ozpin said as Ollette heard this and didn't like this.
Pyrrha eyes grow wider and wider until she realizes "We"?"
At that moment, the elevator doors open, and she sees Wolfe, Glynda Goodwitch, and General James Ironwood step out.
Ironwood walks in as he straightens his tie and Glynda fixes her glasses. "Sorry we're late." Glynda said as Wolfe was smoking a cigarette again.
Pyrrha was overwhelmed as she narrowed her eyes at Ozpin. "Wait, what is this? Who are you?" Pyrrha asked as Ollette saw this.
Goodwitch coming forward with Ironwood and Qrow, spreading her hands and trying to sound reassuring. "You know who we are. We're still the same teachers and Headmasters you met when you arrived at Beacon." Glynda said as she looked to Pyrrha.
Qrow had a dark grin. "But we've got a little part-time job." Qrow said as Wolfe nodded finishing his smoke.
Ironwood had his steely gaze on Pyrrha. "We are the protectors of the world." James said as Wolfe saw this.
"You know kind of like how the bearer of Gaia and my idiot student are." Wolfe said as he stood there.
"And we need your help." Ozpin stated as he looked to the two until Ollette shot up.
"Nope!" Ollette shot up and began to leave. "Nope not going down that rabbit hole again." Ollette said as she tried to leave key word being tried since Wolfe got in her way now. "Move it smoky McGeezer I'm not being involved with this Maiden stuff again." Ollette said as Wolfe looked to her.
"Wait Ollette I understand you and the maidens have a... unsavory history but at the very least hear us out." Ozpin said as Ollette glared as she wanted answers as to what was happening.
"Start talking or start walking." Ollette said as she wanted answers as to why these people were trying to make her Maiden again.
(Later Elevator)
Pyrrha was silent as Ollette was scowling as she was tapping her foot on the floor as it was clear this was something she wanted to avoid. It was then that Pyrrha spoke as Ollette saw this. "Where are we going?" She asked apprehensively as the elevator beeped with each floor they passed.
"The vault. Under the school." Ozpin answered as he looked to Pyrrha as Ollette rolled her eyes at this.
"Probably where our Fall Maiden is being kept to recover." Ollette growled as she couldn't blame Amber as they were here to capture the ones responsible to begin with. But the truth was this went beyond a normal protection mission.
The elevator continues downward through the vertical tunnel of dark green lights until it opens its doors and their passengers step out, with Pyrrha being the last to leave as she absorbs the sight of the large, sparsely-lit hallway she is now being lead through. Glynda waits up for her behind the others not noticing a certain crimson-eyed filled shadow like snake that silently slithered in behind them.
"I'm sure you must have questions." The Telekinetic Makai Alchemist said knowing feelings that Pyrrha is experiencing and wondering over the rage Ollette had at being given another chance at being a Maiden.
Pyrrha was still taking it all in. "Maybe one, or two... I still don't understand. You said I was next in line to receive the Maiden's power. What do you mean by that?" Pyrrha asked as she tried to figure all of this out.
"The Maidens have existed for thousands of years. But much like in nature, the seasons change. No two summers are alike. When a Maiden dies, her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host, ensuring that the seasons are never lost, and that no individual can hold on to that power forever." Ollette answered instead as she sounded spiteful that she was being offered that bottle again.
"So, how does the power choose?" The Red Gladiator asked her as Ollette knew who they worked.
Qrow looked over his shoulder. "Through a series of stupid and convoluted rules." Qrow said as Glynda heard the drunken Knight.
Goodwitch scowled at the drunk man. "Qrow." Glynda scolded as Wolfe was on his side on this.
"Hey, don't get mad 'cause I'm right." He retorted as Wolfe nodded to this.
"I'm with him on this." Wolfe said as he walked with them.
Goodwitch gazed back to Pyrrha, explaining it all carefully. "At first, the only thing that was certain was that the powers were specifically passed on to young women. But as time went on, it was discovered that the selection process was much more... intimate." Glynda explained carefully as Ollette heard this.
Pyrrha had a concerned. "... Intimate?" Pyrrha asked as Ollette rolled her eyes to this.
"Basically last person who was on the Maiden's mind is the first candidate as a Maiden unless said person is an old hag or some guy by then the Maiden's power is up in the air making the job of finding them a lot harder." Ollette growled as it seems the Maidens were very much a touchy subject for her.
"What she said." Wolfe said as Ollette was pretty much spot on with that.
"Why tell me all of this now? Why not wait until I've graduated?" Pyrrha asked not getting the sense of this.
Qrow shrugged. "Honestly, we've run out of time. I don't know if you've not noticed, but things are getting a lot scarier out in the world. Tensions are high. Grimm are growing stronger, more prevalent. Horrors are becoming frequent on everyone. And it's not going to be long before the peace we've been enjoying for so long goes out the window." Qrow said as he looked to them.
Pyrrha felt her stomach drop. "You're not... talking about a war?" Pyrrha asked as she was worried about that.
Ironwood shook his head. "Not a war between nations." James said as he knew Salem would become a threat now that Project Nexus is siding with her.
"We can fill you on the details once we know that you're with us. For now, all you need to know is that one of the Maidens has been attacked. And for the first time in history, part of her power was stolen." Qrow said seriously as if his casual demeanor instantly vanished.
A humming of electricity is heard as the group comes to their destination at the end of the hallway: A large machine with lit screens hooked up to two rectangular pods, one of which is upright to show through the glass window a young girl dressed in minimal clothing with a burn scar over her left eye and across her face.
Pyrrha stepped forward hesitantly. "Is that…" Pyrrha asked as Ollette knew who it was.
Ozpin sighs heavily. "The current Fall Maiden, Amber." Ozpin said as he looked to the girl.
Pyrrha was trying to hold herself. "She's... still alive." Pyrrha said as she saw the state she was in as it seems it was only prolonging the inevitable.
"For now. We're using state of the art Atlas technology to keep her stable. But there is a lot about this situation that is... unprecedented." Ironwood sternly stated looking at Amber as Wolfe scoffed no doubt still not letting James off the hook over Project Nexus.
"What do you mean?" Ollette asked as she saw something wasn't right about this as Ironwood just sighs with his eyes closed.
"Won't... her power... just transfer to the next host?" Pyrrha asked Ironwood as that made sense the most.
Qrow had an exasperated look. "Look who's been listening! She is smart." He whispered to Ozpin at that last part.
Ironwood nodded. "Under normal circumstances, yes. But this is a delicate situation. It's not uncommon for the last thoughts of the slain to be of their attacker. And to make matters worse, no one's seen the power split like this before. For all we know, it will seek out its other half." James said as Ollette saw what this was.
Pyrrha connected the pieces together. "... Her assailant." Ollette said as she saw where this was going.
Ozpin turned to Pyrrha. "And that would not bode well for any of us." Ozpin said as Ollette saw this.
"And it theoretically seek out the other half it WILL seek out the other half." Ollette said as she looked to them. "And what about the Winter Maiden, huh?" Ollette asked as that was silence as Ollette saw her. "Let me guess first time the Maiden was hunted down and killed by some assailant?" Ollette asked as she wasn't letting up with this.
"That's enough kid just be quick." Wolfe said as Ollette looked to Pyrrha.
"And just so you know Nikos this was common knowledge but its stuff like what's happening to Amber that it was censored from history." Ollette said as Pyrrha saw the state Amber was in.
"Excuse me?" Amber asked as she looked to them all on this.
Qrow pulls out the familiar flask. "How do you think legends and fairy tales get started? Even the craziest ones come from somewhere." He takes a swig as Garo was living proof of that truth.
"Our group was founded in order to protect both mankind and the Maidens. Those hungry for power hunted them with the hope of inheriting their strength." Glynda said as Ollette rolled her eyes at this.
"And look how well that went." Ollette said as it seems she truly wanted nothing to do with the maidens more then she had to.
Qrow finished his drink. "And as you can imagine, the ones that succeeded weren't exactly the ones you'd want to have unimaginable power." Qrow said as he knew what this meant for a lot of people.
"And so our brotherhood chose to remove the Maidens from the public eye, allowing their existence to fade away into legend." Ironwood stated as he looked to them.
"The things we're telling you go against hundreds of years of human history and religion." Glynda added as this was fact.
"No one would want to believe us. It would cause an uproar." The General of Atlas said looking at Pyrrha.
"It would cause panic. And we all know what that would bring to clawing at our Kingdom's walls." Ozpin turns his gaze away from the others. "Which is why we would like to…" Ozpin began only for Pyrrha to cut her off.
"I'll do it. If you believe that this will help humanity… then I will become your Fall Maiden. That's what you wanted, isn't it?" Pyrrha asked with resolve.
Ozpin stepped towards her. "It is, but I'm afraid it's not that simple. Given Amber's condition, you won't be able to inherit her power naturally. However, General Ironwood believes he has a solution." Ozpin said as he did not like where this was going nor did Ollette.
"For the past few years, Atlas has been studying Aura from a more scientific standpoint; how it works, what's it made of, how it can be used. We've made... significant strides. And we believe we've found a way to capture it." Ironwood said as Ollette saw what was happening.
Qrow rolled his eyes as he gestures to the two girls here. "Capture it and cram it into something else. Or in your case…" HE began as he looked to Pyrrha and Ollette.
Pyrrha glanced at Ironwood. "That's…" Pyrrha began as James saw this.
"Classified." He said as Ollette kept her cool for as long as she can.
Pyrrha couldn't believe what she's hearing. "... Wrong!" She yelled as Ollette glared at this.
"And breaking our laws it's not worth such a sacrifice!" Ollette added as she wasn't going to let it be but Ozpin looked down. "Wait is she by chance?" Ollette asked as she saw the markings appear on Amber again before it receded with the machine doing its job. "Horror's blood." Ollette said as she knew how deadly that stuff is on humans.
Goodwitch glared at Ironwood. "The feeling is mutual. But desperate times call for desperate measures." Glynda said as she didn't agree with this but Amber was suffering enough already.
Ironwood glared at her back. "And these are indeed desperate times. We can't transfer Amber's power to you, but we can give you what those powers are bound to." James said as Nexus own Semblance followed a similar principle after all.
"... Her Aura." Poor Pyrrha couldn't wrap her mind around of what's going or what she's getting herself into.
"Her soul and her Aura would be either mines or Pyrrha's." Ollette said as this was a very risky move for everyone involved.
Ozpin closed his eyes as he bore the expression of grief. "Her life would become intertwined with yours. The question is...:" Ozpin began but Wolfe finished it.
"What's that going to do to you?" Wolfe asked coldly as he saw Qrow was beaten to the question.
"You have an important decision before you, Miss Nikos. There's no guarantee this transfer will work. And there's no telling if you will be the same person if it does. I advise you to take time on this matter. But understand that before the Vytal Festival is over, we will need your answer…" Ozpin said with a hint of guilt in his tone.
"My answer still stands, no not in a million years." Ollette said as she refused to be forced into this power. Watts tricked her into nearly killing someone for it she wasn't going to let it happen again.
Pyrrha of course didn't respond, but instead placed her hand on the glass separating the maiden from her potential replacement, seeing her scared expression reflected on the scarred face of the dying girl, before turning away from this expected destiny as Ozpin gives one final warning.
Ozpin sighed again. "The assailant that attacked the Fall Maiden has made their first move. And there's no telling when their next move will be." Ozpin said as the black snake like shadow vanished into the darkness of the vault as no doubt someone was spying on them.
(Nexus)
Nexus smirked as his eyes glowed again as he saw what he wanted while sitting in the dorm. "Well?" Akane said as Nexus smirked.
"We got two possible Maidens confirmed one of them is unsure but the other is against it." Nexus said as Akane smirked.
"So we get Cinder her power before they transfer it and in turn Salem has two Maidens instead of 1 1/2." Akane said as that was the basic gist of it.
"Precisely." Nexus said as he looked to Akane. "Now then best get ready for the tournament after all the singles rounds are about to begin." Nexus said as Akane then smiled.
"This should be fun." Zarathos said as Akane had finished her work on the new Zarathos Mk. II which the Dark Madou Ring had been used to complete it.
(Scene Break the Amity Colosseum)
With the sound of a rapid heartbeat, the scene cuts to a smirking Cinder Fall with Emerald and the rest of KIBA as they sat in one of the Amity Colosseum's seats along with the rest of the cheering crowd, their screams being drowned out by the announcements.
"Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for! The one-on-one finals!" Port said excitedly over the cheering crowd.
In the center of the battlefield's stage, Yang Xiao Long smirks confidently as the camera pans down the line of final fighters, a few new faces mixed in with Raymond Shiro, Ico Ebony, Sun Wukong, Penny Polendina, Mercury Black, and the troubled Pyrrha at the other end of the line.
(Announcer Box)
"Barty, why don't you explain the rules?" Port asked Oobleck.
"Ah, it's quite simple, Peter. Instead of a bracket system, each round of the finals will be randomly determined immediately before the match takes place!" The Caffeinated Teacher announced with a smile.
Port smiled. "Much like any good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare!" He boasted as he remembered his youth on such hunts.
"Ah, yes, yes! Now, let's see who our first match will be!" Oobleck said as the roulette starts.
The energetic doctor points out to the screens above the stadium as the roulette starts spinning, this time for competitors instead of biomes. The "random selection" is watched by the owner of the Crow Bar, a group of Human and Faunus kids, the visitors and workers at the Cross Continental Transmit System, before it gets back from the worldwide audience glimpses to reveal the first showdown.
"Yang Xiao Long and Mercury Black!" Port exclaimed happily.
(Ruby)
Ruby cupping her hands. "Break a leg, sis!" Ruby cheered as Eclipse saw something wasn't right here.
Cinder, still smiling, gets up from her place and begins walking out, eyes on the battlefield but when she saw Nexus leave she quickly let him pass with Akane as Blaze stood close to Cinder knowing Nexus had very much traumatized her. Nexus of course was smirking as he knew with his shape shifting abilities he can easily blend in for the next part of their plan.
(Stage)
"Would all other combatants please leave the stage!?" Port called out to everyone as the rest of the lineup does so, and Yang starts walking up to Mercury in the middle as the floor around them opens once more, with a ring of spotlights rising up to automatically fix their lights on the remaining two.
Yang smiled. "You better not go easy on me." Yang taunted as she smirked at Mercury.
Mercury laughed darkly. "You wish." Mercury countered as he looked to Yang. Both brawlers face the crowds one last time, then slowly start advancing on each other, arms raised defensively until their hands can almost touch, as the final countdown commences.
"Three! Two! One! Begin!" Port declared as the battle soon began.
Immediately, Yang throws a punch, and Mercury spins his foot to meet it, creating a shockwave between the weapons that launches him back. He closes the distance quickly and aims at her feet with his boot, but she leaps over it and fires off a shot of her Ember Celica that he rotates to avoid. They fight fist-to-fist for a moment, Yang getting in a fiery blast on her opponent at the cost of him also landing a blow on her. She falls back on her feet when Mercury shoots himself into the air to get farther away from her, looking up and smiling. Yang doesn't relent for a second, launching shot after shot only for Mercury to dodge each of them, sliding around the stage on clouds of air until he attempts to come down on her with his leg. She blocks and pushes away the attack, but he goes under her shotgun burst and manages to land a kick on her, though she still lands in a crouch, now grimacing.
She launches forward with a double blast and continues landing blow after blazing blow on him, right up to when he, roundhouse kicks her in the back and attempts to hit her with his heel. She gets out just in time and punches the ground trying to get him, but he leaps out and twirls to get a hit on her. One of his kicks seems to pass over her, but then he brings it down hard enough to shatter the steel underneath, which Yang narrowly rolls backward to avoid.
They exchange kicks after this attack until Mercury hits her backwards, and he rushes forward only to receive a fist to his chin, then his torso, knocking him on his stomach. He gets up right as Yang starts raining down fire again, causing him to somersault back until one explosion causes him to get knocked off of the stage. He saves himself by firing his boots downward and flying back in front of his enemy, unleashing a series of kicks that she deflects with her arms.
She ducks under one attack only to receive another as Mercury jumps into the air to knock her back, and he follows it up with a shot from his boots. Yang avoids it effortlessly, not noticing it still hanging around behind her. Switching tactics, Mercury starts shooting his foot out in every direction, each kick into the air accompanied by a silvery blast that are barely even aimed at Yang.
She dodges each one coming her way and gets in close through the circling barrage of shots, fighting with their fists again until Mercury kicks her into the air and knocks her right back to the ground, followed by the dozens of swirling shots that now converge right onto Yang. When the blasts stop coming down on his opponent, Mercury gets up from his crouch and grins to himself, dusting off his outfit and seeming as happy as can be until the smoke from behind him erupts into flames.
His momentary shock turns into another smile as he turns around to see the red-eyed Yang slam her knuckles together and come at him. Screaming, she lands a punch that sends him back, and she rushes up avoiding each kick and even taking one with no effect to pound at him with an unrelenting bombardment of left-right blows. He has enough time to let out a pained groan before she hits him in the stomach, his Aura sparkling up to try and defend him from the last hit to the face by the upset blonde. He lands on his back as the buzzer sounds over the roars of the audience.
"What a way to kick off the finals!" Port said feeling the excitement.
"Yang Xiao Long wins!" Oobleck chimed happily.
(Stands)
Ruby splayed her arms in excitement. "Yeah! You did it, sis!" Ruby called out as Eclipse then felt it.
"Ruby wait something isn't right here." Eclipse said as they all heard it.
"She's right that battle was too easily won almost like it was staged." Silva said as Zaruba saw this as did Gold.
"Yeah it's like he WANTED to lose." Gold said as they had to wait for what was next.
"Weiss how healed up are you?" Aron asked as Weiss saw this wondering why Aron would ask that of her.
(Stage)
Yang wiped her brow with an arm as she addresses the hunched-over Mercury. "Better luck next time." Yang said as Mercury put up a good fight which she can respect. She starts walking to the exit, getting pretty far away before Mercury seems to get up outside her peripheral vision.
"There's not going to be a next time, Blondie!" Mercury murderously angrily stated as he stood up.
A sharp sound is heard in the sudden silence as Yang turns around just in time to see Mercury leap forward with a kick to his unsuspecting victim. Yang scowls as she was about to attack to defend herself but then stopped for a moment unintentionally as she then had a flashback form the first time they met Kiba and how she had blasted his head off over her hair. Sure he horrifically survived it by growing a new head but the fear of her own strength made her take a different approach. Instead of punching Yang went for a block but the attack never came.
Yang then blinked and saw that he had indeed, never moved from his spot. He was looking at her as if he was expecting something but the something never came as Yang heard adrenaline and past incidents can make people see things Yang made a mental note to schedule a talk with the shrink for the basic Hunter mental evaluation crap. But as she walked away, Mercury starred at her. No, this was not how it was supposed to go! She was supposed to attack him after Emerald messed with her head that was the plan!
But of course the plan didn't work as intended as he knew Nexus would not like all this going like this as Mercury feared Nexus as much as everyone else does. He knew the plan's major point was here but in his rage and fear combination he wasn't thinking straight. Mercury clenched his fists in rage. No! He didn't get his ass kicked just so that the plan could fail.
"DON'T YOU DARE, TURN YOUR BACK ON ME!" He roared in pure rage as he leapt forward turned her head again only this time she could not react fast enough as Mercury kicked her right in the head. A loud SNAP was heard, the smallest amount of blood came out of Laura's mouth as she fell to the floor.
At that moment, the audience erupted in to a lot of anger at the dirty move. At Mountain Glenn, two Goliaths near a ruined hamburger joint and a pack of Beowolves up in the construction beams of an unfinished building all look towards the Colosseum floating near Beacon, feeling the negative emotions.
"YANG!" Ruby and Raymond called out as they ran over to her to check on her just some medics quickly arrived with a stretcher.
One of the doctors checked at her. "She is still alive, but she needs medical attention, fast!" He called out as it wasn't long till soldiers got into the stage and aimed guns at Mercury.
"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!" Ruby roared at Mercury in rage as she glared at him ready to attack if Gold and the others didn't hold her back.
Said boy held up his hands, pretending to feel guilty about what he did. "I didn't mean to! It was an adrenaline rush. I couldn't stop myself!" Mercury tried to lie but the Madou's saw through it easily enough. Ruby just continued to lash out at him and the rest of her team and Team GARO mainly Gold had to hold her back.
(With Yang)
Meanwhile, two paramedics were running with Yang on the stretcher as they come across an open door with a woman in the same outfit inside. The Woman gestured them to stop "Here! We've got an ambulance ready to go!" The woman gestured as she was with another as no doubt someone had to improvise big time.
They loaded Laura in on the emergency airship.
A Paramedic sighed "Hope she will be okay. That duel haired and the man with the duster girl looked really upset" He said as the two paramedics nodded.
"We'll take good care of her" The woman said as the young man with her agreed.
(Later in the transport)
The transport flies away from the Colosseum, and Yang is lying on a cargo box in the back but restrained and sedated. "That idiot how can he screw us over like this!" Blaze roared as Cinder agreed.
"We have the desired effect but not the way we wish for it." Cinder agreed as she and Blaze ranted.
"Silence both of you!" Nexus roared out at them no doubt now in the mood to deal with bickering amongst them. "The blame falls to me." Nexus said as he looked to Yang as he used another Semblance he has to peer into certain parts of her mind. "No doubt when she saw what her strength can do when she faced me the first time she became wary of her own strength when Emerald Semblance of Mercury attacking her occurred she was about to punch him but she went for the defensive instead pointing to one main fact that if I had not faced her Mercury would be here and not her." Nexus said as he saw this situation play out.
"So you're to blame!" Blaze yelled as Nexus glared at Blaze.
"Don't take that tone with me Blaze otherwise you'll find yourself in a very unsavory situation." Nexus said as he glared at Blaze before Ico stepped in.
"Let's calm down here Lord Nexus right now we must figure out our next move so how will this affect all of us?" Ico asked as he looked to his lord and master.
But then the woman walked up to her with a smirk on her face as she lifts her hat, revealing herself to be Cinder as Blaze did the same but Nexus simply changed form with from the real paramedic he consumed long ago for this very moment. "This complicates things for us but I believe we can work around it." Nexus said as he glared at Yang while Neo drove the vehicle with Akane.
"No kidding." Akane said agreeing with Nexus as Nexus was lucky he had stuff in case Emerald failed somehow. "So what do we do now?" Akane asked as Nexus saw this and sighed.
"Cinder try and make sure you, Emerald, and Neo stay out of sight even though this was unintended we can work with this to our advantage. "I'll keep an eye on her till the main plan begins. When that happens be ready." Nexus said as Cinder nodded to him.
"Of course." She said as Akane smiled as did Neo.
"Sure knows how to take a bad route and turn it to his advantage." Akane smiled as Neo smiled and nodded in agreement with him as she may just ditch Roman in favor for Nexus if the chance presents itself.
"Oh and Neo be sure to retrieve Mercury if you cannot then end him." Nexus said as Neo nodded as Nexus meant if Mercury cannot be retrieved then he is a loose end that will be tied up to silence him.
(TBC)
