The two combatants stood at a stalemate as their powers clashed in the middle of the courtyard. Those that were able to see the fight watched with wide eyes as energy poured from Frost's body into Adam's sword as the two both glowed from the use of their Semblances. It was almost symbolic as the white glow of Frost's abilities squared off with the red glow of Adam's own power as both of their limits were tested.

But one of their powers would eventually run out of ground, and they needed to be ready for whoever the victor was.

Nora carefully kept an eye on the fight as she finished checking on the others, glad to find that none of them were in any sort of danger aside from being unable to move at present. She was lucky that her own abilities let her resist the electrical pulse that had been wielded against them, since a few stray Grimm had stumbled across the area as they roamed the city. She had been able to dispatch them easily with the current boost she was running off of, but it too wouldn't last forever. Then she would be at the mercy of the Grimm should a large pack attack in force.

The flapping of wings filled the air as Nora glanced towards a lone bird as it flew overhead. Her head tiled out of curiosity as it flew down into one of the alleyways adjoining the street they were on, before a brief flash of light came from within. Moments later, Qrow walked out of the alleyway with a somewhat tired look on his face. Concern for her friend's safety compelled her to wield her hammer in a defensive stance as she stared down the new arrival to the battlefield, whom she had never met before.

"Calm down there, missy. I'm one of the good guys." He gestured with a hand towards the bodies of Ruby and Yang, who lay close together due to their positions when Frost had attacked them all. "Those two are family of mine, you really think I'd attack them or the people they call friends?"

"After everything that's happened today, I can't take any chances." The steel in her voice was met with an approving nod from the older man.

"Good. Never let your guard down no matter the situation. Looks like you taught them well, huh Oz?"

"I wish I could say I was the one fully responsible for their sense, but a part of that will always be their own." A familiar voice came from off to the side as Nora turned, wide-eyed, to face the headmaster of the school that had collapsed several months ago.

"…Professor Ozpin?" Nora stood, shell-shocked, as her hands went slack and her hammer fell to the ground with a clatter.

"Yes, Miss Valkyrie, it is I." The white-haired man stated simply as he stood before her with his cane held at his side as he stood calmly before her. His eyes turned to glance over the group of paralyzed students and Neo's body with a look of guilt and shame. "And it appears I arrived too late, as well. Where is young Frost?"

"He…he's facing off against Adam. But, Professor…" Nora's voice was barely held together as the fear in her voice crept through. "But he's not himself. Something about a Grimm inside of him and barely keeping it under control. If we don't stop him now there's no telling what he'll do!"

"Then it is as I feared." The headmaster shook his head sadly as Qrow silently picked up each of the paralyzed students and sat them in a circle with each of them propped against the other's backs. He took extra care as he lifted Neo's lifeless body as he propped her up in a sitting position against the light pole that she had ironically been knocked into earlier. "Qrow, you know what this means."

"…Yeah."

Nora whirled back and forth between the two of them with fearful eyes. "You can't kill him! There's still a part of him in there that we can save! He even said so himself! You can't-"

"Kid." Qrow's voice silenced her due to the coldness in his tone. "He just attacked a bunch of you with the intent to harm, and is currently fighting in what is obviously a life or death battle against the leader of a terrorist group. And I don't see any signs that he'll back down anytime soon. Even if a part of him still remains, it's buried under so much hate and malice that there's no guarantee he'll ever come back or be the same again. We can't take the chance that he turns entirely."

"Professor, you can't honestly intend to go along with this!"

Ozpin refused to look Nora in the eye as he strode past her in a calm fashion. "I'm sorry, but unless he is capable of willingly submitting should he survive the fight against Adam Taurus, we will be left with no alternative. However…" Ozpin stood in front of the group of paralyzed students as he turned back to face Nora from the corner of his eyes. "Their fight is not yet over, and we need to make sure that you and your friends are in a fit state to leave when the need arises."

"What do you mean?" Nora asked as curiosity filled her voice.

Ozpin put a finger to his lips as a sign for Nora to remain silent. "Watch."

As Nora grew silent and stood there, Ozpin's body started to become surrounded with what looked like clocks and dials as a barrier seemed to form around him and the others. His eyes closed in focus as an invisible wind seemed to fill the barrier, causing hair and clothing to flap about as a green light began to build inside of the dome. With a bright flash, the light diminished and the barrier evaporated as Ozpin opened his eyes as he stared over the group of now mobile students in front of him as they got to their feet, all looking at him with shocked eyes.

"Professor…is it really you?" Ruby's voice was the first to be heard as the silence in the air was cut.

"Yes, Miss Rose. It is." Ozpin raised a hand as other's mouths began to move, all of them taking the cue to remain silent as Ozpin turned to walk over to Neo's lifeless form. "But I am not quite done yet. I will need all of you to remain silent for a while longer, and then you may ask your questions when we are not still in danger."

The older man strode over to Neo's body as he knelt and placed two fingers against her neck, likely to check for a pulse. With a sad sigh, he stood up and planted his cane firmly in the ground in front of him as the dome and symbols began to appear once more. The time however, the dials and clocks seemed to spin in reverse as the wind and light formed once again but with a much stronger intensity. This time, the dome lasted for a longer period as all of those watching stood with bated breath, their eyes occasionally flicking over to the locked battle in the courtyard.


Neo felt light as a feather as her body seemed to float in an empty space. Where was she? How had she gotten here? And why did she feel so empty inside, as though a part of her had been forever ripped away? These questions continued to plague her thoughts as she continued to drift through the void with no clear destination in mind.

Her eyes and body turned as a light began to grow from one direction, though the pull towards the darkness continued as she drifted in the same direction. However, a small part of her mind told her that she should be heading towards the light rather than away from it even as she fell further into the darkness. The light had other ideas however, as it seemed to grow even bigger as Neo felt her body begin to drift in the opposite direction as before, now heading towards the light. As she grew closer to the blinding emission, a voice began to fill her ears as her hand strained out as though to grab onto something.

"Hurry…cannot…you…trapped…" The voice seemed fragmented even as it grew louder. Neo shook her head as memories began to rush back, filling the voids in her head that had left her curious as to her whereabouts. Memories of growing up in a small village before suddenly everything was surrounded in flames as an older woman with flowing brown hair ushered her and a young boy into a wagon with other figures before running off in the distance. Of helping younger children in a crowded building learn what they needed to know to be able to succeed in the future. Of unlocking Semblance as she stood defiant against a group of bullies that were abusing the younger children before they lay on the ground groaning in pain moments later as an older version of the boy stood beside her with one of his hands glowing white against the bruises and scratches that littered his frowning face. The memories increased in speed and strength as her chest began to hurt more and more until she wanted to cry out in agony.

"That's it…let them back in…don't forget about what brought you here…" The voice began to speak again, though this time stronger and with more clarity as a shape began to form within the light of a man with a cane as his had was outstretched towards her. "Almost…there…"

A firm grip formed around one of Neo's wrists as she finally was able to make out the figure reaching out for her even as the pain became unbearable and she felt like blacking out. Her eyes widened in shock as the face of Ozpin, the Headmaster of Beacon, stood before her even as she felt her body suddenly shift, this time straight up as wind rushed past her face and made her vision grow blurry as the whole world went white.

Neo coughed roughly as a glob of blood left her throat and splattered across the street in front of her. She looked up with tired eyes to see a disheveled looking Ozpin kneeling in front of her with a pleased look on his face. Her head slowly turned despite the pain that came with moving in such a way to see the people she had been fighting alongside in a time that felt like eons ago as they fought off any Grimm that arrived on the scene. Due to how many of them there were, they seemed to be doing it almost without a care as they all stood with backs facing the two of them.

Ozpin stood slowly with the support of his cane as he called out to the others. "It's done. You can all take a breather for the time being while Qrow and I deal with any Grimm."

A sudden rush of rapid gasps and strong vocal outbursts occurred before Neo was suddenly enveloped by a pair of arms. The sound of someone crying filled her ears as Neo looked over to see who had grasped onto her so quickly, her eyes widening at the side of Emerald's tear-stained face so close to hers. Instead of saying anything however, she simply reached out her own aching arms to wrap them lightly around the green-haired girl even as her grip on Neo tightened.

"I spent…so long…without anyone to consider a friend…or keep an eye on me when I needed it…" Her voice came out in chunks, constantly interrupted by hiccups and sniffles as she continued. "It didn't…feel real when you died…so I thought I was imagining it…like if I had used my Semblance on someone but in reverse…and then Frost attacked us…and everything just….fell apart." Her voice calmed down somewhat as she calmed her breathing even as she continued to hold onto Neo for fear that she would disappear the moment she let go. "I'm so glad you're alive."

"Thank you…Emerald." Neo's voice was raspy even as she cleared her throat once more.

"…Well, I don't think I need any more proof." Yang's voice cut through the silence a moment later. "What about you guys?"

"I suppose after that scene it would hard to believe she could go back to being a villain. I'm not holding my breath over her pickpocketing, however." Weiss replied in kind with her usual half-compliment.

Emerald loosened her grip on Neo slightly as she turned back to retort to the comment from the ex-heiress. "Hey, it was one t-" She was immediately cutoff by a finger placed on her lips by said Schnee.

"That doesn't mean I don't believe you can be a good person, you know. Honestly, you're always so quick to respond."

Neo giggled, though it sounded more like wheezing as it came out in short coughs. The others turned to make sure she was in fact alright even as Emerald gently helped her to her feet. Her balance was severely hindered however, something that Emerald was glad to assist with as she supported the girl even as she looked over the group once more.

"I still think she needs to apologize for what she did to Penny, though!" Ruby exclaimed from just off to the side.

"I mean, all that would take is a pretty tall plate of cookies." Yang pointed out as though it were common knowledge, something that was attested to by nearly the entire group nodding in agreement.

Emerald's face scrunched up in confusion. "Wait, that's it?"

Yang looked towards a cross Ruby before facing Emerald once more, this time with an almost sadistic pleasure. "Oh, these cookies will need to be like the gods themselves made them to convince her. I'd say good luck, but I don't think enough of that exists."

Blake, for the first time, spoke to Emerald with an almost apologetic tone. "There are some battles better left unfought, you know."

Emerald felt sweat bead on the back of her neck at what seemed to be the most daunting task set for her, even more so than choosing to stand against Cinder.

Neo interrupted this thought however as a question left her mouth. "Where's Frost?"

Everyone's mood suddenly darkened as they gave uneasy looks towards the standoff still occurring in the courtyard, the electricity still crackling between their two forms as they continued to struggle against one another. Neo's eye widened in fright as she recognized the dangerous look in Frost's eyes , thought this was the most intense she had ever seen it. Even as she did, the fight suddenly ended with a bang as Adam's sword shattered with an explosion of Dust as his body was sent sailing across the clearing. His body rolled and bounced a few times before he landed in a half-stand, his body smoking as his face was scrunched up in pain.


"How…are you this powerful?" His voice came out cracked as he spat out a tooth to the side.

"You may have given yourself over to something that made you stronger in exchange…but the thing inside me has had years to grow and fester…and it still isn't in total control…" Frost heaved out as his shoulders sagged from his exertion. "How much stronger do you think it would be if it DID have full power? Is that a question you really want to know the answer to? Because I know of a way that we can both find out. You might not like it too much, though."

"What? Are you going to kill me?" Adam scoffed as he stood up straighter with a victorious look on his face. "You know that if you do, I've won."

"Do you really think I care about the supposed victories of a dead man? You dug your grave when you killed Neo, you bastard. There is nowhere you can go where I won't eventually find you and break you like the spineless tool that you are."

"Then prove it! Kill me now and deliver the justice you so graciously insist of delivering!" Adam spread his arms wide as he stood vulnerable before Frost with an open stance.

"…With pleasure…" Frost's legs flashed for a moment as he leapt from the ground with a fist knocked back, his Semblance carrying him in long strides towards the man that stood waiting for his final blow.

"Frost!"

Adam felt the wind rush past his face a moment later, though there was no satisfying crack of bone on bone as the fist never met his face. Instead, it sat hovered mere inches from his face as the white-haired boy in front of him stood frozen with wide-eyes that slowly turned to face the direction that the shout had come from. Disappointment filled his own face as he turned and realized who it was that had spoken before an even more sinister look filled his eyes.

"Oh…oh this is perfect." Adam clutched his aching sides with glee as he bent over from amusement. "He dove into the depths of hell because he thought she was gone, and now he falls even further as she sees him as he is – a monster! I really have won!"

"Oh, shut up." Qrow's voice came from behind him, causing Adam to whirl with a shocked look even as the blunt end of the sword collided with his face and he collapsed like a sack of bricks.

Frost only stood with shocked eyes as he was frozen to the spot looking at Neo standing against Emerald's side. She had died…how was she standing right now? What in the hell was going on?!

"Frost…don't do this…" Neo's voice came out in hoarse takes as she slowly broke free of Emerald's grasp and stumbled towards him. Even as others moved to intervene, Ozpin put out an arm to stop them even as Qrow stood by with his sword drawn as he stood over the unconscious form of Adam Taurus. "You kept going on about how you wanted to protect people…but this isn't the way to do it. Don't become the monster you promised to fight against. Please…for my sake. I don't want the boy I fell in love with to disappear."

Frost's eyes widened in fear and surprise as he stumbled back from Neo's approaching form. "Neo…you can't. I'm a monster, you heard what Adam said. You saw what I almost did because I thought that I lost you. What kind of protector is that?! How ca I swear to defend people if I could turn on them at any moment and become the very thing I'm trying to save them from?! You can't love someone like that!"

"I can…because despite all that you are a kind and caring person. You fought to stop Adam because you knew it needed to be done, and a small part of you knew that killing him might be necessary to keep others safe. The life of a Huntsman isn't all sunshine and daisies as our parents used to say. They tried to warn us at a young age about some of the hardships they had to deal with to try and convince us to pick a safer life. And even if we didn't, we'd know a small part of the truth of that life. So just…stop…please."

"Neo…I can't…" Frost stated as he continued to scramble away from her. "This isn't like Atlas or Patch. This isn't something I can walk away from. I attacked the others, I nearly killed a person, and I did it all for selfish reasons. I didn't do it to protect the others; I did it because I was furious at what Adam did to you. I'm not the same person anymore, and I can never go back to that life. No one can change that."

"Now look at who's being stubborn…" Neo continued her approach even as Frost backed into a wall with a fearful look on his face. Her face was calm even as she finished walking up to him as he turned his head away from and closed his eyes in shame. She responded by reaching out a hand to gently cup his cheek as she pulled his face over and down to gently meet his lips with her own in a chaste kiss. The two held that pose for a few moments before Neo broke away with a small smile on her face even as Frost looked at her with shock and wide eyes.

Their moment was interrupted however, as a massive Nevermore just passed over the top of a nearby building before swooping down and plucking Frost off of the ground mere seconds after he was able to shove Neo away from him as he noticed the path the Grimm was taking. Even as the others tried to take shots at the large birds, they were forced to change targets as a large pack of Grimm leapt over the same building and fought into their midst, forcing them all to fight for their lives for a few moments as they dispatched the beasts with ease. Their purpose had been successful however.

Frost was gone.


Alright, I'll be honest, this probably isn't one of my best chapters to date, but it is a necessary one to set the stage for the final act and events of the story. Not to say that it's ending anytime soon, just that this particular arc on Menagerie is effectively at a wrap and we now move into the last big segment that I've had planned for this story. And as always, I will see you all again in a couple weeks for the next update.