Light and Silicon are next.
A grave old woman sits at a table in handcuffs.
"Tell me about the children." Ozpin says.
He is seated at the other end of the table.
"Dr. Artemis." Ozpin calls.
Dr. Artemis looks at her interrogator.
"You already know everything." Dr. Artemis states.
"You created them." Ozpin says.
"Children's minds are more easily accepting of indoctrination, their bodies more adaptable to augmentation. The result was the ultimate soldier." Dr. Artemis explains, "And because of our success, when Umbra invaded, we were ready."
"Dr. Artemis, you're bending history in your favor and you know it. You developed the Riders to crush the Grimm, not to fight Umbra." Ozpin says.
"When one city after another fell, when the Riders were all that stood between humanity and extinction, nobody was concerned over why they were originally built." Dr. Artemis states.
"So you feel in the end your choices were justified." Ozpin says.
"My work saved the human race." Dr. Artemis states as he leans forward.
"Do you think the Riders' lack of basic humanity helped?" Ozpin asks.
"What are you after? The others before you were Atlesian military, but you... You're somethings else." Dr. Artemis says.
"Records show Riders routinely exhibited mildly sociopathic tendencies, difficulty with socialization with anyone other than eachother. Further..." Ozpin states.
"The records show efficient behavior operating in hazardous situations. I supplied the tools to maintain that efficiency." Dr. Artemis states.
"Do you believe the Onyx Rider succeeded because he was, at his core, broken?" Ozpin asks.
"What does Onyx have to do with this? You want to revive him." Dr. Artemis says.
"The Onyx Rider isn't dead." Ozpin states.
"His file reads 'killed in action'." Dr. Artemis corrects.
"Doctor, Riders never die." Ozpin states.
"My mistake was seeing Riders as military hardware. My Riders are humanity's next step." Dr. Artemis states.
Dr. Artemis stands up and stares at Ozpin with determination.
"Our destiny as a species. Do not underestimate them. But most of all do not underestimate him." Dr. Artemis states.
-Presnt Day-
The group exits the Shadow Zone in front of a shrine. The shrine is composed of a cirle with eight pillars surrounding it's edge. In the center of the shrine is Light. He is wearing armor designed to look like Grimm bones, which is composed of a helmet, chestplate, shoulder pauldrons, gauntlets, and grieves. The helmet completely covers his face. Underneath the armor is a jumpsuit, similar to the one he wore as a test subject, except with sleeves. Light continues to meditate, undisturbed by the new arrivals.
"Wait here." The Rider orders.
The other nod and hold position. Ebony continues to follow Onyx.
"Sit." The Rider orders.
Ebony does as she is told. Light finally looks up, acknowledging Onyx approaching him.
"I wondered when you would return." Light says.
"I've come for your help... To end Umbra." The Rider states.
Light stands up with his left arm behind his back.
"Try to fight and you will fail. The Riders will be destroyed. You will die, and the Onyx Rider will become a servant of evil." Light states.
"What are you talking about?" The Rider asks.
Light begins to approach Onyx.
"Umbra. It pulls at him, it calls to him. Eventually he will be consumed by it." Light says as he stops walking and draws his weapon.
Light wields a longsword that blade can split slightly in order to form a railgun. The cross-guard on the sword is made from gun handles. Onyx draws Redemption's Edge and converts it into it's dagger form.
"Stand down. The Onyx Rider must be eliminated before he embraces the darkness." Light says.
"I won't let that happen." The Rider states.
Light speaks to Onyx this way because he is aware of the mental split in Onyx's mind. Light is talking to the Rider about Onyx.
"Should we help him?" Volt asks.
"If Onyx wanted help, he would ask." Brass states.
"Would he...?" Volt questions.
Ebony starts to growl.
"Easy girl," Brass soothes, "Onyx's got this."
Light charges at Onyx and strikes with a downward swing. Onyx blocks, but is forced towards the ground. Onyx pushes Light's blade upwards and strikes at Light's right, but is blocked. Onyx ducks Light's next swings and unleashes a flurry of strikes. Light blocks them all, but is getting pushed back. The two eventually get into another clash.
"Is this the limit of your knowledge?" Light asks as he takes the upper hand.
"I learned enough." The Rider states as he takes control.
"I think not." Light says as he breaks the clash.
Light strikes upwards and Onyx blocks, but leaves himself open. Light exploits the opening by kicking Onyx into one of the pillars. Onyx then converts Redemption's Edge into it's dual pistols form and shoots three shots at Light. Light easily blocks them all while walking towards Onyx. Onyx then converts Redemption's Edge back into it's dagger form and takes out his weapon in it's sword form.
"You will never be strong enough to protect your other half and you will perish for your failure." Light states.
Onyx crosses his blades as he engages in another sword clash with Light. Onyx then goes for the offensive, deflecting Light's attacks to pull off his own. Light strikes at Onyx, who blocks with his sword before jumping backwards. Onyx blocks another strike, but Light jumps into the air and kicks him with each leg, landing on his feet. Onyx hits another pillar and falls, his back resting on the pillar. Onyx holds his sword towards Light as the shrine begins to get hit by strong winds. Onyx then looks up to see the winds are being cause by Rubine airship approaching the shrine.
"Even now the servants of Umbra come for your other half." Light states, "You cannot fight forever."
Light holds his ground, sword at the ready.
"Your right." The Rider states, "I can't protect the Onyx Rider forever."
Onyx lowers his weapons.
"Not even from himself. All I can do is what I've done: hold him in the best I could."
Onyx repositions himself on his hands and knees, staring up at Light. Light raises his sword and Onyx looks down, closing his eyes as Light brings the sword down.
"By the right of the Rider." Light says as he taps the flat of the sword on Onyx's right shoulder.
"By the will of the Light." Light says as he taps the flat of the sword on Onyx's left shoulder.
"Onyx Rider, you may rise." Light says as he taps the flat of the sword on Onyx's head.
Onyx looks up as Light holsters the sword onto his back. Onyx then rises as Light walks back to the center of the shrine.
"Wait... What does this mean?" The Rider asks.
Night stops in the center of the shrine, takes off his helmet, and turns to face Onyx, revealing completely shaven head and yellow eyes.
"It means you are what Night once was, our leader." Light states.
One of the pillars collapses as Rubine's airship draws nearer.
"The shrine is falling. Go, I will delay the enemy." Light says.
"You better be right behind me." The Rider states.
Light nods and puts his helmet back on. Onyx opens a portal near Volt, Brass, and Ebony and the group walks through.
