Random Trivia: Somnium is the second Rider, he wields the Amulet of the Riders, which grants the user the ability to create illusions. Unlike Emerald's semblance, these illusions aren't just hallucinations, the Amulet creates it's own reality that only the target(s) are experiencing. The illusions are strong enough to make you believe you were turned into rock and shattered into many pieces.


As the five new thugs surround Flame, one of them removes the katana impaling one of the thugs to the ground. Flame prepares for Round two. The thug with the katana swings at Flame twice, Flame leans backwards while backing up to avoid the attacks. The thug then jumps and tries to kick Flame, Flame blocks and jumps over the sweep but is hit by the second kick to be performed by the thug with his katana. Flame recovers and blocks another thugs right hook, then turns around to block a third one's right hook. Flame turns to the second thug and punches him, then the third one to block his swing and counter with a jab. Flame kicks the thug with his katana, knocking the thug onto his back. Two more thugs begin to shoot at Flame, his aura and armor block the bullets. The thug with the katana kicks onto his feet and swings at Flame, who ducks with flat of the katana scraps against the back of Flame's helmet. Flame elbows a thug to his left, them ducks the next katana swing. Flame punches the thug with the katana, then turns to a thug behind him. He hits the thug with a left jab and then grabs the thugs right jab, twisting his arm around and dislocating his shoulder before hitting the thug with a left hook. The thug flies into a spiral. The thug with the katana slashes at Flame, but Flame catches the katana in his palms and kicks the thug in his knee. The thug lets go of the katana and drops to the ground. Flame drops the katana and then kicks the fallen thug in the head.

The thugs with guns begin to fire at Flame. One of them goes in and pistol whips Flame, but Flame catches his arm the second time, shoving the thugs own elbow into his stomach. Flame blocks the other thugs strike, and knocks him forward, turning back to other armed thug. The thug unsuccessful tries to punch Flame, who lets his arm go over his shoulder and punches the thug in the stomach. Before rolling forward with tthe thug's arm still over his shoulder.

Flame gets hit with a right hook from one thug, shoulder charged by another, amd hit with another right hook from the first thug. Flame tries to hit the first thug with his own right hook, but is blocked and gets hit with an uppercut that sends Flame backwards and into a third thugs arms. The second thug kicks Flame in the stomach, and tries to spin kick Flame's head. Flame leans to the right, letting the thugs foot hit the one holding Flame in place. The hit thug falls, bringing Flame with him, but Flame cartwheels to the right before backflipping onto his knee. Flame takes a couple deep breaths then looks at the five attackers.

Flame rises and gets into an combat stance. Flame ducks the approaching thugs right hook, countering with an elbow to the back. Flame grabs the next thug, lifts him into the air, slams him onto the ground, and crushes his head under his boot, killing him. The third remaining thug swings the fallen katana at Flame, who blocks with both arms, the katana shattering on impact. Flame grabs one of the flying pieces of the blade, stabs the attacker through the throat, and throws it at a third thug. Flame turns around as a thug tries to grapple him. Flame rolls backwards with the thug, stopping when the thug is on his back, and punches the thug on the side of his head, killing him.

"No!" The remaining thug shouts as he charges at Flame.

The thug starts to swing his right fist, but Flame clothesline the thug, decapitating him. Red starts slowly clapping as Flame stands in the center of the five dead men. Red rises from the table.

"Well done." Red comments as he walks towards Flame.

Flame turns to face Red.

"I still have two minutes and thirty two seconds..." Flame says, "If you have anyone else to play with."

Red grabs the duffle bags the two mercenaries brought with them and throw them to Flame's feet.

"You get twenty five now," Red states, "and the the rest when you deliver."

Flame picks up the bags and Red starts to walk back to his table.

"Magnolia will be tougher than these... idiots. Let's hope he doesn't make a fool outta you too." Red says.

"Anything else?" Flame asks as he turns to leave.

The two lights in the room begin to turn off, one by one.

"Good luck." Red says as he disappears into the darkness.


-Present Day-

Onyx wakes up on the floor of the shrine. Onyx slowly rises to his feet. Onyx rubs his head as he observes his surroundings. Umbra and the Amulet of the Rider is gone.

"Great!" Onyx says to himself.

Onyx suddenly hears a growl. He turns to see five humanoid Shadow Grimm at the entrance to the shrine. Unlike the previous humanoid Grimm, these Shadow Grimm were average heights, ranging from slightly taller than five feet to nearly seven feet. Onyx creates a shortsword blade and gets into a combat stance. The largest Shadow Grimm growls and forms a longsword and shield, made of Shadow Grimm bones. Onyx recognizes the weapons as Light's. The others form Shadow Grimm versions of Crescent Rose, Mytrenaster, Gambol Shroud, and Ember Cilica.

Umbra has found the Key of the Riders.

He succeeded in turning all of Humanity into an army of Shadow Grimm.

But why are they still humanoid?

In order to wield their weapons.

The original Shadow Grimm were ancient.

It would take a group to kill a single Grimm.

Now, it takes a single human to kill a group of Grimm.

And Umbra has sent Team RWBY and Light to deal with me.

He's underestimating me,

Or testing me.

Onyx charges at Light and slashes upwards. Light blocks the attack and pushes Onyx backwards. Yang and Weiss use Freezerburn, filling the area with mist.

Their teamwork has improved.

Ruby and Weiss use Iceflower, Onyx burns the bullet with blast amplified by fire Dust.

Onyx fires the flamethrower, creating a ring of fire around himself. Weiss immediately puts out the fire.

They know I was trying to use Eternal Chaos.

They've retained their memories.

Onyx switches his blade into a scythe blade. Onyx charges at Light and backflips off Light's shield. While in air Onyx stabs the blade into the ground, creating a shockwave knocking the five warriors into the walls. Onyx switches the blade back into a shortsword blade and charges at Light. Onyx is intercepted by Yang and Blake, who used Bumblebee. Onyx slides underneath Yang's fist and shoots Blake. Onyx kicks up into Light's shield and then kicks off the shield again. Ruby and Blake use Ladybug and repeatedly try to attack Onyx. Onyx easily avoids all the attacks and creates a shockwave to send them backwards.

What's wrong with me?

This fight should have already been over.

Why am I holding back?

Onyx closes his eyes and when he reopens them, his eyes and hair are covered by black flames, with a crimson glow. Onyx creates a second shortsword blade and charges at Light. Onyx slashes at Light's sword, knocking him off balance. Onyx uses the opportunity to swing at Light. Onyx backflips into the air, firing lighting blasts at Ruby and Weiss. Onyx lands and dashes at Yang. Yang swings her right fist, but Onyx catches it and kicks the side of her head. Blake fires her pistol at Onyx, but he deflects the bullets, into her teammates. Onyx ducks underneath Light's attempt to hit him from behind. Onyx kicks Light's shin and then slashed upwards, sending Light flying backwards. Ruby tries to slam Onyx with his scythe, but Onyx blocks the blade with his left bracer and shoots Ruby with his right. Onyx then fires a blast at each one of the combatants, using ice Dust to freeze them. Ruby tried to dodge the shot with her semblance, but the ice still encased her foot. As Onyx walks towards Ruby, Onyx raises his blade as he prepares to kill her.

"You're stronger than the rest of them. Stronger than he is." Ruby says, "I'm not the one you want to fight."

What!?

Onyx stabs at Ruby. His blade shortening at the same pace his arm is moving. Onyx stops his fist right before it connects with Ruby's face. Onyx backs away from Ruby.

Umbra may be a mad man,

But he's also a brilliant strategists.

Lux unlocked my immunity to the Key of the Riders.

Moments later I was attacked.

Umbra virtually sent me to his location,

As if he wanted me to face him.

But why?

What if...

What if this isn't reality.

Yang and Light shatter the ice encasing them. They tackle Onyx and pin him to the ground. Onyx kicks Light off of him and then throws Yang. Onyx's vision begins flashing between the Shadow Grimm and human forms of the five, now all freed from the ice with Team RWBY's faces filled with worry. Onyx looks down at his hands, then the five. Onyx deactivates his remaining blade and stands straight up.

"If this is a mistake," Onyx says, "It's my last."

Onyx begins to meditate

"A strong mind perceives it's own reality." Onyx says.

It's own reality...

It's own reality!

Reality.


Onyx opens his eyes and sees the five in their human form.

"You okay?" Ruby asks.

"That depends," Onyx says sarcastically, "Were you all Shadow Grimm ten seconds ago?"

"You were under the Amulet's influence the moment you entered this shrine." Light states.

"What was that you were saying?" Ruby asks.

"'A strong mind perceive it's own reality.'" Blake quotes.

"Aero said it once." Onyx states, "It's funny, his advice has help me more now after his death than it ever has before."

Onyx searches for the Shard of the Riders.

"Umbra has the Shard of the Riders." Onyx states.

"What do we do now?" Rubya asks.

"I am linked to the Shard." Onyx explains, "I can sense it's location. That's how I found it on the FAC Requiem."

"What makes you think you can beat Umbra this time?" Weiss asks.

Onyx ignores her, opens a portal to the Shards location, and walks through, leaving Team RWBY and Light behind.