Chapter Three
"Velvet?" Yang asked, hesitating.
"Not anymore," Coco said beside her, hateful glare aimed at the Faunas.
Velvet laughed lightly, similar to the way Yang remembered her doing. Her overall appearance wasn't different, which the exception of the color changes to her outfit and the red eyes. The look she was giving them, however, was something the old Velvet would never have done. It looked predatory, like a cat watching a mouse. Her bright crimson eyes darted at every slight move they made, her faint smile anything but inviting.
"Aw, I'm hurt, Coco." She said, tilting her head. "After all we've been through together. Don't tell me you've forgotten?"
"Shut up." Coco snarled. "You're not her. The real Velvet died saving my life. You're just a monster in her skin."
Velvet mock scowled, obviously not hurt. Her gaze suddenly shifted to Yang, who had to suppress a shiver. She felt like the girl was staring through her. "And what about you Yang? Come crawling out of the hole you live in?"
"How do you know what I've been doing?" Yang asked quietly, trying to keep her voice even.
Velvet shook her head. "Believe what you want, but I am Velvet. I remember you walking out on us all. You didn't care if we could save the world. In fact, I'm willing to bet you'd like it to be all over. Maybe then you could be with your lovely Bla-"
Velvet didn't get another word out, because Yang fired an explosive blast from her gauntlets. The attack caught Velvet by surprise, sending her rocketing back into a heap on the ground. As the smoke cleared, the Faunas immediately shot to her feet, faster than she should have been able too. The mock smile was gone, replaced with a cold glare.
"Nice shot," Coco said.
Yang jumped, nearly forgetting the girl beside her. "Uhh, sorry…"
"Hey, it's cool. Saved me the trouble." Coco said humorously, before looking over at Velvet. "So you done boasting? Because I'm just itching to pull this trigger."
Velvet kept her scowl, hands twitching. "Just so you know, the both of you will be like me after I kill you. Maybe then you'll see just how great it is."
"Oh screw this," Coco muttered. Her chain gun roared to life, bullets whizzing out of the multiple barrels like lightning.
The noise was deafening, the flashes blinding. Yang felt for sure anything caught in Coco's crosshairs would be turned to dust instantly, the thousands of rounds punching through opponents with no trouble. She'd seen it herself, back at Beacon. So when Velvet didn't duck for cover, Yang knew she had a trick up her sleeve.
Suddenly, thousands of rounds started hailing down around her. She gasped, leaping behind a pile of rubble. Coco stopped firing, crouching behind her own cover. Yang chanced a peak, wondering what exactly was firing at them. To her surprise, it was a machine gun exactly like Coco's, only a red hologram. It hovered beside Velvet, shooting on its own.
"Oh come on, you both didn't forget about that did you?" Velvet laughed. "Too bad I don't have a camera to capture this moment."
"I thought she couldn't do that without her little box?" Yang yelled over the bullet fire, glaring at Coco.
Coco nodded. "She couldn't when she was alive. Being Taken does something to peoples semblances, it affects all of them."
Yang cursed quietly to herself, chancing another peak. Velvet was standing in the middle of the street, watching as her floating gun chewed through their cover. The buildings on either side could provide cover, allowing Yang to get closer to the Taken girl. But she'd need to get up to a roof, and without becoming holy. She looked for a doorway close by, something she could make a run for. But most of the lower floors were smashed, and lacked access.
Yang looked back at Coco. The girl's glasses had fallen off, in two pieces at her feet. Coco was leaning out of cover, firing her massive gun in short bursts. How she hefted that thing like a regular weapon was beyond her, but it gave Yang an idea. "Coco!"
Coco blinked her way, annoyed. "What?"
"Cover fire!" Yang yelled, jumping out of cover.
Velvet's gun targeted her instantly, spitting rounds her way. Yang ran, a few bullets grazing her. Her Aura deflected the shots, but they still made her wince. She slid into more cover, closer to Velvet now. The machine gun fired so many shots Yang wouldn't have been able to count them, and her small hiding spot began to grow smaller.
"Oh Yang, you never were very smart." Velvet chuckled. "You know, it's nice that I can say that now."
Bullets suddenly started hailing down on Velvet. The girl hissed, twisting away from the shots and hiding behind a flipped car. Yang heard Coco shout something, followed by more bullets. Velvet's gun turned away from Yang, firing in Coco's direction. Coco kept up the fire, aiming for the gun. Bullets whizzed by both directions, nowhere particularly safe.
Yang noticed part of a shops roof had collapsed, creating a makeshift ramp. It also overlooked Velvets cover, providing the perfect path to the girl. Yang checked she was clear, the shootout still distracting Velvet. Yang took her chance, barreling out of her cover and running for the shop roof. Velvet saw her, but couldn't get her gun to turn in time. Yang dove, landing on the broken roof just as the gunfire tore up the spot she'd been moments before.
"Hey, focus on me, you traitor!" Coco said, running for a piece of closer cover. Velvet's eyes darted to the girl, and she resumed her attack. Yang didn't know if she'd just forgotten about her, or if Velvet just didn't care, but she wasn't going to question it.
She ran up the makeshift ramp, coming to a stop at the roof's edge. She'd been right, her new vantage point directly about Velvet. Without hesitation, she leapt and fired into the ground as she fell. The explosive fire surrounded Velvet, earning a growl from the girl. Yang brought her boots crashing down on the girls head, pushing her to the ground. Velvet fell, moving into a roll and springing back up. Yang was on her, fists flying in explosive strikes.
Velvet chuckled, shifting her hands. Suddenly, she was holding two familiar swords. One was thick and rectangular, while the other was thinner. It only took a second for Yang to recognize them as Blake's swords. They were mockeries of the real ones, holographic and red like the machine gun. But the sight made her blood boil all the same.
Velvet parried her punch, keeping her face close to Yangs. "I thought you might appreciate these. Better than being killed by Jaune's sword, right?"
Yang shoved her away, narrowing her eyes. "What the hell happened to you? How could such a nice girl become…this?"
Velvet darted closer, swinging her blades identically to Blake. Yang recognized the attack and flipped over Velvet as she passed by underneath. As Yang fell back, she lashed out with a boot, hitting Velvet in the back. The girl hissed, getting to her feet.
"I'm better now than I ever was!" She shouted, glaring hatefully. "Before I was too meek to fight back against anyone! Cardin, Mercury, all of you! I've got the strength to fight back now."
Yang raised her arm, the tough metal blocking an overhead swing. Yang spun her other arm around, driving a fist into Velvet's throat. The girl gagged, leaping away and creating distance between them. "No Velvet, all I see is a shadow of you. A puppet used by the enemy. Can't you fight it? Surely the old Velvet is still in there."
Velvet grinned cruelly, lightly shaking her head. "This is me, what don't you understand? Like it or not, all of us are the same as before. We've just had our eyes open."
Yang frowned. "In what way?"
Velvet didn't answer, instead gesturing with her hands again. Blake's swords vanished, replaced by another weapon, just as familiar. A massive, red scythe. Too big to use easily, and yet the girl who created it proved time and again she could. Yang felt her blood boil again, narrowing her eyes as Velvet twirled the fake Crescent Rose in her hands.
Velvet suddenly burst into movement. She threw the scythe, the blade spinning toward her in a deadly arc. Yang ducked, the blade narrowing missing her head. Yang sprang forward, but her head suddenly exploded with pain. She crashed into the ground, her jaw throbbing with pain. Struggling to focus, Yang realized Velvet had summoned more weapons, two gauntlets on her hands.
Yang didn't miss the irony of being knocked down by her own weapons, but she didn't have the luxury to dwell on it. She tried getting up, but Velvet was on her like lightning. She landed another solid punch into her chest. Her Aura absorbed most of the punch, but her ribs still hurt. She gasped, the wind leaving her lungs.
Velvet laughed, gauntlets vanishing into the air. The scythe returned to her, spinning right into her hand. Velvet stared down at her with a smug look, her red eyes glittering. Yang struggled to push the girl off, but Velvet was far stronger than she should have been. Probably something to do with being Taken.
"Yang!" She heard Coco shout. The girl was darting out of her cover, firing openly in the street. Yang realized the shots could easily hit her as well as Velvet, but she couldn't move out of the way. Velvet however, didn't seem phased.
She yawned in a mocking fashion, gesturing with a free hand. The machine gun suddenly sprang up in front of her, opening fire at Coco. Or rather, at her shots. Somehow, none of Coco's rounds made it toward them, the holographic gun shooting them out of the air.
"Well Yang," Velvet said, getting her attention. "Can't say it was nice to see you again. But hey, you'll be like me soon enough. It's awesome! You have no idea. The power…"
"I think I'd rather be dead than a knock off of myself," Yang said, smirking in pain.
Velvet dropped her smile. "Well, at least your death's going to mean something. Unlike Blake's. Girl died for nothing."
Yang felt an inferno explode inside her.
With a savage roar, she shoved the girl off her, sending her flying a good few feet back. Velvet cried out in surprise, rolling to a stop. She began to get up, but Yang landed on top of her, fists swinging. Velvet struggled to move her, but Yang felt indestructible. She slammed punch after punch into the girl, explosions shaking the both of them.
She grunted as the scythe sliced into her back, but she shrugged the attacks off, her Aura blocking the worst of it. All that mattered was Velvet turned into a smoking pile, reduced to nothing. With a snarl, she grabbed the girl by the throat and threw her into a building. Velvet flew through the weakened wall, staring a chain reaction as the entire building came down on top of her.
Yang stood there, panting as her body emitted steam. She heard Coco run up beside her, but she didn't offer a look. Her eyes were glued to the hole in the wall Velvet had made. If she'd survived, Yang would just have to throw her into another wall.
"Look out!" Coco shouted, pulling Yang down to the ground.
Yang heard something massive miss her by a hair, the wind blowing as it passed. She looked up, rage vanishing as a Nevermore landed next to the building Velvet was inside of. It cawed, flapping its wings toward her and Coco. Yang grunted as the gust pushed them back and sent her hurtling into some stray debris. She hissed as the rubble grazed her hand, her palm stinging.
It cawed again, leaning down as an injured, but very alive Velvet emerged from the building. She climbed up on the birds back, glaring hatefully at the two of them. "This isn't over, but I can't die now. My master has a higher purpose for me."
"Your master? You mean Salem?" Coco grunted, gingerly getting to her feet.
Velvet nodded, eyes lighting up. "She has plans, Coco. She's going to change the world. If only you could know how…"
Before Yang could ask, the Nevermore cawed again. It flapped its wings a few more times, getting airborne. Yang could only watch as it, and Velvet, were carried away by the wind, retreating over the high-rises and toward the mountains bordering Atlas.
"The heck was that all about…" Yang grunted, pushing herself up.
Coco shrugged, breathing heavily. "We don't know. Honestly I probably know as much as you. I'm sure the General knows more…"
"Oh! Weiss!" Yang said, suddenly remembering her friend. "She was battling Grimm close by. She might need a hand."
Coco nodded, bringing a finger to her ear. "This is Agent Adel. I need the location of the General, ASAP."
The comms in Yang's ear crackled to life, the sounds of yelling and gunfire sharp. "This is squad echo. We've got eyes on the General in the town square. Multiple Taken are inbound. We need-"
The voice cut out, replaced by Static. Coco swore, staring down the street with a hard glare. "Dammit. The town square is just down Main Street, that way. If we hurry, we might make it in time."
"Then let's stop standing around," Yang said, already moving. She hurried down the road Coco had gestured too, the Huntress right behind her.
Around them was evidence of fighting. Buildings were in ruin, the roads and sidewalks littered with holes and cars in smoking heaps. There were also bodies, mostly guards in Atlas uniform but a few Yang had to guess were Hunters. She didn't look too close, in case she recognized any of the bodies. They raced through the streets, the ever present sound of fighting growing closer.
Soon enough Grimm bodies began showing up as well, smoking piles of black. Which meant they must have been getting closer, as a Grimm body was only around when it was fresh. Sure enough, the duo rounded a bend and found a far more intense fight than the one Yang had fought.
The square, because that was its actual shape, was the center of an all-out war. Soldiers and Hunters fought against an endless wave of Grimm, who were pouring through a large hole in the city's wall. Creatures of all shapes and sizes lunged and clawed at the resistance, the soldiers fighting back with seemingly endless determination.
But the Grimm were turning the tide. Yang could see as every moment passed by, one less soldier would be standing. Even the few Hunters scattered about were being overwhelmed. Yang had never seen this many Grimm before, their entry point a moving black mass.
"I just don't get it," Coco said, looking at the destruction. "What the hell could be worth all this? Why throw away so many Grimm?"
Yang went to answer but stopped when her eyes spotted Weiss. The Heiress was fighting beside a monument of some sort, the Atlas symbol etched into the monolith. She faced two opponents, one familiar and the other a mystery.
The first one she recognized instantly. Weiss's own sister, Winter Schnee. Her Atlas outfit was now in black, but otherwise it was definitely her. She was trading blows with Weiss, the two parrying each other's jabs and thrusts faster than the eye could follow. Winters red eyes still managed to be cold as she tried to kill her own flesh and blood. Weiss, in turn, stared back just as icily, though Yang knew better than to think the girl really didn't care.
The other one was someone she'd never met before. He was wearing a long robe, the coat tail grazing the ground as he moved. A long hoot covered most of his pale face, grimaced lips the only thing visible. He wasn't exclusively fighting Weiss, instead turning on any of the soldiers who tried to intervene. He wielded two large guns, which spat out shrapnel that blew through opponents at close range.
"We have to get over there!" Yang yelled, running into the fray. Coco was right behind her, opening fire on the nearest Grimm.
Yang punched her way through the crowds, Grimm bodies flying to the sides as she charged through the hordes. Claws and teeth raked her arms and legs, but she just pushed them off, determined to reach Weiss. A Beowolf latched onto her leg, teeth chomping down. The bite broke through her Aura, teeth sinking into her leg. Yang roared in pain, grabbing the wolfs head and prying it loose.
It snarled at her, lashing out with a claw. She leaned back, offering her own snarl. She swung it forward as a battering ram, knocking several other Grimm out of her way. The Beowolf whimpered as she brought it crashing down on the others before she dropped it like she would an empty bottle.
She managed to catch sight of Weiss while she had some space. She was still fighting against Winter, though Yang could see she was beginning to tire. Her thrusts were slower, parries coming just in time to save her. Her sister on the other hand was pressing her advantage, twin swords flashing faster and faster. Yang guessed Weiss couldn't hold out for much longer, and she would be damned if she let that girl die now, after everything.
"Get out of my way!" She shouted, smacking a Grimm aside. She began barging through the hordes, shoving away those that got too close. But the Grimm began all piling on top of her, as if knowing what she was up too. She grunted, prying gripping hands away. But more would just replace them.
"Yang!" Coco shouted from far back. She was still close to where they'd begun, mowing down Grimm as she moved closer. Unfortunately, Yang realized, it wasn't going to be fast enough.
A sudden cry made her head spin back around. Weiss had dropped her sword, arm now bright red with blood. She came down in a roll, trying to retrieve the weapon, but Winter kicked it away. She shoved a boot into Weiss's face, knocking the girl down. Weiss moaned, struggling to get up.
Then Winter thrust a blade through her shoulder.
Yang roared, fighting with renewed vigor. She punched and kicked at the horde of Grimm on her, trying to get some wriggle room. But the Grimm were determined to keep her down, not actively trying to kill her. It was like the soldiers, just being killed if they interfered. Yang struggled and struggled, but even her amazing strength couldn't move the horde. She could only watch as Winter leaned down to face her sister.
Weiss whimpered, hand gingerly touching her shoulder. Winter seemed to scoff, cold eyes staring into her sisters. "You were always a disappointment. Father thought so, and so do I. You disgrace the Schnee name."
"…No," Weiss said, speaking through her pain. "I'm the only one worthy of it. You…never were."
"Whatever helps your passing," Winter said, standing back up. She twirled her other sword, before aiming it at Weiss's throat. "Take comfort in knowing you won't be coming back. I'm the only Schnee the Master needs."
Yang felt like time slowed down at the blade made its way toward Weiss's neck. She tried one last time to pry herself free, but the Grimm were too numerous. She watched, eyes wide as the thin weapon got closer and closer to ending her friend's life.
Winter suddenly cried out. Yang looked on as someone from the crowd, her hand outstretched and glowing red. Winter was pushed off her feet, sword clattering to the ground as it grazed Weiss's neck. The stranger came to a stop right in front of Weiss, blocking her off from her attackers. Winter hit the ground, rolling to a stop before standing, a look of genuine surprise on her face.
Yang frowned, analyzing this new fighter. The girl had dark hair, which tumbled down just past her shoulders. She wore a waist length coat, which lacked sleeves and exposed her pale arms. The coat was also dark in color, with red patterns on the back. A loose white singlet was underneath, seemingly too big for her. She had dark red tight pants, as well as a pair of tattered boots. She tucked her hands into her pockets, sniffing as she looked up at Winter with a raised brow.
Yang felt her heart speed up as she realized the girl's eye color. As red as Winters and Velvets, the crimson was startling. This girl had to be a Taken, she had the same colors and eyes. But then, why save Weiss? The girl looked down at Weiss, suddenly smirking in an amused fashion.
"You know, despite the fact you treat me like a prisoner, I'm glad I got here in time." She said, seemingly ignoring all the fighting around them.
Weiss blinked up at her, a grimace appearing. "That's because you are a prisoner…how did you get out?"
The girl shrugged. "The front door? How do you think, I broke out genius."
"Saphron…" Weiss hissed. "I told you to stay inside…"
"And miss all the fun? I haven't had an opportunity to stretch since lord knows how long." The girl, Saphron commented.
Yang blinked, truly confused. Who was this girl? Where had she come from, and why was she talking to Weiss like that? From the sounds of it…she was a prisoner? Given her taken appearance, maybe she'd been captured in battle…but then why be so casual? Yang shook her head, paying attention.
Winter was on her feet, and yet she'd made no move to attack. She was staring at the girl in confusion. "Soldier, what are you doing?"
Saphron turned, brows raised at the question. "Who, me? Well, I was thinking I'd get something to drink after this little battles over. I hear coffee's great, though I can't say if I've had it or not."
"Shut up." Winter said, no humor in her voice. "How can you be doing this? The Master commands us, commands you-"
"The master? Sounds kinda dumb." Saphron said, stretching. "I haven't got the clue what you're on about lady, but if you could, you know, buzz off. I'd appreciate it."
Winter's frown deepened, then turned into a scowl. "Nobody ignores the Masters commands. You will join the attack."
Saphronpaused, as if considering. "Hmm, how about instead, we go try this coffee I've heard about. Sounds like a much better use of my time."
"You little-"Winter growled, before catching herself. She breathed deeply, composing herself. "If you won't obey, then you are an enemy. I will have to destroy you."
"Geeze, dinner first." The girl said, but she shifted into a more defensive posture, covering Weiss with her own body.
"Move," Winter ordered.
"Not gonna happen," Saphron said, her hands splayed and glowing that eerie red again. "I rather like this place, when I'm not in a cell. Don't think I want it destroyed, so I'll have too…in your own words 'destroy you'.
Winter snarled, before making a gesture. Yang had been so caught up in the strange turn of affairs, she'd forgotten about the other Taken, the hooded guy. When she looked for him, she couldn't see him. Suddenly, her eyes caught movement, a growing shadow emerging behind Saphron…
"Watch out!" She yelled, punching another Grimm off of herself.
Saphron turned just in time. The man emerged from the shadow, brandishing his two large weapons. He opened fire, each shot firing shredded metal. The girl put out her hand, red energy appearing around her. Whatever it was, it blocked the bullets, which hit her force field and fell to the ground. Saphron gestured with a hand, firing off a blast of red energy. The man ducked, darting in close and firing again.
Yang turned her attention away from the fighting pair back to Weiss. She had managed to pry the sword out of her shoulder and was clutching at the wound. She struggled to stand, clearly battling her injuries. Yang also noticed Winter had returned her attention to her sister and was marching over. Yang didn't have to guess what she intended.
She glanced at the Grimm piling on her. Some had turned their attentions elsewhere, abandoning their task in favor of attacking nearby soldiers. Some had moved to pursue Coco, who was firing into the hordes as she made her way over. The Grimm pinning her down were significantly less than before, enough that she might be able to fight her way out. She snarled, balling her fists and preparing a massive explosion from her gauntlet.
The fire suddenly enveloped her and the Grimm as she struck. The Grimm squealed, wriggling off her as they burned alive. Yang launched herself forward, limbs surging with power as her semblance kicked in. She yelled a battle cry as she flew into Winter, catching the woman by surprise. Before Winter could retaliate, Yang fired a blast from her arm, bathing the woman in flames. Winter yelled in alarm, struggling in Yang's grasp.
Yang gripped her tightly, cocking her arm back before launching Winter with a powerful strike. Winter flew through the air, hitting the ground with a loud bang. The fire faded, leaving Winter in a small, smoking crater. Incredibly, she got up as if unhurt, turning her gaze to Yang.
"Oh, well if it isn't Weiss's most disappointing friend." She said dully. "I'm amazed you're not dead."
"Been getting a lot of that," Yang said with a shrug. She looked down at Weiss, softening her face. "You alright?"
"I'll live…" She mumbled, legs shaking as she got to her feet. "But we need to push them back. My troops can't hold out…any longer."
"Then you'll lose." Winter said. "My soldiers are far superior. I never knew how amazing the Grimm could be until I was able to command them. A joy you'll never know sister."
"Like anyone would want to know that," Yang said, taking a protective step in front of Weiss.
Winter shrugged. "It hardly matters. You cannot beat me, even if you both fought. I will finish you both, then end this pathetic kingdom. Soon, my master will usher in a new-"
She was interrupted as the Taken man hurtled into her, a red energy blast pushing into his chest. Winter managed to side step the man as he hit the ground, groaning faintly. He didn't get up, merely rose to his arms and looked over his shoulder.
Saphron stepped up beside them, her whole body glowing that same bright red. "For the bad guys, you talk an awful lot."
Winter glared. "You. How dare you-"
"Look ice queen." She said, sending a jolt through Yang. "You might be able to beat these two. But all three of us? You wanna take that chance? Because I'm good either way."
Winter stopped, pausing. Her eyes narrowed as she considered her options, glancing around the courtyard. Yang looked behind them, realizing Coco and the other Hunters had managed to begin repelling the Grimm. They'd even gained ground, slowly but surely driving them back toward the wall.
Yang turned back, offering her own grin. "You've lost Winter. Unless you wanna end up a smoking pile like your buddies, you should run."
"Oh, I like that," Saphron commented.
Winter glared at them all, not saying a word. Without any prompt, the man raised a hand and placed it on her leg. The two suddenly vanished, disappearing into shadowy smoke, the same way the man had used earlier. Yang waited a few seconds longer to make sure they weren't preparing an ambush or trap.
They didn't come back.
She breathed a sigh of relief, letting her body relax. All the injuries she'd sustained suddenly felt much worse. All she wanted to do was sit down somewhere and sleep, though her injuries were nothing compared to Weiss. Yang turned to tell Weiss how lucky she was, only to swear as the heiress began to fall over. Yang managed to catch her before she hit the ground, standing up with Weiss in her arms.
"You're not dying are you?" Yang asked. "You'd better not, I didn't come here just so you could die."
"Since when…do you boss me around?" Weiss asked with a weak chuckle, clutching her arm.
Yang smirked. "Since now, General."
Yang looked back up as the nearby Grimm turned tail and began running through the hole they'd entered from. The Hunters around them all roared in victory as they chased the last few out. Yang had to suppress a yawn, her body's fatigue catching up with her.
"The General's going to need medical aid," Coco said, walking over to them. "Bring her along, you could probably use a checkup to Yang."
"Not gonna complain, as long as I can sit." She chuckled.
"So, did we win?" Saphron asked, looking around in apparent confusion.
Yang frowned at first, but then chuckled. She still had no clue who this person was, but at that moment she didn't really care.
"Yeah, we won."