Chapter 41: Move Out

The sound of heavy footsteps and yelling was what woke Serena up from her slumber. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes and sat up, blanket falling to her legs. There was no one by her cell, yet she could make out the orders that were barked out by some White Fang members. Getting up, she went over to the door and, closing her hands around the bars, leaned a little forward, trying to see what all the commotion was about. Shadows were running past, ignoring her and she could make out the words 'bullhead', 'get ready' and 'Beacon'. The later word made her anxious; why would they be talking about Beacon?

The hinges of the door at the other end of the corridor cringed and it was thrown open by one of the Faunus who brought her food in the evening. He was sweating slightly and she could see that he must have worked until just now. He brusquely walked up to her cell and, jamming the key into the lock and opening the door, he walked inside. Serena had stumbled backwards by the movement and saw something get thrown at her. Catching it, she inspected the thing to see that it was a clean white T-Shirt and black pants.

"Get dressed, we're leaving," was the only explanation she received and the door was thrown shut again, key turning in the lock.

The man left her and Serena quickly changed into the fresh garments. Her old ones were torn and dirty and the clean material felt like heaven against her bruised skin. Running her fingers quickly through her hair, she saw that there was something lying on the ground. Picking it up, she was surprised to see that it was a hairbrush. It must be something really important if they give me a hair brush, she mused, quickly running the object through her messy hair, making it look presentable again. Though there was still some dirt left in it, she felt cleaner now.

The man returned and, opening the door yet again, he walked up to her and grabbed her hands. She was about to protest when the feel of cold metal closed around her wrist and she looked down to see a pair of handcuffs connected to a chain dangling from them.

"Come on," the Faunus ordered and pulled on the chain, making her stumble slightly and follow him out the door. She looked back once, almost wishing to be back in the small room before exiting the hallway and entering another one. Faunus, both male and female, ran past, each carrying something or yelling orders at the others. They entered a big hall and Serena saw a few planes, most of them being loaded by the Faunus. Only one plane was not swarmed by them and the male Faunus led her towards it.

When they stopped in front of the aircraft, Serena looked from behind the man's back and spotted Spike and the woman, Cinder, both inside the plane, talking with some other Faunus. A shock of red caught her attention and the girl directed her attention towards it, spotting Adam who was leaning against the side of the plane. He did not look at her, glaring at the Faunus that were rushing around and only briefly did she think that he did look at her, although she couldn't be sure since he was wearing his mask.

Her inspection of her surroundings was roughly interrupted when she was pulled forward and into the plane, passing by Adam, head low. She was pushed down onto a seat and her chains were fastened on a railing that ran along the inside of the plane. Tugging on them once, she gave up soon, noticing that they were too fast for her to get out of and sighed in defeat. Just then, Spike walked up to her, a malicious grin on his face, arms slightly spread out.

"Ah, Miss Serena, so happy you could join us," he greeted her, mockery evident in his tone. "I hope that you have enjoyed your stay with us?"

"Not really," she replied coldly, eyes glaring. She really couldn't stand the man. "What's going on?"

"Ah, yes, I'm sure that you would like to know. Well, let me just tell you that it will be your grand moment soon, my dear."

Serena knew what he was referring to, he had told her all about his diabolic plan to use her power in order to submit Vale and the other kingdoms. Although she had told him time and time again that she would not play to his plan, he had kept on talking about it, beating her every single time she had refused to comply or disobeyed him. She told him again that she would not help him, but that only made his grin widen.

"No matter, that will not be for you to decide. Adam," he called out, and the man appeared immediately. "Tell everyone to board, we are leaving." Adam nodded before yelling out the order, Faunus quickly getting into the planes. Another boy and girl, one with grey and the other with green hair boarded the plane as well, and Serena was surprised to see kids there until she figured that they probably belonged to Cinder since they were also humans.

Adam walked inside the bullhead, taking a seat opposite from Serena, arms crossed across his chest. Looking her over once, he could see that she at least had some fresh clothes, if nothing else. Parts of her face were still swollen and he could tell by the way she was sitting that she still had some bruises on her body. Damn him! he cursed, hands fisting onto his coat, body tensing.

The roof of the White Fang base opened and soon all of the eight bullheads were up in the air, holding all the members of the White Fang. Heading off, they headed for Beacon Academy, landing right in front of the school, on the campus.

Ruby and the others saw the bullheads when they were just about to land a few hundred feet away from them. All of Beacon's personal, including Professor Ozpin, had gathered, most Teams by their side. Those who did not feel confident enough had decided to head to Vale, away from the fight. All the teachers had their weapons in place, ready to attack immediately, though Ozpin still held his coffee mug in his hand.

The bullhead that was closest to them opened its cargo hold first and out walked six people, followed by the rest of the White Fang members that were exiting the other bullheads. If Ruby had to estimate, then she would say that they were up against about seventy men and women, the six excluded. On their side they had about twenty people, more or less.

The numbers were not in their favor.

"Hey, Ruby, isn't that the girl you told us about?" Yang suddenly asked. Looking around, Ruby finally spotted Serena… together with the White Fang!

"What's she doing here? And with them? I thought you said she was on our side," Weiss exclaimed, eyes narrowing at the horde of Faunus.

"She is!" Ruby tried to defend her friend, but even she was shocked to see the girl together with their enemy, beside what seemed to be the leader nonetheless.

"I don't think she's here willingly. Look," Blake interrupted, pointing at the girl. The three girls looked a little closer and saw what their friend meant. On her wrist, there were handcuffs, linked with a chain that was held by the leader. "It's clear that they took her hostage."

"Indeed, Miss Belladonna."

The sudden voice of Professor Ozpin made team RWBY look towards the man. He still had his coffee mug in hand, but the look in his eyes told them that he was not at all relaxed. He was just as ready to fight as the others were. Handing the mug over to Miss Goodwitch who stood beside him, Ozpin walked in front of the group, placing his cane in front of him. The sound of the metal hitting the ground echoed in the tense silence.

"Members of the White Fang," he started, voice loud and clear. "There is no need to fight. We do not seek to fight you and if you leave now, there will be no need to do so."

None of the members moved; clearly they would not leave without a fight. Blake regarded each of them carefully, recognizing some from her own time in the organization until her eyes landed on the man standing beside the captured girl. Her old mentor still looked the same. Blake felt a sudden pang of sadness at having to fight him. It was him who had taken care of her for a long time and, if she was honest with herself, she did not want to fight him. But this was a battle and she couldn't be picky; if he decided to fight for what he believed in, then she would fight for what she believed in.

The sudden sound of loud laughter tore her attention back to Spike, the leader. She had never liked the man, not once since he had taken over and it was because of him and his methods that she had left the organization in the first place.

"Oh please, you and your students do not even stand a chance!" Spike was smiling like a mad man and Serena knew that all hope was lost for him. "You say that you don't want to fight us? Well, tough luck, 'cause you won't have any other chance. I am sure that all of you have heard of the mysterious Grimm Tamer. I'm afraid to tell you, but she's on our side!" he exclaimed, showing Serena off like some kind of trophy.

Confusion broke out among the students, some believing his words while others didn't know what to believe. But Ozpin quickly silenced them with a clang of his cane.

"Allow me to introduce Serena Caldron, the Grimm Tamer! I say you better surrender now or die later, which ever suits you best," Desde declared, more laughter coming out of his mouth. Ozpin lifted his head and every student and teacher took out their weapon, prepared for the battle that would soon ensue.

"Fine, then all of you will die here! Summon the Grimm, girl!" he ordered, turning towards Serena. She took a few steps away, moving towards the students and teachers, some almost thinking that she was going to comply, before turning around. Her eyes glowed a fierce blue, fiercer than ever before and she lifted her head to glare him right in the eye.

"I won't."

Silence reigned, no one dared to breathe, solely listening to what the raven-haired girl was saying.

"I already told you before that I won't help you and I'm not going to change my mind. You can kill me if you want but I won't do it!"

Spike's eyes glared at her in anger and he took a step towards her, making the people of Beacon advance a step as well, as though they were attempting to shield the girl from the Faunus.

"You damn bitch, do it now! Call the Grimm!" he yelled, advancing another step and Ruby was ready to fire off Crescent Rose if he took one more step.

"I won't!"

The answer was clear and Spike realized that it was no use.

"Then you are no longer of use to me. Cinder!"

The woman stepped up beside him, a similar wicked smirk on her face, golden eyes glowing.

"Kill her."

Serena's eyes widened and she had no idea what to do. She had told him to kill her, but now that he was actually about to do it, she felt more scared and helpless than ever. Looking behind her, she could see Ruby get ready to run up to her, but she knew that the girl wouldn't make it in time. And even if she did, she would only be killed in her stead.

"My pleasure," Cinder replied, her red dress lighting up. Gathering a big flame in her hand, she launched it at the defenseless girl, the shot aiming straight for her heart.

"Serena!"

Ruby had horror written all over her face, witnessing the flame getting closer and closer to her friend. She was about to use her semblance and go in-between, but before she could even think about moving, a blur of black and red jumped in front of Serena, drawing a weapon in the blink of an eye and absorbing the attack.

"I don't think so."

A/N: I do not own RWBY or its characters. I do, however, own my OC Serena and any other OCs that appear in this story.

The big final fight is finally here! I hope you're as pumped up as I am about the next chapter, even though I'm writing it. But it's still so much fun to write this story, especially the following chapters, and I'm so excited to see what I come up with next. So stay tuned for the next chapter and review, tell me what you think!

By the way, have you guys seen the newest episode. It's a total shock. I won't be spoilering here, but let me just tell you that you're mind's going to be blown to smithereens.

And there will also be a special upadte tomorrow since it'll be my 18th birthday! Yay, finally!