Chapter 53 Like A Puma
Character Marion
"That is horrible," Marion exclaimed as Gen told her about how she met Aurora. "The giant ate your entire village?"
"All but me and Elder Jerram," Gen replied, "Aurora came through though and put their spirits to rest when she killed the monster."
"And you joined up with her after that," Anders asked.
"Yes," Gen confirmed, "Her music was the only thing that kept the sorrow from consuming me and fighting against the dark kept me focused enough to learn to accept the loss."
Jinx jumped from Anders' shoulder to Gen's and rubbed against the lizard girl's cheek as they walked through the castle. As a succubus Jinx was able to draw away some of the pain that still remained with Gen, or at least Jinx had told Marion that she could do that.
"You're so soft," Gen commented as she rubbed Jinx, "I must say I am glad Blake and Sun were brought here, just having you all around makes me feel better about what is to come."
"Yeah well don't get to comfortable," Anders said, "Around us things never stay quiet for long."
"I know," Gen said, "Aurora says that forces worse than Umbra will descend upon us soon... what can be worse than the endless dark?"
"Those who allow for the dark to be in the first place," Jinx answered, "I've been on both sides of the war, a pillar of honor and the most feared of the night's inhabitants. These creatures we fight are neither, they are those who bring the night."
"And we will push them back like the Sun pushes the night back at the approach of day," Marion said.
"You're a poet," Gen asked.
"No just know a really good one," Marion answered. "Why are we going to the top of this castle again?"
"To open up the sky claw so your ships can move it about," Gen said, "Aurora has the entire structure attuned to her powers if we bring it to the battles then she can level just about anything in the way."
"I like that idea," Anders said.
"Yeah you would," Marion remarked.
"Mage I take it," Gen said.
"You're perceptive," Jinx said, "but you are also a mage of your own sort."
"How did...," Gen started, "Oh right Succubus."
"Bingo kid," Marion said as they arrived at the top of the castle, "Okay what are we looking for up here?"
"It's a metal plate that covers the claw," Gen said, "Look around for it on the ground."
Marion scanned the stone roof of the castle parapet but didn't see any metal plating. "It doesn't seem to be here," she said.
"Oh it's here," Gen said as she ran her hands over the floor, "It may just need a little encouragement to show up." The girl then pulled out what looked like a lyre and strummed a few notes on it. A rumbling echoed a few seconds later as the stones reconfigured themselves and revealed the plate. "See?"
"Mage indeed," Anders said, "But one of music? That is a new one for me." Marion ignored their banter and reached down to pull the plate off. It was much heavier than it looked however.
"Jinx give me a hand," Marion said.
"How about a shout," Jinx said as she walked over to the plate. A shout later and the plate was resting a hundred and fifty feet below them on the lower floor of the castle. "You're welcome," Jinx said as she jumped back to Anders' shoulder.
"Seems you have a mage of your own," Gen remarked.
"Yes I've been that too," Jinx agreed. Marion reached down and pulled up the sky hook. It was a large talon shaped metal hand that locked into the tower all the way at the base of the castle.
"Okay we're ready to go," Marion said, "We will get John to signal the Infinity to come pick us up."
"How are you going to do that," Gen asked, "And who is John?"
"Oh sorry, John is Soap," Marion clarified, "It's just with three Johns in the group his code name is easier to use."
"Three Johns," Anders asked, "Are there really three?"
"Yes dear," Marion said, "Chief, Soap, and Price, maybe even more but I don't know everyone's actual names yet."
"Well I don't know hardly anyone's name yet," Gen said, "We could learn them together."
"True," Jinx said, "You've already met all the interesting ones though, the RWBYs, Wolf, and us."
"Ha does humility mean anything to you Jinx," Anders asked.
"No, neither does modesty," Jinx replied, "I'm a cat."
"Succubus," Gen sang out teasingly.
"I'd scratch you kid," Jinx threatened, "But we have K and C coming through with Cortana, Chief, Johnson, and Arbiter today so let us stop wasting time talking and get to Soap so we can get moving."
"Always the goal setter," Marion said with a laugh, "Jinx is right lets go. Want to fade jump down, it is faster."
"I can shift the lot of you sure," Jinx said as she shouted on each of them making them fade out of reality for a bit. "Okay follow me and don't worry you wont get hurt so just enjoy it." Jinx then promptly jumped off the parapet, off the side of tower, off a wall and down to the floor to land next to the metal cover for the claw.
"Wee," Gen yelled as she jumped after Jinx. Anders and Marion just shook their heads, smiled to each other and hopped over the wall to land beside the two. "Your words are quite powerful to have this effect," Gen commented.
"Well Jinx here is part dragon, part Khajiit and part succubus," Marion said, "She has some special abilities."
"Hey you four, are you done goofing around or what," Anjali asked as she and Ghost walked into the courtyard that the four had landed in.
"If your asking about the sky hook it is ready to go," Marion said as she adopted a mischievous grin, "As for goofing off..."
"Right now all we care about is the sky hook," Ghost clarified with a chuckle, "With that up you've got about a half hour to 'goof off' before we meet up with the rest."
"Soap already call for pick up then," Anders asked.
"Soon as we found you all," Ghost confirmed, "Thanks to Tom they also know right where we are."
"Tom," Gen asked.
"Another necromancer," Jinx expounded, "He is probably the most normal of DC, in my opinion at least."
"Oh hell no," Marion objected, "Tom is completely crazy, but he is the best necromancer in DC so if anyone can track Zar and Ace it is him. Besides I thought you liked Wolf."
"Oh Wolf is a hunk," Jinx said, "but he is interesting, that is different from normal."
"Isn't he only sixteen," Gen asked, "and you are how old?"
"His physical body is sixteen sure," Marion said, "But Wolf is also a cleansed Arch-demon, probably the Arch-demon so he may very well be tens of thousands of years old."
"Just like me," Jinx remarked.
"Right immortals," Gen stated, "It still seems so... foreign."
"Our enemies are immortal," Marion said, "If we are going to keep them reigned in we need to be so as well."
"Then I regret that your enemies found their way here," Gen said, "But we're going to throw them back... right?"
"Yes, yes we will," Jinx said with a sigh as she morphed into her real form. "I will personally see to that."
"Oh... oh I... I should," Gen stammered at the sight of Jinx's real form. Jinx reached out and put a hand the Gen's cheek.
"Don't fear child," Jinx said, "I am still quite soft."
"Ooo, you are," Gen remarked as she leaned against Jinx.
"The kid and the cat," Marion stated, "That would make a good title for something."
"You do look a lot like a cat even now," Gen agreed.
"I think she looks like a puma," Anders said.
"Uh a what," Gen asked.
"Come on you all," Marion said, "Soap and Anjali have already headed out we should go see what the plan is for when our enemies arrive."
"The plan better be to kill them," Jinx said.
"We have to try and save as many as we can," Ruby objected twenty minutes later as the group was talking over their ideas around lunch before K arrived.
"As much as I would like to be able to do that," Aurora said, "It is simply not possible to save everyone. I had to kill my own family, or those who I had considered family for years just to free this land. I will not let outsiders take that away from my people."
"Look all we would need would be maybe five minutes to see if anyone would rather join us than fight us," Weiss said.
"We may not have five minutes," Marion stated, "What then?"
"Then we try to convert as many as possible in the time we have," Price said, "To turn your enemies into your allies is the greatest strength any army or leader can posses. It weakens your foes and strengthens your own forces simultaneously."
"I... will not refute that logic," Aurora said, "you are after all an older warrior than me."
"Look at that the young are listening to reason," Wolf remarked.
"You're sixteen," Marion reminded him, "You're young."
"Physically sure, and occasionally mentally," Wolf sudo-agreed. "Besides your only what thirty something?"
"I was twenty five years ago," Marion said, "I'm what fifty-seven now?"
"Does it matter," Anders asked, "We're immortal why do we even bother keeping track of age anymore?"
"For birthday presents," Gen said, "Duh."
"Right," Jinx said, "Wolf you good in bed?"
"Girl," Wolf said as he flashed a grin from both his forms.
"That is what I like to hear," Jinx said, "Well you've got my birthday covered."
"Uhg get a room," Gen said.
"That seems to be their idea," Marion said, "Wouldn't you two want to get married first?"
"Either one of us have the authority to do that," Wolf said, "We're waiting just to see if we really would make a good pairing."
"You are a lot like your mother you know," Anders said.
"I know," Wolf said, "But Dad has his influence too, thus the occasional immature moments."
"And you guys actually saved a planet just yesterday," Gen asked.
"Actually that was mainly Ruby," Marion answered, "Well okay it was almost all Ruby."
"She saved a planet," Gen asked astonished.
"After she came back from the dead with a billion other versions of herself from the other dimensions," Anders added only causing Gen's incredulous look to grow in proportion.
"Trust us that little, red, bundle of energy is the single most powerful member of the entire Company," Marion said, "C is probably the second in line and she is capable of controlling energy itself." Marion looked over to Gen who had her jaw halfway to the floor by this point. Marion chuckled as she turned her attention back to the conversation of the other gathered members.
Character Junior
"Okay kids," Junior announced as he pushed open the doors to the house side of his club. "Yang is, as you know on deployment right now so that means we get to do whatever we want while she is out." Barry and Elisa looked up from the couch they were sitting on and raised their eyebrows.
"I take it you have some sort of plan," Elisa said.
"It would be very out of character for him not to have one," Barry said.
"See it's been only three weeks and your already starting to understand me," Junior said, "Yang's birthday is in a couple of weeks, now last time I forgot to get her something she blew up the club in a fit of rage. This time I want to make sure I get her something that will make up for that."
"You know Mom better than we do at this point," Elisa said, "What do expect us to do?"
"You're the leaders of the White Fang," Junior said, "That means you can talk with people that regular information brokers like myself don't get to do..."
"Who," Barry asked.
"General James Ironwood," Junior said, "Word is he has a new design for a military grade motorcycle that I just know Yang will be drooling over once she finds out about it... I want us to get her one."
"Talk to one of the most powerful individuals on Remnant," Elisa remarked, "I think I can arrange that, give me more details on this bike though."
"Five speed, with turbo, dual mounted rocket launchers on the front wheel axle and an auto targeting anti-air flack chain gun on the back," Junior said, "And seating for two."
"Yeah sounds like you just want to get laid," Barry said.
"Well have you seen Mom," Elisa countered, "I'll bet even Blake has thought about it."
"Hey focus," Junior said as he clapped his hands together, "General Ironwood, motorcycle. I'll of course be available if you need any assets to convince the General to sell us one of those bikes."
"I can set up the call," Elisa said, "Barry you can go get the bike assuming we come to an arrangement."
"We may not need to buy a bike," Barry said, "With the resources of DC we may be able to arrange to borrow one and perhaps copy it with Scooter's digi-struct machine."
"If we can't outright buy one then we can fall back to that plan," Junior said, "Elisa?"
"The General is a very busy man," Elisa said, "It may be a couple of days before we hear from him."
"Hmm... fine just make it seem professional," Junior stated.
"The White Fang is simply interested in the advancements of our new allies and we would like to get a demonstration if we can," Elisa said in her diplomatic tone.
"Yang chose right," Junior remarked as he clapped the two on the shoulder, "Get in touch with me as soon as you've heard from the General."
"It will be hard not to we live in the same house," Barry said.
"When we are not at Beacon," Elisa countered.
"Fair point," Barry consented.
Three days later Junior picked up a call from Barry while he was checking the accounts for the club in his office. "Hey, any news yet," Junior asked.
"Yeah," Barry said, "Ironwood is not willing to sell us a bike but he is willing to send one down with an armed guard to be displayed for a few days."
"So we will need to intercept it then," Junior said with a scowl.
"Maybe not," Barry said, "The bike will be locked up in one of the White Fang store houses at night, if we are quick enough we can set up the building with a digi-struct machine so that we can scan and then rebuild the bike when it is in storage."
"So the guards will actually be setting the bike up in the..." Junior started, "Elisa came up with this didn't she?"
"Mostly," Barry said, "I'll decide which warehouse to put the machine in."
"How long do we have," Junior asked.
"The bike will be here this weekend," Barry replied.
"Two days then..." Junior stated, "I spoke with Yang earlier and she says that things are about to kick off in Lemuria so we can probably expect her back home towards the middle of the week. That is not a lot of time to set up, use and then take down such an elaborate setup."
"Short of stealing the bike, which we are basically doing, I don't see any other option," Barry said.
"I know," Junior said, "I'm just thinking, it is probably going to be a five person job. Melanie and Miltia can help."
"Elisa was counting on it," Barry said, "We'll see you tonight Dad."
"I'll have something spicy cooked," Junior said as he hung up. He had quickly discovered that the two loved spicy foods, much like Yang. This was fine though since Junior had already been cooking spicy dishes for years thanks to Yang's pallet. Junior went to get his weapons, call the twins and then to the kitchen. Nine hours and one super spicy chilly dinner later the five completely law abiding, except for the occasional copying of somewhat delicate information that may or may not include items such as motorcycles, people were at the warehouse that Elisa had confirmed with General Ironwood to be the storage place for the bike.
"Okay we've got the digi-struct scanners," Miltia said as she got out of the back of the ATV.
"Great now we will have to set this up so it will scan in then remake the bike as soon as it is left alone," Elisa said.
"Right because scanning it in absorbs the object," Barry said, "But if Ruby's scythe is anything to go by the reproduced version is exactly like the original."
"It's true Yang had the same thing done to her gauntlets," Junior added as he started to unload the digi-struct machine, "Now lets get this thing set up in here so that it is inconspicuous."
"I've already got an idea for that," Melanie said as she walked inside the warehouse and pointed them to a large, metal, storage container. "We up the security on that so that it seems like we are adding our own security to the mix and we can install the digi-struct machine inside and just say that it is a laser gate system."
"I like you" Elisa said, "You're almost as clever as me."
"We have a day and a half," Junior said as he put two of the pieces of the digi-struct machine over his shoulders, "Lets get to work."
"Hey Dad," Elisa said, "Where did you get the machine from?"
On the Hunter a few hours earlier.
"Junior a rare sight to see you away from your club," Maya said as she passed him in the hall leading to the hangar where a Bullhead was waiting.
"Yes well with Yang gone I have to venture out more often to keep up with things," Junior said with a nod as he ducked into the hangar bay and got into the plane. After checking to make sure Maya had continued on down the hall he pulled the last piece of the digi-struct machine out from inside his suit jacket and stashed it in the cargo hold of the Bullhead. "Okay Melanie we're full get us back to the club."
"On it," Melanie replied, "You think they will notice?"
"I don't know if anyone other than Scooter and Ruby even go into that room," Junior said, "But probably."
Character Zero
"Huh the digi-struct machine is missing again," Zero muttered to himself as he walked out of the construction bay, "Scooter probably took it with him, now I will have to sharpen my blade manually..."
Character Junior
"Uh just borrowed it," Junior replied to Elisa's question.
"Ha, yeah right," Miltia said.
"We borrow things all the time," Barry said, "so long as we put it back it will be fine."
"Keep that attitude up and we will pull this off just fine," Junior said as he screwed the two pillars he had carried into the crate to the back corners. "Where is the top guide rails for this thing?"
"Got them right here," Elisa said as she walked in with the top of the machine suspended behind her with her Semblance.
"Wow all in one piece okay this makes it easier," Melanie said as she helped guide the piece into place. Junior and Barry fastened it to the top of the crate while Miltia finished working on the outside of the crate to improve it's defenses.
"Outside is done," Miltia announced.
"Inside is finished," Junior said as he stepped back to look at the renovated crate. Where once a metal shipping container stood was now a heavy armored, laser protected bunker that would protect the bike inside from everything that could be thrown at it. It would also copy the bike's schematics so that they could build one for Yang. "Oh this is going to be good," Junior said with a grin, "Come on lets go before someone gets suspicious."
"Suspicious about what," a voice called from behind them. Turning around Junior saw General Ironwood, a tall, broad man dressed in all white with a silver implant above his right eye and just below his short black hair, walking through the doors to the warehouse with an armed escort.
"General it's an honor that you would decide to come in person to meet with us," Barry said.
"Well when it is dealing with the security of one of my top projects that shouldn't even be known about yet," Ironwood said, "I tend to take more interest in the occasion. Were you not the leader of the second most powerful group on Remnant I would not have even agreed to let you see the vehicle. But you're dodging my original question."
"Of course," Elisa said, "We were increasing the security of this storage unit to make sure nothing happens to the motorcycle while it is here. If we hang around too long then it may give certain entities ideas, now that you have personally show up though I doubt we can continue to use this facility to house the crate."
"What is this, tact from one so young," Ironwood remarked with a quirked eyebrow on his square face, "Your concern is appreciated in this matter and you are right this warehouse is not going to be suitable for keeping the vehicle in, that armored container however might still have it's uses. Sergeant get some equipment to take that container with us."
"You have another venue to use for housing the motorcycle," Junior asked.
"Ah you must be Junior," Ironwood said as he shook Junior's hand, "Yes I have a venue my flagship, Elisa tell the White Fang that I will arrange for the various heads along with yourselves to board on Saturday for a demonstration. Until then I think I will pay Ozpin a visit to see about these giant ships that are in orbit above Beacon and to talk about the recent global invasion."
"I will see to it that we are present," Elisa said, "As for those ships I can tell you a little about them if you wish. Barry and I are returning to Beacon anyway we can tell you what we know on the way."
"Hmm... yes Ozpin has always been one to have the upper hand in a conversation any information I can get before hand will be helpful," Ironwood said, "Come on then join me in my Bullhead."
"You two be careful," Junior said as his kids started to depart with the General and the container.
"We will Dad besides the General is one of the most well protected people on Remnant," Elisa replied.
"Wait," Ironwood said as he turned around, "Dad?"
"Yes," Barry said, "He and Yang adopted us after Gerald was killed and we became the leaders of the White Fang, due to some help from those on the ships that so interest you."
"Yang," Ironwood remarked, "I know her she is one of Oz's best Huntresses, part of Team RWBY correct?"
"That is her yes," Junior said.
"Then you must be the information broker that Qrow told me about," Ironwood said, "Between you and Lao Qrow had been able to keep us all up to date on Cinder's operations but recently she has disappeared, you wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
"No more than Ozpin will know," Junior said, "You should probably hear the story from him."
Ironwood narrowed his eyes before saying "very well" and motioning for Barry and Elisa to get into the Bullhead. A few seconds later and Junior, Melanie and Miltia were left alone in the warehouse that was now down one storage container.
"Well that could have gone south really fast," Melanie said.
"True but instead we have Ironwood take the crate to the bike for us," Junior said, "Come on lets go back and wait to see how Saturday turns out."
Character Doug
"Ozpin you called me," Doug said as he entered the Headmaster's office at the top of Beacon.
"Actually the General here called for you," Ozpin said as he indicated a tall, broad man in a white suit.
"Well he really does exist. General James Ironwood, commander of Atlas," Ironwood said as he walked up to Doug's serpent form and looked him over. "I must say I had thought Oz had completely lost it when he started to talk about this Dragon Company specifically you. An inter-dimensional organism that is as big as a planet and controls two of the largest ships in existence. Might I say you look exactly the way I imagined."
"Ozpin must have only told you the good points then," Doug said, "So you are another Headmaster I assume."
"I am," Ironwood said.
"Ozpin why haven't we been introduced to the other Headmasters before now," Doug asked.
"Because many would view it as Vale displaying it's power over the other kingdoms," Ozpin said, "Honestly if James were not here to meet with the White Fang even he would not know of your arrival and he is a very old friend."
"I see," Doug said, "So my appearance here is just to prove you are not crazy."
"Not entirely," Ironwood said, "I did have some questions about your organization that Oz believes you to be the best person to ask about."
"Hmm... with K and C gone I can see why you would suggest that," Doug acknowledged, "Very well what questions do you have?"
"First do you all really believe in the myth of the Cross Bearer," Ironwood asked.
"Yes, though by many different names, Cross Bearer, Jesus, my kind know him as the Endless Feast," Doug said, "But yes it is all the same being that is referred to."
"Your kind," Ironwood asked.
"I am the last of my kind," Doug said, "I am the Flood, it was the name we have been called since time unmemorable."
"Fair enough," Ironwood said, "Second are members of your company really immortal?"
"In a sense yes," Doug said, "We do not age but as Ruby and several others have demonstrated we can be killed. We always seem to come back or be brought back though."
"Ruby... it was her then that repelled those demons from my borders," Ironwood remarked, "I had though I recognized that face, but there were thousands of her, how did she do that?"
"By bringing all the other dimensional versions of herself here to defend Remnant," Ozpin said, "It was another dimension's Cinder who initiated the attack."
"I am inclined to believe that now," Ironwood said, "It does make sense now that I have more information on what has been happening here. However we still don't know where our Cinder has gotten off to."
"She has been running her operation from the ship Mother of Invention," Doug said, "The F.A.U.N. has been keeping her very busy lately."
"F.A.U.N.," Ironwood asked.
"Fanus Acceptance and Unification Network," Ozpin said, "It was Blake's idea and Cinder opted to take it to what will hopefully be a planetary scale."
"Oz, change of heart or no, Cinder is still legally punishable by death for what she has done," Ironwood said, "We can't just let her escape justice by joining with this organization."
"Trust me I wish there was something I could do about it," Ozpin said coldly, "But as it is even with all of Remnant combined we wouldn't have the firepower needed to break open that ship. Additionally RWBY seems to have forgiven Cinder and we know good and well we don't have the capabilities to fight them."
"Now I think I see why you haven't introduced us to your friends yet," Doug commented, "Cinder and her team must be a very sore subject right about now."
"I assume her three underlings are with her then," Ironwood said.
"Not really," Doug answered, "Cleo and Marcus... Ah I see you don't know them by their real names, Emerald and Mercury seem to be working with each other more than Cinder and Roman has his own team comprised of himself, Adam Taurus, Imhotep and Moroni."
"That explains where the merc has gotten to then as well," Ironwood remarked, "I must say I can not agree with your organization's decision to let these criminals roam free but it seems that there is little any of us can do about it."
"We can simply be glad that they are out of the picture for now and most are actively working to improve Remnant as of now," Ozpin said, "Besides with a billion Rubys all watching out for Remnant we can be very sure that we are secure from another attack like we saw a few weeks ago."
"The Rubys presence only means that Cinder will bring a larger army next time," Doug said, "James, Coris and the SaDiablos are still working on replicating as much dust as they can and are experiencing magnificent results. Griffen has, as I am sure you noted on your way into the city, established a shield battery that covers most of the kingdom. Elisa and Barry are organizing the White Fang into a civil rights group again but one that also has some serious firepower at it's disposal while also training to be huntress and huntsman respectively. Through DC Vale has alliances with at least twenty different species and even as we speak a task force of DC is securing a pocket dimension that is home to a Queen, Aurora, that was able to tame a Beowolf Alpha, his name is Midnight now and Blake and Sun are his owners. Yet even with all of this and with more years behind me than I can count and enough battles to match, I am unsettled about the idea of Cinder attacking Remnant again without having our own Cinder to give us some insight into how she would operate."
"I think you both may be underestimating the power of our new generation of Hunters," Ironwood said, "Coco, Fox, Velvet, Yatsuhahsi, Sun, Neptune, Sage, Scarlet, they may not be on the level of RWBY but they are still some of the most powerful teams we've seen in a hundred years."
"If only we could get them back together again," Ozpin remarked, "It is unfortunate that most teams go their separate ways after the Academy."
"Where would I find these individuals," Doug asked, "Apart from Sun and Velvet of course."
"You would help us find them," Ironwood said.
"I'm surprised you let them fall off the radar," Ozpin said.
"Not intentionally I assure you," Ironwood said, "CFVY was at Sun and Blake's wedding if I recall, but the rest of SNSS has been out on a extermination mission for two months now."
"Where," Doug asked.
"Menagerie," Ironwood answered.
"I can understand why you would want that island cleared," Ozpin said, "Doug I would accompany you if you will allow me to."
"Certainly," Doug said, "I have a Pelican waiting on the airstrip we can leave immediately."
"James would you tell Glynda that she is to look after Beacon while I am gone," Ozpin said as he rose from his chair and picked up his cane.
"I will," Ironwood agreed as the three left the tower and Ironwood went his separate way.
"I will need descriptions of the rest of Sun's team," Doug said.
"Here," Ozpin said as he handed Doug his scroll. Doug looked over the pictures of the team. Neptune was classy with blue hair, Sage Doug instantly liked as his color scheme matched Doug's own with the browns and greens and Scarlet had the reddest hair Doug had seen, redder than Ruby's, Marion's, or Tom's.
"Hmm... my fliers are scouting the island now for these three," Doug informed Ozpin, "I expect we will have their location before we arrive."
"Good because I have a feeling that the rest of CFVY will be harder to find," Ozpin remarked.
An hour later Doug and Ozpin busted through the canopy of the jungle of Menagerie right above the camp of the rest of SNSS. The Pelican opened up the rear doors for Ozpin to greet the team and allow the three entrance to the craft. Soon after the Headmaster returned to the cockpit.
"Did they do as well as you expected," Doug asked.
"Better actually," Ozpin said, "As Neptune said 'they were getting bored of the endless jungle.' Now to find the other three."
"About them I've been looking for them with my fliers but haven't spotted any signs of them," Doug said, "Would Velvet know where they are?"
"Maybe," Ozpin replied, "I'll send her a message now... Looks like Velvet is away from her scroll right now, until she returns we should at least try out other methods of tracking the missing team members."
"Who is missing," Neptune asked as he walked into the cockpit, "Whoa, he is real. I guess you are not crazy then Professor."
"Well at least not entirely," Ozpin said.
"Coco, Fox, and Yatsuhahsi," Doug said, "We are heading to Vacuo to see if we can find them there."
"Why not Atlas," Neptune asked, "That is where I last heard they were."
"So did I," Ozpin said, "But Ironwood says that he hasn't seen them in a month."
"Right well we will help how we can," Neptune said, "After all they are our friends too."
"Appreciated," Doug said, "For now though it is a three hour flight to Vacuo from here."
"Only three hours how fast does this thing go," Neptune asked
"Not this thing," Ozpin said as they cleared the clouds and the Pestilence came into view, "DC uses spaceships to get around the plant."
"Wow," Neptune remarked as he saw the ship, "Any chance we can get cleaned up on that thing, we've been in the jungle for two weeks since we last were at the port town."
"I will show you to the showers once aboard," Doug said, "For now go take a seat and rest a bit."
Character Marcus Fenix
"Ha ha look at the kid go," Cole remarked as Delta watched Marco hammering away on what would become a knife firing sword.
"The dude has arms I'll give him that," Baird said.
"He may have arms the size of mountains but Cole has spikes and super Lambent strength," Sam said.
"That is still very creepy," Anya commented as she teasingly punched his shoulder.
"You know even five years ago I don't think we would be able to sit back and enjoy the day like this," Fenix said.
"No we wouldn't have," Dom agreed, "Man I can't even start to tell you how this place, DC, all of it has helped me."
"You don't have to tell us," Fenix said, "We can see how it has helped. You still looking forward to seeing Marie again?"
"Yes but in the mean time I might as well try to save others from suffering the same grief," Dom replied, "I can't tell you how relieved I was when Scooter came back with Ruby in his arms."
"We all were," Sam said, "Immortal or not she is far to young to die and not to say anything bad about Scooter but I doubt he would have handled Ruby's death as well as you have Marie's."
"I still feel somewhat responsible for your loss," Throon said, "Even if I was not the overseer of that facility I could have been more outspoken against Myrrha maybe even helped Adam stop the whole war."
"It's all history now," Cole said, "What matters is that Serra is being rebuilt and all three species are working together now."
"You're just looking forward to playing Thrashball again," Baird said.
"As much as I would like to I don't think they would let me," Cole said, "Not with these spikes anyway." Cole flexed his muscles to extend the spikes and retract them again.
"I have to admit while the additions are useful in a fight they are creepy as hell," Fenix said.
"I guess we can actually use that as a phrase now," Baird said, "I mean we were actually there right?"
"Yeah oddly I don't remember much about it just chaos," Anya said.
"Speaking of chaos we've got a call coming in from Mal," Fenix said as he answered the radio, "Delta here. Mal what do you need?"
"I got a call for you from a Hoffman," Mal said, "He says he wants you all on Serra ASAP. Lambent has got some bad vibes going off and they want some DC assistance just in case."
"Okay meet us on the landing strip outside of Beacon," Fenix said, "If you can pick up Johnson that would be great."
"Yeah we should have room for him," Mal said, "Is Throon bringing his pet?"
"Throon is Pestilence coming along? We're heading back to Serra on request from Hoffman and Lambent," Fenix said.
"Of course," Throon said, "He is currently staying with JNPR but I can get him if we are heading to Beacon, is Johnson going to be joining us?"
"Yeah he is," Fenix answered for both Mal and Throon's questions."We will be at the airstrip in one hour."
"We will see you all there," Mal said before ending the call.
"Hoffman is still alive," Anya remarked, "I guess a little of the life extending properties of our Leviathan friends were imparted to him."
"Or Lambent also has rejuvenatory side effects when he is trying to assist people," Baird said, "I mean just look at Cole here."
"Hey you can't use this gorgeousness to judge by," Cole said, "Cole Train has always been beautiful baby." Throon broke out laughing at that comment causing the rest, even Cole to chuckle.
"Hey I think we broke Throon," Baird said as Delta headed to the nearest transit to Beacon. That comment broke Fenix causing him to join Throon in laughter. A ten minute walk, thirty minute airship ride, and fifteen minutes picking up Pestilence later and Delta was waiting for the Serenity to pick them up out front of Beacon. As they were waiting a tall, broad man in a white suit with black hair that was graying on the sides approached from Beacon and headed towards a military grade airship that was parked behind the assembled group.
"Hey you think he owns that ship," Baird asked.
"Maybe we will get to find out," Sam said, "He seems to be deviating in our direction."
"Good day friends," the man said as he approached, "I assume you are with the Dragon Company that has alighted on my planet?"
"Your planet," Fenix asked.
"Well mine and the rest of Remnant's inhabitants. General Ironwood, head of Atlas' military and Headmaster of our academy," Ironwood said.
"General Fenix," Fenix said as he shook hands with Ironwood, "It is a rarity to meet another of similar rank. This is Delta my squad. That's Cole, Baird, Throon, Pestilence, Dom, Sam and Anya."
"Remarkable," Ironwood stated as he approached Throon and Pestilence. "In all my years I've never seen anything as magnificent as the two of you. What exactly are you?"
"We are Locust," Throon said, "Some of the last of our kind, for now at least."
"Then you and your race have my best wishes," Ironwood said, "General Fenix, I look forward to a time when we can talk more but for now I need to get ready for a demonstration today. Feel free to join me later if you wish."
"We would but we are actually heading to our home for a bit," Fenix said as Wash flew the Serenity in behind them, "It seems we are needed there. Come on Delta lets move." They boarded Serenity and made their way to the bridge. "Mal, Wash what is the situation with Hoffman?"
"He didn't say much," Mal said, "Just that Aaron Griffen is back and so are the undead. Lambent was not the original source of the outbreak it seems."
"Wait the imulsion baron from Char," Dom asked, "Huh I guess he would be upset to learn his entire business was turning against him."
"Sounds like we can't find out any more waiting around here," Fenix said, "How do you plan to get us to Serra?"
"The Doctor has got a course set for us," Wash said, "He is using his Tardis to help us jump the time gap."
"The Doctor is on board," Anya asked, "Anyone else coming with us?"
"Just G and N," Mal said, "I like the two of them enough and they are good in a fight so they can tag along."
"How long do we have to get to Serra," Dom asked.
"The Doctor said it would take him about an hour to lock in the coordinates," Wash said, "That was about an hour ago, so we may appear above the planet any moment now... or he could take another three days I don't know."
"Wouldn't it be easier to take one of the bigger ships," Baird asked.
"No then the entire ship would have to be accounted for when the Doctor makes the jump," Mal said, "Serenity is small and sleek easy to account for when warping from point to point."
"But we don't know whe..." Fenix started only to be interrupted by a deafening boom and the jerking of the entire ship. "Or maybe we do have a way to know when we have jumped."
"Zoe, damage report," Mal said into the comms.
"Everything seems fine," Zoe replied, "Do you see that planet down there?"
"Oh yeah we see her," Cole said, "Serra, man is she looking good."
"You can actually see green from here," Sam said.
"Yeah let's just hope it isn't covering up a really nasty tangled thorn patch," Fenix said as he headed to the hold, "Delta, it's time to see what our friends back home have been up to since we were gone."
"Taking us in now," Wash said, "Oh it looks like they have an actual spaceport that is much nicer than last time."
Five minutes and a radio call later, Delta emerged from Serenity with G, N, the Doctor, River and the crew to be greeted by Hoffman and Lambent. "Glad you were able to come over so quickly," Hoffman said as he led them all through the spaceport and to a waiting set of vans. "Fenix you and Delta are in the front van. The rest of you can choose between the other two vans."
"We are sorry if we seem dismissive but we need to talk to Delta first and you all can't fit into one vehicle," Lambent, who was using a human frame to interact with them, said.
"We understand," Johnson said, "Nice coat by the way."
"Thank you I had hoped it would set people at ease," Lambent replied as he got into the front passenger seat of the van. Hoffman got in the driver seat and Delta filled up the back of the van. Throon got off Pestilence and let his pet follow them from outside the vehicle.
"Okay What is the issue," Fenix asked, "Serra looks better than it has in years."
"This part does where the construction units that Johnson and Throon left us have finished their work but the rest is mostly still desolated save for myself," Lambent answered, "That is why when I encountered a powerful lich and a small army of undead I thought it best to get the only paladin I know of back to Serra."
"A lich," Anya remarked, "I guess I could see that happening. Between Mephisto, Cynder, and you all using necromancy there must be hotspots of activity for such events."
"Okay a lich I get," Fenix said, "He could begin to take over some of your own forms and sow chaos but Mal said you also mentioned Aaron Griffen, how does he tie into this?"
"Well he is the lich," Hoffman said, "That is why Char rose up first it was his city and he brought it back. Now he is trying to restart his imulsion processing and is using his undead minions to do it."
"And since that means burning Lambent here I take it it would be bad for everyone," Cole said, "I mean if we can do this," Cole raised his spike arms, "Then I assume we can all feel the pain you feel too."
"Correct," Lambent said, "I assume you understand why we wanted you to handle this situation then."
"Yeah," Fenix said, "Paladin fights undead, real creative. With all those construction units you had why not just build an army to go take out this guy?"
"He is hiding in the remains of the Locust tunnels," Hoffman said, "None of the Locust that are left know the passages well enough to find Aaron, but you do Throon."
"If this man is threatening the peace then I will do all I can to help hunt him down," Throon said, "Lich or no."
"We all appreciate your willingness to help," Lambent said.
"Serra is home to all of us," Fenix said, "If Aaron is threatening any of us he is threatening all of us. You are taking us to the drop off point I assume."
"That we are you can fill your friends in on the mission while we drive," Hoffman said, "Should be there in thirty."
"Right," Baird said, "Or I could have just had my radio on this whole time and let them hear all of this."
"Huh well yes that will work as well," Lambent remarked.
"Any questions then guys," Fenix asked the others through the radio.
"Just one," G replied, "Is Aaron rich?"
"Pretty darn," Dom answered.
"We are not looting anything until we find out more about what is going on," Fenix said, "But I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of taking from an undead."
"Yeah see looting," Sam remarked.
Fenix just shook his head as he leaned back into the seat and enjoyed the ride.
Character Ruby Rose
Lemuria was inconceivably beautiful with it's lush forests, rolling plains, sparkling oceans, vibrant swamps and towering snow capped mountains. Ruby was engrossed in just standing on the top of the floating castle and looking out at the world as they flew to meet up with the Infinity. Weiss was standing beside her as they traveled through the air. Ruby put her arm across Weiss' shoulder and motioned out to the world before them. "Beauty, beauty everywhere and we are going to get to defend it," Ruby said.
"Yes but it also houses many elementals that are... less than friendly," Weiss pointed out.
"So you should get along with them just fine then," Ruby teased.
"Oh stop it," Weiss replied with a smile, "Besides I even have Jayne now. To be honest I never thought you would find a man and definitely not a man like Scooter."
"Yeah me either," Ruby replied, "I guess I always just thought that it would be you and me holding the team together. I mean we all knew Blake was getting married to Sun and I always expected Yang to get married, just not to Junior or so soon or without us knowing..."
"Well now we can actually use some of those hypothetical situations we would come up with back on our old missions," Weiss said, "But I am not, not, having a wedding with the Achieve Men playing the songs."
"But Weiss," Ruby pleaded.
"Maybe the reception though, darn you Yang," Weiss said.
"Ha I knew you would like them once you got into them," Ruby exclaimed.
"They are terrible singers, can't play an instrument to save their lives and are far to immature to have as much as they do," Weiss immediately countered, "But they are pretty funny. At any rate it doesn't matter now since we have to deal with the threat to Lemuria first."
"Of course we will," Ruby said. "This world is so wonderful so pure and vibrant. Yes it has it's own version of the Grimm but they are far more tamed than the Grimm. Aurora has done an amazing job of keeping this word safe."
"Well thank you," Aurora said as she came up beside Ruby. Ruby took her arm off of Weiss to shake hands with Aurora and to pat Igniculus.
"Ruby is right though," Weiss said, "Even despite the feral elementals Lemuria is a thriving world. Thanks to you and your friends."
"I only hope that we can maintain that against such a force as those that are coming after us," Igniculus remarked.
"Don't worry," Ruby said as she patted the elemental, "Our enemies may be gathering but they have never beaten us before and I don't see why they would beat us now."
"You... you touched me," Igniculus stated, "How did you touch me?"
"Uh, you're right in front of me," Ruby said.
"True but Igniculus is an elemental of light," Aurora said, "He has no physical form only the light that radiates from him gives us the ability to see him."
"Oh," Weiss remarked.
Ruby looked between Aurora and Igniculus for a few seconds longer before the words made sense. "Oh so you are like a ghost then?"
"No you dunce," Weiss stated, "It means you were able to touch a being of pure energy."
"It means she was able to reach across to the dimension I was called from," Igniculus said, "Even Aurora can not do that."
"So that is how you seemingly move through solid objects," Weiss said, "You're out of phase with this dimension."
"Partly yes," Aurora said, "He still can interact with objects on a very minimal level, like opening locks or carrying small items. Inanimate things he can seemingly choose to be able to interact with or not but people are unable to hold him."
Ruby took in the sadness on Aurora's face and eyes before placing a hand on her shoulder and saying, "But you have held him before, haven't you?"
"When I was still very young," Aurora admitted, "Then, after I found out about my family's betrayal, something changed and we could no longer touch each other."
"But if you are the queen of light shouldn't you be able to interact with light," Weiss asked.
"I often wonder the same thing," Igniculus said. Ruby took Aurora's hand and laid it on the elemental.
"Are you feeling each other now," Ruby asked.
"Aurora," Igniculus exclaimed as he pressed against her hand, "You are holding me."
"How, how did, thank you Ruby," Aurora said, "You really are a most remarkable person."
"Now do you think that with five minutes we can have a good portion of our enemies joining our side," Weiss asked.
"I certainly have more faith in the plan than before," Aurora admitted, "But such inspiration is not why I came up here. It was to tell you that K believes he knows where the attack will happen and he wants us to be there."
"Okay but why not just take us there," Weiss asked.
"Because I know the place K has decided will be the entry point during the attack," Aurora said, "I believe he is mistaken. K thinks that the attack will begin in the Plains of Rambart, however the plains are home to the windmills that are the source of most of the grain in Lemuria. Destroying them would destroy this worlds importance as a staging area."
"For most foes you would be correct," Ruby said, "But you've seen these Magogs do you really think they care about strategy?"
"I don't know about the other ones you've faced," Aurora said, "But I believe this one does."
"She may have a point," Weiss stated, "Cinder was always very goal oriented even when the Magog was possessing her. If this other one is actively working alongside the Magog instead of trying to subvert it..."
"Or if she was actually powerful enough to enslave the Magogs to her," Ruby commented as she thought it over, "Okay Aurora this is your world you know it best where do you think is the most likely spot for an attack?"
"An old tower located south of the plains K is thinking of," Aurora said, "It was and still is a seat of power for the dark creatures of Lemuria."
"A place where Cinder's agents could gather local support for their attack," Weiss said.
"K is set on going to the plains isn't he," Ruby stated.
"Yes," Aurora said, "I am heading to the tower with my friends... I was hoping you and your team would stay with us."
"If indeed our foes attack the plains then the bulk of our force will be there to stop them," Weiss commented, "It would give us ample time to relocate to their position. If however we are all in the plains when the attack does come from the tower we will already be behind our enemy in trying to out maneuver them."
"I don't like the idea of going against K's requests but I'll make an exception for this," Ruby said, "Team RWBY is with you Aurora, that means you will have Sun and Scooter as well."
"I'm in," Ace said as he flowed up through the cracks in the floor and coalesced into his blood dragon form.
"Ace," Aurora said, "I didn't know you were listening."
"I'm an undead dragon made of blood," Ace said, "What else do I have to do?"
"Let me rephrase that," Igniculus said, "We didn't expect you to join us, we've made it pretty clear that you freak us all out."
"Which is why this is the perfect opportunity to show you all we necromancers are not to be feared when we are your allies," Ace replied with a grin as the bones that made up his wings, claws, tail and jaws came through a door and locked into place. "Even if we are a bit creepy."
"I like his style," Weiss whispered to Ruby who snickered a bit at the comment.
"Alright then." Ruby stated, "If we are going to this tower we should probably start moving towards it right? Ace are you the only one joining us?"
"I believe so," Ace said, "And K doesn't know about it yet."
"Well you can still fly this castle to the tower right," Ruby asked.
"Of course," Ace said, "just let me get a hold of that claw and we will be on our way."
Ruby smiled as Ace jumped over to the claw and began to fly them south towards the tower. Once they were done in Lemuria Ruby and Weiss were hoping to have that joint wedding that they had often talked about while on many of their rather dull missions. Ruby was excited and a little nervous but so far whenever her excitement had overpowered her nerves the situation would work out for the best... except for that time they went skiing. Ruby shook her head to clear her thoughts as Blake, Sun, Yang and Scooter came up to the top of the castle.
"So here is where you five went," Blake remarked, "I assume we are ditching K's idea then?"
"Yup," Ruby said, "Aurora made a good point so I decided to go with her advice."
"You're the leader sis," Yang said, "we're behind you all the way."
"I'll take some of that action," Scooter commented, "Ru-babe you're the boss."
"Thanks Scooter... I think," Ruby replied.
"You know I'm in," Sun said, "Man Neptune, Scarlet and Sage would be so jealous if they knew we were here."
"It looks like we have two groups then," Aurora said, "You six and Ace, and me and my friends."
"Hey if they decide to join up with DC they will soon be all of our friends too," Weiss said, "Though it sounds like many of them are heavily invested in their lives here. I would hate to see them leave those to run off with us."
"So would I," Aurora said, "That is why they will stay here, as guardians of Lemuria."
"We will miss you," Blake said, "I know Midnight will."
"I didn't say I would stay," Aurora said, "Lemuria has been ruled by a single individual for too long. It is time that royalty steps out of the picture and the people drive their future. My friends are from every race on Lemuria they are the leaders that this world needs not me. Igniculus and I will stay with you. Though it would be nice if on occasion we can return here to check up on things."
A cheerful howl echoed up from below signaling that Midnight had heard Aurora's declaration. Blake and Sun shared a grin, Yang fluffed her hair, Weiss did her appraising look that annoyed Ruby and Ruby hugged Aurora and Igniculus.
"That is wonderful," Ruby said, "Now we may have a chance to save some of the Grimm too... not that I felt bad about killing them but if we can have even a few hundred that are like Midnight, Remnant will be that much brighter of a planet." Ruby let go of the two and stepped back. "What about your friends though, wont they miss you?"
"Most certainly," Igniculus said, "And us them, but this foe you fight is an immortal threat. We must constantly push it back or it will overwhelm us all eventually."
"Against this Magog we can not stand alone as islands," Aurora said, "We must be united. My fellow Lemurians understand that and have already made peace with our departure."
"So this will be like you and your friends' final battle together," Sun said, "Seems fitting that it is against the being that you will be leaving to help keep from returning here."
"Speaking of that," Ace said, "I need more directions than just south, Igniculus do you know where we are?"
"Oh right sorry," Igniculus said as he flew up to Ace's side and began directing them towards the tower.
"Do you think that our enemies will be as determined as they were against Remnant," Aurora asked.
"I can't say," Ruby answered, "I would assume that they would be at least as determined seeing as they lost back home."
"Yeah maybe even more determined since they did lose what was a pivotal battle," Yang said.
"Out of my friends I am the most powerful of us in a pure damage sense," Aurora said, "even my powers were only staggering those demons back on your world. Do you think..."
"Yes," Ruby said cutting Aurora off, "I've talked with all of your friends. Yes, I think they will do just fine against these creatures. Between manipulating time, boosting your own abilities, being walking tanks with claws and stone, and knowing both how to heal all of you and find your enemies' weak points your friends are more than capable of fighting creatures like the ones arrayed against us."
"Tower sighted," Ace said, "Looks like a storm is brewing above it only it is not natural, necromancy dancing all over it."
"Do we know if K has found anything on the plains," Aurora asked.
Ruby activated her omni-tool and called Doug, "Hey just wondering if you guys have encountered anything yet," Ruby said.
"We have actually," Doug said, "And you all seem to be heading into a storm of activity as well. K wants me to send his apologies to Aurora for his argumentativeness earlier."
"Well if you all have found issues then he was still half right," Ruby said, "But it is nice of him to not be haughty."
"It is surprising for him not to be," Doug laughed, "But then again he was half wrong too."
"True," Ruby said, "Well if you all have some free agents to send our way that would be nice."
"K and C are wrecking most of the stuff I leave behind," Doug said, "I believe I can send Wolf and friends down to you, expect them in forty minutes."
"Okay thanks we will hold off whatever should come through here," Ruby said as she closed the channel, "Yeah sounds like they are attacking the plains as well."
"Then we were both incorrect," Aurora said, "either of us winning that argument would have ended badly."
"It is in the past now," Weiss said, "Best to let it go. I know it was for me."
"How is Winter these days anyway," Yang asked, "Haven't heard from her in almost a year?"
"She is fine," Weiss replied, "Unlike my parents we still have communication problems, but we are... dealing with it."
"That's my Weiss," Ruby said, "Always finding something to deal with."
"Ruby," Weiss scoffed, "Right now I believe we should look to 'deal' with those." Weiss pointed to the sky in front of them. Above the tower were gathered a host of flying wraith-demons that seemed to be drawing elementals from the surrounding lands to them.
"I'll go get my team," Aurora said, "Igniculus come on."
"As a team we fight until the battle is won," Igniculus cheered as he zipped by Aurora and the two went inside. Scooter had already digi-structed his armor and was ready to go. Ruby looked at her team, friends and the best family she could have ever asked for before smirking and whipping out Crescent-Rose.
"Alright everyone lets get this started," Ace said as he parked the castle near to the tower and flew down to pick them up.
"I'm not getting on him," Weiss said, "That much blood will destroy my dress."
"You always get your dresses ruined when fighting these things anyway," Ruby countered, "Besides I'm sure Ace is solid... right?"
"I can be," Ace said as he shifted some bones around to provide seating for the team. "How's that?"
"Thanks," Blake said as she jumped onto Ace, "Sun, Yang come on let's go."
Ruby picked Weiss up and vaulted the two of them up to Ace's back, despite Weiss' arguments against being carried. Ruby laughed as Weiss punched her shoulder saying, "I told you to stop doing that."
"Have I listened to you yet," Ruby asked.
"Good point," Weiss coincided with a sigh.
"Okay I'm on," Scooter said, "Charge 'em!"
Ace roared as he shoot off into the sky towards the wraiths. Their approach did not go unnoticed as a wave of flying elementals and ghosts broke off from the gathered creatures and headed for them. Below them Aurora and her friends were moving across the ground towards the base of the tower, drawing away a sizable portion of the ground based elementals. Ruby took aim at the approaching fliers and dropped fifteen of them with a clip from Crescent-Rose.
"Wow these guys are pretty weak compared to some of the Grimm," Ruby remarked.
"Yeah Midnight is tearing through them," Sun said as he pointed below to Aurora's group where Midnight was carrying Flyn on his back and the two of them were cleansing a path to the tower through the hoard of beasts, elementals and demons.
"Hmm... it also helps that Aurora is casting a healing spell across the two of them," Weiss commented.
"She can heal people too," Yang stated, "That will be handy."
"Why you don't plan on getting hurt do you," Blake asked.
"I never plan on getting hurt," Yang said as she chambered Ember Celica, "It just kinda happens."
"Well don't let it," Ruby said as she reloaded again, "Here we are."
"How are you going to," Ace started but Ruby had already jumped off his back and was falling towards the tower.
"Eh he will figure it out," Ruby thought as she sliced through a flying earth elemental and used the recoil from her swing to plow into a wraith, dispelling it with her Aura. Scooter zipped by her head and slammed into the tower, his suit protecting him from the fall and laying waste to anything in his way. Weiss was using her glyphs to hop from foe to foe on her way down, causing a rain of parts from the elementals to descend upon the tower below. Blake and Sun were using a decapitated earth elemental's winged body to glide down to the tower as they fired of rounds from it's back and Yang was a fire storm as she descended igniting the very air she passed through. Ruby sliced through two more elementals before landing on the tower followed by Yang then Sun and Blake and finally Weiss, Ace landed soon after.
"Right that is how you will get down," Ace stated, "Now how to deal with those necromancer wraiths."
"On my way down I dispersed a wraith by running into it," Ruby said, "It took a bit of Aura but nothing big there."
"Well there are four of us and about twenty of them," Blake counted.
"Ace those guys are higher up than we can get," Ruby said, "Can you fly us there?"
"Not going to happen little Rose," Ace said, "That necrotic storm above them would really mess with me."
"We can't wait for Wolf to get here," Blake said as she looked into the sky that was darkening by the second and the beginnings of a portal could be seen.
"Aurora and her crew are working their way up to the top of the tower," Yang said as she fired off some rounds to keep the wraiths and elementals off their backs, "So we can't have her fly us up."
"What if we don't fly up to them," Ruby said, "What if we bring them down to us?"
"How would we do that," Weiss asked.
"Whirlwind," Sun asked.
"Fire whirlwind," Yang added.
"Will you need to be launched," Blake asked as she spun Gambol Shroud around.
"It would help," Ruby said, "Weiss can I get some glyphs?"
"Oh I suppose," Weiss said with a flick of her hair.
"Wait you guys know how to make a flaming rose tornado," Ace asked as he looked between the team.
"We've done it before," Ruby said, "I figure if we get enough of a twister going it will suck those wraiths down to us."
"I'll just get out of your way then," Ace said as he jumped down to help Aurora's group.
Blake stuck Gambol Shroud in a parapet across the tower and climbed to an equal height on the parapet opposite it. Yang ignited to be the spark for the fire, Ruby jumped onto Gambol Shroud's ribbon, using it as a spring to get higher into the air. Weiss conjured a spiraling series of glyphs that let Ruby run across them down to the ground. Ruby's speed pulled a spiraling column of air down with her, the beginning of a tornado. Yang lit the air on fire once Ruby and Blake were out of the way. The inferno drew in more air that perpetuated the spiraling effect. The roses that Ruby left in her wake were still swirling around even in the blazing mass of air.
"Okay are the wraiths being pulled down," Yang asked as she walked out of the firestorm.
"Looks like it," Sun said as he pointed to the wraiths. Looking up Ruby saw that the wraiths were not only being pulled down towards them but were being lit on fire and several of them were already dissipating.
"We may not even have to fight them," Blake observed, "The fire looks like it is destroying them."
"If they are being destroyed then why isn't that portal getting any smaller," Weiss asked.
"Maybe it is being opened from the other side," Aurora said as she, Midnight, Ace and the rest came out onto the top of the tower.
"If it is then that tornado is likely to suck up anything that comes out of it," Robert said as he righted his hat and twitched his whiskers.
"How long do these usually last," Gen asked.
"The last one we made almost went on a rampage across Vale," Yang said.
"So a long time then," Oengus commented, "This one looks like it will stay on top of this tower."
"That is because of the portal," Weiss remarked, "It is pulling the tornado up to it while the tornado is pulling it down to us."
"That is something else," Rubella said, "An act we can't replicate at least."
"I'll check with Doug and see how things are going for them," Ruby said as she activated her omni-tool.
"Ruby," Doug answered, "Did Wolf make it there already?"
"No he isn't here yet," Ruby replied, "We have a giant fire tornado right under the portal that is destroying it. I was actually seeing if you all were in need of assistance."
"No the force that attacked the plains was only a strike force, intent on capturing the windmills," Doug replied, "If you have a portal then that was going to be the main deployment area. Good work taking care of it with so few of you."
"To be fair the fire tornado is doing most of the work," Ruby said. "So are we ready to go home soon?"
"Should be," Doug said after a moment, "I don't detect any other rifts in this dimension so we can not take the fight to the enemy from here. We will come to pick you all up soon."
"Yang we will be back in time for your birthday," Ruby exclaimed as she turned off the omni-tool.
"Like I was going to have one without Junior and the kids," Yang replied, "I hope he actually remembered it this time."
"I thought the way you handled the situation last year was ideal," Weiss commented.
"How did you handle it," Flyn asked.
"I blew up the club," Yang said.
"A club," Golem asked as he looked at his own club.
"Not that type of club," Weiss said, "This is a large building that people go to for partying."
"Oh," Aurora and her friends exclaimed. "What did you do after that," Aurora asked.
"Uh you may not," Blake started only to be cut off by Yang.
"We got laid," Yang said, "He is my husband after all."
"Yang," Ruby exclaimed, "Too much information!"
"What you and Scooter will be doing it too," Yang said in her defense.
"What does laid mean," Gen asked.
"Ah-oh," Sun stated as he backed up from the group.
"Not it," Blake said as she joined her husband.
"Don't look at me," Weiss said, "Come on Ruby lets go see what the inside of the tower looks like."
"Uh right," Ruby said as she ducked into the tower with Weiss, "Catch up with you later Yang! Thanks Weiss I didn't want to see how that was going to end."
"Neither did I," Weiss said, "I do feel sorry for Gen though."
"Yeah Yang is not the best at explaining things," Ruby sighed, "Also not the best at being tactful."
"No really," Weiss said with a roll of her eyes, "I've tried my best to tame that beast but she is completely wild."
Ruby snickered at Weiss' analogy of Yang. Looking around the tower Ruby could see why the dark creatures were drawn to it. There were many prisons within the tower most still holding bones, the remnants of the victims that they were used on. The piles of dead demons and destroyed elementals didn't help the place's décor.
"This place is horrible," Blake said as she and Sun came up to Ruby and Weiss. "I guess the old ruler that Aurora overthrew built it."
"Must have," Ruby added, "I don't see Aurora building it."
"This entire place seems oppressive," Sun said, "Like any light at all is an intruder. Even the lanterns seem muted."
"Sun those are hollowed out skulls," Blake pointed out.
"Weiss I don't want to be here anymore," Ruby said, "Come on guys lets go back up and see how Yang is doing."
"I am going to have to agree," Weiss said, "This place is too creepy." The four looked between each other for a few seconds before agreeing that they weren't leaving because they were scared but because they needed to make sure Yang hadn't dug herself into an even deeper hole.
"And that is why it is important to pick the right husband," Yang was saying as the four returned to the top. Everyone was gathered around Yang seemingly enthralled by her explanation.
"Wow so he is really bigger than you," Flyn asked, "Large enough for you to lay on?"
"Yup," Yang said, "And he is soft too, once he relaxes. Oh hey how is the tower?"
"Really creepy," Ruby said, "The lanterns are made of skulls."
"Yeehga," Yang said with a shiver, "Sounds to much like the Necromorphs."
"When was the Infinity going to get here," Ace asked.
"Should be soon," Weiss said, "They were going to pick up Wolf and party on the way."
"I doubt they will be happy to have missed all the fighting," Blake said.
"Why would they regret having to fight," Tristis said, "Wait is Wolf that large fleshy dragon creature with the human body?"
"That's him," Ruby said.
"Never mind then I think I see why," Tristis said, "Aurora are you certain that you will leave?"
"Me and Igniculus," Aurora confirmed, "But don't worry we will come back from time to time to check up on you all."
"We will miss you both dearly while you are gone," Rubella said, "But we know that these demons will not stop unless someone pushes them back, namely you."
"Yes while we are gone lead the Lemurians don't let us start to turn on each other," Aurora said.
"We wont," Oengus declared, "Your ship has come in though and our time together is coming to a close. RWBY you will keep her safe since I can not."
"We will," Weiss affirmed as a Pelican came in to pick them up. RWBY, Scooter, Sun and Midnight entered the Pelican followed by Aurora and Igniculus. A few hours later and they were home and were headed into Club RWBY. Junior had contacted them soon after they arrived and told them to meet him at the club.
It was evening when they arrived at Club RWBY and it seemed packed. Ruby even spotted her Dad's car out front. Inside was a bunch of their friends and family, Lao, Summer, Ivy, Abrams, Elisa, Barry, Junior, Melanie, Miltia, JNPR and Penny. In the middle of the dance floor was a motorcycle, a weaponized motorcycle that looked like a big predatory cat of some kind.
"Happy Birthday Yang," the gathered group of friends yelled.
"Junior, Elisa, Barry, did you three plan all this," Yang exclaimed as she ran over and hugged the three.
"Well we helped," Miltia said, "As did Scooter's digi-struct machine."
"Wait how did," Scooter started before Ruby elbowed him in the ribs to shut him up.
"We will deal with that later," Ruby said, "Right now lets just let Yang enjoy this."
"Oh my God is that for me," Yang asked as she approached the bike, "It's... it's, it's like a puma. That's it's name Puma. Ha best B-day ever! Well once we get some alone time right Junior?"
"We've already got two kids you want more," Junior joked.
"Hmm... okay good point," Yang conceded, "Lets go try out the bike!"
"Dibs on the first ride," Summer called.
"Okay Mom get on," Yang said as she got on the bike and rode it across the dance floor to Summer, "Melanie get the door for us."
Ruby laughed as her sis and Mom roared out of the club. "There goes two of the greatest and craziest people I know," Ruby said to Scooter.
"All three of those girls are pumas," Scooter said, "only the bike looks like one though."
"Yeah Mom and sis are like a puma in their attitude," Ruby said, "Who get's the next ride?"
"Dibs," Elisa yelled.
"And there is the next puma for our family," Ruby stated as she wrapped an arm around Scooter as the two reclined on a couch in a quiet corner of the club. Weiss and Jayne came over a few minutes later and sat down.
"Whoo," Jayne said as he planted himself and his large mug of beer on the end of the table, "You would not believe the day I've had."
"Yeah how was it," Scooter asked.
"Undead, lots and lots of undead," Jayne replied.
"And he didn't even let me go on the adventure with him," Weiss scoffed.
"Oh I've got a lot of adventures planned for us," Jayne said.
"Let me guess they all end in my bedroom," Weiss scolded.
"Well some of them," Jayne admitted, "I was also thinking a couple of movies, the club here, my room... you know once I own a house."
Ruby giggled at Jayne, she had to admit the man was straight forward.
"Yeah, who's next on the Puma," Yang yelled from outside as Summer reentered the club and she and Lao headed over to Ruby's table. Ruby was pretty sure that Yang was going to have a great night tonight.