Chapter 45, Attack of the White Fang
Pyrrha and her Teammates came storming into the corridors of the locker rooms, enlivened from winning the match. As evident from the exchange of high fives and embraced from both Auron and Keith. Much to the reluctance of both Blake and Hanako. Though Pyrrha uttered a chuckle, smiling. She then turned to Qrow, who was stood with his arms folded against his chest.
Pyrrha stepped out from Keith's embrace as she turned to face Qrow. She knew he must be upset with her right now. Though he had encouraged her to fight well in the tournament, she had certainly expressed admirable skills in the mach. There was no doubt that she had caught the attention of the Lothadarian Military and Royal Guard. Giving way for them learning the truth that she was not of the Kingdom.
"I'm... sorry, Qrow." she said, glancing up to him
Though he did not seem to be so disapproving as she had expected him to be. Rather he seemed to be smiling proudly to her.
"What are you sorry for, red." He said, padding her over the head.
"You did great out there. I'm proud of you."
Pyrrha shifted her eyes to the side, smiling. She appreciated him telling her that he was proud of her. But that didn't take away from the fact that she had exposed them. She knew he had told her not to worry about what would come from this. However it didn't change the fact that they would soon be in danger.
"But they all saw me out there." Pyrrha insisted to them.
"If they find out that we're not from Lothadare..."
Auron, Blake, Hanako and Keith glanced back to them, overhearing the conversation they were having. Each of them exchanging worrying glanced to one another. That was except for Blake, who stared at Pyrrha, frowning. Having been told the day before that Pyrrha was the prodigy and was not of the Kingdom, they knew well of what would come of it.
Qrow reached out his hand, placing it firmly over here shoulder.
"Red... it's alright. This is what you needed to do." Qrow insisted to her.
"There was no wrong in it."
Pyrrha narrowed her eyes. How could there be no wrong in deceiving an entire Kingdom?
"Remember what I said, you can't dwell on what lies ahead or what came before." Qrow reminded her.
"All that matters is what you do in the moment."
Though she gestured a nod of understanding to her mentor, she was still riddled with much uncertainty. As well as guilt that she would soon be leaving behind the friends she had made.
Auron came up behind them.
"Yeah, but Pyrrha has a point, if they learn you guys are from another Kingdom, you all be arrested for treason." Auron insisted to them.
"So... that would mean...?" Keith said, thinking of the only thing they could do.
Qrow glanced down at Pyrrha, who looked up to him. Both of them knowing well there was only one thing they could do.
"We know and we're not about to drag any of you into this." Qrow insisted to them.
"We have to leave... Tonight."
"But... can't we...?" Keith said, trying to think of alternative.
Hanako shook her head to him, knowing what he was thinking.
"The law is still the law. Not even the Knights of Opara are above them." Hanako insisted to her.
A moment of silence and disbelief was to then follow. The five of them faced with the reality that this may be the last moment that they would spend together. Blake shifted her eyes to the side. She knew she would have to tell Pyrrha. A part of her hoped that this could be the chance she needed to escape from this place. To get away from the Kingdom and the White Fang.
Though a part of her know if she deserted the White Fang, there would no where she could hide.
She then felt a sudden vibration in her pocket. Reaching down, she pulled out her scroll and opened the screen. Though upon seeing what lied over the screen, she felt a sudden feeling of shock.
Adam: "We're moving forward on the Academy. Meet over rooftop of the school!"
Blake stared for a moment's time.
"Blake?"
Blake was then snapped to attention, glancing up at Pyrrha and the others, who were looking at her, curiously.
"Are you alright?" she asked, curiously.
Blake paused for a moment, shutting her scroll quickly so that none of them would see. She shook her head.
"I... I have to go." She insisted to them.
Without further explanation, she quickly turned and ran off down the corridor. Pyrrha glanced down the corridor, curiously. She then glanced back at the other, who all seemed as confused at her sudden departure. That other then Hanako, who squinted her eyes to Blake.
Blake leaped up as she came up over the top of the roof of the Academy. She then glanced around and saw a familiar figure standing over the edge across from her. Blake stood up, glancing to him.
"Adam?" she said.
Adam glanced back to her, grinning.
"Blake... You had us worried." he said, turning to face her.
"We haven't heard back from you in some time. We though they might have been discovered."
Blake noticed there was a sarcastic and lack of concern tone to Adam's voice. As well as the slight anger which accompanied the words her said. There could be no doubt now. Adam had lost his patients and had decided to attack now. And while the King and Kingdom were in attendants.
Had his lost his senses?
"Adam, what are you doing?" She asked.
"We can't wait any longer, Blake." Adam insisted to them.
"We're moving on the Academy now!"
Blake froze in utter shock and awe. Shaking her head, she sauntered up to him.
"Adam, no, you can't do this. What about the people?" Blake asked, curiously.
"They will be caught in the cross fire!"
Adam only grinned to her. He turned forward, gazing out toward the city.
A Lothadarian troop carrier patrolled the market plaza, escorted by several troopers. From the open latch of the carrier, the commander scanned the plaza, which was quiet for the most part. As it usually was whenever there was a final trial at the Academy. Though there were several shops that were still open and some citizens of the kingdom that were still present in the plaza.
Unannounced to them, that from over the rooftops and the alleyways, the White Fang positioned themselves. Armed with some of the blaster prototypes they had stolen from the Lothadarian ship. They surrounded the unsuspecting Lothadarian patrol from all around.
One of the white fang members pressed the comm over his ear.
"We are in position." he said.
"Charges have been set."
"Copy that, stand by!" a voiced responded from the other side.
From over the rooftop of one of the buildings, a member drew his scroll from his side and opened the screen. Pressing the contact button over the screen.
The patrol came passed a van parked along the side of the road. When suddenly they heard a strange beeping sound from the vehicle. Two of the paused for a moment, glancing to the van. Hearing the beeping from the van, The commander then gasped in realization.
"Get back!" The commander exclaimed.
Before the troopers could react, the van erupted in a massive fiery explosion. The troopers were sent flying back from the impact. All while the other squad members took cover behind the transport. Several other explosions erupted from several of the shops and around the plaza.
The sound of explosions could be heard all the way to the colosseum. The crowd erupted in gasps of shock and awe, gazing off in the distance at the fight of massive explosions. Thee match that was being held was suddenly brought to a stand still at the sound of the explosions. Watching from the entrance of the corridors, Pyrrha and her Team gazed up in awe and confused. Having heard the explosions from off in the distance.
"Did you guys hear that?" Keith asked.
Pyrrha cocked her head to her right, she squinted her eyes to the side.
"It sounded like... explosions." She insisted to them.
She then glanced back at Qrow, who came up to them. He squinted his eyes, having a gave feeling of what it could be.
"Oh, no." He said.
From the King's stand, King Larr, Leandra and Headmaster Rueben had been brought to attention at the explosions that erupted. Leandra came forward as she peered off in the distance.
"By the Gods, what is happening?!" King Larr asked.
Leandra turned back to the King, knowing well of what it could be.
"The Kingdom is under attack!" She proclaimed to the King.
The commander stood back up in the open hatch of the troop carrier, which hardly sustained any damage from the explosions. He glanced back around the plaza. Most of the shops that had exploded had mostly been reduced to fire and debris. As well as the burning wreckages of some of the cars and other vehicles parked along the side of the street. Any of the civilians that had been present at the time quickly ran for safety.
The commander glanced back to his squad.
"We're under Attack!" He announced to the other troopers.
It was right at that moment that several plasma bolts stuck the side of the carrier. The commander braced himself before glancing up to see several White Fang emerged from where they hid, openings fire upon the squad. The other troops were quick to return fire, emerging from behind carrier as they rush for cover. They came up behind one of the vehicles, where they came up from behind cover and fired back at the white Fang.
"Get to cover!" The Commander exclaimed.
The trooper carrier slowly back up, positioning itself to attack. Talking control of the torrent, the commander opened fire into the plaza. The white Fang quickly rushed for cover, taking casualties from the torrent fire.
The commander glanced down through the open hatch at the crew inside.
"Call for back up!" He ordered them.
"Yes, sir!" One of the crew members said.
"This is Recon 5, Code Red! We are under attack! Repeat, Under Attack! We need reinforcements, Now! The White Fang are Here!"
Listening with her Scroll, Leandra widened her eyes in shock at the mention of White Fang. She turned back to the King and Headmaster Rueben, who both shared the same look of shock to learn the White Fang were behind this.
"The White Fang!" The Headmaster said, glancing to the King.
The King gestured a glance of anger. After several months of silence, the White Fang had finally revealed themselves after all this time.
"Your Majesty, you must return to the Palace at once!" Leandra proclaimed to the King.
"The Guard and I will assist our troops!"
The King nodded his head in agreement. He then shifted his gaze to the Headmaster.
"Have our people evacuate to their homes at once." The King ordered.
The Headmaster guestured a nod of his head.
"At once, your Majesty." He said.
As the King and his queen took their leave to their shuttle, the Headmaster turned to face the Crowd. Raising his cane, he casted his magic to project a magical hologram of himself.
"All Citizens of Lothadare and students of the Academy, the Kingdom is under attack!"
Pyrrha and her team members gazed up at the hologram of Headmaster Rueben in awe.
"Attack?" Pyrrha said.
"All citizens, make your way to the transports station. Students are to return to their dorms at once until the matter is resolved!" The Headmaster proclaimed.
Qrow glanced down at Pyrrha.
"You heard the man, head back to the dorms and wait for me there." Qrow proclaimed to them.
"What about you?" Pyrrha asked.
"I'm going to see what's going on." Qrow insisted to him.
"If the Grimm are here, we need to be ready to move."
"Then let us come with you." Pyrrha proclaimed to him.
"Let us help as well."
Qrow shook his head.
"Sorry, Red, now's not the Time." He said to her.
"You go back with the others to the dorms. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Pyrrha did not argue further over the matter. Rather she nodded her head to him. Qrow smirked before he turned and made his way down the corridor. Pyrrha gazed down at him worryingly, hoping for the safe return of her mentor. Though while she intended to obey Qrow's wishes, there still remained a part of her that wished to do more. To fight by his side in the face of an adversary.
Auron, Keith and Hanako came up behind her. Auron placed her hand over her shoulder. Pyrrha glanced back at them.
"So now what?" Hanako asked, curiously.
Pyrrha glanced back down the corridor for a moment. She narrowed her eyes, pondering. She knew that she needed to remain hidden for if the Grimm were the ones behind the attack. However, there was still a part of her that could not stand aside. Not when the lives of others were in danger. She had to do something.
Pyrrha raised her gaze in determination, turning back to face her teammates.
"Come on." She said.
"We have to find out what is happening."
Pyrrha then turned and headed down the corridor as the other's followed suit.
Blake watched in utter shock at the burning structures in the distance and the sound of blaster fire. Everything that she had though she had knew. The hopes that she once had that the White Fang could return to what it once was. Now lied in ruin before her very eyes. With the destruction of the cargo transport and now this, she could barely recognize the White Fang anymore.
Nor Adam.
Blake shock her head. she turned back to Adam.
"Wh-what have you done?!" She said.
Adam only stared forward, seeming unpraised by her shock and dismay.
"As I said before, Blake, there are no innocence in Lothadare." Adam said, coldly.
"This entire Kingdom must suffer for what it's done to us. King Larr will be so busy trying to save his people, he won't be able to stop us from taking what's in the vault."
"But we don't know where the vault is." Blake proclaimed to him.
Adam only grinned to her as he turned and walked away.
"They will show us where it is." Adam proclaimed to her.
Pyrrha and the others emerged from the stairway as came out over the roof of the dorms. They then scrambled around the structure and it was there they gazed ahead toward the sight of fire in the plaza in the distance. Despite how far away it was, the sounds of the battle could be heard from where they stood.
"Oh, God!" Auron said.
"You got to be kidding be me." Keith said.
Pyrrha stepped forward to the edge of the roof. She gazed ahead at the battle unfolded. She froze for a moment, staring in complete shock and awe. All but reminded of what had happened all those years ago. When her home, Arthamore had been attacked by the Grimm.
"Pyrrha?"
Pyrrha was snapped back to reality, glancing back to Auron.
"Sorry...I'm just... really worried about Qrow." She said, turning forward toward.
Pyrrha then gazed ahead at the battle taking place within the city. All the while, she wondered just who it was that was behind this attack. Was it the Grimm?
"What's happening out there?" she asked.
Auron glanced to Keith.
"Hey, Keith, you think you can hack into the Military comms?" Auron asked.
Keith smirked.
"Piece of cake." Keith said.
Taking out his scroll, he then proceeded to try and hack into the comms. Pyrrha came up to him.
"You can do that?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.
Keith nodded hid head.
"I learned from my moms." Keith insisted to him.
"They're both spies for the Military. They taught me how to hack into systems."
"He managed to hack into the police Comms once." Auron insisted to them.
"That's very impressive." Pyrrha said.
"For once I agree." Hanako said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Awe, your making me blush, Hanako." Keith said, smiling.
Hanako glanced to the side at that remark, groaning in contempt. It was right at that moment that Keith had broken through the fire walls and had patched in to the Military comms.
"I got it, I'm in!" Keith announced.
"Oh, yeah, I'm just that good!"
"Your a genius, Keith." Auron said.
The four gather around Keith as they listened to what was being said over the comms.
"All Units, proceed to the Shopping Plaza along 3rd avenue. We have come under attack! Assailants identified as White Fang! We need reinforcements now!"
The mention of White Fang brought much shock to the four. Staring down at the scroll in awe upon learning the ones behind such an attack.
The Lothadare patrol continued to be battered by the White Fang, who closed in from all around. Several of the troopers using the wreckage of destroyed vehicles as cover continued to fire back. Many of them struck by the plasma bolts fired by the White Fang members. The White Fang members slowly advanced toward them, despite the losses they took.
From over the Troop carrier, the commander continued to laid down fire from the turret. Though despite his best efforts, more of them continued to appear, surrounding them. Neither any police or other military forces have arrived since he had placed the call to reinforce them. Where the hell were they?
"Damn it, there's too many of them!" The commander exclaimed.
From over the rooftop, a White Fang member armed with a rocket launcher took aim at the carrier. The commander had little time to react as the White Fang member fired a rocket at the carrier, which erupted in a massive explosion, throwing several troopers into the air. Those that remained quickly took cover. Only to look back was now the flaming wreckage of the carrier and their commander assumed dead.
What had been providing them cover fire, now destroyed. With reinforcements still no where in sight.
That was until they heard the sound of an aircraft from above. Looking up saw several gunships flying overhead. From the open doorway at each side, they witnessed Leandra and the other members of the Royal Guard leaping down into the battle below. All while several squads of Lothadarian troopers propelled themselves down from the Gunships above.
Leandra landed before the wreckage of the vehicles, where she drew her double bladed sword from her back, which she twirled in her hand.
She then charged forward with the other members of the Guard followed suit. She swiped her double bladed sword at the advancing White Fang, striking them down. She then came rolled over into a kneeling position, her weapon changed formed into a crossbow. She then fired several shots at the White Fang Members, who were struck down by her shots.
From behind, a few White Fang members emerged from the alleyways, attempting to attack from behind. Only to then hear the motorized engine of a bike from off to their right. Glancing off in the direction, they saw Qrow emerge from the smoke over his bike. Pulling his sword from behind, now in it's shot gun form. He then fired at the the White members, who were stuck down by his firing.
Qrow then slid his back to a stop, continuing to hold off the White Fang members. He then turned to his right, where he saw a larger man, wearing the white mask of the Terrorist Faction, wielding a large sword which was draped over his left shoulder. He then lifted up his sword and held it before himself.
Qrow smirked, planting his Bike's kind stand.
"Wait here, Girl. I'll take care of this." He said, as he got off his bike.
Qrow then turned to face the White Fang member, his sword taking it's true form. He then held it before himself, gripping hold of the handle with a cocky smirk.
"Should warn ya, I ain't gonna make this easy." Qrow warned.
He then dashed forward at the White Fang member, who in turn charged forward. Raising his large sword, he attempted to swipe it at Qrow, who quickly ducked and rolled away from him. Qrow came back onto his feet as he dashed at the large brutish Faunus. He then swung his sword, which was met by the Faunus's sword. The two exchanged several clashes of their swords before the two attempted to push each other back.
The two then broke off their sword as he attempted to swipe him with his sword. Only for Qrow to leap up over him. He then turned mid air before delivering a clean down at the brute, knocking him back. He landed over the ground, where he glanced up the Brute, grinning before charging forward once more.
Headmaster Rueben paced anxiously in his office. Pausing for a moment, he shifted his gaze to the window of his office. Peering out over the courtyard of the Academy, which was deserted for the most part. The public having evacuated back to their homes and the students returned to their dorms as instructed. His mind was mainly focused upon the attack that was taking place not far from here. Pondering as to just who it was that would dare attack.
The only accomplices that came to mind were that of the Grimm. Or even the White Fang.
Though the advent of the Grimm Infiltrating their Kingdom seemed highly unlikely. Especially with the war being fought in the Realms further off from there's. There was also the matter of the battle being fought appearing much smaller then what they had come to expect from Salem's ever expanding Empire. If it truly was the Grimm, the entire Kingdom would be under attack.
No, this was not the Grimm behind this attack. Though that left one and it was the one who the Headmaster feared the most. But there could not any doubt. The White Fang had finally revealed themselves to them.
But why now?
The Headmaster's pondering was then interrupted by voiced from outside his office. The headmaster glanced back at the doorway. The voices were are first exclaimed of intrusion. Only to then change to screams of pain and agony. Along with the sound of a slashing sword.
The doors of the office then burst open as a figure wearing black and the mask of the White Fang. Along with other members of the White Fang.
"What is the meaning of this?!" The Headmaster exclaimed, raising his cane to them.
Adam grinned.
"We've come for what you have taken from us." Adam proclaimed to the Headmaster.
Reaching for his sword, Adam drew it from his side as he sent an energy wave at the headmaster's cane. Knocking it from his hand before he could cast his magic at them. The Headmaster gasped as his cane flew back and struck the wall between the windows. The Headmaster attempted to recover his cane.
Only to then pause as the other White Fang member raised their blasters to him.
"Hold it!" One of them warned.
The Headmaster paused for a moment. He then turned to face the White Fang, raising both his hand in submission. The White Fan came up to him, grabbing hold of his arms. He turned back to face Adam, where he noticed Blake standing behind him.
"Blake?" He said, wide eyes in awe.
Pyrrha turned away, all but confirming his suspicions As well as his fears. How could he have been such a fool?
Adam then approached the elderly Headmaster.
"Let's not make this anymore complicated." Adam said before drawing his sword to his throat.
"Tell us where the Vault is."
"Do whatever you will to me. I will never reveal where it is." Rueban proclaimed to them.
Adam only smirked to him.
"Oh, I think that you will." Adam said.
"But are you willing to be the lives of your students. It would be a shame for Lothadare's proud Academy and it's future to go up in flames."
Adam's words shocked both Blake and Headmaster Rueben, who widen his eyes in awe.
"What are you...?" Rueben said.
Adam pulled out an detonator from his side, much to the horror of the Headmaster.
"Just once press of a button..." Adam said.
"Tell me, is what's inside worth the lives of everyone here?"
The moment to follow was of silence as Blake glanced back at Rueben. Both of them knowing fully well that this wasn't just the lives of the students. But with Pyrrha here as well, the future of all the Realms were now at stake.
"Adam, No we cant'...!" Blake said, coming
Adam lashed back at Blake.
"Quiet!" He advised her, glancing back to her.
Blake paused at Adam's sudden outburst. She shifted her glanced back at the Headmaster, all but pleading for him him to tell. Not just for the sake of his people, but also Pyrrha's as well.
"So, what's it going to be?" Adam asked.
Rueben shifted his glance back at Adam. It was at that moment that the Headmaster all but hoped he would be forgiven for what he was about to do.
"Very well, just spare their lives!" The Headmaster bagged of him.
Adam grinned.
"Wise decision." He said.
Reaching down to his side, he pulled out his scroll and opened it.
"Roman, it's me, we have him." Adam proclaimed to him.
"Move in on the Academy."
Pyrrha and the others continued to observe the battle that was taking place overhead. Peering through the scops of their rifles, Pyrrha and Auron watched as two gunships flew toward the burning plaza. Slowly, Auron lowered his Blaster as he squinted his eyes. Pyrrha glanced to him, curiously.
"What is it?" she asked, curiously.
Auron shook his head.
"Somethings wrong." He said, glancing to her.
"What do you mean?" She asked, curiously.
"This isn't like the White Fang. They wouldn't just attack a place out of random." Auron insisted.
"Especially not a place that has nothing of value to them."
Pyrrha turned forward, thinking about what Auron had said. There was little that she knew about the White Fang and the conflict between them and Lothadare. Though with the description given and from what little she had heard, it rather did seem a bit unlike them. That begs the question, why would they attack the plaza if there was nothing to gain from it?
Unless...
Pyrrha then gasped in realization.
"It's a diversion!" She exclaimed, glancing to Auron.
Auron, Keith and Hanako turned to her.
"What?" Hanako said.
"It's not the Plaza they are after!" Pyrrha insisted to them.
"They want us to believe that it is!"
"But if it's not the plaza, then what are they...?" Keith said, glancing to Auron and Hanako.
The three became lost in thought for a moment. Only for their eyes to widen in realization, knowing there was only one thing they could possible be after.
"They wouldn't..." Keith said, glancing to Auron.
Hanako glared, angrily. Her hand gripped the handle of her Katana, tightly. Looking back toward the Academy, she knew Blake had made her decision. Now it was clear what it was that she and the others had to do.
The four the heard the sound of blaster fire coming from the Academy gate. They then turned, looking back in the direction of the gate.
"You guys hear that?!" Keith said.
"Gun fire." Pyrrha stated.
"It sounds like it's coming from the gate!"
Sheaving Milo over her back, Pyrrha turned and sprinted off across the Rooftop as she maked her way around. Auron, Keith and Hanko quick to follow. Pyrrha ran up to the edge of the roof where she leaped over to the Roof of the next building.
She came up to the edge of the roof, overlooking the Academy Gate. On the other side, she could see the bright yellow flashes of blaster fire. Along with voices of the troopers telling whoever it was to stop. Along with the sound an engine that was growing louder. Right at that moment, a large black armored truck came crashing through the gate into the courtyard.
Pyrrha squinted her eyes, curiously.
"What the hell?" Auron said.
"Get down!" Pyrrha said as she hunkered down.
The back of the truck opened as several White Fang members came storming out into the courtyard. Along with them, Roman Torchwick leaped down from the top, flinging his Cane over his shoulder, grinning. He glanced around the courtyard.
"What a cheery little place." He commented.
"Who is that?" Pyrrha asked, glancing to Auron.
Auron shook his head.
"I don't know." He said.
"Hold on, let me get a better look."
Reaching back, he pulled out his Blaster. He pointed the blaster down at them, peering through the scope. Looking down over the man in the white coat, he noticed there was no animal features. None that he could see anyway. There were no horns or ears over his head. No tail peaking out of the back of his coat.
Nothing.
"Doesn't look like he's White Fang." Auron said, glancing up from his blaster scope.
"Sure doesn't look like a Faunus either."
"Why would the White Fang be working with a human?" Hanako said, curiously.
Pyrrha squinted her eyes down at the assailants below. Whatever was going on, it couldn't be good. Especially when
"Come on, people, time is Money.!" Roman called out to them.
"Let's get a move on. There's a vault of unimaginable treasures waiting for us."
Roman then turned and made their way toward the Academy. Several of the White Fang members followed suit while a few stayed behind to guard the truck.
It was the mention of the vault that caused Auron to lower his Blaster rifle in awe. Pyrrha's predictions regarding the intentions of the White Fang and what they feared to be the reason for them being here at the Academy. It was all proven to be so. The White Fang were indeed seeking. Though it appeared they were the only ones who were after the relics which lied in wait beneath the Academy grounds.
"Looks like words gotten around." Auron said, glancing to Pyrrha, Hanako and Keith.
"The White Fang ain't the only ones after what inside the Vault. So what now, should we call it in."
Pyrrha shifted her glanced back at the Academy. She then shock her head. There wasn't enough time for them to inform Qrow and the others of the White Fang being on Academy grounds. Not with the battle that was taking place.
"There isn't enough time." Pyrrha insisted to them.
"We have to handle this ourselves."
"Wow, what?" Keith said.
Hanko nodded her head.x
"She's right, we can't wait." Hanako insisted to her.
"We have to stop them."
"So your saying we take on the White Fang ourselves?" Keith asked, curiously.
Pyrrha nodded her head to him.
"Yes." she said.
It was right at that moment the look of confusion over Keith's face turned to a grin of anticipation. Reaching back, he pulled out his hammer as he gripped it in both hands.
"Now your speaking my language!" Keith said nodding his head.
Pyrrha then glanced to Auron.
"Auron?" she asked.
Holding up his blaster, Auron gestured a nod of his head.
"We'll follow your lead, Pyrrha." He said.
"So, what's the plan?
Pyrrha smiled, nodding her head to them.
"We have to find the Vault before they do." Pyrrha insisted to them.
"But we don't even know where it is." Auron insisted to her.
She then paused for a moment as she thought. It was in that moment that her gaze shifted back to the Academy. Remembering the one place that she recalled Headmaster Rueben would spend in his spare time.
The Tree of Kassadar.
Pyrrha then gasped in realization, glancing back to her Teammates.
"I think I know where it is!" Pyrrha proclaimed to them.
"Come on!"
Adam and the White Fang dragged the elderly headmaster outside to the Tree of Kassadar. He paused for a moment, gazing up at the tree's blood red leaves. The very name brought about feelings of anger in him. It was no secret the Tragedy of the Great Wizard, Kassadar and the things he did to the Faunus. The Blood colored leaves was that of the victims that had suffered from the plague the Wizard placed upon them. And yet this murderer was seen by his kingdom as some kind of hero for what he had done.
Now it was time that Lothadare payed for everything they had done.
"So this is where they hidden it." Adam proclaimed, turning back to face Rueben.
"How fitting that the Royal Family of Lothadare brands the actions of a killer with the highest honors."
The elderly Headmaster showed little fear in the face of the White Fang's fiercest knight. Even as he was at the mercy of his associates, binding him them
"How can someone as ruthless as you speak of my ancestor's crimes?" The Headmaster asked.
"When you bring such needless death to the innocent people and path of carnage in your wake. And all for the sake of revenge."
The Headmaster's words caused Blake to shift her glance to the side. Though Adam remained unfazed by the accusations toward him and the White Fang. Rather he instead growled irritably, drawing his sword and placed it's red blade to the throat of the Headmaster. In an act to silence him from speaking further.
"We bring justice to the crimes your Kingdom has committed against our people." Adam argued.
"For the Crimes you humans have committed against us!"
Despite Adam's gestures of threat, the Headmaster still refused to allow himself to be intimidated.
"You all have lost your way." Rueben proclaimed to him.
Adam gritted his teeth in anger. It was for a moment that he desired the pleasure of slashing the throat of the elderly Headmaster, watching die so slow and brutishly. Only to be stopped by Blake, who came up and grabbed his wrist.
"Adam...!" Blake said.
"Stop, we need him!"
Adam shifted his glance to her, angrily. Only to be met with Blake's pleading gaze. Though despite what she was saying, her pleads were not for the sake of their plans. But rather to spear the life of the Headmaster. Much to her relief, Adam had calmed himself, lowering his sword from Rueben's throat.
"Just open the vault." Adam demanded of him.
He then turned to the other white Fang members, gesturing his head for them to move him to the tree. Adam then glanced to Blake, glaring.
"What, lose your taste for this sort of thing." He said to her.
"You know, Roman said that you might be going soft on us. Maybe even trying to rad us out."
Blake felt a sudden feeling of dread inside. Though she was careful as to not reveal it to Adam, as to not prove his suspicions to be so.
"I didn't want to believe him and I still don't." Adam proclaimed to her.
"But you haven't been fully committed to our cause. Don't tell me that you've forgotten why we're here."
Blake simply turned away, her eyes shifting to the side. Uttering not a word to argue back what Adam was seemingly accusing her of. Nor did she deny any of it.
"Of course I haven't." She insisted to him.
"But..."
"But nothing. Don't forget what they've done to us, Blake." Adam proclaimed to her.
"You do want justice for our people, don't you?"
The White Fang members escorted Headmaster Rueben before the tree of Kassadar. The elderly man received a push forward from the blaster from one of the members, causing him to glance back at them. The White Fang member then raised his blaster to him, giving him a slight gesture. Headmaster Rueben simply turned forward as he placed the end of his cane over the ground, causing his magic to surge along the carvings. The stairway to the vault then revealed itself, descending to the vault that lied below.
Adam and Blake came forward, peering down the stairway. He then grinned as the torches along the stairway magically lit up, lighting their way to their revenge.