Original concept by Korra
Written by MechaG11

Part One: The World of Remnant Arc
-Chapter 9: The Battle of Haven

General Ironwood instructs his Regime Hunstmen teams, as well as the heroes, in a remote mountainous location outside of Mistral. The higher ground allowed the improvised camp to keep relatively safe from most Grimm, while also serving as an ideal hiding place for their airships and forces. Their Huntsmen would rest here for the night before embarking on tomorrow's mission. Ironwood lays out his plan using a small map of Mistral and Haven Academy.

"We'll be divided into three strike teams. Superman and I will lead Alpha to secure the Academy." The General taps on the map where Haven is. "We expect that the bulk of the enemy force will appear here. If there are in fact any traitors in the school as our intelligence suggests, they will most likely reveal themselves there as well." Ironwood then points to two separate spots outside the Academy. "Teams Beta and Charlie will be deployed on these flanks. They'll be tasked to secure any possible exits, boxing the enemy in. Our hope is that we can force them to surrender when we make contact. If they retaliate however, you must do whatever is necessary to protect your teams and the civilians."

Within the large circle of Huntsmen was Blake, whose ears lowered after hearing that. Huntsmen put their lives on the line to save people, but in dire circumstances they would need to take life too. She knew as much. Still, if the unnecessary deaths of so many Faunus could be prevented she'd do her best to minimize what damage she could.

Blake would join Ruby, Yang, and Weiss around a campfire later that night. She takes a spot near Yang before noticing Weiss squirming a bit. The heiress reluctantly accepted Ruby's offer to share a blanket sometime before Blake arrived. A decision Weiss was mildly regretful of.

"You know Weiss, for someone so cold you're really warm." said Ruby while leaning on Weiss. She closes her eyes, content with her new friend-pillow.

"Keep saying things like that and soon you'll be the cold one after I take the blanket." Weiss retorted. The two start a back-and-forth of grumbling and mumbling before nodding off to sleep. Their banter brought a quiet chuckle out of Yang and Blake.

"So, when are you guys going to officially adopt her as your sister?" Blake asks Yang.

"Hey, I can barely control one little sister, but two?" Yang replied.

"Yeah, I suppose their combined might would be a handful. They'd probably be unstoppable." Blake said. Her comment had them both chuckling again. They were content to sit in silence for a while and rest, but it soon became apparent that neither were doing that. They were nervous, for both similar and different reasons. Tomorrow they deploy to Haven, and with that came a lingering dread for both of them. Yang stared into the fire, her mind completely somewhere else. Blake looked like she had something to say, but couldn't quite bring herself to vocalize it just yet. After a couple moments she finally spoke up. "Yang, you seem a bit…restless, since we left Vale. Like something's been bothering you."

"Yeah?" Yang replies. Her tone sounded somewhere in-between uncaring and dismissive.

Blake continued. "So, uh…" She pauses for a second, trying to find the words. "Well, the truth is, I'm scared about what might happen tomorrow." She puts her hand on Yang's shoulder. "It's…okay if you're scared too."

Yang turns to her slightly, and then faces the fire again. "Yeah…I am, but we've got a lot of strong people to back us up though. We're not gonna lose this one."

Blake removes her hand from Yang, looking away for a second. "Yang, remember that talk you gave me at Beacon? The one about Roman."

"Yeah, what about it?" Yang replied.

"Well…" Blake paused again. "What're you going to do if we face Adam?"

Yang's hands ball up tightly. "Well…we'll fight him together, just like Ruby said."

Blake's ears go down. "But…would you kill him?"

"…if he made me, yes. I'm not going to let him hurt you guys." Yang replied. She turns to Blake. "What about you? If he was about to hurt someone again tomorrow, moments away from taking someone's life right in front of you…are prepared to kill him?"

Blake sits in silence for a moment. "…Yes." she answered honestly.

Yang was admittedly surprised by the certainty of Blake's answer, but realized the gravity of her being able to actually admit that. Blake probably decided on this long ago, but never had to openly admit this until Yang asked her for the truth. It was the truth, but Yang couldn't help but feel a tad bit insensitive for so bluntly urging her to admit it. "I'm sorry." Yang uttered.

"It's okay." Blake assured her, looking a bit glum.

The fire was gradually dying down. Blake was now staring at the dwindling flame, sunken in thought. Yang could only look to her friend worriedly, feeling somewhat responsible. She decided to get up and retrieve a blanket, leaving Blake alone for a moment. She comes back with one in hand. "It's gonna get a bit cold, and we need to rest before the morning." Blake acknowledges Yang. "There was only one left, so I hope you don't mind we share."

Blake looks at the blanket and then back to Yang. "Yeah, I wouldn't mind." she answers. She had only shared a blanket with someone else a few other times in her life, at least when it came to anyone who wasn't family. It'd been a while, but she never remembered feeling so secure before when resting like this. Maybe it was just Yang's presence, or perhaps the comfort of warmth amidst the colder air. Regardless, it was enough to help her ease her body and mind before finally falling into a slumber.

Ironwood's Regime strike teams ride aboard two airships during daylight. The first carries Team Alpha, the second carrying Teams Beta and Charlie. Everyone waits quietly in the airships, any noise within its interior drowned out by the hum of the engines and wind coursing against the hull. Hunstmen either exchange glances with one another or stare at the floor, anticipating the mission as they wait under the dim red interior lights.

The Flash waits near Wonder Woman. He is suddenly overcome with a dizzying sensation, wincing as it encompassed his whole body. Wonder Woman immediately notices this. "Barry, what's wrong?"

Flash shakes off the feeling. "I think I'm alright." he answers. "Just a little dizzy from flying. I'm still not used to these Atlesian airships yet, but I should be good once we hit ground." Diana nods, seeing no reason to question it.

The first airship shoots forward, heading directly to Haven Academy. The second veers away, heading to the first drop-off location for Strike Team Beta. The ship doesn't land, but rather the Hunstmen will deploy from the ship through a drop so it may hastily reach the second drop-off point. The side doors open, freeing the first team to jump and utilize their landing strategies. Wonder Woman lands with her fist on the ground, followed quickly by Ruby and Weiss. Succeeding them are various other huntsmen. They look to the ship as it turns away again, heading to the next point. Beta begins their approach to their destination.

Strike Team Charlie follows suit, jumping from the airship as it reaches their drop-off point. The Flash creates tornadoes with his arms, slowing his descent. Soon after this comes Yang and Blake. Jaune yelps as he soars into a tree and latches himself to the top of it, before slowly descending to the ground and landing on his feet. He smiles awkwardly, knowing everyone present just witnessed that. Yang beckons him to follow as the group of Huntsmen sprint to their destination. The Flash, naturally, scouts ahead with his superior speed.

Strike Team Alpha waits aboard their ship, closing in on the Academy. Anticipating that the White Fang most likely spotted the ship by now, Ironwood opens the side doors. "Superman, Lantern, they've most likely seen us by now but you two can intercept them first. We won't be far behind." Superman and Hal nod before leaping from the ship to descend on Haven.

Waiting at Haven Academy is Adam Taurus, having already subdued or killed staff and students that put up a fight against his hostile occupation. White Fang soldiers secure any hostages they can find for possible leverage while others are in the process of planting bombs within the school. A scout waits on the roof with a set of binoculars, scanning the area. He points the sky, yelling "We've got Atlesian airships!"

Adam turns to Ilia. "Are the back-up charges in place?" he asks. She confirms with a nod. He points to one of his captains, stating "We'll finish what we can and then pull out." Suddenly, a crack is heard through the air. Adam quickly turns around, interrupted by a red flash of light. He was almost late to react to it, but partly drew his sword just fast enough to absorb an oncoming laser beam aimed directly at him. His Semblance was absorbing the power as it should have, but the sheer strength of the beam began to force itself against him to the point of pushing him back some ways. His feet drag on the floor, creating skid marks in the soil. The beam stops entirely. Were it not for his semblance absorbing the attack, he would have suffered significant damage. He sheathes his blade, the glow from his semblance fading as he eases himself. The new High Leader looks upwards to his attacker.

Floating down from the sky descends Superman, silhouetted by the sun. Adam can faintly see the glowing redness of the hero's eyes, producing a threatening image, before it fades away. "Hopefully you recognize that as your first and only warning, son." Superman stated.

"Well, well…" Adam uttered. He raises his arms in a sarcastic greeting gesture. "The so-called Atlesian 'Heroes' have graced me with their presence. I should be so honored that I was important enough to catch your attention."

Yellow Lantern floats down to the scene, joining Superman. "Well you see we're the clean-up crew, and we heard you were making quite the mess. Though you could always pick up after yourself and save us the trouble."

Adam chuckles. "Unfortunately for you, there'll be plenty to pick up after I'm done here. You and your friends included." he says, pointing his sword at them.

An Atlesian airship pulls in just short of the Academy, releasing Ironwood and his Huntsmen strike team. The General lands on the floor, joined by Winter who draws her blade immediately afterwards. The Huntsmen form a line, ready to engage in combat. The General steps forward. "Adam Taurus, by order of the Remnant Regime, we demand that the White Fang ceases its attack on the academy and surrender willingly. Your forces are outmatched and outnumbered. We won't hesitate to answer hostile retaliation with force." exclaimed General Ironwood.

Adam starts. "So…General Ironwood himself demands that I surrender?" He turns to look at the other White Fang members. "That the White Fang surrenders? That we drop our weapons while he allows for our people's suffering in Atlas continue unchallenged under his watchful eye? If the leader of the strongest academy in the four kingdoms refuses to stand for us, perhaps it's time we stand for ourselves." Adam's words are cheered on by his followers in agreement. "It's time to destroy this corrupt system, starting with Haven."

Ironwood shakes his head in frustration at Adam's non-compliance. "No one has to die today, Taurus! Stand down." he pleads.

Adam looks to Ironwood. "We won't surrender so long as you allow our people to suffer and die, human. Faunus retribution starts today. All it takes is to let the first pieces fall." Adam produces a small detonator, pressing the button almost as soon as he draws it. Explosions rock the ground all around them. The academy is seemingly intact, but the nearby mountainside had been blown out. A landslide of falling earthly debris threaten the towns below. In addition to this, bombs had also detonated in a nearby town close to one of Ironwood's teams.

Recognizing the immediate danger of the landslide and debris, Superman turns to Yellow Lantern. "Hal!" he exclaims, beckoning him to follow. The two bolt through the sky towards the mountainside to stop what they can from crushing the people below.

Ironwood could barely process what happened, but when looking back to the White Fang he spots Adam in the distance attempting to flee. "Don't let him escape!" Ironwood commands. His effort was futile however in the face of the White Fang soldiers who charged the Regime forces, intercepting any chance to pursue. Winter attempts to push through, but was delayed just as the other Huntsmen were by the sheer number and ferocity of the enemy. Ironwood grits his teeth. Adam most likely didn't know of the Regime's attack, the White Fang forces here were woefully under-prepared for such an engagement, but Adam surely knew about the heroes. He knew he couldn't face them in a straight fight, but he could distract them by endangering lives. Ironwood hates to admit it, but it was a good plan. Adam all but assured his retreat from his stronger opponents. He prepares his communications device to command the other teams to intercept Adam. Under no circumstance was he allowed to escape justice today.

Houses can be seen burning all across the settlement near Haven Academy. Within one home, engulfed in flames, a man and his child scream for their lives. Their house had caved in thanks to debris from other destroyed homes. The sounds abruptly disappear before a loud crash breaks the momentary silence. Bursting from the house was Ruby with the two in her arms, falling to the floor but evacuating them safely away from the burning death trap. The small child was still crying, but the father manages to thank Ruby before fleeing the area with it.

Weiss approaches Ruby to check on her. Ruby stands up and dusts the ash off of herself "I think that's the last who got trapped, but we still need to evacuate the rest."

Weiss acknowledges, but then gasps from what she sees in the distance. Ruby turns around and spots the swarm of flying Grimm headed in their direction. "We've got Grimm!" Weiss shouts while pointing towards the monsters.

Ruby figured that any Grimm nearby must have been drawn to the panicking citizens. Several huntsmen draw their weapons and launch various projectiles soaring towards their airborne enemies. A handful of the monsters go down, but not enough to suppress the overall swarm's approach. The gunfire and dust spells stop flying as a blood-curdling cry rang throughout the settlement. The sound was so striking that even the airborne Grimm gave pause to it. Stretching from beyond the cliff side was a long hand rising from the drop below. The hand crashes into the ground, sinking its claws into the floor to awkwardly pull its body up onto the same level as the settlement. It was a towering Grimm, possessing the body of both a horse and humanoid form. The creature occasionally twitched, while the mouth on its human head grew agape to reveal stretched flesh that bound the top and bottom of its jaws together. Few huntsmen from outside this kingdom knew of this creature, but to the people of Mistral it was known as the Nuckelavee.

A handful of Huntsmen run in to join Ruby and Weiss, notably lead by Wonder Woman. "I will draw in the beasts." she exclaimed. "Cover the people's escape, and slaughter any foes that attempt to pass!" The Amazon leapt into the air towards the Nuckelavee. The creature spots her and screeches wildly. It strikes with an outstretched arm, attempting to attack her mid-air. Wonder Woman parries with her shield, the metal grinding off of the creature's nails and arm, freeing herself to seamlessly plunge sword-first into the creature's attempts to scrape her off, but she anticipates this and leaps off of it. In one smooth action she stows away her sword and shield, instead choosing to wield her lasso. She eyes a Manticore, the beast not showing interest in her as it flies to attack her allies. With a toss of the lasso's loop she is able to arrest the Manticore mid-flight. Using her superior strength, she begins to swing the monster viciously through the air. A flurry of collisions cracks throughout the sky as she bashes the Manticore into its Grimm brethren. With one final swing she brings the massive feline down upon the Nuckelavee, dissolving her winged captive with one deadly impact. The Nuckelavee bursts forth after suffering from the impact, and screeches as it readies itself to charge at Wonder Woman.

While the battle between Wonder Woman and the Grimm rages up ahead, Ruby stays back with Weiss and the other Huntsmen to fend off straggling enemies. A shot from a huntress' heavy rifle nails a Sphinx in the wing, sending it careening downwards towards Ruby. She barely dodges it, the monster's impact against the ground still strong enough to knock her away a few meters. She recovers, rubbing her head. Before getting back up, she happens to notice something in the distance. Humanoid, black clothes, red hair, a blade- Wait a second… The figure turns towards Ruby, and what was visible of his face confirms her suspicions. She had only seen him once on a hologram, but there was no doubt that it was Adam Taurus. The huntress darts up, immediately starting her pursuit. Adam runs away, realizing he had been spotted. Ruby calls it in "This is Strike Team Charlie, we have eyes on Adam Taurus! I'm in pursuit now!"

Weiss, upon hearing this, quickly turns around to see her teammate in hot pursuit of Adam. Weiss reaches out. "Ruby, wait!" she shouts worriedly before chasing after her.

Ruby dashes onto a nearby dirt road flanked by trees on each side. The larger clearing now lead into a smaller area with more cover thanks to the forest. An area like this would be easier to hide in. To Ruby it was no wonder that Adam picked this spot to flee. In fact, in her effort to chase him through this area she had somehow already lost him. She squinted, unsure as to how he evaded her. She could have sworn she had her eyes on him the whole way through. She runs, listening for any suspicious sounds while scanning for physical signs of where he might have gone. It was not use, she lost him.

The girl was just about cursing to herself in her head, but the silence was suddenly broken. Over her scroll she hears a familiar voice. It was Jaune. "This is Strike Team Beta, we're currently engaging Adam Taurus but we need back up!"

"What?" Ruby questioned upon hearing the message. Jaune's team was all the way on the opposite side of the academy. Did Adam somehow travel all the way from one side to the next in such a short time? Perhaps with the right semblance user he might. There's no way he was in two places at once. Maybe she somehow hallucinated his image the heat of battle?

Weiss finally catches up, leaping off of a glyph to land near Ruby. She lets out a hefty sigh, probably winded from chasing Ruby. She takes a few steps towards Ruby and flicks her in the forehead. "That's for running off without thinking! We're not supposed to fight him alone."

"I know I know." Ruby said apologetically. "Sorry I got us into this mess. I guess I just imagined seeing him."

"No, something's definitely wrong." Weiss countered. "When I was chasing you I saw him too." So Ruby hadn't imagined it. Adam really was here, or perhaps may have been. She would get her answer very shortly.

A brief rustle is heard from the trees somewhere near the two girls. Surely enough, walking out onto the road was a smirking Adam. Ruby and Weiss raise their weapons, ready to fight. "So it is you. Don't think just because you have a body double means we can't catch you!" Ruby states. Adam simply says nothing, still smirking. He slings his sword up and over his shoulder and lets it rest there. Suddenly, a pink wave of energy consisting of crystal shards slides over Adam's body. His image transitions and reveals a new figure. This person was smaller in stature, hair of pink and brown, and armed with an umbrella. Ruby unmistakably recognized her as Roman Torchwick's right-hand henchman: Neo.

"Her?" Weiss questioned.

"We don't have time for this!" Ruby exclaims, knowing every second they might waste in a fight with Neo could put Adam one step closer to escaping. Neo simply glares at Ruby specifically. She said nothing, as always, but one look alone was all Ruby needed to understand her intentions. This didn't have anything to do with the White Fang. Neo's intensity just felt more…personal. At this point Ruby and Weiss would have to try and ignore Neo completely, or at the very least end this fight quickly. Ruby had a feeling Neo wouldn't make the former option possible, and make the latter difficult still. Still, Ruby had to try something.

Using her semblance, Ruby jets forward and slashes at Neo with her scythe. Her opponent simply ducks under the slash, almost as if she saw the attack coming a mile away. Ruby slashes at Neo several more times, but the smaller girl dodges and weaves through each movement. With one smooth stride Neo dodges one more slash and finds herself inches from Ruby's face. It was impossible for Ruby to stop the successive jab and strikes from the closed pink parasol that struck her. Ruby staggers backward thanks to Neo's brief but precise combination of attacks.

Neo quickly glances over her own shoulder, spotting Weiss' approach and dodging just before a rapier could try and pierce her. Weiss was more adept to close combat dueling, at least more than Ruby, allowing her to fare slightly better in this situation. Neo holds her parasol up to her face similarly to how a professional fencer's stance, obviously trying to mock the heiress. Weiss simply growls before clashing weapons with her smug foe. The way she wielded Myrtenaster let her utilize shorter and more controlled swings against her opponent.

Neo could easily see that Weiss was a lot sharper than Ruby, and wouldn't be as easy to take down. With the chances of another huntsman showing up growing ever more likely by the second, Neo knew she couldn't spend the whole fight dueling Weiss. She had to get to Ruby. In the spur of the moment, Neo successfully parries one of Weiss' strikes and, taking inspiration from Roman, flips her parasol and grips the length of it. Using the handle of the parasol, Neo quickly yanks the rapier out of Weiss' hands and kicks her away. In a quick set of movements Neo disarms Weiss and grasps Myrtenaster in her free hand. The pink-haired girl smugly smiled, now wielding both the parasol and rapier in each hand. She turns her gaze to Ruby now.

Ruby braces herself, knowing full well that the small girl intended to assault her. Neo dashes forward like a blur, launching a flurry of blows against her. Crescent Rose was luckily large, allowing Ruby to make wide circular spins that could parry away smaller weapons that would get caught in it. She tries to counterattack with another scythe swing, but misses once more. Neo closes the distance just like last time, less than a second away from being in Ruby's space again. It felt like Ruby messed up again, but at that moment she remembered her training. She had a combat session with Wonder Woman where the Amazon encouraged her to not overly rely on her weapon as if it were her only option. She moves on impulse, releasing her right hand from Crescent Rose, and swinging her fist outwardly in defense. Neo was already moving, unable to prevent the back of Ruby's fist from making contact with her face. This bought Ruby just enough time to grab her scythe again and sweep Neo off the floor by her legs.

Ruby pins Neo down with her foot, and holds Crescent Rose's spear end towards Neo's neck. "Give up." Ruby demanded. Neo eyed the spear end, and then looked back at Ruby. She squinted disapprovingly before pressing her own neck against the spear tip. Upon contact her image shatters to pieces like glass. She reappears only a few meters away, standing ready to fight again. Her readiness disappears however as a giant sword crashes down next to her. The attack took her by surprise, forcing her to drop Myrtenaster. An acceleration glyph appears right below where the rapier landed, shooting it up into Weiss' grasp once more. Floating next to the heiress was a small glowing glyph with a giant arm wielding a massive sword. Ruby gazed at the arm and sword in awe.

Weiss raises her sword towards Neo. "We shouldn't have to say it again. Surrender." she sternly demanded. The girl doesn't respond, only raising her weapon once more against the pair. Ruby and Weiss nod to each other, and attack her together. The paired strike forced Neo to dodge backwards with a flip. She opens her parasol to slow her landing, but unfortunately put her in the worst position. Unbeknownst to her was a giant black body hurling towards her direction.

At some point in the battle with the Grimm, Wonder Woman had been fiercely fighting the Nuckelavee. While formidable, it was no match before Wonder Woman's superior strength. She lifted the creature, and cast it across the cliff side. Coincidentally in its path was Neo, who was tossed aside uselessly by the massive body crashing into her entirety. The impact alone damaged her aura as well as her parasol, forcing a sharp cry from her as she fell with the beast down the cliff.

Ruby and Weiss look downward to where she fell, uncertain of Neo's fate. Weiss looks to Ruby, uttering "Is she…"

"I don't know." Ruby replied. "We can't worry about that now, though." Weiss nods. The two race towards their huntsmen team, urgently trying to make time now that their distraction was out of the way.

The Flash was racing through the woods in Mistral. Now that Adam evaded capture from Strike Team Alpha, it was up to the back-up flanking teams to secure the priority target. Team Beta was divided into three groups: Two search parties, one consisting of Flash and the other of Hunstmen, and a third group of heavy-hitters to serve as the rear-guard in case anyone slips past the first two groups. With Hal and Superman occupied with protecting civilians from the falling mountain debris, in addition to Alpha battling the main enemy force, the back-up teams were all that were left to stop Adam. Now that Flash was on the field however, this task should be easy enough.

Flash feels a twinge throughout his very being. It felt like parts of himself were leaving his body temporarily, as if his powers were there one second and then suddenly gone. He stops, trying to recover from a dizzying sensation. He'd been feeling strange ever since they left Vale, but he's never experienced any sort of "glitchiness" in his powers like this before. He pondered for a moment if this was the result of him being in another universe, but his powers had worked fine on Remnant for nearly two and a half months now. A connection to the Speedforce was still there, so why did it falter now? There was no more time to think on it though, as he catches sight of his target running through the forest a distance away. After a quick starting position, Flash jolts off.

With one solid collision, Flash brings Adam to a stop. The White Fang leader staggers over and catches himself on a tree. Not down, but he definitely felt that one. Flash stands high with his arms crossed. "You didn't think we'd just let you give us the slip did ya?" he mocked.

Adam wiped his face, and then chuckled. "No, I suppose not. If I'm being honest though, I was hoping for a chance to kill at least one of you today." He brings himself to a full stand and grins while readying his blade. With a flick of the thumb his sword scoots out of the sheath an inch, and in that instant the two were off.

A series of red slashes weaved across the air in front of Flash. Adam relentlessly advanced on his position, but Flash could see each of the attacks coming before they could ever meet their target. He had to give Adam credit though. The kid was at least faster than the average sword-toting villain he's fought in the past. Unfortunately, what he had wasn't going to be enough to catch up. Feeling annoyed that he wasn't hitting anything, Adam growls and then switches to his rifle. He fires off several shots, foiled yet again by Flash's superior speed. That was the case, until one bullet flew straight into one of his arms.

With a pained grunt, Flash toppled over the floor. His suddenly interrupted momentum had him rolling over a few times before finally stopping. Adam appears confused for a moment, but then smugly smirks now realizing his opponent's predicament. "No Aura? Well, that's certainly interesting." He slowly begins to walk towards Flash. "Looks like I'm going to get my wish after all." He trains his rifle right at his opponent.

The Flash grits his teeth, his connection to the Speedforce lost once again. He was cursing on the inside, noting the supreme inconvenience of this anomaly happening to him when it did. The possibility of his inability to use his powers was considered when traveling to a new world, but in the end perhaps he didn't prepare enough for it. Maybe it was just bad luck, maybe it was karma. Regardless, he had to do something. He tried to get up, stifled with the wound still fresh in his arm, no powers to help him deal with the bullet. With each breath he tries to draw on the Speedforce once more. One…nothing. Two…nothing. Three-! A surge of electricity streams through his chest, re-invigorating his body. The Speedforce returns to him, and with one kick he launches himself away before Adam could fire upon him again.

Finding some distance and cover, Flash tries to deal with the bullet. He needed to vibrate the molecules in his arm at just the right frequency to get the bullet to pass through him, but he was going to have to brace for his next act. While forming a tight fist and gritting his teeth, Flash grasps his injured arm. His muscles tense up as he growls and grunts painfully. Slowly he begins to vibrate parts of his arm, but stops from the sudden pain. Gasping, he knew he had to bear it if he was going to get through this. He wills himself to make one more attempt, able to hold the vibration on the right frequency just long enough for the bullet to finally slip out between the rapidly shifting molecules. A difficult but relieved gasp escapes him, followed by exhaustive breathing. Now his enhanced metabolism and regenerative abilities could do the rest.

Flash, now recovering, manages to stand up and carefully peeks out from behind a tree. Adam was still looking for him nearby in the woods. "Rrgh! Come on out and face me you coward!" the masked man yells while swinging his blade in a brief tantrum. Adam lost track of him. Good. Now all Flash had to do was wait for his arm to fully heal within the next minute, and then re-engage his enemy. A sudden burst of gunshots broke his concentration. Looking out from the tree again, Flash witnessed several members of his team now engaging with Adam. Two women, one blonde and one black haired, he immediately recognized one of them to be Yang. The two were certainly capable of holding their own, but they were still Huntresses-in-Training. Flash felt he had to intervene if no one else would. He didn't want to bear the weight of harm coming to his younger allies when he could have done something to stop it.

Blake and Yang stopped in the woods as the echo of Adam's voice rang through the trees. The two had nothing to say, and for a second they were unsure of what to think. They simply looked to the other reading what the other realizes in their eyes alone, and then nodded in unison. They knew what they had to do. They followed the source of the voice, swiftly but quietly moving further into the woods. Blake was clearly more adept at moving quietly, and Yang had to do her best to keep up while moving discretely. Blake signaled to stop, prompting them both to take cover behind trees within sight of each other. Quickly peeking, they manage to spot a seemingly distracted Adam close by. It seems he hasn't detected them, or whatever else he was looking for. It was now or never.

Blake signals to Yang, but notices something off about her. She almost seemed frozen, off in her own world. What could have happened, and why now? Blake tries to motion for her without making much noise, but to no avail. She couldn't catch Yang's attention or ask what was wrong without giving them away. From where she could see it seemed like Yang was nearly panting. Was Yang panicking? Now? She would have no time to figure this out however. Adam had gotten closer when she wasn't looking.

In a completely random act of fate, Adam had a sudden tantrum that spurred him to cut down a tree. To the shock of the two girls, the tree behind Yang was severed from its base and began to fall in two. In a moment that felt like slow motion, Yang turned around towards Adam as the top of the tree fell. Adam appeared surprised as he began to register what he was seeing. Their gazes met for all but less than a second, before Yang swung forward to fire a shot at him. She was not about to give him the chance to act. Soon after: Chaos. Yang went into a wild frenzy on Adam, the swordsman somewhat off after getting struck in the head by her opening gunshot. The bullet never breached his aura, but the blunt force was enough to slightly stun him even with an active Aura. Blake did her best to keep up with the action, doing what she can to support Yang and throw off any of Adam's attempted counterattacks. Adam knew he needed to pull away, and finally made an opening. Swinging as hard as he can, his sword clashed with Yang's gauntlets hard enough to push her back. In that moment he leapt away from the pair to put some distance between them. Blake glances at Yang to see if she's is alright. She was answered with a nod from the blonde despite the visible panting. Yang takes in a breath, trying to briefly collect herself and stay level-headed. The two girls stand at the ready while staring Adam down.

Adam comes to a stand and simply chuckles. "Well, if it isn't the traitor and her so-called partner. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you two here. You should probably know I've already bled one of your heroes." He raises and points his sword at them. "You don't look ready. Why don't you go on and leave unless you care to be the next." he taunts.

"I'm not dead yet!" Flash retorted, as he crashed into Adam. The Scarlet Speedster carries the redhead away in one swift action. He then begins to swirl around Adam, barraging him with a storm of punches from all directions. Adam tries his best to counter, still helpless to his opponent's superior speed. The Faunus grew overconfident too quickly after landing that one shot on the hero. Now he was paying for it.

Ironwood and Winter still fought, delayed by the White Fang forces. He just received confirmation that Team Beta has intercepted Adam, but the by this point any delay might risk his enemy's escape still. On top of that, Team Charlie was now engaging with a Grimm swarm. The variables were stacking up, and he needed to ensure victory at all costs. His team could no longer be delayed. "Winter!" he called out to her. She finds a pause in the fighting, letting the General wrest her attention. "We can't delay. I'll provide cover. I need you to end this, now!"

Winter realized what he was asking. "Yes, sir!" she answers. While they originally planned to have her preserve strength in the event she had to face Adam, the situation called for her full capabilities. She leaps away, Ironwood standing in front of her to prevent any oncoming attacks from assaulting her. The specialist assumes a still and disciplined stance as white summon circles begin to swirl and materialize around her.

The White Fang troops watched in shock and horror as droves of glowing white Beowolves phased into existence and tore into their ranks. Seeking to end the conflict in haste, Winter did not care for caution by simply striking the enemy. If her luminescent wolves had the opening to kill, they ended their enemies on the spot with no hesitation. The White Fang troops weren't just defeated quickly by the Regime, they were terrorized by this attack. It took mere moments before they finally realized they were routed, and began to flee en masse.

Ironwood was glad to see the school grounds finally cleared, but he knew an attack that would inspire fear would draw nearby Grimm. He checks in with members of Team Alpha, assessing his remaining force size and their condition. Winter was now exhausted by the expenditure of Aura from her summoning attack. "You all hold the line here with Winter and protect the Academy." he directs while pointing at one half of the group. "Grimm will most likely swarm the Academy after this attack and I'd rather not see it fall. We saved Beacon, we can save Haven too. The other half of this group: with me. We need to intercept Taurus now!" Ironwood begins to sprint into the forest with his group of Atlesian troops and Hunstmen, while Winter stays behind to recover.

"Godspeed to you, sir." Winter utters.

Adam continues to be battered by Flash in the forest. Yang and Blake are met with a panting and confused Jaune, who joins in marveling at the storm unfolding before them. Flash's actions are so fast that interfering in the battle would risk getting in his way. The fight seemed to be going their way at this point now that a hero was taking part. Flash dodges yet another slash from Adam. After building enough speed he springs himself from off of a tree readying an electrically charged arm. With one swing of his arm he chucks a bolt of lightning forward to strike his target. Adam only had seconds to act, but in one quick reflex he draws his sword in a defensive position. The bolt casts itself straight into Adam's blade, supercharging it with yellow lightning that sparks intensely.

Adam never felt a sensation like this before. His body, his very molecules, were vibrating and surging with energy. The boy did not know it, but using his Semblance to absorb the attack took more than just the energy itself. It allowed him to absorb some portion of his opponent's unique power: The Speedforce. He felt rejuvenated, and most importantly: faster. He could see Flash running, finally able to clearly perceive his movements now. He reflexively swung out his fist, managing to knock Flash away. Blake, Yang, and Jaune look on in awe after seeing Adam somehow strike the Flash successfully. The Faunus' body was silhouetted in black and red, lightning now sparking off of his figure. With one small turn of his head towards them, they knew they were next.

The three were helpless before the sudden rush of blunt impacts delivered to each of them. They would fall to the floor, knocked down again as soon as they tried to get back up. Adam stopped before Jaune, striking fear into the Hunstman in training. The boy attempts to slash Adam with his sword, but Adam just bats away Jaune's weapon. Next he bats away Jaune's shield. He punches the blonde in the gut and then grabs him by the neck with one hand. This amount of power was incredible. Adam was getting a high from exerting himself like this, taunting his three victims as they struggle uselessly against his might. The power of the Regime's heroes was truly something else. It was something unlike anything in Remnant.

From the corner of his eye, Adam notices the Flash once again trying to stop him. This hero in red had worn out his welcome. He decides it was time to stop fooling around, and end him. Adam turns and with one motion barely detectable to the human eye he unleashes the fully charged power of Moonslice. The red energy now unloaded with the speedforce within it begins to blanket the strike zone in the blink of an eye. Flash sees the attack, but can do nothing. He attempts to veer away from it, but for one last time he feels the Speedforce slowly leave his body once more. There was no time to think or register what was about to happen. He is engulfed by the powerful red wave, the sheer force thrusting him backward as he begins to crumble apart piece by piece. His form dissolves away like dust in the wind until nothing is left.

Blake, Yang, and Jaune are speechless. With no one left to stop him, Adam then turns his gaze back to Jaune, preparing his next attack. The speedforce was gone now, but he was still strong enough to dispose of his next victim.

"NOOOO!" echoes a pained voice in the air.

Adam hears this before the sound is succeeded with a harsh impact. It was suddenly hard to breath, and his chest was surging with an intense pain. His head twitches, his mask leaving his face to reveal his widened eyes. He barely manages to look down at the bloodied hand protruding from his chest. He feels it withdraw from his body, now leaving only a hole where the hand once was. Adam falls forward into a puddle of his own blood. He doesn't know how or why, just that he was near his end. The group hears him gasp for a few seconds before he finally fell still and silent.

His killer stood above the corpse, hand still bloodied after the fact, cape streaming in the wind…there was no mistaking that it was him: The Regime's Hero.

Blake, Yang, and Jaune will never forget what they saw that day. Adam's victims were avenged. The Regime by all means tasted its first victory in action. However, none of that would compare to what they saw. No amount of success would burn its way into their minds as this image did. To them it wouldn't just be a day of triumph, no. This would be the day they bore witness to Superman's justice.

End of Chapter 9