RWBY: Team CRML

Chapter 64

Liam

Qrow hops up, places his foot on Tyrian's back, leaps off and kicks his sword toward Clover, who jumps back and dodges. He then lands on the ground, picks up his sword and swings at Clover, who continues to dodge. Tyrian moves over to Qrow, wraps his tail around Qrow's waist and pivots himself around Qrow to swing his weapon at Clover, sending Qrow spinning off-balance while Clover blocks the attack. Clover swings his rod at Tyrian, who leaps into the air, while Qrow fires his gun at Clover, who is unable to block in time.

Now behind Clover, Tyrian rushes over, leaps into the air, and spins, swinging his weapons at Clover, however Liam blocked the attack. Pushing Tyrian back, Liam was about to rush him when Clover wrapped his fishing line around Liam, causing him to fall to the ground.

"I'm trying to help you, Clover!" While he is distracted, Tyrian kicks him in the side, and then Qrow punches him in the chest. Getting free from the line, Liam got to his feet as Clover punches Qrow in the face. While Qrow stumbles backward gripping his head, Tyrian jumps up and brings his weapons down toward Clover, who blocks with his rod. Tyrian kicks off from Clover, and Qrow takes the opportunity to slash Clover's back with his sword.

Tyrian moves toward Clover, who leaps and maneuvers in the air to simultaneously avoid Tyrian kicking at his feet and Qrow swinging his sword. Clover whips his fish hook at Qrow, then Tyrian, then Qrow again, but Qrow blocks and Tyrian dodges. Tyrian rushes toward Clover, but Liam got in the way, blocking the attack. Laughing maniacally, Tyrian flipped over Liam before kicking his feet out from under him. Pointing his weapons at Liam, Tyrian grinned.

"If you don't stay down, I might have to cut your life short. I wouldn't want that." Tyrian frowned before grinning again. "You hold so much potential!" Qrow runs, leaps, and swings his sword down at Clover, who blocks it. Clover dodges as Qrow swings his sword at him and then punches Qrow in the face.

Clover then grabs Qrow's arm and swings him over his shoulder, throwing him. Qrow bounces on his back and turns over to land on his feet, while Tyrian runs to be behind Qrow, leaving Liam on the ground. As Qrow slides to a stop, Tyrian uses his tail to shove him toward Clover. Qrow uses the momentum and thrusts his sword toward Clover, who sidesteps and then dodges as Qrow swings his sword at him twice. Clover crouches down, hooks his fishing rod on Qrow's ankle and pulls, knocking Qrow onto his back. He then lets the fishing line loose and uses it to swing Qrow through the air over him and slam him onto the ground.

Tyrian repeatedly shoots at Clover, but Liam quickly moved to block and deflect the shots. However, as Tyrian neared, he activated his semblance, slashing at Liam's chest and causing the aura to part. Within that opening, Tyrian slashed at Liam, cutting deep into his chest but not deep enough to cause him to bleed out, only to incapacitate him. Clutching his wound as he fell to the ground, both Tyrian and Qrow charge toward Clover, who slips past Tyrian and grabs Tyrian's braid. He hits Tyrian in the back of the head with his weapon, sending him stumbling forward. As Tyrian bends down and continues forward, Qrow swings his sword at Clover, who blocks it with his rod. Tyrian places his hand against Qrow and pushes, stopping his own momentum while causing Qrow to lose his balance. Tyrian turns to face Clover, while Qrow drops down and catches himself with his hands.

As Tyrian charges forward, Clover sends his hook past him to hook onto the hole in Qrow's sword. He swings his pole, jerking the sword from Qrow's hands and sending it flying to stab into the ground. While the sword stabs into the ground, Clover steps back to avoid Tyrian kicking at his legs. Tyrian activates his Semblance and swipes at Clover, who barely manages to dodge. He then grabs onto Clover's rod with his left hand while clawing at Clover's face with his right. Clover swings his rod at Tyrian, who blocks and dodges. He then jumps at Tyrian, who puts his arms up to block, allowing Clover to kick off from his arms and land several feet away.

Tyrian runs toward Clover, who sends his fishing line to wrap around Tyrian, binding his arms to his sides. Tyrian falls forward onto the ground and glares at him. Qrow gets to his feet, looking over at his sword and instead runs toward Clover. Watching this, Tyrian grins and chuckles. As Clover turns toward him, Qrow delivers a heavy punch to his gut, sending him tumbling across the ground and breaking his Aura.

"Why couldn't you just do the right thing instead of the thing you were told?" Qrow asked, panting.

Clover puts his hand to his stomach and gets up on one knee, looking at Qrow. "Sometimes the right decision is the hardest to make. I trust James with my life!" Clover said as he gets to his feet. "I wanted to trust you."

As Liam looked over, he saw Tyrian pick up Qrow's weapon and sneak behind Clover. "Clover!" Suddenly, Tyrian thrust the sword forward, and Clover bends back, yelping in pain. Blood splatters onto the snow. Tyrian plunged Harbinger straight through Clover's back. Qrow and Liam stare in shock, while Tyrian chuckles and pulls the sword from Clover's body.

Liam yelled out as he slowly pushed himself to his feet, coughing and wincing in pain. "Clover..."

Clover stumbles forward, dripping blood onto the snow. He drops to the ground, panting, and turns over onto his back, covering the snow beneath him in a puddle of his blood. Tyrian takes a few steps forward and rests Harbinger across his shoulders.

"Doesn't look like your friend's going to make it."

Qrow glares at Tyrian. "I'll kill you!"

"Oh, you mean... like you just killed Clover?" Tyrian

chuckles and throws the sword down onto the snow. Qrow looks down at his bloodied sword with wide eyes, then glares at Tyrian. The sound of an airship engine approaches, and Tyrian looks to the sky.

"Ah, here they come. Right on time."

A Manta flies overhead from Mantle. Qrow screams and charges toward Tyrian, attempting to punch him, but Tyrian jumps away. "Ah, looks like our score will have to wait. You know my track record with the authorities!"

Tyrian runs away, laughing, and Qrow runs after him for a few steps before stopping and looking at Clover. He looks at Tyrian, then runs to Clover and drops to his knees beside him. As Liam stumbled over to kneel next to Clover as well.

"Someone had to take the fall." Clover said, his breathing slow and shaky.

"James will take the fall. I'll make sure of it." Qrow told him.

The tundra slowly begins to light up as they speak, and Clover looks off toward the sunrise on the horizon. Qrow turns to look, as well.

"Good luck." Clover chuckled.

Qrow turns to look down at Clover, who is smiling at him. The light in his eyes fades away, as does his smile. Qrow and Liam both have tears in their eyes.

Chrome/Nicci

Chrome and Nicci glared at Cinder. "You won't be making it to the Winter Maiden."

"You can't stop me." Cinder lunged forward but Nicci and Chrome dodged to opposite sides of the hall before slashing at Cinder in unison. Jumping over their weapons, Cinder landed in a crouching position. She kicks Chrome's feet out from under him before punching Nicci under her jaw.

Standing back up, Chrome swung at Cinder. Ducking under his swing, Cinder moved behind him. As she went to strike, Chrome had the second blade spring from the hilt, jabbing Cinder in her shoulder.

Pulling the two halves apart, Chrome began a full on assault against her, swinging his blades and forcing Cinder to go on the defensive. Cinder created two blades out of glass, using them to block Chrome's attacks.

As Chrome swung one last time, Cinder saw an opening as he knelt down, placing a hand on the ground to steady himself. As her blades neared him, Nicci suddenly vaulted over Chrome, kicking Cinder in the chest before taking aim and firing a shotgun round at her.

Stumbling back from the blast, Cinder growled in frustration. Creating a massive fireball in her palm, she threw it at Nicci. Ducking to dodge the ball of flame, it flew down the hall. The impact from the blast created a massive hole in the wall.

As Nicci glanced back, Cinder quickly took the chance to slash both swords at her. Kicking her away, Chrome jumped in. Taking aim at Cinder, he fired shot after shot but Cinder blocked the bullets with ease.

Throwing his weapon at her, she ducked to the side before quickly charging him. Grabbing Chrome by the throat, Cinder slammed him into the ground. "You're weak!"

"Maybe." Chrome recalled his blade using the ring on his finger. "But you should watch your back!"

Cinder quickly turned around just as the blade flew towards her. Jumping back, she dodged the weapon as it returned to Chrome's grasp. Standing back up, Nicci swung her axe down at Cinder. Grabbing the hilt, Cinder glared at Nicci. "I've had enough of you two!" creating another fireball, Cinder shot it point-blank into Nicci's stomach, sending her onto her back.

Nicci's aura flickered as she sat up. Before she could react, Cinder slashed at her, draining Nicci's aura. Seeing this, Chrome rushed Cinder, swinging his blades at her.

Slashing Cinder's back, she stumbled forward before turning to Chrome. As he raised his weapon, Cinder charged him using her powers. Taking him to the end of the hall, Cinder pushed him out of the hole. Grabbing the edge, Chrome looked down. He was near the top of the academy, meaning it was a long fall down.

As Chrome hung with one hand, Nicci ran down the hall, her weapon ready. As Nicci neared Cinder, Cinder turned to her, creating a glass sword and stabbing Nicci in the side. Gasping as blood dripped from the glass sword, Nicci dropped her axe.

Finally pulling himself up, Chrome saw Cinder with her weapon impaled in Nicci. Time seemed to slow to a stop as Cinder glanced at Chrome with a smile. Pulling her weapon free, Cinder grabbed Nicci by her throat before throwing her out of the hole in the wall. "NO!" watching Nicci fall, Chrome used multiple black glyphs to slow her descent. Letting go of the edge, Chrome created black glyphs under himself.

Landing at the base of the academy, a few feet from Nicci, Chrome sheathed his weapon as he ran to his teammate. Falling to his knees, he looked down at her wound. Placing his hands over it, he applied pressure causing Nicci to cry out in pain.

"You're gonna be okay, Nicci." Chrome told her. "I'm gonna-" he tried to pick her up but she screamed even louder. Placing her back down gently, tears began streaming down her face.

"I don't think... I'm walking away from this one..." Nicci said through her tears. "I'm so sorry, Chrome."

"For what?"

"Selling you out to Adam." she replied. "I..." she began crying even more. "I didn't think he was going to hurt you."

"You're still on that?" he asked with a slight chuckle.

"I...I tried to make it up to you, Chrome." Nicci said. "Did...did I make it up to you?"

Chrome began crying himself. "Of course you did, Nicci. A hundred times over."

Nicci closed her eyes for a second as she smiled. "Y-you're here with me, right?" she asked, her voice breaking. "You won't leave me?"

"I'm here." Chrome moved his hands from her wound to her hand, squeezing gently. "You're gonna be okay. I'm gonna get you to someone who can help."

Nicci smiled up at Chrome. Her smile wasn't filled with sorrow but with peace. "I think we both know what's going to happen." she began coughing. "I better not...see you again...for quite some...time." her head slowly fell to the side.

Knowing she was gone, Chrome closed her eyes, tears streaming down his face. Hearing a loud blast, Chrome looked up the academy to see a whirlwind of ice coming from the roof.

Looking back at Nicci, Chrome slowly placed her on the ground before getting to his feet. Grabbing his weapon, he looked back up at the whirlwind.

Using his glyphs, Chrome ran up the side of the academy. Jumping through the hole in the wall, he rolled to his feet before sprinting down the hall. Finding the Winter Maiden's room, Chrome burst through the door to find the entire room encased in ice.

Looking over, Cinder was standing, holding her Grimm arm with Winter laying on the floor next to her. Glaring at Cinder, Chrome gripped his weapon even harder. "You!"

Turning to face Chrome, Cinder growled at him. "Stay out of my-" she was cut off as Chrome slashed at her, causing her to stumble back.

"She's dead because of you!" Chrome growled, hatred fueling his entire body. Suddenly, a dozen glyphs appeared around, above and beside Chrome. From those glyphs, summons emerged. Knowing she was outmatched, Cinder fled.

He was about to give chase, but his aura broke from over use of his semblance. Falling to his knees, Chrome yelled out in agony. "Winter."

Weiss, Ruby and Marek jump down from the viewing room. Weiss and Ruby head over to Winter, who struggles to sit up while Marek goes to Chrome. Winter glares at Weiss.

"What did you do?" Ruby looks over to Penny, who has Maiden flames coming from her eyes. Penny's Maiden flames fade away, and she looks at Ruby, then turns and drops to her knees, resting her hand on the previous Maiden's. Her eyes glimmer as she gains an expression of grief. She covers her eyes with her hands, and Ruby hurries over to her side and places a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you alright? Penny, what happened?" Ruby asked.

"She's… gone."

Ruby looks at the old Maiden, but before she can say anything, Winter's voice catches their attention.

"No. She's a part of you now." Winter said. Winter props herself up against a wall. "I suggest you all surrender and comply with the General's orders."

Weiss and Ruby look at each other and then at Winter.

"We can't do that."

"Then... I suggest you run." Winter told them.

"No, you're hurt! I'm not going to leave you like this." Weiss said.

"You're not leaving me. I'm giving you a head start." Winter touches her fingers to the communication device in her ear. "This is Special Operative Schnee in need of immediate medical assistance. Send reinforcements, over." Winter lowers her hand, and Weiss stares in shock before gaining a serious expression.

"We all have to carve out our own way."

A Manta arrives next to the hole in the wall, and the door slides open to reveal Yang.

"Guys you're…"

Yang looks around at them, and Ruby looks at Penny.

"We need to go."

Weiss looks at Winter and then boards the ship. Ruby and Penny exchange a look, and Ruby gets up and walks to the ship. Marek and Chrome both follow.

Aboard the Manta, Team JNPR stand together next to one of the doors. Ruby, Penny and Weiss are sitting together on a bench, and Blake and Yang are standing nearby. Pietro is seated in the middle of the floor.

"Take us to the base of the academy." Chrome told Maria.

"But-"

"Please." Chrome said on the verge of tears.

"Alright. Not sure what you need." Maria said before beginning the descent. Once the Manta touched down, Chrome left and walked over to Nicci's body. Picking her up in his arms, he returned to the Manta. Everyone stared in shocked silence as Chrome slowly placed Nicci on one of the Manta's benches.

No one spoke as Maria flies away from the City of Atlas while red lightning flickers in the sky. A constant flicker of red lightning reveals a strange silhouette in the storm clouds. Soon, an enormous Whale Grimm slowly drifts out from the clouds, accompanied by a massive army of flying Grimm. Atop the whale's nose stands Salem, who smiles confidently.

End of chapter 64

(Author's note: with this season finally done, all I have to do is wait until volume 8. Until then, I will work on my other fanfictions. So, until then, ciao!)