Chapter 73
Liam
In the airship with Jaune, Ren, Nora, Oscar, Emerald and Chrome, Liam had no idea what to think as they approached Atlas Academy.
Ruby and her team took another airship to the bottom of Atlas where, according to Oscar, a giant hole sat, leading directly into the vault.
As the group prepared themselves, Liam glanced to Emerald.
"You ready, Em?" Liam asked.
"Once we're close enough, I'll be able to use my semblance on Ironwood and whoever else he's with." Emerald said. "I won't be able to hold it for long, though."
"All we'll need is a minute." Chrome growled, clenching his fists.
"Remember, we aren't here to kill him, Chrome." Jaune said, glaring at the Faunus.
"If he doesn't give us a choice, that is." Chrome said through clenched teeth, his ears back as he seethed with anger.
"The only reason you're here is because we're stronger as a group." Nora told him. "Otherwise we would've left you behind."
"You trying to pick a fight, Nora?" Chrome asked. "You're beginning to sound like an enemy."
"You're the one who murdered Penny!" Nora shot back.
"No, I'm the one who made sure the maiden powers and staff weren't gonna fall into enemy hands." Chrome corrected, turning to loom over Nora. "She asked for one of us to kill her, so I obliged her request."
"Still, you-"
"Enough!" Liam shouted, his voice reverberating off the walls of the ship. "You guys keep this shit up and soon enough we're gonna be fighting amongst ourselves here! I hate to be the one to say it; but what's done is done! Focus on the problem at hand, and come back to this at another time." Liam turned to look out the window. "Don't forget: ALL of Mantle is at risk right now. So get your shit together!"
Falling silent, Nora glared over at Chrome whilst the Schnee Faunus had his gaze out the window, watching as Atlas grew closer and closer.
Mist, minutes earlier
Flying around the city of Atlas, Mist came to a stop on a nearby rooftop to rest her wings. She had no idea what to do. Her whole life, she followed Salem, did as told, commited heinous acts to please her. She had no idea Salem had murdered her real parents.
"How much longer must we wait, Watts?" Cinder's voice came from the alley below.
"Patience, girl." Watts replied.
Peeking over the edge of the building, Mist could see the duo clearly.
"Just about..." static filled the air before a voice replaced it.
"The Academy entrance." Ironwood's voice said. "Penny comes alone."
Clenching her fists when she heard Ironwood speak, Mist felt a tinge of rage building within her.
Suddenly, Neo crept around the corner, pointing the tip of her weapon at Cinder, who glanced back at the girl with a smirk.
Curious as to what they were planning, Mist watched closely.
"Neopolitan, was it?" Watts said as he rose to his feet. "Now isn't the time to hold grudges."
Cinder stepped forward, holding her hand out to Watts to silence him.
"No. She's a right to be angry." Cinder said. "I... know I haven't upheld my end of the bargain. I'm... sorry."
Neo crossed her arms, glaring at Cinder.
"I will get you Ruby Rose. Today." Cinder stated. "But, to do that, I need to ask the lamp a question." She held her hand out for it.
Watts sighed and rolled his eyes as Neo removed her hat, reaching into it and pulling out the Relic.
Cinder walked up and grabbed it but Neo firmed her hold on the Relic. Glaring at one another, as if they were having a silent debate, Neo slowly let go as she spoke the Relic's name.
"Jinn."
Liam
Arriving at the Academy, Emerald had successfully tricked Ironwood. Seeing Winter and Ironwood, the ship landed softly and Emerald stepped out to approached the General and Winter, disguising herself as Penny.
Ironwood pointed his weapon at Emerald.
"I didn't think you'd actually come alone." Ironwood said as he handed a pair of cuffs to Winter. "I expected at least some form of resistance from your friends."
"I don't want anyone else to die." Emerald said. "I must open the vault."
Once Winter restrained Emeralds wrists, Ironwood approached, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Liam and the others quickly left the ship, weapons in hand.
"You've done the right thing."
"I have." Emerald smirked as she dropped the illusion. "Feels weird."
Emerald kicked Ironwood in the chin as she backflipped away, knocking Ironwood's weapon from his grasp as well. Landing on her feet, Emerald caught his weapon before using her semblance to fade once more.
Before anyone else could even react, Chrome dashed ahead, weapons ready to strike.
Slashing at Ironwood, the General simply side stepped, quickly countering by punching Chrome in the gut then knocking him to the ground. Bouncing, Chrome landed on his feet, rushing the General again as the others moved in to assist.
Dodging the attack from Chrome, Liam and Jaune ran in with an attack of their own. Shooting to speed up his attack, Liam went to strike again, only to get knocked down and kicked away. Jaune was also knocked down as Ren wrapped his weapon around the General's ankle, tripping him. Breaking free, Ironwood got up as Nora, with the help of Winter using an electric glyph, attacked with her hammer, knocking Ironwood towards the edge of the academy.
Getting to his feet, Oscar dashed in with a flurry of blows. Pushing the General away, Winter ran up and, with a final slash from her sword, broke Ironwood's aura entirely.
Falling to the ground, unconscious, Winter sheathed her blade and turned to Jaune's grouo. Getting to his feet, eyes filled with anger, Chrome walked over to the General as Emerald appeared before Winter, her bound wrists held out for the cuffs to he removed.
As Winter removed the cuffs, Liam saw Chrome raise his weapon above his head, intending to kill Ironwood.
"Chrome!"
Turning into his avian form and flying towards Chrome, Liam quickly changed back and tackled his leader to the ground. In one quick motion, Liam disarmed Chrome before pulling his arm behind his back.
"Get the hell off me, Liam!" Chrome growled.
"I'm not gonna let you kill him." Liam said. "As much as I want him dead, I won't let you turn yourself into a monster!"
"He fuckin' deserves it!" Chrome shouted, struggling under Liam. "He murdered Marek on live TV!"
At this point, everyone gathered around the duo, except for Winter was taking Ironwood away.
"What the hell is going on out here?"
Everyone froze in place at the sound of the familiar voice.
Slowly getting off Chrome, he pushed himself up as they all looked to the entrance of the Academy, seeing a familiar, pale skinned, dark veined, white haired, person walk down the steps.
"Marek?" Liam said in disbelief.
Chrome didn't say anything as he walked right up and pulled Marek into a hug.
"Whoa! Hey." Marek slowly returned the hug before Chrome pulled away.
Running his hands through his hair, Chrome scoffed in disbelief.
"How the hell are you alive, man?" Chrome asked as Liam walked up and pulled Marek into a hug. Once the two parted, Marek looked to Chrome.
"I had a bit of help from Winter." Marek replied.
Marek, a couple hours earlier
"You have one hour to respond."
As the broadcast ended, Marek, still fighting to stay conscious, activated what little aura he had regenerated. It was just enough to heal his wound before fading again. His eye was still swollen, cuts lined his arms, legs and torso, and his face was heavily bruised.
"Schnee." Ironwood looked to Winter who quickly stood at attention. "Dispose of the body."
Marek had held his breath, taking tiny, shallow breaths every now and then.
Winter, nodding her head, approached Marek and began untying him. Dragging him out of the room, Marek was no longer able to keep his breathing shallow, taking in a large gulp of breath, much to Winter's surprise.
Quickly, however, Winter covered his mouth with her hand.
"If you want to live, keep quiet." Winter whispered.
Liam/Chrome/Marek
Present
"She took me to a secure room and let me rest." Marek continued. "My aura regenerated enough to heal the rest of my wounds, but it's depleted now." Marek glanced at his hands before over to the entrance of the academy. "If it weren't for Winter, I'd probably be dead."
Chrome and Liam both gave Marek a pat on the shoulder before turning to the others.
Everyone was just as shocked Marek was alive, but Nora had this glare in her eye as she stared at Chrome.
Chrome knew why, but he didn't care. Still, to him, killing Penny was the right thing. If he hadn't, she would've just killed herself after opening the vault, sending her power off to who knows where.
At least they knew the powers were safe with them. More specifically: with Weiss.
"We'll head up to Ironwood's office and send out the broadcast." Jaune said, handing a card out to Liam.
Taking it, he glanced it over.
"What's this?"
"Keycard to get down to the vault." Jaune replied. "Courtesy of Winter."
"Thanks." Liam said as Jaune, Oscar, Nora, Ren and Emerald walked inside the academy, leaving the remaining members of CRML by themselves.
The trio made their way inside, talking with one another.
A few minutes later
Taking the elevator down to the vault, the trio exited, seeing a sort of glowing door near the vault entrance.
"What the hell is that?" Marek asked, pointing to it.
"If all went as planned: the door to Vacuo." Liam told him.
"Vacuo?"
"C'mon." Liam began heading for the door.
Walking through it, the trio came out the other side. Standing in some form of void with dozens of other doors, all leading to one massive door at the end, Liam glanced around, seeing Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang were already heading for the exit, with Weiss holding the staff.
"There they are." Liam pointed.
Jogging to catch up, Chrome and Marek quickly followed.
The seven of them met at the exit just as Emerald, Ren and Oscar walked through the exit. Turning around, Ruby and the others were shocked to see Marek standing with Liam and Chrome.
"Marek?"
Ruby pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Whoa!" Marek chuckled.
"How are you alive?" Ruby asked as she pulled away.
"It's a long story." Marek told her. "I-"
A sudden explosion went off, sending countless civilians falling into the void below. Looking back at the source, a figure flew above everyone else.
Liam turned to Weiss as the others rushed to see what was going on.
"Get through the portal, now!" Liam ordered.
"What? I can't just-"
"You have the staff and the maiden powers." Liam said. "We can help the people on this end, but you need to help the others on that end. Ren, Oscar and Emerald can't protect everyone on their own."
Weiss hesitated.
"If we aren't there in five minutes, come back."
Weiss nodded before turning around to step through the portal. Pausing, she looked back to Liam, watching as he ran to join the others.
Gritting her teeth, she stepped through the portal.
End of chapter 73
