Author's Notes
Well apparently I did something right this past week, because both The Empty Seat and Living The Dream broke their records for views, one after the other. TES had over 600 views in a single day, and LTD had over 800. Crazy...
Happy rats, and don't do crime!
Chapter 81: Uphill
In which our heroes' luck finally runs out.
Team Pickaxes, Raven, and Ghira watched the far-away city of Mistral finally come into view as their steamboat brought them closer and closer. The magnificent landscape was built upon a mountain that towered over the woodlands on one side and the sea on the other. At this point, the port was probably less than an hour away from them.
An hour away from Ruby, thought Weiss.
"We're nearly there!" Yang said in excitement, jumping up and down. Weiss, with her infinite decorum, contained her giddiness much better, but it was still there. Ruby was so close…
"Not quite." The chieftain of Menagerie shook his head, his arms folded in front of his chest. The tall, wide man was quite intimidating, but Weiss had learned over time that he had the disposition of a friendly poodle. That said, when this pooch got angry, he certainly had teeth.
"But's it's right there!" exclaimed Weiss. "We can see it!"
"We're not going to be able to land in the port," said Ghira. "The White Fang isn't exactly a charity organization, and the bulk of our fighting forces bear their insignia. Unless we wish to be arrested at customs, we'll need to dock our ships away from the city. Then, our Faunus will have to trek into Mistral. The Albains say that they know the tunnels beneath the city and can take us in."
"So that'll add, what, an extra hour, maybe two?" asked Yang.
"You kids have never been to Mistral before, have you?" asked Raven. The students shook their heads, though Jaune took a second longer to do so.
"It's built on a hill, and Haven's at the top," she continued. "That means that we'll be moving at a third of our usual speed. If it were just us, Yang'n'I would ride Bumblebee and Penny could fly the others up, but we're marching an army. I'd wager we're not going to be there until the crack of dawn."
"The Faunus of Menagerie are a hardy bunch," said Ghira. The man looked like he'd just been personally insulted and was now defending his own pride. "I'm sure we can make it up sooner than that. Maybe by the witching hour."
"Fifty lien says it's not gonna happen 'till sunup," said Raven.
"I'll take that bet."
They changed course to find a good mooring spot out of the local authorities' views. The city had seemed so close, but Weiss could do nothing but watch as it shrank away.
Penny seemed equally upset. "Friend Ruby and Friend Dove are in there. Would you like me to fly ahead and help?"
"No," said Jaune. "If the enemy sees us coming, we're screwed. They need our army more than they need one android. It's not worth the risk. Besides, we've no idea if they're even in the city yet."
His words did little to ease Penny's anxious glances, nor Weiss'. Weiss felt a hand touch her shoulder.
Yang smiled at her and nodded. "Don't worry. Ruby's one tough cookie."
"I know," Weiss said. Being forced to say it out loud helped her.
It was good to have Yang back on board. The two were still a little jumpy around another, but now that they'd worked it out with both fists and words, they were beginning to heal.
"I need to go. Friend Ruby needs help now."
"Penny, I'm sure she's–"
"My long range sensors are indicating Dust firearms discharge in Haven at the moment. I must go. Now."
Penny floated into the air. Jaune grabbed at her rocket boot, but she drove her heel into his face, knocking him to the ground. Before Weiss or the others could even react to this unexpected display of violence, Penny shot off like a rocket, flying so close to the water that the ends of her hair were probably getting wet.
"You okay, boy?" Ghira asked, helping Jaune up.
"I'm fine, but she's gonna blow this whole thing! Damn it, why couldn't she listen?"
Weiss watched her BFF disappear into the night. "She said there was gunfire…"
"Haven's a hunter school, I'm sure it's just students training…in the dead of night…"
Even Jaune didn't sound all that convinced.
Don't worry, Ruby. Your friends are coming. Just hold on a little longer.
Oz? What's up?
"I believe that Penny may be compromised."
Compromised? You're saying…she's working for Salem?
"Yes. Pietro Polendina, her father, showed me the schematics for his automaton before it had been constructed. Her long range sensors do not extend so far as to detect Dust use from such a distance. At every step of the way, she's known something she should not have. Too many coincidences are piling up to ignore."
But Penny's absolutely devoted to her friends. She probably just wants to get to Ruby. I know I do.
"Jaune, I've been keeping an eye on her. She no longer has Remnant's best interest at heart."
Sir, we–
"Please, I urge you to give me control, if only for tonight. At any point, the robot could stab us in the back. We'd be much safer is an experienced combatant were in control."
I trust Penny. Honestly, Oz, I trust her more than I trust you at this point. There's no way for me to be certain that this isn't just you trying to get control and take us directly to Salem's castle.
"Ok. I'm sad that it's coming to this point between us, Jaune. It was no lie when I said you were like a son to me. I've never had children, and it breaks my heart that you feel such disdain for me."
.
"Jaune?"
You never had children?
"Never. Before her dark demise, Salem was my one true love, and I've not found the time for romance since her."
Oz…why are you this way? Why does everything have to be a carefully crafted manipulation to control those around you? If you just told the truth, we'd have followed you without issue.
"It is the truth."
And what about Callista? What about Ramses and his brothers?
"H-How did you know about them?"
That's not important. Answer my question. Why do you lie so much? Why can't you just have faith in the people around you?
"All I've ever done –"
– is for the good of Remnant. But the way you go about it is downright atrocious.
"Salem is pure evil. I'll lie to the shattered moon and back if it meant I could stop her."
Answer me this: How many innocent people have died in the name of stopping her?
"…too many. And I regretted it every time, but those souls were not lost in vain. Every one, every single one pushed us a step closer towards our goal. Each death saves many more lives."
At some point, Ozpin, your efforts to stop her are going to be more destructive than the chaos she brings. Raven, Summer, those sailors, and so many more…is it even worth it? If you're willing to kill anyone to stop her, then you aren't any better than Salem.
"I have to stop her. I have to. Even if I must become a monster to do so."
Why?
"It is my burden."
"So, she's a body-transferring pirate/domestic caregiver/undead huntress?"
"No! It's bandit, not pirate. She's out there somewhere ruling a bandit tribe, not a pirate ship. Why does everyone mix up the two of them?"
Bronzewing was having trouble keeping Ros– keeping Branwen's story straight, not because it was difficult to believe (they'd stepped forth into a magical vault but moments ago) but because it was so intricately complicated. Xiao-Long's mother was also her mother, so they were not half but in fact full sisters, but she was borne of a different body, so they were biologically half-sisters…he'd have to ask her to explain it once more when the danger had passed.
To be honest, the most perilous parts were likely behind them already, especially now that Rose – curse it, now that Branwen had mastered her maiden powers. If all was well, Wukong would have lost the Nuckelavee and circled back to the grand hall. With Lionheart captive and unable to provide Malachite with her payment, the Spiders would disperse, and Bronzewing could gather his motley troop of youths with no issue.
The elevator came into range, and Bronzewing reached out with his semblance to survey the floor above them.
No…
Lionheart was gone. The space where Bronzewing had left the unconscious headmaster was presently unoccupied.
Wait. There was someone in the room.
As a matter of fact, there were many someones.
"Ro– Branwen."
"That's my name, don't wear it out. Heeheehee…"
"Can you use your powers to fight?"
"I guess I can. I might not be very good, but these powers feel like a bazooka. Even if my aim sucks, they still can do a buttload of damage."
"When we emerge from the elevator, attack with everything you've got. I shall do the same. An ambush lays ahead."
Branwen's face tightened. "What're we looking at? S-So to speak…"
"Lionheart, armed with his Dustblaster. Malachite, observing from a distance. Another man – I know him not, but he carries dual pistols of some kind. The entirety of the Spider criminal organization. The Nuckelavee. The half Taijitu."
"Both horsemen? Is Sun…?"
"I'm don't know."
"Maybe he's just not there 'cause he had to retreat, but he'll jump out at the last second and yell 'Sun's out–"
"We should not count on him. I shall hope he has endured, but we must prepare for the eventuality that the enemy has killed them or at least detained him. Now please, let us speak with haste, for we have little time. When the elevator opens, cover your ears. I will draw forth a reverberant blast of air and stun our enemies using my semblance's offensive application. Rush us forward as fast as you can with your own. Bypass any who impede us with your maiden powers, and strike down those who you cannot."
She nodded. "Gotcha. Mad dash it is."
"Listen to me. You will have to kill. Our lives are on the line, and we cannot afford a single moment of hesitation. Remember, they–"
"They're evil people." Branwen spat it out with a bitter voice. "Whoever's out there, they're the enemies. They mighta killed Sun, they tried to kill Weiss 'n' Yang, they did kill your entire team, and they kidnapped me. Don't worry – I'm not going to hesitate."
"Good. Now, please cover your ears and stand behind me. Remember, escape first, and only fight if we are blocked." She did.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
Bronzewing summoned forth as much of his aura as he could muster in a single concentrated point.
One.
Louder than a lion's roar, louder than thunder, louder than doomsday itself, Bronzewing let out a fearsome soundwave. It cost Bronewing nigh all his strength, but the eardrums of those unprotected by aura (or those fool enough to leave it unapplied before a fight, Lionheart among them) would have been immediately ruptured. The horsemen, and any other competent aura users would be briefly stupefied, but their senses would return to them soon enough.
Ro– Branwen shuddered, but she acted with admirable haste. Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she increased their speed what seemed like a millionfold, to the point that the world around them stood entirely still. At the peak, Bronzewing went completely and truly blind. His sound waves would depart from his body, but took so long to return upon exiting the time bubble that he was passing them as Branwen pushed him forward. The two of them would have to rely on Branwen's judgement and luck.
Running as fast as they could, the pair dashed towards where the door would be. Once they were out of the melee, it would be as easy as briefly pausing to gain their bearings, running away again, and repeating until they were clear.
Bronzewing felt two sharp prongs pierce down on his right arm. He sliced forward with his sword, but the momentum of his unseen attacker knocked him away from Branwen. His vision resumed, and he saw her skid to a halt.
What could be so fast that it caught up to us?
A dry hiss came from all around him as a large creature coiled itself in a wide ring around Bronzewing.
"Hello, little bird. Taniwha doessssssn't sssssssupposssssse you're going to fly away thissssss time, eh?"
The snake horseman! This enemy was beyond his level, and he was unashamed to admit it.
"Rose! I need help!"
"Little busy! And it's Br– gah!"
She was engaged in combat with the Nuckelavee and the few aura users among the Spiders, running as fast as she could without the aid of her semblance. Bronzewing could not see it, but he assumed that her outstretched arms were producing some manner of fire, air currents, or electricity. The Nuckelavee's mouth was open, and the ground behind Branwen's feet was disintegrating.
"Help issssssn't coming, human. You are going to die tonight."
Bronzewing tried to disrupt it with a reduced shockwave (like Branwen, he would need to use his aura sparingly), but the snake shrugged it off and slunk back. Hallshott rained Dust bullets from its revolving chambers, but the Grimm slithered faster than he could keep track of.
"Yesssss. Keep fighting. Keep ressssssisssssting. It isssssss much more fun when they ressssssisssssst."
Conventional combat was failing him. He would need to improvise.
"R–Branwen! Sword!"
He threw the blade towards her, knowing that she would probably be able to make better use of it than he. When armed, she was worth ten of him on the battlefield. The sword flew past her, but she raised out a hand and squeezed her fingers. As if by magic – actually, it probably was – the sword flew into her outstretched fist.
"Oh, no no no. You should not ssssssimply give up, human. Pleassssse, give Taniwha sssssssomething to chassssse."
"I am not giving up."
Bronzewing threw another air blast, this time upwards. The chandelier above them shattered, raining down fragments of glass and chunks of ornamental metal. Both he and the snake covered their heads in an attempt to defend themselves from the salvo of debris. Bronzewing drew his aura away from his extremities. While the lacerations were excruciating, he could not afford for his aura to break. Blindness would mean nothing short of death.
Loathe as he was to admit it, the battle was not going their way. By this point, Lionheart had risen from his initial sonal attack, as had many of the previously dazed Spiders. Rose might have been able to fight the Nuckelavee to a standstill, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming her.
The King Taijitu body slammed him while he was examining the battlefield. He grabbed hold of its fangs and held on for dear life. The Grimm began to thrash its head wildly in an attempt to break free.
"Get off!"
"No!"
"I ssssssaid…get off!"
The horseman flipped upside down and slammed both Bronzewing and its own head into the ground below. He tried to crawl away, but a fang tore into his leg.
"AAAAAIIIIEEEE!"
The pain was unlike anything he'd experienced before, and it served as a reminder that this could verily be the final curtain. Despite his career choice, Bronzewing had rarely ever found himself in a truly life threatening situation before this. He'd told Branwen that this was a fight to the death, but now he himself truly understood what that meant. Kicking with his good leg, he drove his boot into the snake's dripping eye. It hissed fiercely but maintained its ferocious grip.
Across the battlefield, Branwen finally fell, though she'd managed to pull down many enemies with her. Bodies of dead Spiders littered the floor, and she'd broken the Nuckelavee's aura, or so he assumed from the stump where its right arm had previously stuck out of the human torso. There was winding ravine in the floor from where the Nuckelavee's attacks had landed, as well as a deep crater of extensive width.
Blood oozed from Bronzewing's leg as his aura finally broke, and darkness took him.
Damn it all! We've lost. At least she did some real damage.
I̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶a̶ ̶b̶u̶r̶d̶e̶n̶.̶ ̶ ̶M̶a̶y̶b̶e̶ ̶s̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶'̶v̶e̶ ̶e̶s̶c̶a̶p̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶e̶r̶e̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶h̶o̶l̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶.̶
Wukong, if you're waiting for the last minute to jump out and say that silly little line about your guns and muscles, please do it now!
The voice of Lionheart spoke. "W-We've won…we've won! The battle is ours! H-Hurrah!"
"Oh, shut it, you. You were about as much help as a tuna sandwich, hold the tuna, the bread, and the mayonnaise. Make yourself useful and prepare the girl from transport."
"bbbbbbbboy"
"Hmmm. Little Miss Malachite, take care of him as you did with that monkey."
Bronzewing was expecting to feel dread as his last lingering hope of rescue drained away, but all that came was emptiness. Wukong was already dead. He was going to die. Branwen, a girl of barely sixteen who'd just discovered that her mother was alive, was going to die because of him.
The snake released him from its maw, but he had no way to take advantage of his freedom. Branwen was down, and he was unarmed and aura-less.
"Let's get going, Mistuh Dove. You made a big mistake crossing me."
Hands wrapped around Bronzewing and dragged him to his feet. Bronzewing couldn't see, but he had a feeling that a certain crime lord was glaring at him.
I'm so sorry, my friends. Another team dead. But at least this time, I'll get to join them in eternity.
Bronzewing was shoved forward, but his leg was far too feeble to hold his small weight, and he crumbled to his knees like an oaf.
"Get up."
He could not, not had he any desire to do so. It was already over, and he was not to be herded like a lamb to the slaughter, regardless of his captors' intentions.
Amidst the cacophony of chattering voices, he heard one speak from afar louder than the rest. "H-Headmaster? What's going on?"
All other speakers quieted down, and the sound of Lionheart gruffly clearing his throat echoed in the vast hall.
"Oh, umm…you see…"
"Are those the Spiders? T-They're criminals! Why were you ordering them around instead of arresting them? This can't…can't…be…is that a Grimm?"
"Miss Fall, why don't you return to your dormitory for now, and we can sort this out tomo–"
The room began to heat up.
Omake
Cinder Lou Who: Headmaster, why? Why are you taking this Ruby, why?
Lionheart (the Grimmch): Why my sweet little tot. There's two eyes on this Ruby that won't see. So I'm taking her home to my Grimm wastelands, my dear. I'll fix her up there, and I'll bring her back here.
Next Chapter: Horsemanbowl – Who can win in a battle where no one's on the same side?
Author's Notes
The promised return of the world's greatest huntress! I told you I don't forget about characters, and now it's time to deliver on this harrowed oath. Honestly, given how long we spent in Mistral, it was a wonder no one other than Sun has returned yet.
Place your bets now, ladies and gentlemen, while the betting is good! In one corner…non-maiden but actually nice Cinder! In the other…every other f*cking villain in the show!
Also, I'd just like to point out that nearly every death or fight in The Empty Seat is between either allies or people who are allies in the show (Pyrrha-Ozpin, Russel-Blake, Adam-Tyrian, Mercury-Morrighan, Azeban-Taniwha [snake], Weiss-Blake, Cinder-villains, R̶u̶b̶y̶-̶D̶o̶v̶e̶). The best part is that it'll only get worse.
Ruby is a double maiden, but she's pretty much entirely new to the powers (she figured them out this evening), so beating a trained horseman and a buncha NPCs is a decent accomplishment. She did better than Dove, who went down in one hit.
I guess spoiling that they kill one another does grant them some plot armor, in that it is known they shan't die until then.
Happy rats, and don't do crime!