Chapter 29: Prelude to Battle

Imperial Forward Operations Base, 15:30 pm…

Baron Maleficus let out a final grunt as he came, flooding Cinder's womb with his seed with every fevered thrust he drove into her until he finally found himself spent for the time being.

Further grunts escaped him as Cinder dragged her fingernails across his back, some drawing blood, others leaving bloodless gouges into his back.

Their lips met within moments of their mutual climax, their tongues wrestling for dominance until the Baron finally freed himself from within Cinder, moving to where his clothes were neatly laid out for him to change into. "Are your plans all in place?" Maleficus asked as he donned his pants and trousers.

"Watts' contact in Haven pulled through after… much in the way of convincing." Cinder responded, herself rising from bed and starting to don her dress. "We should have no issue getting into Haven. The only thing that matters is you joining us."

"And I will; once I crush the White Fang and whatever crude defences they manage to erect in the short time they've been in Haven." Maleficus declared with a cruel cackle.

"I must say; your idea to hold Imperial forces back until the FRA are repelled is brilliant." Cinder commented. "It weakens our enemies just enough for you to strike them down decisively."

"A victory will be more glorious the less Imperial blood it spills." The Baron responded. "And it will mean that old fool Palpatine will be less likely to send that mechanised failure Vader to stop me from obtaining my rightful status as a Dark Lord of the Sith." Looking at Cinder, Maleficus added: "And you will be my lady when that glorious day finally comes."

Cinder smiled. "Gladly."

Their lips met one last time, before the Baron said:

"Go. Your allies will be waiting. I must pore over my battle plans one last time to see if anything needs altering. We will meet in Haven, and make love on the corpses of our defeated enemies."

"I look forward to it." Cinder replied, a sadistic smirk crossing her face as she departed.

Maleficus smiled, and resumed dressing. Today would be a glorious day.


Haven Academy, the war room…

"Then it is settled." Sienna Khan declared.

She was stood over a holographic map of Haven and the surrounding area, including the area that scouts had alleged was becoming the Empire's Forward Operations Base.

Flanking her were Carrick and Ghira, with Kanan to the left of his father.

Nathan followed the circle round, counting the entire gang, alongside Professor Leonardo Lionheart; Headmaster of Haven Academy.

Lionheart was a middle-aged man with a mane of greying tan hair and a beard alongside a tanned complexion with brown eyebrows and dark brown eyes.

He was dressed in a brown greatcoat with a matching mantle, which had cross emblems on each side. He was also wearing a white dress shirt under his coat, a western necktie and carried a pocket watch with a lion head on it as an emblem. Completing his look were dark brown slacks and dress shoes.

Nathan admittedly wasn't sure what to think of Lionheart. On the one hand, he came off as a rather polite and jovial person, well meaning and compassionate. On the other hand, the Haven headmaster was easily startled and quite timid.

According to what he had heard from Ozpin, Lionheart had disobeyed instructions left behind by Ozpin, which had raised some doubts as to his loyalty.

However, Nathan shelved those thoughts for now as Sienna once again spoke:

"I will lead a full-scale assault against the Empire at their Forward Operations Base alongside Carrick and Jason here. All the while Teams RWBY, JNNPR, Qrow Branwen and Ghost will remain here in Haven in order to defend this… relic?"

"That's right." Qrow said gruffly. "That's what Salem's forces want. And as long as someone is here to defend it; we stand a chance."

"I still don't think it was a good idea to fill everyone here in on all of this, Qrow." Lionheart said, eyeing the veteran huntsman. "Ozpin-"

"Oz would understand if he was here with us, Leo." Qrow fired back. "They deserve to know just as much as the younger people here do."

"I'll stay here with everyone." Ahsoka declared. "The less people see me; the less likely I'm to be discovered."

Nathan sighed and took his turn to speak: "As for me; I'm gonna give the Baron a call. I'll challenge him to meet me one on one for a rematch on neutral ground; probably the ruins of Kuroyuri. I've resisted the urge to go after him too long. I need to face him."


"Nathan; no." Blake said firmly. "You can't fight him alone. Not after what happened at Beacon."

Nathan sighed and gave his girlfriend a sad smile. "I knew you'd say that. But it's the only way we can do this. Every time Maleficus has stepped foot on a battlefield in charge of his men; he's won. Beacon; the Second Battle of Mountain Glenn, the Kuchinashi Landings. The only time we have defeated the Empire was the Battle of Vacuo, because Maleficus was not there to lead his men into battle." Sighing, Nathan added: "Someone needs to give him a reason to abandon this battle. And who better than the Jedi he failed to kill at Beacon?"

Blake turned her gaze away from Nathan, prompting him to approach her.

"Blake… please." Nathan begged. "I need to face him. So… so I can prove to myself the past eight months have been worth it."

Blake sighed and just pulled Nathan close, eyes shutting against tears.

"Not to piss you off; but I'm with Nathan on this one." Kanan said from across the table. "Sometimes, you gotta face your demons in order to conquer them."

Nathan looked back at Kanan, who gave him an encouraging smile.

Blake broke the hug, giving Nathan a pleading look.

Nathan gave her a gentle smile, before looking to everyone else.

"You trained for this, Nathan." Jason said. "You go for it."

"I'd go with you; but I've already committed to doing something else. Sue me." Ahsoka said with a grin.

"At Beacon; you weren't expecting to fight the Baron, and so weren't prepared when you two faced one another the first time." Pyrrha said. "Now… now you're ready."

"All I'll say is you'd better kick the Baron's ass." Jaune added.

"Your team's all behind you, Nate! Break that monster's legs!" Nora encouraged.

"What Nora said." Ren added.

Nathan smiled, as Sienna added:

"You all have one hour to get ready. Today; we either win and save Mistral; or we die and Remnant joins the Empire. I intend to win." Taking a moment, Sienna said:

"So without further ado; I suggest we take this hour to do whatever needs be done. Be that share some time with loved ones, ready your weapons, or… just reflect on what brought you to this point. I wish you all luck; and I will see you all on the battlefield. And should we lose… wherever we wind up when we go beyond."

At that, the meeting was adjourned, and everyone split off.

Nathan prepared to take his leave with Blake, but was stopped by Kanan.

"Hey, do you two have a minute?"

Nathan glared at Kanan, but nodded. "Come on. Let's find somewhere private."


With Jason…

"General Stone; we're ready for tasking." Captain Rex declared as he, Blaze, Fix, Ember, Spark and Rook all stood up to face Jason and Ahsoka as they approached.

"At ease, gentlemen." Jason ordered. "So our plan is simple: Sienna plans on leading a full scale assault on the Empire before they can have a chance to assault Haven. She will be leading the central assault, Carrick will lead the assault on the left flank, and I will be heading the assault on the right flank. All of you will be in my group alongside Blake and Ghira Belladonna. They will be my lieutenants over you in this battle, so be prepared to take orders from them."

"Understood, General. What role is Commander Tano taking in the battle?" Rex asked.

"I volunteered to help the others safeguard the relic." Ahsoka replied. "Sorry, Rex."

"It's no problem." Rex responded.

"We set out in an hour's time." Jason said. "So find Ghira, and he'll see you to where the White Fang soldiers you'll be fighting alongside are set up."

"Will do, general. Let's move!" At that, the clones all set off in search of Ghira.

Jason sighed, before Ahsoka's hand found his shoulder.

"Call her." Ahsoka said. "She's probably worried sick."

Jason gave Ahsoka a smile before hugging her. "May the Force be with you, Ahsoka Tano."

"May the Force be with you, Jason Stone." Ahsoka replied. "Good luck."

"You too." Jason said. "Anakin… he… he'd be proud of the person you've become."

Ahsoka gave Jason a sad smile. "I know." She responded before stepping away from Jason and walking away.

Jason sighed, before taking out his scroll, and moving down his list of contacts until he finally came across the name he wanted:

Winter.

His finger trembled over the call button, and he briefly debated not calling her at all.

However, he soon just thought: Screw it! And pressed her name, raising his scroll to his ear as the dialling tone kicked in.

As he did, he felt a strange anxiety hit him, as questions filled his mind:

Was Winter in a meeting?

Was she being court-martialled for her role in his and Nathan's escape?

Or worst of all; was she being thrown in prison for said role, and he would not be able to talk to her at all.

These questions were all answered when someone picked up the scroll:

"Jason?"


The sound of his girlfriend's voice filled Jason with more joy than could be quantified.

A month and a half of pure radio silence, forced upon them by distance and the fact that General Ironwood wanted Jason dead just as much as he wanted Nathan dead.

"Hey, Winter." Jason said gently.

No sooner had the words left his mouth that Winter began assailing Jason with a bunch of hushed rebukes:

"Are you insane?! Ironwood's been monitoring my calls for this exact moment! What are you thinking?! You of all people should know that contacting me isn't safe! I can't believe you've done something so asininely idiotic!"

Jason had to stop himself from laughing, because he knew that this would be Winter's reaction.

Taking a breath, Jason interrupted Winter's rebuke with:

"I missed hearing you yell at me. Hell; I missed hearing your voice."

Winter was silent for a moment, before she sighed. "I missed yours, too…"

Jason took a deep breath. "Listen… I'm calling because… because I'm about to help lead an attack on the Empire. The battle we knew was coming… it's here. And I wanted to hear your voice before I walked into battle for possibly the last time."

"But it won't be, Jason." Winter said. "You know that."

"Not if I have you waiting for me." Jason replied. "I… I just had to call you. I wanted to stay away, but…"

"But you couldn't take it anymore." Winter finished, her tone warm and understanding.

"Yeah… I miss you so much, Winter… A month and a half apart has been nothing short of hell." Jason confessed.

"Then let's take this moment to give you something to hold on to as you head into battle tonight." Winter said gently, taking a deep, breath. "I'm pregnant."

Jason nearly dropped the scroll, he was so stunned. "You… you're sure?"

"I've been sure since I took the tests last month." Winter said, audibly starting to tear up. "You're going to be a father, Jason."

Jason felt his own tears threatening to fall, forcing them back as he said: "Gods, that… that's amazing… How long?"

"I've just reached the two-month mark." Winter answered, sniffing back a sob. "Meaning you have plenty of time to come home and be by our side."

"I'll come home. As soon as I can; I am on my way to Atlas so I can be there for you and our child." Jason promised. "I love you so much, Winter."

"I love you too, Jason. And so does our child." Winter said, before hanging up.

Jason took a deep breath, and set off. Now he knew he had to win this battle.


With Nathan, Blake, and Kanan…

Kanan felt Nathan's eyes on him the moment they found someplace private.

"Okay… what do you want?" Nathan asked, folding his arms.

Kanan flinched at the roughness of Nathan's tone, knowing it was coming regardless. Taking a deep breath, he looked up and met Nathan and Blake's gazes, and sighed. "I… I just want to apologise for my actions last week. I was blinded by my prejudices and in doing so, I hurt my relationship with Blake, ruined our friendship, and damaged my relationship with Yang; possibly beyond repair."

"Go on." Blake said from behind Nathan.

"I don't expect to be forgiven. Gods know I don't deserve it." Kanan acknowledged. "All I ask in return is… is that you acknowledge I've apologised."

Nathan didn't respond at first, glancing at Blake.

Kanan felt an anxiety building up within him at this; praying that whatever happened next wouldn't involve Nathan emptying Phoenix's Breath into him or drawing his lightsaber and beheading him.

Thankfully though; none of those things happened, as Blake stepped forward.

"Thank you, Kanan. We'll let people know you've apologised."

"Thanks, sis." Kanan said with a smile, which faded as Nathan stepped between him and Blake.

"Don't mistake this for forgiveness, Kanan." Nathan warned. "Because you still have a long ways to go before I even consider the thought of forgiving you."

Kanan nodded. "I understand, Nathan. I never said I expected forgiveness anyway. I just wanted to take a step towards trying to make things right."

Nathan wordlessly turned and walked away, leaving Blake alone with Kanan for a moment.

"It's a start." Blake said, giving her brother a small smile before following her boyfriend.

Kanan finally let a breath he had no idea he was holding escape him. He had apologised, and taken that first step his mother had suggested to try and help him try and fix things with Yang.

It was still his end goal. Because even if he couldn't salvage things with Blake and Nathan, he could at least salvage his relationship with Yang.

Or he hoped that he could.

Either way; the battle would decide whether he deserved that or not. He'd let the gods decide for him.

"Hey."

Kanan spun on his heel, and found himself entranced at the speaker:

Yang was approaching, a small smile on her face as she drew closer and closer to him, until she was finally a few paces away, a couple of feet between them.

"Were… were you listening in?" Kanan asked.

Yang nodded. "I wanted to hear it for myself. I'm glad you accepted what you did was wrong. And… I'm thankful you apologised to Nathan and Blake."

Kanan sighed. "I'm sensing a 'but' coming."

Yang nodded. "But until Nathan and Blake forgive you… I… I'm not going to get back with you. Gods know I want to, though."

Kanan's heart sank. "That… that could take years, though."

Yang sighed. "I know. It's… it's going to kill me not being able to enjoy all that time with you… but once it eventually happens…"

"It'll be worth it." Kanan finished, bowing his head.

"Hey… think… think of the wait as you earning me back." Yang said. "Wouldn't be the first time you've earned me."

Kanan nodded. "Yeah… you're right. Anyway…" Stepping forward, Kanan pulled Yang into a hug. "Good luck, Yang."

"Good luck, Kanan." Yang replied as they broke the hug.

Words passed between them unspoken, a desperate desire to say them out loud cut off by promises made that needed to be kept.

Stepping back, Yang gave Kanan a weak smile before turning and walking away from Kanan.

Kanan took a deep, heavy breath as he himself turned and headed for where Carrick had his troops positioned. He prayed to all gods that held sway over Remnant that he would live to be able to tell Yang he loved her.

And that Yang would live to say it back to him.


The Imperial Forward Operations Base…

Baron Maleficus studied his plans carefully.

These had been the primary focus of his attention for the past month; revised and redone with attention to every fresh development that was brought to his attention.

And he planned to ensure this was the final time he would revise them.

Flanking him were Adam Taurus and General Wardlow Kast, his subordinates on this campaign besides Cinder.

"Adam will lead his FRA troops as part of the first wave." Maleficus declared. "Accompanying them will be an artillery strike on the city. The minute we have Imperial forces prepared, we will send them into battle with myself and General Kast at their head. Together, we should be able to easily crush the White Fang's forces and take Haven for the Empire."

"Will there be air support?" Kast inquired.

"No. Our remaining TIE Squadrons have been deployed to quash the uprising in Bar following the assassination of both Commander Stonewall and Mayor Arc last month." The Baron replied. "It appears the Vale Resistance is already taking advantage of our weakened presence in the area. I should have hunted and slain that whore Goodwitch when I had the chance."

"All in good time, Baron." Adam said. "For now; let's make final preparations."

Maleficus nodded. "Indeed we shall." He stood up, just in time for an Imperial Officer to burst in.

"My lord. There is a holo call incoming, intended solely for you." The officer replied. "Shall we put it through?"

The Baron scowled. "Do it."

The officer nodded, and after typing in the necessary commands, the holographic visage of Nathan Phoenix appeared on the screen.

The sight filled Maleficus with unspeakable rage. How dare he rub his survival into the face of the man who had nearly killed him?

"Baron Malakai Maleficus." Nathan said, his voice resolute and calm. "You tried to kill me eight months ago; the day Beacon fell. Since I'm still standing here; you obviously failed."

Maleficus' fists clenched as he glowered at the hologram; his look so withering that were it a weapon, the whole projector would have disintegrated.

"I'm contacting you in order to offer you a chance to remedy that." Nathan then said. "Meet me in an hour's time in the ruins of Kuroyuri. Once there… we'll finish this once and for all."

At that, the hologram vanished, leaving only the Baron, Kast, Adam and the officer alone in the room.

"You." Maleficus snapped to the officer.

"Yes, my lord?" the officer asked.

"Have my ship prepared. I'll come back with that boy's head and gift it to Adam here." The Baron ordered. "I'm sure he'll find great pleasure in showing it to Miss Belladonna as he treats her with the justice she rightfully deserves."

Adam merely grinned sadistically at this thought.

"My lord; this is clearly a ruse to get you away from the field of battle; and possibly lure you into a trap laid by Nathan and that other Jedi friend of his." Kast protested.

Maleficus snorted. "I don't think so. Nathan is too honourable to even dare laying a trap for me. He will want to defeat me by himself to avenge his failure at Beacon. A failure I intend on permanently pinning to him alongside my lightsaber."

Spinning on his heel, Baron Malakai Maleficus strode out of his room and towards the clearing where his ship was now hopefully being prepared.

Fate had delivered him a far greater prize to whatever it was that victory at Haven could deliver him.

A prize he intended to seize.


With Nathan…

"Nathan?"

The voice drew Nathan's attention as he stood up and stepped out of the ship he would be taking to the ruins of Kuroyuri.

Blake stood at the foot of the ramp, a look crossing her face that was a mix of pleading and worry.

Nathan smiled sadly and descended the steps to where Blake was stood, taking a breath.

Blake had dressed for battle. She was now wearing her own version of the White Fang uniform; coloured in her colours of black, purple and white. The only difference was that she wore no mask, and her hood was worn down, allowing Nathan to see Blake's hair was also neatly but tightly pulled back into a bun in preparation for combat.

Gambol Shroud was clipped to her back as it always was, ready to be drawn at any moment.

Nathan sighed. "Who're you gonna be fighting alongside?"

"Jason and Dad." Blake replied. "Jason wanted to keep me close so that he could spirit me away from the battlefield if things went south."

Nathan nodded, before pulling Blake into a hug.

Blake's breath hitched as she started to cry, saying: "Promise me, Nathan."

"Anything." Nathan swore.

"Promise me that you'll win. Promise me you'll come home. Promise me I'll see you again." Blake's voice caught as she fought back tears, saying: "I… I can't bear the thought of reliving those six months for the rest of my life."

"You won't, Blake." Nathan promised. "Because I am going to win. I am coming home. And I am going to see you again. And when I do, I will sing my love for you to the heavens and the galaxy at large. Those six months of hell will never come back. And that is a promise I will keep always."

Nathan felt his own tears falling; the emotions of the moment striking him as he pulled Blake closer.

Blake pulled him closer too, and their lips met in a fierce, passionate kiss.

Every ounce of their love was poured into that one kiss; itself a promise that this would not be the last kiss they ever shared.

The kiss could have lasted forever, but they didn't have forever as they broke the kiss, tearful eyes meeting tearful eyes.

"I love you, Blake. I'll see you on the fields of victory." Nathan vowed.

"I love you too, Nathan." Blake sobbed. "Good luck."

"I make my own." Nathan replied with a warm smile, before turning on his heel and walking up into the ship.

It definitely was all or nothing now. And Nathan had too much to live for to fail now.


The stage is set for the Battle of Haven.

First of all, I sincerely apologise for my failures to upload the past few weeks. Between a merciless series of shifts at work and some recent writer's block, I really struggled to find the time and motivation to upload.

But, I am here now, so no need to fret.

Anyway; let's answer some reviews, shall we?


Guest: To be honest, after his recent string of actions, Kanan deserves to be shat on. Thankfully, he seems to be on the road to redemption. Time will tell.

keybladelight: You'll have to wait and see.

Sharnorasian Empire: Scared, are you? Well; you probably should be.


That said; thank you all so much for reading this chapter. If you enjoyed it... y'all know what to do.

I shall see you next week with the next chapter, which sees the Battle of Haven finally commence.

T-Rock14