Chapter 30: The Battle of Haven
The Ruins of Kuroyuri…
The landing had gone smoothly.
Standing up from his seat upon powering down the ship, Nathan eyed the ruins spread out before him:
Ren had told him Kuroyuri had once been a beautiful, bustling city that'd rivalled Mistral itself.
But that a vicious Grimm attack by a monstrous creature of Grimm known as the Nucklavee had turned the city into a legitimate ghost town, claiming the lives of Ren's parents.
Nathan took a deep breath and swiftly exited his ship, which he had landed in one of the smaller squares in the city.
But Nathan planned on facing Maleficus in the main square; which he knew wasn't too far away.
Ren had told him the key landmark Nathan needed to look for was the large cherry blossom tree that sat in the centre of the city.
It was not long before Nathan spotted this tree, and looked up at it.
The tree was long dead now, but Nathan knew for a fact that were it alive; the tree would have displayed some beautiful colours.
But much like most of the city; it was dull and grey, lacking any of the colour that once filled the city.
The whine of a descending ship captured Nathan's attention, and Nathan looked to see a Lamda Class Imperial Shuttle coming in to land.
Taking his lightsaber from his belt, Nathan stepped away from the dead tree and walked towards the shuttle, stopping at least twenty feet or so away from it.
It wasn't long before Baron Malakai Maleficus descended the ramp of the shuttle, which lifted off not long afterwards.
Nathan drew in a sharp breath. The Baron had changed little in the time since Nathan had seen him last.
He stiffened a little as Maleficus' eyes met his. A sinister smile crossed the Baron's face as he closed the distance, stopping at least six feet away from Nathan.
The two regarded one another in silence, neither saying a word. Until…
"Come to finally die, Nathan?" Maleficus asked.
Nathan closed his eyes as thoughts of Blake entered his mind; allowing them to give him strength as he ignited his lightsaber.
"No." Nathan replied, opening his eyes to face the Baron. "I came to finish what you failed to at Beacon." Spinning his lightsaber, he adopted his combat ready stance, steadying his breath.
A scowl crossed Maleficus' face as he snarled: "I'll take your head this time."
With that, his lightsaber was in his hand and ignited, and he charged Nathan with a roar, lashing out with an overheard slash.
Nathan immediately parried, spinning along with the parry and countering with a slash of his own towards his foe's midsection. When that was parried, Nathan blocked a counterslash aimed at his back, spinning his way out of harm's way and lashing out with a kick to the Baron's jaw, following that up with a slash at Maleficus' head.
The Baron parried, grabbing Nathan and hurling him across the ground.
Nathan was on his feet within moments, parrying and ducking attacks before blocking one meant for his legs, rising to his full height as he did.
Maleficus soon broke the blade lock and thrust for Nathan's chest.
Ducking the blow, Nathan soon found himself behind the Baron, spinning around to attack his foe from behind at both angles.
Maleficus parried both before countering with a wide slash aimed to catch Nathan somewhere on the head.
Rolling underneath the attempt, Nathan thrust for the Baron's belly, flicking the tip of his lightsaber up in an attempt to catch Maleficus on the chin, which would spear him through the throat.
His dark foe parried the blow, realising too late that it was a feint.
Nathan seized the opening and slashed the Baron across the shoulder.
Grunting in pain, Maleficus backed away, glaring daggers at Nathan.
Nathan stared his enemy dead in the eye, raising his lightsaber towards the Baron, his making his determination to win this all too clear.
Maleficus' glare was withering; itself sometimes used as a weapon of intimidation to his opponents; a warning that bad things were soon to happen to them.
Nathan held his position; showing no sign of fear at all.
He then watched as the Baron reached up, tearing the fastening clip that held his cape on, allowing it to fall uselessly to the ground.
Nathan finally allowed himself to grin:
An incendiary tactic, meant to enrage Maleficus.
With a thunderous roar, Maleficus charged Nathan once more.
Spinning his lightsaber, Nathan moved to join him, poised and ready.
He had come too far to fail now. Eight months of training would either pay off, or prove Ironwood right.
Haven Academy, at the same time…
The full moon shone overhead ominously as the rest of the gang made their way towards the main building of Haven Academy.
Ghost looked up towards the moon with a frown on his face beneath his helmet. Something about the moon gave him a bad feeling. Perhaps it was his conditioning to expect an attack in the dark warning him of something he wasn't yet aware of.
"Ghost?"
Ghost looked to see Ahsoka staring curiously at him.
"Is something bothering you? You look kinda worried." The former Jedi asked.
"Something isn't right." Ghost replied. "Whatever it is has yet to reveal itself."
Ahsoka nodded. "I have that feeling too. But until more is revealed; I doubt there is much we can do."
Ghost nodded as they continued towards the main building of Haven Academy, stepping inside to find themselves within the Grand Hall.
It was a massive room, which led up to Headmaster Lionheart's office by way of two staircases on either side of an impressive statue depicting a woman as if she were holding up the balcony above her. Above them was an upper walkway that was accessible both by the staircase in front of them as well as two separate staircases near the hall's entrance.
Stood atop the balcony seemingly held up by the feminine statue was Headmaster Lionheart himself, who had shed his outer cloak, seemingly in preparation for combat.
"Why hello. Thank you for... coming." Lionheart said. "There… seems to be more of you than last time." He added with a nervous chuckle.
"Eh, you know what they say, 'The more the merrier'." Qrow replied.
"Looking nervous there, Professor." Yang pointed out from where she was stood. "Everything alright?"
"Of course! Of course, sorry. Just haven't had my evening coffee." Lionheart replied.
"Whatever." Qrow said. "Anyways; what's the plan here, Leo?"
"Well; I suppose there's no reason we shouldn't start now." Lionheart replied.
Too late did Ghost realise Lionheart was armed.
Too late did Ghost realise Lionheart was raising his weapon.
And too late did Ghost realise Lionheart was aiming for Ruby.
"Ruby; look out!" Ghost shouted.
"Huh?" The leader of Team RWBY asked, just as a fireball crashed straight into her chest, sending her flying.
"Ruby!" Yang shouted, running to her little sister.
Ghost had his blaster aimed at Lionheart within moments, as did Qrow when he put two and two together.
"Leo, what the fuck are you doing?!" Qrow demanded.
"My sincerest apologies." Lionheart declared, lowering his weapon as the doors behind him opened. "But to ensure Haven did not share the fate that Beacon did; a deal had to be made… with the Empire."
Ghost's gaze shifted to several new occupants as they entered the room behind Lionheart.
Ghost recognised one immediately, that being Mercury Black.
The second person though was a woman Ghost did not recognise, though Ruby soon filled in the blanks for him:
"Cinder."
"Hello boys and girls." Cinder said sinisterly, stepping next to Lionheart. "It's been a long time."
"Yet somehow it feels too soon, still." Pyrrha spat from where she was stood.
"C'mon guys, is that any way to greet your old friends?" Mercury asked, glaring daggers at Emerald, whose fists clenched.
"Stay calm…" Qrow said firmly to the gang, as the doors behind them swung open.
Ghost spun on his heel, only to mutter: "Fucking hell…"
Closing the door behind him was the giant of a man that had sidelined Ghost with a nasty concussion when Ghost and Kanan had been captured by the Empire.
"No one's getting in, and no one's getting out." The man said.
Everyone watched him slowly approach, turning back to Cinder and Lionheart.
"This was all just a trap?" Weiss asked.
"It appears so." Ren remarked.
At which several doors opened from above them, and several squads of Imperial Death Troopers emerged, flanked by Imperial Purge Troopers wielding all kinds of weaponry.
Ghost met Ahsoka's gaze, and the two shared a nod. Those would be their priority.
"Tell me something Leo…" Qrow growled towards the treacherous Haven Headmaster. "How long have you been with them?"
"Aww, don't take it personally, little bird." Cinder taunted Qrow. "Leonardo's been sending Salem all sorts of information for a very, very long time. Isn't that right, professor?"
All eyes turned to Lionheart, who had his head bowed shamefully.
"Well; that would certainly explain why we haven't seen any Haven Huntsmen or Huntresses around." Ahsoka reasoned.
"It was you..." Qrow snarled. "You sit on the Mistral Council. You had information on every Huntsman and Huntress in the Kingdom, and you gave it all to her?"
"I…" Lionheart made to say.
"I couldn't find any of them, because you let her kill them!" Qrow growled.
Lionheart said nothing, still wearing that sad expression on his face.
"Aw now, don't beat yourself up about it, Lionheart, I'm sure Tyrian and Hazel would've found them on their own eventually." Cinder said.
Ghost had never met said Huntsmen and Huntresses, but he felt a pang of fury for them. One shared by several others in their group, as Jaune spoke:
"What is wrong with you...?" Jaune asked, visibly seething. "How can you be so broken inside... to take so many lives, and then come here and rub it in our faces like it's something to be proud of?!"
"Jaune…" Pyrrha said, a gentle plea to her fiancée to calm down.
"All with that damn smile on your face!" Jaune snapped.
From there, Ghost drew his weapon, alongside the bulk of the gang.
"Everybody, stay calm!" Qrow ordered firmly.
"I think the time for staying calm left when Lionheart's balls left his body and entered Salem's mouth alongside his prick." Ghost said to Qrow.
Just in time for a fireball to strike him in the torso, knocking him back a few feet.
Using his jetpack to right himself, Ghost looked to hear the signature snap-hiss of Ahsoka's lightsabers as she rushed to engage the Imperial Purge Troopers.
Just as the Imperial Death Troopers raised their weapons to attack her.
Years of training kicked in for Ghost in that moment as he drew his pistol and fired, downing several Death Troopers just in time for them to turn their blasters on him.
Gunning his jetpack, Ghost flew out of the way of a concentrated volley of blaster fire, landing on one of the upper floors. Drawing his beskad, Ghost engaged the Death Troopers on that side, daring a glance below:
Jaune, Pyrrha, Weiss and Ruby had engaged Cinder, Yang and Mercury were trading blows, and the rest of the gang sans him, Qrow and Ahsoka were facing off with the giant.
Ghost hoped that the rest of the battle was going better for everyone.
The Imperial F.O.B…
Commander Wardlow Kast had to admit; Adam Taurus knew what he was doing when it came to battle strategy.
The would-be revolutionary was assigning which key parts of Haven and the city of Mistral would need to be secured in order to attain victory; places Commander Kast would have recommended himself if he were in full command of the army.
"Jaeger; I'm trusting you and your group with taking the CCTS Tower." Adam was saying to one of his main lieutenants. "We'll need it if we are to transmit news of our victory to the rest of Remnant. Which should go a long way in convincing all of them to surrender."
Wardlow studied the man Adam was addressing:
Jaeger was about the same age Adam was, with long, jet black hair and cold, intelligent bluish grey eyes. A pair of black canine ears sprouted from atop his head, denoting him as a canine faunus of some kind; though Kast had not thought to ask.
Jaeger was wearing a blood red military jacket with black and white trim, black gloves, and black combat trousers held up by a belt on which was hung a well-crafted sword his sources told him was called a falchion.
Wardlow made a mental note to see if he could have such a sword made for himself. As much as he enjoyed his spear, he knew a sword would allow for closer combat.
"It will be done, Commander." Jaeger said, bowing in a way that Kast considered correct, but bordering on the mocking before leaving.
Wardlow took the chance to walk up to Adam, saying: "I shouldn't trust him. He seems like the sort to stab you in the back so he can claim your position."
"Blake's betrayal taught me never to trust anyone, Commander Kast." Adam replied. "Perhaps once I have taken my revenge on her… I can allow myself to trust again."
Wardlow frowned. He was well aware of Adam's obsession with his former lover and subordinate, Blake Belladonna; who reports indicated was now the lover of the Jedi thought to have died at Beacon, Nathan Phoenix.
The reminder that Maleficus had abandoned the battle to see off that young upstart had Wardlow's blood boiling. The Baron's place was here, not-
His thought process was interrupted as mortar fire bludgeoned their position, killing several soldiers around the building they were occupying.
Swallowing his shock, Kast roared: "DEFENSIVE POSITIONS, NOW!"
He should have known the enemy would attack whilst still vulnerable.
With Kanan and Carrick…
"Prepare for close quarters!" Carrick bellowed over the din of the artillery bombardment. "Attack!"
Kanan was amongst the several men in Carrick's part of the army who roared their approval, jumping up and dashing forwards into the battle.
Carrick caught his arm as he charged, and their eyes met.
"Your mother's trusting me not to get you killed." Carrick said. "So don't die."
Kanan smirked, before dashing off into battle, drawing the Claws as Carrick joined him.
The first FRA soldier to fall to Kanan's blade toppled to the floor, clutching his throat to try and stem a fountain of blood pouring out.
Kanan knocked him back and turned towards his second target; a FRA soldier rushing towards him with a raised sword. Blocking the attack, Kanan knocked him back with a punch to the gut, turning to a third and disembowelling them with a loud yell.
A fourth slashed wildly and desperately at Kanan, hoping to score a hit on the former heir to the White Fang throne until Kanan sliced him open from shoulder to hip.
The fifth aimed high, but Kanan went low, slashing at the warrior's legs, sending them right into Carrick, who impaled him on his sword.
Carrick drew a pistol and shot the second soldier Kanan had engaged, just in time for Kanan to drive one of his swords through the warrior Carrick had just impaled.
Both men withdrew their blades as the dead soldier fell to the floor, looking at each other.
"We should go find Adam." Kanan suggested. "We take him, we end this battle."
"Let's get more of a foothold, first." Carrick responded. "Adam isn't likely to be on his own, and even then; he's an opponent only the most skilled warriors can defeat."
Kanan nodded, looking towards the farthest side of the battle.
"Your mother will be alright, Kanan. Let's focus on our objectives, and then we'll link up with your mother for the final push. Just like we planned." Carrick said.
Kanan nodded. "I was more concerned about Blake." He admitted.
Carrick smirked. "Don't be. Blake's the one with a Jedi by her side. She'll be fine. Now; let's get moving."
Kanan nodded, as he and Carrick moved to join their brothers and sisters in beating back this perversion of what the White Fang stood for.
With Jason…
Jason let out a fearsome battle cry as he slashed the arm off of a hapless FRA soldier, promptly beheading them at the same time.
Blake was right behind him, tackling another to the ground and driving Gambol Shroud through their chest.
The two shared a glance before more FRA soldiers came their way, at which Jason surged to meet them.
Back dropping one FRA soldier, Jason cut another in half at the waist before slicing one more open from shoulder to hip.
Blake came up from Jason's right flank, disembowelling one FRA soldier, slicing a second's throat open, and then stabbing the katana part of Gambol shroud through the ankle of a third, tripping them up with the cleaver part, following that up by stabbing them once they were down on the ground.
More soldiers charged her, but Blake leapt into the air, hurling Gambol Shroud around her with help from the ribbon tied to the weapon, cutting down any FRA soldier unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity.
Jason meanwhile just cut through any FRA soldier that so much as moved towards him, until his blade incidentally crossed with Blake's.
At that, Captain Rex and the clones dashed past them, forming a defensive perimeter around their commanders.
"I'm not sure I like this, Jason." Blake commented. "I have a feeling the Empire have yet to deploy their own forces. We may be playing right into their hands."
Jason scowled. Blake had a point. "Now that you mention it…" He muttered, keying his comm. "Golden Tiger, this is Big Dog."
"Big Dog, send your traffic." Sienna responded.
"Black Beauty is concerned the Empire is not fully deployed yet; hence there being no Imperial troops in the vicinity. Recommend pushing through and taking the town for our own use against Imperial attack." Jason said.
"A recommendation I share, Golden Tiger." Carrick's voice said.
"Your recommendations are noted, gentlemen." Sienna said. "Push forward, and we can hopefully dig in for a chance to keep the Empire at bay. Golden Tiger out."
Looking back at Blake, Jason said: "Well; shall we?"
Blake nodded. "Just so it's out there… we need to get to Adam if we're going to win this."
"Then let's get that creepy piece of shit." Jason said as he and Blake dashed forwards. He hoped Nathan was doing okay.
With Nathan and Maleficus…
Blue clashed with red as Nathan and Baron Maleficus circled around each other, their lightsabers a blur of motion.
Their duel had taken them from the main square of Kuroyuri into one of the narrow back alleys within the ruined town, and they had now entered a smaller little square.
Knocking aside the Baron's blade, Nathan thrust for his foe's face, only to watch as Maleficus sidestepped. Bringing up his lightsaber to block the Baron's counter attack, Nathan pushed his foe's blade away from him, rolling under the overhead slash Maleficus made in retaliation.
Getting to his feet, Nathan rolled backwards to avoid another slash from the Baron, then dashing forwards to intercept one more strike, resulting in a fierce blade lock.
Nathan's strength allowed him to hold his own, before breaking the blade lock and smashing down Maleficus' lightsaber, promptly knocking his foe back with a hard punch to Maleficus' wounded shoulder.
A harsh groan escaped the Baron in that moment as he backed away, rage and hatred clear in his gaze as Nathan closed the gap.
Spinning his lightsaber, Nathan spun around and leapt up, bringing his lightsaber down in an effort to slash the Baron through his other shoulder, which would enable Nathan to claim victory.
Only to be sent flying as Maleficus lashed out with a Force Push.
Using his momentum to flip backwards, Nathan landed on his feet, only to dash forwards as the Baron surged to meet him. Slashing at Maleficus' legs, Nathan then brought his lightsaber up and around his head in order to strike at the Baron's head.
Maleficus blocked the blow easily, spinning around and slashing down hard at Nathan.
Blocking, Nathan found himself forced to one knee, but pushed himself back to his feet as he stared his dark foe down.
"You're… different to what you were at Beacon." The Baron commented. "You're stronger. Both in the Force and with your lightsaber." Pushing Nathan away, Maleficus slashed at Nathan's head. "And I like it!"
Parrying the Baron's strike, Nathan spun his lightsaber and thrust for Maleficus' wounded shoulder in order to damage it further, but the blow was parried.
Spinning around, Nathan aimed another strike at the Baron's legs. This was blocked, and the two circled each other. "You won't like it so much when you're dead!" Nathan fired back as he broke the blade lock, staring Maleficus down. He hoped the others were doing well.
The Imperial F.O.B…
The FRA were beginning to dig in.
Jason's jaw set as he deflected a cavalcade of blaster fire from a cluster of soldiers, some of which reflected back into the enemy, killing some of them.
He was aware of Blake taking cover a few feet away from him, snapping off shots from Gambol Shroud that were as deadly as they were accurate, felling several more.
Sharing a glance with his close friend's girlfriend, Jason nodded as both jumped down into the small emplacement, Jason's green lightsaber and Gambol Shroud cutting down the rest of the FRA soldiers like mincemeat.
Lowering his lightsaber, Jason looked across the area in front of him.
The FRA were now holing up in some of the buildings dotting the village, having smashed through the windows of said buildings and firing out from them at all angles.
Looking to Blake, Jason said: "We're gonna have to clear them all out house to house."
Blake shook her head. "I have a really bad feeling about this, Jason." Blake replied. "We need to find defensive positions of our own before-"
"GET DOWN!" Jason bellowed, pulling Blake down as explosions rocked the area behind him, accompanied by the screams of several dying White Fang soldiers.
"General!"
Jason stood as Captain Blaze approached, flanked by Ember and Spark. His armour was stained with dirt and blood as he said:
"Jet just told us he's spotted Imperial forces flooding in from the north-east. We need to dig in and prepare for a counterassault."
"Got it, Blaze." Jason nodded. "Golden Tiger, this is Big Dog."
"Send your traffic, Big Dog." Sienna replied.
"I've been notified that Imperial Forces are just starting to come in. Recommend digging in and preparing for a counterassault." Jason responded.
"Got it. Fall back to the top of the hill. We'll have a better defensive permission that way." Sienna replied.
"Copy. Big Dog out." Jason said, before looking to Blake. "We're falling back to the top of the hill." He explained.
Blake nodded. "Smart. We have better defences and ability to.
THUMP.
The sound of a heavy, mechanised footstep sent a chill crawling down Jason's spine. If that was what he thought it was…
THUMP!
Slightly louder this time, but now it was becoming clear what was approaching.
"What was that…?" Blake asked, eyes wide with fear as she met Jason's worried gaze.
She received her answer as through the smoke and miasma of death peeked a massive head, far above the ground.
The smoke soon cleared to reveal an immensely armoured body, held up by four long, lanky legs which drove the mechanised beast forward.
Jason swallowed sharply. "Golden Tiger… we need to fall back…"
The moment he said that, the beast opened fire.
With Wardlow and Adam Taurus…
Wardlow Kast had never been happier to see an AT-AT in his life.
The towering monstrosity was a triumph of Imperial engineering, yet he'd never seen it in action.
Until now.
It had hardly set foot on the battlefield, yet it was already driving back the White Fang.
A hearty cackle escaped Adam, and Wardlow glanced towards the would-be messiah of the faunus as he said:
"Brothers! Sisters! Warriors of the Faunus Revolutionary Army! Leave your places of hiding and fight back! We have them on the run!"
An almighty roar escaped the forces of the FRA as they dashed forward, joining their leader.
Wardlow stood up just as an Imperial Stormtrooper joined him, bearing the markings of a commander.
"Commander Kast; what are your orders?" The trooper asked,
"Follow High Leader Taurus' lead and drive back the White Fang." Wardlow ordered. "We will trap them at the gates of Haven within the hour."
"Yes sir!" The Stormtrooper Commander said as he rushed forward.
Drawing his blaster pistol, Wardlow dashed forward himself, snapping off composed and accurate shots, catching several White Fang insurgents in the back.
Those mongrels were now experiencing the true might of the Galactic Empire, and Commander Wardlow Kast was all but willing to educate them.
He had failed to defeat the enemy at Vacuo. He would not make the same mistakes here.
He soon found himself joining Adam, who had taken up a position on the outskirts, staring up at someone stood at the head of the White Fang, looking directly down at Adam.
She was a beautiful woman, in perhaps her late thirties or early forties, with dark skin, amber eyes, and wild black, chin-length hair with an asymmetrical bob style. She was clearly a faunus, sporting an extra pair of ears, and her body was adorned with numerous tattoos resembling tiger stripes. She wore four golden earrings on three of her ears, one each on her Human ears, and two on her left Faunus ear as well as a small jewel on her forehead.
The woman was dressed in black armour that covered her chest, shoulders, and forearms, alongside her shins and feet.
"Sienna Khan…" Adam growled. "Her life is mine."
In Haven…
The Imperial Death Troopers were proving far more troublesome than Ghost was anticipating.
Thus why he was now stuck behind cover as they peppered his position with blaster fire.
Until an explosion sent several of them flying.
Ghost looked to see Nora give him a nod, Magnhild in its grenade launcher form before then switching it into hammer form and swinging it at Hazel.
The massive man grabbed her hammer and swung her away, sending her crashing into Ren as the both of them went sprawling.
Ghost saw his opening and seized it; gunning his jetpack and surging up and forwards, cutting it off just in time to descend towards Hazel, scoring a perfect dropkick to the giant's face before reactivating his jetpack and flying towards the rest of the Death Troopers, downing several with his blaster pistol just in time for a white lightsaber to behead another.
Ahsoka burst into view, her lightsabers a blur of motion as the rest of the Death Troopers struggled to train their blasters on her.
Drawing his beskad, Ghost began cutting down the rest of the Death Troopers, until finally, all of them lay dead at their feet.
Sheathing his beskad, Ghost looked to Ahsoka, who nodded before their gaze turned to the battle beneath them:
Qrow was locked in combat with Professor Lionheart; Ruby, Weiss, Nora, Ren, Emerald and Oscar were ganging up on Hazel, Yang and Mercury were slugging it out, and finally…
Jaune and Pyrrha were teaming up against Cinder, who was beating back their attacks almost effortlessly.
"Let's see how she fares against a Jedi." Ahsoka said, jumping down just in time for Cinder to fend Jaune and Pyrrha off, drawing her lightsabers.
Ahsoka took a step towards Cinder as a sinister smile crossed the human's face.
"Your friend Nathan was lucky to survive me when I first fought him; and I have only grown more powerful." Cinder commented. "What makes you think you stand any sort of chance against me?"
"It's really simple." Ahsoka said, adopting her normal stance. "I'm not Nathan."
Cinder took a step forward, and a large polearm appeared in her hand. "Prove it." She said before dashing forwards.
Ahsoka took a few steps back, before blocking Cinder's initial attack with both of her lightsabers, lowering her shoto to block an attack from the blunt end of Cinder's polearm before using her main lightsaber to parry a blow from the sharp end meant for her head, spinning away from one attack and ducking another just in time to block another strike from the blunt end of Cinder's polearm.
A short push with the Force knocked Cinder back, allowing Ahsoka to push her further back, unleashing a flurry of attacks that ended with a slash towards Cinder's head.
Cinder ducked this, spinning around just in time to stop another blow from Ahsoka aimed at her back.
Ahsoka refused to back down though, and attempted to lash out with a kick meant for Cinder's head.
Cinder ducked, and brought her polearm down towards Ahsoka's left shoulder.
The former Jedi Padawan blocked the blow, attempting to counter with her shoto with a slash towards the Fall Maiden's legs.
Cinder parried, forcing the smaller lightsaber away from her, spinning around and blocking a downward slash from Ahsoka.
Pushing Ahsoka back, Cinder sent a fireblast towards Ahsoka that knocked the former Padawan of Anakin Skywalker flying back.
Ahsoka yelped as the flames burnt, but got to her feet just in time to meet Cinder's next attack, countering into a spinning kick that knocked Cinder back.
Cinder grunted with anger, glaring at Ahsoka, who smirked.
"You're lucky Nathan isn't here with me." She said. "Between the two of us… you wouldn't have lasted long."
"You're disgustingly arrogant for a child." Cinder spat.
"You'll find I've several qualities you'll come to dislike!" Ahsoka snarled as she dashed forwards, prepared to continue her battle with Cinder.
Only for Cinder to unleash a massive blast towards her.
Ahsoka braced herself, just in time for two shields to stop the flames.
Ahsoka looked to see Jaune and Pyrrha stood in front of her, giving her a nod.
She smiled and stood before Cinder, who had switched from her polearm to a scimitar of sorts.
"Guess I'll just have to fight you all one by one!" Cinder snarled.
Pyrrha dashed forwards, but ducked as Weiss came flying overhead.
Allowing Cinder to unleash a blast of fire that sent Pyrrha flying herself.
Pyrrha cried out in pain as she felt her aura break under the fury of Cinder's flames, hitting the floor hard.
"Pyrrha!" Jaune called out to his fiancée.
"Jaune; eyes on Cinder!" Ahsoka said to the leader of Team JNNPR as the aforementioned Fall Maiden laughed harshly.
"Are you going to let her die too?" Cinder asked Jaune, gesturing to Pyrrha.
"Not on my watch!" Ahsoka shouted, dashing towards Cinder.
Cinder blocked Ahsoka's attack before sending her flying with a vicious burst of flame.
Ahsoka cried out and hit the ground, just in time to see Jaune dash forward and clash with Cinder.
"NO!"
At that, everything went white.
Kuroyuri…
Sparks flared from the two lightsabers as Nathan pushed against Maleficus' blade.
The Baron then shoved Nathan back, reaching out with the Force and hurling a nearby boulder at his adversary.
Spinning around, Nathan slashed through the boulder, only to suffer for the distraction by way of a nasty boot from Maleficus to Nathan's face.
Using the momentum to roll away from the Baron, Nathan's blade met Maleficus' again, only to then find himself staggering back after his dark foe punched him in the face. If it weren't for his aura, Nathan's nose would have been broken long beforehand.
Nathan dared a glance at his aura. It was still sat at around fifty-two percent. Not the worst, but not particularly good either.
"You've improved since Beacon, Phoenix…" Baron Maleficus remarked, closing the distance. "But you're still nothing compared to me."
Nathan scowled, raising his lightsaber and spinning it as he clashed with the Baron, parrying Maleficus' strike and countering with a slash of his own towards the dark warrior's head.
The Baron parried, and used Nathan's distraction to uproot a nearby tree with the Force and hurl it at Nathan.
Nathan grunted as he flew back from the impact, struggling to his feet just at the right time, blocking Maleficus' attack just as he felt something small strike at the back of his leg, forcing him to one knee.
Which was about the time the Baron drove his own knee hard into Nathan's face and slashed Nathan fiercely across the abdomen.
Nathan groaned as he sank to his knees, feeling Maleficus' blade at the nape of his neck.
"I told you I'd take your head…" the Baron growled as he raised his lightsaber.
A thought of Blake flashed through Nathan's mind, and he dashed forwards to avoid Maleficus' downward stroke, seizing his lightsaber back into his hand in time for the Baron to unleash a barrage of Force Lightning towards Nathan.
Raising his lightsaber, Nathan blocked the electrical torrent, finding himself forced a few paces back under the sheer force of it. Nathan allowed himself to think of Blake, using those thoughts to fill him with resolve as he held his ground, starting to take a step forward.
Maleficus' eyes widened, and he started looking around for anything which might allow him to halt Nathan's advance.
Nathan forced himself to take another step, growling in determination as he took another step.
And then another.
And then another.
And another.
Another step forward.
Another step towards the Baron.
Another step towards resuming this duel.
Another step towards ending it and going home to Blake.
Which was when the Baron stopped the torrent.
Nathan was so set on pushing through that the sudden lack of resistance left him unbalanced.
Allowing Maleficus to then hurl Nathan into what was the main hall of the town.
Nathan was about to get to his feet, only for the entire building to collapse on top of him.
He felt his aura break; just as Baron Maleficus said:
"I'll be back for your head later. For now… I'm going to win the Battle of Haven."
At the F.O.B…
Things were now at a stalemate.
Kanan found he hated stalemates as he snapped off several shots from his rifle, downing several of the approaching FRA soldiers.
He dared a glance over towards his mother, stood in the centre of the White Fang's defensive line, leading from the front.
Kanan could feel every fibre of his being screaming at him to break from Carrick's part of the line, rush towards his mother and stand with her against Adam; who he'd quietly been itching for a rematch with since their first encounter during the Battle of Belladonna Manor.
A soft hand found his shoulder, and Kanan looked to see Carrick give him a warm, understanding smile.
"Go."
Kanan's eyes widened. "Do you need me here?" He asked.
"I can do without one of my men, Kanan." Carrick said. "Go!"
Kanan nodded, and took off towards the centre of the front lines, snapping off several shots towards the oncoming Imperial lines until he had reached the centre.
"Kanan!"
Kanan looked to see his mother looking back at him. "Carrick thought you might want my help." Kanan replied.
Sienna smiled, before a voice yelled:
"Sienna Khan! I challenge you, one warrior to another!"
Both looked to see Adam a hundred or so metres away, staring straight at them.
Sienna sighed, then looked to Kanan. "Hold the line." She ordered, taking a breath and kissing her son on the forehead before dashing forwards to meet Adam.
Adam immediately lashed out with a slash from Wilt that Sienna leapt over, turning just in time to find himself doubled over as Sienna kicked him in the solar plexus.
Kanan smiled as his mother instantly went on the attack, kicking Adam in the face before lashing out with her weapon; a six feet long chain with three blades on the end that she referred to as Cerberus Whip.
Oncoming fire directed Kanan's attention, and he forced himself to focus on them.
However; it was clear the FRA were gonna get too close for ranged weapons, and so Kanan dropped his rifle drew the Claws, bellowing:
"PREPARE FOR CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT!"
With that, the two factions met in a clap of thunder.
Haven…
For a moment or two, all Ahsoka could see was white, and she momentarily thought she was blind.
However, the white soon faded, and she watched as Cinder sank to her knees, holding her arm in pain.
Ahsoka saw that Jaune was closest, and shouted: "Jaune; now!"
Jaune looked, and dashed forward, lunging at Cinder.
The Fall Maiden barely moved out of the way, only for Jaune's sword to barely clip the mask covering the left side of Cinder's face.
Ahsoka smirked. Guess you aren't so invulnerable after all, you kriffing skank.
Ahsoka's smirk soon faded as Jaune tripped and fell to the floor.
Cinder stood up, her face a mask of rage at the thought that Jaune could possibly stand against her.
Ahsoka got to her feet, summoning her lightsabers to her hand and dashed towards Cinder, only to be knocked back as her right eye seemed to sprout a flame, unleashing a burst of energy that sent Ahsoka sprawling.
"Did you think you actually had a chance against me?! You?!"
Ahsoka looked up to see Jaune now struggling as Cinder stepped onto him, holding him down.
Jaune was defiant, staring back up at Cinder with determination in his face as he replied: "If it buys my friends time… then fine. They're who matter."
Ahsoka took that time to glance around at the combat around them:
Ghost had now joined Qrow and Oscar in battling Lionheart, whilst Nora and Ren were battling Hazel; who was treating them and Emerald like ragdolls as Weiss tended to a clearly unconscious Ruby.
Yang was still battling Mercury, and losing.
All the while Pyrrha was only just starting to get up.
"Is that so…?"
Ahsoka looked to see Cinder giving Jaune an evil smile, conjuring an obsidian spear which she then levelled at Pyrrha.
Jaune really started to struggle from beneath Cinder, screaming: "No… NO!"
Ahsoka moved quickly, but too late, as Cinder hurled the spear.
Which promptly impaled Pyrrha through the back, bursting out of her torso just about beneath where the Invincible Girl's heart would be.
Pyrrha gasped in shock and pain as the breath was driven out of her, replaced by the burning sensation she associated with a weapon conjured by Cinder.
Ahsoka sank to her knees, helplessly watching on with everyone else as Pyrrha soon went motionless and the spear disintegrated.
At which Pyrrha slumped forward, falling to the ground.
The FOB…
Kanan sank one of the Claws deep into an FRA officer's gut, beheading them with a short slash from the other Claw. Shoulder-barging a nearby soldier, Kanan drove both Claws into the soldier's gut, ripping them free in such a manner that caused the soldier's intestines to spill out onto the floor.
Kanam stopped a moment to look to the left flank, spotting Jason and Blake easily.
They were fighting side by side; Jason's emerald coloured lightsaber a blur as it cut down FRA soldier after FRA soldier.
Blake was equally fast, cutting through FRA soldiers like they were fishcakes.
Kanan then dared a glance towards the fight going on nearby:
Sienna Khan and Adam Taurus. White Fang High Leader versus the Faunus Revolutionary Army's General.
The two were dancing around each other, neither showing any signs of slowing down.
A loud growl drew Kanan's attention, and he ducked an overhead swing from a falchion, standing up to face his foe. "Jaeger…"
"Surprised to see me, Kanan?!" The former head of Bullet Company said, grinning darkly. "I've been hoping to face you one on one."
Kanan's jaw set, and he connected the Claws into it's staff form, saying: "You won't be saying that when you're dead!" Dashing forwards and bringing his staff down towards Jaeger.
Blocking the blow, Jaeger then blocked an attack made towards his legs, before countering with a strike towards Kanan's head.
Kanan ducked, countering with a hard kick to Jaeger's jaw that knocked the former criminal back, pressing his attack by ramming the centre of his staff into Jaeger's chest before sweeping the wolf faunus' legs out from beneath him.
Raising his staff to bring it down onto Jaeger, Kanan was disappointed to see Jaeger roll out of the way.
Just in time for a massive foot to stomp on the furthest facing blade of Kanan's staff, snapping it.
"No!" Kanan yelled, finding himself facing the hulking behemoth that was Bear with what was now a slightly shortened polearm.
Just as Jaeger struck, cutting through the connection that had held both ends of Kanan's staff together, leaving Kanan with just one of the Claws against the both of them.
However, Kanan froze as he heard the pained screams of his mother.
Who promptly came crashing into him, knocking them both over.
Kanan was on his feet within seconds, rushing to his mother's side. "Mom…"
Sienna looked terrible. Blood was dribbling out of her mouth, and oozing from a nasty wound on her head.
Most disheartening was the clearly deep and wide wound across Sienna's abdomen that her hand was clinging to, trying to staunch the blood pouring out of it.
Despite this, Sienna Khan dragged herself to her feet as Adam surged towards them, Wilt dripping with blood.
Kanan stood between them; only to be thrown back as Adam blasted him with Blush before engaging Sienna.
Despite her serious wounds, Sienna remained unbowed as she fought Adam.
Until he seized an opening, and fired Blush into her at point blank range.
A pained, strangulated gasp escaped Sienna, and she sank to her knees.
"NO!" Kanan roared, getting to his feet and dashing towards his mother and Adam.
Only to then be kicked away by Bear.
Kanan still got back up and rushed towards his mother,
Only to find himself sinking to his knees helplessly as Adam ran his mother through with Wilt.
"MOM!" Kanan half-yelled half sobbed, watching as Adam then yanked Wilt free, causing Sienna to sink to the floor.
Kanan heard a great groan across the White Fang as their high leader fell.
His mother.
Then came a voice:
"Fall back! The High Leader has fallen! Fall back!"
Kanan could only listen as Adam then said:
"Pull back and let them flee. We'll finish them off as we storm Haven."
At that, Kanan felt firm hands grab at him, trying to drag him away, but he broke free, dashing towards his mother's barely moving form, seizing her in his arms as he himself ran with the rest of the White Fang.
This couldn't be the end. It just couldn't.
Well that's not good.
Lot of moving parts to this chapter, and all of them are important ones.
Felt as though I underutilised Ahsoka up until now, and figured her vs Cinder would be an effective utilisation of Ahsoka during the battle.
And also, I wanted to make the Battle of Haven a much larger scale engagement, instead of what amounted to a small skirmish within a contained space. I hope I accomplished that goal to a satisfactory degree.
Anyway... let's answer some reviews, shall we?
keybladelight: I actually drew heavy inspiration from that lightsaber duel for Nathan vs Maleficus II. So well spotted. I also drew inspiration from Ahsoka's lightsaber duel vs Maul for her initial clash against Cinder.
Sharnorasian Empire: You'll have to wait and see. But all I'll say is... the night is always darkest before the dawn.
With that said; thank you all so much for taking the time to read this chapter. If y'all liked it... you know what to do.
I shall see you next week with the next chapter, which will decide Haven's fate.
T-Rock14