div id="djs-foo" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"In the grand probability of endless potential and opportunity, there exists a timeline where everything goes right, rather than wrong. A timeline where events play out as close to the current one, yet key subtle differences alter and change the fates of those touched. Within the endless reaches of time, space and opportunity, we find ourselves within the Vault of Creation. Where they have explained the plan for Penny, saving her life and leaving a real girl that was always inside the machine to finally understand the warmth of hugs and the sensation of cold floors on her bare feet. As well as create the Inbetween space, made with pathways that have safety railings, because one can never be too careful!/div
div id="djs-efupp" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""We need to create a pathway so that everyone on Solitas can make they're way to Vacuo. I have a set of schematics here. We'll need a centralized space to allow the flow traffic from multiple doors leading to a single point of exit into Vacuo", Weiss had formulated the words as careful as she could. Avoiding figures of speech like 'one way ticklet' because a true imbecile would say that to a dangerously 'will give you exactly what you want' character like Ambrosius. Even getting the railings without them acting like a cartoon safety net was a bother. The formulation was key. But all in all, team RWBY thought they'd done a good job! "And the doorways have to prevent one specific individual from entering"/div
div id="djs-4t2eq" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""And how do you propose they do that?", Ambrosius asked in his signature tone. Yang and Ruby nodded, the idea to use an illusion of Aschen, take a picture and show it to Ambrosius was a clever idea. Yang held up her Scroll: "this woman isn't allowed to enter"/div
div id="djs-dv3na" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""The one in heeled boots, shin protectors in a dark gray color, light ash coloured pants with a belt that was brown, fingerless gloves that mixed with arm bracers, similarly of light ashen gray, a simple black shirt that was tucked underneath a corset like jacket with a hood. All ash color like her hair, ice cold blue eyes? No wait she has a Blue and a White eye…how curious"/div
div id="djs-eef4a" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Yes, she'll most certainly try and cause trouble. If she could be prevented, we'd be very thankful!", Ruby said, looking at him as he rolls his eyes and nods. After a few moments he waves his hand in a 'shoo' way. "Very thorough, specific word choice. I can't decide whether you're all highly clever…or exceptionally stupid. But it's done so off you go…"/div
div id="djs-7nkgq" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"The team approached the door with an eagerness. Finally things would be going more their way! No Ironwood to get in the way, no Grimm to complicate things and no Salem and her henchmen! As they approached the doorway, along with Penny who was experiencing a whole new world in sensations and experiences. Even smells. Yet before they could enter the doorway…/div
div id="djs-5rt49" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Oh and one last clarification of this Inbetween location of yours. Even with the safety railings…do NOT fall…And with that dire warning…"/div
div id="djs-186h0" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-bdhjr" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"…/div
div id="djs-a2n5" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-2jiin" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I don't KNOW WHAT to do now ok!?", Aschen was tired of the scornful look that Neo was throwing her way. Frustrated and on edge, she and the dual color eyed girl walked the hallways of Atlas Academy, having had Watts dumped in the command center where he'd stay and eventually be shot by Coal. They had cut off the transmission form the blond guy calling for help or whatever and had been searching for the staff. And during their time, they had found those magical doorways. But for some reason, Aschen couldn't enter. Each time she tried, it felt like walking into a concrete wall. Which made Neo laugh and her feel super angry and pissed off. Neo had been able to walk through the door and had mentioned that there was a big gathering of people behind that door. A picture on her Scroll said all she needed to know. Aschen's patience was getting more and more drained as her mind raced to find a solution. Neo mimed with her hands…/div
div id="djs-9qf6l" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""No I won't be able to teleport there…I don't think…", Aschen hadn't even considered that. SHe could teleport rather large distances, like from the vault to home, the bandit camp. She just needed to have seen it. Maybe…maybe that idea wasn't so stupid after all? Neo rolled her eyes and gave a 'good day' wave as she moved through the door. That annoying little sass! Aschen closed her eyes, pictured the place, the golden floor and light bridges, with safety railings and doorways. All connected to a central platform. She inhaled. Wanted to be there. Appear in that space. She imagined opening her eyes and appearing in the Inbetween and when she did, she smiled. Yes Success! However as she did, she fell half a meter to the floor as she had somehow teleported into the Inbetween and appeared a meter above the ground. She fell to her knees, her Aura taking a massive dive as she seemed to have teleported through a whole new place. As people stood around her, offering her a hand, Aschen took it and followed the masses./div
div id="djs-1ba11" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-7hq77" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"…/div
div id="djs-fsku5" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-c7bui" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I thought there'd be more people by now…", Weiss walks along the light bridge walkways with safety rails and throws her gaze around. She could see Atlas and Mantle people beginning to amass. The Happy Huntresses were doing their part as they had already guided a steady stream from their access point in the Warehouse district./div
div id="djs-f4nnd" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Our job is getting Penny and the staff to Vacuo. Until then, we trust in the others. I'm sure they can handle it", Ruby says. In full on leader mode. She casts her looks around as well, seeing Em, Ren and Oscar step through the portal for Vacuo. She sighed and managed a small weak smile. So far so good./div
div id="djs-c85cp" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Hey sis…", Yang puts her hand out and this time Ruby's leader mode makes her not shake it off. The others begin moving ahead towards the big final exit door, as Ruby and Yang walk behind them. "What?"/div
div id="djs-7p9ku" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I…I wanna say I'm sorry", Yang's look is one of shame. Ruby's heart gives a little jump. Was she getting her sister back?! "Sorry for running off alone. I just…Ever since Raven spouted her spiel about not trusting others and always questioning things, I kind off began acting like a jerk."/div
div id="djs-3hko9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Thank you Yang…I really…appreciate that", Ruby's smile turned a bit brighter, she wrapped an arm around Yang as they began walking. Yang smiled as well. "And?"/div
div id="djs-dps2v" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""And what?", Yang threw her a quizzing look. What more did her sister want from her?/div
div id="djs-a8u6i" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""And I think it'll be fine once we get to Vacuo", Ruby's leader instincts helped her shove down the small crack she had made. Now of course she was happy that Yang finally said she was sorry, but by the Brothers it was a long time coming. But she still wanted Yang to apologize for what she'd said during that 'split the party' moment. But that'll probably never happen./div
div id="djs-24d60" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Hey…you know you can talk to me…right Rubes?", Yang said, trying to comfort her sister. Yet she merely took her arm back and started walking faster. "Come on…we have a job to do"/div
div id="djs-95k48" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Ruby…you're…"/div
div id="djs-2agqr" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""SISTER!", the loud voice echoed and alerted everyone. As the Happy Huntresses crossed over, Weiss and Blake looked at Penny and the second largest platform. A woman stood there. It was her! Aschen's eyes were cold, bloodthirsty and predatory. She smiled and pointed at Yang: "Time to die!"/div
div id="djs-53l41" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Out of the palm of her hand a single flare began burning. Yang instinctively pushed Ruby aside and raised her arms to block as a heavy jetstream of flame shot out and blasted into the wall of Ice that erected just before Yang. Lowering her guard she flashed a red eyed grin as she scaled the wall right as it shattered, Yang launched herself for Aschen and primed a punch. Only for Aschen to vanish. Stopping herself from hitting innocent people, the reappearing Maiden flew two meters above where Yang was and pointed both her hands down, eyes filled with triumph! "Burn spawn of Raven!"/div
div id="djs-4mbes" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Aschen unleashed a heavy blow of fire. Yang jumped upon the railing and leapt forwards, using Ember Celica to slingshot herself on a different pathway, yet as the flame blasted the platform, the people there met a fate worse than death. A massive blow of fire roasted and charred them, instantly claiming twenty five plus lives. Aschen hissed and turned her attention on Yang once more, following her motion with extended flame shooting hands! Yang landed on a different platform, as panicked people rand for their lives. As Aschen aimed at her, Ruby carried Weiss and Blake over as the four of them blocked Aschen's attack. Two of them shooting bullets at the Maiden while Weiss generates another wall of Ice. Aschen hisses in anger as she evades and breathes fire to block the bullets./div
div id="djs-e8gn9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Stand down! Give me my sister and the Staff and I'll let you go. No one else needs to die here!", Aschen hissed, flying in midair still. But her outburst made all of them turn their heads. Sister?! Ruby rolled her eyes: "Penny's coming with us!"/div
div id="djs-52k3p" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I don't mean the canopener! Hand over Yang and the Relic…final chance…", Aschen's gaze turned towards Yang once more, furious and murderous. Weiss slapped her forehead./div
div id="djs-8nkm0" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Vernal Branwen?!", the name causes Aschen to stop for a moment as Yang's eyes narrow into a glare. Before they go wide! "It IS Vernal! I thought you were dead!"/div
div id="djs-6hh55" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""BECAUSE I AM NOT VERNAL!", in her anger Aschen's focus falters and she lets out a wide roar which lets a plume of fire release from her mouth. She's breathing fire?! Weiss and Yang look at one another. "It's not a phase? Does your mom know?"/div
div id="djs-4872p" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I'll kill Raven. She left me for dead. I'll erradicate her from this world. And I'm starting with you!", Aschen Gwain hisses as she lands before the four of them and begins building a two handed fireblast! Ruby reacts first! In a blur of speed she lunges forwards and hooks her Scythe behind Aschen. SHe's forced immediately to drop her attacking style as her skin turns into organic Steel. Ruby triggers a shot from Crescent Rose yet the blow only catches on Aschen's legs and staggers her. Aschen turns around with her steel hands and raises them to try and bash the girl's skull in! But a coiled blade lashes onto her hands as Blake and Yang pull, tripping Aschen on the floor. Attempting to spring to her feet, Aschen remains restrained on the floor, anchored by a Gravity Glyph as Blake leaps in the air, pulling Yang higher in the air, who cocks her elbow back and slams into Aschen with a powerful shockwave! Yet right before she connects, Aschen vanishes. Weiss instantly raises another wall of Ice and shoots several shards into the air as the Maiden appears in the air and once more tries her jetstream flare attack. But she has to dodge away as she howls in anger! "Fine sister, I'll kill your friends first!"/div
div id="djs-4tos8" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-9ipnj" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"In a flash she dives in, once more turning her skin to steel as she attacks, slamming into Yang who blocks her advance and holds her down. Blake and Weiss maneuver to attack, Ruby spins Crescent Rose on the floor and aims at Aschen's head. Yet before she can pulls the trigger, a handle is thrown around her neck and Ruby's pulled backwards. Her throat closing as Ruby's body flung against the floor with a gagged gulp. She looked up at a random person. Before her eyes flashed and they turned pink and brown. Her eyes were full with intent, as she put her hand on Ruby's mouth to silence her and extended the blade from Hush and raised it. As Yang holds Aschen in a hold, Weiss feels a shiver down her spine and turns back, seeing Ruby on the floor and Neo on her with a blade raised. She points her sword in her direction, summons a small Arma Gigas that slices Neo's ankle! Blake, who notices the attack, gasps and hisses as she throws Gambol out and loops it around Neopolitan, pulling her off of Ruby, but she breaks free almost instantly as she grabs Hush and attacks Ruby again. Turning her eyes to Weiss, the Schnee nods as they both understand the goal. Help Ruby I'll back up Yang./div
div id="djs-brl8a" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"In the confusion of the altercation, Aschen hardens her head to steel and throws a backwards headbutt. Yang's Aura eats the blow, yet the pain rings in her head and loosens her grip ever so slightly. Sensing the lesser power, Aschen pulls free and her skin turns normal as she manifests a blade of obsidian in her left hand and slices at Yang's throat! But before she can strike, Yang is pulled to the side with a Gravity Glyph, as Weiss drives Myrtenaster into Aschen's side! In a split second her grayish Aura eats the blow but Weiss deals the first damage to Aschen! Plus, she also figured something out. Yang walks in and clocks Aschen, but she's back to her steel skin. Weiss grins. "And here I thought Bandits were dangerous fighters"/div
div id="djs-60d0m" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""What?!"/div
div id="djs-a66jq" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""You can only use one thing at the time, can't you?", Weiss grins as she points her sword and unleashes a blaze of fire at Aschen who gasps in pain as her skin begins to heat up. She might have an 'exoskin' of organic steel, her organs inside are still flesh and blood. Stepping away she moves so that Yang and Aschen are in close quarters, that way Weiss can't blast her with fire! Meanwhile Blake and Ruby are trying to work in tandem to deal with Neo, yet where Blake is able to at least hold her own with Passion and Gambol; Ruby can't manage at all. Her long weapon is a hindrance in regards to a trained and highly skilled assassin like Neo. It also doesn't help that each time Blake is helping Ruby, it turns out to be an illusion of glass that shatters when she strikes. Neopolitan is hyperfocused on isolating Ruby, and with the power of Overactive Imagination, she can do just that!/div
div id="djs-4o9u5" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Shut up, princess!", Aschen tanks a blow from Yang, hooks around her arm and throws her towards a railing. Yet instead of capitalizing on her, the Maiden turns her vengeful blue and white eye towards Weiss and charges, an electrical energy growing from her body and forming a cage! A cage that traps her and Weiss in for a one on one fight! Weiss draws her Aura Dagger and activates it as she begins dual wielding and engaging with Aschen! Thanks to her focus on the electrical cage, Aschen is limited only to her sword skills. Drawing her short sword, she attacks, swiping and thrusting. But in that matchup, Weiss is faster and better equipped! She catches a swipe, blocking it as she stabs her Aura Dagger into Aschen's side, yet before she can be retaliated, Weiss leaps back, making sure not to hit the electrified cage. The dagger really helping her with it, as it gives her just enough offensive power when dealing with the blade. So much so that Aschen starts to begin getting angry! "What's wrong Vernal? Too used to the magic to bail you out? Sloppy form"/div
div id="djs-ccvb" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Taunting her wasn't the right call. As Aschen took a stab, her Aura once more taking the blow, she bellowed out in furious anger! The electric cage vanishes as a heavy blast of telekinetic energy repulses out of her! "NIGHTSHADE", Weiss crosses her arms but the mental wave of energy is like a tidal wave and blows her backwards. Heels skitting over the floor until her back bangs into the railing and she screams in pain, her Aura shimmering but not breaking. As her scream echoes, time slows down as Yang Xiao Long, who's rushing to attack Aschen, has her eyes widened in horror, begins running to save her. Blake, who's helping Ruby stops in her tracks as she turns and gasps, tears begin to build and Ruby isn't given a moment of respite, as Neo is relentless in her attacks. Weiss' grip on Myrtenaster is loosened as a second repulse hits her, the railing working against her as Weiss tilts over the edge, her sword thrown into the air and landing with a sharp shing as it sticks into the platform. Weiss gives a startled gasp, as she feels her feet pulled upwards by the fulcrum action and tumbles into the void. With her dagger she points down and generates a Summoning Glyph. Yet before she can make a full Nevermore to save her life, suddenly it shatters and stops. Weiss gasps once more. She feels a block on her Semblance. Like when your Aura breaks and there's no fuel left for a Semblance, Aschen pointing at Weiss and smiling venomously, using her magic to block Weiss' Semblance. "Once I thought you were a good bandit. But now you're nothing but Fallen Snow…"/div
div id="djs-51c3c" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-bsd09" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Blake rushes towards the railing and throws Gambol outwards, a slow heartbeat in her ears as the world seems to freeze. Yang turns to Aschen and lands a rage filled haymaker, breaking her concentration but the damage is done. As Gambol stops just short from catching Weiss' boot, the Heiress, the Schnee daughter, the best teammate ever, is gone. Swallowed by the void. Blake falls to her knees, her voice sending out a loud and desperate cry as she feels a pain in her heart, as Passion shimmers in her hand. Her vow was breaking. "WEISS!"/div
div id="djs-4nf5j" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"The name echoes, catching Penny's ears who activates her Maiden powers and holds the staff as a bludgeoning weapon, copying and mimicking her powers from when she was just a machine, Penny soars in a plume of green energy. Blake, alone and crying as her friend is gone, snaps. She turns her eyes to Aschen, who's busy steeling herself literally and is landing blow upon blow on Yang, the pain of having lost a friend slowing her and Ruby down, as both sisters are taking blow upon blow. But Belladonna doesn't see reason or logic. Her eyes fall on Myrtenaster and as she rushes forwards, grabbing it and holding Passion, she is out for blood. Aschen groans and gives another steel headbutt to Yang, who staggers to her knees. "Why couldn't you just give up and die!? Why are you letting your friends die for you!? Just like-!"/div
div id="djs-bjk1" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""You don't know anything about friends!", Aschen looks up and is pained by a blade of pure energy that slices into her body. Bypassing the steel and hitting her on the Aura. Collapsing to her knees before Teleporting away to a different platform and catching her breath. Furious, Penny goes in pursuit as Yang wrestles with the reality that one of her friends is dead. Anger clawing at her heart. Hate devouring her mind. Blake screams as she reaches Aschen first and unleashes an unrelenting barrage of attacks! Slicing with Passion, the edge sharp enough to damage Aschen through the Steel Skin powers, Myrtenaster throwing flame-covered stabs at the girl. THere's a feral hatred in Blake's eyes as she dog piles on Aschen, who can't even focus on teleporting or switching her powers. Especially with Yang and Penny cascading over them at the same time! Hissing and screaming, Blake's attacks are insurmountable. As her Aura begins dropping, Aschen makes a desperate play and makes her body corporeal. Suddenly Blake rushes through her and gives her just enough time to form a plan. She gives a loud huff and vanishes again. But doesn't reappear. Blake roars and throws a wide flaming slash at the empty space, losing what remained of her temper: "COWARD! YOU BITCH!"/div
div id="djs-ftig1" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Jaune and Nora, seeing them fight and then the disappearing Aschen, look at one another and nod. Nora would get help, as he draws his sword and rushes in to provide help, fighting tears at the loss of Weiss, he catches up to Blake and Yang, both looking and turning to see what happens next, turtling up and trying to find Aschen. "What happened?!"/div
div id="djs-5kqd7" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""She killed Weiss…I'll run her through. I'll cut her head off!", Blake hisses and rants, Yang likewise is furious, but has less anger at the moment, her eyes falling on Jaune. He was smart! Tactical! Weiss had said; 'one thing at the time'. "Jaune…she can only use her magic to make one 'Semblance like power' at the same time!"/div
div id="djs-3qf4n" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""One at a time…I can work with-" In their moments of respite, another scream calls their attention. Blake turns and spies Neo, from an even further platform, stabbing Ruby, having bypassed her guard and thrown Crescent Rose over the railing, it trails and vanishes in the void. Seeing that, all four of them begin to panic. Oh no that would be bad! In a desperate haste they run, Penny flying towards them as Yang lags ever so slightly behind, not noticing Aschen appearing behind her with a toxic grin on her face./div
div id="djs-evaot" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-3hhp9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"To say that Ruby wasn't doing well was grossly underselling her situation. She had been taking a firm beating at the hands of Neo and Blake had left her to help Yang. And to make matters worse, she had lost Crescent Rose and was standing with her back against the railing, same way Weiss had been before she was thrown over the edge. In her dull silver eyes, there was no glow. No hope and no brightness. She looked at Neo, who smiled confidently, like a predator having cornered it's prey. Ruby knew she was outmatched. She had no chance of beating this girl, like she never had a chance back in Beacon. Wait…no chance, in a straight fight! She threw her arms open and wide, exposing herself as Neo's eyes widened. Ruby had to sell the ruse. "Whatever you wanted…I hope it was worth it…"/div
div id="djs-7qarh" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Neo extended the blade from Hush. This opportunity was perfect! Especially with that lifeless expression in her eyes! A pure and easy final strike! SHe'd pay for killing Roman! Neo lunged forwards! And Ruby acted. She kicked upwards with her feet, knocking the Lamp off of Neo's belt, flipped over the edge and Petal Burst sped her way under the Light Bridge, appeared behind Neo and gave her a solid push! Unable to anticipate this level of trickery from a prey item she had thought to have given up, all Neo can do is reach for the railing and hang on. Looking up at the girl that outsmarted her, again! Like at Beacon when she flipped the button and caused her to fly off the ship. Neo's anger boiled! But the sound of Ember Celica turned Ruby around. In a flash she sees two things. Penny who's got a blade deep inside her gut, blood staining her outfit. And Yang's angered face looking at her with pure hatred. Terrified, Ruby can only give a weak reply with quivering lips as she has tears in her eyes seeing this horrifying angered look on her sister's face. "Yang…?"/div
div id="djs-1hlja" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"But Yang doesn't react and throws a massive body check against Ruby. The blow is so heavy, she crashes Ruby against the railing and breaks it, pain hitting her spine as her Aura breaks and scatters like red rose petals! Tumbling into the void, Ruby can only act in a second as she grabs Neo's ankle and barely manages to dangle from them, looking up as tears are in her eyes. Her ability to handle and put away her emotions, not to fail as a leader, goes out the window as Ruby cries tears of pain. The physical pain wasn't nothing, but seeing her sister's super rage filled eyes was enough to break Ruby. As she begins sobbing, Yang shakes her head and gasps, her own eyes becoming watery. "RUBY!"/div
div id="djs-f6qkv" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Yang drops on her belly and reaches for Ruby's hand, but in a second Aschen appears next to her with a vile look in her eyes. "Well done Yang…You obeyed delightfully. So eager and willing to punch your sister off the edge!"/div
div id="djs-ev658" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Yang's eyes widened. She recalled hearing a whisper in her ears. Suddenly she had seen Neo push Ruby over the railing and her anger kicked in, driven to push Neo through the railing, wanting to break her in two! But it had been an illusion! Aschen had played her! Used her anger to knock her own sister overboard! As Yang screamed in anger and rose up for a punch, Aschen simply kicked Neo's hands off the platform and vanished once more. Invisibility is cheating! Yang can only watch! Blake, who's so angry and furious about losing one friend already, dives off the platform and throws Gambol back. A righteous desire in her eyes as she watches Yang catch it and hold on, Blake swings down and catches Ruby's hands, trying to pull her up. But then Aschen appears once more and glares deep in Yang's angered eyes and smiles: "Let the weapon go", and to the horror of Ruby, Yang's eyes glass over and drops Gambol. Followed by a loud scream of pain as Jaune drives his blade deep into Aschen's back! The second stab! She gives another Nightshade repulse and knocks Yang and Jaune back. As Blake and Ruby fall into the void, she gives a weak cry. She was broken. Having Yang be the one to push her towards her death, did Ruby in. She was seventeen years old, fighting in a war that wasn't hers, nursing a dream made by a child. Friends at her side and Crescent Rose in her hand, chasing her days down to zero. And there, alone in the void, she could only think about the one person who's memory had carried her through so much crap and hardship. She couldn't stop herself. In a desperate need for warmth and aid, ruby called for her mother, but of course she never came. Yet that wasn't her fault and she wasn't to blame. But with this day not half over, many are slain and all she could hope was that someone would remember her name and message. "...mom…help me…"/div
div id="djs-fushb" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-1dps" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Fitting…that the daughter of Raven would end up being the soul survivor!", Aschen's tone was goading, aggressive and triumphant. Sure she was nursing a massive wound herself. But Yang's face said it all! She had flaring hair, her Semblance wanting to activate, but the mental warfare had broken her. Aschen was savoring this! Penny lay dying and bleeding on the floor, Jaune trying desperately to boost her Aura, but the blade was laced with a deadly toxin! She would be dead in seconds! The princess who had dared to stand in her way was gone! Smitten and scattered like fallen snow. Beautiful to look at yet easily blown away! The feline monster that had attacked her out of retribution was cast over the edge by her own tunnel vision and with some illusions and mind controlling suggestions, Aschen had broken Yang by making HER the architect of her sister's own demise! Jaune, who was trying to save Penny, heard her demand he save Yang instead, as the toxins were starting to kill her, and she wanted to make one thing right. So when she passed away, Jaune staggered to his feet. His heart steeled and his fury at the deaths of his comrades raging!/div
div id="djs-cb8bf" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Don't listen to her Yang! You're a strong and dependant warrior! Your friends trust and believe in you! We both fought our way through Monstra, saved Oscar! She knows she's got no chance so she spits words! And words are only that! Filthy lies! Get up…!", As he roars and charges with his shield, Yang's fury is fanned by his words. A clarity in her mind among the sea of doubt and hatred. She throws a flurry of punches. Aschen tanks them in her steel skin form, but cracks appear all over. She's also reaching her limit. So she throws another steel headbutt and knocks Yang to the ground, who barely manages to hold on from Aschen's finishing move. Barely deflecting Corcea Mors as it shatters on the back of her hand. The only thing that breaks Aschen's attack and her near victory is a bellowing rage and the sharp pain of a saber slicing her side. Winter Schnee had appeared, a woman who was trained to be a Maiden. Aschen gasped. Oh dear…how will I survive this?!/div
div id="djs-aut6k" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-avhgp" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"…/div
div id="djs-ddkrn" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-edhhn" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"The vault looked…different from Mistral. But also similar. You could feel the magic, that strange 'otherworldly' energy that hangs in this place. Aschen takes the lift down as she holds the Staff and Lamp in her hands. It never fails to impress, this architecture and the power this place holds. As she steps on the platform, the soft cough of a man breaks her train of thought, pinned under a large block of stone, General Ironwood lays barely conscious, reaching for his revolver as he looks at her. She'd have pity for him, were it not that this world was vile and dark. Every man and woman for themselves. With her spoils in hand she walks towards the center of the vault, a map in her hand that shows her where to go, friendly regards from Ambrosius. Aschen reaches the revolver and plans to kick it away, when a rush in the wind pulls her attention, as well as James. A black miasma of fog rushes through the air and lands, coalescing into the shape and form of Salem. Returned from the massive explosion that had wiped Monstra from the world. Atlas was still falling rapidly. "Aschen Gwain…soul survivor?"/div
div id="djs-8vat9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Yes…my mistress…I am…all that remains", Aschen bows, avoiding eye contact. She wasn't lying, but she also didn't know what happened. As her presence here, the map from the Relic having been a guide, the plan would have been to reunite here. Yet in her anger, Aschen had killed Neopolitan alongside the others. Watts hadn't been heard or seen since the fight and quite frankly, Gwain had not bothered to look. She never felt anything for this 'secret cabal', all she wanted was to kill Raven Branwen./div
div id="djs-18k3u" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Mistress? So subservient?!", Salem dashes forwards and forces Aschen to look into those dead eyes, forcing her to gulp. Maybe I oversold that bit. "I…I know that your desires take precedent. If I want the chance to take revenge on Raven…"/div
div id="djs-i4tf" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""You stare yourself blind on the revenge parts. But you're right. And I thought I said I wanted…"/div
div id="djs-6lh2k" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""The Relics! I have them. Unfortunately…the Maiden powers were transferred to the Schnee harlot!", Aschen looks into those dead unnatural eyes and spills the beans! Salem turns her head and smiles. "Odd…to entrust a girl with those powers. I'm sure the young Schnee has her problems with it."/div
div id="djs-2833g" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Young…oh no I meant the big one. The tool, that became a fool", Aschen corrects. Best not caught telling a lie to a being that's immortal. Especially when you're exhausted and on the verge of collapse./div
div id="djs-e8a7v" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Oh…so…your soldier did in fact become the puppet you longed for", Salem turns her attention to James, who is still laying on the floor and clawing for a revolver just out of reach. Her taunting breaks what little James had mustered as he thinks back at their fight. Salem, undaunted, continues the interrogation; "And your asset?"/div
div id="djs-9ldsa" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Neopolitan…fell in battle. She went against orders and slew the Silver Eyed Ruby Rose. Out of revenge the other three tore Neo to pieces…", Aschen said, lying through her teeth as she had been the one to take down both Ruby AND Neo! But Salem didn't need to know that./div
div id="djs-25oo0" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Unfortunate…could have used the Rose…What of Ozma? I still need the password for the Lamp"/div
div id="djs-fusei" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I have managed to get the password…However, the question has been used-", A strong hand sealed around Aschen's neck and lifted her from the ground, fear of death in her eyes as Salem pushed her towards the edge and cut off her oxygen, slowly suffocating her! "YOU TRIED TO USE THE RELIC?!"/div
div id="djs-dmlpo" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""It…was to…try and…gather…inform-"/div
div id="djs-p9tm" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""THOSE RELICS ARE MINE! THREAD CAREFULLY…girl", Salem releases the hold and tosses Aschen back on the platform. She coughs, but the scar of Salem's nails will forever mark on Aschen's neck. A scar that will never heal. "Oh well…in pursuit of a new world, no cost can be to great…you've…done fine..I suppose"/div
div id="djs-8cd1g" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Fine?", Aschen gulps in air and looks at Salem who begins walking away, holding the Staff and the Lamp. "Yes. You secured the relics, which is good. But you've failed to secure the Maiden, escaped somehow, Watts and Neo are gone, weakening our ranks and you'll probably demand to go after Raven after this. No…you're a loose cannon and you'll be 'adjusted' to serve me accordingly. I promised you'd not be implanted with a Beetle to be my vessel. But it seems I'll need to hone your obedience a little bit more…"/div
div id="djs-67fr3" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Salem begins to gather her shadows around her, intend on taking Aschen down and infect her with Grimm essence, ensuring that obedience will always be there for her from the girl. But a sharp gun crack echoes and catches Aschen in the back of her head. What little Aura she had recovered barely reduced the blow. Staving off fatal injury, but she'd need medical assistance. Salem smiles, now that's just perfect. There's a gasp from a ways away, Salem spies James Ironwood who drops his revolver, looked utterly horrified, making her smile even deeper./div
div id="djs-elld" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Honestly…tin soldier man…what did you expect? That you'd be the hero? You've done more damage to Atlas than I ever could. And I had a massive Grimm Whale", with that final smile, Salem takes the unconscious Aschen and flies away, back to the Evernight, with her victory complete and fully mastered. Remnant would die, as only Shade remains and the most dangerous characters to stand in her way are removed from the board. James Ironwood succumbs to his madness as he roars after Salem in defiance, before Atlas crashes into the ground and sinks in endless waters…/div
div id="djs-efupp" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""We need to create a pathway so that everyone on Solitas can make they're way to Vacuo. I have a set of schematics here. We'll need a centralized space to allow the flow traffic from multiple doors leading to a single point of exit into Vacuo", Weiss had formulated the words as careful as she could. Avoiding figures of speech like 'one way ticklet' because a true imbecile would say that to a dangerously 'will give you exactly what you want' character like Ambrosius. Even getting the railings without them acting like a cartoon safety net was a bother. The formulation was key. But all in all, team RWBY thought they'd done a good job! "And the doorways have to prevent one specific individual from entering"/div
div id="djs-4t2eq" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""And how do you propose they do that?", Ambrosius asked in his signature tone. Yang and Ruby nodded, the idea to use an illusion of Aschen, take a picture and show it to Ambrosius was a clever idea. Yang held up her Scroll: "this woman isn't allowed to enter"/div
div id="djs-dv3na" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""The one in heeled boots, shin protectors in a dark gray color, light ash coloured pants with a belt that was brown, fingerless gloves that mixed with arm bracers, similarly of light ashen gray, a simple black shirt that was tucked underneath a corset like jacket with a hood. All ash color like her hair, ice cold blue eyes? No wait she has a Blue and a White eye…how curious"/div
div id="djs-eef4a" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Yes, she'll most certainly try and cause trouble. If she could be prevented, we'd be very thankful!", Ruby said, looking at him as he rolls his eyes and nods. After a few moments he waves his hand in a 'shoo' way. "Very thorough, specific word choice. I can't decide whether you're all highly clever…or exceptionally stupid. But it's done so off you go…"/div
div id="djs-7nkgq" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"The team approached the door with an eagerness. Finally things would be going more their way! No Ironwood to get in the way, no Grimm to complicate things and no Salem and her henchmen! As they approached the doorway, along with Penny who was experiencing a whole new world in sensations and experiences. Even smells. Yet before they could enter the doorway…/div
div id="djs-5rt49" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Oh and one last clarification of this Inbetween location of yours. Even with the safety railings…do NOT fall…And with that dire warning…"/div
div id="djs-186h0" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-bdhjr" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"…/div
div id="djs-a2n5" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-2jiin" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I don't KNOW WHAT to do now ok!?", Aschen was tired of the scornful look that Neo was throwing her way. Frustrated and on edge, she and the dual color eyed girl walked the hallways of Atlas Academy, having had Watts dumped in the command center where he'd stay and eventually be shot by Coal. They had cut off the transmission form the blond guy calling for help or whatever and had been searching for the staff. And during their time, they had found those magical doorways. But for some reason, Aschen couldn't enter. Each time she tried, it felt like walking into a concrete wall. Which made Neo laugh and her feel super angry and pissed off. Neo had been able to walk through the door and had mentioned that there was a big gathering of people behind that door. A picture on her Scroll said all she needed to know. Aschen's patience was getting more and more drained as her mind raced to find a solution. Neo mimed with her hands…/div
div id="djs-9qf6l" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""No I won't be able to teleport there…I don't think…", Aschen hadn't even considered that. SHe could teleport rather large distances, like from the vault to home, the bandit camp. She just needed to have seen it. Maybe…maybe that idea wasn't so stupid after all? Neo rolled her eyes and gave a 'good day' wave as she moved through the door. That annoying little sass! Aschen closed her eyes, pictured the place, the golden floor and light bridges, with safety railings and doorways. All connected to a central platform. She inhaled. Wanted to be there. Appear in that space. She imagined opening her eyes and appearing in the Inbetween and when she did, she smiled. Yes Success! However as she did, she fell half a meter to the floor as she had somehow teleported into the Inbetween and appeared a meter above the ground. She fell to her knees, her Aura taking a massive dive as she seemed to have teleported through a whole new place. As people stood around her, offering her a hand, Aschen took it and followed the masses./div
div id="djs-1ba11" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-7hq77" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"…/div
div id="djs-fsku5" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-c7bui" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I thought there'd be more people by now…", Weiss walks along the light bridge walkways with safety rails and throws her gaze around. She could see Atlas and Mantle people beginning to amass. The Happy Huntresses were doing their part as they had already guided a steady stream from their access point in the Warehouse district./div
div id="djs-f4nnd" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Our job is getting Penny and the staff to Vacuo. Until then, we trust in the others. I'm sure they can handle it", Ruby says. In full on leader mode. She casts her looks around as well, seeing Em, Ren and Oscar step through the portal for Vacuo. She sighed and managed a small weak smile. So far so good./div
div id="djs-c85cp" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Hey sis…", Yang puts her hand out and this time Ruby's leader mode makes her not shake it off. The others begin moving ahead towards the big final exit door, as Ruby and Yang walk behind them. "What?"/div
div id="djs-7p9ku" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I…I wanna say I'm sorry", Yang's look is one of shame. Ruby's heart gives a little jump. Was she getting her sister back?! "Sorry for running off alone. I just…Ever since Raven spouted her spiel about not trusting others and always questioning things, I kind off began acting like a jerk."/div
div id="djs-3hko9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Thank you Yang…I really…appreciate that", Ruby's smile turned a bit brighter, she wrapped an arm around Yang as they began walking. Yang smiled as well. "And?"/div
div id="djs-dps2v" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""And what?", Yang threw her a quizzing look. What more did her sister want from her?/div
div id="djs-a8u6i" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""And I think it'll be fine once we get to Vacuo", Ruby's leader instincts helped her shove down the small crack she had made. Now of course she was happy that Yang finally said she was sorry, but by the Brothers it was a long time coming. But she still wanted Yang to apologize for what she'd said during that 'split the party' moment. But that'll probably never happen./div
div id="djs-24d60" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Hey…you know you can talk to me…right Rubes?", Yang said, trying to comfort her sister. Yet she merely took her arm back and started walking faster. "Come on…we have a job to do"/div
div id="djs-95k48" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Ruby…you're…"/div
div id="djs-2agqr" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""SISTER!", the loud voice echoed and alerted everyone. As the Happy Huntresses crossed over, Weiss and Blake looked at Penny and the second largest platform. A woman stood there. It was her! Aschen's eyes were cold, bloodthirsty and predatory. She smiled and pointed at Yang: "Time to die!"/div
div id="djs-53l41" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Out of the palm of her hand a single flare began burning. Yang instinctively pushed Ruby aside and raised her arms to block as a heavy jetstream of flame shot out and blasted into the wall of Ice that erected just before Yang. Lowering her guard she flashed a red eyed grin as she scaled the wall right as it shattered, Yang launched herself for Aschen and primed a punch. Only for Aschen to vanish. Stopping herself from hitting innocent people, the reappearing Maiden flew two meters above where Yang was and pointed both her hands down, eyes filled with triumph! "Burn spawn of Raven!"/div
div id="djs-4mbes" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Aschen unleashed a heavy blow of fire. Yang jumped upon the railing and leapt forwards, using Ember Celica to slingshot herself on a different pathway, yet as the flame blasted the platform, the people there met a fate worse than death. A massive blow of fire roasted and charred them, instantly claiming twenty five plus lives. Aschen hissed and turned her attention on Yang once more, following her motion with extended flame shooting hands! Yang landed on a different platform, as panicked people rand for their lives. As Aschen aimed at her, Ruby carried Weiss and Blake over as the four of them blocked Aschen's attack. Two of them shooting bullets at the Maiden while Weiss generates another wall of Ice. Aschen hisses in anger as she evades and breathes fire to block the bullets./div
div id="djs-e8gn9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Stand down! Give me my sister and the Staff and I'll let you go. No one else needs to die here!", Aschen hissed, flying in midair still. But her outburst made all of them turn their heads. Sister?! Ruby rolled her eyes: "Penny's coming with us!"/div
div id="djs-52k3p" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I don't mean the canopener! Hand over Yang and the Relic…final chance…", Aschen's gaze turned towards Yang once more, furious and murderous. Weiss slapped her forehead./div
div id="djs-8nkm0" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Vernal Branwen?!", the name causes Aschen to stop for a moment as Yang's eyes narrow into a glare. Before they go wide! "It IS Vernal! I thought you were dead!"/div
div id="djs-6hh55" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""BECAUSE I AM NOT VERNAL!", in her anger Aschen's focus falters and she lets out a wide roar which lets a plume of fire release from her mouth. She's breathing fire?! Weiss and Yang look at one another. "It's not a phase? Does your mom know?"/div
div id="djs-4872p" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I'll kill Raven. She left me for dead. I'll erradicate her from this world. And I'm starting with you!", Aschen Gwain hisses as she lands before the four of them and begins building a two handed fireblast! Ruby reacts first! In a blur of speed she lunges forwards and hooks her Scythe behind Aschen. SHe's forced immediately to drop her attacking style as her skin turns into organic Steel. Ruby triggers a shot from Crescent Rose yet the blow only catches on Aschen's legs and staggers her. Aschen turns around with her steel hands and raises them to try and bash the girl's skull in! But a coiled blade lashes onto her hands as Blake and Yang pull, tripping Aschen on the floor. Attempting to spring to her feet, Aschen remains restrained on the floor, anchored by a Gravity Glyph as Blake leaps in the air, pulling Yang higher in the air, who cocks her elbow back and slams into Aschen with a powerful shockwave! Yet right before she connects, Aschen vanishes. Weiss instantly raises another wall of Ice and shoots several shards into the air as the Maiden appears in the air and once more tries her jetstream flare attack. But she has to dodge away as she howls in anger! "Fine sister, I'll kill your friends first!"/div
div id="djs-4tos8" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-9ipnj" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"In a flash she dives in, once more turning her skin to steel as she attacks, slamming into Yang who blocks her advance and holds her down. Blake and Weiss maneuver to attack, Ruby spins Crescent Rose on the floor and aims at Aschen's head. Yet before she can pulls the trigger, a handle is thrown around her neck and Ruby's pulled backwards. Her throat closing as Ruby's body flung against the floor with a gagged gulp. She looked up at a random person. Before her eyes flashed and they turned pink and brown. Her eyes were full with intent, as she put her hand on Ruby's mouth to silence her and extended the blade from Hush and raised it. As Yang holds Aschen in a hold, Weiss feels a shiver down her spine and turns back, seeing Ruby on the floor and Neo on her with a blade raised. She points her sword in her direction, summons a small Arma Gigas that slices Neo's ankle! Blake, who notices the attack, gasps and hisses as she throws Gambol out and loops it around Neopolitan, pulling her off of Ruby, but she breaks free almost instantly as she grabs Hush and attacks Ruby again. Turning her eyes to Weiss, the Schnee nods as they both understand the goal. Help Ruby I'll back up Yang./div
div id="djs-brl8a" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"In the confusion of the altercation, Aschen hardens her head to steel and throws a backwards headbutt. Yang's Aura eats the blow, yet the pain rings in her head and loosens her grip ever so slightly. Sensing the lesser power, Aschen pulls free and her skin turns normal as she manifests a blade of obsidian in her left hand and slices at Yang's throat! But before she can strike, Yang is pulled to the side with a Gravity Glyph, as Weiss drives Myrtenaster into Aschen's side! In a split second her grayish Aura eats the blow but Weiss deals the first damage to Aschen! Plus, she also figured something out. Yang walks in and clocks Aschen, but she's back to her steel skin. Weiss grins. "And here I thought Bandits were dangerous fighters"/div
div id="djs-60d0m" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""What?!"/div
div id="djs-a66jq" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""You can only use one thing at the time, can't you?", Weiss grins as she points her sword and unleashes a blaze of fire at Aschen who gasps in pain as her skin begins to heat up. She might have an 'exoskin' of organic steel, her organs inside are still flesh and blood. Stepping away she moves so that Yang and Aschen are in close quarters, that way Weiss can't blast her with fire! Meanwhile Blake and Ruby are trying to work in tandem to deal with Neo, yet where Blake is able to at least hold her own with Passion and Gambol; Ruby can't manage at all. Her long weapon is a hindrance in regards to a trained and highly skilled assassin like Neo. It also doesn't help that each time Blake is helping Ruby, it turns out to be an illusion of glass that shatters when she strikes. Neopolitan is hyperfocused on isolating Ruby, and with the power of Overactive Imagination, she can do just that!/div
div id="djs-4o9u5" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Shut up, princess!", Aschen tanks a blow from Yang, hooks around her arm and throws her towards a railing. Yet instead of capitalizing on her, the Maiden turns her vengeful blue and white eye towards Weiss and charges, an electrical energy growing from her body and forming a cage! A cage that traps her and Weiss in for a one on one fight! Weiss draws her Aura Dagger and activates it as she begins dual wielding and engaging with Aschen! Thanks to her focus on the electrical cage, Aschen is limited only to her sword skills. Drawing her short sword, she attacks, swiping and thrusting. But in that matchup, Weiss is faster and better equipped! She catches a swipe, blocking it as she stabs her Aura Dagger into Aschen's side, yet before she can be retaliated, Weiss leaps back, making sure not to hit the electrified cage. The dagger really helping her with it, as it gives her just enough offensive power when dealing with the blade. So much so that Aschen starts to begin getting angry! "What's wrong Vernal? Too used to the magic to bail you out? Sloppy form"/div
div id="djs-ccvb" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Taunting her wasn't the right call. As Aschen took a stab, her Aura once more taking the blow, she bellowed out in furious anger! The electric cage vanishes as a heavy blast of telekinetic energy repulses out of her! "NIGHTSHADE", Weiss crosses her arms but the mental wave of energy is like a tidal wave and blows her backwards. Heels skitting over the floor until her back bangs into the railing and she screams in pain, her Aura shimmering but not breaking. As her scream echoes, time slows down as Yang Xiao Long, who's rushing to attack Aschen, has her eyes widened in horror, begins running to save her. Blake, who's helping Ruby stops in her tracks as she turns and gasps, tears begin to build and Ruby isn't given a moment of respite, as Neo is relentless in her attacks. Weiss' grip on Myrtenaster is loosened as a second repulse hits her, the railing working against her as Weiss tilts over the edge, her sword thrown into the air and landing with a sharp shing as it sticks into the platform. Weiss gives a startled gasp, as she feels her feet pulled upwards by the fulcrum action and tumbles into the void. With her dagger she points down and generates a Summoning Glyph. Yet before she can make a full Nevermore to save her life, suddenly it shatters and stops. Weiss gasps once more. She feels a block on her Semblance. Like when your Aura breaks and there's no fuel left for a Semblance, Aschen pointing at Weiss and smiling venomously, using her magic to block Weiss' Semblance. "Once I thought you were a good bandit. But now you're nothing but Fallen Snow…"/div
div id="djs-51c3c" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-bsd09" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Blake rushes towards the railing and throws Gambol outwards, a slow heartbeat in her ears as the world seems to freeze. Yang turns to Aschen and lands a rage filled haymaker, breaking her concentration but the damage is done. As Gambol stops just short from catching Weiss' boot, the Heiress, the Schnee daughter, the best teammate ever, is gone. Swallowed by the void. Blake falls to her knees, her voice sending out a loud and desperate cry as she feels a pain in her heart, as Passion shimmers in her hand. Her vow was breaking. "WEISS!"/div
div id="djs-4nf5j" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"The name echoes, catching Penny's ears who activates her Maiden powers and holds the staff as a bludgeoning weapon, copying and mimicking her powers from when she was just a machine, Penny soars in a plume of green energy. Blake, alone and crying as her friend is gone, snaps. She turns her eyes to Aschen, who's busy steeling herself literally and is landing blow upon blow on Yang, the pain of having lost a friend slowing her and Ruby down, as both sisters are taking blow upon blow. But Belladonna doesn't see reason or logic. Her eyes fall on Myrtenaster and as she rushes forwards, grabbing it and holding Passion, she is out for blood. Aschen groans and gives another steel headbutt to Yang, who staggers to her knees. "Why couldn't you just give up and die!? Why are you letting your friends die for you!? Just like-!"/div
div id="djs-bjk1" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""You don't know anything about friends!", Aschen looks up and is pained by a blade of pure energy that slices into her body. Bypassing the steel and hitting her on the Aura. Collapsing to her knees before Teleporting away to a different platform and catching her breath. Furious, Penny goes in pursuit as Yang wrestles with the reality that one of her friends is dead. Anger clawing at her heart. Hate devouring her mind. Blake screams as she reaches Aschen first and unleashes an unrelenting barrage of attacks! Slicing with Passion, the edge sharp enough to damage Aschen through the Steel Skin powers, Myrtenaster throwing flame-covered stabs at the girl. THere's a feral hatred in Blake's eyes as she dog piles on Aschen, who can't even focus on teleporting or switching her powers. Especially with Yang and Penny cascading over them at the same time! Hissing and screaming, Blake's attacks are insurmountable. As her Aura begins dropping, Aschen makes a desperate play and makes her body corporeal. Suddenly Blake rushes through her and gives her just enough time to form a plan. She gives a loud huff and vanishes again. But doesn't reappear. Blake roars and throws a wide flaming slash at the empty space, losing what remained of her temper: "COWARD! YOU BITCH!"/div
div id="djs-ftig1" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Jaune and Nora, seeing them fight and then the disappearing Aschen, look at one another and nod. Nora would get help, as he draws his sword and rushes in to provide help, fighting tears at the loss of Weiss, he catches up to Blake and Yang, both looking and turning to see what happens next, turtling up and trying to find Aschen. "What happened?!"/div
div id="djs-5kqd7" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""She killed Weiss…I'll run her through. I'll cut her head off!", Blake hisses and rants, Yang likewise is furious, but has less anger at the moment, her eyes falling on Jaune. He was smart! Tactical! Weiss had said; 'one thing at the time'. "Jaune…she can only use her magic to make one 'Semblance like power' at the same time!"/div
div id="djs-3qf4n" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""One at a time…I can work with-" In their moments of respite, another scream calls their attention. Blake turns and spies Neo, from an even further platform, stabbing Ruby, having bypassed her guard and thrown Crescent Rose over the railing, it trails and vanishes in the void. Seeing that, all four of them begin to panic. Oh no that would be bad! In a desperate haste they run, Penny flying towards them as Yang lags ever so slightly behind, not noticing Aschen appearing behind her with a toxic grin on her face./div
div id="djs-evaot" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-3hhp9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"To say that Ruby wasn't doing well was grossly underselling her situation. She had been taking a firm beating at the hands of Neo and Blake had left her to help Yang. And to make matters worse, she had lost Crescent Rose and was standing with her back against the railing, same way Weiss had been before she was thrown over the edge. In her dull silver eyes, there was no glow. No hope and no brightness. She looked at Neo, who smiled confidently, like a predator having cornered it's prey. Ruby knew she was outmatched. She had no chance of beating this girl, like she never had a chance back in Beacon. Wait…no chance, in a straight fight! She threw her arms open and wide, exposing herself as Neo's eyes widened. Ruby had to sell the ruse. "Whatever you wanted…I hope it was worth it…"/div
div id="djs-7qarh" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Neo extended the blade from Hush. This opportunity was perfect! Especially with that lifeless expression in her eyes! A pure and easy final strike! SHe'd pay for killing Roman! Neo lunged forwards! And Ruby acted. She kicked upwards with her feet, knocking the Lamp off of Neo's belt, flipped over the edge and Petal Burst sped her way under the Light Bridge, appeared behind Neo and gave her a solid push! Unable to anticipate this level of trickery from a prey item she had thought to have given up, all Neo can do is reach for the railing and hang on. Looking up at the girl that outsmarted her, again! Like at Beacon when she flipped the button and caused her to fly off the ship. Neo's anger boiled! But the sound of Ember Celica turned Ruby around. In a flash she sees two things. Penny who's got a blade deep inside her gut, blood staining her outfit. And Yang's angered face looking at her with pure hatred. Terrified, Ruby can only give a weak reply with quivering lips as she has tears in her eyes seeing this horrifying angered look on her sister's face. "Yang…?"/div
div id="djs-1hlja" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"But Yang doesn't react and throws a massive body check against Ruby. The blow is so heavy, she crashes Ruby against the railing and breaks it, pain hitting her spine as her Aura breaks and scatters like red rose petals! Tumbling into the void, Ruby can only act in a second as she grabs Neo's ankle and barely manages to dangle from them, looking up as tears are in her eyes. Her ability to handle and put away her emotions, not to fail as a leader, goes out the window as Ruby cries tears of pain. The physical pain wasn't nothing, but seeing her sister's super rage filled eyes was enough to break Ruby. As she begins sobbing, Yang shakes her head and gasps, her own eyes becoming watery. "RUBY!"/div
div id="djs-f6qkv" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Yang drops on her belly and reaches for Ruby's hand, but in a second Aschen appears next to her with a vile look in her eyes. "Well done Yang…You obeyed delightfully. So eager and willing to punch your sister off the edge!"/div
div id="djs-ev658" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Yang's eyes widened. She recalled hearing a whisper in her ears. Suddenly she had seen Neo push Ruby over the railing and her anger kicked in, driven to push Neo through the railing, wanting to break her in two! But it had been an illusion! Aschen had played her! Used her anger to knock her own sister overboard! As Yang screamed in anger and rose up for a punch, Aschen simply kicked Neo's hands off the platform and vanished once more. Invisibility is cheating! Yang can only watch! Blake, who's so angry and furious about losing one friend already, dives off the platform and throws Gambol back. A righteous desire in her eyes as she watches Yang catch it and hold on, Blake swings down and catches Ruby's hands, trying to pull her up. But then Aschen appears once more and glares deep in Yang's angered eyes and smiles: "Let the weapon go", and to the horror of Ruby, Yang's eyes glass over and drops Gambol. Followed by a loud scream of pain as Jaune drives his blade deep into Aschen's back! The second stab! She gives another Nightshade repulse and knocks Yang and Jaune back. As Blake and Ruby fall into the void, she gives a weak cry. She was broken. Having Yang be the one to push her towards her death, did Ruby in. She was seventeen years old, fighting in a war that wasn't hers, nursing a dream made by a child. Friends at her side and Crescent Rose in her hand, chasing her days down to zero. And there, alone in the void, she could only think about the one person who's memory had carried her through so much crap and hardship. She couldn't stop herself. In a desperate need for warmth and aid, ruby called for her mother, but of course she never came. Yet that wasn't her fault and she wasn't to blame. But with this day not half over, many are slain and all she could hope was that someone would remember her name and message. "...mom…help me…"/div
div id="djs-fushb" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-1dps" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Fitting…that the daughter of Raven would end up being the soul survivor!", Aschen's tone was goading, aggressive and triumphant. Sure she was nursing a massive wound herself. But Yang's face said it all! She had flaring hair, her Semblance wanting to activate, but the mental warfare had broken her. Aschen was savoring this! Penny lay dying and bleeding on the floor, Jaune trying desperately to boost her Aura, but the blade was laced with a deadly toxin! She would be dead in seconds! The princess who had dared to stand in her way was gone! Smitten and scattered like fallen snow. Beautiful to look at yet easily blown away! The feline monster that had attacked her out of retribution was cast over the edge by her own tunnel vision and with some illusions and mind controlling suggestions, Aschen had broken Yang by making HER the architect of her sister's own demise! Jaune, who was trying to save Penny, heard her demand he save Yang instead, as the toxins were starting to kill her, and she wanted to make one thing right. So when she passed away, Jaune staggered to his feet. His heart steeled and his fury at the deaths of his comrades raging!/div
div id="djs-cb8bf" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Don't listen to her Yang! You're a strong and dependant warrior! Your friends trust and believe in you! We both fought our way through Monstra, saved Oscar! She knows she's got no chance so she spits words! And words are only that! Filthy lies! Get up…!", As he roars and charges with his shield, Yang's fury is fanned by his words. A clarity in her mind among the sea of doubt and hatred. She throws a flurry of punches. Aschen tanks them in her steel skin form, but cracks appear all over. She's also reaching her limit. So she throws another steel headbutt and knocks Yang to the ground, who barely manages to hold on from Aschen's finishing move. Barely deflecting Corcea Mors as it shatters on the back of her hand. The only thing that breaks Aschen's attack and her near victory is a bellowing rage and the sharp pain of a saber slicing her side. Winter Schnee had appeared, a woman who was trained to be a Maiden. Aschen gasped. Oh dear…how will I survive this?!/div
div id="djs-aut6k" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-avhgp" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"…/div
div id="djs-ddkrn" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;" /div
div id="djs-edhhn" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"The vault looked…different from Mistral. But also similar. You could feel the magic, that strange 'otherworldly' energy that hangs in this place. Aschen takes the lift down as she holds the Staff and Lamp in her hands. It never fails to impress, this architecture and the power this place holds. As she steps on the platform, the soft cough of a man breaks her train of thought, pinned under a large block of stone, General Ironwood lays barely conscious, reaching for his revolver as he looks at her. She'd have pity for him, were it not that this world was vile and dark. Every man and woman for themselves. With her spoils in hand she walks towards the center of the vault, a map in her hand that shows her where to go, friendly regards from Ambrosius. Aschen reaches the revolver and plans to kick it away, when a rush in the wind pulls her attention, as well as James. A black miasma of fog rushes through the air and lands, coalescing into the shape and form of Salem. Returned from the massive explosion that had wiped Monstra from the world. Atlas was still falling rapidly. "Aschen Gwain…soul survivor?"/div
div id="djs-8vat9" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Yes…my mistress…I am…all that remains", Aschen bows, avoiding eye contact. She wasn't lying, but she also didn't know what happened. As her presence here, the map from the Relic having been a guide, the plan would have been to reunite here. Yet in her anger, Aschen had killed Neopolitan alongside the others. Watts hadn't been heard or seen since the fight and quite frankly, Gwain had not bothered to look. She never felt anything for this 'secret cabal', all she wanted was to kill Raven Branwen./div
div id="djs-18k3u" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Mistress? So subservient?!", Salem dashes forwards and forces Aschen to look into those dead eyes, forcing her to gulp. Maybe I oversold that bit. "I…I know that your desires take precedent. If I want the chance to take revenge on Raven…"/div
div id="djs-i4tf" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""You stare yourself blind on the revenge parts. But you're right. And I thought I said I wanted…"/div
div id="djs-6lh2k" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""The Relics! I have them. Unfortunately…the Maiden powers were transferred to the Schnee harlot!", Aschen looks into those dead unnatural eyes and spills the beans! Salem turns her head and smiles. "Odd…to entrust a girl with those powers. I'm sure the young Schnee has her problems with it."/div
div id="djs-2833g" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Young…oh no I meant the big one. The tool, that became a fool", Aschen corrects. Best not caught telling a lie to a being that's immortal. Especially when you're exhausted and on the verge of collapse./div
div id="djs-e8a7v" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Oh…so…your soldier did in fact become the puppet you longed for", Salem turns her attention to James, who is still laying on the floor and clawing for a revolver just out of reach. Her taunting breaks what little James had mustered as he thinks back at their fight. Salem, undaunted, continues the interrogation; "And your asset?"/div
div id="djs-9ldsa" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Neopolitan…fell in battle. She went against orders and slew the Silver Eyed Ruby Rose. Out of revenge the other three tore Neo to pieces…", Aschen said, lying through her teeth as she had been the one to take down both Ruby AND Neo! But Salem didn't need to know that./div
div id="djs-25oo0" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Unfortunate…could have used the Rose…What of Ozma? I still need the password for the Lamp"/div
div id="djs-fusei" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""I have managed to get the password…However, the question has been used-", A strong hand sealed around Aschen's neck and lifted her from the ground, fear of death in her eyes as Salem pushed her towards the edge and cut off her oxygen, slowly suffocating her! "YOU TRIED TO USE THE RELIC?!"/div
div id="djs-dmlpo" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""It…was to…try and…gather…inform-"/div
div id="djs-p9tm" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""THOSE RELICS ARE MINE! THREAD CAREFULLY…girl", Salem releases the hold and tosses Aschen back on the platform. She coughs, but the scar of Salem's nails will forever mark on Aschen's neck. A scar that will never heal. "Oh well…in pursuit of a new world, no cost can be to great…you've…done fine..I suppose"/div
div id="djs-8cd1g" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Fine?", Aschen gulps in air and looks at Salem who begins walking away, holding the Staff and the Lamp. "Yes. You secured the relics, which is good. But you've failed to secure the Maiden, escaped somehow, Watts and Neo are gone, weakening our ranks and you'll probably demand to go after Raven after this. No…you're a loose cannon and you'll be 'adjusted' to serve me accordingly. I promised you'd not be implanted with a Beetle to be my vessel. But it seems I'll need to hone your obedience a little bit more…"/div
div id="djs-67fr3" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;"Salem begins to gather her shadows around her, intend on taking Aschen down and infect her with Grimm essence, ensuring that obedience will always be there for her from the girl. But a sharp gun crack echoes and catches Aschen in the back of her head. What little Aura she had recovered barely reduced the blow. Staving off fatal injury, but she'd need medical assistance. Salem smiles, now that's just perfect. There's a gasp from a ways away, Salem spies James Ironwood who drops his revolver, looked utterly horrified, making her smile even deeper./div
div id="djs-elld" class="daeditor-paragraph" style="margin: 24px 8px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;""Honestly…tin soldier man…what did you expect? That you'd be the hero? You've done more damage to Atlas than I ever could. And I had a massive Grimm Whale", with that final smile, Salem takes the unconscious Aschen and flies away, back to the Evernight, with her victory complete and fully mastered. Remnant would die, as only Shade remains and the most dangerous characters to stand in her way are removed from the board. James Ironwood succumbs to his madness as he roars after Salem in defiance, before Atlas crashes into the ground and sinks in endless waters…/div