Chapter 5, The Phantom Menace Part II

Qrow was left incapacitated by the fear felt at the presence of the Empress's apprentice. Staring with a look of shock and dismay being faced once more by the ones who hat taken the lives of his students in the Tertawa Highlands. Even now, memories of that day came flooding back. As well as the voices of Kayla, Johnathan and Jayden in their final moments before being merciless slain by the Empresses Apprentice.

And now she was here. In Lothadare! No doubt having been sent by Empress Salem herself to hunt down the Prodigy.

Cinder stepped forward to the group with her sword in hand. Both Rueben and Leandra stood with both his cane and swords drawn to her. Auron Hanako and Keith quickly rushing to his mother's side with their weapons in hand. Like Qrow, having recognized they were faced by Cinder herself. The reputation of the Empress's having been well known throughout the Realms.

Though Cinder paid them little mind. Her gaze fixed upon Pyrrha herself. Like her teammates, Pyrrha drew her weapons to her with her semblance as she stood ready for whatever was to come next. Cinder paused, giving a sly smirk to her.

"It seemed rather fitting you'd be here. I honestly can't believe I hadn't thought of it before." Cinder proclaimed to her.

"The Pordigy of Akara... here... In Lothadare. The Home Kingdom of Akara herself."

Lowering her her shield slightly, Pyrrha peered up at Cinder, curiously.

"Wh- Who are you? How do you know...?" she said.

"I know exactly who you are. And of course, where are my manners?" Cinder said.

"My name is Cinder and I've been searching for you a long time. Come with me, quietly and no one else has to get hurt."

Hearing Cinder's proclamation for Pyrrha to go with her snapped Qrow from his fear. That very fear she But as she stepped forward, Leandra stepped before her, holding her double bladed sword to her.

"That's not happening." Leandra proclaimed to her.

The Headmaster held his cane to her.

"And you would do well as to turn back!" The Headmaster insisted to her.

"If you know what's best, you will all step aside!" Cinder warned, pointing her sword to them.

Auron shifted his glance to Hanako and Keith, holding his blaster pointed at Cinder.

"I don't like this." he said, shaking his head.

"Chicks bad news." Keith agreed.

It was then that Qrow stepped forward, coming up in front of Pyrrha. Drawing the Harbinger from behind, which transformed into it's sword form.

"She's not going anywhere with you." Qrow proclaimed to her, holding his word to Cinder.

Cinder paused. Another sly smirk appeared over her face.

"Oh, I remember you. How long has it been since we last met?' Cinder said, seemingly in a mocking tone.

"How are those students are yours?

The mention of his former students had caused Qrow to grip the handle of his sword tightly in hands. His strength fueled by his hatred and Anger. Along with the desire to take the head from her shoulders. All in an act to avenge his former students. As well as all the lives she had no doubt taken. Cinder in turned grinned with much anticipation, holding her swords at the ready.

Only for Qrow to then paused for a moment in much hesitation. A gesture that hadn't gone unnoticed by Cinder herself.

"Well... what are you waiting for...?" Cinder proclaimed, smirking.

Qrow's stern gaze slowly soften. The only thing preventing him from striking down the one who killed his students was the very promise he made to Lukas. Shifting his glance back to Pyrrha, only to be met with her eyes squinted to him in worry and contempt. Having also noticed the very moment he seemed tempted to strike at her in such a fashion. One that she couldn't comprehend.

"Oh... I see what this is..." Cinder said.

Qrow and Pyrrha turned back to the Empresses Apprentice. Cinder uttered a small chuckle to her

"Do you actually believe you can protect her from me?" Cinder asked, curiously.

It was then two other individuals emerged from the fire and debris behind Cinder. Taking their place next to Cinder. One with silver hair, seemingly unarmed with his arms folded over his chest. The other with mind green hair, seemingly wielding two duel pistols, which she drew from behind.

"I'm only going to ask you this one last time. Hand the prodigy over to me." Cinder proclaimed to them.

"Or would you rather we do things the hard way?"

Though Cinder warning would only be met with must hostility from both Pyrrha and Qrow. Turning back to face Cinder, they stood ready with their weapons in hand. Holding Akouo before her in a defensive position while holding Milo, currently in it's sword form from the side. Qrow in turned continued holding the Harbinger before himself.

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Pyrrha proclaimed to Cinder

Auron Hanako and Keith came up next to her. Their weapons still held and the others continuing to stand at the ready before the Empress's Apprentice.

"Yeah, you want her, your gonna have to go through all of us!" Keith insisted.

Mercery shifted his glance to Cinder.

"Seems they want to do it the hard way. How are we playing this, Cinder?" He asked, curiously.

Cinder only stared forward at the young Prodigy and her acquaintances. Seemingly unfazed by their decision to stand between her and the quarry she had sought for all these years. Rather she appeared as though she expected it as she grinned with anticipation. A small chuckle uttering from her lips which continued curved into a sly grin.

"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this." She proclaimed.

Suddenly, Cinder threw her sword into the air, causing it to spin around as it flew upward. The blade of her sword suddenly ignited into a fiery blaze of bright yellow flames before it began to fall back down to her. Cinder swiftly caught her sword by the handle, now holding it upside down. She then kneeled down, swinging her sword back behind her before she swung it back around, sending a wave of fire hurling at them.

"Watch out!" Qrow exclaimed, grabbing Pyrrha by her shoulder.

Pyrrha and Qrow quickly leaped out of the way of the fiery wave. Leandra, Auron, Hanako and Keith followed suit, rolling off the side onto one of the landing platform. Cinder ceased the oppertunity, lunging forward toward Pyrrha and Qrow. Qrow turned back and saw. the Empress's apprentice coming toward them, raising her sword as she readied to strike down the unsuspecting Pyrrha.

"Pyrrha!" Qrow exclaimed.

Pyrrha turned back and saw Cinder coming toward her. Only for Qrow to leap in front of her as he swiped his large sword, at Cinder's, blocking her fiery blade from even making contact. Qrow was pushed back for by Cinder. Only to then push her back before exchanging several clashes of their swords. Qrow attempting to force Cinder back, who was quick to counter Qrow's sword at each strike.

Pyrrha got back up quickly.

"Qrow!" she exclaimed, rushing to his aid.

Qrow glanced back at Pyrrha, who came running up from behind. He then turned back to Cinder, who leaped up into the air as she raised her sword. Qrow quickly leaped back from her as she came down and swiped her fiery sword at him. Pyrrha leaped over Qrow as Milo transformed into it's Javelin form. She then tossed it down at Cinder. Cinder leaped into the air as Milo plunged into the ground from which she stood. Performing a flip in the air as she landed in a crouching formation.

Pyrrha came to land next to Milo, pulling it out from the ground, twirling it in her hand. She then rushed at Cinder, much to the dismay of Qrow.

"Red, No!" She exclaimed to her.

Though it was already too late to stop Pyrrha as she then engaged Cinder, who uttered a small smirk to her. She in turned lunged at Pyrrha with a wide swing of her fiery sword. Pyrrha held up Akouo, blocking the fiery blade with her shield, The impact of which sent her sliding back a bit. As Cinder came at her with her sword once more, Pyrrha countered it with her javelin, twirling it around as she countered Cinder's swords.

While Cinder's strike were quite strong, Pyrrha's were indeed quite strong in hers as well. She was also quick to counter each of her strikes. Cinder observed their conflict with much intrigues. Their swords once more collided against each other once more, their eyes came to meet.

Staring into Cinder's amber eyes, Pyrrha was met with a gaze of the supposed Apprentice of the Empress. One that could only be described in any other way the pure anger and hatred. The two things that lead anyone down the dark path of true evil. Pyrrha had heard of such a thing within Akara's book. Though never imagined she would ever see it.

"You fight well, I must admit. You have clearly been trained well." Cinder proclaimed to her.

It was right at that moment Qrow came from the side, raising his sword as he prepared to swing at her. Pyrrha and Cinder quickly parted as Qrow attempted to swing the harbinger's large blade a Cinder, causing her to leap back from him. Cinder then glanced up at them, who each held their weapons to her.

Cinder only gave another sly smirk at the challenge of two.

"And then there were two." Cinder said.

Holding up her left hand, another sword spawned in a fiery blaze. She then lunged forward toward them as they erupted in another clash.

Auron, Keith and Hanako stood up from off the landing platform. Where they saw Pyrrha and Qrow fighting against the Cinder, who was now wielding two swords. Moving a break neck speed from Pyrrha to Qrow, countering their attacks with each of her blazing swords. Auron stood up with his blaster in hand, turning back to Hanako, Keith and his mother.

"Get up!" Auron proclaimed to them.

Turning forward, he attempted to go their aid along with the others. Only to then be stopped by both Mercury and Emarald, who came up in their way. Emarald held them at the point of her two green pistols. All while Mercery drew his two silver blades from the sides of his arms, as he took a combative stance to them. The sight of which caused Keith to raise an eye brow in utter shock.

"Where do you think your going?" Mercury said.

Keith shifted his glance to Auron and Hanako.

"Dude, did blades just come out of his arms?" he asked, curiously, pointing to him.

Auron simply ignored him, continuing to stare to them. He then held up his blaster to them as his mother came to take his side with her double bladed sword, which was currently in it's blaster form.

"Stand aside or we will remove you." Leandra warned them.

Hanako came up with her Katana in hand, pointing the very tip at Mercury.

"You stand no chance against us. There is only two of you." Hanako proclaimed to them.

Mercury shifted his glance to Emarald with a gesture of his head. As if they had a single trick up their sleeve and He had just given her to signal to unveil it. Emarald turned forward before suddenly holstering her two pistols behind her. She then reached out her hand to them. A gesture which was met with both confusion on the part of Auron and the others. Though also suspision at whatever trick they may be trying to spring upon them.

Suddenly, several clones of Emarald and Mercury appeared from them and came to surround them from around. A quite unexpected move and a surprising one none the less. Auron lowered his blaster, cocking his head to each side at the many clones that were now all around them.

"You got to be kidding me!" Keith exclaimed, turning to his left with his hammer in hand.

Hanako turned to face the right, now holding her Katana before her.

"Looks like they now have the advantage." Hanako proclaimed.

Mecury smirked.

"Uh oh, what are you going to do now?" Mercury asked, curiously.

"What's the plan here, mom?" Auron said, glancing to his mother.

Leandra gave a single glance back at her son for just a moment. Only to then turn froward at both Mercury and Emarald the very next. Despite being now outnumbered by their adversaries, the oath she took as the captain of the royal Guard granted her much needed strength to stand and fight. She then lowered her blaster, which then changed formed into it's double sword form. Twirling it in her hand, she came into a combative stance.

"We will not yield in the face of those who threaten Lothadare." Leandra proclaimed to them.

Seeing the strength and bravery his mother displayed, so too did Auron display the same. Gesturing a nod of his head, Auron turned forward, his blaster rifle changed form into it's plasma sword form. From over his left wrist, his plasma shield activated as he stook a stand before their surrounding adversary's. Both Hanako and Keith gave a nod of their heads, turning back to the clones of Mercury and Emarald as stood ready as well.

The clones suddenly lunged at them in attack. Mercury's running forward while Emarald's raised their pistols and fired as they did the same. Leandra raised her sword and pointing it forward to them.

"Attack!" She proclaimed.

Upon charging the forward, Auron followed his mother into battle. All while, Hanako and Keith each charged in opposite directions as they engaged the clones in their way. With a swing of her double bladed sword, Leandra cut through a single clone, which then disbursed upon impact. Twirling it in her hand she countered several of the clones weapons. Only to push them back before delivering a clean cleave of them.

Auron deflected a slash from one of the supposed Mercury clones before delivering a clean slash of his plasma sword. Before slashing another, which disbursed as well. Despite the clones putting up strong resistance, Hanako and Keith also making short work of them. Swinging her Katana, Hanako cut down a clone before turning to another and swinging it upwards, slicing the clone in two before it disappeared into thin air.

Keith in turn leaped into the air, holding his launcher over his shoulder. Firing several shots down at the clones, who were caught up in the explosions. As he came down over the remains ones with his hammer before slamming it down over them. The Clones were sent flying into the air before suddenly disappearing.

Pyrrha jumped from another wave of fire that was flung from one of Cinder's swords. She then turned back to Qrow, holding her sword in a horizontal fashion as she blocked Qrow's sword, pushing him back with a single swipe. She then lunged at Qrow, where she proceeded to slashed at him with each sword. Qrow raised the harbinger from each side, blocking her swords.

Cinder attempted to leap up into the air and swipe down both her swords. Only for Qrow to block them both as he held his sword horizontally. Turning mid air, she lunged upward into the air. Landing over the walkway, she slid back for a moment as she crossed her arms. She then raised gaze up at Qrow, grinning anticipation.

She the swung both swords to each side, sending a wave of fire, hurling toward him. Qrow quickly blocked it with his sword. Only to be sent fly back from the explosion. Though he managed to land over his feet, sliding back over the landing platform before sliding to a stop. He then fell to his knees, leaning against his sword as he uttered a sigh of exhaustion.

Pyrrha turned back to her mentor.

"Qrow!" She exclaimed.

"I'm fine..." Qrow insisted to her.

He then glanced forward back at Cinder.

"Red, Watch out!" Qrow exclaimed.

Pyrrha turned forward, where she saw Cinder coming at her. She then swiped one of her fire swords at her. Raising her shield in the nick of time, Pyrrha managed to block her sword. The impact of Cinder's sword against her shield forcing Pyrrha back. Cinder then came at her again. Raising her sword to her, she swiped it at her. Pyrrha swung Milo from around and blocked her blazing sword. Breaking off their swords, the two exchanged several clashes. Cinder swiping at her with both her swords. Pyrrha swung her sword each time, countering each strike while also blocking with her shield.

Though Cinder's strikes proved to be growing stronger as she was forced back with each strike. While she was quick to counter her, striking her whenever the opportunity was given, it was clear to Pyrrha that Cinder was indeed at a level much greater then her. Even Qrow for that matter.

As their swords came to clash once more, Cinder managed to push aside. Ceasing the oppertunity, she swipe her other sword upward, slashing Pyrrha who attempted to block it with her shield. The apprentice's sword sent the young prodigy flying back with a loud gasp. Landing over her side, she rolled over the platform.

"Red!" Qrow exclaimed, attempting to rush over to her.

Only to fall over her knees, still quiet incapacitated by the explosion. Pyrrha struggled to get back up as a looming shadow came over. She then glanced up and saw Cinder coming up to her. The sword in her left hand disappeared from sight.

"You put up a strong fight, I'll give you that. But we all must face the inevitable." Cinder proclaimed.

With those words uttered, Cinder raised her sword high above her head, preparing to deliver a clean swipe at her. Qrow stared in awe as he tried desperately to stand up despite his body's continuous weariness from the Cinder's attack. He reached out his hand to her.

"Red!" He cried out to her.

Pyrrha attempted to reach up his head and deflect Cinder's sword with her semblance. When suddenly there was a flash of light blue light, which cause Cinder to pause. Upon lifting her gaze to see whatever the cause may be, Cinder was suddenly blasted back by a blaze of magic, sending her spiraling back from Pyrrha across the plate form. Upon looking back, Pyrrha saw Headmaster Rueben, having casted a spell upon Cinder. Saving her from the the fate that would have sealed her and all of Opara.

"Headmaster Reuban!" Pyrrha proclaimed.

The Headmaster came forward before turning back to her and Qrow.

"You both must Leave... Now! We shall hold them back as long as we can!" Headmaster Rueben proclaimed to them.

"Use the Pendant and get as far as you can!"

Pyrrha stared up at the Headmaster, frowning at his proclamation. She couldn't leave her teammates in a times like this. Especially when faced with such adversary as the apprentice of the Empress herself. As well as the ones who followed her. She wanted to protest against the wishes of the Headmaster. To stand and fight along side her Teammates.

Pyrrha was just about to say something. When suddenly she felt Qrow's hand over her shoulder, causing her to glance up to him.

"Right, we're going!" Qrow proclaimed, before turning to Pyrrha.

"Come on, Red! We have to go! Now!"

'But... but what about...?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.

There was a sudden burst of fiery light from overhead of them. Turning forward, they saw Cinder standing back up off the platform. As if she was hovering from off the ground. Her entire form seemingly was surrounded in flames without even being burned by them. Her two swords both in hand as they two burned with fire. Her furious gaze lifted directly toward them.

Headmaster held his can ready, glancing back at them once more.

"GO...NOW!" The Headmaster exclaimed.

Before Pyrrha could say anything more, Qrow grabbed Pyrrha's hand before before turning and making a break for the stairway. Pyrrha in turned followed after him. Using her semblance, she drew her weapons back into both her hands. Throwing what would be one last final look over at Auron, Hanako and Keith as they continued to fight against the clones of Mercury and Emarald. Using his plasma sword, he slashed a clone from the side, cleaving it into two. Using the very techniques that she had taught him.

She watched though proud, but also ashamed that she was about to abandoned them at this time. When they needed her the most.

"I'm sorry... Auron... Hanako... Keith... I wish I could stay and help you." Pyrrha thought to herself.

"I hope that... you can all forgive me."

Cinder attempted to go after them, souring forward through the air. Only to one more be stopped by the Headmaster's magic once more, blasting Cinder back. Sending her flying back through the air. She quickly caught herself, glaring down at the elderly Headmaster. Reuban raised his cane once more, reciting the spell once more as a beam of light blue magic at her. This time, Cinder was prepared for him.

Crossing both her swords, Cinder blocked the Headmaster's magic. Though like before, she was pushed back from the pushing back with a slice of her sword. She then thrusted one of them forward, shooting a ball of fire at the elderly Headmaster. The Headmaster recited a shield spell before casting it with his cane, forming a large light blue barrier that blocked the raging ball of fire.

After the barrier dissipated, the headmaster continued to cast his magic at the Empress's apprentice. All but attempting to buy Qrow and Pyrrha enough time to escape. With every attempt, Cinder dodged the Headmaster magic while blocking others with her swords. All the while. Pyrrha and Qrow had already made it halfway up the stairway. Upon shifting her glance after dodge another stream of the Headmaster's magic, she saw that they were already at the top of the stairway.

Sheaving his sword behind him, Qrow climbed up onto his motorcycle. Pyrrha came up next to him and was about to climb on. Only to then pause, throwing one final glance to the battle unfolding below. Revving the engine, Qrow cocked his head to her.

"Red, get on!" He proclaimed to her.

Pyrrha turned back to him.

"Right...!" she said.

Sheaving both Milo and Akouo behind her back, she climbed onto the motorbike behind Qrow, wrapping her arms around him. Revving the engine one last time, Qrow then drove ahead down the road.

Cinder growled, seeing them getting away once again. Just as they had done back in Arthamore. She knew that she couldn't waste anymore time on this old fool. She needed to go after them before they would once more escape.

Headmaster Rueben shot another beam of magic at her from his cane. Upon dodging the Headmaster's magic, Cinder ceased this oppertunity and shot another fire ball at the Headmaster. Reuban attempted to block it with a shield spell but was too late. The Fire ball exploded before him, knocking him back with a cry of peril. Seeing him having been dealt with, Cinder turned forward and flew after Qrow and Pyrrha.

After slashing another clone, Leandra and Auron shifted her gaze back at Headmaster, who laid motionless over the ground.

"Reuban!" She exclaimed.

"I'm alright." Qrow reassured them.

Reuban attempted to pull himself off the platform. Only to lift his gaze up to Cinder, who flew after Pyrrha and Qrow.

"Pyrrha!" Auron exclaimed.

Pyrrha shifted her gaze back and saw Cinder was flying toward them. She turn forward to Qrow.

"She's coming!" she exclaimed to him.

Qrow shifted his glanced to the rear view mirror. It was there reflecting off the glass surface, the reflection of the Empress's apprentice. She was indeed coming and gaining on them with great speed. It wouldn't be long until she was right on top of them. They couldn't wait any longer. They had to make the jump now.

Pulling the pendant from his shirt pocket, Qrow quickly pressed some of the side symbols to open the portal which lead to Haven. He then held up the pendent, pointing it forward. From the center crystals, a blue beam shot forward ahead of them before forming into a portal way.

"Hang on, Red!" Qrow said, revving the engine as he sped forward.

Upon seeing this, Cinder growled.

"No!" She exclaimed.

She then thrusted her sword forward, firing a ball of fire at them. Pyrrha glanced back and saw the incoming projectile of fire hurling toward them.

"Qrow!" She exclaimed.

Qrow didn't answer and continued to focus on the portal ahead. Leaning forward over the bike as he drove forward, picking up more and more speed as they went. All the while, the fire ball continued to gain upon them, getting closer with each moment that passed. Pyrrha turned back, drawing her shield to her forearm as she readied to block it.

Only for the final moment, when it seemed they were about to be struck by the blazing ball of fire, they had already passed into the portal. Which then closed just as the fire ball struck the ground in a massive explosion. Cinder paused mid air, having witnesses the prodigy having scaped her once more. Causing her to growl in anger.

From below, the battle had halted upon seeing Pyrrha and Qrow had escaped. Much to the relief of Auron, Hanako and Keith, who gave a sigh of relief. Seeing their teammate had gotten away and had embarked on her quest to Haven.

"Bye Pyrrha." Auron said.

Within the crowd, the real Mercury shifted his gaze to the city. It was there he saw several Lothadarian Gunships coming toward them. He then glanced over to where the real Emarald was standing, gesturing wit her hand to follow. Having noticed it as well, she nodded her head as the two quickly took off toward the edge of the transport station.

The clones of the two suddenly dissipated into thin air. After they had vanished from sight, Auron and the others glanced around. Only to see the presumed orginals had also vanished as well.

"Hey, where'd they go?" Keith asked, glancing to Auron and Hanako.

Cinder slowly set down over the street, continuing to stare ahead at the direction they had gone. Despite her frustration, Cinder suddenly grinned with much anticipation.

"Run while you can, Prodigy. But the hunt has only begun." She proclaimed.