Chapter 4: A new world
Disclaimer: I do not in any way or form own Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There or RWBY. They belong to their respective owners, Takumi Yanai and RoosterTeeth Animations respectively.
A/N: I have said nothing about Tai being Remnant's Itami. But now that I think about it... I'm not denying that it may be amusing to see.
"Breaking news: a mysterious Gate had recently appeared in the fairgrounds of the Vytal Festival," the news anchor, Lisa Lavender reported, "According to reports from Headmaster Ozpin and General Ironwood, an unknown army poured forth and began attacking civilians unprovoked. Luckily, the Atlesian army and Huntsman were quickly on the scene to stop them, as well as the following Grimm attack. However, there are a confirmed 57 dead and hundreds injured, and over one hundred still missing, making it the deadliest tragedy Vale has seen since Mountain Glenn. The questions remain: Just what is this Gate? Where does it lead? Who are terse invaders? Some have started using the word 'magic', but the Headmasters have yet to comment on the matter. The General has reported that he has taken prisoners and plans to interrogate them soon. Perhaps then some of our questions can be answered."
"One week." The words were spoken calmly.
The person they were spoken to did not reply in kind. "One week?!" Tai almost exploded, "You mean that we have to wait an entire week before this rescue mission? Blake could be dead in one week!"
Headmaster Ozpin returned his gaze stoically. Years of running Beacon Academy had conditioned him to be practically immune to such outbursts. Keeping his tone level, he confirmed, "Miss Belladonna is a huntress-in-training, Mr. Xiao Long. She has all the training she needs to survive."
"That's not the point. Why must we wait? What's stopping us from just marching through and finding her?" Tai demanded.
"Ironwood has already sent forces through. We're securing an advance position on the-"
Tai cut him off, "Then what's the problem? Just let us through and we'll be on our way. My daughters are worried sick, you know."
"Another army."
Tai blinked. "What?"
"The advance forces have spotted another hostile army marching towards their encampment," Ozpin revealed, "This one numbers around a hundred thousand. Until we can talk them down or defeat them in combat, no one is leaving, for any reason. It is simply too dangerous."
"Oh," Tai quietened at the grim news. "That's why you called in everyone?"
Ozpin nodded solemnly. "Yes. That's why I called in every available Huntsman. That's why Atlas is sending reinforcements, and so are Mistral and Vacuo."
"That bad? Sorry for yelling at you."
Ozpin waved away the apology, "I understand your concerns, Tai, but I hope you understand my caution."
"Yeah. But such a large mobilization will not go unnoticed. The citizens will want to know why."
Ozpin smiled enigmatically, "Leave that to me. In the meantime, take this week to prepare. I'll get you a few other Hunters to accompany you and team RWBY to the other world."
"What?"
"In one week, bring RWBY to my office. I will brief you on whatever we find and send you some help, then you can go and find their missing member. With official support," Ozpin said.
That was a surprisingly good offer, given the circumstances. "Thanks, Ozpin."
It was a clear day when the Army of Unified Kingdoms approached the hill, ready to attack. In the Lords' tent, the army leaders sat around a map, talking less of strategy and more of their impending victory. Each of them wanted to be the first to charge up the hill to claim the honor of victory over these otherworldly invaders.
Only one man, King Duran of the Elbe Kingdom, felt ill at ease. Combing his white-streaked hair back, the old king tried to guess at what the Emperor was thinking when he had gathered this many troops from the Coalition to do battle with so few invaders.
Enemies of that number should have been easily taken care of with the Empire's own military power. There should have been no need to gather the armies of the Coalition, which meant that doing so was not a military move but a political one.
Did he intend to demonstrate his own might before the Coalition Army? However, if that was the case, he would only need to summon the kings before him instead. Such great fighting power would not be needed. There must be some reason why he wanted to assemble over 100,000 men. After all, feeding so many men was no trivial matter.
Perhaps he intended to use this huge force to attack some country, but since the Coalition Army had been raised with the intention of protecting the continent, there was no justification for using it as an army of conquest.
He shook his head to clear his doubt. The enemy looked to number 10,000 at most. With over 100,000 men, they outnumbered the enemy ten to one. Brute force alone would be enough to claim victory. It would be a great battle and an honorable victory.
It had been almost a week since he had come to the world known as Falmart. Overlooking the fortifications, on Alnus Hill, that his army had constructed within a short period of time, General Ironwood smiled proudly at their efficiency.
Around the Gate itself were layers of bunkers and automated turrets, acting as a final stronghold should the rest of the base be overwhelmed. The automatons would buy time for the human soldiers to flee, should an emergency retreat prove necessary; if the enemy managed to fight their way in.
But to do so, they would have to get through the rest of the base. Immediately around the innermost layer were the barracks and warehouses, where the soldiers and Atlesian Knights resided. Around the area were several airships parked on a temporary landing area. The living area also held canteens and other facilities needed for a long-term stay.
Because Ironwood intended to stay. Sure, Remnant was nice, and he was definitely proud of Atlas' progress in the past years. But it faces the same threat that plagues the rest of that world: the endless Grimm. Not only was Falmart clear of those dark creatures, but it also promised new resources, unpolluted nature, and a variety of biodiversity. Not to mention the rumors of magic he had heard from the prisoners. A few years ago he would have scoffed, but now that he knew of the maidens and their power, this had to be investigated, fully and thoroughly.
For now, only military forces and Huntsmen were on this side, but perhaps they would soon be able to construct permanent housing. Maybe even create a new kingdom.
Of course, they had to defend it against the locals, who would most certainly attempt to retake the hill. That was what the outermost layer of defenses was for. Knights patrolled the area, passing by stationed Paladins and wandering Huntsmen. Watchtowers with heavy armaments stood at regular intervals around the circular encampment. Around it all, a force field similar to those used in the Argus base was hidden, ready to activate at a moment's notice.
Yes, Ironwood was proud of what had been accomplished. Now, he was just a little worried about the campfires that had begun springing up around the base of the hill.
"General, our scouts have detected enemy forces massing around the foot of Alnus Hill. They are estimated to be around 100,000 in number," a soldier reported.
"That's the population of a city. All forces, move to standby positions," Ironwood ordered. In the base, soldiers scrambled to retrieve their weapons, while the Knights powered up and prepared for battle. The force field fence emerged from the ground, activating to form a translucent wall. Airships took to the skies, ready to support those on the ground. "Are the speakers ready?"
"Speakers up and running, General. The language has been uploaded onto the servers, so they'll understand your words," a technician reported.
"The army is beginning its approach, General. They're already in firing range and will reach the fence within half an hour."
Nodding his understanding, Ironwood pulled up the microphone and began to speak. His words were amplified by the speakers dotting the area around the hill, allowing the entire approaching army to hear his words.
"Attention, forces of the Empire. I am General Ironwood, leader of the Atlesian army. You are entering territory claimed by Atlas. Turn back immediately or we will open fire. I repeat, turn back immediately."
Though the soldiers were first spooked by the mysterious voice that filled the air, they kept marching up the hill, their doubt turning to confidence at hearing her words. Only a coward would try to scare them away, they reasoned, some of them even jeering at their foes' weakness.
"This is your final warning. Turn back immediately or you will be destroyed."
There was no response from the approaching army, save for their steady march up the hill.
Ironwood put the microphone away. "So be it," he spoke to himself. Louder, and with a heavy heart, he ordered, "All forces, engage. Fire at will."
For the ten thousand men sent up the hill, it was as though they fought against gods. They were met with a remorseless hail of bullets and missiles, tearing their formations apart. Each Paladin unleashed volleys of missiles, covering the mountain in explosions. The Knights shot down survivors with pinpoint accuracy. In the air, the airships opened up with their gatling guns, cutting down the wyvern riders before spraying the grounds beneath them.
The Huntsmen, standing at the force field wall, didn't have to raise a finger.
The battle, if it could be called that, was over within minutes, the survivors fleeing from the graveyard.
The army leaders could not believe what they were seeing. Ten thousand men wiped out in minutes by powerful explosive magic that shook the very earth. Swallowing their fear, their pride pushed them to order another forty thousand men up the hill. Employing a more defensive strategy, the army held their shields at the ready in their standard tortoise formation as they marched up the hill.
"You have seen our firepower. Turn around immediately, or face the full force of the Atlesian army."
The army leaders and their soldiers hesitated. After the massacre of the first wave, they were certainly worried. The threat was not an empty one. The smart move would have been to retreat. But arrogance prevented that. Shouting out to rally their forces, the leaders sent them marching up Alnus Hill, shields at the ready. The tougher ogres led the assault, meatshields for the rest of the army.
As promised, Ironwood unleashed the power of his forces. In addition to the rockets and bullets filling the air, liberal usage of dust created a localized hailstorm, battering the approaching army before they could get close.
Their army was ripped apart. After such devastating losses, many soldiers of the Coalition Army had already run away. They found that it was suicide to challenge these monsters from beyond the Gate.
However, it was not quite the same for the others who stayed to fight. Rallying what was left of their army for a final assault, the leaders decided to attack under the cover of night to surprise their enemy.
With night vision systems up and running perfectly, Ironwood sighed at the men once more attempting to attack his base. Grabbing for his microphone once more, he attempted to talk them down, "Empire forces, this is General Ironwood. We know where you are. Turn away or face annihilation. You have been warned."
Through the night vision camera pointed at the poorly disguised remains of the Empire's army, Ironwood gazed impassively at them, hoping that they would retreat. His forces had already killed almost 50,000 of them. Such a massive army destroyed in minutes. The media would have a field day with this - there was no way an invasion of such scale could be covered up. At least he did give them plenty of warning.
Ironwood looked at the Empire's soldiers squirming around, nervously awaiting their commander's decisions. He may as well help them decide.
"Launch a couple of flares over them," he ordered. A technician replayed his order, and soon a group of five flares was streaking through the air. They flew over where the army was hiding (or trying to), before activating. They flared out like suns, turning the night into day. The soldiers looked up in awe, the new light illuminating their faces.
"This is your final warning."
Ironwood smiled slightly as the army retreated quickly, their cover blown. One less needless battle. One less weapon the media could use against him.
Now to find out more about this new world.
The elevator doors opened, allowing Tai, Ruby, Weiss, and Yang to enter Ozipn's office. One week had passed, and they were more than ready to go through the Gate and find their missing member. The girls were also looking much better than before - rested and eager.
"Good morning, everyone," he greeted. "Please, take a seat," he invited. When the four were seated, Ozpin continued, "The rest of your team should be arriving soon."
As if on cue, the elevator doors dinged open once more, revealing a certain eccentric Profes- um, Doctor, dressed in a tan coat and a pith hat that covered his green hair.
"Why, hello again girls! It's great to see you in good shape. And Mr. Xiao Long, I've heard much about you," Doctor Oobleck commented in his rapid speech.
The girls' jaws dropped. "Professor Oobleck?"
"Doctor," he corrected them sternly, then explained, "The Headmaster has decided that my expert knowledge of history and culture would prove vital to the success of this mission, and I am inclined to agree!"
"Yes. Furthermore, your team has already worked with him before - on a mission to Mountain Glenn, if I'm not mistaken. Please have a seat, Doctor. We'll begin as soon as the last member shows up," Ozpin said.
Another ding, and the elevator doors began sliding open. "Please not Port, please not Port," Yang muttered, eyes on the door.
To her relief, it was not the rotund Professor Port who stepped out, but a beautiful woman with flame-red hair and a flowing dress of the same color.
"Who's this?" the students asked. She was definitely not a professor at Beacon, as none of them had ever seen her before.
"This is Vela Fauxen. She is a retired Huntress and co-owner of Fauxen Manufacturing," Ozpin introduced, "She was insistent on going through the Gate, and will be your leader in this mission. She once studied here, at Beacon and I believe her daughter is currently a second year."
"Retired?" Yang asked skeptically.
"I may be retired, but I can kick any of your asses any day," Vela retorted, stunning Yang into silence. Her voice carried pride and full confidence in her threat, which, judging by the staff slung over her back, was not an empty one.
Then Vela's eyes landed on the white-clad member of the team. "Weiss Schnee?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Have we met?" Weiss asked.
"My company has good trade relations with Schnee Dust. It would do no good for me not to recognize the heiress of the company," Vela replied, smirking, walking over and occupying the last empty seat.
"Oh," Weiss muttered.
"Now that the pleasantries have been concluded, let us begin," Ozpin took over the conversation. "As you know, the Gate appeared in Vale one week ago. An army poured forth, which was repelled. However, they have captured at least 40 of our citizens, including your teammate, and this cannot go unanswered. This will be your primary objective: Locate and rescue Blake and any other citizens of Vale, and bring them back safely. Your secondary objective is to find out as much about the world as possible."
"James has successfully translated the invaders' language, which we used to get some information from the prisoners we took. This is what we know. First, they come from a continent named Falmart on an unnamed world. They were part of the Saderan Empire, a single great fraction that dominates the continent. A map of what we know will be provided, which includes the location of their capital city of Sadera. We suspect this is where our citizens were taken. It should be a good starting point in your search." A holographic map appeared as he spoke, rendering a basic scan of the continent, as well as a red dot marking Sadera's location.
"As for demographics, the Empire is a human-dominated society. Some kind of faunus exist but are known collectively as demihumans. Unfortunately, these demihumans are heavily discriminated against. Slavery is rampant." Pictures of elves, wolf people, ogres, and goblins appeared to replace the map.
"We have established forward operations on the Falmart, on Alnus Hill. Should you find yourselves needing any kind of support, contact them for assistance."
"Any questions?"
"This language of theirs. Do we have the translation?" Vela asked.
Ozpin nodded, "Everything we know, including their language, will be sent to your scrolls. Keep in mind that it may not be fully accurate, but we'll update it as often as we can."
Clarification complete, Ozpin looked at the group expectantly, but they didn't speak.
"No more questions? Good. For the duration of your mission, you shall be FORT (fourth) recon. Now, get whatever personal belongings you need and head over. James will provide you with a vehicle, dust, and rations."
"Thank you, Ozpin," Vela replied, standing up. To her new team, she ordered, "Let us move at once. Every second we delay is more risk for our countrymen."
"Good luck, team," Ozpin concluded, as he watched the newly dubbed fourth recon team huddle in the elevator. As the doors closed, he took a sip of his coffee, and quietly added a few words:
"You'll need it."
A/N: The canon Gate story focuses on third recon, but I couldn't force the acronym to be 'third', so I had to make do with fourth. Also, the R in FORT (fourth) stands for RWBY. Yes, an acronym within an acronym. Deal with it. JNPR won't be having a major role in my story, because I say so, and because there are enough characters as it is.
Vela Fauxen is an OC I made to fill in a certain role that I need the team to have. Now, I know that many people don't really like OCs for whatever reason, but she is mostly a supporting character, despite being the leader. The main focus will still be on RW_Y, plus Blake once we get there. I'll try to stick to canon characters, but there'll be at least one more OC.