Chapter 8: The Battle of Italica Part 1
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: A quick rewatch of the show and yes, Atlesian soldiers and knights were more white than blue. I've changed their title.
"Next up, news from the newly constructed Alnus Village. Reports have come in that the refugees from Coda Village are hard at work, cleaning up the battlefield around the hill. Denying all accusations of forced labor, General Ironwood says that the refugees were the ones who approached him with the offer of collecting Wyvern scales, which are valuable on Falmart. According to the General, the refugees feel indebted to Atlas for rescuing and helping them, which is why they are willing to help clear up the battlefield.
However, much of the population is unhappy and suspicious of Atlas' actions. Not only do they keep pouring troops and resources through the Gate, but they are also currently refusing to allow any non-military forces through. Headmaster Ozpin has promised to speak to the general, however, alleviating much of the people's fear"
Italica was burning. A large plume of smoke was billowing freely into the air. As FORT's jeep made its way over to the towering outer walls of the city, Tai could make out the numerous archers stationed on the wall, ready to rain arrows down upon them.
The jeep reached the gate of the city, where armored guards blocked their way. "Halt! What is your business in Italica?" one called out.
"I'll deal with this," Tai said, stepping out. He walked over to the guards, who immediately began interrogating him.
A few minutes passed before Rory got bored. Hopping out of the jeep, she headed over to where Tai was arguing with the guards.
"- keep our weapons? No way," Tai was saying.
"Let us through," Rory interrupted, striding up with her halberd casually slung over her shoulder.
"Why would we make-" the guard broke off, eyes widening. "Rory Mercury!" The guards looked at each other nervously as the Apostle demanded entry. "We were told not to allow strangers with weapons through. You must understand, the bandit attacks have left us all on edge."
Rory laughed. "That's alright. I won't attack Italica, and neither will my companions," she promised, glancing at Tai.
He got the message immediately. "We promise not to bear our weapons against the city or its people."
The guards looked at each other once more. By right, they should bar entry anyway... but neither wanted to risk an Apostle's wrath. Stepping aside, they motioned the jeep through. The high-tech jeep attracted the attention of many as it slowly made its way into the city, but the people had other things to worry about. From within, FORT took in the scenes around them. Many buildings bore the scorch marks of fire damage, while some had burned to the ground. Many of the people seemed injured in one way or another, their wounds being tended to.
"The city is under siege," Oobleck declared, scanning the surroundings. "Fire damage, barricades, the wounded," he explained, voice uncharacteristically low, "They expect another assault."
"It's the bandits," Rory provided as the jeep continued deeper into the city. Here, the battle damage was less pronounced, though the subdued atmosphere prevailed. "After the allied armies were destroyed, their remnants turned to banditry. To attack such a large town, though, their numbers must be huge. Annoying."
"And you think they will return to destroy this city?" Vela asked.
Rory nodded.
"Then we will defend it."
The rest of the team looked at her incredulously. "You don't seem like the kind to simply help someone in need," Tai explained, at Vela's glare.
"I have my reasons. Any objections?"
The team was silent.
Decision made, it was time to pay the person in charge a visit to ensure there was no confusion during battle. As such, FORT headed to the largest mansion in the city, where they were surprised to hear that Pina Co Lada, the princess of the Empire, was leading the defense.
"Hey! Stop there! Who are you?" an armored woman bearing a rose emblem demanded, blocking their path.
Rory had declined to join them, choosing to stay with Doctor Oobleck guarding the jeep and discussing history, as per the agreement. That left Tai, Vela and the students to march into the mansion to speak to Pina. The mansion loomed over them all, a testament of wealth and power, so different from the more run-down state of the outer houses.
"My name is Tai."
Before he could continue introducing the others, the knight was speaking again, "Why are you here?"
Tai glanced at Vela, who simply shrugged in return. "We heard of the bandits around here, and that the city could use some help," Tai said.
"Mercenaries, then?"
Tai frowned, ready to correct her, but Vela spoke first, "Yes. We would like to discuss the price of our aid with Princess Pina."
The knight nodded. "Great, we need all the help we can get. Follow me," she ordered, spinning around and walking off.
The group followed her as she led the way through a maze of corridors. As they walked through the mansion, Tai switched off the translator and whispered to Vela, "Why did you tell them we're mercenaries?"
"This town needs assistance against the bandits. If we can secure a deal with the Princess, her influence will greatly speed up our search," she replied confidently.
They quickly got to their destination. The Rose Knight knocked on the door and pushed it open, revealing a cavernous room in which Pina and several men were seated around a table, discussing strategy. The princess, leading the discussion, had dark red hair as well as eyes of matching color and was wearing light armor. While she didn't have the commanding presence that many generals and kings wielded, Pina acted with pride and confidence, the mark of nobility.
"Princess Pina, a group of mercenaries wishes to assist us. They want to speak with you," FORT's guide introduced them.
The discussion stopped, Pina looking over the group. She immediately began analyzing them. Their clothing styles were varied, lending weight to the claim that they were mercenaries. They seemed to have some kind of magical device translating the local language, so they had come from a distant land. But something didn't seem right. Two adults and three youths, claiming to be mercenaries, yet wore no armor or swords? Perhaps their gear was currently in storage, Pina decided. With the current situation being as desperate as it were, she decided to give them a chance.
"Thank you, Shandy," Pina told their guide, who smiled brightly and stood aside. "Who leads you?" Pina continued, this time addressing the team. It was more of a formality than an actual question, for Pina had already assumed that the man was the leader.
Hence her surprise when Vela stepped forward and proclaimed, "I do. My name is Vela."
The Princess recovered quickly. "My name is Pina Co Lada, Princess of the Empire," she introduced, even though everyone already knew that. "Help us and you will be paid generously. Your assistance would be most useful at the southern gate. I assume you know its location?"
Vela smiled to herself at Pina's attempt to steer the conversation. Usually, she would flip it back around - and she could - but they were the strangers here. It would be better to allow Pina to lead. "Of course," she replied simply, "Any reason why?"
Pina seemed to find no reason to withhold the information, so she replied, "The southern gate had already been broken through once, and the defensive preparations there were completely destroyed. We plan to deliberately make a weakness along the defensive line and draw in the enemy's attacks, then surround and crush them."
What she neglected to mention was that during the last battle, they had also deliberately feigned a vulnerability, so the enemy would think it was an easy target. The tactic had worked flawlessly, Pina's troops easily overwhelming their opposition after the latter had overextended their forces. The enemy had already fallen for the trap once.
"Very well."
"Good. As for payment, a reasonable amount of gold or wealth can be discussed after our victory," Pina concluded.
"We're not interested in money," Vela dismissed her offer, "But we would like something else done for us."
Though confused, Pina agreed immediately. Whatever they wanted shouldn't be too much of a problem, assuming that the city survived the next assault. It should be simple enough to give them their desire, or at least pay them off. No mercenary would deny gold.
"Then that will be all. Shandy, please show them to their post. If you need weapons-"
"We have our own."
As expected, Pina thought, and continued, "Of course. Be prepared, the bandits are expected to attack soon."
Besides, Pina thought to herself, as she returned to planning with her commanders, they would probably end up dead.
"The Princess of the Empire. I didn't expect to run into someone like her. She's surprisingly young, to be in charge of so much," Tai mused. Having exited the mansion, the group was following Shandy as she led them through the city towards the southern gate. With their translators switched off, they could speak freely without fear of being understood. "Why did you tell them we're mercenaries, Vela?" Tai suddenly asked.
"As I said, it allowed us to ask for any payment we want. The Princess is our best chance of finding your missing member," Vela curtly replied.
"But why did she send us to the southern gate?" Weiss interrupted, "Why would she send strangers to the front lines?"
"It is a suicide mission," Vela responded easily, as though talking about the weather. "Pina expects us to die there."
"What?!"
Vela turned to see the others standing still. Their guide too looked back, questioning them in the native language. Vela raised a hand to silence Shandy while Yang exclaimed, "You knew? And didn't stop her?"
Vela seemed unconcerned by her flashing red eyes. "You are huntresses-in-training, Miss Xiao Long. You are trained to defeat the very embodiment of darkness. If mere bandits scare you, what chance do you have of rescuing your partner?" she challenged. Yang growled but seemed to get the point.
"But why not tell us earlier?" Weiss ventured as Yang's eyes faded back to lilac.
"It is of no significance," Vela replied. Turning back, she called out, "We waste time. Let's go." Without waiting for a reply, she strode forward into the twisting streets of Italica, walking as though she owned the city. In her wake were a concerned parent, three speechless students, and a very confused Rose Knight.
When Vela, Tai, Ruby, Weiss, and Yang arrived at the southern gate, it was some time in the afternoon and the sun was slowly making it's across the sky. But surprisingly, a familiar jeep was already there, waiting for them. When the group arrived, Oobleck came forward to meet them, Rory a step behind him.
"Wait, how'd they get here?" Yang wondered.
"I called Oobleck and told him to drive the jeep over," Tai said.
"Wait, our scrolls still work?" Weiss asked, "We aren't even on Remnant. Without the CCTs, they can't communicate."
"Long-range communication is still unavailable, yes," Tai agreed, "But the scrolls can still send and receive short-range messages."
"Oh."
Shandy took the lapse in conversation to cut in. "Position yourselves along the wall as you see fit. Unfortunately, we can't spare any soldiers to help you, but the civilian militia will be ready to support -"
"Send them away," Vela ordered.
"Won't you need their help? Their numbers?"
"No."
Shandy waited for an explanation, but none came. Before she could push further, Rory decided to speak, "Do as they say. I look forward to seeing them fight." As she spoke, she licked her lips, which turned just a shade darker.
"Of course. I'll tell Pina to relocate them. Please prepare for the battle," Shandy said and hurried away. She didn't know how these strangers got Emroy's apostle to help them and frankly, she didn't want to ask.
When the knight was out of sight, Vela took command. Leaving the jeep on the ground, team FORT and Rory went to the top of the wall. She surveyed the area for less than a minute before turning to the team. More specifically, to Ruby, Weiss, Yang, and Rory.
"The upcoming battle will involve a lot of death. Killing. As you four are still young," Vela began. She noticed the smirk that Rory gave at that line, as well as Oobleck's wince, but chose to ignore them and continued, "I am now giving you the chance to sit out. If you wish not to participate in the slaughter, this is your one chance. I need to know how who is going to fight if I am to assign roles. But remember, if you want to help, you must carry your weight. No second thoughts. I am not babysitting anyone in the middle of a battle. So?"
"Why are we defending this town, though?" Rory asked. "Isn't the Empire your enemy?"
"To protect the city."
Rory's distinctively unladylike snort told him what she thought of that. "Emroy is the god of war, so he does not condemn killing. But the reason we do so is important. Lies stain the soul."
Vela turned to look Rory in the eye. "Yes, the Empire attacked my city. In the past, that would have been enough for me to personally raze them to the ground. But my husband has taught me to focus my anger. The citizens of this city did nothing against us. My rage is directed at only those responsible," Vela replied quietly, losing her usual confident air. Then, she grinned, "And now the Princess owes me payment. There is much to gain."
Rory grinned openly at the answer. "In that case, I shall assist you," she replied, with an elegant curtsy, "It's been a while since I could let loose."
"Very well. You three?" Vela accepted Rory's decision. Back in command mode, she turned to the members of team RWBY.
"They're... bandits, right?" Ruby hesitantly began.
"Lay your conscience to rest. These men are monsters who destroy and kill. They plan to attack and pillage an entire city."
"It would be best to exterminate these pests quickly before they get even more support," Rory added.
Yang was the first to speak up, "I'll help if Ruby does. If she thinks it's best, I'll follow."
"Me too," Weiss added, "I trust her judgment."
Suddenly responsible for her teammates' choices as well, Ruby hesitated. "If they're innocent..." she began.
"If they're innocent, they wouldn't join the assault on the city. Time ticks away, Miss Rose. Is your team sitting back, or will you join the defense?" Vela demanded.
Ruby closed her eyes and took a deep breath, obviously conflicted. When she opened them up again a minute later, she had come to a decision. "For Blake. Yes, we'll help."
Vela didn't waste any more time. "The bandits are expected to launch a full-scale frontal assault. They will outnumber us, so we need to take out as many as possible while they approach. Myself, Ruby and Yang will stay on the wall to pick them off. Rory and Tai will stay on the ground to meet any bandit that gets past in melee. Weiss, your task is to use your dust and glyphs to funnel any bandit that gets close to Rory and Tai. Doctor Oobleck, you are to patrol the wall and prevent any attempts from the bandits to scale it. If Oobleck is overwhelmed, Yang is to assist him. I believe that this is the best use of our talents. Questions?"
"Yeah. How do you know our talents?" Yang ventured arm raised.
"I read your Beacon files. Including Mr. Xiao Long's and Doctor Oobleck's," Vela replied. "Any questions relating to the plan?"
There were none, so FORT began their preparations.
The bandits attacked at sunset. The setting sun cast the sky in red as an army of bandits poured forth.
Vela looked stoically at the incoming army. Her team was around her, prepared. Far behind them, at the base of the wall, the militia waited. Pina apparently did not trust them enough to allow them to be unsupported, but it was too late to chase them away now.
From their position on the towering southern wall, FORT readied their weapons. As the bandits charged through the open plains towards the city, the team opened fire on them.
Crescent Rose fired first, one shot at a time. With her eye down the scope, Ruby landed headshot after headshot with the High Caliber Sniper Scythe. Each of her targets fell to her deadly precision and sniper rounds in a spray of red, and Ruby gritted her teeth and did her best to ignore it. They were bandits. Criminals. She kept whispering that to herself, Crescent Rose whispering as it took life after life.
Yang didn't bother with accuracy. She wildly slung her rockets into the crowd, aiming at the largest clusters of bandits. Each erupted in a fiery blaze upon contact, sending the bandits into disarray as their clothes caught fire and the shockwave threw them off balance. The explosions of the rapid-fire rockets sounded into the sky.
Vela's staff partially folded up, a barrel opening up as it transformed into a rifle. Bracing it against her shoulder, she fired dust rounds into the approaching bandits.
Despite the bombardment, the army pushed forward, swarming towards the southern gate. Weiss went into action, using Myrtenaster and ice dust to summon forth walls of ice that forced the leading bandits into a bottleneck.
Rory eagerly set upon her victims, her halberd spinning and slashing. It rent armor like paper, cleaving through the bandits. Tai, standing guard with her, didn't need to lift a finger.
Just like that, it was over. The field outside the gate was quiet, littered with corpses.
"Strange," Vela muttered, resting her weapon, back in staff form, in the stone wall. "Far less than expected. No leader, either."
"I believe I know why, Vela," Oobleck said, "Italica's Eastern and Western gates are under attack as well."
A cursory glance showed that he was correct; the areas around both other gates were aflame, smoke steadily rising into the air.
The battle was not yet over.