"Say what you will, but you're never prepared for the surprise attack."

Sarah Dessen

Chapter 1: Titanic Retribution

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There comes a moment where an event can change the course of history.

On Earth, at the island of Paradis, the events known as the Fall of Shiganshina and the Battle for Trost marked the revelation of truths and the beginning of the true fight.

For the Kingdoms of Remnant, the attempt to ban the arts and freedom of Self-Expression combined with a centuries worth of inter-kingdom tensions lead to the the Great War. The aftermath of this conflict marked a complete overhaul in society, and led to the creation of the Grimm slaying Huntsman & Huntresses and the Huntsman Academies.

But in more recent years, there is one event that stands out. And it all began in the Kingdom of Atlas.

When people think of Atlas, several thoughts come to mind. For some, Atlas is the shining jewel of Solitas. A home for advancements of science and technology that leaves the others Kingdoms in awe. Others see it as a den of arrogance and corruption. Of High Society Families getting what they want without consequence, all the while looking down on everyone else... and they aren't exactly wrong.

But 7 years ago, in the year 73 AGW (After Great War), Atlas became known for what is now known as the Titanic Retribution.

It was late in the evening, and things were beginning to wind down. People were returning back home to turn in for the night, certain businesses were closing, while others were still working hard throughout the night. I guess even Atlas can work hard every now and then.

One particular place of note was the Glass Unicorn, a multi-story luxury hotel situated in the high-end districts of Atlas, known for catering to Atlesian Elites and even Huntsman/Huntresses, with the exception being them forbidding Faunus. The Glass Unicorn could easily be considered as an apt description of what the rest of Atlas is like: gaudy and arrogant.

...it was also the epicenter of the event that would shake the Kingdom to it's core.

*BOOM*

An explosion occurred from within the Glass Unicorn. At first, nobody knew what exactly was the cause, with many citizens theorizing that it could've a gas pipeline rupture or even an explosive device. The explosion shook the ground for several blocks and obliterated a large a chunk of the Glass Unicorn, sending debris flying and impacting neighboring apartment complexes and businesses such as restaurants, and causing dozens to be severely injured and even dead. The occupants of the hotel were most likely killed instantly from the explosion, with many more most likely killed from being crushed by debris.

But that was only the beginning. For as the dust had cleared, the cause of the explosion revealed itself... to the shock and horror of the Atlesian people.

"GRRRRAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!"

It was a Grimm.

A very human like Grimm. One that would later be dubbed Titan by officials.

In the center of Atlas.

The beast was nearly 15 meters in height, around the same height as most buildings, and possibly one of the largest ground based Grimms. But the most disturbing thing about the Titan to many is how human it looks. It bore the same features as a human being such as arms and legs, with individual digits on each of them, to even having a head of hair and facial features of a human. Everything about it was human, only with the color palette of a Grimm.

Alarms began blaring throughout Atlas and panic quickly spread as the citizens desperately ran to get to safety. The streets were chaos as they soon became flooded with people as they tried to get to shelter.

Unfortunately, due to the panic and sudden surge of adrenaline, the people began pushing and shoving each other trying desperately to hurry along. This caused many to trip and fall to the ground, and soon became swallowed up and trampled on by the sea of fleeing citizens. Many were gravely injured because of this, and some were even killed.

The Titan began making it's way through Atlas, uncaring of the buildings it collided with or the debris that was sent flying into other buildings and crowds of people down below. Atlesian Military personnel soon came driving down the roads and tried to kill the beast with mounted turrets and missile pods. Unfortunately, the Titan was more durable than they had expected it to be, and endured the munitions pelting it's skin as it plowed through the vehicles trying to blockade it's path. What damage that was done to the Titan was healed within a small cloud of steam rising from the wounds, horrifying everyone at the revelation that the Grimm was capable of regeneration.

Eventually the Titan exited the city and made it's way through the farmlands. Atlesian Bullhead and Mantis aircraft were in hot pursuit behind the Grimm and opened fire, but the missiles sadly weren't able to do much against it. In a display of intelligence, the Titan grabbed the large bales of hay that were lying about and hurled them at the aircraft like makeshift projectiles, forcing the pilots to break off their pursuit and attack.

Reports after that are a little hazy. Some say that General James Ironwood and his team of Specialists, the Ace-Ops, arrived on the scene to combat the Grimm, but the Titan was able to hold them off and somehow escape the barrier surrounding the city. Some surviving soldiers even claimed the Grimm was actually able to speak, and wanted to be free. However, these claims were dismissed as mere hallucinations or make belief, as there has never been any report in history of Grimm ever possessing the ability to verbally communicate. Whatever happened out in those fields, it ultimately ended with the Titan either escaping, or it ended with it's death at the hands of the General and his Specialists.

Either way, the creature was gone… but the chaos was far from over.

As the dust of the rampage settled, the damage could be assessed. Entire city blocks were left in shambles. Apartment complexes and other housing collapsed, leaving hundreds, possibly thousands homeless and without living essentials like food and clothing. Multiple businesses were destroyed, which left many more citizens without employment. And without employment they could not pay for supplies or bills, which left even more starving and without power and water in their homes.

Casualty counts started coming in as hundreds, possibly even thousands, were killed by the Titan or by flying debris, and with countless more injured and in critical condition from both civilian and Atlas soldiers alike. Though the elite Ace-Ops were able to quickly and safely bring civilians and soldiers to Hospitals and temporary/makeshift Treatment Centers, Medical supplies quickly began to dwindle due to the sheer amount of people constantly coming in, which caused delays in treatment as the doctors had to prioritize those in critical condition that needed immediate attention, and ultimately lead to many suffering in pain from their injuries for quite some time. Even with treatment, many unfortunately were left with lifelong permanent physical damages, and others were even left comatose.

Under the guidance of General Ironwood and his top Operatives from different parts of the military, along with Huntsman and Huntresses, shelters were set up around Atlas for those who were displaced from their homes, and rations on food and Dust had to be put in affect. Mantle, despite the tensions between the upper and lower city's, offered to send whatever aid they could to help those in need. Many of Atlas's wealthy also chimed in… though whether it's because they actually cared about the plights of the people is debatable.

In the present day, the year 80 AGW (After Great War), although Atlas has recovered and returned back to it's former self, the effects of that day can still be felt. Where the Glass Unicorn once stood, a statue of the Titan serves as a constant reminder of that dreadful day, and memorials are placed around the Kingdom honoring the fallen civilians and soldiers.

Unfortunately, things between Atlas and Mantle have deteriorated once more despite the aid that was sent, as Atlas personnel under the command of Lieutenant Irae Infrigidando would outright block all access to Atlas in the event of Grimm Invasion, leaving the derelict Kingdom to fend for itself. On top of that, Atlas personnel were also seen wrongfully detaining a group of people merely for their… beliefs regarding the Titan and the Titanic Retribution. Beliefs that Lieutenant Infrigidando felt offended by it's mere existence.

Despite this, there were some good things that came from this tragedy. People who were discriminatory against Faunus, now see them as equals, having Faunus friends and even lovers. People who looked down on Mantle as being "not worth their time" now voluntarily go down to lend aid to those in need, whether it be teaching or donating. Others gathered together in support groups to better help each other, Lux in Tenebris being one such group.

It's ironic. Even in the face of such a great tragedy, something good was also found as a result, changing many lives for the better.

John Suspiria
Professor of Theology
Atlas University.

Hey there everyone! The Avenging Titan here! Hope you're all doing alright and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

The Titanic Retribution is one of the biggest canon changes of the RWBY universe Court and I made for A New Path. For it is from before and after this one event that we changed one characters destiny for the better.

Cinder Fall.

In RWBY canon, as introduced finally in Volume 8, Cinder was a victim of truly awful environments and people both in Mistral and in Atlas. She was stuck dealing with bullies and doing chores at an orphanage/farm, and when she thought she had a brand-new beginning, she instead found herself in an even more abusive and slavish environment.

The only good thing that came from all of this was her meeting and bonding with the Huntsman Rhodes, who offered to train Cinder to eventually become a Huntress. Sadly, this story doesn't have a happy ending, as Cinder is forced to fight and kill the one person she was closest to when he tried to bring her in after she murdered the Madame and her daughters, culminating in her meeting and joining Salem's faction.

A New Path shatters her original fate with her meeting Eren. It is his kindness and friendship from the farm/orphanage, as well as him rescuing her from her fate in Atlas, that sets this version of Cinder down the path of a better life. One that will eventually make waves across Remnant in the future alongside Eren and those closest to her.

And one filled with romance as well…

With all that said, thank you all for checking out the story and A New Path, and I hope you all a wonderful day!

Next Chapter: Titans