A/N: Chapter 50 of REKT. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or teams of RWBY, they belong to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. What I do own are the characters and teams of my OCs: REKT, GTSY, KACE and DAZE.
Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I really appreciate it.
Chapter 50: Beginning of the End
Inside the arena...
"How is Kairos doing? Is she okay?" Ruby asked when she found Timber and Efram already sitting in their seats. The almost unoccupied seats served as a grim reminder that her team had been disqualified. So other than Yang being on house arrest, the other two were probably elsewhere having some private time to themselves.
"Yeah she's alright, just resting up a little while longer. But Reina says that she'll make a swift recovery, she's with our faunus as we speak." Efram replied in response. "Actually our leader's been spending quality time over there and not...here analyzing the fighters."
"That's why she has us! In the meantime, I'm anxious to see who Pyrrha's opponent going to be." Timber added with excitement in his voice. "I heard Sun is going to fight against one of those other two guys, you know, the guys who were friends with Kairos' opponent. There's not many contenders left, so it's not too hard to guess from the draw pool."
"Well whoever it may be, I'm sure Pyrrha will give us one spectacular show."
"Huh? Is that Emerald?" Ruby squinted, noticing the green-haired huntress sitting poised on the other side. She didn't want to look for too long, least she wants to draw suspicion. "What is she doing over there?"
"What?" Timber's voice was muffled by some popcorn. "Emerald? She's here?"
"Isn't she supposed to be with Mercury?" Efram added, following Ruby's line of sight and noticed the red-eyed huntress. His brows furrowed with suspicion and wonder. "Why is she sitting by herself?"
"I don't know why, but I'm gonna take a look around. Something is sure bound to happen." Raising from her seat and acting as natural as she could, disappeared out of sight and down the large underground tunnel. Illuminated with only light fixtures in the wall, she pulled out her Scroll and quickly sent a message off.
Me: There's something wrong, I just saw Emerald sitting in the stand.
Reina Raylan: What? She's a member of the audience? Are you sure she isn't playing any tricks or using her Semblance?
Me: I don't think she's using an illusion, even Timber and Efram can confirm that she's definitely here.
Reina Raylan: That's really suspicious.
Me: I don't know what's going on, but something can't be good! I'm gonna go and check it out!
Reina Raylan: Okay, I'm on my way to the arena. I'll take a look around as well. After all, two sets of eyes are better than one.
Me: Alright, be careful!
"Well look who decided to show up. Little Red Riding Hood...Fancy meeting you here." A voice spoke up, prompting the huntress to come to a stop. On the far right, the 'Exit' sign flickering a neon red hue, a shadow began to move by peeling itself off the wall. "Of course...I may have been waiting for you to show up."
"M-Mercury? What are you doing here?" Ruby asked with confusion, watching as the silver-haired huntsman saunter out into the open with the trademark smirk on his face. She knew she recognized the voice somewhere, but seeing the physical appearance only solidified her suspicion. "I thought you were going back home to Atlas..." Her eyes moved down and she noticed that he wasn't limping at all; in fact, it was as if he were never broken to begin with. "...to rest your injured leg."
"Now who told you that story?" He asked, feigning innocence. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear."
"It looks like our first contender is...Penny Polendina from Atlas!" The muffled announcement from Port caught her attention and her eyes widened in realization. "And her opponent will be...Pyrrha Nikos from Beacon!"
"Well well, so it's gonna be that kind of match." The silver-haired male gloated, pleased that the plan was going as smoothly as possible.
"Don't tell me...No that's not right..." Ruby shook her head, refusing to believe what was about to happen. "It can't be..."
"Oooooo, polarity versus metal. Not a nice pairing if I do say so myself, things can go bad real quick." Mercury tutted with mock worry, shaking his head for added show. "I often wonder what would happen if those two were...to say, matched together. Seems like today is our lucky day."
Oh crap, I didn't bring Crescent Rose with me! Ruby noted when she, out of habit, reached for her weapon that would normally sit in its holster. Without her weapon, she figured she'll have to rely on her speed to get past his defenses. Then I'll just have to out speed him and stop the match from happening!
"It seems like you have some kind of trick up your sleeves. Very well then..." The silver-haired male got into an attack stance, both arms raised and fingers curled into fists. "Come and entertain me."
At the infirmary...
"You look concerned, I should know that brow furrow expression from just about anywhere." Kairos spoke as I put my Scroll away. She had been propped up a bit with a fluffy pillow wedged underneath her back for support. We had been going through some exercises I thought would help her with Aura control. With one arm currently around my waist and my head resting against her shoulder, we were taking a break and enjoying each others company when the vibration of my Scroll interrupted the tranquility and peace. "What happened?"
"It's Ruby and she says she saw Emerald sitting in the audience. The words are glaringly pressed within my mind when I read them." I replied, running a hand through my locks and released a low sigh. "And the green-haired huntress isn't using her Semblance. I can only assume that she's waiting for the perfect chance to do the same thing she did for Yang's match. Therefore she's just blending in as another onlooker, no one's gonna suspect her."
"That green-haired snake has risen her ugly head again? Why I outta-"
"No, you stay here for a while longer." I gently pushed her back before hopping off the bed. She opened her mouth to protest some more but I shook my head. "Listen, I know just how badly you want to blow Emerald to smithereens however, we need some answers. And we can't get answers from...well, a pile of dust."
"You never know unless you try."
"What? You're telling me you got experience holding conversations with a pile of dust?" I jostled back, crossing my arms over my chest and cocked my hips to the side. "Teach me sometime why won't you."
"Don't you have someplace to be instead of antagonizing me?" She shot back with a smirk on her face, leaning back into a more comfortable position. Releasing a sigh of relief, she added, "As much as I would love to have you stay here and keep me company, I'm sure Ruby needs your assistance. Don't make her wait too long."
"Sure you're not the one who needs any assistance?" I teased her gently.
"Once I'm back to full strength I'm gonna kick your ass. Then we'll see who needs assistance." Kairos snorted, jutting her lower lip out to pout. Leaning over I placed a soft kiss on her forehead, watching the corners of her mouth slowly curl upward into a smile.
"There's a smile. Here, I have your Scroll set to the broadcast channel so you can watch along." I set the device on the table and smiled, "I'll take my leave, don't antagonize the medics while I'm gone."
"I will hold no promises! But I am intrigued about the match..." Shaking my head with laughter I left the building and briskly made my way back to the arena. Upon nearing the entrance I could hear the cheering of students and my steps hastened. Bursting into the open I found myself among the stands of students with the match already underway. Not bothering to join the boys I went to the railing instead, leaning against it.
"Now then...where is she..." Scanning the audience on the opposite side I noticed the hovering green Aura that represented Emerald that popped up and I smiled. "There you are. Lets see if you're up to your same old tricks." Strange...I don't sense Ruby anywhere...No, I'll stay here and watch. Ruby can handle things on her own.
In the arena...
Flurry of sparks danced in the air as Penny's wing of blades clashed against Pyrrha's shield and sword. The red-haired huntress was doing well in both offense and defense, but she had a not so excited expression on her face. It was like something was bothering her and she wasn't enjoying herself. Penny on the other hand, continued to wear a dazzling smile as she manipulated her blades with care.
"My word! What a tremendous display of power from Ms. Polendina!" Port spoke as he watched from the sky box. "She seems to be on par with Pyrrha!"
"What an honor it is to see two talented young huntresses fight in this match!" Oobleck agreed, nodding his head with excitement. "The outcome is surely based on luck! Let us see who ends up being victorious!"
As the battle drew on I noticed differences with Pyrrha and her fighting style. She was starting to slow down near the end, barely keeping up with Penny's blades, and soon her own weapons were knocked out of her hands. Seeing a blade coming for her head, she unleashed her Semblance and blocked the projectile with her Aura covered spear. That's when the green Aura flickered in my mind, it was subtle, but I caught on and it was too late to stop it.
"When..." Pyrrha backed up, her eyes widened at what seemed to be a huge wave of blades coming towards her like a tsunami. Her knees were knocking together and she honestly looked like she was gonna be sick. "When were there so many blades? Are...Are my eyes playing tricks on me?"
"Something's wrong!" Jaune spoke up. He had his eyes glued on Pyrrha the moment the match started and he could tell she wasn't well. "She's not fighting like she normally does!"
"It's been an honor fighting you!" Penny crowed before sending her blades forward, her smile stretching even further to show how much fun she was having. "But now, it's the end!"
"Pyrrha!" Nora yelled in warning, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Why are you just standing there?! Dodge it!"
No...I can't dodge it. This is the only way I can stop it! Unleashing her Semblance to the max, Pyrrha used Penny's own blades against her, cutting her opponent into pieces. She couldn't stop it as the crinkling of metal being ripped apart will forever been replayed inside her mind. As the android fell, everything about her laid out for everyone to see. Her exposure as nothing more than an android sent shock waves of shock and disbelief throughout the audience.
"She used it!" I swore as the arena rose up with a thunderous amount of disgruntled student voices. Most of them were calling for Pyrrha to be removed, comparing the act of murder to that of a mindless criminal. Some even commented that Pyrrha was almost as heartless as Yang, comparing both matches to each other. "She fucking used it!"
"No!" Port gasped with horror. Even Ozpin, who watched the match from within his office, stood up in horror. "Not again!"
"No...no..." Pyrrha looked around her, her eyes wide with disbelief at the amount of outcries coming from her own peers. She glanced back at the dismembered body of her opponent and fell to her knees. "No...this isn't what I wanted...this isn't what I wanted at all. I thought...I thought she was real..."
"Penny! No..."
"That voice...Ruby!" Noticing the huntress where she had fallen in despair down below, I made my way over as quickly as possible. Her sobs reached my ears and the only comfort I could give her was a supportive hand on the shoulder. While I wasn't as close to Penny as Ruby was, I knew that seeing her death made a really huge impact. Emerald's Aura signature vanished, indicating that the huntress has left the area. Damn it! I can't go after her!
"Tsk tsk, too bad you weren't any faster. You'd surely would've saved your friend." Mercury's voice spoke and I turned, seeing his outlined shape within my mind. He seemed surprised to see me though because he backed up. "And it seems the princess is here too."
"Why weren't you sitting with Emerald?" I questioned him, leaving her side to stand before him. "What are you scheming?"
"Oh I can't tell you that. But you'll know soon enough." With that, the male excused himself and disappeared. I would have pursued him, but for now all I cared about was Ruby and just being there for her.
"Broadcast, what are you doing?" Oobleck yelled within his ear piece, his brows furrowed with mild anger. "Stop airing now! Kill the feed!"
"Something's wrong!" The operator responded in a state of panic, unsure of what happened. "We don't have control over the cameras! It's like they've been hacked!"
"What? How is that possible?!" The monitors flickered before the outline shape of a queen's chess piece appeared over a red back drop. A hush fell over the arena as every pair of eyes were drawn to the screen.
"This is not a tragedy." Cinder's voice floated through the speakers, capturing attention immediately. The students were shivering from fear and the huntresses and huntsman around the world couldn't tear themselves away. "This is not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust. Your safety. Your children. To men who claim to be our guardians. But are, in reality...nothing more than men."
"It's her, make no mistake." I growled, knowing that voice anywhere. How I had not suspected her to be the one behind this little charade was beyond me. "She's brainwashing them, wrapping them under her finger."
"Our Academies' headmasters wield more power than most armies and one was audacious enough to control both. They cling to this power in the name of peace, and yet, what do we have here? One nation's attempt at a synthetic army, mercilessly torn apart by the star pupil of another. What need would Atlas have for a soldier disguised as an innocent little girl?"
"Atlas is nothing more than a playground for monsters!"
"Why the hell are they playing god? These are lives we're talking about!"
"Shut them out! Don't let them attending any other tournaments in the future!"
"I don't think the Grimm can tell the difference." Cinder's voice drowned out the cries of anger, mesmerizing her audience by revealing things that the public weren't supposed to know. "And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students? First a dismemberment, now this? I wouldn't be surprised if he's got a student who can talk to Grimm...or at least, bend Beowolves into loyal submissive servants. Now isn't that a little special surprise?"
"What?!" I snapped indignantly. Where the hell did she get that kind of idea?!
"How did she obtain so much information? Something's not right..." Kairos mumbled as she shuffled out of the infirmary, a hand curled over her Scroll. The moment Cinder's message happened, the faunus knew it was time to go. Discarding the scrubs and donning her regular outfit, she took a deep breath. Sure she was still afraid of her leg disappearing out from underneath her, but after taking a few tentative steps forward and seeing how her Aura hadn't failed her, she could put herself at ease.
"Out of our entire group, no one else could've known!" Efram said while Timber pondered different scenarios. The boys had left their seats, drinking in what Cinder was saying but comparing her information against their own. "Reina trusted us with her history! There's no way..."
"Yes there's a way." Timber argued, the gears within his head grinding against one another. "Remember that aunt she mentioned? What if she's in cahoots with whoever is behind all this? She could be giving our enemy everything they want to know!"
"But our leader said she doesn't know where her aunt is! Our leader and her father haven't stayed in contact either!"
"Doesn't mean we can disregard this option!"
"Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and mercy. Yet I have witnessed neither. Perhaps Ozpin as though defeating Atlas in the tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invades it's streets." Cinder was practically smiling as she spoke through her Scroll, no doubt waiting for the big huge finale. "Or perhaps, this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting kingdom with armed forces."
"She's nuts...!"
"How can we trust the words of a stranger?"
"But it's strange if you think about it. Both governments haven't been truthful with the public." A couple of students murmured to one another in hushed voices. "So why should we put our faith in the higher ups?"
"Honestly? I haven't the slightest clue as to who is right and who is wrong. But I know that the existence of peace is fragile. And the leaders of our kingdoms conduct their business with iron gloves. As someone who hails from Mistral, I can assure you of something; the situation there is...equally undesirable. Our kingdoms are at the brink of war, but let me remind you that the citizens, us, are left in the dark. So I ask you...when the first shots are fired...who do you think you can trust?" Smirking, Cinder ended the broadcast and sent the monitors into static noise. Now the real show begins!
"The feeders are all jammed! We can't get any messages out!" Oobleck spoke frantically, typing away on the keyboard to see if anything could work. "We have to let everyone know!"
"Will someone tell me what in the world is happening?!" Port boomed with frustration. "What was that just now?!"
"What...first shots...?" Ruby asked in a small voice. "What does she-"
"Aghh!" I winced as my Aura flared up, my mark burning ever so brightly on my shoulder. With the siren blaring, there's only one thing that crossed my mind. I felt a presence hovering by me and I could tell it was Ruby. She was still upset about Penny's demise but she knew that she had to do something about those that were still alive. This eerie feeling! Lots of Grimm, no doubt pulled in by the negative emotions that the students are releasing!
"You okay?" She asked me with worry. "Is it your mark? So that means Grimm..."
"Yeah... but it's nothing we haven't dealt before, so don't fret." I replied before asking, "I should be asking you the same question. Are you okay?"
"Speaking honestly...I'm not. But there's people who need help at this time." She nodded her head, convincing herself that her path to being a huntress had been by destiny and choice. She was going to prove that she'll save as many people as she could. "And we can't just stay here wallowing in despair."
"I agree. For now, meet up with every huntsman and huntress who can fight. I'm gonna go and look around the outside." I held up a hand to stop her from arguing with me. "There are so many students who are running to the outside, where the Grimm are coming in. Your teammates are outside too, I'll try to go and find them. I'll message you on my Scroll if anything happens."
"Alert. Incoming Grimm attack." The AI spoke, sending everyone into a state of panic. Stampedes of students began to file outside the arena, making their way to the dock arena where Atlasian air crafts were waiting for them. "Threat level: Nine. Please seek shelter in a calm and orderly manner."
"Everyone! Continue to make your way to the docks!" Ironwood continued to shout through the speakers. "There's no need to panic! Please leave in a calm and orderly fashion!"
"SKRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEE~"
"A Giant Nevermore!" Sun jumped up from his seat with Coco by his side when the large creature came down upon the shield. The brunette had made a recovery from her doubles match and sat beside the monkey faunus during the duration of the match. "What the fuck?!"
"How did it get past the defenses? Weren't there guards stationed right outside the kingdom?" The leader of Team CVFY questioned, looking over the brim of her glasses. "What in the world have they been doing?"
"It wasn't alone!" Ren spoke as he walked up to them, his brows furrowed with worry. He lost Nora in the crowd and he had an inkling that Jaune jumped over the railing to get to Pyrrha. "I have a feeling like there's an onslaught of Grimm about to raid this city."
"Then what are we waiting for?!" Sun yelled, his tail twitching with anticipation. "We have to get our weapons and find our teammates. Not only that, but the others who can't fight have to be escorted!"
"This is such a predicament." Coco sighed, rubbing her temple with a hand. "With the connection still up and running, let's use our Scrolls. I wouldn't be surprised if the CTS tower will fall, our enemies want to leave us running without a guide. We'll show them just how strong we are in the face of danger!"
Elsewhere...
"Heheheheh...look at them all scrambling to escape the carnage. Yet, we've jumped them when they least expected." Ingrid mused, sitting with one leg over the other. She settled down a few yards away, observing the migration of Grimm upon Beacon with a smile on her face. The leg she stole laid in the grass beside her, the edges caked with dried blood. "They won't last too long, soon everything will be nothing but dust." Can you survive against an onslaught like this, sister? I wonder...
"You seem to be enjoying yourself." The girl glanced over her shoulder, watching as Adam approached her with a couple of white fang members behind him. The male smirked, "It's not every day I see a human who takes pleasure in seeing other humans in agony."
"Oh ho? Looks like orange head got out of his air prison." She noticed Roman taking control of a ship with Neo by his side. Then she focused her attention on the White Fang, "And he brought the rabid animal brigade."
"You got something against us or what?!" One of the members asked.
"Well now, you aren't too far off." The girl stood, dusting off her clothes and smiled. "I abhor things such as you. The moment the faunus began to rally for rights, everything went to shit. Why couldn't you accept your role in society? Living at the feet of human masters like pet servants?"
"Why you-"
"That's enough." Adam snapped before glaring at Ingrid. Even his hand was twitching to unsheathe his weapon. "It seems our feelings are mutual since I feel the same way about humans who always believe they're the ultimate race. Mark my words, I'll enslave the human race. The faunus will no longer be under human rule."
"Keep telling yourself that, but until I see it I won't believe it." Ingrid huffed before making an 'ok' sign with her thumb and index finger of her left hand. Placing it in her mouth she whistled loudly. A minute later, a Nevermore landed next to her, flapping its wings briefly. Picking up her prize with one hand, she climbed onto its back and stroked the neck feathers. Turning to the small group she said, "It's time for me to go. Don't break too early, you animals. One of these days I hope to erase you all from existence."
"That bitch!" One of the males growled with anger once the Nevermore took flight, shaking his fists as the creature flew off. "Who does she think she is? I hate people like her!"
"Sir! Why didn't you fight her?" Another asked the red-haired male with curiosity in her voice. "You could've obviously killed her with one swipe!"
"What you new recruits don't know is that she is under the orders of Salem's new ally." Adam replied, not bothering to keep the disdain out of his own voice. "I haven't heard much about her abilities and skills, but that human could've easily swept all of you guys out if she wanted. All I can say is that we should count our blessings she wasn't in the mood to kill."
"Then shall we go ahead with our plan, sir?"
"We shall. The night is still young and I'm sure you all wish to go wild." The red-haired male spoke after watching the Nevermore disappear into the sky as a tiny speck. Setting his sights on Beacon, he said, "Time to bring them to their knees."
