Vol.2, Ch.21:
Jaune: WEISS!
Ruby: NOOOOOO! NOOOOO!
It felt like the world stood still for Ruby, Jaune, and their friends. They have just witnessed two of their friends die in battle and they all saw it. Dalek Khan, killed by the Cybermen and the worst of all, they all just saw Weiss killed and vaporized into ashes by Cinder who was smirking at what she had done. None of them could move or even continue the fight.
Cinder: Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. Cmon Raven, let's not waste any more time.
No one dared to look at Cinder as Raven approached her, ready to continue their plan. Hazel walked towards Lionheart and picked him up, unhappy that he was being humiliated by a boy.
Cinder: Leo! Open the path to the vault!
Hazel: Do not waste time and do as she say! You're lettin' that boy make a fool of you.
Lionheart: That's not just a boy! It's Ozpin. He's already reincarnated!
Hazel and Cinder's eyes widened at the sudden revelation that Ozpin was alive, and he was in the form of a young boy. Oscar noticed and slowly began to back away as Hazel dropped Lionheart and marched towards him.
Hazel: OZPIN! You thought you could hide from ME?! You'll pay for what you did! You'll die over and over again!
Hazel ripped his jacket off, pulled out dust crystals, and injected it all over himself as the power of dust grew all around him and popped out on his skin as he roared aggressively towards the boy.
Emerald: Cinder?
The concerned and confused voice from Emerald stopped everything once again as Cinder looked towards Emerald only to see little golden orbs that looked like fireflies flying around everyone and they all noticed. Jaune on the ground noticed something strange as well, the Sonic device that belonged to Weiss was moving on its own.
Cinder: What is this? Who's doing this?
No one responded because no one knew who was doing it or what it was. All the golden orbs began to connect with one another as a bright light surrounded the entire room causing everyone to cover their eyes. Wings appeared from the golden light and as the lights dimmed, no one could believe their very own eyes. Floating above the second floor, glowing gold with angelic wings, and golden eyes that resembled fire was none other than Weiss Schnee.
Ruby: WEISS!
Cinder: H-HOW?! I KILLED YOU!
No response came from the Schnee as she looked down upon everyone and made her move. Reaching her hand out, Cinder was sent crashing onto a wall alongside Emerald and Mercury. Hazel tried to jump at her, but Weiss lunged him onto the wall and trapped his arms and legs like glue. She looked over at the Cybermen who fired at her, but no effect came, and Weiss set her sights on Raven and Vernal. Her Sonic flew and she grabbed it as it transformed into a Sonic Myrtenaster! Disappearing in a second, Weiss appeared right in front of Raven before both disappearing as only flashes of light and sounds of blades clashing were heard around the room.
Yang: What's happening?
Suddenly, Raven gets launched through the set of stairs and before Vernal could react, Weiss appears in front of her as both ladies get into their weapons clash once again, but Weiss fought at unremarkable speed which was overwhelming for Vernal and struggling to get back until a single slice broke one of Vernal's weapons in half. Weiss picked her up and sent her crashing onto Emerald and Mercury. Ruby watched on but turned around to notice a Cyberman glitching out before its eyes turned blue and began its attack on Ashad. Fighting back and dodging any strikes, the rogue Cyberman lunged Ashad onto the other Cyberman crashing through the walls. It turned around to look at Ruby and she knew those Blue LED lights.
Dalek Khan: Are you okay Ruby?
Ruby: *eyes widened* K-Khan?
Dalek Khan: The third element to Weiss Schnee's new power: Regeneration!
All the gang watched in shock of Weiss's new power as she had her eyes set on one person left: Cinder. Cinder, getting up in rage, used her maiden powers to fly onto Weiss but Weiss froze her in midair. Her hands glowed as she distanced them, and Cinder released a distorted yet unnerving scream of pain as she felt herself being torn apart in many pieces.
Weiss: Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.
Raven: ENOUGH!
This caught everyone, including Weiss's attention as she turned around to see Raven holding Ruby hostage with her weapon right at her neck.
Yang: RUBY!
Dalek Khan: YOU WILL LET HER GO! *Activates the Cyber weapon*
Raven:*pants and holds Ruby close* I don't know...what kind of power you have...but you will let go of Cinder...or I slash her neck before you try anything!
Ruby: Don't listen to her Weiss!
Yang: LET HER GO MOM!
Weiss did not say a single word, but her expressions showed what she needed to do. Looking over at Cinder, she dropped her onto the ground while Weiss slowly lands on the ground as her powers disappear except for her golden eyes glaring right at Raven. Raven immediately lets go of Ruby and walks over to Cinder. The attention changes when Ashad marches back on and goes right for the Dalek possessing Cyberman as well as Hazel breaking through the walls with rage and only having his eyes targeted on young Oscar. Emerald and Mercury stood by Hazel as well while Raven and Vernal walked with a weakened Cinder to the vault as Yang watched on deciding on what to do.
Weiss: Yang! Go!
Nora: Stop them! We've got all of us covered!
Yang nodded as everyone was back in position and ran for it only to be kicked down by Mercury. Cinder watched on and approached Lionheart before heading down to the vault.
Cinder: Make sure they leave Ruby alive. This won't take long.
Emerald: You wanna get to them? You're going to have to get through all of us.
Emerald would create multiple illusions of Mercury using her illusion semblance and surrounded Yang as Raven, Cinder, and Vernal disappeared from their sight. Without any hesitation, Weiss used her powers to erase the illusions by Emerald which pissed her off and Yang proceeded to fight the real Mercury.
Weiss: No tricks of yours from here on out Emerald!
Emerald felt herself shaking a bit but stood on her ground before getting a surprise strike from Ruby. What looked like it was all lost hope for the heroes, it has turned around and now they have the advantage of saving this.
Ruby: I got Emerald! Go help Khan! Try to get his casing fixed if you can!
Weiss nodded in agreement flew over to assist Khan in fighting Ashad and the remaining Cyberman left. Using her new Sonic Myrtenaster, she clashes with Ashad's.
Ashad: You are human, but your scans show something else!
Weiss: Yeah! I'm a huntress! *Grunts and blast a pulse to Ashad*
Deep down beneath the floors of Haven, the three women were approaching the vault. Cinder was still recovering from the near death she got at the hands of Weiss. She kept hearing the voice in hear head despite trying to ignore it.
That girl, no human like her should be able to withstand all that power! But you proved the reason, she has a timelord regeneration which means she must've got it from the Doctor. As for her powers, you are no match against the vortex of time! You are on a losing end Cinder Fall and I for once, support it.
Cinder clenched her teeth out of anger but shook her head as they were now approaching the vault. She looked over at Vernal knowing at any distracting moment, she can finish her off, kill off Raven, and take both the maiden power and relic.
Cinder: Are you nervous, girl? The first Maiden in - why, I'm not sure anyone knows how many years - is about to open a vault. I would say it's quite an exciting time. Don't you feel honored?
Vernal: No, I'm not concerned with any of this. All I care about is my tribe - my family. This is a burden, not an honor.
Cinder: *chuckles* You've conditioned her quite well, Raven. Hm, it's certainly grander than Beacon's. I wonder what the extra effort was for.
Raven: Can we please not linger?
Cinder: After you.
Raven placed her helmet back on and was the first to exit the transporting platform, followed by Vernal, and lastly Cinder who was preying on both women in front of her. As they walked, symbols on the ground glowed brightly and circles with symbols in them also glow leading up to the Relic chamber's door. The tree of the chamber grew flowers, and its petals gently fell around the vault.
Cinder: Having fun?
Raven: Vernal, stay focused.
Cinder: Oh, come now, Raven, let her enjoy this. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Vernal: How does this work?
Cinder: Once the Spring Maiden places her hand on the door, it will open. For you - and only you. Then I will walk into the vault and retrieve the Relic. No one else. Is that clear?
Vernal: Yes.
Raven: It doesn't matter to us. Let's get this over with.
Cinder: Alright then. Vernal, when you're ready.
Vernal looked over at Raven who gave her the signal as she turned around, closed her eyes, and reached her hand out. Raven was slowly placing her hand on her Omen as well.
Cinder: You know, I've heard so many stories about you, Raven. They say you're a cunning leader, that you're strong, that you're clever. *Looks at Raven* It's a shame that they're wrong.
Cinder blasts a blue, frost-like spell onto Raven that freezes her body. She shouts at Vernal before being left completely frozen as Vernal turned around only to feel a sharp pain on her stomach. She felt cold and looked down to see a Grimm arm coming from Cinder. Twisting her arm, Vernal screams in pain and coughing out blood as she collpase onto the ground while Cinder approaches her.
Cinder: It's nothing personal, dear. You're just not worthy of such power. But I am. So I will take... what is mine...
Cinder kept twisting her arm on a mortally wounded Vernal as she tries to steal the Spring Maiden power, but nothing was coming out of her which was concerning to Cinder.
Cinder: Wha- what is this? Where's the power?!
She then heard ice shattering and turned around to look at Raven who broke free and a bluish aura was glowing from around her. Dropping her mask, she opened her eyes and Cinder saw the red flames which meant one thing.
Raven: You won't find it, because Vernal isn't the Spring Maiden! I AM!
Back at the top, on the main floor, it was all battle with Qrow, Ren, and Nora helping Oscar against Hazel, Yang against Mercury, Jaune and Ruby against Emerald, and Weiss and Dalek Khan against Ashad, the remaining Cyberman, and Dr. Merlot.
Weiss: Khan! How are you even alive? Your armor got shot through!
Dalek Khan: You! The day the Angels took over Beacon.
As they continued the fight against the Cybermen, Weiss was remembering what Dalek Khan referred to and she remembered now. She absorbed the time vortex after he sacrificed himself and Yang and Ruby were taken away. She reversed everything back but played with life as well, bringing Khan back and granting him immortality. It all makes sense of the mist that came out of the armor, that mist was the once alien Dalek now immortal being.
Weiss: I changed you when I brought you back to life!
Dalek Khan: CORRECT! I have also uncovered the remaining piece of your new power in you.
Weiss: *kicks Dr. Merlot* Your armor! Can it be fixed? Your gun will be a huge factor in taking down the Cyberman!
Dalek Khan: I will need spare metal parts! And an electrical charge to power everything at 100%
Weiss: *looks at the Cyberman model* Parts of that Cyberman body you're controlling. As for electricity...*looks at Nora* I think we got it solved!
Hazel continued to try and land brutal strikes on the trio, but they kept dodging on and trying to land hits on him which had little to no effect. Ozpin knew this would be bad and only he can try to resolve this.
Ozpin: Oscar!
Oscar: I told you, no!
Ozpin: Please, let me take over! I can handle him!
Oscar: You told me I needed to fight for myself! So I will.
Ozpin: This is not your fight!
Oscar: What does that mean? Why is he so upset with us?
Hazel: He didn't tell you my tale, did he, boy? I thought you looked familiar, to think that evil was inside you when our paths first crossed. Your blood won't be on my hands, it'll be on his.
Hazel goes for another strike, but Qrow gets in between to block the hit but Hazel punches the ground causing a shockwave sending both Oscar and Qrow back alongside Ren and Nora.
Oscar: What was he talking about?
Hazel: Tell him, Ozpin! Tell him how you KILLED HER!
Oscar: Her?
Ozpin: Gretchen Rainart was Hazel's sister. Despite her brother's wishes, she enrolled at Beacon Academy to become a Huntress and tragically lost her life on a training mission. Hazel... holds me responsible. Please, let me fight. I know Hazel. He's wounded in a way that cannot be healed.
Oscar: Did she know the risk of being a Huntress?
Hazel: *eyes widened* She was only a child! She wasn't ready!
Oscar: She made a choice! A choice to put others before herself! *Holds the cane up* So do I.
Hazel: *glares at him* Then you've chosen death!
Ozpin: I'm sorry.
Oscar: What?
Oscar suddenly felt everything go dark and his body fall back but gets back up instantly as his eyes glowed and Ozpin has taken over enraging Hazel even more.
Hazel: OZZZZPIIIIIIIIN!
Unbeknownst to Hazel, Weiss is observing his electrical charge rising and waiting for her plan to come into course. She positioned Dalek's Khan damaged armor as he continues to fight off the Cybermen, but Ashad takes a cheap shot, ripping off the arm, and having both Cybermen blast the possessed Cyberman to pieces. Mist came out of it and returned to the Dalek armor as Weiss lifted the pieces and merged them with Dalek Khan repairing his armor. Nora makes a charge to strike Hazel, but he grabs her, slamming her onto the ground, and electrocuting her which has her screaming in pain.
Hazel: How many more children must die for you Ozpin?!
Weiss: You're not killing her! You're fueling her up! NOW NORA!
Hazel: Huh?
Hazel didn't notice that Nora grabbed his arm and stood back up absorbing the electricity from him. She charged the electricity onto her hammer which meant bad news for Hazel.
Nora: I don't need him to hurt...I just need him to GO DOWN!
She gives Hazel the most lung crushing hit with her hammer that sends him flying out of the academy. She turned around and released the rest of the electricity onto Dalek Khan as the armor began to mend back.
Dalek Khan: ARMOR RECONSTRUCTED! *Aims at the Cybermen* EXTERMINATE!
Dalek Khan aims and blasts twice as Ashad grabs cover but is struck through the wall while the other Cyberman is struck, killing it and causing its head to explode. The Cybermen were out of the situation, but Cinder's troops were still a problem while her and Raven were inside the vault. They needed to put a stop to this now, but everyone is drained and battered. It was far from over as from outside of Haven Academy, the White Fang were still approaching but came to a halt when they saw Hazel crash onto the ground.
White Fang Soldier: What's going on in there?
Hazel: None of your concern...
Adam: Stay focused! Our friends are almost done here.
Blake: ADAM!
The sudden voice got everyone's attention as they turned around to see Blake Belladonna here at Haven. The White Fang aimed their weapons at her.
Adam: Blake?
Hazel: Who is that?
Blake: Stand down!
Adam: Wait! *chuckles* To think that I went through so much trouble to find you, only to have you deliver yourself to me.
Blake: This isn't what's right for the Faunus! Stop what you're doing and we can end this peacefully.
Adam: You're wrong, Blake, and you can't stop us.
Blake: No, I can't. Not by myself.
Sun: That's why she didn't come alone!
Adam and his followers looked around and spotted Sun appearing with a group of Faunus wielding weapons and shields with the old and original White Fang logo. From the other side, Ghira appeared as well with more of the Faunus crowd surrounding the White Fang which was bad news for Adam.
Ghira: Your brothers and sisters.
Adam: Make no mistake, brothers! These are our enemies! And we will not let them ruin-
A bright light shined upon Adam from the sky as he looks up to see an airship, a Mistral police airship. It had gone from bad to worse for Adam and now the odds were against him, but he wasn't going to stop.
Mistral Police Captain: *over P.A.* Adam Taurus, this is the Mistral Police Force! Lower your weapons and surrender peacefully.
Adam: How?! How did you do this?!
Blake: Adam, it's over.
Adam: Then it's over for all of us.
Without any hesitation, Adam pulled out the denotator to blow up all of Haven Academy including themselves, but nothing happened. He pressed the button a few more times but nothing happened. Out of her camoflauge, Ilia appeared with the wires of the bombs, enraging Adam.
Blake: We sent her over to confirm your explosives, and once we did, she disarmed them.
Adam: *looks at Hazel* What do we do?!
Hazel: This... is your business. Not mine. Fix it. *Runs back to the main hall*
Adam: KILL THEM!
The uproar caused the battle of Faunus to ensue as the people of Menagerie fought the White Fang while Blake gave chase to Hazel believing he would go for more firepower or assistance. But as she arrived where he was last seen, her eyes widened at everything in the room. For starters, Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury were all in a frozen position. Then she saw her friends Jaune, Ren, and Nora alongside her former team, Ruby, Weiss,...and Yang.
Jaune: What did you do Weiss?
Weiss: I left them in a time lock. Frozen at this exact moment while everything around occurs in a matter of milliseconds. But I can't hold it for long, Yang go to the vault!
Blake: Yang?
All eyes were at Blake with all surprised looks to see their friend for the first time since the fall of Beacon. Yang looked at Blake with disbelief and mixed emotions before Ruby called her back to reality.
Ruby: Yang! Go!
Yang looked back at her sister and nodded as she ran down to the vault and disappeared from everyone's sight. Weiss let go of the time lock unfreezing Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury as they all looked around to see what has occurred and Emerald was the first to notice Yang was nowhere found which meant one thing.
Emerald: No!
Weiss: Khan! Scan the injuries and hits our friends got while Jaune heals them up with his semblance. I'll deal with them.
Weiss approached the three with her Sonic Myrtenaster, a summoned Ice Queen Lancer, and her eyes in fiery gold as wings appeared from her as well. Hazel stood his ground to fight while Emerald and Mercury knew they were screwed. Back inside the vault, Cinder confronted the true Spring Maiden which was Raven while a dying Vernal was looking at her mentor one last time.
Cinder: Vernal was a decoy the whole time. The last Spring Maiden must've trusted you a great deal before she died. I bet that was a mistake...
Raven growled and lunged at Cinder who does the same, clashing at each other with their weapons but Raven gets the advantage with her weapon striking Cinder's Grimm arm which she holds in pain.
Raven: Aura can't protect your arm, it's Grimm. You turned yourself into a monster just for power.
Time Lady, get it right you peasant.
Cinder: *to both* Look who's talking...
The two go at it clashing again. Raven quickly switches between the various colored blades in her weapon to block Cinder's various strikes. As their battle grows, Cinder releases a giant flaming sword while Raven uses her Maiden powers to create a giant ice sword. The clash of maiden swords creates a huge shockwave. As Raven goes for her next strike, Cinder's Grimm arm stretches through the dust and grabs Raven's neck. As the Grimm arm slowly drains her powers, Raven smirks and sends out a frost attack from her palm and freezes Cinder's feet in place then giving her a strike with another ice sword as both women pant from exhaustion and damage.
Raven:*stands back up* Had enough yet?
Cinder: Shut up!
Raven: If you were stronger or more clever, then maybe... you'd remember to watch your back!
Cinder's eyes widened when she gets struck from the back and turns around to see Vernal going for one last shot to Cinder. Raven speeds by her and lunges a lightning attack to her face that reveals the damage done by Ruby at Beacon. Raven goes for the last strike that sends Cinder falling into the pit of the darkness as Raven uses her maiden powers to freeze Cinder completely. The last thing Cinder heard before falling into the darkness, frozen, was a maniacal laugh from inside her head.
Raven took some breathers before looking over at her apprentice's motionless body and walked to her to close her eyes and finally rest peacefully.
Raven: *saddened* Thank you, Vernal.
Raven walked over to the door of the relic and activated her maiden powers to open it to reveal a massive desert but right in front of her was what she needed, the Relic of Knowledge. Before she could enter to retrieve it, she heard a loud blast from behind her and saw someone land on the vault as well: Yang.
Raven: I warned you, Yang. I gave you every opportunity to walk away from Qrow and Oz. So you can believe me when I say this wasn't personal.
Yang: *glares at her* You opened the vault.
Raven: Thanks to the chaos you and your friends caused upstairs. I knew you could handle it. You're my daughter after all.
Yang: Qrow and Oz told me how the Maiden powers are transferred. The girl you found... she would've had to have trusted you if you were in her final thoughts - cared about you a lot.
Raven: I'm sure they told you plenty, and you just sat and obeyed.
Yang: No, I'm starting to ask questions like you said. So tell me... what happened to the last Spring Maiden? Did she die in battle? Was it sickness?
Raven: What does it matter to you?
Yang: *eyes widens and rages* I can already see the answer. It's all over your face. How could you?!
Raven: She was scared when we found her! Weak. No matter how much training I put her through, she never learned! She wasn't cut out for this world! And with those powers, she would've been hunted her entire life! What I did-
Yang: "Wasn't personal."
Raven: It was mercy!
Yang: Which is it, mom? Are you merciful, or are you a survivor? Did you let me walk into that trap because you knew I could handle it, or because it meant you could get what you wanted?!
Raven: It's not that simple. You don't know me, you don't know what I've been through, the choices I've had to make!
Yang: You're right. I don't know you. I only know the Raven dad told me about. She was troubled, and complicated, but she fought for what she believed in, whether it was her team or her tribe! Did you kill her too?
Raven: *eyes widened and turns around*I've stared death in the face over and over again! And every time I've spat in that face and survived, because I'm strong enough to do what others won't!
Yang: Oh, shut up! You don't know the first thing about strength! You turn your back on people, you run away when things get too hard, you put others in harm's way instead of yourself! You might be powerful, but that doesn't make you strong.
Raven: *enraged and activates my Maiden powers* Who do you think you are, lecturing me?! Standing there, shaking like a scared little girl?!
Yang: Yeah, I'm scared. But I'm still standing here! (begins approaching Raven) I'm not like you, I won't run, which is why you're going to give me the Relic.
Raven: And why would I-
Yang: BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID OF SALEM! And if you thought having Maiden powers put a target on your back, imagine what she'll do when she finds out you have a Relic. She'll come after you with everything she has. Or she can come after me. And I'll be standing there, waiting for her. *Walks to her*
Raven: *eyes soften and shakes* You don't want to do this, Yang.
Yang: Nope. But I'm gonna do it anyway.
Yang walks past her mother, bumping her shoulder before proceeding to enter the desert and to the relic. Raven looked down before looking at her daughter with a tear falling from her eye.
Raven: I... *Tears fall* I'm sorry...
Yang: Yeah... Me too. *Tears up*
Her breath shaky, her body shaking, and her heart stung, Yang proceeded with what she came to do and retrieved the Relic of Knowledge. Once she grabbed it, she fell to her knees and broke down in tears. Back up in all the chaos that is occuring, the White Fang are becoming surrounded and surrendering at the hands of the people of Menagerie and the Mistral Police. Adam was on his knees as blake stood tall right in front of him.
Adam: I'm going to make you regret ever coming back...
Blake: More police are on their way, Adam. Huntsmen too.
Adam: *chuckles and smirks* Still too afraid to face me on your own.
Blake: I'm here for Haven, not you.
Adam: Heh, you are still afraid, and you should be. I've made powerful friends while you've been away. *Pulls out Wilt and Blush*
Sun: *appears behind him* Oh yeah? Where?
Adam: *looks at him* Tell me, does Blake make all of her classmates fight for her?
Sun: Nah, it's a volunteer gig. I'm just sayin', for someone who claims to have such great friends, there doesn't seem to be a lot of people here willing to fight for you.
Blake: You can try and make me regret coming here, Adam, but honestly... I've got more important things to deal with.
The bright light from the airship once again shined on him as Adam knew the battle was lost but he did not wish to admit it, accept it, or surrender. He uses his gun to shoot at Blake and his sword to clash at Sun in which both block it but noticed it was a distraction as Adam was making a run for into the woods. Sun was going to make a run for it but was grabbed by Blake.
Blake: Sun, wait!
Sun: But he's getting away! We could take him!
Blake: No, we can't. He wants to lure us away so he can pick us off. We need to protect the school and the people here. Besides... now he can see what it feels like to run away. *Smiles at him* Thank you.
Sun: *smiles back* Eh, we all need help sometimes.
The moment was interrupted when loud noises came from the main hall where their other friends were in their own fight as well. Sun gave her a nod to go and help out as the battle out here was won.
Sun: I think there's a few people who could use yours.
Blake: Be careful.
Sun: *smiling* No promises.
Blake ran back to help out her friends with Cinder's team but as she got there, her eyes widened at the sight of Weiss single handedly fighting against Hazel, Mercury, and Emerald. She approached the others to help out as they were recovering.
Blake: Ruby!
Ruby: Blake! Yang is down there in the vault while Weiss is kicking butt!
Blake: But how is she going so fast...and when did she have powers?
Dalek Khan: It is a part of her now. Her semblance alongside a portion of the time vortex and regeneration. She is superior against all of them combined!
Blake: Khan...*smiles* I'm so happy to see you again!
Jaune: She managed to keep Emerald and Mercury down, but Hazel keeps coming at her. She's fast but he's not stopping either.
Qrow: *grunts in pain* He's sheer willpower.
Ozpin: We just need to get him to his limit!
Suddenly, two loud shots were heard as everyone saw Weiss fall limp onto the ground, startling them. The two shots came from Lionheart as he helped out Emerald and Mercury while Hazel was recovering. As Jaune, Ruby, and Blake were rushing to approach the wounded Schnee, she signaled her hand out and took deep breaths as the wounds glowed gold before she was healed up once again.
Blake: It's just like how the Doctor healed her when we fell into the plant world...*eyes widened* So she was pierced by something during Beacon, and it healed her instantly.
Weiss: If only it didn't hurt every time. *Stands up* It's over you four! You are outnumbered, outsmarted, and outpowered. You gambled and you lost! Surrender now and there won't be any problems.
Blake: The White Fang have been defeated and all surrendered, only Adam got away like the coward he is!
Dalek Khan: REFUSE TO FOLLOW! AND YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!
Ruby: That's enough! Just give up.
Emerald: It's not over! Cinder will come back, she'll have the Relic, and she'll stop all of you! She won't let us down.
The platform leading to the vault is heard coming back up as everyone turned around to look at who was approaching and who retrieved the Relic of Knowledge. They all watched as who came out of the platform wasn't Cinder or Raven, it was Yang bringing smiles of relief from all her friends and surprise looks from Cinder's allies which Emerald falls to her knees in disbelief.
Ruby: Yang...
Emerald covered her face and sobbed as the three knew this battle was lost for good and Cinder is dead. They looked around for Lionheart who ran away to who knows where which meant it was time for them to retreat as well.
Mercury: Emerald, get up, we need to go. Emerald!
Emerald shook her head constantly as the tears disappeared and her eyes turned black letting out a screeching scream as her Semblance goes overload and releases a terrifying illusion as the others looked in fear. The black smoke grew until a large figure appeared, an illusion of Salem as it lets out an ear-piercing scream and swoops at everyone as it went black for a moment. Opening their eyes again, everyone saw nothing anymore as Hazel carried the unconscious Emerald and retreated alongside Mercury.
Blake: Wha- what was that?
Ozpin: An illusion. But an accurate one. That... was Salem.
Everyone looked at each other worried at the sight of how Salem now looks like. For Team RWBY, it meant more trouble knowing the Doctor is going after her as well. More noise came from outside as Blake looked outside to see her parents, Sun, and Ilia approaching her. She runs to give her parents a tight embrace in which they return it as well.
Kali: The police rounded up the remaining White Fang members. Haven is safe.
Ghira: Unfortunately, it appears that Adam escaped.
Ilia: It's okay. He was the only one to escape tonight. Those in the White Fang that followed him? Won't support a leader that abandons his people. He won't have their help after this. He'll have no one at all. And the White Fang will be left divided.
Ghira: We've been fighting amongst ourselves for too long. Perhaps it's time for a new brotherhood. A new family for Faunus truly working towards a better world.
Kali: And they'll need a new leader.
Blake smiled at her parents and friends before turning around to slowly approach her team and other friends as well. Yang walks down the stairs and hands the relic to Qrow while giving Blake a serious stare.
Qrow: What happened?
Yang: I don't know exactly. When I got down there, Cinder was gone, and Vernal was dead.
Qrow: And Raven?
Yang: Gone.
Qrow: Well, we're all glad you're still here, firecracker. *Puts hand on her shoulder and smiles*
Yang returned the smile to her uncle as Ruby groans, falling to her knees from exhaustion while Weiss approached her quickly in concern.
Weiss: Are you okay?
Ruby: *sighs in exhaustion* I feel like I should be asking you guys. Well except you Weiss, you are basically immune. *Giggles softly and looks at Blake*
Ruby: So Blake, what're you doing here?
Blake: I... I was gonna ask you three the same thing.
Ruby, Weiss, and Yang all looked at each other awkwardly knowing it's a very complicated explanation of everything that happened before and their time away after a year.
Ruby: That's... a looooong story.
Blake: Well... I'm not going anywhere.
Ruby: That's all that matters. That we're all here together. Right? *Looks at Yang*
Yang: *looks at Blake then sighs and smiles* Yeah.
Blake sorrowful expression soon disappeared with an expression of relief as she joins in and hugs her teammates. For the first time in over a year, Team RWBY was officially back together as everyone watched. As they continued embracing, Dalek Khan turned around to scan where Ashad was blasted through only to be no longer there meaning he survived and escaped.
In his own office, Lionheart locks the door and runs behind his desk looking for any other weapon around. Suddenly, his body and soul felt chills as he heard a familiar clicking noise as he turns around to see the Seer Grimm floating above the desk meaning Salem is watching and listening.
Salem: And where might you be going?
Lionheart: *pants* Uh, your grace! I was just looking for something.
Salem: Leonardo, do you have something you wish to tell me?
Lionheart: It was Cinder! She altered the plan! Huntsmen showed up here! Qrow! Several students, one with the Silver Eyes and one with Maiden powers! The White Fang attack was stopped! *Breathes faster* I don't know that they'll be able to recover the Relic...Your grace, I can still be of assistance! If I leave now, I- I can avoid the authorities and come find you, I'll do whatever it takes! Your grace?
No response from Salem as the Seer stood still which scared Lionheart even more. He made a run for it, only to be wrapped in the Seer's tentacles and pulled back as he screamed and struggled.
Lionheart: Please, ma'am! I'll do anything! I can still be useful! Please! PLEEEAAASE!
A sudden crash came from the door of his office as the Seer turned around but could not react in time when a metallic hand grabbed it by its head and slammed it onto the wall as the Seer tried to stab the mysterious attacker. This brought Salem's attention as she saw a cyborg attempting to crush the Seer, that cyborg was Ashad. His rage screamed out as he crushes the Seer completely and drops it onto the ground ending the transmission.
Salem: Hmm. What are you?
Lionheart watched as the Cyberman finished off the Grimm and tried to make a run for it only to be held at gunpoint by Dr. Merlot.
Dr. Merlot: Not so fast Leo! Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Quite a show we had out there but now Ashad has lost his soldiers, and you have something he needs.
Before Lionheart could reply, Ashad punched his hand through one of Lionheart's portraits which revealed a small vault. He ripped it open to find the other half of the Cyberium.
Dr. Merlot: You sneaky bastard.
Lionheart: I...I don't know what it is! I assumed it was Grimm and I collected it And I...
Ashad: ENOUGH!
This silence the headmaster as they watched Ashad absorbing the other half of the Cyberium causing him to shout distorted before standing still. The Lone Cyberman now had the entire Cyberium and could create his army of Cybermen. He looked at the two men and Dr. Merlot knew what would happen next.
Ashad: I now have it all to create my army, my soldiers. I will need to start the operation again. Doctor.
Dr. Merlot nodded and pushed Lionheart to Ashad as the mad scientist pulled out a few sharp pieces of equipment which terrified Lionheart as he attempted to make a run again but was held by the throat by Ashad and pleaded with him.
Ashad: We shall begin the ascension.
Lionheart's scream would be heard all around Haven Academy as his fate came to a brutal end. For Remnant, it was only the beginning that would soon change the face of this planet forever. Grimm were no longer be the only concern this world will deal with as all the strange creatures were just starting to come.