Chapter 44

Aftermath (Updated)

Week 9: Day 67

Blake's POV

(Vale industrial district)

Thirty minutes earlier

I ducked out of the way of the Meta's blade as he swung it with all his might inches from my neck. Neptune charged up his rifle as a bolt of blue energy shot out and hit the Meta's chest-plate. The Meta shrugged it off and fired off his alien grenades at Neptune, causing Neptune to run for cover. Sun was kind of distracted in keeping the tiny woman from joining in, and he was also getting his butt kicked as she seemed to always bee two steps ahead of him. If anything it seemed like she was playing with him, if the occasional giggling was anything to go by. Yang shot forward and slammed her fist into the Meta' visor, he growled as he held his head before catching Yang's next punch and throwing her into the side of a building. Yang picked herself up and shot forth a fury of concussion rounds as Neptune and I both opened fire with our weapons. The Meta threw his grenade launcher on his back before slamming his fist into the ground, erecting a yellow dome shield that absorbed all our rounds and protected him.

We've been fighting him ever since the Metal Gear tore though the side of the building and the Faunus all evacuated. I still can't believe Johnathan murdered the guards in cold blood. I figured he'd just shoot around them to keep their attention away from us, maybe a disabling shot to neutralize them but I didn't expect him to blow their brains out that quickly and without hesitation. I was not far from the Kangaroo faunus when he blew it's chest out, some of the blood splattered on to my face when the light round burned though it. I'll confront him about the matter later, right now I need to survive round two with the Meta.

"Damn, what does it take to stop that guy?" Neptune asked transforming his weapon as the dome fell. The Meta growled as he bolted toward us. We scattered to avoid being crushed by the massive man, yet he seemed fixed on me. I ducked as the Meta's fist hit the wall right beside me, cracking the area around me. I slid right underneath him as he turned to block Neptune's Guandao, pulling his fist out of the brick and hit Neptune right in the crotch, hard enough to where I could hear his balls burst. He cried out if pure agony as he fell to the ground, clinching his manhood as Yang growled in anger and begun throwing punch after punch at the Meta. He growled as he pared one of her strikes with the gauntlet of his armor and kicked her in the chest. Sun fired and tried hitting the mini girl but she pared and hit him twice as much with her umbrella.

I transformed Gambol Shroud to it's Katana form and dashed toward the Meta. He saw me and moved out of the way of my first strike, reached around and to grab his grenade launcher and pared my second strike with the bladed end. He growled as he pushed forward aggressively and swung his weapon bladed end out. I ducked and dodged every strike he threw my way. I was avoiding to use the ballistic chain scythe form of my weapon. I know he will grab a hold of the ribbon, drag me to him and grab me by the throat, only to slam me into the ground and probably stomp my head in. He has done it once, I learned from that mistake and won't let him get the upper hand like that again. Yang got up and roared in anger as she shot toward the Meta, hair on fire and beyond pissed off. The Meta growled as he spun on his heel and kicked Yang aside while raising his weapon to block another strike from me. He ducked down and let my blade slide off his, turning to where he was behind me and swung his weapon as hard as he could. The blade racked across my back with ease, I could feel the sharp blade cutting though my weakened aura and skin. I cried out in pain as I turned to block another strike, where he slashed cried out in complete agony as I used both hands to keep his blade away from me. He growled as he pushed forward harder, sparks flew as pushed his blade closer and closer to the hilt of mine, keeping himself away from the barrel end of the gun underneath. A grey figure popped up on his shoulder cackling.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" The grey figure taunted as Yang yelled out in rage, shooting herself forward as her hair was on fire . . . literally on fire. The Meta saw her and headbutt me as he turned to engage the enraged blonde. I stumbled back and held where his massive visor hit me, forcing myself down as the pain in my back became a little to much for the moment. Ached horridly as I reached around and touched where his blade racked across my skin. Red blood painted my hand as I brought it back around. That is going to scar when it heals, no doubt in my mind. I clenched my bloody hand and looked back at Yang fending off the Meta. He paired one of her strikes with his armored gauntlet, sending a fiery blast into the air as he nailed her in the gut. She grunted down and caught his next strike meant for her face then threw one hell of a punch at his massive visor. Her gauntlet went off and encase the Meta's head in a cloud of fire as he growled, the force of her punch cracked the side of the visor and left a large spiderweb pattern from the impact zone. He growled and rolled under her next punch and hit her square in the gut. The two were locked in a close quarters battle. Yang's gauntlets shot off occasionally while the Meta tanked her hits while dishing as much damage. I ground my teeth and picked Gambol Shroud and ran to help Yang. I'm winning this fight this time. We're beating the Meta tonight.

Later that day

I can safely say that the Meta is the scariest fucking mute on Remnant . . . . maybe even in our entire universe. I never drop the F bomb, so that shows how horrific he is. His friend loves to toy around with Sun too much to even bother with me, this all seems like a big game to her. She ducks and dodges Sun's attacks so effortlessly, not to mention she loves to fool him with her illusions. More than once has he swung his staff only to have the girl shatter in front of him, only to pop up behind him and smack him in several areas with her umbrella. Her favorite being his family jewels. The Meta on the other hand . . . . . . he is brutal. Yang had to go after she heard Ruby scream, Neptune's private parts were ruptured by the Meta's punch, so I've had to duck and dodge ALL of his strikes and grenades. I can't go on the offensive because he always has something to counter it. Shadow clones only distract him for a few seconds for me to get away, Gambol Shroud can't penetrate his armor. Neither the gun nor blade form can get though his suit. My rounds just bounce right off him, blade only scratches the paint, not going to try to use the balistic chain sythe on him. What can I do to hurt him?

I rolled under the Meta's arm as he smashed a cinder block where my head would have been, he growled in annoyance once more. I've managed to survive this long. But not without a few cuts or scrapes. My left cheek has a long slash across it, bleeding as bad as my back. Clothes were burnt and cut up from his weapon, Aura long past depleted and am now starting to feel a little weak everywhere. Arms hurt, legs feel like they're on hot coals, chest screams for medicine, lungs begging me to stop, ears feeling like they're bleeding with every loud electric screech that echoed though the air. I reached down and grabbed Gambol Shroud once more as she was knocked out of my hands earlier. I turned to face the Meta as he swung his blade once more. The two collided in a shower of sparks as metal slid against alien metal. He brought his blade back and went to strike once again.

I jumped back and left one of my shadow clones in my place. His blade sliced right though it and locked that dome back to me once more. I held Gambol Shroud in her katana form and the sheathe as I prepared for him to come at me once more. He reloaded his grenade launcher right before a violent and massively loud electrical screeching boomed all around us. I was forced to drop my weapon to cover my ears as the Meta held his helmet in agony. Sweet merciful Monty, what in the hell made that noise. I looked up to find a bright trail of light shooting across the dark sky. All color faded from my body when I realized what just happened. The REX launched it's nuke, and it's heading straight for Weiss's house. I ducked down once more to avoid my head being sliced off as the Meta seemed to recover a lot faster than I did. I rolled away and grabbed Gambol Shroud as I bolted. Sun was on the ground holding his groin in agony as the little mute calmly walked around him, blade on her umbrella extended. Meta was hot on my tail firing off grenades

as they exploded around me. She smirked as she raised her umbrella up, ready for the final strike.

I raised Gambol Shroud in her pistol form and fired off two shots. The mini mute turned her umbrella to me and opened it up, deflecting both shots effortlessly. Twirled it mockingly before turning her attention away from Sun and to me. Neptune was still on the ground in agony as his groin was bleeding. I slid under the umbrella blade as she tried slicing me when I ran by, but my back for hit with one of the Meta's grenades. I cried out in pain as it seared my back skin. I was thrown into a pile of rubble, easily cracking a rib or two. I can't win this. One I might survive against but both! Yang has better odds of cracking a good joke than I do surviving this. I reached out and pulled myself up by a re-bar pipe out of the rubble. The mini mute ran her umbrella blade across the ground heading my way as the Meta reloaded his grenade launcher. Right before a oversized Jeep honked it's horn and slammed right into the Meta.

(Serena's POV)

Vale

Alice raced down the streets of Vale as fast as our troop transport Warthog can go. Alice ripped it off the side of the wall, bullhead dropped us off and we took off like lighting. Gunfire and explosions were distinct and impossible to miss, but it sounds just like a normal day in Detroit to me. Alice had her full armor on and armed with two red energy swords plus some pulse grenades from Johnathan's stash. I was in shotgun with my ODST gear and the Honey badger from the Unturned system. No grenades and only a single MediGel health kit from New Mombassa. Only have two hundred rounds for it in the drum and the extra drum on my side. Despite the Unturned system having no core-verse and no real event like to follow, it functions pretty much the same. Much like the Minecraft System. Of course both are I think Indie games so the is no real line of events to follow which allows for a wide and rather creative series of universes. Many systems based on Indie games have a loose core-world to copy themselves from. Still wondering how they can even exist with nothing to keep them from going to hell. . . what the hell am I doing?! Johnathan needs my help now and here I am thinking about universes that mean absolutely nothing here.

"AO is ahead. Get your weapon ready kid, let me do all the heavy fighting, be prepare to lay down some supressive fire to get us out of there." Alice ordered as we swerved to avoid a incoming car our way, their horn honked as we sped down past them. The one Oobleck wrapped around a tree with the turret was well beyond repair. Johnathan's took all of two days to repair to working order. Do I trust this thing, not with my life. But I'm not the pickiest when it comes to getting help out there.

I had to help Alice get her armor on in the first place. Mark IV armor isn't too much different than Johnathan's Gen II armor in terms of getting it on and off. Same basic procedure but different the Gen II armor is easier and improves upon the mark IV armor in every way. Took a while but I got her in it. Ironwood offered to send in his fleet to deal with the threat, but we decided against it. Whole fleet strike against one machine would level that part of town, which would bring serious backlash on Atlas, and most likely getting Ironwood fired for reckless endangerment of civilians. Left the AI back at Beacon with Ozpin in charge of looking after them.

With the Meta in play, we can not rish him getting even one of those AI. Too invaluable and too dangerous to lose. Trusted Pyrrha with one of the red energy swords to protect Elaia with. If anyone at Beacon can figure out how to fight with a Energy sword on a dime, it would be Pyrrha. Poor girl has no idea what is in store for her in the future. Absolutely no idea. I can't tell them when Beacon will fall or who is going to bite the bullet. Too big a risk, too many things can snowball into catastrophe if I'm not careful. Short hand is the butterfly effect on a much larger scale. Pyrrha gets saved but in the end will still die, even more painful or grizzly death later. Beacon gets saved but will fall even harder later down the line with a much higher body count. I speak up, many more might get hurt in the end. I keep quite and everyone will lose all trust in me when it does all happen. Worst part about mine and Johnathan's jobs. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. Of course he has no idea what is about to transpire, he never heard of the web series until he came here. I've seen the whole series from the trailers to the end of season 4. Lots of pain ahead for these people, we're still in mid season 2 area. I love this place so it hurts so much knowing that it all won't last for much longer. As much as I want to live here, I know we can't. But it is nice to dream of a better tomorrow.

"Got it." I replied fidgeting in my seat. I've never actually been in a real fight before, never had to point this at anyone. Johnathan often taught me what he knew on his few days off about shooting. Dad taught us both but I never got into it. I remember our first time shooting. It was on our plot of land in the middle no no where. Dad set up a large pile of old tires as a backstop in front of a hill. He let us use his 9mm carbine to practice. Set us back a few meters, and taught us step by step on firearm safety. We weren't more than eleven, twelve I think. I remember Johnathan dropping the gun after he first shot it. Growing up I was the brave one. Always the only coming up with crazy ideas for game and how we could have fun. Our favorite game we loved playing during road trips was the truck game. Dad called out a color and we had to find the color truck that matched. Past few years changed us in many ways. Both in good and bad ways. I let out a deep breath I didn't know I held as we sped past a noodle shop. Why do I feel like I saw that shop owner before?

"First fight?" Alice asked, keeping her eyes on the road ahead. Sounds of gunfire and explosions got louder the closer to Johnathan's last known location, Geiger counter beside me was crackling to life, we've entered the deadzone. Radiation won't let us communicate wireless from here on out. Only Alice is fully resistant to the radiation and her communications are to a point I think. My armor won't protect me for very long, at least I think. Got the armor around the same time Johnathan got back from his Augmentation, Dad brought it back as a gift so I could protect myself should the need arise. Think he said he found it lying beside the dead Spartan. Which means the ODST was either butt naked when the Promethean attack started, not something I see them doing without good reason. They may be crazy enough to sit themselves in a tiny pod and be shot down toward a planet, but they are far from stupid. Or they were dead and Dad stripped them of their armor for me. Seeing as it was a near perfect fit, I'm noting with the second option. Still had room to grow, even if my chest is small the armor fits fine. I'm still working out how to use the VISR systems. No neural implant so it won't be as effective. Everything in it is based on chin movement. I got no one to blame but myself, I had plenty of time to figure out what button did what. Kept it maintained and well tuned. Changed out the battery when needed, cleared it of dust and debris, even cleaned the outer shell with a toothbrush once. I would not make it a day in the life of an ODST. I'd die before I could even open my pod.

"No, just first one with a gun. Little nervous actually." I responded tightening my grip on both the 'OH SHIT' bar and my gun. I've been in physical fights before. Unlike Johnathan I don't go in relying on my strength or special training. No I fought with my mind, quite literally. Dad took me to the X-com system around the same time Johnathan was recovering from his augmentation. He worked out a deal with Doctor Valhen for Psionic testing. Turns out I am gifted in psionics. Someone tried to hurt Elaia when Johnathan was away. I kind of used my psionic abilities to make them go a little insane and had them run full speed into a brick wall. Not too specialized in that area, don't use it all that often. Can't control people but I can fool with their mind a little. Never go into a active war zone or anywhere hostile so I have no need to hone that ability. Johnathan knows about it but we rarely touch on the subject of me getting better at it for self defense reasons. Use it so rarely I sometimes completely forget I can do it.

"You'll do fine. Keep your eyes down range, finger on the trigger, don't shoot unless you're sure you can make the shot, and don't shoot me." Alice ordered gripping the steering wheel. "Don't get cocky out there, don't try playing hero. Playing hero gets you killed a lot faster than you might think without proper training. Stick to your gut and you'll come out in one piece." There is just one thing that I don't get. Why is Alice here? And how long has she been in this universe.

"How long have you been here?" I asked. Alice looked at me though her mirror like visor for a second before turning her eyes back on the road. I know Johnathan well enough, that means she is curios what I mean. "This world, how long have you been stranded here?"

"Years. Most of the time I was on ice." Alice replied simply. "Saw a village get destroyed and helped two kids escape years ago, rather not talk about it." I silently nodded as the ungodly loud metalic screech echoed though the air, followed by a blinding streak of light racing across the sky. The shock wave shook the Warthog a little as Alice struggled to regain control. Up ahead I could see Blake being hit in the back with a grenade, forcing her to fly forward into a pile of rubble. "Alright kid, on my signal. Tuck and roll out, protect your friends." Alice ordered flooring the gas pedal. The engine roared as it speed up, closing the distance as the Meta stalked closer to an injured Blake. Wait, I'm doing what?! "GO!" Alice yelled pushing me out. I tucked my arms inside my body and hit the pavement hard. Hit the ground with my shoulder and I let simple physics do the rest. I kept my arms and legs inside while I rolled across the hard pavement. Kept my gun on the inside with my limbs as I rolled and slammed into a pile of trash. My back felt like it was embedded with every pebble on the road, head hurt as well but I'm still in one piece. Never jumped out of a moving car.

I looked back to see Alice's warthog slam into the Meta full speed. He slid across the ground with both the tow hooks in hand, holding the massive machine at bay. Alice kept hitting the gas as he lifted the car up, and ripped the tow hooks off with his bare hands, right before he roundhouse kicked the car aside. It bounced and rolled across the ground. Alice jumped out before it slammed into a building. The Meta fired off a grenade at her. Alice being the bad ass she is, she kicked it out of the way and brandished her combat knife. The Meta raised his bruteshot as the blade to deflect her knife. Alice rolled under his swing and turned on her heel to blocked Neo's umbrella blade with the same knife.

"I'll hold them off! You get them out of here!" Alice ordered ducking under the Meta's strike again and rolled under his arm. She got up with professional grade precision and activated one of the energy swords. Red sword extended toward the Metas with her knife in a icepick grip held tight to her chest. Whole body tightened and ready to strike at a minutes notice. Both mutes begun circling their new challanger. Not going to be a easy fight for her, but I know Alice will win. Energy shields or not, Spartans don't go down without one hell of a fight.

I tightened the grip on my carbine and bolted toward Blake. Neo was the first to strike. She rushed forward umbrella blade across the ground. Alice reacted faster and swung her sword, having it pass though a illusion as it shattered. The Meta rushed up next firing off his grenades. I broke my gaze from the fight and knelt down next to Blake.

"You alright?" I asked helping the Neko girl up. She took my hand while holding her bloody back. Cut on her back was deep and long, had bits of rock and gravel in it. Wouldn't be surprised if she had a mild infection from this. She might need stitches but that is going to leave a scar in the future. That I am sure of.

"I'll live." She responded wincing in pain. I'm impressed she lasted this long against the Meta AND Neo. In the show, Neo easily kicked Yang's ass. The Meta wouldn't have been an easy fight for her on top of Neo's onslaught. A explosion caught my attention from Blake back to the fight. Alice was engaged in close quarters with the two mutes. Blocking Neo's strikes with her knife while simultaneously keeping up with the Meta. She ducked under one strike, few quick jabs in key areas. Then moves on to her next target in a smooth fluid motion. Raising her arm to block Neo's blade with her armored arm as she held the Meta's bruteshot blade at bay with the Energy sword. She pushed the blade with the energy sword out of the way while kicking Neo square in the chest, but the mini mute used her sembalance and the illusion shattered under Alice's powerful kick. Alice spun around after the kick to block the Meta's bruteshot once more, as Neo popped in from behind and tried stabbing the Spartan in the back. Unlucky for her Alice isn't your typical street thug you'd encounter every day. Alice side swept the Meta as Neo went in for the strike. Her blade barely scrapped against her armor as the Meta collided with her, both tumbling to the ground. The Meta's bruteshot slid across the ground toward me. Neo jumped out from under the Meta as he hit the ground in annoyance. Neo stood back as Alice deactivated her sword and stood in a defensive position with her knife. She knows the sword has limited used unlike Johnathan's refit blades. Sheathed the blade until it is needed. "Remind me never to piss her off." Blake replied. I couldn't help but nod in agreement. Two more ear damning blasts roared though the air. One I know is from Johnathan's railgun, the other was from a rocket. The dying Roar of the distant REX echoed all around us as the ground shook. No doubt the massive machine was finally defeated. The Meta looked to Neo for a second and growled. Two AI popped up on his shoulder, Omega and Gamma.

"I agree. We might want to so pick up Sigma and Roman before they are captured." Gamma responded. Hell no! We're not letting them escape so easily. I raised my carbine and opened fire on the two mutes as the Meta cloaked himself. My low cal military rounds hit Neo dead center but not to my surprise she shattered and was nowhere to be found. The dull thud of my rounds going off could be heard around us. I kept my carbine shouldered. I can only reload this thing with rounds from the Unturned sector, so I'll have to be careful with my aim. 95 rounds left in the drum. 195 rounds left all together. Well time to figure out the VISR systems. I used my chin to push a button on the inside of my helmet. Whole area begun to be outlined in orange. Alice showed up in a green outline, as did Blake, Sun, and Neptune. The Meta's outline was nowhere to be found, and neither was Neo's. This thing can pick up cloaked enemies but they'll show up in a orange outline if I remember correctly. Nothing all around us. Alice looked around with me as we tried to figure out where they could have gone. I looked up and down the ally way. Nothing remotely resembling a cloaked Meta or Neo. Where the hell did they go?

(Johnathan's POV)

Minute later

"Come on Weiss. Breathe!" I yelled pumping down on Weiss's chest trying to jump start something to bring her back on this side of the great divide. Her heart has stopped and she isn't breathing, time is not on my side on any department. Rhode was already chasing after Roman when he fled with Sigma. Ruby jumped in after Weiss and hulled her ass in. Yang was off to the side being comforted by her sister. I had to throw my helmet off to preform CPR on Weiss. Despite being a whole lot heavier than her, I was making extra sure I don't cave in her chest from my weight. I already had her jacket and corset as loose as they could go. Few pumps later I moved up and tried to force air into her lungs before starting again. Were anyone to stumble upon this without any per-context, Coco would have my head on a pike if she even got a hint that I'd ever cheat on Velvet. I won't keep this from Velvet but I would want her to at least know the full story before I get my head chewed off. "Don't die on me Snowflake queen. I'm not losing you today." I declared forcing more air into her lungs. As if some mystical divine force heard me, Weiss begun coughing up water violently, taking in deep breaths of fresh air between coughs.. I set her up a little higher as she leaned over and vomited sea water mixed with blood all over the front part of my armor. Gross but she is at least alive. I'll take vomit all over my armor than having to dig another grave any day. "That's it Weiss, get it all out of your lungs. Breathe, just breathe." I replied nearly tearing up as I held her exhausted form close to my chest. Fight took everything out of her, took everything out of all of us. I can barely feel my limbs, midsection is in searing pain from the 30mm rounds going though it, and every part of my body is screaming at me to take a break. Weiss coughed a bit more as I used some of her jacket to wipe away the vomit from her chin. Death almost claimed her, were Ruby a few seconds too slow. . . don't think such thought right now. You saved her from the chains of death, small victory but I'll take it.

"Johnathan." She said weakly, voice horse and strained from being electrocuted and thrown into the sea. Her blue eyes were blood shot and filled with pain of all sorts. She needs a doctor and fast. . . we all need a doctor. "Did we win?" She asked. I'm not entirely sure how to answer that. We won the fight but there is still a nuke heading for her house. Can't reach Beacon because the radiation is screwing with my short range transmitters.

"Yeah, we won." I replied as A bullhead soared on by over head, unfortunately with the Meta, mini mute, AND Roman inside. Damn it. Just when I thought we had them. I let out a deep breath as I turned back to Weiss. Rhode hobbled back, her bad ankle limping behind her with each step. She shook her head as she sat down on the destroyed REX.

"Johnahan!" Someone yelled. I turned to the source of the voice. I easily spotted Serena in her ODST gear with a injured Blake leaning on her for support, Alice shortly behind her holding up Sun and Neptune. Both of which were holding ice packs to their groins, with Neptune's actually bleeding. I do not want to know what happened to them. Tell tale sirens were a clear indication that someone was close by to help.

"Vale PD is on it's way with medical staff. Ozpin asked for them to be dispatched shortly after we left. Blake filled us in on the important details she knows, Ironwood has been informed of the situation at hand. He'll know what to do next." Alice replied helping Sun and Neptune sit down, still holding ice packs to their groins. Serena helped Blake down beside her team mates. Ruby tried saying something to Blake but it came out as a horse croak. Lost her voice, probably the least pressing out of everyone's injuries. Weiss slowly moved away. I held her arm and gently helped her on her own two feet. She wobbled a bit as she took a tense step forward. Electrocution plus nearly drowning is a mean combo on the body. She needs time to recover from it. Alice knelt down to the injured Yang as Weiss sat down beside Blake. "Let me take a look at your arm." She asked. Yang let out a exhausted huff holding her arm nub up for the Spartan to look at it. Alice has far more field medical training than all of us combined. Slowly and gently she unwound the cut piece of blood soaked cloth. Yang winced in pain as her burnt wound has been introduced to fresh air once more. Whole area was burnt and red, bone and muscles burnt clean though. Alice pulled a small can from her hip. MediGel, beyond plentiful in New Mombasa. Kind of like Biofoam but at the same time it isn't. Hard to explain without going into the lore behind Halo. Why did the Spirit of Fire have some and why is she waiting until now to use it? It's a civilian product, not too heavily used by the UNSC unless there is no other option. Yang won't complain but I'm curious. Where did she get that from?

"This may sting but it will keep the wound from getting worse until we get you to a doctor." She replied popping off the top to reveal a type of cream underneath. Yang nodded her head holding on to her sister's hand. Ruby looked to Alice worried, Alice took a small finger dab and rubbed it on Yang's wound, causing the brawler to winced in pain and squeeze her sister's hand. I looked away and reached for my helmet. I know that shit stings like a mean bitch when on a large open wound. Honestly prefer stimpacks of available. Don't think one would be very helpful in this situation. I hope Ironwood can talk some sense into Weiss's family to get the hell out of there.

Hours later

Vale organized a decontamination unit a lot faster than I thought. Yang was being brought to a hospital in the back of an ambulance. Her team wasn't too far behind her to get de-radiated or what ever the technical term is. Rhode and I had to get our armor hosed down with powerful sprayers. Alice and Serena weren't in the irradiated zone for nearly as long as we were. They were alright as the radiation would dissipate a lot quicker with them. Ozpin had them take the REX away for I have no idea what reason. I'm assuming to attempt to repair it. I already warned them that if I catch a wiff of people thinking of it being used for warfare against other kingdoms, I'll destroy it again before they even get a chance. Still no word from Ironwood on the situation with Weiss's father. If he is anything like his daughter, he is going to be pretty suborn. I have no idea how fast the nuke is going. I don't know if it has landed yet or if it is still on it's way. I know nothing about the REX's railgun capabilities. With no way to track the warhead, it's next to impossible to find proof that something is heading their way outside the word of a few irradiated children. Damn how I hate my life some times.

We sat in the waiting room of the hospital to see how the girls were doing. We've been here a while as Yang was in surgery to try to reattach her arm. Ruby, Weiss, and Blake were in normal hospital rooms for monitoring due to the radiation. Doc said that Weiss and Blake would be perfectly alright in time, but Ruby isn't so lucky. According to the doc, the radiation has now made her sterile for life. Meaning she can never have kids of her own in the future. Ruby of course has no idea what it means. We told her that Yang or her Father would explain it better later. Not my position to tell her about the birds and the bees. I had my helmet off with Arcflash magnetically hooked on my back with the Lightrifle in Alice, head in my hands trying to absorb everything that just happened. I fail horrifically. Yang for hurt from my failure, who knows how many are going to die because I didn't destroy the Railgun sooner, Sun and Neptune are neutered as their balls are pretty much non-existent at this point, the Meta and Roman got away, Weiss nearly died. So much weight was on my shoulders and I failed them. Rhode was beside me slumped down in her chair, foot in a splint to help set her sprained ankle. Serena and Alice were talking to the nurses on how to deal with the radiation poisoning. No one in this world has seen anything like a nuclear war head and fewer people in this world deal with radiation from 'unstable dust' or something. Times like this that I'd willingly jump though a portal to the Fallout sector to get some Rad-away, I'll deal with the Deathclaws and mega radscopions. So long as I get what I am looking for. I was pulled from my thought when Rhode reached over to pat me on the back. I looked up to see her worried look at me. Her helmet was on the stand beside her, rocket launcher shipped back to Beacon.

"You did what you could Johnny, we all did." Rhode comforted.

"I know, but I could have done a lot more." I replied grimly looking back down at my feet. "I could have taken the legs out first with Arcflash, I could have taken out the Railgun first, I could have . . ."

"What did Carolina tell you after our first mission?" Rhode asked. I stopped my self loathing rant to look at her puzzled. "She said that 'the past is in the past, learn from it and don't let it consume you'."

"I don't think quoting Carolina when it comes to 'letting go' is exactly the best example." I replied. Rhode opened her mouth to say something but quickly closed it after thinking for a second. Carolina never did learn to let go herself. Well she did later in the RVB timeline. I never did keep my end of the Director's deal. If he's still alive if I go back to that universe. Apparently Allison dying was a fixed event in every RVB universe. Goodwitch is the closest person I have to Allison for the Director to talk to. Asking Goodwitch to step though a portal only to be hugged to death by a man she has never met while he cries and says he is sorry over and over. At least that is how I think it will go. Too much to ask her to do that so I can keep my end of the deal. Rhode twiddled her thumbs in her chair before she reached over and grabbed the remote.

"Maybe some TV would clear your mind. Let's see what movies are on." She said turning the idiot box are, and immediately regretted it when the News channel popped on. The Bear Faunus news lady was behind her desk with a picture of a red and orange mushroom cloud in the upper corner surrounded by snow. Please tell me that isn't what I think it is. I looked down at the headline below her to confirm my fears.

"Schnee manor destroyed; No known survivors!"

"The fate of the Schnee Marion is a grizzly one. Just under an hour ago, the luxurious manor of the Schnee family erupted into a blazing inferno, creating a sock wave that deafened the nearby town of Vulcan." She began with the TV on full volume. Mu popped up my shoulder watching the channel with a expression of surprise. I could hear shuffling from down the hall right before Weiss burst though the door. Her Snow-pea outfit exchanged for a temporary one piece white jumper. Hair all a mess with her arm stitched up from multiple bits of metal being lodged in it. Her face drained of all color upon seeing her home being lit up in a nuclear inferno. "So far there have been no confirmed reports of any survivors, but the odds of anyone surviving such an attack is highly unlikely. Rescuers can't get close without suffering from radiation only found in forms of unstable Dust. Reporter Lisa Lavender is close by to do a interview with Klein Sieben, a family butler who was out getting groceries for the kitchen staff before the explosion. The White Fang splinter cell has claimed responsibility for such an attack . . ." Rhode shut off the TV before any more could be heard. Weiss looked completely and utterly broken from the news. Mouth wide open as her knees begun to shake. I got up to catch her as her knees gave out beneath her. I can't picture what she's going though, having both your family and people like family all taken from you in a single instant. All my pain was over the course of three years, hers is all at once. I gently let her down as I followed her. Her eyes filled with sorrow.

"Their dead. They're all gone." She spoke softly taking reality. "Whitley, Father, Mother. Every one. All gone." I looked to Rhode for her to give me something to tell her to comfort her. She shrugged her shoulders then made a uneasy patting motion. If she things it will work. I softly patted Weiss's back as small tears begun to escape from her carefully maintained eyes. Never seen Weiss like this, never have I seen her cry even once in the entire time I known her. But this is different, the situation is completely different. I don't know what relationship she has with her family, but it hurts all the same when they go.

"It'll be okay Weiss. Just let it all out. We're here for you." I promised as she quietly sobbed into my shoulder, i motioned for Rhode to go get a box of tissues. She nodded her head and ran down the hall to find a nurse. Ruby and Blake poked their heads out from their medical room door. Ruby tried once more to say something but a pain filled croak took place of what ever words she wanted to say. I gave them the 'come here' motion while letting the now orphaned Heiress cry on me. I can't help but feel sorry for Weiss. Yeah she has been a bitch to me a lot of times, but no one should have to go though this kind of torment. Ruby sat down beside her and embraced said heiress in a hug. Weiss's body visibly tensed up as Ruby's arms wrapped around her, but relaxed as Ruby embraced her friend. Blake sat down beside me and softly patted her back. Blake's expression looked the guiltiest out of all of us. She knows the Fang crossed the point of no return. Her eyes tell me everything. Burdened by guilt, sorrow, and fear. people she must have grown up with willing to go to such extremes to have their voice heard. Afraid of the backlash innocent Faunus will get from this whole ordeal.

As the Schnee cried her broken heart out onto my shoulder, I looked to the shattered moon staring back at me from the window. What does Emily hope to get out of letting Roman nuke the fuck out of the Schnee family? A way to get at me? Attacking the family of those around me? Are they dead just because their daughter knows me? So much weight back on my shoulders, and I have no doubt it will only get worse from here.

(A/N: This will be a side story arc. Seperate yet connected to the main story line. Will show how the rest of Remanent is dealing with the Portal problems that now plague their world. Just a fun thing for me to play around with and add in some OC's for shits and giggles. Edited it heavily from the original. Setting up the scene for the up coming chapters.)

(Third person POV)

Somewhere past the shattered moon

Distant stars littered the vast void around Remenant. A single moon orbited the lonely planet, cracked and broken. Nearest planet was distant and lifeless. A glowly yellow star burned brightly in the distance. A purple portal erupt in the distance away from the shattered moon, much larger then the previous ones. A swirling vortex echoed in the empty void. It sparked violently as a ship burst though from it. Small, sleek, and heavily damaged. The lone destroyer limped away form the vortex as her sister ship followed close behind. One ship had the words 'Last Rose of Summer DD-163' while the more damaged one read 'Birds of a Feather DD-102'. Both pre-war Halberd class destroyers narrowly escaped total destruction from a Storm Covenant ambush. A fleet of mostly comprised of several CRS light cruisers and a CAS clas carrier. Both Destroyers were damaged with 'Birds of a Feather' in dire need of repair. Last Rose of Summer had it's front end full of dents and welts, few holes, engine 3 was down. Birds of a Feather was in a lot worse shape. Large plasma cut from a energy weapon going all across her stern, engines 4 and 1 were destroyed, MAC gun damaged. Somehow she was still up and about. Both ships have been in service since before the Human-Covenant war began. Both somehow have survived numerous engagements with the Covenant, the Fall of Reach, both battles of Earth, the Created, and yet somehow these ancient ships are still kicking. On the bridge of 'Last rose of Summer' her captain sat in her chair as a small crew worked to keep the aging star ship from falling apart on itself.

"Ruby Red, status report." Commander Summer Ordered looking to the planet before them. Standard UNSC navy uniform. Grey shirt with matching trousers, M6D pistol on her side, grey rose emblem for the 'Last rose of summer' on her shoulder. Her dark black hair had red tips, silver eyes darted around the small bridge. A small red AI popped up on the central Holo-table, resembling red riding hood. Bridge was pretty empty except for the Commander and the ships AI.

"Random Slipspace jump was a success. Birds of a feather barely made it though alive, as did we. Engine 3 went cold minutes ago, several decks are venting atmosphere, hanger bay is in need of repair. Aside from that, just the normal bull this old girl throws at us every day." The AI replied as the nearly dead bridge lit up from her Holo-table. Voice of a young girl echoed though out the bridge as she spoke. "Medical bay is busy at the moment, hanger bay took a direct hit from a Seraph fuel rod bomb. Nineteen dead and twenty six wounded as it sits. Bridge was hit as well bit luckily didn't damage it too badly. Spartan Raku and Fireteam Kodiak are in the mess keeping an eye on the school group we picked up from the dying Autumn class cruiser Winter's eclipse before it got destroyed." It what was suppose to be a simple escort mission, quickly turned south after an ambush. Escort group consisting of nine destroyers, twelve frigates, and two Cruisers. Nearly all were slaughtered before the end of the hour. Somehow the old girl they were in survived a direct hit from a plasma torpedo. If there is a god, he obviously listened to someone's prayers aboard that aging star ship.

"Have maintenance to work on the more pressing matters they can get to. Get navigation up first. Figure out where the hell we're at." Summer ordered as a loud metalic groan echoed though out the old hull. Summer knew the old girl needed repairs, she also know it would be cheaper to completely scrap the old girl and make a newer destroyer than to repair everything that was wrong or broken. She survived a lot worse fights. Random slipspace jump landed them somewhere, Summer just wasn't sure of where.

"Unknown Commander. Nav systems say we're in the Sol system, yet star charts don't match up to any known system. Could be a simple malfunction." Red informed from her Holo-table shifting though screen after screen of star charts. Summer hummed while

"Great. Uncharted space with two damaged antiques for warships and low on supplies. Sounds like the start to a cheesy science fiction novel." Summer joked tapping her chin. "Well at least we got a planet with some green to work with. Green translated to plants, plants translated to life and habitable."

"Correct Commander. Unknown what type of life is on the planet, obviously some type of sentient and intelligent life if the structures are any indication." Red informed pulling up charts of the planet before them. "Black Beauty confirms that she is picking up the same information,and that their life support systems are slowly failing from the plasma lance strike. Possible that this world is a colony we long contact with. The Human-Covenant war could have left several outer colonies undocumented from shuttle craft randomly jumping. Odds are low but possible." Summer nodded in agreement rubbing her head. She knew that they wouldn't last long alone out here. Birds of a feather is in dire need of repair, less then a months worth of supplies between the two ships. Lord knew how many were injured or dead over on their sister ship. Summer closed her eyes for a moment, hoping Qrow is handling everything on his end. "Summer, an unknown slipspace rupture is detected. At least i think it's slipspace." Red informed.

"Display it." Summer ordered. Red flicked away the star chart and brought up a video feed from their port side camera. A rupture similar to the one they came out of raged on near the shattered moon. Emerging out of said portal made Summer's blood go cold. A single CCS class battlecruiser emerged from slipspace. Her bulbous pink/purple hull stood out against the dark void of space. Summer swore under her breath, alone the destroyers were no match for the massive ship. Damn thing was nearly four times their size, and God knows how many times more fire power it has.

"Rose, are you guys seeing this?!" Qrow asked though the fleet-COM. Voice scratched up from years of drinking.

"You're not hallucinating Feather. That thing is real and i doubt they're with the Swords of Sanghelios." Summer replied carefully watching the cruiser as it started heading down toward the planet, toward a large Island in the middle of nowhere, like Australia. "Red, Sound the General alarm, all troops to battle stations. Tell Raku and Kodiak to get to their pods. Warm up the MAC guns and alert me once they're past 85% We can't let them loose on that planet."

A/N: Now I know this isn't the best quality, but it is a rough idea on how I want Summer's 'rebirth' to go. I plan on going back and editing it more to fit better and make more sense. So to summarize this chapter; Weiss got orphaned, Blake held her own against the Meta for a decent amount of time, Sun and Neptune can kiss any chance of having kids good-bye, and learn a little more about Serena. I always felt like I haven't given her enough attention and backstory. I plan on changing that in the coming chapters. You guys kind of lost me to Bioshock and Fallout New Vegas. I got an idea to explain what TaiYang was doing when he sent Zwei to Beacon. Let's just say it involves the Little Sisters and maybe a Big Daddy. Also, I've been thinking on several ideas. Would the Plasids/Vigors in Bioshock be considered Sembalances in a bottle/needle to the people of Remenant? Like what would happen if Nora drank a bottle of Shock Jocky? Dear lord, she would be a walking nightmare! Or Yang with Devil's kiss or Incinerate? I have got way too much time on my hands to think and over think. Let me know what you guys think, seriously considering giving them an extra edge to help 'even the odds' or for a funny chapter should I feel like it. Nora ingesting a Mario Mega shroom, duel weilding her hammer AND the gravity hammer. I think I might have gone insane, or Weiss with Doctor strange like glyphs if that makes any sense? Who cares, I'm going to debate with myself on that, see you all later.

~Dgreen20