Desperate Struggles and Shattering Blades.
It was the night of when the Remnans and Alrestians were supposed to meet with Lionheart at Haven. The group consisted of Qrow, Ruby, Weiss, Yang, Jaune, Nora, Ren, Oscar, Rex, and Tora with their respective Blades, with the exception of Wulfric. Zeke, Pandoria, Mòrag, Brighid and Wulfric stayed at the entrance to the academy as back up. They left the Tantalese and Ardainian Driver with one of their Scrolls so that they could jump in the moment the trap was sprung.
As the gang walked past the courtyard, they kept glancing around in an attempt to find anything out of the ordinary. Ruby and Oscar more so than the others. Although all of them felt worried about this whole thing.
Soon enough, the gang reached the lobby of the main building, still on guard for anything. Walking to the small terrace above the goddess statue that had two staircases on either side that led up there.
"Why hello," Leonardo greeted, armed with some mind of cross on his left arm. "There…seems to be more of you than before," the headmaster noted all the new arrivals, though his gaze lingered on Tora. Never having seen a Nopon before.
"Ehh, you know what they say, the more the merrier," Qrow said, not outwardly showing that he was suspicious of the lion Faunus.
"So," Kasandra piped up with her usual smile, "You said the Council was willing to help us. When can we expect that?" Of course, the lucky Blade was more than aware of the possibility of the trap, but she was just playing along for now. Something that surprised Qrow that she knew how to do.
"Well…why did you all bring your weapons?" Lionheart then asked, earning curious looks, "Or your Blades."
"Leo, we're huntsmen," Qrow said like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "And Blades follow their Drivers pretty much everywhere."
As Qrow was talking, everyone else was looking around. Trying to spot anything weird going on. And then Yang saw it on a railing of an upper walkway. "Mom." Yang sounded out at the sight of a red eyed raven, causing everyone to look into the direction she was.
Then Qrow fired the shotgun at where the bird was perched at. Unfortunately, the raven flew off of its perch right before the shot fired and flew down in front of the goddess statue. Then in a burst of feathers, Raven was standing in front of them. "If you're going to shoot me then shoot me," Raven said smugly, "That was just insulting."
"It's the mean lady!" Tora exclaimed as he brought his shield at the front.
Rex, Roc and Pyra frowned at the sight of the bandit they fought back in Shion.
"Leo! So, it's true!" Qrow shouted at the headmaster while all the Blades brought forth their weapons.
"I-" "You knew," Raven interrupted with a raised eyebrow before chuckling, "And you came here anyway. How stupid can you be?"
"Look Raven, I know you're the Spring Maiden so please let's work together. We can beat Salem," Qrow tried to reason with his sister, even though he knew it would be pointless.
The bandit leader looked surprised before glancing at Rex and frowning, putting two and two together. "So now you know," Raven said with a look of fury, "I should have stayed and killed that brat."
"You honestly think you could have won, even if you did?" Roc asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Aegis or not, I could have won," Raven argued, before glaring at Qrow again, "Besides, it doesn't even matter what kind of power anyone has. There is no beating Salem."
"You're wrong," Ruby butted in with a determined look. "We've already done things many would consider impossible. And I know we can beat Salem if we all work together."
"She's right," Rex added in, "We may not know how powerful Salem is but I know that together we stand a better chance than separate. Besides, how can you know that Salem can't be beaten?"
"All I hear is a worthless weakling trying to justify their cowardice," Dragunov added in with a glare at the woman he had the displeasure of calling Yang's biological mother.
"That's because you know nothing!" Raven snapped at the mighty fire Blade before directing a hateful look to Rex and Ruby, before focusing on the silver eyed girl. "And you sound just like your mother." With those words, Raven swung her sword next to her, opening a portal. And out of it came Emerald, Mercury and Vernal.
"About time," Emerald said with a glare at Ruby.
This made everyone go on guard, except Aizen who raised an eyebrow at the situation. "Either you fools are arrogant or simply don't know how to count," Aizen said condescendingly, "There are…17 of us here and only 5 of you." The nobleman Blade added while giving their enemies a pitying look.
"He's not wrong," Weiss added in with a glare, "Even with the Spring Maiden, there are 9 Drivers here along with all Blades."
"So? All we have to do is kill you guys and the Blades will be harmless," Mercury said cockily, "By the way, blondie. I believe you owe me an apology for my leg."
"The only thing I owe you is breaking your other leg," Yang threatened while raising her fists.
Just then the doors behind them opened, allowing entry for Hazel. "The White Fang are setting up the charges," Hazel informed the people in the room, "Although they are meeting some resistance right now, but I expect them to be dealt with."
"Mòrag," Rex sounded out in concern.
"Zeke," Tora added in.
Qrow glared at Hazel before returning his attention to Lionheart, "Leo! Many Huntsmen in Mistral are dead, did you sell them out?!"
"I…" Lionheart sounded out, unable to make eye contact.
"I think you have more important things to worry about," Emerald said before glaring at Ruby, "Like your imminent death for what you did."
"Look if this is about Cinder, she-" "I DON'T CARE!" Emerald shouted as she pulled one of her kamas and shot the girl. Thankfully Ruby was able to take the hit with her Aura. "You took Cinder from me, and now you will pay," Emerald threatened while Roze had a horrified look directed at his palm that he had raised moments ago.
"You want to avenge Cinder?!" Jaune shouted out, "Well you killed Pyrrha!"
"No, we didn't," Mercury shot back, "Besides, who cares about that dumb bitch dying?"
That comment didn't sit well with Jaune who equipped Crocea Mors in bastard sword form and charged at the group.
"Hey, kid! Stop!" Qrow shouted out, but his voice fell on deaf ears.
"What is this?!" Joana shouted out as the hardlight blade of her Catalyst Scimitar disintegrated.
"The Ether energy…is gone," Roze exclaimed at the sight of his scythe blade disintegrating.
"My Cannon has deactivated," Otohime added in as the dragon head with fishes surrounding the neck retracted into the water flowers.
"Mine as well," Kos-Mos informed too with a worried look. In fact, every single Blade was expressing surprise at their inability to use or activate their weapons.
Not to mention, "Rex! I can't form the affinity link!" was what Pyra cried out.
"What?!" Rex exclaimed as the Aegis sword didn't activate either. As this happened, Jaune had brought the big sword for a large overhead strike. Only to be kicked back by Mercury.
"You guys better give up," Mercury said cockily, "Without your precious Blades, you can't do any-whoa!" Mercury exclaimed as he then had to move away from a very angry Yang.
"We don't need our Blades to kick your asses!" Yang said angrily as she charged the gray-haired bastard who framed her.
Meanwhile, Qrow and Raven locked swords. "Running away was one thing, but joining them? I thought better of you."
"Sometimes family disappoints," Raven shot back uncaringly.
"We are no longer family," Qrow declared in anger.
"Were we ever?" Raven asked.
"I thought so," Qrow said before pushing his twin back, before Kasandra tried to hit Raven with her inactive hammer.
"How could you betray Qrow like this?!" Kasandra asked with the angriest look she had ever given, "Did your family ever mean anything to you?!"
"Shut up!" Raven shouted as she sent a fire induced cut from a red Dust Blade.
With the shield function of her hammer unusable, Kasandra had to duck under the cut.
Meanwhile, Nora, Ren, Electra and Tora and Poppi were staring at Hazel who was walking towards them. "I don't want to fight you kids," Hazel said diplomatically.
"Neither do we," Ren replied as he pointed Stormflowers at the large man.
"But if you're with them," Nora said as she held Magnhild,"Then you're our enemy."
"…Alright then," Hazel said as he cracked his neck and knuckles.
Ren and Nora were about to charge, but Dragunov got in front of them. "You three, help the others. I am more than enough against him," the draconic Blade said as he cracked his own neck and knuckles, still wearing his talons which had the tips inactive.
"But you can't use your flames," Electra pointed out in worry.
"And Dragunov's weapons inactive," Tora added in.
"Listen to your friends," Hazel spoke as he got right in front of Dragunov who was a head taller than Hazel. Dragunov merely looked down on the large human, not giving any sign of backing down. "Very well then," Hazel said as he winded up his fists, only for Dragunov to act first and punch the man in the face, before following it up with another one to the gut. Then the fire Blade finished it off with an uppercut that sent Hazel stumbling backwards.
"Newsflash," Dragunov growled out, "I don't need my flames or my talons to kick your ass."
Hazel rubbed his chin with a frown, not too worse for wear. "I suppose you don't," Hazel muttered as he took a fighting stance against the draconic Blade who now opted to charge the larger than average human.
Meanwhile, Penny had moved to assist Ruby against Emerald. Even without Kos-Mos, the artificial Driver still had an active Aura and had been taught hand to hand just in case she ends up in a situation where Kos-Mos isn't close by. Roze too had decided to help, even without his weapon.
Emerald shot at both Ruby and Roze. The silver eyed reaper spun Crescent Rose to block the shots, while Roze simply avoided the shots as he got up close and personal alongside Penny.
The thief immediately backed away from a punch from Roze while Penny tried to give a roundhouse kick, which Emerald ducked over as she took some distance. Then she was blasted away by a couple well shot grenades from Nora who had taken Dragunov's advice.
"What?!" Emerald screeched before glancing to Hazel who was now duking it out with Dragunov. It seemed that the mighty fire Blade still held a strength advantage despite the effects of the hidden machine. "This isn't supposed to happen!" Emerald cried out as she now took a shot from Crescent Rose.
"Did you seriously think that Blades were defenseless without their weapons?" Ruby asked, honestly insulted that Emerald thought so little of the living weapons.
"That machine is supposed to do more than this," Emerald thought with gritted teeth as she then remembered Watts' warning. "…I'm dead," the thief thought as she was now afraid of failing this mission and angering Salem.
With Mercury, he was being tag teamed by angry Yang and Jaune. Joana had to stand back because she wasn't sure if she could fight without a weapon. More importantly, the knightess was afraid to get in her lord's way by accident.
Mercury managed to avoid Jaune's attack, but that cost him the ability to avoid a rapid combo of punches from Yang. "The moron's gotten better," Mercury admitted in his head, while managing to block the next series of attacks from Yang, but when he tried to counterattack, the blonde bombshell used a shotgun blast from Ember Celica to both gain distance and get a hit on Mercury. Except as he was blasted away, Mercury also got a hit on Yang by firing from his robotic leg. "So has blondie," Mercury thought bitterly. Any further thoughts were interrupted by the sound of jet engines, followed by something hitting Mercury on the side. Hard.
"Nice one, Poppi!" Tora cheered his creation that used jets on her feet to get a high-speed punch on Mercury's side.
"Why is Poppi still able to fight?" Otohime sounded out in concern as she had brought her tendrils to the front. Neither tip was twitching. The water Blade knew a few moves to defend herself in the event someone got too close to her, but none of them were useful for long term fighting. Something that she didn't like.
"Perhaps because Poppi is an artificial Blade," Kos-Mos theorized, "There may be fundamental differences to how her body processes Ether compared to us. Perhaps those differences are what circumvent the reason to our inability to use our abilities." Kos-Mos didn't like leaving her Master to fight on her own, but logic dictates that if she cannot fight properly then she might as well stay out of the way.
With Vernal, Raven's second was facing Weiss, Roc and Ren. Of course, Roc lacked the blades of his Dual Scythes so he was practically unarmed. But the Avian Blade would be damned if he stayed out of this fight.
"Let's see what that precious name of yours is worth," Vernal said to Weiss challengingly.
"I'm more than my name," Weiss replied as she prepared Myrtenaster.
"Prove it then," Vernal said with a smirk as she prepared her half-circular blades with guns.
The match started with Ren opening fire with Stormflowers. "Weiss, go! I'll support you," Ren called out.
The former heiress nodded in acknowledgement before launching herself at Vernal who was busy avoiding the gunfire.
Dahlia wanted to help, but with her Bitball unable to have Ether it won't return to her much less deal as much damage as usual. All she could do was watch and hope that Weiss and Ren can do enough against Vernal.
Aizen was worried about Weiss. While her father who found the time saw Weiss' tournament fights…acceptable, Aizen was less than impressed. The Nobleman Blade had compiled a mental list of Weiss' abilities. Her combat style was designed around versatility and quick strikes. Unfortunately, in Aizen's eyes, Weiss hasn't taken full advantage of her abilities. Not to mention lack of real combat these past months. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to have a little faith without his weapons. Hand-to-hand is beneath him, but if she starts struggling then he might have to "suck it up" as people say.
Weiss tried to close in on Vernal and give her several stabs with Myrtenaster, which the bandit evaded or parried. Then Ren closed in to attack from the side, forcing Vernal to split her attention. Even so, Raven's second in command proved herself to be very strong. After a few moments of defense, Vernal was able to get a kick on Ren while also getting a shot on Weiss.
Up in the terrace, Lionheart was looking down at the unfolding battle with a look of fear and regret. Then he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Turning to the one approaching, Lionheart saw a young boy approaching. "Young man, I don't know what you think you're doing, but you should leave before you get hurt," Lionheart said.
The boy in question didn't answer, just kept approaching Lionheart with a determined look.
"Stay back," Lionheart threatened, unfolding a buckler shield on his arm beneath the cross. He wasn't sure why, but something about this boy terrified him.
"No," Oscar said, still approaching.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Lionheart screamed in panic, activating the fire Dust stored within the weapon. Then a glyph appeared at the top of the shield which conjured a flaming boulder that was launched at Oscar who brought his arms at front to block. Fortunately, he also remembered to activate his Aura so the attack didn't do any real damage.
After that success, Oscar started feeling confident and then took out Ozpin's cane.
"…Ozpin," Lionheart sounded out in disbelief at the sight of the familiar weapon.
"Not quite," Oscar said with a confident grin and then charged at the headmaster. Lionheart was able to block several swings that had surprising amount of strength behind them. The physical training in addition to inheriting Ozpin's muscle memory had turned Oscar into a competent fighter in record time. Something that Lionheart felt when Oscar managed to get a good jab at the lion tailed Faunus' abdomen.
"How can you be here?" Lionheart muttered in disbelief and slight fear. "But…wait…you're a child…You can't have been in that body for long," Lionheart then began rationalizing the situation. "You're not really Ozpin, are you?" At the latter part, Lionheart looked relieved.
"Leo…What happened to you," Ozpin wondered inside Oscar's head.
"If I deliver this child to Salem, then she will have to be pleased with me. Then…I can finally be free from all of this," Lionheart said the latter part with a look of desperation.
"What do we do now?" Oscar said, getting unnerved by Lionheart.
"…Fight." Was the simple response.
Outside, Mòrag and Zeke had their own problems.
"Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash…MAX!" Zeke called out as he struck the ground beneath him which created and large explosion of electricity, sending the Fangs that were surrounding him flying, as well as get them electrocuted.
"Dammit! It's just one human!" One of the fangs shouted as they fired an Ether Cannon at Zeke. Only for Pandoria to quickly put up a barrier.
"Two Drivers, and a Blade," Zeke corrected with a small smirk.
Mòrag meanwhile was dealing with two Fang Drivers, and the Special Inquisitor was less than impressed by them. "Azure II: Blaze!" Mòrag called out as she lashed with both Whipswords in long arcs that both cut and burned several Fangs with blue flames.
"RAAARGH!" A Fang with a Greataxe charged the Ardainian Driver who simply avoided the rather clumsy attack and struck with several quick slashes at the Fang Driver. Judging by the cry of pain, the Fang's male Common Blade was of water element.
"Dammit, you're just a human!" a Fang with a Megalance shouted out.
"I fail to see your point," Mòrag replied with a pointed look as she dashed at the Fang with Brighid still supplying power.
Not too far from them a Fang with a Chroma Katana was trying to block Wulfric's overhead strike. Unfortunately, the poor fool couldn't match the beastly Blade in strength and was easily brought down, before getting kicked in the abdomen that sent the Fang Driver away.
Wulfric let out a roar at other Fangs that were now hesitating to engage this monster. "Out of my way!" Wulfric shouted as he planned to charge through and to where Rex would be at.
"Really?" Said Adam who had come to see what the noise was about, "You only have two human Drivers and a Blade to deal with and you haven't killed them?"
"Sorry Adam, but they're just so strong," one of the terrified grunts with a bitball and a female Blade said in slight fear.
"Let me show you how it's done," Adam said as he prepared to kill Mòrag quickly.
"Lady Mòrag, behind us!" Brighid shouted out as she noticed Adam who was dashing at them, ready to draw out Wilt.
"Die!" Adam shouted out as he drew out the sword in an attempt to bisect the human.
"Azure II: Judgement!" But Mòrag evaded the attack while at the same time lashing at Adam who backed off from the woman who was supposed to be killed.
"How did you do that?!" Adam demanded.
"If you cannot figure that out, then why should we spell it out," Brighid replied with a small smile, angering the bull faunus.
"Are you their leader?" Mòrag then asked with a hard look.
"I am the high leader!" Adam said as he took a fighting stance, "And you are a dead human."
"Aren't you a human as well?" Brighid asked with a raised eyebrow.
"DON'T EVER COMPARE ME TO SOMETHING AS DISGUSTING AS HUMAN!" Adam roared, "I am a FAUNUS!"
Now it was Mòrag who raised an eyebrow, "You say that like it's something different from human."
"Are you stupid or something?" Adam then asked, now in baffled anger.
"…No, just unaware of certain things here," Mòrag replied as she prepared the Whipswords again.
Adam glared at Mòrag, Zeke, Brighid, Pandoria and Wulfric under his mask before giving the order to the few Bitball and Twin Ring wielders. "Heal our troops and get the humans!"
With that command, the Fang Drivers in question used healing Arts to recover their Fang Drivers.
"Well, this could be a probelm," Zeke said while still smiling. It's not like he hasn't been in a situation like this before. "Pandy, you ready?"
"I'm with you," the frizzy haired Blade said with a determined look.
Back inside, Hazel was beginning to get worried. This Dragunov still had a slight strength advantage, not to mention was very adept at hand to hand.
"RRRAAARGH!" Dragunov roared as he was slowly overpowering Hazel. The two having grabbed each other's hands, trying to overpower each other. The large human broke from the hold before taking distance and prepared to dig into large pouches around his legs. Before he noted something, the fire Blade was panting lightly.
"It seems that it works," Hazel thought, having been made aware of the machine Watts had made. The large human took a quick glance around to notice that it wasn't just Dragunov. All Blades were beginning to show varying signs of exhaustion.
Hazel's attention was brought back when Dragunov once again charged him. The large human took a combat stance before avoiding a punch from the draconic Blade that was slower than the previous ones. Which gave Hazel an opening to give a strong punch into Dragunov's face, which had enough power to actually down the Blade.
"Dammit," Dragunov cursed, "Why do I-" The fire Blade then directed a hateful glare at Emerald. "What have you done to me, you little bitch?!"
That shout briefly earned everyone's attention. Which prompted all the Drivers to look at their Blades.
"Roze, are you okay?" Ruby asked as Roze looked like he could barely stand.
"…I feel…dizzy," Roze managed to say before falling on his knees.
"Roze!" Ruby cried out as she moved to her Blade's side.
"Electra!" Nora cried out from her Blade's side. The child-like Blade's eyes were unfocused like she was having some kind of seizure.
"Dahlia!" Weiss borderline screamed as the busty Blade had collapsed. Aizen didn't look much better as he too had fallen on a knee while his head swayed like he was dizzy.
"Wh-what is this?" the nobleman Blade demanded weakly.
Penny had also turned to see Kos-Mos on the ground. "Ether capacity dangerously low," Kos-Mos informed in monotone, despite her looking pained.
"This is impossible," Joana shouted out, having deployed her helmet and was using Medical Scan. "Our Ether capacity is below 50% and dropping," the knightess informed in slight fear.
"Pyra!" Rex, who up until now was trying to help Qrow with Raven despite Pyra not being able to supply power, shouted out before running to his Blade's side.
"Rex, look out!" Azurda shouted out from Rex's helmet. Because when Rex started running back to Pyra, Raven managed to get enough distance from Qrow to send a flying cut after the boy. Unfortunately, Raven's aim was true and Rex got hit in the back which caused him to cry in pain. With a nanosecond of delay, Pyra followed suit.
"What?!" Raven exclaimed, taking note of what happened before having to face Qrow again.
"You really are a bitch," Qrow said angrily as he swung Harbinger at Raven while getting a tiny opening to glance at Kasandra who was out of commission too.
"And you're an impressionable moron," Raven shot back, "Why did that Blade cry in pain when the Driver was attacked?"
"How should I know," Qrow shot back, he hadn't heard about anything like this happening between those two.
Then Raven remembered a little detail on the boy, an X-shaped green gem on his chest. She also remembered that the red-haired Blade had a similar shaped hole on its Core Crystal. If that brat and Blade had some kind of connection that made them share injuries, judging by the scream that came out of the Blade, then perhaps she could kill two birds with one stone by killing either one of them.
Everyone else also took note of what happened with Pyra and Rex.
"So…," Mercury sounded out with a grin, "If that thing takes whatever injuries the brat takes, does that mean that killing one kills the other?"
That sent scary thoughts to everyone, except Tora and Poppi who already knew. Though now they were afraid that the baddies would go after currently defenseless Pyra.
"Poppi won't let you," Poppi said, somehow being the only Blade that can still fight, as she charged at the gray-haired teen.
"Neither will I, "Yang added in as she once again engaged the bastard. Mercury was able to dodge and parry with great effort, until he got swung away by Jaune who managed to blindside the gray-haired teen. Something that made the boy angry.
"Nora, Ren switch back to the big guy!" Ruby then commanded, seeing that Dragunov wasn't able to fight anymore. "Penny, help Weiss," Ruby also told her friend, seeing that Weiss would be alone against Vernal with Ren switching target.
"But Ruby, you'd be alone against Emerald," Penny pointed out, especially with Roze out of commission. The reaper Blade in question was now on his back, looking like staying conscious was a challenge for him.
"It's fine, I can take her," Ruby said with a determined look.
Penny looked between Ruby and Emerald before reluctantly moving to assist Weiss.
"You really think you can beat me?" Emerald asked Ruby with a hateful look.
"I've trained," Ruby replied using Crescent Rose.
"Yeah, right," Emerald replied as she prepared her kamas. This brat probably hasn't truly worked a day in her life, Emerald on the other hand had to go through hell to get where she was. Which means there's no way she can lose to this brat, especially when she's alone.
Ruby began by firing a couple shots from Crescent Rose at Emerald, who moved out of the way before returning fire. Ruby replied by spinning her scythe in front of her, blocking all the shots.
Then as Emerald closed in and swung her kamas at Ruby, the red caped girl ducked under the strikes before firing a shot from the gun to boost her next swing. Only to be confused when she didn't feel the familiar resistance of hitting someone with an Aura. "Huh?" Ruby sounded out, before feeling a kick to her back, causing her to fall on her front before someone stepped on her hand which was still holding Crescent Rose before feeling a chain wrapping around her throat.
Yang briefly turned to Ruby's direction to see Emerald using the chain of her weapon to strangle the girl. "RUBY!" Yang cried out in horror, preparing to move in to help. Only for Mercury to land in front of her.
"Sorry blondie, but Emerald wants to avenge Cinder," the boy said with an infuriating look.
"Out of my WAY!" Yang screamed with her eyes having turned red until using a shot from Ember Celica to propel herself forward. Mercury prepared to counter any attack Yang was going to throw at him, only to be surprised when the blonde used another blast to launch herself up and above Mercury.
The teen instantly realized what the blonde was trying, "Oh no you-Agh!" The teen was interrupted by Poppi tackling him. "Let go of me, you rust bucket!" Mercury shouted as he struggled on the floor in the artificial Blade's vice grip.
"Poppi not let go, until Yang save Ruby," Poppi shot back in determined monotone.
Mercury was ready to fire something else from his mouth before noticing Jaune closing in, ready to bring the bastard sword down on the boy. Gritting his teeth, Mercury fired both of his legs to propel himself away from Jaune. Unfortunately, during his struggle, the teen's aim was off course from where Yang was so the blonde was able to dash in to help Ruby without anyone being able to stop her.
"LET GO OF RUBY!" was the only warning Emerald got before getting a very hard punch in the face. Which flung Emerald away, letting go of the weapon which had its chain wrapped around Ruby's neck. "Ruby! I'll get you free," Yang said quickly as she moved in to get the chain off of her sister.
As soon as the constriction around her throat left, Ruby gasped for precious air.
"Ruby, you okay?" Yang asked in concern.
"Yeah…thanks, Yang," Ruby thanked as she moved to pick up Crescent Rose.
During this, Emerald had gotten back up while rubbing her face that still hurt despite her Aura. The mint haired girl looked towards Mercury who was blocking Jaune's strikes with his legs while still struggling with the binding agent called Poppi on his torso. However, Emerald then turned her gaze slightly away to see that strange creature bouncing in place, cheering for that little robot. Come to think of it, why is that little robot still going? Isn't it a Blade too?
As Emerald pondered this question, Weiss was having trouble with Vernal. Even when Penny came to assist, the bandit just kept her distance from the artificial Driver while firing at Weiss or throwing those circular blades at the white-haired girl. Weiss did try her summoning a few times, but having to stop to concentrate on the summoning made her open for another shot. And Vernal was better at close range combat than Weiss, unfortunately. As for Penny…well…Vernal already figured out the hard way that she can't exactly match the weird girl.
Case and point, Vernal tried to slice at Penny who caught Vernal's hand by the wrist before delivering a powerful punch in the abdomen. This launched Vernal in the back with her rubbing her stomach in pain. The second in command grit her teeth from her spot next to the stairs that led to the terrace.
"Gah!" Was the shout that caused Vernal to look to the direction of the attack before moving out of the way from Lionheart who was flung right at the spot Vernal used to occupy.
"The headmaster of Haven Academy is being beaten by a mere boy," Vernal asked mockingly as she saw Oscar dashing down the steps.
"That's not just a boy," Lionheart said as he got back up just in time to block another hit from Oscar. "It's Ozpin!"
"What?!" Vernal exclaimed before she had to move away from Penny and Weiss who were trying to tag team her. "You two are really starting to annoy me," Vernal growled through gritted teeth before finally managing to kick Penny away before firing the guns of her weapons in a straight beam against Weiss' abdomen.
"AAHH!" Weiss then screamed, because taking two highly concentrated beams combined with the damage she had previously taken to her Aura finally shattered it. Which also allowed the beams go straight through her.
"Friend Weiss!" Penny screamed as she got back in to hit the bandit that dared to harm Weiss.
"Weiss!" Jaune also cried out as he abandoned Mercury who was finally able to break free from Poppi thanks to momentary distraction Weiss' injury gave him.
Yang and Ruby also looked to Weiss who had slumped down with a look of horror on her face. The two sisters wore an identical expression.
Then tears threatened to spill out of Ruby's eyes as Weiss was briefly replaced by Pyrrha back when she last saw her. "NOOO!" Ruby screamed as her eyes glowed with silver light, only to be then knocked out by Emerald.
Which instantly prompted Yang to look back to her unconscious sister and a smug looking Emerald.
"You, bitch!" Yang screamed as she dashed at the thief who dared to attack Ruby while she wasn't looking.
"No, no, no, no," Rex muttered frantically from unconscious Pyra's side. While Qrow was able to fend off Raven who still hasn't used her Maiden powers, the salvager realized the threat of Pyra being just a target in her current state and was now protecting her. In fact, all the Blades other than Poppi had long lost consciousness due to whatever was causing loss of Ether.
"Rex, get a hold of yourself!" Azurda shouted from the boy's helmet.
"But gramps-" "We need everyone's Blades back in action, which means we have to figure out what did this to them!" the small Titan interrupted sternly. "Look, I know Weiss is hurt, but her friends are already moving to help."
Just like Azurda said, Nora and Ren had left Hazel to take a look at their injured friend. Without Nia around, the only healing Blades are Dahlia and Dragunov, but both of them are just as out of commission as every other Blade.
"Yeah…you're right," Rex then said before looking to unconscious Ruby and Yang who was engaging Emerald. The salvager also looked to Poppi who was still fighting Mercury. Afterwards, Rex glanced at Vernal who was now trying to fend off an angry looking Penny. Then Rex started looking around for anything that could possibly look out of the ordinary.
While this was happening, Hazel had moved to grab Lionheart by the shirt. "Did you say that boy is Ozpin?" the large human asked with a demanding look.
"Y-yes, he has already reincarnated into that boy," Lionheart stammered out which made the larger human look to the direction of Oscar who had moved to try and stir Ruby while Yang was making sure that Emerald got nowhere near the unconscious girl
"Ozpin," Hazel sounded out before his mildly surprised expression slowly turned into an angry one.
"Come on, Ruby get up," Oscar said in worry, trying to shake the girl awake.
"Ozpin!" Hazel then shouted, earning Oscar's attention. "You thought you could hide from ME?!" the large human shouted out, as he started tearing off his jacket. Then when he was in a black tight fitting T-shirt he stuck his hands into the pouches around his legs and pulled out two lightning Dust crystals in each hand. "You will die! Over and over again!" Then the man stuck the Crystals into the bases of his forearms, infusing himself with the electricity. This effect created glowing yellow veins to appear on his arms. Then Hazel let out a loud yell as the power coursed through his body.
"D-do we fight?" Oscar stammered out to Ozpin.
"No, run!" The headmaster replied back as Hazel was now approaching Oscar with murderous intent evident in his eyes.
"Your blood won't be on my hands boy," Hazel told Oscar as he raised his fists in the air, "It will be on his."
Then Hazel brought the fists down on Oscar, only for Qrow to swoop in and get the boy out of harm's way.
"That's Ozpin?!" Emerald exclaimed in disbelief, having moved away from Yang for the moment when the blonde was almost blindsided by Mercury. The gray-haired teen did know that he would need to go after that walking meatball, but Poppi wouldn't let him even glance at the thing's direction.
"Is that a problem?" Raven asked, being unoccupied right now.
"I…don't know," Emerald said. She had been informed of Ozpin's ability to reincarnate, so this meant that Cinder did kill him, but if he's here…that could be a problem. "Dammit I can't take chances," Emerald then thought before looking to Mercury. "Mercury! Keep these guys occupied!" Then the thief turned to Lionheart, "You! Open the Vault, we're getting the Relic now!"
With that, Lionheart quickly moved to the goddess statue before taking out his pocket watch and inserting it inside a golden chain around the statue's waist. Then the hands on the watch started spinning, until the statue started lowering itself. Taking a circular piece of the terrace it looked to be holding up. Turning it into a hidden elevator. Vernal, Raven, let's go," Emerald said as she stepped on the platform.
"I want to kill that boy," Raven argued back as she looked to Rex who immediately raised the powerless Aegis Sword at being called out.
"First the Relic!" Emerald shouted back now getting angry, "If this somehow goes south, I don't want to go back empty handed!"
Raven glared at the girl before relenting, "Vernal!" With that command, Vernal joined Raven and Emerald on the elevator. Then it started going down.
Yang saw this and looked around her friends.
"Stop them!" shouted Nora who now had moved to Ruby, "We got your team covered!"
Yang nodded in understanding. Especially when Poppi was keeping Mercury occupied.
Outside, Mòrag and Zeke were facing Adam and the Fang Drivers. "Just give up," Adam said arrogantly, "Haven falls tonight and nothing can stop it!"
"You're delusional if you think we'll just let you do that," Pandoria said with a determined look.
"Besides," Zeke said with a grin, "you think you can beat the Zekenator?!"
Mòrag shook her head a little, hoping that Wulfric would make it in time. The beastly earth Blade felt that something hurt Rex and informed them. Of course, they allowed him to run to his Driver's aid. This red-haired Fang who was apparently their leader was skilled even though he wasn't a Driver so he wasn't to be underestimated. Still the boy had only managed to give Mórag a few small tears to her uniform while she had dealt a few good strikes on him. Though as long as he had any Aura left, this battle wouldn't end.
"Now take this!" Zeke shouted as he charged the Big Bang Edge with electricity, "Overload Thunder Beam!" And then he fired exactly that from his sword, which caused Adam to smirk as he brought out Wilt and actually absorbed the attack.
"What the hell!" Zeke shouted out in disbelief at his attack being absorbed.
"Now…you die," Adam said with a sadistic grin as his hair and the red lines on his mask glowed as he was ready to charge in with his semblance. "What?!" Only to be shocked when his weapon was yanked from his hand by what seemed like an invisible force, which was followed by something ramming into the mad bull at high speed from the side. Launching the High Leader of White Fang away.
"Adam!" one of the Faunus Drivers shouted out before glaring at the large figure in rags that dared to ram into their leader. "How dare you!" the Fang Driver shouted before swinging a Greataxe at the figure. Only for the figure to jump to an impossible height and towards the main building.
"Who was that?" Brighid questioned at the stranger that rammed into the Fang named Adam before just leaving them.
"Whoever he is, I hope he's on our side," Mòrag muttered as she once again prepared to engage the Faunus Driver's while Adam was getting back up from where he was flung to. Only for his Scroll to ring, the man checked his scroll quickly to see that it belonged to the Fangs who were setting up the charges while they were dealing with these two humans.
"Adam, we've set up the rest of the charges, we can blow this place up anytime now," was the voice of one of the Fangs responsible of setting up the explosives.
This news got Adam to smirk, "Good." With this, they won't have to stay here. Still... these humans dared to stop Faunus from getting justice. So he would have to kill them first. As soon as he finds Wilt and Blush.
AN: Here we go! Watts' machine didn't just eliminate Ether from the immediate area, but it also slowly sapped Blades from the Ether in their bodies. If our heroes can't figure out where the machine is, who knows what will happen to their Blades.