The Great Escape
It was early morning in Garfont and the gang was ready to move out. The sack that they had brought with them containing minerals had been emptied and replaced with gems. Although much less than what the combined amount of minerals was due to Dragunov having gone through quite a lot of experimenting.
Besides, according to Agate, selling too many of these gems at one place might raise questions, or worse, lower their value.
When Zuo asked what their hurry was, Rex wasn't sure how to answer. However, one of the kids got a little too curious and pulled on Otohime's cloak, revealing her to the world.
Zuo's and any Urayan Driver's jaws dropped at the sight of Otohime.
"Rex…is that Blade named Otohime?" Zuo asked with a look of shocked horror.
This scared everyone a bit. "You know about Otohime?" Ren especially.
"Any good Urayan Driver does," Zuo replied before looking everyone over, "Oh, this is horrible." the Urayan second in command said with a fretful look, "The Queen will have your heads."
"What?!" The Remnans asked.
"What queen?" Nora especially.
"Queen Raqura," Zuo said through gritted teeth before directing a pitying look to Ren, "And you boy, are as good as dead. She won't rest until you're dead and she has the Imperial Mother with her, or in the Royal Vault at bare minimum."
"Why would the queen go so far?" Ren asked in worry, "I mean, I have learned that Otohime is considered a national treasure, but…why go to such lengths."
Zuo looked between Remnans and Rex's group, "…What do you guys know about Otohime's disappearance?"
"I know she disappeared 30 years ago when her Driver died of old age," Zeke explained.
"Uh-huh," Zuo nodded, "And that Driver was?" At that question, everyone put on their thinking caps.
"I…was never informed of this, since it was such an old case," Mòrag added in.
Zuo and every Urayan Driver who were at hearing range face-palmed. "It was King Murak," Zuo said with a sigh, "Queen Raqura's father."
"Meh-meh-meh!" Tora let out with his jaw dropping to the floor.
"…That's just fantastic," Qrow groaned.
"Otohime was literally a royal Blade?!" Yang asked in shock that everyone shared.
"You know that actually explains a lot," Nora added in with a thoughtful look.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Otohime asked with smallest of scowls.
"Her mannerisms do fit someone of royalty," Weiss started saying.
"But that means…all this time…," Joana spoke before kneeling, "I have been disrespecting royalty all these months. Please forgive me, Lady Otohime."
The water Blade in question shook her head lightly, "Joana, there is no need for that."
"Your words are too kind, Lady Otohime, but-" "Joana," Jaune interrupted firmly, "Don't you think Otohime would've tried correcting us if we were in any way disrespectful?"
The Arc Driver's words seemed to get through when Joana stood back up, albeit reluctantly.
"It seems I owe you an apology for not addressing you properly," Dagas added in, "My sincerest apologies, Lady Otohime."
"No need for that, your majesty," Otohime said with a small smile. During their few encounters, Otohime was the only one who had addressed Dagas as a king. But what few realized was that the tone she always used towards him was the kind a mother uses when they are playing make believe with a child.
Nia was among the first to realize this, but she was having too much fun at Dagas either not noticing the tone or ignoring it to tell her royal Blade.
"That sounds so amazing," Ruby said with a small smile, which fell pretty soon, "Wait! If Otohime was known as the Imperial Mother, and her past Driver was the last king…doesn't that kind of make her the queen's mother?"
"I…I did not consider that," Otohime admitted with a conflicted look. One that was shared by Ren. The newly dubbed "Imperial Mother" patted her cheeks twice. "But it does not matter, my current Driver is Ren. No one else," Otohime said with a resolved look.
"That's even worse," Qrow muttered, "Especially if Otohime was some kind of mother-figure for the queen."
And that sent a round of chills down everyone's spine as the full ramifications of how much trouble they were all in hit them. They essentially had a kidnapped potential mother-figure of a foreign nation's queen.
"…It would be easier to find an Overdrive protocol than getting out of this unscathed," Aizen voiced the very real possibility.
"Especially if they jump to conclusions of Ren being an Ardainian," Brighid added in with worry.
"Indeed," Mòrag added with a frown, "And I doubt my word will be enough to convince anyone."
"No offense, Mòrag, but you're the last person they will believe," Zeke said with a slightly fearful look.
"None taken," the Special Inquisitor replied curtly. For she knew Zeke was most likely correct.
"We still need to go to Indol," Rex said, "All we have to do is stay out of sight. Besides, we planned to arrive the docks just before the ship leaves, so we should be able to get on before anyone notices.
"Assuming there is any room on the ship," Nia decided to add.
"I fear my lady has a right to be worried," Dromarch agreed, "There is a very real chance that the ship will be fully booked before our arrival."
"It'll be alright," Rex said with a small smile.
"Ever the optimist, kid," Qrow sighed, while internally praying that Kasandra's mask won't act up. "Has anyone told you that too much optimism is a bad thing?"
"Gramps has sometimes," Rex admitted.
"More like all the time." the tiny titan piped up from Rex's helmet.
"Is he really that bad?" Ruby asked.
"Yes." Nia said without hesitation.
"Hey!" Rex whined.
"I think it's a good thing," Pyra said with a smile. All the while having a feeling Mythra was rolling her eyes. "If you think too negatively then there is no hope," the red-haired Aegis added.
"Ahhem!" Came out of Otohime, "I believe we have gone off topic, but I do believe that we must take our chances. We should go."
"Standing around here will get us nowhere," Weiss admitted with a sigh before turning to her Blades, "What do you two think?"
"I do agree with you Weiss," Dahlia said before frowning, "But until we are safely on a ship, I don't think I can stop worrying."
Aizen smiled, "Wise policy, besides I cannot come up with anything better as of now."
"It's not like we have anything better to do now," Yang also shrugged before grinning, "Besides, I wanna see new places."
"Yes! Another adventure!" Nora agreed with Yang. Electra also nodding furiously in agreement.
"Nora, please calm down," Ren said, despite his smile, "But I do think that this is our best bet."
"That settles it then," Rex said, "We should get moving now."
"And pray that no one will stop us," Roc added in.
"Well, the clock's ticking so we should go," Nia then said, and everyone agreed.
After saying goodbyes and Rex doing some last-minute checks that all was right with Garfont, the gang began their journey back to Fonsa Myma. Otohime naturally fixed her cloak to properly cover herself again.
It was afternoon when the gang reached back to the slope that would lead them to Fonsa Myma.
"You're kidding me," Nia complained at the sight of more bunnits, these ones armed with more crude weapons. And in greater numbers than yesterday, practically an army.
Then they saw a significantly larger bunnit with a Greataxe and a female Common Blade.
"One of them is a Driver?!" Weiss, Jaune and Oscar shouted in unison at the impossibility.
"Sometimes monsters become Drivers," Mòrag explained, drawing out her weapons alongside Zeke.
"Yeah. Nothing friends not see before," Tora added as he pulled out Drill Shield.
"Oh, great. Here we go again," Yang complained as she got Dragunov's talons.
"Miss Schnee, might I make a suggestion?" Aizen then asked out of nowhere.
"What is it?" Weiss asked, partly scared of what he had in store.
"Would you like to try my weapons?" the nobleman Blade asked.
"Aizen this isn't the time for training," Weiss hissed.
"And yet our guides are adept at switching weapons at the drop of the proverbial hat," Aizen argued, "Face it Miss Schnee, without a resupply of Dust, Myrtenaster is just a normal rapier. And do you really wish to waste what you have on these?"
"…He's not wrong Weiss," Dahlia added in, " Besides you will have to get properly used to his weapons sometime." It wasn't like Weiss hadn't tried Aizen's weapons back in Mistral, but they still felt…odd to her.
"…Fine." Weiss relented before sheathing Myrtenaster and accepted Aizen's Twin Swords with the affinity link forming instantly.
"You sure you're up to this, Ruby?" Roze asked in concern for his Driver.
"Y-yeah, I can do this," Ruby said, still struggling with the idea of attacking the fuzzy creatures that apparently wanted to kill them.
"Let's get them," Nora said, still feeling need for retribution for getting punched in the face.
"Tora, Mòrag, you guys draw their attention," Rex said, "Zeke, and I will thin them out. Nia, focus on healing."
"Got it, Rex-Rex," Tora said while Mòrag gave a nod of acknowledgement. Then the two went ahead.
"Nora, Electra's abilities make you the best tank among us, go with them," Jaune added in.
"Yessir!" Nora saluted before following two of the Alrestians.
"Ren, gun them down," Jaune then continued, "Talos, attack, and I will support you."
"Understood," Talos said as he brought out his Megalance, while Ren prepared Otohime's cannon.
"Blake, hit and run," Ruby said, "Weiss…offensive back-up, but help Nia with healing if needed. Yang, go wild." At the last part, the red reaper had a grin.
"Oh yeah," Yang said with an eager grin.
Weiss nodded and Blake was already off with Nox.
"Qrow?" Kasandra sounded like she was pleading.
"No," Qrow said firmly as he drew out Harbinger in its scythe form. This caused the lucky Blade to look down in mild depression.
With that, the fight began, but Dagas and Agate were told to watch their stuff.
With Mòrag and Tora, the two had drawn the attention of most of the bunnits. Tora took out some of the bunnits with the drill that came out of the shield, while Mòrag practically danced around them while slashing them with Whipswords.
Nora drew the attention of another portion of the bunnits, and everytime they hit at the shield of Electra's hammer they got zapped.
With Weiss, she was using Aizen's Twin Swords in conjunction with her semblance to blitz around them. But she still showed that she wasn't comfortable with the weapons yet. Favoring her left arm, right arm waving around a little awkwardly, and she was pretty sure that her form was sloppy.
With Yang she and Dragunov had no problems dispatching the bunnits which were getting too close for their or anyone else's comfort. Not to mention a few good Heatblasts ensured that Nia had less work in healing.
Speaking of the Gormotti, she mostly hung back near the others as she dispatched more Bunnits with Twin Rings. However, she did cast Healing Halo a few times whenever the bunnits got lucky hits on the gang.
With Ren and Penny, the two Ether Cannoneers were blasting Bunnits at range with their respective Cannons. Although…
"Kos-Mos!" Penny called out as she threw the cannon to her Blade.
"Acknowledged." Kos-Mos replied as her body started glowing. "Commencing Hilbert Effect R!" Then she unleashed a wave of teal energy around her, taking down a large number of Bunnits.
"Whoa!" Ruby called out in awe, pausing in shooting.
"Ruby! Front!" Roze called out just in time for Ruby to look ahead and shoot down a bunnit that tried to pounce on her.
"Sorry." Ruby said sadly, still feeling bad for having to fight these bunnits.
With Zeke, he was being his boisterous self while swinging Big Bang Edge left and right. "Muaaahhahhaaa! Did you see that?!" Zeke called out as he managed to take out a rather large number of bunnits.
"Prince, look out!" Pandoria called out just a little too late, because Zeke got a rock in the face. Courtesy of a bunnit that was picking up rocks with its tail and flinging them at the gang.
Though it quickly found itself skewered on Talos' Megalance. The metallic Flesh Eater wasted no time on returning to fight more of them.
"Hey, let go!" shouted Oscar who was trying to wrench Ozpin's cane from a bunnit that managed to catch it. Causing the two to have a round of tug-o-war.
Jaune noticed this and sent Arclight at the bunnit, smacking it away and freeing Oscar's cane in the process.
"Thanks," Oscar called out in embarrassment of struggling against something less than half his size.
With Blake, she decided to go for a stealth attack on the Driver bunnit. It was easy with Mòrag, Tora, and Nora drawing most of their attention and the others drew the remaining ones. The Faunus Driver soon got behind the Driver bunnit and prepared to strike with all she had.
Unfortunately, the Blade of that bunnit chose that moment to turn around and see Blake coming. Just in time to block Blake's empowered attack with a barrier. This also earned the bunnit's attention which made it swipe at Blake with the Greataxe it was holding in its tail.
The only thing the bunnit hit was Blake's clone which confused it for a moment.
"Eyes on us, fuzzball!" Nora and Electra shouted in unison, earning the Driver bunnit's attention. Some of the bunnits tried to intercept the orange haired Driver and the little electric Blade. "Stormbreaker!" Only to be smacked away by Nora pirouetting with electrically charged Shieldhammer. Then the hammerer kept moving to the Driver bunnit in an effort to smack it. The bunnit countered Electra's shieldhammer with the Common Greataxe. To Nora's surprise, the bunnit was able to match her in strength. Then again, she hadn't had Electra hug her yet.
Soon enough, the bunnit and Nora pushed each other back. "Oh, you wanna play rough huh?" Nora said with a savage grin as she looked at the Greataxe the Bunnit was swinging around with its tail, "That's just our game!"
Right as Nora finished that, Blake got back for another try with a double dose of amplification from Nox's Black Predator and a back attack. The bunnit honked in pain before lashing at the attacker who swiftly moved out of the way.
"Go for it, Electra!" Nora called out as she tossed the Shieldhammer to the Blade in question.
"Okay!" Electra replied as she caught her hammer and dashed at the bunnit Driver before jumping in the air. The bunnit Driver's Common Blade moved in to create a barrier to block the incoming attack.
"Bang!" Electra shouted out as she brought the hammer down on the barrier. Which shattered from both the force behind the blow and the electricity coursing through it.
"Bang!" The second bounce and hammer hit the poor Driver bunnit tried to counter by smacking the Shieldhammer away, but it wasn't enough and the hammer struck true, smashing and electrocuting the bunnit.
"BOUND!" And then Electra jumped into the air one more time and brought the hammer down one last time with greater force than the first two hits. With a stronger shockwave of Electricity.
Rex saw this after a good strike from the Aegis Sword on a bunnit that tried to get a jump on Tora. "Zeke! Can you follow up on that?"
Zeke had a grin on his face at that, "You got it, chum. Pandy!" With that, Zeke threw the Big Bang Edge to Pandoria.
"On it," Pandoria said before catching the weapon and striking it into the ground before detaching the handle from the blade. Now it looked like she was holding a baton that she twirled around. Then she twirled the baton which caused the now handleless sword to float in the air, spinning and crackling with electricity. "Electric Circus!" And then Pandoria sent it at the bunnit Driver.
To everyone's surprise, the bunnit responded by throwing its Greataxe to its Blade. The female Blade charged at the incoming Special before striking the sharp spinning electric blade. The two attacks clashed for a moment until Pandoria's Special was pushed back, while the female Blade fell on her butt.
This surprised Blake and Nora who couldn't believe that Pandoria, a non-common Blade was matched in strength by a common Blade.
"Lame," Nora commented, which Pandoria heard. Evidenced by her straining jaw.
"Oh, I'll show you 'lame'," Pandoria said threateningly with her glasses reflecting light in a way that obscured her eyes. And she had an evil smile before twirling the baton, "Lightning strikes twice!" With that command, the intercepted projectile changed course and continued to the now defenseless bunnit. The poor thing tried to dodge it, but the attack wouldn't be denied its target again. So, the blade struck true, slashing and electrocuting the bunnit before returning to Pandoria. The Tantalese Blade had a downright sinister look, "Blade Combo: 1,000,000 Volts!"
With that exclamation, the area that the bunnit Driver occupied was covered in electricity, which caused the beast to honk in pain. Then the much larger specimen of its kind collapsed, followed by its Blade reverting into a Core Crystal.
As soon as the bunnit Driver died, it's still living brethren looked towards their fallen leader. Then they ran away from them as fast as they could.
"Huh? Why are they running away like that?" Yang questioned, seeing as these things seemed hell bent on fighting just a moment ago.
"It's very possible that that Driver bunnit rallied them up, but now that its dead, its comrades lost all will to fight," Zeke theorized.
"Is this kind of thing…common with Alrestian animals," Oscar asked having some scary thoughts based on description of some of the beasts that are stronger than these things.
"It isn't that uncommon," Mòrag explained as she sheathed her weapons, "Although the number of bunnits that thing managed to gather is concerning. If given time, they might have even tried storming Fonsa Myma itself."
"You're telling me that this kingdom could have fallen to…bunnies with hands," Blake asked in disbelief. The mental image was just too ridiculous.
"Wouldn't that be a tale," Nia snickered, "The great Kingdom of Uraya, felled by bunnits."
With that everyone got mental images of Fonsa Myma ran by bunnits. Needless to say, it earned a round of laughter. Except from Qrow who still had his humiliation from yesterday fresh in his mind.
What the gang didn't know was that two Urayan soldiers who were doing their rounds happened to witness that battle. They were standing on a high cliff that was not too far from Fonsa Myma, right next to the rice paddies.
"Isn't that one the Imperial Mother?" One of the soldiers asked the other.
"I've seen the portrait, that's definitely her." The second one spoke, "And it looks like the Driver of the Aegis is indeed with them."
"We must inform master Voluq at once." The first soldier said, and with that the two ran back to report their find.
A few minutes later, the gang was now walking down the stairs to the port. The ones that Ruby almost took back when they first arrived. As the gang made it to the bottom of the stairs, Qrow noted something odd.
"Is it just me, or is this kind of quiet for a port?" The veteran huntsman asked as the place seemed strangely empty.
Rex also looked a bit around, "Now that you mention it, there seems to be a lot less people here than I thought there would be."
"Maybe they have a slow day, or something?" Pyra suggested uncertainly.
"No matter how slow a day might be, there should be someone here," Nia added in, her ears folding backwards a little, "This is fishy."
"You mean you're hungry?" Dragunov asked with a grin.
"Huh?" Nia sounded out while Blake gave the draconic Blade a mild glare. And then it hit Nia, "Oh, haa haa!" And she didn't appreciate the joke. And neither did anyone else for that matter, not even Yang who rolled her eyes.
Dagas also frowned, "I believe I speak for everyone, when I say that you should take a cue from Nox, and stay quiet."
"I don't take advice from people incapable of smiling," Dragunov shot back, "Besides it was a good one. Right Yang?" Few seconds of silence. "Yang?"
"Sorry, but that wasn't funny," Yang said almost apologetically, causing her Blade's jaw to drop. All the while blonde was twiddling with the sizeable bag of money they gained from selling the gems Dragunov made.
"…Yang, are you feeling okay?" Ruby asked wondering if her sister's sense of humor is finally improving. That would be the greatest miracle ever of all time.
"That our ship?" Tora suddenly cut in, pointing towards the end of the docks where a large passenger ship was anchored.
"Looks like one that could take us to Indol," Zeke pointed out, noting that it was also an airship.
"Well, let's check if it's headed that way" Pandoria then said, and with that, the gang moved to the ship with a single Urayan at the front of the dock.
"Ahh, how may I help you," the Urayan dock worker asked before looking a little startled.
"Is everything alright?" Rex asked, wondering what spooked the man so much.
"Well…yes. It's just that…You're an odd bunch," the worker said with a nervous chuckle.
"Really? How so?" Rex asked while Qrow was giving the guy a suspecting look.
"That guy is hiding something," Qrow thought with in worry. Huntsmen's job is to protect humanity from all monsters, even those that wear a human skin. To that end, Qrow knows when to be suspicious of some people.
"Well it's…never mind, it's silly," the dock worker said, recomposing himself, "So how can I help you?"
"Does this ship go to Indol?" Rex asked simply.
"Yes, it does actually," the worker replied, "Are you all going there?"
"Yes, we are," Rex replied cheerfully, "Is there still room?"
"Well there should be, but let me go and make sure," The worker said just before almost running to the ship.
"…Is it just me, or was he in a hurry to get away from us?" Nia asked, now really frowning.
"It's not just you," Qrow said with a noticeable frown.
Just then, Nox looked behind them to the warehouse that was staring right at them. Door partially opened and what looked like the barrel of a cannon peeking out from there. Right at the group. The dark Blade let out a monstrous scream. Causing Ruby to let out a small scream and jump into Roze's arms, with Tora doing the same with Poppi.
Everyone else drew out their weapons with varying tones and expressions of "What the heck was that?!"
Except for Blake who was glaring at her Blade, "Nox, what was that for?!" And then the feline Faunus followed her Blade's pointing finger. Right to the cannon pointing at them. "Scatter!" Blake shouted out, already showing example.
"Whuh- Cannon!" Jaune added in also moving away from the line of fire. After that, everyone scattered from the cannon's line of fire. Then the cannon fired, but what it fired surprised Mòrag and Zeke.
"An ether net?!" Mòrag exclaimed as the net that was designed to restrain Drivers and Blades sailed past them.
"This was an ambush!" Qrow shouted out, aiming the shotgun of Harbinger at the warehouse door where the cannon was.
"You idiots! We had them right there!" Was the female shout that came out of the warehouse.
"Sorry ma'am, but that scream startled us!" Was the reply that came from inside the warehouse.
With that, everyone surrounded the warehouse, while making sure to keep out of the ether net launcher's line of fire.
"You are surrounded, lay down your weapons and come out, all of you," Qrow shouted out.
There was a moment of silence as the tense moment was going down. "Did you hear that, Mathra?" A male voice, different from the first one spoke out, "The villains are trying to order us around?"
"Villains?" Nora sounded out in confusion, while Mòrag's, Zeke's and their respective Blades had an alarmed look on theirs.
"Well, time for plan B," the female voice said again, "EVERYONE!" Was the next shout that they guessed came through a megaphone, "GET IN HERE!"
As soon as those words were said, all warehouses in the port opened and Urayan soldiers poured out of them.
Now everyone was nervous. "So, this is why this place was so empty." Qrow thought through gritted teeth.
"Put down all your weapons and surrender," shouted an older looking Urayan with a high grade Common brute Blade. The older Urayan in an ornate purple light armor had a Chroma Katana strapped to his side, identifying him as the Driver.
"Why?" Rex tried to say, hoping they could talk.
"Shut up, thief!" shouted a male voice from the warehouse with the ether net launcher. Then a younger male Urayan with a high grade Common female Blade came out, wielding Knuckle Claws. "We're not listening to evil thieves."
"Oh, Rhota, will you shut it," said a female Urayan who came out and smacked the Driver upside the head.
Now the moment was tense, until an ether shot from Penny hit the ether net launcher.
"Kill them all!" Rhota shouted as he prepared to charge in.
"Belay that!" the older Urayan Driver shouted back in a bellowing voice, which fortunately seemed to freeze all activity, "Rhota, if you don't shut up right now, I will have you scrub the entire barracks with a toothbrush!"
The hotheaded Driver named Rhota stood down with a meek, "Yes sir."
With that, the older Driver took a deep breath, "If everyone could just lower their weapons then no one needs to die today, other than the one with Otohime."
Qrow did lower harbinger, along with everyone else lowering their weapons. "Look, we don't know what you're talking abou-"
"Cut the crap," the female Urayan Driver shot back, "We found eyewitnesses identifying you all both from the streets, and the Inn you stayed at. Not to mention two of our men saw you coming."
"But seeing as you took out Armraizing Jack for us," the older Urayan spoke up, "We are willing to let you all go in exchange for the life of Otohime's current Driver, and her Core Crystal once she reverts."
"And if I were to decline," Otohime spoke up, dropping the hood that covered her head. Fully knowing that the jig is up.
"Asking your opinion is like asking from a mindless pet," the older Driver spoke earning horrified looks out of everyone.
"You can't just-" "Ruby," Otohime interrupted the red reaper, "I fear they are willing to go to any lengths to obtain me. So, I too must be willing to do the same." With those words, the Imperial Mother charged her cannon, before pulling the barrel to point at her own face. "You will let us go, or else I shall destroy myself."
"What?" Came out of everyone in a mix of shock and horror.
"Otohime, you can't just decide something like that," Ren said sounding fearful now.
"She's bluffing," Rhota shot back, "She's not gonna just kill herself."
"Besides, we can just kill them all if you do that," the female Urayan Driver added in.
"You could," Otohime stated matter of factly, "But that will not undo my own destruction."
"Voluq, she can't mean that, we can take them," Rhota argued back.
The older Urayan, now named Voluq looked contemplative before turning to a random soldier. "…You, take word to her highness," Voluq then said, earning the soldier's attention, "Tell her that the Imperial Mother is threatening us with suicide. Ask how we shall proceed."
"Yes sir," the soldier saluted before running off.
"That's it?" the Female Urayan asked in disbelief, "You're just going to believe her?"
"I saw the Imperial Mother in action when I was a boy," Voluq spoke up, "If this one is anything like the one I met back then, I can't take that risk."
As this was happening, Ren tried to approach his Blade. "Ren, stand back," Otohime spoke with a firm tone, "I know you wish to stop me, but this is the only way to make them listen."
"But…what if they decide that you're not serious?" Ren asked hoping that this was a bluff.
"…Then I wish you all the best for when I am gone," Otohime said with a sad smile.
"You can't be serious!" Nora cried out in outrage, "After everything you and Ren have gone through, you would just throw it away like it meant nothing?!"
Otohime chose to ignore Nora, even though she knew her reaction to be justified…for once. But this way, she can buy time for everyone to figure a way out of this if nothing else.
"That is quite enough." A new voice shouted, prompting Urayan soldiers to make a path to whoever was coming through.
"Your highness!" Voluq called out as the Queen of Uraya herself walked to the scene, flanked by her personal guard, "How…I…I only sent word a few seconds ago."
"I was already on my way here, and it seems it was a good thing I did," Queen Raqura said with a stern look directed to Otohime who still had her charging cannon aimed at her head, " I see that Otohime would rather see herself destroyed, than to see her Driver killed."
At this point, Zeke put Big Bang Edge away before speaking, "Your highness, I urge you, is there no way to resolve this situation without anyone losing their lives?"
Raqura looked contemplative for a moment, "If Otohime accepts to have an Overdrive Protocol used on her, then there is no need for her Driver to die."
"Your highness," Voluq spoke up, "Are you sure we should waste something like that?"
"If it means there is no un-necessary death then yes," Raqura spoke, before turning to Otohime, "What say you?"
"I refuse," Otohime replied without hesitation.
"What?" came out of everyone.
Otohime had a resolved look, "Either I go with my Driver, or this will be my last life." As if to emphasize her words, the mouth of Otohime's cannon let out a few sparkles of excess energy.
Everyone expected Raqura to be annoyed, angered or even fearful of losing Uraya's greatest Blade. What they didn't expect was a forlorn smile. "It seems you are still the same stubborn Blade that my father had fought beside, but you must understand your importance to this Kingdom. I cannot simply let you leave, least of all with an Ardainian." At the last part, the queen of Uraya looked to Ren and Mòrag sternly.
At this moment, Mòrag sheathed the Whipswords before speaking, "Your highness, I plead for your ear."
"You have it, Special Inquisitor," Raqura replied with a small frown.
"Otohime's Driver, Lie Ren, is not an Ardainian. Nor does he have any relation to the Empire," Mòrag explained, earning a surprised look from everyone.
"How do we know this to be true?" The female Urayan Driver asked skeptically, "You could be trying to trick us."
"Mathra, does this young man look like an Ardainian to you?" Raqura then spoke up before looking to the gang again, "However, this does not change the fact that he is in possession of Urayan property."
"You consider her property?!" Blake shouted out, "She's a person! You can't just-" "Shut up, cat!" A random soldier interrupted. "You who gave up your freedom without a fight have no-"
"Quiet!" Voluq barked, ceasing all chatter, before the veteran Driver turned to Blake, "Please forgive him, that was uncalled for. But you must understand, should war break out again, we need all the advantages we can get. Otohime's power is on par with the Jewel of Mor Ardain, so we must have her back."
"But I thought that attack from Torna was already settled," Rex called out.
"That may be," Raqura spoke up, eyeing the Driver of the Aegis, "But tensions are still very much high, I must think of my people and my Kingdom."
"Your highness, if I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, would you hear it?" Zeke then piped up again.
"You may speak, prince Ozychlurys," Raqura replied.
"How about a match?" Zeke asked, earning murmurs from the soldiers, "The Driver of Otohime vs a Driver of your choosing. If your Driver wins, we will accept an Overdrive Protocol from you."
"And should Otohime's Driver win, you would keep her?" Raqura queried with a frown.
"Precisely your highness, if Otohime's Driver proves weak then he has no business having her, but if he proves himself worthy, then it is proof that he is worthy of having such a powerful Blade," Zeke spoke while motioning to the Blade in question, as well as the Driver.
"Voluq, what do you think?" Raqura queried the Urayan veteran.
"A test of might," Voluq said thoughtfully, "On one hand I wouldn't want to make such a gamble, but on the other hand I am curious to see if the Imperial Mother's Driver is any good."
Raqura looked like she was in deep thought, until the Urayan queen gave her verdict, "Rhota, Mathra and Voluq, escort our guests to Olethro Playhouse."
"Your highness?" Mathra questioned.
"I wish to see if the current Driver of Lady Otohime is worthy of her resolve," Raqura explained as she turned to walk. With her personal guard following.
"Your highness, if I may," Mòrag spoke one more time, causing the queen to give a raised eyebrow without fully facing the Special Inquisitor, "We will need to depart to Indol, no matter the outcome."
"The ship will wait for you," The Urayan queen spoke, "And you shall be on board when it leaves, with or without Otohime."
Otohime had a scowl on her face, but she dismissed her cannon, ending the threat of her suicide.
"This way, if you would," Voluq spoke up as he motioned for the group to follow. "Rhota, Mathra, you heard her highness."
The Urayan Drivers in question nodded before following, along with their respective Blades.
The gang looked between each other reluctantly, but they all came to the same conclusion. This is the best chance they have.
Although the Remnans weren't sure if they would be able to fight against experienced Drivers. Then again, Alrestians don't have aura or semblance, which means that they do have an advantage. Also, these three have Common Blades, and Rare Blades are inherently superior. That last part was in most of the Remnan minds. Unfortunately, none of the Alrestians who knew better realized this train of thought.
At Olethro ruins, Raqura had taken a seat on the VIP seat while several of the soldiers sat down on the normal seats, including the gang at the lowest.
"Do your best guys," Ruby cheered Nora, Ren and Jaune. The match was decided to be a three on three, and since it was Ren who was fighting, the rest of his team volunteered immediately.
Show them what team JNPR is made of," Yang added in, despite wondering how they would do. The Urayan Drivers, Voluq, Rhota and Mathra seemed confident in their abilities. Also, as it turned out, Voluq also had a male Common Blade with a Greataxe.
"Will those guys be fine?" Nia couldn't help asking, because from what she had seen, team JNR, while quick studies, are still somewhat of amateur Drivers. "Would've been a piece of cake if any of us had joined instead."
"True, but they are a team, so they should know their strengths and weaknesses best," Brighid contributed in, "Besides, they don't want to face us in a fight." The "us" being mainly Mòrag, Zeke and Rex. Those three were specifically forbidden from participating by the queen. Why? Because they didn't want to decrease their chances of victory by going up against the Driver of the Aegis, Mòrag the Flamebringer or Thunderbolt Zeke.
"So, do we have a plan, fearless leader," Nora asked a little teasingly as they were having a team meeting.
"Well…if I knew more about these guys then maybe," Jaune admitted, "Still we should expect them to be as tough as professional huntsmen at the very least."
"A fair assumption," Otohime agreed. She wasn't looking forward to this, but she would just have to make sure that they win.
"Okay, Mathra and Rhota have a Bitball and Knuckle Claws, while that Voluq guy has a Greataxe and Chroma Katana," Jaune went over first, "So we can expect those two to heal while Voluq will attack us."
"Although Rhota might be like Yang in the sense that he needs to attack in order to heal," Ren added in.
"Which would mean that he would need to actually hit us," Talos added in. Yes, Talos was allowed to get into this match, as Jaune's Blade. Their opponents didn't mind, assuming that they can prove Talos was Jaune's Blade by forming an affinity link. Jaune was pretty sure they were screwed at that moment, but fortunately Talos was able to form an affinity link when he gave his Megalance to Jaune. The only thing they need to watch out for is his tabard taking damage, specifically where the bloodstained Core Crystal is hidden.
"Talos can probably match Voluq by himself if he has to," Jaune then continued, still not entirely happy about this. But as a Blade, Talos being with them didn't count much to their opponents, "And Nora once Electra hugs her."
Nora and Electra nodded rapidly at hearing that.
"Ren, you do ranged back up, but be prepared to switch to your huntsman weapons if necessary," Jaune added in earning a firm nod from the black haired Driver.
"Let's do this," Nora said eagerly. Already twirling Electra's hammer.
With those words, team JNR and their Blades along with Talos turned to their opponents. "We're ready!" Jaune said as he took out his shield with Joana's Catalyst Scimitar.
"About time," Rhota said impatiently while bumping his Knuckle claws together.
"I hope you've said your goodbyes," Mathra said with a confident smile as she twirled her Common bitball on top of her finger.
"We will not lose," Ren said as he pointed Otohime's cannon at them.
Joana moved next to Talos before motioning the larger Blade to lean down a little. "Master Talos, I know we have been over this, but you must be careful not to get a hit to your tabard," the knightess whispered.
"Don't worry, I won't lose it," Talos said in a determined tone.
"You guys ready?" Voluq asked as he glared at Ren, while hefting his Greataxe over his shoulder.
"Let's do this," Rhota said with a grin.
"For Uraya," Mathra added in, preparing the bitball.
"Watch closely, Miss Schnee," Aizen spoke up from his seat behind Weiss, "You might learn something."
Weiss wasn't sure whether Aizen meant the fight itself or the bitball wielder specifically.
But it wasn't just Weiss who was planning to watch. Qrow and Ozpin also were curious about how professional Drivers other than the Aegis team fare against students.
"Begin!" Raqura called out from the VIP seat and with that, Nora charged first.
"Come and get it!" Nora almost cackled as she raised Electra's hammer.
Voluq countered the attack, looking surprised at Nora matching the strength of his strike. After a moment the two pushed each other back, with the oldest of the Urayan Drivers smiling, "Looks like I underestimated you little girl."
"The name's Nora," Nora said with a savage grin, not even offended, "And you ain't seen nothing yet."
"Oh? Well then, show me." Voluq replied as he prepared the Greataxe. While the Chroma Katana wielding brute was standing by.
As Nora engaged Voluq, Rhota was dashing to Jaune, "Taste my fist, evildoer!"
"How dare you call milord such!" Joana shouted in fury of someone daring to call her lord an evildoer. All the while putting up a barrier to block the first strike.
"Well you're the thieves who stole from Uraya, what else can I call you?" Rhota said as he tried hitting Jaune who was using his shield to block the attacks. Unfortunately for Jaune, this guy's punches were comparable to Yang's.
"The robbery happened 30 years ago, we can't be the thieves," Jaune countered as he finally managed to parry an attack and get a few slashes in.
Rhota was forced to back off, which allowed Jaune to get another slash in. If the Urayan youth hadn't brought a knuckle claw to block the Catalyst Scitimar.
"Righteous Smash!" Rhota called out as he delivered an Ether enhanced punch to Jaune's lower abdomen. The one place the armor doesn't cover. Which caused the Arc boy to keel over despite his Aura.
"Didn't Jaune's Aura protect him from that?" Ruby asked with slight worry. Even as Talos stepped in and drew the Urayan Driver's attention.
"That Rhota has a Blade with darkness element," Azurda piped up from Rex's helmet.
"Ouch," Rex winced in sympathy, knowing that Joana is light Blade.
"Ren isn't doing much better," Weiss added in, causing those who weren't already looking to look to the gunner.
Mathra had managed to avoid Ren's Ether shots before throwing the bitball at the blackhaired Driver. Of course, Ren was able to avoid the first strike, but when the ball returned. Instead of picking it up, Mathra kicked the ball back in a follow up, which surprised Ren enough that it actually hit him.
Which was what Weiss looked surprised about. Before slapping herself on the forehead, "Why didn't I think of that?!"
"Probably because of your skirt," Dahlia supplied helpfully.
"What are you- Oh…right," Weiss sighed in defeat as images of what could have happened came to her mind.
As this happened, Brighid noticed that Aizen was scribbling on a small notebook.
"Where did you get that?" Brighid asked out of curiosity.
"Hmm?" Aizen sounded out as he gave Brighid his attention, "My notebook? I always had this."
Brighid hummed in acceptance, "What are you writing on it."
"Nothing too important," Aizen replied as he kept scribbling, occasionally taking a look at Weiss before writing some more.
Back to the fight, Nora was trying to send Voluq flying, but the veteran Driver kept matching her blow to blow.
"Mathra!" Voluq called out, just as the bitball was returning to the female Urayan after another attack that was blocked by Otohime's barrier this time.
Instead of answering, Mathra made a backflip with the ball hooked on her leg and sent it at Nora mid-flip.
"Nora!" Ren tried to warn his childhood friend, but the warning had barely left his lips when the ball already hit Nora's back.
Which created an opening for Voluq, "Brave Blade!" And then struck with fire enhanced slash at Nora's open torso.
"Nora!" Electra cried out as her Driver was flung away.
"Dammit!" Jaune exclaimed while Talos was still fending off Rhota.
"Spiral Phalanx!" Talos sent a powerful jab at Rhota who brought his arms at front to block the attack.
But as Rhota was pushed back next to the Blade he instantly detached the knuckle claws and handed them to his Blade. "Go for it, Hinagetsu!"
"On it!" The Female Blade now named Hinagetsu said as she jumped high before launching the fist weapons at Jaune.
"Milord!" Joana cried out as she put up a barrier while Jaune raised his shield. As everyone expected, the first launched Knuckle Claw broke through the barrier, while the second one his Jaune's shield. Despite taking the most steadfast stance he knew, the weapon still launched him back, causing the knight to skid across the floor while the weapons returned to Hinagetsu who returned them to her Driver.
"See that, this is the strength of Rhota of Urayan Three!" Rhota called out as he laughed at Jaune.
"Why you!" Talos exclaimed as he moved in to attack Rhota.
"Talos!" Jaune called out as he got back up, "Forget me! Help Nora!"
"But Jaune you took a-" "Master Talos!" Joana interrupted firmly, "Milord is not defenseless without you, he still has me."
Talos hesitated for a moment, "Take care of him." With that, Talos leaped over Rhota and Hinagetsu before moving in to help Nora who was still engaging one on one against Voluq.
The older Driver saw Talos coming."Soten! Stop him!" With that command, the Brute Blade called Soten dashed at Talos, Chroma Katana at the ready.
"Out of my way!" Talos shouted out, "War Charge!" And then Talos rammed himself against the barrier that the Chroma Katana wielder made. Once the hidden Flesh Eater's momentum stopped, Soten drew out his Chroma Katana and sent several quick slashes against Talos chest. Somehow not breaking the fabric, but the Brute Blade didn't notice that during those strikes, Talos' eyes glowed green.
"I said, out of my way!" Talos shouted as he swiped his Megalance at Soten, but the brute Common Blade stepped back before closing in for another strike, but this time Talos raised his shield arm to block.
As this was happening, Nora was getting angrier and angrier by the second, Voluq learned pretty quickly that if he tries to attack Nora when she raises the shield, then he would get zapped.
"Nora SMASH!" Nora tried striking the veteran Driver in frustration.
Voluq quickly moved away from the attack before going in for a strike. Electra tried to move in to help, but Voluq's male Common Blade ran around and kicked the little Blade away.
"Electra!" Nora cried out at the sound of a pained yelp from Electra. "How dare you!"
"Blazetrail!" Unfortunately, this distraction left Nora open for another attack, which sent the orangette right next to her Blade.
"That's cheating! Attacking Electra like that!" Nora cried out in outrage.
"Cheating?" Voluq asked like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, "There is no cheating in combat. You live or you die, besides your Blade will recover from any injury."
"That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt!" Nora shot back as she helped her Blade back up.
"So, you care about your Blade's feelings?" Voluq asked with a raised eyebrow, "They don't think about such things."
Nora's jaw dropped at what she just heard, and she wasn't the only one. Jaune heard it too and couldn't believe it, and neither could Ren despite being busy fending off Mathra.
In the audience, Ruby looked horrified, "How can he say that?" the red reaper looked like she wanted to cry.
"Sadly, that's how some Drivers view Blades," Zeke said in a somber tone, "Just tools."
"It's not right," Ruby muttered.
"…No, it isn't," Zeke agreed, deciding not to give the worst example of this treatment.
"A kingdom that would view me as nothing but a tool," Otohime spoke up with a deep frown, "You do not deserve me."
"You can say that about a lot of Drivers," Mathra spoke as she sent the bitball at Ren again, "But Blades have never had a say in who awakens them. That's just how things are."
"Otohime," Ren sounded out as he kept trying to blast Mathra who managed to avoid every shot.
"Ren, I need you to do something," Otohime said before moving as close as she could and whispered in her Driver's ear.
"You can do that?" Ren asked in surprise.
"I should be able to now." the water Blade responded as she set her gaze on Mathra.
"Be careful, Mathra," Mathra's male Blade said, "They're up to something."
"I noticed," Mathra said with a suspicious frown. Just then, a cry of pain sounded out.
Turning to the source, everyone saw Rhota landing on the floor after Joana had unleashed Holy Sword on him.
"Rhota!" Hinagetsu cried out in concern, which meant that he was still concious.
"Filthy vermin!" Joana shouted out with a look of utter disgust.
"Joana, please," Jaune pleaded as he caught the Catalyst Scimitar that his Blade threw back. Then he quickly moved closer to Nora and Ren as the weapon was glowing with white light. "Brave Soul!" Jaune called out as he lifted the Catalyst Scimitar high before it released a wave of green light. Jaune's healing Art.
"Cheer Up, guys," Mathra called out before releasing her own healing Art on her allies, which allowed Rhota to get back up.
"Thanks!" Rhota called out.
But then Ren also saw a necessary opening, "Blossom Burst!"
Mathra turned around just in time to duck under the attack, "Missed me!" The Urayan Driver had a smug grin.
Ren smiled at this, "I wasn't aiming for you."
Mathra's face fell just when he heard a loud pained yelp from behind. Turning to the source, Mathra saw that the blast had hit Voluq who was still wielding the Greataxe with a fire element.
"Voluq!" Mathra cried out in concern and regret.
"I'm okay, just- What?!" Voluq's words turned into an exclamation when his Greataxe suddenly shut down. Which also earned loud murmur from their audience. The older Urayan Driver turned to see his male Blade, and he was down, bound by purple chains. "No! She wasn't supposed to be able to do that!" Voluq shouted as he threw away the now useless Greataxe.
In her seat, Raqura's eyes widened. "She has regained her ability to seal other Blades," the queen said, now in worry. In all the past records, Otohime's ability to seal Blades with an attack was something she had to re-learn.
As for the Remnans and Alrestians, their jaws dropped at this new discovery. "Did Otohime just seal Voluq's Blade?" Yang asked in disbelief. All the while Brighid had taken out her diary and was flipping through the pages frantically.
Then the blue haired Blade found it and red aloud, "Not only is the Imperial Mother more sensitive to Ether than other Blades, she can also use that knowledge to disrupt a Blade's ability to harness ether. Therefore, sealing them."
"So that was why she was considered a threat," Mòrag muttered as she remembered a few conversations where some of the army's high-ranking officers made almost relieved comments about the Imperial mother being gone.
"You mean to tell me JNPR had an anti-Blade this whole time?!" Every single Remnant Driver exclaimed.
Voluq was gritting his teeth, "Dammit! Soten!"
With that command, the Chroma Katana wielding Brute Blade disengaged Talos and threw his weapon to his Driver, which the veteran Driver caught. "Now you will- What?!" The Chroma Katana's Ether blades deactivated the moment Voluq caught it. "Don't tell me." Then he looked at the horrific scene that was Soten struggling against the purple chains.
Otohime let out a laugh fitting of a noblewoman, "Did you think that you could get out of your punishment so easily? Naughty naughty." the Imperial Mother wagged her finger scoldingly for the effect.
"…So that's why they call her that," Mathra commented while looking warily at the three members of JNPR, as well as their Blades and Talos. Without Voluq, they were now outnumbered.
"Don't worry, Mathra, we can still win this," Rhota said as he bumped his fists and rushed to his ally's side.
"I'm not so sure," Mathra said in worry as Jaune, Ren and Talos surrounded them, while Voluq was clenching his jaw at Nora who was approaching him with a very evil grin.
"Electra," Nora said in a sing song voice.
"Yes, Nora?"
The orangette gave her evil order, "Hug me."
"Okay." Electra did just that, while crackling with electricity.
"What?" Voluq questioned as he saw this little Blade practically electrocuting her Driver. And yet the Driver looked fine, in fact, she looked downright giddy getting zapped. "What are you doing?"
"Powering up," Nora replied before patting Electra's head lightly to signal that was enough. It was still amazing how Nora can mind her strength when it comes to Electra. Then she actually dropped Electra's hammer, severing the affinity link, and approaching Voluq with a grin.
This confused the older Driver. Sure, his Blades were out of commission, but did this girl think him completely defenseless?
"Bring it on, you old fossil," Nora taunted as she then started skipping to a now very annoyed Voluq.
"Do you have a deathwish or are you just stupid?!" Voluq shouted out in disbelief,
"Nope," Nora said with a grin as she looked like she was about to throw a punch.
Voluq shook his head to get the disbelief out before avoiding the first punch before following it up with one of his own. Right into Nora's face. Thanks to her Aura which was restored by Jaune, Nora was protected and just grinned. "What?" Voluq let out in disbelief.
Then Nora grabbed the veteran Driver's shoulder and hit him in the chest with all her might. "That was for what you said about Blades and-" Nora was interrupted by Voluq hacking fluids on her. "EW!" Nora complained before pushing him away. Then she was about to rant on him before noticing a trickle of red that was now down his chin. With an apprehensive look, Nora wiped her face and then she saw it. Voluq had coughed blood on Nora. "But... how?" Nora questioned as she then saw the dent on Voluq's armor.
"VOLUQ!" Mathra and Rhota cried out in unison as they ran to pick up their senior.
"He can't breathe," Rhota said frantically as his eyes landed on the dent on the armor, "We need to get the armor off."
With that, the two started to frantically remove Voluq's armor. Only after that was done, did the older Urayan breath again. Until he coughed few more drops of blood on the floor. "Wh-what kind of monster are you," Voluq managed to say to Nora who had an uncomprehending look.
"Nora?" Electra sounded out in worry.
"Dammit, Mathra heal Voluq to the best of your ability," Rhota said as he got up and prepared to engage Nora who still looked like she couldn't comprehend what was happening.
"Rhota, you can't fight them alone," Mathra said despite preparing her bitball.
"That demon tried to kill Voluq, I won't let her get away with it!" Rhota shot back even as rest of team JNR came to their team mate's side.
"Enough!" Then echoed on the battlefield, all eyes turned to queen Raqura who had risen from her chair. "The match…is over," Raqura said with an almost somber tone.
"Your highness, we can still fight!" Rhota called out desperately, "We can't let them get away with-" "Rhota!" Voluq interrupted as the healing energies of Mathra's Art washed over him, "It's enough. With me in this condition and a monster like that on their side…you and Mathra don't stand a chance. Not to mention if Otohime uses her power again."
"But…what about the Imperial Mother?" Mathra asked as she eyed the Blade in question.
"You, Driver of Otohime," Raqura called out, earning Ren's attention, "You…your friends and…Otohime…are free to go."
"W-we are?" Ren asked, unable to comprehend it.
"Yes…the ship will be waiting for all of you to board, provided you can pay for the boarding," Raqura replied almost hopefully.
"…Thank you so much your highness," Ren spoke with a deep bow, "And…this may mean little, but we apologize for Voluq's condition."
It was then Nora finally snapped back to reality before tears were coming out of her eyes.
"Nora, are you okay?" Electra asked in worry.
"I didn't mean to," Nora sounded out with a hiccup. Then she felt a pair of arms wrapping around her.
"I know." Ren said while hugging the poor girl who almost killed someone.
All because she forgot that Alrestians have no Aura.
AN: There we go, team JNR had to fight three Urayan Drivers to have the right to keep Otohime. Poor Nora, almost killing someone because of a slight slip of mind.
Whelp, let's hope that my next chapter doesn't take over a month to write.