Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
"A glimmer of hope is better than nothing," thought Raven as she approached the Haven academy headmaster's window in bird form. If what Cinder said was true and Professor Leonheart had indeed betrayed Ozpin, then all he had to do was mention Salem's name and he will do, what she ask for.
And if she can trust that Roman is only looking for a way out, he'll be able to warn Qrow and her daughter to prepare for the ambush. The most important thing is now to ensure the survival of her clan and for this she needs to acquire the relic of Knowledge.
He didn't notice her arrival and landed on the windowsill, finding the headmaster working on his computer and not noticing her, even when she changed back into her human form and just like a shadow, stood there watching him.
- Hello, Leo. – The headmaster jumped up from his desk in terror, as if he had almost had a heart attack.
- Raven Branwen?! - Leo could hardly believe his eyes that the long-lost Branwen twin had now appeared before him. - What are you doing here?!
- I heard that you're helping my little brother gather a team to attack me and my clan. - She explained as she gripped the hilt of her katana and stepped closer to him.
- Wait, I... - Leo raised his hands in terror to explain.
- And the birds are chirping that you changed side. - She stopped right in front of him.
- From where...?! - Although he was still terrified, curiosity also struck his head.
- Our mutual friend Salem sent me with an offer and a plan. - As soon as Raven removed her hand from the hilt of her sword, Leo was relieved.
- Are you with her too?
- For now. My only stipulation is that we kill Qrow and the students with him. - Leo was completely shocked by this.
- Your brother?! I know you two never got along but…
- It's not personal! - Raven nailed it. - Qrow knows too much about me. - She glared at Leo. - He told you that the Spring Maiden is with me and you told Salem as soon as you had the chance? - Leo sat down in his chair in shame.
- What do you want from me?
- Help me trap and kill him, - Raven explained as if it was only natural that a headmaster trusted by his students would betray their trust like this. - as you did with the other Hunters in Mistral.
- But how... - Leo tried to use the same trick on her that she tried with Cinder, procrastinating.
- In theory, - Raven had no patience for his tricks. - you should gather a team for him, with which you should attack me. Tell them what you want to hear, that you've made a breakthrough and they can meet your little team tonight but they'll be terribly surprised when me and Salem's people will be waiting for them. We kill him, the students, get the relic and the White Fang blows up the academy, along with the CCT-tower. Salem gets the relic, leaves my clan alone and you live out the rest of your life in hiding but free, as long as the world knows you died a hero, protecting the academy.
- Where did I put my Scroll…? - Leo was still just trying to procrastinate but Raven still didn't like it.
- In front of your nose. - She nodded towards the Scroll on the table.
- Oh yeah. - Leo reached for the Scroll with a shaky hand, opened his call list, selected Qrow's number, took a deep breath and started the call. It rang but each ring, which lasted no more than two seconds, felt like two hours, with millions of thoughts and guilt running through his mind.
- Yeah? - That's what Qrow said on the other side after he picked it up.
- Qrow, - Leo couldn't do anything, he had to do what Raven said. - it's me. I have big news. - He tried to sound cheerful but he was quite the opposite. - I managed to convince the council to give some support to the attack.
- Really?
- Yes, they will be here by tonight. Let's not waste time, come here in the evening and we can leave for Raven's camp tonight.
- Okay, we'll be there. - He hung up and the call ended.
- There you go. - Leo put down his Scroll broken.
- I still have a few questions for you. - Raven smiled that her plan had come together so well.
- You aren't alone in this. - Leo just stared at her.
- I wouldn't have thought, - She started pacing up and down. - that you will be so spineless to betray Oz, which leads to the sensible question. What does Salem have about that she keeps you in her grasp?
- I'm helping her, - Leo just folded his hands in front of him. – for the same reason you do. Because I'm afraid. We can't stop her. Nobody could.
- That's why I left when I still could. - Raven just smiled confidently. - I'm not afraid, I'm smart.
- Call it what you want but it doesn't matter. We do the same. We help her because we have no other choice. - Leo buried his head in his hands, sadly and full with guilt. - I crossed the line. I did things that Ozpin will never forgive and for good reason. I don't know where I'll end up next.
- Humanize yourself! - Raven leaned sternly on his desk. - You did what you had to do to survive! There's no shame in that! - Leo was silent for a while, not sure if he sensed Raven's doubt but he asked a question.
- Who are you trying to convince?
Raven didn't answer, just turned and left the office. She didn't even have to sneak, since there wasn't a single soul in the academy besides Leo. Exactly as Cinder said, all they have to do is walk in, grab the relic and they'll be gone before anyone notices anything. She went to one of the dormitory rooms, which she had set up as a temporary apartment for herself and waited for the night.
"I've done my part, now it's up to you, Roman."
Ruby gave the team amazing news, Qrow received a call from Professor Leonheart that he had a breakthrough at the council and they were getting a team to finally go to Raven's camp. Although this was good news at first, Ozpin got suspicious because it was done too quickly, so at his suggestion, everyone brought their weapons.
The sun had already set and the moon was already up, showing its broken side to the world but the last breath of the sun could still be seen in the night sky as our heroes left their rented house and found themselves on the street as they prepared to leave for Haven.
- Could someone tell me, - Lance, who had got repaired his armor after the fight with Weiss and Jaune, asked the question that was on many people's minds. – why did we have to bring all our weapons?
- Oz said something was wrong with Leo's call, - Qrow explained. – we hope he's wrong but it's smarter to be sure.
- Do you think one of Salem's people might show up? - Ruby was worried.
- Roman Torchwick?! - Jaune looked across the street in shock.
- Yes, - Ruby thought. - like him and maybe...
- Roman Torchwick! – This time Jaune shouted more forcefully and pointed towards the bar, where Qrow had been a regular for the past few weeks and everyone had their heads turned.
- What the… - Ruby was at a loss for words.
- What is he doing here?! - Yang was more prepared for a fight.
- Are you sure it's him? - Weiss didn't see him properly.
- Do you think anyone else wears such a hat?! - Yang just rolled her eyes.
Roman Torchwick walked into the bar in front of them but he didn't seem to notice them. They had clearly followed before entering the bar, everyone readying their weapons and mentally preparing for whatever trap the gangster set for them.
As soon as they passed through the bar door, both the guests and the staff were terrified because they thought they were going to be robbed.
- Calm down, - Qrow raised one hand. - we didn't come to rob! We only have one meeting, - He looked at Roman at the bar counter. – with that *sshole.
The team surrounded Roman behind him, who still had his back to them, but after receiving his order, two glasses of Whiskey with ice, he turned around and didn't even react to being engaged by a group of armed Hunters. He walked between Ruby and Yang as if he didn't even see them, which they just couldn't do anything about.
He looked a little different, his coat was dirty, torn in several places, as were his pants, he had a cut scar on his face that his aura couldn't erase and his stubble was starting to grow, he wasn't the elegant gentleman he was in Vale but he still had his hat and cane.
With the two glasses of Whiskey in hand, while hanging Melodic Cludgel on his arm, Roman sat down at a table, placing one glass in front of him, while placing the other in front of the chair opposite him, where no one was sitting.
The team followed, their weapons still pointed at him, to which Roman still only had a template reaction and no one knew what to say.
- Hello, kids, - Roman, after taking a sip of his drink, greeted the others, but still winked at Ruby meanly. - Little Red.
- Roman?! - Ruby just angrily pointed Crescent Rose at the criminal, just waiting for an excuse to shoot him.
- You don't even hug your old friend, - Roman just spread his arms but didn't make any threatening movements. - Roman Torchwick?
- What are you doing here?! - Yang slapped the table impatiently.
- Calm down, Blondie. – Roman didn't lose his cool. - I was just looking for you. - He looked up at Qrow. - More specifically, him.
- Me? – Qrow knew who Roman was, the criminal leader who was hired by one of Salem's people, Cinder, to steal Dust from Vale and was the one who took control of one of the Atlas flagships, shot down two others and installed a virus that turned Atlas' robot soldiers against them. He hadn't met him in person but he had heard a lot about him.
- Exactly. – Roman just raised his glass and motioned for him to sit down and pointed to the other glass. - You are my guest, - He looked over the students, who were still pointing loaded guns at him. - just like all of you.
- I'm only 16. - Ruby said.
- So? - Roman shrugged. - What's the age limit for Grimm hunting, 8?
- Get to the point, Torchwick! - Yang demanded. - Give us a reason why we shouldn't beat you until you have a spark of life left in you? – Roman raised the glass to his mouth, looked at Yang and saw her right, mechanical hand.
- I'll give you three. The first one, - He took Melodic Cludgelt off his arm and the others just prepared to fight him if they had to but he just put it down on the table. – I'm unarmed and I'm just giving a peace bond. Second, I wouldn't be able to provide information if you broke, let's say, my jawline. Third, I have some pretty interesting information about Salem's inner circle.
The others lowered their weapons a bit and looked at each other in confusion, wondering what Roman's purpose might be.
- Then... - Ruby was the first to say it out loud. - do you want to… help us?
- Bingo! - Roman clapped. - I see, Red, you're the brain in the team!
- All right, - Qrow lowered Harbinger, sat down on the table and took the glass of Whiskey he had sniffed first. - it doesn't smell poisoned. - He took a chance and took a sip. - What did you want to talk about? – Roman just smiled while clasping his hands under his chin.
- I know you're going to Haven, to Professor Leonheart, hoping he would help you but he's actually going to trap you.
- What?! - Yang and the others looked at each other in shock and lowered their weapons.
- But he's the headmaster of a Hunter Academy, - Ruby couldn't believe it either. - Ozpin personally chose him for this task to guard the relic!
- The saying will always be true, - Roman just took the last sip of his drink. - the one who's considered perfect is actually the biggest *sshole. That cowardly lion, as soon as he felt that his life was in danger, used his position to save himself by betraying his own people.
- I don't believe a word you say! - Qrow quickly downed the drink and stood up angrily. - I know Leo, he may not be the bravest but he's not a traitor!
- I only tell the truth. – Roman just leaned back, took out a cigar and lit it. - And that's not all. The White Fang is preparing to ambush Haven tonight and blow it up and the CCT-tower, repeating the Beacon disaster.
- What?! – The others didn't like Roman at all and wanted to make sure he was just lying, but Ruby felt deep down that you were telling the truth.
- Roman, - Ruby put away Crescent Rose and stood next to Roman. - are you serious now?
- It feels a bit strange, - He took a puff from his cigar and blew out the smoke. – to tell the truth and help the good guys.
- Why do you want to help us? - Ruby didn't understand that one thing.
- Hm, - Roman just smiled and spread his arms. – would you believe me if I said that I have changed and I want to get back on the right path? – No one took this in and they bent down tiredly, before Roman just laughed. - Just kidding, I'm just as criminal as ever, but Salem's plan… to destroy the world, - He shook his head and took another drag from his cigar. - I don't agree with her.
- So… - Qrow figured out why he wanted to help them.
- I'm interested in helping you, stopping Salem.
- What, - Yang just crossed her arms suspiciously. – are you only helping us for your own selfish interest?
- Come on, - Roman just waved. - of course, I'm only helping you in my own selfish interests.
- Is there anything else you want to say? - Qrow asked.
- Yes, - Roman took a last smoke from his cigar and extinguished the butt in a prepared ashtray. – your sister, Raven Branwen, also teamed up with them and brought the Spring Maiden with her to help Salem get the relic.
- What?! - Qrow angrily jumped up and grabbed Qrow by the neck of his shirt. - Why didn't you start with that?
- Hm, - Roman still didn't lose his cool, he just shrugged his shoulders in boredom. - I didn't think it was that important. - He was joking.
- We must go to the academy immediately! - Qrow angrily let go of Roman, picked up Harbinger and looked towards the exit.
- You just don't believe what he said?! – Yang didn't understand why they should listen to Roman.
- That hurts! - Roman touched his chest with feigned offense. - After what we went through in Vale, you don't trust me?! - No one answered, they just looked at him tiredly.
- We must know for sure, - Ruby tried to convince her sister. - We have to ask Professor Leonheart and if he's lying, at least we could clear his name!
- And if Roman tells the truth? - Weiss prepared for the worst. - Then the relic, Haven, and all of Mistral are in danger!
- You're welcome. – Roman just raised his hat as if he had done a great service to the team.
- You're coming with us! - Yang ordered.
- I was hoping I wouldn't have to, but... - Roman just stood up in discomfort, eyes closed and shaking his head but as soon as he opened his eyes, he reached for Melodic Cludgel and shielded the tip of the blade directed towards him. - What are you doing, - He looked completely surprised and angry, no trace of his former calm and confident self. - Neo?!
Neo attacked him from the shadows, who had been here the whole time, disguised as a waitress with short, black hair and green eyes, listening to their conversation the whole time but as soon as she had heard enough, she decided it was time to shut Roman up, but his reflexes saved him. Neo's hair, eyes and clothes also changed back, which were torn and stained just like Roman's.
Neo threw another blow at Roman, which he only managed to avoid by falling backwards but he felt his hat fly off his head and as soon as he hit the ground, he saw it hovering on top of Hush but Neo quickly placed the hat on her own head and was about to deliver the final blow to Roman but Ruby's scythe got in the way of the blade, saving his life. Neo angrily looked to the side seeing Ruby was the one standing in her way but Yang then punched her in the head but it was just an illusion that shattered into a thousand pieces.
Neo reappeared at the pub's exit and before leaving, turned back and pointed Hush at Roman with his right hand, indicating that it wasn't over yet and she was still coming for him.
- What was that?! – Ruby didn't understand, since Roman and Neo were friends, when Roman thought Neo was dead, he got mad beyond measure.
- Isn't she your friend?! - Yang couldn't place what happened either.
- I would like to know the best! - Roman has never been seen in such a shocked and stunned state. - I loved this girl and... - He wanted to adjust his hat but remembered that Neo had taken it. - she stole my hat! - He squeezed Melodic Cludgel's grip and headed for the exit.
- Where are you going?! Yang stopped him.
- What do you think?! - Roman answered angrily. - To Haven!
- After her! - Qrow gave the order as they all followed.
The whole team, together with Roman, headed towards the Haven academy, they reached the courtyard, where everything was quiet, there wasn't a soul anywhere but after Roman's warning and Neo's attack, they were all worried and afraid in advance of what would happen if Roman was right.
Roman was seemed barely able to comprehend that Neo had betrayed him and attacked him, not even noticing that Yang was pointing Ember Celica in case he tried. They passed the CCT-tower and headed straight for the main entrance of the academy, which opened into the great hall. The lights were on, so someone must have been there.
The great hall was large, true to its name, a flight of stairs in the middle of the hall led up to the first floor in two directions, at the top of which was a podium from which speeches could be made to the students. The podium was made of a white marble statue of a woman with long hair, arms outstretched as if she were holding the podium, and golden chains hanging from her arms. And there was Professor Leonheart at the top of the podium as he waited for them.
- Welcome. – Greeted them the headmaster. - Thank you for... - He was nervous and worried as he looked around the team. - came. It looks like there are more of you than last time.
- You know the saying, - Qrow didn't want to believe Roman, so he tried to trust Leo. – the more the merrier. - But he couldn't be stupid, he had to find out the truth. - Then what about the council?"
- Why... - Leo looked more and more nervous as he looked over the students as he put his hands behind his back as if he was hiding something. - did you bring weapons?
- What? - Qrow was becoming more and more sure of what the truth was but he still didn't want to accept it. - Leo, we are Hunters. You feel good?
- Of course! - Leo laughed nervously. - I just haven't had my coffee yet!
- Look, - Qrow didn't want to avoid the subject any longer. – it's nice to see you but we heard some bad things about you.
- Really?! - Leo was completely shocked. - What?
- That you switched to Salem and help her! - Qrow told it straight in his face. - Tell me that's not true!
- I… - Leo didn't know what to say, but Yang noticed an unpleasant acquaintance on the right floor, while Roman on the left floor.
- Mom?!
- Neo?!
Bang
Bang
Qrow fired at the red-eyed raven on the balcony, which flew out of the way while Roman aimed at the girl hiding behind the railing, who jumped away from the firebomb. The raven flew behind Leo but a moment later Raven came up from behind him, standing on his right side, with her helmet on her head and her katana at her side. Meanwhile, Neo was jumping from railing to railing, then springing away and parachuting with Hush to Leo's left side, Roman's hat on her head as she leaned Hush on her shoulder. Both women smiled wickedly at the people downstairs.
- Raven. – Ruby just met her aunt.
- This... is… - Nora could hardly believe her eyes. - really magic.
- If you want to shoot me, - Raven took off her helmet and looked at her younger brother. - just shoot. That was insulting.
- What are you doing here?! - Qrow demanded the answer.
- We had agreed! - So does Roman. - What are you doing?!
- Yes, - Raven now turned to Roman. – we had agreed. However, - She smirked and looked at Neo. – your little girlfriend made a better offer.
- Neo?! – Roman hardly wanted to believe that the girl he loved more than anything had betrayed him. - How could you? I thought you…
- Love you? - Raven finished for him. - Love is quite overrated. – She started down, smiling evilly at his younger brother. - I could ask the same of you. You were mean, little brother. Did you want to attack your own sister?
- Leo, - Qrow turned to the Headmaster now, demanding an answer. - what have you done?!
- I… - He couldn't say anything because of fear and shame.
- Leo was just doing what anyone else would do in his situation! - Raven answered for him as she reached the ground floor and walked in front of the marble statue. – He summarized the facts, recognized the situation, understood the chances, and made his decision. - Leo closed his eyes in shame, wishing he had made a better decision. - And it looks like, - She stopped in front of the team and looked at her daughter disappointed. - you too.
- You have Spring Maiden! - Qrow stepped forward with Harbinger in hand.
- Yes. - Raven saw no point in lying.
- Then give it to us and let's work together! - He lowered his weapon. - - Just like the old times! Together we can defeat Salem!
- You've been spying for Ozpin for so many years and you still have no idea what you're up against! - Raven felt like she was explaining to a bunch of idiots. As if only she knew the truth that the others simply couldn't understand. - Salem can't be defeated!
- You are wrong! – Ruby spoke, who was like Summer as she spoke. - We did things that others thought were impossible! And I know the only reason we could because we're together! There were people who taught us, helped us! - As she spoke, Raven felt as if Summer, who she had always thought knew exactly what to do, had returned. - We were there for each other! - She stepped forward and held out her hand. - Help us. We have a better chance if we try together. Please.
Summer was the leader of team STRQ and the others always thought she knew exactly what to do and what was the right decision but Raven knew that wasn't true. If she had, she would still be alive and leading the fight against Salem but it was her own decision, her trust in the wrong people and her own weakness that cost her life. And Ruby inherited the same weaknesses.
- You are exactly like your mother. - She took out her katana and opened a dark red portal and a fireball flew out and hit Ruby, causing her to fall backwards.
Ruby! - Yang immediately rushed to her aid.
- Hello, boys and girls. – Familiar unpleasant figures emerged from the space gate, Cinder, Emerald, Mercury and Vernal.
- Cinder! - Ruby glared at the one-eyed woman while the rest of the team looked at their two former classmates.
- C'mon, guys, - Mercury just put his hands on his hips. – is this how you greet your old friends?
- Everyone, - Qrow, seeing Yang ready to beat the boy, interjected. - calm down!
The front door opened and Hazel came through and closed the door, cutting off the escape route.
- The White Fang is currently placing the explosive charges and occupying the school grounds. No one can get in and no one can get out.
After several months of waiting, the next big breakthrough for the White Fang has arrived, the destruction of Haven Academy. There was no turning back for Mandy as she placed her explosive charges and returned to the schoolyard where she waited for the others to finish and Hazel to give the signal to detonate.
- As soon as the charges are in place, - Adam instructed those who placed the bombs on the CCT-tower. – retreat, out of the school grounds, from where we can watch! - He grinned obsessively, as if preparing for some glorious deed. - Because tonight, Haven falls!
"At least the building is empty," was the only thing that reassured Mandy.
Hazel headed towards the team as a terrible fact dropped upon them.
- Was that a trap?! - Weiss spoke up.
- Roman was right. - Ren admitted.
- Neo, - Roman looked up at his girlfriend, who was smiling so sweetly, as if she was extremely proud of her terrible act. – how could you betray me?! – Neo only indicated with her hands in response. - What kind of rock and bird? - Roman just shook his head in confusion. - Speak sensibly!
- What did she say? - Yang asked.
- Something about a bird and a rock. - Roman didn't really understand either.
- Oh, Roman, - Cinder spoke only with fake empathy. – Neo simply realized that you hold her back and that she will be better off without you. - Neo's diabolical but sweet little grin suggested that she was telling the truth. - She's like a bird that you pull back like a rock. Fortunately, she recognized to cut the rock off herself in time. – Neo pointed again and adjusted Roman's hat on her head.
- Hell no! - Roman glared at Neo. - It doesn't look half as good on you as it does on me!
- And you, Raven?! - Qrow was now staring at his sister. - How long have you been working for Salem?
- Oh, - Cinder, like Roman before, continued with fake sympathy, like someone who enjoys torturing others emotionally. - don't take it personally, little bird. Your sister was enlisted only a few weeks ago. - She looked up at Leo. - The lion, however, - Who was still ashamed. – thanks to him, it was child's play to join the Vytal festival. Also, Leonardo has been feeding Salem all kinds of information for a very, very long time. Isn't that true, - Cinder was simply euphoric at the fact that she could reveal that the people they loved and trusted had betrayed them. - professor?
- Stop! - Leo couldn't bear to listen anymore.
- Roman was right about this too. - Qrow got the answer, which was terribly disappointing. - You did it. You're a member of the council and have information on every Hunter in the kingdom and have you sold them all?!
- I… - Leo couldn't bear to look Qrow in the eyes.
- I couldn't find any of them! - Qrow continued. - Because you get them killed! - Leo had spent long, sleepless nights agonizing over this but this was the first time someone had confronted him out loud about what he had done.
- Oh, - Cinder continued to say to Leo in her fake voice. - don't be so hard on yourself, Leonheart. I'm sure the Mistral Bounty Hunter Order would have found them anyway.
- What is wrong with you? - Jaune spoke up suddenly, his heart breaking. - How can you be so broken inside? You took so many lives and you show it into our face, as if it were something you are very proud of?!
- Jaune… - Weiss and the others looked at him worriedly, as they had never seen their friend so angry before.
- WITH A DAMN SMILE IN YOUR FACE! - Jaune blurted out as everyone drew their weapons.
- Everyone, - Qrow was still trying to avoid the fight. - stay calm!
- You will pay for what you did! - Jaune stared at Cinder with angry, tearful eyes, thinking only of revenge. - Do you hear me?! - Cinder just silently stared at the boy, who had just burst out of a lot of anger that he felt towards Cinder because of killing his friend, Pyrrha. - So?! Say something! - Cinder said something to Jaune after a moment of silence that no one expected.
- Who are you again?
Jaune didn't answer, he just transformed his one-handed sword into a two-handed broadsword and charged at Cinder, who just summoned a black glass sword with an evil grin, deflecting Jaune's blow.
- Jaune! – Ruby immediately rushed to her aid, shooting the ground with Crescent Rose, which caused her to rise up so that she could attack Cinder from above but a chain was wrapped around her, which knocked her to the ground.
- You can't go near her. - It was Emerald who used her weapon to knock Ruby down.
Cinder was fighting with just one, her human hand but it was enough to repel Jaune's sword.
Meanwhile, Yang was about to rush to her sister's aid but Mercury stood in her way.
- Hey, Blondie, I think you should apologize for my leg. - He also reminded Yang with an evil smile of what happened at the Vytal Tournament when he pretended to break his leg, which no one knew was mechanical, thus tarnishing her reputation. - Don't you think?
- I broke the wrong limb. - Yang just angrily raised her fists, preparing for a clash. - Next time I'll break your neck! – With the shot of Ember Celica, she leaped straight at him but Mercury blocked her blow with his leg.
- The next mistake, - He told her confidently. – that you think there will be next time!
Raven stayed back and analyzed the battlefield for who to attack and when her hand not taking off the hilt of her katana as she kept her eyes on Vernal.
- Take care of the princess, - She pointed at Weiss. – but don't waste your strength on her! Not worth it. - A blink of an eye was all it took for her to draw her sword to ward off Qrow's attack with Harbinger.
- The fact that you ran away is one thing! - Qrow was about to press down on his sister angrily as the two blades met. - But this… you crossed the line!
- I'm sorry, little brother, - It took all of Raven's strength to hold on but it seemed the two Branwen twins were equally strong. - family sometimes disappoints you.
- We are no longer a family. - Qrow stated.
- Were we even? - Raven and Qrow never liked each other, ever since they were kids but they never tried to kill each other.
- I thought so, but it looks like I was wrong!
While the two Branwen brothers were fighting each other, Weiss faced Vernal.
- Let's see, - Vernal had been eyeing Weiss for a while now, ever since she was caught and imprisoned, during which time he constantly made her feel how much she looked down on her. – what the Schnee name really worth. - She readied her blades as Weiss pointed at Myrtenaster.
- I am more than a name!
- Prove it.
Weiss summoned a gravity rune beneath her and threw herself at Vernal.
Oscar tried to sneak upstairs to Professor Leonheart but his path was blocked by Neo. She walked gracefully and elegantly down the stairs and pointed Hush straight at the boy.
- Oscar! - Nora and Ren ran towards him at the same time to protect him.
- We'll take care of her! - Nora said.
- We heard what she can do. - Ren remembered Ruby and Yang's account of this girl.
- But she doesn't know what I can do! – Nora raised her hammer and ran straight at Neo to strike her dead but she just opened Hush, bent down, dodged Nora's blow, then raised her parasol, along with Nora and threw her to the side as she winked at her.
Ren fired his blades into the two banisters of the stairs with a wire rope to gain momentum and attack her like that but Neo ducked into a perfect split stretch, close Hush and hooking one of Ren's weapon string, ruining the attack, causing him to fall to the side.
Neo dragged Hush' blade tip along the wooden floor, headed for Ren and Nora on the ground, leaving Oscar free to climb the stairs.
Lance wanted to challenge the big man, Hazel, he took out his sword and began to strike his shield with it, indicating that he had chosen him as his opponent.
- I don't want to fight you. - Hazel stated.
- I think, - Lance measured the situation in the great hall as everyone fought with everyone. - what we want is irrelevant.
- So be it. – Seeing that Lance didn't intend to back away from the fight, Hazel cracked one of his fists, prepared for the fight and started towards Lance, who wasn't much smaller than him.
After Ren and Nora distracted Neo, Oscar was able to get up to the podium to talk to Professor Leonheart, who was nervously staring at the combatants, not knowing who to root for, not even noticing him.
He only noticed that he was approaching Oscar when he was standing a few meters behind him.
- Young man, - Leo warned, worried as he didn't want such a young child to get in trouble. – I don't know who you are and what you think, what you do but for your own sake, I suggest you leave. - He adjusted the cross-shaped metal weapon on his left wrist, signaling that he would attack if he didn't leave. - Now! – Oscar didn't expand, he just went closer to Leo, up the stairs, which made the headmaster just point his cross-iron weapon at him and below it opened a yellow metal circle with different colored circles. - I'm warning you! - Oscar didn't say anything, he just reached for his weapon. - Enough! - Leo spun the circle and a red star-shaped rune appeared above his weapon, then spun it again, causing the rune to spin and turn white, then a flaming rock appeared in front of him, which he shot at Oscar. The rock exploded but Oscar stood unharmed, clearly using his aura to ward off the attack. Leo lowered his gun in horror as the boy approached him with a confidence and rigor that belied his age and took out his weapon, a very familiar walking stick which he opened with a squeeze of his arm. - Ozpin? - He didn't take much time to put it together.
- Not quite. – Oscar just smiled confidently, took the stick in both hands and attacked Leo, who was barely able to defend himself against the boy's attacks.
His wrist weapon and Ozpin's stick met each other several times and Leo's terribly shocked by how fiercely this boy was fighting, he pressed him against the railing and if he hadn't dodged in time, he would have hit him but Oscar didn't stop, he continued chasing Leo, who didn't notice the stairs while backing away and almost fell on them, but he reached the bottom safely.
Oscar didn't stop, he jumped up high and again, he started viciously attacking the headmaster, who could barely defend himself, but as soon as he started to recognize the boy's attacks, he attempted a counterattack, but Oscar quickly switched and defended himself then beat the professor back.
- It can't be. - He whispered to himself. - I knew you'd come back one day but... - He could hardly believe his eyes, Ozpin returned and continued the fight where he left off. - You found Qrow! How?! – While he was thinking, Oscar just stared, prepared in case Leo wanted to attack but he remembered something, Ozpin reincarnated too quickly. - Wait a minute, if you're really dead, you're only in this form recently! You're not Ozpin yet! A boy, a child... - He looked hopefully up at the ceiling and looked as if he had found enlightenment. - If I take you to Salem now, she'll have to be pleased with me! And finally, I can get rid of all this! – He stared angrily and longingly at Oscar, as if he was the only way out for him. - Finally, I can be free! – He turned on his wrist weapon again and a purple rune started spinning above him.
- Now what? - Oscar spoke to himself as he prepared to clash with Leo again.
- Don't you think, - Mike, who stayed behind with Roman, asked the thug. – we should help?
- Calm down, Pooh, - Encouraged Roman, who hid behind one of the beams. – for now, let's just see how they do it.
- Now what... - Mike didn't understand, that they are hiding, not helping their friends.
- We are the reinforcement. - Roman made it clear. – If we see that one of ours is in a difficult situation, it will be our turn.
- Okay. - Mike didn't know what to do, so he listened to Roman.
Weiss held her own against Vernal, jumping from rune to rune to avoid the blades thrown at her, which always returned to their owner like a boomerang, she even dodged a shot, but she was careless, she hit a beam and fell to the ground. At the last moment, she managed to remember and dodge the blade coming towards her but Vernal immediately rushed towards her, only to be pushed out of her way with another gravity rune.
Once she was far enough away from Vernal, Weiss raised a wall of ice that was high enough that she couldn't jump over and have enough time to summon the giant ice knight. Unfortunately, Vernal also used his own weapon and in the blink of an eye split the wall with a powerful laser beam and decapitated the summoned knight and one of the blades hit Weiss in the head, causing her to fall backwards.
- Don't think, - Vernal just twirled her blades in her hands. – that I will let you take the easy way out. – She knew exactly what Weiss was playing for, she had already seen the ice knight in Raven's camp, which can cause a lot of trouble, so she couldn't let her summon it.
Jaune didn't have much success against Cinder either, who was able to send the boy to the floor without difficulty.
- I think I remember you! - Cinder laughed. - You're the dancer who really can't tell who's above his level.
Jaune just stood up and continued his hopeless fight against Cinder.
Seeing this, Ruby looked worriedly at Jaune, since Cinder was just playing with her and it was only a matter of time before she got bored of the game and started using her powers seriously.
- Ouch! - Her carelessness paid off as Emerald's chain weapon smacked her in the face, knocking her back into the fray. - Why are you doing this?! - She asked as she twirled Crescent Rose to deflect Emerald's projectiles. - Salem will…
- Who cares about Salem?! – Emerald wasn't interested that what she was doing was wrong, she just continued to shoot Ruby. - I owe Cinder everything! – It was clear that she couldn't penetrate Ruby's defenses with shots, so she lowered her weapons. - But if you want to fight her, so be it.
She used her Semblance and using an illusion made Ruby believe that she had turned into Cinder which charged towards Ruby and Ruby braced herself for the impact, Cinder actually floated over her and was too late to react when Emerald approached her and hooked her hook blade into Ruby's ankle, hooking her.
Weiss continued to fight Vernal but found herself in quite a tight spot, she lunged at Vernal but Weiss blocked her with a gravity rune and pushed the girl far away. She tried to summon the ice knight again but as soon as Vernal hit the ground, she opened fire on Weiss, interrupting the summoning.
Vernal continued to fire and Weiss kept dodging the shots, jumping from one rune to another to avoid Vernal but finally managed to trap her with another gravity rune, pushing her even further and trying to summon the ice knight for the third time.
Vernal returned, right in front of her, hooked both blades onto Myrtenaster and fired.
- AAARRRRGGHHHH! - Weiss shouted and a light blue flash indicated that her aura was drained.
Jaune looked at Weiss in horror and only now realized how much danger she was in.
- Are you going to let her die too? - Cinder continued to torture him.
- DON'T MESS WITH ME!
- If you want this. - Cinder focused her power into her sword, causing it to glow yellow, preparing to finish off Jaune with a single blow.
Ignoring the danger, Jaune grabbed the hilt of his sword and charged towards Cinder with full determination with the holy purpose of stopping her if necessary at the cost of his life.
As Jaune raced towards his certain doom, Ruby was eerily reminded of the time when Cinder had killed Pyrrha in front of her and she had watched helplessly. She simply couldn't bear to watch yet another friend dies by Cinder's hands.
- NOOOOOO…. – Her eyes emitted a silver light but only for a short time because Emerald hit her in the head in time and passed out.
That was enough for Ruby Silver Eye to injure Cinder's left, Grimm arm causing her to feel such pain that she fell to her knees but as soon as she regained consciousness the tip of Jaune's sword was hurtling straight towards her face, which she was only able to throw aside but still, he managed to cut the sheet of metal covering her missing left eye but she and Jaune fell to the ground.
Cinder stood up, felt the cut sheet of metal and with her only remaining eye, which began to glow yellow, glared at Jaune with immeasurable anger. She stood up and stomped on his chest, keeping the boy on the ground.
- Did you seriously think you had a chance against me?! - She yelled at him angrily. - You? - She stomped on him again. - If you give me an explanation why you thought, even for a second, that this was a good idea, maybe I'll spare you! - Jaune didn't answer, just frantically reached for his sword before the light in Cinder's eye shut. - That's exactly what I meant. Just a failure with a big dose of death wish.
- If I die buying them time, - Jaune wasn't afraid at all, Cinder was much stronger than him but that didn't worry him. There was something much more important, worth dying for. – then it was worth it! – He turned to his friends who were fighting with Cinder's companions and by restraining Cinder to help one of them, he only increased his friends' chances of survival and even victory. - They matter and not me! This is something you will never understand!
- You say so? - Cinder had an evil idea to turn the knife in Jaune's heart.
She saw Raven's man Vernal defeat Weiss and knock out her aura, forcing her to the ground. She got off Jaune, headed towards Weiss and summoned a black glass spear into her hand.
- Don't! - Jaune still weakly tried to stand up to stop her but he couldn't. - NOOO!
With a sadistic grin of pleasure, Cinder hurled the still-flaming glass spear straight at Weiss, who didn't notice and unsuspectingly tried to get up from the beating.
Bang
The spear split in two with a burst of fire and fell to the ground as Weiss looked back and belatedly realized what Cinder was up to and turned in the direction of the shot to look at her savior.
- Do you bully the weak ones and kick the fallen, Cinder? – Roman lowered the smoking end of Melodic Cludgel and smirked at Cinder. - You're giving yourself lower and lower.
- And you, - Cinder now focused her eye on Roman, because she singled him out as her next victim. - you just signed your death warrant.
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