Words couldn't begin to describe the feeling that Arthur Watts was having. Archer had told him of this other world, of the wonders and terrors that those people of Earth were capable of; Archer even pirated some literary works from his own memories for Watts to read through. But to hear it for himself was something else. Watts, even with witches and wizards and gods around, wouldn't consider himself a faithful individual. He was a man of logic and reason, never really dabbling with things that couldn't be explained through rationality and technology.
But this? Watts will admit starting to believe in things like fate and destiny. Masters were chosen for this Grail War and there had to be reason for his being among that number. Hearing those incomprehensible words was an experience that he even tossed aside his own prejudice against James and Pietro.
"How ironic," Archer commented. "Once, the multitude of languages had been a source of division of when man had built that tower of Babel. Now, it is a source of unity, played on yet a different tower. Fitting that I had this part called the Babel Phase, no?"
"You have told me far too many stories, Archer," Watts replied. "It is quite difficult to keep up."
"But our part is this little act is coming soon." Archer fired a shot.
The message took a pause and James returned on the feed.
"That, dear people of Remnant," James began. "Is proof to one of the biggest questions that anyone could ask in any lifetime. We are not alone. We have never been alone. There are other worlds out there, other civilizations. I will make no reservations that I, and many others, are interested and motivated in pursuing contact with that civilization and any other that may exist."
The battles for Vale were becoming chaotic. The toys have begun their assault anew. Vale's defenders, especially the Servants of Earth, had a fire in them that refused to burn out. Even Ozpin, for all his ages, was young again. Fighting less like a huntsman and more like those warrior-kings that had come straight from the history books. Considering the man himself, it wasn't surprising.
"And to all those who call themselves our enemies," James continued. "Should you wish to destroy this gift to Remnant, I have only one thing to say to you." He read from a script that Archer had prepared: "molṑn labé. Come and take it."
With that final word, the feed ended. That moment's silence was then drowned by the noise of battle cries and metals clanging.
Then, a different noise silenced Remnant. Everyone, even them despite their distance from the source, all got to their knees, covered their ears. The god of light had unleashed a devastating screech that paused halted everyone in their path. He had returned to Vale.
"Louder than my expectations," Archer said, gritting his teeth. "But still within our margin of error!"
"We are all in the appropriate place, correct?" Watts asked. "Regardless of who that birdbrain would choose."
"She's already coming," Archer replied. He had to use his elbows to point with how fantastic the lung capacity the god of light possessed.
It was difficult to tell where Raven Branwen was with her black feathers blending well enough against the dark, night sky, along with her smaller frame.
But once she had turned back to human form, she was easy to make out. No words were said. Her eyes glowed. She shook her head. It must have taken quite the effort to not cover her own ears. A portal was opened. Chiron rushed out.
"But first," Archer said, aiming his weapon at the god of Light. "Three." A bullet was aimed for the god of light, taking his attention. He took a larger size of his dragon form.
"Harpe," Chiron demanded. "We'd all rather have one more Master out of this Grail War than just him. Not to mention, you still said that there was a chance that he won't follow. Don't think I didn't pay attention when we agreed to this, Archer."
There was a moment of hesitation. "Looks like we have an agreement, fellow Archer." Archer shook Chiron's hand and gave away the prototype Harpe.
"I'll never understand how you didn't bother using it then," Raven added. "You had your chance."
"Oh believe us," Archer said. "Salem would leap at the opportunity to take it. The same could not be said about her Servant. Caster wouldn't want to end his heaven that early. For that reason, we're choosing against it, not until Salem is within sight. Let's cause discord on our opponents, yes?"
"Leave, now!" Chiron turned around and began shooting his arrows. The same was said about Archer's bullets. The god of light was fast approaching them.
"Well, I'll leave Vale to you," Watts said. "Do try to take Salem out while you're here. Not quite according to Archer's master plan but it is a welcome change."
Master and Servant entered the portal and was met with a squad of soldiers. All of them had their guns pointed at them. Jekyll stood in the center like the orders to fire would come from him.
"Doctor Henry Jekyll," said Archer. "Mister Edward Hyde."
"Professor James Moriarty," replied Jekyll.
"Doctor Pietro Polendina," Watts said, noticing the man behind the squad.
"Doctor Arthur Watts," Pietro returned. His wasn't even remotely intimidating nor condescending; it was an attempt at either.
"Ace Operatives," said the one with the fishing pole to his back, Clover Ebi was his name. "Clover Ebi, Marrow Amin, Vine Zeki, Elm Ederne, Harriet Bree."
In the distance, Watts saw James and Qrow on the side, weapons also drawn.
"Qrow Branwen," Qrow said. "James Ironside." He was struck on the side. "Ironwood. Look, we're all stressed right now, this drink isn't even doing it for me."
"Now is all this really necessary?" Watts asked. "We're all fighting the same side."
"You are a criminal, Watts," Ironwood answered.
"That and you're going to go up against my niece," Qrow added. "Sorry if we have our own little agendas."
"Archer?" Watts asked.
"Expected," Archer replied. "No plans were put in place, admittedly. But one doesn't need to act surprised at this."
Watts shrugged. If it wasn't important for them to take note of, it wasn't going to be important. Archer has proven himself capable and trustworthy. Watts will trust Archer's judgement of self-interest.
"Then," Watts said. "Let us begin the final preparations. Moving onward to the next phase of the plan."
The next phase of their plan began: the Black Cannon.
/-/
Pyrrha was losing focus. Anyone could see that. Whether they were distant acquaintances or even the most ignorant of close friends, Pyrrha was losing her focus. Vale's renewed vigor was more than enough to combat the mass of toys attacking them once more. But like before, those toys had numbers to throw.
Gone were the bullets of Archer, replaced by arrows. Jeanne wasn't the only Maiden around anymore as blasts of fire, ice, and lightning came on a different side of Vale. Despite the strength and power, Pyrrha's focus kept shifting back to her hand; the Command Seals were still present, still marking her as a Master. But her Servant was absent still.
Jeanne struck away the toys immediately surrounding team JNPR. If Jaune wasn't present to lead them, if Rider was still wherever he was, then Jeanne would have to take charge in his stead. It was a good thing then, that the team JNPR she knew were similar enough to this one. It was only through her commands that Pyrrha was somewhat getting her focus back, if only slightly.
"Nora! Ren!" Jeanne called out as she blasted on one side. "Flower Power!"
This time, the two of them knew what that meant. Ren was the first as he pelted the toys with his shots, followed by Nora's massive hammer swing, freeing the other side of team JNPR from their being encircled.
"Ren!" Jeanne called. "With me! Martial Arcs! Nora, Pyrrha, Pomegrenade!"
Jeanne and Ren led the way. Her own was different from Jaune's but she knew of Jaune enough to know what to expect, it was easily adjusted with Ren around. Pyrrha and Nora followed suit. Team JNPR had to move to a space that they could control.
Behind them, pink clouds of explosives disrupted the order of the toys.
"That's it!" Nora declared. "I'm out!"
Lightning bolted from in front of them. Jeanne's flag was a rallying point for the surrounding huntsmen. In the air, Astolfo was bouncing all over the place, clearing out the toys. On another area of Vale, Saber was cutting through entire hordes of these toys with the headmaster nearby. Even Lancer had been made to join the fight, no longer bound to the CCT.
"Where do we go now?" Ren asked.
"Anywhere we can turn the tide," Jeanne replied. She looked to Pyrrha.
If there weren't any enemies to fight, Pyrrha was focused on her Command Spells, mumbling to herself, likely hoping that Rider would return right now. That distraction is causing her as toys used that opening.
Above them, the god of light continued its assault. Burning through Vale's buildings but never quite killing the huntsmen there. He was a god of creation; he wasn't as capable of destruction but he proved to be a terrible opponent to face. Arrows kept firing at him along with Raven's fire. But he was moving back, and every Servant there made sure he was heading towards Atlas.
We need another push, Jeanne thought. He's close! He's close to heading there himself!
The only guide and reference of their location was Beacon Academy and the shelter for the civilians. That was one place that no one was willing to give in. Walled in and protected the most, Astolfo would fly by there just to clear out a line of toys trying to get in.
Jeanne pointed her flag towards the shelters. "Protect the civilians, prioritize them over everything else."
Nora and Ren nodded and went ahead, clearing the way as they did. Jeanne groaned and had to pull Pyrrha along, pulling her back into the present.
"Pyrrha!" Jeanne demanded. "I need you to focus right now! Rider is still around, trust me. Trust the fact that you still have your Command Spells!"
Arrows were flying above them. The sounds of a horse's gallops were fast approaching.
"Mr. Chiron, sir!" declared Nora.
"You won't get there fast enough," Chiron said. "Hop on."
Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha, the latter needing help with how distracted she was, went on Chiron's back. He shot down many toys. Jeanne's eyes glowed hotly as she flew beside them, clearing the front and covering them in a protective layer of ice.
"What's the status?" Jeanne asked.
"Archer and Jekyll are already making their preparations, the message has reached all of Remnant," Chiron reported. He shot down a leaping knight, it took out a rook and bishop on its way back down. "Atlas has already sent its reinforcement."
"Will it be enough?" Ren asked. He couldn't reach the toys next to him.
"No," Chiron said. "We'll need the Grimm for that."
"Huh?" Nora asked, swinging her hammer like she was playing Horse Polo. "Why?"
"The Grimm are already moving," Jeanne said. "What makes you think it will be here?"
"Because most of us are here," Chiron replied. "Archer is hoping we'll take each other out while we're at it."
Jeanne hadn't noticed it, but there was a bird flying near them. She only noticed when Raven Branwen appeared before them, blasting some toys with fire. She made a sheet of ice, causing the chasing toys to slip and fall. She then melted that sheet into water and electrocuted the toys.
The shelters were getting closer. Saber and Astolfo even fell back here. Huntsmen were fighting with their waning stamina overcoming even their vigor.
Toys surrounded them. No matter where they would swing their weapons, toys would fall. They aimed recklessly and without concern for all around them were enemies. Rows upon rows of toys fell as huntsmen held their ground. All of them refusing to give any more inches to their enemies. Above them, the god of light simply watched them; his dragon face was blank of any expression.
Astolfo cleared a line for them. It was the most that they could do right now. Saber followed suit, giving them the breathing room that they needed. Lancer played support with Chiron shooting down any strays and openings. Jeanne blasted through another.
Among team JNPR, it was just Jeanne and Ren fighting the front lines. Nora and Pyrrha were further back. There had been a moment when Jeanne and Ren paused when they heard the loudest smack from behind them. One quick glance showed that Nora had struck Pyrrha, the red mark on Pyrrha's face matching perfectly with Nora's palm.
Neither Jeanne nor Ren could listen in on their conversation on account of having a battle going on. They can only give them the space that they need.
But Jeanne managed to overhear their conversation amidst the conflict.
"What?" Pyrrha denied something. "No! What makes you say that?"
"Because right now," Nora insisted. "We're all here while you somewhere else! Look, Jaune—Jaune is precious to us to Pyrrha, so is Rider. But wherever either of them are right now, neither of them want you, or anyone of us really, to lose focus on what's happening right now."
"But—"
"You still have those Command Spells, right? Jeanne told you that he's still around, right? If he's gone, then he's gone. But if he comes back then he comes back, alright? We can't lose you too, Pyrrha."
Jeanne made a sound. She nearly fell back. She was getting distracted listening to their conversation. Ren struck the toys on the joints, freeing Jeanne and letting her push back. A small wall of flame pushed the toys back.
Huntsmen everywhere were fighting wherever they could. There was no rotation anymore. Huntsmen kept fighting until their stamina gave in or until they themselves gave in.
The god of light watched over them. He didn't intervene. He watched them as they were being pushed back.
"We could really use the Grimm right about now!" Ren shouted. "Can't believe I'm actually saying that."
On the other side, from what Jeanne could see, Saber and Ozpin were pushing them as far back as they could. Astolfo was clearing the path, allowing huntsmen as much breathing room as they could.
"Hold the line!" Jeanne demanded. "I'm doing what I must!"
Maiden flames burst forth and Jeanne took off. Clearing an entire line. A ring of flame exploded from her as she made her stop. She caught sight of Raven doing a similar but less effective thing with walls of ice. Jeanne changed her fire to match it.
No shots were fired anymore. No shots could be fired.
Jeanne went further than Raven and the two made a circle of ice, cutting off the toys from the rest of the huntsmen. The walls of ice were being broken down and destroyed. But the two Maiden kept making it higher and thicker as either wall was slowing them down. Huntsmen were being relieved of their fights as the Servants caught on and made as much space as they could afford.
A dome of ice shielded the huntsmen. They were being banged on and chipped away, not allowing the huntsmen any more rest than mere minutes. The Servants, and Raven, did not rest. Each of them kept fighting, kept making their space.
In one moment's peace, Jeanne looked upwards. She clasped her hands together. "If it be possible, take this cup away from these people." She closed her eyes, tightened her grip. She took a breath. "But let Your will be done, and not mine."
Jeanne and Raven kept raising the ice wall, cool mists began to surround them, cooling off their heated bodies from exertion. Huntsmen from Ozpin's side were falling back, taking what rest that they could. Through the ice, they could see the god of light's figure still there, still watching, but not doing anything.
The sounds of the toys trying to break in was still there. Huntsmen close to the ice walls all readied their weapons for the inevitable. But Raven and Jeanne only strengthened the walls. It was their only defenses left.
They couldn't dig a trench. They couldn't find reinforcements for their walls. Communications were available but any aid would come too late. Even Chiron, freshest out of them all, had tired so easily. His fingers sore from shooting his arrows.
Jeanne heard Sun and Ilia having their conversation.
"Didn't think I would have to go through this again," Sun said.
"At least," Ilia added. "We're not alone."
"Yeah. That's great."
Jeanne heard Adam join in that conversation. "Will you both please not speak like this is the end? It's horrible for the morale. At least not so loud."
"Sorry, dude." Sun made no argument.
She put down her flag. Jeanne got to her knees.
"Not sure how I would feel about praying to a god right now," Ren said. "Considering there is one on the other side."
"There's darkness," Jeanne joked. "Those two fought each other once, right?"
"The stories said yes." Ren nodded. "But that's not the one you're praying to, are you?"
Jeanne couldn't return the sentiment before a commotion was had in the center. Raven's bird form approached them.
"Get to the center," Raven commanded. She turned and enforced the ice wall. "Masters and Servants."
Jeanne brought Pyrrha along after giving a silent and quick prayer. They were the last to arrive. At the center was an exhausted Saber and an even more exhausted Ozpin.
"Headmaster," said Pyrrha. "I'm so sorry. But—"
Ozpin raised his hand and shook his head. "I do not know how much aid Rider could provide us right now. At best, he would only stall the inevitable for a longer time."
Ice walls cracked. Jeanne's eyes glowed as she strengthened them. On the other side grew ice spikes, keeping the toys away for longer. A bird was flying frantically in a circle, leaving the ice walls stronger.
"There are still no sign of Grimm," Chiron said. "They're coming but I do not know how long they would arrive."
The huntsmen listening in were murmuring among themselves. It was quite a day indeed when they were hoping for the Grimm to come, if only so that the toys have another opponent to face. The enemy of their current enemy may not be a friend, but it would still be a welcome sight.
"Atlas may not arrive in time either," Chiron added. "They'll be fast, as fast as they could afford, but I'm not sure if we could last, as we are right now."
"What we need," Saber interjected. "Is reinforcements, and we have no means of getting them. Not unless you want to bring the civilians out here. Has Vacuo arrived yet?"
There was a moment that seemed as though Ozpin would consider it. But he shook his head. He would not risk the lives of Vale's people when they were the reason he was fighting hard in the first place.
"Can we bring them elsewhere?" Ozpin asked. "Perhaps we could negotiate with the god of light to at least let them be free?"
Before anyone could answer, the ground beneath them shook.
"Excuse me for a minute," Jeanne said. She flew in a circle, patching what walls were broken, blasting the trespassing toys and rebuilt the ice wall. Raven may be doing all that on her own well enough but she'll falter eventually.
Jeanne soon returned to them. Not one did they leave their spot.
"Is there really no other way?" Ruby asked. "Nothing at all?"
"If there is, miss Rose," Ozpin replied. "I would love to hear it." There was desperation in those old eyes of his. Then, a thought came to mind. "How fast could Raven evacuate these people?"
"Not fast enough," Chiron answered. "Doesn't matter how long we would be able to hold them off. There will be those who would fall behind."
"Then, we'll do it. I will not risk every life when I can save most."
"What about the huntsmen of Mistral?" Ruby asked. "Could they come?"
"Not fast enough," Chiron replied. "I could have Raven inform Vernal, but I do not know how fast they'll mobilize. Even if they were, they won't be enough to turn the tide. If Vacuo were to arrive, they'd be too exhausted to fight."
"We'll stall them with everything we have left. Push it beyond even what could be expected." Ozpin made his decision. "Inform miss Branwen."
"Wait," Jeanne said. She pulled out the sword on her side, the sword of Gilles de Rais. "You'll need this."
Ozpin looked to the sword. Its metal still shining new. Unassuming and without any mystical properties, it was merely a well-forged sword meant for a warrior of the noble class.
"But I am not worthy," Ozpin said. "Not for a knight like him."
"And neither would he think himself worthy for a king like you," Jeanne replied. "Besides, what kind of warrior goes into battle without a sword?"
Ozpin's fingers traced the blade's sheath. His fingers stopped and embraced the handle. It didn't have the same feel as it wasn't his sword. But he pulled it out anyway. He looked at his cane and closed his eyes. He nodded once. Ozpin made his decision.
The cane collapsed and hung on his side. Ozpin swished and swung the sword of Gilles de Rais.
"It is no Relic of Destruction," said Ozpin. "And it certainly isn't a sword that I would have used. But…"
His eyes went to the gem that was on the sword's hilt.
"But it is a good blade, made for a good man."
Raven had been informed of the plan. Four of the Servants were stationed at four points of the ice dome. Jeanne was at the center, at the top of the building that housed the remaining civilians. Raven was standing behind Jeanne.
"I've given Vernal five minutes to get into an open space," Raven said. Her eyes burning furiously. "If she gets whatever help she can get, we'll take it."
"I'm not sure if we could afford five minutes," Jeanne replied.
"We will afford five minutes."
Jeanne found herself surprised. "When did you grow a spine?"
"Blame Chiron," Raven replied. "I have nowhere else to run."
"So a cornered rat?" Jeanne raised an eyebrow.
"At least I'm here, where's Qrow?"
"Being an important anchor for Atlas? Weren't you there?"
Raven gave Jeanne the side-eye. "Whatever."
The two Maidens stood back-to-back. The ice walls were strengthened and hardened. Huntsmen were gathered in a circle with the Servants already standing in their positions. Lancer was with team RWBY, sans Blake. Chiron, taking Rider's place since he was still absent, was with team JNPR; Pyrrha was still out of focus but with Chiron around, she could at least keep her mind in the moment. Astolfo was with the professors of Beacon Academy.
Standing alone was Saber and Ozpin. On the other side of their point was the silhouette of the god of light. Ozpin's head may be empty but he was wearing his crown again in Jeanne's eyes. She could see a faint figure of Gilles de Rais standing with him as well, a knight standing by the side of his king. She shook her head. Never could she imagine that Gilles and Ozpin would have this camaraderie, just another strange thing that happens on Remnant, she supposed.
Soon, Jeanne stood alone. Raven's bird form went straight for the building's window. Commotion was heard from inside. People have begun their evacuation. It would be slow with the number of people that Raven had to evacuate.
With her focus being on the entire dome, Jeanne's ability to enforce them was weakened, distributing it across the entire dome. She made vague spikes somewhere to give everyone else a chance.
Her eyes turned upward. Jeanne prayed again. Her flag was down. She needed both hands; they clasped tight.
The walls eventually began to crack. Though Jeanne did her hardest to close the little holes, huntsmen were too tense as they all waited for the inevitable clash. Jeanne made the sign of the cross, ending her prayer. She picked up her flag.
Give them the time, Jeanne reminded herself. Give them the time, Jeanne!
Eyes burned furiously as she did her hardest to enforce every part of the wall. But once a part needed her attention, everything else began to fall apart. As such, she could only focus on enforcing the walls in general, letting the weakening parts get weaker until they broke.
Once more did Vale's huntsmen and light's toys clash. But this time, the huntsmen had the strength and reason to fight back, to stall them for as long as they are able, not waiting for reinforcements but to give time for the civilians to evacuate. Not everyone will make it. Every Servant was there to prove themselves wrong.
Huntsmen held the line to the best of their abilities. Servants pushed back whenever they could. Jeanne kept the walls coming and formed little humps, just to stall the coming toys.
She eventually descended but she made sure to do one round of fire, clearing out even more of those toys. There was an endless sea of these toys, and they kept crashing against the resisting shores that are Vale's huntsmen.
Ozpin's own fighting style had shifted. Rather than a fencer with that cane of his, he was a swordsman. Old spirit moved younger bones into those familiar motions as the experienced, reincarnating Ozma fought off the toys like he had been a knight himself, akin to his own Servant really.
Saber had the power but retained the finesse of technique. He fought through the toys and watched over his Master's back while also keeping an eye on the god of light.
Jeanne herself stood by Ozpin's side. He was alone there and she wasn't going to let him be alone. Vale needed its headmaster standing tall if it wanted to stall for time.
Inch by inch, the line gave in, and Vale's huntsmen were being pushed back. Jeanne could still hear the commotion coming from inside the building. Civilians were still being evacuated. By the sounds of it, there was still a lot of them inside.
Jeanne made one final ice wall that surrounded them. For what little it would do, it could at least afford them however many seconds which meant however many more civilians they could evacuate to Mistral.
Toys kept coming. Toys kept breaking through the wall. Ozpin, with one more breath, pushed forward. Huntsmen followed. Servants followed.
A strange feeling soon overcame them. Jeanne felt herself empowered. A surge of magical energy seemed to have filled her. She wasn't alone. Huntsmen also paused as they took stock of their sudden renewal. Aura reserves were recovered to full and a calm tranquility had washed over them.
The toys also paused. Unsure of what to do. The god of light himself was also confused.
"This feeling," the god of light said. "This… familiar feeling."
From a distance, Jeanne could hear the fast approaching gallop of Chiron, on his back was team JNPR. From another point, team RWBY, sans Blake, along with Lancer, were rushing her as fast as they could.
"Looks like we got our third wind!" Astolfo declared. He stretched as though his muscles ached. Everyone's did.
Then, the world about them changed. Even the god of light bore an expression of shock on his draconic form. But to Jeanne, it was a familiar sight. She had been to the place much like this one once before.
"Sorry, I'm late," said Rider, appearing by a relieved Pyrrha. He was already atop Juniper. He had let go of the helmet and his face was fairer than it ever had been. It didn't seem like it was just his face anymore; it was a little princely just as it was knightly. "I—uh… I went somewhere for a while, but I met a few people!"
God of light's anger-filled voice was directed at Rider. "You. So you've appeared before me yourself."
"Yeah," Rider replied. Not one of the huntsmen there recognized him as Jaune Arc. From a distance one might make that mistake but not when up close. He raised his sword in classic fashion: a knight, atop his steed, facing down a dragon. "I have, and I brought a few friends along."
Jeanne raised her head to the heavens. "Thank you, Lord. Praise be to your most Holy name."
That familiar landscape soon vanished and they were, all of them, back in the familiar darkness of Vale's ruined city, with only Beacon and the shelter still standing.
At the center of them all was still Ozpin. But Rider was now beside him.
"Your majesty," said Rider. "Doth thou have space for a Rusted Knight in thine court?"
Jeanne raised an eyebrow.
"I bid you welcome, sir Rider," Ozpin returned. "To sit at my table."
God of light roared out a command for once. The toys all charged in. But Jeanne felt the ground beneath them rumbled. The renewed energy. The replenished aura. The healed wounds and soothed aches and exhaustions.
She heard the soft thundering come from behind them. Yet, she was sure that they were not the toys of the god of light. She could see vague shapes of cavalry, winged cavalry, with colorful wings as the light of the next day was approaching.
"Impossible," the god of light said. His focus was not on them but on the source of the sound.
"Like I said," Rider replied. "I met a few people. Made a few friends. Like my mom always said: Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet."
"And how many of these friends have you made?" asked Jeanne.
"Uh..." Rider looked back at the friends he had made. "I honestly don't know; I lost count."
Rider shook his head and raised his broken sword, pointing at the god of light. Had Juniper been a horse, she would have neighed.
Then, with a conviction of a fairytale knight that had arrived in darkest hours before light, he declared: "let me introduce to you to my friends from the Origami Acre. Ride! Paper Pleasers!"
The walls of ice broke. Surrounding all of them, a collection of toys charged in. Beside them, their fellow defenders readied for battle. In the east of them, a rebelling dawn had arisen against the morning light of the god that had created this world; in that light, a pale blue dot could be seen. All around them, the ground shook into a symphony of booms and the thundering cavalry rushed ever closer like violent storms.
Huntsmen and Servants clashed with the toys. The battlefield burned once more as the two sides met. Shouts of battle were like songs meant for great halls of legends and myths. Heroes they were on both sides as they refused to give any inch.
Then the Paper Pleasers arrived.
AN: I should probably make a Google Drive file or something that archives all the Noble Phantasms and Personal Skills of these RWBY Servants. I may have started it but I have no idea how to make it public while still allowing myself to edit it.
Anyways, like I said in a previous AN, it was influenced by Iskandar's Ionioi Hetairoi taking the "Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet" to an extreme. The key there is "strangers." You have an entire planet's population as "strangers." If you squint your eyes, you might find a paper you somewhere in there.
Obviously, special circumstances, external aid, and all that. Probably a standard thing in Grail Wars as far as I see.