F3: Welcome to Part 2 of my RWBY story. We left off where Harriet and Pepper had settled their past grievances but Ilia still lurks about. RWBY is now owned by Viz Media. OC characters that appear will be given credited to by the author(s). With that said Let's Dive In.


Volume 6-10: The Past Come Back (Part 2)

It was night as almost everyone has turned in for the night but in the hotel's meeting room almost everyone was there as they were sitting at the large table that the staff has provided for them so they could use. Summer and Raven were sitting at the ends of table while almost everyone had sat in the other chairs. Star, and Pepper were sitting close together, Ruby, Blake, and Yang were sitting together with Ruby staying close to Blake to help with her vision.

May, Velvet, Neo, and Cardin stayed close by while Oscar sat close to Summer.

"Okay is this everyone?" Oscar asked.

"Jaune and Nora were going back to Saphron's. Iona headed back home cause her mom got worried and Weiss and Adam headed to Winters. So, for now this is everyone." Yang said.

"Okay. Then I guess we'll fill them in later. Ozpin wanted to say something." Oscar replied as he paused before Ozpin took over.

"I'm sorry that I was away for some time I had a lot to think about." Ozpin replied.

"Gee I wonder why? Considering that you lied to us back at the farm." Cardin added.

"I agree with Cardin. After what Jinn showed us… I'm not sure what to think of this situation." Velvet said firmly.

Ozpin sighed "I understand your reluctance to trust me Miss Scarlatina especially with how your old team is apart of this mess as well. Still, we need to discuss our next course of action." Ozpin spoke.

"I thought we already know that. Getting to Atlas. What's more is there?" Yang questioned.

"A lot more Mrs. Xiao Long. I assure you. While it may seem that General Bree knows about the details around Salem, the relics, and the maidens themselves there is still much she doesn't know about. Although I am rather relucent to share any other information." Ozpin replied.

"What do you mean?" Ruby questioned.

"Forgive me but with the case of Lionheart that happened at Haven Academy I'm still rather uncertain if the General can be trusted." Ozpin replied.

"While I can agree with that to some extent, I trust Harriet. She wouldn't be one taken in by lies and deception." Summer spoke firmly.

"I'm with Summer on this one." Raven said agreeing with Summer.

"I understand how some of you feel. But for now, getting to Atlas is our number one priority. Once we arrived their then we can fully get a grasp of what we can do." Ozpin said.

"Not that I'm too thrilled of going back to the place me and Weiss escaped it was going to happen eventually in the long run." Pepper said shuffling in her seat slightly.

"Alright then. We've all had a long day so we might as well turn in for the night." Ozpin said which everyone agreed upon.

"I've booked rooms for everyone so we should be alright for tonight." Summer replied as everyone exited the meeting room and headed toward their respective rooms with Ruby leading Blake to their own.

"You feel, okay?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah, it's just… having to adjust to just seeing out of one eye is rather… trying to say the least." Blake admitted.

"Don't worry about it I'm right here." Ruby said wrapping her arm around hers.

Blake couldn't help but chuckle a little from her childish antics but it was cute too as they entered their room and prepared to sleep for the rest of the night. Everyone else had also turned in for the night as the lights turned off as everyone went to sleep.

=RWBY=

The night dragged on as the residence of Argus was asleep with all being quiet. However not everyone was asleep as a lone figure stalked behind the hotel where they could scale the walls. This lone figure was none other than Ilia, using her camouflage she was able to sneak behind the hotel. She took something out of her pack which were climbing claws. She put her climbing claws on and scaled the building looking for her target.

She looked through window seeing that Summer woman and the Raven woman as they were in the same room together. She headed toward another room. After several rooms later she finally found her target.

She noticed Blake sleeping in the bed with that Ruby girl and they were cuddling together and it made her sick. She took out a lockpick and carefully opened the window to the room as she slipped inside. She then approached the bed where the two slept before taking out a dagger. This was her moment she wanted to kill Blake and then that human cuddling with her. However, just before she could an evil thought rang through her that made her grin.

Blake took away the White Fang from her, the most important thing in her life. Now she was going to do the same. She took out some chloroform from her bag and dabbed it on a piece of cloth before putting said cloth on the human girl's face. The girl's eyes burst open but the chloroform was already starting to have an effect as her eyes slowly closed before going limp.

"You took away everything from me. So, I'm taking the most important thing in your life." Ilia thought as she grabbed the girl before leaving the room the same way she came in with no one being the wiser that she was ever there.

"I've got big plans for you human. And it all ends with Blake being on the receiving end of it." Ilia chuckled before vanishing into the night.

=RWBY=

Morning quickly came to the hotel as Blake stirred as the sun shined into the room. Her hand rummaged around the area of the bed expecting for Ruby to be their but she felt… an empty space. Her eyes opened seeing that Ruby wasn't in the bed.

"Ruby?" Blake questioned looking around for her leader. She looked around and see that she wasn't in the room and saw that her weapon was still in there along with her scroll missing.

"That's weird… where did she go?" She asked herself as she got up and dressed before walking out of the room.

She headed downstairs and noticed Yang and the others that stayed in the hotel gathering around to leave.

"Oh, hey Blake." Yang said but then noticed that Ruby wasn't with her. "Is Ruby with you?" She asked.

"I don't know. I woke up and she wasn't there. But I got her weapon with me but I couldn't find her scroll." Blake said which surprised Yang.

"Alright. I know Ruby and she wouldn't just leave her weapon behind. It's always stuck to her." Yang replied.

"Hm… I'll try calling Jaune. Maybe he's seen her." Blake said as she pulled out her scroll and called Jaune.

After a few seconds Jaune picked.

"Morning Blake. Me and Nora are just sitting down to have breakfast." Jaune said.

"I'm sorry for bothering you Jaune but is Ruby over there with you?" Blake asked.

"No. Why, is she not over at the hotel with you guys?" Jaune answered.

"Her weapon is still here but her scroll is missing." Blake said.

There was a pause a moment before Jaune spoke again.

"That's odd for her to leave her weapon behind. Think something happened to her." Jaune added.

"I hope not. I talk to the others and see what they think." Blake said.

"Me and Nora will be there too. I'll call Weiss to let her know." Jaune replied.

"Thanks, Jaune." Blake said as she hung up but she was still worried about her girlfriend and if Ruby was okay.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw that it was Yang trying to comfort her.

"Hey. We'll find her. There's many of us and this is a large city. So maybe if we split up, we can look for her that way." Yang said.

Blake nodded as that sounded like a logical idea for them to do. So, after explaining what was happening to everyone else and suggesting Yangs idea they all decided to split up to look for Ruby.

Cardin, Jaune, Nora, and Velvet checked the north side of the city even asking people if they've seen their friend but to no avail. May, Star, Pepper, and Iona; after informing her, checked the west end of the city but like the others they came up with nothing.

Yang, Blake, Weiss, and Adam looked all over the south side of the city even checking some of the less than dignified areas but once again came up with nothing. Summer, Raven, Oscar, and Neo looked all over the central and east side of the city asking anyone and everyone if they've seen her daughter but coming up with nothing which only intensified Summers worry.

They looked over the city for the next two hours only to come up with nothing and that only made things worse for the group.

"Okay. It's not Ruby had left the city there has to be something that we can go on. Some kind of clue or something." Weiss replied.

"Hold on. Can't Raven just make a portal to her. You once said your semblance is Kindred Link. So, you should be able to." Star said.

"Don't you think that was the first thing I tried. My semblance may link me to those I love and trust but it can also be interfered with. So, which means something is blocking me from creating a portal to Ruby." Raven scoffed.

However, that was when May had an idea in mind that might help them find Ruby.

"Blake, you said you were sleeping in your room when Ruby went missing." May said as Blake nodded.

"Yeah. Why'd you ask?" Blake questioned.

"Let me see the room." May stated which confused the cat faunus for a moment.

"Okay. Follow me then." Blake said as everyone followed, wondering what May could be thinking. They reached Blakes room that they were staying in as she opened it allowing May to step inside.

"So, what is she going to do?" Adam questioned curiously.

"Not sure but we'll just have to wait and see." Weiss answered as May then lifted her beanie away from her left eye before covering her other eye.

Her cybernetic eye came to life as it scanned the room and almost immediately, she noticed footprints on the floor leading from the window to the bed before going back to the window.

"Someone's been here. There's footprints leading from the window to the bed and then back to the window." May replied which shocked everyone.

"A kidnapper!" Summer shouted her anger boiling.

"Can you tell who they are?" Raven questioned.

"Judging from the size of the footprint. They're female and it looked like she knew what she was doing." May said before deactivating her cybernetic eye and covering it back up as she stumbled slightly. Velvet thankfully caught her before she fell.

"Sorry about that. I lose my balance whenever I use this." May said.

"So, someone entered through the window, snatched up Ruby and headed out the same way. Whoever this lady is, is a pro." Cardin said.

Just then Blake scroll buzzed as she picked it up and saw the caller ID. It was Ruby calling them as she immediately answered.

"Ruby where in the world are you? We've been looking-." Blake started but was immediately cut off.

"Hello Blake. Did you miss me?" A female voice that Blake recognized spoke making her freeze on the spot but then scowl.

"Ilia. What have you done with Ruby? Where is she!?" Blake shouted.

"Temper, temper Blake. As for your human friend she perfectly safe… for now at least." Ilia said.

"What do you mean? Answer me!" Blake shouted.

"You took everything that was important for our cause and you threw it away like it was garbage. The White Fang was going to change everything for the faunus. We were finally going to get the respect we deserve. Now… I'm going to take the most important thing in your life." Ilia threatened.

"If you lay one finger on her…" Blake started but Ilia stopped her.

"You'll what? Come after me. Kill me. Like I give a rat's ass about what you do. But since I'm in a generous mood. I'll give you a chance to come and get her. Come to the CCT relay tower in one hour. Oh, and make sure that Adam comes too. Nobody else but you two. Anyone else that tried to intervene in this than she's good as dead." Ilia said before hanging up.

Blakes hands were shaking as she dropped the scroll in her hands watching it clatter to the ground before she too fell to her knees.

"Damnit!" Blake shouted punching the ground of the room.

"Whoa there Blake. I know you're angry but we can still get Ruby back. I'm sure if we devise a plan then we can…" Weiss replied but Blake shook her head.

"No. If there's one thing, I know about Ilia is that she'll keep her word. If anyone else steps in other than me and Adam then she'll kill Ruby. Again, it's like the ghosts of my past just keep coming back to haunt me." Blake said as she got up from the floor.

"So… where's the relay tower?" Blake asked.

"It's on a cliff face. Just west of here." Jaune answered.

"Good. Then me and Adam better get a move on. We don't want to keep Ilia waiting." Blake said but just as she was about to leave Raven stopped her.

"Hold on a moment. I might have an idea how we can rescue her." Raven said.

"You heard her. If we-." Blake said but Raven raised her hand to stop her.

"Without all of us being there. If she's blocking my semblance then that means she put something on Ruby. If it can be removed than I can use my semblance to bring her here to safety." Raven said.

"Then we're going to need a plan." Adam replied as they started conducting a plan.

=RWBY=

Forty-five minutes later the two had followed Jaunes directions to get to the tower as they started walking the hill leading to the tower. Their weapons were prepared and ready for the confrontation with Ilia.

Blake had this look of focus in her eye as she moved forward with Adam next to her. However, Adam had a different look on his face. He wanted to make sure Blake got out of this safe and Ruby returned unharmed but he knew that Ilia wouldn't give up without a fight so before they reached the top Adam reached out and grabbed her shoulder.

"Blake." He said, making her turn to face him.

"Yeah. What's up?" Blake asked.

"We both know Ilia won't give up without a fight. All I'm saying is… if things go too far…" Adam started as Blake nodded in understanding.

"I know. I want to try and talk to her first. Make her see what she's doing is wrong." Blake replied before glancing away.

"But… if we have no other choice… then we will." Blake said, understanding the situation as they marched onward. They shortly arrived seeing the large relay tower in front of them but Blake also noticed at the top tied to the tower is Ruby as she was gagged as well.

"Ruby! Are you alright!?" Blake cried out but she couldn't tell if she was moving or not.

"Well… you finally showed up." Ilia voice rung out as she stepped out from behind the relay tower.

Her clothes look tattered but she wasn't carrying her usual weapon but instead she was carrying two scimitars but the blades were colored deep red.

"Ilia let Ruby go. This is between us. She has nothing to do with this." Blake said.

"Oh… I think you're wrong about that. After I'm done with you two, I'll be happy to send this brat back to your friends in pieces. But I'm going to make sure you die slowly Blake so that way you can watch her squirm." Ilia said a dark grin on her face.

"Ilia listen to me. The White Fang is gone. It's over. What happened at Haven is done. You need to understand that what you were doing was wrong." Blake said.

"NO! I was on the verge of bringing a new age to the faunus. Where the faunus no longer have to be scared of who they are. Where we can finally have the respect, we deserve. But you… you've ruined everything! YOU'VE TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!" Ilia roared.

"All you would be doing is creating a cycle of violence and destruction. Something the world doesn't want or need. You'll only lead our kind to more hatred and discrimination." Adam said.

"You don't get to speak you traitor! I saw you fighting alongside that Schnee! You've betrayed your own kind and work with our enemy! You're the worse of them all!" Ilia shouted.

"The sins of the father doesn't reflect on their kin. I've seen firsthand what she is like. She has goals, ideals, dreams that she wants to make reality and she'll overcome any obstacle that stands in her way. You only judge her by her name and not by the person themselves." Adam said.

"Bah! Why should I believe a traitor like you?" Ilia said, readying herself.

"Ilia… you can still stop this. Let her go and leave. We don't want to fight you." Blake said her voice begging her.

"No… there is only this now. And if it means I die today… then so be it." Ilia said, pointing her weapon at Blake.

Blake could only sigh at her friend as a tear stood in her eye as she unsheathed Gambol Shroud as Adam put a hand on Wilt.

There was a pregnant pause as nobody moved for a minute the wind blew slightly knocked off a leaf from the tree. The leaf floated down toward the ground fluttering in the air as it neared the three fighters in the area. The leaf hung in the air for a moment before it finally landed safely on the ground as Ilia was the first to attack lunging at the two.

Blake jumped ahead as she swung Gambol Shroud blocking one of Ilia's blades. This gave Adam a chance point Blush at Ilia and firing at the chameleon girl. Ilia, however, expertly blocked his shots before pushing Blake off her before charging at her again. This time Adam drew his weapons as his weapon collided with Ilia's hoping to absorb the energy from the blow but… it didn't.

"Do you think I'm that stupid to not remember your semblance!?" Ilia shouted as she kicked Adam off.

That's when Adam got a better look at her weapons as they had runes on them.

"What in the? These are." Adam said.

"That's right. These were my father's weapons specially designed to counter your semblance! And I'll use them to kill you!" Ilia shouted as she swung her blades at him. The sounds of clanging metal was heard as Ruby started to stir as she opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was that she was on the relay tower and that she was tied and gagged. She looked down and she saw Blake and Adam fighting some chameleon girl.

Ilia kicked Blake in the stomach before backhanding her left side with such force it sent her flying a few feet. Adam quickly jumped in slashing at Ilia but the girl was quicker as she sidestepped the slash and kicked him back.

Blake switched to her weapons gun mode and started firing at Ilia but they were swiftly blocked bouncing off her swords like marbles as she inched closer to Blake. Blake decided to them switch tactics as she used her semblance to summon three clones of herself which surprised Ilia for a moment as they looked real.

"So… your semblance evolved. That still won't safe you!" Ilia shouted as she charged at the clones.

Blakes clones attack Ilia trying to hold her off but Ilia stabbed the first one through the chest killing the clone before going after another on.

Blake and Adam this time attacked together as they charged at her while she disposed of the last clone before blocking them.

"Ilia! Please I'm begging you. Stop this madness! This must end!" Blake shouted, pushing against her weapon.

"You still have a chance to stop all of this! Just listen to reason!" Adam shouted out trying to push her back but Ilia stood strong.

"If I must do it alone, I will resurrect the White Fang! I will have my revolution!" Ilia shouted back.

"Doing this won't bring your parents back Ilia!" Blake shouted but that only seemed to anger Ilia more as she shoved them both off with ease launching them back as Blake hit a tree behind her.

"How is she this strong?" Blake asked.

"She shouldn't be… unless." Adam said as Ilia removed her jacket revealing what was underneath, making Adam gasp at what he saw.

Along her arms were metal cords attached to a plate on her wrists which the cords got to a medium sized generator on her back and it was glowing. However, on her arms the veins could be seen as they were glowing a multitude of colors of dust.

"Ilia… what have you done?" Adam questioned looking at the metal.

"What needed to be done." Ilia growled.

"Adam, what is that?" Blake asked.

"It was something our engineers in the White Fang created. It was meant to increase their strength tenfold but… it had some side effects so we decommissioned it." Adam said.

"You were too scared to use this. I just gave it an upgrade." Ilia said.

Adam scooted closer to Blake as he whispered into her ear "I'll distract her you go for Ruby." He spoke.

However, Blake smirked "Don't worry… I'm already on it." She said as he glanced over and saw the real one climbing after Ruby before looking at the clone.

"Then let's go." Adam said.

Blake climbed the relay tower as her clone and Adam were fighting Ilia off as she reached Ruby who was happy to see her.

"Hold on I got yah." She said as she removed the gag making it easier for Ruby to breath.

"But if you're up here than who's down there?" Ruby asked.

"My clone. They can be more realistic now." Blake said as she untied Ruby and noticed something on her neck which was a collar.

"Just hold still." Blake said as she carefully removed the collar from around her neck. She then brought out her scroll and messaged Raven. Not even a second later a red portal opened behind her.

"Alright let's get out of here." Ruby said.

"No just you Ruby. I've got to finish this." Blake replied which made Ruby stop.

"But… you don't have to fight her." Ruby added, trying to get her to come with her.

"Ruby… Ilia won't stop until she gets what she wants. I want you to go through the portal and get back to the others." Blake said.

"No! Not without you!" Ruby shouted.

Blake sighed as she had no choice but to shove Ruby through the portal "I'm sorry." She muttered as the portal closed before going back to the battle.

Adam blocked Ilia's blade as the clone of Blake charged at Ilia swinging Gambol Shroud but Ilia sidestepped Blake and with an evil grin shoved her blades into her back hitting a vital organ.

"Now I want you to watch as I kill-." Ilia spoke but then Blake grinned before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

"Wait… that was just a clone!" Ilia roared as the real Blake jumped down next to Adam.

"You! But how!?" Ilia shouted but she looked up, seeing that Ruby wasn't there anymore. She let out a furious roar in anger.

"Ilia, I'm asking you one final time. Stop this now. This needs to stop." Blake begged. However, Ilia refused to listen as she glared at her one more time.

"You… you… I'LL KILL YOU!" Ilia roared and charged at Blake and Adam. Blake raised her weapon to defend herself as she went to block her attack but once Ilia's weapon collided with her own cracks started to appear on Blakes weapon. With one more slam of her weapon Ilias blades broke through Gambol Shroud slicing it in half as the top of blade fell to the ground.

Blake back off as she looked at her now destroyed weapon as Ilia pressed her advance but Adam got in the way kicking her away from Blake.

"Blake…" Adam started as Blake turned to him before she spoke.

"She's… too far gone. Hatred and anger has corrupted her. We have no choice." Blake said even though she knows what they'll have to do.

Ilia picked herself up from the ground, her stance wobbly from the kick but she held firm but her aura was low that the next blow could be fatal. Blake and Adam stood ready as Ilia gave out one last battle cry before she charged at them again.

Adam went first with Blake following him as her thoughts ran wild in her mind "Ilia… I'm so sorry. The girl that I knew wouldn't do this. I've failed you… as a friend. Please forgive me." Blake thought as tear appeared in her eye.

Ilia swung her blades at him but Adam used his weapon to disarm Ilia of her swords and with a cry Blake stabbed the remaining half of her weapon into Ilia stomach as did Adam, his blade piercing her stomach. The chameleon faunus froze in place as she glanced down on her stomach seeing the two swords stabbing through her. Her throat felt led as blood trickled from her mouth as she dropped her swords.

The two back away pulling their weapons out of Ilia as she held her stomach blood dripping through her hands. Her breathing hitched as she fell to her knee but Blake caught her before she could before sitting her on her back.

"Ilia… I… I…" Blake said tears falling from her eye.

"No… don't be… sorry for me. I deserved this… I… don't blame you… for what you did." Ilia started as she coughed up more blood as it ran down the sides of her mouth.

"I… was already dead… when I put this on… please forgive me…" Ilia replied as she coughed roughly.

"I couldn't hate you, Ilia. We're friends." Blake sniffed.

"I'm… finally free… thank… you…" Ilia said as a pool of blood formed under her before she let out her last breath laying completely motionless her eyes staring off into deep space.

Blake couldn't hold it in anymore as she cried out for her friend as Adam embraced her let Blake cry on his shoulder as he looked at the body of their former friend and faunus. However, high above the cliff hidden in the shadow was Coco watching the entire fight.

"Tsk. What a waste. But time to have some more fun." She said taking out a pendant and raising it into the air as it glowed a sickly black and red color.

=RWBY=

After arriving back to the others Ruby was immediately embraced by Summer and Yang who were worried about her but now Weiss was worried if Adam is okay. She couldn't help but worry.

She then felt a hand on her shoulder and noticed that it was Jaune.

"You're worried about them, aren't you?" Jaune asked in which Weiss nodded in response.

"I wish I knew what was going on instead of being here just waiting for them to come back." Weiss replied.

"I know but they're both strong… I'm sure they'll make it out okay." Jaune said a small smile on his face which did seem to brighten Weiss up as she returned the gesture.

After what felt like an eternity Nora and Velvet came running in.

"They're back!" Nora shouted, getting everyone's attention.

"C'mon!" Velvet added as they all rushed out of the hotel to greet them.

They exited the hotel and immediately saw Adam and Blake coming toward them. They were battered and bruised from the fighting but they were alive. Though Ruby noticed that their hands had dirt and mud on them and that Blake had been crying from how buffy her right eye was. Adam though looked like he was carrying something in his arm.

Ruby was the first to rush toward Blake with the others close behind as she inspected her girlfriend.

"Are you okay Blake?" Ruby asked.

Blake, however, didn't meet Ruby's eyes, her head hung low looking at the ground.

"No… no Ruby, I'm not okay." Blake said her voice sounding horse as Ruby embraced her girlfriend letting her head rest on her shoulder. Weiss walked up to Adam as he met her gaze.

"What happened?" Weiss questioned.

Adam paused a moment glancing at Blake before going back to Weiss.

"We… had no choice. We've tried reasoning with her. Tried to talk her out of it… she didn't want to. We… buried her at the cliffs outlook." Adam said softly.

"Are you sure there wasn't any other way?" Weiss asked again but he shook his head before showing them the device.

"What is that? Atlas tech?" May asked curiously.

"It's a prototype. Meant to strengthen the wearers power tenfold but it saps away at your aura." Adam said.

"We should surrender that to the military and have them dispose of it." Summer inclined. Adam nodded in agreement.

However just before they could a loud blaring alarm echoed throughout the city.

"What the heck!? Now what!?" Star shouted, trying to cover her ears from the sound.

"Attention all citizens! A large grimm has been spotted outside the city! All citizens are to head to the emergency bunkers immediately! This is not a drill! Repeat this is not a drill!" A male voice echoed from the speakers.

"A grimm! What kind of grimm would cause something like this?" Cardin asked.

Using her semblance Summer took off toward the tallest building she could find and burst on top of it. She scouted toward the wall of the city and saw nothing but then turned her attention toward the ocean and that was when she saw something out in the distance. It was a black blur so she took out her scope and zoomed in on the blur and almost immediately froze at what she saw.

The grimm she saw is a gigantic, bipedal, aquatic sea Grimm with four humanoid limbs and a long tail. It has four gills on each side of its neck and a collection of dorsal plates protruding from its back, with red webbing between each plate. It has a dolphin-like head with a mouth filled with sharp teeth and three yellow eyes on each side of the head. Like many other Grimm it has external ribs.

"Brothers help us." She muttered as another battle was going to be upon them soon.

High above the sky now Coco watched as the Leviathan slowly marched its way toward Argus.

"That's it my pet. Destroy and cause as much havoc as you want." Coco laughed watching the grimm as it let out a mighty roar as it had one goal and that was to destroy Argus.


F3: And that is chapter 10 complete. Not out of the woods yet the Battle for Argus begins. Please don't forget to leave a comment and make sure to follow and/or favorite as well. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.