Hello! It's been quite a while.
As usual, thanks for all of the support, in every kind!
The current status of the poll are as follows:
1. The Boss (28 votes)
2. Summer Rose (27 Votes)
3. Kazuhira Miller (19 Votes)
4. Akira Nishikiyama (8 Votes)
Looks like the two leaders quite in the clear, though Kaz isn't that far behind. Nishiki, though….
Some of you might notice the very… familiar titles of the chapters. Of course, they're based on the Yakuza OSTs of the same name, with context (Body and Soul and Way of Life from Yakuza 6, with this one being a reference to Metal Gear Saga from MGS4) Listen to them with context!
And yes, I did see RGG studio's trailers (That name change is gonna cause a lotta headaches around for people…). You'll be seeing an Inshin-inspired chapter very soon, and that's not just because of the remaster.
Oh, and before we begin, I kinda took a little bit of creative liberties regarding the RWBY-side of these chapters. I'll explain later at the end of the finale.
Review responses are at the end of the finale, and for this one, I hope you read that after finishing the chapter.
Nothing left to say, other than hope you guys enjoy this one.
Enjoy the finale.
The sun was beginning to set.
Tai could see that very clearly from the top of one of the CCT towers, his body covered with new sets of bandages. He was feeling a bit better now, just good enough to do this. He held his Scroll in his hand, issuing commands to the ones below.
"Everyone get ready, in to position! Move move move!"
Rushing footsteps, clicking guns, and activated Auras. His allies prepared themselves, readying their weapons and stocking up on ammo. Some even saved Aura syringes for use in the heat of battle.
Tai looked around, noting the various sightlines and entry points that might be breached. He took note of the various buildings scattered about. Those rooftops… they could be useful.
"I'm going to need machine-gunners over there!" Tai pointed to a rooftop that had a clear view of Haven's entrance. "Stay out of sight until I tell you to!"
Students and Hunters alike followed his command, forming up at the pointed rooftop and setting their weapons in place.
"Snipers, far end of Haven. Just behind Haven Grand Hall. Now!" Tai shouted. "Get to high positions! I want a clear shot on the entrance and clear sights on any Bullhead that's coming in!"
He heard the sniper team give out an affirmative. Tai nodded to himself and looked at the sun again.
Its light was getting a lot more orange, its shape sinking more and more into the horizon.
The sun was setting.
Damn it, they didn't have much time left. Once it was night time, any more preparations were going to be impossible. Low visibility, for them and the enemy.
Not to mention if they were attacked with their pants down…
Speaking of preparations, he needed to check up on his former opponent's progress.
"Medical team, I want an update." Tai spoke into his scroll. "How's the Hybrid doing?"
"He hasn't woken up, sir." A medic spoke, "Still out cold, no changes since you brought him here."
"Good, keep him stable and unconscious." Tai nodded to himself. "I don't expect that we could control him right now, and that's even if he wakes up. We'll have to look into that more once this is all over; there's clearly some sort of humanity inside of him. On that end, any new developments?"
"We've found that he reacts negatively to Aura." The medic responded. "…Some of the Grimm parts burn black whenever we inject him with Aura syringes, and that'll reveal normal human skin beneath. But as soon as we pull the Aura back, the burning stops, and the Grimm parts grow back."
The sun was starting to disappear. Half of it had now sunk beneath the horizon. Its orange light was getting darker and darker, and soon there won't be light at all.
"Take a closer look at that." Tai ordered. He then spoke to the others via his Scroll. "I want extra security on the Medical Wings. Fortify that place to hell and back; no one goes in and out without my say so."
"Loud and clear, Mr. Xiao-Long."
Tai grunted to confirm. He took a deep breath and gave an order to all. "Listen up! Leonardo's target will be two points: The Grimm Hybrid, under the care of the Medical Wing staff, and the Communications Array, located in his office. The Medical wing is located behind Haven Grand Hall, and the building next to it has also been repurposed to administer emergency aid."
"Remember, everyone, we can't lose any one of those two targets; they hold the key to all of this, to what he's been doing to all of us. The truth is dependent on us and this is what we now face."
The sun finally sunk beneath the horizon. None of the lights at Haven were turned on, just as he had instructed before.
Stealth, and the element of surprise will play a key role in their survival.
Tai took a deep breath. "…We fight with our lives, everyone. Make sure it counts."
Darkness covered them all.
On the rooftops in downtown Mistral, Raiden sheathed HF Crocea, keeping it firmly on his back. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, now wearing his usual suit. In his pockets, he had enough Dust to supply both him and Jaune; they shouldn't be running out of power any time soon.
He turned and looked at the setting sun. Taking a deep breath, the ninja closed his eye and savoured the slight feeling of peace. Up here, he could barely hear the sounds of traffic, of people walking out and about. He used this small moment to compose himself. Battle was coming, and they didn't know just how many enemies they would have to face.
Raiden opened his eye and looked back at the horizon.
The sun had set, and the skies had become pitch-black.
Raiden looked down on the streets. He noted that shops didn't turn their lights on, and instead everyone was hurrying inside and closing their curtains. All of the cars that were previously out and about hurriedly parked at the side of the streets, their owners quickly getting out and going into various buildings that'd let them in.
In mere moments, just as the sun went down, the city had gone from bustling with life to deathly still. It was like some kind of foreshadowing, like everyone knew something was coming.
Even from up here, Raiden could feel the tension growing, going off the charts.
…Leo must have something planned, he knew it. Was he exercising his power of Mistral now?
From the corner of his eye, Raiden noticed a pair of police officers strolling down the streets. Acting quickly, he jumped down from the rooftop and positioned himself behind them, sticking to shadows casted down from poorly-lit walkways. He kept his ears out, listening in for any clues as to what was happening.
The entire city going silent, right as they were about to assassinate the Headmaster? Too good to be a coincidence.
Finally, the cops were beginning to speak. "Make sure everyone's indoors." One of them spoke. "No one gets out until we get the all-clear."
The other one responded, "You sure this is right, though? Doesn't seem a bit fishy?"
"The order's come from the top." The first one answered back. "Heard the Council's up in a frenzy. Hell, some of my pals in high places told me the emergency state's ordered by Headmaster Lionheart himself. And remember, we need to report any sightings of our targets."
"Pft, those Hunters always got a stick up their ass." The other cop spat out, "Always looking down on us…and now we're stuck here looking around, doing their dirty work for them."
"One blond-haired, one silver. Remember that."
'Shit!'
Raiden tuned the rest of the conversation out. If Leonardo's called in an emergency state for Mistral, for Haven, then that means that something must be going down there. Whether that was bad or good, he didn't know.
'Come on…' Raiden thought things over in his head. He's called the emergency state now, just after sundown, and Haven's on the other side of Mistral. It'd take them some time to get to the other side. Around an hour or two at least.
And with the cops on the lookout for him and Jaune…
It's going to take too long.
'Fuck!' Raiden scrambled out of the shadows and climbed back up the rooftop. Once he was secure, he took a knee and pressed a finger to his ear, visor deployed. He encrypted his signal and gave a call to Jaune. It was a good thing that they decided to sync up their nanomachines before parting; a way for the two of them to communicate via CCT, a way that no one else knows.
"Jaune, do you read me?" Static. "Jaune!?"
The static cleared, and Jaune's voice spoke from the other end. "Loud and clear, Raiden." Jaune spoke from the other end. "What's it about?"
"Something's happening at Haven!" he shouted-whispered
XXXXX
Jaune's feet were dangling absently from the docks' wooden platforms, emptily staring at the seemingly endless ocean. He was just finishing up trying to call Scarlet. Sadly, the call had gone to voicemail, so instead he was forced to leave her just a short message.
Jaune took a deep breath. 'It's begun, huh… Just like back in the U.C.'
"Something's happening at Haven?" Jaune repeated. Good thing no one was around to hear him speak. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not too clear on it myself. But the bastard's called an emergency state on the whole Kingdom, and he's got the police looking for us too."
Jaune almost swore, quickly standing up. "Then we need to regroup now, and fast." Jaune began running. "Once we're together, we'll rush into Haven. How long will it take you to get there?"
Raiden looked down from where he was. He could spot more and more cops swarming the streets. "I'm around one-and-a-half hours away. I should be able to stop by our makeshift base en-route, around half an hour."
"You do that." Jaune spoke from the other end. "I'll get there as fast as I can. Jaune out."
The call was cut and Raiden stood up. He used the visor and got a good look around. Cops, every inch of the city.
Damn it, this wasn't good!
Taiyang gripped a laserless sniper rifle in his hands, peering down its scope from his right eye. He laid prone at the top of one of Haven's CCT Towers, watching the entrance for any sign of the approaching enemy. His Scroll was put next to his ear, ready to transmit his commands.
They had prepared all they could. Both the Medical Wings and the Headmaster's office have been heavily fortified. The Haven Alliance, consisting of students and several fully-trained Hunter teams, were almost perfectly hidden and scattered across Haven, anchoring strategic points to hold against the enemy.
They were all ready, at his beck and call.
Tai heard a Bullhead approaching, approaching from the other side. His eyes focused and he tilted his aim upwards from Haven's entrance.
There.
He saw a Bullhead descending, then four, then ten, then fifteen. As soon as they landed, the Bullheads opened their hatches, and the enemy combatants stepped out. They were all armed to the teeth, subtlety to no one.
Tai's eyes narrowed. All of the grunts were dressed in either Branwen tribe clothing or White Fang gear, hefting high-grade weaponry in no small amount. Leading them all in the front was Leonardo, Stalwart deployed.
Looks like he was right. Leo was ready to take Haven by force, diplomacy be damned.
Tai shifted his aim to the right. To Leo's side was what seemed to be a White Fang general, an eagle Faunus with his wings clear to see. He held a minigun in his arms, striding confidently in the front leading all his people.
And lastly, Tai shifted his aim to the left. Leader of the Branwen tribe, sword sheathed yet ready…
Was Raven.
Tai growled. He spoke into his Scroll. "Sniper team, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"Clear shots, sir."
He hesitated for just a moment. Would he be willing to do this? After all they had been through, good or bad, she was still a part of team STRQ.
What they were once before…
The person she was
…
Was.
Tai took a deep breath and steeled his resolve. No real choice. "Take aim and fire."
He saw the snipers aim at their targets, their lasers converging and landing right at their foreheads. Leo, Raven and the eagle Faunus, all within their sights…
But they were just a fraction of a second too late.
Leonardo's eyes were drawn to the lasers, then to the one aimed right at his head. His eyes widened. "Snipers!"
Bang Bang Bang!
The trio ducked, sniper shots hitting their Aura-protected shoulders and chests. The Haven raid force immediately readied themselves, looking wildly from left to right. "Where are they coming from?!"
Raven grit her teeth. "Trace those shots now! Get to cover!"
Tai got a good look at their panic. The snipers had missed, but he had a backup plan ready. Phase two, if you will. "Alright, Demo team, blow them up."
Students and Hunters popped up from rooftops near the entrance. They pointed rocket launchers and grenade launchers at the crowd of enemies, barrels burning hot and prepared to fire.
"NOW, DEMO TEAM! FIRE!"
The Demo team fired their weapons before the raid force could gain their bearings. Grenades shot out of their launchers and rockets flew free from mechashift RPGs.
BOOOOOM!
Explosions forced the White Fang and the Branwen tribe's ranks to scatter, killing their leading troop and forcing Leo and his commanders back. They stumbled back in their march, Aura taking the brunt of the damage. Leo and his commanders stepped back and fired blindly as they retreated, fire clouding every line of their vision. Meanwhile, Aquilla growled and took flight with his wings, hefting his minigun and looking down at the battlefield below.
'There.' From up here, he could see his enemies perched on the rooftops, The Haven Alliance firing at his allies.
"White Fang! Return fire!"
Tai screamed his own orders to retaliate. "MACHINEGUNNERS! NOW NOW NOWWWW!"
RATATATATATATATATATATATAAAA!
Haven fighters popped out from buildings slightly deeper in Haven, firing wild automatic fire at the enemy with everything they've got. Frantically, the raid force forced themselves to push through and take cover behind the walls of the first set of buildings; buildings right at the entrance of the Haven Gardens.
"We need to get inside!" One of the troops shouted. He rushed through the building doors. "Go go-AAAAAHHH!"
Right as he entered the building, its doors were blown up, an explosive trap triggered as soon as he stepped in. The building's entrance crumbled and fell to ruin.
"Shit!" Raven stumbled back, the explosion happening right in front of her. "Everyone-!"
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Even more explosive traps were triggered at the building's pillars, destroying its supports and getting it dangerously close to collapse. Leo, Raven and Vernal barely managed to get their troops out of the way before that initial building finally collapsed and was reduced to merely a high pile of concrete.
"CLEAR SHOTS, EVERYONE!" Tai shouted. Barely any cover for his enemies anymore! He cocked a round into his sniper rifle. "FIRE AT WILL!"
BanngBangRATATATATA!
"AAAHHH!"
"GET TO COVER!"
"I'M HIT! I'M HIIITTTT!"
Aquilla clenched his teeth from above. They were getting slaughtered down there! With rage, he spurred his minigun from above, preparing to fire. Its barrels spun, tips heating up and ready to launch hot lead at Haven.
"Have some of this!" Aquilla took aim at Haven's machine-gunners and fired.
BRRRRRRRRRTTTTT!
"Aaaahhh!" Haven students shouted in pain, Auras torn apart from the minigun above. Looking up, they fired wildly at the sky and went back to cover.
A cruel smirk graced Aquilla's face. All he had to do was keep firing and-
Bang!
Tink!
A shot ricocheted off of Aquilla's minigun. He spun in the air and looked at the source, eyes burning with rage.
The CCT tower-?!
Bang!
Another shot, this time clipping his wings. Aquilla scowled, eyes narrowed at a sniper glint.
Tai grit his teeth, barrel smoking from the shot. Damn, he just barely clipped the General's wings. He chambered another round, shouting into his Scroll. "HUNTER TEAMS! TAKE THAT BIRD OUT OF THE SKY!"
More and more shots were fired at Aquila, this time from fully qualified Hunters. He yelled in rage and fired randomly in the ground, retreating back to his lines as he did so. "What's the plan, LEO?!"
"Get back in the Bullheads!" Leo shouted, back hugging his piece of cover. Rapid-fire bullets hit his piece of cover. The Headmaster stumbled to his side, seeking more protection. He spoke again amidst enemy fire, "I want air superiority! All of our enemies are grounded! Move, now!"
Aquilla dodged another sniper shot. "Fine! White Fang! Man the Bullheads and fire from above!"
"Good." Leonardo looked to his side, to Raven and Vernal shielding themselves with some of the remaining walls. Bullets kept assaulting their covers, ripping the small amount of concrete they hugged against.
The Headmaster spoke to her amidst the chaos. "I need the Branwen tribe to handle the ground assault, assisted by any White Fang member that's not manning the Bullheads. Close the gap as soon as you can!"
Raven raised an eyebrow at that. Does that mean she should reveal her cards now?
Wordlessly, Leo gave the bandit leader a short nod. Raven responded in turn, patting Vernal's shoulder as she did so. Her eyes flashed, and she and her protégé prepared to burst out of cover.
All they needed to do was wait for the Bullhead's covering fire.
"Branwen tribe, on me! On my mark, rush forwards and kill them all!"
'Damn!' Jaune dodged shots from left and right as police swarmed his location. Cars surrounded him in the middle of the street, and he was having a hard time wading through the police starting to corner him. 'So much for stealth!'
He contemplated drawing HF Murasama. He dodged to the left, a shot whizzing past his cheek. Another shot hit his shoulder from behind. He growled. Damn it, he didn't have time for this!
His fingers inched closer to HF Murasama. Fine then! If they're not going to give way, then he'll just have to make them-!
The sound of an aircraft approaching reached everyone's ears. Jaune's head shot up, and he saw a Bullhead heading straight for him.
Without any more hesitation, Jaune drew HF Murasama and flourished it in his hands. His eyes narrowed as the Bullhead approached, getting closer and closer. He could hear its guns rev up, prepared to fire.
Jaune prepared to deflect the shots as best his can while searching for cover. Any time now…
Now-?!
BRRRRTTTT!
Burning-hot bullets ripped the asphalt apart, bursting right through many of the officer's bodies. Jaune's eyes widened as he registered the dying screams of the cops. Wait, what?!
The Bullhead flew over him, past his head, and then went around for another strike.
"SHIT! What was that?!" An officer yelled out. "Why's that police Bullhead firing at us?!"
'Ah,' Jaune smirked as he realised the facts. 'An ally, huh? Well whoever you are, you better finish up fast.' Jaune spun HF Murasama in his hands and lunged at the remaining officers. "Or else nothing's gonna be left!"
FWOOM!
A large, sweeping wave of fire came forth from behind Haven Garden's ruined building. Tai could see from up above, members of the Haven Alliance being burned to a crisp and forced to take steps back.
Students and Hunters, dead.
Tai growled and took aim as his allies tried their best to hold the line. They fired wild shots, desperately hoping to suppress the enemy force.
FWOOM!
Another wave of fire, this time more devastating than the last. His allies were forced back even more. White Fang and Branwen tribe members emerged from the rubble, hastily crossing the now unguarded grounds and rushing towards Haven Alliance members.
And then, the range of battle shifted.
"RAAAAAHHHH!"
"HAAAAAA!"
The sound of melee weapons being drawn can be heard even from above the CCT Towers. Mechashift weapons transformed, from guns and launchers to swords and lances. Blades of the Fang met those of Haven students, Branwen tribe hammers clashing with Hunter shields.
Tai watched it all from above, taking shots at the enemy where he could. He growled lowly as he shot down another enemy. Shit, all of them were engaging in close quarters! More chances of casualties for his allies!
But then, something more damning caught his eye. Beneath his students, the ground was cracking apart, rumbling and setting them off balance.
Then, shards of ice burst forth.
'What the fuck?!'
They burst from beneath the ground and grew to scrape the skies, creating large obstructions and piercing his allies where they stood. All the while, shouts and screams echoed around Haven as more and more of his allies were injured, more and more of them dying where they stand.
Damn it, they were getting overwhelmed!
Tai shifted his aim back to the entrance. He took in a sharp breath as he saw the Fang enter their Bullheads, the aircrafts beginning to hover not a second later. He tried his best to take a shot at the pilots before they could fully take flight.
Patience…
The Bullheads turned to face him, ready for take off…
'Take a deep breath…'
Bang!
The bullet pierced the Bullhead's glass, but it just barely scraped against the pilots cheek. Tai could see the pilot's eyes widening in surprise. He saw him frantically change the controls for evasive maneuvers.
Tai took a deep breath and calmed himself. Chamber another round, steady your aim…
Bang!
The bullet hit the pilot dead on!
Blood splattered from the pilot's wound and into his seat behind him. His Bullhead fell back down to the ground, the pilot slumping dead in his seat. Tai smirked. Now, to take care of the others-!
A loud, quickly approaching roar caught Tai's attention. His eyes widened as he shifted his aim to an approaching Eagle.
Aquilla was flying straight at him, looking angrier than ever! Quickly, Tai cocked another shot and fired his rifle.
Bang!
Aquila dodged, barrel-rolling to the side.
Tai growled. Dammit! He just needed another shot! Come on!
Bang!
'Yes!' The shot clipped his wings yet again, this time ripping straight through and sending him off balance mid-flight.
However, it wasn't enough.
Aquilla was already too close to Tai.
'Oh shit-!'
"COME HERE!" Tai just barely managed to stand up before Aquilla smashed into him full force, sending him down to the floor. They tumbled across the towers' floor, the force of the impact keeping them rolling, and rolling…
Then the two of them went straight off the edge of the tower, Tai falling first beneath Aquilla's grip.
Aquilla yelled and released his claws, forcing them deep into Tai's shoulders. Blood sprout out from the wound, even more so from the bandages that had just been renewed.
Wind forced their hairs back as their descent grew faster and faster.
"AGH!" Tai cried out in pain. In response, he grit his teeth and punched Aquilla right in the eye. The General's head snapped back, and Tai took this chance to grab him by the throat. The Hunter roared and headbutted Aquilla.
The ground came closer and closer, their speed faster and faster.
"GRR!" Aquilla withdrew his right hand's grip on Tai's shoulder and scratched them towards his face. Tai titled his head just in time for it to scratch just his cheek. Tai's eyes widened. He screamed and headbutted Aquilla again.
The General's head snapped back once again.
"HIYAH!" Tai kicked, loosening his opponent's grip even more. With that, he turned the two of them around so that Aquilla would fall down first.
The ground was upon them.
"RAAAARGH!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGHHHH!"
CRASH!
The two of them hit the ground, and a cloud of dust covered the
Raiden skid to a stop, just barely stopping himself from going over the rooftop's edge. He gazed down below, right near where the entrance to the sewers should be.
His eye narrowed. Almost the entire section was blown up, and the explosion could be easily deduced to have come from the sewers themselves.
And with the explosion, no doubt, caused a lot of officers to circle the area.
"Shit." He muttered. He took a knee again and tried to contact Jaune. "Jaune, can you read me?"
Static.
"Jaune?!"
The sound of an aircraft approaching drew his attention. And, apparently, the cops' attention too.
"All units!" He heard from below him. "It's that Bullhead from before! Open fire!"
Raiden's hand reached to HF Crocea, ready to be drawn from his back. He watched with cautiousness as the Bullhead descended.
But then, curiously, it stopped its descent right at his rooftop, its back right in front of Raiden. Shots kept being fired from below, small arms bullets ricocheting off its hull.
The Bullhead's cargo hatch opened, the steps landing right at his rooftop's edge. Jaune stood inside, hand outstretched to Raiden.
"RAIDEN!" Jaune shouted from inside, voice as loud as he could against the Bullhead's noise. "GET INSIDE! NOW!"
Raiden smirked. Without another word, he rushed and jumped inside the Bullhead.
Jaune turned to the cockpit. "He's inside! Go!"
"Taking off!" A suspiciously familiar female voice sounded. Not a moment later, the Bullhead ascended again and took off.
Raiden approached Jaune and whispered in his ear. "Is that fucking Beryl?!
Jaune shrugged. Then, he titled his head to the cockpit for Raiden. 'Go see for yourself' went unsaid.
Raiden grit his teeth and went there to check himself. And, sure enough, there was Beryl, piloting the Bullhead with a bleeding wrist holding the Bullhead's yoke.
Raiden growled.
Beryl rolled her eyes, not that Raiden could see. "Look, d'you want my help or not? Like it or not, I'm the fastest way you're gonna get there."
"Why the change of heart?"
"…Personal interests." Beryl answered, "Always good to have some of that in mind, business or no."
"Fine then." Raiden turned around and left the cockpit, but not before asking one more question to Beryl. "E.T.A?"
"15 minutes."
Raiden grunted in confirmation and went to face Jaune. The samurai now had his eyes closed, leaning against the wall of the Bullhead. His arms were crossed in front of his chest, looking very relaxed.
Raiden decided to take a cue out of Jaune's book and did the same. He sat down on a seat a bit closer to the exit on the side across Jaune. He put his hands on his lap and closed his eye beneath his visor. He planned for various scenarios using all he could think of. As soon as they arrived, they had to jump in no questions asked.
"Mr. Xiao-Long, do you read me?!" Blu screamed into his scroll. A laser beam shot from the sky, hitting his Earth Durst-made cover and sending chunks of it off. "Teach?!"
No answer.
"Shit!" Blu popped out of his cover and aimed at his target. A Raven tribe member, flying in the sky and firing laser beams at his allies down below. He loaded a Fire Dust round and fired at the enemy.
Vernal saw the shot coming. She dodged to the side, bullet missing her by millimetres. She floated in the air, using her Flight Semblance to pick off targets while Raven lead the charge on the ground. Vernal pinpointed the shooter and took aim, preparing to fire back.
Blu did the same.
Time seemed to slow down, and Blu closed his left eye. He took careful aim, loading in another Fire Dust round…
He saw Vernal fire her shot. He stood firm, tracking the laser moving straight towards him, and fired.
Laser beam met Fire Dust.
A loud explosion burst in front of Vernal, covering her vision with hot flames licking her clothes. "Ah!" She hurriedly flew back, hand covering her face as she avoided the blast.
After a few moments, she lowered her hands as the blast subsided. Vernal aimed where her opponent just was, laser bubbling up within her gun.
She scowled.
There was no one there, nor in the surrounding areas. The Haven Alliance had retreated, deeper into Haven.
'Good.' She thought, at least they had more ground to take now. Behind her, she could hear Bullheads taking off. From up here, she could get a clear view of Haven Grand Hall. All that was left for them to take was a large, long patch of building-less ground before reaching the Headmaster's Office.
Just as she thought of that, walls of Ice and Earth burst up from the ground and covered the building's front.
She scoffed. Her chief could handle that in no time.
Blu slammed the doors of the Headmaster's Office shut with his back. Gasping, he took a desperate look inside. Hunters and students alike were rushing back and forth, preparing for the inevitable onslaught.
He let out a relieved breath when he saw his team rush towards him.
"You okay?" Lapis asked him.
"Yeah…" Blu groaned and rolled his neck. He slid down the doors and sat down with a thump. "Just tired is all. How're your guys Auras?"
"All of us just got in the red."
"Shit, same as me." He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down. "What're the Hunters saying? What's the next plan?"
"Since none of us could get to Mr. Xiao-Long, the Hunters want to hold this line while most of the students get to the Medical Wings." Enji explained. "The fourth-year team'll help them out. As soon as we're backt o shape, we're to go back here and get back to fighting."
Blu opened his eyes and tried to stand back up. His teammates rushed to help him up. He scowled as he processed what they told him."Gah… Can… they take them?" He asked. "We can't… We can't just leave them here to die!"
"We've got no other choice, Blu." Uang answered calmly. "We need to go, now."
Blu growled, his teammates forcing him along the building. They led him to a hole made in the back of the building specifically for the student's retreat. Together, they stumbled forwards, reluctantly following their orders.
The dust beneath the CCT Tower began to disperse. As visibility improved, Tai got up, stumbling forwards as his wounds began to bleed once again. He leaned heavily on his right leg, a trickle of blood running down his forehead. Across from him, Aquilla got up too, heavily visibly bruised from the fall and his wings horribly snapped.
Tai growled and brought his fists up, trying his best to remain steady. His Aura was already working on healing his wounds, but with the extent of the damage, who knows how long it'll take?
Who knows if it'll be enough?
Aquilla roared and lunged at him. Tai deployed LimitBreak and just barely managed to dodge to the side, hitting back with an uppercut to the chin. Tai went in for another punch, but Aquilla reacted just in time and parried it to the side. The Faunus hit back with an elbow to the stomach.
"Gack!" Tai bent over and spat out blood. Aquilla lifted his other hand high and prepared to chop down on Tai's neck. Thinking quickly, Tai aimed his fist at Aquilla chest and released a dead-on explosion.
"GAH!" Aquilla was forced upwards from the force of the blast. Tai didn't waste any time. Before Aquilla could fly away, Tai grabbed his opponent's leg and slammed him back to the ground.
"Ack!" A crater formed beneath Aquilla, his body rebounding back from the sheer force.
"RARGH!" Tai let out a roar and punched Aquilla back down with both his fists.
"AGH!"Aquilla screamed, forced back to the ground. From his hazy consciousness, the General barely felt Tai's weapons heaten up on his chest.
Tai grit his teeth and forced all his Dust into the upcoming blast, fists still pressing Aquilla down. His next explosions' radius grew as he fed LimitBreak more and more Dust…
More…
More…
More!
Now!
"HAAAAAHHH-!"
BOOOOMMM!
A blindingly hot inferno burst forth and covered the two fighters. It roared and burned everything around them. Not a moment later, White Fang and Branwen tribe members arrived and approached, but the flames licked them fiercely and forced them back.
Eventually, the inferno subsided with a last current of flame. It left the results clear to see.
Taiyang stood right in the middle, fists finally withdrawn from his opponent. Aquilla laid still on the ground, eyes wide open and a large black hole visible on his chest. His wings were charred, edges burnt to pitch-black dust.
Taiyang gasped and stood tall, his Aura glowing rapidly trying to heal all of his wounds. Burn marks were visible on his skin, blood trailing down from his bandages. Edges of his clothes and hair were burnt black, LimitBreak sputtering weak sparks.
The Hunter took a good look around him. He was surrounded, White Fang and Branwen tribe all around him. He looked up and saw Raven's protégé up above, pointing her weapon straight at him. Besides her were three Bullheads, all ready to fire.
His eyes flicked to where the Headmaster's office was. It seemed his allies had built a wall in his absence, and those that weren't securing him were trying to break through that wall. He could barely see Raven leading the charge there, using some sort of power to spit wind out of her hands with the rest of the Bullheads firing at said wall.
Click!
His thoughts were focused once again as he heard his enemies ready their guns. He took a deep breath and readied his stance again, even if he was starting to wobble. He gave a little chuckle and clenched his fists, knees bent and ready to fight. "Come on then." He smirked. "I can do this all day."
His eyes narrowed as the raid team began closing in on him. They were prepared to fire and beat him to death.
All that was left was his resolve…
Now-!
Everyone was interrupted.
The sound of a Bullhead flying by caught everyone's attention. It flew by fast, coming from the Headmaster's Office direction. In barely a second, it was already past them.
One of the White Fang pressed a finger to his ear and spoke, "Pilot, we need you to cover our target with us, do you copy?"
The Bullhead flew back around, coming back to where he was. Tai's eyes narrowed. More?
But then, a small hope flowered in his chest when the White Fang member spoke again, "Pilot do you copy?"
Tai's eyes widened when he saw the Bullhead's gun's barrel heating up.
RATATATATATA!
Shots were fired from the Bullhead's guns, striking down one of the White Fang's own and sending it crashing down to the ground in a flaming heap.
"Shit!" A Branwen tribe member shouted, "Hostile!"
RATATATATATA!
The Bullhead continued firing, ripping apart the raid team's ranks and taking down yet another Bullhead. It flew past Tai again, already preparing to turn around.
"White Fang! Focus your fire on that Bullhead!"
The mystery Bullhead turned around again and fired again. This time, Tai noted that it received enemy fire. Tai acted quickly and jumped at the nearest enemy and punched him straight in the face. He sent the goon flying, crashing into several of his allies.
"Shit! Don't forget about that Hunter!"
Tai did his best to deflect the shots with LimitBreak. They bounced off his weapon and some bounced off his Aura, draining them both quickly of durability. Damn, he can't stay like this-!
ZOOM!
"Gah!" Tai barely managed to dodge a laser shot from above. Vernal quickly descended, firing more and more shots at Tai. Tai scrambled and rushed through the opponents behind him, hurriedly finding a piece of chest-level concrete to duck behind.
Shots kept being fired on his cover, slowly tearing it apart. "Shittttt!" The White Fang and the Branwen tribe were all in front of him now, right beyond his cover. He yelped as a grenade reached just short of his cover, blowing him with dirt and smoke.
Tai looked up, desperate. He saw the Bullhead approaching him yet again, this time from his front. He saw it open its cargo hatch just as it began to fly over him, seeming to drop something off.
Right as the plane flew by him, he saw someone leap off and almost fly towards him, blonde hair clear in the night sky and metallic right hand on his sheathed katana's hilt. His white suit seemingly glowed in the night sky,
He was incoming, and fast!
"JAUNE!"
Jaune landed and skid across the ground, drawing HF Murasama free and facing the enemy. His mask deployed, and using the momentum, he rushed at the enemy.
They barely had time to aim their guns at him. He was just too fast.
"HAAAAGHHH!" Jaune sliced a White Fang member in two. He continued to slide across the ground, straight to the next enemy. "RARGH!" Jaune stabbed the next man straight in the chest. "HYAH!" He pulled his sword free and slashed at the next person, cutting him from the shoulder down. He continued to slide, swinging his sword in a wide arc as he spun on his feet. "HAAAAAAAA!"
In a red flash, everyone, everyone around him was cut down, not a moment to react.
"GRAGH!" Jaune reached another enemy and cut him from the waist down. He felt his momentum ending and jumped over one member. Before the enemy's gun could follow him, he landed behind him and stabbed HF Murasama straight through his back.
Jaune looked to his front and saw a woman aiming a laser gun at him. Before she could fire even let her shot free, Jaune had already lunged towards her throat.
"Wha-?!"
"GRAH!" Jaune grabbed Vernal by the throat and slammed her to the ground.
"Ack-!"
"HAH!" Jaune slammed her again by the head.
"AAAHHH-MMMFFFF!" Vernal's screams were muffled as Jaune clasped her mouth with his left hand. He opened his right palm and aimed it behind him. HF Murasama flew free from the previous enemy's body and straight to his right hand.
Jaune screamed and lifted his sword high, Vernal's eyes wide with fear. Without a second more, Jaune plunged his sword straight through her heart.
Vernal gasped in pain.
"NO YOU DON'T!" Jaune paid forcefully gripped Vernal's hand and aimed her weapon at the Headmaster's Office wall, straight at where Leonardo was.
"FALL, LION!" Jaune squeezed her fingers and broke her bones, forcefully firing a laser shot from her weapon. The shot hit true, striking Leo right in the back. Leo and Raven turned around, eyes wide as they recognised the threat.
Jaune growled and stood up, ripping HF Murasama free from Vernal's chest. He flourished it, freeing it from any remaining blood. He took a stance and re-sheathed his sword, prepared for a quick-draw. This is what he's been waiting for.
Not a moment later, Raiden landed by his side. He too drew his sword free and sunk into his own, lower stance.
Above them, explosions littered the sky as the planes that Raiden just dealt with blew up one by one.
This time, though, Jaune didn't laugh or clap his hands.
No, he deserves far worse.
Raven narrowed her eyes, staring dead-on at the new arrivals across from her. Raiden and his blond-haired all had arrived, both swords glowing brightly in the night.
Before she realised it, light had started to leak through her eyes. And yet, she embraced her bubbling power. Her hands twitched, itching to release the power of a Maiden.
A loud crash sounded from behind them. The wall of the Headmaster's Office had just come down, allowing everyone to get inside.
She heard shouts behind them as Hunters and Haven raid forces alike opened fire. Amidst of all the chaos, Leonardo spoke from beside her.
"We need to get on with it." He spoke to her ear, "Backup is coming to ensure our victory. But before that, we need these Hunters out of the way."
Reluctantly, Raven tore her gaze away and turned to Haven Grand Hall. She held in her irritation. "This better be worth it." She growled to Leo. Vernal's death won't be in vain, she'll make sure of that.
Leonardo nodded in silence and stepped behind Raven. The Headmaster gave one more order before starting his insertion into his office.
"White Fang! Don't let Raiden and Jaune take a single step into the Hall!
Raiden grit his teeth. "They're sending fodder at us."
Jaune, honestly, could care less. Instead, he shot a side glance to Tai. "Is Haven Grand Hall their objective?"
Tai limped forwards. "Yeah." He answered. "Get to Leo's terminal and delete all the data, and then get to Medical Wings to take that Grimm Hybrid back."
"Grimm Hybrid?" Raiden spoke back, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It's better if I show you later." Tai groaned. "Don't have time for that whole story now."
"Fine then. What about the students?" Raiden asked. "Are any of them..." He trailed off. Just saying it was already hard enough...
Tai sighed. "Most likely?... A lot of them. What I do know is that if there are any of them left, then they'll be fighting over there," he pointed to the office, "or in the Medical Wings."
"Then we've got no time to waste." Jaune spoke, "They don't deserve to get caught in all of this."
"I know."
The three of them heard footsteps approaching, more members of the White Fang rushing towards their position. They didn't have much time left to talk.
"Tai." Raiden spoke. "Can you move?"
"I'll manage." Tai's Aura flashed, attempting to heal the best it can. "I'm pretty deep in the red, though."
"Then we'll cover you. Get to the students." Raiden spun HF Crocea and faced the approaching enemy. "Go!"
Tai nodded and ran to the side, while Jaune and Raiden rushed straight to the enemy.
"Don't let that Hunter get past-Ack!" The goons' words were cut short, his throat sliced by HF Murasama.
Jaune engaged another event to his left, then his right, then all around him. "Don't let 'em catch you, Tai!"
Taiyang continued running, past everything, and straight to the Medical Wings.