Chapter 32
Bottom Corridor, Amity Colosseum
Unarmed and alone, Ruby decides to escape rather than fight Mercury. When she first tries to simply side-step him, he matches her movements and prevents her from leaving. Ruby then attempts to fly past him using her speed Semblance, but he manages to intercept her with a kick to the chest. Ruby falls to the ground winded and reaches for her Scroll to call for help. However, Mercury blasts it out of her hand with a shot from Talaria
"Let's keep this between us friends." Mercury said smirking
Seeing Ruby stand up, Mercury's smile visible increased as he was just about getting ready to attack the girl. That was until Mercury felt an intense wave of killing intent directed at him as he was momentarily frozen in fear as a figure walked in from behind Ruby.
"Hanzo." Ruby gasped slightly relieved to see a familiar face
"You should go. I'll handle him myself." Scorpion ordered coldly causing Ruby to flinch as she had never heard him sound this way. Reluctantly, Ruby nods as she ran out of the corridor as Mercury didn't bother to stop her, as he had his eyes on Scorpion
"Hanzo right? You're from that JKHL team. Not gonna lie, you guys are good." Mercury said
"Flattery will get you nowhere." Scorpion said
"Wasn't trying to flatter you." Mercury scoffed
"It doesn't matter. You framed and threatened my allies. Do not expect mercy from me." Scorpion coldly said
Dashing forward at inhuman speed, Mercury throws a powerful kick at his opponent only for the Spectre to block the attack with his forearm causing a massive shockwave to erupt. Seeing this, Mercury smiles slightly before delivering a flurry of kicks hoping to overpower his opponent, but Scorpion was able to block all his attack before delivering a flaming punch to his opponent chest knocking him back.
Straightening himself, Mercury looks towards his opponent only to see the Spectre was already on him with flaming fists, as he began delivery various strikes to Mercury, causing the boy to struggle in defending himself.
Mercury tries to throw an overhead kick at Scorpion, only for his leg to touch nothing but air, as Scorpion had left behind an after image of himself already teleporting behind Mercury, as he delivered a flame induced kick to Mercury's chest shattering some of his ribs before kicking Mercury's kneecap, causing an audible snap to be heard as Mercury screamed in pain, but his screaming was cut short as Scorpion delivered another kick to his head knocking him to the floor.
Coughing up blood, Mercury struggles to stand up but to no avail. Reaching out for his scroll, Mercury tires to call his allies for help, but Scorpion sent his Kunai through the Scroll destroying it.
"Let's keep this between us friends." Scorpion said in a mocking tune as Mercury watched him in horror
Arena
Down in the arena of Amity Colosseum, Pyrrha is still looking hesitant and distracted while Penny politely salutes her opponent.
"Sal-u-tations, Pyrrha Nikos! It's an honor to finally meet you!" Penny said with joy
The troubled Pyrrha doesn't respond, looking at her hands as she clenches them in attempted determination.
"This is going to be so much fun!" Penny added unaware of her opponents troubled expression
"Begin!"
As the match was called, Penny begins the fight by summoning her swords and launching them towards Pyrrha Nikos, who rushes in, stopping only for a half second thanks to a blade blocking her path, before continuing her charge.
Penny then tugs on the strings to recall the blades, which she then uses to continually block Pyrrha's strikes with Miló and Akoúo̱.
After Pyrrha is pushed back, she backflips before performing a second charge, this time leaping on one of the swords before landing a downward strike on Penny.
However, Penny's near impregnable defense forces Pyrrha back again, which makes her flip backwards in midair before landing to block the next few blows from Penny's swords. After being forced back again, Pyrrha decides to use her shield, momentarily deforming her weapons with her Semblance due to stress before regaining control and going on the offensive.
Pyrrha finally lands a few hits on Penny, after deflecting each of her swords, before knocking her opponent back in midair.
This time, Penny converts her swords to cannons, unleashing a barrage of beams that Pyrrha dodges. Pyrrha proceeds to backflip from one rifle beam, duck under one sword attack, turn, and parry another blade, before flipping twice to evade two beam blasts. As Penny is recalling and reforming her weapons, Pyrrha spots an opportunity and charges forward, knocking Penny backward and taking a moment to relax.
However, Penny is still in the fight.
Pyrrha is subsequently shocked to see Penny instantly recover and propel herself using her rifles, before jumping and kicking Pyrrha in the head with added force from her weapons' beams, sending Pyrrha tumbling on the ground. Once Pyrrha leaves herself in a standing position, Penny knocks away her weapons. Pyrrha tries using her Semblance to retrieve her sword, however Penny knocks it away and recalls her blade, splitting it into eight as she prepares to finish the fight.
At that moment, Pyrrha then hallucinates under Emerald's Semblance, seeing what appears to be hundreds of swords preparing to attack. In a panicked response, she unleashes a powerful magnetic shockwave, sending the blades back. Penny then clutches her chest as two of her weapons wrap around her arm and midsection, bypassing her Aura, and severing her arm while bisecting her stomach.
Terrence
The members of Team JNPR, JKHL and TSKK could only stare in shock of what just occurred.
"What the hell." Johnny muttered
"This is bad." Sonya said as the crowd began to panick
Back at Arena
While the remains of Penny's missing arm spark with electricity from the exposed wiring inside, her big green irises, now looking like camera shutters, slowly expand so her dark, lifeless pupils take up most of her eyes with the sound of a machine shutting down.
In an Atlas laboratory, a balding white-bearded man watches the live footage on the news, his hand gripping the armrest of his chair tightly. The crowds are still terrified by the sight, and miles away in Mountain Glenn, Grimm of all kinds turn toward the Colosseum, and begin to charge.
Finally, Ruby turns a corner and emerges from the service tunnel, only to see with her own eyes that she is far too late.
"Penny." Ruby said falling to her knees as she begins to cry.
"Broadcast, what are you doing? Kill the feed!" Oobleck ordered
"Something's wrong! We don't have control of the cameras! We can't even stop the broadcast!" Broadcast OP said
"What!? How is that possible!?" Oobleck asked in shock
To answer his question, the background behind the two teachers changes to the video feed of the sight before them, tinted an ominous bright red with a black queen chess piece hovering over the scene. They turn back to the arena as a familiar voice rings out throughout the Colosseum and the rest of the world watching these events.
"This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians." Cinder said as Several audience members look uneasy, while Jaune is seen mouth agape in shock. "But are, in reality, nothing more than men. Our Academies' Headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both."
Ironwood, realizing who she's talking about, grimaces and rises from his seat, marching up the steps.
"They cling to this power in the name of peace, and yet, what do we have here? One nation's attempt at a synthetic army, mercilessly torn apart by another's star pupil. What need would Atlas have for a soldier disguised as an innocent little girl? I don't think the Grimm can tell the difference."
Pyrrha continues to stare at the remains of Penny in dread and guilt. Lips parting as she raises a hand to cover her mouth. Then her eyes start watering, a single tear falling. Back in the fairgrounds, a gaping Weiss and Blake watch the hacked screen of the Shopkeep's stall. The owner and several others including Roy Stallion are gathered nearby. Blake's expression becomes a glare as the speech continues.
"And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students? First a dismemberment, now this? Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and mercy, yet I have witnessed neither."
Back in the Dorms, Smoke and Yang, are seen hunching over the windows listening to the speech before Zwei barks behind them.
"Perhaps Ozpin felt as though defeating Atlas in the Tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invaded its streets. Or perhaps this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting kingdom with armed forces. Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue as to who is right and who is wrong. But I know the existence of peace is fragile, and the leaders of our kingdoms conduct their business with iron gloves." Cinder continues to speak
Ozpin watches the screen intently, The Long Memory at his side and Atlesian Airships hovering beyond his window. Amid the silence over the Colosseum as they absorb the revolutionary words, no one notices Emerald exit the stadium.
"As someone who hails from Mistral, I can assure you the situation there is... equally undesirable. Our Kingdoms are on the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark."
Two blue Atlas Soldiers watch the message on their Scroll, not noticing the wave of Grimm coming out of the mist shrouded treeline until they hear growling. Both turn and open fire the best they can, shooting down a few. But many more rush past them with Cinder's voice still stirring up trouble from her position with a malevolent smile.
"So I ask you: When the first shots are fired... who do you think you can trust?" Cinder asked with a smile
In the Colosseum, the screens cut from red and black to complete static.
"The feeds are all jammed! We can't get a message out!" Oobleck yelled
"Will somebody tell me what in the world is happening!?" Ports asked
The question is answered with the sound of a wailing alarm throughout the structure, with humans and Faunus and even a Henchman holding a tub of popcorn looking up in alarm at the orange flashing screens reading "CAUTION".
Warning Announcer: Alert. Incoming Grimm attack. Threat level: Nine. Please seek shelter in a calm and orderly manner.
The crowds begin to flee, wild and screaming, through the exit tunnels, while Ironwood enters the announcers' box and grabs the microphone from between Port and Oobleck.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please. There is no need for panic."
With that said, a Giant Nevermore appears atop the arena's domed force field, giving a series of deafening screeches as it claws and pecks at the defense with its beak.
"A Nevermore!?" Sun asked standing up in alarm along with Coco
"How did it get past the Kingdom's defenses!?" Coco asked in shock
"It wasn't alone." Sonya said in a grim tune
Headmaster's Office
Ozpin is gripping his cane tight, watching the city come under attack with a horrified expression.
"Oz!" Qrow said running in with Glynda Goodwitch
"Get to the city!" Ozpin ordered
"But-"
"NOW!"
Qrow and Glynda exchange a look before going back the way they came. Meanwhile, Mountain Glenn is almost silent, as every monster lurking there from Beowolves to Boarbatusks, Ursai and Nevermores, and even lumbering Goliaths with wide red eyes rush forward.
Back at the Colosseum, Ironwood is watching the Nevermore attack the shields until he answers his Scroll, stammering. "Ozpin, the girl... I-I can explain!"
"You brought your army to my Kingdom, James. Use it." Ozpin voice rang in his scroll
Ironwood's worry turns to determination. His fleet of ships are being attacked by even more giant Nevermores though to minimal effect. Soldiers inside are scrambling to enter commands inside the bridge around their commanding officer.
"Dammit! This is Blue Four! Blues Two and Three, fall into defensive position!" Atlas Ship Captain yelled
"Roger! Blue Three, in position!" Blue Three said
"Blue Two, what's your status? Blue Two, come in! Someone answer me, dammit!" But there was no response
He doesn't know that the bridge of the last ship is wrecked, computers sparking and men lying dead as three pairs of boots walk through the destruction. Dressed in an Atlas uniform and holding both Hush and Melodic Cudgel with a feathered hat on top, Neopolitan opens the door of a familiar-looking cell with a devious grin.
"Well... it's about time…" Roman said before tensing up at the figures behind Neo
"Considering you got yourself captured, you're lucky to still be alive." Hsu Hao growled
"Come on now mate, least you got to kill some Atlas wackos." Kano said wiping blood from his dagger
Cut to outside the Airships, where the furthest craft suddenly turns towards its allies and fires several bright red lasers at the engine of the one closest to it.
With Scorpion
Having heard Cinder's broadcast, along with the panick from the arena, Scorpion picks up Mercury by his throat
"What have you done?" Scorpion growled
"If I were you, I'd go help my friends with the Grimm." Mercury said struggling to smile
"I have faith in my allies, now answer my question. What is going on? Better still what is your endgame?! Scorpion asked slamming Mercury to the wall
"You're…going to have to do…better than that…to make me talk." Mercury struggled with his words due to Scorpion's grip.
After Mercury's statement, a ring of fire suddenly erupted around Scorpion and Mercury as the Spectre dropped his opponent on the ground
"There are other ways to make you talk. But know that you brought this upon yourself." Scorpion said as he began taking off his mask. Mercury was confused by this act and was expecting to see a human face. However what he saw next would forever haunt his nightmares as instead of seeing a human face, he was met with the site of a Flaming Skull, promising only death and pain.
Beacon Garden
Sub Zero and Kabal had been going about it for about a minute with none being able to overpower the other. However, after hearing Cinder's broadcast with the panick voices from the arena, Sub Zero was momentarily distracted and received a kick to the chest from Kabal knocking him back, but the assassin was able to create a spear to steady himself.
"What have you done?" Sub Zero growled
"You need to chill dude." Kabal joked. "But if you want to know…the city is probably being flooded with Grimm."
Hearing this Sub Zero's grip on his spear hardens as he is now determined to end this fight quickly to aid his allies. Seeing this, Kabal speeds towards Sub Zero to end him but instead of hitting flesh, he ends up shattering an Ice clone. Turning quickly, Kabal blocks an attack from Sub Zero's spear, soon both fighters begin trading weapon strikes while injuring each other.
Getting tired of their stalemate, Kabal began running circles around his opponent, slicing him any chance he got. Ignoring the pain from his injuries, Sub Zero slams his spear to the ground, creating large spikes of ice to surround him. Kabal wasn't able to stop himself as he found his thigh and shoulder impaled by one of the many spikes. Struggling to free himself, Kabal receives a wide haymaker that cracks his skull while also freeing him. Not letting up, Sub Zero encases Kabal's legs in ice and begins to rain down blows on the Mercenary. Bloody and battered, Kabal falls to his knee as Sub Zero is about to finish him.
Hearing more screams from outside the school, Sub Zero halts his assault on Kabal as he is contemplating his next course of action. Making a final decision, Sub Zero kicks Kabal in the head, knocking him out as he runs outside to aid his allies in this present crisis.