Team RWBY casually strolled through the bustling streets of Argus, their vehicles rolling at a relaxed pace as they took in the sights. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the city, making the ocean sparkle like a field of stars.

"Running this thing at full speed was so fun!" Ruby declared, a wide grin on her face as she clutched the handlebars of her scooter.

Weiss, still seated behind her, let out an exasperated groan. "Please never do that again! We almost died!"

Ruby pouted. "We didn't almost die... maybe just... mildly risked serious injury?"

"Mildly?" Weiss repeated her grip on Ruby tightening. "You jumped off a ramp! A ramp, Ruby!"

"Technically, it was a conveniently placed slope!" Ruby corrected with an innocent smile.

"I was on the backseat! Do you have any idea how terrifying that was?!"

"Okay, okay, I promise no more ramp jumps," Ruby relented, though the mischievous glint in her eyes suggested otherwise.

Beside them, Yang matched Ruby's pace on Bumblebee, effortlessly maneuvering through the streets. Blake sat behind her, holding on with ease as her golden eyes casually scanned their surroundings.

"Heh, gotta admit, sis," Yang smirked, "You've got a need for speed after all."

Ruby beamed. "Right?! It's so freeing!"

Blake sighed, shaking her head. "Just don't encourage her too much, Yang. We already have one reckless driver in the family."

Yang laughed. "Fair point. But hey, you didn't mind holding on real tight back there."

Blake rolled her eyes, though a small smirk betrayed her amusement.

As they continued down the road, the lively atmosphere of Argus surrounded them—vendors calling out their wares, children running through the streets, and the distant hum of ships docked at the port.

For a moment, it almost felt like things were normal.

Until the sudden ringing of Ruby's scroll shattered the peace.

She quickly fumbled with one hand to pull it out, glancing at the screen before her expression turned serious. "It's Cordovin," she said, slowing her scooter to a stop.

Yang pulled up beside her, and Weiss leaned in to get a better look. "What does she want now?"

Ruby answered the call, and Cordovin's sharp voice came through the speakers.

"You are needed at the wall. All the forces we have are on route but we need all hands on deck immediately."

Ruby frowned. "What? Why? What's going—"

Then the explosion came.

A deep, thunderous boom rocked the city, followed by the unmistakable sight of a plume of smoke curling into the sky. The sheer force of the blast rattled nearby windows, sending startled flocks of birds scattering into the air.

At that very moment, the call abruptly cut off.

Ruby felt a cold shiver run down her spine. "Crap... a breach?"

"Only one way to find out," Yang said, her voice tense as she revved Bumblebee.

Without hesitation, both Ruby and Yang hit the gas, speeding toward the rising smoke. Blake and Weiss held on tightly as their respective riders weaved through the streets.

Argus' tall buildings blurred past Team RWBY as they pushed forward, the rooftops parting just enough to reveal the thick, dark smoke curling over the skyline. The acrid scent of fire and blood filled the air, mixing with the distant echoes of gunfire and screams.

As they neared the site of the explosion, the devastation came into full view. The street was littered with destruction—Atlas soldiers lay in pools of their own blood, their bodies cleaved nearly in half, their once-pristine armor now cracked and coated in crimson.

Scattered debris from wrecked vehicles burned, the flames licking against the shattered remains of storefronts.

Even the remnants of fallen Grimm were still disintegrating into wisps of black smoke, a grim testament to the battle that had unfolded here.

Ruby felt her stomach churn at the sheer brutality of it. This wasn't just a Grimm attack—this was a massacre.

Then came the scream.

A lone Huntsman stumbled out of the thick smoke ahead, his body tensed in terror. His cry barely lasted a second before his head separated from his shoulders, severed in one fluid motion.

The lifeless corpse crumpled onto the pavement, blood pooling beneath it as the severed head rolled to a stop.

Ruby and Yang both slammed on their brakes, tires screeching against the cracked pavement.

The smoke parted.

And there he stood.

Adam Taurus.

His crimson blade, Wilt, dripped with fresh blood, the eerie glow of its edge flickering as if hungry for more. His white Fang mask was stained with blood.

For a moment, time seemed to slow.

Then, behind him, a massive Ursa emerged from the smoke, its deep growl echoing through the ruined street. Its claws slashed toward Adam's back—but the former White Fang leader didn't even flinch.

In a single, effortless motion, Adam turned, slashing upwards with Wilt. The massive Grimm split cleanly in two, its body falling apart before fading into ash.

He didn't spare it another glance. Instead, his attention snapped back to Team RWBY, his eyes narrowing with pure, murderous intent.

Blake's breath hitched. She could feel his gaze burning into her, seething with a fury beyond words.

"Go!" Blake shouted, her voice laced with urgency.

Ruby and Yang didn't hesitate. They revved their engines, tearing down the street as fast as their bikes could carry them.

But Adam was already moving.

In one swift motion, he reached down, yanking the bloodied corpse of a fallen policeman off the ground. His fingers pried the keys from the officer's belt, and within seconds, the stolen police bike roared to life beneath him.

He gunned it.

The engine roared as Adam shot forward, rapidly closing the distance.

The chase was on.

Mindscape, Oscar & Ozpin

"Can you explain to me again why Wild magic is... Weaker?"

Ozpin nodded thoughtfully, adjusting his glasses as he began to explain.

"Oscar, think of magic like water flowing through a hose. When you use wild magic, it's like turning on the faucet without any control over the water's flow. The energy rushes out freely, spreading over a wide area—but without direction, it loses strength. The more you push out at once, the more energy is wasted, much like how a wide-open hose releases a large amount of water but lacks the pressure to do any real damage."

He sighed. "In other words, you're releasing more, but the power is less. You're just wasting energy at that point."

He lifted a hand, conjuring a small, flickering light between his fingers.

"Spells, on the other hand, act like narrowing the nozzle of that hose. When the water is focused into a smaller opening, it gains precision and force—enough to cut through stone. Incantations refine your magic, directing it with purpose. Instead of losing power in a broad, unfocused release, spells concentrate it into a specific shape, function, and intent. That is why a well-cast spell will always be stronger and more efficient than raw, untamed magic."

He let the light in his palm flicker out, looking at Oscar with a knowing smile.

"Mastery comes not from how much power you use, but how well you use it. That is why I want you to train properly—so you can shape your magic, rather than let it shape you."

Ozpin's words settled into Oscar's mind like pieces of a puzzle clicking into place. He stared at his palm, flexing his fingers as if he could feel the magic coursing beneath his skin.

"Hmm... I get it now," he murmured. "It's not just about throwing power around. It's about shaping it—controlling it." His voice held a newfound determination, a quiet understanding that hadn't been there before.

Ozpin smiled, nodding approvingly. "Precisely. Raw strength will only take you so far, but skill and refinement? That is where true power lies."

He took a step forward, his presence commanding yet patient.

"Now, let's continue our training."

The Streets of Argus

Wind howled past Team RWBY as they weaved through the streets, dodging debris and abandoned cars. Pedestrians screamed and scrambled for cover as the high-speed pursuit tore through the city.

Ruby risked a glance back—only to see Adam accelerating, his stolen bike effortlessly keeping pace. His grip on the handlebars was steady, his deadly focus never wavering.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Yang growled as she twisted the throttle of Bumblebee, pushing for more speed.

Blake clutched onto Yang tighter, her ears flattening against her head.

They sped through an intersection, the traffic light flashing green as they passed. Civilians barely had time to register the chase before the light flicked to red—

—but Adam didn't stop.

A horn blared as a car swerved in his path. Adam jerked the bike to the side, scraping along the pavement before slamming into the car at full force.

For a split second, it looked like the impact would end him.

But instead—

Adam launched himself from the wreck, his body flipping midair as the destroyed bike twisted into a heap of wreckage behind him. He soared high—higher than he should have—

—until he landed, boots slamming onto the roof of a large cargo truck heading in the same direction as Team RWBY.

Ruby's eyes widened. "Are you serious?!"

Adam crouched low atop the cargo truck, his coat whipping violently in the wind as his grip tightened on Wilt.

His burning eyes locked onto Team RWBY, the sheer hatred in his expression making the air feel thicker. For a fleeting moment, his aura pulsed red, veins of energy flickering across his form like embers in a dying fire.

Then he moved.

With a single, fluid motion, Adam slashed his blade through the air—sending a Moonslice hurtling toward them.

The blood-red crescent of energy screamed toward Bumblebee, its glow reflecting off the chrome of Yang's bike.

"YANG!" Blake shouted.

Yang's grip tightened instinctively. She felt the incoming strike, the weight of its power slicing through the air itself. Her breath hitched—but she refused to let fear take over.

Not now. Not ever.

She twisted the throttle, jerking Bumblebee to the side in a desperate evasive maneuver. The Moonslice narrowly missed the bike's body—

—but the car just ahead of them wasn't as lucky.

The energy blade cleaved straight through the vehicle's frame, splitting it in two with a deafening CRASH. Metal shrieked as the severed halves were sent flying across the street, shattering windows and crushing anything in their path.

"Holy crap!" Yang gasped, barely swerving past the wreckage.

Blake's heart pounded in her chest as she clung to Yang's back, eyes wide with horror. Adam's attack had been aimed right at them—no hesitation, no restraint.

He wasn't just chasing them.

He was hunting them.

More specifically—he was hunting Blake.

Adam simply leaped off from the truck, landing next to a car roof and to the other.

Ruby, just a few meters behind, caught Yang's brief glance through the chaos.

For a single moment, the sisters locked eyes.

Ruby nodded.
Yang nodded back.

Yang pulled the handle to the max.

She floored it.

Bumblebee screamed forward, its tires barely touching the pavement as Yang weaved through the gaps between honking cars and panicked pedestrians. Blake held on tight, feeling the sheer force of their acceleration.

Adam responded instantly.

In a single motion, he jumped—flipping through the air and landing atop a moving car right in front of Ruby's scooter.

Ruby barely had time to react.

"What the—?!" Weiss gasped from behind her.

Adam didn't even look at them.

He had one target, and one target only.

Blake.

Adam leaped again, his boots landing with a heavy thud on another car. He was closing in fast, each bound bringing him closer to Bumblebee.

Blake tightened her grip on Gambol Shroud, her breath shaky.

"Yang—he's not stopping!"

"No kidding!" Yang shouted back.

Blake knew this feeling. The weight of his presence. The inevitability of his pursuit. Proving that she could never truly escape him.

SCREEECH!

Ruby and Weiss came to an abrupt stop.

"Ruby?!" Weiss yelped, nearly losing her balance. "Why did we stop?!"

Ruby huffed, quickly swinging her leg off the scooter. "Because that was the fastest this thing could go! And let's be honest—I can run way faster than this piece of junk!"

Weiss's eye twitched. "Then why weren't we doing that earlier?!"

"Weiss, we just bought the scooter!"

"And Adam ISN'T stopping."

"Okay, okay!" Ruby threw her hands up as they got off the scooter. "New plan! Weiss—your glyphs!"

Weiss let out a sharp breath, already drawing Myrtenaster from her back. She wasted no time, spinning the weapon and summoning a burst of glowing white glyphs onto the pavement.

Without hesitation, she climbed onto Ruby's back, her arms wrapping around her shoulders.

"Go!"

With a sharp whoosh, Ruby vanished.

A streak of red petals and shimmering glyphs tore through the streets of Argus, cutting a path within the road at inhuman speed.

Back to Yang and Blake, as they made it to calmer parts of the streets, they neared the bridge of Atlas Base. They did not intend to lead Adam to the base, but Yang was planning on turning to the right to where Rinko and Qrow were—Arc-Cotta Residence.

But as the city blurred past them in a frenzy of metal and motion. Yang and Blake had barely made it when a car suddenly lurched forward, attempting to make a U-turn.

"Shit!" Yang yanked on the brakes, but Bumblebee was moving too fast.

Impact.

The front wheel clipped the car's bumper, sending them both flying.

Blake reacted instantly.

With a sharp flick of her wrist, Gambol Shroud's ribbon shot out, wrapping around a nearby street pole. The sudden force wrenched her midair, but she held on, gripping tightly with one hand as she caught Yang's arm with the other.

They swung downward, momentum carrying them toward the pavement before Blake twisted, bracing their fall.

They landed hard.

Yang staggered, breathing heavily, but they were still in one piece.

The civilians around them froze in wide-eyed shock. Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd as the car's angry driver stumbled out, arms raised in frustration.

"What the hell do you think you're—?!"

CRUNCH.

A boot slammed onto the hood of the car.

The driver's anger died in his throat.

Adam stood atop the vehicle, his crimson blade gleaming under the afternoon sun. His mask was cracked at the edge, his red cloak billowing in the wind.

And his gaze?

It was locked only on Blake.

"No," Blake whispered.

Adam raised Wilt.

He leaped.

Blake barely had time to react—

SLAM!

A red blur crashed into Adam midair, tackling him straight into the pavement.

Ruby and Weiss tumbled to the ground with him, their combined momentum sending them skidding across the bridge. Weiss groaned, rolling off to the side, while Ruby flipped herself upright, Crescent Rose unfolding in an instant.

Adam pushed himself up, a growl escaping his throat.

Weiss staggered to her feet, rubbing her head. "Was that—really—the best way to do that?!"

"It worked, didn't it?" Ruby shot back.

Yang wasted no time. She turned toward the civilians still standing frozen in shock and yelled, "Get away as far as possible!"

Panic snapped through the crowd.

Mothers grabbed their children. Vendors abandoned their stalls. The driver of the wrecked car didn't even think—he turned and ran.

Within seconds, the streets were cleared.

Now, there were only five people left standing.

Ruby. Weiss. Yang. Blake.

And Adam.

The tension thickened in the air as Adam cracked his neck, rising to his full height.

His grip on Wilt was steady, his stance unreadable. His gaze flickered between them, but when it settled on Blake—he moved.

No hesitation. No words. Just a flash of crimson steel as he lunged for her.

But before he could close the distance—

CLANG!

Ruby appeared in front of Blake, Crescent Rose striking against Wilt. Sparks erupted between their blades as Ruby pushed forward, eyes burning with determination.

Adam narrowed his eyes and twisted his wrist, breaking the lock. With a sudden burst of strength, he shoved Ruby back, sending her skidding across the pavement. Before she could regain her footing—

WHAM!

Adam's boot slammed into her gut, launching her into a nearby mailbox.

"Ruby!" Weiss shouted.

She lunged forward, Myrtenaster flashing as she thrust toward Adam's open side.

Adam was faster.

His blade swept through the air, meeting Weiss's attack with a force that nearly knocked the rapier from her grasp. Weiss gritted her teeth, parrying desperately as Adam came at her with a relentless flurry of strikes.

Each blow sent shockwaves up her arms.

Each swing carried lethal intent.

He wasn't toying with her. He was trying to cut her down.

Then—

"Get off her!" Yang's shoulder slammed into Adam, tackling him off Weiss and sending him a few feet away. Adam tumbled midair before flipping onto his feet, his coat billowing as he landed smoothly.

His sword was already mid-swing—and Yang's heart stopped.

Her body locked up. For a split second, she wasn't on the bridge.

She was back at Beacon.

Adam's masked face stared at her, Wilt gleamed under the shattered moon.

And the searing pain of losing her arm.

Yang's breath hitched. She couldn't move. The blade came closer—

"No!"

A black blur flashed past her.

SHING!

Gambol Shroud's blade slashed across Adam's face as his aura absorbed the slash, wrapping around his arm. Before he could retaliate, Blake pulled, yanking him sideways.

But Adam fought against her pull as he struggled on his feet.

"Weiss!" Blake yelled.

Weiss was already in motion. A glyph appeared beneath her feet—WHOOSH!

She dashed forward and kicked Adam in the chest, sending him slamming into a building.

BAM!

The impact sent cracks splintering across the concrete. Dust and rubble cascaded onto the pavement as Adam hit the ground.

Silence.

For a moment, nothing moved.

Adam grunted as pushed himself up. His shoulders rolled back, head tilting from side to side as if loosening his joints.

Unfazed.

Uninjured.

The only thing left behind was the remnant of his mask, lying broken on the pavement. The moment he stood to his full height, Team RWBY saw everything.

His face was exposed.

His left eye was branded with the Schnee Dust Company's insignia, a burnt scar carved into his skin.

But it wasn't just the mark that froze them in place. It was the wildness in his remaining eye.

A predator's gaze. One that saw only prey.

Weiss took an involuntary step back, her breath catching in her throat.

Adam saw the horror in their eyes—and he charged.

In a blur of motion, he became a relentless force. Before anyone could react, he launched himself forward with a predatory grace that left the girls barely time to raise their weapons.

In one swift movement, Adam hurled Wilt's hilt toward Yang, striking her squarely in the face and sending her reeling. As she staggered, Adam vaulted over Ruby's outstretched swing from Crescent Rose, his momentum undeterred.

With a savage motion, he slammed his sword sheath—Blush—into Ruby's skull, the impact sending her staggering backward.

Mid-air, Adam grabbed hold of Wilt and spun, executing a brutal kick that connected with Blake's face. The force of the strike sent Blake's vision blurring, and in that chaotic moment, Weiss found herself unguarded.

Before Weiss could raise her rapier, Adam swept it aside with a vicious swing, leaving her open and vulnerable. Weiss stumbled to the ground as Adam readied himself to strike the final blow.

A cold, merciless smile twisted on Adam's lips as he roared, "Everyone. DIES!" His voice was filled with a lethal mix of fury and triumph.

But then—a sharp, unexpected sound interrupted him. A dart whistled through the air and struck just behind his neck. In an instant, electricity surged over his body, crackling along his aura & skin with a searing intensity.

BRZZZZZZT!

Adam stood there for a moment as his eyes rolled behind his head as he fell to the ground. Weiss hastily moved back away from Adam's unconscious form.

High above on the opposite side of the bridge, through the window of an Atlas Base, Commander Cordovin stood poised with a sniper rifle specially modified to fire electrified darts.

She pulled back from the trigger, her eyes narrowed with a cold, calculating scoff as she watched the chaos unfold below.

"Welcome to Argus, you filthy maggot." she declared in a voice that was both amused and ruthless.

[End]