AN: Happy New Year's Eve everyone! To close out 2022, we've got one last chapter of Wild Hunt before 2023 begins. Hope everyone enjoys it!
Chapter 57: Good and Evil
A green meteor streaking across the sky, clashing against the monster known as the Jabberwock. That was the sight someone would see if they could witness such a battle. Whether someone could be considered lucky or unlucky to witness the incredible sight depended on the person. With each collision, the resulting shockwave blew the nearby area away. The Jabberwock, while a creation of Alice, was still a beast, and would haphazardly fire its warhead-level breath attack that would destroy entire areas in attempts to strike down Professor Ozpin.
Ozpin kept his gaze fixed solely on the Jabberwock as he flew across the sky, surrounded by a transparent green sphere of some sort of energy. She mentioned that she had created this creature specifically to fight S-Class warriors, like myself. He noted. This Jabberwock…it certainly has the destructive force required to survive against an S-Class level threat. It's as though she imagined this creature with an Ancient-Class Grimm as a template.
The Jabberwock snapped at Ozpin, trying to bite through the green barrier. Ozpin let out a light gasp when the barrier slightly cracked before reforming itself. It instinctively sent out a shockwave of energy that pushed the monster away from him. Ozpin then pointed his cane at the Jabberwock and fired a beam of green energy at it that pushed the monster back even further.
The Jabberwock breathed out another warhead-like breath attack that was aimed directly at Ozpin. Ozpin poured more energy into the barrier as the attack collided. All the clouds in Wonderland were blown away from the force of the impact, leaving nothing but a clear sky.
Meanwhile, at the tea party, Alice casually took another sip of earl gray as she watched the battle through a misty screen. "He's doing well." She noted. "Granted, I've never been able to compare the strength of the Jabberwock to anyone else. But, I've always been confident that it was created with the ability to match an S-Class fighter."
So, will you be joining me for this tea party, Professor? Or does your journey through Wonderland end here?
Back at the fight, the smoke cleared, revealing that Ozpin was alive and well. "My turn." He said calmly.
Ozpin pointed his cane at the Jabberwock. A flurry of green balls of energy were expelled rapidly from the cane. The balls flew around the Jabberwock, which simply ignored Ozpin and prepared yet another blast from its maw. At the tea party, Alice narrowed her eyes. Where is he aiming? She wondered, knowing that Ozpin was not the type to waste movements.
Then, the Jabberwock seemed to notice Ozpin's seeming lack of aim and paused. Then, several balls of green light shone brightly around it. "Be judged by the stars." Ozpin said calmly.
With that, all the green balls of light converged on the Jabberwock simultaneously, striking it with the force of a train going at its top speed. The Jabberwock let out an ear-splitting roar of pain as it struggled to stay airborne. Ozpin flew above it and pointed his cane downwards. "Thank you," he said, "I can now say with confidence that if the day comes where I must face her again…"
"...I can at least make her retreat." With that, Ozpin came crashing down like a meteor.
The Jabberwock was struck in the back of the neck by Ozpin's cane. The impact sent them both falling like a rocket ship going in reverse. The impact caused an explosion of green energy. At the tea party, Alice's mouth dropped open in disbelief as she watched the Jabberwock begin to fade into dust. Wonderland's trump card…beaten?
Ozpin stood above the 'dying' Jabberwock triumphantly. He really is the strongest Huntsman alive. Alice realized. But what in the world was that power he was using? Something about it seemed different?
Like it wasn't regular Aura manipulation!
Ozpin then looked up into the sky. "Now then, I believe that was your final trick, as promised!" He reminded Alice. "I would very much like to get back to my students, right now!"
A smile curled across Alice's lips. Yes…then without a doubt, he is the one I've been waiting for, for all these years.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, Hansel Kobalt continued his life-or-death struggle with Hazel Rainart, who realized the depths of the insanity hidden behind his opponent's eyes. Victory at all costs, no matter what he has to sacrifice. Just what did Ozpin do to him to make the boy like this?
Little did Hazel know, Ozpin had nothing to do with this. The abusive household Hansel came from mixed in with the general mindset of the Kobalt Family was what had instilled this ruthless desire to win at all costs. The abusive household gave him the downright-insane desire to prove himself and be useful to those he ultimately grew close with after the family was wiped out and he was taken in by Ozpin.
Disregarding what made Hansel the way he was, Hazel pressed his assault on the young teacher. I need to put some distance between the two of us. He noted as Hansel parried each punch with Wolf Fang. In terms of direct combat, I have the slight advantage, but he can drag out the fight for several hours, at least. And that is a delay I simply cannot afford. We are on an extremely tight schedule.
Which means I need to alter my approach. Range combat is not my strongest suit, but I can at least avoid getting horribly burnt by any more of those attacks of his.
Hazel then expanded his massive Aura outwards, pushing Hansel away from him with the force of the solid energy. He's putting distance between us now? Hansel was surprised at this. He should know that I have the advantage in range. Unless…he has a trump card I was unaware of!
Hansel instinctively assumed a defensive stance while Hazel dropped into a karate stance. Of all the things Hansel was preparing to defend himself from, what Hazel did next actually took him off guard. Hazel punched the air. Before Hansel could comprehend what was happening, his right knee suddenly shattered as he felt something collide against it.
Hansel screamed in pain as he fell to his broken knee. His Aura immediately set to repairing the damage. What the hell was that? He wondered.
Hazel punched again. Hansel desperately tried to keep his sword up, only for his left shoulder to shatter next, experiencing the same force as before. Again! Whatever he did…he did it again! Hansel frantically noted.
Hazel raised his arm in preparation for a punch once again. Hansel gasped as his right knee became fully mended. Hazel punched again, Hansel rolled to the side. However, before he completed the roll, he felt something brush violently past his check, ripping the skin off in the process. At that moment, he realized what was happening. Air! It's air! He's punching the air with so much force that he turned it into a projectile weapon! But how is he concentrating it into a projectile?
Hazel scowled at the look of revelation on Hansel's face. The boy is already figuring out this little trick. A pity, if I had aimed for his head, I would have caved his skull in, though it'd have been difficult with that sword defending him.
However, Her Grace wants him brought to her alive. With his mad dedication to Ozpin, I'm wondering more and more if the plan is a fool's errand. Frankly, I'm beginning to think it's better I kill him.
Hazel threw more punches, creating more powerful projectiles. By infusing my Aura in my fists and emitting it outwards as I throw the punch, I can mold it around the air that is kicked up by the force of the blow. Thus, I create these invisible projectiles that are fired like cannonballs, with enough force to shatter bones, punch right through the enemy's defensive Aura. This is real talent in emitting Aura out of one's body.
Indeed, Hansel was quickly piecing together the secret of Hazel's new strategy. So this is how he adds range to his combat. Thinking he had not worked to shore up that weakness was a rookie mistake on my part. Well, there goes the advantage I thought I had. Hansel lamented inwardly.
If it's air, he must be using Aura to keep its shape from dispersing outwards. It's difficult to sense because of how fast the attack is, but I'm guessing it's a thin layer of Aura that prevents me from sensing it without tremendous effort.
But if I concentrate my Aura to my eyes instead, perhaps I can see the attack coming…no, if I do that, he's likely to press an even more vicious assault, and my defenses will be weakened if I concentrate my Aura to my eyes.
Hazel changed his fist to an open palm. He turned it sideways and threw a karate chop outwards. Hansel instinctively held his sword out in front of him and blocked the attack. The collision pushed him backwards. That's it. I'll use the simple act of attacking as a signal to dodge.
Hazel threw another karate chop. Hansel immediately rolled to the side, avoiding the attack with ease this time. Good, my shoulder's back. Hansel noted to himself.
Next, it was a punch. As soon as Hazel made the move, Hansel dodged to the side once again. Instead of concentrating his Aura to his eyes, he anticipates the attack as soon as I make a move. It takes me half a second to throw a punch. And about a second to prepare a karate chop. I'll admit, it's impressive that he can anticipate everything. However, his strategy has one glaring flaw.
Hazel opened up his palm and pointed it outwards. Attacks with too wide a field cannot be dodged, even if you anticipate them.
Hazel grunted and threw a palm strike. I'll apply more force to kick up more air, and condense it all with more Aura, creating a rapidly advancing wall.
Hansel instinctively moved to try and avoid the attack, only for it to slam right into his side again, knocking him off his feet. Shit! He cursed inwardly, feeling several of his bones break from the force of the impact.
Due to how the air and the Aura was spread out though, Hansel's bones did not break as badly as they had before. They mended quickly. Hazel scowled, realizing that even with this new strategy, Hansel would not go down easily. "You really do have massive reserves of Aura." Hazel praised. "In fact, of all the Huntsmen I've killed in Her Grace's name, you have the most."
"Am I supposed to be honored by such a statement?" Hansel worked to catch his breath as the two circled one another, waiting to see which would try to close the distance first.
"No, I suppose I should be glad that that madman has actually bothered teaching someone well for a change." Hazel shot back, making Hansel's face twist with anger. "Usually he just sends children to death and then moves onto the next one."
Hansel glared at Hazel for that statement. Both men attacked simultaneously, compressed air collided with black flames. The two attacks canceled each other out. "You know, for someone who raves about dead kids, you yourself cause quite a bit of death as well." Hansel noted.
"I don't harm children, at least, not without very good reason. And even then, I don't kill them." Hazel replied. "The only ones I kill are foolish adults who fight an impossible war."
"Then you better pray Arc lives through what you did to him." Hansel snapped. "But don't you ever think about what happens to the families of the people you've killed?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Hazel demanded.
"Not just that, but what about the people those dead Huntsmen could have been protecting?" Hansel added. "You don't really think the school can just shit out new Huntsmen, do you? You think the dead can be replaced so easily?!"
Hazel frowned. "Don't you get it?" Hansel continued. "A lot of those people you've killed had families. Families that had children of their own. Families that could have died without their Huntsmen parents around to provide and protect them. And that's not even getting into those that died because no one was around to save them. Children probably died indirectly because of that as well."
Hansel's glare became hateful, seething. "You're full of shit." He snarled. "People died because you killed their protectors. All of that's on you!"
Those words actually shook Hazel. "And the fact you have the nerve to act like your some 'enlightened' being who is better than everyone else because you think you see the big picture, pisses me off!" Hansel snapped, eyes briefly turning red, making Hazel gasp.
"If you're going to commit atrocities for that mad witch-" Hansel vanished from sight while Hazel was shaken by his words.
Realizing his mistake, Hazel quickly threw another palm strike to try and stop Hansel's attack. However, he could hear the faint sound of something slashing through something and realized Hansel cut his attack in half.
My spirit wavered…and the attack was weak! Hazel realized.
Hazel then gasped as a fiery slash appeared across his body, ripping through his Aura. "-At least have the damn decency to acknowledge all the harm you're causing!" Hansel continued, reappearing behind Hazel, Wolf Fang extended outwards.
Meanwhile, an exhausted Yang Xiao Long groaned in pain, realizing she could not move in the slightest. "Weiss!" She called out, wincing from the sheer act of yelling. "Weiss, are you dead?"
Yang waited for a few moments. Then, she heard Weiss's voice. "Nah," she replied, "I'm alive, but I'm in so much pain."
Yang laughed. "Same, but it looks like we both won." She noted.
"Yeah," Weiss replied, on her back and immobile like Yang, "they didn't make it easy though. Those two were definitely holding a lot of their strength back when they were at Beacon."
"The important thing is we won, right?" Yang pointed out. "We've gotten stronger since then. Us, and Ruby and Blake too."
"Yeah," Weiss said again, "the previous 'versions' of us had no business going up against the 'real' Mercury and Emerald that we saw today. However, a lot has changed about us."
Yang then sighed. "Still, none of this matters if the others can't win like we did." She noted. "I can sense it, Teach is fighting a real monster. Professor Goodwitch still has that big-ass snake to beat. I'm also sure Ruby and Blake are going to run into some trouble too."
Yang's expression darkened. "If those four can't win…we're all royally fucked. That Salem, I still can't fully comprehend the Grimm have some kind of master…but if she's really behind this attack and Vytal, she's really pulling out all the stops to win."
"What do you intend to do about that?" Weiss asked.
"About Salem? I mean, yeah, it's a shock that there's more to this than just hunting monsters. But, honestly, things haven't changed that much for me. I just have to keep a big secret from now on. It's the same with you, right?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure." Weiss admitted. "As much as I'd like to carry on, business as usual, I can't help but ask myself: do I really want to pretend nothing has changed? Can I really just pretend that Salem's not a thing?"
"Are you saying you want to really get in the fight now?" Yang was now concerned.
"I don't know, Yang, I just don't know." Weiss admitted. "But with everything that's happened…I just don't know if I can walk away from the truth of the fight."
At that moment, Yang realized Weiss was not just talking about this attack and Vytal, but what happened to Winter as well. "I get that." She said simply, not trusting herself to say anything else.
Yang did get it though, because if there was one thing she knew for certain, Ruby did not want to leave the fight either. Not just against the Grimm, but against Salem too. And a part of Yang knew if Ruby was going to involve herself more…she was fated to be involved too.
But first, they had to live past today.
Elsewhere, Ruby Rose and Blake Belladonna stared down the manic-looking Cinder Fall. Blake was already looking around, desperately trying to plan an escape route for herself and Ruby. An escape…we need an escape! This is not an enemy that we're capable of fighting at the moment! Blake's eyes constantly darted back to Cinder, taking in her terrifying presence.
Now that she no longer has to put up a charade of being an ally, I can now sense the depths of her power in its entirety…and it's terrifying! Blake's cat ears twitched fearfully. She's at least as strong as Professor Kobalt, and the professor's a monster in his own right! Just standing near her, I feel like I'm about to burst into flames just from the intense heat of her presence!
Shockingly, Ruby seemed much calmer in Cinder's presence, even though it was clear Cinder was mostly directing her malice towards her. Perhaps it was because, deep down, Ruby knew this reunion was inevitable. Regardless, it was at this moment, Ruby realized she was more mentally prepared for this reunion from hell than she expected.
"I've waited for this, Ruby." Cinder admitted. "It hardly seems fair, doesn't it? I need to kill Pyrrha too. And yet just looking at you makes the scar you gave my body with that attack ache."
"The scar?" Ruby was confused.
"Do you not remember?" Cinder looked a mixture of amused and furious at that statement.
"To be honest, no." Ruby admitted. "After I took Roman down and ran into you, a lot of that night was a blur."
Keep her talking, Ruby. It may not be what you are intending, but the more you keep her talking, the more I can keep planning our escape. Blake noted.
Cinder took a deep breath, visibly calming herself. "I see, yes I suppose that makes sense. You were on quite the power-high that night, what with your Silver Eyes acting up." She acknowledged.
"The power to cut through hostile actions like a hot knife through butter. That is why your ability can be described as a sort of 'anti-magic'. It's because it attacks the hostility in techniques like my attacks." Cinder noted.
"No kidding." Ruby muttered.
This actually made Cinder laugh in amusement. "I'm amazed, almost insulted too, at how little you know about your own powers, Ruby." She admitted. "And you're the one who ruined everything back in the Vytal Festival. You and that miserable new 'teacher' of yours. Oh yes, we know all about Hansel's little promotion."
"What exactly do you have to gain by helping Salem?" Ruby was finally able to ask the question that was on her mind. All of the horrors she saw in the Vytal Festival. All the people who died. She had to know what in the world drove Cinder to do all of this.
Cinder was taken aback by Ruby's question. "Ah, so Ozpin told you about Her Grace?"
"How could he not? With everything that happened, of course he told me." Ruby pointed out like it was obvious.
Damn it, she's not leaving any openings for us to just cut and run. Blake realized.
We have Ruby's Petal Burst, but that might not be able to outrun her. I could use my shadow clones too, but she knows about my Semblance. Which means that she knows almost for certain that her first attack won't actually land.
"If you must know, I want to be strong." Cinder replied. "No particular reason. I just want to be strong."
Ruby's eyes widened. "That's it?"
"Is that really not a good enough reason?" Cinder asked curiously. "I spent a lot of my life weak and helpless, Ruby. When I met Her Grace, I made the conscious decision to no longer be a victim. To no longer be weak. That I would be strong, and take control of my destiny. I would make sure that the clock never struck midnight and end my dream."
"We all want to be strong, Cinder!" Ruby snapped. "Why do you think we're all doing this job, huh?"
Cinder scowled. "Is there something you are trying to tell me, Ruby?" She asked.
"Roman Torchwick…Rainn Biggs…I may have disagreed with them both, but they had ideals I could at least understand." Ruby admitted. "Roman just wanted to survive at all costs. Rainn was consumed by his old life as a soldier and felt that was all he was capable of doing."
"They had ideals. Blake and I have ideals. Yang, Weiss and Professor Kobalt have ideals too! You have nothing of the sort! You just want to be strong, that's all!" Ruby snapped at her. "And because of that, you've killed the Fall Maiden, countless others, and are trying to kill Pyrrha too! All of that just because something as stupid as 'I just want power'?"
Cinder was starting to grow irritated. Blake's eyes widened. Ruby, no, if you provoke her now, she's going to kill us!
"You know, I actually thought you were cool, back at Beacon." Ruby admitted. "I thought Emerald and Mercury were my friends too. We TRUSTED you!"
"They played their parts perfectly." Cinder brushed them off.
"But now that I've seen the real you, I can tell you this." Ruby glared at Cinder. "You're vile, cruel and greedy!"
"Am I now?"
"Yeah, and most of all you're pathetic!" Ruby exclaimed. "Ruining people's lives, just because you want power should be the definition of pathetic! You don't have ideals, you're just a worthless, greedy monster, like a dragon hoarding its gold in a fairy tale!"
Cinder narrowed her eyes for a moment. She then smiled cruelly. "I'm so glad you said all of that to me, Ruby." She admitted.
"Because now, I want to kill you as quickly as possible. Rip out that tongue and separate your head from your shoulders so that I can't hear your nonsense anymore. If I end you and your friend quickly, I can get back after Pyrrha before she escapes me."
Blake's eyes widened, sensing Cinder's malice, growing like a domain in a way that reminded her of Dollie's Semblance back in Atlas. The ground heated up at their feet. "Ruby, move now!" She exclaimed.
Ruby instinctively turned into rose petals and took to the air, barely avoiding superheated dust that rose up from the ground on Cinder's command, transformed into blades. For her part, however, Blake was struck in several places by makeshift blades, only to fade into shadows.
Cinder scowled slightly. That damn Semblance of hers. Well, no matter, thanks to Adam, I now know exactly how her powers work.
If she thinks she can escape in darkness, then I will just blast the darkness away. With that wicked thought, the ground where Blake had been continued to heat up before it combusted, exploding in the process. At that moment, Blake formed from the shadows, mouth open in shock that Cinder had actually managed to catch her.
Ruby reformed and gasped at seeing Blake actually get caught for a change. "Blake!" She yelled in concern.
"You're the ones who were unfortunate enough to run into me." Cinder reminded them. "I won't let either of you escape me!"
More blades rose from the ground, superheated into shape by her Semblance, Scorching Caress. Cinder directed them at Ruby and Blake. Still in recovery from the blast, Blake could not avoid the attack. The blades shattered against her Aura, which was becoming visible due to the damage Cinder was inflicting upon her.
Ruby spun Crescent Rose and destroyed the blades coming towards her. She then took aim at Cinder and fired several rounds aimed at her head. Cinder quickly erected small barriers of glass that blocked the bullets.
Blake recovered from the blows she had received. "Ruby, we have to create an opening to retreat!" She yelled.
"I told you, you're not escaping!" Cinder exclaimed as fire appeared around one of her eyes.
Cinder quickly threw a fireball at Ruby, who quickly transformed into rose petals and flew around it. Thanks to sparring with Professor Kobalt, I'm pretty familiar with the speed and force of a fireball.
I get that Blake wants to retreat…but even so, if we just run away, there's a chance Cinder might forget us and return to her pursuit of Pyrrha.
Ruby returned to her physical form, closer to Blake than before. She knew that if they got too close, Cinder would prepare an even more devastating attack that would take them both out. Blake knew that she had to do her part to create an opening as well, since it was clear that Ruby was Cinder's main target. She was just a distraction.
If she's more focused on Ruby, then I'll just have to try a little harder to create the opening we need!
Blake quickly transformed Gambol Shroud into its kusari-gama form and tossed it at Cinder. Cinder quickly created a sword of glass and batted it away. Blake quickly regained control of Gambol Shroud and swung it at Cinder a second time. She switched to Earth Dust in the process. I'll aim for her face. She may think that she can just defend herself. But that's not what I'm going for!
As Cinder moved to parry Gambol Shroud once again, dust and sand flew from Gambol Shroud, creating a cloud that obscured her vision. Ruby, meanwhile, loaded Ice Dust cartridges into Crescent Rose and fired. The bullets exploded around Cinder, creating patches of ice around her body.
Blake wondered if this was their chance to escape while Ruby wondered if she now had an opening to attack. However, much to their horror, Cinder's body burst into flames, melting the ice in almost an instant.
"Your parlor tricks may have been able to beat Roman, but I am far stronger than that fool could ever hope to be!" Cinder exclaimed. "Do you really think you can overcome the power of a Maiden?"
"I made you run away before!" Ruby reminded her. "You don't scare me, Cinder!"
Cinder scoffed. "Is that right? Well, since this is a good opportunity, how about I show you the full depths of a Maiden's power."
With that, a massive gust of wind kicked up, surrounding all three of the girls like a cage. A cage made entirely of dust, dirt and grime. "Actually, since I haven't killed Pyrrha Nikos yet, this is only half of a Maiden's power." Cinder could not help but joke.
"You said you're not scared of me, Ruby? Well, you should be."
Damn it, she's trapped us now! Blake was terrified. When we encased her in ice and blinded her, that could've been our best chance at escaping. But the window was not even a second! Even I can't take advantage of such a small window!
Ruby gripped Crescent Rose as she glared bravely at Cinder. "I can't call myself a Huntress if I run away from the likes of you!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Is that right?" Cinder laughed. "All I see is a lemming prepared to dive off a cliff to its death like all the other fools who opposed us in the past."
"I will be a great Huntress, just like my mother!" Ruby vowed.
"Ah, your mother?" Cinder smiled in amusement. "It's Summer, right? Yes, Her Grace mentioned a shrew by that name to me once."
Ruby's eyes widened now. Blake gasped. No! That card she just played. There's no going back now!
Ruby shook in shock as a single memory came to her mind. The one memory she had of her mother, smiling over her. It was the only warmth of a mother she ever truly experienced in her life. Why she had such a memory of that single moment in her infancy, she had no idea. However, it was special to her. It was special to her, and it was all she had. And now she knew that it was because of Salem and her associates. It's just like I thought. Mom's gone…she's not coming home. And it's all their fault!
Ruby yelled in anger as her eyes briefly flashed silver, startling Cinder. She transformed into rose petals and sped towards her foe. Cinder took a deep breath, regaining her composure. She isn't using that ability from last night. It's just like I thought. She can't control her powers yet. She doesn't have the maturity or skill to call upon those powers consciously. Which means, I'm safe.
My Semblance is Scorching Caress, it gives me the power to superheat things and manipulate their shape to my whims. Combined with my Maiden Powers, I can do truly spectacular things. Things like this!
With that, the tornado she had created turned orange and red as the dust and dirt began to heat up and take shape. "Ruby, no!" Blake exclaimed, distracted by her friend losing her temper.
Blades surrounded them all. Blake was suddenly impaled in several places as her Aura shattered. The blades fell to pieces due to being weakened from the impact. The blades also struck the mass of rose petals that was Ruby. Ruby returned to her physical form. She yelled in surprise as she was struck repeatedly by glass blades that shattered upon impact. Eventually, her red-colored Aura shattered and she was struck in the back near the heart with one final blade.
Ruby's eyes widened as blood flew from her mouth. She opened her mouth in a silent scream. Mom…I…
Ruby fell at Cinder's feet. Cinder laughed cruelly at this. "You are going to be a mighty Huntress?!" She mocked. "You?!"
"Don't make me laugh!" Cinder declared victoriously. "You are nothing!"
Meanwhile, Glynda Goodwitch continued flying around the Jormungandr, taking stock of the fact that it was still going strong in spite of everything she had thrown at it. It certainly lives up to its reputation as an Ancient-Class Grimm. She acknowledged. It's been a long time since I've gone up against something with a hide tough enough to survive so many attacks from my Semblance.
Glynda narrowed her eyes. However, my preparations are nearly complete.
The Jormungandr lunged at Glynda. She could see the acidic venom dripping from its fangs like saliva. She easily avoided the lunge and lifted more projectiles off of the ground. The Jormungandr was struck while stretched out. The projectiles all broke into pieces against its extremely thick hide.
I suppose I should be flattered, Salem. Glynda acknowledged. After all, you see me as such a threat, that you have to send a monster like this to face me.
Glynda then sensed Hansel's Aura spike. She narrowed her eyes angrily. But you made a very critical error in your plan. You should've targeted me alone before going after Pyrrha. And you even made the mistake of attacking on the day Hansel and his group returned to Beacon.
I guess you still don't understand humanity's best qualities, yeah? We are more than just the fear that draws your monsters like flies to honey. We are also courage and love too. You should've known my boy would have come running as soon as he heard the students and I were in danger.
Or perhaps you did know and wanted to target him as well. Glynda seethed with rage at the thought. If that was your plan, then that was your biggest mistake of all.
After all, there is nothing stronger in this world than a mother, right Summer?
The snake prepared to lunge once more. Glynda prepared her riding crop. And with that last attack, the preparations are now complete. I will break you with this one, Jormungandr!
At that moment, a massive shadow loomed over the Jormungandr. It was a large mass of trees, rocks and the debris from Glynda's previous attacks that had connected. Throughout this entire fight, Glynda had been slowly gathering material to drop on the monster like a giant meteor. The great snake lunged as Glynda attacked. It meant that the 'colony drop' of an attack did not crush its head. Instead, it crushed the body of the Jormungandr, nearly breaking it in half. However, as the beast was slowly broken apart and the mass of debris neared the ground once more, the Jormungandr did something that even Glynda was not expecting.
It opened its maw and a massive projectile of acidic venom was fired from its mouth, like it was vomiting violently. Glynda gasped and was enveloped in the acid. Just as it attacked, however, the mass of debris hit the ground, breaking it in half with a fatal blow. The snake shrieked in pain as it began to fade into nothingness.
But, Glynda's attack did more than kill the Jormungandr. The impact created a massive shockwave like a warhead had been dropped, kicking up gusts of wind that traveled through the entirety of Ever After Forest, leveling the half closest to Glynda.
Elsewhere, Pyrrha Nikos and Nora Valkyrie instinctively dropped to the ground when they heard the commotion behind them, taking the unconscious Lie Ren and Jaune Arc with them. "What the hell was that?" Nora wondered.
"I don't know…come on we have to keep going!" Pyrrha exclaimed.
The blast pushed a shocked Hansel away from Hazel, leaving him unable to press his assault and Hazel to recover safely. He gasped, sensing something that made him freeze in horror. "Glynda?" He muttered. His adopted mother's Aura was fluctuating.
Please, God, no…
Back at the sight of the Jormungandr's destruction a single individual fell from the sky and was making no attempts at slowing her descent…
AN: Chapter 57, or as I like to call it, the chapter where Hazel gets called out on his unbelievably stupid motivations for being a villain. And that is one of many hills I will die on regarding RWBY. Hazel's motivations are terrible. My Huntress sister died on a mission, so I hate Ozpin and am gonna work with the monster who commands the monsters that took my sister. Yeah.
And we've got triumphs and defeats all around. I'd say the perfect chapter to close out 2022. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you all in 2023!