Halo, it's time for the next chapter. Enjoy the reading.
Screams, alarms, gun fires and Grimm howls could be heard non-stop in Mantle. Fleeing civilians, sensing that the end had come, ran frantically through the streets as the remaining soldiers desperately tried to protect the population, but the Grimms were too many and completely overran the city.
The soldiers felt helpless, as it felt as if for every Grimm shot down, two more would take their place and the enemy's numbers would increase exponentially. The sight of how, despite their efforts, more and more civilians and their comrades were killed only lowered their morale.
The fleet tried to provide help, but with bombings they only did more damage to the city, several of their comrades and innocent civilians fell victim and they felt that they were only causing more trouble than help.
Through the holes in the wall of Mantle, hundreds of Grimms flooded in and more and more into the city and even the end of the horde couldn't be seen.
A Sabyr Grimm had just spotted two small children hiding in an alley and was about to pounce on them.
- Come here, kitty-kitty! - It heard Nora's voice from above, who, jumping off a roof, crushed the monster with a single blow of her hammer.
She stood up and rested her hammer confidently on her shoulder, with Weiss and Marrow behind her.
Reinforcements have arrived.
Atlas' entire army and Hunters arrived in the city as a reinforcement, led by the Ace Ops, team RWBY, JNR and LLMM.
The arrival of the army was a relief for Roman and he was really happy when he saw the captain of the Ace Ops and Qrow.
- You came at the best possible time. - Roman was relieved when help arrived.
- How's the situation here? - Clover asked.
- Look around. - Roman pointed towards the chaos reigning in the city. - The party is going on. Anyway, I have a little surprise. - He signaled when a pink and white shimmering light was seen from one of the buildings and Neo came out with the handcuffed Watts by her side.
- Is that...?! - Qrow reached for his weapon as soon as he saw Neo and Watts together.
- Arthur Watts? - Clover could hardly believe his eyes, the man who caused so much trouble for the kingdom and who was issued a warrant for him barely an hour ago, is now standing here in front of him, handcuffed.
- Clover Ebi, - Watts didn't look scared. - you achieved so much at so young.
- And you? - Qrow looked at Neo, who was holding the doctor captive.
- She was with us the whole time. - Roman explained. - She was in Salem's inner circle, listening to their plans and constantly reporting to me.
- We'll talk about this later, Torchwick. - Qrow was angry that Roman had been secretive the entire time.
- This is Clover, - Clover spoke into his radio. - I need a prisoner transporter for my position. Tell the general we've got Arthur Watts. - As soon as he turned off his radio, he turned to Roman. - I don't know how you did it, but you did it well.
- Then, - Roman twirled Melodic Cludgel on his finger and rested it on his shoulder. - it's time to save the city. I hope for this and for capturing the doc, Neo and I will get a good payoff.
- Let's get through tonight first, discuss the rest with the general. - Said Clover, when the prisoner transport plane arrived and four armed soldiers took Watts into custody and took off with him towards Atlas.
The battle continued in Mantle, every Hunter and soldier doing their part to contain the Grimm horde and evacuate the population.
Blake fled from a Goliath and three Sabyr Grimms, who were chasing her. One of the Sabyrs caught up and lunged at her, but using her Semblance combined with fire Dust, she left behind a fire clone that exploded as soon as the Grimm touched it.
Another Sabyr also caught her, but this time Blake combined her Semblance with Lightning Dust and left a lightning clone and finished off the Grimm.
She used ice dust to knock out the third Sabyr and the ice clone broke into pieces, but the Sabyr didn't get hurt, until the Goliath stomped on it.
Blake turned the corner and the huge Goliath followed, but it's movement was sluggish, it couldn't turn in time and crashed into one of the buildings, but it chased the faunus girl all the same.
The terrible Grimm had already caught up to Blake and was about to strike with its snout when Blake, this time without Dust, used her Semblance to jump away from it. The Grimm didn't have much time to search for Blake because Elm appeared and caught its two tusks, using her Semblance to root her foot into the ground and she was strong enough to hold the mighty Goliath in the air for a short while.
That was enough for Yang to place a dozen bombs on the creature's belly with her gauntlets and jump aside.
- Now! - She shouted to Elm, who threw the monster high with her great strength and as soon as it was high enough, Yang shook the Ember Selica on her wrists, which caused the bombs mounted on the creature to explode and the Goliath already disappeared.
All three of them, Blake, Yang and Elm, were getting tired, but they didn't give up the fight.
- Go to the nearest shelter! - Blake instructed the hiding civilians.
- Those shelters will be full soon. - Yang was worried.
- That's all we can do! - Elm didn't share their concern. - We just have to keep the Grimm up!
- It's like I'm shooting at monkeys! - Roman almost enjoyed being able to shoot with Melodic Cludgel while standing on a roof.
Roman, Neo, Clover and Qrow were in the middle of the city, on a roof with a perfect view of the city.
Qrow, like Roman, only fired Harbinger at the hordes of Grimm in the streets.
A Razorwing was swooping towards Roman, who didn't notice because a new fire Dust crystal was being placed in his weapon. He saw a flash from the corner of his eye and the Razorwing fell to the ground vaporized.
He turned to find Neo standing behind him, her hands on her hips confidently, smiling and resting Hush on her shoulders.
- It's so good to have my back again. - Roman couldn't be thankful enough for Neo coming back to him, to which Neo just signed mischievously. - Just don't get carried away.
- Hey, - Qrow, still shooting at the Grimm, addressed them. - less nonsense, more Grimm shredding!
Roman and Neo just rolled their eyes, but Roman continued to shoot the Grimm through the streets, Neo taking advantage of the strong wind, opened Hush, the wind picked her up, high enough to catch a Razorwing, she jumped on its back and took over control, she began to hunt down the other flying monsters in the air.
- Huh, you two match perfectly. - Qrow remembered the train ride when Roman similarly rode a Manticore Grimm.
- Everyone finds their match. - Roman just shrugged his shoulders and looked at Neo riding the Razorwing.
- Okay, yes sir, I understand, it's done. - Clover who was talking to someone through his radio.
- New order? - Qrow asked.
- Good news? - Roman was interested.
- Come on! - Clover didn't answer, he just ordered them and ran forward and jumped off the roof.
- Neo! - Roman called out to the girl, indicating that they had received a new order.
Neo killed the Razorwing she was riding and parachuted towards the men with Hush.
On another street, Marrow was ambushed by the Grimms, he cut down a Sabyr, then another and another, but a fourth was behind his back and if a huge ice broadsword hadn't pierced the monster, he would have been caught.
Marrow turned around in fright to see Weiss' giant ice knight saving him.
- Hold on! - Lance roared, chopping the Grimms non-stop.
He raised his shield and charged forward, the Sabyr Grimm in his path were all destroyed. He cut down the monsters one after another with his sword and crushed quite a few Grimm with his shield.
Mike also fired with What the Heck tirelessly as he drew an energy shield around the civilians behind him. He charged a fire Dust into his weapon and used it as a flamethrower to burn the Grimm.
Harriet and Ruby thinned the streets together, Harriet using her boosters to take on the Grimm with her bare hands, while Ruby used her scythe and her Semblance.
Ren, Jaune, and Vine helped evacuate the residents.
Ren and Jaune were too busy defending the street to notice until too late that the residents who were fleeing were running towards a pack of Grimm. Vine acted in time, using his Semblance, expanding his aura into two large, long and glowing hands, which he used to pin an entire pack of Sabyr to the wall.
- Alright, - Jaune took control of the civilian team once the path was clear. - stand in a straight line! Place one hand on the other's shoulder, face forward, move, move, move! - He knelt in front of two small children, whom he regularly accompanied to kindergarten. - Show them how we do it, guys! - The children routinely started marching in front, setting an example for their parents.
- Where did you learn that? - Vine could hardly believe his eyes that Jaune was leading people like a real leader.
- Well... - Jaune felt a little embarrassed but gave the answer. - during morning school exercises. - More precisely, while accompanying the little children to kindergarten.
Ren activated his Semblance which was able to hide people's feelings, Jaune placed a hand on his shoulder to amplify his Semblance and aura making them invisible to the Grimm.
Despite all the efforts, the Grimms weren't ran out, the alarms were going off non-stop and the emergency lights were still on. The people who did reach the shelters didn't feel safe at all.
- Take us to Atlas! - A woman demanded and the crowd behind her approved. - We won't survive here!
- Why isn't Ironwood doing something?! - People were getting angrier.
- Please, everyone! - Nora tried to calm the angry crowd, but they didn't listen to her. - We'll do everything we can! We'll get everyone to safety! Just give us a little more time!
Suddenly, the projector on the wall turned on and Robyn appeared on it.
- Atlas, Mantle. I know you were scared. - The camera slowly moved away and revealed that General Ironwood is standing next to Robyn, with whom they are holding hands and the Huntress is using her Semblance on him. - I'm here with General Ironwood and we have a message for you. What he'll say may sound unbelievable, but it is all true.
- There is an ancient and terrible evil outside the kingdom. - Ironwood started. - It's responsible for the destruction of Beacon, the attack on Haven and the current attack on Mantle. This powerful being is called Salem. Salem only seeks to divide us. To turn us against each other. If you can get us to hate each other, we'll just lure the Grimm in and destroy ourselves.
- Salem doesn't work alone. - Robyn took the floor. - Her subjects have infiltrated our city.
- Arthur Watts, - Ironwood continued. - and Tyrion Callows. They are the responsible for the recent murders in Mantle and for sabotaging the heating system. We have already caught Arthur Watts and turned the heating system back on and Tyrion Callows will soon be caught and they will receive their deserved punishment. In the meantime, I ask you to keep calm and don't panic. Because that's what she wants. Instead, we must unite and fight, together! All of us! That, my friends, is why I had to pull resources away from Mantle and direct them to the Amity Communications Tower. The Amity Tower will soon be ready to launch. This will restore global communication to the world. I had to keep it a secret, even from you, because if Salem's people knew, I'm afraid they would destroy it before it's finished. The Council and I have decided to evacuate everyone from Mantle to Atlas. I'm withdrawing all defenses from Amity to help drive the Grimm from Mantle.
- We have to put aside our differences so that we can defeat this threat together. - Robyn took the floor. - I fully support General Ironwood's plan.
As a result of the speech, the residents of Mantle were again able to believe in the general and that there was still hope. A huge storm of applause and cheering swept through the city that had become a war zone.
Tyrion was furious, not only because their partner Neo had betrayed them, but also because the people of Atlas and Mantle had banded together to beat back the Grimm horde.
- The Grimm should have destroyed them and not make them friends! - He angrily hit the wall before falling to his knees. - I disappointed the mistress. - He began to sob, because Watts was caught because of Neo's betrayal and the enemy is united again.
- If you reach the local shelters, stay there. - Robyn's voice was heard on one of the projectors. - Help is on the way. And I'll meet those who are in sector 17 in person.
Listening to Robyn's speech, Tyrion had an idea.
- We haven't lost everything.
He knew if he killed Robyn, if he finished what he had started on election night, the people of Mantle would lose hope along with their hero.
I still can't believe those idiots attacked here! - Cinder couldn't believe her eye when she saw the picture of Tyrion and Watts on the news. - Vacuo was supposed to be the next target!
- And why's that a problem? - Adam wasn't nervous at all. - They do exactly what we want.
- If they get the relic before me, I can't return to Salem! - Cinder angrily hit the wall with her fist.
- And we will cry for that. - Mandy wasn't affected by Cinder's concern either. - It would be wiser if Adam and I just waited for your companions to finish the job.
- Amburi le zsav azut 'em. - Genna stood next to the two faunus, although the others just looked at her confused, since they didn't understand a word of what she just said.
- What? - Cinder shook her head in confusion. She hated the way as Genna spoke.
- Aah'm goin' down to help 'em! - Genna was always angry when she had to repeat herself. - Down they-yur is torchwick unt mah bounty!
- No! - Cinder didn't even want to hear about Genna's leaving. - We have to get what I need first! Then, what we want! So you stay here!
- Unt kane na? - Cinder didn't understand that either, but she was sure there was opposition.
- Just try, Bounty Huntress. - Cinder's eye began to glow yellow and a windstorm began to form in the hotel dining room.
- Are ya threatenin' meh? - Genna met Cinder's gaze, raised her rifle and prepared for the clash.
- Wait! - Mandy stood between them to stop the fight. - Genna, - She looked towards the Bounty Huntress. - you said you were helping us!
- Aah took ya to Atlas, 'n Aah'm miskijel about Torchwick. - Genna answered, who was already tired of waiting.
- I don't care, - Adam also started to get impatient and started blowing angrily. - let's just do something to destroy this miserable kingdom!
- Ironwood has been hiding Winter Maiden for years. - The light went out of Cinder's eye and the wind calm down too. She strode towards Genna with an evil smile. - I'll find it tonight.
- Unt ar plannin'? - Genna also lowered her rifle.
- Hm, - Cinder still smiled and took out her Scroll, which showed Ironwood and Robyn's speech. - the general's as predictable as his robots. Threaten what he has and he would sacrifice anything to protect it.
Genna and Cinder glared at each other for a while before Genna just sighed.
- What's the plan?
- Mandy, - Cinder looked at the faunus girl. - did you say that the Lamp is with that peasant boy?
- Yes? - Mandy answered.
- You three get it from him. - Cinder gave the order. - Until then, I will acquire the power of Winter Maiden.
- Alone? - Mandy raised her eyebrows.
- Why not? - Cinder looked at her in confusion.
- Because it worked so well in Haven? - Mandy answered, reminding Cinder of her past mistake. - What did you say, how long were you frozen at the bottom of that lake?
Cinder just kept silent for a while, glaring angrily at the faunus girl, who instead took a step back in fear.
- You're right. - Cinder had to admit that it would be foolish to go alone again. - Genna, you're coming with me. Mandy and Adam, you get the relic.
The time has finally come, when they can leave the Glass Unicorn and start moving.
The sight of Atlas flying transporters was a real salvation for the residents of Mantle, as they could finally get out of this nightmare.
- Quick, get in! - The soldiers were unable to evacuate the civilians, who got into the transporters in fear but at a calm pace.
They spotted a green beam of light in the sky, which was none other than Penny, Mantle's Protector, who had finally come to help her people.
Several planes were able to land on the streets of the city, Paladins, tanks and light combat vehicles fell from the sky, with which the army could actually compete with the Grimm horde.
A pile of Goliaths could be destroyed by a single Paladin, the tanks blasted the Sabyrs by the dozen and the anti-aircraft guns decimated the Razorwings.
- I handle it! - Elm herself stood up to two Goliaths. She transformed her hammer into a double-barreled missile launcher, firing two missiles at once, destroying both Goliaths.
- Okay, - Ruby, after hearing the briefing, knew what she and Harriet had to do. - all we need is to get you to the landing zone.
- The nearest landing zone is... - Harriet explained, but the ground suddenly began to rumble. On the way, a Goliath appeared, but this specimen was much larger than the previous ones, its mask was wider and harder, while its tusks were much longer than those of the other species. It was clearly an alpha. - there.
It immediately started towards the crowd as soon as it saw them, but a Paladin stood in its way. The huge machine wasn't an opponent of the gigantic monsters and it simply pushed and trampled the machine to wreckage and kept moving towards the people. A green laser beam was fired at it from the air, which was enough to stop it.
Penny landed between Harriet and Ruby, preparing her floating swords from her backpack. They understood each other without words, while Harriet attacked the monster from the right and Penny from the left.
Ruby, who stayed behind, saw an opportunity to try her Silver Eyes on the alpha Goliath. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and began to concentrate hard. It shut out the gun fires, the screams and everything else. She thought about the people he loved and how much he wanted to protect them. She could feel the whistling of the wind, the smell of blood and gunpowder, but they didn't startle her.
Unfortunately, the alpha Goliath's roar was loud enough to startle her and Ruby felt a little embarrassed that she was just standing there while Harriet and Penny fought the monster with all their might.
She decided not to use her Silver Eyes, but she doubted that she could do much damage with her scythe, so she used her Semblance to get on a roof, aimed with her scythe-rifle and started firing at the alpha Goliath.
Neither Ruby's rifle nor even Penny's swords were able to make serious damage to the creature. Penny dug her swords into the monster's mask and tried to pull it away, but it wouldn't let it. It glared at the robot girl, yanked at her and pushed her aside with one of its tusks.
Ruby didn't think, she immediately flew after Penny.
- Penny, are you okay?! - Ruby was worried about losing her friend a second time.
- Ouch! - Penny's eyes popped out and she immediately jumped to her feet, she was completely fine. - Those tusks are very dangerous.
- They are. - Ruby had an idea. - I have a plan!
The two girls looked at each other with confident smiles.
- What is it?
The alpha Goliath charged forward without stopping and Harriet, who was left alone, desperately tried to stop the monster. She darted between its legs and tried to land a blow, but the Grimm knocked her aside with its snout and sent her to the ground. The Huntress didn't give up, she got back on her feet, but when she looked up, the Goliath was about to trample her to death.
Harriet turned on her booster and caught the monster's leg, but neither she nor the machine could handle the strain and the mechanism mounted on her shoulder began to spark and crack from the overload. Before it's completely broken, she quickly jumped back, but the alpha Goliath was able to kick her, causing her to fall to the ground. A purple flash around her indicated that her aura was depleted. With no strength left, she watched helplessly as the alpha Goliath headed towards her to stomp her to death.
Suddenly, a green laser beam shot the creature, causing it to stop.
- Come here, you bag of bones! - Penny shouted to lure it towards her.
The alpha Goliath turned towards the robot girl and started running towards her. Penny positioned her swords and opened fire with her laser cannon. The full power laser cannon was able to slow the monster down, but not stop it or seriously damage it. Penny expected this, so she took out two swords from the others and used them to shoot a smaller and thinner laser beam at the alpha Goliath's right tusk.
While she was unable to penetrate the large laser beam on its mask, she was able to burn the fang somewhat with the smaller one.
- Now! - She heard Ruby's shout as she turned off both laser cannons. The creature charged at Penny at full speed, glowing fangs.
Ruby appeared in a flash, using her Semblance and with one quick slash, she cut off the weakened fang, which Pennyi caught mid-air and adjusted to the ground so that the tip was facing upwards. Ruby slashed at the monster's leg with her scythe, causing it to fall, just as its own broken fang pierced its throat and vaporized.
The emergency lights went off and people came out from hiding.
- Yeah, they saved us! - People started cheering the two Huntresses.
- The Protector of Mantle! - As if they forgot about that fake recording of Penny and trusted her completely.
After standing up, Harriet looked at the youths, who had clearly overtaken her, examining her injured amplifier and feeling a little disappointed in herself.
- We just sent a carrier up, - Yang's voice came from Ruby's radio. - we go to the next one.
- Detto! - Nora also progressed successfully.
- Same here! - Jaune also had good news.
- Everything is fine here too! - Lance's voice was also happy.
- How did you get the doctor in such a short time? - After getting down to Mantle, Robyn wasted no time in finding her Huntresses, Roman, Neo, Clover, and Qrow and joined the evacuation.
- With a little internal help. - Neo came out from behind Roman, who smiled confidently and crossed her arms and they exchanged kisses with Roman. - Let's not argue anymore. Also, - He looked at Robyn's Happy Huntresses. - you put a really good team together.
- He's just modest, - May shook her head proudly. - without them we wouldn't have had an idea.
- Wow, that was clever. - Robyn couldn't help admiring the man and looked down at Neo. - So, is she your girlfriend?
- Yes, Neopolitan. - Roman introduced, and Neo nodded towards Robyn with a smile.
- She's like a small sundae. - Robyn, if she respected Neo, she couldn't hold back her comment, which Neo honored with a piercing look. - Sorry, I see you don't like it when people joke about your height. - Neo stared at the Huntress with an indifferent look. - You don't talk much.
- She prefers to act rather than talk. - Roman put his hand on his girlfriend's shoulder, who looked up at him kindly.
- I understand. - Robyn, who also knew sign language, just signaled something to Neo. Neo put her arms around Roman and stuck her tongue out at Robyn, who just laughed. - I see.
- Sorry to interrupt your chat, but what about Callows? - Clover wanted to know what happened to Tyrion.
- Unfortunately, he got out of our hands. - Roman admitted. - I thought I shouldn't risk losing the doc.
- You did well, - Clover nodded approvingly. - at least he can no longer cause more damage. I just got a report that the general has already locked him in a cell.
- Tyrion's still on the run. - Qrow reminded everyone. - It's impossible that he would run away without a fight, with his ears-tail tucked in.
- Based on that, - Roman agreed. - what we know about him from Neo, he doesn't like to disappoint Salem.
- He won't give up the fight, - Clover was also sure of it. - not even if he was left alone. He's trying to land one last hit where it would hurt the most. - Everyone looked at Robyn, who's the hero of Mantle's people.
- I'll be the bait, - Robyn knew what they were trying to get at. - again. - She looked a bit pointedly at Roman, who had already used her as bait once.
- You can take this as a compliment. - Roman spread his hands.
- What's the plan? - Robyn didn't mind that much, as she wanted to get revenge on the crazy faunus man.
- Ms. Hill, - Penny called Robyn over the radio. - the southern part of the city is clean. Now we can safely begin the evacuation.
- Great job, Penny. - Robyn answered on the radio. - In and out. Make sure to keep people safe. - She ordered Roman Neo and her Huntresses. - I'll check the locked ones.
Roman, Neo, Joanna, May and Fiona did as Robyn instructed and split up.
Robyn ran down an alley, exactly where they had agreed. They guessed right, Tyrion had his sights set on her and now, the moment he thought she was alone, he was ready to pounce on her. She heard a hit on the ground behind her.
- Robyn Hill, - Tyrion glared at the Huntress with a crazed grin. - what a big influence has here from such a little bird like you. - Robyn didn't hesitate, prepared her crossbow mounted on her wrist and shot, but Tyrion's lightning fast reflexes didn't let him down and ducked away from the arrow. - You bring hope and smiles wherever you go. - Tyrion listed them in disgust as he stepped closer and closer to her. Robyn shot another arrow, which Tyrion caught with two fingers. - And it's very... annoying.
Tyrion bent the arrow with his thumb and threw it away. He pulled out the blades mounted on his wrists and charged. Robyn shot two arrows at him, but Tyrion parried them all, only to be stopped when a tiny blade attached to a fishing line swooped towards him and he jumped back, resting on his mechanical tail.
- Sorry Callows. - Qrow and Clover appeared behind Robyn, who were exactly waiting for him. They had clearly set a trap for him. - I wanted to beat you alone, but the they insisted to sharing.
- You're not the only one who resents him. - Clover took out Kingfisher and rested it on his shoulder. Tyrion caused a lot of trouble for the Atlas army by framing Penny.
- Both of you stand in the line. - Qrow pointed Harbinger at the man who not only almost killed him, but also wanted to kidnap his niece.
Tyrion hated the thought of walking into a trap, he didn't want to run a third time and he certainly wasn't planning on giving up without a fight.
There was nothing Watts could do after Roman confiscated his suitcase, rings, Scroll, and pistol and after the Atlasian soldiers handcuffed him. He sat helplessly in the prisoner transport waiting for them to arrive at the academy.
As soon as they disembarked and opened the door, four armed soldiers stood in front of him and pointed their weapons at him. He could do nothing but obey them and exited the prisoner transporter.
- Arthur Watts. - From behind the soldiers, he saw the man he least wanted to see. General Ironwood.
- I heard, - Watts tried to look calm and confident. - you want to convert Amity into a Communication Tower. - The general did not answer, he just stared at the scientist in silence. - You know, James, Amity has always been a technological marvel. Even before you started to transform it. Dosing different Dusts, biome system and of course, everything you need to control it.
- You've always been a thorn in my *ss. - Ironwood would prefer to shoot the man dead on the spot, but he knew that he was much more valuable alive. - Once Mantle is safe, you and I will make up for lost time.
- That sounded a bit cliche, - Watts just shrugged. - but then we won't talk for a long time... - The general went up to him and grabbed the collar of his dress.
- Shut up! - The general filtered out between his teeth. - Know that I will do and sacrifice anything to stop her.
- Hm, - Watts just smiled and ominously whispered the following into the general's ear. - I hope you are telling the truth.
Thank you for reading. Please sign it to follow and as favourite and don't forget to write reviews.