- IRONWOOD DECLARES MARTIAL LAW AND LEAVES MANTLE! SALEM'S ON THE WAY AND HE WANTS TO USE THE STAFF TO RAISE ATLAS! IF WE DON'T STOP HIM, THEN MANTLE WILL...
Ruby's message was heard by everyone she was in contact with and caused a brief nerve shock for everyone.
Robyn, Qrow, and Clover traveled together in a prisoner transporter to safely lock Tyrion in a cell. Ruby's message changed everything.
- He... - Robyn could hardly believe what the general was up to. - declares martial law? We can't allow this! - It's clear that Robyn didn't like this situation.
- Ms. Hill, - Clover clearly sided with the general. - I'm sure the general understands the gravity of his action and... - Suddenly, his Scroll beeped and a terrible message arrived. An arrest warrant list that featured team RWBY, JNR, and LLMM, as well as Oscar, Qrow, Roman and Neo.
As a friend, Clover had no desire to arrest his new friend Qrow, but as a soldier, he had to obey the general's orders for the greater good.
- Clover... - Qrow tried to calm him down, but in the process he reached for Harbinger.
Suddenly, Robyn's Scroll started ringing and she too received a warrant.
- Qrow, - Clover felt bad, but he couldn't help it. - you must know that I was ordered to arrest you.
- A free ride, - Tyrion, who was just waiting for this, began to giggle excitedly. - and a show.
- Also, - Clover continued. - we have orders to arrest team RWBY, JNR and LLMM.
- What?! - Qrow shook his head in confusion. - Has James lost his mind?!
- He tries to stop those who could stop his inhuman plan! - Robyn stood up angrily and took out her crossbow and was annoyed by the fact that she wasn't on the list. - He seems to underestimate me! - She pointed the bow at Clover. - Again.
- I only have to arrest Qrow. - Clover tried to resolve the situation peacefully. - After what we went through tonight, please don't make me arrest you too.
Robyn didn't stand down and still pointed the bow at him and Clover also took out Kingfisher.
- Stop! - Qrow tried to be the peacemaker, since that's what Salem always does, to turn her enemies against each other. - Both of you! We'll be back in Atlas soon. Let's talk to James in person and...
- This show takes a long time to get to the good part. - Tyrion was bored by the speech, because he knew that neither side would give in and the clash would definitely happen and Qrow was clearly just biding his time.
- Shut up! - Qrow didn't even want to hear his crazy voice.
- He's right. - Robyn had to admit that the fight was inevitable and was ready to fire. - Let's get over it.
- Robyn! - Clover tried to stop her in vain, Robyn shot, which he blocked with Kingfisher, but this didn't deter Robyn from attacking Clover with her bow in close combat.
Clover parried Robyn's strike and sent her to the floor with ease.
- Let it be. - Qrow was also forced to join the fight and help Robyn.
He took out Harbinger and attacked Clover, who dodged the first blow, but parried the second with Kingfisher.
- I wish it hadn't happened! - Clover regretted having to fight his friend.
- It doesn't have to! - Qrow still hoped that Clover would stop.
The two men's conversation was interrupted by Robyn, who charged at Clover with her bow, but he jumped aside.
- You can talk after we beat him! - Robyn pointed her bow at Clover at Qrow's side.
Clover threw a Kingfisher hook at Robyn, but Robyn parried it with her bow and cut the very peck where Tyrion's handcuffs were attached.
Qrow attacked with Harbinger while Clover defended with Kingfisher, against both Qrow and Robyn's strikes and the captain proved to be an equal match against the two.
Seizing the opportunity, Tyrion excitedly released his handcuffed hands from his pecs and was free to move.
The fight was disturbed by the shaking of the plane and everyone fell on the ground.
Qrow saw that Tyrion, laughing in the cockpit, killed the pilots, even took the hat of one of them and the plane began to descend.
- What are you doing?! - Qrow angrily grabbed the crazy faunus, who put himself in danger along with them.
- The will of our goddess! - Tyrion kicked Qrow back with his legs, grabbed the plane's steering wheel and lead the plane straight at the ground.
Clover was fast enough to open the plane's door and jump out.
- Robyn! - Qrow and Robyn weren't so lucky because the plane crashed and everything was covered in white snow.
Winter received orders, personally from the general. She must gain the power of the Winter Maiden, open the Vault and get the Staff so they could go above the atmosphere, away from Salem, leaving the people of Mantle behind. To make matters worse, the message on her Scroll was a hit list and the last person she wanted was on it.
- Weiss... - Winter couldn't spit or swallow because of the shock. - What did you do?
- Will the General let Mantle destroy? - Penny, who also heard Ruby's message, didn't understand what was going on.
- He wants to save all of Remnant. - Winter put away her Scroll and continued her way to Winter Maiden's room. - We can't let the relics get to Salem.
- But those people, - Penny didn't understand why innocent people they were sworn to protect had to die. - the ones we just saved won't survive this.
- We don't have time to... - Winter didn't listen to the robot girl, she just went on.
- And that doesn't bother you? - Penny felt anger and displeasure at the order. Winter stopped and didn't speak. - What about your sister? With our friends?
- My personal feelings don't matter! - Winter clasped her hands behind her back as she turned around. - We got an order! I need to get the power of Winter Maiden so we can access the relic. You are here to keep me safe. Now let's go. - Winter turned to the target again. - We've already wasted a lot of time.
- It should count. - Penny disagreed with the order and thought it was unfair.
- Penny, - Winter's face softened, she also knew that what they were doing was evil and cruel, but she was sure that they were acting for the greater good. - the general makes difficult decisions so that we don't have to. - She went to the girl and took both of her hands in a reassuring way. - For the sake of everyone and not just a few.
- I don't understand, - Penny just pulled her hands out of Winter's. - what's the good in all this. - She didn't believe in it, but continued on her way.
- We agree on that. - Whispered Winter to himself.
The people of Mantle, even though the Atlasian soldiers were gone, didn't lose hope, as the Grimm were driven out of the city. Unfortunately, the hard part just came, as Ruby's message could be heard throughout Mantle and Atlas, so everyone was aware of Ironwood's plan.
The Happy Huntresses, Roman and Neo gathered in their warehouse turned into headquarters to discuss how to save Mantle.
- This makes no sense! - Roman just held the Scroll in his hand for a while, Ruby's message echoed in his head.
- He leaves?! - May also shook her head in confusion. - It's one thing that he pulled out the soldiers and stopped the evacuation, but this...
- Crazy! - Roman put his Scroll away and tried to see things from the general's point of view. - He thinks he's keeping his people safe while walking into a trap!
- We can't just stand and wait! - Joanna was escorting a group of civilians to a safe building.
- If the city is overrun by the Grimm again, - Roman thought as he watched Mantle and Atlas' map. - it would be smarter to herd everyone in one place so that we can protect them. Fortunately, we managed to activate the heating system.
It was an unusual situation for Roman to have an entire town depending on him, since he was in charge of the Happy Huntress in Robyn's absence, so the town was also his responsibility.
- At least the buildings give us the opportunity to maneuver and ambush. - Joanna also studied the map.
- Maybe, - Fiona took out a handful of Fire Dust, which she had looted during the raid on the Amity shipments. - we could also set traps.
- Good idea, - Roman liked the idea. - Joanna, May, take some volunteers and place explosive Dusts, - He pointed to certain points on the map. - here, here and here.
- Do you think they will attack again from the east? - May wasn't so sure about that.
- Since the wall is the weakest there. - But Roman was. - Go ahead.
Joanna and May, for lack of a better idea, obeyed Roman again, but before they left the headquarters, two elderly figures walked in on them.
- Roman Torchwick, - It was Maria with Pietro at her side. - we need your help.
- Like an entire city, - Roman looked at the map again. - draw a number.
- It's about Ruby and her team! - Maria insisted. - If you don't help them now, the trouble will be bigger than you can imagine. - Upon hearing Ruby's name, Roman immediately raised his head and turned towards the old lady.
- What happened with Little Red?
- Pietro can get us and two other people up. - Maria explained while pointing to the flying car parked outside. - Ruby and her friends will need our help. - Neo, who had only been watching, shook her head in confusion.
- Fi, - Roman turned to the sheep faunus girl. - the city is yours. - He then put his hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. - Neo, let's go.
Neo didn't understand why Roman would risk so much for Little Red and why he was trying so hard to save Mantle. She loved Roman and believed in him, but later she has to question a few things, since he has changed a lot since they reunited.
- Please think about what you are doing. - Weiss tried to talk to the Ace Ops, who had received personal orders from the general to capture them.
- You heard the general. - Harriet and the others didn't even consider letting them go. - Until he settles this, you are under arrest. - She took out a remote control, on which she pressed a button, which caused a red emergency light to come on and the entire office was sealed off with metal shutters.
- Are you this serious? - Yang hoped deep down that this was all just a joke, but when the Ace Ops stood in front of her armed with the intention of arresting them and locking them in Ironwood's office, she snuffed out that little spark.
- Please, - Vine tried to remain rational. - don't make it harder.
- Don't make us to break out of here by force. - Blake didn't intend to give up either. Team RWBY took out their weapons and prepared to clash while the Ace Ops did the same, except for Marrow.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa! - He was the last one who still hoped for a diplomatic solution. - We're not gonna seriously fight each other, are we?!
- We, - Harriet was just waiting for the first blow, an excuse to fight. - don't do anything. They decide what happens next.
Ruby twirled her scythe and stood next to her team, which was enough for Marrow to draw his weapon as well.
- Do you think you can stop us? - Harriet just smiled and looked at her team for a moment. - We are the best Hunters in Atlas.
- You were. - Ruby remarked sarcastically. - But you trained us.
Ruby activated her Semblance and burst through the exit, down the stairs and into the great hall.
Harriet also activated her Semblance, lightning started to sparking around her and immediately ran after Ruby.
Yang clashed with Elm, Blake with Vine, and Weiss with Marrow.
Ruby made it to the elevators, but Harriet caught up, overtook her, and stood in her way. Ruby defended as she lunged at Harriet, but the Huntress dodged to get behind her and land a kick that sent Ruby into the wall.
- C'mon, Harriet! - Ruby was still trying to reason. - We're doing what Salem wants! You know we should work together!
- Oh, don't come with that sh*t! - Harriet didn't even want to hear what Ruby had to say. - You guys have been prickle in my *ss since the first day! - She continued to fight.
Yang charged Elm with at least a thousand punches and Elm parried hard, but Yang's persistence paid off and she was able to land a straight right in the face that sent her tumbling backwards, but she was quickly back on her feet. Yang didn't give up, she quickly pushed herself with Ember Celica to continue the fisticuffs, but Elm used her Semblance, sending energy roots from her feet into the floor, powering herself, she headbutted Yang, causing her to stagger, then with her hammer she knocked her aside, causing her to take off and go after her.
In the Great Hall, using Gumbo Shroud, Blake moved from floor to floor with Vine in tow, using his aura extended hands to jump from place to place.
Blake reached the ground in time and counterattacked, but Vine was faster and reached out to catch her, but she quickly jumped aside and dodged another blow.
Yang came up with a new tactic against Elm, pretending to run away from her, then continuously throwing bombs at her, which she then foolishly walked into, but it didn't seem like they did any serious damage to her, they just infuriated the giant woman more.
Vine finally caught Blake and threw her to Elm, who pinned her down with her hammer. Yang, worried for her girlfriend, stopped and stopped.
- If you come with us peacefully, we won't hurt you. - Vine tried to find a peaceful solution.
- Speak for yourself! - Elm didn't even want to hear about a peaceful solution. - They betrayed us!
- You're betraying the people you swore to protect! - Blake yelled.
- Don't bother, Blake. - Yang knew that words couldn't solve this situation anymore. - After all, they're just following orders.
Elm had enough, she pushed Blake aside and charged at Yang. Vine really regretted that there was no peaceful solution and kept fighting. Extending his aura, he sent himself up one of the floors with energy emanating from his legs to get a better view of the battlefield.
Weiss fought with Marrow, who were still in the office. Marrow was standing in the middle of the office and Weiss, summoning dozens of runes, leaping from one place to another, tried to land more blows on her, but Marrow parried the blows with his giant boomerang, then threw his weapon at the girl, but she blocked it, then she stabbed her sword into the ground, freezing the floor beneath her opponent's feet.
Marrow had to balance carefully to keep from falling, but when he saw Weiss shoot a wave of fire at him, he jumped up quickly, scorching the fur on the tip of his dog's tail a bit, but otherwise landing without a problem.
- I know you Schnee's are used to getting whatever you want, - The wave of fire vaporized the ice and in the steam Marrow had no idea where she was. - but it's time to let it go!
Several runes appeared in the air, hidden by the steam as it shot shards of ice at him, but Marrow knew where they were coming from by hearing the faunus, so he was able to fend them off easily.
- This is my home! - Weiss announced from somewhere in the steam that started to rise. Marrow stared in shock at the giant ice knight that Weiss was standing in front of. - And I won't give up without a fight!
Ruby tried to increase the distance, but Harriet was constantly following her and was able to land another kick on the girl, which caused her to fly back into the office and land next to Marrow, who was throwing his boomerang at Weiss, but Ruby quickly flew to her side and shielded her with her scythe, causing the boomerang to fly back to its owner.
- Marrow, - Harriet noticed that Marrow wasn't really giving it his all and fighting with the passion that she was. - stop messing around and fight seriously!
- I'm trying to arrest them, Hare, not kill them! - Marrow retorted. - No need to exaggerate! - They both bowed in front of the ice knight's broadsword.
- Not an exaggeration if it's necessary! - Harriet knew well that they couldn't hold back, but as soon as Ruby was running away again, she kept chasing her.
Yang and Blake fought Elm and Vine together. Blake pulled Yang towards Elm with Gumbo Shroud and landed a hit on her, but it wasn't enough to send the giantess to the floor, who, on Yang's next attack, rooted out her leg again, her hammer on her stomach, beat Yang and pushed her back.
Suddenly, she heard something coming towards her and in the blink of an eye she grabbed Gumbo Shroud, gave it a big yank and Blake was already flying towards her, then she hit her in the chest with her hammer and sent her flying up to the ceiling where Vine caught her with his outstretched hand and tossed her against the wall.
Yang didn't have much time to worry about her girlfriend as Elm attacked again with her hammer, but in one attack she managed to catch the two-handed hammer and push Elm back with one of Ember Celica's shots, buying time to open fire on Vine, causing him to release Blake, who fell to her feet.
- Time to get serious about this, Vine. - Elm already felt that Team RWBY was an opponent that couldn't be taken lightly. - They had their chance. Don't be soft.
- You're telling this to me, - Vina took out two rocks from the wall where he had just tossed Blake with his outstretched arms. - or for yourself?
Yang and Blake had an idea, Yang prepared Ember Celica and Blake turned Gumbo Shroud into a katana and together they attacked Elm.
Elm attacked with her hammer again, but Blake jumped up and Yang slid under her, Blake using enough momentum from the hammer to jump high and land behind her, next to Yang.
Yang dodged Vine's extended arms and kept shooting at him, but suddenly, Vine threw one of the rocks at Yang, which she caught, but Yang just waited until she filled it with bombs, which she then threw into the air, only for Blake to kick it straight at Vine. Vine pushed the rock aside, caught and pulled Blake, who used his Semblance and switched places with Yang's bombs, which then exploded in his face.
Vine didn't even have time to be surprised, much less react, when Yang leapt into the air at him, took the handcuffs that had imprisoned him, and slammed him to the floor. A white flash around Vine indicated that his aura was depleted.
Elm was completely shocked at how quickly her companion was taken down and knew she couldn't hold back.
The other members of the Ace Ops were also horrified to see our comrade fall and began to worry about the final outcome of the battle.
Marrow quickly came to his senses and dodged Weiss's ice knight's broadsword, but Weiss summoned more runes from which huge pillars of ice grew, then next to Marrow a rune from which a strong wind storm erupted, which pushed him towards the pointed pillars of ice, but he was extremely lucky, that none of them pierced through him.
There was no time to breathe, because the ice knight had already struck again, but Marrow quickly broke free from the ice pillars and the sword only shattered them. Marrow jumped from one summoned icicles to another, escaping the knight, which, like a juggernaut, smashed the ice platforms to catch him.
Reaching the last pillar of ice, he threw his boomerang at Weiss, but she deflected it and Marrow used her Semblance as a last desperate move.
- Stay! - He clicked as he pointed at Weiss, making her unable to move.
Unfortunately for Marrow, the ice knight wasn't affected by this and charged towards him again, shattering the remaining ice pillars as well, but Marrow jumped aside in time, but he couldn't avoid the next blow.
- Stay! - He clickek again, causing the ice knight to stop, but with that Weiss broke free, summoning four runes from which she fired firebombs at Marrow, sending him to the floor and a light blue flash around him.
Harriet chased Ruby at full speed and trapped Ruby in a dead end, charging from all directions at lightning speed, taking as many hits as she could. At one point she attacked her in the back, sent her to the floor and was about to handcuff her, but Ruby used her Semblance, took Harriet's handcuffs, then she captured her with it and sent her to the ground with a punch to the back of her head.
Harriet didn't give up, headbutted Ruby with the back of her head and continued the fight with her hands cuffed behind her back.
Both Yang and Blake held their own against Elm and this time Yang sent Blake away using Gumbo Shroud to strike at Elm, but the giantess easily dodged the quick strikes while Yang kept firing at her with Ember Celica. The blows and shots didn't do serious damage to Elm, but that wasn't their goal either, but to break the floor to shreds so that Elm couldn't take root again.
Yang lunged at her, but Elm transformed her hammer into a double-barreled missile launcher, but before she could fire, Yang's eyes turned red, her hair burst into flames and she slammed into the ground with such force that the shockwave sent all the debris and Elm flying into the air.
Blake from above, Yang from the ground, the two together delivered a well-coordinated blow to Elm, causing a bronze flash to appear around her and after falling to the floor, she didn't move.
Harriet was still holding her own against Ruby despite her hands being handcuffed behind her back, jumping onto Ruby's shoulder and wrapping her thighs around Ruby's neck sending her to the floor as she continued to kick and headbutt her. Ruby was forced to keep backing away, but was cornered again with nowhere to run.
Harriet noticed this and with a roar she switched to full speed and darted straight at Ruby, but at the last moment, a wall of ice appeared between them and Harriet headbutted her with full force, falling backwards and a pink flash appeared around her.
- You're welcome. - Weiss appeared on the stairs, who raised the wall.
Harriet, despite her injury and drained aura, got to her feet, glared at the two girls, but eventually collapsed and passed out.
When Team RWBY reunited, Ruby summed up what to do next.
- We must stop Ironwood! - Ruby explained, while the rest of the team gathered and piled the passed out members of the Ace Ops. - If he doesn't have access to the relic, he can't raise Atlas.
- We just have to get to Winter Maiden. - Weiss stated as she dragged Marrow.
- Blake and I will find the others. - Yang explained as she and Blake carried Elm.
- But our Scrolls aren't... - Ruby was interrupted by the opening of one of the shutters and on the other side appeared Roman, Neo, Pietro and Maria, who came rushing to help in the battle, but seeing the unconscious members of the Ace Ops, they realized that it's unnecessary and they are already too late.
- Wow, - Roman was impressed that Team RWBY easily took down the Ace Ops. - did we miss something?
- This is the part when they ask us for help. - Maria knew that the fight wouldn't be a problem for the RWBY team, but they certainly won't get out of the academy without help.
The JNR and LLMM team were desperately searching for Oscar, as chaos had erupted at the academy since Ruby's message, Ironwood had ordered Martial Law and they were all under warrant. Unfortunately, Oscar wasn't captured by Atlas soldiers, but by someone else, because the robots and soldiers entrusted to guard him were lying dead in his room, there were blood and oil stains everywhere, but the most worrying marks were the black arrows that Lance and Mike were very fond of.
- Oscar should be here somewhere. - Nora began desperately looking for the boy. - Oscar!
- Let's be careful, - Lance warned the others. - not only Ironwood's soldiers are hunting him.
- Oscar! - Nora saw the boy in one of the corridors.
- Help me! - Oscar shouted and looked at the end of the corridor as if he saw a monster.
The two teams immediately rushed to his aid and quickly got between Oscar and the thing which terrified him.
It was a faunus male with short, spiky red hair, with two bull horns sticking out of it. A pair of black ankle boots, a pair of long black pants with his katana hanging from his belt, a black leather jacket with multiple zippered pockets and the jacket itself zipped up, a dark red withering rose crest on the back of the jacket, a pair of black he wore gloves and, of course, a black blindfold. On his side hung the Lamp of Knowledge, which he had taken from Oscar.
- This psycho attacked and slaughtered the guards! - Oscar tried to get as far away from him as possible.
- Adam Taurus! - Nora recognized the man who only put his hand on the hilt of his katana.
- You know him?! - Oscar looked nervously at the team members.
- Blake's crazy ex-boyfriend. - Jaune explained. - I think that explains everything.
- I doubt he's alone. - Lance thought of the arrows he had seen earlier, he was sure of that.
- Yes, there was a faunus girl with him. - Oscar warned them. - She's hiding somewhere in the shadows.
As the time came closer, Winter grew more and more nervous. She had known Fria, the Winter Maiden, for a long time, who had held this power for as long as she could remember. She looked at the old woman as if she were her own grandmother, because she was the only woman with whom she could have a serious conversation, about almost anything.
She never got along with her mother, who sank into deep alcoholism and she didn't really have a real woman friend with whom she could talk during her career.
Winter opened up to very few people, she could only talk casually with her sister and the general. She considered the general a good man, but also an old soldier with whom he couldn't really talk about women's matters and ask for advice on such topics. And in the case of Weiss, she was the one who fulfilled the female role model and she had to be the strong one.
As strange as it may sound, Fria was the only woman with whom Winter could talk openly and freely.
- Winter. - Fria only had to look at Winter's face to know that she brought bad news.
- The time has come. - Winter felt bad for having to get to the point so suddenly. - I know, it was supposed to happen in calmer conditions, but there's an emergency and the general absolutely needs the Staff.
- Who's she? - Fria, as if she didn't understand Winter's words, looked at Penny.
- This is Penny, she's here to protect me while the process lasts. - Winter explained while making a last cup of tea for the old woman.
- She looks like my little sister Sylvi. - Fria smiled when she looked at Penny. - My fondest memories belong to her. She would have been better Maiden than me.
- Fria, would it be a problem if we did it now? - Winter handed the tea to Fria.
- I don't think so. - Fria just looked up at the ceiling and then at the beeping machines keeping her alive. - I think I stalled it too long anyway. - She took a sip of the steaming tea. - Just tell me one thing. - She turned to Winter, who was preparing the machine. - Is it cold outside?
- Yes, Fria, - Winter's heart would break upon hearing the question, since every time she visited Fria, she asked her this question and now she had to answer it for the last time. - it's always cold outside. - She gave the answer last.
- I like hot tea on cold days. - She took another sip of the tea. - Sylvi liked it too. - Winter pressed a button, which opened the pod of the machine and she and Penny were put her in. - Sylvi, - She suddenly took Penny's hand. - didn't you play outside without a jacket again?
Penny and Winter looked at each other, Winter just shrugged before Penny spoke.
- No.
- Good, - Fria smiled. - mom would have been very angry with both of us. - She started sniffling and a tear ran down her face. - I'm a little tired. Would it be okay if I lay down?
- Of course, - Penny looked sadly at the old woman who had confused her with her long dead sister. - go on. - Finally, she let go of Penny's arm. - I had a funny dream last time, - She closed her eyes and smiled. - I dreamed that I had magical powers... - Her voice faded and was suppressed by the dream, then Winter closed the pod of the machine and opened her own.
- Her sister, Sylvi, - Winter explained. - died shortly after becoming a Huntress. Lately, she's been talking a lot about their childhood. She explained them as if she had just experienced them yesterday.
- Kind of sad. - Penny felt sorry for the old woman.
- I hope it will be pain free for her. - Winter hoped.
- You said your personal feelings don't matter. - Penny reminded Winter of her own words as she turned on Winter's pod as well.
- My actions won't be changed. - Winter took a deep breath. - Neither what I decided. - She stepped closer to Penny. - We must protect the power of the Winter Maiden and the relic from our enemies. - She stopped in front of the pod and took one last look at the sleeping old woman. - Even if she dies. - Both of their hearts felt guilty as they looked at the peaceful face of Fria, who will soon die. - But yes, Penny, our personal feelings must be acknowledged. - She leaned to the side. - Dealing with them. - He turned back to Penny. - This is the assurance that we are on the right path. This is what makes us human.
- I think... - Penny didn't want Fria to die, but she also didn't want the power of the Maiden to fall into the wrong hands and she knew that Fria was so calm about death because she knew it was happening to protect others with it. - I understand.
Suddenly, explosions shook the entire room.
- What was that?! - Winter looked worriedly around the ever-shaking room after the alarm sounded.
Winter left the room and saw that the corridor was completely dark with only the light of the red emergency lighting. Dead soldiers and broken robots lay everywhere, but what terrified her the most were the two figures standing at the end of the corridor.
There were two women, the bigger one wearing a heavy, green, unknown type of armor, helmet and had a telescopic assault rifle pointed at her. The shorter one was a one-eyed, black-haired woman in a black outfit and high-heeled boots.
The one-eyed Cinder summoned a fireball into her right hand and fired it at Winter. Winter quickly ran back to Fria's room and at the last moment dodged the fireball, which exploded as it hit the end of the corridor. She locked the room and took out her sword, but it didn't last long as Cinder quickly blasted the door, sending both Penny and Winter to the ground.
- Hm, - Cinder walked into the room with Genna at her side as she held another fireball in her right hand. - both puppets of Ironwood. - She commented mockingly as Winter and Penny stood up. - Lucky me.
- Tu san kokova dongo. - Genna sounded surprised, as if she recognized Penny.
- Cinder. - Winter angrily pointed her sword at her and then looked at Genna. - And...
- Rocket Fist Genna. - Genna just playfully shrugged. - We na hacel.
- Um... - Winter didn't really understand Genna's speaking style.
- Don't worry, - Cinder just shook her head, indicating that she too was tired of Genna's incomprehensible dialect. - I gave up a long time ago.
- You were responsible for Beacon! - Penny immediately recognized Cinder. - And what happened to me.
- Unfortunately, - Cinder just rolled her eye. - it was only temporary. - She pointed the fireball in her hand at Penny while Genna aimed her rifle at Winter. - Now stand aside or this time there will be nothing left to salvage. - She smiled evilly. - What do you think about this?
- I think, - Penny clenched her fists, looked bravely into Cinder's eye and took out her swords from her bag and launched herself into the air. - it gives me a personal feeling!
The snowy wasteland of Solitas was covered in endless ice fields and blizzards, and the only point that disturbed the great whiteness was the burning and smoking remains of a crashed transport plane.
Qrow crawled out of the wreckage, incredibly lucky to be unharmed, but worried that the other passengers didn't share his luck and even more so that his Semblance, his constant bad luck, had caused some serious damage.
- Robyn! - He saw another pile of rubble with Robyn lying on it and not moving at all. He rushed to her quickly and anxiously, took her hand, touched her neck with two fingers and felt a great relief when he felt her pulse and heard her breathing.
- Robyn needs medical help! - He heard Clover's voice in the distance, who managed to jump out at the last moment before falling. - Surrender and we can take her to Atlas, where she can receive medical treatment.
- I never would have thought, - Qrow stood up, turned and took out Harbinger, which he turned into a scythe. - that you would be so manipulative. - Slowly he and Clover began to circle around each other. - But I learned a lot tonight.
- I enjoyed working with you. Really. - Clover didn't want to fight his new friend at all, but he had a duty to obey the general. The order had to be carried out, at any cost. - Even with your endless cynicism and pessimism.
- I'm usually right. - Qrow felt the same way, he didn't want to fight with Clover, after a long time he's the first one he could really call his friend, but the others, Ruby, needs his help and that's more important to him than anything else.
- We don't have to fight, friend. - Clover made one last attempt to avoid a fight with the man he considered such a good friend.
- You don't know me, friend. - Qrow remembered what happened to the last person he let close to him and also what she had to pay. - It always happens
The two men's goals were diametrically opposed, Clover bound by duty and orders to arrest Qrow. Qrow was lead byloved, he had to get to Atlas to help the girls and for that he had to go through Clover.
Suddenly, they stopped in front of each other, the wind howling strongly, even as the two Hunters charged against each other.
The fourth passenger also heard the clatter of metal hitting each other in the distance and regained consciousness.
Tyrion grinned evilly, not only because he survived the fall, but the sound of the battle led him to believe that the show he'd been waiting for on the plane had finally begun, Clover and Qrow fight with each other.
He wouldn't have wanted to miss this fun for the world, but he had to get rid of the handcuffs that tied his hands and tail together. He knew this kind of shackle and the price it took to get someone out of it. He began to pull the cuff further and further, over his right hand and carefully removed the device until he reached the critical point and with a crack that made his thumb pop out of the cartilage, his right hand was now free and he quickly put his finger back on its place.
Once one hand was free, it didn't take long for him to free the other hand and his tail as well and like a little kid who doesn't want to miss his favorite show, he crawled out of the wreckage to watch Clover and Qrow's fight.
Clover and Qrow proved to be equal opponents, with Qrow attacking aggressively and ferociously while Clover defended carefully and cunningly to be able to counterattack. In a moment, Clover hooked Kingfisher's hook into Harbinger's blade, pulling Qrow towards him and taking a straight right into his face, but Qrow didn't flinch, just kept spinning Harbinger and forcing Clover to back off, who was constantly forced to defend himself, until Qrow kicked him back.
- Oh, don't stop because of me. - Tyrion, who wanted to be not only a spectator but also a participant in this battle, intervened during the short break.
- I didn't even plan! - Qrow angrily turned to attack Tyrion, who laughed as he parried his attacks and increased the distance with a backflip.
Qrow was about to go to attack him again, but Kingfisher's hook wrapped around his arm and he saw Clover pull him back, causing him to almost fall. When he regained consciousness, he was forced to defend himself against Clover, who wanted to attack him in the back.
Tyrion was enjoying the fight between the two men more and more, which he could only stir up even more.
Clover, after managing to send Qrow to his knees, prepared for another attack and Qrow prepared to defend himself again, when suddenly, Tyrion jumped between the two men, shielded both of their weapons with the blades mounted on his wrists, first forcing Clover to back off, then Qrow's hits parried.
Tyrion held his own against Qrow and Clover at the same time and at one point managed to kick Clover back but still had to fight Qrow who was determined to finish him off.
- For you and me, - Qrow began as he heavily barraged Tyrion with his blows. - we have a score to settle!
- Oh, I agree. - Tyrion just easily and quickly dodged Qrow's hits and moved away with a backflip. Qrow chased him, but Tyrion kept jumping aside as if to avoid a fight, because he came up with a devilish offer. - How about we put the kid to bed, - He glared at Clover. - and then we could get to our business?
Clover also overheard this conversation and it wouldn't surprise him if these two teamed up against him.
Qrow was disgusted at the thought of teaming up with this madman, having to fight his best friend was bad enough, but teaming up with his sworn enemy against him repulsed him even more. On the other hand, he and Clover proved to be equal opponents, he wasn't sure if he could defeat him alone and if he did, he wouldn't be in a condition to help Ruby.
He had to make a decision, here and now.
Qrow charged straight at Tyrion, scythe in hand and the faunus man didn't even defend himself, risking his own life to make sure Qrow was by his side.
Clover didn't wait for Qrow's answer, quickly hooked Kingfisher's hook into Harbinger's grip and tried to pull it out of his grasp before Qrow could reach Tyrion and gave his answer.
Qrow didn't let go of Harbinger and unhooked it, but Clover threw a metal disc at him, which he quickly dodged, but Clover was already there in front of him to continue the fight.
The fight was again interrupted by Tyrion, who helped Qrow by kicking Clover in the back.
Qrow had no choice but to team up with his sworn enemy against his best friend. He transformed Harbinger into a sword and attacked Clover like that. Tyrion laughed in satisfaction as he had accomplished exactly what his mistress wanted, turning the two best friends against each other and Qrow fighting by his side.
Together they ran towards Clover, Tyrion stopped in the middle of the road, bent down and without a word Qrow jumped on his back to gain more momentum to jump higher and strike at him like that, but Clover jumped back, avoiding the blow. Qrow and Tyrion didn't give up and attacked him again at the same time.
Clover was forced to defend himself and while Tyrion seized him, Qrow opened Harbinger's rifle and fired, it didn't matter which of them he hit, but Tyrion switched in time, threw himself on the ground so that he could get behind Clover, who staggered after taking the hit, but stayed on his feet.
Tyrion wildly tried to attack him in the back, but Clover quickly dodged his blades, then quickly dodged his stinger, but it was only meant to be a distraction until Qrow landed a straight left in his face, but Clover quickly knocked him back and in order to prevent him from attacking further, Tyrion jumped up and tried to land a blow on Clover, who was forced to defend with Kingfisher.
As Clover pushed Tyrion back, Qrow got to his feet and managed to hit Clover in the back with Harbinger, Tyrion then tried to pin him, but Clover jumped over and dodged Qrow's next strike while Tyrion somersaulted backwards.
Clover was able to attack with Kingfisher's hook at the same time, first at Tyrion and then at Qrow, but both of them blocked it and while he was watching Qrow, Tyrion tried to attack Clover in the back, but he quickly reacted and pushed him back with a kick.
Qrow attacked again and Clover was forced to defend again until Clover caught his wrist and took a punch to the chest and swung him over his shoulder to throw him off and Qrow would have fallen had it not been for the support of his mechanical tail and a push escorted him back to Clover.
Clover defended himself against Qrow's blows, then in a careless moment, hooked Kingfisher's hook into his ankle and sent him to the ground with a strong pull, then threw him into the distance, landing on his face.
Before Clover could charge at him, Tyrion opened fire on him with his submachine gun and ran towards him with a mad gaze and Clover was forced to note that Qrow was back on his feet and running towards him.
Tyrion got to him first, dodged him, grabbed his long braid, hit him on the back of the head and pushed him towards Qrow, who didn't care how he was, he just pushed him aside with Harbinger, but because of that he lost momentum and was forced to stop.
Tyrion didn't hesitate to charge at Clover again, who threw Kingfisher's hook again, past Tyrion and hooked it into Harbinger, then yanked it out of Qrow's hands and left only Tyrion to deal with.
Tyrion's hands and blade glowed with a purple light and he fought against Clover, who successfully parried all of his blows with a waist, then with a backflip he increased the distance to throw Kingfisher's hook at Tyrion again, completely binding him and falling to the ground.
Clover counted the time, he thought it was impossible for Qrow to run for Harbinger in that time, pick it up and reach him and that's why he was so surprised when Qrow was already standing next to him and punched him in the stomach with all his strength, causing a flash of cyan light around him and falling to the ground.
It was over, Clover's aura ran out and he was surprised to notice that Harbinger wasn't in Qrow's hand. He knocked it out with his bare hands.
- Why couldn't you do the right thing instead of what you were told?! - Qrow's voice was angry, sad and trembling all at the same time.
- Sometimes, - Clover knelt up holding his stomach. - doing the right thing is the hardest thing. - He looked up at Qrow, who he considered his friend. - I would trust James with my life. - He stood up and sighed in frustration. - But I wouldn't dare you.
The next moment, blood splattered on the white snow, a long, bloody and sharp sword blade protruded from Clover's chest, his white uniform was drenched in red blood and he belatedly realized that Tyrion, who had picked up Qrow's weapon, had sneaked up behind him and stabbed him in the back with it.
Qrow watched in shock as Tyrion, smirking evilly, chuckled without the slightest hint of remorse as he stabbed his own weapon through his best friend's chest.
Tyrion pulled the Harbinger from Clover's back, causing him to step forward more and more weakly, the shamrock pin that always shone with purity and that he always rubbed before every deployment for good luck, now became bloody and fell into the snow, he soon followed it and weakly, clutching the deep and long wound on his chest from which blood poured, fell to the snow.
- I don't think your friend will survive. - Tyrion supported Harbinger on his shoulder with a satisfied smile.
- I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS! - Qrow would have preferred to beat Tyrion to death with his bare hands if he didn't have his own weapon.
- Kill me? - Tyrion just asked with a smile. - Like you killed Clover? - He threw the bloody Harbinger right in front of Qrow, who just stared at his friend's blood-soaked weapon. - Ah, they come here too. - Tyrion, with his faunus hearing, heard planes in the distance and folded his hands. - Just in time. - An airplane was approaching them, followed by the others that Clover had called before the fight.
Qrow didn't care, his mind was clouded by rage and in his maddened way he charged Tyrion with his bare hands who only jumped back to avoid the blow.
- It seems we have to wait a little longer for our rematch. - Tyrion explained like a kid having a lot of fun, he turned but took one last look at Qrow. - You know my tracks with the authorities! - Finally, he ran away laughing.
Qrow wanted to run after him, but hearing Clover's weak and dying breathing decided to stay with him instead. Clover lay there in the cold snow, frozen in blood with a huge gash on his chest and the color drained from his face. He knelt down beside him helplessly and the only thing he could do was hold his hand in the last moments.
- Someone had to take the fall. - Clover said weakly.
- James, - Qrow blurted out angrily between his teeth and blamed only one person for this tragedy. - will take the fall. I'll make sure of it.
The sun rose and the frozen tundra began to glow with a pink glow and Clover took one last look at the face of his friend who would surely be able to do what he couldn't.
Doing the right thing even if it means breaking orders.
- Good luck. - He finally breathed, the light went out of his eyes, his body slowly loosen, his breathing stopped and his eyes closed.
Qrow couldn't bear to see his best friend, who he had grown so close to over the past few months, now lay here in his arms, frozen and dead.
The pain was so unbearable that he shed tears and let out a loud cry that could be heard for miles across the icy wastes. The only thing he took and pocketed was Clover's pin, which he had always treasured and which had once been so sparkling clean, was now covered in blood.
He almost didn't notice that three Atlas planes landed and a group of soldiers caught him and pointed a gun at him. He looked up and remembered that if he changed into a bird he could escape, but out of the corner of his eye he saw another group of soldiers carrying the unconscious Robyn on a stretcher to an ambulance plane.
He couldn't let Robyn fall into the General's hands alone. One person he cares about is already dead through Ironwood's fault.
He won't let another one follow.
Thank you for reading. Please sign it to follow and as favourite and don't forget to write reviews.