Author's Note:
So a new chapter has been completed after a long time since yesterday was Apzeta's Birthday
For WildImaginator21: Yes there will be pictures some hand drawn by a friend of mine for the AO3 port
For UnseenUrge: This could an interesting idea to play around with so yes but we need to see the movie or special
Till next chapter, Apzeta and Bishop
[ Kingdom of Vale — Outskirts Manta Ship Interior ]
The low hum of the Manta ship thrummed through the air as Team CFVY and Team SSSN stared out the windows.
The view below was nothing short of haunting — the once-proud Kingdom of Vale, now a graveyard of broken buildings and endless Grimm patrols.
Sun Wukong: (leaning on the window) "Man... seeing it like this... it's just wrong."
Velvet Scarlatina: (clutching her camera close to her chest) "It's not just wrong... it's heartbreaking."
Coco Adel: (adjusting her sunglasses) "Focus up. We're not here to sightsee. We have a theory to confirm."
Scarlet David: (checking his scroll) "According to the data... Daybreak Town should be about an hour's walk from where we land."
Neptune Vasilias: (grimacing) "Great. An hour of Grimm-smashing in this mess..."
Sage Ayana: (calmly) "We've handled worse."
The ship descended, kicking up clouds of ash and dust as it landed on a shattered, half-overgrown road.
[ Ruins of Vale — Path to Daybreak Town ]
After disembarking, the two teams moved in formation. Scrolls projected a map guiding them through the ruins.
The area was eerily quiet except for the occasional growls of lurking Grimm.
Fox Alistair: (signing to Coco) "Movement ahead. Multiple contacts."
Coco: (reading his signs) "Got it. Engage and move. Standard sweep."
Without hesitation, the teams made quick work of the incoming Grimm — Beowolves, Creeps, and an occasional mutated Ursai.
Gunfire, Aura flashes, and weapon strikes illuminated the wreckage as the teams advanced, carving a path through the infestation.
Yatsuhashi Daichi: (after crushing a Creep) "Feels like the Grimm here are restless... like they're drawn to something."
Sun: (twirling his staff) "Or someone."
Another thirty minutes of walking — and fighting — brought them to what little remained of Daybreak Town. Charred ruins, collapsed buildings, and blackened earth stretched for miles.
But nestled against a craggy hill, nearly hidden by vines and debris, stood one decrepit structure that still had some semblance of life: a half-collapsed lab.
Nolan Porfirio: (pointing) "That has to be it."
Coco: (nodding sharply) "Alright. Team CFVY upstairs. Team SSSN takes the first floor. Stay sharp."
[ Akira's Laboratory Hideout — Second Floor ]
Team CFVY ascended the rusted staircase carefully, their boots creaking against the battered metal. The humid, rain-like smell filled their senses.
The second floor was a chaotic snapshot frozen in time — wires crawling like veins along the walls, candlelight flickering against old monitors and rusted equipment.
Velvet approached the two-monitored terminal, brushing off dust as she took a seat. She started tapping away, searching the system.
Coco, meanwhile, cracked open the medium-sized leather chest. She carefully lifted out folded clothes — plain, practical, worn — and frowned.
Coco: (holding up a black jacket) "These are way to old and Full of bullet holes must of been one hell of a battle
Yatsuhashi began sifting through rusted shelves, prying open half-crushed boxes.
Yatsuhashi: (grunting) "Lots of salvaged parts. Scroll cores, broken weapons...maybe used for repairs or spares."
Fox, moving silently, searched the makeshift kitchen — noting the piles of ration cans and salvaged cookware — before shifting to the hospital bed.
His sharp eyes caught something tucked between the bed frame and mattress: a small notebook.
Meanwhile, Coco stumbled upon a side door leading into another room. Inside, she found a 3D printing area, the machinery dusty but still intact.
On a side table, she spotted something gleaming under a tarp — a pile of blank Progrisekeys.
Coco: (low whistle) "Jackpot."
Back with Velvet, the terminal flickered to life. Amid system logs and design schematics, she uncovered an old file labeled simply: "Journal."
Curious, she opened it — and her eyes widened.
Velvet: (calling out) "Guys! Over here!"
The others gathered around as she pulled up an image of handwritten pages. The writing was old, but clear.
Velvet: (reading aloud)
"Subject: Myself. Another day in Daybreak I can still hear the screaming in my head or going insane."
Coco: (tightening her fists) "So we were right. He's not just connected to Daybreak Town... He's the last survivor."
Yatsuhashi: (solemnly) "Maybe that's why he does what he does."
Fox: "Or why he became what he is."
They all exchanged glances — the weight of their discovery heavy in the ruined air.
[ Akira's Laboratory Hideout — First Floor ]
Meanwhile, Team SSSN searched room by room, flashlights sweeping through the murky, candle-lit spaces.
Sun kicked open a door, finding the storage room stacked with half-rotted supplies.
Neptune examined the testing room, shivering slightly at the sight of old broken medical equipment.
Scarlet and Sage cleared the living room, noting the arrangement of old books, broken furniture, and more signs of a life that had clung to existence against all odds.
Sun: (grimacing) "Man, this whole place... it's like it refused to die."
Neptune: (muttering) "Like whoever lived here couldn't let go."
Sage: (calmly)v"Or had nowhere else to go."
Scarlet: (nodding toward upstairs) "Let's regroup with CFVY. Looks like they found something important."
[ Back Upstairs ]
Coco closed the leather chest, slinging it over her shoulder.
Coco: (firm) "Velvet, grab copies of those files. We're taking everything we can."
Velvet: (already working) "On it!"
As the download bars filled, the teams prepared to leave — but the weight of the discovery settled into all of them.
Sun: (approaching, curious )"What'd you guys find?"
Coco: (grim) "Proof that Akira is the last ghost of Daybreak Town... and that he might have been planning this for a lot longer than we thought."
[ Ruins of Daybreak Town — Outside ]
The battered door groaned open as Team CFVY and Team SSSN exited into the misty remains of Daybreak Town.
Velvet clutched her scroll tight, the salvaged data files loaded onto it from the ancient terminal upstairs.
Velvet Scarlatina: (concerned) "The data's really old... half of it is corrupted. And the tech? I'm surprised it even powered on. It'll take some time, but—" (she looks up at the others) "—we definitely confirmed it. Akira Kuruzu... he's the sole survivor of Daybreak Town."
Coco Adel: (crossing her arms) "Zaia's CEO... a lost kid who somehow climbed all the way up after the world ended for him. No wonder he's... the way he is."
Sun Wukong: (scratching the back of his head) "Man... that's heavy. But it doesn't change the fact that he's still labeled as a terrorist with what remains of Atlas's Military."
Neptune Vasilias: (nervously) "And we just poked a beehive. Great."
Sage Ayana: (calm and thoughtful) "We have the information. Now the real fight begins."
Nolan Porfirio: (checking his weapon) "We heading back to Vacuo?"
Scarlet David: (nodding) "No other choice. Zaia's HQ is there. If we want answers it's our next destination."
Yatsuhashi Daichi: (placing a reassuring hand on Velvet's shoulder) "We'll figure it out. Together."
Fox Alistair: "Stay alert. We're on borrowed time now."
Coco: (leading the way back to the Manta ship) "Move out! Next stop — Vacuo."
[ Kingdom of Vacuo — Zaia Enterprise HQ ]
The sprawling complex of Zaia Enterprise buzzed with activity.
In one of the sleek, metallic briefing rooms, Akira stood at the head of a large holographic table, hands folded neatly behind his back.
In front of him stood the Defense Devotion—a specialized group of cyborgs, androids, and enhanced Huntsmen.
Projected above the table was a massive Grimm swarm—headed by an Eight-Headed King Taijitu, its body writhing across the desert landscape like a black river of death.
Akira Kuruzu: (voice cold but commanding)
"We've detected a colossal migration of Grimm heading directly for Vacuo. Not random. Not natural. Something—or someone—is driving them."
The hologram shifted, displaying a list of Grimm: Death Stalkers, Nevermores, Ursa Minors and Majors, Beowolves, and Lancers.
Akira: (continuing) "Standard defense won't suffice. Therefore—" (he gestures sharply) "—I'm deploying the Giger units."
A second hologram appeared: the Giger.
Its sleek, horned helmet, glowing red central eye, massive tusk-blades, and snaking tendrils made it look like a monster out of a nightmare.
Akira: "They will lead the charge, supported by Trilobite Magias to thin the numbers.
Our objective is twofold: Exterminate the Grimm... and field-test the Giger models under maximum stress."
The Huntsmen and Huntresses nodded, their faces a mixture of tension and grim determination.
Akira: (final command) "You have less than two days to prepare. Fail—and Vacuo falls."
He turned, cape fluttering behind him, and strode toward the exit.
Akira: (calling over his shoulder) "Neopolitan. Peridot. You're in charge of coordinating the Defense Division.
Adam please assist them. Your past leadership in the White Fang will prove useful."
Adam Taurus: (stepping forward, his crimson mechanical eye gleaming) "Understood. I'll make sure the defenses are to your expectations."
Neopolitan: (smirking, her voice smooth and confident, no longer silent) "Relax, boss. We'll roll out the red carpet right over their corpses."
Peridot: "All variables accounted for. This game will be one to remember"
Akira gave them a slight nod before moving on, Amethyst falling into step beside him.
[ Zaia Enterprise — Training Arena ]
Down another hall, the metallic clang of weapons echoed. Inside the vast training dome, Onyx was sparring fiercely with Ruby, who is currently using the Attache Arrow—with increasing mastery.
Onyx: (grinning behind his helmet) "You're improving, Ruby. But you're still thinking like a Huntress."
Ruby Rose: (panting, swinging the Attache Arrow into its Full Charge ) "And you're still fighting like a machine!"
Their weapons clashed, sparks flying.
Amethyst leaned casually against the wall next to Akira, watching with interest.
Amethyst: (chuckling) "She's adapting faster than expected. Guess all that malice is helping her."
Akira: (observing closely, arms crossed)
"She has potential... but potential alone won't survive what's coming."
Ruby knocked Onyx back with a Arrow, panting but smiling fiercely.
Ruby: (calling over) "How's that for thinking outside the box?!"
Onyx: (laughing) "Not bad, Kid. Not bad at all."
Akira allowed himself a faint smirk.
Akira: (to himself) "Good. We'll need every advantage."
He turned away, his mind already moving to the next pieces on the board being to deploy the "Amity Tower Ark"
[ Kingdom of Vacuo ]
The hot desert air buzzed with activity. Along the busy streets, civilians strolled by, faces bright with excitement as they sported the latest tech — the Zaia Spec — either clipped elegantly onto glasses or perched sleekly as earpiece and contact.
Public Civilian 1: (grinning, tapping the device)
"This thing is amazing! I can pull up maps, info, even project calls without needing a Scroll! It's like I'm part of the future!"
Public Civilian 2: (laughing) "I heard it can even predict the best routes before you think of it. Zaia Enterprise really saved Vacuo!"
Among the crowd, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, Qrow Branwen, Taiyang Xiao Long, and Winter Schnee watched grimly, clustered together near the side of the road.
Weiss: (folding her arms tightly, disgusted) "They're praising them like they're saviors... If only they knew who's behind all of this."
Blake: (ears drooping slightly, muttering) "Zaia Spec... another leash for Akira to pull."
Yang: (clenching her fists) "And the worst part? They don't even realize it."
Taiyang: (gruffly, voice low) "Just like Raven didn't realize what Akira was capable of... until it was too late."
(he shoots a quick, dark look at the towering Zaia Enterprise building)
Winter: (cool, collected, but visibly tense) "He dares to mimic our Semblances. Our techniques. He has no honor."
Nora: (huffing angrily, crossing her arms) "I don't care how smart he thinks he is. We're bringing him down."
Jaune: (frowning, conflicted) "I know... but part of me keeps wondering... if we had someone like him on our side... would we have already beaten Salem?"
he shakes his head quickly
Jaune: "No. We can't excuse what he's done."
Ren: (softly) "Necessary evil... or not... there's a line."
Qrow: (adjusting the strap of his sword, gruffly) "First priority is Ruby. We get her back before she's too deep into whatever he's planning."
Taiyang: (nodding, his voice steel) "She's still our little girl. We have to get her back."
Yang: (biting her lip, looking at the towering headquarters) "Yeah. Before it's too late."
A sleek Bullhead transport roared to a landing nearby. The pilot, from what remains of the Atlas Military, waved them aboard quickly.
Pilot: (yelling over the engine noise) "Destination?"
Winter: (stepping up, her voice cold and commanding)
"Zaia Enterprise. Full breach. We're not leaving without Ruby... and without stopping Akira Kuruzu."
Pilot: (whistles low) Well don't expect any backup
As they lifted off, the skyline of Vacuo stretched behind them — the sprawling desert city, the buzzing civilians, all oblivious to the deeper danger humming just under the surface.
Inside the Bullhead, tension crackled between the group.
Blake: (quietly, to Yang) "You ready for this? If Akira's changed Ruby... we might have to fight her."
Yang: (clenching her fists so hard her knuckles turned white) "No. I won't fight her. I'll bring her back."
(growling) "Akira won't take my family away from me again."
Taiyang: (putting a hand on Yang's shoulder)
"We're with you. Let's just hope there's no hidden tricks
Qrow: (leaning back, a grim smile tugging his lips)
"Let's hope Ruby remembers who her real family is... before we have to make any tougher calls."
Nora: (muttering, tapping her hammer lightly) "Just point me at Akira. I'll give him a matching crater for the one he left in Heven Academy."
Jaune: (half-smiling despite himself) "Easy, Nora. Focus on getting Ruby first."
Ren: (closing his eyes in silent meditation) "Whatever happens... we stay together."
Winter: (tightening the strap on her sword sheath) "We end this... to night."
[ Zaia Enterprise — Top Floor, CEO Office ]
The sliding doors of the private elevator opened with a soft hiss, and Akira and Amethyst stepped into the lavish but cold office.
Glass walls provided a panoramic view of Vacuo's dusty skyline, and at the far end of the room, a massive black-and-silver console pulsed ominously — the direct interface to the Ark.
Amethyst:"So... do you think the Ark finally came up with something new?" (a hint of excitement in her voice)
Akira: ( approaching the console) "It has run millions of simulations. It is only logical that a conclusion has finally been reached."
He pressed his palm against the console. Instantly, the Ark's Interface flared to life — red binary code raining down in a digital storm, bathing the room in a blood-colored glow.
Akira: (leaning slightly forward) "Have you reached a new conclusion?"
Ark: "Based on predictive models and environmental variables, I have conclude a new evolution of your combat capabilities."
On the massive screen, diagrams and wireframes began spinning. A sleek, almost radiant new Progrisekey appeared, its label flashing
Shining Hopper Progrisekey: [ Shining Jump ! ]
Amethyst: (whistling softly) "That... looks intense. It even has an Assault mode like mine." (grinning) "You're moving up in the world, boss."
Akira: (nodding slightly, analyzing the data)
"A logical progression. But why base it on Rising Hopper?"
Ark: "Efficiency. Familiarity. Potential. The Rising Hopper base possesses the most optimal parameters for upgrading to Shining Hopper's assault functionality."
The screen shifted again, showing something new: ghostly images — twisted reflections of the Seasonal Maidens: Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring, all with inverted colors and ominous glows.
Ark: "In order to maximize output, the Mirror World counterparts of the Season Maidens must be connected to the Ark, along with the Rising Hopper Progrisekey. Their energy and power will serve as catalysts."
Amethyst: (eyes widening slightly) "You want to feed the Ark with Maiden powers? Isn't that a bit... much?" (then grins wickedly) "Then again, it's poetic."
Akira: (smirking) "It is simply the next logical step. All power must be utilized efficiently."
Suddenly, warning flashes filled the interface. Ark pulled up live surveillance — and there they were:
Weiss, Blake, Yang, Jaune, Ren, Nora, Qrow, Taiyang, and Winter — boarding a Bullhead, heading straight for Zaia Enterprise.
Ark: "Interesting a hostile forces en route.
Purpose: Convince Ruby Rose to defect. Destroy Zaia Enterprise. Reclaim Maiden Powers. Neutralize Akira and Allies."
Amethyst: (gritting her teeth)"They're really doing this, huh?"
Akira: (calmly, almost amused) "I have been expecting them. Their predictability is almost... disappointing."
The Ark simulated battle outcomes in the background, data streams flowing fast — images of possible combat scenarios, percentages of victory and loss.
Ark: "Based on projected outcomes, I advise immediate deployment of the 'Amity Tower'. Ideal location for containment. Maximum probability of victory: 91.32%."
Akira: (smiling slightly, coldly) "Perfect. The Amity Tower Ark will serve not only as a battleground... but as their tomb if necessary." (he turned toward Amethyst) "Gather the others. Prepare for battle."
Amethyst: (nodding, sliding her helmet back on)
"Finally. About time we got to break some skulls."
Ark: ( before disconnecting) "All variables accounted for."
The interface blinked off with a digital hum, plunging the room back into its cold, silent tension.
Akira: (to himself, turning toward the elevator) "Come, then. Show me how far your hope will carry you... before it is crushed."
[ Hours Later — Launch Platform beneath Zaia Enterprise ]
The platform beneath rumbled with latent power.
Akira, Amethyst, Adam, Onyx, Peridot, Ruby, and Neopolitan stood together, preparing for the next phase. A tense but oddly calm atmosphere settled over them.
Nearby, Neopolitan shyly approached Ruby, her voice soft but steady — a sound still unfamiliar yet heartwarmingly human.
Neopolitan: (fidgeting slightly) "Ruby... I'm sorry."
Ruby: (blinking in surprise, then smiling softly) "For what happened back in the Ever After?"
Neopolitan: (nodding, voice cracking slightly from emotion) "I was lost... consumed by my revenge. But I see things differently now. I'm... grateful for this second chance."
Ruby: (gently placing a hand on Neo's shoulder) "I forgive you. We were all a little lost back then. I'm just glad... you found your voice." (chuckling warmly) "Literally."
Neopolitan: (smiling, a soft giggle escaping her lips) "I love it. Every word feels like breathing. It's... amazing."
Ruby: (grinning) "You'll have to teach me some of those dramatic acrobatics sometime though. You had a real style."
The ground beneath them suddenly shuddered. A deep, mechanical rumble echoed from below as thick plates of steel unfolded around them.
Warning sirens blared, and red lights illuminated the edges of the massive platform.
Amethyst: (grinning excitedly) "Here we go!"
Akira: "Commencing launch sequence. Amity Tower Ark now."
The entire platform jerked, then rocketed upwards. Dust and wind blasted outward from the launch site as Zaia Enterprise's Amity Tower — a towering monolith, black and silver with the Zaia logo emblazoned proudly — ascended into the sky of Vacuo.
The structure's sleek panels shimmered, revealing deadly arrays of antennas and Ark-controlled weaponry.
Akira: (hands behind his back, watching without flinching) "This 1000% going perfectly. The Ark now controls the entire thing. From here, we shall change the course of battle."
[ Meanwhile — Aboard the Bullhead Transport ]
The battered Bullhead rattled through the turbulent Vacuo airspace. Inside, the tension was thick enough to slice through.
Weiss, Blake, Yang, Taiyang, Qrow, Winter Schnee, Jaune, Ren, and Nora leaned forward, eyes wide in collective disbelief.
Through the small windows, they could clearly see it: the newly launched Amity Tower Ark, gleaming ominously high above them — the Zaia Enterprise logo casting a dark shadow across the surface.
Blake: (narrowing her eyes) "No way... Zaia Enterprise built their own Amity Tower?"
Weiss: (jaw tight) "I thought the original was ambitious, but this? This is... monstrous."
Taiyang: (gritting his teeth, glaring at the sight) "And you just know Akira's behind it. Him and those cursed creations"
Yang: (growling lowly) "First he copies our semblances... now he builds some creepy flying fortress? (clenching her fists) I'm gonna enjoy knocking him down a peg."
Qrow: (gruffly) "Focus. This isn't about revenge — we're here for Ruby." (his voice softens slightly) "She doesn't belong with him."
Winter Schnee: (arms crossed, cold and analytical)
"Nevertheless, the architecture... the technology involved... it's lightyears ahead of even Atlas standards. (glancing to Weiss) He's not just copying. He's improving."
Weiss: (shivering despite herself) "It's... unsettling. I can feel the malice radiating off it."
Ren: (quietly) "The Ark... it's alive in there."
Jaune: (jaw set firmly) "Then we fight our way through, grab Ruby, and get the hell out. Before that thing does something worse."
Nora: (scowling) "After what Akira did to everyone ? (cracking her knuckles) I'll make sure he regrets ever laying a hands on his gear."
The Bullhead's pilot gave a sharp warning:
Pilot: "Strap in! We're approaching a landing bay opening near the base of the Tower!"
Taiyang: (snarling) "Alright team, remember the mission: grab Ruby, destroy whatever Akira's planning, and get out. Priority's Ruby."
Yang: (under her breath) "And maybe break his damn face."
The Bullhead banked sharply, aiming straight for a dark open hangar in the lower half of the Amity Tower Ark.
Inside, unseen by the heroes, the Ark's systems were already preparing...
And high above them, in the command center, Akira smiled coldly, watching them approach on holographic screens.
Akira: (softly, almost amused) "Let's start this Holy War before heading to Salem"