Beacon
7:45 PM
23 Hours to the Fall
Y/n Pov
The walk through the Vault was made bearable by me trying to specifically isolate how to summon and unsummon the All-Blades. It just kind of happened involuntarily. Admittedly, I had to have looked like a kid in the candy shop. The whole time, things have been quiet. I watched Qrow from the corner of my eye. He never once stopped looking at me. I slowed down a little, walking beside him.
Y/n: Why are you staring at me?
Qrow: ....It's a lot to take in....
Y/n: That's more of a feeling that I should be having.
Qrow: Probably.... But out of the billions of people, why is it you?
Y/n: I've got a lot of bad luck in my blood so it's not that much of a surprise.
The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them. I didn't mean for it to be a slight against Qrow but that is what it sounded like. Qrow looked ahead and sighed before pulling out his flask. While I was definitely the cause of that, it did nothing to alleviate the annoyance at his immediate response.
Y/n: ....I didn't mean it like that....
Qrow: ....But you are right....
I slowed down a little and Qrow walked ahead. This was well out of my field. I resented him for never being there, but a small part of me still wanted him around. I wanted to be angry with him, but again, a small part of me didn't want to be. I was stuck in this weird middle ground. Pyrrha took his place, stopping beside me.
Pyrrha: So.... Magic exists....
Y/n: Yup.... It exists.
Pyrrha: ....Was it like this when you learned about all of this?
Y/n: Not quite. I literally died and was thrown into a magical pit. After that, I was very willing to believe the existence of it.
Pyrrha looked at me like I was crazy before looking at the magical swords that I was playing with in my hands. To be fair, that's not something that you normally hear someone say so casually. I didn't want to go into too much detail with Ironwood here. It was bad enough that I just admitted that me and Weiss were connected in more ways than one.
I also didn't want to think about the events that brought me here any more than I wanted to tell them. It was my turn to flip the question to Pyrrha. Being told all of this was certainly jarring and she had the worse deal than me. Where I already knew from a relatively young age that the world has more to it than people think, Pyrrhas whole world view has effectively been shattered over the course of a hour.
Y/n: Learning about magic, it's a lot, but it's exceedingly rare.
Pyrrha: You have magic smoke and your holding magic swords and your saying it's rare?
Y/n: I don't know where I got the Lazarus energy, I assume the Lazarus pit, hence the name. I can't really use it right now though....
I unsummoned the blades, still not entirely sure how, and tried to use the Lazarus energy. All I got was a weak stream of smoke. It was depressing to see since I've had it for so long and relied on it so much. It was like I lost a part of myself. I shook my head and focused back on Pyrrha.
Y/n: As for the swords.... I'm still lost on.... Well everything. There's still so many questions I have about what all this means....
Pyrrha: Well I'm still lost on all the magic and maiden talk.... So why don't we figure it out together.
I couldn't help but smile. If there was one thing you can always count on, it's Pyrrha being too kind for this world. We were finally getting closer to the elevator. I was ready to get back above ground. Never again did I ever want to go underground. Ozpin pressed the button for the elevator and the doors opened.
We all piled in and sat through the long ride up. To my surprise, Ironwood stood next to me. It made me want out of the elevator considering that me and Ironwood liked each other about as much as we liked Grimm in general. The silence was uncomfortable but stayed stoic. I didn't want to give him a inch.
Ironwood: This explains why Ozpin has so much trust for you....
Y/n: Guess so....
Ironwood: This changes nothing.... Your still just another killer-
Qrow: HEY!
In a instant, Qrow was in his face. The elevator was small to begin with but these two were practically nose to nose now. Qrow was ready to wring his neck when Goodwitch stepped in.
Goodwitch: Both of you, knock it off! There are students present!
Goodwitch wasn't taking a side, but the downright viscous look she gave Ironwood said enough. I didn't need Qrow to fight my battles obviously, but I was a little happy that he did. Weiss may have been right about letting him in. The elevator doors opened right as I remembered a minor detail....
Y/n: Pyrrha, isn't the singles rounds going to be held tonight?
Pyrrha: Yes.
I looked at my scroll and I was a shocked to find that Pyrrha was about to be late.
Y/n: It's seven-fifty! You got to go!
Pyrrha sat there for a second before the meaning hit her. Everyone got out of the elevator except for Pyrrha and I before she hit the button for the first floor.
Pyrrha: I can't believe that I forgot about it!
Y/n: There was a lot going on. Besides, if it's anyones fault, it was Ozpins for calling you when he did.
Pyrrha: But it was important compared to the tournament....
Y/n: Yeah admittedly but this was something that you were looking forward to.
The elevator doors opened Pyrrha and I booked it out to the landing pads. We made it there in record time. Funnily enough, the pilot recognized Pyrrha and the fact that the singles were about to start. This guy was already lifting off the second we were on the Bullhead. I took a second to slide him a tip for being such a bro. I went back to Pyrrha, who was jittering nervously.
Y/n: I've never seen you so jittery.
Pyrrha: ....I'm going to be late....
Y/n: The pilot knows what's up, he's going to get you there as fast as he can.
Pyrrha: That doesn't really help....
Y/n: It's not going to be too long, you'll make it.
Pyrrha didn't look entirely convinced. We were cutting it pretty close. If we made it, she would have barely any time to get to the arena. I sat next to her, just hoping that we could get there faster. It was agonizing.
The pilot called back to us that we were getting close. This man deserves a raise. Pyrrha and I were standing near the door, ready to go. The instant the Bullhead landed Pyrrha sprinted away. I took my time since I didn't have to rush anymore. Pyrrha was here and the rest was up to her. I got to the stands and looked around.
Everyone was hanging out where they normally were. Front row seats with the best view of the action. The only one missing was Yang. None of the contenders were coming out yet so I could only assume that she was going to be in the arena. I made my way to them, just as the contenders started coming out.
8:00 PM
22 Hours to the Fall
Ruby: Where were you!? You almost missed the first match!
Y/n: Had something to take care of. Yang is the one you picked?
Blake: Yeah, Weiss was-
Weiss: I'm not going to be singing for a bit.... *Cough*
I leaned over and wrapped an arm around her. It looked like she had a rough time. She leaned into me as all of the contenders entered the arena. I noticed Yang immediately. Yang looked better than Weiss meaning that Weiss really got it during their match. All of them took their place and the crowd started to get rowdier. I then noticed Mercury standing next to Pyrrha. She was trying her best to keep a neutral expression but all it was doing was making her look even more jittery.
Once the finals rounds are over, there's only going to be one more day for the fairgrounds before the festival ends. The reason they do this is in the event that they need to stop for some reason. It gives them that extra day to finish the fights before the colosseum heads back to Atlas. I couldn't help but get a bad feeling. I started to scan the crowd and noticed Cinder pretty far off from us. The smug smile on her face making that feeling even worse.
Port: Now! The moment you've all been waiting for! The one-on-one finals!
Oobleck: The finals are quite simple! Instead of a bracket, each round will be randomly determined at the beginning of each round!
Port: Just like any good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare!
Oobleck: Why yes! Now let's see what our first match will be!
Slots started to form on the holographic screens around the colosseum. Instead of choosing terrain, it was choosing fighters. Makes sense since there's not many fights left, and they want to give people a good view of the fight, unlike my match. The first slot stopped on Mercury. I hoped and prayed that it wouldn't be Yang or Pyrrha. Unfortunately, I cant ever be so lucky.
Yangs picture came up on the second slot. I clenched my jaw and watched intently. I already told Mercury what I would do to him if he fucked with my friends and family. If this isn't a clean fight, I was going to follow through with the threat from our bout back in Goodwitchs class. All of the other fighters left out of the arena, leaving only Yang and Mercury. I unintentionally growled, bringing Weiss' attention back to me.
Weiss: Y/n, she'll be fine.
I couldn't get myself to speak. I was watching everything that was going on. What was Mercury doing exactly? What was Cinder doing? Where was Emerald.... Fuck, where is Emerald? I didn't see her in the stands, and with her semblance, she was going to be a threat. I wanted to get up and track her down, but I couldn't get up with Weiss holding onto me. I didn't want to do anything too overt, especially with the security being tightened after what happened to me and CFVY I presume.
Ruby: Break a leg sis!
Right as she said that, the arena started to change. The center platform lifting up few feet along with scaffolding holding several industrial lights that shined down onto the platform. It would have been a great thing to see if it wasn't Yang going against that asshole. Yang looked back at our group and smiled. When she saw me, she smiled even more, like she was going to get him back for my defeat.
I personally didn't want her feeling like she needed to win in order to get back at him but whatever she needs to motivate her to win the fight. Mercury followed her gaze, looking me in the eyes. My narrowed my eyes and he smiled smugly, as he always does. Both he and Yang got ready to fight as Port began the countdown. Both of them steadily getting closer to each other.
The second they were cleared to start, Yang reeled her arm back as far as she could and threw a massive haymaker at Mercury, who checked it with kick of his own. Mercury flew backwards with the force of Yangs punch and rushed forward the instant he landed. Yang jumped over Mercury just as he kicked and tried to punch him in the back of the head. He quickly shifted his weight and turned, blocking while getting ready to get a kick off.
Yang kept the pressure up but Mercury managed to get her off balance and bring his leg up as she struck downwards into it. The ensuing blast of both Yang and Mercury using the shotguns blew both of them away from one another. Yang landed and managed to stay on her feet. She started to shoot at Mercury, wanting to keep him away since he was favoring getting in close.
Mercury managed to recover just in time to avoid the volley that Yang was throwing at him. He was doing everything in his power to get to Yang. So far, Yang was holding her own and I haven't seen any signs of foul play. Of course, I still didn't see Emerald either so there was still that to take into account.
Mercury jumped just on impact of Yangs rounds and flipped, bringing his leg up above his head, ready to bring it down with as much force as he could muster. Yang blocked the kick as he came down, albeit barely. Yang tried to counter by shooting him at point blank but Mercury expected it and ducked low before doing a backflip kick, nailing Yang right in the jaw and sending her away.
Yang flipped and landed on her feet getting right back into the fight. Yang was being extremely aggressive against Mercury, not making the same mistake I had. She was forcing Mercury to stay defensive, with every strike she threw being heavy and fast. Yang and Mercury started trading blows, ending with Yang knocking Mercury away with a heavy blow to the chest.
Mercury started to go over the edge of the arena platform before he recovered. That's when I saw Emerald. She was in the tunnel on Mercurys side of the arena. I stood up, earning me a look from everyone.
Ruby: We're just getting to the good part! Where are you going!?
Y/n: Bathroom.
Ruby: ....Oh....
I would have laughed if I wasn't on the clock now. I walked down the row and back into the main hallway. I doubt I have a lot of time before Yang finishes with Mercury. From the looks of it, she's winning. That's when they'll do whatever it is they're planning on doing. I had to get there before.
I was speed walking, not wanting to run and draw attention to myself but also trying to keep the pace up. While walking, I passed by two atlesian knights. I kept going, knowing that they were about to stop me. True to form, they started to call out. I kept going, turning into the service tunnel and right into another knight.
Knight 1: Halt! State your business!
Y/n: *Sigh* Bathroom break.
Knight 1: Facial analysis indicates a lie. State your business or you will be detained!
The other knights caught up and were surrounding me. There was only three of them. I didn't want to do this but....
Y/n: ....I don't have time for this.
I quickly pulled out my knife and pistol. The knife sank into the bottom of the knights head with a crunch. I yanked it around to use it as a shield against the other two knights that raised there weapons to fire. This was going to make too much noise for my liking but I didn't have much of a choice.
*Bang* *Bang*
Both knights dropped before they could get a round off but the noise was sure to bring even more. Not only that, I'm sure there are sensors that monitor functionality. If someone was watching that, they would know that the three of them were just iced.
Not having to worry about running into anyone other than knights now, I sprinted. That little bit of time that I wasted dealing with them could very well be the difference between making it in time or not. I found the locker room just as knights turned the corner on the opposite side of the hall.
Knight 2: Halt or you will be terminated!
I slammed my shoulder into the locker room door just as the knights started to fire. This was going bad very fast. There was no one in the locker room but there was a T.V. Yang was standing over Mercury, with the match over. I needed to get out there, NOW. I sprinted to the door leading to the competitor tunnel and slammed into it just as the door behind me opened. Emerald was right there in front of me. I was-
???: *BANG* AAARRGGHHH!!!
I could hear the scream from all the way back here. Emerald looked back, surprised for a moment before she smiled, running out into the arena. I ran after her, they crossed the line. I didn't care who saw what. There was about to be hell to pay.
Entering the arena, I took not of what all was happening. Emerald and Mercury were together, and Mercury was screaming, holding his leg like he just lost it. Yang was standing there completely shocked. The screen showing exactly what happened.
Yang destroyed Mercurys leg, his prosthetic leg, mind you, but most people don't know that I assume. The last thing was four knights that were surrounding Yang with their weapons drawn. Cinder or Yang...? The choice was clear.
My pistol and knife were already in my hands, I was on top of the first knight in seconds. The knife planting into the side of its head, and my pistol aimed and fired at another knights head. I stepped forward and ripped the knife forward, throwing it onto another Knight that was swinging it's weapon around to me.
The last Knight popped a round off, catching me in the gut but I quickly yanked it's rifle away from me before putting three into it's chest. All the knights were down and the crowd was going wild, and not in the good way. This was playing into Cinders hand but I didn't care at the moment. Yang needed to be pulled out of here before Atlas get their hands on her. They have full jurisdiction of the colosseum, if they get her, she'll end up like Roman. I failed to keep him out of there, and I sure as hell wasn't about to make the same mistake.
I put my knife away and grabbed Yangs arm and dragged her out of the arena. The bullet in my gut making it hard to move as fast as we needed to. More knights were coming down on us. All I had to do was get us back to the Academy. If I can do that, then she's under Ozpins protection. He won't let Ironwood touch her.
I retraced my steps though the colosseum with Yang in tow. She was catatonic, not even responding to anything that was happening. That was bad because put as simply as possible, if I end up in a fight, she's going to be in the way. The knights were coming after us. Just as we rushed into the main hallway, we came across several knights. I brought my pistol up and started firing, not caring if I hit the target, just trying to get the sensors to recognize danger and take cover.
I yanked Yang away, just as the knights started firing at us. We needed to keep moving or we would end up getting surrounded, and at this point, I don't think their taking prisoners. We were getting close to the landing pads. All of the Bullheads were still landed. They probably already given a lockdown order to the pilots, meaning that I was going to either have to get persuasive, or just do it myself.
I practically threw Yang into a seat and rushed to the cockpit. There was no pilot on board. That works out well because I didn't have the time to deal with them. I engaged the engines and started to lift off. As per usual, it was shaky but it was a steady ascent. The knights started to gather around and shoot at the Bullhead. I slammed the throttle and pushed down on the stick. We lurched forward and started to descend rapidly.
We needed get as far away from the colosseum as possible while getting as low as possible. We practically did a nose dive down towards the lake before I pulled up. I had a second where I thought that I had pulled up too late, but we cleared the water. This whole thing was bad. I should have just dealt with Cinder earlier, now there's this....
We were coming up on Beacon. Surprisingly, there were no Knights at the landing pad. There was however, four people. Ironwood, Ozpin, Goodwitch, and Qrow. I started to ascend and get it ready to set down. I don't know what this is going to entail but it can't be good....
3rd Person Pov
8:33 PM
Juniors club had been opened for half a hour now and customers were still pouring in by the dozens. The Vytal festival was good for business. While that was the case, everyone connected to Y/n was not only shocked, but knew that something was coming. For him to act so overtly, even with his sister involved was a sign that things were going south. They all saw what Yang had done, and knew what Emeralds semblance was. They knew the score, and they knew that there was nothing that was going to save them from Y/n now.
Miltia and Melania were sitting at the bar watching the match with Junior when it happened. Neo was off somewhere on her own but was certain to have heard the news. It was a blow to everyone, especially after Y/n had said that he was going to get everyone here for an after party, to celebrate winning. Junior assumed that was out the window now.
The girls haven't really left the bar since then. Normally their content to dance the night away while watching the crowd for any troublemakers. Neo was somewhere around but well out of sight of anyone. Junior felt for the girl, since there still hasn't been news on Torchwick, another person they were all missing.
Junior knew the value of friends in this business, hence why he offers V.I.P privileges to customers that he wants to be on their good side, or because they are exactly that, friends. Y/n was both, and it looked like he was in hot water now. He knew that Y/n was going to make a house call.
While Junior was lost in thought, waiting for the odd customer or two to wander over to the bar and order a drink, there was a very distinct man watching the crowd. The man knew Y/ns affiliations and wanted to hit him where it really hurt. Todays humiliations was just a taster, a tease of what was coming. This was going to be the true start of his downfall.
The man looked through the crowd, eyeing a few of the people who were assigned to work with him. All of them Faunas, all of them White Fang, and all of them having a burning hatred for the Red Hood. The Faunas already wore their masks, but with a little motivation and coaxing, they picked up new ones. They were still with the Fang, but they were a small contingent that worked directly with him.
The plan was simple. initiate a gas attack. How? Water bottles. It was easy to smuggle in the bottles that were filled with clear liquid, passing it off as water. The beautiful thing about the liquid though is that it's chemical make up made it look like exactly like water until it was oxygenized. Then it turned a shade of green and turns into a mist, making it perfect for something like this.
The specifics of the chemical was a nerve toxin. Designed to contract the muscles, making them contort and flex in any way possible. The only distinguishing feature of the nerve toxin being that the face muscles force the subject to smile involuntarily. Because of the lack of muscular control, the subject that is exposed to the toxin will within a few minutes die of asphyxiation. A perfect toxin for the man who can't seem to stop smiling himself.
The man thought about how amazing it was for the ministers after the old man to make a concoction like this, it was even more amazing testing the effects on them for the first time. All of this just to discipline his children, particularly, the bastard son that killed him. It wasn't all that hard to adjust to the ten year gap of time in his memory. One second, he's got a knife in his throat, watching powerlessly as the boy beat his skull to mush, the next, he's alive again and gouging a mans eyes out.
Making eye contact with a few of the Faunas working under him, he smiled even more and nodded. making sure that it was obvious to everyone who saw him. He pulled out a video camera and started to record, making sure that it was working, as he and the rest of his men put on their masks. Seconds later, he started to hear screaming from multiple sources. It was music to his ears....