Fandom Distorted Mirror [IC]

[MyrtenRose]

His eyes flickered to Pyrrha. "And you? Pyrrha Nikos, bigshot tournament fighter, doesn't give one guy a chance to take her on with his weapon? Aren't you a little curious?"

"..." Right! Nora quietly moved back away from her spot, doing her best to imitate Ren's impressive silent steps. Speaking of which, that was Ren stepped back into the fray, with his near supernatural ninja skills. As Qrow spoke, Pyrrha and Neo both could see Ren approach from behind in a slow and methodical walk, senses so honed that they allowed him to avoid any unexpected loose or weak boards. He was practically at Qrow's back when Nora called out loudly in an attempt to draw Qrow's focus sharply away from the pair of Pyrrha and Neo, as well as keep him from noticing Ren.

"HEY, ASSHOLE!!!"

Presuming that was enough to get the guy's attention, Nora grinned madly. This farce had gone on way too long. "You mean this weapon?" The last syllable barely got out of her mouth before Nora, fueled by anger and the raw lightning coursing through her, swung down Magnhild in a wild repeated frenzy to shatter Harbinger into nothing more than a jagged mess of broken metal bits littering the floor. And that was when Ren, intending to capitalize on the loud and destructive distraction from his better half, swung Stormflower out to try and crack Qrow across the back of the skull for a knockout blow.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

"See the sword?" She answered frankly, the level of lethal confidence in her voice almost instilling the sense no further explanation was necessary. Neither she nor anyone else had reacted to the hand placement overmuch, though it did almost seem like Eve was encouraged to step away faster.

"...There's a group from Beacon Academy with overlapping goals, and a handful of faces you might recognize. Friends of Blake. From your Remnant."

"I..." Her mind flashed back to the ease of which Weiss Schnee had captured her, and to the collection of faces that had been gathered around that table. Pretty much every one of them was a skilled fighter in their own right, but...every one of them also had a degree of fear of the man at the head of the table. What that said about him, beyond just his appearance which was terrifying by itself, she didn't want to imagine what he could do. "...I don't think that would be enough." Adam had been powerful, it was true. His skill was not something even the enemies who hated him the most could deny. But it only went so far. "...Oh really??" She brightened at that, relieved to hear that there were other friendly faces who could relate to the absurd strangeness of all this.

"Do they have an...actual plan?"​

 

[Gus Gungus]

"...My... My..."

That... That just hit different. You just didn't do that. It was like watching someone compact your car, only you designed the car from scratch and ten million times worse. Also your baby was inside. Qrow's stylistic game was completely thrown off by the sight, eyes glazed over in a thousand yard stare that went right through Pyrrha and Neo. Was it even possible to rebuild Harbinger the way he had it? Thing had been through so many mod jobs, upgrades and jury riggings over the years he was pretty sure there was nothing like it on the market. Worse, the modifications came from all four corners of the kingdoms, the design tinkered and improved over years of traveling all across Remnant. That scythe had been like a symbol of his personal growth. It was...

It was his undoing, as Ren's plan went off without a hitch.

Except for one thing.

Maybe that was the death knell. But his aura was still doing okay, and while he meant this in the most respectful way imaginable to the brave young man he knew back home, and the dangerous killer before him—Qrow Branwen going down to a cheapshot from Lie freaking Ren?

Nah.

Ren got bodied, the one-time bandit who was A: feeling a little unhinged right now and B: used to cheap shots a lot nastier than that meaning to mount the guy where he tackled him and pretty much pummel him until someone removed him from play with a little more gusto than that.​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

"...Salem did what?!"

Yang was a little slow on the draw to jump in on this conversation, but only because her brain was trying to work past the utterly hilarious implications of what Tock had just dumped on her, and her finger tips were pressed against her temple as she stared blankly at the table from her seat. She didn't blame the others for not really following the importance outside of 'weird magic' of Tock's immortality, but they hadn't been subject to Jinn's trip down the planet's memory lane. Yang had. She'd seen the god's fountains, and she'd saw what they did to people put in them. The entirety of Salem's existence back home was due to what they did.

And NOT ONLY did they still work in this world.

NOT ONLY Did this Salem apparently remember where they were.

BUT SHE ALSO used it to preserve the life of ONE, SPECIFIC HUNTRESS???

There were so, so, so, so, soooo many questions that brought up. Why Tock? Was there a reason she didn't use the pools on more of her agents? Did that mean the Salem back home knew where the pools were too?

"Guys, I dunno if you understand what Tock just told us, but this might mean Salem has the ability to make- make anyone immortal. the- the thing she just described-"

She growled and stopped to fish in her pocket for her scroll as the continuous vibrations from it finally broke her concentration. Who the heck could be messaging her? Literally only one person on this Remnant apart from Ruby had her number, and pretty much everyone else on Watt's weird network was in this room. She squinted at the little notification sign floating in the corner of the tactical app, and clicked it.

"...Uhhh..."

Whyyyyy was uncle Qrow's aura dipping? Her first thought was to brush it off. Maybe her uncle was taking one out of her playbook definitely not the other way around and using some good old fisticuff based information gathering.

But then the aura kept going down.

".......Uhhhhhhhh-"


and down.

"-uuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhmmm-"


And more, and more, and more-

"-UUUUUUHHHMMMM , guys, my uncle's in trouble! They must already know we're here!" She shot up out of her chair and almost immediately started for the door in a jog, regardless of whether anyone else reacted

 

[MidwayLives]

Creak.

But his semblance was exclusively of the 'headache' variety, for everyone involved. And when he actively used it, on top of all the skill and general competence he already had? Things had a habit of getting a little silly.

Neo probably couldn't remember the last time she stepped on a creaky floorboard, but from his understanding of her abilities and the way they might interact with his own he took that as a cue to get the hell out of dodge. The head's up meant he was already moving when Neo swung, and his palm came in to slap Hush to the side before the tip could connect with him, other arm twisting around the parasol to trap it under his arm-

"*exasperated groan*"

Of all the bullshi-
​

-and borrow a move from his niece's playbook as he heard rapid footsteps from behind, mashing Hush's button with his thumb to expand the parasol to guard his back against Pyrrha's blows. He yanked the umbrella back to try bludgeon her with it at the same time his head snapped forward to try and nail Neo with a headbutt, and there was hardly a moment for all three to adjust to the messy entanglement before he vanished yet again, crow form extricating itself from between the sentient rock and hard place before things could get too ugly for him. He didn't stay in bird mode long, shifting back to a human almost immediately and skidding to a halt a short distance away, panting lightly with exertion. He wasn't used to exerting himself like this in fights; even against enemies as deranged and psychotic as Tyrian he preferred to keep a level head, his breathing and aura consumption under control, relying mostly on pure style and skill. Those weren't gonna do him much good here.

Neo fell back, her aura shimmering around her. Watching as Hush clattered to the floor, Neo pressed both her hands against the staircase and turned her descent into an impromptu backflip. Landing ever so gracefully on her feet, she sheepishly grabbed Hush and closed it back up.

It was a good thing she couldn't talk.

She didn't have to waste energy groaning about how embarrassing that'd been.
​

"Maybe it's not my business, but you-" He nodded at Neo. "-are being real stupid about this, kid. You know the only reason we're doing all this is to get back, right? You should be working WITH us!"

"*inquisitive murmur*"

Huh, y'know when you made it clear as day like that? Neo could see Qrow's point.

....But did she really want to go back?

In her world, Cinder didn't treat her as an equal, just a thug to use sparingly.

....In her world, Roman was dead and no matter how many times she pinged his scroll's number, he'd never reply.

But, that didn't matter here! Sure, he seemed to be a goody two shoes here but Roman was ALIVE! Once she killed her other self, then she could take her place and turn on these guys and take them down with Roman! Suppressing her urges to have her own brand of fun would be difficult and even suck. She'd make the effort him though. She always would without a doubt.

So, she gave Qrow a light 'sorry, what can ye do?' shrug.
​

anger and the raw lightning coursing through her, swung down Magnhild in a wild repeated frenzy to shatter Harbinger into nothing more than a jagged mess of broken metal bits littering the floor. And that was when Ren, intending to capitalize on the loud and destructive distraction from his better half, swung Stormflower out to try and crack Qrow across the back of the skull for a knockout blow.

Ouch.

The quickest way to a huntsman's heart seemed to be through their weapons. Neo knew for sure that she loved Hush. it looked cute and could also kill people! That's all she really needed!

As bits and pieces of metal and gears landed at her feet, she blinked and placed her hands on her hips.

Huh.
​

Nah.

Ren got bodied, the one-time bandit who was used to cheap shots a lot nastier than that meaning to tackle the guy to the ground and pretty much pummel him until someone removed him from play with a little more gusto than that.

As fun as it was to see Qrow beat the tar out of this guy, Neo supposed things had to come to a close now. She wasn't so stupid as to think that Qrow was totally screwed. Sure, he could get beaten up and knocked out here. But someone would come looking for him and if he recovered and fought alongside them?

Weeeeeelll, that'd just ruin everyone's day wouldn't it?

Drawing her blade from Hush, Neo made her way over to Qrow with a light skip.

She looked over him and quirked her head.

": )"

Then immediately started trying to drive Hush's blade into his side through attempted repeated stabs.

She could keep this up all day! No matter how many stabs it took, something had to give, and Neo was curious to see what would break first! Qrow's aura or her patience! .

spoiler: She was betting on Qrow's aura.

Gripping the handle of Hush's blade tightly, she sought to give it one good plunge. All while turning her head to look Qrow in the eyes. One hand pointing upwards to the bowler hat sitting atop her head. She doubted Qrow knew who it belonged to or cared and that was it okay! She just wanted to make one thing clear.

She didn't care whether it was Ozpin, Cinder, Salem, Qrow, whoever.

NOTHING would stop her from being with Roman! NOTHING!!!

*stab*​

 

[MyrtenRose]

Ren got bodied, the one-time bandit who was used to cheap shots a lot nastier than that meaning to tackle the guy to the ground and pretty much pummel him until someone removed him from play with a little more gusto than that.

Oh.

Mistakes had been made. His assumption that attack would have been enough was a erroneous one. Something that became increasingly more apparent with each strike that came from the pummeling. He was caught so off guard and Qrow was so clearly pissed off that Ren could barely offer any resistance. Blow after blow landed, eliciting pained grunts from the enforcer. "Ren!" Nora called out, dashing past the broken remains of Qrow's blade to close the distance between them and get that scum off her man. She probably would have done so savagely, but she simply didn't get there first.

Yang did.
​

Drawing her blade from Hush, Neo made her way over to Qrow with a light skip.

She looked over him and quirked her head.

": )"

Then immediately started trying to drive Hush's blade into his side through attempted repeated stabs.

Complete with punching Neo(or her illusion) and putting a stop to those attacks after a few blows. This man looked just like her uncle. Finishing him was her responsibility.

A mean right hook, enhanced to a good degree by that backhanded swing from Nora earlier struck Qrow in the head. There was next to no expression in Yang's face as she struck out so and knocked Qrow to the floor a few feet away. That was enough to shatter his aura, at least. She took a few steps over to the prone huntsman and kicked him in the face with a heavy boot to knock him out. That done, she grabbed him by the collar and lifted his body up...to the tune of an appreciative whistle that came from the front doors. All those gathered that bothered to look caught sight of the other Qrow, standing there and holding the unconscious form of Raven in much the same way.

"You guys really made a mess, huh?" Even he couldn't help wincing slightly at the damaged Harbinger. Small wince. Little bit. "Can't say I managed to not do so. My sister's tough. Just about as good as I am...luck wasn't on her side though."

"Okay, so." Pyrrha cut in, moving right along from that subject. "The damage is already extensive, and for all we know the rest might already be on the way here. We should ready ourselves and restrain these two. Leonardo!" The lion meekly nodded, going to grab the two and secure them elsewhere.

"Blake! Your people should start getting the explosives ready."​

 

[Gus Gungus]

"I..." Her mind flashed back to the ease of which Weiss Schnee had captured her, and to the collection of faces that had been gathered around that table. Pretty much every one of them was a skilled fighter in their own right, but...every one of them also had a degree of fear of the man at the head of the table. What that said about him, beyond just his appearance which was terrifying by itself, she didn't want to imagine what he could do. "...I don't think that would be enough." Adam had been powerful, it was true. His skill was not something even the enemies who hated him the most could deny. But it only went so far. "...Oh really??" She brightened at that, relieved to hear that there were other friendly faces who could relate to the absurd strangeness of all this.

"Do they have an...actual plan?"

"..." Eve just glared over her shoulder at the other girl, clearly resentful of the implication that her intentions weren't an actual plan. "Sounds like fear talking. I don't care to listen."

At that moment, a 30ish woman with rhinoceros traits sprinted up to the table, breathless.

"EVE! Disturbance... academy... fight... starting..." She paused to catch her breath.

Eve was already moving towards the door, snatching Wilt and Blush off the table and hanging them from her belt with an air of professionalism. She turned just before the doorway, glancing over the room where where Corsac, Fennec, and the rest of Mistral's assembled White Fang looked to her in clear anticipation of a speech.

"Disturbance academy fight starting." She repeated sarcastically, wasting little time in turning away again. "Let's go introduce ourselves."

Somehow, the sheer radiating confidence and unwavering determination made the 'speech' seem as rallying as one ten times its length, and a united cry rang out originating from the rhino woman as the White Fang moved out.​

 

[MidwayLives]

Complete with punching Neo(or her illusion) and putting a stop to those attacks after a few blows. This man looked just like her uncle. Finishing him was her responsibility.

Neo spotted something approaching her very fast out of the corner of her eye.

*shatter!*

Neo sat down at the bottom of the stairs, glaring as this world's Yang took over knocking out Qrow.

Whatever, punches were so blase, Neo simply folded one leg over the other and huffed.

The nerve to have a face like that...

"*dismissive huff*"

Seem it didn't matter the world, a bitch was still a bitch.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

"Guys, I dunno if you understand what Tock just told us, but this might mean Salem has the ability to make- make anyone immortal. the- the thing she just described-"

"Not exactly." Tock started. The crocodile would have continued, but by that point the increasingly loud UHMs had taken over...and then in a rush Yang was out the door. Followed by an even faster Ruby. And Cinder jumping up out of her seat to follow, mentally smacking herself for having turned off her scroll so she could listen intently. Presumably the rest followed in quick succession. Vernal was the last to leave, apart from Tock herself. "O-kay! No plan, direct approach it is! Suits me fineeeeee." Tock got up from her couch and strode out, swinging the door shut behind her with barely a care and then dashing to catch up with the rest.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

"..." Eve just glared over her shoulder at the other girl, clearly resentful of the implication that her intentions weren't an actual plan. "Sounds like fear talking. I don't care to listen."

"...You would if you had been there." Ilia muttered quietly right as another ran up out of breath and delivered the news. It was already starting from the sounds of it, and after that somehow successful speech, the chameleon followed behind most of the White Fang members.​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

As the violence broke out, Blake leaped backwards instead of forwards into the fray, and the shadow fang members with her all sprung to the sides. They'd been instructed not to engage the two veteran hunters directly; Blake knew the limits of her people, and one of them getting hurt when there were so many humans here itching to prove their mettle in a fight and pay back some of their bruised egos from beacon seemed wasteful. They all landed near the exits and windows with weapons drawn, looking less like people and more like shadowy guardians behind their animal masks. Blake herself kept to the shadows, content to observe and only jump in if necessary, or if reinforcements decided to rear their head.

It wasn't, and they didn't. She dropped down out of the shadows of the ceiling to land deftly next to Pyrrha in a crouch.

"They already are" She replied. "We should-"

A quiet frown formed underneath her mask, and she held up a finger on one hand as the other pressed against the comms in her ear. "What. This isn't the time-"

...

"...Are you sure?"

...

"How?" Her voice sharpened at whoever was on the other side of this conversation. "We found the spies who helped them with beacon. And how does Sienna even know in the first place!?"

.......

"...Very well."



She lowered both hands and turned to stride away, a purpose in her step and sheer, cold fury rolling of of her shoulders and voice in waves.

"Salem's pet hunters aren't the only ones on the move. The White Fang know we're here, and they're already mobilizing. We need to move the timetable up on the tower, even if it means losing the maiden. One of you should come with me to ensure the bombing goes as planned." It was an order spoken with an authority she didn't technically have, yet the deep, dark frustration dipping from her words didn't really brook any argument.

More traitors. More liars. More backstabbers who claimed they believed in The Fight then slid into bed with the humans at first sign of compassion, like a beaten dog getting its chin scratched. Why? How could they think what they were doing was right? If they couldn't fight, then so be it, she knew how much it hurt to harden your heart to do what needed to be done, and not everyone had the strength. Yet here they were, getting in their way. Siding with the kingdoms and their human overlords. AGAIN.

And Eve was at the front of it all once more.

Along with the Ilia who's life she saved from Ozpin, who Sienna had shown a disgusting amount of mercy towards.

She'd always thought Sienna's once chance policy was harsh. The only reason she'd gone for the kill against Eve was because she thought it'd be the most painless version of the Faunus' by then inevitable demise she'd earned from her transgressions. A faunus was a faunus, no matter how soft hearted or stupid they acted; the world had been so cruel to them, to all of them, and she could hardly blame them for ending up wrongheaded because of it. Yet what she'd seen as an act of kindness had been practically spat back into her face. Ilia had seen the face of power itself, been subjected to its whims, and she still chose to side with the humans. To side with Eve.

So be it.

No more second chances.

If they crossed her path today, it would be the last steps they took. Just one more sin to add to the pile she was building towards a righteous future.

 

[Gus Gungus]

She looked over him and quirked her head.

": )"

">: )"

Then at long last, birdy went night night. He hadn't dropped that ferocious, loathing grin even when it seemed like he was gonna get stabbed, though.

 

[MyrtenRose]

"Salem's pet hunters aren't the only ones on the move. The White Fang know we're here, and they're already on the move. We need to move the timetable up on the tower, even if it means losing the maiden. One of you should come with me to ensure the bombing goes as planned." It was an order spoken with an authority she didn't technically have, yet the deep, dark frustration dipping from her words didn't really brook any argument.

"That'll be me." Pyrrha nodded. As far as she was concerned it was the most reasonable choice. Qrow had already turned away and fished out his scroll to call for his own scattered crew that had entered the city undercover, informing them all that the time had come and to make their way to the academy. Well, almost all of them. Nora did the same with the ones that she'd managed to hire. So many people and parties would be soon descending on the academy that it would likely end up less classified as a fight and more a small war. But there could be no mistake, no matter who showed up or how many there were...they had to come out on top in the end. Ozpin was certainly not going to be as forgiving with a second failure.

Leonardo, once he had properly secured the two Branwens, came out and suggested that they should wait in the courtyard instead of the foyer. It was the first bit of sense Nora had seen from the feeble man since she'd arrived. Pyrrha evidently agreed, or at least didn't put up any resistance. It didn't really matter where the conflict happened in her eyes. Lionheart nodded, thanking the champion. His fear was so overwhelming that he bowed so easily, and still hadn't noticed what he'd dropped when he had fallen, scattered as it was amidst the wreck back there that had once been Qrow's prized weapon Harbinger. What was coming...there was a good chance Haven academy could end up just as damaged as that blade, even without factoring in the bombs. Leonardo prayed to every god he knew that he would live through this night.

By the time teams WTCH, MTEN, Ruby, Yang, Vernal and Tock had managed to get themselves up from the dregs of the lower levels where the crocodile resided up to the peak of the mountain where Haven Academy awaited, scattered forces of unrecognizable men and women awaited them. Shadow Fang forces, the more disheveled and dirty members of the other Qrow's bandit tribe that stood in contrast with the more professional looking criminals hired by Nora. But by far what stood out more were the faces they did recognize, standing atop that balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Nora, Ren, Jaune, Neo...no surprise there. Leo, as expected, hiding among the back. Off to the side, looking down with crossed arms...this world's Yang glaring down at her double. And on the other side...

"Vernal." Qrow growled in greeting, in a way that indicated to her exactly what he was expecting, just from his tone and expression.

There was no spoken reply but it was clear that the bandit maiden got the message. The sudden tempest of lightning that came down before any of them could react to it, that made it perfectly clear. Bolt after bolt slammed down and struck Emerald, so many in such quick succession that it went far beyond overkill, but Vernal made absolutely sure that the girl was down for the count and would be for the foreseeable future. Cinder also caught several of the bolts as they came down, zapping the other maiden with enough force that she was effectively taken out of the fight...but it was still nowhere near the brunt that Emerald took.

Cinder grimaced from where she laid, head lifted up to deliver a particularly scathing look at her fellow maiden. "W-wh--" Another bolt interrupted her, rendering her completely unconscious.

Nothing personal, kid. Just following the wishes of our leader.

Tock spun to face the maiden hanging behind everyone else, but that was all she or anyone else in the group managed before a hurricane-force burst of wind sent the entire group of students and otherworldly visitors and the crocodile all flying forward. That seemed to be enough for them to start it in full, with the scattered Shadow Fang and criminals of all types opening fire on the group at large. Nora and Ren jumped down from the balcony as one, the ginger swinging Magnhild down to slam into Ruby. The blow was avoided though, Ruby vanishing in a burst of roses and Nora scowled, doing what she could to give chase and unloading grenade after grenade to try and nail that speedy huntress. Ren in the meantime went for Roman, unloading both his guns on Torchwick.

The Yang up there, unsurprisingly, leaped down in much the same way. She threw her arms behind her and with a double shot of both gauntlets, rocketed right into her counterpart with great force, a flying tackle that sent both back beyond Vernal. Leonardo did not repeat that move like any of them, only taking the occasional potshot with his weapon from up high, doing his best to stay back away from the thickest fighting. The bandit Qrow had seemingly vanished in the chaos, only reappearing when the bird flying high overhead was a bird no longer. He sailed down through the air, swinging out with Harbinger when he was close enough in an attack meant for Tyrian.

By that point Tock was already well back on her feet, dashing through the crowd and swatting aside any mere criminal or shadow fang member stupid enough to get in her way, all to get back to the person she now recognized was the Spring Maiden. Something that was going to be easier said than done, as the faunus barely managed to dodge bolt after bolt sent her way while working through the messy crowd. But it still didn't seem to deter the croc, not judging from that look.

If anything, she would relish the challenge. Going up against a maiden...she hadn't been in a fight that had that much potential for pushing her to her limits in a very, very long time. She intended to enjoy every second of it.​

 

[MidwayLives]

By the time teams WTCH, MTEN, Ruby, Yang, Vernal and Tock had managed to get themselves up from the dregs of the lower levels where the crocodile resided up to the peak of the mountain where Haven Academy awaited, scattered forces of unrecognizable men and women awaited them. Shadow Fang forces, the more disheveled and dirty members of the other Qrow's bandit tribe that stood in contrast with the more professional looking criminals hired by Nora. But by far what stood out more were the faces they did recognize, standing atop that balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Nora, Ren, Jaune, Neo...no surprise there. Leo, as expected, hiding among the back. Off to the side, looking down with crossed arms...this world's Yang glaring down at her double. And on the other side...

Tyrian had hopped off the couch and followed his teammates without a moment's hesitation. He could feel the blood coursing through his veins. His appetite for fighting had never left him and was hungrier than he'd ever seen it before. He surveyed those gathered and frowned upon seeing Qrow along with members of his tribe. He'd almost done a 360 on the drunkard after seeing him agree to help them back at his camp/let Vernal come along with them. Sparing a sympathetic glance over at Vernal, the faunus realized there was nothing left to do but fight.

Pulling his hood down and pulling his arms free of his jacket, he gripped onto the piece of fabric and tossed it to the wind.

*pop*

"Never have I wanted a fight as badly as I do now...."

Cracking his neck from side to side, Tyrian took note of the scar lining his left shoulder and grit his teeth. The woman responsible for using his own tail against him was standing infront of him. This was his chance to prove both Watts and Eve wrong. He could take Valkyrie and he'd do it without needing to be bossed around to do so. But...If his team needed him, he'd come. Still, didn't mean a little indulging was a bad thing.

"I say we cease with the staring and get down to why we're really here!!!"
​

There was no spoken reply but it was clear that the bandit maiden got the message. The sudden tempest of lightning that came down before any of them could react to it, that made it perfectly clear. Bolt after bolt slammed struck Emerald, so many in such quick succession that it went far beyond overkill, but Vernal made absolutely sure that the girl was down for the count and would be for the foreseeable future. Cinder also caught several of the bolts as they came down, zapping the other maiden with enough force that she was effectively taken out of the fight...but it was still nowhere near the brunt that Emerald took.

Cinder grimaced from where she laid, head lifted up to deliver a particularly scathing look at her fellow maiden. "W-wh--" Another bolt interrupted her, rendering her completely unconscious.

...W-What had just happened???

Emerald and Cinder had been taken out by...Vernal!?

Tyrian's eyes went wide and his eyes began to glow as a snarl snaked it's way free from his mouth. "You...YOU BITCH!!!" He didn't care if she was a maiden or not. Nobody did that but scumbags and Tyrian had seen enough of humanity's worse to last him a lifetime. And he was only 17! Clashing his blades together, he turned to pounce at Vernal, ready to let her have it-

'KIL!!!! KILL HER!!!! KILL HER!!!!"

"...."

No....No, he couldn't go that far-
​

The bandit Qrow had seemingly vanished in the chaos, only reappearing when the bird flying high overhead was a bird no longer. He sailed down through the air, swinging out with Harbinger when he was close enough in an attack meant for Tyrian.

The force of Vernal's sudden gust of wind sent Tyrian skidding back before taking him off his feet altogether. "Damn it!" He cursed as loud as he could. Unraveling his tail and digging his stinger into the ground to try and steady himself, he ripped it free once he was still. Wrapping it around his waist once more, he sighed in relief. His worst impulses were getting worse and stronger after what he'd just seen. He couldn't have his tail out and about or else he might be tempted to do something he'd later regret...

Looking up as Qrow came down, Tyrian raised his gauntlets and the sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. Tyrian could feel his muscles straining as the clash drew out and lashed out with a kick to the gut to push Qrow back and get some distance between the two.

"You scum!!! I had thought you a drunkard but not a traitor!! You're no better than a common thug. What would your daughter think if she saw her father was such a bastard?!"

'And I'll put you down like one!!!'

"...AND I"LL PUT YOU DOWN LIKE ONE!!!!"

Tyrian blasted forward, swiping and snarling like, well, a wild animal!

In the end, Tyrian supposed, humans were the same as they'd always been. Deceitful, treacherous creatures who just couldn't be trusted! He'd make these guys pay. HE"D KILL THEM!!!!

​

 

[Gus Gungus]

If anything, she would relish the challenge. Going up against a maiden...she hadn't been in a fight that had that much potential for pushing her to her limits in a very, very long time. She intended to enjoy every second of it.

She was gonna have to get in line.

The swirling inferno that built to encircle the battleground appeared in a matter of seconds, a wrathful typhoon of blazing orbs much like the one born in the wilds a few nights ago as mechanical legs fired like pistons. As the spectacle whirled chaotically, wherever Hazel was on the battlefield he found his back used as an impromptu springpad, the culprit moving like an absolute demon as he blasted off into the air, arcing high over the battlefield towards the one he sought. As Vernal concentrated fire on Tock, the faint orange glow coalescing above like a miniature sun was the most indication she had of what was about to happen as that sun came down on her in a hail of fiery meteors, a concoction of fire and wind dust rendering each fireball an incendiary explosive in its own right.

But it wasn't about the fireballs. Not really. It was about creating enough confusion, smoke and searing light to render the maiden temporarily blind, all to give him the opportunity-- and satisfaction-- of doing this.

"I AM GONNA BREAK YOU INTO PIECES, YOU NOBODY PUNK!"

Emerald hadn't even figured out what was hitting her by the time she passed out. She was just screaming, more and more pitifully each time. Sad, really.

Sadder for some.

The blaze was still raging around them as he leapt straight on the offensive, acutely aware of how badly this had the potential to go for him.

Thing was, he didn't care. And he was equally aware of just how many other pissed off Beacon Academy students were headed this way, right now, thinking the exact same thing he was.​

 

[MidwayLives]

"Salem's pet hunters aren't the only ones on the move. The White Fang know we're here, and they're already on the move. We need to move the timetable up on the tower, even if it means losing the maiden. One of you should come with me to ensure the bombing goes as planned." It was an order spoken with an authority she didn't technically have, yet the deep, dark frustration dipping from her words didn't really brook any argument.

Ah, look who it was!

The kitty cat who apparently didn't feel so inclined to fight with the rest of them! Maybe if she had instead of slinking in the shadows like the world's least intimidating bogeyman, Neo might not have gotten headbutted and almost knocked down the stairs like a klutz.

Neo rolled her eyes and gave a flippant wave of the hand to Blake's 'order.' If the faunus wanted her help, Neo had one request: that the word 'beg' be in there somewhere.

But it wasn't so she'd be staying right here.
​

"-UUUUUUHHHMMMM , guys, my uncle's in trouble! They must already know we're here!" She shot up out of her chair and almost immediately started for the door in a jog, regardless of whether anyone else reacted

Roman had said uncharacteristically very little during-and after-Tock's story.

His thoughts were elsewhere for the time being. He knew Neo could handle herself/she probably hadn't strayed too far but....

Ozpin's agents were here and they would probably show no mercy if they caught any of them.

"Neo..."

The sudden news that Qrow was in deep trouble shook Roman from his funk. He hauled ass after Mercury and Emerald, eager to help out where and however he could. The time for the big fight he'd been so worried about had finally come.

...Huh, wasn't that weird? His bottom lip was quivering.

Biting down on it, Roman knew full well the reason behind it, even now? He was still frightened out of his wits. This was probably going to be the second most dangerous battle his team had ever been involved in but he wouldn't lie to himself and put on a cool front like Mercury. That just wasn't who he was at his core. He also couldn't just freak out the opposition like Emerald. No discovering his semblance put a kibosh on that real quick.

He was just....him!

Sparing another brief glance at the sky, Roman lowered his head and continued running. "I hope....I can see this again." All of them together. His friends united together to stop the greatest evil plauging the world. It was scary, sure, he knew that. He even felt that. But, they'd do this...together.
​

Leonardo, once he had properly secured the two Branwens, came out and suggested that they should wait in the courtyard instead of the foyer. It was the first bit of sense Nora had seen from the feeble man since she'd arrived. Pyrrha evidently agreed, or at least didn't put up any resistance. It didn't really matter where the conflict happened in her eyes. Lionheart nodded, thanking the champion. His fear was so overwhelming that he bowed so easily, and still hadn't noticed what he'd dropped when he had fallen, scattered as it was amidst the wreck back there that had once been Qrow's prized weapon Harbinger. What was coming...there was a good chance Haven academy could end up just as damaged as that blade, even without factoring in the bombs. Leonardo prayed to every god he knew that he would live through this night.

By the time teams WTCH, MTEN, Ruby, Yang, Vernal and Tock had managed to get themselves up from the dregs of the lower levels where the crocodile resided up to the peak of the mountain where Haven Academy awaited, scattered forces of unrecognizable men and women awaited them. Shadow Fang forces, the more disheveled and dirty members of the other Qrow's bandit tribe that stood in contrast with the more professional looking criminals hired by Nora. But by far what stood out more were the faces they did recognize, standing atop that balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Nora, Ren, Jaune, Neo...no surprise there. Leo, as expected, hiding among the back. Off to the side, looking down with crossed arms...this world's Yang glaring down at her double. And on the other side...

So, the backup had finally arrived!

And here she was wondering if she had enough time to file her nails. Sheathing the blade back inside Hush, Neo hopped to her feet and looked over those gathered. The goody-good version of Red, the one who had cost her Roman his life. The blonde brute who Neo wondered if had gotten any stronger since their first fight(Neo sincerely doubted it.), and....there he was standing alongside the good versions of Mercury and Emerald. God, that still felt weird to think about.

Her eyes met his and his hers.

"*Pleased giggle*"

Sure, the last time they met hadn't exactly been on the best of terms. She, along with her, other had saved Roman from presumably being murdered by Nikos. Something she still intended to make the Mistral champion pay for by the by(that and the jab to the head.)but Neo thought it clear enough that she had no issues with Roman, far from it! Well, his attitude could use a little adjusting but once things settled, there'd be plenty of time for-

'Neo."

"...?"

"..Why?? Why are you doing this?! Why are you with THEM!?" Roman gestured outwards to the rest of Ozpin's goons. Neo followed his gaze and then returned to meet his own. ...What did he expect from her?? Clearly, he had to know of this world's Ozpin! Or else that'd be a really stupid question to ask! She didn't give a rat's ass about anyone on this 'side', she was doing this as a means to an end and that was all!

Roman broke off staring at her.

"...." Had...Had she done something wrong? He had to understand why she was doing this! She didn't care about Ozpin's ideals! She was doing this for for him, for THEM! He wasn't the Roman she'd known and grown attached to but he was still 'a' Roman Torchwick! All he needed was the right Neo by his side and things could be just like how they were! Before...Before fate snatched him away from her! Her left hand balled up into a fist and her eyes narrowed.

Why??? Why wouldn't he look at her?!
​

There was no spoken reply but it was clear that the bandit maiden got the message. The sudden tempest of lightning that came down before any of them could react to it, that made it perfectly clear. Bolt after bolt slammed struck Emerald, so many in such quick succession that it went far beyond overkill, but Vernal made absolutely sure that the girl was down for the count and would be for the foreseeable future. Cinder also caught several of the bolts as they came down, zapping the other maiden with enough force that she was effectively taken out of the fight...but it was still nowhere near the brunt that Emerald took.

Cinder grimaced from where she laid, head lifted up to deliver a particularly scathing look at her fellow maiden. "W-wh--" Another bolt interrupted her, rendering her completely unconscious.

Is what Roman might have said if the situation were less serious.

But, his teammate and one of his best friends had just gotten hit like a persistent bug in a fly zapper. As soon as Emerald's body hit the ground, Roman windmilled around and turned Melodic Cudgel onto Vernal.

"You're going to PAY for that!!!"

Before he could pull the trigger and fire, he was thrown back by the gust of wind Vernal's powers afforded her. Crashing onto the floor with a thud, Roman struggled to find his bearings as he rose back to his feet and patted himself off. He'd gotten absolutely wrecked by Pyrrha for all of her skills wasn't even close to a Maiden from Roman's understanding. He had no business even trying to challenge Vernal but Emerald was one of his closest friends and he couldn't just sit by while Mercury took on the burden himself.

"Mercury! I'm-"

Then she appeared in front of him.

Her eyes pleading and Hush at her side. She'd seen what a Maiden was capable of if they got pissed off. She'd managed to land some good hits on Cinder and Neo had no doubt in her mind that if it wasn't for the powers, Neo would have had the victory dead to rights. What she believed and what was reality were two very different things, however. She didn't think that the Roman of any world could even come close to a maiden. He'd only end up...

"Out of my way."

"*affronted gasp!*"

Roman hadn't pointed Melodic Cudgel at her but his tone made it clear that he didn't very much like her getting in his way. "I said, out of my way, Neo. I won't ask again!" He snapped and Neo...slowly shook her head. She hadn't told anybody about her relationship to Roman, she wasn't saying and nobody cared to know, but she couldn't let this one run to his death!

".....Does this mean you're going to fight me?"

The question hit Neo like a ton of bricks. She really didn't want to hurt Roman, hell, if she had her way, she'd knock him out and lay him off to the side. But there were too many variables at the moment for even that to be considered safe! He could be hit by friendly fire or be taken as a hostage or-
​

Ren in the meantime went for Roman, unloading both his guns on Torchwick.

"*concerned yelp*"

Neo swung Hush and caught Roman right in the side with it, saving him from Ren's initial barrage. While also framing it as failed attack on him. She didn't need these goons breathing down her neck for 'playing nice' with the enemy when all was said and done. She just had to play her part and off her competition and then she'd turn on these jerks and kill them-er....bring them to justice or....whatever.

Roman crashed to the ground and looked over at Neo. Their eyes met again for but a second before Roman tore his gaze away.

Neo felt as though she'd been stabbed in the heart. ...She simply couldn't understand WHY he was being so mean to her.

No, that wasn't right. There was a reason. Watching as Roman collected himself and ran off, firing shots from Melodic Cudgel at Ren.

Her other was around here somewhere. Neo calmed herself and scanned the quickly growing brawl for her. Neo knew her own semblance in and out which meant that her other could have quite literally come at her from any direction. It'd take some time, there was no doubt about that. But she'd break her doppleganger's aura and twist the knife for as long as was necessary until she stopped squirming, stopped breathing, stopped existing. She hadn't chosen to come this world or to be dragged to it by forces beyond her control or whatever was going on. What she did choose was to do whatever it took to look into that familiar face everyday again.

Her grip around Hush's handle was so tight she was surprised she hadn't broken the handle off.

She refused to lose Roman again!!!

 

[Indolent]

So much had transpired within a condensed time frame that it boggled her mind. There she was, cordoned within the den of all that was evil with her only reprieve being the company of the reticent assassin who dripped dark humor and the tormented berserker who unnerved her more with his kindness than his rage. One instant she had been under the thumb of darkness supreme and the next, she found herself back at that horrible night. The night she recognized as the fall of Beacon, the very sight resurrecting feelings she thought she had buried away. Her mind grasped at answers like straws, none presenting themselves so readily. Had it been another of Salem's twisted punishments she so teased at delivering yet deferred elsewhere, a concerted act designed to instill fear and control in her, to test her loyalty and extricate evidence contrary.

But the differences were there, the defenders of Beacon that arose not unlike the obnoxious tween in red and her gal pals, and the auburn gladiator with her bumbling boyfriend, shortstack, and... the last one, so forgettable. And they brought her to a standstill, her figure moving nary a millimeter as she gawped at what she had seen. In the place of these two cheery buffoons were two groups of people she was familiar with. A Watts without a mustache, she couldn't even compute. A shorter Hazel though the difference was negligible since he still vastly outstripped every other person. A Tyrian who... felt absolutely the same, though less psychotic outwardly. A Mercury with an absolutely terrible haircut like the backstreet boys. Roman with the bowler hat and the mute in designer clothing of absurd colors that clashed who never left his side. The last two was what she was truly stuck on... the first being herself, a younger self that looked identical to herself in the days... before... before she was discovered by Cinder. Rescued even, given a purpose. Then there was Cinder in question, who looked to be as old as she had been back then. Or as old this Emerald specifically. She didn't know. The whole thing was so confusing, so surreal that she realized it couldn't have been what she thought it was. It was certainly not a gambit on Salem's part, a method born of madness to punish her.

It didn't help matters any when the Ruby Rose she was familiar with made an appearance. And in that instant she knew she couldn't be seen, not until she had gotten to the bottom of it. Or at least scratched past the surface of it all. So she fled, her semblance making the endeavor a casual feat all things considered, given the attention of the do gooders against the invading forces. Though the scene of the chaos that unfolded all around her tug at her heartstrings though, the memory surging back to her mind. Her feelings stood at the forefront of it all. Her departure was discovered by no one save for the errant souls who saw a Grimm dispatched or a salty criminal disabled, their origin ambiguous.

That was then, the events of the week past, and the now... it was a hairy affair but one she managed to work out in her head cleanly enough. She intuited the timetable would be sped up, recognizing the only changes made were the players on the board and then some. And this was one she took part in directly, all for furthering Cinder's agenda. The pieces were there, she only had to look, and the news broadcasts were simply the links she needed.

Which was why Qrow felt the not-so-gentle nudges in his side, stirring him to consciousness side by side his other-world sibling in whatever hovel Leonardo had sequestered them within on the grounds. Whatever his bleary eyes managed to divine beyond the gloom that lifted, there she stood. Her left hand on her hip, her right clasping one half of her Thief's Respite, as she stared upon the veteran huntsmen though not without hesitation riddling her body language. She'd open her mouth and the words didn't come for a second, almost as if they would never.


Then she spoke. "I know you're in the middle of a siesta but your annoying nieces need you. And the kids. Your nasty self is up to no good, among other things." She eyerolled at the mention of the kids before she stepped back, turning to glance out the doorway to ascertain their escape route. She'd already disabled the guards, if any, through the use of her semblance but the tricky bit was the rear guard left behind in light of the fighting. Beyond the hired criminals, the mix of the party weren't White Fang but Shadow Fang-- the differences were fleetingly confusing, the dynamics completely different there as it had been for the kingdoms and Salem. Or were they really just kinda the same with a slight flavorful change. Oh. Ozpin. Ungh, it was going to be difficult adjusting to that and she had a week.

She peered back.

"Get ready."

 

[Gus Gungus]

Then she spoke. "I know you're in the middle of a siesta but your annoying nieces need you. And the kids. Your nasty self is up to no good, among other things." She eyerolled at the mention of the kids before she stepped back, turning to glance out the doorway to ascertain their escape route. She'd already disabled the guards, if any, through the use of her semblance but the tricky bit was the rear guard left behind in light of the fighting. Beyond the hired criminals, the mix of the party weren't White Fang but Shadow Fang-- the differences were fleetingly confusing, the dynamics completely different there as it had been for the kingdoms and Salem. Or were they really just kinda the same with a slight flavorful change. Oh. Ozpin. Ungh, it was going to be difficult adjusting to that and she had a week.

She peered back.

"Get ready."

Qrow had already roused to a blurred state of consciousness some time ago, not one to stay out for more than a few minutes unless you literally put him in a coma. His first reaction was natural, considering who he found himself sharing his plight with. "I TOOK ON ALL THOSE GUYS TO COVER YOUR ESCAPE AND YOU LET YOUR ASS GET CAUGHT?!"

The next few minutes had passed in a sullen, though thoughtful, silence. Okay. He'd found himself in these types of situations with people a lot more intimidating than these dorky murder activists. He was pondering a way to get a guard's attention when he heard a strangled yelp from outside, one that cut off fast as the guard slumped to the floor in rapid succession after seeing lord knows what. He kept his eyes closed and only cracked one when he felt the nudge in his ribs, blinking up at Emerald blearily as he momentarily tried to reconcile her with the less evil (if just as salty) one, only for the truth to dawn.

"So. You wound up here too."

His tone was suspicious, bordering on hostile as he eyed her up with a skeptical frown. Her allegiances back in the potentially least messed up timeline meant he was hardly happy to see her, convenient as it might've been.

"You gonna untie us, or what?" :|​

 

[Indolent]

That was... certainly something. The influx of knowledge Tock had injected into their heads. All that stemmed from a simply curiosity, a thread that once tugged unraveled and revealed many more in way of understanding and questions. Questions especially, especially as was bidden forth by the silliness of Mercury and Emerald, whom Hazel couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of theirs to silently concurring with the implications behind what Yang said of it all.

He didn't even so much bat an eye at Tyrian eliciting a match with the faunus veteran huntress. Actually, was veteran even appropriate to describe Tock from the sound of things? That was a mild intrigue that didn't have the urgency nor priority to be answered at the moment, especially when Yang brought a far more serious matter to their attention.

By the time teams WTCH, MTEN, Ruby, Yang, Vernal and Tock had managed to get themselves up from the dregs of the lower levels where the crocodile resided up to the peak of the mountain where Haven Academy awaited, scattered forces of unrecognizable men and women awaited them. Shadow Fang forces, the more disheveled and dirty members of the other Qrow's bandit tribe that stood in contrast with the more professional looking criminals hired by Nora. But by far what stood out more were the faces they did recognize, standing atop that balcony that overlooked the courtyard. Nora, Ren, Jaune, Neo...no surprise there. Leo, as expected, hiding among the back. Off to the side, looking down with crossed arms...this world's Yang glaring down at her double. And on the other side...

"Vernal." Qrow growled in greeting, in a way that indicated to her exactly what he was expecting, just from his tone and expression.

There was no spoken reply but it was clear that the bandit maiden got the message. The sudden tempest of lightning that came down before any of them could react to it, that made it perfectly clear. Bolt after bolt slammed struck Emerald, so many in such quick succession that it went far beyond overkill, but Vernal made absolutely sure that the girl was down for the count and would be for the foreseeable future. Cinder also caught several of the bolts as they came down, zapping the other maiden with enough force that she was effectively taken out of the fight...but it was still nowhere near the brunt that Emerald took.

Cinder grimaced from where she laid, head lifted up to deliver a particularly scathing look at her fellow maiden. "W-wh--" Another bolt interrupted her, rendering her completely unconscious.

Nothing personal, kid. Just following the wishes of our leader.

Tock spun to face the maiden hanging behind everyone else, but that was all she or anyone else in the group managed before a hurricane-force burst of wind sent the entire group of students and otherworldly visitors and the crocodile all flying forward. That seemed to be enough for them to start it in full, with the scattered Shadow Fang and criminals of all types opening fire on the group at large. Nora and Ren jumped down from the balcony as one, the ginger swinging Magnhild down to slam into Ruby. The blow was avoided though, Ruby vanishing in a burst of roses and Nora scowled, doing what she could to give chase and unloading grenade after grenade to try and nail that speedy huntress. Ren in the meantime went for Roman, unloading both his guns on Torchwick.

The Yang up there, unsurprisingly, leaped down in much the same way. She threw her arms behind her and with a double shot of both gauntlets, rocketed right into her counterpart with great force, a flying tackle that sent both back beyond Vernal. Leonardo did not repeat that move like any of them, only taking the occasional potshot with his weapon from up high, doing his best to stay back away from the thickest fighting. The bandit Qrow had seemingly vanished in the chaos, only reappearing when the bird flying high overhead was a bird no longer. He sailed down through the air, swinging out with Harbinger when he was close enough in an attack meant for Tyrian.

By that point Tock was already well back on her feet, dashing through the crowd and swatting aside any mere criminal or shadow fang member stupid enough to get in her way, all to get back to the person she now recognized was the Spring Maiden. Something that was going to be easier said than done, as the faunus barely managed to dodge bolt after bolt sent her way while working through the messy crowd. But it still didn't seem to deter the croc, not judging from that look.

If anything, she would relish the challenge. Going up against a maiden...she hadn't been in a fight that had that much potential for pushing her to her limits in a very, very long time. She intended to enjoy every second of it.

Hazel was among the last to follow behind, likely with Tock at his back. Other matters on his mind took a backseat to the pressing issue at hand, as he trudged after everyone else only to come to the
sight of the gathered bandits and criminals. A snarled grimace broke his eternally placid features, making his grave disappointment in the disgraced huntsman turned bandit king well known. Of course, Qrow hadn't an iota of scruples left. "How da--"

He couldn't even get the second out, the casual name of Qrow's underling called out evidently the impetus to an assault from within. A death among their own ranks with the bolts that heralded it turned for his own teammate.

He stood there, stricken silent with his pupils dilating for an instance before they narrowed, his haggard breathing becoming long and slow. Time came to a standstill, the chaos that broke suddenly coming to a crawl as the adrenaline kicked in. Mercury's impromptu use of Hazel as to bolster the height of his jump didn't insomuch register as the snapshot that lingered on his mind, his reaction-- there wasn't one at all to his compatriot's maneuver. A rising growl droned from his diaphragm, his face finally reflecting the inner turmoil that failed to reconcile all the emotions from, well, everything, turning into a maelstrom. Its particular flavor was one well known, etched in the subconscious of every living being since time immemorial.



Rage.

There weren't words to be said, only actions to be carried out.



A mix of orange and yellow dust saw the emergence of sparking stone emerging from the flesh of his arms, the spidery cracks reminiscent of parched earth in the desert only if it crackled with electricity. Their outlines, intriguing enough, concided with where his scars were etched into his flesh. He flexed his fingers, his height proffering an inborn vantage as he stared down the selfsame target Mercury had in mind.

And he charged, his fury unshackled as he ran roughshod over any mook that tried to so much as hinder his trampling approach, offering no mercy as they had Emerald.

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

The Yang up there, unsurprisingly, leaped down in much the same way. She threw her arms behind her and with a double shot of both gauntlets, rocketed right into her counterpart with great force, a flying tackle that sent both back beyond Vernal. Leonardo did not repeat that move like any of them, only taking the occasional potshot with his weapon from up high, doing his best to stay back away from the thickest fighting. The bandit Qrow had seemingly vanished in the chaos, only reappearing when the bird flying high overhead was a bird no longer. He sailed down through the air, swinging out with Harbinger when he was close enough in an attack meant for Tyrian.

Yang definitely would've had a lot of words for her uncle's sadder, drunker clone and even more for dear old Auntie Vernal if she'd had her way, but her doppleganger clearly had other plans. Before she could even react to two of their members going down, her forearms had to fly up in a crossguard on sheer instinct, and she landed well behind the rest of the combat with a grunt of exertion as she hit the ground with a roll that ended with her backsliding a few more meters on her feet.

Her stance was already set by the time she stopped moving, and her determined glare briefly quirked up into a smirk. "So! You're the other me I keep hearing about. Gotta admit, I'm kinda disappointed I'm to be the only one from my team who didn't get a cool new look to replace my conscience" she drawled.

She didn't move to advance or strike, though her guard was clearly up as her fists hovered near her chest and her weight shifted from foot to foot.

Her other was around here somewhere. Neo calmed herself and scanned the quickly growing brawl for her. Neo knew her own semblance in and out which meant that her other could have quite literally come at her from any direction. It'd take some time, there was no doubt about that. But she'd break her doppleganger's aura and twist the knife for as long as was necessary until she stopped squirming, stopped breathing, stopped existing. She hadn't chosen to come this world or to be dragged to it by forces beyond her control or whatever was going on. What she did choose was to do whatever it took to look into that familiar face everyday again.

(diet) Neo caught sight of Neo shortly after, but she'd already clocked her double's location before she made her move. Seeing Roman talking to her hurt her heart in ways she couldn't describe, but if there was one thing she'd figured out pretty easily at Beacon, it was this; this other her didn't want Roman hurt any more than she did. The only place Roman was safer than next to that Neo would've been next to herself. She kind of hated herself for it, but taking down her double first like she oh so very much wanted to was, bluntly, a bad move tactically. For her various deep seated deficiencies, having a sharp mind wasn't one of them. Besides, while her double may have been who she wanted to take down most,

There was no spoken reply but it was clear that the bandit maiden got the message. The sudden tempest of lightning that came down before any of them could react to it, that made it perfectly clear. Bolt after bolt slammed down and struck Emerald, so many in such quick succession that it went far beyond overkill, but Vernal made absolutely sure that the girl was down for the count and would be for the foreseeable future. Cinder also caught several of the bolts as they came down, zapping the other maiden with enough force that she was effectively taken out of the fight...but it was still nowhere near the brunt that Emerald took.

Cinder grimaced from where she laid, head lifted up to deliver a particularly scathing look at her fellow maiden. "W-wh--" Another bolt interrupted her, rendering her completely unconscious.

A certain short haired bitch had just rocketed herself up to a very clean second place, Neo's hand shooting to her mouth in terrified shock where she was hiding as she watched her teammate and friend get suddenly torched by lightning. She was already wrestling with the fact that she might lose Torchwick, even if it was just in an emotional sense; seeing Emerald struck so violently, screaming, was a cold spike of abject terror that called to the worst parts of Neo's memories, of seeing the people she cared most for cut down in front of her.

She couldn't do anything for her parents.

She couldn't do what Torchwick deserved.

Like hell was she going to stand by as someone else was ripped from her, and the fear was buried under a despondent rage.

was about to happen as that sun came down on her in a hail of fiery meteors, a concoction of fire and wind dust rendering each fireball an incendiary explosive in its own right.

But it wasn't about the fireballs. Not really. It was about creating enough confusion, smoke and searing light to render the maiden temporarily blind, all to give him the opportunity-- and satisfaction-- of doing this.

"I AM GONNA BREAK YOU INTO PIECES, YOU NOBODY PUNK!"

one day of team drama that hadn't quite been resolved wasn't much when put against the scale of a year's worth of training together, especially in a fight. Neo's illusion shattered when Vernal struck it, Mercury's kick sending her straight into Neo's opened parasol to catch her straight on her back, with the blade extended on the top to catch her and tear through her aura. Mercury's legs carried enough force that even with Neo bracing herself she slid a few feet backwards as her teammate landed and leaped back into the air in a falling axe kick to smash her even harder into the blade-

Only to shatter, a false version of her leader set up to mask whatever his true intentions were. They were two of Beacon's best technical fighters, top of their class, but that might not have been enough against a maiden in a fair fight.

MTEN wasn't ever really about fighting fair though, even with their most dangerous weapon lying on the ground.

 

[MyrtenRose]

Qrow had already roused to a blurred state of consciousness some time ago, not one to stay out for more than a few minutes unless you literally put him in a coma. His first reaction was natural, considering who he found himself sharing his plight with. "I TOOK ON ALL THOSE GUYS TO COVER YOUR ESCAPE AND YOU LET YOUR ASS GET CAUGHT?!"

Were it not for Qrow being able to see her, it would have been easy to take the complete silence as Raven still being out of it. But she was very much conscious and unable to bring herself to look at him. Part of it was out of shame that she had lost to her little brother of all people. Skill to skill, blow for blow they were pretty much an equal match for each other. A fight between them could have gone on for hours, back and forth with no clear winner...but that was without taking his semblance into account. Things Raven couldn't accurately predict, things that added up and up to give the edge to him and had her sliding more and more into the losing category until she had definitively lost.

A larger part was guilt, because yeah, he'd thrown himself into a situation that he was never going to win, just so she could get away...which she failed to do. If he had actually died there as he very well could have been when he was knocked out...

"......sorry." She muttered quietly and shamefully in contrast to his loud shout, still unable to look either him or their unexpected rescuer in the face.​

 

[Schnee Corp Lawyer]

Well shit.

"CINDER!" Watts called out in shock as his partner was absolutely demolished by the maiden. He grunted in frustration as the wind tossed him away and he landed in a slightly less graceful roll than all these hand to hand specialists around him that ended with him on his knees, shield raised and pistol leveled at Vernal's position-

Wow that was a lot of fire. Taking shots into that would've been tossing a coin into whether he hit an ally or an enemy, and before he could even grit his teeth in frustration that he had to leave Cinder's attacker to someone else he had other problems as a Shadow Fang operative came flying down from the rafters towards Watt's back with a set of twin short swords in hand. Arthur whirled just in to catch the blades on his shield, the force putting him back to his knees with a grunt. They struggled for a moment as the Faunus tried to force Arthur's arm down farther for an easy kill shot, a battle of strength the faunus was slowly winning "Tch, Weak. Die, you human fi-!"

He blinked as the barrel of Arthur's revolver poked through the hardlight shield, and the faunus' last cognizant thought of the day was that just didn't seem fair.

BANG

Arthur's enemy's head was suddenly encased in ice, and he stumbled back with a muffled yell of surprise as he tried to claw it off, only for it to shatter a second later as Arthur flipped his weapon around to hold by the barrel and clubbed the faunus over the head with the bottom of the handle. He crumpled with a groan, and Arthur had about .5 seconds to celebrate that victory before he had to spin behind cover from the fire of some of Valkyrie's goon squad. He hummed in irritation and poked his head over the rock he'd hidden behind to squeeze off a few shots, mainly just to keep the encroaching enemies back as his rings flickered to life on his hand and a hardlight screen appeared in front of him.

 

[Gus Gungus]

Were it not for Qrow being able to see her, it would have been easy to take the complete silence as Raven still being out of it. But she was very much conscious and unable to bring herself to look at him. Part of it was out of shame that she had lost to her little brother of all people. Skill to skill, blow for blow they were pretty much an equal match for each other. A fight between them could have gone on for hours, back and forth with no clear winner...but that was without taking his semblance into account. Things Raven couldn't accurately predict, things that added up and up to give the edge to him and had her sliding more and more into the losing category until she had definitively lost.

A larger part was guilt, because yeah, he'd thrown himself into a situation that he was never going to win, just so she could get away...which she failed to do. If he had actually died there as he very well could have been when he was knocked out...

"......sorry." She muttered quietly and shamefully in contrast to his loud shout, still unable to look either him or their unexpected rescuer in the face.​

The sight of his not-sibling so shamefaced and contrite stopped him in his tracks for continuing on whatever tirade he'd been about to dive into, not at all intended to be an actual stern reprimand meant to teach Raven humility or anything. When she actually apologized, he immediately walked it back. "Right, forgot you don't have a sense of humor... I'm just yanking your chain, c'mon. I get captured all the time. It's actually kinda funny, the two of us winding up like this. Ha. Hahahahahaha!"

A raucous, near-delirious bout of laughter followed, Raven getting a prompt reminder that she had been captured alongside probably the one person in all of Remnant who could see the deranged humor in such a predicament. "This reminds me of the kinda crap we'd get into when we were in team STRQ! Hahahaha! I missed this!"

Yeah, being a solo huntsman was killer and all, but Qrow was kind of a manchild at heart and those days when it was the four of them were something else. Then he remembered his weapon getting totaled, and he fell into a somber silence. "Oh yeah."

Hopefully Raven got the message to lighten up, anyway. Besides, if there was any blame to be passed around in the situation it belonged to him. He shifted gears back to the matter at hand, since obviously things were bad and they had to escape and regroup with the others right frickin' now. Once Emerald had released them, he wasted no time in heading out of the room and down the hall, checking around corners for anyone not on their side as he made back for the main foyer.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

As she expected, her actions painted a target on her back. Understandably so, but...she wasn't about to refuse her leader when he demanded something. But even more than that, knowing the fate that her counterpart had suffered by this battle's end...she was not going to let anything like that come to pass. It wasn't going to happen. Not to her. She wouldn't let it.​

"I AM GONNA BREAK YOU INTO PIECES, YOU NOBODY PUNK!"

Mercury's kick sending her straight into Neo's opened parasol to catch her straight on her back, with the blade extended on the top to catch her and tear through her aura.

The kick from the beyond pissed off Mercury knocked her back, the sheer force of which likely would have had her stumbling more than she had were it not for the parasol at her back...and the blade that chipped away at a bit of her aura. In the split-seconds that followed, between the false illusion of Mercury attacking and whatever the actual one followed up with, Vernal...simply wasn't there anymore. The spring maiden exploded in a burst of fire that cascaded out in all directions to knock them all back as she surged up into the sky, fiery bursts shooting out of the underside of her boots that kept her hovering up there...​

A mix of orange and yellow dust saw the emergence of sparking stone emerging from the flesh of his arms, the spidery cracks reminiscent of parched earth in the desert only if it crackled with electricity. Their outlines, intriguing enough, concided with where his scars were etched into his flesh. He flexed his fingers, his height proffering an inborn vantage as he stared down the selfsame target Mercury had in mind.

And he charged, his fury unshackled as he ran roughshod over any mook that tried to so much as hinder his trampling approach, offering no mercy as they had Emerald.

...and then back down into a controlled dive that had her soaring through the air to meet that charge head-on, all the power of a maiden slamming into the mountain sized kid souped up by the dust he'd jammed into his forearms.

KRAKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

The loud sound of that collision alone was enough to deafen many a pair of ears, the resulting shockwave likewise alone absolutely sent anyone too close flying a great deal back. When the dust thrown up from that collision finally cleared enough to make out what had happened...those that looked saw Vernal hovering several feet above the giant form of Hazel laying sprawled out on the ground, albeit still conscious. But before she could do anything more to the big dude, the sudden lunge through the air by yet another combatant forced her to abandon any such plans for Hazel, the spring maiden leaning to the side to let the piercing attempted stab from the crocodile faunus sail right past her. By the time Tock hit the ground on the other side and turned back on her heel in an instant for another pass, a fireball slammed into her stomach and pushed her back before she could.

The flames under Vernal's boots swelled up and she rose higher into the sky to get a better view on the numerous opponents that were coming after her.​

 

[MyrtenRose]

Looking up as Qrow came down, Tyrian raised his gauntlets and the sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. Tyrian could feel his muscles straining as the clash drew out and lashed out with a kick to the gut to push Qrow back and get some distance between the two.

"You scum!!! I had thought you a drunkard but not a traitor!! You're no better than a common thug. What would your daughter think if she saw her father was such a bastard?!"

"Don't know, don't care." Whether that was true or simply a bluff to bluntly dismiss and brush off Tyrian's words like they were nothing, only Qrow could say. And he wasn't in a sharing mood.​

"...AND I"LL PUT YOU DOWN LIKE ONE!!!!"

Tyrian blasted forward, swiping and snarling like, well, a wild animal!

Each and every swipe was either blocked or parried with practiced ease as the bandit king kept stepping back in response to Tyrian's relentless pressing forward...at least until Qrow abruptly took a bow and Tyrian's wild push forward faltered when some unlucky fool that had been tossed through the air soared over Qrow and just as unluckily slammed into Tyrian and knocked the scorpion to the ground...at which point Harbinger came down in a stab meant for one of Tyrian's arms.​