Ruby awoke with a gasp, her head throbbing. Her vision swam into focus, revealing a sterile, cold environment. She was lying on her back, her arms and legs strapped to a metal table. A bright light shone directly above her, making her wince. The cold metal seeped into her skin, and she pulled against the leather straps, a surge of panic flooding through her veins. This felt all too familiar.
A low, cynical chuckle drew her attention. RomanTorchwick was standing by the table, a smug look on his face as he took a long drag from his cigar. His hat was pulled low, casting a shadow over his eyes.
"Don't bother, kid," Roman said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Those things are meant to hold even the biggest grimm. Not that you're far from it."
Ruby glared at him, her body tensing. "Where am I? What do you want with me?"
Roman just grinned, holding up a small, black device. "Oh, I don't want anything. He does." He tapped a button on the device, and a shimmer of blue light filled the air. Suddenly, a figure materialized in front of them-a transparent, floating image of Dr. Merlot.
The mad scientist's face was a study in smug triumph. He wasn't the crazed man she remembered; this version was calm, collected, and utterly terrifying. His eyes, magnified by his goggles, were fixed on her with a chilling, clinical gaze.
"There you are," Merlot said, his voice echoing with a slight, unnatural distortion. "I was beginning to think you had truly slipped away. But no. The universe, it seems, has a wonderful sense of order. You are exactly where you belong."
"Leave me alone!" Ruby yelled, her voice breaking. She strained against the straps, her aura flaring in a desperate attempt to break free, but it was useless.
Merlot's holographic form drifted closer to the table. "I'm afraid that's impossible. Your unique essence... it's quite fascinating. I had to collect a new sample. Something more... potent. Something to finally unlock your true potential." He gestured toward a mechanical arm that hovered above the table. A sharp needle at its tip was filled with a glowing, fiery substance that seemed to writhe with a life of its own.
"It's a shame that your aura has so little to do with your power. But I have found... a new method to accelerate the process."
Ruby's eyes widened in horror. "No! Don't you dare!" she screamed, her body writhing against the restraints.
Merlot's voice was a detached, triumphant hum. "I'm told it will burn a little. But the results will be quite extraordinary."
With a soft whir, the mechanical arm descended. The needle plunged into Ruby's arm, and a wave of pure, agonizing pain shot through her. It wasn't a normal pain; it was a fire in her veins, a liquid agony that spread from her shoulder to her fingertips, making every muscle scream. Her vision blurred, and her last coherent thought was a single, primal word.
She screamed.
The fire. It consumed everything. The pain wasn't just a physical sensation; it was an entity, a searing, liquid agony that spread through her veins, turning her blood to molten metal. Her muscles screamed in protest, every nerve ending alive with a furious, burning torment. Her mind, once a chaotic storm of fear and anger, was now just a single, broken thought: the pain... the burning pain.
Her vision started to blur, the bright lights above her dimming into a hazy, indistinguishable blur. The cold of the metal table beneath her body felt miles away, and her own ragged breathing became muffled, a distant sound swallowed by the roaring inferno inside her. Consciousness was a slippery thing, and she felt her grip on it loosening, her thoughts becoming more fragmented. She was about to pass out, to fall into the blessed nothingness of unconsciousness once again, and she welcomed it.
But just before she can, the sound of an explosion was heard. It was a distant rumble, a low growl that shook the very foundations of the underground city. It was followed by a sharp, metallic screech and a blinding flash.
Roman groaned, his theatrics giving way to a more genuine annoyance. He pulled his head out of the train car's open doorway and looked out. "Perry, if you and the boys could take care of that? Kind of in the middle of something," he said, gesturing back at the prone, groaning form of Ruby on the table.
Perry and two other White Fang members nodded and moved off, their weapons drawn.
Just as they disappeared into the darkness, another, much closer explosion went off, sending a wave of panicked screams echoing through the tunnels. A horde of White Fang members suddenly came running from the direction of the blast.
"What is going on here!?" Roman demanded, his voice now a frustrated roar. He saw one of his members fall in a flash of bright crimson energy and realized with a sickening jolt that this wasn't just a random attack.
Meanwhile, on the table, Ruby let out a weak groan. The pain had subsided just enough for her to feel the cold reality of the metal straps around her waist. She gave a futile tug, but she was too weak.
Dr. Merlot, his holographic form flickering violently with the new vibrations, scowled. "A pity," he sighed, his voice dripping with annoyance. "It seems my experiment has been disturbed." He looked at the chaos around them, and his face settled back into a pragmatic smirk. "No matter. I did what I came here to do." His gaze fell back on Ruby, who was too weak even to raise her head. "The burning pain will hurt for days," he said, a note of dark glee in his voice. "Until it does what I need it to do" He added.
Meanwhile, Roman, his eyes scanning the chaos, saw three figures-a blur of yellow, white, and black-and a man with a weaponized coffee thermos charging toward the train. "Crap," he cursed under his breath. "It's her team."
"I guess she wasn't alone after all," Dr. Merlot said, his form wavering with a finality. "No matter, get rid of her, send her back to her team, and let's get this train moving."
Roman gave a sharp nod. He barked an order to a nearby White Fang member, who quickly approached the table and unstrapped Ruby. With a brutal shove, the member threw her from the train car, her body landing hard on the cold, unforgiving floor. She fell to her knees, a pained groan escaping her lips, before collapsing completely. Her mind and body were still burning from the substance. The fluid agony inside her had traveled everywhere, leaving a network of black veins that now covered her from head to toe. Her eyes flickered erratically, a terrifying strobe of silver to red to back again.
Merlot's holographic form knelt, his chilling gaze fixed on her. "Until we meet again... my sweet girl," he whispered, and then his form pixelated and vanished completely.
Roman looked at the White Fang member to his right, his eyes cold and hard. "Attach this car, and spread the word. We're starting the train."
"But we're not finished," the member protested, fear in his voice.
Roman's face twisted into a snarl. He used the flat tip of his cane to grab the member's throat, lifting him into the air with surprising force. "Do it!" he hissed, his voice a low, terrifying growl. "Or you're finished!"
Roman's grip on the White Fang member's throat was brutal, but it was quick. With a final, furious snarl, he let him go. The member, gasping for air, staggered away and started to furiously attach the train car. Roman had cut his losses, but the plan was still in motion.
On the cold, unforgiving ground, Ruby tried to push herself up, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. The burning agony in her veins made every movement a monumental effort. She got to her hands and knees, but her body shook with the strain.
Just then, another explosion rocked the tunnels, much closer this time, and a voice cut through the noise, filled with pure, desperate relief.
"Ruby!" it cried out. It was Yang.
A shudder ran through Ruby's small frame, and a soft whimper escaped her lips. "Yang... " The name was a fragile anchor in her sea of pain and confusion. She felt someone kneel beside her, and slowly, with great effort, she managed to pry her eyes open. Weiss was there, her face a mask of worry, her hand reaching out.
"Are you okay?" Weiss asked, her voice uncharacteristically soft and trembling.
"I'm fine... I'm fine..." Ruby whispered, the lie a bitter taste in her mouth. She tried to stand on her own, but her knees buckled. Weiss, without hesitation, grabbed her by the arm, her grip firm and supportive, helping her to her feet.
Ruby leaned heavily against Weiss, her body still weak and trembling. She had to tell them. She had to. "Listen..." she began, her voice hoarse. "Torchwick's got all sorts of weapons and robots down here..."
A figure emerged from the shadows, their eyes wide with confusion. "What?" Blake asked, her voice a low murmur.
"I saw them when I was taken," Ruby explained, the words coming in broken fragments. "He... he had me dragged down here. They're all over the place..." Her head throbbed, a fresh wave of agony momentarily overwhelming her. She groaned, leaning her forehead against Weiss's shoulder.
"Androids, mechs... they're all loaded up on the train cars," Ruby managed to force out, the memory of the humming machines a terrifying presence in her mind.
"Ah, that's ridiculous! These tunnels are sealed," Dr. Oobleck exclaimed, his voice cutting through the ringing in Ruby's ears. He gestured confidently with his thermos to a pile of rubble in the distance. "The tracks lead to a dead end. Their entire operation is contained within this cavernous space."
As if to defy his very words, a shrill, staticky sound cut through the air. An intercom crackled to life, and a disembodied voice echoed through the tunnels, cold and mechanical.
"All personnel, get to your places. We are leaving now!"
A deep, groaning rumble started beneath their feet, and with a low, grinding squeal, the massive train began to move, its powerful engine slowly pulling its cargo of deadly weapons and robots out of the station.
Yang turned to Dr. Oobleck, her gaze pointed and wry. "Well, it sounds like they're going somewhere."
Ruby pushed herself away from Weiss, her legs still wobbly but her mind fixated on the moving train. She took a moment to stand on her own, her body trembling with the effort. "We need backup," she said, the words urgent and strained. "Let me call Team JNPR." With a shaky hand, she pulled out her scroll, her fingers fumbling with the screen. She tried to connect, but the signal bar was a flat, empty gray.
"Damn it," she muttered, her frustration a low growl. "I can't get through."
"So, what do we do?" Weiss asked, her voice laced with a tense practicality, her eyes flicking between the determined Ruby and the rapidly departing train.
Dr. Oobleck stood tall, his posture now one of grim resolve. "I believe," he said, his voice quiet but certain, "we only have one option."
Ruby took a deep, ragged breath, a wave of pain washing over her, but she ignored it. She looked at her team, a fierce, determined fire in her eyes, and then turned her gaze to the train, her leader's mantle settling firmly back on her shoulders. "We're stopping that train."
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A cold, biting wind howled over the roof of the speeding train, carrying the sound of clanking metal and grinding wheels. On one of the train cars, a lone White Fang member stood guard, his ears twitching beneath his mask. He heard a faint thud above the din, a sound that didn't belong to the rhythm of the train. He scanned the surrounding wilderness but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Dismissing it as a trick of the wind, he was about to contact the others when a sudden, jarring blow to the back of his head sent him to the ground, his vision going black.
In the front car of the train, the air was thick with the scent of cigars and old metal. A different, more panicked White Fang member came running up to Roman, who was lazily leaning against a control panel, his hand on his cane.
"Boss! They made it to the train!" the member yelled, his voice strained and out of breath.
Roman let out a long, theatrical sigh, a puff of smoke trailing from his lips. He didn't even turn around. "Then grab some of the cargo," he said, gesturing with his thumb towards the crates full of androids and dust canisters, "and get them off the train."
The White Fang member nodded and ran off to obey. Roman looked back at the control panel before a flicker of an idea crossed his mind. He turned his head to the White Fang member who was standing quietly next to him, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Maniac animals, every one of 'em," Roman said, his voice a low, casual murmur. "Running headfirst into a situation like this. Not you, though. You're... heh... you're great." The man, who had been completely silent, gave a brief nod, utterly stoic in the face of the chaos and his boss's strange compliment.
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Back on top of the train, the wind whipped around Team RWBY and Dr. Oobleck as they pried open a metal hatch on the first car. Below them, a loud, guttural groan of metal signaled the train was picking up speed.
"Hurry, children! We must get to the front and stop this train before it reaches its destination!" Dr. Oobleck called out, his voice sharp and urgent.
"Uh... Professor?" Weiss said, her voice a hesitant question as she peered into the dark interior of the train car.
"Doctor," Oobleck corrected automatically, not looking away from the tracks ahead.
Weiss pointed a trembling hand. "What's that?"
Everyone looked down into the darkness, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. A small, strange device sat innocently in the center of the car, a red light blinking rhythmically on its surface.
"That, my dear..." Dr. Oobleck's voice was suddenly grim. "Appears to be a bomb."
A collective gasp went through the team. Yang's eyes went wide, Blake's ears flattened, and Weiss took a step back from the edge of the open hatch.
Ruby, despite the searing pain in her body, gritted her teeth. Her eyes, still flickering between silver and red, narrowed as she looked ahead. "We've got trouble!" she said, her voice a low growl, as she pointed at a group of White Fang members who were slowly approaching from the next car.
"Well... I didn't expect them to go..." Dr. Oobleck started, but his words were cut short by the beeping of the bomb. He looked down at the device, a dawning horror on his face. "...Easy on us."
Then he yelled "Time to go!" His voice now a frantic command. The team immediately started to run forward along the top of the train. Ruby tried to sprint with them, but her legs were still weak and unresponsive. Weiss hung back without a word, grabbing her partner's arm to help her over the treacherous gaps between the cars.
As they ran, Dr. Oobleck grabbed Blake by the shoulder, his grip firm. "Blake! Detach the caboose! It'll kill us all!"
"On it!" Blake yelled, already dropping down between the cars. She landed nimbly and was about to unhook the coupler when it shuddered and began to pull apart on its own.
"It decoupled itself!" Blake shouted, looking up at Oobleck and Yang.
"What!?" Oobleck said, his face a mask of disbelief as he looked down at her.
"I guess he really doesn't want us on this train," Yang said with a grim chuckle.
Suddenly, a massive flash of fire erupted behind them, a wall of pure energy and smoke where the caboose had been just seconds before. Oobleck whipped his head around, his eyes wide.
"That's not good..." he said, his voice a horrified whisper.
"Uh... neither is this!" Ruby called out with a grunt, her voice straining as she and Weiss arrived at the next hatch.
Blake quickly clambered back onto the roof of the train. "Another bomb!?" she yelled, her eyes wide with dread as she looked at the new hatch and its blinking red light.
Dr. Oobleck ran forward, his mind racing. "No, no, no..." he muttered, jumping from car to car. He tore open the next hatch, hoping to see something different, anything but what they had already found. But there it was-another bomb, its red light already counting down. He slammed the hatch shut and looked back at his students, a grim certainty in his eyes. "They all have bombs!" he yelled, his voice echoing over the roar of the train.
The train car Team RWBY was standing on shuddered violently, then, with a jarring screech of metal, it decoupled from the rest of the train. The momentum threw them forward, forcing them to sprint toward the next car before a growing gap appeared between them.
Weiss, Blake, and Yang leaped with practiced grace, landing with a solid thump on the next car. Ruby followed, but her leap was weak, her body still fighting the burning substance. She almost fell, her grip on the ledge of the car barely holding on as she dangled between the two moving pieces of the train. "Damn it," she growled, her knuckles white.
"Ruby!" Weiss screamed, her voice a mix of fear and urgency. She scrambled to the edge and grabbed Ruby's forearm, her grip strong and steady as she helped her partner back onto the train.
"Thanks..." Ruby panted, taking a deep, shuddering breath. The gratitude was genuine, but a new, secret fear had taken root inside her. She hadn't told her friends about what really happened in that underground city. The pain, the experiment, the horrifying new power that had stirred inside her...with the beast from within, welcoming it. She would keep it to herself for now. They had a mission. Right now, they needed to stop this train.
The team looked back to see the detached car receding into the darkness behind them before it exploded in a brilliant flash of red and orange light.
Yang's eyes, full of worry for her sister, shifted to Dr. Oobleck. "This doesn't make sense!" she yelled over the wind.
But before anyone could answer, a new threat emerged. A large group of White Fang members, their masks and outfits a stark contrast to the dark metal of the train, were moving toward them from the front.
"Get the humans!" one member yelled, her voice raw with fury.
Without a second thought, Weiss, Blake, and Yang drew their weapons. They ran past Ruby and Dr. Oobleck, a blur of motion and steel. Yang was a tornado of force, her punches knocking out three members at once. Blake was a shadow on the tracks, dodging every bullet with impossible grace before using her clone to distract one member and her sword to knock another off the train. Weiss slid across the top of the train on a trail of ice, her rapier a flash of light as she expertly took out one member after another.
Ruby, however, hesitated. She felt the volatile power of the substance simmering beneath her skin, a terrifying, unpredictable force. She didn't know what it was, what it could do, and she didn't trust herself to control it.
"Ruby!" someone yelled. She looked up just in time to see a White Fang member charging at her, his sword raised high. The pain flared, and her fear mixed with a new, dangerous surge of power. Her eyes flickered from silver to red once more before finally settling on a brilliant, crimson red. A sudden, hot energy burst from her, a wave of unseen force that disintegrated the sword in the attacker's hand and sent him flying backward.
Weiss slid toward Ruby, knocking the remaining White Fang member away. She grabbed her partner's shoulder, her face a mask of concern. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Without a word, Ruby just nodded, the memory of her power's raw force chilling her to the bone.
"Thank goodness," Weiss said with a sigh of relief, and in a moment of uncharacteristic vulnerability, she hugged Ruby, pulling her close.
Ruby, trembling, buried her head in Weiss's chest, a part of her terrified that she shouldn't feel this comfort when they were all in such danger. After a moment, she pulled away. "I'm fine. Don't worry," she said, the lie easier this time.
Suddenly, Dr. Oobleck looked back, his eyes wide. He saw the train cart they had just been on explode and the tunnels below them fill with a swarm of Grimm, their red eyes a sea of malevolent pinpricks.
"Oh, dear..." he whispered, his face filled with horror.
Hundreds of Grimm, a massive herd of them, started to give chase to the train.
"He's leading Grimm to the city!" Dr. Oobleck said, the pieces of the plan finally falling into place.
"What!?" Weiss yelled, her own eyes widening at the sight of the approaching Grimm.
"It's the cars! They detach and explode, creating openings for the Grimm to get into the city!" Oobleck explained, his voice frantic as he realized the full, terrible scale of Roman's plan.
"That's insane!" Blake said, her body coiled with tension.
Another car detached, and the train lunged forward with renewed speed.
"We have to hurry!" Oobleck said, his voice a battle cry. He started running forward, pointing at each of them in turn. "You three! Go below and try to stop those bombs!"
Ruby, hugging herself against the cold wind and the pain in her body, looked at him. "What about us?" she asked.
"We're going to stop this train," Oobleck said, his resolve unshakable.
Ruby, despite the pain, gave a small smirk and a roll of her eyes. "Yeah... I know. I said that earlier."
With their missions clear, Team RWBY and Dr. Oobleck ran forward, a blur of color against the dark metal of the train, with Zwei following close behind.
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Just ahead of Team RWBY, the White Fang's plan came into full view. Multiple White Fang members got into giant, heavily armored robotic suits, their bodies a stark, mechanical contrast to the grim surroundings. With a groan of powerful servos, the mechs began to charge toward the group.
Without a moment's hesitation, Weiss, Blake, and Yang leaped off the roof of the train and slid down the sides, ready to begin their task of disarming the bombs.
Dr. Oobleck, Ruby, and Zwei continued their frantic run toward the front of the train. They skidded to a halt as the first robotic suit blocked their path, its glowing red eyes a malevolent glare.
"Up ahead!" Dr. Oobleck said, his voice a matter-of-fact shout over the roar of the wind. He took a long, leisurely sip of coffee from his thermos. He then looked up at the towering mech, a flicker of a smirk on his face.
"We've got a problem!" he declared, and with a swift flick of his wrist, he transformed his thermos into a roaring, fire-spewing battle staff.
Zwei, who had been barking excitedly at the mech, seemed to understand the plan. He barked again, a challenge, and then jumped into the air. Dr. Oobleck swung his staff like a baseball bat, and with a powerful crack, he sent Zwei flying forward. The small dog tucked into a perfect ball, and the flames from Oobleck's staff lit him on fire, turning him into a furry, flaming rocket.
Zwei collided with the chest of the giant robot in a brilliant explosion of fire and sparks. The mech's circuits fried, and it staggered before collapsing into a pile of junk. Zwei landed on the roof of the next train car, shaking himself off as if he hadn't just been a fireball.
But the fight wasn't over. Another giant robot, seeing its comrade fall, lumbered forward, its massive gun arm whirring to life. Zwei barked at it defiantly.
Dr. Oobleck, seeing the opportunity, blasted forward, a powerful geyser of fire shooting from his staff. He closed the distance in a flash, and with a single, precise, and powerful strike, he sent the mech reeling before it, too, fell into a pile of twisted metal.
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Inside the train, the air was a mixture of stale dust and the humming of machinery. Weiss, Blake, and Yang dropped down from the roof hatch, their boots thudding against the metal floor. The interior was a labyrinth of stacked crates and mechanical parts, a claustrophobic battlefield. The rhythmic rumble of the train filled the air, a constant reminder of their ticking clock.
Yang let out a short, determined breath. "I guess this is what we trained for," she said, her voice a low rumble.
Without a word, Weiss pulled out a small, multi-colored dust shard cartridge and handed it to Blake. "Here. This should help you," she said, a sense of grim practicality in her tone.
Blake pulled out her signature weapon, Gambol Shroud, and with a quick motion, she loaded the dust cartridge into the hilt, ready for the fight ahead. The three of them started to run forward, their weapons in hand.
But just as they rounded a corner, a figure dropped gracefully from the ceiling, landing with a soft thud. Neo, her mismatched eyes and pink-and-brown hair a striking contrast to the dark surroundings, stood up and a cold, confident smirk played on her lips as she looked at the three girls. She didn't say a word, but her posture was a silent dare, an elegant challenge.
Yang's eyes narrowed, a personal anger flaring in her chest. This was the woman who had helped Roman escape, the one who had so effortlessly toyed with them. "You two go on ahead," she said, stepping forward, her gauntlets already rumbling with power. "This one's mine."
Blake looked at Yang with a worried expression, but her partner's determination was unshakeable. She gave a quick, affirming nod and ran past the little psychopath, Weiss close behind her. Neo, in an effortless blur of motion, began to move to cut them off, but Yang's gauntlets erupted with a fiery blast, forcing the diminutive woman to backflip out of the way, giving Blake and Weiss the space they needed to slip by.
With her companions gone, Yang took a step closer, her body coiled like a spring. "No more running," she snarled.
Neo merely opened her tiny umbrella, the metallic shaft glinting under the dim lights. Her smirk widened, inviting the attack. Yang launched herself forward, a blur of golden-brown hair and furious energy. Her attacks came in a relentless, non-stop barrage, each punch a testament to her brute force and raw power. She went for a right hook, but Neo dodged it with a fluid twist of her body. Yang spun into a left attack, but Neo parried it with her umbrella, the clang of metal against metal echoing in the car. A powerful forward punch was blocked effortlessly by the umbrella's tip. Yang's attacks just would not hit the small girl. Her frustration mounted with every blocked hit, her swings becoming more and more wild.
Neo, seeing her opening, moved with the grace of a dancer. She spun on her heel and delivered a sharp, unexpected kick to Yang's face, sending her reeling backward. Yang scrambled to her feet, her gaze a furious glare. But Neo was already on her, a series of quick, blindingly fast kicks landing on her body. A kick to the chin sent Yang flying back to the floor. She got up again, only to be met by another relentless flurry of kicks, each one a sharp, stinging insult. With a final, contemptuous kick to the face, Neo backflipped away and landed gracefully on top of a nearby crate, crossing her legs and leaning back on her umbrella as she watched the panting, defeated Yang. The smirk on her face was one of pure, silent, and effortless triumph.
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The frantic scramble continued. The metallic clang of the train and the distant explosions were a constant, jarring backdrop to their race against time. Weiss and Blake sprinted through the narrow, crate-filled corridors of the train, their boots thudding against the metal floor, eyes scanning for any sign of a threat. They were moving at top speed, a desperate blur of motion, until a low, rattling scrape sounded from ahead. It was the sound of heavy metal being dragged against the ground. Both girls skidded to a stop just as a massive silhouette appeared, filling the narrow passage.
It was a White Fang member, a hulking brute whose muscles strained against his uniform. In one hand, he held a massive, grimy chainsaw, the teeth dragging a vicious line across the floor. He let out a low, guttural laugh, a sound of pure, unbridled bloodlust, as he finally stopped in front of them. He lifted the chainsaw with shocking ease and yanked the pull cord. The engine roared to life, a deafening, terrifying sound in the confined space.
Weiss turned to Blake, her expression grim but resolute. "You go on ahead," she said, her voice calm and firm. "I'll handle this."
Blake's eyes, wide with a flicker of worry, met Weiss's for a brief second before she gave a sharp nod. "Got it," she said, and with a burst of speed, she darted past the chainsaw-wielding brute.
The man didn't even try to stop her. His focus was entirely on Weiss. The moment Blake was clear, Weiss charged forward, her rapier, Myrtenaster, held at the ready. The clash was deafening. The shriek of her blade against the man's roaring chainsaw sent a shower of red and silver sparks flying, the air filling with the acrid scent of ozone and burning metal.
Both fighters were thrown back by the sheer force of the collision. They landed with a thud and glared at each other, the space between them humming with a dark energy.
A wide, predatory smile split the man's face. "Finally," he snarled over the whine of his chainsaw. "I get to kill a Schnee."
Weiss's expression didn't change, but her grip on her sword tightened. She raised the tip of her blade, pointing it directly at the man, a cold, focused determination in her eyes. She was ready.
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The chaotic sounds of combat faded behind her as Blake raced through the final cars. The bombs were still an immediate threat, but she had a more personal one to deal with. Finally, she came to a stop in the front car, where Roman Torchwick stood nonchalantly by the control panel, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. He looked up, a wry, sarcastic smirk playing on his lips.
"Well, hello, kitty cat. Fancy seeing you here. Ya miss me?" he said, his voice a low, taunting purr. "You know, we really ought to stop meeting like this. People are gonna talk."
Without a single word in reply, Blake's eyes narrowed, and she launched herself forward, a silent blur of motion. She closed the distance in a heartbeat, leaving a fiery shadow of herself in her wake. The fiery clone shimmered for a split second before detonating in a brilliant burst of dust, sending a concussive force that threw Roman back against the control panel.
Grunting, Roman slid back into a fighting stance. "Feisty one, aren't we?" he snarled, swinging his cane at her. But Blake was already gone, her body now a series of illusions. He swung again, and his cane passed through another shadow clone. He was a furious storm of frustrated swings and missed strikes, each attack met only by the fleeting image of Blake. He swung, and she left a wind clone in her place that dissipated in a gust. He swung again, and a stone clone appeared, taking the blow for her.
Finally, Blake darted to the side, leaving a cold, shimmering ice shadow of herself. Roman swung his cane at the clone, and to his surprise, it didn't dissipate. The ice instantly froze his weapon in place, encasing it in a block of solid ice.
Blake took her chance. She spun on her heel and drove a powerful kick into Roman's chest, sending him crashing to the floor. She walked toward him, her movements deliberate and full of cold fury. She pinned him down with her heel, planting it firmly against his chest. At the same time, she held her sword, Gambol Shroud, to his neck, the blade a chilling presence inches from his skin.
Roman's hands shot up in a mock gesture of surrender. He let out a low, unsettling chuckle, his eyes fixed on hers. "Why are we fighting? I saw you at the rally. We're on the same side, and you know it. We're both just trying to make it in a world that hates us. I'm just more... honest about it."
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A high-pitched shriek of metal filled the air as the chainsaw-wielding brute swung his roaring weapon at Weiss. With a flash of light, she raised a translucent glyph in front of her, creating a solid, glowing shield. The chainsaw's spinning blades bit into the magical energy, its engine whining under the strain, sending a shower of bright red sparks flying in the confined space of the train car.
The moment the attack ended, Weiss dropped the shield with a crash. It dissipated into thin air as the man staggered from the recoil of the blow. With a swift movement, Weiss pivoted and drove her heel into his armored leg, before striking him with the flat of her blade, a quick, elegant motion that made him grunt in surprise.
He recovered instantly and came at her again, his attacks now a relentless, savage blur. Weiss danced around him, a graceful waltz of dodging and weaving. She was a whirlwind of motion, her rapier a flash of silver as she dodged the sweeping blades of the chainsaw, using her speed to avoid his brute force. She saw an opening, a flicker of weakness in his relentless assault. She went for a final, decisive lunge, her sword aimed at a vulnerable spot in his armor.
But the man was ready. With a speed that belied his size, he reached out and his massive hand clamped down on Weiss's face. His palm, rough and calloused, covered her entire head, her world shrinking to the overwhelming pressure of his grip. He grinned, a savage, toothy snarl, and with a grunt of pure, raw power, he smashed her down into the ground, a bone-jarring impact that rattled the entire train car and left her vision a blur of dancing stars and flashing lights.
As her mind swam, she felt herself being lifted again, her body weightless. He had thrown her into the air. Through her dazed, blurry vision, she saw his massive form below her, the roaring chainsaw held high above his head, ready to end her with a single, crushing blow.
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The furious roar of the train was an echo of the rage in Yang's heart. She stomped forward, every movement of her body a testament to her refusal to accept defeat. The defeat, however, comfortably perched on a crate just ahead. Neo was still sitting there, as if she had all the time in the world, her mismatched eyes following Yang's every move, a small, knowing smirk playing on her lips.
Yang launched a powerful right hook, her fist roaring with the heat of her gauntlets. Neo merely shifted, a fluid, graceful counter that turned into a spin. She met Yang's next attack with a swift, punishing kick, her feet a blur as she used her umbrella to deflect the fiery punches. Each of Yang's furious, heavy attacks was met with an effortless parry or a graceful flip, a constant, infuriating display of skill over raw power.
Yang, her frustration boiling over, went in for another hit, a desperate, wild lunge. This time, Neo didn't dodge. With a quiet snap, her umbrella's tip extended and fired, a sudden, blindingly fast projectile that slammed into Yang's chest with a jarring, concussive force.
The impact was immediate and brutal. Yang was launched backward, her body a projectile hurtling through the air. She slammed against the metal ceiling with a loud CRASH, a choked grunt of pain escaping her lips as her aura flickered and failed. Her body fell to the floor like a sack of dead weight, a broken, unmoving heap on the hard metal.
Neo looks back at the unmoving Yang, her expression one of utter, cold triumph. Before she slowly walked toward the defeated Yang, her smirk now a definitive statement of victory.
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Blake held her katana to Roman's neck, the cold steel a clear message of her resolve. The silence was broken only by the rumble of the train and Roman's low, confident chuckles. He raised his hands in a theatrical shrug, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Ooh, still feisty," he purred, a predatory grin on his face. "So, what are we gonna do now? Do you really think a little bow on top is going to make people forget what you were? What you've done? Your old friends in the White Fang will find out that you've traded your mask for a new one, a fancy little Huntsman charade."
Just as the words left his lips, the metal door behind Blake's head was violently smashed inward. With a brutal grunt, a limp, beaten body was thrown through the opening. Blake's eyes widened in horror. It was Weiss. Her clothes were torn, her hair was disheveled, and she was clearly unconscious.
The brute with the chainsaw filled the doorway, his silhouette a hulking mass of pure muscle. He raised his roaring weapon and took a step inside, his menacing glare fixed on the two girls.
Roman, his smirk never faltering, continued his psychological attack. "Well, that's not good. Now what's it going to be, Blake? You can take me out and face the big guy, or you can run to your friend and let me get away. Time's a-ticking."
Blake's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. The fire of her rage was replaced by a cold, pragmatic fury. There was no time to deal with Roman's words. Her friend was in danger. With a swift, powerful kick, she drove her heel into Roman's face. He let out a startled gasp as his head snapped back and his consciousness left him in a sudden, brutal moment. His precious top hat tumbled from his head, spinning across the floor.
Blake sprinted to Weiss. She reached her just as Weiss's eyes fluttered open for a brief second before she passed out again, her body going limp as she fell into Blake's arms. The brute with the chainsaw bellowed in rage and charged forward, his weapon held high. Without a second thought, Blake pulled Weiss back, out of the brute's reach, her entire focus now on protecting her unconscious friend from the impending attack.
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The unconscious form of Yang lay motionless on the cold metal floor. Her aura was gone, her body a silent, defeated testament to Neo's brutal efficiency. Neo, her victorious smirk a mask of cruel satisfaction, approached the fallen Huntress. She pulled a slender, wicked-looking blade from the tip of her umbrella, the steel scraping against the grimy floor with a chilling shriek as she dragged it. She stood over Yang, the blade held high, a final, lethal blow poised to end the fight for good.
But before the blade could descend, a figure appeared as if from thin air. One moment, there was nothing but a stack of crates behind Neo; the next, a woman was standing there. Her black armor gleamed in the dim light, and a deep crimson shirt provided a splash of color against her otherwise dark form. A monstrous mask, designed to resemble a menacing Grimm, covered her entire face, a chilling, silent threat.
Neo's triumphant smirk faltered, and a flicker of irritation crossed her features. She lunged forward, a kick aimed at the masked woman, but the woman was impossibly fast. She moved like a shadow, easily evading the attack before drawing a gleaming sword from a sheath on her hip. With a fluid, graceful motion, she sheathed her weapon, then turned a dial on the sheath itself. The sword, with a strange, stylized hilt, was then pointed directly at Neo.
Neo, for the first time in a long time, felt a cold, unsettling fear. She opened her umbrella, preparing to activate her Semblance to disappear, but the masked woman's aura, a chilling, volatile crimson energy, seemed to radiate from her very being. The Grimm mask's eyes glowed with the same chilling light, a warning that this was not a fight she could win. With a final, furious gesture, Neo vanished in a puff of illusions, leaving nothing but an image of her frustrated face.
The masked woman lowered her sword and looked down at the unconscious Yang. With a soft hum, she drew the sword back out and slashed it through the air, and a shimmering, vibrant crimson portal appeared out of nowhere. The woman, without a second glance, stepped through the portal.
Just as her form began to disappear completely, a moan escaped Yang's lips. Her vision, a blurry haze of pain, began to clear. She blinked, her world slowly coming into focus, just in time to see the last flicker of the woman's black hair disappear into the closing portal. The portal collapsed into nothingness, leaving behind no trace of her savior. Yang lay on the floor for a long moment, blinking in confusion at what she had just seen, before the mission, and her friends, rushed back into her mind. She pushed herself up, her body still aching and sore, and started running to help Blake and Weiss.
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The roar of the wind and the screech of the train were a constant battle cry. On the roof, Ruby and Dr. Oobleck worked in perfect sync. With a synchronized attack, Ruby's newly formed, crimson scythe-like blade and Oobleck's fiery staff struck the last giant robot. The mech's chassis crumpled, and it went tumbling off the side of the train with a grinding shriek, exploding in a fiery ball far below.
Ruby stood there, heaving, her chest rising and falling with great, ragged breaths. The blood sniper she had just created and fired melted and sank back into her skin, leaving behind a network of dark, painful veins. The beast within her was welcoming the burning substance, but using her power was still a monumental effort.
"Ruby!" Dr. Oobleck's voice was sharp. "You go on ahead!"
"But-" Ruby started, her focus on the remaining robots ahead.
"Don't worry, Ruby," he interrupted, a confident glint in his eyes. "It's time I teach them a lesson." He looked at her, his expression a mix of paternal confidence and grim determination. "Now go."
Ruby looked down at Zwei, who was whimpering, his ears flattened. With a heavy sigh and a small, tired smile, she simply said, "Go." Zwei's tail began to wag, and with a happy bark, he ran to help Oobleck.
Ruby turned around and took a deep, shuddering breath. The pain was still a constant fire in her veins, but she pushed it down, focusing on her destination. She started to run, her speed a flicker of red against the dark train cars. After a moment, she stopped, a flash of white, yellow, and black appearing behind her. Weiss, Blake, and Yang had made it to the top of the train, clambering out of a hatch.
Ruby looked forward, and her heart sank. The dead end was upon them, a solid wall of rock and concrete, and they were approaching it with frightening speed.
"What do we do!?" Blake yelled, her voice frantic.
Ruby met Weiss's eyes, and a small, grim smile spread across her face. Weiss's expression shifted from panic to understanding. She knew. Without a word, Weiss plunged her sword, Myrtenaster, into the roof of the train. A massive, glowing glyph appeared, and she used it to erect a massive, transparent ice shield, creating a powerful dome over the team just as the train slammed into the wall.
The world became a deafening symphony of sound and fury. Metal screeched, glass shattered, and a brilliant explosion of dust, fire, and rubble engulfed them. For a moment, there was only darkness and the terrifying roar of destruction.
Then, silence.
Slowly, painfully, Team RWBY pushed themselves up, staggering out from the broken pieces of rock and metal. They looked around, blinking in the sudden, blinding sunlight. They were back in Vale. People were milling about, frozen in confusion, staring at the debris of the train and the massive hole in the ground. The peace was shattered by the shrill, blaring sound of alarms all over the city.
Then the ground began to move.
A massive, two-headed serpent, a King Taijitu, erupted from the earth, its scaly bodies writhing and twisting. All around them, the ground tore open as multiple Grimm followed, their dark, ethereal forms and glowing red eyes a horrifying sight. The people around them started running, their confused whispers turning into screams of terror as creep Grimm and Beowolves started to give chase. Other groups of people ran from giant Death Stalkers, their armored pincers clacking. Ursa Grimm roared, their terrifying calls filling the air as they charged through the streets.
Team RWBY stood together in the midst of the chaos, looking on in silent, utter horror. Roman's plan had worked.