White Gold: Alone

She ran. Ran through the cold slaughter that had become her life, her very will to survive embraced in killing. And she ran through it all just the same, feeling a cold anger at the beasts she murdered without end. Beside her ran the small leader of team RWBY, cleaving Grimm in twain with her immense scythe. Pyrrha felt the pull of a kindred spirit, one who had the same single minded direction she held. Behind them the rest of her team followed, including a new face she'd come to admire. The hail of gunfire rang along their column, a force of nature plowing through the fields of Grimm infested snow.

And still she felt hollow, fighting an opponent she knew wasn't responsible for the ills of her world. White flecks flew from her last strike, a light slash that beheaded an unwary Beowolf. Why does Thnitos do that? Or is it me? She'd been getting back to her old self, Thnitos having acquitted itself as a weapon worthy of her use. Before her she saw the monsters begin to take notice of their advance, and Pyrrha noticed a different emotion on their faces. Fear. They don't show fear, not this young. Why now then? Still she ran, making a bee line for the wall that loomed above her like some great mountain to be scaled.

"Nora, can you make it up there yet? Looks like their people could use our help," Ruby shouted back at her entourage. Crescent Rose sung as she fired it off for more speed in her slices.

"Can do, ready and willing." The short woman positively beamed at the thought of sailing through the air toward danger. Pyrrha hadn't quite figured her out yet, but all things come in due time.

"Alright, see you again soon."

Pyrrha knew what was going to happen, and kept herself focused on the task at hand. A moment later the crash of metal slamming into dirt resonated behind her, followed swiftly with an explosion that signaled Nora's departure. Her pink form drifted up on toward the wall before disappearing over the barrier. Back in front of Pyrrha was the unending black swamp that tried desperately to hold back her team. But still, they didn't advance at Ruby and her's spearhead, preferring to sink back and away as far as they could. No matter, her goal was in sight as the wall loomed overhead now scant yards away.

She ran, and in that her mind had found a peace that was elusive at best. She swung her blade at a wayward Grimm, watching more white flecks appear like clockwork. "Do you see any sign of that gate Marly?" her voice rang out distantly, her mind on other matters.

"Yeah, it'll be just around the bend up ahead."

Arriving at the wall, they turned to travel along its length. Searching for the telltale gap, Pyrrha continued to think on her journey, how it would turn out in the end. Firing from her sword shifted to a rifle, she continued the duty of keeping her team safe. Marly had taken the lead, trotting ahead of them with her pick held high and at the ready. Pyrrha fired another round out toward the bubble of Grimm around them, but still they didn't attack. Am I the only one seeing this? Taking a closer look, she could see that they were all lesser beasts, Beowolves and Boarbatusks. Hardly a threat, but also traditionally more reckless than their older cousins.

"Hold up, it's right here. Hey! Let us in!" Marly called through a gap in the wall. Muffled cries fought back and forth before a loud clunk vibrated outward and the door swung toward them. Letting a few shots off before retreating through the portal, Pyrrha couldn't help but stop at the entrance and ponder why it was so easy to break through.

"Don't just stand there, we've gotta secure the gate again!" she turned to see a short helmeted man trying to push past her. Letting him by he closed the door with a heavy crank, watching herself become trapped inside this port.

"Well aren't you the strangest bunch to come out of that mess," the man said turning back to his new guests. Grabbing a short rifle, he leaned against his door and eyed the new people he'd let through. "I'm guessing since that hard faced bitch lead you here you're more Huntsman? Good, if you hadn't noticed we're in it deep. Not to mention the strange woman who flew up and over our wall."

"That's one of us, we sent her on ahead to help out," Jaune spoke up beside her. "If you know where she is, we need to figure out how to stop all this."

"No clue, she came down on the street and just took off back to the wall."

Pyrrha could only smile a bit at the overzealous berserker they'd unleashed on this place. Taking a step inward, she saw that Beggar's Moor was much the same as Passage, if with a little wider streets to accommodate the cargo from trade ships. High walls held back the tiled buildings that lay scattered about like leaves in the wind. And those buildings were nearly untouched by the rigors of Remnant life, few if any scars from the Grimm marring their surface. That's not right, their should be marks from Griffons and the rare Nevermore.

"So you came from out that way huh? From the looks of it, this has gotta be one of the worst attacks in years."

"It's much worse than it seems, there's a Goliath heading straight here along with a lot more smaller Grimm." Ruby said, checking her massive weapon for any flaws from their sprint. "We're not sure what to do at this point."

The man didn't seem fazed by the news, simply glancing back out the gap in his post. Pyrrha couldn't fathom not feeling a little fear at the thought of having her home destroyed in a sea of teeth and claws. But these people out here had done it for so long, faced what everyone in the city only joked about.

"Well, I'm sure the six of you are here to help with that. Right?" His face remained neutral, but their was a pleading look in his eyes.

"We're on our way to Mistral, but we'll do what we can. I assume there is an evacuation going on?" Jaune spoke somberly, and Pyrrha couldn't help but see the hurt he hid behind those words.

"Yeah, we'll pack a few of the boats extra full so you folks can go along last. Important business and the like." The guard's head fell back against the door, the fleeting hope gone.

"We're going to stay as long as we can, do everything we can," Pyrrha commanded, the words springing outward of their own accord. Everyone looked to her and she could see the grim determination in their eyes. Even if I'm the last to go, we need to hold this darkness back.

"We're here for now, and I can personally tell you that this lot is more than capable enough," Marly broke in, brushing off the the snow from their sprint. "Especially that one right there," she said pointing at Pyrrha, "she's something else entirely. So we've got this covered until the real bad stuff shows up."

If only Pyrrha felt as confident as this woman did about her. She still hadn't grasped the reason why whatever she felled was turning to white. Why the Grimm had given little to no resistance to their stampede up here. Still she had a job to do, the same job everyone she traveled with had taken. Taking the lead, she walked off toward the central gate. There wasn't time to figure out the strange life she had lead, only the work before her. To save the people who suffered the most, to strike back for the powerless. Giving their goodbyes, her teammates fell in behind. Jaune jogged up to her side and gave her a quick squeeze on the shoulder.

"Are you ok? Seemed like you were kind of distant back there."

She returned a quick smile, trying to assuage his fears. "It's alright, I'm just trying to come to terms with how much things have changed."

"Alright. Just... don't forget about us. Or me."

She grabbed his hand, not daring to give a hint of letting go.

Joy spread across the entirety of the stout woman's being, finally being given free rein to work out the tension she'd had since Pyrrha came back. Nora had landed some several streets up from the wall, her flight having been somewhat exuberant. Alright, extremely over enthusiastic in every way, shape, and form. The crater left behind was a thing of beauty when she left the ground, a perfect circle with a tiny island inside. But now it was time to focus on the present, the need to protect these people from the terrible creatures that plagued them.

Hefting Magnhild, she began running back toward the gate where she expected a stairway up to the wall and beyond. The people still inhabiting the streets gave her worried looks, obviously never dealing with someone who genuinely enjoyed this profession. The gate loomed ahead and she found her way up through some guards. Not a problem, I'll just have to charm my way in.

"Hey boys, mind if I get up there and give you all a hand?" Her tone sickened her, but Nora also found it a bit fun to flirt with people who didn't know her inside and out.

"Uh, are you sure you should..." the front most guard cut off as Nora slung her hammer onto her shoulder with ease. "Yeah, go ahead. We're just waiting for more orders."

"Thanks, maybe I'll see you again," she laughed, feeling the bile rise just slightly. Good thing Ren never seemed to like those types of girls. Taking off up the stairs, she scanned the interior for any sign of her team. Not inside yet, hope they didn't have any trouble. Cresting the landing, she scanned each direction looking for anything to smash into a fine powder. A Huntsman from earlier was on the ground scrambling toward his weapon just in front of him. Behind him a Griffon was walking up to him with a quick step, trying to end the fight and move on. Nora grinned before slinging her hammer shifted to a grenade launcher and unleashing a barrage at the beast.

The blast knocked the Grimm away as she swiftly sprinted up and over the prone man, still agape at her appearance. Sliding her launcher along the ground, she shifted it back into the mighty maul and slid the weapon into an upward blow. The mallet connected with meat and bone, and her opponent flew into the air limply. Another Griffon landed nearby, and Nora savored the chance to finally be pushing back against her enemy. Swinging in a horizontal arc, she connected against the feathered demon, sending it careening into the street below.

The calm of battle wasn't something she'd ever experienced, always preferring to relish the thrill that was ever present in life or death situations. A third Griffon had alighted next to her, giving a good show of ferocity before being smashed into the ground with a mighty downward stroke then punted off into the field below. Her charge was building, and the heat of battle only furthered her semblance's innate build-up. Across the wall another Huntsman slew an Ursa that had inexplicably scrabbled it's way upward.

The sounds of scratching forced her attention to the crenel before her, as she saw the claws of several Beowolves seeking a last grip to the top. Oh goody, freebies. Taking the chance to look over, the beasts snarled back at her while still seeking purchase. Nora casually pointed a now shifted grenade launcher at them and pulled the trigger, delighting in the howls that rang out from below. It never gets old, no matter what they say. Her joyful mood died down as she looked outward from her post, and saw the true danger approaching them. The Goliath had arrived, and with it came a flock of Nevermore. Larger Grimm pooled around the giant monster, seemingly waiting for some unknown signal.

"Hey, guy, you still good?" She wasn't certain if the Huntsman behind her was up for any more fighting, though the Grimm weren't going to give them an option.

"I'll be fine. Thanks for the save." He stepped up beside her, and Nora finally got a look at the kind of person who she'd be fighting beside. He wasn't that bad a looker, sporting a light leather vest with a few plates buckled over the breast. He held onto his sword with white knuckles, possibly shaken by the thought of dying back there. It wasn't the fanciest of swords, just long and segmented like most combination weapons she'd seen.

"You have a name miss?" His tone was short, but altogether friendly to his savior.

"Nora, and you?

"Vallis, guess it's good to meet you Nora, though the circumstances aren't the best. Are you part of a team?" Short and to the point. Like someone she knew.

"Yeah, they should be coming in any time now. Along with a Huntress from over in Passage."

"Good, hopefully their up to the challenge as much as you are. You've got quite a way with that beast you're carrying."

Nora smiled at the thought, pleased at being able to hold a candle to her peers. "Careful, flattery will get you everywhere. How long have you been holding them back?"

"They've barely let up for the past three days now, and with the CTS down we can't get anybody out here." He seemed forlorn, as if the fight could not be won. He also stood his ground here instead of succumbing to that emotion.

"Don't worry, even if we can't stop them, we can get everyone out of here and to Mistral. Besides, we've got someone quite special with us." Two of em if what Ruby said is true.

"I hope so, this isn't your everyday Grimm attack, this feels like something more. Like something is pulling them here." Nora couldn't help but agree with her comrade-in-arms, staring at the death that waited in the distance.

Peeking his head out from the doorway, Jaune took a look at the black carcass that lay just a few feet away. It was dissipating in long strips of black vapor, typical of a Grimm after death. What wasn't typical was the fact that it had flown from up on the wall down at him and his friends before hitting the ground and skidding to a stop. Tracing the trajectory back he watched the featureless top of the wall for any sign of their fiery teammate. A moment later the shape of a Griffon flew upward and off into the sun.

"Looks like she's having fun up there," Jaune remarked, thinking about the trouble Nora must be getting into.

"We'll be joining her soon I'd say," Ruby said, the short girl walking away from her spot. She'd merely stood and watched the beast come flying at them. Jaune always wondered why she threw herself into danger like that. Looking over he saw the other three were just as sensible as himself, taking a bit of cover in a door frame. They stepped out with him and joined Ruby as she strode forward looking at the wall.

"It seems too quiet for how many Grimm we saw on the way here." She didn't seem the usual bubbly leader she always was. "Something's not making sense about all of this."

Jaune couldn't help but follow her train of thought to the inevitable conclusion, that something or someone was pulling the strings. "Yeah, but we have no proof. Unless you suggest we look around for it?"

Her face remained placid, but those great silver discs revealed a tempest brewing, churning her options until only one remained. "Yes. But we only need one person to look around, those Grimm aren't going to just wait for us." She looked around at the team that had followed her on this hunch of her uncle's, and Jaune could see the answer coming.

"Go ahead, we'll be waiting for you. Just... stay safe," he spoke with words that always came too easily. The need to send people off to do the work he needed done, the way of the leader. A knot always formed in those times, trying to weigh him down with the guilt of being so useless.

"Thanks Jaune. And the same to you, this isn't going to be a cakewalk."

The red speedster took off away from them, toward the center of town at a rapid pace. Jaune watched as she became smaller, losing definition before ultimately disappearing down a side street. She was always so eager, maybe I just didn't pay enough attention before. Hefting the shield he'd known for so long now, Jaune resumed walking toward the gate and location of the carnage Nora was dealing out. Another griffon flew off the wall, this time into a building before bursting into a cloud of black smoke.

"We're going to have to coordinate with the other Huntsman here, figure out how long they've been fighting." The crisp voice of Gideon had a calming effect on Jaune, taking the edge off with her confidence.

"We also need to worry about the people here," Ren interjected, "I've seen too many just walking around without any care. They need to be evacuated."

Jaune looked over to Pyrrha, trying to get her angle on the situation. She walked straight forward with squared shoulders, the very model of a professional. If what that man said was true, she's probably feeling the expectation to live up to this grand story of his. He couldn't help but think the man, Mertin, was speaking the truth. That his grandfather had heard this story from long ago and Pyrrha was the spitting image of it. But then, why did he have the lingering feeling of doubt about her place, about what it was she was expected to do?

"Pyrrha, do you have any ideas?" The words were strong, attempting to return her confidence.

"We'll hold the Grimm back, that's all there is to it," she commanded, keeping her gaze on the wall ahead.

Her words didn't calm his fears, but he trusted her to let him in and help her if it came to it. They came to the stairway leading upward, as several guards rushed by and down the street they'd come from. The few that remained eyed them before motioning them to pass. Climbing the stairway, sounds of battle rang out louder and clearer, the crack of gunfire sharp on the air above. So this is what we've been training for, why we were even at Beacon in the first place. The weight of his station began to pull him downward, but he wouldn't let those around him down. It was one of the first lessons he'd received, something inscribed on his heart.

Reaching the top of their ascent Jaune gazed out over his field, surveying the ocean of black shapes that all had one goal in mind. The wall was still theirs despite the occasional intruder, but out in the distance he saw the wings of nightmares. Nevermore, a small flock of the giant birds flew around their Goliath companion. The beasts seemed to be waiting for something, as if held back by someone's chain. Glancing around at his team, he saw the looks of dismay, of horror at how bad the situation was. Then he noticed a change, the nerves being pushed back and out of mind while muscles relaxed and began preparing for the ordeal ahead.

They would hold them here, this darkness wouldn't spread any further.

"Alright, here's the plan. We aren't going to get much use out of this wall once those Nevermore start flying over. So I want everyone to clear out the smaller Grimm down below, we don't need them coming in once it comes crashing down." Jaune turned his attention toward the grizzled woman who had led them here. "Think you can knock one or two of those birds out of the sky before they force us off?"

"I'll need help," Gideon replied, looking over at one of the town's Huntsman catching his breath, "and I think I've got an idea who'll do."

"Good, that ought to give us one less headache. Ren, can you gather up the Huntsman on the wall and bring them over here?" He received a short nod from his comrade before he took off running. This wasn't going to be a simple plan, some easy fix to stop a Deathstalker in its tracks. This was an endeavor, a gamble that required the full breadth of intuition Jaune had come to rely on. I'm in over my head here, this isn't something a student should be messing with.

A moment later Ren returned with Nora and a group of Huntsmen in tow, exchanging pleasantries as they walked. They were a ragged bunch, wearing the toil of the last few days front and center. The aura of greatness still pervaded them despite the grime and muck that clung to their battered frames. Three men and a woman made up their group, and Jaune idly wondered if they were a team out of Beacon.

"So you're the one conducting the defense now?" a short man asked, bearing several scars along his sleeveless arms. He wore a mild face, the kind Jaune would expect out of a member of Sun's team from back in the Vytal days.

"I am, and you are?"

The short man spat out over the wall, grinning a warm grin toward Jaune. "The name's Kull, Kull Azurlake. And that lanky mess is Vallis Prasno," he said pointing at a leather clad gentleman who was still chatting with Nora. Kull gave a quick huff and Vallis brought his attention fully forward to regard the queasy Jaune. "Next we have the lady Silesta Modrysto," giving the well heeled woman a flattering bow. She was quite a figure, long sharp lines dotted with the short and curt features of a woman privileged to a loftier life. She leaned on an axe that bore the looks of simple make, wide gulfs marking the telltale segments of a combination weapon.

"And I'm their unlucky leader, Raudon Balkas at your service," the final man spoke up. He wore the hard face and beard of somebody who lived where and how he chose. A light breastplate was his only protection as the plates on his fists looked more suited to removing danger. "They may look like the slop of the bucket but they haven't let me down yet. And yourself? Your man Ren spoke well of you."

"Oh, um, I'm Jaune. Jaune Arc, and this is Pyrrha Nikos. You've already met Ren and Nora. And that's Gideon." The woman looked over and acknowledged the team that had come over, lingering on the short man Kull. "Yeah, I... guess I'm going to try and lead everyone. Keep this place safe."

Raudon gave him a reassuring smile, settling his bulk down on one of the merlons and stretching out in comfort. His team took up similar posts and Jaune felt like he might be able to fake his way through this mess. "So my idea is to try and keep the wall free of those smaller Grimm, because it's gonna come down when that Goliath gets here."

Pyrrha sighed and turned to Jaune with a pained look. I know. Another thing you can't do anything about, his thoughts hopefully showing on his face. "Who'll lead the attack once it breaks through?" she said with hope.

"We're not, the way Gideon made that thing out to be, we need to buy time and space to get everyone out." He saw her somber face grow darker, trying to fight against reason and rebuke his suggestions. Finally she turned away, back to the coming tide.

"I already spoke with Gideon about the Nevermore, she needs one of you to help her."

The short man Kull pulled his head up from over the wall and looked over at the booted woman. Gideon gave him a quick smile that had his eyes grow slightly. "I suppose I'll be able to do it," he said detaching a large broadsword from his back and eying the middle section. Holes lined the edges just in front of the middle and there was a telltale line denoting the combination aspect. Still just have Crocea Mors. Well, it'll have to do.

"Ren, I want you to handle getting everyone moving to the boats. Get the guards to listen." The stoic man nodded and began to step down the stairs before being stopped by Nora. She gave him a quick hug and whispered something Jaune couldn't quite hear. They parted with Nora watching the black haired warrior walk down the stairs. He'll be the best to convince them, and maybe he can keep an eye on Ruby as well.

"Then that's it, we'll have less room to fight once this wall goes down," he said looking out over the town, down a wide street that would make for their line to safety. Turning back to his combined fighters he could see the doubt in his newcomer's eyes. They seemed to doubt he was really thinking about how to get them out of this alive, and he couldn't say he truly knew. Only intuition had gotten him as far as it had.

"Alright, then we'll get to work," Raudon commanded as he rose, "considering Jaune and I aren't the best at getting rid of annoyances out that far, I suppose we'll take the center?" Jaune nodded to the big man and watched as his team and Raudon's walked out toward the far points of the wall. Gideon and Kull busied themselves a short distance from the two. "So, Jaune. You seem to have a head for tactics."

Jaune nodded, focusing on the monsters that threatened him and his charges. Raudon just stood there, remaining limber and casually watching the field below. "That's good, a leader needs to have a head on his shoulders. But you seem young, too young to be out here." The words chilled Jaune, but he knew that it was too late for his team to be deterred from their goal. He let them pass without comment, but Raudon gave a knowing chuckle anyway. "Oh I wouldn't worry about that secret, we'll keep it safe for you. Anyway, seems like you've got good people around you. The gunfighter is quiet, but seems to have a soft spot for the spunky girl."

"They grew up together, and are pretty much all they have now." He didn't care that his tone was sour or if he was rude. There were things that he wanted to leave unsaid.

"I think it might be a bit more, sort of like the way your friend from Passage was eying Kull over there. But what I really want to know is about the one in tinged white, Pyrrha was it?"

"Yeah, I'm sure you've heard of her." He could feel the coming wave of adoration, the typical response that many had given about her.

"I have, a real promising girl. But the last time I saw her, back in Mistral, she wasn't running around with a set of armor you'd find in the old stories about the war."

"It's a long story, and one I don't really want to tell."

Raudon idly scratched at the tangled mess on his chin and hummed a foreign tune loud enough for Jaune to hear. "She seems special though," he interrupted himself "likely she means a lot to the people around her. And to you."

Jaune finally turned to meet the brown eyes of this man who'd been trying to pry into his life. They reflected back a somber yet hopeful soul, the kind that he could empathize with on a deeper level. A feeling of camaraderie washed over him, replacing time with an understanding of station and circumstance. "Yes, I... lost her once before."

"It's alright, this is a rough life we lead. Savor the time you have, don't let it slip by." The man turned back to the Grimm, and Jaune looked back to find they were finally coming toward the wall. "That girl... she reminds me of a story my great grandfather told me. Something about a maiden in white that wasn't white would herald the end. She would be a messenger or some such."

Jaune didn't want to let it be true, but it was inescapable. He thought deeply about Raudon's advice as the sound of gunfire picked up in the background.

A shutter slammed against wood when the sea breeze picked up slightly, and Ruby's nerves ratcheted up another notch. The town seemed to be devoid of life as the evacuation slowly made progress. Combined with her lack of direction, or even a hint of what she was looking for, the dread she felt became nearly palpable. She'd asked a couple townspeople if anything strange had happened in the last week and gotten nowhere. There has to be someone who can explain that silver haired man, she reassured herself. A door closed off to her left and it seemed a good place to continue the search.

Knocking on the door, a light thud sounded from within and the sound of shuffling feet approached. "Y-yes? Can I help you?"

"Can I come in? I need to ask some questions about what's been happening in the last week."

"N-no, we're trying to get ready to leave." Ruby heard the footsteps fall more firmly as the person behind the door began leaving.

"I really can't take no for an answer, this is important." The footfalls stopped, and she hoped she wouldn't have to argue any further.

A loud thunk sounded through the door as it shook from whatever impact had occurred. Following the sickening feeling in her stomach, Ruby backed away a good distance and watched the portal for a few seconds. Feeling a twinge to her right, she rolled as the blast finally went off and threw the door outward. Coming back up, Ruby was greeted with a woman stepping out of the building holding a short rifle at the ready.

Spotting Ruby the woman opened fire, peppering her red adversary's area. A quick step upward and Ruby felt the force she needed build behind her, the semblance she'd known for so long heeding her command. Appearing to her assailant's left, she swung Crescent Rose out of its holder and spun it in an intricate flourish to rest the head next to the woman. Reacting to the massive blade that was mere feet away, the woman ran in fear. Not the best choice. Releasing another small bit of energy, she found herself thrust into a sprint right behind her fugitive.

Letting her scythe trail behind, she pulled the trigger. A mighty blast echoed along the street as the bladed head came flying forward, Ruby directing it with a deft hand. Swinging fully around, the blades embedded in a the wall they were running against, deadly edge between the woman and freedom. She ran full force into it and toppled end over end, rolling to a stop in an undignified mess. Sliding to a stop, wrenching Crescent Rose out along with her, she stood over the toppled woman and held the tip of her weapon inches from her face. Her shirt was ripped and a light red mark was visible underneath.

"I don't think you want to keep this up, you're already spent from the looks of it." Ruby watched the sense come rushing back into her eyes as the woman dropped her weapon and threw her hands up. "Now if you don't mind, I've got some-"

Gunshots interrupted the Huntress as several rounds impacted along the street, forcing her to jump away from the prone woman. Looking back Ruby found two white clad men aiming down range at her, clearly accustomed to combat in a way the woman wasn't. The woman. Whipping her head around, she saw her getting up slowly and stumbling forward. Rolling away from more fire, she brought her scythe up shifted to the slightly more manageable high power rifle. But it was for nothing, her enemy stumbled and fell, coughing and sputtering unheard words. Looks like I found the trouble I was searching for.

Her new opponents kept up the barrage and it soon became apparent they were trying to leave the area. Spinning her scythe in front of her, Ruby deflected several shots before settling the weapon behind her. Another immense blast sent her sailing toward the gunmen, and she followed up with a handful more to finish closing the distance. Their surprise rang across masked faces as she flew up on them, one falling backward while the other turned to flee. She swung her scythe straight into the ground next to her first victim, using it as an anchor and sailing in an arc.

Breath left her masked friend as the full force of her speed sunk into his chest, and she found that the extra few inches the man's chest gave her was quite nice. Slinging her scythe back into a short rifle, the second runner fell in a pair shots and stopped moving. Well, they weren't that bad. Should have gone softer though, can't talk to people who can't breathe. Walking back to the woman, she found her breathing harsh and uneven. Kneeling beside her, Ruby flipped the woman onto her back and found that she wasn't in danger of dying, but the mark hadn't gone away.

"Alright, now that I have your undivided attention, mind telling me what you and some White Fang are doing here? Why are the Grimm swarming to this place?"

She coughed, letting out a raspy breath before finding a shred of composure. "You wouldn't want to find out. They made me do it, those men were my jailors."

"Then tell me what you... they did, I'm here with a lot of help. We can stop this, I just need you to tell me."

"He... came to me," she mumbled, her eyes starting to well up, "said that my husband was going to kill me. That I needed to trust him." The woman began coughing again before finally subsiding into wheezes. "I didn't believe him. But one day, my husband... he... he picked up a knife and started saying these strange things. I-I panicked and grabbed the rifle form my combat school days, but he just started walking towards me with this grin."

Ruby could see the terror in the woman's eyes, the memories of it all rushing back to her. "It's ok, I'm sure it wasn't your fault."

"But it was, I never was a good wife, and I never... I killed him, shot him so many times. So many." She started to sob, and Ruby couldn't help but feel sorry for this woman. "Then He came back again, said that I'd killed in cold blood. I tried to argue, but he said that guards were already looking for me. Told me that he could protect me."

"But why? What could they have accomplished doing this?"

"People. Taken," she hoarsely shouted, "taken away. And then... then we bu-" A small blade lodged itself into the woman's throat, and Ruby jumped back and away as several more bounced off the pavement. Whipping around to a roof nearby, she saw a brief flash of black disappear away from her. This isn't happening, not again. She took off running, not daring to look back at the remains of the woman. Running onward, the center street came into view and she slid to a stop, trying to find any trace of the assassin. Only a steady stream of evacuees staring at her enormous scythe greeted her, and she quickly retracted the weapon to ease them.

Looking up the road toward the wall, Ruby watched as a large Nevermore crashed downward into the gap between the bastion and buildings. Several screams rang out from nearby and the civilians began to pick up the pace, running for the safety of the sea. Ruby could only stand there, taking in the destruction of buildings that must have stood for years until this point. Pressure built behind her eyes, the force seemingly bubbling from her head. I can't let it happen, not if I can stop it. Stepping forward, a shout echoed from behind her taking her out of the trance.

"We need to get them moving faster! Ruby, I need you to handle the people at the wall, they're being stubborn." Ruby looked back and saw Ren running between buildings, feverishly trying to get everyone on their way. Leaving the man to the back of her mind, she ran forward toward the wall. It's not like we're alone out here, I'm sure we can take him if he's still here, she thought to calm her fears. She wasn't alone, not yet.

The thunder of rifles was nearly deafening, but still it didn't relent. Grimm fell by the dozens, a black fog washing over the field below her with the morbid work. Pyrrha pulled her rifle to the left and fired at a stray Boarbatusk, bouncing the round off its armored mask. Sniffing in disgust, she let a volley loose at the little beast, battering the plate with her furious fire. It finally cracked and several shots struck true, throwing the Grimm aside. It began to bleed white flecks as had been expected from her weapons. To her left the report of a large rifle assailed her ears followed by an even deeper boom from what she guessed was one of Raudon's men.

Looking upward, several Nevermore circled their wall while a swarm of Griffons descended in slow circles. What could have called so many here? There weren't even this many when Beacon was attacked. Her thoughts wandered back to that day, and she thanked whatever mercy kept the White Fang and worse from being here. Distant thunder brought her back to the present as the Goliath stepped ever closer. It brought with it a horde of Grimm that screamed and howled around. Jaune's plan was working though, a ring around the wall was forming as they killed anything that got closer.

Her mind wandered in the lull, thinking on the dorky boy she'd fallen for. How much he'd grown, how he'd taken up the mantle of leadership with little effort. Pyrrha felt like she was a good judge of character, but he outstripped even her expectations. Holding his team together with an easy charisma and always having a plan ready when needed. A small pang of guilt ran through her at the thought of being forced to push him away. It wasn't right to be take out her frustrations on him either, it wasn't his fault she wasn't strong enough.

"Another customer, and he looks hungry!" Vallis yelled to her right, firing another bolt from his sword shifted to a long rifle. A Beowolf that was sprinting through the clearing fell over and skid to a stop before reaching the halfway point. "You see that miss? That's how we keep them satisfied back in Cleront!"

Pyrrha couldn't help but smile at the man's bravado. "I'm sure you're quite popular with the local sheriffs if that's how you do business."

"You wound me my dear, I simply feel the need to compete with someone of your obvious talent." He bowed with a flourish and Pyrrha felt the heat in her cheeks rise. Turning back to her section, she fired several shots far to get her mind off of such light things. It was time to work, to do the duty that Glynda had told her about. The Goliath marched onward, inexorable in its path toward the gatehouse. A slight worry over Jaune swept through her, but she calmed it with the notion that Raudon would at least keep him safe.

Screeches broke her calm, and the three Nevermore descended in unison. Panic gripped her, they were coming straight at her. Taking a knee, she pulled Thnitos upward and aimed at the first to approach. Pulling the trigger, she felt the buck against her shoulder and followed it up with a furious fusillade into an oncoming maw. No effect, and it kept flying down toward her. Shifting her rifle back to a blade, she braced for the eventual arrival. The Nevermore soared down onto her, letting great wings beat back the force of gravity at the last. Wind buffeted Pyrrha, threatening to throw her from the wall.

Letting out a cry, she thrust the blade upward and dared the monster to fight her. It struck downward with great talons, battering the stone around Pyrrha and tearing merlons from their places. She struck back when one of the talons became lodged in a gap, stabbing into the bony appendage and levering herself upward. Tearing the blade free, she fired to maintain momentum and stabbed further up for leverage. Onward she climbed, letting the flow of gunfire and sword strikes carry her onto the great birds back. Finally she was at a flat footing.

The great beast shook itself free, furiously flapping wings to gain altitude. Pyrrha felt no urge to let it, instead swinging her blade down along a wing before shifting it to a spear to cripple the bird. It let out a cry of anger, trying to dislodge the unwanted guest. She simply held her ground, letting Athanatos dig deeply as well into the back of the Nevermore. Pulling back her spear, she stabbed downward again into the beast's back. Taking a step, she swung again and again, moving forward with each blow. Shrieks of rage sounded as her attack took its toll. She arrived at the thrashing head of the beast, holding onto her spear as best she could.

"This isn't for me, or you. This is for what I have to do," she said to no one. Delving deep into herself, past where her semblance lay, past where she would reach for normally, she grasped the very fibers of her Aura. Pulling them, she raised Thnitos high overhead and, pulling the trigger on the weapon, thrust with her entire might. The spear tip split the air and embedded itself into the Nevermore, deeper down until Pyrrha could feel the force she controlled pushing as well. The winged nightmare fell from the sky, being thrown like a stone toward the ground.

She felt the pull to ride it into oblivion, to let glory determine her fate. At the last she wrenched her spear free and jumped from the beast onto the wall as it fell to the street below. Sliding to a stop, the Huntress stood and surveyed the scene she'd just moments before been standing in. Vallis was staring slack jawed at the maiden, and she could see that he had a hand in keeping the beast stationary. Looking upward revealed a Nevermore flying back into the sky, leaving the site of its fellow's murder.

"Well. I'd say that puts me out of business in big way. But if you don't mind," he asked with a hint of fear, "would you explain what you did to make it turn into a giant cloud of white?"

Pyrrha watched as the flecks she'd seen so many times drifted up, gently floating away over the wall and into the distance. She felt her heart sink, realizing that it wasn't natural what was happening. The look on Vallis' face tore into her, his stance clearly not the same easy going rogue he'd tried to portray. "I don't know why, it's just happens."

"That's easy for you to say, I just had to watch something that no one else has ever seen before."

She could see his mistrust, the accusation of her being something else, something dangerous. "Please, I don't know. I'm still figuring out why this is all happening to me. Please... believe me."

His eyes searched her, trying to find any sign of deceit in her words. They lingered on the wound that still would not heal, and she felt the small pull of darkness. She turned away, unable to bear the weight of scrutiny any further. And she saw the people down on the street staring upward, some with wide eyes that screamed at her to stay away. And some that looked at her with awe and wonder, looking upward and straightening up against the weight the held. A symbol that speaks volumes to the young that will come after us.

She turned back to Vallis, the fire that she'd felt fading returning full strength. "I told you that I don't know what it is I'm doing, but I tell you now that it is to save these people, to hold back the tide of darkness." Her words came out with clarity and force, seemingly echoing down the street and across the field. The voice that came out seemed to be only partially her own, an extra hint being added behind it.

Her words weren't enough to stop the tide though, as a great roar answered her claims. And with it an earthquake that shook Pyrrha to her knees. Stones ached as the material holding them together began to be wrenched apart. "The wall's coming down, we need to go!" she yelled over to Vallis. The vibrations began pulling apart even the most tenuous footing, and Pyrrha decided to simply jump for it. The bastion crumbled as she sailed through the air, hefting her shield to smash into the building nearby and lodge herself onto it. Twisting around, Pyrrha wrenched the metal free and tumbled down to the street below.

Rolling to a halt, she righted herself in expectation for the oncoming attack. Around her the screaming forms of people raced away, trying to escape the danger that threatened them. Then she saw Vallis crumpled form and her heart sank. Seeing the veteran Huntsman down and sprawled across the cruel stones tore into her. Where he had stood was no more, and the wall was only a third of its old height with the remaining stones scattered between the street and the field. Nothing came over the wall yet, and Pyrrha felt it was time to start moving back to the center street.

Running over to Vallis she found him still breathing, though ragged and unevenly. He wasn't going to be any use in the fight and it was time for her team to take over their duties anyway. She began hoisting the man onto her shoulders, but the weight was too much. I pushed too hard on that Nevermore, got to be more careful. As she struggled a young man came up to her and began pulling some of the weight onto himself. She gave him a soft smile in thanks, but the look in his eyes wasn't what she expected. They shone with a fire of a man possessed, like he saw the very reason he lived in her.

Brushing it off they staggered onward with their burden. The street was abuzz with people running with them, offering Pyrrha and her helper mixed looks of fear and awe. Ahead of her the gatehouse was crumbled, nothing remaining of the barrier that held for what could only have been decades, if not a century. A slight twinge of panic rose for Jaune and she found her pace quickening. The young man simply picked up his steps as well, never speaking. They covered the ground in peace, the wave of Grimm she expected still held back with fear.

"Pyrrha, thank goodness. I need your help." The voice of Ruby Rose called out of to her left and she saw the young woman running toward her. There wasn't time to stop, so Pyrrha simply kept going toward her destination. Ruby caught up and took an arm from the young man who looked painfully at the duo before running off. "Pyrrha? Is this...?"

"One of the Huntsman we found, they'd been fighting for three days now. He didn't make it off the wall well."

The young woman sighed, letting out a long breath that worried Pyrrha slightly. "No more, I don't want anyone else to leave."

"Ruby? What happened?"

The petite girl turned away, trying to hide her face from Pyrrha. "I found someone, they told me they were taking people away. But before I could find anything else out she..." Her silence answered Pyrrha's question. "And a man up on the roofs was running away afterward, so we need to be careful. It could be someone we know."

"Of course. It's good you figured out why the Grimm are here, and you're still safe. We can still fix this." She didn't really believe her words, carrying a limp Vallis and trying not to fall over from her earlier exertion. Still, the little red hood swung back over to face her with strong silver eyes, nodding fiercely. They carried onward, letting the hope they carried fuel them. Howls began sounding in the distance to announce the final push.

Two figures stood ushering people toward the ships, and Pyrrha could make out the large shield that Jaune held. Next to him the large man Raudon was waving at them. Several clouds of black circled upward, and Pyrrha could see the exertion that coursed through both men's faces. He still has a long way to go. And if Raudon has been pushing as hard as Vallis... she restrained her thoughts, not daring to allow such a possibility. Further onward the woman Silesta was carrying a limp Nora on her shoulders, stumbling forward.

"There's enough fire here for the whole mess of you Grimm! Come and get it!" Raudon yelled at the slowly moving horde. He swung an armored fist in the air, defying the great beast that was just yards away from the threshold. "Kull! We're gonna need you soon man! I can't be the only one trying to yell down a killing machine."

The short man was sitting nearby, sucking down air in an attempt to regain some strength. "I don't think I'm gonna be good for a while. You just keep up the act, I'm sure it's working."

Jaune was also down on his knees, letting out gasps that told Pyrrha most of the story. Looking upward he spotted the duo. "Pyrrha, Ruby! Is he alright? And you?"

"We're fine, and Vallis is alive but completely drained of Aura," Pyrrha reported, "what about yourself?"

"I'm doing alright, tired of keeping up with Raudon," Jaune said with a light tone. But as he looked back at the man Silesta and Nora came into view. "Oh no, not her too. And I can't imagine Silesta being any more use if she's stumbling like that." He stamped a foot, and Pyrrha watched him tense up at the situation.

Ruby shifted under the man's weight and Pyrrha saw her slouching slightly at the way things were going. "It's ok, we tried. We'll need to get out of here soon. I haven't seen Marly yet, have you?"

"No, we lost track of her when the quake hit. I'm sure she'll be ok though."

Pyrrha nodded in agreement and set the weight she carried down to take in their situation. All around her the people were running, being funneled down the center street like water down a river. The young man who had helped her earlier was milling about in a door way, watching the Huntsman with eyes still alight. Silesta settled Nora down beside Vallis, smoothing out the fine dress she wore before settling back in to fight alongside Raudon. The sharp woman looked haggard and beaten, but she masked it well behind a flat facade.

"Seems like we might be in over our head here captain. What's the plan?"

Raudon laughed for a long stretch, finally calming to stare the woman in the eyes. "You're really asking me that? We follow Jaune's plan, fall back slowly when the people get by, try and get as many out as possible."

"It's a good plan, correctly judged for how deep we are in it," Kull shouted from where he sat. Pyrrha could feel the words trying to fight against their despair, trying to deny how bad it really was. They had two Huntsman down and a third who would most likely not be any use in the coming fight. "We'll be just fine as long as it all goes according to plan."

"I'm sure it will, just a few setbacks after all," the large bearded man smiled while he spoke,

"We've still got Miss Nikos with us, and Jaune should be good to go. I don't see the-"

He cut off with a choking sound. Pyrrha snapped her head around to see the boy from earlier pressing a knife into Raudon's back. He pressed and pressed, before the sound of glass shattering split the air. Jaune bashed him off of the man before trying to catch the falling Raudon. Silesta swung her axe around and pinned the boy against her, a deadly ice in her eyes barely held back by mercy. Pyrrha felt her heart sink to the pit of her stomach, seeing the last hopes she'd had dashed before her as the Huntsman fell to his knees.

"Why!" Ruby screamed at the boy, "why do this now? You were helping us, why do you want to hurt these people?" The boy stared at Pyrrha, the eyes burning with a zeal that frightened her. Then he collapsed into the axe pinning him, and Silesta let him down.

"He's still breathing. Unfortunately. But why do this now? What could he have gained?" Her countenance was dark, the sharp lines of her face and dress accentuating a deadly desire.

"A shame, I could have used him a bit longer to distract. Oh well, they say to do what you need done yourself." Pyrrha turned behind her to see a man in black strolling up to her, a flash of silver hair spread across his head. He was nearly the spitting image of Mercury Black, except for the whip he held coiled in his hand. The evacuees parted around him while he walked. "But it really is a pain losing my patsy back there, no thanks to you little red."

"Are you another one of Cinder's people?" Pyrrha saw the menace in his eyes, and knew her answer.

"Maybe, maybe not. Will it do you any good to know?"

Ruby unhooked Crescent Rose beside Pyrrha, spinning and settling the massive scythe-rifle onto the ground pointed at this newcomer. "No, because it doesn't matter. You need to be stopped. And I will stop you."

Pyrrha saw the fire in her silver eyes. The same fire that coursed through her own not so long ago. But it was different, a purity and determination for others that she didn't have. She had fought because of what she believed she would be. Her mind reeled for a second, trying to reject the truth. Then she simply let it be, calm in the knowledge. "Ruby. We need to take care of our own first. Our friends need help."

"But... you're right, we need another plan."

The young leader stood at the ready while Pyrrha walked back to Jaune and company. "Jaune, I need you and-" she stopped as Ren came running back from the docks. "Ren. Thank goodness."

The calm warrior slowed to a stop and surveyed the scene, stopping slightly on Nora's unconscious frame before sweeping across to their enemy. "I suppose we need to get the others out of here?"

"Yes, exactly," she told her teammate before focusing back on Jaune, "so you know what we need to do. I'm sorry."

He looked into her eyes, those blue moats reflecting back a sorrow at what must be. "I won't let you leave again."

There wasn't any sadness in Pyrrha left, she knew this wasn't the end. "No, I can't promise that... but," she replied with a small smile, "I will find you, no matter where we end up, I'll be by your side one day again."

Jaune walked past her, letting only the briefest moment of touch brush by before moving on to pick up Raudon. "Ren, you're our protection. Silesta, Kull, if you can handle the others?" The two Huntsman nodded their acceptance and he began to move back towards the docks. Before he could pass Pyrrha, she grabbed his sweater and planted a soft kiss on dry lips.

"This isn't goodbye, but only until I see you again." He nodded back, grim but loving in his manner. You'll do better to carry on your own way, away from what must come. Jaune departed down the street with the others in tow and Ren leading. Few others followed them as most of the town had been abandoned by now. Looking back toward the gate, the Goliath loomed at the threshold unmoving. It stared at the Huntsman and their foe as though pondering what course of action to take. But it wasn't the Goliath that held Pyrrha's eyes.

"Do you have a name?" Ice filled the words, and she had drawn her death and life to her hands.

"Not that I use it much, but for someone about to die I guess you could savor it. Slate Meltharsis is what a few people once called me." His face was filled with the confidence of someone used to the taking of lives. "But if you could return the honor? And maybe your friend?"

"Pyrrha Nikos, a name you might be familiar with."

"Ruby Rose, a name you'll... dislike." Pyrrha looked over at the small girl. She shrugged, "not a joke. I'm just not very good at what you two are doing,"

"Heh, not only do I get interrupted, but by a simpleton no less. Well, let's get to it." He sauntered forward, unraveling the whip and letting it drag behind. A light breeze picked up, whistling over the ruined wall and rustling Pyrrha and Ruby's clothing. And in a flash they were gone. She was up in the air, having been launched by the furious force Ruby had used to run up the side of building with her in tow. Down from above, while you handle the rear? Good plan. Down she flew, holding tight to her Aura. It had started to become easier to find since her fight with the Nevermore.

Slate simply stood there as Pyrrha hurtled toward him, his whip slowly undulating in the wind. That isn't the wind, her mind warned before instinctively raising Athanatos. Small objects impacted the protective metal and she continued the descent. Pulling deeper into the well of her Aura, she prepared for the landing. Looking over her shield she saw the man still cockily standing his ground. So be it, she would land with the full force of her abilities and finish this quickly. Gripping Thnitos tightly she plummeted the last few yards. Letting out a guttural yell she released the accumulated energy of her Aura through her shield, smashing the ground with its fury. Lifting her head, she saw Slate had jumped away.

Pushing outward with that energy, she lifted herself upward slightly and spun on unseen forces to throw a booted heel at him. The man unfurled his weapon and flicked it at her exposed leg in one smooth gesture. Coarse leather snapped tight and she was flung forward toward the remaining stones. So he is good enough to back up that tough talk. No, don't let arrogance compromise your attack. An ancient rule from so long ago now. Whipping around, Pyrrha landed harshly against the stones and stood horizontal for a brief instant.

Back into the fray. She launched herself at her opponent as he was coming down out of the air. A flash caught her eye and her blade moved on instinct to deflect several small knives. He landed with grace and stood to stare at Pyrrha's blade soaring into his face. The man simply bent backwards and let the weapon sail overhead, woman in tow. Rolling to a stop, she spun around to face her foe. Gunshots echoed to her right, and a blur of petals flashed across where Slate had been standing. Swiftly following the trail, Pyrrha caught a glimpse of Ruby sliding to a stop with her scythe facing away. Another piercing blast and she sailed back toward the prone man.

"Not again!" the black clad man shouted, springing upward. He flew into the air upside down and held his hands out stretched. The dark whip grew taut on Ruby's downward strike and the young Huntress came to a sliding halt as her target flew above her. She smiled, and Pyrrha could see the fatal flaw in the man's plan. A single shot rang out and his grip loosed on the weapon, flying outward slightly from the impact. Pyrrha ran toward Slate's landing point, blade shifted to a spear at the ready. Her adversary landed with a hard shoulder to the ground, rolling to face the point of her spear.

Grabbing the haft, he pulled the woman toward him and a flash of silvered metal slid across her arm. Bashing him away with Athanatos, she checked the injury. Blood, if only a trickle. Well, I am using all of my Aura in such a brutish way. Locking the spear into the slot on her shield, she approached again. Ruby let out a volley of fire to cover her, and Slate had no choice to try and avoid the deadly rounds. Pyrrha slid the spear outward. A tailed whip end battered it aside, before its owner took a shot square to the chest. Now, while he's off balance, the champion spoke inside her.

Pulling the trigger, Thnitos launched outward at its target while she sprang to a roll. Slate deflected the projectile before being brought to the ground with a blow from Athanatos. A second later the head of Ruby's scythe caught the man and launched him upward into the air, while the girl leaped after to bring him back down to earth. He twisted to land unevenly on the stones, whip trailing behind before slicing through the air toward Pyrrha. She let it strike home, preferring to use the time to reach him and deliver the final blows.

The murderer stood before her, and she could see the confidence still burning in those eyes. Almost the same eyes as the young man before. Her shield weighed down on her as she brought it up to smash down into his chest. Those eyes reflected back a sadness all their own as she crumpled him sprawling on the stones. Ruby trotted up beside her, weapon trained on the man as he slowly rose. Pyrrha calmly walked across to her weapon, and the pressure of a round exiting her young partners rifle pressed against her back.

"It's done, you were too confident," she declared before turning back to see Slate again trying to rise. "Please, stay down. You can't beat both of us." The wave of exhaustion that swept over her gave away her lie, but she held her ground. He continued to rise, and Ruby let another round fly.

Slate hit the ground hard on his back, the wind leaving him as he hit. Pyrrha glanced back at the Goliath still standing and watching them. The man let out a wheezing cough and Pyrrha could see the strength leaving him. "Hah... guess you're right. I thought you'd both... be too tired. No matter." His words came out ragged and rough. No Aura left. It seemed like we didn't do anything though. "Tell me, do you think you did anything?"

"Of course, we got the people out. We saved them!" Ruby retorted.

Slate smiled at them, a grizzly expression under silvered hair. "So you didn't hear what she... said. Good, may as well spoil the sur-surprise. We took so many of them. It was hardly... even a task for me."

"What do you mean, taken?" Pyrrha could feel the bile rising in her stomach, a sense of dread.

"We led them... into their own neighbors... yards. Had them dig, and when it was through..." The man smiled even more broadly before continuing. "They got in willingly, and we... well, you know. Need the negative emotions to draw... this beauty."

"No..." Futility weighed heavily onto her shoulders, a familiar weight. "So what did this all accomplish. Why?"

"Why not? Destroy a port, leave an entire town to wander homeless... it's all so poetic."

Pyrrha let her arms sag, the fatigue of fighting and trying to stop the inevitable dragging her downward. She watched Ruby buckle, but stand firm. "It isn't fair. Why can't we stop anything?" A call from before echoed outward, telling her of things that must not come to pass. And I still fail them.

"No, it doesn't matter what you say," Ruby said beside her, a light mist of silver drifting nearby. "As long as those people are alive, that's all we need. We'll stand up to you people, without homes, without a place to go back to. We'll stand and fight whoever threatens innocent people. People like you, and they won't win. I won't let them."

Pyrrha saw the truth in Ruby's words, saw the truth of the younger girl's place in this world. It was she that would be that paragon, stand above everyone with a purity that couldn't be rivaled. She would be the real beacon of hope to the average person, and the truth hurt Pyrrha in a way she'd never known. Slate simply chuckled, letting rasping breaths substitute the normal mirth.

"You talk big, but the truth is... that we've already done so much. How could a little girl stop us, even with... someone like her... beside you?" The man raised a hand, and snapped a finger. Gunshots rang out across the town. And screams of anguish with them. "Have fun dealing with the beasts."

A mighty roar erupted from the Goliath before them, and it began stamping across the gate. The lesser Grimm held back, but it was a fight in their eyes between fear and hunger. Slate laughed up at the great beast as Pyrrha and Ruby ran down the street. A long scraping sound was all Pyrrha heard before the laughing stopped. Good, at least there is some justice in the world. Thunder chased after them as the great monster ran in slow rhythm. It followed them down the street, threatening the very goal in its unrelenting chase. There wasn't time to come up with a different plan.

"Ruby, you need to go."

The red hooded girl stared directly into her eyes, her pace unchanging despite the worry she displayed. "You're not going to do this again, we need you."

"I don't intend to die again, not now. But," Pyrrha gently said, trying not to let her lies show, "if we don't hold this thing back whoever is left at the docks won't make it."

Ruby's eyes clouded, great silver orbs fighting to hold back the tears she wanted to shed. "You'll come back to us, to me. There's so much I want to talk about."

Pyrrha nodded her answer, and the speedster lived up to her name. Rose petals swirled all around as Pyrrha slowed to a stop and turned to face her destiny. Her ferocious opponent strode toward her, its pace slower than before but no less sure. Buildings lined the street, empty and devoid of a purpose with no one to admire or use them. Alone again, here on the pedestal. But it isn't a pedestal that I stand on. Just another patch of ground, the same as any other. The Goliath dwarfed the young woman, but she stood her ground. The fire of fatigue burned intensely in her muscles, her very bones. I don't know what task it is that I must do Glynda. But if I can help Ruby on her way, to what she must do then I can consider it done.

The Huntress stood alone against great terror. And she held her ground.