Chapter Text

Long ago, in a time before Mankind forgot his past… This world was a land split between the light and dark… the forces of good and the forces of evil clashed for control of this world. A great warrior rose during the world’s darkest hour to lead what became known as The Masters… Now, on the Remnant of a once mighty world… corrupted by the darkness of what has come to be called the Grimm… Evil grows in power, and those who are sworn to defend Good conspire for their own means… the descendant of the mighty warrior is once again called to take up his inherited Sword of Power… and together with the last Silver-Eyed Warrior and the Power of Grayskull… They will bring hope back to the Remnant of Eternia…

MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE

"Somewhere out there someone needs me

I don’t know how or where but believe me

I’ll walk the universe to find her

For better or worse beside her

For the Honor of Love

By the Power above

I have the Power

I have the Power!"

Chapter 1: Crossroads of Destiny

“Running away again? Is that what you’ve become, my love?”

“Why are you doing this?”

“You and I were going to change the world, Remember??”

“I NEVER WANTED THIS!”

“What you want is impossible!”

“But I understand, because all I want is you… Blake…”

“I will make it my mission to destroy everything you love…”

“BLAKE! WHERE ARE YOU??”

“Starting with … her…”

“GET AWAY FROM HER!!”

“NOOOO!”

“YOU HAVE TO SAVE PYRRHA!”

“DON’T WORRY ABOUT ME!!!!!”

“I have a plan.”

“You always have a plan.”

“It’s unfortunate you were promised a power that was never truly yours…”

“Do you believe in Destiny?”

“PYRRRRRRRRRRRRHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

Two silver eyes snapped open and adjusted to the darkness of her chamber, her prison. She had watched over this world for many years, as her predecessor had, and her predecessor, and so on and so forth. The long white cloak wrapped around her body as the falcon-like hood hid her features in shadows.

A smile tugged on her pale lips as she spotted the small dog run up the steps toward her stone throne. “Hello, my old friend, I have missed you…” The Sorceress said, going to one knee to greet the black and white corgi.

“You called…” Qrow Branwen and his sister Raven asked entering the dimly lit chamber.

“Yes… I have received a horrible vision of what could come… we are coming to a crossroads of fate… Qrow, are you aware of what Ozpin is doing?” the Sorceress asked, glancing up, but still petting and scratching the small dog.

“He’s up to something, but he’s keeping it mostly close to the vest,” the Huntsman replied, taking out his flask. “Ironwood and Goodwitch are in on it, and Oz is looking for a guardian, likely a replacement for the Fall Maiden… that’s about all I know.”

“That is unfortunate you haven’t learned anything else… He has used his powers to block the eyes of the Castle… but I fear it has to do with manipulating the Line of Maidens.” The Sorceress said, scooping up Zwei and stepping down toward her two agents.

“The Witch is using pawns to regain power, I have a theory of what her ultimate plan could be… I pray that I am mistaken,” the Sorceress stated.

“Whatever she wants it’s got a lot to do with the Maiden powers,” Raven stated, crossing her arms, glancing away.

The three stood in silence, only the panting of the small dog in the Sorceress’ arms filled the room. Finally, she spoke to her agents. “Qrow, bring me the young man.”

“What?” Qrow asked, dropping his flask. “You can’t be serious… He’s not ready. He has the fighting skills of a two-week old puppy, barely has any aura control, doesn’t even know if or what his Semblance is, and way too submissive of that Cereal Box Girl…”

The Sorceress sat the dog down, then turned and walked toward an elegantly decorated sword case. “It is no outer ability or skill, appearance, or power that matters, Qrow…” the Sorceress said, her silver eyes lingering on the box. “It’s his heart. And like the last who wielded this blade… his heart is pure… like his mother…” She said, glancing to Raven before turned to Qrow and smiled, “He will do…”

(-H-)

Jaune Arc had come to the conclusion he was a horrible Team Leader. Sure they had won their matches, and things were looking great, but they still needed to work out details and train… and at the moment, not a single one of his teammates were anywhere to be found. Nora Valkyrie disappearing isn’t out of the realm of normal, same with Lei Ren chasing after his arguably insane partner… now Arc’s own partner, Pyrrha Nikos disappearing. That was a new thing, and one that had struck him oddly.

It almost felt like the times Weiss Schnee of Team RWBY had rejected his advances, but he wasn’t sure why he felt this way about his best friend slash partner.

“Looks like you got a lot on your mind, Kid,” a gruff voice spoke up drawing Jaune’s attention. The young student Huntsman looked up to see Ruby’s Uncle Qrow screwing the lid back on his flask.

“I guess…” Jaune scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“Well, you’re about to get more,” Qrow said walking up to the young man, “C’mon and walk with me. And here… you’ll need this.” He said handing him his flask.

Jaune looked at the steel container in his hand and back up at the elder huntsman, “I’m not… really old enough to drink…”

“Kid if you’re old enough to fight the Grimm,” Qrow smirked, “You’re old enough to drink, have sex, smoke, get married, have kids, whatever, and what we have to talk about… you’re gonna probably go alcoholic.”

Jaune glanced at him strangely as he was led to a side alley. He stopped and frowned when Qrow continued toward a woman standing in the shadows wearing close to all black and knee-length black boots, the only splash of color being the red mixed into her gi she chose as a top; on her back rested a large zweihander in its sheath, and on her face a Grimm-mask with four eyes. “What’s going on?” Jaune asked while placing a hand on his sword.

“Relax, kid, this is Raven, my sister. She’s on our side. She’s just going to get us to where you need to be,” Qrow said, “Alright, Rave, open a gate.”

Raven studied Jaune a moment longer before she hit a switch on the large sheath that rotated the multiple colored dust blades till it landed on the one she required, and drew a long red katana blade. With a single long slash, she opened a crimson portal, and signaled for Qrow and Jaune to enter.

“Well come on, can’t keep the lady waiting,” Qrow said as he walked into the portal.

Raven nodded to the boy, and Jaune reluctantly followed Qrow.

As if simply walking through a doorway, Jaune found himself in a massive stone chamber lit by multiple torches. He saw Qrow stopping before a long stone stairway leading to a throne, with a woman in white seated patiently. “What is this?” Jaune asked as Raven took a place on the other side of the throne.

“Welcome, Jaune Arc, to Castle Grayskull…” the woman in white said, standing up.

“Castle Grayskull?” Jaune asked looking around as the woman gracefully made her way down.

“Yes, indeed,” the woman said as she made the final step and continued toward the young huntsman in training. “And I am the latest woman to hold the honor of being the Sorceress of Grayskull.”

“Uh… congrats…” Jaune scratched his head awkwardly. “So… what can I do for you…”

“It is not just what you can do for me, Jaune,” the Sorceress said, pulling her falcon-like headdress back slightly to reveal a face that was very familiar to the young man. She looked almost identical to Ruby Rose, down to the silver eyes. “No, it is what you can do for all of Remnant.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m sure that there’s others better suited… like Pyrrha, Nora, Ren, or any of the girls in RWBY… to say nothing of Professor Ozpin…” Jaune suggested nervously. “I’m like…barely even hanging in with my studies… if it wasn’t for Pyrrha’s tutoring I’d have already flunked out…”

At the mention of Ozpin’s name, the Sorceress’ silver eyes darkened almost angrily. “Each of your friends all have a role to play, but you, my friend, have a very unique destiny… You have a choice. And it will affect not only each of your friends, but the fate of Beacon, Vale, and the whole world.”

“You stand at a crossroad, Jaune,” the Sorceress stated, “forces that stand for Good and Evil have both fallen into corruptive state of selfish desires and personal control. Sacrificing what is good for what is considered safety… It is time… for the Guardian to return. You, Descendant of King Adam son of Randor and Queen Teela Sorceress of Grayskull, are chosen.”

“What do you mean, I don’t understand at all…” Jaune shook his head.

“Allow me to show you what will come to pass if things go unchanged…” the Sorceress said, touching her finger tips to Jaune’s temple.

Jaune’s eyes widened as he found himself in the Vytal Tournament Arena. He looked around and saw Pyrrha and another girl, Ruby’s friend Penny if he recalled, face to face about to battle. Penny released her floating blades, and Jaune turned quickly to see Pyrrha’s eyes glaze over, as sudden fear washed over her face.

“Emerald Sustrai,” Sorceress said from Jaune’s side, pointing to a tanned skinned, green haired girl staring with a hard focus on Pyrrha. “This is the moment that everything changes… Emerald’s semblance is the ability to create illusions… to make people see non-existent things no one else can…”

“Like when Yang attacked that Mercury guy…” Jaune mused, but suddenly gasped when Pyrrha freaked and extended her arms, sending the blades, and their barely visible strings back toward her opponent. And to his horror ripped the girl apart.

“An Agent of the GRIMM, Cinder Fall manipulated the tournament all the way to this point,” Sorceress explained as the scenery changed to the courtyard of Beacon Academy, overwhelmed by Creatures of Grimm. White Fang troopers and rampaging Atlas androids, and high above a Grimm Dragon circled the tower.

Jaune watched in horror as he saw friends and classmates forced back, some having to be carried due to injuries.

“You and your friends will stand,” Sorceress stated, glancing around at the fiery chaos. “You will fight. But, in the end… Beacon will fall… and heavy prices will be paid.”

Jaune suddenly found himself and the Sorceress standing in a burning building. “BLAKE!” Jaune gasped when he saw her on the ground at a redheaded masked Faunus’ feet.

“…I am going to destroy everything thing you love, Blake…” the masked faunus growled.

“BLAKE! BLAKE! WHERE ARE YOU!?!” Yang’s voice could be heard outside the building, and Blake’s eyes widened in horror.

“Starting with her…” the masked faunus said, stabbing Jaune’s friend in the stomach. He jumped to try to defend her but only passed through her attacker.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!!!” Yang screamed as tears formed in her crimson eyes, and her hair exploded in fire.

“No one will leave this battle without scars, Jaune,” Sorceress said, glancing away from the scene. “Adam Taurus, leader of the White Fang, will make sure of that…” Jaune’s eyes widened before he glanced away as Adam’s sword met Yang’s punch, slicing completely through her arm, sending the unconscious girl to the ground as her aura tried desperately to heal the severe wound to her arm.

When he opened his eyes again he and the Sorceress were in the ruins of Professor Ozpin’s office atop Beacon Tower. Pyrrha slammed into one of the few remaining pillars and slid down it as her Aura collapsed. “PYRRHA!” Jaune gasped, glancing quickly to see whom his partner was fighting against. He narrowed his eyes when he recognized the dark haired transfer student from Haven.

“Get up, Pyr…” Jaune whispered, as her enemy formed a bow and arrow in her hands, and aimed it at his best friend.

Pyrrha in a last ditch attack, threw her shield at her foe as she let loose an arrow. The arrow broke into ash around the shield before reforming and striking Pyrrha in the ankle. “NO!” Jaune cried out as he watched his friend fall, and struggle desperately to get back up.

“It’s unfortunate… you were promised a power that was never truly yours…” the student, Jaune recalled was named Cinder, stated as she paraded around the fallen Pyrrha, “but take comfort in knowing that I will use it in ways you would never imagine…” She said reforming her bow again, standing point blank before the kneeling Pyrrha.

“No… no no no…” Jaune shook his head, “Please no…”

“Do you believe in Destiny…” Pyrrha asked glancing defiantly up at her enemy.

“Yes…” Cinder stated, releasing the arrow, and Jaune gasped in anguish as it pierced completely through Pyrrha’s chest and out her back.

Jaune fell to his knees and found himself yet again in the confines of Castle Grayskull.

“That is the path of destiny as it is now, Jaune Arc,” Sorceress stated, standing over him. “Your friends will suffer, and some will die. Yet, the battle will go on. I am unclear on what the ultimate outcome will be, but I sense great pain for you and your surviving friends…”

“But I know what’s coming now,” Jaune said, shaking his head, “I can change thing!”

“You can try, but by your power… you will fail,” Sorceress explained, turning and walking toward an elaborate sword case, marked with a golden symbol of a “H” stylized as a bird. “By your power, it will be impossible to save Yang and Blake, Ozpin, Pyrrha, so many will die. I fear even with the knowledge of what is to come, by your power, there is nothing you can do. It is an impossibility… that destiny is in motion.”

“Then why did you show it to me??” Jaune asked angrily, “Is this some sick game?!”

“It is no game, Jaune Arc,” Sorceress said, opening the case to reveal a shimmering white steel sword. It was long with a few runes carved onto the blade and forward-curved hand guards before the leather wrapped handle. “By your power, it is an impossibility,” the Sorceress said, removing the Sword from its case, “But by the power of Grayskull… the impossible becomes very possible…”

“With this Sword of Power,” Sorceress explained, “You will be transformed into a mighty warrior. Whereas the Creatures of Grimm feed off the negative emotions of the world… fear, hatred, sadness, anxiety. You will draw upon the positive emotions, hope, faith, joy, happiness, love… and with that power… you will become He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe.”

Jaune studied the metallic weapon, before the Sorceress spoke up again. “But there is… a catch.”

“What’s the catch…” Jaune frowned.

“With the power you have, you must strictly keep your identity a secret… you must draw away from those who care for you. Alienate yourself. Even those whom you trust could be used to take your secret and be used against you. Until the time comes you will no longer need this power, you must walk a lonely road.”

“We have given you a lot to think about, Jaune,” Sorceress placed the Sword back into its case. “You have time to think about it. The path you choose is for you to decide, and you alone. Raven will open a gate for you back to Beacon. When the time comes, should you decide to take the power, the Sword will be provided to you.” She motioned toward the masked huntress, “Yet, regardless of your choice… may the Power of Grayskull guide and protect you… always.”

Jaune thanked her with a silent numb nod, before walking through the portal Raven created. “Do you think he will do it?” Raven asked as the portal closed.

“Doubt it,” Qrow said, taking a swig from one of his many flasks, “We should have gone with the sister. She’s the fighter.”

(-H-)

Pyrrha Nikos walked numbly from Beacon Tower toward the cafeteria. The offer Professor Ozpin, Professor Goodwitch, and General Ironwood offered her. It was more than she could really comprehend. The Fall Maiden was dying… and they wanted her… HER… to take her powers. She felt unworthy and more than anything scared. To take that would mean she would not only lose her friends… herself… but also Jaune. She had been getting hints of hope lately, that perhaps…maybe… he might have feelings for her too. and now… This…

She needed to think. Her mind was swirling with thoughts when she rounded the corner of the cafeteria building and her breath caught in her throat at what she found. Jaune was seated on the ground with his back against the wall. One arm was resting on his knee and his face was looking skyward, as if he was searching for… something. She had seen him struggle but never has she seen him seem so… lost.

“Jaune?” She asked as she slowly, timidly approached, frightened how he would respond to her interruption.

“Hey,” Jaune said, turning to smile at the redhead, a smile she easily noticed didn’t reach his eyes. “Sorry, been hiding out. Just got a lot of things on my mind…”

“You do tend to lose focus at times, Jaune,” Pyrrha smiled playfully as she sat down beside him. “Want to talk about it?”

Jaune and Pyrrha sat in silence for several moments before he gathered his thoughts. “Pyrrha… what would you do?”

“Well, that’s a broad question, what is the situation?” she asked, turning her emerald eyes on him fully.

“What if you found out that everyone you know and care about were in great danger,” Jaune started, “And… what if you were given an opportunity to save… not just them but everyone… the whole world… but you have to lose yourself… give up everything and everyone…” Her heart raced as he described her very situation. Did he know? Was he overhearing them somehow? Did Professor Ozpin or one of the others tell him? “Would it be worth sacrificing yourself so the others would live? Or would it be selfish to want to try to keep going on your own so you could be together with those you care about?”

He watched her stare blankly at him for several moments, before he was suddenly tackled to the ground by a trembling redhead. “Pyrrha?” He asked as she clung to him.

“We’re… going to be ok, Jaune…” Pyrrha half sobbed into his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her. “One way… or another. We’re going to be ok.” The two missed Nora and Ren starting to approach, but making a quick about face and quickly leaving them to themselves.

“Pyrrha?” He asked after several moments.

“Yes?” she replied softly.

“Do you… believe in destiny?” He asked in a choked whisper.

“I don’t know anymore…” Pyrrha whispered. “I used to. Now… I am afraid to…”

“Me, too…” Jaune held her tightly.

“Why… are you asking?” she finally worked up the bravery to ask.

Jaune opened his mouth to respond when voice called out over the loudspeaker. “Would the representative of Beacon Academy’s Team JNPR please report to the ready room for the next round of the Tournament. Repeat, would the representative of Beacon Academy’s Team JNPR please report …”

“Time to go to work…” Pyrrha nuzzled into Jaune’s neck. “To be continued?”

“Yeah… I mean… I want to talk to you about … a lot of things…” Jaune said awkwardly as Pyrrha forced herself up off him.

“Soon as the match is finished, we’ll find a quiet place to talk…” She said as her cheeks colored, “There’s… things I feel I must speak with you about as well…”

“Good luck,” Jaune said as he stood up behind her. “And Pyrrha… I’ve got your back.”

She glanced back and smiled appreciatively as the two made their way back to arena.

(-H-)

As Pyrrha prepared for her match with Penny Polendina, Jaune joined his teammates Nora Valkyrie and Lei Ren in the stands. “hey Jaaaaaaune…” Nora said oddly as Jaune sat down beside her. “Did you have a good day today, Jauuuune?” she asked with a wide grin, “Did anything … notable happen today…Jaaaauuuune?”

“Uh, what?” Jaune asked the petite redhead.

“I’m just curious on if anything happened when Ren and I weren’t around, JAUUUUUNE…” Nora said with a smile so wide, Jaune wondered how the top of her head stayed on. “I didn’t know if you and Pyrrha had any time to … catch up and … have anything happen… did something happen, Jaaaaauuuune?”

“That’s getting kinda weird, Nora…” Jaune blinked easing away from the girl.

Ren sighed, and glanced to his friend, “What Nora is trying to say is we saw you and Pyrrha in a rather… compromising position outside the cafeteria…”

“So, is this happening???” Nora asked almost insane with excitement.

“We just… we had some rough times and we needed a shoulder… as friends…” Jaune said, avoiding eye contact with both of his teammates. He missed Ren’s knowing smile and Nora’s disappointed pout.

“As friends…” Ren repeated oddly, but Jaune glanced away and focused on the arena as Pyrrha and Penny’s fight began.

Jaune’s eyes narrowed as something changed in Pyrrha’s demeanor. He stood up when he realized the image from his vision from the Sorceress began to take shape. If he was going to change things, he had to move fast.

“Jaune?” Nora said noticing him getting up, “JAUNE!” She screamed when he jumped the seats in front of them and bolted toward the arena floor.

Meanwhile, above them Emerald smiled as she waited for the perfect time to make a play, using Pyrrha’s own semblance against her to trigger Cinder’s grand plan. And as the redheaded android launched all her blades into the air, she knew it was time. The green haired girl held out a hand toward the Spartan, and suddenly Pyrrha saw a multitude of countless blades in the air poised to attack her.

Fear washed over Pyrrha at the oncoming onslaught, but before she could release her magnetic semblance, she was tackled to the ground away from the arena floor.

“What?!” She gasped, trying to see who had attacked her, only to freeze when she saw Jaune over her. “Jaune?”

“JAUNE?!” Ruby Rose asked from the side of the arena, “What are you doing?!” she yelled, as the announcer declared Pyrrha’s disqualification.

“Friend Ruby, Something is wrong,” Penny said, glancing around the arena, “Miss Pyrrha’s friend would not have done that if he didn’t thing something was wrong… but… RUBY!!” She yelled, running at superhuman speed to get before the red-hooded girl.

“Penny?” Ruby asked, as her mechanical friend jerked as a large bullet tore through her friend’s body. “PENNY!”

“GET AWAY, RUB-” Penny yelled as two more shots tore through her.

“No…” Jaune said sitting up beside Pyrrha as they watched in horror as the sniper bullets tore the mechanical girl apart.

“NO!” Ruby cried as she caught her friend, and held her in her arms.

“This isn’t how it was supposed to happen…” Jaune said under his breath.

“Ruby… I have received critical… d-damage…” Penny wheezed in the crying girl’s arms.

“Hold on, Penny… you’ll be ok!” Ruby whispered, before looking up and calling out, “HELP! SOMONE! HELP ME!”

“R-Ruby… when… when I …” Penny slurred, “Will I dream?”

“Penny…” Ruby breathed, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I … I…”

“Thank … you… Friend Ruby…” Penny smiled up at her, her voice growing deeper and more mechanical with each word, “Before you… I never… had a friend… It made… me feel… hu…man…” she finished, going limp in Ruby’s arms. Ruby lowered her face to her friend’s still chest and cried loudly.

“This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians, but are in reality nothing more than men. Our academies' headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both...” A woman’s voice, the exchange student Cinder Fall, spoke throughout the speakers of the Arena.

“It’s still happening…” Jaune growled, clinching his fists standing up beside Pyrrha, who was focused on the nightmare happening before her.

As Cinder continued her speech, none noticed the look of pure despair washing over Jaune’s face. He looked up to see Ren and Nora on the floor across the arena by Ruby and Penny’s body. He stared at his teammates, and then slowly turned to see Pyrrha looking across the crowd helplessly.

“This is it…” Jaune whispered to himself. He realized this was the crossroad the Sorceress of Grayskull told him of. He focused his eyes on Pyrrha’s face. Then glanced down sadly. He had to say goodbye. He couldn’t let them be hurt. He couldn’t let them die. He had to do what he had to do… even with that hefty price.

He was so deep in thought he didn’t even see the massive Nevermore burst through the shielded roof of the arena, nor did he even move as the Student Huntsmen and Huntresses battled and killed the Grimm.

“Ruby… I’m… I’m so sorry…” Pyrrha said as she approached the younger Huntress.

Ruby smiled and nodded her thanks as Jaune numbly approached Pyrrha with her sword and shield.

“Me too, but it wasn’t your fault…” Ruby replied.

“She’s right. It was… the one on the microphone…” Jaune said holding out Pyrrha’s weapons to her. “And we have to make sure they don’t take anyone… anyone…” He closed his eyes tightly as Pyrrha took her weapons from him. “I can’t… I’m sorry, Pyrrha… I’m so sorry…” He said turning and running for the exit.

“Jaune? JAUNE!” Pyrrha called after him, “Don’t… don’t go…” She called after him weakly.

“Oh no you don’t…” Nora growled angrily running behind her team leader.

Jaune ran as fast as he could down the stairs of the tower, huffing and puffing as he exited past the rampaging Grimm and Huntsmen and Huntresses fighting them. He continued out of the camp surrounding the tower looking for some secure place.

Finally making it into the warzone that was Vale, he ran into a side alley. “Raven! Qrow! SORCERESS!” Jaune called out, “I accept! I’ll do it!” Jaune looked around, “Sorceress!! They need help! What do I do! TELL ME WHAT TO DO!”

“BARK! BARK!” Jaune turned to see Ruby and Yang’s corgi, Zwei standing with the Sword of Power at his feet. “Bark!” He yelped again, before picking up the Sword again and walking toward the youth.

Jaune took the Sword from Zwei and gazed at it, the shimmering almost white steel of the blade showed his reflection. The Sorceress’ words returned to his mind. “By the Power of Grayskull, the impossible becomes very possible.”

“By the Power of Grayskull?” Jaune breathed and a spark of electricity ran up the tip of the blade.

A strange instinct filled him, like a forgotten memory. He raised aloft the Power Sword over his head, and loudly, boldly he exclaimed…

“BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!”

The moment the words left his lips, he felt his aura rocket up his arm into the Sword of Power, which exploded in blinding light, that shot high into the sky and expanded out over all of Vale and Beacon. The wave of light expanded far and wide, before returning with more intensity, along with lightening-like burst of positive energy turning the darkest of nights into day.

A few unlucky Nevermore were caught in the lightening-like bursts and were instantly obliterated, as the unworldly light-show brought the fight between Hunters and the Grimm and White Fang forces to a temporary pause.

Even Cinder herself paused, preparing to enter Beacon Tower, a frown of dread crossing her pretty face.

As quickly as the light show started it ended, with a loud, deep voice echoing throughout much of Vale, “I… HAVE… THE POWER!!!!!!” The voice yelled out loudly, before being followed by an almost demonic howl.

Not far from there, Yang Xiao Long paused in her search of her partner, Blake, seeing the intense energy and loud voice. “Whoever that is… hope he’s on our side…” She frowned, moving through the burning buildings. “BLAKE!!” she called out, “BLAKE! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

“BLAKE?!” She called again, then froze when she heard her friend cry out in pain, “Blake?” She turned to see a masked, horned faunus, dressed in black, stabbing her in the abdomen. “GET AWAY FROM HER!!!!” She cried out as the faunus turned toward her with a confident smirk on his face. Her semblance exploded sparking flames around her as her blue eyes crimson red. With a roar of rage, she leaped into battle, ready to give return the pain he had given her best friend ten times over with a super punch. Blake’s eyes widened in shock and Yang’s fluttered closed in shock as Adam Taurus’ blade sliced completely through her arm, severing it.

“YANG!” Blake called out, trying to shield her injured, unconscious partner with her own body. “Leave her alone…”

“You heard the lady, Taurus…” A deep voice called out from behind the White Fang leader. “Has no one ever taught you to respect a woman?”

“Who… or what are you?” Adam turned to see a massive and powerful looking man glaring down at him with hard blue eyes. Shaggy blond hair hung about his head, and his skin was a dark tan. His legs were covered in armored leggings under a pair of brown fur briefs and matching fur boots and a large metallic belt. His powerful chest and arms were completely uncovered expect a chest plate with metallic straps across his shoulders and along his bottom ribs. In the center of the chest plate was a Red “H” stylized like a bird. And in his hand was a shining white-steel sword.

“I’ll be with you in a moment,” the massive, at least seven-foot tall, muscle man, said, gently picking up Yang’s severed arm, then approaching Blake and Yang. “Don’t worry, Blake, I’m here to help,” he said gently, going to one knee beside the injured Huntress.

He placed the severed arm where it should be, and watched as her aura weakly tried and failed to heal her wound. He closed his eyes and laid the flat of the Sword of Power’s blade across her arm. “By the Power of Grayskull… let this wound be healed!” He commanded, and the Sword of Power exploded in blinding light, and Yang’s fingers extended before clinching into a fist. The stranger lifted his sword and saw just a light scar on the girl’s arm.

“W-What hap-happened?” Yang’s eyes fluttered open, looking exhausted.

“Your Aura is almost drained, Yang, rest. You’re safe.” He said, squeezing her hand comfortingly. “Blake, watch over her, we’ll deal with your friend.”

He stood up and turned to face Adam, standing protectively between the girls and the White Fang leader. “It would be in your best interest, friend, if you lay down your weapon and turn yourself into the proper authorities.” The mountain of a man said, sheathing his Sword on his back.

“Only a fool puts away his weapon in a battle, are you confident enough to fight me armed and you bare-handed?” Adam growled.

“I’m not going to fight you,” he shook his head, “I’m just warning you. Stand down.”

“If you won’t fight me, how do you propose making me stand down?” Adam laughed, “Are you going to talk me down, Muscle Man?”

“No, no I won’t. Here is the thing, Adam,” a smirk crossed the much taller man’s lips, “I have a great deal of care for these two young women,” he said, “But my friend loves them a lot more … and his temper is a lot shorter than mine. You WERE warned…”

Adam’s eyes widened behind his mask when he heard the sound of massive feet stomping behind him as well as something snarling very, very angrily. He slowly turned to see a pair of glowing yellow eyes behind a red armored faceplate. He took a step back to see the faceplate was on an incredibly large black and white wolf, behind the armored faceplate was a matching armored saddle. The beast’s fangs were massive, as were its claws. “Wha-what?”

“Meet War-Hound,” the man said, “He’s not happy to make your acquaintance, and I would avoid any sudden movements if I were you.”

Adam lashed out with his sword, but the beast caught the blade in its foaming mouth, and tossed it to the side before latching on to his entire arm. “I did warn you,” the man said, War-Hound began to shake the White Fang leader as if he was a stuffed doll, and pounded his body against the unforgiving floor.

Blake watched with wide eyes, while a part of her that still cared for what was once this young man was pained, a larger part enjoyed seeing him in obvious pain.

The mighty beast finally let the broken leader lay in the broken floor, wheezing for breath. “You didn’t kill him, I’m impressed, my friend.” The man said, patting War-Hound’s neck.

“Blake, can you get Yang to the port?” the man said, mounting War-Hound’s saddle. She nodded, carefully helping Yang to stand.

“W-Who are you?” Yang asked, glancing up at the hero.

He glanced at the girls a moment, before finally speaking up, “I am called He-Man, and I’m a friend.” He said, turning War-Hound toward Beacon Tower, “Now if you’ll excuse us… be safe. To the Tower, War-Hound!” He-Man called, and his partner howled a moment before jumping toward the tower, running in a full sprint.

“He-Man?” Blake asked in confusion.

“Yea… I know exactly who he is…” Yang said, lowering her head a moment. “He’s the daddy to my future babies…” she said, earning an eye roll from her partner.

To Be Continued…