Rage & Hope: A RWBY Story

Chapter Thirty Three - End Of The Beginning

When Beacon Academy fell, the invasion was over. The Grimm had completely devastated the city. Ozpin and Pyrrha Nikos had been killed. Yet despite this, those responsible for the attack had been pushed back. As all of this transpired, Razer woke up in a hospital bed. When Razer looked around, Aya was at his side. 

Razer: Aya? 

Aya: Razer. You're okay. 

Razer: Where....where am I? 

Aya: You are in the hospital. You passed out from your injuries shortly after Qrow Branwen intercepted us. 

As Aya said this, it all started coming back to Razer. He remembered the Grimm invasion of Beacon. He remembered Cinder Fall's plan coming to fruition. But most importantly, he remembered his battle against Vice. Immediately, his mind fell on Ruby. 

Razer: Is Ruby....

Aya: Ruby Rose recovered from her injuries. 

Razer breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that this battle took a toll on the members of Team RWBY. As Razer looked out the window, he saw the destruction left behind by the invasion. Razer tightly gripped his fists in anger.

Aya: The CCT Tower's have been destroyed as well. Global communications have been halted to a standstill. Remnant is vulnerable. Ironwood has taken his armies back to Atlas.

Razer: Where are the others? 

Aya: Blake departed to Menagerie shortly after taking Yang to safety. Weiss returned to Atlas. And Yang was sent home to recover from her injuries. 

Razer: And Ruby? 

Aya: Ruby and the remaining members of Team JNPR departed from Vale to track down those responsible for the attack. I intend to join them. 

Razer: I wish you luck on your mission. 

Aya: You're not joining us? 

Razer paused in response to Aya's question. He knew that Ruby's mission to track down Cinder's allies would no doubt bring their attention. At the same time, he knew that Vice was out there.

Razer: The...the other Red Lantern will continue to hunt me. If I join you and Ruby, I will only put you in danger. 

Aya: I understand. 

Razer: Something greater is out there, Aya. Beacon wasn't a mere attack. It was the beginning. 

Aya: Beginning of what? 

Razer: I don't know. 

After a moment, Razer got up from his bed. He looked out the window once more, knowing that Remnant was in danger. It was clear to the renegade Red Lantern that there was a greater evil manipulating events for a sinister purpose. The attack on Beacon was a clear example. Not only that, but also knew that Vice would pose just as much of a threat 

Razer: If we are to face this....greater threat, then we need Team RWBY united. I will go after Blake. The White Fang's involvement in the attack will no doubt be on her mind. I know exactly what she is going through. If anyone can talk her back into the fight, it's me. As someone who was disillusioned with a cause, I can relate. 

At this point, Aya was quick to notice the contradiction in Razer's statements. He was unwilling to join Aya, Ruby and the remnants of Team JNPR out of fear of what Vice would do. Yet Razer was more than willing to join Blake despite the same risk that Blake would face. Aya couldn't quite understand Razer's contradictions. Despite this, Aya simply supported Razer's decisions. 

Aya: What about Weiss and Yang? 

Razer: We will worry about that when we get to it. For now, we must focus on what we can do in this very moment. 

As Razer said this, he and Aya looked at one another. There was a moment of silence between the two. As Razer looked into Aya's face, he couldn't help but see Ilana's face. Aya tilted her head in confusion.

Aya: Razer? 

Razer: It's...it's nothing. It's time. Good luck, Aya. 

Aya: Stay safe, Razer. 

Aya turned around and walked away. As Razer was left alone, he took a deep breath. In that moment, Razer and Aya parted ways for now to carve their own path. Razer would seek out Blake and get her back in the fight while Aya would join Ruby in tracking down Cinder's allies. Meanwhile in the Land of Darkness, Salem reflects on her victory at Beacon.

Salem: A smaller, more honest soul... It's true that a simple spark can ignite hope, breathe fire into the hearts of the weary. The ability to derive strength from hope is undoubtedly mankind's greatest attribute. Which is why I will focus all of my power...to snuff it out. How does it feel, knowing that all of your time and effort has been for nothing? That your guardians have failed you? That everything you've built will be torn down before your very eyes? Your faith in mankind was not misplaced. When banded together, unified by a common enemy, they are a noticeable threat. But divide them, place doubt into their minds, and any semblance of power they once had will wash away. Of course, they won't realize it at first. Like you, they'll cling to their fleeting hope, their aspirations. But this is merely the first move. So you send your guardians, your Huntsmen and Huntresses, and when they fail and you turn to your smaller soul, know that you send her to the same pitiful demise. This is the beginning of the end, Ozpin... And I can't wait to watch you burn.

As Salem gloats in her victory, she begins laying the groundwork for Remnant's downfall. But what Salem didn't know was that she had dangerous enemies in the form of Razer and Aya.