Atlas Manta ShipThe steady hum of the Atlas Manta Ship filled the air as it soared through the skies, carrying a group of young Huntsmen and Huntresses-in-training.These ships, compact and efficient, could hold about 15-20 people, and today, they were packed with students, each grappling with the chaos unfolding below.On one of the ships, Team SSSN stood by the small windows, their eyes wide as they watched the battle raging in the distance."Is that... Professor Ozpin?!" Sun squinted, his voice tinged with disbelief. He pressed his face closer to the glass, his tail swishing behind him in nervous energy."Looks like it!" Neptune replied, leaning over Sun's shoulder to get a better view. His usual cocky demeanor was replaced by genuine awe.Through the windows, they could see the massive Wyvern Grimm-a creature of bone and malice, its wings dripping with black ooze that spawned lesser Grimm in its wake.Ozpin darted around the colossal beast, his figure almost a blur as he unleashed precise, green blasts of energy. Each strike exploded on impact, forcing the creature to roar in fury and lash out with its razor-sharp claws and snapping jaws.The ship jolted slightly as the Grimm let out another earth-shaking screech, thrashing wildly to catch Ozpin. Its maw snapped shut inches from him, missing by a hair as he nimbly evaded."He's incredible..." Sun murmured, his voice quieter now, tinged with a mix of admiration and fear."Yeah, but... he's up against that thing." Neptune's eyes flickered with concern. "Even Ozpin might need help if this keeps up."On another Manta Ship, Team CFVY watched the same scene from a different angle.The usually confident Coco was uncharacteristically silent for a moment, her sharp gaze fixed on the battle below."Never thought I'd see the day," Coco finally said, adjusting her sunglasses as though it would give her a clearer view. "Professor Ozpin, out there, fighting a Grimm the size of a skyscraper. I figured his role was just... speeches and strategy.""Guess he's full of surprises," Fox added, his tone calm yet curious."Surprises? This is insane!" Velvet clutched her camera, her hands trembling slightly. "Shouldn't someone be helping him? He can't take that thing on alone!""Help him?" Yatsuhashi's deep voice rumbled. "How? That Grimm could take out an entire fleet of ships. This isn't just another mission; it's a war zone."Coco grinned faintly, though her usual swagger was subdued. "Well, if anyone can do it, it's him. Ozpin's not the type to go down without a fight."Outside, the battle raged on.Ozpin darted and weaved through the air, his cane glowing with emerald light.Every movement was precise, every blast calculated to force the Wyvern back and away from the fleeing civilians.Yet, the Grimm was relentless.It swung its massive tail, clipping the edge of a nearby Amity Colosseum, which crumbled into rubble below.Ozpin gritted his teeth as he narrowly avoided the debris, his focus unwavering.He knew this wasn't a fight he could win outright-not alone. But it wasn't about winning. It was about buying time.The Manta Ships carrying the injured, the students, and the civilians were his priority. He had to hold the Wyvern here, no matter the cost.Inside the ships, the students continued to watch, their awe slowly giving way to tension."He's stalling it," Velvet whispered, clutching her camera tighter. "He's keeping it away from us.""And putting himself at risk," Fox added grimly."Then we better hope he can hold out long enough," Coco said, her voice uncharacteristically somber.The tension in the air was palpable as the Manta Ships sped toward safety, leaving Ozpin behind to face the monstrous Wyvern Grimm alone.Ozpin darted through the air, narrowly evading another feral swipe of the Grimm's claws. The beast roared, its wings slicing through the air as it pursued him with relentless ferocity."Persistent, aren't you?" Ozpin muttered under his breath, his voice taut with a mix of frustration and determination. He raised his cane, charging another emerald blast, but before he could release it-BOOM!A thunderous explosion erupted behind the Grimm, staggering it. Ozpin's eyes darted toward the source. Far in the distance, he caught sight of something massive looming in the sky: Ironwood's flagship.The imposing Atlas ship hovered with an air of authority, its cannons glowing ominously as they powered up for another strike. A second later, two missiles launched from its underside, streaking through the air toward the Wyvern Grimm.BOOM! BOOM!The explosions rocked the Grimm, forcing it to screech in pain and reel backward. The beast flailed its massive wings, trying to steady itself as black ooze dripped from the fresh wounds across its torso.Ozpin hovered in midair, momentarily stunned by the sudden intervention. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he turned his gaze toward the massive Atlas ship."Well, General, your timing couldn't have been better," he murmured, his voice tinged with rare gratitude.The Wyvern Grimm let out an earth-shaking screech, its glowing red eyes narrowing in fury as its massive wings flapped.Dark, viscous ooze dripped from its wounds, splattering onto the battlefield below. But the ooze didn't simply pool-it began to writhe, twisting and bubbling as if alive.From the grotesque substance, Nevermore Grimms emerged.Dozens upon dozens of them clawed their way into existence, their crimson eyes locking onto the towering Atlas ship in the distance.Without hesitation, they spread their dark wings and soared into the sky, forming tight groups as they aimed directly for the ship.Below, Ozpin's eyes narrowed as he watched the Nevermores take flight.His grip tightened around his cane, and emerald energy began to gather at its tip. He raised his arm, ready to release a powerful blast to intercept the Grimm flock-But he didn't see the Wyvern's massive claw until it was too late.WHAM!The Wyvern swung its enormous limb with brutal force, catching Ozpin in midair and sending him hurtling through the sky like a ragdoll.The impact was deafening, and the sheer force of the blow left a trail of displaced air in its wake.Ozpin crashed into the ground with a thunderousBOOM,the earth quaking beneath him as he collided with the grassy terrain outside the ruined Amity Colosseum. Dirt and debris shot into the air, forming a shallow crater where he lay.For a moment, the battlefield stood still.The Nevermores swarmed toward the massive Atlas ship, their wings cutting through the air like serrated blades.The Wyvern Grimm hovered above it all, its guttural growl resonating across the battlefield as if mocking the resistance.The Wyvern stretched it's wings as it hovered in the air, slowly ascending to the skies.It paused as it looked at the chaos below.The Massive Grimm.. seemed to be smiling.Inside the Atlas flagship, Ironwood's face was a mask of determination.He stood alone at the helm, gripping the ship's controls as alarms blared in his ears.Red lights flashed across the control room, painting everything in a grim hue.THUD. THUD. THUD.The Nevermores struck the ship's armored hull, their sharp beaks piercing through metal.Each hit sent violent tremors through the ship. Ironwood's jaw tightened as he fought to maintain control.But the Nevermores were relentless.Their claws tore into the ship, ripping through its defenses with feral precision.Explosions erupted along the exterior, rocking the vessel violently. Inside, the control room flared red with warnings as smoke began to seep through the cracks in the walls.With a sudden, violent jolt, a massive explosion tore through the ship's side.BOOM!Ironwood staggered, clutching a nearby metal bar to keep himself upright.The ship lurched to one side, its systems failing. The Nevermores had breached the hull, their shrill cries echoing through the corridors as they continued their destructive rampage.Ironwood knew the ship was lost.He sprinted toward the large front window of the control room, shielding his face with his arms. Without hesitation, he threw himself forward.CRASH!The glass shattered, shards scattering into the air as Ironwood emerged from the control room.Wind roared around him as he plummeted, the broken Atlas flagship behind him erupting into flames.Pieces of the ship rained down toward the battlefield below, a grim testament to the Grimm's relentless assault.As Ironwood plunged through the air, the roaring wind drowned out the sounds of battle behind him.Ironwood's mind remained focused, calculating his next move. The ground loomed closer by the second. He knew the fall was nearly unsurvivable without intervention, but there was no panic-only grim acceptance of the odds.Ironwood's body twisted slightly in the air, the ground approaching fast-too fast.Suddenly, he noticed a shadow moving toward him, accompanied by the unmistakable hum of a Manta engine.His eyes flicked up in time to see the Manta ship positioning itself beneath him."What-"Before he could fully process, the hatch above the ship opened, and Qrow Branwen leaped out, gripping the side of the Manta with one hand while extending the other toward the falling General."James!" Qrow shouted, his voice cutting through the wind.Ironwood's eyes narrowed in surprise, but he reached out instinctively. At the last possible moment, Qrow's hand locked around Ironwood's wrist."Gotcha!" Qrow grunted as the impact jolted him back. With a sharp tug, he swung Ironwood onto the roof of the Manta. The General landed with a heavy clang, rolling to absorb the momentum."Qrow, get him inside-now!" Winter's voice was sharp."Yeah, yeah," Qrow muttered, hauling Ironwood to his feet and guiding him toward the open hatch.As they climbed back into the cabin, Ironwood straightened, hitting the walls of the ship, brushing soot and shards of glass from his uniform.For a brief moment, his usual stoic expression gave way to something rare-genuine surprise."Ughh..!" he grunted, his voice tinged with disbelief.Qrow leaned against the wall, smirking as he caught his breath. "Well, heh.. You looked like you could use a hand."Winter, standing by the controls with an Atlas pilot, turned to face him with her usual composed demeanor, though there was a flicker of relief in her eyes. "You're the General of the Atlas Military, sir. Losing you was not an option."Ironwood's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thank you, both of you.""Don't get used to it," Qrow quipped, his smirk growing wider. "Now, what's the plan? Or were you planning to just keep jumping out of exploding ships?"Ironwood's expression hardened, his mind snapping back to the task at hand. "The flagship is down, and the Wyvern's forces are regrouping. We need to get back to the battlefield. Ozpin is still out there, and the fight isn't over."Winter nodded sharply, "Understood, sir."The Atlassian pilot who overheard them, nodded.Far below, amidst the swirling chaos, Ozpin stirred within the crater that had formed from his impact. Dirt and debris slid away as he slowly rose to his feet, his emerald eyes narrowing in determination.Hovering into the air once more, he took in the battlefield-Nevermores circling like vultures, the colossal Wyvern towering above the ruins of Amity Colosseum.His grip on his cane tightened. He could feel the strain coursing through his body, his aura flickering weakly around him.He couldn't falter now. Too much was at stake.The air screamed as a flock of Nevermores dove toward him, their massive beaks glinting in the dim light. Ozpin's cane whirled in a blur, deflecting the first strike with a resonating clang.Another Grimm swooped in from his blind spot, but he twisted midair, slamming the creature with a magical barrier that radiated out in a golden pulse.Pouring his dwindling strength into a single strike, Ozpin shattered the beak of an incoming Nevermore with a devastating blow, the force ripping through its head and disintegrating it into blackened dust.More Grimm converged, clawing, biting, and slamming against him in a relentless assault.Ozpin gritted his teeth, the pressure mounting with every second. His shield flared to life once more, an incandescent dome that eradicated the surrounding Grimm in a sweeping burst of light.As the last Nevermore crumbled into ash, Ozpin hovered in place, his breaths coming in heavy, labored gasps. Sweat dripped down his brow, and his body felt leaden with exhaustion.'I cannot lie to myself... I've grown rusty,' he thought bitterly, glancing at his trembling hands.Wyvern's piercing screech snapped him back to the fight. Its eyes, burning with malice, locked onto him as it reared back, its claws tearing through the air with lethal precision.Ozpin darted to the side, narrowly evading the strike.The sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the air, but he didn't let it deter him. Instead, he focused his remaining strength, channeling every ounce of his magical energy into his cane.A brilliant emerald glow surrounded him, his aura crackling like a storm. He shot forward, the air rippling in his wake as he aimed directly at the Wyvern's chest."This ends now!" he roared, his voice carrying over the battlefield. Directly dashed to the air.His glowing cane struck true, burying itself deep into the Grimm's chest.An eruption of energy followed-a deafening explosion that lit up the skies, sending shockwaves across the ruins.As the light faded, a gaping hole now marred the Wyvern's chest, black ooze cascading from the wound like a macabre waterfall.Ozpin hovered back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's done," he murmured, his voice barely audible.But the victory was short-lived.As the Wyvern's form crumbled, its final act of defiance came in the form of a lashing claw, striking Ozpin before it disintegrated entirely.The force drove through his chest, a searing pain tearing through his body.His eyes widened as he felt the life drain from him, blood staining his once-pristine coat.Time seemed to slow as the Wyvern dissolved completely, its massive form crumbling into ash and scattering with the night wind.The battlefield was bathed in the pale glow of the moonlight, the creature's remnants drifting like blackened snowflakes against the silver sky.Ozpin hovered unsteadily in midair, his emerald aura flickering weakly around him. The faint moonlight caught the blood seeping from the gaping wound in his chest, the crimson stain stark against his coat.His vision blurred, and his strength faltered completely.His cane slipped from his grasp, tumbling in a slow arc toward the ruins of the Amity Colosseum below. The polished wood glimmered briefly in the moonlight before disappearing into the shadows.Moments later, Ozpin's body followed.'I can only hope... they are strong enough to carry on.'The collective gasp of everyone watching shattered the stillness of the night.On one of the Manta Ships, Glynda Goodwitch's eyes widened in horror, her usually composed expression breaking as she took in the sight."No...!" she whispered, her voice cracking as her hand flew to her mouth. Her lips quivered as tears welled in her eyes, the moonlight catching the glistening streaks on her cheeks. "This can't be happening..."From another Manta Ship, Qrow Branwen's crimson eyes locked on Ozpin's plummeting form. His body tensed, his fists clenched tightly as his breath hitched."Ozpin!" Qrow's voice carried through the night, raw and filled with anguish. He slammed his fist against the edge of the hatch, cursing under his breath as helplessness clawed at him.Standing nearby, Ironwood clenched his fist. His composure cracked for a brief moment before he spun toward the pilot."Get us to the Amity Colosseum-now!" he barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "That's an order!"The pilot hesitated only briefly before nodding. "Yes, sir!" he said, pulling the ship into a steep dive toward the ruins.The night air grew colder, the absence of the Wyvern's monstrous presence leaving an eerie stillness.The moonlight illuminated the ruins of Amity Colosseum below, casting long shadows that seemed to echo the despair of those watching.The Manta Ships surged forward, their engines roaring against the silence.If Ozpin didn't survive, the already fragile hope they clung to would shatter like glass under the cold, indifferent gaze of the moon.Evac ZoneThe air in the Evac Zone was thick with tension and the aftermath of battle.The sound of ships landing filled the space, each one carrying the weight of its passengers-some hopeful, some haunted by the scars of what had just transpired.Among them, Weiss was struggling to walk, her exhaustion evident despite the determination in her eyes.Rinko, ever the protective brother, had her support on his back.His pace was steady, his grip firm as he carried her through the bustling crowd, her head resting against his shoulder. The toll of her blood drained made her dizzy, thus she fell asleep on Rinko's shoulder.Ruby, Blake and Team JNPR followed closely behind, the gravity of the situation settling heavily on all of them.As they stepped onto the soft, grassy ground, the sense of relief was palpable-but it was bittersweet.More ships descended from the sky, most of them Manta ships, bringing in refugees and soldiers.Among the ships, one of them opened to reveal Team SSSN, their faces a mix of exhaustion and concern.The evacuation zone was finally settling.Medical teams worked quickly, moving from one injured soul to another, administering care where it was needed.But as they walked, a grim scene caught their attention: a bed, being pushed by doctors, with Yang lying motionless.Her condition was stabilized, but her face remained tight with discomfort, the faintest flicker of pain shadowing her features.They watched silently as Yang was gently moved off the ship and into one of the nearby tents. The sight of her, so vulnerable, stirred something deep inside them.Beside Rinko, Blake's voice broke the silence, faint but heavy with sorrow."I-it's my fault..." she murmured, her voice trembling as she struggled to hold back her tears. "I couldn't protect her... If only I was fast enough-" Her words were soft, whispered more to herself than anyone else, but loud enough for those close by to hear.Rinko looked at her, his expression softening with empathy, but before he could offer any comfort, Blake turned away, dashing off toward a quiet corner of the zone."Blake..." Rinko's voice was quiet, filled with the weight of his concern, but she was already gone.Ruby's eyes widened in shock. "B-Blake! Where are you going?!" she called out, instinctively stepping forward to follow, her voice cracking with a mixture of worry and helplessness. But Blake was already slipping away into the crowd, her form disappearing into the distance."Blake, wait!" Ruby pushed her way past Team JNPR, her legs moving quickly in an effort to catch up, but Blake was already out of sight.She stopped, breath catching in her throat as the sound of bustling evacuation and medical workers filled the silence where Blake had just been. The air was thick with her emotions."Blake..." Ruby whispered to herself, her voice heavy with sorrow and regret. The pain of watching her friend, her teammate, slip away was almost unbearable.She could feel the weight of Blake's guilt, and it only added to her own sense of helplessness.Ruby knelt on the ground, her body trembling as she let the weight of everything crash down on her.Her breath hitched in uneven sobs, and for a moment, the chaos of the evacuation zone faded. It was just her, alone with her grief, with the crushing weight of guilt that threatened to swallow her whole. She had failed Blake. She had failed Yang. She had failed everyone.Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the grass, her tears staining the ground beneath her as she cried openly, letting out all the sorrow and fear that had been building up inside her. Her hands shook as she buried her face in them, the sounds of the evac zone a distant hum in her ears.Behind her, Team JNPR walked up, their faces lined with concern but understanding.Jaune and Pyrrha kneeled beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder, offering silent support.Nora crouched beside them, pulling Ruby into a hug, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears.Ren stood a little farther off, his expression somber as he watched the emotional scene unfold."We're here for you, Ruby," Jaune said softly, his voice a gentle comfort. "You don't have to go through this alone."Ruby clung to them, taking what comfort she could from her teammates. But even their support couldn't stop the storm of emotions inside her.Before Rinko, still holding Weiss on his back, could move toward Ruby to give her comfort, a voice cut through the quiet of the Evac Zone, breaking the heavy moment."Rinko! Thank goodness!" The voice was unmistakable, a mix of relief and joy, familiar yet distant.Rinko stiffened, turning toward the sound, and his eyes immediately locked onto the figures approaching.His father, Jacques Schnee, walked briskly toward him, a concerned look in his eyes, accompanied by his younger brother, Wheatley Schnee."Father!" Rinko exclaimed, his face softening.Jacques wasted no time. He pulled Rinko into an embrace, his arms strong and protective. "I'm so glad you're safe, son. I was worried when we saw what happened.." His grip tightened slightly. "But you two are here. That's all that matters."Rinko pulled back slightly but stayed close. "Yeah... but Weiss isn't so okay." His voice faltered slightly as he motioned to his sister.Jacques gently pushed Rinko aside, his eyes instantly narrowing in concern as he took in Weiss's condition.She was still unconscious, her body limp as Rinko had carefully carried her all the way here. Her leg was wrapped tightly in bandages, supported by a makeshift wooden brace.Wheatley, his face pale, gasped when he saw her. "W-what happened to her?" His voice was barely above a whisper, fear seeping into his tone.Rinko, taking a breath, explained, "Her leg's broken, but it's stable now. Her aura's helping heal her, she just needs sleep to recover."Jacques's eyes darkened as he examined Weiss more closely. The tension in his jaw was evident, and his hand clenched into a fist at his side, frustration and anger swirling beneath the surface."Weiss... Rinko..." Jacques's voice was low, thick with a mix of sadness and anger. His gaze flicked briefly to Weiss before returning to Rinko, the weight of his words pressing down like a storm."This shouldn't have happened. We're going back to Atlas. Now." The finality in Jacques tone left no room for argument, the words clear and unyielding.Rinko hesitated, his fingers tightened around Weiss' thighs. Jacques was not asking-he was demanding.Rinko's gaze shifted to the distance, where Ruby and the rest of Team JNPR stood, their faces filled with sorrow.He felt a pang of guilt-of responsibility.He had wanted to stay, to help, but his father's presence reminded him of the inescapable duties that awaited them back home.Taking a deep breath, Rinko gave one last glance to his friends, who had always been there for him.He wasn't sure when he'd see them again, but the weight of his family's legacy was calling him home."Alright..." he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, but strong with resolve. He had made his choice.As he adjusted his hold on Weiss, Rinko's mind drifted back to the shocking revelation.The original Rinko Schnee had been poisoned.A cold, unsettling thought gnawed at the back of his mind. If the poison had claimed his predecessor's life, the threat was far from over.The family's safety, and the fragile line between loyalty and betrayal, was more dangerous than he had ever imagined.Rinko knew that to protect his family, he had to face the darkness that was brewing within Atlas-within the manor.This was about ensuring that no more of his family would fall victim to the shadows creeping ever closer to their doorstep.[End]