//------------------------------//
// Chapter 23: Crystal Confrontations 
// Story: Equestria’s White Fang 
// by Garnet Naturea 
//------------------------------//

I release a large yawn as I see the forest and grasslands change to a bright snowy landscape. It had been a couple weeks since Neo had joined our little group, and needless to say, she was beyond shocked when we all watched the trailers and first volume of RWBY. The fact she was considered a fictional character in my old world didn’t escape her a bit, but she stayed quiet and just watched. As soon as we finished the first volume, she promptly fainted on the couch. The rest of us decided to call it a night after that and left her to recover.

The next few days after that we watched the rest of the volumes, and the others noted a few differences between their reality and the show. The others were really messed up after Volume 3, having to watch their friends and themselves die again. We then took a day off the recharge as it were. Neo and Ruby actually hung out after that, going over their own perspectives. Of course I made sure they left their weapons where I could see them. I can’t even imagine what it was like for Pyrrha, Penny, even Oscar, but they stuck together during our recharge day. After that we got back to it and watched volumes 4 and 5.

Ruby was really messed up after volume four though, having to watch what her team went through without her. She was especially pissed about what happened with Weiss and Blake, but was proud of the initiative Yang took. Also she brought up how weird it was to watch herself go through all of those things she did with team RNJR. And of course there was the collective shock that came with Ren’s childhood chapter. Ruby then felt very happy they took down the Nuckelavee. 

Pyrrha was both proud and terrified for Jaune, seeing what happened to him after her death. She saw how much he had grown, but also how much he was hurting. She spent an entire day alone in her room after we watched the last volume, just trying to sort out her thoughts about it. But I could tell, her love for him was even stronger than it was before, and I was thinking I might need to soundproof her room when her team and Jaune arrive.  

After that, we mostly went over some of the different things from the others reality, things like Qrow’s meeting with Raven, which apparently caused him to go sober for a couple days. It went without saying the others were beyond shocked when it was shown that Raven was the spring maiden and not Vernal, and that Yang knew. And just how strong and manipulative Salem was.

Ozpin was silent for a while after we watched the volumes, Oscar saying he felt Oz was sorting out his thoughts on the matter. We mostly left him to his own devices, but I can’t help but feel a small amount of distrust for the former headmaster. I wanted answers, we all did, and quite bluntly, Ozpin would never give anyone a straight answer, either talking in riddles, or just straight up trying to divert the conversation elsewhere. 

After all that, it was time to head back to Canterlot, now with the addition of Neo, who agreed to help train the recruits in hand-to-hand and counteroffensive combat. Although we did need to bail her out a couple times when she tried to steal Celestia and Luna’s crowns. She almost did it, and mostly just does it to annoy us and the princesses. They put up with it though, especially after I told them about Neo’s past. While they were cautious, they were willing to give Neo a chance. 

A chance she has taken to hanging out with Discord and Screwball and pranking the castle staff and the recruits whenever possible. I don’t think I have ever seen Luna laugh as hard as she did when Celestia asked for a strawberry cake, only for said cake to fall on top of her. Discord and Neo were forced to hide for the rest of the day, else they face the wrath of the sun.

While it was funny, Neo has been all sorts of helpful, but annoying sometimes. I guess she is just venting in a way, not really used to Equestria yet. She needs to blow off some steam to cope with learning how things went in Remnant, and so far pranking Celestia seems to be her method. Well, that or beating up the recruits. She is really good at silently teaching but she is also very mischievous.

Anyways, after our training in Canterlot, we were requested by Princess Cadence to head to the Crystal Empire along with the Element bearers to help prepare for some kind of inspection by a game inspector or something. I think Rainbow said that the Empire was going to be picked to host the Equestria Games, their version of the olympics. 

All of us agreed to go, even Oz, and we are now on a train heading to the empire. I was pretty curious about it, I haven’t seen the empire since I have arrived here in Equestria. I wonder what kind of things we’ll see. 

A bit of shifting next to me reminded me of the fact I am once again being used as a pillow by my girlfriend, and I couldn’t really find it in me to care. This has just sorta become a normal thing for us, Penny using me to sleep on during long train rides. I just smirk and lay my arm around her, before going back to watching the scenery go by. The others were all just doing their own thing, talking, laughing, or in Neo’s case, texting. We really need to find a better way of communicating with her.

“So, we have one day before the inspector shows up, so we will have plenty of time to show you guys around the Empire so you won’t get lost.” I hear Twilight say.

“Oh, I am so excited! An entire city made of crystals!? You would never see anything like that back home in Remnant.” Ruby squees, bouncing in her seat. I hear the tapping of Neo’s scroll before the ding of a received message. The others look to Ruby as she deadpans Neo.

“Seriously? I doubt they would accept any of the crystals as payment back in Remnant Neo. Please try to avoid the pickpockets by the way.” She request, Neo just shrugs.

I tuned out the rest of their conversation as I watched the snow pass by the train. To be honest, it was calming in a way, just watching nature settle. It was as I was looking out the window, I thought I saw someone near the base of one of the hills, but once I looked again, all I saw was a dead tree. I tilt my head in confusion, before shaking it out of my mind. 

I am not sure how much longer I was looking out over the landscape for, before we arrived at our destination, a coaling station a mile or two from the Empire. Shaking Penny awake, each of us grabbed our luggage and began to trek through the snow covered fields.

“So Twilight. You said Shining Armor was going to meet us at the edge of the empire?” Ruby asks.

“Yup. My bro wanted all of us to get assigned our rooms first before going through a tour of the town. With any luck we’ll finish the tour in time for dinner.” Twilight replies with a grin. 

After a minute or two we pass over a hill, and stare in awe as we see an amazing looking city, shining brighter than the stars in the night sky, covered by a translucent blue bubble. Walking down to it after snapping out of our collective awe, we passed through the barrier and are immediately bombarded by the heat. While outside the bubble felt like a sunny winters day, it felt like the middle of spring inside the barrier. 

“Wow! This place is awesome!” Ruby exclaimed, running ahead with Pinkie and Rarity. the rest of us chuckle and make our own ways there.

“Twily! Adam!” We turn as see as Shining and Cadence walk over.

“Shiny!” The unicorn rushes forwards, almost like she teleported and brought her brother in for a crushing hug. After releasing him and greeting Cadence, the duo walk over to us.

“Hey guys, nice to see you again.” I greet, shaking the duos hands. They smile and nod as well, before noticing Neo looking around with wide eyes.

“Oh, who's this?” Cadence questions, the Alicorn looking down to the woman.

“Shining, Cadence, this is Neo. She’s...well I can’t really call her a true friend, more like an ally. Neo, this is Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, the rulers of this empire.” I introduce.

“Hey there Neo, its nice to meet you.” Shining greets, holding out his hand. Neo tilts her head and slowly shakes his hand back. Cadence looks to me with a raised brow.

“She’s mute, and wasn’t exactly a hero back in Remnant. But don’t worry, she won’t cause any trouble. At least of her own volition.” I send a slight glare at her as I notice her about to take Shining’s bit bag. She immediately jumped back and walked over to Ruby while whistling. I just shake my head.

“Well then, how about we head over to the castle and get all of you to your rooms before starting the tour.” Shining says, earning a nod from most of us. With that, our large group made our way through the town, those of us never having been here before all look around in awe at the architecture, the crystal ponies, everything really. 

“Woooow!” Ruby gushes, looking at everything with an awed smile, and squealing slightly when she sees a couple of crystal fillies running by. 

“I have to agree with you there Ruby. This place is amazing! And this is just the suburbs!” Oscar exclaims, looking at some of the houses. 

While my friends are all enjoying the scenery, I am staying back with Neo and Penny, looking over the area with a critical eye. Why you ask? Well, I got the feeling that something was subtly wrong here. Like there was something that’s missing. I could tell, Neo and Penny felt it too. 

“Anything?” I question quietly, my companions shaking their heads. 

“It could be nothing, but your intuition is usually very sharp Adam.” Penny mutters. Neo just nods along, looking around with her mismatched changing eyes. 

Before long our group arrived at the crystal palace, the energy in the air around it calming us like nothing else had. Each of us were led to our own individual room and quickly unpacked our gear. We were planning to stay for at least a couple days, so we brought a few days worth of clothes, along with plenty of ammunition for each of our weapons. With her permission, Ruby actually disassembled Roman’s cane and Neo’s umbrella in the workshop during our time off. While she was nervous about it, Neo was relieved when Ruby put the two weapons back together without any problem. After that, we made ammo for the cane so Neo could help out with long ranged combat.

Once all of us were situated, we got a proper tour of the empire, Shining pointing out some of his favourite spots, like the training yard and a small family run cafe near the market. I noticed that the crystal guards here actually looked a lot more battle ready than the Solar guards back in Canterlot. I am not sure if I should be proud of them, or disappointed in the Solar guards. 

While we were going through the tour though, I had that feeling again, but it was stronger now. While I did pay attention and made a mental map of the empire, that feeling kept bugging me almost to the point of auditory frustrations. It wasn’t until we finished the tour three hours later than it began to waver. I sighed as we made our way back to the castle, choosing to just ignore the feeling now, despite how strong the pull was. 

At the dinner table, things were mostly silent on my end, my friends all chatting to one another about what they are going to do to help setting things up for when the inspector arrives. I barely paid attention really, just silently eating my food and trying to figure out what is going on with me today.

I am not sure why, but I could almost sense that something is wrong, but I can’t find what it is right now. Maybe I should just sleep on it. 

Before I really realized it, everyone had eaten their fill and decided to call it a night. I walked to my room in silence, my mind abuzz with curiosity. Maybe it was nothing, but still...

“Adam?” I look up from my spot near my door, looking to the left as Penny walks over with a concerned expression. 

“Are you alright Adam?” I just sigh.

“No, not really. I am not sure what it is, but I have this feeling that something, something bad is going to happen.” I mutter, Penny frowning and pulling me into a hug. 

“You just need rest. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the all nighters you have been pulling with how to teach your troops. I think you just need to sleep, and hopefully whatever this feeling is will be gone in the morning.” She tells me, rubbing her head on my chest. I sigh again, this time in both agreement and defeat. 

“Yeah, you’re right. I think I just need some proper sleep, maybe without the mental training.” I mutter, hugging her back. Penny smiles up and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, one I return after a sec.

“Goodnight Adam. I’ll see you in the morning.” She says softly, heading to her own room. I just smile and head into my room, quickly stripping down and covering up in the bed. While it was only around nine at night, I think Penny is right, I could use the shut eye.

As I rest my head on the pillow, I chose to ignore the chill going down my spine, writing it off as the chill of the bed getting to me for a second.

It wasn’t until I was truly asleep, that a faint flash went off near the outer edge of the barrier. 

****

I was walking. I didn’t know where, I didn’t know why, but I was. I surveyed the area around me, I was in what looked like a large hallway in the middle of the night. There was a bunch of light high up on pillars, some windows between the pillars showing the red night sky and the shattered moon. 

I stopped for a second, looking to the broken moon. How did that happen? Did Salem have something to do with it? Or was it...something else? These thought were only in my mind for a moment before passing away in the night. 

I shook my head and continued down the hall, ignoring the sounds of a struggle ahead. I continued on, even as I hear the screams echoing ahead of me. Even as I feel a sickening pulse go through my body. Wherever I was going, it wasn’t going to be pleasant.

I come across a single door. There was nothing unique about it, merely a mahogany doorway. The only real difference was it was oddly large, about twice as tall as me. I tilt my head and go to the door, slowly opening it up.

What greeted me was a familiar setting. I could smell the fires and death around me, swatting the creep that was attempting to pounce on me as I made my way through the wrecked cafeteria. I found a human, the boy trying to back away from me, but something was off. He was, hurt? No...he was scared. 

I tilt my head at him, but he seemed distracted by whatever was scaring him. Something....behind me?

Turning, I am greeted by a familiar mask and head of red and brown hair, along with a pair of black horns. We just stood there, staring at each other, before it finally clicked who I was looking at. We both seemed to realize it and spoke in perfect unison, even as we grabbed our respective swords and lunged forwards at each other.

“Adam?” 

There was the sound of swords clashing, a spark of metal, and then, darkness.

****

I woke up with a gasp, sitting up fast enough to launch my bedsheets away, sweat covering my body. What...what was that? A dream? It had to be, and yet, why did it feel so real. The smells, the sounds, the shock, all of it ingrained into my mind like a permanent photo.

“What was that?” I mutter aloud, trying to catch my breath. 

I check my scroll next to me, seeing it was around six, just before sunrise. Deciding I had slept enough, I made my way out of bed and to the washroom. After going through my morning routine, I went over to my wardrobe and chose my outfit for the day. A pair of black jeans, a red t-shirt, a sleeveless dark grey jacket with a hood and my wolf symbol on the back, a pair or red fingerless gloves and a pair of black combat boots and then my mask. As I was about to close the drawer, I paused as another article of clothing caught my eye.

It was a scarf, a simple looking silver and black scarf with red markings, but it was a lot more than it seemed. A while ago, Rarity and Fluttershy had decided to teach the girls how to sew and knit properly, just incase their clothes are damaged and they can’t get a proper seamstress to fix them. Penny took her knowledge from Rarity and Fluttershy, and made the scarf for me as a present. I felt like total crap after she gave it to me since I hadn’t gotten her anything, so I ended up fixing that by making her some breakfast in bed the next morning. The others wouldn’t stop bugging us about it for a couple days. 

While it was silly, the scarf meant a lot to me. It was the first gift I have ever gotten from the first girl I have ever been in a relationship with. Sentimental value be damned, I also just liked how it looked. So after a moments deliberation, I grabbed the scarf and tossed it around my neck, wrapping it like Natsu in Fairy Tail. After a quick check in the mirror, I nod and head out of my room.

Entering the hall, I am greeted by a guard who directed me to the dinning hall again. Walking in, I see Cadence, Oscar and I are the only ones present. 

“Morning guys.” I announce my arrival, the others looking to me with a smile.

“Morning Adam. You feeling better? You seemed kinda out of it yesterday.” Oscar questions. I just rub the back of my head with a sheepish grin.

“Sorry for worrying you guys, but I’m fine. Just a little freaked out by my dream last night.” The others tilt their heads.

“Oh, that’s odd. I don’t think I have ever heard of you having a bad dream since arriving here in Equestria.” Ozpin mutters. 

“Yeah, weird right? I almost never have nightmares, even back on earth. But last night was....odd. It felt really...real I guess. Almost like one of those memories that are just on the edge of your awareness.” I explain, the duo looking to me with raised brows.

“Odd. The crystal heart should keep out all nightmares, especially with our close proximity to it.” I hear Cadence mutter. I just shrug to her. After all, life and death always finds a way.  

We don’t get to dwell long, as the rest of the crew slowly make their ways into the dining room. I noticed Ruby was wearing a replica of her Volume 1 outfit, along with having her Grimm mask attached to her belt. It was a little odd seeing Ruby in her original outfit since, as many certain fans pointed out, she had actually grown a noticeable amount during the time skip. And I don’t just mean her height. 

Anyways, once everyone was seated the food was rolled out, and we each grabbed what we wanted, Twilight already assigning rolls for the day. I just tuned her out after she said that Ruby, Neo and I would be running security for the empire as a precaution. Not sure what she was thinking could happen, but I learned to not argue with her when she has made a schedule or whatever. 

As I was eating my peanut butter and apple sandwich, I could feel a pair of eyes on me. Turning, I see Penny is staring at me intently, clearly trying to ask a question with her expression alone. Luckily for her I could tell what she was asking.

“Penny I’m fine. Just a little weirded out by my dream last night.” I tell her, Penny narrowing her eyes slightly before smiling and taking a chunk out of her apple. I just chuckle and roll my eyes before going back to my own breakfast. I guess she was right, since aside from the oddity of my dream, I felt totally relaxed. 

After we finished out breakfast everyone went back to their rooms and grabbed what they needed for the day, those of us with them grabbing our weapons and ammo. We all met up in the main foyer where the crystal heart is located and began to get ready. The elements and Shining would be heading to the train station with Oscar while Cadence, Penny and Pyrrha would be helping set things up in the stadium. Qrow would be keeping a birds-eye on things just in case. Ruby, Neo and I will essentially be patrolling the area to make sure there is nothing that could ruin the inspection.

Once we all had our assigned tasks we split up. My group and I made our way to the edge of the barrier and began to walk its face, keeping an eye out. Not really sure why though. According to one of the guards, after the crystal heart was returned and Sombra was destroyed, the cold weather Grimm of the tundra all steer clear of this place. Too much positive energy.

“Man, I wonder if we are going to find anything worthwhile. Maybe we can find that Sombra’s horn or something.” Ruby mutters.

”I doubt that. Apparently one of the guards found it some time ago and it is being held in an extremely powerful and well protected magic vault under the castle.” Neo responds. I remain silent and kept an eye out. Not sure why though, all I could see was a light snow outside the barrier, a bunch of crystal flowers, some foot prints, crystal berries...

Wait what was the third one?

Stopping on a dime, I look over to one of the small fields of plants, and notice several unmistakable shoe prints going through them and towards the nearby storage warehouses. The girls almost bumped into me as I stopped, but before they could complain, they noticed what I was staring at.

“What the?” I hear Ruby mutter as I get a closer look. The shoe prints are very familiar to me, almost the same pattern as my own shoes, and they were dragging slightly. Whoever made these was clearly tired, and may have decided to crash at one of the warehouses. 

“Hmm, looks like we got someone else from Remnant here.” I mutter, keeping my mask on my side for now. “I think we should-”

BANG BANG BANG

All of us jump as we hear that, the unmistakable sound of a gun. Looking to the warehouses, I see some smoke rising from one of them near the centre.

“Oh that is not good.” I hear Ruby mutter. I quickly put on my mask and rush towards the fight, the girls behind me with their own masks on.

The three of us reached the warehouses and began to jump across the roofs to get around faster, heading towards one of the warehouses I could make out was for shipping crystals to Equestria and the Minotaur Kingdom. These enhanced senses are now being very helpful since I could see the sign from here. 

As we were running, I could make out several scents coming from the warehouse, three that were familiar, but I know I have never smelled any of them myself before. The first I could only describe as a cross between blackberries and lavender, the second, summer humidity and melted gold. Third was that of a frozen lake and snow. Last though...it was odd. I couldn’t really describe it, but I know I have smelt it before. 

Momentarily putting the scents on the back burner, I see we have nearly made it to the warehouse where there was clearly a fight going on. I could here more shots of what sounded like a pistol, and shotguns. I also could here an odd shimmering sound, almost like when someone is using magic. Once we got close enough, we could also make out the sounds of swords clashing against one another. 

The three of us stopped on the building across the lot from the warehouse, looking through one of the windows and seeing the flashes of gunfire. I go to direct the girls, before the main doors burst open in a cloud of smoke, and I could clearly hear three voices yelling in pain as they were thrown from the building. 

Crouching near the edge of the build, the three of us look into the smoke, but I got a little impatient, so I cast a small wind spell to make a breeze go by. What was uncovered though, shocked us to the core. 

Slowly getting to their feet, were three very familiar huntresses, each with some bruises slowly healing on their skin. First was a certain ex-heiress with pure white hair held in an off centre ponytail on her right side, her pale complexion almost accentuating her scar over her left eye. She was wearing a short, glittering dress with a color gradation of blue to pale blue at the hem, a sweetheart neckline, and a white, tulle petticoat.

A white ribbon is wrapped multiple times around her waist, and over the outfit is worn a slightly sheer long-sleeved blue shrug fastened at the collar with a large sapphire broach that has three pendants dangling from it. Printed on the back of the shrug is the Schnee Crest. Completing her attire are dark blue wedge heels and sapphire drop earrings. She was also wearing a red scarf the same shade as Ruby’s cape and blue tights on her legs. 



Helping her up was a familiar faunus, her raven black hair was a bit of a mess from the fight, her black cat ears all but pinned to her head in anger and worry. 

She was wearing a long white tailcoat with dark gray lining and a sleeveless black crop top. The crop top has rectangular and diamond-shaped cutouts around the neckline. She was also wearing a white belt over black fitted pants. She had a pair of thigh-high black heeled boots with gold-colored edging around the top on her feet, the left boot having a belt wrapped twice around the thigh. Each boot bears her belladonna emblem in white on the outer side of the thigh, and a white pouch is attached to the back of her belt. 



Punching the ground with a growl, the last huntress manages to get to her feet, her bright gold hair falling to one side before being brushed behind her. She was wearing a tan jacket with orange lining and gold edging, unzipped halfway to show an orange crop top. The coat has darker brown short sleeves, a thick collar that completely encircles her neck, and two long gold-trimmed rectangular tails, which were detached as she was thrown from the building. She was also wearing fitted black pants. She had a  pair of knee high brown boots with gold caps on the heel and toe, with the heel cap attaching to a gold strap across the front of her ankle, and a gold zipper on the upper half of the front of the boots. A single small buckled strap is on the upper outside of her boots, and a purple bandanna tied around her left knee. A pair of black fingerless gloves with long brown cuffs reaching to mid forearm complete the outfit and clearly showing off her prosthetic arm.



All of our eyes shot open at this little revelation, and I could see Ruby’s smile put Pinkie to shame right now. I can’t believe it, team RWBY is here. But, what are they fighting?

The three of us freeze as we hear a sinister laugh coming from the warehouse, footsteps echoing through the lot. 

“You two couldn’t hope to defeat me back in Beacon, what made you think you could take me on now? Just because you have some princess working for you?” My blood turned to ice as I heard that. That voice....it couldn’t be. 

Looking to the warehouse, a man slowly walked out of the smoke and darkness, his red and brown hair accentuating him black horns, a black blindfold covering his eyes. 

He was wearing a rather form-fitting, double-breasted three-tone black and gray leather tunic jacket with red interior lining and two-layers of flares that hung the entire bottom of his jacket around his thigh, his rounded collar up to the shoulders of his jacket was black, with the two tone grey colors at the rest of his jacket, which also included a zipper for his left breast pocket, and two more at the sleeves, which also possessed black cuffs. 

His dress pants were a matching gray to the tunic, and mounted a maroon belt at the right thigh. The back of his tunic retained his red wilting rose emblem with white nightshade stem and flower sigils. Completing this outfit were plain black gloves exposing his wrists, along with twin maroon criss-crossing belts that hung Wilt and Blush on his left, and a black and red-lined drape retaining the red thorn sigil on his right. Finally, he still wore his red-soled black shoes.

“No....” I whisper in shock, seeing that madman walking out of the building. I could make out Ruby and Neo looking between me and that monster several times, clearly as shocked as I am.

“Why can’t you just leave us alone?!” I hear Blake scream. 

“I’m sorry Blake, but I haven’t made good on my promise to you. Do you remember it? The one I made to you back in Beacon.” Adam says almost mockingly, causing my anger to spike, a low growl escaping me. The three of us have to duck as we notice them glancing in our direction.

“Holy crap holy crap holy crap.” I hear Ruby repeat to herself. Neo looked just as shook as Ruby, taking a couple deep breaths to calm down. I had to follow her example as all I wanted was to jump over the ledge and kill that bastard, but I knew I had to be smart about this. My duty came first, revenge second.

“Neo, Ruby.” The girls turn to me. “I want you two to go around the area as fast as you can and evacuate any civilians. Then I want you guys to find the others.”

“But what about you?” Ruby question, taking off her mask. I remain silent, glancing over the roof to the group below us. 

“I’m going to take that guy down.” I say simply, the girls looking to me like I grew a second head. 

“Are you nuts?! Do you have any idea how my team would react to there being two of you!?” Ruby frantically questions.

“Then I’ll make it so there isn’t two of me.” I tell her, the duo looking to me with raise brows. I then raise my hood and cover the bottom of my face with my scarf. While it was good, I wanted to be sure, so I case a localized Dark Moment spell, making it so my face is covered by darkness. The duo look to me with raised brow, Neo slowly nodding.

“I mean, I guess that works. But they’re my teammates! I should be here to help them.” Ruby says, Neo placing a hand on her shoulder and shaking her head.

“And you will. Once you have evacuated everyone, I expect you back here to help your team.” I tell her, slowly walking to the side of the building roof. My magic activates, and I sink into my own shadow, but not before looking to the duo again. 

“I will protect your friends Ruby, but I need to fight him to do so. And I’ll tell you this. I will not hold back.” With that I fade into my shadow and rush through the darkness, heading to the rest of team RWBY.

The duo look to one another again before Ruby groans, puts her mask back on and rushes off the roof, closely followed by Neo. 

‘Adam, please. Protect them for me.’