Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 2: The Phoenix and the Bull

Note: After the events of The Guardian Awakens, the whole team set out for Atlas. During talks with general Ironwood, Adam Taurus, along with a small militia force, attacked the outer defences of the city. They successfully detonated a bomb that collapsed the building that Jason, Blake and Ironwood were in.

Jason was able to breach a hole in the rubble, allowing both Blake and Ironwood to escape. However, before Jason could get clear of the building, the support beams gave out, burying him in the rubble of the collapsing building.

The entire group scattered, taking separate routes to a meeting point just outside of the city.

Blake's path lead her through an empty courtyard where she was ambushed by Adam.

A quick fight began. Blake was able to hold her own against Adam until one particularly brutal swing from Adam caught Gambol Shroud just above the hilt, shattering it instantly.

Adam then landed an extremely brutal sword strike cleanly on Blake's right side.

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Blake let out a sharp cry of pain as she felt the blade of Adam's sword slice into her side. Blood splattered the ground of the courtyard as she collapsed, clutching her right side.

Adam knelt over her, a thin, humorless, smirk on his face.
"It's over Blake. You've lost."
Adam pressed his blde against Blake's throat.
"You always were good at running Blake. But you never could get away. Not from me. And now your time is up."
Adam leaned in, applying just a little more pressure on her throat.

Then it happened. A wall of golden flames sprung up around the courtyard as a voice split the night like a cannon blast.

"Adam Taurus!"

Adam spun around.

There, less than 20 feet away, dressed in his Guardian's armor, stood Jason. Phoenix Fire already in hand, his shield strapped to his arm.

Adam pointed his sword at jason. "You! I killed you!"
Adam's explosive anger was evident as his good eye began to blaze with anger.

Jason stepped forward.
"You tried."
His voice was cold and sharp.

And then, through the pain, she saw Jason's face. His eyes were glowing gold, the light of the Guardian.

Adam charged, slashing his blade in a vicious ark through the air. Jason managed to bring his shield up just in time to block the attack,sending sparks flying.

Jason rolled to the side, dodging a brutal kick from Adam. He came up out of the roll in time to slam his shield into Adam's chest, throwing him off balance long enough for Jason to rise to his feet again.

Jason slashed at Adam with Phoenix Fire, grazing Adam's left shoulder, causing a shallow cut that began to drip blood down his arm.

Jason glared at Adam as the two circled each other, both ready to attack.

Adam glanced toward where Blake was lying, barely moving, on the ground.
"She's a lost cause and you know it!"
Adam growled, making a short slash at Jason.

"Just because she isn't a murder like you doesn't mean she's a lost cause." Jason replied, his voice strong and clear, as he blocked Adam's strike, dodging slightly to the left, slashing back quickly.

Adam rolled to his right. Jason has him set up perfectly. Anticipating Adam's movement, he slammed the hilt of his sword into the side of the bull faunus' head, sending Adam sprawling.

Jason advanced on his opponent, sword in hand.

He could see the fear in Adam's eyes as the bull faunus staggered to his feet, a thin trail of blood trickling down his cheek. He was outmatched. Jason was toying with him and Anam knew it.

"You're the monster Adam!"
Jason Growled
"Your type of brutal violence is why people despise Faunus! Well no more! That ends tonight."

Adam moves quickly, stabbing at Jason's chest. He wasn't quick enough though, Jason managed to block the strike with a quick blow to the hilt of Adam's sword, sending it flying out of his grip as it skittered away across the courtyard.

Jason saw his opening and didn't miss it. Channeling the pure strength of the guardian, Jason delivered a brutal kick to Adam's rib cage.

Adam was sent flying backwards as Jason staggered back from the force of the impact.
Then a scream of pain cut through the air like a knife.

Jason looked around and saw Adam slumped against the crumbling remains of what appeared to be a wall several yards away.

Jason slowly walked towards the bull faunus. He heard Adam's breathing, shallow and rasping. Blood was splattered around his feet. And then Jason saw it, the long, dark fence railing spike protruding from Adam's chest.

Jason looked down at his enemy, the golden glow of the guardian fading from his eyes as they returned to normal.

Jason spoke clearly.
"You could have been so much more."
He could see the life draining from Adam's eyes.
He watched as the bull Faunus took one last shuddering breath before he was still.

Phoenix Fire split the air one last time as, with a splatter of blood, the bull faunus's head fell to the ground, it's eyes fixed in the unblinking stare of death.

The golden flames faded from the edges of the courtyard as Jason stepped away.

A low, pained moan brought him sharply to his senses.
"Blake!"

Jason dashed to her side as he heard other footsteps approaching..

He crouched by her side. She wasn't moving anymore, the massive wound on her side still leaking blood.

Jason instantly tore a long strip of cloth from his cloak and wrapped it around her in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding, blood covering his hands as he did so.

She wasn't... she couldn't be...
Then Jason saw the thin puffs of vapor rising from her mouth in the cold night air and breathed a shaky sigh of relief. She was breathing.

Blake's Breathing was fast and shallow. She was alive... barely.

The footsteps grew louder.
Jason looked up to see Yang hurrying towards them, followed closely by Ruby and Weiss.

Yang caught sight of Blake and her face went pale.
"Jason what-"

"No time to explain. We need to get her to the safe house. I don't know how long she has."

Jason scooped up Blake in his arms as gently as he could. He set off at a run, moving as fast as he dared, Yang close behind him.
"It's going to be alright." He muttered, not really sure if he was trying to convince Yang, or himself.