Nightmare steps forward, his presence alone seemed to radiate an aura of malevolence that gave everyone chills. Star and Ike exchanged a glance, their expressions grim.

Bianca looks at him with rage filled eyes then glances at you, her eyes filled with worry. You nod at Bianca, showing that you understand what is going on. Then, you step forward, your white aura flaring up around your fists as you prepare for battle.

(Y/n): What do you want this time, Nightmare?

You ask, your tone stern. Nightmare chuckles darkly, his gaze moving over the gathered crowd.

Nightmare: Oh, nothing much. I saw how you handled my little gift earlier...and I must say, I'm impressed.

He looks at everyone else.

Nightmare: Ah some familiar faces...and some new.

He says as he looks over at Atlasian soldiers, Team CFVY, Ironwood, Winter and the professors.

(Y/n): If you're here for a rematch then you've got it. Plus, The general here hasn't taken kindly to you murdering his men.

You growl, stepping closer to Nightmare. The rest of team CRDL joins you, their weapons at the ready. Ironwood and the knights prepare to move in as well. As the tension rises, you all brace yourselves for the oncoming fight. Nightmare seems to take delight in this, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

Nightmare: Very well, let's see what you've got!

Nightmare suddenly disappears, his form swirling into shadows. In the blink of an eye, he reappears right in front of you, his fists cocked and ready to strike. He swings at you but you manage to dodge it, narrowly avoiding being hit.  You quickly retaliate with a counter attack, your white aura flaring up around your fists as they connect with his chest. The impact sends Nightmare stumbling back, his body now visible for everyone to see. His black tattered cloak fluttering in the wind as he recovers his balance.

Nightmare: Hmm...still intact. Here I thought that power would cause a problem..

Nightmare says as he rubs his the spot you hit then lightly taps it before chuckling darkly and shaking his head slightly. He looks at you challengingly before disappearing once more, his malicious laughter echoing through the area. He appears behind Winter and attempts to grab her by the head.

Thankfully, Weiss notices him and quickly advances onto him, stabbing him in the chest causing him to back off.

Nightmare looks at the two sisters and quickly deducts that they are related based on appearance alone.

Nightmare: Ah..Another Schnee. Hopefully you don't have as much of an attitude compared to your little sister. Then again....

Nightmare summons his black katana and points it at the sisters.

Nightmare: Attitudes can be adjusted...

Nightmare begins to circle around them, his sword held loosely at his side. Winter looks at him with her trademark icy glare while Weiss grits her teeth in anger. Suddenly, Nightmare disappears only to reappear behind Ike and attempts to slice him with his sword.

Ike however takes quick notice of his reappearance and rolls away and looks at him. Nightmare smirks at him while the others notice he has switched targets again.  Weiss and Winter charge at him, however he takes notice of them and charges at the head on. He clotheslines the both of them then with quick reflexes, grabs their faces and slams them into the ground. 

Ruby: Weiss!   

Ruby calls out to her teammate which causes Nightmare's eyes to focus on her next. His cold stare causes her to back off and lower her weapon slightly. Nightmare takes advantage of her guard being down and goes to close the gap. To his surprise, he is suddenly surrounded in a purple bubble and flung into the side of a building. He groans and cracks his neck before looking up  only to see Ozpin rapidly approaching him. Nightmare sidesteps the headmaster and holds his sword up defensively as they lock eyes. Their weapons tapping each other, adding suspense to who will make the first move.

Suddenly the two dissappear as the clash of their weapons is all anyone could see. As their bodies reappeared to the naked eye, everyone see's Nightmare miss a swing as Ozpin had side stepped him. Ozpin then jabs Nightmare in the face causing the seeker to cover his face then take another swing,

Ozpin smiles and politely bows under the swing. At the same time, Bianca jumps over the headmaster and clashes with Nightmare. The black haired male lets go of his nose and looks at her.

Nightmare: You're still here?

Nightmare questions as he pushes back at Bianca causing her to drag her feet on the ground.

Nightmare: Persistent...a useless virtue when colliding with me.

He states as Bianca uses her right foot for support and pushes back.

Bianca: I said I'd avenge my team! (Y/n)!

Nightmare raises a brow but gasps in surprise as he feels a sharp pain in his back. He looks to see you stabbing both Vulcan's in his back. You shoot him a toothy grin and drag the Vulcan's down his back before pulling them out. Nightmare's black blood stains the concrete and your blades as he stumbles before Bianca slices down his upper torso leaving a large gash.

Nightmare is then grabbed by Ike's chain and flung into a building.

Nightmare yells in pain as he crashes through the building, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. From the rubble, he emerges covered in fresh wounds from the battle, his eyes gleaming with fury.

His whole body trembles as the wounds begin to heal. He takes a deep breath and moves towards the hole in the building leading back outside. However, he's shot in the leg then grabbed from behind. He looks to see Mercury holding him in a chokehold and Emerald emerge from the dust with one of her jungle green pistols aimed at him and her right hand on her head. Behind her is Cinder with a scowl plastered on her face.

Nightmare: Morning partners.

Cinder backhands him then looks at Emerald.

Cinder: How much time?

Emerald shuts her eyes tightly before opening them.

Emerald: A minute. With how timid they're being on their approach. The dust has gotta disappear some time.

She explains.

Cinder: Have a back up ready.

Cinder orders as she looks at Nightmare.

Cinder: What the hell do you think you're doing?!

Nightmare keeps his smile as he doesn't struggle against Mercury's grasp at all.

Nightmare: Helping your plan.

Cinder grits her teeth and holds a fireball in her right hand.

Cinder: How is this helping?! You've put all of Vale on alert at this point!

Suddenly, Nightmare throws Mercury over his shoulder effortlessly then stands up which startles Emerald.

Emerald: W-what?! I shot yo-

She cuts herself off as she sees the gunshot wound on Nightmare's leg completely healed.

Nightmare: I will explain my real purpose of the mutant attack as well as my own attack that is happening as we speak. Right now.

Suddenly he throws Mercury through the hole then knees Cinder in the gut causing her to gag and fall over as she struggles to breathe. Emerald quickly comes to her side as the two look at Nightmare who shrugs.

Nightmare: Gotta keep up appearances.

He points out to which Cinder looks at him in fury but calms herself and comes back at him.

Cinder: I agree...

She nods to Emerald who drops the illusion of the dust cloud. As it finally disappears completely, everyone sees Nightmare standing over the two girls.

A gunshot is heard as Nightmare's head moves to the side as a cut appears on his left cheek. A smile graces his lips as he turns his head slightly, just enough to see Star with both his guns summoned.

Nightmare: I thought I spotted you in that crowd, little light.

Nightmare turns his attention fully to Star who dismissed his guns and summons his sabers.

Star: Leave these people alone...

Star orders as his eyes have gone from Hazel to red. Nightmare claps his hands together and smiles brightly.

Nightmare: Of course! Just...surrender the amulets so I can get home and you three can figure out your own way home.

Cinder looks up at him slightly after hearing his words. Star on the other hand spins the saber in his right hand and holds it in a reverse grip.

Star: Over my dead body.

Nightmare raises both brows and lowers his hands to his side and snaps his wrist causing his black katana to appear.

Nightmare: The dumbest thing I've heard from your mouth yet...

Without another word, he shoulder charges Star out of the building and continues his pursuit. Ike stands in front of him and swings his yellow flame lit chains at him. Nightmare however slides under the chains then kicks Ike in the chin which sends him into the air. Nightmare then rolls and gets back on his feet as Star charges at him after regaining his own feet. They pass by each other only cutting the cheek of the other. A serious look plastered on Star's face compared to Nightmare's face which had a look of glee as he quickly turns on his heel and launches back towards Star. Star backflips over Nightmare's next slash and prepares to deal a killing blow, only for a shadow hand to punch him in mid air and into a building.

Star shakes off the rubble and looks to see come at him at extreme speed. Star however parry's the katana's strike then drops his right saber and punches Nightmare hard which causes him to go flying up to the second floor. Star summons his saber back to his right hand and flies up through the hole. He looks around but sees no sign of Nightmare. That is until he turns around and feels Nightmare's hand tightly grip around his throat. Star struggles as Nightmare laughs maniacally. Nightmares left leg gives out however as a shot and glass breaking is heard. Star is dropped onto the floor and gasps for air before looking at the origin of the shot to see Ruby on a building. Star then turns to Nightmare to see the seeker's leg heal however Star gives him no time and slices Nightmare's right arm off causing the black haired man to scream in pain.

Star then dismisses both sabers and grabs Nightmare by his collar and throws him out the window.

As Nightmare goes flying back onto the street, Ike is waiting for him down below. The fire wielding boy reels his right hand back and delivers a right hook causing Nightmare to ragdoll down the street. He tries to stand but finds himself get grappled by Yang as Yatsuhashi comes to the side and slices off his left arm causing the seeker to gasp as his golden eyes become dim.

Not taking the chance, Blake stabs Nightmare in the chest while Pyrrha rams her spear through his leg which pins him to the floor.

Star comes running to the group and looks at Nightmare's condition. Ironwood and his remaining soldiers plus the knights, had their weapons aimed at his head.

Ike, Bianca and yourself come running behind Star and look at Nightmare.

Bianca: ...Is he...?

Coco, Velvet and Fox come to Yatsuhashi's side and look at the seeker. Fox steps forward and turns his head slightly to his right before giving an unsure look.

Fox: His heart is still beating...

Everyone except Bianca, Ike, Star and yourself look at Nightmare in shock.

Ironwood: Impossible.

Suddenly, Pyrrha and Blake felt their weapons being pushed back against them.

Pyrrha: W-What...?

Blake tries to push against the force however finds herself being overwhelmed.

Blake: I can push any deeper! Are his wounds pushing back against the weapons!

Star looks at Nightmare's face to see his mouth begin to move.

Star: Get away from him! Now!

Everyone looks at Star but agrees nonetheless. After Blake and Pyrrha retrieve their weapons. Everyone is shocked to see Nightmare's arms reforming, only they were clouded in a dark aura and his fingers had become claws. The light in Nightmare's eyes return as he falls forward, using his new claw hands as support.

(Y/n): Fuck...

You blurt out as you see the seeker rise to his feet. Bianca spins her katana around and holds it up defensively.

Bianca: What a nightmare...

Laughter is heard from Nightmare as he looks at her.

Nightmare: You said it.

Oobleck and Port shoot at him, however Nightmare just raises his hand and blocks the fire and bullets hurled at him. Ironwood and his men and mechs begin firing at Nightmare but he uses his other hand to block them as well.

Star charged at him at full speed with his sabers ready but Nightmare jumped away and landed on top of a building that overlooked them. As everyone's eyes focus on Nightmare, the seeker's focus is drawn to his new limbs as he examined them.

Nightmare: Fascinating...no combat for thirty years can lead to new discoveries.

He clenches his hand and looks at Star.

Nightmare: I'm eager to see what further secrets lie within myself, little light. Come, attack again.

You step forward with your Vulcans ready however Star stops you and steps forward himself.

Star: How do you know it was the amulets and not the sealer stone that sent us here?

Nightmare rolls his eyes and paces on the edge of the building.

Nightmare: Please. You think I haven't seen a sealer stone or know what it's capable of? Shouldn't have been so secretive, Phoenix.

Star looks at Ike who looks at him.

Ike: What? I thought I was built different?

Nightmare stops pacing and bends down in a  crouching position.

Nightmare: Speaking of secrets, little light. Have you told your new friends yet?

Star looks at the seeker questioningly.

Star: What do you mean?

Nightmare chuckles.

Nightmare: You know! The secret. About how my presence to this world came into fruition?

Nightmare asks now unsure if Star had misunderstood. His uncertainty is replaced with smugness as he sees Star's face drop.

Blake: Star, what is he talking about?

Blake questions.

Nightmare pretends to be surprised.

Nightmare: How could you, little light? After these people opened their arms to you and your brother so willingly.

Nightmare puts his abnormally large hands over his chest, acting as if he was betrayed.

Ozpin notices Star's uncomfortable demeanour and goes to his side.

Ozpin: I'm sure he had good reason to keep it from us. Don't try to unshackle the bonds they have made in their time here.

Star looks at the headmaster surprised. Ruby chimes in.

Ruby: Yeah. Whether you like it or not, you have no advantage in this situation.

Everyone else agrees and stands ready to fight again. Nightmare raises a brow, surprised by their loyalty. Star and Ike are especially surprised and look at Bianca and yourself who nod at them and stand ready as well.

Nightmare looks down at everyonez He looks away from them and up at the sky. A smile graces his lips as he raises his hands and begins to slow clap.

Nightmare: What a nostalgic scene...brings me back to the war...the only thing that hasn't changed...is a Light at the head of it...

Everyone is confused by this. Especially Star who just stares at him. Ike looks at Star then back at Nightmare.

Star: ...W-What...?

Suddenly Star, Pyrrha, a few atlas soldiers, Yang and yourself look around confused.

(Y/n): Uh....guys? Is it me or is his clapping getting louder?

Star shook his head.

Star: It's not just you...

Ike raises a brow and Bianca looks at you.

Bianca: It's getting louder...?

She questions. Star nods as the claps eventually cause him to flinch as they get nearly at ear piercing volume.

Time seemed to slow down as Nightmare was about to clap again. Ike looks towards Star and yourself with a raised brow as he then looks at the ground. What he sees causes him to immediately drop his chains and whip them at you and Star. The chains wrap around the both of you then Ike pulls you towards him with Star.

Time returned to normal as Nightmare let out one last clap which caused shadow claws to sprout from both Star's and your shadows. Bianca in a panic, back flipped away from the claws, Yang however was t fast enough as her left arm was pierced as she was lifted in the air and screamed in pain. You look up and gasp.

(Y/n): YANG!

You call out to her. Star looks up and the looks at the base of the shadow hand and runs to it. He swiftly cuts it which causes the claw to disappear and Yang to fall to the ground.

Ruby and Blake look at Yang in horror as her left arm was full of alarming sized holes. Her blood seeping from them as Yang struggled to get up.

Ruby and Blake: Yang!

They both rush to her with Weiss and Star not too far behind. Jaune, Nora and Ren were about to go to her too.

Pyrrha: J-Jaune...?

They stop and look to see Pyrrha impaled through her chest, arm and torso by another shadow claw.

Jaune: PYRRHA!

Jaune ran to her with a worried and shocked Ren and Nora behind him.

Star heals the holes in Yang's left arm and looks at her.

Star: Yang? You okay?

Yang looks at them and sits up. She tries to move her left arm but finds it unresponsive.

Yang: I-I can't move my arm...

Ironwood and Glynda looked at the scene in horror. They look back and see Ozpin, Oobleck and Port who had moved from their spot to dodge more shadow claws from their shadows.

Ironwood looked around and saw some of the robots and his soldiers were impaled by shadow claws as well.

Ike: Oh my god...

Ike says looking at the scene around him. He turns to Star who was looking worriedly at Yang.

Ike: Star! Quick! Go around and heal as many as you ca-

Ike stops himself as he sees Star respond by looking away from her but only to look down with his eyes darting left and right.

Ironwood: We need medics!

Ironwood shouts as he looks up at one of the Atlesian airships. His eyes widen as he sees the lead ship's nose pointed down and begin to rapidly descend towards the ground.

Star covered his ears as he could hear cries and screams of sorrow and pain. Getting louder no matter how hard he tried to block it out.

As soon as the airship hit the ocean and exploded, Nightmare smiles and raises his claws in the air.

Nightmare: lufituaeB

Star snapped out of it. With an angry look plastered on his face and his eyes burning a bright golden colour, he turns and looks at Nightmare up on the building.

Star: WHAT DID YOU DO?!?!

Nightmare, who was still staring at the sky. Let's out a sigh, releasing a black cloud from his mouth.

Nightmare: I warned you little Light....more than once....now you see that every choice you have made has finally formed into a consequence...

Nightmare looks at Star with his eyes now gone from their usual gold colour to red.

Nightmare: Thankfully, I am merciful....Only a quarter of Vale's population, including some of Atlas' best, were given a quick death.

Those who were alive or listening, froze in shock.

(Y/n): You-

Bianca: -What...?

Nightmare smiles and waves it off.

Nightmare: Don't worry, I spared the children and those proceeding to adolescence.

He lets out a sigh and shook his head.

Nightmare: Those poor orphans...

Hearing enough, Star lunged at Nightmare at an extreme speed but gagged in shock as Nightmare nonchalantly put his arm forward and grabbed Star.

Ike lunged at him next with Bianca and yourself behind him.

Two shadow hands grabbed Bianca and yourself while Nightmare stretched out his free hand and caught Ike by the throat. A smile graces his lips as he brings you closer and reaches for the amulets around your neck. Ike takes a deep breath and blows purple flames at him which causes Nightmare to yell in anger and pain as he lets go of Ike and Star while the shadow hands release Bianca and yourself.

All four of you back away from the building as Nightmare stops flailing around and looks down at everyone. His skin was charred and his skull was showing on the left side of his head. You look back at team JNPR to see Jaune holding Pyrrha's hand as she struggles to breathe then at REBY who are tending to Yang who hasn't been able to move her left arm yet. You grip your knives tightly, bearing your teeth as you grit them together.

(Y/n): Fucking monster!

You taunt at the seeker who looks down at the remaining aggressors and smiles coyly.

Nightmare: Monster? No, I am hell itself. Agony given form. Madness, delivered as to be a wake up call.

Everyone started to notice Nightmare beginning to grow in size from six foot to twelve foot.

Nightmare: I am Nightmare, fear and wrath combined.

Nightmare then looks at Star.

Nightmare: I have been lenient and fair...even given you the choice or warning to surrender and back off...

He says as he specifically looks at Bianca who stares daggers at him. Star grips the hilts on his sabers tighter as he backs up slightly.

Nightmare: But now...Mercy is no longer on the table.

His arms and legs bulk up as cracks and snapping is heard on his back causing him to groan.

Nightmare: Haaa....

He looks at Ruby and smirks.

Nightmare: What was it you said, red? I have not advantage in this situation?

He questions which causes Ruby to look at him with fear. An emotion he is well familiarised with.

Nightmare: When I am done, Vale will be but a memory...Longing to be forgotten.

His attention is then drawn to Star as his red irises expand, complete dominating his eyes in a red glow.

Nightmare: My promise to you....Little LiAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

He screams in pain as his jaw dislocated itself before ripping from both corners of his mouth up to his ears. The alarming scene causes Ike, Star, Bianca and yourself to back away as his whole upper torso bulks up as well and his black blood spews forward, landing on the ground in front of you four. His tattered cloak rips in the middle from the bottom only leaving an inch between the rip and the collar. The cloak then sprouts to your surprise as bones start to form along the cloak turning into what looked like dragon wings. Suddenly, Nightmare's red scarf wraps around his entire deformed mouth to obscure the dreadful sight as everyone bearing witness backs away as Nightmare stands slumped over with his arms hanging down.

Nightmare: .....HeHeHeHe.

Nightmare looks up slightly then lets out a terrifying scream that causes almost everyone besides you, the boys, Bianca, Ruby and the professors to drop their weapons.

Nightmare then drops from the building and lands making a loud thud that sends debris flying past the four heroes standing before him.

(Y/n): Jasper? Suggestions?

You enquire to your head's roommate only to hear nothing. You curse under your breath and looks at Ike and Star.

(Y/n): Guys! Game plan?! What do we do when he's like this?!

You call out to them. They stand there stunned. You hear Ike gulp and turn up his purple flames.

Ike: W-We've never seen him do this before...

Ike says which causes Bianca and yourself to exchange glances as you stare at Nightmare who stands up straight, ready for anyone to make the first move.
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Until next time :)