Vader pressed several buttons on the dashboard, seeing if he could increase the speed of the bullhead at all.

He slammed a fist onto the console once he realized it was pointless.

Vader's mind began wandering, thinking of other solutions. Dust crystals powered the bullhead, like every other device on the planet.

Dust Crystals...

Crystals...

Vader stood from the pilots seat and moved to the back of the bullhead, activating the autopilot.

All ships needed a power source, no matter what size they were. Vader just needed to find it.

Finding a panel in the middle of the floor, he tore the metal sheet off to reveal the power source. A crystal generator powered the bullhead, Vader observed its size, and removed his lightsaber.

Was he really going to do this? Yes. He would.

He would have only mere moments after he removes the generator, to replace it with the kyber crystal.

Taking a deep breath, he removed the crystal from the lightsaber, and floated it into the air. Extending with his other hand, he took control of the bullhead sending him to a higher altitude.

Once he was high enough, Vader tore the generator out with the force and floated the crystal down.

Small bolts of energy collided with the kyber crystal as it rested in the place of the generator. The bullhead began humming with renewed power as the thrusters began powering on.

Realizing that he was plummeting towards the ground, he took his seat on the pilots chair again. Yanking the controls up to level his descent.

Vader then punched the thrusters forward, and the bullhead shot forward with incredible speed, Vader's head pressing against the pilots chair as a purple trail followed the bullhead.

As the speed continued to increase, a smile crept onto Vader's lips. It was just like flying a star fighter again.

Vader then realized he was still increasing speed and checked the map, seeing he was making incredible progress back towards Atlas.

Vader pushed the speed to the limit and shot off towards the horizon.

Winter Schnee sliced through a Saybr, before summoning several glyphs as a means of a barrier for the soldiers to fire over.

Concentrating on her glyphs, she summoned an Arma Gigas, the summon charging forward.

The Ace Ops fought around her, trying to keep the seemingly endless numbers of Grimm in check. Occasionally stealing glances at the floating Jellyfish moving towards them.

Winter wished the Leviathan would do something, anything, to help turn the tide.

Winter continued to feel conflicted, on one side, the General was trying to save Atlas for future prosperity. On the other, he was leaving all of Remnant defenseless with Remnants military might in the upper atmosphere.

She didn't know what to think about the General now... her thoughts uneasy after witnessing the murder of a councilman.

A screech brought Winter's attention skyward, as her eyes widened. A large flock of Teryx's began diving towards them.

She readied her sword for the coming onslaught, but the Teryx's were intercepted mid-way.

Purple bolts of energy collided with Grimm as a bullhead soared into view, an excess of purple energy trailing behind it.

The Grimm disintegrated, as the flock turned to attack its new target.

Whoever was piloting the bullhead was expertly skilled. Spinning while firing, the pilot punched a hole through the flock.

Flying straight through, the pilot slowed momentarily to destroy a nevermore, before continuing its speed. Continuing to fire, each shot found its intended target. While the bullhead remained intoxicated by the Grimm.

This Pilot was definitely skilled.

Vader sat in the pilots chair, a smile on his face.

He loved flying.

Vader: This is where the fun begins...

His helmet sat next to him in the co-pilots chair, as he spun again dodging a Teryx's swoop.

Boosting for a moment, before braking and turning abruptly. Drifting mid-air, he opened fire, destroying what tail he had.

Cheers erupted from the ground as Vader continued to decimate the Grimm from the air, the soldiers cheering out of joy.

Harriet: Who is that?

Winter: Someone here to help...

Vader flew above the Grimm hoard, opening the compartment and dropping several warheads to the ground. A line of explosions following him.

Vader spun, turning back to the frontlines. It didn't take him long to decide why Salem wanted him far away from Atlas.

Hearing a thump, he realized a Teryx had latched on.

Smiling, he turned one way, before yanking the other way. The Grimm lost its grip and slid down the edge of the wing. Vader slammed the Grimm through the ground killing it.

Vader: Now... to find a way onto the whale.

Vader shouldn't have tempted fate. His thrusters began smoking, burning from the amount of energy used.

Vader: (Sighs)

Spotting Winter and the Ace Ops, Vader primed the remains explosives with the force. Before standing from the pilots chair and placing his helmet back on.

Nearing the ground, Vader opened his lightsaber and removed the kyber crystal from the bullhead.

Placing it back in his lightsaber, Vader opened the door and leisurely stepped out.

Winter stood in a defensive stance, as a sea-feilong roared infront of her and the Ace Ops.

How it got on land was beyond Winter's understanding.

As the Grimm began prepping his mouth blast, a bullhead collided with the head, knocking the Grimm over before exploding.

Winter looked in the direction where the bullhead came from, her eyes widening as Vader floated down.

The Ace Ops drew their weapons, but Winter motioned with her arm.

Winter: Stand down...

Harriet: Are you crazy?!

Winter walked up to Vader, who held his deactivated lightsaber in his hand.

Winter: Vader...

Vader: Schnee...

Winter: I understand that you may... see the general in a different light now, but-

Vader: Silence.

He activated his lightsaber, Winter flinching and drawing her sword. But Vader turned and slashed a Sabyr in half.

Vader: We have more pressing concerns to deal with. We will settle our differences later.

Winter: Agreed.

Winter draws her sword in a defensive position, standing next to Vader. Before they both rush in and leap to face the oncoming horde.

Vader slashed outward, keeping the horde of Grimm at an considerable distance away from him.

Rotating, he extended an arm to blow away Grimm with the force. Allowing him to rush forward.

The Grimm seemed to be endless, but Vader knew better. The large whale-like Grimm was most likely spawning them.

But the large jellyfish confused him, it was most likely a creation of The Being. But for what reason?

Vader threw his lightsaber, piercing through a skull of a deathstalker. He pulled his lightsaber back, but let it pass him to pierce through several more Grimm.

Vader currently stood infront of a trench, helping defend the Atlesian soldiers from the Grimm.

To say the soldiers were in awe of Vader's combat prowess, was an understatement. They cheered and charged forward next to him, two in particular commenting on his strength.

Rex: Wow... who knew Huntsman could be so powerful...

Cody: Oum... good thing he's on our side.

The two soldiers stood next to each other, they were actually twin brothers, coincidentally. Rex wore blue and white armor, while Cody wore orange and white armor.

Cody turned to order the remaining soldiers.

Cody: Come on men! Charge!

Vader stood side by side with the Atlesian soldiers, fighting back the Grimm. A smile returned to Vader's face, he was being reminded of his time in the clone wars. He just needed Ahsoka fighting by his side and it would be complete.

Unfortunately, the soldiers were not as powerful and were pushed back by the sheer number of Grimm.

Then the soldiers began to panic, drawing even more Grimm towards them. Vader began formulating a plan as he pushed Grimm away from soldiers.

Vader: Fall back, I will cover your escape.

Captain: You heard the huntsman! Fall back!

Vader was left alone on the frontlines, as the soldiers retreated back to the trenches. Vader was sure he was alone, until he heard the noise of a trumpet.

???: Come on then!

Vader found said trumpet player, two huntsmen in training were still fighting. He watched as they became overwhelmed and rushed to help.

The two were Flynt Coal and Neon Catt, partners within the Atlas academy. They had split up with the rest of their team, and were the only ones left.

Instead of their usual attire, they had been outfitted with Atlesian soldier armor. Which caused a disadvantage, since they weren't used to the extra weight.

Neon, was fighting valiantly but was overwhelmed and knocked over. Her partner taking notice this, and panicking slightly as she dodged a claw slash.

Suddenly a purple blade flew past, slicing through the Grimm. Allowing Neon to scramble to her feet and rush to her partner.

The blade flew back to its owner, their eyes widening as Vader fluently moved through the horde of Grimm.

Dancing through each strike, He would occasionally extend his hand to blow back Grimm with the force.

Once the numbers of the Grimm horde had dipped significantly, Vader made his way over to the students.

Vader: It isn't safe here, we must make our way back to the trenches.

The two were stunned by Vader's show of strength, but quickly nodded.

Vader: Good. Get moving, I will be right behind you.

Vader turned to face the oncoming Grimm, not having his lightsaber drawn. He waited for the two to get a safe distance away from him.

Vader clenched his fists, his left arm cracking with red lightning. He motioned with both arms, as the wind began to pick up.

The Grimm that tried leaping into the air, were swiftly picked up into the air, as a twister began forming around Vader.

The larger Grimm, like deathstalkers, who weren't picked up by the force-maelstrom, were struck by red lightning.

The Grimm that were swept up in the twister were either torn apart by the high winds, or incinerated due to the lightning.

Vader then unclenches his fists, the twister stopping abruptly. Like before, a circle of land remained unaffected.

Vader then turned and increased his speed with the force, making his way back to the trenches.

The commanding officer peeked over the side of the trench, seeing that the sudden twister had stopped.

Thankfully, they were to far away for their gear, or men to be pulled into the storms grasp. He couldn't say the same thing about the Grimm bastards though...

Seeing the black helmeted huntsman running towards them, he motioned for him to hide in the trench.

Vader hopped down, surprising several soldiers, while putting others to ease.

Vader: What is the situation Commander?

Of course the soldiers recognized Vader from the wanted posters, but with them on the front-lines instead of in the city, they would take all the help they could get.

Commander: We've fallen back to a safe location, to await re-supply and to defend when the next wave hits, literally.

Vader looked out of the trench, seeing what the commander meant. The Grimm whale slammed its chin down, causing a wave of Grimm liquid to surge forward spawning more Grimm.

Vader: Hrm...

Commander: We've got five paladins left... a lot injured, with not enough bullheads to evacuate us, and them... and who knows where The Ace Ops are now...

Vader remained silent, in clipping his lightsaber from his belt.

Vader: Station the Paladins infront of the trenches, to act as barriers. I will draw the Grimm towards me and thin their numbers the best I can. Have your men pick off the ones I cannot.

Commander: Are you suicidal?! Do you know how many Grimm are out there?!

Vader: I am aware, (looks at the Leviathan) do you have a better plan?

Commander: ...

As Vader vaulted to the top of the trench, He heard the Commander barking the same orders to his soldiers, the Paladins moving in response.

Vader strode forward, activating his lightsaber and holding it in both hands. He took a deep breath and immersed himself within the force, making the Grimm go insane.

He readied himself in Djem-so position, seeing the horde near him.

But the attack never came.

War is like a game of Chess, you send your weakest out to fight first. Your pawns, to draw out your enemies forces as well.

Ozma and Salem had been playing Chess against each other for thousands of years. Ozma gaining the advantage whenever he foiled Salem's plans, Salem's gaining the advantage whenever her former lover died.

Now, Salem had heard longest advantage ever, due to the fact Ozma's and her secrets had been revealed.

The secrets didn't affect Salem, but seeded doubt within Ozma's ranks.

Now Salem had a new opponent, James Ironwood. The Atlesian army was the current strongest military might of all Remnant. But he had several flaws.

His semblance allowed him to have a tunnel vision of sorts, only focusing on one objective, making enemies in the process.

Salem had pushed Ironwood's semblance to overdrive, he was planning to leave Remnant and float higher into the sky, while using the relic of creation.

Salem, of course, would not allow this to happen. Instead of letting Atlas fly higher into the sky, she would drop it to the ground.

Another advantage Salem had, in Chess, was a regenerating amount of pieces. Even Ozma didn't have unlimited, Ironwood having less so.

But Salem had a new opponent, one that she feared in her own right.

She had first expected it to be Vader, but no... he didn't command an army.

Instead, sitting across from her, a being in a blue suit and strange skin sat.

Salem smirked to herself, observing how she had all of her black pieces, and how The Being had none.

Then her eyes widened when blue pieces appeared out of thin air.

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Vader stood with his lightsaber in his hands. Awaiting the Grimm horde.

But as he was doing this, the Leviathan began glowing. It's tentacles more so.

As it's tentacles glowed, shapes began separating from the body of the creature.

Creatures moved through the air, aquatic life swam as if they were in water, while creatures capable of flight flew side by side.

As the Grimm horde descended on Vader, a large group of Sabyrs leading the charge.

But the Sabyrs were pushed back, a legion of light swordfish swam through the ranks cutting them to ashes.

Vader watched in awe as creatures made of pure light moved over him pushing the Grimm back.

A large shark snatched a Uras Major within its jaws, tossing it up and clamping its jaws to kill. Before whipping its tail to attack more.

A large, bipedal reptile with short arms roared and charged forward. Biting through a Goliath, and stomping on another.

A spider-like construct slammed its sharp appendages through Grimm, before launching a mouthful of webbing to restrain a deathstalker.

Said Deathstalker was picked up by a dragon in one of its front paws. Flying upwards, it squished the Grimm before attacking a flock of Teryx's.

Another flock of Nevermores were met mid-way by light-construct eagles. Who clawed the large Grimm birds to death.

Then the earth shook as the biggest construct of them all landed. A large ape like creature pounded its chest out of fury. Another Dragon standing on its shoulder.

As the soldiers watched in awe, a squid construct moved over them. The soldiers raised their guns to fire at the squid.

Commander: Stand down!

To prove the Commander's point, the squid extended it's tentacles over the wounded. Mist began spraying from said tentacles, resting on the injured and healing them.

Salem's eyes widened out of fury. Her pieces began falling left and right.

Resetting the board, she began her counter attack.

Salem moved her pawns forward, attacking The Being's pawns. The Saybrs leap into the air, grabbing some of the swordfish in their jaws.

The Being countered with his pawns, the swordfish swimming out of Sabyrs reach, before turning abruptly and killing the Grimm.

As the constructs and Grimm continued to combat, the ape, The Beings Queen, grabbed a king taitju by the tail. One of Salem's bishops.

Snapping it looks whip, the ape decimated the Grimm. The dragon landed on several Grimm, making them disintegrate.

Inhaling, the dragon opened its mouth and unleashed plume, after plume of blue flame. Torching all the Grimm that were unfortunate enough to be caught in the flames.

Monstra roared and attempted to attack Atlas directly. Slamming its chin down, the Grimm rivers shot upward towards Atlas.

The liquid was deflected by the hard light shields, but damaged it incredibly.

Until it stopped.

Upon closer inspection, small fish had swam up to the geysers. Once close enough, they had began expanding, stopping the geysers of Grimm.

Salem growled out of frustration.

The squid swam high enough, where the ground forces couldn't reach it and extended its tentacles.

Like the Leviathan, the squid had the ability to create constructs as well. Small blue shapes separated themselves from the squid.

The shapes became more defined and became little blue octopi. They swam towards the Grimm, being to small to notice.

Latching onto the closest Grimm, the octopi wrapped their tentacles and stuck themselves to their new vessels. Inserting their beaks, the octopus eyes began glowing, turning the Grimm' eyes, that they had latched onto, from red to blue.

Now in complete control, the octopi turned their vessels on their own kind.

Four more Squids swam up, and down the Grimm ranks, dropping more octopi.

Salem slammed her hands down out of disbelief, not only were her pieces being taken. Now they were being used against her!

Salem was distracted from the battle, by a disturbance within Monstra.

Vader cut through the thinning number of Grimm. Looking towards the noise of a bullhead approaching, seeing it was the Ace Ops.

They were lead by Winter, emerging with a large bomb.

A wise strategy, with the Grimm distracted this would be the perfect opportunity to attack. But the light constructs would have been enough to deal with Monstra.

As Vader thought this, Leviathan had finally reached Monstra. Drooping its tentacles, lightning began swirling around them, electrocuting the whale Grimm.