Team ByPAsS

It was close to midnight on the outskirts of Vale. The full moon illuminated the night giving the sense of serenity and calm. An abandoned Schnee Co. Refinery stood far away from the city, abandoned and forgotten. Grass was overgrown, the fence was corroded with rust, and lifeless Dust were in a piles on the property. It was dark, it was secluded, and most of all, empty.

Byron knew otherwise. He and his team were on a hired to infiltrate the compound and investigate for any criminal activity. Be it the White Fang, Torchwick, or any other person against the law. Team B.P.A.S. was hired by a Schnee Co. employee, a Mr. Krim, to investigate the facility. According to said employer, there has been some abnormal activity in and around the factory property. To keep their image maintained the Schnee Company needed an investigative team to inspect their property. Since there is a Grimm population around the factory they needed Hunters, and Team B.P.A.S. was up for the job.

"Saga, what do you see?" Byron asked on the com behind a bush. Byron wore a green long coat with yellow trim, a hood, and short sleeves. Light but strong gauntlets covered his arms so he could block oncoming weapons when needed. He also wore baggy black pants and boots that went up to his shins. The boots were armored with greaves to protect his shins. A waist pouch hung behind him, carrying supplies he may need. His hair was brown, at medium length, and with a slight curl. His cobalt eyes were staring at the complex looking for any sign movement. His weapon was a shock-baton hanging from a wrist band.

In a tree about 1 kilometer away, a Faunus girl replied, looking down the scope of her bow/riffle fire-arm. "Negative. No sign of movement." She had horse ears on her head, as part of her Faunus heritage. Her hair was also brown in an uneven bob cut. She wore a brown frilled dress with a leather girdle. Black capris and lace up boots that covered her legs. She also wore archer's gloves tuned with her weapon. Trigga, as she liked to call it, could turn into a Dust energized bow and switch into a pump-action riffle. The arms fold into the mussel and handle, while the bow handle would turn into the pump. As a gun it would fire bullets, with the bow shot elemental shot, based off what Dust was stocked in the gloves. "Perse, Ash, What is your position?"

Near the front entrance were Asher and Persephone. Asher was working on the wiring system while Persephone stood watch.

Persephone answered, "We're still at the gate. And quit calling me Perse! It makes me sound like a guy." Persephone wore a feather accented armor, Steel-grey with red ends. The plating was made into strips with the triangulated ends curved upward. This armor design covered her arms, shoulders, and hips, and had a cuirass to cover her torso. She also wore greaves over sandals that went up her legs. Her hair was blonde, short, and tomboyish. Dangling earrings adorned her, matching her grey eyes looking out for trouble. She used a Khopesh sword and a shield that could extend a buzz saw edge if she squeezed the grip. She called the pair Gorgon.

"Someone turned on the electric fence, Byron. I'm trying to re-route the power now." Asher was in a body tight Kevlar suit. Some parts had dragon hide padding weaved into the fabric. The armor helped immensely when being fired at. It would still sting like hell though. He also had a utility belt and had two scimitars strapped to his back. Two handguns were at his belt when he needed range. He didn't believe in naming his weapons. His hair was black and a little spiky at the ends, but it was styled to be laid flat behind his ears. His eyes were green and he wore a half-face mask to cover his neck and mouth. "I think it's safe to say we're not alone."

"Asher, are there any other security measures online?"

"Nope. The motion sensors were fried. No one could turn it on if they wanted too. Video's offline as well."

"Alright. Saga, see if you can grapple onto one of the roof tops and zip onto the complex. I'll follow you shortly."

"Roger, that."

"Persephone, Asher, as soon as the fence is down head to the docking bay. Be vigilant. Saga and I will meet you there."

"Kay/Got'cha."

"Let's move!" Byron made a dash for Saga's location. He slid on his hood to make sure his head was covered.

Saga got out a hookshot out of her pack and loaded it into Trigga. She aimed a carefully to get the right angle and… BANG! The hookshot flew over the fence, with the cord attached, and set itself in the roof access door. The Faunus then took out a hanger and with a jump from her branch, zipped towards the building. Byron came up not long after and zipped down as well.

"And… Got it!" exclaimed Asher, replacing the electric box. Persephone then started scaling the fence with Asher and jumped onto the ground on the other side. They both dove to hide behind a cinderblock and checked for any ground patrols. They proceeded with caution towards the docking bay, hiding behind objects to cover themselves.

Both Saga and Byron landed on the rooftop with a role. Byron took the lead since he learned the layout of the Schnee factory before they had set out. They ran through corridor by corridor. Byron took the occasional peak around to check for anyone but so far no sign of anyone in the building.

Byron whispered to Saga. "You know, this reminds me too much of our time at Beacon."

"I know, right?"

Beacon was were their team had first been formed. Ozpin was still headmaster at the time and had made them partner up with the first person they saw. That was after being shot, viva platform, into the Emerald Forest. The task was simple: find the relic, at the 'forest temple', and get back to the cliff. None of them thought of it as a temple. It was just easier to call it that then the Emerald Ruins, also the name was catchier. Byron had teamed up with Persephone, while Saga met Asher.

Byron lived with his foster-father who was a rich scholar in Aura and Dust. In fact, Dust manipulation was actually Byron's weapon of choice. The shock-baton was good for when he needed to get up close, but it wasn't a battle weapon, and his semblance was limited to the surrounding environment. Now he was a first-rate Dust user in the hunter community. Not as good as Glynda Goodwitch, but still skillful.

Persephone was from a small town where she had learned how to make weapons. She secretly snuck into Beacon since her parents wouldn't let her be a huntress. None the less, she proved to be able to take on anyone in Beacon by the end of their first year, after some help from Byron.

Asher was from a bad part of Vale, often getting in trouble with the law for thieving and vandalism. But that wasn't the worst he could do. He was a computer wiz, and hacker. Give him a computer and he could access the Schnee Mainframe in less than 5 minutes. His mother was a Huntress, so when she died he wanted to follow in her footsteps. His scimitars had originally belonged to his mother. And Asher was the one that got Persephone into Beacon, 'embellishing' her application.

Saga was a Faunus. Enough said. She entered Signal with Byron and they had been close friends since.

Their team had its ups and downs but they always seemed to stick together, no matter how hairy it got. The parties, the pranks, jokesters, jerks, Grimm, gang members, even Saga shooting Asher for tampering with her gun. It produce a flag with the word 'bang' on it when you pulled the trigger. Byron and Persephone got together in senior year and Saga and Asher ruined the moment yelling, 'WE KNEW IT!'

"I just realized, when did you guys see us as being together?"

"When you were trying to help Persephone with classes."

"…Wow."

"So have you asked her yet?"

"So how are things with Byron?" asked Asher. He and Persephone were hiding behind another cinderblock close to the entrance. Persephone just sighed, "I don't know Asher. I know I love him, but he's been kid of distant lately." Asher raised his eyebrows at that. He knew his friends rather well during his time with them. Asher knew that if Byron was being distant it was probably important, "Any idea why?"

Persephone was silent for a moment. She looked sad, which wasn't like her. Normally she'd have a smile and upbeat attitude, ready to face anything coming her way. Right now, she looked dead and hopeless. "We had a fight not too long ago. And… I think he might be seeing someone else!" Asher just laughed, having an epiphany. "It's not funny!" yelled Persephone.

"I know it's not," he still chuckled a little bit. "But you've got to be an idiot to not see the love between you two." Persephone looked at him surprised, not expecting that answer. "What has he been doing?"

"Well… He's been going to a lot of restaurants lately. I ask him why he's been going, but he won't tell me why. And their all high-class restaurants as well. Also I noticed he's been taking a lot of solo missions too. Won't even invite me! He knows how much I like hunting!"

"How high are the rewards?"

"About 5,000 lien a…," she pause looking at Asher's smiling face. "What?"

"Nothing. Just something Byron told me he would do someday."

"And this is…?"

"Not mine to say." Asher made a dash for the bay.

"Huh? Hey wait! What is it?! Tell me!"

"You sure you want to go through with this?"

"Of course."

"Your funeral."

The four met up in the center of the bay. Byron wanted their report. "See anything?"

"No. We didn't see anyone," replied Asher. Persephone was giving Asher the stink eye.

"I got a bad feeling about this," said Saga.

"And indeed you should, horsey." Team B.P.A.S, turned to see a man in a white coat, bowler's hat, and a cane in hand. His hair was orange and covered his right eye. He held a cigar in his other hand and a scarf around his neck. B.P.A.S. recognized the criminal immediately. "Torchwick!" they yelled together, preparing their weapons. "Now, now. Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"You're the exception," said Saga. "And you have a lot to answer for, Torchwick," completed Asher. Byron took the initiative, wanting answers. "What are you doing here Roman?"

"Well… I was hoping we could talk, have our little conversation elsewhere. Though it seems like you bastards are getting too big for your britches. Why else would I go through all the trouble of seeing you here?"

"We're not going anywhere with you," snapped Persephone.

"Really?" asked Torchwick, "Well if I can't convince you… then let me introduce some friends of mine." He had a wicked grin of his face. It was a trap. Thugs in black and red sunglasses appeared on top of the fraters, aiming guns down at the team. Byron, Persephone, Asher, and Saga quickly got into a circle back-to-back. In the shadows of the rafters, Byron spotted a feminine silhouette with an eye, glowing like fire.

"Well… This is just great," murmured Asher.

"Another ambush? What is this, the third mission in a row now?" asked Saga.

Persephone answered, "I'll bet ya ten bucks that Torchwick also set up the last two as well."

"You're on." Saga then whispered to Byron, "So, what now leader?"

He whispered back, "These are a bunch of goon and thugs. They shouldn't be too smart. Saga, fire at Torchwick when I give the go."

"Won't that set off the gunners?"

Byron smirked. "They want us good as dead. I'm counting on that."

Asher was catching on. "I get it. Let them waste their bullets, then hit them fast and hit them hard."

"So. Who wants who?" asked Byron.

"I call Torchwick," said Persephone. Asher and Saga chimed in "Goons."

"I'll get woman then."

"Wait, what woman?" asked Persephone.

"Are four done talking over there? I have a dust shop to raid in an about an hour, and would like to be there on time, thank you very much. Do you know how hard it is to find a Dust shop open this late?"

"One thing. Are you the one who's been setting up these traps for us lately?"

"Do you really need to ask that?" Byron glared, they got what they needed to know.

"NOW!" Byron ducked and Saga turned to shoot at Roman who dodged. As Byron predicted, Torchwick's goons fired at them in retaliation. But they were wasting their bullets. Byron had set up an arcane barrier blocking the shots. He also designed it to produce mist whenever it got hit, so B.P.A.S. had a cover to hide in. Bullets rained down and more mist rose up till their bullets were spent and a sea of cloud was left where they had been standing. Roman glared down, not convinced they were done yet.

Suddenly Byron, Persephone, Asher and Saga jumped out in four different directions. Saga jumped for the left, Asher the right. Persephone was bringing her sword down on Torchwick, and Byron jumped onto the side of a crate, using a glowing green seal, then jumped towards his target, who held fire in her hands.

Saga startled the people on top of her frater and kicked two of them off. There had seemed to be 120 thugs in total, so that meant Asher and Saga had about 60 each. She pumped her riffle and fired taking about 4 guys out before they finally charged her. They didn't stand a chance she jumped, twirling, and switched her gun into bow mode. Drawing back her hand the dust weapon collected power until she fired midair down on her idiotic enemies. You see her bow can fire more than one projectile based on how long she held back the energy string. It took out about half the guys there, freezing them to the frater and incased in ice. She land and dashed towards the remaining thugs. Hitting them from behind and knocking them out. She switched to shotgun again and took out the remainder that she couldn't knock out in time. "Tch, too easy."

Asher thought likewise. He had jumped onto the frater and straight into the fray. He drew his scimitars and went for the legs, laying low, and taking them out one by one. Those who got out their red sabers out in time were able to block but not return a strike. But he didn't stay long. No, Asher like to get things done quickly and efficiently. He kicked, punched, and slashed as accurate as he could to take the goons down. He went for every vulnerable thug he could get before he had to actually engage them. By the time they were ready only 20 of his 60 remained. He had jumped back to observe this. He sheathed one sword and brought out one of his pistols, firing at them while walking coolly. He fired 6 and took out 6 leaving 14. Sabers clashed but Asher had the skill to defeat them all. "Torchwick pays these guys too much."

Persephone slashed down onto concrete, Torchwick barely rolled to the side before Persephone's seismic strike got him. The ground from slash had cracked it so that 10 foot wedge came out of the ground. Torchwick gave an 'oh crap' expression before Persephone came at him again. She fought like a demon. Slash, slash, stab, slash! You'd think her armor would be heavy for but to her they wear like cloth. "This isn't going to work." Torchwick was barely keeping up with her attacks before he decided to take a different approach. He distanced himself, then started firing his cane at Persephone. She defended herself using her shield blocking each shot.

Byron and the red woman stood off on the rafters, circling each other before their inevitable fight. Byron had been able to disperse the fireball she had fired before he landed. "What is your name?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out. Do not disappoint me Byron."

Both made called on an element and fired. Cinder used fire, Byron used lightning, and they both dodged. They fired spell after spell trying to get the upper hand. Byron finally slammed his hands on the platform, electrifying the metal. She jumped and pushed a hand out. The rafter started to heat up and melt. He jumped back as well before the rafter could collapse. It worked but noticed the other parts beginning to turn red. Byron ran and they were starting to explode. He saw a chance, seeing a hanging hook and cable. With luck he could swing over to the mystery woman, and get her on the defensive. The explosions were closer now, more accurate. Taking a leap of faith he generated another Dust circle and used one of the explosion to propel him to the hook. It worked and he swung towards her, but now the cable was beginning to heat up. He quickly tugged at the cable, it tore, and threw it at her opponent. It went off and he used the light and smoke to fire off magical blasts, catching the woman off guard. Byron could fire off up to 18 at the time, more than the average dust user. You would think this would be great for some master wizard. Unfortunately he likes mastering the basics first so his extended knowledge stuck the standard Beacon spell book. He was nowhere as knowledgeable as Glynda Goodwitch, but what Byron lacked in knowledge he made up with power and control. He heard a grunt, so that meant his shots got through, so he didn't let up. He quickly controlled any shrapnel from the explosion and sent them like serpents at his opponent. He then saw the multiple seals light up. "Crap!" He quickly set up another barrier and his aura but he was still sent flying backwards from the expanded seals.

He landed on one of the fraiters, denting it with his back, but was still able to see her eyes when she spoke. "Adept. You weren't that bad of an opponent. To be able to fire that many blasts at once is no small feat. But I'm afraid it ends here." She lit a flame and was about to blast him into oblivion, when 100 arrows came flying at her. She avoided it and Byron saw Saga firing the arrows. He then noticed Asher and Persephone double-teaming Torchwick. Cinder let out a growl and shot fire towards the three. Torchwick made a dash for it, seeing the blast. Persephone and Asher barely made it out in time.

Cinder had made a run for it and Saga came to check on Byron. "I'm fine. Go!" She immediately ran in pursuit of the sorceress. Byron immediately tried to focus his aura. He felt the sensation of light glow around him, healing him. Once he checked if he was fit for battle again he immediately followed after his teammates after Torchwick and Cinder.

He was just in time to see the carrier plane starting to take off and shot another volley of magic. Saga was firing with her bow and Asher with his hand guns. But they all knew they were too late. The aircraft was already in the sky and out of Dust. It'd be useless to pursue them. Persephone stabbed her khopesh into the ground. "DAMN IT!"

"Well at least we know he's been behind the last few ambushes," said Asher. He then looked at Byron. "We were able to get the info out of her before we fought. Who was the pyromancer?"

"No idea, but she was good. I haven't been taken down like that since Beacon when I dueled Glynda." Persephone eyes widened listening to Byron. "What? No way. No one's as good as Glynda." "Are sure, Byron?" asked Saga. "She'll be trouble. How do you think she fits into Roman's circle?"

Asher suggested an answer. "Well she was able to best you. That means she's a high class dust user and we know what she looks like."

"Normally we should look her up in the hunter, and police databases. However, I don't really trust the police right now," Saga said bitterly.

"I know. The corruption has become apparent in the force lately," agreed Persephone. "So what now?"

Suddenly Byron's communicator went off, "Ugh." He answered the call, "Who is this!? My team has just been in our third ambush this month. So this had better be good!"

"Hello Byron."

"P-Professor Ozpin!" The team was just as shocked hearing it was Beacon's Headmaster. "Um… Yes. What can we do for you?"

"I have a job for you and your team."

"Oh? And what exactly is this job?"

"Have your team listen in. I want team B.P.A.S. to listen to this."

"Link up," Byron ordered. Persephone, Asher, and Saga turned on their communicators to listen in. "Alright. We're listening."

"The duration of this mission will be approximately 4 years. This will involve training, periodical compensation, and helping taking down Torchwick. Which I'm very sure you're keen of right now."

"Sign me up!" said Persephone.

"Hold on. What's the catch?" asked Asher

"How very observant Mister Bent. You will be instructing the new generation of hunters and-"

"Hold up!" Saga interrupted. "You want us to teach at Beacon!?"

"Indeed." Team B.P.A.S. looked at each other realizing what they were being offered. Normally a Hunter was assigned to help the public and was assigned to a certain territory to guard and keep the piece. Team B.P.A.S. stuck together because they refused to separate. But only the best hunters were allowed to teach other hunters. The fact that Ozpin was offering this to them was momentous.

"We're in," they spoke as one.

"Very good. Meet me at the police precinct immediately. I have already sent the authorities to your location and will transport all of those you have so far apprehended." He hung up with a click.

"Alright. Let's get to the Chariot." Byron started walking.

"I swear, if any Grimm have hurt my baby-!"

"Give it a rest Ash," spoke Saga, "We all depend on your bike. It drives our trailer for Pete sakes."

"Oh right!" Persephone turned on Asher. "Asher, you still haven't told me what you thought Byron was doing." Both guys stiffened and looked at each other. Asher mouthed 'Are you?' Byron mouthed. 'You figured it out?' Both nodded, looked at Persephone, and ran like hell. "HEY! YOU TWO GET BACK HERE!" Persephone chased after them.

"Sigh. Things may turn out to be an interesting year." Saga shook her head and continued walking after her team.