Chapter 12: Black Comet II
"We have to go back!" Jaune shouted at the pilot.
"Sorry kid, but we can't. Nevermores are flying around the island we'll be dead meat if we go back."
"I don't care! We have to go back and save them!"
"Jaune calm down" Pyrrha said while placing a hand on his shoulder.
Jaune yank his shoulder away from her and was about to take control of the Bullhead himself, but his partner stop him.
Pyrrha pushed him to the wall and stared into his eyes, "Jaune, we all feel the same way you do!"
Jaune look at his partner and saw the same desperation to go back like he has. Also, he noticed a pain within her vivid-green eyes of leaving their friends behind and something else. He slowly glance at the others who showed the pain she was feeling in their eyes.
"But... we can't just go back blindly. For now, we have to return to Beacon to report what we found and hopefully come up with a way to save them."
A couple seconds pass before Jaune gave his answer while looking down, "...Fine."
He took his seat as Pyrrha sat next to him comforting him the best she can. Jaune look out the window back at the island seeing the Nevermores circling around it.
"Please stay safe guys."
Back in the canyon, slowly opening his eyes Optimus got on his knees and placed a hand on his aching head. It took a few seconds for the pain to go away before he looks at his surroundings. The canyon was quite large spreading into the horizon with a stream of water which also had a long wide rocky hill that curve up to the surface. Looking up, he saw that the hole they fell in was pretty high up and the rocky wall doesn't look safe enough to climb on.
He quickly reaches for his Scroll and tried activating it, but it wasn't working. The fall must have damage it which means there was no way of contacting their friends for help. A soft groan captured his attention and jerked his head to the source. Lying on the ground near the water was the rest of Team RWBY unconscious. He ran over and kneeled down to Blake to shake her a little.
"Blake wake up."
The kunoichi groan a little before opening her eyes. She slowly rose up and placed a hand on her head for a moment before noticing the Prime.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just give me a minute" she replied.
"I'm glad that you are okay. Help me wake up the others."
Blake nodded and went over to her partner. Optimus went to Weiss first then Ruby. The three slowly rose up groaning a little before getting on their feet.
"We're... alive?" Ruby asked.
"Yes we are, but trap on the island with that thing and the Grimm" Optimus stated sadly.
"What about our Scrolls? Can't we contact for help?" Yang asked stretching a little get the stiffness out of her body.
"Mine got damage during the fall and I can only assume that all of yours got damage as well." The girls pulled theirs out and attempted to use it only to that they weren't working.
"Now what do we do?" Weiss asked while putting her Scroll away.
"The only thing we can do, survive" Optimus answered.
"He's right, we need to stay alive until Beacon send help" Ruby agreeing with the Prime.
"Sounds good, but there is one tiny itsy bitsy problem...", Weiss said while using her left index finger and thumb to express the small problem for a brief moment then spreading out her arms, "we absolutely have no experience of surviving inside the Grimm's territory!"
RBY knew she was right. They have no experience surviving in the Grimm's territory. Despite learning a few lessons from Professor Port, it wasn't enough for them to survive.
"Actually", Optimus started catching the attention of his teammates, "I do have some experience being in enemy's territory, minus the Grimm part."
"Really how!?" Weiss asked immediately fill with hope.
"I got it back home..." Optimus answered while his mind showed images of his rescue mission into Kaon prison long ago.
The girls all felt tense when they heard him mention his home. They knew that the topic of his home was a sensitive subject and they tried to avoid it at all cost. Weiss looks down in shame before looking back at him.
"Optimus, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright, Weiss. You were just relieved to hear that I have experience of surviving in enemy's territory. It's only normal for you to ask" he replied easing their guilt a little. The five stood in silence for a moment until Yang broke it.
"So", Yang started while scratching the back of her head, "what do we do OP?"
"We need to find shelter and rest. The battle with Thunderwing and the Grimm has greatly diminished our Aura and strength. If we fight them now we will certainly fall."
"I agree" Ruby nods in agreement.
"Same" Weiss said along with a nod from Blake and Yang.
"Alright, we have quite a lot of terrain to cover so let's move" he replied.
"Optimus, I think you should take charge since you know what you're doing" Ruby recommended. The others nodded with the young reaper before turning to the Prime.
"I'll do my best. Let's roll" he answered before leading them to the rocky hill.
Meanwhile back at Beacon, Team JNPR and CFVY were standing in front of Ozpin and Goodwitch. Jaune and Coco were in front of their teams since they were the leaders.
"Coco Adel, Jaune Arc, tell us what has happen on your mission and don't leave out a single detail" the Headmaster said as her rested his left hand on top of his right.
The two nodded to him as Coco decided to start off, "Professor Ozpin, we found the remains of the comet and investigated it only to find something... How can I describe it?"
"Unnatural" Jaune answered.
"Yeah that's right."
Ozpin raise an eyebrow at the term, "Explain."
"Um... It's better to show you."
Right before the battle, Coco decided to take a picture of the creature just in case of emergency along with the purple crystals. She presented the trap monstrosity to the professors and they were shock to see it. Never in their lives they saw such a menacing mechanical creature nor thought that such a thing would be inside a comet.
"At first it was inactive, but all the sudden it just came alive and attack us" Jaune start explaining. "We retaliated, but it was futile."
"Futile? Explain Mr. Arc" Goodwitch asked while crossing her arms.
"All our weapons were useless against its metal body. We couldn't even put a dent in it and Dust had no effect either. Whatever this thing is made of, it is not natural metal. Also, it is intelligent. During the battle, he spoke to us and he said his name is Thunderwing. Another strange thing that happen in the battle was that our Aura gauge went down so quickly in a short amount of time. We have no idea of how this was possible or what cause this."
"I see, realizing it was a futile effort you decided to retreat, correct?"
"Yes Professor Goodwitch" Coco nodded. "We decided to retreat when we heard the Grimm coming. As we ran the Grimm were coming closer until Optimus decided to stay behind and hold them off to give us time to reach the Bullhead. We were nearly there when Ruby and her teammates decided to go back to help him without even telling us. Luckily, they didn't waste too much time fighting the Grimm and they came running back with Optimus."
"What prevented them from reaching the Bullhead?" Goodwitch calmly asked.
"As they were about to reach it, a large purple energy blast came from the sky and cause the entire area we were in to collapse. Team RWBY fell into the newly formed hole and that the last we saw them" Coco finished leaving a bitter taste in both her and the young Huntsmen/Huntresses in training mouths.
"Hmm", Ozpin hummed softly staring at the picture and processing the information he heard before sliding to the next one, "What are these crystals you found?"
"They were scatter across the area when got there and it came from the comet as well" Coco answered.
"What are these, Dust Crystals?" Goodwitch asked while staring at the photo.
"We do not know Professor Goodwitch. According to Weiss Schnee of Team RWBY, she had no idea if they were Dust Crystals or not."
The two professors grew intrigue to this information and wonder what does this mean. An intelligent mechanical creature and unknown crystals, it makes one wonders if this was a sign of a raging storm to come. That question had to be hold off for now because they needed to gather a team to rescue Team RWBY. Ozpin closed the Scroll and return it to Coco before narrowing his neutral expressed eyes at them.
"Anything else? Did this 'Thunderwing' say or do anything strange?"
The group took a moment to think until Jaune remember something the giant said, "Actually there is sir. When he came online, he shouted something call the Matrix and the way he acted he wanted to destroy it at all cost."
"Matrix?" Ozpin repeated sounding a little interested to the relationship between it and Thunderwing.
"Yes sir, it really wanted to destroy it" Coco replied.
"Hmm, anything else you notice?"
The teens took another minute to think and they all came up with nothing except for one.
"Actually", everyone turn their attention to Ren, "there was one other thing."
"There was?" Jaune asked his teammate.
"Explain Mr. Lie" Goodwitch demanded.
"During the fight with Thunderwing, didn't you guys notice how specific he was in his assault?"
The teens took a second and remember how he attacked. He could have attack their shooters first, but he didn't. At first he attacked them randomly, but as they thought about it they realize he wasn't. He was targeting a certain person.
"Now that you mention it, yeah" Jaune confirming Ren's suspicion.
"He was focus on one of us, but who?" Velvet asked.
Pyrrha placed a couple fingers on her chin, "From what I can remember out of the all of us, Optimus was always receiving the blows from him."
This made the group look at each other in wide eyes realizing that Optimus was Thunderwing's target, but they didn't know why.
"You think Optimus may know something about this 'Matrix' that this Thunderwing is so eager to destroy?" Nora asked everybody.
"Maybe" Jaune shrugged. Ozpin grew curious and believed that Optimus does know something; however, he needed to confirm this for himself.
"Team JNPR and CFVY, I have a new assignment for each of you. We recently learn during the descension of the comet a couple fragments split off from it and landed in two separate areas. JNPR, you be providing protection to one of the crash site along with the army. CFVY you will be heading into a town who requested assistance. The comet crash caused the Grimm to be a little active and they need some help."
"What about Ruby and the others?" Jaune asked.
"We will create a rescue team to retrieve them as soon as possible. For now rest up, you have a busy day tomorrow."
"Yes sir" the two leaders acknowledge.
As the team left, Goodwitch decided to leave as well to gather a rescue team. Once Ozpin was alone, he got up and went over to the window to look into the distance. Something was coming to Remnant and Optimus was at the center of it. Ozpin knew that his special gift will attract danger to him and it look like it was finally here. Ozpin took a sip from his mug before humming a little.
"What secrets are you hiding, Optimus Prime?"
Back on the island, the five were currently walking up a rocky path that leads up to the surface. Optimus was ahead of them a little ensuring there was no danger ahead. He knew that Ruby and the others were tired and weak from the battle with Thunderwing and the Grimm. Walking up this path only increased their fatigue. He knew that they needed to find a safe place to rest and fast.
He was about to climb over a large rock when something caught his attention. He gave the sign to hold to the girls. Optimus taught them a few military hand signs to improve their teamwork. Identifying the sign, they held their position. Optimus crouch down while a pair of flapping wings filled the air. Shadowing over them was a Nevermore passing over them. The group didn't move a muscle fearing that the giant bird might hear them. A few seconds later, the Grimm was finally gone.
"That was close" Ruby said taking a chance to breathe a little easier.
"Yeah" Yang said agreeing with her sister.
Optimus rose up detecting the large clouds filling the sky, "Let's keep moving. Look like it's going to rain soon."
The five hustle quickly to find a cave to rest as the sky became more and more cloudy. It wasn't long until rain drops fell from the sky. The drops started off by being sprinkle before coming down like a bombardment. This made them hustle a little more before coming across a cave. They managed to get inside, but they were completely soak. All their cloths were heavy from absorbing so much water. Weiss' ponytail was down and Yang's hair lost it loose because they were so drench.
"Well this is just great" Weiss whined as she whipped her arms trying to shake the water out of her cloth.
Yang brought her hair forward and look at it with an upset face, "Man I hate the rain."
Optimus stepped forward when his foot hit something causing a rolling sound. Looking down he saw a few tree branches lying across the floor. He quickly picks them up and gaze around the cave to find more until he came across a large boulder. Examining it size then comparing it to the cave's entrance it will be enough block it to prevent the Grimm from coming in and still allow air to come inside.
"We'll rest here."
"Okay, but how are we going to rest when we have a large entrance here?" Ruby asked pointing to the entrance.
"We'll put that boulder there to provide some protection."
"Sounds... logical" Weiss commented as she continued to whip her arms.
"It may not be the greatest idea, but it's the best I can do with our limited resources." Optimus noticed a certain shiver from Blake, "Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not" she softly replied as she grasped her shoulders.
Her teammates were confused to why she was uncomfortable and to why she was shivering as a result. A ding echoed in the brawler's head understanding her partner's predicament. "Oh yeah, cats hate water."
"Ooohhh" Ruby and Weiss said in unison as Blake cheeks burn a little from embarrassment.
"I really need to get out of these" Blake muttered before shivering a little more.
Optimus remember from his reading of human biology that if a person stay too long in their wet cloths it may cause hypothermia and that wouldn't bold well for them. His face got a little red realizing there was only one thing to do making his chest pound like crazy. Recently, he's been feeling different. His face turning red and his heart pumping like crazy were becoming more frequent than before. He knows that it only happen when he is around his teammates, but why he did not understand. The biology book failed to provide the answer to why he felt this way and wonder what was happening to him.
"Blake has the right idea" Optimus began as the girls turn to him. "We should get out of these cloths quickly and let them dry."
The girls' faces light up quickly with Weiss burning the brightest. "Y-you c-c-can't be serious, Optimus!"
"I'm afraid not, Weiss" he replied with redder cheeks. "If we don't get out these soon we may suffer hypothermia and we are far from the nearest hospital. We can't take that chance."
The girls understood his logic and that he was only trying to look out for them, but being reduce to near nakedness was quite unsettling. Not only that they had a boy in their midst and that really raddle them up. Except for Yang, whose been itching to see what Optimus been hiding underneath.
"H-h-how are we going to keep ourselves warm?" Weiss asked with her eyes looking away.
A mischievous grin sprout across Yang's face, "Simple Weiss-cream, we cuddle~."
Both Blake and Weiss' faces turn to deep scarlet while Ruby remain oblivious to what Yang actually mean.
"W-w-w-we can't do that!" Weiss shouted in embarrassment.
"Sadly, it's the only way to stay warm" Blake responded. Blake wasn't too crazy for the idea, but she wasn't against it either. She still remember and feel the feeling she felt when she hug him two weeks ago. It was warm and welcoming. Not only that, she felt safe and peace. Somehow Optimus was able to melt away her fears with his calming presence and lifted all her guilt off her shoulders. She would be lying that she didn't want to feel that way again.
Optimus look at them for a moment giving them a chance to decide, "Are we in agreement?"
It wasn't long before they came to agreement and they quickly hurry to get things done before the night come. Yang and Optimus found some rocks to use place their wet cloths after while Weiss and Ruby work together to start a fire. Blake went out into the rain, despite how much she hated it, in order to find some food for dinner and she came back with fruits. Once the fire was burning and Blake return, Yang and Optimus sealed the cave with the boulder. The girls soon strip down to their bras and undergarments, each matching their respected color, before placing their cloths on a rock near the fire to dry. Optimus was facing the darkness giving them some privacy.
"W-w-w-w-we're d-d-d-d-done" the stuttering, embarrass Heiress said as she tried to conceal herself as best she could.
"Alright" Optimus replied as the four turned around to give him privacy.
RWB continued to stare into the darkness while a certain blond secretly peek over her shoulder to get a good look. Blake noticed the devilish smirk on her partner's face and elbowed her.
"Come on Blake", she whispered softly as she rubbed her shoulder, "It's just a tiny peek."
"That's very unladylike, Yang" Weiss scowled her.
"Relax Ice Queen, I just curious like a cat" Yang joked causing RW to groan and Blake to glare at her.
"Yang... Please stop with your jokes" Ruby pleaded to her sister who shook her head.
"Give Optimus some privacy Yang."
"Sorry Blake, but I'm curious to see OP's muscles."
"That doesn't mean you should watch him take off his cloth" Weiss replied.
"Oh please Ice Queen, what's more fun to watch a hot guy taking off his cloths? I'm sure deep inside that heart of ice of yours you want to see what's underneath OP too?"
Weiss faced turned to crimson at the blonde's teasing proving her point. Of all the boys at Beacon that match her acquire taste Optimus was far the most handsomest one there. He was smart, loyal, humble and caring. He helped her so much in their time together as Beacon and not once asked for anything in return. She hate admits it, but she is a little curious to see Optimus' muscles.
"...I'm done" Optimus said sounding a little nervous.
The girls turned around to see him only to be startle. He wore a pair of simple blue boxers with red flames for design, but that wasn't what caught their attention it was his chest. Instead of heavy blushes on their faces, their eyes were spread as far as they could be seeing the chest of Optimus. Over his tight six packs were numerous scars ranging from melee weapons to bullets. It was all over from his upper torso to his lower chest and back. It's not surprising to see some battle scars on a soldier, but the amount he has was striking.
A few minutes later, the five were cuddle together near the fire when they finish eating their dinner. Blake and Weiss cuddle next to Optimus sides while Ruby cuddle in the front while Yang was in the back. The girls, minus Yang, were embarrassed at first, but Optimus' peaceful presence evaporated it within minutes. His scars; however, still made them feel discreet.
Yang traced a scar mark that went across on his back left shoulder with a finger, "How did you survive this?"
Optimus look back at her then back at the fire, "I have a stubborn will to survive."
"Clearly" muttered by Blake. She gazed at the stab wound located on the left side of his chest.
Optimus notice her eyes and traced it to the scar. The scar came from the battle against his MECH's copy robot or what Miko call him, Nemesis Prime. He then saw Weiss staring at the stab wound on his right shoulder and Ruby stumble upon a bullet wound located on his upper chest area. The stab wound came from his battle with Megatron on the island which erupt Dark Energon from the Earth. The bullet wound came from taking a bullet for Zeta Prime.
Weiss slowly traced her scar first before tracing the stab scar. Being cut was one thing, but being stab was a different story. She gazed upon the other scars and where there were located, "How did you get so many?"
"I fought a lot of adversaries Weiss. Each of them value mercy as a weakness and fought ferociously to destroy the enemies. Luckily, I was friend with a skill field medic who was able to patch me up" he answered remembering all the times Ratchet's skills saved him while the girls look away feeling a little guilty for intruding into Optimus' past. Ruby was busy stroking the fire with a stick for a bit till something click inside her head.
"Optimus..."
"Yes, Ruby?"
"Why did the Grimm evaporate into light when you killed them?" Her question got the attention of WBY since they too desire to know why the Grimm faded into light.
Optimus recalled contacting Micronus Prime a while back to discuss his strange ability. It turned out to be his semblance. Micronus explained to the young Prime that his semblance utilize the power of the Primes to purge the darkness of Grimm. Since the Grimm are spawns of Unicron they are vulnerable to the light of Primus. He knew that his unique ability will attract unwanted attention since nobody ever saw anything like his before.
Optimus decided to give them a small portion of the truth to prevent them being drag into his war. "My semblance is extremely different than most. Someone told me that my semblance uses the power of the light and turn into a weapon to destroy the Grimm since they are creatures of darkness."
"Really?" Ruby blinked along with her teammates.
"Yes as you saw for yourselves."
"I never heard such a semblance before. It is like you've been gifted" Weiss commented. In her studies, she learn that semblances are based on the aspect of the individual or can be pass down through family like her family's ability to us Glyphs.
"In a way it kind of is."
Before the conversation could continue, Ruby yawned a little grabbing everyone's attention, "*Yawn* Man I'm beat."
"Perhaps we should call it a night. We have a long day tomorrow and we need our full strength tomorrow."
The group nodded in agreement as their fatigue slowly took over. Optimus stared into the flames for a moment seeing the image of Thunderwing.
"I must stop him from escaping this island at all cost even if it cost me my life."
Meanwhile, standing before the sleeping giant beast was a woman dress in a black robe with red designs resembling eyes. Her skin was deathly pallor, covered with tortuous, deep red and purple veins that ran up her arms and face. She had a black diamond-shaped mark on the center of her forehead and the sclera of her eyes are jet black and her irises glow red. Her hair was purely white which formed in a bun with six offshoots from which ornaments are suspended. She raises her hand releasing a light purple energy. The energy slowly flew over to the giant causing him to awaken. The giant look around until he notices the woman before him.
"I am Thunderwing! Release me immediately!"
The mysterious woman was unintimidated by the giant's fury, "Hello there Thunderwing, I am Salem."
"You're name means nothing to me. I exist only to destroy the Matrix." He then slammed the ground next to her with a fist, "Release me so I may find its host and complete my mission."
"I'm afraid that you will only be destroyed if you face the Prime in your current condition." The giant stared at her as she simply smirk, "Come now, surely you can sense the power within me."
He glared at the carbon base being with suspicion before narrowing his eyes, "I see... You are the carbon life form who obtained the power of Chaos..."
"Indeed I am. If I free you and repair your damage body, I ask that you lend your strength to my cause. Your target is the same being who threatens my plan. We share a common foe Thunderwing, a truce is the most logical option at the moment, wouldn't you say?"
"HA! YOU repair ME? You can't even comprehend how LONG I have existed. The technology of my construction is beyond your grasp."
"On the contrary, I do have the knowledge of your construction. Thanks to the power and knowledge I receive from the power of Chaos, I am the only one in this world who can repair you Thunderwing, whether you like it or not."
"So be it, but understand this Salem. Once the Matrix is gone my loyalty will returns to my one true master, Unicron the Destroyer!"
"We shall see" she softly muttered before making contact with her servant.
