Note: This took a little longer to get out than I hoped but hey here it is. Chance to get your OC in the story ends next chapter. I already have an idea of what I want to do for the tournament and the rival team so this is really your last chance before I start writing Volume 3 chapters.
So this chapter is has a couple of moments that will seem a little confusing. They will be explained during relevant points of Volume 3, don't worry.
Yeah, that's all I guess. Sorry for the wait, enjoy!
RWBY: Team JSTC 'Justice'
Volume 2 - Chapter 12
White Fang grunts retreated while the two teams of huntsmen and huntresses rapidly pushed forward through the underground tunnels. They approached a large cavern containing the ruins of an underground city and rail line. Cait fired a rocket at a group of White Fang ahead of them, creating an explosion that shook the cavern. Cait winced in reaction.
Cait: Maybe rockets are a bad idea.
Trance: Yeah, we can't risk a cave in.
The group rushed around the nearest building and into the open area on the railway. At the end of the tracks they could see a train accompanied by a tone of White Fang members, Roman Torchwick, and Ruby. As soon as the she saw the group, Ruby smiled and made a dash down the train line towards them. As she approached another small group of White Fang members they were suddenly bolted in blue electrical energy and sent into comical electrified posses as they fell to the ground unconscious. Behind them stood Jason, his chain lightning rifle in hand. He raised it to rest on his shoulder and deactivated his helmet, giving Ruby a smile.
Jason: I really like the new modification.
Ruby rushed up and pulled him into a hug. Once she let go of him he offered her back her scythe.
Jason: Are you okay?
Ruby took back her weapon.
Ruby: I'm fine! But listen! Torchwick's got all sorts of weapons and robots down there.
Blake: What?!
Ruby: Androids, mechs, they're all loaded up on the train cars!
Cait: But, that doesn't make any sense.
Oobleck: The tunnels are sealed, the tracks lead to a dead-end.
Suddenly a sound came over the speakers spread across the cavern that made Cait cover her cat ears, quickly followed by Roman Torchwick's voice.
Roman: Get to your places, we are leaving now!
The group looked down the rail line as the train began to move down one of the tunnels.
Trance: Uh, the train is moving! What do we do?!
Shade: The only thing we can do.
Ruby: We're stopping that train!
The group began running towards the train. They caught up to it just in time to jump onto the back. Oobleck knocked out a guard who was about to alert the rest of the train crew about the boarding party and they headed to the top of the train.
Oobleck: Hurry, children! We must get to the front and stop this train!
Weiss: Er… Professor?
Oobleck: Doctor…
Weiss: What is that?
She pointed down an open hatch that revealed a device.
Oobleck: That my dear… appears to be a bomb.
Everyone steps back from the hatch in surprise.
Ruby: We've got baddies!
Ruby pointed forward on the train as a dozens of White Fang goons climbed onto the top of the train.
Oobleck: Well, I didn't expect them to go…
The bomb in the cart below them began beeping.
Oobleck: ...easy on us. Time to go!
As the group jumped ahead onto the next cart Oobleck turned to Cait.
Oobleck: Cait! Detach the caboose! It will kill us all!
Cait nodded and jumped down to connectors and raised 'Boomstick' to break them. Only before she could do anything the connector came loose on it's own.
Cait: W-wait, what!? It just decoupled itself!
Oobleck looked down to Cait after hearing this.
Oobleck: What?!
The train cart exploded after it reached a certain distance.
Oobleck: That's not good…
Ruby: Err, neither is this!
Ruby was stood over the open hatch of the train cart they currently stood on.
Blake: Another bomb?!
Trance: Ah, crap.
Oobleck runs over to the next train cart and opens the hatch.
Oobleck: They all have bombs!
The train cart the two teams were currently standing on, detached from the rest of the train and the bomb began beeping. Both teams hurried to the next cart.
Yang: This doesn't make sense!
Shade clenched his fist in annoyance and used his other hand to equip a weapon.
Shade: Ugh, I'm tired of waiting!
Before anyone else could do anything he charged at one of the closest White Fang henchmen and slashed upwards, following it up by punching the second closest enemy.
Jason: Shade, wait!
Jason reached out as Shade pushed through the large number of White Fang and jumped down a hatch into one of the train carts. The remaining members of team JSTC readied their weapons and moved up alongside team RWBY to fight the White Fang. Jason used his dual wield revolvers, his hands glowed blue with energy and both revolvers shot out electrical bolt that stunned a few hostiles. Trance moved up and used his pulse semblance to push those stunned enemies back into their allies. He proceeded to launch several buzz blades at them and a small blast sent them flying. Cait blocked a few attacks from several enemies before knocking them out. Another White Fang goon took her by surprise and grabbed her from behind. Cait immediately attempted to struggle out of his grip.
White Fang Goon: I've got the human lover!
Cait: Hey, get, off!
Cait used the end of 'Boomstick' to jab over her shoulder and hit the assailant in the head. The blast from the hit forced him to let go of her and knocked him backwards towards the edge of the train. Cait turned around and saw that he was still disoriented and moving backwards. She quickly reached out to try and stop him, but he had already tripped off of the side.
White Fang Goon: AAAAAH!
The goon fell off and hit the ground, quickly disappearing as the train kept moving. Cait stood with wide eyes in realization at what she had just done.
Cait: I… I didn't mean…
An explosion from behind the train interrupted her. She turned to see a horde of Grimm suddenly following the train.
Oobleck: He's leading Grimm to the city!
As Oobleck trailed on, Cait zoned out. Her thoughts entering a state of guilt and panic. Her hands began to shake as she started breathing more rapidly. For a quick moment her eyes flickered a light green before Doctor Oobleck snapped her back into reality.
Oobleck: Miss Heartsong! Are you paying attention!?
Cait shook her head and quickly rubbed her eyes before responding.
Cait: U-um…
Oobleck: You, your partner and your leader will accompany Weiss, Blake and Yang. You must reach the front of this train and engage the brakes before it's too late!
Cait nodded and the aforementioned characters jumped down the same hatch Shade did earlier.
[Shade]
Shade dropped into the train cart and stood up slowly, glancing around the room. When he confirmed the room was empty he moved towards the door to the next cart. He reached out to grab the handle but stopped midway. He new someone else was in the room. Shade turned around, the ice cream haired girl Neo, was standing there with her umbrella over her shoulder and a smirk on her face. Shade instinctively readied his weapons, raising them into a defensive stance. The girl however simply rolled her eyes. Shade waited a short while for her to attack but received nothing from her. He slowly lowered his weapons.
Shade: What do you want?
Neo pointed her umbrella at Shade then shifted it to the door behind him. Shade seemed hesitant at first, but believed the lack of hostility from the girl was trusting enough. He turned halfway towards the door so as to keep an eye on her in case she turned on him. Opening the door he entered the next cart. Neo closed the door behind him. The dark aura spewing man walked through a cart with several White Fang members, none of which seemed to see him as an enemy. A large White Fang member, which Shade recognized as the Lieutenant from the rally, with an over sized chainsaw approached Shade.
Shade: What is this?
Shade spoke with a mix of curiosity and spite. The large faunus responded in a deep yet somewhat eager voice.
?: An opportunity…
[Current time]
The two teams of three dropped into the train cart.
Yang: I guess this is what we've trained for.
Weiss: Here, this should help you guys out.
Weiss handed out some dust vials to Blake and Trance. The six of them were about to continue onward until Neo jumped down from the ceiling.
Yang: You guys go on ahead. This one is mine.
The five didn't object and rushed past the ice cream haired girl. When they entered the next room there was the White Fang Lieutenant with an over sized chainsaw. Weiss quickly turned her head to her four allies.
Weiss: You four go on ahead!
She proceeds to knock the Lieutenant down with a few strikes. Allowing her four comrades to head through and into the next train cart. The four remaining hunters stopped at the sight of Roman Torchwick standing in front of them.
Roman: Well if it isn't kitty cat and the tryhards. You recovered from the damage yet ego boy?
Trance glared angrily at the criminal as he shifted his legs around at the memory of his injury at the docks.
Trance: I'll show you damage, you son of a…
As Trance stepped forward with his weapon, Blake reached out and blocked him with her hand.
Blake: You three get to the front of the train. I'll deal with Torchwick.
The three nodded and headed past Roman as Blake engaged him. After they passed a few empty train carts they reached three open cargo carts just as an atlesian paladin jumped onto the cart they just exited. As they looked ahead they saw several downed White Fang members and some broken and destroyed androids. Ahead they saw Shade fighting off more androids. They watched as he hooked an androids head and flung it off of the side of the train.
Trance: Shade's been busy.
Jason: We need to help him!
The trio moved up and helped Shade. Jason dived over his brother and glowed a bright blue as he impaled his weapon into the ground with immense force, causing a burst of blue energy to push back several of the androids. Behind the first set however were more androids, about six, with rifles aimed at them. They fired at team JSTC only to be denied any kills by Cait, as she went up front and spun her staff around to deflect all of the attacks. When the androids began to reload, Trance moved up to the front and pulled out a blue dust crystal. He smashed it into his weapon and swung it at the hostiles. With precision, six spinning blades launched out of the weapon with a glowing trail behind them. The blades each collided with the androids heads and let out an electrical current which disabled all six of them. But behind the second set of enemies, on the third cargo cart was twelve more androids. On top of the train cart ahead of them a White Fang member was also setting up some kind of heavy turret.
The androids looked down at their destroyed forces then dropped their guns in favor of close combat swords. The action was immediately followed up by a sudden charge from all twelve androids. Team JSTC prepared for a fight. Jason quickly switched to his chain lightning rifle and fired at the first three androids, destroying them instantly. He quickly switched back to his dual blades in time to block several attacks from two more androids. Shade dodged one android that made a downwards swipe against him and in retaliation, swung one of 'The Dark Arms' into the back of the android's head. As he pulled his weapon back out a blast narrowly missed him and hit the already downed android. Shade turned to see the heavy turret had already been set up and was being manned by the White Fang goon. The turret turned slightly to aim at him and fired. As Shade played the dodging game while trying to fight off two more androids, Trance cut another android in half only to be immediately struck across the face by a second one.
Trance: Crap!
He stumbled back holding his face while trying to block further attacks. Cait used her weapon to block attacks from two androids simultaneously. She noticed Trance had been hit and quickly counterattacked one of the androids by smacking it's weapon out of it's hand and upper cutting it off of the train with her staff. As the other one attempted attack her while she was open, Cait rolled out of the way and stood up quickly and jabbed 'Boomstick' through the android's head, disabling it and making it go limp and drop its sword. Cait grabbed the sword it dropped with her left hand and rushed over to help Trance. Meanwhile, Jason had entered a weapon lock with both of the androids he was in combat with. He smirked under his helmet as he used his semblance to push them both back. He immediately switched to his revolvers and his hands glowed as he fired blue bolts into both androids. The machines were disabled and fell to the ground. He glanced around to see Shade having trouble dealing with an android while dodging blasts from the heavy turret.
Trance was forced to the ground by the android. Trance held back the androids robotic arms as it knelt over him trying to force its sword into Trance's head. As Trance was about to lose his strength, Cait stabbed a sword into the back of the android's head. It turned it's head around in a full circle in an attempt to see its attacker, sparks bursting out of its broken face. Cait finished it off by swiping her staff across its head, knocking it clean off. The body went limp and fell over to the side of Trance.
Cait: Thank goodness you're okay!
Cait helped up Trance as she examined his facial damage. A large gash was stretching across his face from his bottom right jawline and over his left eye. His aura was attempting to heal it but it was definitely going to leave a scar.
Trance: I'm fine, I just… need a minute.
Trance grabbed his weapon and used it as a crutch as he caught his breath. He took his sunglasses off of his face to see that the left half was scratched and damaged. Trance sighed in annoyance. Meanwhile, Shade dodged several strikes from the android and blocked the rest. However he couldn't keep his eyes on both of the immediate threats forever as the heavy turret shot a blast at his feet sending him flying back. He checked his scroll to see his aura was getting low. He raised both of his weapons in there SMG forms and fired at the android in front of him. The android however was too quick and dodged his bullets while charging towards him. Before it could strike, Jason tackled it onto the edge of the train, attempting to hold it down.
Jason: Shade! Take out the turret!
Shade nodded and flipped his right hand weapon so that he was holding the bladed end. As the turret went to fire again, Shade threw the sickle at the barrel of the gun and it cut straight through to the middle. The gun started bursting out with small explosions and the White Fang goon manning it ran away as the gun exploded. Shade's eyes remained on his weapon as it was launched into the air towards him. He raised his arm and caught it. Jason was having trouble dealing with the last android, enough so that he was pinned to the ground as the android had it's hands around his throat. Jason couldn't feel any energy flowing to his arms as he attempted to push the android off of him. Just as he was losing vision, Shade grabbed the android by its head and pulled it away from his brother. He dragged the android along the floor and to the center of the cargo cart where he proceeded to smashed its head into the ground several times. When he finally stopped he raised his leg into the air and stomped his foot through the androids chest as it attempted to recover from the severely damaged state it was in. It finally stopped moving and was destroyed. Shade rushed over to his brother and helped him up. The team gathered back together and took a moment to recover.
Jason: Cait, how long do we have left, until this train, reaches the city.
He panted out the words, still trying to readjust his breathing.
Cait: At this speed? Five minutes at best.
Jason: Then we better move.
The team moved forward and into the train cart ahead of them. After passing through a few empty carts they finally reached the front of the train.
Jason: Alright! Look for the breaks!
The team spread out across the room rapidly looking for the train's emergency brakes. Trance suddenly stopped and turned to his team.
Trance: They cut the brakes! This train isn't stopping!
Jason looked around and at the controls.
Jason: Okay, this is risky but I'm gonna try to drain the energy from the train. No power, no engine, no speed.
Jason put away his weapons and placed his hands onto the controls. He closed his eyes and focused carefully as he began to drain the energy powering the train. Glowing a bright blue in the process. His team stared at him in slight awe and concern. How much energy could he gather up inside of himself? That question was answered almost instantly when he was launched back and onto the floor by a small explosion, destroying the controls.
Jason: Crap!
Shade rushed to help Jason and Trance simply watched as the flames from the console began to spread across the room. Jason rubbed his head as Shade helped him to his feet.
Shade: Are you alright?
Jason: I'm fine I just…
Cait: HEY! LET G… Mmmmph!
Jason, Shade and Trance turned around with their weapons raised to see a group of White Fang goons standing at the door. One of them had taken Cait by surprise and had a hand over her mouth while holding her hands behind her back. Another had disarmed her.
Shade: Cait!
White Fang goon: Don't move!
The goon that disarmed her quickly pulled out a pistol and leveled it to Cait's head. The one currently restraining her was wrapping rope around her wrists.
White Fang goon: You three are gonna stay here and burn! If any of you come after the human lover before we're done then we'll kill her on the spot!
With that, the two goons threatening and restraining Cait dragged her off and through the train cart behind them. Leaving the remaining three members of team JSTC to deal with the other White Fang goons. The moment the doors closed Jason charged forward and struck the closest enemy. Shade performed a similar action only to the second closest. Trance attempted to reach the door by dodging several attacks from the White Fang and doing a short wall run followed up by a kick to the face of a White Fang goon. Realizing their odds against three huntsmen, the rest of the White Fang goons rushed into the train cart behind them and locked the door.
Shade: They have Cait!
Jason: I know!
Trance: We don't have a lot of time until this entire room is filled with flames!
Jason: I know!
Shade: We need to do something!
Jason: Just, give me a second to think!
Jason had a hand on his head rapidly thinking of a plan. Busting into the next cart is an obvious plan, the White Fang are probably already ready with guns pointed in this direction. Waiting them out just isn't an option. Going topside might be doable, but the fact that they had a heavy turret setup earlier could mean they've already set up more traps and defenses up there.
Trance: We're running out of time!
Jason: Screw it!
Jason planted both of his hands onto the sides of the door. His arms glowed blue and he ripped the door right off the doorway. He moved forward while using the door a makeshift barrier and as expected, gunfire was hitting them like a storm. The remaining White Fang had set up two light turrets that were both firing endlessly at the trio.
Jason: Shade get behind them!
Without question, Shade merged into the floor as a shadow and quickly moved behind the line of enemies. He emerged behind them and cut down two right off the bat. As the others began to realize his presence he had already cut down two more. The distraction gave Trance an opportunity to shoot spinning blades from his weapon that impaled into the light turrets. They exploded creating holes in the sides of the train cart which some of the goons fell out of. Once they knocked out the last hostile, they readied up behind the next door.
Shade: What are we waiting for!?
Jason: We need to think about this. Cait's life is on the line!
Trance: What's the plan boss?
Jason: Okay. When I open the door, you two will…
He was cut off. Two gunshots were heard from inside the next train cart. The teammates eyes widened in worry. Without a second thought they busted down the door and rushed into the room weapons raised. To their shock and relief, Cait was still alive. She was on her knees with her hands still tied behind her back. Tears were pouring down her face.
Cait: I'm sorry…
Jason rushed over to cut her loose. Shade and Trance followed, only to stop when they stepped in liquid. They looked down, a pool of blood had spread across the room. The source was two White Fang corpses laying on the ground with bullet holes in their heads. Trances eyes widened in shock while Shade simply stared at the horrific sight, noting that the only gun in the room was in the hands of one of the dead goons.
Jason: Cait! Are you alright?!
Jason used his blade to cut her bound wrists loose and turned to face her directly. She continued to cry.
Cait: I'm so sorry…
Jason: Cait!
Cait: They just… just…
Jason: Cait! Listen to me! We can't stay here!
He firmly placed his hands on her shoulders, she flinched when he did this.
Jason: We need to rally back with team RWBY before this train reaches the city. We've still got a mission to com….
Jason was cut off. An explosion, followed by the train cart violently flailing about. The team was sent flying around the interior of the cart. Jason was launched into the ceiling and hit his head, knocking him out instantly. Shade was gripping onto one of the loose bars on the wall which quickly tore itself off, sending him into the back of the cart. Trance had impaled 'Buzz Kill' into the floor in an attempt to stabilize but was instead knocked back when Shade fell into him. Cait saw everything in slow motion. She was flying towards the wall, she watched her teammates were flung about and knocked unconscious. The pools of blood on the floor were now floating into the air alongside the two bodies they formed from. Cait was finally snapped out of her current state of mind as the cart came to a full stop, launching her into the front, through the blood. Everything went black.
[Not over yet]
Jason slowly opened his eyes and placed a hand to his head. He was bleeding, probably had a concussion, but he tried to stand up anyway. A high pitched ringing was present in his ears. He slowly glanced around. The train cart was upside down, and implanted into the side of a building. He stumbled over to a small opening in the side of the cart that lead into the building. He tried to say something but couldn't hear himself over the ringing in his ears. He turned around and back into the cart to check on his team. Shade attempted to stand up but immediately suffered from the same ringing in his ears and fell to his knees. Trance crawled to his feet and stumbled towards his weapon, which was still implanted into the floor of the cart. Which was now the ceiling. Cait tried to stand up, but kept slipping on the blood that was covering the floor and the walls around her. When she finally managed to stabilize herself in a standing position, she looked down at her hands which were covered in blood. The ringing in her ears was causing much pain but wasn't as heavy as what the others were going through.
Jason: Is everyone alright?!
They could barely hear his voice echo. The rest of his team gave nods of affirmation. They started to regain their hearing as the sound of an emergency alarm echoed around them. Then they started to hear the creaking, then the cracking.
Jason: Out of the train cart, now!
The team grabbed their gear then jumped out of the metal tube and into the adjacent building. They got out just in time as the train cart fell from the building and fell onto the street below. Luckily nobody was near the large metal cart when it landed. Team JSTC had nearly fully recovered thanks to their aura and willpower.
Trance: How in Remnant did we end up in the side of a building?
Shade: It's possible there were more bombs hidden along the front of the train to bust through the sealed tunnels. The explosions must have propelled our cart into the air. It's a miracle we're all still alive.
Jason: If the train broke through, then that means...
The sounds of rumbling echoed around them. The team hurried over to look out at where the train had entered. A large hole in the ground with several train cart wrecks and debris spread out across the open plaza. They could spot team RWBY only regaining their own consciousness just outside of the opening. Civilians were gathering around to see what was happening.
Jason: Oh no…
From the hole emerged a large King Taijitu quickly followed by a horde of Grimm ranging from Beowolves to Ursa. Jason's helmet began to flicker in his visor and disable its internal functions from head damage. He disabled the helmet and turned to his team.
Jason: We need to get down there and protect the civilians!
His team nodded in response. He turned back to the plaza and jumped out of the building towards several civilians being chased by a pack of Beowolves. He landed, blade first, into one of the Beowolves. This action garnered the attention of the rest of the pack, which stopped chasing the civilians in favor of attacking Jason. He pulled his blade out of his dead enemy and dropped himself backwards onto the ground, aiming his revolver form blade at the narrowly dodged Beowolf that was diving just over him. Two shots burst out of the gun and Jason backrolled into a crouched position as the Beowolf he shot landed dead on the ground behind him. The remainder of the pack prepared to attack him but were blown away by an explosion. Jason turned his head to see Cait holding her weapon in it's rocket launcher form with smoke coming out of the end of it. She lowered the weapon and nodded confidently at her leader. He smiled back and turned towards a nearby pack of Ursi.
He fired his dual wielding revolvers at the closest pair that was attacking some civilians. His weapons, while not having much effect, garnered the attention of the two beasts and their accompanying pack. They approached Jason and took several swipes towards him. He swiftly dodged and blocked the attacks. Switching to his dual blades, he spun around while slicing upwards to knock back one of the Ursi. The other one went to swipe down on the small human, but was stopped dead when a shadow dived from underneath it and through it's stomach. It emerged through the top of its back and into the air as the cloaked culprit revealed himself. The Ursa split into two and fell to the ground. Shade landed next to his brother and raised his weapons into a combat stance.
Ahead of them stood three Ursi and a Pack Alpha. Jason jumped ahead and stabbed both of his blades through the head of the closest Ursa, piercing its armor and killing it dead. The two remaining normal Ursi attempted to attack him. He dived backwards off the dead Ursa and avoided both attacks. Shade jumped into the air and grabbed his brother by the arm. He proceeded to spin around and throw him towards the next Ursa, blades pointed forward like an arrow. Jason glowed a bright blue and pierced straight through the armor. The third Ursa was about to pounce when Shade landed, weapons first, into the beast. He dug his weapons into a gap in the Ursa's armor and pulled against its head plating. The monster let out a roar of pain and raised a paw grabbing Shade's leg and pulling him off. Shade was slammed against the ground and held there by the beast. He planted both of his hands against the creature and attempted to push it off. However, instead of push the monster away he did something else. His arms suddenly pushed 'into' the monster as if he was merging with a shadow. Shade's eyes widened behind his mask as his whole body was quickly forced into the beast. Meanwhile, Jason had moved to the Pack Alpha. Firing several shots from his revolvers had no effect as they simply bounced off of the armor. He switched to his weapon's chain lightning rifle form and charged up a powerful shot. The creature was smarter than it's fallen pack mates however, as it dived over the bolt of energy and charged towards Jason. As he prepared to defend himself, something happened that left Jason in complete surprise. One of the Pack Ursa tackled the Alpha and bit down into it's throat. The Alpha, in complete surprise, was defenseless against the swipe that followed. It's head was knocked off and rolled towards Jason as it began to disintegrate. Jason stood there with wide eyes and confusion as the pack Ursa let out a victorious, yet rage filled roar. The Ursa then turned towards Jason with a quick glance, it's eyes had gone from red to pitch black. Suddenly four Beowolves started attacking the large Ursa. Taken by surprise a Beowolf had hooked itself onto the Ursi's back.
The Ursa stomped one of the Beowolves into the ground and grabbed another one, throwing it into the third Beowolf. The one on it's back dug its claws into the Ursi's back again and again. The beast began to slow from the strikes and let out a death roar before standing up and falling onto its back. Killing the Beowolf in the process. As the body began to disintegrate Jason cautiously rushed up to the area it had died. Shade rose up from the corpse like emerging from a shadow. His brother's eyes widened in disbelief.
Shade: That, was, new.
Jason: What happened? Are you okay?
Shade: No, and we don't have time to discuss this.
Shade raised his arm and pointed at a group of three Nevermores approaching the plaza. A rocket launched into the air, shooting one of them out of the sky. Following the trail of smoke lead to Cait. A pair of Boarbatusks spun towards her but she continued to focus her attention on the Nevermores. As they were about to reach her, Trance spun himself into them and cut one in half while deflecting the other's spin attack. Trance gained a determined yet slightly cocky look upon his face before entering combat with the Boarbatusk as well as several other Grimm that had showed up. Cait continued to shoot down her airborne foes. After shooting down all three of the group she smiled triumphantly, only to turn sour when she turned back to see a flock of five more Nevermores approaching.
Cait: Oh come on…
She raised her weapon to engage when they were shot down by several Atlas dropships moving in to deploy troops. Cait's sour look never left her face as she lowered her weapon. The Atlesian fleet in Vale was moving in to assist in dealing with the situation. Jason and Shade rejoined their teammates as Atlesian Knights deployed around them and started dealing with the Grimm.
Trance: Can we take a breather yet?
Cait: No. Not yet.
Cait rushed off to fight more Grimm. Trance sighed and followed her. Jason and Shade nodded to each other and joined them.
[One long fight later]
Cait jabbed her staff into the mouth of a Beowolf. She pulled it out and the beast fell to the ground dead. The fight had ended once Glynda Goodwitch arrived and fixed the breach. Team JSTC gathered back up and took a moment to regather themselves.
Jason: Is everyone still good?
Shade: Yeah.
Trance: A little winded, but I'm fine.
Cait: I'm good.
The team looked like they had just been through a meat grinder. Cait having the worst of it as she was still covered in the blood from earlier, which had dried up by now. Once everything was safe the Beacon staff and students returned to the school. Team RWBY checked on the state of team JSTC on the trip back.
Yang: Are you guys okay? You look pretty roughed up.
Trance: We'll live.
Jason: I think I'll head to the infirmary. I may or may not have head trauma.
Ruby: You hit your head?
Jason: Yeah, it must have been major. I think I may have been seeing things earlier.
He glanced at Shade who was remaining silent.
Yang: What about you Shade? Okay?
Shade: I'm fine.
Blake: Cait, what happened? What's all that blood?
Everyone turned and finally noticed the dried blood on Cait.
Cait: I… um… I need to go clean up. Catch you guys later!
She rushed ahead to her team's dorm. Jason turned to team RWBY with a slightly concerned look.
Jason: She, um… she's still a bit shaken up. A lot happened today.
Blake: I see.
After that, the two teams separated. Jason headed to the infirmary for a medical check. If his aura hadn't healed it, then it needed to be looked at. Shade and Trance had gone to the JSTC bullhead to relax without being bothered by students. Trance laid back on the Bullhead's roof while Shade leaned on the side of it.
Trance: Long day huh?
Shade: Hmm…
Trance: Did we catch Torchwick by the way? I wasn't paying much attention.
Shade: He's in General Ironwood's custody.
Trance: Then today was a victory.
Shade: Hmm…
There was a long silence.
Trance: When are the tournament tryouts again?
Shade: A few days from now. Every team in Beacon is going to try for one of the four available spots.
Trance: Then we better get some rest. Not a lot of in the way of competition but practice makes perfect, right?
Shade: Hmm…
[Infirmary]
Jason: How bad is it?
Nurse: You'll need to stay here until tomorrow. Your aura healed most of the damage but you still need some medical attention.
Jason: Thanks.
Jason laid back onto his infirmary bed and settled in with a sigh.
Nurse: Get some rest. You'll be on your feet before you know it.
The nurse left him alone. He relaxed for a short while before Shade walked into the room.
Shade: How bad?
Jason: I'll be stuck here until the tomorrow. I'm more concerned about what happened earlier.
Shade remained silent for a moment in thought.
Shade: You mean the Grimm thing?
Jason: There's that. But I'm talking about when you rushed ahead into the train without us.
Shade: We were on a strict time limit and everyone was standing around stating the obvious.
Jason: You went in there alone. Without your team.
Shade: You're doubting my capabilities?
There was a chilling silence between the two of them for a moment. Annoyance clearly splayed along both of their faces.
Jason: I have no doubt about your capabilities Shade. But we're part of a team. You went in without direction. And put the entire mission at risk.
Shade: The mission…
Shade's hand balled into a fist for a moment.
Shade: Of course you're upset about the mission.
Jason: You charged in without your team by your side!
Shade: …
Jason put a hand to his forehead and sighed before moving on from the subject.
Jason: What happened with the Grimm?
Shade: A new ability if I had to guess. Another secret of my semblance that I'm just learning about.
Jason: It's… definitely different.
Shade: The ability to take control of a monster… seems almost fitting.
Jason: …
The room remained silent. Shade took immediate note of his brothers lack of response and uncomfortable look.
Shade: I should leave you to rest. Remember, we have qualifiers for the tournament in a few days.
Jason: Yeah, it'll be a cake walk. I mean look at what we've accomplished so far.
Shade: Yeah. You received a head injury. Cait may have slight PTSD. My social life has improved by about two percent. And Trance… um… I don't know what Trance has accomplished beyond acting cool.
Jason: Don't be pessimistic.
Shade: I'm being realistic. You're being, too, optimistic.
Jason: It's called staying positive. We'll be ready.
Shade shook his head and rolled his eyes before leaving the room.
Shade: Goodnight brother.
The lights went out and Jason turned onto his side with his eyes closed.
Jason's thoughts: The qualifiers aren't going to be a problem...
Shade walked down the Beacon halls back to his team's dorm room.
Shade's thoughts: ...It's the tournament that concerns me.
[End of Chapter]
Note: And thus we finally end all chapters taking place during the Volume 2 timeline. The 2.5 chapter is still in the works but should be up before the end of the universe.
I'd REALLY like to hear your thoughts on the story so far and any improvements I can make to it going forward.
Once again this is technically your last chance to get your OC into the story, if you have one in mind that I could use please feel free to let me know. If you have any questions about the story please feel free to ask them, I will more than likely answer literally any question as long as it relates to the story.
Thank you all for reading this far. I hope the story continues to entertain you all the way through the next volume.