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Beacon
Colt
"Would Team CHRM please report to launch pad 15 immediately?" The intercom buzzed to life in the cafeteria, and I looked up from a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit, then grinned. I already wore my light armor, and my trench coat and cloak lay in the Void. Likewise, my team was pretty much prepared. We stood as one.
"Let's hustle!" I said as we rushed towards the pads.
"Good luck, CHRM!" I heard Ruby cry, and I grinned.
We sped into the pad, where Doctors Oobleck and Nike stood waiting.
"Greetings, students. Today, we're going to be testing your newly paired AIs with you in combat." Dr. Nike stated.
"Where are we headed?" Hunter asked.
"The deep recesses of the Emerald Forest, Ms. Ain." Doctor Oobleck rushed through. He wore a brown trench coat and safari hat, and a backpack rested on his shoulders.
"This trip will be a recon mission to the ancient ruins of Garrow, an aspiring civilization before the Grimm overran it long ago. Many Grimm still infest in the area, so this is officially your first Search and Destroy mission. Your objective is to reach the city and clear an area for a pick-up."
I tucked my jacket into the void and brought out my trench coat, sliding it on after swinging it around, then pulled up my mask and hood at once. "Let's get started."
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Song: This Means War – Nickelback
Bullhead over Emerald Forest
Hunter
"We're just above the drop-zone." The pilot from the bullhead stated from the cockpit. "We'll descend in a few seconds."
Mark scoffed. "Screw that. Let's clear out the area, take out a few Grimm as a warm-up." He looked to our leader. "Colt?"
From the open door, Colt chuckled. "Let's Move, CHRM."
And with that he took a step and dropped into the fray. I knew it was at least a forty-foot drop, but the other two vaulted off the airship as well.
Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be fine. Rho said soothingly, and I grinned, then ran and jumped, gravity immediately taking over as I fell towards a tree. I had jumped where no trees lay underneath, and I had no way of slowing my fall.
"Colt!" I screamed, and down below, the tall teen looked up, then began to lift his hands.
What's he going to do, catch me? My cynical side asked, then I closed my eyes, preparing to meet with serious injury. Then, I found my fall begin to slow, and opened them again. Colt stood below, a single hand raised and his eyes focused in concentration, and his arm moved with me, slowing me down by some sort of power. He positioned himself below me, and then I fell into his arms.
"See, I've got your back." He said with a smile as he held me bridal style, then easily set me down.
"Hey, fearless leader." Mark said, using the name Nora called Jaune, "We've got Grimm."
Immediately, my weapons and his were out, though while I had opted for my rifle, he held two swords with his chain wrapped around his arm.
Griffon approaching, look up and twelve O'clock. Rho informed me, and I looked up, taking aim at the Griffon. I fired a few shots, then glanced down to see the rest of my team taking care of the gravity-bound Grimm around us.
Don't worry, I'll warn you if you're in danger. Rho reassured me, and I took position again, aiming the Sharps for the Griffon's neck, just below the jaw, and fired, quickly loading a new round from my bandolier. I looked up to see if the Griffon was still airborne, and saw that it was regaining its flight, the shot having disrupted it.
I fired again, and the bullet sailed into the Grimm's eye, the organ exploding to show the hit. I grinned, then slid the Sharps on my back, replacing it with my .30-30 and turning to fire at a Beowolf in mid-leap as it dived towards Colt, who finished the creature of my multiple strikes from his sword. He nodded my way, his flat hat now on his head along with a pair of sunglasses, a pair of aviators with black eyepieces that were silver rimmed.
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Emerald Forest
Colt
I turned from the fallen Beowolf towards a Death Stalker that had just entered our area, plowing trees down in his way. I sighed, drawing a pole much like my Spring Bow, and my Dust cloth. With the press of a button, the yard-long pole expanded into a six-foot staff, then a second button made a spearhead pop into place, looking like an arrow with a slightly curved head I gently rubbed the cloth against the spearhead, then took careful aim until I was sure I'd hit him where I wanted.
Are you sure that's high enough, I'd go up half an inch and a little to the left. Church advised.
I listened to the AI. After all, he'd never let me down yet, and my arm vaulted the spear at the Death Stalker. A shot I had intended for its eye flew completely over the Grimm's head and collided with Mark, who flew back in an explosion of electricity with a curse.
What the heck was that? I demanded as I pulled the spear back into my hand, shouting an apology to my teammate. I threw the spear again, without making any adjustments, and the spear sunk into the Death Stalker's mouth and exploded, most of the Grimm's head exploding with it.
What? I've been using a sniper rifle for years, and I never was able to hit anything.
I'm never taking any firing advice from you again, unless it's to calculate angles and ricochet.
Church didn't respond as I reached the Stalker corpse, then turned and drew my Deagle, firing into a Beowolf that had tried to sneak behind me. Multiple shots to its head and chest killed the beast, and I bent to retrieve the spear.
Nevermore feathers, incoming! Church warned as my eyepiece extended over my aviators, highlighting a safe area. I tucked the Deagle into place and rolled, spear in both hands. I stood and looked up to see the house-sized Nevermore above. "Cover me!" I yelled as I drew my Punisher.
"I've got it," Hunter called, "You just take care of the ground forces."
We had cleared an area where the bullhead was able to drop off Oobleck and Nike. "Quickly, let's lose them in the city." Oobleck said, holding his thermos, while Dr. Nike held a simple assault rifle, which he proved to be a crack shot with a few seconds after the bullhead had taken off.
"CHRM, clear a path." I ordered. "South-by-Southwest."
We moved into position, Rowan and I staying by the two adults while Mark went out and scouted the clearest path, Hunter up ahead watching the skies for the Nevermore.
"Nevermore, get under the trees!" She warned us, and we ducked under the safety of the partial canopy. Down range, we saw a trio of Ursai, sniffing around for the humans they sought. Rowan and I met each other's eyes, then nodded, drawing our weapons, his short sword and flintlock, while I drew Shadowsteel and my Desert Eagle.
We attacked silently, the only sound the roars of Ursai and the occasional gunshot. Hunter kept her eyes to the skies, and Rowan quickly dashed about, cutting into an Ursa with blinding speed before stopping and firing a shot into its back. They grey of his jacket was red, and his eyes had been glowing slightly. I turned and fired my Deagle into an Ursa's head, four fours that made it stumble to the ground, weak and nearing death. I took my sword and plunged it into the Grimm's chest, then reloaded my pistol with a red clip, filled with Fire Rounds, then turned to the final Ursa, as one, Rowan and I fired, the charged blows from the flintlock and the powerful .50 caliber rounds that exploded along its chest, it fell within six bullets. We nodded, a smile behind my own mask.
Rho says we should get moving. Church stated after I wiped my blade in the grass and sheathed it.
"Then I guess we should. You AI are supposed to be the smart ones." I said aloud.
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Mark
I'd known the rest of the team had fallen behind, so I scouted about a mile ahead, the started walking.
Alright, kid. Just because the path was clear when you checked it doesn't mean it will be when your team goes through, so it's your job to keep it that way. The Beta AI said in my ear, and I sighed.
"Yes, ma'am." I said, sliding Flaming Fury onto my back and rushing towards their position. Grimm roared around me, though only Beowolves could barely keep up.
What are you doing? You're part wolf, use it! She said, And I sighed, putting a wolf's lope to use to keep a fast but steady pace through the forest.
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Colt
On your left! Church warned, and I drew my spear back and aimed it at the figure that dropped from the tree.
"Whoa, whoa, hold your fire!" Mark said, holding up his hands. I sighed and collapsed the spear, sliding into a hidden pocket on the interior of my coat.
"What have you got, Mark."
He pointed ahead. "That way is clearer, so we need to hurry and move."
(Song change: The Long Run – O'Donnell and Salvatori)
"Come on, let's make it to Garrow!" I urged the others, and we hurried towards the waypoint Church had set for me. I activated my motion trackers, which were occasionally giving out signals of moving Grimm, most towards our last position. We finally came into view of the city, and son broke through the forest onto a street, which guided us through bent and open gates. As one, Team CHRM turned and faced our enemies. I pulled two silencers from pouches on my belt and bandolier, then screwed one onto the Punisher rifle, then aimed and shot a Beowolf in the eye.
I looked back to Dr. Oobleck. "Call in our Evac, Doctor, I feel as if we should be leaving."
"Nonsense!" Nike said. "We've just finished the first phase of Human-AI combat, now we must concentrate on the second."
"Second?" Hunter asked as she screwed her own silencer onto her Sharps.
"Aura augmentation. Your AIs should be able to unlock pieces of Aura you couldn't before, and will be unlocked for the rest of time, as well as begin to expand your permanent Aura stores, though with them inside their hosts, they will automatically give you a large amount of it."
Colt shrugged, then turned back to look at the advancing Grimm.
Ready, when you are, Colt. Church stated, and with a final sigh, the Shadow Hunter stepped outside of the battered gates, sheathing his weapons.
"Let's do it, Church." Colt confirmed, and then he set his hands aflame. The fire spread over his body, and he heard his team cry out until it licked at his head, before engulfing it as well. Like he'd seen York, the head seemed to burn down to the skeleton, and all of his clothes were left intact.
"You and York are pyromancers, controllers of fire and the creatures that live in its Domain." He heard Ozpin's voice crackle in his ear. "That's right, Mr. Silver, I've been watching your exercise from the school. Now, one of the greatest myths and legends are those of the Pyro-Banes, creatures of the Underworld that were the bounty hunters of released demons and ancient Grimm. In theory, you would be able to summon Pyro-Banes from the fires of hell, but it would have to be dire circumstances."
"Something tells me that I'll be able to take of the current situation, Professor." Colt said into the earpiece, then advanced towards the line of Grimm, his footsteps charring the grass behind him. The lesser creatures, such as Beowolves and the odd Ursa, seemed nervous, but they held their ground.
When colt spoke, his voice was gravelly and Demonic. "Let's dance."
An alpha charged, and with blurring speed, a paw swiping for the fiery man before him. Colt rolled under it, then reached back and gripped the Beowolf by the neck, flipping him over his back and onto the ground in front of the Shadow Hunter, drawing a fist back, you could practically hear the crackle of fire and squeak of the leather in the glove, then his hand plowed straight into the Alpha's skull, the Grimm immediately starting to dissipate.
From above, a Nevermore prepped to fire its deadly load, and Colt raised his domed hard-light shield, cursing as the projectiles ricocheted off the defense.
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Mark
"I think you're leader could use some help, we need to get the LZ clear for landing within eight minutes." Oobleck commented, spurring the rest of team CHRM into action. I inhaled a fire dust crystal, and my eyes lit on fire as I roared, flames pouring out over an advancing pack of Beowolves, then ate Wind dust, clapping my hands together and blowing the creatures back with a wave of wind.
Whoa, this is crazy. My attacks have never been this powerful! I commented.
Of course, you've never had an AI amplifying them. Tex snorted. To my side, Rowan was launching blasts of what seemed to be Fire Dust, his eyes and usually grey linings of his clothing were glowing red, and the apparition of fiery angel wings seemed to float behind him. The masked teen flipped to face the Beowolf behind him, and I saw the wing solidify and tear the Grimm in half.
Across the clearing, Hunter battled with her katana, slicing the head of an Ursa and blowing back the trio of Beowolves with a blast of fire.
Finally, Colt had taken to the skies, where three Nevermores, each about the size of a truck, flew about thirty yards from the ground. Colt jumped in between them on top of and over wings, flipping over backs, dealing electric blows with his longsword, each strike creating a small electric pulse along the creatures. He finally sliced off one's wing, then leaped from the falling bird and sliced the head off another, then plunged his blade into the skull of the third, his fiery smile flickering in the wind as the bird fell. He leapt, and when he landed, all the fire was extinguished. He raised a hand, and his eyes flashed, one silver, the other black and he blew back a Boarbatusk with an invisible force push, then sent a suddenly appearing spear into the underbelly of the beast. With a gurgling cry, the giant boar fell over, and Colt sent his chain swirling around the spear before jerking it back, catching it in his free hand and striking a Beowolf with the butt of the spear before following up by ramming the spear up its lower jaw, in the soft spot inside of the teeth and jaw.
I turned and blasted an Ursa back with Flaming Fury, then it a home run with a Beowolf, separating the head from the body in one blow before it sailed out of sight, mainly because I'd engaged with a King Taijitu. I glanced Colt's way to see him collapse the spear and draw a second pole from his back, which expanded into a bow. I turned to block a strike from the giant serpent I faced, then ate an electric crystal, my arms and weapon now crackling with energy, and I focused all of the power on the black snake, while its white mate circled around.
The black Taijitu was knocked unconscious and I turned to see the white one already attacking. I prepared to take the hit, unable to dodge or block, when a black-shafted arrow impact with its eye and exploded blowing the strike to the side so it barely missed me, and I turned and fired the elephant gun, which broke the Taijitu's hide, then I saw a grenade roll next to the snake's head, and with a curse, I ran before a fiery explosion blasted the snake into oblivion.
I turned and nodded to Colt as he returned the collapsible bow to his back, then his hands caught fire as he met an Ursa paw-to-hand, a battle of pure strength that quickly turned to the Ursa aflame and roaring in panic and pain. I tried to keep from laughing, then noticed the battlefield was significantly less populated with Grimm. Hunter fired a sawn-off shotgun into the underbelly of a Deathstalker, having slid there seconds earlier, then plunged her blade into the spot she'd just broken through, then bathed it in fire.
The giant scorpion screeched once as Hunter rolled out of the way, then collapsed, the beady red eyes closing in death.
Just in time, the bullhead appeared over the trees, sailing over the walls and landing just inside the gate. I wiped my brow of sweat.
"We'll, how'd I do?" I asked Tex.
It wasn't bad, but you should've done better. I heard her say, and I sighed, wondering why I had gotten the sourpuss.
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Colt
I switched on the new projector I had attached by magnet to my left shoulder, on top of the bandolier, and Church materialized.
"Good job, kid. We did well."
I smiled. "You did awesome augmenting my Aura. Never even knew I could turn into…"
"Friggin' Ghost Rider?"
"Who's that?" I questioned, eyebrow raised as I pulled my hood and mask off, gasping a breath of fresh air.
Church coughed, which only made him more suspicious, seeing as AI didn't have lungs. "Nevermind. I think Ozpin called them Pyro-Banes. Maybe we should look into it more?"
"Sure, and maybe get some ancestry files on Aura, what others were able to do."
"I'll start looking."