Now for the Team RNJR chapter!
Darkness and Light, Into the Chaos!
Tara's POV
I tsked as the damned grimm swung its rock arms at us. Juane slammed into a bolder crotch first, complaining about his lack of weapon. I managed to twist to avoid that and slid back on the ground before slowing to a stop. I considered calling some lightning, but that would only serve to piss it off since it's mostly stone. Think Tara, that's what you're good at. Nora managed to recover before knocking one of the Geist's arms off. It quickly attached one of the fallen trees. "His arm is a tree, his arm is a tree!" Juane shouted, running for his life.
"Big mistake." Ruby chuckled. What was she...oh shit!
"Ruby don't!" I shouted, but she had already fired the flame round, lighting the tree trunk on fire.
Juane looked as panicked as I felt. "Big mistake!" he screamed, running to avoid the now flaming limb. Of course, he tripped and was about to be crushed, but Ren managed to throw one of his blades, nicking the mask. Wait. Why did it fall over? It was barely a scratch and it wasn't like most of the body even mattered to it...That's it! I regrouped with the others to find Juane mumbling to himself before grinning. "Guys, I've got it! We hit it harder." he declared enthusiastically.
"Is that it?" Ren asked skeptically.
"The face, right?" I asked. "I saw it too. That's this thing's weak point. If we can take out it's limbs and get me a clear shot..."
Ruby nodded. "Alright team, let's do this!" she ordered, Nora and Ren giving their own affirmations.
"Ren, left. Ruby, right. Nora, ready to try the new upgrade?" Juane asked, everyone splitting off. I would be most helpful at a distance, charging my spell for when the limbs would be handled.
Ruby and Ren attacked from different angles while Nora charged lightning into Magnhild. This would not be a piece of cake. After a few passes at the geist, Nora called, "Ready!"
"Give it everything you got!" Juane encouraged. Ruby used her semblance as she grabbed Nora, both dashing in a pink-and-red petal blizzard as they smashed through the arms, taking out the legs next. The giest tried to run after that separating itself from the rock that served as its torso, but my lightning bolt killed it quickly.
...
After collecting our reward from the (mayor? elder? something like that, I wasn't paying attention), we headed to the local blacksmith. Juane had left his gear to be upgraded, and it should be done by now. The blacksmith, what I guessed was some kind of bull faunus, placed the new armor on the counter with a thud. "There you go son! It's gonna be heavier than you're used to, but you'll thank me the next time you run into a pair of claws." he said proudly.
"I...don't know what to say." Juane replied in awe.
"Don't have to say anything, just put it on!" the blacksmith laughed. "I'll go get the rest." he added, heading for the back room.
After some encouragement from Nora, Juane smiled sadly as he removed his usual armor. "Guess I was gonna grow out of it eventually." he sighed.
"A sign of progress." Ren replied.
"Yeah, progress." Juane agreed, turning. Oh my gods. That's so cute!
Ruby snickered along with me and Juane looked at us, confused. "What is it?" he asked.
"What is that?" Ruby replied, pointing at the emblem on his hoodie.
"My hoodie? I've always had this!" he replied.
Ruby laughed before shouting, "It's got a cute little bunny rabbit!" before bursting into laughter.
"It's Pumpkin Pete! You know, from the cereal?" Juane explained.
"What did you do? Send in a boxtop to get a prize?" Ruby asked, still laughing.
"Yeah, fifty!" Juane admitted. Ruby continued laughing, and I almost joined her at the kicked puppy look Juane was giving us. I did laugh when she collapsed on the floor, but that was at her so I was safe. I think.
"Well, I suppose we don't have to grow out of everything." Ren said, amused himself.
The blacksmith came back with Crocea Mors. "Can't have a huntsman without his weapon." he declared, slamming it into the counter sheath tip down. "Made all the modifications you asked for." He added, the sheath switching to Juane's shield. "That was some fine metal you got me, accents the white nicely. Where'd you get it?"
Another sad smile. "From a friend." he replied. Guess he didn't want to think about what had happened back at Beacon. Okay, now I feel like I'm forgetting something important. Meh, I'm sure it will come to me.
...
Juane armed and armored, we headed out. Juane was in charge of the map, which I protested since I knew Anima better than any of them but was outvoted, and we continued down the path. The rest were talking while I try to remember what the hell it was I know I forgot. I tried puzzling it out, but smelled the smoke first. "Trouble, we need to go." I called, running down the path with the others close behind.
What we found was a ruined town. The grimm had torn through this place like it was nothing. And the bodies, good gods I can smell the death in the air. I used my powers, softening the earth and causing it to envelope the poor souls who had died here.
"We should burry him." Ruby declared. I looked to a man they had found and began my work again. Once again, the ground softened and enveloped the poor sol who had died. Ruby smiled sadly at me. "Guess being the Spring Maiden comes in handy, huh?" she asked in what I was sure was an attempt to lighten the mood.
"We should keep moving." Juane suggested. "We don't want to be here if the grimm come back." We nodded, leaving the destroyed village behind. It was about five minutes before Juane asked, "Um, who has the map?"
And done. Not gonna lie, I have no idea when or how I'll be updating from here on in. I probably won't mention RNJR much until Tyrian shows up, and there are some things I want to do with Yang and Ilia that I may end up focusing on unintentionally, plus Neo and the Black Sun not-couple need some screen time. I know I'm not supposed to do this, but I need help deciding. So leave a review telling me what you thought of this, as well as who in Team ANTI I should do the next chapter with. Until next time everyone.