Chapter 50 The Wheel

Character Cole

"Ahh," Cole yelled as he and Cardin were locked in an epic arm wrestle.

"I'm going to take you down," Cardin yelled back. Dove looked up from sharpening his longsword and sighed.

"Not, going. To happen," Cole said as he put out a burst of strength and slammed Cardin's hand to the table top. "Whoo!" Cole got up and paraded around the table in the park that Delta and CRDL were in for emphasis. The little park had grown up quite rapidly outside of Grishnake's smithy and was a favorite haunt for many DC members, Hunters and Huntresses.

"How did you beat me," Cardin exclaimed, "Your what fifty?"

"I'm fifty five baby," Cole replied, "Immortalized at twenty five through Thrash Ball and made immortal at thirty five through DC. I've also been in a couple more wars than you have so don't feel to bad."

"I can beat him," Marco said as the Fanus apprentice walked over from the smithy. Cole took one look at the mountains of muscles on Marco's arms and grinned.

"Well see about that," Cole said, "Get over here and lets see who is strongest."

Marco plopped down across the table from Cole and the two combatants locked hands and began the age old test of strength. Marco was a hulk of a person, with the smithy job and all but Cole was harder than the steel that Marco forged with. After two minutes of ceaseless exertion Cole started to push Marco's hand towards the table. "Hehe the Cole train has no breaks," Cole said as he fluidly pushed Marco's hand to the table.

"That is impressive," Grish said as he walked over, "Almost impressive enough for me to not be mad at you for leaving the forge. Now get back to work."

"Apologies master," Marco exclaimed as he ran back to the forge.

"Kid's got strength but he doesn't have temperament yet," Grish remarked, "For a moment there I actually though he might have a chance, maybe in a few more years eh."

"Maybe," Cole agreed, "You want a go?"

"Not now I've got to go ensure that my apprentice doesn't destroy anymore steel," Grish said, "That stuff gets more expensive by the day."

"Ah your just scared you'll loose," Cole taunted.

"I also have learned not to be baited," Grish bellowed back as he walked back to his forge.

"Look's like your out of challengers," Sky said, "what were you doing out here anyway?"

"Mostly remembering my days as a Thrashball star," Cole said, "the rest of Delta is off doing their own things today so I came here to reminisce. What about you all?"

"Ozpin sent out a flash posting for the capture or killing of this list of creatures," Russel said as he held out his scroll to show Cole the list. It contained Necromorphs, various elemental like creatures from Lemuria, and Grimm of course. "Flash postings are worth double the pay of the usual postings so we figured we would look around for some of these."

"Necromorphs huh," Cole said, "Those are Issac and Carver's pests, it's just about all they talked about since we met them. Kill only contracts too, I may be able to help you find them if they are around here."

"They do have the highest bounty on them," Cardin said, "Okay fine you're in."

"Sweet," Cole said as he left the bench he was sitting on, "Now from what I remember when the Necromorphs are small they prefer using existing structures to grow in until they are big enough to be a formidable force, Issac and Carver both seem to think that a formidable force is at least ten human sized forms and one central hive mind that spawns the crawler forms. Do you four know of any abandoned structures around here?"

"Not within Vale," Dove said, "there are old ruins scattered through out the wilderness. We can probably pick up some Grimm bounties too while we are out there."

"Then show me these ruins," Cole stated.

The trek out from Vale was about an hour long, even in CRDL's van, so needless to say Cole was bored when they finally arrived at the edge of forest. They were at the western edge of the Emerald forest and the ruins that Dove suspected would be their best bet were about five miles in. Cole pumped his Gnasher shotgun as he and CRDL got out of the van and headed towards the forest. The van locked with a beep as Cardin pressed the key and they grouped up around Dove

"Okay we are here," Dove said as he held out his scroll and pulled up a map of the area, "the ruins we are looking for are over here and this ravine here with the river flowing through it is a prime area for Grimm."

"So even if there is nothing in the ruins we can still pick up some kills from the ravine," Sky said, "I like this."

"How do we record the kills," Cole asked.

"With the scrolls," Cardin said, "we track our kills with photos that we upload to the Hunter and Huntress Network Database, HHND, as we all call it."

"Lets go then," Cole said as he headed into the forest. The walk to the ruins took another two hours due to the underbrush and other obstacles that were in their way. It was about three thirty or four when they reached the ruins. "I don't like this," Cole commented, "Something should have been disturbed with all the noise we made coming through the forest."

"I have to agree," Russel said, "with the ravine so close there should be signs of Grimm around here."

"And yet there is not," Cardin said as he hefted his mace. "Lets go look around the ruins before we start getting paranoid."

"I've got three guns and a few grenades that say we don't need to be paranoid," Cole remarked as he followed Cardin into the ruins with the rest of CRDL following him.

"Uh Cole I know you like to be in front but we've got melee weapons." Sky said as he brandished his halberd, "You mind if we go first?"

"Yeah, yeah okay," Cole conceded as he switched the Gnasher for a Lancer, "Just don't get hit by my shots."

"Just don't shoot at us," Dove countered.

"Ha ha, now that is some back bone there," Cole commented, "I approve."

"What is that stench," Russel asked.

"I was wondering that," Cole said, "Smells like the old Locust tunnels back home. Heard that they are getting renovated now though, sounds like things are really turning around for Serra."

"Glad to hear it," Cardin remarked, "But I'd be even happier to hear where that squishing sound is coming from." Everyone stopped to listen for the squishing. Sure enough there was a squishing sound but in the stone interior of the ruins it was almost impossible to locate it."

"What goes squish in ruins like this," Cole asked.

"Could be any number of things," Cardin replied, "My bet would be the floor though look ahead." He then lit up the hall they were in with a lighter and the room that was opening up before them was visible. The floor was a mass of pink and red goop that seemed to move and pulse.

"That looks like Issac's description of Necromorph bio-mass," Cole said, "I wonder if it is inside this entire structure and if it is where did it get the mass to start with?"

"Grimm," Dove stated as he pointed to the far side of the room where a mutated Boarbatusk with arms tipped with wicked looking spikes on them sticking out from its back.

"Okay definitely Necromorphs," Cole stated, "Carver says to take out their limbs, however if the creature that the Necromorph is inhabiting is still alive with them inside it we may have to kill it the normal way."

"So these things can die and then need to be killed again," Sky said, "No wonder they are worth so much."

"First we report that there are Necromorphs on Remnant then we go in and take them out," Cardin said as he brought his scroll up and snapped a picture of the infected Boarbatusk. The flash on the scroll alerted the creature to their presence and it charged at them with a screeching sequel. Cardin knocked it back with a mighty swing of his mace which stunned it long enough for Cole to shoot off the spiked arms. The creature reeled back with a screech and then slid down the wall to lay dead on the floor.

"Well they don't seem to be hard to kill," Russel said, "At least the smaller ones don't."

"Yeah so what about the bigger ones," Cole asked.

"I guess we will find out," Cardin said, "We're here so we may as well clear the cave. I've posted this kill and notified Ozpin so he can send reinforcements." The ruins quaked as five infected Beowolves burst from the ground. "Until then lets rack up as many kills as possible."

"Sounds like my kind of past time," Cole yelled as he revved his chainsaw attachment and charged the infected Grimm.

"I guess you really do have no breaks," Russel remarked as he joined Coal in the fight adding his twin daggers to the mix. Soon the five of them had not only put down the five infected but another fifteen that had come in from various parts of the ruins.

"I wonder how many of these things are in here," Sky asked.

"These ruins are supposed to go down pretty far," Dove said, "there could be a lot more below us that just haven't made their way up yet."

"We should remain on the top level until Ozpin's reinforcements arrive," Cardin said, "However we should also know what we are getting these reinforcements into. Russel take Cole and go scout the second level we can find you with your scroll when we need to."

"Come on lets go do some tunnel crawling," Cole said as he clapped Russel on the shoulder. The two headed down the stairs that led to the next level. The Necromorph matter was thicker on the second floor and the gloom was pervasive. Cole turned on the flashlight on his Lancer and Russel clipped his scroll to his shoulder with the light turned on.

"Cardin it's worse down here," Russel relayed to the team leader.

"Take a look around and see if there are any more mobile forms then," Cardin said, "I'll let you decide if you want to engage them or not."

"Oh we are engaging them," Cole said, "Duck." He pushed Russel out of the way of a spike that was hurled at his head. He turned his lancer on the creeping creature with three tentacle arms that had thrown the spike at them. With a few well placed shots Cole dismembered the creature and he and Russel moved up to inspect it.

"Russel, Cole what was that," Cardin asked via the Scroll.

"Some ranged variant," Russel replied as he turned it over, "I don't believe it this looks like a Beowolf pup, these creatures must use any bio-mass that was living."

"Be careful up there these things throw their spikes," Cole added, "We'll move in a little farther and see if there are any more." Cole reloaded and moved towards the hole where the spiny dog creature emerged from, Russel was moving up to his left. With a crack and an explosion of rock a huge tentacle punched through the hole and grabbed Cole, pulling him towards the wall. Cole fired at the tentacle but it was Russel who sliced it in half with his twin daggers, freeing Cole from it's grasp. "Thanks bro," Cole said as he got up, "I hate tentacles seen enough of them with Lambent."

"Uh Cole," Russel said.

"Yeah," Cole asked.

"You're... glowing," Russel stated. Cole looked at his hands and saw that he was glowing yellow like Lambent.

"What the hell," Cole muttered, "I ain't a Lambent... course I've probably got plenty of his cells in me."

"What if the Necromorphs are causing them to react or something," Russel suggested.

"How would I know," Cole said, "Don't feel bad or anything so I ain't going to worry about it right now." A scream drew their attention to the other side of the room where an infected Ursa had smashed its way in. It charged them and leaped at Russel with spikes extending from its paws as it flew through the air. Russel dodged out of the way and landed several slices on the Ursa but it just shrugged the attacks off. Cole had brought the Gnasher back out and was pelting the Ursa in the back with shells. It responded with a tentacle spike shooting out from its side that forced Cole to drop the shotgun and grapple with the deadly appendage. As soon as Cole had locked his hands around the spike tentacles of his own shot out from his arms and grappled the spike off of the tentacle and attached it to his left arm. Cole didn't take time to wonder about this turn of events as he rammed the newly acquired spike into the Ursa. Russel was cutting up spikes that were being sent at him as well as dodging the Ursa's paws and teeth. Cole drew his Boltox revolver and started laying the massive rounds into the Ursa's shoulder. After blowing a chunk of the boney armor off another spike shout out and knocked the pistol from Cole's hand. Cole grabbed the offending appendage and ripped the spike off of it, his Lambent cells moved to integrate the spike as they had done with the previous one. He used this new found weapon to stab and rip at the Ursa's shoulder eventually severing it. Russel had taken out one of the front arms by this time and the Ursa collapsed as the remaining tentacles convulsed and then were still. Cole calmed his breathing before flexing his arms, the newly activated Lambent cells flexed as well causing the spikes to lock down against his forearms and shoot out to their attack position that they were in during the Ursa fight.

"Russel," Cardin said over the scroll, "That sounded real nasty down there, you two okay?"

"I'm fine," Russel responded, "Cole is..."

Cole thought about his situation for a second before yelling, "Cole Train is still on the rails baby, now with upgrades!" He pointed his new spikes at Russel as he gave two thumbs up and a big grin before returning them to the resting position against his arms.

"Right well Issac and Carver are here" Cardin said, "They say that Ozpin will be joining us."

"Good thing to," Russel said, "There was some giant tentacle that punched its way up from below. I think the entire ruins are affected."

"Time for no breaks then," Cole said as he picked his revolver up and holstered it before getting the Gnasher, "Tell 'em to get down here and lets go."

Character Yang

"Oh so I guess it's my fault about that too," Yang yelled at Junior. Penny had apparently not paid for Sun and Blake's wedding cake, leaving Junior and Yang to foot the forty-five hundred Lien bill... plus interest. Junior was mad and rightly so but Yang was not about to take the blame for this. "My fault that I couldn't do everything for the wedding, my fault that the club got burned down and my fault that you sterile!" Okay those last two might actually be true, the club burning down at least is, Junior's functionality well, Yang couldn't be sure but she suspected it might have to do with repeated groin hits from before they warmed up to each other or the fact that she could burst into fire but she wasn't going to mention that possibility.

"No," Junior responded, "Wait maybe, um... you did burn down the club, four times! Point is Penny knows you and your sister better than any of us. You and I both know that she can't pay for anything without permission from you know who. I should have just gone and handled it myself!"

"You leave Ruby out of this," Yang exclaimed as she activated Ember Celica. Yeah she might burn the club down again but defending Ruby was worth it.

"Oh you want to go," Junior said as he extended his batzooka.

A high pitched whistling sound caught their attention as a bright fireball flew between them and then exploded against the wall behind them. "Sorry to interrupt," Roman said smugly, "But reports are coming in about Necromorphs on Remnant, I think you two have bigger issues to worry about than a measly four and a half grand bill."

Yang couldn't quite place it but something about Roman standing in the door to her and Junior's office with that Melodic Cudgel, cane gun and flanked by Melanie and Miltia just seemed so out of place that his words didn't sink in until a second later. Once they did all concern about the charge was forgotten, she'd pay for it Blake was her partner after all.

"Necromorphs," Yang said, "Those creatures that Issac and Carver have been talking with Ozpin about for the last two days?"

"Sounds like it," Roman said, "Looks like CRDL and Cole found them first out in the south ruins of the Emerald Forest."

"Get in the ATV," Junior announced, "We're going hunting."

"You know I like this idea better than us fighting," Yang admitted.

"I like the idea of proving you wrong about me being sterile better," Junior countered.

"You know your always left soaking in a cool bath after wards," Yang said.

"Look as important as it is to you two we really don't want to hear about your night life," Melanie said.

"Speak for yourself," Roman said, "I would like to know what type of place could handle Yang if she gets all fiery."

"Why do you think the back half of the club is a residence," Junior said as he jumped into the driver seat of the ATV. The vehicle was open, no doors, just a roll cage, big mud tires, a supped up Dust compressor engine, all wheel drive with separate suspensions for each wheel, seating for three and hanging room for two. Yang got on the right side hang rail so she could use her right hand side if she needed to from the car. Miltia got on the left, Roman rode shotgun and Melanie was in the back. "Yang Miltia hold on." Junior started the red ATV and they roared away from the club.

"Whoo-ha," Yang yelled as they flew down the street. She loved hanging out the side as they drove. The wind blew her hair back causing her to look like a streak of gold riding alongside the car. Through wind induced tears, Yang spotted two people she recognized as they drove, G and N. The pair was in a vehicle similar to Legion 141's sports cars only this car looked... well more. It was a sleek blue with tail light fins, flared headlights, a huge grill on the front, chrome bumpers, thirty eight inch wheels and an engine that sounded like thunder. As they pulled up beside them Yang yelled over, "Hey where are you two headed?"

"No where particular," G replied, "You five seem to be in a hurry though and you without your team, something big must be up to cause that."

"Yeah Necromorphs," Yang replied as Junior kept pace with G.

"Never heard of them," G yelled back, "What are they?"

"All I know is they are supposed to be really nasty," Yang said, "Reanimating dead bodies and the like."

"Well I've got a few assets in the trunk," G said, "And N always has her baton, if only to use it on me from time to time."

"I do not," N refuted to which G just laughed.

"I assume you know where these things are," G continued.

"Yes, you can follow us there," Yang said.

"Right lead on," G said as he slowed down so he could get behind them.

"Melanie grab my scroll out of my back pocket and put a notice out on the team's stream," Yang said, "Might as well see if any other RWBYs want in on this."

"Right," Melanie said as she wrestled with the tight pocket that the scroll was shoved into. "Confound it Yang how is it that your rear is even solid as a rock?"

"Eh it's a gift," Yang replied.

"Got it," Melanie said a moment later as Yang felt the scroll leave her pocket. "and done, looks like Weiss is available... Ruby and Blake are both marked as busy."

"Huh I wonder what those two are up to," Yang muttered, "Okay thanks Molly."

"Any back up is better than no back up," Melanie said.

"We are going to help CRDL and Cole," Miltia remarked, "We are the back up."

"You know even with Cole helping them I get the feeling we are heading straight into a mess," Roman said, "It is CRDL after all."

Yang took a moment to contemplate just how many times CRDL's pride had gotten them in way over their heads and they would require a little 'extra help' … it was a lot of times. "Yeah you've fought them before you know how they can be a little headstrong right?"

"Yes," Roman said.

"Well that was with Ozpin reigning them in," Yang continued, "Without that... yeah."

Roman looked over Junior's shoulder at Yang and gave her a 'that doesn't seem possible look' to which Yang just shrugged. Yang turned her head back into the wind to get her hair out of her eyes. Ahead of them was a flatbed trailer with large metal pipes stacked on it, looking in the mirror she could see Weiss' convertible driving up towards them from farther back on the highway and G's vehicle following them.

"Hey babe think we can get around that truck," Yang asked.

"Working on it," Junior said, "Trying to let Weiss catch up."

"Oh she will catch up," Yang said, "lets go, this notice has already been out for four hours."

"Four and a half actually," Melanie said, "CRDL sent in their first confirmation an hour and a half ago."

"Hey as long as you've got my scroll out," Yang said, "Send notice to JNPR, if Blake and sis are busy, maybe some of JNPR is not." Just then a Bullhead flew over head. It looked to be going the same direction that they were.

"Looks like Ozpin just sent a notice out that he and the two Necromorph experts are headed to the ruins," Melanie remarked.

"Think that was him in the jet," Miltia asked.

"Who else would it... be," Junior said as the Bullhead turned around and started a strafing run down the street towards them. Yang used her free arm to fire off six shots at the aircraft and Roman fired four explosive blasts at it as well. The fireballs just rolled off of the Bullhead however.

"Melanie use the rocket launcher," Junior yelled as he swerved to dodge the incoming bullets. "When that guy comes back around nail him with it."

"He won't get the chance," G yelled as he got out onto the roof of his car while N assumed the driver position. "Meet the Stinger MK7." G had a massive rocket tube hefted on one shoulder, at least seven feet long and a foot wide. He planted the tripod it was on to the roof and took aim as the Bullhead came back for another run. A few second later a salvo of cluster rockets launched from the tube and tracked the Bullhead. Upon impact they blew away the entire bottom half of the aircraft leaving the front half to fly over their heads and crash on the highway ahead of them. Yang squeezed up against the ATV as one of the jet impellers whizzed by to bury itself in the pavement.

"That was too close," Yang stated.

"What was that about," Weiss asked as she pulled up to the now stopped convoy.

"I have no idea," Yang replied as she jumped off the ATV. Melanie got out and handed Yang her scroll.

"Only one way to find out," G said as he and N joined them.

"I've already called Joel," Weiss said, "Right now we need to go help CRDL and Cole then we can worry about crazy people in jets."

"Ozpin is on his way to help them," Yang said, "Lets see if we can't find anything out about this mess first."

"Someone could be hurt where the plane crashed," N said, "We should at least see if we can help them." The group looked between each other, Yang nodded, Roman shrugged, Junior scowled, Miltia and Melanie dusted themselves off, G had put the rocket launcher back in his car, Weiss got in her car and drove towards the crash.

"Well I guess that settles it," Miltia remarked, "Besides if Cole and CRDL are still alive then chances are they will remain so until we or Ozpin arrives." A few moments later and the group had arrived at the crash site. They had passed six corpses that had fallen out of the Bullhead as they drove to the crash and now they were greeted with the sight of two more still in the cockpit of the aircraft. The pilots and crew were dressed very similarly to Junior's hired muscle but with one exception, each had what looked to be a data drive surgically attached to their heads. It gave Yang the impression that the people could be plugged into a computer and programmed.

"This is horrendous," N commented, "No one survived."

"Not true Ma'am," a woman with black hair and blue eyes said as she walked over, "One of them guys survived the fall, I've got 'em stretched out over by the truck." The woman was the driver of the truck, she was also trained in first aid, Yang was too but the other woman had arrived first.

"How is he doing," Junior asked.

"He's a bit delirious but I think he will recover," the woman replied. Without another word Junior headed over to the truck. "Hey I don't think he needs to see anyone right now not in that state."

"I'll go keep him from doing anything rash," Yang said, "be right back." She ran off after Junior and found him standing over the injured crewman from the Bullhead.

"Hey you look at me," Junior said.

"I, oh sorry boss looks like we got blown up, didn't manage to take out your duplicate," the man muttered, "Kill switch ain't working, going to need you to end it manually."

"You aren't dying on me," Junior said, "your going to tell me everything that happened once you are in a more suitable state. Then you are going to tell me about this boss of yours, why you think I'm him and what this is about a double."

"You're... you ain't... oh you're the double," the man said, "At least I might be able to fix one part then." Yang heard a click. She grabbed Junior and threw him behind her so the explosion that followed only knocked her to the ground and got her covered in blood.

"Yang," Junior exclaimed as he helped her up, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah a bit shaken up but that's it," Yang replied, "Immune to fire remember?"

"And I am glad for it too," Junior said.

"What happened now," Weiss said as she and the truck driver rounded the side of the truck.

"He exploded," Yang said, "Had some sort of bomb built into him. He seemed to be after Junior."

"Well you two look okay other than being bloody," the truck driver said, "Sure am glad I didn't put him in the truck."

"Come on," Weiss said, "G and Roman have scoured the wreckage, Joel is here and he is about done with talking to N, Melanie and Miltia. We can do nothing else here."

"Right," Yang said. She and Junior headed to see if Joel needed them for anything before the group left the crash scene and continued on towards the ruins.

When they arrived at the ruins the situation was already in decline. There were three large tentacles protruding from the ruins, smashing at the surrounding forest. An exploded Bullhead indicated that Ozpin and team had at least made it to the ruins but no one was visible from outside.

"Ozpin," Weiss called through her scroll, "Ozpin? Cardin? Russel, Dove, Sky anyone?"

"Well that's not good," Roman commented.

"You think those tentacles are flammable," G asked.

"Probably," Miltia said.

"One way to find out," Yang said.

"Oh no you," Junior started but it was too late. Yang had already lit up and was sprinting towards the tentacles. She would probably start a forest fire but eh it would rain at some point and put it out, right? She dodged left towards a tree as one of the tentacles slammed down next to her. Using her momentum and a few rounds from Ember Celica, Yang kicked off the tree and launched herself onto the fleshy appendage. Once there Yang looked around for the weakest point she could find, an abnormally large bulge that was yellow and pulsing looked like it was the perfect target. Holding on as the tentacle continued to swing through the air Yang made her way towards the bulge. She barely avoided being smashed against the ground, trees and even the ruins multiple times as she moved, saved only by the efforts of her friends down below firing whatever they had at the tentacle when it started to move in a dangerous direction.

It took Yang two minutes to move the ten feet to the bulge where she proceeded to wail at it while holding onto the tentacle with just her legs. After five hits the bulge exploded sending Yang flying off to land on the top of the ruins. Yang slowly picked herself up after a few moments and shook of the stunning force of the explosion. Her left side, the side she landed on, hurt like she had been hit by a truck. She checked her Aura with her scroll and saw that it was about two thirds of her full strength.

"Yang are you okay," Weiss asked via the scrolls.

"Nothing a good rest won't fix," Yang replied while thinking, "Not yet anyways."

"You've got the second strongest Aura out of the four of us and it took you down a third in one go," Weiss said, "Don't do anything stupid."

Yang took Weiss' comment as advice and filed it as stuff she already knew. Looking at the scroll Yang saw five other scrolls were flickering on and off right around her. Probably Ozpin and CRDL somewhere below her in the ruins. Yang was able to get a glimpse of their aura readings when the scrolls flashed back onto the network for a few seconds. CRDL was all at about a third strength and Ozpin was at about eighty percent. There was no way to determine the status of Cole, Issac or Carver however. Yang did determine that the group was pushing deeper into the ruins, probably to find the source of the Necromorphs.

"Yang can you do something about those tentacles," Weiss yelled through the scroll.

"Right," Yang stated, "sorry I got a brief reading from CRDL and Ozpin. They seem to be going deeper into the ruins but CRDL is tiring."

"Then we need to get in there," Weiss said, "and we can't do that with those tentacles in the way."

"On it," Yang said. Looking back towards where her friends were she saw that Weiss had them surrounded in glyphs as the tentacles smashed at them and threw boulders and trees towards the group. G had a flamethrower and would shoot bursts at the tentacles at they retreated but it seemed to be doing little real damage. Yang ran over to where one of the two remaining tentacles was protruding from the ruins. It was fortunately very methodical in its attack on her friends so Yang was able to time her jump so she landed right below the bulge on that tentacle. Sliding down a bit Yang aimed up and shot the bulge until it exploded before jumping back to the roof of the ruins as the tentacle spasmed and died.

"Yang get the other tentacle," Weiss yelled. Yang looked towards the last appendage and saw that it had ripped a massive chuck of rock from the ground and was readying to throw it at Weiss' glyphs. Yang supercharged her fire and launched herself at the bulge on the tentacle. She detonated it with one punch which sent her crashing back to the top of the ruins.

"Got it," Yang said as she got up again, now her right side hurt too but not as bad.

"Yang look out," Weiss yelled.

"Huh," Yang muttered then she looked up just in time to see the massive rock crash into the ruins taking the top level and herself crashing down into the depths below. Yang landed face down in a pile of rubble with the giant boulder sitting just inches away from her head and several blocks of stone jammed up against each other preventing her from getting up. Her vision was blurry and she blinked to try and clear the red from her eyes, Yang soon realized that it was her blood that was blurring her vision. With a grunt Yang pushed her way forward out from under the blocks where she could roll over onto her back and catch her breath. A quick check told Yang that she had, miraculously, not broken anything in the fall. She painfully reached a hand up to her head to find a nice gash that was seeping blood down her forehead and into her eyes.

Yang then heard the sounds of something moving towards her. She gritted her teeth and chambered Ember Celica which caused even the ridiculously pain tolerant Yang to gasp. Her bones may not be broken but if they weren't all bruised she would be amazed. Looking towards the source of the sound Yang saw a hulking shape with what looked to be spikes lumbering towards her. Yang moved to aim at it when the spikes came towards her. Yang changed her motion to block the attack but instead of spikes hitting her they retracted to reveal a hand reaching out to her.

"You look terrible," Cole stated as Yang grabbed hold of his hand and was helped up.

"Ahh, yeah," Yang replied, "Feel terrible too."

"That is a damn big hole you put in this place," Carver said as he looked up to the sky that now shown down to the sub-level of the ruins.

"Mrs. Long," Ozpin remarked as he, CRDL and Issac ducked into the room that Yang had landed in, "You never cease to amaze me with what you can survive, and your ability to find situations that you need to survive in such a manner, but I am certainly glad you did."

"Thanks Professor," Yang said as she checked her scroll. Her Aura was barely detectable, but slowly coming back.

"Yang," Weiss said through the scroll, "Yang are you, hey give me tha..."

"Yang tell me you're alive," Junior said.

"I'm here baby," Yang said, "Glad to hear you all are okay."

"Glad to hear that we are okay," Junior exclaimed, "You... I... we are having a serious discussion abut self preservation when we get back."

"It won't be as bad as the one about the bills will it," Yang said, "cause if it is I'm sure there is a loose piece of rubble around here"

"No, …. don't, not a finger," Junior roared before ending the call.

"Well at least we have connection here now," Cardin remarked, "Even I have to admit that that was impressive."

"Yeah," Yang said as she straightened up, her adrenalin had kicked in at this point dulling the pain. Looking around for the first time Yang saw that the room was covered with the same fleshy material that the tentacles were made of, in fact it looked like the entire ruin was covered in it. "any of you have something for this gash?"

"Here," Issac said as he handed her a small jar, "it's an applicant that we use to treat injuries, our suits apply it through injectors but you can just rub some on the cut and it should stop the bleeding and help it heal."

"Thanks," Yang said as she took the canister, "Cole what happened to you, what's with the spikes?"

"Just a little latent Lambent bonus," Cole said as he flexed his muscles and the spikes, "Seems that it really doesn't like these guys."

"Can you move," Carver asked.

"Until the adrenalin wears off sure," Yang said, "after that... well I'll figure it out."

"You're asking her to come with us," Sky remarked, "In this state?"

"Better than leaving her here," Cardin said, "We're making our way to the center of these ruins, Issac believes that the heart, or brain or whatever of these Necromorphs is going to be there and from it he can determine how they got here."

"Let's go then before the pain comes back," Yang said. Issac nodded and led them back out of the room and farther into the gloom that filled the rest of the rooms and halls this far underground.

"I'm sorry to put you in this situation," Ozpin remarked as they walked, "but you did fall right into it."

Yang laughed which she regretted as it made her abdomen spasm with pain, "Ahhh, don't make me laugh," she said, "shouldn't there be more of those tentacles or something down here?"

"There was plenty of resistance on the way down to this level," Dove said, "Why there is nothing down here is a mystery to me."

"Because the hive-mind has it's own defenses," Issac said, "Pods, spikes, crawlers, tentacles the whole package."

"And we are heading right into it aren't we," Yang commented.

"Exactly," Issac replied. "We should be close, Russel are there any large rooms around here?"

"Uh yeah looks like there was one over here," Russel said as he moved to a section of wall, "Looks blocked off now though by the flesh."

"How are we going to get in there," Carver asked.

"Move out of the way and I'll show you," Junior said as he came up behind Yang.

"Hey I figured you'd find your way down here," Yang said as she leaned into him.

"I've got to protect my position as the only one allowed to beat up on you, you know," Junior stated jokingly. "Now move out of the way these rockets should make a really big hole."

"You get them from G," Yang asked as she eyed the rocket pod that Junior was carrying in addition to his bazooka-bat.

"Who else," G said as he walked in beside Junior with a similar rocket pod.

"What can we expect when this gets busted open," N asked as she flipped out her lightening baton.

"Every sort of horror you can imagine," Issac said, "Blow it."

Yang backed up behind Junior and G with the rest of the team, Weiss, Roman, Melanie and Miltia were working on getting more permanent ways down. Junior, G and N used Weiss' glyphs to get down. Yang checked her scroll, sure enough Weiss' Aura was holding at about thirty percent from the amount of glyphs she had been using. It occurred to Yang that while these Necromorphs were simple they most certainly poised a threat if just on colony could knock down some of the best Hunters on Remnant this far. Two twanging sounds drew Yang's attention to Junior and G who had fired the rockets. They were more like spear tipped plastic explosives that were connected to the detonator inside the pod. The circle that they formed on the wall would make for a nice door once it was blown open.

"Okay we've got two minutes," G said, "Everyone back to the skylight."

Yang smiled at that, even though it had almost killed her she was proud to have caused so much damage to the ruins and consequently the Necromorphs. As they waited for the explosion Yang felt the pain start to return. She sat down beside Junior on one of the rocks and leaned against him with her head resting on his shoulder.

"You look miserable," Junior said as he ran his hand through her hair. "I guess I won't be proving anything to you tonight."

"Ha after today if I felt like it we certainly would try though," Yang said. "Junior it's been two and a half years, if it's you or me I don't know but, I think if we want a kid we will just have to adopt one."

"What about that Ellisa girl," Junior said, "Barry too if he wants a home."

"I'm only four years older than Barry," Yang said, "and those two are the leaders of the White Fang, I don't think they need us."

"You might be surprised," Junior said, "Besides I'm fourteen years older than you, and from what I hear Barry and Ellisa are overburdened right now, right Ozpin?"

"They are having trouble balancing life at Beacon and their duties to the White Fang," Ozpin said, "If nothing else guidance from you, Yang, would be beneficial towards their Hunter position and from Junior in regards to running an organization."

The explosion cut off everyone's conversation. A screech echoed through the ruins and was answered by a bellow from Cole who charged towards the now open room with his spikes extended and his chainsaw revved. Russel was right behind the big man and CRDL followed him. Issac and Carver shook their heads while Ozpin, G and N followed behind their five headstrong friends.

"We going to end up saving them aren't we," Yang asked.

"If we are going to do that we should go," Carver said as he flipped his plasma thrower into a sideways firing mode and ducked into the gloom with Issac. Yang pushed herself off of Junior and the two followed the rest towards the sounds of screaming, growling, and general clashing of weapons and gun fire.

"Yang," Junior said, "Don't get killed."

"Eh I've been close before but never got all the way," Yang replied, "I think I may just have to accept living with intense pain, look out!" Yang pushed Junior out of the way of a tentacle that speared the wall behind them. Her arms were shaking due to her condition but Yang was immensely strong so the jitters would only impair her accuracy over distances not in melee. "See." Yang said.

"I'm starting to," Junior remarked sarcastically, "Gaah." Russel had been knocked into Junior sending the two into the wall. Yang looked towards where Russel had been knocked from just in time to roll out of the way of Cardin who was knocked back by a tentacle from within the room. Cole cut the tentacle that was barring their progress forward and the four moved into the hive-mind. There were various Grimm that were infected with the tentacles scattered around the room, most were occupied by G and N who were running and gunning, or batonning in N's case. Issac and Carver were using their plasma cutters to take out spike slinging tentacles that were popping up from pods that were being created from the walls. Cardin and Russel headed over to help the rest of their team and Ozpin fight a giant maw of a creature that could only be the Hive-mind. Only the head of the creature was visible but what a sight it was filling most of the room and supported on a body that went underground even below the ruins.

"Junior hit those five glowing orb things," Yang said. Junior whipped out his bazooka and fired, one rocket for each orb. On impact the Hive-mind screamed again and spewed out a few infected Beowolf forms. Junior fired again this time causing the orbs to explode just like the ones on the tentacles.

"Yeah," Yang yelled as the creature reared back. "Uh, ah-oh." Instead of dying it pushed its way up through the top of the room and brought two more tentacles to bear against the party. However it also revealed five more orbs that were in it's chest. Junior and Yang dove out of the way of the tentacles as they stabbed towards them. The tentacles began to push apart to each side of the room, it was going to crush them all against the walls. Then a line of glyphs appeared in front of the tentacles blocking their advance. Looking over the appendages Yang saw Weiss, Roman, Miltia and Melanie had arrived. Melanie and Miltia went to work slicing up the now trapped tentacles while Roman took aim and started putting rounds into the creatures weak spots. Three orbs exploded and the Hive-mind shook before it deposited a large humanoid Necromorph on the ground. It stood about seven feet tall with spikes that were even bigger.

"Hunter," Issac yelled, "Careful it can't be killed it just regenerates itself!" Roman had to break off killing the Hive-mind to keep the Hunter off of Weiss as she maintained the glyphs.

"This isn't good," Junior said, "I can't get a clear shot from here, Yang?"

"Too shaky," Yang said as she held out one arm to demonstrate. "I think I know what I can do though, if something has been incinerated it can't regenerate."

"Do you have enough Aura to do that," Junior asked.

"It's my Semblance," Yang corrected, "It will work."

"Shi," Junior started but Yang cut him off with a long, deep kiss before she pushed off of him and slid under the tentacle as it thrashed in between the glyphs. Yang rolled to her feet and ignited as she ran at the Hunter. Her fist connected with the creature's head and sent it reeling allowing Roman to resume firing on the Hive-mind. Yang ducked under one spike and blocked another before grabbing it and using a few close ranged shots to sever it. The second arm soon followed suit but the first arm was regrowing already. Yang didn't have much time so she just grabbed the Hunter's grotesque head and crushed it between her blazing hands until there was nothing but ash left. The whole body then quavered and toppled over dead. Two more explosions signaled that Roman had gotten the last two orbs. Yang saw the Hive-mind collapse in on itself revealing a massive underground substructure that it had carved out to house it's body. It dawned on her a moment later that she couldn't hear anything. Yang turned to see Junior running through a hole that Miltia had carved in the tentacle. He was trying to say something but Yang didn't hear him as her vision went black and she collapsed.

Character Spyro

The constant beeping of the heart monitor was starting to annoy Spyro. He, Xavier, Orthino and K were running doctor duty on Yang who had been in and out of consciousness for the last three days. K, Shepard, Tyreal, the Hunters, and the rest that had gone to Shepard's universe had returned with some disturbing news. There were evil versions of Cinder and friends that had crossed the dimensional barriers, versions that would most likely try to attack Remnant if they could find it. The Necromorphs were discovered to be active on Remnant which meant that the Necromorph Moon that Issac and Carver were chasing had arrived in their star system somewhere. Issac confirmed that it must have been recently too since the Hive-mind that put Yang in the hospital was a small one. Then there was Aurora. She was currently stuck with them until K could figure out which dimension she was from and construct a way to get her and Igniculus back. In the meantime it was just her friends that stood between the dark forces of her world. On top of that Lucifer had contacted K to say that Magog was on the move again.

"How is she," Janell asked as she entered the room. Oh that was another thing, K had morphed Spyro into a human form so he could tend to Yang better. It had not been a good week.

"Sleeping again," Spyro said, "It is frustrating, If I only understood how this Aura worked I could have her back on her feet in a few seconds, but since I don't I could also kill her if I interfere."

"You're angry," Janell stated, "I don't think I've seen you like this before."

"That is because I do not anger easily," Spyro said, "Look at Cynder, she tried to kill me many a time and I know a part of her was willing to do it too, yet here we are, because I can forgive. These Necromorphs though... I should not have let them try to go after this thing by themselves. Had I not been busy with the Fanus Acceptance and Unification Network that Cinder is implementing I could have at least sent someone to help!"

"You can't always help everyone," Janell said, "Out of all of DC there is Ruby, K, C and myself who could have come out of that situation better off than Yang."

"That's the other thing that has been eating me up," Spyro said, "Ruby is blaming herself for not being there to help and Blake is doing the same thing."

"All of the team is doing that," Janell said, "Even Weiss and she was there and did help. It is a reasonable reaction. At least Junior is doing something positive while Yang is here."

"Really what is he up to," Spyro asked, "Threatening people, money laundering, smuggling?"

"No he has been going through the process to adopt Barry and Ellisa," Janell replied as she headed out of the white room, "If you wish to continue talking we should do so in the hall where we won't wake Yang."

Spyro nodded and ducked out of the door, Orthino would be taking over for him in a few minutes anyway and he was curious as to what brought this action out of Junior. "Did you say he was adopting?"

"Right," Janell said, "According to him Yang suggested it before she ended up here."

"I hope he isn't doing it to preemptively honor her memory," Orthino said as he walked up behind them. Yeah K had changed the elder dragon as well as Xavier and himself, it was the only consolation Spyro had in his current situation. However he was not one to waste the opportunity of being human for a while. Spyro had a Native American appearance and was in a leather blazer, jeans, and a "Kansas Forever" shirt. His hair was in a golden Mohawk that added a good six inches to his five foot eight frame. Orthino was black in a purple evening suit with a black, poofy afro that made him look almost seven feet tall and three feet wide, well he actually was three feet wide at the shoulders too but the hair just seemed ridiculous. Janell was in one of her many flowing, white dresses. She sighed at the sight of the two.

"What," Spyro and Orthino said.

"Jinx," Orthino quickly added, "That's three for me."

"Ugh," Spyro scoffed, "I'm heading out, let me know if anything happens."

"Well stick around for a few minutes and it just might," Orthino said, "I've got some insight into this Aura, I know how to heal her."

Spyro was both instantly curious and apprehensive. If Orthino was mistaken he could do more harm to Yang, if he was correct then he could get her back on her feet and up to speed in a few hours. "Should we go get her family," Spyro asked, "they are just downstairs in the lobby."

"I wouldn't be planning my funeral just yet," Yang said as she walked out into the hall while pulling her jacket on. "Have I got a story for you all." Even Janell was surprised to see Yang when she walked out, they had literally just been by the unconscious woman. Not only had she woken up but had time to get changed and unhooked from the equipment. Spyro checked the scroll Ozpin had given him to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Sure enough Yang's Aura, which was previously barely even registering, was getting a full reading.

"How did you do that," Orthino asked.

"You said Sis, Dad and Mom were in the lobby right," Yang said, "Lets go get them and I'll tell you. Where is Junior?"

"Out trying to adopt Barry and Ellisa," Janell answered.

"Really," Yang said happily as a smile came to her face, "I guess he really does care. Okay I'll tell him later then, now lets go, I'm sick of being near this room."

Spyro led them through the hospital to the lobby. He was more interested than ever to find out what Yang had to say. Physically she was fine when he first saw her apart from the gash and some bruises, nothing that would put anyone out for more or less two days. He concluded that Aura must be the reason for her death like state and remarkable recovery. He entered the lobby ahead of the others to see, Lao, Summer, Ruby, Daemon and Issac sitting around.

"Hey Spyro," Lao said as Spyro entered the lobby, "How's... Yang!" Lao's shout drew everyone's attention and a glare from the clerk at the front desk. He didn't get a chance to hug his daughter however as Ruby appeared out of a cloud of roses and crushed her sister in a hug while burying her crying face in her chest.

"Yang don't you ever do that again," Ruby cried, "This is twice now I thought I had lost you don't make me go through that again." Yang returned Ruby's hug causing the younger girl to squeak in her embrace.

"You know I can't promise you that," Yang said, "It's a part of the life we chose. Now let go of me you're soaking my shirt."

"Oh right sorry," Ruby said as she pulled away.

"So what happened," Summer asked as she came up and hugged Yang after Lao had.

"Well last I remember was killing a regenerating Necromorph and seeing the Hive-mind die," Yang said, "then I guess I fell unconscious due to, well you know. Normally I'd be out of something like that in a few hours, but there was this shadowy version of Ruby running around in my head, striking out at me whenever I started to wake up. I didn't want to fight it cause I didn't know where I was or what had happened but one of the few times I was awake for real I saw Ruby sitting in the chair across from my bed so I knew the shadow one wasn't her."

"That was last night," Ruby said.

"Really cool," Yang said, "Well soon after I encountered the shadow version of you again and this time I attacked it, I don't know how long it's been but I just finished it off and woke up. So that's the story, what do you think it means?"

"It means the marker that was controlling the Hive-mind is vulnerable," Issac said. "A similar experience happened to me and Carver when we encountered Necromorphs. The marker seems to choose a person to try and control until it gets enough Necromorphs to work with. They seem to be very bad at picking their targets, me Carver and now you have all beaten them."

"So it was making Yang fight me," Ruby asked.

"Basically," Issac said.

"Can you find where it is," Ruby asked as her face hardened.

"If the moon is close enough it will be on that but other wise we can expect it to be near the Hive-mind," Issac said.

"Why didn't you say that when we were down there," Yang groaned.

"Without it having been beaten we couldn't have broken it," Issac said, "finding it would only have caused more of your friends to experience the same thing you did."

"But it can't now that Yang's beaten it," Daemon asked.

"Right," Issac replied, "At least I've not experienced that yet."

"I can be the transport," Spyro said, "It would just take K a second to restore me to my real body."

"What you don't want to have a disco dance off with me," Orthino said with a grin.

Spyro just shook his head and sent a thought out to Cynder as he headed for the door.

"Yes love," Cynder answered.

"Can you tell K that Yang is up and I need to be transformed," Spyro said.

"Sure can, glad to hear Yang is doing better," Cynder replied, "Seems sort of sudden though, you sure she is okay?"

"I'll let her tell you all about it if you want to hear her story," Spyro said, "Right now I just want to be back to normal."

"Okay get ready, I'll meet you out front of the hospital," Cynder said. A moment later Spyro was returned to his dragon form. He stretched his wings and swished his tail, it felt good to be normal again.

"I wish I had a relative that had a telepathic link to K," Orthino remarked, "I don't know though, I still have all my powers and I do like this suit..."

"You can't be serious," Janell and Summer both said.

"Jinx," Orthino snapped, "Oh I'm good."

"You are pompous and arrogant," Janell retorted, "your fashion sense sucks, and I don't even know where to begin with that hair style, but at least you are more manageable in a human form than your massive draconic one."

"I am very serious," Orthino said, "For the one trait you got correct, it is more mobile than my previous form. I'm at the age where I am not attached to any one state of being."

"Hello down there," Cynder called as she circled over head, "I can't very well land in the street why don't we move to the park just across the way?"

"Okay we'll meet you there," Spyro said, "she is right it is almost impossible to land in the streets, or take off from them."

"Buildings too close for you," Lao stated.

"Got it," Spyro replied as they moved down the street, avoiding cars and pedestrians as they went. Spyro was really starting to like Vale, the people had grown used to him and the other alien members of DC so that they were more or less just residences of the city. There were even a few places and people that were starting to become friends with them. Spyro wondered if this was what K felt like as DC formed around him. It was an accepted fact that K was in charge but not all of DC liked him, or he them. The Freelancers for instance were indifferent, and the SaDiablos seemed to keep out of K's path as much as possible, but they all knew him and respected him. Spyro was getting that feeling from Vale, most citizens seemed to be warming up to him and the others a few were cold like Faren and a few had already made friends with them, like Burnie and Joel.

"Incoming," Cynder called out as she made a pass and came in for a landing. Spyro looked around, he hadn't even been paying attention and had gone from the hospital to the park. Yup he was getting used to Vale.

"Yang why don't you all ride Cynder that way you can fill her in," Spyro said.

"Sure but first we are picking up my husband," Yang said.

"It's still hard to believe that you've been married to Junior for two and a half years now and never told us," Ruby said with emphasized weight on Junior.

"Hey back off sis," Yang said, "He's not that bad, really. He just inherited a bad business."

"Where would he be," Spyro asked.

"If he is looking into adopting Ellisa and Barry, then probably the courthouse," Yang said.

"Wait he's what," Lao asked.

"Yeah funny story about that," Yang said, "So either one or both of us can't actually bear children soooo... we're seeing if Ellisa and Barry want to be adopted, and yes I know I'm only four years older than Barry." Everyone was quite for a minute before Summer spoke up.

"If they agree do I get to throw them a party or something," Summer asked.

"I was thinking the same thing," Ruby said, "make up B-day parties!" The mother-daughter pair high-fived.

"I think I'm begging to see why Junior was having that talk about the bills with me," Yang said, "Still one party couldn't hurt, come on Cynder give us a lift. We can get Junior, go finish these Necromorphs and be back by... uh what time is it anyway?"

"About twelve," Lao said.

"Oh well maybe not by lunch then," Yang finished.

"We get the idea," Spyro chuckled, "Daemon, Janell you two coming with?"

"Well someone has to keep you all out of trouble," Daemon said, "and I'll tag along as well."

"I'm in," Issac said.

"Sure," Orthino added, "Might as well see how this form does in combat."

"Okay you four can ride on me to pick up Junior then you can switch to Cynder so I take the group of five," Spyro said.

"Are you always this thoughtful," Issac asked.

"Pretty much," Janell said as the four climb up onto Spyro's back.

"You four ready back there," Spyro asked.

"Ready as I'm going to be," Issac said, "Never ridden dragon back before."

"Cynder and I are some of the most stable fliers in DC," Spyro said, "Just hold on and you'll be fine." He and Cynder took off from the park and, thanks to Lao's directions, made it to the courthouse in just under ten minutes.

"Here let me go in," Yang said, "Junior still doesn't know that I am up and about yet."

"You should probably call Blake too," Ruby said, "I'll tell Weiss while your in there."

"O my gosh Blake," Yang said, "How did I forget about Blake. I'll call her as soon as I get back, don't leave with out us."

Yang jumped off of Cynder and rushed inside the stone building that was the courthouse.

"I guess we can go ahead and switch between you two," Orthino suggested.

"Yeah it would make it faster," Ruby said. She then promptly vanished into a cloud of rose petals and appeared on Spyro's back. Spyro and Cynder got close enough for the rest to just walk across to the other. "Oh well that way is boring," Ruby stated. She quickly typed a message into her scroll before leaning into Spyro's neck as she was sitting farthest forward.

"I wonder what is taking her so Long," Lao commented. It took a few seconds for Spyro to get the pun and he shook his head once he did.

"You are terrible," Summer stated.

"It certainly is taking a Long time," Orthino added with a smirk.

"See it's not just me," Lao said.

"There they are," Janell said as Junior walked out with Yang in his arms and an infectious grin on his face.

"I wonder what that is about," Spyro muttered.

"Ha it is a good day to be me," Junior stated as he and Yang climbed up onto Spyro's back.

"And why is that," Lao asked.

"I have your amazing daughter for a wife and we just got word that Ellisa and Barry accepted the adoption proposal," Junior answered.

"We can pick them up after their classes today," Yang said, "Right now I should probably call Blake and let her know I am okay."

"Right," Junior said, "I'll inform Melanie, Miltia and Roman." Junior started typing and Yang sent out a call on their respective scrolls as Spyro and Cynder took off again. This time Issac guided them as he was the most familiar with the Necromorphs.

"Hey Bla... Adam," Yang said, "Why are you answering Blake's scroll?"

"Blake was up all night either pacing the house in worry or crying into Sun's shoulder, or my shoulder" Adam replied, "Sun called me over to help out. They are both sleeping now though Blake is resting uneasily."

"I... I..." Yang stuttered, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"It's fine," Adam said, "I'll tell them you're okay when they wake."

"Thanks," Yang said, "And Adam."

"Yes," Adam asked.

"Did Sun call you over on the first night or second," Yang asked.

"First," Adam answered, "Take care Yang."

"I will," Yang replied but Adam had already closed the call.

"That sounded like it could have gone better," Spyro said.

"I think Adam is angry with me for causing such grief for Blake," Yang said, "I guess he really does care a lot for her."

"Adam and Blake seem to have an almost father daughter relationship," Lao said, "I would be a little angry about someone who would cause either of you to be in that state."

"Okay you all hold on," Spyro said as he saw Cynder circle down towards what must have been the ruins that Yang and crew cleared out. The gaping hole that went all the way to the bottom of the structure was evidence of that. "Wow Yang you survived that," Spyro asked as he looked down into the crater that was large enough for him to land in if he wanted.

"Oh wow," Yang said, "It looks a lot bigger from up here... hey is that Bartholomew and Ivan down there?"

Looking down into the hole Spyro did make out two figures. Bartholomew's hair was unmistakable as was Ivan's Cybran enhancements. "It is," Spyro confirmed, "Looks like Doug is down there as well." Spyro added the last bit after the familiar snake form of their Gravemind Admiral moved to Ivan's side.

"Great I bet they are doing some sort of research," Yang sighed, "Research is so boring."

"What would they be researching," Spyro asked.

"Possibly the marker," Lao said, "if it really does control the Necromorphs knowing how it operates could be a huge advantage."

"Cynder ask Issac if the markers are the source of the signal or just boosters for it," Spyro though to his mate. She replied after a few moments.

"They are just relays," Cynder thought.

"The markers are relays," Spyro said, "Still lets get down there and see what we can find out." they descended slowly so as to not disturb the weakened structure of the ruins.

"I can't believe we are back here so soon," Junior grumbled, "what are going to do with this marker when we find it?" Ruby drew Crescent Rose and looked at him before jerking her head towards Issac who also had his weapon drawn. "So forget the research then," Junior stated.

"I'm actually surprised you are okay with that," Lao said, "Given our line of work."

"This thing's information doesn't need to be brokered if it's been tormenting Yang," Junior said.

"Yeah," Ruby agreed.

"We might learn how to control the Necromorphs from it," Spyro mentioned.

"Let me make this perfectly clear," Summer said, "Even if none of you want to destroy this thing I will." She expertly flipped her ax-pistols, Sol and Luna, for good measure. They landed in the ruins beside Bartholomew who greeted them with a smile.

"Mrs. Long good to see you are feeling better," Bartholomew said, "I knew you would recover. Might I say quite a remarkable change from Ozpin's description of you, though I do see where that gash is healing. Might I ask what brings you here?"

"Roses filling my dreams," Yang said, "Now it's time for a little payback."

"On what might I ask," Ivan queried.

"The marker," Issac said, "A relay for Necromorph brain waves, the object that was relaying the signal from the moon to the Hive-mind."

"I though I detected some abnormal readings from these ruins," Doug said, "It makes sense that I would pick up on the Necromorphs' thoughts as they are a very similar construct to myself. This marker it is an object correct?"

"Yes a twin spire that is intertwining, fairly large too," Issac said, "about five times taller than me."

"Kind of pyramidal and pointy at the top," Daemon asked.

"Yeah that is a good way of looking at it," Issac said, "wait how did you..."

Everyone looked at Daemon who was prodding two points that were sticking about four inches up from the ground. Issac walked over and knelt down next to the points.

"Issac, our enemy," a voice echoed through the ruins, "You can not stop all of us, we will continue, and you will die."

"Yup it's the marker alright," Issac said, "ignore the Brother Moon, we'll deal with it soon enough. The marker must go underground, in fact it would probably have to to stay undetected by the scroll network."
"Then we are going underground after it," Ruby said, "Doug?" Without a word Doug tunneled down into the rock around the marker to begin uncovering it.

"Doug I'll help from up here," Spyro called down to their friend, "watch for the green glowing sections those are weak spots in the rock."

"Appreciated," Doug replied.

"This could take a while," Spyro said, "If you all have some place to be we can get in contact with you once it is excavated."

"Junior and I should probably go to Beacon and meet with Barry and Ellisa," Yang said, "Cynder could you give us a lift?"

"Of course," Cynder said, "hop on."

"I'll stay here," Ruby said, "I want to make sure this thing is destroyed."

"You two go on," Lao said, "we can call you when the marker is more visible."

"Okay see you all later," Yang said as she and Junior got on Cynder and flew out of the ruins.

"May I ask why they are so interested in meeting with my students," Bartholomew asked.

"It's a long story," Spyro said, "but it looks like we've got some time."

Character Eragon

"Gaige I'm sorry to hear about your mother," Eragon said for himself and Saphira.

"Yeah... me too," the young girl replied as she and Ax sat down on the dock next to Eragon. He and Saphira were spending the day at the dock, mostly so Saphira and Shelly could play together. Shelly was an even match for Saphira when they were in the water, on land Shelly was more powerful and Saphira obviously had the skies as her domain. Eragon liked to picture them as equally matched in the water as he and Murtagh were when they sparred, Arya could still best both of them however.

Gaige and Ax had wandered up just a few seconds ago, it had been the first time Eragon had seen the two since they returned so he wanted to extend whatever comfort he could to Gaige and her family for the loss of her mother. Eragon couldn't help but notice that Gaige had a lot more hardware on her now than before though.

"Well at least you have some closure," Eragon said.

"Mom does at least," Gaige replied, "I think I've still got a long way to go before I'm at that point." The maturity that Gaige was demonstrating was a welcome surprise to Eragon compared to her normally brash demeanor. He hated that it took such a tragic event to bring that side of her out though. "I did get to ransack an entire fleet of weapons manufactures though," Gaige added, "That's what Mom was working on before she left, or maybe it is why she left. Either way it is finished now."

"So that is where you got the new equipment," Eragon stated.

"Yeah I've even got a partial Reaper AI that runs most of it," Gaige said, "Ax doesn't approve though."

"Damn right I don't," Ax said, "Those AIs are what the Reapers used to take over people. I don't want to see anything take over you."

"The only taking over that is going to happen is when I take over your bed," Gaige said with a smirk, "So what are you doing out here?"

"Saphira and Shelly are out in the deeper waters sparring or playing or... Making plans, um planning," Eragon said, "Saphira what plans?"

"I will tell you later," Saphira replied.

"What brings you two down here," Eragon asked.

The two looked between each other for a second before Ax spoke. "We need your help setting up something. You can move and interact with things invisibly right?"

"With my magic yes," Eragon said, "But why come to me there are several in DC who could do this, the other riders included."

"True but you are the most intuitive when it comes to... creative problem solving," Gaige added.

"This isn't anything illegal is it," Eragon asked bluntly.

"What, no," Ax exclaimed, "Look we are helping Weiss set up a date with Jayne but he can't know it was set up by her because she wants to propose to him. He has to think it was his idea. We need you to covertly move objects into his path so that he picks up subtle hints about where Weiss want's him to take her."

Eragon looked between the two for a long three minutes before saying, "It's Jayne you could probably just..." Eragon thought about it for a moment before he decided to get completely involved just to see how this train wreck was going to play out. "I want to watch," Saphira said. "Which place is Weiss thinking of?"

"The Dust in the Wind," Gaige said, "Really fancy place up on top of that massive building in the middle of Vale."

"So you want me to help you subliminally get Jayne to think of taking Weiss there," Eragon said, "Does he even own the attire required for this place?"

"Umm now that you mention it," Ax muttered.

"Does he have the money to buy, or even rent, the cloths he will need," Eragon continued, silence followed. "I see, creative problem solving indeed." Eragon thought over the situation for a few minutes before he decided to just tell Jayne about the restaurant and wing it. "Okay I've got a plan, you two will need to get some Lien from Weiss to pull it off though, enough to rent or buy the attire required at The Dust in the Wind, once you have that meet Saphira here at the docks and she can tell you where I am. I will be getting Jayne to think about asking Weiss out."

"Really," Gaige said, "Wow thanks Eragon, we'll go find Weiss and be back soon."

"What have you gotten me involved with this time," Saphira asked.

"You're just going to tell Ax and Gaige where I am when they come back to the docks," Eragon said, "Meanwhile I'll be talking with Jayne."

"Your as old as me but still acting like a hatchling sticking your nose where it doesn't belong," Saphira sighed, "But I will remain here to help."

"Thank you," Eragon replied as he got up to go find Jayne. He reached out with his mind to see who around him could give him a lift. Eragon picked up the minds of Ax, Gaige, Delta, Velvet, Soap, Terrador and Baal all within sprinting distance. He chose to head to Terrador first since flying was Eragon's preferred method of travel. The looks on Ax and Gaige's faces was unforgettable as he speed past them at almost twenty miles an hour, on foot. Eragon reached Terrador without causing to many raised eyebrows or car horn honks, he may have had to jump over a few cars to avoid running into them. He arrived to find Terrador consulting with what looked to be a demolition crew. "Hello Terrador what brings you here?"

"What brings me here," Terrador said, "This fine person right here does." Terrador indicated the woman in a hard hat to his left that was pointing out objects on a set of blueprints. "Regina this is Eragon another of DC's members."

"A pleasure I'm sure," Regina, a strong built woman with short ginger hair and hazel eyes said. "Right now though we have until three to get this building down, the PD has to open the road back up so we can't be late on this." The building in question was a five story, abandoned, apartment complex that looked like it might fall down on it's own given a good push.

"Looks ready to fall," Eragon commented.

"That is why I'm here," Terrador said, "Zora has got me, Blitz, Storm and herself all running around this city helping with construction or demo projects."

"And we are glad to have you four," Regina said, "couldn't get this stuff done in twice the time it takes now without your help."

"Speaking of which," Terrador said, "Is your crew ready?"

"They are," Regina answered.

"Ha, Eragon watch this," Terrador said. He flew into the air and dived into the building forming a earthen shell as he hit it. The building began to collapse in on itself a few moments later as Terrador pushed his way out through the front. "five stories are easy compared with that hundred story monster we did last week."

"You make them all look easy," Regina said, "Great work, we'll send the pay to your account."

"Ah don't worry with it," Terrador said, "I'll let Zora handle all of that. Eragon I must admit it is a bit odd to see you without Saphira, I'll bet she would have liked to see this."

"That she would have," Eragon agreed, "but right now she is helping me help Ax and Gaige who are helping Weiss."

"And you came here to ask me to help you," Terrador assumed.

"Correct," Eragon said, "I need to find Jayne and with Saphira waiting on Ax and Gaige you are the closest flying member of DC around."

"I have been spending a lot of time walking recently," Terrador said, "Hop on, I'll take you to Serenity from there I'm sure you can find out where Jayne is. Though I have to be across vale by five so you will have to secure another ride back."

"It is better than no ride at all," Eragon said as he jumped to Terrador's back. Terrador reared up and vaulted into the sky before angling towards the Mother of Invention. "Malcolm docked in the Invention," Eragon asked.

"He says it is infinitely better than Torgue's ship," Terrador said.

"What is wrong with Torgue's ship," Eragon asked.

"The yelling," Terrador replied causing them both to laugh. As Terrador approached a hangar door opened to allow him in. "Okay here's your stop, Now I've got be across the region in a few hours to meet with Storm and start construction on the first of the expansion projects fueled by the Ark's supply lines. Good luck with whatever you are planning."

"Same to you," Eragon said as he waved to Terrador. Looking around the hangar he caught sight of York and headed over to him.

"Hey Eragon what's up," York asked as he pushed himself out from under the computers that he was working on.

"Looking for Jayne," Eragon replied, "and you?"

"Helping Arie hack proof the Invention's systems," York said, "you're looking for the Serenity then if your looking for Jayne. I can't leave the computer right now but if you go out to the hall and head to your left you'll find hangar three-seven-five on your left, Serenity should be docked there."

"Thanks York," Eragon said as he headed for the door. Eragon turned left and checked the hangar number, he was at hangar four-two. Looking down the hall hangar four-three was a good hundred yards away... it was going to be a long run to hangar three-seven-five. As he ran Eragon ditched the idea of being subtle, he figured that Jayne wasn't smart enough to figure out that he was trying to set Jayne up. In the middle of his thought however he ran right into Main.

"Oof," Eragon grunted as he bounced off of Main.

"You're in a hurry," Main said as he reached down to help Eragon up.

"Sorry," Eragon said, "I was on my way to three-seven-five to find Jayne, I was thinking and I guess I just didn't see you there."

"Right," Main said, "You must have really been thinking hard then, three-seven-five is three hangars back."

"What really," Eragon said, "Oh uh, thanks for stopping me then."

"Out of curiosity why are you looking for Jayne," Main asked.

"Unless you really want to get mixed up with a potentially messy situation you may not want me to answer that," Eragon replied.

"So it is about Weiss," Main remarked, "I thought as much, she has been around a lot lately. Jayne isn't here he is on his way to the Schnee estate to talk with Abrams and Ivy."

"Do you know what he is going to talk about," Eragon asked.

"What they would think about having him as a son-in-law," Main stated.

"I guess he and Weiss think more alike than they know," Eragon said, "Weiss was looking for Jayne so she could propose."

"Ha, I don't think Jayne would ever accept her proposing to him," Main said, "If we take a shuttle we can catch Jayne before he gets to the estate."

"You're working with Jayne aren't you," Eragon said, "Let me guess there is a shuttle inside this hangar?"

"Smart," Main complimented, "Let's go."

"It's like we're always stuck running in circles," Eragon thought.

"Like a wheel we must spin to go forwards," Saphira added, "I'll tell Gaige and Ax about the change in plans."

"Thanks," Eragon said.