3.29 A Confusing Discovery
While possibly amusing to any invisible beholders Jaune and company tumbled, screamed and clanged their way down the trap door chute. Coming together seemingly out of a combination equal parts luck and determination they ended up in a bit of a tangle.
Making a hideous screeching noise on the wall along with a symphony of grunts and not without a few curses or various obscenities. Team JNPR finally seemed to grind to a collective halt.
Her body bracing with all the physicality she posses Kate had a leg on each side standing open legged while holding desperately onto a greenish black boot.
"Ugh…. You know… I think you all… should go on a diet." She grunted out feeling the burn in semi good humor.
Grateful for the fact that he tied his boots extra tight that Morning Ren issued a light laugh. Keeping a firm grip with his hands… not entirely certain what he was holding onto given his vision was clouded by a full head of red hair.
"MBBRRBGRRLLL!"
"I think he said we should hurry." Pyrrha stated amused keeping both hands gripped tightly on Milo stretched out in its spear form.
Ren might have grunted again indignantly at that.
"You are awfully good at interpreting grunts Partner." Jaune commented very pleased with the fact he wasn't holding onto the pointy end. Left hand straining the weapon while his right hand clutched his pink colored friend, he had to admit it would make for an amusing picture if not for...
"All I know is I am very glad I have thick hair or this would not work at all." She stated looking down and running her finger on the shiny and rather deadly row of spikes they narrowly avoided crashing into.
"MMMBRRR!" Ren repeated.
"I agree we should move… Also… OUCH HURRY AND LET GO OF MY HAIR!" Nora pleaded violently shaking her fists skywards.
"Yes please can we get slightly more organized? That would be great thanks." Kate implored really-really-really feeling the burn in her thighs and back now.
"Jaune if you don't pull me up or do something quickly I am going to pull out my hammer and just start swinging!" Nora threatened/stated looking upwards at him and trying to get her hand higher up.
"Ok ok ok just… not sure how I am going to do this." He admitted not really wanting to just yank upwards as hard as he could.
At least this is Nora not Yang… somehow I bet Yang would already have hit me over this.
"I would normally offer lower my shield down and lift everybody up but… well I can't do that entangled like this." The Spartan said brightly still rather well knotted up.
"Guys! Heavy!" Kate repeated.
"GGRRR AIR!" Ren grunted loudly.
"Ok everybody relax and focus! Work as a team cooperate. We can get outa this! If you can't see what your reaching for listen to those who can." Jaune instructed trying to swing Nora up so he could let go of her hair.
Once everybody seemed to settle down and get to work much more progress was made. Nora eventually was able to grab Jaune's foot and pull herself up to finally relieve Katherine at the top. Despite being in utterly superb shape holding on for as long as she did would have stressed any of the bunch. Especially considering the awkward position and angle.
"Much better." She claimed relieved at the lighter load.
Thus a game of worm took place. With that person on the bottom climbing up their teammates to try and progressively push themselves higher. More beneficial griping points were established and without hair either being used as amount or being used as a blinder. They seemed to make better time. Ideally they would have formed a circle and moved up as one, sadly there just was not enough room to do that. Somebody would have been the odd man out. Hence, the game of worm.
"Oooof… Oh well… my turn." Pyrrha stated looking upwards slightly.
"Though… are we really going to climb all the way up Jaune?" She asked once it was her turn to be the upper brace.
Jaune helped Ren push himself higher up before responding with the best answer he had. "Until I have a better idea I don't see a point in just waiting for a boulder or something else to push us back down. I would prefer to see where we are going again."
Not seeing the point in arguing about it the Spartan gave an equal measure nod and shrug, then focused on doing her job.
Once a pattern seemed to form and familiarity set in the group was able to do more than just climb. They could study their surroundings. Try to find patterns or some other clue as to how to get out of this shaft. Thus far aside from the fact that they could somehow see what they were doing and the fact it was still a purely vertical climb… he didn't have any bright idea's.
…
Scratch that he had one idea. Taking over as the guy on top for the moment he asked.
"Pyrrha do you sense anything magnetic around you? Something that might serve as a switch or lever? Maybe a way to open a way out of here?"
With an energetic smile she seemed to bounce or hop in place briefly.
… Sadly it quickly become something of an adorable pout.
After searching with her semblance for anything she could latch onto… nothing was to be found.
"Nope… Sorry I'm not seeing or uh… feeling anything." The Spartan said with a frown.
Once somebody settled in on his shoulders Jaune took a moment to look down and around studying the terrain.
As Kate was setting her feet again a familiar sound clicked through the shaft.
"Oh I don't like the sound of that…" He stated ominously cringing.
When the side compartment swung outwards towing the 5 Beacon students with it they could only fall again with a surprised yelp….
Though Nora found it in her to shout angrily "Really! Who puts a trap pressure plate on the SIDE of an entrapped tunnel! Who has that kind of time!"
She might even have shaken an angry fist to the sky before the darkness swallowed her figure falling once again down towards the ground.
***Lower in the structure***
Sounds of thudding, near misses, frenzied footwork and the occasional clang of weapon on weapon made a conflict known for a considerable distance beyond the stone walls boxing in the contestants. Hurried breaths and shouts of emotion continued to echo through the rocks and the rooms form. Intense was the word of the hour, neither of the students involved were eager to face their key instructors from their youth. But the choice in this case, was not theirs to make.
"This isn't working!" Ruby called out trying to survive her Uncles deadly combination of sword and scythe attacks.
The most irritating part was by all visual appearances Qrow wasn't even trying. Ruby had tried everything she learned. Parry's, twists, pirouettes, even dust round assisted acceleration not to mention the odd dirty trick. The only reaction she ever earned was the same dead stare which seemed to freeze her heart each time she accidentally made eye contact.
"Qrow! Wake up!" She implored for what must be the 10th time.
"Ruby you have to fight him!" Yang shouted off to the side only to nearly take an elbow shot for her troubles.
"GRR!"
The Brawler was always a better match for her father than the reverse for her younger sister. Tai was a full Huntsman sure but he didn't work to maintain his skills and just in general was regarded as a more average fighter compared to Qrow. As such the theory a few minutes ago was that Ruby could delay Qrow long enough for Yang to finish Tai, then together they could take on the elite Huntsman.
Ducking under Tai's overhead strike Yang struck out with a kick and in rapid succession landed 3 more punches concluding with a swing that sent the older male floating backwards to the ground.
"Finally!" She exclaimed…
Only to have to duck again as the hunter got back to his feet unhurt and already on the offensive.
The following exchange was yet again won by the Brawler. Sadly, while Yang got more than her fair number of hits in Tai was hardly a weakling. He had lost some of his sharpness but not his competence. In nearly every exchange Yang normally came out on top, but she would still take a hit or two for her troubles. These hits however minor they were, are starting to take their toll.
"Something is definitely wrong here! Dad doesn't have Arc-levels of Aura! How-" Cut off by her opponent she was forced to back pedal blocking a spinning multi faceted leg strike. Forcing several blocks before landing and entering into yet another elaborate attack.
They are learning… they are adapting…
"Dad knows I struggle against this style! Whatever this is they are still inside! Maybe even aware!" Yang issued out a warning before being sent to her back missing a block.
"Yang!" Ruby screamed before parrying a strike so hard it sent her screeching backwards heels skidding along the ground.
This has gone on long enough but what can I do! He taught me everything I know! Even every dirty trick what can I possibly... I… I have to do something he didn't teach me.
Ok Uncle…. No Not Uncle Qrow. You aren't Uncle Qrow. You are some jerk called Branwen. I can fight him.
Cocking her rifle Ruby planted a foot and with a push engaged her semblance. Speeding with sonic force Ruby brought Crescent Rose back and circled her uncle. Qrow seemed to follow her, or at least tried too like he was instinctively understanding what his niece had in mind. As if he was aware what she was doing but didn't have a direct counter to it. Even so he tried to turn around and get his weapon into a position to block.
Ruby ended up being too quick.
"YAAAAHHHHH!" Yelling in triumph as she finally managed to land a solid strike.
Jumping backwards to avoid Qrow's retaliation she circled over towards her sister. Tai seemed unaware of Ruby's semblance fueled assault and as such made no attempt to block her.
"Yang!" Ruby shouted out she understood the intent..
"Got It!"
Still moving faster than most could follow Ruby leapt forward and kicked out at nearly the same time Yang went aggressive again forcing Tai back. Ruby landed a solid kick to his back and propelled herself back towards her Uncle while the Brawler used the opening to once again land a crunching multi shot combo. Tai landing motionless on the ground at the near same moment the Reaper went into the next engagement.
Yet again being taken off guard Qrow was unable to effectively block the attack. She got another solid strike in and pivoted to the side going low to his knees. With a head of steam Yang bulled her way towards her uncle driving forward with a hellacious right cross. He seemed fully able to lazily dodge the punch and even seemed prepared to counter attack. Yet Ruby spinning along the ground brought the butt of her weapon against his knee and a fraction of a second later connected with the blade on the torso.
Firing a dust round she spun the battleground to her favor and rushed at him from the opposite flank.
"Best chance we have hit him hard now!" Ruby instructed racing in for another joint assault.
Not needing the go ahead Yang landed a knee strike righting Qrow upwards for another punch…
That… was when Qrow seemed to smirk. An act they never saw him do in their time with him. As such she didn't know what to think.
Until her fist passed through the space his face was… hitting nothing but air. A black bird fluttered behind her and in moments he reappeared with a two handed strike aimed at Yang's back.
"What the!" she exclaimed clearly confused.
"Yang!" Setting her foot down and rushing towards her sibling Ruby got her weapon up to block what should have been an easy strike to intercept.
Unfortunately in the chaos of it all they forgot about Tai. The older man barreled into his eldest daughter in a shoulder tackling her to the ground preparing for an onslaught of sorts.
With a sharp breath the Reaper seemed to realize.
He was never aiming for Yang!
Coming to that realization just a bit too late to correct her weapon angle Qrow flicked his wrist hitting his niece squarely on the back of her head with the flat of his weapon.
Seemingly froze on the spot Ruby struggle for a moment and twitched in obvious pain weapon clanging on the ground. After a moment she dropped to a knee trying to crawl along the floor.
With calculated moments Qrow slowly walked over, footsteps echoing around the room. Then with casual ease, rose his weapon above his head in a two handed grip.
"Uncle Qrow get a hold of yourself!" Yang shouted out trying to fend off Tai above her raining blows left and right.
Getting progressively more desperate the more attacks came thundering down. Punches, elbows, aimed trying to take her out of the contest.
Trying once again to warn her sister of the danger Qrow possessed She shouted out "Ruby! You have to move!"
Only that time Tai finally managed to catch her arm trapping her below him pinned to his knee.
Taking a deep breath Yang just met his gaze imploring "Dad… dad Wake up!"
The mad pink glow of his eyes is all that would answer her. Tai slowly if methodically raised an arm up making a fist.
"Dad!"
Swift as a snake the fist descended.
Once again trying to yank or pry herself free without success. She sternly faced forward again. Closing her eyes bracing for impact.
A sound did indeed echo through the room. She heard a breath, then another breath. Realizing it was her own breath that she heard, she opened her eyes.
Qrow stood over Ruby, but seemed to be struggling at lowering that weapon. Tai on the other hand did punch forward… he just missed. His fist struck the ground to the exact left of the Brawlers cheek.
"Dad?" She tried again somewhat hopeful.
"Ya- Yaaa… AAGGHHH!" In what seemed to start as a welcomed recognition it only turned into a pained shout from both Qrow and Tai.
The event only lasted a handful of seconds, but that pink glow seemed to shine a bit brighter afterwards.
With distressing quickness Qrow had that weapon above his head again, and this time did not hesitate to lower it.
"NO!" A voice shouted.
***Dangling mid air.***
"You know… as much as I like you guys. It is getting tiring to keep meeting this way." Jaune stated with a friendly tone.
Having jammed his knife into the rock with one hand his other was linked tightly to Ren's.
"You know… I can't disagree with that." He added.
Somehow he and Katherine had their legs linked together. Her upside down gripping Pyrrha's arm as securely as she could manage.
"What? 'Sadistically maniacal trap door fun house' isn't your typical get together local?" The Ghost joked.
Nodding and looking down he agreed "Correct…"
Then in hindsight couldn't help but add "Not a bad view though."
"Ren…" Several people declared dangerously.
"What? This… rock is lovely. It has such an amazing curve to it." He objected flatly.
"Its flat Ren…." Pyrrha declared without amusement.
Keeping her arms firmly gripped around the Spartans thigh Nora cheerfully declared "Well… at least my hair isn't being pulled outta my skull this time."
Somewhat used to this by now Nora climbed her way upwards with Pyrrha to follow afterwards. Before long the line was a touch more organized and more comfortable for all participants.
"Hold up fellas… I think I have an idea for getting us out of this situation." Jaune declared a several minutes of silent climbing.
Finding a stable spot to listen to him Nora declared "Finally, I'm learning to hate climbing… what's the plan Jaune?"
With a somewhat silly smile, he gave a look towards his twin.
For once, she found herself unable to guess what he meant.
"Your semblance Katherine. We can use it to move through these walls… caverns whatever you call it." He said simply when it was clear she wasn't sure.
"Oh hey that's a great idea! Let's do it!" Pyrrha asserted to the agreement of Nora and Ren.
Kate just took a deep breath.
Nobody asked about the tactical advantages this might have. It didn't need to be said. Not sticking to carefully planned menus of advancing. The initiative would be taken away from their enemy and for the moment reside with the Team. They could move around unhindered and finally get their bearings in a way that the Fang or their allies could not predict. From that standpoint… it was a magnificent suggestion.
Not wanting to argue about how much she hated depending on her semblance… she could not deny it was the best play they had here by a proverbial landslide.
"Ok… we just need to be careful I've never shrouded so many people at once." She had more of a warning to advertise… unfortunately time disagreed with her presenting them.
A rumbling sound above them cut out any further suggestions. Getting progressively louder and louder the group shared a domino of confused glances at what that was or what to do.
"If I didn't know better that sounds like a…."
"Boulder?" the Twins began and finished.
Alarm shot through them as the rumbling ceased.
"It either stopped or its falling now. We are outa time Kate! Do your thing!" He instructed.
Draw to action they crowded around her clutching whatever they could as she stated "Hold on tight."
Not being shy at all about how much strain their added weight put on her she none the less proudly grunted her way through it and engaged her semblance mere moments before a round rock of prodigious size sped right through them to crash on the spikes below.
"Not a moment too soon." Ren stated looking down before looking at the Raven haired girl.
"Do we need to hurry or help somehow? We gotta be heavy."
Without her typical teasing smile Kate just shook her head clearly focusing "Weight doesn't really work the same way under my semblance. This isn't anything I can't handle, but you don't want to lose contact, I'm still rather horrible at extending it beyond a touch."
Nodding absentmindedly everybody seemed to get a smidge closer.
"Can't see a blasted thing right now how do we know where we are?" Nora admitted via complaint.
"In time that will change… light works differently for us now too. I am used to it but I suspect you all aren't. I could use some help figuring out where we should be heading right now. It's easier to go down than up semblance or not just uh… well yeah not sure." She asked the floor.
Thinking on it briefly the nearby leader declared "Down… We were last ordered to go down. Our goal is to link up with the other team. I doubt we could escape from this place even if we could get back up top. The entire topside is probably abuzz waiting for confirmation that we died or for us to try and climb out of this tunnel too exhausted to fight. Glide us down safely and… well let's just see what we find. One step at a time."
With a deep breath that went unnoticed by the outside world, the Ghost pushed off from the wall and like a piece of falling snow on a glider, made her way majestically down outside the trapped corridors of stone.
Accepting their fate as being on a roller coaster with no rails and witnessing the strangest trip they ever made the team made the occasional gasp or shout in warning as they approached a wall… only to float right on through it.
"I assure you, unless I let it, nothing can touch us in here." Katherine declared confidently.
"I know now why it's called an assassin semblance. This ability to move around unhindered is unparalleled for those with clandestine interests." Ren stated eyes looking every which way.
"What happens if we are in a wall and we lose contact with you?" Pyrrha asked nervously.
"Then your body merges with the wall and you are dead within minutes. The same thing happens if I run out of Aura." Kate stated with a slight grin.
Looking at her best friend she continued with "I have plenty of aura but this method of travel does come with some risk. I can keep this up for a very long time but as I said before, you do not want to let go."
From then on, they were grasping too tightly for it to become a further issue.
***Watching as if in slow motion***
Yang could not swap her gaze off her sister or the weapon descending downwards towards her even if she wanted too. It took her a fair bit of time but after a few heartbeats. She realized that scream… was not her own.
That sounded like…!
In the moments it took for Qrow's weapon to make its dangerous and potentially lethal decent downwards a different type of weapon seemed to appear out of a hole in the middle of nothing.
First a colossal sword of immense proportions made up of brighter colors linked to a semblance portal followed by an armored figure the Brawler had seen a time or two.
With a clang that reverberated throughout the room the newcomer not only deflected the strike but came swinging with both sword and fist forcing the Veteran Huntsmen back.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" the Heiress shouted sprinting in from a side cavern.
Looking more angry than Yang had ever seen her Weiss made a series of catapult like circles propelling herself with tremendous velocity over Ruby towards Qrow.
"Weiss! You made it!" Yang shouted once again straining against her father trying to break free.
The arrival of the Heiress seemed to give pause to the Huntsman. The slow but powerful Knight along with the quick and graceful Heiress made for a formidable pair. Qrow seemed hard pressed to find the time to strike back.
Anger granting her an abundance of speed Weiss rained a score of quick thrusts and slashes all around his guard. When paired with the powerful swings from the summoned Knight that required a concerted effort to block she managed to score several quick hits.
"You… Drunken … Smelly old man! Don't you dare hurt my partner!" She roared out staying on the offensive.
Wow… she's certainly pissed off.
"YANG!" Another voice shouted.
Blocking a wayward elbow Yang retaliated in kind and spared a glance behind her. Blake just arrived on the scene sprinting towards her teammates.
"No go help Weiss! I can handle this one!" She shouted back.
"You seem to be losing right now!" The Cat-Girl retorted.
"Just cause I'm letting him go help Weiss!"
"What about Ruby?!" Blake retorted.
"I hit her harder as kids when we were practicing she will be fine! We gotta subdue Qrow!"
In reply A copy formed and gracefully leapt sideways. With typical Cat like precision Blake landed a foot on the small of Tai's back while raining several weapon strikes down before switching off him away towards her friend in light blue further down the way.
When Tai -predictably- reacted to the strikes Yang did not let the opening pass her by.
Seeing her opportunity she surged forward with a headbutt in a collision that would have been felt by anybody nearby.
This has got to end, this time you are staying down!
Igniting in her golden light Yang punched her way to her feet literally rocking any lose rocks nearby with every contact finally earning enough space to fully stand.
"I don't know where all this Aura comes from but I will run it dry punch by punch if I have too!" She shouted quickly closing the distance.
In reply he just slightly adjusted his stance to be more defensive. Determined to make this the last time they clashed Yang focused with all her mind on beating the person before her.
Across the way Weiss still felt she could move a mountain at the sight of her partner taking that shot and was unwilling to lower the pressure of her assault in the slightest.
Hearing more than seeing the familiar blur of Blake prepping for a fight Weiss made a light jump back charging up a barrage of ice missiles. Hoping the change in tactics would confuse the veteran and leave his back open to attack.
Sadly he wasn't even slightly confused, like he had faced this particular semblance before. With casual ease he flicked his wrist sending a wave of energy slicing towards her and in that same motion ducked under her knights attack before cutting the summoned apparition in two.
"Yeaah!" Blake declare swinging her leg across her body in a roundhouse kick.
Before the attack could be blocked -and it would have been blocked- she shifted to both sides with multiple copies of herself narrowly avoiding another sideways swing from that two handed weapon of his. With a risky dance of daring Blake continued switching around Qrow all the while sending attacks and misdirection at him.
"Stay down already!" Yang yelled out still in her duel with her father from beyond the Cat-Girls actions.
Debating the merits of letting Blake keep up the pressure on Qrow while she assisted Yang, Weiss decided to try and bombard both of them beginning to summon up another torrent of projectiles momentarily loosing track of the battle. With it only coming into focus in the realization that Blake was making a play for Qrow's weapon and it somehow ended pointing right at the Heiress.
"Weiss move!" Blake shouted out a fraction of a second before a large barrel let loose a round.
"Uh!" Weiss fumbled breaking the summoning pose to try and defend herself.
Ruby reentered the battle intercepting the bullet with practiced ease and declared "We need to end this! Tie them up or something! Blake let's try Gambol Shroud!"
"Ruby!" She's ok!
With a rare overly happy smile Weiss nodded and together with her Partner charged in sword in hand.
Unable to think of a combination of red white and black Ruby decided not to shout out something silly and instead took a page out of her uncle's book. Part of what makes him so effective as a Huntsmen is you never can tell what exactly he will attack you with. His weapon switches between scythe and sword with the flick of a wrist and in both cases you can be fired upon by the canon built into the handle. It was something she envied and was never quite able to completely emulate with Crescent Rose.
But now more than ever she was determined if she couldn't out fight her uncle she was going to out think him.
Zooming straight at him with her semblance Qrow squared himself for a straight on attack tossing Blake off him finally catching enough of her to send her skidding out of the fight briefly.
Ruby stopped inches from him and instead aimed downwards. Pulling the trigger she went airborne aiming another volley at him from just outside of his range. Weiss came in from that same angle jabbing forwards.
Unfazed by their tactics Qrow simply switched out of one parry into another he was not overly bothered… until Weiss pulled the same trick. With a glyph bounding her outside of range Weiss let loose a volley of ice missiles.
"We are only going to get one chance at this!" Blake shouted via a warning locking a special round into her weapon.
"Not yet!" Ruby shouted firing her own Ice rounds trying to slow her target down.
Getting hit from 2 distinct angles was more than his one weapon could block. He was still capable of dodging many of them, but a few critical rounds hit home.
"Anytime now!" Yang shouted out still in her match with her father.
When Blake took off circling Qrow and giving a curt nod at her leader Ruby shouted "NOW!"
Progressing simultaneously Ruby fired another round to accelerate down and away.
Blake fired her grapple hook function towards her leader's decent point then began to sprint in the other direction.
Weiss took a distinct pose and jammed her sword into the ground creating a glyph moving with power before one could even blink. Appearing in the dozens semblance powered projectiles sprang up all around her. Behind side and even directly to her front. Setting loose a torrent of firepower designed to hinder her targets.
Ruby caught the other end of Gambol Shroud and shouted "YANG NOW!"
Catching Tai's hand in hers Yang aimed a powerful kick at his knee knocking him into the air losing his balance.
"Air mail!" She shouted out taking hold of his arm and shoulder tossing him towards Qrow. Slowed as he was by the barrage of ice Qrow couldn't avoid him.
The rope carried between Blake and Ruby began to coil around them. They did not just let this happen. Trying to cut or just hold the tie at bay. RWBY however was not to be denied.
"Here pull on this." Ruby commanded appearing next to her sister.
With a chuckle Yang obliged and said "Gladly, I can give it a… Yank!."
Ruby had the decency to ignore the pun… pulling with all she could on the binding.
Blake kept spinning around and around using multiples of herself to speed the process along.
"Now Weiss!" Ruby shouted.
Twisting her sword in the ground and pushing it deeper a pillar of water seemed to spring up around the two adults.
Now to freeze the water!
Removing her weapon from the ground to point at the target and move in small circles the water solidified and in less than a minute contained both targets.
"Yeah we did it!" Ruby exclaimed in celebration letting the rope go giving a jump in the air.
Sending a cocky smile to her sister Yang stated "I always told him he needed too… chill out. Seems I was right."
Groaning the Reaper none the less smiled and walked towards the block of ice. "Not now Yang… I have no idea how we are going to carry them out of here."
Tapping the ice with her finger she said "Looks sturdy enough."
"Took you two long enough by the way." Yang teased moving up towards her partner.
With a scoff Weiss couldn't help but say "Forgive me for not coming prepared with a map. It took awhile to find you both."
Eager to get back to business Blake stated "So… what now? I lost track of the Professor early on the track. I couldn't hear Jaune or his team at all in the fall. We don't know how to get out, or how far down we are in the ground. Frankly I think these two stay here until we do. It would be too dangerous pushing them along the entire way."
With a sigh Ruby couldn't help but agree… she would hate herself if she had to fight them again but she couldn't risk carrying them along. Not that she was willing to give up without really trying to think up a solution.
"Uh… Ruby… Yang… was that bird there a minute ago?" Blake asked pointing at something in the distance.
Sharing a look at her older sibling Ruby spun around thoroughly perplexed… if only for a moment. Resting above the door Qrow and Tai entered from… was another bird.
"Uh… not that I am an expert on birds… but do all Ravens have red eyes?"
Uh oh…
"Uh… wait. Oh no!"
In one fluid motion the bird hopped off its perch grew and elongated until it was no longer that of a bird, but of an adult woman. With so much black hair she could only be Yang's mother and other aspects of her daughter to boot. Raven stood before them, keeping her eyes closed she took a few steps towards her brother.
"Uh.. mom?" Yang tried cautiously.
As if in reply the newcomer drew and swung her weapon before sheathing it again. The ice pillar shattered in a violent explosion sending bits and pieces every which way.
"This is not good!" Weiss stated taking a spare second to reload her dust reserves.
As one Tai and Qrow stood to either flank of the newcomer. In unison opening their eyes to reveal what nobody wanted to be proven true.
"Ok sis… we need a plan b!" Yang stated cocking her weapons.
"Right! Plan B… got it, everybody has to have a backup plan at all times!" Ruby stated doing the same.
Forming up behind the sisters Blake couldn't help but ask "So… what's the plan?"
Observing the pink eyed individuals slowly step forward Ruby honestly stated "Not a clue…"
We can' them given Raven showing up… Yang won't admit it but she's tiring… Weiss just let loose about half of her Aura… I am not exactly fresh and Blake doesn't match up well against either Qrow or Raven 1 v 1… Agh I don't know what to do!
Refusing to let her loved ones be controlled for the rest of their lives A fresh wave of steel found itself in the Reaper. Finding her courage she shook her head.
"Just fight together work as a team and give it all you have! That's the only plan we have right now!" Ruby declared appearing very determined, before leading the charge for the next round of engagements.
***Back to JNPR***
Jaune remained unsure what to think of the predicament they found themselves in. Atlas Intel called this location a mine. It certainly didn't look like a mine at the entry way or any other further point of emphasis throughout. Now to be fair he didn't know for sure that they entered in the 'front door' however much a mine has a front door. None the less he couldn't decide if this was a repurposed mine, a shelter from times past, a research facility or a military base camp.
It could have been any of those locations as they explored under the cover of Kate's Ghost Shroud.
Coming to a fork in the passageway they took the few seconds needed to discuss which way to move. Hearing the sound of somebody approaching Jaune quickly got everybody to hush up with a quick hand motion. Knowing they can't be seen or heard while under the shroud, he still wanted to gain as much Intel as possible.
Following his wishes the group halted their movements to listen in on a group of armed Fang personnel run by them everybody focused in on whatever they could gather.
"What now?!" A large faunus male grumbled jamming a clip into his weapon.
"Not sure, the alarm was sounded and we were told to move to the upper areas." A second answered, a smaller more normal sized female on appearance.
"Think we are under attack?" The first asked casually.
"We might be, we were told to expect opposition moving in on the entry points." A third answered, its neutral voice could have been anything.
"What about the intruders? Did the traps take care of them like the others?" The girl asked pausing at the exit.
The 4th person spoke up after snapping his fingers "That's enough chatter folks. None of that matters get a move on to the upper level."
"But boss we should know if enemy forces could come at us from behind!" The first objected.
The 'Boss' seemed to sigh and repeated "They split up into multiple groups. One of them is assumed dead in the pits, the second should be in our possession soon. The current danger is any new groups finding this location before we can move to our new facility."
"What about the lab." The smaller girl asked pointing directly at Jaune.
"We were next on watch… I don't think there are replacements for it." She concluded
Lab?
"This lab sounds important!" Nora muttered under her breath.
"Enough talking we are already behind schedule. Get moving!" The boss declared then left no chance for further conversation as he look off outwards going up.
Given nothing more to listen in on Ren spoke up "I agree with Nora the lab sounds important. I say check it out. We are right here anyway."
Pyrrha shook her head "We can't be digging through a lab while the rest of us are in danger. We can't afford to waste time."
Nora spoke up again, Jaune didn't hear what she had to say. Too busy trying to deduce what to do. He fully agreed with Pyrrha. Ruby and her team, not to mention his mother were still somewhere in this maze. They could potentially need help.
"Nora… the guy over there just said they expect to have them in their possession. That probably means they are fighting right now! How long can they last without reinforcements? Nobody knows but we don't know what they are fighting. They could be facing the entire bulk of the Fang forces right now at this moment." The Spartan repeated.
Jaune sent a glance at his sister…
Unlike when most times people would see her, she did not have a warm expression nor did she walk with a teasing swagger. All her focus was keeping her semblance active. A glance at a scroll showed she was not in danger of running out of aura. But he knew from firsthand experience constant aura use put an exaggerated drain on the user. The last thing anybody would want is for her focus to fail when they are bypassing something and for the entire team to be trapped in a wall or block of stone.
"Jaune what's the plan?" Pyrrha asked civilly seeing as She Ren and Nora all had spoken their peace.
"We look at the lab."
"But-"
"Pyrrha, you know I respect your opinion. From that conversation we know that 'down' is one way, and 'out' is the other. Beyond that we do not have a map of the layout of this place. We don't know where RWBY is or how to reach them. Blinding running in any direction we can will not help them."
See seemed thoughtful.
"Moreover if we are going to keep depending on Kate and her semblance to move its only going to get more stressful for her. We could go in there, see what we can find, try to find a map, and give her a brief respite all at the same time. Then hopefully have a better idea about what we can expect to find here and what our next move is. Sound fair?" He put forth confidently.
While considering Pyrrha gave a glance to her raven haired friend as if asking her opinion.
Kate put forth a struggled shrug and said "A rest sounds good… nobody wants anything to happen to RWBY, Pyrrha. But if we are going to help them we can't just rush in blindly."
With a deep breath followed by a smile Pyrrha nodded and said "Ok, then I agree but let's hurry!"
Finding their previous grip points Jaune said "Use your semblance to get us through the door… hopefully once on the inside you can drop it for a few minutes."
With a nod and a light jump forward they passed the barrier but found the walkway to the lab to be further than expected. Moving through several sets of security doors to finally come to a reinforced dual locked sliding door.
"A retinal scanner with a finger print reader? This seems like the real deal." Jaune stated with a wistful whistle.
Pyrrha shook her head wide eyed "I admit this could be more important than I figured."
Setting down firmly inside they all detached and moved a step away. A second later she dropped the effect of her semblance bringing everybody back into the physical plane.
"I think I will hit the light…" Ren stated heading off in that direction.
"Ren no! No lights!" Jaune issued successfully getting him to stop.
"Why?" the Gunslinger calmly asked.
"Because I would assume if this room is any level of important somebody is monitoring if anything is powered up. We don't want to let anybody know we are here if at all possible, move using your scroll light."
They nodded and switched their scrolls accordingly.
Getting a good look around the Knight quickly formulated the order of business. A computer terminal was nearby as was a chemical work station. A shutter was nearby blocking who knows what and several walls or stacks of paper containing what could be anybody's guess.
"Ok folks. Nora check that computer but use an external power supply. See what you can find."
She gave a happy salute and moved with gusto towards the computer station.
"Should we check what they were doing with the chemical equipment?" Ren asked curiously.
Jaune shook his head "No I don't much think that will be important. Try to find a map or key we could use to navigate around here.
Before he could put forth his suggestions with the remaining members of his group, Nora broadcast "Jaune! You should see this! It's your least favorite person ever!"
Jaune cocked his head… My least favorite person… who… oh joy…
Moving over as requested he quietly said "You rest. Alright?" Towards his twin.
Not even putting forth her typical mischievous grin Kate responded with a thumps up and found a comfortable spot on the ground to relax a bit.
"I'll see if anybody is heading this way!" Pyrrha put forth moving toward the door to keep watch.
"Good idea." He answered over his shoulder.
Finding a spot next to his excitable teammate Jaune took a look at the offered scroll.
"I can't get sound. That requires a different drive I can't access from here. But I was able to find a transcript nearby. Most of it has been censored but it seemed something of note." She claimed.
From a camera on the computer itself the image slowly came into focus.
"Poor visual quality, that your scroll or their camera?" He asked quietly.
"Both I would say… the video system wasn't designed to be accessed this way after all. I am making a copy of all this by the way." She stated simply.
Nodding again he watched the image of his dad move around the lab talking too… either himself or a another individual off camera.
Following along best he could with both the visual image and the transcript was not easy. Most of the document was blacked out. For what purpose or why he couldn't really discern. But when matched up against the visuals he got a small amount of sense for what was going on.
'Grimm… Evolution… difficult. Catalyst … insufficient. Resisting nucleus… probe.' Were the words working along with the visuals best Jaune could determine.
Grimm evolving? He is trying to force them to evolve or study them and how they evolve? A catalyst? Something to do with scientific change…
'Reaction… fear… working. Need…. greater… presence.'
Another person moved into view. Somebody who was obviously a woman and obviously in extremely good shape. Wearing a red dress tight to her body shielding her left arm from view. The woman had black hair and moved with slow precise steps. Clearly the woman in the dress from before.
"I don't have a transcript for this part." Nora quietly claimed following along.
He nodded in reply continuing to watch. But after a minute or two decided that he had better things to do.
"How much more footage of this is there Nora?" He asked.
With a considering face she guessed "There are at least 50 more entries… unknown length. Safe to say at least several hours worth of content."
Standing up he said "Make a copy of it all, we don't have the time to watch it all here."
From directly behind him his sister said "Notice Dad's arm? It was in a sling and looked… a bit weird. According to that report he should have lost an arm from that incident last year."
Startled to hear her but not at all surprised he didn't notice her close on him he sighed out of habit.
"Yes I did notice it but I don't know what exactly to think about it. Do you have an idea on how old that report was?" He asked looking towards Nora again.
She could only shrug and say "It would be a completely blind guess… they use a measure of recordation I am not familiar with. But… I would say less than a year. There are many reports before that one I just chose it cause I had a transcript for it that matched the video name… Catalyst. Or… at least a partial one but… well you get my point." Adding that last as an afterthought.
"Hey Jaune! Something to see here!" Ren called out barely above a whisper.
Happy to hear from him Jaune moved over still trying to keep noise to a minimum "You found a map?"
Ren waited before his team leader was at arm's length before shaking his head "No… just thought this looked interesting."
Following his outstretched arm Jaune wasn't sure what he was looking at. Judging by first glance it was a cabinet…
Upon closer inspection… it looked like a holding cell.
"Nora said Catalyst just now… at first it didn't mean much but I came back and looked… this could be it." He said.
Feeling a bit odd Jaune couldn't help but look at the word for several heartbeats.
There it was, Catalyst. In plain sight.
Is this really going to be this easy? If it was important enough to make a transcript and then censor most of it inside your own base why put this right here where it's so easy to find? Did they really anticipate this place at being too deeply hidden. To secure that nobody unexpected would find it? I don't get it at all.
Moving his hand forward Jaune ran over the label and hesitated over the latch labeled 'Release.'
"This might be alarmed… if I do this it could make us the center of the hornets' nest very quickly." He said clearly seeking other opinions.
His teammates had gathered around him unbeknownst to him and shared a chain of glances before looking back at him.
Ren was the one who spoke up "Jaune we trust you. Our goal is to find out about Fang operations, at least in part. We have many things on the table right now… but if you feel we need to investigate that… we are behind you."
Followed by a nod and in Nora's case… a thumbs up Jaune smiled shyly.
"Ok… here we go."
Finding the latch again he pushed it down gently until a click made known it was fully down.
Air pressure releases triggered lifting up a large section of the wall…
Oh boy… hope I didn't just make a colossal mistake…
Confusion took hold as after a section of the wall lifted up what appeared to be a stasis chamber spun around to face forwards. Very plainly detailed yet carrying a glass window towards the top. Showing that the chamber was not empty.
"A woman?"
"A person?"
"What is this…" Various team members voiced behind him.
The casket let another hiss of condensed air into the room as it cracked open and lifted up.
"Pyrrha, Nora, Ren be ready to fight… We don't know if this person is friendly or not." Jaune stated as a precaution. Spreading out around the room the three of them pulled out their weapons and made ready to fight if they had too.
For several seconds the Hunters in Training just stood there observing the newcomer… she was breathing… not moving at all but she was breathing. It was difficult to see but she appeared to be in decent shape but somewhat underfed. Plain brown boots and black pants were worn loosely and were generic enough… the biggest feature about her was:
"A white hooded cloak… its similar to what mom wore in the past but… this has a hood." Kate stated studying her closely.
The newcomer shivered slightly… weakly moved her head to the side. Unable to speak… she uttered a tired groan and fell forward.
"Hey watch it, you're ok." Jaune stated striding forward quickly to catch her gently placing her on the ground.
As if becoming aware of the fact she wasn't a prisoner anymore she managed to open her eyes briefly.
"Jaune her eyes!" Kate stated clearly surprised.
"She… Jaune, you know who she looks like!"
Jaune nodded focusing intently on the woman. Very dark red hair, longer than Nora's down to her shoulders. Unkempt for as her stay in the stasis chamber likely was an elongated one. However he was not ignoring or avoiding what his sister mentioned. Just… was unsure what to think.
"Silver… her eyes are silver. It's like… it's like she is an older version of Ruby its eerie how similar they are. I don't… I don't know what to think."
End Part 2
Part 3 will be posted once it is read
