Disclaimer: I do not, nor do I claim to, own RWBY or any other media that may be referenced in this fanfiction. All rights go to their respective owners. The only thing I lay any claim to are my OCs.
Waiting for the train to Argus was a slow process. They weren't the only people in the station by far, and they had needed to be there three hours early for whatever reason.
"Are you lovely ladies here for the Argus Express?" a huntsman asks as he and his partner swaggers up to them.
"What's it matter to you?" Weiss asks haughtily.
"We are Dee and Dudley, the Argus Express' very own huntsman. We like to make our rounds before boarding, get to know the passengers we'll be spending the next few days with a little bit," the one on the left says – Dee if his gesturing is correct.
"It makes it a bit easier to escort people through grimm territories if we already have an idea of tensions on board," Dudley adds on.
"As a matter of fact, we are here for the Argus Express, but we're fine. We're just waiting on the boys to get back from their bathroom search and we'll head for the boarding gates," Rosa tells them politely.
"For a little tip, we'll take extra care protecting your train car," Dee tells her.
Maria grunts and hobbles up to him. "I would appreciate it if you didn't flirt with my underage granddaughter," she says as she slams her cane down on his boot. "Not to mention, she is more than capable of protecting herself."
"Look, we're just trying to keep things light-hearted ma'am but all the same I apologise for my partner's actions, he wouldn't have flirted if he took care to notice how young the Miss is. It wasn't our intention to create any tensions," Dudley apologises.
"Hmph," the woman grunts, staring up at him with her bionic eyes.
"Hey, are you bothering them?" Qrow's voice interrupts, Jaune following close behind as Mercury and Oscar lag a bit as Mercury holds Oscar's backpack out of reach.
"Just a misunderstanding, that's all," Dee says quickly.
"He telling the truth girls?" Qrow asks.
"Yes, but he shouldn't have been flirting on the job regardless," Pyrrha points out.
"Part of our job is easing tensions, being approachable. We're-"
"Professional huntsmen," Qrow interrupts, holding out his scroll and showing his own license.
The girls take the chance to pull out their own hunter-in-training licenses out, Jaune doing the same.
"Take it from the guy who's done a lot of different jobs as a hunter, flirting with civilians, or any client, especially those that are easily a decade younger than you isn't a good look," Qrow tells them.
"Yes sir," Dudley gets out and grabs Dee by the arm to go and talk to more passengers.
"Did I miss anything else?" Qrow asks.
"Nope, we're just waiting on Blake," Yang tells him.
A knock on his front door startles Bartholomew Oobleck from his reading. Quickly putting a bookmark in to keep his place, he gets up and walks to the door.
He opens it just as the woman on the other side goes to knock again.
"Glynda? I thought you weren't visiting this week?"
"Qrow sent a message, a request really," she says simply.
"Oh? What does he need?" Bart asks.
"To set up two grave markers next to Summer Rose's."
"No… no no no no… who died? Please tell me it wasn't the students," he begs.
"It wasn't any of our students. Tai and Raven. He said in his message that they were cremated in Mistral, but Ms Xiao Long wished for them to be buried next to Summer. Unfortunately, since it is too difficult to arrange that, a simple grave marker will have to do instead," she explains calmly.
"Poor, poor girl… life has not been kind to her," he mutters.
"Will you come with me to set up the grave markers? I don't… I don't feel I would be in the right emotional state to do it on my own," she tells him.
He studies her face for a moment and nods grimly. He can see the thinly veiled grief, and resolves himself to stand by her. He'd been a few years ahead of team STRQ, but Glynda had been in the same class as them. If his memory was right, their two teams had been close enough friends, so this can't be easy for her.
He still remembers when the news of Summer's death was delivered. She had been a fresh-faced teacher and the news had just… devastated her. Glynda was never the same after that.
"Thank you for boarding the Argus Express. Please take a seat in your cabins and turn your attention to the displays for an address from the on-board professional huntsmen," a mechanical voice chimes over the intercom.
On the screens the figures of Dee and Dudley appear.
"Welcome aboard the Argus Express, I'm Dee and this is Dudley and we'll be your professional huntsmen escorts for the duration of this trip," Dee introduces them.
"The journey to Argus takes two and a half days, so we are expected to arrive at our destination roughly 7pm on Thursday. The forecast is clear, but there has been some unprecedented weather systems in the area the last couple weeks, so I wouldn't be too surprised to see some rain or even snow as we get closer to Argus," Dudley rambles off with ease.
"Now, we're just going to go over some protocols for emergency situations, not that we envision needing to use them. If an emergency does occur, the first thing that you should do is listen to the staff on board, we all have your best interests at heart," Dee says calmingly.
The two ramble on about dangerous weather event protocols and fire emergencies for a few minutes, giving directions on what to do and so forth, before coming to their instructions on grimm attacks.
"In the case of a grimm attack occurring, like all other emergencies the first thing you need to do is to stay as calm as you can and listen to the staff on board. For this journey, there are also other hunters on board and although they are not the official hunters for this journey, should there be a grimm attack, please listen to their instructions. They know what they are doing just as well as we do. In addition to the hunters on board, this train is equipped with shields and turrets to defend against the grimm. Please do not try to engage with a grimm unless you have been properly trained to do so," Dudley informs the passengers.
"Now, on to other matters. The dinner carriage is open for diner between six and nine pm, and cabin service is available until ten pm. Breakfast is from six am until ten am, with cabin service available at the same time, and lunch is available from eleven am until three pm, cabin service also available during those times," Dee announces.
"Tonight, is trivia night in the communal carriage at the front of the train if you wish to join in. Tomorrow night is game night also in the communal carriage. Bring your cabin and compete against the other cabins. Please be considerate of other passengers during these hours as there are a lot of children and young families on board needing lots of rest," Dudley continues.
"And lastly, if you need some help, are worried about something, or just want a chat with your resident professional huntsmen, you can always find one of us roaming the carriages and the other in our cabin in carriage eight. We're here to help," Dee ends off.
"How enlightening," Weiss drawls.
"They do those sorts of things on every commercial long-distance transport. Safety first and all," Blake points out. The two girls are sharing a cabin with Pyrrha. Yang and Rosa are sharing with Maria in the next cabin down from them, and the boys (Qrow, Oscar, Mercury, and Jaune) are sharing a room opposite them. (If asked, there is absolutely no betting happening on how long it will take for Qrow to get annoyed at the boys and their antics.)
"At least they seem capable of doing their job," Pyrrha adds.
Weiss rolls her eyes. "First impressions always stick, and seeing a man in his thirties flirting with a sixteen-year-old is not a good first impression."
"Agreed," Blake and Pyrrha say in unison.
"MERCURY!" Qrow's voice yells from across the hall.
"Pay up," Pyrrha tells the other two.
"I really thought he'd last longer," Weiss mourns as she hands over a few lien, Blake doing the same.
"You underestimate the chaos the boys can create," the half maiden says ominously.
On the edge of Vale lays a graveyard. On its own, not particularly interesting, but the graveyard isn't the reason one Arthur Watts has come here.
Dressed in a heavy plum coat, he follows the sound of shovels sinking into dirt and scraping against stray stones. Soon enough, he finds the person he's looking for.
"There are better ways to find research materials than grave digging," the disgraced Atlesian says out loud.
The other man, shrouded in shadows but the shattered moon above highlighting his pale skin, snaps his fingers and two of the skeletons drop their shovels and grabs Arthur by the arms.
"Are you offering to be one of my subjects then?" he asks.
"Hardly. I'm… quite like you actually," Arthur states.
The other man scoffs. "No, you're not."
"We are both men of science, fascinated with experimenting with the world around us. I just happen to focus more on technology and its applications," Arthur reasons.
The other man jumps down from the marble grave marker where he was sitting, and twirls a knife in his hand. "Then why would a man like you be here in a graveyard?"
"I work for someone who is very interested in your abilities, Mr Acker," Arthur reveals. "She is more than willing to pay for your services with all the subjects you could need, as well as a place in the new world she is creating."
"Is that so? Well, I must admit that my interest has been piqued. Tell me more Mr?"
"Dr Arthur Watts."
"Oh you truly are a man of science. Do tell me more, Doctor."
It's 5pm on the last day of the train trip when the alarm goes off.
The train jolts and in unison nine hunters leap to their feet, grabbing weapons and heading for the roof access.
"Abuela, either stay in the cabin where we'll be able to find you, or head to the front of the train. Stay safe, please," Rosa begs the older woman.
"I'll be fine," she mutters and waves her off. "Just go kick those grimm butts."
"Jaune, Pyrrha, work on getting the people in the back carriages towards the front. Everyone else, up top and focusing on fighting of whatever grimm is up there," Qrow orders.
"On it," Jaune says, sprinting towards the back of the carriage, Pyrrha close behind.
Yang goes through the hatch first, Blake on her heels, followed by Weiss. Qrow goes up next and then Oscar, Rosa bringing up the rear.
Already up top and trying to figure out a plan of attack is Dee and Dudley.
"Oscar, keep your distance, call out formations for us," Rosa requests.
"I can fight too!"
"Fine, just… don't fall off the train," she concedes.
The manticores start advancing further and before either Dee or Dudley can charge at them, Qrow catches up to them. "There's too many to take them on alone. We're going to need to work together. What capabilities does the train itself have?"
"Turrets and shielding are going to be our best bets," Dudley tells him.
"Turn on the shielding, keep the turrets off. It'll only draw their attention to the front of the train. We need to keep them at the back if we can," Qrow orders.
"On it," Dee says, pulling out his scroll.
At that moment, Yang and Rosa fly past them, Weiss and Blake not far behind.
"Weiss, think you can summon?" Yang asks.
"I think manoeuvrability is more important than brute force right now, so… no, not really," she replies, using a glyph to block a manticore's swipe.
A few moments of fighting and exchanging blows with the grimm pass before they all back off.
"That's not normal," Dee points out.
"TUNNEL!" Oscar's voice screams from the front of the train.
"MOVE!" Rosa orders.
Another scream sounds out… this one in extreme pain.
Quickly meeting up in a now empty train carriage, they find Jaune already using his semblance to boost Dudley's aura and heal his shattered elbow.
"So, what's the plan? Oscar asks. "We don't have long in the tunnel."
"We kill the manticores first. Once they're gone, the sphinx will be easier to take down. No one takes any of them on alone," Rosa outlines
Oscar's eyes flash gold. "Actually Ms Calavera, there's one problem with that plan."
"What is it?" Blake asks.
"The Grimm are attracted to the lamp. The manticores and sphinx will only be the first of many and it likely won't be long before more arrive," he explains.
"Wait, what attracts grimm?" Dee demands.
"None of your business," Qrow snaps. "Are you serious Oz? Why didn't you tell us?"
"I-"
"It doesn't matter," Rosa interrupts. "We can't keep the lamp on the train with all the civilians. They've all moved to the front cars, right?"
"Yeah. They've all been moved," Jaune confirms.
"Good. We can cut off the back carriages with some of us and the lamp on it. We'll fight off the grimm and travel on foot from there towards Argus. We can't put the lives of civilians at risk. They didn't sign up for this," Rosa suggests.
"Who goes where though?" Pyrrha asks.
"You, Jaune and Mercury stay with the passengers and the official hunstmen escorts. I want Oscar here too to keep an eye on Abuela," Rosa says diplomatically.
Oscar's eyes flash gold again. "But-"
"No buts, Oscar. I'll take the lamp and it will be perfectly safe. Qrow, Yang, Blake, and Weiss will be with me," she reiterates.
"I can fight. I'm not a little kid anymore!" he protests.
"I know you can, that's not even the question. Just… stay on the train, okay?" she begs him.
With a sigh, he nods and hands over the lamp. She quickly fastens it to her belt as he moves through to the next carriage.
"You two should probably let someone know that there's carriages stuck on the tracks once you get to Argus," Qrow tells Dee and Dudley.
"Are you sure you're capable of taking them on your own?" Dudley asks.
"We've been through worse and come out okay. We can take this," Blake tells them and Jaune and Pyrrha. "You don't need to worry about us, so use that energy to keep the civilians safe."
"Promise you'll meet us in Argus," Mercury demands.
"I promise," Rosa tells him.
In the aftermath of the fight, Jaune, Pyrrha and Mercury go look for Oscar and Maria. The three split up to cover more ground and meet back up an hour later.
"They've just… disappeared…" Jaune says faintly.
"Everyone was moved to the front cars, they have to be here somewhere," Mercury insists. "Maybe they're moving around looking for us too?"
"No, we were up top. We weren't policing the movement between carriages. They… they could have moved to the back of the train?" Pyrrha suggests.
"Why would they do that?" Mercury demands.
"Because Oscar's being the moody little brother who doesn't want to do what he's being told," Jaune realises. "My little sisters were the same. You tell them to do something to try and keep them safe, and they go and do it to spite you."
"That doesn't explain why Abuela would go too," Mercury insists. "She would have told him to stay put, surely. Wouldn't she?"
"If she was any old lady, yes, you'd think so, but this is Maria we're talking about. She's tough as nails and would do the opposite of what she's been told just to prove she can still do it. This is exactly the sort of thing she'd do," Pyrrha points out.
"Rosa is going to kill us for losing them," Jaune moans.
"I don't think she would. I'm sure she'd understand what happened," Pyrrha tries to reason.
"Are we thinking of the same Rosa? She literally pulled us from Grimm Anatomy with Port because of what nearly happened to Weiss. This is the girl we've seen survive an airship explosion, and she killed Tyrian Callows when Qrow was only just managing to match him. She is going to rip into us for losing her brother and grandmother," Jaune rambles.
"Honestly, if I hadn't been here with you, I'd be right alongside her in ripping into you guys," Mercury admits.
"Point. Made," Jaune reiterates.
"Everyone okay?" Qrow calls out as he picks himself up from the snow. "Yang? Rosa? Weiss? Blake?"
"Getting there," Yang groans.
"I'm okay," Blake says as she sits up.
"Still alive!" Maria chimes from the train wreckage, Oscar walking behind her.
"Abuela? OSCAR!" Rosa yells. "What are you doing here? I told you to go to the front of the train and keep an eye on Abuela. Deberías haberte quedado donde estabas seguro. No puedo creer que ignoraste descaradamente lo que te pedí que hicieras así! Y de todas las cosas estúpidas que podrías haber hecho, trajiste a la abuela a esto!" (A/N: You should have stayed where you were safe. I can't believe you blatantly ignored what I asked you to do like that! And of all the stupid things you could have done, you brought grandma to this!)
"No tienes derecho a gritarle, Rosa. Tomo mis propias decisiones, y él tiene la edad suficiente para tomar las suyas," Maria scolds her. (A/N: You have no right to yell at him, Rosa. I make my own decisions, and he is old enough to make his own.)
"Abuela!" Rosa objects.
"Enough!" Maria snaps. "What is done is done, but if you keep spewing negativity, you will only attract more grimm.
"Does that even matter? Apparently we've been attracting grimm since we left Mistral," Blake points out.
"Yeah, what is up with that? I thought we were going to make an informed decision based on all the positives and negatives on whether or not to keep the Relic out in the open?" Yang demands.
"Yeah, I agree, I think it's time we got an explanation," Oscar says, eyes flashing gold briefly.
"I did not lie to you," Ozpin tells them.
"You certainly didn't tell us everything," Weiss says coldly. "Maybe we wouldn't have chosen to bring it with us if we knew it would be attracting grimm."
"Please, this is not the time to-" he tries to placate them.
"No, we're way past that. People have died for that thing. I'm an orphan because my parents fought to keep it out of Salem's hands. We said we would make an informed decision, and you kept information from us. We still could have gone to Atlas, and the Relic would still be safe because I – the only person in the world who can open the Haven Vault – would be a continent away and the vault would still be busied under a pile of rubble to begin with. So I want to know why you are still not telling us everything," Yang interrupts, lilac flames streaming from her eyes.
He sighs. "Yes, the relic attracts the grimm. It is faint, but it is there, I believe it has to do with its origin, but I don't know for sure. I thought that telling you would only cause more stress and anxiety."
"This is exactly the sort of thing we needed to know to take into account for our vote. Instead you just decided for us," Blake points out.
"I'm getting real tired of other people deciding what is best for me," Weiss mutters.
"Is this why you chose to lie to everyone about Lionheart?" Yang pushes.
Ozpin huffs. "I believed the Kingdom of Mistral deserved better than the truth. Leonardo deserved to be known for his lifetime of work for the Kingdom, not for the missteps he made in his final years."
"Those 'missteps' are the reason my parents are DEAD!" Yang yells.
"I'm not saying that what he did was right. It was a reprehensible lapse in judgement, but does that have to negate all of his good? Don't we all have regrets?" Ozpin defends himself. "You never met him, you never knew the man he was before Salem got to him."
Blake grabs Yang's hand and speaks up. "We're supposed to be doing this together. We aren't going to betray you, you can trust us."
"You think Leo was the first?!" he yells. "That he didn't say those exact same words to me. I'm not saying that I have reason to believe that you will betray me, but I need you to understand that my actions and beliefs are backed up by centuries of experience. I have countless reasons for the things I do, the secrets that I keep."
"I know," Rosa says, speaking up for the first time. "Secrets are something that we all keep. I know I'm guilty of it. But we asked for information to make an informed decision, information that we now know you denied us. That makes it very hard to trust you to tell the truth. We're all here despite everything. I know you know my moral code, that you've seen it in Oscar's memory. I purposefully killed someone. I swore that I would protect life, and I have broken that. This cause has killed my parents, Yang's parents. It has pulled Blake away from fighting for faunus rights. It is taking Weiss back to her toxic family. This is the last thing that any of us want to be doing. You may have your reasons, but when you lie to us, withhold the truth, you aren't giving us a lot of reasons to follow you."
"Ms Calavera, I… I understand what you are saying, but please, you have to trust me," he implores, holding out Oscar's hand. "Would you mind giving me the relic?"
"Why does it matter who carries it? You said it can't do anything right now," she points out.
"That's correct, I simply feel that it is my burden to bear the relic," he backtracks.
"Maybe you feel it is yours, but Oscar is in control the most, and he's a kid. He doesn't need to carry that burden," she shoots back.
"I need you to listen to me," he demands moving forwards before freezing, eyes flashing gold rapidly.
"Oz?" Qrow speaks up for the first time.
"Hurry…. He's…. he's trying to… stop you…" Oscar manages to get out.
"Stop her from what?" Yang demands.
"From finding out… what... he's hiding…"
Yang's eyes turn from lilac to red, and the flames mirror them. Oscar collapses into the snow and for a moment Rosa almost goes to help him, before pulling back and placing one hand on the relic protectively.
"Her name… is Jinn. Say it… to summon her," Oscar croaks out before groaning and holding his head in pain.
Behind her goggles, Rosa's eyes go wide. She casts her gaze down to the relic, now glowing faintly more than it was before. She doesn't even think when she takes it off her belt and hold it in her hands. "Jinn," she says, the name rolling around her tongue.
A/N: Welcome back to the Grimm Reaper! Sorry it took a bit longer, my internet decided to be absolute trash this morning and then assignments have been kicking my butt. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and yes, an OC got introduced. Mort Acker. He is the first of four bad guy OCs, that's right, bad guy team is getting beefed up a bit to match the seemingly ever growing cast of protagonists (I severely underestimated how hard it would be incorporating this many characters, but at the same time there's nothing I can really do about it at this point without a bunch of killing off characters). Dee and Dudley are... both better and worse I think, but at least Dee doesn't get himself stupidly killed. And Ozpin's even more annoying since they had the chance to put the relic away and he just had to keep secrets that endangered people. Wow dude. I haven't written out the whole Jinn scene, because I felt that a waste of words, so yeah.
Anyways, let me know your thoughts with a review (I read them all and they either make my day or give me ideas on how I can improve as a writer), or drop me a PM if you want and/or need someone to chat to. Otherwise, I'll see you next week with another chapter.
- RebeccaMagic9