F3: Hello everyone and welcome to chapter 8. We last left off where Star and company are heading off to a mission to handle the water issue. Though what other problems will they come across. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. OC characters are owned by me. With that said Let's Roll Out!
Volume 4-8 Blue: The Rescue.
The group of four began making their way out of the capital as they reached the other large gate that was at the end of the capital. On the other side of the gate were nothing but mountains but thanks to what Sun said they'll be taking a different route so they didn't have to climb over the mountains. With a destination in mind the four walked out of the capital and headed to the left and began walking.
"If we keeping going this way we can get their in about five hours but which still leaves us a little light to spare." Sun said as he put the map away.
"Which means we'll need to make camp somewhere after we handle the water issue and hopefully find Melanie unharmed." Star replied as they continued walking.
"Yeah but I bet there will be grimm along the way so we better be prepared for anything." Mars replied as she made sure her weapons were loaded in case any grimm came in their way.
"Let's set up a formation just to be safe. May you can handle long range attacks so you'll be in the back. Mars I want you to back her up but make sure she has enough room to fire. Star, you and me can handle front attacks but I want you to cover those two if things get dicey." Sun replied.
Star nodded at this "You got it." She said as the four of them pushed on.
The rough terrian made the route rather difficult but it was better for them than climbing over the mountain a task that they aren't well equiped for. May and Mars kept a sharp look out for any grimm that would be in the area in case they were ambushed by any. Fifteen minutes past and so far there was no sign of any grimm yet but it was starting to make them a bit nervous that they haven't seen any grimm in a while.
An hour past and still no sign of any grimm but that was quickly answered when Sun suddenly raised his hand up into a fist signaling them to stop. Using a nearby tree he climbed up it in order to get a better view. He noticed a group of ursas that had trapped a few mountain goats and were currently feasting on them undistrubed.
Sun jumped back down to them to report his findings "Three ursas ahead. And I don't think we can get around them." Sun said.
"Okay then what can we do?" Mars asked.
"How close are they together?" Star questioned.
"Well they're feasting on some goat corpses so they're pretty close together." Sun answered.
Star thought for a moment before coming up with an idea "Okay I think I've got an idea. May I need you in that tree so you can snipe them. Mars you take the left side while Sun takes the right. I'll head up the middle to draw them off guard." Star said.
"You sure? Remember you don't have a lot of aura." Sun said worryingly.
"You got a better idea." Star interjected as Sun tried to come up with another idea but couldn't think of any.
"Okay then. Let's get this done quick and fast so we're not attracting attention." Star said as the four of them took their positions.
May climbed the tree nearby as she made herself comfortable readying her sniper rifle pointing at one of the ursas. Mars stealthily headed left to make sure she wasn't spotted by them as she readied her pistols. Sun carefully flanked right as he prepared his combat staff waiting for the signal that Star will give.
Star hunched down at a bush as she readied her gunbreakers not before checking her aura. It was currently at thirty five percent now. She grunted at the amount but it would have to be enough for now. She breathed in a breathe of fresh air before letting it out as she switched to her weapons gun mode before jumping out of the bush, rolled forward and fired at the grimm.
The bullets she fired hits the grimms hide but it only proceed to annoy the grimm as they were now focused on their new prey not even knowing that they were already surrounded by the others.
The three ursas charged at Star as she readied herself but then she smirked as a loud shot rang out as a purple beam hit the first grimm killing it instantly. Mars emerged from her spot and was behind the second grimm as she unloaded her gun into the back of second grimm getting its attention as the ursa turned around and charged at her.
Sun jumped out from his spot and wasted little time as he full on attacked the third grimm with his staff hitting its skull but that only made it angry as it roared at him. Star then switched back to her striker mode and charged in to help with the one Mars was dealing with as she slammed her weapons into its side knocking it away from her actually hitting the third grimm that Sun had skillfully avoided its claw.
That's when Sun decided to try something as he clapped his hands together activating his semblance which summoned three gold clones of himself as they charged in at one of the grimm but Sun remained still. As the three clones of Sun dealt with the second grimm Mars and Star were handling the other one but it was starting to get a little difficult as the grimm swiped at Mars barely missing her before deciding to pounce at her. Star got in her way as she crossed blocked the attacked but because of the how strong the ursa was she couldn't keep holding it back for long.
May took aim at the grimm that was overpowering Star as she aimed for its head. Taking a breath to relax herself she took aim and pulled the trigger firing another shot which landed a direct hit killing the grimm as it vanished into dust.
The last ursa swatted away one of Sun clones as it disappeared on contact. It made quick work of the another one at it bit down on its head causing the clone to disappear. The third clone jumped up into the air to attack it but it was intercepted by it's large jaw biting down on its mid section killing the last of Suns clones.
Sun seeing this jumped back and got his weapon back out but instead turned it into it's nunchaku mode and began to quickly strike at the grimm with various attacks but everytime Sun swung his nunchakus they also fired dust bullets from the ends.
The grimm getting annoyed its furry prey swung its paw at him but Sun only dodged the attack but Sun ended up being on top of the grimm as he continued to bash into it. The grimm tried to shake him but Sun held on to the grimm. Star and Mars took action seeing the grimm trying to shake off Sun the two girls took the opportunity to attack. The grimm reared up trying to get him off but Mars took advantage of it as she whipped out a hunters daggers before aiming for the back limb slicing it causing the grimm to stumble.
Star charged forward as it underbelly was exposed and delivered a bashing combo knocking the grimm backwards as it was about to land on its back but Sun luckily avoided getting squashed by it and rolled out of the way. The grimm now struggling to get to its feet was at the mercy of the huntresses and huntsmen as Star tapped into her maiden powers as blue flames appeared from her eyes as she slapped a hand to the ground and not long after a large ice spike appeared underneath the grimm killing it instantly.
Star dismissed her power before taking a relieved breath.
"Well that's the last of them. Let's keep going." Star said as May reappeared next to them as the four continued to push on.
=RWBY=
Another three and a half hours past and taking care of any other grimm that came their way the group of four made solid progress as they were now nearing the shoreline of their target destination.
"Huh we've made solid time ladies. We're finally here." Sun reported at they looked on at the shoreline which was almost like a small beach side area for any travelers to rest.
"And just past this we should be coming across that giant pump you talked about right." May said as Sun nodded.
"Yep. Not much further now. Though how about we take a break. Pretty sure your feet must be sore right about now." Sun added as this was true. Walking along the edge of the mountains was still rather rough and not even adding in the grimm that they've fought along the way so a little break wouldn't hurt them very much.
Star placed her weapons down since they were starting to feel heavy on her as she sat down in the sand to relax a little as did Mars and May. Sun sat his pack down as he brought out four bottles of water of them to drink handing one to each of them.
"Make sure it lasts. So don't drink it all okay." He said as he took a drink of his.
Star took a drink of her water but she then drew attention to the compass she had hanging around her neck as she took it off and examined it further.
"What's that you got their?" Sun asked curious about what Star had.
"Apparently its a compass that we found in the dessert when we were traveling here. Probably someone just forgot about it." Mars said but Star had a different theory.
"It wouldn't just be left on a large rock surround by quicksand, but why put it there in the first place?" She questioned wondering more about it.
Star decided to open it as it still had the compass spinning in circles but she couldn't figure out why.
"This thing is making no sense at all." Star said before closing it again as she hung it back around her neck.
"Maybe we can get it fixed when we get back to the capital." Mars added taking a sip of her drink along with May.
A quick ten minute rest came and went as Sun thought it be time to get back on the road again but luckily since their target wasn't so far off they follow the shoreline toward their target.
=RWBY=
Four and half hours earlier Vanessa was still contemplating with the rest of the Vacian council on what to do with the land that they owed but all she was starting to get was a rather splitting headache from it all.
"Jacque can't seriously be thinking for us to give it up that easily. That land was seized fairly. Just because we don't have any projects going doesn't mean we don't have any ideas for it yet." A female doe faunus replied very angry.
"I would have to agree but we have to think this through. Don't forget that harsher part of the season is nearly upon us and we need the water to help our crops grow in time before we have to harvest them. Without this harvest we're not sure if we'll make it through the rest of the year." A male human replied.
"Then what are we to do Miss Tora? We need to think about this logically." The only female human asked.
Vanessa was considering various options right now but nothing seemed to be getting her the answer she wanted. Then she thought back to Jacques call earlier about the property he mentioned. That in itself sounded rather suspicious.
"I think we're missing something that we've failed to ask ourselves. How'd Jacque know about the property that we own? And why would he want it so bad?" She asked the council.
"There is only one way that he would know about it is that Carmine told him herself." She said which made the council confused.
"How is that possible? Jacque is all the way in Atlas." The doe faunus replied.
"Their is only one possible way. The CCT tower here in the capital. She must've gained access to it while their wasn't anyone in the building and simply called him about the situation and probably made a deal with him. Given our current predicament that we need our water for the harvest I wouldn't put it past her to do something like this." Vanessa replied.
"Which makes it more of an objective to find her and deal with her as soon as we can." The chameleon faunus said.
Vanessa then looked toward the chameleon faunus "Let's take care of one thing at a time. First we get the water back on then we handle Carmine. So for now... the best move for us is to keep the property that we have and wait." Vanessa replied.
"Are you sure that's a wise decision?" One of the human females asked.
"Don't worry. I'm sure someone is already handling our water issue as we speak." Vanessa replied which did confuse the rest of the council but only she knew who she was talking about and had a feeling that Star and company were handling the problem now.
=RWBY=
After their small break it would be another twenty minutes of following the shoreline before they would finally reach their destination but what it was something that none of them were expecting as they hid behind the bushes.
In front of them in the large machine that Sun was talking about. It was made out of bronze with a large cylinder with a covered top that is the shape of a half sphere. Their were pumps that would pump the water into another cylinder that from what Star guess would purify the salt water into drinking water. They also noticed a big hose was still in the water but it seemed to not be active as nothing seemed to running.
Unfortunantly that was all they could see so they couldn't tell if anything else was there or not.
"Well... there it is." Sun said.
"Yeah but it doesn't look like it's running." Star added as she began sniffing the air trying to pick up a scent of some kind and luckily she did.
"And there are people their to. Not sure how many though." Star said.
May looked around and for anything that could help as she noticed another tree nearby.
"I'll get a better look." May whispered as she carefully climb the tree to get a better view. Once she was up their she lifted the left side of her beanie letting her prosthetic eye take over to get a full view of the area.
Almost immediately she spotted about ten people in their but only nine of them were bandits and only one prisoner as she saw Melanie Tora in a large cage big enough for her to move around and she was without her prosthetic arm and weapon. Surprisingly though she wasn't injured or anything.
"What do you see?" Mars called out quietly.
"I see nine of them and Melanie. She seems to be okay and doesn't have any injuries but she doesn't have her arm or her weapon on her." May said.
"Can you spot her arm anywhere?" Sun asked as May was already looking for it and the tigers weapon.
It didn't take long to spot her arm "North tent about ten feet away from her position. Though one of them has her weapon." May concluded before coming down from the tree.
"Great. Nine of them versus the four of us. That's not going to go well." Sun said not liking the odds in the enemies favor.
Though Star only smirked at this as she recalled a familiar situation like this before.
"Oh don't worry. This time I got a plan. Huddle up." Star said as she began explaining her plan to the rest of the group.
=RWBY=
Melanie wasn't having much of good time. Not only that she got caught by Carmine's men but now she didn't have her weapon or even her arm for that matter cause they took it away from her and through a thorough search of her person found her tools that she keeps on her to fix her arm. Though she half expected them to hurt her in some way or at least something of that nature but surprisingly they didn't. Instead they gave her enough food and water to make sure she didn't starve.
One of the men came over and placed a tray through the bars of her cage. It was half a steak and a corn on the cob and some of the purify water.
"Their you go. Make sure you eat up." The man said.
"Look why are you even doing this? You know just as much as I do that the capital needs water for the crops. Without the water the people in the capital will starve. Plus why would you even capture me anyway?" Melanie questioned.
The guard only sighed "It's not my call. Carmine told us to. Honestly she was rather reluctant about doing this but to get back what was taken then we had to do it. Now eat up. Don't need you starving." He said before finally walking away.
Melanie was rather confused about what he said. More than likely she was going to used as leverage for something but she didn't know what.
With her good arm she grabbed the tray with the food on it and decided to at least eat something and wait it out. However through her cage she noticed the sky suddenly started to get very cloudy as it covered the sun completely. Then what made things even weirder was that she noticed a snowflake fall from the sky and it suddenly started to snow steadily.
"Hey what is going on here?" A guard said looking up at the sky.
"The forecast didn't call for this today. Something isn't right." Another one said. That was when the snow suddenly started picking up in intensity almost completely causing white out as even the wind picked up.
"What in the world?!" Another one said.
That was when three quick shots rang out taking out of three guards as they fell to the ground.
"Someones shooting at us!" A guard called out but a yellow blur zoomed by and knocked out the guard. The remaining guards pointed their guns at whatever was firing at them but due to the snow they couldn't see their target. Melanie tried to see through the snow but it was too thick to see anything but she could've sworn something zoomed by her cage and attack three more guards knocking them out.
Finally a loud shot rang out knocking out yet another guard.
The final guard was looking around rather vigorously trying to figure out what was attacking them. Though suddenly the snow began to lighten up as the wind died down before it completely vanished from view as the sun was now shining on him but he was also surrounded by Mars, Sun, and Star who were all pointing their weapons at him.
"I'd put that weapon down if I were you or my other friend will shoot it out of your hand." Star said as from a distance May had him in his sites. Star was straining to stand as using her powers in her current state was rough on her.
Seeing himself outnumbered and his men down he placed his weapon on the ground and placed his hands up in surrender.
Sun quickly grabbed the key for Melanie's cage and unlocked it.
"Sun? What are you doing here?" She questioned as she walked out of the cage.
"Oh you know saving you and getting the water back on." Sun said. May quickly rejoined them but still having her weapon trained on the guard.
Melanie approached the guard before noticing something on his belt. She grabbed her handgun from his belt.
"I'll be taking this back thank you." She said before heading toward the nearby tent and grabbed her prosthetic arm and making sure it fit again along with her small tool box.
"Alright here's how this is going to go. You're going to turn on that pump and give the people of the capital their water again and don't try anything funny." Melanie ordered.
The guard simply walked over as ordered before finding the control console as he entered the activation codes. It took only few minutes as he entered the last code and when he did the pump roared to life again. The hose began sucking water from the ocean and the cylinder chambers began filling up with the water before being transfered to the other cylinder for purification and then transfered an underground hose that leads directly into the capital.
"Good the water issue should be handled. Now we have a few questions to ask you." Melanie said.
"First off since we know that you won't tell us where Carmine is then maybe you can tell us what her plan was by cutting off the water supply?" She asked.
The guard was reluctant at first but seeing that he was surrounded he didn't have much of a choice.
"Look. She even knew the risks about shutting this thing down and what it would do. But she did it anyway and she knew that the capital would send huntsmen to try and reactivate it. Though she only had one goal that she had through all of this." The guard said.
"Oh and what kind of goal was that buddy?" Sun said.
"Getting back what was taken from us. Our homes and lives were taken when the Vacian council decided to seize our land and run us out, and we still don't know why." The guard said.
"That's a lie! The Vacian council would never do something like that!" Melanie shouted.
"Well they did. They forced us out like we were garbage." He spat back.
Melanie only growled at his statement "So your saying the Vacian council sent people to force you out of your homes but for what kind of purpose would that even hold." Sun replied.
"Well the only way to figure this out is that we get back to the capital and talk with Melanie's mother about this." Star added.
"Yeah but what do we do about them?" Mars questioned looking at the other men that have been knocked out.
"Well... first we make sure they can't mess with the water supply again and then we simply leave." May said as Melanie headed over to the main console of the system as she started typing on it. Five minutes later she was finished with a satisfied look on her face.
"That should keep anyone from getting into the system anymore. Now how about we get out of here." Melanie said.
Before leaving Star used her weapon to knock the remaining guard out as they decided to leave the camp as they now needed to make the long journey back to the capital.
=RWBY=
Back at the capital the council had finished their debate as they made their decision as Jacque had called back as he was expecting the right answer.
"I assume that you have an answer for me about your property that you have." Jacque said almost expecting the answer.
"Yes we do have an answer for you." Vanessa said before she took a breath as she then spoke.
"The answer is no Jacque. We may not know what to do with it but as long as we have it we'll do as we see fit." Vanessa said.
"I see. Your making a grave mistake for not taking up on my offer." He said before his hologram disappeared as he disconnected from them.
"I want to know what is on that property that is so important to him that he would be willing to give away lien to us. Send someone out their and search around and let me know the moment they've found something." Vanessa replied as she got up from her seat and began to leave the room.
Once she left the room the receptionist quickly came running towards her almost urgently.
"Miss Tora... you need to come and see this." The receptionist said quickly.
"What is it? DId something happen?" Vanessa questioned.
"Yes something has happened. Something good. Follow me." The receptionist said as they both ran out of the capital building.
After heading toward the center of the market they noticed that the fountain that hasn't been active for quite a while is now suddenly flowing with clean, clear water.
"The fountain... has water." Vanessa replied looking right at it.
"That's not all. The wells are also filling up with water. The farmers can finally begin getting water for their harvest." The receptionist said.
Vanessa smirked a little "Looks like those kids came through after all. That's one less issue to deal with." She replied finally glad that this was one issue that was taken care of but their was still two other things to deal with. The first was finding out what's really on that property that was so important to Jacque.
The second was locating Carmine so she could be dealt with and not cause anymore problem.
Though what she didn't know that in an alley way that she was being watched by one of Carmine men as the guy whipped out his scroll dialing Carmines number.
"Yeah ma'am we might have a problem. They got the water going again. How should we proceed?" He asked.
"For now nothing. Head on back and we'll come up with something else." Carmine ordered.
He hung up his scroll and done what was told as he headed toward the entrance of the capital but making sure he wasn't seen. He knew that Carmine wasn't happy about what had happened but he also knew that she always had a plan up her sleeve.
=RWBY=
Hours past as the sun had descended into the horizon and the moon shined its white glow onto the capital. It took some time but Star and company had finally arrived back at the capital even though they were mostly tired and drained from the walk back.
"Man... I could sleep for days after what we did." Sun replied.
"Yeah... I would have to agree with you. That was a tiring walk back." Star said.
"Though at least we're back now right. Let's head back to the hotel and get some sleep for tomorrow. I'm pretty sure we all have some questions that need answered." Mars stated before turning toward Melanie.
"Care to join us Mel? Theirs always room for one more." Mars said.
"I would like too but I actually have a home here in the capital that I'm sure mom is their right now. Let's exchange contacts so we can keep in touch with each other." Melanie suggested.
After exchanging contacts Melanie walked off from the group more than likely heading to the home in the capital as she gave a small wave to them.
"Yeah I better head back home too. Don't want my parents and sister worry about me. Catch you girls later." Sun said as he left the group heading home after the events of today.
"Well what do we do now. Cause I don't know about you but I am starving after today. Though I rather avoid bars thank you." May replied.
"Let's just get back to the hotel then I'll whip up something for us." Mars said as the three came to an agreement and returned to the hotel.
Now back at the hotel and changed into their nightwear provided the three girls were now chatting about what to do next as Mars was also currently cooking in the small kitchen.
"I'm finding rather hard to believe that the Vacian council did this to take those people property and run them out like that. Even the council would need approval from the head of the Vacian council." Star said thinking about what that guard said.
"Yeah me too. They wouldn't just seize someone land just because they could. There has to be a reason for it though." May said thinking the same thing.
"Something seems fishy and I'm not talking about the cooked fish with rice. The Vacian council pretty much runs all of Vacou itself. They make sure everything is in order and the people are provided what they need. Heck Shade Academy is the only real source of order in the kingdom." Mars said as she finishes the meals for everyone bringing them over to the small table.
"But it still bugs me that what could be so important about that piece of land. Probably something that we'll ask Ms. Tora tomorrow." Star said as the three indulged in their dinner before calling it a night as they slept peacefully.
Outside walking the streets was the female chameleon faunus council-women that had just left a bar but she seemed to be in a rather angry mode. Though that was when her scroll rang and her anger was replaced with worry as she looked at who was call. The screen listed an unknown number but for some reason she knew who it was.
"Y-Yes. Can I help you?" She asked nervously.
"I believe you know why I am calling you correct." A gruff voice said behind the scroll.
"It's about the inspection of the property isn't." She said quickly.
"Yes and may I ask why this is happening. This property is key to our operations here you know." The voice said again.
"I understand but you know that you were the ones that took the property and claimed that it was orders by the council." She said again.
"Maybe so but you are just in much involved in this now." The gruff voice said again.
"You forced me to after you took my son hostage." She nearly shouted into the scroll.
"Which has been quite a motivator hasn't it. Now you must figure out a way to delay them from searching this property. Otherwise... your son might accidently find himself in a den of grimm." He threatened.
"No! Please! Anything but that! He's all that I have left!" She shouted almost begging.
"Then figure out a way to stall the search or else things will not turn out well for you or your son. No mistakes." The voice said.
She wanted to rebuttal but the voice already hung up. She hugged herself not knowing what to even do but then she remembered something. Those three girls that Vanessa mentioned that were taking care of the water. They were more than likely staying the capital and their is only one hotel in the capital.
So with a goal in mind she headed to the hotel with haste.
=RWBY=
About thirty minutes later the three girls were all currently asleep sleeping peacefully into the night dreaming without a care in the world. May sleeping sound was curled up into a ball almost cat like but it seemed to help her. Mars was spalled out with part of her blanket covering her bottom while her top half remained opened as she was lightly snoring.
Star was sleeping ever so peacefully with her ears folded and her tail wrapped around her for extra warmth as she slept soundly. Though a slight noise came from the door as the handle began to turn very slowly. The women from before slowly entered the room where the girls were sleeping where a head cover to mask herself but still left the eyes and mouth open to be seen.
In her right hand seems to be like a small rod of some kind as she then grabbed something from her pouch. That something was a small dart but it had some sort of liquid in it. On her belt is what seems like a very large bag that would be enough to hold a person in. She would only have one shot so she had to choose wisely about who to dart.
So who did she decide to dart. She looked toward the fox faunus and she held the rod to her mouth, took aim at the girls leg and blew as hard as she could launching the dart at the girl. The dart hit its mark hitting the fox faunus on the leg as the girl only seemed to flinch at the sudden prick but the liquid had already began its effect on the girl as she was rendered unconscious.
Having to work quickly and not wanting to wake the others she quickly but quietly used the bag and placed the girl inside it. Making sure to secure it she then quietly left the room and down the elevator into the lobby. Once in the main hall she removed her mask and trashed it and casually walked out of the hotel.
"That's the last time I ever challenge you to a drinking contest Vel." Cardin said his face looking a little green as he and Velvet were heading back to the dorms of the academy.
"I just have a higher tolerance than you. Let's get back so we can go to bed." Velvet said though at the corner of her eye she noticed something or more like someone.
It was the chameleon council women with a very large bag loading it onto a horse before herself.
"Hilda Clausell? What is she doing out this late?" Velvet whispered making sure not to be heard.
With a tap the horse was off sprinting toward the front entrance and out of the capital.
"Okay that was weird. What do you think she was doing?" Cardin asked.
"Not sure but it can't be good." Velvet said. She wanted to go see what was up but she was still feeling loopy from the contest she did they decided to return to their dorms and sleep it off till the morning.
The women now identified as Hilda sprinted off with her horse hoping to get the faunus far away from the capital so they would have to come looking for her. Plus in the dessert especially in the hottest part of the day the faunus wouldn't last long in the heat so they would be lucky if they found her alive.
F3: And cut. Looks like things have taken a turn. Who was that mysterious caller and what kind of operations are they running? If you readers are enjoying what I'm doing please make sure to leave a comment and to keep up with updates make sure to follow me as well. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm out.