Hey hey hey y'all! We're back with another chapter! Chapter 8! Only 2 chapters left till the end of this book! Keep checking on my profile for the release date for this book! I am planning to release Book 4 in September. I am still planning on that. Right now, I got a phone interview popping off on Wednesday from Lowes as a part time cashier. Hope I get it. Enough of me talking, let's get into the chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All music, characters, and etc belong to their respective creators!

(-Music: Way to the Base... for Sand Ocean [ Sonic Adventure 2 ]-)

The two teams have made their way to the far side of Doctor Merlot's island, it did not look very appealing to look at. It was all mechanical and there was no remaining life. It was very disheartening to our Huntsmen and Huntresses. When they turned the corner, small pools of a green colored acid were on the ground. The acid makes the air not very enjoyable too.

"Ewwww... this place smells terrible…" Ruby Rose said while covering her nose.

"Ditto Rubes… ugh! This place smells worse than Robotroplis! I don't even want to imagine it if Merlot and Egghead met!" Sonic Takamaki says, agreeing with Ruby's sentiments on the odor of the environment around them.

"What has Merlot done with this part of the island?" Weiss Schnee inquired as she pinched her nose.

"There is nothing even alive here…" Blake Belladonna says forlornly as she sympathizes to whatever deceased creatures that lived on this side of the island.

Yang Xiao Long waves the smell away from her face as she sighs. "I wish I could say something funny about this place, but it's just so gross and sad here."

"We'll take Merlot down for ruining the environment too. Let's keep moving and watch out for the acid pools." Knuckles Kaji states while unsheathing Flamberg and proceeding forward.

"Students, have you found something?" Headmaster Ozpin inquired from their Scrolls.

"We have discovered a refinery Professor! It seems that they're pumping and transporting an acidic compound. If I am correct on my hypothesis, this is where the Mutated Grimm are being produced from. The source." Miles "Tails" Prower answers as he looks at the acid from a safe distance.

"I suspect Merlot is on this island for a reason. He's harvesting this substance, and if Mister Prower is correct, then you'll have to put an end to the refinery." Ozpin says as the teams approach a broken pipe emitting hot steam to block their path.

"Hey Oz, we'll call ya back! We got enemies!" Sonic says as he unsheathes Caliburn to charge at one of the Red Androids that appeared along with 4 Beowolves.

"We should try shutting off that pipeline!" The Schnee Heiress evades a strike from another Red Android and then attacks the machine.

After taking care of the foes, Yang finds the valve and turns to turn off the steam.

"That should do it." She says with a grin on her face.

"Heyyyyy now. I wouldn't do that if I were you." Merlot warned.

"Good. That definitely got his attention. I want you to follow the pipeline. With any luck, it will lead us right to Dr. Merlot." Ozpin says as the two teams progressed on.

"I can hear everything you're saying, you know!"

The two teams blocked out their conversation as they bumped into another obstacle. More broken pipes emitting more hot steam. Then more enemies appeared. Consisted of 3 Mutant Creeps, then 2 Beowolves, and then 2 Red Androids. Then Knuckles turned the valve and the steam ceased thus allowing the group to continue following the pipeline while listening to Ozpin and Merlot's conversation after defeating their opponents.

"It's amazing that you survived the disaster in Mountain Glenn, Merlot. Was it sheer luck or part of your master plan?" Ozpin asks his former colleague.

"Would you believe me if I told you it wasn't my fault?" Merlot inquired.

"I believe that you wouldn't take accountability for your actions."

As they left from the pipeline and followed another one; then they encountered more enemies. 4 Beowolves, and then 2 Red Androids.

"Admittedly, Mountain Glenn is a bit of a sore spot for me. Decades of hard work, countless research projects, not to mention all of the specimens I collected over the years - all lost without a trace."

"Let me get this straight... you're upset that you lost your research?" The slightly befuddled Ozpin inquired.

After the enemies were defeated, the two teams couldn't catch a break as more foes came their way. Composed of 4 Creeps and 2 Mutant Creeps.

"The work done at Merlot Industries was critical in the advancement of artificial intelligence and genetics. Without it, Remnant would still be in the dark ages." Merlot says.

"You've missed the point. An entire city was laid to waste. Countless lives were lost. My only question is how much of the damage were you personally responsible for?!" Ozpin asks Merlot with anger laced in his voice while the two teams turned the valve to cease the steam and made their way to the complex after defeating the second wave of enemies.

"Well how else was I supposed to conduct my research? Our supply of test subjects was running thin." The insane doctor calmly retorts to the infuriated Headmaster.

"And when the Grimm came back, the city's population was driven underground where it was safe. No thanks to Merlot Industries." Ozpin responds back trying to calm himself as their conversation ends when the team RWBY and SSKT make their way to the entrance.

(-Music Ends-)

(-Music: Disquieting Shadow [ Sonic Heroes ]-)

"Let's take a pause for a moment and review what we've learned here." Tails states causing everyone to stop and look at him. "We need to do this before continuing forward."

"Good call, so it seems that Doctor Merlot was the one responsible for how Mountain Glenn looks as it is now." The Shadowcat brings her two cents into the discussion.

"But it seems that the doctor was the head of technology and genetics back when Mountain Glenn was the expansion of Vale before the disaster happened. We've seen what he's been capable of making when it comes to making abominations." The Ultimate Life Form adds on while looking at the pipes near them with faint vapers of the acid appearing.

"What Merlot did had caused Oz to yell at him. Has anyone noticed that?" Sonic inquired. "The guy is usually chill but Merlot did something that ticked him off pretty badly."

"From our first trip to Mount Glenn, Professor Oobleck said that an explosion happened that caused another cavern of subterranean Grimm to emerge. What if that explosion from underground came from Doctor Merlot's underground lab?" Weiss asks, placing her hand on her chin.

"It must've been a powerful explosion that decimated the city and damaged the primary building back at Mountain Glenn. Weiss, you might be onto something, but the answers we seek are inside." Shadow points to the door in front of them where suddenly, 4 Beowolves and 3 Red Androids appeared. "Let's clear out our opponents and get in."

"Let's do this! Go team!" Ruby chimed as she fired an Ice Blast from Crescent Rose.

"You heard the lady boys! Let's wreck some bots and slay some Grimm!" Sonic excitedly says as he slashes at a Beowolf.

(-Music Ends-)

(-Music: Boss: Mephiles [ Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 ]-)

They defeated the first wave of enemies and then the second wave composed of 2 Red Androids which was no easy task since they were made to be quite durable. Then the third wave, composed of 4 Beowolves and 2 Mutant Creeps. They had to be extra careful with the mutated Grimm. The fourth and last wave surprised them. Another of Doctor Merlot's androids appeared. It was the white version of the Red Android but was heavier-set, on their chest sits a red Merlot Industries logo, and they lug around a large minigun capable of grenade and bullet fire. Along with them was 2 Beowolves and 1 Ursa.

"Look out everyone! New enemies have joined in the fight!" Knuckles says leaping on his stomach to evade the bullets.

"Ruby! You ladies can handle the Grimm! Me and the boys will have some fun with the new guy!" The Blue Blur tells Team RWBY.

"Have fun with them boys! Tell us how your playdate went!" Yang jokingly says as she punches the Ursa.

"Sonic! I have- LOOK OUT! GRENADE!" The kitsune Faunus screeched as he ran behind a pipe.

The three Faunus braced themselves as the grenade imploded, knocking Sonic, Shadow, and Knuckles away as their Aura fizzled as they laid there trying to recover from the explosion. Noticing that his teammates were down, Tails gulped before a lightbulb appeared above his head. He snapped his fingers twice as two white mice (Chu² Bomb) appeared out of thin air. The two mice scurried over to the androids, their noses touched the feet of the White Androids, a medium-sized explosion boomed making Team RWBY duck for cover. After the dust settled, all that remained was robot parts.

"Yes! It worked! I forgot that I even had that!" Tails said happily but then he remembered his teammates. "I gotta check on the others!"

(-Music Ends-)

"Don't worry lil buddy. We're alright." Sonic states while scratching his head.

"Those grenades that those androids fired. Those must be Aura Grenades. If you're anywhere near the explosion, it'll knock your Aura out temporarily…" Shadow says as he balls his fists in anger as his eyes glowered slightly.

"Relax Shads.. We've been through worse."

"Guys! Are you okay?! When we finished dealing with the Grimm, we saw you three down on the ground!" The Hooded Huntress said with worry in her voice.

"We're fine Ruby. It seems those white robots have these Aura Grenades that knock out your Aura out temporarily. So when we encounter those machines again, get away from the explosion range as fast as possible." Knuckles says as he turns to the entrance.

"Do you believe things happen for a reason, Oz? I mean, your little prodigies practically washed ashore here on my island!" Merlot's voice caused everyone to look at their Scrolls.

"I'm not sure what you're getting at."

"Maybe they can be of some use to me after all? How serendipitous." The glee in Merlot's voice unnerved them a bit.

"I don't like how Merlot sounded." Yang remarked as she placed her Scroll away.

"Agreed sis." Ruby echoed her older sister's sentiments.

Then the door to Merlot's lair opened, inviting the two teams in to experience what is inside the base. Then Sonic and Ruby looked at each other and nodded as they and their teammates followed them inside as the door closed behind them as the scene faded to black.

[ To be Continued ]