So as far as rescue missions go I'm going to chalk this one up as a loss. To put this in perspective think of it like an ally throwing a grenade and instead of hitting or missing the target zone they fumbled it at their feet killing everyone around them. Also we've nearly reached 600 followers and 500 favorites. Thank you everyone for making it possible to reach this landmark for the story.
Now that that's done we can continue onward as the moon slowly rises behind all this chaos.
"All students are to barricade their doors and windows to prevent access from Grimm that have reached the School. Even if you are armed do not engage the targets and instead seek shelter. We are having Huntsman sweep through the school as I speak. I repeat, stay in your dorms until the all clear has been given." Ozpin said over the intercoms as Oobleck stared out the window wondering what could be done to minimize casualties through the school.
"Why haven't you unlocked the armory? We may not want the less experienced students fighting, but surely arming them is better than leaving them defenseless."
"My plan was to remove the lockdown once Beacon had been fortified and most of the hostiles removed, however it seems that our unwelcomed guest fried some of Beacons systems on their way out. Due to the fail safes in place most of the students seem to be making little headway in opening the armory." Ozpin looked to a video feed of the students trying to bust the sealed door through sheer force.
"Starting to regret reinforcing all of Beacon?"
"I'm regretting not investing more in electronic warfare. The most heavily fortified and defensible position in Vale and a lock is preventing most of our students from taking up arms. Do you think you can blast the door down?"
"I'd wager that I could get through given about 10 minutes and enough dust to help me."
"Then make your way to the armory. If we want to stand a chance we'll need every available fighter armed and ready."
"I'll hurry on my way then, just make sure you stay safe Oz. I don't think this school could survive without you at the head."
"They'd persevere Bart, Huntsman and Huntresses are adaptable if anything. If we can survive this attack we can begin taking steps to retake Vale." Oobleck stepped into the elevator and descended down the tower.
Ozpin looked down at Beacon seeing the students and professors fighting off the hordes of Grimm that seemed hell bent on taking the school. While the front line of combatants clashed with the creatures a few yards back another group caught their breath waiting for the signal to relieve their comrades. A war of attrition with the Grimm never ended well against the Grimm and new combatants suddenly flooding Beacons ranks could be the boon that turns the stalemate back in their favor.
"This really sucks." Ruby said as she poured the pungent liquid over herself immediately regretting the decision.
"Just don't go and start drinking the stuff. It's one of the few things that can still intoxicate us Hunters and I can't have you drunk on the job so early into the night." Dunstan finished as he tossed a bottle above himself and shattered the container with his cane letting it rain down on himself.
"Remind me again why you and my partner have taken to bathing in rotten blood?" Weiss asked as she used one hand to shield her nose from the stench.
"I have yet to meet a beast that could ignore the lure of a blood cocktail. If we're lucky all we'll have to do is run through the grounds to lure them to us." Dunstan recalled as him and team RWBY got ready to charge back into Beacon.
"What are you doing?" Ruby asked looking at her team.
"We're coming to help you take care of whatever is attacking Beacon." Yang answered wondering why her sister suddenly was questioning their help.
"Yang, these aren't Grimm we're dealing with from what it sounds like. Aura might shield us from attacks, but it's no good against things that don't register as a threat like rain, air, or spilt blood." Ruby said trying to get Yang and the team to understand the need to keep others out of combat.
"You expect me to just sit here while you're risking your life."
"You could die," Ruby yelled as her hand clenched into a fist with her nails beginning to dig into the palm, "All of you could die if you went out to fight tonight. If you got infected I would have to kill you before you got the chance to spread the plague."
"Ruby, you wouldn't kill us." Yang reached out only to have her hand swatted away.
"I don't know if I could place you over thousands of lives so that you could live. All of you are like family to me and I don't want to make that decision."
"We're your team Ruby. You can't have us sit back while you fight with your life on the line." Weiss said looking at her leader with concern.
"But unlike you I won't stay dead and my infection won't spiral out of control unless I start doing some really stupid stuff. I won't risk all of you just so I can have more backup."
"You won't have to," Blake interrupted them, "There are sealed suits in the armory that should work as a hazmat suit. That's why you created them isn't it Dunstan? To give people a way to combat the plague without exposure."
"You know that your aura thing is really powerful when utilized properly. Weapons and armor are nearly indestructible until you've sustained significant damage. That and having a barrier around you constantly means you won't die from the first blow in a sneak attack. The more I think about it the more I start realizing just how powerful you all could become. Sure you lack the instincts and reflexes of Hunters, but you gain so much from your soul." Dunstan looked over them thinking just how the Hunt might have turned out with a trained team of Huntsman clearing the streets. They would have eventually fallen, but he wondered just how far they would have gotten before dying to the beasts.
"So you take us to the armory, we suit up, and then we can go kill some beasts." Yang said slamming her fists together.
"Ruby?" Dunstan asked the leader wondering what she would do with her team.
"We can lead you to the armory, but after we drop you off there you can't come back unless you have the suits." Ruby explained hopping her team would listen.
"Well then what are we waiting for let's go." Yang exclaimed as the team left towards the armory forcing Dunstan and Ruby to follow behind.
"Your sister certainly knows how to rally your team." Dunstan remarked as team RWBY seemingly forgot or didn't care for the chain of command if there even was one.
"Yang was always more of a people person, but I have my moments. You should have seen how I was during the great Beacon food fight. Sure we lost Weiss and Yang, however I feel it was a great a moment of triumph for team RWBY."
"I'm sure it was a great campaign. Now we can get to the Hunter's most basic skills since we have prey to hunt. Focus on your 5 senses, let your ears parse the chaotic winds in search of concealed steps, have your nose in search of plagued blood that permeates our preys bodies, and your eyes scanning for figures lurking out of the corner of your eyes."
"Dunstan that's 3."
"You don't need taste to hunt a beast and touch is mostly for feeling the wind direction and claws against your body."
"I'm just saying you clearly mentioned 5 senses and only explained 3 and should we be staying so far away from them?" Ruby asked seeing her team leading a few yards from them.
"Well someone has to play bait to lure out our prey. The scent of blood should give them our general direction, but they'll use their eyes to determine the plan of attack."
"You're using my team as bait." Ruby nearly yelled in anger over how casually Dunstan admitted the plan.
"Ruby do you know what an outsider would see if they looked at our formation?"
"They'd see Yang with Blake and Weiss at her side talking away, while we follow behind."
"They'd see a capable alpha leading the group with her two right hands by her side and in the back of the pack they'd see a little girl and an old man bringing up the rear. Easy prey to grab, giving them plenty of time to escape while the old, weak, and young are left behind."
"Dunstan you are not old, I'm pretty sure that you're in your late twenties."
"No need to remind me. I'm already starting to go past my prime and turn into an old man. I can feel my reflexes getting slower with each passing week. At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if I don't make it to 40."
"I don't know how, but you're starting to make me feel old. At least I know I won't die young." Ruby beamed with joy at the fact.
"One of our many perks. As long as you can look past the horrors from the great sea it is a rather good deal. Maybe I can start advertising immortality for our prospective recruits."
"You'll never find anyone willing to put up with Great Ones. Besides, coming back from the dead isn't all it's cracked up to be. Not to mention having a tougher body means I have a tendency to not die where most would have killed over or passed out from pain." Ruby thought back to the how drawn out her death in the alley had been with her body refusing to give up until either lack of oxygen or blood seemed to take her.
"Now why don't we have some fun?" Dunstan brought his cane up and with a single strike the whip flew towards the darkness until it seemed to go taught. "That's not supposed to happen."
With a yank Dunstan's whip was pulled towards the trees along with him. Planting his feet on the ground the once pristine ground was being dug up in a Dunstan's attempt to hold his ground. Peering into the darkness he saw beast, it was lanky with bloodstained claws. The oddest sight was that it was gripping his weapon with little effort of damage to itself. Pulling back on the weapon he saw the blades beginning to pull back from the beast only for it to redouble its efforts in holding onto the weapon. Ruby's blade shoot forward nailing the beast in the chest forcing it to release the whip.
Yang and the others had stopped moving and they seemed to be torn between jumping in to help or stay back as Ruby had asked them. Blood erupted from the impact as the blade tore itself free from its chest. Turning her back to her team Ruby stood by Dunstan as a barrier keeping the beast from changing targets easily.
"Go get the suits. We can manage one of these beasts easily." Ruby ordered wanting her team to put as much distance between themselves and the monster in front of them.
"We'll be back as quick as possible. Don't go and get yourself killed again." Weiss responded as they ran deeper into Beacon.
"So did you notice anything off about this beast?" Dunstan asked his student as he took another swing at it only for the blade glide over its skin to seemingly no effect.
"Now that's cheating." She remarked as it avoided the next attack by leaping into the tree and vanishing in the branches.
"A more agile body and hooded claws built for climbing. I'm beginning to wonder just how much of this is random variables and how much of this is from the person they infect."
"Well it can't hide up there forever." Ruby took her scythe and slashed the trunk of the tree causing it to topple begin toppling over.
As the tree approached the ground the wolf leaped at Ruby with its claws extended hoping to gouge her. It was surprised to find that its prey had vanished in a flurry of petals and cold steel being pressed against its neck. With lightning reflexes it brought its hand up to remove the blade from its neck just as Ruby fired her rifle. Now with four less fingers and a missing ear the beast tried for the elder of the two. Franticly looking it tried to hurry before the caped hunter had a chance to land. A bullet fell through his collar from above crashing through its chest was the last thing it felt as the reaper descended from above.
"Dunstan where are you?" Ruby yelled out as she felt a tap on her shoulder.
With weapon at the ready she turned around finding no one behind her. As her eyes scanned her surrounding she saw a transparent Dunstan standing perfectly still. From the looks of it he had stopped breathing to minimize his noise and movement. Noticing he had been spotted he began to walk towards Ruby becoming more visible as he moved.
"That's so cool. Can you teach me to become invisible?" Ruby was leaping over the prospect of being able to sneak up on Blake for once,
"If you want to try it out you'll have to get some elixirs for yourself. I barely had any to begin with and I've used far too many tonight. They were meant to knock patients out before operations so don't fall asleep once you take one."
"You ever get that feeling where the hairs on your neck stand up and you feel like something is watching you?"
"Occasionally, though mostly when I encountered greater prey or when the great ones were watching me. Some called it Hunter's instinct others preferred to call it our second sight, the ability to understand your surrounding without the need of your eyes. Some Workshops even designed entire outfits around the concept providing greater protection to the head since they didn't need eye slits. Given time and practice you could probably use it too, though I don't think now is the time for learning." Dunstan motioned to the large plume of smoke rising from Beacon's courtyard likely from the downed transport.
"I'll chalk that up for later then. Some people can do the same with aura, but it takes so much control that it's nearly a dead art. Too much work for too little gain people said." Ruby said as she effortlessly leveled her weapon towards the nearby rooftop and fired at the dark figure that ducked back into cover.
"Good eyes."
"I never knew that they had self-preservation built in." Ruby remarked seeing the beast flee into the darkness.
"They're certainly smarter than the variety I'm used to. It might have been waiting for an opportunity to attack or observing our fight. I'm starting to miss the old days when most of the beasts I came across were mindless killers."
"Think of it as something to help keep you on your toes. Maybe we can find something entertaining among them." Ruby said with a smile as she twirled her scythe before placing it on her back.
"Catch," Dunstan tossed a crimson vial to Ruby who caught the injector with ease, "think of this as a gift for the oncoming night."
"Now let's go hunting." She cheered as both of them continued on in search of the beasts lurking in Beacon's shadows.
"Fire in the hole!" Cardin yelled as he threw the vial of red dust towards the case that was taped to the front of the door.
The resulting explosion spewed fire a good ways back out towards them stopping just short of the students who took shelter around the corner. As the smoke cleared they saw the insurmountable door was still standing tall now adorned with burn marks to accompany the cuts that lined the frame. Nothing seemed to be able to get through despite how much was thrown at the metal. Strikes infused with aura, explosives, hammers, guns, nothing they did garnered any result.
"What in the world is going on here?" Oobleck asked seeing around 60 students huddled by the door.
"We're trying to break down this damn door." Russell responded out of reflex before recognizing who had asked the question.
"Remarkable, I never knew any of you knew how to use dust to craft a breaching charge."
"It's more of a makeshift explosive," Russell paused again realizing he got caught up in the eccentric teachers flow, "what are you doing here Professor."
"Doctor," Oobleck reminded his student, "and I'm here to help cut through that door."
"That thing just refuses to budge. If anything we may have made it tougher to open by slightly warping the frame from all our attempts."
"You all did a fine job in your attempts, now I suggest you step back and advert your eyes. It'd be a waste to blind yourself when you've come this close to your goal." Oobleck began turning the funnel atop his weapon as a focused flame like torch was spewing out of it.
Getting to work he brought his weapon to the door as sparks began to shot off the frame from the intense heat beginning to cut through the metal. The students could begin to feel the heat that the Doctor's weapon was putting off and watched in amazement as he continued to work at the door as the sparks washed against him.
"We need to get into the armory." Yang said as she ran into the room.
"You and everyone else, get in line blondie." One of the students said to brush off Yang.
"Yang you need to calm down. We have Professor Oobleck cutting through the door right now." Cardin intervened, trying to keep the brawler from slowing any progress that was finally being made.
"It's Doctor!" Oobleck yelled before getting back to cutting through the door.
"Fine," Yang leaned against the wall impatiently tapping her fingers against the cold surface, "but as soon as he finishes we are going to storm in grab what we need and leave."
"Fat lot of good that will do you, see those students huddled in the corner?" Cardin motioned to a small group of about 6 students each armed with blank eyes staring off into the ground. "Apparently one of the Grimm they encountered brushed most off all their ranged attacks, would have been fine from the looks of it if it didn't lead them into an ambush."
"Did any of them come back injured or covered in blood?" Blake asked with concern over the worst case scenario.
"Yeah, actually three of them came back with some blood on their arms from when they attacked it. Didn't think Grimm could bleed red until they walked in. covered in the stuff"
"Team talk," Blake walked back to Yang with Weiss leaving Cardin to return to his team, "So what do you think we should do?"
"Are you seriously considering killing our own classmates?" Yang whispered angrily back to Blake.
"We've seen firsthand what happens once someone is infected. Sure the incubation period could be days, weeks or months, but we don't know how it could affect them before they start showing physical changes."
"For all we know they could be a special case like Dunstan and Ruby. They turned out," Yang paused thinking back to the twos behavior over the last several weeks, "kind of fine."
"We don't know the odds of a good infection, but Dunstan mentioned entire cities overrun with the plague so I doubt they're good." Weiss looked back between her team and the group in the corner with worry.
"I'm not saying we kill them, but Ozpin needs to know about this. If we tell Dunstan he'll likely kill them on the spot so he can't know." Blake added seeing Yang calm down slightly.
"What's the plan once the doors are open? If what they said was true then Ember Celica won't do me any good in a fight. At best it could help propel me and some of my attacks."
"I don't know about you, but I'm grabbing Myrtenaster once those door open. This thing may have been useful to some people, but if I can't use it I'd much prefer my weapon." Weiss said as she looked at her side seeing the ancient rapier strapped to her side.
"What about you Blake?"
"I'll keep it on me, but I think I'll stick to Gambol Shroud when we're fighting. Even if the bullets have no effect on the beasts I can still use them to propel it around when using it as a kusarigama." "Yang will grab us three suits while Blake and I get our gear. I just hope Ruby will be okay by the time we get back to her." "Ruby's tougher than she looks, she can handle a couple of overzealous beasts." Yang finished as murmurs began to swell though the room as Oobleck came to the end of his task.
"Students, Beacon academy is under attack from the Grimm. Creatures bent on returning us to the darkness and then snuffing out the light that is Vale. Right now your fellow classmates are fighting back the darkness as best they can, but there's only so much we can do alone. You are allowed to choose what you want during states of emergency, you can run, return home, or hide if you so wish. I beseech all of you to take the stand beside your fellow Huntsmen and Huntresses. To help us defend the kingdom and it's people from the evil that is spilling over our cliffs." Oobleck's voice boomed through the room.
"It's not like I had anything planned this weekend anyway." One of the students joked.
"Rather be fighting then doing that project for Port." Another joined in.
A perfect rectangle was cut into the door and with a solid push from Oobleck it fell inwards. The students cheered at the sight of getting to their weapons and armor. Teams giving each other reassuring nods of confidence to each other now that they could fight back. Everyone began spilling into the armory to grab their gear before heading out to help the others.
"I really hope this doesn't mess with my hair." Yang hoped as she put on the attire.
"I think we have more important matters at the moment Yang." Weiss chided the brawler while checking on her weapon. The familiar weight was a welcomed feeling for Weiss as the chamber revolved through each type of dust.
"Let's hurry we can't let them fighting those thing on their own." Blake and the others ran out the door and headed deeper into Beacon while the others sprinted towards the sound of Grimm at Beacons edge.
Beacon would have felt deserted if it wasn't for the gun fire happening in the background. The occasional explosion in the distance from dust helped remind them that everyone was fighting to save the academy. The moon provided enough light as it had risen over the horizon, but the further they dove into Beacon the more the surrounding building would splotch the surrounding areas in a contrasting darkness. Each step brought them further from the safety and closer to those using the school as a hunting ground.
Soon even the sound of gunfire had become so distant it was only a faint noise they would have had trouble identifying if it wasn't for the battle they knew was raging on. Walking in Beacon's shadow they felt the prying eyes of something following their every move. They all felt the gaze from the hidden enemy. No words were needed to inform each other seeing the sudden tensing of arms as their hands brushed against each weapon.
Nothing could be done unless they wanted to reveal that they knew about the presence, alerting it to their knowledge. Continuing on they began finding a small trail of blood on the ground. The way it suddenly stopped and started was erratic for a wound, but concern for the wounded outweighed their worry. Following the trail they began weaving around the building until the trail converged with what seemed like 4 other very similar ones. Each came from a different alleyway and if they followed one it would probably lead to a complexly different side Beacon.
"Well it's nice to see something different for once." Yang remarked as they recognized the trap before them.
Looking up Blake saw two shadows near the edge of the roof with glowing yellow eyes. Before she could warn everyone another wolf leaped from a nearby window catching Yang off guard. The brawler held the beast off her through strength alone as it snapped at her with its maw. The extra weight the stake drivers provided not helping her as it made the wolf's job all the easier.
Weiss was about to intervene when two of the beasts landed between them and their partner. Each one squaring off with one opponent in an attempt to keep the team separated. With a wave of her hand a glyph appeared behind the beast throwing it towards her. Catching as it flew past she felt her blade pierce its chest. However the beast didn't stagger from the impact and instead brought its claw down forcing Weiss to parry the blow the best she could.
Blake fared much better thanks to her semblance throwing off the beast's attacks and creating opening for her to strike. Each cut drew a splash of blood from it slowly building up on her new attire. She was thankful that she wouldn't have to worry about infection allowing her to fight without restrain and worry. Their fight was interrupted when an explosion tore through the wolf atop Yang. Looking at her partner she saw that the brawler had triggered the stake throwing the beast a few feet into the air with a sizable hole taken out of its side.
Taking the opportunity Blake leaped towards the airborne target catching one of the arms with her attack severing it. Her blade barely passed through its skin slowing her just enough for it to use its arm to grab her by the neck. The fall was short for Blake as the beast slammed her into the ground knocking the wind out of her. Getting ready to unleash a flurry of swipes to tear through Blake it was interrupted by a familiar explosion tearing through the chest.
Blake could see Yang through the gaping hole she just created in the beast. Yang reached out a hand to help pull Blake up only for her to appear next to the brawler at blinding speeds holding back a strike from another of the wolfs. With a quick nod of thanks Yang charged the occupied wolf and fried jab after jab at its head. The strikes so fast and accurate it almost looked like a flicker was slowly cutting up the beast's head. The stake heads were accumulating the familiar red stain quickly with Yang only stopping once the beast had already toppled over dead.
Looking over they saw they saw the shattered remains of Weiss opponent encased in ice. Looking around they couldn't find any other beasts lurking in the shadows or feel the gaze they had begun to recognize. The bodies didn't disintegrate along with the blood that now stained the walls and ground. They were thankful that whatever filter was installed in the attire seemed to be preventing the stench of blood and death from reaching them.
"Come on we have to keep looking for Ruby." Yang said with concern wondering what else could be running through Beacon.
"We'll find her, don't worry." Weiss comforted her knowing their leader wasn't the quietest of people and would eventually do something recognizable.
"You can smell the rotten blood spewing out of it." Dunstan said as they stood in front of the downed passenger liner.
"So we just go in and clean it out?" Ruby asked as she looked at the shattered window they were going to use as an entrance.
"That and find anyone who survived the crash. I doubt that a few mangy beasts did this so there should be something much darker lurking in these halls."
"Cool, find the survivors and bring them out here to safety."
"Check for infection before pulling them out. If you find someone infected make it quick and painless. We can't have them bringing any more of the plague onto the school grounds." Dunstan saw the resolve beginning to waver in Ruby's eyes. "We do this for the greater good Ruby and is a task all Hunters must perform when encountering the plague."
"I know, it's just that they aren't gone yet. They're still themselves."
"It's only a matter of time before their minds are eaten away and all that remains is the beast. I've even met beasts smart enough to play human as an attempt to hide and lure in prey. We can't be sure so it's the only choice we have."
Ruby stared at Dunstan a moment trying to think of something to say only to think about the damage the Atlesian knights caused in the city below when they turned. A beast in a civilian zone or shelter would turn it into a slaughter house. Knowing the possibilities she turned to the vessel knowing what had to be done to keep Beacon safe.
Stepping through the window Ruby saw the blood filled room illuminated by the moonlight that was pouring in. several months ago she would have fallen to her knees overwhelmed by the sight, but now all she felt was sadness over the lives that could have been saved. Looking around she saw three halls going deeper into the ship each shrouded in complete darkness due to a lack of power.
"You might want this," Dunstan handed her a small lantern as he attached another one to his belt before lighting it.
"Thanks, now let's get started." Ruby lit her lantern and began making her way through the derelict vessel in search of hope and horrors.
One more chapter then we can leave of Beacon and start going through the city. Clear out the derelict ship then talk to Ozpin for the mission plan on how to salvage what's left of Vale and its remaining occupants. There are still a few people out in the city that could prove an interest to the group. Hell we haven't even seen a few characters that would be more than happy to provide assistance with some missions or provide one or two. This wouldn't be Bloodborne without an incredibly difficult multipart questline that unlocks something amazing at the end.