Chapter 66
"So then, what's the best way up?" Ruby asked, gazing across the Mantle skyline to the floating city high above them. "We can't fly because we'll be seen. Cinder may have managed but we probably won't."
"What about those tubes?" Ilia pointed to the base of the flying island, where several massive cables or tubes connected Atlas to Mantle.
"Those are shipping tubes." Penny answered. "They transport supplies between them. The most notable is SnowShoe Shipping, a small company owned by the SDC that transports Dust from the crater to various places in Atlas."
"Think one will lead to the base?" Nora wondered.
"The military and Academy purchase large quantities directly from the SDC, so it's likely." Penny replied, her voice was uneasy, however.
Ruby turned to face her friend and saw the almost defeated look on her face. What can I do? She wondered. Whatever I can. The answer was obvious, so she sucked in her anxiety and pushed forward. Ruby walked up to Penny and reached over, grasping the other girl's hands and pulling them up between them.
"Penny." Ruby said, firm as she smiled. It was only slightly forced. "I know there's a lot of pressure on you right now, but don't worry. We're here. If you can't handle it, then let us. Let me. I'll take it all. All your worries, all your fears and all your responsibilities. If you can't handle them, then let me." Penny looked deep into her eyes and nodded once.
Ruby grinned. "Though if you really want we could go to the academy instead. Drop by our old rooms and pick up a few things we left behind." Ruby wiggled her eyebrows, like she remembered Yang doing sometimes.
Penny's eyes widened slightly, before she let out a laugh. It sounded like music compared to the dullness of how she spoke before. "Want to be matching again huh?" She giggled. "Maybe… once this is over…"
"It's a promise." Ruby smiled as the tension dissipated. It wasn't gone, but it had faded. At least until… Beep. Beep. Beep. A ringtone. They looked around at each other. Whose was it?
It was Penny's. Her scroll called out loudly. She retrieved it and winced at the ID. "It's the General…" Penny thought for a moment before finally accepting the call.
"Penny. Good. I know things haven't gone how we wanted, but you have to see I am just trying to save who we can! I'm willing to make a deal. Get me the Staff and I'll leave with Atlas. You all can stay and defend Mantle as you wish. Please, Penny, help me save lives."
Penny swallowed. "That's not much of a deal…"
"It's the one you get." Ironwood sounded like he was shrugging. Like it was non-negotiable. This was the only offer he'd give them.
"We won't let you sacrifice Mantle." Ruby snarled, stepping around to stand beside Penny.
"Ruby. This is so much more important than Mantle! Why can't you see that?"
"Because, General, it isn't. Mantle, Atlas… they're equally important. Just as important as the world. You don't value anything as much as you do Atlas. Until that changes, we can't work with you anymore." Ruby was firm and confident as she spoke. Nora, Ilia and Penny all smiled slightly at her words.
"Atlas is-" He was cut off as Penny ended the call. She let out a slightly shuddering breath before nodding to Ruby.
It was time to move.
"We're sure about this?" Cardin asked, giving each of his friends and teammates a stern look. "This is our last chance to turn back. They'll know it's us from here on out. We won't be able to return. So, you guys sure?"
"Yep." Russel said.
"Of course." Sky answered.
"Mhm." Dove nodded.
"Alright then." Cardin smiled and rolled his shoulders to release the tension a little. "Let's do this." He said as he brought up his mace.
The metal door crumpled under his might as he bashed his way in. The room beyond was filled with weapons. It was an armoury after all. Russel and Dove rushed in and grabbed as much as they could while Sky and Cardin kept watch. Soldiers would be here soon.
"Pick up the pace boys!" Cardin growled as a pair of soldiers turned the corner. The Executioner slammed into the floor as Cardin unleashed a pulsing wave of fire to throw them back.
"We're done!" Russel said as the pair exited, carrying small crates filled with ammo and small arms.
"Then let's go! Sky, take the lead!" Cardin ordered.
The team rushed down the corridor, gunfire raining on them from behind. Cardin's bulky frame kept them from hitting the volatile mix in the middle of their group, however. Their race soon brought them to a hanger bay. The doors opened easily for them, but once they passed through Cardin brought his mace down and broke the panel controlling them.
He turned, dropped his weapon and used his brute strength to force the two halves of the door together. Cardin then twisted the metal, locking them together. He panted. The exertion had taken a lot out of him, but it bought them the time they needed.
The others had rushed into a Manta they had been preparing. It was filled with ammo, rifles, pistols, food and water. The food was mostly rations, so it wouldn't taste great. But they'd need it.
Dove and Sky jumped into the front and turned the ship on. Once they were all inside the Manta lifted off and flew out the open hanger moments before the door was cut open. They were free.
The sky was filled with Atlesian vessel's, but they would be fine for a while. Enough time to escape. Dove pushed on the stick and sent the Manta flying downwards. Towards the crater.
"Well boys," Cardin announced. "We did it. We've successfully left the military and become fugitives." They let out a cheer. "Now then, let's do our jobs and save some lives. Russ, you said the 'Happy Huntresses' are in charge right?"
"Yeah." Russel nodded as he slumped back in his seat.
"Alright. Well, I'm sure they'll be happy to accept our gifts." Cardin let out a bellowing laugh. "Have to say, I wish you'd said earlier that you were so good at fooling security Dove. Or that you could pilot so well."
"I learned a lot from my mom." Dove said with a shrug. "Some crazy school in Vale used to teach a lot of this stuff. She never did say why. Sorry I couldn't keep fooling them though. If we'd managed to get more…"
"Nah don't worry about it. All of this is honestly a bonus." Cardin waved it off. "We'd come down to help anyway."
"You're right about that." Sky smiled as he gazed out the window. "Damn. I know it's filled with horrible Grimm and all but that sky is beautiful…"
"You can say that again." Dove joked.
"Damn. I know it's filled with-" Sky started, stopping with a laugh when Cardin bonked his head.
"Alright. We're almost there so take this time to rest boys. We'll be too busy soon enough." Cardin gave his order and then followed it himself. He found it odd to consider but… It felt good to be risking their lives just on the off chance they could save a few innocents.
This… this is what makes us Huntsmen!
"You're sure this is fine?" Ruby asked as May Merigold, a member of the Happy Huntresses, led them into the SnowShoe Shipping transport station.
"Yup. You guys are getting us help, and your friends can easily cover what I could do on my own. Besides, with my Semblance, you'll be far more successful than just you guys."
"Fair enough." Ruby replied with a shrug and followed May in.
SnowShoe Shipping was surprisingly spartan compared to what Ruby expected of a subsidiary of the SDC. It did use Atlesian Knights, who seemed modified for lifting boxes around, but other than that it was purely functional. It didn't seem like an SDC aligned building at all.
They split up to look through the various terminals, searching for the military base. It took a bit and Penny spent some time gazing at the Atlas Academy one but they did find it. Ruby bit her lower lip in worry as she looked at the large pneumatic tube.
"I know dad sent Zwei in tiny containers and all… but is this safe?" She asked, turning to Penny.
"For a normal person, it would likely be highly unsettling and possibly induce motion sickness. However, due to our strong Aura's as Huntresses, we should be fine."
"Riiight…" Ruby sighed. "Welp. Here goes." She hopped in and tried to settle into a nice, safe spot when-
Whoosh
The loud noise shocked her as she was sucked up the tube, her shriek of surprise echoing all around her. Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!
Tssshhhhh
Ruby coughed loudly as she struck the cold floor. "Ssaaaaaaaaffeeeee…" She whined out and crawled away from the open tube. Ruby breathed heavily, sucking in deep breaths as she sought control over her shaking body. "I never want to do that again…"
"Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!" Another voice screamed as a body flew out. Ilia let out a cry of joy at the non-moving floor before she heaved and almost let her breakfast come back out.
May was next and she seemed more in control, though she still shook as she stumbled out. Penny came after and, likely because her body wasn't biological, was perfectly fine. Nora was last, letting out great whoops of joy all the way up.
"Whhhhyyyyyyy…" Ruby moaned out.
"That was fun!" Nora cackled.
"That was horrific…" Ilia managed before heaving again.
"Nora… you sent me… didn't you?" Ruby groaned as she asked.
"Yep! Hehehehehe. That was a lot of fun." Nora grinned.
Ruby let out a frustrated sigh before standing up again on shaky legs. "Let's… let's just get moving…"
"Ha!" Jaune shouted as he threw his newest tool: The Disc Shield. The small round object flew like a frisbee or discus to land on the ground. A shimmering blue Hard-Light shield appeared, blocking a pair of Sabyr's from rushing into the crowd behind him. Ren leapt over the shield and cut them down with ease, putting an end to the fight.
"Nice job Ren." Jaune complimented him as the Gravity Dust in his shields reacted to each other, pulling the disc back to him.
"Mm. You too." Ren nodded back. He still seemed frustrated, or annoyed perhaps. Jaune could relate, but they had work to do. Lives to save.
Fiona's voice soon came over their scrolls with new orders. "Hey, guys! I've got Johanna coming to guide those civilians. I need you to head off a pack of Sabyr's in Sector Eight. They're coming in fast and we can't let them join up with those in Sector Nine. It's been absolutely filled recently."
"Got it. We're on our way." Jaune replied quickly. "Wonder why Nine is so full though…"
"No idea. It was almost entirely evacuated last night and we finished it this morning. Nobody should be there… at least not enough to warrant a group this large. I've got a new team on it though. I just need you guys to keep working."
"On it. Thanks." Jaune turned and nodded to his team, feeling only a faint pain at seeing Oscar instead of Nora. Not to say he's bad or anything… he's just not JNPR… He shook it off and hopped back on the hoverbike Pietro had built. "Someone else is coming to guide you guys! You'll be fine, so don't worry!" He called out with a smile.
The team was off a moment later, with Oscar riding with Ren due to them only having three bikes.
As they passed into Sector Eight Jaune noted how quiet it seemed. For a city being invaded by Grimm, things got awfully silent when the people were gone. He'd half expected Grimm tearing through buildings and howling as they searched, but there was none of it. There was only the quiet that pressed in on them.
Jaune let out a sigh. "Hey… how long have we been at this again?"
"About three hours." Pyrrha replied.
"Right… damn it feels like it's been longer than that."
"We've been fighting a lot." Ren said with a shrug. "We're bound to be tiring, even if only slightly."
"Good thing we have these bikes!" Oscar called out. "Imagine having to run through the city."
Jaune shuddered. That would have been horrible! I hope the others are alright. They had to walk to wherever they had to go. Hm… It felt worrying that they hadn't heard how Ruby and her team planned to get up to Atlas. Of course, that planning likely happened after they split up, but…
Damn it. This whole thing is such a mess. We aren't communicating properly. Jaune scowled as a sense of dread welled up from within him. Hey! Oi! Me! Get it together! They'll be okay damn it! It's Ruby! She's got Penny and Nora and Ilia! They'll be okay. I know it.
He let out a sigh of relief.
But that sense of dread hadn't faded.
Hm?
"Awwwoooooooooo!" A loud, long howl pierced the air and their ears. And then it faded. And it was silent. Pure silence. Pressing in on them.
"Guys! We got a problem!" Fiona's voice shattered the unnatural quiet.
"What is it?" Jaune asked, his voice cracking slightly.
"Sector Nine is clearing out! A horde of Sabyr's, Beowolves, Ursa and more are on the move and they're heading for you! We're sending help but you gotta be ready!"
"Shit! Okay, thanks we'll-"
Jaune was cut off by a chorus of howls. Grimm. An army of them. A horde. They were streaming towards them. They'd turn the corner any minute now. Jaune's blood went cold. He hopped off his bike, followed by the others, and prepared. He gulped.
"This is bad…"
"Was it that howl from before?" Pyrrha asked.
"Seems like it." Ren replied.
Oscar shook his head. "What kind of Grimm could do something like tha-'' He was cut off as a mass of black dropped into the middle of their group and lashed out. Thick, meaty arms slammed into all of them, throwing them away. It gave Jaune a chance to see what hit them though.
It was a massive Beowolf. No… no, not quite. If a Beowolf was a Grimm wolf, this was a Grimm dog of some kind. It was large and powerful, and it was charging for Oscar. Jaune leapt to his feet, but stalled for just a second.
The horde had arrived at the head of the street, tearing through lampposts and churning the road into rubble. It was still some distance from them, but soon enough the team would be surrounded.
Pyrrha rushed past him, throwing her magic down the street as fire, wind, lightning and ice. She was the single strongest member here, so she could probably hold off the horde by herself. At least long enough for them to help Oscar.
But that moment of hesitation had cost them all. While Jaune had stalled, the new dog-Grimm had reached Oscar and slammed its front paws into him. The ground cracked under the beast's raw strength.
Ren opened fire, but both SMG and hand cannon rounds failed to penetrate its tough hide. Wait… no it looks like its hide is… so rubbery that the bullets just sink in and lose momentum? Jaune wasn't sure if that was accurate or not, but it was strange. He had to disregard that, however, for it now had Oscar in its jaw and was thrashing about.
Oscar's screams would haunt them all, no matter what happened next.
Jaune rushed forward as a hail of gunfire from Ren covered him. Crocea Mors lashed out and slashed into the monster's hide. There was an ever so small cut, but it practically reformed before his eyes. What… is this thing!? Jaune's eyes widened in horror a second before its hind leg kicked him.
It was like being kicked by a horse. If his armour wasn't as strong as it was, and his Aura wasn't so strong or large, he'd probably be living with a dent in it. Or broken… everything. As it was he went flying backwards into Ren, sending them both to the floor. In that short time where they were incapacitated, the beast slammed Oscar to the ground, knocking him unconscious and breaking his Aura.
And then it shifted.
That was the only way Jaune could think to describe it. Its hide, its flesh, was shifting, moving, like it had a mind of its own. It was like a liquid. The creature was changing shape before their very eyes. A pair of massive bat-like wings broke free from its back, its body shifting into a slightly leaner build.
"Let him go!" Ren shouted, jumping to his feet. He made to fire Stormflower, but the Grimm before them made a baffling choice.
It held up Oscar like a human shield.
And then its throat bulged.
And then it spoke.
"No." It was a deep and rumbling thing that shattered their entire worldview. A Grimm that could talk. That could shapeshift. That was truly intelligent! It hadn't just learned something from repetition like an animal, it had acted strategically.
And then it put Oscar in its jaws and flew off.
Jaune and Ren were too stunned to move for several, painstaking seconds. When they finally could, they looked at each other and raced for their bikes.
"Pyrrha! We need to go!" Jaune screamed.
The girl looked back, saw them and the Grimm flying away with Oscar and nodded. With a wave she threw up a wall of wind and then pushed it back, taking the horde with it. It would buy them some time.
The three sped off on their bikes, racing to save Oscar. But the horde was following them. They would never be able to do it with them on their tail.
But then a figure Jaune hadn't expected jumped out of an alleyway ahead of them. The tall figure grinned and swept back his burnt-orange hair. Jaune raced past, catching his eye.
Cardin smirked and nodded.
Jaune gave him a thankful nod.
Cardin let out a roar and slammed his mace down, causing a cascading wave of explosions to slam into the horde. The rest of his team ran out of the same alley and joined their leader.
For once Jaune was truly happy to know Cardin Winchester.
Thanks… Cardin.
With CRDL holding the horde, Jaune, Ren and Pyrrha could chase that strange, monstrous Grimm. They had to save Oscar.
They had to make up for their failure to act.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, motivation is hard lol. Originally I'd planned this chapter to just be Ruby's team, but it didn't quite work how I wanted so I went with this. Some nice Ruby/Penny talks, CRDL leaving Atlas to help people and bringing tons of supplies(with a reference to the new RWBY book which is really good btw), Ruby's team heading up to Atlas and finally The Hound. The scene in the show is so brutally amazing, but with a Maiden around it would be difficult even for the Hound, so he calls for backup first. Pyrrha, assuming it's just a normal Grimm, goes for the horde because she has all the magic. Too bad for her that it's the most advanced Grimm. I tried to make it clear exactly why the Hound causes everyone to stall so badly in the show because I know some... didn't like it shall we say. If the fact their entire concept of Grimm has just been shattered doesn't change your mind, then you probably won't like it anyway but oh well.
And just to be clear: The JPOR scene is a few hours after the others, so you can assume that RPINM has probably finished the part where they sneak in. Meanwhile, CRDL has to fight a horde. Poor buggers. I hope Cardin makes it out lol.
Anyways I hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you next time!