Chapter 74
Welp, Jason had to admit. He and everybody did really well in their mission. They defeated and killed a bunch of human scum, and freed the entire airport thus ensuring the people had a way out. In a way, the Argonauts more or less succeeded and would surely be placed in good light.
"Yep. You're cursed alright." Asclepius then said to their resident Archer Atalanta, who scowled as the good doctor looked at the bullet wound. "Nothing I do is healing it at all, meaning that your opponent must have used a bullet with anti-healing properties."
"Damn it." Atalanta said as she covered the wound with a bandage. "So there's nothing you could do?"
"I can cover up the skin, but that's about it." Asclepius told Atalanta while the rest of the Argonauts were inside the room listening to Caster. "Granted, Medea (Lily) should be able to use Pain Breaker to get rid of it." Said Caster then looked at Medea (Lily) who understood what Asclepius meant.
Her Noble Phantasm was indeed capable of helping as it specializes in dealing with any form of wounds. Reducing curses and the like to zero thanks to its unique properties. Truthfully, she would have used it if it wasn't for one problem.
"Unfortunately, the fight with Salem's goons has left us a bit drained." Medea (Lily) had the needed mana to continue existing, but as Asclepius said, the fight with the other Servants ensured she couldn't use her Noble Phantasm now. Maybe if they got some Dust to help them out she could, but for now the small Caster couldn't.
"On the bright side, this confirms Salem must be here." Pollux said as she and her brother were sitting on a crate. Both now up and awake, and rather angry that they got beaten by such a surprise attack. Still, they had to focus on the mission now and consider their revenge on Assassin later.
"Yes." Castor nodded. "With so many of her Servants here, then that means we just need to find her, and then beat her down." Castor grinned as he then smashed a fist onto the palm of his hand. "I need a way to relieve my stress, and using that woman as a punching bag should help a lot."
"Assuming we can find her." Asclepius then points out the main problem. "It's not as if we have any true idea where Salem is. Sure the video showed her in Haven Academy, but she could be long gone by now."
"True." Jason then speaks up, agreeing with Asclepius. "But hey, she might have left some clues there, and this is a perfect chance to defeat her." Even if Ozpin mentioned Salem being good at manipulation, did that say the same for covering her tracks. Maybe she accidentally left a hint on where she was at Haven if she truly isn't there. If not, then perhaps they could find those Servants or that scorpion faunus and follow them back to Salem.
Although they would have to avoid fighting if they could. Jason didn't expect those Servants at all, and since they didn't have Dust on them they couldn't recharge. Didn't help that Mistral was using the majority of their Dust for defense against the monsters outside and for power meaning there wasn't much left they could take. Well, no, they could. But it'd feel like a jerk move to take the Dust from people who genuinely needed it to help their family and friends.
"Alright then." Jason then took out his scroll. "I say we should just get ready in a few minutes, then leave to Haven Academy to see if Salem is there or not. Just need to make a call to Adam."
"For what?" Caenis asked.
"If he has a map or something for Haven." Jason responded. "We might as well be prepared. Plus maybe the map will tell us of an obvious location where Salem could be." Like where the headmaster's office is at, or maybe some dark creepy basement. Maybe even a hidden room that villains loved to use on television.
Eventually Jason got a text that said Adam didn't have any such maps. Even pointing out why he would even have one. Thankfully, his text also added just to get a map from online instead from the school's website. Which Jason promptly did getting a basic map of Haven's school ground.
"Alright then folks, looks like we have what we need." Jason tells his allies as he then sits down on a chair. "Still, we'll need to be careful doing this. Especially since we now know that Salem's Servants are around and probably just waiting to ambush us all." Hercules nodded. Betting they probably set up some traps to catch them off guard.
"I say bring it. Like any trap can harm me." Caenis bragged believing she won't be harmed so easily. I mean, she's practically invulnerable to most attacks after all thanks to her powers.
"That Assassin will regret harming my sister and I." Castor added, wanting to pay back No Name for knocking them out.
"I would also rather rid the world of that cancer known as Gilles." Asclepius also wouldn't mind killing Gilles, who kept on releasing so many nasty creatures. That man was a cancer, and Asclepius is willing to get rid of it to ensure no more of those vile beasts are born. Medea (Lily) also with him on that regard, as she didn't like the mad Caster and his actions on innocents. Atalanta also with them.
"Perfect." Jason grinned. "Then it seems all of us are going to school for a bit." Truthfully, Jason was certain Salem is at Haven. I mean, no self-respecting villain would choose a hideout like a warehouse or apartment at all. That's what regular criminals chose, not actually dangerous ones such as Salem who no doubt had esthetics for where to have her base in. Though before they left, the Argonauts needed to plan a little on what to do.
After all, if they went to Haven and enemy Servants were there, they needed a strategy to take them down. To figure out who would face who and what would be best to defeat them. Plus it didn't help that while those guys had Masters, the Argonauts didn't and if things went bad, the Argonauts would run out of mana and vanish.
'In which case, we need to find a stash of Dust.' Jason thought as since they can't take Dust from the people defending Mistral or locations that needed it, leaving one solution. Finding a stash stolen from criminals. Considering how much crime has risen, there was probably a gang or two that had some stolen Dust around for their own needs. Needs that will now be used for the Argonauts.
"Atalanta." Jason talked to the Archer. "Think you can still scout and find any Dust." While not as strong as Servants, Dust did give off some magical energy of sorts and if there was enough gathered together, it'd be like a beacon to them. Atalanta huffed.
"Of course I can." She might not be able to use her right arm as easily as before, but that wouldn't stop her from jumping rooftop-to-rooftop. To prove it, Atalanta got up and then left the room to start searching. Jason then looked at the twins.
"How about you two check out the academy for a bit. See if you can find anything over there." Be it seeing any enemy Servants, hostages, traps, or whatever else might be at the school. From what Jason heard after the message was sent, everyone at the school left it. Well, anybody that was left that could anyway.
"Fine." Castor reluctantly said. "Maybe I can find someone I can beat up over there."
"Let's try and not be too rough though." Pollux told her brother as the two then left to check out the school. Once they were gone, Jason then relaxed on his chair.
"In the meantime, I guess the rest of us just wait until we're ready to go." After everything that's happened, Jason feels a well deserved break is what everybody needs right now. Checking his scroll to see if he had internet, which he did, and decided to just read some stories online.
Hercules just stood near a wall waiting for battle to come with Caenis just going near a television and turning it on. The two Casters themselves just leave to maybe look around the block for anything useful. Though as Jason read his story, a part of him did wonder something.
'Just how many Servants are here?' A small handful were on Salem's side at the moment. Though he was curious if she brought all her Servants here, and if so, then maybe Jason could go back and ask the White Fang for Asterios. The Berserker was strong, not as much as Hercules but a powerful juggernaut nonetheless. It'd be cool to have more help if so.
Still, for now Jason felt everything was okay.
Atalanta had to hold back a slight wince from her arm. Cursing that Archer who gave her this wound, as she touched it while feeling sore from it. She hated to admit it, but he got her good there during the fight. She'll have to pay him back later for the wound, but for now she had a mission to do. Find more Dust for the team.
'Should be simple enough.' Atalanta also thought as she could certainly feel the magic signs of Dust on the occasion. Too bad it was just simple Dust that could be felt in houses and buildings. If she were to go after those, then she'd have to waste a lot of time picking them one by one from whatever container they were in while also remembering that she'd be getting used Dust as well.
Better to just get a crate or container if she can find any.
As such Atalanat ignored the individual Dust shards in buildings, and instead focused for Dust that was brought together. Getting a few pings by doing so, but had to ignore the ones in the buildings used by evacuees. So she should focus on the ones that's disconnected from the city's grid.
After a few minutes of doing this, eventually Atalanta felt she found one. Going into the more deserted districts of the kingdom where there were no people at all. Though she did find some corpses here and there, of those who died by violence or panic. Or in some cases, Grimm and demonic beasts as she actually saw a few wandering around. Seems like some got passed the defenses, but thankfully the creatures didn't seem to be headed toward the evacuation centers.
So Archer killed them off. Not as easily as she could though of course, seeing as she had one rather useless arm. But she could still throw pretty well and tipped her arrows with Dust that would cause an explosion on impact. Aiming for the eyes so that the crystal will explode inside their skulls.
Once Atalanta finished them off, she then went on her way to where she sensed the Dust. Finding what appeared to be a damaged but still functional building with nothing dangerous nearby. Atalanta could definitely sense the Dust inside the building, and quite a bit too. However, she paused when she then sensed something else down there.
Servants.
In an instant Atalanta went into spiritual form as she began to ponder what she should do next. Should she retreat back and get the others for help? Or should she continue om, not to fight, but to observe to see who was down there. Perhaps if she was lucky, she could even kill the Servant if they were distracted. Eventually Atalanta decided to see if she could rid the Servant. If they were too strong of course and held an advantage, then she'll leave.
In her spirit form, she jumped down and got closer. Keeping her surrounding clear while inspecting for anything that looked as if it'd attack her. There was a broken window, and some talking could be heard past it. Atalanta turned back to physical form and grabbed an arrow.
All she needed was one shot and a good throw, taking careful steps to not alert anybody of her presence. Her eyes then peeked through the broken mirror and saw nobody inside. However her ears told her someone was climbing down the stairs. One of the Servants? She's about to find out as she readied herself. Legs came into her view, and soon more. The person seemed to be wearing a modern outfit, and as he stepped down to the first floor she saw him in full view.
"Now then, what to rob today?" None other than Roman Torchwick said as he checked around the room to find his scroll. He then saw it on the couch where he then went to go get it. As he went to get it, Roman then stopped as he thought he heard something. Looking behind him where he saw nothing but the broken window. Must be his imagination.
Roman then turned back to get his scroll.
"Roman, I see you're here."
"WOAH!" Roman then jumped, startled by the woman in front of him. He brought up his cane only to feel the tip of an arrow on his throat. Telling him that one move and he'll be bleeding out if he tries anything funny. Before Roman could figure out what to do, he then realized he knew this woman.
"Y-Your Atalanta!" The woman he temporarily worked with alongside the others during the dock heist. Also the one he ditched alongside the others to the cops and never looking back. Gulping, Roman decided to put on the charm. "How a-are you doing my lady?"
"Don't act nice. It's disgusting." Is the cold response that cut into Roman.
"G-Got it." Roman nodded as he stepped backward. "So...what are you doing here?"
"Right now, deciding if I should beat you for what you did before." ATalanta responded and was utterly serious. Roman hoped she really wouldn't as he saw her strength. "But that can change if you answer a question of mind." Realizing he had no advantage here, Roman decided it'd be best to answer her.
"Right. Got it." He nodded. He then cleared his throat. "What do you want to know?"
"Dust." Atlanta got straight to the point. "I'm in need of Dust, and I sensed some around here." Roman didn't know about the whole sensing thing, but he understood that she must be referring to the supply he actually has nearby. How she knew, he didn't know.
"Dust huh." Roman then decided to play dumb while staying calm. "I didn't know there was Dust here?"
The arrow suddenly got a lot closer to his throat. "Don't try to lie Roman." Atalanta said, seeing past his attempt at deception. "Say the truth."
"Alright, alright." Roman knew when he was beaten. "Okay, so the stash you found is more or less mine. Figured I could use it for another time and all that."
"Good. Then I'll be taking it and be out of your hair." Atalanta tells him.
"Um, oh boy, about that," Roman then had to stop the urge to sigh. He knew this was risky, and it could end with him dead. Knowing full well against this woman he won't be winning against, even if Neo were with him. "See, I can't let you have that Dust."
Atalanta glared at him.
"I-I have a good reason to. Really." Roman decided to talk fast before Atalanta decided he should just die. "See, the thing is that Dust is being used to help some...kids." Atalanta didn't look amused, nor did she appear to believe him. "No, really." Roman attempted again to convince her. "I have some kids, not mine of course, who use that Dust to apparently keep themselves stable or whatever it is they tell me. I admit, I don't entirely get them fully."
"If this is a joke," Atalanta was considering just knocking this clown out. Especially as she didn't even believe him about these kids since he didn't look like the man who'd have any. Then a noise is heard.
"Hey, Roman." Two sets of footsteps came down the stairs. "Listen, I think we need a lock for the kn...ives…" Coming down were two people. Oscar and Nursery Rhyme. While Atalanta didn't know the former, she did know the latter
"Nursery Rhyme!" She stepped toward the child Servant, surprised by her even being here. "What-how-just why are you here?" So many questions filled her mind. Confused how this girl was even here in the first place. Let aside with a criminal. Then, more footsteps came and suddenly Atalanta saw multiple child Servants.
Jack the Ripper. The child personality of Hassan. Abigail. They must have been the Servants Atalanta sensed, her jaw slightly dropping at the small but still powerful group of Servants in this apartment. The Archer didn't even know where to start.
"Hey kids," Roman then said awkwardly. Knowing full well he could still be killed by Atalanta while taking a few steps backwards just in case. "Um, what are you doing here?"
"We wanted to tell you Oscar is being mean mommy." Jack then said as she threw a finger of accusation at Oscar himself. The boy just sighed, but kept his guard up. After all, Jack still had a dagger on her.
"Huh?" Atalanta tilted her head, at what she just heard. Thankfully, Nursery Rhyme explained.
"Jack wanted to juggle knives and tried to get into the cabinet where they're at." Nursery Rhyme tells Roman and Atalanta. "But Oscar didn't allow it."
"Because it's dangerous." Oscar replied. "What kind of kid plays with knives like that?"
"The unusual ones I'm afraid." Roman had to hold back another headache. It was a common point with these brats, and something that Neo just loved to encourage. "You did a good thing kid."
"No he didn't, mommy." Jack whined while glaring at Oscar for being a tattle-tale. She then looked at Atalanta, recognizing her. "Oh, the cat mommy. What is she doing here?" The other girls aside from little Hassan waved at Atalanta who waved back before the Archer decided to answer back.
"I'm here because…" Because she needed Dust, and tried to threaten a man to get it. Normally, such a thing wouldn't be a problem for her in admitting this. Unfortunately for her, she could tell that the kids seemed to know Roman somehow, and maybe it wouldn't be best to tell them that she tried to threaten him.
"She tried to force me to help her." Roman had no such problems with saying that. Bring blunt while also smirking at Atalanta who could only fume inside herself. "She threatened me with a pointy arrow and said she'd kill me while tearing apart our family." What a liar!
"Bad kitty!" A liar that could fool such childish minds, which the Servants in this room aside from Atalanta were. Little Hassan herself even narrowed her eyes while the rest looked ready to brawl against the Archer. While Atalanta wanted to say Roman was lying, or at least fooling them, she didn't know what to say to convince them. Didn't help that Chaldea Servants were always known to talk, have some kind of misunderstanding, and then fight instead of talking it out further to resolve the misunderstanding. Atalanta feared this would be the usual.
"Woah there, no need to fight." Oscar then got in between Atalanta and the kids. "I mean, we're in an apartment."
"Your right kid." Roman snapped his fingers. "We should take this outside so the place doesn't get messed up."
"Or," Atlanta decided to speak up. Seeing a chance to both ensure she didn't get attacked by four small but powerful Servants and maybe help out in the plan to take out Salem. "Perhaps a deal can be made." That got Roman's attention.
"I'm all ears." He then grinned as he leaned back and took out a interested in what Atalanta had to say. So Atalanta spoke to the so-called criminal mastermind on what she was doing, and the benefits of it. Roman grinned.
"Yep. Salem definitely has her Servants down there." Castor chuckled as he felt their presence in Haven. Watching from afar, careful not to be spotted. Observing what he could see in the abandoned academy where these Huntsmen and Huntresses used to train before Salem's arrival. "How I can't wait to smash some skulls."
"Likewise brother." Pollux may be more calm than her brother, the Avenger of the duo, but even she couldn't deny a good fight. "Especially when we regain our pride and honor from our loss against the Assassin."
The two didn't like that loss one bit. While they could say they were just blindsided, their pride as warriors didn't really agree and took it as a loss. So naturally, when the chance comes, they'll take down No Name themselves. For now however, they just did recon while memorizing any paths while keeping an eye for the enemy.
While they could sense the Servants at Haven, no doubt they sensed them. They probably weren't attacking though because they knew the twins would leave if they tried. Still, the twins could tell they were positioned in a way that if they tried to attack, they'd make their move.
"I think this is enough reconnaissance brother." Pollux told Castor as she then stood up. "We already got down a few entrances, and we know the enemy is here."
"True. Although I wouldn't be surprised if those entrances had traps." Castor then added as he recalled how Gilles was with the enemy. He might be mad, but he wasn't stupid and probably set up a few traps for them if they tried to enter Haven. Probably more of those tentacle monsters, disgusting things.
"Then we best be careful when we make our attack." Pollux then started to move back. "Come on, we did all we could and we should leave now."
"Fine, fine." Castor agreed as he then followed Pollux as the two left the academy. Jumping across the rooftops for a few minutes until they eventually made their way to an abandoned building where the Argonauts made their base at. The two then landed where they entered through the door to see where the others were at. Hearing some noise, they then saw Caenis, Jason, and Asclepius alongside Medea (Lily) playing a card game.
"Do you have any fives?" Asclepius asked Caenis who looked at her cards and grinned.
"Nope." The Caster sighed and went to grab another card. Jason looked upset as he was clearly losing, and Medea (Lily) looked just confused.
"Um...uno!" She then said with the others then moaning.
"It's not that kind of game." Caenis told her.
"These aren't even uno cards." Asclepius reminded her.
"Maybe I'd win in uno than this crap." Jason muttered as he threw down his cards with disgrace. Clearly being a sore loser here at his strong of losses. As for Hercules, he just watched with little interest. Though he did look a little sad, probably because the others wouldn't let him play. Five players was five too many for them. At least, that was their excuse, as in truth Hercules knew how to play this game better than them and would have won multiple times.
"We're back." Castor called out to the players who all turned towards them.
"Welcome back." Asclepius waved at them. "I assume recon was doing well?"
"No problem there." Pollux answered. "Though we should expect traps and resistance."
"Don't have to worry much about their blabbering Caster there." Caenis chuckled. "He's dangerous, yeah, but he's not a real Caster so to say. More of a summoner."
"Doesn't make him any less of a threat though." Jason reminded Lancer. "Last thing we need is to fight his goons and get tired when a real enemy shows up. Thus why we need Dust to ensure we're at our top game."
"Think Atalanta found a good stash?" Asclepius asked Jason who nodded.
"She might not be hunting animals, but she knows how to find her target." Jason fully believed Atalanta can get the Dust they need. Nobody knew how to hunt prey like she did, as such, Jason can bet before the attack she'll return with a location.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Or a call in this case. Jason picked up his scroll and answered. "Hello."
"Jason. I got what we needed." Yep. Knew he could trust her.
"Excellent. You have the location so we can pick it up?" Jason waved his hand and the others moved and got their weapons. Ready to recharge at the location where the Dust is at.
"I do. But I also have some news that will be of use to us."
"Do explain." Jason grabbed his sword. His scroll then received a message, one that showed Atalanta's current location.
"Let's just say I have back-up."
Finally. The time for the Argonauts to attack Salem is now. With their skill and the new back-up they'll be having, Salem forces will be having some damn trouble. Or will they? Evil always has a back-up plan after all. Plus, if the villain is killed off too soon, then there won't be a story.
Ozpin had to admit, he was feeling quite hopeful today. No, to be more specific, he was feeling great joy. Why wouldn't he? After all these years of fighting a seemingly unwinnable war, now it seems the chances of actually defeating Salem is here. Because for so long Ozpin could only delay and prevent her from reaching her goals. At the cost of many, including his own only to return to start anew.
"All thanks to these spirits." Spirits of great power, that he was quite certain he never really knew. I mean, he has lived a long life and he never saw such spirits before. Thankfully, they explained to him about that and Ozpin was quite shocked to hear what they really were. Not that he minded, as there power is exactly what Remnant needed. EMIYA himself also doing a fine job as a teacher here, teaching the youth some of his awesome skills with the blade and bow.
The man admitted he wasn't a true expert with both weapons, but even so he surpassed many Huntsmen either way. As for Blackbeard...well, he was certainly teaching the men around here...something.
Ozpin then decided to go back to his office to get some paperwork done. He and Glynda have been very busy these past few weeks not to mention going back and forth to deal with the Grimm in Vale. Thankfully, the number of Grimm and those demonic beasts as the spirits called them, have lessened over time and things were going quite well. Ironwood and his forces even helped before they were once more pulled back to Atlas. Him and his allies, where Ozpin even saw a girl with a massive shield for a moment.
She looked...familiar?
Ozpin entered the school. Giving a few waves of hello and smiles to those inside who responded to him in turn. The elevator was in front of him, and with a simple click he pushed the button to go up, waiting for the elevator to come down.
"Hey Oz, how're you doing?" Ozpin then heard a familiar voice, Amber. He turned and saw her, standing. Though she was slouching a bit, and she was using her staff to support herself. Far from being in full health and still needed time.
"Just fine Amber." He replied as he leaned on his own cane. "I must say, you're looking better."
"Right. Sure." Amber rolled her eyes but giggled. "But yeah, I guess these days I do feel better after you woke me up." She then grunted. "Though I still feel weak."
"Being stuck in life-support does that to one." Ozpin said while remembering how her body was inside that small machine just to keep her body going. "Still, at the very least you're doing much better than before."
"True. True." Amber nodded. "Still, I wish I could do more, you know." She then turned towards where some noise could be heard. The training being done outside. "That I can fight again and help out."
"You will. You just need time to recover." Amber has been through a lot, and it'll take more than just a few weeks or even months to truly recover from it. The elevator dinged, and Ozpin stepped in. "Just give yourself the time your body and soul needs."
"Yeah, I got it." Amber rolled her eyes. "At the very least, I'm getting something done."
"And that is?" Ozpin asked as the elevator doors were closing.
"I'm helping that red archer serving people. He's even given me hints on how to cook." Amber smirked before then tapping her chin. "Though...a lot of girls seem to be glaring at me whenever I do that." The elevator door closed, and then started going up.
"Hm. Glaring huh." Ozpin had to admit, EMIYA did seem to gather the attention of the women quite well. He then shrugged as he decided to move on with his job. The elevator dinged again, reaching his destination. It opened and he stepped outside.
"Hey Ozpin, nice to see you again." Then nearly tripped when he saw a very familiar women with others inside his office.
"Ch-Chitose!" Ozpin then saw Qrow nearby alongside Ana, the former smirking. Next to the group is the former student Sun with those two women he was usually with also there. Ozpin's eyes then settled onto two figures behind Chitose. A young girl and an even younger boy. Both looking at him right now while Chitose smirked. "How...how are you-"
"Here?" Qrow chuckled. "Um. Let's just say we got help from Vacuo's two Goddesses."
"Goddesses? Then, you mean-"
"Sorry Oz." Qrow interrupted. "They ain't gonna help out. But," Qrow then pointed at Sun. "They did decide to lend us their champion."
Sun gulped. "Um. Sup man. Champion of Goddess of Darkness is here."
He didn't sound confident.
"And," Qrow continued. "I brought an old friend."
"You compliment me." Chitose grinned as she then looked back at Ozpin. "And nice to see you again old man."
"Same." Ozpin said, feeling the surprise he felt go away. His eyes settled on the young girl who looked away. He didn't really know her, but he had a feeling she wasn't just an ordinary girl if Chitose brought her here. As for the little boy, he didn't know him at all. "And you're here because…?"
"Cause we need to talk." Chitose said as she leaned on the wall. "So let's get talking!"
"After we get drinks first." Ana then said. "I'm thirsty."
"Same here." Qrow agreed.
"Likewise." Sun added.
"I could use a drink." Sanzang nodded.
"Agreed." Nezha stoically says.
The two kids also looked like they wanted a drink as well.
Ozpin smiled a little. "Very well." he then dialed Glynda's number. "I suppose some refreshments can be done before we have our conversation. Glynda," He then spoke to Glynda who answered. "Can you come up here and bring some visitors a few drinks?"
"I'm not your assistant. Get it yourself. I'm busy." Ozpin did not expect that answer and Glynda soon hung up.
"...I'll be back." Ozpin said while ignoring how Qrow and Chitose were laughing.