Rwby: Skull Island
Chap 5
"OKAY! EVERYONE DO A HEADCOUNT! WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE!" Cayden shouted
"HEADCOUNT!? A CRAP TON OF US ARE DEAD!" An Atlas Soldier shouted as he bandaged a Vale researcher's leg.
"What were those things?" Ozpin asked panting.
"The giant ones were Long Necks. The small ferocious ones are Velociraptors. Raptors for short." I answered as I finished bandaging Neo's leg as she had got a nasty cut from tripping on a rock. Once she was done, I focused on Pyrrha then Blake who both had some minor cuts on their arms.
"YOU!" Two voices shouted. Looking up, we saw Raven and Taiyang march at us. Both of them steaming mad.
"WHY DID YOU ALL STOP US FROM SAVING OUR KIDS!?" Raven demanded.
"Because they were gone as soon as the raptors bit them." I answered with a sigh.
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING! WE COULD HAVE STILL SAVED THEM!" Taiyang shouted as he cracked his knuckles.
"Even if you were able to save them from the raptors, they would have died anyway from the raptors parting gift." I told them. This left everyone confused.
"What do you mean?" Blake asked.
"As soon as the raptors bit them, there was a high chance they became infected with a multitude of diseases. Like a dog with rabies biting a person, that person could contract rabies. Basically, the same thing except far worse." I explained.
"Couldn't their aura fight off the infection?" Weiss asked.
"No. Aura is only good at fighting off small infections. And the infections they would get would be anything but small. And unless you have a multitude of anti-bacteria and shots in those bags on you, both Ruby and Yang would succumb to their infections long before we get back to the ships." I answered.
"I-I don't believe that. Their aura would have fought it off. Right?" Taiyang asked not wanting to accept this.
"Unfortunately, he is right Taiyang." Glyda confirmed. This caused the world of both Raven and Taiyang to come crashing down as they moved to the side and took a seat.
"Tell us more about these raptors." Ironwoods said.
"Fine. Raptors are one of the deadliest predators that ever existed on Remnant. They are pact hunters and are extremely intelligent. They can easily herd any prey they see into a kill zone. And nine out of ten times, they will see you long before you see them. And even if you do see them, it is most likely the one they want you to see." I told them.
"Do they have a weakness or anything?" Winter asked.
"As ferocious as they are, they are quite frail and easy to kill. That is why they like to stick to areas where they can surprise their prey or escape if they need to. But in open spaces where there is no cover, they are quite vulnerable. A few good shots and they will go down." Caitali answered.
"As much as I would like to allow everyone to grieve, we are still quite close to where those creatures were. We better get out of here as soon as possible." Ironwoods told everyone. And even though most of them glared at him with a strong intensity, they agreed nonetheless.
"Is there a place nearby where we could regroup and take count of everything more safely?" Glynda asked.
"No. Not anywhere close. But there is an area we could use to set up camp about ten miles out. That area is completely safe and devoid of any predators. Only problem is to get there, we have sneak past some dangerous predators that could easily kill us." Ilona answered.
"Are they worse than the raptors?" Ren asked.
"Far worse. But if we keep quiet, we can hopefully sneak past them." I answered as I got up.
After a quick headcount and to let the others pick up their gear, we began to made our way to the safe spot. But first we had to travers through some dangerous terrain. Luckily, aside from the terrain itself, there were no other immediate dangers. Just annoyances like big bugs and occasional rivers that we had to cross. Yet, as we traveled, we felt the distinct but barely noticeable ground shaking. And even though we haven't been here in a long time, we still remember clearly what is making the ground shake.
'Skull Crawlers.' I thought worried while moving some plants and vines out of the way. Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I looked down and saw Neo trying to get my attention. "Yes?"
'Don't you think you were being a bit exaggerative back there about the raptors giving infections?'She signed while also waving away some annoying bugs.
"Think of it like this. The raptors teeth going through your skin and meat. And on their teeth are the rotting flesh and dried or fresh blood of their previous kills. Add to that the possible feces or bugs that somehow got onto their teeth and mouth as well. Not to mention any disease that they might already be carrying. Now imagine all that going into your blood stream. And if contracting rabies from an animal has a high chance of killing you, then this will have a near definite chance of killing you." I explained.
"Is that why you insisted on bandaging our cuts despite our aura already healing us?" Pyrrha asked. "To avoid any infections?"
"Pretty much. Even though your aura would have easily fixed the cuts, I rather be safe than sorry." I answered. They nodded in understanding before turning back to face forward. Continuing our path to the safe spot, we soon came across a rather big problem.
"Dammit." Cayden said annoyed.
"What?" Ironwoods asked.
"Looks like that path is out. We're going to have to go around which would take about another half hour." Ilona answered while pointing the path ahead that was very clearly destroyed. As if something was thrown into it.
"But I feel like there is more to that?" Ironwoods asked through narrow eyes. "There're other predators?"
"Yes and no. The ones we mentioned earlier we already passed. Don't need to worry about them. This area contains even more dangerous animals. And unlike the raptors, these will only occasionally hunt together. But the thing is, they are not frail like the raptors. In fact, they can very easily tank a lot of hits before even showing signs of being affected by our attacks." Caitali answered.
"And what do you call these creatures?" Winter asked.
"We call them T-rexes." I answered.
"Are you sure there isn't another way around?" Glynda asked worried.
"Unfortunately, not." Cayden answered.
"Very well. If it's the only way through, we might as well go." Ironwoods said annoyed.
Nodding, we started heading down from the hill we were on. Getting to the ground, we looked around before bringing up our guns. Going forward, we made our way across the alternate path which was mostly rocky terrain as if it was a destroyed mountain. Which actually made seeing the T-Rexes harder as it allowed them to blend into the walls much easier. Luckily, it seems like they were not here at the moment. But that did not mean we were safe as we still felt those small tremors again.
"Skull crawlers. Close." Cayden whispered as he swept the area to check for any sign of them.
"Better get out of here quickly." Ilona said as she looked through her rifle's scope to see if she could spot anything yet saw nothing as well.
Not needing to be told twice, we quickened our pace much to the confusion of the others. After about ten minutes, we came upon a small cliff. Not wasting a moment, we all began to climb up the hill. Once on top, we were greeted to more dense jungle. But to our relief, it was not that big and we could make out the path that we needed to be on to get to the safe area even quick which was a bonus. Moving forward, we pushed through the dense jungle with renewed vigor. But after a few minutes, before we could reach the end of the jungle, we heard a loud growl.
"What was that?" Nora asked nervously. Looking around, we didn't immediately see what caused the growl but we knew it was close.
"Over there." Caitali said as she aimed her gun at some bushes. The others immediately raised or took out their weapons and aimed at the same spot.
"Hold on." I said getting everyone's attention.
"What?" Ozpin asked.
"Best we not take a chance in case whatever it is jumps out of the bushes in a surprise attack." I answered.
"Then how should we go about this?" Ironwoods asked.
"Like this." I answered as I took out another stick of dynamite. Lighting the fuse, I then threw it into the bush where a second later it exploded and took out whatever was behind it.
"Messy and unnecessary. At least whatever it was is gone." Weiss said disgusted at all the blood and guts that were around her.
"Get used to it. Anyway, we better leave now. The smell of blood will definitely attract some other predators." Cayden warned.
"Right. We better leave now." Winter agreed. However, as soon as she said this, another predator came rushing at us from the bushes. This time being a giant crocodile with a chunk of whatever we blew up in its mouth.
"RUN!" I shouted as we turned and ran away as fast as we could with the crocodile chasing after us. Unfortunately, we became trapped when we reached the edge of the jungle as there was a twenty-foot drop in front of us. And while most of could survive the drop, there was too many of us that wouldn't make it.
"I got this." Nora shouted as she armed her hammer into its grenade launcher form and began firing a couple of grenades at the crocodile. Wanting to make sure it was dead, the rest of us began to fire as well but soon stopped as nothing was left of the crocodile.
"Not too dangerous." Weiss smirked once everything settled. Only for that to go away when she heard some growling coming from right next to her. Looking next to her, we saw the eye of a T-Rex eyeing her hungrily. Looking down, we noticed that Weiss was on top of a fallen tree. "Oh, no."
"RUN WEISS!" Winter shouted scared.
But to her horror, as soon as Weiss tried to run, the T-Rex slammed its head against the tree. This caused Weiss to lose her balance and fall off the tree. She managed to grab onto a branch to avoid falling all the way down. Unfortunately, this just made her easier prey as the T-Rex wasted no time and easily ate her.
"NO!" Winter shouted devastated at seeing her sister being eaten by the T-Rex.
"MOVE!" Cayden shouted.
Moving in the opposite direction, we tried to lose the T-Rex. But it seemed like it wanted to get us as well as it began to chase us. Thankfully, it could not get us as the hill that we were on began to go high and higher. And since the T-rex were more meant for running, it could not get us. Yet, it was determined to get us as it remained right underneath us. Though, it was soon driven off when a teary eyed and pissed Winter created some glyphs and used them against it.
"Weiss. I'm sorry." Winter said collapsing to her knees. Her tears now coming down her face as she was no longer able to hold them back.
Knowing she needed a minute; we gave her some space. Not even Ozpin or Ironwoods say anything. The only ones that came to her where Raven and Taiyang. After about ten minutes, they finally stood up as Winter wiped her tears. She then turned to face me. Yet, her face was not filled with anger but with regret. And I instantly knew why. She then nodded her head in a direction. Getting what she meant, I turned to Cayden and nodded. He nodded back and we began to make our way back to the path we needed to get to. However, since a T-Rex is most likely still nearby, we took a different route. This route leading us to a more desolate looking area. The previous terrain was rocky but this one was more sand for some weird reason. But we did not let that distract us as we made a straight line to the path we needed to get to.
'So, that was the T-Rex?' Neo signed.
"Yes." I answered.
"Is that the most dangerous predator on this island aside from the king?" Pyrrha whispered. Reason being she didn't want to unsettle an already distraught Winter.
"If you mean as in an alpha predator, then no. Far from it actually. There is an alpha predator though." I answered. But as soon as I answered, we felt a big tremor beneath us. Yet it only lasted a few seconds.
"Are earthquakes common?" A Mistral researcher asked.
"No." I answered as we raised our weapons and began to look around.
"Another T-Rex?" Winter asked furious.
"No. Much worse. We better pick up the pace." Caitali answered.
"How can something be much worse than a T-Rex?" A Vacuo soldier asked in fear.
"A thousand times worse." I answered.
"Did you hear that?" Blake suddenly asked. Her ears twitching almost violently.
"Where is it coming from?" Cayden asked.
"It's moving fast. Can't say for certain." She answered looking around.
"Shit it found us." I said pissed at myself for not noticing it soon enough.
"What found us?" Glynda demanded. Her riding crop out as she scanned the area for anything.
"One of the monsters Jaune warned us about." Ozpin answered in a grim tone of horror and realization.
"What do you mean Ozpin?" Glynda asked turning to him worried.
"Goodbye." Was all he said before a giant monster lung at him and ate him.
"OZPIN!" Glynda shouted in horror.
"SKULL CRAWLER! RUN!" Ironwoods ordered.
"GIVE THEM COVERING FIRE!" I shouted as me and the rest of my crew began to fire everything, we had at the skull crawler.
Yet, despite how good our aim was, it was difficult to hit it as it very quickly slithered out of the wave. Knowing we were wasting ammunition, we switched to explosive as that had a higher chance at hitting the damn thing. Casting a quick glance behind me, I saw that all the others were running as fast as they could. Turning back around, we began to unload some explosives at it. The first we shots missed but we eventually managed to hit it. Knowing these were crafty bastards, we did not risk it and continued to unload some more explosives into it. But to our horror, it managed to survive our barrage and roared angrily. We tried to hit it some more but it slithered quickly to us and used its tail to launch some of flying into the air. Knowing that we would not be able to retaliate in time, I reached into a bag and grabbed a flare gun.
'Hopefully this still works.' I thought as I loaded a flare into the flare gun. Raising my arm, I aimed carefully at the skull crawler. Squeezing the trigger, the flare was fired and managed to successfully hit the skull crawler in the eye. It tried to remove it but failed with the flare exploding a second later. It screeched in pain before slithering away. Yet, we knew this was only temporary and it would be back soon.
"Come on. We don't have much time." Caitali said as she grabbed one of the others who was knocked down by the tail of the skull crawler.
Helping the others who were still alive and hurt, we picked them up and began to head in the direction the others went in. After a few minutes, we saw them catching their breath in a ditch that hid them almost perfectly. Getting into the ditch as well, we immediately began to organize ourselves.
"Did you all kill it?" Glynda asked.
"No. Those damn lizards are tougher than last time. We only managed to drive it off. But it will be back soon. Meaning we need to leave now." Ilona answered.
They nodded in agreement before we all got out of the ditch. Looking around, we began to make our way out of this place. Soon, we came across an open area. Looking to make sure it was 'safe,' we proceeded forward but kept our eyes peeled. After a few seconds we came upon a path that would lead us out of here. Unfortunately, as we headed there, the ground began to shake a bit. Turning around, we saw the T-Rex from before had returned. Winter was about to try and take it on but was stopped when the Skull Crawler also reappeared again.
"Shit. We're trapped." Cayden said as he took out his gun only to realize it was empty.
"What do we do?" Glynda aske unsure.
"What are you doing Jaune?" Pyrrha asked when she noticed me reach into my bag.
"Giving you guys a chance." I answered as I took out a flare.
"You're not serious. That is suicide." Blake said realizing what I was about to do.
"And coming to this island wasn't?" I countered before activating the flare. Waving it back and forth, I caught the attention of both the Skull Crawler and T-Rex.
"Jaune-" Pyrrha began but was cut off when Caitali covered her mouth.
"RUN! I shouted to them before turning to the Skull Crawler and T-rex. "HEY! YOU DAMN BASTARDS! RIGHT HERE!"
Both creatures roared as they began to chase me. Ignoring what the other were saying, I led the T-rex and Skull Crawler away from them. Running as fast as I could, I led the T-rex and Skull Crawler to a path I saw earlier. Getting there, while continuously waving the flare, I made my way to the ledge. This one being similar to the one we were on when we were running away from the long necks and raptors. Yet, I knew that unlike the lone necks, the T-rex and skull crawler wouldn't fall of the edge. I know I had to use a different tactic. Seeing the ground beneath us about to give, I kept running while waving the flare to make sure both creatures were distracted and focused only on me. And just as the Skull Crawler jumped on top of the T-rex to try and get ahead, I threw the flare at them. The T-rex immediately tried to bite down on the flare. However, it also stopped after successfully doing so with the skull crawler falling down from the sudden stop. But this proved fatal for them, which was what I wanted, as the ground gave way to another thousand-foot drop that neither would survive.
"Man, I hate this damn island." I said while catching my breath as I sat down. But quickly moved to the side as ground beneath me also started to give way. "Now how I am going to get back?"
"JAUNE!" The voices of Pyrrha and Blake shouted. Looking up, I saw them standing on the giant wall next to me.
"How did you guys get up there?" I asked when I saw the rest appear behind them.
"There was another path that led up here. Climb the rope." Caitali answered before tossing down a rope. Yet, it did not reach the full way down. Sighing in annoyance, I climbed a part of the wall before managing to reach the rope. Grabbing it, the others began to pull me up.
"Thanks." I said as I reached the top. Only to wince in pain when Neo kicked me in the shin.
'That was dangerous.' She signed.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING JAUNE!?" Pyrrha and Blake shouted.
"Giving you a chance to live and possibly see why we did not want to return to this island." I answered irritated but slightly touched that they were actually concerned about me. If only slightly.
"I can see that now." Ironwoods said sounding defeated. "You all proven your point. We will return to the ships and head back to Remnant."
"Going to be a bit as now thanks to all this, we are actually a bit ahead of the temple. Meaning we need to take a different route back." Ilona told him.
"Wait. We passed the temple?" An Atlas scientist asked sounding hopeful.
"How far is it?" Another one asked.
"About a day's journey back. Would be shorter but we are pretty high up and need to get down this mountain." Ilona answered as she looked through her scope while pointing to something in the distance.
"We can detour there for a bit and then head back to the ships." Ironwoods said with a tone of finality.
"But we need to rest first as I'm pretty sure we are all tired and it's getting late." I told them. They nodded in agreement and soon we were off to a nearby spot to set up camp for the night.
Note:
Next chapter won't have any deaths and more of a travel to the temple while going down a bit of memory lane and having the others ask questions.