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York

Do we run? This guy gives off "I can find you" vibes. York thought to himself as he and Maine followed Ozpin towards an elevator. But risking getting caught might be worse off.

Agent York, there is also the possibility that he may discover that you are the vigilante. Delta began as they stepped aboard, He has now seen the new weapons we have obtained, and if caught in a news broadcast, they may be enough for him to identify us to the authorities.

York cursed mentally, glancing to Maine. Ozpin was a certainly a powerful figure in the world. He clearly didn't really need the cane he kept in his hand, that much was clear. They exited the elevator into an office surrounded by gears, presumably operating some sort of clock.

"So, who are you?" Ozpin asked. "I've searched for any records concerning either of you, including photo IDs, and I've come up with nothing except the fact that you've been working in a club for two months." He pointed at York.

"We're from the Wilds, first time needing an ID." York said easily.

"You're lying." Ozpin said. "And terrible at hiding it…"

Shit… York looked to Maine. "I don't trust you, sir. I hardly know you and I don't think you'd believe me if I told you."

"Wouldn't I?" Ozpin mused.

"Don't think so, no." York affirmed, and the giant nodded.

"Well, I'm not sure I can trust you to be in my school or interact with my students if your pasts are… shrouded in mystery. Perhaps you can at least tell me why you're called 'Agents'? Do you work for Atlas?"

York shook his head. "We worked for an organization that's been shut down a long time, we were told we were taking down terrorists. They're our code names."

"And what are your real names?"

"We can't tell you." York said. "It was classified, and we'd like to keep it that way. We don't even know each other's names."

Ozpin hummed. "Well, would you at least tell me this? Why 'The Gargoyle'?"

York's eyes widened. "I'm sorry?" He tried to play it off.

"Try not to play dumb, Agent York, it's as though you're not even pretending." Ozpin joked. Maine gave a low chuckle in response.

Ozpin glanced his way then continued. "I'm very good at puzzles, Agent York, I've had a trace on you ever since you met up with Ms. Xiao Long, although we weren't able to see inside that warehouse of yours, my informant has been tailing you during your nightly activities as the Gargoyle."

York sighed, never having seen anyone nearby that could pose as a threat. "I hate that stupid name."

"Then what would you use?" Ozpin leaned back in his chair, placing his coffee upon his desk.

"I wasn't the type of person for nicknames in the field." York crossed his arms. "I'm a soldier, not some spandex wearing idiot playing hero."

"A soldier? I thought you were an agent. People with those types of monikers consider themselves spies rather than soldiers."

"Covert Ops, is more like it." York shook his head. "And it was a private organization, we were called whatever they wanted to call us."

"So, essentially private military contractors." Ozpin rose an eyebrow. "It seems more and more that you should be applying to become a huntsman, instead of parading around at night fighting crime."

Just like your students do? York thought to himself, but kept his mouth shut While the headmaster pressed on.

"This world is full of those types of people, we call them huntsmen, or huntresses." Ozpin amended. "However, you're currently operating without a license, which allows them to intercede in altercations and help the populace."

"I'm aware of the concept, Headmaster." York sighed. "So, what is it you want from me? To join this band of merry hunters?"

"It seems almost ignorant to suggest it when you put it so childishly." Ozpin shook his head in dismay. "But yes. It's a lot easier to have someone to fall back to, to have your back, and be on the run from the authorities."

York didn't respond, though he internally agreed with the sagely man before him. If He'd been able to find out York's identity, it likely wouldn't be long until someone else did.

"I'll make it official, though, so as to clear any confusion." Ozpin started, glancing at Maine's blank face "As much trouble as there is in Vale, there is more in the entire kingdom and the hunters are already spread thin. I could fabricate Hunter licenses to you both if you decide to work for me on occasion. You will be paid and have access and means to any information. Not much escapes my attention, and I could send you on missions with teams RWBY and JNPR on occasion, since you've all grown so attached. You'd essentially be private contractors again."

"That sounds… beneficial to say the least!" York blurted. "Maine, I think we just went legal!"

Ozpin smiled. "However, until I can get all this paperwork filed, which will take a month, two at the most, the VPD will still be after you. In fact, I heard that Atlas has sent one of its best specialists to aid the VPD in your case."

"Who is he?" York asked.

0ooooo0

Vale Airport

Stepping from the baggage claim was a tall woman dressed to kill and with a glare to match. The pale figure had white hair pulled into a bun, dressed in a military coat and suit with a saber at her side. She showed her ID to the attendant at the check-in desk. "Miss Schnee, welcome to Vale."

Winter tried her best to smile. "It's a pleasure to be here. I was supposed to have a letter or package waiting for me here, it has information on my hotel…?"

The attendant made a show of looking but frown nervously. "I'm so sorry, ma'am, I don't seem to have it. Let me call management and see if we can get it tracked down…"

Winter groaned exasperatedly, looking to the ceiling in dismay. "Gods it's going to be a long night…"

0ooooo0

Ironrose Safehouse

Yang

"Maine, I'm gonna grind you into dust." York breathed, trying to push down any fear as he faced down the mighty giant. They both stood in a circle of chalk at the center of the ground floor of the warehouse. Maine growled, fingers twitching and ready to grab the giant monstrosity on his back.

"Have they named their weapons yet?" Weiss asked her partner, who was currently eating cookies. The Beacon students that had arrived for this Saturday stood up in the loft, looking down at the fight below.

"Mhmpf." Ruby answered with a mouthful, then swallowed. "I think so, Maine seemed to be writing down some names on a paper. It was a work in progress."

The hooded huntress sat down, straddling one of the railing poles that acted as a barrier above the fighting ground.

York drew his sword and charged. The brute slid the Brute Shot off and sent a pillar of flame towards the gold Freelancer. With a jump, York dove to the side and back, out of the flamethrowers effective range. He cursed, knowing that the modified brute shot was built for advancement denial. He'd have a hard time getting in close with it aimed at him.

Delta was calculating as York pulled out the grapple hook knife, launching it into Maine's barrel and then kicking it out towards the side, jerking the barrel to the side as York moved in.

Maine adjusted his stance and the weapon, sending a wild, heavy swing with the blade on the bottom at York. York parried with his sword and backed up, sliding his sword into its sheath, and transforming it.

York began firing his DMR at Maine, who started moving as his shield flashed towards York, shifting his grenade launcher into scythe form. York began to shift his gun back, but it would take to long, as York appraised him of the speed on his HUD. He cursed, drawing his knew parrying dagger and deflecting the blow as his stepped to the side, delivering a heavy blow to Maine's exposed ribs with his boot.

The giant grunted in pain and turned his blade to catch Yorks waist, then the blade yanked the freelancer up off the ground as Maine wound up and slammed him into the ground.

York came crashing down and didn't get back up for a moment, coughing and cursing Maine lowly until Maine, knowing he was still conscious and hadn't conceded, started forward, planning to grab York by the throat.

The gold Freelancer rolled to avoid the brute, and Maine stumbled slightly as York swept his foot, then propelled himself to his feet.

Maine regained his footing and charged again, prepping a swing from the brute shot in launcher form. York's sword clanged against the blade, and Maine pulled a trigger, which made the butt of the staff explode, giving his strike more power and sending York into the air.

York had noticed through time that Remnant's gravity was different to that of other habitable planets, likely due to the shattered moon affecting the surface. When you get higher in the air, gravity had less of an effect than on the ground, giving you more airtime. York knew this well, and his sword shifted back into rifle mode. He raised it and rained fire Dust rounds on the giant Freelancer below, then aimed it backward and fired, the momentum sending him towards the brute. He shifted the rifle back into a sword, a war-cry tearing through his throat as he descended like a falcon…

Only to be batted to the side by Maine's arm. The brute shifted his weapon into scythe-mode, approaching the fallen York, who drew his sidearm and fired three suppressed rounds before rolling to his feet.

Maine heard a light beeping from his HUD, notifying him that armor as the shields had just gone offline, and York gasped in relief. "I win."

Maine growled in disappointment, then helped York up. The Freelancer caught his breath, then stood straight. York's armor collapsed into its backpack form, and he slid his weapon onto his back, held in place by a magnet on his backpack. "We're going out tonight. All of us. Get back to Beacon and put on something that'll hide your identities, then meet us by the docks." York told everyone. "I overheard some guys in the club talking. Roman's going to be hitting them tonight."

"Wait, you heard about that, too?" Weiss asked. "We were planning on telling you, too."

"I just hope that girl Neo is there, too." Yang growled.

York did a double take, recognizing the name. "Neo?"

"Yeah, she's this girl that never speaks, and has white, brown, and pink clothes, hair, and eyes."

"I know who she is!" York told them. "We're friends. She's working with Torchwick?"

Ruby nodded. "She's helped him escape and almost killed Yang."

York shook his head. "Why is it always the mute ones?"

Maine growled, voicing his resentment to that remark.

"You did change, Maine. Perhaps Neo can, too." York said, more to himself. "We go on as planned. If Neo shows, Maine takes her. Understood?"

Everyone nodded. "Alright, let's start planning. We're going to be using earpieces."

"Codenames?" Sun questioned eagerly.

With a smile, York nodded. "Codenames."

The Faunus let out a cheer. "Awesome!"

0oooooooooooo0

Docks

York

"This is Panther to Blaze." Blake's voice crackled in York's ear. "I have eyes on White Fang members."

"Blaze to all units." York said into the mic. "I have eyes on the Bogeys, five right now. I have a straight shot on at least three before the first hits the ground."

"Spartan to New Freelancers. I have clear shots on three Fang, two by fire dust crates, and another searching the perimeter." Pyrrha's voice spoke.

"Acknowledged, Spartan. Let's wait for a few more to show up."

"I wish Penny was here." Ruby said absently. "She kicked these guys' butts last time."

"What was that, Reaper?" York asked.

"Sorry, Blaze. Nothing important." She amended.

"Let's stay on topic. And that topic is kicking these guys into next week." Yang hissed.

"Copy that, Dynamo. Is ground force one and two ready?"

"Affirmative, Blaze." Jaune told him, and Maine growled.

"Copy that. Knight and Eagle, prepare for ground assault. Reaper, Spartan, what's your current head count."

"Reaper to Blaze, I count seventeen in my corner."

"Spartan, I count twenty.

"That's about thirty down below. Let's shorten that out. Snipers let's go to work.

York took aim down below and dropped three Fang members with non-lethal but incapacitating shots. Chaos erupted as the docks exploded into movement, the Fang searching for their attackers.

"Right, stealth team, move in." York ordered as he picked off another couple Fang members. He could see flashes of movement while Ren, Blake, and Neptune were sneaking around and taking out the terrorists.

"They've rallied." Ruby called into the comms, and York saw Torchwick yelling at some of his men.

"Eyes on Torchwick, up on dock 7. Move in." York barked, then slid his gun onto his back, using the grappling hook he'd integrated into his armor to rappel down to the ground and join the others.

"On your left!" Ruby shouted as she dashed past him, using her scythe to propel herself into the air. A blast from Torchwicks cane knocked her back and York dove to catch her.

"Thanks." She nodded, then yelled as she ran back in.

Near Torchwick, Pyrrha was slamming the door of a crate into a large bull faunus, and Torchwick was looking slightly panicked. The criminal's eyes turned and focused on York, then Maine close by. "Fuck, there's two of them now?" He cursed. "Come on, you worthless animals, we need to get out of here!" Torchwick pointed up to an incoming bullhead.

York cursed, charging forward until a woman clad in white and pink appeared in front of Torchwick, her parasol blocking all the bullets from Ruby and Blake. Neo frowned as she spotted York, then they seemed to freeze. Soon the illusion shattered, and the duo were on the bullhead.

"Torchwick's getting away!" Blake yelled.

"I noticed!" Neptune returned, and beside him, Maine stepped forward with the brute shot. Rapidly firing towards the bullhead, the ship rocked from the explosion before flying out of range, leaving many of the white fang members behind. Bullets from New Freelancer pinged off the hull and York sighed, looking to the sky in distress. "Dammit." He sighed.

Ruby stepped up as she returned Crescent rose to its compact mode. "What now?"

"Get back to the warehouse." York told her, "Split off, make sure you aren't followed." Nearby sirens were closing in.

"We'll get him next time."

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