Welcome back to "Sideline: Another Story", readers! In the last chapter, Sunset learned of another function of her Semblance before the canon events of RWBY caught up to the group. Now with the Creatures of Grimm breaching into Vale, it's time for the students to live up to their jobs and protect everyone they can from the soulless demonic monsters!
Sound the alarms!
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After Terracotta gave Fragment Hunter their instructions, they split up into their individual teams and went off to help whoever they could. "Bianca, this way," Azalea called out as she grabbed her friend's hand while Slate helped a panicking Kurenai get to safety. As Team FCSA continued their job of being Bianca's bodyguards, Team SLVR began to help any innocent bystanders while Team SAFR and Terracotta began to deal with the Grimm that started to surround them.
"Alright, who's first," Terracotta said to the horde of Grimm as he popped his neck. To answer his question, a large Ursa stepped forward and roared loudly. Terracotta just smirked and swung his sword at the beast, cutting it clean in half and sending a blade of air carving through several other Grimm before stopping just in front of a store window. Seeing several Creeps dive underground to get him from below, Terra just focused his Aura to activate the Earth Dust in his sword, Sarangay. Using the Dust, spires of rock shot up around Terracotta that impaled the Creeps before they surfaced. "Nice try," Terracotta snarked before breaking off one of the rock spires and throwing it into a Death Stalker. When the scorpion-like Grimm was struck by the stone spike, Terra punched through the Grimm to kill it.
"Man, he was really holding back on us during training," Sunset remarked as she saw Terra carve through Grimm after Grimm with ease.
"Focus," Rebecca called out as she pulled several shurikens from her armguards and threw them at nearby Beowolves. When the projectiles hit the demonic werewolves, they incinerated or electrocuted the Grimm enough to stun them before Rebecca finished them off with her sword. "We have work to do."
"Right," Sunset agreed as she readied her weapon's sword form. Slashing away at any Grimm that came near them, Sunset and Vinyl were able to deal with the weaker monsters before the older and more experienced Grimm arrived. Seeing a Nevermore swoop down toward them, Sunset thought that it was a perfect opportunity to test out some of their Team Attacks. "Fantasia," Sunset called out for Vinyl and Celadon to hear. At the command, Celadon and Vinyl aimed their Semblances at the incoming Nevermore as it let out a cry. When gems and energy blasts collided in the Nevermore's beak, the Grimm swallowed them and they exploded in its throat. As the Grimm's corpse fell to the streets, Vinyl created platforms for the girls to stand on to avoid getting hit.
Taking the chance, Sunset jumped off the platform Vinyl supplied and jumped onto the nearest rooftop. Switching her weapon into its sniper rifle mode, Team SAFR's leader took aim and fired at any Grimm that got too close to anybody that couldn't react or defend themselves. "Guys, how are you all holding up," Sunset asked telepathically with her Semblance.
"Oh, you know... doing as well as we can do in a Grimm attack," Rua commented as she teleported in front of a downed bystander and punched a Beowolf in the chin with her arm blades. Slashing the Grimm's head off soon after, she then took hold of the civilian and teleported them to a nearby building for shelter. Returning to the battle, Rua began to take out as many Grimm as she could while the others provided support. "Silver, I could use a little help over here," Rua called out as she turned her weapon back into its shield form and blocked an Ursa's claws.
As the Ursa roared, a chain wrapped around its neck and pulled the monster back. "Way ahead of you, Rua," Silver said as he revved his chainsaw's engine. The chain vibrated around the Grimm's throat and decapitated the demonic bear before Silver swung the chain into a small group of Beowolves that pounced toward him. As the Grimm were either knocked down or cut up, Silver chuckled to himself before preparing the knives in his boots and started dealing with the monsters that jumped at him again. "Oh yeah," the Wolf Faunus laughed as he kicked a few weakened Beowolves and some Creeps to stab them. "Who's top dog now?!"
While Silver and Rua kept using melee attacks on the Grimm, Lapis used her trident to defend herself and Vixen as they got more bystanders to safety. "Vixen, we need a distraction," Lapis called out as she created a wall of ice to block an alley from some Grimm before a Death Stalker broke through it, which allowed for more Beowolves to chase after them.
"Don't worry," Vixen said as she used her illusions to create multiple copies of herself and Lapis to lure the Grimm away from their destination. "You'll be safe here," she told a middle-aged man that she brought to a building and some other civilians helped carry him inside. "Now then, let's deal with these Grimm," Vixen said with a slightly sinister smirk as she pulled out her fans. When the Fox Faunus girl left the alley, she and Lapis used their weapons to burn and electrocute any nearby Grimm before Lapis stabbed them in the heads to finish them off. "Take this," Vixen exclaimed as she unleashed a wave of fire from her fans and burned several Creeps before the Death Stalker came back.
Lapis and Vixen stared down at the Death Stalker before Silver and Rua regrouped with them to handle the giant scorpion monster. "This thing is covered in armor, what do we do," Rua asked as she blocked one of the Death Stalker's pincers with her shield.
"I don't think it has much actual armor plating underneath it," Lapis suggested.
"Vixen, illusions. We need to distract it," Silver instructed and Vixen nodded as she thought of what illusion to create. "Rua, get ready to make this bug head for the sky while Lapis finishes it off." At Silver's command, the girls of Team SLVR began to deal with the Grimm. As Vixen used her Semblance to create a swarm of birds that surrounded the Death Stalker and blocked its vision, Rua jumped up onto the monster's tail before teleporting both of them high into the sky. While Rua teleported to get to safety and deal with Nevermores that were approaching, the Death Stalker was falling right toward Lapis and Silver. "Now," Silver exclaimed.
At Silver's word, Lapis created a giant trident made out of ice to impale the falling Grimm. While it didn't immediately kill the monster, it did cry out and writhe in pain. "Cover your ears, guys," Lapis warned as she took a deep breath. Knowing what they were expecting, Silver and Vixen covered their ears and were slightly grateful that they had tails for their Faunus trait instead of ears when Lapis began to scream. As Lapis yelled out, her Semblance began to make quick work of both the weakened Death Stalker and any Grimm that were foolish enough to charge in her direction. When Lapis stopped, Rua teleported beside her team to signal that backup had arrived in the form of more students from Beacon as well as the visiting Atlesian Military. "Well, at least we'll be able to win this fight," Lapis mentioned just as Rua teleported next to her and was breathing heavily.
"I'm wondering how the others are doing with Bianca," Silver said in a worried tone as he saw more Grimm approach them as a few android soldiers stepped up next to the team. While the thought lingered in his mind of the safety of his friends and client, Silver returned his focus to the battle as he pulled out his chainsaw again.
"Bianca, this way," Azalea called out as she grabbed her friend's hand. As Team FCSA tried to find someplace to get Bianca and Kurenai to safety, Grimm started to follow after them. Slate was carrying Kurenai because the manager fell down in their rush, but he still managed to aim one of his revolvers at any approaching Grimm and shot at them. Taking out a few monsters and injuring the tougher ones, Slate put his gun away and focused on getting his clients to safety.
"Leave these Grimm to me," Cereza said as she pulled out her Semi-Automatic Tonfa Pistols and aimed them at the Creeps and injured Ursa Major that approached. Layla went on with the others to help, which left Cereza on her own to handle the Grimm that she could see. "I believe that naughty pets should be disciplined," Cereza said as she opened fire on the monsters. As her shots killed off the Creeps, the Ursa Major charged forward to try and swipe its claws at her, only for Cereza to activate her Semblance and deliver a painful counterattack. With a powerful kick, the Ursa was knocked away and crashed into some approaching Beowolves to injure them before the monster bear died. "So many of you, but you can't take down one girl? Disappointing," Cereza joked before going to deal with a Boarbatusk and more Grimm. But unknown to her, she was being watched by a mysterious person wearing a white cloak and a gold-colored mask that depicted a sun shining with rays of light that resembled peacock feathers.
While Cereza fought off more Grimm and the unknown being watched her, the rest of Team FCSA moved through the backstreets of Vale to get Bianca and Kurenai to safety. "I think if we go back to the hotel, we'll be safe there," Kurenai suggested as Slate carried the manager on his back. "Am I heavy to you," Kurenai asked out of concern for the gunslinger.
"Nah, this actually isn't that bad compared to Terracotta's martial arts lessons," Slate remarked.
"We can talk about this later," Layla said as she prepared her lamp-shaped gun called 'Djinn Desire' and took aim at some Beowolves that found them. Firing at them, Layla was able to inflict some major damage before she used her 'Ifrit Talon' scimitar to cut them to pieces. "We need to do our job," Layla explained.
"You're right," Azalea agreed. As they ran toward the hotel, they soon saw it up ahead and noticed the large number of Grimm in front of the building to try and get inside. "Now what," Azalea asked.
Slate thought of what to do before he came up with a plan. "Layla and I will distract the Grimm while you take Bianca and Kurenai inside," Slate told Azalea. "Regroup with us when you can."
"Alright, Slate," Azalea said as her teammates stepped toward the Grimm. "Good luck," she whispered.
When Slate reloaded his revolver, he pointed it at the nearest Grimm and fired a warning shot which grazed its face. "Come and get us, you freaks of nature," Slate yelled at the Grimm and ran away with Layla at his side. As most of the Grimm chased them into the backstreets again, Azalea went ahead and pulled out Gladion to strike at the Grimm using its Lightning setting before switching to Ice Dust to create a sword and stabbing the last Beowolf in the jaw. With the entrance cleared of Grimm, Azalea took Bianca and Kurenai to the hotel and separated with them there.
"We'll come back when this whole thing is over," Azalea shouted to them as she ran off to go and help her team. Kurenai soon collapsed from fear and exhaustion, which prompted Bianca to carry him over to a sofa in the hotel lobby before she turned back to the door.
"Don't think I'm going to leave you after months of being apart, Lea," Bianca said to herself as she ran off to her room and quickly changed into a top that let her spread out her wings to fly. Jumping off the penthouse balcony and soaring after her friend, Bianca saw Slate and Layla dealing with some Grimm in an alley. Diving down toward them, Bianca went for a kick that connected with the back of an Ursa's head and knocked it down. "Hey, I thought that I could help," she told the two members of Team FCSA.
"I don't think you should be here," Slate said as he moved Bianca out of the way and fired several Lightning Dust bullets at the Grimm in front of them. "Why did you come back," he asked the idol.
"I didn't want to become a Huntress like Azalea, but I know how to fight," Bianca said as she kicked a Creep in the face before jumping up and stomping on the monster to finish it off. "Who do you think Lea's regular training partner was because of everything at Sanctuary Academy?"
Before Slate and Layla could attempt to argue with her, the Ursa that Bianca kicked was back up and roared loudly before swinging its arm into Slate and knocking him into the girls. As they began to pick themselves up, the Grimm began to walk up to the teenagers menacingly to instill fear in them. Slate and Layla tried to reach for their guns, before realizing that they were knocked away. Silently panicking, the three were almost ready to become Grimm food when Azalea managed to find them.
Azalea saw that Bianca must have decided to help like she always did back home, but she was trapped with Slate and Layla. Seeing her childhood friend and the teammates that she made when she first arrived at Beacon in danger, Azalea glared at the Grimm and her eyes changed from green to red. The monsters soon noticed the strong anger coming from Azalea and turned toward her. "Leave. My. Friends. ALONE," Azalea screamed as she held her Dust Baton in her hand. The Grimm all jumped at her, but Azalea's body began to glow from using her Semblance. But unlike the last time, the light that hit the Grimm was a black color and it caused the monsters to crash to the ground. The Ursa and other monsters all cried out in pain when they tried to move, but it was as if their bodies were much heavier than normal. After another yell from Azalea, the Creatures of Grimm all gave off a loud and sickening crack before their bodies evaporated. Azalea panted after her screaming and turned to her friends when her eyes returned to their normal green color. "You alright?"
"Yeah," Layla meekly said after getting back up. "But what was that!?"
"It looked like Gravity Dust," Slate remarked. "But I didn't see you use your baton on them."
"I... think it was my Semblance," Azalea said as she looked at Gladion to see it was set to Gravity. "It must react with the Dust in Gladion."
"Oh, that's just amazing, Azalea," Bianca exclaimed as she hugged her friend. "You'll be able to kick all kinds of butt as a Huntress!"
While Azalea blushed at her childhood friend's encouragement, Sunset's voice echoed through all of Team FCSA's heads. "What was that? I felt Azalea's anger and it was just over," Sunset asked with her Semblance.
"We'll explain later," Layla told Sunset. "Let's just finish what we can."
"I don't think that we need to worry anymore," Sunset stated. "Team CFVY, some of the transfer students, and a couple of teacher from Beacon came to help out. Same with the Atlesian Military."
"Man, this day was really eventful," Slate remarked as he placed his guns in their holsters. However just as he put his weapons away, some Creeps popped up from underground and were about to attack the four teens. Before they could draw their weapons again, the Grimm all collided with a green barrier that knocked them backward. "What the heck," Slate asked before he saw Azalea's dog, Dante growling at the monsters with glowing green eyes. The dog's eyes flashed green and the barrier suddenly formed spikes on it that extended forward to impale the Grimm. With the monsters defeated, Dante relaxed and walked up to Azalea so that he could lick her face. As Azalea and Bianca just began to play with the dog, Slate and Layla were surprised at what they witnessed. "Your dog has a Semblance," Slate asked in shock.
"Yeah. I did say that Dante was a hunting dog my dad trained," Azalea answered. "Speaking of which, we should go meet up with him," Azalea said as she got up. Still amazed by the fact that Azalea's dog was a capable fighter, Slate and Layla walked beside Azalea and Bianca as Dante lead the way.
Meeting up at the site of the train crash that brought the Grimm into the city, the Atlesian Military was taking Roman Torchwick away as Team RWBY explained he was responsible for a plan with the White Fang. Apparently, the criminal mastermind and the extremist cell loaded a train with bombs to detonate in Mountain Glenn's underground train system that lead directly to Vale. By decoupling cars from the train, they brought Grimm into the tunnels and had them chase the train all the way to the city. While the plan seemed to work, the Huntsmen all managed to take care of the breach. However, many civilians were harmed in the attack and Fragment Hunter was visiting some of them in the hospital with Bianca Coloratura. "Are you sure that you'll be okay in time for the concert," Bianca asked a band member that was injured.
"I don't think so," he said as he looked at his bandaged hand. "My hand, his ribs, and her head are pretty banged up. At least we're alive, though," the musician remarked as he pointed to his bandmates before he looked on the positive side.
Bianca sighed and smiled. "Yeah. You're right."
"I think we might have to delay the concert until we can find another band," Kurenai stated sadly. "It's not like we can find another one that knows all of your songs, Bianca."
"Wait! We can," Bianca exclaimed. "Fragment Hunter!" As the teenagers all looked at Bianca, she lightly shoved Vinyl and Rua forward. "They said that they were in a band and that they covered so many of my songs. All we need to do is make sure they know what to play for the concert before the Vytal Festival," Bianca told her manager.
Kurenai thought it over before he nodded his head. "Alright. I know that it'll be a lot for you to do, but we could use your help when you can spare the time," he said to Fragment Hunter. "Consider it an opportunity to earn some Lien before you become real Huntresses and Huntsmen."
The teenagers thought it over before Sunset spoke up to Kurenai. "We still have other missions to take before the Vytal Festival, but we'll help out with the concert," Sunset told the manager and extended her hand.
Kurenai shook Sunset's hand and turned on his Scroll. "Now, I just need to go over some extra details involving this agreement. Do you have somebody that I can talk to about this," he asked.
"Azalea's mom can help out with the finer details, Kurenai," Bianca replied as she looked over at Azalea and Terracotta.
"I'll tell Ivy about this," Terracotta said. "But right now, I say that we need some rest after everything that happened today."
"I second that emotion," Slate and Silver agreed. As everyone left for Beacon Academy or the hotel, they looked around at how well Glynda Goodwitch had repaired the city with her Semblance. Because Layla's Semblance was similar, everyone thought that she could accomplish similar feats with enough training. But for the moment, all of the warriors just wanted to have a nice break before they continued on with another mission the next day.
Alright! And I'm done with the Volume 2 finale! When Sideline returns, I'll be focusing on more missions for the characters to go on during the gap between Volume 2 and Volume 3. Like around the time Team RWBY went on their mission to investigate everything that happened in Grimm Eclipse. I'll be introducing a few new characters to the story during then as well. Such as new Huntsman mentors, some villains besides Smoke Shadow and his team, and even some family members of Fragment Hunter (which may or may not fall into the first category as well, XD), and try to make scenes with Bianca's concert.
I hope you all enjoyed the battle scenes in this chapter because it was really fun to work on them! Also, I thought that since animals are stated to have Aura, why not give them Semblances as well if they've been trained enough? That's why I decided to give Dante a Semblance that allows him to create and manipulate barriers.
As for the mysterious masked person who was watching Cereza's battle, I'll explain about them in due time.
Until next chapter, WaterDragonMaverick out!