Chapter 6

Eric van Genus' Audio Journal #6: Pros & Cons

In life, there are always pros and cons to everything. There will always be positives and negatives to everything that there is. For example, volcanoes. Well, the ones on land. Cons: The lava causes devastation in its path, poisonous sulfur gases kills anything that breathes it in, plants are set a blaze that kill animals trap inside and the land becomes barren for a while. Pros: New land gets formed in the seas, the soil gets rejuvenated from the ashes for new plants to grow, and certain resources to be created such as sulfur, iron pyrite, diamonds, obsidian and hot spring water. Plus they keep the water salty to ensure the ecosystems remain intact since less then 3% of ocean life can live in fresh water. Wildfires are also the same. Cons: They cause devastation as they burn down acres and kill animals that couldn't escape, can trigger landslides and other forms of erosion, devastate ecosystems and burn down any homes that are in the way. Pros: Removes plants and trees that are contaminated with fungus spores, clean out trees for smaller plants to get sunlight, rejuvenate the forest when there is no water or rain and maintain diversity levels in the area. There will always be pros and cons to everything that there is. However, sometimes the cons outweigh the pros that can cause more problems.

The cons of Grimm are such an example. The Grimm basically destroy everything. They take lives, destroy anything in their path, completely ruin everything and cause everyone to be stuck in those mega cities. Having people all in one place can cause a rise in viral infections and plagues. When a creature is destroyed, people take them apart for a variety of purposes such as medicinal ingredients, meat for food, leather for clothes, scales for armor, its head as a decorative trophy and bones for fancy decoration. But when a Grimm dies, all you get is a puff of smoke. Does that sound right? Having a monster appear, destroy and eat everything and leaves nothing when it dies? No. If you hunt, you expect meat for food after tracking it down a long way. That is why the Grimm will be eliminated. Yet it would leave the Huntsmen unemployed with no monsters to kill. So instead, we will have them replace with new monsters. Monsters that don't disappear so people can take them apart for a variety of purposes. What I have in mind are creatures that Remnant has never seen before that are just like animals. Yet these creatures are from Earth's past and Earth's imagination. Scientific imagination to ensure nothing is broken and the creatures can survive.

The only pro I can think of from the Grimm is that when they're gone, they're gone. That's all, so the cons outweigh the pros.

End of recording.


Atlas, Abandoned SDC Mine #2

Over at the abandoned SDC mine, the Happy Huntresses received word that some sort of convoy is heading over to the abandoned mine. Robyn and her fellow Huntresses are laying low over the hills as they scope the place. They are on their bellies and using binoculars to keep an eye on it. Yet they receive a surprise.

"Can we join you?" Clover Ebi asks.

The rest of the Ace Ops have joined in and lay on their bellies. Clover is lying next to Robyn.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Robyn is a bit annoyed.

Clover is using his binoculars, "We just got word that some convoy disguised as the Atlesian Military is appearing at this mine. And don't worry, we're not gonna arrest you. We know that the crimes you committed were faked."

Robyn looks back in her binoculars, "At least someone knows the truth. But who has been spreading these false rumors?"

Clover stays focus, "Probably the same people we're about to meet." Yet on the other side, he can see someone else keeping an eye on the old mine. "Wait, there's some people on the other side."

Everyone look at the direction where Clover is looking at and see members of the White Fang keeping an eye on the mine as well.

"White Fang?" Harriet says as she lowers her binoculars.

"What are they doing here?" Joanna asks.

"They probably have the same intel as we do." Marrow says to the others.

Yet Vine has a suspicion, "I think this is some sort of trap. For us."

Fiona looks at everyone, "Do you think we're in danger?"

Robyn just keeps an eye out, "If there is, we should keep our distance for the time being."

"I got something." May says as she spots something on the road.

Everyone look at the road and sees twenty Atlesian Military APC's, four Scorpion tanks, and a very strange tank that seems to be hovering, painted purple, and some strange, alien-looking ammunition belt on it. Behind it is some sort of ambulance. The convoy stopped a few feet away from the ruined buildings. Soldiers dressed in some sort of futuristic armor with some having bizarre helmet shapes just like the ones at the abandoned mine at Mistral. Yet there is one particular soldier wearing bulky red armor with the word 'BRICK' on the chest.

"Those aren't Atlesian soldiers." Elm states.

Marrow asks, "Is that some sort of prototype tank? But why is there also an ambulance?"

The soldiers set up a defensive perimeter in case some Grimm might attack sooner before their preparations are complete. The tanks' cannons are aimed at the entrance just like what happened before. But the biggest shocker is that the alien tank transforms into a giant robot. And that robot is Shockwave from Transformers. The ambulance also transformed into a giant robot and it is Ratchet, also from Transformers.

"Whoa." Harriet is impressed.

Marrow wags his tail. "They got vehicles that can turn into robots. That's awesome."

Clover lowers his binoculars while having a worried expression, "This just got complicated."

On the other hills, some of the White Fang members started to freak out when they saw the vehicles transform into robots.

Over where the Evolutionaries are at Shockwave asks Ratchet, "How are you doing in this cold weather?"

"I'm still functional. But I should ask you the same."

"Logical for a medical officer and fellow scientist. But we should carry out the mission. We need as much Energon for the Cybertronian ark ship as we can."

Ratchet stands next to Shockwave, "So we can create Cybertron in a distant solar system."

Shockwave orders the soldiers, "Begin the operation!"

One of the soldiers placed some sort of sound device close to the entrance with a loud speaker and those special vibration speakers on the ground before playing some awful, emo sounding music. The tanks aim their cannons at the entrance just like the tanks at Mistral did. The Ace Ops, Happy Huntresses and White Fang cover their ears to shield against such negative music. Ratchet tries to cover his audio receptors while Shockwave just pay attention to the mine entrance. As the music plays, a bunch of Grimm started to come out and try to attack the source of the music. Beowolves, Centinels, Sabyrs and Ursas come out and try to charge at the music player. But before they can get to it, the tanks fire stasis rounds to slow them down to a crawl. Brick is holding something that looks like a BFG-type weapon and fires at the horde of Grimm. The weapon fired a green energy ball that shoots green lighting at the Grimm before exploding which causes the Grimm to explode.

While watching (and covering her ears), Joanna goes, "What the fuck kind of gun is that?!"

Centinels started to pop from the ground close to the music player yet the tanks fire to stop them and Brick fires another shot. Unfortunately, the music player was damaged.

Brick says to the soldiers, "We have enough Wesen for the time being!" Brick sounds more intelligent than Pain. "We're here for the resources we need to mine!" He points at the mine, "Clear the mine out!"

"YES, SIR!" the soldiers say before heading right into the mine to clear the rest of the Grimm out.

Clover says, "Damn. I was hoping to see their gun that turn Grimm into new races."

Robyn looks at Clover, "They have a what that can do what?"

Clover looks at Robyn, "They have some sort of gun device that can turn Grimm into some new creatures with a ten percent success rate. Got it from some report not too long ago. Plus they can turn Dust into something else as well."

Robyn looks at the Evolutionaries for a few moments before looking at Clover, "Who are these people? Where did they get such technology?"

Fiona looks up in the sky because she hears something with her sheep ears. She keeps looking at the sky until she sees something. "We got something."

Everyone looks up and see some sort of robotic bird flying in the sky and circles over the White Fang. Then some sort of unmanned aerial drone (MQ-9 Reaper) appears diving towards the White Fang before firing a missile at the White Fang encampment. The missile hits and kills some of the White Fang members along with some of their convoy vehicles. Others got scorched by the flames yet some use their aura to shield themselves. Shockwave finish the rest off with his cannon as the vehicles the soldiers were riding in transform into Transformers. These new Transformers fire their weapons at the White Fang encampment to finish them off.

"This isn't good." Marrow states as he crawls backwards.

Clover says, "Now is a good time to leave."

When they try to turn back, Laserbeak is looking right at them.

"Oh shit." Harriet says.

"RUN!" Robyn yells.

Everyone scatter but end up getting cut off from a surprise attack from the Transformer APCs so they have to slide down the hill and run to the left towards the ruins close to the mine. The soldiers take aim and about to gun down the Ace Ops and Happy Huntresses.

Clover takes notices and says, "HARRIET!"

"ON IT!" Harriet uses her semblance to dash right at the soldiers and disarm as many as she could along with knocking them out.

She bashes through their helmets and kick away all the guns. Clover and Robyn's group made it to the abandoned complex before Harriet rejoins them. The Transformers aim their weapons at the ruined complex and fire. They try to gun them down as they shoot holes through the old buildings. Brick brings out his BFG and charge it up.

Robyn notices as she shouts, "INTO THE MINES!"

Clover shouts among the gun fire, "BUT WE'LL BE-" he glances outside and sees the BFG being charged, "OKAY, LET'S GO!"

Everyone run into the mine and just in time before Brick fires the BFG. They got in and try to run deeper in while also trying to avoid some of the Evolutionaries that may come across their path. They head deeper into the mines until they come across the central hub where the Evolutionaries just took down a Geist. Everyone points their weapons at each other's groups and about ready to fire.

But one with sergeant stripes says, "Whoa! Hold on! Melee combat only! One miss fire will set off a chain reaction!"

The Evolutionaries switch over to melee with their guns becoming swords or axes. Marrow switch his Fetch to boomerang mode and tosses at them. Fetch knocked down a few of them before Harriet and Elm went to work and take down the rest with Vine taking on the sergeant by using a quick flick of his aura whip.

"So what now?" Fiona asks.


Back on the surface, there is someone with fair skin dressed in a white lab coat that has a green hawk on the right shoulder that has its wings spread out, dark blue jeans with some leather patches on it, messy and shabby forest green hair, a pair of goggles over his silver eyes, have a pair of forest green feathered wings on his back, and a left prosthetic arm. The man puts on a winter coat as he approaches Brick. This man is Caelum Forest. He is the scientist of Eric's inner circle who is a bit of a mad scientist thanks to Eric's...eccentric teachings. Although he lost his arm before meeting Eric.

He approaches Brick, "Looks like our trap was a success."

Brick lowers the BFG, "Yeah. But I wish we could finish them off."

Soundwave lands as he transforms. "Denied." he says, "We need them online to help feed Atlas' paranoia."

Shockwave approaches, "Having Atlas give in to its fear and feed Ironwood's paranoia is a logical way to have Atlas fall."

Ratchet approaches to give Brick the same device that was used to make Energon, Chiralium and other such resources. He hands it to him, "I believe you'll be needing this."

Brick looks at Ratchet and gives back the device, "No. I need a bit of a workout. If we are to send a message, it needs to be up close and personal."

Shockwave says, "Your logic...is sound, Agent Brick."

Brick charges into the mine so he can give the two groups a beating. "Just use a little bit at the entrance to seal it off!"

Caelum takes the matter transmogrifier and says, "Got it!"

As Brick heads in, Caelum fires the weapon and turn the Dust at the entrance into Energon, Elex and other such resources.

But when Caelum notices that it is shortening out, "Uh-oh."


At the center of the mine, the Ace Ops and Happy Huntresses tie up the Evolutionaries that they knocked out with rope.

"I think that's all of them." May says as she dust off her hands.

"I don't feel comfortable about using them as hostages." Vine address his concerns.

"Just what are they?" Fiona asks.

Elm says, "From a report, these creatures are part of a collective called, Wesen. Unlike the Faunus, they have different types with their own species names."

Before they say anymore or do their plan, they notice some blue lighting being scattered across the mine walls and hitting every Dust that there is.

"TAKE COVER!" Joanna screams out.

Everyone takes cover to get away from the static electricity but one of them hit Marrow's head. After a few moments of being electrocuted, he drops to the ground as different kinds of crystals start to form but only go as far as two feet.

Marrow gets up with his head smoking, "Oh fuck me. What was that?" He rubs his head yet he notice a certain change. He has floppy dog ears. "The fuck?"

The women giggle a little on how adorable Marrow looks.

Vine smiles, "I like it."

But before they can continue, they hear loud, earthshaking stomps heading straight for them. Brick charges in and about to jump bash at the two groups. They get out of the way and Brick slams his right fist into the platform they were on and shatter it. Robyn and the Happy Huntresses switch their weapons to range mode and fire their bolts at him. However, the shots get bounced off of his armor before he falls down. Clover try to use his Kingfisher to tie up Brick's hands to stop him but Brick grabs the cuffs and crush it with his right hand. Vine then uses his unfolded Thorn at Brick with Elm following it with rockets from her Timer in rocket-launcher form. Brick grabs Thorn and uses it on the rockets. Harriet uses the smoke for cover as she unleashes a barrage of punches on the armor followed by an uppercut. This uppercut completely removes Brick's helmet as it gets launched into the air and gets stuck on a piece of railing. Brick has his head looking up yet slowly looks down and stare right at Harriet's face. Harriet gets freaked out by what she sees and takes a few steps back.

Joanna gets freaked out, "What the fuck is that thing?!"

"It's creepy!" May gets creeped out.

"What. The fuck. Is that?" Marrow says as he back away.

Elm asks Clover, "Is that thing part boar or something?"

Brick angrily shouts, "GO AHEAD AND MAKE FUN OF ME! AT LEAST THE EVOLUTIONARIES APPRECIATE ME FOR WHO I AM AND WHAT I AM!" He calms down a little, "As for what I am, I am a Siegbarste!"

Robyn immediately takes a shot at Brick. She fires a bolt into Brick's left side of his head. Brick shift his gaze to the crossbow bolt sticking out of his head yet unable to see it yet knows it is there. Brick just removes the bolt and snaps it in half.

"Nice try." he gives an evil smile, "Siegbarste have thick skin and very dense bones. Not to mention that we can barely feel pain." He looks at the crush bolt in his hand, "This bolt is nothing more than a bug bite to my kind."

Harriet then tries to give him a barrage of her punches again but Brick grabs her right arm and throws her aside. Everyone then tries to surround him from all sides, including the air, with their weapons in melee form. However, at the last second, Brick is surrounded by a some blue energy field that only cover areas that has his armor and block his head with his arms. Then everyone was blown away by the energy field as if they got repelled by a strong magnetic force.

Brick laughs, "How do you like my energy shield?! It comes in handy when dealing with a multitude of enemies at once!"

Everyone gets back up.

Robyn analyzes, "Thick skin. Dense bones. An armor that is thick and has an energy shield. These Siegbarstes are super strong."

"Glad you noticed." Brick slams his fists together, "Shall we continue?"

Brick then charges at the Ace Ops first before he pounds Vine. But Vine uses his semblance to yank Brick and use his own weight against him that cause him to fall. Brick gets back up and throws a boulder at Elm. Elm smashes the boulder with Timber yet Brick delivers a punch to the gut after she destroys it. Then he grabs her ankle and prepares to throw her. But Vine saves her and Clover and Harriet try to take him down. Marrow uses Fetch in gun mode to get in a few shots. Unfortunately the bullets bounce back and nearly hit the two. The Happy Huntresses join the fray as a huge battle against a seemingly unstoppable Siegebarste rages on. Everyone try combo attacks, surprise attacks and even try to aim at his head but nothing works. For someone in a bulky body, he moves fast. Brick laughs at their failing effort as both groups are exhausted.

Brick laughs and is all smug, "Is that your best?!" He sounds very cocky, "You guys are nothing to me! I manage to evade all your attacks and I didn't even have to use my semblance!"

Everyone try to catch their breath as Brick continues to laugh.

May states, "For a big guy, he moves fast."

"Is there any armor enhancements that increased his speed?" Harriet asks.

Clover states, "That or some sort of special training."

Fiona says, "My semblance is useless unless he throws something at me."

"Hahahahaha!" Brick gloats, "If you think that's bad, wait until I show you the results of my special training!"

"Huh?" everyone looks at Brick.

Brick does wide sweeping arm movements and cupping the hands together as he says, "Kaaaa-meee-haaa-meee-" He has his arms pulled back as a strange red energy ball is formed in the middle of his cupped hands.

"What is that?!" Joanna freaks out.

"Is that some sort of semblance?!" Marrow asks.

"HAAAAA!" Brick thrust his hands forward to shoot out a powerful beam of red energy.

Fiona steps in and uses her semblance by using her left hand to intercept while her right hand will act as a projection. She absorbs the Kamehameha Wave and sends it right back at Brick. Brick gets freaked out as his own ki attack and gets hit. He is sent flying straight into the stone wall. Fiona's arms are shaking after absorbing and sending the powerful blast back at Brick before collapsing onto the ground.

"Fiona!" Robyn heads over to help Fiona up.

"I'll be alright." Fiona's arms hurt like hell after doing something like that. "I have no idea what it was but if I did absorb it into my body without sending it out...my body would've been destroyed."

Brick has his back against the hole in the mine walls as he is covered in soot and coughed out a puff of smoke. "Man." Brick says as he tries to get up, "I should be careful with that one. No ki attacks for a while."

"Brick!" Caelum says over Brick's radio.

Brick place his right hand over his right ear, "Yeah, Doc?"

"That's enough for now. Fall back and regroup. We're abandoning this mine."

Brick smirks, "Got it. Besides, I think I had my exercise for the day. But I do have something to tell you on the way back."

Marrow has Fetch aimed at Brick. "Hold it right there." Marrow seems serious as he aims his weapon.

Elm has Timber in rocket launcher form aimed at Brick as well along with Joanna's weapon.

"You are under arrest." Marrow says.

Brick does an evil chuckle, "I wouldn't say that." Brick does a snap of his fingers as his helmet makes a noise. "Later!" Brick runs out as his helmet activates a countdown timer for a bomb.

Clover notices that the helmet is a bomb as he yells, "RUN!"

Everyone runs to another exit out of the mine as the helmet bomb counts down. That entrance was made after the accident that took place some time ago. They keep on running as the timer is about to run out. As they are just a mile away from the exit, the bomb goes off and all the strange crystals explode. The shockwave of the explosion blows everyone out of the mine before it collapses. They all look back at the collapsed exit and catch their breath.

"That was too close." Vine says.

Joanna says, "I need a vacation."

"I double that." Elm says.

Marrow passes out on the ground.

Harriet looks at Marrow, "You okay, Rookie?"

"Just give me a minute." Marrow has gone pass his limitations as he just lie there on the snow.

Clover heads out, "I'm gonna go check to see what those guys are doing."

"I'm coming along." Robyn volunteers.


The two went over to the main entrance as they see a large hole in the ground that is closing up.

As it closes up, Robyn goes, "What the fuck?"

Everyone is gone. All the Transformers, Wesen and their tanks have disappeared.

Robyn looks at Clover, "Just what are we up against?"

Clover looks at the ground where the hole have closed up, "I wish I knew more."


Salem's Palace, Two Hours Later...

In the meeting hall of Salem's Palace, Salem along with Tyrian, Arthur and Hazel are having a meeting on what is happening.

Arthur looks as his scroll, "Hmm... It seems that even the Ace Ops have some trouble dealing with these pawns."

Tyrian chuckles a little, "But do we know who this new groups is? I am excited to meet them." Tyrian is excited that he wants to kill the new group that is slowly gaining strength.

Hazel states, "They are responsible for the death of the Summer Maiden and the disappearance of the Sword of Destruction. Not only that, the disappearance of the Winter Maiden. If she is not dead, they may be trying to recruit her."

Arthur does a smug chuckle, "As if. Last I check, she is an old woman who could barely stand. Not to mention that she has holes in her memories. She's probably dead in a ditch somewhere."

Salem addresses her council. "If that's the case..." she looks at Arthur, "Arthur, you will head to Atlas. You will go there and get as much information on the Winter Maiden as possible. You may also try to manipulate the votes to get a pawn on our side."

"Something for my skills?" Arthur seems to appreciate the opportunity, "I would gladly head home to cause a bit of chaos and confusion to get the Staff of Creation."

Salem looks at Tyrian, "And Tyrian, you will assist Arthur with his endeavor."

Tyrian groans, "I have to babysit." But smiles again, "Oh well. At least I can use my talents to help out with the chaos and confusion." then does a maniacal laugh.


AN: So, what do you guys think so far?