GrimmFall News Report
"This is Margaret Smith, Mobian bird on the scene of the disaster."
*The scene then shows an utterly destroyed plane with little remaining of it and all the trees in the surrounding area burned up or just gone.
"I have come when reports of a huge explosion was heard from countless people. Upon arriving, police have seen this shipment which held Dust, to aid other towns during this slowly cold weather, all gone."
*Images then show what is the inside of the plane. Particularly, Katz and an unknown scorpion faunus as both laughed when battling one another.
"This video here shows the culprit, or culprits of this disaster. While sources say there were more, the camera was unable to see them. Only showing infamous serial killer Katz and an unknown faunus. Both are considered the cause of this disaster."
*Margaret then checks her phone and nods.
"We have word that this man is a known criminal, and a Rank 4 threat. If anybody finds him, Katz, and other associates, please call as demanded by the GrimmFall leadership asks. Margaret out, and will report more about this later."
Hours ago.
The cold weather has been affecting a lot of places. And while big cities and other places were somewhat safe, smaller towns and villages weren't. Lacking the means and protection against the rising cold weather, and needed help to supply their heat.
So with great news, Dexlabs and other major companies have decided, for a cost from the government, to send in supplies to locations that had no means to aid themselves. Shipments of Dust being loaded onto a plane that would deliver the supplies to these places. Then leave and go on to the next. Many grateful for this and eagerly waited for the plane to come as it flew in the sky, untouched by all.
"There it is." Cinder, grinning as she held onto the Nevermore, said. "It seems Watts managed to pinpoint it down after all."
"Then let us get ready." Hazel tells her as he looks at the Dust crystals he brought with then and nodding. Putting them away as he stands up. "All we need to do is insert the virus Watts has made and the shipment is ours."
"And if we encounter any threats," Tyrian giggled as his tail then poised for action. A drop of venom leaking out. "We handle them and let the footsoldiers at home clean up."
Hazel and Cinder rolled their eyes. Their ally always so eager for a battle. Made sense though, seeing as he was the type of man who loved to see blood being spilled all over and enjoying the kills he made. Thus why Salem recruited him for his immense skill.
"Scraaa!" The Nevermore all three road on then screeched. Their target getting closer and closer. The villains then getting ready to enter when suddenly, they heard a sound.
"SHRAAA!" It sounded like a Nevermore, only bigger and louder. One that emitted out of the plane itself, and for a moment, the Nevermore turned as if ready to leave. Red eyes glowing along with miles away, the Nevermore then steered back and ignoring the sounds the plane made. Hazel grunting as he knew what was going on now.
"So that's the system we were told about." Near him, a now waking Bandit Princess who also joined them yawned and grinned.
"Yeah." She said. "Some big wigs managed to set up a system of sorts to ward off flying Grimm like this one here. Something about science, sound-reproduction, and using Alpha Grimm."
"That is...impressive." Hazel admits and is astonished by such a system. "But, then why not use this for cities or boats."
"Isn't it obvious." This time it is Cinder who answers. "Money." Now that made sense. This unique system, while very capable, still had some faults. For one thing, it didn't affect the Grimm completely. While data has indicated a high rate of success in warding the lesser Grimm away, bigger and stronger Grimm could ignore it. Not to mention one time as a test and when installed in a boat, while the modulator did scare the sea Grimm away, the constant appearance caused many to become fearful. Fear that made the Grimm soon enough ignore the reproduced alpha sounds and just attack.
Then, as Cinder herself said, money. These wonderful machines, while great, were not cheap. If anything, trying to make more would sooner bankrupt the government and probably ruin the economy. So while private businesses and those who could use it used them, overall, these devices weren't utilized completely for these reasons.
Though naturally Dexlabs had their own system and were using it on the Nevermore they road. It would have worked to, were it not for the fact that a much greater order commanded it and not some false reproduction.
Regardless, soon enough the Nevermore was overhead the plane where it then flowed at the machines pace, still ignoring the false calls of an Alpha. The four criminals then throwing some lines down and then grabbed the ropes and slid toward the top of the plane. Their feet made a thud as they landed and the Nevermore then pulled back, but still followed close behind.
"Alright then," Hazel then pulled out some tools, "Let's get started."
"Excellent." Bandit princess shivered. "It's freezing up here with all this wind."
"I'm surprised." Cinder looked at her while also feeling the cold, despite her aura blocking the worst of it. "I thought that fur would help."
"It does." The bandit Queen proclaimed. Though her arms then shook and she grabbed herself in a hug. "But we are up pretty high." Plus the recent cold weather wasn't helping. As they talked, Hazel slowly used the tools given to him to burn a hole on the hull of the plane. Making it big enough for all of them to enter, and positioning it in the part where it should lead to the command deck.
Once they enter, they'll go to where the controls were and deal with anybody in their way. Then they'll insert Watt's virus who also gave them a small machine that will then fly while sending out a dummy signal so that those watching the plane will think the shipment is still on track. All while they took the real deal back to the Wilds.
After a few minutes, Hazel managed to make a hole with the piece of the hull he cut off now flying into the wind. The four then enter without hesitation both to do their job and get out of this weather.
"Yes." Bandit Princess yelled as they landed onto the ground of the floor. "Finally away from that wind."
"Let us move." Hazel then just says, wanting to get this over with. "We need to act now before we're noticed."
"Then let us be noticed!" Tyrian laughed. The group then ignoring him as they made their way in. Hazel then lifting his scroll and pushing a small button. Cameras that would have spotted them then unable to see them properly. A miniature scrambler that messed with cameras, courtesy of Watts. This way, on the off chance this mission failed, nobody would be seen. Unless of course they stepped out of range of the scramblers purpose.
Regardless, the four moved out to find the controls to the ship. Though while doing so, Hazel found himself feeling unease. Noticing that they were seeing nobody at all. Either they were lucky, or something else was going on. Either way, for a time nobody stepped in to stop them or declare they were under arrest. Where eventually, they found a metal door that blocked their path. A tough one to.
"Well," Bandit Princess looked at Hazel. "After you." Hazel grunted and focused a bit of his aura on his fist. He then pulled his arm back and threw it at the door. It ripped off its hinges and fell to the ground with a fist-sized dent in it.
"Haha! Nice one man!" Bandit Princess patted his back. Though while the Mobian was happy, Cinder herself looked suspicious.
'Strange.' She thought as she looked at the fallen door. 'I understand this was necessary, but shouldn't an alarm be going off?' Instead, they were all met with silence. The others not even noticing with Cinder going on ahead while the rest followed. Confused by why not only there were no people, but no alarms going off after Hazel did that. The people here couldn't be that incompetent, could they?
Still, nothing slowed them down at all. In fact, it got to the point where now everybody was getting suspicious by what was happening here. While they felt they could handle whatever security was here, seeing as Bandit Princess admitted DexLabs would put something in case thieves came, the vacant guards or security measures was becoming more apparent.
And while they didn't show it, each of them was now ready for trouble. So it came to a surprise when they saw a machine a bit away, and utterly destroyed.
"Is that...a guard?" Cinder asks aloud.
"Like one of Ironwood's toys." Tyrian points out, recalling the generals little metal dolls.
"Not sure who Ironwood is, but now this is making sense." Bandit Princess finally realized what was going on. Three heads turning toward her where she knew she had to explain herself. "Basically put, DexLabs is known for, well, using robots and the like for some jobs."
"They must pay cheaply." Cinder states looking at the machine that was humanoid, with its arm a few feet away and it's robotic head bent in an angle where normal humans would be dead. Not to mention the bullet holes in it.
"Eh." Bandit Princess shrugged. "It varies. Though it explains the lack of actual humans here. They must have had their toys taking over and some auto-pilot turned on."
"In that case," Hazel got serious. "Who was here before us? And where are the rest of the guards?"
"Because the toys are all broken. Courtesy of me. Hehehe." Weapons were pulled and stances were taken. All ready to see who was here, as the intercom had turned to life. That robot didn't take itself out, meaning someone was here. From the looks of it, before them to. The intercom then voicing this person's chuckles. A person that was surprised to see this group of all people here.
It was then the lights began flickering on and off. While the rest was ready, Bandit Princess then noticed Tyrian was gone. "That little-"
"Hello there." Suddenly, like any dramatic film, their new guest has come. They spun around, watching as a monitor switched on, showing a red furred cat Mobian staring at them with yellow eyes. While Hazel and Cinder didn't know who this person was, Bandit Princess did. She thought she recognized that voice.
Bandit Princess narrowed her eyes. "I know you...Katz, the serial killer."
"And you are the so-called Bandit Princess. You've wandered very far from home in the outer regions where you like to hide." Katz commented, sitting in the pilot's chair and looking very comfortable. In his left hand being a Dust Crystal. One that made Bandit Princess realize what was going on.
"What are you you-did you...Did you..." Bandit Princess widened her eyes in realization. "You hijacked this plane before we got here!"
"Yes, I did. A sizeable proportion of Dust was too good to pass up. Imagine my surprise when a Grimm pulls up and lets off...guests." Katz snickered. His eyes then observing Hazel and Cinder, the latter especially with her Grimm arm. So these were the ones he was allowed to visit. Seems fate decided to have them meet him though. What were the chances of that.
"Who is this guy?" Cinder whispered to Bandit Princess.
"He's a serial killer." The princess answered. "Wanted for mass murder and breeding of illegal spiders."
Cinder raised an eyebrow. "Illegal spiders?"
If Tyrian had been here, he would have said something along the lines like, 'I like them!', with a smile on his face. Not that they bothered thinking this, as the three then noticed some strange sounds above them. Looking up, it was then they saw eight-legged creatures where if one looked closely, with deadly mandibles.
"There are some humans here." Katz says with a grin. "I was going to feed the crew to my children but it turned out the entire craft was automated from launch. So they are really hungry." Katz chuckled. "Thank you for coming...to dinner."
Unknown to both parties however, there were two people watching them. Each using their own method to view them.
"Hm." Salem, with the power of her Clairvoyance. While she could have used Edel's power, she rather use her own actual magic instead for the time being. Watching her followers as they squashed some arachnids. Still, that Katz. "Did he know we would be targeting that transport?"
No, not possible. They barely made the decision just a bit ago. In other words, a complete coincidence. An annoying one at that.
Salem then turned toward Edel, who still stood in the corner. Sighing, she then said, "Edel, come over here."
The 'girl' obeyed and walked over. Where she then presented her Pearl showing the exact same scene as the crystal ball Salem used to observe her cabal. Okay, that was impressive. Salem then decided to just ignore her for the time being and go back to watching. Unaware that someone used this chance to watch her as well.
Who found this coincidence to be amusing. Having also been glad to see Katz meeting this Fallen's own group. Even better, he now saw this woman herself, with Edel's pearl being connected through the special network of Seers he, the other Fallen and this Salem woman could use.
Best part was that Salem had no way of sensing him or anyone else watching through Edel.
This was why Edel was so valuable.
Her powers and nature made her useful to Salem because they interested her and how they could assist her. At the same time she was too dangerous to be around Salem's subordinates and thus left with Salem herself, allowing for Edel to observe her and with her empty nature she could not be coerced into giving away information or even need to lie to cover herself.
And whatever her pearl showed it would be transmitted back to him.
"Katz will be more than a match for her underlings." Sammael muttered softly as he then switched to the battle he knew would be coming. He could observe this woman Salem later, and figure out her strange nature as a Fallen. For now, he wanted to personally see how her allies fought. Something he found interesting.
Katz knew the spiders wouldn't last long. After all, if Sammael was interested in them, then these strange people couldn't be weak. Having seen them easily deal with his little pets without getting bitten. Watching as they then moved on where they faced the remaining robots and broke them apart.
So it came to no surprise to him when the door to the cockpit was smashed open and in walked Hazel, with Dust crystals embedded in his arms. The very technique he used to incinerate the spiders while also reminding him of the other muscle-head back in the Invisible Hand. "My, my. That looks painful."
"You have one chance to live. Turn control of this plane over to us and you'll get a single parachute." Hazel growled. Katz noticed his muscles bulging as he was serious. Oh my. A good hit and even he'd be hurt.
Katz chuckled as he stood up, not afraid. "I wouldn't so sound confident if I were you."
"Very well. I'll make this quick." Hazel said as he stepped forward. Then he made a punching motion and from it a bolt of electricity actually came out of him. How interesting. Still, Katz had business to do so he dodged the attack and then pulled out a single container and threw it at Hazel who caught it and squashed it. From the canister emerged a pinkish ooze like jam that spread around his body as he struggled.
"Mutagenic Dust mixed with my own special jam." Katz watched as Hazel tried to pull it off him but the jam was easily holding him and his Dust powers seemed to have no effect. "I'd be careful using Fire and Lightning around it. Mutagenic Dust can be very dangerous and explosive under the right conditions."
Katz walked past the struggling giant and picked up the parachute Hazel had offered. "Thank you."
Once he left, Katz made his way towards the first cargo hold and noticed the hover bike on the elevator. "A chance to go home in style? How quant."
He pressed the down button and watched as the hover bike descended to the lower levels. His ear perked up and he moved his head, watching an arrow embed itself in the wall behind him.
He turned and looked to see Cinder with her bow drawn and readying another arrow. "Be careful, with those. They look pointy enough to poke out...well, an eye as you likely already know."
Cinder growled and fired her next arrow. Katz ducked and rushed forward, pulling out a small blue ball and threw at it Cinder who tilted her head and let it fly past her.
"A little ball? Is that all you-AH!" Cinder didn't see the blue ball bounce off the wall and slam into the back of her head.
She stumbled forward and spotted the ball bounce off the wall and fly straight at her again. She raised her bow to block but to her immense shock the ball shattered her bow with surprising kinetic force before slamming into her forehead.
"Modified to absorb and build kinetic energy with a built in target lock." Katz watched in amusement as the ball almost slammed into Cinder's head but she rolled away.
The ball slammed into the ground and bounced back up, leaving a deep dent in the floor.
"I always enjoy a little sport before slow dying, dear girl." Katz chuckled as he walked to the door, leaving Cinder to try and hit a little ball of all things.
The little ball gained speed with each bounce and the force of its kinetic power built up with each hit. Growling Cinder aimed and fired at Katz, knowing he was the source just as the ball slammed into her torso and sent her crashing into the wall. Katz opened the door and closed it...just as the arrow embedded itself in it, next to his head.
Just as Katz was in the next cargo hold, he raised his arm and his Aura(enhanced by the enhancement pill given to him by Sammael) blocked a sword strike meant to take his head.
"The odious Bandit Princess herself." Katz remarked, amused by the agitated look on her face. "Have you done something with your hair?"
Bandit Princess growled as she tried slashing at Katz again but the feline Mobian looked her in the eye...and his Semblance activated.
"Farewell, new friends." Katz said as he made it to the emergency airlock. "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Looks like they weren't all that as he thought. Some skill here and there, but ultimately he was better with his bag of tricks and own ability. Kats then took out a timer and placed it near the exit lock where a timer appeared. A bomb. One that will blow this plane and those left inside into tiny pieces. Near him being a pack of Dust that was of the highest quality and would make him a good amount of cash.
Just as he opened the door a scorpion tail lashed out and embedded itself in the handle.
"You are right." Katz turned to see Tyrian land a few feet away. Blood all over his weapons where Katz then realized it wasn't from those jokers from before. "Parting is indeed such sweet sorrow. Part of you here, part of you there, part of you way over there...staining the wall." Tyrian giggled madly before it turned into a full blown laugh.
It was then Katz turned and saw an open door where a hand laid on the ground. The very door where he had trapped the remaining humans here. Ah, he saw now. A killer just like him.
"Well then," Katz took out his weapons. "This should be entertaining.
The first part showed the aftermath of the battle between Tyrian and Katz. Next one will show how a plane blew up.