Hello everyone! How are you all doing? I hope you are all doing great!
Chapter 71 is here, I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks a lot once more for following/favoring/commenting/ just reading the series! You are the best!
See you all next week with ch. 72. Until then, be well and have fun!
March 14th, 86
Glynda stared at the four girls standing in front of her with completely mixed feelings. Pride, concern and worry were the prevalent ones, but frustration and sadness were existent as well.
Her glass-covered eyes fell on the four license cards lying on the desk in front of her. "Are you really sure about this?" she asked team RWBY "I don't have to tell you how risky this course of action is."
Weiss scoffed and stared away, as if trying to not answer to the woman she really held in high regard. Yang tapped her metal elbow with her fingers to restrain herself and Blake simply glared in shy determination.
Ruby closed her eyes and nodded "we spent all yesterday afternoon discussing this. Not everyone accepted it, but the most important is that all four of us agree on that, Professor" she said, calmly and gently.
"Ms. Rose… Ruby" Goodwitch started. "Despite yesterday's events, I want to make clear to all four of you one thing; what you are doing is extremely unprofessional for huntresses" she exclaimed.
All but one lowered their shoulders in discomfort. "That goes back at them" Yang protested. "Or did you already forget what those bastards ordered us to do yesterday, Commander?" she underlined that word.
Yesterday morning, conference room
Everyone stood, visibly shocked at the words that had just come out of the man's mouth. "E-excuse me?" Ruby blinked a few times, trying to form any sort of coherent phrase.
"You heard me well, Ms. Rose" Flax replied. "Your nice little company is good and all, but do you want to know what we have realized this last hour since the meeting started?"
"We heard you telling us you have faced new, unknown enemies that you repeatedly failed to stop, powerful Grimm that almost killed you more than once, and a cult that spreads all across Remnant" Alloy said.
"In addition, despite having three months and an entire government-funded organization supporting you, you haven't managed to unearth any important info besides some ancient texts and superstitious songs and symbols!" Grullo added. "What exactly do you expect us to say?"
"And now you are asking us to let you, our main fighting force and most prized team, go after a runaway doctor in South Vale while one of those monsters may be lurking around us?" Flax talked again.
"Wait!" Blake pleaded. "It is an unknown situation for all of us! We are not trying to run away, we just want to find out some important info that may help us fight those things! Not for us, but for everyone!"
"I disagree" the banker turned his eyes at her. "What you are trying to do, subconsciously or not, is go on your own to play the heroes again, like you did when you faced Salem, Ms. Belladonna."
"Wha-" the cat girl's shocked expression was matched by everyone else in the room. "For that reason, we order you to stay in Vale, until Nyctos attacks and focus on patrolling the city" Satin flatly exclaimed.
Ruby stared at them, mouth agape. "You- you are putting us under house arrest?!" Weiss blurted in disbelief, earning a surprised gaze from Blake.
"No, we are stationing you in Vale until this storm passes. Your mere presence will not only guarantee our safety, but will also improve our units' morale" she replied. "You may disagree, but it is for the be-"
"BULLSHIT!" Yang's fist slammed on the table with immense power, drawing everyone's attention. "What do you think you are doing, Ms-"
"Don't 'Ms. Xiao Long' me, Alloy!" she roared. "Who the heck do you think we are; your toy soldiers? We are not celebrities to be put on a display box for your safety! You don't own us!"
"Yan- Ms. Xiao Long, please calm down!" Pale asked, trying to relieve the tension a little. "You are huntresses of Vale; you do answer to us!" Satin shouted back at her.
"Is that so?" "Yang?" Weiss' eyes opened wide. "Not any-" "ENOUGH!"
The scream came from Goodwitch and filled the interior with power, shaking everyone to their core, even those who were watching it via their monitors.
"Ms. Schnee, please escort Ms. Xiao Long out. As for you, esteemed members of the council" she fixed her glasses to put some emphasis on her words.
"Would it be okay if we wrapped this up? I will make sure to discuss everything that falls under my jurisdiction with team RWBY as soon as possible" was the last thing Yang heard after Weiss dragged her out.
"Understandable your reaction may be; your stance was uncalled for, Yang" Glynda fixed her with a gaze. "Like your decision to leave the Unit together as a team right now" she turned her gaze to Ruby.
"I…" "Whatever" Shocking everyone, Yang turned around and stormed out of the room, ignoring Goodwitch's calls to stop. She closed the door behind her, leaving the rest stare each other in an awkward silence.
Weiss stared at the older woman. "Ms-" "Go; I think Ms. Xiao Long needs you three more than I do right now" she nodded, earning a big, grateful smile from Ruby and Weiss as they ran after the blonde.
Blake, on the other hand, stayed back. She focused her yellow eyes on her former commander, before speaking "I know it sounds selfish, but-"
"It doesn't" Glynda cut her off, making the black-haired beauty raise an eyebrow. "To others, it may seem like you are throwing a tantrum, but I know my subordinates better than that, Blake" she explained.
"I know you spent a lot of time thinking about it and I know how much you love this city. I also understand how vital it is to find more info on the Eldergrimm as soon as possible, since we can't fight them as we are right now. I do believe your choice to go after Azure is right- you are huntresses, not soldiers."
Blake nodded, allowing her to continue. "And, thanks to Mr. Wukong passing by earlier, I am also aware that quite a few of your friends and comrades voiced their displeasure on that matter, which explains Ms. Xiao Long's behavior."
"I don't understand then" the cat-girl blinked. "If you believe we are right and you know why Yang is mad, then why did you chastise her like that?"
"Because I am the commander of the SHU of Vale and you four, despite having a sound reason to do so, are practically deserting us, Blake" she stated in a gentle, yet firm manner.
"My personal opinion as Glynda Goodwitch and the fact that I believe your idea is correct doesn't mean I can simply ignore the council's wish- or accept Yang blowing down on them like that."
"I see… we put you in a tough spot as well." The faunus' ears dropped and she sighed. "I am really sorry, Professor. We wouldn't do this if we didn't believe it is for the best. We will still be fighting for Vale- no, for Remnant as a whole, even if we are not official members of the Unit."
The bespectacled woman stood up, picked the four licenses and gave them back to the cat faunus. Blake stared at them, then at Glynda in confusion.
"Keep them with you, but don't use them. And return from Cornfield with the information we need- even the council will not be able to ignore that. Then, we shall be able to put those two days behind us. All sorts of bad behavior can be washed away with success, Blake. And I trust you four to do exactly that."
Blake's lips curled in a smile as she took the cards and put them in her pocket. "Is that part of being a commander, too?" she joked.
"Yes; it's called 'using your pieces to the best of their abilities'. Keep that in mind, Ms. Belladonna" Goodwitch firmly stated, as the still smiling cat-girl thanked her with a gentle smile on her face.
"Oh and one last thing, Blake" the sudden change of tone made the faunus stop at once. "In regards to the matter we discussed yesterday in private; I want you to know that, no matter what you do, my opinion is still the same."
Yellow eyes narrowed again. She didn't want to discuss that yet. "And so does my answer; have a good day Madam" she respectfully bowed and hurried out of the room.
-o—
Yang's heavy footsteps echoed inside the halls as she walked. Her eyes were red, not with anger but with tears, trying to contain the anger and disappointment she felt at the moment.
"Honestly, I agree with everyone" the conversation she had with the fellow tall girl yesterday night after they dropped Velvet and Erik at the boy's apartment played again in her mind.
"Not you as well, Lu. I thought at least you would understand" she had answered, visibly aggravated. "Understanding you and agreeing with you are different things, Yang" the reply had come.
"We are not doing this because we want to run away!" her voice had been raised more than she would have liked, but she was mentally and physically tired more than she wanted. In short, she felt like shit.
"Doesn't matter; you are still doing it" and Lumia's voice, as calm and collected as ever, made her feel even worse. In situations like this, she would feel better if the other party acted all heated up and emotional.
But, the other party was Lumia at this point. And, judging from what she knew of the former Maiden, there was only one explanation she could think of about her behavior.
"You are angry we are leaving you guys behind, aren't you?" Yang, now having changed from frustrated to worried, asked her friend. "Wouldn't you?" Lumia glared, brilliant emerald eyes staring in a condescending manner.
"Picking a fight with the Council of Vale at this particular time is one thing and your reaction was less than commendable" she continued.
"But, judging from what we did in Atlas, I am the last person who would ever disapprove of you ignoring them and doing what you all think you should. What angers me is-"
Lumia gritted her teeth and stared at Yang, emerald green focused on lilac "you are once more going off on your own, leaving us behind to hold the fort, like you did back in Vacuo, without a care in the world."
"What?" the blonde girl stared at her friend in shock. "You are wrong, Lu! This is not why we are doing this! We are doing this for all you guys and everyone else in Vale! We want to help in ways that we can't while being under the Council's thumb!"
"I know" the girl crossed her arms. "But it still sucks to be left behind, if you know what I mean."
Her steps brought the brawler on the Academy rooftop and she opened the door, the morning air attacking her face and hair as soon as she did.
Trust me girl, I know exactly what you mean she thought, rubbing her right arm while trying to blink her tears away. So, it's that easy to leave someone behind when you only focus on yourself, huh? Feels horrible.
She closed her eyes and took off her hat to fully enjoy the breeze. The campus was empty at that time of the day, since the only one usually doing outdoor exercises was Sun's class who had their day off.
She rubbed her head and picked her scroll up. She typed Lumia's name, found her number and, without any hesitation, called her.
If the situation has reached the point where I even pick a fight with Ms. Goodwitch, drastic measures have to be taken before I do something I can't take back! And I will start with apologizing to Lu for making her feel like shit.
She stopped for a moment. Like I did with the council and dragged my team with me, for example. Yang sighed and rubbed her face again. Perfect- just perfect; I am officially a moron.
"She won't pick it up" Ruby's voice cut her off, as the brunette and her partner stepped out and walked next to the taller girl, who lowered her phone.
"Alex and Albus told me she stayed overnight working and fell asleep early in the morning; she probably turned it off" her sister explained. Nobody mentioned she always did that when she felt down and Yang decided to not bring it up- she got the message.
"Well, that sucks. I was hoping I could talk to her before we leave" the blonde lowered her gaze. "We told everyone we are leaving by train in the afternoon; she will probably be there" Weiss tried to comfort her.
"Yeah… probably" Yang hugged her and let her gaze wander past Ruby across the sunny campus. Lilac orbs narrowed as she remembered all the fun times they had the previous year in this place as huntresses.
"I will miss being here" she finally remarked. "Do you regret our choice Yang?" Ruby asked her, concerned. "No I don't. I believe this is for the best; but it is not a pleasant outcome, no matter what Rubes."
"That's exactly what Jaune told me too" Ruby turned around as the couple broke their hug. "He is concerned we are pushing ourselves too much once more; even though I know he just wishes he could join us."
Her gunmetal eyes narrowed "Ren and Nora called me earlier and told me the same thing. 'How dare you go on your own? At least give us a heads up so that we can sneak out and join you!" she exclaimed, in an attempt to copy the energetic ginger's reaction.
"Erik and Velv texted me telling me how stupid we are, going all gun-ho on them" Yang's eyes watered. "For a moment I was afraid BunBun was going to arrest us in order to keep us safe" she joked.
"Alex and Albus too. And don't get me started at how much everyone at the Institute protested to me leaving" Weiss followed. "Even that dunce Fitz who always complained about me being bossy, was sad."
"You tell me" Blake's voice made them all turn as the cat girl stepped out in the rooftop, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Sun and Neptune spent the whole night trying to convince me how bad of an idea it is. Thank dust Ilia is not around too, or I would be in a dire spot."
Everyone's lips curved to match Blake's smile. "We have some pretty damn good friends, don't we?" Yang exclaimed. "That we do" Weiss concurred "and we always make them cope with our stubbornness."
Ruby closed her eyes, enjoying the breeze. "I know we are always giving them a hard time, but I can't help it. They are powerful and capable on their own, I know that. But still I-"
She stopped for a moment "I can't help but want to protect them with all I have; and this is exactly what team RWBY is gonna do!" she gave a wide grin.
"We will find Azure, make him tell us everything he knows and return to smash Nyctos to pieces! Let's go team!" she pumped her fist in the air, her enthusiasm not followed by her team who just stood there with their eyes narrowed at her antics.
-o—
The room was large and spacious, with a series of small benches placed on the walls, each one having an archaic-looking PC on them. There was no window; the only light was provided by a large lamp on the ceiling.
About half a dozen people, dressed in long white laboratory coats, sat on the computers, typing, printing and analyzing a series of data they had just received from the main lab.
In the middle of the room, hastily scribing the reports on a notepad, Glaucous Azure stood, wearing a similar lab coat over his grey jeans and blue blouse, a series of pens and pencils sticking out of his chest pocket.
His sparkling blue eyes ran through his own notes as soon as he jolted them down. His long turquoise hair was tied up in a messy ponytail that only served as a means to not let them fall in front of his face.
Suddenly, without any prior notice, his eyes narrowed. "Everyone; stop reporting" he simply asked. His colleagues, having worked under him in Project Mindslaver for quite a while, complied at once without protest.
"I see here that subject 013 didn't even manage to synchronize while 017 died of shock due to mental overload; didn't we use the exact same amount of Darkblood in both of them?"
"I can affirm that, Professor" one of them replied. "But they reacted in a totally different manner, as you can see. They displayed almost polar opposite behavior."
He clicked his tongue "Tch; and here was I, thinking we had eliminated all temperament-related fluctuations on our clinical results." He tapped the tip of his pen on the pad, thinking for a few seconds.
"Send message to the lab and tell them to reduce the amount of zinc included in the next set of trials to 78% of its current level. We have to be sure about this before we begin the final trials" he announced.
"Of course, Professor. But-" "I am aware we will need more subjects and quite a lot of Grimm blood to perform a new set of trials. But, I do not wish to undermine the fruits of our labor by suddenly becoming hasty now, after eight years of experimenting. We will-"
"Ah, found you. It wasn't so tough after all" the girly yet serious voice that interrupted him along with the sound of the door opening, made everyone jump up from their chairs and turn towards the newcomer.
Azure simply raised his head and turned around to look at the woman. She was a fox faunus with cherry-colored tresses framing a deceptively cute face with intelligent-looking green eyes.
She wore a pair of worn-out grey jeans and a red t-shirt under a black short jacket. A backpack was hanging from her left shoulder and a long green naginata was strapped on her back. Her leviathan-head talisman adorned her chest, as always hanging from her neck.
"Ah, Cherry; I am glad to see you are here" he motioned everyone to calm down. "I wish I could say the same thing, Professor" she replied, her voice betraying her disappointment.
"Everything else aside; I passed by your subjects' cells coming here" she narrowed her eyes. "And I have to say I am extremely displeased."
"It is not that I don't understand you" he stood in front of her "but this is the reason we have managed to go that far in so little time. I know it may disturb you, but I assure you, it's necessary for reaching our goal."
The fox-girl narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists, trying to not let her anger be seen. She knew his words had merit, but still…
"Besides, both Maize and Bistre have approved of my research and I think you do not wish to oppose your Master now, do you Ms. Itazura? After all, a life sacrificed for a reason is a life well lived; isn't that your-"
"Fine; I understand" she cut him off, clenching her talisman to ease her nerves. "And I am sorry about making an issue out of it, Professor. I got carried away" she curtly bowed.
"It is fine as long as you understand, Cherry" he continued in a serious and stern manner. "You are here to assist me and provide additional security if required; neither I want your opinion, nor will I condone your religious zealotry obstructing our experiments. Am I understood?"
The girl nodded in silent approval, her thin fingers still fidgeting with the talisman. "Excellent. Now, there is a favor I want to ask you. I need some Grimm blood for our next test."
A pink eyebrow rose as he continued. "As long as I am aware, you and Bistre are the only ones who can extract it from Grimm and preserve it so I would like you to gather some."
"I didn't notice any Grimm around here" she replied coldly. "Not close to the hill, yes, but there are quite a few of them if you go a little further inside the corn fields or the town. Any sort of Grimm will do."
She exhaled deeply and nodded once more. Then, she reached out to her backpack and picked a small item out of it. It was a wooden mask that seemed handmade and carved to resemble a Nuckelavee head.
Everyone's eyes opened wide as they saw her putting it on, a sense of primal fear creeping down their spines. Azure's face was the only one that remained neutral, curiously examining the ornament.
"I will only say this; for the sake of all the subjects- human and Grimm- that have and will be sacrificed, you better succeed, Professor. I don't know how my God will respond should you fail."
After that, she went out of the door, leaving everyone inside in a state of shock. "Professor" one of the researchers asked "who was that girl?"
Glaucous picked a pen out of his pocket and turned at them "someone who has misunderstood their place in this world, nothing more. Now, we wasted enough time because of her! On to the next report!"