The remaining members of team RWBY sat around their dorm, Weiss sat beside her leader who had buried her head in the Heiress' shoulder hugging Zwei to her chest the corgi whimpering alongside her as the white-haired girl attempted to comfort her distraught leader. Alex paced back and forth across the room Koan in a similar situation sitting across the room head in his hands.
"How can they just send us back to our dorms like nothing happened!" Alex said running his hand over his face.
"After everything that happened, they're probably trying to contain this before panic spreads," Blake said
"It's a little late for that" Koan said, "We all saw what that thing did to her hell it was broadcasted across the globe!?" Koan yelled as he paced in front of the door
"I'm sorry" Circuit said his eyes turning to the floor "I wasn't able to shut the cameras off quick enough."
"You did your best" Blake said petting the small robotic owl, despite her own look of sadness.
"What are we going to do? We can't just let them do whatever they want to Yang." Ruby said as she stood up from the bed.
"Have Ben or Rook contacted you?" Blake asked looking at Alex who stared down at his badge
"No, not yet at least." he responded
"What now?" Ruby asked
"We could talk with Ozpin." Weiss said
"No, I doubt he or Ironwood would approve of us going to rescue her we don't even know where she was taken, besides their probably too busy dealing with the fallout from the media and the council." Alex said as he leaned against the wall.
"Then what are we supposed to do, we can't just sit here twiddling our thumbs! I swear if they hurt her I'll kill them. "Koan yelled as he paced back and forth frantically.
"Yelling at us isn't going to help our situation" Weiss said annoyed at his tone
"Cannit Ice Queen" Koan growled glaring at the heiress
Alex stood up from his position on the bed making his way over to his friend he turned back to the others "We'll be outside" He said opening the door pulling Koan outside the door shutting behind them the occupants of the room looked to one another in worry.
/
Outside in the hallway, Alex paced in front of his longtime friend who leaned against the wall barely listening "Look, dude, right now I need you to try and keep a clear head, going off like this isn't going to help anyone" Alex said as he stopped in front of his friends
"You think I don't know that! For god's sake, how can you be so calm about this." He yelled shoving Alex back, Koan quickly found himself pinned to the wall by Alex, an elbow pressed against his throat
"Because I have to be, ok!" Alex said." You think I don't know how it feels to watch someone you Lov-... someone you care about harmed by one of them" Alex grew quiet for a moment before sighing" Right now you going out for blood isn't going to help Yang or anyone else, you need to keep your emotions in check, so we can figure this out."
Slowly he backed off releasing Koan who rubbed his throat. "We'll figure this out and we'll get yang back but not like this." Alex said
Koan let out a sigh nodding to his friend before turning back towards the door "Just... Just promise me this won't turn out like Anur transyl. Ok." he said before walking back inside.
Alex sighed before saying "You know I think that might have gone a lot quicker if you stepped in." Alex said
"I believe you handled that quite well." Ozpin spoke up from behind him Ironwood to his left "How are they?"
"There copping as best they can, this whole thing is a mess. " Alex Said leaning back against the wall
"That we can both agree on," Ironwood said
"How the situation in Vale." Alex asked
"After recent events the people are looking for answers, answers we do not have. Because of this the council has opted to postpone the Vytal festival until the threat has passed," Ozpin replied
"Great" Alex sighed before asking "What about any news on Yang?"
"Nothing solid at the moment, but we have an idea where she may have been taken," Ironwood responded
"Really?" Alex asked
"Yes" Ozpin responded, "But as I said there's no solid evidence to confirm this Qrow is already preparing for a scouting mission, and we'd like you to accompany him." Ozpin said
"What?" Alex replied in slight shock
"You have the most experience in fighting these creatures along with knowledge of their origins the information you provided us has been helpful, but it's imperative we have someone with experience combatting them in the field." Ironwood said, "That's where you would come in. We can discuss the details more Somewhere more private"
"Just me? What about Koan and the rest of team RWBY?" Alex asked
"They will remain here." Ozpin said
"What!" Four voices' from behind the door cried out in outrage, all eyes turned to the door four pairs of eyes staring back at them through the crack in the open door as it was slammed shut. The Headmaster and General looked to one another before Ozpin said. "Perhaps it's best we explain the situation to all of you somewhere more private." Ozpin said turning his gaze towards the door, slowly it creaked open reviling Ruby Blake Weiss and Koan.
"If the five of you would follow us." Ironwood said
/
"So, you're some kind of… alien cop" Qrow said as he stood beside his youngest niece his flask in hand as he leaned against Ozpins desk.
"Pretty much" Alex responded.
"Cool" Qrow said before taking a long drag from his flask.
"Back to the matter at hand." Ironwood said, "With the Vytal Festival postponed for the time being we now have the time to mount an effective defense against these creatures, along with ensuring our information regarding their location is accurate and verify how well dug in they may be, then we may begin the task of a rescue operation."
"But, why can't we come we've fought the Psycho rangers before, why just Alex even Koan has some knowledge concerning them why not bring him along?" Weiss asked
"That is exactly why he will remain at Beacon, in the event, this is a diversion to draw our attention away from Vale and attack while our backs are turned we can't allow something like this to happen again. "Ironwood began" The situation is a delicate one, the people want answers and are beginning to question whether or not the hunters are capable of doing their job, and with these accusations comes doubt and that will bring fear and then-" Ironwood explained.
"The Grimm" Ruby finished as the weight of the situation finally settled in on them.
"Which is why we must tread lightly, for the time being, I understand your concern and the need to rush in to aid your teammate but doing so may only lead to more casualties."
"How Many?" Alex asked
"Two other teams of fully fledged Huntsmen and Huntresses were dispatched to that area we were still unsure of the Psycho ranger's presence at the time, we lost contact with them roughly a week ago. "Ozpin said.
"Their last transmission lead us to an abandoned SDC mine overrun by the Grimm years ago that's where you'll be heading." Ironwood picked up as he set his scroll down displaying a hologram of the structure included its inner layers and the mapped underground tunnel network he had received from Atlas.
"How long will you be gone?" Blake asked
"A few days maybe a little longer depending on how long it takes to get the information we need." Qrow said. "Until then You might not be hearing from us for a while." Ruby looked up to her uncle uneasily, the huntsmen looked down Patting the girl on the should "We'll get her back" He said
Alex turned towards the Headmaster and General "What time are we leaving?" he asked
"Tomorrow before dawn, a Bullhead should meet you at the dock's," Ironwood said "Until then I suggest you make the appropriate preparations," Ironwood said the last part directed towards Alex who nodded in return.
The impromptu meeting quickly came to an end, Ruby left with her uncle the two off to spend some time together before the mission was set to begin and after recent events, the young Reaper needed this. Alex sat in his dorm his eyes running over the list of text on the holographic screen in front of him "Are you sure you should be going out there alone." Circuit asked
"I won't be alone out there Qrow knows the land pretty well and if we want any hope of getting Yang back we need to act now before it's too late." Alex said before going quiet as he turned his attention back towards the document.
"You know you can't blame yourself for what happened." Circuit said in a soft voice.
"I know, it's just, I feel like histories starting to repeat itself. " Alex said his gaze drifting off to the side.
/
Her fist slammed against the door for the third time today barely even forming a dent, Yang pulled her hand back massaging her now bruised knuckles the door was a hell of a lot stronger then it looked, she glanced down at her hand and began to focus, it was slow at first slower then she would have liked but her aura began to heal her wounds, it seemed the collar she was wearing wasn't only meant as a fashion statement but it somehow negated her aura's ability to protect her.
The natural shield that protected her from damage was gone she had learned this piece of information the hard way, when she first woke up a few hours prior and attempted to escape delivering a solid punch to the door only to yelp and fall back clutching her fist in pain, strangely enough the collar didn't seem to affect her strength which only made it hurt more.
"You're only going to hurt yourself." Whiger's voice echoed through the vent. Then there were her cellmates if she could even call them that, Whiger and Loyax probably the only thing keeping her from going stir crazy after being stuck in such a cramped space for... she didn't even know how long hours, days there wasn't exactly a clock on the wall.
Sighing Yang sat back against the smoothest part of the wall she reserved for sleeping "Yeah, yeah. you keep telling me that, but what do you expect me to do sit back and do nothing?" Yang said.
"What Whiger is trying to tell you is that the door is too strong for simply your fist if it were that easy to escape do you not think we would have tried it?" Loyax said
Yang sighed he had a point "I guess." she said before glancing up at the vent "So what happens now? Do they just leave us here to rot?" Yang asked.
"No," Whiger said. " much, much worse." Yang was left in silence from the slightly creepy statement, the sudden pounding of metal boots echoed through the hallway outside their cells caught her attention.
"What's that?" Yang's asked as she got to her feet.
"Something much worse," Whiger said as the footsteps stopped outside.
For a moment there was silence, the bolts holding her cell door closed slid back followed by the door opening upwards. Yang took a boxing stance as four Grinders stood in the doorway, behind them stood a creature that resembled a black knight with pitch black armor covering his torso arms and legs with a dagger sheathe on his left grieve blue Perl like orbs running down his gauntlets and across his chest plate ending at two pointed shoulders plates in his hand was a shield that resembled the shell of a crab his helmet had a pitch-black visor his helmet pointing back ending in two spikes.
"Bring it" Yang challenged even in her weekend state she could take down these clowns.
"Humph" The black knight scoffed raising a small controller pressing the center button, three red lights lit up on her collar as it emitted a buzzing sound her lilac eyes widened before a stream of electricity shot through her body. Yang screamed in agony alongside her cellmates who were in a similar situation falling to her knees the monster chuckled removing his thumb from the button.
Yang collapsed to the floor smoke rising from her form two of the grinders stepped forward lifting her up by her arms dragging her body behind their leader, Yang raised her head slightly her vision blurry looking up at her surroundings as she was dragged down the corridor, in the distance she could hear what sounded like cheering.
The doorway in front of the group slid open, the grinders dragged Yang inside before dropping her to the floor before quickly exiting the door sealing behind them. Slowly Yang attempted to stand her entire body was on fire, clambering onto her knees she slowly rose to her feet supporting herself against the wall violet eyes scanned the large tunnel a bright light behind a large steel gate.
The gate rumbled as it slowly open, Yang raised her arm attempting to shield her eyes from the blinding light passing through the gate, she lowered her arm the cheering now at full volume, Yang stood in front of one of many gates leading into a makeshift pit arena four pillars stood in the center rows of barbed spikes lining their surface, almost three stories above her was a crowd of cheering monsters behind a metal cage among them stood the one who brought her here.
Psycho Yellow, the psycho ranger sat with her legs crossed alongside Blue, Pink, Silver, and green staring down into the arena her helmet tilted to the side as she waved mockingly, Yang growled her eyes a vibrant red.
Chuckling Yellow stood up approaching the edge of the cage the crowd grew quiet "Yang Xiao Long, daughter of Tai Xiao Long and Raven Branwen one of the top huntress students of Beacon academy revered for her strength and fury." Yellow said as she folded her hands behind her back.
"What do you want you crazy bitch, why am I here!?" Yang demanded.
"To die." Yellow chuckled pressing down on the switch in her hand, causing Yang's collar to activate the blond falling to her knees crying out in agony as the electric current surged through her body sending her back to her knees. " You escaped me once before, but this time mommy and your little boyfriend aren't coming to save you." The woman from the train flashed through Yang's mind followed by the picture her uncle had shown her only a few days prior the resemblance between the two almost uncanny.
'Mom' her mind echoed
"Now then." Psycho yellow began suddenly several of the gates around the arena began to open multiple pairs of red eyes staring back at the unarmed huntress as the hoard of Grimm emerged from the arena. "Let the games begin!" Psycho yellow roared as the crowd cheered.
Two figures stood near the back of the crowd their body's concealed behind a black robe gloves and hood a Yellow and Black sash running over their chests glancing to one another they nodded before disappearing backing away into the darkness.
/
Despite walking into unknown territory Alex's was glad he had someone like Qrow watching his back out there the man had an extensive reputation as a warrior, hell from what circuit had been able to dig up about the man he could probably take on an army of X-borgs and come out without a scratch alongside that he was known for getting things done when they needed to be.
Once everything was ready Alex made his way down to the air docks at the edge of campus, it wasn't that surprising to find CFVY RWB and JNPR alongside Glynda and Ozpin.
"What didn't think we would come to see you off." Coco said
"Not really, you don't exactly strike me as a morning person Coco" Alex said, the beret-wearing leader shrugged.
"I make exceptions, besides Yatsuhashi's always up this early with that spiritual crap. I swear if he offers me another one of those herbal infusions I'll snap" Coco said jokingly while Yatsuhashi rolled his eyes at his leader's antics.
"Good luck on your mission." Velvet said Fox giving a nod to Alex who responded with his own.
"Thanks" Alex responded.
"Hey!" Qrow called over "As much as I'm a fan of the sappy goody's we gotta get moving," Qrow said as he walked down the Bullhead ramp stopping in front of his youngest niece giving her a hug, pulling away he stared into those silver orbs adopting a serious look "We'll get her back. "He promised, Ruby smiling back in response.
"I still wish we could come." She said.
"I know, but Oz is right your better of here... just stay out of trouble ok." Qrow said ruffling Ruby's hair.
"Of course, you can count on me" Ruby replied a smile coming to form on her face.
As Alex made his way towards the Bullhead he spotted Blake waiting by the ramp "I don't like the idea of just the two of you going out their alone, the least the headmaster could have done is let us come with you Yang's our teammate we shouldn't just be sitting here doing nothing."
"I don't like it either but Ozpins right, its better if you and the others stay here. Besides Qrow and I can get in and out without anyone noticing a bigger group going to draw more attention" Alex said placing a hand on her shoulder.
Blake sighed he had a point, while she was worried, no, terrified for her partner and friend's safety. A larger group may only impede the mission and if they weren't careful they were at risk of giving away their position. Blake looked up at Alex quickly checking to make sure the others weren't looking "Just stay safe." She said embracing him, with Alex doing the same pulling her close, she looked up at him a gentle smile forming on her face as she leaned up gently pressing her lips to his own Alex returning the gesture before pulling away pressing his forehead to hers staring into those amber orbs "Always" Alex responded
"Awwww~" they instantly broke apart snapping their heads towards the group who looked on at the scene Coco stood her scroll in hand the red light on the camera blinking recording the scene, in the background Qrow couldn't help but laugh at the young couple's bad luck. "Hey, don't stop because of little old me. By the way, you guys make a cute couple."
He and Blake glanced to one another "Well I better get going." he said rubbing the back of his neck before quickly jogging onto the bullhead
R-Right" Blake responded as she moved back to the group glaring at Coco mentally making a promise to get back at the girl or worse if she shared that video with anyone else.
"Contact us if you find anything," Ozpin said. "We have several teams standing by in the event you need support or an immediate extraction from the area." Qrow nodded in acknowledgment before stepping onto the bullhead behind his partner
Alex sat down in one of the seats his face flushed as Qrow took a seat across from him before opening his mouth to speak "Not one-word old man." Alex snapped, Qrow merely burst out laughing, teenagers were just too easy to mess with. The ramp closed up as the engines roared to life lifting the craft into the air before taking off in the direction of their objective its occupants glanced to one another nodding in agreement one sole objective in mind.
(To be continued)