Adam brought his power axe down on the grinders head splitting it in two, pulling the axe free he glanced back at the other's Yang was currently laying back against a large oak tree slowly regaining consciousness. The shaft they'd used to escape lead out into one of the maintenance sheds, a small group of Grinders had been stationed on sight most likely to operate the machinery and keep any Grimm that wondered too close from damaging the machinery They'd been dealt with quickly after their arrival.
"Take it easy firecracker." Qrow said as yang attempted to rise from her feet, only for Lilly to push her back down.
"No, you don't." She said
"The ranger is right, you need to rest." Loyax said
"I'm fine" Yang argued pushing Lilly's and aside glancing around the group she asked, "Where's Alex?"
Qrow and Lilly looked to one another before the huntsmen looked back towards the mine in the distance, Yang followed his gaze her eyes widening "He's still there!." she cried in outrage forcing herself to her feet only to collapse after taking two steps.
"Easy." Qrow said catching his niece and moving her back into a sitting position stopping her from worsening any injuries she'd already sustained. "The kid stayed behind to buy us time to escape, I didn't like it anymore then you do, but we didn't exactly have a choice back there... I'm sorry." Qrow said remorsefully
"Alex will be fine, trust me." Lilly reassured them both while offering a hand to Yang, accepting the offer Yang pulled herself to her feet wrapping her left arm around Lilly's shoulders the yellow ranger holding her steady, Yang closed her eyes attempting to focus on her aura, it was slow at first a gold spark here or there across her golden mane as the pain emanating from her waist, joints and upper back slowly faded away.
Yang uncurled her arm from Lilly's waist leaning back against the tree taking a few deep breaths as a new wave of exhaustion washed over her. Aurico turned away from the scene walking over to Adam who was keeping watch on the forest around them, hearing his old friend approaching the black ranger turned to regular him "What do we do about Alex?" Aurico asked
"The rookie was already tracking her when we met up last time if he made it out he'll meet up with us soon enough, we just have to hold out until the others arrive." Adam said staring off towards the mine in the distance, he didn't like this it was too quiet, far too quiet. The psycho rangers had been working to rid this area of the Grimm, but the sheer lack of any wildlife, the chirping of birds the occasional small rodent one might encounter while out in the wilderness was missing, it was rather unsettling.
Adams' head snapped to the side due to a large snap echoing in the distance followed by more like it slowly getting closer to their position, his grip tightened on his power Axe while Aurico's hand rested firmly on his sword. Lilly glanced at Qrow summoning her jungle bow while Qrow shifted his sword into its magnum form moving back to cover Yang while she recuperated, their flanks being covered by Whiger and Loyax.
Adams' eyes narrowed as the possible threat came into view just beyond the trees, his grip slackened on his axe turning back to the group he gestured for them to lower their weapons as the familiar sound of a truck horn greeted their ears.
"Whoa" Yang awed as the massive semi-truck emerged from the tree line before slowing to a halt in front of the Black and Red Ranger. The driver's side door opened a figure hopping out their body concealed behind the body of the truck reviling only their boots, the figure made their way around towards the other Adam and Aurico moving to intercept them as well.
"You guys took your sweet time" Cassie said stopping in front of the two, glancing past them she looked over the group behind them immediately noticing one figure missing. "Where's the rookie?" She asked
"He stayed behind to cover our escape." Adam said his tone regretful. " We got ambushed in the storage depo, Psycho yellow and at least a small battalion of Robots. The rookie went to deal with the Psycho ranger, we haven't heard anything since."
Cassie's face fell slightly looking off to the side with an unreadable look. "Is he…?"
"We don't know." Aurico replied "But he found us once before. If he made it out he will do so again."
Cassie nodded in agreement, the pink ranger turned her attention towards the group of newcomers her eyes stopping on the blond brawler and her uncle, her gaze softened while her fist tightened, at the sight of the young woman in front of her, leaning heavily against her uncle and Lilly for support while they made their way towards the 18-wheeler.
"Aurico," Cassie said turning to the Aquatarian "Tell Cam to get his equipment ready, I'll get our guests some food and water."
/
Ozpin sat back in his chair setting his coffee mug aside, the headmaster stared out the massive bay windows of his office, staring out at the horizon the rising sun reflecting off the few skyscrapers dotting Vale in the distance. The people had been becoming more restless questions were being asked, that neither the council nor he could give answers too.
Not that he could really blame them, the people were scared as one would expect after what they had seen that day, Ozpins hand tightened around his cane as the events replayed over and over again in his mind. Such a brutal display could have one objective in mind, to garner as much fear as they could from the people.
Psycho yellows actions alone made Ozpins worried as much as it infuriated him at the same time, it would seem their suspicions about a possible alliance had been correct. But if the Psycho society were working alongside the ones truly pulling the strings against the kingdom, then it would seem things were far worse than he ever could have imagined.
Ozpin was pulled from his thoughts when his office door opened, the new arrival walking with some hast in their step. "Glynda" Ozpin greeted his second after turning to face the blond woman. "Has there been any word from Qrow?"
"I received a message from him a short time ago, he and Miss Xiao long have cleared the facility... although Mr.-Fi.. Alex remained behind to give them a chance to escape " Glynda replied her tone somewhat softer usual, stopping beside the headmaster her usual professional demeanor returned " But that isn't why I came to speak with you."
The blond huntress began typing on her personal scroll, setting it down on Ozpins desk a holographic display of a large semi-truck hovered in front of them. Alongside it was a small video feed showing the vehicle's current location. " One of James scouts spotted this vehicle moving on the outskirts of the facility, and so far, any attempts made to signal or contact the occupants have gone unanswered."
Ozpin hummed in acknowledgement and some recognition "Interesting " He noted zooming in on the emblem present on the trailer
"Professor Ozpin?" Glynda asked as the headmaster pulled up a video feed taken from the incident at the docks some months prior, the cameras present at the scene had been wiped clean no doubt in an effort to cover the White Fang and Roman's tracks. The footage they were viewing at the moment had been recovered from the bullhead that had crashed at the scene, as the footage played the two professors were treated to a birds-eye view of the battle.
Ozpin fast forwarded the video before pausing the footage, he zoomed in on the yellow-clad warrior currently engaging roman in hand to hand, more importantly, the blade holstered on his back. There on swords guard was an emblem similar to the one shown on the vehicle although slightly blurred.
"Is that..." Glynda said her eyes widening slightly.
"It would seem we aren't the only ones who discovered their location." Ozpin said a small smile gracing his features "Tell James to have his men pull back, I think Qrow and Alex will have things handled."
/
"Hold still, this will just take a second. " Cam said patting the blonde brawler on the shoulder, Qrow had been hesitant at first to allow the young man to tamper with his niece's collar but allowed it after the reassuring look Yang gave him.
Yang sucked in a calming breath laying back in the cot she had been supplied with, a thin wire trailed down from Cam's console and into the side of her collar. The young man adjusted his glasses his brow furrowed as he typed away on the console. 'They really didn't want this coming off' he noted staring up at the lines of coding stretching across the screen in front of him.
Qrow Pocketed his scroll after his talk with Glynda taking a seat in a foldable chair beside his niece keeping a close eye on her as Cam got to work, he glanced up at Whiger and Loyax the monster duo sat across from them on the other side of the trailer after Yang had elected for them to have the collars removed first despite her own condition.
Qrow took a long drag from his hip flask staring down at the detonator in his hands 'If I'm not out in fifteen minutes, blow the charges no matter what, they can't be allowed to target Vale, not again.' Alex words reverberated through his mind.
'Come on kid, where are you?' he thought as he stared down at the device
"Hey!" A voice called out from the front cabin " We got some company back there."
Cam paused in his work pulling up a camera feed from outside the truck "Oh no" he muttered. trailing behind the truck were several demonic beings with red carapace armor, purple pants and black and red armor covering their torso riding on what appeared to be motorcycles made out of Grinders. The most disturbing aspect of these creatures was their face or lack of in this case was replaced by a large open maw with rows upon rows of serrated teeth
"Moogers" Adam said reaching for his helmet
"You gotta be kidding me" Qrow muttered standing from his seat attaching the detonator to the back of his belt.
"Cam" Adam said while securing his helmet in place before making his way to a small ladder leading to a hatch in the roof "Keeping working on her collar, we'll handle the clowns."
Pushing the hatch open the black ranger climbed on top of the trailer Qrow following behind the wind whipping him in the face as they emerged on the rooftop. A hand clamped onto the back of the trailer, the red Mooger and two others like it pulled themselves up onto the trailer, the Mooger drew a large serrated blade turning to face Qrow and the black ranger.
The leading Mooger thrust its blade towards them, barking orders in a guttural language neither of them could understand. The Moogers to its left and right nodded one drawing a large lance from its back, the other drew a sword similar to its commanders from its hip.
The Moogers rushed forward the first sword clashing against Adams axe followed by a number of quick blows the Black ranger easily countered followed by a swift elbow to its gut. The Mooger stumbled back, Adam closing the distance between them in almost an instant at the last moment the Mooger raised its sword blocking the axe head mere centimeters from its face.
The Red Mooger pushed the axe blade aside headbutting Adam forcing the black ranger back, rushing forward the Mooger delivered a swift slash to his chest following up with another Adam easily batted aside grabbing the Moogers wrist he pulled it forward kneeing it in the chest while bringing the flat end of his axe down on its back. Adam grabbed the monster by its collar throwing it off the trailer into a passing tree.
Adam leaned back avoiding the blade by mere centimeters the sword skimming his helmet. Switching his grip on the Power axe Adam moved in close ducking under two swipes from the Moogers sword, the third clashed against the blade of the Power Axe, unleashing a small shockwave as the two weapons clashed together.
Qrow sidestepped the head of the Moogers lance, knocking the lance down with the pommel of his sword the Huntsmen brought the blade of his clever like sword down across the Moogers chest sparks burst from its body as it stumbled back to the edge of the trailer, the monster flailed losing its balance for a second, before quickly regaining its footing.
The Mooger dashed back into the fray with two quick thrusts at Qrow, the first he blocked easily the second rebounded off the edge of his sword slicing through his sleeve, the blade biting into the flesh of his upper forearm.
Qrow stepped back glancing down at the wound his aura quickly dealing with it, turning back to his adversary his red eyes narrowed "You guys are really starting to piss me off!" Qrow started furiously as the gears in his weapon began to spin.
The Mooger took a step as the blade of Qrow's weapon began splitting into sections folding back into an arc taking a scythe-like shape. The blade gained a red sharp edge on the inside while the outside of the blade took on a jagged, tooth appearance due to the folding. Finally, the hilt extended in two places creating the image of a more traditional scythe.
Qrow charged forward with his scythe the Mooger retaliated with its lance thrusting forward with a stab clashing against the blade of Qrow scythe, both combatants pushed their weapons against one another attempting to overwhelm their opponent the Mooger snarled in anger snapping its jaws at the huntsmen, Qrow moved his head to the side as the Moogers Jaws clamped shut, narrowly avoiding a rather gruesome fate.
Qrow glanced over his shoulder at Adam who was locked in close quarters combat with the third Mooger, more of them had pulled up beside the truck one managing to make its way up to the cab reaching out for the door, the driver side door flew open slamming into the Moogers face the impact knocking it off its bike, the bike and body disappearing under the truck's tires.
The sudden jolt forced the two combatants apart giving Qrow the opportunity he needed to end this, aiming the head of his scythe behind himself Qrow launched himself towards his target at astonishing speed. Qrow shot past the Mooger the blade of his scythe catching the creature along its waist dragging his adversary along with him, Qrow skidded to a halt at the rear of the trailer tugging back on his scythe he swung the blade forward, flicking the Mooger off to the side of the trailer it's body exploding in a shower of sparks.
Qrow glared down the group of Moogers slowly edging closer to their transport, Qrow switched to a backhanded grip on his scythe, bending his legs ready to jump and take out the stragglers. Suddenly a glowing red blur burst from the foliage slamming boots first into the lead Mooger knocking it from its bike, sending its body crashing into the one to its left, the remaining Moogers attempted to avoid their comrade and the large chunk of steel that was heading towards them inadvertently crashing into one another and the process repeating again.
Qrow winced slightly as a Mooger was close-lined by one of the unmanned motorcycles.
"Ow" Adam muttered
"What the hell was that things face made of, Ragh" Qrow and Adam spun around facing the source of the voice weapons ready.
"Whoa! Whoa! Friendly " Megaforce red called out waving his hands out in front of him.
Qrow sighed lowering his Scythe as did Adam " Not bad Rookie" Adam said looking back at the pile up back down the road before disappearing behind the trees as they made a sharp turn, Megaforce red crossed his arms over his chest his body consumed in a flash of light as he de-morphed.
"Thanks" Alex replied before turning his attention to Qrow taking on a look of concern "How's Yang doing?" He asked
"She's fine" Adam reassured him "Cam's down below working on her collar... What about Psycho Yellow?"
"She's no longer going to be a problem" Alex replied his tone holding a small hint of satisfaction, Adam and Qrow nodded in response to the young man's words. Alex turned his attention towards Qrow asking "Do you still have the detonator?"
"Yeah" Qrow replied un-clipping the detonator from his belt staring down at it for a second glancing back towards the mine in the distance he asked " You sure about this kid."
"Positive" Alex responded his eyes never shifting from the structure in the distance "I think it's about time we finish what we started?"
"...Sure" Qrow responded his thumb hovered over the trigger mechanism before pressing down. The explosion ripped through the air like a sonic boom, the mountain rumbled as the cliff face began to crumble collapsing in on itself as the small piece of stone and earth were launched into the air, a massive plume of smoke burst forth from within the mountain a mix of violet and red flames were visible from within.
Alex tossed the detonator aside, walking back towards the hatch he slid down the ladder and out of sight. Qrow stared at the hatch for a moment was it just him or did Alex seem a little more pleased with that outcome, granted he would have done the same, destroying that stockpile and the facility before they had a chance to ship those weapons out could save a lot of lives while also removing the risk of the white fang getting their hands on that gear... if they didn't have it already that is.
/
Alex slid down the ladder entering the command center, he froze as something pressed to the back of his neck. "Oh great" He muttered raising his arms out away from his side, as he turned to face her... he had never been so scared in all his life. "Hi... Aunt Lilly" The yellow ranger sighed lowering her bow staff. Before quickly smacking him upside the head with it.
"You are in so much trouble, you would not even believe how angry I am right now." She said glaring at him in a way only he could recognize as caring.
"Can it wait?" Alex asked while glancing over her shoulder at Yang who was sitting back against the wall running her hand over the area of her neck previously hidden by the collar, four small almost unnoticeable burns were located around her neck where the collar had delivered the electric shocks.
Alex sat down across from her in one of the available chairs, the blond didn't even seem to notice her eyes were closed as she breathed deeply, a subtle yellow light surrounded her form slowly growing in magnitude, her hair glowing vibrantly as her aura flared around her, the minor scrapes and bruises covering her body began to vanish the scarring along her neck fading into nonexistence.
Yang shuddered as she breathed out her lilac eyes slowly opening, Yang reached down slowly unwrapping the bandages wrapped around her waist, Yang ran a hand over her midsection were Zeltrax's blade had bit into her flesh, while the wound was healed a faint line was left behind marking her skin the same as her upper right bicep, aura could heal even some of the most grievous of injuries, although it wasn't uncommon for some scarring to be left behind if the wound had been large enough, the mark her own teammate bore being an example of such.
A hand rested on Yang's shoulder causing her head to snap upwards, her eyes widened seeing the smiling face of her friend sitting across from her. "You're Ok!" Yang cried out wrapping Alex in a bear hug.
"Yeah, it's good to see you too Yang" Alex replied recuperating the hug.
Yang broke away from him her look of relief quickly turning to one of panic "Are the others ok?" She asked her voice becoming more frantic by the second "The last thing I remember was seeing Ruby rush into the arena, is she alright are Weis and Blake Ok!?"
"Yang!" Alex said placing his hands on her shoulders snapping her out of her state. "Ruby's fine and so are the others."
"What about Psycho yellow?" she asked
"She's no longer a problem" Alex replied sternly Yang's eyes widened slightly due to the revelation.
"Are you sure she's...dead?" Yang asked in what appeared to be hope.
"Definitely" Alex responded.
"Thank you..." She said her head drooping slightly
"For what?" Alex asked
"For coming to get me?" Yang said her gaze shifting off to the side." Honestly..." Yang rubbed her upper forearm, her fingers tracing the small scars left behind permanent reminders of her ordeal "I thought I was going... I-...I thought I was going to die in there." She choked out sucking in a shaky breath
"Yang." Alex said in a calming tone placing a hand on Yang's shoulder, the blond reached up curling her fingers around his own. "It's ok, you're out she can't hurt you, not now, not ever again." Yang slowly nodded in response to his words. "You going to be ok?"
"Yeah" Yang replied, taking a slow calming breath as she leaned back against the wall behind her. "I'm good."
"I'm going to talk to Adam and Qrow and see what's happening now." Alex said standing up from his kneeling position, scanning the slightly crowded but thankfully still rather spacious trailer for the elder Huntsmen and Black ranger, he spotted the duo near the back of the trailer, as he got closer he started picking up bits of their conversation.
"-he seem a little too happy about what just happened back there?" Qrow asked
"Kids been through allot already, Lilly knows more about him than any of us. You're better off talking to her rather than me." Adam said
Alex coughed, alerting the older men to his arrival. Adam and Qrow shared a glance with one another before they turned to face Alex. "You need something kid" Qrow asked.
"I came to ask what happens now?" Alex asked, looking between the two of them "I mean where do we go from here, once we get back to Beacon there are going to be some questions asked." Alex said
Qrow nodded in agreement " You got a point Ironwood had some of his boys watching this place, they probably already reported back about that explosion and this." Qrow gestured to the Mobile command center around them." Isn't exactly the most inconspicuous thing out there"
"I know, which is why this complicates things" Adam muttered, involvement from the local military or government could only complicate things further then they needed to be. The kingdoms councils may have meant well, but he doubted neither they or the Atlas military would give up the chance to get their hands on the technology inside the Mobile command center, or worse... the Morphing grid.
"How?" Qrow asks.
"We don't answer to any government or military." Adam said, "The public knowing about us, and some of the higher-ups on Vales council and in Atlas could very well attempt to seize our weapons and equipment, all in the name of what they might call "The greater good of remnant." " Adam said with air quotations.
"We've had a situation like this in the past, a company by the name of Collin industries got their hands on some of our tech reverse engineered it and built a super weapon that ended up being on its first mission. Allot of good people died that day, which is why I can't let anyone near our command center if anyone got their hands on our tech, it could only lead to devastation."
"I get where you're coming from." Qrow's nodded in response his respect for the black ranger grew slightly, anyone up in Atlas the SDC especially would kill, and he meant kill, to get their hands on this kind of tech... Well Adam was right it would most likely end in disaster.
"Overall, I'm not against the idea of meeting with Beacons headmaster, I've heard good things about him. " Adam then turned his attention towards Alex." You trust him, don't you Rookie."
"Yeah" Alex responded
Adam nodded in response before turning back to face Qrow " If Ozpin wants to talk, we will, but it'll have to be on our terms, we can't afford to take any unnecessary risks."
Alex glanced at Qrow, the huntsmen stared off to the side in thought. After everything that had transpired over the last few days, it was becoming rather apparent that despite all the effort their brotherhood had put in to combat this effort, they were nowhere close to putting a stop to it. The Psycho society or whatever were like cockroaches no matter how hard you tried they just kept surviving, hell he wasn't even sure dropping a mountain on them was the end of it.
And after everything he'd seen in there, the weapons and equipment these guys were packing, it became rather apparent the would need all the help they could get, taking one last swig from his flask, Qrow turned to Adam replying. "I think we can work with that."
(To be continued)