A large red blur tore through the academy hallways at breakneck speed, a large trail of rose petals int heir wake, any unfortunate soul caught in its path either quickly hugged the corridor walls allowing the red blur safe passage through or were simply blown off their feet in its wake. Ruby burst through the massive double doors out into Beacons courtyard her disgruntled and rather out of breath teammates not far behind
" Ruby!" Weiss called out to her partner
"Don't bother." Blake said stopping beside the Heiress.
"I knew she was fast but..." Koan said from his hunched position beside the door, the shapeshifter drew in a few much-needed breaths after he attempted to keep up with the overjoyed reaper "...Christ"
"Can you really blame her?" Coco said, a small smile coming to rest on the beret-wearing girls face. They'd all received the good news earlier courtesy of a text from Ozpin a half hour prior to contacting both her own team and JNPR, in any case, Coco was happy to see Ruby out of the slump she'd been in for the last few days, it was nice to see the young reaper back to her normal (if a little weird at times) self.
"Did they tell us how Yang's doing?" Velvet asked coming to stand beside her.
"There wasn't exactly much time, she's alive and the medics on the bullhead are treating her, that's what we know." Coco replied staring up at the bullhead, approaching the docks" Now come on Bun, let's see how the Yellow dragons doing." Coco said tapping Velvets rear as she passed, the Faunus's cheeks tinged a bright red due to action.
"R-right" Velvet replied jogging to catch up with her leader, Yatsuhashi and Fox not that far behind. Koan, on the other hand, trailed far behind the other keeping in step with the person he felt needed his presence most.
Pyrrha glanced to the shapeshifter walking alongside her, the blond glanced towards her offering a reassuring smile as they approached the bullhead dock across the courtyard, she could already see the small crowd that had gathered, most of them those who had been made aware of Qrow and Alex's mission. The others most likely stopping out of curiosity.
She knew what would come after this, the conversation she'd been dreading over the last few days. She hadn't regretted her decision to tell him and soon to be Alex about Ozpins offer and what had surprised her most was that he'd believed her. She supposed that was due to a similar experience like this in the past, though... she couldn't shake the memory of his eyes that night.
While his facial features remained stoic and calm his eyes were quite the contrast, never had she seen such rage in those gentle blue orbs. She hoped to never have to see it again.
"Pyrrha?" Koan asked pulling her from her thoughts
"y-Yes?" She replied glancing at the shapeshifter
"You ok?" He replied noting her nervousness
"I'm...I'm alright" Pyrrha replied, taking a calming breath.
"Are you sure?" Koan asked in concern, it helped... if only a little. "I can talk to Alex about this latter if it's making you uncomfortable?"
"Do we really have to tell him?" She asked.
"Alex know what you're going through right now better than anyone else. It might help if you talk to him about it, plus... how long do you think it'll take him to take notice of how distant you're being with your team."
Pyrrha sighed nodded in agreement to his words, Koan had a point there, Alex was one of the more perceptive people among them, he tended to notice things some of the others certainly didn't, Blakes heritage being one such example. And in her current state of turmoil how long would it take to notice?
The duo arrived at the bullhead docks just as one of the Atlas bullheads started its descent towards the docking area, it was slightly sleeker then most of the other models, beneath the left wing was a small emblem, marking it as a medical transport. The aircraft landed swiftly at the bullhead docks, the bullheads ramp extending immediately after landing.
Qrow and Alex were the first to emerge from the aircraft, the elder huntsmen had little time to react as a small red missile ploughed into him. "Uncle Qrow!" Ruby cried out in joy and equal concern. "What happened out there? Are you ok? Is yang ok?" The young reaper began firing off one question after the other to the man.
"Easy kiddo." Qrow said placing a comforting hand on his youngest nieces shoulder. "She's fine, the doc's giving her a once-over before they started transporting her to the infirmary."
"Is she going to be alright though?" Weiss asked the fact her teammate needed to be wheeled off the bullhead only further to duel her own and no doubt her teammates fear of yang's condition, not just her bodies but her mind as well.
"Doc said she'll make a full recovery, her auras already dealt with most of her injuries, but they still need to keep her overnight for observations, especially after her head injury." Alex said
"Then why did they bring you and Yang all the way back to Beacon?" Velvet asked in a mix of concern and slight confusion "Wouldn't it have been better taking her straight to Vale for treatment?"
"It's for her own safety. "Qrow replied his eyes following the retreating forms of the medical team until they disappeared inside the academy "Jimmy's already arranged for a few of his men to watch over her while she's in recovery, just in case those bastards try something like this again, Beacons probably the safest place for her at the moment."
"No denying that." Coco said, hell even if those bastards did show up in an attempt to finish what they started, not only would they have to fight through Yang's team but her own, JNPR and any other that would no doubt be drawn to the scene by the battle "Did they say anything about if we'll be allowed to see her or not?" Velvet asked
"I would believe as much." Ozpin said as he arrived on the alongside side Professor Goodwitch, the blond combat instructor moving past the others and began talking with the pilot the two-exchanging information via their scrolls "I've already made arrangements for the medical staff to allow your own and Miss Roses team into the infirmary. Though I'd advise you give Miss Xiao Long some time to rest first, after her ordeal she certainly needs it more than anyone else, the medical staff will contact you when she's ready."
"That's good to know thank you, headmaster." Weiss said bowing her head slightly.
"Think nothing of it Miss Schnee" Ozpin replied before turning his attention back towards the new arrivals.
"It's good to see the two of you returned unharmed." Ozpin said his smile dropping soon after " Although it is a shame we cannot say the same for Miss Xiao long."
"Yang's strong, she'll pull through" Alex replied.
"Quite right" Ozpin replied before going on to say" I believe we've kept James waiting for a report on the outcome of your mission long enough, he has some questions concerning your findings inside the Schnee facility. "Ozpin said with a slight sense of urgency as he gestured for them to follow.
"Of course." Alex replied before turning to the others "I'll catch up with you guys later"
"No problem" Coco responded. We're going to head down to the infirmary to check on Yang in a bit, we'll meet up there, ok"
"Sounds good." Alex said before jogging off after Qrow and the headmaster.
/
The ride up to the headmaster's office was quiet, though as they began reaching the upper floors Alex and Qrow couldn't help but notice the rather audible if slightly muffled voice of James Ironwood from the other side of the elevator door. As the doors opened they were greeted with the site of the General pacing back and forth across the room
"Yes, councilor I understand, though the explosion is no cause for alarm. I assure there is no further threat to the Kingdom of Vale" He said into his scroll, Ironwood winced slightly as a rather aged and muffled voice yelled back through the device.
"I understand recent events have the city as well as the council on edge, but I assure you we are already taking steps to end this new threat before they may strike at our allies again." Ironwood looked up regarding the new arrivals, gesturing for them to enter before turning his attention back to his scroll.
"The two I told you about have just returned, I'll ensure the council receive a copy of their report for analysis." The voice on the other end of the line quieted down "Of course, understood. I'll inform you of any new developments councilor, goodbye." Ironwood breathed a small sigh of relief dragging his hand over his face, before turning to face the new arrivals.
"I sincerely hope the two of you had a good reason for what you did back there?" Ironwood asked while glaring at Alex and Qrow "The council are up in arms about this, and it's only serving to feed the peoples paranoia... What in Oum's name were you thinking!?" Ironwood demanded
"James!" Ozpin yelled, the room quickly fell into silence. Ozpin sat down behind his desk before addressing them." Qrow, the message you sent us said you found something resembling an armory inside the facility, I can assume that was the cause for the explosion."
Qrow nodded in response before taking a quick drag from his hip flask" Biggest stockpile of gear I've seen in a long time. I'm talking weapons, explosives, vehicles, dust. Qrow listed off one after the other "Whole nine yards, and that isn't even the worst of it."
"Then what is?" Glynda asked
"These." Alex spoke up using his plumber's badge to display a holographic image, alongside a schematic of one of the laser lances.
"What is that?" Ironwood asked.
"There called laser lances, they project a high-concentrated energy beam that can burn through a good fifteen centimeters of armor plating and can turn any organic matter the beam comes in contact with to dust, aura or not." Alex said a small video feed popped up of an armored figure resembling that of a knight, the weapon in his hands resembled the ones they were shown early although appeared to be damaged, as the man attempted to fire the lance backfired resulting in a small explosion, leaving behind a small crater and no sign of its wielder.
All though present eyed the weapon wearily "These weapons are level five tech, Remnant is only level two... this kind of tech in the wrong hands would have only led to disaster."
"So, you destroyed them, I take it that was the reason for the explosion?" Glynda asked eyeing the weapon wearily "They must be rather robust for the need of such high caliber ordinance in order to destroy him."
"Not really" Alex replied " The power source they use alone is highly volatile, you break the casing on their container and... boom, they're kind of like a double-edged sword. The explosion you saw was us destroying at least a dozen cases of these things. The crate's they were stored in were marked with the white fangs logo, from what I can tell the psychos have been supplying the White fang with them."
"You're telling me the White Fang may be armed with these weapons?" Ironwood asked receiving a nod in response from Alex "Perfect" Ironwood sighed in annoyance the threat they posed against Vale was already immense as they grew in numbers by the day, but with these weapons... he didn't want to think of what they would be capable of.
"Honestly, unless they have someone to teach them how to use the tech properly, they won't be much of a threat. The most they'll accomplish is blowing themselves up" Alex said responded, although he didn't look pleased by the possibility
"All the more reason to ensure these weapons did not make it to their desired location" Ozpin then asked," Is there by any chance a way we can track them?"
"Maybe" Alex responded rubbing the back of his neck "The energy cells they use to power the weapon have a unique energy signature, scan for something more powerful than your own hardware, you're your bound to come up with something."
"Noted" Ironwood replied as he approached Ozpins desk placing his scroll down on the surface displaying an image of the rangers mobile command center. "We know the two of you encountered other like yourself Mr. fissure while on your mission."
"And we'd like to speak with them." Ozpin finished "I understand they arrived here to aid us."
Qrow and Alex glanced at one another, the elder huntsmen gestured to the group in front of them with his flask." So, should you show them or should I, Adam?" He asked receiving a few confused looks.
"Adam?" Glynda asked all eyes turning to the Omni ranger, 'Alex' sighed shaking his head as he reached up cupping his face before pulling forward, his body flickered and began to change in height and size.
Adam stared down at the I.D mask in his hands the kid's plan had worked pretty well, the mask had gotten him past most of the security and the teams he'd met down at the airport no doubt the friends he'd told them about during the ride here.
The black ranger raises his head regarding the shocked faces of Glynda and Ironwood the general's hand had slipped into his jacket, the man gripping the handle of his revolver tightly, while the blond combat instructor had drawn her riding crop moving into a defensive stance. Ozpin, on the other hand, had shown almost no response at all to the action despite the slight widening of his eyes.
Ironwood was the first to recover quickly aiming his revolver at the two men in front of him "Qrow, you better have a good explanation for this!?"
"Hey." Qrow responded leaning back against one of the pillars enjoying the Generals reaction to the scene as it unfolded. "You wanted to have a talk to em Jimmy, and so did they, the whole thing was the kid's idea anyway I'm just the middleman here Jimmy."
"Qrow." Adam said giving him a deadpan look, before turning back towards the headmaster "I'm sorry we deceived you like this, but I thought it would be better if we had this conversation face to face, rather than through a video feed."
Ozpin hummed in response taking a sip from his coffee mug, he seemed more impressed than offended if the small smile he sported was anything to go by, Ozpin gestured for the others to stand down.
Glynda although hesitant at first returned her riding crop to its holster on her boot before coming to stand beside the headmaster although her emerald green eyes never leaving Adams form. After a few moments, Ironwood followed suit holstered his weapon although kept a close eye on the man in front of him
With the now peaceful atmosphere, Ozpin continued "I have no issues involving this meeting Mr.."
"Park, Adam Park" Adam replied taking a seat across from the headmaster. "Again, I'm sorry for calling this little meeting between us under short notice, but under the circumstances, I'm sure you can why it's necessary"
"Yes, I do" Ozpin responded leaning forward on the desk "Although before we begin I feel the need to ask, where is mister fissure now."
The black ranger smirked in response "Where do you think?" he said typing a message into a scroll cam had acquired for him
/
Upon their arrival at Beacons infirmary's Ruby, Weiss and Blake found the ward packed with a number of students from Beacon alongside some familiar faces from Atlas and haven. Koan was sat down beside Pyrrha the two of them had been spending a lot of time together recently especially after Pyrrha lashed out against Jaune when he'd reached out to her when she'd been avoiding her team. Weiss turned away from the scene, whatever was bothering her it wasn't her place to ask and it already seemed like koan was helping her through it.
"Penny!?"Ruby asked in surprise upon noticing the robot girl standing across from the door, to her left was her partner Ciel Soleil. Penny's head snapped up upon hearing her name be called, a smile stretched across her face as her eyes rested on the red-clad girl.
"Ruby!" Penny called out rushing up to her friend enveloping her in a bone-crushing hug while simultaneously lifting her off the ground.
"Penny...What are… you doing... here "Ruby wheezed out, before crying out "Please stop!"
"Oh, sorry" Penny said releasing her friend the secret android looked off to the side rubbing her arm nervously.
"It's ok." Ruby replied catching her breath. "Anyway, Penny what are you doing here?" Ruby asked
"Ciel informed me your sister had been returned to Beacon" Penny said gesturing to her blue beret wearing partner. "We both came to check on her condition"
"Really?" Ruby asked, her question directed more towards the stoic girl to penny's right.
"I thought it best myself and miss Polendina be here for what I have no doubt has been a difficult time for the both of you" Ciel replied a rare hint of concern present in her usual flat tone. The beret-wearing girl glanced back down towards her watch. "The sedatives the medics on board the bullhead supplied your sister with should be wearing off soon, they should let you in to see your sister shortly."
"What about the others?" Blake asked glancing towards the other students. "Did they all come here to check on Yang?"
"Can you really blame them after what happened in the Coliseum. "Weiss said, she shuddered slightly at the memory of Psycho yellow standing over the unconscious form of her friend Weiss shook her head pushed the memory to the back of her mind, Yang was here at beacon safe and sound, and judging by the armed Atlesian soldiers station outside her room, they were aiming to keep it that way.
"Your teammate is correct." Ciel replied gesturing to the other students talking further down the hall, they'd already been here when she and penny had arrived and showed no signs of leaving, a few of them glanced towards the remaining members of team RWBY pausing in their own conversations, some giving a quick nod and looks of support to their young leader. "It's actually rather inspiring, Isn't it? Seeing so many students from different academy's show such a level of comradery and concern."
"Yeah, I guess it is" Blake said, she herself surprised to see so many students, some they didn't even recognize show up and showing their concern for her partner.
The attention of all those present quickly shifted toward the door leading into Yang's room as two of the three medics stepped out sharing some quick words with the guards outside before making their way past the others, most likely to report back to their superiors.
Ruby jogged over to the door stopping in front of the two Atlas soldiers who'd been eying her carefully as she approached "Is Yang awake?" she asked hopefully
"Ruby Rose?" The first asked, eyeing the younger girl
"Y-Yes" Ruby replied tentatively as she was stared down by one of the soldiers
"Beacon I.D " The second asked, receiving a confused look from the young reaper, before speaking up once more. "General ironwoods assigned us to keep watch over Miss Xiao long, I apologies for the inconvenience ma'am. But for her safety we have to be thorough.
"Oh, r-right " Ruby stuttered digging into her back pocket and handing her student identification to the soldier, the man looked over the document before handing it back to her. The soldier turned to swipe his scroll over the doors electronic lock opening it for her
"Go right on in" he said
"Thank you" Ruby replied before rushing into the room. Blake and Weiss soon followed, repeating the same process as their leader had before heading on in, JNPR CFVY and Koan quickly rose from their own position's in the hallway making to follow the large group of students soon crowded around the two soldiers, who looked at each other wearily.
/
The door behind the group of girls slid shut cutting them off from the crowd and growing noise out in the hallway, leaving the room in silence. All eyes were focused on the figure resting soundly in the hospital bed by the window... and there she was. Yang Xiao Long, the proud member and brawler of team RWBY lay motionless areas of her body and hands were wrapped in fresh gauze, an IV line trailing up from her arm to a bag of saline hanging above her, the only sign of life she showed being the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
The third Atlesian medic stood off to the side by the window staring down at the chart in his hands, upon noticing the new arrivals he turned his head his eyes regarding them behind his helmet visor, he nodded once in greeting before turning his attention back towards the chart in his hands. Turning their attention back towards their teammate they began to approach the bed as silently as possible not wanting to disturb their teammate's rest.
Ruby took the seat directly at her sister's bedside, leaning forward she rested her head on the bed's mattress, she reached out taking Yang's right hand into her own. Ruby's shoulders began to shake followed by a small whimper "I'm sorry" Ruby muttered as tears streamed down her cheeks "I'm so sorry, Yang."
Weiss placed her hand on Ruby shoulder gripping it gently offering the young reaper what comfort they could she could. Blake pulled two seats from the other side of the room offering the first to the heiress who responded with a silent "Thank you" before taking her own, the sound of Ruby's soft cries slowly filled the room.
...
...
...
"...Why are you crying, Rubes" a soft voice spoke up.
Startled by the surprisingly weak voice their heads shot up staring at the source in shock that quickly faded into relief. Amber, Sky blue and Silver eyes met a pair of soft violet that stared back at them.
"Yang" Blake said reaching up and wiping a few tears out of her own eyes a feeling of total relief flooding her being.
"Hey... are you guys getting all emotional over little old me, come on your gonna make me blush" Yang replied as a small chuckle slipped from between her lips.
"A-And she's back." Weiss said her tone one of annoyance, but the smile she boar instantly shattered any such notion.
"Yang! "Ruby cried out practically leaping onto her sister's bed, burying her head in the crook of her sister's neck her arms wrapping tightly around her form, as her cries shifted to ones of utter joy. Yang lifted her left arm from under the covers reviling the fresh scaring to her teammates as she wrapped her arm around her sister's waist pulling her a little closer.
"Yang..." Blake began her eyes fixed on the claw and teeth marks spreading up the blond brawler's arm, they were faint but still very much visible to anyone who was looking.
"...What happened to you?" Weiss finished.
"A lot of stuff I don't really want to talk about right now." Yang responded dully, the grip on her sister's waist tightening gently.
"You don't have to tell us." Blake said coming to stand beside the heiress resting her hand on Yang's own "We're just glad to have you back."
Yang tilted her head to the side her usual cocky smirk returning "Since when were you the emotional type?" She asked and to her surprise Blake laughed, a smile spreading across the Cat faunas lips.
"It's a recent development, but I think I like it." She said joining in on the two sisters hug Weiss soon following.
After a few minutes, they broke apart. A large smile spread across Yang's face before changing to a look of confusion "Where are Alex, Uncle Qrow an-" Yang was cut off by Weiss.
"Your Uncle and Alex left with the headmaster and Professor Goodwitch, he said they would both meet us down here once they'd given their report to Professor Ozpin and General Ironwood." Weiss explained.
"Ok" Yang replied nodding in response, glancing at the Atlas medic she then gestured for her teammates to come closer before whispering "But, what about Adam?"
"Adam?" Her teammates echoed Blakes eyes widening slightly.
"Yeah, Adam" Yang replied " Guy around uncle Qrow's age, black jeans and a stripy black and grey shirt. You sure didn't see anyone like that get off the Bullhead?"
"No" Ruby replied just as confused as her teammates, before asking "who is he anyway?"
As Yang opened her mouth to respond another Voice spoke up from across the room "Adam took my place and went with Qrow to talk with professor Ozpin, I came here to check up on and keep an eye on you" The Atlas Medic spoke up, all eyes quickly turned to him.
"H-How did you..." Yang trailed off as the man reached up cupping his face before pulling, the medic's body began to flicker breaking apart into small blue particles.
Alex stared down at the I.D mask with a small smirk before raising his head towards the shocked members of team RWBY " Because I'm right here" Alex said
"How did you do that?" Weiss asked in disbelief after watching the soldier transform into one of her friends.
"I. D masks" Alex explained holding the piece of technology up for them to see. " Some of the plumbers back home use them to disguise themselves as humans when they're out in the field. It's basic stealth Tec, just don't use it in lightning storms, the energy disrupts the masks making it completely useless."
"Can I try it?" Ruby then asked in excitement.
"Maybe later." Alex replied while making his way over to Yang's bedside. "You're looking better" He said
"I feel it too... although that might just be the painkillers" Yang replied laughing slightly at her own joke, "So I take it the plans working out fine?"
"As well as we could have hoped" Alex responded
"Ahem" Weiss coughed raising an eyebrow at the two "Mind filling us in on this 'plan' of yours?"
"And who's Adam?" Ruby asked
"The Black Ranger" Alex replied simply silence soon followed his words
"Wait, you mean there are other rangers here." Blake asked
"Yep" Yang responded popping the P "Apparently Prof Paradox had a talk with Adam and asked him to build a team to help out with the Psychos. When we finally got out he asked us if he could speak with Professor Ozpin."
"What would they want to talk to the headmaster about?" Ruby asked
"An alliance maybe" Blake suggested before all eyes turned to Alex
"Your guess is as good as mine?" Alex shrugged in response to Blake question.
Their conversation was then interrupted by loud ruckus from the hallway. "Sir, Sir! Only authorized personnel are permitted to enter." One of the soldiers called out from the hallway being quickly followed by a small scuffled, his voice was strained slightly as if the two of them were holding back the entire crowd on their own. A few moments later another voice spoke up one Ruby and Yang instantly recognized.
"She's my daughter, I have every right to see her!" A voice called out.
"Dad!" Ruby and Yang echoed, Alex, shook his head reapplying the I.D mask once again disguising himself as one of the Atlas medics, pulling open the door a blond figure stumbled into the room.
The man had blond hair with two small strands sticking up at the top with blue eyes, a soul patch, and some small stubble along his jawline alongside that was a tatou of a Chinese dragon on his upper bicep. He wore brown cargo shorts with a dark brown belt, black shoes, a red bandanna on his left arm, and a brown leather vest over a tan dress shirt with the right sleeve torn off.
The two soldiers out in the hallway made to follow, Alex stretched his arm out blocking the two before they could interfere.
"I can take it from here, get back to your posts." He instructed.
"The General ordered us-" One tried to explain.
"I know what the general said, Private!" Alex interrupted, the two men instantly snapping to attention. "But my only priority right now is the patients wellbeing. The two of you dragging her farther-" Alex gestured back towards Tai-Yang"-out of the room is only going to cause her more unnecessary stress. "Alex squared up to the two men the disguise the I.D mask gave him adding a little more bulk and a few inches over the man." Seeing as this is an infirmary and I'm the only medical officer currently on duty at the moment, you answer to me... so with respect get back to your posts."
"I... I uh... we." He stammered glancing to his partner for support, the other soldier just looked away throwing his friend to the wolf in sheep's clothing. Alex crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at the solder with a look of indifference. The action only making the man even more nervous, until finally, they both straightened up standing at attention once more "O-of course, sir"
The two men turned on their heels quickly exited the room, as the door closed behind them Alex let out a small breath "That went better than expected' he thought while turning back towards the others.
"Thank you" Tai-Yang said
"Don't worry about it" He responded, walking off to the far side of the room giving the girls some space while they spoke with their dad. Weiss stood up out of her own seat offering it to the blond man who accepted it with a small nod of thanks.
"Hi, da-" Before Yang could finish her sentence the elder dragon had wrapped her in a bone-crushing hug, Ruby quickly joining in soon after.
"Is that all I'm gonna get firecracker 'Hi dad' really?" He asked "How about a smile eh sunshine"
"Ugh, Dad" Yang groaned in embarrassment hugging back just as strongly a bright smile appearing forming on her lips. "You're the worst."
A small smile made it 'way onto Alex's face although it was hidden behind the stock expression of his disguise, he glanced off to the side a few memories of him and his parents from when he was younger coming to the forefront of his mind. Two days, two more days and they would have been out of Bellwood before any of it happened, they'd been planning the trip for weeks trying to find an opening in their work schedules, two more days and they would have been on the next flight out to the Rockies.
Alex's hand clenched slightly his nails threatening to draw blood...two more fucking days and they'd still be here.
"Are you ok?" Blakes soft voice spoke up breaking him out of his stupor.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." He whispered back.
"No... No, you're not." She whispered back, Alex glanced off to the side in response.
"Is it that obvious?" He asked with a heavy sigh.
"Kind of..." Blake replied glancing back towards Ruby and Yang's farther, she'd have been blind to have not noticed him staring at the scene, there was a mix of mourning and desire in his gaze. Blake reached out taking Alex hand into her own. "They would be so proud of you, for everything you've done ... you know that don't you."
"I know" Alex replied despite the small amount of pain in his voice that struck at Blakes' heart. She couldn't image what it must have been like for him, her parents were back on menagerie even if they hadn't left on good terms they'd no doubt be worried sick the days following her departure, but at least she knew they were safe.
...Alex on the other hand, he must have been what, fourteen, a year younger than Ruby when all this transpired. The incursions invasion, becoming the Omni ranger, the trauma caused by his parent's death and fighting in a war for your species survival... she couldn't imagine what he'd been through and the scars those events left behind.
"If you ever want to talk... I'm willing to listen." She said staring up at the stoic face of the medic.
"Thank you" Alex whispered back. A few moments later a gentle buzz emanated from his jacket pocket, Alex opened his scroll staring at a message notification from Ben. Alex growled slightly in annoyance 'Where the hell have you two been?' He wondered opening up the message reading through its contents
XXX
'Meet us down in the plaza, it is urgent
'Rook'
XXX
"Trouble?" Blake asked
"I'm not sure." Alex replied. "Ben and Rook are waiting down in the Plaza, they said it was urgent."
"Where have they been all this time anyway, we could have really used their help rescuing Yang." Blake said with a hint of annoyance towards the two plumber agents.
"My thoughts exactly, and I intend to find out" Alex replied.
"Wait" Blake said causing Alex to pause mid-step
"Yeah?" He asked
"I think Koan and Pyrrha wanted to talk to you" Blake said "He said it was important"
"Alright." Alex said nodding in response "I'll check in with them, after I see what Ben and Rook want, and maybe get some answers as well."
Blake nodded in response to his words
Ducking into one of the empty classrooms Alex deactivated his I.D mask, an Atlas medic wandering around Beacon would certainly be suspicious to some of the students and any high-ranking officers would most likely demand an explanation. Making his way down the corridor Alex pushed open the two large doors into the Beacon courtyard.
His eyes scanned over a few of the students dotted around the plaza, his eyes eventually settled on a familiar white and green hoodie, its owner staring up at the statue in the center of the academy's courtyard, beside him was a taller figure wearing a dark brown poncho that concealed most of their body except their lower half showing off their armored legs.
A few passing students spared the duo a quick glance before continuing on without a second thought. Alex sighed heavily making his way over towards his longtime friends.
"This place is pretty cool" Ben noted turning his attention away from the statue with a small smile "I get why you like it here so much"
"Where have you been?" Alex asked with a low tone. "You said you'd be keeping your eyes open in case something like this happened?"
"I know" Ben replied softly
"Then where the hell have you two been" Alex demanded
"We've been outside the kingdom of Vales borders for the last four days after our last conversation" Rook began detaching his plumbers badge from the back of his belt, the Revonnahgander glanced up at the surrounding area making sure no one was close enough to see what they were doing. Satisfied with his finding Rook then activated his badge projecting a small hologram" We were using the Proto-truck's computer for a wider ranged scan of the kingdom and the area surrounding it." Rook explained showing an aerial view of Vale and the surrounding landscape.
Several small red dots appeared on the landscape a couple of miles outside of Vale "The scanner picked up several locations with Level three technology and above there are more like then spread across the continent, one of which you visited when rescuing Miss Xiao Long." Rook then pointed to two of the locations marked on their map
"We were investigating these two locations due to their close proximity to some of the settlement outside the kingdom walls at the time of the incident here in Vale, had we known of the attack we would have returned to the kingdom that evening." Rook said solemnly bowing his head slightly in regret " Is Miss Xiao long... recovering?" He then asked
"She's doing ok, guys" Alex reassured his friends his anger long since vanished. " What did you find out there?"
"A butt load of weapons, some of them were tagged and matched a few of the missing weapons from lock up, the other ones looked brand new." Ben replied.
"I found a few cases of Laser lances marked with the white fangs emblem at the mine as well as a few Incursion personnel carriers, judging by the layer of dust they'd been sitting there for a while." Alex said rubbing his chin in thought.
"You don't think..." Ben began
"That the Psycho Rangers are gearing the White Fang up for war, yeah I do." Alex replied looking his longtime friends in the eye "The question is how they are getting the weapons, they wouldn't be able to mass produce them in such numbers here, they're missing more than half the equipment and resourced they'd need to make a functional particle weapon."
"They did construct the original gateway to a remnant by upgrading a mark one null void projector" Rook surmised. "It wouldn't be impossible to do the same in reverse, given they had the time and the resources to create a stable portable device."
"Black had a null void gun when he sent Koan RWBY and I back to earth, we can check that off the list." Alex muttered before sighing "I guess we can add interdimensional weapons trafficking and aiding a terrorist organization to their rap sheets."
"It would be best we get in contact with Magister Tennyson." Rook suggested. "Perhaps the plumbers on earth can investigate the source of the weapons while we continue our investigation here"
"My money on Siphon." Alex said. " He's had ties with the Psycho Rangers in the past, makes sense he'd still be in business with them."
"It is the most likely source of the armaments" Rook replied. "In any case, the sooner we cut off the source of these weapons the safer thing will be for the inhabitants of this world."
"No denying that." Alex said glancing up towards Beacon tower, he had a feeling negotiation would be wrapping up pretty soon and no doubt he'd have some explaining to do. "I'm going to have to get going soon, please tell me you guys are going to stick around Vale for a little while, we could use the back up in case they try something like this again."
"You had to ask?" Ben replied placing a hand on Alex's shoulder "We're staying in one of the hotels down in Vale, if anything goes down we got your back man, always."
"Good to hear" Alex replied before glancing back towards the academy. "Are you guys gonna stick around for a little while, I'm sure the others are going to want to see you."
"Sure" Ben replied Rook nodding in response to his partner's words.
"You might need this" Alex said holding out his I.D mask towards them. "Ironwood posted a few of his men outside the door, Ben should be fine but." Alex trailed off, Rook raised his hand stopping his friend from continuing.
"I understand, there was a course on integrating with a planets inhabitance when the need arose back at the plumber's academy." He said taking the I.D mask from Alex. "The people here would no doubt be fearful of me, it's best we take steps to avoid any confrontation."
"We'll duck into one of the empty classrooms on the way, with classes postponed for the Vytal Festival starting back up in a few days there shouldn't be anyone inside and I doubt anyone will notice us going in." Alex explained, receiving a nod from both Ben and Rook in response, the Revonnahgander quickly attached the I.D mask to his belt concealing it beneath his poncho.
"Good call" Ben said he and Rook following close behind as he leads them towards one of the side buildings where professor port and Oobleck would usually hold their lectures, unaware of the pair of eyes watching them from a distance.
Emerald lowered her scroll staring down at the pictures she'd taken of the two strangers the 'Omni ranger' had been speaking with "So any Idea who those two are?" Mercury asked leaning back against the stone archway glancing back towards the trio as they vanished into the crowd.
Emerald quickly forwarded the images to Cinder, the Pyromancer had been attempting to get in contact with their partners since news's of Alex and the Black reapers mission had reached them, they had received no reply and the news of the explosion from the Schnee facility only furthered to annoy her.
"No clue" Emerald replied staring down at the image of the two hooded figures taking note of the armor the taller one wore and the weird glowing watch the shorter one had, were these the allies that those Psychopaths had warned them about. Emeralds scroll buzzed a few moments later the mint-haired girl glanced down to the callers I.D instantly recognizing the number for one of the burn scrolls cinder had on hand.
C: Where are they heading?
E: Infirmary, they're going to check up on that blond bimbo.
A few moments of silence passed as Emerald stared down at the scroll waiting for her instructions, after a few seconds her scroll buzzed once more.
C: Shadow them, try and find as much information as we can on them I don't want any surprises, I'll be checking in with our friends shortly perhaps they will have more answers on this development.
E: There alive?
C: Several of the tunnels collapse sealing off part of the structure, they lost a number of their forces as well as some of the equipment promised to the White Fang in the event as well as the Yellow one to the boy's blade. Keep a close eye on them, especially young Alex, we don't need any more interference from him or any of his allies, Understood.
E: Understood Ma'am.
'To be continued