Uploaded: 19/12/2019
As Atlesian airships drifted in the sky of Vale, medics and security teams swept the town, checking for anyone caught under the debris. Meanwhile, the trainee huntsmen teams on scene were congratulating each other on pushing back the massive Grimm hordes. Even as the wounded among the defenders, teacher and student alike, were getting patched up they chatted jovially, glad that the fight was over.
"So then I was like 'You destroyed my favourite fashion store. Prepare to die.' And then I beat it down with my purse before I ripped through the others!" boasted Coco, leader of Team CVFY. As she imitated her weapon, some of the students gathered around her and laughed at her tale, enjoying the dramatic recollection. Meanwhile, others were being interviewed by news teams, eager to get the story of 'The Breach' on-air quickly.
They were going to be here for a while what with interrogations on how it started, who was responsible etc. Currently, it was Ruby's turn to be interrogated. Facing an Atlas officer, she was seated in the hold of a bullhead, the officer standing in front of her, a tablet in hand.
"Alright Miss Rose let's get this started. Now before we begin I assure you that you and your friends are under no scrutiny. We just need details on what happened before so this is a formality. Understood?" briefed the officer.
"Yep!" was her response.
"Very well then." She set the tablet to record and began the interrogation. "Where were you last night?"
"In the city of Mount Glenn. We were shadowing our teacher Doctor Oobleck for a field assignment."
"What was your purpose there?"
"To gather information on the Grimm in the area and… gain experience? Oh! And follow the lead of what we thought was a criminal operation." a short "Mhm" was the only response from the soldier.
"Can you identify who was responsible for the attack?" she pressed.
"Roman Torchwick and the White Fang." That raised an eyebrow. "Interesting." remarked the officer. "Wouldn't think those two could work together. That being said, previous confrontations at the docks and sightings at White Fang meetings prove otherwise."
The questioning continued for another 15 minutes. By the end of it, Ruby was eager to get out and speak with her team.
The officer ended the recording with a little chirp from the tablet before walking up to Ruby and offering her hand. "Thank you" was the huntress's meek response. Suddenly she spasmed and she grimaced. "Ow! My legs. Ooooooh crampcrampcrampcrampcramp." she cried as she massaged her limbs. The officer let out a little chuckle before helping Ruby to the door of the bullhead.
"Thank you for your time Miss Rose. You and your team are free to go," she said, helping the fifteen year old off the vehicle. A little "thanks" from Ruby squeaked out.
"Go back and rest kid. You've had a long day." said the officer as she saw Ruby off.
Ruby turned around and waved as she walked off to her team. "Thanks Miss!" she replied. "I'll be sure to get plenty of-"
She was cut off by blaring sirens, ones that sounded that morning as well.
"Another Grimm attack?!" cried out the officer. Suddenly, the ground shook and from the ground burst a King Taijitu. The two halves slithered out from the hole and hissed at the defenders threateningly.
"OPEN FIRE!" ordered the officer. A salvo of munitions flew at the beast. Having just come out of the ground, there was little it could do to defend itself against the combined fusillade of Atlesian soldiers and Huntsmen, teacher and student alike. It took mere seconds for the serpent to fall, only able to helplessly flail about and smack a handful of defenders.
As the body dissipated, accelerated by Dr Oobleck's torch, he went over to the hole it came from. Dropping down, his torch lit up the dark tunnel the Taijitu had burrowed. "Curious," he remarked. "There are no other Grimm following it. I wonder why?" As he crawled out of the hole, Headmaster Ozpin approached him.
"So Doctor?" he prompted.
"Well headmaster, it's a sizeable tunnel. Large enough to ferry a Grimm horde. Thankfully no others are approaching yet. I suggest we barricade or block the tunnel for now and follow it to the other entrance." spoke Oobleck.
"Very well then," replied Ozpin. With a glance to the Atlesian officer, it was not long before the engineers got to work.
All the while the sirens still blared. Determined to stop the horde from spreading, Team RWBY approached the headmaster.
"Professor Ozpin! Permission to track down the pack of Grimm!" asked Ruby at the head of the quartet.
"I am afraid for your wellbeing, Miss Rose, that we cannot allow your team to go fight again alone. The fight you had here must be exhausting for you all," spoke Ozpin.
"Yes, but we need to help the civilians! We cannot stand by while an easily defeatable invasion descends on us!" retorted Weiss.
"Besides she's not alone." spoke up Sun Wukong. Behind him was Neptune and Team CVFY, primed for battle despite some injury.
With a sigh, Ozpin let out a little grin. "Alright. But take the Atlesian forces with you." The nearby officer nodded in confirmation, her men quickly mustering behind her. "Remember, there is no shame in sitting out. You just finished one fight and are entering another. If you feel your aura is low or you are being overwhelmed, I want you to retreat. No questions asked. Understood?" cautioned Ozpin, receiving a resounding affirmation.
"Speaking of which, where's General Ironwood and the fleet?" asked Blake.
"They're further inland, having retreated after it was assumed that the attacks had stopped. He was called to speak to the Council in person, I'm afraid. They will arrive in the city in 10 minutes. Even at top speed, these 10 minutes must not be wasted. Lives are at stake!"
With that, the teams began to board the bullheads, priming themselves for combat once more.
"Where do we find the horde?" asked Yang as she sat down. The pilot turned around and faced the team (and dog).
"Current reports show a northward spread of the horde. Given the tunnel burrowed by the Taijitu, the Grimm cluster is likely to be in the agricultural district and will probably spread towards the more populated industrial zone.
"Alright let's get there then!" said Ruby. With a nod, the pilot turned back to his controls and started the engines.
Suddenly, the radio crackled to life. "This is patrol group 1. Falling back to the industrial area. All civilians in the agricultural zone have been evacuated to emergency bunkers in the city."
"That about confirms it." remarked Blake.
"Hang on girls! We'll get there as quickly as possible." said the pilot. The bullhead began to lift off the ground when the radio came to life once more.
"This is patrol group 1! Unknown airship sighted above the industrial zone. Firing on the Grimm! Orders lieutenant?" A moment later, the radio buzzed again, the officer coming through the comms.
"Copy patrol group 1, this is lieutenant Hail. Hunker down and protect the civilians. Ensure their safety first and evacuate more if you need to. Let the airship take care of the Grimm. As long as it does not fire on you, treat it as an ally."
"Copy lieutenant. Patrol Group 1 over and- Update! Update! Three unknowns dropped from the airship. One from the rooftops. Engaging the Grimm! Orders?"
"Your order still stands, soldier. Let them fight the Grimm. Prioritise civilian safety. ETA 10 minutes."
"Copy lieutenant. Patrol group 1 over and out."
As the bullhead glided across the river, Ruby could only imagine who these people were.
'Where are they from? How old are they? Wait, WHAT DO THEIR WEAPONS LOOK LIKE?! HOW DO THEY WORK?!'. Those last two thoughts left her giggling with excitement, much to the worry of the other passengers.
"Oh no. She's off in her imagination again." bemoaned Yang. Though she was just as excited as her sister was at meeting new people. Just for different reasons.
'Wonder how they are in a fight?' pondered the blond brawler. Suddenly, a flock of juvenile Nevermores came flying towards the aircraft. With a grunt of effort, the pilot pulled and twisted on the yoke, just barely managing to avoid a direct collision.
It wasn't enough.
A handful of them flew into the wings, unable to turn away in time. Their bodies, though dissipating, clogged the left engine of the aircraft.
"Lieutenant, this is Hawk 1. We've been hit by a birdstrike! Forced to find an LZ. Please advise!" reported the pilot. Meanwhile in the cabin the girls were hanging on for dear life, gripping tightly onto the support straps.
"Copy Hawk 1. Make a landing in a safe LZ. Huntress team will have to make it by foot."
With an affirmation from the pilot, the bullhead landed on the roof of a nearby tower. "Sorry girls," apologised the pilot. "you'll need to walk the rest of the way. You're about 3 minutes from the action."
"It's alright. Thanks for the ride sir! Stay safe!" said Ruby as she and her team leapt across the buildings. The pilot waved them off, wishing them luck. Then he turned to his bullhead and set off the distress beacon. All he could do was wait.
-With Team RWBY-
"Follow the smoke!" shouted Weiss as they shot across the roofs. In the distance, a black plume of smoke rose into the sky, thick and ominous.
"Come on guys! Hurry!" shouted Ruby. With their leader's encouragement, they picked up the pace. As they approached where the horde would be, their could hear bestial roars, shouts of fury and gunfire.
Getting closer to the action, the recently-abandoned buildings began to sag and slope down, the damage dealt by Grimm and gunfire alike leaving them crumbling if not already fallen. Just in front of them, a collapsed warehouse blocked the way to their quarry, the debris stacked high.
As they came to a stop, Team RWBY saw the rest of the supporting force fly overhead. Then, her scroll rang. Looking at the caller ID, she answered and heard Jaune on the other end.
"Ruby! Ruby you there?" called Jaune. She could just barely hear him, the whine of the bullhead engines making it difficult.
"Yes Jaune I can hear you what is it?" asked Ruby. While she spoke to him, she and her team were trying to find a way around the debris, aura conservation a priority in mind. "Any progress yet?" she asked.
"None! See if you can find a way around genius!" retorted Weiss, clearly annoyed.
"Well sorry!" replied Ruby.
"What if I bust through it?" suggested Yang?
"That would be too risky. The debris may be too unstable and collapse on us. Besides, it looks pretty thick" reasoned Blake.
As her teamed discussed, she turned back to her scroll to continue speaking to Team JNPR's leader. "Sorry, go on."
"Right, well from our view I can see the airship they mentioned as well as the fighting below. Seems like the Grimm entrance collapsed. There's a huge crater in the middle of the street!" replied Jaune. "There's no safe LZ according to the pilot. All the buildings in the area have collapsed! We'll need to jump out of bullhead!"
All of a sudden, a great tongue of fire shot into the sky, bathing the district in reds, oranges and yellows.
"Gotta go Ruby! See you soon! JNPR let's go!" was what Ruby heard before the call ended and she heard the dial tone. 'Oh crapbaskets.' thought Ruby. "Weiss!" she called " we can't waste any more time. We need your glyphs!"
"On it!" was their Atlesian teammate's response. Soon a line of circular arrays bloomed from nothing, forming a ramp on the debris. One by one, the members of Team RWBY were slingshot by the acceleration line and flew over the debris. With urgency, they made their way as quickly as possible, Ruby boosting herself with Crescent Rose, Weiss with her Glyphs, Yang with her gauntlets and Blake with her ribbon and Shadow Clones, swinging from streetlight to streetlight.
The sounds of battle grew more intense as they moved, stray fires burning on the roadside on Grimm remains. Up ahead they spotted Team JNPR, having just dealt with a few Grimm if the corpses said anything.
"Hey guys!" called out Yang. Their blonde leader turned around and had a face of relief when he saw them.
"Thank goodness you're here!" said Jaune. "We were swamped with them when we landed!" gesturing to the sizeable mass of Grimm around them. "Luckily we managed to pull through for now." continued Jaune "Now come on! There's more up ahead!" With that, the assembled 8 started running.
As they ran, supporting bullheads could be seen flying beside them and overhead. "Hey Jaune! Where's the rest of our support?" They couldn't afford to stop, so he looked at her from behind as they kept running.
"They're looking to contain the spread of the Grimm. The Atlas forces are forming an encirclement and we're part of it." started Jaune.
"How are we gonna do that?" asked Ruby.
"We've got other teams and Atlesian squads on either side. We're meant to sweep up any Grimm we find on the way." continued Pyrrha as Nora launched grenades into a pack of Beowolves. They never stood a chance.
"They sent out scout drones ahead to survey the area. Last we heard," explained Ren, "the unknown combatants were doing a decent job at holding back the tide." A resounding rumble of the airship's guns and angered roars in the distance seemed to support that observation.
"Well we gotta hurry! We can't leave them alone. I'm sure they need help!" insisted Ruby as they kept running. They could see the crater, the cave-in caused by the Grimm just up ahead! As they neared it, the asphalt was littered with thousands of cracks and fissures but the students pressed on. The rim itself was littered with debris, broken pipes spewing out whatever matter they held, broken cables randomly arcing with electricity and steel rebars twisted and warped from the destruction.
Below, a mound of Grimm corpses clogged the tunnel entrance, several more of their living comrades clambering up to the surface. Many were successful, if the reports of contact from the atlesians said anything. But many more were not. The drones had estimated the hole to be about 24' deep and a maximum 120' in diameter, with the current mound of dissipating bodies, along with the debris that collapsed into the crater, filling the concave depression to about 3 quarters of the way.
'So many Grimm! Who did this?' thought aloud Ruby in amazement. The members of Team RWBY and JNPR were likewise stunned as well. An explosion overhead rocked them out of their stupor. Above, a humanoid metal construct, soared in the air, gunning down flying Grimm eager to swoop down onto their prey with its cannons.
"RAAAH!" A shout of fury got their attention. Turning back to the hole, they could spot a single fighter holding back the tide. From afar and amidst the blur of action, Ruby could only make out his raven hair and his weapon, a cruciform sword, cutting down the Grimm left and right as he danced among the bodies.
"C'mon! We need to help him!" said Yang. Together, they charged down the slope, hewing and gunning down any Grimm that stood in their way. As she shot down an Ursa, among the last of the Grimm climbing up the slope, Ruby shouted over to the unknown fighter, "Just hang on! We're coming over!". That caught his attention.
"STAY!", he ordered. Suddenly, the teams found themselves frozen, their feet refusing to move. 'What's happening!?' panicked Ruby. Try as she might, her feet refused to budge. Looking behind her, her friends were similarly stuck in their places. Meanwhile, the fighter, in a momentary lapse of combat, spoke into an earpiece, speaking to someone.
Suddenly, the cannons of the airship trained onto clusters of Grimm in the vicinity and explosions littered the roads, the beasts blown to smithereens. After some struggling, the students of Beacon were able to break themselves out of their situation. But then, as they were about to resume their charge, they realised it was futile.
The battle was already over. A roar of pain directed their gazes to a lone Ursa Major, cut to bits that fell beneath its killer, that stood on the peak of the mound of beasts. With trepidation, they approached the lone defender, Zwei padding behind them, panting
Breathing heavily, the fighter took his sword and stuck it into a nearby creep head. His shoulders slumped in exhaustion, he took a seat on the mound, on top of a dissipating Alpha Beowolf. One gloved hand resting on the hilt of his sword, the other wiped his brow of sweat. As the sound of approaching Atlesians support closed in on the hole, it was then he spoke.
"Hello. I am Lelouch Lamperouge of the Britannian team sent here for the exchange program and the Vytal Festival tournament. Who are you?"