"We send millions of robots and hundreds of thousands of humans to war with the Grimm every year. We eliminate hundreds of millions of Grimm, and gain territory everyday. We have put Target DARKNESS on her backfoot, and our continuing prosperity is what we can show for it. What can the Kingdoms do? We have multiple thriving metropoli while they all get one each Kingdom. But we're the ones who are weak, we're the ones who didn't get a say at Vytal, not even a seat at the conference. All because we saw the true threat, and decided to deal with it instead of pushing us closer to extinction by our own hands." -Supreme Commander Sentis, commenting on the current world affairs.
/-/
Beacon
Edler opened his eyes slowly, the light from outside seeping into his window. It was morning, and he was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. He raised his head slightly, and looked around the room. He realized he was in a dorm at Beacon, where he had been accepted into. He rolled out of bed, and began getting ready for the day. He brushed his teeth, showered, and began changing into his uniform. He did his tie, grabbed his weapon, and realized he couldn't maglock it onto himself.
"Crap." He mumbled, and put the weapon back in his wall locker. "Good thing my hand-to-hand is still good."
He opened the door to his room, and walked out. He made sure the straps on his black assault pack were flat, ironing uniforms was a pain in the ass no matter what. He walked out of the dorm building, and to the cafeteria. He got into the waiting line, looking at his watch from time to time. He didn't want to be late on the first day.
He got his food, and sat down at a table. He saw Team JNPR enter the cafeteria, but not Team RWBY. He mentally shrugged, but waved to Team JNPR for them to see where he was. Pyrrha and Jaune waved back, and the team proceeded into the line. Edler continued to eat his cereal when the team joined him at his table.
"Good morning, Edler." Pyrrha greeted.
"Morning y'all." Edler greeted back. "How was the first night as a team?"
"It was okay." Jaune answered. He looked at Edler's food choice, and raised a glass of orange juice when he saw the cereal. Edler returned the gesture by raising his glass of apple juice.
"I thought it went smoothly." Pyrrha responded, smiling at the two's antics.
"I agree." The raven-haired kid next to Pyrrha answered. "I don't believe we've met, I am Lie Ren."
"Edler Adler, sole member of Team AE." Edler responded.
The auburn-haired girl next to Ren. "I'm Nora!"
"You're the one who was riding the Ursa, right?" Edler asked. "I'm impressed."
"Why thank you!"
"So, what's first on the agenda today?" Jaune asked. "You joining us for Grimm Studies?"
"I believe I am." Edler pulled out the Scroll the school gave him and checked the schedule. "Let me see...yep! I got Grimm Studies with Professor Port in a half hour."
"Sweet!" Jaune said. "Wanna compare notes after class?"
"I don't see why not." Edler said. "I'm more excited for Combat Class."
"Looking to show up the local competition?" Pyrrha asked, a smirk forming on her face.
"Perhaps." Edler smiled. "Couldn't hurt."
"With your Semblance? Please, you'll wipe the floor with any opponent! Except our team!" Nora exclaimed, flexing her biceps. "We'll beat you easily!"
"I'll hold you to that." Edler said, taking a sip of his coffee. "We'll see how it goes. Though, I expect to get a fight from one of you today after classes."
"Like a spar?" Pyrrha asked. "I'll take you up on your offer."
"Why thank you."
The rest of the breakfast continued on as Nora told the group about a dream she had last night, they left the cafeteria and got to class with two minutes to spare.
As Edler sat down, he noticed someone staring at him. He turned around to see another auburn-haired kid staring at him. Edler sensed a lofty attitude about him, but paid no attention outside of that. He turned back to face forward, ignoring the kid entirely. He heard a small huff from him, but didn't acknowledge it.
"Hey, Edler?" Jaune was sitting next to him. "Did you read the syllabus for this class?"
"Yeah, did you see that most of this class is 'story time'?" Edler asked the blond boy.
"I did, what does that mean?"
Before Edler could answer, Team RWBY ran into the classroom. With fifteen seconds to spare. "We're here!" Ruby announced.
"That you are…" Edler mumbled as they took their seats. "Have trouble getting up this morning?"
"We didn't monitor the time…" Ruby answered. "We lost track and suddenly it was five minutes till…"
"I can relate to that." Jaune stated.
Edler shook his head. "Well, at least we know now-"
Professor Port walked into the classroom. "Good morning students!"
Everyone gave some kind of greeting back.
"Welcome to Grimm Studies! I am Professor Port." The man introduced himself. "You are all here to learn about Grimm! Their weaknesses, their strengths, their attributes! Soon, you will all call them nothing more than what I call them now: prey!"
Edler nodded, though he did already see them as prey. Basic had done that much to him.
"Of course, this reminds me of a time…"
Edler's eyes went wide. 'Oh...oh no...not again!'
Grimmwoods
Beowulfs ran, the small pack of them following their Alpha away from the fight. They had been smart enough to not follow the massive hordes of Grimm going one way. They watched from upon a hill as the enemy executed the easiest pincer maneuver ever seen. The Grimm were wiped from existence, leaving a long scar on the forest from all the artillery and bombs dropped on the horde. The pack was the only remnant of the Grimm force that had tried to hold the line. They were determined to make it back to their home in the Grimmlands before the enemy beat them there.
That is, until they looked up into the sky and saw streaks of fire roaring towards them.
They all ducked out of the way as the streaks impacted the ground. The smoke cleared, and the objects blew off a piece of themselves. They were drop pods, the occupants bolted out of the pods and towards the fleeing Grimm. It was the armored warriors, and even came with helmets this time!
The Beowulfs tried to run, but their enemy was on top of them in an instant. Their chainswords ripped apart the Grimm with ease. Even the Alpha was dispatched quickly, the head of the massive Grimm being removed from the monster's torso.
When the last Grimm fell and began to dissolve, the soldiers maglocked their weapons back onto their backs. On their helmets was a faded symbol, but the red '99' was plain to see.
That number, that two digit number, was the only number that stoked fear into the Grimm.
Area identified as 'Sector 6', just inside Kingdom of Hammond Territory
Two grunts, wearing standard Hammond grunt armor gear, ran between concrete walls as gunfire went off all around them. They ducked behind a wall, and began firing at an unseen enemy. One of them put a hand up to his helmet side. "Lighthouse Actual, I got eyes on an LZ where you can drop the vehicle! We're clearing it out right now!" The grunt resumed firing on the enemies, who returned fire in kind.
"Roger Bravo 2-1, LZ is good for space. Whiskey Foxtrots still in the zone, elimination required before we drop cargo." Lighthouse Actual responded. "Status on Bravo 2-2?"
"He's acquired Sierra Romeo-95, currently using it to suppress enemies." 2-1 reported. "LZ should be clear…" KRACK! "Now."
"Scans show LZ clear of Whiskey Foxtrots, Golf-Tango 63 should be dropping cargo now." A Goblin dropship, minus a troop bay, flew into a cleared area, a Warthog sporting a chaingun being carried in its hold bay. It dropped the vehicle, and lifted off to the sky.
"Bravo 2-1 and 2-2, moving to secure!" 2-1 shouted. They hopped into the front of the vehicle, and started driving. The Warthog drove well on the dirt ground, and maneuvered around the concrete walls in the massive corridor. As it rounded a corner, a pair of Bullheads roared over the vehicle, one of them firing a rocket at the vehicle. It missed, but it threw up a smoke screen.
It didn't seem like much, but it hid the enemy from the 2-1's sight.
Rounds started flying near the vehicle, one impacted 2-2 who was in the passenger seat. The scene was caught by a camera positioned behind the passenger's seat, and showed a diagram of where 2-2 was hit.
"Ah fuck!" 2-1 shouted. "Hold on, mate!" 2-1 grabbed 2-2's P2020 and began firing at the enemy while driving away. "Dammit!"
They escaped the maze of concrete walls, and onto a passway by satellite dishes. The radio squealed to life. "Does anybody read?! This is 3-3 of Second Company, we're pinned down near the bunker doors! Enemy units are starting to encroach on our position, and we're low on ammo!"
2-1 dropped the P2020 and grabbed the receiver. "3-3, this is Bravo 2-1! ETA is less than one mike!"
"Hurry!" 2-1 dropped the receiver and pounded the accelerator. The Warthog sped forward, as more Bullheads sped over them, duelling with Goblins and Hornet fighters in the open air above them.
3-3
To say today was shitty would be an understatement.
3-3's leader was standing behind a wall while his last two surviving subordinates, a corpsman and a private, stood behind another concrete wall next to the bunker's doors.
"We have to get out of this!" 3-3 Lead shouted. He rounded the corner and fired at an oncoming enemy. Several rounds whizzed by his ear. "They're trying to corner us!"
3-3 Corpsman and 3-3 Private supplied some cover fire, until a Warthog appeared. "Corpsman!" The driver shouted, getting out of the vehicle and rushing to the passenger side. "Help me! I got wounded!"
The corpsman rushed over and helped 2-1 get 2-2 out of the seat. "Jesus!" The corpsman exclaimed, setting 2-2 down. "He's hit bad!"
"No shit, can you do your job?!" 2-1 asked. He didn't wait for an answer as he grabbed 2-2's Kraber and ran to flank the enemy. 3-3 Lead gave covering fire as he moved back to the Warthog's main armament.
"Sir! He's stabilized!" The corpsman shouted.
"Get him back! We need to push these fucks away from the bunker!" 3-3 Lead shouted, firing the Warthog's chaingun at the enemy. Bullets ripped through the concrete walls and any enemies that were behind them. "Command's getting reinforcements as we speak!"
"I still want to know how the damn Fang snuck up on us!" 3-3 Private shouted.
2-1
2-1 ducked behind a ruined wall, and lined up the Kraber. He chambered a 14.5x114mm round, and waited.
A White Fang grunt ran out. 2-1 fired, and the shot bisected the Faunas. 2-1 chambered another round. One more followed him out, a deer faunas. He looked around, not noticing the bullet trail. 2-1 aimed at the head, and fired again. The bullet impacted and the grunt's head exploded. 2-1 chambered again, but before he could fire, he heard a chainsaw. He looked behind, and came face to face with a massive White Fang soldier. Wielding a chainsword bigger than the ones given to Hammond operators.
"Shit!" 2-1 rolled to the left, avoiding a swing. He fired off the Kraber, but it missed. He pulled the trigger again, and only got a click noise. "Double shit!" He noticed the chainsword coming down. 2-1 used his Kraber to block the swing, which cut the Kraber in half. "Triple shit!"
The Fang soldier spun around, 2-1 going into limbo as low as he could to avoid the swing. He felt the air ripple from the blade, but quickly recovered and pulled out his P2020. He fired, doing some damage to the Fang soldier before he felt rounds impact him from behind.
'Oh yeah...probably should have checked behind me.' 2-1 thought as the chainsword entered his body. 'Quadruple shit.'
3-3
"I don't hear that Kraber!" 3-3 Lead shouted. "Some work he did!"
2-2, who was now up and basically running on adrenaline, didn't take too kindly to that. "Shut your goddamn mouth!"
"Boys!" The corpsman shouted. "Pissfight later, firefight now!"
More White Fang funneled into the area. 3-3 Lead was knocked from his position on the Warthog's turret, multiple bullet wounds covered his torso.
"Cover fire is down!" 2-2 shouted, falling back. "I hate this!"
The corpsman dragged 3-3 Lead's body to the bunker doors. She pounded the metal. "Open up! We're falling back!"
3-3 Private began to fire back as he moved to the door. He was right next to it when a flurry of arrows impacted around him. One pinned his left arm to the wall behind him. "Fuck! Corpsman!"
The corpsman finished bringing 3-3 Lead's body into the bunker as 2-2 covered her from the doorway. She ran to 3-3 Private, and got out a small saw. "I hope this fucking works!" She began sawing the projectile as 3-3 Private gave covering fire, firing his R-301 at the enemy with one hand.
2-2 kept up the suppressing fire, keeping more White Fang soldiers at bay. "Fuck you!"
"You first!" One shouted back, and a grenade landed next to 2-2's foot.
2-2 looked down, and time slowed. He saw a Bullhead dropping more Fang soldiers near where the grenade had come from, and got an idea. He wound his leg back, and kicked the grenade at the Bullhead.
The projectile flew, obviously it was thrown by a rookie as the grenade wasn't even cooked. It landed near the Bullhead, and detonated. The Fire Dust in the grenade incinerated the Fang grunts, and damaged the Bullhead. The small aircraft was finished off by a pair of Hornets flying over and launching missiles at it.
2-2 started to run to the bunker, as the Corpsman finally got 3-3 Private's arm dislodged. "Move it!" 2-2 shouted, as he made for the door. He turned around, firing off more rounds, quickly reloading as he saw a beast of a Fang soldier run towards the bunker. "Ah shit!" He fired his gun, but this guy had Aura.
The corpsman shoved 3-3 Private into the bunker, and grabbed a nearby Archer. "He can tank bullets, but what about Titanhammers!?" She cleared her backblast, and fired. The rocket soared at the Fang beast, and it hit dead center. The Fang soldier disappeared in the explosion, bits and pieces of him flew everywhere as the bunker doors closed.
"What happened? Did we just lose!?" 3-3 Private asked.
"We retreated. You can relax." The corpsman answered, dropping the Archer. She fell to her knees as her adrenaline took off her helmet, revealing her white cat ears. "Why did I sign up to be a corpsman again?"
2-2 patted her shoulder. "You did go, my helmet cam caught everything."
The comm device on 2-2's helmet came alive. "2-2, do you copy? 2-2, respond!"
2-2 put his finger to his ear. "2-2."
"Where the hell is 2-1? He's not responding." Lighthouse Actual asked.
"2-1 had a run in with a Fang el-tee, he's KIA." 2-2 grimaced.
"Very well. Hopefully he was able to destroy the Kraber."
2-2 didn't let his emotions show at that. "Status on the battle?"
"Whiskey Foxtrot is being pushed back. They've suffered heavy losses, heavier than us by a long shot. We might've just put them out of condition."
"Yes sir. I've rendezvoused with a corpsman and a private of 2-3-3." 2-2 responded. "Orders?"
"Hold position. A detachment from the 99th Hell Divers is on the way to help out." Lighthouse Actual responded. "They'll be taking care of any stragglers. Other KoHA units are on their way to secure survivors."
"Yes sir. 2-2, over and out." The soldier put his finger down.
"Well?" 3-3 Private asked.
"We won."
/-/
"The White Fang has always been an opponent of ours. The Atlesian Branch is our sworn enemy, but they refuse to tell the other branches about us. Hammond doesn't hate Faunus, we just hate the Fang. Bastards make our citizens look bad." Politician Edelweiss, a panther Faunus, commenting on the history between the Kingdom of Hammond and the White Fang.
/-/
Beacon
"That class, I swear to god…" Edler mumbled as he and Team JNPR walked out of the lecture room. "That was actually painful."
"You're telling us." Jaune said. "Did you take any notes?"
"While it was like sifting for gold in a dirt pile, yes, I did manage to grab a few important things." Edler said, showing Jaune his paper. The two discussed it while walking to their next class, Pyrrha smiling at the two's growing camaraderie.
Nora, the ever astute one, noticed that Pyrrha's gaze lasted a little longer on Jaune than it did on Edler. "Oh...I sees what's happening." Nora whispered.
"Nora, no." Ren said, overhearing her.
"Nora, yes." Nora responded.
Jaune and Edler were oblivious to it, trying to figure out how Port killed a Goliath with his bare hands. Eventually, they gave up and continued walking to wherever they were going.
"What class do we have next?" Jaune asked.
"I'm pretty sure we have...uh…" Edler didn't have an answer.
"We have history with Professor Oobleck." Pyrrha answered. "We should hurry, don't want to be late."
The team nodded, and started walking to the next lecture hall. On the way there, Edler leaned to Pyrrha. "Did you notice how Weiss seemed abrasive to Ruby?"
"While Weiss was fighting the Boarbatusk? Yes, I made note of that." Pyrrha whispered back. "You think their team is having troubles?"
"Oh, absolutely." Edler responded.
"Should we help them?"
"Nah. Let them work it out as a team." Edler waved off the suggestion. "It's not our place to interfere."
Pyrrha nodded, and they continued into Oobleck's lecture hall. Team JNPR and Edler sat down together, with Jaune sitting between Pyrrha and Edler. Nora and Ren sat in the row behind them.
"So, what can we expect?" Jaune asked his partner.
"I suspect we'll have lessons on recent history events, as they are the driving factor behind what we see in the present." Pyrrha answered. "I'm thinking...The Faunus Rights Revolution?"
Edler shivered. That war was terrible for Hammond. Hammond had cracked down on racism against Faunus hard. When the war broke out, the Hammond Council immediately sent out a call for all Faunus groups in the Hammond territory to come to the capital city to air their grievances. Every single group sent a representative, and the debates went on.
While Atlas, Vacuo, Mistral, and Vale fought with weapons and men, Hammond fought with diplomacy and speeches. When the Battle for Fort Castle occurred, Hammond signed into law the last of the laws guaranteeing equal rights to Faunus. Actual equal rights, not whatever the Four Kingdoms had. There had been a period where some of the Humans in Hammond were discontent, but their minds were swiftly changed as Faunus volunteered for the front lines to help expand Hammond. Their efforts in the Hammond Trench Corps (HTC), the Kingdom of Hammond Army (KoHA), the Kingdom of Hammond Air Force (KoHAF), and the Kingdom of Hammond Navy (KoHN) were greatly noted. Before the Faunus Rights Revolution had even ended, it was no longer Hammond Humans and Hammond Faunus, it was Hammond citizens.
Now why was the war bad for Hammond? Well, big wars like the Revolution tended to stir up Grimm. With Hammond being the Kingdom that held the line, they were hit the hardest. The HTC was almost completely wiped out, only saved by the introduction of the BD-01 Spectre, a robot soldier to replace the fallen soldiers. The Grimm were pushed back, and Hammond secured their defensive line around the Grimmwoods Edge.
Three years, two campaigns, and many posthumous awards later, the Grimm subsided as the Kingdoms and the Non-Hammond Faunus wrapped up their little spat. It had cost the Kingdoms a lot of land, people, and resources. It left them scarred and even more belligerent to the Faunus. It had cost Hammond the entire 3rd Legion of the HTC, most of the 2nd and 1st Legion, and parts of the 4th Legion. It also led to the HTC relying more and more on Spectres to replace what was lost. Only when the Paladin tank and the Titan mechs rolled off the production lines did Hammond come back to full strength.
Edler was shaken out of these thoughts when the bell for the travel period rang.
"Edler, you good over there?" Jaune asked.
"Uh...yeah. Sorry, I was thinking about something." Edler responded. "Trying to remember everything about the Faunus Revolution."
Pyrrha looked over at him. "If you need help, I'm here!"
"Thank you, Pyrrha." Truth be told, Edler knew the entire timeline of the Revolution by heart. He had to know it to get his operator's certification and his armor. This class was going to be a cinch for him.
Team RWBY walked in, looking worse for wear, but they took their seats. Soon, a blur only Pyrrha and Edler could track whipped into the room. "Good morning class! I am Doctor Oobleck!" The doctor said rapidly, confusing everyone with two sentences.
Edler held his head in his hands. 'Not another one…'
Airbase Sierra, near the Grimmwoods
Technicians in Control Tower 1-A watched as the supercarrier HNV Solaris landed in the airbase. Hornet fighters landed in their set areas near the runways as Widow transports started to drop off the Titans of the accompanying armored division. C-230 Star King transports dropped off numerous vehicles and Paladin tanks, then lifted off to go land near the other transport crafts.
"So this is part of the 50th Expeditionary Force?" A technician asked. "What are they here for?"
His buddy turned away from the scene. "They're here to wait. HIGHCOM and CombatCOM think something is going to happen in one of the Kingdoms."
"So they brought the 50th Expeditionary Force here? Sierra's in the outermost ring, we're in Airbase Ring Front! Wouldn't it be safer for them in Airbase Ring Rear? I hear Airbase Alpha has new ice cream machines."
"You just don't want to deal with the logistics of handling so much aircraft, don't you?"
The technician looked away.
"Ayyy, I fucking called it." The buddy said.
The technician shook his head, and went back to giving out destinations for more incoming transports. "How many ships are we supposed to get?"
"Lot's of Andromeda carriers are accompanying this fleet, as well as the Star Kings." The buddy answered. "But we're only getting the one supercarrier."
"Very well." The original technician said. "What do we do with all these soldiers?"
"We house them, duh." As the buddy brought out a tablet to start taking numbers down. "Wish me luck, I got stuck with doing number crunching."
"Ouch. Good luck with that shit."
HNV Solaris Bridge
"We didn't even have all the ships here, and the airbase is almost full." An officer sniffed. "Isn't this base supposed to be able to hold several Supercarrier groups?"
"Well, we are an expeditionary group. We take up space." Another responded.
"We are the same size as a Supercarrier group!"
There was a sigh behind them. "Honestly, are you two really going to complain about this?" They looked behind to see the Admiral standing behind them. "Focus on what you need to do, let the technicians here handle space problems."
"Aye, sir!" The two responded, and went back to work.
The Admiral sighed again, and went back to overseeing the unloading of troops. The 50th Expeditionary Force was the pride of the 3rd Legion in the HTC. While the other expeditionary forces in the 3rd Legion were good, the 50th had done more expeditions and had gained more land for Hammond than any other expeditionary force. They had beat back several waves of Grimm in support of Operation Undying Resolve, but it wasn't their expedition. They had sent the 99th Hell Divers Division and the 401st Drop Shock Troopers to assist at the request of the 48th Expeditionary Force, which was from the 2nd Legion. The two divisions would join up with the 50th later, as they were mopping up Grimm with the 48th in the Grimmland's Edge.
"HNV Solaris, you are clear to disembark your troops. Titans are on enroute to help disembark heavy cargo." The comm device squawked.
"Loud and clear." A radio technician responded. She turned to the Admiral. "Admiral Jeshile, we are clear to disembark the soldiers stationed onboard."
Admiral Jeshile nodded, and turned to his executive officer. "Give the disembark order."
"Yes sir." He ran off.
Admiral Jeshile picked up a TACPAD, and read the report that had come in from HIGHCOM.
Intel had several reports that something big was going to happen at this year's Vytal Festival. Grimm groups had been spotted in areas outside of the KoHA's operating boundaries. HTC had been contacted, and they had designated a two-battalion size task force to deal with the threats. Admiral Jeshile was very familiar with the division from where the two battalions had come from. His fleet had carried them multiple times.
The 99th Hell Divers. Created with the specific intention of killing Grimm and highly skilled individuals in mind, they were the best of the best. Their record in killing large Grimm groups was second to only their record in capturing or killing high skilled targets. They frequently worked with the Attentäterkorps, the 'trashtakers' of the KoHA. When the Grimm strayed from the Grimmwoods, HIGHCOM demanded the 99th start individually deploying operators to deal with them.
Unspoken was the fact that this was a test for the 99th. It was to see if their soldiers could handle missions individually. So far, they were passing.
"Sir." An officer came up to Admiral Jeshile. "The 99th has just reported that they are going to be delayed."
"How come?"
"A company of them has been dispatched to mop up stragglers in Sector Six. Apparently, Whiskey Foxtrots decided to get a little frisky with our border again." The officer answered.
Admiral Jeshile arched an eyebrow. "Really now? Not surprising. They've been dealt with?"
"The skirmish is more or less finished. Whiskey Foxtrots still persist in the area, but they can't escape. We have them surrounded."
"Very well, carry on." Admiral Jeshile dismissed him. He scrolled through the TACPAD, reading another report about weather forecasts for the weekend. "We have too much time on our hands now. Success brings rest."
Beacon
Edler stumbled out of Doctor Oobleck's lecture hall. "One teacher, one teacher that doesn't remind me of basic is all I ask for…" he mumbled.
"What was that, Edler?" Nora asked, skipping up to him. "You say something?"
"I need a break and a half." Edler said to her. "And it's only the first day."
"Aw, don't be like that!" Nora said, smacking his back. "You're just being overdramatic!"
"If you did the things I did, you wouldn't be saying that." He mumbled under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" Edler quickly said.
Nora looked at him for a second, then skipped off. Edler sighed in relief. Pyrrha walked up to him. "Nora?"
"No, just today in general." Edler answered.
"It is a lot, but you'll get used to it." She said. "At least Combat Class is next!"
Edler sighed. "It pushes me out, then pulls me back in."
"Higher education tends to do that to people." Pyrrha smirked. "Let's go."
"Jaune go ahead?"
"He's talking to Ren and Nora."
The two walked in the halls, staying silent. Edler pretended to ignore that Pyrrha kept sneaking glances at him. He knew what she was doing. He had seen it every time he was with someone from the Four Kingdoms.
She was suspicious of him.
A talented fighter comes out of the blue and doesn't have a vendetta to beat her? He would be suspicious if he was her. He hadn't heard of the word Pyrrha or Nikos before coming to Beacon, so he wasn't aware that she was some big shot person. After doing research, he found out she was some big shot person. She had won the Mistral Tournament four times in a row, an impressive feat. After watching videos of the tournament, he rarely saw a weapon hit her. Edler had looked closely, and saw a hazy outline on the weapons in a frame by frame replay.
Polarity.
Edler chuckled to himself when he saw that. She was crafty.
Pyrrha, presently, was trying to figure out the giant of a student next to her. Taller than her, stronger than Nora, and sometimes almost as awkward as Jaune, Edler was an enigma and a half. His Semblance and weapon made an interesting combo, something he regularly made use of. She had heard he got a headshot on a Nevermore with one of his sniper rifles he had. His chainsword skills she saw up close with the Elder Deathstalker and the Colossus. His armor was bulky, but he moved effortlessly. The symbol of his was a mystery to her, but it looked more ancient than anything.
The duo walked into the combat arena, and took seats. Edler silently wondered if they were going to do any actual combat today. He hoped they would. He watched as Professor Goodwitch walked into the arena.
"Good afternoon class. I know you were all looking forward to fighting each other today, but since none of you have had the chance to move your weapons to your permanent rocket lockers, we will not have fights today." Professor Goodwitch explained to a crowd of groaning students. "I know, I know. You can fight next time we have class, as your weapons will be moved to your lockers by then."
Edler sighed. "Dammit." He mumbled under his breath.
"However, if you look at your Scrolls, you will see the school has sent out a form for you to fill out before every Combat Class." Goodwitch started. "You will write what you wish for me to keep an eye on during your fights, and who you want to fight. This will allow you to get more out of this class. Specifically, you can train your weak areas as well as hone your strong areas."
Edler nodded his head. "Okay, that seems logical." He turned to JNPR. "It's a good idea, yeah?"
Jaune nodded. Pyrrha did as well. "It does seem better than just us taking shots at each other."
"I think it'll be very helpful." Ren started. "We can hone our current skills, and improve in the areas we need to."
"What about the part where we can choose who we want to fight? That part sounds like the greatest part!" Nora exclaimed.
Edler nodded at that. "I can pick who I throw hands with? Sign me up."
"'Throw hands with'?" Jaune looked at Edler. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Uh...it's another way to say fight." Edler answered, tilting his head at the blond. "Never heard that before?"
JNPR shook their heads.
"I see…" Edler made a mental note to curb his Hammond phrases, then promptly decided nah. "Well, consider yourself educated in a new term."
JNPR looked at each other, confused.
/-/
"Dragon Island has an abundant amount of natural Electric Dust. We use that as a cover for our island wide EMP device. It prohibits any and all non-Hammond Technology from working on our territory. The White Fang found a way around it, a way we have yet to identify. Regardless, I doubt that Atlas is anywhere close to doing the same. At least, that's what our agents there say." -Unknown Attentäterkorps Officer
/-/
Ozpin's Office
Ozpin stared down at the report he received from General Ironwood. He thought he had seen everything. Apparently, that was not the case.
He read it over and over again, trying to make sense of just exactly what Ironwood had said. The general had written reports about gunfire and explosions coming from Dragon Island near Atlas territory. They also reported damaged White Fang Bullheads leaving the island, Bullheads they swiftly captured. The prisoners they had acquired, however, were not speaking. At all. Seriously, they had clamped shut the minute the topic of the island came up. They gave name, White Fang rank, and nothing more. General Ironwood knew they knew something, but everytime he sent a drone to scout the island, it lost connection the second it was over the land. Ironwood knew the drone wasn't going out of range, so he figured there was some kind of EMP device on the island. He couldn't risk sending Bullheads, Mantas, or gunships to recon the island, lest he lose those too.
Ozpin sighed. Lately, he had wanted Atlas to expand to Dragon Island as well. The fact that all technology essentially died when on those shores basically meant that expansion was nigh impossible. Atlas had ceased all operations, save those failed recon missions, to Dragon Island by order of the Atlas Council. Ironwood had been easily outvoted, but had gotten a compromise to keep trying to drone the island and/or find a solution.
"It seems the island's large Dust deposits are interfering with the electronics…" Ozpin wondered aloud. "What if there was a way to counter that?"
He made a mental note to write Ironwood later. For now, he had to sort out Team RWBY. Maybe Edler as well, but mostly RWBY.
White Fang Camp, Vale Territory
Adam Taurus rolled his bandaged shoulder one more time, wincing at the pain it brought when he did that.
Not only was his patrol wiped out, but he had been injured by whatever that thing was. The green armor and barbaric weapon were ingrained into his mind. The way that thing fought was a mix between a tank and a berserker. The combat prowess overwhelmed him, and Adam paid dearly. His shoulder had been dislocated trying to block a punch from the armored figure, his blade had suffered worse trying to counter the...chainsaw sword hybrid.
Adam sneered, the weapon was one of an older era. A ghastly reminder of the Faunus Revolution and the Great War before it. The energy arcs it produced were nothing to sneeze at either.
"Boss." The lieutenant walked up to Adam. "I just got word from the High Leader about our brothers and sisters in the Atlas branch. They've lost a good number of manpower today."
Adam turned to look at the hulking figure of a Faunus. "What do you mean? There hasn't been any reports in the news about White Fang attacks."
"About that, High Leader Khan has something to tell you regarding that." The Lieutenant handed Adam a Scroll. "She's already on call."
Adam took the device. "High Leader Khan?"
"Adam, how are things?"
"They're fine, I'm guessing this is more than a social call though."
"Correct. Remember when I said there is hope for Humanity and Faunus to coexist in peace?"
"High Leader, I'm starting to believe my hopes are never going to come to fruition." Adam scowled. "I have seen the Kingdoms and their so-called 'laws' that do nothing, though they are getting better."
"Adam, it is possible." Sienna stated very matter of factly.
Adam narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"It's already happened. Our Brothers and Sisters in the Atlas branch just refuse to see it."
"Commander Yolin is very...extreme, even by my standards. Where are you going with this?"
"Adam, have you ever heard of the tale of the Fifth Kingdom? The World's Last Bastion?"
"No."
"It's a wonderful story. It tells of a kingdom that accepts all people and faunus. They identify as one, not two different citizens. But it comes at a cost. They all fight to defend the Four Kingdoms from the hordes of Grimm that threaten us. Men and Women, Humans and Faunus, all of them, they fight against hordes and hordes of Grimm every day. They fight Grimm that normal Huntsmen and Huntresses would die against easily."
"High Leader, I'm not sure I see the po-"
"Adam, it's real."
"...What?" Adam seemed skeptical. "It can't be."
"It is, and your Brothers and Sisters in Atlas are trying to destroy it." High Leader Khan said.
"Why? Why would they...Oh...Yolin."
"His racism towards Humanity is endangering the Faunus in this Kingdom. This fifth kingdom is the Last Bastion of Hope for us. The Last Bastion against the Grimm for the world. And Yolin wants it gone."
"He's dooming us?"
"Involuntarily, yes."
"So...what do I do?"
"I'm telling you this because their forces have been seen in other continents. You fought one, actually, if what Marlowe is describing is correct."
"The armored fighter…"
"Correct. And the school your little partner ran off to?"
"Is there one there too?"
"Indeed. At least, that's what I've been hearing from her."
"She's still in contact with you?!" Adam yelled, surprising Marlowe.
"She's still Fang, but she is keeping an eye on Beacon for me. I ordered her to leave your branch for that reason."
"I know we're trying to reform our branch, but I wish you told me. I thought she left because I called off the attack on the train!" Adam exclaimed.
"I have to keep some secrets. But with the Atlesian branch tarnishing our name, we need to reform and disown them. I needed to make sure Beacon is still upholding its promise to Menagerie." High Leader Khan explained. "On the topic, I heard you rejected an offer from a human."
"She wished to cause havoc in Vale." Adam sighed. "I couldn't follow that with our current orders."
"Good. Be ready to move out soon. You're going to school."
"High Leader?"
"I got permission from Ozpin for you to be paired up with a certain someone at his school. Blake won't admit it, but she'll be happy to see you again."
"I'm going to...Beacon?" Adam said, Marlowe looking up at Adam.
"Correct, enjoy your stay there. Ozpin will have more details when you arrive. Good luck, and have some fun? Won't you?"
/-/
"You see, Khan? It is possible for Humans and Faunus to live in perfect Harmony! Hammond has done it, and Yolin wants nothing more to see it destroyed. Why? It messes with his idea of Humanity never accepting us. Keep an eye on him, or he will tear the Fang apart and lead it to destruction." -Ghira Belladonna, on the topic of Hammond and Commander Yolin.
A/N: You may have noticed that I have changed the Vale Branch of the White Fang. This will be important for the plot. The White Fang attacking Vale will not be the same force as the one in canon. Adam has also been made OOC, as well as most of the White Fang characters. I have created an OC to lead the Atlas branch of WF (White Fang, or Whiskey Foxtrots), and pretty much they will be a main antagonist force. Leave questions in the reviews and I'll answer them in the next chapter.
A/N2: The other stories are being put on hold for a little bit. I wanna get this one done with it's first 'volume'. You may have noticed my stories have a 'culminating event' in chapters 10-12. You'll see in this story as well.