Summer, Cordovin, Frederick, and the surviving Atlas Marines Got on board an Atlas Gunship and started to fly away. One of the pilots looked back at the two Guardians leaning against the haul of the Troop bay.
"Hey, do any of you know a Cayde-6?" The Pilot asked
"Is he itching to get out of work like usual?" Summer replied cheekily. "Because I told him, I'm on my week off. Not his."
The pilot cleared his throat awkwardly, not sure how to perceive that. "Patching him through."
"Summer? Frederick? You read me!?"
"We read you Cayde." Frederick casually said, deciding not to be as rude as Summer. "What's up? You sound troubled."
"Oh no, I'm just casually enjoying doing stacks of paperwork and doing boring negotiations- of course there's some serious trouble going on! We need backup for RWBY and Gospel!"
In a flash of motion, Summer blinked up to the pilot and violently threw him out of his seat, causing the pilot to roll over with a yelp to Frederick who helped him up. "The heck does my daughter need back up for?" She said as she took over the comms.
"Pilot, what's the maximum Range of travel of this vehicle!" Frederick stated, not minding the fact that Summer was flying instead of a reasonable person, such as a ghost.
"There ain't enough fuel to make the trip." The pilot quickly replied, dazed at being manhandled by both guardians. "We could definitely make it in two hours otherwise."
"General Tullius, we need a gunship to head to Mistral Asap!" Frederick stated on the coms.
"Roger that Guardian, we'll have a Gunship prepared with a crew and extra Fuel!"
Salem is just asking for it at this point… I should go and throw her in a Hive torture chamber sometime soon. See how she likes that.
Oh… but that'd just be too easy, wouldn't it guardian? Too impersonal?
I have better things to do than spawnkill her over and over. It'd just take too many bullets anyhow.
You wound me... I thought we had something special, after you killed my son.
Summer didn't respond. She was only feeling the unbearable rage and fear that their enemies keep going after those who she holds dear.
00000
Many hours earlier In Mistral
A bunny Faunus was washing the carrots of the day's harvest. However an ache in her heart made her think of two little kids. Looking about she would take some carrots that look inedible and shave down carrots skin till it was pure orange with her sharp nails. She would also look up every once and a while to make sure the Slavers weren't watching her. She would slip the carrots into a pocket in her blouse. However when she got up her hand was grabbed by one of the slavers.
He looked at her and then her pocket. Stuffing his hand down the pocket. He pulled out the shaved carrots and placed them on the table of where she was washing the harvested vegetables. He narrowed his eyes and let go of her hand. Her eyes filled with terror. He then opened his mouth. And said what she feared.
"Bartleby will deal with you later." The Slaver said. He then left leaving the women terrified.
00000
Hours earlier in Vale
Ruby, Blake, Yang, and Weiss were at the Range with Daisy and her Fireteam members just having a good time. Or as close to a good time as can be, as Ruby wouldn't stop pestering Daisy's fireteam on ideas as to how to make their weapons more 'Remnant-like', being too fascinated and wanting to pass off the mecha-shift capability she was all too eager to start sharing at the blessing of her mother. And as every guardian in the solar system or beyond knew, going against Summer's word meant taking a nut shot at the most inopportune time and place.
Yang however, was just trying to hold her gun nut of a sister back, whilst sharing a few pithy jokes with her fireteam as to lighten up their moods, as they showcased their weapons at Ruby's demand. The girl was already sketching add-ons to the weapons in order to help them become more dynamic in nature. Though the team seemed to enjoy her jokes, they were also seemingly intent on acquiring Taiyang's location for some reason. She didn't give it away of course, but it did make her wonder why the guardians continued to have their helmets on as they spoke.
Blake and Weiss instead just took mental notes as the fireteam before them explained the intricacies of the guns, both writing down on their scrolls how certain 'perks', as the guardians called them despite the official name, worked. They noted upgrades to considering asking Summer to see if she could add to fit their preferred combat styles, as they both recalled Summer having upgraded their weapons at some point after the initial invasion. Though Weiss wasn't exactly confident she could upgrade Myrtenaster with Firefly, both the Schnee and faunus seemed to be in agreement that trying to add some more to their arsenal didn't hurt.
With the exception of Yang, that was, as they didn't like the idea of Yang sporting the equivalent of two Felwinter's Lie shotguns in her gauntlets, having heard the horror stories of guardians getting killed across the Crucible arenas in one-shot. They were entertaining the idea of giving her full-auto shotgun gauntlets with 'Final Round', though, as they knew it would only just increase her output against large Grimm and Vex alike, and not snipe humans targets instead.
"Fireteam Gospel and Team RWBY, please report to Cayde-6." The deputy headmistress's voice said before turning off.
Weiss couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, curious as to the implications of the summoning as she looked to RWBY."What would Cayde want with us on our day off?"
"Emergency mission maybe? Sounds like it'd be fun!" Ruby replied to her teammate with enthusiasm.
"Bet you can't kill more Grimm than me when we do a joint mission together." Yang said as she gave a glance to the titan in the group, who merely shrugged in response.
"Hey, if you think you got what it takes brawler."
00000
The two Plasmas had different screens. One if Mistrials land mass, one of Leonardo Lionheart. Cayde and Ozpin stood in the center of the Room and the Exo Vanguard noticed their entrance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may you please have your seat for the big announcement." Cayde said.
"Is everyone here?" Ozbin asked not looking away from Mistral's map.
"Yes sir" Blake replied with a nod.
"Excellent, then we can begin." Leonardo said.
The Map changed to zooming in on a satellite image of what appears to be a Farming community on the outskirts of Mistrals Capital City.
"I've received word from the farming community that they need extra protection. However the Atlas military interrogation of Roman Torchwick has brought some… news, that The Brunswick Farming community has problems. But while they can't bring in any funds to pay for additional security till the next Harvest. Well, if there is a harvest." Ozpin stated as he pressed the button on a controller.
"But that's not all." Leonardo said. "The Community has been around since the great war. However due to some not letting go of the past some things...never change. But on every Inspection There seems to be changes. And I've received word from some Huntsman over the years that well...The Community is using slavery. Faunus slaves for their work forces."
This caused Blake to become pale. As if she's seen this before in the past.
"However these are just rumors and the inspectors found no evidence of such doing… except for one photo from Roman whom you all may know."
Next was the photo Leonardo Lionheart mentioned. But an all too familiar face was shown. Roman Torchwick. Youthful and vibrant before becoming the man he was today. But amongst what appears to be family. Faunus on chained leashes. With collars that had names on them.
"Your job is to reinforce this farming community's security for the week as well as investigate the rumors. The coordinates will go to your Pilot of fireteam Gospel. Please pack for the time required you are dismissed." Ozpin stated.
They all nodded and left the room.
00000
Leonardo felt his heart rate skyrocket as a Seer Grimm came out of the nearby closet. His breath felt like he was hyperventilating. He slowly turned to see the image of his master. Salem with a deadpan look. However it turned into a smirk. Leonardo stumbled over his words like a scared fool, and was too out of his mind to notice anything but Salem.
"Thank you Leo. Continue to send Huntsman and Huntresses on missions too much for them to handle. We need the guardians stretched as thinly as they can be in order for operations to resume." Salem said before the Seer went back into the closet.
Leonardo went back to his desk. Looking at the mini mission boards. The updated rosters showed hundreds of names. And missions with "incomplete" under each one. As well as "terminated".
So many Huntsman….Ozpin will never forgive me of this. He pressed the "Mission Active" button for the newly made Investigation mission to one of Mistrials bread baskets. I'm so sorry…
00000
Daisy watched as Weiss came into the cargo hold of her Companions ship with nothing but a mere traveling bag. But the Rest of Rwby were hauling larger seabags worth of goods on their backs as well as their own day packs loaded with a weeks worth of equipment and essentials.
"Do you force your team to carry all that useless crap?" Daisy asked.
She did remember Weiss having been the closest hog of the four girls with her battle attire which took up the majority of their closest space.
"This is but scaled down to what I need for the week when I'm going to a stationary location." Weiss replied ever so confidently.
"Where's the Guardian gear I saw in the closet weeks prior? Did Summer give you legendary sets?"
"They're in this." Blake replied, setting down one sea bag.
"These two are Weiss 'essentials' but why it's basically almost everything from her side of the room, I don't know." Yang replied, dropping the last sea bag in the cargo hold.
"Oh for pete's sake... Hana!" Daisy stated. "I need a bit of help back here!"
"I'm getting the ship prepped!" The Titan replied.
"Have Jeremiah do that! We got girl stuff!" Daisy replied.
Weiss paused for a second, not getting what Daisy meant by that. She looked to see the titan holding a bag of her makeup.
"NO! I NEED MY EXPENSIVE SKIN CARE AND HAIR PRODUCTS!" Weiss practically shrieked as she was being held by the collar of her jacket, throwing her arms out in an attempt to desperately grab it, while Yang just held her back whilst rolling her eyes.
The titan and Daisy just got on a knee and went through both sea bags ether just shoving it back in the larger bag and or taking the actually needed products like shampoo, a bar of soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, then finally the a special razor with blade replacements. Daisy handed the smaller bag to Weiss who looked like she was comically bawling at the loss of her skin care products as the female Titan chucked the unimportant Seabag out onto a collector that would take it back to team RWBY's Dorm.
"Alright prepare for liftoff." The Male Warlock said.
Pressing a few buttons on the control console the Loading ramp came up and sealed the lower cabin. Everyone strapped themselves into the seats on the sides and felt the difference in pressure as the ship blasted off to Mistral.
00000
In the basement of a mansion, the sound of a cracking whip was flung into the air. The shriek of an innocent woman was also heard. A man narrowed his eyes and scoffed. That is till he whipped her two more times. She started to whimper as she felt the sting on her back. then a door opened up from above. The cellar door was cleared. And there stood a man who walked down. Looking at the man with the whip. He stood up straight as he got down.
"Father. Huntsmen and a Guardian Fireteam have taken an old security offer, and will be here within the hour."
The man looked surprised.
"I thought that mission was terminated? What happened?" The man named Bartleby replied.
"We don't know. But I just received the Email about it from Lionheart-"
"Damn that faunus bastard!" Bartleby said through grit teeth he then lashed out angrily whipping the poor Bunny Faunus several more times in rapid succession before his anger cooled.
"Ever since his induction to the Council as Headmaster, he's been trying to take us down for our way of life. He's nothing more than a racial pandering coward. Why he was even teaching our future generations is beyond me." Bartleby ranted in a somewhat calm collected educated tone.
"I've already put the sick in the hospital and started moving the chained into the Cellar. So Stacy shall have some nice company." The man replied
"Good son. Remember to have a guard inside the Cellar. That way they won't make a sound. Have Gaia Hunter go over to the hospital as well. She's had too much time making those herbal medicines. I don't care whether or not her wounds has healed from a month ago. Use her children as leverage if needed." Bartleby replied. "Get the guest rooms ready, Have a meal ready on their arrival as well. Make them comfortable. We don't want any suspicions."
"Oh course father." The man said as they both left the Cellar.
Faunus started getting shoved in. Their backs and bodies had signs of whipping and fatigue that meant that they were the ones that had been more "disobedient" to their human overlords. A few went to the chained bunny Faunus and helped her get out of her shackles. One started to use a herb on her tender and sensitive skin to help relieve her of some of the pain. Then one human came in with a shotgun.
He observed the Faunus trapped down there with disdain. And to make sure the message gets across. He pumps his shotgun. Loading a round in the chamber before putting an extra shell in the tube Magazine. He smiled as he knew that the Faunus slaves wouldn't dare touch him. Their aura has been suppressed by the high tech collars around their necks. They knew their sad place. In the ground. And he couldn't wait until it was time to play around with controlled shocks.
00000
The ship came into view as the owners of the Community stood ready to greet the Guardians and Huntresses in training. Bartleby looks about the fields. No one is taking in harvests. He gave a sigh of relief. The Huntress's and Vanguard agents walked down the landing ramp. Their helmets covered team Rwby and Fireteam Gospels faces. Not knowing their facial features made Bartleby worry a little, because he would have to tread even more carefully with what he said, as he couldn't see how they would react to something.
"Welcome to our Community Huntress's and Guardians. Please you all must be famished from your long Journey. We have a meal prepared at the mansion. If you would please come with us." Bartleby replied.
"Thank you but a meal will not be necessary. We want to Inspect the Security of the Community to see what we're working with." Weiss bureaucratically responded.
"Oh well then the meal will wait then. Rest assured it will still be warm by the end of the tour of the Community and facilities." Bartleby replied.
Blake however immediately noticed a stench not familiar to manure for Farming. But rather that of bodys not having showered for months. Bartleby walked and the team followed. Going down the stairs from the landing pad. The community looked bright and vibrant. Almost too vibrant for what Lionheart stated. They passed by a hospital which had a stench that Blake noticed earlier. The smell of unwashed bodies instead of antiseptics.
Next was that they passed by the Faunus living quarters. It looked like it was repainted a month ago, nothing too suspicious. But the same stench was there. Blake needed to check them out sometime later when not in the present company. As they continued to walk they came to one of the tallest towers. The "Watch Tower". The Vanguard agents and Huntress's in training saw Bartleby press a few buttons and the door opened and a small lift was at the bottom. He gestured to the lift and everyone walked in with him going to the control console. Pressing a few Buttons the lift took them up to the top floor.
Several people had different corners of the tower in a hexagonal pattern. Two people at each side. One sniper with another manning an anti-material rifle with a scope optic on them. They all took a side looking out with their helmets zoom functions. At each side there were several MG Nests within the overview of the Community and the Farming lands. Ruby and Daisy used their helmets to scan the horizon.
"How often do the guards get switched out?" Ruby asked
"Every two hours." Bartleby replied.
"Ok then. Me and Daisy will rotate out people from the Tower. Everyone else helps out carrying ammo to the Machine gun emplacements and or takes over there next shift when it starts. Which is when?"
Bartleby looked at his scroll on the schedule.
"In about an hour for the tower and the machine-gun nests get off in another 2."
"Ok then we all know the plan!?" Ruby stated enthusiastically.
They all nod in agreement. And left the tower. However as they walked to the mansion, Blake smelled the stench of bodies again. She smelled it coming from a hospital as she looked to the source. Including something different. Freshly made herbal medicines that weren't there originally. And a bacterial infection.
Bartleby led them back to the main Estate and opened the door to his rather lovely home. Leading to the dining room. A rather feast like. Meal was kept warm. Faunus Servants lined the walls five feet apart from each other counting to about ten Faunus in butler outfits. As they all sat down they all removed their helmets. Bartleby was startled by how young and beautiful all the girls were.
However when his eyes fell before Blake, he cursed under his breath. Faunus huntsmen are harder to bribe. Especially from out of continents. He couldn't help but chuckle on the inside seeing Blake immediately go for the sushi, tuna, and salmon dishes.
"Even ones not of Mistral have animalistic tendencies." Bartleby thought.
He left the ladies and the ignored awoken warlock to their own devices. Giving a look to his Faunus servants that was more of a scowl. One meaning of 'Keep an eye on them and don't say a word'. The Faunus gulped to themselves very lowly so no one would hear them, not even Blake as they were well aware of the Faunus' ability to hear.
She looked at the nervous servants then back to her meal. Ruby and co started talking about adding Remnant style melee forms to Daisys and her fireteams weapons. While they did enjoy the talk. They much rather prefer the less complicated weapons to maintain and manufacture. Even if the Warlock in Daisy's team has weapons that seem too futuristic for even his fellow guardians.
They were surprised at the lack of shock in regards to the awoken they had with them, but all in the group chalked it up to guardians of all kinds having been to the farm before. But then they told the servants they may wait outside as they liked to finish their meal in private company. Nodding to Ruby they all made their leave shutting the door behind themselves. Then Ruby looked to Blake, unknowing of the one servant who had an ear to the door.
"Noticed anything off Blake?"
"Yeah, it's normal here. Too normal. I'd almost guess an act is going on."
"Lets not get to hasty girls. From the body language of the servants, it didn't look like they liked it here too, but I'd hazard to guess that they would eavesdrop on us if told to by that old man." Daisy reminded the group to act according to protocols and laws put in place to prevent unwarranted search.
Everyone nods and Blake hears something slide underneath the door. Taking initiative, Blake got up and walked over to investigate it. Picking it up caught everyone's attention as Blake read it.
"Someone wants to see us."
"I'd suggest taking Weiss with you." The titan suggested.
"Hey, isn't it my decision to decide these things?" Ruby immediately stood her ground "I'm team leader for my group here."
"Eh, she has a point. You two don't do good with words. She does." Daisy replied.
"Excuse me?" Yang asked with a raised brow, her tone indicating that she wasn't happy about Daisy at that moment, as Ruby only paused, before nodding.
"And there's her point." Weiss said in response, giving a small nod to Daisy. "I'll be sure to handle the diplomacy."
"We'll be back." Blake then smelled the air again. Noticing the same stench near the back of the room near the kitchen. "Check the kitchen, wherever it is."
"Can you pinpoint it?" Ruby asked
"Just smell for wine." Blake replied as she and Weiss left the room.
00000
Weiss and Blake walked to the hospital all the while looking at the note.
"Gaia... why does that name sound familiar?" She thought.
Weiss poked Blake, noticing that thankfully no Guards were outside the doors. Blake smelled the stench again. Weiss not noticing her partner having a headache due to the stench. She opened the door and she was then hit with the horrid stench.
"Is your head doing ok?" Weiss asked
"No, it's pounding very hard." Blake replied.
"Excuse me… who are you?" Said a rather small but cute voice.
Weiss and Blake looked down to where the voice came from to see a little girl with emerald eyes and what looked like small twin ponytails wearing what looks like a dirty green dress. And almost immediately Weiss' heart melted at the sight of the girl because of her cuteness despite wearing dirty clothes. Blake however started to have gears click in her mind. She knew this girl from somewhere.
They then heard coughing from what seemed like an older woman. She came from another door wearing dirty clothes. She literally looked like an older version of the younger girl. Blake then started to remember this woman. From when she was younger in the White Fang.
"Aunt Gaia?" Blake stated.
The women raised an eyebrow.
"Who are the both of you?"
"Blake, you know her?"
The women looked at the both of them. While she did have a straight face, she was slowly trying to figure out what was going on. First the Slavers threatened her children for not making enough natural remedies to help the sick and dying. Now two new hired guards are here and could report anything to Bartleby.
"Gemme, go to the other room." The women told the little girl.
"Ok mommy." The little girl said as she left.
Blake watched as the girl left. Her eyes then fell back on the woman. However she then coughed a few times. She noticed the odd collar around her neck. But the women continued to cough, breaking Blake's concentration. She almost fell to the ground if not for the wall she was near. Weiss walked to her only to get a glare from the women stopping Weiss in her tracks. Blake then put her hands on her helmet. Pulling it off as the air hissed from the seal breaking. The women looked at Blake in surprise.
"Gaia Hunter.` Mother to Gemme and Aidan Hunter. Went missing around 5 years ago. What happened?" Blake asked
Gaia looked down at her hand. Blood had painted her hand. She sighs. As she looks at Blake.
"An ambush happened." Gaia replied.
Weiss and Blake helped her to a bed. In the room that Gemme went into. She watched her mother get helped to a chair as she sat on her brother's bed. His own back showing scars of whipping.
"An ambush?" Weiss asked.
"Yes… slavers attacked our house when I was out. Got wounded when my aura was down. These bloody collars prevent aura from healing my old wound which was patched up by a hack with no doctorate degree from how my infection spread." Gaia replied, coughing again into her hands.
"And your natural remedies aren't working." Blake stated.
"If my wound was fresher and patched up better, then they would have worked….nothing can fix it now. And that fat bastard won't let me go to a real hospital for better treatment."
"Because 'slaves are expendable' is what he said, right…" Weiss stated in disgust, having figured out the rest before the others. Gaia nods and coughs more.
"And I'm afraid it's getting worse."
Blake looked at her medical thigh pouch and pulled out a bottle of red serum.
"Not for long."
0000
Ruby and co looked all over the kitchen trying to smell or using their helmet sensors to pick up a wine like smell or fragrance.
Though it didn't help that Blake wasn't specific in her wording to throw off anyone who could be listening in. Ally or not the staff had to be in question as to where their loyalty lies. Yang looks at the back door calling to her friends and sister. An entrance to a bar.
"Hey, what typically has wine?"
"Bars, wine cellars, everything of the sort." Ruby replied almost automatically, catching Yang off-guard. "I didn't see one around here though…"
"Since when did you know about the wine cellars?" Yang asked with a raised eyebrow, concerned for her little sister. Said sister tensed, but quickly relaxed.
"Oh, Qrow talked about them." Ruby replied casually. "And you did tell me what they were after I smelled it after pulling you out of one. Why do you ask?"
Yang gazed at her for a bit longer, before shrugging. "Eh, just curious. You used to be all fawning over the idea of being a huntress."
"I'm fine, Yang." Ruby said assuredly, as if nothing was wrong. "I was shaken up, but I still wanna be a huntress like Mom is. Or, well, rather was a huntress."
"You sure Rubes? I mean… it seems you're still a little shaken up." Yang replied
"I'm fine Yang. I promise." Ruby replied. I'm fine.
It was then that her helmet picked up the fragrance of wine. She looked at another door that led to a pantry. And a rather suspicious looking Cellar. They then heard some shuffling coming from behind the door and they stopped immediately. Daisy and her team immediately drew out their weapons and aimed at the door to the cellar.
Ruby and Yang pulled theirs out too. The Titan took point as she neared the cellar, shotgun trained on the cellar's line of sight. Ruby and Yang took positions along the sides of the cellar but far enough the Warlock took out a shotgun that looked like it was glowing orange a bit with floating Vex sights. The Female Titan aimed her purple shotgun that was curvy in design at the door.
Looking to the others in the room they all nodded. The Titan immediately shot the lock and kicked down the cellar door. Only when the door barely fell a large blast shot through the door making a whole and a slug penetrated the Titans shields but due to the lost velocity the slug only dented her chest armor but it did knock her back and the wind out of her. The Warlock immediately caught the Titan and Daisy came up to the door and fired three slugs on full auto causing the man who shot the Titan to fall back to behind a stone wall with her suppressing fire.
She then threw a smoke bomb to cause the mant to become nauseous and he fell over due to the effects. She then jumped down holding him at gunpoint with the final 2 rounds ready to blow his head off. However as Yang and Ruby descended into the room. They saw all the Faunus here. They smelled like hell and looked like they were overworked and only getting very little sleep and working nearly all day every day ever sense they were born.
"Brothers." Ruby gasped as she saw the sight before her. "Is this what she sees?"
Faunus chained or just scared.
"No way." Yang thought.
Daisy, not being happy her friend was shot, cuffed the man on the ground and lifted him up and thrusted his back into the cellar wall.
"What the hell is going on here!?" Daisy stated.
"What do you think you Naive little bi-."
He was then knocked out when Daisy slammed his head with the butstock of her shotgun. His body falling limp as he slid down the wall behind him. Yang and Ruby immediately went to unchaining the Faunus laborers and removing the collars around their necks thanks to Daisy's little friend in her helmet. But things aren't going to go so well.
0000
In the spire the watch guards looked through their spotting scopes in direction 2-8. Noticing something in the distance. However when the spotter zoomed in on it it. It was a walking hulk of a humanoid Grimm. Muscle bound and its hunched neck being the result of to many neck muscles being formed over the nonexistent neck.
"Ah this is tower actual to all MG posts we have a Grimm about 343 meters away from the north side of the compound beyond the community housing district near the mansion. How copy over?" The spotter stated.
"Roger. Too far out to identify, But close enough to know it is infact a Grimm over." The radio of a MG nest stated
"Copy Nest 2401." The spotter stated.
"I got eyes on the target." The Man at the Anti material rifle stated.
"Got it." The spotter said dialing in the range and wind speed.
"Target in sight." The sniper said.
"Send it." The spotter stated.
The large boulder creature looked at the tower's direction instantly as the thundering sound of the sniper being shot sent a bullet beelining to its face. The Sniper smiled as the .50cal BMG FMJ impacted its face, only for his smile to turn into shock as when the smoke of the projectiles impact cleared and a terrifying Face was exposed. Its mask fell apart, but it only revealed more white bone with deep red eyes in its sockets. It didn't have lips as if they had deteriorated.
It roars with a loud shriek like that if a grinding saw against stone. Causing almost everyone around to cover their ears in pain. More so for any Faunus outside. It created a sense of dread for all of them. Then as if it was some sort of horror film, komodo dragon grimm started to crawl out of the forest very quickly. Staring at the MG Nests. Everyone felt their dread turn into shock.
Without a command being utteredhe MG Nests M240Bs opened up on the flood of Komodo Grimm as they tried to storm the high walls of the entrance. The blaze of lead ripped through the Komodo grim as the Machine gun nests and sharp shooters kept firing. Some of the sharpshooters still tried breaking the taller grimms face in but all the bone armor would do is crack as the 50 cal BMG rounds just only lightly penetrated the armor or disintegrated due to the high velocity and impacts.
"ROSE." was all it growled as it walked towards the wall being swarmed by grim.
0000
Ruby and her friends led the freed slaves out of the wine cellar. Leading them out they exited the mansion to confront Bartleby only to be met with the sound of Gunfire and the smell of hot brass nearby. And air raid sirens sounded. As the regular Guards that were off duty came out armed and ready to fight against the grim. They too saw the mass of Faunus slaves. A fellow bound near an Agent of the Vanguard. And the remaining of Team Rwby. With a sigh. The guards moved on as Bartleby was running towards them.
" , where….." he saw the released slaves and became visibly angry. "WHY ARE YOU ALL OUT!?"
Yang got in front of him leveling her eyes against his.
"We'll deal with you later. But for now we need arms and ammunition to stop that hoard. And you're gonna lead us to your Armory." Yang stated harshly.
"Like hell I'd give those ani-"
Before the man could even get a chance to finish, much less react, a blur of red impacted him immediately after he heard the click of the safety being shut off. He found himself stuck to the wall, small chunk of debris settling on the floor beneath him as narrowed silver eyes stared into him.
"You are going to arm them. And we will be arresting you." She said, before throwing him to the ground with her weapon. "Or alternatively, feed you to the grimm." Ruby stated darkly, as all eyes fell on her.
This shocked WBY. It was clear to them that their leader wasn't normally like this. Especially since she's taking up the role of Yang in this situation, the bad cop instead of the good cop.
The looked up at Ruby, gulping as he stared into the barrel of the gun. After a few seconds of trying to comprehend the situation, he grit his teeth. "Fine."
However that's when they heard a loud crash. They looked at the wall. And through a sewage drain. Came the large, hulking abominations easily the size of the farm itself. Their regenerating bone armored faces looked at the large group, but their gaze settled on the silver eyed girl alone.
"ROSE."
"BREACH! WE GOT A BREACH!" Shouted the radios.
Yang drops the old man as he runs away with the group of faunus to the armory and Ruby pulled out Crescent Rose and Daisy and her team pulled out their rifles putting away their shotguns.
"What's the plan Ruby?" Yang said
The three bulky grimm watched Ruby like a hawk.
"Yang, help me take these things down! Daisy get your team and make sure the grimm dont get through the breached wall!" Ruby stated
Daisy's team wasted no time jumping over the three bulky Grimm. They didn't notice the three Vanguard agents and immediately ran at Ruby and Yang. Shouting the one line.
"ROSE!"
00000
Blake and Weiss helped a man up as after giving him the last drop of red serum. Blake still didn't understand this serum that Daisy gave them. But at the very least it was being put to use helping these poor people who have been enslaved. Gia and Gemme happily hugged each other. Gia was healed. As well as her son. But then they heard the air raid siren.
"What is that?" Weiss asked aloud
"Grimm attacks the walls and it must be getting hit hard." Gia said.
"Get the people to safety or an armory Gia. For now, we'll handle this." Blake stated.
"What? But the horde will probably be in the thousands!" She replied.
"Thats what Huntresses are for aren't they?" Blake replied with a smile.
She then put on her helmet and immediately ran to where the gun fire was. Weiss couldn't help but smile.
"Looks like she's finally letting go." Gai said.
"Seems so." Weiss replied and gave Gemme a head pat on her cute little head. As she then followed Blake.
Gai smiled as they left.
"Mommy, you were once a Huntress's right?" Gemme asked.
"Yes. When I was younger… things were different back then. Come on let's get you to a shelter."
"Ok mommy." Gemme smiled as she replied.
Weiss used her time dilation glyf to increase their running speed to get to the tower. Only to see beyond it to be in chaos. They saw a hole in the wall used for drainage being guarded by Daisy and her two fireteam members as they fired round after round on full auto against the hoard trying to smash there bodys against a barricade that the Titan set up as she and Daisy fired burst and full auto 556 rounds through the shield of light as the Warlock was helping some Faunus and humans trying to set stones and boulders in places until they could cover up the hole made by the very monstrosities attacking Ruby and Yang.
Ruby used her semblance to dodge the fast head sized fists as she fired round after round of 50. Cal ammunition into the chest and head of the three berserker Grimm trying to kill exclusively Ruby as Yang was nothing more than a distraction to them as there focused seemed to be only on the Silver eyed girl.
Weiss instantly used ice dust in her glyphs to try pausing the berserkers rampage on Ruby. Blake uses her pistol with ice dust as well. But the berserkers keep breaking there icy binds. The three berserkers didn't let up. Ruby dodged and weaved between the beserkers and slashed at them with such sheer ferocity, it took all the grimms' attention to not get cornered by her. Blake and Weiss were already doing their best to help by adding in surpressive fire, but their idle swings and kicks at the girls started to wear them down, even as Ruby fought almost like an experienced huntress well beyond even the teachers.
"Where is our help!?" Weiss
"Daisy's fireteam is covering the breach!"
"Breach?"
"Hey ice cream, you gonna use your dust to plug up the hole?" Ruby yelled over the noise that the Beserkers were making.
Weiss immediately disengaged upon hearing the order, now leaving Blake, Yang, and Ruby. The Berserkers were ravenous as they relentlessly tried to attack Ruby, only for her to dodge like there was no problem whatsoever, just grazing past their attacks like it was slow-motion for her.
Weiss came up to Daisy and her two teammates who were using auto rifles. Blazes of blue, orange, and lead ripped through the komodo grim that were trying to assist the leaders of their pack. Weiss immediately loaded earth dust into her weapon.
"Give me cover fire, I'm plugging the hole!"
Daisy nodded as she turned to her team. "Hammers and Arrows!" The titan nodded and the warlock immediately pulled back. The titan pulled back to but still kept firing. Daisy immediately then activated Shadow shot. And fired three void arrows as the Void energy left her hands and stopped three komodo grimm. They exploded causing three void orbs to expand and trap komodo grim all around them as the titan Activated Hammer of Sol and started throwing the molten tool at the trapped komodo grim.
Weiss immediately used earth dust to plug up the hole in the drain section of the wall that the berserkers made. However she turned to the three Grimm berserkers still trying to kill Ruby. However something that startled Weiss was that as one Berserker got annoyed by Blake's constant attacks. It watched as Blake dodged and weaved through its attacks. However as Blake retreated from her strike, the Berserker she was attacking picked up where Blake was going to land. And before she could, the Berserker grasped her by the leg and flung her into Yang who was about to unleash a fireball of 8 gauge slugs into the face of one of the other Berserker attacking Ruby, only getting the both of their auras to shimmer as they struggled to get up.
They're learning which means they're old. But they don't look so old? The Schnee girl thought as she looked at the grimm.
She then stabbed the ground and froze one of the berserkers in place. Yang recovered from the ground and saw that the Berserkers were breaking free. Due to her rage increasing by the second because they keep going after Ruby. She jumped forward using a lot of pent up force and the ground around her feet left a imprint.
She then did a fiery jab at the Berserkers. However they broke free. And one swung at Yang who narrowly dodged the strike and delivered a fist full if fire into the arm of one unlucky Berserker. As if it was severed clean through. The arm was blown off. The heat caused the arm to cauterize in some way as the Berserker roared in pain.
Holding its arm as it tried to regenerate its arm but couldn't, and while Ruby did note the weakness, she simply chose to retreat, her team immediately making to regroup as Weiss walled them off again. The four took a moment to take a breather while they still could.
"These things are unsettling." Blake said as she watched Weiss reinforcing the walls with more dust, as the grimm voraciously banged on them with claws and teeth. "And really strong."
"Not to mention learning." Yang said as she double-checked her Celicas. "Did any of you guys see this in the bestiary? I didn't read it that much."
Ruby took into account how slowly the Berserkers took to get through the barriers Weiss created and the apparent lack of regeneration when Yang was overheated. She then had an idea.
"Blake, do some misdirection with clones, Yang, burn them harder through overcharge. That way the fire from your output can prevent them from regrowing their limbs." Ruby ordered as she reloaded her Crescent Rose.
"And how do you do that?" Weiss questioned.
"Yeah Ruby, I can't charge my semblance without-"
Ruby pointed to the orbs of light. "We got them. We might as well use a bit of their power while we can." She then turned to Yang while smiling wryly. "Or were you asleep during the elective class? I'd actually be amazed if you were."
Yang scoffed. "If I was, I'd be at the top of the game already."
Yang broke from the group as the rest of the team made to distract the Beserkers the best they could. Yang eventually got to the section of the wall where Daisy and her fireteam is and climbed up to their position.
"Hey guys can you spare a-"
"ORBIES!" Daisy immediately shouted, having been there for the class as well. Almost immediately, the titan of her fireteam looked over to Yang and collected enough orbs to instantly fill a guardian's super.
"WE HAVE THE LIGHT!" The titan said as he rushed to Yang, before breaking the orbs on her form.
She didn't even notice that her aura was recharged. More than anything, she was all too aware of the fact that she was practically way past just being overcharged. She
Weiss saw Yang get super Charged by the orb and called out to Ruby. Yang can only hold it back so much before her body forcefully sent the energy away. Weiss then summoned ice shards and sent them at the Berserkers. Ruby then called out the triple team attack code name to put her plan in motion.
"Frozenbees!"
Blake who took pot shots from the side with her weapons pistol form. She then went in striking and dodging getting the monster's attention on her. Yang sprinted to them as Blake forced the three monsters to try moving in Yang's direction. And once they were halfway away from Yang Weiss immediately put the last of her ice dust into her weapon and used her time dilation glyphs to send forth the effects to the Berserkers holding them in place while exposing their heads.
Yang, with all the newfound energy in her body and sheer cosmic force sending her into complete overdrive, sent her fist into one instantly melting its face to the hump neck she then unleashed a shotgun round down its neck. It burned the Berserker inside out, practically punching a hole through the grimm as it staggered back from the sheer powerhouse of the attack. She then did the same to the next one she pulled back her hand and smashed in another ripping off the head with burning rage, and using her other Gauntlet, she shoved a shotgun shell down the second's exposed throat. The two affected Berserkers stumbled about for a bit, before they glowed with an explosive pyre, and promptly left to craters where they were previously living.
The third one with the stump arm, recognizing that the battle was soon to be over, broke free and grabbed Blake as she tried refreeze it with her last ice rounds. It grabbed and slammed her against its former ice prison, as it rushed out in a rage. Blake yelped in pain as her back impacted the ice prison, or what was left of it, as felt her weakened aura get jabbed at by the icy spikes of the prison, leaving a small bruise from the impact. It then turned to only get stunned in the face by the impact of several 50 cal rounds from Ruby's Anti material rifle. Weiss then used the last of her earth dust to capture the Berserker, but it was not enough to contain it as it roared in frustration, and broke through the barriers screaming with fury and bloodlust. "ROSE."
That's when Ruby blinked. Her body glowed of the dark void energy seen in guardians. In her hand she held a bow and she then pulled back the thin void string and let loose three Void arrows. They impacted the Berserker like needles through fabric, the first one tore through its other arm. Ripping it clean off in a black form of blood and gore never seen before in a grim. The next bolt blew a hole in its chest slowing it down further. The last void arrow ripped clean through its leg. It let loose a series of growls of malice and hate. All three lines of void energy restrained the beast.
Yang jumped into the air with the help of her Gauntlets. She then propelled herself down thrusting her fist into the top of its skull. Smashing right into its head. Setting its entire body aplaze using the last of the Orb of lights energy into her semblance to utterly decimate the last Berserker. And with that the Berserkers were dead. And RWBY sighs with relief. Only for the sound of battle to flow onwards, reminding them of their current position.
"Right. The horde. The worst of the bunch isn't the actual problem, probably should've said it for that." Ruby stated tired taking a breath from over exerting her aura to dodge and reinforce her body to not get pounded into a bloody pulp.
"Well go grab an orb of light from the guardians." Yang replied as she checked her aura levels were back to normal after the power high wore off. "I seem to be coming out fine, even though I took seven times the amount I originally wanted."
"I need ammo. Which means you guys need ammo, right?" Blake said as she checks her pouches.
"Come on, let's restock and deal with the horde." Weiss stated as she and blake ran to the local armory.
Ruby and Yang did the same. After grabbing enough ammo from the striped cleaned armory they joined the lines and started to gain the upper hand as their shooting for their lives only continued. Not even using the ships weapon systems as Artillery as flying Nevermores were too many in the air for a proper flight to be in the air.
"We're running low on ammo here!" Shouted one MG nest.
"SAME!" said another.
"Hold this line! Fall back to secondary defensive positions!" Daisy shouted as Ruby pulled put a full Tether.
Half the forces on the wall and team RWBY got off the large wall as the Komodo grim kept coming. As the retreating forces set up immediately and the titans ship to still raining mortars on the ground grim and missiles for the larger Nevermores.
"Fall back fall back! Secondary line, coverfire!" The Warlock shouted as he jumped off the wall and started running to the secondary line, throwing as many grenades as possible into the battlefield, blowing up grimm as he ran.
"How's that back up coming along!" Weiss asked as she jumped into the second lines trench.
"*What about your back needing up?*"
Yang almost stopped for a moment as she couldn't help but grin. Ruby almost outright forgot what she was doing as Weiss sputtered, being the only one to actually
"*Heya Ruby! Ever heard of ships? They can allow most fights to be a breeze~*" As she finished, the sound of several missiles being readied came up from above them, although the
"But where are you!?" Ruby asked
"*Do you know what the number one rule of hunters are?*"
And that's when a long shadow covered them and they all looked up to see not only Cloud Errant, but also several Atleasian Ships flying above them, raining down high concentrated dust what could only be perceived as literal hellfire upon the now helpless grimm. The gun ships hovered over the grim within the Farming community blasting them away and dropping off Atlas soldiers who immediately engaged the remaining grim.
"*It's to look UP when going through doorways or when you can't find someone. Thought Shin taught you that.*"
The second line of defense immediately opened fire on the remaining Grimm. The komodo grim on the other side of the wall fled as their numbers began to dwindle. The young stayed and were eliminated, while the elderly grimm quickly recognized the situation and fled, with some of the pack being gunned down. As everything began to calm and the defenses remobilized. Summer and Frederick were on a transport taking them down.
Once they landed and got off Summer immediately started to look for Ruby. Frederick did the same but in a calmer fashion. Summer moved her head left to right trying to find her daughter's familiar Guardian armor she gave her or her trademark black blouse and corset with a skirt.
However instead the Atlas Marines were rounding up the humans of the Bartlebee family and the hired security. Some soldiers were talking with the faunus. Checking every home and building. Then her eyes fell one a group of soldiers talking with Team RWBY and the Vanguard agents. Summer was about to run to her when she was held back by Frederick, who simply put an arm in front of her.
"Let them be. They have reports they need doing." He said as he kept his focus on them from afar. "Besides… something tells me a tackle is inbound."
After they were done with talking to the Commanders, they looked and saw Summer. Ruby almost immediately dashed to her like a blur, almost knocking her over if it wasn't for the fact she was prepared for the sheer burst of speed. The rest of the teams walked up to them as Summer held Ruby in a hug, stepping slightly up onto the air to be at even level with her.
"Hey Rubes. Your mission went well? No claws or stabbing to ya?" Summer said as she looked her over from where she was currently standing, just looking over Ruby's backside. She noted that the cape was slightly ruined. "I see your cape hasn't been fairing well."
"Well, it's a lot tougher than I thought given that horde." Ruby chuckled as the two of them let go. "No stabbing though. And yeah… definitely need to take better care of it."
"Salem I'm guessing? Probably new cronies."
"Yeah… we have a lot of enemies, don't we?"
You have no idea.
They then heard the shouting and resistance from Bartleby's family and himself.
"What's going to happen to them?" Blake eyed the Bartleby family as they were being 'escorted' to the vehicle.
"With both a local and guardian force present, what do you think?" Summer said in response, as she idly wrapped an arm around Ruby's shoulder. "Don't worry. We guardians aren't lax on the law at all. They'll get their just deserts once everything is squeezed out of them."
Blake nodded as she walked back to the group.
"Looks like the family is gonna be in prison for a while but the farm is going to probably be closed but that means Mistrial loses its one of very few bread baskets to feed the large populations." Blake reported to everyone.
"Then where will we go? Our homes are gone and mistral the city state may be changing but the people there won't accept us so readily." said one former faunus slave.
"Well then how about this?" Said a man leaving a Mistrial built ait ship as it landed.
It was then Lionheart came up to the group rather nervously. His eyes seemed to dart between Ruby and Summer, while Summer seemed to show no acknowledgement about how he looked right about now. Though a glance at her eyes showed that they were, in fact, shining with a hellish gleam. "The faunus here can keep the farm land as your own the brunswick family have lost their right to the land. How about that?"
"I think that's fair Lionheart." Summer said. "Fair and square enough. For them."
Lionheart just nods and walks to the group of faunus to discuss what will happen to them. The faunus smiles. However as Gia hunter breaks off from the group. Blake immediately ran up to her.
"Wait Gia!" Blake called out.
"Blake what is it?" she asked
"Now that you're free, what are you going to do?" Blake asked.
"I think I'll stay here. We know a lot about farming and I'm sure the people of Mistrial will like that." she replied holding Aiden closer.
Blake looks down at the child she was saddened but nods in understanding.
"Are you sure?" blake asked
"Im sure." she replied
"Alright just..Take care of yourself ok?" she replied
"Of course." the Viper faunus replied with a smile.
Blake nods and patts Gimme and Aiden's heads before walking away.
"Hey Blake." Gia shouted
Blake looks back to her.
"Come and visit wont you?"
Blake nods as she gives her a small smile. "Sure."
Blake walks back to the group, however is caught off guard by Summer blinking next to her and whispering.
"You're not gonna tell them I killed your friend?"
"Ex friend… and yeah." She took a deep breath. "They don't need it. Especially now of all times."
Summer nods. Then a loud beeping came from Summers' scroll and pulled it out. It was Cayde and Lord Saladin.
"Yeah, sorry for such a short break kiddo."
"No you aren't Cayde." Summer deadpans.
"My spies found the entrance to the Splicer's Lair. We believe their leader is there as well, but scout reports say the difficulty is on raid level. So I'd suggest finding your old fireteam and Recruit 3 others, we have a layout and what we presume to be the best course of action, especially since we're getting aid from Fallen when it comes to some barriers on the way there." Saladin said.
"Roger that." Summer mutters as she turns to Frederick. "You still got that grudge against them?"
"Still do." Frederick said as he cracked his knuckles in anticipation. "Just add me in, and I'll do whatever I can to ruin them."
"Alright… first we're sending the temporaries back after checking up on them. Wouldn't be surprised if that old man tried to push some boundaries." Summer stated. She then looked back at her scroll. "Well get back to Earth. I promise."
"Ok then. I got a temporary rental ship for the both of you waiting back in the cosmodrome. Had to pull a few strings for that one with Amanda so your welcome on-." Cayde had to abruptly pause for a moment, as if he was looking at something. "... Oh come on, I just got this thing! Ugh, another ship will be by to pick you guys up."
"Cayde? What are you talking about-" It was then the sound of a very large ship then started worming its way into the comms through its sheer noise, making Saladin unable to talk. It was clear from the tone of his voice though, that it was partly in both surprise and slight panic, before both him and Cayde jumped off the comms.
Ruby looked at Summer in confusion; yet one look at Summer told everything she needed to know.
"You can't be serious about that… right?"
"Ruby,"
"At the very least let me go with you!" Ruby stated practically shouting. "You've seen what I can do, I can survive out there!"
"Ruby. Cayde said it was a raid. That means it's especially off limits to mortals, including those with Auras and Semblances." Her tone was soft, yet firm, the ever comforting mother voice creeping in as she stared Ruby back.
"But I can be useful! Why does Pyrrha get to go!?" Ruby shouted with a hint of jealousy.
"Ruby, I hate to say it, but Pyrrha has more experience with the Fallen then you. Not to mention her semblance is very helpful. I'm sorry." Summer replied with a saddened look. "I don't want you to get hurt. And Raids are….they're another matter entirely. Even when you do get a small amount of intel to work with."
"Then let me try! Mom please! I don't want to lose you again…" Ruby said the latter lowly.
"Ruby. I know what you're feeling. So does my companion and Daisy. This is the world we live in. I'll be back. I don't want to leave. But I have to. When i return. We can continue those two projects together. Ok?"
Ruby didn't say anything. And Summer sighs.
"If I don't go. Remnants will be in danger. And so will you. Many innocents will die. This is the price of being a Guardian." She replied
"You mean like when being a Huntress took you away from me all those years ago!? Are you just a sl-" Ruby was about to shout, only to get a hand on her shoulder from Yang.
"Ruby… mom's right. She's had to do a lot of things when she was with us, and she still has to do it in her new life. We've already seen it with the Vex… we can't do any more than this." Yang said as she stared into her eyes. Both the sisters and Summer could tell that she was barely holding it together herself. "We still have yet to even get rid of the grimm, and we're the best ones here to do it. Wouldn't you think it'd be better if we just focused on that?"
There was a still silence for a while, before Yang looked to Summer, not with sorrow or anger, but understanding.
"Go." She said, her lilac eyes staring into Summer's own. "I know what a raid is… hard not to with all the guardians running around. And while I'm scared, I also know that in the end, you'll come back to Junior's to have a drink with me, right mom?"
Summer smiled. She felt her tears threatening to break free, but she managed to keep it together even as she stared back at the two of them. "I wouldn't think to do anything else after… beyond making some cookies before we get to that." She added, and it seemed to make Ruby brighten up at the prospect of it.
As she turned to leave, she stopped to look over her shoulder. "Thanks, Yang. For being there when I couldn't… if I could've, I would've brought myself back a long time ago just to be with you two."
0000
The Anime guy: NOPE WE'RE STILL HERE GUYS! Ha ha ha oh dear lord this was a long ass chapter to think out and write. Coupled that with life shit and apathy towards Rwby as a whole it was rather difficult trying to get this chapter out so sorry for the long wait guys that's my B sense I was the one doing this one.
Dilution: That, and admittedly, I had been taking a break to grind, catch up with the lore, and also rewatch/reread things both of RWBY and of the fic...
Pelican117: Will the House of Kings have a bigger role to play then in Destiny?
Dustiniz117: Pelican117,In Destiny, no. Destiny 2 they will play an important part along within my upcoming chapter 16 of Remnant of an Iron Rose shorts, "Fallen Conclave" the House of Kings will play an important part.
Darkparterx.999: Wow I'm really sure something is going to happen but i can't tell is something is going to happen or not
Diluation: It probably won't, but hopefully it'll all come to a spike after the raid.
I'm sad to say that after I finish the final chapters of Iron Rose, I'll be leaving it to the others. I had been having a strong desire to write some of my own stuff as of late, and actually start things out as a writer. I like writing fanfiction, but not only do I want to expand myself, I'm also wanting to go beyond writing RWBY and Destiny stuff(I like Destiny still, and I'll always like the stuff I've read around the RWBY fandom.).
But I know that it wouldn't be fair to leave this story hanging without ever giving it an end. I've seen it too many times myself on other sites, things that got very popular only for it to fade into obscurity, or to be picked up and left just barely there. I've even forgotten about my old work… so I'm deciding to finish this one with the others, before leaving whatever sequels the team wants to work on with them, as I start some web-novels. I would share them, I've made a lot of progress on the web-novels as of late, but doesn't allow outside links, and I'd prefer it if I just left my old fanfics behind, especially since I have little memory of them. So the most I can do is just tell you guys what I'll be up to after this is marked as completed, and for SoaR to be taken up by the others, which I know at least Animeak and Dustinz plan to take it from there.