R.W.3.Y.: All Fairy Tales End
Chapter 1; the Fox and the Hound (Hunt for Watts) [Part I]
Characters: Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long, etc.
Ships: White Rose, Bumblebee
Description:
RW3Y, the amazing art by Dishwasher1910 who has given me permission to write this, after the Salem Crisis RWBY went a many myriad of directions with their lives, but maintained close ties with each other and their friends. This is their story, their continuation, the end to their fairytale.
"My thoughts exactly. Even without her new power, it should have been effortless." -Dr. Arthur Watts
Kingdom of Vale, S.R.E.D. Forward Operating Base, Main Meeting Room
"So it's agreed. Colonel Schnee and Agent Rose will meet Huntress Xiao Long and Fang Director Belladonna at the Mistral S.R.E.D. FOB where a specialised S.R.E.D. Agent will brief you on Watt's more… different experiments during the Crisis."
No one said a word. They didn't need too, the mission was simple. Ilia and Klein would take an indepth look into how exactly Jacques got his hands on Watts' Prison Contract, and how exactly Watts' was given a Work Contract in the first place. The rest of them would hunt down Watts without remorse. Weiss stood as the last of the holograms dissipated and her hands curled tightly into fists, her knuckles white. She stares at her hands, her head spinning at the betrayal her father might have wrought simply for a gain, for the danger that her real family was once more-
Weiss' train of thought was derailed as a calloused and rough, but lean and hand covers her's encircling it and intertwining their fingers. Weiss knew that the slender, tan skinned arm belonged to her friend, her best friend, but somehow the touch didn't seem like friendship… it held something more important. Weiss' own porcelain skin was such a stark contrast she could see why Ruby had come to call her an Angel of Destruction. Weiss turned her icy orbs up, following that muscled arm up to its owner. Ruby for her part had down turned lips and those silver pools were as soft as the crimson cloak she wore. Weiss' own face lost its stern countenance, her hard sharpened gaze and tight lips smoothing out alongside the creases of her face muscles.
"How many years?" Weiss questions, her voice no louder than a whisper. She still remembered the day she saw Ruby fall, the first time she'd ever worried whether or not Ruby would come home to her family. To quote one of Ironwood's soldiers, 'Battles leave scars, some you can't see.'
"Doesn't matter Weiss." Weiss feels that hand tightening, but not like steel, instead it was warm and simply there. Ruby's presence did more for Weiss' nerves than she would ever dare tell the other woman, to admit that might be tantamount to… don't go there…. Weiss' cheeks reddened and she quickly ducked her head back down as less than public thoughts began to cycle through her head. "Hey come on Weiss, we have a Viper to catch and Winter needs to see us off before she can take over S.R.E.D. for the time being."
Nodding her head, careful to keep it lowered so Ruby wouldn't see the crimson tint upon her face she gives a reassuring squeeze to Ruby's hand. The younger woman slowly lets their fingers go and clicks towards the door, every echoing step stabbing Weiss' heart with guilt. Weiss let her eyes rise up and she nearly sputtered as she watched Ruby… swagger, out of the office, before turning her head ever so slightly and giving the elder woman a very coy wink. The blush Weiss had been trying to control returned in full force as she hid her face behind her hand while simultaneously attempting to grab her hat off the table and use it as a shield.
"Come on Weiss!" Ruby sing songs and opens the door for her partner. "Grimm don't wait for us, so pack up that hat and let's move!" Ruby's eyes are mirthful and she borrows Yang's cheshire grin, which fit far too well with her body and face.
"I swear by all Dust on Remnant," Weiss mutters beneath her breath and puts on her hat, subconsciously swiping her hands over her dress and coat straightening out any imperceptible kinks in the cloth before strutting quickly as her legs could carry her past Ruby. She never would get used to how Ruby had blossomed into a woman, that she'd lost her height advantage, but worst was how much Ruby was still capable of being the same cookie loving monster slayer despite all that had happened. Weiss needed Ruby to open up to her, to give her someone other than Yang to talk with. The younger Schnee thought of all of this while keeping the mind boggling pace while in heels.
Her legs carried her to Winter's waiting Viper Fast Assault Vehicle. Though Bullheads were by far more roomy and comfortable when travelling long distances, like for instance Vale to Mistral, Vipers had a different aspect going for them. Vipers weren't known as F.A.V.s for nothing, using the way Ruby's Semblance seemed to warp reality to fit her needs Vipers had been built from the ground up by Weiss' most dedicated military minds, and what had resulted had quickly become the Kingdom's preferred QRF troop deployer. Vipers could travel at speeds only slightly less than Ruby could on one of her off days, making trips between kingdoms far faster than the days of old. The pair of S.R.E.D. Agents would probably be in Mistral around early next morning if they left immediately and accepted the annoying cramps of an eighteen hour, or more, flight.
A hiss espaces from the Viper's opening hatch and Weiss grabs the handle to pull herself in, but she stops short, her breath catching in her throat. The inside of Winter's ship was luxurious. There no hints of combat webbing or crash seating that were normally bolted to the ship's bulkheads, instead the seats were made of a fine cream leather, no doubt soft to the touch. The harsh bright lights and dark metal switches had been replaced for warm ceiling pane based lights and simple brushed metal coverings. The bulkheads, usually a drab gunmetal grey were instead adorned with beautiful flowing designs of snowflakes caught in a breeze, the backdrop a calming light grey. Weiss can feel the pressure to people's eyes drilling into her from behind.
"You see little sister, you may control the most powerful ship in the entire Atlesian Air Fleet, and are most well-funded division, but rank has its perks. I'll let you borrow The Schneeblatt to reach Mistral in time, plus The Edelweiss isn't the most subtle of ships and we want this kept low key," Winter muses, the corner of her lips rising into a small smile as she watches her sister gawk at her ship's interior. Grunting something about always one-upping her Weiss climbs aboard and then offers Ruby her hand.
Winter watched the exchange with interest, it was no well kept secret that her sister had formed an unbreakable bond with Miss Rose, but their most recent interactions may have altered the pair's trajectory. Weiss was never going to let Ruby bear the brunt of anything alone again, even when she knew the other woman was capable. Ruby for her part took it in stride, accepting Weiss' hand and coming aboard. The Schneeblatt took off and upon reaching minimum safe distance simply ceased to appear on the visual spectrum, like it had winked out of existence like Miss Rose tended to when she teleported.
Kingdom of Vacuo, Main Airship Port
Yang didn't just walk, she strut. The buxom blonde brawler had picked up one or two habits from Weiss, and one was the Schnee's infuriating strut. Weiss had never been one to use her body to get her leverage, but that didn't mean she didn't know what she had. Yang took to it like a dog to a bone, and before long it was one more tool in her chest when it came to getting her way without being overly rough. Striding past the ticket booths she pulled out her wallet and flashed the Huntress ID as she passed straight through Security setting off damn near about every alarm they had; no one ever claimed Yang was good at subtle, it's what made her such an effective Huntress, she was loud and proud, never afraid to show herself off a little. She walked straight to the steward and stewardess watching the flight's booth, the pair of flight attendants staring at the panicking and rushing Security staff Yang had left in her wake.
Lowering her sunglasses from the bridge of her nose Yang looked over the lenses with those striking lilac irises. Reaching up and into her mouth with her mechanical arm Yang pulls the piece of gum she'd been chewing and throws it into the garbage next to the booth. Then leaning in and resting her head on her left hand Yang winks at the pair. The attendants had yet to look away, their eyes seeming magnetised to Yang's every move. Yang certainly did love being the centre of attention.
"I have a commandeering order for your flight, this transport is now heading for Mistral," Yang whispers, her voice kept sultry and low as she places the slip onto the desk. Than she was gone, leaving chaos in her wake Yang stepped off to the side, the attendants with their hearts beating like hammers in their chests and the Security staff acting like crazed monkeys.
The ship is small, not many aboard Yang can tell as she ducks her head to enter the doorway. Looking left and right she catches sight of the door that separates the pilot from the passenger area and knocks on it, loudly.
"Excuse me miss but you can't…" the words die in the steward's throat as he looks at the bombshell of a woman before him, who just keeps doing as she was. The door swings open, and a man in a white uniform with grey and black shoulder pads looks at her.
"I'm sorry but if this is one of those, 'I can't pay can I please-'" the co-pilot is cut off as Yang shoves a piece of paper into his face.
"Pilot boy!" She shouts into the cockpit causing the man to turn towards her. "This hunk of flying metal heading for Mistral?" He nods. "Good no stops and disembark passengers immediately by order of Atlas S.R.E.D., courtesy of Brigadier General Winter Schnee."
Kingdom of Menagerie, White Fang Airship Platform
Velvet spared a glance at her friend. Blake had a smile gracing her face despite what Velvet has gleaned about the situation. Blake's normally measures steps were anything but at the moment, she practically skipped to the waiting Bullhead. There was something there though, hidden in Blake's joyful mirth. Her hands were clenched into fists and her shoulders seemed taunt like strained rope. The undercurrent of the air was hot, but not in the way Me agerie normally was this time of year.
"Blake, when you asked me to assist you with the White Fang I never thought I'd end up here on Menagerie as the co-director to the most powerful Faunus on Remnant. I definitely never thought you'd leave me in charge… What's going on?" Blake's lips curl downwards and her eyes lose focus.
"Velvet, I don't mean to be rude, you know I'd tell you if I could, but no one needs to know about this, no one. Even my father. Tell the meetings and anyone looking for me that I decided to take a vacation, a believable one. I'll call you if I need you Velvet, I trust you to hold down the fort while I'm gone." Blake turned, leaving the words hanging in the air behind her as she stepped onto the airship. "And Velvet, whatever happens, don't tell my dad I left without saying goodbye again…"
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. Forward Operating Base
The Schneeblatt sets down at the Mistralian base. Setting down on the main landing pads Ruby takes an uneasy step out. Her metal legs shaking as she tries to get her footing on the stairs. Before Ruby has a chance to grab onto the railing though she feels a firm, rock solid grip on her arm, steadying her. Taking a moment a breathing deeply, letting her chest swell with air and then fall once more Ruby takes the second step. Her legs tremble and shake less, and the stairs don't feel like they're wobbling beneath her feet. The final step is taken confidently, just feeling Weiss behind her was enough.
Weiss hasn't let go of Ruby, her hand sliding down the younger woman's arm and interlocking their fingers. Looking out across the metal surface of the base's air pads Weiss' eyes cat he the blackened scorch mark like a scar painted in a jagged blotch. There were two soldiers, their white armour covered in grime and soot, scrubbing furiously at the offending mark. Weiss tightens her trip on Ruby, refusing to meet the other woman's eyes as she stares at the spot, maring the base's pristine seeming finish.
Ruby spots a figure limping towards them. He has a dull metal grey coat, with blue detailing and a sigil on one shoulder. A sword and scabbard rests on one hip and the bulges in his jacket suggest even more weapons. He has loose fitting slack-like pants with metal plates strapped to the thighs, one has a large holster containing some kind of firearm Ruby can't make out, while the other looks like a tactical hard case. It doesn't take him too long to reach them, but the eye patch and scars are unforgettable; carving patterns of web like wounds over his neck and two single lines, stitched together, reaching from below the bandages up to over his left eye. His right eye had a knowing glint in it's brown colour. The wounds look recent and his lips are curled downwards as he looks at them. He wears a Vacuo style hunters hat that matches the grey of his jacket. Beneath the coat he has a deep cobalt blue dress shirt, grey detailing running up it.
His lips twist into a painful smirk, his eye focused on the clasped hands. Holding out his hand towards Ruby she reaches out shaking it.
"I'm glad to see you standing again Miss Rose. I hope Rose and Co. Weapons will be able to move on without your active participation," he says, voice warm yet distant. Ruby's answer is a small shy smile as she pushes her hand through her hair.
"Well even without her constant direct involvement I can unasureadly say the company will continue moving forward," Weiss says looking at Ruby. Nodding he turns offering the same hand to Weiss. Weiss shakes it, neither of the women having let go of each other.
"And as always it's a pleasure Miss Schnee," he bows slightly. "My name is Liath Rós, Head S.R.E.D. Agent here in the Mistralian FOB. I'll be escorting and consulting with as per Brigadier Schnee's request. Now we should probably get moving, we wouldn't want anyone spotting the two of you, or worse being later than you already are." Turning he starts his limp back towards the base, leaving Ruby standing next to Weiss whose jaw had dropped. Weiss Schnee had not been late to anything since she and Ruby's first day of class at Beacon.
-Side Operations Room-
The doors slide open revealing Blake and Yang standing in the slightly dark room. The black and yellow pair appeared to be arguing, not unusual for them given Yang's new annoying habit of leaving once the mess was clean. Yang was waving her arms and talking in hushed tones while Blake stood there, ears folded against her head and arms crossed over her chest.
Ruby couldn't contain her excitement over seeing her sister again, and petals begin to flit about in the air before Weiss can say a word. Then Ruby is almost directly in front of Yang, but she's falling, her legs having not caught her due to her own hyperactivity. Thankfully Yang was quick on the draw and Ruby soon found herself in the elder's arms. Weiss groans and takes a spot next to Ruby and gives Blake and Yang quick hugs.
Liath looks around the room, noting the amber, lilac, icy blue, and finally silver eyes locked on him. Pressing a button on the holographic projector before him a terrain of the base and its surrounding area jumps into view. Piecing itself together like a puzzle before the five people.
"What you are about to hear was classified during the Salem Crisis by the consensus of Ironwood, Branwen, and Oscar/Ozpin. Winter and I were let into the loop as we were the ones selected to lead the mission," Liath begins, eyeing them. "In the waning days as you closed in on Salem and her minions she had Dr. Arthur Watts spirited away to Mistral where he would continue his research into the evolution of Grimm, and at the right time release his creations onto Remnant to slaughter the survivors of her fight, win or lose. Watts was smart and careful, but there was a slip-up and his name was dropped to the Mistrailian authorities who notified us as you were preparing to leave. Ironwood couldn't spare soldiers and you four were needed in order to beat Salem into submission. Winter and my partner and I took a team of other Hunters who had survived the Fall of Beacon to settle the matter."
"Settle the matter? It doesn't look like you settled anything? Watts is still alive," Yang grunts, snorting to herself and rolling her eyes at me.
"Watch your tone Miss Xiao Long, I could gut you as quickly as your sister could take off my head. I lost friends that day, so do not treat me like a fool, especially when I survived the near total destruction of Beacon's upperclassmen."
"Yang…. He's right, we should be courteous," Ruby whispers to her sister. Yang snorts again, her eyes leveling with me and burning a dangerous crimson. Unfaltering Liath places a single hand on the hilt of his sword and returns with one eye Yang's focused glare. With a grumble and shake of her head Yang turns her attention away from Liath.
"As I was saying. We went in pursuit of Watts. He'd made himself at home in an underground laboratory here on this very spot, we still use it to this day to conduct tests on and control Grimm. When we arrived we found that he had no security detail, that was the first clue. The second was the large concentration of Grimm we had to fight our way through to get to the door in the first place. Twenty-five of us made it to the doors, roughly ten of us lying dead on the ground and another five having been airlifted for immediate medical treatment, my partner included. Twenty-five went in, Three came out."
"Three trained Hunters out of Twenty-five? What in the hell was in there?"
"The secret to the Grimm, Miss Schnee. Dr. Watts had found the secret to the Grimm."
Kingdom of Mistral, Forests near Dr. Watts' Old Laboratory
The two Hunters milling about take turns looking out into the wild treescape not too far off. The leaves and branches swayed with the warm winds flowing through them. The grass bends slightly as a strong gust catches, swaying them back and forth. A flower, its pink petals pulled off by the wind begin to float along with a couple of the loose leaves. The sun shines bright, it's burning yellow shedding light on the clearing. As the first of the two Hunters looks out he sees a glint in the black of the forest. It fades as quickly as it started and she looks again. Spotting it and then watching it flit back and forth before disappearing again. Her eyebrows furrow and she leans in.
"Hey did you see that?" She asks looking at her partner. He grunts and turns his head to check. "Right over there, in the brush inside the tree line."
The glint comes again and now he's leaning forward, eyebrows knitted together as he shields his eyes from the sun's glare and squints. Again, like a passing shadow it comes and goes, but there's no pattern to it.
"I'll take a look, stay here. Whatever this place is Liath was clear not to leave it unguarded. Call it in and have one of the patrol units come over here to cover the door." Without waiting for a response he unslings the large grenade launcher off his shoulder and struts forward.
She watches for a second as he approaches the treeline and then disappears into it, swallowed by the darkness.
"This is Huntress Ley, we might have something, Patrol 1 converge on our location."
"..." static answers her. Eyes still fixed upon the spot that had swallowed her partner.
"Patrol 1 answer?"
"..."
"Patrol 2?"
"..." The seconds turn to minutes as she watches the darkness that took him, and still not a thing has changed. Switching her Scroll channel to uplink with the nearest tower to make a long distance call to the Mistral S.R.E.D. FOB.
"Hey! Ley it's fine. You gotta come see this!" Her partner's voice catches in the wind, dragging some of it away. The air blasts hard against her and she pulls her jacket closer as the hairs on her arms stand tall. Making her way closer shadows begin to pull forward from the trees. Glancing up to watch a cloud rolling overhead and blocking out the sun she wills her knuckles to loosen on the haft of her spear. Using the blade to part the bushes she steps into the dark. A glint of silver floats in the air before her, captivating her eyes.
"See there's nothing to worry about," says her partner from behind her and she turns to see him.
Hanging from the tree on a thick tail probably as wide as half her height with a scaly onyx black beast attached to it. It's neck flaps extended out wide like a Cobra about to strike as it opens its mouth. But instead of a hiss a voice comes out, reverberating through the neck flaps.
"I told you it was okay." It dives forward, closing the distance on her spear and swiping at her with its tusks while its four muscular arms reach for the weapon. Her body reacts while her body is still processing. Flicking a switch on the spear it shortens and the blade drops into a bayonet as a barrel extends out of the haft. Bringing the weapon to bear on the white bone like chest of the Grimm a single flash and boom kicks as she fires.
A howl intermixed between the beastly pained gasp of a Grimm Goliath and her partner's voice slams into her like a wall. Stepping back to gain more room for her weapon she finds the Grimm's tail slithering down the tree trunk it had been hanging off of. At the end of the tail was a sharp silvery appendage, shining in the small light pouring through the gaps in the canopy of the trees. Shifting its massive hulk forward, nearly three times her size it bats again at her spear, and knocks it from her hands before bashing her chest with its Grimm mask and she falls backwards.
Then with a scream of birds and the shuddering of the tree's branches leaving her showered in leaves she looks around and sees no sign of the beast. Her eyes widen, head snapping back and forth as she tries to find something. Then laughter, it circles through the trees and seems to centre behind her. Jumping to her feet she makes the one hundred and eighty degree turn to see a man with a thick greying black mustache, like salt and pepper, and startlingly green eyes piercing her crazed state. Her breathing is still skyrocketing as he reaches her and places a hand upon her shoulder.
"My dear whatever are you doing out here all alone? Shouldn't you be with someone?" His eyebrows, mainly white, rise and he tilts his head.
"I… I was with my partner, I'm a Huntress we were… guarding something…"
"Oh, you mean my home?"
"You're... home?" Her head raises and she sees him standing there holding up a little device in his hand, it was white and black, and looked like an amalgamation of differently purposed Atlesian techs.
"Why yes of course dear, I couldn't let just anyone snoop around in there while I've been gone. Now Grootslang please be a kind host and show our lovely guest to her new room."
"Of course Master," comes the voice of her partner, but this time as she turns she is not armed, and her wrists are caught in a vice like grip by the Grimm's lower set of arms. Leaning its long neck in and making her look into it's fire filled gleaming red eyes. It leans down and nicks her neck with the tusks extending down from its upper jaw which parts. "I would love too…"
Kingdom of Menagerie, Belladonna Household
Sun knocked on the door, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. The door creaks open revealing Kali and Ghira standing there, Kali with her whitening hair and growing smile lines, Ghira with his own greying chest hair and glare lines.
"How are you today Belladonnas?" the Monkey Faunus asks. Ilia ducks in from the door frame and glares daggers at him as he looks from one Belladonna to the other.
"We're doing quite well Sun, why don't you come in and join us, Ilia was nice enough to drop by for dinner what's one more," Kali smiles widely, her voice as sweet as sugar and completely nonchalant. Stepping in Sun spares a glance up at Ghira before the Cat Faunus sweeps him up into a rib crushing bear hug. Gasping for air Sun is released after what felt like an eternity. Ilia continues to glare at him, and he raises an eyebrow in question. Once both the Belladonnas are out of the way Ilia grabs the monkey and shoves him against the wall, his shirt bunched up into her fists.
"Damnit Sun, when I agreed to help you and Blake we set up a clear schedule that way someone would always be here. You can't just show up every day, I need you to be here on the day you said you'd cover," Ilia hisses between her tightly sealed lips, her bangs swaying in front of her face.
"What day is it? I thought it was Tuesday?" Sun was serious, that much she could tell. A heavy sigh escapes Ilia's mouth and she releases the balls of shirt she had in her grasp. Stepping away a tint rises in her cheeks and her eyes won't meet his form.
"Its Wednesday Sun, you were here yesterday, and are supposed to be tomorrow."
"It's really Wednesday? Shit! Cover for me I'll be right back!" Sun shouts as he shoots out the door at a breakneck speed that would have impressed Ruby. Ilia simply shakes her head and renters the Belladonna's dining room, the extra place already made up for Sun.
"Where's Sun going Ilia?"
"He just realised he had something to do, he'll be back shortly… I hope," Ilia mutters the last part under her breath as she heads to the kitchen to help out.
Kingdom of Atlas, Atlesian Court
Winter looks over at her father, glaring at his high held head and knowing smirk. The judge enters and the screech of chairs fills the room. With a single motion of his hand those present retake their seats. The judge is a Faunus, no doubt thanks to Blake Belladonna. Taking his seat, claws extended as he reaches out picking the pile of papers off his desk.
"Mr. Jacques Schnee, CEO of the Schnee Dust Company, you are year by the mandate of this court in the case of Brigadier General Winter Schnee and Colonel Weiss Schnee versus Jacques Schnee. Case number 022-34517. Now Mr. Schnee you have been accused of-"
"If I may interrupt Judge?" Jacques' lawyer interrupts, rising from his seat. With a diversive grunt and a nod of his head the lawyer continues. "At present I see only one of the allegators on the other side of this courtroom room, which means by Atlesian law-"
"I'll stop you there Mr. Anderson. Colonel Weiss Schnee is away on important S.R.E.D. business, and has named myself and out lawyers in her stead for the making of decisions, a process allowed by Atlesian Military Regulations 1-23c/45a and 3/56-d. We are allowed to continue without her presence."
"Of course Brigadier General," the lawyer grunts and retakes his seat again.
"If I may now finish?" The judge raises an eyebrow. Not a word is said and a quiet fills the room. "I'd like to go first by reviewing the history of this case. I see that there have been… twenty motions for dismissal, and twenty-one motions for a new judge after the rejection of said motion… Mr. Schnee."
Jacques' head snaps to attention, his smirk still sitting on his smug face.
"I will not see the Atlesian Courts made a mockery of. From this moment forward your case will be heard by myself, and only myself unless I deem otherwise or become incapable of overseeing these proceedings. Now if I see a motion of dismissal upon on my desk I will tell you now that I will fully considerate given the evidence brought against you on the following crimes. Mr. Schnee you have been accused of multiple counts… Negligence of Minors, Child Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Manslaughter, Embezzlement, Corporate Espionage, the list continues on. Mr. Schnee as the final judge who will be seeing this case I waive your right to put forward motions until we have finished the jury selection process. You will be present tomorrow at eight am sharp for the beginnings of Jury selection. Brigadier General Schnee, your sister and you will not be required until Jury has been selected. Thank you for your time," standing and leaving without another word the judge shakes his head and walks away.
The pair of Schnees head for the door, Winter taking a left towards the landing pad where The Schneeblatt was waiting for her. Before she could get away though a grip snakes its way onto her arm and her lips pull tight as her father spins her to face him.
"What will it take to make this go away Winter? What do you and Weiss want?" His voice is a hushed whisper. Winter knew this was coming, the minute they cornered him into a trial he'd try this. Winter's baleful gaze settles on her father.
"Make this go away? I'm sorry I didn't realise that the SDC and Schnee's were suddenly spineless! You think this is about money?" Winter's voice had been raising in volume, bouncing throughout the hall. "I see you're just as conceited and blind as you were when I left. This isn't about money Father, this is about the honour and legacy of the Schnee family. You have poisoned our honour and left our legacy a ruinous mess. Weiss and I are here because they will no longer stand for it."
"Really? So this has nothing to do with Ironwood's want to control my company?" Jacques' lips turn up at the corners and his eyes narrow on Winter.
"Weiss was the last heiress to the SDC, if anyone is to take control of it it will be the one she deems is worthy," Winter's voice is tight and precise.
"You would allow your sister to hand our company outside the family line?" His smug expression wiped off his face without a second thought. "No one but a Schnee, a true Schnee will sit in the CEO's chair in the SDC office as long as I have a say about it."
"That's why we're here Father," she spat the word like poison at him. "You want this to go away? Admit to what you did, all of it, everything. Step down as head of the SDC and reinstate Weiss as Heiress to Schnee Dust and the Schnee family fortune. Do what you should from the beginning Father, be the man Grandfather saw in you, the one you threw away all those years ago."
"I will not step down, especially if you plan to hand the company over to someone else. I'd have my own head served to me before I allow such a disgrace!" Winter's hand drops to the pommel of her sabre, not even an Atlas Judge was stupid enough of trying to remove a Huntress' weapon from her.
"I would certainly love to have that arranged. Now leave before you say something you'll regret and blow your case wide open for me," Winter smirks, a deadly glint in her icy eyes before turning and heading towards her ship, not even sparing a glance backwards.
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. FOB, Secure Briefing Room
"What do you mean 'the secret to the Grimm'?" Weiss asks.
"I mean he created a piece of technology that allows him to mold Grimm, he uses the Forming Pools to create whatever he can think of… it's how he created that… thing that…" Liath glances at Ruby's legs and looks away just as quickly. "Watts has been experimenting from since before the Salem Crisis on this. It came to a head roughly around the time you went to face Salem."
Ruby's face is paler than Weiss' and her knuckles are white as she holds Weiss' hand. Weiss' eyes widen and she slowly helps Ruby to a chair as the younger woman's legs begin to tremble. Her chest begins to rise and fall faster, her shoulders shudder slightly. Weiss begins to run her fingers through Ruby's hair.
"You're saying you knew that beast was out there?" Yang's knuckles crack and her eyes flicker between lilac and crimson. Her lips tighten across her face and her brows furrow.
"Know it was out there? Know? Winter and I buried the damn thing in Watts lab where it's been stuck with enough explosives to blow the entire facility ten times over and leave not even an atom of that fucking beast!" Liath shouts his own chest heaving and with a hand wrapped around his knee. "We tried for three months to kill that thing and all we got was for it was ten dead Hunters!"
A pin could drop in the room, the four women staring at Liath with eyes wide and dropped jaws.
"It wouldn't die, so we put as many explosives into the conjoining compartments as possible and locked the entire complex down with full time security… none of the Hunters didn't know what they were protecting, but had strict protocols regarding-"
"Agent Rós?" The intercom cuts in.
"I told you that this was a closed-"
"Liath you told me that under any circumstance if something happened to Huntress Ley and her partner I should inform you immediately."
"No… I thought we had more time. Cut out Nava, I need a minute," Liath drops his head drops into his hands and he leans heavily into the table. A click resounds as the intercom cuts off and Liath raises his head. "You four need to go to the last known position of Ley and her partner now."
"What do you mean now?" Weiss grunts from a His place beside a still pale Ruby.
"Huntress Ley was the one I tasked protecting Watts' lab. Her unit was under strict units to keep commas open no matter what. If she missed a check in we could already be too late. There's a Viper and Response team prepped for such an event on landing pad 3. I'll order them to hold their launch until you four arrive… Miss Rose, you'll take command and I'll advise from here, I'm not combat worthy until they send in replacement parts for my leg."
For a second they don't move, seeming frozen in time, and then they're off, like bullets from a gun they shoot out the door and though the base. Nava, who's been by the door looks at Liath.
"Get me video of Ley's position we'll advise the response team from Command and Control," commands Liath.
Kingdom of Menagerie, Honoured Burial Grounds
Sun walks carefully, not daring to disturb a single one of the palm leaves on the ground. He stops before a simple gravestone. Carved into its surface is a roiling ocean, done by Ruby, and above the intricate and carringly carved design is a name; 'Neptune'. Sun reaches out, his hand stopping short and curling into a fist.
"I… I saw Yang again. Still a firecracker that one. I know it's been awhile, but I haven't had too many chances to come say hi. Blake's making work my tail off…" he pauses, his eyes and face contorting as water pools in his eyes. "Weiss is still being Weiss, not as cold as the Ice Queen she once was, pretty sure she and Ruby have a thing… Menagerie was declared a Kingdom by the Vytal council finally… I'm sorry you never got see it man. You always talked about getting over your fears, coming and seeing me by travelling over the sea. Adam… Adam has been sentenced for enough to put him away for a hundred lifetimes, and that's only in Vale… Blake's really turned the White Fang around. Given a good public image and all that… I wish you were here, things just aren't the same without you. They really try to help me understand, they do, but it's not easy, losing your best friend…"
A hand falls on Sun's shoulder, and the Monkey Faunus turns. Ghira is beside him, his hand resting a heavy, comforting weight on the younger man.
"Losing a friend is never easy Sun, and no one expected it to happen. I know this though, Ruby Rose was not wrong when she said that they'd want us to keep moving forward. We cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by the tired we feel inside, for it will leave us hollow and empty of everything." The pair stands quietly as the golden glowing sun sets across the horizon of the ocean, painting the sky wondrous blues, purples, and oranges.
Kingdom of Mistral, Watts' Lab
A clicking sound emanates from between Watts fingers. He holds up the piece of the device, the red flashing lights around him and near silent alarm all in the background. His hand reaches around on the floor, bumping into boxes and scattered tools. Then his fingers touch what he was looking for and grabs it.
Carefully, like one would treat a child, Watts lifts the wire cutters to the blue wire sticking out of the tiny clicking device. A drop of sweat collects on his forehead as he places the blades on the casing of the blue wire. Applying pressure lightly Watts closes his eyes and hears a short snip, and the clicking stops. Releasing his pent up breath the doctor wipes the sweat from his brow and looks at the multitude of disarmed bombs all around him.
"Well well my sweet, they really wanted to turn you and my work into atoms. A good thing they didn't blow these either, you and all of this would have actually been gone." A beep pervades the stillness of the building and Watts' smile dies on his face, lips turning downwards. Picking up the Scroll he's taken from the young woman currently presiding in one of the nearby cells he presses a button with his thumb.
"This is Watts, May I ask who is calling?"
"That's not important right now, but we have a friend in common and it's time for you to fulfill your end of the bargain. They're coming for you," answers a deep electronic voice.
"I do not take orders from a lackey, but it'll be nice to have some revenge." The line goes dead. "Grootslang, begin amassing a small number of Grimm and prepare to meet our… guests. We wouldn't like them to feel unwelcome."
"Of coursse… Massster…" Its long drawn out voice hisses. A slithering wet sliding emanates from behind Watts, slowly fading into the distance.
"This shall be a very eventful day indeed," Watts whispers turning to look at a sealed door. "Now let us see how our newest charge likes her… new interests."
Kingdom of Mistral, Forest Near Dr. Watts' Lab
The Viper had already started deceleration long before the destination was reached, the ship's max speed would have sent them blasting past their landing zone. Ruby was silent as death itself, her eyes locked on the passing blur that was the ground, and her lips pulled tight. Weiss was sitting in one of the jump seats, staring at her partner, her mind racing about what Ruby might be going through. Across from Weiss were Yang and Blake, the pair equally as quiet, eyes watching their leader with concern. The rest of the soldiers in the troop bay were busy gawking at the members of Team RWBY, but even they knew better than to speak, the tension in the air could be cut with a knife. The floor shifts and a small sphere protrudes up from the deckplate projecting a full-sized hologram of Liath.
"Team RWBY, S.R.E.D. Fireteams Blade and Dusk. Your mission is simple. Huntress Ley and her partner, along with the S.R.E.D. patrol soldiers went dark less than twenty minutes ago. You'll land and find out what happened to them, failing that you will secure the following coordinates transmitted to you now. This is a free fire zone and expect heavy Grimm presence, you've been given green light for overwhelming force and I should hope nothing will stand in your way. Medical has been briefed to prepare for casualties and wounded, extract Huntress Ley and her team. With any luck you'll be home in sixty. Dust's speed, and good hunting. Laith out."
The hologram cuts out and the ship's bay shudders slightly before the hum of its engines becomes a steady whine. The soldiers' attention is drawn to the bay door as leaves and dirt swirl in a vortex around it, Ruby at its heart. Then she simply jumps, Weiss is next, then Yang and finally Blake. Their jaws drop and they rush to the edge, repel lines dropping as they get there.
Yang hurtles past her sister, the wind rushing past her ears and deafening her to sound before she hits the earth like a meteor. Dirt and grass explode outwards, fire singing the crater as Yang stands, her eyes a ember like red. Behind her Ruby and Weiss land next, gently and calmly stepping off Weiss' glyphs, Blake simply dropping and landing on her feet like a cat. The Huntresses form a defensive circle, their eyes peeled and scanning while the ten soldiers of Fireteams Blade and Dusk hit the deck in the centre.
A clang resounds and Yang glances up as the ropes drop from the sky, the Viper already circling away, the roar of its engines fading into the stillness of Mistral's dense forests. Ruby taps Yang's shoulder drawing the blonde back to the present as they gather around the two Fireteam leaders.
"Alright, Blake and Yang will take Fireteam Dusk, head for the patrol's last known position and comm us when you've got visuals. Weiss and I will lead Fireteam Blade to Huntress Ley's post and see what we can find. Fireteam leads hold your men back and allow us Hunters to deal with the Grimm quietly. Concentrations have been up in this area and we don't want to attract any more attention than necessary. If we find nothing we head to Liath's coordinates and take a shot at whatever the Hunters were guarding out here. No risky moves, everyone comes home today," Ruby's tone is sharp and precise, like her partner's prized rapier. With a whirling set of clicks and hydraulic hisses Crescent Rose slides into locked position in Ruby's left hand, blade buried in the ground.
Weiss grabs the hilt of Myrtenaster and flicks her wrist, the blade locking into place with a satisfying thunk now free of its scabbard. Blake slowly draws Gambol and glances at Yang, whose Celica shinks into active mode on her left wrist. The four Huntresses nod once to each other and then with the respective fireteams behind them head off to the assigned locations.
Kingdom of Menagerie, Belladonna Household
"It was certainly a wonderful dinner Kali, but I really must be going. Winter Schnee asked me to help her out in Atlas for a bit with something she's having trouble with. I'll only be gone a couple days or so. Sun can keep an eye on you two during that time without annoying you too much right?"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Sun grunts at Ilia, the lizard Faunus hiding the lower half of her face behind her hand, but her eyes told Sun everything he needed to know.
"I'm certain everything will be fine Ilia, though your concern is heartwarming," Ghira answers bowing his head to her.
"You gave me a home when I had nothing left, it's the least I could do to help out around here."
"You both have busy lives and much you need to work on, don't simply let your own lives go just because you need to look after us two old cats. Now run along with the leftovers I made, Ghira needs to get back to work filling in for Blake while she's gone."
Without further adieu the two young adults were whisked out of the Belladonna household and into the bracing cool air outside. The sound of crickets chirping in the background, while the lights slowly fade away as the dark crawls in.
"I'll keep an eye on them Ilia, you don't have to worry."
"I'll always worry Sun. About everything, and everyone. Something feels like it's coming, like we're back where we standing all those years ago. Before the Salem Crisis…" Ilia clutches her arms over her chest and begins the rub them as her shoulders shudder with a passing breeze.
"Hey, no need too. I'm here and if there's one thing I'm good at its taking one for the team. I'll keep those two out of trouble, plus Weiss and Winter need your help more right now. The Liberation Front and Belladonnas can wait until we've wrested the control of the SDC out of the hands of that monstrous beast that spawned the eldest of the Schnee siblings."
"You really think the Vytal council will let them control the company while they're still in the military?"
"Dust no! That's why they've been working on an alternative, something to keep the board occupied, and not trying to oust the new CEO, while not violating the Vytal laws. It's why they need you. The evidence those two have is time sensitive and Jacques has wasted enough of ours with his showboating and drawn out attempts. If we wait too much longer some of it won't be permissible in court any longer and he might get off scot free. Can't have that happening now can we? I'll hold down the fort, Velvet and I can keep the Liberation Front busy while you're gone, and even if we can't all we have to do is make a call and the rest of Team CVFY will be here in less than day. Just go already before I forget we had this conversation and I end up having to do it all over again," Sun chuckles looking at Ilia's slightly downturned eyes, and pulled lips. Her skin is a deep blue, and Sun doesn't have to ask why, but she heads for the Belladonna's personal landing pad, a Viper with White Fange markings sitting there. "We'll be fine… it's you I'm worried about…"
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. Search, Fireteam Blade
The hoot of an owl bounces off the tree trunks as the soldiers stare through the underbrush as the Beowulf crouched on its hind legs. The beast's fur is as black as a moonless night, and seems to roll off its form in waves, while the bone white armour reflects some of the light back around the holes in the canopy above. She flicks the saftey off her rifle and aims at the Grimm's head, moving like a snail to avoid making noise. Then a blur like a snow flurry shoots out from behind a tree, drawing a line through the unsuspecting beast, cutting in half. Weiss' eyes are as hard as the steel of her blade as she looks at the disintegrating Grimm. Ruby drops, her knees bending slightly to absorb the shock, from a nearby branch and motions the fireteam forward.
"That's the third we've seen… the concentration of Grimm was off the charts though when I looked before we left," Ruby gives Weiss a glance, eyebrow raised.
"I don't like it Ruby, we searched Huntress Ley's position and found nothing, not even the sign of a fight. It might be best not to press our luck-"
"We have our orders Weiss, you know that," Ruby bites off, her raised eyebrow dropping like a stone and she levels one of Weiss' glares back at the older woman. Weiss' face contorts and she returns the look in kind.
"You know what I meant Rose."
"I'm sorry Weiss…" the younger woman's tone was soft and tired. Weiss extends a hand rubbing circles on Ruby's bare arm with her thumb.
"I know."
"Hey what's that?" asks one of the soldiers, their arm extending and pointing towards a dark grove of trees where a sliver of light glinted in and out of existence, flitting like a fly. Stepping closer the soldier cocks her head to the side.
"This area is restricted by order of Agent Rós of the Mistral S.R.E.D. FOB. State who you are," a voice casts out from another shadow not too far off. Its feminine and harsh, grunting the words.
"We have you surrounded, don't make a move," a second voice grunts from the other side of the clearing; even harsher than the first it's obviously male, and overly gruff.
Ruby's head turns from the three different places, and her lunch turns in her gut. She reacts without thought, her instincts kicking in. Crescent Rose comes to bear and a loud clanging bang fills the air as Ruby lets off four shots into the darkness.
"Fireteam Blade rally on me! Weiss, light it up out there!" Ruby shouts, her voice hard and powerful, like the sniper rounds she just let off.
"Guess the jigs up?" questions the female voice.
"Guess so," answers the man.
"And we were having sssso much fun…" a third, dark and hissing voice interjects.
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. Search, Fireteam Dusk
The sound of gunshots got Yang's attention instantly. The team had drilled silent takedowns for years both during and after the Salem Crisis. Ruby wouldn't fire unless necessary. The blonde's sisterly sense started to tingle in the back of head, but it was soon drowned out by the presence of danger closing in, like an airships radar Yang spins on her foot, punching out with Celica.
The Grimm Ursa rushes right into it, its bone cracking as it comes into contact with Yang's fist. Flames spiral outwards from the point of contact, creating a negative pressure between her fist and the Grimm's broken skull as the flames suck up the oxygen. Then Yang's arm continues forward and the Ursa is tossed backwards like a ragdoll, somersaulting over itself before slamming into a tree.
"Fireteam Dusk! Defensive formation on Belladonna!" Yang shouts, her partner dropping from concealment in the trees, pistol drawn and firing rounds down range as Ursa and Beowulves begin to pour out of the darkening forest. Yang turns smashing her right arm downward as an Ursa tries to slip past her for the S.R.E.D. soldiers. Her right arm clicks and she starts adding her own bullets to the fray as the Grimm simply try to absorb their firepower and march onward. Feeling that sharp tingle at the base of her spine once more Yang ducks and a bone flies over her head, sinking itself into the tree. Yang glares at the offending Grimm, a lobber class, Lutin to be precise. It's far shorter the the buxom blonde and knuckles around on four legs, but the real danger in this Beowulf/Boarbatusk like rip off were the bone spines on its tails, all it would take was a single flick and those barbs would be as fast as any bullet.
Yang pushes off her legs, getting airborne and landing inside the defensive circle. Blake grunts as her pistol bucks again, then stepping forward the slides her sword between two of the soldiers skewering the Beowulf rushing at them.
"Just like old times ain't it Blakey?" Yang shoots off a full teeth grin at her partner then spins firing off another round at the Lutin who had swapped positions and firing angles.
"Far too much! I thought we got rid of those damn Lutins?" Blake's answer is nearly drowned out by the clatter of the soldiers' rifles, the weapons not having stopped firing, ad serving as a bullet shield against the living wall of ever encroaching Grimm. Yang takes a step out of the circle and slams her fist into the head of yet another Grimm. Then the Grimm stop, snaps and clacks fill the air as the soldiers reload their rifles and stare at the Grimm. They weren't moving, simply sitting there staring at them with those soulless glowing red eyes.
"Why'd they stop? They never stop?" Yang's voice quavers and glances at Blake, but the other woman's expression is unreadable behind the sleek glossy black surface of her helmet. Yang could see the tilt in Blake's head, and the hand squeezing her pistol grip.
"Well if it isn't Yang Xiao Long and Blake Belladonna… I'd hoped Liath would come but I guess his most recent encounter has left him quite… indisposed from field combat. Such nasty things these little Lutins, they really don't know when to give up. I hope you provide some sport for my more…. Interesting creations, wouldn't want it being too easy now would we? Oh! And speak of the devil looks who's coming to say hi." Watts' voice stops and Yang and Blake turn to look at the slowly expanding black reaching out from the trees.
It was like a constantly shifting mass that looked like a moving mountain of mud. It what appeared to be a Grimm's face, with gleaming recessed eyes like tiny pools of fire, and a wide spread mouth as big as a car. Its lips were spread in a toothy mad grin, revealing the human like teeth like large white rocks. Those red eyes were locked on Yang, and Yang knew why, she just knew. The slick inky black of roiling mass, the human style grinders, and the bubbling of its form… It was the Grimm Ruby had described while she was lying on the ground delirious from blood loss… It was the Grimm that had tried to take her sister away.
In an instant Yang lost every ounce of self control she'd learned, mustered, and taken over her years as a Huntress. Her lilac eyes flicker like a broken television set before settling on a burning red not unlike the Grimm's own. Her teeth clench and her knuckles are white as she closes her hands into fists. Her eyebrows furrow and she stares right back, locking eyes with the monster that tried to kill her sister. It was like being underwater, Yang couldn't hear Blake's startled gasp, or the call to fire from the soldiers' leader, nor the ground shifting under foot as she launched herself like a cannon round directly into the Grimm.
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. Search Fireteam Blade
Ruby's shoulder bucked as squeezed the trigger again. It was like the ocean at the beach, with the tide pullings the water back and forth, the Grimm would ebb and flow. Their numbers swelling as yet another pack of the monsters joined the fray, only to be wiped out. Weiss was reloading Myrtenaster for the third time, her tight lips showing what Ruby already knew. Weiss rejoined Fireteam Blade's suppressing fire, using her Glyphs and Dust to throw death back at the creatures of darkness. Crescent Rose clicks and Ruby reaches back into her ammo bag, her hand scrambles around a bit, and she shifts her focus to the bag. Her fingers brush against something metal and she pulls it out. Shaking the bag she doesn't hear clanking and looks solemnly at the mag in her hand.
"Weiss, I'm on my last mag," Ruby says as she slots it in and steps out of the circle. Swinging Crescent Rose around her body Rose petals begin to float through the air and the crescent blade and Ruby turn into a blender as the Beowulves and Ursi turn up their attack.
Weiss watches Ruby as she cuts swathes of Grimm down without even an ounce of hesitation. Her jaw drops as Ruby seems to just appear in the centre of the charging groups only for them to begin to steam, black smoke rolling off their forms.
"Weiss! Ruby!" a voice cuts through her mind and turns Weiss's head. "We need support! Its… Yang… I can't get her to calm down she's just swinging at it!" Blake's voice is breathy and changing in pitch, her tone uneven, Weiss knew something wasn't right.
A roar of pain bounces through the trees and hits Ruby like a speeding train, it was her sister.
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. FOB, Operations Room
"Nava why is the link down, Viper 312 should be transmitting images?" Liath leans in. Nava gulps and looks at her boss.
"I don't know sir, it also appears we've lost direct comms to the ground teams."
"No…" Liath pushes back, his feet pounding across the floor in an uneven pattern. "Prep Vipers 216 and 670 for launch right now! I want Fireteam Echo on those birds immediately! Have them set for rescue and get medical ready for casualties!"
"Sir!" Rings Nava's voice but Liath ignores it. Grabbing his weapons heading out into the flight deck his eyes track he fireteam as they board the two FAVs. Grabbing the handle and hauling himself on Liath nods to the pilot and the airship pulls off the deck.
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. Search Fireteam Dusk
"Aaahhhhhh!" Yang stares at the Grimm, it's spontaneously grown second mouth clamped tightly around Yang's arm, the metal creaking under the strain.
"M...O...R…E…." it's deep, throaty, and grutal voice resonates. The only black lips work their way up to Yang's elbow and then bites down again.
"Aahhhh! Get! Off! My! ARM!" Yang cocks back Celica and punches forward as she releases the metal prosthetic. The kick of Celica sends Yang skidding across the ground while the Grimm's oily black goo boils, then slowly forms back. It's blob-like form shifts and it rolls forward, the goo remolding its face as it moves.
Blake grabs Yang's arm and pulls her, the wall of soldiers reforming around them. Blake raises her pistol, but a large glob of the Grimm simply falls off. Blake's eyes widen behind her helmet's facade. A sickly white arm, with black oozing cracks reaches out of the puddle of goo on the ground. Slamming onto the grass as the black slime slowly slides down like a chunk of melting ice cream the arm's muscles tighten. Another arm follows the first, spread out like someone on their knees. Then comes the body, stretching into an upward dog an opaque black helmet breaks free of the pool's surface, black cat ears with blood red cracks in their fur swivelling. Those glowing ember like slits on the helmet come alive as it locks it gaze on the blonde who had attacked it. A leg as white as snow slides up and the thing pushes off it standing up to full height, and eye to eye with Blake Belladonna. A sword is at its waste, made of cream white bone that sticks out of most Grimm's backs, and carefully it draws the blade, running a finger along the edge, its head cocking to the side to look at the offending black blood trailing down her arm and quickly encircling it in the gloves upon Blake's own. The light within the four slits shifts and it turns its arm up and down, examining it before repeating the process on the other side, the black dress and pants forming as it took a step towards the fireteam and glared at Yang.
The five humans and one Faunus have wide eyes and dropped jaws, Blake's face going ashen beneath her helmet as she watches the thing begin to circle them. The soldiers raise their weapons, split between aiming at the beast who had caused it and the creature it had created.
"M...O...R...E…?" rasps the monster's voice and it cocks its head to the side, the intense fiery glow never having lifted off of Yang. Blake stepped in front of her still downed partner, returning the monster's glare.
"You want her? You go through me."
"Ha...ppi...ly…" the word's drawn out syllables scraping against Blake's spine like a physical attack. Then it rushes the Huntresses. Its arm shoots out grabbing a pistol out of the scabbard. Bang! Bang!
"Ahhh!" The scream ripped from the throats of the two soldiers who were clutching at white bones sticking out of their abdomens. Blake was cut off though before she could do anything. The monster's legs pumped and the bone blade swept high, low, high, middle. Blake was giving ground and fast. Stepping left and leaving a shadow clone the Huntress tried to get the upper hand only to be bringing her blade to bear once more. This time though in a far more deadly position.
The monster was flexing its muscles pressing more and more of its weight down onto the Human before it. Sparks light the close air between them bone screeches across metal. Blake gasps as her foot starts to slide, and her eyes dart down. It sees its opportunity, the Faunus has looked down. Releasing the two handed grip on the sword it goes for it.
Blake's amber eyes look up to meet the glowing slits of her own helmet, then she stopped breathing. The air in her lungs was there, but as she opened her mouth she found she couldn't take in air. Strong calloused hands rough from years of war grate against Blake's smooth neck, squeezing tighter. Blake's face begins to go pale as she drops her sword grabbing at the monster's arms. Then the ground drops away and Blake can't seem to reach it, her hands rip at the cloth, tugging in a vain attempt to tear the iron grip off her throat. Her arms are starting to feel numb, and her hands aren't as quick as they normally are. Releasing a choked gasp Blake begins to realise this is where she dies. Really? Like this? In front of her at the hands of this thing? Her eyes start to flutter close and the din of fighting and clatter of rifle fire is slowly dying out, then everything goes black.
Kingdom of Mistral, S.R.E.D. Search Fireteam Blade
Ruby could move fast, that was a given, but the way the air rushed past her ears, tugged at her body, and flowed through her hair was more than just fast… it broke all laws of nature. The young Huntress was well aware of her partner's cries, of how Weiss' eyes had been filled with tears as Ruby ran. She hated doing this to Weiss, rushing off like this that is, but as much as she loved Weiss, yes Ruby Rose loves Weiss Schnee, there was only one person who Ruby would run for more than her beloved angel… Yang.
The trees were nothing but a blur, branches whipped at Ruby stinging her exposed skin with cuts. Teleportation used too much energy for it to be of any use here, she needed to go faster. Slipping under a tree Ruby caught a glimpse of gold and black, her metal feet dig divots into the ground as she slows herself. Her silver eyes rise and she stares at some kind of carbon copy of Blake, like Salem had possessed her, holding the real Blake about half a foot in the air, and her legs were no longer kicking and her arms hung loosely by her sides. Ruby's focus, her streamlined clarity Weiss had so caringly drilled into her, it all went out the window. Ruby's silver eyes glowed like the brilliant moon itself, but unlike the shattered disc she was whole.
Light, blinding, powerful, and filled with pain, exploded like a bomb outward from Ruby's form. The Grimm who'd been hiding in the darkness of the forest, waiting for their chance at a kill simply vanish, like shadows cut loose from their bindings, while the larger Grimm Majors freeze. As the light dies down Ruby steps into the field, Crescent Rose's blade covered in silvery moonlight, darkness overtaking the blue sky like clouds passing overhead. And a faint white shield surrounds the immediate clearing. Pressing off her legs her semblance kicks into overdrive, blood red petals flinging through the air as Ruby hurdles like a bullet at the monster holding Blake.
Her glowing blade swipes through the beast's arm and Blake falls to the ground, like a dropped toy. Hissing in anger the black helmeted head faces Ruby only for the gleaming blade to pass close to the monster's abdomen. It ducks backward and brings its own blade to deflect the massive scythe. But when the two weapons meet the monster finds itself holding nothing but air, as if someone had simply deleted its weapon. Its glowing fiery eyes widen as it begins to understand. But its understanding is cut short as pain blasts through its legs and it collapses beside its victim. A short pained gasp is forced from its lips along with the air in its nonexistent lungs. A boot steps onto its chest and its eyes struggle to focus, nothing but a silver and red blur visible above her.
Ruby takes Crescent Rose in two hands, and swings the weapon onto her shoulder, its light blade glinting. Then it comes down. It sees the light. It realises it belongs to the dark. It is taken back. Crescent Rose swipes through the monster's neck like a hot knife through butter, and the creature's body begins to smoke and drift away. Along with it goes Ruby's glittering eyes, Crescent Rose fades back to its obsidian black blade, and the wall drops down. Ruby raises her head and her eyes widen, her skin pales, and her knees tremble.
Large, black and bulbous its form shifts in the new light. It stays only for a second, then disappears into the darkness. Ruby feels something hot and wet stream down her face, and her knees fail to hold her weight any longer. At least the ground's soft…. Before a much darker night, with a far bloodier ending takes over her mind, leaving her chest shuddering.
A/N:
With any luck I'll manage to post the next part of this next Tuesday, which is when I'm hoping to try and update this, though given the size of plotline chapters I don't promise regularity. I'm so happy for the support, reviews are definitely welcome. This is part one of The Fox and The Hound (Hunt for Watts). I hope you guys like where I've gone, and yes I'm going into silver eyes a bit, as I feel given what we've seen in the show Ruby has some PTSD with her injured or soon to be injured friends and I want to expand on this. See ya next time!