The Winter Knight

Volume 1: Chapter 6

Gaggle of Grimm

Jaune took several deep breaths to calm himself. "Wynn I was with Pyrrha and two other students in a cave to the East of here. At least I think its East, whatever direction I came flying in from anyway. The two other students went into the cave and disturbed the Deathstalker. It came out of the cave and attacked us. I jumped on its tail and it flung me here. We need to go help Pyrrha NOW!"

"Ok Jaune don't worry we will save her," said Wynn. He turned to the rest of the students. "Everyone stays with your partner and let's move out. Jaune you'll go with Yang and me. Unless anyone wants to abandon Pyrrha to fight the Grimm alone?"

Ruby leapt forward, "Blake and I are with you Wynn." She turned to Jaune and held out the black rook to him. "Here Jaune you and Pyrrha will need this in order to pass."

Jaune took the relic from Ruby in trembling hands. "Thanks Ruby, I had forgotten all about the relics." He turned back to Wynn. "Can we please go save Pyrrha now?"

Nora and Ren stepped forward. "We're with you too. My hammer is itching to smash some more Grimm," said Nora cheerfully.

"Does anyone else hear that?" asked Blake in a nervous voice.

"I don't hear anything… wait what's that rumbling noise?" asked Wynn. "Pairs spread out it sounds like we'll have company soon. Ruby and Blake on the left flank. Nora and Ren on the right, we'll hold the middle. Ready yourselves."

Yang pushed pass Wynn and Jaune. "I'm ready for a good fight." She turned back to smile at Wynn. "I can't let you have all the fun."

The rumbling sound drew ever closer, the sounds of trees crashing, joined the cacophony. Pyrrha bathed in a red glow burst out of the forest and sprinted towards the temple as fast as she could.

"Pyrrha!" Jaune called out waved his hands wildly. "Come over here."

Moments later the massive Deathstalker burst out of the forest smashing down several trees. It shining red eyes looked across the field at the students clicking its claws menacingly. Then started to advance on the students.

Pyrrha stopped next to Jaune as her red Aura started to fade. She sat down back against the wall panting slightly. "Is everyone else ok?"

"We're ok now that you're here. How were the others when you left?" Asked Jaune.

"Cardin is pretty beat up. His Aura broke so I had to draw the Deathstalker away from him. I never saw any sign of Russel." Her sweat covered face fell, "I fear the worse for him. I… couldn't save them."

"You drew off the Deathstalker and wounded it pretty badly by the looks of it," said Jaune. The Grimm looks pretty tired. "I think we could stay ahead of it. Everyone has their relics all we need to do is get back to the cliff face before more Grimm show up. Can you still run Pyrrha?"

Pyrrha looked back up with a confident look on her face. "I can do this all day but a few more moments to catch my breath would be appreciated. I used a lot of Aura to stay ahead of the Deathstalker."

OoOoO

Ruby looked out over the field as the Deathstalker thundered across it. "The Deathstalker is tired and wounded. I say we finish if off now."

Wynn looked over at her dismissively. "No. Yang and I will slow it down, then we will retreat as a group. There is a King Taijitu nearby and we don't know what other Grimm could be in the forest."

Ruby grinned at him, "All the more reason to kill it quickly before they show up." She looked back to Blake. "Come on partner!" She pulled out Crescent Rose and charged across the green field towards the Deathstalker.

"Ruby, what are you doing?" Both Wynn and Yang shouted in unison.

Killing a Grimm duh. Ruby ignored their cries as the wind whipped around her speeding her towards the large Grimm. Then a piercing screech came from overhead. Ruby looked up to see a gigantic Nevermore broke through the clouds and dove towards her.

The huge birdlike Grimm sped towards her but then pulled up shooting a barrage of black feathers towards Ruby.

Ruby's activated her Aura and dodged left towards the tree line as a line of feathers plunged deep into the ground in front of her. She chanced a glance behind her and her mouth dropped open in shock. Blake wasn't behind her. Where's Blake? Wynn and Yang were running to catch up to her.

As she approached the tree line a feather caught the end of her red cloak pinning her to the trunk of a tree. Ruby struggled against it. How? I'm covered in my Aura? Is it that strong?

The Deathstalker cut through the feathers with its pinchers like a hot knife through butter. Then it continued scuttling towards her.

Ruby began to panic as she struggled futilely against the feather pinning her to the tree. Her fear causing her aura to sputter out and fade from sight. She closed her eyes as the golden stinger shot towards her face… but nothing happened.

After a few seconds Ruby opened her eyes to see the stinger twitching less than a foot from her face. She reflexively took a step backwards and fell over on her butt. The Deathstalker's tail was trapped in a wall of ice. "Wynn?"

"Yang get Ruby out of here now. Nora and Ren cover me as best you can." Wynn was standing just behind her. Silverthorn was thrust into the large wall of ice. He pulled the Messer out of the ice panting slightly. As the Deathstalker struggled against the ice he scanned the skies for the Nevermore. It had disappeared back above the clouds.

Yang's Aura covered fist hit the tree above Ruby's head and sent it flying into the woods. She scooped up Ruby in her strong arms as a white circle appeared under her feet and propelled her back towards the temple.

Two blurs sped past them one pink and one teal then Ren and Nora landed next to Wynn. "What's the plan?" asked Nora.

"Ren take out the weakened claw to distract it, I will take off the stinger. Nora you smash it once its weakened." Wynn replied in an even tone. His bright white Aura swirled around him like a snow globe. "It's weakened and I have the Deathstalker trapped. Let's finish it before any more Grimm arrive."

Yang landed with Ruby next to Jaune and Pyrrha who had been running forward to assist.

The Deathstalker let out an ear-piercing screech as it was unable to free itself from the ice wall. Its uninjured claw attempted to cut the ice but It's claws barely out of reach from its trapped tail. The wall of ice was several feet thick and was very strong.

Ruby watched as Ren appeared from out of nowhere next to the Deathstalker covered in bright teal green Aura. He brought both Butterfly Swords down in a double overhead strike and cut cleanly through the injured claw of the Grimm. He leapt back into the forest, disappearing from view.

Wow is he doing that? Ruby wondered. He is a ninja too?

Wynn held Silverthorn in both hands as it started to shift form. The blade lengthened turning from pure white to dark silver color. Green air dust whirled along the blade as it slashed the air. A howling vortex of wind flew out from the blade and slashed cleanly through the stinger of the Deathstalker. It fell down and slid down the ice wall. "Now Nora!" Wynn shouted.

Nora's stepped up onto her hammer and pulled a hidden trigger. A pink explosion enveloped Nora. The resulting blast launched her high into the air, easily clearing the wall of ice. She started to spin as her soft pink Aura sparkled around her. The hammer cracked the white armored carapace on the head of the Deathstalker smashing it into the ground.

The Grimm crumpled to the ground dying, but its tail wriggled back and forth like snake as it squirted black blood across the grass and ice.

"Let me down," said Ruby grumpily. This is so embarrassing, I can't believe I panicked. Yang let her down gently and Ruby looked around. "Where did Blake go? Why wasn't she backing me up? We could have handled that."

"Dunno," said Jaune. "Last time I saw her she was with you. I was too busy checking on Pyrrha. Are you ok now?"

"I'm fine Jaune," said Ruby irritably.

Pyrrha had her rifle out looking towards the sky. "Where did that Nevermore go? They are normally somewhere around 3 to 3.5-star rated Grimm and I'm not sure we can handle one that strong."

OoOoO

Wynn scanned the sky for the Nevermore as Ren and Nora approached him. He had his revolver in his hand and waited for a few more moments, but the Grimm had disappeared back above the clouds. Wynn looked back down to the pair. "Good work you two. Just excellent work. Yang didn't understate your abilities in the slightest."

Nora grinned triumphally placing the hammer across her shoulders. "Well Ren and I are kind of a big deal. You're not half bad yourself Wynn. Mind if we collect some remains for the bounty?"

"Go ahead, just don't take too long. I am certain we haven't seen the last of that Nevermore." Wynn turned to see the rest of the students coming towards them. Ignorant child charging in without her teammate. Where is Blake? Wynn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Stay calm and focused. Blake wasn't with the group. Jaune and Pyrrha appeared to be taking up the rear guard.

Ruby and Yang were the first to reach him. "Thanks for saving my sister Wynn," said Yang. She cuffed Ruby lightly on the shoulder. "Our family has a bad habit about rushing headlong into dangerous situations."

"I have noticed that particular trait. It's incredibly vexing, do you both get it from your father?"

Yang looked thoughtful, "I don't think so. Dad has always been a pretty cautious guy most of the time. I guess we both get it from our mothers."

"Hmmm curious," Wynn looked back to Ruby. "What were you thinking Ms. Rose? You gave us quite the fright."

"I could have taken the Deathstalker if the Nevermore hadn't shown up," replied Ruby hotly. She took a step away from Yang as she looked towards the woods. "I would have been fine if Blake had been with me. Where did that girl go?"

"I sincerely doubt you could have taken that thing alone. I had devised a perfectly fine plan. Why did you choose to ignore it?

Ruby crossed her arms and turned her back at him. "I don't remember anyone making you the leader Mr. Schnee."

Before Wynn could answer a massive black snake shot out of the forest towards Jaune and Pyrrha. Jaune noticed it first since Pyrrha was still watching the skies. He pushed Pyrrha out of the way as the snake's fangs struck his shield. His soft green Aura flared to life as the King Taijitu caught Jaune in its jaws. The white head of the Grimm appeared out of the forest and shot towards Ruby, Wynn, and Yang.

A light purple blur leapt out of a tree intercepting the white snake. Blake appeared in front of the snake and it snapped catching her in its jaws. The Grimm swallowed Blake's body whole. Its head immediately snapped back towards Ruby.

Blake's black blade stabbed the Grimm in the left eye as she landed lightly on its head. Its hissed recoiling in pain as black blood started to flow from its wounded eye. Blake immediately leapt back into a nearby tree. She started firing from the blind spot at the white head of the King Taijitu, its attention suddenly focused on her.

Wynn also fired a few quick shots at the white head of the Grimm adding to the Grimm's confusion. That was an unexpectedly effective attack, she is rather sneaky. I guess Ruby was right, Blake is rather ninjalike. Her semblance appears to be some kind of clone. That's what I saw earlier, I wasn't seeing double. He looked back over at the other head of the King Taijitu as Jaune started to scream.

Jaune's green Aura was still holding, the black head of the snake shook him like a dog with a chew toy. The Grimm threw him up into the air, its jaws opening wide, in an attempt to swallow him whole! The shield hit the Grimm in the side of the head, knocking it to the side. Jaune landed unsteadily on its head. He shakily stood back up and rained down a series of wild strikes to the top of the King Taijitu's head. The snake swiftly retreated back into the forest leaving Jaune to fall to the ground in a heap. "I really need to figure out a landing strategy," he wheezed.

Pyrrha leapt forward to protect Jaune's body as the shield returned to her outstretched hand. The Grimm's long tongue flicked out towards them. The massive snake's head shot forward, its jaws gaping wide. Pyrrha grabbed Jaune and leapt to the side narrowly avoiding the snake's strike.

The King Taijitu black head started to slither forward for another strike. Pyrrha reared back and hurled her red and golden javelin with all her strength. The javelin, coated in her red Aura, shot into the Grimm's open mouth and pierced upwards into its brain. The head froze slumping over falling to the ground dead.

Wynn whistled softly to himself as one half of the doubled headed Grimm was eliminated. He started to reload his revolver. Pyrrha certainly lives up to her reputation. We still might be able to get everyone out of this forest alive. Wynn turned back to the other head of the Grimm.

The white head of the King Taijitu hissed angrily as it slithered towards Ruby. She started to circle trying to keep in the Grimm's blind spot as her red Aura flared around her. Ruby fired several rounds from Crescent Rose. The snake's head shot forwards unfazed by the attack. Ruby spun the weapon and fired another round dodging upwards, the snake struck the ground where she had just been. The King Taijitu snapped its head up and smacked Ruby winding her and sending her skyward. It opened its mouth wide.

A black sword, connected to a long black ribbon, spun several times around the mouth the King Taijitu pulling it shut. Blake pulled back on the ribbon, arresting the forward movement of the Grimm. Then she leapt down off the tree pulling the ribbon with her further dragging back the snake from Ruby. "I can't hold it for long! Kill it Ruby!"

Ruby took several deep breaths. "You got it partner." She plunged downward holding Crescent Rose like a spear as the scythe blade extended down towards the ensnared Grimm. Crescent Rose scythe blade plunged deep into the blinded eye of the King Taijitu. Its whole body spasmed once, twice, thrice before finally collapsing to the ground.

"Well that was a thing," said Yang.

OoOoO

Ozpin took a sip of his coffee from his mug. Dr. Oobleck's new roast is exquisite. He continued to watch the scroll as the King Taijitu died on the screen. "It appears we have several exceptional students this year." He looked up as Glinda walked over. "How are they?"

Glinda straightened her glasses with her right hand. "Russel Thrush was poisoned and impaled by the Deathstalker. The teachers couldn't reach him in time to save him. Cardin Winchester has several broken ribs but should survive."

"A pity, I knew Cardin's father well. He will certainly be displeased by this development. Not everyone is cut out to be a Hunter. Only the best of the best. Still there will always be next year if he wishes to try again."

"The rest of the students in this group have already given up or been incapacitated," said Glinda continuing to type on her scroll. "These eight are the only ones left in the running."

Ozpin looked out from the cliff face towards the forest. "I didn't expect a Nevermore of that size to be in the forest. I am curious to see how they will handle it." He took another sip of the coffee. "Glinda make a note to remind me to ask Doctor Oobleck for more of his exquisite coffee."

"I certainly hope none of them attempt to charge it alone to kill it. I still don't understand what you see in that girl. She is certainly talented, but she isn't ready for this level of combat. Nor is that Jaune Arc. I don't care what his transcripts say, the boy is hiding something."

"Ms. Rose certainly has her mother passion for fighting Grimm. As for Mr. Arc, I am certain he will rise to the occasion. The forest is supposed to be their crucible, to separate who have the skill and determination to become Hunters and those who don't." Ozpin looked down at his scroll as the student had assembled.

"Well done everyone," said Wynn Schnee. "Now that everyone is here can everyone please stay with the group. Our numbers are our greatest strength against the forces of Grimm." He turned towards Blake and Ruby. "S0 no running off or charging in alone ok?"

"I agree," said Pyrrha Nikos. "We need to press on immediately, that Nevermore is still around and we don't know if any more Grimm are stalking us." She lifted her sword and pointed it South. If we stay under of cover of the forest it should have a harder time of tracking us from the air."

"I still think we can take the Nevermore," said Ruby sullenly.

Blake wordlessly entered the forest and the rest started to follow her. Yang grabbed her sister by the red hood and dragged her into the forest. "I want a good fight just as much as you do little sister but the mission has to come first."

Pyrrha caught up to Wynn, "Have you seen you ever seen a Nevermore that big? How many stars do you think it is?"

"I have seen bigger. Only the toughest Grimm last long in the frigid conditions of Solitas. Size isn't always an indication of strength with the Grimm, but it often is. It's probably 3.25 stars. Have you caught your breath yet?"

Pyrrha smiled. "I am, and the sooner we get out of this forest the happier I will be."

"We all will Pyrrha." Wynn took a few quick steps forward next to Blake. "You seem to have the keenest senses of anyone in the group. Will you take point until we get to the cliff?"

Blake gave him a sidelong glance as Ruby joined the pair. "Sure."

Author's Note:

Many thanks to my beta Linthal.