The airships motors buzzed in Ravus' ears as the team headed off to their mission. After they had put their name down, they all received notices on their scrolls on where to meet the Huntress they would be shadowing, Olive. Ravus looked over at her. She wore a forest grey jumpsuit with tough brown boots and her brown hair in a ponytail. She didn't carry a weapon with her and to Ravus didn't really look much of a Huntress.
"So," Aero began, "where is our mission?"
"In the village of Danketsu." She answered.
"That village has been there for a long time." Vivian commented. "Mostly due to its unique location."
"That's right." Olive confirmed with a smile. "It lies practically on an island, surrounded by large rivers that cut it off from the rest of the more wooded areas."
"The rivers must protect them from Grimm." Natasha concluded.
"Very good. However a recent storm threw a large amount of wood into the river and it is beginning to accumulate and make a bridge that the villagers fear the Grimm can cross."
"Which in tern is causing Grimm to appear." Aero finished. Olive nodded to confirm.
"So what's the mission?" Ravus asked.
"The mission is two fold: first we need to protect the village from the invading Grimm and keep them at bay. Second, we need to assist in removing the wood so that the bridge is no longer a threat."
"That doesn't sound too bad." Ravus commented. "A few hits with our weapons should take care of the wood and the Grimm won't be too difficult."
"I wouldn't be so sure kid." Olive disagreed. "They wouldn't have called for Hunstmen if it was that simple."
"Yeah, villages often have their own system of protection from Grimm." Vivian concurred. "There must be something more to this mission."
"I think we're here!" Natasha called, pointing out of the air ship. The team looked on and spotted an opening in the trees. As the airship looped around to find a spot to land, they were able to see the entire village. Surrounded by the rivers, it did look like an island as Olive had described. In the very center was a tall building with a look out and radio antenna. Inside they could see a man working inside.
"They say that there isn't a spot to land in the village." The pilot announced. "I may have to drop you off."
"Alright." Olive answered through the intercom. "Looks like we're going to be jumping." She stated, grabbing her backpack of the floor.
"Wait, out of the airship?" Ravus asked as everyone else grabbed their items too.
"Yup. Did you think Ozpin was just crazy flying you into a forest?" Olive joked. "Landing strategies help when falling during a battle but very often Hunstmen have to simply drop into a situation, literally."
"This is so cool." Natasha squeaked, already half leaning out the ship in anticipation.
"Set up right here." Olive spoke into the intercom. "And send a message to the village we're on our way." Ravus felt the airship stabilize and hover over forest below. "Let's go." With that Olive jumped, leaving Team RAVN to follow behind.
"So Ms. Olive, how long have you been a Huntress?" Vivian asked as the team walked toward the village.
"Well, it depends on how you count it." She replied, pushing away some branches that hung over the trail. "I've had my license for about 20 years, but I know some who only count the years they've been in the field."
"Do you keep in touch with any of the Huntresses or Huntsmen you graduated with?" Natasha asked.
"I keep in touch with my old team," Olive began, pausing to check her scroll, "in fact it was only just recently that I began working solo missions. But unfortunately the Hunstmen life is not one where coworkers are around often." She finished, putting her scroll away.
"Do a lot of teams stay together?" Natasha inquired.
"Well, that depends on a lot." Olive answered. "A lot of it goes into what kind of path each member wishes to take. Some are called to continue working until they can't, trying to help as many people as they can. Others want to settle down and others still only want the fame and payment that come with being a Hunstmen."
"I guess that makes sense." Natasha commented, looking down.
"However," she continued, "some teams break from within."
"Do you mean, sabotage?" Vivian asked, worry tinting her voice.
"I wouldn't put it so maliciously," Olive countered, "but some teams break because one or more member doesn't want to be a part of it all. One of the best teams I graduated with fell to that fate."
"Who were they? What happened?" Natasha asked, hanging onto every word Olive said.
"The name escapes me, but I heard that shortly after the team had begun to plan their life out, one of the members," Olive paused, "vanished. Didn't leave a word and there was no evidence to say they had been killed. They just left. Became a lone wolf."
"That sounds terrible." Natasha commented.
"Fallen dreams lead to fallen heroes." Aero added, coming up at the end of the team.
"Ah, looks like we've arrived." Ravus looked up to see the trees clear, revealing a calm river and the village on the other side.
"We aren't the only ones." Vivian observed. Olive and the team looked toward where Vivian pointed and saw a large Ursa slowly lumbering toward a large pile of wood that crossed the river.
"That wood won't be strong enough to hold it up, will it?" Natasha asked aloud.
"Should we even wait to find out?" Ravus returned, taking out Shooting Star.
"Hold your fire." Olive disagreed, placing a hand on Ravus' shoulder. "Removing Grimm is a part of the mission but we do not want to cause a scene." Ravus looked over to see several villagers peacefully walking, unaware of both their presence and the Ursa's. "Attacking the Ursa now could cause a panic in the people, drawing more in." She removed her hand from his shoulder as he returned Shooting Star to its holder.
"Then what should we do?" Ravus asked, hit hand still hovering at Shooting Star's handle.
"What do you think?" She returned.
"Me?"
"Are you the leader?"
"Uh…" Ravus felt the eyes of his team looking at him. Technically but...
"The leader should be able to find a way to find the best option when fighting any opponent, whether a Grimm or cognizant being." Olive finished.
"But, I," Ravus stammered. I don't know what to do. You just said not to go with my idea. What am I… The team looked over as they heard the Ursa growl, now standing at the river and wiping of its face as water splashed at the sides of the wood.
"Hmmm. Aero," Olive said, turning to their white haired member, "do you have a suggestion as to how to handle this situation?"
"We should split up by skills." Aero quickly responded. "Those most equipped for fighting the Ursa will keep watch to ensure it does not enter the village. The others will go into the village and meet with those who called."
"I'll go into the village." Natasha quickly volunteered.
"Good idea. Your energy will keep everyone calm." Aero agreed. "Vivian, you should join her. Try to find what you can. Maybe get in touch with the village leader."
"Olive," Vivian turned to their Huntress, "can you join us? We're more likely to have the leader find us if you're there." Olive didn't answer but turned to Ravus.
"What do you think?" Ravus gulped.
"I, I think we should follow Aero's plan. My weapon is well equipped to take on the Ursa."
"You and Aero." She corrected. Ravus glared his eyes at Olive.
"Want to get into position?" Aero asked as Ravus continued watching the girls as they followed the path to get into the village.
"Sure." He responded through gritted teeth. Ravus pushed himself past Aero and transformed Shooting Star. Unlike Crescent Rose that had a snipper specific function, Ravus opted to have all his non-sword transformations be able to shoot. As his he heard the last mechanism fall into place, he ducked behind a large bush. He didn't turn around as he heard Aero crouch next to him. Good thing the Grimm is distracted with the water Aero, if I can hear you the Grimm most certainly could.
Why are we staking out a Grimm? Ravus thought. Our job is to kill Grimm. If we don't take care of this now then it's just going to hurt someone else later.
Why are we staking out a Grimm? Ravus thought. Our job is to kill Grimm. If we don't take care of this now then it's just going to hurt someone else later. And why ask me what I think we should do? You apparently don't think my idea is good. You're the Huntress here. Which seriously, you're a Huntress? You have no weapon and left us to take care of the Grimm.
"Ravus move!" Ravus gagged as he felt Aero pull on his cape and heard a roar and the snapping of branches. When he could breathe again he saw Aero, his sword pressing against the crushing paws of the Ursa. Ravus returned Shooting Star to a blade and ran, aiming for the underbelly of the Ursa.
"Ravus don't!" Aero tried to call. Suddenly, Aero's footing slipped from under him and the Ursa began crashing down onto the two boys. Ravus grabbed Aero and created a bubble around them and echoed as the Ursa made contact. Ravus let go of Aero and saw the Ursa roar.
"Aero, I…"
"On it." Ravus looked back as Aero as he changed out the dust compartment in Moonlight to a bright yellow dust. Without another word he stabbed the ground, creating a glyph inside the bubble. Another roar returned Ravus' attention to outside the bubble. The Ursa raised a paw and struck the bubble but stumbled back. It attempted again, this time roaring in pain. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot from the bubble striking the Ursa between the eyes, causing it to collapse.
Ravus let their protective shield fade and stared at the dissolving Grimm in front of them.
"What, what happened?" Ravus asked.
"It charged." Aero explained. "It was looking at the wood bridge when all of a sudden it turned toward us and ran. They normally don't do that unless provoked or something draws them in." Aero finished, slight confusion touching his voice.
"Well, what ever happened it's dead now." Ravus returned. "Though I could have gotten it earlier if you hadn't let go." Ravus walked away back toward the village entrance, oblivious to Aero behind him.