**DISCLAIMER**
**I do not own RWBY,Blaisingfire(the original creator of this story) does not own RWBY. Rooster teeth productions does.**
AI voice
"Speech"
'Thoughts or quotations in speech'
Cruising through the air on folded wings, all that could be heard was a faint whistle of the wind. Passerby below didn't even notice as they went about their shopping or casual walks. If anyone had bothered to look up all they would have saw was a oh-so-faint exhaust trail that could be mistaken for high clouds.
"Alright, test of the optical stealth was great, exhaust trail left a little to be desired but I doubt we left more than fumes behind. Too bad we can't test the electronic stealth huh?" Jessica said with a hint of disappointment in her voice.
Rolling her eyes she pushed a few buttons and joined the rest in the cramped space. "Leave the testing for the geeks back at R&D, I'm amazed were still airborne honestly. Thing's not even supposed to be off the drawing board but here it is flying!" Jemima waved over her shoulder from the center console.
"Yeah, but think of the potential! This brings a whole new meaning to rapid deployment or high speed infiltration." Jessica's eyes went wide, staring off into space.
"If you will excuse me Ladies, we are nearing military airspace." A distinctly computer voice spoke up.
Both of the sisters along with Yang and Jaune, who had been sitting in the back minding their own business, looked around.
"I'm not crazy, someone just talked. Is this thing hooked up to command and someone's watching us?" Jemima spoke up, immediately going on edge about being spied upon.
"No, 'this thing' is not hooked up to command, 'this thing' is carrying your presumptuous butts to command where General Ironwood is patiently waiting." With more than a little bite in her voice to scare everyone she pulled up a projection of the general in his office.
"Ah, Specialists. Good to see she arrived in one piece. I do hope she is making the ride as smooth as possible?" James said cocking his eyebrow, clearly a question more than a statement.
"Of course sir! I would never dream of mishandling precious cargo." The voice chirped up, decidedly more upbeat and courteous towards the general.
"Speaking of; Yang, Jaune, are you with us?"
Jaune wheeled the both of them over to save space and time. "Yes general, we're here. Also very confused as to why." Jaune spoke up before Yang could.
"Thats easy to answer but not over an open comm link. I don't care how well tested it is, no offense intended EDI."
"None taken general, according to some, that you've kept in the dark, I'm not even supposed to be off the drawing board." A clear jab at Jemima who promptly blushed realizing she had be overheard the entire time.
Chuckling to himself, Ironwood continued. "I see, we can discuss this more once you've arrived. Specialists, please ensure Yang and Jaune are both brought straight to my office, no detours, no stops anywhere and no sight-seeing. Is that understood?"
"Loud and clear sir!" Both specialists spoke up and saluted.
"If I had eyes I would be rolling them right now, general were approaching fast. ETA is five minutes."
*at the landing pad*
Yang was pushing Jaune in his chair as they were both led by Jessica and Jemima. Jaune's older sisters ignored the questioning stares from everyone they passed, while Jaune tried shrinking down in his chair to avoid any unnecessary attention.
"Sit up straight Jaune, it's unbecoming of an Arc to slouch in such a manner. It's only natural that they stare anyways, they're curious since they rarely see civilians in here." Halting their advance suddenly, Jemima covered her ears to the confusion of Yang and Jaune. "GET BACK TO WORK AND QUIT THE STARING!" Scaring everyone in the immediate vicinity back to work Jessica smirked and they resumed the walk to Ironwood. "Chop chop, they won't stay that way for long you two." Jessica looked back over her shoulder to see yang still dazed with Jaune egging her on to move.
"Jaune, try not to let her attitude rattle you to much, or the stares from everyone. She's just real strict when we're here is all, very by-the-book. Just give me a signal if it's all too much for you ok?" Jemima placed a reassuring hand on Jaunes shoulder as they walked behind Jessica.
It was another ten minutes of walking before finally getting to Ironwoods office. When they go to the huge double doors Jessica was talking to a very nervous private who could complete a sentence for some reason.
"Hey, what's your name?" Jaune asked, used to his sister intimating people and knowing he would get a tongue lashing later.
"Private Nomole. You must be Jaune and Yang correct?"
"Yes, we're sort of in a hurry, can you let us in or let the general know where here?" Leaning in where his sister couldn't hear he whispered. "Listening, I know Jessica is scary as hell. I grew up with her but do me a solid and I'll make it worth your while, I've got some pull with her after all." Nodding his head and avoiding smirking to much, Nomole pressed a button and announced the group.
"What did you say to him?" Jessica questioned with a glare at her little brother for making it look so easy.
"Nothing, we can talk about it later after the meeting with your boss. Unless you want him knowing you couldn't do something so simple as get a door open?" At this Jessica blush and turned away from Jaune. A victory smirk plastered on his face.
"Teasing her like that is not wise little brother, you know this better than anyone." Jemima said worried for his safety.
"Gotta agree Jaune, not the best move to pissed off the woman who could kill us all with just her hands." Yang whispered in his ear
"Trust me, I'm fine but I appreciate the concern. Now I believe we have a general to speak with?" Jaune said glancing towards Jemima who had already switched to her soldier face.
"Come in, we dont have alot of time before my next meeting. Jessica, Jemima, You both are dismissed for now please wait outside." Ironwood said not giving more than a passing glance up from his paper.
Both sisters shared a worried look but saluted and went back out the doors, closing them on their way out.
"Good, not that I don't appreciate their counsel from time to time but concerning family I already know what they will say. Winter, come on out." Ironwood said as Winter Schnee stepped out from the shadows.
"Yang Xiao Long, Jaune Arc, a pleasure to meet you. My condolences for what you suffered through." Winter simple stated not giving away any emotion.
'Typical Schnee, emotionless on the outside.' Yang had a scowl on her face at the glaring similarities between Winter and her sister. "Thanks."
"General, as you are busy, I'm sure you want to move this along. We both have teams waiting for us as well." Jaune adopted the face his sisters had, being around high-profile people most of your life he picked up some do's and don'ts of how to talk. Some, but not all.
"Quite right Mr. Arc, but lets not forget whos bill your on shall we?" Looking up from his papers to fix Jaune with a stare to crumple brick Jaune shrank a bit in his chair. Setting down the paperwork he got up and walked around to the pair. "Yang, I've seen your skills. You're an exceptional close combat fighter and give your enemies no leeway in battle. However you let your temper control you and you've faced an enemy who bested you twice because of it." Ignoring the scathing glare he turned to Jaune, "You're a brilliant tactician but lack battle experience necessary to hash out orders despite them being unpopular at times." Turning his head away from the general only confirming what he said. "Think you can work with them Winter?" Still looking at Yang and Jaune, Ironwood sat there on his desk.
"Given how they are. No, they can't function as anything more than advisors and I'd be loathe to take advice from people who lack backbone in the heat of battle." Standing in the back fixing her icy gaze on Jaune as every word seemed to lash at him like a bullwhip.
"Stop it! We get it were not the best but we're still training, on top of that we were ambushed and butchered! You seriously can't expect a couple of kids to have the same experience as Ice Queen over there when shes got years of experience on us," Turning to Winter, Yang shot a stare at her, "It's amazing that the Atlesian military has such weathered specialists, maybe the general should clean up the ranks a bit?" At Yangs words Winter's arm twitched but otherwise remained rooted to the spot.
"Stay calm Winter," Turning his approving gaze back at Yang. "Seems you can turn your temper to your advantage when the occasion calls. Good, you'll need it. For this next part I need both of you to give your consent. Do not take what I offer lightly."
"Sir, you don't mean that?" Winter was startled by what the general was proposing, if she was right.
"Yes, that, now be quite. Yang, Jaune, will you trust me?" Ironwood fixed his gaze once again on the pair of young hunters.
Looking at each other a hurricane of emotions ran through them both.
'What does Winter mean?'
'Why does he need our consent?'
'What does he have planned that we need to trust him?'
'Will we be ok?'
All this happening in a split second and finally Jaune spoke up. "Can we think on it General? This sounds like a big decision."
With a great sigh Ironwood hung his head. "Under normal circumstances, yes I'd allow that. However these aren't normal at all, I need your answer before you leave this room."
Shocked at this Yang snaked her hand down to Jaunes and squeezed it tightly, getting the message Jaune perked up.
"Can you help us bring the fight to the Fang bastards who did this?"
"I guarantee that they will be first on your list. If you're decided I need you both to sign these papers." Walking behind his desk he took out two identical forms with the words MEDICAL RELEASE in bold letters across the top. Yang wheeled Jaune closer to the desk so they could both read over them. It was typical medical and legal jargon that they both barely understood. What caught their attention was the robotics section.
"General can I ask what this is about?" Jaune pointed to the section in question.
"That's why we need you to volunteer, Its an experimental procedure to give you two back your limbs." Ironwood and Winter both watched their reactions closely and almost missed them both signing the papers without question.
"Winter, take these and get copies to Headmaster Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch." Pressing the button on his intercom, "Jessica, Jemima, please come back in." As the doors opened the sisters walked in the room, Ironwood spoke to them both. "Please take Yang and Jaune here to the designated rooms on these keys, they'll be staying a while." Shocked but offering no resistance, the sisters took the two young hunters away. "So Winter, Think you'll be able to train them now?" Ironwood said with a smirk that was hidden behind his steepled fingers.
On rare occasions Winter showed her sister love, such as when they were alone for tea. She could count on one hand how many times she smiled openly. This would go down in history as the one time Winter actually laughed. "Yes sir, I do believe I can. I hope they're ready. I won't go easy on them. Do you need me for anything else general?"
Shaking his head he replied, "No, you're dismissed Winter. Please remember that the procedure is experimental and they may have unknown complications. Nothing you aren't trained to handle though." Turning on her heel she went out the double doors and made sure to shut them on her way out.
'This is going to be fun.' Winter held herself, and her emotions, in check as she passed a group of cowering PFC's in the hall.
Pitch black smoke formed a pillar reaching towards the sky. Seemingly never ending its grasp was everywhere. Hands groped through the smog and was soon followed by a white tunic and mask. Stopping suddenly his hands went to his side to try and staunch the blood coming from his side. Giving up on that task he took off his tunic and shirt underneath and ripped several strips, he tied them together and proceeded to wrap his wound as best he could. It hurt his ribs with how tight he made it but no excess blood came through, problem one solved. Problem two was the hard drive was fried when he rolled out of the way of a collapsing tree bent on ending his life prematurely. Keeping the parts just in case he proceeded to try and find his way through the never ending smoke. Tripping over something a sharp crack could be heard followed quickly by an ear splitting scream. As luck would have it he tripped over broken concrete and the resulting fall had broken his nose. He rebounded and picked himself up only to trip over the same piece of debris and break his arm on his next trip downwards. Resolving to lay there for a bit till the pain calmed down his eyes grew heavy. Deciding that a quick nap wouldn't hurt anything he closed his eyes and drifted off.
Blasting away the debris was child's play, whoever had set the bombs was going to pay dearly. Cinder was more than unhappy. First they had to go to a white fang base were a high profile officer was killed by none other than James Ironwood himself. Then another officer foolish enough to go in undermanned ended up getting his whole squad killed BY THE SAME PEOPLE. Once she got there everything had been torched beyond all sense, nothing was left to spare. Reaching the final step downstairs she comes face to face with three beacons students, all of whom she had no data on, and one Professor Ozpin. Her blood started to immediately boil as she remembered her masters orders. 'Bring Ozpin to me, he'll fight so you'll have to beat him. As long as he can still see I don't care what you do just bring him to me.' Seemed simple enough. After all she had the powers of one of the legendary Maidens! What she did not account for was them planting bombs, where those bombs were she didn't know, or care. The building, and anything incriminating, were gone now.
"Mercury, keep your eyes open, I don't need you falling and break anything because you didn't pay attention." She snapped in frustration. This whole thing was beneath her, honestly. She wasn't one to go against Salem though. She wished Neo were here, she'd be useful in hiding their presence so no one could ambush them as she was sure the explosion gathered some attention and someone would come to investigate shortly. As if on cue, Cinder felt a tap on her shoulder and a reassuring hand on her arm, slightly tugging. Looking up she saw none other than Neo, worriedly looking at her over and tugged again at her arm.
"Ok, ok we're going. Mercury, Emerald, follow me closely and don't fall behind." Following the multicolored girl they soon made their way out of the smoke several minutes later. "Thank you Neo, Id ask how you knew where I was but I frankly don't care." Checking herself over she had multiple cuts and bruises. Closing her eyes and concentrating her aura, her wounds healed and her bruises faded away. Opening her eyes and checking again she frowned. Tears in her clothes still evident she looked over to Mercury and Emerald. Neither had any sort of cut, bruise, or any blemish whatsoever. Turning back to Neo she waved her on as to say 'lead the way' but stopped short. On her left was the body of a white fang member, upon closer inspection he had been bleeding heavily on his side and his nose and arm were both bent at unnatural angles. He wasn't breathing, losing interest fast she waved Neo on who promptly used her semblance to teleport the group away.
*underground*
Opening his eyes he immediately shut them as they started burning. Feeling his way around he hit his fingers several times on debris but dared not open his eyes.
"Hey, anyone else here? Sound off guys." Cardin said, once again opening his eyes he could barely hold them open long enough to look around. Not much could be seen as the smoke from falling concrete and the bombs going off filled the air. 'How did we survive this close to the explosion?'
"Sky, good."
"Dove, good."
"Russel, good. Ozpin's down."
'Fuck, not good, not good not good. Calm down Cardin, gotta think. Everyone's alive, maybe, we need to find that trap door and see if we can't get out.' "Russel, look around is anyone pinned or hurt?" Cardin prayed that everyone was able to move. Not that it would do much good in this smoke.
"Sorry Cardin, I can look but it'll be a minute. This smoke is killing my eyes." Russel said avoiding rubbing his eyes as tears streamed down his face.
"Make it quick, we need to find that exit and get outta here." Cardin quickly shut his mouth as an obscure piece of information found its way to the front of his thinking. 'When you're trapped and you don't know if there's an escape, move as little as possible and avoid talking as your oxygen will run out without a fresh source.' Apparently the others realized this fact faster than him as little to no noise was being made. After several long minutes of waiting Russel finally spoke up.
"Cardin, about ten meters behind you. The exit should be there, be careful as there's a lot of debris in the way. The smoke is cleared up some so it's gotta be open." Russel coughed and fell silent as to not use up the remaining oxygen.
Moving slowly so he didn't break anything the task was extremely slow. Inch by inch Cardin crawled over debris while squinting his eyes to partially see. The smoke was still thick and burned but tolerable. At one point Cardin felt something tug at his pants and he felt it was rather sharp and on his leg. Looking back he saw it was a piece of rebar that had a hold of his pants, pulling out his scroll he checked everyone's aura levels. Closing his eyes in frustration as all the levels were black. Deja vu set in as the scene set up in his mind. Looking at his current predicament he could push forward and potentially tear his pants, and his leg, or try to work his way free. As he started to shift his weight gravity made the decision for him and moved some loose debris causing him to fall and the rebar to dig into his leg, screaming out in agony.
Sky immediately opened his eyes to see what happened and flinched hard. Knowing Cardin was in pain he checked the aura levels only to see what Cardin saw just a moment prior.
"Cardin don't move and make it worse, i'll come to you and help." Sky knew it was a bluff but he gambled that his leader did not have the brains to check their aura first.
"Don't try to fool me Sky, we've all got no aura, most you can do is go to the door." Cardin winced as he spoke and blood poured from his leg. Sky started moving against the constant protests of his leader, still carrying basic medical supplies he could hopefully treat it. As he near Cardin he saw the wound was too close but didn't hit the carotid artery.
"This is gonna pinch, you'll live though so try to keep it down." Pulling out some cloth, a small plastic bar and a bottle of liquid he popped the top on the bottle and smirked to himself then cringed at what was about to happen. Pouring the contents of the bottle on the open wound Cardin screamed out then passed out from the pain. 'Yeah, alcohol does that. Thankfully he's out for this next part.' Putting the cloth around Cardins leg and securing one side with the plastic bar he began to twist the bar around, drawing the cloth tighter until the blood flow stopped. Placing a bobby pin in the cloth to hold it tight he moved further on to the door, watching all the debris. Most of the smoke was clear and the door was ajar. Pushing on it the medic couldn't get a good angle on it.
"Dove, you hear me?"
"Yeah, let me guess. You can't get a good angle of the door."
"Nailed it, make your way over to me i've got an idea."
"Yeah, you always do." Chuckling lightly Dove moved himself to his stomach and started to crawl over to Sky, most of the debris was moved out of the path thanks to Sky's efforts. "Alright, now what?"
Pulling out a small vial Sky handed it to Dove. "Drink it, its experimental and shouldn't kill you. It's supposed to give you back a limited amount of aura." Not bothering to look at Dove as he didnt want to look the man in the eye.
"Wh-...Do-...I don't want to know the odds against me do I?" Dove said as he popped the cork on the small vial.
"Nope."
"You could have lied to me, you're bedside manner sucks ass." Breathing deep he inhaled the liquid he felt a warm quickly spread throughout his body and Sky checked his scroll. Dove was lucky, he only got about ten percent of his aura but it should be enough for a single blast at the door. "Alright, get back. If this goes sideways….it's been a pleasure fighting with you all."
As Dove charged up he aimed for the door he took off. Russel and Sky saw debris and smoke fill the air again and heard Dove screaming, then silence filled the room.
A/N: So this is chapter 11, I hope you enjoy it! Next chapter will be soon, there is a poll up to resolve an issue between Blaiseingfire and I. Two weeks and the poll will be closed! Vote quickly and cross your fingers!