Chapter 5: The First Step
Night had just fallen over Vale when the Ryu, Caesar, Luz, and Sun had arrived at the docks. They searched the area for the warehouse where the meeting was set to take place there path only lit by the shattered moon above. After an hour of searching they found a lone warehouse far from the docks dimly lit by the moon and street lights. Cautiously the group approached.
"You think this is it?" Luz whispered.
"It's the farthest one on the docks," Ryu whispered in reply.
"You sure that Peter guy wasn't lying to us?" Caesar whispered.
"Yeah how do we know he didn't make it all up?" Sun added.
"Because Peter knows better than to lie to me," Ryu whispered in reply. "And be quiet you idiot we don't want anyone to know we're here."
"Well I think it's a little late for that," a mysterious voice stated.
Out of the shadows came a man with a wearing a visor over his eyes holding a bottle of alcohol in his left hand. He had spiky hair in a light blue small mohawk flanked by dark blue hair. He wore a blue skin tight short sleeved shirt. He wore black jeans with a white belt around his waist. He wore metal plated boots.
"Long time no see Ryu," the man stated menacingly.
"Versailles, never expected to see you so soon," Ryu replied.
"Wait the Versailles like the Atlesian general Versailles?" Caesar asked.
"The one and only," Versailles answered.
"This is not good," Sun pointed out.
"Not good indeed, I've heard stories of Versailles," Luz stated.
"Oh like what?" Versailles asked.
"I heard you took on 800 men by himself," Luz answered.
"Wait what no," Versailles stated. "First off it was 700, second it was in a near mountain pass so it was only like two to four guys at a time. Gezz their already fabricating stories about me. Not that I mind it."
"Trust me I can relate," Ryu replied.
"Ah well…" Versailles began before taking a big gulp of his drink. "Ahhh… so what brings you kids to this part of town didn't your parents tell you to go to bed at a decent time?"
"Well a little birdy told us the Night Hunters were meeting here." Ryu answered.
"Peter?" Versailles asked.
"Peter," Ryu answered.
Versailles sighed. He threw his bottle to the side. It shattered upon its impact.
"This is the last time I trust that coward with anything," Versailles stated. "Anyways less on Peter and more on you kids not leaving here in one piece."
"Wait WHAT?!" Luz exclaimed.
"Can't you just let us go?" Caesar asked.
"Nope," Versailles stated.
"Should have figured." Ryu stated.
"Looks like we'll have to fight," Sun stated as he drew his blade.
Caesar morphed his left arm into a machine gun. Ryu and Luz took up fighting stances and Sun sword transformed into it's 10 foot long form.
"We'll looks like this will be fun." Versailles stated.
Versailles took up a fighting stance.
"Ryu you've fought this guy before any tips?" Caesar asked.
"Yeah don't blink," Ryu answered.
"Don't blink? What do you…" Sun began.
Before he could finish Versailles charge at the group at blinding speeds. He delivered a series of swift kicks at everyone catching Sun and Caesar of guard sending them flying back. Ryu and Luz managed to block the attack but were still sent back. The group as able to recover and land safely.
"I see what you mean by don't blink," Sun stated.
Versailles smirked. He beckoned them to come at him. They all looked to each other and all charged at Versailles. Sun was the first to arrive he brought his sword down onto Versailles. Versailles pivoted to the left and countered with a series of kicks knocking Sun back. Ryu was the next to reach him. Ryu unleashed a fury of attacks at Versailles but Versailles easily blocked all of them with his kicks before countering with a series of mid-air kicks knocking Ryu back. Caesar came at Versailles unleashing several rounds of Machine gun fire. Versailles blocked them using his boots. When Caesar neared he morphed his gun into a blade and went for a stab. Versailles easily knocked it to the side before kicking Caesar square in the face sending him flying back. Luz reached Versailles engaging him in a battle of kicks. While equal for a bit Luz eventually lost and she too was sent flying back. Ryu recovered quickly. He pulled his fists back.
"Crimson Dragon's" Ryu began.
He punched forward unleashing a torrent of flames towards Versailles.
"RAGEEEEEEEEE!" Ryu shouted.
Versailles smirked. He kicked towards the flame creating a shock wave dispersing the flames. Ryu stopped his attack and drew his blade. As this occurred Sun recovered as well. He and Ryu charged at Versailles at the same time sword in hand. They each unleashed a fury of attacks at Versailles but non connected. Versailles avoided each attack with ease before he unleashes a powerful kick sending Ryu and Sun flying. Luz and Caesar had recovered. They went on the attack. They attack Versailles sending kicks and punches at Versailles. Versailles dodged or blocked them all before countering with a series of swift kicks sending the two back. The group recovered. Versailles smirked.
"This guy's tough," Sun pointed out.
"Thanks for the update captain obvious," Ryu retorted.
"How do we bet this guy?" Caesar brought up.
"You don't but you're welcomed to try," Versailles answered.
"He's right we can't win so we have to get out of here," Luz stated.
"Oh no no no you aren't leaving here," Versailles corrected. "Well not alive."
"Ryu!" Caesar shouted.
Ryu looked to Caesar and nodded. Caesar held out his right hand towards Ryu. Suddenly Ryu had a surge of power. Through this he made a wall of flames blazing with intense heat. Blocking Versailles' path to them.
"Time to go!" Caesar shouted.
"What the hell?!" Luz exclaimed.
"No time we gotta go!" Caesar shouted.
"He's not wrong," Sun stated.
The group made their escape with Caesar focusing on Ryu and Ryu focusing on the wall of flame. Versailles smirked. He ran up and kicked the flames creating a shockwave. The flames were uneffected.
"Hmm… interesting," Versailles stated.
When the flames vanished it revealed that the group had escape.
"Oh well it's seems they've escaped," Versailles stated.
Versailles clenched his fist.
"We'll have to plan accordingly for this, Ryu's not one to go down without a fight." Versailles stated. "If he keeps growing stronger he may become a problem. Ah well best get to the meeting."
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The group safely arrived back at the school. All but Ryu collapsed from exhaustion due to running the entire way at full speed. The group took time to catch their breath.
"That was too close," Luz pointed out.
"No kidding," Sun affirmed. " Hey Ryu, how did you even pull out that much power?"
"Well I'm pretty strong so I mean it's not that impressive." Ryu answered.
"Don't pull that on me." Sun exclaimed. "You weren't holding back against him if you had that kind of power we should have been fine against that guy."
Ryu looked down.
"So… How did you do it?" Sun asked again.
"Ryu…" Caesar stated.
"Oh fine," Ryu lamented. "Caesar empowered me so I could form a wall powerful enough to stop Versailles."
"Empowered?" Luz inquired.
"My semblance allows me to empower someone's aura and by extension there semblance." Caesar explained.
"I see," Luz stated.
"Well thank goodness you did, we'd be dead without it." Sun pointed out.
"No problem but…" Caesar began. "This raises many questions."
"Your right like what's Versailles doing with the Night Hunters?" Ryu brought up.
"And what's the connection to my sister?" Caesar added on.
"More importantly what's their group's overall goal?" Ryu brought up.
"Wait what you mean don't they just want take out the faunus?" Luz pointed out.
"Yeah ain't that there goals." Sun stated.
"Trust me Versailles' not one to just target the faunus he's got bigger ambitions." Ryu explained.
"Well I say we focus on these matters later." Caesar suggested.
"Yeah it's late and we've got classes tomorrow." Luz pointed out.
"Yeah I need to hit the hay," Sun stated.
The group all went back to their respective dorms to go to bed for the night. However as the night went on Caesar tossed and turned in his bed. His mind tormented by all the questions that ran threw his head. He eventually awoke in the middle of the night. He sighed.
"Having trouble sleeping?" Ryu asked.
"Huh?" Caesar exclaimed.
He turned on a lap revealing Ryu doing two fingered push ups alternating between his left and right hand by pushing himself into the air and landing using the other side.
"Ah… yeah…" Caesar answered.
"I can relate I don't sleep well often," Ryu stated.
"Why's that?" Caesar asked.
"Three years of war and a year outside the kingdoms by myself." Ryu answered.
"I see…" Caesar replied.
"The main reason is in the war too many times I saw guys go to sleep and not wake up. So I thought it best to not sleep often." Ryu explained. "My sister thought the same as well."
"Makes sense," Caesar stated.
"Let me guess the whole mess with the Night Hunters and you sister is what's keeping you up?" Ryu speculated.
"Yeah… The whole things a big mess," Caesar stated as he walked towards Ryu. "I want to do something I just don't know what?"
Ryu hopped up onto his feet as Caesar walked back and sat back down on his bed. He sighed.
"Hell I don't even know where to start." Caesar admitted.
Ryu walked towards him.
"Well I was planning on looking into how to stop these guys and I… well… could use a some help." Ryu admitted.
"You need help with what?" Caesar questioned.
Ryu stood right in front of Caesar.
"Planning," Ryu answered.
"Planning?" Caesar questioned.
"Ozpin made you leader for a reason and I saw it in the forest and against Versailles." Ryu answered. "Hate to admit it you're better than me when it comes to stuff like that."
"You really mean that?" Caesar questioned.
"You bet," Ryu replied.
Ryu held out his hand. Caesar smirked. He took hold of Ryu's hand.
"We in this together," Ryu stated.
"You damn right we are," Caesar replied.
The two immediately went to work for the task at hand.
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Elsewhere Versailles waited under the light of the moon by a warehouse. Out of the shadows came a large man dressed in a fairly standard atlesian general's uniform with the exception of it being black were it would normally be white. Not long after this Luna walked out of the shadows. The large man looked between Versailles and Luna with an angry look.
"What's wrong Night a little upset over the recent turn of events?" Versailles brought up.
"You could say that," Night stated. "I'm more upset at your failure to eliminate those pests I already have the boss breathing down my neck and this isn't helping."
"That's what I meant," Versailles pointed out.
"Gezz Versailles it's not like you to fail to kill such weaklings," Luna taunted.
"Don't talk miss had to enjoy herself, failing to kill a target." Night retorted.
"Oh shut up what's bunch of kids going to do," Luna responded.
"Well kid the main problem is Ryu," Versailles explained.
"Him? That handsome hunk of a…" Luna began.
Night and Versailles looked to her.
"Aaaahh… that guy," Luna finished.
"Yes well I don't think that idiots the big problem," Night stated. "I think that boy Caesar is our main concern he's not strong but he shows signs of being a capable strategist and leader."
"While that is true Ryu is definitely the bigger problem," Versailles stated. "He's not one to go down easily. He'll grows stronger with each passing day. I can tell you each time I fought him he was stronger than the previous. Had he been any stronger this time around I may have had to use my semblance."
"We'll then you two should have killed him when you had the chance." Night pointed out.
"Let's not worry about it, how much strength could he gain?" Luna brought up.
"Our plan's are far along anyways these pests shouldn't be a problem." Night stated.
"Whatever," Versailles replied. "Anyways Luna."
"Yes?" Luna inquired.
"Your next assignment is to take out Mantis Green. He's a top member of the White Fang." Versailles ordered.
"Got it," Luna replied.
"We know what we have to do let's move out," Night stated.
"Right," Versailles and Luna replied.
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Back at Beacon Ryu and Caesar began going through what they knew and what they needed to know.
"Okay so we know Versailles and Luna are likely the leaders of the Night Hunters." Caesar stated.
"And we can infer that Night Owl is likely in the circle." Ryu added on.
"Night Owl? Like the atlesian general?" Caesar inquired.
"Yep he and Versailles often work together." Ryu explained.
"I see," Caesar stated. "Anyways we know they are targeting the Faunus"
"Right now the brings up the question why? There must be a reason it can't just be they hate them." Ryu brought up.
"We'll that's probably my sister's reason," Caesar pointed out. "After what they did to my family I doubt she likes them too much."
"I think the same could be said for you," Ryu stated.
"What does that mean?!" Caesar exclaimed.
"It means you don't like them too much," Ryu explained.
"Well yeah but I don't want to kill all of them for it!" Caesar shouted.
"Hahaha… I know I'm just messin' with ya," Ryu stated.
Caesar sigh.
"Anyways we the does bring up the question of what their actual goals are?" Caesar brought up.
"There's also the question of Atlas' involvement in all of this?" Ryu pointed out. "Both Versailles and Night are generals in the Altesian Army."
"And if their is a connects how deep is it?" Caeser pondered.
"Well I doubt it goes all the way up to Ironwood." Ryu stated.
"I doubt that too." Caesar stated.
"That does bring up the question of what kind of tech do they have?" Ryu pointed out.
Caesar sighed.
"This is a mess, we've got more questions than answers and no where to start," Caesar complained.
"Well… let's focus on where to start." Ryu suggested.
"Hmmm…" Caesar pondered. "We could start by trying to find how deep their connection to Atlas is? That way we know what we're dealing with. We could also look into where their base of operations are located."
"That sounds like a good start," Ryu stated. "I've got connections to the underground I'll see what I can find out in my free time."
"Good," Caesar stated. "We'll have to see who of our new friends is on board with helping us in this."
"Yeah" Ryu state.
"Our team will be easy but Luz's I don't if they be willing," Caesar stated.
"Yeah that Iris chick is real bitch," Ryu replied.
"Anyways Luz won't be a problem at least," Caesar pointed out.
"Right and besides SOMEONE's little girlfriend could get her team to go along with this," Ryu brought up.
"Girlfriend? Who? Me?" Caesar replied.
"Don't play dumb I see the way you two look at each other," Ryu stated.
"We aren't boyfriend and girlfriend!" Caesar replied
"Hahaha… right not yet at least," Ryu stated.
Caesar groaned.
"You like her and she likes you plus she's a beauty you better not let her get away man," Ryu stated.
"So what if I like her?" Caesar questioned.
"So don't be a wimp and go after her," Ryu answered.
"Anyways we'll talk to them tomorrow about this," Caesar quickly stated.
"Right," Ryu stated. "On another note do you have any rope?"
Caesar looked at him with a puzzle looked.
"Yeah why?" Caesar asked.
"I need it to tie boulders to me for my workout." Ryu stated.
"What?" Caesar questioned.
"Just give me the rope." Ryu ordered.
"Fine," Caesar stated.
He went over to his bed and grabbed some rope from his stuff.
"Here," he stated handing it to Ryu.
"Thanks see ya later," Ryu stated.
"Ah no problem."
Ryu walked out of the room.
"Hey Ryu mind if I join you?!" Caesar shouted.
"Not at all just don't fall behind in the run!" Ryu shouted back.
"Alright!" Caesar replied.
He head out after Ryu.
"Fall behind he's the one with a boulder tied to him," Caesar whispered to himself.