Chapter 14: True Calling


-ASH-

Ash sank his teeth into the burger, it was moist, delicious and best of all, the first thing he ate since his trip into the forest. It felt far longer than it was. Even so, he's thankful it's over. He grabbed his soda and had a large sip. He felt an arm pat him on the shoulder.

"Feeling better?" Lyra asked. "You look like you've just fallen in love."

"I don't know why but food tastes amazing today." Ash said. He took another bite.

"You dodged death kid." Rasmatas said. He sat across from him with a small steak sandwich in his hands. "You sacrificed yourself for the group, you braved the dark bowels of the world, you fought creatures you've never seen and encountered the dark reaches of mankind. Do you know what that makes you?"

"Bad at choosing missions?" Ash asked. The others laughed.

"A huntsman." Rasmatas said. "There's hope for you yet kid, keep it up and I might consider teaching you myself."

"And me too?" Billy asked. Rasmatas smiled.

"Of course Sir William, never a more noble soul." Rasmatas said with a grin.

"Oh that reminds me." Lyra said jumping from the table. "I completely forgot."

"Forgot what?" Morgana asked.

"Lancel asked me to help him with something, I'll be back in a couple hours." Lyra said grabbing her things. She took another bite from her burger.

"Lancel?" Morgana asked. Lyra started blushing.

"He's a friend." She squeaked, she darted out the door.

"Well my young compatriots." Rasmatas said, he stood up and bowed. "I must depart, Ozpin asked me to debrief him on what happened in the cave."

"Be sure to tell him of my dashing heroics." Ash said, Rasmatas chuckled as he walked out the door.

"I should probably go. My brother is over at the hospital. He probably needs me." She said. "Try not to get into any trouble."

"Wait for me." Billy said. "Your brother told me he wanted to talk today about something."

"Alright, Ash I guess that leaves you." Morgana said. Ash smirked.

"You guys just stuck me with the bill haven't you." Ash said. She laughed. He glanced at the table. Cheeky bastards. "You're lucky I have money."

"You mean you're unlucky you have money." Morgana said. They hurried out the door.

Ash signaled the waiter and looked at the bill. Sixty lien, not too bad all things considered. He left the money on the table and stepped outside. The others were long gone, the sun was shining high and the streets were oddly quiet. That's when he heard it, a single loud siren.

"What the heck is that suppo..." He began, he turned his head, a claw slammed against his face.


- CALICO -

He watched from the alley, sirens blaring all around him. Ash dropped to the ground, he struggled to push the beast off himself. He fired several rounds into it, it's teeth sunk into him. Blood splashed against the pavement. Calico flinched. Just a few more seconds. A few more seconds and it will be over, no more white fang, no more Victor, no more looking over his shoulders. He doesn't even have to pull the trigger. Just a few more seconds. He heard Ash scream, the beast swiped across his chest. Calico flinched. His hand gripped tightly against his weapon. He tried to resist, he just needed to wait.

"Dammit." He shouted. He aimed Ranger, he clicked a button and a harpoon pierced the side of the beasts head. It was an ursa, a spry one. It stumbled away from Ash, blood dripping from it's claws. It roared. "You could have been a free man Calico, guess not."

He lunged. He hopped out of the way of the charging beast and flung Ranger around it's legs. He pulled and the beast howled, it's leg tore from it's socket. It was a rather horrifying sight. He spun around, a horde of grimm were charging their way.

He glanced down at Ash, he was lying in a pool of his own blood. He was staring up at him, struggling to breath. He wasn't sure if he could move him safely. He turned back to the Grimm, three dozen beowolves charging down the street. How the heck did they get into the city? How did so many of them get into the city? He swung Ranger over his head like a lasso. He didn't like his odds.

The street erupted in gunfire, he turned to see Rojo charging his way, shield out with two gun barrels extended from it. The horde scattered for cover. Rojo stepped over and pulled out his weapon.

"We the good guys today?" Rojo asked. Calico nodded. "Alright, the others are on their way."

"Think we can hold until then?" Calico asked.

"I don't see why not." Rojo replied. A massive snake head peaked around the street corner. It's fangs were easily the size of a small automobile. "Well I guess there's that."


- ARTHUR -

Billy and Morgy hurried into the hospital. The sirens were echoed across the street, a Nevermore was circling overhead. Arthur watched from the doorway. He helped several civilians get inside.

"Where are they coming from?" Morgy asked. Guided them over to his seat. He grabbed his bag from underneath and opened it.

"I don't know where they are coming from, but their timing is impeccable." Arthur said. "Billy my boy, today's your lucky day."

"What is it?" Billy asked. Arthur pulled out a metal breastplate. He tossed it over to him.

"I owed you, I always repay my debts. Put it on, it should fit." Arthur said. "I had Morgy give me your fittings, top of the line."

Billy put it on enthusiastically. Arthur tapped a button on the shoulder, it expanded outwards, folding around his arms and legs. A small helmet wrapped around his head. The visor glowed a bright yellow.

"The suit has flexable joints, an easy retraction system so you can wear it for school and have easy access to it. The visor provides reactive lenses that brighten in dark environments and dim in bright ones. It has night and infrared vision support. Though I'd avoid using those until you get used to them." Arthur explained. "X series, these suits don't come out until next fall."

"Dad really rushed production for you?" Morgy asked. Arthur nodded.

"He'd do the same for you." Arthur replied. "Come on, let's say hello to our guests."

Billy charged out the door, his blade in hand. He lunged into a large beowulf and knocked it off it's feet. Morgana flung a neon lance at the Nevermore, it hit it's wing and it dropped onto the street, it flung it's feathers. Stepped between them and blocked with his aura. They collided and he felt himself sliding backwards. The feathers dropped to the ground and he lunged. His blade extended outwards, he swung the broad blade into the beasts head.

"Alright, we need to set up a perimeter." Arthur said. He scanned the courtyard, he could hear screaming coming from every street. "We have civilians inside, we need to keep the critters out."

He scanned the buildings again, turning the corner was an unpleasant sight, a death stalker. Followed by another, and another. The three scorpions approached, their stingers raised. Billy hurried over to them, Morgy stepped behind them.

"Alright, how do we do this?" Morgy asked.

Billy charged screaming at the top of his lungs. Arthur turned to his sister and shrugged. He followed. His blade began to glow. The lead death stalker swung it's pincher at Billy, he flung off his feet into a nearby car. One began to veer off after him. Arthur screamed at the top of his lungs. He clicked a button on his throat and the loud speakers kicked in. His scream magnified, glass shattered and the beasts began to recoil.

"Now that I got your attention you ugly bastards. Get over here so I can kill you." He shouted.

They charged, he readied his blade. It glowed brighter, he felt it vibrating. He clicked a button on the handle and swung the blade. A burst of light shot forth and a blade of pure light launched like a rock from a sling. It collided with the lead death stalker and tore it clean in half. He glanced at his blade, a small recharge meter popped up. A stinger swung down at him. He dove backwards. A blade collided with it, tied to a chain. It swung off course and into the pavement next to him. He swung his blade and sliced the stuck stinger in half. Green gas formed beneath the wounded death stalker and erupted into emerald fire. The remaining death stalker staggered backwards and scurried down the street.

"Warn me next time." Morgy said staggering over. You almost burst my eardrums."

"You'll be fine." Arthur said patting her on the head. She groaned. "Billy you alright?"

Billy pulled himself from the car and gave a thumbs up. The armor did it's job well enough. A horde of beowolves charged their way. Arthur readied his blade, it still wasn't ready to charge. He heard a roar of gunfire and suddenly gunships descended on the streets. Armed robots jumped down and opened fire on the advancing grimm.

"I never thought I'd be so glad to see the Atlesians." Arthur said. He turned to his sister. "Any idea where your friends are?"

"Lyra is with Lancel right now. Ash was at the diner last time I saw him, we weren't gone long before we heard the sirens coming from this way." Morgy said. "Do you think he's alright?"

"He's pretty far from the action, he might be helping out or he might have run into some stragglers." Arthur said. "You and Billy should check the area around the diner, I'll help the bots clean up."

They nodded and hurried off down the street. Arthur glanced around the mess. This was too close for comfort, he's never seen Grimm breach this far into the city before. He watched the bots clear up the last stragglers and they began to load the bodies into the gunships. From extermination to clean up just like that. Get enough of them, why need huntsman?


- CALICO -

The beast snarled viciously, it advanced two or three more steps. It was far more intimidating with his weapon nowhere to be found. It lunged and he dove out of the way. It swiped at the empty air and slid to a stop. It howled and beat it's chest. He scanned his surroundings for a weapon. A piece of rebar and brick. He grabbed them both, rolling out of the way as he did. The claw scratched the pavement he vacated and he swung the rebar hard. It's arm buckled, the rebar didn't. It dropped and hissed. He swung the brick hard into it's skull, corner first. It buckled and dropped like a ragdoll. It continued to hiss. He hit it over and over again, blood continued to splatter the alley. He climbed back on his feet, two more were running his way. He grabbed the lid of a trash bin and charged. The first beast swung, he raised his new found shield. It shredded it with ease. He decided to dodge the next swing.

He jumped onto the nearest dumpster. He needed to get back to the street. He dove and caught the lowest rung of a fire escape ladder. The plan was to use it to swing himself, it didn't work. The ladder dropped and he fell flat on his back. A claw swung down, he forced himself to roll. He staggered onto his feet, winded and light headed. He staggered back into the light of day. The beasts approached, they roared. A hail of gunfire and a splattering of blood overwhelmed his senses. He fell backwards. Rojo stood over him yelling something. He felt a hard slap across his cheek and sound began to flood back into his reality, as did a loud ringing. Rojo pulled him to his feet and passed him Ranger. He glanced over to Ash, he wasn't moving.

He leaned over and coughed something up, A slimy looking glob of deep red. His throat was raw, his lungs sore and his body quaking. His arms felt like noodles, his legs were stiff and chaffed. The beasts were fewer, barely two or three left. A two dozen dead on the street. Rojo looked just as tired. He struggled to raise his shield. The three remaining wolves stepped forward. Their mouths agape, drool reached to the street below. An echoing roar of an engine, the screech of gunfire and the splattering of skull tissue ended their advance. Atlesian gunships soared overhead. The mechs descended on the street and began to load up the bodies. Ash's body was lifted and carried to another gunship. They left them alone in a now empty, albeit blood soaked street. Rojo and Calico sat at the curb. Calico drew a long and pained breath.

"Good workout." Rojo said feebly. He kicked a pile of spilled shell casings aside.

"Yeah." Calico replied. He coughed up another glob. His breath tasted like copper, it made him feel sick.

"What do we tell Victor?" Rojo asked. Calico felt his stomach sink.

"Leave that to me." Calico replied.


- GWYN -

Gwyn awoke quietly, her bed was soft and the blanket warm, if a bit rough. She was in a stark white room, a small tv was hung from the wall, volume on mute. She felt numb, her limbs were stiff and she had trouble moving. She felt her body, tubes in her arms, stitching along her chest. It was a feeling she hadn't felt since she was a child, since her semblance awakened. There was a strange rhythmic beat, she could only faintly make out. She found the remote and turned up the volume of the tv. Lisa Lavender reporting live on the scene of a horrible crater. Dead grimm dissolving in Atlesian gunships, mechs patrolling the streets and paramedics helping the wounded. A knock on the door made her jump.

"How are you feeling?" Arthur asked. He sat next to her. She ran her hand along her stitching again, it felt so strange.

"Could be worse all things considered." Gwyn said. She tried to move, she gasped in pain. Arthur leaned forward.

"Try not to move, doctor's orders." Arthur said. Gwyn glanced at the tv. "That was a real mess, lucky you got to sleep through it."

"How many hurt?" Gwyn asked. Arthur shrugged.

"Numbers haven't been determined. Things are hectic out there. Luckily the grimm were contained to one district and quick intervention by Beacon and the Atlesians managed to prevent serious harm. Other than property damage of course." Arthur said. He turned off the tv. "Are you okay?"

"Ash?" She asked. He looked confused. "Is he alright?"

"I found him under a pile of rubble, he's fine." He said. "You were really out of it when we pulled out."

"I don't remember anything." She said. "I was in a hallway and Natasha was there."

"Natasha and the others are fine. Gabriels just down the hall." Arthur said. He seemed to notice the look on Gwyn's face. "Roof caved in on his legs. Doctors say he'll be up and running in no time. Just a little slower for the next few months."

"Everyone's safe?" Gwyn asked.

"Yes, everyone is safe." Arthur said. "Just get your rest. The others will be here in a few hours."

He left the room. That rhythmic beat came back. Subtle and without variation. She scanned the room, her eyes lingered to a small bag in the corner of the room. She could see her clothes in it and she instinctively reached to where her pocket would have been had she been wearing them. The rhythm continued.


- CALICO -

The restaurant was dark, the madness of the afternoon had died out. The grimm were contained and eliminated in record time. The fallout of this attack led to mass paranoia, emergency supplies sold out in most stores. There were even groups of people wearing gas masks in the panic, as odd as that seems. Calico had his own fallout to deal with. Across the table was Victor, the room was full of hooded men and woman, White Fang fanatics.

"You failed." Victor said. He pulled out a large hand cannon and began to clean it. "I don't like failures."

"I told you before, he's a friend." Calico said. He leaned forward. He could hear everyone else in the room shift. "If he was going to be a liability, he'd have done something by now. His mission failed and yet he didn't try to fight you, he didn't attempt a preemptive retaliation nor did he go to any authorities."

"What are you getting at?" Victor asked. Calico leaned back.

"There's no reason to kill him." Calico answered. Victor growled. "By that I mean, you aren't going to kill him."

"What keeps me from killing the both of you myself?" Victor asked.

"It's simple, you let him live." Calico answered. Victor barred his fangs. Calico knew he needed to sweeten the pot. "He lives, and I'm back. There's the deal."

"You're back?" Victor asked. "You spent all these years running and suddenly you're back?"

"That's exactly it. I return to the fold." Calico said. He felt his blood chill. "So either kill me now or take me back, just leave Ash and my team out of this."

"What if he goes after our interests?" Victor asked.

"Then the deal is off." Calico said. "I'm not unreasonable."

"On one condition." Victor said with a mischievous grin. "If he ever comes looking for us, you are the one to kill him."

"Deal." Calico said. He took that as his cue to leave, he quickly hurried out the door.

It was less of a bullet dodged and more a boomerang. It was only a matter of time before that came back at him and he was back to square one. At least for now he can consider it an extension.

His shack was a mess, he stumbled through his bag and pulled out his old mask. He carefully placed it on his head and gazed into the broken mirror. It fit like a glove, that was the sad part.

"Calico." He said to himself. "What did you do?"

- END OF VOLUME 2 -