By the time they arrived back in Vale, the sunset already greeted them like a warm blanket. Never were they all so happy to be home after two weeks of cold, gray land.
The moment they landed, they were greeted by the festival of the tournament event. Their eyes lit immediately as they stepped off the ramp and onto solid ground after hours of travel back to Beacon.
"Check it out," Jay has stars in her eyes. "We're in time for the tournament!"
Diane's attention turned from her partner to the excited girl and the sight of the giant floating Amity Colosseum of the Vytal Tournament. She too is impressed at how it is, it never ceased to amaze her of how the tournament always appear. Students of all over Remnant are gathered for this biyearly event to test their mettle against other teams and schools. And Vale is lucky to hold this spectacular event.
Diane sighed in content, reminiscing of their first tournament against a Haven team two years ago. The match was close, both she and Kelly were knocked out of commission by an exploding warhammer. Cindy put up a good fight against the staff wielding boy, but they both somehow knocked each other out of the match, leaving Jay to fight against three members. They thought that the team was done for until-
Hello, earth to Diane," Diane blinked out of her thoughts by Cindy's gloved hand in her face. "I know you're thinking of the past. Come on, let's go grab something to eat."
"I hope they know how to make a bosna." Cindy gave another yawn, sauntering to a nearby sandwich shop that's opened specifically for the festival.
They sat around a crackling campfire, finally getting to relax after a week journey in the frozen north. And it has been a week with just eating field rations of freeze dried or canned food packages and powered coffee and milk. These were nothing new to them since they are often deployed into hostile areas pretty frequently, as only six of these special teams are active at a time until they graduate. Both team CTDK and VRDN are from Beacon.
"It feels like ages since we've eaten real food." Jay practically inhaled her double stacked sandwich and her plate of fries. A unladylike burp came from her moments later. "Even though it's only been a week.
"I'll say, I wish the field rations has a bit more diversity than just canned burgers and chicken fried noodles," Cindy agreed with a full mouth, wiping her mouth with a wrinkled napkin. "At least it won't be for a while until we get to drink powdered coffee."
"I'm not looking forward to that anytime soon," Diane punched her partner's shoulder lightly, still a bit tired from staying up all the way back. "Besides, who knows when we get called back out again."
"Who knows, could be weeks or days," Kelly's voice made them look at the girl, playing with her rebreather, gently twirling it around her finger. The right side of her lower face is jaggedly cut and scarred heavily from a ursa's claws when she pushed Diane out of the way a year and half ago. She still felt a bit guilty for causing her friend's disfiguration, and made the mask to make up for it.
"Well," The girl gave a heavy sigh, leaning back on the log and placed the mask next to her. "Lets push the thoughts aside and enjoy the present."
Diane had to agree with that, the grimm activity has been increasing steadily for unknown reasons, and the dangerous grimms are surfacing once again and it's taking a toll on them and VRDN both. She always wondered what is causing the increase and why is the numbers encountered more aggressive than the last.
"Yeah, let's." Diane muttered, looking down at the fire, hoping that the flickering warmth can calm her nerves.
"... Very well, the success and the odd factor of your mission is certainly interesting." The headmaster placed the report folder down after minutes of silence, each of them standing tall to attention for the past half hour. "A grimm migration at this time is very unlikely, not to mention the Tunneler appearing randomly from it. I will message Professor Port about his knowledge on that later."
"Thank you sir," Cindy, gives him a short bow. "Is there anything else you wanted to hear included or not on the report?"
"Not at the moment," Opzin leaned back in his chair, taking a sip from his signature mug. "I will look into the odd discoveries of a 'hollow mountain' in the Northern Shelf you've discovered."
He rose from the chair and walked in front of them.
"Nevertheless, you all are entitled to have the next few weeks off to recover if duty allows," He gestured them to the open door of the tower balcony. "And enjoy the Vytal Tournament because I applied you all into it since you seemed eager to fight something non-grimm for once."
None of them could hide a grin on their face that night.
The morning is a tad strange to Diane as she is used to the nightly rustling of bushes of crunching of snow, but the stillness of the dorms are welcoming. The soft snoring from the room signaled the exhausted members. However, Diane is always the early bird.
Throwing the covers off herself, Diane began her day, taking a shower before changing into her combat wear for the day. By the time she is done, Cindy is awake with a soft yawn, waving at her with sleepy eyes. Then came a cross of a growl and yawn from Kelly as she pushed herself off the bed and threw her pillow at Jay to wake the last member up.
"About time you guys got up," she chided, putting on her bracer and dusted off her clothing. "We have a whole day to half about."
Kelly gave a sleepy 'good morning' rumble in her throat before walking into the bathroom for a shower.
Diane took her time with the small kitchen with Cindy, making their breakfast of whatever they can find in the cupboards, which is waffle mix. She and Cindy decided that they will need to restock the fridge and cupboards later today before the store closes.
By the time they finish, Kelly is lounging in her daybed, sprawled like a lizard basking in the early sun like any other reptile would. Diane smiled a little and sat down on her teammates particularly hard bed and leaned back against her rough side. The reptile faunus let out a soft rumble from her throat at the sudden extra heat source. Jay happened to walk by and set down a warm paper plate of waffles on her head, making the girl's eyes snap open suddenly of disapproval and confusion as the dilated eyes glared at her partner while the rest giggled at the younger girl's antics.
"Hey, it's breakfast." Diane patted her head, eliciting an annoyed growl.
It took half an hour for them all to get ready for the day. The team walked out to the festival, already greeted by the sights of students and civilians walking about, chattering excitedly. Jay jumping about, Kelly enjoying the sunlight, Cindy keeping cool about the morning cold and she herself containing the child in her around the grand event. From their scroll, they watched the previous event from inside the floating colosseum, watching in interest of the battling teams. Each battle shows promising future hunters and huntresses despite their losses or victories. There is that one team that caught their attention despite all the shown previous battles.
"Team RWBY huh?" Diane arched an eyebrow, curiosity piped. "The little red riding hood, she's Summer's kid if I remember correctly."
"By the look of the petals flying everywhere," Kelly took notice, she always picks out minor details. "Yeah, she is alright."
They watched the whole match of RWBY v. ABRN, on the edge of their seats from the excitement built up from watching the match. Throughout the whole match, only one was knocked out before the rest were KO'd by the blonde boxer of RWBY.
"I have to admit," Jay threw her hands in the air. "They handled better than we did in the guys got knocked out towards the end."
They eventually spent the rest of the day walking around the festival underneath the dome, enjoying the first official day off. Some upperclassmen teams recognized and greeted them on their return to land, with some jokes and tales, they were glad CTDK is in one piece still. They all part ways, leaving the border patrol team to walk around the area once again, chattering away. They passed by a group of students that just returned from the daily battles.
"Hey, isn't that the team we saw earlier in the day?" Jay pointed out, making them all turn to see the lively team disembark the bullhead, chattering away from watching their friend fight.
"Yep, red, white, black and yellow," Cindy let a smile fall on her face. "Shall we go greet them?"
"I'm interested in having a nice chat with the team in person, not from scrolls and news." Diane added on, already walking towards the distracted team.
"Did you see the way Nora knocked them all out with one strike?" The energetic red cloaked girl literally floated around her team, chattering away.
"Yes we did Ruby," The tall, blonde boisterous girl is the only one who replied to Ruby in her excited chittering. "I have to admit, JPNR really outdid themselves this round."
"I know ri-" The girl literally walked into Cindy, who stood straight and rigid without flinching. The girl quickly stepped back, rest of her team looking at them. "Oh, sorry I didn't see…"
"Oh it's alright," Cindy patted the girl's shoulder with a gloved hand. "I want to congratulate you guys on your victory, we watched on our mission."
"Oh my gosh it's team CTDK." The girl is practically vibrating in place. Diane wondered if it's normal for people to do that, even Jay don't do that and she's the hyper one of the lot.
"Team who?" The white-haired girl asked, confusion crossing her face. The blonde girl gave her pat on the shoulder. "You've heard of this team before, Yang?"
"CTDK, one of the two Remnant Frontier Guards from Beacon, famous for keeping the borders controlled and safe," Yang nudged her before walking up to Ruby. "Hey Rubes, go ask for their autographs."
"Actually, why don't we go out for dinner later, and tell stories around the campfire ol' fashioned ways instead?" Diane offered, giving swarm smile at them. "It's on us."
"Are you sure?" The girl with a black bow on her head asked Cindy.
"Yeah we can pay for it Blake," Kelly spoke up, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning on one leg. "Besides, we have a lot to catch up."
"Besides, if you want we can train you guys for the doubles," Diane offered.
Before all that, Cindy received a message to meet at the tower for a short gathering.
"What does it say?" Diane asked her partner and leader. She tried to peer over the taller girl's broad shoulder, but CIndy shielded the information from her.
"Don't know- but it says urgently," Cindy passed the scroll to her to see.
Cindy of CTDK,
I must inform you that there is a urgent netting you must attend with your team at the tower tomorrow night at 7 PM. I will give debriefing there. Notify your team. This is to all Remnant Frontier Guard Teams from all schools.
Headmaster Opzin.
Diane nodded at the message before handing it to Kelly who then handed it to Jay seconds later.
"Let's not keep him waiting." Cindy brushed her shorts before turning in the direction of the tower. "Since they're calling all Remnant Frontier Patrols."
That night, deep in a secluded area of Forever Falls, and with Opzins approval of course, a bonfire is set up on the tallest peaks. The view is astounding, overlooking the entire forest of red, the leaves rippling like waves at the gently breeze. They with RWBY practically hiked there on foot, fast and easy without Grimm resistance.
"We're here." Diane announced, dropping the cooler next to the prepared wood stack. "Does anyone have a lighter?"
"I got it," Yang bounced next to her, grinning. "Someone punch me!"
Ruby, Weiss and Blake backed up considerably behind a rock. She, Cindy and Jay immediately caught onto what she meant and joined the younger behind the rock.
"One punch coming up," Kelly smiled under her mask. Her fist is immediately covered by her gauntlet as she cocked her arm back. Her eyes and arm began glowing as she launched it forward towards Yangs face.
No one knew what happened first- the giant explosion from Corruption Lament or Yang's fire. Let's just leave it at the fact a bonfire manage to start instantly from that. They ended up bringing out camping food they bing on their missions in the tropical areas to roast. Marshmallows, sausages, canned food that is a bit expensive which they bought themselves.
They spoke tales of their adventures in the areas that's deemed hostile and dangerous, watching the girls interested faces light up.
"... And then Jay swooped down from the tree, and Kelly launched her off with a punch at the Garugtan. She hit it so hard the giant gorilla made a new cave which we used as shelter later on," Diane finished her tale, making hand movements to exaggerate her story. "Abiet a broken arm and Kelly having a crooked nose from firing off her, they laughed it off."
"It was by far our favorite battle in the woodlands by far." Jay added, hugging Falling Sky close to her.
"But what about your most recent mission?" Weiss asked Cindy, who stayed quiet the whole time. "What is that about?"
Diane sat back on her hands, and sighed.
"Well, we were called to Atlas's northern province to a research facility that is caught in a Grimm migration. Mind you it is dead winter over there and blizzards happen every few hours," She licked her chapped lips. "We made a discovery of a hollow mountain, something odd in that area. There were strange moving shadows inside- something new. We left it alone and continued. We did not anticipate a Tunneler Grimm to even be there, but it did."
The four girls were listening intently, entranced by Cindy's tale.
"The Tunneler put up a good fight, throwing me back while on its back hundred legs, Diane and Kelly guns are like a thunder storm as they tried to keep it from burrowing under us. And then Jay paralyzed it enough for Kelly to smash it to the ground- so powerful the next fifty yards around it became a crater." Cindy leaned to the light of the fire. "Victory in hand we then ran to the steel walls of the faculty, scaling them like those wall climbing machines. Then…"
"Then what?" Ruby asked, wide eyed at her story.
"The Grimm diverted their path, which never happens- instead we were met with White Fangs, thanks to Kelly and Jay's eyes- we got into position to defend the scientists with a handful of Atlesian Knights. We held our ground as Kelly an Jay shot planes out of the sky, but when the gates fell, we were met with the Paladins and several foot soldiers. We were overrun, I took out a Paladin but bursted the fuel tank- knocking me out into a beam. Jay pulled me to safety as Kelly and Jay joined us."
"VRDN arrived in time when Kelly was injured by another Paladin.." Cindy chuckled at he memory of the berserk team. "They are real warriors, jumping onto bullheads and taking them down or fighting machines head on without fear..."