Road to the End, Volume 3
By: athrunzala
05: Messenger Intercepted
It had been three days since the remaining members of Team JNPR had left the Schnee estate. In that time, they had changed their mannerisms during the night, taking shifts on watch, with Jaune having detected the presence of someone, or potentially something, following their little group. It was during a particularly bad night when they sought shelter in a shallow cave that the stalker's presence was made known.
They had been wandering along a beaten path for about three hours when the storm had started. Without the proper gear for taking shelter where they stood, the trio had decided to find a cave to get them out of the biting wind and flesh ripping ice crystals that were buffeting them. With each step, they grew weaker and weaker, until Jaune called out as best he could, moving a near frozen limb to point in the direction of a cave opening.
"We can take shelter in there!"
The group made their way to the entrance, finding that it was more of a hollow in the rock than a cave, the back clearly visible. What struck them more was the signs of recent human or Faunus habitation: a small pile of burned wood in a circle near the back. Not ones to look a gift horse in the mouth at this point, they immediately got to work using Crocea Mors and Stormflower to collect more wood.
It wasn't long before they had more than enough fuel to keep a fire going for a while, which would hopefully save their camp heaters for when they could sleep out doors again. Nora got the fire going while Ren and Jaune fumbled with slightly numbed fingers to get some of the rations they had packed open. It was soon after that they were sitting round the fire, warming themselves, their bodies aching from the cold, but knowing, in their heads that somebody would have to stay awake to keep watch.
"You two were silly and went out before I could dig out your gloves, so I'll go first."
"Nora..."
"Nora, you don't have to."
Both of the boys refusing simultaneously had her confused, until she heard a boot on the drier floor of the cave.
"Do you three have ANY idea how hard it is to keep up with you in a snowstorm?"
Down at the base of the mountain, Oobleck was looking at his map by the light of a lantern. Port was on watch, as to ensure no Grimm came anywhere near their temporary, open air abode.
"We may want to set up the tent, Barty. Storm coming in."
"I will agree with you on that one completely, Peter."
Port's normally stoic expression was showing signs of concern.
"What is it?"
"Well," the lengthy lecturer said, "Based on the information from Mr. Volcanus, they left with only one tent."
"Probably to keep weight down."
"Probably. The point is that we came across a destroyed tent a day ago."
"Probably coincidence."
"The Schnee family crest was visible on it, Bartholomew."
The use of his full first name, and the mention of the crest on it brought the full gravity of the situation to bear.
"Oh my. So they are now without shelter, and that storm is coming in fast. And this won't be a short one."
"Indeed. All we can do is pray."
"Pray and hope."
Back in the cave, the situation was definitely drier, but not much more friendly than the storm outside.
"Well then. Look what the cat drug in from the cold."
"You. You hurt Yang. You caused all these problems."
"Me? Oh no. Not me."
Jaune was furious. "Oh really? Not you? Really? Tell me again, then, who her opponent was in the Singles Round, Mercury."
"Hey! Those were rigged! I was supposed to take her out. She just... got the upper hand, so Emerald had to use her semblance to get her to attack me."
"You damn son of a...!"
"Jaune!"
Ren cut his leader's outburst short.
"Yes, Ren." The blonde was now slightly annoyed.
"His weapon functions very similarly to Yang's. Fighting him in here is not advisable."
"You should listen to your friend. He knows what he's talking about. You on the other hand... Leader? That's false advertizing!"
"You can stay in here until the storm passes. After that, we will fight you, and we will find your boss."
"Ooo," the silver haired kick boxer said, his face set in mock terror, "I'm so scared."
His sarcasm being met with angry glares, he surrendered to being a temporary prisoner. So he was led inside the cave, to sit in front of the fire, where they would sit for the next 4 days, not being able to leave the shelter of the cave, save for short jaunts to retrieve more wood to keep the supply up.
It was nearing dawn on the fifth day when the storm finally let up, the huddled quartet finally able to see sunlight after what seemed like an eternity. As they stepped outside, Mercury immediately jumped away from the rest.
"What is with you?"
"Have you forgotten your promise? That we'd face off once this was over?"
Jaune shook his head and drew his sword.
"Not in the least."
Ren and Nora readied their weapons, ready to fight.
"Ren?"
"Just be ready to back him up, Nora."
But the fight would never happen. In what seemed like an instant, Mercury stumbled, his hand over his lower back, he arched in pain as arrow after arrow pierced him, coming from behind and above.
Up on a ledge, Cinder wore a sick smile on her face.
"Oh, Mercury. You were always good for a distraction."
She then turned her attention to the rest of Team JNPR.
"As for the rest of you, you'll do no better."
She knocked and fired three arrows, Nora dodging one, and Jaune deflecting another. Ren was almost clear when the third warped around his arm, piercing his shoulder. Jaune shot his head up towards the outcropping, just in time to see a small airship fly away. He then whipped around to face his team mate.
"Ren!"