A team too LARJ

by Johno 343

This is a story about a team of four students at Beacon Academy and their adventures. Life at beacon is about to get interesting. With RWBY and JNPR along for the ride, it's certainly isn't going to be normal. Their past, growth and trials will shape these characters to become great hunters/tresses. This is the story of team LARJ.

8. Chapter 8

Hey Everyone, Johno 343 is back with a new Chapter! This time it's my friend Bugdevil's turn to have a shot, this chapter is based on the build of the survival test from the past remaining chapters. This basically covers the whole thing, i am seriously impressed with this. He said it was too long, i say otherwise!

A big shout-out to kitsuneLovers94 for encouraging us all the way, i hope this fanfiction get more favorites and Reviews, a small feedback can really go a long way.

Without any set backs: The 8th chapter!

Act 2: First Steps Chapter 8: Survival Test

Beacon Academy - Airship landing zone

On the morning of the survival test everyone gathered at the airship landing zone. It was the second outside event in two weeks. Only freshmen were present as this test was an annual occurrence for the first years. Some of the upperclassmen were watching them from above through the windows. The sky was relatively clear and the sunrise colored it in a mild orange.

Somewhere in the crowd team LARJ was getting ready too. Juge was fully equipped hiding several daggers under his blue vest. His whip Morte Consumptis was hanging tightly to his belt. Lucy on the other hand looked like she was just going for another day of lectures. She was even wearing her school uniform. Her katanas were hidden like always.

"Are you really going... in that get-up?" Riza mustered their team leader with disgruntlement.

"It's comfy ~"

"More comfy than your usual sweater? How?" The faunus girl was wearing her standard light clothes. The white fabric left enough space too move freely, though it tended to get stuck in some places. At least it was not as bad as Ruby's cape. Speaking of her...

"Do you know where we are going? It's an adventure! They will probably drop us off on a volcano!" She was excited.

"There are no volcanoes anywhere near this area." Weiss burst her bubble immediately.

"Also we would not survive a drop on an active volcano. And there is nothing challenging about walking around an inactive one." Blake added.

"Girls, you have to use your imagination." Ruby pouted.

"We are going to Glass Mountain." That came from none other than Jasna. She was standing behind the group holding her arms behind her head and grinning.

"How do you know that?" The scarf wearing girl earned a doubtful stare from Weiss.

"I have my sources."

"Don't make it sound more mysterious than it is. You just overheard Ozpin and Ms. Goodwitch talking." Alexandra shook her head.

"Hey don't tell on me!" The tomboy girl crossed her arms.

"Glass Mountain... is it?" Pyrrha tilted her head in thought.

"What, another Grimm infested area?" Jaune already resigned to his fate.

"Not at all. Actually Glass Mountain is known to be devoid of Grimm activity." The always well-dressed Antonio hijacked the conversation. "I see why they are holding the survival test there though."

"Yes. It is almost too perfect..." Alexandra's eyes stared into the distance as if she could see the mountain from here.

"What what, let me in on the secret!" Ruby got impatient.

"It's not really a secret. People from that area call it a famous attraction even." Antonio raised his hands calmingly. "The mountain is very special in a way."

"I think I've read about it before." Blake closed her book and recounted her memories. "Something about extreme climate fluctuations caused by unexplained dust experiments."

"D-dust experiments? So it is man-made?"

"I don't remember. It's not like I am an expert."

"It is a very unnatural place." Alex's eyes were focused again. "What a disgusting location for a test." It was not clear if she was talking about the Survival Test or the experiments performed there.

"You know a whole lot about it, huh? Are you from the area?" Jasna looked interested.

"..." Alex stayed silent.

"I just want to get it over with! I'll be ahead of you Juge." Yang was circling her arms and stretching her legs. Her gauntlets looked polished too.

"Aren't you confident?" He smiled a little fired up.

"Oh yeah!" Nora joined in.

"We won't have to wait much longer anyway it seems." Juge pointed at the incoming airship. From the outside speakers a voice could be heard.

"Prepare to enter in line. No pushing please. We will take off in 10 minutes."

The airship landed precise and released its long hatch. The students gathered around it and entered in a straight line. Most of them were carrying their weapons and some extras in bags. Inside the ship everyone got in a most relaxing position. It seemed like yesterday when they arrived at Beacon in this exact ship.

"You think they got rid of the stain on the front by now?" Jasna said jokingly. Juge's expression turned grim.

"Blood is hard to clean off." Jaune joined in.

"Just what were you thinking?" Riza hid her smile.

"Maybe you wouldn't make a good air-delivery boy, servant boy." Yang snickered.

"I got it already. It's... I just got distracted by the Nevermore." Juge turned around his back facing the others.

"Distracted enough to overlook a giant air-ship?" Now even Pyrrha said her bit.

"Loooookie ~" Suddenly Lucy exclaimed that while looking out the huge windows. Everyone looked at her and then outside where they could see Emerald Forest. The sunrise was engulfing it in light.

"Beautiful." Antonio said approvingly.

'Click'.

"K-kirk?! Where did you come from?" Jaune jerked back.

"This is a surprise. You actually take photos of something that's not indecent." Alexandra looked down on him.

"Art." It was one simple word, but everyone nodded.

A few minutes later the group had settled down and was distracting themselves from the event about to happen. The speakers on top crackled for a second and then a familiar voice could be heard. The holograms also activated at several places. They gave shape to Glynda Goodwitch. The tied up hair was almost like the real thing. Her voice was as clear as if she stood right beside them.

"Good morning first year students of Beacon Academy. As you all should be aware of we are holding the Survival Test today. I will now reveal the location and rules that have to be obeyed for the whole duration of our time there." She made a short pause as if she expected them to prepare themselves. Some people actually took note-books out.

That included Jaune.

"Are you that forgetful...?" Weiss raised a brow.

"I am not good with rules. I will just leave that part to Anto." Jasna yawned.

"Please remember them too, dear Jasna!" Antonio rubbed his forehead.

Glynda continued her monologue. "The test will be held at Glass Mountain. For those of you that are not aware it is personal property of the T&W Enterprises. Beacon is in a long-time partnership with them for over a decade now. We are using their grounds with approval, but it is a relationship of trust. Should any troubles arise they will not be held legally responsible for anything."

"T-troubles?" Jaune gulped.

"T&W Enterprises..." Weiss seemed to recognize them.

"Another big conglomerate build around the Dust industry, but is also involved in environmental prestige projects." Blake mumbled.

"So they are Weiss' future competitors?" Ruby made an 'O' face.

"The mountain can be split into four areas as shown here..." Another hologram appeared depicting a mountain range. The highest mountain in the middle was peculiar. The top was cut off and it didn't seem to be a malfunction of the electronics.

"It almost looks like it was blown off..." Pyrrha stared at it intently.

"The lowest region is engulfed by a desert type climate. Expect lots of sand and broken rock formations. Lack of water sources and shade will force you to use up all your rations early on. Beware of small, but deadly animals like the 'Stalkers'." The students looked perplexedly at this revelation.

"Stalkers?" Lucy looked confused.

"They almost look like very small versions of Deathstalkers, thus their nickname." Juge explained.

"The second region is covered by a tropical climate. Rain-forest and humid air as well as poisonous animals will be encountered here. Beware of dehydration and sudden sickness. Just remember your lessons up to now." With every word the students looked paler.

"Who would have thought that those ridiculous questions from 'prof bad touch' were actually useful." Jasna whistled in surprise.

"Refill water on second stage..." Alex was now scribbling down her own notes.

'I never would have expected her and Jaune to act in common... ever.' Riza smiled wryly.

"The third zone is a cliff region with enormous gaps. Every step will be dangerous, so beware of rock slides and climb with utmost caution. Additionally high chances of rainfall make it hard to see and increase the probability for a lack of solid grip." Now some students seemed to be about to faint.

"No problem." Ruby said with less enthusiasm than before.

"I will just carry my baby sister over the gaps." Yang laid an arm around Ruby's shoulders.

Glynda's hologram pointed at the mountain's highest region close to the top. "The last stage is a cold snow tundra. There are no signs of plant life or animals. As should be expected that high up the air will get thinner, so take some time to adjust." She was surprisingly curt about this part.

"C-cold? I hate the cold." Riza sighed.

"That's an almost criminal statement coming from someone with such a nice warm tail!" Lucy rubbed all over it.

"S-stop it!"

"Now to the rules. For every mountain zone we have prepared one checkpoint. To pass the test everyone will have to also pass every single checkpoint and reach the top. The order is of no importance, but be reminded that the test will only last until evening. Loiter around too much and you will not make it in time." She shifted her weight and crossed her arms. "All students will form teams of two once again to reach the top. Those teams will be the same as on the Initiation test."

Those words received mixed reactions. Many people sighed in relief, but some were rather depressed.

"Eh? But Aka isn't here..." Lucy looked down. As if Glynda had heard the moaning coming from several people she added this:

"For those who lack a partner, because of varying reasons we will adjust the teams accordingly. Every team receives a stamp card with four spaces on them. There will only be ONE per team."

"Please carry ours. I always lose my stuff." Jaune begged Pyrrha.

"Sure." She smiled back at him reassuringly.

"Despite that fact it is not necessary for both teammates to arrive at the top." That statement took most people by surprise. "Every student will be graded separately, but as long as one of them reaches the top it will count as a pass for the whole team."

"So that means I can just relax and let Ren do all the work?" Nora laughed.

"However." Professor Goodwitch had anticipated that reaction. "Every student has to at least reach the second checkpoint. That way we are assuring that everyone at least tried."

"Typical." Blake didn't seem to mind it much.

"The check-points will be overseen by Headmaster Ozpin, Professor Mayhiro, Professor Port and myself. We have a team of medics at the ready just in case. Remember the direness of the situation. There is a chance that some of you might die if you are not very careful." Silence enveloped the air-ship while everyone followed their own train of thoughts.

"Hohoho! You are scaring 'em quite a lot today Glynda." The voice was lower than that of Ms. Goodwitch and it was obviously someone in the same room as her.

Riza, Lucy and Antonio recognized that voice.

"He is here too?"

"Vally ~"

"I don't know if I should be shocked or relieved that you are calling such a famous veteran by a cuddly nickname." Antonio frowned slightly while keeping his standard smile.

The hologram of professor Goodwitch clearly showed her disgruntled face as she slapped her hand with her stick. Apparently she was a little annoyed by Valkin's presence. Still she managed to stay business like.

"The last rule is also very important. You are not allowed to use your personal weapons. They will be gathered before the test and locked away safely." The students started to whisper and mumble with each other immediately.

Jasna looked very awake all of a sudden. "Are they serious?"

Alexandra looked simply baffled. Reflexively her hands went down to her desert eagles. Lucy and Nora didn't seem fazed at all on the other hand. Jaune lost his spirits.

"Don't worry." Riza said to him. "It will be even less weight for you. Isn't that great?" This little stab at him was unlike her, but she felt faint at this revelation. Sure they wouldn't be fighting any Grimm, but her Ryuyari was almost a part of her body by now. It was an extension of her arms that would have proven useful in many situations...

"Haha... yeah... so much freedom and agility..." Jaune laughed dryly.

"Small tools however are allowed. That includes survival knifes and any kind of climbing equipment." Glynda seemed to have finished now as she slowly faded out of the hologram. "We will arrive shortly."

"Who would actually bring climbing equipment with them?!" Weiss complained.

"..." Juge strengthened the grip on his bag.

"No problemo Weiss! I am a climbing expert. You are in good hands." Ruby opened and closed her hands flashily.

"Keep your hands on the rocks... You will have enough trouble by yourself." The white-haired girl sighed.

"Myself?"

"Of course. For me climbing a mountain is as easy as breathing." Weiss boasted haughtily.

"She is going to use her glyphs I bet." Yang said.

"And what is wrong with that? There is no rule saying we can't use our semblance."

"Take me with youuuu!" Ruby panicked and clung to Weiss. While those two struggled the others contemplated their own tactics.

"Listen renard, we have to conserve as much water as possible. The desert and tropical zones will be very demanding. In the third zone we can refill as much as we want."

"Why not in the rain-forest?" Riza's fox-ears twitched in wonder. "Also don't call me that!"

"The water in the rain-forest is stale and will most likely be filled with bad bacteria. Also we shouldn't waste too much time there. A lot of dangerous animals roam near the water sources."

"I read that the best way to obtain water in a rain-forest is to take the liquid that gathers in the huge leaves. It's clean and probably relatively fresh." Blake explained to them and Yang.

"Let's just rush through. No need to be so cautious." The blonde brawler seemed excited. "We can probably make it to zone three without taking a break."

"That's a lot of confidence..." Blake looked at her doubtfully. Yang bumped her fists together and smiled.

"W-we will take the fastest route too, right?" Jaune asked Pyrrha. His words didn't match his behavior at all. Shaking legs, sweating and closed eyes. He probably hoped for her to deny it.

"Don't worry Jaune. I think it would be best to take a safer route even if it will take more time." Her green eyes gave off a calm feeling.

"Thank god- I mean, if you say so." He straightened his back posing confidently.

Alexandra bit her nails while looking at the incoming mountain. Kirk was standing in her shadow.

"Don't worry." He said quietly.

"I am not worried!" She snapped at him and then put one hand on her mouth. Kirk looked at her with his shining eyes. They were extremely beautiful compared to the rest of his appearance. There was worry in them.

"Now now. Ms. Wilhelm is a very tough lady. I will have trouble to keep up with her." Antonio shrugged and chuckled.

"Right." Suddenly her whole demeanor turned cold again. Like a barrier of calmness she was rejecting Antonio's existence. He was the only one she could not show any weakness too. Why was she worried anyway? There would be no Grimm and her guns would have been useless here. Telling herself these things over and over would keep her together.

"That being said, please don't abandon me. I would prefer to work as a team for once." He closed one eye and waited for her reaction.

"I don't see a problem with that. If you started acting like a leader for once."

"Ouch." He acted as if he was hit by an arrow in the chest.

"Anto!" The voice of a certain short-haired girl interrupted their little banter. "Switch with me!" Her eyes were burning as she grabbed him by the collar.

"Urgh... I am afraid I can't decide such..."

"Look I don't care what you say, just take the pervert piglet and give me Alex." The boy in her hands looked at her apologetically.

"There was no rule saying we couldn't move together once our teams meet." Surprisingly this heads up came from Alexandra. "So just try to find us once the test starts."

"Y-you are such a good girl." Jasna let go of Antonio and cried tears of appreciation.

"I-it's not that big of a deal. You will have to keep up first." Alex seemed a little overwhelmed and crossed her arms.

"So can I tag along with you this time ~?" Lucy asked the rest of team LARJ. Akashi's absence was a problem.

"Ms. Goodwitch said they would find you a partner, but I agree. Let's meet up immediately and move as a team." Riza nodded.

"We can't afford to wait though. So hurry leader." Juge said with a serious expression.

"Who cares about time? It's not like we have to be first!" Riza glared at him. Lucy was more important than grades.

"I care. With such a wishy-washy resolve we can't be on top. Strife to be the first or don't try at all." The usual reason had left his voice. "Akashi would understand that." He added.

"Why are you so-" The faunus girl was about to chew him out when the signal for landing interrupted her.

The air-ship landed at the foot of the mountain and slowly released the hatch. Students were gathering at the exit more or less prepared. Outside they were greeted by professor Oobleck and none other than Ernst Valkin. The gray-haired senior hunter was towering next to the thin looking green-haired professor.

"Don't worry Riza ~ I'll will run like the wind and find you."

"How can you be so sure?" She made a downcast expression.

"I can track Riza's smell anywhere ~"

"W-w-what?!" For a second she wondered if Lucy was actually a faunus too. Then she noticed the amused expression on her friend's face. "Don't say such embarrassing things, even as a joke!"

"We will totally go together too, right Ren?"

"Yes Nora." The both of them promised to meet Jaune and Pyrrha whenever they could.

"Our team call will be the sound of a hungry sloth!"

"I don't even know what a fed sloth sounds like!" Jaune exclaimed which was followed by laughter.

The professor and Valkin were standing in front of the students explaining the starting positions.

"Every team has a fixed starting position which can be seen on this map. Preparation time will be another 20 minutes and then we will start. Any questions? No? Splendid!" Even here he sipped his coffee. It should have been cold by now.

"If ya all please put yer weapons in these lockers and chests." Valkin put his foot on one of many huge black boxes with extremely thick locks and electronics. "These babies can withstand a bomb from close range, so don't ya worry yer little heads 'bout it."

'What kind of bomb?' Alexandra wondered. That wasn't such a reassuring statement if he didn't specify the bomb type and explosion level...

Someone interrupted her thoughts. The gray-haired man himself had started to look at her intently. While the other students were busy putting their weapons away safely and studying the map, he came over to her with squinted eyes. It was probably not due to the wind.

"It's been a while lil' Missy." His scarred face was not revealing his thoughts.

"Mr. Valkin..." Of course she recognized him. "Yes. It has been... quite some time." She avoided his gaze.

"I would like ta say ya didn't change much, but that would be one of my less convincing lies." He played with his mustache while mustering her.

"You on the other hand haven't changed at all." Her voice was weak and she walked past him to deposit her guns in one of the chests.

"Hahaha I am growing older by the day. No need to be polite." His laugh stopped abruptly. "I have met 'em just recently." The old man behind her kept talking. "They are worried sick I reckon."

"...I see." Her mouth felt dry and more words wouldn't come out. With more force than necessary she closed the box and locked it tight. After that she walked away briskly before he could say anything more.

Valkin sighed.

"Hey boy. You eavesdropped on us?" He turned towards Antonio who was putting his umbrella into another box.

"I would hardly call it eavesdropping, sir. You were talking loud enough for anyone to involuntarily hear you." He turned the lock and faced the veteran.

"Ya ain't gonna ask me who I was talking about?" Valkin stared at the brown combed hair from above. He was quite huge after all, even at his old age.

"I will tell you the same thing I told Ms. Wilhelm before. I am not here to find out about 'them' or to question her purpose. It just happens that my path crossed hers at this academy and that we cannot help but to accept that."

Valkin listened intently and then nodded.

"Curiosity is human, my boy. Denying yourself that is not healthy, but sometimes prying into other people's business is even more dangerous. It's a fine balance." He slapped Antonio on the back (which almost made him topple over) and then walked towards some students who had problems with the locking mechanism.

Glass Mountain - Starting positions

Lucy had been assigned a new partner by professor Oobleck and surprisingly it was a familiar face.

"Velveeeet ~" She hugged the bunny faunus.

"L-lucy." She smiled awkwardly.

"What about your team ~?"

"They are sick. All of them ate something bad, but I skipped lunch yesterday." She was spinning her fingers around each other.

"I am sooo relieved that it's you. I thought they would pair me with a bear or something."

"A b-bear?"

"Like one of those huge gruff black ones ~" She raised her arms to show how big she imagined it. "And they would bind me to its back so that he can't eat me."

"Why would they do that?" Velvet wasn't used to Lucy's pace yet. The red-head gave her a pocky and smiled happily.

A voice from some kind of speaker above started talking loudly. It could be heard from all the positions at the ground. When Lucy looked up her dulled eyes saw the air-ship flying high above their heads around the mountain. That was the source of the voices.

"Everyone prepare for the sign. The survival test starts in 5..."

"Aaah. I am not prepared at all. I only have some rations in my bag. Hopefully the water will be enough..." Velvet panicked a little and then noticed the calm Lucy who was just holding a small shoulder-bag. "What do you have in that bag?"

"Pocky." Was the short answer.

...

"...4..."

Juge stretched in preparation and looked at the team's stamp card again.

"We will wait for Lucy, right?" The fox-girl complained behind him. He was ignoring her until now, but it would be a hassle if she didn't understand.

"You heard what she said. She will catch up with us. Let's focus on advancing as fast as possible."

"Grrr..." That attitude of his would soon make her blow a fuse.

...

"...3..."

"Don't leave me behind Weiss!"

"Would you just shut up for a minute? If you cling to me like that you will only make me want to shake you off more!"

...

"...2..."

Yang was hopping around in anticipation. She was wearing her sunglasses, which was only appropriate considering the desert ahead.

"You got the card and map, right?"

"Yes." Blake confirmed. "Aren't you hot in that leather jacket?"

"No way. This is my number one outfit."

'That doesn't make it any cooler. In every sense of the word.'

...

"...1..."

"Hrmph... I will run so fast that you won't be able to see past my sand trail!" Jasna grumbled at Kirk. The little one was sweating a lot and seemed to curl up. The heat was probably not for him.

"Card." He was showing her the stamp card in his hand.

"Yeah yeah. I will just wait at the checkpoint for you. Hopefully I can meet up with some girls on the way."

Kirk stayed quiet and checked his bag. He had water, snacks and his camera in there. No weapons or climbing equipment. He was a very good climber ever since he was small. Those bathrooms were mostly second story or higher.

"Hot..." His eyes trailed off into the distance. There would be a lot of girls with far less clothing than usual running around this desert.

...

"START!"

"Let's go Jaune." Pyrrha started walking over the bright sand. Her outfit was practically made for hot places, so she fit quite well into this picture.

"Coming." The blond boy followed behind her. His light armor wouldn't be much of a problem, but he was not used to the sand dunes at all. Two steps into the test he slipped and fell face first into the sand. Pyrrha helped him up and wiped the sand off his face.

"You have to watch your step. It's easier to walk like this..." She showed him her technique.

"Amazing. You are even better at walking than me." He laughed.

...

"Hahahaha!" Nora was running like the wind, accidentally throwing sand into Ren's direction with every step. He wiped his eyes and followed behind.

"Don't run too fast or you will get exhausted." he yelled after her.

She continued to laugh and run and made a few circles too, creating shapes in the sand. Nora was wearing a beige cape that covered her whole body. Not a bad idea. Still...

Five minutes later Nora was huffing and lying on the ground.

"Wateeer..."

Ren sighed and handed her his water flask.

...

Antonio and Alexandra were walking through the heat with some distance between each other. Her brisk attitude had soon turned into a tired and exhausted one. There were shadows below her eyes and her long black hair was swaying in a weak breeze.

"You are not used to hot climates, I presume?" The brown-haired man tried to start some idle conversation.

"Nobody should be used to the desert. Especially... around... here..." Her throat was dry and she got quiet rather fast. Her shoulders were hanging too.

By 'around here' did she mean Beacon or the local climate which was rather cold? Antonio wondered to himself.

"...you?" It was a very short and lacking question, but Antonio understood the intention.

"Where I come from we have sunny days everyday. Rain is a rarity. So this is only slightly inconvenient, really." It was not his style to boast, he just answered truthfully.

"Good... for you..." The skirt wearing girl was breathing heavily. Perhaps he had imagined it, but it seemed like she was in a worse mood than usual now.

Glass Mountain - Desert Zone - 1 hour after the start of the test

The groups advanced at their own paces. The desert was exhausting, but not hard to traverse. Many teams were almost at the end of the zone in one hour's span. Others...

"Can't go... another step..." Lucy was falling flat on her face into the soft sand.

"You can't give up now Lucy!" Velvet frantically shook her. "H-here take some of my water." She put the flask to Lucy's lips. But the red-haired girl shook her head softly.

"I'm not thirsty."

"But what else...?"

"There is so much water here... I am swimming in soda ~"

"You are totally dehydrated! You are seeing things!" She pushed the opening into Lucy's mouth and made her drink the water. Her partner slowly recovered after emptying the bottle.

"Where did the lake go ~?"

"Far away I hope." Velvet sighed and fell to her knees in relief.

"AAAH!"

"W-what now?!"

Lucy had screamed in shock and was now looking at her bag.

"My pocky melted..." Her face showed utter devastation.

"..." The bunny faunus started sweating. And it was not because of the heat.

...

Far away from those events...

"LUUUUCY!" Riza yelled into the empty desert. She funneled her hands to increase her volume. Not far away Juge was sitting on a rock formation and sighing.

"Please stop yelling. If she was even in a 5 kilometer radius to us she would probably already have come running." Her voice was surprisingly loud. It hurt his ears just sitting several meters away from the source.

"I told you we should have waited!" The fox faunus was furious.

"And I told you that it was impossible to guess where she would go." He stood up from his hard seat. "Let's go. This is a waste of time." He had decided to view it as a forced break in between marches.

"I am not going without Lucy."

"Fine. You search the desert for her then, renard." Even Juge started to lose his patience. The heat was getting to him, even though not as badly as to his partner. He knew that they were just grated by the weather and migraines that accompanied it. But even then there was a problem with the general situation. "I'll go ahead. Don't worry about the stamps, I got the card."

"You are seriously going to leave us behind?"

"I respect your decision, but I can't give up my own agenda either. Of course I would prefer it if you came along." He rubbed his hurting head. Riza stared at him, but didn't move. Then Juge realized something. He jumped down the rocks and walked over to Riza. "Let's go to the checkpoint." He grabbed her arm and started walking.

"H-hey! Why are you always pulling me along? I told you I want to search for-" She resisted, but Juge didn't stop.

"Let's go to the checkpoint." He repeated.

Riza wanted to fight back, but then she also realized what his words implied.

"Everyone has to go through the checkpoints at some point..." She felt stupid for not realizing that earlier. If they just arrived there first they would definitely meet Lucy and her partner there! But if those two were to reach it first they might go ahead without them. Now that she understood his intentions Riza freed her arm from his grip. "Hurry up then!"

Juge watched as she suddenly started sprinting ahead like a wild fox.

"What am I ever going to do with you...?" He shook his head and followed behind her with a solid strut.

...

Not too far away from that another girl also ran like the wind. It was Jasna Zora and she was really giving it her all to shake off a certain pervert that was also her partner for this test.

"Why are you so damn fast, you gnome!" Her feet where taking her through sand and stone as if she didn't even touch them, but the small guy was surprisingly persistent too. He managed to keep up with her, while also staying out of her hitting range.

"Stamps." he replied. He was holding their stamp card in his left hand and the camera in his right.

"You can keep that thing. I don't care!" With a unexpected turn she tried to make him lose his balance, but Kirk just jumped on a rock and then over her.

"Team." He pointed at himself and then at her.

"I am not a team player. I'd rather be the coach... Of an all girls team." She crossed her arms.

Kirk started to imagine that and seemed to agree. "Me too."

"No way. Who'd want a coach that is smaller than even the bench... were you always THAT small?" Her lilac eyes measured his height, but something seemed off.

Now Kirk also noticed something. He looked down and saw his feet slowly disappearing into the sand...

"Quick-sand." Jasna commented.

"Quick-sand." Kirk repeated while his legs slowly sank into the bottomless ground.

"That's too bad." She jumped on his head and used him as a springboard too fly several meters through the air to a rock. The impact made Kirk sink deeper into the sand. "See ya around ~" Jasna winked and then continued to walk towards the horizon.

Kirk was slowly disappearing form this world. He gulped. His camera made one last clicking sound before he vanished completely. The last picture showed a nice blue sky. Cloudless. Pure. Except for something Black and Yellow flying through it very high up.

...

Several meters above Kirk's early demise a pair of girls was sailing through the air.

"This was a terrible idea!" Blake whispered while clinging desperately to Yang.

"Hahaha it's great isn't it?" The air pressure made it hard to understand each other, which is why she misinterpreted her passenger's words.

The two of them had found a palm tree next to a water hole. As if this was not already unbelievably lucky they also obtained a rope and some stones. Yang came up with the brilliant(?) idea to use the rope to bind down the palm tree and use the rocks as weight. They then climbed onto the branches and cut the rope. The force of the straightening tree catapulted them far into the air.

For the most part Blake had screamed and then they were falling down, which was even worse, but Yang was not really concerned about it. They could already see the vegetation start to increase and a little further up was the tropical landscape filled with trees.

"Fiiiiiiirst!" The blonde girl yelled as they crashed through a bunch of trees and bushes and rolled over to a little hut. Twigs and leaves where stuck in their hair and clothes, but aside from that they were fine. Yang immediately stood up again, while Blake was taking her time to orientate.

"Told ya we would make it." She grinned widely and reached out her hand. Blake took it and was pulled on her feet.

"Please promise me... that you will never do that again." The black-haired huntress glared at her partner.

"Promise." She shrugged and then walked over to the well placed hut. "You think that's the checkpoint?" They mustered the wooden walls and straw ceiling. There was a sign attached to the side reading 'C e kp nt 1'.

"I guess so. The letters are worn off. I think there are a few missing." She softly wiped her hand over it.

"Hello? Are we first?" Yang was already entering through the door.

"No sense of danger at all..." Blake sighed as she followed her partner. As they entered the dark interior they heard no response. The only light was coming from the opened door, all windows were sealed shut.

"Maybe they aren't here yet?" Yang looked up a stairway and checked some of the crates standing around. They were covered in dust.

"That's unlikely... This might not be the right place after all." She touched her ribbon slightly and tensed up. "Did you hear that?"

"Nothing." Yang tilted her head.

Blake got quiet and walked over to the old chimney. Who would need a chimney in this tropical weather anyway? Was it still from before the experiments that changed this mountain's climate? As she slowly advanced towards the rusty metal grit something else moved. With a bad premonition she turned towards the sound-source and prepared herself, but there was nothing. Her eyes were better than most people's, but she still didn't see anything aside from a table and a few chairs and rugs.

"What are you looking at? I can't see in this darkness at all." Yang seemed to be confused. Then she tensed up too. There was an ominous sound coming from the table. It was almost like the growling of something otherworldly... a terrible throaty sound.

"Uuuuuurrhhh...rgh...oorrr..."

"W-what is that?" They both took a step back.

"It couldn't be... a ghost?"

Blake tensed up, but then she shook her head. "There is no such thing as ghosts. It's scientifically impossible."

"Does the ghost know about your theory too though?"

Blake glared at Yang.

"Ruuuuurghhh..." The sound of death was creeping around. It let shivers run down their spines.

"I will open the curtains." Blake said and walked over to the windows.

"A-alright." Yang went into position and prepared to hit anything that came at her.

"Three, two... one..." She waited for one more second then she ripped the curtains wide open.

"UOOOOOOOOOOHHHH! The liiiiight! It burrrrrnnns...!" Something rose from the rugs on the chairs and screamed like it was burning alive.

"Waaaaahh!" Yang panicked and unleashed a barrage of attacks on the creature. Punch, kick, jab.

"Bwargh!" The creature yelled in pain and fell under the table. Yang was breathing fast.

"You hit the ghost?"

"It was self-defense!"

"That's not the problem here... aren't ghosts supposed to be intangible?"

Yang looked down on her fist and nodded. They both crouched down to look under the table. The light revealed... Alexis Mayhiro's beat up face.

"Professor?!"

"Ouch...urhg..." She was holding her broken glasses and squirmed around.

"What are you doing here? No wait. This is the checkpoint after all." Blake pulled her out from under the table and placed her on a chair.

"Why is it so dark in here. And what were you doing?" Yang rubbed her cheek. She felt sorry for hitting the professor.

"Urmmrm... not so loud..." She held her hurting head. But the pain didn't solely come from the punches. There were black circles under her eyes and they were bloodshot too. And the smell...

"Professor.. do you have a hangover?"

"Mrhm..." Professor Mayhiro grumbled a bit before nodding. "Looks like I overdid it with the wine yesterday. But that one bottle felt so... lonely. So I brought some friends."

'She drank all night right before a big test like this?' Blake facepalmed.

"That means we really are the first ones here. Or someone would have found her already." Yang snickered.

'Or maybe this place was so eerie that they just skipped it.' Blake added in her mind.

"Man my head hurts... this is the worst hangover ever... feels like I was punched in the face." She held her pulsating head with both hands. Yang turned her head away and whistled.

"You are supervising this checkpoint, right professor?"

"Check...? Oh yes... I guess that's right." She tried to focus her eyes on them.

"Please stamp our card then." Yang handed it to her. Alexis stared at it and then she stared some more.

"What is that?"

"It's our stamp card!" Blake said a little annoyed.

"Isn't that nice." The prof giggled.

"Don't you have a stamp of some kind?"

"Hmmm. Maybe I do." She rummaged through some of the stuff that was lying around and pulled out various things. Many of which one wouldn't expect around here.

'Was that a bone? Hey that's a crossbow. A balloon...' The Black and Yellow team watched as she pulled out all sorts of things and then stopped.

"Nope."

"What do you mean 'nope'!?"

"I have a potato though."

"Great!" Blake flipped some sorta switch in her head and she ran over to the windows and broke them all open. The light inside intensified and lit the whole room brightly.

"Aaaaargh!" Alexis screamed in agony.

Yang on the other hand took the potato and carved something into it with a knife that was lying around. When she finished she handed it to the professor.

"Here I made it as accurate as I could." She smiled.

"Wuzzat?" Alexis rubbed her eyes and focused. Her glasses were still broken, but she recognized the symbol. "That's a sun... quite the outlandish design though."

"Isn't it great? I thought it would fit the situation."

'More ironic than I expected from you.' Blake was impressed.

"So what am I supposed to do with this?"

"Push it into this ink... and then onto the stamp card. Tataraaa!" A sun symbol was now stamped onto the card.

"Genius." Alexis seemed impressed. "That's not the right symbol though."

"Then make it the right one. Just tell the other professors about it." Blake exclaimed.

"I guess..." She did as she was told and send the new symbol per scroll.

"Thanks a bunch prof. We are going now. You should drink some water and cure your hangover." Yang waved as she left the hut with her partner.

"And now through the forest." Blake looked around. There was a lot of flora she had never seen before. Of some she had seen pictures in books at least.

"We still got half our water left, so let's rush through." Yang declared happily and went ahead.

Just as they entered the greenery another team appeared at the hut.

It was Ren and Nora.

"Hahaha it was easy to run through as expected."

Ren sighed. He had to give water to her every odd mile as if he was refilling a fuel tank. He himself had no time to take a single gulp. His body was exhausted, his throat dry. But then again, they made it here quite fast because of that tempo.

"Hellllooo thereeee!" Nora yelled into the now brightly lit hut.

"Gaaaaah! My head!" Screams of agony accompanied every loud noise the orange haired girl made.

...

Weiss was not liking the sun. Her white hair and white clothes made her look like a block of ice in the desert. And that's exactly how she felt. About to melt. It didn't help that the cape-wearing Ruby was swishing around as if she didn't feel the piercing rays one bit.

"Look it's a cactus Weiss! And that over there is another! Sooo... are they cactuses?"

"Cacti..." Weiss corrected her, but she didn't know why she even bothered. Even so her face brightened a little. Cacti. That meant they finally found a source of fresh water. Of course she had prepared herself well, so she had packed a lot of bottles and flasks with water. But a certain someone had managed to trip and push her, so that they were smashed on a rock...

The heiress walked over to the thorned plants and carefully ripped a few of the pricking needles off.

"What are you doing Weiss?" Ruby asked curiously. She jumped all around her to see.

"Stop it or do you want me to prick myself on these?" Her blurry eyes were already doubling things as it was. When she sufficiently emptied an area on the thing towards the middle she pulled out a fruit knife.

"Does cactus taste well?" The small nuisance was getting really annoying.

"I don't know." She said while cutting a hole into the green plant. After that she stabbed in a small pipe she had also brought along in the bag on her skirt. She pushed her ponytail aside and then put her head under the pipe. A few seconds later water poured into her mouth. The feeling was incredibly refreshing. After she had gulped down enough to be satisfied she plugged the pipe with her hand.

"You are next." She said benevolently.

"Woah that's a neat trick." Ruby looked impressed. She then tool the pipe and drank the rest until the water stopped. "Aw it's already empty. Also it tastes kind of weird."

"Stop complaining. This isn't tab water, but it will have to do. We could be drinking some good water right now if a certain dolt hadn't..."

"Ah! Look over there! Isn't that uhm... Antonio?" She needed a second to remember his name.

"I am not done with... huh?" Now Weiss also noticed him. But he seemed weirdly deformed. As if he had turned hunchbacked and crippled.

Ruby ran over to him without a second thought and Weiss followed her at a slower pace. Her legs hurt from walking so much already. But as a huntress and a heiress she would have to bear with these things. Especially if she saw Ruby run around like it was nothing.

When they reached the brown-haired boy they finally understood what it was. His back hadn't turned bumpy, but he was carrying someone.

"Hey there Anto ~" Ruby greeted him the same way Jasna did. That actually made him jerk for a second. He slowly turned around and when he noticed Ruby he seemed infinitely relieved.

"Hello Ms. Rose. What a beautiful weather we have today, no?" He smiled at his own joke.

"It's great." Weiss said with a sarcastic expression. The man nodded at her as a greeting. As he turned around more they could finally see the face resting on his shoulder.

"Alex?!" Ruby exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course it's her. She was his teammate." Weiss had already figured it out, but she admitted that she was a little surprised too. "I didn't think she would ever let you carry her like this."

"Ahem. It was not exactly... by choice." He coughed discreetly.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"She uhm... collapsed from the heat. As I couldn't leave her lying in the sun I took action... and well..." He was unusually at a loss for words. Apparently he was feeling guilty about it.

"I guess you didn't do anything wrong." Weiss leaned her head on her hand and supported the arm with her other.

"I also want a piggyback ride." Ruby said enviously.

"No." Weiss already denied her before she asked.

"Hrm..." All the noise had apparently roused the black-haired girl from her sleep. When her eyes opened she first saw Ruby and Weiss in front of her.

"Morning." Ruby said.

"Are you feeling okay?" Weiss asked with concern.

"I... what happened?" She seemed a little dazed from sleeping so long. Her chin was supported by Antonio's shoulder and she grabbed around him tightly as if he was a pillow.

"One might say... a lot." The one carrying her said while looking the other way. The information had to sicker in, but when it finally arrived at the synapses of her brain hell was unleashed.

"W-w-what are you doing!? You pervert, beast!" She kicked him in the back and almost choked him to death until he fell to the ground and she managed to jump off.

"Please let me explai-OUMPH!" A kick to the back of his head stopped his words rather rudely.

"You are taking advantage of my situation. Again! I told you that I would kill you if you ever touched me...!"

"Actually you said you would kill me for another reason, but could I remind you of our audience...?" Antonio did his best to not scream in pain while calmly pointing at the other two.

Alexandra apparently remembered her surroundings and stopped stomping him.

"Sorry you had to see this." She said embarrassedly.

"You shouldn't be so hard on him. He carried you all the way over here." Weiss said scoldingly. Antonio looked like a somewhat competent partner compared to Ruby.

"Are you okay?" Cape fluttering, Ruby knelled down and helped Antonio up.

"No permanent damage done." He dusted off his shirt and sleeveless vest. The pendant was fine too. "Would you care for a drink?" He asked the still embarrassed Alex.

"...I don't need your help." She took one of her flasks and drank until it was empty.

"Then let us continue, shall we?" He took a few small steps ahead and waved all of them over.

"Right behind you." Ruby followed behind him enthusiastically. They could already see the rain forest ahead.

A little behind the white wearing Weiss and the red wearing Alexandra walked at their slower pace. The atmosphere was awkward and somehow neither managed to say anything for a while.

"So you collapsed from the heat?"

"Yes." She admitted it. "I trained my body to be more tenacious, but it looks like it wasn't enough for the desert."

Weiss glanced at her from the side. The arms coming from Alex' sleeveless top looked fairly muscular, but her legs were average at best. That made sense considering her weapon of choice were guns with recoil. Compared to her she herself felt frail though.

"Stamina is based on a lot of factors." She said understandingly.

They walked through the almost red sand and every step made a crunching sound.

"Why are you so cold towards Antonio?" Weiss asked neutrally.

"That man can't be trusted."

"Why?"

"He is hiding behind this mask... I think because he is scared."

"Scared?"

"Of being himself. I can't stand that. Trying to be someone you are not..." Her words seemed to have more meaning than Weiss could fathom right now.

"I see." She pondered those words. "What did you mean by 'touching you again'?"

Alex blushed and got frantic. "N-nothing! It's a misunderstanding. I was out of it... p-probably just said some garbled nonsense." She bit her lip and then changed positions. "What about you? You seemed out of it the whole time since that Mayhiro boy left."

"..." Weiss looked ahead over to the next dune. "I think he left because of me."

"What?" Alex looked surprised. "Didn't he write something about his hammer being banned?"

"I know. That may have been part of it." That couldn't have been all though. Why else was he looking at her with those hateful eyes. That misunderstood expression?

"His team seems to think that he will come back. Maybe you should ask them about it." It was a friendly tip, but Weiss was not sure.

What would they tell her?

...

"This is it." Juge was convinced. The hut looked run down, but it was opened and an air of quiet was hanging around it.

"I guess so." Riza was doubtful. Not a well maintained checkpoint.

They entered and found a seriously miserable professor Mayhiro sitting at a table. She was holding... a potato.

"More?" She looked annoyed. "You are the third group coming through here. Is this some kind of festival?"

"This is a survival test..." Riza said with a blank expression on her face. This woman...

"If you would please." Juge handed her their stamp card. The potato did its job and was then placed back on the wooden table.

"All done." Alexis said and rubbed her eyes.

"This looks funny." Riza looked at the sun symbol. She held it next to the professor in comparison. "What the...?" They matched. It was her face inside a sun.

Who came up with this design?

"Then the next stop is the second checkpoint." Juge stuffed the card into his bag and walked out of the hut.

"Waaaait." Riza's voice got low and she didn't seem like she would give in this time.

"Wait here. You two can catch up to me later." Juge said and waved.

"Velmón!" She yelled after him without knowing why. She felt pissed, because he was acting like that. Now she would definitely wait here for Lucy and ignore him. Pouting, she sat down on a rock and waited patiently.

A few minutes later something small ran up the hill towards the hut. Riza's good eyes identified it as female.

"Lucy?" She wondered. Why was she alone?

But the closer it got... the more it resembled another person. Red scarf. Short hair. Orange armor.

Riza gulped.

"Rizzzaaaaaaaa!" The yell echoed over to her. It was Jasna. "Finally something for sore eyes!" The tomboy picked up her speed even more, leaving clouds of dust behind her.

Riza gulped again.

"Let me refresh my body with you!"

Riza stood up, turned around and entered the forest.

"Wait for me Juge!"

Glass Mountain - Tropical Zone - 2-3 hours after the start of the test

Jaune and Pyrrha had steadily made it through the desert and passed the checkpoint as the 5th team. They advanced through the beautiful rain forest without trouble too. Taking their time and walking the safe ways really paid off.

"It's very colorful." Pyrrha seemed pleased.

"You are right. But I wish I had my sword so I could cut through these vines and the jungle."

"It's harder than it looks. You would be better off with a knife or a machete."

"You worked yourself through a rain-forest before?" Jaune was impressed.

"No, nothing like that. Those are things I read about." She waved off the idea.

Jaune was walking ahead and wrestled himself through the vines that were all over and between the trees as well as the low branches. Pyrrha had warned him of snakes resembling vines before, so he tried to be extra careful. Watching the green plants closely he took careful steps, but because he was so focused on what's above he failed to realize where he was going.

"Huh? Ah... Waaaaaaah!" He had stepped unto a cliff and lost his footing.

"Jaune?!" Pyrrha was alerted and walked over, barely stopping in time to not slide down as well. She watched as the blond boy rolling and spinning all the way down to the bottom and into a water hole. A splash accompanied by a 'I'm fine' and it was over.

Pyrrha sighed and slowly climbed down to the water hole.

"Blargh... this water tastes horrible." Jaune spat out his words just like the water.

"It's stagnated." The red-head yelled from afar. "Whatever you do, don't swallow it!"

"Not that I'd ever want to." He mumbled while climbing out of the water. He wrung his wet clothes until they were somewhat dry again. When he met up with Pyrrha he didn't look her in the eye from embarrassment.

"This way." She said pointing left. "I saw a nice path from up there."

'She even had time to scan the area while I was just swimming for my life.'

...

Same time, different place.

Kirk had disappeared from the world. At least from the surface. In reality he found himself inside a dark cavern under the sands of the desert zone. Using the light of his camera he had traveled through the endless caves and found himself at a dead end more often than not. Additionally he heard weird sounds coming from every direction, some reminding him of animals and some being just otherworldly.

"Calm." His pulse wasn't going up, but even 'the phantom' could get scared.

While following a passage he suddenly got a glimpse of something divine. Light. A bright light coming from above.

"Exit?"His expression turned hopeful as he climbed higher and higher. Over his head at the ceiling he could see an opening. There was light and a fresh breeze coming from it. All cave explorers in this world would probably understand this feeling of supreme bliss. After traversing the darkness and cold air of the underground tunnels, seeing this shimmer of light, this ray of warmth was the greatest thing ever.

Kirk climbed the walls like a gecko and somehow managed to reach the ceiling. With a last jump he hit the hole and pulled himself through. It was just big enough for him to fit.

Not.

His head and shoulders made it through, but then he was stuck.

"Bad." He was squinting at the sun above. There were trees all around him. So he had actually reached the tropical zone from underground? Great. If only he could move.

...

"What did I just tell you?" Blake was showing her silent anger.

"We aren't flying, are we?" The blonde whirlwind grinned as she jumped from tree to tree.

"Even then..." She followed her with every jump.

Another of Yang's brilliant ideas was this... to advance by jumping trees. One false step and they would fall and maybe break several bones. If Blake just had her Gambol Shroud. It would be much easier to parkour these woods. Still she was quite confident in her balance and speed, but Yang didn't seem the type to be very... subtle or balanced.

And true enough she sometimes hit a tree the wrong way or broke through its crown, but she stood up immediately. She really was a tough one.

From this high they could actually see the receding forest line far ahead. It was slowly turning into a rocky landscape. But over here it was still just a lush rain-forest. The humidity was exhausting, albeit in a different way from the desert.

Deep in thought Blake didn't notice Yang's misstep and jumped ahead as the long-haired girl was falling down the last tree.

After a few minutes she noticed that someone was missing.

"Yang?" She looked around, but the signature golden hair was nowhere to be seen.

...

A few altitudes lower the golden hair was fluttering down.

Yang managed to regain her balance midair and pushed off a few branches to break her fall. With a more or less balanced jump she landed on the ground. But the rock was really... weirdly shaped. Her foot hit it full force and it seemed to give in.

"Arrgh..." The rock even made a sound.

"Hey! You are the little photographer guy." Yang had trouble remembering him or his name. His face had a big shoe mark now and he was stuck in some sort of hole. "How did you get in there?"

"Underground tunnel." He answered. It looked like he wanted to hold his hurting nose, but his arms were stuck. The brawler grabbed his shoulders and started pulling.

"I'll get you out. Just try to make yourself as slim as possible." She mustered him. "That probably means you have to crush some bones though."

She pulled as strongly as she could while Kirk tried to press his arms inside his body, but he wouldn't budge. How did he even get inside the hole, if he can't get out of it? Human anatomy was mysterious.

"This won't work." Yang let go and rubbed her hands. What could she do to pull him out? Her vision brushed over the scenery around and one could almost see a light-bulb appearing over her head.

With light steps she went to the next tree and pulled down a vine. Her effort paid off and she could pull the vine all the way over to the compromised Kirk.

"Hang on." She said jokingly and wound the vine around the boy. It was already at the limit of it's stretchability. Palms tightened, she grabbed onto the green plant and pulled in the opposite direction of the imprisoned student. Her feet buried themselves into the ground with every step as she pulled with all her might. Kirk started sweating while the force almost crushed his bones.

"HAAH!" Yang yelled out and pulled one last time. And then the whole pressure disappeared. Kirk was catapulted out of the hole and passed over the green crowns above.

"Thanks." Was the last faint word Yang could hear before losing sight.

"At least he is free like a bird now."

...

"Lucy?"

"Velvet ~"

"Where are we?"

"A forest?"

"Yes I understand that, but..."

Velvet was close to tears again. This situation was really terrible. They were indeed in a forest. The rain forest of the tropical zone to be exact. But that wasn't what mattered right now. Somehow they were in a sink. A very deep sink.

Hissing sounds surrounded them.

"But how did we end up in this snake nest?!" She cried out.

"No idea hahaha ~" Lucy was laughing despite the scary surroundings. It was her fault in the first place for running off after seeing professor Mayhiro's ghastly face. Just what happened to her anyway?

The snakes around them were slithering in circles. Was it normal for them to do that? Weren't snakes supposed to either attack or flee? These were very colorful too. Maybe this was also an effect of the mountain's messed up climate.

"What should we do...?"

"Let's just run." Lucy said relaxedly.

"They will bite us! They will swallow and digest me..." It must have been some kind of instinct, but she felt like a rabbit in front of a hungry snake. Only that it were about thirty of them.

"Can't bite what isn't there ~" Lucy grabbed her hand and then started running.

Velvet screamed while closing her eyes as they ran through the slithering pit of death. She heard the sound of something hitting stone and angry hissing, but she didn't dare to open her eyes. After two minutes of running they finally stopped.

Both girls were breathing heavily and bending over.

"D-did we make it?" The bunny faunus finally opened her eyes. They were now deeper inside the forest and not inside a pit of killer snakes. How did they get past those monsters so easily?

A sense of relief spilled over her body and she could feel her muscles relax. High on dopamine she turned to her partner to thank her.

"We made it only thanks to you Lucy!"

Her mouth was wide open as she saw her partner.

"Well..." Lucy was sweating. Three or four constrictors were binding her body and slowly suffocating her. "Help?"

"Iieeeek!" Velvet made a scared sound while she slapped the snakes with branches and stones to get them off.

After all snakes had been more or less surgically removed the two girls were falling to their knees and leaning against each other. One of the constrictors was slithering away with a huge bump on it's head.

"Sigh... I hope they never come back."

Lucy's hands were shaking like those of a chain-smoker in withdrawal as she grabbed into her pocket and pulled out one of the half-molten pockys. The chocolate was molten, but the stick was still solid.

"No problem." She said as she missed her mouth and rammed the pocky into her cheek.

"You are totally still in shock too!"

...

"Heat, heat and even more heat! From the desert into the tropical forest." Alexandra was complaining. Every step felt heavy and slow.

"I must admit, the humidity takes its toll." Even Antonio seemed exhausted. Maybe that was also due to the fact that he was carrying everyone's stuff.

"Water." Weiss ordered and the brown-haired man handed her a bottle.

"Food." Alexandra ordered and he gave her a ration.

"Air-ship!" And he handed her a...

"What?" Antonio looked up in confusion. He looked above and saw Ruby standing on top of a tree. For some reason she didn't seem affected by the temperatures.

"There is the air-ship! It's making its rounds to watch us I bet."

The air-ship was high above them, way out of reach. At least if there wasn't any Nevermore around to ride. Antonio smiled at the thought.

"So they are watching out if any students need medical attention." Weiss concluded.

"Or they just like to see us suffer..." Alex added in a grumpy voice.

"I doubt that."

They watched the technological wonder fly by and disappear around the side of the mountain. It was probably a pretty nice view from up there.

The group advanced through the forest for a few minutes before Ruby suddenly stopped them again.

"What is it Ruby?" Weiss asked sluggishly.

"I heard something..."

"This is a forest you know? Animals and plants live here."

"Ssshh!" Ruby put a finger in front of her mouth and went quiet.

Clonk. Clonk. Clonk. Rumble.

"H-hey now I hear it too."

"It sounds... quite huge." Alex gulped.

"..." Antonio tensed up.

They were close to the end of the zone, around the rocky area that went to a real mountain zone. Rocks, mud, the whole deal.

Rumble, rumble!

They slowly turned around and looked in the opposite direction.

Two seconds passed.

"Ruuuuun!" The group sprinted away at high speed as the noise got closer by the second.

Ruby was the fastest running ahead of everyone to show them the best route.

But the loud noise was a lot faster than expected.

"Rock-sliiiiiiide!" Weiss yelled as the giant wave of dirt and stone appeared behind them, felling trees left and right like they were toothpicks.

...

"Damn it. Where is everyone?" Jasna was disappointed. She was sure to have seen Riza next to the first checkpoint. But when she arrived the fox-girl had already left. So she decided to run ahead to the next check-point to wait for the others.

She had already forgotten about the stamps and the test in general.

She rubbed some dirt from her shoe on a tree stump while thinking.

But her thoughts were interrupted rather sudden when a human missile advanced towards her. Jasna's reflexes were good, but not that good! The living projectile hit her head with full force and made her roll over the floor hitting the ground several times.

The other person looked a lot worse though after hitting a tree.

"Ouch! Do ya have a death wish!?" She asked while rubbing her hurting forehead. Then she realized who it was. "The pervert!" She cracked her knuckles.

"Accident...!" Kirk got up and raised his bleeding face.

"For your sake I hope it was." She pursed her lips and pulled him up. "What about the stamps?" At least she remembered them now.

"Didn't get." The small boy showed her the empty card.

"Well then you can backtrack a little more. Good flight!" With her hand still grabbed onto his shirt she spun around several times like a discus thrower and then let go at the perfect angle. Kirk turned into a human missile once again.

That should have been the general direction of the first checkpoint. Maybe.

...

After a while Riza had finally caught up with Juge and they overcame the rain-forest's dangers with ease. That was mainly due to Juge's preparation and the stuff from his bag. He really did think of everything.

So they were quite surprised to see that they were not the first to arrive at the second checkpoint.

"Three teams made it before you, Mr. Velmón, Ms. Inari." Professor Port explained with a smile. He was the supervisor of this checkpoint and the one who stamped the cards.

"Just who could they be?" Riza seemed impressed.

"It was quite a sight to see Ms. Valkyrie burst in through the window." He chuckled while pointing towards the broken window. Compared to the first checkpoint, this was an actual maintained building. Paintings of the sea and beaches were hanging everywhere and there were some stuffed fishes and sea-animals hanging at the walls.

"Why would she...?" Riza shook her head. It was probably a vain effort to understand Nora.

"Only her? What about Ren?" Juge wondered.

"Oh yes, he followed her with quite some delay. His clothes were full of cuts and dirt, I must add."

'So he went through hell.' Riza closed her eyes and imagined the flayed face of the black-haired boy.

"I see. The other teams?"

"Mr. Winchester and Mr. Lark made it here after those two."

"Cardin?!" Riza's mouth fell open in disbelief. "How did they make it here so fast?"

"I couldn't say." Prof Port shrugged. "The last team just left too."

It was a team they didn't know. There were quite a few first years after all.

"Please stamp our card, professor. We have to hurry." Juge put the card on the table in front of Port a little impatiently.

"Fine fine." The professor smiled at his eagerness and stamped the card with his anchor motif.

"An... anchor?" Riza looked at the symbol. Was this a coincidence? Impossible, right?

"This isn't an anchor Ms. Inari!" Port laughed heartily.

"What is it supposed to be then?" She asked doubtfully.

"It's a 'T'. As in Tropical zone." Another rush of laughter.

"Riiight." For now she would just take his word for it.

"Let me tell you how proud I am at your efforts. This is quite a good time to make it all the way over here. Even I, in my prime, barely made it faster. It was back in the year of-" The professor went into story-telling mode seamlessly.

"Sorry sir, but we will have to go now. The test... you understand." Juge politely interrupted him and walked towards the exit.

"Oh... yes. Of course. I'll tell you the story in the next lecture then. That way everyone can learn from it." Port seemed to be happy with that idea.

The two left him behind and exited into the rough rocky area.

"Don't say it." Juge raised his hand defensively.

"Tsk. I already gave up on that a long time ago." She crossed her arms and swallowed her words.

"You could have waited for her back at the first checkpoint, but you came running after me."

"I had... my reasons." Riza averted her eyes.

"Alright. Now that you made it to the second checkpoint we are fine. You can wait here all you want and we will still pass if I make it to the top." He smiled.

"..." For some reason that made her angry. Was he just going to leave her behind like that? But she wanted to wait for Lucy, see if she was alright too.

Juge didn't notice her inner struggles and just started climbing the rocks. He pulled out climbing gear from his bag.

Riza remembered the words spoken on the air-ship. 'Who would actually bring climbing equipment with them?' Here was one such weirdo.

She watched him go up several meters before making a decision. Using her hands to climb carefully she followed him.

"Are you sure, renard?" Juge asked with a smirk.

"If you call me that one more time I will pull your legs!" She yelled towards the boy above.

After she reached him, he handed her a rope and some objects remotely resembling pickaxes. While climbing he taught her how to use them efficiently. It was surprisingly easy or maybe this cliff was just not that difficult. At some point she even passed Juge and got above him.

"Hah!" She was excited to have trumped him and looked back down to see his face. But he was purposely looking away, trying not to look above. Was he trying to ignore her success?

"Hey, look! I am almost at the top already." She exclaimed happily with a hint of teasing.

"That's great... but could you please make haste. It's rather hard to advance without looking up..." He scratched his cheek.

"What...?" She tilted her head in confusion. And then she realized it. She was wearing a skirt! "Don't you dare look up!"

"Well that's why I am telling you to hurry." He sighed while keeping his eyes strictly on the rocks.

Riza raced up the wall to reach the top. When she made it she fell to her knees and took a break. After that she pulled Juge up to her level and they both took a few gulps of the water. It was almost empty.

"Great. We made it to the third zone just in time." He looked up and watched the dark rain clouds drifting above them. Professor Goodwitch had told them this zone was full of rain and slippery rocks. "Let's find a brook to refill."

"This terrain is pretty dangerous. Even looking right ahead I can see several rifts and gaps in the stone..."

"Yes. We will have to be cautious."

The two of them continued their climbing tour all over the gray and black rocks. The landscape looked extremely dark and lifeless compared to the colorful rain forest behind them. Lightning was flashing in the clouds above every now and then.

After jumping one of the rifts they finally saw a brook in the caved out rocks. It was really small, maybe two hands in width. Juge put the bottle and flasks into the current and filled them up.

"It's so clear. Looks really refreshing." Riza commented.

"The purity of nature."

"How do you know your way around these harsh climates so well?"

"My father would often take me into the deserted parts of nature and leave me alone to survive."

"What?! That's terrible!"

"I thought so too back then. But whenever I cried myself to sleep, starving and cold, I would find food close-by and some fur of animals to warm myself up. Back then I thought it was a miracle or maybe the leftovers of hunters who traveled past there." He smiled softly in reminiscence. "My father was softer than one might expect. My mother is the one who always chewed him out for it."

"Sounds like you love your parents..." Riza looked down. Was she envious?

"Family is family. Blood is thicker than water. I may not always have been happy about the things that happened, but in the end we are tied by our lineage."

Riza started to feel cold.

"Family isn't something magical and nice like that. You can't trust them..." She stood up. "But I agree that you are tied to them. So much that you could suffocate." Without another word she walked ahead.

Juge followed her quietly. He was not sure if it would be too insensitive to ask.

After some time of walking silently something got their attention. People were standing ahead.

"If it isn't the show-off and his pet." The boy at his side started laughing.

"Cardin. Sky Lark." Juge glared at them.

"Looks like we are first. Of course we are." Cardin grinned.

"We will see about that." Juge said calmly and continued walking.

"Oho you better stop right there Mr. Huntsmaster." The bulky leader of team CRDL raised his hand, signaling them to stop. "This area is known for its constant rock-slides, you know?" He waved Sky Lark to come over. The dark-blue haired teammate walked to the edge and showed them a rope.

Juge analyzed the situation and followed the ropes course through the rocks with his eyes.

"What are you trying to do?" Riza asked, not aware of the situation.

"Me? Nothing. Nature is the one you should look out for."

"Hasn't Jaune already taught you a lesson? Just play nice for once." Riza snarled at him.

"How did you...?! Dirty mutt!" Cardin's face turned red in anger and he flicked his finger. Lark pulled the rope and a rumbling went through the ground.

"What the-?" Riza was surprised, but Juge already grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

"See you later losers. Or maybe not." Cardin laughed nastily.

They were running fast, but the rumbling only got louder by the second and then they could already see rocks rolling down the mountain, accompanied by mud and water.

"Those bastards!" Riza couldn't believe what underhanded tricks they used.

"We have no time to curse. Run faster." Juge jumped over a gap and barely made it. Riza followed behind and almost stumbled over her own feet. The shaking got intense and it was hard to balance.

Juge slipped and barely grabbed on to a bulging rock at the side of a rift.

"Hang on! I am right here." Riza robbed over to him, dirtying her white clothes in the process and grabbed Juge's hand. Before she could pull him up the wave of destruction rolled around the corner. "Shit!"

"You won't make it.." Juge let go of her hand.

"Don't!" She held his hand tighter in response.

"Don't worry about me. I'm a Velmón." he smiled before pushing her hand off with his other.

He fell downwards into the abyss and was then swallowed by the rock-slide.

Riza barely jumped away to dodge the rolling destruction.

She watched the rumbling mass slide down towards the tropical zone with a terrified expression.

Glass Mountain - Base Camp

Down at the base of the mountain professor Oobleck had set camp. There were several tents with supplies and medical equipment for fast treatment in case somebody got into an accident. There were already a few students lying on the benches, resting from their terrible experiences.

Not far away were the boxes with the locked up weapons and a few containers with unknown purpose. There was also the landing zone for the regular intervals of the air-ship.

Behind the tent furthest in the back one could see a shadow. It belonged to a shady looking man who was sneaking around camp. His black suit was camouflaging his movement in the tent's shadows. He had been passing up the latest air-ship departure before appearing. After every step he listened intently for sudden movements. He steadily made his way towards the biggest tent in which professor Oobleck was currently preparing coffee.

"Most excellent! This new brand deserves my undivided attention." Oobleck seemed extremely pleased. It looked like he was teleporting back and forth between the coffee-machine, some documents and a scroll. As always he was sipping on his cup constantly slurping down unhealthy amounts of coffee.

The shadow stepped into the tent without making any sounds. Hiding behind temporary cover he rolled between the dead angles of Oobleck's vision.

"Two hours, thirty-three minutes. This must be a new record. The freshmen this year are quite formidable." Oobleck talked to himself while scratching his chin. It was a common notion that professors and teachers tended to talk to themselves after being used to have an audience every day.

The hidden man pulled out a small device approximately at the length of a pen. After pressing a button with his thumb the device was opening its tip. It started to spark a little.

As if he had felt the electricity in the air Oobleck turned around. Behind the light-reflecting glasses his eyes scanned the room. There was no sign of any life. He tilted his head and sipped on his coffee.

"Guh." A small object had been stabbed into his neck. Electric currents were running through his body. "Agagagagaah...!" Oobleck collapsed immediately. The shadow figure behind him stood up.

The man pulled out a small ear-piece and waited for it to connect.

"Agent Stinger here. I have cleared the area. Our informant was right. Returning to main objective." A voice on the other side confirmed and then hang up.

Stinger made his way out of the tent and towards the boxes and containers. With experienced movements he picked the locks and looked inside. An abundant variety of weapons and gear was placed inside. The agent nodded and proceeded to open a container. It was empty.

"Ya really are prepared for everythin', huh?" A voice was speaking so incredibly close to his ear that the agent got shivers down his spine. Without wasting a second he spun around ramming his 'pen' into the enemy. Only that there was nothing but thin air.

"Where are ya aimin' boy? You oughta be faster if you could knock out Oobleck." Stinger spun around again and finally saw his adversary. It was an old man with a face full of scars.

"Ernst Valkin." The agent slowly stepped backwards not averting his eyes from the huge man.

"Looks like ya got ahead of me. I dunno yer name yet." Valkin just as slowly walked towards the agent. In his right hand he was holding a bag full of clanking objects.

"..." Stinger kept quiet and bend down very low to the ground. Every muscle was prepared to jump backwards. Then just as Valkin blinked he grabbed a pile of dirt and threw it into the smith's direction. He followed it up with a back-flip and brought some distance between them.

Slash.

A sharp object had grazed the agent's side, roughly on the same height as his heart. It was a small sword about the length of his arm. Blood was dripping from the new injury.

"Next time I won't miss ya." The old man glared at him as the dust cloud faded.

'Fast!' As far as he could see that retired hunter had a full bag of weapons.

"To know about all this... ya must have somebody on the inside." He walked over to the agent who tried to keep up his guard.

"..."

Valkin closed in even more. Step. Break. Step. Break... Step... Now!

Stinger rolled past Valkin and rammed the 'pen' into the man's side. Or at least that was the plan, but unfortunately the electrifying device was cut into two by a broadsword. Using the power of the swing Valkin spun around and kicked Stinger into the ground.

'Impossible! He can't draw such a huge sword at this speed and angle and hit...' The agent's eyes widened in shock.

Valkin grabbed him at his collar and pulled him up to his face.

"Stealin' weapons. To be honest with ya, as a weapon-smith this feels kinda personal. But I'll give ya the benefit of the doubt and consider ya a man who regrets his sins." Valkin laughed his raspy laugh and patted the agent on his shoulder. "So tell this old man one thing. Who are ya workin' for?"

"They..." Stinger's mouth felt heavy.

"Yeah?"

"They never told us about this! You weren't supposed to be here!" Stinger yelled out in fear.

"Oh yer little mole wasn't lyin'. There were no plans to bring me along. I joined, because it seemed interesting." Valkin was grinning widely.

'This... was just bad luck?!'

"Back in the day they called my Ernst 'bad luck' Valkin. Go figure." The old man played with his mustache and let go of the agent.

Stinger tried to escape, but the ex-hunter stepped on his back, pushing him down.

"Don't leave just yet. We barely got to know each other!" Crunching sounds were generated under the pressure.

"Ghh..." The agent grabbed something inside his suit and pushed a button. It was a signal back to the main base, informing them that something unexpected had happened. Valkin had noticed the movement, but he didn't seem very bothered by it.

"Asked for some help from yer buddies?"

"...go to hell old man." Stinger laid low and waited for the inevitable. The sounds of something crashing could be heard and were followed by big stomps. A shadow of immense size was closing in on the camp.

"I see. So that's how ya gonna do this." Valkin rested the huge broadsword on his right shoulder.

The Ursa in front of them roared loudly.

Glass Mountain - Rock Zone - 4 hours after the start of the test

Between the eroded rocks and stone walls of the mountain was a big door to be found. It was made of thick metal and seemed to fit perfectly into the area. Only a small console to the left made it stand out. There were numbers and a key-card reader attached to it.

The windy air swallowed all sounds in the area, but despite that the noise of impacts became more audible fast. In a matter of second there were several bumps in the steel doors. The marks of force multiplied rapidly until the door burst out of its frame and flew several meter into the wet and hard landscape.

Out of the shadows several red eyes showed themselves.

...

Professor Goodwitch and the headmaster were communicating over scroll with each other, speaking about the crisis at hand.

"We have to suspend the test for now! There are Grimm appearing all over the mountain." Glynda was glaring at Ozpin.

"Hm." The silver-haired man groaned and checked the map and status.

"Please don't be like that. This was not part of the rules and preparations."

"On a real mission things rarely go as planned." Ozpin sipped from his cup while typing something down. "The base camp was overrun first. I fear we don't have any contact to professor Oobleck."

"This is unacceptable! I am going out there right now." She raised herself from her chair.

"Wait. Thinking logically the safest places are around us instructors, correct?"

"Yes..."

"But nothing will be solved if we run around searching for the students. Instead we should fortify the checkpoints and create save havens until support arrives. The air-ship can't land in most terrains, but we can extract a few people in regular intervals." He peeped over his sunglasses to see Glynda's reaction.

"I understand." She had trouble to keep her calm demeanor. "Let me at least send out the warning signal for everyone. They should be notified immediately."

Ozpin nodded and went back to watching the recordings of the air-ship's cameras. Quite interesting.

...

Somewhere between the tropical zone and the rock zone a rock-slide had occurred. In a way it could be called a mud-slide or a dirt-slide as well. The force of the catastrophe was strongly reduced through contact with the forest. The trees and vegetation slowed the destructive wave down considerably.

And now after the movement has come to a halt the viewer could see the extend of the devastation. A huge area of forest had been buried and cut down by the slide and between the earth, mud and rocks only a few branches and animals peeked out.

From that pile of brown and gray a hand rose like that of a zombie out of its grave. The white frilly sleeve was dirty from the earth. The arm shoveled the earth away to release its attached body from the ground. A white-haired heiress spat out some earth and tried to stand on her wobbly legs.

"This is a disaster! Unbelievable! I shouldn't have to put up with this.." For a good five minutes she was complaining while knocking of dirt and leaves off her outfit. After readjusting herself to the surroundings she searched the area for the others.

They had no chance of escaping the natural disaster at all. Trying to outrun it was foolish in the first place. The last thing Weiss remembered before being swept away was Ruby grabbing onto a tree.

Hopefully the others were alright. It didn't seem like they could have been buried to deep. This was the very edge of the slide, so one could say they had been quite lucky.

"Where are you?" Weiss bit her lip while checking around. Now that she thought about it... she was probably the one who drifted away the farthest. And they were so close to the checkpoint too.

Her shoe stepped onto something squishy, making her jump back in surprise.

It was an arm. And a half buried person.

Alerted Weiss stepped forward and immediately went to digging them out. Her hands felt dry and rough from all that already, but she continued without a word. Soon she could see a blue vest and a formerly white short scarf.

"Juge Velmón?" When did he get mixed up in this? Maybe he was close by too.

Suddenly she was grabbed by the arm and the half buried man rose from the dirt.

"..." His eyes were staring into empty air for a second, but then regained their light. "Argh... that was a rough ride." He only now noticed Weiss and let go of her arm. "Did you dig me up?"

"Yes indeed. I broke a few nails too."

"Sorry about that... and thank you." Juge smiled apologetically and stood up.

"No need. Where you hit by surprise too?"

"Yes and no. This was no natural rock-slide."

"What?"

"I was on top of the third zone with Riza when it happened... apparently I was taken all the way down here." He opened and closed his hands and checked his body for injuries.

"You where pushed all the way down here with the rock-slide? You are barely hurt! Just what is your body made of?" Weiss stared at him in disbelief.

"Guess I was lucky." He answered jokingly and waved it off. "That aside, we should look for the others."

"You said Riza was with you?"

"Well I think she escaped the wave. So she is probably still up there." He pointed at the cliffs ahead. The cloudy area revealed nothing but dead rock.

"Anyway! We have to find the others. They might still be buried under this dirt." Weiss focused on the matter at hand again.

"Agreed." Juge nodded. They both searched the ground for any suspicious parts leaning out of it, but there was nothing to be found.

"Huff... huff..." Weiss was exhausted from all the digging already. Juge noticed and raised his hand for a time out.

"Maybe the best way to solve this problem is to get help. The second checkpoint is close by. Professor Port can call for the airship."

"A good idea for once. There really is a big difference between a normal person and her."

"You mean Ruby?" Juge was not so oblivious as not to notice their complicated relationship.

"She is childish, but that's not all."

"I find her quite courageous."

"What?" She gave him a doubtful look.

"Also I trust Ozpin's decision. My father always believed in him."

"The headmaster knows a lot of influential people..." Then she shook her head. "I have decided to support Ruby too. I'll be the best team member instead of leader." It was not an easy decision, but it seemed like the best one.

"I see." Juge nodded and jumped over a big rock in his way. He was not showing any negative effects after getting hit by the rock slide. These two were really tough. But he...

"Can I... ask you something?" Her words felt out of place and hesitant.

"Yes?" The boy in the blue vest continued walking while waiting for her to go on.

"It's about Akashi..." Juge stopped suddenly making Weiss run into him. "Ouch!"

"S-sorry." he apologized and helped her up. "What about him?"

"Why did he leave? I mean from your perspective."

Juge crossed his arms in thought while staring at the sky.

"Akashi is my rival. I don't claim to understand his actions, but I can sense his will." His words were confusing to the white heiress. "Uh... how to put it." He put one finger on his forehead. "Maybe... his determination?" After seeing Weiss's expressionless face he sighed. "I am sure he wants to sort out his feelings and will return stronger than before. The thing about his hammer being banned was a good opportunity for him to do that."

"That's all?"

"Hm?" He stared at her and something seemed to dawn on him. "Hahahaha!" he started laughing all of a sudden.

"What's so funny?!" She glared daggers at him.

"You probably worry too much. Akashi isn't perfect, but he wouldn't hold a grudge against you because of that." He was obviously referring to the argument over test results.

"But! You weren't there! How he looked at me back then!" The sudden outburst made Juge shut up. Weiss huffed and then started running ahead.

With a troubled expression he followed behind her.

'Looks like something happened between them.'

...

"Weiss! You are alive!" Ruby jumped at her like a monkey and hugged her in relief.

"We were worried." Yang and Blake were also present.

Weiss stood there in the middle of the room with a baffled expression.

"Aren't you happy? Nobody was hurt." Juge winked and turned towards the other half of the room. A whole bunch of students had gathered here. Way more than he expected. Actually none of them tried to leave at all.

'Strange.'

"Heeeeyy Jugey ~~" A cheerful yell attracted his attention. Lucy was also here. Standing next to her was Velvet who looked very exhausted for some reason.

"Leader." The young man walked towards them. "So you made it." Not that he doubted it for one second. Maybe.

"Piece of cake ~"

"Please don't play it down Lucy." Velvet was sipping on a glass of water. She seemed a lot tougher than before. As if the rough wilderness had boosted her self-confidence. Or perhaps she was pushed into the role of guardian considering how Lucy acted most of the time...

"Thanks for looking after her." Juge bowed slightly.

"Don't worry about it." She waved it off.

"So why is everyone staying here? Is it because of the rock slide?"

"Uh-uh. Professor Port shot the emergency flare. He wanted to tell us once he got more informatio-" In the middle of her sentence the professor cleared his throat loud enough to make everyone shut up.

"Everyone I am happy to see you here, safe and well. Overcoming half the hurdles that this test has confronted you with is a great deed by itself."

"Could he just get to the point?" Some of the students went into lecture mode and shut down their brains.

"...and that is why I have to ask you to stay here until the air-ship arrives."

"Wait now I missed the important part!" Yang made a rewinding motion.

"Professor, sir. What was the reason for this emergency state?" Juge asked again. Port had tried to avoid the topic.

"Well..." Port played with his mustache. "Apparently there were Grimm sightings all around the mountain."

"What?!"

"No way!"

"This was supposed to be a safe place, right?"

The students were all murmuring and chatting loudly.

"Please calm down everyone. The situation will soon be under control. Until we get word from the outside it is advised to stay at the checkpoints and wait for support."

After these words the students started chatting again.

Juge's expression turned dark.

"But what about those that are still out on the mountain?"

"Grimm presence was noted in zone four and the base camp only. There is no need to worry."

"Sir." Juge looked him into the eyes. "If there are that many of them they will spread into the other zones very soon."

"Perhaps. But there are only three teams ahead in the third zone and by now everyone should at least have reached the first checkpoint. Professor Mayhiro and Goodwitch will take care of them."

But the young man didn't look like he was convinced yet.

"What's wrong Jugey ~?" Lucy tilted her head. As if she had clairvoyant powers she added "Where's Riza?"

"She is still in zone three." He tightened his belt and adjusted his short white scarf. Without another word he turned towards the door and left.

"Wait Mr. Velmón what are you doing?" Professor Port yelled after him, but he had already left.

"I hope she is okay. Will he be fine by himself Lucy?" Velvet seemed concerned. "Lucy?" The red-head had already disappeared.

...

Alexandra sat on a rock while watching the scene in front of her. She could barely hide her amusement. The breeze between the cut down trees was refreshing and it seemed like for once she wouldn't need to mind her surroundings.

"Mhgmm?" A numb sound was released from the pile of earth and mud in front of her. Legs were sticking out and shaking rapidly.

Another smile creeped up her face as she combed through her long black hair. She took her time to walk over to the waving legs and called down towards their root.

"Need some help?"

"Mh?! ... Mhrmmh." Suddenly the numb voice turned a tad bit calmer.

"Wave your legs for 'no' and stay totally still for 'yes'."

The legs stiffened up immediately.

And they stayed in that position.

And then some more.

"Mrm...gh?"

Alex watched them starting to shake with a smile.

"Mghghghgrmmmmm..." Now they started to shake ever so slightly.

"Is that a 'no'?" At her words they returned to statue like rigidity.

A few seconds passed.

"Hah. Looks like you really are useless without my help." She sighed playfully and pulled at Antonio's legs as weakly as she could. "You are so heavy ~ I can barely pull you out."

"...mrgm..."

Then with a swift move she pulled the legs and the attached rest of the body out of the dirt revealing a very pale Antonio covered in earth. They boy coughed a few times before giving her his standard smile.

"T-thank you... for your assistance."

"I think I broke a nail." She mustered her right hand.

"My apologies..." Somehow Antonio managed to not sound annoyed. Truly a master of control.

"We lost the others. Though I would assume they are fine. All of us were hit by the very offshoot of the wave." She looked over the destruction and towards the horizon.

"I agree. We should move on."

As they walked towards the checkpoint Antonio had a perplexing sense of deja vú.

"So... are we going to talk about your relationship with our fellow students?"

"Why would we do that?"

"I just felt it would be an opportune time... for some reason."

...

After a trip from the deepest swamps to the highest spike plants and through several swarms of mosquitoes Team Jaune finally made it to the building of checkpoint number two.

The namesake of Team Jaune, Jaune, was covered in insect bites, cuts and every other type of ailment. On the other hand the second in command of Team Jaune, Pyrrha, was perfectly fine.

As if he had found the promised land the blond boy slowly staggered over to the hut.

"We made it..." Tears of happiness gathered in his eyes. Pyrrha chuckled.

A noisy slamming sound startled them out of the joyful state. Very serious looking Juge and Lucy were running out of the checkpoint and towards zone three.

"They sure care about those grades." Jaune commented.

"Wasn't Riza supposed to be Juge's partner?"

"Right! I saw them head to the starting position together." They waved at them and tried to become noticeable. Lucy reacted as if she had some kind of enhanced peripheral vision and tapped Juge's shoulder.

When they met up the members of Team LARJ explained everything.

"Riza is in danger?!" Jaune looked honestly alarmed. "We will go with you." He decided.

"That reminds me..." Juge looked like he had just remembered an important detail. "Professor Port mentioned three other teams advancing before us. That includes Ren and Nora."

"Even more reason to come along." Pyrrha adjusted her back armor as if she wanted to grab her spear. But it wasn't there.

"How will we deal with Grimm on the way without our weapons though?"

Juge looked at them with a serious expression. "We will just have to improvise."

"Great plan..." Jaune's shoulders slumped down, but he didn't try to run. He accepted these conditions. "As a leader I will have to save my teammates and also my friends." His smile brightened the mood.

"We can do this as a team." They all cheered and advanced towards the dangerous path ahead.

...

Jasna was immensely bored with the forest at this point. There were no people in sight and the occasional animals didn't put up a fight. Wasn't there supposed to be some sort of 'Survival' involved in this test?

She couldn't have passed the checkpoint by accident? The cliffs ahead were looking down on her in an eerie way or at least that's what she felt. Zone three...

"Ah!" She spotted some movement behind the trees. It was a human, she was sure of it. "Hello there!" Shouting after them she also circumvented the trees.

The person ahead turned around in surprise.

"Jasna?" A brown haired teen called out to her. Next to him was Alexandra.

"Ah... HAAAAH!" First Jasna couldn't bring out a word, but then she started yelling and headbutted Antonio's stomach. "You idiot! I've been searching around all this time. Where have you guys been?" After leaving Anto squirming on the floor she walked over to Alex and looked at her from all angles.

"W-what is it?" The black-haired girl asked confused.

"Not even a scratch. Thank god." With a friendly smile she patted Alex shoulder. "I don't know what I'd have done if you got hurt." Her words were absolutely sincere.

"I am fine."

"I am not..." Antonio said while standing up. "That aside, where is Kirk?"

"The gnome? I send him back to stamp our card." Jasna said without a care.

"Aha...ha..." Anto laughed while sweating.

"Now that we are back together we can beat this test no problem." Jasna declared and pulled Alex along. They reached the building a short time later and found a whole bunch of students gathered there.

"Weird." Anto commented while looking around. After asking a few fellow students they found out about the Grimm attacks. "This is quite troublesome. Hopefully nobody got hurt."

They spotted professor Port upstairs talking into his scroll. Alex apparently overheard something and her eyes widened. The young huntress immediately sneaked up the stairs and listened in on the conversation. Antonio and Jasna looked at each other and then followed her.

"Still no contact to base camp I presume?"

"Oobleck isn't answering." The conversation partner was Glynda Goodwitch. Her electronic voice sounded a little off, so it was hard to determine her emotions.

"What about the air-ship?"

"They are busy evacuating. But the last pictures we've got showed a horde of Grimm advancing towards the tents. No sight of anyone."

"Maybe Oobleck evacuated the students already."

"Why doesn't he reply to our calls then? Also most of the students down there are injured. It would be hard to transport them without a vehicle."

"What a mess. Just where did these beasts come from? This area is supposed to be clean." Port seemed visibly distraught by the news. Glynda waited a few seconds before replying.

"We are uncertain. But it seems that the Grimm from zone four are coming out of the former laboratories of T&W Enterprises."

Alexandra showed the same reaction as before. Her hands formed fists and a shadow was covering her eyes.

"Just what were they doing in there?"

"That's none of our concern for now. First we get everyone to safety then we will have to contact our business partners..." Their conversation went on for a bit longer, but team AKJA had already disappeared from the staircase.

The black haired beauty had left the building with a certain determination. She was extremely upset. Jasna and Antonio had followed her without saying anything, but after they closed in on zone three the boy finally opened his mouth.

"Excuse my rudeness, but are you intending to head to zone four now?"

"None of your business. Stop following me." Her harsh words fired back at him.

"Please reconsider. Supposedly there are dozens of Grimm ahead. Without our weapons we don't stand a chance." Anto tried to reason with her. "What is so important about that lab?"

Alex spun around. "Figured it out already? Do you want a medal? Yes I am going to that laboratory. I' won't repeat myself, leave me be!"

The leader of team AKJA shut up. He looked down while thinking about what to say. In that moment Jasna stepped forward.

"Don't be like that Alex." She crossed her arms. "I couldn't care less what you want at that place. Just let me come along and help you. I'll come even if you yell at me." Her facial expression was unyielding.

Alex stared at her. It was like she couldn't decide how to reject her.

"Oh yeah. This is a test. My grades suck so I'll have to do well today. Zone four is the finish line." Jasna grinned. "So I am selfishly going along with your selfish goal to reach my selfish goal."

"What are you even trying to say, dear Jasna?" Antonio chuckled with his eyes closed. "But I agree. There is no use in trying to convince us otherwise now. Go ahead. We are right behind you."

"Tsk. I didn't ask for this..." Alexandra bit her lip and walked away. For a second it looked like she was relieved, but then her steely expression returned.

...

Juge and Pyrrha scouted ahead while climbing the crumbly mountain side. There were several situation where they almost slipped, but in the end Pyrrha always found the best path for everyone.

Soon they made it deep into the third zone under the cloudy sky. Lightning and thunder accompanied their every step.

"Brrrr... the breeze is pretty cold." Jaune shivered a little.

"It's the wind from zone four. The icy wind comes from up ahead, so we always know where to go."

"Where could Riza have run off to?" Pyrrha asked.

"We were halfway through the zone I think. Considering this place looks pretty much the same everywhere I am not sure if she didn't get lost."

"Riza has great hearing ~"

"True, but it's useless with the constant thunder." Juge replied. "If she went back to find me then we should have encountered her alre-" Pyrrha stopped him mid-sentence by raising her arm in front of him.

"I saw a silhouette over there." Lightning struck again and now the others also saw it.

"Is it Riza?" Jaune asked eagerly.

"No." Lucy's blue eyes were sparking slightly as she watched the area. "Grimm." Without another word she sprinted ahead like a ninja.

"Wait Lucy!" Pyrrha raised her hand after her, but she was already running ahead.

"Follow her. Jaune you watch our backs. If there are more Grimm coming we have to avoid being surrounded.

"Y-yes sir!" Jaune stammered and looked behind him.

Juge and Phyrra followed the girl in school-uniform towards the location of the Grimm. As they reached a huge rock they caught up to her sitting on it.

When they looked down they saw something shocking. The Grimm were gathering around two male students which Juge didn't recognize.

"That's not Cardin and Lark... supposedly there was a third team ahead of us. It must be them."

"How many Grimm are there?"

"Six Beowolf, two Ursi and three Taijitu."

"Normal type?"

Lucy nodded. Her eyes were really impressive despite always looking so dull.

"Alright. I have 12 daggers, two ropes and two climbing pickaxes."

"You are awfully well armed for the no-weapon rule..." Pyrrha tilted her head.

"Survival knifes and climbing equipment are allowed." Juge shrugged and sank to on knee. "We don't have much time. Let's make it quick."

Jaune joined them and had nothing to report.

"So no reinforcements at least." Juge nodded. "Jaune I need you to prepare these ropes around the crevice over there." He pointed down. "Pyrrha your semblance will be needed. Can you magnetize several objects at once?"

"Depends on the size. I think it will work." She had already guessed his plan.

"I see. Lucy, you are the fastest of us. Get those guys out of there while we distract the Grimm." The red-head nodded. "Then let's go!" The young Velmón jumped over the rock and slid down towards the pack of raging beasts. Pyrrha was right beside him getting into a fighting position.

The first to notice them was one of the Beowulf. It's burning red eyes stood in stark contrast to the dark surroundings. Revealing it's sharp white teeth it growled at the incoming humans.

With a flip Juge landed on the beast's head and used as much force as possible to kick it down. Right after that he jumped off and threw several silver daggers at the other wolf-like Grimm.

Two were hit directly into the head and died while screaming in agony, but the other three dodged them with inhuman reflexes. Despite that Juge smiled and ran past them. Before the aggressive black creatures could rip him apart Pyrrha appeared, moving her hands rapidly. The daggers that had missed their target turned around and stabbed the Beowulf from behind, straight into their defenseless neck.

"Good job." Juge shouted and ran towards the two Ursi. Phyrra had understood his intention splendidly.

Meanwhile Lucy had already dodged the Taijitu's ferocious double-headed attacks and rolled towards the two students.

"Get up and move!" She said while pulling them up. The short-haired one was injured at his leg, while the other one was bleeding from his eye.

"B-behind you!" The one with the leg injury pointed behind Lucy and she spun around just in time to dodge the long deadly fangs of another Taijitu. She ducked under the attack and then slid under the second head's follow up. Dirty puddle water was splashing as she jumped against a rocky wall.

"Juge!" Her yell made the brown-haired boy several meters away react and throw a dagger in her direction. Without any trouble at all she caught it in mid-air and accelerated herself towards the snake-like Grimm. "Wind blade!" With a spin she sliced the white head cleanly off and landed on her right hand following with another jump to stand in front of the fellow students.

"So fast..." The left one was in a daze, before his friend pushed him away.

"We have to run! Here I'll carry you." he lent him his shoulder and carried him away from the fight.

Not too far away the two Ursi were engaging in a rampage. Juge was dodging their attacks with all he got. Getting close up to stab them with his dagger was out of the question, so he could only retreat. The ground was slippery too, so he had to be careful. After a claw hit way too close for comfort and got stuck in the ground Juge rolled backwards towards a rift in the ground.

"A dead end..." He mumbled while watching the giant monster pull out it's claw, along with huge amounts of the ground. Small rocks were flying everywhere. The white masked creatures stomped over to him and closed in from both sides. "Pretty smart for Grimm." Juge admitted and pulled out a dagger in defense. It seemed puny compared to the razor-sharp claws on each paw of the Ursi.

After roaring again both of them attacked simultaneously with a huge dash. Instead of facing them, Juge jumped down the rift. The Grimm tried to break their dash to not fall down along with their prey. There was no reason to follow the suicidal human to his untimely death.

What they didn't see was the leather-gloved hand holding onto the edge of the cliff.

"Now!" Juge yelled from his hanging position. In that moment Jaune and Pyrrha appeared from opposite directions and pulled up a long rope from the ground. The Ursi still in the middle of breaking their momentum were about to trip and fall into the pit.

But then something unexpected happened. The last Taijitu attacked Pyrrha from the side and she had to dodge. The long fangs of the Taijitu sliced through the rope in the red-head's hand and made it fall down.

"Shit, Pyrrha!" Jaune yelled in surprise.

"Dammit." Juge witnessed the scene from his position and raised his right hand. "Jaune don't let go of the rope!" The blond boy looked confused, but kept holding up his part of the rope. Juge's brown eyes focused on the loose end on the opposite side and suddenly it started to float and pull.

"What-?" Jaune suddenly had to pull with all his might to stay in position. Now that the rope was raised again the Ursi fell over through their momentum and right into the pit behind Juge.

"That was clo-" The boy in his blue vest was about to pull himself up when suddenly a claw was rammed right into the wall next to him. One of the Ursi was still hanging on and roaring into his ears. The other claw was already heading for his back. As the white curvy tool of death was reflected in Juge's eyes something fell down and hit the Ursa with a 'CRACK' sound.

The creature lost it's grip and fell into the abyss below. Juge stared after it perplexedly before getting a grip on himself climbing back up. There he saw Jaune standing at the edge. He was holding another huge rock similar to the one he had just thrown down.

"And stay down!" He yelled after the disappearing Grimm. Juge smiled.

"Thank you for saving me Jaune."

"No problem. What are friends for?" Jaune grinned back. After checking on Phyrra who only had a few scratches they ran towards the place where Lucy protected the other students.

"Woah." Jaune gasped as he saw the corpses of disintegrating Grimm. Lucy was holding the bloody dagger in her right hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Where are they?" Juge looked behind the rock and over the field, but there were no signs of them.

Lucy spun the dagger in her hand and then handed it back to Juge. After that action her eyes returned to being dull and she reclaimed her bubbly aura.

"They ran aaaalll the way over to the checkpoint ~"

"They... ran? Wasn't one of them injured at the leg?"

"Shorty carried him. They were really scared ~" She put one finger on her mouth. "Maybe I should have given them pocky ~?"

'Maybe you shouldn't have scared them for life...' Jaune thought while looking at all the blood on her uniform and the corpses. "W-well that direction is probably fine. Didn't see any Grimm on the way here."

The four of them checked for any injuries and gathered the equipment before continuing their search for Riza.

"But what was that I wonder?"

"What do you mean Jaune?" Pyrrha asked quizzically.

"I mean, you let go of the rope, but then it magically pulled itself!"

"Ah that." Juge started explaining to the blond boy next to him. "That was my semblance."

"Telekinesis?!"

"Not... quite." The hunter waved it off. "My semblance is 'the manipulation of durable objects'."

"That's cool! Wait... durable objects?"

"Anything that's durable to a certain degree can be moved. For example my whip Morte Consumptis. I am able to bind an enemy with it even if I can't swing at them. Or an easier example..." Juge moved his hand and tugged at Jaune's clothes without touching them.

"You can just manipulate the movement of all that stuff? That's scary."

"It's actually more limited than you might think. Steel is also durable to a small degree, but I can't move it. And no living things either." He shrugged. "Pyrrha's ability is much more useful. Nice work with those Beowulf."

"I am just happy that it worked out in the end." She laughed embarrassedly.

"..." Lucy was scanning the area around with care. Nothing would go past her eyes.

Glass Mountain - Base Camp - 47 minutes after the Grimm sightings

The tents where skewered in some places and there were furrows in the meadow from things hitting the ground hard. Close to the main tent and the boxes and chests stood one single man clad in a big coat. He was sporting a huge broadsword on his shoulder.

"'twas quite the workout for an old man." The man with mustache said exhaustedly. He was breathing fast, but he didn't seem to be broken down yet.

Valkin looked at his surroundings. The corpses of dozens of Grimm were forming a circle around him and some of their body parts had been thrown into the tents and all the way over the hill.

"Our friend got away." He sighed and put the sword back into his bag.

"...ungh my head. Can someone tell me what manner of meteoroid hit me?" Oobleck had finally awoken from his forced nap and was staggering out of the tent. He stopped in the middle of his movements and adjusted his glasses. "Most surprising!" He exclaimed. With the left hand he went through his green hair and with the other he still held onto the always present coffee mug.

"Feelin' refreshed professor?" Valkin asked friendly.

"Excellent. Actually not really, but never mind that! What happened here?!"

"Someone really wanted to get his hands on our stuff and when I asked him some questions... well ya know how some people are a lil' uncooperative?"

"Sure..."

"Now this one was uncooperative AND had a bunch of Grimm with him." Valkin laughed loud enough to wake up even the deepest of sleepers and patted Oobleck on the shoulder. He then proceeded to throw his bag down and sit on a big box.

"The stories are true then. Defeating this many Grimm all by yourself and at your, excuse my rudeness, advanced age!"

"I am getting too old for this. I was wheezing like a fat man after his first time riding a bike." Again he released his raspy laughter.

Oobleck sprinted towards the other tents to look after his students, but they were all fine. The rips and holes in the tents were the only damage done to the camp itself. The green haired professor went to get another cup of coffee to calm his mind when he saw something terrible.

"OH MY GOD!"

"What's that?" Valkin leaned over to look at the main tent.

"Horrible, simply disgusting!" Oobleck ran out of the tent holding his coffee-maker. There was a Grimm's body part inside.

"Back in my day we didn't have such fancy flavor enhancers." The old man joked. Impossible to say how that organ somehow flew straight into the machine.

"Truly a tragedy..." Oobleck said gloomily. "I am going to inform the headmaster about this situation. Do you want me to relay a message?"

"Yeah." Valkin played with his mustache. "We got a mole."

Glass Mountain - Zone 3

'How did it come to this?' Riza Inari was asking herself for the umpteenth time now. After losing Juge she tried her best to follow the rock-slide, but heavy rain was blocking her sights and soon she lost any trace of her original path. She wouldn't admit it, but in the end she got completely lost. Her sense of orientation was much better inside forests than in these bleak look-alike rock plateaus.

But the worst was yet to come. After what seemed to be at least half an hour she encountered something that was not supposed to exist on this crappy mountain. Grimm. So many Grimm! And she didn't have her beloved Ryuyari to cut them down!

Not only that she had to avoid them, soon something even worse fell right into her lap so to speak. Two quivering bundles of uselessness to be exact.

"I can hear them... they will eat us!" A blue-haired bundle of uselessness cried frantically.

"S-shut up! They will hear you!" The second bundle of a pathetic man yelled back at him.

"Both of you will be eaten soon if you don't quiet down already." Said a seriously annoyed Riza and rammed their heads into the ground. Why was she helping those two bastards survive? For a moment she seriously considered throwing them at the masked beasts as bait so she could flee.

After the stunt with the rock slide they definitely deserved it...

"Mmmghpm!" Cardin was squirming under her grip and she let go to let him breath. "You dirty animal!" He whispered between his teeth.

"That 'dirty animal' saved your dirty mug from being shredded to bits if you remember." Riza said at the limit of her patience. "Next time you can swing your friend here like the maze you love so much instead. See how well that will work."

While sneaking past the masses of Grimm she witnessed something that should probably have made her feel satisfaction. Cardin and Lark were pounded by a few very happy Matpa (Grimm resembling huge monkeys. They have a mask covering their faces which has several eye holes. They also have a tail about thrice their own body length.). For some reason that she couldn't really explain her legs ended up walking her over to them. After that the fox faunus grabbed them at the collar and pulled them out of danger with all she got.

And now they were hiding behind some rocks and listening to the flocks of Grimm pouncing around, searching for victims.

All that aside Riza actually did feel quite dirty. She had been crawling around in this mud and over wet rocks for a bit and her clothes were starting to look a blackish brown. Not that this was the time or place to worry about fashion.

"Listen to me now you mental blotting-paper. We will move to the next formation over there, got it? On my sign we all run as fast as we can and then jump over the broken tree and into the gap behind it." Her voice sounded focused and somewhat reassuring. In reality she wanted to just lie down and close her eyes.

"W-w-what if they see us?" Lark was almost squealing.

"Let's not find out." Riza said dryly.

When she put her ear on the rock to listen it was getting pretty quiet. It looked like those monkeys were gone now. She put two fingers up, pointed at herself and then at the broken tree. More signs and then a fist.

She started running as fast as she could and didn't look back to see if the others followed her. After closing the distance she agilely jumped over the rotten tree with ease and ducked behind it. Soon after huffing Cardin appeared next to her. They waited for a bit, but there was no sign of Lark.

"Did that idiot not move out of fear?" She clicked her tongue and spied over the tree. There was a very unsettling mask with five eye holes right in front of her. "WAAH!" She yelped unwillingly and fell backwards on her tail.

"UGAAH!" The Matpa decided that the tree was in the way and had to be erased. Its long tail wound around it and then threw it away as if it was a toothpick.

Cardin stumbled away with fear on his face. Riza got up fast and walked backwards. Her muscles and tendons were tensed up, ready to move her out of harms way. Then she saw past the enemy in front of her and noticed that Sky Lark was already in the grasp of another Matpa. He was absolutely defenseless.

"Shit." She exclaimed and then rolled between the Matpa's legs. The huge monkey-like Grimm tried to hit her with its tail, but Riza ducked and it hit a rock instead. The blonde girl was running at a marathon runner's pace and reached the Grimm in record time. With a full-body tackle she managed to make the Grimm waver and let go of its victim. Lark was falling down and stayed where he was while shivering.

"Move already!" Riza yelled at him. The Matpa's tail swung at them and this time she couldn't dodge. It hit her in the side and flung her against a wall. The second one was also moving towards them now. How ironic... she would die in the act of saving the ones that tried to off her with a rock-slide before.

"GROOORR!" The Grimm raised its fist and punched down.

Crack.

Something else also crashed down. This thing was far smaller and smiling. An orange haired human arrow that pierced the beast's white mask with ease and catapulted it away.

"This is my patented 'Nora Dive-punch'! It's super strong ~" Nora Valkyrie was standing in front of the faunus and made a peace sign with her hands.

"That was a kick Nora..." With a loud rumbling the second Grimm was buried under a pile of rocks. Atop that attack of nature stood Lie Ren.

"Punch, kick, punch-kick. They are just words. All that counts are guts." She put her arms behind her head and watched the Matpa roll around holding it's broken mask.

"Y-you two." Riza's mouth was wide open.

"How's it going Riza-pisa?" Nora pulled her up and dusted her off from all sides.

"Are you alright? We just saw Cardin running away..." Ren jumped down and asked her with a calm expression.

"I am... okay. That was... way too close." her heart was still pounding.

"Whatcha doing with these bullies?" Nora asked.

"That's a long story."

"Well lookie! His legs are broken. I don't have to do anything now." The orange haired girl joked.

"Ow...gnh..." Lark was holding his broken leg in pain.

"We should be close to the third checkpoint. Maybe we can carry him there with a little caution." The green-wearing teen proposed.

"What about Cardin?"

"What about him?"

...

Not too far off another group was also dodging the Grimm carefully.

"If I had my Slasher Fists those things wouldn't stand a chance."

"And if you learned to hide better we wouldn't need to fight at all, dear Jasna."

"..." Alex was ignoring their banter while looking for any landmarks. This place was hard to navigate. If it wasn't so dark she could probably see the fourth zone ahead. The place of the laboratory...

"Hey isn't that the muscle idiot who got taught a lesson by blondie?" Jasna asked casually.

"The who...? Wait you are right. Cardin Winchester." Antonio held his hands next to his eyes to focus his vision. Not far away there was none other than the leader of team CRDL running as if he had seen a ghost. "Why don't we have a little chat with him?"

"Huh? How's that going to help us?"

"For instance we could ask him what he is running away from." After getting a glare from Jasna Anto coughed. "And of course he might know where we have to go."

"Does he look like someone who knows the damn way?"

In the end they still walked over to the pale looking Beacon student and stopped him. After some gibberish and a few slaps from Jasna he even managed to tell them what happened.

"My Riza is in danger?!"

'She isn't yours.' Alex facepalmed.

"So there are a bunch of Grimm in that direction. Maybe we should avoid that place."

"Are you stupid? We can't leave Riza hanging!"

"I am just showing a possibility. Considering Mr. Winchester's story it may already be too late. How many Deathstalkers were attacking you again?" Antonio smiled encouragingly.

"W-well... actually..." Now confronted with the possibility to have the blood of another student on his hands he reconsidered and told them the truth.

"Matpa, huh? I think we can take them."

"And why was Ms. Inari by herself in the first place?"

"How should I know?"

"It was just a standard question. I wonder why you react so distressed?"

Cardin gulped. After another sequence of 'questioning with Jasna' he told them about their trap and how they were the cause of the rock-slide.

"You assholes! Do you know how dangerous that was? You could have hurt someone! Juge may be dead for all we know." Alexandra glared daggers at Cardin.

"May I add that I was buried too?" Antonio said with a wry smile.

"It wasn't supposed to be that big! We just followed the map..."

"What map?"

The short-haired teen pulled out a map from his armor and handed it to them. It was looking relatively old, but it seemed to be quite accurate.

"We used the shortcuts written on it."

"And that's how you became one of the fastest teams. I see." Antonio checked the map closely.

"It also showed several weak constructs. This one was so weak that it could lead to a rock-slide any time now. So we thought..."

"...to use it as a trap for competitors." The brown-haired teen finished Cardin's sentence.

"This map even shows the secret laboratory and outposts!" Alex's eyes widened. "Where did you get it?"

"It was lying around the base camp. I don't know who left it there."

"Hey Earth to Anto! We have no time for this. My Riza is in danger." Jasna was starting to get impatient and moved up and down.

"You are right. Good luck with your journey Mr. Winchester." Anto waved him goodbye and they ran towards the place he came from.

Glass Mountain - Checkpoint 3

Glynda was sitting in her chair waiting for news and looking out for any students that might arrive. After a while they got word from the base camp. Valkin had been patrolling there and dealt with the Grimm attack by himself. Oobleck was knocked out by a hostile man who's goal was it to steal the equipment..

"Weapon smugglers?" Professor Goodwitch raised an eyebrow. The fact that they knew exactly when to strike and even brought Grimm with them showed that Valkin's worry about a mole was very accurate. Was it one of her colleagues or maybe a student...?

Those thoughts were interrupted by the banging of the main door. It was hastily thrown open and then closed again.

"Who is it?" Glynda raised from her chair and ran towards the new arrivals.

"There is a bunch of Grimm right behind us professor!" Riza said breathing heavily and leaned against the door. Ren and Nora were also with her, carrying Sky Lark.

"Calm down and seek shelter in the basement. I will take care of them." Glynda said and pulled out her staff.

...

"That's quite the firework..." Jaune commented.

"Must be miss Goodwitch."

They watched from afar as dozens of Grimm found their inevitable demise in front of checkpoint three. On the way here they didn't encounter Riza or Ren and Nora at all. The conclusion was that they either made it to the checkpoint or... disappeared into one of the caverns.

Whatever guess was correct, they would have an easier time with a professor's help.

"Want to give her a hand?"

"I really don't think she needs it." Juge laughed.

"Lucy is already gone..."

"What?!"

The leader of team LARJ was already downhill and on her way to attack.

...

After that little skirmish with the monsters they reunited with Riza, Ren and Nora inside checkpoint three. Miss Goodwitch was scolding them for acting so rash and not minding the warning signal.

But when Lucy jumped at Riza and hugged her to death even Glynda Goodwitch was smiling slightly.

"You are okaaaay ~" Lucy buried her face in Riza's chest.

"L-lucy... stop... can't breath...!"

"Good to see you up and about, renard."

"Seems like nothing can kill you either..." Riza retorted. Last time she saw him he was buried by a land-slide, but now he just seemed like it never happened. Something annoying pressed itself into her mind. "Have you seen Cardin? That idiot was running away towards zone two."

"Nope. I can't believe those two made it so far." Jaune crossed his arms.

"By the way..." Juge cleared his throat and turned towards professor Goodwitch. "Now that we reached this checkpoint... could you stamp our card please?"

"Seriously?!" Riza, Jaune and Lark yelled in unison.

Glynda looked at him and then proceeded to stamp his card with a small leaf symbol.

...

"Stop!" Jasna raised her arms and stopped her two team members.

"Hm?"

They all stood still and listened.

"I just heard Riza's cute little yelp." Jasna declared. "Like she was... tickled. No doubt about it!"

"Are you sure she isn't a faunus?" Alex asked Anto.

"Very much so... though one might get to false conclusions sometimes. But if Jasna says she heard it, then it must be true."

"So Riza is safe."

"How do you figure?"

"Have you ever been tickled by a Grimm?"

"Good point." Alex admitted.

"They are probably at checkpoint three then. How did she make it past those Grimm... or maybe Cardin exaggerated." The young hunter cupped his chin in thought.

"Whatever. If they are alright then we can concentrate on winning Alex's affection ~"

"Wha- I'm not that simple minded!" The black-haired girl pouted behind them.

"Setting that argument aside... It would probably be a good idea to restock at the checkpoint and look if Jasna's hearing is really as flawless." Antonio closed one eye while making the peace proposal.

The girls agreed and they ran over the rocks and jumped the cliffs to finally arrive at the destination. On the way they saw a huge skull-shaped rock formation, which gave Alexandra the creeps. She believed in bad omens.

When they reached the opulent huge building of a checkpoint they knocked on the door cautiously. First there was no response, but then they were greeted by the new door-guard, also known as Jaune Arc.

"Don't attack me!" Was his brave greeting.

"We aren't Grimm!"

"Did you ever hear of a Grimm that knocks?"

"You know I thought about it just now, but if there was a ever a smart Grimm who could knock and tickle people we would look really stupid." Jasna suddenly shared a deep thought of hers.

"Is that your only concern?"

From the back the others appeared and looked at the newcomers.

"What are you guys doing here?" Riza and Lucy looked surprised.

"Running from Grimm, messing with nature, the usual." Jasna grinned.

"Another group... how many more have ignored the warning?" Professor Goodwitch adjusted her glasses which were reflecting the light.

'I forgot about her...' Antonio scratched his cheek.

"You will all stay in this room and not move an inch. The air-ship has evacuated almost all the students. This is the only group left." There was no way of opposing her harsh voice.

"How are we going to get to the laboratory now?" Jasna whispered to Antonio.

"Professor we saw another student run into zone four by himself. I request that we go retrieve him."

'A lie straight to Ms. Goodwitch's face...?' Even Antonio was impressed by that action.

"Who did you see?" The professor was very doubtful.

"I'm not... sure. Maybe it was Cardin?"

'Maybe?!' Antonio cringed inside.

"The air-ship will get him then."

"It's hard to see anything in that snowstorm up there." Alex continued to spin her tale like a expert spinstress.

"Leave that to me. I will find him after all of you are brought to safety." Glynda's defenses seemed impenetrable.

"If I may?" Suddenly Juge came to their aide. "There may be no time for that. Zone four is the most Grimm infested area. Also in such a snowstorm they could get lost and without supervision it could end deadly. So it would make sense to send out a search group."

Antonio tilted his head. What was the young Velmón's angle in this?

"I can't allow it. You are not even armed-" In just that moment someone whistled in the back.

"Professor? I just found several old chests with swords and... is this a shield? Hey there are even bows and arrows." Nora had 'investigated' the whole building and eventually found those antiques. What they were doing here, nobody could say.

"I won't be convinced. As a professor I have a responsibility to-" While Glynda was focusing on Nora, team AKJA was already escaping through the door. The seasoned huntress was getting angry and as she was about to run after them Nora, Ren and Juge were already bursting through a window. "This will have consequences for everyone!" Glynda said with a cold voice.

"Sorry professor, but we can't leave our team alone." Riza looked really apologetic and bowed before taking Lucy and following Juge.

"Uhm.. as leader... well... you know." Jaune was stumbling over his own tongue.

"Be confident." Pyrrha pushed him and started running after Ren and Nora.

"Confident in my ability to get banned...?" He asked depressively, but he also ran out of the door.

The blonde professor was standing like a stone statue, barely keeping her face in check. If it turned out like this she would just go after them and help them get the student back...

"Argh..." The sound of a boy in pain made her remember her situation. Sky Lark was still lying in the back defenselessly with a broken leg. Additionally her scroll was blinking brightly. There was someone trying to contact her.

The responsibilities of a professor were endless...

Glass Mountain - Zone 4 - Close to the laboratory

"Your little lie involved all of these nice people into our problem, you know?" Anto scratched his head while watching the laboratory entrance. With Cardin's map it was relatively easy to find.

Behind them the others were also preparing themselves. Riza, Nora, Lucy and Jaune got swords (and the blond boy also got the only shield), while Ren, Pyrrha and Antonio sported old bows. Juge said he was fine with his daggers and rope. There weren't enough weapons for everyone, so Alex and Jasna said they were confident in their CQC(close quarter combat).

"I didn't ask any of them to help me, the same goes for you two actually." Alex said with an annoyed expression. Her breath formed clouds in the cold.

"So what's inside that lab anyway?" Riza asked curiously.

"That's what I want to find out." The black-haired girl replied.

"You came along for a different reason I presume Mr. Velmón?"

"I'll admit that much. Actually I want to reach the top and checkpoint four." He said with a nod.

"You really won't give up..." Riza rubbed her forehead.

"I made a promise..."

The entrance to the lab was not really protected. The huge metal door had been flung out and the darkness behind it was just as inviting. Grimm were straying around the place, but compared to those invading zone three they were only few.

"Achoo!" Riza sneezed and shivered. "I-I-I hate the cold."

"You can cuddle me to get warmth, my snow-fox!" Jasna sang delightedly.

"I'd rather freeze to death."

"So waaarm ~"

"Hands off my tail Lucy!"

Antonio smiled wryly. "They are not taking this very serious."

"That's why I didn't want any company." Alex sighed and then continued a little more cooperatively. "We will move out from two directions. Someone shoot that Beowulf up there and then we can stab the Matpa from the side..." She was trying to not think about how easy this would have been with her Desert Eagles.

"Pyrrha's a good shot. leave it to her." Jaune proposed.

"Then we got a plan."

Everyone went into position and got ready to run. Pyrrha was aiming her old bow with great accuracy and drew it as hard as she could. There were cracking sounds, but the antique still hold out.

Swish.

The arrow flew in a big arc and hit it's target straight in the head. She really was a top student of Sanctum. The Beowulf died without a sound. The two groups split up and approached the entrance from two directions. The left side lead by Lucy robbed through the cold snow and when they reached the first Matpa, Juge threw his rope around it (which automatically tied it up) and then pulled it straight into Lucy's old sword. This time though it released a deathly growl before fading, so they got the other's attention.

"GIGI UGHAA!!" About six more Matpa started to jump and cry out while sprinting towards their new prey.

"Now!" The second team consisting of the members of Team AKJA sneaked towards the entrance. They left visible trails in the snow, but Grimm were usually not smart enough to follow those.

Suddenly something cracked behind Alexandra and another Beowulf appeared from a pile of snow. Had it hid itself? That wasn't normal behavior. Either way it was a bad situation.

Alex went into a stance and awaited the Grimm's attack, to use her CQC, but before the black furred monster attacked it was already impaled by a sword. A shield then hit it in the back and the sword was pulled out.

"Thank you... Jean."

"My name is Jaune!" The blond hunter protected their back.

"Right." Alex avoided his eyes and then ran closer to the entrance. The key-card device was fully intact, but there was no door to regulate, so it seemed kind of lonely.

The three of them just stepped over the sharp metal rests that were once a door and walked into the darkness of the lab. The sounds of fighting behind them soon turned quiet.

"I hope they get away safely." Antonio muttered.

"Let's worry about our own safety first. This lab could still house more Grimm." As if her words were some kind of bad omen they could hear some ominous growling from deeper inside. She couldn't identify it as any known animal or Grimm.

"I suppose that could have been the wind. It's channeled in these tunnels." Antonio explained while shivering from the breeze.

After a few minutes of sneaking in the dark they finally saw some light. It was of a weak cold blue color. There was an open door in the side that was slowly creaking back and forth. Alex walked behind it and then spied inside.

"Nothing." She whispered. All of them went inside without letting their guard down. The room was full of small warning lamps, which were also the only light source. Their blue light was glum and uninviting.

"What is this place?" Jasna asked bored.

"Looks like a server room." Antonio looked at the left wall that was filled with screens. They were all black or showing static. "Possibly also used for surveillance."

Alexandra walked over to one of the computers and tried to push a few buttons on the console. No response.

"Damn it." She cursed while looking for some more clues.

"Everything runs on emergency power. It must have been activated recently. I can't imagine that it was running for all these years after being abandoned. Perhaps the Grimm outbreak activated it." The brown-haired teen looked at a few papers lying around.

"I have to get these damn cameras working..." Just as she said that a huge rumble went through the whole room and some dust rained from the ceiling.

"That was a big one." Jasna said with a grin on her face. "Looks like not all of them have escaped yet."

"..." Alex gulped and then widened her eyes in surprise. The shock had done something to the screens. Some of them showed actual video footage again.

"What a coincidence." Anto smirked. "Hm? Those... seem to be cells? No... cages." His expression turned more serious.

"I knew it." Alexandra bit her lip. "Those idiots at T&W Enterprises... they were holding Grimm captured down here."

"For what purpose?"

"No idea... probably experiments." She played with her black hair while thinking.

"That screen over here." Jasna pointed at a screen towards the right. "What are these tubes?"

Alex followed her finger and then her eyes widened in shock. "No... This..." She held one hand in front of her mouth.

"What?" The short-haired girl looked at her in confusion.

Alex didn't reply and stormed out of the room. Anto and Jasna looked at each other and then followed behind her. She seemed to run through the hallways blindly, but after a while they passed through several laboratories and even reached the rooms with the cages. There were huge cavings in the walls to house at least several mid-sized Grimm.

"There are signs of explosives..." Antonio stopped and looked at some of the locks and metal grits. "Someone blew them up to release all of them."

"Must be some pretty messed up activists who want to free Grimm from imprisonment."

"Even if such people existed I doubt they would get information about a top-secret facility on private property of a huge environmental company, dear Jasna." He denied her theory and then realized that Alex was already gone. She didn't even spare the cages a single glance.

The two caught up to her after skipping several rooms and finally reached the location of destination. The all-present blue light was missing in here. Instead there were red lamps all over.

And the liquid in the tubes was barely clear enough to let light shine through.

Alex was knelling on the floor as if her legs had given in.

Antonio raised his hand and tried to say something, but then he noticed her shivering shoulders. Small sniffles gave her tears away.

"They... really... are... the... worst..." Between her tears her sorrowful words seemed all the more painful.

Inside the tanks were several blobs of organic substance.

But a few of them had faces.

Glass Mountain - Zone 4 - Somewhere in the snow fields

"Huff... huff... there is no end!" Riza complained.

They had been fighting the Grimm in front of the laboratory for a bit, but there were no signs of them decimating their numbers, so their best option was retreat. Team AKJA was inside the laboratory, but from what the map said there were actually several exits all scattered around the zone.

But even after their escape the attacks wouldn't stop.

"Just a little longer... we are almost at the peak. Right... over that hill... should be the crater." Pyrrha said with slight exhaustion. She was already out of arrows and there was no time to pick them up from the Grimm's corpses.

Jaune's sword had already broken and Lucy's was full of cracks.

"I'm out of arrows too..." Ren said as he shot one of the stalking Grimm for the last time.

"Run!" Juge yelled as he kicked another Matpa down the hill. They gave all they had to run uphill while avoiding the ferocious attacks of several thrown rocks and long tails lashing at them.

One of them grabbed Lucy at her ankle, but she cut it off with a swift move of her sword. It cracked even more and knowing that it was getting useless she threw it at the next best beast.

Nora slashed one of the pursuers down and the next one was right behind it. Two more were attacking from her flanks. It was getting really dire, but in the last moment Riza tackled the left one and Ren hit the other with his bow like he was using a baseball bat.

"Thanks guys ~" Nora squealed and then stabbed the last one into the chest followed by a backflip. She pulled the other two with her over the edge of the hill. Lucy and Pyrrha followed behind with Jaune on their shoulders.

Juge slashed a Beowulf's face before following them downhill. They were rolling down through the snow and left several big lines in it until arriving at the bottom. The surroundings were very different from the rest of the mountain. A gigantic crater similar to that created by a meteoroid impact was dug into the peak. Snow had gathered in this unnatural sink but the ground level was still lower than the rest of the area.

In the middle of this devastated landscape stood a huge mansion with a full fledged landing platform and everything.

"The checkpoint at last." Jaune sighed.

"Don't relax just yet, the Grimm are right behind us!" The fox faunus pushed Jaune ahead towards the building. The others also got up, covered in snow, and continued to run.

It was just a straight run towards the safe sanctuary, but if some of the Grimm were to catch up...

"Riza, Pyrrha! Give me a hand here." Juge suddenly stopped his running and turned around.

"What are you saying now?" Riza stared at him with her blue eyes and tried to comprehend his actions. When she came close up he took her sword.

"That's all I need. Run with the others!"

"What are you...?"

"Pyrrha, sorry to drag you into this, but your semblance is very important right now." He smiled apologetically.

"No problem." She smiled back with determination.

"You don't think you can stop them by yourself?!" The others stopped advancing too.

"Don't stop. We are just going to slow them down. Trust us!"

Lucy and Riza didn't seem to like the idea, but Jaune nodded. Nora and Ren followed their leaders decision.

"Those two can handle it." He said. His words were full of trust.

"Guh... how can I oppose that genuineness?" Riza slumped her shoulders and did as she was told.

While the rest of the teams moved on Juge tied the sword to his battered rope. Now the first wave of Grimm made it over the hilltop.

"I've got three daggers left. Those will hardly help us now. But this sword can still be used." He swung the rope with the sword tied to it next to him in circles until it blurred into a big circle.

"I see what you want to do." Pyrrha caught on to his plan.

"You only need to push the blade. A normal slash with my muscle strength alone like this would be too weak to harm them, but with your semblance..."

"...the force will be significant."

"Right."

They both waited for the perfect moment. The Grimm were rolling, crawling and jumping down the hill in rapid speed and their growling could make grown man shiver. The big ones like the Ursi luckily didn't make it yet.

'Not yet... a little closer...' Juge calculated the distance. He was waiting for them to cross an invisible line.

"...now!" Pyrrha yelled and Juge switched into action.

With a strong throw he catapulted the sword ahead towards the incoming mass of creatures. The rope connected to it was spreading more and more. Pyrrha raised her hand and the sword was accelerated immensely. The most outward Beowulf was hit into the throat and died with a gargling sound, but that wasn't the end of it. With another hand movement Pyrrha accelerated the blade sidewards, so that it slashed through a whole line of those Grimm with immense speed. It cut through them like butter and a whole row was cleaned out in an instant.

The next row behind those decimated monsters crashed into their corpses or stumbled over their falling bodies. The antique sword broke to pieces after being overused like that, but the rope attached to it suddenly spun around three or more Grimm and tied them down. Sadly they slashed through it and broke themselves free immediately.

Still the advancement of the beasts had been slowed down considerably.

"That went better than I expected." Juge admitted. He and Pyrrha didn't stay to watch them recover though. They followed their teammates to safety.

Halfway towards the checkpoint something unexpected happened. Left and right, actually all over the place Beowulf jumped out of the snow, as if they had been laying in wait for their prey.

"Wh-at?!" Everyone looked shocked at this sudden development. "Grimm aren't supposed to bet this smart... this the second time they used such a tactic." Jaune remembered the other sneak attack back at the lab.

The enemies were spread all over the crater, but they seemed to keep away from the house.

"Dammit!" Riza, surprised by the sudden attack, was cut in the back by a Beowulf's claws and her white outfit immediately was tinged in red. "Tsk..." She ducked under the next attack and tried to kick the Grimm's legs away, but it jumped over her move. She stopped the drooling jaws from biting her shoulder off with her two hands, but with the pain in her back she would lose the struggle.

Lucy dashed towards her, but was blocked by two more of the wolf creatures. Without a weapon the only possibility was to dodge.

Juge and Pyrrha also ran like the wind to support the others, but it didn't look like they would make it in time.

'So close... and yet I will die here?' Riza was sweating despite the freezing temperatures while she tried to push the biting and growling monster away from her. In this deadlock she stared into the red malevolent eyes of her opponent and deeply sank into them. Maybe it was the blood loss, but memories of the past were returning once again. Back when she was just a little kid... back when her world was crushed...

As if to make fun of her the Grimm slashed her side and pushed her down with its legs instead of killing her swiftly. Its claws were dyed red in her blood... those sharp fangs would soon drill into her flesh. Those eyes full of hate would suck out her soul...

What was reality and what was memory at this point? She couldn't tell. Maybe it would become clear once she gave in to the blackness that was covering the edges of her vision...

Blam.

"Grroghg...!" The monster triumphing over her a second ago was bleeding from its shoulder.

Blam. Blam.

Another hit into its side and then into the back. The creature squirmed and turned towards the attacker.

Riza looked up and saw a blue blur several meters away.

"J...uge..?"

The young Velmón was holding a very old looking gun in his hands. He was running with all his might while shooting, which reduced his accuracy.

Blam!

A fourth shot, this time it hit the beast into the chest. The pressure on her body disappeared as the Beowulf stepped off her to dodge the next projectiles.

"HAAH!" The teen in the blue vest jumped ahead and rammed his shoulder into the black furred wolf. Their colors mixed for a few seconds and then he was standing atop his enemy pushing the gun into it's gaping jaws. "The end." He pulled the trigger two more times to be sure and the smoking gun was empty.

Time resumed and the others also made it to her location and surrounded their friend like a protecting shield.

"Riza...!" Lucy was holding her in her small arms and pulled her up.

"You... had a gun..?"

"This is a family memento. It isn't more than a good luck charm. I didn't count it as a weapon."

"A good luck charm... that kills monsters... ahaha..." Riza laughed while also coughing. For some reason everything seemed funny now that the world turned black.

"Hang in there!" Jaune yelled and helped Lucy carry her.

Now that they were surrounded it would be extremely difficult to get out of the mess.

"Cardin wasn't worth that much trouble." Nora joked.

"This was never about Cardin." Ren replied while readying himself for the incoming attack.

The group pushed back to back to leave no gaps in their attention. All the Grimm were circling them and then when one of them overstepped an invisible line everything on legs moved forward.

"Here they come!"

Everyone prepared.

And then the air-ship flew over the hill and above the chaos. It's hatch opened mid-flight and a bunch of familiar faces appeared. Golden locks, a cape, bow and a ponytail flew through the air. Additionally a small phantom like boy somehow made it into the picture.

"Team RWBY to the rescue!" The shout of the youngest student in Beacon was the most reassuring thing that anyone could ever say in this situation.

Yang crashed straight into one of the Grimm gauntlet first and it exploded from the shotgun shell pumped into it's body at high speed. Weiss cut down the legs of one of the Beowulf and Blake flashed past it to finish it off with her Gambol Shroud.

Ruby was a red and black hurricane of asskickery as she cut down countless beasts in a perfect combo.

After displaying such skill the short haired girl turned towards the group and smiled. She threw their respective weapons at them that she picked up from base camp.

"Kept you waiting, huh?"

...

After a while Antonio, Jasna and Alexandra made it out of the complex and into the open. The map lead them to the exit closest to the final checkpoint. Alexandra hadn't spoken a word since her breakdown and was now just staring into the distance.

Her teammates where also keeping to themselves, but at least in Jasna's case it was only because she didn't feel like it after seeing the things in the tanks.

Antonio was calm, but he didn't want to stir her up any more.

When they stepped out into the cold snowfield again they were greeted by a very shocking scene. There were Grimm and hunters/huntresses all over the place fighting each other to the death.

"They even made it here?"

And at the sky they could see the air-ship getting ready to land on the platform next tot he mansion.

"Guess we made it just in time." The scarf-wearing girl said and whistled.

The students where retreating and soon the professors appeared to give them support. Glynda Goodwitch's skills where out of this world and she alone was probably enough to keep the whole pack of Grimm busy. Most of the students made it inside the building and then into the air-ship.

"Wait for us!" Jasna started running and waving.

"Look out!" Antonio saw movement from the edge of his vision and tried to warn her, but the Matpa was faster.

Its huge mask wanted to bite into the short haired tomboy, but something from quite a distance shot it down. The following creatures also got head-shots every time.

"That sniping ability... Kirk." Anto gave his standard smile when he spotted the small guy positioned on the mansion's rooftop.

"Support." He waved at them.

"Guess he isn't entirely useless." Jasna shrugged and grimaced.

When they entered the checkpoint they were surprised to see Ozpin sitting on the staircase in relaxation.

"Ah Mr. Chessa, Ms. Wilhelmine and Ms. Zora." he stopped for a second and then added "And Mr. Fire of course." Kirk barely made it into the visible spectrum. "I am happy to see you safe and sound."

"Thank you... aren't you going to the air-ship, sir?"

"That can wait until all my students and professors made it back." Ozpin smirked and sipped on his coffee.

While they talked leisurely the main door burst open and two people rolled in at the same time. They stared at the two as they both ran up to Ozpin and pushed two objects into his hands.

"Stamp this please!" Juge and Yang were in total unison.

"My my. The test was canceled because of unforeseen complications. The stamp is worth nothing I fear." The silver haired headmaster peeked over his glasses while mustering the two.

"That doesn't matter." Yang said.

"It's a bet." Juge claimed.

Ozpin started laughing. "In that case I declare it a draw. Here." He stamped both of their cards with a stamp from his inner jacket pocket.

The symbol looked like a half crumbled full moon.

The two students stared at each other and then shrugged.

"I think that's fine."

"Whatever. I had the higher body count." The blonde girl added.

"What? Well I actually climbed the whole mountain. No fancy air-ships involved."

"Huh? We followed you guys all the way to checkpoint three, but then got stopped by Ms. Goodwitch. She was really furious. I guess you have a long speech ahead of you servant-boy." Yang snickered.

Away form their banter the others also made it and Riza was carried on a stretcher. The retreat was well done and soon everyone had been escorted to safety.

Glynda returned to the entrance hall as the last professor. She looked a little out of breath, but otherwise absolutely normal.

Now only team AKJA, her and Ozpin were left in the room.

"I know you have just made it through a dangerous battle, but I still have to ask you a few questions, if you allow." He didn't sound pushy or demanding, but it seemed like he was intend on getting what he wants.

"It's a bout what we saw in the laboratory, right?" Antonio stepped forward to pull the attention away from the still quiet Alexandra.

"Correct." Ozpin nodded. "What did you see?" His glasses flashed.

"..." The three who witnessed the insides were falling silent and Kirk just kind of stood behind them.

"A bunch of trash." Jasna finally said with a disinterested look.

"Oh?"

"Nothing salvageable." Antonio added.

"How about some sort of cages?" Glynda asked briskly.

"I don't remember." Jasna said.

"...actually yes." Antonio corrected her. "There were a lot of open cages. They were blown open with explosives."

"I see." Ozpin nodded as if he had expected it. "Nothing else?"

"We were in a hurry..." Antonio tried to talk around the bush, but suddenly Alex opened her mouth.

"Disgusting experiments... performed by cruel scientists... ordered by the heads of T&W Enterprises." Her face was filled with anger.

"...I see." Ozpin repeated. "Have you found any evidence to proof your claims?"

"Look at the bodies and you will find your proof." She said with disgust.

"I meant are there any connections to T&W?"

"...no..." Alex looked crestfallen. All the files and papers were unsigned and extremely discreet.

"In that case we cannot take any actions just yet." Ozpin stood up and leaned on his cane. "Now that the mountain is infested with Grimm the corporation will have to take care of their property. They will send hunters and personnel to deal with all of it."

"So... you are basically saying..." Alex shivered. "That all the proof will be erased...?"

Ozpin stayed quiet and walked out of the hall.

"Come with me. We are going to board the air-ship now." Glynda waved them along. her face was an impenetrable mask.

Team AKJA followed her silently while Alexandra pressed her hands too fist until they were bleeding.

Air-ship - Between Glass Mountain and Beacon

Team LARJ, JNPR and RWBY were all recovering inside the medical bay of the ship. Though the only one who was really injured was Riza. A nurse was taking care of her behind some curtains, but it seemed like she would make it. The blood loss wasn't as terrible as it had looked at first. The claw marks might not even leave scars.

After a while the nurse finished and opened the curtains.

"You can talk to her now, but please don't upset her. The wounds might reopen if she gets too excited."

Juge and Lucy were the first to come to her side and they looked relieved to see her awake and relatively fine.

"I had to be saved... two times today. Kinda pathetic..." The fox-girl said with a frown.

"That's not true. The situation was unfavorable for all of us."

"Riza is strong ~" The red-head was holding her hand.

The others also came in one by one and talked to her.

"What about Cardin... and Lark?"

"Those two are doing fine. Lark got a broken leg, but that's nothing compared to a broken spine, right?" Weiss said unusually mean-spirited.

"And... what about Alex and the others?" Riza was really inquisitive today.

"Team AKJA is also recovering. I don't know what happened in that lab, but Alexandra looks really depressed." Ruby looked worried.

"Heeeeeey lil' Missy!" The overly loud yell of an old man made everyone jerk back.

"Psssht!" The nurse came running and held one finger on front of her mouth. She looked very angry.

"Ah... s-sorry." Ernst Valkin was walking towards the group of students gathered around the bed. "Lookin' better already." The gray-haired smith said with a grin.

"Mr. Valkin..." Riza stared at him from her pillow.

"Valkin? The Valkin?" Weiss' jaw went wide open.

"A Valkin is fine too, miss Schnee." He bowed playfully.

"Woooaaah!" Ruby went into admiration mode. "I have read ALL your stories, sir. You are one of my greatest idols!"

"Now now..." Valkin seemed a little overwhelmed with her reaction.

"But what are you doing here? How do you know Riza?" Jaune's eyes were spinning.

"He works at the Beacon general store." The blonde faunus explained.

"WHAAAT?!"

"QUIET!" The nurse was now glaring daggers at their group.

"Could ya keep the formalities down and just treat this old man like a normal dodderer." He winked. "Anyway, good to see ya doin' alright." He waved Riza and walked away laughing his raspy laugh.

That was the last straw for the nurse who grabbed him and pushed him out of the medical bay while scolding him all the way.

"Is he really a legend...?" Somehow Weiss doubted it.

"He was the one who protected the base camp and brought all the equipment on the air-ship. That's how we could retrieve our weapons in time to help you." Blake explained to Juge and Jaune.

"You knew about that Blake?"

"Only someone living in the sticks wouldn't recognize Ernst Valkin." She shrugged.

"I totally knew who he was!" Yang immediately blurted out.

"So..." Ruby suddenly changed the topic. "Who won the bet?" Her eyes were glued to Yang and Juge.

"Bet?" Riza asked.

"It was a draw." Juge sighed.

"Pah! I entered the mansion first."

"You also skipped a whole zone via air-ship." Juge replied.

"W-well... you used weapons!"

"All inside the rules." He opened his arms wide with a confident grin.

"And that gun?"

"Just a memento. I was surprised it even worked." Their back and forth continued, but what they didn't notice was the dark atmosphere spreading from Riza's bed.

"Juuuuuge ~" She gave him a very sweet smile.

"Hm? What is it Riza?"

"Let me get this straight... you left Lucy behind and dragged me along... you were so hellbent on making it to the top first... and you even ran into a Grimm infested zone forcing us to come help you..." With every word more veins popped on her head.

Lucy and Jaune magically disappeared from Riza's bedside.

"Uhm.." Juge started sweating.

"I got almost buried by a land-slide... almost eaten by Grimm... and almost bled to death, because..."

Yang discreetly moved to the side.

"BECAUSE OF A STUPID BET WITH YANG!?" The faunus girl exploded.

"That's not all there is to it! I really need to be firs-" But his words were swallowed by invisible rage. And some flying objects.

The scene afterwards was too gory to even put into words. Not even the nurse could stop the massacre for a while.

Unknown Location - Balcony

A tall man leaned over the marvelous balcony made of marble and silver. His view was quite astonishing, beautiful even. An opulent garden with sculptures and even a maze was stretching before him.

"Never understood the purpose of a maze inside a garden." The man was smoking a cigarette and puffed a small cloud from his mouth while watching the sun go down. His suit was gray and his hair was styled to form a perfect V shape. An onlooker would have described him as elegant and fashionable.

The balcony door behind him opened and closed right after for another person. She joined him in the evening breeze and stopped close behind his back.

"I have brought news."

"What's it this time? I am tired of those damn meetings." The man sucked on the cigarette one last time before throwing it down the garden. He turned around and exhaled above her head while staring at nowhere in particular.

"Nothing of the sort I fear." She was wearing a red dress and sported a spiral like hairstyle. Her eyes could have pierced through metal. A gaze of steel.

"Don't be melodramatic." He shook his head.

"Our laboratory on Glass Mountain was found and all the Grimm test objects were released."

"Shit. Ozpin?"

"Of course not, fool. He would have done that years ago if he had any clue." She stomped on the ground with her high-heels.

"Then I have no idea. What about the other test subjects?"

"We are not certain yet. Whatever was left of them would probably be useless by now. We are sending Erasers to deal with any possible evidence."

"I told you to do that years ago." The man smiled as if he wanted to say 'That's what you get for not listening to me.'

"No matter. They have nothing on us. Also we are business partners. He won't act rashly."

"Whatever you say honey." He shrugged and went through his styled hair with one hand.

"And... we retrieved some of the security camera's footage." Now the woman started to get unsettled. She grabbed the man's hand with her own. "It's her."

The man now focused his eyes on the woman with sudden interest.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. She disguised herself, but I could never mistake her features."

"Beacon, huh?"

"I would think so."

The man played with the woman's hair while grinning.

"What a tasteless joke you played on us Alexandra." He started to pull on the woman's hair, but she didn't resist. "I guess the time has come to take back what belongs to us."