Ash couldn't help but the sneaker at the situation seeing the reactions the girls had as they saw the professor in front of them.
"Professor Oobleck.." Ruby muttered
"yes, I'm afraid those bags won't be necessary girls seeing as you've opted to shadow a huntsman on what is now essentially reconnaissance mission i can assure you we will not be establishing a single base of operations rather we will be traversing several miles of hazardous wasteland and making camp in any defendable locations we may stumble upon i packed all of our essentials myself from the air course and ready the airship and it's doctor i didn't earn the phd for fun thank you very much."
The girls all groaned with various degrees of disappointment. Ash let out a chuckle and though professor Oobleck was definitely not his favorite teacher it would be the most entertaining. Ash began moving all of the supplies and packs onto the airship.
"uh come now children according to my schedule we are already three minutes behind schedule." The professor called out.
"well all right then looks like we're going to save the world with doctor ooh black okay yeah when you say it out loud it sounds worse." Ruby groaned as the other girls agreed. This wasn't who they wanted to shadow.
"save the world you're going on world" They turned around and saw Nora Jaune Pyrrha and Ren coming up to them. Nora continued rambling.
"saving missions without ice i'm sad maybe a little hungry that last one's not your fault though ren sounds exciting"
Pyrrha smiled asking "where are you going?"
Ash replied coming up after packing the bags in the plane "oh just outside the kingdom
Jaune smiled "hey so are we Ren and Nora wanted to shadow the sheriff of a nearby village we set out tomorrow." Then they heard more voices as Sun and Naptune arrive "then you can party with us tonight we're shadowing a crime specialist all inner city detective stuff we get junior badges."
Jaune fanboyed "oh"
Sun smiled "we normally go to the city with you guys which means stuff's always exploding in junk so we thought this might be a better way to check out the kingdom when it's you know normal" They all had a good laugh.
"well..." Ruby started but was interrupted
"four minutes ladies and Gent!"
"well uh wish us luck"
They went their separate ways as Team A-RWBY climbed aboard the airship and took off over the walls into the wild. Ash leaned out feeling the wind russhing past his face and smiles. "I almost forgot what the wind feels like when flying."
"i guess i just never saw you as much of a fighter" Weiss began speaking to Oobleck
"i admit i fancy myself more of an intellectual but i can assure you as a huntsman i've had my fair share of tussels"
"like the mushroom?" Ruby asked "those are truffles" Corrected Blake
"like the sprouts?"
"those are brussels" Yang corrected too.
Oobleck continued his debriefing "besides given my expertise in the field of history as well as my days in the archaeological surveys our dear headmaster sergeant to assign me to this particular assignment."
Weiss though interjected "What does history have to do with this."
"I say what a preposterous question" the professor got into her face. "To a silly girl my dear; history is the backbone of our very society and the liver and probably the kidneys if i were to wager and that means the southeast quadrant outside of vale is home to wild forests and deep caves, but it is also the location to one of the kingdom's greatest failures."
"mountain glenn" Ruby answered Ash perked up hearing this.
"that's right it was an expansion of vale but in the end it was overrun by grimm and fenced off from the rest of the city." Yang concluded
Ash was very curious about this had the grim become that much of a problem that no kingdom was able to expand out. He turned to the professor and asked a question that had long been on his mind. "Has technology stagnated so much that the kingdoms could not expand beyond the borders that they had reinforced?"
The professor turned to him and says "in a way yes and no. Most agricultural communities have not progressed beyond what I believe you would call a medieval style of irrigation. But in terms of weaponries self-defense protocols and transportation we have truly excelled in. There's a great amount of history in that."
Ash looked away outside seeing the land fly by them. "You know I always wondered what was life outside of the Remment continent." The Professor added "All the matters of history and technology well ahead of our own time and in some places lacking. Isn't it fascinating that so many communities could dwell on one planet and yet be so much different and yet have such similar technology or at least technological patterns."
Most of the girls had stopped listening by this point but Ash was very much in thought. 'If what happened in the story that Ozpin told me it is possible that all of humanity had once reached a United position but when we're separated out that technology kind of faded away but everybody had the same playing field in terms of simple tools.' He kept pondering on this as the girls discussed of the colony ruins.
"Now the city stands abandoned it's a dark reminder and a likely place for a hideout. Ladies and Gentleman you still may be students but as of this moment your first mission as huntress and hunter has begun from this point forward you need to do exactly as i say do you understand."
They all got of the airship as it landed int the middle of the open part of the ruins. All had their weapons ready but no one was seen. As they took their first steps Oobleck turned on Ruby.
"Ruby i thought i told you to leave all your bags back at school?"
Ruby began to sweat "but uh you hadn't told us to listen to you yet, so i didn't
"she's not wrong" the Professor though aloud.
Ash chuckled, hearing that Ruby blushed hearing his laughter and seeing his smiling face once again.
"Very well ruby leave your back here we can pick it up upon our return."
Ruby fidgeted "but i well.."
The professor leaned in close "young lady what in the world could you possibly have in that bag that could be so important to bring it with..."
Then it all became clear. Zwei rustled out of the bag. Ruby muttered to it "get back inside please.."
Oobleck was stunned "We're here to investigate an abandoned urban jungle teaming with death and hostility and you brought a dog?"
Ruby muttered something but the Professor picked the dog up. "GENIUS! Dogs are historically known for the perceptive nose and heightened sense of sound making them excellent companions for hunt such as ours."
Ruby got a little smug form this "I'm a genius or what?"
Ash rubbed her head like a disciplined child. "You're lucky that's what."
Blake spoke up "So, what are your orders doctor?"
"ah yes straight to the chase," The Professor regained his composer "I like it as you've been informed the southeast area has been marked as a recent hot spot for grim activity now there are several possible explanations for this behavior one of which being grim."
Ash came up to the professor again after the base was been established and ask him a question on what exactly are grim.
He explained "Grimm are creatures of unknown origin yet have been here on this continent for over three centuries but no other record of Grimm had existed before then. Many have speculated that Grimm are creatures that once were Pokemon that had succumbed to darkness of their hearts and mutated into horrible creatures."
But the professor says "I don't believe that for a moment though I do not know of all of the history outside of this continent I do know for a fact that the grim feed off of negative emotions they're always drawn to places of sorrow and sadness. As if they can't escape something some sort of dread or pain that is inescapable."
Ash looked out as he noticed a lone grimm.
"uh what" Ruby asked as the Professor suddenly stopped talking. "Grim a creature of grimm, approximately 100 yards from us at this very moment." The girls turned looked seeing one walking slowly on by. They all drew their weapons.
"Stand down."
"what?" The girls was surprised
"There are a number of reasons why groomers congregate in this particular area the most likely of which would be their attraction's negativity: sadness envy loneliness hatred all qualities that are likely held by our hidden group hovering ill intent."
"so what now we wait?" Blake said.
"We track if this specimen leads us to its pack that peck may subsequently lead us to our prey" The professor concluded
Ash agreed with everyone that tracking would be the best option so he released his Pokémon to help them on this mission. He rode on the back of Charizard for a little while being high and observing the ground below using his aura to see if there were any other people or creatures nearby. He detected none but then again it wasn't a assurance that there wasn't anyone. Many believed that the underground rail network that was being built for the colony maybe still intact even after all these years so it was logical to believe that that could be the hiding spot."
Yang turned back to the professor "how long do we wait"
"it's uncertain hours, days weeks why lone grin have been known to stay i slide from the back for months and there's whole pack."
Everyone was shocked looking back "what?!" Now the single grimm was now accompanied by a dozen more of it's friends.
"and now they've seen us"
Ruby slightly unnerved said "i take it tracking is out of the question."
"an accurate assumption yes."
Ash then says "what's the plan then?"
The professor took as sip of his coffee "Show me what you're capable of."
They searched high and low all over the ruins looking for any signs of a guard or centurion on patrol or any evidence locating where the criminal base could be. But for several hours they looked and looked and looked but could not find any Trace of anyone being there.
"piece of cake" Ruby smiled but the professor cut in on their success. "do not celebrate yet...but i am certain this is the first bout of many, shall we continue?"
After many more hours they finally stop for a moment
"excellent work girls fortunately there doesn't seem to be any signs of criminal operations in this sector oh well moving on."
As they started again Ruby came up to Oobleck.
"hey doc you know i was actually looking forward to seeing a pro huntsman in action like fighting or at least helping us fight.."
"Ah but i am in action" replied the odd professor "scouring the ruins of this one great city for any signs of irregularity. Not every mission is filled with daring and heroism girls sometimes it's just a high form of examination. Remember this is a job didn't you all signed up for it. I do hope you understand that." well the girls would rather put out by this even Ash was a little put out. He sat on some loose Stone and said "even when I was traveling with Pokemon we didn't usually just sit around we did a lot of training but we can't do that here can we professor." "The person as well as your Pokemon and creatures are tremendously powerful they are loud eye catching and above all inconspicuous. It will be handy in a fight but until we do that fight we cannot allow them to be out and around."
"yeah of course you're right." Ash groaned. Soon Oobleck spoke to each of them individually.
"tell me yang why did you choose this line to play?"
Yang tossed a rubble away. "huh well to fight monsters and..." But she was cut off
"..say well that is what you do i want to know why you do it?"
"the honest reason that's why you want to be a huntress the honest reason i'm a thrill seeker i want to travel around the world and get wrapped up in as many crazy adventures as i can and if i help people along the way then that's even better it's a win-win you know."
"i see..." He walked off. Yang was a little confused by the conversation.
Next it was Wiess.
"and you miss me a girl born into fame and fortune such as yourself certainly doesn't need the extra work so why choose this over our cushy job?"
"it's exactly as you said I'm a Schnee I have a legacy of honor to uphold once i realized i was capable of fighting there was no longer a question of what i would do with my lifeit was my duty."
"Interesting"
Now Oobleck and Blake were up in the ruin buildings.
"and what about you Blake you seem to carry yourself with a sense of purpose there's too much wrong in this world to just stand by and do nothing."
Ash was listening in on the conversation and stood up walking in to the light saying "I know exactly how you feel Blake I myself have felt that as well that one just can't sit around and do nothing well Injustice and evil walks around freely. She marveled at him in awe and wonder. Oobleck sipped some more coffee. Later on Ash was walking beside Yang down the empty street.
Yang turned to him and said "I've always wanted to know why did you come here to begin from outside the continent?"
He says "at first I didn't know myself I just met this person who claimed to be my uncle. And that an entire part of the planet has been quarantined off for maybe three centuries. I think a part of me wanted that's the thrill of excitement to go to a new region like I usually do."
He let out a sigh as he turned away looking at the mountains. "Maybe I just wanted to get away from what I've always known, my adopted sisters the memory of my mother passing all the things that I did in my life beforehand just seemed to be a reminder that it wasn't strong enough to protect my mom I should have been there for her instead of just traveling around."
Before he could say anything he felt Yang coming up behind him and hugging him her arms wrapped around his chest as her head was against the back of his neck but he also could fill her very large breasts against his back he's stiffened a little a faint but growing blush painted his cheeks.
She mutters to him "you know you're not alone anymore you said you have sisters now and you have all of us. I think that alone should give you some comfort doesn't it."
Ash was silent for quite some time soon she let go and walked away saddened that she didn't get any response from him but he finally spoke to himself.
"I want this. I long for friendship and family. Intimacy... But i dont know if i should prosue this, if i loose them again. I dont believe I could live with myself."
Then he was forcibly turned around and felt his face go into a pair of soft clouds. When his brain finally clicked he realized that Yang had turned him around and was now smothering his face into the top part of her cleavage. He flailed his arms around in panic.
She says "now you listen to me and you listen good."
Ash stop struggling and just quietly listened. "You are extremely strong but I think you still are that 12-year-old who lost his mom. And I'm so sorry that happened but how many times does it have to get through your head we are a team you can always count on us no matter what."
She gently moves his face to look up at her. She smiles "so start treating us like that how about you and me go out on patrol together."
"Aren't we already doing that?"
"Yeah but now you're head is in it." She walks off dragging Ash by the hand. Much to Weiss is frustration. She had wanted to get Ash to walk with her. "that blonde jerk got with Ash on patrol."
Soon they all regrouped and Oobleck looked up. " I believe that will have to do for today it's going to be dark soon you four set up camp in that building, oh and , please do make sure that there are no more of those creatures, your leader and i are going to secure the perimeter come ruby." Ruby shrugged at her friends..
"Quickly Miss Rose!" Ruby jumped and sped after him.
As they took to the top of the building, they could see a herd of elephant grim roaming nearby. Ruby was in awe.
Oobleck was staring too but in a more grim manner. "Yes Ruby, that there are grim."
"Let's kill it." she took her rifle out but Oobleck gently pushed it down. "i'm afraid your sniper rifle will do nothing more than agitate a grim of that size."
"but what if it attacks us." Ruby muttered look back at her teacher.
"right now ruby those good eyes are not concerned with us." Ruby looked back and noticed the grim looking their way.
"Ruby not every groom is mindless or rather not every groom is still mindless you see the grim you see before you are so powerful so superior to the groom you've fought that they've undoubtedly lived hundreds of years. Possibly one of the first grim and in that time between killing humans and attacking our borders they've done one important thing they've learned they've learned that when they attack our borders they're likely to die and what we lack in strength we make a foreign will and that killing one human will only bring more then why are they still so close to the city."
He went on saying "I'm not 100% sure myself there have been rumors and speculations theories and hypothesis but I do think the biggest thing is that there may be something, something inside of Vail that could be the key to all of this or maybe nothing to do with Vail at all. Have you heard the legend of Atlantis?"
Ruby looked up and said "everyone's heard of it that a once powerful empire that almost spanned the entire globe thousands of years ago they say that it had the power to do anything."
"Well as an archaeologist I have done my fair share of studying of the history of those so-called legends and I believe that it was actually once on this very continent."
Ruby had sparkling eyes and said "do you think we might find really cool stuff in the past that could do almost anything."
He giggled at her enthusiasm but said "no my dear I think we'll find more answers to more of life's mysteries before we will discover such things. But I do believe that that there is a connection between dust, Atlantis, and the Grimm something about these three seem to be connected somehow."
They stood in silenace for a while then Ruby spoke up. "Dr Oobleck hmm i was wondering?"
"wondering why i've been interrogating your teammates all day actually i was wondering why did you want to become a huntsman." Ruby was silent as Oobleck turned and jester to the city.
"look around and tell me what you see?"
She looked around "lots of old buildings uh empty streets..."
"I see lives that could have been saved as a huntsman it is my job to protect the people and although i am capable of doing it with traditional weaponry i believe i can make a much larger impact if i do it with my mind as a teacher I'm able to take knowledge the most powerful weapon of them all and place it into the hands of every student that passes to my classroom i look at this wasteland and I see lives that could have been saved but i also see an opportunity an opportunity to study these ruins and learn from this tragedy and therefore become stronger I am a huntsman ruby because there is nothing else in this world i would rather be."
The others waited until the returned. Ash was getting the fire going "i can't believe we didn't find anything."
"we've always been fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time i guess we can't always have luck on our side." Oobleck announced as they returned.
Yang then spoke up and stood to the professor. "earlier about upholding the legacy there's more to it than that i mean i don't know i don't know either i know what i want to do but i figured i'd always take things one step at a time well it doesn't matter we know why we're here right?"
Oobleck studied their faces before looking at the fire.
"oh wonderful a textbook campfire fire so warm very good Ash. Now eat your dinners and hurry to bed we have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow and we'll need you to take turns keeping watch over our temporary abode any volunteers for first watch?" Ash and Weiss volunteered for the first watch. "Splendid."
Ash and Weiss looked over the camp and the dark ruins around them. She decided to make conversation.
"hey did Ooplek ask you why you wanted to be a hunter, i mean what did you tell him?" Ash said "he never asked me."
"Oh.."
As the others went to sleep Ash and Weiss looked around the empty area. Weiss sat next to him and said "Yang isn't wrong you can always lean upon us for anything."
He smiled and says "I know but sometimes it's hard to forget your past and kind of hard to remember where you are."
She says "well I might have something that can help you remember."
He looked over at her she was blushing as she was looking away as if she was trying to convince herself of something. She said "close your eyes."
He gave her a 'really' look she says "closed them, it only works if you close your eyes."
He smiled rolling his eyes but he slowly closed them he heard no peeking okay he said "why so what is it that you're going..."
He felt something touch his lips something soft and gentle but warm and comforting. Using his aura he could tell already that she had leaned in and was blushing bright red with her own embarrassment but her own will kept her there. Slowly moving back she ended the kiss that she had given him.
She says "I think the other girls will probably make similar moves while we're here together but just remember you don't have to forget your past but remember that we are here for you now and I hope that helps you remember because if you don't I won't forgive you."
She stood up blushing and she dust off of her dress saying "I'm going to look around and when I get back you can do your shift."
Ash kept his eyes closed and just nodded to her she turned and left satisfied for now actually opened his eyes and he could feel his cheeks burning it's been well over two years since he kissed a girl. And he could hear some snickering in his mind. "Shut up Gardevoir Lucario." he growled lowly. But he couldn't help but smile and he thought to himself maybe I can move on if I just let myself. He looked up at the stars and says "I still miss you Mom but maybe you would want me to continue moving forward a shooting star trailed across the sky. His eyes widened but smiled taking it as a sign he kept the campfire going waiting for Weiss to return.