Rie was exhausted. She had kept up with Sam's combat skills after their first battle, but they had fought nearly nonstop. I didn't know there were this many Grimm in Remnant! Much less in this forest! Their count was probably around a couple dozen Grimm in the last three encounters alone. Right now, they were surrounded by no less than 6 decomposing Grimm corpses. She and Sam decided to rest for a bit before heading on. Thank goodness we can rest now. I don't think I can walk another step… She looked at Sam. "Well, how much farther do you think the ruins are?" Sam leaned against a tree.
"Not sure, lass." He wiped some sweat away from his forehead. "But we've got to be close, aye?" She nodded.
"I hope so. I don't know how much longer I can keep up with my 'stipulation.'" Sam nodded, then looked off to the side and grabbed his shotgun. "What's up?" Sam narrowed his eyes, then aimed at a nearby tree.
"I think we're being watched by… something." He fired a shot. Rie thought she saw a flash of red dash away right before Sam fired, but she was too tired to be sure. A blue jay flew out of the tree. Sam laughed. "I'll be jumping at me own shadow, next. Just a simple bird." Rie laughed as well.
"Maybe we should get a move on. We still have the return trip to worry about." Sam nodded, then pushed himself off the tree. Rie sighed, then got up. "Let's go."
"Wait," a muffled voice called out to them. Sam and Rie jumped, then looked to the source of the voice. It was Talon. He had his face mask down. She always thought he looked like a deadly assassin when he had his face concealed. They both sighed in relief.
"So that was you in the tree!" Talon didn't react. In fact, he ignored Sam.
"I come with a message." Rie knew that tone. He was all business right now. His helmet shifted to her direction. "Ms. Himora, you are allowed to use your Semblance to its fullest potential. Ozpin believes that you are competent enough with the stipulation. That, and you will need to fight what is coming with your whole power." Talon jumped back into the trees and was gone. Sam looked at Rie.
"Hear that, lass!?" She nodded.
Finally! I can fight like normal!... Wait… What's coming? She looked around, then heard a loud roar from her left. She also heard loud stomping. She uncorked some Dust vials and sat down. Sam reached for his gun. "I've got this, Sam. Just sit back and watch." Sam nodded, hesitantly. Come at me, Grimm. Come to your demise. The stomping was getting closer. Rie directed some Dust into a large spear and axe above her head. Whatever was coming was nearly upon them. She looked over at Sam. He absently hovered his bare hand over his shotgun. Her attention was drawn towards the direction the Grimm was. She heard paws and hooves beating the earth. They were in sync with each other. 2 Grimm, then. Doesn't matter. They shall fall. She readied her Dust weapons to strike. She saw a paw enter the clearing. A rather large, black paw. The owner's head followed a second after. It was a lion's head. They were afraid of a giant Lion? A few moments later, she saw a black goat head enter the clearing. It had no visible legs as of yet. The lion started to circle her as it entered the clearing, and she and Sam gasped. The Grimm in front of them was no lion or goat. It was a mix of the two! And, instead of a tail, it had a living black snake on its hind end. Oh! This is… unexpected… The lion-goat-snake-thing let out an unnatural roar as the snake tail lashed out at her at lightning speed. She barely smacked the tail- or head?- away with her Dust axe. She decided that she would need more Dust, and she uncorked some vials. Instead of letting the Dust stream out like normal, she ripped the Dust out and formed a few more spears, a sword, and a mace. She slammed the mace down hard on the lion head. This stunned the creature for a few seconds. The creature pounced once it recovered, and Rie created a shield in front of her to stop it in its tracks. The creature smacked into the barrier hard enough to crack it. Rie's jaw dropped a bit. This thing can hit as hard as Archangel!? She dropped the barrier. As soon as she did, the goat head spit black fire at her. She jumped back, just narrowly dodging the flames. She stabbed one of her spears into the thing's side. The creature barely flinched. She tried to cut it in half with her axe, but the blade bounced off harmlessly. The creature pounced again, and she stabbed a spear into its stomach. It had an effect, but it was the impact alone that made the creature flinch. The creature tackled her. NO! Not like this!
"Get off her ya filthy freak!" She saw Sam's anchor fly into the creature's lion head. The creature staggered backwards off of her.
Wait a second… She called out to Sam. "AIM FOR ITS HEADS!" She stabbed one of her spears into the snake head as it lashed out at her, pinning it to the ground. The creature howled in agony as the snake head started writhing on the ground. It appeared to be in its last death throws. One down, two to go. Sam harpooned the lion head right in the eye. He then turned the harpoon into the anchor form, ruining the face. Rie slashed her Dust sword and axe in opposite directions through the goat head, decapitating it. The Grimm crumpled before them, and started evaporating. Rie returned the Dust to her vials, and collapsed on the ground. Sam walked over and sat down. Rie looked up at him. "Well, that was a thing." Sam laughed.
"Aye. Let's agree to not do that again, aye lass?" Rie was too tired to laugh.
"Yeah. I'm just gonna recoup here for a bit. Watch out for me?" Sam nodded. Rie closed her eyes and she fell instantly asleep.
He smiled at the two students. Sam was starting to get tired, and it showed. Rie was out cold. Poor guys. They were exhausted. I hope Ozpin doesn't mind me keeping the Grimm away from them. He started circling the clearing, putting more distance between it and himself with each rotation. He saw no Grimm in the immediate area, so he set up some motion sensors around the clearing. He returned to his original perch, then allowed himself to think upon his report to Ozpin about the creature. "Ozpin, we have a problem."
"Yes, Professor?" Ozpin started to drink from his mug.
"We've got a Chimera here." Ozpin stopped for a second, then finished drinking his coffee.
"Are you sure, Professor? This isn't something to say lightly." Talon nodded at this.
"It's a Chimera, Oz. I wouldn't say it unless I was sure." Ozpin nodded.
"I know, Talon. I'm sorry for doubting you."
"How should I proceed? Should I kill it?" Ozpin thought about this for a bit.
"Tell me, how confident are you in Miss Himora's skill with her Semblance?" Talon could see where this was going.
"I believe that, were her restriction lifted, she could take a Chimera. If she figured out how to kill one, that is." Ozpin nodded.
"Tell her that her stipulation is lifted for the rest of initiation. Do not tell her about the Chimera's weakness."
"Yes sir." Talon hadn't felt he needed to tell her, anyway. He knew that she would either know how already or would figure it out quickly. His armor's scroll brought him back to reality. He answered it quickly. "Talon Teknos speaking." It was Glynda.
"Professor Teknos, tell Ms. Himora and Mr. Jones that they are to report immediately to Beacon Cliff when they are able. Tell them not to worry about the relics." Talon nodded. He looked for signs in Glynda's face that would betray the reason for the order, but found none.
"Yes ma'am." Glynda ended the call, and Talon started collecting his alarm systems. When he was finished, he willed part of his helmet to cover his face like a knight's faceplate would. Once finished, he stepped into the clearing. Sam had dozed off while standing guard. Talon walked over to him and placed one gauntleted hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Jones." Sam started.
"Wha- Who's there!?" He looked at Talon. "Oh. Just you, lad. Sir, I mean!" Talon was glad he had his face covered, because he couldn't help but smile.
Lad? Well, I guess we are the same age. Must be hard for him to remember that I'm a teacher… "You and Ms. Himora are to return to Beacon Cliff as soon as you are able." Sam looked confused.
"But what about-" Talon interrupted.
"Do not worry about the relics. Now, go as soon as you are able." Before Sam could respond, Talon jumped backwards into the treeline. He did a flip into the branches above, and landed in a perched position as he watched Sam wake Rie. He gently shook the girl as Talon saw his lips move. Rie shifted, then opened her eyes. She stretched, then got up. As she brushed herself off, Sam started walking towards the cliff. Rie called out to him, and he stopped. She uncorked some vials and formed a hoverboard in between them. Rie hopped on and gestured for Sam to join her. Talon figured that he should probably make it back to Beacon Cliff before the two students, and made his way back. He knew how fast Rie could move on that board, so he dropped out of the branches and started running. He activated the Movement Dust in his armor and sped along the ground. About a minute later, he saw Beacon Cliff before him. He deactivated his Dust, returning to normal speed. He jumped as he reached the base of the cliff and started climbing up. As he mounted the cliff, he noticed that most of the students had already returned. Michael and Glynda were standing on opposite sides of Ozpin. Glynda was observing something on her scroll, while Michael was simply drinking from his flask. Talon shook his head, and stood next to Glynda, face still covered. "They are on their way back." Glynda nodded.
"I am aware. Ozpin wishes to speak to you and Professor Frost alone." She stepped aside, and Talon took his place next to Ozpin.
"Come, Professors." Ozpin began walking to one side. The students were shifting uneasily.
They probably think he's discussing the results with us… Talon and Michael followed Ozpin. When they were out of earshot, Ozpin started speaking.
"Both of you will be relieved to know that Ms. Himora and Mr. Jones have passed initiation." The hair on Talon's neck stood on end.
I know that type of tone… Ozpin drank from his mug. "But…?" Ozpin faced him.
"But, they would make up a two-man team." Michael froze. Talon felt a bit of panic.
No! Rie needs a full team watching her back! She may be strong on her own, but she isn't good at reading a full battlefield! One on one, she's nearly invincible. However, you rarely ever fight one on one in this job! It was moments like this that made Talon glad for his faceplate. He did his sword exercise to calm his mind. Ok, think. How can I make sure she has a full team? I need to stall… "Forgive me, Ozpin, but that seems like a bad idea." Michael spoke up.
"Yeah! They're still in training and aren't that strong yet! Two-man teams are generally not done until more advanced years, right? So, what's the deal?" Talon looked at Michael in shock.
So, he WAS paying attention when I was telling him about Remnant customs… Ozpin lifted an eyebrow at Michael.
"That is correct, Professor. However, wouldn't you agree that these two are a special case? They work well together, and they compliment each other's fighting ability rather well. It's either make them a two-man team or send them home. Unless you two have a suggestion?" Talon thought frantically.
If they aren't a two-man team, they're kicked out. If they are a two-man team, they could die! I won't lose my apprentice! … Wait… THAT'S IT! "Ozpin, if I may?" Ozpin motioned for him to continue. "Rie Himora has been my assistant for many years. If I am to be a teacher here, I may need her assistance during the years I am here. Besides, I would like to train her myself in hand to hand when I have time. Hard to do if she's doing homework all the time, isn't it?" Ozpin thought for a second.
"Interesting. And what should I do about Mr. Jones?" Talon froze.
Right… I forgot about him… He was so worried about Rie, he forgot about the fact that it was a TWO-man team. Before he could ponder, Michael spoke up.
"He could be my assistant. If Talon gets an assistant, then I want one, too." Talon sighed slightly. Ozpin looked at the two boys standing before him with no emotion. He smiled.
"Very well. That is what we will do. The four of you will be an honorary team: Team MSTR [Masters], led by Michael Frost." Talon and Michael both started at this. "This will only take effect on missions, mind you. When either of you accept a mission outside of school, you will be accepting it for all four members of your team. Also, Michael will be in charge of any missions you perform. Now, about rooms for your assistants…" Talon spoke, still a little dazed by Ozpin's words.
Michael's our leader!? This is going to be… interesting… "Rie and I have no problem rooming together. She is my apprentice, after all." Ozpin lifted an eyebrow.
"Are you sure that is wise, Professor? Think VERY carefully about the implications of these words." Talon nodded. "Very well. And I assume that Sam will be staying in your room, Professor Frost?" Michael nodded. Ozpin looked at each of them in turn. "Very well. I shall make your team official during the acceptance ceremony later today. You will be officially recognized as Team MSTR at that point in time." The three looked back to the students right as Rie and Sam returned. "Now, we must tell the students that initiation is over." The two boys nodded and followed Ozpin back to stand in front of the students.
Michael Frost as our leader… We might be doomed…
I owe you all a HUGE apology... Life has been kicking me in the hind quarters as far as time goes! I haven't had time to upload this because of work and other things getting in the way! Anyway, as for this chapter's trivia:
The Chimera Grimm was created by myself and a friend. I wanted to create an interesting enemy for Rie and Sam to fight to show off some of their fighting abilities. History of the Chimera in Remnant will be discussed in the upcoming chapters. Stay tuned!
-VaanRat