7
Warriors from Beyond/Tournament/Message
Destiny=Bungie
RWBY=Rooster Teeth
Let's do this.
Sorry about the wait.
/
Grimoire unlocked: Task Force Endeavor III
We will not bow. We will not be broken. Get to your ships. Our glory awaits us.
-Edgar Gein, his speech to the Guardians of Task Force Endeavor upon their arrival to Remnant.
/
The city seemed...homely enough. But to Xia Zhang it stank way too much of peace. She was a Hunter, one who belonged in the wilds. Being sent into this urban jungle while wearing civilian clothing...It rankled her greatly to be unarmed. Thank the Traveler for the Ghosts. Xia was currently wearing a leather jacket over a black shirt. She was lean and fit, built like a sprinter. Her jet black hair was bound tightly in a bun. Her eyes were dark brown and cold.
Commander Edgar Gein had several Fireteams out in the wilderness looking for information on the creatures they had slain. Grimm, as the analysis of the settlement ruins had named them. The second batch, who were rotating this shit duty were more focused on learning how this planet, Remnant, ticked. In the meantime, their little camp based in the ruins of some settlement would be managed by the Dead Orbit Marines and Engineers. Thanks to their meticulous work, Firebase Guiding Light was starting to look like a very attractive second home. Contact with the Vanguard was patchy but good enough. The commander made a comment that a supply barge would be coming in after a month. Thank the Traveler. No more reruns of Star Wars.
The actor who played Anakin Skywalker could go fuck right off.
Xia let those thoughts drift away and focused on their situation.
Currently they were in the City of Vale, the major population center of the Kingdom...Vale.
Someone clearly wasn't very clever. Oh well.
"You're getting antsy, Xia."
Nils Tsardikos smirked as he looked at his Fireteam leader. His superhuman physique towered over Xia's. Unlike Xia, Nils wore a brown T-shirt, cargo pants and work boots. His sandy hair was close cropped. His dark blue eyes were alight with mirth. Nils was unshakable but he had an enthusiasm for life which made him very sociable.
Xia frowned. "We're supposed to be warriors. Not spies." She said.
"Hey, come on. We got carte blanche on what to do out here." Nils tried to make her see the bright side. As usual. He waved at a couple of girls, giving a disarming smile as they shyly waved back. "Besides...this place looks a bit more happier than the City."
"No backbone." Ivan murmured.
Xia turned to look at her new recruit. Ivan Searle was quiet, and shy. He was competent however and followed her orders to the letter. Still, he kept fixing his shirt sleeve, trying to hide the fact that his arm wasn't made of flesh and bone. She could understand why. His left arm was a parting gift from an alien scumbag, there were rumors that Ivan killed a Fallen Captain with his own sword while missing an arm. There was no bravado in Ivan's demeanor though. He was already having a tough time dealing with his prosthetic, even if it was state of the art tech from the New Monarchy.
"Yeah, but they look happy without said backbone. Let them walk I say!" Nils stretched his arms. "Goddamn, feel that breeze."
He had a point. Things on Remnant were...different from Earth. It was happier for one thing. The only dangerous things out there were the Grimm, which were laughable. And a terrorist group known as the White Fang. They were Faunus extremists who considered themselves the voice of all Faunus who were discriminated against.
It was just too bad their methodology involved violence against the innocent. Something that rankled Xia all the same. She was really hoping for some action because if the White Fang wanted to tango, then they would know the reason why Emeici was feared in the Vanguard.
Someone bumped into her. "Watch it will ya-"
The larger, older man in the ill-fitted suit flinched and paled as Xia fixed him with a glare. Ivan and Nils got ready to intervene in case Xia decided to shank someone. The Bladedancer snarled. "Get the fuck out of my sight."
The poor man nodded frantically and scurried off. Xia looked at the forming crowd. "The fuck are the lot of you looking at?"
The crowd thinned.
"Damn Xia." Nils said grinning. "What's up with that?"
"I hate ogling fucks." Xia groused. "Come on, let's get to a bar or something. I'm getting pissy, I need a damn drink!"
"Small wonder Kevin Holden curses so much." Ivan muttered. "It surprises me that you taught him before, Zhang."
"He was a good student." Xia snapped back. "And a good shot. Don't underestimate someone who could take out a fly sitting on a pile of Dreg shit at over five hundred meters. He'll put a bullet in you faster than you can blink out of the way. You have a lot to learn sonny."
"Very well." Ivan said bowing his head.
Emeici had been the ones to find Kevin Holden's dropship in the red forest. It had taken more than six hours to secure the crash site due to the Grimm, which were infuriatingly tenacious. But the wayward Warlock was alive. That was all that mattered. Despite her catty nature, Xia was considered motherly to those who spent time under her tutelage.
An easily angered, irritable mother with a mean streak...but a mother nonetheless.
/
Amity Coliseum
"And what a finish! With all members of ABRN out of the game, this match goes to Team RWBY of Beacon!"
Kevin clapped politely but even he could see that the matches were...boring to say the least. He was still happy that Ruby and the others were heading into the next tournament bracket but still...Why were they so...wasteful in their movements? RWBY and ABRN had strategy to be sure. But combat was...way too much about showing off here.
He felt John poke his shoulder. "Dude, you really got to stop comparing this to the Crucible."
Kevin looked at his brother who was, once again, speaking with his mouth full. "Swallow your food," He told John who obliged only because the popcorn was making him thirsty. "So what if I am comparing the Crucible and these matches."
"For one thing, nobody is actively trying to kill each other." Hestia remarked as she took a sip of soda. "For another, there are rules in place. A bit like the Crucible yeah except less...bloody." The Titan smiled. "Too bad we can't participate."
"It would be too rough on the poor kids." John said. "The moment Port says go someone is going to go down." He could already see them gunning down kids and it kind of rankled him. "Still, this seems to be quite a spectacle. A single terrorist attack up here and at Beacon could cause all sorts of damage."
Kevin nodded. They all had a backup plan in case things got hairy. It would also mark a turning point on their journey. Kevin was already prepared to leave Beacon, and the subsequent consequence of revealing the truth of who they were and what they were made to do. It would also mean abandoning any concept of mercy, any White Fang or Grimm would be mercilessly cut down without a second thought.
The Stormcaller realized that everyone was heading out of the Coliseum to get some more snacks. "Come on, let's go talk with the victors." John said, snapping Kevin out of his thoughts.
Kevin followed John and Hestia as they weaved through the crowd towards the airship docks. Idly he wondered what was going to happen in the next match and who it was going to be.
/
"Ugh, I cannot understand how and why they are so...happy!" Emerald Sustrai groused to her partner.
Mercury Black grinned. "They're not that bad to be around." He teased her. Emerald looked up at her partner with a glower.
"I just want to wipe the silly, stupid smiles off their faces." Emerald said. "Ugh, they are way too positive for their own..." She trailed off as she saw Sunny Smiles, his brother and his girlfriend walking over and chatting to Ruby. She could have sworn that he had thrown a look in her direction.
That and the smile on his face turn homicidal for a few seconds.
"We're gonna have to deal with those three sooner or later." Mercury said. "Jeez, Sunny Smiles gives me the creeps."
"What were her orders regarding them?" Emerald asked.
"She would deal with them when the time came." Mercury said. "Her AND Neo would do what they have to."
Emerald looked at Sunny Smiles again. He didn't look like much now but she had seen him fighting in the streets of Vale. He could have steamrolled over all of those Grimm with no sweat. She'd get him back though for embarrassing her in that bookstore. They still haven't found Tukson yet and they rightly assumed that they never would.
"So...who do we have to work with?" Mercury asked her.
"The bimbo and the heiress." Emerald answered. "It won't take too much."
/
"Your card got declined, Ice Princess?" Kevin asked as Weiss looked confused at her Lien Card.
"I could have sworn I had money on this blasted thing!" Weiss protested at the stall owner. "Come on, try it again!"
"Relax." John said as he raised his own Lien Card. "I got this!" He paid for the ramen bowls everyone purchased. The moment the card was back in John's hands, Blake began to devour her bowl of ramen with gusto.
"That was some big spending." Ruby remarked.
John and Hestia glanced at each other knowingly. Thanks to the White Fang's "donations" to the cause, all three Guardians were currently sitting pretty on a large amount of Lien. Kevin merely shrugged and tucked into his own bowl of noodles mixed in with a bunch of vegetables. As always, he had a mug next to his bowl.
"Coffee?" Weiss asked. "At this hour?"
"It's herbal tea." Kevin said quietly.
"Yuck!" Ruby made a face.
"It's an acquired taste."
John grinned at Kevin who glowered back. "What?"
"Nothing man, nothing." John grinned.
Kevin rolled his eyes before continuing to eat. He asked for another cup of tea and something less filling, settling on a bowl of soba noodles. He had just seen Yang devour four enormous bowls and had nearly lost his appetite.
"Hey guys!"
Jaune Arc and the rest of his teammates took their seats. "Nice job fighting out there." Pyrrha commented.
"Thanks, we kicked butt and we looked good doing it." Yang stretched her arms. Kevin finished up his noodles and neatly stacked his bowls.
"Thank you sir," Kevin said to the old man manning the stall. He seemed pleased with Kevin's manners and began clearing up the mess. The Warlock then looked at the utensils the old man was using. "Hmm..."
"Thinking about what to cook next?" Hestia asked.
"You can cook?" Jaune didn't know that about Kevin.
"I'm not five star material, but I can cook reasonably well." Kevin answered as he took down some notes in his Scroll.
"Huh. I didn't know that about Kenny." Nora put a finger to her chin, unknowingly making John laugh while Kevin glared briefly at her. He did not like that nickname at all.
/
"It's been a few months." Blake told John and Kevin her concerns as they left for the school building. "Nothing. The White Fang has done nothing, not even a small time robbery. I'm getting nervous."
"That's good." John said. "That means you're not being complacent."
Blake looked at him with a raised brow.
"We haven't seen anything either." Kevin told her quietly. "And we're just as cautious as you are. Sometimes the only thing you can do is load your gun and wait."
"I wish I could do something." Blake said. "Everyone else...Ruby, Weiss, Yang...they're focused on the tournament."
"You should be too." Kevin told her. "Just because there are terrorists out there planning something big doesn't mean that you should let your teammates down."
"Yup." John nodded sagely. "And since you did come to Kevin for help, we'll keep an eye out."
Blake looked unsure but she nodded.
As she left John said. "Well, let's hope things don't escalate into a full blown shit storm behind anyone's backs."
Kevin laughed. Something big was going to happen, he was very sure of that. Even with Atlas ships in the air and boots on the ground. If he were someone like General Ironwood, he'd have been sending strike teams to hit anything that stank of White Fang.
That was how the Little War was won. Every criminal gang had bases. The only thing needed was good intelligence and the will to see things through. Guardian assault teams hit every raider outpost they could find. Survivors were interrogated for more information and another outpost was raided. You couldn't defend the innocent without bloodshed.
What was Ozpin thinking?
/
Crow Bar, City of Vale
"What a mess..." Qrow Branwen downed another shot of liquor as he watched the tourney fights. All he had really seen were kids pretending to fight. There was no skill involved with any of these so called fighters. Just a lot of showy pretenders.
He was like these kids back then, which saddened him. The veteran Huntsman nodded at the bar tender. "Get me another one."
"You're a critic." The bar tender poured him another drink.
"Yeah well, I've been in the Huntsman business for a while." Qrow answered.
"Those guys over there think it's funny." The bar tender nodded at an isolated table. Qrow looked over a bit groggily. There was a group of three sitting at a round table. The tall man built like a tank was laughing his ass off at the screen. The mean looking woman scowled and said something derogatory which set the bruiser off even more. The young man in between them merely nursed his drink saying nothing. One of his hands was metallic, a prosthetic. There was a certain distance between them and the other patrons. They seemed relaxed. The other patrons were completely terrified, even the dock workers who were big and burly.
Qrow could feel it. There was something...dangerous about these three. Especially the female.
"Mercs maybe?" The bar tender's voice shook Qrow out of his musings. "I dunno. They ain't Huntsmen that's for sure."
"Mercenaries? I thought they all hung out at Mistral." Qrow finished his drink. "I'm gonna go see who they are."
"Hey, your funeral." The bar tender shrugged.
/
"Hey."
Xia looked up at the stranger that took a chair over to their table. Emeici stopped talking and immediately focused on their new arrival.
"Hi." Nils said grinning cheekily. "You look like you've had a lot of drinks mate. Benj, why don't ya give him another?"
Ivan slid one of their beers over to the stranger who took it with gusto. "You guys seem new here." The stranger rasped.
"Yeah, just a friendly bunch of mercenaries looking for more clients so our boss doesn't get pissed off. Are you a local?" Nils answered still smiling. Dangerously now as Ivan kept an eye on their new 'friend' with a hostile glare.
"Somewhat." The stranger answered. "Been looking to go see some family up at the Festival."
"Really?" Xia asked looking unimpressed. "You have a family."
There was something nasty in her tone. The entire bar got quieter. The stranger smiled thinly. "I do, sweet cheeks. Two adorable nieces. They're training to become Huntresses you know."
Xia chuckled darkly. "Sweet cheeks huh? The last person to call me that has been dead for a while."
"You a spinster or something?"
The Hunter kept smiling coldly. "No. He was just an unfortunate fellow who crossed my path."
All four suddenly stood up from the table as the atmosphere exploded. Xia had her hands on both knives, Arc energy cracking between her fingertips. Nils and Ivan had their sidearms out. The stranger was holding the hilt of the two handed sword strapped to his back.
"N-Now hold up!" The bar tender complained. "This ain't the place for a fight!"
/
"You three think you're somethin' don't ya?" Qrow commented. "Hot shots who think they're quick on the trigger."
"Not quite, I'm a bit better with the blade." The female brandished her knives. She was fast. Qrow actually had a little bit of trouble tracking her hands. She sheathed her weapons though. "Stand down you two."
Both men kept their weapons up for a few more seconds before holstering the handguns at the same time. The young man with the prosthetic hand glared at Qrow's direction.
"Well, there goes my good mood." The female stated quietly. "We were having some nice drinks. The beer's good. The cashews even better, pass my compliments to the bartender will you?"
Just like that Qrow Branwen was dusted off like he wasn't even there. "Hey!"
"Do you really think that I'm going to waste our time starting a bar brawl?" The female told him, being the last one to leave. "We have much more important matters to attend to."
"Oh? Going so soon?" Qrow asked innocently. "We were just about to have some fun."
"Fun..." The female smiled at him. "Oh, we'll see each other again. You can be sure of that."
/
"You should have let me kill him." Ivan stated. "Me and Nils could have taken him out right then and there."
"If you were fast enough." Xia said. "Don't underestimate that man, he's stronger than he looks. Almost at my level if he was willing to risk civvies. Commander's orders are no fights gentlemen."
"Damn...That's stone cold." Nils whistled.
"I'm being pragmatic. And any idiot who stands around to watch a Guardian fight deserves everything that comes to them." Xia spoke seriously. "In any case we aren't here to harm the locals. It seems we have our objective."
"The Vytal Festival or whatever it's called?" Nils tried.
"Yes. Let's go get some currency." Xia said grinning. "We have tickets to buy~"
Ivan sighed. Pity the poor assholes they would come across. Xia would not be a merciful presence for them. Then again, they were thieves. And what was honor among thieves anyway?
/
The festivities would continue tomorrow. The sun was setting and many of the student body of Beacon was heading back to the Academy.
Kevin looked at his Scroll before folding it back up and putting it in his pocket. He sighed as he followed Ruby and Weiss over to the Beacon landing pads. For the first time he had seen Weiss visibly excited about something or someone.
So he was curious. Sparky was following, invisible as he usually was. The Stormcaller watched as the regal looking airship made the descent, and gracefully landed on the pad. The ramp went down and from the bowels of the ship walked someone who greatly resembled Weiss Schnee. She had the same shade of white hair and blue eyes, except that she was far more severe in expression.
She was escorted by two Atlesian Knight drones and Atlesian riflemen. Kevin didn't see them in action but from what he read in the news, Atlas's military used cybernetic soldiers to great extent. He idly wondered if any of his fellow EXO Guardians would take offense to how they were treated. Probably not though, EXO's were a lot tougher than mere military automatons.
"Winter!" Weiss exclaimed before calming herself down. "It's so good to see you...I mean. You honor us with your presence." She curtsied.
"What?" Ruby asked before Weiss elbowed her in the gut. She curtsied as well. Weiss then looked at Kevin pointedly.
But Guardians bowed to no one.
The Stormcaller merely stood as he always had, gaining a disapproving look from Weiss and a cursory glance from the woman aptly named Winter.
"Ah, um sorry. Winter this is...um." Weiss looked at Kevin.
"Kevin Holden." The Stormcaller provided. "I'm Weiss's classmate."
"I see." Winter looked him in the eye. "She spoke somewhat highly of you, saying that you are a particularly skilled swordsman."
"There are others who are far greater warriors than I." Kevin said blithely.
"You are humble for one so young." Winter commented. She then turned to her guards. "Leave us."
"Pride goes before the fall." Kevin told her as he thought of Edgar Gein, Ikora Rey, Lord Shaxx and Lord Saladin.
"True." Winter nodded solemnly before turning to Weiss.
Ruby sidled up next to Kevin. "Uh...so what was that about?"
"She was testing me." Kevin said. He then relaxed and yawned, looking less like a warrior and more like the ordinary, if lazy, young man he usually acted as. "Anyway, I guess we're going to go meet Yang and Blake back at the Academy then?"
"Sure!" She waved to Weiss who waved back briefly before chatting with Winter.
"So...Jaune's improved hasn't he?" Ruby asked Kevin who nodded.
"He has indeed come a long way from the timid rabbit he used to be." Kevin said. He then showed Ruby a picture on his Scroll. Jaune and Pyrrha were holding hands in the Academy grounds. John, being the troll that he was, had taken the picture just before the end of the last semester.
"Oh my gosh..." Ruby squealed.
"They're keeping it a secret, of course." Kevin said blithely.
"Ah, I see. I bet Yang would like to know what's going on-" Ruby started.
She was then surprised by a large crowd forming. "What's going on over there?"
Kevin followed Ruby. "Sparky. JabberHakke. Now."
"On it."
/
"Christ, what is going on?" John muttered as he and Hestia tried to move through the crowd. "What, did a ship crash into the cliffs or something?"
"We'd have heard an explosion." Hestia answered. There were gunshots. "That's definitely not an explosion." The sound of concrete shattering. "Well shit. It sounds like a fight." They managed to find Kevin standing next to Ruby and Weiss.
"What's going on?" John asked Kevin.
"Ruby's uncle and Weiss's older sister are duking it out." Kevin said.
"He started it!" Weiss complained.
"Ah, a pissing contest then?" John relaxed. "Right, cool. A hundred Lien on Ruby's uncle then."
"Hey!" Weiss cried indignantly.
Ruby looked excited.
"We're not betting John." Hestia rolled her eyes. "Although they do look evenly matched."
"Winter's good. And quite fast on her feet." Kevin said as he saw Winter move in with her curved sword. "However Mister Qrow has quite an advantage with his strength, that and he is quite skilled. Wasn't he the one who taught you Ruby?"
"Yep!" Ruby nodded. "He's not using his scythe though."
"Wait, you mean he's holding back?" Weiss asked, incredulously.
"Yep! Uncle Qrow's been a Huntsman for quite a while. He doesn't always deal with Grimm, but Dad says he does fight a lot of renegade Huntsmen. He's travelled all over Remnant too." Ruby explained in one breath. The girl didn't seem to breathe when she was excitable.
"Huh." John crossed his arms. "Make that two hundred."
"Who are you even betting with?" Kevin looked at John incredulously.
"You of course." John answered.
"Oh hell no." Kevin sighed.
"SCHNEE!"
And just like that, the fight was over. Headmaster Ozpin wasn't too happy with the state of his courtyard.
/
"Uncle! Uncle Qrow!" Ruby hung off of the older man's arm like a leech. Kevin stayed at a distance politely as he usually did.
"Great to see you too kid." Uncle Qrow smirked.
"Did you miss me?" Ruby asked.
"No." Qrow ruffled his niece's hair before noticing the young man standing a distance away from them. He knew this guy quite well from Taiyang's messages. Black-grey hair, soulless green eyes. The kind of thousand yard stare that didn't belong to an eighteen year old kid. This must have been Kevin Holden, the one his nieces wouldn't shut up about.
Especially Yang, which was kind of funny.
"Hey."
The boy merely nodded his way.
"This is Kevin, uncle. He's really cool. He's just a bit quiet." Ruby said to her uncle who stood up to face the Warlock.
"So you're the kid these two have been talking about." Qrow extended his hand which Kevin took and shook with a firm grip.
"I am." Kevin said.
"You're right, Ruby." Qrow grinned. "He doesn't say much."
"He speaks a lot more when Yang or Blake are around." Ruby pointed out.
Kevin gave a reserved grunt and pulled at his collar. Qrow grinned as he saw the hint of red on his face.
"Qrow, a word please?"
Qrow turned to look at Ozpin who was regarding him with a rather serious look on his face. He then turned to Ruby. "Looks like I'm in trouble."
"Well...you did kind of did mess up the courtyard a little."
"Heh." Qrow looked at Kevin and nodded. "Hey, it's nice meeting ya kid. So let me give ya some advice, it helps your girl problems if you talk more."
Kevin sighed. "I'll take your advice to heart. Sir."
Qrow turned around. "Oh, before I forget. Thanks for saving my niece. Her dad's a bit of a worry-wart."
The Warlock nodded. "If the situation were to arise again, I would make the same choice. Ruby's a good friend."
Qrow grinned back at the kid. Huh. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. The grin disappeared off of his face as he realized one terrible thing.
Kevin Holden was far too much like the three "mercenaries" that he met back at the bar. He was hiding something.
Something told him that he was more than an ordinary kid.
/
The Headmaster's Office, Later that night...
"What in blazes were you thinking!?"
"If you were one of my men, I would have you shot!"
Ozpin watched Ironwood and Winter Schnee grill into Qrow without any obvious effect. Qrow was far too detached to deal with it.
"While I do not condone his behavior at all, it did not help that you retaliated in such a way in the first place." Glynda pointed out to Winter.
"He was drunk!" Winter snapped.
"He is always drunk." Glynda snapped back. Both of them looked at Qrow pointedly, he quickly hid the flask of liquor he was drinking out of.
Before the situation could deteriorate any further, Ozpin put the question to Qrow. "What are you doing here, Qrow?"
"You haven't sent any messages in weeks!" Ironwood snapped.
"I'm not one of your flunkies, Jimmy. You sent me out there to get info. I'm telling you now, the enemy is right here."
Ironwood sighed. "We know."
"Oh? Well gee, it's good to know that I'm risking my ass to keep you well informed." Qrow sneered.
"They had good reason to believe that you were compromised." Winter spoke up, glaring at Qrow.
"Oh really? I have good reason to believe that you're not supposed to be here."
"Winter. We'll discuss the incident back at my ship." Ironwood interrupted before Winter could say one word.
"But-"
"Winter. I need you to leave. Now." The General's tone brokered no argument. Winter scowled at Qrow, saluted and headed out through the elevator.
"Look, I know-" Ironwood started when Qrow shoved his Scroll in the General's face.
"You know! That's rich coming from you Jimmy. But guess what? When you want to communicate with someone," Qrow said sarcastically and pointed at the Send button. "You use the little thing here called the 'Send' button!"
Ironwood bristled before letting out a breath. "Just get on with it."
"The infiltrator isn't just some little lackey. It's her. The one responsible for Autumn's condition."
"Damnit." Ironwood muttered.
"So despite the fact that the world thinks that we're all just teachers or Headmasters, we're the ones who protect the world from things they don't want to know about. We do it in the shadows. When you brought your troops over here, did you think about how we all agreed to do things? Or did you just not give a damn!?" Qrow's tone was angry but controlled.
"Discreet was solving nothing." Ironwood told Qrow. He walked over and placed his Scroll on Ozpin's desk. Immediately a holographic readout showing the status of the Atlesian Fleet appeared. "I came here with this much firepower because this is what was needed."
"You're here because Ozpin opened your eyes and asked for your strength to fight the true enemy." Qrow corrected him.
"He did, something which I am grateful for." Ironwood said.
Qrow rolled his eyes.
"The people of Vale need to see the fleet." Ironwood argued. "They need to know that we're protecting them."
"You really think she's gonna be afraid of all the toys you brought up here?" Qrow asked him. "Because I've seen the shit she has in play. That is fear."
"Then we need to find a guardian. Something that will counter that fear." Ozpin commented standing up.
"What are we going to do?" Ironwood asked.
"We're going to have to find one." Ozpin answered simply.
"Well, good luck with that." Qrow rolled his eyes.
"And now to the next part of this meeting." Ozpin steepled his fingers. "I assume Qrow that you have met the Holdens?"
"Oh, that Kevin kid right? Yeah, he seems a decent sort." Qrow said. "...If he didn't hide so much."
"Ozpin thinks he's here for a reason. I believe that him and his ilk are working with the enemy." Ironwood said.
"We already discussed that, James." Glynda said. "And Ozpin is right, the young man is not an enemy."
"His combat skills are sharp." Ironwood said. "And he'd be way too young for having such a skill set. He has to be a former member of the White Fang or a mercenary group."
"I checked that too." Ozpin said. "And my contacts have never heard of him. Neither he or his brother or Miss Munroe have much of a presence in any Kingdom. No records apart from what they have submitted."
"So...why haven't you said anything?" Qrow asked.
"They have no malevolent intentions." Ozpin answered mildly. "But they are biding their time for something...I just wonder what it is."
"I could probably find out for you." Qrow offered.
Glynda snorted. "You probably wouldn't. Kevin Holden is polite but he has a stubborn streak in him. You're better off trying to ask a wall how it's day has been."
/
Firebase Guiding Light, Vale Wilderness
Leone Grey was not very happy with the duty she was saddled with. She was a hardcore White Fang supporter but this...this was too much. Her group had been tasked with checking out the old Trough settlement to see if it could be repurposed as a base for the organization. She had twenty five men and women under her command currently. She had sent ten out. Only one came back, the poor kid had been beaten and traumatized by the group of soldiers now occupying the settlement.
She gulped as she approached the settlement walls. In an instant she saw several riflemen in prepared positions take aim at her. One of the turrets swiveled in her direction, the twin guns spooled up.
"State your business!" One of the soldiers yelled at her.
"You've got a bunch of my guys prisoner!" Leone shouted back. "You guys sent the last one to me didn't you!?"
There was a brief pause. After a few minutes the turret swiveled back into position and the gates opened.
A squad of uniformed troopers walked towards her, weapons raised. They had a mixture of assault rifles and light machine guns. Shit. All she had were twin revolvers, her knife and her wallet and Scroll.
For the first time in many months, she cursed the name of Adam Taurus.
/
"Commander sir?"
Edgar Gein blinked as he closed the tome he was reading in his personal quarters. That would be Santiago, his ever dependable Ghost.
"Yes, Santiago?" He asked bemused at the Ghost's formality.
"A White Fang member is, ah, demanding your attention." Santiago said. "Just thought you'd want to know."
"Very well, tell Lieutenant Chambers that I will be there shortly." Edgar stood up from his desk to get ready.
Loki-99 was busy supervising an exercise between Fireteams on station, mostly Grimm hunting. Keina...was being Keina of course, interrogating the White Fang member responsible for destroying Private James Jackson's left leg and putting Sergeant Fugazi in a coma. Edgar exhaled as he stood up and reached for his helmet. He wondered what the White Fang would like to talk about. Unless it involved the poor souls they had in custody, he had no reason to negotiate with a terrorist group.
Edgar felt the familiar weight of Bad Juju settle onto his back. He felt better now wearing his armor and having his weapons on hand. The Warlock exited his quarters and headed out to the eastern section of the Firebase where Chambers was waiting.
/
The Voidwalker found himself staring at a simple fold out table and two chairs. On one side of the table was a masked White Fang member, flanked by two of Chamber's men. The diminutive Lieutenant was standing behind the empty chair, the woman was talking with the White Fang and it looked like the conversation was going nowhere fast.
Edgar sighed as he watched them briefly before marching over.
"You're not allowed to go down there." Lieutenant Chambers spoke calmly even as the White Fang member threatened to stand up.
"Goddamnit, there's a guy in there who has a little sister!" The other woman screamed. "You can't just-"
"We can hold your 'friends' because this is our territory." Edgar said calmly before Chambers could speak.
The Lieutenant gave a salute as the Warlock walked over to the table.
/
Leone Grey felt an unnatural chill go down her spine as the enigmatic robed figure approached. The Wolf Faunus was terrified as the jackal shaped helmet turned to regard the soldier. "I will take it from here Lieutenant, who am I speaking to?" The figure's voice was muffled by the helmet he wore.
"Yes Commander." The lieutenant stated calmly, ignoring the glower sent her way. "This is Leone Grey, member of the White Fang."
"Ah, the 'voice of the Faunus' spew I kept hearing about." The figure spoke nodding his helmeted head. He then turned to Leone who was scowling. "Well, terrorist? What are we here to talk about?"
"I'm not a terrorist, jackass." Leone sneered.
"Hmm, so these headlines from a year ago are lies then?" The masked man told her as he fished out a Scroll. "'White Fang disrupts Faunus Civil Rights Protest with violence', 'The White Fang robs another Dust Store, killing the owner in cold blood'. 'White Fang insurgents terrorize local market for selling to both human and Faunus customers'. That doesn't seem like something an organization fighting for the good of its people would do would it?"
Leone bit her lip as she glared helplessly at the jackal mask as he continued showing her all the headlines from Vale.
"And what's this? 'White Fang members storm and rob a hospital, which has been known to treat both Human and Faunus alike'?" Leone could feel the unbelieving look. "Does that seem benevolent to you?"
Leone growled. "We had no choice."
"Peaceful demonstrations are more helpful you know." The figure put down his Scroll on the table. "But this warlike, brutal behavior makes you look bad. Further more...According to another one of my lieutenants, your men and women fired upon mine when they were securing our perimeter against the Grimm." The jackal masked figure looked her in the eye.
Leone gulped at the piercing look. "So...you wish to negotiate for the return of your men?" He asked. "I want you to convince me to spare them, seeing that my forces are ill equipped to take prisoners. Bullets are cheaper than cells after all."
"Look, pal. We had no idea you guys were out here." Leone said desperately.
"So you shot at my men with grenade launchers?" Jackal Mask retorted, sounding bemused.
"What?"
"Private Jackson had to have one leg amputated." Jackal Mask said calmly. "Now he has to wait for a month to get a prosthetic. He has a wife and two sons from what I hear. Sergeant Aaron Fugazi is in a coma due to being within the proximity of the blast. The man who fired that grenade launcher is currently awaiting his fate in a dank cellar." He put both hands on the table and leaned closer to Leone's face. "Please, convince me Miss Grey. Convince me to spare his life and yours. Convince me from giving your mangled corpse and those of your comrades to the White Fang leadership before I erase them from existence."
There was an edge to his tone and Leone knew that he could easily carry out his threat. Who the fuck were these guys? Nobody mentioned anything about soldiers operating out in the wilderness of Vale. Were they Atlas troopers?
"Who are you?" Leone whispered desperately as the full weight of what was going to happen descended on her shoulders. They just pissed off someone very powerful.
"A few have called us monsters." Jackal Mask answered. "But many know us as the best warriors mankind can muster. So tell me terrorist. Why should I spare you?"
"Commander?" Lieutenant Chambers approached. "I'm sorry to interrupt but there is a situation with Fireteam Grendel."
Jackal Mask turned briefly to the lieutenant. "Santiago, patch me through."
/
"Commander, this is Grendel One. We..heh, we got into a bit of an ambush over."
Edgar could hear shouting and the steady crack-crack-crack of rifle fire. "Is the situation under control Grendel One?" He said over the Task Force frequency.
"We've got it under control...Grendel Two! I want that fucking sniper dead! Sergeant Jeffries, keep the fire on that squad there we've got these assholes! Three move it!" Grendel One replied after barking out orders. "We'll be good, Commander. Do you want another prisoner?"
Edgar looked at Leone Grey, he made damn sure the insurgent could hear the communiqué. He loved psychological warfare.
"No. I have enough. Kill them all." Edgar said pedantically.
He saw the girl's wolf ears droop as her shoulders trembled. The Warlock exhaled.
"Lieutenant, have our...guest secured in one of the makeshift cells." Edgar said. "I'm going to go meet personally with Fireteam Grendel and Jeffries' squad."
"Yes sir, shall I prepare an escort?" Chambers asked. She gestured to her two guards to pull Leone up and haul her to the makeshift cells.
"No need." Edgar flexed his fingers as Void energy crackled in his hands. "But I thank you for the offer. What I do need is a Heavy Pike."
"Yes sir, the garage will have it prepared for you." Chambers answered.
Edgar exhaled. Depending on his speed, he'd either be there while there was still some fighting...or there'd be corpses. It did not matter. Grendel was more than capable of dealing with these insurgents.
/
Grendel One saw the incoming Heavy Pike and saw that his commander was on it. The battlefield was silent now, save for the cries of the dying and the gunshots of those giving them the mercy of a bullet to the head. One kept his helmet on, a Titan never removed armor until the battle was sure to be won.
Two and Three were currently securing the area with the rest of Jeffries' squad. The medic was tending to two of the squad, one with a serious wound to the eye and another with a not so serious wound in the leg. No one dead. Two was a bit pissy about the rather large tear in her cloak but she was fine. She needed to learn how to suck it up anyway.
The Pike slowed to a stop and Commander Gein stepped off, rifle already in hand.
"Sir." One nodded.
"The situation, Fireteam Leader." Gein said.
"We kicked their asses handily." One walked alongside the commander as they inspected the battlefield. "There were a total of ten this time, all armed heavily but no support whatsoever. I think they were just doing recon."
"Or maybe these guys were trying to infiltrate the Firebase." Gein said. "Nonetheless you did good. Our prisoner was listening on our conversation."
"Ah..." One nodded. "Psychological...You damn Warlocks are ruthless."
"A Hunter taught me that actually," Edgar answered. "A war lost in an opponent's mind is a war won for us."
"Poetic." Grendel One grinned underneath his helmet. "So...you just checking up on us sir?"
"Yes. I see that you have the situation in order." Edgar said. "Carry on."
/
Beacon Academy
"Oof!"
Weiss smacked straight into Yang's stomach and set the pair into the arena barrier.
Both girls had been sparring with John and Kevin, with the two brothers switching out whenever John felt like it.
"You guys need to coordinate a bit more." Kevin said as he lowered his Bolt Caster.
"I can't really coordinate with anyone if you're attacking me first!" Weiss whined. "Why don't you go for Yang for a change!?"
Kevin smiled underneath his helmet. "Because it's funny."
"He has a point." Yang panted which prompted Weiss to glare at the both of them. She got up from her sitting position. "Come on, one more before we head to dinner."
"One more!?" Weiss groused. But she readied Myrtenaster either way. "All right, one way or another Kevin. I'll hit you yet."
"Get ready Kev, I'm going for ya!" Yang let Ember Celica unfold.
Kevin merely made a circular motion with his sword before stepping forward, sword pointed at Weiss's throat. "Very well."
"Go get him guys!" Ruby cheered from the stands. John and Hestia played along while Blake was reading another book. Although she did peek up from over the cover from time to time.
"Weiss...go for the side, I'll distract him." Yang whispered.
Kevin blindsided Yang by striking first, when he'd usually hang back and let them make the first move. Raising his sword, the Stormcaller charged forward then suddenly moved into a deep lunge.
Weiss pushed Yang out of the way as she attempted to parry Kevin's underhanded thrust. She pushed the blade aside, giving Yang enough time to regain her balance. She brandished her Myrtenaster and went in with a thrust of her own. Kevin moved his head slightly to the side and disengaged immediately, drawing his pistol one handed.
"Aww hell!" Yang quickly started running to the side as Kevin began shooting with his JabberHakke. Weiss put up a red glyph that spewed fire at Kevin who quickly did his best to move away from the flames. He kept up the fire, this time shifting his aim at Weiss.
"That is so cheating!" Weiss roared even as she brought up another glyph.
"You're the one with the flamethrower!" Kevin shot back as he holstered his pistol. "Whatever happened to making every attempt to hit me Princess?!"
In the stands John and Ruby were laughing as the sparring match descended into an argument.
/
Well. Weiss was training, how about that.
Winter Schnee had her orders to depart Beacon and sure her sister would be disappointed but General Ironwood had been prudent to make sure she observed the young man known as Kevin Holden for the three days she was here. The General said that he was an unknown agent, him and his brother John and the one known as Hestia Munroe.
From what she had seen, Kevin was an astoundingly unfair combatant who used both sword and gun in a match up meant for sparring. She could understand the duplicity though, not every fight was going to be fair. Quite frankly, she would understand if the young man decided to pull out a shotgun in the middle of a match.
Professor Goodwitch had explained, in a most disappointed tone, that the Holdens would not be participating in the Vytal Festival. A shame, she would have wanted to see how Weiss stacked up against a truly skilled opponent. She made herself known by stepping out into the light.
"Hi Miss Winter!" Ruby waved.
Winter waved back, out of politeness' sake. She was not impressed with Ruby Rose being the acting leader and her little sister's superior. There was no doubt however to her lineage. Summer Rose had quite a prestigious record she left behind before her tragic passing.
Winter turned her attention to the next match up as John Holden took the stage. The older twin brother loped lazily onto the stage, his sword leaning against his shoulder. Blake and Ruby stepped up next, Kevin wishing them luck.
She watched as John placed his helmet over his head. The boy seemed relaxed.
/
"Ready Blake?" Ruby asked as she unfolded Crescent Rose.
"I am. But it's John we're up against." Blake said cautiously. "Any ideas?"
"Well..." Ruby watched as John took a few test swings with his swords. From what she had seen, John was an offensive power house. And his sword was capable of bursting into flame.
Like right now, John took one look at Ruby. She paled and gulped as he brandished his flaming weapon, charging at them. He went in with a wide sweeping cut. Blake and Ruby moved backwards just in time. John kept pushing, swinging his sword at Ruby before turning his nigh-murderous attention on Blake.
"He doesn't waste time does he?" Yang asked Kevin and Hestia. Both shook their heads.
"John's not exactly the patient type." Hestia said smiling slightly. "I've seen him take risks that even I would balk at."
"Well, he does have luck on his side." Kevin said. "It's like his optimism becomes a force of reality."
"He's reckless!" Weiss exclaimed as he charged at both Ruby and Blake without a second thought.
"Ah, but daring is often something that most people don't expect in a fight." Kevin answered her. "It's not recklessness if you know what you're doing. Think of it this way, Yang fights aggressively doesn't she and she always comes out okay."
Yang caught him stumbling slightly and grinned. Even if her cheeks reddened slightly from the compliment.
"Has he ever gotten...you know, angry before?" Weiss asked. The heiress suddenly backpedaled as Hestia and Kevin turned taciturn. Silent.
"Getting him angry is tantamount to suicide." Hestia warned gravely. "And John, despite his cheerful nature, can be quite relentless when angered."
"I've seen him get mad only once." Kevin whispered quietly. "And I don't want to see that again."
"Really?" Yang seemed surprised. John didn't seem the type to get really angry, he was friendly with everyone. Even Weiss. She looked at John as he helped up Ruby, who he knocked down earlier. Blake had actually managed to get behind the Sunsinger.
"See?" They heard John say. "That was risky taking a hit, Ruby. But it was clever. Though...it would be bad if your Aura was way too low for that to work."
"It's just a tourney John." Blake said. "Ruby will be fine."
"Ah but what if there's a real fight?" John asked them both. "I might not be here to help you back on your feet, Ruby. Neither will Kevin. Don't try to be a hero, all of you."
He gave a sardonic smile. "Heroes get killed far too easily."
/
Firebase Guiding Light, Vale Wilderness
"Gentlemen. Ladies." Edgar spoke calmly to the White Fang insurgents they were releasing back to their comrades. Leone Grey scowled at him but the Warlock ignored her. Each man and woman was carrying a burlap sack containing simple provisions. "I have a simple task for all of you. Return to your leadership and announce that they are not welcome here. Any White Fang presence in this area will be met with retaliation."
He clasped his hands behind his back. "Attempt to turn back and you will be shot."
"What are we supposed to fend off the Grimm with?" One man stammered. "You can't just send us out there without our weapons..."
"You have a knife in that burlap sack of yours, do you not?" Edgar told the man. "Suck it up."
There was some muttering but nothing else. Edgar let Lieutenant Chambers speak this time.
"A settlement has been marked on Miss Grey's map." She announced. "It should only take you a day to reach it. No, we don't know if it is friendly to White Fang. No, we do not care. Go back and do what the Commander has told you."
She then contacted the gatehouse. "This is Lieutenant Chambers, open up the gate. Any of the prisoners try to turn around and come back are free game."
"Yes Lieutenant." Was the solemn reply.
The gates ground open, the sound of metal grinding against dirt piercing the ears. Edgar turned to the group of insurgents. "Well? Don't just stand there, get walking." When they hesitated, Edgar shrugged the Bad Juju off its sling. The Pulse Rifle was decorated with an Ahamkara skull. The weapon seemed alive with green flames, seemingly sensing that it was about to shed blood.
The sight of the weapon was enough for Leone Grey and what was left of her scouts to start walking out of the Firebase and out into the wilderness. If anything, she would rather face the Grimm and Adam Taurus's wrath than the man with the jackal mask.
As the gates closed once more, Edgar slung his rifle. He could sense its disappointment but idly he knew that the chance to shed blood will reveal itself soon. There was no need to rush, when something happened and Emeici called in to report that they were in contact with Jackknife...
That was when he'd take the fight to the enemies of mankind. Grimm, White Fang...it did not matter. They would all be destroyed. No matter how much blood he would have to spill.
"Lieutenant, I want Fireteams Furor, Bloodhound and Wallachia on call." Edgar told Lieutenant Chambers. "I have something special for them in mind. Have them meet me in 0400 hours."
"Yes Commander." Chambers saluted.
/
Beacon Academy...Later that night.
"You are sure of this?" Cinder Fall did not like unexpected news.
"I sent fifty men to see if we can take Trough as a new base. It turns out there were some new tenants." She heard Taurus's angry voice over the link but thanks to the mask he wore, the White Fang commander was not very expressive. "I've lost contact with most of them. This plan of yours better work."
"Why, Adam..." Cinder's orange eyes blazed for a few moments. Her voice was sultry but there was no mistaking the dark intent in it. "I thought we had a talk about who is in charge here...Please, don't do anything far too rash."
She ended the call before she heard any more of Adam's sputtering. Already, this...new faction was making her irritated. Still, fifty troops wiped out in a day? Adam said this crew were the best scouts and trackers he could muster.
Perhaps she was wrong to put her faith in Adam Taurus, the Bloody Beast himself.
"Wow, he sounds angry." Emerald commented.
"Considering he just lost fifty of his better guys...yeah, I'd kinda be pissed too." Mercury added. "Are we going to change plans?"
Cinder looked at him and smiled. "All because of Adam's whining?" She asked. "No, of course not." She took up her scroll. "We'll just have to set the matches for the next round. In the meantime, I shall have Roman deal with the new faction."
"...You sure about that?" Mercury asked. "What if he gets shot for his trouble?"
"Roman is...dependable to a degree." Cinder said. "And he is quit the lucky man from what I have heard." She then regarded Emerald.
"So...anything else about this 'Sunny Smiles' you'd like to tell me?"
"I don't get why he's not doing anything about Mercury and I." Emerald said. "But I've been keeping an eye on him and his brother."
"Yep, they keep a lot of stuff on a tight leash. They're close to team RWBY though." Mercury added. "I swear, I really can't wait to wipe that smile off of his face."
Cinder let him and Emerald argue. She instead focused on the picture of the young man that was on the roster as a Hunter from 'Tower'.
John Holden looked like a stereotypical young man. All smiling and happy. It was his blue eyes that told her differently. There was something foul hidden behind those eyes. His twin brother was very different. Somber, tired. He had a consistent thousand yard stare.
She smiled.
Interesting...