A/N: It's been almost a week since my last post, and despite the longer than usual wait time I'm ready to put the next installment out there for you're enjoyment!
Given that I've gone off script with the story in regards to the RWBY-verse, it will take longer from time to time between chapters since they will be of my own design. But the effort will be well worth it given the content of this one right here. Like I said last time, it's been too long without a bit of action. And I'm going to deliver!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The trip had been quiet since leaving the cave, the only sounds really were the chirping of birds and the clopping of Tundra's hooves on the dirt path beneath them.
John kept his eyes and ears focused all around, despite the tranquility of their travels for the last few hours he was still expecting something to come charging from nowhere with the intention of rending flesh.
It may have sounded like paranoia to most, but after everything he had seen and done it was more like an instinct that kept him alive. And in the end, it had worked out pretty well thus far.
Amber had been doing the same. Keeping her senses in high alert should there be another attempt on her life, though unlike the previous time, she would be expecting one now that she knew people were after her. That, and she had someone with her that was more than ready to lend a hand.
Occasionally, she would send small glances at her traveling companion, who walked with long, meaningful strides that kept up with her horse's light trots easily. On one of her looks toward the Doom Slayer, she could almost make out the outline of his face behind the tinted visor of his helmet.
She had been curious about what John looked like, given that he hadn't shown his face since they first met. Even though he spoke about his past experiences, she wanted to get to know the man behind the armor. If they were going to be traveling together, it wouldn't be a bad thing for them to get to know one another a little more.
"Something on your mind, Amber?" John suddenly asked making her blink and look to the side at him where his focus seemed to be aimed forward. "You've been looking my way periodically like you want to say something." he clarified when he saw her confused expression.
Amber's face darkened at being caught so easily, "I was just thinking that we don't know a whole lot about each other. And if we're going to be traveling together it wouldn't be such a bad thing to know a little more."
John thought about it for a moment and nodded, "I can see where you're coming from there. So, what do you want to know?"
"What was your life like, before everything that happened on Mars?" asked the Fall Maiden.
"Not much to say on that one." replied the Doom Slayer, "What I can remember is that I didn't have much in terms of family, my existence was mundane at best and easily expendable at worst. Then, all so suddenly, it all changed. I had a different kind of life, a different purpose, and here I am now."
"That sounds...dark." Amber admitted while looking toward her companion.
John shrugged, "A lot of things look dark depending on how you perceive them." he came to a stop, the Maiden pulling on Tundra's reigns and doing the same. "I didn't have much, once upon a time. But now I have the strength and power to make a difference for those that need it the most. And with everything I've managed to pull off so far, I'd say it's been worth it."
The Fall Maiden regarded the armored man before her and couldn't help but feel a bit in awe. Despite the fact that he lost what little he had, he looked at it as a chance to do good for others. Although it did trouble her that he was so willing to allow his life to be put in so much danger, but she couldn't be one to judge considering the title she had and what she had to do for the people of Remnant.
Both of them started moving again, "How about you?" John asked after a minute.
"I was born in a small village in the North, me, my mother and father, we were farmers and didn't have much, but life was good." she started to explain, a smile forming at the fond memories of her childhood. "I grew up hearing stories about huntsmen and huntresses, and even meeting a few that passed through my home town from time to time, it didn't take long before the idea of being a huntress took root and was what I wanted to be when I was old enough. My parents weren't too keen on the idea, but they were happy for me when I decided to start training."
"Sounds like your folks are good people." commented John, thinking about what it would have been like to have parents that cared so much.
Amber smiled, "They are. I still see them from time to time, but I prefer to travel and see the world. Watching as it changes in many ways while helping others with my skills."
The Doom Slayer nodded in understanding and went to speak when something ahead caught his attention. "Wait." he said making the Maiden and her steed come to a stop. Raising his HAR and looking down the scope, he saw what looked to be debris scattered along the path a ways ahead of them. "We got something blocking the road ahead...looks like some kind of accident." he said lowering the rifle.
"Someone could be hurt, we should go check to be sure." said Amber. John nodded back at her as they moved a little faster along the road, reaching the site in a few minutes and finding what could only be described as a massacre.
A delivery truck baring a white snowflake logo was parked off to the side of the road, the side riddled with bullet holes on the left side along with both tires being flat. It wasn't so much the state of the vehicle as the bodies that surrounded it, all of them men wearing uniforms baring the same insignia that was on the truck.
The five of them having their hands tied behind their backs while they layed face down in the dirt with holes in the backs of their heads.
"What in the world happened here?" wondered the Maiden as she looked aghast at the carnage around them. John said nothing as he moved in, observing the scene closer in the search for clues as to what took place.
From the looks of things, it seemed that somekind of hijacking took place, the workers having fought back against whoever was after what they were transporting. The Doom Slayer looked toward the truck and went toward the open cargo doors, peering inside and finding it empty save for a couple of torn straps built into the walls to keep whatever had been there in place.
"VEGA. Run a scan on the trucks interior, what were these guys transporting?" he spoke quietly. His HUD brightened and the cargo hold of the truck lit up as the AI collected data.
"Unknown Mineral Signatures Detected." VEGA reported after a moment. "Volatile, and in great numbers with different variants...Mineral Sample Located." an indicator appeared on John's visor, he followed it until he saw something shine close to the hinge of one of the trucks doors.
Reaching down, he picked up a small crystal no longer than his pinky finger that was bright-red in color and looked to have been refined into a long, hexigonal shape.
"Dust..." John said as he observed the crystal. VEGA ran a quick scan on the dust and filed the data away into the Praetor suit's codex for later review.
Stepping back from the truck, the Doom Slayer went back over to Amber who had been waiting for him. "It was definitely a hijacking." he said holding the dust crystal up for her to see. "Whoever hit these guys had been laying in wait, they took out the truck's tires first and waited for the workers to get out before attacking."
He motioned to the restrained men on the ground, "These ones surrendered, but were executed when the dust they were transporting was unloaded. Obviously whoever pulled off the heist didn't want prisoners, or witnesses."
The Fall Maiden looked sadly at the dead men who were only trying to do their job. Then she looked at the insignia on the truck again and gasped, "The Schnee Dust Company. They're the biggest refiners and distributors of dust in all of Remant. There's only been one group with enough courage to attack such a large conglomerate, the White Fang."
"White Fang?" asked John, tilting his head.
"They were once a group of Faunus who were using peaceful protests and means to gain respect and equality for their species. However, years ago a new leadership took over and their peaceful methods turned into organized terrorist attacks. People, human and Faunus alike, have come to fear their banner given what they have done."
The Doom Slayer looked back at the ambushing site with narrowed eyes, 'A faunus paramilitary group, huh? Brings into the question of whether or not which is better, to be feared...or loved.' he thought, slipping the dust crystal into his belt and turning back to his companion, "There's nothing we can do for these guys right now, we'll have to report what happened at the village when we get there. How much farther is it?"
Amber nodded, no matter how sad the situation was, they couldn't help the dead and could only move on from there. "The village should be over that ridge there." she said pointing at a hill just ahead of them where the road went up and over...
And trailing over the top of the hill, were a couple small pillars of black smoke that could be seen drifting into the sky.
"...oh no." the Fall Maiden said, her face paling. "Th-That's where the village is!"
John raised his HAR, "Let's move!" he shouted before he sprinted toward the hill, Amber snapping out of her terrified trans and getting Tundra to run after him. Both reaching the top of the ridge in seconds and giving them a wide view of the settlement below.
A couple fo fires could be seen from a handful of buildings where the smoke was coming from, and the sounds of shouting and gunfire could be heard within. People were fighting, and from what they were hearing it was getting bad.
"Amber," the Doom Slayer said getting her attention away from the scene playing out before them. "How are your injuries?"
"Managable, I won't be able to fight at full strength, but I can handle myself well enough." she replied, taking out her staff and extending it to full length. John nodded to her, pulling back the bolt handle on his rifle as the reflection of the village under attack reflected in his visor.
X
Within the village, citizens screamed and fled for cover. The attack had happened so suddenly that none of them had a chance to prepare, many of them picking up whatever they could use for a weapon to protect themselves and their families while the town's defenders took up arms and quickly joined in.
The Grimm came seemingly out of nowhere, pouring out of the surrounding forest and wreaking havoc on the village. Several people already falling victim to the creatures of darkness, being torn apart or eaten in the onslaught while homes and shops were destroyed in the process.
One woman and her two children ran down a small alley between two homes, desperately searching for a place to hide from the monsters that invaded their town. Skidding to a sudden stop when they were met with brick wall in their path with nowhere else to go.
Turning around, they gasped when they saw four Beowolves standing at the mouth of the alleyway. Red eyes glowing brightly with snarles rumbling from their drooling maws as they slowly skulked their way toward their next meal. The woman pulled her children behind her, offering what little protection she could provide as the Grimm drew in closer.
The leading Beowolf opened its jaws and roared before it launched itself forward, the small family closing their eyes tight...but instead of pain, they heard a loud crunch and the splattering of something wet on a hard surface.
Chancing a look, the woman opened her eyes and gasped, drawing the attention of her children as they were greeted with a large main in heavy armor standing before them, the Beowolf head nothing more than a crushed mess beneath his massive boots.
Loud snarls echoed down the alley from the three remaining Grimm, but the armored main paid them no heed as he raised the large machine gun in his hands and looked down the sights. Two quick trigger pulls, and two of the Beowolves fell to the ground with the tops of their heads missing, the last one still breathing reared up on its hind legs and charge with its claws outstretched.
John stored his HAR and grabbed the creature's outstretched arms, placing his boot against its chest and keeping it from snapping forward at him. With a stong yank, he tore the Beowolf's arms from its shoulders, ichor spraying from the severed stumps as it howled in agony. The noise being silenced the moment the Doom Slayer grabbed its head and smashed it against the brick wall on the left.
With the immediate threat out of the way, John turned to the woman and children, "Find a safe place to hide!" he called to them before bringing out his combat shotgun and charging out into the village's main street.
(A/N: Play 'Doom Ost: Flesh and Metal')
He wasted no time in blowing the head off the closest Grimm who was trying to overpower a man holding it off with a pitchfork. He fired an explosive round into a small group of creatures, the blast sending them flying and managing to blow one's legs off in the process.
A Creeper lunged at him from an alley across the street from the one he had been in, but the Grimm was met with a switch kick to the head which sent it sprawling across the cobblestone ground. Lifting its head up to hiss, a blast from the shotgun reducing it to shards of bone and ichor.
Turning his attention to the chaos around him, John saw that most of the Grimm that had been attacking the town were now focused on him. 'Good.' he thought, twisting the barrel of his weapon and pulled it off before replacing it with another. Three lights on the side lighting up as he charged the shot and pulled the trigger, three rounds blasting from the barrel and punching large holes through an Ursa's center of mass.
The Doom Slayer readjusted his aim and fired several times into the oncoming horde, taking out a couple of them as they quickly closed in. Exactly as he wanted them to.
Sending away his shotgun, he brought out his plasma rifle and opened fire. A stream of blue bolts stuck the coming Grimm with devistating effects as the plasma energy burned through their flesh and bone-armor. A handful managed to get close, but John quickly pressed the switch on the barrel of the weapon that send out a shockwave that sent them back several feet.
With the creatures stunned, he stored the weapon and cracked his knuckles before lunging at the nearest Grimm, three words ringing clear in his head.
Rip and Tear
Grabbing a Beowolf by the head and snapping its neck with enough force to turn it 180 degrees, dropping the fading body and grabbing a second wolf-Grimm by its upper and lower jaws. Pulling them apart and ripping its head open like a wishbone.
Overcoming the effects of the plasma gun's mod-ability, the remaining horde snarled and went on the attack. But the Doom Slayer could have cared less, lost in his rage as he tore the horde apart one creature at a time. Their claws and teeth unable to penetrate the Praetor suit's plating as limbs and splashes of ichor flew through the air.
An Ursa lumbered forward on all fours, attempting to use its bulk to knock John off his feet. Seeing the threat, he kicked on his boot-thrusters and avoided its attack. Instead coming down onto its back, double barrel appearing in his hand and pressing it into the soft black fur of its neck.
When the weapon discharged, the bear-Grimm's head came off its shoulders and rolled across the ground, its body collapsing and fading away while John leapt off. Reloading his weapon and firing it one handed at a Creeper, taking off its lower jaw.
Attempting to reload again, the Doom Slayer was struck in the chest and skidded back along the cobblestones. Remaining upright as he glared angerly at the creature that attacked him.
It was a Beowolf, easily twice the size of the others with more bone-armor and sharper spikes. An Alpha, and one that was looking to tear the being apart for the deaths in its pack.
John finished reloading his double barrel and fired without hesitation, the spread nailing the large Grimm in the chest and making it stagger. Howling in rage, the Alpha dropped to all fours and charged, sharp claws tearing up the stones that made up the street as it closed the distance.
Dodging the strike, the Doom Slayer switched back to his HAR and quickly snapped the pod-missile mod on it. The compartment popping open with the little rockets just as the Alpha spun around and came at him again. A volley of explosives struck it from all sides, while at the same time a barrage of heavy slugs hit it dead on, piercing bone and flesh at the same time.
But the Alpha-Beowolf was strong, managing to stay upright despite its many wounds. One of its eyes dark and bleeding as it bared its teeth and snarled at the armored human. Releasing a bellowing howl, it raised up on its hunches and ran at him.
Narrowing his eyes at the beast, John sent his HAR away and braced himself. When the Grimm reached striking distance, it slashed downward with its claws...
One being caught in the Doom Slayer's gauntlet while the other was batted away with his other arm.
Not giving it a chance to register what had happened, John twisted the arm he caught to the side and slammed his opposite fist up into it. The loud snap of the limb being broken echoing outloud, but was soon joined by another as he raised his heavy foot and brought the heel down on the creatures left leg.
Howling again, this time in blinding pain, the Alpha dropped to the ground on all fours. Its two left limbs hanging limply from where they were shattered and giving John the opening he was expecting. Driving his fist into the side of its head, cracking the bone mask like ceramic while doing the same to the other side before grabbing its skull, jamming his thumbs into the eye sockets of its mask then twisting to the side to finish it off.
Dropping the dissolving corpse, the Doom Slayer turned, armor covered in black from the Grimm he had slain and looked upon the remaining beasts that stood before him.
The Beowolves were hesitant, baring witness to their Alpha's demise causing their bloodlust to diminish as they leered at the one responsible. A new emotion never before felt by the creatures of darkness coming to the forefront...fear.
One of them took a slow step backwards-
"No," said John, his voice as cold and sharp as death itself. "There is no escape." A heartbeat later his chaingun was in hand, the weapon mecha-shifting with the barrels separating into three smaller ones, all spinning at blinding speeds before a literal storm of bullets was unleashed.
The Grimm stood no chance as they were torn apart where they stood, the slugs shredding through them like wet tissue paper and splattering their remains on any and all surfaces around where they had been. In a matter of seconds, nothing was left but fading corpses.
Releasing his hold on the trigger, the chaingun's triple barrels spun to a stop, their tips glowing bright orange from the heat they created before they came back together to form one large barrel again while John looked at his handy work.
"VEGA?" he asked as he searched the nearby buildings for anymore movement.
"I am not detecting anymore Grimm in your direct vacinity." replied the AI as it scanned the area around them. The sound of hooves clopping on stones pulled the Doom Slayer's attention and found Amber approaching, the crystals on her staff still glowing with their elemental power from recent use.
"The South end of the village is clear." she said as she looked at the scene around her.
"Same here." said John as he stored the chaingun, "Survivors?" he asked, hoping for good news.
Amber gave a somber smile, "Many of the villagers managed to get inside and to safety just before the attack happened while what defenders they had held off the Grimm." her expression turned to one of concern, "It's strange. I passed through this village last year, and they had a decent defense force along with a few huntsmen living here. They should have been able to hold off an attack like this."
"We were weakened before the Grimm invaded our home." the duo turned and saw an middle-aged man approaching them, dressed in a white shirt with a tan tunic and pants, his hair black with flecks of gray mixed in. Behind him, the people fo the small town started to come out of their homes, seeing they were safe and came to join around the ones that had helped them. "Thank you for helping us, many more lives would have been lost had you not arrived when you did."
"It's no trouble, we were happy to lend a hand." said Amber, taking in all the people they had managed to save from the creatures of darkness.
John regarded them as well, many were looking at the two of them in awe, while a couple looked upon him with hesitation. Given his stature, armor and the fact he was covered in Grimm blood he couldn't really blame them.
"You said something about being weakened before the Grimm attacked? What happened exactly?" asked the Doom Slayer.
Wiping sweat from his head, the man sighed before speaking, "Not here, come." with that he motioned for them to follow. The townspeople parting to give them passage as they followed him to one of the mostly undamaged buildings.
All the while, John had a feeling that they had just become part of something bigger than they thought.
X
From his vantage point outside the village, Qrow lowered his scroll after capturing the battles he had witnessed on digital-film.
At first he was going to step in to lend a hand, given that he had no way of knowing the Fall Maiden's condition after her last fight, but after seeing her lay waste to the Grimm he knew that she must have been doing better...Then there was her new 'friend...
The veteran huntsman had seen some brutal things in his career...but none came close to how the armored man had literally torn the Grimm a new one with his barehands. It was damn near savage and he had been lucky enough to capture the spectacle on his scroll while looking awe in morbid facination.
He'd seen the creatures attack their target, claws and teeth hitting home, but nothing slowed the warrior down. In fact, it seemed to spur him on even more. Ripping away limbs and tearing out chunks from the Grimm like a beast himself.
Qrow was as impressed as he was nervous. If this guy was capable of such things toward the Grimm, then how would a human enemy fare when crossing his path?
Shaking himself, he looked down at his scroll and sent the footage to Ozpin along with a quick message before going back to his original mission. Though with how things were going he had a feeling that he's be showing himself to the duo very soon.
X
Sitting at a large table within the tavern they had been led to, John and Amber looked across at the one who had brought them there, the man's name being Mick Fallstone, as he leaned on the surface with his hands steepled together. Staring at the flickering candle between them, gathered his thoughts for a few minutes before finally speaking.
"A few weeks ago, a representative of the Schnee Dust Company came to our town to finalize paperwork regarding the dust mine we discovered in the nearby hills. It was to be a new form of income for us given that we are but a simple farming settlement, and such an investment would have done good for our home."
"Everything went well, the mine was established and we collected a large amount within the first few days of it opening that would be taken to Atlas for testing and refinement...That's when they came..." he spoke with a deep rumble filled with both anger and sorrow.
"Who?" asked Amber, her earlier concern growing by the second while John remained silent and listened closely.
Mick sighed again as he spoke with a haggard and grave tone, "The White Fang. They attacked the SDC truck after it left town and came here, demanding that we relinquish the dust we had mined or we would suffer. We tried to fight back, but their numbers and skill quickly overpowered us. The huntmen that live here are on assignment and we've been unable to contact them...we were left defenseless."
The tale struck a cord deep within the duo. The Fall Maiden looking stricken at the town's plight while anger burned in the Doom Slayer's being. "What happened next?" John asked, keeping his tone level even though his fists were clenched.
"The White Fang rounded up everyone in town and their leader gave us an ultimatum, either we mine the dust in the hills for their personal use or they'd torch our homes and leave us for the Grimm. We had no choice. Those that worked in the mines were taken there as forced labor in exchange for our lives. That was two days ago." said Mick, his body tense.
"And all of the negative emotions brought the horde that attacked." summerized Amber, getting a nod from the men across from them. "Did you try contacting help from Vale? They're the closest kingdom."
The man shook his head, "We tried, but the Fang knocked out our communications. Our hope was that someone would notice the lack of transmissions and send someone to come look into it, but when the Grimm attacked today...we all but lost hope. Until you arrived." he said looking at the two of them in thanks. "I cannot tell you how much your arrival has meant to the folks around here, you saved us."
"Our job isn't over yet." said John, garnering the attenion of his companion and their host along with a couple others that had been in the tavern who had been descreetly listening in. "You say that some of your people are being forced to work in the mines on behalf of the White Fang, can I assume that there is a small force making sure that none escape?"
Mick nodded, "Yes, the main group left when we were forced to surrender, but a couple dozen stayed behind to collect the dust and keep tabs on both the town and the mine itself. Some of them come down from the hills from time to time and take any supplies they want."
The anger burning within the Doom Slayer went from a dull spark to a moderate fire, if it rose any hire he would end up going on a rampage toward the mines. He took a deep breath to keep his rage in check, if he was going to help these people then he needed a clear head to do so. "Then it's pretty clear what needs to be done." he said causing the other two, plus the handful of other citizens in the tavern to look his way.
"John?" asked Amber, wondering what her companion was thinking.
"The White Fang crossed a line, innocent people are dead and they're forcing others to give up their freedom and livelyhood for their own needs. That's something I can't let stand." said the armored man as he stood up to his full height.
"What do you plan to do?" askedd Mick, for the first time seeing how imposing John was in his armor as he looked up at the tinted visor.
The Doom Slayer cracked his knuckles loudly, "First, I'm going to free your people. Then, I'm going to send a message to those terrorists that they won't be forgetting." the tone in his voice sent a chill through the air as his intentions became perfectly clear.
The White Fang had no idea of the unstoppable force that would soon be coming their way...
A/N: Another one that just barely hit the mark in terms of word count, but the impact is still very much the same. And no, ladies and gents, the fighting is far from over. Like the last line said, the White Fang has one HELL of a fight coming their way next time!
Send your reviews and I'll deliver within the next week, until then!