(Author's Note)

Hey guys, sorry about the wait, had to finish up Sanity Breaker… and my new story…

I need to stop making so many...

Anyways, onto the story!

"What do you mean he's gone!?" Exclaimed Ozpin.

"I mean, he's gone! So is Plutia, we don't know where they've gone and I'm sure they can handle themselves." said Alex.

The window behind Ozpin burst open as Plutia (on a motorcycle) was sent tumbling into the room.

"Sis!" Nomia exclaimed rushing to her older sister's side.

"I'm fine… But Bryce…!" said Plutia before looking down.

"Where is he?" asked Ozpin.

"They kidnapped me, the white Fang, used me as bait or barging for Bryce…" Said Plutia looking down.

Ozpin looked at his coffee cup before standing up.

"I… think it's best for you to return to your dorms and continue your classes."

"But Sir-!"

"Tehg don't bother, let's go." said Alex.

Ozpin was left standing in the middle of his office, he raised his mug to take a drink to find it to be empty.

"*SIGH* I'm going to need another cup…"

"This is b*llsh*t!" Tehg said, flopping onto his bed.

"Look, I'm sure Oz has everything figured out." said Alex, using the wall as support.

"Bryce…" Plutia said distraught.

"He'll be fine. I know he will." said Nomia.

Plutia stood up.

"I'm going to get him." she said, grabbing her plushie.

"No offense Plutia, but we don't even know where he IS. Even then, what are we going to do about it?" asked Tehg.

Alex looked over at Guardians Glave. She grabbed it with her hand as images flashed before her eyes.

FWOOSH - SHING!

"How is he?"

"Soon, he'll be unstoppable."

"AARGGGG!"

"The southeast huh?"

FWOOSH - SHING!

"Ah F*ck!" Exclaimed Alex as she dropped Guardians Glave and massaged her head.

"Alex? You okay?" Asked Tehg.

"The southeast…"

"Huh?"

"That's where Bryce is." she said, standing up.

"Let's go then." said Plutia.

"No… We need to be more… inconspicuous…" said Alex.

An announcement went off throughout the school.

"Would all first-year students please report to the amphitheater?" said Glynda.

Tehg smirked. "I think we just found our way."

Team BAPT minus Bryce + Nomia, entered the amphitheater, before stopping next to Team RWBY.

"Quiet! Quiet please. Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin." said Glynda, silencing the crowd.

Ozpin got up to the mike. "Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."

"This is perfect! All we have to do is shadow a Huntsman working in the southeast!" Ruby said, catching the attention of Team BAPT.

"Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip by night!" Said Yang.

"You guys also looking for something in the southeast?" Tehg asked, catching them off guard.

"Woah! Oh hey guys... where's Bryce?" asked Yang.

"...let's just say we need to go to the southeast." said Alex.

"That didn't answer my…"

"Anyways, mind if we tag along?" asked Alex.

"I'm not sure…" said Weiss.

Plutia gave her a sickly sweet smile, and walked right in front of her.

"You don't mind. Do you?" she asked channeling Iris Heart.

"Let's check "search and destroy!" said Weiss quickly turning around and walking very fast to and terminal.

"Oh good, Iris didn't come out." said Tehg.

"Why's that?" asked Blake.

"Weiss' mind would go numb!" said Nomia, giddily.

"...Sometimes I forget you're a masochist and then we have something like THIS happen." said Tehg.

Team RWBY and BAPT approached a nearby hologram screen.

"Here we go! Quadrant 5 needs Grimm cleared out!" Said Ruby.

"Well, it's in the southeast!" said Blake.

"Sounds perfect!" said Plutia.

Ruby selects it and types in both her team name and Plutia's. However, the screen says that first years are not allowed to take this mission.

"Wonderful!" Said Weiss

"Any other ideas?" asked Tehg.

"We mail ourselves there!" said Ruby.

"Well, that's one option."

Ozpin walks on.

"Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that you four will make your way there no matter which job you choose."

Weiss, Blake, and Yang glare at Ruby, who nervously rubs her head.

"Whatever makes you say that?" asked Alex

"I'm still curious how you all found yourself at the docks last semester. I'm interested to know how you really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and a very advanced mech and rose petals in a dance club some time ago." said Ozpin.

"Um... well…" Ruby tried to defend herself.

"I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for. So how about this: instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?"

Ozpin selects some things on his scroll, and the hologram screen changes to accept Team RWBY.

"We won't let you down. Thank you, professor." Said Ruby.

"Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have carried you far. But you must understand, the things that await you beyond the protection of the Kingdom will not care. Stay close to your Huntsman at all times, and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission, and he can have you sent back to Beacon, if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory. Good luck." Said Ozpin. "Now onto you."

"Yes?"

"Something tells me you'd end up there just the same as them." said Ozpin.

"...I'm not going to lie… yeah pretty much." said Tehg.

Ozpin sighed. "Alright then."

The screen changed to show Team BAPT and RWBY accepted for the mission.

"Thank you." said Plutia.

"Good luck."

"Why, hello girls, and Tehg! Who's ready to fight for their lives?" Asked Oobleck.

"...I was not expecting this…" Said Alex shaking her head.

"Which part? The part where caboose is smart or the part in which he called me out." Asked Tehg.

"Both."

"Professor Oobleck?" Asked Weiss.

"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 a 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, plotted our air course, and readied the airship. And…" Said Oobleck, before zooming in front of Weiss' face. "It's Doctor Oobleck. I didn't earn the PhD for fun, thank you very much!" Said Oobleck, Quickly backing away.

"Being a Professor and a Doctor both require a PhD, so either way…" Said Tehg.

"Doctor Oobleck." Said Oobleck, zooming in front of Tehg.

"I'm still going to call you caboose…" Said Alex.

"Uhhh…" Weiss looks at blake.

"Come now, children; according to my schedule, we are already three minutes behind!" Said Oobleck. "...schedule!"

Oobleck proceeds to zip off to the dropship.

"Well, alright, then! Looks like we're going to save the world with Doctor Oooobleck- okay yeah when you say it out loud it sounds worse." Said Ruby.

"Let's go." Alex said to her team.

"Listen up! You still may be students, but as of this moment, your first mission as Huntresses has begun! From this point forward, you need to do exactly as I say! Do you understand?" Asked Oobleck, before looking at Ruby. "Ruby! I thought I told you to leave all of your bags back at school."

"But, uh, you hadn't told us to listen to you yet. So I didn't." Said Ruby

"She's not wrong... Very well, Ruby; leave your bag here, we can pick it up upon our return." Said Oobleck.

"But I, well uh-"

"Young lady, what in the world could you possibly have in that bag that could be so important to bring it with…"

Oobleck stops as the bag's zipper opens and out pops Zwei's head, causing everyone to stare at the uninvited guest.

"Get back in the bag." Ruby whispers to Zwei

Zwei merely barks in response.

"We're here to investigate an abandoned urban jungle teeming with death and hostility, and you brought... a dog?" Said Oobleck

"I, uhh…" Said Ruby.

"Genius!" Oobleck and Tehg said in unision.

Oobleck backs away long enough for Ruby to give a confused shrug before speeding past and snatching the pet away from Ruby, who tumbles to the ground as Oobleck spins Zwei in the air.

"Canines are historically known for their perceptive nose and heightened sense of sound, making them excellent companions for a hunt such as ours!" Said Oobleck

Zwei barks happily in his hands.

"I'm a genius!" Said Ruby.

Weiss and Yang both facepalm at their grinning leader, whilst Alex gives a confused look.

"So, what are your orders, Doctor?" Asked Blake.

"Ah, yes, straight to the chase; I like it! As you've been informed, the southeast area has been marked as a recent hotspot for Grimm activity. Now, there are several possible explanations for this behavior, one of which being... Grimm." Said Oobleck.

"Uh, what?" Asked Plutia.

"Grimm. A creature of Grimm approximately one hundred yards from us at this very moment." Said Oobleck.

"What?!" Exclaimed Yang.

She activates her weapon, like everyone else on Team RWBY.

"Stop!"

"Huh?" Asked Blake.

She lowers her weapon like everyone else to listen.

"There are a number of reasons why Grimm will congregate in this particular area, the most likely of which will be their attraction to negativity: sadness, envy, loneliness, hatred. All qualities that are likely held by our hidden group harboring ill intent." Said Tehg.

"I'm impressed." Said Oobleck.

"It helps to know your enemy." Said Tehg.

"So... What now?" asked Nomia.

"We wait. We track. If this specimen leads us to its pack, that pack may subsequently lead us to our prey." Said Oobleck

"How long do we wait?" Asked Blake.

"It's uncertain. Hours, days, weeks. Why, lone Grimm have been known to stay isolated from the pack for months - and there's the whole pack." Said Oobleck.

His sudden realization is true: Five Beowolves are already following the first.

"What?" Asked Weiss

"And now they've seen us." Oobleck continues to state the obvious.

"What?!" Weiss Exclaimed.

"AND NOW THEY'VE SEEN US!" Oobleck yells into Weiss' ear.

"I take it tracking them is out of the question?" Asked Alex

"An accurate assumption, yes." Said Oobleck.

"What's the plan, then?" Asked Yang.

The team turns to their teacher as the creatures close in, black bars converging dramatically over the approaching animals.

"Show me what you're capable of." Said Oobleck.

During the fighting, Oobleck had a conversation with each of the members of BAPT.

"So Tehg, why did you want to be a hunter?" Asked Oobleck.

"...I want to be able to protect those close to me. I hate the idea of any of my friends being hurt… And I don't want to have a repeat of that…" Said Tehg.

"I understand you're last name brings some… bad memories." Said Oobleck.

"Why I go by sapphire… not… O'brian…" Said Tehg through gritted teeth, before cleaving a beowolf's head in half.

"I see…"

"So Alex, why did you want to be a huntress?" Asked Oobleck.

"I… really didn't have too much of a choice in the matter… We arrived and… needed protection. Ozpin suggested his school… well you know the rest." Said Alex.

"But why do you continue?" Asked Oobleck.

"Same as my teammates. We can't stand people we know and love being hurt… Plutia is a small exception…" Said Alex.

"I see…"

Yang has taken up watch, allowing for Ruby and Zwei to sleep on the sleeping bag Yang had been lying on. Zwei suddenly wakes and stands up, causing Ruby to wake up.

"Huh? Zwei, it's late. Go back to bed." Said Ruby.

Zwei Runs off.

"Zwei! Zwei! Ugh!" She yells.

"Ruby?" Asked Plutia, getting up to follow the girl.

"Zwei! Zwei, where are you? Zwei! Huh?"

Ruby sees Zwei urinating next to some ruins.

"Zwei, this is a wasteland! You literally could have done that anywhere!" said Ruby.

"Ruby?" asked Plutia.

"Plutia?"

*Bark!*

"What was that?" asked a voice.

Having heard the voice, Ruby, Plutia and Zwei hid.

"What was what?" asked a second voice.

"I thought I heard a Beowolf or something." said the first voice.

"Hmph. Let's just finish our patrol and get back to base. This place gives me the creeps." said the second voice.

As the owners of the voices walk away, Ruby, Plutia and Zwei sneak around in the background, following them. They eventually reach a ruined building with a pair of metal doors, and Ruby and plutia hide behind a corner, holding Zwei out to watch them.

"Did they go in yet? One bark means yes." said Ruby.

The sound of the door closing echoes out.

*Bark!*

"Oh! This is it! This is it!" said Ruby, pulling out her scroll and tries to call her teammates, however the screen says low signal. "Aw man! Come on, we gotta get the others!"

Ruby, Plutia and Zwei hurry off down the street. However, the asphalt beneath them suddenly sinks before caving in. Ruby grabs onto a ledge and catches Zwei, whilst Plutia also struggles to hold on. Ruby tosses Zwei up out of the hole and begins to attempt to pull herself up. However, the ledge she is holding onto breaks off, and she along with Plutia plummet into a huge cave filled with ruined buildings, far below the surface. They land on a building up against a cavern wall, and as they sit up, a nearby door bursts open to reveal two White Fang guards.

"Freeze!" said one of the guards.

"Where did they come from?" asked the other.

As the White Fang Guards walk forward, Ruby and Plutia back away only to end up on the very edge of the platform.

"You're a long way from home, girls." said the guard.

Ruby reaches back for her scythe, only to realize that she doesn't have it. Both guards approach her, and one of them grabs her arm.

"Hey! Hands off!" said Ruby.

Ruby jerks her arm out of the guard's hand and starts punching him. It has very little effect, and he punches her in the face hard enough to knock her down.

"The boss is gonna want to see this one…" said the guard.

The guard kicks her in the head hard enough to knock her out.

Plutia rushes at the guard, however is also knocked out.

"Nevermind… both."

Ruby awakes to the two WF Guards who caught both her and Plutia, dragging them by both arms through the underground city. All around her, White Fang members are at work, doing various things such as piloting a Paladin to carry large shipping containers. There is a loud sound nearby as one of the White Fang members drops a large device.

"Hey, be careful! What are you trying to do, blow us to the moon?" said one of the grunts.

"Sorry sir!" said another.

"Hey boss! Found something you might want to see!" said one of the White Fang members holding Plutia and Ruby hostage.

"Is it good or bad, Perry? Because let me tell ya, I have had a day." said the familiar voice of Roman.

"Uh, it's 2 little girls." said Perry.

Roman looks out to see Ruby and a passed out Plutia.

"That would be bad." he said.

Plutia wakes up to see Roman tossing Ruby across the floor.

"Wow! You are much more manageable without that over-sized gardening tool of yours." Roman said laughing.

Ruby gets up and charges at Roman, which he simply sidesteps, sending Ruby stumbling across the floor.

"Oh man. You know, Perry, I really did need this." Said Roman.

Perry raises his thumb in agreement as Roman laughs.

"And look who's up!" Said Roman, looking at Plutia. "Didn't expect to see you again."

"Where's Bryce!?" Asked Plutia in anger.

"Oh you'll see him soon…"

Roman walks over to Ruby and aims Melodic Cudgel at her

"But seriously. How'd you two find this place, Red?" Asked Roman.

Ruby growls and then uses her Semblance to escape Roman and start running for an exit. Roman then gets up smiling, spins Melodic Cudgel in his hands and aims the handle at Ruby. He then fires the handle, which doubles as a grappling hook, at Ruby, catching her by her hood and allowing Roman to pull her back.

"I see you've got some tricks up your sleeve! Let me make this clear: We're not through here yet." Said Roman.

A massive explosion sounds, causing Roman to look up.

"Oh, what the... Perry, if you and the boys could take care of that? Kinda in the middle of something." Said Roman, motioning to the two girls.

Perry nods and goes off to investigate the explosion just as another one sounds.

"WHAT is going on here?!" Asked Roman in annoyance.

A third explosion sounds and multiple White Fang members come running around the corner, some firing at an unknown enemy. Weiss, Blake, Yang, Tehg, Alex, Nomia, Zwei and Oobleck run around the corner, much to Roman's annoyance. Ruby and Plutia decides to take this moment to try and escape, Ruby jumped on Roman's shoulders, whilst Plutia just ran, they then fleed towards their friends.

"Somebody kill them!" Said Roman in anger.

Roman and the White Fang members around him open fire on Ruby and Plutia, which they dodge and weave between shots.

"Attach this cart and spread the word: We're starting the train." Said Roman to one of the nearby grunts.

"But we're not finished!" Said the same grunt.

Roman pins the White Fang member up against the wall with Melodic Cudgel.

"Do it or you're finished!" He said.

Ruby and Plutia continue their escape, but screech to a halt as they realizes they're running towards a group of White Fang members. A huge explosion appears behind the White Fang members, sending them flying and reveling Yang behind them.

"Ruby!" Yang exclaims.

"Are you okay?" Asked Weiss.

"Plutia!" Exclaimed Alex, running up with Guardians Glave.

"Bryce is here… I think he's on the train." Said Plutia.

A speaker system goes off.

"Get to your places, we are leaving now!" Roman's voice echoes across the area.

The train starts moving towards the tunnels.

"Well, it sounds like they're going somewhere." Said Yang.

"We need backup. Let me call Jaune." Said Ruby.

"You think to call backup and Juane is the first person you try?" Asked Tehg.

Ruby's scroll flashes "Low Signal

"I can't get through!" She said.

"So, what do we do?" Asked Weiss.

"I believe we only have one option…" Said Oobleck.

"We're stopping that train!" Said Ruby.

"We're moving on ahead!" Said Alex as she, Plutia, Tehg and Nomia head to the near front of the train.

As the team enters the train car, they spot a capsule with a figure inside.

"Bryce…?" Asked Plutia.

Alex walked up to the capsule as Guardians Glave activates, showing a vision.

FWOOSH - SHING!

"You're right… no one's left for me now…"

"Give in to the truth."

"I… NO, I won't do this!"

"No… No, No, Please Don't NOOOOO-AAGGGHH!"

"P-plutia…."

FWOOSH - SHING!

"Ah!" Said Alex in surprise.

"Alex?"

"Those… Son of a… They tortured him… so much… oh my god…"

Alex was having trouble fully putting her words together.

"Now what?" Asked Tehg,

Tehg pulled out his scroll as he got a text telling him and his team to run to a further back train car.

"Let's Move!" Said Tehg.

"But Bryce!" Said Plutia.

Tehg pulled out his weapon and pried the Capsule open to find no one inside.

"What!?" He exclaimed.

"MOVE!" Alex shouted as they booked it to a further back car.

"Oh joy…" Said Tehg as Team RWBY and Team BAPT were surrounded by Grimm and were apart from the other Team.

The fight began, Alex destroyed multiple of the creatures before seeing a drop ship over top of the area.

"What the…"

A… thing in a suit of armour… or at least that's what it looked like. The armour had a flesh look to it, mixed in with looking like a grimm. (Search Alex Mercer Armour)

The creature took a step and fell out of the dropship, music beginning to play.

(Play Falling Towards The Sky - Jeff Williams)

The creature fell before impacting with the ground, letting up a cloud of dust around him.

Team BAPT pulled out their weapons as the creature stood up, they stared at Plutia before rushing at them.

They threw a punch, their fist connecting with Nomia's gauntlet.

"Now!" Said Tehg, striking with his Rapier, sending the creature back a bit.

The creature stood up and looked at a nearby Ursa. They punched a hole in the bear's chest, their fist grabbing hold of the creature's heart from the creature's back, and crushed it in their hand.

Tendrils went from the creature to the Ursa as the creature started to decompose the bear. Soon the creature started to absorb the grimm. Once he finished, tendrils ran across his body as he looked like he was in pain.

He broke free of the tendrils to show his new… 'Weapon'. His hands had turned into massive claws (Think Alex Mercer Claws), he lunged at tehg, effectively disarming the man.

Alex swung Guardians Glave at him, the sword cutting him deeply. Nomia ran up and punched him in the face.

He staggered to his feet, looking up a single eye could be seen, the creature's left eye had a red pupil and the white's of its eye was charcoal black.

He started running at Nomia before transforming into black pixels and re-emerging, kicking Tehg away from the fight.

"That was Blink!" Said Alex in realization.

"Can I do the thing?" Asked Nomia.

"...Do the thing." Said Alex.

"Okay~" Said Nomia as she activated HDD. Iris Sister emerged soon and launched her whipfist at the creature.

The creature turned to a deathstalker and consumed the beast. His left hand returning to it's normal armoury state, whilst his right arm turned into a whipfist. (Alex Mercer Whip Fist)

They both launched their whip fists at each other, They collided in the middle, as the creature pulled and crushed Nomia's Weapon under his foot.

"Oh Sh*-!" Exclaimed Nomia as she was sent flying into Tehg.

Alex turned to the creature his visor was cracking up even more.

She ran at the creature, striking him every now and then.

She landed a good strike at his helmet. His visor breaking to the point you could see the whole face.

"Oh my god…." Said Alex.

The creature's face was that of Bryce… No… it WAS Bryce.

"Those sons of B*tc-" Alex began before getting launched towards the pile that was Team BAPT.

Bryce turned to see Plutia as she picked up Guardians Glave.

"You'll regret that." Said Plutia, activating HDD.

Iris Heart emerged as the music started changing.

(Play Asgore - RichaadEB Metal Cover)

"Now then… What shall I do to you?" Asked Iris Heart, wielding Bryce's sword.

Bryce just snarled as he started convulsing as tendrils transformed his whipfist into an arm sword. (Do I need to say what to search for at this point? Alex Mercer Blade Power)

They stood opposite each other as the others watched on.

As bergentruckung neared it's end and the real song started, they charged.

Their swords clashed as neither of the two showed any mercy.

"Bryce!" Yelled Iris Heart.

"RAGH!" Was Bryce's reply.

"SWIFT!" Exclaimed Iris Heart, using the Guardians Glave to her advantage.

They continued trading blows for blows, until finally Iris Heart slashed something at the base of Bryce's neck.

"Gah! Ffffff- What the hell… F*CK!" Bryce exclaimed, his sword arm returning to normal.

He looked down to see a neural implant of sorts, bloody and broken.

"The hell is that…" He asked.

Bryce turned to see Iris Heart pointing his sword at him.

"...*SIGH*... What'd I do this time?" He asked.

Iris Heart just glared at him.

Bryce outstretched his hand as the sword flew out of Iris Heart's hands and into his.

Bryce turned to the large number of Grimm before pulling out a SD card.

"Show time." He said

"ACCESS!" He exclaimed, activated his Specialized Defences.

His normal attire returned as he looked at the large amounts of Grimm.

"Bring it!" He shouted, Running into the wave of monsters.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Asked Plutia as she helped Bryce to their Dorm, The rest of their team going to celebrate with the others.

"I'll be fine… Thanks… I… was starting to loose hope." Said Bryce.

Plutia smiled. "It's good. You rest up, I'm going to go see the others."

"No wait!" Bryce suddenly shouted.

"Huh?" Asked Plutia.

"D-don't go…" He suddenly said, shaking.

Plutia gave a comforting smile. "Alright…"

The scene changed to that of Ozpin watching the development.

"He seems to be traumatized to an extent." Said Ironwood walking in.

"After what he went through… I'm not surprised." Said Ozpin.

"...Will he be okay?" Asked Ironwood.

"He should be fine. It seems he doesn't like being left alone… what did they do to him?" Ozpin ponders.

"Whatever it is… he isn't human anymore. You saw what he is now. Some… grimm hybrid." Said Ironwood.

"Then we better do our best to make sure he can control it." Said Ozpin.

His gaze returns to that of the couple, Bryce burrowing his head in Plutia's embrace like a scarred child.

"I can only hope it gets better for him."

(Author's Note)

Holy SH*T this is the longest chapter I have EVER written its like... 4745 words. And it isn't even the finally… sorta.

I always liked the powers from Prototype and this seemed like a cool way for Bryce to get them. And also replace cool with Dark as F*CK.

Anyways, I'm going to be taking a break from Hunter to work on my other stories.

So until next time

DFTBA