The Shadow of Fire
Chapter 24: Operation Fallen Star
Vale Border
Underground Passageway
4:38 PM
"Gale." Warren hissed quietly, holding the flashlight up at his face, his bowl cut blue hair blowing in the oddly strong winds. "Are you sure we are going the right way?"
"Hush Warren, I'm always right. Remember that Ursa cave that you said we would never locate?"
"Yes, and I recall you being wrong about the number of Grimm in the area."
"It was only five DeathStalkers." Gale groaned, rolling his lightning blue eyes, his military cut black hair blowing in the wind. "Where is this wind coming from?"
Warren walked ahead, the flashlight clenched tightly in hand as he walked, ready to cut the light at a moment's notice. The sound of machinery was close by, echoing around the tunnel. His seafoam green eyes glowed in the darkness of the tunnel, taking careful steps as he walked. His free hand was clenched in a tight fist; after all, he fought bare handed. Weapons to him were worthless, true power comes from within himself, through Aura, not metal.
In contrast to Warren, Gale kept his hand on his weapon, a dagger about 11 inches long, sharper than a Nevermore's Beak, and glowed with black Aura, veins of red Aura running like blood throughout the unique blade.
"Woah." Warren said suddenly as he stopped at the end of the tunnel. A steel grate blocked the end, only letting them look out.
Outside was apparently a large room, a line of red carpet ran across a white marble floor, walls of wood recently painted black with white lines running in random directions. No one was in the room, and a pair of metal doors to the right from the grate seemed to be the complexes main entrance, while a giant wooden door stood at the end of the hall, where the carpet ended.
Gale kicked the grate off its hinges and the two jumped down, separating and looking around. Several pictures of a man named Anubis adorned the wall, different poses and styles of art. Warren pulled a small metallic cube from his blue jeans pocket, brushing dirt off his grey armor chest piece and shoulder pieces. He placed the device by a corner of the walls, pressing a small red switch on the side. A small antenna popped up from the side, spinning around, transmitting their location back to Beacon.
"Gale!" Warren called out to his equally armored ally. "We're ready, let's get out of here."
"Warren..." Gale said in a near whisper, opening the wooden door at the other end of the hall as slowly and quietly as possible.
"What are you doing!" Warren hissed at the other Master Hunter, running over as Gale entered the room.
As both men entered the room, Warren was noticeably furious, standing as close to the door as possible while Gale wandered around the room, dagger drawn. The room was a giant circle, a massive dagger shaped chandelier hung above the room.
Gale wandered onto a giant circle platform in the middle of the room, looking around for any sign of danger, or their target man. This Orion guy seemed important to Ozpin and team RWBY, so if anyone was to find him, it would be him.
As Gale took another step, a sharp hiss echoed around the room, the ground under Gale splitting open into two semi circles. Gale did a back flip off of it, landing by Warren.
A platform rose up from the broken circle, a giant metallic beast stood at the center. Its red eyes glared at the two, Ursa eyes.
It seemed, to the pair of Master Hunters, that someone had tamed an Ursa Major, and had given it an exoskeleton of metallic plating. It's bone spikes on its back stuck out of its armor, the tips hissing with black fire.
"Gore." A cold voice echoed around the room through a microphone.
"Please teach these trespassers their lesson."
And with that, the monster robotic Grimm, Gore, attacked.
Headmaster Ozpins Office
Beacon Main Tower
Headmaster Ozpin paced the room, looking over his data pads. The Schnee weapon defenses were slowly being built upon new stands by the Luna operated M.A.C cannons. With these weapons, perhaps Beacon could halt another attack, and still stand as a beacon of hope for all of Vale to see.
Ozpin chuckled at his pun, realizing that he hasn't had a time to relax for quite sometime. Ever since team RWBY made contact with Orion, he has been very curious, not even sleeping a few nights. Ozpins drones, the size of bees, would follow the team around during their endeavors, watching them develop into the Heroes that the world needed. He wanted them to succeed, and took special interest. And with Orion visiting again for the first time in several decades, Ozpin couldn't help but be worried and curious towards his intentions. After all, if Ozpin knew Orion at all, he was a trickster and helpful at times, using wisdom and playfulness in his endeavors. At least he wasn't Dagonus, if he were here, things could end badly. Ozpin shuddered as he recalled his first conversation with the man, those were dark days. Ozpin never liked to think about how there USE to be a training colosseum by Beacon before Dagonus appeared. That day involved much violence and a considerably large amount of paper work.
Ozpin was snapped from his thoughts by his Scroll vibrating on his desk. As he approached it, he knew that his old friends, Gale and Warren, had found Orion's possible location.
Ozpin grabbed his cane and coffee mug, taking a long sip as he walked over to the chambers main window. As the Grand Master Hunter, Ozpin controlled all of Vales Hunters, and could call upon other academy's to help him at any time. He controlled all heroes of the planet...
But after the attack, and as Orion once again returned, he couldn't feel any more out of control.
In his eyes, a dark storm was rising in the distance, not Human or Faunus in origin... But of destiny and power hunger.
Ozpin sighed as he sunk into his leather chair, placing his coffee cup on a glass table, gently tapping his cane on the ground.
"All apart of some plan I assume."
Vale Border
Underground Complex
A lone figure reclined in his throne, pushing a scroll aside depicting a blood filled room and a massive metal beast, and let out a chuckle.
"Rest now Gore. More will be on the way soon." He said as he took a sip of red wine, using his Guardians to hold up a dinner plate and fork.
"Mister Laos." Touko said abruptly, her long brown hair flowing elegantly, adjusting her white trench coat. "Are you sure that it's the best idea to stay?"
"And why the worry Touko? With a God in captivity, I'm invincible, what can they do to stop me?" He said before taking another sip of wine. "I am starting to think that you don't want the Dust from our new friends blood."
Touko went pale for a moment, eyes widening at his accusation. "Of course that's not it! It's just if they manage to kill your pet..."
"Than they will have to deal with me personally in my own domain." He countered, chewing a spoon full of rice.
Touko rolled her green eyes, pulling out a Scroll as her two White Fang body guards escorted her out of the room.
Beacon Main Hanger
Ozpin paced across the marble flooring, the sound of his cane tapping on the floor echoed throughout the complex.
As the man turned to face the group of collective hunters, several teams, and Ulysses himself stood at attention, awaiting orders. Each team was in perfect condition, weapons recently cleaned, any armor polished, and ammo and Dust canisters recently filled to ensure maximum combat efficiency.
Ozpin took a sip of his coffee and began addressing the teams before him.
"I've gathered you here because you are the most qualified for this mission." He began, gesturing to the teams before him. "You all have proven your valor and strength while defending Beacon, and thus have the most experience dealing with the enemy." He added, scanning the teams with his eyes.
Teams RWBY, JNPR, and CRDL, along with Ulysses, all stood together, no one wavering from their position. The leaders of the teams, Ruby, Jaune, and Cardin, all stood in front of their respective teams, the other members standing in a triangle behind their leaders.
"This operation, will henceforth be known as Operation Fallen Star, and will be kept as secret as possible. Each of you have been given a communications device, an ear piece that will give communications between all of you and the command center, which will be a Wilhelm Class Cruiser orbiting the area at thirty five thousand feet, manned by myself. Each team will be given a specific objective." Ozpin turned to team CRDL. "Cardin, you and your team will be in charge of protecting team RWBY as you enter the target location. Provide any and all security for them as they attempt to reach the H.I.V. They are counting on you to get them in safe."
Cardin and his team nodded in understanding, Cardin turning to his team and waving his hand in the air. His team nodded and turned to a nearby airship, Cardin following his team.
"Jaune," Ozpin said, turning to team JNPR's team leader. "Your team is in charge of Aura duty. Since the majority of your team has a large amount of built up natural reserves of Aura, you will need to be the healers in this mission. But don't think you're just there for healing. Everyone will be in combat, and you all are exceptional fighters."
Jaune nervously nodded, turning to his team. "A-alright, let's get going." He said, taking a noticeable gulp. After all, it was his first actual mission.
Nora was jumping with joy, swinging her war hammer around. "YES!" She shouted out, nearly hitting Ren with her weapon in mid swing. "Mission time!"
"Nora..."
"Yeah Ren?"
"Get in the ship." He said, walking with Pyrrha and Jaune towards the craft as Nora jogged in pursuit.
"And lastly, team RWBY..." Ozpin said softly, tapping his cane. "You will be paired with Ulysses, and have the most important role in this mission."
Ozpin took a deep breath, sighing before he continued. "You all know what we are looking for... Orion."
Team RWBY nodded slowly, Yang cracking her knuckles in the back.
"He is your main objective, however, the pilot and commander from the attack, Saturn, may be in the area. From all of your reports, I can gather that if Orion is missing, Saturn is most likely the reason." He said, taking another sip of coffee. "We all are angry at him for attacking our home. But I have to tell you that if you run into the man, do NOT attack unless Orion is with him. Saturn will answer to his crimes, but Orion cannot be lost."
The team exchanged confused and nervous looks, not sure how to respond to the Headmasters orders.
"With all due respect, sir..." Weiss said slowly, taking a step forward. "We will take down Saturn, and save Orion."
"I'm sure you will..." Ozpin said softly, looking towards Ulysses. "You know how important these students are. Take care of them, and yourself. Gale and Warren should already be in the area. Meet up with them and find Orion. It is of the upmost importance."
"Understood sir." Ulysses spoke confidently, running his fingers along the rim of his hat. "I've had risker assignments. I'll find your guy."
Ozpin nodded and gestured for him to part. With a tip of the hat, Ulysses was off walking towards his personal airship, awaiting the rest of the team.
"As I'm sure you all are aware, the others haven't a clue as to who Orion actually is. They cannot know who he is, unless it is of the upmost importance. If word was to spread of a physical God..." Ozpin shuddered at the thoughts of the riots that would break out. "Keep safe. We will await you all back upon the airship... All of you." He said with a small wink towards Ruby and Weiss, causing Ruby to giggle slightly, rubbing her gauntlet with her other hand.
"Understood sir." Ruby said as confidently as she could muster, a bright smile on her face. The Faunus spun on her boots to face her team, her left ear twitching with excitement. "Alright, let's go team."
As the team walked over towards the craft that awaited them, Weiss walked with confidence towards the ship. She knew that this time, Saturn wasn't escaping, and that Ruby wouldn't come out harmed again.
"And how sure are you of that, my dear little Huntress?" A cold voice echoed around her, the air around her feeling much hotter. However, the rest of the team seemed not to notice.
'What?' Weiss thought as she slowed down her walking, her mind slowing down.
"Ah, my dear girl..." Dagonus's voice spoke to her, laughing eagerly in the background. "Nevermind that; have fun on your endeavors, send me some fresh souls to reap... And don't forget about your task for me, I've gotten quite the fun little adventure saved for when you get back..." He said happily, laughing sinisterly in the background of her mind.
"Weiss?" Ruby asked, causing Weiss to snap out of her thoughts.
Ruby was standing right in front of her, eyes full of concern, ears flat on her head as she watched Weiss.
"Yes... Yes, I'm good." Weiss responded, the air around her growing back to its normal temperature.
"But I didn't ask-"
"It's nothing Ruby, we can talk about it with Yang later, okay? Don't want dark thoughts before a battle, right?" Weiss asked with a false grin in an attempt to steer Ruby from further questions.
"Alright!" She responded, placing a soft kiss on Weiss's cheek. "Sounds a-okay Weiss-y." The Faunus girl chirped happily, pulling Weiss by the hands towards the airship as it's engines started.
Weiss took her seat in the craft as it took off, the three others following in pursuit into the afternoon sky. As the heiress looked out the window as the Wilhelm Class Cruiser began its departure behind the squad of airships, she couldn't help but think one simple thought.
'Why does all this stuff have to happen to me?'
A/N: Hi guys, thinking of changing the summary for this story, so I want your alls opinions on which summary to use. If you don't like them, feel free to leave me an idea in the review box. Thanks! Just say the one that you like and ill tally the votes later.
1: Team RWBY has a target painted on its back as a crack of a sniper rifle sends the team spiraling into chaos. When Weiss meets a strange man, also seeking the same goal of vengeance, will the orders of Fate and Light prevail? Or is Vale and the rest of the world doomed to Darkness?
2: When a friendly trip to a café ends in Darkness, a Madman begins his rampage of violence throughout Vale. Watch as Team RWBY learns that if they are to survive the new evil, they will have to adapt to the new rules of combat, and brave through The Shadow of Fire.
3: When a Madman begins his reign of destruction upon Vale, Team RWBY struggles to maintain control over the world, and themselves. As Weiss meets a man who seems to be the answer to her problems, how many more will rise up from the shadows of old?
4: "The topic of Fate is controversial for many peoples of Remnant. Why is that? I for one embrace the topic, for I am Fate itself." When a group ancient beings resurface upon Remnant, how can Weiss Schnee halt the spiral of events that could send Vale into Darkness?
Thanks!