Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of the Roots and the Rock. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own RWBY. Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.
Elm anchored herself backwards with her semblance as Harriet rushed forward hers. Her opponent turned, slashing at her with a wave of wind dust which was boosted by his semblance.
Harriet who was not at all anchored like she was? Was sent skidding across the room, slamming into a wall and almost slumping to the ground as her aura crackled.
"Heh." Elm said before she transformed Timber into its rocket launcher form and unleashed a blast of rockets at the specialist.
He cursed and backflipped away, sliding backwards before using his sword to arrest his momentum. He looked around the holographic ground which was modeled after a Mistrial battleground which seemed at odds with their close operation area. Thick fall trees surrounded them, autumn leaves fell to the ground around them, flying as he used his semblance to throw them about with the speed and skill only a specialist of his caliber could end up using. He was constantly judging how best they could be used to fight.
Elm charged through the explosions as smoke and ash filled the air. The specialist turned, his sword slicing through the air as it paused her hammer inches from his head as he did so, sparks flew from their weapons as he grunted.
"You know, strength isn't everything." The specialist stated before kicking her backwards. "Also? I know how your semblance works well enough to know how to counter it when it comes down to it. You're not as reinforced when you don't have your feet dug into the ground." The specialist added, brushing off his coat.
He paused to continue to knock her back with his sword as she deflected a stab at her head with her hammer. Sparks flew from their weapons as he did so. Elm swung her hammer strongly enough to throw him backwards, forcing him to arrest his fall once more. He blinked from under the cold winter gear he wore, more surprised when he thought about how to counter her strength.
"Seems like more than enough to win a fight." Elm added as Harriet rushed in towards him, eager to land a decisive blow.
He spun the sword, twisting around to catch the first of Harriet's punches before spinning and throwing her towards the ground. He spun fast enough to block Timber; he was glad enough that his sword was strong enough to stand up to force like that. If she landed a stronger hit? It would have ended up breaking his blade in half.
"Damn." He said before he sighed as Harriet rushed at him, launching into a dropkick.
He ducked, tucking his arms close to his chest as she passed over his head, slamming into Elm and throwing both of them to the ground. He blinked and rushed them only for Elm to kick him backwards, forcing his aura to sparkle.
Elm charged as the specialist pivoted around the strike, slashing her in the back and sending her skidding backwards. She was thrown backward by the strike. Harriet rushed forward, pausing the specialist who backflipped away, aware of how powerful her weapon was.
The specialist blocked both of her fists with the sword before clicking the trigger. The gun inside the weapon fired, throwing him backwards before he looked at her.
Elm rushed forward, firing the thrusters on Timber which the specialist met. He spun his sword, activating the wind dust inside the weapon. Their weapons clashed with enough force to send a shockwave across the room. The hologram around them was disrupted for a few seconds. However? Before either could win? Both were thrown back by a glyph, causing them to look up to the viewing deck where Winter stood by a terminal, looking down upon the battlefield.
"That is enough for now, we have more than enough data." Winter stated, looking down from her terminal. "Specialist? You can stop. I believe they know how strong you are. Tying two of the Ace-Operatives in combat is no easy feat." Winter added, tapping several commands on her console.
"To be fair, ma'am?" The specialist called as he hummed, curious as he did so. "You put us all against each other without any real data. We don't know how any of us would end up fighting." The specialist added, crossing his arms as he did so.
"Specialist Atem?" Winter said to which he turned. "I did that because of war. Our enemy is unpredictable, they will constantly be everywhere, could be anyone…. We must be ready for anything they throw at Atlas." Winter added, brushing off her uniform.
"With all due respect, ma'am?" Atem questioned as he turned. "I doubt Specialists Edere or Bree are stupid. The leaders of the enemy are smart. The Grim vary… Plus I don't think they hit as hard as Edere. I almost broke my arm fighting her when it comes down to it." Atem added while he crossed his arms.
"Indeed," Winter added, crossing her arms behind her back as she did so. "Your teammates are some of the best soldiers. I'm sure you will get used to it." Winter put in before she sighed.
"There will be much more work to do, ma'am." Atem said, brushing off his armor as he did so. "Plus? It will be much harder than a mock fight such as this. We both know I'm not the best of the Atlesian army, not yet." Atem said, sighing as well.
He was quite curious what the next move was. There was only so many maneuvers they could employ in combat to overcome their enemy. After all? Humans could think, Grimm were more currently limited by such maneuvers.
"We will need every specialist in the army for the defense of Atlas." Winter put in as she turned towards Harriet and Elm. "General Ironwood has wished to extend the Ace Operatives to 6 members, possibly 8 in the future. The best and brightest in Atlas will serve as its vanguard. However? Do not begin to think you cannot fight for something you believe in. Atlas's future rests in your teamwork and coordination, you cannot be allowed to see those around you as expendable." Winter put in before she turned to look back at the command deck.
Winter knew the Ace Ops were not going to be enough to save Atlas, not on their own. The war for their home would be a group effort. One which couldn't be one through sheer brute force, but through skill, determination against impossible odds.
"Do not think of this as merely another battle." Winter added before turning to address the others. "But a test." Winter stated to which caused to think.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be longer and such. Next chapter will be 900-4500 words. It will show Atem talking to both Clover and Elm along with set up their camaraderie and such. Next chapter will be in 2-10 weeks and such. Next chapter will be delayed and such. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Next chapter will NOT be delayed and updates will hopefully longer.