Chapter Thirty Eight: To Be A Team (Part 1)

"So... Catch me up to speed here."

"... Pardon?" Carmine numbly asks to Huntsman, stunned silent.

Qrow suppresses a chuckle and smirks. "I'm here to help? So, what the heck's got you here, and how can I assist?"

Carmine blinks once. Twice. Shakes himself before scowling. "He really sent you here to babysit, didn't he?" The accusatory tone merely raised Qrow's brow. "F-... Ozpin's really that nosy"

"Oh, great. Daddy issues." Roman scoffs. "Well, he can go ahead of us and take the heat, if that's the case, Silver Streak." The conman is already giving a smarmy grin and flicking his hand dismissive of the legendary hunter.

Qrow sets a hard gaze on the man, gauging him, then a cursory glance at Carmine before sighing. He then pulls a flask from his jacket pocket. He notices the pinking grimace from Carmine and Roman's curious glint. "Oz is taking a more active role against this organization, now that was know its name and function. AZRL, was it?"

Carmine scoffs, but bites his tongue upon meeting the red eyes. Instead of a biting comment, he asks. "How did you even get here?"

"We came by boat landing in the East. I scouted ahead to identify where your team members were, and communicated how we could split up. I came here seeing as you two well organized operatives were infiltrating this compound." Carmine purses his lips, especially at Qrow's sarcastic comment over how off the cuff this infiltration truly was. "Speaking of, interesting weapon choice."

Carmine glares back, gripping the stolen stun baton. "Hey! I got by fine. Just gotta get my gun back from Siegfried! Also, has Ozpin ever just heard of a scroll call?"

Qrow raises a brow. "Have you? The whole reason for my team being assembled was because someone hasn't accepted calls."

The boy stubbornly glares, despite the slight blush. "I have no idea what you're on about..."

"He says, thankful that Siegfried also has his scroll." Roman unhelpfully points out, grinning at Carmine's panicked expression at being caught. He WAS thankful that his lie couldn't be called out.

"Traitor!" He whips a finger at Roman, anger spurred. He then turns back to the Huntsman. "Look, I'll... call him as soon as we leave Menagerie. Thank you. We don't need the help." The boy's heat seems to die out as Qrow simply remains unfazed.

"Bit late for that kid, don't you think?" Qrow looks out from the pallets of supplies the three hide behind.

But... Father had to... DOUBLE FRICK! The boy deflates, grimacing Roman's way. The conman, despite the smirk, didn't look pleased in the eyes. He was not happy either. Groaning, Carmine turns back. "... Where's the rest of your team?" He speaks in a monotone, defeated voice.

Qrow can't help but smirk. "Probably meeting up with your other two teammates right about now."

. . .

The four girls move under the cover of night. The trees block out enough moon light, keeping them nearly invisible as they close in on the mountain side. Neo glances around, wary until another gunshot sounds over the ridge. The enemy was closing in.

Rowa looks to the blonde beside her. "This will do." She spares a glance at Blair. "Operation Hidey Hole!" The violet haired woman smiles bright, getting no reaction from either blonde.

Instead, Glynda and Blair move on autopilot. Blair inserts earth dust into Fluorescent and casts into the ground. The land ruptures quietly as Glynda takes control of the ground and mountain side. She shifts the rock with her semblance until she creates a vacant spot in the land mass side.

Neo allows the three older women to lead her into the dark, dank hole. As they enter, Glynda and Blair dual cast on the opening, closing the rock and encasing them fully underground, small holes allowing air in. Neo blinks in the darkness as Rowa leans in. "Just be quiet a second."

Oh, she already wanted to kill this ditz. Neo scowls in the black.

Outside, Killa and his crew march through the area... scouting around with Kallen in the lead checking his scanner. Silently, the four faunus sniff about, but move on from the area quickly. As quick as they came, they leave...

The four girls sigh before Rowa sets her scroll against the wall, light on to shine up their "hidey hole". She clasps her hands with a grin at Blair. "Now that we're safe and private, we can get down to-"

"What are you two doing here?!" Blair snaps, glaring daggers at Glynda.

Immediately, Rowa deflates, arms dangling helpless. "Brothers, why..?"

Glynda takes the bait, engaging in a haughty tone. "I fail to see how an exiled Huntress in training has the right to question those on an official job." The blonde drips venom in her tone. "Granted, I shouldn't be surprised anymore. Even violating an entire fledgling nation's autonomy..." She sends a heated look to Neo. "... with children no less."

Neo feels a chill at Blair's icy stare. "Oh, lovely. As if I'll ever accept judgment from a glorified baby sitter. Tell me, while I've been saving the actual children in need, how exactly is that stuffy school doing? Fixing the cafeteria after food fights?"

"Blair, Glynda, please! Just-"

"Excuse me?!" Glynda fires back. "I am successfully securing the future of defenders of Vale and onward! You became synonymous with shame and deception stealing blood from a child. The same child you're STILL putting in danger carelessly!"

Neo flinches, straightening at the casual mention and accusation involving Carmine. Rowa grits her teeth beside her. "Guys, this isn't-"

Blair cuts off the peppy woman. "How cute. Ignoring the fact that my guiding him has now saved more direct lives than you sitting behind a desk demanding last week's homework." Her eyes narrow a cutting glare as her hand twitches towards her weapon. "Now, keep him out of your words. You have no right to speak of him after you were not the one to help him!"

Just as Glynda opens her mouth for rebuttal, Rowa's hands reach out. Each hand pinches one of the heated blonde's by the ears as she gives a taught yank! "AH!" Both blonde sisters yelp out their breath, sending scolding gazes to the violet haired girl.

"ENOUGH WITH YOUR SIBLING RIVALRY! Glynda, you promised to play nice for Cella! Do it!" The girl looks wrong angry, forcefully weathering the heated glares from the two. However, using Cella's name brings Glynda's anger to wilt. As she glances away, Blair's own anger fades to confusion.

"What do you-" Blair's words die off as Rowa deflates and pulls her old partner into a full hug.

The violet haired girl sighs before chuckling. "That can wait. I'm just... glad you're okay." Blair reels uncomfortable with the contact, but the violet haired woman is surprised to not be pushed back. She finally spares Blair, releasing her with her hands still on the blonde's shoulders. "You look good. Interesting disguise. Cella inspire you?"

Blair blinks, almost unaware of the faunus deer ear prosthetic flicking reactionary. The blonde hums and allows a small smirk. Her hands reach up and touch them, establishing they're still there. "I don't know what you mean." She mildly shrugs the other's hands off and takes a calming breath. "How goes your ventures?"

Rowa gives a gag sound, cringing. "Crawlers outside Vale. Saving a mayor in Mistral and getting insufferably hit on... Same old." She gasps suddenly. "Speaking of getting hit on! How dare I have to find your ex to find you!"

Poker face. Blair completely blanks back... save for a slight blush building. A second passes before a throaty wheeze sounds out. All three of the older women glance to see Neo clamping a hand over her face, struggling to keep a giggle fit in check. Blair sends a scathing look that only makes it worse. "Neo... You're treading on ice."

Rowa grins for the girl and leans towards her. "Oh! Girl talk! I need to know the new gossip on my witch, here." Neo shakes off the laughs, looking confused as Rowa is giving her attention. "Tell me, what's she been up to?"

Neo blinks once. Twice. Then, she conjures a sign with her semblance. The image presented depicts Blair, shadowed over, looming over a chibi form of the rest of the team pouting. The words 'Rulez Lawyer' are in bold in the bottom.

Blair huffs, crossing her arms indignant. Glynda finally observes the interaction, critical of Neo herself. Rowa snickers at the blonde's expense. "Yeah, she is." A cutting glare meets the back of her head, but she ignores it. Rowa cups her mouth and whispers loudly. "Sneak her some alcohol. It works wonders with her mood."

At that, the tricolor girl brightens and chuckles. Glynda raises a brow. "Can she not speak?"

Blair opens her mouth, surely a snap ready on her tongue, but stops. Instead, she answers honestly. "Neo was freed from AZRL's Vale auction at the old auditorium. They'd surgically taken her ability to speak prior to the rest of us meeting her."

Both the Huntresses recoil at that, sending wide eyed glances at Neo. The girl chuckles back at them, signing out. "I'm too dangerous to speak."

"Watch your wallets. She's touchy with possessions." Blair adds. "Give Rowa back her 20 Lien, by the way."

Neo looks like she's been caught red handed, glances meeting in shock before she scowls. Slowly, she hands the violet haired girl back a wad of cash. Rowa snatches it away, giving an 'I got an eye on you' gesture as she pockets it. "Here I thought we could be friends." she whines.

"That does bring us to what we're here for." Glynda cuts in. "Ozpin is ready to take a more active role against AZRL. Ourselves and one other were sent to rendezvous with a so called Team CRBN." A touch of haughty indignation comes as she finishes. "We were to provide immediate assistance to any current task and obtain current actionable information for new hunter jobs."

Blair and Neo share glances at such an... official source of support. Sure, Carmine told them Ozpin officiated their team into the Vale database, but... "Not to question him, but... where was this initiative before? Shouldn't the hunter jobs still be primarily geared towards the Grimm?"

"Up until now, news of your team remained relatively minor. However, recently, a Shade academy team of hunters in training were wiped out. We cannot be sure if it was this AZRL, but speculation is abound. Not to mention a Vale territory city losing half its medical capacity..." Glynda adds in a critical tone before adjusting her glasses.

"I... see..." Blair contemplates a moment, sharing a glance with Neo. The girl gives a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of her head embarrassed. "Well, the Sanctuary incident proves that AZRL is catching on to how we had been tracking them prior to now. Each of the locations we know of SHOULD be confirmed AZRL operations. However, they are likely all trapped. Hence our... current strategy."

At that, Rowa and Glynda share a glance, the blonde between them nodding. Rowa answers back. "So, this is what?"

Blair restricts a sigh. "An attempt to trace the missing medicines from Sanctuary's hospital. They went to Master Ilan who governs the outpost we just left-"

"-chased out of." Glynda corrects.

"-Strategically withdrew from!" Blair amends with a shared glare between them before continuing. "However, we could not locate the Nomaura drug as it's been shipped east, per the documents Neo found." Said girl waves her hand with a smirk at Rowa and Glynda's side.

"Yes... about that." Rowa starts. "We understand that your... other two partners are in that direction. Our plus one should be tracking them. He told us about a facility with many humans working fields. Think that's your place?"

The CRBN members share a glance at that. "That... would be it. Carmine has a knack for finding his way into these situations, but with our help, he should be fine."

"Including your criminal friend?" Glynda adds in an accusatory tone.

Neo snickers as Blair huffs. "... Loath as I am to say, I don't think he will leave Carmine dry. So... yes." She almost chokes the word. Neo grins widely and points at Blair. "You tell him, I'll kill you." She threatens the teen.

Rowa raises a brow. "Such a... stunning recommendation. Thankfully, we got coverage on that front at least."

. . .

The underground... factory for lack of a better descriptor, begins to die down. A great many of the slave workers are hushed away, moving from the product lines up to the tunnels for the surface. It would seem the workers are actually given time to sleep. Given, the increased guard patrols at least let them know they found Carmine's guard knocked out.

Carmine slides back from glancing over their cover. Meeting the red gaze, he sighs. "Fine. You can help us, okay? We just need to see what these guys are up to in this secret headquarters, then we shut down the operation."

Qrow raises a brow unimpressed. "... So this is how Team CRBN operates? Completely off the cuff and wild?" At Carmine's blush and indignant huff, he adds, raising fingers with each example. "Blowing up the under level of Vaterra. Leaving Silver Auditorium a smoldering ruin. Turning a hospital into war zone." Carmine feels a metaphorical weight pound onto his shoulders as each finger raises.

Heated, Carmine whisper yells. "We won't blow a hole through Menagerie! God!" He flails his hands up and marches from the hiding spot to head further into the cavern.

Qrow sends a hesitant glance to Roman. The conman snickers. "No promises." He strolls by Qrow and marches on. "If you don't want that, then pull some weight. I'd like the extra meat shield."

The huntsman snorts. "Around me? Don't press your luck." He cuts a red eyed glare, noticing Roman's balance. His tense muscles vs relaxed. Roman was still ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Speaking of. "Should I nickname you based on your god awful hat, or what?"

"hmm... Roman Torchwick to you." Roman smirks. He then flicks his hand up... the black feather caught between his fingers. "Shall I call you Birdbrain?" Qrow's eyes harden, opening his mouth to question how Roman noticed- "Too late, the name is set." Roman flicks the feather away and marches after Carmine.

"Hmm... lovely." He drawls sarcastically. Hands in his pocket, his weapon, Harbinger, on his back. He mentally takes back his worries a few days prior about Roman being the easiest to interact with. He follows the CRBN members to a split in the cavern. One leading to dip towards the working lines. The other leading to a steep slope down, wet with dripping water.

The three share a look before Carmine shrugs. "Well. Possible shortcut."

"Or path into the open." Qrow adds.

"Or death drop." Roman puts in.

That gets a huff from the boy who sends a dull look to Qrow. "Yeah well... Father throws students over a hill so..." Nothing else is said before the boy leaps into the sloped hole.

The rocky tunnel wound in circles, down and down it goes. Where it stops? No one know- ah! Never mind. Carmine spots the opening. A puddle and rocky, uneven opening. Carmine kicks up, stepping out onto the spiking spot as he glances his surroundings.

The opening was surrounded by stalagmites, providing a cover from an underground structure ahead with a lit pathway in the distance. He crouches low behind the earthen spikes. He hears the sliding behind him, Roman smoothly sliding into a walk. The man stops by Carmine, looming over. "What we got?"

Qrow slides in by them, raising a brow. The structure was built into the rock wall. A large metal double door with four guards conversing. To the side is a set of tracks, trailing up the path and also disappearing under the construct wall. A mine cart transport system. "Workers up top. Their sleeping quarters, too."

Carmine furrows his brow, sending a glance at Qrow, unsure. "So... they don't bring the workers this far down then... This is the secret?"

The man gives a curt nod. "I'd assume so. No raw materials or shipments were upstairs, as it were. So, unless we have a literal underground railroad..." He meets a glance with Roman.

"On jungle island? I doubt it. The materials only seem to be going down." He smirks. "Shall we crack open the secret stash?"

"They'll find out where we are soon. We'll be fighting the whole outpost." Qrow puts in.

"But the people, the slaves, will be out of the fight, above ground." Carmine nods to himself. "If we fight down here with ambush tactics, no worrying about cross fire, I think we got this." He groans. "Until Siegfried gets back."

"He'll be a while. Don't worry." Roman waves the concern off. Which, unsurprisingly, brings more concern to the boy. "IF he makes it back to the outpost, he'll be bringing the boar horde with him. He'll be occupied."

Carmine purses his lips in thought before shrugging. "Alright then. Do it."

Instantly, Roman activates his semblance upon one of the four guards' torches. The flame sparks brighter, flaring out and spooking the four. The one holding the torch drops it, yelping in shock. "What the-" Carmine slides in from behind, kicking the nearest man's leg out, then swinging the stun baton in hand into the second for a shock.

Roman follows, stomping over the first and striking the third as the man turns with Velvet. He hooks the man with the pick side, wrenching him in and throwing him at the fourth. The fourth side steps the thrown third and draws a blade out to slash.

In a twirl, Roman deflects the attack with his cane, back kicks the man's footing out, and palm strikes the man's throat. He collapses back before Roman flourishes his cane to whack the second and fourth men as they recover.

Roman smirks and hip tosses the second over to Qrow, who lazily kicks the flying man. Hard. The second flies into the fourth, both hitting the rock and lying out cold. Qrow raises a brow as Roman smirks back.

The third man, thrown by Roman before, gets up and charges the conman from behind. Roman notices, but keeps a smirk with his back turned. Before the faunus can connect a hit, Qrow speeds by, Harbinger swinging into the man's chest and cracking the henchman's aura. The man rockets into the wall, unconscious.

Carmine carefully dances around the remaining man's swipes, kicking at joints and shock striking when he can. The man sways, groggy, before the boy kicks his chest. Jager's thrust blasts the man back next to the other unconscious guards. Carmine smirks. "See? We got this."

The conman scoffs. "You mean we got this." He gestures to himself and the huntsman. "You barely slug it out one on one without your aura." He sends smarmy grin Qrow's way. "Say, Birdbrain. You know how long Nomaura takes to process out?"

Qrow nonchalantly looks around before sending a lazy gaze over. "Hmm? You say something?" Roman stiffens, looking dumbfounded before sending a sharp glare. Oh? Hate being ignored, do you? Qrow smirks. Qrow steps to the door, muttering to Carmine. "Typically lasts about 7 to 12 hours."

Carmine grimaces. "Best I figure, it's been... two hours. Shit..."

Qrow raises a brow. "The mouth on you." Carmine freezes, a deep blush forming. The raven haired man snorts a stiff laugh, moving for the door. "Not my issue to correct. Now." He opens the metal double doors.

The doors reveal the cavern getting steeper and dividing in multiple directions. The cart rails run alongside one of the cavern depths. The steepness being worse and worse, built catwalks form multiple walking paths, a dust light every so often.

Roman sighs. "Down and down it goes. Where it stop?"

"These guys know." Carmine smirks and points to the four still forms behind them. Qrow nods, walking between them and evaluates each. One hands, he snatches one by the back of his brown Fang tunic. He slings the man over his should and marches back to Carmine and Roman.

"We can interrogate him when he wakes up. Let's see what we can find without him."

And the three descend further into the depths.

. . .

Hours passed... The four women made their way through the forest. Slowly but surely. The foursome hadn't had any other close calls with the faunus mercs. Something that SHOULD have brought comfort to them, but each second a bullet didn't fly only kept her hairs standing on end in anticipation. A break in the forest brings the women to a halt. A barren wasteland scarring the forest.

The game trail... Right.

Boarbatusk horde... Right.

Blair sends a glance to Neo for a moment, the girl grimacing in the dark. Thinking, Blair asks of the other two. "How did you pass the game trail before?"

Rowa grimaced. "We had to circle way North to avoid it the first time. You?"

"A ridge to the South." Blair answers. In the darkness, she couldn't see the mountain they'd used the first time. Great. No way of telling how close they are. Blind in the dark. She turns back. "Neo?"

Neo subconsciously wrings Hush in her hands as she steps out from the forest into the clearing. Gee... you do it in the day, and it's a moment filled with anticipation. Do it at night, and wonder if you just killed yourself.

So, she waited.

Ready for pointy tusks, chuffs, and grunts.

And she waited more...

They'll be all over her like Roman harassing Carmine... or Carmine with meat products.

Continuing waiting...

Seriously, a storm like Blair kicking everyone out of the room for silence.

Any second now...

Red eyes will be all over...

… Okay, where the hell?

"Neo... where's the horde?" Blair whispers as she and the other huntresses step out onto the barren dirt. Neo flippantly whips around, waving her arms out and shrugging. The group remains wary, now all in the open before they slowly cross the barren landscape.

"Maybe the Grimm moved on?" Rowa adds, unhelpful.

"Unlikely. Grimm might be savage monsters, but they have patterns. You've sent the girl into danger here before?" Glynda critically eyes Neo as she speaks to Blair. As if even looking at her own flesh and blood was a bother... Neo almost felt her skin crawl.

"She tested it earlier today before shattering out." Blair answers honestly, lost in thought. "If they've moved, they must have found another prey source. They're unlikely to leave after spotting Neo earlier here."

Glynda huffs. "Dangling a child out like a bait. Not surprised." Neo felt the hairs on her neck bristle at that. So easily dismissing the teen's skill- "Impressive reactions she must have had not withstanding." Oh... Right, she's making sure JUST to insult Blair...

Neo purses her lips and scowls at nothing. This Glynda... she doesn't like her.

"I'll take your comment seriously once you've taken any action against AZRL yourself." Blair responds plainly. "Besides, I must ask, is this the first field work you've done since graduating? You're awfully slow." She finishes, calling back to Glynda who holds the rear.

"Oh god, can you two please stop?" Rowa pleads. "Seriously. I thought you two were mature."

"Hmph!" Both blondes huff. Neo, leading the group, raises a brow. She creates a sign in hand, picturing a chibi version of Glynda with devil horns and flames coming out her mouth. Rowa facepalms at this, Blair actually giving a ghost of a smirk. Glynda, on the other hand, sends a cold glare at the sign.

"Expected behavior from someone who should be in school." Glynda states cold, which Neo WOULD roll her eyes at if she wasn't feeling death under the words.

Blair interjects. "If she was YOUR student, I'd pull her from school."

That gets a risen brow from the huntress. "So, you're her adoptive mother in this hypothetical?" Rowa's eyes widen as Blair doesn't immediately respond, instead failing to work her mouth. Neo snickers, adding fuel to the fire by balancing her hand, palm down, and teetering it, as if saying 'so so.' "She's a lost cause then."

Rowa whips her head at Glynda. "Any more, and I'll spritz you with water like the catty hag you're being. Stop fighting!" Then to Blair. "You too."

"How am I starting any of this?" Blair critically asks.

"Not starting. You're trying to win. Neither of you win, so shut up or act like strangers at least." At this, Blair remains silent as the group makes their way from the game trail into the forest on the other side. Rowa watches Blair take the lead from Neo, likely getting more distance from Glynda. Rowa sends a 'help' look to Neo. "Can I trust you to help keep them in line?"

Neo blinks before snickering and shaking her head. Something that makes Rowa immediately hang her head in resignation. This wallowing in frustration would continue for another hour, slowly making their way until finding a mountain. The sky was slowly tinging from black to dark blue, the early, EARLY signs of a coming sunrise.

With that, Blair was able to look upon the peak and recognize that further away is a split. A break between the bulk of the mountain and another side for a mountain pass. Good. They're close to where Blair and Neo broke off to return to Bomba. "This is as far as Neo and I went."

"There's a small river at some point east of the game trail." Rowa informs the CRBN members. "It's path winds a lot going North to South, so no telling how far it is from our position." Neo cocks her head. Gesturing around them before miming writing. Rowa blinks, unsure of the question.

Blair interprets. "She's asking how you know. Whether you mapped out the area or not."

"Our other team member was able to get a bird's eye view of the land before splitting from us." Glynda informs helpfully.

That makes Blair hum. "I would assume that since Professor Ozpin sent you two, this third is Cella... I'm sure she's backed Carmine's side in arguments with Roman by now, then." Neo grimaces, looking at the blonde like she's crazy, so Blair explains. "She dislikes weaselly types who use word play and indirect methods. She'll stand against Roman on principle."

Neo responds with a sullen look. She signs out. "So, she's a killjoy. Fun."

"They are not Cella." Glynda answers, getting a blinking response from Blair. "It is one of Ozpin's chief agents. Cella was not assigned to our team."

Rowa and Glynda share a glance, the violet haired woman tense. Glynda seemed more detached, save for the tightening of her grip on her wand. Was she not going to tell..?

Blair hums to herself after a moment. "Ah, yes... She became an agent for Shade academy. I almost forgot." The blonde appeared satisfied with the reasoning. "Similar to you remaining in Vale, right?"

Rowa eases lightly, nodding, but notices Neo critically looking at her. "Yeah. We had wondered if you'd keep contact, but... well, we knew you'd have ignored us as you were."

The blonde remained silent, eyes trailing at that thought. Not given time to reflect on it, she sees scrapes along the ground. "Boarbatusk marks. The horde went this way. We may have a fight on our hands." The others tense as they continue, rounding a bend and finding a river... "Or not..."

A full hundred yards before them showed completely ravaged All plant growth uprooted, all trees snapped in half. Trenches were ripped through the ground, soil and rock blown all over... The four girls blink over the devastation second. The first detail were the dozens of rapidly decaying, rapidly fading black carcasses. No obvious human remains.

"Someone went ham." Rowa slowly gets out. "This from our friendlies? Cause I'll be impressed."

"The lack of burning tells me Roman wasn't here. So, not friendly." Blair answers as she glances about. "This isn't dust based... Each if these marks is blunt force impacts. Ripping. Tearing." The four look over the different scars in the land.

Glynda inspects a deep puncture in the dirt. Hesitant, she crouches down and runs her hand inside the hole. "These marks aren't just from Boarbatusk... This hole is a akin to a stab. Usually left by larger, insectoid Grimm legs."

Neo raises a brow. "More Grimm?" She signs, Blair grimacing.

BOOM!

All four jolt as the gunshot very close sounds. A faint snarl of a Grimm echoes over the next hill. Fighting sounds... The mercenaries. Shit. Blair looks to the others. "No time for it. Let's go." They double time their pace, vaguely wondering what force tore through those Grimm...

. . .

"Ack!" The faunus cracks out as Carmine's foot strikes in the gut. The Jager thrust blasts the Fang member back, splayed out on the ground. The boy stumbles back to balanced and turns to the adults. Roman stands among five unconscious men, condescendingly clapping.

"Atta boy! You're reliably taking one at a time." He smirks. "Aura back yet?"

Carmine rolls his eyes before answering seriously. "Kinda like if your arm was really numb from sleeping on it, but it's my aura? I feel it and everything but..." He glares at his armor. Focusing, he tries to will his semblance. "Zero!" The call out helps focus his power, but... nothing. The armor remains in Jager form, disappointing. "Yeah, still screwed."

"Remarkable." Roman mutters, looking past the boy. Ahead of their catwalk path are more unconscious Fang members, Qrow standing tall and taking another swig of his drink. "Hear that, Birdbrain? Silver Streak needs ya to carry his weight."

"Can you ever not be an ass?" Carmine groans as he complains.

"I find myself rather charming." Roman smirks as he marches ahead.

A half snort and scoff come from Qrow. "Two out of five stars. Talks too much. Arrogant. Acceptable in a fight."

"I'll let you know when I'm trying." Roman brushes by the huntsman, eyeing the metal double doors ahead with concrete walling. The conman hums. "So, how low do you figure we are? Gotta be getting close to the big reveal, don't ya think?"

Carmine shutters. "Hopefully not leading to another captive Kraken."

Qrow approaches the door, Roman to his right and Carmine on the left. "Always good to expect the worst and hope for the best." He then sends a sullen look. "But it's usually the worst."

As he opens the door, a bit of color leaves the boy's face. His voice cracks as he mutters. "Oh... fun." The three enter, the cavern opening into spiraling and splitting paths. The mounted catwalks over the uneven walk ways continued in each direction. He groans. "Good god. How low can it go?"

Roman tilts his head up to a crude sign at one of the splits. Directions. Arrows in different directions with labels. What catches his eyes are two arrows specifically. They'd come from a direction labeled 'loading'. The rails for carts. An arrow pointing to a downward path on the right is labeled 'Pharma'. "Think we found out what they're farming upstairs."

Qrow looks up, grimacing. "You said Master Ilan runs medical supplies for both the Fang and AZRL?"

Carmine looks over the sign as well, frowning. "So, they slave people to pick plants for medicine? Like, 'hey, let's do something horribly stupid for greater good' kinda thing?" He then eyes another arrow pointing ahead labeled 'engineering'. "Wut?"

Qrow hums and crosses his arms. "Yeah. Definitely up to more than making Tylenol." He looks to the CRBN members. "It's your show. Where we going?"

Roman huffs. "Maybe there's a drug to get little handicap here back to full?"

"No side effects, please." Carmine grumbles, already walking for the path.

"ALL the side effects."

The three descend down the path, further and further in the musky depths. Although, the three each quirk their noses at a sterile aroma. Like alcohol mixed with a strange stench. They descend slower at the sounds of metal on glass and movement.

Crouching around a corner, they peer in to find a structural setup. Tables and shelves lined with tools and ingredients. Several men work about the room with boiling mixtures at one end, grinders turning ingredients to powder on the other side. Fumes from the boilers are the source of the stench, much stronger now.

And it was BIG!

The catwalk the three hide near is elevated, circling the large room, some fifty yards wide. Lines of workers set about with the different products. Electrical lights connected to a dust generator shine the room bright.

Roman nods to the generator, smirking and waiting for nods. The some dozen men in the room mill about, checking papers and organizing before...

POP!

The lights zap out, the large cavern room going pitch black. One of the men sighs. "That generator... I knew it was on the fritz- ugh!" Rapid footsteps and a fleshy hit sound. Several gasps sound.

"Hey, wha- Ack!" Another drop. The faunus all go into a panic as strikes sound, even a flash spark of the shock baton Carmine holds. The group is screaming in pain as each voice is silencing one by one... then silence.

A spark flashes along the generator wiring as Roman reactivates the generator. The lights flare up, revealing the room once more, all but one of the faunus splayed out across the room. The last man, a reptilian faunus in a White Fang uniform and a face mask, flinches back, directly into Qrow. He whirls around in fright. "Hi."

Qrow knocks the guy out in one hit as Roman looks at Carmine, who rubs his eyes beside one knocked out faunus. "Really? You barely found one person. Do we have to do everything?"

Carmine snaps back. "Shut up! I can't adjust with my eyes that fast, okay?" He continues rubbing his eyes. "Freaking eyes are sensitive without aura." He huffs and looks at a paper... instantly confused at half the words. What is... dihydrogen monoxide- Oh, to hell with you, Chemistry! Just call it water! "Ugh! I have next to no idea what I'm looking at. Where's Blair when you need her?"

. . .

The sun was now peeking over the mountains. Light had truly begun bathing the land at an angle. The four women were now traversing a low valley. The blonde's nose wrinkles. She brings her hand up, silencing and muffling her as she flinches. "Achoo!" She gives a sullen glare at nothing as Rowa snickers. "What?"

"Someone's talking about you." Rowa states chipper. Glynda and Neo each roll their eyes at the childish sentiment. "Maybe it's J-"

"They'll never find your body." Blair cuts in before Rowa can name the bear faunus. As the violet haired woman clams up, Blair quickly deflects the topic. "Besides, if that notion was actually true, then I must have been a taboo subject for the last three years."

The violet haired woman cringes, sliding next to her old partner sad. "Oh come on. Don't be like that! We totally wanted you back around every second! Even Glynda."

"I remember no such conversations implying that." Glynda promptly interjects. Neo smirks, flashing a shatter sign. It depicts a cartoon heart with a bandage on. From said bandage, a stream of red spews out. Glynda's eye twitches. "Morbid, but I am no bleeding heart."

Rowa pats Blair's shoulder. "She missed you. Trust me." The four traverse the climbing hill to reveal the outpost in the distance. Rowa settles, serious. "Jackpot. Your boys and Qrow should be there, so what's our play."

Neo and Blair share a glance, the little girl gesturing towards the outpost before miming a 'boom'. Blair nods. "Yes. It's still there in one piece, so Roman and Carmine haven't left it yet."

"You four often annihilate your operation locations?" Glynda asks, sour.

"No." Blair curtly responds... while Neo waves her hands in a 'so so' gesture. The blonde continues. "But we should lose our pursuers before regrouping with the others, given who they are." She glances at the two graduated huntresses. "You two don't seem surprised by them."

"They tried to raid a civilian transport we were taking." Rowa scowls. "Qrow found out that they'd been tracking you guys as well."

Blair's gaze narrows, recalling Roman's words in Sanctuary... "But it may be a future target on my back." "Roman anticipated this." She snaps her head to Neo. "Do not tell him I'm giving him credit." Turning back to the forest, she grimaces. "We can't allow Killian Gonzola anywhere near Carmine. Carmine cannot face him as he is."

Glynda narrows her gaze at that. "This is personal then?"

"Killian killed his parents. Carmine has PTSD from those events. I fear he won't be controllable should he and Killian come face to face." Blair answers honestly before drawing Fluorescent from its sheath. "We will need to drive him off before that happens."

Glynda and Rowa share glances, then look to Neo. The girl pauses before nodding to the women. Rowa nods. "Then where should we set up an ambush then? We decide this."

The blonde sisters meet gazes, in sync. They turn to the hills to the South, then Blair turns to Neo. "Are you okay with this?" Neo smirks, signing out. "Stabbing a killer than hurt our leader? Sign me up." Blair suppresses a smirk as she looks to Glynda and Rowa. "Shall we run Avalanche Time?" Both women show recognition, Rowa grinning. The sight brings an excited itch to Neo to see this other team in action.

. . .

Underground, in the medical room, Roman flips through papers, his interest rapidly fluctuating between peaks and valleys on each subject. Steroids, pain killers, antibiotics, supplements, immune supports, it was a slew of typical medical supply formulas derived from the ingredients. Ingredients mostly collected from the fields above ground, it seemed.

Oh! A stash of THC... Roman smoothly grabs that for later.

Let's see... A formula for home brew for Nomaura? Hmm... Ah, they lack a specific compound for the mixture. That's why they smuggle the drug from Sanctuary. But after that is a complex process explained step by step... a diffusing and filter process involving Nomaura to isolate specific ingredients... then add ingredients he doesn't recognize. It's labeled 'Nomaura', but the 'No' is crossed out.

He raises a brow seeing the symbol beside it. Almost an infinity symbol with the ends erased, in bold blue. He sends a cursory glance around the room, finding lines and lines of bottled drugs on the second level. He walks up there, paper in hand, finding that each type of drug has its own corresponding symbol.

Ah, he finds the shelf with the symbol and-... an empty foam slot shaped for a single vial needle syringe. Only one dose, and it's gone?! Damn. "Oye. Birdbrain. Does a drug simply called Maura exist? I've never heard of it."

Qrow glances up from the first floor, scrunched face in confusion. "Never have I. Why?" Carmine stops his exhausted search behind him to look.

"One could assume it's an aura... stimulant?" Roman says allowing himself sounding unsure. "It's derived from our own tracked drugs and adding more, so it's aura related at least. Barbie might be interested." He scoffs, folding the page to his pocket.

Qrow narrows his gaze in deep thought. "No drugs exist that bolster aura. That's why some people experiment with injecting crystallized dust until they ignorantly kill themselves." Carmine opens his mouth to speak, but snaps it shut, glancing at his armor. "Either way." He flashes a compilation of papers. "Bring what you got over, and it's a pretty full list of what we're dealing-."

He stops, red eyes cutting to the side. Roman likewise stiffens, his green eyes hardening. Carmine looks between them. "What is it?"

Roman smirks and sighs. "Come on out, Fido." He whirls in place, swinging Velvet Valentine. The cane strikes off a white limb... Spiritual white fur bristles as the feral claws hook the cane.

The white Beowolf form tackles Roman from the second floor, the conman kicking free as they separate. Roman lands, Qrow and Carmine stepping up next to him. Carmine scowls ahead. The white fur dissipates as Siegfried stands stall.

He's drenched in sweat, scuffed and dirty. His jacket is gone, and his tight tank shirt is torn and bloodied all over. The tan hairy man snarls before composing himself. "You know... I bet you think you got me good."

"Oh I know I did." Roman smiles wide as he stands. "Your face says it enough. Did you kill all the little pigs yourself?"

The wolf faunus's ears flick and nose wrinkles in irritation, but Siegfried forces a smirk. "Funny you ask."

On that signal, a line of White Fang members file in on the second floor. Each and every one is armed either with a shock baton or sword. Qrow and Carmine turn sharply as the three are in the center of the wide floor, surrounded. Carmine scoffs. "Oh, so these Fang are okay, but the ones you ate in the forest weren't? Sounds fair."

Roman snorts at the boy, taking a moment to wipe the reptilian makeup from his eyes and remove the contacts. "Oh, Silver Streak. It's simple thief protocol. The ones not in on it get stabbed in the back. Am I right?" He ends, glancing with a smarmy grin to the wolf man.

Siegfried doesn't respond to the mocking tone, so Carmine adds. "How'd you even find us?"

"Sensory Semblance." Qrow states stoically. This prompts both Carmine and Roman to share a look. That would mean...

. . .

Back through the tunnels, to the intersection the three had come from, a line of Fang members and regular unmasked guards march through. Among them, Master Ilan stands, eyes flashing with his aura. He nods to the others. "Continue to back Siegfried up until the three are disposed of." He reaches into his pockets, pulling out a vial with the blue symbol on it.

He hands it to one of the men. "Siegfried will need it. Go." the Fang member nods vigorously as he leads the group towards the medical room tunnel. Ilan turns from the tunnel, to the end labeled 'Engineering'. "Now, the backup plan." He smirks, though it doesn't reach his eyes.

. . .

"So the boss is here. Fun." Roman grumbles. A single twirl of his cane, and the dozen Fang members ready their weapons, making the man chuckle. "Oh, right. The puppy brought a whole pack."

"Sir, on your order." one of the men calls down to Siegfried.

"I'm not great for a group fight..." Qrow mutters, brandishing Harbinger. "Leave the leader to me."

"Screw that. He has my weapon." Carmine mutters, his words causing Siegfried's ears to flick.

The hairy man grins. He pulls out Heulin Noon and aims it at the three. "Yes. A good gun." He relishes the acidic look that comes over the boy. Carmine's eyes dilate, focused on the gun. He jolts forward, but Roman puts his arm out in front of him. Siegfried chuckles. "Come and take it back, huntsman in training." His off hand signals. "Take them down!"

He fires Heulin Noon's double shot at the boy. Qrow whips forward and uses Harbinger to shield him, taking the double shot! The jolting force blows Harbinger from Qrow's hands. The double barrel packs a much harder punch than he expected.

Roman transforms Velvet Valentine to gun mode, popping its magazine and spewing fire dust shots towards Siegfried. The faunus's smirk is wiped as he break runs right, diving behind machinery for cover.

Carmine sprints forward as the dozen Fang members leap down from the second floor. Qrow grimaces as he jumps back from a downward slash from one faunus. Surrounded, the men charge Qrow. The human dodges a lunging thrust, gripping the owner's wrist and using the thrusting weapon to block a second attacker.

He kicks the second attacker's leg out and pulls the first with him away. He twists the first and throws him into another attacker, clearing the way to Harbinger. Reclaiming his weapon, he slashes blindingly fast, striking three more away. One faunus leaps high, but Qrow shifts Harbinger to gun mode. Qrow shoots him out of the air, then shifts to scythe mode.

As Qrow massacres the clansmen, Roman cracks another faunus with Velvet, back in cane form. He glares at Carmine, the boy sprinting for Siegfried's cover. "Freaking brat!" Three men close in on him. No hesitation, Roman grabs a chemical vial from a nearby counter, cracks the top, and whips his arm out.

The contents of the vial splash at the faunus, not doing anything noticeable. Yet, the act halted the attackers out of caution. And he will exploit, sliding forward and cracking one aside. He dodges and parries the next, getting a grab in and pulling them into a knee.

Kicking him away, Roman easily dodges and elbows the third aside. The three are recovering as Roman goes on the full attack, hooking one with the pointed side of Velvet's hand and dragging him into a throw. Roman whirls around, back handing another and knocking them prone.

The other throws a wide slash, and Roman dodges lazily and hits a cracking punch to the jaw. He smirks as more charge him. Fine. He'll play.

As Siegfried breaks from cover, he flinches back to avoid the shock baton. Carmine presses the attack, jabbing the stick at the man. Siegfried only glares annoyed. So, the boy wanted a piece of him?

He dodges a swipe... and plants his fist into Carmine's gut, bugging the boy's eyes out. Carmine drops to his knees, clutching his gut for air. "Bit of advice. Don't pick a fight without any aura." He grips the boy by the throat, hauling him up and slamming him back to the wall.

Carmine chokes for breath, then brings both legs up. He kicks both into the man's gut, the Jager thrust blasting and throwing Siegfried back. He lands on his backside, grunting in pain. The boy scrambles to his feet, kicking up to spin kick the man.

Siegfried snarls, catching the armored shin with one hand. Carmine's eyes widen in fear as Siegfried wrenches him from the air... and slams him back to the ground. Siegfried then shifts his grip to the ankle in one hand. He pulls up, whipping Carmine off the ground, overhead, and face first into the ground on the other side.

The man's aura takes form as a white avatar conjures around him. The aura takes shape with wavy wisping fur, a white Beowolf looming over the boy. Siegfried raises his clawed hand, only for an explosive shit to blast him off from the boy.

Carmine barely shifts as Roman shouts out. "You gotta get up, moron! This is a life or death situation!" Roman ducks a slashing Fang member, hooking them with his cane head before throwing them at Qrow. Qrow, in turn, catches the flying faunus with his scythe and slashes, propelling the underling into the far wall. "Nice form, Birdbrain."

While Qrow ignores him, a last Fang member enters on the second floor, looking over to the white recovering Beowolf. "Sir! Catch!" He throws the vial in hand JUST before Qrow shifts his weapon form and shoots him.

Siegfried's aura dissipates, revealing himself as he catches the vial. One look at it and grunts angrily. "Damn it. Can't help it."

Carmine is assisted to his feet, Qrow steadying him. The boy's mouth drips red as he gasps for breath. The Huntsman eyes the faunus and mutters. "His semblance seems to give him the form of Grimm he's either slain or studied."

"Great observation." Roman sarcastically drawls. He then notices the vial and grimaces. "And he has our mystery drug. Wanna take bets on the effect?"

"No. Leave him to me." Qrow states and charges forward. Before he can close the distance, Siegfried uncaps the needle and jabs in his arm. The man spasms as the drug is injected... before a white flash of aura blows out.

Qrow is thrown back, flipping in the air and landing on the second floor. Roman and Carmine shield themselves, looking wide eyed. The white aura in front of them takes shape with a hard carapace. Large hard legs skitter in place. Two massive pincers present themselves in front of the spiky mandibles. Over it is a threatening stringer tail almost brushing the ceiling.

He turned into a Deathstalker...

Carmine pales, painfully stepping behind Roman. Roman flinches in realization. "I'M NOT YOUR HUMAN SHIELD!"

"No. You're MY PREY!" Siegfried's voice roars from inside the construct. The Deathstalker lurches forward, knocking all equipment and furniture aside. Its right claw raises to strike.

Qrow leaps from the second floor at the claw. He slashes his scythe, hooking the claw and dragging it back from its attack. The massive scorpion's stinger strikes at Qrow mid air, but the Huntsman twists in the air to dodge.

Roman takes full advantage, firing Velvet full blast at the beast. The Deathstalker reels back, shielding with its claws. Then it lashes forward with a left pincer. Roman and Carmine jump back. Roman narrows his eye seeing no damage. "Well, a regular Deathstalker would be scorched at least." He cups his mouth. "Safe to say it's definitely an aura enhancer! Called it!"

Qrow blocks an air stinger strike, landing and sliding to a stop. He sighs. "Enjoy being right after we win."

Both men dodge swipes as Carmine is knocked onto his back. Wide eyed, he sees the stinger head for him... He wriggles up and opens his legs as the stinger digs into the ground just below his hind end. "Meep!" He yelps high pitched in fear. Rolling back and away, he looks around quickly.

Gotta be something he can do... Something... and his eyes catch sight. The vial on the ground, directly under the belly of the beast. Qrow slashes at the side of the main body, getting Siegfried's focus. Carmine shouts to Roman. "Keep him occupied!"

Roman dodges a claw sweep, then slides over the follow up. Then he dodge rolls out from a tail strike. "Easy. For. You. To say!"

Carmine ignores the complaint, moving to the wall. His limbs arm, arm potentially fractured. He isn't sure. But he has to move. He waits for the massive white Deathstalker to angle itself at the two men. Now! The boy breaks into a sprint.

Siegfried controls the avatar from within, his body blotted out by the sea of white. While the Deathstalker is turned towards Qrow and Roman, he looks behind to see Carmine sprinting in. "Brat..." The Grimm avatar lashes its tail down back at the boy.

The teen flinches before rolling right. The thick tail crashes into the ground, leaving a cracked trench. Siegfried huffs, turning his avatar around. He lashes the tail in a wide sting at Qrow, who deflects it. As he turns, he brings a claw up to jab at the prone boy.

As the beast turns, Roman leaps over one claw, twirling Velvet back to cane form. He swings the pick end of the handle into the raised claw, piercing the carapace. He digs his feet into the ground and resists the pull, halting the Grimm in place mid turn.

Carmine takes the opportunity to continue his sprint, moving between the skittering legs and under the main body. He drops to a slide, grabbing the vial, before raising into a sprint as he checks the contents. Half the dose is still in the vial... Vaguely, his kind registers the dirty needle, but... life or death, right?

"Mixing uppers and downers, kid?" Roman cracks a joke before the Deathstalker pulls away from him.

The boy gets out the other side, stopping next to Qrow. "Well, kinda need aura to fight, so..." He mulls over before jabbing the needle in, injecting the remaining contents...

The results were instant, his body feeling a fire spreading from the point of injection. The heat spreads through his limb, then the rest of his body.

The Deathstalker whips around, swinging the pincer his way. Carmine grits his teeth, arms up. "Zero!" His armor flashes up to his chest and arm, all tampering from earlier undone. A hard crack sounds of hard carapace on metal, and Carmine is forced back. His feet scrape along the ground until he skids to a halt.

The boy looks up with a lit fire in his eyes. The heat was lighting his anger. "HELL YEAH! Give me my shit!" He reaches his arm out. "Return!" From inside the Deathstalker avatar, Heulin Noon and the boy's scroll flash out from Siegfried's pockets. Carmine grins at the gun before blasting a double shot at the Grimm's face.

It recoils back from the shot, Siegfried gritting his teeth inside the avatar. "Cheeky bastard."

Qrow smirks as Roman forms up with the boy. "Alright, kid. You're supposed to be a leader. How you handling this?"

Heat still boiling under his skin, Carmine feels ready for anything. His eyes flick up to the ceiling, spotting the stalactites. "He stays big, we bring the house down. He gets nimble, we spread wide. He gets small, dog pile."

Roman huffs. "Bringing it down!" He morphs Velvet to gun mode, opening fire on the ceiling above. The blasts shatter the hanging spikes from above to rain on the white Deathstalker. The impacts pierce the squealing avatar, pinning it to the floor.

Qrow raises a brow, impressed as Roman followed the command of the boy. Huh... Were they a real team after all?

Inside his avatar, Siegfried grits his teeth. "Fine, punks. All out it is." The mass of white aura bursts away, the Deathstalker vanishing into a mist. From the shroud, the white aura condenses into a Boarbatusk. The wild hog spins into a roll out at the three.

Roman and Qrow break off left and right, the boar still barreling at the boy. Just before impact, the boar bursts, Siegfried himself rocketing out and spear tackling the boy. However, Carmine recalls out from Siegfried's grip, flickering back behind the man. Carmine whips around and fires point blank.

The faunus leaps over the shot, his semblance forming a Beowolf. It kicks its hind legs back, launching the boy away. Landing, the white Grimm blocks a slash, Qrow pressing the attack. Siegfried swipes back, but Qrow dodges back. Switching his sword to scythe form, he slashes the Beowolf off balance. He shifts Harbinger to lance mode, jabbing and throwing Siegfried back.

The Beowolf rolls back with the hit, taking off into a sprint at the wall. Its claws dig into the wall, allowing it to run along the wall. Roman fires a stream of fire dust shots, a storm of explosions trailing after the white Grimm.

Siegfried leaps from the wall at Roman, the avatar changing from a Beowolf to a large spider Grimm. It lands on Roman, spewing web down and sticking the man to the floor. "Ack! What?!" The spider's mandibles open to bite, but Roman snaps a finger. His semblance lights a spark on the silky webbing, burning and spreading the burst flame.

His leg frees as he kicks the spider off. Roman, still partially stuck, aims Velvet and fires. The spider leaps into the air, flipping and landing on the ceiling...

Directly in front of Qrow soaring at it and swinging his blade. The strike launches the spider from the ceiling. It bursts in white aura, forming a massive Ursa! The bear Grimm hits the ground with a heavy thud.

It roars as Qrow lands directly in front of it. The veteran smirks, Harbinger twisting to a reverse grip. His off hand raises, fingers up, as he waves the Ursa to come forward in a taunt. The beast avatar snarls and advances with powerful bear hand strikes!

He dodges one by an inch, deflects the next while stepping back, ducks another, and flips his weapon grip. He hits a broad slash into the avatar, a strike that would typically cleave an Ursa in two... but sticks in the ethereal flesh. A shot of worry shows as he pulls back, the bear Grimm going for a bite.

A dust shot bursts off the beast head, cracking it to the side. Carmine aims from the side, hitting two more shots in distraction. Qrow rips his sword free and follows up with lightning fast strikes. The Ursa is launched back towards the downed stalactites.

The Ursa bursts in white aura, stretching as the gigantic snake head and body slithers around the debris. The Taijitu head raises up, hissing and striking at Qrow. The man flips back, landing with Roman who finishes ripping web away from him. Carmine slides next to them. Heulin Noon, Velvet gun mode, and Harbinger transforming to gun mode, all three open fire on the massive snake.

Dozens of shots pound the snake back as it coils within the debris. The aura shifts... and the mass begins charging through the shots. A large jaw rips a chunk of the ground out, throwing it at the group. Roman and Qrow leap away, Carmine ducking the rock.

The dust clears, revealing a white avatar... Termigator... Spines, plated head, and all. The beast hisses as it lifts and looms over the boy. Carmine jolts at the flashbacks. "Oh FUCK n- Schneider!" He cries out as the mouth clamps down...

And the armor flashes in time as the mounted arm blades pierce out the beast's head. It squeals and recoils, Roman and Qrow each sweat dropping at the sight.

The boy yelps in fright, speaking as fast as Professor Oobleck. "Getmeout! Getmeout! Getmeout! Not again!"

Instantly, Qrow charges, sword shifted to a scythe, and full speed hacks... right at the Grimm neck. The Termigator's head falls clean off before dissipating. Carmine, with no grace, collapses and rolls away. The other half of the body bursts, Siegfried himself stumbling back from Qrow.

The faunus shows his clawed hands and swipes at Qrow. The Huntsman chops the swipes aside with his own hand. Qrow then ducks back as Roman steps in and front kicks Siegfried back. The dog faunus, almost feral, lashes back.

Roman deftly blocks the first, then uses his cane to strike the next swipe aside. Roman chokes up the weapon, punching the cane head into Siegfried's throat. As the faunus recoils, Roman sweeps the leg, dropping him to a knee.

Siegfried chokes a growl and swipes, but Roman catches the hand at the wrist, wrenching it down. Roman twists Siegfried to the ground, locking his arm in a hold. Qrow hooks his scythe around the man's throat, Carmine moving in front of him. "Zero!" His armor shifts to his arm, allowing him to bring Heulin Noon aimed at the captured man. "You've lost! Stand down. We don't want to kill you."

The faunus twitches at the words, but only fights back harder, squirming in the conman's hold. He snarls in pain as Qrow tugs the scythe, blade digging into his neck. Siegfried doesn't stand down, aura healing the wound and pushing the scythe out. Qrow scowls as Roman huffs.

"You're really trying to get. Put. Down. PUP!" Roman huffs and presses into Siegfried's joint.

CRACK!

The faunus bugs his eyes in pain, a near scream as his left arm in Roman's grip dislocates at the elbow. Qrow steps his foot on the man's back. "Stand down." He shouts at him, but Siegfried snarls.

"Surrender... means death regardless!" He snarls as Carmine narrows his eyes in confusion...

Then it clicks. He was bought from AZRL. If he stops, would Master Ilan allow him to live assuming Ilan wins in all this? The boy shakes his head. "You can easily live if you cooperate with us. I promise. Master Ilan won't-"

"AH!" Siegfried shrieks out and jerks. His shoulder hits Roman off. He feels the scythe digging against his aura shield and skin, and he backhands at Qrow. The man dodges the clawed swipe, and Siegfried escapes the scythe. A streak of red spurts under his neck as he charges Carmine.

The boy stares wide eyed, almost in slow motion. His mind was wound in comprehending this faunus. This man that would die than betray what he's a part of... If he had more time, he'd think of options. But... in the split second the trigger pulls.

BOOM!

The double shot breaks the faunus's aura shield before the bullet hole breaks through center mass. The kickback on Siegfried throws him back mid stride, and he falls on his back. Carmine can only watch stiff as the faunus chokes and jolts once on the floor before going still.

Qrow's eyes widen, realizing what just happened. "Shit-" He looks to the boy, seeing the confused shock and horror building on the young face.

Roman groans at the faunus, scowling. "Had to do it that way, huh?" He moves to Carmine, the boy's head lightly shaking. "Hey. Good shot." Qrow sends a skewed look at Roman, but the conman quickly adds. "He was about to do a number on ya."

Qrow steps between the boy and the body, cutting off his view. "Hey. You okay?"

Carmine's eyes remain distant for a moment before slowly glancing up to Qrow's, blue meeting red. "I-I..."

The man gives a sullen look. "We got people upstairs that need rescuing. We don't have time for... this." He looks to the body, Siegfried left sprawled and still. He grimaces. "And that wasn't on you... Come on. We got work to do."

It takes a moment to soak in, but Carmine shakes himself. Qrow can tell the boy was merely suppressing the moment. Still, he had to applaud the boy for centering himself. Carmine lets his breath out. "We... We need to find Master Ilan... bring him to justice either to the kingdoms or Menagerie."

Roman huffs. "Next stop is engineering, then. Come then." The two men wait a moment so that the boy moves on his own. Carmine feels empty as he leaves the room. Only one feeling was able to start filling him...

Burning, seething, unyielding rage.

. . .

These bitches were really starting to piss him off. Killian Gonzola marches around the woodland, teeth ready to start grinding. The blonde mohawked man had been tracking those two girls all morning. Every single time his team managed to locate tracks, they lead to dead ends. The man ducks a branch, his gray duster coat catching on the same branch.

The infamous murderer, caught on the branch of a tree? How out of it is he? He rips it free, scowling down at the fresh tracks. Four sets. When did two suddenly become four? "Aye, Kallen! You sure we're on the right path?"

Ahead of him, the snake faunus in the loud golden beret and long coat huffs. His long rifle is trained on the ground with a screen folded out. The screen highlights the track imprints in the ground. The hairless faunus eyes the screen as he goes. "Yes!" He snaps. "Now, hush! I'm in my craft."

"You're an actor..." Killa grumbles.

"I'm an artist you plebe." The man's bald brows furrow in frustration. "Acting is just one facet."

Behind Killa is Ezra wiping dirt from his purple tunic and black sleeves. His black feather hair is almost matted down in sweat. The dark skinned man then wipes sweat from his head. "And, pray tell, what art comes from this trade?"

Killa snorts and smirks. "Oh! Bloody finger painting! Bone drums?"

"Connect the bullet hole pictures?" Ezra adds in.

Killa snaps his finger at the priest. "Holy man has a point! Good man! Oh! The woman in red!" He sends a finger gun back at Don, the kangaroo faunus flicks his ear as his sullen eyes scan the area. "Add a noose and we can include artistic knot tying."

The dead serious stocky man mutters. "Remove finger nails, add salt, and call it finger painting."

Killian fully whips around, walking backwards as he sends a sleazy grin. "I knew I loved you, my man!" He chuckles, turning back and shaking his head before an irritable look comes over him. "All ideas we can use when we find those cun-"

Kallen snaps his hand up, silencing the three behind him. They freeze, looking through a break in the trees to the rock face ahead. Leaning on the wall of the mountain, the group spots Neo, leaned against the rock, breathing heavily. The snake faunus smirks, aiming the rifle. "Goodnight little lass..." His finger takes the trigger and pulls...

The shot fires at the girl, striking dead in the back-

SHATTER!

Kallen scowls as Killa groans. "Oh, come on! Again!" He pushes past as the four faunus move into the open area around the rock face. "Well? Come on! Where'd she go?"

Kallen scans the area. "The illusion was left here. She didn't physical walk here."

"A trap." Don states... and the group hears a whistle. The piercing sound calls their attention up the rocky peak. Far up the peak, they spot the four specks. Kallen glances up through his scope, finding all four girls at the top.

Atop the mountain, Rowa finishes her whistle, smirking with Neo. "Served up." She looks to the sisters. "Avalanche time!"

In a snap, Blair draws Fluorescent Finish, inserting lightning dust. The blade sparks violet as she jabs it into the ground, activating the dust. Lighting bursts into the rock from the blade, scorching sparks down the length of the mountain and cracking the entire side into segments.

The mountain rumbles as the pieces begin to tumble then halt. A flash of aura freezes the broken rock face in place. Glynda sucks in a breath, waving her crop back. With a heavy grunt, Glynda throws her hand forward, her aura blasting the entire rock face down the mountain. A full blown avalanche of boulders and rock!

The four faunus stare wide eyed. Ezra jolts first. "Cover, man!" The faunus attempt to scramble, but the complete rock slide overtakes them, the mountain quaking the land. The chaotic tumbling, as fast as it came, is replaced in silence.

The four girls begin a trek down the mountain, Rowa stretching happily. "Ah, good work team."

"That should make them reconsider pursuing us long enough to reconvene with the others." Glynda voices. However, Blair shakes her head.

"No. Killian is a madman. I'm sure he'll try something the moment he climbs out, and it could be any moment." The others look back at her. "It would be most effective for all involved if we took care of him now."

Rowa and Glynda share a look, eyes slightly wide. "... He DOES have a kill on sight order, but should we pick that fight?" Rowa speaks hesitant as Glynda narrows her gaze. "Can we afford to?"

Blair ignores them, glaring at the mound of rubble. Neo pokes the blonde in the side, getting her to look down at the tricolor girl. Blair's gaze softens. "Right... It would be beneficial, but we have more important things to do right now. Let's find the boys."

And all four tense, feeling the presence behind them...

The dirt colored silhouette rises from the ground before recoloring back to Killian. The faunus grins and raises his wrist guns forward. "Save it for later, floozy! We're doing this now!" Having passed through the ground with his Technicolor Transfer semblance, he opens fire at the four women.

Rowa raises her shield like weapon to block, Glynda raising rock to protect herself. Neo opens Hush, blocking for Blair as she kneels down. Killa continues to fire upon the four as they defend. Blair scowls as she feels the rock rumble under her.

A spiked gauntlet punches out of the ground. Donatello uppercut rips from the ground down the slope from the girls. His leather clothes are tattered and torn, but his expression is only mildly annoyed. The kangaroo charges up the slope at Rowa and Glynda.

The blonde uses her semblance to lift up more rubble, shielding Rowa from Killa's fire. This frees Rowa to meet the criminal's charge. "Alright, guess we're doing this!" Using her circular weapon on her right to brace herself.

The faunus running punches into the shield, spikes scraping on the metal. Rowa stutters back at the kickback. The man throws a chain of boxing strikes. Rowa shifts the angles of the shield, peeking over with each quick adjustment. He hops with his footing, bouncy with his husky build.

Rowa uses her shield to mask her drop, kicking as the man's footing shifts. Off balance, Rowa pulls him forward as she rolls backward. Foot up, she back roll throws him up the slope. Rocking forward onto her feet, Rowa unlocks her shield, the weapon shifting and pushing out four dark curved blades.

The woman hook punches her arm, the circular weapon, launching from the connector brace on her arm. An uncoiling steel cable connects her brace to the projectile. Don rolls to his feet, scowling as he ducks the bladed disk.

The violet haired woman smirks and jerks the wire with her right hand. Suddenly, the disk spins like a buzz saw. Don's eyes widen, the man rolling right as the saw jerks from behind, ripping into the ground where he stood. Rowa smirks, a pulse of aura sparking down the wire to the disk. Her fingers twirl in the wire intricately, flicking it once.

The saw disk jolts from its trajectory, homing at Don. The faunus punches the weapon aside, attempting to blitz Rowa. The girl twitches her fingers again. The disk jerks around in a swinging arc. The wire connecting it rigidly freezing in the air to jerk it.

Don halts as the saw rips into the ground, cutting him off from attacking the woman. He punches into the ground, spikes on his fist digging in. He rips rock up at the saw, slowing it as he spins around it. He cocks his fist to strike Rowa.

The girl flicks the wire, the weapon jerking up the slope. She ducks back, dodging the swipe. Off balance, Don goes for another punch. Up the slope, the disk digs into the ground and locks in. Rowa pulls the wire with a spark of aura, ans suddenly she is wrenched up the slope, dodging the punch.

She flips and lands with her saw, smirking. Don growls. "Nice puppet show, doll."

"Marionette, actually." Rowa's brace reels in the wire, locking the disk back to her arm. Her left hand opens the top of the disk, inserting fire dust. Locking in, the blades burn orange and emit flames. She throws forward, the burning spinner ripping forward along the ground.

Don reacts, jabbing both arms into the ground before ripping up. The earthen rock rips up, blocking the flaming weapon in a fiery explosion.

Down the slope, a break in the rocks rips open, Kallen wriggling his way out of the rock. He eyes his ruined clothes, a scathing scowl as he glares up the slope. As if his limbs can casually dislocate and pop back, he pulls himself from the rocks, emerging. The snake faunus brings his rifle to aim.

He fires up the slope, the shot aimed at Neo.

Neo, still blocking Killa's bullets with Hush, sees the faunus aim at her and Blair. The girl grabs Blair as the shot sounds. The shot strikes through both women-

SHATTER!

Both Neo and Blair disappear with the illusion. Kallen growls, almost hissing. "Damn it."

"Yo, get me out!" Ezra calls from under the rock, but Kallen ignores him, opening a screen on the rifle.

The image shows silhouettes, still invisible to the eye. He fires twice. Two high power shots speed through until an invisible blade deflects both of them. Blair and Neo appear from the brief invisibility of Neo's semblance, charging full speed at the snake.

The faunus gives a dramatic sigh. He calls down for Ezra. "I suggest you brace yourself."

"For what-" Ezra asks, as Kallen twists his gun down and fires directly into the ground. Ezra yelps as a plume of smoke blows out. Blair cuts through the cover, blowing it aside as Kallen leaps back, firing at the rampaging blonde. Blair barely reacts and deflects the shot with Fluorescent.

Before she can continue, a sparking whip wraps around her leg. Blair releases a pained yell. The electric whip wrenches, Ezra rising from a hole and throwing Blair down the slope. His upper arm is damaged, left sleeve gone. He groans as he steps out and rolls his shoulders.

"That was NOT a proper warning." He cracks both his whip weapons before lashing them down at Blair.

The blonde recovers, activating a second burst of lightning dust as she intentionally swings to tangle the weapons. The electric whip channels into the blade before shocking brighter back up and electrifying the faunus. As Ezra is stunning, Blair jabs Fluorescent's sheath with her off hand. The sheath jabs his chest and knocks him back!

He loses grip of his electric whip, but rolls to his feet quick. He lashes his other whip, blue Blair leaps up high. Ezra smirks, using his now free hand to pull and adjust his whip mid lash, shifting the lash up to strike Blair from the air. Blair falls down the slope, Ezra using his second whip to wrap and reel his lost whip back.

Kallen steps behind him, taking aim... then reacts. He dodges to the side as Neo's thrust misses by inches. The snake zigzags back and fires his rifle. Neo opens Hush, blocking the shot head on. The blast blows out, smoke washing out over the parasol. Neo closes Hush in a flourish, charging after him.

Up the slope, that leaves Glynda shielding herself with a constructed wall from the mad man's bullet fire. Killa grins, shifting his body and clothes to earthen brown. He morphs into the ground, warping and exiting on the other side of Glynda's wall.

The blonde's eyes widen as Killa aims his guns. "Gotcha, Bitch-" Glynda waves her crop, collapsing the rock wall into Killa, sending him rolling once.

Killa twirls on the ground as his colors return to normal. His spiky tail lashes at the blonde, but she ducks it. Glynda sweep kicks as Killa is steadied on both hands, kicking his arms out and sending him rolling further.

Killa sprawls on his back, aiming upside down up the slope at Glynda. She leaps up, using her telekinesis to craft a platform of rock. Landing, she casts her semblance over the rocks below, lifting a full ton of weight and shaping it into a giant spear. She sends it down at Killian, who smirks and shifts his color again.

As the spear smashes into him, the chameleon faunus warps up from Glynda's platform. Glynda, shocked, leaps off, but is wide open as Killa fires up and hits her with a spray of bullets. The blonde is thrown back, hitting the ground hard.

She recovers as Killa lands a shirt distance off. "Honey... you'll need to get pretty creative to fight me with the environment."

Glynda wordlessly narrows a glare, flicking her crop. The smaller chunks of rubble lift... and condense into a hundred pin ball sized projectiles. Killa's cocky smirk falls a bit. "Noted." Glynda snidely retorts, sending the projectiles forward.

Killa aims up, countering the shower of projectiles with his bullets in a slightly panicked, slightly manic worry. Still fun to him. It's gonna be a good fight.

. . .

Underground, Master Ilan marches through an armed checkpoint. The men straighten tighter as their commander marches by. They ease as he waves them off. Going through another door, a sign shows, labeled 'Engineering'.

A fang member turns, jolting to attention. "Sir! Have things gotten out of hand with the intruders?"

Master Ilan sends a sullen look. "... Worse by the minute." He slowly drawls out and begins walling further down the halls. The sounds of machinery echo out. The Fang member keeps up with Ilan as the leader vents. "I've been made to look a fool, and just as we expanded out ventures beyond medicine, we're faced with a test."

The other faunus tilts his head. "A... test, sir?"

Ilan remains standing tall. "Ready the first model... We've spent all this time putting it together. Let us see if the White Fang can soon stand against even Atlas." He sends a glare at the man. "I'll use it myself, if you wouldn't mind."

The man recoils at that. "B-but... sir, we've barely finished round one testing-" Seeing the glint in his commander's eye, he gulps. "Y-yes sir. It'll be ready." He scrambles off as Ilan rounds the last corner, entering a massive open underground hangar.

All manner of carts sit with various organized metal pieces and fixtures. Work stations with complex wiring and computer equipment are manned by dozens of spare men. Across the room are more stations with dust firearms, large gun barrels, and arming benches working on more munitions.

Master Ilan comes to a stop, standing dead center of the room. His gaze angles up. "Let this work... and prove our power." His hands reach up fondly, almost yearning for the sight before him. "From the labor of our enemy, just as they benefit from our own."

Before him is a three story form... Red rustic metal with two legs. Each leg's foot an armored encased tank tread for movement. A rounded torso, armored and shielded cameras at various angles. Every few feet was another weapon slot, be it missile pod or cannons. It was rudimentary... but big. Thick. And most importantly. Strong.

Bit of an update for you guys. So, my work schedule has changed, and with it, I've had a chunk of my writing time taken away. I will try to maintain my one chapter every two weeks, but expect that to be stretched to one chapter every two to three or even four depending on my new work flow. Life.

References:

Regarding Ilan, being based on a character from the mecha show, Zoids, of course his primary weapon and item in his possession would be a mech suit. Just fun.

Reviews:

Qorvid (AO3) - "So what are everyone's Semblances?" (This review appeared as a notification, but is not there now. I assume it was removed by the poster, but I am responding regardless to be fair.)

Hmm. I suppose I can break down what we know at this point. Here are the relevant ones for this arc:

Carmine – His semblance, Recall, works with time on the body or object. Once infused with his aura, be can teleport himself or an object to an earlier space or state with said object. (IE. he can walk into a trap, then teleport to where he was before the trap. He can lose his weapon, but can warp it back to his hand. He can infuse his aura in an object, take it apart, and warp it back together) This is how he transforms his armor into its modes, by 'recalling it' into the other states.

On living beings, other people's auras reject his own, and his semblance will instead age them. However, on dead tissue that was once alive, he now discovered the ability to view that object's history back until the moment the tissue's owner was alive. The moment his vision in that moment saw a point where the kid he was watching was still alive, the vision collapsed.

Some of this is not truly just his semblance. Keep in mind who his biological dad is, after all, who in canon is the father of the four maidens. His Multi attack discovered by Blair isn't tied to his semblance, but tied to power that hasn't been explained yet.

Roman – In canon, he has no semblance shown, so in this story he had the capability of igniting friction in a concentrated spot at a distance, Wick. This allows him niche moments of battlefield control and remote attacks on parts of people. Something that has rare application, but used by someone with prep time can be a lynch pin factor.

Neo – Neo's Shatter semblance allows her to create a tangible illusion, typically only one at a time, over herself or nearby. She's also shown in canon the ability to leave the illusions in place, turning herself and others under it momentarily invisible, as is how she and Roman escaped Team RWBY in Volume 2. Overpowered and easy to use. She logically should never get hit.

Glynda – Telekinesis. Straight up able to move things with her mind at will. However, in Volume 2, it's shown she can put objects back together after they were broken completely apart. So, in this story, I had Blair explain very early on that Glynda can affect objects bonds at multiple levels and fix them back together however she wishes.

Blair – Aura Transfer. Blair is able to place her own aura into another person, only in close combat and typically needing to get around a person's own aura shield to do so. Once she's done so, she can: suppress the victim's aura, induce pain, induce calm, affect mental faculties, merge auras together, or purge effects altogether. Comes up rarely, but it's why she's a front line fighter.

Qrow – Bad luck, same as canon. He can't turn it off, so it affects everyone nearby including allies. The reason he typically fights alone. In this story, he's only had the one real fight with Rocky, where Rocky's mini-gun jams and provides an opening. That was Qrow's semblance manifesting.

Rowa – Her semblance, Marionette, allows her to generate, redirect, and control the forces of momentum and inertia through connected objects. In other words, she can channel her aura through the steel wire to have virtually absolute control of her weapon's direction and force for mid range combat. Requires a physical connection, so she can do so with any object she's touching. Her weapon's name is Serene Saucer.

Killa – Killian's Technicolor Transfer allows him to pass through objects that are the same color or texture as himself. Since he's a Chameleon faunus, he can change his color to, say, gray, and his body can warp into concrete and come out from a completely different concrete surface of the same color. In the fight at the abandoned outpost against Summer and Jared, Killa changed his color to murky blue as he fell into water, warped through the water surface, popping out from the water at another spot, then shifting white as he passed through the white yacht bottom and warps out from the top section of the ship.

Ezra – Holy Touch. He can read and access minds through physical contact. Doesn't cause any physical effects. Unclear at this point how in depth that is.

Master Ilan – Able to sense the auras of the living through sight. Can also tell differences in how strong an aura is, letting him loosely determine how strong people are.

Siegfried – Basically just the Schnee summoning glyph made into a full semblance. He can transform his entire body into an aura construct of beasts and foes he himself has killed.

Donatello's and Kallen's Semblances have not yet been revealed.

Join Next time in Chapter Thirty Nine: To Be A Team Part 2.