It was 5:06 pm when Ruby and Apollo departed from the ship after it returned to the village. She's immediately welcomed by Oscar alongside Weiss and Jaune.
"Oscar!" Ruby exclaimed as they hugged and kissed. She then turns her face to Jaune.
"Was your family at Argus when it was destroyed?"
"Fortunately they weren't, they were out of town on vacation. Thank Gods." Jaune replied
"Have you guys had any luck in finding this monster?" Oscar asked, holding Ruby's waist as she held on his shoulders.
"None yet, loads of Grimm though." Apollo replied, walking up to everyone.
"You guys?" Apollo spoke, looking at Weiss and Jaune's direction
"Not much better unfortunately" Weiss said as Ruby dragged Oscar over to Apollo.
"Here's the Oscar I was talking about." She said as they shook hands.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Pine. Ruby tells me you're a fine warrior."
"I've had some humble beginnings." Oscar said
"Don't I know it?" Apollo said, shaking Jaune's hand after he offered it.
"So what's the plan?" Jaune asked
"Well we're not gonna be after him again until tomorrow so I guess we can take the time to relax a little." Ruby said
"Oh I can certainly use that. The Grimm have been in a mean mood today." Weiss said, giving Jaune the look. The others knew all too well what they'd be doing with their spare time.
"Same here, I'm actually kinda beat from killing that Sphinx." Apollo sighed.
Location: Artemis Training Hall
Ruby and Apollo are currently sparring in hand to hand. Their hands locked as they attempted to push down the other.
She was dressed in black workout shorts and a red sports bra with her rose emblem on the left of it. Apollo was wearing only black shorts. Neither were wearing shoes.
He successfully pushed her back as she flipped in the air, landing several feet away.
"You're not as bad at this as you claim. Very impressive" He said
"Oh don't worry, I'm just getting warmed up." Ruby replied, dashing towards him with Petal Burst. She throws 12 punches in quick succession, Apollo blocking and evading each one. She then attempts to deliver a side kick with her right leg, only for him to catch it with his tail.
"Oh crap" Ruby uttered as he lifted her up into the air with it, inflicting a restrained, but still powerful punch to her stomach, sending her landing on her back.
She jolts back up, struggling to maintain her stance as she raises her fists up.
"You sure you don't wanna throw in the towel?" Apollo said, looking and sounding somewhat concerned.
"No, I'm not going to give up until the fat lady sings. At least not until I deal a solid blow on you." Ruby replied
A look of admiration strung across Apollo's face as he smiled.
Ruby jumps into the air, aiming her fist towards his face. He blocked with those sculpted arms once more before elbowing her clean against her left cheek. She fell once more as her Aura fully depleted.
She raised herself up, sweat running down her arms as she rested them on her knees. He walked up to her, smiling as he gave out his left hand. Ruby smiled back as she grabbed it.
"Man Apollo, you hit like a freight train. We're so lucky you're on our side." She said as they walked over to the gray colored bench.
She couldn't believe the size of this place as she looked at the massive black exercise mat and the mirror. It had to have been as big as a small warehouse. Delphi is loaded for sure, almost as much as Weiss's family once was.
They sat on the bench talking about various topics, such as the Grimm they've fought, their favorite foods etc. Ruby thought to herself how a guy as intimidating looking as him was actually so polite and sweet.
"What happened here?" She asked, pointing at the large "S" shaped scar on his back.
"That was from the first Grimm I killed as a boy when father took me out training, a Death Stalker. Luckily it wasn't fully grown, but it managed to get me there pretty good with its pincers." He replied
"That sounds awfully painful," Ruby said, preparing to ask her next question before she forgets.
"Whatever happened to your mom? If it's alright to ask."
"She died when I was born. I remember Dad drank a lot for the first 7 years of my life. Shit still gets him to this day. I wish I could've met her." Apollo said, a hint of sadness spread across his face.
"My mom died too when I was a little girl. Trying to fight Salem. My dad shut down for a long time after that too. But I carried on, because I knew that's what she'd want. For me to save people no matter what." Ruby said
"That's real noble, not many possess that trait. Most Huntsmen are only in it for the cash and the status. I despise those types. I bet she'd be proud that her daughter grew into such a badass." Apollo said, his face fluttering upon realizing what he said.
"Thank you" Ruby said as the two got up, walking outside the door to their respective locker rooms. She stops just as she opens the door to it.
"I'm so happy we've met." She said, giving him a warm smile.
"Me too," He answered as she shut the door.
Apollo walks out into the hallway after changing back into his regular clothes. He was welcomed by Raven Branwen walking down the same hallway, her sheathed sword secured around her left leg. He stands directly in front of her, blocking her path as his facial expression becomes uncharacteristically hateful and rage filled.
"What, you got a problem?" Raven asked, causing him to grit his teeth, barely containing his anger.
Delphi suddenly appears behind his son, seemingly having also been around as well. He could see his fists clenched, almost glowing that blue light again. Not good, not good at all.
"Behave yourself Apollo" He spoke calmly, raising his hand up as he opened his palm, a green light emitting from it.
Raven and Apollo stare each other down, the former struggling to contain his rage as he continues grunting in anger. Despite being twice her size and a full head or so taller she does not flinch.
After another minute, Apollo's normal demeanor resurfaced, his face becoming calm and compared once again. Delphi runs up to them, his hands cupped together.
"Miss Branwen, please forgive him. He's just had a rough day is all." He spoke as Apollo walked away from them.
"Rough day? He almost took a swing at me. What was that all about?" Raven asked, a frustrated look plastered around her face.
"Apollo has a bad temper whenever he doesn't have a good feeling about someone. But I give you my word he wouldn't hurt a fly. He'll get used to you just give it time." Delphi replied
"Well I hope that's true, because I will not hesitate to defend myself if need be." Raven said, walking past the Mayor.
"There's something up about that guy, I know it. I gotta do some digging and figure him out." Raven thought
Artemis Dining Hall, 9:00 pm
"This Lobster is the best I've ever tasted." Ruby said, Apollo sitting next to her on her left with Oscar on her right. The seat back on Apollo's chair was held in place with Gravity Dust to accommodate his tail.
"You're telling me, it's so tender." Blake replied, savoring every bite.
"I wasn't kidding when I said I have the finest chiefs on Remnant." Delphi said, sipping from his green colored wine glass.
"You guys know where Raven is? I haven't seen her all day." Oscar said
"She said she had some "research" to do on something. I guess this guy's really got her worried if she's willing to do that." Yang said
"If you ask me I'd say she should take this time to relax. I mean we're already going to resume our pursuit of him tomorrow." Delphi spoke, putting his napkin on his lap.
"You don't know Raven as well as we do yet. When she has her mind on something she'll devote all her time to that task. It can get a little infuriating sometimes." Jaune said,
Delphi gave him an odd looking smirk in response, which went unnoticed by everyone else. He simply looks back down at his food so as to avoid further eye contact. He must've offended him somehow.
"I just thought of something. Where's Winter?" Apollo asked
"She set off on a ship to Vacuo to find the perpetrator. Said it'd be efficient to cover more ground." Weiss answered, biting into her lobster.
"That's smart, we should spread out across more of the Kingdom as well. Maybe by then we can catch him within another week." Oscar said
Suddenly, a random village soldier runs into the room, his hands resting on his knees as he gasps for breath. He was average in build, clad in a black and green uniform with a small helmet, the black visor and mouthpiece concealing the majority of his face.
"Lord Delphi, the Argus Suspect was last sighted at Mountain Glenn!"
"What?!" He shouted
The others all stand up from their chairs beyond hearing this.
"Do you have a ship ready?" Delphi asked
"Yes sir, awaiting departure as we speak."
"Excellent, luckily for us we have the finest warriors in the world here to handle this case." Delphi said
"Okay, let's get some teams formed then. Jaune, Weiss and Oscar will be called Team Jackal. Apollo, Yang and Blake, you're with me on Team Ares. Anyone have any objections?" Ruby asked
"Not at all, let's stop this guy tonight." Yang said
"I agree, we can't afford to just stand here picking our asses." Apollo said
The sky was pitch black, bright stars of all colors spread about as the ship touched down in Mountain Glenn. They all sprint out the moment the ramp is lowered.
"Alright everyone you know what to do, spread out. If a Grimm is too strong don't hesitate to call for backup." Ruby said
Blake chuckles "The Grimm will need all the backup they can get with us around."
"We seriously need to start working on your one liners sis." Weiss laughed, drawing Myrtenaster.
"Oh hush" She replied as Team Jackal went off on the left.
Team Ares ventures deeper into the ruins, encountering numerous Beowolves and Creeps. Aside from them, the suspect was still nowhere in sight. Yang switches on the flashlights on her Gauntlet and arm.
"Stay vigilant, he could be hiding anywhere in the rubble." Blake said, grasping Gambol Shroud tightly. This guy was unlike any of the non Maiden villains they have encountered. If he's powerful enough to destroy an entire city, what chance did they have?
Suddenly, a piercing hissing sound could be heard approaching their position. The sound grew louder as they heard the footsteps of what seemed to be a bear and a horse merged together.
"What the hell is that?" Yang spoke softly, strong hints of fear in her voice as everyone laid eyes on the creature.
It was a massive Grimm standing on all fours. It had to have been at least as large as a Manticore, likely bigger.
It bore features of several animal species. The head and horns of a Goat, the front paws of a Lion, the back legs of a horse and the tail of a Scorpion. A medium sized snake head protruded from its back. It had resembled a miniature version of the King Taijitu
Grimm.
The cracked bone armor on its main head was shaped like a goat's skull. Its eyes glowed a bright red as it focused on its prey, roaring a fearsome, lion-like roar with the hint of a horse's "neigh".
"Ah shit, looks like we're gonna have our hands full with one." Apollo said, cracking his knuckles as everyone else stood at the ready by his side.