The Bullhead shrunk in the distance as Headmaster Ozpin watched the team that he had sent. It was a team of four and while Mountain Glenn was a rather big place, he was confident enough in the skillset of those he had sent.
"If I may be honest, Ozpin," said Glynda beside him. "While I wasn't surprised that you had sent Jekyll to Mountain Glenn, I had thought that you would give him a team of students instead of the other three."
"Yes," Ozpin agreed. "However, considering what I overheard from Miss Rose and even Peach on occasion, I would rather not risk the safety of the students even if it meant absolute victory." He recalled the conversation he had with Jekyll. While Miss Rose may not have explicitly stated it, Ozpin has lived a long enough life to be able to guess and deduce the concern that is hidden in one of his new staff members. Peach also served that role admirably though she may not have been aware of it. The two are practically partners as far as huntsmen teams go.
"Besides," he added. "I already have a contingency in place and some other huntsmen on-call if need be."
Glynda nodded. She had no problems with this. If anything, it was as though she wanted this to be the way they operated since before. "Well our load is certainly cut out for us. With Mulberry, Greene, and Peach, there shouldn't be much problems going for that team. Mulberry and Greene pretty much adopted Peach as their third member and it wouldn't surprise me if Jekyll becomes their fourth. You have a new team with those four, Ozpin."
Ozpin snickered. It was a pleasant thought and one he hadn't thought about to deeply. The four of them could be a team of their own. Of course, Mulberry would have to be the leader with his experience but that could be a matter for another time. The headmaster then looked at the Bullhead again, perhaps this was to be their initiation.
"Come now," he said. "We have to substitute them for classes today and it will be a while before the other academies will send their professors to lend a hand." As they both left the office, Ozpin turned back to look at the Bullhead one last time. "I trust this task to you, Greene. In the meantime, I have a few calls to make. I need them ready at a moment's notice should it ever come."
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Jekyll twirled the knife in his hand. When he had received approval of their request to go to Mountain Glenn for an investigation, it would be a lie to say that he wasn't excited for what was to come.
Soon, he thought. Soon, Amber. Soon. He was certain that her attackers were there. He was wholly convinced that those that had attacked Amber would face the justice that they deserve. But first, he had to pat his own heart. Not yet. He could not lose his cool just yet. To do so would mean letting his guard down for Hyde. Even now when things were so close, he could lose it at a critical moment.
With him were other professors of Beacon Academy. Peach was a no brainer though she did keep her distance. It was probably the wings she had. One could not always accommodate the faunus if they could not predict what trait a faunus may have. Mulberry was calm and had some plans in place as he took the role of leader; he had experience judging from the way he naturally led them, as though it was built on experience. Greene was looking over the maps again, practically memorizing each route of Mountain Glenn and how it would eventually connect them back to the main cities of Vale.
Cold streets met their feet as they landed. Unfinished buildings decorated everything around them with some being nothing more than the steel beams that would formed the skeleton. Some of the construction vehicles were abandoned and left here to gather dirt and rot. It was as abandoned as it can be with some hope of reconstruction if it were any safer. Jekyll could picture it in his head what Mountain Glenn would have looked like if it had finished: a bustling city filled with activity. People hanging out and shopping while others are out there complaining about being late to work thanks to traffic. Tall spires that would have given a decent view of the city and a night life whose only difference from the daylight hours is the absence of vitamin D.
As it stands now though, it was a cold and unfeeling place. With no one around, there was no Grimm that were present here. There weren't even signs of human remains here. Either they have been evacuated or they were buried somewhere else. Looking around them, it was much closer to having been abandoned than invaded and destroyed by the Grimm.
With the information that they have however, Mountain Glenn may not be as abandoned as they initially thought. There was no sign of it yet and it would take them hours, maybe days, before they could find anything. Lucky for them, Ann Greene had studied the place ahead of time and had some ideas of the different would-be landmarks of Mountain Glenn. Merlot Industries may have been away from sight; it was mostly open to anyone who happen to pass by. It wasn't some secret organization that operated in some remote location but had a distinct marked area in Mountain Glenn.
"First," said Greene. "Scrolls. We'll need them synchronized and then we can start to find the subway. Anything happens, we'll have limited connection with one another even if we're out of range of a CCT." She then looked around her for reference of any landmark after all that had been done. When that condition was met, she continued, "that way."
Further forward, Jekyll could see more of what Mountain Glenn could have been. Department stores, restaurants and apartments that seemed to be rather small in space as they definitely would have emphasized the number of potential tenants than the comfort of those who would be living there. There was also evidence of what might have been a combat school to train new huntsmen and huntresses from the looks of it. Despite the tale of a Grimm invasion, there was little evidence of that from what Jekyll could see. The place looks more abandoned than attacked.
Few windows were shattered and most were simply uninstalled. Doors didn't really creak as they could still work relatively well whenever the four of them went inside one of the buildings for a moment's respite; there were still ways to go before they would find the substation of concern.
"The underground system is the most complex one," explained Greene. "It is practically its own city with the trains leading to and from Vale. Being underground meant that it would have been protected from the Grimm that would otherwise attack them above ground."
"But it's been closed off?" Jekyll asked.
It was Mulberry who answered, "that end was eventually covered by a road. The council didn't want any further reminder of the failure of Mountain Glenn. That and there was a risk of leading Grimm directly into if they found the subway so it was preventive measure."
Peach thus far had been quiet. Every once in a while, he would catch her looking at him. When he did, she would either look away instantly or pretend that it wasn't him that she was looking at but something behind him. There wasn't anything that he could do about that, the two had promised one another after all. While she wasn't certain of what it was that Jekyll was hiding, he was still rather uncomfortable with actually sharing it. She had been patient thus far. Maybe after this one he would open up but he was still unsure of what might happen. She is a good woman and someone who definitely cares but he didn't want her to be burdened with the knowledge of what Jekyll had at the back of his mind.
Few more hours had passed and the four of them had made it to the entrance of the subway station. It was an open space here and would have accommodated the busybodies that would be coming in and out of it with how wide it was. There would have been bright lights that would have illuminated the area. As it was though, it was cold, desolate and unfeeling, with the light from outside being the only source that it had.
At least, that was what they should have expected. As the four of them stepped inside the subway station, it didn't take long for them to see lights not only installed but fully functioning. In response, the professors and staff of Beacon Academy readied their respective weapons. Mulberry's cane split into two as one tonfa and pistol. Greene's weapon that she had brought now was a shovel with the edges of it being sharpened enough to cut. Peach's Steadfast had a bayonet fixed on it. Jekyll's knife twirled in his hand.
"I'll go first," said Mulberry. "Peach at the back. Greene and Jekyll in the middle."
The only sounds that filled their ears were the sounds of the lights themselves and their own footsteps. It would take a while longer before they would find any sort of evidence of activity from Merlot Industries, if this was to be Merlot Industries at all. One thing was certain, something was active in Mountain Glenn and had used the abandoned expansion as a base of operations.
Further inward, they found the train tracks. There were vague sounds that they could hear from a distance; it was echoing due to the design of the station. The tracks were empty of trains. When they went down to investigate, the train tracks had been repaired and were lubricated.
"Recently," Greene concluded. "Relatively anyway. It may have been weeks or months but considering that Mountain Glenn should have been abandoned and bereft of a population? We have ourselves some criminal activity."
"Merlot Industries?" Peach asked.
Mulberry shook his head. "Even if every one of them were sure in their beliefs, assuming they are all alive, they would not have the man power to be able to do all this. Let alone do it all in secret."
"Unless Merlot had some aid," Jekyll said. "Or maybe it is more of an alliance."
"White Fang," Greene concluded. "There isn't any other group that would have the manpower for it. Not to mention all the Dust that would be needed to power this operation. Whoever is leading the White Fang has certainly less qualms about working with humans."
Jekyll's expression darkened. "We must find where these tracks lead then?"
"Peach," Mulberry said. "Further down this path and we will have to split. You go with Jekyll on the sounds while Greene and I search for Merlot's office."
Peach stiffened initially. Her eyes shifted to and from Jekyll before she finally nodded in the affirmative. To make her more comfortable, Jekyll volunteered to lead the way when that time would come. That had taken a while longer for the tracks still had a long way to go. During that time, the sounds only became clearer and louder. Various tools were being used along with the carrying of various heavy objects. Occasionally, there were shouts and profanities that could be heard. When the path eventually split, Greene and Mulberry went in one direction while Jekyll and Peach went in the other as was planned earlier.
Jekyll was in front with Peach behind him. They stayed to the sides and would often stick as close to it as they can, especially when they would see moving shadows against the light. Eventually, they came to a point where they had managed to catch sight of individuals pushing a train car. True enough, those were the members of the White Fang as shown by the masks that they wore over their faces. Neither of them could move closer without getting seen. One member was always at the front looking back and there was no means for them to cover. Their uniforms were also distinct, making it impossible for the two of them to disguise as one without having to fight the other members; it would draw attention if they did.
Only when there was enough distance between them did Jekyll and Peach actually follow the White Fang. Each step was carefully taken as any sound would echo through these man-made caves. Jekyll had to wipe the sweat off of his forehead with how careful they had to move. Every muscle in his body was ready to spring at any moment's notice. He had to calm himself as to not lose focus as he observed the motions of each of the White Fang members, anyone of them might just look back and notice their approach if not their shadows.
Eventually, the two of them reached the end point. By that, there was an open area, it was difficult to tell what the purpose of this part was as it was still rather incomplete. Neither of them were expert enough to tell if this was even initially part of the Mountain Glenn expansion or if it was something that was made in recent times just for this purpose. The train car itself had stopped and the supplies that was apparently stored in them was brought out. Both Jekyll and Peach widened their eyes as they realized that the stolen Dust had all been brought to Mountain Glenn.
The two waited a while longer before moving in, careful so that they would be behind some crate or cart lest they be discovered. Jekyll had the advantage of being overall smaller. While Peach was smaller in height, her wings are not and would betray her most of the time when they tried to squeeze between in the rather small spaces. She could fly above them as anyone could still see her if they were far enough. They needed disguises if they wished to proceed further but there isn't a decent hiding spot to hide the bodies of their would-be victims. Jekyll and Peach would have been discovered in no time.
"Careful with the merchandise!" cried out Roman Torchwick. "Can't you animals see that Dust is a precious resource? You all need to handle it with care!"
Grumbles, complaints and profanities were being exchanged among the White Fang. Whoever was leading them, they did so with more regards to practicality and necessity than any need of cohesion; a puppet master pulling the strings of the begrudging performers.
"How much longer must we wait, Roman?" said a familiar feminine voice. Jekyll froze in place as he quickly knew whose voice it was.
"This isn't exactly my fault, isn't it, Cindy?" replied Roman. "Can't expect an animal to do a human's work."
Feeding the stereotype, some of the White Fang actually growled like animals at the comment.
"I thought I told not to call me that," the woman replied. Her teeth grind against one another as her anger was rising from what Jekyll could hear. His own anger was building as well. They were close. So close.
"I'll take a photo," whispered Peach, getting Jekyll's attention into the here and now.
As careful as she could manage, Peach managed to get a photograph of Cinder and Roman. While Roman already has a photo publically displayed, Cinder's had been an unknown and could now be revealed if they could just get it out in the open. With a local connection, Peach also sent it to Jekyll's own scroll.
Suddenly, something sharp was deeply thrust into one of Jekyll's shoulders. Neither of them noticed anything and so failed to keep their aura up. Then, a person appeared in front of him. Colorful hair and mismatched eyes filled his vision as a petite girl lifted him up on the sharp point of what was apparently a parasol and tossed him over towards Roman and Cinder, revealing both his and Peach's hiding spot for everyone to see. Peach followed soon after as the sounds of shotguns and chains brought her out as well.
"Well, well, well," said Roman Torchwick. "What do we have here? Seems a bit far from society for a little rendezvous don't you think my good sir?" The criminal still recognized Jekyll if he still remembered the Dust shop robbery.
Jekyll tried to heal the wound with his aura but Cinder came and stepped on the wound before it could close up completely. He screamed in pain as the heel landed perfectly on the open would, nearly getting lodged there. She pressed down on the wound as the petite girl from earlier held down his other arm when he tried to get the woman off.
"You." Cinder's voice seethed with a burning hatred. Fittingly, flames had appeared on her hands as she brought it closer to his face. "You may have his face and walk out in public but you are nothing more than the façade. You who call yourself Henry Jekyll."
"Interesting background, from what I hear," Roman said, sneering at Jekyll's pain. "Conveniently having no village or town and just so happens to become a huntsman from the biggest military nation in the world. Surprisingly apprenticed under the General himself and yet no one has heard of him before."
His eyes widened. They had obtained information on him? When? General Ironwood would have ensured the security of his information. Was there a mole somewhere?
"Oh don't be too surprised." Roman noticed the distress on his face. "It wasn't that strange. Classified information gets leaked all the time with us. Security networks always have a hole in them somewhere."
The archives. The information he had there was for archiving purposes. While those would ensure that there would be some record of the individual, that also put said individual at risk. Most of the time, people are safe as they are ordinary and of no importance. But for Henry Jekyll? Considering the people that he had involved himself with? His enemies would have dug deeper into him at some point.
Jekyll was raised by the burning hand that gripped his neck. Both the tightness of the grip and the temperature of the flame took priority over anything else. His focus had been on using his aura to prevent any further damage done. Peach was held by her hands and her wings by White Fang members from what he could see. Some of them even called her a traitor to their race and that she is bootlicker for the humans. He tried to reach out to her but he obviously could not.
Cinder forcibly brought his attention back to her as she tightened her grip and further increased the temperature. Jekyll's teeth began to grind as his anger was building up. He is weak at the moment, unable to do anything because of his weakness. Jekyll didn't need to guess that Hyde was already clawing at the back of his mind. His own resistance against it was weakening as the thought of getting back at them became more tantalizing by the second.
"Do you have any idea what you did to me?" Cinder asked. Her voice filled with seething anger. "Denying me my destiny and you have the gall to go prancing about among good people like you are one of them?"
Jekyll's hand was on Cinder's own. He had to break himself free from her grip. Peach was struggling to break free as well but the numbers and sizes of the White Fang ensured that she wasn't about to do so with ease. Some have begun to hit her as well. Jekyll hastened his attempt, frantically clawing his way out. He must break free to protect Peach. It did nothing more than scratch at Cinder's aura.
"Then," Cinder continued. "There is this." Her eye glowed the flames of the Fall Maiden. "Do you know what it is like to live like this? This isn't living. Always yearning, longing to be whole, you've denied me my right to be alive!"
He needed to break free. He needed to be free. Peach was in danger. He needed to ki—stop Cinder before they could do anymore damage. The fire continued to burn hotter. Jekyll was struggling to breathe. Ki—no! Not now! It's too dangerous.
There was a ratting of cages behind them. Grimm. There was Grimm at the farther end of this place that neither of them noticed. They were making a ruckus as they sought to break free. Whether some of them were natural or the ones that Merlot had used is beyond him. It didn't matter to him. Right now what mattered was that he needed to fight back against the White Fang.
"Oh God," Jekyll prayed. "Not now! Dear God not now!"
Cinder laughed at his pain. "Do you think that a god could save you?" She then lifted him further upwards as she levitated with her powers. "I will make them see. This game of yours will end today."
Jekyll's vision blurred as everything around him went silent. The only sound that filled his ears was the rapidly increasing thumping of his chest. Jekyll had known this feeling for a long time. It always came during times of great stress. It happened before during when he along with the professors prepared for the students' initiation. He could not resist any longer. His hands moved, uncaring if what it had touched was friend or foe. A Cheshire smile marked his face when his hand found something to grip. The knife in his hand was aching to be used. His other hand moved and found something… fleshier. Cinder said that she would end the game, did she? Such a shame then for he had yet to start playing his personal favorite and rather dangerous game.
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Everyone had been stunned when the woman known as Cinder fell to the ground. Jekyll had managed to break himself free from the woman's grip. Peach wasn't about to let the opportunity go to waste as she took everyone's moment of pause to break herself free. At least, that is what she wanted to think. The truth was that the same feeling she had gotten from her assistant resurfaced again. Peach had gotten used to it in a sense that she has unwittingly trained herself to still be able to act when it came out.
Using her aura to heal herself, Peach grabbed Steadfast as quick as she can. She didn't even bother to fight the other White Fang members as the Grimm that were apparently trapped in cages were starting to break free from their prisons. Those of weaker hearts had begun to panic as they tried to bang on the cages to keep the Grimm in line; it only served to agitate them further.
Then, that familiar cackle was heard. Peach only heard it once before but she recognized that laugh anywhere. The primitive evil. The unnatural disgust that she felt at the time. The sight of the figure of her assistant striking a monstrosity that should never have existed yet came with a familiarity that she never realized at the time.
When she turned back to see Cinder and Jekyll, the former was flying high in the air by the strange powers that she had never seen before; it must have been one of those enemies that Ozpin had talked about. Peach should have been in awe at the sight of it yet her concern went elsewhere. Her eyes were focused intently on one thing and one thing alone.
There was only one thing that she could say: "Jekyll?"
Her assistant lifted his face, revealing eyes red as crimson, contrasting the green he normally had. "They don't want Jekyll," he growled. His voice was drastically different as well, like he had become a wild animal. He also roared demonically; it was enough that the Grimm broke free from their cages. "Only Hyde!"
AN:Genuinely was unsure if I should have bolded the text like I did here. But considering how I was treating it before, I might as well.