"Look alive students we're about to touchdown."

Ruby sighed as Dr. Oobleck zipped around. This was nothing like she expected.

When they arrived at the docks they thought it would be a volunteer hunter who would take them to their mission; Yang made it known she was hoping for them to be cool. Of course Yang's definition of 'cool' was different than everyone else. When she said 'cool' she really meant eye candy.

Both luckily and unluckily - for reasons she was experiencing right then and there - their assigned hunter was none other than the history teacher Dr. Oobleck. To say the man was passionate about his work was... a little bit of an understatement.

"We're here! Everyone stick close. The city is bound to be swarming at any moment.

Ruby let out another sigh as she started off the airship, followed closely by her other teammates with the doctor sticking behind them. It was standard really: he was there to grade their performance, meaning that he wouldn't engage in any battles unless absolutely necessary. However if he had to fight then it would probably mean they failed, and that wasn't something anyone wanted to happen.

"So!" Yang waved her arms to the sides. "Where do we start?"

All eyes were on Ruby again, and she took a glance around at the ruined city. Mountain Glenn had been dead and abandoned for years now, and the kingdoms had made no attempt to fix it up or try anything like it since. It was the very definition of a ghost town, and that meant that Grimm could be around any corner.

"We'll work our way around the city, and slowly close into the center after we've cleared the edges." She told while getting a nod from Weiss.

"We'll have more options to fall back as we move in."

"Or to split off if we need more space." Blake commented as Yang gave a smirk.

"So it's settled then! C'mon girls, let's set Rubes plan in motion!"

Once again - to her own embarrassment - Yang had made a big deal out of something she did. Not that Ruby minded too much, she'd long since gotten used to her older sister making a ruckus of the things she did. But still, it wasn't exactly easy when everyone gave a second glance her way.

Fortunately Yang had set off, and the rest of them followed after.

The city itself was larger than any of them really expected. It was destroyed by a massive wave of Grimm long ago, and still it held some of it's impressive size. Mountain Glenn was one of the last big attempts at expansion by the kingdoms, with it's fall being the ultimate nail in the coffin.

Suddenly the group came to a stop, their hands trailing to their weapons. Ruby listened intently, casting a look to Blake and seeing her bow twitch slightly.

"You hear that?" The Faunus girl asked as Yang nodded.

"Sounds like it's coming from the north."

The group held their position for a few minutes as the noises started to get clearer. It was Grimm no doubt about it; with the city being abandoned there was really no other explanation.

"Here they come, get ready students." The doctor chimed in as the girls got into position.

Yang took point as Blake and Ruby spread to cover her sides with Weiss in the back. It was their first encounter of the mission, and they were a tad nervous. Ruby especially was wondering if the Grimm would overwhelm them with numbers. In the end she simply readied herself, deciding to deal with the problems as they arrived.

Soon enough several Beowolves shot out from around the alleyways, forcing the girls to slip into action.

Yang rush headlong into the fray, swaying to the side as she avoided a claw swipe. She delivered a solid blow to the creature's snout, knocking it's head back as she leaped on top of it and continued the assault of blows all along it's back.

Blake had taken to circling a pair, flinging her blade out. The sharp pointed end dug deep into the sides of one as it rushed for her. Instantly she avoided to the side as the second tried it's luck and leaped for her. She slid under it, wrapping her ribbon around one of it's legs and took off. The ribbon pulled at the beast, tripping it slightly as the other tried to chase after her; only to be yanked back as that same ribbon had been attacked to the blade.

Weiss in the back was busy summoning several projectiles as she sped along on her glyphs. She flew between several of the wolves, leaving a trail of jagged ice spikes in her wake. The razor path had extended it's spikes wildly, impaling through limbs in all directions.

Ruby herself had been up against a group of three, bursting into petals as she weaved through and around the beasts, delivering deep sweeping cuts along their bodies. The Grimm were having a hard time keeping track of her, mostly just crashing into each other. Suddenly Ruby came to a stop along the side of one, giving a slight wave as her blade found itself under the creatures neck.

"Bye bye." She said happily as she yanked, releasing the monster's head from it's body.

She twirled her scythe vertically as she turned, catching another that leaped her way. The bladed end caught hold just below the ribs as she tore upwards, splitting the upper half in two. Ruby burst into petals and flew back, returning to form as she brought the end down on the head of the last Beowolf, nailing it to the ground through it's skull. It struggled for a moment before it stilled, and smoke started to rise.

Ruby cast a look to her sister, seeing the dead Grimm fading away. The other two looked to have handled their Grimm as well, with Weiss giving a slight huff as dead Grimm dropped from her fading spikes.

"Marvelous, simply outstanding!" Cried Dr. Oobleck as the girls turned to him. "What a wonderfully skilled display, I can see now what the headmaster was talking about."

"Heh, it was nothing." Yang smirked as she cracked her knuckles. "We can handle a few lousy Grimm no problem."

"Yes yes I'm sure you could. But remember, do not underestimate your opponent, nor should you overestimate your own capabilities." The doctor warned as he looked to the fading Grimm. "This was only a small pack of Grimm; from here on out there will be more and more. And I can guarantee there will be other types too, so keep watch over yourselves."

"We understand doctor." Blake gave as the others nodded; with Yang especially looking excited.

"Well then." Dr. Oobleck clapped. "Shall we continue?"

.

.

"Are you sure you know where we're going?" Winter asked as Qrow waved her off, getting a scowl from the woman.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, I know this street like the back of my hand. We should be arriving in just a few minutes."

That didn't seem to appease Winter though as she gave a scoff and simply focused back on the path. I sent a look to Clover who only shrugged; it seemed like he didn't know what to make of it either.

After we touched down at the port we started along the city. At first we took a ride in what Qrow had called a 'taxi', stating that it was a good way to get around if you could spare the costs. If I was being completely honest the ride itself had been rather awkward, although that might have been because Winter held some form of authority which seemed to have an effect on the driver as he was silent the whole ride.

We ended up getting out at a neighborhood I quickly recognized as it was the same one that Yang had taken Neptune and I; back when we were looking for the White Fang.

"Here we are." Qrow stated as I looked to where he was staring, feeling a sigh well up inside me.

It was just as I suspected back when we first got to the street: Our destination was Junior's club. Now that I thought about it, it would make sense that Qrow would have sources there; it had connections to crime if my last trip there was anything to go by, and Qrow seemed the type to use any and all tricks he had.

"What is this place?" Winter asked as Qrow smirked.

"Somewhere you'd never be caught dead in." He stated as her eyes narrowed again.

"Excuse me?" Her gaze was piercing now as the man simply smirked.

"Let's just see what's inside for now. Every moment we wait is another moment the perpetrator has to get away." Clover spoke, butting in between the two as they huffed and focused back on the building.

"Fine." Winter said as Qrow took out his flask and sipped.

"Let's just get inside already." Qrow said as he started for the entrance.

I followed along as we got inside, walking through to the back and into the main hall of the club. There wasn't much going on, leaving me to believe that most of their activities occurred at night. Even with the lack of people I was still able to see some of what I assumed were staff members moving things around.

"Junior." Qrow called out as the man in the distance looked back to us.

"Qrow." He called back as he walked our way, a slight smile across his face as the two shook hands. "What brings you here so early?"

"Work, as usual." Qrow said as the man nodded, casting a side glance to me.

"And I take it your work has something to do with the kid?" He questioned as Qrow snapped his fingers.

"Yep, let's just say my benefactor has me watching over the little tyke. Anyways, I was hoping you might be able to help us with something."

"Hmm..."

Junior gave a once over each of us, showing particular interest in both Winter and Clover.

"One small thing to address before we continue: will this be official or... off the record?" He asked as Qrow waved his hand.

"We'll be pretending that everything beyond this point is sheer coincidence. You won't be pulled in to or have any ties to anything, I give you my word." Qrow told as the man shut his eyes, looking to think deeper about it.

"Well... you've never broken your word before..." He let out a sigh as he snapped his fingers. I watched as two other men walked over and handed him a bottle of what I assumed wine. "Right then, how about we get down to business-"

"Sir!"

We were interrupted by a man bursting out from a door around the back of the club. He looked out of breath, and his clothes were ragged. He tried to speak again, only for the door behind him to glow. Everyone was drawn to the sight, most likely wondering why the door had suddenly decided to shine.

That curiosity was quickly replaced with panic as the thing exploded, knocking the tired man away and into a couple of others.

"The dust!" Yelled one of the staff as smoke filled the back.

We all drew our weapons, readying ourselves for whatever came out. Yet despite all that I couldn't help but get an odd feeling in the back of my mind. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I felt like I'd seen something like that before.

Those thoughts quickly left me as I heard yelling. I turned to the source and caught a glimpse of another of Junior's men dropping to the ground. He didn't have any blood around him, and I had been able to see some slight movement around his chest. The man was knocked out, not dead.

Before I was able to make out any other thoughts I felt something on my throat, something cold and sharp.

I locked up, unable to move for the moment as my mind went into overdrive. Instantly everything made sense, and I knew exactly what was going on.

I'm such an idiot, how could I forget!

"So... looks like the rumors were true after all."

The voice came from the distance, and I watched as a man walked out from the smoke.

"Really, we'd hoped it was all lies, but it seems we were wrong in the end."

The second voice came from right behind me, and much like the first it was definitively familiar. Right then and there I watched as the blade at my neck became visible, revealing the woman who held close to me.

"Vermillion!" Called Clover only to be halted as the blade pressed closer to me, cutting just into the flesh of my neck.

"Ah ah ah." Spoke the woman as she leaned into me. "See the funny thing about aura is... if you don't have it up before contact it won't activate until whatever pierced you has left."

She giggled as she gripped me by the chin, forcing me to turn and face her, subsequently cutting along my neck as well. It was all surface damage, not nearly deep enough to really matter, but my aura wouldn't cover too close to my neck until the blade was removed.

"I'm surprised by you really. Why didn't you have your aura up? Surely you knew an attack could happen any time." Came her taunt as she looked into my eyes.

"I don't know Magenta, why didn't I have it up? Why not take a guess while you're here?" I spoke, all the while letting a sly smile cross my lips.

She seemed to stiffen at that, only to press her blade harder into my neck.

"Don't fuck with me." She growled as I continued to hold my look.

"Enough!" Called Gold as he sent me a narrowed look. "It's your lucky day you know. We don't have time to deal with traitors. Magenta, we've got what we need."

The woman slipped on a quick smirk as she vanished.

"I'd love to play with you, I really would, but I've got other things to deal with."

The pressure left me as I swung out, only to connect with nothing. I saw another glow, this time coming from a can as it rolled my way. Instantly I leaped away, knowing just what would happen should I end up near it. Unfortunately I was too slow; the small object exploded with a fierce wave of fire that engulfed me momentarily.

Luckily however I activated my aura that time, letting it take the blunt of the damage as I was sent across the room. I landed with a skid, coming to a stop just before the back wall.

That had been too close, first I forgot to activate my aura upon entrance; assuming I was safe in juniors, so much so that I forgot I had it off even after the door exploded. And then I needed to bullshit my way out of losing my head; much to my luck I remembered that Magenta was one of the few who knew about my powers.

What were they doing here?

I stood and checked myself over, noticing the thin trail of blood that dripped from my neck. Even with it now being healed by my aura I knew I'd need a towel to wash the small stain from my skin; especially considering how pale I was.

"So... friends of yours?" I heard Qrow ask as he walked up to me.

"More like forced acquaintances." I spoke as I gave a questioning look. "More importantly, why didn't you help?"

The man shrugged as he pointed to my neck. "They caught you with your guard down. Heck, one wrong move and they might have tried to end you. Next time don't be an idiot, keep your aura up in dangerous places like this."

I looked over and saw Winter stroll over to junior; they appeared to be talking about something. There were a few waves, points, and nods before Winter walked over to us.

"Apparently your friend there had captured one of the terrorists." She said as Qrow sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Then this was a rescue mission?" He tried as Winter looked over to the others.

"Looks like it." She told as I watched Junior walk up.

"Let me guess, whatever you were looking for had ties to the White Fang?" The man asked as he sent a look.

"That's what we think. Got anything for us?" Qrow questioned as Junior pulled out a slip of paper.

"Disregarding that little 'incident' back there, we did manage to capture and question one of them. We got what we could, but the boy was being stubborn. It's not much, but you can have it."

Qrow took the paper, looking up to junior once again.

"And how much is this gonna cost?" He asked as the man shook his head.

"Think of it as a trade. Clearly you and your buddies are trying to deal with them, and my buddies and I want them gone. We're both on the same page here." Junior told as Qrow nodded.

"Right then, we'll get right on it."

"Please do, I don't think this place can take any more explosions." Junior told as we turned and made our way out.

Getting back to the streets I saw Winter face Qrow.

"So what do we have?"

"Well... not much." Qrow pulled out the paper again and looked to read over it. "From what I make of it the Fang are being ordered to gather... Grimm."

"Really, that's all?" Winter asked as Qrow handed her the paper. She looked over it for a moment before sharing in his confused look. "Damnit, so we're still at square one. Even so, what type of psychopath orders their followers to capture Grimm anyway?"

"Clearly those of the more... insane variety." Qrow commented as Winter gave him a flat look. He rolled his eyes at her. "What? It's true. You tell me who else has tried to capture Grimm in massive quantities other than the crazies of the White Fang."

Winter stayed silent for a moment, only to let out a sigh as she pocketed the paper.

"Fine, the terrorists are capturing mass amounts of Grimm, that much we know. Let's ignore the 'how and why' for the moment and focus on the important question: where are they keeping them?" She asked aloud as the area went silent.

Winter gave each of us a look before sighing and glaring.

"Really? You mean to tell me that none of you have any ideas?"

"Oh come on!" Qrow spoke as he sent a flat look. "This is the first time anybody's been crazy enough to horde Grimm, not even Port grabs this many."

"Port?" Winter asked as Qrow waved her away.

"Not important, now back to the topic at hand. You can't just expect us to know the answer right away."

"Then what do we do? We can't just leave this knowing they're gathering hordes of darkness! And certainly not after the CCT incident!" Winter yelled as Qrow gave a tired look.

"I know that, but we don't have any leads. At this point we'd need to search everywhere the Fang had ever been spotted if we want any hope of finding them." He told as Winter let out a huff.

"Fine, then that's what we'll do!"

"Hah, good one." Qrow laughed, only to go silent when he never received an answer back.

"Wait... you're joking right?"

Author's note

...

Here we are, with Qrow still down in his luck.

Bet you never expected Magenta and Gold to be back did you. Sure they never got much of a scene at the moment, but they still showed up anyway. What could this mean? I'll let you come up with your own conclusions for the time being.

We also got a fight scene with team RWBY, and we got to see a few of their skills in action too. I call it good enough, even if not all that spectacular.

Things look to be picking up speed, so brace yourselves for the future!

That's all for now, tell me what you think and see you later.