Last chapter we left with the safehouse group making some discoveries and talking amonges themselves. Learning about their past or who they are, now time to return to cardin and vance groups.RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. I own the OC's, AU. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 9 Blue: Navigating Ruins

Cardin group was walking through the destroyed city on their way toward the warehouse that Vance talked about. Yumi was in the front with Liam watching her back as she looked around the place. The panda faunus was leading them through the city streets toward the safehouse.

The streets they were traveling along where destroyed with several cars flipped over or smashed in. They luckily haven't ran into any grimm yet which was good but bad at the same time. He gripped his mace at the readied for anything that could happen.

As they walked they had two despardo soldier with them from Liams sqaud and two swat officer, one atlas soldier with them. They all seemed to be on edge which worried him a little. How bad was the city exactly and what new horrors awaited them as they traveled to the warehouse.

Coco resided her mingun as she slowly turned to check the alleyways they past. She had it lowered for now but didn't know when they run into any trouble. Velvet was scanning the rooftops to see if anyone or thing was stalking them.

"Alright how long until we get to the warehouse?"Naca questioned as checked her uzi. She unloaded the mag checking her clip. It was full and she loaded it in with a click notifying her it was loaded.

Yumi tapped her chin thinking to herself how far they were from the warehouse and home of her friends family. Since their near the harbor it should be about eight blocks until they get their if she recalls.

"I think its about eight blocks from here if I recall. If were smart we can avoid large number of grimm depending on where they are"yumi replied as she readied duchess incase.

"Good we'll head their and rest for a bit before we head down the tunnels. If theirs grimm down their we want to be at our full strength"Liam replied as he raised his rifle scannign the rooftop.

May had her rifle at the ready and she lifted her leanie to show her left eye. The mechanical eye from her point of view she could see pretty far down the street. She looked down her scope and saw a few grimm down the street.

They didn't notice them but she decided to tell them but after she put her beanie back over her eye.

"Hey heads up we got three grimm down the street"May pointed out to everyone.

"Really I don't see any"coco added removing her shades to look down the street. She could barely see anything down their except for a few moving figures.

Nebula smiled a little at this because she knew the desert sniper had incredible sight. She had her sword out on her shoulder as the group walked down the street.

"Oh your questioning our dead eyes sight?"nebula questioned.

Coco scoffed a little rolling her eyes"sorry if I don't believe her you can't possible see that far down the street. She may have a sniper but seriously it would be hard to see something like that so far away"coco added as they continued to walk.

On the rooftops something moved around quietly. They slowly made their way across the rooftop quietly to avoid detection. On the rooftop were three crimson talon soldiers spying on the group.

One put his hand up signaling them to keep moving while he watched the group back aways. He then pulled out a rifle ready to fire but stopped. He then looked down the street where the grimm were and smiled underneath his mask.

Back on the street the group kept scanning the place as they made it through another block only six and hald to go. As they continued to move one of the swat officers sighed a little at their sitauton.

"Dammit this place just keeps getting worse by the day"the swat member said

The students interest was peak at what he meant by that. Has it been getting that bad every since they left the place.

"What ae you talking about is that bad here?"Velvet questioned looking at the soldiers.

Liam turned away not wanting to tell them about how bad their situation is. He just kept his eyes forward as they escorted the students through the city. The group continued to move through the city as the students started to question them.

"Ok are you guys seriously giving us the silent treatment"cardin said

"Yeah….is their something your not telling us or something"Nebula prodded trying to get some answers.

"Look kid its on a need to know basis. Right now focus on our main objective. "The atlas soldier added as he scanned their corners.

Cardin groaned internalyl at this because if their refusing to answer something bad must be going on. If they want to save these survivors that bad along with the suppiles that means something might be happening soon.

Could they be pulling out of the city soon or something. Right they they continued to make their way downt he street toward roman warehouse with hassans men still following them.

Across town Vance group slowly made their way through the streets. The group were just bantering for a bit because their building wasn't that far it seems. Leon explained to them they had this place under control a few days ago.

But then Diego along with hassans men took the place from them. Then if it wasn't bad enough they left a small squad of crimson talon soldier their along with a bunch of nasty grimm.

Dew gripped her spear a little tight nervous it seems. She looked around the place and in the sky. They still had plenty of daylight until the sun setted. But it made her worry a little what they'll be dealing with.

Opehlia had an assault rifle out with her shield attached to the top of it. She held it out but pointed the rifle down to the ground. But she scanned the rooftops wondering if anything was watching them.

"So leon was it…uh why'd you join this merc group?'octavia asked to pass the time while they made their way through the streets.

Leon was silent for a bit as he had both his silenced pistol out as he scanend the place. Then he slowly raised his right hand as he stopped in the middle of the street. Everyone stopped wondering what he was doing.

Then he pulled the trigger and a small sound went off as he fried off a few rounds. The group looked to their right to see what he shot at. Their in an alleyway a bobratusk fell dead to the ground. Leon lowered his sidearm as they continued to mvoe through the street.

"Look kid the less you know the easier it'll be if I die here you won't greive for me"leon replied coldly.

Earl snorted a little at how much of a dark outlook the sniper had. Leon looked at the donkey faunus with intrigued and curiosity.

"Whats funny kid?"leon asked raising his tone slightly.

Earl flicnehd a little at the sudden tone he had, maybe the fuanus pised him off or something.

"Nothing you just remind me a little bit of our new teammate we have"Earl replied

Leon looked behind his shoulder at the kid with a little bit of curiosity.

"Really and what would that be exactly…is it because of my dashing good looks"Leon replied as a few of the soldier laughed at that. The studnets returned it a little as earl sncikered a little. But the boy cleared his throat to tell him what he meant.

"Nothing just me and opehlia here were put on a team with two people who lost teammate during the fall. He..lost both his legs, and the guys been depressed about it"earl replied

Leon soften his gaze a little as he stared at the kid but then refocused his attention forward.

"Hmm seems your friend suffering from surviors guilt…tough thing to deal with it"leon said knowingly.

Earl raised an eyebrow at this wondering if he experience something like that. He knows that most despardos left the military or were honorable,dishronorable discharged. So that made him curious a little about their mysterious guide what he meant by that.

"Anyway what exactly does this place have thats soo important?"Gwen asked as she twirled one of her knives in her hands.

"The building were heading to contains supplies needed for our camp. We hid it their because we were running out of space for it back at the camp. But since that knight took it with those slavers we need to reclaim it"leon replied

"Wait slavers? Those soldier that have been hounding you are slavers"octavia asked shocked a little.

Vance clenched his fist at the mentioned of that. He looked anger as he started to pick up his pace a little. The group noticed this but Gwen didn't really care. The guy must still hate her for the comment she made about his cousin.

"God i'm getting sick of his mopping at this point"gwen added as she narrowed her gaze.

Leon stopped for a bit looking at the young vacou girl. Gwen noticed this staring back at him and leon turning around towering over her. He bent down a little to get on her level.

"Kid….quite being a jerk. How would you feel if you lost someone close to you. Along with that have you ever been a slave?"leon questioned with the others looking at each other. Gwen narrowed her gaze confused a little by what he meant by that.

"What do you mean his cousins and dad dead alright….and do you mean he was a…"Gwen begun as leon nodded to the girl.

"Why do you think he keeps coming back here. He comes back to visit their graves along with dealing with hassan men. Kids got a hard on for slavers."leon said as he continued to walk ahead a little.

"Yeah and you also keep bullying the girl his cousin dated cough cough"earl bluntly said making the girl look away from that.

"So what she loving a stupid monster. Probably knew about it and let it happen."gwen retorted

The students then relzied they were lagging behind and started to pick up the pace with the guy. Gwen and them were jogging a little to catch up. While she did she wondered what exactly did he mean by that. Was this vance kid whos been so annoying a slave or something.

Meanwhille back at base camp Nezumi was looking through some of their gear. They were running low on bullets and dust caritages now. Their lucky those kid brought some but every couple of days hassan men along with some grimm would attack the camp.

Everytime they managed to hold them off but every attack kept getting harder and harder to deal with. At this point its like their just delaying their deaths at this point.

The spider faunus was grabbing some spare dust shell. She was running low on them and then looked at their gear. Their wasn't much left but she had to hope they could get their supplies they desperately needed.

Nezumi soon made her way out of the tent walking around. As she did she looked around her noticing everyone was busy doing their own thing.

Several soldiers were praticng their close quarter combat with each other to be ready. She saw a police officer get tossed by one of the atlas soldiers onto his back .The officer rubbed his head as the atlas soldier offered a hand helping him up.

The officer took it as the two continued to spar with each other. The vale city police may not be trained in close quarters combat. But if those crimson talon got in they would need it when that happens.

"Yo spidey their you are"a familiar female voice said to nezumi who frowned at that name.

The spider faunus turned to see celeste their in her usual attire but her right shoulder was banaged. She had a small bruise on her face as she removed her witches hat it seems.

"Ughh I thought i told you to stop calling me that"Nezumi replied looking at the girl.

Celeste shrugged her shoulder as she winced a little doing rubbed her right shoulder that was sore as hell.

"Look it suits you….plus you seem to like it when that vance kid calls you it"celeste teased.

Nezumi was a harden soldier but she slgihtly blushed at the girl remark. These two have known each other since basic training in atlas .The was kicked out for socking her commanding officer who got a little handsy with her.

"heh…I-i don't know what your talking about"Nezumi said as she began to walk faster to get away from the girl.

Celeste smiled as she started to chase down the spider faunus. She had a cheeky grin on her face as she put her hands behind her back and circled her.

"Oh come on you can tell me….i am your friend aren't I"celeste asked smiling as she batted her eyelashes.

Nezumi groaned as she rubbed her forehead as they walked through the camp. She was heading toward her tent to lay down for a bit. She been up to long and it was taking a toll on her mental state.

"Ughh look i find the kid…..a little interesting. Though he is pretty annoying"nezumi replied

Celeste giggled a little at this"i'm surprised he hasn't read your mind. Probably catch you thinking all sort of dirty stuff you'd do to him"Celeste teased as she got close to nezumi face.

The womens eye twitched a little as she stared at the small girl. Then she jabved her right shoulder lightly. Celeste eye buldged out of her head as she backed up. She rubbed her arm because that really hurt despite it being a light tapp.

"Dang it nez don't do that…its still sore"celeste groaned in pain and annoyance.

Nezumi chuckled as she went into her tent"well don't tease me next and don't get distract. Maybe next time a sniper wound't hurt you shoulder"the spider faunus retorted.

Celeste moved her mouth micking what the girl said. She then walked off to go get some much needed rest. While nezumi went into her tent to relax.

Inside her tent was a simple sleeping cot and she collapsed onto it. She rested her head ready to get an hour of rest for a bit. The spider soon slowly drifted to sleep as she melted in her cot. She was asleep and was passed out right now.

Back with the others heading toward the warehouse they started to pick up the pace a little. They managed to travel three more blocks but now they were on the run from something. The atlas soldier turned around as he sprayed a hail of bullets behind them.

As he did he hit what was chasing them. Behind them were a small pack of girmm chasing them down. One was an uras with four beowolfs. Along with one strange one in the group.

It looked to be humanoid in appearance. But its skin was jet black and it looked like it hasn't eaten in days it seems. It ribs were exposed and they were bone white. Its leg and arms were long and skinny. Along with its elbow being points it seems with bone like shards. On its elbow it had the same thing.

It chest had bone white like plating their. But it had four fingers each with sharp talons at the end of them. Along with having three toes with sharp talons as well. But its head was strange because it had a white mask it. Their were three curved grooves on it that suggest it split apart.

The creatures kept chasing them down as they cotninued to run. While they did on the rooftops they kept getting shot at by people. Cardin looked behind his shoulder to see three armed men in tactical gear jumping from roof to roof chasing them.

"Jeez seriously these guy are persistent"Nebula said as she turned around firing bolts at the grimm. One hit the beowolf and it explode. But the beast wasn't dead as it continued to chase them.

"Yeah but what the hell is that thing…it looks human"Coco questioned as her handbag moved around on her shoulder like crazy.

"Don't get close to it thats a banshee!"liam hollered as they got close to a corner.

"A what!?"Yumi asked as she resided her fan blades

"its a grimm that can stun you with its ear splitting shriek. Stand clear of them and far away from them"a despardo soldier added

The group got to the end of the street and to the corner. They soon turned around quickly around the corner. The street they turned on was messed up and soon stopped themselves. Their in front of them were two more beowolfs with griffin.

The griffin was sitting on top of a car and cocked it head toward the group.

"Shit more of them"a swat officer said aiming his rifle. But then he fell down to the ground groaning. On the rooftop hassan men were firing upon them. The swat officer got hit in the shoulder and he couldnt stop it.

Most of the soldier don't have an aura which meant they could get of the depsardos started to drag the officer out of the way while firing at the soilder above them.

"Crap"liam said riaisng his rifle as he started to shoot at the grimm down the street. The grimm roared as they made their way toward their prey. The griffin then cawed as it took to the sky to pick them off.

Coco then pressed a button as she stoped. She pulled out her minigun and smiled looking at the two beowulf coming toward them. They were going for the soldier dragging the injured officer. They went wide eye as the grimm got closer to them.

Soon a hail of bullet came toward the two beowolfs. They looked to see coco shooting a hail of bullets at the grimm. The two beowolfs then soon became shredded to piece and fell down dead.

Cardin blocked an incoming attack from an uras. But the uras swiped at him launching him to the side. He rubbed his head as he slowly got up. Luckily his aura took the impact but that did hurt like hell. Cardin then heard clicking above him, and he looked up.

Two of the three soldier chaisng him aimed their rifles at him from above. He quickly dove out of the way as a hail of bullets came at him. Cardin ran to an alleyway for cover from the bullet. But the soilder above just moved down the rooftop to intercept him.

Once they got to the other side they looked down and saw him gone. They looked at each other before turning to attention to the others. Cardin meanwhile was behind a trashcan as he avoided them.

He breatehd heavy as that was a close one then he got an idea. He started to flank around the grimm to get them from behind. Naca was busy providing cover fire with her uzi and handcannon while protecting the soldiers and officers with fired several bullets from her uzi at the grimm and her handcannon after some shots.

Meanwhile velvet pressed a button on her camera as a weapond dizigitized for her. She produced a pair of dual shimitars. The rabbit them aimed one at a grimm. With a pressed of a trigger the blade shot out and stabbed into the creatue.

Then with another press of a button she shot foward toward the grimm. As she did the grimm growled as it was ready to bite down on her. But she pressed a button to return the blade to her. It came shooting back making a whirring noise as she slide underneath the grimm.

Then she slashed at its back vertically. After that she stabbed it in the back several times. Then she pressed a button changing one of them to a pistol. She fired two shots into its head as it fell down and started to turn into smoke.

Nebula was firing several crossbow bolts into the uras to try and slow it down. As she did the grimm charged at her roaring with each crossbow bolt hititng it. Soon enough it got close as she activated her semblance and flipped aorund it. She landed on the ground perfectly.

Then she smiled as she snapped her fingers. The bolts then detonated blowing of the grimm top half. Then it soon keeled over as it landed their dead. But then she covered her ears as an ear piercing shriek could be heard. Nebula covered her ears because the sound was horrific.

She closed her eyes as she looked to where it was coming from. That grimm known as a banshee head spilt opening revealing a glowing orb in its mouth. Along with flesh and rows of teeth underneath it.

May was busy dealing with the griffin trying to protect the soldiers from harm. Liam rushed at a beowolf while he fired full auto into it. As he got close the beowulf raised its claws at him. Liam then rolled out of the way. He then grabbed his knife from his side. Then he stabbed it in the knee.

The grimm roared and the liam put the barrel of his rifle underneath it jaws. He held down the tirgger delvieirng a hail of bullets into its skull. The grimm slowly disappeared as it fell down dead. Bullet whiized by him as he looked up as hassan men. They were still focused on them.

But unknown to them a certain teen got behind him. Cardin slowly made his across the roof. As he did he stepped on some lose roof tiles. They seemed to start falling off and cardin went wide eyed. The tiles fell to the ground making a loud sound. The three soldier turned around at him as he stood their.

Cardin laughed nerovusly as they aimed their rifles at him. But then one of them crakcled with electricity as he screamed. Then he fell to the ground knockout the two looked down below to see yumi smiling. She fired more shot at them while one shot at her and the other at cardin.

Cardin dodged his shot as he rushed foward at the soidlers. He smacked the one shooitng at him with his mace. He knocked him off the roof into an alleyway trash can. The soldier landed with a thud and was knocked last one was firing at yumi still until cardin tapped his shoulder.

He turned to be met by cardin grabbing him by the collar and lifted him in the air. Cadin smiled as he heabutted the man knocking him out. Then he threw him off to the side with his friend. Cardin then jumped down rolling as his aura flciekred taking the hit.

Nebula covered her ears as the banshee got close. As it did it raised it claws ready to take a bite of the girl. Nebula looked worried and wide eyed at her impending fate. But then from the side a purple beam hit the creature in the head.

The head was blown clean off as it shrieking stop. Nebula uncovered her ears looking toward may smiling at her. Then the griffin came back around as it grabbed the atlas soldier firing at them. The soilder was then dragged off screaming as the griffiion found a snack.

"Wierbowski!"a desprado yelled as he fired at the bird. As he did the grimm managed to get far enough away. May took aim at the grimm but stopped because if she shot it now the guy who fall down to his death.

She sighed dispapointment that she couldn't save him. Soon enough everyone regrouped with each other. They looked at the aftermath of their scuffle and liamed sighed.

"How is he?'liam questioned looking at their injured office.

"He should be alright bullet went through sir, but they got wierbowski"a desprado replied

Liam clenched his fist as he went to a nearby wall punching it.

"Dammit! We can't lose anymore people"Liam shotued in anger and depsaration.

May sighed as she could have saved him but she wasn't fast walked over to liam and tapped him on the shoulder.

"i'm…sorry…I wasn't fast enough…I was…helping nebula and…um"May began stutting a little nervous.

"Look kid it not your fault we were caught off guard….dammit. Alright how far are we from the warehouse"Liam questioned yumi.

Yumi looked around where they were and relzied it was starting to get dark now. She sighed as she looked around the area they were in. They were five minutes away from the place. Their lucky they ran this way.

"Were five minutes from here take the alley here and we should be their"yumi replied as liam nodded.

"Great finally something good happening"naca added a little happy it seems.

The group then regroup together as they started to make their way to the warehouse. Cardin noticed the soldier carrying the injured officer. Cardin sheatehd his mace as he walked over helping carry the officer.

"Thanks kid"the swat officer thanked

"No problem sir might as well return the favor for something protecting our town"cardin replied as the group made their way to the warehouse. They might get a break from having to run through the city of grimm for a bit.

Vance group slowly made their way toward a parking garage it seems. They made it to the supply house and were scouting it right now. Vance looked at the rooftop and front was buys using his scope to see what their dealing with.

The building was medium in size and their were two large garage size doors in front of it. Along with that the building seemed to be made of stone and brick. But their was a wire fence blocking it. Guards were roaming outside the building while some griffins were on the rooftop.

"I count six outside don't know how many are inside"leon poitned out.

Vance calmed his mind down as he read one of the soldier mind to see anything useful. He read through a couple some talked about their pay another talked about how creepy that diego guy was. But one said to himself how many they had here.

"Dang we have nine of us guarding some dumb supply depot. We could just bring it back to base"the crimisnon talon soldier thought to himself

"Their three more inside….we should wait for anything else that might arrive"vance suggested.

"Are you kidding me their not that many we can take them"gwen confdiently said about to go out of cover. But then someone grabbed her pulling her back and throwing her against the wall.

Vance looked over the girl annoyed and anger with her attitude.

"Hey watch–"gwen begun but vance cut her off.

"No, are you stupid you follow orders given to you. We doin't know when more of them will arrive. We wait till night fall to do some more recon. Then we strike got it"vance said glaring at her.

Gwen returned the gaze and scoffed at him as she got up joining her teammates glaring at him. Vance rolled his eyes as he went to help some soldier break into a building.

"Seriously their not that many"gwen said again.

"Hmm yeah we could take them…maybe get out of their before more come"Dew backed her up.

"Umm you two do know that one of those knights may come back to check it out right"Ophelia pointed out to the group.

"Maybe that means I can get revenge"gwen replied smiling.

Leon put his scope down and slung his rifle. He looked at the girl shaking her head at her.

"Kid don't go toward that type of mindset. If you do you make terrible decision. Along with that we wait and camp here to see if anyone else comes. "Leon ordered as he watched the building crossing his arms.

Vance produced a lockpick from his pouch. Then he slowly put it into the lock. He slowly turned it and pressed his ear against the door. He heard a click, then he moved it around until he heard another click.

The door then unlocked for them as he opened the door motioing for them to get inside. They all piled in through the door heading inside the building. Vance saw everyone come in as he slowly shut the door behind them.

The group seemed to be in an old store but it was torn to shreds. The soldier started to set up near the windows to watch the building across from them. While the studnet sat around tired a little from running.

They had to dodge those soldiers on the rooftop before they noticed them. As they got comfortable vance went to a small booth and layed down in it. He seemed to be taking a nap for now and Gwen rolled her eyes.

"Seriosuly that guy is such a prick…..starting to get on my nerves"gwen said as she pulled out a small lantern to light the place up. It was starting to get dark outside and they layed out some sleeping bags.

Earl undid his as he layed on it looking over at vance who layed their turned away. Then he glared a little at girl took notice of this glaring back.

"What are you staring at?'gwen questioned.

"Nothing maybe you should learn to be a little nicer to him"Earl replied

"Why should we hes been a jerk to everyone back at vacou"dew added annoyed as she layed sideways on her sleeping bag.

Ophelia rolled her eyes as she ate some trail mix. As she dug into the bag eating it she just shook her head toward the two.

"Hey earl may be an idiot sometime"Ophelia began.

"hey?"Earl said with opehlia putting her finger up.

"But he right seriously treat the guy with some respect. He lost family here….it takes a bit of time to grieve for someone you lost"ophelia added

"You also got a bunch of people in shade to bully a poor girl. Seriously they used to date I get it…but thats just cruel"earl added

"Really well news flash his cousin helped bring the grimm here. He was some sleeper agent or something. Then he kills someone causing panic which inturn brought the grimm."gwen retorted.

"And that chick and that wolf must have known. Sorry that i was just stating facts that she let it happen"she added

Vance turned around slightly shaking his head at the girl as he used his hands as a pillow. Leon was busy checking over his rifle shaking his head at the girl.

"Trying to blame someone else for losing your arm kid"leon said which made gwen shake a little.

She narrowed her gaze toward the soldier and glared at him.

"No…it was his fault the grimm came so–"gwen begun but leon stopped her before she finished

"Really….from what i'm seeing you got cocky. Then conri or subject alpha took your arm while you were distracted. "Leon said knowingly.

Gwen looked away as she turned away from him not wanting to face him. Leon knew he was right but the girl had to figure that out by herself. He continued to polish his rifle making sure it was in top condition.

"Look…can we all just get along. We need to watch each other backs out here"octavia added a little worried.

"Pfft whatever but I still think that lynx is annoying as hell"gwen replied as she layed down.

Vance heard all this and wanted to argue with her. But if he did he could get those guys attention from across the street. He sighed as he pulled up his nekcalce to examine it. Vance rubbed it and held it in his hands tight and shed a few tears as he slowly fell asleep.

It seems the group is well on their way toward their objecitves through the city right now. While it seems gwen has a bone to pick with vance but she might be slowly realziing who's to blame for her lose of limp. With the introduction of a new grimm the banshee. Till next chapter