Chapter 12: Fight For Your Life
Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, I only own my OCs.
Team RXDY
The next morning Team RXDY wake up, having breakfast in Shade Academy's cafeteria. They notice the other students giving them curious looks asking if they're new students. The faunus team lets the students think whatever they want. After brushing their teeth provided by Professor Eden, the team departs from Shade Academy.
Hitching a ride on an airship the team flies to the landing station in Atlas. Stepping off they venture into town seeing the inhabitants go about their business heading for work or just enjoy the day. They stop at a famous cookie shop with Rena offering them to pick whatever flavor they wanted. Draco and Yumi sort through the variety of cookies while Yumi comically drools with stars in her eyes imagining how they'd taste.
Xavier walked over to his team leader, "Hey, Rena?"
The one-eyed faunus looked at him, face blank, "Yes, Xavier?"
Xavier requested, "When we're done here can we go to the southern edge of the city?"
Rena asked, "What for?"
Xavier said, "It's about Cassandra Lynch from Team TEAL. When I was still growing up, I remember hearing some adults coversing about a family being attacked and eaten by Grimm. Only one survived. I suddenly realized Cassandra must have been that lonely survivor. Those scars, blind eye, last two missing fingers on her right hand and cold personality, it fits. My parents used to take me over there for me to play with Cassandra and her siblings. Her parents and mine were close friends. I just want to be sure."
Rena said, "After we're done here, we'll head over there."
Xavier smiled, "Thank you, Rena." The team picks what cookie they want and Rena pays the cashier.
He said, "Thanks for shopping at Tulan's Cookie Shop, home to the best in Atlas. Hope to see you again!" Grabbing the bag the team exits the shop.
Almost immediately Yumi jumps into her team leader's arm, happiness etched on her face and tail wagging fast. Draco muffles a laugh and Xavier shakes his head in amusement.
She said, "Thank you for the cookie, Rena!" Her tail wagging increases when Rena pats her head while using her other arm to hold the wolf faunus.
Rena told her, "You're welcome. You guys have worked hard thus deserve an award."
Yumi hugged the older faunus, "Still, thank you!" As promised the team heads for the southern edge of the city.
Xavier looked at the houses they pass, "Not this one. Not that one. Come on, where is it?" He soon spotted the house, "There!" Running up to it he finds only the concrete foundation of the house where the Lynch family lived.
Draco walked up to his side, "It appears the house was torn down by a construction company."
Xavier scratched the back of his head, "Maybe you're right. It's unfortunate. Perhaps I'll ask her if she remembers me from back then."
Draco asked, "You sure that's wise? Given her personality, I doubt she'll talk to you. If anything, she'll point her SMG at you."
Xavier waved it off, "It's not the first I had a gun pointed at me." Rena scroll beeps and she pulls it out to check her inbox, there's one voice message.
Opening it, she discovers they have a new mission from the Vale Council of all clients.
It said, "Greetings, Team RXDY. I'm Kyle Lock, a recently appointed member of the Vale Council. I heard of the accomplishments you four have, very impressive. I'm sending you this message because my collegues and I have a mission for you. There have been reports citing that an unidentified species of Grimm has been spotted attacking villages not far from the Vale border. There's a video recording of the attacks attached to this message. We want you to investigate and take care of the problem. You'll be payed substantially should you accept this. As I said, we have no data on this species of Grimm so be careful." Rena selects the attachments to the message, bringing up the video.
In it buildings are on fire, panicked citizens flood the streets trying to escape as the unidentified Grimm attack. One person has their scroll recording the messacre when he's knocked off his feet. Looking up he sees the Grimm glaring at him then raises what appears to be a battle ax and swings it down, the scroll user screams seconds before the ax hits knocking the scroll out of his hand and to the side. A sickening crunch is heard as the person's skull is split open and blood pools around his body. Seconds later the scroll gets crushed.
Draco walked over, "Something up?"
Rena explained, "We have a new mission. From the Vale Council of all people. The newest membr Kyle Lock has sent the mission via voice message. They want us to investiage villages not far from the Vale border being attacked by unidentified species of Grimm. He sent a video attachment from the one of the inhabitants as proof. Look." She replays the video.
When it ended Draco commented, "Nasty."
Rena agreed, "Right? The Vale Council will pay us well should we accept."
Draco said, "Well, it's not like we haven't faced any unknown Grimm before." Xavier and Yumi join them.
The ox faunus asked, "Another mission?"
Draco nodded, "Yep, from the Vale Council."
Yumi smiled, "We're famous."
Xavier said to her, "I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing."
Draco shrugged, "Combination of both."
Rena said, "Maybe this will be the only time the council requests our help. I never liked politics."
Xavier agreed, "Nobody does." They take an airship to Vale and then rent a truck.
Reaching one of the villages Team RXDY search for the unidentified species of Grimm Kyle mentioned in the voice message. They look for any type of clues: Footsteps, blood trails, bodies, etc.
To the group's disappointment, they find nothing. So they decide to head for the next village. Only to find no clues in that village as well. On a hill overlooking the town, a creature of Grimm stares down at the faunus team, three more join it. The lead Grimm growls lowly and the group leaves.
Xavier said, "This don't feel right. This is the second village and have seen no traces of carnage."
Draco quaried, "Do you think we've been set up?"
Rena suddenly ordered, "Let's pull out. We're quitting the mission, it's suicide. Even though I never met that Kyle Lock guy there's something about his voice that made him suspicious. We..." She's cut off when they hear heavy footsteps ring through the dead-silent air. Slowly a group of Grimm emerge, each more menacing than the last.
The first Grimm had the head and tail of a bull and body of a human male, stood around Rena's height, black body with muscles that bulged impressively, bone white plating ran down its forearms and shins, hooves for feet and had an ax in its right hand. The faunus team notices the creature's muscles tense. Xavier remembers what this particular Grimm species was called: Minotaur.
The second was a Human-Grimm with the body of a young woman around 20 years of age, stood around 6 feet tall, long white hair, 40D cup breasts, snow white skin with blackish-red veins on the sides of her face, red eyes that glowed with evil intent, most of her slim body was concealed by a torn battle kimono, black shorts, long slender legs with the same blackish-red veins as the ones on her face and bare feet though she wasn't bothered by it or didn't care.
The third was a sub-species of the Feral Team RXDY encountered at the Death Forest except this one was bigger, more aggressive, shared the same appearance save for a second pair of claws above its main pair on the front paws.
The final Grimm was humanoid, stood around 6'1, black body with bone white plating running down its spiked limbs that resembled a praying mantis' gleamed in the light, had the face of a crab but more demonic with a twin set of mandibles full of serrations and glowing red eyes. Its name was Wraith due to its unworldly appearance.
Xavier deployed Gemini, "How many types of Grimm are there?"
Draco said, "Who knows." He draws his shotgun, cocking it. Yumi pulls out Hermes and Rena draws Scarlet.
Rena advised, "Be careful. These Grimm look tougher than any we faced before." The Minotaur charges her, grabbing the faunus. Its massive hand almost completely engulfing Rena's head. It next drags it into the ground leaving a dirt trail in its wake. Rena grabs the Minotaur's arm to pry her face free but the Grimm's grip was tight. Eyeing a hill directly ahead the Minotaur switches its grip to the faunus' leg, slamming her on the ground back and forth eight times before throwing her into the hill. Hard. An explosion of rock ensues upon impact then buries Rena. The faunus emeges from the wreckage barely hurt.
She mocked, "Come on, is that all you got?" The Minotaur bellows loud and runs at her, ax raised. Rena brings Scarlet up to block the attack.
The faunus falls to one knee from the force of the impact, actually struggling to repel the Minotaur's ax that was slowly getting closer to her face. The Minotaur throws an uppercut rocketing Rena away she jumps to her feet the Grimm is upon her and Rena parries each of the Minotaur's strikes generating sparks. Seeing an opening the one-eyed faunus swings her blade sideways stumbling the Minotaur and slices the Grimm across the chest. However, it shows no reaction and its wound steams before closing.
Rena blinked in surprise, "What? A Grimm with regenerative capabilities? Is this a new trait of them?" The Minotaur bellows loud and blocks a stab for its chest grabbing hold of Scarlet, not bothered at the feeling of it tearing into its flesh. It retaliates with a side swipe hitting Rena's jaw though her aura takes the hit. She is sent flying, rolling on the ground. Rena gets back up. Looking at her opponent she tightens the grip on Scarlet.
Draco struggles to land hits on his opponent. Whatever this Human-Grimm is, it was quick dodging each of his shots. It flashes in front of him, yellow eyes widen as he uses Judgment to block a strike. He decides to call it this Onryo due to the vengeful vibes that radiate off of it. He also discovers this Grimm can morph her arms into various melee weapons. Her current choice is barbed tentacles and she's using them with lethal efficiency surprising the dragon faunus. He suddenly feels them wrap around his feet and lifts him up then slams him down to the ground hard eyes wide to full capacity as the air's knocked out of him. His aura takes the brunt of the hit. He feels the Onryo repeat the attack each time taking out more of his aura. After the upteemth time he feels the attack cease but then he rolls to the left evading the barb tips of the Onryo's tentacles stabbing the ground where Draco lied moments ago. The Human-Grimm wraps one tentacle around his shotgun and rips it out of his hands landing somewhere. He sees the Onryo lick her lips. It appears in front of the dragon faunus within one second catching Draco off guard and lunges forward, mouth open, round teeth morphing into razor-sharp triangular teeth. Draco sidesteps the bite attempts then sees the barbed tentacles coming for him causing Draco to catch the tentacles. Onryo zooms in, mouth still open and clamps down on his shoulder causing him to grunt as he feels the teeth pierce his flesh, his aura long since depleted. Letting go of the tentacles he grabs the Human-Grimm's mouth trying to pry her jaws loose but that leaves him vulnerable as the barbs of her tentacles dig into his shoulders sending more daggers of pain through him. Onryo next pushes the dragon faunus to the ground, straddling him. She pulls her jaws free licking the blood off its razor-sharp teeth before looking at him with a predatory grin. She brings her face forward looking to tear his flesh when Draco activates his semblance slashing her across her pale face prompting Onryo to release her hold on him covering her wounded face with the now human hands. Retrieving his shotgun Draco unloads on his opponent.
He said, "You're not eating me, demon bitch." Draco targets the Human-Grimm's legs followed by both arms, rendering her a helpless quadriplegic.
Walking up to the helpless foe Draco places the barrel in Onryo's mouth and pulls the trigger, the unwordly creature's brains splatter on the ground. Judgment's barrel smokes until Draco blows it away.
He pulled out his scroll to check his aura, finding it regenerating far slower than usual, "Why isn't it recovering? Could that monster have some kind of venom that effects a person's aura?" Squishing sounds catch Draco's attention, whipping around he looks on with utter surprise on his face as the monster regenerates, regrowing its limbs and skull, bone and all. After skin finishes covering her face Onryo's eyes snap open testing her neck's movement, hearing it pop.
Draco swore, "What the fuck?" Sending a fiendish grin his way Onryo's morphs its arms into blades. It charges him moving faster, attacking with more aggression.
Was it toying with him earlier?
Draco uses his shotgun to block incoming strikes.
With his own opponent Xavier parries slashing attacks from Ruugon. It rushes toward his blindspot and Xavier grunts loudly feeling the Grimm's claws rake against his back even with his aura. Spinning on his heel the ox faunus lands an uppercut followed by a hard punch to the chest launching Ruugon. Recovering the Grimm digs its claws into the ground halting its movement. Snarling with its teeth bared it runs at Xavier mouth opening. Xavier meets it halfway grabbing hold of its jaws, veins pertrude out of his arms from the exertion. Ruugon pushes forward despite the ox faunus' best efforts Xavier then notices his opponent about to rake its claws against his chest so he breaks his hold on the jaws to stop the attack. The claws scrape against Gemini turning the gauntlets a bright orange. Ruugon looks to bite down on Xavier's chest when the ox faunus punches shattering some of its sharp teeth unleashing an enraged howl the Grimm attacks quicker.
'He's pissed.' The ox faunus thought, taken back by his opponent's aggression.
Yumi struggles to keep up with Wraith's unorthodoxic attacks, her aura close to red. While her small size and speed makes the wolf faunus a hard target she can't go toe to toe with physically stronger opponents. She's faced several close calls. Yumi gasps as one of the bizarre Grimm's spiked arms hits her in the side causing her to roll on the ground as her aura shatters rendering her vulnerable to physical harm. She struggles to get up after the attack, getting to one knee when Wraith towers over her spiked arm raised. Yumi jumps to evade but the sickle-like blades that line the inner part of the arm slices half of Yumi's right wolf ear off making her scream into the air. She rolls on the ground moaning and holding the halfway severed body part. Distracted by her pain she fails to react as Wraith's arms cut into her ripping more screams out of her. She's soon laying on the ground twitching from the pain and bleeding cuts on her body. She opens one eye to see the Grimm eating the severed part of her wolf ear. She needs to get away and hide. With a surge of adrenaline she takes off accidently dropping Hermes.
Rena spots the Minotaur swinging its ax Rena blocks it with Scarlet. With her aura now depleted she relies on her armor and durability. Roaring the Minotaur throws a right hook Rena brings her blade up to stop the attack, the force behind it sends the one-eyed faunus rolling backward until she recovers stabbing her blade into the ground to cease her momentum. Bruises line her beautiful face and it stings every time she takes a breath.
'Man, this Grimm's tough. None of the other species proved being this tough save for the Gloom Widow we encountered with Team RUST. Every time I cut into the Minotaur it simply regenerates. Could it be...invincible? No, don't think that way, Rena. Every opponent has a weak point.' She thought.
She runs at her opponent activating her semblance. The Minotaur sees her coming and raises its ax to meet her attack. However, it's a feint designed to fool it Rena jumps over the Grimm landing a short distance behind it. She next stabs her claymore sword into the ground, a pentagram forms under the Grimm eveloping it in a pillar of fire seconds later. Rena keeps the attack going for a good two minutes then quits.
She wondered, "Did that do it?" A look of disbelief formed on the normally stoic faunus' face, "What the hell?!" The Minotaur stands there unaffected save for the steam coming off of its body. It flashes her a mocking grin.
Rena said, "No way, that's my strongest attack!" She removes any doubt forming in her mind thinking up a new approach.
The Minotaur runs over to her location ax poised Rena parries the attack then the Minotaur swings its ax again, striking her with the broad side of it. Quickly walking over to its downed opponent the Minotaur places its hooved foot on Rena's breast plating and starts pressing down, testing the metal. Rena struggles to remove it. She suddenly feels the Grimm rip her breast plate off, the straps ripping like they were sheets of paper. Rena backs up as the ax slams into the ground where she was seconds ago. She parries until one hit knocks Scarlet out of Rena's grip, the blade spinning in the air then rolls on the ground with a loud clank. She feels the ax dig into her chest cavity breaking a few ribs close to her sternum. Clenching her teeth to bite down the scream of pain working its way up Rena grabs the handle of the ax and tries pulling it out but the Minotaur twists it.
All of a sudden she stops struggling making the Minotaur cock its head at the unexpected behavior. Moments later, armored hands clamp down on the Minotaur's arm the creature shrieking in pain as the limb begins to heat up quickly. Rena slowly gets up lifting her head for the Minotaur to see her eyes, both her remaining and missing one ablaze.
The one-eyed faunus releases a concentrated burst of energy knocking the Minotaur off its feet. Rena extends one arm to the side a lengthy, red, serrated chain forms. She thrusts the arm holding the chain at the Minotaur, wrapping it around the beast's right forearm and pulls hard, slicing and ripping the limb off. Rena next switches to a sword that had an overlapping curved crossguard with an unknown crest in the middle, the sword itself was mostly dark gray with pulsating red veins running along the length of the broad sides. Ethereal red flames outlined with black lightning appear covering the blade. The crackling increases in volume. The one-eyed faunus raises the sword above her head and with a mighty swing thrusts it down sending an arc of ethereal flame the Minotaur's way slicing the rest of the beast's arm off. As the Grimm roars in pain, Rena bolts toward it a blue mist forming in her hand. She clamps it down on the Minotaur's face ice quickly covers it head to toe. Placing both hands on the blade Rena drives her weapon into the target's stomach, cracks form quickly spreading as energy builds up. She turns the blade sideways like some key. The accumilating energy reaches a critical point and explodes, blowing the Minotaur to smithereens. Its remains burn. The sheer force of the explosion sends Rena careening on her back tearing her shirt until she stabs her mysterious sword into the ground to halt her momentum. After the induced wind dies down Rena stands up, wincing at the aggrevation of her wound remembering the ax still in her chest cavity. A weapon that soon vaporizes along with the charred remains of the Minotaur. She figths the pain shooting through her.
'Damn that was tough. It's true, Grimm do become stronger and wiser as they age. But that Minotaur isn't in the history books.' Rena thought.
With Xavier he feels Ruugon rake its claws across his chest tearing through his tank top. He needs to end this, looking at his gauntlets the ox faunus finds they're fully charged. He normally doesn't finish a Grimm off but his life is on the line and will make an exception.
Slamming his fists together, he activates his semblance. Running at his opponent Xavier cocks one fist back then slams it into the Grimm's left front clawed paw, shattering the bones. He next breaks all of the ribs on the right side of the ribcage hard enough to knock Ruugon onto its side. The last thing it sees is Xavier's raised fist before it's driven through the skull ending the Grimm's life. The body twitches and vaporizes around his arm.
Draco watches the Onryo's arms morph into barbed tentacles separating into three limbs.
He wondered, "How many melee weapons can this thing change its arms into?" He feels blood seep from cuts on his cheek.
Onryo thrusts one tentacled arm at Draco who uses Judgment to knock the lethal weapons away then retaliates, shooting fire Dust at the Human-Grimm sidestepping counterattacks. He targets the monster's eyes Onryo shrieks in pain. He jumps back to reload. Moving to offense Draco watches the direction his opponent's barbed tentacles are coming from and times his shots. He shoots at Onryo's eyes again, the Human-Grimm shrieks once more feeling the fire burn the sensitive tissue. Seizing the opportunity the dragon faunus runs forward by the time Onryo recovers from the attack it sees Draco in front of her semblance activated and rakes a clawed hand across her face, blinding her. He next pins her to the ground and starts tearing her apart, body parts and tendrils fly up into the air. By the time Draco ends his attack Onryo resembles a mauled corpse. He waits a few minutes to see if the body regenerates and to his relief it doesn't. He uses the creature's battle kimono to wipe the blood off his hands.
He meets up with Xavier.
Draco asked, "You triumphed?"
Xavier nodded, "Yes. That Ruugon was nasty. Never a dull a moment with us, huh?"
Draco shook his head, "Not at all. Where's Yumi?"
Xavier answered, "Don't know, better go look for her." They search the area when the ox faunus spots Hermes.
Draco said, "Please don't tell me..."
Xavier points his finger at a blood trail prompting them after Draco picks up Yumi's weapon. They soon spot Wraith raising its spiked limb to finish Yumi.
Wraith feels fire Dust connect with the back of its head causing it to look at them.
Draco called out, "Get away from her!"
Xaiver said, "Distract it!" The dragon faunus shoots while Xavier breaks the Grimm's legs. Even an injured Grimm is still very dangerous. Walking up to Wraith's face Xavier cocks his fist and smashes it through the Grimm's skull, killing it.
Draco commented, "Never thought I'd see the day you take out a Grimm, Xavier."
The ox faunus replied, "Made an exception this time. Let's get Yumi to a hospital immediately." Draco feels something approaching them from behind and whips around to see Onryo lunging at them.
Draco said, "Are you kidding me? Why won't you die?" The Human-Grimm suddenly gets enveloped by a massive fireball, producing an ear-rattling screech as its body is consumed by flames. Once the seemingly unkillable monster is gone, the fireball shrinks then sizzles out of existance. Looking at who saved them the faunus duo see Rena standing there, one arm extended, the other holding her chest plating and Scarlet in its scabbard again. They see flames surrounding her eyes.
Xavier asked, "What's with the flaming eye trick?"
Rena ignored it as the flames around her eyes vanished, "Doesn't matter. Where's Yumi?"
Draco replied, "Need to get her to a hospital. She's losing blood."
Xavier said, "It'll take days for us to reach by foot." The team rushes to the truck, Draco hops into the driver seat turning the key in turn starting the engine.
Rena sits in the passenger seat while Xavier sits in the back holding Yumi.
Draco ordered, "Fasten your seat belts, we're heading out." After following his instruction the three other faunus hang on as Draco steps on the gas, dirt being kicked before the truck speeds through the dirt heading to the Vale border.
Yumi said, "Xavier...everything's growing dark."
Xavier told her, "Don't you give up on us, Yumi. You hear? Stay with us!" After a tense venture through the border, they reach Vale City, stopping at the nearest hospital.
They quickly hop out and run through the entry doors, alerting the medical staff.
That evening the faunus team recovers after surgery, the group taking turns visiting Yumi.
According to the doctors, the team was fortunate they came. Just a little bit longer and Yumi would've died from blood loss and infection. Currently the wolf faunus is resting, the beeping of monitors break the silence.
Xavier was the least injured but the doctor said the slashes on his chest were deeper than expecting it was a miracle the Ruugan's claws didn't sever any blood vessels. Though the surgery was a success the doctor said there'll be scarring on his chest. The ox faunus thanks him anyway.
Draco's injuries required stitching but they weren't like Yumi's.
Rena needed to have surgery on her ribs, setting metal plates on her ribs and connecting them to her sternum while they heal as well as remove bone fragments that landed on her heart. She was told it was a miracle the ax didn't go any deeper. In addition, they had to remove any infected tissue before it could spread. She was given some pain killers to help with the pain.
She's currently laying in her hospital bed watching some random soap opera when her scroll rings, grabbing it from the nightstand. Looking at the caller ID she sees it being Ashton Fall.
Rena answered, "Yes?"
Ashton greeted, "Hello, Rena. You doing okay?"
The one-eyed faunus said, "I've seen worse."
Ashton said, "I'm in Vale currently taking a break. I heard about what happened."
Rena asked, "How?"
The informant grinned on the other end, "I was at a bar earlier and two members of the Vale Council were there one being Kyle Lock. I dug up information about him and must say it's very illuminating. Turns out Kyle Lock is the cousin of Azule. You know, that man you killed. Before you ask how I know about the latter whispers about it circulated throughout the kingdoms. News about his death flooded the headlines of the news networks, investigators said he was brutally murdered. Your reputation as the One-Eyed Devil is well-earned."
'Looks like the mission my team just completed was retaliation. We barely escaped our execution. I don't have regrets, the fool had it coming.' Rena thought.
Ashton continued, "You don't need to worry about the hospital bills. The Vale Council is paying for them as compensation and they wrote your team a letter of apology for Kyle's actions. They were appalled by it. Well, half of the council. Anyway, I've made sure Kyle doesn't pull that shit again."
Rena heard a door closing on the scroll, "Where you at currently?"
Ashton replied, "Just stepped outside of the apartment complex Kyle's living at. I followed him there. I'm giving him a little going away present."
Rena asked, "Really? Is it nice?"
Ashton's voice grew slightly darker, "Of course, beautiful." She next hears a beep followed by a loud explosion.
The one-eyed faunus said, "That was satisfying."
Ashton told her, "I took it upon myself to get rid of Kyle Lock so you wouldn't have to. The apartment complex is mostly empty at the moment so casualties should be minimal. We'll be in touch. Good-bye." He ends the call.
'That's one problem taken cared of. Although where did Ashton get that bomb?' Rena thought.
She hears the door to her room open Smith enters.
He hugged his daughter, "I heard what happened. You okay?"
Rena said, "Of course, father."
Smith looked her over, "You sure?"
Rena assured, "Father, relax. I've been through worse."
Smith told her, "That doesn't stop me from worrying about you!" He sighed afterward, "You need to be careful. If you don't, you'll end up severely injured or dead."
Rena said, "Broken ribs are nothing for me. I've suffered far worse. Can you do something for me?"
Her father asked, "What is it?"
Rena grabbed her breast plating from the left side of her bed showing it to her adopted father, "The straps were ripped off during battle. Could you replace them, please?"
Smith took it, "I can. Got some new straps recently developed by Atlas." A few days later the team is released from the hospital. The group notices Yumi back to her cheery self.
Xavier said, "Hey, Draco, what's up with your face?"
Draco blinked, "What do you mean?" The dragon faunus pulled out his scroll using the inactive screen as a mirror, "What the hell?" The reflection staring back at him takes Draco aback.
His pupils were now slits, scales dotted his cheeks and hands and lethal claws pertruded from his fingertips similar to when he used his semblance.
Yumi asked, "When did that happen?"
Draco placed the scroll back in his pocket, "Last night, I guess. My father told me when I was a kid that somewhere in my teens, I would don more physical traits of my race. I brushed it off thinking it was a joke. Guess not."
Yumi commented, "I think it looks good on you."
Draco queried, "You think so?"
The wolf faunus gave him a cheerful smile with a giggle, "Mm-hm."
Rena said, "We need to head for my father's shop. He's likely done with replacing the straps to my breast plating." The four venture through Vale city until they see a hanging sign titled "Schwartz's Forge." They open the door hearing the bell chime alerting Rena's father.
He walked into view, "Hi, Rena. I was expecting you." He held up the item, "Here. The straps are made out of the finest materials Atlas had to offer. Whoever made this armor did a fantasic job. It only suffered cosmetic damage. No dents, no tears, nothing." Rena accepts the breast plating, setting her claymore sword on the ground before putting the breast plating on and with Xavier's help tightened the straps to secure the armor piece. Rena re-equips her blade.
Smith walked up to his adopted daughter, hugging her, "Please be careful."
Rena said, "We will, father." She breaks the hold and the team heads for the door, exiting one by one.
Xavier looked over his shoulder, "Maybe you should look for someone, Smith. With your daughter gone so much, has to be lonely here."
Smith smiled, "Yeah, it can be lonely but I have the city to explore. Who knows? Maybe I'll run into some attractive young women."
Xavier gave him a thumbs-up, "If you do, make sure she's spoiled."
The human laughed, "Since when did you become a date advisor?"
Xavier said, "Never. Just thought I'd throw you an idea so you won't be so lonely."
Smith shrugged, "Thanks for the offer. It's generous of you."
The ox faunus assured, "Don't worry about Rena she's got us. See you again sometime, Smith. Don't push yourself too hard."
Smith waved him off in a friendly manner, "Yeah, yeah. Go on, get outta here." Xavier lowers his head to exit the blacksmith shop, closing the door behind him.
The faunus team walks through the streets of Vale City.
Rena said, "We'll rest here for the night. We should also restock on supplies."
Draco agreed, "Yeah. I'll stop by Dust 'Til Dawn for ammo." Xavier hoists Yumi onto his shoulders earning him a cute giggle from the wolf faunus as she holds his arms.
Yumi told them, "Onward, my friends." On the other side of Vale City Ashton wanders the streets when he is surrounded by a group of thugs.
The leader said, "What's with the outfit? You doing a play or something?"
Ashton lowered his hood, popping his knuckles, "Oh? Think you can beat me with numbers? If you think you can, go ahead and try." Seeing the thugs charge at once a toothy grin forms while his bright amber eyes glow with excitement. The next thing anyone hears is fists flying, groaning and Ashton taunting him even throwing colorful language at his opponents. Two minutes later the attackers are laying on the ground, covered in bruses, bloody noses or missing teeth. As for Ashton he walks away counting the lien he obtained.
He commented, "You boys were loaded for a bunch of low-life punks."
The leader glared at the retreating figure seething, "You bastard! I'll kill you!" He rushes toward Ashton only to feel the young Fall mule kick him in the privates, stopping the thug dead in his tracks. His face turns blue from the crippling pain and drops to his knees clutching his privates.
Ashton turned and squatted down to his attacker's level grabbing his face with a mocking smile, "Consider yourself lucky I'm letting you fools off easy. However..." His smile turned deadly with equally deadly glowing eyes, "...pray we do not meet again. If we do, I won't be as merciful."
The thug started, "You fucking..." He gets cut off by Ashton's boot slamming into his face hard.
Ashton resumed walking away, "Might wanna put some ice on your balls for a while." He leaves the groaning thugs.
That night everything's quiet.
Team RXDY rests at a hotel a good distance from Beacon Academy.
'We barely escaped our execution. But nobody said the life of a mercenary wouldn't be without serious risk. Although, why was Rena's eyes ablaze? I'll ask her tommorow.' Draco thought.
The dragon faunus closes his eyes, letting sleep take him.
A/N: Chapter 12 done. This one took me a while.
Here the team faced a group of Grimm and almost lost their lives as a result. Had to up the difficulty including for Rena.
It's later discovered it was a hit job by Kyle Lock, the cousin of Azule that Rena killed. However, Ashton took it upon himself to make sure Kyle Lock doesn't cause Team RXDY any more trouble.
Read and review.
Stay tuned for chapter 13.
Vader 23A