Chapter 17: Saving a Village
Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, I only own my OCs.
Team RXDY
Rena and her team mates finish eating a hearty breakfast in a village north of Mistral. They're currently at an outdoor dining table.
An ad appears on Rena's scroll, making Yumi stare at it.
She read, "The 40th Vytal Festival is being hosted at Vale this year. Book your tickets now."
Xavier swallowed the last of his orange juice, "I used to watch those as a kid. Academies from different kingdoms would pick their top teams and battle in a series of rounds with the winner holding the trophy and glory."
Yumi asked, "Just fame and a trophy? That's it?"
Xavier confirmed, "That's it."
Draco stated, "Too bad we don't attend one of the academies. We'd dominate the others."
Xavier told his friend, "Easy there. That kind of talk will get your ass kicked."
Draco leveled a playful glare at the ox faunus, "Come on, admit it, you'd love to get some of that action. You don't show it but you enjoy a good fight."
Xavier laughed, "Hahaha, only when it doesn't involve pointless ass kicking."
Draco asked his team leader, "What about you, Rena? Would you get in that action?"
Rena calmly sipped her water, "Trophies are lame."
Draco gave the thumbs-down, "Booo! You're no fun."
Yumi searched for the date, "Hmm, the festival starts next month. Should we go see it?"
Rena said, "Depends on our demand."
Xavier stood up, "If you'll excuse me, I need to use the restroom. I'll be back in a minute." While he ventures inside the restaurant to use the restroom, Yumi looks at the date on her team leader's scroll and realizes their four year anniversary of the team forming is today making her think of a way to celebrate.
Draco rose to his feet, "We should use the restroom as well." The group enters the respective restrooms to take care of business. Once that is finished the trio return to see the check paid courtesy of Xavier.
He said, "Well, comrades, let's move out."
Draco asked, "What's our next mission, boss?"
Rena said, "None, actually. No missions have come in. We're free today."
Yumi stated, "I know what we can I do." The three looked at her but the wolf faunus stuck her tongue out playfully, "But I'm not telling, it's a surprise." Xavier and Draco face fault while Rena shows no reaction.
The team walks through town hearing gossip from the villagers they walk past.
One said, "Isn't that the mercenary faunus team we keep hearing about?"
Another confirmed, "Yes, it is. I heard they took down some giant Grimm called Ishtar. It was worshiped by some cult. That's badass!"
The first said, "I'm shocked they don't attend any of the academies, they'd be the top of their class easily."
His friend added, "Do you see that wolf faunus? She's so adorable, makes me want to keep her!"
The first villager stated, "Uh dude, you might want to back off on that. Can't you see who's leading them? That's Rena Schwartz, the One-Eyed Devil. She's very protective of her team." Draco and Xavier hear the female crowd fawning over them.
One of them stated, "That ox faunus has such a calm aura around him. Look at those muscles. It's like he was chiseled out of stone." Xavier laughs internally, since that is his last name.
Her companion said, "Look at the other. That's a dragon faunus."
The first female gasped, "What? No way! I thought they were wiped out."
Her friend said, "Well, obviously not. Those scales on him add to his enigmatic species. They must be cool to the touch. And those eyes." The faunus team continues onward passing a shady figure. After memorizing where they went the man pulls out his scroll and contacting someone.
The team reach a supply store and enter but Draco stays outside. Meanwhile, on the roof of the tallest building in the village overlooking the district a gunman aims his weapon at the dragon faunus.
He contacted, "You won't believe who's been spotted. It's those mercenaries who have caused our network grief."
His leader said, "Well, today is our lucky day. My men are en-route. They won't leave here alive. You are cleared to fire." With the go-ahead, the gunman cocks the gun and takes aim.
Xavier, Yumi and Rena step out after the ox faunus purchased a backpack to hold his sketchbook, drawing pencil and eraser, coloring pencils, sharpener and notebook since he believes writing down the Grimm encounters his team faces along with the identity of each one will provide valuable information for the academies and expand their knowledge of the seemingly endless variety of Grimm.
Yumi's wolf ears shoot up in alert, sensing danger.
She yelled, "Move!" She pushes the others with enough force seconds before a bullet impacts the ground she was standing at moments ago carving a hole in it. They dodge a second round.
Draco realized, "Sniper! Quick, find cover!" The faunus team scrambles to escape the sniper's line of sight evading shots, Yumi almost trips but catches herself and keeps running.
Soon the sniper lost sight of them, prompting him to inform his superior via scroll, "They're heading southeast toward the grocery district. They'll be there shortly."
Another human replied, "Copy that. We're in position." Team RXDY reaches the shopping district spanning every direction.
Rena informed, "Stay alert for surprise attacks." A yell catches their attention whipping around they spot a suicide bomber running toward them with a vest full of explosives attached to a wired remote detonator. Draco steps in front of his team leader aiming Perses. He pulls the trigger the concentrated beam of fire Dust screams out of the barrel and hits the suicide bomber head-on blasting a hole in his head. In his final moments of life his thumb presses the button, detonating the bomb vest killing everyone in the vicinity and triggering panic. Pedestrians run from the blast site.
Xavier said, "We need to get these people out of here!" They hear a whirring noise and slowly a man wielding a handheld minigun approaches.
Draco ordered, "Run!" The team bolts when the gunman opens fire ripping apart anyone unlucky enough to still be in the area and grocery stands. The gunman stops firing when his quarry isn't visible. He patrols what used to be a grocery area.
He said, "Come out, faunus. Judgment Day is here." Yumi uses her semblance to get behind the human leaping onto his back, slitting his throat. She uses him as a springboard to escape, twirling in the air and landing gracefully on her feet in front of the deceased man. She sniffs the air picking up the scent of more hostiles. She heads out to find them.
Draco leads a group of civilians to safety when he spots an enemy pointing an RPG and fires. He intercepts it with a round from Perses.
Seeing the window of a door to a nearby building he pointed at it to the civilians, "Get in there! Move it!"
A young man in his late 20s leads the others to it and opens the door that is conveniently unlocked. All of them enter and the young man closes and locks the door.
Draco sees the terrorist reloading his RPG and shoots the weapon out of his hands. Not deterred the enemy pulls out an odachi then charges, Draco switches his shotgun to ax form waiting for his opponent, anxious to test his redesigned weapon. The enemy swings his odachi while Draco stands there and lifts Perses to block, his eyes briefly gazing at the marking on the man's neck. The terrorist doesn't let up throwing a sequence of strikes that the dragon faunus thwarts. Ducking a beheading attempt he presses Perses in the enemy's chest and fires, launching the human. The terrorist's back skids on the ground then kick-ups glaring at Draco whose weapon is back in its ax form.
He gave the bring it gesture, "Come at me, bro." The terrorist charges with a yell running at top speed. Draco tilts Perses to the side pointed toward the ground, the challenger raises the odachi overhead then slams it down to meet Perses halfway a sneer etched on the terrorist's face as a mean of intimidating but Draco, having seen things far scarier, isn't effected.
Elsewhere, Xavier stares at a mountain of muscle standing around his height, tanned skin, brown eyes, black hair, a shattered skull tattoo rested on his left shoulder, ripped physique, wore a black tank top, charcoal gray jeans, thick gloves covered his hands and camouflage boots. A look of sinister glee dons his face.
He cackled, "Your head will look good mounted on my wall."
Xavier said, "I'm giving you the opportunity to turn yourself in, Black Star terrorist. If you fight me, the outcome won't end in your favor. I won't be held responsible if you die at my hands."
The opponent flashed a sinister smile, "How naive of you. Do you really believe after what you did to our network we'd just take it lying down? Fool. Come fight me, faunus!" He enters his fighting stance with one arm facing Xavier and the other behind his back and crouches down slightly with his legs mirroring his arms.
Xavier balled his fists causing Gemini to deploy, "I tried to warn you. Sometimes people have to learn the hard way, huh?" The ox faunus enters his own stance with fists held out in front and the dominant foot held back in preparation for movement. The opponent rushes at him cocking his fist back then thrusts it forward.
Xavier catches the fist grabbing the outstretched arm before throwing the human over him, landing him on his back. The Black Star terrorist rolls to the left seconds before a fist slams into the ground. The two exchange blows with Xavier slamming his elbow into the back of the man's head the enemy whips around to feel an uppercut to the chin staggering his foe. The terrorist named Baron unleashes a series of rapid strikes that Xavier blocks his gauntlets absorbing the strikes then counters with a right hook. The ox faunus parries a counter punch with his forearm then slams his right fist into Baron's face knocking the human off his feet chaining it with a hard kick to the stomach lifting Baron off the ground rolling. To the human, it feels like someone drove a sledgehammer into him.
He glared at Xavier as he got up, "You're a powerhouse. It appears I have underestimated you." The ox faunus avoids each of his strikes with footwork and backhands the fool then throws a sequence of punches into Baron's chest finishing with an uppercut.
Xavier advised, "This is your last chance, Baron. Turn yourself in."
Baron snarled, "Fuck you, faunus!" They rush toward each other trading blows until Baron rams into Xavier pushing him into a wall prompting the ox faunus to cover up when he feels Baron grab hold of his horns and starts spinning to gain momentum then releases sending Xavier crashing into a massive boulder on the opposite side. Cracks litter the rock as Xavier peels himself free.
He commented, "Gonna be feeling that tomorrow." Baron runs at him, Xavier sidesteps and slams Baron's face into the cracked boulder, bouncing his skull off of it repeatedly and punches him down to the ground with a punch to the crown of Baron's head. The human returns to his feet glaring at Xavier who readies himself for more.
In the middle of a deserted outdoor eating area Rena defends herself against vicious swings from the second in command of the Black Star Terrorist organization named Adra. She ducks a beheading attempt, leans back to escape a jab.
The Bull Shark faunus stood around Rena's height, had gray skin on top and white on bottom, black eyes, looked to be in his early 30s, possessed a lean build, wore a black tunic with blood splat patterns, black leggings and brown boots.
She locks blades with her opponent's jian, black eyes filled with rage at the faunus.
He seethed, "You ruined everything! Ever since I became Azule's successor the whole network has been falling apart. Infighting, self-doubt, resignations, fear of being hunted down, all of this because of what you did!"
Rena said, "Azule should have stayed in prison. But did he? No, he hired someone to use mind control semblance on my team mates to kill one another. Guess what? The man failed. You think I'd let this slide? Not only did you try recruiting children but you attempted to blow up Oscura Academy. You failed. To make sure your organization got the point I infiltrated the base Azule was in, slaughtering everyone inside until I found the man, which I succeeded. We fought. I won, he lost." Her eyes light up activating her maiden powers, she frees one hand extending it.
A pillar of rock emerges from the ground behind Adra and Rena backs up which confuses him until he turns around eyes widen as the pillar tumbles onto him. A mighty crash rings through the air as Adra pulls himself free of the rubble aura flickering. The flames around Rena's eyes disappear.
He wobbled on his feet, "Damn you, faunus! You belong in the Dust mines not walking freely."
Rena advanced to him, "Egotistical pig." She threw a hard punch knocking Adra back down, "You won't live to see the end of this day." Adra jumps to his feet and runs toward Rena swinging his jian in rage-fueled strikes that the one-eyed faunus thwarts with little effort. Adra frees one hand to punch her that Rena catches however the man whacks her on the temple with the hilt of his blade.
He feels Rena drive her fist into his stomach, spit flies out of his mouth along with a choked grunt. He next feels Rena's hand wrap around his face slamming the Bull Shark faunus to the ground, even with his broad head now stuck in the vice-like grip Adra glares at Rena.
She stated, "There are those who place their foot down and say fuck you! Guess what you're looking at them." She brutally throws Adra into a light post a loud metallic clang sounds when bone meets steel.
Adra laughed, "Passionate speech, faunus. No matter how many corrupt individuals your team defeats another will take their place." He got up coughing, "Although that's quite a punch you got there. For a woman. Ah, did I hit a nerve?" They run at each other blades clashing and exchanging blows.
Adra reaches out with one hand and Rena jumps back to escape a grapple attempt. The shark faunus dashes forward making Rena back-peddle while keeping her opponent's jian at bay. Rena connects a right hook to the jaw followed by a kick to the temple. Adra no-sells the kick and counters with grabbing her foot and slamming her back and forth against the ground then switches to seizing her by the throat with his free hand. Clenching the hilt of his jian tight, Adra points it sideways cocking the fist back and punches Rena square in the face. The one-eyed faunus skids on the ground, stabbing Scarlet into the pavement to halt her movement, coming to a stop in a crouched position. Leveling her gaze at Adra the combatants ready themselves for more. Freeing her claymore from the pavement they charge each other again swinging their blades. They strike simultaneously canceling their attack but quickly recover and look to nail the other when Rena spins on the heel of her boot bringing Scarlet for a horizontal swipe. The force behind it launches him to the ground. Rena charges forward and points her claymore at Adra looking to stab him in the chest. Adra catches it with his free hand gritting his serrated teeth. The one-eyed faunus presses her blade downward cutting into the skin of his hand until he plants both feet into Rena's breast plate and pushes her back the one-eyed faunus lands on her feet glaring. Adra stands up teeth still bared.
He snarled, "You won't live to see the end of this day. Even if it means these people die with you!" Rena activates her maiden power making Adra lock eyes with her. What he doesn't know is that's what the Winter Maiden wants.
She bombards him with rocks further annoying Adra. After recovering from the final rock the Bull Shark faunus is struck by a red beam of magical energy, the force of it pushing Adra into a nearby building. Adra opens his eyes to witness a fireball screaming towards him and detonating on impact. Rena waits for her opponent to get up knowing he isn't finished yet.
The Bull Shark faunus emerges from the rubble.
He breathed, "You...won't escape. You hear me, monster? You...will die...here." They resume their dance of swords when Adra wraps his arms around Rena in a bear hug intending on crushing her spine.
Rena release a burst of her aura freeing herself causing more frustration to build inside Adra.
He growled, "What the hell are you?"
Rena twirled Scarlet then pointed it at her opponent, "Your judge, jury and executioner." They run at each other again the one-eyed faunus spinning on the heel of her boot bringing Scarlet to bear. Adra locks his elbows to his sides halting the attack Rena frees one hand balling it and nails a right hook, staggering the Bull Shark faunus. The warriors continue fighting with Adra unable to bypass Rena's staunch defense while she nails counters. Switching to offense Rena swings her claymore in tight circles hammering at her opponent's defense. A strong one-arm uppercut with Scarlet knocks the rest of Adra's aura out then strikes him in the abdomen with the pommel. She next slams his face into her knee and a hard kick to the temple knocks Adra off his feet.
She said, "When you have fought in countless battles…" She sliced off his sword arm earning a scream of pain from him, "Nothing fazes you." She feels Adra's rage saturating the air to the point of suffocation.
If this keeps up it'll attract Grimm like moths to a flame.
Adra said, "You bitch!" He grabs the jian placing it in his remaining hand and charges.
Rena parries his attacks until she exploits an opening ripping the jian out of his hand and a diagonal slash leaves a deep cut in the Bull Shark faunus' chest, choked grunts escape him. He stands on wobbly legs when a kick to the chin sends Adra onto his back again.
Rena towered over him, "As I said, you won't live to see the end of this day. You or your network will pose a threat to my team no longer." Adra lays there bleeding out.
He panted, "Your sins will catch up to you. It's only a matter of time before it comes back to bite you in the ass."
Rena raised Scarlet in both hands, "Azule's in hell. Go join him." She drives her claymore into Adra's chest cavity, the Bull Shark faunus screams in pain when he feels Rena activate her semblance turning his body to charcoal. A passing wind carries the ashes away. Rena pulls Scarlet out of the ground while the sickening scent of burnt flesh hits her nose. Now, she needs to find the sniper. She takes off in search of her next target little does she or the team know their battle is being recorded by a group of teenagers who foolishly stayed behind to watch them go to work, using their invisibility semblance to remain unseen and record the fight using their scrolls.
'We're going to get huge hits on this. Oh, yeah.' The teenager thought, giving chase to Rena wanting to record as much as he can.
Draco whacks his opponent on the back of his head, sending the Black Star terrorist to his hands and knees. The dragon faunus grips the handle of his two-headed ax shotgun.
He said, "Batter up!" He slams Perses into the man's chin making him reverse roll on the ground.
The two have been duking it out for a while and to Draco's surprise, the young human's endurance was incredible. But he knows it won't be much longer now. Spotting the terrorist running at him, Draco retracts the blades of Perses and nails him in his manhood halting the man dead in his tracks. His face turns blue and falls to his knees clutching his privates failing to react in time when Draco strikes him in the face with his foot. The terrorist's aura is down.
Still crippled by the pain in his groin he lifts his head to see Draco aiming Perses back in its gun form loading a fire Dust round.
Draco said, "You're terminated, fucker!" He pulls the trigger blowing the opponent's head to smithereens, gray matter staining the ground.
Xavier punches Baron in the cheek and uppercuts him. Baron's face is bruised and one eye is purple and nearly swollen shut. Xavier has a few bruises himself but other than that he's fine. His gauntlets glow white hot from the use of his semblance. Baron gets up yelling at the ox faunus, fist cocked. Xavier sidesteps driving his elbow into the back of Baron's head. Baron whips around for a counterattack when Xavier punches him in the ribs hard sending sharp jolts of pain through the human's nerves. One punch to the forehead knocks Baron to one knee, the human glaring at the ox faunus whose usual calm and friendly presence is replaced with a serious expression. An enraged scream escapes Baron's throat looking to punch the ox faunus only to have Xavier punch him square in the chest rocketing the human back digging into the ground. By now he expected Baron's aura to be down yet astonishingly it's still up making Xavier wonder if Baron was recruited for that reason. Baron groans as he sits up nursing his aching chest.
'My Oum, who is this guy? He's just a faunus. Yet he's beating me like an amateur.' The human seethed in his mind.
Xavier entered his fighting stance again, "You're persistence is admirable, Baron. I'm taking a guess and say your aura has to be in the orange, approaching red. Call it quits. It's for your own good. One more punch and your aura is drained."
Baron stood up, "As if I'd surrender to you, filth."
Xavier closed his eyes briefly, "Such arrogance. I wanted you to take the easy way out but like I said, some people have to learn the hard way." He opened them, "Let us end this."
Baron flashed a sinister grin, "Yes, let's!" They rush at each other, unleashing battle cries.
Their fists collide until Xavier kicks him in the hurt ribs. Pushing the human back the ox faunus slams his fists together ready to finish it. He runs at top speed throwing calculated punches to the chest, catching an outstretched arm pulling Baron in for a head butt, hammering Baron in the sternum almost fracturing ribs then finishes with an uppercut. Laying on his back Baron lifts his head to feel Xavier grab hold of it. The last thing he sees is Xavier cocking his free fist back then drives it to Baron's face knocking him out.
Draco patrols the area keeping an eye out for surprise attacks. He picks up the scent of blood in the air coming directly ahead of him and follows it, soon discovering the mayor of the village finishing off a Black Star terrorist.
The mayor was a male deer faunus, stood around 5'11, 38 years old, short auburn hair, blue eyes, mild tanned skin and wore a business suit that was stained with blood.
He collapses to the ground, holding his side probably from a stab wound. Draco runs over, a female civilian accompanying the mayor sees Draco and points her pistol at him.
Draco assured, "Don't worry, I'm not one of those terrorists. I'm Draco Lance, member of Team RXDY."
The mayor said with pained breaths, "Easy, Yoko. He means us no harm."
Draco walked over, "Need to get you to a hospital right away." He helped the mayor stand, "What's your name?"
The deer faunus said, "Jonah Starr. I was recently elected mayor of this village." Placing one arm around his neck Draco helps Yoko escorting the mayor to a car.
Yoko asked, "Why would those Black Star bastards attack us? We didn't do anything!" They search for any car.
Draco said, "Come on, come on, there's got to be a car around here somewhere. There!" His prayer is answered when he spots a four-door car.
Walking up to the driver side he breaks the window to unlock the door then presses the unlock button. Yoko helps Jonah enter the passenger rear seat while Draco hops into the driver's seat, hot wiring the car. Hearing the engine start he asks Yoko directions to the hospital. The woman gives him the directions.
Thankfully the streets are empty so they won't have to worry about running over pedestrians. In no time they reach the hospital Yoko and Draco help the mayor inside alerting the staff.
One of them asked, "What happened?"
Yoko said, "Our village is under attack by the Black Star terrorists, the mayor was caught in the crossfire. He needs immediate medical attention."
Draco told the doctor, "I'm placing him under your care. If anything happens, I am holding you personally responsible, you hear me?"
The doctor nodded, "Understood."
Draco turned to Yoko, "You better get your injuries checked out." The dragon faunus runs out of the entrance allowing the medical staff to get to work. The minute he steps out Draco gets jumped from behind. Recovering from the surprise attack he somehow rolls onto his back to see a female fox faunus aiming her knife at his heart. He catches her arm with both hands, stopping the knife inches from his chest despite the fox faunus' attempt to push it further. The two glare at each other.
The assailant said, "You will die here!"
Draco replied, "That's where you are wrong. I still have revenge to exact and I won't stop until it's complete." Freeing one hand the dragon faunus hits an open palm to his attacker's face, stunning her and allowing him to slash her throat ripping through flesh. The fox faunus chokes on her own blood then Draco drives his right ring and index fingers into her eyes to end it. Overkill but the attacker is dead.
Yumi finds herself surrounded by a group of terrorists all brandishing fearsome weapons. Calming her heart she activates her semblance and runs so fast she vanishes from sight causing her targets to look for her. A red line appears in their necks before they have time to process what happened. Blood spews out of the cut. She falls to one knee panting from dealing with all the attacks.
She said, "My gods, these guys really want us dead." Her wolf ears detect the sound of a gun being cocked. Looking over her shoulder Yumi spots a human perhaps a little older than her pointing his assault rifle at her.
The human said, "Drop the knife. Drop it!" Yumi did so and kicking it out of reach before the human commanded, "Turn around!" Again she does what she is told, turning to face earning a look of surprise from him. Looking into his gray eyes Yumi can see hesitation and conflict. She thinks up a plan.
She told him, "You don't have to go down this path, sir. You can still turn your life around."
The human said, "How would you know?"
Yumi answered, "It's your eyes. They tell me you don't enjoy being part of the Black Star terrorist organization. You don't like killing innocent people."
The human replied, "And what about you? Do you enjoy killing?"
Yumi said, "No but it's part of the job as a mercenary. My team doesn't kill indiscriminately as some think. Do I wish there was a world where everyone can live in peace and not having to worry about war, discrimination, prejudice, or the Grimm? Yes. Yet at the same time, such a perfect world isn't possible. But that doesn't mean we can't try to make the world a better place. Tell me, what is your name?"
The human replied with wariness, "Leo Hart."
The wolf faunus greeted, "I'm Yumi Asuma. What made you join them?"
Leo explained, "I was threatened into joining the organization. My sister is being held hostage by them somewhere. I was warned if I did what they said, no harm would come to my sister."
Yumi said, "I can help find your sister." That seems to have an effect as Leo lowers his assault rifle somewhat, encouraging Yumi to continue.
Which she did, saying, "Allow me to help find your sister and in turn you can leave the Black Star organization, start anew."
Leo asked, "How will I know this isn't some trick?"
Yumi smiled, "Because I can tell you aren't a bad person. You were forced into this position. You wouldn't do this if you actually had a choice." She walked forward not scared of the assault rifle, lowering the weapon, "What do you say, Leo? Want a fresh start?" The convection in her eyes tells Leo she isn't lying.
Leon started, "I…" He looked behind Yumi seeing a flash of light and pulled her down with him, "Watch out!" They both hit the deck as a bullet screams past them, penetrating a column.
Yumi said, "Must be the sniper. Get out of its line of sight." They do so.
The sniper loses his targets and moves to another floor unaware that he's being followed. Rena stalks her prey silently until she witnesses him setting up another sniping position. Either the human is so focused on his mission or incompetent to discover her presence.
The sniper feels his face slammed against the concrete then flipped onto his back and lifted off the ground. His brown eyes gaze into Rena's remaining red.
She told them, "It appears you fools didn't learn your lesson when Azule met his fate. I'm not someone you wanna mess with." Rena tightened her grip and lifting the human further up, "And yet you assholes pressed on. How many feet are we above ground? Fifty feet? How about one-hundred? Let's find out." She walks forward until they reach the window.
The sniper told her, "Do you have any regrets?"
Rena answered back, "Do you? If you have anything to say, human, better say them now or forever hold your piece." She got her answer in the form of given the finger, "How cute." The one-eyed faunus tenses the muscles in her arm, encasing the sniper in ice, pulls her arm back then thrusts it forward launching him out of the window shattering glass. Rena uses her maiden powers to follow the man down until his frozen body crashes onto the hood of a car that is coincidentally parked at the right spot, triggering the car alarm and turning his body into bloody frozen pieces.
The team meets up in the center park. Draco has blood on his face, not his own, Xavier held a still unconscious Baron and Yumi's holding Leo's hand.
Rena studied the human, "Who is this, Yumi? One of the terrorists?"
Yumi corrected, "Ex-terrorist. Leo was forced into joining. I promised I'd help him find his sister in return he'd leave the organization. I convinced him."
Xavier asked in surprise, "Without resorting to violence?"
Yumi nodded with a smile, "Yep."
Draco gave a thumbs-up, "Excellent work, Yumi." A blush appears on the wolf faunus' face, accepting the praises from her team mates including Rena who gave her a nod in a job well done.
Xavier alerted, "We got company." The other three turn as one seeing surviving Black Star terrorists gathering, Team RXDY ready themselves for battle again.
Suddenly one terrorist bows at their feet, then another, then another, then another. They bow like the faunus team are gods. Later on, they're rounded up and now wait trial with some actually willing to testify as sort of penance or maybe they don't want to end up like their comrades: dead.
Team RXDY visit the mayor at the hospital, Yoko by his side.
Jonah said, "I don't know why those terrorists attacked us but you repelled them. Your bravery will not go unnoticed, young ones. Especially you, Draco. The doctor said it was fortunate I arrived in time. While I question your driving skills I appreciate your selfless action. On the behalf of all citizens of Iremia, we thank you." Yoko bows her head showing her appreciation.
Xavier told Jonah, "I'm sorry our battle cost innocent lives, mayor."
Jonah's face turned solemn, "Yes, it is unfortunate but who knows how many more could have been lost had you four not intervened."
Xavier advised, "Make sure Baron is detained in a maximum security prison. He's dangerous."
Yumi said, "I honestly expected Grimm be attracted by our battle. I wonder why they didn't."
Jonah shook his head, "Whatever it may be, I'm grateful they didn't. Do you four attend one of the academies?"
Xavier said, "No, we're mercenaries." The sun begins setting making the team decide to stay at Iremia for the night.
An hour later Rena and Draco search for their missing team mates until they get a message from Yumi to come to the Red Dawn restaurant which they do.
Draco asked, "So...do you know why she wanted us to come here?"
Rena shakes her head, "Nope."
The dragon faunus said, "Well, let's find out." They enter seeing a banner hanging over the ceiling and the citizens popping party streamers. The two see Yumi standing in front hands crossed in front of her with Xavier next to her.
Draco said, "Wow. Did you plan this?"
Yumi giggled, "Yep. Surprise! Today marks the fourth anniversary of our team forming. So I wanted to pull a surprise party."
Xavier admitted, "She left me in the dark until the last second. I mainly helped setting the place up."
Draco said, "You did well."
Yumi told them, "The baker made us a chocolate cake and the meal is free courtesy of the mayor."
Draco whistled, "What are we waiting for? Let's party!" And that they did.
A number of tables are moved for a dance competition. Some of the drunk party-goers try getting Draco, Yumi and Xavier to drink despite not being the legal drinking age, requiring Rena's intervention. A stern warning from her is all that's needed to put a stop to that.
She leans against a column taking an occasional sip of water as she watches her team mates have fun, keeping an eye out for anything funny. She notices two attractive young human ladies trying to hit on Xavier getting a little too close for the ox faunus making him laugh awkwardly. Draco seems to be fairing better with a young female deer faunus, chatting with her.
Rena sees Yumi walk up to her.
She queried, "What's the matter? Not enjoying yourself?"
Rena replied, "I'm not much of a party person, Yumi. Don't take it the wrong way. You did this for us."
The wolf faunus joined her, "Everyone's happy. I hope one day all of Remnant is like this. Free of Grimm, no war. Everyone living peaceful lives. That's the future I want to see." She looked at Rena, "A future I want all four of us to be part of." Yumi smiles at her.
Such a pure heart the wolf faunus is.
Rena wants to believe her team mate but won't voice it.
Yumi grabbed the older faunus' armored hands, "Come join the party. You work too hard, Rena. Relax a little." The event continues well into the night. But all good things must come to an end.
Team RXDY rests at a hotel that Jonah paid for them. They enjoyed the party Yumi set up for them and Rena decided to ease up like Yumi asked.
Resting on the bed sharing with her team leader Yumi snuggles closer to Rena, wrapping her arms and tail around her a smile forms on Yumi's face.
The next day the team helps Leo find his sister as promised by Yumi. The entire morning is spent searching for Leo's sister when they find a lead and with the help of the Iremia Police Department, rescue her. A tearful reunion ensues with Yumi shedding a few tears of her own, Xavier just smiles along with Draco and Rena takes in the sight with a blank face.
Leo hugged Yumi, "Thank you so much for helping me."
Yumi beamed with a smile, "You're welcome, Leo. Enjoy your new start at life with her."
Leo agreed, "I will. You can count on that!" Following lunch, the team departs and just in time before journalists from various news networks swarm in. Jonah decides to take the questions and do interviews. Sebastian, the Great White shark faunus journalist interviews some of the citizens and end with the mayor. Thanking them for their time he leaves so the shark faunus can start writing an article for the Vale News Network.
A/N: Chapter 17 done.
Here the team thwarts a terrorist attack on Iremia.
Later that day Yumi set up a surprise party to celebrate the fourth anniversary of their team forming along with confessing the kind of future she wants to see.
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Stay tuned for chapter 18.
Vader 23A