Chapter 19: Investigation
Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, I only own my OCs.
Team RXDY
Vale City is bristling with activity with the Vytal Festival approaching fast, the residents mirroring the atmosphere. Except for Ashton Fall.
After his dual with Cinder Fall, seeing Roman and Neo again and the meteor shower last night, he feels something telling him to remain in Vale. Call it a hunch but Ashton believes something sinister will happen very soon. With his mind made up, he and Klawdia decide to investigate what Cinder's plan is and if possible thwart it. If that doesn't work, then they'll ensure it doesn't go smoothly. But first they need information. Following breakfast the duo venture through Vale City collecting information about suspicious activity. As they do Klawdia sees more members of her race wandering the streets, tasting food or the like. Although her instincts tell her they're here for more than tasting food.
Ashton told his partner, "Remember, Klawdia we can't look suspicious while conducting this investigation." They head for the CCT, bumping into a well-endowed chest of a woman. Backing up they see who it is.
Klawdia gasped, immediately bowing, "Venus!"
Ashton looked at his companion, "You know this person?"
Klawdia nodded, "Yes, this is Venus. She's the queen of the dinosaur Grimm. Venus, this is my friend, Stephen." The dinosaur Grimm Queen turns her gaze toward Ashton, the young man feeling her see past the mask, looking deep into his soul with those eyes of hers.
Venus told him, "What is your real name, human?" If Ashton had a look of surprise on his face, it's concealed by his mask.
He introduced himself, "My real name is Ashton Fall, Venus. Stephen is just a name I made up. You can call it an alias."
Venus hummed, "I see." She came closer grabbing hold of his masked face looking past the lenses.
Ashton asked, "What are you doing?"
Venus said, "I have a tendency to do this. I can read a person's life just by looking into their eyes. Hmm, your eyes. They hold great deal of hardship, a great pain you experienced in your past maybe in your teens. You...were close with someone but somewhere down the road, that bond dissolved and you ran away from it." She released her hold, "Show me your face, Ashton."
Klawdia requested, "I suggest you do what she says. She isn't someone you don't want to anger." Ashton looks both ways then removes his mask exposing his face to Venus who runs her eyes up and down as if evaluating him.
She nodded, "You're certainly attractive for a human. Klawdia, come with me. I'd like to speak with you in private." Not to disobey her queen, the theropod follows her.
A few minutes and Ashton begins to feel impatient when the dinosaur Grimm duo return with Klawdia having a deep blush on her face.
Venus said, "It was nice meeting you, Ashton Fall. I must be going now. Hope you enjoy the Vytal Festival." Ashton puts his mask back on.
He told her, "You as well, Venus." The three part ways with Ashton and Klawdia heading for the CCT.
Walking inside they notice people giving them weird looks.
He glared at one personnel, his voice changer making Ashton sound more frightening, "You got a problem?" The personnel yelps and continues her duty. They enter the elevator.
A computer voice requested, "Identification, please." Ashton pulled out his scroll out allowing a scan to confirm it followed by Klawdia, "Identification complete. Welcome, Stephen and Klawdia." They wait for the elevator to reach the computer floor. A ding signals they've arrived, the doors opening.
The duo step inside seeing very few people at the computers. Perfect.
Ashton sits at an empty seat as Klawdia stands behind him. Popping his fingers Ashton wiggles them before typing on the keyboard.
He searches the database about Team RUST, Rhia Teysa, Ulrich Mauer, apparently named Brick by his friends, Sin Saber and Alena Teysa. Having heard of the team during his travels he starts with the leader Rhia. He nods reading the history of the fox faunus.
Klawdia commented, "Having her family killed and her and her sister Alena attempted being recruited by the White Fang, I can relate to that save for the whole recruitment part." When Ashton scrolls to the next two members, Brick and Sin, that's when he finds something interesting, nothing.
The bear faunus' file had little information. It states that Brick and Sin both grew up on the streets of Mistral as orphans, but they are supposedly good fighters, either prodigies or someone gave them formal training before attending Shade and their combat school.
Sin's student file had just as little, a statement about how the two student grew up alone on the streets and fought for their own survival before arriving in Vacuo and enrolling in the combat school The Desert Mast before being accepted into Shade.
'I wonder if Rena knows about this.' Ashton thought.
Lastly Alena's past was tied to her sister Rhia and has an intense distrust and possible hate of humans due to what happened to her family.
Satisfied with his research on RUST, Ashton digs around the CCT's main database to see if there was anything out of the ordinary activity sorting through the data logs.
'The security system on the mainframe sucks.' He thought.
Klawdia asked, "Find anything worthwhile?"
Ashton said, "I'm looking. Hmm, none of the data logs report malicious activity but my gut tells me someone hacked into this mainframe or planted a virus. If it's the latter, then that's bad news for Vale if an invasion happens. With the CCT infected with this virus, no outside help will come."
Klawdia wondered, "Can you get rid of it?"
Ashton shook his head, "No. I'm not that skilled with computers, Klawdia. Anyway I got what we came for." Logging off, the two leave the CCT and head for the docks the whole time Ashton deep thought.
'I swear I've heard of that name before. Sin Saber.' He mentally wondered.
Reaching they see members of the White Fang including Adam Taurus. Wanting to know more the duo activate their cloaking systems rendering them invisible.
They watch Adam enter a warehouse and follow, sneaking past the guards. Sticking to the shadows, Ashton presses the audio recording button. Inside the warehouse they see Cinder wearing a sleeveless beige leather jacket, gray pants and sarashi wrapped around her chest and hips talking to Adam. Emerald and Mercury are with Cinder. Roman or Neo aren't present, though. Ashton assumes the ginger took his mute partner for ice cream. That thought brings a smile to Ashton's face, the fact that the mute loves ice cream.
She said, "You remember what to do, Adam."
The bull faunus sneered slightly, "Yes. I release Grimm into the city when the chaos starts and Beacon falls."
Cinder nodded with a plotting smile, "Good. I promise you'll be rewarded for your service. You may go now. The fun will begin very soon." Adam walks past the cloaked Ashton and Klawdia.
'So much anger.' Klawdia thought, feeling the negative emotions radiating from Adam.
Once the bull faunus was gone Cinder turned to her two cohorts, "You two know your roles, correct?"
Emerald smiled, nodded eagerly, "Yes, ma'am."
Mercury said, "As long as I get some action, I'm fine." Ashton feels disgust hit him seeing Cinder treating them like pawns, especially Emerald. He knows the mint-haired girl isn't a bad person, simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time, hanging with bad people. He knows if she met caring people or foster parent and had a roof to live under, her life could've turned out differently. An opportunity still laid out for Emerald she only needs the right person.
Cinder told them, "And during the ensuing chaos, I shall claim what is rightfully mine. I already have half of it, just need to locate the other half." Ashton wonders what she meant by that when he sees the black-haired woman telling Emerald and Mercury they can go. The two walk past the cloaked spies.
Ashton whispered to Klawdia, "Follow them and see if you can corner them, get them to talk. Use your true nature if you have to but don't change into your true form. I got stuff to do. Meet me in the center of town in three hours."
Klawdia whispered back, "You got it." The disguised True Grimm follows Emerald and Mercury doing her best to make sure she isn't discovered by them.
Minutes tick by and the duo can't help but feel they're being followed, when Mercury turns to look behind him nobody's there. Klawdia resumes moving when they do and releases a series of low growls sending chills up her targets' spines and trips both of them before knocking both out and carrying them somewhere remote, settling for an abandoned factory at the far side of Vale City.
Emerald is the first to wake up, feeling her arms leads her to realize she was tied to a chair that was conveniently still in good condition. Looking down she sees legs are also tied and her gun-swords Thief's Respite are missing. Looking to her left the mint-haired woman notices Mercury coming around, his mechanical legs also missing.
A voice said, "Ah, you're awake." Both of them look around to find the voice until the owner deactivates her cloaking device rendering her visible, half of her face concealed by the hood, orange-red eyes pierce through the darkness.
Mercury asked, "What do you want?"
Klawdia said, "Let's play a game of Q&A. I ask a question, you answer truthfully and no harm will come to you. However, should you refuse to answer or lie I'll punish you. And trust me I can snap your bones like they're nothing. Like I said, cooperate and you won't have to suffer." She noticed Emerald's eyes scanning the area for her weapons, "Looking for these?" Klawdia pulls out Thief's Respite, Talaria and their scrolls from the inside of her cloak.
Emerald ordered, "Give those back!"
Klawdia donned a thoughtful pose before smiling at them, "No can do, sweetheart. If I did that you'd escape and we can't have that. Now, shall we get started?" She advances to them eyes glowing in a menacing manner. Emerald's own red widen in fear, chills running down her spine.
Back at the warehouse most of the White Fang have left save for Cinder. Perfect.
Ashton deactivated his own cloaking device, "I never expected you'd work with extremists." Cinder lifts her head from its thinking pose and calmly turns around meeting Ashton's concealed gaze.
She told him, "So we meet again. Have you come to take up on my offer, Stephen?"
Ashton shook his head, "Not that. What makes someone like you want to be in Vale? Especially with the Vytal Tournament approaching?"
Cinder raised her arms in a nonchalant manner, "What? Can't a girl enjoy herself?"
Ashton withheld a scoff, "You never struck me as someone who likes to do stuff in her free time. You're always plotting."
Cinder said, "Keeps me from getting bored. Nobody likes that. Besides, a girl can dream. I wish to seek all corruption burn at my feet so the world can start anew." Ashton doesn't buy that.
He replied, "Corruption is impossible to completely remove, Cinder. It's like a weed. Unless you pull it from the root, it keeps coming back. Nothing is resistant to corruption, not kingdoms, the councilmen, headmasters or the local authorities. Nor does anything last forever."
The woman told him, "Which is why I gave you that offer. With our combined might we can purge corruption, make things the way they should be."
Ashton said, "If I had a lien every time someone told me that, I'd be rich."
Cinder asked, "What brings you to Vale?"
Ashton considered his words not wanting to let the woman discover his motivation to be here, "I felt I could use a break from my work for my client."
Cinder's interest perked up at that, "What do you for this client? Collect information?"
Ashton replied, "That's classified, Cinder."
Cinder laughed, "You remind of someone I used to know. We...had a great partnership until one mission he died."
Ashton holds in the laugh that wanted to escape, the person she's talking about is standing before her.
Instead he stated, "My apologies for the loss. He must've had a great work ethic."
Cinder admitted, "He did. Sadly our partnership fell apart mainly due to the way we wanted to our goals. Guess you could call it a conflict…" She briefly stopped when she saw Ashton come closer getting in her personal space before resuming, "...of interest."
Ashton replied, "Or maybe because he saw through you facade. You two may have been possibly friends at some point but that eroded until it became nothing but a partnership like you mentioned. Perhaps he felt his way of achieving goals through patience and not treat his underlings like pawns." He walks to the opposite side of Cinder.
The woman said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Ashton turned around facing her, "You may fool others with that charming smile but there are some who see through it, Cinder. You are arrogant, deceitful, prideful and manipulative. More over, you're a hypocrite who refuses to acknowledge their mistakes and the negative effects they entail." That jab is a sting to Cinder's pride but she retrains herself.
Ashton went on, "This is your last chance. Give up this quest for power otherwise you'll be picking fights with people who won't hesitate turning that power against you."
Cinder queried, "Doing this for my own good?"
Ashton corrected, "Doing you a favor. I'm not joking when I say there are people out there who won't hesitate giving you a taste of your own medicine." It's taking every ounce of restraint for Ashton to maintain his composure but he can feel himself beginning to slip.
He can attack her before Cinder can react, thus removing a vital player of whatever plan the Queen cooked up. In fact he sees Cinder challenging him with her eyes, testing his words. He feels his hand twitch the desire to draw Vengeance growing. However, he reigns in the urge. Ashton notices Cinder come closer looking more deeply into the lenses of his mask and into his eyes.
Cinder said, "There's something familiar about you, Stephen. Something I cannot place. Who are you exactly?" Fearing of his real identity being discovered Ashton pulls her away.
He queried, "That's for you to know and me to find out."
Cinder grinned a little, "Playing hard to get? That's fine, makes it more fun."
Ashton said, "Heed my warning, Cinder. If you don't, you will suffer a humiliating defeat." Turning around he departs the warehouse Cinder watches before looking at the ground still suspicious about Stephen's reaction to her prying. Judging by his reaction, he must have some sort of connection to her deceased partner.
'I could tell her. No, I need to make sure before contacting her.' The woman thought as she left the warehouse.
Back at the abandoned factory, Klawdia is making progress with her game of Q&A with her targets. Remaining true to her word, she gets a little physical with Mercury and Emerald when either of them lied or refused to answer.
She paced in a methodical manner, "So, an invasion will take place during the Vytal Tournament. Tell me what your roles are in it." Hearing no response she grabs one of Mercury's mechanical legs and with her Grimm strength rips the limb in two.
He seethed, "You little…"
Klawdia held the severed limb with a nonchalant smile, "Oopsie, it broke. Guess I don't know my own strength~." Tossing the item aside without a care she resumed, "Again. Tell me what your roles are in this invasion."
Emerald mumbled, "We…"
Klawdia titled her head with the nonchalant smile still on her face, "Hmm, what was that?"
The mint-haired woman said, "We…"
The disguised theropod leaned in, "Come on, don't be shy."
Emerald said, "During the fight between Mercury and the Bimbo, I'd use my semblance on her to make it look like Mercury was attacking her thus causing the Bimbo to retaliate. In response it'd make her look like she brutalized him for no reason."
Klawdia nodded happy with what she's hearing, "Good, good. See? That wasn't so bad. What is your semblance, Emerald?"
The girl finds herself shaking under the True Grimm's orange-red eyes, "I can create illusions so real it makes the person on its receiving end believe it's the real deal. However it requires concentration for it to work effectively."
Klawdia looked at Mercury, "And what does your semblance do?"
Mercury snorted, "Mine was taken."
Klawdia repeated, "Taken? Is that even possible?"
The gray-haired teen said, "You have no idea."
Klawdia ordered, "We're not done. I need to know more." She hears Emerald's scroll vibrate making her see who's calling. Looking at the caller ID she sees Cinder's name. At first Klawdia plans on crushing it when she gets a different idea.
She walks over to Emerald showing it to the mint-haired girl.
The True Grimm ordered, "Talk but don't you dare tell her what's happening." She presses the answer button.
Emerald asked, "Yes, Cinder?"
The black-haired woman replied, "Where you and Mercury at? I've been trying to reach you."
Emerald explained, "We got caught up with something. Don't worry, ma'am, we can take care of it. No need for you to worry."
Cinder queried with skepticism, "Are you sure?" Emerald can almost literally feel the edge in Cinder's voice from the other line.
She faintly gulped, "Yes, ma'am. Mercury and I will return as soon as we can."
Cinder said, "Good." Klawdia presses the end call button, crushing both Emerald's and her comrade's scrolls then allows the fragments to rain down to the floor.
She patted Emerald's head, "Good girl. Let us continue our Q&A." Klawdia slowly allows some of her hidden features to surface. Terrified whimpers escape Emerald and her red eyes shrink in fear seeing a True Grimm for the first time. Mercury is terrified himself but he tries to keep himself composed. His own fear betrays him, though.
Three hours later, Klawdia waits for Ashton in center of town as planned with her hood down. She sits on a bench.
In no time, Ashton rendezvous with her and they travel to a restaurant that does take-out. A simple order for each of them and take their meals to the lobby of the hotel they're staying at. They ride an elevator to the rooftop where they can eat and talk without anyone interrupting.
Sitting at an outdoor table, the two pull their orders out of the bag.
Ashton chose a chicken sandwich with an apple, small bag of chips and bottle of water while Klawdia settled for two chicken breasts and bottle of water.
After swallowing a bite of his sandwich Ashton asked, "How did your task go?"
Klawdia took a sip of her water and explained, "You're in for something." She spends the next ten minutes telling her partner what Emerald and Mercury told her.
Ashton smiled, "You've done well on your first assignment."
Klawdia accepted the praise, "Thank you, Ashton. I had to get a little rough with them. They're not permanently damaged, although I may have made Emerald shit herself. Think I overdid with the eyes."
Ashton said, "Still, what did Cinder mean? During the ensuing chaos of this invasion that she'll claim what is rightfully hers and already has half of it? Of course. It's the Fall Maiden. Cinder's after her! Where is the Fall Maiden, though?" He pulls out a notebook he bought and opens it, writing down the information they've gathered as well as to let Rena know what's going on. Lifting his gaze he looks at Beacon Academy in the distance.
'Maybe I should tell the headmaster of that school.' Ashton thought.
He interlocks his fingers and rests his face against them, eyes closing in contemplation. A minute later they open again, reaching a decision.
Klawdia watched him get up, "What's wrong?"
Ashton said, "We're heading to Beacon to speak with the headmaster." Klawdia eats the last of her second chicken breast and finishes the last of her water, tossing the bag into the nearby trashcan. They start their journey toward Beacon which is only a short walk away. They enter the gates of Beacon.
Klawdia gazed at the structure, "Wow!
Ashton said, "Activate your human disguise, Klawdia. We can't let the others know there's a True Grimm walking around campus." The theropod follows his order pressing the button on her gauntlet, taking on the appearance of a normal human being.
They step foot on campus looking at the students going to and from classes makes Ashton feel conflicted. Do these kids deserve praise or pity for what they're being trained for?
Suddenly a glyph appears in front of the duo, looking ahead they see Beacon's combat teacher Glynda Goodwitch pointing her black riding crop at them.
She ordered, "Who are you? What are you doing here at Beacon?"
Ashton said, "I'd like to speak with the headmaster. Take us to him. He'll want to hear what I have to say, ma'am." The combat teacher looks at the two with wariness unsure whether to trust them or not.
Klawdia assured, "Please, ma'am."
Glynda's eyes narrowed, "Very well. I'll bring you to him but don't try anything." She escorts them to the elevator, riding it up to the headmaster's office.
'These fools have no security on campus nor anywhere in Vale. If this invasion happens like Klawdia discovered, then Beacon is doomed.' Ashton thought.
Glynda asked, "What are your names?"
Ashton said, "Stephen and this girl next to me is Klawdia. Who are you?"
The woman replied, "Glynda Goodwitch, I'm a combat teacher." The elevator dings signaling they've reached the headmaster's office. The doors open alerting Ozpin who turns around from looking out the window. Glynda orders Ashton and Klawdia to exit pointing her riding crop at the back of their heads.
Ozpin said, "This is unexpected. Who are these two, Glynda?"
The combat teacher explained, "They're Stephen and Klawdia, they snuck onto a bullhead and wanted to speak with you."
Ozpin nodded, "Okay."
Ashton studied Ozpin's appearance, "So you're the headmaster of Beacon Academy. I was expecting you to be older." He walks around taking in the headmaster's office, reminding him of the gears of a clock tower.
Ozpin said, "I've seen many generations of hunters and huntresses graduate from this school so it's to be expected for me to earn this gray."
Ashton looked Ozpin in the eyes, "And sending children to an early grave. Anyways I'm here to alert you."
The headmaster queried, "Alert me of what, young one?"
Ashton said, "Something terrible will take place at the Vytal Tournament that Vale is hosting next month. Someone has installed a virus into the CCT mainframe, thwarting any means of outside help coming when the invasion happens. That's only the first phase. The real action starts during the tournament. During the match between Pyrrha and a girl named Penny, Emerald will use her semblance to have Pyrrha rip Penny to shreds, generating panic and this in turn will draw Grimm to Vale City, the White Fang is also part of this invasion. They'll be the ones letting the Grimm into the city. What's more is that during the chaos, Cinder Fall will claim what is rightfully hers since she already has half. She's after the Fall Maiden, old man. She's somewhere close by, isn't she? What was her name? Amber?" He notices Ozpin stiffen for a brief moment then forces himself to relax but it doesn't go unnoticed by Ashton.
Ozpin asked, "How do you know this?"
Ashton said, "Simple. I recorded the whole conversation in the warehouse." He plays the audio recording to the headmaster.
Cinder asked, "You remember what to do, Adam?"
The bull faunus sneered slightly, "Yes. I release the Grimm into the city when the chaos starts and Beacon falls."
Cinder said with plotting smile, "Good. I promise you'll be rewarded for your service. You may go now. The fun will begin very soon." Adam's footsteps can be heard walking past Ashton and Klawdia then fades away.
Ashton raised his index finger at Ozpin seeing the headmaster about to speak, "But wait, there's more."
Cinder said to her two cohorts, "You two know your roles, correct?"
Emerald smiled, nodded eagerly, "Yes, ma'am."
Mercury said, "As long as I get some action, I'm fine."
Cinder told them, "And during the ensuing chaos, I shall claim what is rightfully mine. I already have half of it, just need to locate the other half." Ashton ends the recording.
Ozpin hummed, "Okay, I believe you. So what do you propose?"
Ashton said, "One: Cinder is obsessed with power but she's not stupid. You're playing checkers while she is playing 4D chess. You need to outsmart her. Two: Klawdia interrogated Emerald and Mercury for her side of the information. Also, as you heard in the recording, the faunus Adam Taurus is in cahoots with Cinder."
Klawdia smiled, "You're welcome, by the way."
Ashton withheld a laugh that wanted to escape, "Also, the whole thing about Cinder, Emerald and Mercury being students from Haven Academy? That's flat out false. They aren't students from Haven Academy, Emerald confirmed it to Klawdia. Do not let Cinder's beautiful appearance fool you. She uses them to get what she wants. She's manipulative, evil and shows no remorse over her actions."
Ozpin said impressed, "You seem to know Cinder well."
Ashton admitted, "We used to work together but we had a fallout over the way of achieving our goals. She wanted to achieve hers by any means necessary, even if it meant manipulating people. I seek to achieve mine through patience and cunning." Ozpin starts putting the pieces together until it clicks in his head.
He took a step forward, "Qrow told me someone attacked Amber. Was that you, Ashton Fall?"
The young man chuckled with a casual shrug of his shoulders, "Hm, that's only half true." Glynda readies her riding crop in case he decides to attack.
Klawdia draws her sword-bow with an arrow ready, aiming at Glynda.
Ashton looked over his shoulder, "Oh relax, sweetheart. I'm not here looking for a fight nor do I work with Cinder anymore."
Ozpin asked, "Why are you telling me this?"
Ashton returned his gaze to Ozpin, "Don't take this as doing it out of the goodness of my heart, old man. I have my own reasons for doing this. You have two choices laid before you, Ozpin. You can take what I've told you to heart and do something about this invasion or not do anything and seal Beacon's fate. The ball is in your court." He pointed at the window, "If you decide to not do anything about this, all those students wandering the school grounds, their blood will be on your hands. I suggest you make your decision quick because you only have a month to do something." He turns around heading for the elevator with Klawdia putting her weapon away. The two pass Glynda and into the elevator.
Klawdia waved her hand, "Bye-bye!" The doors shut after Ashton presses the down button.
Glynda looked at her colleague, "Can he be trusted?"
Ozpin gazed at the floor in thought, "He gives off vibes that are hard to determine. It's like he works by no one's rules except his own but he wouldn't have come here unless it benefited him. From what he told us, it seems she has made her move."
Glynda asked, "What are you gonna do?"
The Beacon headmaster said, "Cinder cannot obtain the full power of the Fall Maiden. With the CCT now infected with a possible virus any outside help is gone, even with Atlas forces patrolling Vale. It's best we heed Ashton's warning. We'd be putting our students' lives and the world at risk if this invasion happens. We need to tighten security during the tournament and must protect Amber. We need to find someone to carry Amber's remaining half of her powers. If Cinder gets it, game over. I know the candidate in mind. We must move quickly, Glynda. There's no time to waste!" Ashton and Klawdia reach the main floor and were about to leave the school when out of the corner of his eye he spots Sin, the only human member of Team RUST, chasing after someone so both Ashton and Klawdia follow, activating their cloaking system again. They soon follow him to Beacon's gym, more specifically the workout room. There they see Sin hugging Cinder. Judging by the tone in his voice, Sin knows her well and Cinder knows him well too, leading Ashton to believe there was possible romantic feelings between them. Since he came close to attacking Cinder at the warehouse Ashton decides to leave.
Him and Klawdia exit and return to their hotel just in time before a thunderstorm starts.
Reaching their assigned room, Ashton starts compiling notes into a series of attachment files to send to Rena in a message. Doing a once-over to see if he missed anything Ashton finds none, nodding to himself the young man sends the message to her.
Klawdia called out, "Hey, Ashton listen to this!"
Ashton asked, "What is it?" He walks over next to Klawdia who is watching the Vale News Network on the TV. A heading said, "Special Report".
Lisa Lavender said, "Yesterday, the village of Iremia was the target of the Black Star Terrorist organization led by Adra, a Bull Shark faunus and second in command. A total of five people are confirmed dead. Thankfully the intervention by the mercenary team RXDY thwarted the attack, saving the mayor Jonah and Iremia. A group of teenagers recorded the team's battle with the enemy. What's more is the surviving members all bowed at the mercenary team's feet. Some of the citizens have defined RXDY as walking gods. Sebastian Shaw was able to get an interview with Mayor Jonah from the hospital."
The video feed cuts to the Great White Shark faunus interviewing the man.
Jonah said, "Team RXDY's bravery will be forever remembered. Had they not been here when the attack happened, I fear the casualties would've been much higher. Wherever they are now, this village is forever in their debt."
The video feed cuts back to Lisa.
She said, "No one knows where Team RXDY is at currently. Some of our journalists have been asking people where the team could be at the present time. I'm Lisa Lavender with this special report."
Ashton smiled, "What a bunch of badasses."
Klawdia titled her head, "You know them?"
Ashton said, "Only the leader. In all the five years I've known her, she never mentioned once she had a team." He looked out the window to see the rain coming down hard, "Wow." Later that evening, Cinder returns to the guest students' dorm, entering her and her minions' room. After closing the door Cinder sees Mercury holding a terrified Emerald.
She asked, "What happened? Did you take care of whatever you kept you?"
Mercury started, "The thing is…"
Emerald interjected, "It was horrible, Cinder. Those eyes. Those menacing orange-red eyes. She interrogated us."
Cinder frowned, "Who?"
Mercury said, "We don't know. Honestly, Cinder. I need to get new legs before the tournament." He lifts a leg to emphasize the point.
Cinder stared into his eyes.
That night Ashton and Klawdia sleep in the same bed, their cloaks, boots and weapons next to their bedside.
Ashton lays on his right as he sleeps. Tears fall down his cheeks as a deep emotional pain surfaces. Klawdia senses her friend's pain and rolls over to face his side, wrapping her arms around his waist pulling him closer to the point her chest presses against his back. She holds him.
She whispered, "Shh, shh, it's okay, Ashton. Whatever pain you're feeling, I'm here for you. You're my friend." Ashton hears it and rolls over to cry in her chest, the theropod gently rubs his back as she allows him to let it out. Klawdia holds him like a mother comforting her child.
The crying stops and Ashton is sleeping on Klawdia's chest, the True Grimm allows it before joining him in sleep.
A/N: Chapter 19 done. We are now in the events of the Vytal Tournament arc of Volume 3.
Here, Ashton and Klawdia discover a sinister plot and Ashton decided to warn Ozpin but not out of the goodness of his heart.
What can be the cause of Ashton's pain?
Read and review.
Stay tuned for chapter 20.
Vader 23A