A/N: Team PASM'S First Mission as First-Year Students and it's going so well. They have found their target at the cost of one of their own being taken captive of the creature. It's a good thing that they have a Professional Huntsman to look out for them...with his Bad Luck Semblance, which he cannot control. What will become of Beacon's newest team?
Chapter 11: A Spider's Job
The village is empty and quiet in the nighttime. A Grimm is invading the village in the night, taking its citizens alive. Team PASM and Huntsman Qrow Branwen are assigned to handle the situation. But things turn dire when the Grimm Monster, the Shadowcrawler, ambushes a Huntsmen and Huntress-in-training students and kidnaps one of them.
The other student, Patrick, chases after the Shadowcrawler, ignoring the call from his scroll. "What's going on!? What happened!?" Qrow asks.
"Patrick! Marlene! Are you there?" Selena asks.
Finally, Patrick answers. "The Shadowcrawler ambushed us! It took Marlene and ran off! I'm in hot pursuit!"
"No! Stop! I told you not to engage!" Patrick doesn't answer. Qrow grunts in frustration. "Damn it! What's this guy's problem!?" Qrow lets out a deep breath then speaks to his scroll. "Akira. Sherry. I need you two to track Patrick's Scroll and follow him. I'll...try to get ahead of them and cut it off." On that note, Qrow turns into a bird and flies off to get an eye on the sky.
Patrick chases after the Shadowcrawler at great speed. The Grimm was fast but Patrick was in hot pursuit. Even on the harshest of turns he dashes through them still maintaining his speed upon the monster. Mid of his pursuit, Patrick decides to activate Gravity Dust on his Leg Bracers. He leaps high into the air and lands on the building, chasing the monster leaping from building to building. When in range, he loads an Ice-Dust Arrow onto his bow and fires. The arrow pierces onto one of its legs and freezes.
The Shadowcrawler screeches. Patrick leaps from down the building and delivers a heavy strike on it. Patrick stands in front of the monster with his blades at hand. "Let her good, beast!" The Grimm makes a growling noise as its eyes glow burning red. The creature spits out acid directly at Patrick, who dodges and flips to avoid the incoming acids. Anything the acid hits, even the ground, melts away. It crawls towards Patrick, having to drag its frozen leg. When suddenly Qrow appears, turning back into his human form, diving in and severing the Grimm's Frozen leg. It screeches in agony and anger.
It stares onto Qrow and Patrick, the two of them their weapons ready to strike. Everyone stands frozen for a while until the Shadowcrawler makes its move and leaps over them. Qrow and Patrick have their eyes set on it as the Grimm makes its escape, leaping from building to building until it was out of sight.
"Damn it. It got away." Patrick says.
Qrow doesn't say anything, instead, he punches Patrick in the face. "Just what the hell were you thinking!? I told you not to engage the target!"
Patrick angrily stares at Qrow yelling. "What was I supposed to do? It took Marlene!"
"I am aware. If you had stayed put and waited for the rest of your team we could have corned it and prevented its escape!" Qrow says. "Look kid, you can't solve everything just by drawing out a sword and slashing it. You need to think like a Huntress, not a careless fighter."
Patrick only responds by lowly growling.
Once Selena and Akira catch up, everyone regroups outside of an inn, figuring out their next move. "We need to go after it. Marlene's in great danger." Selena says.
"I wish to rescue Marlene too, but we have no idea how to find this Grimm," Akira says.
"Foxgirl is right. Besides, it's too dark out. We'll end up getting either lost or ambushed." Qrow says.
"So...We are to just leave her at the mercy of an enormous Grimm that wants to feed on her Aura?" Selena asks in protest.
"Calm down, kid. I'm sure she'll pull through this." Qrow says. "I'll do some investigating to see if I can locate where it could be. We'll head out before sunrise. I suggest turning in, get some rest. It's going to be a long day for us tomorrow."
Selena and Patrick still protest, wanting to find Marlene, but they eventually accepted it, seeing there is no other choice.
Patrick, Selena, and Akira go to their room at an inn. The whole time, Selena is restless, pacing around nervously about Marlene's abduction. Patrick's pretty annoyed at the whole situation. Marlene was taken under his watch and they're stuck here unable to go out and rescue her. Akira remains calm, even well aware of the situation at hand.
In the middle of the night, Akira and Selena are soundly asleep, though Selena had a hard time falling asleep. Patrick lays in bed, looking at the girls as he sits up. Once convinced they're deeply asleep, he gets out of bed, quickly, but quietly, gets dressed, and then makes a jump out of the window.
Patrick walks in the dark empty streets of the village until he arrives at a bar. Standing in front of it, he turns to one of the pillars at the entrance, starting at the Spider Insignia on it. After taking a deep breath, he enters. Inside the bar is empty with hardly any light. Only one light, at the far corner, with a woman and two guards. He approaches before them, only the guards stop him just a few steps from the table.
Lil' Miss Malachite lights up her cigarette as she looks at her unexpected visitor...and smiles. "Well, well. If it ain't one of my favor'it customers." Patrick doesn't say anything, just turns his attention to the guards for a second then back at Lil' Miss. "You know the drill, hun. Gotta met my interests."
"I've met your interests all right," Patrick says. "I'm here cause I've heard this town as a problem...A BIG Spider Problem."
Hearing the part about the Big Spider caught Lil' Miss's attention. She hand signals her guards and then they stand down, and Patrick takes a sit in front of her. "So, I reckon you're here about the Shadowcrawler."
"I witnessed it tonight, but it got away," Patrick says. "You and I both know how well you know about spiders, especially Grimm ones. Tell me what you know about this one, and I'll exterminate it."
Lil' Miss tips her cigarette, dumping the trash into the bowl. "I can't guarantee what I have will be as useful to you as you hoped."
"I'll take my chances," Patrick says. "Now talk."
Lil'Miss lets out a chuckle with a smile. "You got a Mercenary's Spirit, young Shadow Huntah. I like that about yea." Lil' Miss inhales the cigarette and then blows. "I've sent out several of my Spiders against it. None of them ever came back, except for one. He encountered the Shadowcrawler in the forest to the north."
"Doesn't sound very useful on trying to find it," Patrick asks. "How am I going to find the beast in a big forest in the north?"
"Well, one thing I know about Shadowcrawlers is that they are not like any other Grimm. Aside from taking humans alive and feeding on their auras, they often nest and hide out in dark tunnels such as caves and underground." Lil' Miss dumps the Ciargette trash. "Near the area where they encountered the monster, there is an Ol' Mine that was abandoned years ago. If there's any place where that creature is hiding, that be your best bet. No charge, consider terminating it as payment."
Patrick nods, then he stands and takes his leave.
Patrick returns to the inn quietly and gets into bed without waking up his team.
A few hours later, just before the sunrises, they all wake up get dressed, and ready then head out. They meet up with Qrow at the Northern Gate. "I couldn't find a location on where it could be hiding."
"We have to find it. We have to save Marlene." Selena says.
"I might have a theory." Everyone turns their attention to Patrick. "I've heard Shadowcrawlers hide in Cavern areas. Isn't there an underground area somewhere to the north?" Everyone looks at Patrick almost like he said something they weren't expecting.
Finally, Qrow speaks. "Well, I did spot an old mine somewhere to the north. I suppose that's worth looking into." Everyone else agrees. With no other leads, they all head to the north through the forest.
They haven't come across any wildlife nor any Grimm in these woods. After over two hours of traveling, they have finally reached the mines. The entrance is large with signs planted on the sides. 'DANGER' 'TURN AROUND' 'DO NOT ENTER' 'VACANT'. As they approach the entrance, Akira takes a close look at the walls.
"This entrance shows signs it was barricaded. And it looks like the barricade was broken through." Akira says.
"Sounds like our little friend is here alright," Qrow says.
"And Marlene too," Selena says.
"All right, everyone stay close, and stay sharp," Qrow says.
Following Qrow's orders, everyone enters the mines. It starts to get dark several feet past the entrance, so Selena holds out her staff with a Fire Dust Crystal burning. The tunnels in these mines are covered in webs. Patrick smells the air and gives a disgusted reaction. "It stinks in here. Smells like Death and Decoying Bodies."
Even Selena catches on with the scent. "I feel like I'm about to barf." She says, her voice breaking trying to hold back the vomit.
On their travel, they come across a dead-end of webs. Looks very thick. Qrow takes the lead and cuts open a large hole, once it's open a Skeleton comes falling in and lands in front of everyone. Selena becomes startled, screaming, and jumps onto Patrick's arms. After a moment, Selena looks at Patrick with a nervous chuckle. Patrick gives an annoyed look and drops Selena.
Akira can't take her eyes off the skeleton. "Think this might be one of the Shadowcrawler's meals?"
"Could be," Qrow says. They continue moving deeper into the tunnels. They suddenly come to a stop in a fork tunnel. Both ways show signs the Shadowcrawler has taken them. "Well, that's just great. Looks like we're gonna have to split up."
"Uh, are you sure that's a good idea?" Selena asks.
"I don't like the idea either, princess," Qrow says. He wraps an arm around Selena. "So how about you come with me? This big bad licensed huntsman can protect you."
Selena feels nervous being with him. Patrick starts to get upset then steps in. "Oh no. I'm going with you, Mr. 'Huntsman'." Before Qrow could say anything, Patrick grabs him by his cape and starts dragging him down towards one of the tunnels. Selena and Akira couldn't help but stare at them as they leave.
"Patrick really has it out with men, doesn't he?" Akira asks.
"I've noticed. I mean, Peter's one thing, maybe Qrow too, but he doesn't seem to trust Ozpin." Selena says.
Akira remains silent for a moment then speaks afterward. "Let's go. Marlene's waiting for us." Akira and Selena start walking into the second tunnel.
Qrow takes the lead using a flashlight from his scroll, Patrick follows him from behind, a sword at hand, instincts sharp. Qrow faces forward but he has his attention elsewhere, as he darts his eyes to the side barely turning his head. "Now that we're alone, I've been meaning to ask you...Where did you get the idea our target would be in these mines?"
"I just looked it up on the internet last night," Patrick says.
"The internet you say? Were you using a computer in a crime-operated cafe?" Qrow says.
Patrick starts to get serious. "What are you saying, Branwen?"
Qrow stops and turns to face Patrick. "I saw you walking into the cafe run by that Crime Syndicate."
"So what if I did?" Patrick asks.
"Look pal, I don't know how you run your little Mercenary Job, but what I can tell you is associating with criminals does not roll in the world of Huntsman," Qrow says.
"I don't care about what you think, I only signed up to this Huntsman business just to protect Amber, and hunt down her assassin," Patrick says.
"You should care, kid. Ozpin may have trusted you with information about the maidens doesn't mean you can just do whatever you want." Qrow says. "Just count yourself lucky James didn't find out about this, he'll look you away for the rest of your life regardless of what Ozpin says." Patrick doesn't say anything. "If I were you, I'd think carefully about my decisions.." Qrow turns and continues walking, and Patrick just silently follows him.
Selena takes the lead on their tunnel. She holds her staff out, lighting up the area. There's nothing but bones and cobwebs. Just the sight of it makes Selena nervous, meanwhile, Akira is calm. "Do you think she is okay?" Selena asks.
"Marlene? Who knows. She's been here all night, but I'm sure she'll pull through." Akira says.
"I sure hope so." Selena and Akira come to a stop when they hear a fainted screech. "Wait. Did you hear that?" Selena aims the light from her staff around to look for the source of the noise. There's nothing but silence for a moment, then a loud screech happens, startling the girls, followed by rumbling with the tunnel shaking, and a rockslide happens right behind them.
Meanwhile, Patrick and Qrow are on alert. Patrick takes out his scroll and turns on the light. Qrow catches on to what Patrick is picking up. "Yeah. I heard it." He whispers. "Over there." Patrick moves ahead, the sounds of screeching becoming more and more clear.
Patrick approaches a corner turning the light into it and sees nothing. Patrick lowers his phone in disappointment. "I don't see anything." Qrow's disappointed too. Just then, the Shadowcrawler lands right behind them and roars. Patrick and Qrow turn, startled, facing the beast. "Why did I have to say that?" They take out their weapons and fight the beast.
Akira continuously strikes the blocked tunnel with her sword, with no progress made. Groan in exhausting, Akira sheathes her sword. "I cannot breakthrough. We'll have to find another way to get out."
"This is great. First Marlene gets kidnapped, then we get separated from the guys, and now we're trapped in a tunnel. This is some bad luck we're having." She has no idea.
"I agree these are some unfortunate events happening, but we shouldn't let them weigh us down. Even a broken weapon can mean a difference between victory and defeat." Selena doesn't really understand what she means but sort of gets the idea of what she means. "Let's keep moving."
Qrow faces the Shadowcrawler head-on. The large Grimm slams its legs where Qrow stands but he dodges each of them. Patrick stands out of range firing his arrows. The arrows dealt hardly any effect against the body, but for one of them, Patrick shoots the arrow straight for the Grimm's eyes. The arrow pierces one of the eyes, causing it to screech in agony then roar in rage. the Shadowcrawl spits a wave of acid at Patrick, who ducks and the acid hits the tunnel walls, and the support beam on it.
Qrow takes notice of the support beam breaking from its weakened state. "LOOK OUT!" Qrow dashes in and pushes Patrick out of the way just in time before the beam crashes and some falling rocks smash on the very spot. The Shadowcrawler runs deeper into the tunnels.
Seeing the monster getting away, Pattrick shoves Qrow off of him, gets back on his feet, and chases after it. "After it!"
Qrow stands behind offended. "You're welcome." then follows him.
Akira and Selena run through their tunnels as they heard the loud screech. "I don't like the sound of that. Think Patrick and Qrow found it?" Selena asks.
"Most likely." Akira and Selena run until they arrive in a large open area in the mines. Most likely a central ground for the miners. Selena heightens the fire on her staff and the room brightens up, showing a ton of webs and countless cocoons and skeletons. "This must be its nesting ground."
They both start looking around, feeling nervous at the loud screeching sounds echoing from the tunnels. "Hello!? Is anyone here?" Selena shouts. There are sounds of mumbling, happening all around them. Coming from the cocoons. Akira approaches one of the cocoons and cuts it open, freeing a man trapped inside. The man is weak and disoriented. But he's not the only one. Selena and Akira open more and more cocoons. Most of them were the citizens of the village, others Lil' Miss's Spiders. But one...
Akira cuts open the last Cocoon, and Marlene's body falls right out of it. "Marlene!" Hearing her name, Selena rushes to them. Akira helps Marlene stand. "You okay?"
"How are you feeling?" Selena asks.
"Akira? Selena? Is it really-" Marlene groans as she almost collapsed. She puts a hand on her head. "I-I...I don't know. I feel weak."
Suddenly, there's a massive roar that shakes the tunnel. The Shadowcrawler comes out of one of the tunnels. The citizens' awareness increased dramatically as they scream at the sight of the Grimm Monster. Akira and Selena take immediate action, Selena shoots firebolts from her staff, and Akira charges drawing out her sword, the weapon loading up Earth Dust. "Third Sword Form:" Akira jumps, holding her sword over her hand, and slams it to the ground as she stands, unleashing a wave of raising earth spikes. "Shatter!"
The Shadowcrawler takes a head-on hit from the wave of earth. It slams its legs on the earth spikes, shattering them. Akira and Selena do their best to fight off the Grimm Spider. But the creature is strong, and the panicking citizens and Marlene unable to fight in her condition is no help.
But good luck finally comes through as Qrow and Patrick arrive, leaping into the air and diving their weapons right onto the Shadowcrawler's back. Patrick takes out two Fire Dust Crystals and a Lightning Dust Crystal. He stabs the crystals on the monster's back neck. After moving further back, Patrick shoots an arrow at the crystals, causing a massive explosion to the Grimms head.
The Shadowcrawler roars in agony, its scream fading as its body collapses until it lays dead, with its neck blown open. The large Grimm starts to fade away into nothingness. Upon the Grimm's defeat, the citizens cheer gleefully.
After the events within the mines, Qrow and PASM escort the citizens back to the village. They all spread the word that the Shadowcrawler has been defeated and that the village can finally be at peace, at least for the time being.
With their missing done, they started heading towards the airship. "All right. Not bad for your first mission, Huntsman and Huntresses." Qrow says. "But you still got a long way to go."
"It is indeed value to strive for improvement even on the side of victory," Akira says.
"Indeed. Now, let's head back to the Academy." Qrow says. Qrow and PASM enter the airship. Once they're all set, the airship takes off, heading back to Beacon Academy.