Don't own RWBY. Only own Empty/Agatha.
Chapter 13
To the Mines We Go
Jacket? Check. Yin and Yang? Check. Scroll? Check. Headphones? Check. I was ready to go. I walked out to the living area and saw no sign of Qrow. "Hey Strawhead, are you still getting ready?" I called out.
"I'm coming," I heard Qrow say and he came out of his bedroom fastening his cape onto some new clothes. He was now wearing a dark gray collar shirt with floral patterns on the sleeves and a black vest that had cross shaped buttons. Underneath that was a white V-neck shirt. He also replaced his black dress pants with gray ones and his shoes looked new too.
"Looking sharp Qrow," I complimented, trailing my eyes up and down appreciatively. While I never had interest in being attracted to someone (and even if I did it would be a BAD idea) I did take note when someone tried to put an effort into looking their best. "Trying to impress someone?"
Qrow rolled his eyes with a smile. "Trying to bring a new outlook into my life and I thought some new clothes would help. They did with Oscar." I smiled at the memory of the shopping trip we took in Argus. "What about you? I heard the kids got some new clothes too," Qrow asked me.
"The jacket is a gift from one of my teammates and this shirt design is just me," I explained. "I see no need for a change right now." Qrow shrugged and after a quick breakfast we made our way to the hanger where we met up with the others. Like Qrow said, they had new outfits as well and some of them even got hair cuts. Mostly Blake and Jaune, Ruby looks like she just got a trim. Everyone was having fun with Jaune's haircut.
"It looks like you glued a bunch of bananas on your head," Yang said giggling.
"Well I think it looks dignifying," Ruby said.
"Thank you Ruby!" Jaune said.
I walked over to them chiming in "Well the way it sticks up does seem weird maybe if you flatten it down." I reached for Jaune's hair but he swatted my hand away.
"I like it this way. And besides it's already gelled up so it would be hard to flatten right now anyway," he told me.
"Besides I've seen Jaune this morning before he gelled up his hair and trust me it's an improvement," Nora added.
It was then time to board the airships and I made my way over to the one Clover, Qrow, and I were going to take. Qrow had already hopped in but Clover just stood there in a daze. He looked rather flushed too.
"Hey Clover, are we ready to go?" I asked him. He didn't hear me. Still in some kind of trance. "Clover, are you there?" I tried again. Still no response. Snapping my fingers in front of his face I shouted "Atlas Tower to Hotshot! Do you read?"
That got his attention and he frowned at me. "I thought I told you to call me Clover."
"I did. Twice. You seemed out of it," I told him. Clover looked embarrassed and went on inside. "Hey, you okay?" I asked him.
"I'm fine," he assured me, taking the seat opposite Qrow. I sat next to him and the pilots proceeded to take us to the mines.
There is one thing about humans that both amuses me and worries me. Most of them seem to be adrenaline junkies. Like that one actor with the spy films where he feels the need to actually climb up one of the world's tallest buildings or hang on to a flying airship instead of using special effects.
Or in our case; jumping out of an airship with no parachute and instead relying on a 'Landing Strategy'.
I mean, I get it. Slow descend plus flying Grimm equals easy targets, but still. No one could really think of a safer way to land at a drop zone? It is a lot of fun though.
The pilots announced that we had approached the drop zone and the three of us went over to the side door. Clover opened it and I was instantly slammed with a rush of cold air as I saw the mines below us.
"Let's make it happen people," Clover called over the comms before giving a nod to me and Qrow.
We both nodded back and I slipped my headphones over my ears and turned on the power.
I looked in the mirror and I've gotta say
The three of us jumped out of the airship. Qrow took out Harbinger in its shotgun form and started shooting at the ground to slow his descent.
It's been a long long time since I felt this way
Right now I'm just a bit surprised
Clover got out Kingfisher and hooked it onto a sturdy ledge. With it in place he swung himself down.
Cause I feel just fine and I might just touch the sky
With Yin and Yang at the ready I aimed at just the right time and shot some gravity dust at the ground pushing me up a little so I was able to land without my form going splat.
I might just touch the sky
Once we landed, Clover had us slide down a part of the mountain where we found a cave leading into the upper levels of the mines.
As Qrow dusted some snow off and I removed my headphones Clover activated his earpiece again. "This is Alpha squad. LZ's clear. Proceeding on foot. You've all got fancy new scrolls, so don't forget to use them. Keep your eyes and ears open. I want an update if you encounter the target. Alpha out." He cut off communications and beckoned us to follow him inside.
The walk was quiet for the first few minutes. Finally, and surprisingly, Qrow was the first to break the silence. "Gotta say, I'm still not really used to working with other Huntsmen in the field."
"I know right?" I agreed with a small giggle. "It seems weird after working solo for so long."
"But the two of you were on teams before weren't you?" Clover asked us. Qrow and I stared at each other for a few seconds and I could see the sad look in Qrow's eyes.
I threw my hands up in surrender. "Alright I'll go first," I said and started telling them about how the rest of Team SCAM was doing as well as why we split up. It didn't take long as there was nothing really dramatic about it so it was soon Qrow's turn.
He just sighed and turned his head away from us. "It was a long time ago. I just found that working alone tends to be for the best."
"Well, I think that's a shame," Clover said. And either Qrow has no idea how to take a compliment or his semblance decides to show its weird ass humor again because Qrow wound up tripping over his own two feet. I made to grab him but Clover was closer and quicker. Clover hauls him up and gives him a small smile but Qrow just backs away.
Clover starts walking ahead of us while asking for an update from the others. Things were quiet with Team C but Team B had reported a blockage at the main entrance that they were trying to clear out. Clover ended the call right as I gave out a loud sneeze and started to shiver. We had traveled deeper into the mines now and it was starting to get really cold.
"Getting cold Ags?" Qrow asked me with a smirk on his face.
"How are you two not? I'm the only one with a jacket here!" I pointed out.
"You get used to it," Clover answered.
"Don't see why we need to," I mumbled. "Remind me again why people thought it was a good idea to set up civilization on an ice block."
"The cold weather helps keep the Grimm at bay," Qrow supplied.
"Yeah, uh-huh," I scoffed, remembering the Sybers we fought when we first came to Mantel as well as the fact that we are here to kill a Geist. "Doesn't seem to be working out so well."
Seriously this kingdom needs a serious makeover now that I've gotten a good look at it. Mistral was fine when I lived there and when I visited Vacuo they only needed a couple of small oases to help them thrive again. I plan on using my powers to fix Vale once I reveal myself and after we take care of Salem and my brothers. Now I'm wanting to put Atlas on the list to fix as well. At least in the geological sense. I'll let them iron out the more political stuff.
Maybe some hot springs to help keep the cities warm. And I honestly don't think the floating island is doing anyone any favors despite what the higher ups say. I'll need some second opinions on that one. Maybe add a mountain like wall to help protect the city until the Grimm are gone for good. They can only get in via flight anyway so it wouldn't be much of a hindrance.
I was brought back into reality when Harriet called over on the comms. "This is Bravo! We found the target, but it fled deeper into the mines. Engaging Centinels!"
"We gotta get moving!" Clover urged and the three of us started running deeper until a shaking made us stop. Several Centinels started crawling out of the floors and walls and came right at us.
We wasted no time. Clover hooked Kingfisher around the neck of one and threw it straight into another. Qrow transformed Harbinger into its scythe form and started cleaving left and right. I shot at a couple but one burst out right behind me. I side-butted it with Yin before swinging Yang down on its head. It started to disappear when another one started crawling its way to me. It spat green goop at me but I activated the shield in Yin to block the attack before Clover wrapped his line around the creature's neck and Qrow sliced it up with Harbinger's sword form.
"Thanks," I told them, getting my first good look at Clover's weapon. "So I've been meaning to ask: Why a fishing pole?"
Clover chuckled as he folded the weapon back in. "Swordplay has never really been my forte and I'll admit to being a lousy shot. But reeling in a Grimm isn't too different from reeling in a big catch."
I hummed in acknowledgement before spotting Qrow's eyes widened in surprise. "Heads up!" he shouted and lowered his sword to reveal the shotgun part of his weapon. I looked behind me and had to duck as the Geist flew right above me.
Qrow kept trying to shoot at it while I threw out my Void Spheres. It just dodged all of it. Clover called out to the other. "This is Alpha! We've engaged the target! All squads head toward our positions!" He then unfurled Kingfisher again and casted its line. The hook barely grazed the Geist before it flew into an ice rock which then rose up.
Well that was unimpressive. "Hey Hotshot, try some bait on that hook!" I couldn't help but joke despite the situation. Clover rolled his eyes and ran up to the Grimm as it started to pull other objects around itself to form its new body. I joined him, firing Yin and Yang at some of the parts trying to make it to where it won't have a body to form.
"Wait, stop!"
Clover and I turned to where Qrow still was when Clover then grabbed me and spun me around. "Look out!" he cried. I let out a small scream in surprise as a metal beam fell in front of us. The Petra Gigas was gone by the time the dust settled.
Qrow ran over to us as Clover swore under his breath and activated his comm. "Target escaped. Last scene heading east." He then addressed Qrow.
"Thanks for the call out," Clover praised. "That could have been bad."
"Looks like one of the pieces the Geist wanted to use was behind this beam," I suggested checking out the damage.
"Please don't do that Agatha," Qrow grumbled. What was with him?
My eyes widened before they narrowed. "Oh no. You are not blaming your semblance on this."
"This clearly happened because I'm here!" Qrow argued.
"Will it kill you to not be pessimistic for two seconds?" I shouted.
"Alright calm down," Clover ordered, getting in between us. I huffed and turned away crossing my arms. Clover looked at Qrow. "Why would you think this is your semblance?"
Qrow sighed. "My semblance brings misfortune. Sometimes I can't bring it under control." He turned away, as if expecting Clover to hate him now.
Clover simply smiled and asked. "Is that so?" He checked something on his scroll before looking at the damaged beam.
"Well hey don't beat yourself up about it," Clover told Qrow.
"Too late," I muttered but was ignored as Clover used Kingfisher to snag the busted beam and pulled it down, causing a new tunnel to form.
"My semblance is good fortune. Lucky you huh?" he added with a wink. My eyebrows shot straight up in surprise and I looked over to Qrow to see how he's processing this.
I had to put a hand up to my mouth to stifle a laugh cause Qrow just looked so dumbfounded yet hopeful and, was that arousal I had seen briefly flashing through his eyes? Qrow quickly snapped out of it and followed Clover who had gone on ahead instructing his team to meet up at the heart of the mine. I quickly caught up, rubbing my hands together gleefully.
The look on Clover's face when we entered the airship. The eyes he made and the flushed face Qrow had when he tripped. That wink just now. Qrow's face in reaction.
Oh, I am going to have so much fun with this.
But that was going to have to wait. And I needed to make some inquiries first before I could do anything. First things first though, we had a job to do.
We made it to the mine just in time for a crystal to fly right above Clover's head. He caught it with ease, joking about what his team mates would do without him before tossing the crystal over to Qrow. Giving us a cocky salute, Clover flipped backwards over the edge and rejoined the Ace Ops. "Should we go down and help?" I asked Qrow.
"Seems like they've got it under control," Qrow answered before going back to his thoughts. He was right. The Ace Ops function like a well oiled machine. I couldn't help but feel something was missing from them though. Clover was able to wrap Kingfisher around the face of the Geist and pull it straight out before Harriet finished it off with an upper cut while armed with Fast Knuckles.
What remained of the body started crumbling down and the Ace Ops worked fast to make sure none of the dust crystals fell to the ground. Harriet tried to catch the last one but was out sped by Ruby. With the fight now over Qrow and I jumped down to rejoin Clover.
"Lucky catch, huh?" Qrow asked.
Clover gave a small hum. "No. I'd chalk that one up to talent." He then reported back to headquarters while the others cheered over their victory.
The rest of the construction crew arrived when we came out of the mines. Ruby, Jaune and Nora would not stop gawking at the Ace Ops.
"You guys were incredible!" Jaune told Clover. "Oh, the way you took down that Geist without even having to plan your tactics out, you just knew exactly what to do."
"Well, Ace-Ops are hand-picked to perfectly compliment one another. So we can focus on our assets and leave our liabilities behind," Clover explained.
"Some of us are all assets, zero liability," Marrow bragged with a dramatic salute. Elm starts snickering at that and Marrow goes to confront her. "Yeah? You think I've got some liabilities, Elm?"
"Your brains for one," Elm jokes.
Ouch! Elm: One. Marrow: Zip.
I turned to Clover. "Seriously though, you and your friends work really well together."
Clover's face then fell. "I wouldn't really call us friends."
Ignoring Nora's cries of Thunder Thighs (I don't even want to know) I tried to ask Clover what he meant when Ruby said something along the same lines to Harriet.
"Friends?" Harriet asked skeptically.
"This isn't the school yard kid," Elm added.
Yang then stepped in. "But, I mean, when you go through so much with someone, it kinda changes things, doesn't it?" It was something I agreed with. Samantha, Cho, Marik, they weren't just my friends, they became my brother and sisters. Samantha felt the same way. Hell, Marik and Cho got hitched a week after we graduated.
Harriet put a hand on her hip. "We get along well enough, sure. I trust them to keep me alive. They do the same. But that's the job. We don't confuse the two." She then rushed off to where we were.
"That sounds rather lonely," I said to Clover.
Clover's face still looks sad. "I've been used to it by this point. And speaking of the job..." he trailed off as it looked like Ironwood had shown up and called the Ace-Ops over. Clover told us to hang back as the soldiers reported to their general.
Now I see what was missing when the Ace-Ops fought the Geist. They lacked the fun flare that I've seen teams have when fighting the enemy. Me and my team were like that back then. RWBY and Jaune's team also had that flare when we fought those Manticores way back on the train. Qrow even had that flare when we fought together.
Normally this wouldn't bug me. This was Atlas after all so I'm honestly not too surprised. But the look in Clover's eyes. It seemed like he's been like this for too long. I glanced at Qrow. He was watching Clover with a look of understanding on his face.
Oh, yeah, that reminds me.
I walked over to Ruby and Yang so I could ask them something but Qrow then grabbed my shoulder and called out to the others jabbing his thumb towards Ironwood. "Can I get the team leaders over here? There's something I'd like to discuss with you. Qrow, Agatha, you two as well."
As we walked over, Ironwood finished his instructions to Clover. "I need you on the ground, but be subtle. If people see too many Huntsmen milling around, they'll get nervous."
Clover gave a salute and walked away before Ironwood added "And Clover? Don't take Marrow." Said soldier was giving a dramatic telling of today's events to one of the lower rank soldiers. Clover nodded and we were left with the general.
"New problems in Mantel?" Qrow asked.
"More of the same, unfortunately," Ironwood answered. He pulled out his scroll and displayed an image. On the right side of the screen was a mugshot of Forrest. On the other... was his corpse. Blood spilled all over the alleyway.
"Someone in Mantel has been taking out public leaders who speak out against Atlas. Specifically, people who speak out against me. It didn't look like a pattern at first. But this is the third murder of it's kind in the last week," Ironwood explained.
I clenched my fists in anger and turned my head away from the image. Tears build in my eyes. Why would someone kill Forest? All he did was throw a brick at a transport ship. The guy was harmless.
Apparently someone didn't agree. Or worse, his death was meant to serve a means to an end, but what?
"Your opposition in Mantel dropping dead isn't exactly a good look for you, huh?" Qrow asked the general while placing his hands on my shoulders. I relaxed at the touch, appreciating the small comfort Qrow was offering.
"Not really worried about my public image," Ironwood argued. "But it is causing unrest. I think someone's trying to frame me and, by extension, Atlas. And it's working."
"Well, if it wasn't for the embargo making everyone so mad, people probably wouldn't be so quick to blame you for everything else," Jaune scoffed. Ironwood frowned at him so Juane quickly gave a small "Sir" at the end.
"Plus, I feel like you should be a little worried about what people think about you," I added, though my voice sounded rather small at the moment. "If people don't like you, then what reason would they have to trust you?"
Ironwood pinches the bridge of his nose. "I suppose you two are right. Things in Mantel have been... hard to manage lately. I'm not blind to its issues. Which is what I want to talk to you about. With the launch of the communications tower, and tensions down in Mantel. I think there's a lot of good your teams can do here." He looked up at Amity Colosseum with a very hopeful expression.
That soon went away as he received a transmission on his comms. Someone had shown up and James did not seem happy about that but said he'd deal with the stranger himself.
"More Manel problems?" Qrow asked.
"No, this one is an Atlas problem," James answered as an airship landed not far from where we were.
The doors of the ramp opened up revealing a very pissed off Jacques Schnee ranting to Ironwood about taking the mine. I ignored him for the most part. Ironwood was handling him well. But then Jacques noticed Weiss. Qrow and I tensed up as he approached her but she held her ground. Ironwood helped by reminding the oldest Schnee that he was still there so Jacques couldn't do anything.
Physically.
"You know, your mother was devastated when you left," Jacques informed his daughter. "Wouldn't leave her room for days. You know how... she gets... when she's upset." Her teammates rushed to her and I saw a shared pained look in Yang and Ruby's eyes. Looks like Qrow wasn't the only one with a drinking problem.
As the Goddess of Empty I have decided to smite this wicked creature that Weiss has to call her father. I.E. shoot this bastard while his back was turned but Qrow placed a hand on mine when I pulled Yang out. "Not in public," he whispered to me.
"Fine," I grumbled and holstered my weapon. But if Jacques has a stomach virus for the rest of the week they can't trace it back to me. Jacques took his leave after throwing one more insult at both Weiss and Ironwood. Winter showed up at that point along with Penny who informed us that there was a surprise for the kids.
For the first time in eight years I found myself walking through the halls of Amity Colosseum. I couldn't help but reflect on how much everything has changed since I was last here. Not just for me but for Remnant. Not just with the Fall of Beacon but in general. Time changes everything.
Ironwood seems to be thinking along the same lines as he goes on a speech about what the children went through since Salem made her play over a year ago. At his signal Penny started walking in front of everyone and tapping something on a tablet it was holding.
At everyone's confusion, mine and Qrow's included, Winter filled us in. "You are being granted your huntsmen license. Today."
"I know this is coming a little ahead of schedule," Ironwood told them. "But Siblings know you deserve it."
Well I believe they deserve it. Doubt my brothers would even care if they were here.
I shook the bitterness off. This was about the kids. And this was a big moment for them. With what happened at Beacon, what they went through after, and with what's to come. It's only logical that they be named official Huntsmen now. The kids were looking at their scrolls in disbelief. Ruby was the first to be able to speak. "I- We are honored, General Ironwood. But you don't have to-'' Ironwood then cut her off.
"Please. With the threat of Salem still out there and tensions rising in our Kingdom, I could certainly use more trustworthy fighters by my side." Ironwood walks away and I could see everyone's smile fall at his choice of words. I was tense too. There was a chance he'd be singing a different tune when we eventually told him about the whole "Salem is immortal" thing.
Ironwood didn't seem to notice the tension at the moment as he assured us that when the tower becomes up and running that we'll handle what comes after together. He then pauses and rather awkwardly adjusts his tie. "That's just about all the prompts I have left in me. If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to running this operation. Um.. Well, then. Enjoy the cake." Ironwood and Winter take their leave.
"Your speech outros are improving sir!" Penny called out in encouragement.
"That was an improvement?" I asked Qrow in a hushed tone.
Qrow busted into a fit of laughter. "You should have seen him last year. Man can't end a speech to save his life."
And this guy is a general of an army AND headmaster of an academy? I guess everyone's got their faults.
We walked over to the kids who were still dumbfounded by this.
"After everything we've been through, I almost forgot this was what I wanted in the first place," Yang said.
"When Beacon fell, I didn't think this would even be possible," Blake added.
"It almost seems trivial now," Weiss agreed.
"I wouldn't sweat the details right now. The general's giving us a reason to party and I'm not going to turn that down. You guys deserve that much," I said, trying to assure them.
"She's right," Qrow agreed. "Lighten up a little. Enjoy yourselves for a change."
"Like you're one to talk," I joked.
"Hey!" Qrow yelled, giving me a light shove. The rest of us laughed and I could see the tension ease off of the kids.
"Let's kill some cake!" Nora cheered. "Because I can eat two slices of cake before Ren even eats one. Who says I can't? Who says it?"
I scoffed. "I can eat three before you can eat one," I challenged.
"Oh it's on!" Nora declared. She grabbed me by the arm and dragged me over to the cake that Penny had sliced. I instantly lost our little challenge because Nora can apparently eat a whole slice of cake in just one bite. The cheater.
We all just hung out and ate. Nora joined Ren and Weiss with six more slices stacked on top of one another. Yang was taking selfies with Blake and Ruby and Qrow were talking up in the bleachers. I just stood off to the side watching them and enjoying the peace.
I took another bite of cake and chewed absentmindedly. Imprinting the moment into my memory. The next few months were going to be tense. The communications tower, everything going on in Mantel, the secret we're now holding over James. No one knew what the future was going to be.
I mean I could find out but if there's one thing I learn from those future dreams I keep having is that knowing ahead of time is not always worth it. And I've always preferred focusing on the here and the now.
And right now I need to focus on how to help this kingdom.
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