Halo, it's time for the next chapter. Enjoy the reading.
It was an incredibly grueling mission for the LLMM team as they fought their way through a cave system full of traps and ended up with an ancient rock-bound Knight who had been trapped inside the mountain for who knows how long.
They boarded the transporter and were already on their way back to Beacon.
- Do you think we get extra points for this success? - Mike was interested.
- They better give some! - Lynda snapped.
- You think the witch who cursed him, - Lance was thinking. - is still alive?
- Come on, - Lynda shrugged. - who knows how many thousands of years ago that could have happened to him. She's probably dead too.
- And how long did the curse would have lasted? - Lance wasn't convinced.
- Mines that were installed during the Great War also exploded recently. - Mandy replied. - They were simply forgotten and no one knew about them. Maybe the witch's death didn't break the curse.
- Sounds logical. - Mike added.
- Then, - Lance changed the subject. – what do you think team RWBY found in the southeast?
- Maybe they found Torchwick and the White Fang. - Lynda guessed.
- Maybe they didn't find anything. - Mike joined.
- Or they died. - Mandy's guess tripped the mood a bit.
- How can you say that?! - Lynda asked sternly.
- Just think about it, Torchwick is a notorious criminal and the White Fang is a pretty dangerous organization and team RWBY is a team of first year students. How much chance would they have to find and even defeat them?
- Don't you remember how they crushed that Paladin on the highway?! - Lynda reminded her.
- And let me remind you, Dr. Oobleck also went with them. - Mike added. - He's supposed to be a professional Hunter, just like Professor Port."
- And we're also first year students too and we also defeated that cursed Knight. - Lance finished.
- First of all, - Mandy wasn't easy to convince. – we were just lucky with Percival. Second, would you seriously can imagine that Oobleck's fighting Grimm and White Fang soldiers? – This already worked for her teammates but not for Professor Port who just listened in silence.
- I'm afraid, Ms. Forester, you and your teammates terribly misjudge Dr. Oobleck. – He immediately came to the defense of his colleague. – At first glance, he may not seem like a great fighter but anyone who underestimates him will regret it terribly. I made this mistake myself but we participated in countless battles and it turned out that it really holds its own in a more serious clash. – Port's words filled the LLMM team with hope. – As long as he's on Team RWBY's side, your friends won't be in trouble for sure.
Suddenly, Lynda and then Mandy's ears perked up as if they heard something in the distance.
- Do you hear that?! - Lynda looked in the direction of the voice.
- Yeah. - So does Mandy.
- I hope there won't be another cursed Knight, because I'm gonna freaking out! - Lance was nervous.
- Please, don't be it?! - Mike hoped.
- No. - Mandy replied. - It's a siren.
- From the city. - Lynda looked out of the plane. - Is that smoke over there?
Everyone looked where she did and saw black smoke rising from the city of Vale. Mandy didn't understand what was going on, "Hey, there's at least a week left until the attack! What the hell happened?!", she fretted to herself because the place where the smoke was coming from was exactly where the White Fang was about to attack.
- There! - Lynda shouted, pointing to the ground.
- Is that team RWBY?! – Mike could hardly believe his eyes when he saw a huge hole in the middle of the city, the burning wreckage of a train, a small army of Grimm that surrounded the team RWBY. - How did they get here?
- Ask two and easier! Let's help them! - Lance was the first to jump out, followed immediately by Lynda.
Port also jumped out of the plane, followed by Mike but Mandy was reluctant to join the fight.
Lance immediately killed an Ursa, Lynda killed two giant snakes and Mike shot a Nevermore with rockets with the help of What the Heck. Professor Port brought order to a pack of Beowolves with the butt of his axe but Mandy just slowly and confusedly, attached an arrow to her bow and shot an Ursa.
The team JNPR, Sun and Neptune from the team SSSN and the entire Atlas army also appeared shortly. The Grimm were pushed back in minutes after an army of Atlas robot soldiers fell from the transport ships and without thinking they started to thin the enemy.
They didn't success without loss, many robots fell victim to the Grimm but for each robot that fell, another took its place and they continued to exterminate the Grimm as ruthlessly and harshly as they started. They didn't get tired and didn't show mercy.
Soon, even the CMEE team and the CFVY team joined the fight and from then the Grimms had no chance to cause serious damage to the city or its people
The battle was ended by Professor Goodwitch joining the battle, she was in a very bad mood, she crushed several Grimm with her telekinetic Semblance and in the end, she closed the hole that Torchwick's train blew into the city, as if nothing would have happened.
It was a horrible day for Roman, weeks of work ruined by that bunch of kids thanks to Little Red, the only thing he was hoping for was that the Grimm following the train would cause enough mess for him to hang on.
His head was still ringing from Blake's kick but he grabbed Melodic Cludgel, put on his hat and walked out of the train's broken driver's compartment. The chances of him sneaking away in the chaos were reduced to zero as soon as he stepped out of the wreckage of the train as an entire army of Atlas robots and Hunter squads stood in front of him, guns blazing, aimed squarely at him.
- Is there something behind me? - Roman just looked behind him with a confident smile but the people who targeted on him didn't find it funny at all. - So that's it? – He gripped and examined Melodic Cludgel, it was a powerful weapon, it sounded big and could destroy at least half a dozen Atlas tin robots with a single shot but it was surrounded by hundreds, not to mention the Hunters and students. He simply threw it away and put his hands up.
The team CMEE members, Emerald and Mercury were the ones who immediately caught him but he quickly handed a flash drive to the mint green-haired girl who put it away and pocketed it unnoticed.
- I can't believe you caught me! – Roman was handed over to a group of Atlas robots who immediately handcuffed him. - Seriously, - he said as falsely as possible. - I am so sad and immediately regretted what I did. – The robots started to push me onto one of the planes. - Hey, watch the hat!
The city was saved, the Grimm were beaten back, Roman Torchwick was captured and the White Fang was dealt a serious enough blow that they couldn't try another attack soon. The team LLMM had a successful day behind them, they sat down on one of the benches around the fountain to relax.
- We were awesome! - Lynda tried to sound energetic but it was clear how exhausted she was.
- And you thought they were lost, Ms. Pessimism! – Lance teased Mandy, who smiled a little nervously and laughed.
- Yes! - She answered awkwardly. - I was stupid enough to underestimate them!
- Let's congratulate to team RWBY, then... - Mike said but he looked at his tired and exhausted teammates. – or rather... should we go to sleep?
- TO SLEEP! - Lynda and Lance cut in.
- I'm about to collapse. - Lynda added.
Mandy didn't know how to feel, many of her good friends had gone under the Glenn Mountains and probably many died thanks to team RWBY's intervention but she was sure that Cinder still had a few tricks up her sleeve and she knew Adam Taurus so well, he won't give up even after that.
"This is just the beginning."
After the train hit there wasn't much time to watch, as it was completely overrun by the Grimms, the survivors of the White Fang found themselves in a life-and-death struggle in the tunnels. Gunfire, screams, grunts and explosions could be heard everywhere.
Neo, as soon as she woke up immediately realized what had really happened, she felt blood running down her forehead because when the train crushed, she hit her head and a little skin on her forehead was torn which bled profusely.
- Are you okay, kid? – The big lieutenant White Fang was the first one she saw. His voice was deep and hoarse. - I thought you were dead after I pulled you out of the wreckage. – Neo rubbed her forehead and it hurt badly. - Don't do that. - She felt that her aura was already healing the wound. - Use this. - He gave her a salve and a clean rag. - Clean it because it's going to get infected.
Neo did so, then got up from the floor and seeing that she wasn't the only one saved by this big and scary guy. Dozens of wounded White Fang soldiers were lying in the cabin, some were bandaged and wailing, some were crouching in front of the wall and shivering but there were others who were sadly looking at a picture of their family, as these soldiers were now completely desperate, they didn't even know how to get out from here alive.
Neo left the cubicle to look outside and saw the White Fang soldiers working hard to protect the cubicle where their wounded comrades were.
- Hold the front! If they get through us, our wounded brothers and sisters are finished! - One of the female soldiers yelled as she fired at the Grimm like crazy.
- There are too many, ma'am! - Another, male soldier cried.
- We are dying here! - The others also started to give up hope.
- Your fear attracts them! - The lieutenant finally came out, raising his chainsaw and cutting down three Ursas with one blow. - Keep it up! Keep the hope! And stick together! - He raised his chainsaw up. - WE WILL WIN, BROTHERS AND SISTERS! – He screamed at the top of his lungs when the courage of the surviving warriors returned and as they're gaining strength they attacked the Grimm with renewed courage.
A good half hour passed before the Grimm were pushed back enough to stay away from the wagon and instead head towards the blasted hole.
As soon as the leader of the horde left, the hole was closed and total darkness took over the tunnel.
- What happened?! - The fear of the soldiers began to return.
- We're trapped!
- We're going to die here!
- QUIET! – The lieutenant ordered his men to order again. - Let's not give these bastards the pleasure of panicking! Everyone, reload and be ready to fight in 10 minutes!
He returned to the wagon where he set down his chainsaw and removed his mask, revealing his short brown hair, two bear ears and his right eye, which was cut out and three claw marks adorned the right side of his face.
- Perry, have you pulled yourself together? – He asked the engineer, who came out of the closet where he was hiding.
- Yes, Derrick, please tell me you have a plan. - Perry looked at the Lieutenant, Derrick as the last ray of hope.
- It depends, can we somehow start the train to go back to the base?
- Well, as you know, the driver's cab fell through the hole and...
- Yes, I noticed that, along with Torchwick. Is there no alternative solution?
- Well... - Perry started thinking and remembered something. - Maybe... but for that I'd have to see how damaged the train was.
- Then let's not waste time.
Perry, Derrick, and Neo got out of the car to check the damage to the train.
- We are lucky, the train wasn't damaged too much and stayed on the track. - Perry was confident. – There is a spare control module in the rearmost cabin which, if it didn't take serious damage can be changed direction and will take us back through the tunnel.
- Well, we already have a direction. - Derrick was happy with the news, took his mask back and picked up his chainsaw, then went out to his men. - Attention, everyone! - He shouted and the soldiers immediately paid attention to him. – We have a plan to get out but we will need the support of all of you! In the very back compartment there is a backup control system that can be used to start the train and take us back to the base! We need to clear the alcoves of the Grimms, if we can get into the remaining Paladins, we'll have superior firepower and it will be child's play to get to the last alcove! If we have it, we will be just a spit away from safety! Who is with me?! - He raised his fist and the morale of the soldiers was sky high again.
- Derrick, - Perry knew how much the lieutenant cared about his men but seeing how much he was trying to keep everyone alive was an absolutely touching sight. - you have a very good and blessed heart.
- I hope you don't want a kiss? – He said to the engineer coldly and turned to Neo. - I know we didn't really get along but this is the only way out of here. Can you help us? – Neo just crossed her arms and nodded. - Good.
Six of the White Fang soldiers lined up in front of the first booth but Derrick stood at the head of them while Neo provided support from the shadows in case anything went wrong.
Derrick kicked in the door but luckily no Grimm were there. He signaled to move forward as the soldiers moved in and took their positions. Derrick and Neo both went in, Derrick kicked in the next door which had at least 8 Beowolves beating the ranch. The soldiers immediately opened fire, Derrick went forward and bulldozed his way forward. The wagon was clean in no time.
It isn't known how many hours it lasted before they reached the wagon carrying the Paladins but only 3 remained intact, which the soldiers got into, supporting their infantry comrades, Derrick and Neo.
The rest of the Grimm that invaded the train died in seconds and the train was completely in the hands of the White Fang again and they made it to the last compartment. They signaled to their companions in front to fetch Perry who activated the control system.
The train started and this was the signal for the other soldiers to board. As soon as the last White Fang soldier had boarded, Perry started the train and they were already on their way to the base.
- I sent an emergency signal to Adam that we will need rescue and of course medical units. - Perry reported.
- That's good. - Derrick agreed as he put down his chainsaw and sat down on one of the seats. - We were good, - He looked over his exhausted and tired men who were relieved to rest while the train went. – I'm proud of you but we haven't come out of the darkness yet! Our base is probably overrun by Grimm, so we'll have to fight to get out! - Nervousness and fear appeared on the faces of some soldiers at this statement.
- We are barely able to fight anymore! – The female soldier reported in horror.
- Dust is also running low!
- There's nothing to fear, we've already called Adam who will be here to rescue us! – Hearing Adam's name made some of them relieved.
- Will Adam come here? - The other soldier sighed happily. - Why didn't you start with that? - He smiled and laughed with the others as if they had already escaped.
- Even with Adam's help, we won't have an easy job! Our wounded must be taken to the other side of the base, to the planes where Adam will hopefully be waiting for us.
It took an hour for the train to brake and then slowly come to a stop, while the wounded were brought forward the three Paladins also came forward to face the Grimm first.
The train stopped and the Paladins didn't hesitate to jump forward and break through the Grimm horde. Neo, Derrick and a few soldiers supported the Paladins while the rest of the soldiers helped transport the wounded. They moved forward slowly but surely, while at Derrick's command they took care not to harm the wounded.
They were in the middle of the city, everything was clear for now, but their vigilance didn't let them down and they did it well because they stumbled upon another horde of Grimm, the Paladins opened fire but a Deathstalker caught one of them in the side and pierced the cockpit with its stinger, along with the pilot, thereby neutralizing the machine.
Furiously, Derrick cut off one of the terror's scissors and then inserted his chainsaw into its head. They only had to climb a tall flight of stairs to reach the planes. The soldiers gained new strength as soon as they saw the figure standing at the top of the stairs, it was a faunus man, he wore the same Grimm mask as most of the soldiers but no hood, showing his short, spiky, red hair, from which two black bull horns stack out. He wore a black blazer jacket, a red shirt underneath, black pants and shoes, a long black sword scabbard hung from his side and he held a red katana in his hand.
The wounded ones were carried up the stairs first but the soldiers who came with Adam helped them into the planes and the soldiers came next, including Neo and Perry.
A pack of Ursa also took down the second Paladin and tore its pilot apart. Derrick stayed to the end but a Beowolf bit his arm, an Ursa grabbed his leg and a third knocked his mask off, nearly overwhelming him. He looked up, there were only a few steps left to get to the safety planes but the Grimm wouldn't let him go and his strength was running low.
- Adam...! - He yelled at the swordsman, who raised his katana as if charging and slashed into the air, before dozens of Grimm were immediately cut in half by a red energy beam. Unfortunately, the last Paladin also fell victim to this scourge.
Adam put his sword away and offered Derrick a hand to help him up, which he accepted.
- You didn't rush it. - Derrick's joy was boundless after he saw that all the wounded soldiers were safe.
- You're too emotional, Derrick. – That was all Adam answered before getting into one of the planes. Derrick followed him and they were safely on their way to Vale. - The plan was to launch the raid right after the Vytal festival. What happened? – Adam demanded the answer.
- A group of Hunter kids found us before Torchwick started the train.
- Did our plan fail because of a group of kids? - Adam was very unhappy.
- I don't understand either, - He looked at Neo. – she took care one of them, I took care of the Schnee girl but guess what, your girlfriend was also here.
- Blake?! - Adam raised his head at that. - What was she doing here?
- She turned into Huntress and beat Torchwick. I beat her too but the train crashed and instead of chasing her and the Schee girl, - The wounded man looked towards his men. - I rather dealt with them. - Adam just kept silent for a while, his face didn't even move.
- If you had executed the Schnee girl, it would have been a serious blow to the company as well.
- Sorry for not letting our people become Grimm food! - Derrick shot back.
- What happened to Torchwick?
- He was in the driver's cab which flew out through the hole, then a large horde of Grimm came out on him but was stopped by the Atlas army. So, either he was captured by the enemy or killed by the Grimm. – Neo, who had only been listening to the conversation between the two Faunus men, punched Derrick in the side for what he said. - Ouch! - His injuries have weakened him enough to she could hurt him. - What's wrong with you?! It's his fault that so many of us died and our plan fell through because of his fault! – Neo started signing with her hands but Derrick didn't understand. - Sorry, I don't know sign language.
- She says, - But Adam did. – if Roman hadn't started the train, the Hunters would have fled and the army would have been sent here. I think he did the right thing.
- But a lot of our people died! We lost a lot of resources and achieved nothing! – Derrick burst out and Adam just shook his head and Neo just smiled at him evilly.
- Like I said, Derrick, you're too emotional. Maybe we didn't achieve what we should have but it wasn't a complete failure.
The wounded were lodged in a small village outside the city where the main army of the White Fang was stationed. Thanks to Roman's intervention, the villagers welcomed the White Fang soldiers, since they protected them from the Grimm and paid to stay here.
Derrick and the White Fang soldiers stayed behind but Neo and Adam were going back in Vale where security was pretty lax due to the Grimm attack, so they could easily sneak in.
Neo was relieved to learn from the news that Roman has been captured by the Atlas army, so all she has to do is freeing him. Adam didn't say anything while they traveled and Neo didn't initiate any communication either.
The plane dropped them off at the edge of the city and they went straight to the blasted hole where they saw Cinder and her two kids with whom Neo was on a team.
- Those stupid kids really screwed up. – Said Emerald, which Adam with his faunus could heard clearly.
- Yeah. – Mercury nodded. - Lots of faunus stayed there and died in the tunnel. Do you think they will still listen to us?
- No. – Adam spoke, and the members of the CMEE team were surprised to notice him and Neo. - But they'll listen to me.
- I'm glad we're still working together, Adam. - Cinder just smiled evilly. - Don't worry, the deaths of your people will be avenged.
- You better. - He left them there with that.
- Seriously, - Mercury began. - I can never read this guy. – Neo immediately started typing on her Scroll.
"What about Roman?! We can't leave it in the hands of the Atlas!"
- Don't be afraid, Neopolitan - Cinder gently put her hand on Neo's shoulder. - Roman Torchwick's role in our plan is far from over. The most you can do for him now is to follow my instructions and continue playing your role at Beacon academy. - Cinder's yellow eyes began to glow, startling Neo enough to comply.
The Atlas army didn't treat Roman with a soft-hands, they didn't hesitate to push him, beat him and take his hat and Melodic Cludgel. He was locked in a narrow cabin which was dark and could only be seen through a dim window.
But he was happy because the flash drive he gave to Emerald was in a safe place and neither the Atlas nor the Vale people found out about the plan. There was one thing that worried him.
Neo.
He had no idea if Neo got out of there at all or if she did, is she all right.
"Pull yourself together, you idiot! Neo's ten times as tough as you! She even survived even her bastard parents and they were rare big *ssholes! She rescued you from the trap of the Malachit girls and the Xiong thugs and she's gonna rescue you from here too."
The door of the cabin opened and a stern looking man wearing a large white military jacket was in front of him. General Ironwood.
- You can leave. - He ordered the two guards who obeyed. - I heard that you really don't want to cooperate with the authorities.
- I know, - Roman just smiled confidently. – though this will be hard for you to believe, General, but… I'm not a big fan of the authorities.
- What about, - Ironwood just crossed his arms and smiled proudly. – with the strongest army in the world?
- On first impression, - Roman just looked around his cabin and pursed up his lips. - not so good.
- I'll give you one chance to tell me, - Ironwood glared at him sternly. – who's really behind it?
- Isn't it obvious? - Roman leaned forward seriously. - You're looking at him. – Finally, he just playfully leaned back and spread his arms.
- Fine. - Ironwood just left him disappointed.
- Hey, what's the matter, General?! - Roman said after him with feigned offense. - I thought you wanted to talk?
- The council entrusted me with supervision as long as I see fit. Make yourself comfortable because we will have plenty of time to talk.
- Wow, wonderful. – Roman couldn't hold back the burst of laughter.
"Fools, they don't even suspect anything. Soon, I will be the one they answer to."
Roman kept laughing like he actually got what he wanted.
Thank you for reading. Please sign it to follow and as favourite and don't forget to write reviews.
The second Volume has ended.