Team CRLN was once again at the end of a long day of study, finishing in the private training arena. Team CFVY was with them as usual however this time they were instructing each of their juniors on individual combat to assess their capabilities and suggest options to improve their performances. Or at least that's what Professor Port had said.
The boys had held up against their seniors rather admirably today compared to their first round of bouts yet it still had given them no sense of victory. Coco had faced Caelum and upon clashing with him, still found time to make sarcastic remarks and suggest accessories for him to wear. Radien had faced Velvet with the same disparaging result. Niel faced Yatsuhashi, both boys eager and having grown a form of camaraderie in their near-daily matches.
Lukas was matched against Fox and made his displeasure known. With the starting line of "Why do the hard head and kid get the cute lasses while I get the gimp?" thus setting the tone for their bout. Fox showed no outward reaction but his handling of the fight was clear. Where the other three sets had taken their time to advise, correct, and assess movements, Fox made quick work of Lukas. Then he did so again, and again, and again. Lukas's pride wouldn't let him stay down, however, just as Fox's pleasure at disciplining his junior motivated him.
It was five losses for Lukas as everyone else eventually turned to secretly watch aside from Caelum and Coco. The former taking his own practice seriously and keeping his mentor from being distracted. The other two sets however feigned combat halfway as their glances lay upon the battered form of Lukas glaring at the tiring Fox.
Then an alarm rang. Classes were over and both teams' obligations for the day were done. Niel and Raiden bowed before their opponents and took a break. Caelum kept his eyes on Coco who rolled her own under her sunglasses.
"Gotta learn when to chase a lady and when to relent kiddo" and with the flick of a wrist, she dared him to attack as he clearly wanted more practice. As usual, Lukas was gone without a word. With no parting nor even a respectful nod to his opponent, Fox was left to wander over to his teammates with a frown.
Caelum and Coco continued sparring for another half hour before Coco one-sidedly ended it, stating she "Had better things to do than play with kids." Caelum ignored the snide comment and nodded, retracting his weapon and joining his still-present teammates as he caught his breath. With an unsatisfied huff at his lack of reaction, Coco joined her own teammates who tossed her a bottle and towel.
It had begun some time ago as polite chatter before they would depart but somehow it somehow became a daily ritual. The two teams spent some time chatting before going their separate ways for the day. Although Lukas wasn't present, it changed little as it was namely Coco and Velvet who carried the topics while others like Yatsuhashi and Caelum were adamant in hardly speaking. Surprisingly, Fox had shown himself to be more happy-go-lucky than initially perceived and quite chatty when one got to know him.
Today's topic turned to what graduation at Beacon must be like, a simple curiosity asked by Raiden and supported by Niel. Coco was quick to brag, saying she had seen it just once as it was invite only and the entire thing was only recorded by the headmaster who kept it within the school's personal records, for only himself and alumni to see.
"Ozpin would deliver one of his famed speeches, different every time but with the same premise. 'Beacon is not a place but an idea planted in each and every student to serve as a hopeful light for others by defending those who cannot defend themselves and protecting one another.' Then the old timer would kick the graduating class out in a friendly albeit abrupt way. Rumor is he has a particular distaste for long goodbyes."
With a sassy wave of the hand and a sultry tone to her storytelling, Raiden and Niel were enraptured by her recount. Velvet, Yatsuhashi, and Fox chuckled at the younger boys enrapture with their leader as they had come to expect. Coco seemed to simply exude that kind of charisma. This made Caelum's indifference all the more noticeable to Coco herself.
"Really trying to play it cool aren't ya?" asked Coco, grabbing the underclassman's attention. Seeing he was being spoken to, Caelum turned to the group, making it clear he hadn't paid attention. As attention was on him, no one noticed when Coco's eye twitched at his blank expression when Velvet spoke.
"Are you really not interested in graduation? The fact Coco got to attend one early is a rare exception, not many know how it happens."
Caelum shrugged. "I tend to think over more pressing matters as well as that which grabs my interest."
"Such as?" asked Yatshashi.
Caelum pointed at Coco, surprising all except the woman herself who grew a smug grin. "Getting ahead of yourself aren't you?" she asked tauntingly.
Caelum nodded. "It may be presumptuous of me but wouldn't it be best to change or at least modify your weapon? The weight distribution and constant carrying will affect your performance later in your career as it shifts your spine."
All males turned to him in surprise as Velvet stifled a laugh. Coco seemed insulted as she stepped forward and grasped him by the cuff of his jacket pulling him close and speaking softly to him with a voice feigning politeness. "Aww sweetie, it's cute you're worried. However, if theirs one thing I prioritize, it's fashion. And I'll die before I fall out of it." The emphasizing glare she gave from her lowered sunglasses was only matched by the one Caelum returned, unappreciative of her demeanor.
"That's quite the bold claim, hopefully, you live to not regret it," he said in the same lukewarm manner. He then turned silent, knowing there was no further conversation on such a topic even if it was out of concern for practicality.
Coco pushed her glasses back up and pointed at the door behind them. "Besides, isn't your most pressing matter your absentee friend?"
"Coco…" whined Velvet, upset at her lack of subtlety.
"If you need assistance we will provide whatever we can" offered Yatsuhashi as Fox nodded in solidarity.
Caelum shook his head. "You needn't remind me, Niel has already approached me over the subject. As for your offer, I will decline. If the females come he will just try to flirt and if you and Fox come then he will be even more obstinate."
Coco sent a glare, seemingly offended at being referred to as an issue as the rest of her team nodded in understanding. When asked how he would handle it, Caelum remained silent on the issue. Once the teams departed to clean up and go about their day, Niel and Raiden brought the issue up once more when they were alone in the locker room.
Getting dressed, Caelum answered matter of factly. "We are pressed for time. Though there are situations with teams of three or even fewer in more senior years it will only serve to handicap us, especially you Niel as he's your partner. People however aren't simple nor always capable of acting rationally at times. So we are left with two options. First, we approach him when he doesn't expect it and speak of the problem, trying to correct any misgivings."
His teammates nodded, following his train of thought and surprised at the rather progressive mindset of talking over their issues. A real team-oriented point of view one would say.
"The second has two possible outcomes. We fight and knock sense into him or we break him and get rid of him early, mitigating any future damage."
As he continued dressing his teammates froze and turned to stare at him in silence. Waiting for the punchline, Raiden and Niel looked slowly looked at each other as they realized he was dead serious.
"U-um Caelum…" began Raiden as Niel continued. "I don't think that is-"
"I said these were our only options. If you have any ideas with greater chances of success, I'll hear them. But so you know, I for one know these work." With the slam of his locker, Caelum ended the conversation. "I'll meet you two in the courtyard for the seven o'clock bullhead. Put on casual clothing as I've instructed and remember, no noticeable weapons."
The boys nodded glumly as their leader departed. The two boys looked at each other once the locker room doors clicked shut. Their eyes conveyed that they were both expecting option two to become an inevitability, knowing Caleum and Lukas.
"Let's try to prevent any permanent damage" suggested Raiden.
"Agreed" nodded Niel.
The three boys showed up in the courtyard. As instructed by Caelum, in unassuming clothes. Each wore a form of baggy, bland-colored clothing. The intention behind his order was to blend in with more common folk who didn't wear the eccentric fashion-leading clothing that huntsman did. Even Caleum's gray fatigues would stand out sorely amongst the average citizen of Vale.
Caelum himself was comfortable in the fact that he would blend in with the masses of Vale as opposed to his peers and their most notable features. He wore a scarf tucked into his coat, as Niel, though uncomfortable, complied with slightly slouching to reduce his height and wearing a hoodie as Raiden wore a large cap to cover his silver hair.
Soon the boys were loaded on and off to Vale proper. Raiden was a little starry-eyed during the short trip, this funnily enough being his first trip into the city and certainly not the reason he expected to be going. Daydreams of hanging out, cafes, maybe even partying if he felt brave enough were just that as he was on a retrieval job with his team. Soon the boys departed the bullhead and began walking.
"Where do we start looking?" asked Niel as he reigned in Raidens sightseeing.
"Just follow me" replied Caelum, making pace as if he knew where exactly Lukas was. Soon their escapade led them to the front door of a large nightclub. Massive neon signs flickered, advertising drinks, dancing, and music. No name was present, a more modern choice to keep with 'chic' tastes and a feeling of exclusivity despite its size and the obvious crowds it would gather.
In front of the door was a set of bouncers and security. The former wore black buttoned shirts and slacks, with white armbands as the security wore light stabproof vests and a belt with tasers, cuffs, a baton, and a sidearm.
Niel and Raiden cautiously stood behind their leader as he stepped towards the doors. Before Caelum's foot even hit the mat placed in front, two bouncers stepped in his path. Raiden and Niel looked between each other and the bouncers, their eyes drifting to the few security guards standing by.
Unfettered, Caelum looked up at the Large, imposing men. "Is there an issue gentleman?" he asked politely.
"Ain't you a bit young to be here boy?"
I've checked your venue and it allows young adults and up. I assure you we are all sixteen and above as the law dictates. We can present our I.D. if necessary."
The other guard shook his head, even with his glasses on it was clear from the muscles tensing on his face that he was staring him down. "No need, clubs full."
The statement brought relief to Raiden who thought that'd be the end of it. Caelum proved him wrong.
"On a Tuesday night?"
The men nodded in unison.
"At seven thirty in the evening?"
This time neither man moved and glowered at him.
Almost sarcastically, Caelum looked left and right. "No line either. Interesting business practice you have here."
"You got something to say?" Asked the first man followed by the second who motioned to the side with his head. "Catch the hint kid. Forget it, scram."
Caelum raised his hands in a show of good faith. "That's fine, we'll do just that. But before we go I do have a question. We're looking for an acquaintance. Blonde, bad attitude, green eyes. Taklachin can you provide a picture?"
Niel scrambled for his scroll and pulled up the only photo of his peer he had, the school's default profile picture. The two bouncers looked over the picture. "Never seen him" came the answer.
However, Caelum had seen their body language. Their cross arms tightened upon seeing the picture. The one wearing glasses twitched his head sideways, a nervous tick from his neck as his partner tapped his heel, rushing to dismiss them. Caelum had found his answer.
With narrowed eyes, he gave a piercing stare at the two men. "Seems we found him."
"Listen here you little-" said the bouncer as he placed a rough hand on Caelum's collar.
"This is assault you know" interrupted Caelum, wrapping a strong grip around the man's pinky and ring fingers before wrenching them back with a loud snap.
The man fell to one knee grasping his forearm as Caelum held the man's broken digits. The other bouncer lunged forward intent on taking the boy down as his face met Caelum's elbow mid-swing. With shattered sunglasses the man fell to his side, coughing to clear the nasal cavity of fresh blood.
A series of clicks and snaps were heard as the three security guards standing outside whipped out their batons and tasers. One began speaking into a small radio on his vest. Keeping his eyes on them as they cautiously approached, Caelum spoke over his shoulder.
"We're all complicit in this, keep your faces covered and down from cameras. Take the fight inside to reduce property damage and attention. We're going in, finding who we want, and getting out."
Niel stepped forward, shaking his wrists loose. "That latter half sounds like you're trying to mitigate charges in case we're arrested."
"Prepare for anything."
"Too late to back out?"
To confirm his question the two boys charged as the three men did, leaving Raiden shocked and confused to follow them in.
In a flash, Niel delivered two harsh blows to one guard knocking him back as Caelum caught the wrist of one swinging his baton down at his head. The third guard fired his taser at Caelum who promptly blocked it with the guard in his hold. The man's vest caught the prongs rendering its charge useless as Caelum kicked the man's feet out from under him and used his body weight to throw the man through the swinging doors.
Niel having dispatched his first opponent moved to the third guard who reached for his sidearm and promptly disarmed him before tossing him onto his back where he began wheezing, having the air knocked out of him.
Caelum and Niel confidently walked through the still-swinging doors as Raiden followed, looking down at the pain-riddled adults. He had a terrible feeling his hope of little damage was a distant wish.
The three boys entered to see a large open area. A dance floor with multiple machines and lights above, second and even third floors for guests to drink and watch, listening to music with multiple bars. Caelum was right, the bouncers had initially lied, and the place was still getting set up for the night. Meandering about were a few dozen employees, bartenders, waitresses, and dancers, over half of whom were further bouncers and security.
All eyes had shifted when the guard had flown through the door then onto the boys who gave a casual glance around the place. A few guards and security were marching over to them as Caelum shouted.
"Where is Lukas Coil?"
The question brought blank expressions among the normal staff. The security details however all hastened to get to the main floor to apprehend them, dismissing their fellow employees to the back along the way, further solidifying the team's guess that their partner was a part of something dubious.
Niel seemed excited at the prospect of a fight, his battle tendency rising at such an unusual venue in the heart of Vale. Raiden skirted to the side behind some seated counters as Caelum looked to the back where a DJ set was stationed.
A single man was trying to pack his important equipment and leave when Caelum pointed him out, shouting "You! Play something unless you want your equipment smashed up by Vale PD when they come to investigate."
The man froze in place at the unusual demand. His eyes widened as Caelum drew a strange, old-looking sidearm from his back aimed square at his head. The man scrambled to do as he was told as security shouted in unison. "GUN!"
A hail of small arms fire flew at the boys who dove for cover as music began blaring at deafening levels. Their temples throbbed as the sound assaulted their ears harsher than any gunfire. To add to the confusion the DJ had even activated the light effects in his panic before scrambling out the back.
As the security rushed to the corner the boys were hunkered in, lights of all colors flashed, strobed, and for the most part, blinded and disoriented all temporarily. Raiden hugged his hat tightly to his head as he struggled to make sense of the situation.
Small debris fell down onto them as rounds kept them suppressed and Caelum, calm as ever, raised a glass sitting nearby to see flashes of men approaching in its reflection before it was shattered by a round. To his side Niel reached under his hoodie, briefly revealing leather straps underneath it and pulling out his two large gun blades with a click and a spin of their cylinders.
Amid the blaring music, Caelum shouted, barely audible. "Niel! Go and distract!"
The boy did as directed and with a mischievous grin leaped over the counter and began a full sprint at a couple of opponents. Raiden heard a few shots and shouts between the beats of the music when Caelum turned to him. "Don't just sit there, Fight!"
Straining his throat, Raiden shouted back showing his empty hands. "With what?! No noticeable weapons! Right?!"
Caelum peered over the counter and fired two suppressive shots before ducking down and reaching into the confines of his baggy clothing. Suddenly a dozen-odd shapes were dumped onto Raiden's lap.
Raiden peered through the flashing lights at the circular and cylindrical shapes. He could make out white writing on the bodies. Shocked he dropped the two in his hands, realizing his lap was now full of concussive and high-explosive grenades.
"What?! Where?!" asked Raiden in a stupor as a barrel appeared over the counter and Caelum stood, drawing an intricately engraved dagger from his hip. The barrel aimed at Raiden before Caelum batted it upwards with his dagger-holding hand, parrying it down onto the counter and impaling the man's sleeve to the table. The guard fought to free himself as Caelum grabbed him by his hair and slammed his head onto the table followed by a pistol whip to his temple.
The man went limp as Caelum freed his dagger and began firing once more. Don't sit there looking stupid! Throw them!" he ordered. "Concussive at their feet! Explosive in the center hall so they keep their heads down!"
"Which is which?!" screamed Raiden fumbling through the objects.
"Cylindrical is concussive! spherical is lethal!" clarified Caelum pointing at the two shapes.
Raiden no longer had any means to think amidst the chaos and so he followed orders. He pulled two pins and threw one of each. Both fell short on the other side of the counter as Caelum groaned and followed them. As the 'spoons' flew off mid-air, Caelum kicked them further. With an ear-splitting explosion one gave a bright flash and concussed a few guards as the other landed short of a bar, its explosion shattering untold amounts of alcohol.
As Caelum ran into the fray he looked back to see Raiden finally throwing correctly. He could certainly say this of his partner. At least he was a quick learner.
-Chapter End-