The Grimm Story of Jack Marston's Redemption
Chapter. 11
The days passed with relative ease since the long talk with Ozpin, although the anticipation of the mission weighed heavily on the two teams, currently, they were all seated in Professor Port's class yet again and he was mercifully coming to the end of another lecture. Jack rubbed his tired eyes as he jotted a few useful notes of the otherwise self-aggrandizing and arduous lecture. He turned to his side and saw Ruby had face-planted into her open textbook and was sound asleep. Weiss was dutifully taking notes but showed signs of disinterest, and Blake was using her textbook as a shield for her personal reading material. Yang was playing on her scroll under the desk. Team JNPR was showing similar stages of disinterest.
The bell sounded, mercifully excusing the students. Port spoke some parting words to the students as they hurriedly gathered their supplies "Remember students, stay vigilant. Also will teams RWBY and JNPR please see me after class" Port announced.
The two teams walked to the front of the class where Professor Port was standing. Ruby spoke up afraid she was getting called out for sleeping in class.
"Um, why did you want to see us, Professor?" she asked.
"Ah, Ms. Rose, not to worry your sleeping in class is not the issue". The students all straightened up, the boisterous Professor was far more keen than they had thought. "I, am told that your teams are going to be sent on your first mission far sooner than usual, and much higher stakes, normally first-year students go on a low-intensity mission toward the end of the semester and are chaperoned by a professor or a Huntsman. However the situation being what it is, you all, our two most promising first-year teams will go to defend a village and destroy the creatures of Grimm".
The student's eyebrows shot up at the professor's sudden change of demeanor. Gone was the boisterous, self-aggrandizing, egomaniac the man who now stood before them spoke from hard-won experience.
"I wanted to impart a few words of wisdom and to say just how high the stakes are here, when you go to that village you will be defending not only people's lives but also their homes and livelihoods. Each of you is certainly talented and you only continue to strengthen if you apply yourself and what we teach here at Beacon. You all must work together to defend the village and its people" The mustachioed Professor continued. "That's all I have for you. Good luck, and make Beacon proud" He concluded.
The two teams thanked the Professor as they left the class. Ruby turned to address the group. "Alright, we have to meet Professor Ozpin at the airship docks in a little bit for our final briefing, so we need to get any last-minute supplies we might need for our mission, anybody needs to get anything?" she asked.
"SNACKS!" Nora bellowed "Renny and I will get snacks," she said in her 'normal' bubbly tone before grabbing Ren by the hand and dragging the poor boy toward the cafeteria.
"Make sure you get some that are nutrient-rich" Weiss hollered after them.
"No! Pancakes!" Nora hollered back.
"They're going to have us eat nothing but rubbish, I will not stand for this. Come on Ruby" Weiss said as she grabbed her partner by the arm and dragged her off after the other two.
Yang watched the Schnee heiress drag her little sister off with great amusement before turning to Jack "Well I'm going to grab some of my hair products and Blake wants to get some of her books for the road before our mission" She said "Especially Ninjas of Love" She said with a Cheshire grin.
Jack noticed the slight blush that bloomed on Blake's face. What the hell is a Ninja Jack thought?
"You need anything?" Yang asked.
Jack looked at Yang and thought for a moment "Naw, I got plenty of provisions and whatnot in my saddle bags, I just need to stop by the armory to stock up on ammunition" he replied.
"Alrighty then, catch ya later cowboy" Yang waved offhandedly as she and a still-blushing Blake walked away.
Jack shook his head at his companions' antics before walking to the school's armory. He briefly wondered if this was what Arthur went through trying to wrangle his father, Lenny, and Sean into doing something productive.
After a short walk, Jack came to the half door of the armory and rang the small service bell that sat on the counter and a familiar elderly voice called out. "Just a minute for Monty's sake!" Said the old man who ran the armory said as he stepped out. "How can I help you?" he asked.
"Just need to restock on ammunition" Jack answered.
The old man nodded "Alright what do you need?"
"A few boxes of forty-four, twelve gauge, and forty-five seventy if you got it, mister," Jack responded.
"Ah, I remember you now, the antique user. Give me a minute, I'll be right back" The old man walked back to several rows of shelving. Jack scoffed slightly at the insult of his firearms, but he had to admit his weapons were outdated especially when compared to his teammates.
The old man walked back and placed several boxes of ammunition on the counter "I gotcha a box of gunpowder rounds and a box of Dust rounds per caliber. It's burn Dust, you seemed to like that last time. Be careful on your mission kid." the old man said as he stepped away from the counter.
"Everybody seems to know about that don't they" Jack muttered under his breath as he swept the boxes of ammunition into his satchel and pockets. Jack thanked the old man and walked to the locker room to change out of his school uniform. Jack changed into his worn dark trousers and white button-up with his bullet, claw-torn tan duster coat, and his father's hat. Now dressed he donned his gunbelt and looked into his locker to retrieve his weapons. First Jack grabbed one of his trusty Schofield revolvers, broke open the action, loaded the cylinder with burn Dust rounds, and placed it in his off-hand holster. Jack was about to reach for the Schofield's sibling but changed his mind to the Browning High Power pistol. Jack mentally slapped himself to ask for Nine millimeter Dust rounds but he had several pre-loaded magazines. Opting for the higher capacity of the pistol and shoved it into his strong hand holster. Jack slung both of his long guns over his back as well as a bandolier to hold extra rounds.
Jack shifted in his gear and rolled his shoulders as he walked to the door to reconvene with his teammates. As he stepped out of the locker room he noticed a group of people standing at the window of the armory, a young woman stood away from the group like she was waiting for them. It was the Rabbit Faunus girl who was being bullied by Cardin a week ago.
She looked up and made eye contact with Jack, her rabbit ears perked up. "Oh it's you," she said in a slight accent that if Jack didn't know better he would have guessed was British. Out of Jack's eye, he noticed the people at the armory had adjourned their business and now they were looking at them.
She stepped away from the wall she had been leaning on toward Jack "I-um, never got the chance to thank you for helping me in the cafeteria last week" she said meekly, her rabbit ears folding down on top of her head.
"No trouble miss- um, I'm sorry I never did catch your name" Jack responded.
"Oh, it's Velvet, Velvet Scarlatina" she introduced herself and stuck out her hand. Jack grasped her hand and shook it gently.
"Jack Marston," he said.
Velvet's rabbit ears twitched "Your parents weren't fond of the color naming rule?" she asked.
"They weren't fond of rules in general, if I'm being honest" Jack replied.
"Hey, who is this Vel-?" A voice from the side cut in. A young woman with fair skin and short dark-brown hair approached. She wore a long cocoa-colored shirt with black trousers featuring golden lining and ribbons at the knees. Adorned with a black belt carrying gun cartridges and a large crosshair buckle, she completed the look with black high-heeled boots. Her accessories included a bracelet, gloves, necklaces, a scarf, a beret, wire-rimmed aviator sunglasses, and a black shoulder bag with gold studs.
"Oh, Coco he's the one who helped me in the cafeteria a week ago when Cardin was messing with me" Velvet replied.
"No kidding, you've been humbling Winchester and his sidekicks for the past few weeks?" She asked.
"That's the rumor" Jack replied.
Coco gave a sly grin, adjusting her aviator sunglasses as she looked Jack up and down. "Well, aren't you the tall, dark, and mysterious type? Velvet told us about you. You're like the new sheriff in town, huh?"
Jack chuckled lightly. "Just doin' what any decent person would."
"Decent person?" Coco echoed, her grin widening. "You do know this is Beacon, right? 'Decent' is a relative term. But hey, I like your style." She tapped the brim of his hat playfully. "Nice hat. Very... cowboy chic."
Jack raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Thanks... I think?"
A tall, well-built man with reddish-brown hair, who had been leaning against the wall, stepped forward his eyes sharp but friendly. Coco spoke for him "This is Fox Alistair, before you ask no he doesn't talk much".
"And this," she gestured to the last member of their group, a towering man with a gentle demeanor, "is Yatsuhashi Daichi."
Jack inclined his head to look at the man "The hell did your mother feed you?" he said.
Yatsuhashi chuckled a deep and rumbling sound that matched his large frame. He smiled good-naturedly at Jack's comment, clearly used to such reactions to his size. "A lot," he replied simply, his tone warm and friendly. "I guess you could say I'm a big fan of second helpings."
Coco snorted with laughter, giving Yatsuhashi a light jab on the arm. "More like third or fourth helpings," she teased. "Trust me, he can eat more than the rest of us combined."
Velvet nodded, her ears perking up as she added, "And he never gains an ounce. It's not fair, really."
Jack smirked, his own amusement evident. "Well, reckon that might come in handy in a fight," he said, glancing back at Yatsuhashi. "Could probably throw a guy clean across the room."
Coco laughed. "Oh, I like this one, Velvet. Can we keep him?"
Velvet blushed, her ears twitching again. "Coco, stop teasing."
"Hey, I'm just saying," Coco replied with a wink. "It's not every day you meet someone who's as good with a gun as I am. We could always use another sharpshooter on Team CFVY."
Jack gave a small smile. "Appreciate the offer, but I reckon I'm where I'm supposed to be."
Coco waved him off with a dramatic flourish. "Alright, alright, enough of the recruitment drive. Let's not scare the poor guy off."
Jack chuckled again, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie with these new faces. "Well, I best be getting back to my team. Don't want them thinkin' I've run off."
Coco grinned. "Oh, but running off with us would be so much more fun." She leaned in closer, lowering her sunglasses to give him a playful look. "But I get it. Gotta stay with your posse."
Velvet smiled warmly. "It was nice to see you again, Jack."
"Likewise," Jack replied, giving a final nod to the group. "Y'all take care now."
As Jack walked away, he could hear Coco's voice behind him, full of mischief. "Velvet, you've got a soft spot for the mysterious types, don't you?"
"Do not!" Velvet protested, but her flustered tone gave her away.
Jack chuckled to himself as he turned a corner, the sound of their banter fading into the background. Jack continued down the hallway, his boots echoing against the polished floor. The encounter with Team CFVY had been unexpectedly refreshing. The halls gradually became busier, and students bustled around in preparation for their own missions or classes. Jack's thoughts drifted back to the mission at hand. Protecting a village sounded simple enough, but he knew better than to underestimate the dangers of Remnant. He pushed open the heavy door leading to the courtyard, where the midday sun cast long shadows across the cobblestones.
The open space was buzzing with activity. In the distance, he spotted Team RWBY and Team JNPR gathered near the airship docks, their expressions a mix of determination and anxious excitement. Ruby waved enthusiastically as she saw him approach, her silver eyes bright with anticipation.
Jack picked up his pace, the sight of his teammates filling him with a renewed sense of purpose. As he neared, he saw Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch standing by, their faces serious, already in the middle of a discussion with the students. Jack slipped into the group, giving a quick nod to his friends.
"Ah, Mr. Marston," Professor Ozpin greeted, his voice calm but carrying a weight of expectation. "Now that everyone is here, we can begin the briefing."
Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch approached the gathered teens. Ozpin sipped from his coffee before addressing his charges. "Team Juniper, Team Ruby, you are about to not only protect the people of a small farming village but also the hope of all of Remnant. If the people lose faith in the Huntsman Academies, they will lose their faith in good. Then, only negativity will fill the void. It could cause the collapse of entire kingdoms if allowed to fester."
Jack bit the inside of his cheek and rubbed his chin. Ozpin's words put a sour taste in Jack's mouth. He'd seen what happens when people lose all hope; he'd felt it even. This time, it was his job to do something about it.
Ruby's eyes sparkled with determination as she clenched her fists. "We won't let that happen, Professor! We'll make sure everyone sees that Huntsmen are here to protect them!"
Weiss nodded, her expression resolute. "Exactly. Failure is not an option. We'll restore their faith and defend Beacon's reputation."
Blake's bow twitched, but she remained impassive.
Yang cracked her knuckles, a confident grin spreading across her face. "Let's give them a reason to believe. We'll take care of the village and kick some Grimm butt while we're at it!"
Ren placed a comforting hand on Nora's shoulder, his calm demeanor helping to steady the group. "We must remain focused and united. The people are counting on us."
Nora bounced on her feet, her usual exuberance mixed with a touch of seriousness. "We'll bring the thunder, alright! Those Grimm won't know what hit them!"
Jaune shifted uneasily, a hint of doubt flickering in his eyes. "I hope we're ready for this," he muttered.
Pyrrha gave Jaune a reassuring smile and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We are, Jaune. We have trained for this. Together, we can handle anything."
Ozpin finished his coffee and surveyed the determined faces before him. "Remember, your strength comes from your unity and your resolve. Protect the village, and in doing so, you protect the very essence of Remnant. Good luck, teams."
"Um, Professor Ozpin, when are the bullheads arriving to bring us there?" Jaune asked.
"Oh, bother I forgot to mention all of the bullheads are already in use." A bullhead carrying team CVFY flew overhead. "Or are currently being serviced for maintenance". The headmaster griped.
"What!" Weiss said in disbelief.
"Think of it as an exercise in improvisation," the headmaster said as he took a final sip from his mug and turned on his heel, Professor Goodwitch following behind him.
"What!" Weiss said in disbelief before she turned to the group and began to rant "This is just great, how are we supposed to complete this mission with a passing grade if we can't even get there!" she fumed.
"Wait! This means we get to use our own transportation" Yang said as an excited grin spread across her face. "I'll be right back I just gotta go get something" Yang took off running toward Beacon's garage.
Ruby caught on to what Yang was doing "Remember the trailer hitch,...And your helmet dad bought you!" she shouted after her.
As the assembled teams loitered in wait for yangs return and hopeful transportation, Jack wondered what kind of vehicle she owned it seemed to him most people who lived in cities didn't own horses which wasn't too odd but most in Vale seemed to own automobiles which had just begun to become popular in Jack's world, a luxury only for the wealthy or those employed by the government.
Jack's curiosity peeked further when a high-pitched whine met his ears. As the noise drew closer the whine became a snarl as Yang turned the corner and came into view riding a bright yellow sporty-looking motorcycle that was towing a trailer behind it. Jack marveled at the contraption, he'd only seen pictures of motorcycles in the newspaper, Of course, he could never see spending two hundred hard-earned dollars on one either. Though Yang's looked faster and much more powerful than the ones he'd seen.
Yang gave the engine a final rev as she pulled up causing several members of their team to flinch especially Weiss and Blake whose bow dropped on top of her head.
Jack whistled appreciatively "You're daddy knows you drive this thing" Jack chided.
"Helped me pick it out and paint it too" she replied with a wide grin. "Just wished the trailer didn't cramp her style so much, but it is what is".
Jack agreed a 'sporty' looking bike towing a trailer did look goofy but hey if it gets the job done.
"This thing runs off dust?" Jack asked vaguely remembering that motorcycles from his world ran off of gasoline.
"Duh, what else would it run on" Yang responded.
As Yang and Jack talked the rest of their group arranged themselves on the trailer.
Ruby broke into their discussion "There's not enough room for everyone".
Jack and Yang looked back to see their teammates and their subsequent gear had taken up all available space on their improvised transportation. Jaune was scooching closer to Weiss much to her and Pyrryha's annoyance.
Yang turned to her sister "Well, Rubes either you or Blake can ride bitch with me, but I'm not sure if even that will work, Bumblebee has plenty of power but she wasn't made to tow"
"Yang!" Ruby said.
"Language!" Weiss screeched.
"Hey, don't worry about me I've got my own way of getting around," Jack said.
Jack noticed his companions gave him lopsided questioning looks as he took a few steps back, brought a hand to his face, and belted out a shrill whistle.
Weiss raised an elegant white eyebrow "And what was that supposed to do?"
Jack smirked "You'll see".
Blake's bow twitched slightly as she was the first to hear the sound of approaching thundering hooves. Moments later, Fitz, Jack's coal-colored American standard-bred horse skidded around the corner and came to Jack's side. The horse snorted and nuzzled Jack's hand with its snout. The coal-black horse's muscles rippled as he shifted excited by the chance to run.
Jack patted Fitz's neck affectionately before swinging up into the saddle. "Meet Fitz," he said with a proud grin. "He'll get me there just fine, even if he's not as fast as Yang's bike."
The reactions from the group were a mix of astonishment and curiosity. Ruby's eyes sparkled with excitement as she approached Fitz cautiously. "Wow, I've never seen a horse up close before!" she exclaimed, reaching out a hand for the horse to sniff.
Blake's cat ears twitched beneath her bow, her interest piqued. "He's beautiful," she said softly, observing the powerful animal with a keen eye.
Jaune scratched his head, looking a bit puzzled. "So, you're just gonna ride him all the way to the village?"
Jack nodded confidently. "Sure am. Fitz here might not be as fast as Yang's bike, especially with that trailer, but he'll keep up well enough."
Weiss's eyes lit up with genuine excitement as she approached Fitz. "He's magnificent!" she said, reaching out to touch the horse's sleek coat. But almost immediately, she caught herself and straightened up, adopting her usual prim demeanor. "I mean, as long as you can keep up with us, it should be fine."
Pyrrha smiled warmly at Jack. "It'll be interesting to see how well you and Fitz handle the journey."
Ren gave a small nod of approval. "It's good to have a variety of transportation options."
Nora, on the other hand, bounced on her toes with enthusiasm. "Can I ride him next time?" she asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Jack chuckled. "We'll see about that."
With everyone settled and ready to go, Yang revved up her motorcycle once more. "Alright, let's hit the road! Or, uh, the trail!" she called out.
Jack stepped into one of the stirrups of his saddle and swung himself up into the saddle. "Alright, boy" he patted his horse on the neck before giving him a gentle tap with his spurs.
Yang hardly twisted the throttle to not leave Jack and Fitz in the dust. The combined teams set out west toward the town of Amarillo.
As they journeyed beyond the fortifications of Beacon, the landscape of Valerian countryside unfurled, the northern fringe of Forever Fall Forest looming like a shadowed sentinel on their right. The road twisted and turned, meandering through the sprawling plains and the gnarled fingers of sparse woods like a hesitant whisper through an ancient tome.
"I'm surprised your horse can keep up so well, Jack," Pyrrha called, her voice straining to rise above the mechanical growl of Yang's bike, the rumble of its engine a beast unleashed.
"It helps that Yang ain't gunning the throttle," Jack replied, a lopsided grin tucked under the brim of his hat. "But he's always had good wind." He squinted into the distance. "How far away are we, anyway?"
Ruby's eyes flicked to the map glowing on her scroll, the artificial light was drowned out by the sun so she had to squint to see it. "Less than three miles. Once we crest this hill, we might catch a glimpse of the town," she said, her voice threaded with anticipation.
As they ascended the gentle rise, Yang eased her bike to a standstill, the machine purring contentedly beneath her as she set one leg down, grounding herself in the moment. Jack deftly pulled back on Fitz's reins, bringing the horse to a halt.
The trail opened into an expansive meadow, a tableau bordered by the sentinel-like evers of an ancient forest, where a cacophony of birds filled the air, their songs threading through the rustling leaves. A small, rippling creek cleaved the earth, its banks cradling the vibrant green, and in the heart of it all nestled the town of Amarillo. Only a few of the town's buildings were visible due to the town's high log walls.
"Pretty as a picture," Jack murmured, the leather of his saddle creaking in nodding agreement as he leaned back, letting the tranquil vista wash over him.
Ren nodded slowly, a contemplative look settling on his face. "Without the looming threat of Grimm, it would be a fine place for meditation," he mused.
"It may lack the polished aesthetics of Atlas, but there's an undeniable charm here," Weiss conceded, her voice softer than usual, as if mesmerized by the scene.
"I thought Professor Ozpin said this was a farming town. What do they grow?" Nora queried, her curiosity sparking like a flame.
"My guess would be cattle," Jack replied, his gaze sweeping over the sweeping pastures. "This whole place is a feast for grazing beasts. My pa would've killed to have our ranch here."
As their eyes wandered over the landscape, they stumbled upon a cluster of buildings jammed against the hillside's jagged side, a stark contrast to the pastoral beauty of Amarillo. They loomed like scornful giants, grey and forbidding, their architecture as cumbersome as a prison's walls, each one emblazoned with a stark white snowflake emblem, a mark of industrial intrusion.
"Hey, princess, what's your daddy's company doing out here?" Jack asked, a hint of mischief lingering on the edge of his words.
Weiss huffed, annoyance etched across her features as she slumped her shoulders. "Schnee Dust Company's survey teams found considerable deposits of Dust and moved in to extract it, much to the chagrin of some of the locals," she admitted, bitterness prickling her tone.
"How surprising," Blake's voice dripped with venom, a sharp blade concealed beneath her words.
"They should be grateful. Our company is trying to bring them modernization, industry, and jobs," Weiss retorted, frustration simmering just beneath her polished surface.
"Oh, and does that mean they have the right to upend these people's lives?" Blake snapped back, her voice cutting through the air like a drawn knife, each syllable steeped in righteous fury.
The other members of their group were surprised by the sudden quarrel and stood around awkwardly averting their eyes to the scenery around them whenever possible. Ruby stepped between them trying to mitigate the conflict "Okay, guys we still have a job to do, without drawing Grimm to us this early" she pleaded.
Jaune wanting to change the subject turned to Jack, he noticed his horse had begun to paw at the grass on the edge of the trail with its hoove to find some particularly succulent grass. "Hey Jack won't your horse get scared when we fight the Grimm, you know gunshots, screams and roars, and all that stuff?" he asked.
Before Jack could answer Fitz picked up his head, his ears alert by the sound of breaking branches coming from the woodline followed by a roar as a single Beowolf burst from the treeline likely drawn by the negativitey from Blake and Weiss's bickering.
Jack side-eyed the two girls with an annoyed look "Now, look whatcha did" He said dejectedly. Without taking his eyes off the approaching Grimm he reached to a long gun scabbard slung low on his horse's side and drew out his shotgun. He flicked a lever on the side of the receiver blocking the rounds from the magazine tube and opened the action. Without looking he slid a homemade explosive slug round from the bandolier slung across his chest slid it into the chamber and hit the bolt release. Jack shouldered the piece held low on the approaching hellhound's torso and fired over his horse's ears.
The shot shattered the serenity of the valley and filled the surrounding mountains and hills with its resonance. The slug hit the Grimm with a resounding Whump, the homemade explosive shattered the Grimm's pelvis. It crumpled to the ground and roared in pain as a black tar-like substance geysered from the wound before the Grimm soon succumbed and began to fade into the ether.
Jack's horse Fitz only side steeped slightly and then simply went back to eating. Without a word, Jack replaced the shotgun in its scabbard before turning in his saddle to face Jaune and answering simply "He's used to it" Unaware of what he was implying about himself.
"Oh," Jaune responds slightly perturbed. Jaune had seen Jack fight enough times to know he was capable. It was the monotonous aura Jack and his horse displayed as if engaging in combat were just another chore.
Ruby's eyes lit up with excitement, a wide grin spreading across her face. "That was awesome, Jack!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I've never seen a shotgun round like that before. Did you make those explosive slugs yourself?"
Yang chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "Of course, Ruby's impressed by the firepower. But seriously, Jack, where did you learn to shoot like that?"
Nora, on the other hand, was practically bouncing with energy. "I wanna try those slugs too! Do you think we could get some for our weapons?"
Jack shrugged nonchalantly, a small smile playing on his lips. "Maybe. I can show you how to make 'em if we get the chance. Come on, let's get into the town and see what's what." Jack said as he gently goaded Fitz forward, Yang followed suit carefully throttling up her bike.
As they continued to take in the area's natural beauty drawing closer to the town Weiss chose to open the conversation. "Why would someone choose to live out here?" She asked genuinely curious, coming from the upper echelons of Atlas willingly living out in an Agricultural settlement didn't make any sense to her.
Before anyone could speak up Jack answered "Freedom. Living out here is dangerous and hard, but a person can live almost as free as the birds out here, You're not crushed by society and industry. That and I'd reckon waking up to this view has an appeal as well" He said.
"What are you a depressed poet now?" Yang chided him with a grin.
Jack smirked "I ain't French".
"What does that even mean?" Yang asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jack realized his near slip "Eh, just a saying" Jack said.
Yang opened her mouth to press Jack further but she promptly gagged and wrinkled her nose "Oh, god we are definitely in a farming town" she said waving a hand in front of her face.
Jack smirked thankful for the distraction. Never thought I'd be happy to smell manure Jack thought as he located a large pen of various livestock. The wafting smell of livestock manure had caught up with the rest of their little group and they griped and complained about it, though Jack grinned when he saw Weiss and Blake on the verge of losing their breakfast.
"Come on the sooner we are in town the sooner we are away from the smell," Jack told his comrades with a grin as he nudged Fitz forward Yang followed behind.
As they drew closer to the settlement's large gate they noticed the surrounding area was covered with burn marks from igniting dust rounds, a weary man with an old hunting rifle approached them, "Afternoon, what business do you have in town?" he said tiredly, his eyes looked fragmented and tired from stress.
Ruby spoke up "We are from Beacon, we were sent to help you guys with a Grimm problem".
The man's eyebrows shot up, and a look of relief and exasperation washed over the man's features "Oh, thank the brothers" the man said "We had a Grimm horde that's been attacking the gate every night and the hordes only been getting better, the Mayor can explain more about the situation. Open the gate!" He shouted to another guard pointing at a larger more ornate building down the road.
The gate opened and they traversed into the main street of the town. "Much obliged," Jack said. As they moved toward Jack was struck with how similar frontier towns looked to the ones from Jack's world. To Jack, the town looked like a bizarre combination of Blackwater and Armadillo in New Austin.
The group came to a more ornate building than the others around it, not when compared to Beacon or the Mayor's house in St. Denis for that matter. Yang parked her bike and Jack found a hitching post to tether Fitz. Ruby and Weiss hopped off the trailer and walked over to Jack and his steed and began to pat the horse on the neck.
"Good boy Fitz," Ruby said before reaching into a pouch on her belt and pulling out an apple for the horse.
"Don't you two go and spoil him now" Jack said with a smirk.
Weiss huffed "We, are simply trying to ensure he's well cared for," She said while crossing her arms.
Jack rolled his eyes as the conjoined teams walked up the steps to the Mayor's office. They opened the door and stepped into the lobby. The room's layout was pretty basic: several chairs lined the walls, the center of the room held two couches and a coffee table, and there was a desk at the other end of the room next to a set of double doors. A young woman, dressed in a light, airy blouse with delicate ruffles, a knee-length pencil skirt, and a fitted cardigan, sat at the desk. Her comfortable flats made a soft tapping sound as she stood to greet them, her understated earrings catching the light as she offered a smile that held a touch of nervousness to it.
"Are you from Beacon?" she asked when she saw their weapons.
"Yes, mam" Jack replied resting his hands on his gunbelt.
"Oh, thank you for coming. Mayor Goldleaf is currently in a meeting..." She was cut off.
"Brothers Damn it Goldleaf! I've told you the SDC must protect its investments, and we require the help of the huntsmen from Beacon. The only reason Headmaster Ozpin sent them was because I requested them, not defending some backwater cattle town" a man's voice came from under the door and dripped arrogance and false posh.
"You are forgetting Ivorycrest I'm a graduate of Beacon, and last I checked Ozpin was not a fan of some of the SDS's policies. Besides most of your employees live in my town" presumably the mayor shot back.
The mayor's secretary winced at the argument and mouthed an apology to the Beacon students. The door to the mayor's office opened abruptly and outstepped at a tall and ghastly pale man clad in a white and blue business suit. He looked at them with a bored arrogance one would figure of a middle manager of a 'Prestigious' company like the SDC until he saw Weiss, upon seeing the heiress to the company of his current employer the man stiffened and his eyes went wide.
Jack glanced at the Schnee heiress, and if looks could kill, he figured the SDC manager would've been a dead man a few times over. The glare she was giving could've melted steel, but she quickly schooled herself and plastered on a smile so brittle eggshells would've been stronger.
"Greetings Mr. Ivorycrest," she said in an arctic tone.
"Uhm, Miss Schnee I didn't expect to see you here of all places, but I suppose it's not unexpected given your enrollment at Beacon" The man nervously replied.
"Yes, and we were given specific instructions by Headmaster Ozpin himself to defend the townspeople," she said emphasizing the last part.
Ivorycrest winced "Oh, I see." he said biting back his irritation."Well I'd better get back to the company earnings are coming up after all" the man said as he briskly walked to the door.
"You do that" Weiss muttered, as soon as the door shut she frowned and her shoulders slumped. Everyone else the Mayor who had walked out of her office and her secretary included stood awkwardly until Jack broke the silence.
"Welp, I've never hated someone so fast in all my life, though I could think of some contenders," He said garnering a few chuckles.
Ruby giggled, nudging Yang, who chuckled and nodded in agreement with Jack's sentiment. Blake allowed herself a small smirk, while Weiss exhaled quietly, the tension of the encounter with Ivorycrest visibly easing from her shoulders.
The mayor, a woman with long, wavy auburn hair, and deep green eyes, was clad in a well-tailored mahogany leather jacket over a muted earthy-toned shirt, paired with sturdy knee-high boots, stifled her laughter.
"I'd have to second that. Oh, where are my manners? I am Autumn Goldleaf, the Mayor of Amarillo, and this is my secretary, Cyan Beryl," she said.
Nearby, team JNPR reacted with similar amusement. Nora's eyes lit up with mischief as she leaned towards Ren, who responded with a subtle smile. Pyrrha offered Jack a gracious nod of approval, appreciating his candidness. Jaune, emboldened by the relaxed atmosphere, took a step forward to address Mayor Goldleaf directly.
"Thank you for welcoming us, Mayor Goldleaf," Jaune said earnestly, his tone reflecting the sincerity of his team. "We're here to support you and your town in any way we can."
Mayor Goldleaf returned his words with a warm smile, her green eyes reflecting genuine gratitude. "Thank you all for coming. Your support is invaluable to us, especially in times like these."
Ruby, her eyes wide with admiration, piped up excitedly, "Wow, you're a Beacon graduate and a former Huntress? That's so cool!" She looked at Mayor Goldleaf with newfound respect.
Mayor Goldleaf laughed lightly, her cheeks flushing slightly at Ruby's enthusiasm. "Yes, I was once a student at Beacon, much like yourselves. It's been a while since I wielded a weapon, but those days are never far from my mind."
"Not to spoil the mood but we really do need to come up with some sorta plan and get a better idea of what's going on," Jack said as he scratched his chin.
Mayor Goldleaf took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. "Of course, a few weeks ago a large hoard of Grimm started to get close to town seemingly out of the blue their presence and the resulting anxiety among the townsfolk are attracting even more Grimm. combine that with increasing tensions caused by the SDC and a few ...disagreeable townsfolk, and you have what we have now," she explained.
Jack let out a tired sigh "Yeah, that'll do it the guard at the gate said as much."
The mayor continued "We've been getting attacked by Grimm every night and the horde has continued to grow, we were almost overrun last night" she said somberly.
"Where did the Grimm attack the heaviest?" Jaune asked.
"The gates at either end of the settlement were attacked the heaviest" Mayor Goldleaf answered.
"And what's the tallest building in town?" Jaune asked.
The mayor cocked an eyebrow "My office You can see both gates from the roof" she answered.
"What are you planning Jaune," Pyrrha asked.
"I think I know a way we can use the Grimm's numbers against them, were any flying Grimm like Nevermore spotted in the previous attacks?" Jaune asked.
"No, Avain Grimm were reported in the previous attacks" the mayor's secretary answered.
"Well, come on Jaune let's hear your idea," Ruby said.
"My plan is for you, Jack, and Nora whose weapons have the most range out of all of us second to Pyrrha that is, we'll put you three on the roof of the mayor's office while the rest of us guard the walls and the gate. Your weapons can reach out and thin the herd and we finish them off" Jaune suggested.
"That could be an effective strategy, but how do we know which gate to guard?" Weiss asked.
"Grimm attack towns to eat people not just destroy stuff the Grimm will likely attack whichever gate has the most people near it" Jaune answered. "And I think I have a way to increase our firepower as well, but I'll need you for that Weiss" Jaune continued.
Weiss raised an elegant white eyebrow. Before she could question what he meant Jaune continued "Mayor Goldleaf can you call the SDC manager?" he asked.
"I can get him on a video call in my office but I doubt he'll be willing to help" she replied.
Jack leaned over to Yang and whispered "Well, this ought to be good" To which she smirked and nodded.
They all piled into the Mayor's office as she dialed something on a glass tablet on her desk a few moments went by before a projected screen popped up with a rather exasperated Mr. Ivorycrest was shown. "Mayor Goldleaf what can I assist you with?" He asked tiredly "We have a likely Grimm attack to prepare for." he said.
Before the mayor could respond Jaune spoke up "Mr. Ivorycrest I think we have an Idea to defend this settlement and protect your equipment and employees that could be beneficial to everyone" he said.
Ivorycrest's eyebrow rose but surprisingly he nodded for him to continue.
"I'd like you to shut down and evacuate your facilities for the day and for your security forces to assist in defending the town," Jaune said.
unsurprisingly the man's reaction was filled with vitriol "Absolutely not! If I shut down the SDC will lose valuable production and besides that, the SDC must protect its investments".
Jaune cut him off "Respectfully sir that's one and the same. Grimm destroys stuff to get to people, if there are no people near your facilities and equipment Grimm probably won't even go near it, and like the mayor said most of your workers live in town if they die or their home gets destroyed they'll have to leave and lose production anyway" as Jaune finished he noticed the man seemed to be considering his words but didn't seem all the way convinced Jaune shot a purposeful glance toward Weiss.
Weiss caught on immediately and gained an uninterested expression and a prim authoritative posture "You know Mr. Ivorycrest if you fail to defend this town not only will it reflect badly on the SDC but also the Schnee family name" she said pretending to inspect her fingernails before continuing in an artic tone "I would hate to have to report your failings to father".
The man winced and straightened "I see well, you make a convincing point, I will evacuate my facilities and the SDC security team will assist in the defense of the town...um see you soon" he said with a nervous smile and hung up.
The mayor leaned back in her desk chair "I can't believe that just happened".
"Me too" Jaune admitted sheepishly "Alright we should probably start checking out our positions for when the Grimm show up will the town militia be ready?" he asked the mayor.
She nodded "As ready as they can be".
"Alright let's go get ready," Ruby said.
The two teams exited the mayor's office, and Jaune broke the silence, "The mayor said the attacks mainly happen at dusk, so we have some time to kill. We should check our defensive positions."
Jack rubbed his chin, contemplating. "If the mayor's prediction holds true, it won't hurt to grab some extra ammunition, water, and maybe a bite to eat," he suggested, his voice steady but laced with concern.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Jaune quickly handed Ren some lien, instructing him to gather extra supplies and meet them near the walls at the gate. Ren nodded before Jaune, Pyrrha, and Nora set off to take their positions. Nora turned back to Jack and Ruby, her excitement infectious. "See you guys on the roof later!" she said, waving enthusiastically.
Jack and Ruby returned the gesture, though Jack's thoughts were elsewhere.
"So, I guess this means we get to go shopping," Yang quipped, her trademark grin lighting up her face.
"Well… I suppose we have a little time to 'scout out positions' in the market," Weiss replied, her tone teasing.
"Is that what we're calling it now?" Blake interjected, a hint of sarcasm coloring her voice.
Jack pushed up his hat, rubbing his forehead as a pulse of frustration sparked beneath the brim. "Wonderful," he groaned.
"Oh, come on, cowboy! We won't be long. Besides, it's not like we can buy anything right now if we have to carry it into a battle," Yang shrugged, her enthusiasm unwavering.
"Then what's the point of going?" Jack asked, only to realize he was now alone as his teammates quickly scattered in search of shops, Ruby, Yang, and Weiss disappearing from view. "Great," he muttered sarcastically, but something caught his eye—Blake stood stonily in front of a building, her body tense and her fists clenched.
Jack approached her quietly, glancing at the shop she was staring at. A sign hung beside the general store, an ugly proclamation scrawled in furious red letters: 'No Faunus.'
"You okay, Blake?" he asked gently, noticing the intensity etched across her features.
Without turning to him, Blake exhaled sharply. "Yeah, I'm fine. Do you know where the others went?"
Jack shook his head. "Came over here to ask you." He gestured toward the store with a tilt of his chin. "Think they're in there? I was going to head in for a bottle of water and some canned food, anyway."
Blake raised an eyebrow, disbelief flickering in her expression. "You're going to eat canned food?"
"Well, I can't exactly indulge in a steak dinner right before a fight, can I?" Jack replied, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
Blake rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small grin that crept onto her face. She walked toward the store, and Jack quickly reached the door first, holding it open for her. She nodded her thanks and stepped inside, Jack following closely behind.
As they stepped inside the store, Jack was hit with a wave of Deja vu. The store looked almost identical to the general store in Armadillo back on Earth. Goods lined the walls and were on various tables and counters. The only difference was modern lighting and appliances like drink coolers. An older man who looked strangely familiar to Jack stood behind the counter. His hair and mustache were mostly gray but starting to go white. behind the store clerk hanging on the wall was a beautiful stainless steel lever action rifle, Jugding by the size of the loading gate and the chamber it fired a fairly heavy round.
Jack decided to satisfy his curiosity "Excuse me, Mr. do you own this store".
The man nodded "Yes sir, Name's Sherbert June owner and operator of this here store" he said pridefully.
Jack's eye twitched. Oh, please god no Jack thought. "Good to me know ya," Jack said not wanting to put too much thought into it and to grab his items and leave as quickly as possible. Blake began perusing the store's limited reading section of various books and magazines. Jack walked to where various canned foods were stacked, he grabbed a can of pre-made chili and a can of sliced peaches then walked to a nearby drink cooler selected a large bottle of water, and walked to the counter.
The man rang up the merchandise, his fingers moving like an automaton, and Jack fished a few lein from his vest pocket. Against his better judgment, he ventured, "Say, Mr., have you seen our friends? Three girls—one dressed in white, another in a red hood, and the last mostly in yellow. They're named Ruby, Weiss, and Yang."
"Are they Faunus? They sound like Faunus," the man snarled, voice dripping with disdain.
"Uh, no. But why would that matter?" Jack asked. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Blake tense like a coiled spring.
"Why?" the man scoffed like a crow. "Don't you know these Grimm attacks are just a Faunus plot? You do know that, don't you?"
"That seems highly unlikely, sir," Jack replied, the part of him that still believed in decency slowly sinking like a lead weight.
"Well, I don't like Faunus, or Mistralians, or Vacuoans, now that you mention it," the man continued, self-righteous as a preacher at a revival.
"Pretty sure I didn't, and might I say, sir, your compassion in these trying times is truly astounding," Jack said, each word draped in sarcasm like a shroud.
"Compassion has nothing to do with it," the man barked, lips curling.
"Then why? What are you even talking about?" Blake demanded, teeth gritted.
"Why?" The man laughed bitterly, "I'll bet you like Atlesians. I can't stand them either! And women, and homosexuals. They've ruined this Kingdom, it was a good Kingdom once! Now the Grimm are eating people left and right. And it's all the fault of the Faunus, Atlesian, homosexual elite, and their ideas. Well, I for one won't stand for it!" He slammed his fist onto the counter, the sound echoing as if announcing the arrival of some egregious truth.
"Have you ever met a Faunus?" Jack asked, earnestly curious.
"Thankfully not." The man sighed as if escaping a plague.
Jack turned to Blake, a wicked grin creeping across his face, "Or an Atlesian homosexual?"
The shopkeeper bristled, eyes narrowing. "Not in my store. Oh, I see you acting clever. Well, let me tell you this." His laudanum-fueled tirade spilled forth like rancid wine. "The Faunus, with the help of the Atlesians and the Mistralians, killed the last king of Vale! That's why there's a triangle on the Lien and Dust. They want to rule Vale like some Vacuan harem, and now they've unleashed this horde of Grimm to take care of all us decent folk… Yep." The man nodded proudly, a portrait of ignorance framed in bile.
Jack and Blake stood in stunned silence, the sheer stupidity hanging thick in the air. Jack finally broke it, "You, sir, are truly a remarkable fellow," his voice laced with sarcasm sharp enough to cut glass.
The shop owner beamed, blissfully unaware of the knife sheathed in the compliment. "Why, thank you kindly."
Blake rolled her eyes and yanked Jack towards the door. "Come on, Jack. If we stay here any longer, I'm gonna need a shower." Jack, however, itched to unleash a few more smartass remarks, ready to grind this turd down a few pegs.
"I must say, it's rare to find someone with such a grasp of history and human nature. Take care of yourself now; I'd hate to witness you get savaged by Grimm and watch the life force drain from your hate-filled body, sir," he added, pouring vitriol over every word like salt on a wound.
The door slammed behind them with a finality that echoed along the street. "Well, that was less than pleasant," Jack muttered, the red dust of Amarillo swirling around them like ghosts of the dead.
Jack turned to look at Blake and was taken aback by what he saw. Blake's body was tense her fist and jaw clenched and breathing labored, he saw tears beginning to well in her honey-colored eyes.
Jack put a hand on her shoulder, Blake flinched slightly but didn't move away from his hand. "Blake that fellers a fool, he ain't worth getting worked up over".
Blake took a calming breath and blinked the tears from her eyes "I know, I just thought we were past this kind of thing" she said.
Jack cocked an eyebrow "We?".
Blake looked at Jack with an apprehensive and unsure look "Can I trust you with something?" she asked.
Jack nodded. Blake gestured for him to follow her. They walked off the main street around the side of a building to a secluded alleyway, away from prying eyes and listening ears. Blake stopped in the alley and stood silently listening to ensure they were alone.
Once she was satisfied they were alone, Blake turned to face Jack, her expression serious and searching. She took a deep breath as if gathering her courage. "You can't tell anyone about this, especially not the rest of the team," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jack frowned, confused but respectful of her request. "Alright," he agreed. "Whatever it is, you have my word."
Blake hesitated for a moment longer, then reached up and slowly began untying the bow around her head, her fingers trembling slightly. She kept her grip on the ribbon as it came loose, not letting it drop. Jack's eyes widened slightly when he saw a pair of cat ears twitch free from beneath her hair, standing alert atop her head.
He blinked, absorbing what he was seeing. "You're a Faunus," he said, more a statement than a question.
Blake nodded, watching his reaction closely. "I am," she replied, her voice steady but low. "I've kept it a secret from most people. I wear this bow to hide my ears… to hide who I am."
Jack thought back to the day in the cafeteria a few weeks ago. He'd been sitting with Team RWBY and Team JNPR when he noticed Velvet Scarlatina being bullied by Cardin Winchester. He remembered standing up and stepping in to defend her, telling Cardin to back off. He also remembered Blake's reaction, how she had watched him with a mix of surprise and respect as he stood up for Velvet. "I remember that day in the cafeteria," he said softly. "When Cardin was giving Velvet a hard time. I saw how you looked when I stepped in… like you understood what she was going through."
Blake's eyes softened, and she nodded. "I did understand," she admitted quietly. "I've faced my share of prejudice and hate, just like Velvet. Seeing you stand up for her… it meant a lot. That's why I think I can trust you with this."
Jack nodded thoughtfully. "I don't take kindly to bullies, or to people gettin' hurt just for bein' who they are," he replied. "You're a good person, Blake. Doesn't matter to me if you have ears or not. What matters is what's in here." He tapped his chest over his heart. "That's all I care about."
Blake let out a breath, a mixture of relief and gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Jack," she said quietly. "It's hard to know who you can trust… but it feels good to be honest with someone for a change."
Jack offered a reassuring smile. "Your secret's safe with me. I know what it's like to carry things alone," he said, his expression briefly clouding with memories. "I've done it most of my life."
Blake nodded, her grip on the bow relaxing as she carefully retied it around her head, concealing her ears once more. "We should probably find the others," she said, a small smile forming on her lips. "But… thank you. For understanding."
Jack nodded again. "Don't mention it. Now, let's get back before they start wonderin' where we wandered off to."
As they stepped out of the alley and back onto the main street, Blake cast a sideways glance at him, her curiosity piqued. "You never really talk about where you're from," she noted, almost casually. "Is it… very different from here?"
Jack chuckled softly. "You could say that," he replied, keeping his answer deliberately vague. "A lot different, actually. But maybe that's a story for another time."
"There you are," a familiar, posh, demanding voice grated on their ears. They looked to see Weiss, followed by Ruby and Yang, walking over to them. "Do you two have any idea how long we've been looking for you?" Weiss demanded crossing her arms.
"What have you two been up to?" Yang asked with a Cheshire grin.
"Looking for you all after you left us" Jack deadpanned.
"Oh," The trio's sweat dropped. "Sorry," Ruby supplied weakly.
"No, harm done," Jack said.
"The sun is going to be setting soon we should get to our positions," Ruby said. The group unanimously nodded and split off to go their separate ways.
"We'll try to save you some Grimm baby sis" Yang yelled over her shoulder as Blake, Weiss, and herself made their way to the front gate. Jack and Ruby made their way to the Mayor's office and up the external fire escape to the roof there Nora was waiting for them. She waved cheerily to them while eating a...plate of pancakes? and several boxes of her weapons grenades she'd called them. At this point, Jack had learned some things weren't worth questioning.
From their vantage point, they could see trucks marked with the SDC's logo begin pulling through the gates with armed guards taking positions on the wall, while all other personnel sought shelter in predetermined shelters.
Jack unslung his rifle from his shoulder and made sure there was a round in the chamber, he took a deep calming breath to steady himself.
"What do you think Jack?" Ruby asked.
"If the previous attack were as everyone says they are then it could get hairy" Jack replied honestly. "Though on the other hand, there may not be many Grimm left".
Ruby nodded, "What about Jaune's plan?".
"It's as good as any I'd wager, the bulk of the town's militia Team JNPR minus Nora and the rest of ours are on the front gate to lure Grimm to our defenses while Me, you, and Nora pick'em off, so as long as no flying Grimm or any strange variants show up I'd say it's promising" Jack answered.
"It just sucks being up here away from the fight... want to SMASH!" Nora's whine became a bellow.
"Right," Jack elongated "Don't worry I'm sure there will be plenty to go around," Jack said raising his hands in an appeasing gesture.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon and blanket the area in darkness a cacophony of howls and roars could be heard from beyond the treeline. Black shadows and red eyes began to peek over hills and around trees as more and more creatures of darkness became visible.
"Nora, when they get in range aim for the big groups," Jack said. The usually bubbly girl merely nodded in response.
A sea of Grimm burst forth from the tree line, as they neared the settlement's walls Nora opened up first her grenade launcher's distinct sound firing as quickly as she could manage. Ruby had unfurled crescent Rose and slammed its blade into the ground to provide stability as she fired as quickly as she could work the action of her rifle. Jack resting his rifle on the edge of the roof selected a target a big alpha Beowulf that had been leading its pack and fired, dropping the demonic wolf only to be trampled by its unholy brethren.
As the wall of monsters came even closer their comrades as well as the other defenders of the walls at the front gate began to open fire as well. Igniting dust rounds lit up the darkened horizon. The defense of Amarillo had begun.
Author's Notes: Welcome back. I apologize for the long wait between updates, I've been playing around with other story ideas as well as general laziness. Also, I'm sorry for leaving you on a cliffhanger but I wanted to get this out by the end of the month, but on the bright side, I have time to make sure the big fight will actually be worth reading. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
Have a better one.