Fallen into Enemies Lair from Above
Late at night where most people would be sleeping right now, all but one as James Ironwood is seen staring at the city and seeing a few airships flying over some buildings as he is deep in thought.
"Trouble sleeping?" Glynda asked walking up to him from behind.
"Arm was acting up." James said gripping his right shoulder with his other hand.
"Of course, so logically, you got out of bed, dressed yourself completely and decided to gaze menacingly out into the distance." Glynda said sarcastically, she already knew that James is having trouble in his thoughts.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"I've trusted him for years. We both have. I just... I can't help but feel like he's keeping us in the dark." James expressed how he feels about Ozpin and things he is keeping from him.
"Don't be ridiculous! You know very well that we are not the ones in the dark." Glynda stated.
"That makes it worse! I refuse to believe that a man that I've trusted for so long would act so... passively." James said laughed a bit though look sad as well and Glynda place an assuring hand on his shoulder.
"You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable. But it's high time you stopped talking about trust and started showing it." Glynda advised and drop the hand from his shoulder.
"Ozpin has experience that the rest of us lack. And I think that's something worth remembering." Glynda reminded him that Ozpin is more than what most are.
"Hearing you say that makes me think that Kibo is also like that, to think he is so mature at such a young age." James admitted that he is surprised of the boy.
"Guess that shows how strong this generation is, I believe." Glynda smiled and praying for Kibo to he safe upon his return.
(With Kibo and RWBY)
Ruby has her Crescent Rose in sniper gun mode to be on the look out for any danger even though there hasn't been any danger coming to them so far, it's boring for her through this lookout shift.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team are sound asleep on their sleeping bags and Oobleck is next to them higher up against the wall probably dreaming about history stuff, but Yang opens her eyes as she couldn't really sleep and decided to speak.
"Kibo, are you awake?" Yang asked.
"I sense you are having trouble with your thoughts." Kibo responded as he woke immediately from Yang's voice.
"Sorry, I just couldn't sleep from the question Oobleck asked about why I wanted to be a Huntress." Yang said.
"Perhaps you can ask your team of what they think of the question." Kibo gestured to Blake who was pretending to sleep too.
"I would like to say he's curious, but I don't think that's it." Blake said looking a little lost as well.
"Weiss, are you awake?" Yang asked the Schnee heiress.
"Of course, I'm awake! You three are talking." Weiss responded and turned herself around.
"Were you serious about the answer you gave him?" Kibo asked.
"When I said I wanted to honor my family's name, I meant it. But it's not what you think. I'm not stupid. I'm fully aware of what my father has done with the Schnee Dust Company. Since he took control, our business has operated in a... moral gray area." Weiss admitted sadly.
"That's putting it lightly." Blake commented.
"Which is why I feel the need to make things right. If I had taken a job in Atlas, it wouldn't have changed anything. My father was not the start of our name, and I refuse to let him be the end of it." Weiss clutched her hand.
"I can understand about upholding a legacy, the first time I learn the ways of Hokuto Shinken, I discovered the hardship that came with the style and what I may face as I continue down this path." Kibo stated looking at his hand and recalling the days of his training.
"Sounds like you got one heck of a life." Yang commented.
"It is a life I choose to accept and what I do with it is up to me." Kibo placed his hand onto Yang's making her smile.
"All my life, I fought for what I thought was right. I had a partner named Adam. More of a mentor, actually. He always assured me that what we were doing would make the world a better place. But of course, his idea of a perfect future turned out to be not perfect for everyone. I joined the Academy because I knew that Huntsmen and Huntresses were regarded as the most noble warriors in the world. Always fighting for good. But I never really thought past that. When I leave the Academy, what will I - how can I undo so many years of hate?" Blake wondered and worried.
"I'm sure you'd figure it out. You're not one to back down from a challenge, Blake." Yang believed.
"But I am! I do it all the time! When you learned I was a Faunus, I didn't know what to do, so I ran! When I realized my oldest partner had become a monster, I ran! Even my Semblance! I was born with the ability to leave behind a shadow of myself; an empty copy that takes the hit while I run away!" Blake stated sadly.
"We all have our inner demons that and other things we wish we could throw away, but they happen and cannot be undone even if you can go back to the past." Kibo pointed out.
"But we must never give up on the hope and love that is also a part of our lives. No matter what comes in our way, face it head on and you will be able to move forward." Kibo advised.
"Wise words, guess Hokuto Shinken is more than punching and killing enemies." Blake smiled surprise.
"At least you three have something that drives you." Yang said looking a little sad and lean onto Kibo's shoulder.
"I've just kinda of always, gone with the flow, y'know? And that's fine, I mean, that's who I am. But how long can I really do that for? I wanna be a Huntress, not really because I want to be a hero, but because I want the adventure. I want a life where I won't know what tomorrow will bring. And that'll be a good thing. Being a Huntress just happens to line up with that." Yang looked over to Ruby still on the lookout duty.
"I'm not like Ruby, she's always wanted to be a Huntress. It's like she said, ever since she was a kid, she'd dreamt about being the heroes in the books. Helping people and saving the day, and never asking for anything else in return. Even when she couldn't fight, she knew that's what she wanted to do. That's why she trained so hard to get where she is today." Yang explained about Ruby's motivation.
"Well, she's still just a kid." Weiss pointed out.
"She's only two years younger. We're all kids." Blake stated.
"Well, not anymore. I mean, look where we are! In the middle of a warzone and armed to the teeth!" Yang pointed out at the place that was once a city.
"It's the life we chose." Blake said.
"It's a job. We all had this romanticized vision of being a Huntress in our heads! But at the end of the day, it's a job to protect the people! And whatever we want, will have to come second." Weiss stated.
"We all have strong will and hearts, that goes for Hunters and martial artists to live this kind of life." Kibo believed strongly.
With the talking done, everyone went back to sleep as Yang and Kibo kiss each other one last time before going to sleep.
"(I hope this ease your curiosity, Doctor Oobleck.)" Kibo thought as he sensed the Doctor was already awake listening to the entirely conversation.
Oobleck smiles, feeling satisfied of how these girls are maturing and realizing the importance of being Huntresses and Huntsmen they choose to become.
Later, Yang took the next shift allowing Ruby and Zwei to go to sleep as they sleep on Yang's sleeping bag.
Suddenly Zwei woke up and move a little causing Ruby to wake up too.
"Huh? Zwei, it's late. Go back to bed." Ruby groaned, but she saw her dog ran off which she has to go after him.
Ruby wander outside of the building to search for Zwei, hoping he hasn't gotten very far.
"Zwei! Zwei, where are you? Zwei!" Ruby called out starting to feel a little worry until she spotted Zwei peeing on some ruins.
"Zwei, this is a wasteland! You literally could have done that anywhere!" Ruby chuckled and Zwei bark.
"What was that?" A man's voice asked.
Ruby immediately knew that is no voice she recognizes meaning it must be someone else here as she quickly hide herself and Zwei behind some ruin, she peek over to see a White Fang man looking around.
"What was what?" A second White Fang guard asked his comrade.
"I thought I heard a Beowolf or something." First White Fang guard shrugged.
"Hmph. Let's just finish our patrol and get back to base. This place gives me the creeps." Second White Fang guard said.
Ruby followed the two White Fang guards with Zwei right beside her as they sneak behind in the background until they stop, the White Fang guards went toward a ruined building with a pair of big metal doors as Ruby held Zwei to watch them go inside.
"Did they go in yet? One bark means yes." Ruby asked.
Zwei heard the echoing sounds of the metal door closing and he bark once for yes.
"Oh! This is it! This is it!" Ruby squealed of joy that they have just discovered the secret entrance to the bad guys' hideout.
"I got to hurry and call the team!" Ruby took out her Scroll to call her teammates but couldn't when the screen said low signal.
"Aw man! Come on, we gotta get the others!" Ruby said.
But when Ruby and Zwei were going back, the ground beneath them started to sink before caving in which made a sudden hole in the ground as Ruby quickly tosses Zwei out of the hole and grabbing onto a ledge.
Ruby tries to pull herself up but fell when the ledge she was holding on broke into the hole and discover a large carven with old buildings inside as well.
"Whoa…!" Ruby surprised.
Then crash right on top of a building where two other White Fang guards are standing and are surprised of the girl in red.
"Freeze!" The White Fang guard commanded as he and the other guard pointed their guns at Ruby.
"Where did she come from?" The other White Fang guard asked.
They walk forward slowly making Ruby move backward until she stop at the edge of the building as she looks down seeing it's long fall from here.
"You're a long way from home, little girl." The White Fang guard mocked.
Ruby knew she would have to fight if she wants to get out of wherever she is right now and tell the others about this, but only to realize that she doesn't have her Crescent Rose anymore probably still back up top.
"You're coming with us." The White Fang guard grabbed Ruby's arm.
"Hey! Hands off!" Ruby jerked her arm free and threw some punches, which did nothing.
The White Fang guard punch Ruby in the face knocking her down.
"The boss is gonna want to see this one." The White Fang guard said.
Ruby tries to get back up only to be knocked unconscious by the White Fang guard with a kick to the head.
(Temporary Safehouse)
Kibo instantly snapped his eyes open as he senses something is wrong right now just when Yang is about to turn in from her shift.
"Hey Weiss, it's your... Ruby? Hey, where's Ruby?" Yang asked worry.
"What?" Oobleck snapped awake upon hearing one of his students is missing.
They heard barking as Zwei came rushing in and up to Yang's legs.
"What's going on?" Blake asked.
"Something must've happened to Ruby, something bad." Kibo said.
"Grab your weapons! We have to help her." Oobleck ordered and everyone quickly got ready.
(With Ruby)
Ruby starts to wake up seeing that she is bring dragged by the two White Fang guards from before through what appears to be an operation area, she sees White Fang soldiers going various of things like one driving a Paladin to carry a large cargo and other things like carrying a large device though one soldier drops one.
"Hey, be careful! What are you trying to do, blow us to the moon?"
"Sorry, sir!"
Now Ruby finds herself getting closer to an old-looking train.
"Hey boss! Found something you might want to see!" The White Fang guard called out.
"Is it good or bad, Perry? Because let me tell ya, I have had a day." A familiar voice asked as Ruby gasp knowing who that is.
"Uh, it's a little girl?" The White Fang guard named Perry said.
That's when Roman lean out of the doorway seeing Ruby with a glare and took out the cigar from his mouth.
"That would be bad." Roman growled.
Ruby chuckles a little hoping she'll come up with an idea to get out of this and the others coming to rescue her soon.
(With Kibo and Others)
The group follow Zwei to where he last saw Ruby running toward the hole and Yang spotted a large and red familiar object next to the hole.
"Ruby's scythe!" Yang gasped.
"Oh no." Blake worried.
"Do you think she fell?" Weiss asked.
"Fell?" Oobleck asked to make sure he heard that right.
Kibo held out his hand and close his eyes to pick up a small trail of Ruby's aura scent which he was able to pick up, picturing the experience in his mind of how Ruby felt when she fell.
"She was definitely here, and down in that cavern." Kibo informed.
"Cavern?! Oh my. Of course! Of course, OF COURSE, OF COURSE!" Oobleck gasped.
"What is it?" Blake asked.
"How could I be so stupid?!" Oobleck blamed himself for not seeing this sooner or even thought about it.
"Dr. Oobleck, what's wrong?" Yang asked as she is really starting to worry for her little sister.
"Mountain Glenn! Yes, an expansion of Vale that was inevitably destroyed by creatures of Grimm! Previously home to thousands of people! Working people commuting to the city, the main city! Developed a subway system to the inner city! Grimm attacks increased! Population in danger, now desperately searching for shelter! City evacuates into the metro tunnels and what do they find? The southeast quadrant of Vale is known for wild forests and deep caves!" Oobleck explained.
"Doc, what are you saying?" Yang asked.
"He's saying the underground crime network we've been looking for has been literally under us this entire time." Kibo stated.
"Yes, yes, YES! A literal underground crime network!" Oobleck nodded and pointing at Kibo.
"They've been working in caves?" Blake asked shock.
"No, no, Mountain Glenn was Vale's first serious attempt at expansion. It worked for a short period of time, thanks to an aggressive perimeter defense, and unique transportation; the city developed an elaborate subway system to carry citizens safely from the new territory into the main Kingdom! Sadly, without the many natural barriers Vale had to protect its borders, Mountain Glenn was doomed from the start! As the end drew near, the citizens of the territory made one last attempt at survival: They took up shelter beneath the city! In massive caves that they had cleared out for the subway. And they had cut themselves off from the surface!" Oobleck mentioned.
"An underground village?" Yang surprised as well.
"In a matter of speaking, yes. A safe haven. Until... an explosion opened the mouth of another cavern, filled with subterranean Grimm. After that, the Kingdom officially sealed off the tunnels, creating the world's largest tomb." Oobleck looked down at the hole.
"And now, Ruby Rose has stumble into that tomb where the ones we're looking for have disgraced the place." Kibo clutched his fists.
"Come, everyone. We must find Ruby and stop whatever those bad men are planning down there." Oobleck prepared himself with his cup turning into a metal club as they all stare down at the hole.
KO a new chapter is done and hope you all enjoy it!
Looks like Ruby have found the secret base of the White Fang's operation though more like she fell right into the operation and got captured, Kibo and the group will have to hurry to her rescue as Roman is here too and he wants some payback for all the trouble the little girl in red caused.
KO comment, favorite, and follow through of how this story will go!