Disclaimer: Don't own either Rwby or Type Moon. So enjoy or don't

Chapter 32: Battle on the Argus Limited

The Argus Limited roared across the tracks, speeding through the vast wilderness as Grimm descended upon it. The air above the train crackled with tension as Manticores—fierce winged creatures with lion-like bodies and scorpion tails—swooped down in vicious packs, their roars mixing with the screech of claws scraping against metal. The passengers inside could do nothing but hold their breath, praying that the fighters on the roof could protect them.

Up top, Team RWBY, JNR, Oscar, Shirou, and Qrow stood firm, bracing against the powerful winds. The sight of the Grimm descending like a dark cloud spurred the team into action.

Ruby's scythe, Crescent Rose, snapped into position with a metallic click. "We've got incoming!"

Weiss, with a flick of her wrist, summoned a glyph beneath her feet, giving herself height as she scanned the skies. "I'll keep the air clear!" she shouted, ice dust swirling around her.

Meanwhile, the Manticores began to land on the train's roof, their sharp claws digging into the metal as they attacked. Yang wasted no time in charging forward, her Ember Celica blazing as she punched the nearest Manticore in the jaw, sending it flying off the side of the train. Blake danced between two more, her shadow clones creating the illusion of multiple Blakes as she struck with her sharpened Gambol Shroud.

At the center of the chaos, Shirou stood calm amidst the storm. In his hands, he held Kanshou and Bakuya, the twin blades glinting in the midday sun as he prepared for the incoming Grimm. His body shifted effortlessly as he weaved between the charging Manticores, his swords a blur of motion. One Manticore lunged at him, its stinger whipping toward his chest, but Shirou parried the blow with Kanshou before countering with a swift slash from Bakuya, slicing through its tough hide with ease.

"Nice work!" Jaune called, his shield raised as he blocked another Manticore's claws, stabbing forward with his sword to drive it back.

Shirou nodded in acknowledgment, his focus unbroken as he continued cutting down the Grimm. His fluid, precise movements stood out amidst the frantic battle around him, and it wasn't long before Ruby noticed his skill.

"He's amazing," Ruby whispered under her breath as she swung Crescent Rose in a wide arc, felling another Manticore with a single blow.

But the Manticores kept coming. As they swooped from the sky, their deadly tails lashed out like whips, forcing the team to duck and weave. Weiss's glyphs provided temporary shields, but even she was beginning to feel the strain as the flying beasts assaulted her defenses.

"We need to take out the fliers or they'll overwhelm us!" Weiss shouted, her voice strained as she summoned another ice blade to fend off a diving Manticore.

Shirou, seeing the growing threat, made a quick decision. He slashed through one last Manticore before tossing Kanshou and Bakuya into the air, where they vanished in a flash of blue light. In their place, a bow materialized in his hand—sleek, powerful, and glowing faintly with magical energy.

Ruby glanced over just in time to see him nock an arrow, drawing the bowstring back with practiced precision. The arrow flew, cutting through the wind with terrifying speed, piercing the skull of a Manticore in mid-flight. It fell instantly, its body tumbling off the train's edge.

"Whoa," Nora said, grinning as she smashed her hammer into another Grimm. "Shirou, keep it up!"

With his bow in hand, Shirou unleashed a rapid volley of arrows, each one striking down a Manticore before it could get too close. He aimed without hesitation, his arrows finding their targets with pinpoint accuracy, cutting through the swarm of Grimm that threatened to overwhelm them. Every arrow seemed to anticipate the Grimm's next move, each shot deliberate and deadly.

As the number of Manticores in the air began to dwindle, Shirou's attention shifted back to the train itself. More Manticores were clambering up from the sides, their claws tearing into the metal as they crawled toward the group. Shirou sent another wave of arrows their way, keeping them at bay.

Qrow, observing from a few feet away as he swung his scythe, let out an impressed whistle. "Kid's got some serious skill," he muttered to himself, cutting down another Manticore.

Still, the relentless tide of Grimm showed no sign of stopping. The train rocked violently underfoot as the larger Manticores crashed onto the roof, their heavy bodies making the metal groan beneath their weight. Jaune and Ren worked together to fend them off, but it was clear the team couldn't hold the line forever.

In the midst of the battle, Blake and Yang struggled to fight in sync. Yang's punches were as explosive as ever, but Blake's movements were more reserved, her focus split as she fought her own inner turmoil. Where they usually complemented each other perfectly, today they seemed out of sync, missing opportunities to support one another.

"Blake, I need you over here!" Yang shouted as she grappled with a particularly large Manticore, her fists glowing with energy. Her frustration was clear, her voice strained as she fought to keep her footing on the shaking train.

Blake, entangled with a Manticore of her own, didn't respond immediately, her eyes narrowed in concentration. The tension between them was palpable, their once unshakable bond now showing signs of strain.

Shirou, focused on providing support, fired an arrow toward Yang's opponent, buying her a moment's reprieve. "We need to push them back," he called, his voice calm despite the intensity of the battle.

The Grimm continued their assault, but slowly, thanks to Shirou's expert marksmanship, the Manticores' numbers began to dwindle. With each arrow, the tide shifted further in the team's favor.

But just as they seemed to gain the upper hand, Oscar's voice cut through the noise. "We're heading into a tunnel!"

Ruby's head snapped toward the front of the train. Sure enough, a dark tunnel loomed ahead, and if they didn't move quickly, they'd be swept off the roof by the approaching structure.

"Everyone, get inside! Now!" Ruby ordered, waving her team toward the nearest hatch.

Shirou fired one last arrow, clearing a path for the others as they rushed toward the opening. The wind howled louder as the train sped toward the tunnel, but just in time, everyone managed to drop down into the safety of the train's interior.

The team barely had time to process their narrow escape from the Grimm as they dropped into the dimly lit interior of the train. The air inside felt thick with tension, and the clatter of their boots on the metal floor echoed in the cramped hallway. The occasional flicker of the overhead lights added to the uneasy atmosphere, casting long shadows as the train sped forward through the tunnel.

Everyone was catching their breath, their faces flushed with exertion. Ruby leaned against the wall, her scythe folded at her side, panting slightly as she wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. Her wide silver eyes darted to each of her teammates, scanning for injuries, but everyone seemed intact—at least physically.

Weiss stood a few feet away, massaging her wrist after casting several glyphs to fend off the Manticores. Her usually pristine white uniform was smudged with dirt, and a few strands of her ponytail had come loose, framing her face. "That was close," she muttered, shaking her head as she tried to calm her breathing.

Yang paced back and forth, adrenaline still coursing through her. Her golden hair was wild from the battle, and her fists were clenched tightly at her sides. "Too close," she growled, clearly frustrated. Her eyes flicked toward Blake, who stood silently at the back of the group, her arms crossed over her chest.

Blake's expression was hard to read—her golden eyes downcast, avoiding Yang's gaze. There was a tension in her posture, a heaviness in the way she stood. She said nothing, but the silence between her and Yang was palpable, hanging in the air like a dark cloud.

Shirou, standing near the center of the group, was the most composed of them all. He had already dismissed his bow, leaving no trace of the weapon he had wielded moments ago. His breathing was steady, and though sweat glistened on his brow, he seemed almost unnervingly calm. Qrow, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, noticed this as well, his sharp red eyes narrowing as they observed Shirou's unshaken demeanor.

"You're one hell of a fighter, kid," Qrow commented, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity. "Doesn't seem like much rattles you."

Shirou glanced up, meeting Qrow's gaze for a moment before giving a small nod. "I've seen enough to not be surprised by much anymore," he replied quietly, his tone even.

For a moment, the room seemed to still. Qrow's casual curiosity deepened into something more guarded. His sharp gaze locked onto Shirou, narrowing slightly as a flicker of suspicion crossed his features. He leaned back against the wall, studying Shirou with a new intensity, as though trying to puzzle something out. Whatever he thought of the younger fighter, he didn't voice it just yet, but the shift in his demeanor didn't go unnoticed.

Jaune, catching the tail end of their exchange, slumped against a nearby bench with a sigh. "Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty rattled." He rubbed his shoulder, wincing slightly as he leaned back. "I can't believe how many of those Manticores there were."

Nora, ever the optimist, plopped down beside him with a grin. "But we showed them, right? They didn't stand a chance!" She raised her fists triumphantly, though her exhaustion was clear in the way she sagged back against the wall.

Ren, standing next to her, gave a more subdued nod. "We got lucky. If the tunnel hadn't come when it did... things might have been different."

The group fell into a brief silence, each person reflecting on the fight and how close they had come to being overwhelmed. The rhythmic clanking of the train's wheels against the tracks became the only sound, filling the quiet space.

Suddenly, Oscar, who had been quiet up until now, spoke up. "We can't let our guard down. The Grimm won't stop coming, not while we have the Relic with us."

At the mention of the Relic, a wave of unease washed over the group. Everyone's eyes turned toward Oscar—more specifically, toward Ozpin, whose voice they expected to hear any moment.

Yang, her frustration bubbling over, stepped forward, her fists tightening. "And whose fault is that?" she snapped, her amber eyes locking onto Oscar. "You knew the Grimm would come after us because of the Relic, and you didn't bother to tell us. You put all of us—every single passenger on this train—at risk!"

Oscar winced at her words, guilt etched across his face. "Yang, I didn't—"

"No, he didn't tell us," Yang interrupted, her voice rising as her anger flared. "Ozpin knew, and he kept it from us!"

Weiss quickly stepped forward, placing a hand on Yang's shoulder. "Yang, calm down. This isn't helping."

But Yang shrugged off her hand, her frustration clearly getting the better of her. "How can I calm down, Weiss? We could've died back there! People are counting on us, and we were almost overwhelmed because we weren't prepared!"

Blake finally spoke, her voice soft but steady. "She's right. We should have known."

Weiss turned to Blake, surprised to hear her voice. The tension between Yang and Blake was evident, but Blake's agreement with Yang didn't feel like it was coming from anger—more like frustration at the situation itself.

Ren, in his usual calm manner, stepped in to mediate. "Yang, we're all angry. But now's not the time to turn on each other. We still have to get to Argus, and there are more Grimm out there."

Nora nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, we've got more butt-kicking to do. Let's save the arguing for after we're not being chased by monsters."

Yang took a deep breath, visibly trying to control her emotions. Her shoulders relaxed, and after a long moment, she nodded. "Fine. But we need answers."

The tension began to ease as Weiss gave Blake a sympathetic look. "We'll figure this out. Together."

Qrow, having watched the entire exchange silently, shifted his gaze back to Shirou, who had been observing the conversation with his usual calm. His expression remained guarded, the earlier suspicion still lingering in his eyes. "You're not surprised by any of this, are you?" Qrow asked, his tone carrying a note of suspicion.

Shirou met Qrow's gaze evenly, his expression unreadable. "I've seen enough to not be surprised by much anymore," he said quietly.

Ruby, sensing the shift in mood, stepped forward to refocus the group. "We'll figure out what to do when we get out of the tunnel," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Right now, we need to come up with a plan for when we're back in the open."

Jaune stood up, rolling his shoulders. "Ruby's right. We know the Grimm will be waiting for us as soon as we exit the tunnel. We need to be ready."

Shirou stepped forward, his eyes scanning the group. "I can help coordinate our efforts," he offered, his calm voice cutting through the lingering tension. "We need to focus on protecting the train and keeping the passengers safe. We can't let the Grimm get too close."

Ruby nodded, grateful for his input. "Okay, let's come up with a strategy. We'll need everyone at their best."

The train's rumbling echoed through the tunnel, a constant reminder of the battle awaiting them once they exited into the open air. As the team gathered around Ruby's scroll, their focus sharpened. They had no choice but to be ready for what came next.

Ruby gestured to the display on her scroll, her eyes darting between her team and the map. "Okay, here's the plan. The Grimm are after the Relic, and if we keep it with the civilians, they'll be caught in the crossfire. We need to draw the Manticores away from them."

Qrow nodded, arms crossed as he leaned in to get a closer look. "We move the Relic to the last car, away from the passengers. If they're smart, the Grimm will focus on us and leave the rest of the train alone."

Oscar, standing next to Ruby, added, "But the Manticores are relentless. Even if they're drawn to the Relic, a few could still break off and attack the civilians."

Jaune, ever the strategist, furrowed his brow as he considered the risks. "Then we need to make sure the passengers are protected. Ren, your Semblance could help, right?"

Ren, calm despite the tension, nodded. "My Semblance, Tranquility, can mask their emotions. It should help keep the Grimm from sensing the fear of the passengers, making it harder for the Manticores to target them."

Jaune's eyes lit up with determination. "I can amplify your Aura with my Semblance. Together, we can extend the range of Tranquility and keep the Grimm focused on the Relic."

Shirou, standing near the center of the group, spoke up, his tone steady and focused. "I'll stay with Jaune and Ren. If any Manticores break through, Nora and I can protect them from any stragglers. We'll make sure none of the Grimm get near the passengers."

Nora grinned, her hammer resting casually on her shoulder. "Nothing's getting past me! I'll smash any Grimm that even thinks about going near our friends."

Ruby nodded, her mind racing to account for every possibility. "Alright, here's how it'll go down: Team RWBY, Qrow, and Oscar will move to the last car with the Relic. We'll lead the Manticores away from the civilians and keep them focused on us. Meanwhile, Ren and Jaune will stay in the upper cars with the passengers. Ren will use his Semblance to hide their fear, and Jaune will boost his Aura to make sure it covers everyone."

She turned to Shirou and Nora. "You two will be their last line of defense. If any Grimm make it past us, you need to take them down before they reach the passengers."

Yang cracked her knuckles, a fire in her eyes. "Sounds good to me. Let's make sure those Manticores don't stand a chance."

Blake, her expression more subdued, added, "We need to move quickly. If the Grimm get to the engine or any critical parts of the train, we'll be in serious trouble."

Weiss stood beside her, nodding. "I'll use my glyphs to keep us mobile. We'll need to move fast between the train cars to keep the Grimm from overwhelming us."

Qrow gave a low chuckle, his red eyes flicking to Shirou. "Looks like you're getting a crash course in working with a team, kid. Hope you're ready."

Shirou met Qrow's gaze, his calm demeanor unchanged. "I'll handle it. We need to protect the passengers—no matter what."

Oscar stepped forward, looking at Ruby. "Ozpin and I will do what we can to help, but the Grimm are going to keep coming as long as we have the Relic. We need to stay one step ahead of them."

Ruby glanced at everyone, a spark of determination lighting up her silver eyes. "Alright. Team RWBY, Qrow, Oscar, we'll head to the last car and get ready to face the Grimm. Ren, Jaune, Nora, and Shirou—you stay with the passengers and keep them safe."

Jaune, now standing beside Ren, clenched his fists, his resolve solid. "We'll protect them. Count on it."

Nora pounded her fist into her palm, her usual enthusiasm tempered with seriousness. "We'll keep everyone safe. No Grimm is getting through us."

As the train continued speeding through the tunnel, the rhythmic clanking of the wheels matched the quickening beat of their hearts. The plan was risky, but it was the best chance they had to keep the passengers safe while dealing with the relentless assault of the Grimm. The Manticores wouldn't stop coming, and everyone knew the moment they exited the tunnel, the real fight would begin.