The Battle is among us. RWBY vs Mountain Glenn. WHO WILL WIN!?
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(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
Ruby rejoined her team as they got closer to the transport. Weiss and Blake couldn't believe who was their Huntsman. Yang resisted making a joke, and Ruby giggled at their Huntsman's statement.
"Why hello girls! Who's ready to fight for their lives?" asked Doctor Oobleck, their appointed Huntsman for the mission.
"I believe we're ready, Doctor," said Ruby.
"Good, I've already packed the essentials - minus ammunition - plotted the course, and prepped our transport ship. I'll give you two minutes to reorganize any belongings you may have."
With that, the speedy Doctor left for the ship.
"Okay, who's ready to save the world with Doctor Oobleck?" asked Ruby.
"You're... kidding, right?" asked Weiss.
"Not at all. Like Yang is resisting to say 'At least he won't slow us down,'" smirked Ruby.
"Hey, she said it, not me," defended Yang as Weiss and Blake turned to look at her.
"'Save the world'? Without us!?" exclaimed Nora dramatically as JNPR walked up, "I feel betrayed! Also a little hungry, though that's not you."
Nora glanced over at Ren, who refused to respond to that statement.
"Seems exciting," commented Pyrrha.
"We're heading outside the Kingdom to a nearby village and help the Sheriff out," informed Jaune, "We leave in the morning."
"Cool, then you can hang with us tonight," said Sun, as he and Neptune joined the group, "Neptune and I are helping out a Detective in the city."
"We even get Jr. Detective badges," added Neptune, getting another awed look from Jaune.
"Considering the last couple of times we've hung out was with you, and that also led to dangerous fights, we though we'd chill in the city without you for a change," joked Sun.
"Be careful with that shade, Sun," smirked Ruby, "It may 'eclipse' you."
JNPR and WBY chuckled at that joke, alongside Neptune while Sun was left half confused and half put out at being the punchline.
"Team RWBY, it is time to leave!" called out Oobleck.
"Alright guys, we better go!" declared Ruby.
With that, RWBY headed for the transport ship and towards Mountain Glenn.
(Recap End)
Team RWBY boarded the Transport Ship and it started making its way SouthEast towards Mountain Glenn. As they were flying, Yang turned to Doctor Oobleck.
"I guess I never figured you to be much of a fighter," apologized Yang.
"I will admit I'm more of an... Intellectual," answered Oobleck, not taking any offense, "But I assure you, I have seen my fair share of Tussles."
"Like the Mushroom?" asked Ruby, trying not to smirk.
"Those are Truffles," replied Blake.
"Like the sprout?" continued Ruby.
"Those are Brussels," replied Yang, fighting a smirk herself.
"Like the clams?" pressed Ruby, barely fighting off a smirk.
"Those are Mussels, you dolt," said an irritated Weiss, falling for the ploy.
(AN1)
Oobleck stayed silent, having figured out the joke himself.
"Oh Weiss, Muscles are in Humans, Faunus and other members of the Animal Kingdom... minus Grimm," smirked Ruby, winking at Weiss, causing her to turn red out of embarrassment and frustration.
"You're still a dolt," grumbled Weiss, turning her blushing face away.
"As I was saying," continued Oobleck, clearing his throat, "Because of my expertise in the field of history and archaeological surveys, Headmaster Ozpin saw fit to assign me this particular... assignment."
"What does History have to do this Mission?" asked Weiss, clearly not making the connection.
"My dear Girl, you call yourself Studious and don't know the history of Vale?" countered Oobleck, clearly disappointed, "The SouthEast Quadrant of Vale is home to some of the most terrifyingly powerful Grimm this side of the continent. They use the Large Forests and Deep Caves to avoid Huntsmen, allowing them to grow unimpeded. It's also home to Vale's greatest Failure..."
"Mountain Glenn," spoke up Ruby, "Weiss, remember the game we played. My strategy and why Mountain Glenn was my secret weapon."
Weiss paled at the memory of that game... and the confirmation of information she wished wasn't true in the slightest.
"Ah, I see you know the secret endings of that game, Miss Rose," smiled Oobleck, surprising Ruby, "I know a thing or two about the game and was shown a thing or two as well."
(AN2)
"It was originally an expansion of Vale, wasn't it?" asked Yang.
"Correct," added Oobleck, "however, due to the massive concentration of Grimm it was ultimately overrun and left to die. It's now left as a barren scar on Vale's history."
"And a perfect place to hide when planning at attack on the Kingdom," noted Blake.
"Precisely," agreed Oobleck, adjusting his glasses.
Ruby wasn't surprised why Oobleck was assigned now. It wasn't because of the Area's history, though that was part of it. It was because of them. He knew precisely what they intend to do there and wasn't gonna let them go alone. The Huntsman who was originally assigned most likely didn't know of the White Fang being so close to Vale and would have likely been ambushed if they weren't a Faunus themselves. The ship hovered close to the ground on the edge of the ruined City, allowing the five(six) of them to land on the ground safely before flying back to Vale, most likely not wanting to stick around such a depressing place and risk attack by Grimm.
"Ladies, you may be Students of Beacon Academy, but as of this moment, you have officially begun your first Mission as Huntresses," said Oobleck, "From this point forward, I will need you to follow my precise orders to the letter."
Team RWBY acknowledge him, while Ruby took off her bag and opened it.
"Miss Rose, unless you plan on carrying that bag the entire time, I suggest you leave it here," said Oobleck, as Zwei popped out, much to the confusion WBY, "We're on a dangerous mission in inhospitable environment and enemy territory... and you bring a dog..."
"Yes sir," nodded Ruby.
"GENIUS!" exclaimed Oobleck, the shock of WBY, "The Canine's heightened Sense of Smell and Oscillatory range will be to our great advantage in this mission!"
"What?" smirked Ruby towards her team as she warped her bag to her office without Oobleck noticing, "It's not my first rodeo."
(AN3)
"Ruby, I..." started Yang, before sighing, "Never mind, I shouldn't question your tactics on this."
"So what's the Plan, Doctor?" asked Blake, not comfortable with the situation, but not allowing it to distract her from the reason they were here.
"We look for Grimm," said Oobleck, "Our official mandate for this mission is to wipe out as many Grimm as possible. If we discover our true target amidst the search, then we can proceed with our secondary mission. Until then, it looks Grimm."
"Excuse me?" asked Weiss, confused.
"Grimm, a creature of Grimm approximately a hundred yards away," informed Oobleck, get WBY into ready stances and Ruby to get in a running position while closing her eyes to focus her hearing on other Grimm in the area.
"Not yet Girls, this is merely a scout or stray from a nearby pack," said Oobleck, "We need to pick our battles carefully. Too many Grimm at once would alert our quarry to our arrival... and there's the pack. Most likely a small branch compared to the main camp that's likely scattered throughout this city."
RWBY looked at him expectantly.
"Show me what you're made of," instructed Oobleck, allowing RWBY to engage in a relatively short battle.
"Given the nature of the city," remarked Ruby as she put away her sweetheart, "I wouldn't be surprised if this pack had an Alpha or two in the area."
"A logical conclusion if this is but the first pack of many we shall encounter," said Oobleck, "Onward!"
As RWBY and Oobleck continued to make their way through the city, RWBY engaged in more and more battles while Oobleck examined the area closely, as a tracker would.
"I don't wish to sound rude, Doctor," said Yang, before metaphorically putting her foot in her mouth, "But I was looking forward to seeing a Real Huntsman in action. Like Fighting, or at least support role fighting?"
"Not all Missions are about combat, Miss Xiao Long," corrected Oobleck, "To be a truly well-rounded Huntsman, one needs a keen mind for more than just battle. I'm currently studying the ground around us, looking for signs of our would-be invaders. Huntsmen are more than just fighters. Even the Atlas Military trains similarly for Non-Huntsman personnel."
(AN4)
Time passed, as did more battles. It was then that Oobleck approached Yang.
"Tell me, Yang, why did you choose this line of work?" asked Oobleck.
"Well, to fight monsters..." started Yang.
"STOP! That is what you do, not why you do it," interrupted Oobleck, "I'm asking for the TRUE reason you're pursuing this profession."
"The real reason..." said Yang, feeling a bit vulnerable, but a quick shared look with Ruby gave her comfort, "I'm looking for my mother, Raven Branwen. She left before I had memories of her. After Summer passed, I wished to find her and maybe bring her home. More importantly, I want to inspire others as Summer Rose inspired me. It's not about saving people, it's about reminding them that anyone can fight, that a Huntsman is more than the weapon they carry."
"I see," mused Oobleck, absorbing the information as he prepared to search the next area.
More time passed, as well as more battles. This time, Oobleck queried Weiss.
"And you Miss Schnee," asked Oobleck, "Someone born into fame and fortune needn't risk her life like this. Even still, Headmaster Ironwood would have easily accepted you at Atlas Academy much like your sister was. Why pursue a career like this when one was laid out before you?"
"The honor of my Maternal Grandfather's Company has been tarnished by my father. The world doesn't see it, because they choose not to. Even if the White Fang never targeted us because of my Father's treatment of Faunus, it doesn't change the fact that the company I stand to inherit is more interested in making money over employee satisfaction. I chose to step away from a City where my Family name paves difficulties away so I can temper my outlook on life. And thanks to my team, my friends, I don't regret coming to Beacon at all."
"Indeed," said Oobleck in a noncommittal way.
Some more time passed and Oobleck focused on Blake.
"And what about you, Blake?" asked Oobleck, "You seem to carry a sense of purpose with you."
"I've grown up in the White Fang protesting the abuse of the Faunus most of my life. A few years back, when the leadership changed, the tactics did as well. I fought for the injustice of the Faunus, but when the White Fang stopped caring about innocents, I couldn't continue to be part of a group willing to sacrifice a future of peace because of the past. Of course, it'd be hypocritical of me to say I want to be an inspiration to other Faunus when I wear this bow, but I want to show the world that Faunus aren't the Enemy. Not all of us anyways."
"Hmm..." mused Oobleck as he walked away.
(AN5)
"Professor Oobleck, are we ready to move out?" asked Ruby.
"I believe we are good for now," said Oobleck, tossing his pack to Yang, "Ladies, set up camp in that building there. You're fearless leader and myself will secure the perimeter. Please ensure that there are no more of those creatures in area."
With that, Oobleck and Ruby headed off to a sweep of the perimeter, finding themselves at another edge of the city, one that faced away from Vale. Ruby smirked as her eyes glowed a bit at what was before her.
"And thus the TRUE reason of why this area is so difficult is revealed," remarked Ruby, "Goliaths. Truly Ancient Grimm that no single Huntsman has ever successfully taken one down and lived to tell the tale."
"Indeed and with that age comes wisdom," added Oobleck, "Wisdom and Strength beyond most other Grimm. I'm afraid Ms. Goodwitch was exaggerating Team CFVY's abilities, Ruby. I doubt even they could take out a Goliath even with their great teamwork. And even to ask you, a Silver Eyed Warrior, is a bit much at this stage."
"I'll have to return here at some point, make good on the mission statement by clearing these guys out."
"I admire your enthusiasm, Ruby, but we must press on," said Oobleck, "We still have to complete our perimeter sweep."
Oobleck and Ruby turned and continued on their way, but extremely aware of one of the Goliaths watching them before it too moved on.
"So... Doctor Oobleck..." started Ruby, "I was wondering..."
"Wondering why I've been interrogating your team?" prompted Oobleck.
"Not really. I'm glad they got that off their chest," replied Ruby, "I was actually wondering... what do you know of Silver Eyes Warriors?"
"That they have an inherant advantage when it comes to destroying Grimm," answered Oobleck, "A fully trained Silver Eyed Warrior barely needs to blink to wipe out any Grimm in their sight. And I've yet to find corrupted user of Silver Eyes."
"That is mostly true. Many Silver Eyed Warriors are of the same family, though we are scattered now and it's hard to tell how many of us are left. I can't say I know of a corrupted Silver Eye Warrior, but the thought isn't pleasant."
After finishing their sweep, they returned to see WBY by the fire, three mats laid out.
"Good, a textbook campfire," complimented Oobleck, "Finish your dinners and get ready for bed. We have a long search ahead of us. I need a volunteer for the first watch..."
"Right here," said Ruby, raising her hand from next to the fire, with the sun gone down, the temperature dropped too, and a bit more than Ruby expected.
Several minutes later found Ruby looking at a stray Grimm looking around the rubble, even looking towards Ruby for a few moments before continuing on.
Ruby, to her credit, was holding out very well from going on a Grimm Hunting spree. She could hear her teammates chat quietly with each other about the truths they revealed and Ruby couldn't help but think back as well. Her own reason for becoming a Huntress was indeed twofold. She wanted to follow the path her mother took, to be a Huntress and save others. Beyond that, she wanted to help the world, one slayed Grimm at a time. Though Oobleck wasn't wrong, knowledge was half the battle and despite her knowledge of Grimm, there were some she wasn't familiar with, and with the Grimm Dragon not two hundred miles below the surface, still sealed away, she knew this area would be incredibly difficult to keep control of.
'Mother, it's finally begun,' Ruby thought to herself, 'My first mission as a Huntress and not just a Reaper of Grimm. I'm glad I met my team, and gave them a chance. I couldn't ask for better.'
Ruby smiled at the thought of her team. If not for that fateful encounter with Roman Torchwick, none of this would have been possible. She'd still be at Signal Academy. At best, going through more training drills and at worst listening to a lecture of review material.
(AN6)
Some time later, Yang took over watch while Ruby finally closed her eyes, trying to get in a few winks before tomorrow started.
A few hours later, Ruby was woken up by Zwei, who needed to go something fierce. Following after him, Ruby couldn't help but grin, 'I think we trained him a bit too well.'
After Zwei was done with his business, Ruby heard some faint talking, wondering why she didn't hear it before upstairs. Grabbing Zwei, she hid herself as she saw two members of the White Fang on their own patrol.
'If I go back now, I could lose them, but if they did keep up we'd lose the element of surprise. Need to play this out,' thought Ruby, before following them as best she could without being noticed.
After seeing the entrance they used, she went to retrace her steps when the ground started giving way.
'NOT GOOD!' thought Ruby as the ground collapsed beneath her, causing her to lose her Weapon to save Zwei. Tossing him up onto the ledge, she said to him, "Get the others. I'm gonna investigate further."
Zwei nodded, though worried for her safety and ran off as she let go and fell down into the hole.
Yang was still somewhat dozing while keeping a lookout when Zwei rushed in, barking up a storm, instantly waking up everyone. Yang immediately looked towards where Ruby was, only to find it empty.
"We need to find Ruby," said Yang, doing her best to not panic.
"Grab your weapons," said Doctor Oobleck, "Your Team Leader may need backup."
Following Zwei, Oobleck and WBY found the hole Ruby fell through, with Crescent Rose a few feet away. Yang picked up Crescent Rose and placed it across her back, which was made similar to Ruby's carrying brace for this very event.
"That explains it," said Yang, looking from the hole to Zwei, and to the others, "Ruby must have stumbled across the White Fang, but this ground collapsed, preventing her from reporting back to us."
"It also explains why we haven't seen any signs of them up here. It's a reminder of what Mountain Glenn actually is, both above Ground, and below. Other than the Large Forests, there are deep caves," said Oobleck, "It's not just an Underground Group, it's an UnderGROUND group!"
(AN7)
Zwei then pointed them towards a set of closed doors, the entrance to the underground base. Yang's eyes burned red for a moment before turning back to Lilac.
"The White Fang made a big mistake tonight," said Yang, flexing her hands and activating Ember Celica, "They messed with the wrong sister."
"If they've hurt Ruby, I'll freeze them myself," said Weiss, readying Myrtlenaster.
"My former comrades may be misguided, but they crossed a line taking our friend," added Blake.
"Don't go into battle angry, it will only give them the advantage," said Oobleck, turning his thermos into a weapon, crossing it in front of them to prevent them from going further, "If we do this, we do this with a clear head. Ruby is a Student under my care, so logically, I am also responsible for getting her back."
After Oobleck lowered his weapon, Yang punched the doors open and they headed inside, ready to save their Red-Hooded sister, friend, leader, and student.
Ruby landed after a few seconds of falling, her Aura taking a light brunt of damage.
"HALT!" shouted a voice behind her.
"Where did she come from?" asked another as she turned around to see two White Fang Members.
"Take me to your leader," said Ruby, smirking up a storm.
"Cute, but not wise, smart mouth," said one of them, grabbing on her arms rather roughly.
"You don't know just how smart this mouth can be," replied Ruby, as the other one grabbed her other arm and guided back through the doors they entered and down to the ground level of the underground location. Ruby noted multiple things at once, Bombs on a Train, more Atlasian Paladins, and several other containers of what most likely was dust, given the combustive nature of it if dealt with wrong, 'Well, these guys are real idiots, didn't even knock me out. I've just deduced their plan in seconds and I was right to ask for backup before we left.'
"Hey Boss, we got something you need to see," said one of the members holding onto her.
"Is it good or bad, Perry," came a VERY familiar voice to Ruby, "Because let me say I have had a day."
'Oh the irony,' thought Ruby.
"It's a little girl," replied Perry.
Roman stuck his head out, instantly recognizing Little Red, and sighed, "Yeah... That would be bad," he said, taking out his cigar and flicking it away.
(Chapter End)
Seems like the Mountain has the advantage this round. Ruby has now come face to face with Roman for a third time. What will happen? find out next chapter! :)
Author Notes...
AN1: A continuation of the joke I could see even in canon all those years ago.
AN2: Yep, Oobleck has connections. He's lived long enough to meet someone equally invested in history, that knows a bit more than normal, like Ruby.
AN3: Nick Fury has some awesome quotes.
AN4: Not entirely sure how true this is, but I can imagine it. Different Military factions even in our real world have a large variety of skills beyond the basic combat training, so applying it to Atlas Military doesn't feel too farfetched.
AN5: Yeah, not beating around the bush with this one. Yang may be looking for adventures, but she looks to be so much more, especially with what happened with Ruby and reconnecting with Summer. And as a time boom creates time ripples, Weiss and Blake are more comfortable sharing deep personal issues to so few people, and people they trust.
AN6: I can imagine an alternate timeline where RWBY doesn't meet up until the Invasion. Ruby visiting Yang on Break, seeing the sights of Vale; Weiss there as an Atlas Student, looking around before starting up a mission inside the city with her Atlas Team; and finally Blake, having scouted the City, happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time with the Grimm attacked, and Blake was forced to stop her own group's plan because of appearances she's made to the people in the city while undercover. Ruby's teammates flee the scene while Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang get ready to fight the Grimm Invaders. Another random Huntsmen Team are also there, but are low enough on Aura to be out of the fight, so they're no help. But that's aidea for another time, or another person.
AN7: There is no way I can match Oobleck here, so I'm not going to even try.
Thanks for reading, and next chapter will definitely start a true split, and not just intertwine back into the canon story. You'll see, so...
Until then...
Later,
RDF1