In the previous chapter we saw that fenix wife and daughter were kidnapped by the cultist in vacuo. But now lets return back to ruby and company as the silver eyed huntress will confront her so called belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. I own the OC's, AU. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 38:showdown
Early in the day in the mine the captives were hard at work mining for dust crystals. They swung their pick axes hard at work as the soldiers watch them just incase they tried to start anything. But close to a small adjacent part of the mine sat a pair of metal doors. Past those doors led to a long hallway with glass windows. Several people in scientist labcoats or hazmat suits walked the halls.
All of them hard at work it seems, their work making more grimm hybrids for their queen. Inside one room was a small operating room from the looks of it. Their was a couple tables in the room with a surgery going on. That surgery being grafting a chimera grimm to someone spine. Already in his lab coat was wisteria with a clipboard in hand.
wisteria walked past some researchers who were just in the middle of another surgery while thier patient screamed for them to stop.
"So how goes this trail?"she questioned with a cup of coffee in hand drinking the bitter liquid.
"Its going well ma'am, since we've started this morning we've actually have some good news."the researcher replied as they began to walk to someone room.
This peaked her interest immediately"oh and what would that be? Because everysince we came here we've had good luck with five new grimm knights"wisteria replied taking another sip.
The researcher smiled"try nine now m'am"they stated as wisteria went wide eyed. she set her cup down as she placed her hands behind her back.
"Are you trying to get on my good side or are you serious?"sheasked asked with itnruge. The researcher and her soon stopped infront of four tubes that were tinted green it seems. Inside each of those four tubes were people whos bodie were obscured. But grimm like features could be seen in each of them. Each tube had the words lambda, nu, eta, pi.
"No i'm not lying, we've had some good luck today. The chimera have bonded with these four well. It will be about a week till we can get them ready for testing"the resarcher replied
"Wonderful. I'll inform our queen and on our progress soon. Then we should chedk on yohi progress when he, mr. moore and dealt head into town."wisteria said as the researcher nodded continuing with their work. The women walked off to hopeful give her queen some good news.
But early in the room rogue sat their still asleep it seems on the hard bed they gave her. Though as she slept the banging of metal could be heard jolting her awake in an offensive stance.
"Ah! If you jerks are here for a fight i'll give you one"rogue warned but she looked to be met by something strange. A girl in an LED helmet who had a tray of food in hand.
"N-no..i'm just here to give you something to eat"asani replied as she slide the tray under a small slot under her cell.
Once under rogue looked seeing an apple, toast and some graham crackers. Along with a small bottle of water to quench her thirst.
The blonde was heisatnt of the food still because she seen everytime casta eats it. She falls asleep but she relents at times until finally eating it.
"How do i know you didn't mess with my food like hers?"rogue said motioing to casta who was in the corner balled up scared.
"I didn't…m-my master told me to give you food. I promise i didn't mess with it"asani reassured as her mask displayed a pair of digital eyes that blinked
Rogue hesitantly reached for the fod snatching it then she began to dig into the food. It wasn't much but it was filling, but as she ate she noticed the girl staring at her the entire time which creeped her out.
"Umm why are you staring at me?"rogue questioned with the apple in hand taking a crunch out of it. The girl also known as asani digital eyes blinked before an embarrassed emoticon displayed.
"Oh..i..i i'm sorry. I have to make sure you eat when your done..i have to take it"asani replied stuttering. Rouge quickly figured something out she was a slave as she took another bite before she spoke.
"Right. Sorry if i sound rude just everyone here seems pretty much like…"before she finished asani did for her.
"Scumbags…your not wrong…b-but a few are nice like . Even if he doesn't wanna be here"asani replied as her mask displayed sad emoticons. The blonde figured out maybe they had dirt on this asher which might give her an ally to escape. As they sat in silence she decided to itnroduce herself.
"I'm rogue hayley by the way whats your name?"rouge asked catching the girl offguard as she hesitantly reached for her hand shaking it.
"I'm asani…i..i really don't have a last name. Not like my parents would ever care since they sold me"asani greeted with a sad emoticon which hurt rogue hearing someone would trade their own child for money.
"Thats terrible to hear. Though here you go i'm done"rogue said pushing the tray back through the slot. Casta had her fill but just layed on the ground. But as they sat their selket entered the room with a sinister look on her face. Asani jumped seeing her as the grimm knight walked past her.
"Thank you dear. Now please leave because i need to have some fun with my plaything"selket ordered as asani nodded rushing out of the room. Rogue gulped nerovusly wondering what she was planning as surprisingly she unlocked her celldoor. The two stared at each other for a bit as she moved out of the way.
"Why don't you step out and we can talk"Selket offered but she knew this was a trick getting in a defensive stance.
"I know your messing with me, if you wanna beat me up then lets go. "Rogue taunted before smirking at her knowing she can't kill her or she'll upset salem.
"Maybe i can take your stinger like i did with your husband"she added which made selket stare at her for a moment before roaring in rage. She pounced her pinning her against a wall as she began to salm her against the wall several times. The deathstalker was fueled with rage wanting to just snap her neck now.
"Shut your dam mouth! You'll pay for what you did you little brat!"she screeched like a banshee as she began to toss her around in the cell. She threw rogue hard into the glass wall with a loud thud as she gasped for air. But as she wobbled trying to stand up selket dragged her out of the room pinning her on the table. Then she began to choke her windpipe with one hand.
Rogue could feel the air leaving her lungs as she had tears forming as her throat consitrcted on herself. Selket was smiling right now feeling the girls life slip away from her in an instant. Though soon a voice rang in her head.
"Dearie i know you wanna kill her. But my mother will be mad at us if we kill her."the chimera in her back reminded also known as sigma.
Selket eased her grip snarling"your right sigma. But she pissing me off right now"She replied as rogue coughed for air for her lungs but looked at her talking to nobody.
"Is this women crazy or something that she has an imaginary friend"She thought
"Hmm i know though we could give her some bruises. Break a couple ribs without puncturing her lung. Let her suffer slowly"sigma suggested as the women grinned at that liking the sound of that. Selket looked at rogue who noticed this wondering what the women had planned for her.
Later in the town where the thanatos infirmary ren, jaune and erin were hard at work cleaning up ruby little petal mess. A few shelves got knocked over but ren and jaune easily lifted them back up. They were in the middle of picking everything up while they also stocked some things back onto the shelves.
Ren was picking up some greeting cards as he placed them on a display. They ranged from birthday cards, get well soon, congrats on becoming a huntsman and huntresses, you name it.
"Were terrible sorry for our friends mess she made"ren apolgized but erin waved her hand at that.
"Oh its fine, she seemed very excited about finding her mom. How long has she been missing?"erin asked as she was placing some pill bottles back on the shelves.
Jaune was doing the same thing next to her eyeing the entire time"its been more over ten years if i recall. "Jaune replied
"Oh really? Thats sad to hear. What happened to her if you don't mind me asking?"erina asked politely as the two stood their for a moment then decided to tell the girl about their friend plee.
"From what i heard from her uncle she died on a mission a while ago in atlas. They apparently fought some unspeakable grimm or something while their. The mission went bad, him and their other teammates woke up to find her gone. All that left was her weapon and arm."jaune begun as he kept stocking the shelves.
"Oh thats terrible to hear, i kinda understand whats it like not knowing your mom"erin replied sadly as she grabbed a box getting close to jaune as she kept stocking the shelves.
"Yes, if i recall you said your mother wasn't around anymore yes?"ren asked as erin nodded sighing heavily at that.
"I did, but i baely got to know her. Dad told me she was the best mom anyone could have. "Erin said smiling slightly
"Yeah well apparently her uncle and aunt have been looking for her for the past ten years. She did use a contact to try and find her but came back with nothing. "Jaune added as he finished stocking some stuff. He eyed his sword for a moment as his reflection gleaned off it but for some reason pushed a certain thought into the back of his mind.
Erin hummed at that"well if my dad does find that security tape of rosa petals. She might be able to find her mom she does look alot like her in a way. "Erin replied but this caught ren very much offguard hearing that name.
"Wait…that name sounds very familiar."ren announced which confused the two for a moment. As he was finishing up stocking up his side of the store. The three decided to take a small break as gathered around the counter as erin walked around back for something.
Jaune looked at him strange"what are you talking about? Have you met this women before or something?"he questioned
Ren nodded"i have because do you recall how i told you me and nora were taken in by a man"he replied
Soon enough erin returned with some bottles of water along with some energy bars to restore their energy. Quickly handing them out erin took a drink of her water while jaune took a bite of his power bar. Ren sat down with a confused look.
"What are you talking about exactly?"erin asked
"Oh well ren and nora. The two were orphaned a long time ago their home kuroyuri was destoryed. Up until recently it's being rebuilt right now after some cultist attakced their home"jaune answered but kept eyeing her for a while.
Erin had a soft look on her face"i'm sorry to hear you lost your parents. But at least some good is being done. Word is the branwhen tribe has been rebuilding it"She said
"Yes but that rosa women sounded familiar because we traveled with her for a while. Until she enrolled us into an huntsman academy."ren paused before figuring something out.
"She also look very much like ruby"he added to the two shock as jaune figured something out. Maybe his teammates ran into his friend mother a long time ago.
"Wait that girl upstairs. She does look like rosa now that i think about it"erin replied eating her power bar.
Ren nodded as they sat in silence for a moment as jaune wanted to ask something. How did the two survive so long on the road by themselves. Who extaclty took them in.
"Hey ren. Sorry if this sound personally but who exactly was it that took you two in?"jaune asked hesitantly but ren shook his head.
"Your fine. Were teammates i could divulge a bit about who took me and nora in"ren said as he held his dagger in hand caressing it.
The three sat in an awkward silence for a bit as he tried to recall the best what happened at that time. The person who took the two in when they had no where to go.
"If my memorie serves me right. After me and nora escaped kuroyuri we wandered ammisnelously for a long time. When we ran out of food one day we just sat on the side of the road losing hope we'll make it"Ren begun his tale as the two listened intevily.
"But by some miracle a man found us. We were very weary of him at first but he meant no ill harm to us. At the time i got sick since i decided to protect us while we slept. I was praticaurly exhausted barely able to keep myself up"ren continued as he had a small smile
Jaune was surprised to hear more about his teammates but was happy he was doing this right now. Because he cares about these two like their family at this point.
"I'm guessing he took both of you into his home"he asked
Ren nodded but a disheartened look came to his face"he did his name was wu shui. A kind man who actually taught me a few things. He was a huntsman as well but lived in hiding it seems for some reason. Though he nursed me back to health, when he asked where our parents were we told him we came from kuroyuri"he continued as he clenched his dagger tight in his hands.
Erin noticed his anger look as did jaune as the two quickly figured something out that something happened to the man. That this kind soul was apparently killed it seems.
Erina placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down which worked slightly"look you don't gotta continue if you want"she advised
"Its fine. Its just we spent two whole years with him as he took us in like his own children. But eventually one day a women came emerging with a white rose petal."he cotninued as jaune figured out they must have met summer rose at that time.
But then ren just looked down upset at what he'll say next"but as she stayed with us for maybe a month. Two people came a man in some deer mask and…a women. Apparently they've been hunting her down including him for…their eyes"he said before a shock of relization came to him.
Jaune did too as he quickly figured something out that this wu was a silver eyed warrior.
Erin looked puzzled"Why the heck would they be after him for their eyes?"She asked but she moved her arm causing a jar of candy to fall on the ground. It crashed into several pieces making her yelp. Immediately the others rushed downstairs.
"Is everything alright down here?"Reed asked worried
"Yes were fine just knocked something off the counter. And we just got done restocking everything"Erina groaned in annoyance at her clusmly. Reed laughed retrieving a broom and dust pan sweeping it up.
"Its fine but uh well apperenlty your friends mom is alive. And well…"poppy stopped glancing at ruby who was glaring at her apparent father.
"That i've been lied to my entire life, that apparently your not my uncle…your my dad"ruby said with tears breaking through as ren and jaune went wide eyed at that.
"What?"jaune said quietly in shock as ren looked very surprised hearing this.
"Are…are you joking?"ren questioned but qrow looked at his actually daughter sighing. He knew he had to tell her someday but he wanted to do it when he found her mom. Hes overjoyed shes still alive but now he needed to break the news to his daughter.
"Look kiddio i–"qrow begun before several loud gunshot could be heard outside. They all looked toward the front entrance of the pharmacy. Ruby immediately rushed to the front window to peek out outside as did the others.
She went wide eyed to see several people fleeing the streets as in the middle of town was asher with yohi and maya by his side. Infront of them were three people who were beaten and batter beyond relief. They had SDC collars on but in maya hand was a smoking pistol.
"What the heck are they doing here?"poppy questioned quietly as she glared at the group.
"I don;t know they might be here for something"reed replied going to the counter retrieving a pistol just incase.
They sat their for a bit as in the middle of town yohi paced around in a circle. He eyed the alleyways and building as the townspeople peeked from their hiding spots. They needed to send a message to that small resistance group their town has and he has the perfect way to do it.
Yohi cleared his throat before he spoke"greeting people of deepwald!"yohi declared as the townspeople looked at the three.
"Today is something very special for you, because lately we've been having problems. That being a small group of your townspeople attacking the mines we've purchases from its previous owners"yohi begun using that word loosely as asher clenched his swordbreakers tight in his hand threatening to break them.
The kleptomatic knew that wasn't the case, but he couldn't exactly disobey orders right now. The towns people mumureder to themselves as the others inside the pharmacy watched.
"What are they doing here?"erin questioned with worry
"I..i don't know but why do they have those people here?"Ren asked but qrow knew exactly this was. A scare tactic to get the town to comply with their demands on where percy and his group was. They needed to stay out of this to avoid any danger.
"Its a common scar tactic, their probably going to execute those people their to make them scared."qrow answered to the group shock as ruby shook in rage seeing this. She reached slowly for crescent rose as yohi continued to talk.
"Today i ask you? Do you know where percy and his group of rebels are?"yohi asked as he waited for someone to step up to his disappointment. He groaned as he motioned for maya to do something, she aimed her pistol at one person head. She pulled the trigger as a loud gunshot went off. Townspeople jumped in fears screaming slightly as he continued
"I ask you to tell us the wehreabout of their group now. These people may just live if you do, were just trying to protect your town. All we ask in return is for your cooperation like here. Hand them over and we'll leave your town alone…and we won't have to burn it down"yohi finished as he walked over with an armbalde out.
He quickly stabbed one of the hostages in the head as he removed it quickly as they fell face first. A crimson red liquid slowly pooled underneath them as he looked toward asher.
"Your turn, or do you want your girl to swim with the grimm?"yohi said as asher looked in fear. He slowly brought his hawkbill knife to the last cpatives throat as their muffled crys could be heard. He closed his eyes tight regretting what hes doing.
"I'm sorry"asher muttered but before he could do anything from a set of doors a flurry of red rose petals emerged. The three looked over as the petal flew in the air then someone emerged from them. Ruby emerged with a look of rage as she had her sniper out, she cocked the bolt back firing a round into asher sending him into a bunch of barrels.
The two glared at the girl as immedialty maya broguth her crossbow out. She fired several bolts at her but ruby quickly used ehr semblance to doge and weave through them. As she did the others rushed from the pharmacy as they jumped into the fray. Immediately poppy brought out her weapons.
She brandished a pair of jian swords that had a relt hilt with a poppy floor on it. Along with the blades being silver in color.
"Dammit kiddio"qrow said as he used harbinger turning it into his scythe mode. He quickly swung into yohi who dodged his stirkes as he looked at him smiling.
"So your the infamous qrow branwhen…perfect"yohi said as he lunged at his target with the intent to kill. Qrow swiflty dodged it as he twirled his scythe slashing a large chunk of his aura go down. But yohi grinned scrapping his armblades together.
Qrow glared at him as he quickly downwards slashed yohi who blocked it with his arm blades. The two blades sparked a little but he pushed back hard sending qrow weapon up a bit. Qrow quickly pulled a trigger making his scythe launch back into yohi as it knocked him back slightly.
He went tumbling for a bit but he quickly recovered as he got on all fours digging his arm blades in the ground. The soldier grinned like a madman as he cracked his neck.
Yohi began to laugh"nice try…but i;m alot tougher than i look"yohi said as his mouthslits split apart to reveal a retractable mandible in his jaws.
Qrow turned his scythe back into a broadsword pointing it at him"i know, but this will be for those innocent people you killed"qrow said as the two began to clash again.
With maya she was dodging ren machine gun fire as ruby dive bomb toward her. She quickly twirled her sctyhe striking maya a couple times. But the women blocked her strikes then she bent backwards into a kickstand. She effortsly got back up, raising one leg up as she pulled her foot forward.
"Mhm you seem interesting you two seem like fun prey"maya said creepily
Ren aimed his machine pistol at her"that doens't matter, we will put a stop to you"ren stated in confidence as ruby glared at the women as her eyes slowly darken.
"Just stand down and leave the town. You aren't welcome here, return the people you kidnapped"ruby demanded as her eyes slowly darken.
Maya just smirked under her mask as she brought her leg down, then before their eyes she turned invisible. The two were shocked as they quickly went back to back. They heard maya laughing a little as she ran past them it seems. Ren looked around seeing some dust kick up firing at the spot.
But was met by a few crossbow bolts hitting him sending him back as the detonated on impact. His aura took the hit but it also launched ruby into a nearby wooden beam. She hit her hard but she quickly got up ready to fight the women.
As ren got up he could feel something coming, he dodged roll out of the way as something hit the ground. He didn't know what it was but soon maya appeared with her mask off. But her tongue was out and it was long, resembling a chameleon as she had saliva dripping from it.
Maya slurped her tongue back into her mouth"Aww i missed, you don't seem like a faunus. I should try a different approach"maya said as she brnadished her long sword with one hand easily. She lunged toward ren as he blocked her strikes with his blades underneath his blade.
The two clashed their blades together as maya grinn as he mask wasn't on all the way. They kept clashing with each other as maya quickly brought her crossbow out about to fire into ren. But a red blur shot into her sending her hard into a building as she groaned slightly getting up.
Ruby had her scythe out as she pressed a button as the blade illuminated in a yellow hue as it cracked with electricity. But ren noticed her eyes slowly becoming more darken along with her contact lengs falling out. She gripped her weapon tighter in rage as she tired to control it.
"Just leave town or we'll have to resort to drastic measure!"ruby demanded in rage as she waved her scythe around as electric arched off it. Maya just laughed as she stood up with her arm looking awkward as it came out of socket.
Maya looked at it chcukling"huh would you look at that…let me just…"maya said grabbing her arm before jamming it back into place with a few failed attempts. They watched in disgust until finally a crack signfiied she got in back into place.
The women grunted slightly but flexed her arm"ah good as new…lets continue our dance shall we?"maya said as they began to fight again as ruby swung into her quickly as her bodie light up in eleitricty. The stalker grimm knight screamed a little as did the chimera in her back as several hisses could be heard.
"Arghhh get the dam brat off us"delta voice rang in maya head as she gritted her teeth. She quickly fought through ruby attack as she pushed her back, but ruby brought her scythe down several times slashing at her. Maya did her best to block her attack but relzied something that scared her it seems.
That the girl has silver eyes as they neded to make their escape quickly. But with jaune and poppy they were busy fighting asher who was using his hawkbill as he slashed at poppy sword. Jaune came in shield bashing him but the nimble huntsman flipped over him with ease. Then kicked the two into each other.
Jaune got up first as he presented his sword as he looked at the slot. He quickly reached into a pouch pulling out an ice dust caritage as he loaded it in. then with a press of a button his blade became ignited in a blue hue as ice hissed off it.
Poppy groaned rubbing her head as she glared at asher"how could you ash? You were like family to us after so long. "Poppy said as she held both her blades in a defensive stance.
Asher look away as he gripped his weapon tight"i'm sorry pop…but i got a job to do. Please forgive me"asher said as he lunged toward the two as he swung for poppy side. But he was met by the clanking of metal as jaune raised his shield up high.
The knight uqickly pushed him back, asher stumbled slightly but before he could react jaune swung his sword at him. Luckily asher dodged it but it nicked his shirt as it became slightly covered by ice. He looked at the young huntsman with a look of confidence.
"Really? Your job include turning on your friend"jaune said as he spritned forward as he clashed with asher hawkbill blade. They stood their for a moment as asher kicked the kid in the knee as it stunned him temeprotaily.
"Thats none of your business kid, just stop before you get hurt"asher ordered with concern as he shot his hook blade at him like a grappling hook. Jaune quickly rolled out of the way dodging it but he kept coming at ashr several times swinging his sword chipping at the man aura slowly.
"I can't…its my job as a huntsman to help anyone in need. And…it what any huntsman and huntress would do. Even if it cost their life"jaune stated with pride as asher looked at the kid eyes that were filled with hope. Before he could answer he was launched back as poppy drop kicked him back.
Poppy looked at her brother nodding as the two sibling presented their swords. Qrow though quickly blocked another strike from yohi armblades as he widely slashed at him laughing like a madman.
"Oh come on now i thought you'd be a challenge?"yohi asked as he tired to elg sweep qrow but he quickly jumped into the air as he turned into a qrow. He fly around a small water tower before quickly emergin. He turned his broadshow back firing off with a shotgun blast into the abdomiantion. Yohi blocked it but it shot him back as he tumbled on the ground.
Qrow landed on the ground getting in an offensive stance with his sword in hand smiling.
"I am…i'm just taking it easy on your sick bastards"qrow stated as yohi got up hissing as his mandables extended slightly.
"You bastard i;ll–"yohi begun before maya called out to him.
"Abiu we gotta move, its that silver eyed brat ."maya ordered as she jumped back to join him. Yohi looked worried as he glanced at ruby who eyes were now blacked out. Qrow noticed this going wide eyed with worry and fear, he hoped this would never happen.
"Dammit…okay were pulling out…we'll be back tomorrow"yohi said as he pulled out a ball like device as him, asher and maya regroup. Ruby roared lugnign toward them but he threw the ball just in time. A blinding light illuminated them and soon enough as they slowly opened their eyes.
The three were gone they stood their in silence for a bit before ruby did something unexpected. She began to slash at the dirt repeatedly in rage as her eyes were completely black.
"Arghhh! Seriously they run away like cowards after excuting innocent people!"ruby cried in rage as qrow holstered his weapon rushing to her to calm his duagther down.
"Kiddio calm down they escape, thats fine we just need–"qrow begun but ruby slashed at him to their shock but luckily he dodged it in time.
"What are you doing?"ren questioned in shock at what hes seeing. But jaune looked at her eyes with worry seeing them completely blacked out.
"Oh no…her eyes their blacked out thats bad right?"jaune questioned qrow who just had a look of fear and worry.
"It is…those eyes are a blessing and a curse. Seen this before with my girl it aint pretty. If their filled with rage they'll attack anyone or anything on sight…friend or foe"qrow warned as poppy narrowed her gaze looking at the girl.
"Okay your friend can calm people down with aura yeah?"poppy asked them as they nodded as qrow understood what they needed to do. He quickly lunged toward ruby who glared at him swinging her scythe at him.
"What else have you been hiding from me?"ruby said as she quickly swung at him but he dodged it as she slightly hit his aura.
"Kiddio i'm sorry but it was fo–"qrow begun but ruby turned into a flurry of rose then emerged socking him square in the jaw sending him back. It look like she wasn't breaking a swet at all. Jaune quickly rushed in using his hard light dust shield as ruby slashed at him repeatedly.
"Calm down, get control of yourself before you hurt your friends"jaune pleaded as ruby kept slashing at him trying to control herself it seems. Her eyes kept shifting from black to white repeatly.
"What…what am i doing. I'm not like this…i never act like this. Am i losing it?"ruby thought as she struggled to control herself as ren quickly rushed in bear hugging her from behind. Then he used his semblance graying her out as they sat their for a moment before ruby loosen her grip on her weapon as it fell into the ground.
She just stood their for a moment as qrow sat up breathing a sigh of relief they got her under control. Poppy walked over to see her brother with a look of fear and regret on his face. Slowly the town people emerged to clean up the dead and rescue the one still alive hostage. Ruby finally got control of herself as the black from her eyes disppeared but she was extremely exhausted as she passed out in rens arm. They hoped the others had better luck planting those bombs.
Meanwhile at the mines frankie lead the three through some dense forest for a bit until arriving close enough to the mines but out of sight. They had the sack of C4 in hand as they waited for eli. Though they had to be sneaky which wasn't nora best quality but she managed so they didn't attract any attention.
The four were now on the outer perimeter of the base just out of view from everyone inside. But their waiting for them with a duffle bag in hand was eli.
"Their you are eli…thought you chickened out"frankie greeted with a hug as she returned it.
"Don't mention it, i'm sick of helping these bastards. "Eli replied as she placed the duffle on the ground unzipping them to reveal crimson talon uniforms.
"Put these on quickly, we got about ten mikes before they get curious where i went"eli ordered as pollax and mercury grabbed the clothes and went to some bushes nearby to change. Nora scratched her head what she meant by that.
"What do you mean by mikes? Are you talking about ten people named mike?"nora asked as eli sighed laughing.
"No its ten minutes, military jargin hows those ufniroms coming along?"eli said as the two were quickly changing into their new uniforms. They stowed their clothes in the bushes close by. Once emerged mercury was wearing the standard issue uniform with a balaclava and helmet. While pollax uniform fit her but it seemed to bother her in the chest.
"Uhhh its a little tight…you sure you don't have anything bigger?"pollax asked hopefully.
Frankie chuckled"come on kid you don't like how it shows the goods?"frankie asked as pollax blushed under her mask elbowing him.
"Keep it in your pants, i know you and sis are dating. I aint her"pollax warned as frankie nodded but had a sad look. Mercury noticed this guessing he hoped the girl was still alive. He walked over placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry i'm sure shes alive, we'll bring all your people home. Along with my sunshine"mercury reassured making frankie smile. Eli then motioned for them to follow her as they did while nora and frankie moved to a more secluded area. They walked toward a side checkpoint of the camp as guards were sattioned their. The guards immediately aimed at their rifles at them.
"Hey! Hold it right their! Where are you three coming from?"the guard called out.
"Oh wait its eli, sup girl what took you so long?"another guard said greeting eli with a fist bump as she returned it.
"Nothing much had to guide these rookies back to base. Ran into a few of those rebels in the woods"eli replied as the guards slowly lowered their rifles.
"Really? Where did you last see them we'll send a patrol to deal with them?"he asked lowering his rifle as did the others but one kept one trained on them.
Mercury cleared his throat rubbing his leg"dam bastards were near town if i recall. I don't get paid enough to get bashed in the legs. "Mercury said slihglty limping as pollax had an arm wrapped around him supporting him.
"He's right, we ran into them not to far from the town main entrance. Kept us their for a day messing with us"pollax added
The guard then looked at his clipboard nodding"We were missing two of our recruits yesterday, show you tags and your good"the guard ordered as eli showed the three dog tags. They scanned them waiting for a bit before nodding letting them through. Once inside eli motioned for one C4 and they sneakily handed her it.
"Okay were lucky two of those knights are out on a mission. Just be careful of Mu"eli warned quietly as pollax still supported mercury to keep the act up.
"Really? Aren't their like four of them?"pollax asked quietly as they passed some cages with the kidnapped towns people their. Pollax eyed some since she know them but kept a straight face.
Eli waved her hand as they passed by an armored car, she pretended to drop something. But quickly placed the C4 below the truck as it stuck on. With a press of a button it beeped telling them it was armed.
"Their are but three of them are in control or whatever. But two already left but be careful of Chi"eli warned as they nodded in agreement. The turncoat slaver had to go return to her post as the other two walked around for a bit. They didn't wanna raise any alarm as they went to sit down at a table. Mercury rubbed his leg for a bit until a soldier said soemthing.
"Rough day aint it?"the soldier asked as he drank a cup of coffe.
"You can say that, legs killing me probably sprain it or something"mercury replied as the two soldier with them chatted with them.
"I'll bet, hey you guys hear what happened this morning?"a female soldier asked as the two were slightly intrigued they might get some intel.
"No…why what happened we've been busy patrolling today"pollax replied as she leaned on the table as the female soldier tapped her helmet for a second then it came to her.
"Oh apparently the boss is happy about four more successful operations or whatever. Guess we got more freaks to guard"she answered as the two were shocked to hear that. They quickly guess that meant four more grimm knights were made.
"Seriosuly more of them? Those guys creep me out sometimes"the male soldier said as the female soilder covered his mouth.
"Quiet you idiot, you wanna get skinned alive by chi"she warned as the soldier had a look of fear.
"Yeah that chick…well we gotta go back to guarding the mines. See yah"the soldier said as the two left the two for a bit. After a bit more time they quickly separated making their way through the camp. Pollax began walking through the camp with a pistol strapped to her waist to fit the part. As she walked through she did her best to see if she could find her sister. She passed the cages with people in them since it was close to the watchtowers.
As she did she noticed something that being a cage close to a common tent. She eyed that cage because it had a coyote faunus with purple hair in tattered clothing. It was maggy, she recalled seeing asher with her alot back in town.
"Hmm theirs mags, okay set these charges real quick then talk to her"pollax thought as she quickly casually walked toward the watchtowers. As she got their she waited as the guards slowly were minding their business or doing their own thing. Once she got the hance she quickly did the same thing eli did then armed the explosives. Once down she walked over to maggy cage and looked around seeing no guards were close.
Once over she tapped the cage getting her attention as she growled at them"What here to assault me even more you sick bastards?'maggy questioned in a soft tone.
Pollax laughed"more like seeing if your alright mags?"pollax said as the coyote faunus ears straighten out hearing pollax voice.
"Pollax? What the hell are you doing here?"maggy asked quietly as pollax looked around making sure no one was around which luckily they werent.
"Were here to finally get these guys out of our town, but do you know where casta is?"pollax aksed as the faunus thought fora moment before sighing.
"She was taken into the mines and hasn;t come back yet. They probably took her to the lab"maggy replied as pollax raised an eyebrow at that. What did she mean by lab, but before she could question more she saw some guards and quickly made her escape blending in. but not before lifting her goggles up winking to her which gave the faunus some hope. Pollax then headed off to meet mercury on their escape.
Meanwhile where mercury was he quickly set the C4 on the fuel storage without being detected. He was making his way to the munitions depo. But looked in disgust seeing the guards messing with some of people they held hostages. He clinched his fist in anger wanting to get involved but couldn't.
"They get what they deserve soon enough. Last stop then I gotta get out of here"mercury thought as he walked toward the munitions and armory
Once inside he was met by several axes, swords, shock batons, automatic rifles, pistol and several more weapons. Along with dust boxes, he eyed it as he walked over making sure no one was around
He looked round to see he was in the clear, he knelt down to place the bomb.
"Alright last one then I get out of here"he quietly said to himself as someone responded
"Umm what are you doing?"a female voice said making mercury jump to his feet going wide eyed. Their stood asani who looked at him strange
"Oh um i'm just tying my shoes is all and…stretching"merucry said as he bent his legs forward stretching. But asani rolled her eyes as she grabbed the C4 from his hands to his shock. He was done for the whole camp will be on high alert. But to his surprise she walked over arming it near some rocket launcher.
"T-that should do it, where it belongs. Not get out of here before they see you"Asani wanted to his confusion at first.
"Aren;t you going to rat me out? Aren't you with those slavers?"merucyr questioned as she flinched at that
"N-no…i'm a slave…i'm told to follow orders if i don't i'll be introuble. I'm served them since i was seven"asani sadly said which caught him offguard hearing she been a slave for that long. Part of him felt hurt recalling how cinder was kept in a slave camp.
"Thats…terrible to hear. I can tell when someone lieing my dad taught me a thing or too"merucyr begun before placing a hand on her gently making he visible flinch. Which suggest she got hit which upsetted him seeing someone so young be in this profession.
"Look if your on our side. Do you know where a girl with blonde hair is? Goes by rogue hayley?"merucyr questioned with hope as asani was caught offguard by that nodding.
"S-shes in private bedroom. But she'll be leaving vale in a couple days which is confusing. But… is probably toying with her"asani answered making a dreadful look come over his face. She's probably torturing her which worried him immensely.
"Alirhg thank you. If were lucky we can save her and everyone here. Including you"merucyr said in confidence as she nodded at that. But the two soon went their separate ways as he went to meet pollax.
They past the checkpoint with eli help as they regroup with frankie and nora.
Nora had her grenade laucnher out then saw them turn the corner and smiled"fianlly your guys are back, we thought something happened"nora said relieved.
"Yeah, how'd planting those firecrackers go?"frankie asked as they showed the empty sacks of C4.
"All done, though found maggy inside a cage their. Along with finding out my sister in some lab in our mine"pollax answered as mercury had some good news.
"Well i meet some girl named asani. She let me plant the C4 and told me where sunshine is in the lab. We got two day before they take her to vale appernelty"mercury stated
Eli sighed in relief"oh you met her. Shes a sweet girl…buts she yohi slave. But let me know when you'll attack"Eli said as the four nodded. They started to hed back to the mayor house. Though they had deadline now before the attack. They had two days before they take rogue to vale for some reason.
Ruby seemed to have lost control if partial for a bit using those side of her eyes. But it seems qrow will have to break the news to her about if yang and her are still sisters. Along with hearing about ren backstory on who took care of him and nora when they escaped kuroyuri. Thanks for reading!