Forever Fall was a regional forest located in northern Vale. Its name originated from its signature crimson foliage present in all seasons. The relevant part, however, was that the tree sap contained unique healing properties and sweetness. It was the purpose behind this field trip.
Gray brushed the red leaves off his head, letting them fall and crunch under his feet. The sheer amount of falling leaves concealed any potential danger behind them. He checked the sun above; South was their direction. He centred himself in the line of his classmates as Glynda led them deeper into the forest. His teammates were behind him, chatting with the other students. Jo, in particular, had been accompanying Team RWBY since the start. His goal would be inquired later. But for now, Gray should prepare his team for the sap collection. From his research last night, only one method guaranteed a bountiful harvest.
He stopped when an arm looped around his shoulder. A scent of lavender invaded his nostrils. He ignored the long strands of soft, golden hair touching his face and glanced at the lopsided smile.
Yang chuckled. "Heya! What are you doing?"
"I was finalising a strategy. Your interruption is unwarranted."
"Well, I just wanted to know you better. Is that so bad~"
"Elaborate."
"The bad part or the knowing part?" She grinned.
Gray narrowed his eyes. Her timing was unexplainable. Extrapolating from the intel he'd obtained from Jo, she was using her proximity to charm him. But to what end? She shouldn't benefit from this acquaintance. Her grades were adequate. Her combat skills surpassed him. More concerningly, he still couldn't uncover why her court case was dismissed.
Her smile faltered. "I'm not trying anything." She removed her arm and backed away.
"Logic suggests otherwise."
"Wow, you're worse than Blake." She pouted. "But don't you worry, I'm very persistent."
She winked and re-joined her team. But not before facing a grin from Jo.
He said, "I didn't know he's your type—"
A quick jab on his shoulder silenced him.
After visually confirming that Jo was still breathing, Gray addressed his teammates. "We are heading this way."
Jo groaned, letting Ron pull him up. He dusted himself and smiled at the visibly vibrating Ruby.
"Tell Professor Goodwitch we're heading off first, okay?"
"Have-fun!" she chirped, eyes bloodshot and wide open.
As Gray led his team away, he encountered his first obstacle. He felt his pistol on his waist as Cardin walked towards them with his team. It was likely he was seeking revenge.
Cardin gazed at Phil. "You're here."
"…Why wouldn't I? We're in the same class." Phil raised his eyebrow.
"Yes. Yes, we are."
A highly unusual situation; this should've been an unavoidable conflict. Gray opened his mouth, but Jo interrupted him.
"I-I think we should focus on the saps, right?" His smile seemed stiffer.
"…Correct. Cardin, are we done?"
"Yeah, we'll leave you to it."
Gray kept his guard up until they were gone from sight. As their silhouette disappeared, Ron released his hand from his hilt while Jo sloped his shoulders.
"What the hell was that about?" Phil asked.
Jo replied, "It's…probably best if he explains it himself."
Jo panted. "How long do we need to keep moving? We've been walking for two hours." He bent down and massaged his legs.
"1 hour and 32 minutes." Gray corrected him. "The further we advance, the less chance the trees are sampled. Our priority is efficiency."
Phil stretched his back. "Right, just don't get us lost. Haven't seen anyone for a while."
"Or any Grimm, for that matter." Jo looked around.
Ron muttered, "We're calm…"
Jo chuckled. "I guess we are. But we should've bumped into some by now."
That was a valid assessment. Gray pulled out his scroll. The map showed they were still on the outskirts of the forest. Expectedly, there was no signal. They were too far away from the Cross Continental Transmit tower. But if he adjusted the settings, he might find something.
Jo looked over Gray's shoulder. "I didn't know a scroll could do that."
Phil laughed. "That's what I thought!"
"It is modified." Gray was picking up a signal.
"Illegal…"
Phil snorted at Ron. "Yeah, and he's from Atlas. That's like…double illegal."
There was a weak frequency from an unknown source. Judging from its constant amplitude and wavelength, it wasn't broadcasting any information. Gray changed the settings again, and it revealed the direction.
"This way," he said.
It soon became apparent where it originated from. He reached a large clearing. A collection of tall, damaged, orange-red stone walls and structures was at its centre. Deep green vines scaled them for as high as the construction allowed. There didn't seem to be any sign of activity.
Phil whistled. "A ruin. How…cliché."
"Well, it is an old forest. I just didn't expect we'd be anywhere near one," Jo said.
This ruin shouldn't exist. Not according to the official map. Gray took his team towards it. The run-down walls encircled a few structures, including an approximately ten by ten metres metal slide hatch on the ground. However, its control was nowhere to be seen. Nearby, there was a small metal hut with an open door. The white wall lights illuminated a spiral staircase leading downwards.
Ron grabbed his hilt. "Should we…"
"Don't you guys watch horror movies?" Phil chuckled. "This is a bad idea."
The tree saps were now secondary; this anomaly must be investigated.
"Phil, take point," Gray said.
Phil rested his mallet on his shoulder. "I'm so gonna haunt you guys if I die."
"We'll burn some incense for you." Jo smiled.
Their footsteps clacked along the metal stairs. Once Gray reached the bottom, he found a large hall. A sleek, large TV screen hung on the faded white-blue walls, indicating it required a password. In front of it, there was a counter with a computer and paper coffee cups. The white fluorescent tubes buzzed and flickered above them. Crates and shipping containers with controls and windows were stacked at the side. At the end of the room were a closed metal door and a larger one, which would explain where the shipping containers came from.
"Ugh, it smells dead here." Phil covered his nose.
"Search the room." Gray glanced at Jo. "We are only looking around."
Jo closed his mouth and nodded. The team spread themselves up. Gray walked straight to the monitor and connected his scroll to the computer. It was a long shot. But if it shared the same decryption key, he might be able to unlock it. He checked the coffee cups. Half-full. Tepid.
"Am I stereotyping for thinking this is an Atlesian lab?" Phil yelled from across the room.
"It has the aesthetic…" Ron walked past Gray.
Jo looked closer at the containers. "Well, that'd be a breach of the Treaty. Maybe an Atlas-sponsored lab… Uh, guys?"
Gray joined him with the others. Despite the lights being off inside the container, there were multiple neon green cones. Most oscillated slowly upwards and downwards. But some moved in an interrupted pattern. Gray switched on the lights, and his hand reflexively reached for his rifle. They were the spines of the Grimm.
Ron pulled out his sword. "Ursa Majors…"
"I guess? But they don't look like that." Jo frowned.
One of the Grimm shifted and looked at them with half-lidden eyes. Even its eyes were luminous green instead of the usual red. Gray immediately turned off the lights and inspected the boxes. Multiple syringes with green liquid were inside. Undoubtedly, they were related to the Grimm inside. There was also a logo on the lid: a hexagon with three antennas, with a stylistic letter M inside it.
"You recognise it?" Phil asked.
Gray sniffed his pouch of ginger. "No."
He grabbed one of the syringes. If he bypassed a few securities, he could mail the sample to his mother.
"…I think we should leave." Jo tore his eyes away from the Grimm. "This is obviously a secret government lab. Legal or not, we shouldn't be here."
Phil rolled his eyes. "Please, it's their fault for not locking the door."
The large screen pinged and sprang to life. A map of Remnant came on display. Three bold, black lines connected each continent, with large squares at their ends. Smaller lines branched out from them as a few blinking dots moved along them.
Phil said, "Airships are overrated, I see... Holy shit, it even goes to Vacuo?"
"…I-I know that place." Ron stared at the monitor with widened eyes.
Jo asked, "Which one?"
Ron pointed at the square in Mistral. "Th-That's Haven Academy. There's nothing else around that area. I can't be wrong." His voice quickened and loudened.
"It could be underground." Gray started downloading the data. "Regardless, this—"
Slam!
They all turned their heads towards the metal door. A man with a pistol and a white Grimm mask stood beside it. A mask that was worn only by the White Fang.
Phil groaned. "Of fucking—"
"Intruders!"
The man raised his gun. A shot echoed in the room, and he fell backwards. The dull sound of his body tumbling down the stairs became more distant. Faint smoke appeared from the muzzle of Gray's pistol.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Jo screamed.
Multiple footsteps were fast approaching. Gray checked his scroll: only 20% completion.
He aimed his rifle at the door. "Phil, vanguard. Ron and Jo, assist. Stay close and follow my orders."
"N-No!" Jo's eyes darted around. "That has to be—"
"Jonathan!" Phil glared at him. "They're gonna kill us!"
The first few White Fang soldiers fell under gunfire. The others sallied out with swords and guns. Phil yelled and charged at them. He swung his mallet, producing a deafening crack as their body flung to the wall. Their entrails splattered on the screen and concrete wall. Ron pushed forward. He parried another's strike and sliced off their hand. Blood sprayed onto his hoodie. Their high-pitched shriek continued until he knocked them out with his pommel.
"Jo, focus." Gray shot another White Fang soldier and re-checked his scroll: 50% completion.
Jo looked at him with a blank face and vacant eyes. His weapon remained behind his back.
"But…"
More hostiles were approaching Jo.
"Ron, cover Jo. Phil, block the door."
Phil pulled out his mallet from a collapsed skull and nodded. He kicked a screaming White Fang soldier down the stairs, blocking the door with his body. Gray raised his gauntlet and covered it in a thick layer of ice.
80% completion. But it'd have to suffice.
Gray pocketed his scroll. "Retreat."
Phil sprinted up the stairs, followed by Ron with Jo on his shoulders. Once everyone reached the surface, Gray sprayed more ice on the stairs and ran with his team. They must put as much distance as possible.
"P-Put me down!" Jo burped. "I can't…"
Ron immediately dropped him, just in time for Jo to vomit a significant amount of yellow-brown content. It wasn't ideal. But he was in no shape to run.
Gray watched the direction of the ruin. "Phil, check on him."
"Seriously?" He sighed and patted Jo's back. "Hey, you still got more to go?"
"Get away from me!" Jo shoved him away.
His ragged breathing and scowling indicated he was highly agitated. This might become an issue.
Jo said, "How can you all be so calm about this?! W-We just killed people! In cold blood!"
Phil gritted his teeth. "You think I like that? We just found a White Fang hideout. You think those assholes wouldn't drop us the moment they saw us?"
"Oh! So being a murderer is suddenly okay?! Because they were terrorists? Wonderful!"
"Listen, you self-righteous fuck." Phil grabbed him by his collar. "I don't care what you think about the White Fang. When I said they'd kill us, I meant it. They're cornered rats doing whatever they can to survive another day. You think they can last this long because they're nice?"
Jo stared at him. His expression marginally softened. The silence continued until he mumbled something.
"That doesn't make it right..."
"What does?" Phil scoffed and released his grip.
Gray stopped holding back Ron. "There is also the matter of our school. If the public learnt of our actions, it would hinder our academic progress."
Jo's face contorted. "I'm not going to lie—"
"It is not lying. It is an omission of details."
"How is that any different?!"
"Trust me, it's better that way." Phil rubbed the blood off his mallet. "The cops will have a field day on us. If you're hell-bent on telling someone, tell Ozpin. He'll keep things under wraps."
Jo groaned and rubbed his forehead. His eyes finally set on Ron.
"Please don't tell me you agree to this."
Ron lowered his head. "We can't be Huntsmen if we get arrested…"
Jo took one more look at them and walked away. Luckily, Gray had already identified several options. If cooperation weren't possible, termination would be the next step.
Author's Notes:
Another fun fact: I had to rewrite this chapter too! In my first draft, Cardin was almost mauled to death because he tried to take revenge on Philip. Now that he's become more amendable, that'd make no sense.
Still, I enjoy this version more. More world and character building. More drama. It's become my favourite chapter in this volume.
I've also added some elements from the games because I can.
See you next week.