Chapter 17. Fight
A little reminder of the previous chapter:
"Sir, if I may," Clover interrupted Ironwood's musing, "What are the current situation and the plan of action?"
"We are moving forward Specialist. Umbra's information provided our scientists with enough information that the Virus should be a thing of the past in a week," Ironwood answered honestly.
It definitely took the weight off James' shoulders when his scientists informed him of the progress towards the possible cure. Ironwood never expected such news. A vaccine against the Virus yes, but a cure? No, that was beyond any of his expectations.
"And Merlot?" Clover questioned again.
Here James let out a deep sigh, "Qrow managed to infiltrate the traitor's house unnoticed and infect his Scroll. Now we are just waiting for the bastard to slip and contact Merlot, after that we are going in. Soon Merlot will answer for his crimes."
The answer definitely satiated the Specialist's curiosity, but Ironwood could see from the slight frown that Clover still had something to say.
"What is it, Clover? Out with it."
Noticing that he somehow gave his thoughts away, Clover straightened up, "I was wondering sir what do you plan to do about Umbra when we finally find Merlot. He doesn't look like he will back down from his request anytime soon."
"I'm well aware of that," Ironwood dragged a hand across his face, "I will probably regret it, but I am ready to send him into Merlot's hideout first. You, Qrow, Glynda will follow him, and an entire squad will be at the ready just in case something goes wrong. I'm well aware that it's not the best idea, but if Umbra really wants to do it then in the worst case, we will get rid of a certain flight risk."
Clover visibly gulped, "Of course, sir... Is there anything else you need from me?"
"Yes Clover," Ironwood nodded, "Bring Umbra to the simulation room. It's high time we find out how he even managed to get here alive."
Finally something, I thought, strolling inside a giant square room. In the back of my mind, I recognized it as the training room shown in RWBY. For now, it was completely empty with a light blue grid covering the entire floor. If I wasn't wrong then it was some type of dust I never encountered before.
"Alright then," I grinned, spinning around to face my entourage, "Want to explain why you led me here?"
Ironwood, stiff as always, took a step forward, "You still insist on taking part in the operation to take down Merlot, am I right?" I nodded, "As much as it pains me I would rather have you with us than out there, searching revenge on your own. That's why before I make the final decision, I want to see what you're capable of. I won't send a green boy into a potential battlefield."
Understandable, Though my eyebrow twitched at being called a newbie. I had only been on Remnant for a few months, but I already fought hundreds of Grimm and dozens of humans. Definitely not a noob...
"So what? You want me to fight one of you or just showcase my abilities?" I asked, giving everyone in the room a glance. Bring it on, I always wanted to test myself against a capable huntsman, even though I would most likely lose, at least in human form.
"You will fight me," Qrow spoke up, hiding his flask away, "Give everything you can and we just might allow you to go with us," out of nowhere he grimaced, "Although I need to warn you. My Semblance likes to fuck things up, so if anything weird happens just know it's on me."
I almost chuckled. Leave it to Qrow to complain about his special ability.
"Duly noted," I waved him off and ambled toward the center of the room. The Aura inside my body flared, enveloping my skin in an invisible blanket. Rolling my neck, I looked Qrow straight in the eyes, "Alright old man, show me what you got."
Qrow narrowed his eyes and gripped the Harbinger on his back. His muscles tensed and if it wasn't for Ironwood raising his hand, Qrow would already be running towards me.
"Just a second," he informed, walking to the side of the room along with Glynda and Clover. There he took out his Scroll and let his finger sail upon the screen.
I waited with bated breath as the entire floor light up in an eternal blue glow. Out of nowhere, dozens of cubes materialized, forming walls, pedestals, or makeshift stairs. Truly technology excepted from the most advanced nation in Remnant. I had to wonder what else they hid inside their floating city.
"Now you can begin," Ironwood's voice echoed through the entire room, "You will fight until you surrender, your Aura breaks or ten minutes passes."
So no babying here, I expected them to connect us to Aura meter and end the fight when one of us reached the red zone. Apparently, I was wrong, very wrong and this entire test just got much more serious.
Throwing my traveling cloak away, I flexed my draconic arm and watched as Qrow stopped just a few feet away from me. The sword from of Harbinger in his hands. This sight almost made me activate my Semblance. Instead, I freed my tail, letting it sway in the open.
"No weapon, lizard?" Qrow grinned, lowering his form slightly, sword at the ready.
Oh, come on! Out of all possible nicknames you chose 'lizard'? The old man comment must have really irked him.
"My body is all the weapon I need," I scoffed, not raising to the bait. You didn't live in the twenty-first century without getting a thick skin after hours of shit-talking.
Qrow chuckled, "We will see."
Without any further warning, the man dashed forward, giving me just a second to lean back to avoid getting cleaved in half. My own claws sailed forward, hoping to knock the huge sword away with my superior speed.
Not to be defeated in the beginning, Qrow twisted his hand and met my arm in the middle. Claws and steel clashed as we fought in a battle of pure strength. Even in human form, I almost pushed the older man away as he struggled to hold firm with both of his hands.
Grinning, I spun around, letting go of the sword. My tail smacked the unsuspecting Qrow in the side, knocking him away as his Aura flared.
"It seems the first hit goes to me, old man," I smirked.
Qrow answered with a smirk of his own as he spun the Harbinger, "Luck hit, lizard." I took a step back, expecting the scythe to come out, only to release a sigh as Qrow stopped his actions and once again jumped towards me.
Unlike the last time, he didn't give me time to grab the weapon when I went to intercept the strike. Instead, he twirled, lashing out with strike after strike, be it towards my head, arm, or chest.
Unexperienced in human close-quarter fighting, I was forced to dodge or redirect Qrow's strike with my draconic arm or tail. This fucker was really good and without any plan, I had no chance of ever scoring another hit.
Thus when the next attack came, I ducked and rolled away, the whoosh of wind that gathered from Qrow's strike cold on my neck.
Aura enhanced jump, shot me into the air as I aimed my left arm towards Qrow. The spikes covering my scales awoke, tingling as a shot of Aura filled them. I smirked towards the frowning Qrow and released a hail of projectiles, raining pain upon the man below me.
"Shit," the mutter reached me as Qrow danced between the spikes, deflecting those that came too close for his comfort. Even then the man couldn't dodge them all and the curses the man released were like music to my ears.
As for myself, I twisted in the air, sending a plus of Aura towards my arms. With a single command, my Semblance obeyed, forming even stronger scales on both of my limbs. Claws lengthened, their metallic surface glinting in the blue light offered by the room.
Ready for the next round, I descended towards the wide-eyed Qrow.
"Now, that's certainly interesting," Ironwood muttered, watching Umbra's new form clash against Qrow's sword, "A Semblance? Maybe a result of the experimentation?"
When Ironwood planed this fight, he expected many things. For Qrow to decimate Umbra in a few minutes. An equal fight between the two until Qrow took the fight seriously. Or even Umbra winning because Branwen's Semblance just had to show its hand.
But to see a human capable of transforming their own body? No, even the General of Atlas military couldn't predict that.
"As strong as military steel," Glynda added, her eyes glued to the scroll in her hands, "Those claws are not affected by Aura or it would have broken a long time ago from all the strikes they took."
Ironwood hummed. Umbra's new form changed the tide of the battle and now it was Qrow pushed to the defense. The claws were relentless, slashing with speed reserved for veteran hunters that trained for years to perfect their control of Aura and body. It only confirmed how Umbra's story about Merlot didn't add up.
Ironwood only knew the man from a few meetings, but Ozpin spoke a lot about the scientist with so much wasted potential.
As much of a mad man Merlot was. He would never throw away such a powerful subject. The old scientist might be a perfectionist, but he used every possible resource he had available. And as Ironwood watched Umbra's charge, he questioned how anyone could even call that a failure.
Maybe sending the man after Merlot was truly the best choice. Let the two destroy each other, while Atlas saved what could be saved.
"Blades?" Clover's voice brought the General out of his thoughts.
Frowning at the tone, James threw his gaze back to the battlefield. There Qrow had his fully transformed scythe in his hand, twirling it as he pushed towards Umbra without abandon. The mystery man blocked every strike with his own new weapons. Two blades, twice as long as the rest of the arms they were connected to.
More forms, Ironwood's eyebrow rose ever so slightly.
Not that the new weapon helped Umbra even a bit. For every attack he sent towards Qrow, he had to block two with his other blade. Sometimes he tried to use the tail to push Qrow into a trap, without success. Umbra's form was just too sloppy, his attacks not coordinated enough to surprise someone like Qrow.
"He has a lot of Aura," James admitted, noticing the constant flashes of crimson Aura when Qrow scored a hit. Ironwood prided himself for having enormous reserves, but even his Aura would break after so many hits.
The fight continued for another few minutes, Qrow and Umbra forever locked in an exchange of blows. Even with the obvious superior speed and strength, Umbra just couldn't match years of experience. Maybe he scored a few additional hits with the use of his spike attack, but from what Ironwood observed, Qrow used those to hide his own blows.
"He's getting annoyed," Glynda said, her mouth curved in an almost unnoticeable smile, "Qrow never liked prolonged fights and Umbra is taking everything like a tank. Must be hurting his pride to know that you can't get a quick win against someone who evidently never had any official training."
James chuckled when he too glimpsed the scowl painted on Qrow's face. Opening his mouth to comment, he was stopped by the buzzing of his scroll.
"What is the matter specialist," Ironwood questioned answering the call.
"General, about ten minutes ago the traitor's scroll contacted one of the Atlas' pilots responsible for the transport of resources between Kingdoms. Their conversation spoke of some special delivery for the next week. It might not be what we are searching for, but that's all we got for now. Do you want us to act, sir?" The voice spoke over the line.
James mulled over the information for a moment. Even if frowned upon, many Atlas citizens often contacted pilots to deliver things to other Kingdoms, be it for their distant family or just to sell something. It didn't hurt anyone and the additional packages still went through standard security checks. As such this entire thing could be a ruse and might as well out them to the traitor.
Still, Ironwood had to take the risk. Merlot had to be brought down before the cure got administrated.
"Check every record about the pilot. Find his ship's routes and see if there is anything wrong with them," James ordered, "In case of any irregularity send a team to apprehend the pilot. If there are none, take your team and prepare a trap so no one will even notice the man missing."
"Of course, sir. It'll be done."
The line went silent and Ironwood sighed, "Tell them to stop. I feel they will need their strength soon."
"Sir, the trap has been set," A voice called out through the speaker of a scroll.
"Good, very good," the old man smiled, running a hand through his grey beard, "Prepare the final surprise and get the base ready for evacuation. Our work here is almost done."
Not waiting for a confirmation, Merlot left the call and glanced at the other occupant of the room. The scorpion Faunus was crouching in the chair, his golden eyes swirling around the room. Even Merlot wasn't that mad to not recognize the threat sitting in front of him. That he slaughtered dozen of his mutated Grimm and a few guards right outside his hidden base just strengthened the point.
Of course, Merlot had plenty of bodies to throw at the Faunus and probably overwhelm him. There was just no reason to do that as after bathing in the blood of Merlot's subordinates, the Faunus gave him an offer. An offer Merlot just couldn't help but accept. Especially with the proof he received.
"So Mr. Callows," Merlot said, "Your Queen, she can give me access to one of her Grimm pools yes?"
The recording of Grimm crawling out of the blood-red liquid almost stopped Merlot's heart. What were the properties of the pools? How would they affect a human? What Merlot could achieve if he combined his current research with this miraculous liquid?
"Oh yes," the Faunus giggled, "My Queen offered to give you anything in exchange for your help."
Wonderful, Merlot grinned. Soon, he would show the world what Merlot was truly capable of. He might as well create his own version of Grimm capable of transforming into a human.
Oh yes, it will be glorious.
My fight against Qrow did give me a lot to think about. Until now, I fought against bandits without Aura or Faunus who never had any official training. My strength and unique abilities were enough to overpower them all without breaking a sweat. But now as I tasted defeat for the first time in weeks, I recognized a few very important facts.
Even though Legion provided me with the skill to use my claws or blades, my style was still... Well bad. Nothing too surprising. I gained this ability quite recently and shouldn't expect to defeat a master of scythe after days of practice. Maybe with my element, I had a chance. Though that would remain a question as I had no plans to reveal this ability yet.
Other than that I got too comfortable in human skin. At my core, I was a Grimm and nothing could change that. My true strength laid in my dragon form and I should never force myself to become a human. My new instincts just didn't work like that. In a fight instead of helping me, they were breaking my focus. Hell, even now I felt the need to transform and show Qrow that he had no chance against my true form.
I fucked up, I thought with a shake of my head as I sat on a bench inside the Bullhead. My human side tried to repress the Grimm side and I did nothing to stop that, thus hurting both.
The ability to become a human was there to help me blend in and achieve what Grimm couldn't. Instead, I used it as an escape, to remind myself what it felt like to be human, to fix the problems that arose along with the change of my morals...
And now it became my primary form. Not only when I arrived in Atlas, but even when I lived with Neo.
No more. After I finish this shit, it's time to finally put myself together.
"Why so gloom, lizard?" Qrow plopped down next to me, flask in hand, "We are finally going after Merlot, you should be happy. Don't tell me you're still moping because I kicked your ass."
Indeed we were. Ironwood's people found the traitor and somehow got the location of Merlot's base out of him. They didn't give me any details, but at least they didn't kick me out of the mission. And so Merlot's time had come.
Sighing, I leaned against the cold metal of the Bullhead's walls, "You got lucky..."
Dodge the subject, Qrow was the last person I wanted to speak about my existential problems. Hell, I didn't really have anyone to talk to about those things. Maybe Neo in a few years, but now? No one.
Qrow snored, taking a sip of his drink, "Whatever helps you sleep at night," his posture straightened, "So what's the problem? We might not know each other at all, but one of my teammates always tells me that it helps to speak about your problems. Buch of bullshit if you ask me, but hey it might work for you. And well, once all of this ends we go separate ways and you won't need to care what I think about you."
The world must have really gone to hell if Qrow Branwen was making me open up. The same man who would rather avoid anyone he cared about and push every problem away. Damn, how the few next years must have changed him. Thought he could be just fishing for information...
"I'm just thinking. As you see I'm not your normal human," I said, clenching my draconic hand, "With only animal traits Faunus are already ostracized by a large part of Remnant, now think what will happen to a part-Grimm human. Everyone will hate them as they are the constant reminder of what awaits behind the safety of city walls."
Not the true reason for my temporary depression, but a problem nonetheless. I might like Qrow, but sharing something so personal was out of the question. Besides I didn't want to fail the quest because I wanted some heart to heart with a random guy.
Qrow frowned, "I didn't take you for someone to care what others think about you."
I snorted, "I don't, but think. What will happen once you administer the cure to all of the infected?" When Qrow couldn't answer, I continued, "Exactly. We don't know, but what if those people end up like me, or worse. You will have a completely new community resented by almost everyone. How do you deal with that?"
It was something that dropped in my mind when Ironwood informed me about the cure. I had no problems with saving thousands of innocent lives, but what after that?
Like expected, Qrow slumped and ran a hand through his hair, "Shit. I never thought about what will happen after we finish our task. That is usually Ironwood's or Ozpin's job. Though now that I know, I wonder how Jimmy plans to deal with the fallout," he shot me a look, "You really think it is gonna be that bad?"
I raised an eyebrow at him and Qrow instantly deflated, "Right. Stupid question," he chuckled, "We are in some deep shit, eh?"
"Atlas most certainly is," I shrugged, "I'm getting the hell out of here once we deal with Merlot. I think I deserve some vacations after all I went through."
Qrow boomed in laughter, "Truer words have never been spoken. Makes me glad I live in Vale," he added taking another sip before sparing me another glance, "Though I have to ask. Don't you want to help people who could end up the same as you?"
I shook my head, "No. I already provided them with a chance to live. Maybe someday in the future, I will see if there is anything I can do, but now? I just want some time for myself. To move on from this phase of my life and put it in order again."
Speaking in half-truths was truly a gift for me. Outright lying never quite worked.
"Whatever works for you. Who am I to judge."
After my weirdly enjoyable talk with Qrow, we just sat there in silence listening to the buzzing of Bullhead's engine. Sometimes the Brawnen took out his scroll to type some messages while I tried to follow his movement and guess their content. Not polite, but I had nothing better to do.
As such, I had to wait for another twenty minutes — I counted — before the ground beneath me shook signaling our arrival. A moment later Clover and Glynda joined Qrow and me next to the exit ramp.
"We landed just next to the entrance to Merlot's base. According to the pilot, in five minutes the gate will open and two guards will come to retrieve the special package," Glynda explained, "When they come, we will have to move fast. We can't let them close the gate without us inside."
"Can't we just detonate the gate," Qrow cut in and he had a point. Merlot would know about us anyway when we passed the base threshold. He sure knew about me.
Glynda grimaced, "We are in a particularly dangerous area. Any unnecessary noise or tremors can bring some unwanted attention to us."
Not much more had to be said. Merlot being the mad man he was, decided to build his base in an area full of Grimm. Somehow, I knew that this fact would come to bite us in the ass.
"What about the five squads the general gave us?" I felt the need to ask. They really should have done the mission debrief before we landed.
"They are on the standby," Clover answered, his posture straight like a pole, "Once we take control of the base, they will arrive and secure the perimeter. General Ironwood wants it to be a quick and simple operation."
Quick and simple my ass. There is no such thing with Merlot. Only dealing with Salem could be worse.
Even then, I nodded and took off my cloak. No need to ruin it after I put so much work to make it.
"Also Umbra," I snapped my gaze to Glynda, "The general decided to give you this chance against his better judgment. I hope we can at least count on your help once we are inside."
I rolled my eyes at the glare she gave me, "I might not be a team player, but I won't let you die if I have a chance to save you. Just remember Merlot is mine, don't get in my way."
Qrow put a hand on Glynda's shoulder when she opened her mouth, "That's fine by me," He said, giving Goodwitch a sharp nod, "I might not condone needless killing, but Merlot did enough to deserve his fate."
I almost exploded in laughter when I saw the staring contest between Qrow and Glynda while Clover watched from the side, shifting on his feet. Our team just oozed comradery.
We are doomed, I snorted internally.
"The gate is opening," Glynda called out as her scroll beeped, "Remember, knock the guards out and then get through the gate before it closes. We regroup inside."
All of us nodded and backed deeper inside the Bullhead as Glynda pressed a button to lower the ramp.
Multiple colors flashed next to me as my teammates activated their Aura. Both to shield their bodies from the howling wind and to prepare for the incoming storm that would surely come once we got inside the base.
I rolled my shoulders and let the flow of Aura fill my body. Ready to shield me at any moment.
And so we waited for a minute, then two, and then another one. I tried to listen to the wind, to nitpick any unnatural sounds, without success. My human form might have enhanced senses, but they were far from full power.
As the five-minute mark neared, I noticed Glynda moving towards the ramp, "Something's wrong," she whispered, looking at the camera feed on her scroll, "No one is coming out."
Qrow approached the blond woman and leaned over her shoulder, "Well, we can't just go back," he said, tapping his chin, "So who is in for some good old charge ahead?"
Really, that's your brilliant plan? I groaned. Now I understood why no one ever put him in charge.
"S-sir," Clover called out, his eyes darting between Qrow and the exit, "Shouldn't we just call the General and form a new plan? We can't just act on our own."
It seemed like someone had his hero worship for Ironwood from the beginning. Or maybe it was just the inexperience speaking. Meh, whatever, I'm going in either way. I got what I wanted.
"No," Glynda rejoined the conversation, "As much as it pains me, I have to agree with Qrow. We can't give Merlot time to plan his escape. We either go in now, or he escapes again..."
Now, that's what I want to hear.
"You heard the lady," Qrow grinned, "Move out."
And so we did, running at full speed through the expanse of snow, waving between slopes of ice sticking out from the ground. The moment we neared the large gate, everything went to hell.
Alarms blared, echoing through the infinite snowy realm. Gates hidden behind walls of snow snapped open, revealing hundreds of sickly green orbs, glowing and glaring at our group. They rushed forward and the ground thrummed with the power of hundreds of gongs.
I gritted my teeth, my right arm morphing into the long blade while the claws of my left hand lengthened. And so without abandon, I threw myself at the wall of Gimm as a scream left my lips, "Don't aim for the green crystals, only quick and clean kills."
If my teammates answered, I didn't notice. I had only eyes for the horde that separated me from my goal.
My blade sang as it separated the head of another mutated Beowolf from its body. Aura filled my claws as blue sparks of lightning cut through any Grimm that even tried to catch me off guard. Fuck hiding my abilities if my life was at the stakes. Besides using my element didn't give away my true nature...
And so I fought, leaping between the pack of Grimm, sometimes joining one of my teams as we felled a particularly large monster. It wasn't enough though. The Grimm kept coming in an endless swarm, bathing the snow with green shards, the only remains of the dead mutants.
And out of nowhere, more howls and screeches filled the air, this time coming from behind us.
"Fuck," Qrow's voice broke through the infinite calls of war, "Where is the fucking backup Glynda! We are good, but not that good."
The blond woman who had a swarm of ice floating around her, striking any Grimm that came into range, shouted back, "They are two minutes out! Just focus on getting towards the main gate. Protect your backs. I will offer support against any flying types."
I nodded instinctively and let the lightning fully coat my weapons.
Let's do this.