(3rd Person POV)

Weiss: Professor... Oobleck?

Oobleck: Yes, I'm afraid those bags won't be necessary, Team RWBY, seeing as you've opted to shadow a Huntsman on what is now essentially a reconnaissance mission. I can assure you, we will not be establishing a single base of operations, rather, we will be traversing several miles of hazardous wasteland and making camp in any defendable locations we may stumble upon. I packed all of our essentials myself, plotted our air course and readied the airship. And... It's DOCTOR Oobleck. I didn't earn the PhD for fun, thank you very much!

Weiss: Uh...

Oobleck: Come now children, according to my schedule, we are already three minutes behind schedule!

He zipped towards the Bullhead as the team officially lost their resolve.

Ruby: Well... alright then...! Looks like we're going to save the world with Doctor Oobleck- Okay yeah when you say it out loud, it sounds worse...

Dairoku: Yeah no shit...

Kuraime: When has it ever sounded remotely okay...?

???: Save the world!?

Everyone turned around to see team JNPR, Tyros and Celeste walking up to us. Nora was the one who spoke.

Nora: You're going on world saving missions without us!? I'm hurt... sad! *grumble* Maybe a little hungry? That last one's not your fault, though, Ren...

Ren crossed his arms as Tyros rolled his eyes in amusement. Celeste then ran up to her brother and gave him a hug which he returned.

Jaune: Sound's exciting. Where're you going?

Ruby: Oh, just outside of the kingdom.

Nora: Hey! So are we!

Pyrrha: Ren and Nora wanted to shadow the sheriff of a nearby village.

Ren: We set out tomorrow.

Tyros: And just like you guys, Ozpin assigned Celeste and I to assist them on this mission.

Dairoku: Cool!

???: Then you can party with us tonight!

We turned to see Sun and Neptune approach us. Tyros just sighed, seeing Sun and Celeste looked like she wanted to kill Neptune...

Neptune: We're shadowing a crime specialist. All inner city detective stuff. We get junior badges.

Sun: We normally go to the city with you guys, which means stuff's always exploding and junk, so we thought this might be a better way to check out the kingdom when it's, you know... normal.

Tyros: Normal's still a thing?

Kuraime: At this point, I don't know...

Ruby: Well-

Oobleck: Four minutes PEOPLE!

Ruby: Well, uh... Wish us luck!

Dairoku: Take care guys! Tyros, take care of Celeste while we're gone will ya?

Tyros: Always will bro. Later.

Team RWBY with Dairoku and Kuraime entered the Bullhead with Oobleck and it took off towards the Southeastern side of Vale.

"YOU WON'T LOSE ANYONE ELSE YOU CARE ABOUT ANYMORE..."
CHAPTER 10: SEARCH AND DESTROY

(3rd Person POV)

Yang: I guess I just never saw you much of a fighter.

Oobleck: I admit I fancy myself more of an intellectual, but I can assure you, as a Huntsman, I've had my fair share of tussles.

Ruby: Like the mushroom?

Blake: Those are truffles.

Ruby: Like the sprout?

Kuraime: Those are Brussels.

Oobleck: Besides, given my expertise in the field of history, as well as my dabbling in the archaeological surveys, our dear headmaster saw fit to assign me to this particular... assignment!

Weiss: What does history have to do with this?

Oobleck: Why what a preposterous question you silly girl! Why, history is the backbone of our very society! And the liver! Probably the kidneys, if I were to wager.

Weiss: And that means...?

Oobleck: The southeast quadrant outside of Vale is home to wild forests and deep caves, but it is also the location to one of the kingdom's greatest failures!

Ruby: Mountain Glenn.

Dairoku: It was an expansion outside of Vale... but in the end, it was overrun by Grimm and fenced off from the rest of the city.

Oobleck: Correct! And now it stands abandoned as a dark reminder.

Blake: And a likely place for a hideout.

Oobleck: Precisely!

Dairoku: Hmm...

Dairoku seemed deep in thought. Ruby and Kuraime noticed this and decided to ask him.

Ruby: Are you okay Dairoku?

Dairoku: O-Oh! Huh?

Ruby: You seem lost...

Dairoku: Oh... Um...

Kuraime: It's about Neo huh?

Dairoku: ... *sigh* It's just... If we run into Roman again then it's likely we'll run into Neo... I just don't know what I'll do if I see her...

Ruby then tightly held Dairoku's hand while giving him a genuine smile.

Ruby: Don't worry, everything will be fine.

Dairoku just sighed before smiling back, rubbing her head.

Dairoku: Thanks Roselyn.

................................................

After a while, the Bullhead landed at its destination, a city in complete ruins and overrun by Grimm.  Even the semi-dark sky showed off the dark atmosphere. They all jumped out, armed and ready but Oobleck, landed behind them and began speaking.

Oobleck: Team RWBY! You still may be students but as of this moment, your first mission as Huntresses has begun! From this point forward, you need to do exactly as I say! And for when I am not available, listen to Dairoku and Kuraime. Do you understand?

RWBY nodded their heads before he noticed something.

Oobleck: Ruby! I thought I told you to leave all of your bags back at school!

Dairoku's thoughts: Ah crap...

Ruby: But uh... You hadn't told us to listen to you yet, so I didn't.

Kuraime: She isn't wrong...

Oobleck: Indeed she isn't... Very well Ruby, leave your bag here, we can pick it up upon our return.

Ruby: But I, well... uh-

Oobleck: Young lady, what in the world could you possibly have in that bag that could be so important to bring it with-

He got interrupted as Zwei popped his head out of the bag. WBY, Dairoku and Kuraime leaned over to see the events unfold...

Ruby: Get back in the bag!

Zwei: Arff!

Oobleck: We're here to investigate an abandoned urban jungle teeming with death and hostility, and you brought... a dog...?

Ruby: I... uh...

Oobleck: GENIUS!

Their eyes widen as Oobleck took Zwei from the backpack and began spinning him around.

Oobleck: Canines are historically known for their perceptive nose and heightened sense of sound, making them excellent companions for a hunt such as ours!

Kuraime: That was... Unexpected...

Dairoku: Yeah... and we're sure he isn't high on that caffeine... right...?

Ruby suddenly broke out of her confusion and looked proud.

Ruby: I'm a genius!

Weiss and Yang facepalmed, Dairoku shook his head and Kuraime took out lollipop and began to eat it.

Blake: So, what are your orders Doctor?

Oobleck: Ah yes, straight to the chase; I like it! *drops Zwei* As you've been informed, the southeast area has been marked as a recent hot spot for Grimm activity. Now, there are several explanations for this behavior, one of which being... Grimm

Kuraime and Dairoku looked over to see a lone Beowolf walking across the street.

Ruby: Uh... What?

Oobleck: Grimm. A creature of Grimm approximately one hundred yards from us at this very moment.

Dairoku: Yup.

Yang: What!?

The four girls turned to see the Beowolf. They equipped their weapons but Oobleck stopped them.

Oobleck: Stop!

Blake: Huh?

Oobleck: There are a number of reasons why Grimm will congregate in this particular area.

Kuraime: The most likely of which will be their attraction to negativity.

Oobleck: Correct! Sadness, envy, loneliness, hatred. All qualities that are likely held by our hidden group harboring ill intent.

Ruby; So... what now?

Oobleck: We wait. We track. If this specimen leads us to its pack, that pack may subsequently lead us to our prey.

Blake: How long do we wait?

Oobleck: It's uncertain. Hours, days, weeks. Why, lone Grimm have been known to stay isolated from the pack for months- and there's the whole pack.

Weiss: What?

The lone Beowolf was joined my multiple. Soon enough, they noticed the team.

Dairoku: And now they've seen us.

Weiss: What!?

Oobleck: AND NOW THEY'VE SEEN US!

Ruby: I take it tracking them is out of the question?

Oobleck: An accurate assumption, yes.

Yang: What's the plan then?

Oobleck: Show me what you're capable of.

Dairoku: You heard the doc!

Ruby: Cover your ears Zwei!

Zwei literally covered his ears as Team RWBY, Dairoku and Kuraime charged towards the Grimm pack, weapons in hand. Yang and Blake rushed ahead, the former using Ember Celica to decimate the Grimm with her punches while smiling and the latter using her Gambol Shroud and agility to slice right through a few Grimm while Weiss pierced and sliced a few gracefully with Myrtenaster. Ruby and Kuraime hung back, picking off a few with Crescent Rose and Poison Ivy. Dairoku, who only had Glacial equipped was slicing a few Grimm as they got close to him. Then he pressed the trigger and stabbed the ground, creating an Ice Wave that punctured a few Grimm. A Beowolf tried to sneak up on him as he pulled Glacial out of the ground but he noticed and thrust his left hand towards it as the armored claw of Barbatos formed. The spiked claws easily ripped right through it and it disintegrated. Dairoku looked at his hand amazed before the claw disappeared.

Dairoku: Woah...

Ruby: Heh, piece of cake!

Oobleck: Do not celebrate yet, for I am certain this is the first bout of many. Shall we continue?

They all nodded and continued on their massacre of the Grimm. After a while of nonstop fighting, RWBY seemed tired as Dairoku and Kuraime seemed fine.

Oobleck: Excellent work people! Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any signs of criminal operations in this sector. Oh well! Moving on!

They began walking off, weapons in hand.

Yang: Hey Doc, ya'know, I was actually looking forward to seeing a pro Huntsman in action. Like, fighting, or at least, helping us fight?

Oobleck: Ah, but I am in action! Scouring the ruins of this once great city for any signs of irregularity! Not every mission is filled with daring and heroism. Sometimes it's just a heightened form of extermination! Remember, this is a job and you all signed up for it. I hope you understand that.

Yang: Well, yeah... O-Of course!

Oobleck: Hmm...

Later on, they ran into another pack and engaged it. During the battle, Oobleck approached Yang.

Oobleck: Tell me Yang, why did you choose this line of work?

Yang: Huh? Well, to fight monsters and save-

She got cut off as Dairoku sent a fire dagger at her which killed a Grimm behind her. He saluted to her before flying off to rejoin the battle.

Oobleck: No, that is WHAT you do. I want to know WHY you do it. The honest reason as to why you want to be a Huntress.

Yang: ...The honest reason? I'm a thrill-seeker. I want to travel around the world and get wrapped up in as many crazy adventures as I can. And if I help people along the way, then that's even better. It's a win, win, ya'know?

Oobleck: I see...

He then zipped away from Yang, leaving her slightly confused, then to Weiss.

Oobleck: And you Ms. Schnee? A girl born into fame and fortune such as yourself certainly doesn't need the extra work. So... why choose this over a cushy job in Atlas?

Weiss: It's exactly as you said; I'm a Schnee. I have a legacy of honor to uphold. Once I realized I was capable of fighting, there was no longer a question of what I would do with my life. It was my duty.

Oobleck: Interesting.

Then he Zipped over to Blake who just got finished shooting down a flock of small Nevermores.

Oobleck: And what about you Blake? You seem to carry yourself with a sense of purpose.

Blake: There's too much wrong in this world to just stand by and do nothing. Inequality, corruption... Someone has to stop it.

Oobleck: Very well. How?

Blake: I... Um...

Oobleck: Hmm...

He yet again zipped away, leaving Blake in her thoughts. After Dairoku and Kuraime finished their last few Grimm, they turned to see Ruby holding a turkey on the end of Crescent Rose to bait Zwei.

Dairoku: Really Roselyn?

Ruby turned to see Dairoku and Kuraime and Oobleck watching from behind. Dairoku at that point, noticed the stars in Kuraime's eyes as she watched the turkey, becoming possessed like Zwei

Kuraime: Meeeeaaaaaattttttt............ MINE!!!!

Dairoku: Kuraime? Don't-! *sigh*

Before he could stop her, Kuraime used her Evernight Raven to rush over to Ruby and snag the turkey off her scythe. She then began to devour it as they watched in shock...

Dairoku: Roselyn... Always remember to not have food out in the open when Kuraime's around...

Ruby: Right... Sorry... Uh, are we ready to keep going?

Oobleck: Nope! I believe that will have to do for today. It's going to be dark soon. You three, *pointing to Yang, Weiss and Blake* set up camp in that building. Oh, and please do make sure there are no more of those... creatures. Your leader and I are going to secure the perimeter.

Dairoku: Kuraime, go with them. I'll help set up camp.

Kuraime: Kay.

Oobleck: Come you two.

......................................................

With Kuraime, Ruby and Oobleck, they turned a corner to see multiple large, elephant-like Grimm roaming slowly though the fields.

Ruby: Wha.... What is that? It looks awesome!

Oobleck: That, my dear girl, is a Grimm.

Kuraime: More specifically, a Goliath. Elephant-like Grimm with immense strength and tough armor. They're big but they can surprisingly move quite fast.

Oobleck: Correct!

Ruby continued to stare at the Goliaths in awe before pulling out Crescent Rose in sniper mode.

Ruby: Let's kill it!

Oobleck: I'm afraid your sniper rifle will do nothing more than agitate a Grimm of that size. Something like Dairoku's cannon would fare better but with a pack that size, I wouldn't recommend it.

Ruby: But... What if it attacks us?

Kuraime: They won't.

Oobleck: Kuraime's correct! Ruby, those Goliaths are not concerned with us. Not every Grimm is mindless, or rather, not every Grimm is STILL mindless. You see, the Grimm you see before you are so powerful, so superior to the Grimm you fought, that they've undoubtedly lived hundreds of years, and in that time between killing Humans an attacking our boarders, they have done one important thing; they've learned. They've learned that when they attack our boarders, they're likely to die, and what we lack in strength, we make for in will, and that killing one Human will only bring more.

Ruby: Then why are they still so close to the city? What are they doing?

Kuraime: Their waiting...

Oobleck: Correct yet again!

They began to walk away from the Goliaths.

Ruby: Doctor Oobleck?

Oobleck: Hmm?

Ruby: I was wondering...

Oobleck: Wondering why I've been interrogating your teammates all day?

Ruby: A-Actually, I was wondering... Why did you want to become a Huntsman?

Oobleck: Look around you and tell me what you see.

Ruby: Lot's of old buildings... Uh... empty streets...

Kuraime: Death... Death that could be prevented...

Ruby looked at Kuraime who was looking down a bit and clenching her fists.

Oobleck: Once again, correct Kuraime! I see lives that could have been saved. As a Huntsman, it is my job to protect the people, and although I am capable of doing it with traditional weaponry, I believe I can make a much larger impact if I do it with my mind. As a teacher, I'm able to take knowledge, the most powerful of the all and place it in the hands of every student that passes through my classroom. I look at this wasteland, and I see lives could have been save, but I also see an opportunity; an opportunity to study these ruins and learn from this tragedy, and therefore become stronger. I am a Huntsman Ruby, because there is nothing else in this world that I would rather be.

Ruby looked at Oobleck in awe before looking back at Kuraime who still had her head facing downwards and her fists clenched. She was about to ask her before she began walking back towards the campsite.

Ruby's thoughts: What's wrong with Kuraime...?

....................................................

With Dairoku, Weiss, Blake and Yang (Their names actually make RWBY if you use Dairoku's surname, ehehe!), they all had entered the building Oobleck pointed out and went a few floors up to set up the campsite. After making sure it was cleared of Grimm, they began setting up. The girls grabbed the sleeping bags and Dairoku took some wood to create a campfire. Once set, he placed his hand on a log and began heating it up with his Semblance

Yang: Long day huh?

Blake: You can say that again.

Yang: I can't believe we didn't find anything...

Blake: We've always been fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. I guess we can't always have luck on our side.

Dairoku: Well we don't have much left of the city to clear. If the Fang and Roman are here, we'll find them tomorrow...

After he said that, the flames burst in front of him, creating a nice orange fire.

Dairoku: Sweet!

Weiss: That's not what I meant...

Blake: Huh?

Everyone turned to look at Weiss.

Weiss: Earlier... about upholding the legacy... There's more to it than why.

Dairoku: You're talking about when Oobleck asked you why you wanted to become a Huntress, aren't you?

Weiss: Yeah.

Yang: Yeah... no, me too. I mean... I don't know...

Blake: I don't know either... I know what I want to do, but I figured I'd always take things one step at a time...

Yang: What about you Dairoku? Did Oobleck ask you why you wanted to become a Huntsman?

Me: No. But I know how you guys feel...

They all stayed in somberly silence before Ruby, Kuraime and Oobleck returned.

Oobleck: Ah, wonderful; a textbook campfire!

Ruby immediately ran over to the fire as Kuraime went beside Dairoku, still looking down and lost in her thoughts.

Ruby: Fire! So... warm...

Oobleck: Very good! Eat your dinners and hurry to bed. We have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow and we'll need you to take turns keeping watch over our temporary abode. Any volunteers for first watch?

Ruby: Yo.

Oobleck left as Ruby got up to go on watch until Yang stopped her.

Yang: Hey, did Oobleck ask you why you wanted to be a Huntress? I mean... what did you tell him?

Ruby: Hmm... No, he didn't. He didn't for Kuraime as well. Oh, well, goodnight guys.

Dairoku gave Ruby a kiss on her forehead before she went on watch. The rest of team RWBY seemed slightly disappointed at her lack of an answer but the ultimately got into their sleeping bags. Dairoku noticed Kuraime sitting on the ground while leaning against a wall, still looking down and decided to sit next to her and question her.

Dairoku: Hey are you okay Kuraime?

Kuraime: H-Huh? Oh, yes... I am...

Dairoku: Doesn't sound very convincing. Please, tell me what's wrong... You know you can talk to me.

Kuraime looked at the concerned phoenix next to her before sighing and looking down.

Kuraime: It's just... this place... It brings up... some unwanted memories...

Dairoku: Oh... I get what you mean...

She didn't respond and continued looking down, visually upset, until Dairoku wrapped an arm and wing around her, slightly shocking her.

Dairoku: It's okay... That won't happen again... You won't lose anyone else you care about anymore... I promise.

Kuraime seemed shocked before some tears flowed down her face and she leaned her head against Dairoku's shoulder, silently crying as she reminisced on the day that she lost everything...

END
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So it would seem that Kuraime's had a rough past. You'll learn a little about it in the next chapter anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this one. Stay tuned! 👍