Child of Omens: Part 3

Chapter 23: Rocky Road

The trip to Argus had been a long one, taking around 5 to 6 days. Primarily due to refueling and supply stops, as well as setting up camp for two nights to avoid a massive horde of Grimm. As Ky's ship begins to break through the clouds overlooking the city of Argus, all who were aboard could see the town was still undergoing reconstruction from the Leviathan Grimm attack. Landing on an old Atlas-controlled landing bay, they find that Spider's gang or Miss Malachite's gang, as informed by Cinder, had taken control of most of the city. Stepping off the ship, Ky practically begins to kiss the ground in relief and joy.

Ky: "Oh, sweet solid ground, I take back everything bad I've ever said about you."

Summer: "Sweetheart, get up. Your drawing way too much attention."

Falke: "What're you two going to do, now that we're here?"

Summer: "We'll most likely take a look around and see the sites while you 5 handle your mission. Speaking of which, it looks like it's about to begin."

Falke turns to see Neo, followed by two members of Spider's gang approach. Upon seeing Cinder, Neo stops just short of the team.

Cinder: "Neo... it's been a while...I'm glad to see you still alive."

Neo cocked her head in confusion as she had never heard Cinder ever glad to see another person still alive. Refocusing herself, she pulls her scroll out and types on it before turning it towards Team NAFP's leader.

Neo(typing): "Are you the team of Huntsmen Ky said could help?"

Nero: "What you too good to talk to us?"

Falke: "Nero, Neo is mute."

Nero: "Oh! Uh...sorry. Yeah, we're the team with Ky. I'm Nero, this is Ace, that Pyrrha, and I'm guessing you've already met Falke."

Neo(typing): "It's fine, and yes, we've met on occasion. The Spider's expecting you, so let's not keep her waiting." She turns and begins to lead the team throughout the city.

Ace: "*Whispering* Real smooth-talking there, leader."

Walking through the city, Pyrrha couldn't help but feel a bit saddened by the state of her hometown. It's wasn't destroyed or dilapidated, but it hurt her to see a city ruled by a crime boss. Seeing her expression, Falke takes hold of her hand as they walk.

Falke: "*Whispering* Hey. Let's get out of here. You can show me around."

Pyrrha: "*Whispering* But what about the mission?"

Falke: "*Whispering* Your happiness is my mission. Come on, let go."

Smiling, Pyrrha pulls Falke down a side alley that'll lead them into the city's market area. This, however, hadn't gone unnoticed by two of their comrades.

Cinder: "*Whispering* Shouldn't we stop them?"

Ace: "*Whispering* Nah, let them enjoy their time together. If things get bad, they'll show." Cinder shrugs as they continue to follow Neo.

But unaware to any of them, watching from a rooftop overlooking the street. A figure in a black hood pulls one of his sickles from the corpse of a gang member.  He watches as Falke and Pyrrha split off from the group.

Nelo Qrow: "Looks like the counterpart's getting in our business again. But as Ozpin used to say, mission first."

Qrow followed the three remaining members as they soon entered a warehouse but not before having a small argument about Falke and Pyrrha ditching them. As they entered, Qrow spotted an open window and sank into the shadows reforming inside the warehouse. An ability he had received when he became part demon. Inside the warehouse, he looked around and saw it was much deeper than he'd expected. Hawk had assigned qrow to find Ozpin/Oscar, but it seemed that they had gotten the protection of Spider and her gang. Qrow had tried multiple times to break him out, but every time they would just move him. But from the looks of it, this was the place they were holding him, and they were setting up defenses for Qrow's eventual attempt.

Nelo Qrow: "Hmm...looks like I'll need some help." Shadowstepping back outside he flares his energy which causes a red portal to appear.

Walking through the portal, Qrow appears inside Hawk's bedroom inside Salem's castle. Spotting a sleeping Pyrrha under the covers of Hawk's bed. He looks to see Hawk wave him over to the balcony outside. Qrow quickly headed outside.

Qrow: "Uhh...did I interrupt something. I mean, I don't mind you two..you know..but I don't want to get in the way."

Hawk: "It's no bother; we just finished a while ago. What news do you bring?"

Qrow: "Well, I found Ozpin, but it looks like he got Malachite to shelter him from us. They got him to hold up in a practical fort."

Hawk: "And you're asking for help? Seems a bit rare even for you."

Qrow: "Trust me, I wouldn't ask if I could handle it. But in other news, your counterpart's decided to make an appearance. It looks like Malachite's recruiting help to protect Ozpin."

Hawk: "Do you think he told her anything about the vault?"

Qrow: "No idea, but if she already has it, then shouldn't we go at her with full force?"

Hawk: "Hmm...go to Ren. He may have a spell or some arcane art to assist with this. Once you have your help, see if Malachite knows anything about the relic or if she already possesses it. If so, then you'll have the full support of both me and the other Swords."

Qrow: "Got it...oh and uh..play safe." Hawk chuckles as he rolls his eyes.

Hawk opens up another portal which Qrow walks through, ending back up in the fortress of the Underworld. Making his way to the library, he sees Ren going over another book and practicing more spells.

Qrow: "You know, when I was your age, I was more interested in burning my textbooks rather than reading them."

Ren: "Yes, and now I can cast magic spells Ozpin never knew, and you can't break into a small compound...its good to see you, Qrow. So it looks like you need some help sneaking around?"

Qrow: "How'd you know I needed help?"

Ren: "Please..I've warded the entirety of that castle the first days we were there. I practically know everything that goes on in that castle....including the stuff I don't want to know."

Qrow: "And that's what you get for playing peeping tom. Now you got any kind of spell or artifact to help me or what?"

Ren: "Heh, you kidding?"

Back At Argus

The giant compound that lay underneath the small storage warehouse was a sight to behold if they could explore it. Nero, Ace, and Cinder had to wait in a cramped waiting room for several hours so they could just speak with Miss Malachite.

Nero: "I can't believe they would just ditch us like that. Don't they know we're trying to save the world?"

Cinder: "Do you always complain, or is it like a one-time thing?"

Ace: "Look, in my opinion, I say let them have their time together. It's not every day you find out your alternate counterpart from an alternate world is trying to cause mass chaos and destruction and has a bigger body count than the entirety of this city. Besides, this was Pyrrha's hometown, and look how much it has changed since she was last here...sometimes you just need a break to enjoy the small things."

Nero: "When did you become so damn preachy?!"

Before Ace could respond, Neo walked back through the door and waved for the three of them to follow her. Following her down a corridor, they enter a large dining room area to see a group of people inside. Most were guards; two were twins in a white and red dress, the last two being a young boy with a cane and a girl with short green hair. The last person sitting in the only seat is a woman with short blonde hair eating some salad with a glowing golden crown atop her head.

Miss Malachite: "Ah! Good, your here. I was expecting you."

As they begin to talk with one another, a set of dark glowing green eyes appear in a shadow at the edge of the room, like windows peering into the room. On the other side, Qrow, Pyrrha, Nora, Ren, and Hawk watch on.

Hawk: "Well, well, well, looks like our job was made all the more simple."