Project: RWBY

Ch 1) Project: gaTeway

I force my heartbeat to hasten so the world begins to slow down as I attempt to make sense of my situation through the searing pain that bleeds in my head.

"Wh-What are you doing?!"

My eyes dart all across my room, hoping that something, anything is, at the very least, familiar to me.

But no such luck.

"You b-buffon! Stop this at once!"

I feel the sweat drip down my head and the gun in my hand grow heavier while thousands of thoughts and theories pass by in a flash, bringing me no closer to the answer I seek.

"Let go of my sister!"

I shut my eyes, trying to grab hold of my earliest memory, and when I arrive at it my heart drops at how distant it is.

This shouldn't even be possible.

"Enough!" I shout, my voice horse as though I haven't spoken in weeks. Quickly clearing my throat I keep my voice low and steady, "A step closer, and the next time you see her will be inside a closed casket."

Their previously aggrieved expressions freeze in place as well as their bodes. The hesitation and teary eyes give me a good idea of their relationship with this girl, alleviating some of the pressure I'm facing.

I don't know how these people did this, but if I want to get answers my best bet is with their youngest.

"W-Why are you doing t-this?" My hostage asks, her voice muffled by my grip causing her to sound even more pitiful than she looks.

The briefest glance I give her is cold and uncaring, enough to get her to shut her mouth. I ignore the droplets of water that graze my fingers and shoot the figures in front of me a glare. I need information and time...questions, that's the answer.

"Wher-"

Before the word can even leave my mouth a red blur flashes past me and suddenly my hostage is standing next to her allies.

What the hell was that?!

Some kind of new nanotech? But her whole body vanished for a second. A refraction field? No, she shouldn't have been able to escape my vice grip.

Focus!

The gun faces the group of four, three of whom have equipped their own weapons. A rapier, bracers, and a sword. Meeleeists? I hope these are armor piercing bullets in here then.

"Everyone put down your weapons!" My former hostage shouts, her eyes suddenly firmer than moments ago. Considering the hesitation in the others' eyes and how they look at this short girl, could she be the leader?

It doesn't matter, this is my chance to make a plan.

Four targets of unknown origin and modification history, I don't think I can shoot them all before they're on me. They could have abilities similar to the girl. My only option is to escape, but they're in front of the door. The window? I don't even know what floor I'm on. Unfortunately, it's the best option I have. Gods, this splitting headache... could they have drugged me? But that's still impossible!

"Please! Calm down. We're not going to hurt you." The leader pleads almost desperately, shifting forward ever so slightly.

*THUMP!*

A bullet pierces the floor directly in front of her, missing her foot by an inch.

"Ruby!"

The trio behind her tense up and despite the still hesitant look on their faces, they were ready to take action. But the girl named Ruby raises a hand to signal them to stop.