Team SMKK

Chapter 12: Civil War

Chapter 12: Civil War

Present: Mistral, Sanctum Academy

The next day the five Huntsmen and Huntresses arrived at Sanctum Academy to begin their next mission as teachers. They all wore their usual combat gear and followed Ash to his classroom. As they walked the hallways other students stopped to watch their classmate be escorted to his homeroom class by a full team of Huntsman and Huntresses.

Like many combat school classrooms, Ash's homeroom featured a large lecture hall similar to Professor Port's classroom back at Beacon and had a larger arena area. In the front of the classroom was a large chalkboard with blueprints to a Dust rifle taped to the top of the board.

"Today class, we have five special guests here to help with our lesson today. One of which was a former student of mine. Would you care to introduce yourself and your team to the class?"

Shade stepped towards the podium and addressed the class of young wanna be Huntsmen and Huntresses "It's nice to see you again Mrs. Cui. My name is Shade Fridulf, this is Marcus Oros, my brother Kole, Katherine Lazuli, and our friend Grant Moss. The four of us make up team SMKK, one of the greatest teams to graduate Beacon Academy."

"Well you decided to guest teach at a great time, Ms. Fridulf. Today we are finishing up on weapons forging and starting our combat training. Would your team like to give a couple words of advice while the class begins assembling their weapons/"

"Sure. Well when you undertake the task of forging your weapon Keep in mind that the weapon you build, is yours and only yours. Don't look to your classmates or for help, making your weapon is something you must do alone." She said raising Skeggart, in Shotgun mode, over her head. "This here is mine, sure there are thousands of shotguns out there across Remnant, but this one is mine" she added pressing a switch near the trigger guard. From the pump grip, a large bearded axe blade unfolded to activate it's Axe mode

The class leaned forward in their seats, with wide eyes to better see the marvel before them.

Katherine stepped forward and unsheathed her kukris, to explain her swords. "If you don't prefer the use of firearms, you can't beat a classic like my swords." She said slicing at imaginary enemies around her. "If some of you use blades like mine, it's really important that you never think of them as just a sword. It's easier to think of them like an extension of your own reach, like an extra finger. Just a really, long and really sharp finger."

"Most importantly you should never, see your weapon as just a gun or a knife." He said drawing Desperado with a twirl. "Cause when you are out in the field, balls deep in Grimm copses. Your gonna need both. Not one or the other."

"And thank you Kole, for that colorful description." Shade said pinching the bridge of her nose with regret of bringing him along. "Although it's not necessary, it is customary to name your weapon, to better customize it and make it yours. Right here is Skeggart. She's named that after my ancestor's word for battle axe."

"And my little lady here is Desperado, rightfully named so because, in my days I have been on the wrong side of the law many a time." He said looking at Katherine with a reminiscent smile "She serves to remind me of everything I've done and how I turned over a new leaf. Just for her"

An hour passed and with a majority of the Class finished making their weapons. The class requested to test out their new creations in sparring matches against their guests.

"I would be happy to oblige." said Katherine

"Sure, anything to help out the next generation of Huntsman and Huntresses." said Grant cradling his rifle

From the back of the of the classroom Ash's hand shot up "Excuse me Mrs. Cui. Could I go first and try out my spear against Kole? "

"Sure. Why not, kid." He said cracking his knuckles as he made his way to the arena area. "Today kiddies you are going to have a real treat: you get to see a real huntsman kick this runt's ass. Remember Ash, we don't stop till one of us hits the ground."

"Fine by me, old man. Now we can see who the real Alpha is"

The rest of the team and the teacher took a seat with the class to witness this fight: Kole versus his younger self, Part II.

The two Fridulfs loaded their weapons with hard rubber practice bullets and stood in the center of the arena sizing each other up. They both turned around and took ten steps forward. They then turned back around and waited for their opponent to attack first. Kole drew his pistol, as Ash took his 6ft long spear in both hands and stood at the ready for his brother. The weapon had a 12-in spearhead with two tapered gun barrels on either side of the blade. In the middle of the shaft was a small folding trigger and a receiving pump between the trigger and the spearhead.

"Begin!" yelled Shade, from her seat

"Lesson No. 1, little brother. Always predict your opponent's next move." Kole said charging towards the boy.

Ash jumped back and lunged his spear forward with his outstretched hands close to the butt end of the spear. Kole spun to his right, dodging the spearhead and sliced down with his knife blade. The boy slid the spear back and used the shaft to block the knife. He then twirled the butt of the spear around and lunged again at Kole. The steel plated butt cap landed squarely into Kole's chest knocking the wind out of him. Seeing that their classmate landed the first strike, the children cheered to Ash, causing him to look away

"Lesson No. 2. Never take your eyes off of your target" Kole then flipped his pistol forward to cock it and fired shot after shot at Ash. The student ducked and dodged the shots. He grasped the pump and returned fire at Kole unloading both barrels at the Huntsman. A practice round came close to his head and grazed his left cheek with enough force that it tore the skin.. Kole raised his hand to his face and wiped the blood the fresh wound.

"Good. Lesson No. 3: never be afraid to draw first blood" he said as the wound began to heal with the help of his aura. "Which brings us to Lesson No. 4: Fight like hell." He said bolting forward. The Huntsman swung the knife down, but was blocked by the blade of the spearhead.

"Lesson 1. Always predict your opponents every move." the student recited. Ash used his spear to push away the knife and lunged at Kole while again firing both barrels of the spear. Kole dodged more of the Dust rounds. Again he charged ahead, but once he was in close range, he did just as he had done against Auburn back at Beacon: he flipped the gun forward to cock it, used the momentum to swing the blade towards Ash to distract him and fire a round aimed at his stomach. Seeing his finger on the trigger Ash twirled the spear around and knocked the gun away from him.

The bell for the next class rang and Ash froze as he looked to his teacher who stopped the match. "Well done young Mr. Fridulf. That was truly an entertaining match. Class I want you to read chapters 17 through 19 on the tactics used in the Great War and be sure to finish up your weapon for more sparring tomorrow." Yelled Mrs. Cui.

As Ash walked back to his seat Kole took aim and shot Ash in the small of his back making him fall to his knees in pain. "Lesson No. 2. Never take your eyes off of your opponent." Yelled Kole.

"The class is over idiot!" he replied struggling to his feet.

"It is now. 'We don't stop till one of us hits the ground,' remember? And you just did."

"That's cheating"

"Lesson No. 5: your opponent will cheat. And by the way, don't ever call me old" The rest of the Huntsmen and Huntresses looked at Kole in disbelief and disgust "What?" he said putting a cigarette in his mouth

"Way to go Kole, you beat a child. I hope you feel real proud of yourself" said Grant as he walked to the exit.

"I would have liked to see you try. After yesterday you wouldn't have stood a chance against him."