33-The nightmares began Part-2

Adrian groaned as he slowly regained consciousness, his vision blurry from the fall. The first thing he noticed was Ruby lying beside him, still unconscious. His heart skipped a beat, but a quick glance reassured him—she was breathing.

Then, a sharp pain shot through his arm.

[Adrian]: ... that was my sword arm.

He carefully moved his left hand to inspect the damage. His right arm was bent at an unnatural angle.

[Adrian]: Just great, a broken arm is all I needed today to make this day feel worse.

He leaned back against the cold, uneven ground, taking in their surroundings. They had fallen into what seemed like an underground cavern, Rubble from their collapse surrounded them, and he could hear distant dripping water echoing through the space.

Adrian turned back to Ruby. She stirred slightly but didn't wake.

[Adrian]: Ruby… wake up. I really don't want to be stuck down here alone.

He gently shook her shoulder with his good arm, his broken one pulsing with pain. As he looked around, his breath caught in his throat.

Before him stood an entire underground city hidden beneath the ruins above the crumbling buildings and rusted metal structures. It was an entire world buried beneath the wasteland.

But that wasn't what made his stomach twist.

Surrounding them were at least twenty White Fang soldiers, weapons raised, their masks hiding any emotion. At the front stood two figures cloaked in dark capes, their presence radiating an unmistakable air of authority.

Before Adrian could reach for his weapon, Ruby stirred beside him, blinking blearily as she took in the situation. Adrian let out a slow breath, weighing his options. He could fight, but with one arm out of commission and Ruby just waking up, it wasn't worth the risk.

With a reluctant sigh, Adrian slowly raised his hands in surrender.

His quick decision made one of the cloaked figures chuckle.

[Dark Figure-1]: Oh, my little toy… Still so obedient to his master.

The voice sent a jolt through Adrian's body. His breath hitched, his muscles tensed, and then—his eyes burned red.

With a flash of movement, he bit down on his sword's hilt, drew a pistol with his good hand, and lunged forward like a beast unleashed. His target? The one who speaks to him.

The White Fang soldiers barely had time to react before Adrian was upon them, his movements a blur, But just as he was about to strike, a scythe whistled through the air—

CRACK!

Adrian's world spun. A crushing force struck him in the ribs, knocking the air from his lungs. He barely registered the impact before he was sent crashing to the ground, pain exploding through his entire body.

The second figure, the one wielding the scythe, stepped forward, resting the weapon's blade against Adrian's throat.

[Dark Figure-2]: Newell, do I need to remind you that Red wants them alive? Or should I carve it into your skull?

The first figure—Newell—scoffed, flipping their hood back to reveal a cruel smirk.

[Newell]: Tch. Always such a killjoy.

Adrian barely heard them. His vision flickered as the edges of his consciousness darkened. The last thing he saw before slipping into unconsciousness was Ruby, her silver eyes wide with shock before she was knocked out too.

[Dark Figure-3]: We have our orders. Don't forget that.

Newell scoffed, rolling her eyes.

[Newell]: Yeah, yeah, I got it. No killing the little toy... yet.

She crouched beside Adrian, brushing a strand of green hair from his face before standing up.

[Newell]: But I wonder... how long until he breaks again?

The other figure ignored her taunts and turned to the surrounding White Fang soldiers.

[Dark Figure-3]: Take them to the Boss.

The Fang soldiers saluted and moved in, roughly grabbing Adrian and Ruby before carrying them deeper into the underground city.

[Back to the rest of the Teams]

Gaster, who had been flipping through his notebook, suddenly stopped. Something felt off. He turned to Yang, who sat beside him, arms crossed. She looked half-asleep but alert enough to notice when he tensed.

[Gaster]: Yang, our shift is over. Go wake the others.

Yang yawned, stretching her arms.

[Yang]: Yeah, yeah… wait— What do you mean "wake the others"?

Gaster's eyes flicked toward the empty spots in their camp.

[Gaster]: Two people are missing.

Yang's drowsiness vanished in an instant.

[Yang]: What do you mean? Where's Ruby? Where's Adrian?!

Her voice stirred the rest of the teams awake. Even Ron, who had been sleeping with his hood pulled low, sat up and stretched, though he still kept his face partially hidden. Dr. Oobleck, who had been observing them quietly, adjusted his glasses just as a small blur of fur darted toward them.

[Zwei]: Barks frantically

[Yang]: Zwei?

[Blake]: Something's wrong.

Dr. Oobleck immediately grabbed his thermos, downing its contents in one gulp before standing up.

[Dr. Oobleck]: Everyone, grab your weapons. If they are missing, then we must assume the worst.

[Back to Adrian and Ruby]

Adrian groggily opened his eyes. His entire body ached, and his chest felt like it had been trampled by a Goliath Grimm. His broken arm throbbed, but he'd had worse—much worse. He took a shaky breath and tried to move, only to realize he was hanging upside down.

Steel chains dug into his wrists, suspending him from a moving meat hook. The place was massive, dimly lit, and filled with Fang soldiers unloading and loading crates onto a large transport train. Atlas Paladins stood dormant nearby, their imposing forms guarding a stockpile of bombs stacked far too neatly for comfort.

Adrian turned his head slightly and saw Ruby hanging beside him. Unlike him, she was tied up with thick ropes rather than chains. She was unconscious, but her breathing was steady.

One of the Fang soldiers pushing a supply cart sneered at him before spitting in his direction.

[Fang Soldier]: Traitor.

Adrian barely reacted, his green eyes scanning the scene quietly. His mouth felt weird—tight. He tried to speak, only to realize something was wrong. He couldn't move his jaw properly.

[Adrian mind]: {Shit. It's broken}.

Before he could fully register his situation, a voice called out across the warehouse.

[Fang Soldier]: Hey, boss! We found something you might want to see!

A heavy sigh followed from the other side of the room.

[???]: Is it good or bad, Perry? Because let me tell you—I have had a day.

The soldier, apparently named Perry, smirked.

[Perry]: Ahh, well, it's a little girl… and a green-haired traitor.

A slow, familiar chuckle echoed through the space. Then, from the shadows, a man in a white coat and orange hair stepped forward, twirling his cane with a smirk and a cigar in his mouth.

[Roman Torchwick]: That would be bad.

Adrian narrowed his eyes, trying to speak again.

[Adrian]: Hrrm… hmmmph... hrmm…

It was only then that he finally noticed—his mouth was gagged, too.

[Adrian's Mind]: {Great. Just great. What could possibly be worse than this?}

[back to the Teams]

The group had spread out, searching the area where Ruby and Adrian had last been seen. The air was tense, filled with concern and frustration.

Gaster crouched near a patch of disturbed dirt, his eyes narrowing as he examined the scattered items left behind. He picked up Ruby's weapon, Crescent Rose, his expression darkening.

[Gaster]: Ruby wouldn't leave her weapon behind. That's like asking her to die.

Then, he spotted something else—a small, battered coffee mug lying nearby. He picked it up, turning it in his hands.

[Gaster]: And Adrian's coffee mug... He won't mind if I have a taste.

He raised it to his lips, only for Weiss to snatch it from his hands.

[Weiss]: Focus! Do you think they fell?

Both Gaster and Dr. Oobleck stiffened.

[Dr. Oobleck/Gaster]: Fell?

Weiss pointed toward a jagged hole in the ground, large enough for someone—or two someone—to fall through.

[Weiss]: Down there.

Gaster's eyes widened.

[Gaster]: Of course. Why didn't I think of that?

Dr. Oobleck's movements became a blur as he paced excitedly, nodding to himself.

[Dr. Oobleck]: Of course, of course, of course!

Blake frowned.

[Blake]: What is it?

Dr. Oobleck and Gaster turned to face the group, speaking simultaneously, their voices overlapping in an unsettlingly synchronized manner.

[Gaster/Dr. Oobleck]: How could we have been so stupid?!

Weiss groaned, rubbing her temples.

[Weiss]: Oh, Oum, there are two of them now.

Yang, growing impatient, crossed her arms.

[Yang]: Could you two please explain what you're going on about?

Both men inhaled deeply before launching into a rapid-fire explanation.

[Gaster/Dr. Oobleck]: Mountain Glenn—an expansion of Vale to the southeast that was overrun and destroyed by the Creatures of Grimm. It was previously home to thousands of people, a thriving community that relied on a subway system to commute into the main city. But as Grimm attacks increased, the citizens sought refuge underground, converting the tunnels into an underground settlement, cutting themselves off from the surface entirely.

But then…

Dr. Oobleck continued, his voice gaining momentum.

[Dr. Oobleck]: *Unfortunately, their supposed haven was compromised when an explosion opened the mouth of another cavern—a cavern filled with subterranean Grimm! The settlement was overrun. The remaining citizens were beyond saving. With no other options, Vale sealed off the tunnels permanently—creating the world's largest tomb.

The silence that followed was heavy.

[Yang]: you're saying…?

Dr. Oobleck and Gaster turned to face her, eyes gleaming with realization.

[Gaster/Dr. Oobleck]: Yang/my dear, we're not just looking for an underground crime network…

Dr. Oobleck adjusted his glasses, his voice dropping to a serious tone.

[Dr. Oobleck]: We're not just looking for an underground crime network… we're looking for one built on top of a graveyard. If Ruby is down there, we must find her before it's too late.

Gaster's eyes gleamed behind his glasses, his voice calm yet carrying a dangerous edge.

[Gaster]: And we need to be fast. Who knows what a group of criminals might do to a defenseless little girl?

The words barely left his mouth before Yang's entire body tensed, in the blink of an eye, she was already moving.

[Yang]: Screw this—

Before anyone could react, she launched herself toward the hole, prepared to dive in headfirst—

[Blake]: YANG, WAIT—!

At the last second, Gaster caught her wrist, his grip like iron.

[Gaster]: Tch— Impulsive.

Yang whirled on him, eyes already glowing red.

[Yang]: Let go.

But Gaster didn't budge. Instead, he leveled her with a sharp gaze.

[Gaster]: Do you plan on breaking every bone in your body before you even reach the bottom? Or worse—landing in the middle of an enemy stronghold completely alone?

[Back to Ruby and Adrian]

Roman Torchwick twirled his cane lazily, smirking at the two captives before him.

[Roman Torchwick]: Wow, you two are so much more manageable without those oversized garden tools of yours.

Adrian groaned against the gag in his mouth, his narrowed eyes glaring daggers at Roman. He glanced toward Ruby, who was struggling against her bindings while Roman casually toyed with her, having already untied her hands.

[Roman Torchwick]: You know, Perry? I really needed this.

Perry, one of the White Fang soldiers, simply gave him a thumbs-up.

[Roman Torchwick]: But seriously, how did the two of you even find this place? Green and Red, huh?

Ruby clenched her teeth, growling in frustration. But before Roman could get another word in—

She vanished.

A burst of rose petals scattered through the air as Ruby activated her Semblance, zipping away at breakneck speed.

[Roman Torchwick]: Whoa—!

He barely had time to react before turning to Adrian—only to find the spot where he'd been hanging empty.

The steel chains that once bound him lay in a broken heap on the ground.

Roman blinked. Once. Twice.

He turned again, only to see two Adrians now sprinting after Ruby—one carrying the other on his back.

[Roman Torchwick]: Well, that's just unfair.

With a quick flick of his wrist, he aimed his cane at Ruby and fired a grappling hook. The sharp claw latched onto her cape, yanking her backward.

[Ruby]: Ack—!

But before Roman could reel her in—

SLASH!

The hook's cable snapped, severed clean through by the Adrian still on his feet. He grabbed Ruby's wrist and pulled her forward.

Roman sighed, shaking his head.

[Roman Torchwick]: Okay, I see what's happening here. You two—no, sorry, you three—have some neat little tricks up your sleeves.

He rested his cane on his shoulder, smirking down at Adrian.

[Roman Torchwick]: But let me make one thing clear—

Adrian's red eyes glowed with fury as he let out a muffled growl.

[Adrian]: Hrrrmmphhh…

Roman cocked his head, feigning confusion.

[Roman Torchwick]: Huh? Can't quite hear you, Green. What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?

He chuckled to himself.

[Roman Torchwick]: Oops—hope that wasn't offensive, Gary.

Before he could press his taunt further—

BOOM!

A sudden explosion rocked the underground hideout, shaking the entire facility.

Roman scowled, looking over his shoulder as the White Fang soldiers scrambled in confusion.

[Roman Torchwick]: Ugh—Perry! If you and the boys could take care of that, I'd really appreciate it! Kind of in the middle of something here!

Before Perry could even respond—

BOOM!!

Another explosion erupted, even stronger than the last.

This time, the lights flickered. A low rumbling filled the air as dust and debris fell from the cavern ceiling.

Roman's irritation turned to mild concern.

[Roman Torchwick]: Okay, what the hell is going on in here?

He spun on his heel, looking toward the source of the explosion—only for his eyes to widen in disbelief.

A horde of skeletons, some dressed in lab coats and others in medieval armor, stormed the underground hideout. Among them, a floating man with wings and a black coat soared through the air, riding a blaster bike while shooting energy beams from floating hands.

And behind him?

The rest Team RWBY and Team GRAM, charging in full force.

Roman's eye twitched as he processed the insanity unfolding before him.

And to make matters worse?

Ruby and Adrian were both running free.

Adrian, now un-gagged, spat out a garbled insult through his still-broken jaw.

[Adrian]: Bay ya souledd ginger.

Roman twitched.

That was the last straw.

[Roman Torchwick]: COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE KILL THEM?! Especially that green, dirt-mouthed cat!

Fury burning in his eyes, he swung his cane around and fired directly at them.

The White Fang soldiers around him snapped to attention, unloading a barrage of gunfire and plasma rounds toward the incoming chaos.

But it was already too late.

The cavalry had arrived.

[Chapter end]