Rage & Hope: A RWBY Story

Chapter Eighteen - Search & Destroy

As Razer and Team RWBY joined Doctor Oobleck on the mission, they soon learn that the area they were clearing was a failed settlement called Mountain Glenn. Within the abandoned city, it had become a hotspot for Grimm activity along with suspected criminal activity. When they landed near the city, Oobleck led Razer and Team RWBY off the airship.

Oobleck: Ladies and gentleman! 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! Do you understand?

Oobleck then notices Ruby carrying a bag.

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

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

Oobleck: (She's not wrong...) Very well, Ruby; leave your bag here, we can pick it up upon our return.

Ruby: But I, well uh-

Razer glanced to Ruby's bag to see movement. It didn't take long for Razer to deduce what was in the bag.

Razer: Is that a dog?

Ruby: Wait what....

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

As Oobleck says this, the zipper on Ruby's back opens as Zwei pops his head out. Upon seeing this, Razer was simply puzzled by this.

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

Blake: So, what are your orders, Doctor?

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

Ruby: Uh, what?

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

Yang: What?!

Soon enough, a Beowolf could be seen wondering into the street. Team RWBY was about to attack, Oobleck stops them while Razer kept his Ring ready.

Razer: Why are we not attacking?

Oobleck: There are a number of reasons why Grimm will congregate in this particular area, the most likely of which will be their attraction to negativity: 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.

As Oobleck said this, five more Grimm Beowolves appear. Immediately after this, the Huntsmen are spotted. Immediately, Razer prepared his Ring.

Razer: That's going to be problematic.

Yang: What's the plan, then?

Ruby: We show everyone what we can do!

With that, a fierce battle broke out between the Huntsmen and the Grimm. As Razer took the fight to the Grimm, he observed how Team RWBY coordinated their attack. Seeing the way they fought and work together impressed the renegade Red Lantern. Suddenly, the last Beowulf attacked Razer. Razer quickly responds by forming a construct spear and impales the Beowulf. As the Grimm howls in pain, Razer lunges at Beowulf and unleashes a stream of acidic blood on the Grimm. The Grimm was incinerated by the acidic blood. As the Grimm was killed, Razer looked to his Power Ring and saw that it was low on power. Razer then summons his Lantern Battery and speaks the Red Lantern Oath.

Razer: With blood and rage of crimson red, ripped from a corpse so freshly dead, together with our hellish hate, we'll burn you all, that is your fate!

As Razer spoke the Red Lantern Oath, his Ring was charged. After killing the Grimm, Razer regrouped with Team RWBY and Oobleck.

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

Yang: Hey, Doc, y'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 do hope you understand that.

Yang: O....of course!

Razer: A battle is a battle.

Oobleck: Hmm....

With that, the Huntsmen moved forward with their mission. On the way, Oobleck asked the members of Team RWBY why they wished to become Huntresses. The answers they gave were less than satisfactory. As the group moved forward, Oobleck speaks to the young Huntresses in training. At some point, Oobleck spoke to Razer.

Oobleck: Razer, why do you want to be a Huntsman?

As Oobleck asked Razer this, the Red Lantern thought about his time serving Atrocitus.

Razer: I have my own reasons.

Oobleck took note of Razer's answer.

Ruby: 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, 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. Come, Ruby.

Razer simply nod as Oobleck and Ruby went ahead to secure the perimeter while he and the rest of Team RWBY set up camp. With that, Razer and Team RWBY made camp outside the mission area while Ruby and Oobleck explored the abandoned city of Mountain Glenn.