'Me and Jaune were the ones to rile up the Deathstalker. To leave it alone right now would mean...'
Pyrrha thought with dread when she pieced together the situation. Weiss was having similar thoughts about the Nevermore.
Leaving the old Grimm out in the location where all the students were supposed to be going would be the same as condemning them to fight a dangerous battle caused by them.
Everyone adopted a look of shame as they were about to do something unbecoming of a huntsman/huntress. They turned back to Luffy, brandishing their weapons in preparation of a long fight. Pyrrha is equipped with Milo and Akouo. Akouo is her shield while Milo is a combination of a spear, xiphos sword, and a rifle. Nora has a warhammer that doubles into a grenade launcher called Magnhild. Ren arms himself with Stormflower, a pair of green automatic pistols with a blade parallel to the grip.
The showing of the weapons lead to Luffy staring at them in childish wonder.
The family trio had smiles at seeing them return to finish what they started. Even though Ren, Nora, and Blake didn't do anything to aggravate either of the Grimm, they can't leave in good conscience if they just run away.
"Alright, we'll stick with Luffy's match up. We're killing the Deathstalker."
Ruby ordered to her comrades. They don't have any effective means of long distance combat, so that leaves Luffy to face off against the Nevermore. They all nod in confirmation to the idea before heading towards the armored scorpion.
"The eyes and legs don't have any armor, lets start with that. If you're a heavy hitter, try breaking the armor to give us more weak points. The rest of us will distract it."
Jaune strategized, analyzing any small details that can give them an advantage.
Yang and Nora grinned at the statement, knowing full well they are physically strong enough to do damage, no matter how small. They both rush ahead as the others give suppressive fire to annoy the enemy. Yang shoots some shells at the eyes, trying to have the blast burn out the ocular organs. The Deathstalker takes a few shots but stops in place to put the pincers in front to protect its eyes.
Nora takes advantage of the lack of movement and leaps in the air for an overhead swing with her warhammer. The impact seems to have little effect with a small crack on the shell serving as proof of the damage. The beast roars in anger and swings its pincers at the duo. Yang and Nora were hit by the attack and sent tumbling across the ground.
The Deathstalker was about to charge at the pair until Ren and Blake joined the fray and passed by its sides to attack the small black legs supporting the creature. Ren readies Stormflower and cuts up any legs in sight while Blake mimics the action with Gambol Shroud. The scorpion hisses in pain before flailing around with its pincers and tail, causing Blake to use a few shadows to dodge the wild attacks while Ren took a hit and was launched away.
Ruby, Jaune, and Pyrrha took point later with Weiss taking the rear for support as they approached their foe. Jaune and Pyrrha prep their shields and blocked each pincer as they came down on the duo. Since the appendages are kept at bay, Ruby switches her weapon to sniper form and focuses on the eyes.
The sniper rounds took out two of the many eyes before the scorpion went on a rampage and tried to stab the perpetrator with the stinger. Weiss steps in and stabs her rapier into the ground with ice dust to freeze the tail in place to stop it from impaling her partner, who turns to her with a smile to which she returns.
While the Deathstalker struggles against the freezing binds, the eight students regrouped away from it to assess the situation.
"We're not getting anywhere with this. There's got to be a way to pierce the armor."
Weiss said with a grave tone.
"If I absorbed some lightning, then I could smash that thing into the ground and break its legs."
Nora suggested with a cheery tone. All eyes were on her as she continues.
"My semblance lets me move electricity through my muscles so I can hit a lot harder."
Nora added, causing an idea to form in Ruby and Yang.
"Well look no further, Luffy can give you all the charge you need. We'll go fetch him to help you out."
Yang said with confidence.
"Alright... but let us four handle the rest from here so you can help him out with the Nevermore."
Jaune ordered with everyone nodding in agreement. He already has a plan for Nora's enhanced strength to be put to use.
**********************************
With Luffy...
The straw hat boy can be seen darting around the area to dodge the hail of feathers launched by the Nevermore. The giant bird just kept itself moving out of range from the stretchy punches heading its way. Luffy tried to use Sky Walk to get closer, but he was hard pressed to dodge more projectiles at closer range and waste aura.
That leaves only one option to combat the aerial opponent. A forest green symbol appears on his hand in the form of a target reticule.
"Memory Bond: Sniper"
he calls out as he pulls out his Black Kabuto from the satchel along with a yellow dust pellet.
He sets the pellet in the slingshot and pulls back on the center piece, aiming at the flying creature. The dust begins to glow as he infuses it with aura.
"Lightning Spear Star"
Luffy lets loose the projectile and it morphs into an actual spear made of electricity moving at high speeds. The dangerous bird let out a pained caw as the spear struck through the body, sending jolts all over it. The Nevermore is in a daze as it is trying to shake off the pain. The outside may be tough, but internal damage was still effective.
Luffy lets out a chuckle at his handiwork before he sensed four people approaching him from behind. He turns around to see it's Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang.
"Eh! You guys killed the scorpion already?"
Luffy said in bewilderment. Even with their teamwork, he thought it would take a little longer to kill it.
"N-not really... but I have a plan to kill the Nevermore while Jaune and the rest of them have the Deathstalker. We just need you to give Nora a lightning bolt so they can finish it off. But we also need your help with the Nevermore."
Ruby explained before looking at their self proclaimed opponent in the sky with smoke coming off its body.
Luffy's eyes widened in panic as they were telling him to purposely shock their friend. The girls see the expression and wanted to let him know that it was safe.
"Don't worry, she can absorb it because of her semblance. It's sort of like you, but instead of insulating the electricity she gets stronger from it."
Yang reassured him, which worked as his demeanor eased up at her words.
"Ok... but I call dibs on the gorilla when it gets here."
Luffy said with a shrug. If they're confident that they can end it, then he'll give them the opportunity. Ruby and Weiss raise a brow in question about the gorilla he mentioned until it dawned on Ruby.
The gorilla that Luffy encountered is a new Grimm that she never seen or killed before. This thought caused her to pout at the prospect of missing out on killing a new Grimm. She wanted to at least assist him in some way.
Luffy switches out his Black Kabuto for the Clima-Tact along with the required bond as he focuses on finding Nora, which should be easy to point out since she is wildly waving her hammer around.
He repeats the process that he performed on the night of the robbery, throwing cool and heat orbs into the air to create a thundercloud above Nora. Everyone except the sisters look at the cloud in shock and wonder.
'He can create an actual thundercloud with dust!'
were the collective thoughts of some of the shocked initiates.
"Here you go Nora... Thunderbolt Tempo!"
Luffy yelled out as he lobbed a thunder ball at the cloud to strike Nora's hammer with lightning. The energy transferred from weapon to person as the orange haired girl started exuding static from her body. They both gave each other a crazed grin before facing their respective enemies.
"Okay, first things first. We need to slow it down before we can make an attempt."
Ruby told her group. They nodded in acknowledgement seeing as the Nevermore's constant movements were a problem. Said beast recovered from the previous attack and caws in anger.
The Grimm flaps its wings once more to launch another volley of feathers, but the teens scattered apart to avoid them. Luffy changes back to his sniper bond and sets up another pellet to shoot, this time the dust is icy blue.
"Ice Block Star"
he calls out as he shoots at the belly of the bird. Upon impact, a large slab of ice bloomed in place and is clung to the Nevermore. Weiss stared in disbelief of how the small pellet had a strong effect. Blake widens her eyes when she sees it struggling to keep itself from falling.
"The block of ice is too heavy for it to move. Ruby, now's our chance."
Blake realized, resulting in a nod from the red tipped girl. Ruby looks around to find two pillars close underneath the creature.
"Yang, you and Luffy get on top of the Nevermore. Weiss, Blake, and I are going to make our own slingshot."
Ruby ordered. The family pair nod as Yang climbs onto Luffy's back, already knowing how to get up to that height. Blake sees how the 'slingshot' was going to be made and proceeded to climb one of the pillars. While this was going on, Weiss looked at Luffy and Yang with disapproving eyes.
"This is no time for some piggyback you two!"
she yelled at them, but the two ignored her as they were focused on the task given to them. Yang gives a thumbs up and a grin to Luffy, signaling that she's ready.
"Memory Bond: Chef"
Luffy jumps high in the air before kicking the air to start gaining more altitude with each step. The Nevermore was too concerned about the heavy weight to try and attack the duo.
"Sky Walk"
Jaune and his group met up with them to join in on the gawking with Weiss and Blake upon seeing Luffy fly up to the bird.
When Nora got energized by the bolt, Jaune and Ren played the distraction for the recently freed Deathstalker while Pyrrha got into position with her shield. Nora used the shield as a springboard and launched herself high in the air before setting her sights on the stinger. As the scorpion batted the two boys away, it failed to notice Nora as she spun forward towards the appendage. When she put all her strength into the attack, apparently the force of the strike was so immense that it caused the stinger to pierce its back.
The results being that the Deathstalker died from impalement from its own stinger with it still attached to the tail.
"You've got to be kidding me... he can fly!?"
Jaune asked rhetorically. The guy has too many tricks up his sleeve. Ruby was giggling to herself when she sees everyone staring like gaping fish.
"Technically it's not flying, more like he's walking on air... literally. Blake, did you get it ready yet?"
Ruby noted. Sure it imitates flight, but since he is repeatedly kicking the air it looks no different from walking. Hence the name of the technique, Sky Walk.
The bow wearing girl snapped out of her stupor when she heard Ruby before hurling her weapon in kusarigama form at the other pillar. Gambol Shroud wraps around the structure several times before the blade secures itself on the stone. A few tugs and Blake was sure it could stay in place. There was enough height to pull on the ribbon far enough to launch something.
Ruby jumps up a little and hooks the ribbon with her scythe. She pulls it down until she can climb on it and make herself the ammo. Weiss spawns a black glyph that seems to suck in and hold onto the accessory, much like drawing the string of a bow.
Luffy and Yang reached the topside of the Nevermore and landed on its back. They placed a firm grip on the back so the giant bird can't shake them off.
"Okay, now we have to wait for Ruby's signal. Man, this is a crazy plan."
Yang commented.
"Hahaha... well I think its an awesome plan. This is Ruby we're talking about."
Luffy said in a cheerful tone.
Yang activates her semblance, causing her hair to glow like the sun and her eyes to change from lilac to red. The damage she took from the Deathstalker converted to physical power to enhance her already above average strength. Luffy throws his arm back and uses that arm to pump it.
"Second Gear: Busoshoku"
The arm blackened in Armament Haki and gave off steam as they await Ruby's signal.
Back on the ground, Ruby faintly spotted the black arm high in the air.
"Okay Weiss, shoot me at the neck and then we can finish the rest."
Ruby ordered the heiress, who didn't give a reply but nonetheless angled the makeshift slingshot carefully.
The black glyph shifts to red before launching a human bullet rocketing towards the Nevermore.
"YANG! LUFFY! HIT IT NOW!"
Ruby yelled over the wind as she is fast approaching the neck.
The two grinned at hearing Ruby. Luffy's blackened arm ignited itself on fire before reeling back to him.
"Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk!"
The timing was perfect as Ruby's Crescent Rose slammed into the neck at the same exact time as Yang and Luffy's burning punches smashing into the back. With Ruby rising up and the two forcing the Nevermore down, it was only a matter of time until it was decapitated.
With a final roar, Ruby shot black dust bullets until she cleaved through the neck. She switched magazines from normal sniper rounds to black dust rounds to give a much more powerful recoil before setting up the slingshot.
Yang quickly jumped onto Luffy's back while the falling corpse was decaying into nothingness. Luffy Sky Walks to Ruby and catches her in a bridal carry before letting himself fall to the ground. He cratered the ground upon impact from the landing, but still landed on his feet.
The two sisters were let down to the ground with smiles on their faces along with Luffy. The others were a little mind blown by the method they used to defeat it. Ren decided to be the one to voice everyone's thoughts.
"That's one way to chop the head off a Nevermore."
They were interrupted from any further actions by a deafening roar to which Luffy looked in the direction of with a fierce gaze. They weren't out of the woods just yet, for there is one more adversary to confront.