[nathan67003]

Anna was about to reply to Calen with something about people being generally more stupid than you'd expect, at least until a locker fell out of the sky in a thunderous roar.

Just as Calen started mentioning Taro, Anna had an idea - they could just put him in there for the return trip. It was the next best thing to an airship extraction, really. Oh, neat, seemed like Calen had the same idea. She handed over the unconscious teammate without a word.

[MonsterManic]

"And here I was having my heroic moment..." Setsuna muttered under his breath. "Also that rest was both deserved and very comfortable. Just had bad timing." Removing as much stuff as he could from the locker, he waited for Calen to deposit his load, made him as comfortable as anyone possibly could in a rocket locker, then shut the door and sent the locker flying back to Beacon. Hopefully, if he had keyed in the correct coordinates, the locker should land smack in the middle of the school courtyard, where people should find it easily.

"Let's take a minute or two, prepare anything we need. Can't wait too long, though." He moved back to where he left the rest of his kit and reequipped it, testing the synchronisation of the rotating joints. His shield moved kind of slowly, but the new weapon seemed fine. This would just have to double as its field test. Hopefully it didn't break apart on him.

[Kingnoname1]

Taking Taro to the locker Calen quasi-gently shoved him inside, closed the door and then started to carve into the metal with his knives. Send assistance to Coordinants ASF890, lots of love Calen. Turning back to his team mates Calen remarked laughing. 'Then we should get going now, it would be an anti-climatic if we got there just as they all died.' Gesturing at Setsuna to send the locker back to the school Calen picked up the satchel of dust and set a fast pace running towards the coordinates. The forest is empty of wildlife or sounds of any kind but after a few minutes the sounds of fighting could be heard. In a small clearing team ASTC caught sight of the Grimm attacking the research team, and it's familiar. The giant Death stalker from before still with an armoured plate missing from it's head and black ichor trailing from it's tail.

The clearing has a small hut where the research team was taking shelter while the giant Death Stalker was covering the door and striking in a seemingly random pattern through the roof. Each strike crushed through the ceiling, clearly demonstrating that it had the strength to destroy the structure but is playing with it's prey instead. Stopping just before the treeline ends Calen positioned himself behind a tree and turned back to his teammates waiting for a plan to move forward. Neither Grimm nor research team had noticed the hunters-in-training so initiative was theirs.

'Fighting this thing in the open didn't end too well last time. Maybe we should try to draw it away into the forest, use the trees for cover and keep it away from the others.' Calen offered breathing heavily, the medicene from before help but it could only do so much. Drawing his weapon in sword form and the satchel of dust Calen continued. 'If it goes off it'll definitely get it's attention or we might want to keep it as an ace in the hole so to speak. 

[nathan67003]

Anna snorted a laugh when Calen wrote 'lots of love' on the locker's side. That was hysterical. She then followed her teammates through the forest to the specified location, pulsing her semblance every now and then to see things.

Ooooh yep. Just as she thought. The beast tormenting the research team was just the one she'd predicted. Since it now had weak spots and lacked a stinger, it'd be easier to deal with. She turned slightly towards Calen as he explained his view of things and a plan to go along with them. Nodding, she added "I still have a few Dust capsules left. This shouldn't be too-too hard to deal with."

(Aura: 92%)
(Dust capsules remaining: 1 Kinetic, 4 Fire, 6 Lightning

[MonsterManic]

"And I've got something new to try out. Hope that thing likes the extra power Equilibrium's going to be bringing." The mentioned weapon embeds itself in the floor, tip-first. "I think we should keep the bag of Dust in reserve. Shove it down its gullet or blow its claws off."

"Once someone lures it into more dense cover, split up and attack from three sides. That should make it easier." Setsuna split the large shield into two, picking up both pieces. "Also, Calen, you owe me a new locker." he deadpanned, attempting to mimic Calen's sarcastic voice.

[Kingnoname1]

Calen laughed, glad that Setsuna was firing back.'Really Master Setsuna? I didn't think you would care aesthetics given...you know...this' Calen remarked gesturing at his leader before striding confidently from cover, throwing the satchel in his pack and drawing three knives. Shouting loudly to get the creatures attention as well as throwing the trio of blades for good measure. An accurate throw and the Death Stalker was stationary but still only the blade which hit the weak point on top of it's head stuck with the others bouncing off it's armoured chittin. Roaring more in surprise than pain the creature turned to face Calen and it's cry only got harsher as recognition gleamed in it's insectoid eyes. Charging forward the Grimm was on Calen within seconds and Calen stood firm, using himself as bait until the last moment. Launching himself upwards with some of his last reserves to evade the charge, lure the creature into the forest as well as delivering counter attack of his own. Two of these succeed, extending his sword into glaive form scored a directed hit into the mouth of the creature and the Death Stalker careened straight into the dense forest however in the air Calen was an easy target for the Grimm's tail and even with it's stinger hanging limply still smashed Calen into the ground.

Because of it's immense size, weight and strength the Death Stalker wasn't slowed down as it crashed through the tree line sending many plants flying as it chased after Calen. Rearing up on it's four hind legs the creature prepared to crash down it's claws on the slowly rising student. Black ichor had started to leak out of the Grimm's mouth as it closed in hungerly, pooling just before Calen bubbling evilly. The research team looked out curiously from their shelter unsure if it would be safer to run where they might run into more Grimm or stay where there new protectors are but also the giant Grimm.

Grimm Battle Data

4% from flying debris to Setsuna and Anna.
8%+2% Tail slam+Acidic black ichor to Calen

Calen's Battle Data
Fatigue: 10%
Aura: 36%

[nathan67003]

Anna remained hidden as Calen lured the beast away from the (relatively) defenseless troupe cowering as best they could.

When the semblance's pulse returned an image of her temmate being the target of a full power charge by the Deathstalker, she went full power. Her first order of the day was to get the fuck away from the rain of debris caused by the Grimm's total loss of control and subsequent crash. Afterwards, she dashed to Calen's left, taking a detour to avoid catching the beast's attention.

As she arrived where she wanted to go, she started assailing the scorpion with vicious whips from her chains, keeping an eye for a lull in combat to grab the occasion and shove a Dust-augmented knife in its head.

(Aura: 92%)
(Dust capsules remaining: 1 Kinetic, 4 Fire, 6 Lightning

[MonsterManic]

After lifting his arm and blocking/deflecting/reflecting the shitstorm of rocks, dirt and other bits sent Setsuna's way, he darted to Calen's right after seeing Anna do the same to her left. While the beast was occupied with Calen's antics, he slashed at the exposed legs, hoping to cripple the Death Stalker, before stabbing the cracks between the armoured plate on the main body. All the while, he keeps looking back at the research team to ascertain if they are safe.

Battle Stats:
-Aura: 54%
-Fatigue: 40%

[Kingnoname1]

Seeing the other hunters-in-training which tormented it before gather together the Death Stalker roared again spitting it's acidic black ichor at the collected students. As the attacks of Anna and Setsuna glanced harmlessly off it's armour the Grimm crushed it's claws down on the grouped students for an earth shattering smash which sent shock waves out. The creature then reached out and grabbed the hopefully stunned forms of Anna and Calen. For now the Death Stalker kept it's tail covering the gap in it's chitin, using it as a last line of defence.

Calen was barely back on his feat by the time the acid rained down open him, Gritting his teeth as he was immersed in a burning sensation but it wasn't enough to break his concentration. Dancing forward under the creatures crushing smash Calen manged to both slip under it's guard and get too close to be grabbed. Plunging his sword straight into the creatures primary left eye scoring a serious wound and earning another piercing shriek. Just as Calen withdrew his blade for a second strike he was knocked away by another strike of the Grimm's tail. Although Calen did disappear out of sight behind the forest it did open up the Death Stalker for a counter attack for at least a moment.

The research team seemed safe. They looked like they had decided to stay where they were. A few of them had started to fix the damage the Grimm had done to the hut in case the creature turned back to finish them. That seemed unlikely for now as the Death Stalker seemed determined to down ASTC or tear down to entire forest trying.

Grimm's Battle Data
Acid Spit 4% to all
Claw Smash 6% to all
Grab at Anna and Calen 2%+being grabbed
Tail smash 8%+2% at Calen

Calen's Battle Data
Fatigue: 10%
Aura: 26%

[nathan67003]

As Anna got slightly miffed that her chain was only hitting armor, the Deathstalker decided to bleed all over everyone, then smash them. The former proved to be an easy-ish dodge, whilst the latter was just too damn far away from Anna for her to give a damn, what with being roughly 3 meters away from the creature.

When the Grimm swatted Calen away, Anna took the opportunity and launched two knives right at the creature's more and more damaged head and face areas, one with Fire Dust and the other with Lightning Dust, both set to detonate on impact, all the while keeping on her toes to dodge any retaliation.

(Aura: 92%)
(Dust capsules remaining: 1 Kinetic, 3 Fire, 5 Lightning

[MonsterManic]

As with before, the damn armour plating was too tough to dent, even with a heavier weapon. Setsuna was starting to wonder if he shouldn't make his shields with Death Stalker shell when it...spat on him. Ramming both parts of his weapon back into a shield, he took cover behind it, then peeked out just to dive back into cover to block the oncoming claw.

Picking up the whole weapon as a greatsword, he started smashing away at the Death Stalker's legs, while repositioning himself with each strike, moving toward where Calen originally was. By his reckoning, this was his heaviest weapon. If even this didn't do something, he'd need something apart from just force.

[Kingnoname1]

With another shriek Anna's daggers hit home the Death Stalker backed off slightly, kicking Setsuna as it pulled back. Twisting and writhing as the daggers detonated and jets of black ichor flew from the wound. The creature then charged straight back into the fight clawing at both remaining students. The Grimm's movements seemed slower than before but it's tail was back into it's defensive position over the still leaking wound. Realising the hunters-in-training were targeting the weak points in it's chitin the Death Stalker started thrashing around once it got back into combat. Although slower it still moved with impressive speed for it's size and it let loose a volley of light stomps and claws.

Calen was no where to be seen.

Grimm's Battle Data
Kicking at Setsuna 3%
Thrash around 5% at Anna and Setsuna

[nathan67003]

Apart from a slight worry at Calen's absence from her field(s) of vision, Anna was pretty okay for now, continuing the battle. She backed off as the Grimm went a bit haywire, rolling back when necessary. She was just waiting for an opportunity to overwhelm it.

(Aura: 92%)
(Dust capsules remaining: 1 Kinetic, 3 Fire, 5 Lightning

[MonsterManic]

Springing back from the Grimm's thrashing assault, Setsuna circled around the flurry of blows slowly, blocking any stray kicks sent his way. A quick glance at his scroll indicated while he and Anna were still doing fine in Aura--well, Anna--Calen's was at an alarmingly low level. That being said, he wasn't anywhere near Setsuna, but he wasn't depleted yet. Trusting Calen to have his own plan, he kept observing the Death Stalker, waiting for the beast to stop its frantic movement.

[Kingnoname1]

As the hunters-in-training slowed their assault the Death Stalker seethed but stop it's thrashing about. Eyeing it's opponents the creature circled slowly through the undergrowth. Cocking it's still leaking maw the Grimm looked for weaknesses but it left itself too focused to see Calen climbing through the canopy. Jumping on the Death Stalkers back with two of his daggers trying to get purchase on it's carapace. Almost sliding off Calen did manage to attach himself precariously much to the Grimms annoyance. Incapable of clawing Calen off it's back or flicking him again with it's tail as well as being unwilling to roll over and expose itself to the other students the Death Stalker tried to buck Calen off by charging forward. Crashing through trees Calen lost one of his hand grips and almost slide off it's side and the Death Stalker trampled over Anna and Setsuna. Reaching up for his embedded blade Calen ripped it out and slowly made his way to the creatures head using his knives as climbing picks.

Snarling as Calen remained stubbornly attached to it's side after trampling through his team mates the Death Stalker charged again deciding to focus on the ones it could hurt. Again trying to grab Anna and Setsuna up in it's claws the Grimm relentlessly pursued it's prey all the while bucking it's arachnid budding to fuirtless try to get itself free from Calen's knives.

All the while the survivors of the research team and started to emerge from their hut making sure they always had an eye on the erratic Death Stalker. Making sure they had as much of a head start if things started to go south they where getting closer and closer to the enraged Grimm.

Grimm's Battle Data
Trample 4% at Anna and Setsuna
Claw Grabs 2%+Grab at Anna and Setsuna
Debris 4% Calen

Calen's Battle Data
Fatigue: 10%
Aura: 22%