[RWBY] White Knight Errant

[AndrewJTalon]

Just to stir up a bit of hype...

Spoiler

- - -

The industrial sector of Vale was commonly represented on a map as one big gray section. The truth was somewhat more complicated, owing to the Old, Middle, and New Sections of the city that expanded outward and inland away from the mouth of the Great Pishon River Delta. The Old Industrial sectors were scattered around the river's shores, some of them having had their own individual walls away from the main city walls to enable their safe operation away from human habitation. Most of their buildings had been converted into warehouses for the ever busy docks, small high tech industrial operations, or left to rust and rot as Atlasian automation and Vacuoan cheap labor allowed for most consumer goods to be made overseas.

Underground music movements and criminal enterprises both made use of these relics. The White Fang in particular had staked out an abandoned iron foundry for their recruiting rally this night. The building itself was a dismal heap of brick, red as blood and covered in broken windows and doors only illuminated by the bonfires and Dust-powered lights the faunus organization had brought in.

Two figures stood on top of a rusting crane overlooking the warehouse. One was in a black body suit with red armor over her generous feminine curves and powerful muscles, a White Fang mask on her face and a katana at her side. Her hair was long, black, and curly. She sat in a crouch, glaring down at the assembly.

The other was a tall man in a dark blue cloak with hood. HIs dark skinned face was obscured by a black mask, but his keen red eyes and locks of his pure white hair still escaped his disguise. He wore black armor under underneath his cloak and white pants, with tall leather boots. A silver bow was on his back, while a curved kukri hung from his belt. He stood with his arms at his sides, relaxed, looking down at the White Fang members at work with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

The wind blew, rustling their clothing. The woman sighed quietly.

"I still don't know how you talked me into this," she stated.

The man grunted.

"It is necessary. Besides, you still keep an eye on your daughter, despite your protests," he said.

"She's reckless," the woman huffed.

"Yes," the man said, "As well as caring. You did well to have no involvement in her life."

The woman shot a glare at him, which the man took stoically.

"I wouldn't be talking," she sneered, "You haven't been doing a good job keeping an eye on your brats."

The man snorted in nostalgic amusement.

"My daughter is just fine. My nephew? Well… He is his father's son. Impetuous, unpredictable-"

"Stupid," the woman countered. The man chuckled.

"At this age? It is unavoidable," he said. "But he survived. Became all the stronger for it."

"I suppose," the woman allowed, reluctantly.

The woman grunted, returning her glare back down to the growing rally.

After a moment, she spoke again.

"Working with White Fang and that woman is dangerous."

"Yes," he said. "But the rewards will be worth it."

He spotted a familiar boy in a green cloak approaching the back of the warehouse, with a few other members of his team. Up in front, he spotted the little sniper take up a high position, while the other Hunters-in-Training mingled with the other Faunus entering into the rally.

His eyes lingered on the young man. For a moment, he saw another young, foolish boy in his place. Smiling, laughing, and joking in rusty white and blue armor with a blue scarf waving from his neck and a sword on his back. A dark skinned boy with a bow, kukri, blue cloak, and a scowl stood alongside with his arms crossed over his chest. Another blond girl with glasses, dressed in green with endless pouches on her belt was yelling at them for something or other. A meek redhead in white and pink was trying to keep the peace between them, holding a staff between her hands.

It was all so painfully familiar.

"We do not change our ways easily, Arjun," the woman warned softly, "You have won your place with us… But your ambitions are great. Greater than we have ever attempted."

For a moment, Arjun looked to the east. He could almost see the white palace he had grown up in. Almost see the city, the kingdom he was forced to flee.

"Long ago," he said, "My ancestors were no different from yours. Bandits living in the shadows, surviving in the darkness, the cracks of the world."

"What changed?"

Arjun smiled behind his mask.

"Vision. We saw outside of ourselves. Saw what our people could be. What we could be." He shook his head. "Now, I see the same. For all peoples of this world. A vision of peace. Of prosperity."
He looked to the woman.

"A world without borders… And a world without Grimm," he finished. "Without her dictating our destiny. Only us."

"You, you mean," the woman returned sardonically.

The man nodded.

"Me… And you. Our people…" He went back to staring down at Jaune Arc and his friends, "A stronger, better world."

He looked at Raven.

"Why be a bandit queen… When you could be the queen of Remnant?"

She stared at him behind her mask. Slowly, she nodded.

"Queen of Remnant, hm? I like the sound of that," she said. "But I don't see a crown on my head yet."

"No," Arjun said, "Not yet."

Silence fell again. Loud music began to play from below. The woman sighed quietly.

"If we have to save them from this rabble, it will just be embarrassing."

"Or a learning opportunity," Arjun said. The woman snorted.

"Strength is what matters."

"There are many kinds," Arjun said quietly.

Nick… I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, he thought, But I will be here for your son. Your family. I will build them the world you couldn't. I will make things right. It will be a better world.

A better world… For us all.

A preview of the next chapter!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Jaune looked around the table at his friends, his teammates. He focused his eyes on Blake and nodded.

"Okay," he started, "Blake? What's our target?"

Blake inserted a holodrive into the table's projector. A translucent blue map appeared over the table, and everyone looked it over as it slowly rotated.

"This is where the White Fang are holding a recruitment rally, the old Ucuetis Iron Foundry. According to Schwartz, the White Fang have been here for a few weeks. Meaning that it's probably a main hub base. We-They keep the bases very mobile to avoid detection. To keep the organization running, though, they still need finances and records."

She sucked in a breath.

"The White Fang can't keep a large digital presence, too easy to get hacked. So they keep a lot of our transactions and assets in paper form. If we get our hands on that information and hand it over to the police? We can hurt them severely, at least in Vale. Maybe even find out who is bankrolling them and making them work with Roman Torchwick."

Jaune slowly nodded.

"According to my, uh, Uncle, the best financial frauds mix legitimate business expenses up with their false ones to obfuscate things. Having the other half of the financial records can help the police match things up."

Blake gave Jaune a long stare, before nodding. Weiss hummed.

"We could also find where they're keeping that much Dust. It isn't easy to store all of that safely in a city on high alert, so they must be keeping it within reach, but off-site."

Much staring. Weiss shrugged.

"What? Every little bit helps."

"Thank you Weiss," Jaune did with a small smile. She flushed and scowled.

"Anything to stop having to play vigilante sooner," she huffed.

"Aw come on, you have to be enjoying this," Yang said with a grin and a wink, "Who wants to be an ice girl when you can be a bad girl?"

"Ugh," Weiss groaned. Jaune managed a weak smile at Yang, which she returned. Ruby cleared her throat.

"Okay," Ruby said with a nod, "So we'll want two teams. One to sneak in and get the stuff, the other to get into the rally itself."

"Sun and I can slip in-" Blake began, and Sun smiled, but Jaune shook his head.

"No. You're way too well known among the White Fang," he said. "Some of them may know you by scent alone."

Blake scowled.

"Then how do you suggest we do this?"

Jaune looked over at Nora and Ren.

"Sun will go in," he said, "With Nora and Ren as backup, all under disguise with cologne and perfume to cover their scenes. Ruby and Pyrrha should provide overwatch."

"I-We won't be going in with you?" Pyrrha asked, looking shocked.

"You're sending in Nora?" Neptune asked, giving Nora a wary leer. Weiss also looked dubious. Pyrrha winced in silent apology. Nora just grinned brightly.

"I am a master of disguise!" Nora said brightly.

"I trust Ren and Nora to do well, and they'll back Sun up perfectly if you need to escape," Jaune stated.

"There's no one better than her at making a scene, with explosives," Ren stated calmly. Nora practically swooned.

"Oh Renny~!"

Sun stared at them for a moment, before turning to Jaune and grinning.

"Works for me!"

Neptune facepalmed. Weiss sighed. Blake gave Jaune a disbelieving look, but he kept smiling. Blake sighed.

"The White Fang isn't as familiar with us as they are with the rest of you," Ren added.

"They also aren't celebrities, and haven't fought Roman Torchwick before," Ruby said carefully with an apologetic look to Pyrrha. "Sun has, but he's also not well known to the White Fang."

"This way, we'll each have one of our strongest fighters in our three teams," Jaune stated, "Pyrrha, Ruby, Weiss and Neptune on overwatch and as backup; Sun, Nora, and Ren in the rally to keep an eye on things; Yang, Blake and myself will go into the backrooms."

"Yang isn't exactly stealthy though," Pyrrha pointed out. Yang snorted.

"Yeah, like you're the picture of subtlety, Miss Cereal Box."

"Blake has to go in because she'll know what to look for," Jaune said firmly, "I'll go in because I know how to pick locks and I know how to sneak around pretty well. Yang will get us out of there if we need a quick exit."

"I am good at that," Yang smirked at Pyrrha, even as the redhead stared intensely at Jaune. He didn't pay any attention to it. Sun interjected.

"So yeah, we'll make it work," The monkey faunus said cheerfully.

"What about the rest of your team?" Ruby asked. Sun winced, as did Neptune.

"Sage got injured in a training mission, and Scarlet is having dinner with his dad aboard his ship," Sun explained. He grinned. "Neptune and I are more than enough to help if things go wrong though!"

"So, what do we do when things go wrong?" Weiss asked, her tone dry but a worried look on her face. Ruby smiled.

"You and Neptune can form ice barriers around the exits," Ruby said, "To keep the White Fang from escaping, or chasing us!"

Jaune nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping over his friends.

"Any questions?" He asked.

Nora raised her hand. Jaune smiled wryly.

"Yes Nora, you can break their legs"

Nora lowered her arm, looking content as she patted Ren on the thigh. Ren didn't respond. Pyrrha bit her lower lip.

"Should we write up a statement ahead of time to inform the police what we're doing, so this time we aren't arrested?"

Jaune beamed at her.

"That's a great idea, Pyrrha!" He said, and Pyrrha blushed prettily.

There was a short pause, before Ruby spoke in a soft tone:

"... And Iridescent? What if she's there?"

Jaune looked sharply over at Ruby. She winced, but her silver eyes were still locked onto his blue. He could feel the tension in the room from everyone else-Save from Sun and Neptune, who both looked confused.

Jaune sucked in a deep breath in his nostrils. He forced his eyes to stay locked onto hers despite his doubt.

"... We get in, get the intel, and get out," he stated softly. "If things go wrong, getting out is your-"

He paused.

"Is… Our biggest priority," he finished.

He could feel Pyrrha, Blake, and Yang's looks on him.

Ren spoke up, firm but calm.

"We do the mission and focus on our goals. If Iridescent arrives and fights us, we respond. We are all capable of subduing someone like that, but I also see no reason to go out of our way to spare her life or to mourn if she perishes in a fight if we are caught, nor do I see a reason to even seek her out at this junction if no fighting occurs when we could just as easily have her arrested later with this information we gather. If that happens, her crimes will catch up with her, and she will likely be imprisoned for life at the least."

Jaune smiled at Ren. Ren nodded back, a small smile on his face. Ruby looked relieved, and smiled broadly. He could feel Yang, Weiss and Pyrrha relax, as Blake nodded to Sun with her own small smile. Sun nodded back, a peaceful and understanding look in his eyes.

Neptune blinked.

"Who's Iridescent?"

Jaune winced.

Damnit…

"Let's hope you don't have to find out," Yang stated firmly.

- - -

The industrial sector of Vale was commonly represented on a map as one big gray section. The truth was somewhat more complicated, owing to the Old, Middle, and New Sections of the city that expanded outward and inland away from the mouth of the Great Pishon River Delta. The Old Industrial sectors were scattered around the river's shores, some of them having had their own individual walls away from the main city walls to enable their safe operation away from human habitation. Most of their buildings had been converted into warehouses for the ever busy docks, small high tech industrial operations, or left to rust and rot as Atlasian automation and Vacuoan cheap labor allowed for most consumer goods to be made overseas.

Underground music movements and criminal enterprises both made use of these relics. The White Fang in particular had staked out an abandoned iron foundry for their recruiting rally this night. The building itself was a dismal heap of brick, red as blood and covered in broken windows and doors only illuminated by the bonfires and Dust-powered lights the faunus organization had brought in.

It bordered an overpass, filled with noisy nighttime traffic of cars, buses, and motorcycles. On the other side stood tall rows of newer apartment buildings and shops, built as part of an effort to revitalize Old Vale some decades ago. The results were somewhat mixed-More commerce was brought to the older sections of the town, but the property values remained low and fights over zoning continued, the endless petty power plays of municipal politics.

This was of no concern to the two figures standing on top of a rusting crane overlooking the warehouse. One was in a black body suit with red armor over her generous feminine curves and powerful muscles, a White Fang mask on her face and a katana at her side. Her hair was long, black, and curly. She sat in a crouch, glaring down at the assembly.

The other was a tall man in a dark blue cloak with hood. HIs dark skinned face was obscured by a black mask, but his keen red eyes and locks of his dark black hair still escaped his disguise. He wore black armor under underneath his cloak and white pants, with tall leather boots. A silver bow was on his back, while a curved kukri hung from his belt. He stood with his arms at his sides, relaxed, looking down at the White Fang members at work with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

The wind blew, rustling their clothing. The woman sighed quietly.

"I still don't know how you talked me into this," she stated.

The man grunted.

"It is necessary. Besides, you still keep an eye on your daughter, despite your protests," he said.

"She's reckless," the woman huffed.

"Yes," the man said, "As well as caring. You did well to have no involvement in her life."

The woman shot a glare at him, which the man took stoically.

"I wouldn't be talking," she sneered, "You haven't been doing a good job keeping an eye on your brats."

The man snorted in nostalgic amusement.

"My daughter is just fine. My nephew? Well… He is his father's son. Impetuous, unpredictable-"

"Stupid," the woman countered. The man chuckled.

"At this age? It is unavoidable," he said. "But he survived. Became all the stronger for it."

"I suppose," the woman allowed, reluctantly.

The woman grunted, returning her glare back down to the growing rally.

After a moment, she spoke again.

"Working with White Fang and that woman is dangerous."

"Yes," he said. "But the rewards will be worth it."

He spotted a familiar boy in a green cloak approaching the back of the warehouse, with a few other members of his team. Up in front, he spotted the little sniper take up a high position, while the other Hunters-in-Training mingled with the other Faunus entering into the rally.

His eyes lingered on the young man. For a moment, he saw another young, foolish boy in his place. Smiling, laughing, and joking in rusty white and blue armor with a blue scarf waving from his neck and a sword on his back. A dark skinned boy with a bow, kukri, blue cloak, and a scowl stood alongside with his arms crossed over his chest. Another blond girl with glasses, dressed in green with endless pouches on her belt was yelling at them for something or other. A meek but beautiful redhead in white and pink was trying to keep the peace between them, holding a staff between her hands. As she always did and tried.

It was all so painfully familiar.

"We do not change our ways easily, Arjun," the woman warned softly, "You have won your place with us… But your ambitions are great. Greater than we have ever attempted."

For a moment, Arjun looked to the northwest. To a place across the sea on the southern coast of Mistral. He could almost see the white palace he had grown up in. Almost see the city, the kingdom he was forced to flee.

"Long ago," he said, "My ancestors were no different from yours. Bandits living in the shadows, surviving in the darkness, the cracks of the world."

"What changed?"

Arjun smiled behind his mask.

"Vision. We saw outside of ourselves. Saw what our people could be. What we could be." He shook his head. "Now, I see the same. For all peoples of this world. A vision of peace. Of prosperity."

He looked to the woman.

"A world without borders… And a world without Grimm," he finished. "Without her dictating our destiny. Only us."

"You, you mean," the woman returned sardonically.

The man nodded.

"Me… And you. Our people…" He went back to staring down at Jaune Arc and his friends, "A stronger, better world."

He looked at Raven.

"Why be a bandit queen… When you could be the queen of Remnant?"

She stared at him behind her mask. Slowly, she nodded.

"Queen of Remnant, hm? I like the sound of that," she said. "But I don't see a crown on my head yet."

"No," Arjun said, "Not yet."

Silence fell again. Loud music began to play from below. The woman sighed quietly.

"If we have to save them from this rabble, it will just be embarrassing."

"Or a learning opportunity," Arjun said. The woman snorted.

"Strength is what matters."

"There are many kinds," Arjun said quietly.

Nick… I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, he thought, But I will be here for your son. Your family. I will build them the world you couldn't. I will make things right. It will be a better world.

A better world… For us all.

- - -

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The White Fang rally, at first glance, looked more like an underground rave than a terrorist recruitment event. Which, Jaune imagined, was the point. Holding it in an abandoned factory that was often used for such events made it less likely for the cops to show up. Unless they got too loud.

Nora, Ren, and Sun made their way towards the front entrance, mingling with the other Faunus all entering. Sun still looked a little unhappy with the hair and fur dye applied to him. That said, his dour expression definitely helped sell his disguise.

Ruby and Pyrrha were above them, hidden in the cluttered pipes, AC Units, and various other structures all over the rooftops of the old industrial buildings. So far, nobody seemed to have noticed, even with Faunus senses. Blake had assured them that the colognes and perfumes she had used would disguise their human scents, but the real test was coming up in a matter of seconds.

Nora bounced up to the white masked bouncers, beaming with her hair bright blonde and horns glued to the sides of her head. Thanks to her open commlink (Her Scroll, but she preferred to call it a 'commlink'), they could hear everything that went on.

"Heyah buddy! This the White Fang rally?" She asked happily.

The bouncer stared at her like she was stupid.

"Of course it is! What kind of a Faunus are you?" He demanded.

Nora smirked, and proudly pushed her breasts up with her arms.

"I'm a cow faunus!" She announced.

The bouncer flushed, and stared downward. Long enough it was easy to see Ren's muscles tense, even from this distance.

Nora then yanked Ren next to her, grinning happily.

"And he, of course, is the most magnificent example of a sloth faunus!" Nora cheered, before nuzzling Ren's shoulder. "Aren't you, snookie wookums?"

The only thing Ren had done to disguise himself was the addition of black rings around his eyes and a black jacket over his normal clothing, along with cologne to disguise his scent. Nevertheless, he seemed slightly more relaxed at Nora's touch, though Jaune could definitely see how the bouncer cringed a bit. Ren's stare could be very intimidating.

"Hello," Ren said, and paused. The bouncer leaned forward.

"You-"

"I am…" Ren paused again. The bouncer grimaced.

"You-!"

"Happy to…"

The bouncer cringed.

"Okay fine, you can-!"

"Be here…" Ren stated.

The bouncer stared at Ren. Ren clearly just stared back.

"You can go in-!"

"To support… The White Fang," Ren finished.

"Just get in there!" The bouncer groaned. "You too, monkey boy!"

"Thanks," Sun grumbled, as Nora squealed and led them into the rally proper.

Jaune smirked a bit over at Blake. The hidden cat Faunus was wearing a dark blue cloak over her ears. Yang was next to her, wearing a dark green hoodie with sunglasses.

"I have no idea how she did that," Blake muttered.

"That's why we're the team leaders," Ruby commented over the Scroll. "Also! There are three guards at the rear entrance."

"Be careful, Jaune," Pyrrha murmured.

"We will," Yang stated over her Scroll firmly. Jaune nodded, and they headed off, practically feeling Pyrrha's tension over the communications link. Blake vanished into the shadows ahead, leaving Yang and Jaune to head down the street away from the loud noises at the front of the building.

They made their way towards the wall of the old iron foundry facing the river. They spotted three White Fang guards, all armed with Dust guns. They turned towards them as they approached, and lifted their guns.

"Hey buddy, you and your girlfriend can just head off-"

Blake dropped behind them and knocked them all out with one swing of her fist. Yang huffed.

"Well, now we're not going to have any fun," she protested.

"The less fun we have, the better," Jaune decided. He got to the electronic lock and bent over, studying it intently.

"So?" Yang prompted.

"A SchneeTech 303 lock," he said, "I've seen them a few times."

Yang hummed.

"So uh, you have a nerd way to get us in?" She asked.

"I can probably figure out the code-" Blake submitted, but Jaune swung his fist and shattered the lock. Blake rolled her eyes.

"Or you can do that," Blake sighed.

"What? This cheap piece of crap can never connect to the wifi properly," Jaune said, pulling the door open. "They'll never see us coming."

"HEY! You can't just-!"

Jaune punched the White Fang operative who spoke, sending him crashing into the brick wall facing the open door. He slumped, out cold.

"I mean, how super advanced could they make their security if it's a place they have to dump at a moment's notice?" Jaune asked with a shrug.

"He has a point, how secure could it be?" Yang asked.

Blake sighed as they walked into the hallway. It was dark and dingy, with only dim emergency lighting to provide illumination. Blake sniffed the air, and headed towards the left. Jaune and Yang followed.

"So, just out of curiosity, how much breaking and entering have you done?" Yang muttered to Jaune. Jaune shrugged.

"I dunno… Does it count if they kidnapped you first?"

"I don't think so," Yang hummed, "Though honestly, Blake probably has a bigger rap sheet than the two of us combined."

"Could you two please shut up?" Blake muttered. They turned a right corner, and then a left. They came to a door with another electronic lock. Blake sighed and punched it, smashing it to pieces, before she flung the door open. Jaune had his shield up, and tanked the shots that came through. Blake and Yang charged around him through the fire, easily downing the six White Fang operatives in the room. Jaune entered after, looking around at the filing cabinets and tables covered in paperwork the now groaning, unconscious guards had been managing.

Blake immediately began sorting through the nearest pile of folders, scanning the pages rapidly as she swapped through the stacks. Yang began going through the file cabinets and safes, breaking one open with her superhuman strength easily. She yanked out a stack of lien with a whoop.

"Woohoo!" She cried, "Jackpot!"

"Put it back, Yang," Jaune said.

"It's wrong to steal, even from thieves," Blake added, sorting through the pages rapidly and not looking up.

"Jauuune," Yang whined. Jaune sighed.

"It is wrong," he said, "Even I only took what I needed."

"And if I needed a hot new dress for a date with you~?" Yang simpered, batting her eyes at Jaune. The blond knight stared at her with a deadpan expression. She sighed, and shoved the money back into the cabinet.

"Fine, but I hope we get a reward," she muttered.

"It would be nice," Jaune agreed. He turned to a stack of paperwork himself, and opened it up. He began scanning through the papers, but he was mainly keeping an eye on the door. He felt like he really had to look like he was doing something…

A line in reality opened up right next to him, burning red. It opened up like an eye. Jaune's eyes widened in shock as a strong, black arm came out, grabbed him, and yanked him through.

"UWAH-?!"

"JAUNE!" Screamed Yang and Blake, just as the portal shut.

- - -

"What the hell was that?!" Yang shouted. She had seen a dark figure in the-portal?! Curvy, female, but that was all she could see! She had her fists up as she scanned around the room.

Blake was equally flabbergasted. She shook her head, papers dropped in a pile in front of her.

"H-How…?

"Are there any White Fang members you know of who can do that?!" Yang demanded almost frantically. "Any with teleportation powers?!"

"No, but-!"

Blake ducked underneath a whip that was crackling with lightning. A whip that had appeared out of nowhere. Yang got her fists up as she felt Aura, and just barely deflected a sword strike with Ember Celica. The force of it drove her back. Blake stood up next to her, Gambol Shroud drawn and ready to confront the two figures standing at the door.

Facing them was a slim redheaded girl with freckled skin in White Fang gear wielding a whip. Her mouth was set in a grim line, and even through the white mask, Yang could tell she was glaring at Blake hatefully.

The other was a tall, dark-skinned man, broad shouldered and with a lantern jaw and tall fox-like ears. He glared out at them from underneath a red hood, over a white and black combat outfit. He held up a bronze-colored dagger, with red glowing striping running along the length of the conical blade.

Blake stared in horror at the girl. Obviously, they had some history, which Yang was sure was going to make this nasty.

"Ilia?!" Blake gasped.

"Surprised to see me, traitor?" The girl demanded, her skin and clothing shifting to resemble the background. "You won't see me again until I murder you. For breaking my heart."

Yang looked over at her opponent. The fox snorted.

"It is a shame," the fox Faunus stated, "That I don't get to kill the one who slew Thanh."

"It was a team effort," Yang growled.

"Then I get to prove my strength regardless," the fox Faunus stated, before he and Ilia lunged!

- - -

That said, I am posting smaller but faster bits.

The fox faunus is one of these guys: Fennec Albain

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

It wasn't like Ren was against this idea exactly. He and Nora had a slightly more flexible take on morality than most of their classmates.

Living on the road from childhood as orphans tended to make that happen. So going out and delivering vigilante justice was not a major issue. Detention was preferable to the punishment for failure they had experienced in the wilds.

They didn't rob people or hurt people who didn't hurt them first, of course. They did plenty of perfectly legal jobs to make ends meet: Hunting, fishing, killing Grimm, farmwork. But when people tried to kill them, they fought back.

He remembered what his father had told him, the day after he had seen him kill some bandits outside their village. He had been so young, and so frightened. His mother had tried to hold him back, but he had watched through the open gate as his father had skillfully and elegantly killed those who had threatened their village.

Afterwards, he had sat with his father in their kitchen. His mother had been cleaning his father's weapons. His father had pulled him into a hug, and looked down into his eyes with a gentle but firm expression. He had said:

"The decisions you make and the actions that follow are a reflection of who you truly are. They chose to try and kill the innocent just for their own selfish desire. I chose to kill them to protect the innocent. Remember that difference, my son. Always remember."

Ren had remembered. He had fought harder, trained harder, all for the sake of living up to his father's ideals, and protecting Nora. She was his everything.

It wasn't until Beacon that they met someone who… Who understood. It was difficult to put into words, but when they met Jaune and saw his eyes? Nora immediately felt comfortable around him. He knew her tells inside and out. That made him relax around Jaune.

Jaune had given them direction. He had accepted them completely. Pyrrha had followed. Despite her upbringing, she was a misfit too.

It was not a feeling Ren had had for a long time. The feeling of family. Of belonging.

So while Ren was somewhat concerned about Jaune's quest for vengeance and Blake's desire to stop White Fang, he understood it. He agreed with it. He and Nora would follow Jaune to hell and back if required.

That said… He had the feeling that Jaune's plan for him, Nora and Sun wasn't entirely motivated by tactical considerations. Especially as she took the chance to grind on him as they joined multiple other teenagers on the dance floor.

"Woohoo! Yeah! This song rocks!" Nora cheered. She held his shoulders tightly, and bumped herself against him to the beat. Ren, feeling aroused yet wary, kept his senses tuned to their surroundings. Most of the Faunus dancing in the middle of what had once been a production floor were caught up in the rhythm and power of the flashing lights.

There were plenty of White Fang members around who walked with purpose and restrained violence. Weapons were hidden under their clothing and their eyes were sweeping the area carefully, looking for any signs of danger.

Sun was dancing by himself, his disappointment over his dyed hair and fur vanishing as he got to strut his stuff.

Ren felt Nora bump back against him insistently. He responded in kind, keeping his hands on her shoulders.

"You could be more aggressive," Nora said quietly, "It would help keep eyes off us."

Ren stared into her eyes. Her wonderful blue eyes, so wide and bright…

"I'm a sloth. I'm supposed to be slow," Ren murmured back. Nora held him tightly, standing on tiptoes to whisper into his ear. He felt her body against his.

He'd felt it plenty of times before, but in this situation, with the heat of the room and the gleam in her eyes…

"I know how slow you are," she hissed. Ren sucked in a breath, and focused on Semblance to keep himself calm.

Nora made that much harder, as she placed one thigh up over his hip, and ground more insistently against him.

"I… I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You were going to tell me something," Nora murmured into his ear, "At Forever Fall. Before you thought we were gonna die."

Ren gulped.

"I… Yes," he mumbled.

"If we're pretending to be other people," Nora continued, "Couldn't you… Couldn't you pretend to tell me?"

"I…" Ren grimaced. "It's not easy… To say…"

"Even if it's a lie," Nora whispered, "Please."

There was pain in her eyes. It made Ren feel low, despite his Semblance. No matter how skilled he became with his Semblance, there were things he just couldn't manage.

Not when it came to her.

"It wouldn't be a lie," he whispered back.

He sucked in a breath as her gaze seemed to go right into his soul.

She reached up to cup his cheek.

She was always his weakness, and his strength. His reason for being.

Yet… If they crossed this line… What if… What if they ruined what they had? He'd seen many romantic couples fall apart because passion made everything more complicated.

He felt himself hesitating at that.

"But if… What if…" He tried to get it out, even as he found himself drowning in her beautiful eyes…

When Sun bumped into him from behind. His face and Nora's came together. Their lips met.

"Whoops! Sorry bro," Sun said quickly.

The music, Sun, the crowd… It all faded away. There was nothing but Nora's scent, heat, and her mouth.

They broke apart, staring at each other while panting for breath.

"You guys are super good at this disguise thing, by the way," Sun added, with a smug grin. Nora stared up at him, for once speechless.

Ohhh boy, Ren thought, Ohhh boy, oh boy, what do I do oh shit oh shit OH SHIT-!

She giggled. She smiled up at him, almost shyly.

There was only thought in his head at this.

Fuck that's cute.

- - -

Like I said, smaller updates but faster paced!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Ruby was a little conflicted. It would be nice if it was raining right now. It would fit her mood. Being in the dark, dramatic night as rain poured down while she scoped out evildoers. Ready to swoop in and strike them down for justice!

Just like in her comics.

At the same time, her mood was conflicted enough that being wet and cold would probably just make her feel worse. Maybe the last thing she needed was more drama.

She watched the White Fang rally from the rooftop of another abandoned factory, amidst a bunch of old pipes and chimneys. The sounds of distant traffic and sirens came from across the elevated highway, as well as the horns of boats in the river and harbor nearby.

It was so boring.

"Ugh," Ruby muttered, "I wish I was in there. I could have been a-a puppy Faunus or something…"

Pyrrha smiled blithely over at her from her own holding position. Milo was in rifle mode, and she peered through the scope periodically.

"We're better used out here," Pyrrha said, "As I recall, you agreed with Jaune."

"I, yeah," Ruby sighed, checking through her own scope. So far, nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

Everything was going well… Which is why Ruby was worried. Incredibly worried. Yet not over the operation. Right?

"It'll be alright," Pyrrha spoke softly. She looked over at Pyrrha in shock. Pyrrha blushed.

"I mean, um… If you're worried? You look worried."

"I am," Ruby admitted, "Things are going way too well, and when I wasn't worried, I…" She sighed. "Nevermind. It's stupid."

"I… I can listen if you want," Pyrrha offered.

"We're on a mission," Ruby insisted.

Pyrrha kept an eye on the rally through her rifle scope.

"I can still listen," Pyrrha said quietly.

Ruby bit her lower lip nervously, and stared out at the factory as well. She wasn't sure how to talk about this. What happened in the Forever Fall? Her father had told her to keep it quiet.

Well, guess it was a good thing she was worried about another thing on top of the Silver Eyes drama.

"... I just… Um, listen. I'm really sorry for the food fight," Ruby said quietly. "I was… I wanted to get some frustrations out. Yang had a great date with Jaune, and you're going to have a great date, and… And I'll probably just mess it up."

"It's okay Ruby," Pyrrha said kindly, "You know Jaune's not that shallow. And, well… It's not like I know how to go on a date any better than you. Or Yang…"

"Yeah but you're…" Ruby sighed. "It's stupid. We're on a mission, our friends are infiltrating a terrorist rally… Being a teenager is stupid."

Pyrrha smirked a bit.

"It's not all bad," she said softly, "I promise. Besides, he's just as clueless. We're all figuring this out together. And if it's about your body… I mean… You'll grow up, Ruby."

Ruby smiled.

"Thanks, Pyrrha," she said, "If I'm being honest? I hope we… We can make this all work out in the end. Blake tells me it will, if we work hard and we're open and honest."

Pyrrha beamed back.

"I hope so too, Ruby," she said. "I…"

She checked her scope. She frowned deeply, as Ruby joined her in sharing the same expression.

"There are more White Fang gangsters surrounding the building," Pyrrha observed. She immediately hit her Scroll.

"Jaune? Yang? Nora? Ren? Sun?"

Static. Ruby scowled at her Scroll, and brought out her electronic noise analysis app. It was great for repairing Crescent Rose's electronics.

"Come on, come on, what's…?"

There was a large electromagnetic field forming a dome over the White Fang Rally.

"Jammer," Ruby hissed, "It's a trap! Again!"

She was coiled like a spring from her anxiety, and she was going jump out-

Being surrounded by Grimm in the Forever Fall, piles of red leaves around her like blood-

Ruby took a deep breath.

"All right Pyrrha, let's put together a plan and-"

She looked to her right. Pyrrha was long gone, diving for the thugs on the street with her weapons bared and a snarl on her face.

Yang and her dad weren't here, so Ruby let out the most appropriate word she could think of.

"Shi-!"

- - -

The restaurant wasn't the classiest place Weiss had ever been to. Just a transformed auto shop in Old Vale that Neptune had brought her to. The decor was made up of auto tools, parts, and pictures of the previous owners with their cars and family. It was very open and airy, with windows transformed from garage doors to let in the night air. They had a perfect view of the Pishon River, as ships moved back and forth in the dark waters underneath the broken moon.

It was roughing it by her standards, but that added to the sense of excitement. Neptune had been full of flattery and warm, honeyed words all night, the lit candle between them accentuating his best features.

The food was below her standards, but she loved it all the same. The wines were little better, but same thing: The thought of her father having conniptions over what she was having and doing filled her with glee.

Well… It should have.

"You know, the moon matches your hair," Neptune says, "Like a beam made out of the starlight."

"Mmhm. Thank you Neptune," Weiss managed, her eyes still focused on the river. Neptune sucked in a breath.

"So… You doing okay?"

"I'm fine," Weiss said quickly, looking back at him with a smile. "I mean… They would call if there was a problem, right?"

Neptune nodded.

"They absolutely would," he said, "I mean, your team would, right?"

"Sure, sure!" Neptune said with a bright smile. A bright smile that didn't fully meet his eyes. Funny enough, she'd seen that a lot from Neptune on this date.

"Neptune," Weiss pressed.

Neptune shrugged.

"Well, I mean… Sun is the kind of guy who won't call for backup if the fight is awesome enough. The harder the fight is, the more exciting it is for him. That's kind of how he rolls."

Weiss' eyebrows went up high. Neptune held up his hands and rapidly shook his head.

"But your teammate and Arc are super responsible, right?"

"Oh, uh… Well," Weiss tried, "Mostly."

Neptune sighed.

"I thought the point of this was to relax, Snow Angel," Neptune said, "And go out if they called for help. Right?"

"R-Right," Weiss said with a nervous nod, sipping her wine. "They're… They're probably fine."

"Totally," Neptune said with a bright smile. "Now… I think I was talking about your hair? Comparing it to-"

"To moonlight, yes," Weiss said with a sigh. This had felt like such a good idea at the time. Just relax, let their teammates do their vigilante mission, and meet up with them after.

Yet despite her bravado… Her thoughts just couldn't stay here.

- - -

Jaune yelped as he was thrown out of the portal and onto a hard, concrete floor. He got up and swung his sword around, trying to nail whoever had grabbed him!

The figure vanished into another portal, leaving him in darkness again.

"Damnit," Jaune grunted. He sniffed the air. It still smelled like the factory, but it was pitch black.

Need a light…

He focused his Aura into his sword… When bright lights flashed overhead. He hissed and squinted, letting his eyes adjust. The walls were pure gray concrete. The room was wide, very wide, and clear. The black doors on the far side of the wall looked like truck ports, so this was a loading bay of some kind. It looked a hell of a lot cleaner than the rest of the factory so far.

Oh, and there was a catwalk running along the walls above him. With a lot of White Fang goons holding guns standing on it. All of those guns were pointed at him.

"Shit," Jaune muttered. He reached out with his Aura senses-They weren't as great at range as other people's, but he could tell none of these guys had their Aura unlocked. That was good.

"I really don't want to hurt any of you," Jaune shouted, his voice echoing in the large dock area, "So why don't you just let me go before I have to get violent?"

"Well, that's a change."

Jaune's blood ran ice cold. His fists clenched around his weapons. His heart pounded in his ears. He gritted his teeth. He slowly turned around.

There were three giant cargo containers sitting underneath the catwalk: Red, green, and yellow. Atop the green one, dressed in a tight purple suit, her long hair shimmering like it always had…

"You," Jaune whispered, his rage too strong for him to say anything louder.

Iridescent smirked, and leaned over, letting him see down her open jacket and get a good view of her large assets. It made him feel absolutely sick to his stomach as she crooned.

"Hello, lover~..."

- - -

Here we go.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Roman Torchwick took a deep breath as he stood behind the hastily raised curtains for the stage. The shitty DJ running some musical tracks was winding down his 'performance'. The freaking grey striped cat Faunus was such a damn ham with his reflective sunglasses and glow in the dark, backwards-turned baseball cap. It took three thrown rocks at his back for the idiot to get the picture.

Roman rolled his eyes as the DJ finally turned down the music.

Amateurs, he mentally scoffed.

"And now," the DJ announced, "You guys wanna see the head of the White Fang himself?!"

There were a fair number of cheers and yells, though Roman also saw a lot of nervous looking Faunus in the crowd. Huh. Maybe today's kids weren't all stupid.

"Well, too bad! He ain't here tonight!" The DJ went on, "But the next best thing is a great friend of the White Fang's! The infamous Gentleman Thief… ROMAN TORCHWICK!"

Two White Fang flunkies pulled the curtains open, and Roman strode in with his trademark cocky smirk and cane spinning around his fingers. He slammed the cane down and let loose his smolder at the audience.

He managed to get some loud applause and whistles. He grabbed the microphone out of the DJ's hand, and winked.

"Hello Vale! We know what we're here for!" He declared. The crowd cheered, and Roman nodded.

"Now, you might think it's weird for a human to work with Faunus," he said, "But in the end, we're all under the bootheel of someone else, aren't we?"

Much cheering and agreements filled the air. Roman nodded in an understanding way.

"The system just takes, and takes, and takes, and only the well connected get the biggest shares!"

"YEAH! FUCK THE SYSTEM!" A red haired cow Faunus girl bellowed, as her Sloth friend held her back. Roman blinked. Wait, weren't those…?

Roman smirked a little.

Well, that means the Kid and his harem are here, he thought.

"Well, why not take back from the system, huh?!" Roman shouted, to appreciative cries. "Why take the shit end of the stick? Why not punch the guy offering the shit stick in the face?!"

More happy cheers and cries answered him, even louder than before.

I should have been a politician, Roman thought to himself.

"So!" Roman held out his hand, and waited. He waited some more, before he glared back over his shoulder. A White Fang flunky came out, looking sheepish, as she handed him a large Atlasian rifle. He took it, and shook his head.

Freaking amateurs…!

"Join the White Fang, and take back from the system! Punch the system in the face!" He activated the rifle, enjoying the loud hum of the weapon. He took aim at a disco ball hastily hung from the ceiling, and fired.

TSEW!

A Fire Dust round, accelerated by the Atlasian rifle's Lightning Dust powered system, blew through the disco ball and vaporized it into a small, bright cloud of plasma. Everyone gasped, then cheered loudly. Roman grinned, and tossed the rifle out into the crowd. One deer Faunus caught it, and waved it around eagerly… Before he hit himself in the antlers.

The rifle went off, blowing a hole through the ceiling above Roman. Some old paint and dust fell onto him, covering his bowler hat in debris. Roman sucked in a deep breath as the crowd continued to cheer. Other White Fang members began handing out weapons.

These idiots are going to blow themselves up, Roman mentally sighed. Oh well, not my problem-

The front doors to the old factory burst open, knocking back several White Fang guards. Striding in like goddesses of war, Pyrrha Nikos and Ruby Rose entered, their eyes blazing.

"ROMAN!" Ruby shouted angrily. Roman sighed.

"Aw, the system's even got little kids to do its dirty work for them!" He called out. "And sports stars!"

Pyrrha pointed her spear at Roman, eyes narrowed.

"Please disperse peacefully, and there won't be any trouble," Pyrrha called out. "And hand over Iridescent!"

Roman shrugged.

"Would love to, but-GACK!"

The sloth Faunus was behind him, and held a dagger/submachine gun up to his throat. The cow faunus and a monkey faunus landed on the stage as well, weapons out. Roman grinned, even as the blade pressed against his throat.

"I think you'll want to do what she says," the quiet boy with pink eyes stated calmly.

"YEAH! Unless you want to lose your kneecaps!" The orange haired girl declared, hefting up her hammer menacingly.

"Tempting," Roman said, "But I think I'll decline. SLICK! ALBAIN!"

In a split second, Roman was out from the pink eyed guy's grip, and on the other side of the stage. He adjusted his tie as his back up, the blue pinstripe suit and gas mask wearing associate of Iridescent's, and the red hooded fox faunus White Fang warrior, stepped up in front of him.

"Slick! Take the Invincible Girl," Roman ordered, "Albain! Everyone else!"

"Got it," Slick said, and like a streak of lightning he shot out. Albain nodded, and brandished his dagger.

"As you wish." He unleashed a tornado from his weapon right at the stage! The crowd screamed and ran for it, as the White Fang guards opened fire and the members of the Kid's team dodged the attack.

Roman shook his head and opened up with Melodic Cudgel on Red. She was zipping around like a shot, slicing and bashing through the first group of flunkies to fall upon her.

Outwardly, Roman shouted insults and taunts as he danced about through the panicking crowd and fired on the rapidly dodging Red.

Inwardly…

Goddamnit Kid, you'd better not lose to your psycho-ex, he thought.

- - -

The guards outside were barely a challenge. Polarity allowed Pyrrha to sense their every movement thanks to the iron in their blood. Even with their guns, Pyrrha was able to dodge around their aim and close the distance to knock them out without breaking a sweat. Ruby had done the same thing with her Semblance, making it much easier.

Dramatically kicking the doors open may not have been the best choice, but it fit the situation. Then Roman had thrown down the gauntlet, and the fight was on.

She had some trouble at the start navigating the large crowd of panicking Faunus. All that iron did make anticipating attacks a bit more difficult, but she wasn't completely dependent on her Semblance, thank you very much. Most of the White Fang combatants were ordinary people with standard reflexes. Their powerful Atlasian weapons were not an issue.

The floor cleared up as most of the civilians managed to get out. Ruby charged for Roman, while a red hooded Fox Faunus man with a Dust enabled dagger fought off Sun, Nora and Ren at the same time.

Which left her opponent. He was tall, lean, and dressed in an impeccable blue pinstripe suit with matching fedora. His face was covered in a black gasmask, with tinted goggles. He bowed to her as he spun a cane around on his hand.

"Pyrrha Nikos. Name's Slick. Big fan," Slick introduced himself.

"I'm sure, but I'm afraid you're in my way," Pyrrha stated firmly. He lunged forward to shield bash him… And Slick blurred right out of the way. She followed up the shield bash with a thrust from Milo, but Slick weaved around that, too!

She continued the attack, focusing on the iron in his blood to try and predict his movements, but every time she thought she had him, he dodged just out of the way.

Slick tossed something metallic into the air. Pyrrha held her shield up, but it went off with a bright flash and a very loud bang!

"NNGH!"

Pyrrha grunted as she reared back, and Slick's cane slammed right into her stomach. Instinctively she twisted away from the blow, and countered with a thrust from Milo. She felt her blade slide right over the top of his shoulder. Pyrrha dropped down and tried to leg sweep Slick, but he hopped right over. Her vision was just about to clear before another series of flashbangs detonated in her face.

"GAH!"

She managed to focus and got her shield up to block Slick's next cane strike, and switched Milo to gun mode. She pulled the trigger, firing the rifle on full auto. Pyrrha blinked her eyes rapidly, and saw Slick blurring around her shots.

He slid around the floor at high speed like an ice skater. He slapped his cane against the floor, and flames burst into life at the tip. He darted right for her, thrusting his fiery cane like a sword. Pyrrha switched Milo to sword mode, parrying and deflecting the furious strikes before she gave ground. He overextended, and she swung around to beat him down…

When he blurred and escaped her trap.

Damnit, Pyrrha thought angrily, as she swung around to face the gangster. She got the impression he was smirking behind his mask.

He may have been saying something, but she couldn't make it out over the ringing in her ears. Didn't matter. He was good enough that anyone else on their teams would have trouble with him.

So her mission was simple: Finish him off, then get to Jaune.

All this bastard was, was an obstacle. And as one of her favorite trainers once said?

Obstacles were for killing.

- - -

In the docking area, Iridescent's grin widened a bit more. Jaune breathed hard, his teeth gritted hard enough it felt like he might shatter them.

"Well! Nothing to say, darling?" Iridescent asked, almost sweetly. "Not a word for almost a year, and here I find you-?

Jaune bent his knees, and leaped. He swung his blade right for her neck. Iridescent darted back, jumping and practically floating along the top of the central cargo container. Jaune dashed forward, thrusting for her heart!

She dodged at the last second, light as a feather, before she bent the metal underneath her feet and she blocked his swing with her forearm.

What?! How-Her Semblance! Jaune realized, as his blade had cut her sleeves but not her skin.

Jaune pulled back and swung again, aiming for Iridescent's head, but she swung her arms and deflected the hit as her sleeves were sliced to shreds.

Okay, if I can't cut her, then…!

Jaune thrust his shield forward, ramming it against her head with all his might!

Iridescent staggered back, her feet still digging dents into the container. She grinned and charged. Jaune threw his shield up and held his ground.

Big mistake. She bowled him right over, pinning him down onto the top of the cargo container. She wrapped her arms around him, trapping his weapons against his body.

She's so heavy! How is she…? Damnit… DAMNIT…! Jaune seethed, as Iridescent's hot breath washed over his face. She grinned as maniacally as she had the night he'd escaped, and licked her lips.

"Well well… So eager! Just wanted to skip the foreplay, hm?"

"Fuck you, you insane whore," Jaune seethed.

"Mmm, yeah, talk dirty to me," Iridescent giggled. Jaune growled, and his skin glowed. He swung his forehead against hers hard, sending a surge of Aura right against her!

Iridescent yelped, and was blasted back, slamming into the container steel and leaving another imprint.

Jaune was right back up, and thrust for her heart again with a fully Aura charged blade! This time, Iridescent kicked the container and she sailed away through the air like she was made of paper. She grabbed onto the catwalk and swung herself up on top of it, balancing perfectly on the railing with a smirk.

"Your Semblance," Jaune realized, "You can control your density!"

"Ooh, you've gotten a lot sharper!" Iridescent cheered, clapping her hands together in childish glee, "You always did struggle, didn't you dear? Without Gato holding your hand."

She smirked at him.

"Tell me… Do you still see him dying when you close your eyes at night-?"

Jaune lunged, again enhancing his leap with his Aura, as he slashed the catwalk in half right under Iridescent. The dark skinned woman leaped and floated away from the collapsing section, landing on another catwalk section where a group of White Fang goons still kept their weapons trained on him.

"I guess you do," Iridescent cooed. "I understand, darling. It's a sensitive topic. There are better sensitive things," she licked her lips, "To touch on."

The White Fang members opened up with their guns, as Iridescent leaped up again and clambered up into the spider web of rusting iron supports above their heads. Jaune roared and leaped up onto the catwalk, charging through the guards with his shield as a battering ram as he chased after the laughing mad woman.

The White Fang guards kept firing, but Jaune didn't even spare the shots a second thought as he knocked them over the railings or slammed them into the walls. He was pretty sure he didn't kill any of them, judging from their cries and shouts of pain, but it was hard to focus on anything but getting that bitch.

She landed on another catwalk, this one going across the docking area's middle section. Jaune plowed through another squad of White Fang flunkies, tossing one off his back with contemptuous ease, as he sprinted for her.

"Oh, so eager darling!" Iridescent giggled… Before she slammed her foot into the steel grating. The catwalk came apart, and she leaped with lower density to float above him. Jaune dropped like a rock, slamming his shoulder onto the concrete and rolling himself back to his feet. He looked up, just in time to see Iridescent lift up a section of the catwalk with a manic grin.

"Let me return the favor!"

She threw it. Jaune was going to flee… But the fallen White Fang members around him made him plant his feet and hold his shield up. The catwalk hit so hard it felt like his teeth might shake out of his skull, but he tanked it. He tossed it aside, as the fallen White Fang members managed to get to their feet and flee out various exit doors.

"Ooh, you're durable!" Iridescent cooed, "Good to know! Makes things so much interesting~!"

"What the hell do you want, you crazy bitch?!" Jaune demanded. Iridescent grinned, and leaped off the catwalk. She floated over to the top of one of the large cargo containers, and tapped her chin.

"Mmm… I don't get to check in with my beloved?"

"I hate you," Jaune growled, "You mean nothing to me beyond that!"

"Don't they say the true opposite of love isn't hatred, it's apathy?" Iridescent taunted, playfully pushing her breasts together, "Admit it. I get your heart racing. Your blood pumping. When you think of me, all other considerations vanish. You tried so hard to escape me, but…"

She sighed, resting her fingers on either side of her face as she looked upon him with a hungry expression.

"Without me… You'd be that same boring little boy who thought he could become a hero. With me, you're who you truly are."

Iridescent sucked on her finger briefly with a moan, before she smiled.

"A killer."

Jaune took some deep breaths to try and calm himself, but it was only doing so much. He kept his focus on the object of his rage.

"You're the only one dying tonight," Jaune snarled.

He made to charge again, but Iridescent smiled.

"Now now… Don't be so quick to end things now. It was just getting fun!"

"I'm ending this right now," Jaune retorted.

Iridescent sighed, and shook her head with what she probably thought was an indulgent smile. It made his blood boil.

"If you insist. It has been a while, hasn't it. I suppose I do need to establish who the real center of your life is. And to do that, I'll have to spoil you~!"

She stood up and spread her arms.

"Free hit."

Jaune stopped, and stared up at the insane woman.

"What?"

"Free hit," Iridescent cooed, "With your most powerful move."

"You're insane," Jaune growled. Iridescent giggled.

"Insane with love for you," she cooed, "I need to prove that I'm still the girl for you! All those whores you've surrounded yourself with-They've led you astray!"

"They haven't-YOU'RE CRAZY!" Jaune seethed. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLANNING?!"

Iridescent giggled again, and spun around.

"Oh Jaune, such passion! It makes me want to spoil you even more~! But really darling, no tricks~! I just want to see your true power, your true passion. Free of those ingrates who took you from me~."

The faces of his team, his friends, flashed before his eyes. Jaune managed to get his rage back under control, and he shook his head.

"I'm not playing with you," Jaune growled. Iridescent sighed.

"Really? You were talking about avenging your dear old cat mentor. I really must thank him-Without him, we wouldn't be together~!"

Jaune's grip on his weapons tightened.

She smirked down at him.

"But in the end… His part is done in all this. I'm what you should be focusing on, dear. I'm alive… And he's dead."

Her smirk grew.

"You got him killed because you weren't strong enough," she cooed.

Jaune's vision went red, as his Aura crackled along his sword.

"Don't worry, darling," Iridescent simpered, as Jaune's blade glowed like it was a filament in a lightbulb, "I know you're strong enough… Gato thought you were."

She grinned.

"So prove it."

He pushed as much Aura into Crocea Mors as he could, and swung the blade. The Golden Lion's Roar exploded, and everything turned white.

- - -

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Blake had thought she was good friends with Ilia back in the White Fang. She'd always been willing to lend an ear, to listen to her and her issues. She'd always offered encouragement to Blake, and always agreed with whatever Blake said. Her body language was always open, demure and disarming. Ilia had been nothing but quiet and reserved, gentle really.

The sheer bitterness and rage in her movements now as she swung her whip furiously was completely alien. Blake dodged, weaved, and avoided the strikes as best she could in the tight, enclosed space. Her whip cut deep gouges in the concrete walls and burned through the piles of paperwork. Blake grimaced in dismay and tried to dash out the door into the hallway.

Yang had punched her way out before her, and was fighting the fox Faunus-One of the Albain twins, Blake believed, though she couldn't tell which one.

Yang tried to close the range, but every time she got close, the Fox Faunus unleashed another blast of wind or ice Dust to drive her back. She switched to her shotguns, but the Fox Faunus threw up Ice chunks to deflect the shots.

The whip cracked near her ears, and Blake narrowly avoided the hit. She looked back at her opponent, the furious Ilia.

"You think we would just forget you?" Ilia snarled. "You think we'd just let you go?!"

"I had to leave!" Blake shouted back, "I'm-I'm trying to fix things-!"

"You abandoned us!" Ilia shouted, and swung her whip into a spiral. Lightning flashed and crackled from the weapon, and Blake fell back with Shadow Clones forming to take the shots. Blake dashed around, but got hit by one of the stray arcs.

"URK!"

She landed in a roll in the wider hallway, and got right back up, firing Gambol Shroud's pistol at Ilia. The chameleon faded from view, her camouflage ability hiding her as she dashed around. Blake tried to follow her by her footsteps, as she always did before, but Yang's fight with the Fox Faunus man and the tight hallway made that impossible. She backflipped just in time to escape the crack of Ilia's whip again.

"Running off and joining these-these damn humans!" Ilia snarled. "We gave you a home! We gave you a family-!"

Blake's emotions were already running wild over this entire situation. Her old dear friend, someone she had been so close to, screaming at her like this and filled with so much hatred…

"Like Tukson was?" Blake shouted back. "You murdered him!"

Ilia wasn't foolish enough to pause her attacks, but her strikes slowed a bit.

"We-He was a traitor-!"

"He never told anyone anything!" Blake snarled. "He just wanted to live in peace?! Did he deserve to die?!"

Ilia hesitated.

"I-!"

"GAH!"

Blake felt Yang slam into her back, and they tumbled to the ground. They got back up quickly, just in time for Yang to block a blast of wind from the tall Fox Faunus.

"Nngh…! Hey KitKat, wanna switch dance partners?" Yang suggested.

Blake nodded.

"Fine by me," she grunted. She dashed for Albain, who glared at her.

"I'll handle this traitor," he stated coldly, swinging his Dagger and summoning up blasts of Ice and Wind Dust. He was used to fighting at range, to keeping his opponents at a distance. For a straightforward fighter like Yang, this was a serious issue.

For Blake? Not as much, as her Shadow Clones dashed about and drew Albain's ice and wind.

"GET BACK HERE!" Ilia screamed. "WE'RE NOT DONE-!"

Yang charged her, and the chameleon Faunus lashed her whip out at Yang. The blonde brawler held out her left arm and let it wrap around it.

"I guess I'll kill your bimbo friend FIRST!" Ilia growled, as she channeled a massive blast of Lightning Dust through her whip.

"UGH! UNNNNGH!" Yang bellowed, throwing her head back.

"She'll learn just what kind of a friend Blake Belladonna is-!" Ilia snarled, before Yang's chin descended. Her hair glowed bright like the sun, and her eyes burned bright red as she smirked.

"Just kidding~," Yang grinned, yanking Ilia forward by her whip. The chameleon Faunus's eyes went wide just before Yang uppercutted her right up into the ceiling with a loud thud!

"GRAH!"

"It's worse than you think," Yang shouted with a wicked grin, pulling her fist back as Ilia fell back down, "She's dating a blond human stud! She's gonna have his half-human babies!"

Blake glanced back momentarily, though she kept dodging around Albain's Wind Dust blasts.

Ilia's jaw dropped and her eyes widened as she fell.

"WHA-?!"

Just as Yang's fist met her face and sent her flying down the hallway through the concrete wall.

Albain, for his part, gaped in shock at this loud revelation.

"L-LADY BLAKE?! You can't possibly-?!"

He thrust his dagger forward to intersect the black cat Faunus who had been dashing for him… Only for it to go right through a Shadow Clone. He scanned around quickly but not quick enough-Blake's Gambol Shroud came down hard on the back of his head. He staggered forward as Blake struck him several times. He swung his dagger back to hit her, unleashing a Wind Dust blast at point blank range.

Blake leaped up over this shot, and emptied her pistol into his face. He fell back, arms up to block the shots. Blake lashed out with Gambol Shroud and yanked his dagger away. He seethed, then felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He looked back.

Yang grinned.

"Hey."

Yang unleashed a barrage of Aura powered punches into Albain, pummeling him back into the wall. Blake finished him off with a double kick right into his face, smashing him into the brickwork. Yang let loose a furious haymaker which sent the fox faunus through to the street outside.

Yang pulled her arm back, and took deep breaths. Blake glared at her.

"Was that necessary?" She asked.

"What? Pummeling him, or telling your ex-girlfriend you're dating a human guy?" Yang quipped.

"The last part," Blake groused, running back to the record room. Her face fell at all the burning paperwork. She frantically sorted through the piles, trying to find anything salvageable.

"Hey," Yang shrugged, "It worked, didn't it?"

Blake turned around, and held up Gambol Shroud. Yang's eyelid twitched as Blake fired.

"ACK!"

Ilia fell back, her camouflage failing as the Dust round hit her right in the forehead. The Chameleon Faunus staggered, tried to get back up, but Yang's Aura powered kick got her right in the side of her head. It sent her slamming into the floor, hard.

"Nice shot," Yang complimented her. Blake sighed, and lowered her weapon.

"I wish I didn't have to take it," she whispered, turning back to the financial documents. Yang bit her lower lip.

"Yeah… Anyway, we should really call everyone else and get out of here-"

Blake's ears twitched. She heard something big, loud, and powerful tearing through the-!

"MOVE!" Blake screamed, carrying what she could, dashing up to Yang, and tackling her to the floor just before a massive blast of golden-white Aura ripped the room apart!

- - -

The Fox Faunus wielded a Dust Projecting Dagger. He unleashed blasts of Wind and Fire, keeping Nora, Ren, and Sun at a distance. Between them and the White Fang goons firing their rifles on them, it was a complicated tactical situation.

Not the worst Nora had ever been in, but it was going to require a lot more than just blasting or exploding things. Which was very inconvenient!

"YEEHA!" Nora leaped high into the air and unleashed a volley of Dust Grenades. They exploded short of the target, the Fox Faunus unleashing waves of wind to detonate them prematurely. Nora scowled, even as her attack let Renny and Sunny get in close.

They fought the Fox Faunus at close range, but he moved so quickly he was able to deflect and dodge their blows. And now she couldn't blast them without blasting Renny!

And Sunny too, she supposed.

She blushed a bit as she landed on the floor, and a dreamy look came over her face as she watched her dear Renny in action. He was such an incredible fighter, even at this distance! And that kiss…!

"DIE YOU-!"

She backhanded the White Fang operative who tried to jump her from behind, and sighed softly.

Maybe after this fight we can… Can do more kissing? So much kissing…!

The building shook violently, and Ren looked away from the Fox Faunus. His eyes widened.

"NORA GET DOWN-!" He shouted, just before the Fox Faunus struck him hard in the back with his dagger.

"RENNY!" Nora screamed, just as the far wall exploded with golden energy. She charged through the blast, but was knocked back and flung through the air into a wall!

- - -

Ruby dash around the trashed dance floor, shifting from superspeed mode only long enough to fire crowd Ice Dust rounds. They exploded into Ice flowers, trapping or tripping up the thugs as Ruby shot by like a rocket. She got her eyes on Pyrrha-She was still fighting that Slick guy!

Ruby slid to a stop nearby the two whirling fighting, and lifted up Crescent Rose. She narrowed her eyes as she loaded a Fire Dust round-

"Can't let you interfere, Red!" Roman called out, firing Fire Dust rounds at Ruby at point blank range. Ruby groaned as she dissolved into petals. She reappeared on a catwalk overlooking the factory floor, and returned fire with Crescent Rose. Roman dodged around her shots, expertly firing his cane right back.

How is it whenever I try to help Pyrrha, he's right there?! Ruby thought angrily.

"You can't win against me, Roman!" Ruby shouted, switching Crescent Rose to scythe mode. She jumped back into superspeed and zipped back down, aiming to attack Roman from the right side! She swung from overhead for Roman's chest, but he was able to slap it away with Melodic Cudgel as he dodged to the right. He tossed up a canister that burst into white light and loud sound!

"GAH!" She cried out, using her Semblance to get some distance. She blinked rapidly through the burning afterimages and the ringing in her ears.

I-I can't see-!

She felt heat, and held up Crescent Rose out of instinct to block. Her sniper scythe took a shot, but another hit her right in the chest and she was blown off her feet.

"AUGH!"

She slammed into a pile of hard metal somethings, and pain filled her back.

She frantically rubbed her teary eyes, but nothing came through!

I can't see… I can't see…!

Her frantic thoughts slowed.

Wait… What if I…?

She managed to push past the pain, and focused her Aura to her eyes. The words in her mother's journal came to her:

"While experimenting, I tried channeling the Aura into my eyes. That's when everything changed. The world became one of a multitude of colors, and dark shapes moving around and through that color. The Grimm were as dark in this world as in the regular one, so it was easy to spot them. Humans and Faunus though were dark shapes with outlines of color, as varied as the rainbow. It is the Aura Sight. It allows us to see the very soul of Remnant. It also showed me how much the Grimm do not belong-For they had no souls to light the world with."

Bright humanoid-shaped outlines, each a different bright color, filled her field of vision. One whose outline suggested a bowler hat and cane loomed over her, a cane burning with orange light held at her chest. She swung furiously for him, and he jumped back in shock. She got back up, and slowly his smug, stupid face reappeared in the Aura outline as her normal vision returned.

Her hearing slowly got back to normal too. Just enough to make out Roman's banter.

"-something else, can see why the Kid likes you-"

What?! Who?! Ruby thought, but she focused. She charged, then flipped up over Roman and swung Crescent Rose for his back. He jumped away and twisted around, unleashing another Fire Dust round at her. She turned into a cloud of petals and reappeared on his flank, having to dodge around some fire from his White Fang flunkies.

Her vision wasn't back to one hundred percent, but she was able to fire another Ice Dust round and freeze the cluster of goons firing on her. She then zipped right up in front of Roman and swung! He tried to block with his cane, but she knocked Melodic Cudgel right out of his hands. He held them up and smiled nervously at Ruby.

"Er… So, Red, how about we talk this out and-?"

His eyes widened as he stared behind her.

"Oh shit."

Is he serious? Ruby thought with a scoff, He's really trying that-?

KABOOM!

She looked back and gaped as a massive (and familiar) golden-white energy blast erupted through the far wall behind the stage. It raced through the industrial floor and threw everyone off their feet. Roman threw himself out of the way, as Ruby used her Semblance to escape the Golden Lion's Roar. It was so bright in her enhanced vision, it nearly blinded her again!

Yet she didn't worry about that.

Jaune! He must be in trouble! I need to-!

She came out of superspeed right near a barrel of Dust. A barrel that exploded from proximity to the Aura explosion. Ruby was blasted through a window and tumbled onto the hard pavement outside.

Owww…!

She managed to get back up onto her feet, despite how her head was ringing and how messed up her Aura felt.

"Ugh… Geez…" Ruby mumbled, "I thought Aura protected against flashbangs…"

"YOU'RE DEAD, GIRLY!"

Ruby spun around and faced the speaker-A mistake. The flashbang went off in her face and she shut her eyes tightly. Her Aura Sight let her make out five Aura figures in front of her. From their levels, they were normal civilians… But they had Dust guns. Which they held up and fired.

The Dust Rounds exploded around her like tiny stars igniting. She spun Crescent Rose to deflect the shots, and grit her teeth. She was tired, and as much as she used her Semblance, her Aura was now being divided between healing her, her eyes, and letting her fight!

Oh geez…!

Five arrows slammed into them from above, slamming all five White Fang operatives into the pavement. Their Auras vanished, leaving only the dark outlines.

Her stomach seemed to fall into an endless abyss as she stared at them.

Soulless… Black… No souls… No light… No souls…!

Ruby felt sick.

O-Oh Gods…!

Ruby managed to get her eyes open and gaped in horror at the lifeless bodies before her. It was even worse now, seeing the blood oozing onto the pavement, how still they were…

"Wh-What… What…?"

She collapsed onto her knees. A dark figure appeared, with a menacing purple and blue Aura outline. He turned to her and shook his head.

"You need to be more careful, young one," he murmured in a pleasant baritone, "Given your heritage."

Ruby fell forward, feeling sick and overwhelmed. She threw up and felt chilled to her bones.

"Oh no…" Were the last words she heard before everything went black.

Not again…! She thought angrily. Not when my friends are in trouble...! No...!

NO!

- - -

Updated.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

The backlash of Golden Lion's Roar was always the worst part. It made Jaune's arm burn like he'd been on fire, he was left panting for breath, and even after training with Ren and Pyrrha to improve his Aura control? He still felt drained.

Now though… As he saw the devastation caused by the blast, the collapsing roof, the falling walls, a new feeling about his most powerful attack entered Jaune's mind:

Guilt.

He yanked out his Scroll and hit the mass call button.

"Ruby! Pyrrha! Ren! Yang! Nora! Weiss! Blake! Sun! Anyone?!"

Static was all he got back. He grit his teeth.

Damnit… Damnit…!

The clouds of smoke began to clear, as debris fell from the ceiling. The walls were groaning uncomfortably. Jaune looked back towards the impact point of Golden Lion's Roar, and could see what was left of the containers just peeking out.

He couldn't see anything beyond burned and cracked metal on the red, green, and blue containers. He tightened his grip on Crocea Mors, and took heavy, deep breaths.

Did… Did I kill her?

As much as he had desired this… Jaune felt empty as he looked over the wreckage. He didn't know if that was a good or bad thing-

A luminous glow filled the smoke cloud, shaped like a translucent, convex disk.

Ah, his mental Gato voice returned, A hardlight Dust shield! That's new.

Jaune's eyes widened.

Oh fu-

The containers exploded, and a gigantic mass blasted through the smoke right for him. A huge metallic two-pronged claw reached out and closed around him like a vice. His arms were pinned to his sides as his ribs creaked, and he let out a loud cry.

A massive Atlasian mecha stared at him, a viewscreen on the front. It turned translucent, and Iridescent's face appeared. She was blushing deeply, and licked her lips as she squeezed Jaune's body.

"AUGH!"

"Oh, darling~! You spoil me," Iridescent cooed over the speakers, as she licked her lips, "You really did go all out! If I didn't slip into this, I'd have been utterly destroyed."

"You…!" Jaune growled and struggled against the mechanical grip. Servos and hydraulics whined against his strength, but held him tight.

"Now now, sweetie," Iridescent clucked, shaking her head, "Did you think I'd settle for anything but the best? You've ruined me for everyone else, darling~. That fire to grow stronger, more powerful! Oh, it's simply wonderful!"

Rocket boosters activated on the giant mecha, and it flew through the air. It smashed right through the nearest wall, sending the rest of the docking facility collapsing with a roar as bricks and dust filled the air. They flew towards the overpass highway, and for a brief moment Jaune was terrified she was going to crash into it with its hundreds of innocent commuters-!

At the last moment, she dove underneath it. Nothing but a few abandoned cars and piles of rubbish greeted them.

Iridescent slammed the mecha down hard onto the pavement, and slammed Jaune with her as she skidded to a halt. The asphalt cracked, and Jaune screamed.

"Doing this in public is a bit embarrassing, but that venue was a little too wrecked by your passion, lover~," Iridescent went on with a smirk. She let Jaune go with the claw, and he sucked in a breath-Only for her foot to slam down and dig a crater with his body.

"AUGH!" Jaune yelled, as Iridescent tittered.

"So darling, what does it feel like?" She crooned. "Fighting for your life? Letting your passions run wild? Nothing left but to do or die before you?"

Her grin widened.

"It's what you LIVE FOR!"

Jaune gritted his teeth and glared up at her. He rummaged around his belt. It was a miracle his ever present pouches and their contents hadn't been crushed, but that's not what he was looking for. His fingers touched the hilt of Levigato, and he yanked out his dagger. It glowed as he charged his Aura. He thrust the dagger into the armor, his brute strength letting him start dragging it through the thick armor.

I'm at about fifty percent, but maybe…!

Iridescent fired a burst from the mecha's lighter machine guns. The rounds fell like steel rain onto him, and Jaune grit his teeth against the onslaught.

"Nothing to say, baby?" Iridescent asked mocking, as she ceased fire. "Nothing for the woman who made you who you are today?"

She smirked and dug her heel into Jaune's chest. The pain was unimaginable.

"AARRGH!"

"That's it, let me hear you scream!" Iridescent panted like a bitch in heat.

Jaune looked up, feeling his floating ribs buckle as he tried not to cry out. He tried to grab onto Levigato again, pulse more Aura into it! He got a hold, but Iridescent just opened up with the guns again!

Damnit… Damnit… This is my fault, he thought, All my fault… My friends might be dead… My fault… It's all my own damn fault…!

Black Aura burst to life around the Atlasian mecha, and its armor cracked. The whole vehicle was forced backwards. Jaune yanked his dagger out of the mecha's foot, and forced himself to his feet. He looked up, and his eyes widened as his heart leaped.

"PYRRHA!"

The redheaded Amazon stood on top of an abandoned car, looking a little worse for wear but focused on the Atlasian mech with a fiery determination. Both her hands were outstretched and burning with black Aura energy. Jaune ran towards her, as the Atlasian mecha strained loudly against the force of magnetism holding it captive.

"J-Jaune!" Pyrrha gasped. "Sorry I'm late… I was a bit held up…!"

"YOU!" Iridescent snarled over the speakers, stomping the mecha's feet like an angry child, "YOU WHORE! SLICK!"

A tall man in blue pinstripes, a fedora, and a black gasmask slid up out of nowhere, looking utterly impeccable from his polished shoes to his stylish cane.

"Yes, Lady Iridescent?" He asked calmly, even as Jaune caught his breath and Pyrrha grunted to hold the mecha at bay with her Semblance.

"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO KEEP THEM FROM INTERFERING!" Iridescent raged.

Slick was unfazed. He glanced at Pyrrha, almost boredly, before he shrugged.

"I apologize, Lady Iridescent," he stated, "But the building collapsed and I lost her in the dust-"

"I DON'T CARE!" Iridescent bellowed. "THIS WAS MY TIME WITH MY JAUNE! NO ONE ELSE'S!"

"HE'S NOT YOURS!" Pyrrha shouted angrily back.

"HE WAS MINE BEFORE YOU SET EYES ON HIM, YOU SKANK!" Iridescent roared. "HE'S MINE! BODY! HEART! SOUL! ONLY I CAN BRING OUT HIS TRUE SELF! A MERCILESS KILLER! WE BELONG TOGETHER!"

Pyrrha stared in shock and horror at the ranting woman… Before her eyes narrowed.

"You," she growled, "You're why he's so hurt. You're why he's…!"

Normally, Jaune would be terrified at seeing Pyrrha so furious. And yet…

She's like this… For me? Jaune thought, his heart skipping a beat.

Pyrrha strained as she brought her hands together-Or at least tried. Iridescent's mecha began to glow brighter as the Amazon pushed more power into it.

"She's fighting me! It's just too much mass to-to control!" Pyrrha gasped. "How's your Aura?"

"I can hit her with one more Golden Lion's Roar," Jaune managed, even as his Aura healed his ribs.

"Do it-!"

Slick blurred, and Jaune barely got his shield up in time to block cane strikes so fast and hard it felt like a machine gun was being unloaded on him!

"JAUNE!" Pyrrha cried. That momentary distraction allowed Iridescent's mecha to move. Its cannons opened up, and Slick, Jaune, and Pyrrha ran in different directions to avoid the fire.

"SLICK! GET OUT OF HERE!" Iridescent bellowed angrily, barely audible over the harsh roar of the cannon fire.

"Lady-!"

"NOW!" Iridescent shouted. Slick sighed, and vanished as quickly as he appeared.

Jaune and Pyrrha ran towards the far part of the underpass, the cannon rounds blasting up asphalt and concrete shrapnel. They held up their shields as the debris struck them from all sides. Pyrrha looked around, saw the apartment buildings and heard the traffic overhead…

"Get in close!" Jaune shouted. "We gotta take her out!"

"On it!" Pyrrha shouted. They split up, running in different directions before turning and charging Iridescent from opposite directions. Iridescent divided her fire, seething over the loudspeakers.

"You can't just-!"

Jaune dove in front of Pyrrha as they got to mid-range. She ducked behind his shield and switched Milo to rifle mode. Bracing her rifle on his shoulder (which he held steady through sheer willpower), she fired several shots on the mecha. She hit what looked like its sensors with pinpoint accuracy, making Iridescent swing its weapons around furiously and without accuracy.

"HOMEWRECKER!" Iridescent seethed. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU!"

Missile launchers activated on the back of the huge mecha. Jaune could count about fifty individual cells in the launcher boxes, and he grit his teeth.

Shit, that's a lot of firepower, but maybe we can-

"YOU DAMN WHORE! YOU WANT TO MAKE JAUNE INTO SOME KIND OF HERO, DON'T YOU?!" Iridescent snarled.

"I WANT TO BE A HERO!" Jaune shouted back.

"THIS WHORE LED YOU ASTRAY, DEAR!" Iridescent shouted. "THERE ARE NO HEROES. ONLY PREDATOR… AND PREY. ONLY IDIOTS CARE ABOUT PREY!"

The laser designators for the missiles lit up. Jaune and Pyrrha tracked where they were focused on. Jaune's jaw dropped.

"No! Iridescent, don't-!"

Iridescent fired the missiles, and all fifty of the projectiles burst forth, turned, and screamed right for the apartment complexes!

- - -

Ruby came to the feeling of Aura flowing into her. She started and jerked awake. She saw a pale visage with a scar over one eye, framed by platinum blonde hair, and felt strong arms holding her up as she sat on rough pavement. She could make out a tanned face framed by blue hair, also looking worried.

"Ruby? Ruby, are you all right?" Weiss asked urgently. "Speak to me!"

"Come on kid, wake up!" Neptune said, as the sounds of sirens began to wail in the distance.

"Ugh… I… What… What happened?" Ruby managed, looking down. She could see Weiss pressing a Healing Dust Emitter to her stomach. It resembled a groomer brush with a strap to hold the oval-shaped business end against the palm. "Wait, you're healing me?"

Weiss flushed, and scowled.

"I do know how to use Healing Dust. It's Dust, I'm an expert at-"

"Why are you here?! What happened?!" Ruby demanded.

"Well, the factory exploded," Neptune deadpanned, "So I think that was a good reason to get out here."

"We found you outside with some Healing Dust and an emitter," Weiss went on, "Do you know why you had those with you? Or by you?"

Ruby's heart pounded in her chest and ears. She looked around. Those bodies were still there, lying amidst all the rubble and refuse kicked up by the collapse of the old factory. Piles of bricks and masonry were everywhere amidst damaged, naked supports and ragged remaining walls.

Her eyes just kept going to the dead bodies of the White Fang goons. Yes… Yes, they had been trying to kill her… But seeing the light go right out of their bodies and leave them like Grimm…

The dead… They're dead…

"Ruby," Weiss murmured, "Ruby… It's all right."

She shifted a bit to block Ruby's view of the bodies, and looked into her eyes.

"It's all right… You're our leader. Now, what do we do?"

Ruby sucked in a deep breath. Her heart rate slowed, just a little.

She knew where she was.

Ruby sprang to her feet, and scanned around. She pushed her Aura into her eyes again. The world darkened, but points of bright light began to appear amidst the rubble of the fallen factory.

Points of bright light that might fade away and go black, too, if she didn't do something right now.

"Come on!" Ruby shouted, charging in. Weiss and Neptune followed, too shocked to really disobey.

"Ruby, we need to wait for the rescue teams-!"

"Weiss! Gravity Dust, right there!" Ruby shouted, pointing at a pile near where the main entrance had been. Weiss was shocked, but slammed the required canister into Myrtenaster and unleashed a Purple shockwave. The bricks rose up, higher, higher…

A massive yellow Aura blast threw the rest away. Out of this rubble emerged Yang and Blake-Blake was clutching a few thick binders of documents in her left arm as she supported Yang with the right.

"YANG! BLAKE!" Ruby cried.

"Ugh, hey sis," Yang managed, as Ruby hugged her tightly. She grunted at the touch, but patted Ruby's head. "We really brought the house down, huh?"

"Please, no," Blake muttered. Yang snickered.

"What? It fell like a ton of bricks!"

"Weiss, heal them!" Ruby ordered. She dashed to another point of light. "Neptune! Get over here! Use your Water Semblance!"

"Wait, hang on-"

"THERE'S NO TIME!" Ruby shouted. "GET OVER HERE!"

Neptune complied as though pulled by a chain sickle. He summoned up water and sent it underneath the rubble. He grit his teeth as the bricks rumbled. He moved his hands upwards, and the bricks and debris began to float.

Neptune grunted, his brow beginning to sweat as he focused.

"Come on, come on…!" He growled.

"HEY!" Ruby shouted. "HEY! WHOEVER'S DOWN THERE, WE'RE HERE! COME UP!"

A massive pink Dust blast went off, scattering Ruby and Neptune with loud cries. Sun Wukong emerged, bloodied and bruised, as he carried Ren and Nora under his arms. He had used Magnhild, and dragged it along.

"SUN!" Blake shouted, and she rushed over to him. Yang and Weiss followed, as Sun panted and gently set both Ren and Nora down on the rubble.

"Ren! Nora!" Ruby gasped. "WEISS!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Weiss insisted, quickly kneeling down. She pressed the Healing Dust Emitter against Nora's bloodied, bruised body first. Ren opened his eyes first, his pink Aura flickering to life.

"Haa… Nora? Where's-?!"

"She's here! She's alive," Ruby insisted, holding him down. He pushed against her, and sat up. He looked down at the unconscious form of his best friend, grimacing deeply. His hand went out and he grasped Nora's hand.

"Nora… Nora, I-URK!"

Nora's fist clenched tightly around his hand, and she sat up fast. Weiss yelped, thrown back.

"I'M ALIVE!" Nora cheered. She then scowled at Sun, who was being held up by Blake. "You touched my hammer!"

"Sorry, had to save our lives," Sun grunted. Nora grumbled, but then brightened and smiled cheerfully.

"I forgive you! Thanks for the kiss!"

"What?!" Ren blurted out, as everyone else stared.

"What kiss?" Yang asked, eyebrows waggling.

"Not with him," Nora scoffed, "With Renny! Our first~!" She beamed and nuzzled him. Ren coughed.. Then coughed up blood.

"Oh right, heal him!" Nora demanded, grabbing Weiss and dragging her over into Ren's lap.

"OOF! Don't treat me like that-!"

"Complain later, heal now!" Nora demanded. She looked around, and, as though seeing them for the first time, smiled and waved her hand.

"Hey Ruby! Hey Blakey! Hey Yang-Yang! Hey…"

She stared at Neptune. Neptune scowled back.

"Neptune?"

"Sure!" Nora said cheerfully. She turned to Ruby.

"Where's Jaune-Jaune and Pyrrha?"

Loud gunfire and explosions filled the air. Ruby's Aura Sight let her see the action, no matter how many ruins were between them and the action.

A giant, luminous mechanical device, burning with luminous Aura, was confronting two smaller Aura signatures. One burned a strange white and black, but it was comfortingly familiar. The other was golden yellow, burning like a bonfire.

"Over there!" Ruby shouted, all ready to speed over to the rescue. "We need to-!

Forever Fall again appeared in her mind. She stopped herself, and took a deep breath.

There were many other little lights under the rubble, too. Maybe they were White Fang… But after what she'd seen…

"Weiss! Neptune! Heal everyone else up! Get anyone else out of the rubble!" Ruby shouted, as she saw emergency service vehicles driving up to the scene. "And when we're done-"

"Smashy time!" Nora cheered.

Ruby grinned at her fellow redhead.

"YEAH!"

- - -


The missiles… Were a bit of an issue. Pyrrha had to channel most of her considerable Aura into her Semblance, and the black energy answered by ensnaring all of the screaming projectiles. She dropped Milo and stretched out her wide open hands, so she could concentrate everything she had into keep the fifty missiles in place above her. Their Dust powered rocket motors were very loud, and after the flashbangs from before she was a little disoriented.

She looked around and spotted Jaune on her right side, charging up his sword. Ahead of them was Iridescent in the mecha, the guns on the giant military robot audibly charging up.

"JAUNE! GET DOWN!" Pyrrha screamed. Jaune looked back at her in shock.

"PYRRHA-!"

Polarity let her know that slugs of hyper dense metal were screaming through the air for her. She could sense them, tell their trajectories through long practice. She was able to shift herself just enough that one shot past, grazing her side. The next hit her stomach, but her weakened Aura just barely managed to absorb the hit, though the pain was immeasurable.

Next hit… No Aura left… The missiles…! Channel it!

Pyrrha tried to move to the side, tried to do anything, even as she moved her Aura away to prevent it breaking.

The shots struck and drove her back. She slammed up against something sharp.

She felt an explosion of pain, and then a horrible numbness. She looked down, and saw a chunk of metal poking out of her stomach as blood oozed out of her torso. She blinked at it, as her knees shook. The missiles still roared overhead, straining to escape her Semblance.

Oh dear… That might be… A problem… She thought as she tried to focus on the missiles and not the chunk of metal piercing through her stomach.

- - -

A scream tore its way out of Jaune's mouth.

"PYRRHA!"

Gut shots. Gut shots were the worst injuries by far in a hospital. Even with Aura healing, if it wasn't addressed right away, septic shock could still be fatal.

The fact Pyrrha was still on her feet, her arms up, her Aura flaring as she kept the missiles from hitting anything, was nothing short of a miracle. Just like her.

"H-Hit her, Jaune!" Pyrrha gasped, despite the fact her diaphragm had likely been hit, "T-Take her down!"

Jaune looked away at Iridescent. She was smirking in the Paladin mech's cockpit, powering up another barrage. He looked at his sword, burning with power. One more Golden Lions' Roar, and he could finish her.

"COME ON, LOVER!" Iridescent bellowed, "SHE'S OCCUPIED! IT'S JUST YOU, AND ME! OR WILL BE!"

He could kill Iridescent, like he'd almost done in the docking area. She'd be dead and… And Pyrrha…

Minutes. She had minutes. At best. Even with her Aura, disease and illness from the septic shock would kill her. The surest fire way to save her was with the Aura energy burning in his sword. The means to save her… The means to kill Iridescent…

"JAUNE!" Pyrrha gasped out. "TAKE THE SHOT!"

"COME ON!" Iridescent shouted, licking her lips.

It was what he wanted, wasn't it? The perfect opportunity to kill Iridescent. To get his revenge. To get justice for Gato.

Why won't you tell me anything, Gato?! He thought frantically. WHY?!

Because you know what the right answer is, Jaune, a voice spoke in his head, not quite Gato but still intimately familiar. As though spoken into his ear while a strong hand rested on his shoulder. You always have.

You want to be a hero, right?

The Paladin's rotary cannon spun up again… Pyrrha grit her teeth and glared into the oncoming barrage…

Jaune dropped his sword and ran, diving in front of her with his shield up. Even with Aura enhancement, Crocea Mors took dents from the high velocity slugs as Jaune stood in front of Pyrrha. The redheaded Amazon gaped at him in shock.

"J-Jaune, your shot-!"

"Shut the hell up, Pyrrha!" Jaune growled, "If I don't get to martyr myself then you sure as hell don't either!"

Thanks to long practice, he found the canister of Healing Dust and jammed it into the emitter without looking and with only one hand. Still taking fire and being forced back, Jaune swung his arm back and pressed it against her gaping stomach wound and the metal that pierced her.

"YAAAHH!" Jaune bellowed, channeling all the Aura he could spare through the Healing Dust into Pyrrha. She screamed as well, her aura flaring behind him, black and yet somehow bright.

He somehow heard the metal spike fall from her wound. He managed to glance back: Through the hole in her armor, only smooth skin and awesome abs were visible. Her eyes had rolled into the back of her head.

"Pyrrha?! PYRRHA!"

Her Aura surged, and she flung her hands forward. Puppeteered by her power, the fifty missiles turned around and, while without Dust propulsion, flew right into the gigantic Paladin mecha. Its pilot screamed.

"WHAT-?!"

Jaune was able to see Iridescent's eyes widen almost comically and the glow of its hardlight shield just before they all impacted.

KABOOM!

Jaune felt Pyrrha fall against him. He turned, pulled her all the way down onto the pavement, put himself between her and the mech, and put everything he had left into his shield.

"UGHHH!"

The impact of the shockwave blasted him back, skidding along the pavement. They slammed into an abandoned car, smashing in its door and shattering all the windows. Its alarm went off, which just made Jaune's headache worse. He groaned and opened his eyes.

A pillar of smoke and flame obscured the Paladin. Jaune turned his attention to Pyrrha. Her eyes were shut, and he shook her shoulder.

"Hey! Hey, Pyrrha!" Jaune shouted. "Pyrrha!"

Please, don't be dead, don't be dead…!

He checked her pulse-It was slow, but strong, and some tension left his entire body. He nearly dropped like a boneless fish when she opened her eyes.

"J-Jaune…?" He murmured.

"Hey," Jaune said with a smile. "How… How are you?"

"I'm… I'm okay," Pyrrha said. She smiled softly. "Aura… Aura's low… N-Never felt that before."

"Bet you haven't," Jaune laughed. He looked back over at the smoke and flames… And his heart dropped into his stomach. "Shit."

The Paladin mech slowly stepped through the flames. It was pretty beat up, but still operational. He could still see Iridescent through the smoke clouded cockpit glass. The hardlight shield flickered, then apparently died when a component on top of the Paladin burst into flames.

"Ooh… I suppose I could accept another in our relationship, lover," Iridescent said, "If she's gonna get that rough? Maybe… But you're not done yet."

Jaune took a deep breath. He took a few steps between himself and Pyrrha. He hefted up his shield, and glared down Iridescent.

"No," Jaune stated, "We're done. You're nothing to me, Iridescent. And I'm tired of you hanging over my life."

He flared his Aura, his gaze focused on her. Iridescent laughed mockingly.

"You'll never be rid of me, lover! I'll haunt your steps! I'll always be in your heart!"

"No," Jaune stated coldly, "You won't. Not… Not anymore."

"J-Jaune," Pyrrha tried.

"Stay down," Jaune ordered. He pulled out Levigato, and clenched his fist. He channeled Aura into it, and the little blade began to glow like a small star. He prepared to charge…

A massive blast of Ice Dust erupted, forming a barrier around the Paladin mech. A flurry of rose petals burst in front of it, and Ruby appeared with Crescent Rose aimed right for Iridescent's head.

"YAH!" Ruby shouted, firing multiple anti-material rounds into the mecha. A second later, Yang, burning like a small sun, charged in and punched the Paladin's left arm clean off. Blake and Sun appeared underneath, firing shots at the Paladin's joints and dancing around at high speed. Ren joined in, leaping artfully over the mech to take out the right arm joints. Ruby spun at it, and as a blur, slashed right through and took off the right arm.

"YOU!" Iridescent screamed. "GET AWAY! HE'S MINE! HE'S-!"

Nora dove down like an avenging angel, swinging Magnhild with all her might. She brought it down on the back end of the Paladin mecha, and unleashed the full grenade payload of her hammer.

BABOOM!

Nora flipped backwards, and everyone else managed to get clear as the power generator for the Paladin went up in gigantic blast. He watched Ren grab her out of mid air, and they landed safely. The rest of the teams came together in front of the burning mecha, Weiss and Neptune gracefully landing after jumping off the nearby bridge support structures. Jaune turned back and helped Pyrrha to her feet. She gratefully clung on, and they walked to meet them.

"You guys okay?" Ruby asked anxiously, reaching out to touch Jaune's chest.

"Pyrrha! Are you all right?" Weiss cried.

Pyrrha beamed and nodded.

"I'm fine," she said softly, "Just… Aura exhaustion. Jaune took good care of me."

"I sure hope he did!" Ruby said… Then blushed. "Oh… Ohhhh…"

"N-Not like that!" Pyrrha insisted, blushing a bit.

Yang smirked a little with a raised eyebrow. Weiss looked scandalized. Neptune' jealousy knew no bounds, which made Jaune smirk a bit back. Blake was hiding a smile, as was Ren, and Nora just hugged Jaune and Pyrrha tightly.

"Urk… Yeah…" He looked over at the flaming wreckage. He sighed.

"Yeah… We're done," he muttered.

"Hm?" Pyrrha asked. Jaune shook his head.

"Nothing… It's nothing."

- - -

There you go! A nice, big, action packed chunky update! All that's left is the epilogue for this arc, and then? Onto the next one!

Though with my new job beginning next week, I may have to slow down a bit. Sorry about that.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -


On the plus side, they didn't get arrested this time. The police even thanked them for assisting in the search and rescue of many White Fang members and innocent civilians trapped in the rubble.

The downside came when they returned to Beacon.

There was a small waiting room nearby Glynda Goodwitchs' office that the elder students all referred to as 'The Grimm Cage'. It was where you went before and after Professor Goodwitch took time out of her busy schedule to chew you out and tear you to shreds if you had fucked up sufficiently.

For over two hours, each individual member of Teams RWBY, JNPR, and SSSN (those who were present, anyway) was called into her office while everyone else waited. They then returned in a daze, upping the anxiety level of the next person called in.

Ruby and Yang clung to each other. Sun sat in a bewildered, haunted daze. Blake sat next to him, twitching as she resisted the urge to cry. Neptune was only resisting the urge to curl up in a ball and suck his thumb because Weiss was there. Weiss herself was fretting and trembling, even after her chewing out. Ren was stoic as always… Save for the blush as Nora cuddled up to him. Pyrrha was the only other person seemingly not affected, as her soft smile had not left her face since they'd returned.

"I didn't even do anything bad," Neptune mumbled again.

"She always finds something," Ruby shuddered. "Poor, poor Jaune."

Weiss looked over at Blake, who still stared into the distance.

"Blake?" She asked tentatively.

The cat Faunus shook her head.

"She called my parents," she mumbled.

Everyone winced. Sun squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

"It'll be okay, I promise," he said.

Blake shuddered again.

Finally, the door opened. Jaune walked out, his face grim, his motions slow. Despite his immense Aura… He looked exhausted in every way a person could imagine. All of his friends and comrades looked at him. Ruby and Yang were deeply concerned, as Pyrrha smiled encouragingly.

"So?" Nora prompted.

Jaune sighed, and looked at his friends tiredly.

"Guys? I… I'm sorry," he said, "This is my fault. I-I nearly got all of you-"

"It's my fault too," Blake insisted, standing up to stand by Jaune's side. "You shouldn't carry that burden all on your own."

Sun pouted a bit at this, but it went unnoticed.

"If you want me to step down as leader-" Jaune began, but Ruby shook her head.

"I don't think anyone wants that."

"No, we don't," Ren stated.

"Absolutely not," Pyrrha declared earnestly.

"It would be boring!" Nora grinned, as she nuzzled Ren. The stoic boy looked very flummoxed all of a sudden.

"Y-Yes… Agreed," Ren said.

"I did almost get all of you killed-" Jaune tried, but Yang's hard gaze stopped his mouth in its tracks.

"We chose to go with you," Yang stated firmly, "And after hearing that bitch yelling? I don't think any of us disagree that she needed to go down."

"After fighting her?" Pyrrha interjected, "I absolutely don't disagree."

Ruby tensed at that. Jaune looked over at her in concern. She slowly shook her head, and trembled again.

"I… I mean… They didn't find her body," she said carefully, "So…"

She trailed off, and a hard silence filled the room. Like the universe was holding its breath.

Jaune looked down at his feet, and then up at his friends.

"So," Jaune said quietly, "I'm not letting it… Get to me. We run across her again… We'll fight her. But otherwise, I…"

He shook his head slowly.

"Never again."

Pyrrha and Ruby both looked relieved. Yang nodded. Blake had a bit of a smile. Weiss relaxed just a little. Nora beamed. Ren nodded as well. Neptune winced.

Sun coughed.

"I mean, hell, maybe I should step down," Sun said, "But we'd need the other members of my team here to vote on it. Neptune?"

"Uh… Yeah, no, I-I'm good," Neptune said quickly.

Jaune managed a little smile at them all. He turned to Blake.

"That said… I think we should let the White Fang go," he said.

Blake winced.

"Professor Goodwitch said the same thing," she said.

"She also said the only reason she wasn't leaving us in jail is that we actually did a good thing. Sort of," Ruby pointed out with a smile. "I-I mean… Mostly…"

She looked back down at her feet, as her sister squeezed her comfortingly.

"The White Fang should be weakened considerably, after we turned over all those records to the police," Weiss said carefully, looking at Blake with concern, "So… It might be good to leave things to the proper authorities. For once."

Blake stared intensely at Weiss for a moment or two, before she slowly nodded.

"So, yeah," Jaune broke, "Since we're confined to the school and our movements will be monitored… Guess we're on break. Again."

He looked over at Pyrrha, and smiled nervously.

"So uh… Pyrrha? About our date… You um… Are you still up for it?"

Pyrrha's soft smile grew, and she nodded slowly.

"Absolutely," she stated.

Ruby pouted a bit. Jaune sighed and walked up to her. He patted her head again.

"And I haven't forgotten ours, either. I promise," he said with a reassuring smile.

Ruby blushed, and smiled back up at him.

"Thank you… That… That means a lot…"

The party broke up after that, everyone heading towards their dorms. Jaune felt something squeeze his shoulder, and he stopped. Pyrrha looked back in concern. He shook his head.

"I'll catch up," he promised. Pyrrha nodded, and walked away slowly. Jaune looked around the hallway.

"So…?"

The air cracked like glass, and Mint/Neo appeared in front of him. She smiled warmly, and waved her hands.

"Fun night?"

"No," Jaune stated coldly, glowering darkly at her. The fury was there, but for the life of him, he was spent. Physically and emotionally. He mustered up the best glare he could and-

Neo pouted cutely. Jaune was unmoved, his glare still strong. Neo sighed, then shrugged.

"Was a lot of fun to watch. Would have been there, but the bitch keeps a tight leash on me." She winked at him. "Would love you to put one on-"

"Please tell me you didn't set me up just for that fight," Jaune managed. "Please, Neo."

Neo stared, then shrugged.

"Not just the fight."

"Fucking knew it," Jaune growled. Neo beamed.

"Though it was incredible. It did need to happen, though. You had to get over her. Over her hold on you."

Neo winked.

"I'm not sharing with the likes of her."

Jaune sighed, that familiar mixture of exasperation and affection filling him when it came to Neo. The thief huffed.

"Don't pout. The White Fang is in disarray and your crazy ex is out of the picture for a while. We're not in a position to take out the bitch yet, but we're one step closer. As much as I hate to wait? Anticipation can make things feel so much better when they happen."

"You are not going to set me up again," Jaune said firmly. Neo leered.

"Will you punish me if I do?"

"I'm serious, Neo. I like you… But you're going to change that if you keep this up."

Neo stared at him for a long, silent moment. She sighed, and nodded. She actually looked remorseful.

"Fine. I have heard healthy relationships are all about give and take. I'll remember that in the future."

"We're not in a-"

"And hey: Nearly blowing that bitch up has me in a forgiving mood."

Jaune's Scroll beeped. He blinked, as Neo nodded. He pulled it out, and opened it up. He got one look at Neo's texts… And blushed bright red.

"I-You-?!"

Neo winked.

"More where that came from, Lover-Boy," the shortstack signed with a gleeful smile. She hopped up to kiss his cheek, then vanished in a crack of glass. Jaune looked up at the ceiling, counting down from ten. He glanced down at his scroll.

Godsdammit...

... and saved the images.

- - -

On one hand, Roman Torchwick appreciated not meeting with Cinder in person to deliver bad news. Meant that his chances of getting incinerated were a lot lower.

The fact Neo was ostensibly being held as a "hostage" didn't bother him too much. His adopted daughter was pretty deadly, and could escape if she needed to… He hoped.

That said, Cinder's glare had not lost any of its potency. The contempt she leveled at them from the holoscreen in the bare studio apartment safehouse he, the Albain Twins, and Slick had fled to felt like it could burn them away if she focused just a little more.

That psycho Adam Taurus being on the other screen of the call didn't help at all. His subordinates all cringed back, like puppies threatened with a beating.

"So," Cinder stated flatly, "You not only lost your financial records and multiple members… You also lost the mecha we were smuggling?"

"To be fair, your newest recruits did that," Roman said smoothly, leaning back on the threadbare couch that served as the only furniture in the place. Everyone else stood or sat on the bare wooden floor.

Hey, he wasn't made of money.

"And yet you didn't supervise them properly?" Cinder seethed.

"They're the heads of an underground fighting league, I thought they could handle fighting," Roman stated, barely resisting the urge to shrug. Honestly, what had Cinder expected hiring crazy people like that?

"Besides," Roman said, waving his finger, "I did my part. Your White Fang goons were barely more than cannon fodder!"

Ilia winced. She'd been utterly silent since they'd arrived. Before, she'd have been barking orders like she owned the place, but right now, she seemed lost.

Good.

"Ilia," Adam stated, his voice cutting like his sword as it made everyone stand up straighter, "Why did you fail to capture Blake?"

Ilia winced.

"The humans with her… Were very formidable," she said, and the Albain twins nodded in unison. "You have seen the scans for yourself. One of them, Jaune Arc, was able to bring down nearly the entire factory with one Aura Slash technique."

Damn. Roman knew the kid was pretty powerful. That's what had given him hope of coming out of this alive. The fact he'd been the one to unleash that blast?

I think my odds just got a little better, especially now that Crazy McYandere is-

The door slammed open. Roman barely managed to hide his dismay, but his eyebrow still twitched.

Godsdamnit…!

Iridescent walked in, naked save for a green poncho hastily thrown around her shoulders. Slick followed her at a respectful distance, lugging along a cylinder wrapped in a black garbage bag. Iridescent's hair had been burned to stumps on her head, but she remained fairly calm as she stepped in front of the holoscreen.

"My Lady Cinder," Iridescent said, "I apologize for being late."

"How did you survive?!" Roman demanded, hoping he sounded concerned and not bitterly disappointed. Iridescent smiled.

"I managed to increase my density to the level that I smashed through the Paladin, and down into the sewers," she said, with just the tiniest hint of smugness. "Slick found me and brought me here. With our prize."

"What prize?!" Roman demanded. "The Paladin is a wreck! Most of the weapons in the warehouse were destroyed and most of the manpower we had are now in jail!" He pointed at Adam. "His organization's finances are now being gone over by the VPD with a fine toothed comb! Even they might find some incriminating evidence!"

Which was his hope, but he wasn't going to tell them that.

Iridescent nodded to Slick. The gas mask wearing minion opened the garbage bag. He pulled out a large, silvery metallic cylinder with orange markings splashed across it. Dust circuitry glowed softly across its surface. Roman went pale.

Oh no, don't tell me-

"The data core of the Atlasian Paladin," Iridescent said with a smile, "The most advanced processing unit yet developed for the Atlasian Military… And without those pesky cybersecurity protocols installed yet."

Cinder's eyes widened, and then narrowed. She smirked a bit.

"Very good, Iridescent. Very, very good."

"You sacrificed my men and our arms just for that?" Adam Taurus demanded, his voice even but his fury carrying across the transmission just fine, thank you very much!

"With this device," Cinder stated, "We'll be able to do more harm to the Kingdoms than you could with a hundreds times as many armaments and troops. Besides… The Valean Council will see to it that most of your men are released very soon. Our losses are minimal."

"Won't Atlas notice that the data core is missing?" Roman asked, "Change the codes?"

"I made sure to slag the entire chamber," Iridescent said brightly, "As I smashed through it into the sewers. They'll think the data core was destroyed too."

"Still, this is why we have backup plans," Cinder said. She smirked at Adam through the video feed. "Patience, Taurus. This is a war, after all."

She hummed.

"As for the teams from Beacon… They're going to be monitored from now on. I'll handle them myself if necessary."

"Blake Belladonna-" Adam tried, but Cinder scowled.

"Is irrelevant right now. You will have your ex when the time is right, and not before. Understood?"

Adam seethed, as did his henchmen behind Roman. Roman grit his teeth and squeezed his cane nervously.

Is this it? Is this the moment he finally snaps?

"... Very well," Adam stated flatly, "So far though, you've promised much and delivered little, Cinder."

"And your movement hasn't gotten anywhere until you allied with us," Cinder replied coldly, "Do not forget that."

The call mercifully ended. The White Fang goons headed out, shooting some glares Roman's way before they went out the door. Ilia in particular still looked heartbroken.

Eh, whatever. Not his problem… He hoped.

However…

Iridescent sniffled… Then broke into tears.

"WAAAAAAHHHH!"

WHY IS THIS MY PROBLEM? Roman thought angrily. The half naked woman sank down onto the couch, making it creak. Roman scooted off to the side and sighed.

"MY DEAR JAUNE! SEDUCED BY THOSE WHORES! WAAAAAHHHHH!"

Roman looked at Slick for some kind of aid. The gas mask wearing minion stared back with that inscrutable mask. Roman sighed, and patted Iridescent on the shoulder.

"There. There," he said in a toneless voice.

Iridescent sniffled again.

"He's grown so strong… But he didn't accept my love!" She cried.

"You probably just came on too strong," Roman sighed, "Maybe chill out, do your job, let the air clear… And try again later?"

Iridescent wiped her nose, and stared at him.

"You… You think that would work?"

"Oh yeah, definitely," Roman nodded slowly. Iridescent stared at the far wall… And then smiled. It was not a pleasant sight.

"Oh yes! YES! Build the anticipation!" Iridescent sighed. "I should have known my darling wouldn't react well to just leaping back into things! So rough, so hard! I need to be more accepting of his feelings!"

Her pupils dilated and her smile became wide and terrifying.

"Or maybe I should just murder all those whores trying to take him from me-"

"No, nonono!" Roman said. He cringed as Iridescent turned that horrific gaze on him. "I mean… Come on. Boss Lady's trying to keep a low profile, right? You don't want to spoil that."

Iridescent kept up that horrifying stare… Before she gasped, and nodded quickly.

"You're absolutely right, Roman! Plus… I can't let Cinder know about Jaune and our love! She'd try to take him for herself!"

Roman slowly nodded.

"Yeah. Totally."

Seriously, what the hell was wrong with this generation?

- - -

In RWBY's dormroom, a loud, throaty groan echoed off the walls.

"Ooooohhhhh~!"

"Now Blake," Yang said, "We're not going to chase after the White Fang anymore, right?"

"Nnngh… Ohhh…! Y-Yes…!"

"We're not going to interfere now that we've given the police all that evidence," Weiss added.

"Unnngh… Yessss…!"

"And," Yang finished, "We're not going to wreck any more private property!" She paused. "Not unless we have a really fun party beforehand."

"Nnnngghh-YES~!"

Blake sighed, and looked up at Yang. She was lying on the bed chest down, as Yang worked out the kinks in her legs.

"Good," Yang said with a smile, "Glad we worked that out."

She bounced onto the mattress, nearly knocking Blake right off.

"Now do me!" Yang cheered.

"Whatever would Arc think of you cheating on him?" Weiss asked wryly, even as she blushed. Blake began to massage Yang's legs. Yang smirked up at the Schnee heiress.

"Hmm… You know, I bet he wouldn't mind~," Yang hummed, and let out a throaty moan as Blake rubbed her lower back, "What do you think, Blake~? You wanna tease Jaune like this? Loosen him up~?"

"Since Pyrrha can't?" Blake asked. Yang chuckled smokily.

"Oooh… Maybe we could loosen her up, too."

Blake nodded slowly, and smirked.

"You keep saying you haven't read my books, and yet-"

"Maybe I should," Yang giggled.

Weiss sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I still don't get why all of you are fine with taking turns, dating him-"

"You want one?" Blake asked, as Yang moaned happily under her hands, "I wouldn't mind."

Weiss turned bright red.

"You literally interrupted my date with Neptune!"

"So we would owe you one with Jaune?" Yang sighed happily, "Mm, lower~!"

"Can do," Blake said, looking a lot more relaxed.

Weiss huffed and shook her head rapidly. She looked over at the window.

"Ruby, please tell me you're not as perverted as everyone else?"

Silence. Ruby kept staring at the door. She frowned.

"Ruby?"

Ruby started, then looked back at them. Her silver eyes were gently glowing.

"Hm?"

"Ruby, are you all right?" Weiss inquired. Yang and Blake also looked over at her in concern.

"Ruby?" Yang asked.

"Oh, um… I'm fine," she said quietly. "Just… Keeping an eye on things." She beamed. "I'm really glad we're all okay. Really."

Blake flushed, and nodded at her.

"Y-Yeah, um… Yeah," she said.

Blake went back to massaging Yang, while Weiss stared for a moment then went back to her reading. Ruby just kept staring, her eyes glowing, in silence.

- - -

It was another sleepless night for Headmaster Ozpin. Those weren't too bad, honestly. While his magic was much diminished compared to the old days, he still knew enough to keep himself going far longer than any normal human or even Huntsman, without the deleterious side effects.

Coffee didn't hurt, either.

He looked over the piles of documents on his large desk, blocking his view of the clockwork that encapsulated his office, and let out a sigh.

It didn't make it any less arduous, though. On one hand, he was quite glad that Teams RWBY and JNPR were fighting back against the White Fang. Glynda was much too stuffy about such things.

On the other hand, the City Council, Mayor, and even Valean Council were all demanding to know why his students were being vigilantes. He had hoped the re-establishment of the Valean Defense Forces might keep the media attention off these incidents, but alas, it wasn't enough.

Captain Silverhand will be displeased at losing the spotlight, Ozpin thought to himself wryly.

The elevator door chimed, and the doors opened. Ozpin looked up.

"Glynda, I'm not-"

He stopped. He stared.

A tall dark skinned man in a dark blue and gold striped suit strode up, as smooth and graceful as a tiger. His black hair was slicked back, though still spiky in back. He wore earrings of silver, and his eyes still burned that bright red they always had.

He still retained some of the arrogance he'd born as a young, headstrong exiled prince, but much of it was replaced with serenity.

His team had seen to that, long ago.

He stopped right in front of the desk. He smiled in a friendly way, yet his teeth still shone like daggers.

"Hello Headmaster."

"Arjun Sarkara," Ozpin breathed, "It… Has been a while. What brings you here?"

Arjun shrugged slightly.

"I'd heard my godson Jaune had become a Hunter-in-Training. I wanted to see him for myself."

The Headmaster's eyes widened.

"But," Ozpin muttered, "If you know, then…"

- - -

Somewhere in North Sanus

Isabel was woken up out of her sleep by a loud, annoying ringtone. She grumbled as she sat up out of her dark bunk, the moonlight shining through the slatted windows of the Bullhead.

Qrow groaned, and reached for her.

"It's cold," he grunted, his fingers brushing over her bare body.

"Let me answer this and I'll get back," Isabel sighed, pulling her robe on. She patted him on his shoulder, as he sat back with a grunt. She slid her feet into her slippers, and padded out to where her Scroll was screaming.

She took a moment to alter her brain chemistry, and perked herself right up. She picked up the Scroll and opened it up.

"Isabel Arc," she greeted, far more politely and warmly than anyone else at 3 in the morning could be expected to.

A beautiful but severe redheaded woman in her middle age appeared, wearing stylish glasses that did nothing to hide her angry glare.

Oh now what is this? Isabel thought to herself.

"Doctor Arc," the woman stated, "I am Athena Nikos. You did some health therapy with my daughter, Pyrrha?"

Isabel blinked slowly, and then nodded. Right, she'd done some work for the Mistral Regional Fighting League. She'd helped a young but brilliant young fighter recover from her fights with some new therapies. As she recalled, Athena had been just outside the examination room every time, and she'd been with her daughter in the gymnasium as Isabel helped Pyrrha go further.

She'd been impressed with Pyrrha's sheer will and determination, but Athena? She always came off as too cold for her tastes. Even when she complimented Pyrrha, it had always felt clinical. The poor girl's smiles were too plastic.

It wasn't enough to make Isabel take drastic action, mind you. It did, however, make her dislike Athena Nikos on a very deep level. But, Isabel Arc was good at hiding her feelings. Her Semblance made that easy.

"Of course," she said lightly, "Is there something wrong with her?"

"Yes," Athena said stiffly, "And it has to do with your son, Jaune."

Isabel blinked.

"I'm… Sorry? What do you mean?"

"First," Athena hissed, "He steals her rightful place as leader of her team. Then, he manages to seduce her into-into rejecting me and cutting all ties!"

Isabel's eyes widened.

"I-What? That's not possible!"

"Is your son Jaune Arc?"

"Well, yes-"

"Is he not attending Beacon Academy?"

"He's there, he's working as a medical assistant-!" Isabel protested, but Athena held up a picture. A picture of Jaune in the old Great War Arc armor he'd taken from the living room, but heavily upgraded. He wore a green cloak, and was holding up his sword and shield with a grim expression.

"He's registered as a student at Beacon! He's been attending classes!" Athena barked. "I don't understand what you're doing here but he's a Hunter-in-Training, just like my daughter! And he turned her into his slave-!"

Isabel, as she had many times before when it came to a client yelling at her, turned her out. She stared intently at the picture of Jaune. The upgrades to his armor and weapons stood out, but that didn't draw the lion's share of her attention.

It was his eyes.

His eyes… Those eyes…

No… He's…

She knew that look. Oh, she knew that look all too well. She knew her son too well not to recognize the change.

"-She refused to do any more promotional videos! She's getting herself emancipated! All because your son has-has taken her away from me-!"

"Huh? Oh…" Isabel shook her head. "I see… I'll have some words with my son, Mrs. Nikos."

"Words?!" Athena demanded, "You had better have more than words with your son! I haven't found a legal remedy yet but I'll find it and if you don't-!"

Isabel turned off the Scroll. She took a very, very deep breath, and shut her eyes. She focused very, very hard on her Semblance to keep herself from losing her temper.

It took a lot of Aura, but she managed it. She very slowly turned to Qrow, eyes narrowed. The shapeshifting hunter coughed guiltily.

"Um," he tried, "Isabel, I-"

"Qrow," she stated in a dead tone that promised nothing but pain, cracking her knuckles menacingly, "I'm going to give you one chance to explain yourself-"

"Ozpin's orders," he immediately said. "He wanted Jaune at the Academy."

Isabel's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed again.

"Where's your loyalty to your master?" She asked.

"On infosec? You'll get nothing out of me because neither of you will trust me ever again," Qrow stated, then shrugged.

"But when it comes to Jaune? He won't break me in half," Qrow stated firmly.

Isabel glared death at him for a few moments, before slowly nodding.

"Good point."

"That is the only thing I ever lied about," Qrow said quietly, his eyes locked onto hers without any fear.

Isabel closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath.

"... I know," she said. "But you'll excuse me if I ask you to sleep somewhere else tonight."

Qrow nodded slowly back.

"I get it," he said.

Her Scroll beeped again. She turned and picked it up.

"I swear, if it's that bitch again," she growled as she opened it up… She blinked.

Qrow frowned, even as he dressed.

"Isabel?"

"When the stars align," Isabel sighed. She held the Scroll up to him. "One of Merlot's secret sites was in Vale. Right outside the old VDC base. I think we should investigate it. Right now."

Qrow slowly nodded.

"Sounds good to me," he said.

Isabel couldn't help the sadistic smile that came over her face. It was not something she did anymore. She had always had a bit of a sadistic streak, she'd known this and accepted it long ago. Nick had found it hot, as long as she kept it in check.

Well… Nick wasn't here anymore.

"And I think we'll pay a visit to my son… And the Headmaster," she stated.

Qrow shivered, then politely bowed out. That hurt.

Well… She'd deal with that later.

After she checked on her son… And made Ozpin beg for death.

- - -

Don't worry, more is coming. Unfortunately, I'll be starting my new job soon and so I'll have less time to write. But we're still going.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Velvet sighed a bit as she carried a stack of papers.

"Can't believe I volunteered to help Junior Professor Moisia with her testing," she grumbled. Honestly, she wanted to just go hang out with her boyfriend and their teams. They were having a movie night, and they were going to watch the Exterminator movies!

And maybe the Marauder movies. She really liked the first one (who didn't?) but the other ones were... Mixed.

Depended on how much time they had.

She turned a corner... And ran into a tall, broad-shouldered man.

"OOF!"

Who had Aura, as she was knocked back on her round bottom. The papers went flying everywhere.

"Oh, I'm sorry, young lady," a pleasant baritone voice spoke. She looked up to see the middle-aged man holding out an open hand to her. He smiled warmly behind his large red mustache, and his brown eyes were so familiar...

"Uhhh..." Velvet tried, blinking, as the man looked down. He set down onto his knees, and began picking up the papers.

"Sorry about that," he stated. Velvet found her wits and began picking up the other papers. They soon had it back into a stack, and then they rose up back to their feet.

"I-It's okay," Velvet managed with a smile. "Thank you."

"Not at all," he chuckled, "I'd be a poor politician if I treated potential voters badly, hm?"

"O-Oh?" Velvet asked, blinking, "Er, I don't pay a lot of attention to politics. Um, I'm Velvet Scarlatina."

"It would be nice if you didn't have to, hm?" The older man laughed quietly. "Rufus Winchester. Councilman of Vale."

Velvet's eyes widened.

Oh Gods... You're Cardin's father?!

"I am," Rufus said.

OH GODS I SAID THAT OUT LOUD! Velvet thought in a shriek. Rufus chuckled.

"You know my son?"

"Uh, er, um..."

"Dad!"

Velvet gaped as Cardin came around the corner. Her boyfriend looked equally horrified. Rufus hummed, and looked back and forth between them. He then scowled.

"Cardin," Rufus growled, "Come here, son."

"Uh, D-Dad-"

"Now."

Cardin walked over, trying to hold his head up high and not tremble. He stood like a soldier in front of a displeased general. Rufus glanced at Velvet, and then back at Cardin. They looked at each other nervously.

"Young lady," Rufus began, "Has my son been bullying you?"

Velvet and Cardin gaped in disbelief.

"Uh, er, n-no-!"

"No! I-I absolutely have not!" Cardin said.

Rufus leaned in and his glare intensified.

"Are you sure?" He growled.

"H-He isn't!" Velvet insisted. "W-We're, uh... We're friends! Comrades! R-Really! We're having a movie night!"

"Totally!" Cardin said.

Rufus held his fearsome glare for a few moments longer... Before he smiled.

"Good to hear!" He said brightly with an approving nod, "Glad you two are friends, too."

"Y-Yes!" Cardin said quickly. "Just friends!"

"Nothing more than friends!" Velvet squeaked.

Rufus looked between them and raised an eyebrow.

"You're sure he's not bullying you?"

"N-no, he's not!" Velvet said defensively.

"Are you bullying him?" Rufus asked, his tone dangerous.

Cardin groaned.

"DAD!"

"I never would! Unless he wanted me to!" Velvet cried out in fright. Cardin went bright red. Rufus blinked.

WHY DID I SAY THAT?! Velvet screamed in her head.

"... All right," Rufus sighed and chuckled. "It's good to see you again, son. I try not to be around the student areas of Beacon too much when I visit. I don't want to cramp your style."

"N-No! It's fine!" Cardin said quickly. "Um, I uh-"

"You kids get going, have fun," Rufus chuckled, waving his hand gently, "I've held you both up long enough. It was nice to meet you, Miss Scarlatina."

"Y-You too, Mister Councilman, s-sir!" Velvet stuttered. Rufus smirked.

"Well... If you're going to be associating with my son, you could just call me Rufus."

"Ummm..." Velvet tried.

Rufus chuckled.

"Fair enough. Have a good time!" He winked. "And try to remember protection, son!"

"DAD!" Cardin cried, as he and Velvet blushed brightly.

"Hahaha, you kids, too easy!" Rufus laughed.

- - -

 

[UnknownAnon]

Okay, with AJT's permission, time to kick things off.

= = = = = = =

Cardin frowned as he looked at the combat rankings bulletin board posted on the outside of Professor Goodwitch's classroom. At the beginning of every week the large digital display was updated to show how all the students ranked up against each other, showing who was the strongest and who was the weakest. It was divided by student classification, since it wouldn't be fair to put freshmen students on the same board as those in their final year at Beacon. The top twenty for each year were boldly sitting atop each list of names, announcing to all who were considered the "elite" of each year. The top three of each year were denotated by digital crowns atop their names, with gold, silver and bronze crowns sitting on the names of first, second and third place respectively.

The Winchester youth was irked that he hadn't once made it to the top twenty during his time at Beacon so far.

For his own year, the top of the board was always completely static. Pyrrha was at the top of the leaderboard, followed by Yang Xiao-Long who was often in second place, and then freaking Jaune Arc who would sometimes trade his third place spot with the bombastic blonde. Cardin could recognize a few other names sitting in the top twenty. Coco, Nora, and Ruby… though a few of the visiting students had made their way onto the leaderboard too, with that monkey faunus Sun and that weird girl Penny making it to the top twenty.

After passing initiation, Cardin has assumed that his combat aptitudes would be the highlight of his first year at Beacon. Given he was one of the top students at his old prep school, he thought it had been a fair assumption to make. The first few weeks in Beacon had been a sobering wake up call, especially with Arc making him look like a fool in his first combat class and continued to dance around him whenever they were paired up in the arena to this day. He'd been a big fish in a small pond, and the combat rankings were a constant reminder of how much he had to improve.

"Hey! You made it into the top thirty!"

Glancing down at his girlfriend, who was bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet as she pointed to his name on the digital screen, Cardin followed her finger and found his name sitting next to the number twenty-nine just above Yatsuhashi.

…He still wasn't where he wanted to be on the board, but Cardin grinned at the accomplishment nonetheless. He'd been working hard to get out of the mid-thirties for the past few weeks, and it felt good to see his efforts bear fruit.

"Looks like beating Yatsuhashi the other day was what finally put you in the twenties!" Velvet smiled as she squeezed her boyfriend's arm.

And that had certainly been a hard fought battle. Velvet's teammate was an absolute tank and could swing around his sword like it weighed less than a twig, so Cardin had certainly worked for that particular win.

"Should you really be this happy that I beat your teammate?" Cardin asked in a teasing tone.

"I'm happy that my boyfriend is moving up in the world!" Velvet replied with a cheeky smile.

"Yeah?" Cardin turned back toward the screen. "Wish I could say the same about my girlfriend. You haven't even made the top fifty yet."

Velvet gasped when Cardin pointed to her own name which was displayed next to an sixty-seven.

"Wow, rude!" Velvet huffed, turning on her heel and marching away from him. "Fine, if you're gonna be like that then I'm not feeding you today!"

Cardin chuckled to himself as he followed after her, quickly hurrying his pace and wrapping an arm around her shoulder as he attempted to mollify her. After a few seconds the bunny girl stopped pouting and giggled into his side, and the duo continued to playfully banter as they headed to the cafeteria.

Indeed, Cardin might have been a bit dissatisfied with his combat ranking and test scores, but he was acing his love life. A surprise certainly, but a welcome one definitely.

If only he could've taken credit for it.

Entering the cafeteria with Velvet, Cardin couldn't help it as his eyes searched around and eventually landed on the one who was really responsible for his big win in the romance department.

Jaune Arc sat among his usual cadre of friends and associates. Team RWBY and Team JNPR were sharing a table as always, though they also appeared to have the company of a transfer team this time. It only took a second to realize it was Team SSSN as the third team, since there was only one guy in Beacon who absolutely refused to button up his shirt despite the school dress codes he was violating. Sun had the entire table's attention, and he appeared to be waving around a breadstick as he orated some story that Cardin couldn't hear that had most of the table laughing.

For a guy who'd been all up in his face during their first week at Beacon, and despite being a frequent opponent of his in Goodwitch's combat class, Cardin hadn't had an actual conversation with Arc since that Grimm attack during the Forever Fall trip. And even though the blonde had pissed off Cardin to no end in those early days and honestly still did annoy the hell out of him whenever he saw his face, Cardin's anger toward the other boy had cooled considerably over the months.

A big part of that was because of how much fun he was having with his girlfriend… who he had only hooked up with thanks to Jaune's lie, and he was constantly reminded of that whenever he saw the blonde's face.

It was really annoying. He liked being with Velvet. He had fun with her, she was understanding, she was a great cook, and she was pretty and sexy… he'd lucked out, no question. But knowing the fact that he'd only gotten with her was because of Jaune's manipulations was like having something constantly stuck in his teeth. It was a fact often forgotten, but when he did remember he got annoyed not only with Jaune, but with himself.

"Cardin?"

Velvet's voice snapped him out of his deprecating thoughts, though she'd followed his stare and was now looking in Jaune's direction too.

"Ah, sorry, were you saying something?" Cardin asked.

"Nothing super important. I'm guessing you're curious too though?"

"About what…?"

"Y'know, about what Jaune and all his friends got up to last week."

"R-Right, that." Cardin nodded, leaping on the excuse Velvet presented him.

"Appearing on the news and then a whole week of detention." Velvet mused aloud. "Those teams certainly got up to a lot, didn't they?"

That was an understatement. While their names had been kept out of the news and newspapers, everyone with a functioning brain at Beacon knew who the "Beacon students" who had thwarted the White Fang's operations were. RWBY and JNPR had the scuffs and bruises to show for it, and the week long detention Goodwitch had handed to the two team, plus half of Team SSSN, was plenty to confirm the identities of the students who'd gotten involved with blowing the whistle on the terrorists. No one was certain of the exact details of what went down other than those involved, and while Beacon's teachers had issued a stern warning to the rest of the student body about inquiring about the event, it hadn't done anything to quash the rumors circulating about RWBY and JNPR's joint adventure.

Plus in addition to the detentions, the teams had been confined to Beacon for the duration of their punishment. That pretty much announced to everyone that RWBY and JNPR were the ones that the news was referring to.

"You should hang out with him tomorrow."

"Huh?!" Cardin's head whipped down to his girlfriend as he gave her an incredulous look, which she responded to with an expression that was mildly puzzled.

"Yeah? I mean, you two are friends, aren't you?" Velvet asked, tapping a finger against her lips as she pondered the matter. "Thinking about it… I haven't seen you spending much time with him at all. I know you guys match together in Goodwitch's class, but it's not like you've actively hung out together outside the classroom. At least not from what I've seen. Usually you're either with your team or with me."

And there was a reason for that. It was because Cardin didn't have a genuine friendship with Arc, Velvet was just under the misconception that he and the blonde were friends because of Arc's lie when he had convinced Cardin that his attempt to bully Velvet near the beginning of the school year had been a bad attempt at flirting. As he was selling the lie, Arc had also given the impression that he was being a good friend and wingman for Cardin and trying to hook him up with the girl he had a crush on. Cardin, under duress at having his arm twisted, had rolled with it without much thought.

What they had wasn't friendship, but mutual dislike.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Cardin!"

And now she was apologizing.

"I didn't mean to keep you from hanging out with your other guy friends!" Velvet said guiltily as her ears drooped. "I mean, I'm happy that you spend so much time with me but it's important to not ignore your friends just because you're in a relationship! I actually haven't gone out with Coco since the new semester started come to think of it. Looks like we both kinda messed up and neglected our other friendships, right?"

"Uh…" Cardin floundered.

"Well, not anymore!" Velvet declared, continuing the conversation without his input. "It's important for couples to spend time apart too! Don't worry about me and spend some time with Jaune!"

"I, er, but… weren't we going to go to the movies tomorrow? See the new Grimminator?"

"We can do that another day! It'll still be in theatres for another few weeks. Or heck, you can go see it with Jaune!" Velvet smiled, pulling him by the arm as she started walking over to Jaune's table.

"Velvet, wait…!"

He tried to stop her, but the faunus was already waving her arm enthusiastically as she called out a greeting to the other boy.

"Hi Jaune!"

The blonde turned in his seat and blinked in surprise when he found a smiling Velvet and a frantic looking Cardin standing behind him.

"Uh, hi…?" Jaune greeted, raising his hand in a small wave.

He was more than a little confused by this sudden event.

"So Cardin was wondering if you were free to hang out tomorrow?" Velvet asked for her boyfriend, not noticing his panicked expression. "I know you guys haven't had a chance to hang out in a long time, and that's probably my fault, but you can make up for lost time by heading out to the city tomorrow! You don't have any plans, do you?"

"Well, today's actually the last day serving detention with Goodwitch so I should be free." Jaune informed her. "I've kinda been on autopilot while serving my sentence with everyone else, so I haven't actually put a lot of time into my plans for the rest of the week."

"That's great! So then you're totally free to hang out tomorrow then." Velvet smiled.

"I mean, you're not wrong I guess…" Jaune said, glancing aside to his friends who were now peering over toward him and observing his current interaction with curious expressions. "Still, I don't know if Cardin wants to-"

"Yeah, let's hang out!" Cardin blurted.

"Huh?" Jaune looked to the other boy with a perplexed look.

"It's been a while since we've hung out, BUDDY." Cardin gave a strained smile as he emphasized the word. "I didn't mean to ignore a FRIEND, but I got a little carried away spending time with my girlfriend. What do you say, PAL? Could we please hang out tomorrow?"

Jaune stared at the duo, glancing from Velvet's beaming smile to Cardin's twitchy grin. He hadn't actually spoken with either of them since he'd flipped Cardin's bullying attempt on its head. Sure, he was aware that the two had entered a relationship not long after he pretended to wingman for Cardin, but his interactions with the Winchester heir just consisted of him beating him in Goodwitch's class and he actually hadn't even talked with Velvet at all period.

Still, he could sort of infer the situation from Velvet's optimism and Cardin's desperation, and while there was a bit of temptation to watch Winchester squirm, Jaune wasn't in the mood to be coy.

"…Yeah, sounds good. Let's hang tomorrow." Jaune replied, hoping his grin didn't look too tired or forced.

Cardin breathed a sigh of relief while Velvet clapped her hands excitedly.

"Great! I'll let you guys sort the details on your own later. I promise you can have him tomorrow. For now though, I'm exercising my girlfriend privileges to keep him for the rest of the day." Velvet smiled, grabbing her boyfriend's arm and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Y-Yeah. I'll uh, text you later BRO." Cardin added forcefully, not that Velvet seemed to notice.

Jaune chuckled at his expression. "Sure thing, man."

The blonde watched Cardin sigh as he was pulled away by his girlfriend, the faunus girl starting to talk about what lunch she'd made for the day. Once they disappeared in the crowd of students milling around the cafeteria, Jaune shrugged and turned back around to face his actual friends who had been watching the interaction.

"So, you're hanging out with Cardin tomorrow?" Yang asked curiously. "I didn't think the two of you were friends."

"Eeeeeeeh," Jaune made a so-so gesture with his hand. "Velvet seems to think we are, but this is just me being a nice guy and not rocking the boat with his bunny girlfriend."

"Right, didn't he try bullying the girl that was hanging off his arm during our first week of class?" Pyrrha asked as she thought back to when Jaune had interceded when Cardin had been pulling Velvet's ears.

"Whoa, he tried to what now?" Sun piped up. "How does he go from bullying a girl to dating her?"

"That's because Jaune helped!" Nora proclaimed.

"How's that?"

"Well, I sorta stopped Cardin before he could really get started with his bullying and spun it so he was trying to flirt with a girl he fancied but was doing a bad job of it." Jaune explained, grinning a little at the memory. "Convinced her that pulling her rabbit ears was his attempt at getting her to notice him and that he was crushing on her."

"And that worked?" Neptune asked incredulously, having seen Velvet and found himself super envious that Beacon apparently had a sexy bunny girl and Jaune had helped another guy hook up with her before he had a chance to shoot his shot.

"Somehow." Weiss grumbled, finding the memory less amusing than the rest of the table did.

"Apparently they're in a very happy relationship now." Blake commented. Out of everyone at the table, she was the one who paid the most attention to Beacon's gossip and there were plenty of girls swooning at how apparently gentlemanly Cardin was with Velvet and how cute their relationship was.

Blake herself had mixed feelings about how the couple came about and didn't have a high opinion of Winchester or his family, but the romantic in her couldn't help but coo at how sweetly Cardin and Velvet interacted and that somehow they were an extremely positive example of a human-faunus couple.

"So, you've got a man-date tomorrow with Cardin." Yang said. "How do you think that's gonna go?"

Jaune shrugged as he bit into a chicken nugget. "Guess we'll see."

"Try not to give Ms. Goodwitch a reason to give you more detention." Ren advised.

"I'm not gonna start anything," Jaune grinned. "Can't guarantee Cardin won't start something, but if anything does happen know that whatever response I give will be wholly justified."

"Be sure to share all the juicy details with us when you return!" Nora demanded.

"Still though, a date with Cardin," Yang smirked, and Jaune could tell from the quirk of her lips that she was in a teasing mood. The blonde girl turned to address Pyrrha. "Hope you're not feeling too neglected, P-Money."

Pyrrha blinked guilelessly at the comment. "Huh?"

"I mean, Jaune's going on a date with Cardin before he takes you out." Yang teased, causing the redhead's eyes to widen. "Just saying, you're falling a little behind there."

"I-I am not!" Pyrrha protested. "And it isn't an actual date! Besides, Cardin's dating Velvet! He isn't competition!"

"But what if he is though? What if dating Velvet was a front to get closer to Jaune and she used-"

"Yang, stop." Jaune interrupted, cutting off the head of the conversation before it could grow anymore. "Don't give Blake any more ideas."

Blake froze from where she was sitting. "What are you talking about? I wasn't-"

"Nora, grab her notebook."

Blake wasn't quick enough to slap her hands over her little black notebook before Nora swiped it from her. The orangette leaped off her seat and circled the table as Blake jumped to chase after her, though with Nora keeping the table between herself and Blake, the cat faunus was having difficulty retrieving her book from Nora's hands.

"Aha! Caught you red handed!" Nora shouted as she scrutinized the page. "Filthy kitty! How dare you write such things about our fearless leader!"

"I-I wasn't! Look at the names! They're not-!"

"Juan and Hardin." Nora announced to the table.

"Gee, I wonder who those names could possibly refer to?" Jaune asked dryly.

Blake didn't respond, only quickening her pace as she continued to chase Nora around the table. Yang and the entirety of Team SSSN laughed at their antics, while Ren and Weiss both shook their heads. Nudging Pyrrha, Jaune gave her a reassuring smile.

"Hey, don't worry, I didn't forget. I remember our date. I mean, if you're still interested in-"

"Yes!" Pyrrha beamed at him. "I am very, VERY interested."

"...Good to know." Jaune nodded, backing away slightly at the intense look the redhead was giving him. He turned to his other side. "And I haven't forgotten you either, Ruby."

The little reaper didn't seem to register his words, pushing around the food on her plate with a blank look on her face.

"Ruby?" Jaune tried again, poking a finger into her side which caused her to jolt in place.

"Ah!" Ruby startled for a moment before she turned to Jaune. "J-Jaune? Sorry, did you say something?"

Jaune frowned for a moment before pulling up a smile. "I did, but it wasn't anything important. You doing okay? You've been a little quiet today."

"Um, yeah, I'm good! Just a little lost in thought. Sorry!" Ruby smiled back before taking a look around. "Why's Blake chasing Nora around the table?"

Jaune sighed a little to himself. Detention after class, hanging out with Cardin tomorrow, going on a date with Pyrrha sometime later in the week, and then going out with Ruby sometime in the near or distant future...

But he'd been getting more than a little concerned with how out of it Ruby had been lately. Yang had noticed to if the look she was giving him from across the table was any indication. It was something that would need to be addressed at some point.

"One thing at a time." Jaune advised himself internally.

For now, he had to think about what do while hanging out with Cardin tomorrow. Hopefully they could make it through the day without strangling each other.

= = = = = = =

Purpose of these next few chapters is to wind down from the action from the last arc and also to further develop the characters within the story. Because you can never have enough of that, especially when RWBY is concerned.

Plus Jaune needs more guy friends. Let the bromance commence!

 

[UnknownAnon]

Next chapter, ho!

= = = = =

The sun had almost dipped completely behind the horizon by time JNPR was let out of the classroom.

"Aaaaaaand DONE!" Nora announced, stretching her arms over her head as she took a deep breath and tasted freedom. "No more staying after class and wasting the day away! We can be real people again!"

"And just before the weekend too." Pyrrha smiled, swept up in the orange-haired girl's energy.

They'd lost their last weekend as part of the fallout of their battle against the White Fang and Jaune's insane admirer, so the team was especially excited to make up for all the free time that their week long detention had sapped up. Sun, Neptune and the entirety of Team RWBY felt much the same, though those six had been slightly luckier in that they were able to serve their final detention a little earlier in the day than JNPR had.

Everyone else had at least been able to enjoy their evening, as evidenced by a few cheeky texts Yang had sent Jaune while his team sat through their detention. There had been pictures attached to the texts showing RWBY and SSSN having a fighting game tournament in Team RWBY's room.

Pulling his scroll out of his pocket, Jaune checked the latest text message in the chain and snorted at the image.

It showed Sun and Scarlet seemingly in a fight, with the monkey faunus's hands clasped around the redhead's throat while Scarlet himself had pushed his fingers up Sun's nose. Sage was playing with a controller in one hand while texting on his scroll with another while Blake had a controller in her hands and was looking like she was trying to have the least amount of fun possible. Weiss, holding her own controller, was shouting at her morose teammate while Neptune hid behind the Schnee heiress and edged away from Sun and Scarlet's fight. Yang was in the foreground of the shot and flashed a peace sign as she held her scroll out in front of her, smiling as she captured the chaos behind her.

Only the single sentence "Wish you were here!" followed by a heart emoji accompanied the picture.

"Looks like we have a party to crash!"

Jaune turned his head to see Nora peering over his shoulder and staring down at his phone.

"I'd rather get something to eat than crowd into team RWBY's dorm room." Ren opined.

"But Ren! We must go forth and conquer! You must assert your dominance as the King of Games!" Nora said, latching onto the stoic young man's front. "And I, as your queen, will be there to cheer you on!"

Ren sighed before his lips quirked up a bit. "What if her majesty would like some breakfast for dinner instead?"

He had barely finished the sentence before his childhood friend lifted him in the air and started carrying him down the hallway.

"Away, my king! To the kitchens!" Nora shouted. "Come, my vassals! A feast of fluffy cakes and syrup awaits!"

"Someone's in a good mood." Pyrrha laughed as she watched Nora and Ren disappear down the hallway. "And is it just me, or has Nora gotten a lot more physically affectionate with Ren recently?"

"Nora's always been a hands-on kind of girl." Jaune commented. Ever since befriending the girl, he'd probably gotten more attack hugs and surprise cuddles from her than the entirety of his family. And Isabel Arc had raised some of the best huggers in Remnant.

Tanya being the one exception. She was more likely to smack someone upside the head or kick them in the shins before she ever voluntarily gave someone a hug.

"Yes, but nowadays she's always clinging to him. She probably would've spent our detentions sitting in his lap if Professor Goodwitch hadn't yelled at her." Pyrrha smiled. "I wonder if things have progressed a little for them after the moment they had during our raid on the White Fang last week?"

Jaune chewed on his tongue as he thought about that. He remembered Blake and Yang mentioning something about Ren and Nora sharing a kiss during that time. He hadn't been around at the time as he'd been dealing with Iridescent so he was lacking context, but other than Nora being a little more overly affectionate with Ren than usual he hadn't noticed any major shifts in the duo's dynamic.

Then again, it wasn't like he was an expert on romance in spite of the fact he amazingly had several girls voice their interest in him. Maybe Ren and Nora had gotten a relationship upgrade and were actually "together-together" now?

Though speaking of girls with an interest in him…

"Pyrrha? Remember what we discussed about personal space?"

The redhead flushed at his words, but didn't ease up on the hold her arms had around her partner's waist.

"I-I was just thinking that if Ren and Nora were getting more physical then maybe it would be okay to try-"

Pyrrha made a whining noise as Jaune pressed two fingers against her forehead and pushed her away. "We'll save our own touchy-feely moments for when we have our date later, okay?"

"I'm holding you to that!"

"…I probably should have worded that better." Jaune lamented in his head.

Pyrrha's clinginess aside, he was genuinely looking forward to the date. He just had to plan it, though luckily the week of detentions had given him plenty of time to ruminate over it, among other things.

"So, are we joining Ren and Nora for breakfast-dinner or are we going to team RWBY's room?" Pyrrha asked.

"Ren's pancakes or a fighting game tournament ragefest. Which sounds more appealing to you?"

Pyrrha beamed. "To the kitchens it is then!"

"Indeed we do." Jaune grinned back, but stopped short after he made to head down the hall toward the kitchens. "Actually, could you go on ahead of me? I'm gonna take a quick walk to get my body moving. Sitting in a chair for the past few hours has made my body all stiff."

"Oh, I could come with you! We can make it a light workout before our meal!"

"I'd prefer to go solo for this walk and NOT turn it into a workout, if you don't mind." Jaune requested with a soft smile. "I just wanna take a few minutes to unwind by myself."

"But… oh, alright." Pyrrha sighed before giving a small pout. "Just don't keep us waiting for too long!"

"I'll do my best," Jaune smiled. "Tell Ren and Nora I'll be there soon."

"You'd better, or Nora won't leave any pancakes for you." Pyrrha smiled back before she turned and headed down the hall toward the kitchens.

Jaune watched his partner go with a smile, staring after her until she disappeared around the corner. Turning down the opposite way, Jaune trudged through the hallway before exiting through a door that led to Beacon's courtyards.

The air outside was a little brisk since the sun was setting and Jaune could feel the chill through his uniform, but it wasn't a bad feeling. Plus his attention was less on the cool evening air and more on the array of red, orange, yellow, blue and indigo colors that the sky and clouds were dyed in as the sun was setting. The scenery helped Jaune feel even more at ease as he trekked though the concrete paths and garden arches. Eventually, the aspiring huntsman found a bench and sat down on it, heaving a relaxed sigh as he leaned back in his seat.

"What a week." Jaune mumbled to himself. Though as he said that he was thinking less about the string of detentions he and his friends had served and more on the events that had earned them those detentions in the first place.

Getting tangled up with the White Fang and thwarting their activities was something he hadn't expected after finally getting into Beacon. Even more surprising than that was seeing Iridescent again and finding out that she was working with the terrorist group.

"Well, given the kind of person she is it isn't too surprising that she'd work with terrorists." Jaune mused quietly.

It was more that he hadn't given much thought about her after he'd finally arrived at Beacon. He hadn't given much thought to any of his previous misadventures and various run-ins he'd had throughout his journey to get to the academy. Not that he wanted to as that six month period was probably the most stressful and trying period of his life. Plus thinking of Iridescent in particular always brought up memories of Gato and Jaune didn't want to deal with that.

Yet, thinking about Gato now, the pain of losing his mentor wasn't as sharp as it used to be. Nor was Iridescent as haunting to think about as she used to be. Ever since that battle and the crazy woman's defeat, Jaune felt like a knot in his soul had come undone. That moment where he'd had to chose between ending Iridescent or saving Pyrrha and then choosing the latter option… since then, Jaune hadn't felt the griping determination to avenge Gato like before. He still definitely wanted Iridescent to pay, and Jaune didn't have any doubt in his mind that she'd pop up again in the future given that no body was found and that there hadn't been any news reports about her being arrested, but it felt less like a personal grudge he was holding onto and more of a sense that he'd take her down because it was the right thing to do and it would prevent others from being put through what he and Gato had.

Whether it was turning her into the police or ending her life… though Jaune didn't have the burning desire for the latter option anymore.

Having had a week to process the battle, Jaune thought that maybe he felt this way because he was moving past his guilt over Gato's death somewhat. Either that, or it was because he felt like for the first time in a while he'd managed to do something right when he decided to save Pyrrha over satisfying his personal grudge.

And it had been a team effort. Together, they'd all managed to take down Iridescent and the White Fang that day. Sure neither problem was solved just yet. Jaune knew in his gut that Iridescent was skulking around somewhere and the White Fang were still at large, but they'd messed up their plans and every one of his friends had come out safely. He hadn't lost anyone.

For Jaune, that was an overwhelming victory. And he'd saved a life. The life of a friend. Pyrrha hadn't become another Gato. He'd managed to protect her and everyone else. And they did a great job at protecting him too.

"…It feels like I've actually made some progress toward accomplishing my dream." Jaune murmured as he stared down at his hands.

He felt, just a little bit, like the hero he aspired to be.

"Just like Gato…" Jaune whispered. "And just like dad…"

The blonde closed his eyes.

"I wonder, dad… what you'd think of me being here in Beacon?" Jaune muttered to himself. "Would you have sided with mom and pushed me to become a doctor, or would you have supported me and maybe convinced her to let me follow my dreams?"

Jaune clenched his hands into fists.

"I wonder… if you'd be proud of me?"

"Nick was always proud of you, Jaune."

The blonde jolted in his seat and his head shot up to find a man standing a few feet away him. The sun had also completely set and it was more night than day, but there was still enough light for Jaune to make out the man's features. The man had a dark complexion with a neatly trimmed beard, with wavy, raven black locks of hair swept up and out of the way exposing his handsome face. He wore a robe that was a blend of blue and white colors and designed in a way that didn't look native to Vale. The man's face and clothes in general made him look more like he belonged in Mistral of Vacuo.

Jaune recognized him instantly.

"U-Uncle Arjun?!" Jaune gaped as he stood to his feet, wondering if he wasn't seeing things. "I-Is it really you?"

The man smiled softly. "It has been some time, hasn't it?"

"I-I'll say! It's been years! Actual years!" Jaune exclaimed, still shocked that his godfather had suddenly shown up out of nowhere after so long. "Last time I saw you was… damn, I don't think my age was in the double digits!"

"Indeed. It truly… has been a long time since we've last spoken." Arjun nodded, stepping forward and placing his hands on his godson's shoulders. "You've grown so much. I see so much of Nick in you now. More than I would have thought."

"…I think that was probably the last time I saw you, come to think of it." Jaune said quietly. "At the funeral. And then after that when…"

Jaune trailed off, grimacing as he thought about what his uncle and godfather had suffered through. Losing his teammate and then losing…

"We are all destined to suffer through loss at some point. It is one of the inevitabilities of life." Arjun said. "I shared my grief with your family. Yet, when I grieved for her… I wanted to keep it to myself. It was selfish of me, but I couldn't help but hoard my feelings to myself. It was part of why I stepped away. I am ashamed of that, that I wasn't there for you, your sisters, or you mother."

The man heaved a sigh, and Jaune winced at how his godfather seemed to age a decade as he did.

"Even with two gone, there was still one left. And Isabel had all of you to take care of. For my last remaining teammate, and for all of you, I should have been stronger." Arjun sighed before he gazed at Jaune. The older man's eyes were suddenly swirling pools of amber, almost as if flames had been lit up behind his irises. "It gladdens me to see how strong you've become. Such strength I see in you further highlights my own shortcomings."

It had been a long time since Jaune had seen his uncle's semblance, but seeing the fire in the man's eyes brought back warm memories as well as vindication that through his aura sight Arjun had just gone and confirmed his growth as an huntsman.

"H-Hey, c'mon. As a kid there were a handful of times I wished you'd been around, but when my sisters explained everything to me and… well, know I don't blame you for anything, okay?" Jaune smiled. "It's just so good to see you after all this time! Er, speaking of that… why ARE you here anyway?"

"Like many others, I'm here attending the Vytal Festival." Arjun answered, taking his hands off of his godson's shoulders and folding them behind his back. "While I've been neglectful toward you family, and I am sorry for that, I have not been idle during our time apart. Myself and my associates will be providing security for this festival. I just finished finalizing a deal with Ozpin regarding that."

"So you'll be sticking around for a while?"

"I will."

"That's… that's great!" Jaune beamed, elated that Arjun wasn't going to disappear again after showing back up. "Oh man, we gotta find time to catch up later! There's so much I want to talk with you about!"

"And there is much I'd like to discuss with you as well." Arjun smiled. "I've heard a little bit about your exploits from the Headmaster. He has his eye on you."

"Ah… after all the trouble we've gotten up to lately, that doesn't surprise me." Jaune chuckled before he noticed that the sun had completely set. "Oh, shoot… hey, uncle, I'm really sorry, but I got to cut our reunion short. I've gotta be somewhere."

"Of course. We'll talk later. We have time." Arjun nodded. "It is good to see you, Jaune."

"And it's great to see you!" Jaune smiled, stepping around his uncle and heading in the direction of the cafeteria. "I'll be sure to-"

Jaune was interrupted by the sound of his scroll going off. It wasn't hard to guess who it was. Fishing his scroll out of his pocket, Jaune hit the answer button as he held it up to his ear.

"Hey, Pyrrha, sorry I lost track of time but I'll be there in-"

"Bzzt! Wrong!"

Jaune blinked. "Yang?"

"Duh! Do I really sound like P-Money over the phone?"

"No, not even close. I just wasn't expecting a call from you. What's up?"

"Your detention should be finished by now, right? Did you not get my invitations? We're hosting a fighting game tournament in our room! We're doing doubles now and Blake is a crappy partner! I need you to tap in!"

Jaune heard a bang and a series of expletives from someone in the background.

"Also, Sun is a very angry gamer as it turns out. And Scarlet might be even worse at playing than Blake. Anyway, point is we need some competent gamers! When are you guys coming over?"

"Ah… actually, I'm gonna have to pass on the tournament. I'm actually going to be eating with my team right now. I mean, if you're still playing by the time we're done I don't mind joining but-"

"Ah, nah, it's cool. You should spend your time after detention the way you want to!" Yang replied, not sounding bothered by the turndown. "Although… where are you right now?"

"Around the courtyards. Why?"

"Well… if you're already outside, could you do me a favor?"

"Depends on the favor."

"Could you maybe see if you can find Ruby for me?"

"Ruby's not with you?" Jaune asked, a little surprised by that.

Come to think of it, she hadn't been in the latest picture Yang had sent him. Scrolling through the pictures Yang had sent over, Jaune noticed that Ruby had been present in the beginning but the last four pictures didn't show her present within the group. When had she disappeared?

"No… she's been gone for almost an hour now. I saw her leave earlier and I assumed she was just going to get a snack from the vending machine earlier but she hasn't come back yet. Could you go look for her and send her back please?"

"I'll look for her." Jaune replied, earning a sigh of relief from Yang over the line. "Did she leave her cloak in your room?"

"Lemme check… nope, not seeing it so she's probably wearing it like usual."

"Least that'll make her easier to find. Not many other girls where a bright red cloak around here." Jaune smiled.

"Thanks for doing me a solid, stud. Return my sister to me and I'll give you a proper reward~!"

Jaune grinned at that. "Well, that's enough incentive for me. I'll deliver a Ruby unto you in the near future."

"You're the best! Thanks again!"

"No problem."

Jaune hung up and pocketed the scroll, cracking his neck before taking a look around. "Now, where should I start looking…?"

"You're looking for a young woman wearing a red hood?"

Jaune whirled around to face his uncle when Arjun voice that question.

"I overheard." Arjun answered before Jaune could ask how he knew. "As I was walking around, before I spotted you I did happen to spy someone in a red hood sitting at the cliffs that overlook the Emerald Forest. Perhaps she's still there."

"Seriously?" Jaune asked, wondering why Ruby would be there of all places. Still, it saved him the trouble of running around Beacon trying to find her without a lead. "Thanks for letting me know! We'll talk again soon, Uncle!"

With that, Jaune took off in the direction of the cliffs. Arjun watched him go, his eyes glowing in the night as he watched his godson powerwalk away.

"…You've already got scars on your soul. Evidence of your hardships, but also your growth. And they've been healed. Your soul doesn't bleed, godson." Arjun intoned. "Because you are blessed with companions who will help bandage your wounds. Hold them close, for they will be a balm to whatever harsh experiences you endure. Be there for them as much as they are there for you."

Arjun closed his eyes and he thought back to those he'd lost.

"Yes, take care and cherish those you love. Because life without them is a truly empty thing."

A portal swirled into the space behind the huntsman.

"Do not worry. I'll do my part as well." Arjun whispered. "There is… much that needs to be done. And much that I need to make up for."

He stepped into the portal, and was gone.

All that remained in the courtyard were the rustling leaves on the trees and bushes and the night breeze swept through the area.

- - - - -

The trek to the cliffs actually made him a little nostalgic, bringing to mind his reunion with his childhood friends and quickly getting acquainted with everyone of his friends and how they'd all first fought together in the Emerald Forest. Jaune didn't let himself get swept down memory lane though. His primary focus was on finding Ruby. Luckily he didn't have to look very hard, since he managed to find the girl the instant he found the cliffs.

The little reaper was sitting at the edge of the cliff face. From the angle he stood, Jaune saw that she wasn't daggling her feet off the side, but thankfully had chosen to sit on the grass several feet away from edge. That meant he didn't have worry about accidentally startling her off the cliff as he approached. Jaune's shoes crunched on the dirt and grass, announcing his presence to Ruby from the way her shoulders jolted briefly before she turned her head toward him.

Jaune raised his hand in greeting and shot his friend a smile. "Hey there! Come here often?"

The girl tilted her cutely and blinked in slight befuddlement. "Jaune…?"

"Who else would I be?" Jaune asked as he stepped up next to her. "Mind if I sit?"

"Uh, sure?" Ruby nodded, still looking a little lost as she watched Jaune plop down next to her. "What are you doing here?"

"That should be my question." Jaune replied. "All alone out here this late at night while there's apparently a gaming competition being hosted back in your room. Passing that up doesn't seem like a very 'Ruby' thing to do."

"Ah… haha… yeah, I guess it doesn't." Ruby gave a small laugh at his words before turning back to face the direction of the forest.

Jaune frowned at the melancholy look on the girl's face. Her current expression wasn't very "Ruby" either. Even as she gazed out over the treetops of Emerald Forest, it didn't really look like Ruby's attention was on the tries. Plus she was ignoring the much more amazing sight of the starry night sky and Remnant's shattered moon overhead.

"…To be honest, I haven't been feeling very 'Ruby' lately…" Ruby murmured.

"Well, after a week of detention I think we're all a little drained." Jaune said.

"It's not just that. I mean, that's part of it, but it's also…" Ruby trailed off before pulling her legs up to her chest and hiding her face against her knees.

Now Jaune was getting concerned. "Hey, Ruby, you know you can talk to me if something's eating at you, right?"

Ruby didn't reply to his words immediately, but Jaune didn't let her lack of response deter him. He scooted closer to his friend, placing one hand on her back and rubbing in a circular motion which he hoped was comforting. They stayed like that for a little while, with Jaune rubbing Ruby's back while she herself continued to hide her face.

Eventually, Jaune felt Ruby give a big sigh and she pulled her face away from her knees.

"Say Jaune," Ruby started quietly. "What do you think of your time at Beacon so far?"

"Huh?" Jaune blinked, a little thrown by the question. "I mean… it's been great for me. I'm finally getting to work on becoming a hero like my dad. I got to see you and Yang again, plus I got to meet Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, and all of our other friends. I couldn't be happier to be in Beacon."

Wearing a concerned frown, Jaune leaned forward a little to try and get a better look at Ruby's face and gauge her mood.

"I mean… aren't you happy to be here too?"

Ruby was quiet for a few seconds before she answered.

"I'm happy about all that stuff too. Seeing you again, meeting all of our friends, training to be a Huntress… it's just… well…"

Beacon's youngest student bit her lip and seemed to struggle with herself before speaking up again.

"It… It just feels like I haven't done a lot of Hunter related stuff lately." Ruby hissed quietly.

"What?"

"I just… well, you know how I got into Beacon, right?" Ruby asked. "How I foiled Torchwick's robbery at a dust store in Vale's downtown? Chasing him off is what got me noticed by the Headmaster."

"I'm aware." Jaune said, nodding slowly. "It's actually pretty impressive that-"

"But then a little after actually getting into Beacon and being placed on a team, we're all fighting terrorists at a dock with some nasty lizard faunus trying to attack us. Or eat us."

"Right, that. But we all came out of it okay, plus Blake and Weiss managed to-"

"And then one of the first things we do when our new semester starts is to try and bust another White Fang operation, only this one has even more terrorists and some crazy girl piloting a mecha who wants you to marry her."

Jaune grimaced at that. He'd had the whole week to process the event, and while there were still a couple embers of guilt burning in his stomach about getting everyone involved in that debacle, he was in a much better headspace now. Pyrrha was all healed up, all his friends were safe, and Blake had agreed to ease off on her White Fang vendetta. The shared mission between their teams now was to train and focus on their studies so that they could graduate and officially become huntsman in a few years.

Sure, criminals were still lurking around in the shadows… but with Atlas flying in, the new security initiatives Vale was pushing forth, and now knowing that his godfather was present in the city, Jaune felt even more confident that the criminal element would be taken care of without his or Ruby's teams needing to stick their noses into things again.

Still, Jaune wasn't sure he was following along with Ruby's train of thought.

"What are you saying, Ruby?"

"It's just… we're trying to become hunters, right? Hunters fight Grimm." Ruby mumbled. "So… why have we been fighting people?"

Ruby's words gave Jaune pause. Before he could respond though, the girl continued speaking.

"Heck, even back in Forever Fall there was that sniper that shot at me. And then I almost got mauled by those Grimm. If you hadn't saved me…"

"Hey, where's all this coming from?" Jaune asked, his voice heavy with concern.

For the past week he'd noticed Ruby had been out of sorts. Yang had too, and both of them had worried about the attitude shift Ruby had displayed. While Jaune was glad that the little reaper was opening up to him, it shook his nerves a little to hear Ruby sound so downtrodden.

"Geez, I wonder if this how everyone else felt when I was getting lost inside my own head." Jaune thought.

It definitely wasn't fun being on the other side of it.

"It's just weird. I just feel like I've fought more people than Grimm since I started at Beacon." Ruby muttered. "A-And that doesn't feel right! Hunters and huntresses are heroes who fight against Grimm! We've fought terrorists a-and I know we did a good thing, several good things, I-I just…"

Ruby turned toward Jaune with glistening eyes.

"Jaune, I-I didn't become a huntress to hurt people. We shouldn't be fighting people! It should just be Grimm… right…?"

The blonde stared at his childhood friend for several moments after she voiced that question. He chewed over her words and what type of questions she was asking. They were familiar ones. They were questions he'd asked himself several times during his journey to Beacon after he'd ran away from home.

It was why Jaune knew that it wasn't just the concept of fighting other human beings that had Ruby feeling so lost.

"Ruby, you know you can trust me, right? That you can tell me anything?" Jaune asked.

The girl held his gaze for a moment before she gave a slow nod.

"So tell me… what did you see that has you so shaken up?" Jaune asked. "Or should I be asking, what did you do?"

"I-It wasn't me!" Ruby stammered, hands shooting out and fisting into the front of Jaune's hoodie as she clung to him. "T-The White Fang, t-they were the ones who were…!"

"Ruby, did you…"

"No!" Ruby shook her head. "It was someone else! The White Fang, they were shooting at me, but then someone else shot them and they all fell down! And then I…"

Jaune gasped when the dark around them was suddenly illuminated. Jaune stared in amazement as Ruby's eyes glowed a brilliant silver in the night.

"Your eyes…"

"Ah…!"

Ruby tried to recoil away but before she could Jaune pulled her to his chest and embraced her. His friend stilled in his arms and relaxed after a moment.

"…This is what I wanted to tell you about before." Ruby mumbled into Jaune's chest. "My eyes… my mom had them too. They're supposed to be special and make it so I can fight against Grimm better than anyone else."

"…They wouldn't also happen to fire lasers, would they?" Jaune asked cheekily, smiling when he felt Ruby snort a laugh into his shirt.

"I wish." Ruby giggled before she fell silent. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around Jaune's waist. "Actually, I don't know much about them myself. My dad told me some stuff, and my mom had some old journals but… I'm kinda fumbling in the dark when it comes to these special eye powers I apparently have. And… last week when we fought the White Fang, when I saw those White Fang members die… I found out something about my eyes."

"…What was it?"

"…I saw them die." Ruby whispered. "And I don't mean I just saw them fall on the ground and stop breathing when they were shot. I-I mean I saw their souls leaving their body. I-I don't know how to describe what it felt like when I saw it, but is was like something got cut out of the space they were standing it. Like someone suddenly opened up a pitfall where their souls were and it all just drained away. It made my skin crawl and I got so scared…"

Ruby trembled in his arms.

"I want to be a hero like my mom. I want to protect people. But seeing the life drain away from someone else is… I mean, rationally, I know I'm not gonna be able to save anyone. B-But if every time someone dies I see that again…?"

Ruby let out a shuddering breath.

"S-Sorry, I know I'm not making much sense and that what I'm saying is-"

"No, I understand completely."

Ruby pulled away and gazed up at Jaune, expression curious and desperate.

"You do...?"

Jaune sighed and held Ruby tighter. "Ruby, I... kinda got into this a little with Yang, and I know you said she told you, but... I'm in the same boat. Combine my time here in Beacon with the six months it took for me to travel to Vale... I've had to fight way more people than I have Grimm. Honestly, my kill count for people is probably higher than my Grimm kill count."

Ruby bit her lip.

"When I was in Iridescent's arena, the people I fought weren't all criminals. I'm sure some of them were in the same situation as me, but because I didn't want to die, I fought them. Sure, I didn't go for the killing blow or anything delibrate. Not always. But I hurt them, and put them in bad positions for future fights. Plus what happend with Gato..."

Jaune closed his eyes as he thought about his mentor.

"Like those White Fang guys you saw die, even if you weren't the one who pulled the trigger, you still feel responsible, don't you?"

With her mouth falling open slightly, Ruby gave a frantic nod.

"You keep thinking if you hadn't been there, or if you'd done something different, or been a little stronger, a little smarter, maybe no one would've had to die. But life isn't like our comic books. When we heroes defeat the 'villains', they don't always get up and swear vengeance and run off with only a few bruises and scrapes. The results are a lot more final than that. Even after I escaped, there were... others that I had to take out because it was either me or them. I could tell you all about how the people I fought were evil, or that they deserved what I did to them, or that I was just defending myself... but it didn't stop me from feeling guilty about it."

"I don't feel guilty about killing Grimm." Ruby told him. "B-But people...!"

Jaune nodded. "I know. It's hard, watching people die."

And he had six months to get used to it. Ruby was going dealing with witnessing death firsthand. Deaths she'd been involved in... even if she wasn't directly responsible for them. And she apparently saw it in a unique way that he or anyone else couldn't fathom.

But he could help her through it.

"I don't know what you think of yourself after you saw those guys die, but you... can't hold yourself responsible for every death you might see in the future. It... took me a while to understand that myself, and I only recently convinced myself to let go a little... but you don't deserve that weight on your soul, Ruby."

"...But what if things stay like this?" Ruby asked. "What if we have to fight people again? I keep thinking that if Yang, or Weiss, or Blake, o-or you, and if... if I need to save you, and the only way to do that is to-"

"I've made those decisions too. And making those decisions doesn't make you a bad person, Ruby. It doesn't make you any less of a hero." Jaune assured her. "Certainly not in my eyes."

Jaune rubbed her back.

"Do you think I'm a bad person for the things I've done? For the lives I've taken?"

"No. Never once."

The instant answer made Jaune smile.

"You have no idea how much of a relief that is to hear from you. And I believe you. So can you believe me?"

"I... I do..."

"And... if we ever have to burden ourselves with a hard choice, we can carry that weight together. Promise." Jaune said soothingly. "I'll always be here to support you, Ruby. Just like Yang will. And your team. And my team. And anyone else who wants to be heroes with us. We'll be there for each other to make it easier."

"Mhm..."

"You're gonna be a hero one day, Ruby. Don't worry about the big picture or what we might have to fight in the future. Just... prioritize. It's something I've been trying to get used to, and I think I'm getting the hang of it. I'm kinda measuring my success on how happy the rest of you are and whether or not I can keep you all safe. But the recent fight with Iridescent and the White Fang showed me I can't do it alone. I'm much more successful together with all of you than trying to go solo. I know you feel guilty about those White Fang guys, but I also want you to know you saved me back then. You can be happy about that, right?"

"Yeah..."

"So, um..." Jaune waffled as he and Ruby clung to each other. "I... hope that made you feel a little better?"

Hearing Ruby giggle in response had Jaune giving another relieved sigh.

"Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better now." Ruby smiled, leaning away from Jaune as the glow from her eyes faded. "Honestly, knowing you're going be with me makes me feel a lot better."

"Feeling's mutual." Jaune smiled. "I'd probably be much more of mess if you weren't here in Beacon with me. That's the truth."

"Yeah? Are you happiest about me being here compared to everyone else?" Ruby asked. "Even more than Yang? Or Pyrrha?"

"Those are questions I don't have to answer." Jaune replied, poking the girl's cheek playfully. "Though speaking of your sister, I promised I'd deliver a Ruby to her. She was worried when you left and didn't come back."

"Oh... so she asked you to look for me?" Ruby mumbled, looking sheepish. "I, um... can't we stay together a little longer? I don't feel like playing video games right now."

Jaune opened his mouth to reply but paused when he felt buzzing in his pocket. Fishing out his scroll and seeing a text from Pyrrha, an idea suddenly popped into his head.

"Well, if you don't want to go back to your dorm just yet, I've got another destination in mind."

- - - - -

"Order up!" Nora smiled and slammed the plate down in front of Team RWBY's leader.

Ruby leaned back and warily eyed the large stack of pancakes that towered in front of her.

"Um, where do I start?" Ruby asked.

"From the middle works best I've found!" Nora grinned. "And if you can't finish everything, I'll take the leftovers!"

"We've also got bacon, eggs, milk and orange juice." Ren said as he finished the spread.

"And there are also waffles if you want and alternative to pancakes." Pyrrha added.

"HEATHEN!" Nora shouted at her fellow redhead.

"They're practically the same thing. Same ingredients, the only different is that one is a circle shape while the other-"

"BLASPHEMER!"

Sitting next to Ruby, Jaune smiled happily when he saw Ruby giggle at his team's antics. He knew that not all of Ruby's worries and fears had been alievated, and there would probably be more discussions about her feelings and about her issues with her eyes in the future, but he was prepared to help her out with them.

Like Ruby, he was learning that the path to become a huntsman had divorced quite a bit from his original idealized image of the profession. But that was fine. Even if there were a few missteps here and there in the coming days, they could make up for it together.

And like he had mentioned earlier, Jaune had managed to find a pretty good measuring stick to track his success.

Grinning, Jaune flicked out his scroll.

"Hey, Ruby, scoot closer for a sec."

- - - - -

Yang threw her hands up as her characters was given another KO.

"Seriously Blake, could you be any worse at this game?"

"I told you I don't like fighting games." The cat faunus protested. She held her controller up in the air. "Please, someone, take this from me."

"Hey, Weiss, why don't we partner up from another round together?" Neptune offered.

"I would, but my thumbs hurt from the controls." Weiss frowned, staring at her red thumbs.

"That's what you get for button mashing." Yang shrugged.

"The controls are confusing!"

"Let's make it a Team SSSN fight this time!" Sun interjected. "Me and Nep versus Sage and Scar!"

"I'm down." Scarlet said.

"Sounds good to me." Sage nodded.

"Just don't text your girlfriend while you're playing this time." Neptune told Sage.

"I don't see how it's a problem seeing as I can still beat you both with one hand. It's two handicaps in your favor."

"What's the other handicap?"

"He's got Scarlet as his second player." Sun snarled as he glared at the redhead.

"Hey, I'm not that bad!"

"YOU THREW THE BOMB AT ME FIVE TIMES! WE WERE ON THE SAME TEAM!"

"It was an accident!"

"FACE THE PEOPLE YOU WANT TO THROW THE ITEMS AT! IT ISN'T HIGH CONCEPT DUMBASS! IT IS VERY SIMPLE!"

Yang rolled her eyes as Team SSSN got into it, but her eyebrows went up when she saw her scroll light up. Taking it out and unlocking it, she saw that Jaune had texted her. Opening up her messages Yang smiled at what she saw.

Sitting at a cafeteria table, Ren was balancing several breakfast plates in his hands while wearing a pink frilly apron. Pyrrha seemingly contrusting a face on a plate of waffles with bacon, eggs and blueberries while Nora was practically inhaling a pile of pancakes.

And in the foreground, Jaune and her sister were cheek to cheek and beaming at the camera.

Attached to the image was a message from Jaune that said "Wish you were here!" with a bacon and pancake emoji following it.

See how happy her sister looked, Yang decided that she'd have to find a way to thank Jaune sometime.

It was so nice having someone else to help watch out for her little sister.

- - - - -

A couple hours later, Jaune and Ruby stood in front of the latter's dorm room. There were no muffled noises or raging shouts coming from behind the door, as a text from Yang half an hour earlier had informed them that their gaming tournament had ended and SSSN had left to let everyone wind down for bed and properly prep for the weekend.

Jaune was gratified when Ruby stood in front of him, leaning against the door with a large smile on her face. It was a great improvement from her somber attitude at the cliffs, and Jaune was glad he was able to put that smile on her face with the help of Ren's cooking and the antics of his whole team.

"I really needed tonight." Ruby told Jaune with a smile. "So thanks for talking with me. And for feeding me."

"A rose should be kept watered and well fed." Jaune joked.

"Funny." Ruby giggled, sticking her tongue out at her friend. "So… any big plans for the weekend?"

"Well, I got a man-date with Cardin tomorrow in case you forgot. So that'll be fun."

"Wow. You sound so enthusiastic."

"I'm trying to convince myself it won't blow up in my face and no one will come back to Beacon with black eyes or broken limbs." Jaune shrugged. "What about you?"

"I… I'm just going to relax. That's something that I don't think I've done enough of lately." Ruby said firmly. "And I don't mean just staying in my room and being alone with my thoughts. I want to do things that make me happy! I wanna goof around with Yang, maybe do some shopping with Weiss, and read some books with Blake."

"Hey, you stay away from Blake's books. They'll only corrupt you."

"Too late! I'm already halfway corrupted!"

"Damn. Mark my words, that cat is gonna pay for this." Jaune promised, clenching his fist like a cartoon character declaring vengeance which earned more giggles from Ruby.

"Other than that, maybe indulge in my hobbies a little. Did you know I haven't been to the forgery once since the semester started! That simply cannot stand! Ignoring my precious baby and not giving her proper maintenance… I can't become a neglectful mother, Jaune!"

Rolling his eyes at Ruby's attitude and how she referred to her prized weapon, Jaune dropped the joking tone and gave Ruby a stern look. "So, about this silver eye stuff… you gonna tell anyone else?"

"...I will. Soon. For now can… can we keep it an us thing please?"

"If that's what you want, I promise not to bring it up unless you do." Jaune assured. "Just promise me that you will tell Yang and the others soon. You and I can't figure this thing out just on our own. Eight heads are way better than just our two."

"I know, I know. I just… wanna process a little more and get my thoughts in order before I tell everyone about my special powers or what me having these eyes might mean." Ruby murmured. "Heck, I'm here in Beacon this early not because I chased off Torchwick but only because the Headmaster knows about my special eye powers."

"Nah, you're definitely here because you're a kickass huntress." Jaune grinned. "Don't go doubting yourself now, not when we're already this far into things."

"Yeah, yeah… you're right. I shouldn't be so negative. I'm already in the top fifty in combat classes! And that's out of hundreds of students!"

"Exactly." Jaune nodded with a smile. "You're well on your way to becoming an amazing huntress."

"Both of us are." Ruby affirmed. "Don't forget you're pretty amazing yourself. I know you doubt yourself plenty and get mopey sometimes, but don't let those bad thoughts win!"

"I know, I know." Jaune sighed, feeling a little called out but that couldn't be helped. "I feel like I'm getting better, thanks to you all. But if I relapse, don't hold it against me, okay?"

"...Yeah. I think I get where you're coming from a little more now. I knew being a huntress wasn't all roses and sunshine, but I think I only really registered that fact last week when I saw those men die." Ruby said softly.

"Ruby, hey-"

"Ah, but, I'm not worrying about it as much anymore! Or at least I'm trying not to." Ruby stammered, waving her arms and giving a reassuring smile to Jaune. "Bad things happen and that's… just part of life. That doesn't mean I always have to focus entirely on the bad parts. Not when there's so much good parts in my life!"

"Now there's the always-positive Ruby I know and love." Jaune grinned playfully, his words earning a blush from Ruby.

"Ahaha… well, not always positive. It's hard being positive ALL the time, so if I feel sad I'm gonna mope. Just if I do, can you maybe try doing something like what you did tonight?"

"Hey, remember what I said before? I'm always here for you if you need me, Ruby."

"Yeah, I know. But I like hearing you say it." Ruby smiled before she ducked her head. "And… y'know, to help keep myself thinking positive thoughts and not dwell so much on the negative, I'm…. gonna start being a little more proactive about my happiness."

Jaune tilted his head curiously at those words. "What do you mean by that."

Shyly toeing the carpet with one foot, Ruby peered up at Jaune with a red face.

"Well… kinda like this?"

There was a burst of rose petals, as there always was when Ruby triggered her semblance, and Jaune's eyes widened when suddenly Ruby was leaning against him on her tiptoes and staring directly into his eyes.

Jaune stared back into her silvery orbs for a second before the girl closed her eyes and then closed the distance. Jaune felt something soft press against his lips for a half a second before the sensation was gone, and was left blinking guilelessly down at Ruby who was displaying red cheeks and a beatific smile toward him.

"Hehehe!" Ruby beamed, and gave Jaune a wink. "Ruby Rose is gonna keep doing her best! You better watch out!"

Having said that, there was another burst of rose petals and a second later Ruby was gone and the sound of her door slamming shut was echoing in his ears.

Jaune was left standing in the hallway, expression completely nonplussed as he tried to register what Ruby had just pulled. Slowly, one hand came up to touch his lips. After a moment, his hand rose to cover his face in embarrassment.

"...That girl is dangerous." Jaune mumbled, feeling how warm his face was with his hand.

Not only that, but it looked like it wasn't just the big sister who could leave him breathless and make his heart race.

Ever since reuniting with Ruby at Beacon and she had announced her infatuation with him, Jaune had sort of written her off. Unlike Yang and Pyrrha who were quite aggressive in expression their feelings for him, when it came to Ruby it was easy to look at her own overtures toward him and just see it as a childish crush. One that she'd grow out of when she found someone else better and more put together to crush on. Jaune had thought that he'd had the girl sister-zoned.

That was no longer the case. That kiss, brief as it was, had conveyed more to him than all of Ruby's hugs, playful gestures or teasing comments had combined.

Ruby really did have feelings for him.

And Jaune had suddenly realized that Ruby Rose was a woman.

"Geez, when did that happen?" Jaune wondered aloud.

Well, best not to dwell on that revelation for the time being. For now, he needed to get some sleep and get ready for his man-date tomorrow. Hopefully some time later he could put more effort into sorting out his increasingly tangled up love life.

Heck, maybe Cardin could give him some tips. Despite it all, he was somehow in a very stable relationship with his faunus girlfriend if the rumors were to be believed. Jaune could certainly use the romantic advice.

= = = = = = =

Enjoy me some Lancaster. But also character development. Developing and expanding characters properly is the really good shit.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Yang: "So... Kissed my little sister, huh?"

Jaune: "Er... More like she kissed me, Yang."

Yang: eyes burning red "That so?"

Jaune: "Come on, I'm not the kind of guy who would put the moves on your little sister! Honest!"

Yang: "I know that."

Jaune: "So why are you angry with me?"

Yang: "I'm not angry with you-"

Jaune: "Seven sisters Yang, come on."

Yang: "I'm just saying, why are we doing all the work around here, huh?" pouts "Why can't you kiss us once in a while, hm?"

Jaune: "Er... I mean... I do that and I might start playing favorites. You all deserve better than that, honest!"

Yang: "... And you're scared of us murdering you?"

Jaune: "What sane man wouldn't be?!"

Yang: "Well then, I'll make things clear: You wanna kiss me? You can do it any time you like~."

Jaune: "How does that solve any of my problems?!"

Yang: "Did I say it would solve any of your problems?" grin, wink

Jaune: "... Touche."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

It was probably only thanks to his endless mistakes and long life that Ozpin was able to keep his patience for any government hearing. After the first few centuries, they'd all kind of blended into a relatively easy to predict pattern. Humans were still humans, Faunus were still Faunus, even after all this time. All with their own wants, needs, desires, flaws, dreams and fears.

Most politicians were just that: People, out for their own gain, the gain of their backers and voters, and the gain of their country: Usually in that order. It was what they were meant to do and society did need them because of the nature of hierarchies.

So far, in his experience, Democratic Republics had the best track record when it came to producing a hierarchy for human society that benefited the most people. The sad fact was, the fundamental truth of nature and mankind was that hierarchies were required. There was always someone at the top and always someone at the bottom, because that was how the universe functioned. You needed hierarchies to accomplish things, so like anything else in this flawed world, it had good aspects and bad aspects. Raging against it was as pointless as raging against the setting of the sun, the moon and the stars. Even Ozma at his most powerful could do nothing about that.

"Once again, the members of the Lower Council let their passions take charge instead of looking at the facts of the matter! Your aggressive military expansion is causing more trouble than it is solving, just as it caused all the troubles in the Faunus Revolution!"

Of course, that had never stopped a politician from abusing people's ignorance of the facts, Ozpin thought, as he sat in his seat in the Valean Council Senate and listened to Councilwoman Prunella Glocken rant.

She had dark black hair with a distinctive white streak running up from her forehead back to her severe bun. Her face was sharp, her gaze like flint you'd hit steel against for sparks. Her form was prim and proper, like a particularly tyrannical professor Ozpin had employed a century ago, but had to let go when she was putting the students into death matches. She wore a black suit jacket with a black skirt, and a coat with Dalmation fur trim-A trademark of her family.

If he was being charitable, she did resemble her fiery namesake, Lady Prunella Ayra Glocken, a noble lady he had known a decade before the Great War. When the city of Vale was enduring a strike by the newly established police and firefighter unions, a major fire broke out in the Old Town. He recalled Lady Prunella, in full petticoat and bonnet, personally organizing bucket brigades and helping people get to safety. She'd become a sensation for her efforts and her family, already rich, entered the elites thanks to her brave efforts and masterful politicking.

"Are we to presume that Rufus Winchester, whose family owns Winchester Arms, has no financial goals with this breaking of our Constitution? With his backdoor deals and manipulations? How are we to trust the word of a politician who so blatantly defies the law set by this Council three decades ago?!" She demanded, slamming her fist on the wooden podium she was ranting from.

Ozpin knew plenty about politicians, about the kind of men and women who took that path. A few were truly paragons people he called statesmen and stateswomen because they had put their country before their own desires and it felt unfair to lump them in with the rest. Some were fairly moral people, though with vices and failures. Many fell into the inherent vices that handling power entailed, because not everyone was strong enough to resist it especially if it seemed to hurt no one you cared about. Some were brilliant, most average, some so stupid it was amazing they got their position at all. Those absolutely deserved to be called politicians.

"Indeed, we should let this new Valean Defense Force die, and put all funding into proper Faunus Reconciliation! I have been proposing a full government department for this very purpose for three years! How else are you to stop the White Fang from gaining members without reaching out to these poor, unfortunate souls to convince them to the path of peace? Rufus Winchester's answer is the same as his father's! With guns, violence, and bombs!"

Councilwoman Prunella Glocken was most definitely a politician, in Ozpin's mind.

"Indeed, we should open an immediate investigation into Rufus Winchester and his associates for this monstrous state of affairs! With the goal of removing him from this Council entirely!"

Throughout Glocken's speech, Rufus had managed to keep calm. He shot steely glares at Glocken, but this was fairly normal for their relationship. His fists clenched at this, but he still stayed seated, calm, and silent.

Councilman Jonas Uzi, a young green haired representative who had only recently been elected, shot up and shouted at her.

"That's going too far!" He shouted. "You Senate types are always trying to meddle in the Commons like you're a bunch of tyrants-!"

Rufus reached up and pulled Uzi down into his seat. The younger representative glared, but Rufus shook his head. Uzi grit his teeth but resumed glaring at Glocken. Ozpin nodded to Winchester in thanks, which the redhaired man returned.

Things were tense enough. Uzi was a hothead, and while his heart was in the right place? His head wasn't.

"Well, if one of Winchester's lapdogs is going to scream on his behalf," Glocken sneered, "Perhaps I touched a nerve, hm?"

The Chairwoman of Vale, an elegant older woman with tanned skinned and white hair in a ponytail, presided over the Senate on a raised dais in the circular forum. She nodded, and rapped the gavel that was the symbol of her office when she was selected to lead Vale as a nation three years ago.

"Thank you, Madame Councillor, your time is up," Chairwoman Sandra Browning stated firmly.

"But Chairwoman, I protest!" Glocken growled, "I was interrupted-"

"Thank you, Madame Councillor, but we have much to get through and it is late," she stated firmly. Glocken scowled, gathered up her papers, and stalked off back to her seat. Browning looked over at Winchester and Ozpin.

"Councilman Winchester, you have the podium."

Winchester stood up, and walked slowly out to the podium. He set down his papers, shuffled them a bit, then cleared his throat. He looked up, and began to speak as his distinctive red mustache waved a bit.

"My fellow Councilmembers. The accusations made by Councilwoman Glocken are extremely dramatic, I'll grant her that. They were made worse by her shrill, shrieking voice-"

"Councilman, if you please," Browning stated coldly. Rufus caught Ozpin's eye. The red haired man slowly nodded, then resumed.

"However, at no point did I break the Constitution, the law, or my oath as a Councilman of Vale, nor as the Speaker of the Commons," he stated, "Under Article 17 of the Valean Constitution, per People vs. Township of Lexington, it is legal for any citizen to raise a militia for the purposes of the defense of their community from external threats. It was further established in that same case that government funds can be applied for in order to create such a militia. If approved, the funds will be released to said militia, with the use of those funds to be examined on a yearly basis by a government-appointed auditor."

Winchester looked up to Browning directly, his face calm and controlled.

"The Bill to formally reinstitute the Valean Defense Force was approved by this body and you yourself last week. Bill 224.4, 'for the establishment of increased security for the Vytal Festival in light of threats to Vale.' You signed off on that Bill yourself, Madam Chairwoman."

Ozpin mentally applauded Rufus for doing his best to not appear smug. Despite his temper, he had made a career after being a Huntsman as a lawyer, after all.

Browning slowly nodded, her keen blue eyes narrowing.

"I did, yes. The fact remains that fully re-establishing the Valean Defense Force was to be carried out by a committee approved by this body. You instead raised a militia and had them all volunteer to become the Valean Defense Force."

"Out of pirates and mercenaries, no less!" Glocken shouted. Much uproar ensued, and Browning slammed the gavel down like a goddess of thunder to get things calm again.

"Order, order! Well, Councilman Winchester?" Browning asked.

"Under Article 17," Winchester said smoothly, "Men and women who had not committed egregious crimes against citizens such as murder, kidnapping, or rape were not barred from enlisting as members of a defense militia. They would be granted a full pardon for crimes under the provision that they signed a two year service contract. All members of the PMCs and Captain Silverhand's crew agreed to this. A number are on parole pending a more thorough investigation into their past conducts, which is also a provision in Article 17."

"That's ridiculous! You only raise militias when the nation is in a state of war!" Glocken blustered, "We're at peace!"

"The Councilwoman has a point, Mister Winchester," Browning stated calmly, "Usually a state of emergency must be declared for the provisos of Article 17 to come into effect for rearmament."

"Except I didn't institute rearmament or the recreation of the VDF," Winchester stated smoothly, "I merely raised private militias for the purpose of the defense of Vale. It calls itself the Valean Defense Force, but as there is no such force at the moment, there is no conflict with the official force-As it does not exist. No declaration of war is required for that. Unless this august body would like to pass a bill declaring war on all Grimm."

He smirked a bit.

"Honestly, it would be nice to get it out in the open and make it clear to all and sundry what we're fighting for. Naturally, we would require a military force of some kind to wage war. Rather difficult to do so without one." He shot a smug look at Glocken, whose face turned puce.

"If only one was available…"

"Enough, Mister Winchester," Browning stated firmly. She shook her head, and looked over at Ozpin. "Councilman Ozpin. You are the officially selected Warden for Vale. You oversee the defenses of the nation and assess the overall defensive requirements for the nation at large. What say you?"

Ozpin got up and walked to another podium. He tapped the mike out of habit-He'd started it when the things were invented, after all.

Glocken was smirking nastily at Winchester, and Ozpin could imagine why. Despite his colorful history with Winchester, Ozpin had agreed with Glocken a great deal. He could certainly see the value in reaching out to the Faunus and improving social conditions throughout the kingdom. This is what Glocken had started out doing when she was first elected thirty years ago.

Somewhere along the line though… She'd become a politician.

"It is in my estimation that the current defenses of Vale are inadequate to handling the requirements of the Vytal Festival. Current funding for Hunter forces is also inadequate," Ozpin stated. "This is why I endorsed the re-establishment of the Valean Defense Force, and felt that Councilman Winchester's militia was most suitable to accomplishing that goal. It is my belief that Councilman Winchester was acting out of the good of the people with his intentions."

Winchester didn't smile with his mouth, but his eyes did. Glocken's jaw dropped in disbelief.

"While his methods were… Haphazard, he did not break any laws nor violate his oath," Ozpin went on. He waited for the murmuring to die down, tapping his cane a bit to hurry it along before he continued.

"That said, the re-establishment of the Valean Defense Force requires oversight, like any other government program. As Warden of Vale, I will be beholden to the Committee established to ensure that this VDF does not become a cesspool of corruption, graft, and even worse crimes against the innocent as the last one did. Councilman Winchester has graciously handed over all financial documentation for the VDF as it stands. The committee will go through this and monitor the VDF's actions."

He leaned forward.

"I will not lie: Re-establishing a military is a long, difficult, and messy process. However, given the dangerous state of Vale and Remnant at this moment? Something is indeed better than nothing. We now have some basic forces and organization in place, largely made up of military veterans who wish to serve their country and do good in the world. I suggest we encourage the better angels of their nature by ensuring that the basic necessities of the VDF are not bogged down by petty politics. It is my belief that this new VDF can work and we can avoid the mistakes of the past. As our very survival may depend on them."

Brown considered him and Winchester for a moment, before she slowly nodded.

"Gentlemen," she began, "These actions are likely to keep federal lawyers busy for years in how convoluted this has become…" She sighed. "But if the Warden of Vale himself recommends it? I can't discount his views. For the time being, the VDF will be allowed to exist."

Winchester became much less tense at this. Ozpin was too old a hand at this to give anything away, but some relief did flow through his body at this. Browning continued, even as Glocken and her supporters murmured and grumbled unhappily.

"We will begin oversight committee and Department formation to manage its operations next week. The proposed budget will stand with potential extensions next year. Let's get through the Vytal Festival first before we make any further decisions."

"But Chairwoman-!" Glocken loudly protested. Browning slammed her gavel down, and shook her head. Glocken glared sourly across the forum, but kept her peace.

"If there is no other business for tonight?" Browning looked around, and everyone wisely stayed quiet under the intensity of her glare, "Good. Session is adjourned."

She slammed the gazel down once, and the various Councilmembers and their staff began to get up and head out. Ozpin and Winchester walked over to Winchester's seats, where Uzi was waiting.

"I uh… Sorry for speaking out of turn," Uzi apologized with a blush.

"It's done so often that it's little wonder most people think that's how it's supposed to work," Ozpin deadpanned. Winchester sighed and patted Uzi on the shoulder.

"You'll learn… Or I'll beat some sense into you," he stated. Uzi grimaced.

"You mean that metaphorically, r-right?" He asked.

"Clearly you missed when brawls were part of Senate hearings," Ozpin chuckled, "Ah, those were the days."

"Ahem."

All three men turned to see Sandra Browning standing before them. She was smirking a bit. Winchester did his best to remain stoic, Uzi paled, and Ozpin was the picture of calm.

"That was a neat trick, Winchester," she stated, "You should have applied as a judge on the Supreme Court."

"Maybe I will, some day," Winchester said with a shrug. Browning sighed and shook her head.

"That said… You have to step carefully now. These shenanigans of yours are very, very tricky. They could just as easily be used against you." She nodded over to Glocken, who was talking with her own staff, "Glocken might get on the committee and strangle the Defense Force in its crib."

"So… You support us?" Uzi asked. Winchester sighed as Ozpin was tempted to roll his eyes. Browning chuckled.

"You are as green as your hair, aren't you Uzi? I'm fine with executing the will of the people for the betterment of our nation. Having a defense force made up of colorful characters and not causing us headaches in the international news is, in theory, a good thing." She leaned in with a terrible smile.

"You'd better make sure it stays that way. Because believe me, I will be reviewing all of this. Very carefully."

She turned and walked away, her staff flocking around her like nervous geese.

Uzi shivered.

"Is… Is she always so scary?" He mumbled, brushing off his simple white and red suit in his nervousness.

"Look on the bright side," Ozpin stated blandly, "You didn't hide in the bathroom for four hours after she glared at you."

"Please," Rufus chuckled, "It was two hours. Tops."

- - -

Later, Councilwoman Prunella Glocken fumed a bit in her office in the Council Tower. Her assistants held up holopads, pointing out possibilities and counters to this upset in the chambers.

She nodded and processed it outwardly. Inwardly, her thoughts spun at high speed in anger.

That Winchester had gotten this kind of win… Her legendary temper was kept in check only thanks to years of practice. She went over everything that had been said, told her assistants to get the transcripts, and that she expected a proper response by the next morning.

This done, she dismissed her assistants. They went out the door, which slid shut tightly. Glocken looked around the bookcases full of lawbooks and biographies, the pictures on the desk of her family and dog, the various trophies and degrees and awards that decorated the walls to show anyone entering just what kind of a Councilwoman she was.

She lowered the lights a bit, and leaned back in her chair. It creaked a bit, but that helped fill the sudden silence. She looked to the nearby window. A female figure clad in black was sitting on the sill, a motorcycle helmet concealing her features.

"You're late," Glocken stated in irritation.

"You're not the only one I'm working with," the figure spoke, her helmet distorting her speech. Glocken sighed and shook her head.

"How did it get this far? He's even got Browning on his side!" Glocken growled. She glared heatedly at the figure.

"You promised me proof that Winchester was funding these 'White Fang' attacks!" Glocken sneered. "You promised me accounts that the VDF was a money laundering operation! Well where is it?!"

"We're working on it," the figure said, as calm and collected as ever. She reached into a pocket on her thigh, and pulled out a small holodisk. She handed it over to the suspicious Glocken.

The Councilwoman took it, and plugged it into her player. Several holoscreens appeared above her terminal: All with various financial records and images of Rufus Winchester and Ozpin meeting with various VDF officials.

"We're establishing the groundwork for your case," the figure said, "But it will take time. Ozpin himself is involved. Are you prepared to go against him?"

"In a heartbeat," Glocken said, without even a moment's hesitation. The figure's head tilted in curiosity. The Councilwoman sniffed.

"Surprised?" Glocken asked.

"Curious," the figure stated, "You have often sided with Ozpin."

"Well, if he's going to betray me by going over to Winchester, of course I'll fight him tooth and nail," Glocken growled. She shook her head, and looked over at the far wall. A newspaper clipping was framed. The headline read "GLOCKEN ENDS VDF". A picture of herself, far younger, standing in the center of the Council Chambers was in the center of the clipping.

She allowed herself an indulgent smile as nostalgia overcame her.

"I helped bring down the corrupt edifice of the old VDF," she sniffed, "It had abused our citizens, Faunus, and was guzzling down our money while getting no results." She stood up and stalked over to the paper, staring intently at it.

"Fighting the Grimm with force will always be a losing battle," she sighed.

"You don't approve of Hunters?" The figure asked.

Glocken turned and shook her head.

"I'm fine with Hunters. I'm fine with people standing up to defend themselves. To protect themselves from these monsters… But to truly beat the Grimm requires changing mankind itself. Ending poverty, homelessness, despair."

"A far more difficult challenge," the figure commented. Glocken nodded firmly.

"It is… But it's a worthy one. If Ozpin's going to turn his back on progress? I'll destroy him. Just like Winchester and his little fantasies of redeeming his father. All to make a better world."

Glocken turned back and looked at the figure intently.

"Isn't that your goal as well? To make a better world?"

The figure stared back in silence, before slowly nodding.

"Aren't we all?" The figure asked, her yellow eyes glowing slightly through the visor. She then dropped out through the window and into the night. Glocken watched her go, and sighed softly.

"Most of us," Glocken murmured.

- - -

It's some political worldbuilding and I know it's about as exciting as CSPAN, but it will factor in the narrative further down the line. Promise.

UnknownAnon just gets to write the fun stuff this time around as writing boring stuff helps me recharge so I can write the good stuff again!

Oh, of course the boring political chapter is 69. That's just my luck...

 

[UnknownAnon]

Oof, this took too long. But life and work got in the way, so it is what it is. Still, finally time to kick off the Jaune+Cardin bromance for real. Hope folks enjoy the ride.

= = = = = = =

It was only after he'd dressed for the day, left his dorm room and had a quick breakfast that Jaune realized he had no actual way to contact Cardin. This was a problem since there hadn't been any agreement or plan where to meet up for their man-date. He didn't even know where Team CRDL's room was, and Jaune wasn't keen on walking up and down the floors of Beacon's dormitory to find it.

Instead, Jaune made his way over to the bullhead landing pads near the edge of the school. Assuming Cardin hadn't left ahead of him for the city, he'd inevitably head there since the only way to get to Vale from Beacon was to take a quick flight down there. There was the option to cut through the Emerald Forest, but it was rare that path was taken given the forest had Grimm wandering around and a twenty minute flight was preferable to a two hour trek.

Jaune sat on a bench near the landing pads, checking his scroll for the time as he idled about. For a half hour he watched teams come and go, and there was a lot of students coming and going. That was normal for the weekend, but air traffic was even higher given all the teams from foreign academies that had transferred for the Vytal Festival. A lot of people wanted to use their weekend to fly down and explore the city. The blonde had made a little game out of trying to guess which school students passing him belonged to. Those who wore their uniforms made their affiliation obvious, but it was a little more challenging to discern nationality for those who were dressing casually.

So absorbed in trying to determine whether or not a pair of girls were from Vacuo or Mistral, Jaune completely missed Cardin's arrival and only noticed when the young man cleared his throat.

"Oh, there you are." Jaune said by way of greeting, glancing down at his scroll and noting that it was about a half hour before noon. "Wasn't sure where we were meeting so I came here."

"Yeah, well… not like either of us said anything about where we'd meet." Cardin grumbled.

"We did not." Jaune affirmed.

"I… actually came here before breakfast." Cardin admitted, crossing his arms as he let out an irritated grunt. "It took me twenty minutes before I realized we never agreed to meet at the bullhead docks. And I didn't know where your dorm room was. And I couldn't find any of your friends to ask them. And I didn't want it to somehow get around that I didn't know how to get ahold of you and tip off Velvet that we're not…"

Cardin trailed off, letting out a frustrated groan and pinching the bridge of his nose. Jaune was mildly amused that the other team leader had gone though a similar process he had, but he was careful not to let his bemusement show since Cardin was already in a sour mood and he didn't want to give him any excuse focus on him as an outlet for his frustration.

Jaune was already playing along with this charade on sufferance, and he didn't want to start his weekend getting into a fight with Cardin.

"Did you eat at all?" Jaune asked.

"I went back to the cafeteria and microwaved a breakfast burrito." Cardin replied. "Wandered around campus for a while before I came back here. How long were you waiting?"

"Just a little while. Came here after making myself a small breakfast. We might've just missed each other."

"…Maybe we did."

"…Yep." Jaune nodded.

The duo lapsed into silence as they stared at each other. Both men felt incredibly awkward as the minutes slowly passed by. Neither really knew what to say to the other. They didn't have a plan for how to spend the day and both were drawing blanks on what they could do.

"I mean, I'm only here as a favor to help him sell the lie to his girlfriend that we're best buddies. Shouldn't he be the man with the plan in this situation?" Jaune wondered to himself.

"We can't just stay here all day. I gotta be able to tell Velvet about what we did later, and I can't let it ever slip that back then I was really… dammit, but spending the whole day with Arc. Maybe we can just walk around for a few hours in Vale and then split up? I can come up with something fake and get him to agree to a story…" Cardin thought to himself.

So lost in their own thoughts, both first years couldn't help but jolt when someone called out to them.

"Hey, you two flying to Vale or are you just gonna stay here all day?"

Jaune and Cardin turn to see one of the bullhead pilots nearby shouting at them. Glancing at each other for a moment, the two boys hurriedly made their way over to the pilot and climbed inside the aircraft as the man lowered the gangplank of the ship to let them in the passenger bay. The duo wound up sitting across from one another, and the vehicle shuddered as it prepped to take off.

"Make sure to fasten your seatbelts, kids." The pilot's voice echoed from the intercom on the roof of the seating area. "We got fine weather this morning but landing docks in Vale are little more crowded than usual since a lotta people are flying in for the upcoming tournament. Trip will take the two fifteen to twenty minutes but might have to tack on another five or ten depending on if we gotta wait for a landing spot to open up."

Having said his piece, the vehicle shuddered before lifting from the ground and taking flight. In the seating area, Jaune and Cardin had yet to speak up at all and continued to stare at each other from where they sat.

About ten minutes passed before Jaune let out a large sigh and bit the bullet.

"So, what is the rest of your team up to today?" Jaune asked, at least trying to make an attempt at conversation.

Cardin blinked, not having expected the question but rubbed his neck as he forced a reply. "Uh, Russel bombed a test earlier this week so I think he's studying in the library. Dove went to his cooking club today-"

"Y'know, I always forget that Beacon has clubs." Jaune commented. No one on his team was in a club, nor was anyone on Team RWBY, so it wasn't something he thought about.

"Right. And I'm pretty sure Sky is just going to be playing video games all day." Cardin finished. A minute passed before he returned the question. "What about your team?"

"Nora's probably still sleeping. She's a heavy sleeper and uses weekend days to sleep in and doesn't wake up until it's past noon. I think Ren was gonna do some shopping in Vale and Pyrrha… she'll probably be in the training hall all day destroying training bots. If Lycan is overseeing the training hall today she'll probably challenge him too."

"Hm." Cardin grunted. "Must be something, having a celebrity on your team."

"None of us really care about that. And Pyrrha doesn't really care about it much herself."

Cardin sneered a little at that. "What, being rich and famous is too much trouble?"

Jaune frowned. "Lay off, Cardin. Wealthy people have their own problems. And can't you relate to that given the rumors about your family?"

"Those aren't…!" Cardin started hotly before forcing himself to swallow his words and cool his nerves. "Whatever. She's your teammate and I only know her based on her reputation, so it's not like I can comment."

"That's right." Jaune nodded before giving the other boy a sheepish look. "Sorry about the dig against your family."

"I was being snide about your partner first. It's fine." Cardin scoffed. "Just be careful if you're gonna try to imply anything about my family again, Arc."

"Sure, sure. And same to you."

"Whatever."

Once again, the duo lapsed into silence.

"Well, this is going swimmingly so far." Jaune thought tiredly.

"We only talked for a little bit and I already want to punch him in the face." Cardin lamented in his head.

"…You're welcome, by the way." Jaune muttered.

"Huh?" Cardin glared at Jaune for a moment before he realized what he was driving at. The Winchester heir let out a sigh. "Yeah, thanks for agreeing to go along with this and fake a friendship with me for my girlfriend's sake."

"Oh, I didn't mean that, but I guess that plays into it."

"Huh?"

"I mean, would you even have a girlfriend if it wasn't for me?" Jaune asked with a small smirk. "We both know you had very different intentions that day when I pretended to be your romantic wingman. But now look at you! Happily dating a cute bunny girl!"

Cardin just stared at him incredulously while Jaune returned his look with a cheeky expression.

"I never heard a 'thank you' from you for that."

Cardin just continued to stare at Jaune with his mouth slightly agape for several more second before his expression became stormy. Slowly raising his arm, Cardin pointed threateningly at the irritating blonde.

"Strike two, Arc." Cardin growled.

"Sorry, I just felt it had to be said or else I'd never have the chance to bring it up again." Jaune shrugged. "Seriously, even if I was just trying to keep you from bullying her, I'm genuinely glad that things have worked out so well between the two of you. Velvet seems really happy with you, and you seem happy with her. No joke, I wish you two all the best for however long you date each other for."

Once again Cardin was thrown off by Jaune's words, and was both surprised and flattered by the complete lack of sarcasm or mockery in the blonde's words. While deep down it still irked Cardin that Jaune was the one responsible for hooking him up with Velvet, he was right on the money about how well things had worked out.

"Yeah, well, we'll see how things go." Cardin mumbled. "I don't put much stock into the high school or college sweethearts thing. It's extremely rare for someone to actually end up with the first person they date for the rest of their lives so-"

"Wait, Velvet's your first girlfriend?"

"But I'm gonna do my best to do right by her." Cardin declared, purposefully ignoring Jaune's question as he crossed his arms and glared off to the side. "She's… a really great girl. I'm glad to have her as my girlfriend."

Jaune smiled a little at that. Even if Cardin's attitude was still hard to put up with, Jaune could at least respect the man for the genuine effort he seemed to be putting into his relationship with Velvet.

"…Thanks."

"What was that?"

"I didn't say anything, shut up." Cardin growled with red cheeks, clenching his fists when he heard Jaune chuckle. He opened his mouth to tell Arc where he could shove it but was cut off when the bullhead intercom crackled.

"We'll be landing in Vale in a few minutes. Get ready to disembark, but please keep your seatbelts fastened until I open the bullhead doors. Thank you."

Jaune and Cardin glanced at each other as the pilot's voice faded.

…Well, they'd managed to share a flight without trying to kill each other. It was still up in the air whether or not they could tolerate each other for the rest of the day.

"…So what's the plan?" Jaune asked.

"…That's a good question." Cardin sighed.

= = = = = = =

Starting small, but more to come. They're not gonna be buddy-buddy instantly, but it'll happen. Stay tuned.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Yang sighed happily, the last traces of the gym shower's heat still lingering on her skin even in her casual clothes. She walked alongside Nora, who was still bouncing up and down happily despite the long workout they did.

"Gotta say Sparky, you're definitely something else!" Yang complimented the shorter orange-haired girl. Nora beamed, practically shining in her joy.

"Thanks! You're pretty good too! Most of my other workout partners kind of... Broke!" She paused and hummed. "Except for Jaune, Pyrrha, and Renny of course! Nice to have someone else along!"

"It is nice, isn't it?" Yang agreed with a grin, as they walked through Beacon's main courtyard. A few other students were milling about, foreign and domestic, out enjoying the warm weather. Yang waved at a few she knew, but her attention was mainly on the glowing Nora.

"Sooo?" Yang prompted. Nora glanced over, and tilted her head like a curious puppy.

"Sooo?" She replied in almost perfect imitation of Yang's tone. The blonde brawler waggled her eyebrows.

"You and Zen Ren? How's it going?"

Nora frowned in thought as they entered the dormitory area. It was deeply uncharacteristic of the spastic girl.

"I mean..." Her face went dreamy, "We kissed. And... And it was everything I'd ever wanted." She grinned at Yang. "Even fireworks went off afterwards! Well, explosions, but still."

"Uh huh," Yang said, grinning back and nodding as they climbed the stairs up to their level. Nora sighed again, a frustrated look appearing on her face.

"But... The whole week of detention, he... He didn't bring it up!" Nora pouted. "Do... Do you think he likes someone else?"

Yang almost laughed at the worried expression on Nora's face. But hey, she was learning to be a little more sensitive.

"Of course not," Yang said, "I'm pretty sure you're his everything, Nora. But... Well..." She shrugged. "I honestly can't say. I mean it's not like Zen and I talk all that much."

She did admire his martial arts form, of course. He was extremely smooth, controlled, and refined in that. He moved like water, smooth and without hesitation. His Semblance probably played a role in that, but...

Nora frowned herself as they walked down the hallway towards their mutual common room.

"I just... He was gonna say he loved me, when he thought we were gonna die," she insisted, "I know it. I also know... I mean, he liked that kiss! I know he did... Right?" She again fretted.

Yang chuckled and patted the smaller girl on the shoulder. In some ways she reminded her of Ruby.

"Look... The life you two have lived? I don't think he wants to change things too much, too fast," she said, "He's... Well... He might be afraid of losing you if you finally took the final step from friends to more."

Nora shook her head.

"He'd never lose me," she stated, with the same certainty she might say the sun would come up in the east or sloths were cute. "Never."

"That's what my dad thought, too."

Yang winced the moment she said it. The frightened look on Nora's face made her regret complete. Yang took a deep breath, and reached out to hug Nora.

"I'm not saying you're-You're nothing like my mom," Yang said firmly. Nora nodded, having heard the story. "That doesn't mean that, well... That you wouldn't break up for some other reason. And... Well... You two are your everything. He's just as scared of losing you as you are of losing him."

Nora was silent, her gaze stony. She slowly nodded.

"I... I don't think I can imagine a world without him," she murmured, "I'd probably kill everyone around and myself if I did."

Yang laughed... Then a bit nervously at the intense look Nora still had in her eyes.

"I-I know... And uh, he probably feels the same way. And look... I mean... I'm not a date expert-"

"You're going out with Jaune-Jaune," Nora insisted, "And you're not weird horny crazy like Pyrrha or a little sister figure like Ruby!"

Yang flushed.

"Yeah, well... It's only been one date. That doesn't mean I know what I'm doing," she mumbled. She looked at Nora. "Still, I mean... He's got his own issues, too. I'm... I'm willing to be patient for him."

She smiled gently.

"I think... I think he's worth waiting for," she said, "And Ren is too. But sometimes, men are stupid and need a nudge in the right direction, you know?"

"They're not stupid... I mean, they are but they're," Nora thought about it for a second, "They're like wolves."

Yang blinked.

"Wolves?"

She grinned and winked.

"Well, I wouldn't mind Jaune gobbling me up-"

"I mean like," Nora frowned, "There was this wolf that hung around our village. It was hurt and snarly. Some of the men wanted to kill it, but Renny's dad just went out to it and gave it some meat. Left it out and then backed away. He did this over and over and overrr, talking soft, staying small... Until the wolf finally trusted him, and let him give the wolf scratchies behind the ears."

Nora beamed.

"Jaune-Jaune and Renny are stupid like that! Cause they got hurt and they don't wanna get hurt and sometimes talking doesn't get through!"

Yang blinked a few times, before she slowly nodded. A small, soft smile came over her face.

"Yeah... Stupid like that," she said. Her smile widened into a grin.

"So, you gonna give Zen Ren some samples of flesh? To bite into?"

Nora hummed.

"You think that could work? Ooh! Maybe I could use the syrup to make myself sweeter!"

Yang blushed, but covered it with a cough.

"Mayyybe that's a little too far," she suggested.

"Don't you wanna do that for Jaune?" Nora asked. Yang coughed and blushed some more.

"I... Well... Yeah," she admitted quietly, "But the wolf thing and... Well..."

She shrugged.

"Ruby and Pyrrha... They deserve their chance, too," Yang said softly.

It was easier in some ways to just let Jaune make the decision. Oh, she was going to fight for him. Hell... Part of her wanted to just go for it.

Like Ren though... There was that fear of losing everything. In the end... She was still Raven Branwen's daughter.

She didn't know if she could escape it... And didn't know if Jaune would keep her from becoming that.

She opened the door to the common room. Blake and Weiss were sitting on the couches around the coffee table, Blake with an ever present smutty book and Weiss with her Scroll. Both looked somewhat bemused at the third person sitting with them.

Velvet Scarlatina looked up with a bright smile.

"Hey Yang! Hey Nora! Nice to see you!"

"Nice to see you too," Yang said, "What's up?"

Velvet beamed and gestured to the homemade pastries and sandwiches now sitting on the table.

"Well, uh, since Cardin and Jaune are friends, I was thinking that maybe we could be friends too?" She suggested. "I-I mean, you are Jaune's girlfriend, right?"

Yang blushed.

"Uh... Well..."

"Yes she is!" Nora said cheerfully. "Though so are Pyrrha and Ruby!"

"Nora!" Yang hissed through bright cheeks.

Velvet gaped and went bright red. Weiss and Blake looked amused and both concealed it.

"O-Oh?" The rabbit Faunus asked.

"I also think Weiss is tsundere over him, but I guess it's just REALLY complicated!" Nora chirped, leaping over the couch and landing next to Velvet with a happy bounce.

"I am NOT tsundere," Weiss grumbled, nibbling on a pastry, "These are very good."

"Thank you, Weiss," Velvet said gratefully.

"She's used to Faunus made treats," Blake snarked. Weiss glared.

"My cake butler is human! And if he was a Faunus, I would pay him fairly!"

Nora beamed as she grabbed a sandwich, bit into it... And moaned.

"Ohhh... Maple syrup bacon?! How did you know?!"

"Um, I-I smell syrup on you every day," Velvet said modestly, "I thought you'd like them!" She smiled at Yang. "Come on!"

"Er, sure," Yang said, closing the door behind her and sitting opposite Velvet and Nora. Velvet smiled warmly at her.

"So um... You are his girlfriend?"

"It's complicated, but we're not a harem or anything," Yang said.

"At least not yet," Blake said dryly.

"BLAKE!"

- - -

Getting back into fun comedy feels good.

 

[UnknownAnon]

I remember when summer used to be the time where free time was abundant. Good times. Anywho, posting the next chapter. Grew a little longer than what I initially started out with, but that tends to happen when I dive deep into character interaction.

= = = = = = =

"So…" Cardin began.

"...Here we are." Jaune finished.

Both boys stood at the curbside of the street, staring out into the street as crowds of people went about their day. Any of the four major cities were often crowded and Vale was no exception, but it was especially so with the upcoming holidays. With the Vytal Festival on the horizon the city was bustling even more than usual.

"I don't suppose you thought of something for us to do in the ten minutes it took for us to land and get off the bullhead?" Cardin asked the blonde.

"Hey man, you're the one who invited me out and I'm here as a favor to you. I shouldn't have to be the one to plan our activities." Jaune protested mildly.

"I didn't invite you here. Velvet invited you on my behalf."

"My point stands. I'm making an effort being here. You could make an effort too."

"Fine, fine…" Cardin sighed, crossing his arms as he thought of what he and Jaune could do to kill time in Vale before heading back to Beacon.

How many hours did he have to spend with Jaune before it sufficiently qualified as "hanging out" anyway? It was easier with his team or with his girlfriend. He did have to track the hours spent with them or rack his brain for how they were going to spend the day. It was extremely tempting to just go their separate ways and then meet up later, and it was likely a suggestion that Jaune would agree to given that he looked about as enthusiastic about this outing as Cardin himself felt, but Velvet was definitely going to want to hear about what they did today and the Winchester heir wasn't extremely confident in his ability to string together a fake story that she wouldn't see through.

Eventually, Cardin shook his head and let out a short growl. There was no point in overcomplicating this. He could spend a few hours tolerating a classmate he disliked for his girlfriend. And the best activities would be ones where they wouldn't be required to talk to each other.

So that made for a pretty obvious and easy suggestion.

"The movies." Cardin declared. "That's where we'll go. Unless you have another suggestion?"

"No, I'm fine with that." Jaune said.

Cardin grinned at the reply. A movie would eat up approximately two hours of their time together. "Good. Since I'm the one suggesting it, I'm gonna choose the movie."

"Sure."

Fifteen minutes later, the duo stood in front of the movie theater entrance, staring at the movie poster advertising the flick Cardin had chosen.

"I'd like to raise an objection."

"What?" Cardin huffed, glaring at Jaune.

"You chose the new Grimminator movie. I'm not really enthusiastic about seeing it."

"Why not?"

"Because they've gotten progressively worse after the first two films. This is the sixth one and fan reviews are saying it's the worst one."

Cardin arched an eyebrow at Jaune. "Have you been talking with Sky at all? Last week he said almost the same thing word for word."

"Sounds like he has better taste than you then." Jaune mused as he frowned at the poster. "Were you gonna bring Velvet to watch this?"

"That was the plan before she made you my date for today." Cardin replied with a scoff. "She's actually really, REALLY into sci-fi stuff. Any movie that takes place in space or the future or has robots or all three at once will have her talking about it nonstop for hours afterward."

"Huh. Didn't take her for a sci-fi nut. Maybe she'd get along with Ruby. Is she a Grimminator fan?"

"I don't know if she's a super huge fan of the franchise or anything, but she got really excited when I told her I'd never seen any of them during a home-movie date we had a few weeks back. We watched the first two together. They're super old, but they held up pretty good."

"First two…? So you didn't watch any of the others?"

"No. We watched a movie about aliens afterward."

"And that didn't tip you off at all? Maybe the reason she didn't have you watch them is because she has a low opinion of them?"

"Hey, I chose what we're doing so I'm choosing the movie!"

"You're not open to alternative suggestions?"

"Arc, the movies can't be that bad if they made four more after the first two. Let's just get our tickets and head inside."

"I dunno if I want to pay for the tickets though…"

"Well, I'm sure as hell not paying for you! C'mon, show's starting in ten minutes so get moving!"

Cardin and Jaune entered the theater, the former annoyed and the latter resigned as they sat down for the film. About two hours later, the brunette and blond exited the theater, the former looking tired with the latter looking amused as he chuckled to himself.

"I want two hours of my life back." Cardin said morosely as he massaged his temples.

"Yeah, that was pretty bad."

"If it was so bad, why are you laughing?"

"Eh, movies that indulge wholeheartedly in their terribleness just require a little reframing." Jaune said with a shrug. "Instead of seeing it as a sci-fi action, I see it as a sci-fi comedy. Then at least I can get a few chuckles out of it. Plus no matter how bad the film is, it's not like it ruins the originals for me."

"I… hope Velvet doesn't want to come see this later." Cardin said worriedly.

"Even if she did, you'd probably just spend the whole time focused on each other. A bad movie does make for some good background noise. It's one of their few redeeming qualities." Jaune said with a cheeky smile.

Cardin rolled his eyes and pulled out his scroll, glancing at the time. Barely past noon and there was still so much time left in the day.

"We can probably call it quits right before dinner." Cardin thought to himself. That way they wouldn't have to share dinner and he could eat with his team back at Beacon, or ideally Velvet if she wasn't busy with her own team.

It was just finding a way to kill the next five or so hours until that time that would be the real challenge.

"So, what now?" Cardin asked, turning toward Jaune, who blinked in response.

"You're asking me?"

"Yeah. I suggested something first, so now it's your turn."

"Is that how this works? Because I feel like I should be allowed to skip my turn seeing as how that movie was-"

"Just pick something, Arc! To paraphrase your words from earlier, make an effort! I did my part! Now it's your turn!"

"Alright, alright, geez…" Jaune sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he thought about what they could do together. After a few moments, Jaune remembered reading up online about a place he'd been meaning to check out. "So, I don't want to hear any objections to my choice after you refused my objections."

"...Fair enough." Cardin allowed grudgingly. "Though you saying that has me worried about what it is you're gonna suggest we do now."

"Hey, we're supposed to be having fun together like the good not-friends we are." Jaune smiled, his cheery expression not doing anything to curb Cardin's sudden trepidation. "Who knows, you might even enjoy yourself!"

Cardin only let out an irritated sigh as Jaune started heading down the street.

"Just a few more hours, Cardin." The CRDL leader grumbled quietly to himself as he followed after the blonde. "Just gotta last a few more hours…"

He just hoped whatever activity Jaune had in mind wouldn't wind up being an excuse to mess with him.

- - -

Pyrrha smashed Akouo into a training bots face, following through and pushing into its face until its head tore clean off. Rolling with her forward momentum, the redhead spun and hurled her shield at another training bot, using her semblance to give Akouo more spin as it flew. At the same time her right leg struck out and kicked the head of the robot she'd just decapitated into the chest of another approaching training bot. The bot she'd thrown her shield at shared the same fate as the one she just dispatched as Akouo sliced through its neck, while the other bot trying to rush her staggered and stuttered in its tracks when the metal head struck its torso. The pause gave Pyrrha the opportunity to dash forward and slice through it with Milo.

Raising her hand, Pyrrha recalled her shield with her semblance, affixing it to her arm and ducking down just in time to catch a training bot's stun mace with the edge of her weapon. After taking the attack on her shield, Pyrrha diverted the blow and lanced through the drone's chest and kicked its sparking husk to the floor.

Panting heavily as she stood back to her feet, Pyrrha wiped the sweat from her brow before glancing around the training arena and admiring her handiwork. Broken, dented, and sparking drones and training bots were scattered around the arena, and looking at the digital display at the edge of the platform, Pyrrha pumped her fist in success when she saw that her aura was still solidly in the yellow, only an inch away from the percentage that would've kept her in the green.

A slow clap sounded in her ears, and she turned towards the one who'd also been admiring her work.

"Well damn, twenty level ten training bots all taken out fighting solo and you're only just barely in the yellow for aura." Lycan Arcadia grinned fiercely at the redhead as he stepped up and shut down the arena's computer. "Not even full teams of four in some years above you can pull off what you just did.

"You've never made the attempt?" Pyrrha asked curiously. She'd seen the leaderboards for the upper years and Lycan was consistently in the top five of the fourth years alongside the rest of his team.

Plus the young man wouldn't be running the combat class if he wasn't anything less than an excellent fighter.

"Collectively my team made the accomplishment at the beginning of our second year. Did it solo myself at the end of the same year, while my teammates did the same at different points during our third year. So you've got us all beat there as a standalone fighter." Lycan informed her, tapping the meter displaying her aura with a smirk. "Though I guess the moniker of 'Invincible Girl' was a little exaggerated."

While Pyrrha normally didn't appreciate others bringing up her career as a tournament fighter, the older student's words and tone were humorous so that curbed any irritation she might've felt about the reference. Plus it was hard to feel annoyed after such a wonderful workout. Her limbs were sore and without opponents to focus on she only just started to notice how much sweat was running down her skin, but it was a good feeling nonetheless.

Plus her success in beating the challenge had earned her a promised prize, which was something she was really excited for and couldn't help the eager smile that bloomed on her face.

"You remember our agreement then?" Pyrrha asked, wanting verbal confirmation from the assistant professor.

"Don't you worry, I'll hold up my end of the deal." Lycan grinned, and Pyrrha bounced a little on the heels of her feet when she saw the competitive spark in the faunus's eyes. "Since you've managed to beat the highest setting that the Beacon's automated training simulations have to offer completely by yourself… you'll get your opportunity to try and go one-on-one with a member of SLVR."

"Yes!" Pyrrha cheered, pumping her fists in victory at Lycan's declaration. "Give me an hour or two to rest then we can-"

"Whoa now! Love the enthusiasm, but you're not gonna be throwing down with any of us today. Give it time and we'll arrange a proper sparring session soon enough."

Pyrrha blushed a little at being called out for her overeagerness, but she couldn't help herself. Though she'd seen plenty of Lycan's battle prowess in some of the close combat classes that he'd hosted, no one he had ever faced had made him go all out. Even Yang, the strongest close quarters combatant of their year, hadn't inspired Lycan to show off what he could really do. Given her experiences in the tournament arena prior to distancing herself from that lifestyle, Pyrrha had pretty good intuition when it came to sussing out good fighters, and every single member of Team SLVR whetted her warrior's appetite.

As she could already solo entire teams of first years by herself, the only battle challenges Pyrrha had faced since attending Beacon were those within her own team, RWBY, and CFVY. Everyone else in their year didn't even make her break a sweat. Even a handful of second years Glynda had pitted her against fared worse than the top first year teams. The higher level training bots in Beacon's simulator did offer an excellent challenge, but only third and fourth year students had unrestricted access to it. The only time first and second years could fight robots and drones in the simulator was during combat class with Professor Goodwitch or if they were directly supervised by a fourth year. And even if they had a fourth year to watch over them, a permission slip from their crop wielding combat instructor was also required.

Luckily Pyrrha had acquired the permission slip at the beginning of the term, and after showing that she could handle the simulator bots, Lycan had been assigning her challenges within the simulator with the end goal of sidestepping the need to use the simulator entirely. After all, an experienced fourth year student was a much better opponent than training bots, no matter how hardy or advanced they were. Pyrrha had proven now that even though she was a first year she potentially had what it took to get scrappy with the upper years.

And she was itching to see where she stood with the top students in Beacon.

"How close is the gap between us? Or how far?" Pyrrha thought excitedly. She'd been without a genuine challenge for so long, it was hard to measure her own successes.

Getting to fight Lycan, or any other member of Team SLVR, would be an enlightening experience to see how much she still had to grow or if her experiences as an athlete really had put her that much further ahead of everyone else.

"Though I will say you didn't beat the original record holder for this challenge."

"Huh?"

Lycan grinned and gestured Pyrrha over, and the redhead quickly jogged over to where the blonde was standing in front of the terminal outside the arena borders.

"When you've got admin access you can look up the simulator logs. They have the difficulty, scores, times, and everything for those using the simulator." Lycan explained as he pulled open folders and files on the computer screen. "You can even access records and scores from people who've already graduated. Though the catch to that is that the names of graduated students are purged out of the terminal system and any scores from those no longer attending the school just lists their team name."

Lycan hit a key and the list he'd pulled up sorted itself into a simplistic scoreboard. Tapping the team name on the top of the list, STRQ, Lycan pointed to the highlighted "S" letter on the team name.

"The highlighted letters show how many members of the team participated in the challenge. Whoever that 'S' stood for did what you just did in her first week at Beacon." Lycan said. "You can see the other spots in the top ten of this list have the rest of the team. Probably the best team Beacon's ever produced based on numbers alone."

Pyrrha pursed her lips a little at that, mulling over the information for a bit before she gave her response.

"Well, numbers aren't everything. Just because they scored well in the simulator doesn't necessarily mean they're better or worse than those who came before and after them."

Lycan barked a laugh at that. "You're not wrong! Simulators give an idea of what others can do but who's to say how much the scores reflect how competent these people actually were. You can see by the date that this score was logged that this team attended Beacon a little over two decades ago. The school's changed a lot since then. The robots have had their programs updated dozens of times over the years, not to mention all the new hardware packed into them. It's fun to look back on things to see how our seniors did back in their day, but I'm glad you're not the sort to get hung up on that."

"Trainers I've had in the past advised me not to focus too heavily on comparing myself to others." Pyrrha shrugged.

Different divisions, different age brackets, there were a lot of factors when tracking one's personal growth. It wouldn't do to compare her merits and skills to an adult, or conversely to someone half her age. Pyrrha focused on herself and her own pace of growth, letting her skills speak for themselves whenever she got into a fight.

"By the by, don't tell Ms. Goodwitch I showed you this function." Lycan requested. "The leaderboards for each year we got posted outside of the combat classroom is one thing, but she doesn't like students attending Beacon now comparing themselves to those who were here over a decade ago. She worries that some people might get discouraged about their own progress."

"My lips are sealed."

"I appreciate that." Lycan smiled, letting out a chuckle when he glanced at the arena. "And I'm sure the mechanics and maintenance staff appreciate the job security you're providing them."

As if to punctuate his statement, a loud blast of static came from one of the downed robots before sparks flew from its chest, followed by a small detonation that had trails of smoke rising from its gouged out torso.

"They served their purpose well." Pyrrha announced, not at all guilty or embarrassed about the mechanical carnage. After all, broken and sliced up combat robots were just the end result of a successful training session in the simulator.

"And speaking of servicing, when was the last time you gave your weapons some good service?" Lycan asked, gesturing down to Pyrrha's weapon.

Looking at her weapons, Pyrrha didn't see any immediate problems… but upon closer inspection, she could see small chips in Milo's edge, plus Akuou was looking a lot more scratched and scuffed up than she last remembered. There was even a pretty solid dent near the shield's right edge.

Pyrrha bit her lip at the state of her weapons. Unlike with the robots she'd brutalized, she did feel bad about the poor state of her javelin/sword and shield.

She was lucky that admission to Beacon also covered any maintenance and upkeep costs for the weapons of attending students.

"The other reason that you're not fighting me or anyone else on my team is I want to make sure both you and your weapons are at one hundred percent before the bout." Lycan told her. "Hit the showers and wash off that grime and sweat, then take your weapons down to the mechanics. I'll recycle the metal corpses."

"Thank you, Professor Arcadia." Pyrrha said, bowing gratefully to the upperclassman.

"Ah, I know that you guys call me that in my classes but I'm still a student here too. You can just call me by my name when we aren't in class."

"If you prefer. I look forward to our fight, Lycan!"

Lycan grinned challengingly at her. "Same here. Heh, never thought I'd say that to a first year. Wish you new standouts had gotten here earlier. Graduating this year leaves us with a lot less time to play around with you all."

Chuckling a little at the blonde's comment, Pyrrha headed to the locker rooms to wash off and change back into her school uniform. By the time she'd gotten out, Lycan had cleaned up the arena and stored the robots away for either maintenance or disposal. The decision on that would be up to the academy's engineering team.

A while later, the duo were heading down the corridor towards where Beacon's forge and engineering department was kept. Pyrrha had told the upperclassman that she didn't need an escort as she knew where to go, but Lycan had said he was only tagging along to pick up his teammate. They'd apparently decided to go out on a date together for the afternoon.

Pyrrha hoped that her envy didn't show on her face. She'd get the opportunity in the coming days though. She'd be the one out on a date with Jaune!

"Soon, it'll be my turn." Pyrrha mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Ah, nothing!" Pyrrha yelped, waving Lycan off before pushing past the door that led to the forge. "Just talking to myself!"

Immediately upon entering the room Pyrrha was hit with the sounds of working machines that were loud enough to make her wince. Though she'd known of its location, she'd never actually been to Beacon's mechanics and engineering department in person before. All the mechanics and engineers that Beacon employed had access codes to the lockers where students kept their weapon. If someone ever had problems with their weapons or needed maintenance on their tools, they sent requests to the department through email and would get sent notices on when their weapons were being worked on and when maintenance was completed.

Beacon didn't just employ the best when it came to the active class instructors, since the mechanics and engineers who handled the weapons were very clearly talented at their craft. Months ago when Pyrrha had emailed a maintenance request to the department they'd fixed up her weapon and had it back in her locker on the same day she sent the email.

"I wonder if I should get a dog whistle."

The comment made Pyrrha blink while behind her Lycan let out an amused snort, and both turned in the direction of the speaker who was lounging behind a desk with her feet kicked up on top of it.

Ragora Cinarum wasn't looking at the two who had entered though. She was fiddling with some metal and wires in her hands, and while Pyrrha couldn't tell what it was she was working on, she could make an assumption based on the metal figurines that were spread across her desk and posed on the shelves behind her. And even though she was focused on her work, the timing of her comment and pointedness in her tone made it clear that she knew who had just entered the workshop.

Spotting the young woman's familiar floating close by and noticing that its eyes were pointed in their direction, Pyrrha wondered if maybe Ragora could see through it and if that was how she knew who it was that had walked in.

"First off, I'm not a dog. Second, I'm not the only canine faunus attending Beacon. Thirdly, I'm here right at the time you said to pick you up so I don't know why you made that comment." Lycan said loudly as he stepped up to his girlfriend's desk.

Ragora still didn't look up from her work-in-progress. "Did you check your scroll?"

Pyrrha saw the blonde's pose stiffen before he slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out his scroll. He let out a weak laugh after a moment.

"Hence the need for a dog whistle, since I think it'd be a more reliable method of communication." Ragora said, finally looking up and giving Lycan a teasing smile. "You are dismal at answering your texts."

"Er, you could've called?"

"Check your missed calls log, puppy."

Flicking over to the relevant screen at her prompting, Lycan let out a low whine and slumped down to plant his forehead atop Ragora's desk. The purple haired huntress reached over and patted her boyfriend's head.

"There, there. Take assurance of the fact I'm more amused than annoyed."

Pyrrha felt very much like a third wheel since she was lacking context to whatever exchange the two upperclassmen were having. Shuffling on her feet with her weapons in her arms, she wondered if there was anyone else she should be talking to since both older students seemed occupied with each other.

"And what can we do for you today?"

Pyrrha jolted when Ragora called over to her, but quickly stepped forward and held up her weapons.

"I-I'm just here to drop off my weapons!" Pyrrha answered.

"Right, guess that should be obvious since I haven't seen you in here before today and you're not dressed to work any of the machines or the forge." Ragora drawled before reaching down and pulling out a clipboard. "Just sign in your name, student ID, and code to your weapon locker. It's the weekend so we're not fully staffed right now, but someone will get around to work on this at some point. Rest assured your weapons will be in your locker before classes start next week."

"Okay." Pyrrha nodded as she took the clipboard in one hand while holding Milo and Akouo against her side with her other. "Er, where should I drop off my-"

A low groan next to her ear had Pyrrha turning to the right and she couldn't help but yelp when she found Ragora's ram skull familiar floating inches away from her. She was so startled that she'd nearly dropped her weapons on the floor. The familiar's maw open up slowly and Pyrrha just stared at it for a moment before glancing over at the familiar's owner with an uncertain expression.

"Just drop them inside." Ragora told her.

Pyrrha hesitantly held out her weapons in front of the familiar at her instructions, flinching when the skull's mouth snapped forward and chomped down on her weapons and made them disappear behind its teeth.

"Um…"

"Don't worry, he didn't eat them. It's just temporary storage until I decide where to store them or find someone to hand the weapons off to."

"...Don't you need the head mechanic or chief engineer to decide that?" Pyrrha asked.

"Normally yes, but he put me in charge of the workshop today since he called out of work." Ragora sighed. "Word of advice, don't ever agree to become someone's apprentice. It's all just grunt work and having a toady to foist work off onto. And I'm only ever paid in 'exposure' and 'experience' and not actual money. The entirety of my Saturday afternoon is now going to be spent here running the shop instead of spending it the way I wanted to."

Pyrrha wasn't sure what to say about that, though the mildly apologetic look Ragora gave Lycan and the morose expression he gave her in return did give her an idea about what their earlier exchange had been about.

A door at the end of the room slammed open with a loud bang and Pyrrha once again found herself jumping in place.

"Why does this department have so many different ways of startling me?" Pyrrha thought as she held a hand over her beating heart.

"Ms. Cinarum, I'm finished!"

Pyrrha was mildly surprised to realize that she recognized the voice she'd heard. Turning around, she paused for a moment upon seeing the person jogging over to where they were. After a few seconds, her eyes widened when the person's identity registered in her mind.

"Ruby?"

"Pyrrha?" Ruby slowed her approach as she squinted at the redhead before beaming a smile. "It is you! What're you doing here?"

"I was dropping off my weapons for maintenance…" Pyrrha replied, trailing off as she stared at Beacon's youngest huntress-in-training. Ruby noticed her stare and tilted her head curiously.

"Something wrong?"

"No, not really." Pyrrha said slowly. "It's just… your outfit…"

"My outfit?" Ruby glanced down at what she was wearing. "What's wrong with it?"

There wasn't anything wrong with it, but it was a new look for her friend in Pyrrha's eyes. Privately the former tournament fighter always admired Ruby's taste in fashion. For all that the smaller girl downplayed her own attractiveness compared to her teammates and made the occasional self-deprecating comment about her inherent nerdiness, Pyrrha though that the girl had better dress sense than most of the students in their year. While she didn't show off as much skin like Yang or Blake, and her outfit wasn't as immaculate or upper class as Weiss, Pyrrha thought Ruby's corsets, tights and fishnets along with her trademark red cloak made her both distinctive and cute. She was actually a little jealous about how well she could make the look work, and thought it was better than her own armor and skirt combo.

But Ruby wasn't dressed in what Pyrrha had long since registered as her "usual" look. Instead, the younger girl wore large navy blue coveralls, though the torso portion of her coveralls were pulled down to her waist, revealing a black, long-sleeved undershirt underneath. The boots she wore were heavy workboots as opposed to her usual heeled combat boots, she wore large leather gloves over her hands, a bandana was wrapped around her head and covered up her hair, and a pair of safety goggles hung loosely around her neck. Even her favorite cloak was nowhere in sight, and Pyrrha couldn't remember a time when she hadn't seen the girl wearing it.

Ruby was dressed like she worked for a construction company that focused primarily on metalworks. Which wasn't exactly out of place given that they were currently stood in the area where the school kept its engineering equipment, forge, and other machinery. It was just odd for Pyrrha to see Ruby in such clothes. Sure, Ruby would gush for hours about weapons and their specs if given the opportunity, and Pyrrha vaguely remembered someone mentioning offhand that Ruby had forged her weapon all by herself, but it was only seeing her like this that trait of hers actualized in her mind.

"...You're not wearing your hood." Pyrrha pointed out finally.

Instead of seeing the girl getting shocked or panicking over her cloak like she did whenever she forgot to put it on in the morning or accidentally left it behind in the cafeteria, all she got from Ruby now was an amused eye roll.

"Well, DUH! I can't wear my cloak near the forge! It'd be burned to scraps if a stray spark popped off onto it." Ruby giggled. "I mean, I'm extremely careful when I'm working but I'm not gonna risk my mom's old cloak like that. Jaune may shrug whenever he has to stitch or patch up that raggedy blanket he calls a cloak, but I've got standards!"

"And speaking of standards, did you meet mine?" Ragora asked as she got up from her seat and stepped around her desk so that she could stand in front of Ruby.

"Of course!" Ruby chirped, presenting Ragora's weapon to her, which Pyrrha had only just realized the reaper had been holding. She'd been so focused on Ruby's appearance that she'd completely missed the fact that she'd been carrying a weapon in her arms.

The witch took her weapon and inspected it from front to back, testing the weight and scrutinizing the drum barrel of her shotgun before hitting a trigger and mechashifting it into its axe form. Spinning the polearm around her body expertly for a few moments, Ragora planted the butt of her weapon on the floor before glancing down at Ruby.

"I know I've said this plenty before, but you are absolutely my favorite first year." Ragora said seriously.

"Aw, thanks Ms. Cinarum!" Ruby smiled bashfully. "You're my favorite fourth year too!"

Sighing to herself, Ragora pulled back and handed her weapon to a slightly perplexed Lycan before she stepped back over to Ruby and pulled the girl into a hug.

"Lycan, how much convincing do you think the Simin would need to take this one with us when we graduate?" Ragora asked, patting Ruby's head while the girl blushed in embarrassment and started to struggle in her senior's arms.

"I don't think the boss is gonna like the idea of us poaching from another team." Lycan chuckled.

"He can be so uptight." Ragora sighed mournfully. "Why oh why couldn't these firsties have been with us since the beginning?"

Ragora pulled back some and brushed her fingers against Ruby's cheek.

"Rather, where have you been all my life, little rose?"

"C-C'mon, Ms. Cinarum! Not this again! And not in front of others!" Ruby stuttered in embarrassment, eyes darting from the purple haired girl to Pyrrha.

"You're adorable." Ragora laughed as she finally let the girl go, who activated her semblance as soon as she was free and darted behind Pyrrha. Ragora grinned lazily and glanced back at Lycan. "You've got competition, puppy."

"Oh?" Lycan grinned as he arched an eyebrow at Ruby. "You trying to cut in on my woman, little girl?"

Ruby's eyes widened as she kept a bewildered Pyrrha between her and their upperclassmen. "N-No! Absolutely not!"

"You must like those older women, huh? Rugged with age and weathered by years of experience." Lycan smirked, his descriptions earning a pout and narrowed eyes from his girlfriend.

"Watch it." Ragora warned.

"With maturity comes a certain allure that you can't ignore." Lycan continued as he stifled his laughter.

"I-I have someone I like already!" Ruby shouted.

"I'm just cuttin' up with ya, kid." Lycan said with a laugh, earning a swat from teammate. "What? You can tease but I can't?"

"I think today's teasing quota's been met." Ragora said, looking over at Ruby with a small smile while the girl pouted. "Oh, don't be like that. You've done such a good job that I'll put that extra effort into your model. I'll be super detailed and even color it."

"Really?!" Ruby cheered, looking positively giddy and she hopped in place.

"It's the least I can do for my favorite first year, especially after the work you put into Hexentanz." Ragora smiled, taking her weapon from Lycan and shifting it back into its shotgun form before placing it on her desk. "These first years really are something else. Guess all the prodigies chose to get into Beacon this year."

"Tell me about it." Lycan chuckled, gesturing toward Pyrrha with his thumb. "That one just beat twenty level ten training bots all by herself."

"Oh?"

"Wow, really Pyrrha?" Ruby gasped, looking at her friend in both shock and admiration. "All on your own?"

"It was tough, but I managed." Pyrrha admitted with a smile.

"Heh, 'managed', see says." Lycan chuckled. "By the end of it her aura barely dipped into the yellow. It was a clean sweep. And with that notch in her belt, she gets the chance to take a real crack at one of us."

"Does she now?" Ragora hummed. "Is Simin aware of this?"

"I cleared it with him when she wrecked the level nine bots a week or two back. He knows and approves of it." Lycan grinned. "Like you said, these first years are something else."

"That they are." Ragora nodded her head towards Ruby. "You should watch this star child at work. Honestly, she should be Professor Mulberry's number two instead of me. She's helped me tons with my workload. My afternoon is occupied, but I MIGHT be able to get my evening back if she stays here to work her magic."

"I'm free all day so I'll be here all day!" Ruby announced, snapping a quick salute. "Just keep me watered and fed and I'll tune and fix up any weapon you give me!"

Ragora grinned proudly and pointed at Ruby with finger guns. "You're pretty good."

Ruby smiled and returned the gesture with her own fingers. "Kept you waiting, huh?"

Both girls started giggling at each other. Pyrrha smiled awkwardly at the scene, assuming that it was some kind of inside joke between the two that she wasn't privy. Lycan, who got the reference, just palmed his face and shook his head at the sheer nerdiness on display by his girlfriend and the young weapons prodigy.

"I also came out here not just to hand off your Hexentanz, but because I also finished the other weapons you gave me. I asked around but none of the others were willing to give me anything they had in their queue."

"Not surprised. Ever since you started coming here you've lit a fire in a lot of those guys." Ragora smirked. "They all don't want the fifteen year old to show them up anymore than she already is."

"...I'll be sixteen really soon." Ruby pouted. "But anyway, I came to ask if there's something for me to work on?"

"Well, we kinda got swept up in our little talk but your friend here has an order for us." Ragora said, nodding to Pyrrha before snapping her fingers. The gesture made her familiar float over to Ruby and the girl held her arm out automatically, and the ghostly skull regurgitated the weapons and dropped them into Ruby's waiting hands.

"Ooooh! Milo and Akouo!" Ruby gave an excited grin before turning to Pyrrha with sparkling eyes. "Can I? Can I please?!

"Um…" Pyrrha waffled a little at the thought of Ruby handling her weapons.

While Yang had attested several times about Ruby's talent for understanding and handling weapons, and Ragora's words gave credence to the fact that Ruby's talents were genuine, she was still sort of hesitant to leave her weapons in the hands of someone as young at the little reaper, no matter how competent she'd proven herself to be as an aspiring huntress.

But Pyrrha was never any good at denying her friends, especially not when Ruby wielded puppy dog eyes more expertly than she did Crescent Rose.

"I-I suppose that's fine."

"Yay!" Ruby cheered, clutching Pyrrha's weapons to her chest happily. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of them! They'll have ALL my attention for the rest of the day! You'll get 'em back clean and pristine and better than ever! That's a Ruby Rose guarantee!"

"I-I'll leave you to it then." Pyrrha nodded, turning and making her way toward the door.

"Why not come watch?" Ruby offered, making Pyrrha pause and turn back around to face her.

"Huh?"

"Yeah! I mean, I know you're a fitness nut who'll train all day and night if you could. You're probably going to go grab some lunch and then work out at the gym or something, right?"

"I mean…" Pyrrha blushed as her plans for the day were immediately called out.

With Jaune on a man-date with Cardin, Ren downtown shopping, and Nora doing… whatever it was she did whenever she didn't have Ren to drag around, Pyrrha had been left on her lonesome. She had entertained the idea of asking someone from Team RWBY if they were free and wanted to hang out, but had prioritized beating Lycan's challenge over spending the day with friends. An odd decision when she thought about it in her head, especially with how excited she was to have actual friends, but she didn't want to rest on her laurels.

Then again, was there really any need to be so stringent with her workout schedule anymore? She'd been keeping to it more out of habit than anything else, but now that she was set up to spar against the assistant professors and she wasn't going to be fighting in any tournaments in the near future… aside from the Vytal Festival tournament that everyone would be competing in… did Pyrrha really need to turn down an invitation to spend time with a friend?

"If it's alright…?" Pyrrha asked, glancing over at Ragora and seeking permission since she wasn't sure if there were any requirements to be let into the workshop floor.

"Go ahead." Ragora waved her off. "Just don't break anything. Consider Ruby your overseer, so listen to everything she says. And if you mess up anything, I'm holding you and her both responsible and will assign detentions, understood?"

"I understand." Pyrrha nodded.

"Gotcha!" Ruby chirped before grabbing Pyrrha's hand and tugging her forward. "This'll actually go a lot quicker with you here! You can actually tell me the ins and outs of Milo and Akouo yourself which will save me the trouble of probing and finding out their specs on my own."

"Have fun." Ragora waved after them as she settled back behind her deck.

"Pyrrha, I'll message you when we've got a date and time for your spar!" Lycan called.

"Thank you!" Pyrrha called back before Ruby pulled her past the door.

Upon entering Pyrrha found herself in a long hallway that had a wall with a long glass window stretching down the walkway, beyond which she could see plenty of machines being worked on by engineering students and mechanics. Her attention was pulled away from the interesting sight when Ruby held out two foam earplugs out to her.

"Put these in before we head onto the main floor." Ruby told her. "Aura doesn't protect against any hearing damage, so we gotta take precautions. Just remember to speak loudly so we can still hear each other. You can take them out and throw them away once you leave."

Pyrrha did as she was told and used the earplugs, showing off her plugged ears to Ruby before the smaller girl nodded and led her into the large room through two big doors. Even through the earplugs, Pyrrha could hear the screeching and grinding of metal against metal and the pounding impact of hammers meeting steel. She let Ruby guide her past people at their workstations, with some pausing their work to stare or point at her as she passed by them. Pyrrha could see the recognition and admiration in their eyes, but also saw more than a few confused and envious looks directed at Ruby's back, likely due to her being in her company. Pyrrha just hoped her visit wouldn't ruffle too many feathers or cause people to ostracize Ruby just because others saw them together.

"And here's my workstation!" Ruby announced, stopping at an area near the backend of the room, spreading her arms out as she presented it to the tournament champion. "This is where all the magic happens! Autowelder is on the left, autoforge is next to it, and at the end is where the actual forge is. So you can just ignore the autoforge since I don't use it. Plus the computer had imaging and modeling programs to test concepts and look up information on specific parts."

"They really gave you your own workstation?" Pyrrha asked as she looked around.

"Well, yeah. Everyone who takes the Weapons and Upkeep elective course gets assigned one."

Pyrrha's cheeked reddened a little in embarrassment at that reply. She'd been under the assumption that Ruby's situation had been like her own and that she had sought permission to use the workshop like she had sought permission to use the battle simulator. This was part of Ruby's classes, not something she'd volunteered for.

Though given that it was a weekend day Ruby was present in the workshop for recreation and not because she had assignments to work on. Ragora's words had implied that too.

"So, let's get started." Ruby said, stepping up to her work desk and setting down Pyrrha's weapons on top of it. Reaching over, she punched in a few commands on a console nearby and Pyrrha could feel the forge a couple meters away start to heat up. "Looks like Milo's just got some chip damage, and that can be smoothed out easily enough. Though I might hammer in a little metal so that it retains proper weight and power. A few bits of metal flaking or chipping away might not seem like it'll make much of a difference, but you'd be surprised."

"O-Oh, is that so?" Pyrrha smiled hesitantly, already feeling a little lost.

"Yeah. So, what type of metal does Milo use? Is Akouo made of the same stuff? And are there any custom parts? I'd assume so since your weapon set is a triple-changer. A sword, a javelin, and a gun all in one. I mean, it's not a scythe which is totally superior, but nobody's perfect." Ruby babbled, Pyrrha smiling in amusement as she listened to the girl rant. "So, gimme the scoop! What are the special deets of your weapons?"

"Well, did you just say it yourself?" Pyrrha pointed out. "You know what it changes into. Just do whatever you can to fix the chip damage and make sure the pieces are in working order."

Ruby's head snapped in her direction and immediately Pyrrha felt like she'd said something wrong. The girl's silvery eyes narrowed and her expression was one part suspicious and one part dawning horror.

"Do you… not know what kind of metal your weapons were forged with?" Ruby asked. "Isn't your semblance's whole thing based on manipulating metal?"

"I manipulate a metal's polarity, and knowing the type of metal has no relevance to my semblance. I don't need to know the specific type of metal I'm trying to move to use my semblance, only thing that matters if it's actually a metal or not." Pyrrha replied.

"But do you know the specific metals Milo and Akouo are comprised of?"

Pyrrha shrugged. "I assume carbon steel. I remember one of my agents once saying that it made for the most effective cutting edge on my blade."

"YOU ASSUME?!" Ruby boomed, both looking and sounding like she'd been personally offended. Pyrrha leaned away slightly at the look Ruby was giving her.

"Why is it so surprising to you that I don't know?" Pyrrha asked.

"Because these are your weapons! Your partners in battle! And you're supposed to know them inside and out!"

"I mean, I know how they work and how to shift them into their different forms... but truth be told, the maintenance and design of my weapons were entirely up to my mom or my agents. If there was ever a problem I couldn't personally solve, I just handed my weapons to them and they'd take them to get fixed." Pyrrha informed the irate girl.

"What kind of logic is that?!"

"Hey, does someone who owns a car or motorcycle know all the ins and outs of their vehicle?" Pyrrha defended herself. "They know the basics of operation and what warning signs to look out for, but I think the people who take their vehicles to the shop outnumber those who actually know the components and parts to replace themselves if something goes wrong."

"Yang knows everything about her motorcycle." Ruby argued.

"And some people just take it to a car mechanic. Or a motorcycle mechanic. Or whatever the equivalent is."

"...Do you even know how to field strip your weapon?"

"I know that much at least." Pyrrha smiled. "And my semblance DOES let me cheat a little if the trigger locks up or if the shift sequence gets jammed."

"...But you don't know how to actually fix the function if it's broken?"

"The shield works fine as a standalone weapon for me if something goes wrong with Milo. And even then I can still break the off the attachment and wield it as a sword if I need to in emergencies."

Ruby recoiled at Pyrrha's professed willingness to break her own weapon. She couldn't even imagine doing the same to Crescent Rose.

"Do you have so little attachment to you own weapons!?" Ruby demanded.

"I mean, I don't feel as strongly about them as you do about your scythe-"

"You use his name while you're in my workshop!"

"-About Crescent Rose, but it's not like I made them myself. Besides, I've only had Milo and Akouo for about a year." Pyrrha said. "They were reforged from my previous weapons once they broke. I'd warped the metal too much using my Semblance in a fight against a particularly tough opponent during the tournament so they were redesigned from the ground up."

"What were your old weapons named?"

Pyrrha sighed, knowing what how Ruby would take her answer.

"I forgot."

As she thought, Ruby now looked like she'd taken a punch to the soul from her words."

"...G-Geez, you led us all to believe you were an expert in everything related to fighting, but you're telling me that you don't even know your own weapons?" Ruby said despairingly, holding a hand to her forehead as she tried to compose herself. "The scales have fallen from my eyes. I'm seeing you in a whole new light, Pyrrha. And it burns."

Pyrrha blushed. "W-What's wrong with me not knowing how to perform weapon maintenance? I'm sure there are plenty of students like me. And we have plenty of people who can fix up our weapons better than we could ourselves."

"Excuses. Yang performs maintenance on her weapons. Blake does. Weiss does. Heck, I saw Nora in here once fixing up her hammer. That you apparently don't know the basics is worrying, Pyrrha." Ruby said. "Plus Jaune is in here once a week to fix his weapons."

"But Jaune's weapon isn't mechashift."

"His shield is. And he still has to sharpen his sword once in a while. The blade might be made of special metal that only a laser cutter could cut, but he still needs to put a whetstone to it here and there."

"Jaune comes here?" Pyrrha asked, surprised by that tidbit of information.

"Yeah, he sits right over there and works on his sword." Ruby smiled, pointing to a chair at the other end of her workstation. "It's time just for him and me. It's fun!"

Pyrrha's eyes narrowed. While Ruby's was surprised by her lack of weapon knowledge, the former athlete was surprised by the revelation that Ruby was getting a leg up on her without knowing. Sure, Pyrrha had her one-on-one training sessions with Jaune as his partner, but still…

"Well… maybe you could show me how to perform maintenance on my weapon?" Pyrrha asked.

The girl was surprised when Ruby's expression turned to excitement at her words.

"Really? You want me to teach you about the wonderful world of weapons?!"

"I-I mean, if you have the time." Pyrrha stuttered, backpedaling a little due to accidentally hitting Ruby's weapon mania button. "I-It WOULD be useful to know how to maintain my weapon by myself when I think about it. After all, if we're ever deployed to frontier towns in the future there's no guarantee that there will be readily available mechanics to service my weapons if they break or malfunction."

"I'd be happy to teach you! Professor Ruby is more than willing to enlighten you! Then I'll have someone else besides Jaune to talk about weapons with!"

Ruby scurried over to some racks and bins that were set and against the wall before zipping back to Pyrrha and handed her a piece of metal.

"Here, this was a metal I was testing for a new blade for Crescent Rose. You can work on sharpening it using the autoforge. Watch the process and see how the machine handles the metal and that should start to give you and idea of how to sharpen a blade."

"O-Okay…?"

"Another thing that'll be useful," Ruby continued, stepping over to the computer and grabbing a piece of paper before walking back and presenting it to Pyrrha with a smile. "Here's a cheat sheet you can follow. Put these settings into the autoforge and get started." Ruby smiled. "And just ask me if you have any questions or if you run into an issue you don't know how to deal with!"

"But didn't you say not to use the autoforge?"

"No, I said 'I' don't use the autoforge. Because I'm a professional, and not a hack."

"I don't think someone using an autoforge makes them a hack. Isn't it more efficient and faster to use the machine than the forge?"

"Sure, if you want to do things the easy way instead of the right way. I do what is right, but we gotta start you off on easy before I show you the right way to do it." Ruby declared. "Though if you want to keep using training wheels forever, I won't stop you. Just don't complain when I laugh at you behind your back."

"...You better watch out if we're paired together for a spar in Ms. Goodwitch's class. Don't have your mouth write checks that you can't cash." Pyrrha warned, which only earned an amused snort from Ruby.

"She said to the girl in charge of fixing her weapons."

"Is that a threat?"

"Hey, you know what they say about pissing off a waiter or cook when they're in charge of bringing you food? Same principles apply here. My hand could slip and then, boom! No weapons for you to use come Monday morning."

"Please, did you forget what my semblance was? I'd choose your words more carefully." Pyrrha said haughtily. "You've brought me to a room where I'm surrounded by metal. I'm not trapped in her with you, Ruby Rose. You're trapped in here with ME."

Both girls stood glaring at each other before their expressions broke and they started giggling uncontrollably at each other. Pyrrha was snorting laughter in a completely undignified manner that paparazzi back home would've paid an arm and a leg to get a picture of while Ruby held onto her sides as she let her laughter flow and not caring who heard her. Eventually the girls settled down and Pyrrha beckoned Ruby over.

"Well, as useful as these notes are, could you please walk me through the startup process? I've always been more of a visual learner, so if I could be shown instead of having to read I'd appreciate it."

"Sure, sure." Ruby smiled at the older girl, still giggling as she stepped up to the console. "So, I'm already signed in so you're already at the main screen. What you gotta do is tab over to the assembly screen like this…"

Pyrrha smiled as she followed Ruby's instructions, enjoying the feeling of being a novice and deferring to someone else. It was an experience she hadn't had in a long time. She was learning something new, and was actually hanging out with a friend at the same time. If the rest of her time at Beacon was going to be like this, Pyrrha couldn't feel more vindicated about her choice to leave Mistral and attend school in Vale.

Beyond just Jaune and her other teammates, it was nice having other people she could genuinely connect with. And Ruby Rose, surprisingly, may be unexpected best friend material.

- - -

"Are you messing with me right now, Arc?"

"Whatever gave you that idea, Cardin?"

"Because you can't honestly tell me that this is fun for you."

"It is, actually."

Cardin had been tense as he'd followed Jaune through the streets of Vale. He'd braced himself for an activity that would be an absolute chore, and while he'd tried prodding Jaune with questions about what he had in mind on the way over, the other team leader had been annoyingly evasive with his replies. Cardin had gone from annoyed to confused when they'd arrived at the docks, then from confused to completely flabbergasted when Jaune had entered a building close to Vale's pier and had rented a fishing pole and bought some bait. Ten minutes later Cardin found himself sitting at the edge of the dock while his not-friend started casting his line out over the water.

"You're free to go get yourself a fishing rod if you're bored. They're actually renting them out for pretty cheap." Jaune said as he gazed out on the open water with a small smile.

Cardin was left a little lost at just how content the blonde looked doing something so inane.

"Have you ever gone fishing before?" Jaune asked.

"Huh?"

"Fishing. Have you tried it?"

"No…" Cardin admitted.

"So then don't knock it until you try it." Jaune retorted. "Besides, is this really any different than sitting down and watching a movie?"

"Yes. A movie is actually entertaining." Cardin snorted.

"You say that, but we-"

"Yeah, it was a bad movie, but there were plenty of others we could have watched. If we were just gonna sit on our asses some more we could've tried picking another film. Wash the bad taste of that horrible movie out of our mouths."

"Our eyes, more like."

"Whatever. And that would make the statement inaccurate since we don't taste things with our damn eyes, Arc." Cardin grunted. "Learn to grammar."

Jaune chuckled. "Touche."

"Point is, I can't believe you'd rather sit out here holding a twig and string over the water instead of-"

"AH-HA!"

Cardin jumped in his seat when Jaune suddenly shouted and pulled back hard on his fish line. Out from the water a thin gray fish was pulled out and hung at the edge of Jaune's fishing line.

"Only a couple minutes and I already caught my first one." Jaune smiled. "Vale might actually have some pretty good fishing spots."

Dropping the fish into the bucket at his side, Jaune proceeded to hook some fresh bait onto his line before casting it out again. Cardin stared for a moment before he leaned over and peered into the bucket. It was filled halfway with water and he could see the fish Jaune had caught swimming around at the bottom.

"...You actually caught one." Cardin muttered.

Jaune arched an eyebrow at the brunette. "You didn't think I could?"

"Part of me still thought this was just some ploy to mess with me, or that you wanted to waste time." Cardin confessed without shame. "Though the latter assumption is still kinda true."

"This isn't a waste of time. Fishing is a relaxing sport that helps relieve stress. Plus it teaches a good lesson about how patience is often rewarded." Jaune said. "My dad took me out to fish a lot growing up. Radian has a few big lakes with lots of fish, and we'd take boats out and spend an afternoon trying to catch fish for dinner."

"That right?" Cardin mumbled, resting his chin on one hand. "You still go fishing with daddy?"

"My dad's dead."

Cardin winced at Jaune's blunt reply. Even given the animosity he felt toward the blonde, disparaging the dead wasn't any way for someone to act.

"Sorry…" Cardin murmured, eyes pointed down at the calm wandering and not looking Jaune's way.

Jaune glanced over at Cardin, nodding mutely when he confirmed that the other boy's apology was genuine and he wasn't going to make a follow up comment. The blonde swordsman took a deep breath and took a moment to cool his nerves before speaking up again.

"It's another reason I like to fish. Reminds me of my time with him." Jaune smiled softly. "None of my sisters are really into it. Except for Aqua, but she cheats with her semblance. Kinda takes the fun out of it."

"...Heard a rumor that you've got a pretty big family. Lots of sisters." Cardin commented.

Jaune nodded. "Eight in total. I'm the youngest."

"Eight older sisters…" Cardin murmured. He thought of what it would be like to have multiple Argentias. He shuddered at the mental picture. "Can't imagine having more than the one."

"Oh? You've got a sister?"

"Older one. She's a Beacon graduate. Has been for a few years and she's fought on the frontier. She even got a few medals and commendations from the Vale Council for her deeds out there."

"Sounds like she's quite the huntress."

Cardin smiled a bit at that. As annoying as he found his sister and even thought they'd drifted apart compared to when he was younger, he was definitely proud of her accomplishments. "She's a good goal for me to work towards."

He had to stand out just as much as she did since he was Rufus Winchester's only son.

It was a shame Beacon hadn't quite worked out like that so far. During her time at Beacon his sister had been at the top of her class leaderboards for all four years she attended. He wasn't close to the top yet, and Cardin's expression twisted slightly when he remembered that the blonde he was sitting next to was ranked in the top five of their year.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Jaune asked when he noticed Cardin's sour expression.

"Just thinking about how lame it is that I've got to waste most of my Saturday hanging out with you." Cardin scoffed.

Jaune sighed at Cardin's words. "C'mon man. I thought we were connecting for a second there."

"Look Arc, I appreciate you helping me sell the story about you and me being besties to make Velvet think that the thought of bullying her never crossed my mind-"

"Which it did."

"BUT that doesn't mean we actually need to become besties." Cardin frowned. "Let's just get through the afternoon so we can go our separate ways and maintain our mutual state of dislike toward one another."

"Yeah, how about no?"

Cardin blinked in surprise at Jaune's straightforward refusal.

"Cardin, I wasn't super enthusiastic about spending today with you either, but if we're gonna be in each other's company I'd like to at least try and squash whatever beef is between us. And I don't even know how it started!"

"Psh, like you don't know." Cardin grumbled.

"No, seriously, I don't." Jaune said irritably, finally turning away from the water to face the other boy directly. "You were the one who swung on me first for no reason at all. Remember back in the cafeteria when you deliberately tripped me up and made me drop my food? Dropping a line about some nonexistent pecking order I needed to follow?"

"...Yeah, I remember." Cardin replied with a frown.

He also remembered what had happened afterward.

"You laughed in my face."

"Because it was dumb schoolyard bullying in a place of higher education that teaches us to defend innocent lives against literal monsters. I thought the wedgie and swirly phase of our lives got left behind in middle school. Plus after all the bullshit I went through months prior trying to get into Beacon, your attempt to push me around came off as being pretty comical to me."

Cardin's frown became deeper and he crossed her arms as Jaune tore into him.

"But hey, I was willing to let it go as a one off, until you DELIBERATELY decided to swing on me. That was legit self-defense on my part. Would you have taken the hit if some other guy had tried the same on you?"

Cardin just grumbled.

"And then you go and challenge me directly in combat class." Jaune continued, heaving his shoulders as a substitute for throwing up his hands incredulously since they were occupied gripping onto his fishing pole. "Again, you made the first move, not me."

"...I get it."

"And because I wasn't the doormat you were hoping I'd be, you changed targets to the hot bunny girl who I hooked you up with because I spun it around as you being too shy and the racist attack you made on her was actually a botched attempt to try and convey your feelings to her." Jaune huffed. "I'm honestly kinda shocked she bought that, and I'm even surprised, but not at all unhappy, that you developed genuine feelings for Velvet and you're both in a very happy relationship. Seriously, kudos to you for being a giant middle finger to the White Fang's propaganda by being a wonderful example of a happy human-faunus couple. Which, again, YOUR WELCOME for hooking you up with a literal bunny girl. Look online at all the fetish porn about bunny girls, and you'd know how envious about ninety percent of guys in the world would be of you and would kill to be in your situation."

Cardin was blushing now. He tried his darnest to be respectful to his girlfriend and not directly acknowledge the walking fetish she represented… but Jaune deliberately calling it out was just forcing him to acknowledge what he knew was fact. He really had won the girlfriend lottery.

"So with all that being said, that brings me back to my original question." Jaune said, giving Cardin a hard look. "What is your beef with me? Spell it out for me, because honestly for the life of me I can't think of anything I did to make you declare me your enemy."

"I… you…" Cardin sputtered, trying to come up with a way to explain why he disliked Jaune so much. The blonde just waited, his expression becoming more and more unamused as the other team leader continued to flounder.

"...Seriously man? You can't even give a reason?" Jaune asked, his tone conveying his heavy disappointment. "Then what's with the grudge?"

Cardin clenched his fists and bit his lip. He DID have his reasons for disliking Jaune, but the other boy bringing up their first encounters and Cardin's earlier aggression, plus with another reminder that he was only in his happy relationship thanks to the guy he had committed himself to antagonizing…

…The "why" regarding his dislike of Jaune was extremely petty, a fact Cardin acknowledged in his head but didn't want to admit out loud.

After a minute passed without Cardin giving a response, Jaune sighed again and turned away from Cardin, putting his attention back on his bobbing fishing line.

"...I'm not asking for much here, Cardin." Jaune muttered. "Like you said, we don't have to be besties or anything, but at the very least we should be able to establish a tolerance for each other. We're gonna be attending Beacon for three more years, and unless one of us drops out or bites it at some point, that's a lot of time to interact with each other even by accident. Wouldn't it be better to get along? Our only enemies should be the Grimm we're getting taught to fight against."

Cardin really didn't like how many good points Jaune was making, but he couldn't find anything to say or refute him with. Jaune was extending an olive branch to him. Offering a truce. Cardin recognized that. And much as it irked him, it was just was to much effort to try and one-up Jaune. Especially when the leader of Team JNPR could prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he could tie him into a knot if he were so inclined.

…He was the one who'd thrown the first punch. Jaune's actions against him were only taken due to that and he'd never picked a fight, unlike Cardin himself.

Cardin turned his head slightly when he noticed Jaune extending one hand toward him.

"Acquaintances at least?" Jaune offered.

Cardin stared at the hand with a blank expression. A minute or two passed before he slowly raised his hand.

Though just as Cardin motioned to shake Jaune's hand, the blonde abruptly pulled his hand back. Cardin expression became incredulous, then indignant, and he took a deep breath in preparation to shout at the guy who tricked him after spouting all that stuff-

"Oh, this is a big one!" Jaune cheered brightly as he held up the fish he'd pulled out of the water, dangling in front of Cardin's face. "Look at this! Vale's got some pretty big specimens, huh?"

Cardin's eyes were as dead as the fishes as he stared at Jaune.

"...Are you for real, man?"

Jaune's expression was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Cardin let out all the air in his lungs in a big puff, shaking his head with a dry chuckle.

"Forget it. You ruined the moment this time."

"What are you… oh." Jaune flushed when he realized what he'd did. "S-Sorry, I felt the line getting pulled and instincts kicked in."

Jaune extended his hand again.
"So you wanna…?"

Cardin chuckled and flipped him the bird.

"Moment's gone, man. Ain't no way we're getting it back now." Cardin smirked.

"Alright, alright. That was my B, I admit it." Jaune said, quirking his lips up in a self-deprecating smile as he dropped his hand. "But I think we're getting there, and I'll take that as a win."

"Whatever floats your boat, man."

The duo lapsed into silence, but it was a silence that was far less tense than it was when they'd started in the morning. It was almost companionable, with neither Jaune or Cardin feeling particularly annoyed at one another. Jaune contented himself with catching fish, and Cardin lazily watched him as he counted the minutes it took between each of Jaune's catches.

Eventually, Cardin broke the silence.

"Sorry I was a dick to you after initiation." Cardin said bluntly.

"Apology accepted. Sorry I busted your face so badly after you tried punching me."

Cardin snorted. "You didn't get me that badly."

"I carried you to the nurse's office."

"Next time I'll be the one carrying you to the nurse."

Jaune chuckled. "Promises, promises."

Cardin snorted, but mulling over Jaune's words, something about the boy did make him a little curious. He opened his mouth to voice a question, but instead his stomach spoke up first, growling loudly enough for the two of them to hear.

"...If I were with Velvet right now she'd be cooking me one of her lunches." Cardin whined.

"Well, I don't think I can measure up to that-"

"Definitely not."

"But thinking about it, we never had lunch. We should get some grub." Jaune suggested.

"You're not gonna eat the fish you caught?" Cardin asked, pointing down at the fish swimming around in the bucket next to his feet.

"Nah, they're going back in the water. I didn't bring anything with me to preserve them and I don't feel much like going back to Beacon and storing them in the fridge. This was more of a spur of the moment thing, so if I come back here I'll bring something to store them in. This was just a recreational fishing session."

Cardin stared at him for a few moments before shaking his head with a sigh. "I still don't get how you can actually have fun with this."

"Hey, to each their own. And it gave us a good opportunity to chat, didn't it?"

Cardin scratched his cheek. "I guess…"

"Tell you what though, if you let me pick the place we eat at I'll pay for your meal."

"I mean…" Cardin started, but trailed off as he thought about that. The compromise was probably better than arguing over a place they both agreed on, plus it let him get out of paying for his food. "...I guess that's fine. What place did you have in mind?"

"It's a place me and my friends found a little after we got accepted into Beacon," Jaune smiled. "A little hole-in-the-wall diner with excellent service, good atmosphere, and stellar eats. I think it'd actually make for a pretty good date spot for you to take Velvet to one day."

"Is that right?" Cardin hummed, getting a little curious about the place Jaune was describing.

"Yeah, I haven't had a chance to eat there recently so this is a good opportunity." Jaune grinned. "Just let me catch one more and then we'll head out."

Cardin frowned when he felt a rumbling in his gut after Jaune finished his sentence. "You'd better not keep us here waiting for that one more bite for too long after the way you just talked about this place."

Jaune grinned when he felt a tug on his line.

"Don't worry. You won't have to wait very long." Jaune declared as he pulled his line.

Cardin's eyebrows rose at the sizeable fish that jumped from the water. Seeing Jaune's proud expression as he beheld his catch, Cardin actually found himself a little tempted to come back.

Maybe fishing could actually be fun?

= = = = = = =

I hope everyone enjoyed the characters bouncing off of each other since I had fun writing them. Jaune and Cardin burying that hatchet, expanding a little on SLVR members, plus giving Ruby and Pyrrha some time to spend together. I always thought those two would make excellent friends since both have more similarities than one would think. And Pyrrha needs to be shown interacting more with other characters without Jaune around. Her biggest want with attending Beacon was making some genuine friends, so that should be shown off more.

 

[UnknownAnon]

Getting on the home stretch now. Shorter than the previous chap, but the rest of the meat is coming. Thanks to AJT for helping edit this when I've been busy.

- - - - - - -

Cardin hadn't expected to visit the Old District on a Saturday, and was fairly surprised when he noticed Jaune had led him there. Passing by a few faunus children who were kicking and chasing a ball down the road, Cardin was glad he hadn't come down to Vale wearing anything that would've identified him as a member of the Winchester family. As the Old District generally had more Faunus residents than human residents, he was glad that he wasn't instantly recognizable to those milling around and walking down the streets.

"And here we are."

Jaune's announcement took Cardin's attention away from the street and he found himself staring at the restaurant the blonde Jaune had taken them to. Though upon inspection of the building design and the homely nature of it, it really appeared to be more of a diner than a restaurant. Privately owned too and not part of some chain either.

"C'mon. Let's head in." Jaune grinned, beckoning Cardin to follow after him as he pushed open the door.

"Just making sure, you're still going to-"

Cardin's question was interrupted by a sudden chorus shouting in front of him.

"Welcome to Just Right Bakery where everything is made just right!"

"Are you here to shop or are you eating in?"

Cardin blinked at the squeaky voices. Instead of a host or waiter welcoming them upon entry, the brunette found himself glancing down at two toddlers who beamed up at him. One was a little girl with blonde pigtails and overalls and the other was a brown haired haired boy who was wearing a shirt that looked like it was one size too big, but proudly displayed some heroic cartoon character on a bright red shirt. The little girl also had a pair of dog ears settled atop her head, giving away her nature as a faunus.

"...This place employs children?" Cardin asked aloud. I mean, knew plenty of stereotypes about poor faunus communities but he'd never actually seen-

"No, these are just the owner's kids." Jaune answered, interrupting Cardin's train of thought. "Must be a slow period if she's letting them play host."

"Oh, it's Jaune!" The blonde girl shouted happily, pointing up at his face. "Mama, Jaune came to visit!"

Turning in the direction of where the girl was facing, Cardin spotted a blonde woman who he immediately identified as the owner of the diner reclining in a large circle booth. The way she held herself reminded him about how his father and some of his associates presented themselves. Even though she wasn't wearing armor or fancy clothes, the look in her eyes and the confident aura she exuded almost made him feel a little intimidated.

And it was amazing that she could give off that impressed dressed in a baker's apron and smock while holding onto a small child who appeared to be nodding off on the woman's shoulder.

"Not just a visit, I hope." Goldie remarked, sliding out of the booth and getting to her feet, all while being careful not to jostle her youngest who stirred for a moment before the child adjusted her head to rest her chin on her mother's shoulder. "Customer or employee? Which one are you today?"

Goldie smirked as she eyed Cardin, who couldn't help but notice how defined the woman's arm muscles were which made him wonder if she was just a regular civilian or huntress-trained.

"Same question to your buddy here."

"Customers today." Jaune replied with a smile.

"Good! It's been a pretty slow Saturday so I was hoping that was the case." Goldie grinned. "'Sides, already got some extra help today so I was lookin' for some of the former and not the latter. Kids, show these boys to their table."

"Okay, mama!" The blonde girl chirped, grasping one of Jaune's hands with a smile and tugging him past the front desk. "This way please! Orso, get the menus!"

"'Kay!" The boy nodded and hefted up two menus, holding them out to Cardin with a gap-toothed smile. "Here you go!"

Cardin had an impulse to tell the kid it was proper to wait until they were seated before getting the menus, but seeing how the boy's mother and Jaune were eyeing him, Cardin swallowed the impulse and took the menus, nodding his thanks to the kid as he tucked the menus under his arm. He followed after Jaune as the little girl kept pulling the swordsman's arm. They wound up at a booth by next to a window that let them observe the street.

"This is where you're sitting!" The little girl announced proudly.

"Thanks, Ursula." Jaune smiled.

"Was I a good host?" Ursula asked.

"You were a great host."

"Good enough for a tip?"

Again, Cardin felt another impulse to point out that generally hosts didn't receive tips and that was something waiters got, but Jaune had already pulled open his wallet and handed the faunus girl some lien.

Ursula cheered and held up the money in celebration. "I'm rich now!"

"Make sure to share with your brother." Jaune advised the girl.

"Uh-huh!" Ursula smiled before turning to Goldie. "Mama, I'm going to the candy shop now!"

"Me too!" Orso added.

"Sure, sure." Goldie chuckled, pulling out some cash herself and handing it over to Orso. "Get something for Bera and Karu too."

Both children cheered their agreement before darting out the door. Seeing the two children leave, Cardin didn't hold back on voicing his thoughts this time.

"Should you really be letting them run around like that on their own?" Cardin asked.

"The candy shop is literally across the street. Those two don't need to be babysat just to hope and skip over there. Plus the old couple that runs the shop are friends of the family." Goldie informed him. "Besides, people 'round these parts know better than to mess with my kids."

And there was that dangerous confidence again that made Cardin wonder if there was more to the woman than just being a mother and cafe owner.

"Well, you boys can kick back. Someone will be out to take your orders soon." Goldie said before heading to the back of the diner and entering through a door to a different room.

"…So, how'd you find out about this place?" Cardin asked, deciding that it was probably best not to think two deeply about Goldie.

"Mrs. Zapatos, a friend of mine, showed me and my teammates this place during the semester break. She even hooked us up with some part-time jobs here and it was actually a lot of fun." Jaune smiled. "My team actually comes here quite a bit when we're out in Vale. Even if we don't dine in, this café has a bakery that sells cakes and pastries. We get them for takeout a lot. And sometimes on the weekends we lend some help, and Goldie always pays us for our time. Ren actually comes here the most out of all of us and even though Nora and I don't take shifts here very often, he helps out in the kitchen at least twice a week."

"That so…" Cardin muttered as he took a look around the place. It was a homely little café, and the leader of Team CRDL did like the atmosphere even if it wasn't the kind of place he would've normally chosen to eat at.

"Shame we're passed the time when we can order breakfast, but the menu's got some great sandwiches and fish dishes." Jaune continued. "Oh, and you should definitely get the porridge as an appetizer. It's amazing."

"Porridge? Really?" Cardin asked skeptically.

"Trust me. I wasn't a porridge guy either, but the way they make it here is good enough that it's practically a dessert given how good it tastes."

"…Well, since you're the one covering the check I guess I'll give it a shot."

"Good choice."

"Um… hello!"

Both aspiring huntsmen turned their heads as a new voice spoke up. Jaune smiled when he saw a little girl in a sky blue dress and shorts standing next to their table holding a notepad.

"Hey there, Bera." Jaune greeted the girl.

"Another kid?" Cardin thought, staring at the toddler as the brunette adjusted her glasses.

"Hi Jaune!" Bera returned Jaune's greeting with a smile before casting a shy look over at Cardin. "Um, who is this person?"

"This is Cardin. Say hi, Cardin."

"Uh, how's it going?" Cardin said, giving a small wave to the girl who smiled nervously back.

"I-I can get your drinks and stuff." Bera said, gesturing to her notepad. "Mama's letting me help since no one else is here. Mama's busy putting Karu to sleep, but I don't know where Ursula and Orso went…"

"They went to the candy store." Jaune answered, and he chuckled slightly at the affronted look on the toddler's face when she heard him say that. "They're going to bring back some candy for you."

"O-Oh! That's good then!" Bera smiled, looking appeased before gasping and taking out a pen. "Your drinks though?"

"Lemonade for me please." Jaune requested.

"I'll just have some water." Cardin said.

"Lemonade and water. Okay, I'll be back really quick!"

The girl jogged off and disappeared behind the counter and into the kitchen, leaving Jaune and Cardin the only two people in the café dining area.

Inside the kitchen, Bera walked up and tugged on the apron of the young man working at the stove.

"Ren, I got the drink orders!"

Ren wiped his hands on his apron before crouching down slightly to the girl, who held up her notepad to him. Smiling slightly at Bera's drawings that substituted for actually writing down the orders, Ren was familiar enough with her drawing skills that he was pretty confident in what the orders were.

"Lemonade and water?" Ren asked.

"Yeah!" Bera smiled. "It's for Jaune and his friend!"

"Jaune's here?" Ren asked, mildly surprised that his friend was the customer. "Who is the friend that's with him?"

"Um… Jaune said his name was Cardin!"

Ren's eyebrows went up. While he was aware that Jaune was spending the day with Cardin, he hadn't expected their paths to cross until the evening after they'd both returned to Beacon. Stepping over to the kitchen pass through the window, Ren confirmed with his own eyes that it was indeed Jaune and Cardin sitting at one of the booths next to the café windows.

"Well, neither of them seems angry and I can't see any bruises or evidence that they've gotten into a fight." Ren thought as he observed them.

When Jaune had agreed to hang out with Cardin he had been anxious how smoothly their outing would go. Cardin had held a grudge against Jaune since their starting days at Beacon and Jaune wasn't particularly fond of Cardin after the boy's attempts to bully him, even if those attempts wound up at Cardin's expense. But he was pleased to see that his worries were unfounded.

Still, while they were eating in, it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on them and interpose himself between them if things got heated.

Hopefully there wouldn't be any sort of catalyst that would spark a fight or argument between the two team leader.

Ren blinked when he heard the ring of the diner door bell that announced someone new had entered the building.

"Hello? This place open?"

Peering out the kitchen hole, Ren was surprised to see who had entered the café.

"Hey… Jaune, is that you?" Sun Wukong laughed as his eyes fell on the other team leader's table. "Didn't expect to run into you! And who's the guy with you?"

Ren held a hand to his chin as he watched Sun approach Jaune's table with a jovial smile.

"Is this a good or bad thing?" Ren murmured quietly.

He felt a scowl from beneath his chest. He glanced over at Bera, who put her hands on her hips.

"Hey! Get back to work!"

"Ah, right away," he said quickly.

"Guess it runs in the family," Ren thought.

- - - - - - -

This arc is coming to a close soon. Just a little bit more to go then we'll be getting back to the action of the canon volumes. Character development is nice and all, and RWBY sorely needs it, but we need some real conflict too.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Ozpin watched as Arjun prepared tea across his desk. The Pandu prince was meticulous and focused during the entire process, as though he was doing brain surgery. Every step, every measurement, it was all done with machine like precision, or perhaps a dancer executing a perfect choreography.

At last, Arjun finished the cup and held it out to Ozpin. He set it down on a saucer in front of the headmaster, before pulling back to sit on his chair. Ozpin picked up the tea and sniffed it. The earthy aroma brought back some fond memories for the immortal wizard, and the warmth and taste did even more.

"Mm," he said, after finishing his sip, "As good as ever, Arjun."

"The Vytallians claim to have created the ultimate tea culture," Arjun sniffed, sipping his own cup with all the majesty of an ex-monarch, "as do the Mistralians... But Pandu did it first, and best."

"I must agree," Ozpin said with a nod, "Though... There seems to be a hint of poppy seeds?"

"This blend is from Tulku, near the Parashu Mountains," Arjun stated calmly, "The opiate level is minimal."

The headmaster raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't want to set a bad example for the students," Ozpin said. Arjun chuckled.

"There are far worse ways to do that," he stated, taking another sip. Ozpin studied the younger man intently.

"We have rarely socialized, you know," Ozpin said. Arjun nodded.

"I am aware. But! Since my daughter and godson are at your school, I decided to end my hermitage and take a more active interest in things. Besides."

He fixed Ozpin with a stare.

"Things are far worse than you would ever let on," he stated flatly.

Ozpin stared back, listening to the ticking of the clockworks in his office.

"They may be," he allowed, "They may not be. I can't reveal more to you until you agree to formally join me. You know this."

Arjun snorted, finishing his cup and pouring himself another.

"Allegiance means nothing if you keep people like Lionheart around," he sneered.

Ozpin managed not to outwardly wince even though the accusation caused him pain.

"The overthrow of the Kauravas was not feasible at that time," Ozpin said carefully, "You and your team had to retreat. The reinforcements were not there-"

"Reinforcements Lionheart promised and failed to deliver," Arjun snorted, "He had all the advantages in the world and he still proved himself a coward. One would think he did it deliberately."

Yes... That day. Finding out that some of the Kauravas were Grimm Cultists had pushed Ozpin into action. The sheer potential of Team AARN, with Isabel, Nick, Saia and Arjun, had further spurred him on. If Arjun could have reclaimed the kingdom that was his birthright... He would have been a very strong ally indeed, however mercurial he could be at times.

Lionheart had promised to work with the local resistance, had promised some Mistralian officials had realized installing the Kauravas over Arjun's family had been a mistake. Pandu had become torn by infighting and was costing Mistral far too much to keep under heel. Putting the Sarkaras back on the throne was both pragmatic and moral-A rarity in politics.

It had all seemed so perfect... And it had all failed so miserably.

"Lionheart is overly cautious, I will agree," Ozpin said gently, "But if he could not get the reinforcements in time, that was that. You and your team survived-"

Arjun set his tea cup down on the desk loudly. His voice, however, remained level.

"Not all of us did."

The office was again filled with the ticking of the clock. Ozpin released a slow sigh from his nostrils.

"I am sorry about your wife," Ozpin said quietly, "Loss is something you think you will get used to, but... You never do."

Arjun stared intently at him, before slowly nodding.

"Yes," he said quietly. Silence reigned for a bit longer, before Arjun broke it.

"Has Taiyang told his daughter about the Silver Eyes yet?"

Ozpin stared back.

"I don't know for sure, but I believe so," he agreed.

"Good. I will train her," Arjun stated.

Ozpin finished his tea before he responded.

"I'm not sure that's wise-"

"She's the friend of my godson," Arjun stated, "And according to legend, my family received our Semblance from a Silver Eyed Warrior. Do you have any better options?"

"I had thought to train her myself," Ozpin said slowly, "As I did Summer-"

The Pandavan's eyes narrowed.

"How did that turn out?"

Silence fell again, harsh and hard. Ozpin sucked in a deep breath.

"Change... Is not easy for me," he admitted. "Yet in recent years, I've found I have needed to be more... Flexible. I will not forbid it if she agrees. However, you cannot tell her anything of Salem. Not yet. It's too much for her."

Arjun snorted.

"She's seen people die, Ozpin. What is the truth of who hunts her going to do?"

"A great deal of harm, Arjun," Ozpin said quietly, "Please. It must be revealed properly. When she's ready to handle it. It took Summer years to get to where she was."

Arjun remained silent, giving away nothing even to Ozpin's great wisdom. The ticking of the clockworks seemed so loud in that tense moment.

Finally, the exiled prince slowly nodded.

"Agreed," he said, "I'll even throw in an additional favor."

He poured Ozpin another cup of tea. It was a small gesture, but from Arjun, it meant a lot. Ozpin took the tea and sipped it.

"Mm? What will that be?"

Arjun smiled savagely.

"I'll try to keep Isabel from folding you in half and leaving you like that."

Ozpin coughed. After all, Isabel had only thrown a bus into his office while drunk. She hadn't even been mad, just wanted to prove she could do it.

Facing her actual ire... Even knowing he was immortal did nothing to make him feel calmer.

"Yes, well... That would be appreciated," he managed.

- - -

Isabel's anger was something Qrow knew all too well. He'd seen it at Beacon Academy as a stupid teenager with no idea about the civilized world, he'd seen it in the field, he'd seen it in private.

Somehow, all of those moments paled next to the cold, dead fury burning in her eyes as she stared at the smoking starboard engine of her Bullhead, on the side of the road near Forstford, Vale Province.

"You know," Qrow coughed, "Even though the engines still run on Dust, a bird in the turbine is still no... Uh..."

Isabel's glare felt like an Atlasian laser cannon. He very silently focused on the stones near his boots. Who knew? They might be gold or silver, something interesting.

"A bird strike. A. Fucking. Birdstrike," Isabel seethed. She glared at him. "Friend of yours?!"

"Hey now, it's not like that!" Qrow yelped, holding his arms up as he backed away. "I would never do that!"

"Are you sure?" Isabel seethed. "Are you absolutely sure your boss didn't order you to keep us from getting to him?!"

"Come on, Isabel, he's not that scared of you!" Qrow insisted, "And besides: I'm not the bad guy here!"

"You're working for him!"

"I didn't lie about the important stuff-"

"My son isn't important?!"

"I didn't say that-!"

A Grimm roar interrupted his further denials. Both Hunters looked over at the forest. The trees parted and a giant Ursa Major stormed in. Its bone spikes were long, its armor thick, and its eyes glowed with power. Clearly, it was a very old specimen: What it was doing this close to a human settlement was academic: Larger and more powerful Grimm had been gathering for weeks, after all.

This was still a welcome distraction from the very angry Isabel. They'd fight it, they'd kill it, she'd get some aggression out and then they could hopefully-

Isabel stormed past him. Her Aura surged in power, a mixture of green and white. The Ursa Major swung its claws at her. Qrow moved to intercept, but Isabel reached out and caught the massive bear-like Grimm's forearm in her grip. She grunted and pulled back... And lifted the Ursa Major right up into the air.

Qrow swore the thing's eyes went wide as Isabel swung it like a sack of old laundry onto the road. The impact went off like a bomb, and the pavement shattered. The Ursa Major roared in shock as Isabel yanked... And then screamed as she tore its forearm right off.

Hefting it up like a club, Isabel stalked up to the chest of the Ursa Major and proceeded to beat the living shit out of it. Qrow actually winced at every blow, the impacts as loud as gunshots as she pummeled the beast.

She then leaped off the Ursa Major, kicked it over, and shoved the claw right up its-

"RAWWWRRRRGGHHHH!"

Well. That was new. Feeling almost sorry for a Grimm.

Isabel at last grabbed the Ursa Major's head with both hands, and with a loud, angry grunt, tore its head in two. The Grimm's body collapsed and dissolved into a fine, black mist. Qrow could have sworn it almost looked relieved just before it died.

Isabel breathed hard, catching her breath. She whipped out her Scroll and made a call.

"Yes, Remnant Airship Assistance Association...? Bird strike. Road outside of Forstford. Yes, the radio beacon is online..."

Her eyebrows twitched.

"Two days?!"

She sucked in a deep breath and went stone cold calm.

"Fine. It's secured. I'll send the unlock code when you arrive. Goodbye."

She turned off the Scroll and scowled at Qrow.

"We're a few days walk from Vale, we're not sitting around here," she stated angrily. "Let's move."

"Er," Qrow began, "Are you sure you don't want to wait-?"

"Yes."

"All right then," Qrow coughed, going into the Bullhead to get his luggage.

Well, Qrow thought to himself, Maybe if she kills enough Grimm she'll go easy on Ozpin.

It was a faint, probably foolish hope, but hey, it was all he had.

- - -

Short but we're still going despite Real Life kicking our asses!

 

[UnknownAnon]

Oof, guys. Just oof. When life hits you, it hits you hard. And then work comes along to kick you when you're down. But perservere and you shall be rewarded.

Time to wrap up this arc. Thank you all for your patience and I hope you enjoy the wrap up.

- - - - - - -

Life was full of coincidences. Jaune had accepted that fact after he'd first set out for Beacon and had experienced many, many bumps in the road along the way. He'd met quite a number of characters during his journey, and the odd tendency to make crazy connections had persisted even after getting accepted into a huntsman academy. The proof could be seen in his immediate friend group which consisted of his two childhood friends, the heiress of the most powerful company in the world, a former terrorist, a famous tournament fighter, and the two sole survivors of a fallen town.

That was why he was only mildly surprised that the monkey faunus he'd recently gotten to know had somehow wound up at the exact same diner that he and his not-friend had chosen to eat at. It was just one more coincidence in the chaotic whirlwind that his life appeared to be. Not that it was an unwelcome surprise. It was certainly better than if Iridescent or a member of the White Fang had suddenly waltzed in. He definitely preferred running into a buddy as opposed to having his day ruined by suddenly running into an enemy.

"Hey, Sun!" Jaune waved a greeting as his fellow blonde approached the table he and Cardin were sitting at. "Didn't expect to see you today either."

"Funny how small the world is sometimes," Sun grinned. "Was lookin' for a place to eat and totally chose this place at random, and found you! And this other guy sitting with you. Who're you again?"

"This is Cardin." Jaune answered, gesturing to the other boy as Sun gave Cardin a curious look. "We're hanging out today."

"Yeah? Having some guy time?" Sun chuckled, sliding into the booth and sitting next to Jaune without being prompted and held out a fist in Cardin's direction. "Don't think I've actually met you myself yet. Name's Sun, as you've just heard. Nice to meet ya dude!"

Cardin glanced at Sun's tail but seeing Jaune arch an eyebrow at him, the brunette let out a sigh and grudgingly tapped his own fist against Sun's. It wasn't like Cardin didn't recognize the guy. The monkey faunus had quickly earned a notable reputation for his distinct appearance and for his seeming inability to button up his shirt.

"…Yeah, I've seen you around. I'm Cardin, leader of Team CRDL." Cardin replied.

"Oh, a fellow leader, eh? Almost feels like a meeting of a guild or something with the three of us. All leaders of our own hunter teams." Sun smiled. "This would be the part where we either start bragging about our teams or talking crap about our teammates and the headaches we put up with."

"Speaking of teammates, where are yours?" Jaune asked curiously. "You by yourself today?"

"Yeah, just me." Sun confirmed with a nod. "Scar's dad convinced him to spend the day out with him, Sage is at the CCT chatting with his girlfriend, and I didn't feel like being Nep's wingman so he's back at Beacon scoping out transfers to see who he's got a chance with. He recently found out about that dance Beacon's hosting soon, so he's trying to get the jump on getting a date."

"And what are his chances looking like?"

"Better than I thought he'd have, but not as good as he hoped for himself." Sun chuckled. "So with it just being me, myself, and I for the day… I thought I'd explore Vale a bit. It's a big place, and I actually haven't taken a lot of time to look around yet. And it's nice being able to do it without chasing princesses or getting shot at by terrorists."

Both blondes laughed at that, though Cardin was left staring at them with a befuddled look on his face. He was out of the loop and couldn't share a laugh at whatever inside joke the other two team leaders shared.

"…Where did you transfer from?" Cardin asked, wanting to curb the irritation he felt toward the two blondes who had seemingly started ignoring him and also because he was legitimately curious.

"Haven." Sun answered. "I'm the leader of Team SSSN. If you haven't heard of us yet, you definitely will once the Vytal Tournament starts."

Cardin arched an eyebrow at that, eyes scanning Sun's features and taking note of his darker complexion. "So you're from Mistral? I would've guessed Vacuo."

"Well, you'd have guessed right. I am from there."

"You just said you're from Haven." Cardin pointed out.

"Yeah, as in I go to school there. I was born and raised in Vacuo and transferred to Haven when I got a scholarship to attend that school."

Cardin's other eyebrow rose at that. "That's… you know Vacuo has Shade Academy, right? Why would you go to Haven instead of staying at home? That doesn't make any sense to me."

"Hey, I'm not the only one who did it. Mistral's own 'Invincible Girl' flew over here to learn at Beacon instead of sticking around in the city she was born in." Sun said, tone slightly defensive. "Besides, I've lived in Vacuo all my life. The scholarship to Mistral was a good excuse to see what the rest of the world has to offer. Plus the independence and being out on my own had its own appeal. Not that I don't love my uncle and the rest of my family, but I can't stay under his wing forever. Gotta show that I can stand on my own, y'know?"

Jaune smiled at Sun's words. "I can relate to that."

"…I can too, honestly." Cardin thought, though he didn't say it out loud.

"Not only that, but nothing really happens in Vacuo. Seriously, it's just a big desert with cities and towns built around the oasis and water holes that dot around the region." Sun went on. "And y'know… it may be my home but it's not like I have a big sense of loyalty or pride about it. For my first decade of living I was an orphan on the streets. My loyalty is for other kids who rolled with me and my uncle Shon who took us all in. And to my friends I've made at Haven."

Sun elbowed Jaune with a grin.

"And my new friends made here in Vale."

"Nothing says male bonding like getting shot at together, right?" Jaune chuckled.

Sun barked his own laugh at that. "You know it, man!"

"…Does what you're talking about have anything to do with that news report last week and how you busted up a White Fang group that was hiding in the city?" Cardin asked.

Sure, everyone was pretty confident that Jaune and Sun's teams had been involved… but Cardin wanted to hear confirmation from the participants themselves if they were open to talking about it.

Sun blinked and turned to Jaune. "Oh, did he not know anything about what went down?"

"I have assumptions, and I've heard the rumors at school, but I don't know the actual story." Cardin answered before Jaune could give his own reply to Sun's question.

Jaune thought about deflecting the topic, but after thinking about it for a moment he decided that there wasn't any reason why he couldn't share the details of their fight with Iridescent and the White Fang. They'd already served detention for the stunt and the rumors at school were mostly accurate anyway. He wouldn't be sharing anything Cardin didn't already hear from all the gossip.

"Well, it's true. We fought some White Fang and chased off their leader." Jaune replied with a light shrug.

"You even fought a robot." Sun added, pointing at Jaune. "Piloted by some crazy chick who apparently thought trying to kill your teammates was the best way to get into your pants."

"Wait, what?" Cardin sputtered, turning to Jaune with wide eyes.

Jaune sighed. While he didn't mind talking about how they'd broken up the White Fang rally, he really didn't want to go into details of Iridescent's obsession with him. That was certainly one connection he wished that he could sever.

"Forget it, I don't want to talk about her." Jaune said firmly, shutting down any questions about that psycho woman. "We crashed a rally, beat up some terrorists, fought a mecha, blew up some buildings… it was a whole thing."

"Wild weekend." Sun agreed, nodding solemnly at Jaune's words.

Cardin just stared at the duo incredulously.

"…You two-"

"Drinks are here!"

Bera's announcement cut through the conversation like a sword and the trio turned to stare at the small faunus girl as she placed two glasses in front of Jaune and Cardin. The girl blinked when she noticed the new person sitting at the table.

"You weren't here before!" Bera accused as she jabbed a finger at Sun, lips turned down in a pout. "Get out!"

"Whoa, what?" Sun gasped, surprised that he was suddenly getting yelled at by a toddler and that she was demanding for him to leave. "What'd I do?"

"You're violating the rules! We can't serve you!" Bera said sternly.

"Rules, huh? What are you talking about…?" Sun asked, looking completely lost.

"Is it because he's a faunus?" Cardin asked, unable to keep the words from slipping from his mouth.

"Cardin!" Jaune glared at him.

"Dude!" Sun squawked indignantly.

Bera just looked confused. "What? Why wouldn't we serve him because he's a faunus? I'm a faunus and I eat here every day!"

"Er… I didn't mean that, exactly…" Cardin backpedaled. "It's just, when people get kicked out of restaurants it's usually because they don't serve-"

"It's because he's not wearing a shirt!" Bera proclaimed, standing firmly with her hands on her hips as she glared at Sun. "You're being inappropriate!"

The trio of students all blinked at Bera's words before the two humans at the table slowly turned to the monkey faunus sitting with them. Their eyes dipped down toward Sun's chiseled abs, which were on display as usual. Thinking about it, it was sort of odd that Sun's tendency to leave his shirt unbuttoned had become something that they'd all accepted at school. Even the teachers didn't raise a fuss about it despite Sun's continuous and blatant violation of the school dress code.

Suddenly being called out for it shouldn't have felt so strange.

"No shirt, no shoes, no service." Bera declared with finality.

"Is that all?" Sun laughed. He reached down and quickly buttoned up his shirt, turning and displaying his shirt covered chest to the girl. "There, now I'm wearing a shirt. Can I stay?"

"Hm…" Bera looked at him suspiciously for a moment before nodding. "I guess. Do you want a drink?"

"Sure! I'll take some fruit juice if you've got any."

"We do. I'll get you some." Bera nodded. "Just make sure you don't show your boobies anymore while you're here, 'kay?"

"Boobie-!?" Sun sputtered as the girl toddled off toward the kitchen, the girl's words and Sun's expressions earning laughs from both Jaune and Cardin. "These are pecs, kid! Guys have PECS!"

"Heh, kids can be pretty hilarious at that age." Jaune chuckled.

And the wild comment had the benefit of putting a period on their previous conversation.

"Tch, darn kid. Say, I forgot to ask this but you guys don't mind my being here, right?" Sun asked. "I'll pay for my own meal. Original reason I came in was to see about getting some grub anyway."

"Feel free. The extra company is nice, right Cardin?" Jaune said, giving Cardin a hard look.

"Uh, sure. Go ahead." Cardin replied, not wanting to make an issue of it. Plus hopefully it would help make Sun forget about his earlier comment.

He really didn't want that assumption he had made to get back to Velvet somehow.

"Sweet!" Sun grinned as he leaned back in his seat. "Y'know Jaune, you and I actually haven't had much one-on-one conversation yet. Or one-on-two since I've got Cardin to chat with now as well."

"It's true, we haven't." Jaune agreed.

"That's kinda weird after what we've been through this past week. And during the end of last semester too." Sun mused. "Like, we haven't really hung out together. Mostly it's been hanging out with all our teams. Team leaders that bleed together should have a more established friendship, don't you think?"

"I don't disagree." Jaune smiled, openly welcoming the opportunity to get to know Sun better.

"Right? So tell me your story. You too, Cardin. Let's get some bonding between team leaders going!"

"Fruit juice!" Bera announced before either Jaune or Cardin could speak on the subject.

"And I'll be taking your food orders." Ren followed up from where he stood next to Bera.

"Ren!" Jaune sat up in his seat when he saw his teammate. "I didn't know you were working here today!"

"I hadn't planned to, but Goldie sent me a text a few hours ago and said she was open to having me help out today since she had someone call out. I took her up on the offer."

"Huh. I wonder why Goldie didn't say anything to me about you being here…"

"Mama likes surprises!" Bera chirped.

"Well, consider me pleasantly surprised." Jaune chuckled, glancing toward the front door to the diner and almost expecting someone else they knew to suddenly walk in.

"Consider me just plain surprised." Sun said. "You got the rest of your team hiding somewhere in the back? Do you all work part-time here?"

"No, just me." Ren replied. "Jaune and Nora did work here during the semester break, but I'm the only one who stayed on as a regular part-timer."

"Do we get any discounts because your teammate works here?" Cardin asked.

"No discounts!" Bera proclaimed loudly.

"There you have it." Ren said as he pulled out a notepad and pen. "So then, what will you all be having today?"

"That's a good question." Sun said, glancing down at the menu on the table and then over to Jaune. "I'm guessing you're sort of a regular here, and you've got a teammate working here, so you'd know what the really good menu items are. Any suggestions?"

"Get the porridge as an appetizer. I know it doesn't sound appealing on paper, but trust me, they just get it right here in a way no other place does." Jaune said.

"Heh, that have anything to do with the name of the diner?"

"It does."

"Then I'll have some of that."

"Me too." Cardin said, acquiescing to the recommendation as well since Jaune had told him the same earlier.

"That's two porridges then." Ren nodded, writing the orders down. "Unless Jaune wants to make it three?"

"Jaune does indeed want to make it three." The blonde swordsman grinned.

"Noted." Ren chuckled. "How about your main dishes?"

"Another good question." Sun muttered. "It all sounds good, and the pictures on the menu make the signature dishes look really appetizing."

"The dishes with fish or steak are really good." Jaune said. "Also be sure to leave room for dessert. The cakes and pies baked here will ruin all other pies and cakes for you."

"You're really talking this place up." Sun grinned. "I'm tempted to just order the whole menu."

"So you're saying you have enough money to order one of each dish yet you can't be bothered to buy real clothes?" Cardin smirked.

"If it's a choice between food or clothes, I'd choose food every time." Sun returned with a grin. "I'd sell my clothes and walk around in the buff if it got me fed."

"Don't give me that mental image when we're about to eat." Cardin blanched.

"Y'know, my uncle gave me a pretty big stipend before I came here. Since visiting Vale for the Vytal tournament is practically a vacation for me, I've got a lot of spare change." Sun grinned at Jaune. "How about I handle the check for this one? You can get me back when we go out again in the future!"

"Thanks for the offer, but you don't have to do that."

"Nah, it's cool man! Don't worry about the price!"

"It's not that." Jaune replied sheepishly. "I just already promised to pay for both me and Cardin. Paying for me is one thing, but I can't ask you to pay for both of us."

"You can still do that. I'll pay for your part of the meal, but you can pay for Cardin's. Heck, I'll pay for Cardin's too."

"I can't ask you to do that." Jaune protested. "Just worry about paying for your own order. I'll just pay for the two of us like I was planning."

"You don't even need to buy anything. I was half serious about ordering one of everything. You can just mooch off of what I order."

"Sun, I really don't-"

"For the love of… I'll pay for the damn meal if it'll get you two to stop competing over who's gonna get the check so we can order already." Cardin snapped. "I'm starving and I want to eat."

"Well, there's a solution!" Sun grinned, pointing at Cardin. "I'll pay for Jaune's meal, he'll pay for Cardin's, and Cardin will pay for me!"

"That… makes no sense whatsoever." Cardin deadpanned.

"It totally does! It all evens out this way!"

"We may as well just pay for ourselves in that case."

"Nah, you'll always be inclined to order more if it's on someone else's dime."

"That's not true."

"So you're saying you weren't planning to order the most expensive items on the menu when you knew I was going to be paying for it?" Jaune asked, arching an eyebrow at Cardin.

Cardin faltered slightly at that. "I mean… I wanted to see how they cook the steak here."

"Don't order food just for the sake of ordering it. That's wasteful."

"Hey, there's no such thing as ordering too much when it can all be packed up and eaten later. I never let food go to waste." Sun smiled. "Anything you guys order but don't finish off, feel free to give to me. I'm like a walking, talking garbage disposal when it comes to leftovers."

"And what exactly is your workout plan that allows you to maintain your physique while apparently being a binge eater?"

"That is a secret I will take to my grave, good sir."

"Your orders?" Ren asked again.

"Let me take care of that, kid."

Ren blinked when the notepad was suddenly lifted out of his hands. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Goldie smiling behind him.

"I just put the little one down for his nap so I'm all freed up. Looks like it'll be slow for the rest of the day so unless we get a big rush, why don't you take the load off and hang out with your buddies here?"

"Is that okay? I can still work."

"You helped out plenty this morning. Just take the half-shift pay and enjoy some dinner with your friends."

"C'mon man. If your boss is giving you the go ahead, stick around and hang out!" Sun smiled.

"It'll be a real guys night with you joining us." Jaune added.

Cardin just shrugged, not caring either way.

After a moment of deliberation, Ren smiled and undid his apron, passing it to Bera and taking a seat at the table and picking up a menu.

"Still no employee discount?" Ren asked the diner owner.

"None whatsoever!" Goldie chirped. "But if you kids order enough food, I may throw in a few free appetizers or desserts!"

"Then I'll be ordering five entrees." Cardin smirked. "I mean, it's all on your dollar, right Arc?"

"…Sun, your offer to pay for my meal suddenly got a lot more appealing."

"I'll bet. Though now we gotta figure out who Ren's gonna be paying for." Sun quipped, earning a round of chuckles from the others.

Twenty minutes later, Goldie and her daughter delivered a buffet of food to the trio's table. Sandwiches, salads, soups, steaks, fish, burgers, fries, chicken, bread, muffins, cakes, pies, and an assortment of other foods were arrayed on the table. The group of young men were digging into the feast and loving every minute of it.

"I'm expecting a generous tip from you boys after this." Goldie grinned as she dropped off the last dish. She ruffled her daughter's hair. "C'mon, sweetie. Let's head in the back and I'll help you bake those cupcakes you love. They taste even better when you make them yourself."

"Yay!" Bera cheered as she followed after her mother. "We can share them with daddy when he gets back!"

"You boys call me if you need anything!" Goldie called to her four customers, who all made grunts and noises acknowledging that they heard her but couldn't vocalize words since they were busy stuffing their faces. The mother and daughter duo disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the four aspiring hunters to enjoy their meal.

"So, Cardin, what do you think so far?" Jaune asked as he spread some butter on a dinner roll.

Biting into a piece of juicy sirloin steak, Cardin had to admit Jaune had chosen well. Everything was delicious and he definitely wanted to bring the rest of his team to the diner someday in the future.

"It's worth your every penny." Cardin replied.

Jaune chuckled. "Glad to hear it."

"Yeah, this place is really good. Definitely gonne be taking everything I don't finish back with me to eat later." Sun said from around a mouthful of burger. After swallowing, he glanced around at their group. "So, what made you guys choose the huntsman life?"

"Why ask that?" Cardin replied with his own question, arching an eyebrow at the faunus for the sudden question.

"Because I'm trying to start a conversation! And I think it's a pretty important question to ask all things considered." Sun said. "I mean, once we graduate it's gonna be our lives. Hunting Grimm and saving people in trouble. Protecting humanity. It's the one thing I know we all have in common even though I don't know much else about you guys. We all have the same career aspirations. So, I ask again, why do you guys want to become huntsmen?"

Jaune paused in his eating as he mulled over Sun's words. It was a simple enough question, but for him the answer was pretty complex. How much did he want to speak about the subject? While Sun was a friendly enough guy and Jaune liked to think that they got along well enough in spite of how little time they had spent together, was this really the place to vent about his motivations? Sure, he'd been open about his situation to his team, but to Sun and Cardin…?

"Whoa, no need to look so serious dude."

Jaune blinked at Sun's words. "Did I look serious?"

"You look like someone who ran over someone's pet and is trying to come up with a good way to explain it to the owner." Cardin muttered, also a little thrown by the solemn expression Jaune had been wearing before Sun had called him out on it.

"Hey, I was just curious, but if you've got personal reasons for wanting to become a huntsman don't feel obligated to answer just because I asked." Sun smiled disarmingly. "Sounds like you thought a lot deeper about it than some others I've asked. Nep just said he wanted chicks to like him when I asked him."

Jaune snorted a laugh. "Sounds like him."

"Not the best reason though." Ren commented.

"Eh, he can be a dweeb about women but I do know for all his talk he is genuine about wanting to become a hunter so he can protect people." Sun defended his partner with a chuckle. "Not gonna deny that impressing chicks is a good bonus of the profession though. Hunters and huntresses are like action heroes to regular people.

"But hunters and huntresses are really heroes. They fight monsters and save lives."

"True." Sun nodded before he shot Cardin a grin. "Though guess one of us here doesn't have to worry about the ladies."

"What do you mean by that?" Cardin asked cautiously.

"Dude, I know this is our first time actually talking, but I've seen your girlfriend." Sun said excitedly, grin widening as he leaned forward in his seat. "You're dating that rabbit faunus, right? I mean, I'm assuming you're dating since I've seen her hanging off your arm on campus. She's your girlfriend?"

"…Velvet's my girlfriend, yeah." Cardin nodded.

"Dude… DUDE! Respect." Sun said solemnly, his tone conveying both admiration and envy. "She's super cute and that you actually managed to pull a chick like that… you've got a literal bunny girl as a girlfriend! I feel compelled to shake your hand for winning the girlfriend jackpot."

Cardin couldn't help but smile and preen a little at that. He really had scored the romantic jackpot with Velvet.

"Yeah, Velvet's pretty awesome herself." Cardin said, happy to praise his girlfriend. Though Sun's words reminded him of Jaune's when they had talked at the fishing docks. "...But it wasn't all me."

Jaune blinked when Cardin sighed and glanced his way.

"Jaune created the opportunity for me." Cardin said, surprising Jaune that he was coming clean with that. "I'm no romantic expert. Me getting with Velvet was almost an accident if I'm being honest."

"A very happy accident, I'd say." Sun chuckled, nudging Jaune with his elbow. "The way of the wingman is strong with you if you got Cardin dating a real bunny girl. Think you could help me out sometime?"

"With Neptune?" Jaune asked.

"Nah man, help me with the ladies!" Sun exclaimed. "I put in the work, but I'm not getting any bites! And I go around practically shirtless to show off the goods! Practically free advertising and no one's shown any interest!

"So you're aware of it." Cardin drawled.

Jaune just laughed as Sun pointed to his abs.

"Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it. And while the ladies certainly aren't complaining, they aren't exactly flocking to me either." Sun groused.

"Is that why you wanted to be a huntsman?" Ren interjected, bringing the conversation back around to Sun's original question.

"I mean, I do hope I can find someone special at some point." Sun admitted before he sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Though as for why I wanted to become a huntsman… well, like I mentioned before, I grew up an orphan in Vacuo. Never knew my parents and no one was willing to look after a street rat. Or street monkey in my case, heh."

Leaning back in his seat, Sun stared up contemplatively at the ceiling.

"Don't remember much of my early life, to be honest. Least not any solid memories stuck with me. But I remember the experiences. Hunting for food. Sometimes stealing. Trying to find cool places to stay during the day and warm places to sleep at night. Fighting with other abandoned kids over scraps or running away from adults who wanted to lock up a thief. Homelessness is actually pretty bad in Vacuo. It's almost a community of itself in Vacuo, and after I'd survived for long enough I started getting a bit of a reputation. I was actually one of the older orphans running around the city, and before I knew it some other kids started to run with me. Kids who wanted to ride the coattails of a guy who played the street rat game the best. Those kids became my family, my siblings. Instead of stealing for myself, I started stealing for them. When I hit my tweens, adults wouldn't just wave away some dirty kid and were willing to put me up to odd jobs. They paid and helped with food costs. It was nice not having to steal all the time anymore, but that was still the best and quickest way to make money or get food." Sun chuckled as he reminisced. "Then one day I tried stealing from a huntsman. Not that I knew it at the time, being completely uneducated and all. Didn't know how dangerous my mark was."

"With how ominous that sounds, I'm guessing that trying to steal from him wasn't a pleasant experience." Cardin muttered.

"You'd think that, wouldn't you!" Sun laughed, surprising the other three boys. "But no, get this, after he catches me in the attempt and kicks me down, the next moment he starts dusting me off and starts lecturing me on how to steal better! Like he was less annoyed at me trying to pickpocket him and more annoyed that I was apparently doing a bad job at it according to him!"

Jaune, Ren and Cardin gave the monkey faunus all bizarre looks at that, which elicited more laughter from Sun.

"I know! But I'm young, and I actually prided myself on the reputation I'd gotten for being practically uncatchable, so I tried to steal from him again on another day. Same thing happens, he stops me and then starts lecturing me. This continues on for a few weeks before he finally takes me down for real, ties me up, and tells me he's gonna hand me off to the authorities… unless I can give him a good reason for doing what I'm doing."

"What did you say?" Ren asked.

"I told him the truth. Told him my story, told him about my siblings and how I was trying to provide for them. He asks to be taken to see them. I get aggressive, threatening him not to harm my brothers and sisters since I think he wants to turn them in too." Sun chuckled. "Couple days later my uncle Shon is signing papers to make him our official guardian and welcoming us into his home, providing a feast twenty times as big as the one we're enjoying now."

The other three aspiring huntsmen just stared at Sun incredulously, who just gave a big grin in response.

"And that's how my uncle Shon adopted me and the rest of the kids I ran with!"

"…I know you said I won the girlfriend jackpot, but I'd say you won the orphan jackpot." Cardin muttered.

"Don't I know it!" Sun laughed. "Uncle Shon actually had a pretty big hunter's rep in Vacuo. He helped run a guild for hunters with his old teammates!"

"He still do that?" Jaune asked.

"Not so much anymore. He's actually sort of like a politician. Though maybe diplomat is the more appropriate word." Sun mused.

"So then… you want to become a huntsman to honor your uncle?" Ren guessed.

"Sort of." Sun smiled. "I'd say the primary reason I want to become a huntsman isn't so much that I want to honor my uncle, but I want to be like him. Big guy like that, with the money and influence to change the lives of a bunch of orphan kids and give them a better one. I want to try and be to someone what my uncle was to me back then. Someone who has the power and influence to lift the less fortunate out of the dirt and help them reach higher than they would've been able to otherwise. Plus, gotta set an example for my siblings. If I succeed at becoming a huntsman, I think that'll show that they can become anything they want to even if we all started on the streets."

"…I think that's a very noble reason for becoming a huntsman." Ren said after a moment.

"Yeah?" Sun gave a sheepish grin as he scratched the back of his head. "I don't think it's that noble. It's just me trying to give back a little for winning at life when I really didn't expect to."

"I can empathize with that." Ren said softly. "I also grew up an orphan. Though I wasn't always. My parents died when my village was destroyed in a Grimm attack."

"Oh man, I'm so sorry." Sun winced. "No other family to take you in?"

"My extended family all lived in the village. Only two people came out of that attack alive. Myself and Nora." Ren murmured. "And only because I awakened to the perfect semblance that helped us survive."

"What is your semblance?" Cardin asked.

"I can nullify emotions." Ren said. "Positive or negative, I can completely mute my or someone else's emotions so long as I'm touching them. It allows me to be practically invisible to Grimm."

"Whoa… that's… I can see a lot of people wanting a semblance like yours." Sun said.

"Yes. Some huntsmen responding to the attack arrived to find us in the ruins of the village and took us in. Delivered us both to an orphanage in Mistral where we grew up until we came of age." Ren said. "I actually hadn't planned to become a huntsman myself. It was Nora who suddenly decided that we should try and become hunters one day and I just went along with it."

"So you want to become a hunter because your friend wanted to?" Sun asked.

"It's not as though I had any other prospects. Plus, if I train and grow strong, I can protect Nora." Ren said, wringing his fingers tightly as he thought of the girl. "Nora is… very precious to me. I intend to follow her on whatever path she chooses so long as she lets me. It's a selfish desire I'll admit, but it is a profession that does let me do a little good. It allows me to feel like I'm paying back for the good fortune that allowed the two of us to survive in the first place."

"Nora is a very lucky girl to have you." Jaune smiled, placing a hand on Ren's shoulder. "Have you ever told her this?"

"She knows."

"Alright. And have you gotten a little more honest with her yet?"

"That's… taking a little bit more time." Ren sighed.

"You know how she feels. And you feel-"

"I don't want to get into that here, please." Ren said softly, causing Jaune to withdraw and let out a sigh.

"If you say so. Just know that I'm here if you ever want to talk about it."

"Noted. Though I'm hesitant to discuss relationship troubles with you given the chaotic state of your own love life."

Jaune sputtered at that. "Hey! We're not talking about that either!"

"I've been meaning to ask, who are you dating anyway?" Sun questioned, giving Jaune a curious look. "The Invincible Girl seems really into you, but I also heard you went on a date with that blonde bombshell Yang."

"And Ruby kissed him a while back." Ren smirked, earning an indignant squawk from Jaune.

"Dude, I told you that in confidence!"

"Arc… you've got three girls pinning after you?" Cardin mumbled, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Four." Ren corrected.

"Who's the fourth?" Sun asked before the answer came to him on its own. "Oh, wait, are you counting the crazy chick he fought in the mech?"

"None! I'm not dating any of them!" Jaune exclaimed before taking a deep breath and forcing his nerves to calm. "We're just… courting each other…? Seeing where things go? Look, my love life is not the topic of the conversation here!"

"Man, no wonder Nep was grumbling about you when you've got game like this." Sun grinned before holding up his hand to stall Jaune's protest before the other blonde could voice it. "But I'll drop it. So, Ren and I have shared our hunter origin stories. Who wants to go next?"

Jaune and Cardin stared at each other. Sun and Ren had shared their stories, and now it was down to the two of them.

Jaune had already been well aware of Ren's history, but he hadn't known about Sun's. He was actually quite surprised that the monkey faunus had been so open with them. He and Ren were still only acquaintances through Blake and Cardin was just a stranger. Yet he'd told them all his life story without hesitation. It was also surprising that Ren had reciprocated, especially with Cardin present. Jaune didn't think he'd be so willing to share the story of how he and Nora had survived Kuroyuri's fall, but he had.

The swordsman's eyes slowly moved from Cardin to Sun, then back to the young man who had tried to antagonize him during his early days at Beacon. He still had yet to find out the exact reason why Cardin had attempted to bully him, but Jaune had never really hated Cardin in spite of the other team leader's animosity toward him. It was completely one-sided on Cardin's part. Thinking a little more about it, Jaune didn't even really think he disliked Cardin all that much. Just the schoolyard antics had annoyed him. It was immature and not worth reacting to.

No, when Jaune thought about who he really hated, that feeling was reserved solely for those specific individuals he'd encountered during his journey to Beacon. Those who had tried to kill him, went out of their way to hurt innocent people living their lives, or stepped on others trying to achieve their goals.

Jaune didn't look back on any of those experiences with any kind of fondness, but they did open his eyes to the world at large. And in spite of it all, those harrowing experiences had helped cement and crystallize his motivation for becoming a huntsman.

And… there was no reason not to be up front about that. Not when Sun and Ren had been so open and honest themselves.

"…I grew up with a pretty blessed life all things considered." Jaune began, leaning back in his seat. "I can gripe and complain about my family, but they were good to me. And it's more than what most have. Way more. My dad was an accomplished huntsman, my mom is probably one of the most accomplished doctors in Remnant, and all my older siblings have found success in their respective fields. Saphron's married and has a kid, Aqua's an accomplished field medic and treasure hunter with her own party of adventurers, Verdy and Coral are going to get their doctorates soon, Lilac's going to marry her fiancé next year and practically runs the family farm, Orchid helps keep everything at Arc-En-Ciel organized and Tangerine runs her own business… and she's only two years older than me. Every single one of my family members is amazing…"

Jaune shook his head.

"Maybe it's weird to feel inadequate about that, but I was always intimidated by their successes. As I got older and saw each of them accomplishing whatever they set out to do, I felt pressured to do the same. Mom had a roadmap for me to do just that. She wanted me to inherit her skills and become a doctor like her. Got me the best tutors, made sure I was given all the tools needed to succeed, encouraged me as often as she could, set me up for my own successes." Jaune sighed, and shook his head frustratedly. "But none of it felt like my own. Becoming a doctor wasn't a bad thing. I mean, it wasn't completely unappealing to me. But… I didn't want to do what my mom and some of my sisters did. I grew up with my dad telling stories about our ancestors, about how the Arc family is a family that raises heroes. I always wanted to feel like that. Like a hero."

Jaune took a deep breath.

"Like my dad was. He was a hero."

"So… your dad…" Sun prompted, noticing the tense Jaune was using when referring to his parent.

"He died."

"Oh man…" Sun grimaced.

"Happened years ago. Died protecting some Beacon students who were on a training mission. Held off hordes of Grimm while protecting those kids he'd been watching over and held the line until help arrived. None of the students died."

Jaune rubbed his eyes as he remembered the first time he'd read the autopsy report for his father, once he'd been old enough and had been permitted access to the Arc-En-Ciel hospital records. Nicholas Arc had the very definition of a heroic death. The state his body had been in once it had been recovered and the survival of all sixteen of the students he'd been tasked with watching was a testament to that story.

He had died a hero.

"I admire him. To me he's the type of hero that I want to be. That strength, that purpose. I wanted to follow in his footsteps." Jaune smiled softly. "Mom… really didn't like that. She didn't want me to end up like dad. I mean, I got where she was coming from, and that she loves and was worried about me… but I wasn't gonna let her fear for me dictate how I lived my life. I didn't want to patch people up at a hospital or write reports on someone who was dead before they even got to the hospital. I wanted to stop the monsters before they killed or hurt anyone. Just like my dad did. So, when I was supposed to go to medical school, I took Crocea Mors and headed out to Beacon on foot. Couldn't use my credit cards or get my cash from the bank and tip mom off to where I was really going. Only one other person knew about my plans, and that's only because I convinced her to pay for my train ticket. So I left Radian with my weapon and some clothes and started my journey. Took me six months to get to Beacon."

"Six months…?" Cardin asked. "Wait, wait… Radian? That's not too far from Beacon. If you went on foot it should have taken you two months at most. And that's assuming you didn't use any public transport like a train or bus at any point during your travels. How the hell did a two month journey take you six?"

"…Lots and lots of effort." Jaune chuckled. "Mom never wanted me to become a huntsman, and I think some kind of higher power must've agreed with her because I went through some shit. That train I took at the beginning was supposed to cut my journey down by a month. Would've made it to Beacon in approximately three weeks. But the train was attacked by a Nevermore and crashed. Though I made sure that the train crashed INTO the Nevermore."

"…You're joking." Sun gaped.

"Dead serious." Jaune chuckled. "Look up the Nevermore attack on the Sarine Train Station sometime. I experienced that. Had to go on foot to the next town and when I arrived there I was captured by that crazy woman Iridescent and forced to fight in her underground fight club. Got myself a crash course in how hunter's fight. And I was taught to fight by…"

Jaune trailed off and swallowed a lump in his throat. Thinking about what had happened still hurt, even if the wound wasn't as raw anymore.

"…Managed to get free and escape. Ran into a small White Fang cell trying to attack a miner settlement by drawing Grimm to it, but I fended off the Grimm. Helped a guy find his kidnapped friend by some warrior who was off his rocker. Ran into some gangsters, not that I knew they were gangsters at the time, and sent them packing. Accidentally blew up a bunker, but I'm pretty sure whoever owned it was a criminal. Fought some more White Fang guys. Fought off the gangsters who returned for payback. Fought some ninjas… that were also cyborgs. Helped some Atlus soldiers fight off some terrorists. Saved a village from a group of Beringel Grimm. Helped out some faunus who were getting attacked… in between more fights with Grimm, mercenaries, and getting kidnapped at least two more times… but then I ran into my uncle Qrow and he finally got me to Beacon. So here I am."

"…You talked with me about your journey to Beacon before," Ren muttered. "But I had no idea that you went through so much."

"Yeah man. I kinda wanna call bullshit, but you don't strike me as a guy who tells tall tales for kicks." Sun frowned.

"It definitely wasn't what I expected would happen to me after I left Radian. Still, if there was one benefit to it all it's that I got in lots of training. Got experienced and skilled enough to match up with people who actually went to prep schools."

"A trial by fire." Ren stated.

"That's one way of putting it." Jaune said dryly. "Other than the many, many opportunities to train myself, I like to think that I helped the people I ran into along the way. Sure, I think dad would've handled things a lot better if he'd been there instead of me… or I bet any one of you would've made less of a mess than I seemed to at once, but I'm not if not tenacious. I'm going to accomplish my dream. I want to become a huntsman not just to make my dad proud, but so that I can feel proud of myself. So I can feel like I actually made a difference in someone's life. To say that I managed to accomplish something for myself. That's why I want to be a huntsman."

"…Sheesh, looks like we all went through some crazy shit." Sun whistled.

"And we all finally found each other." Ren said with a small smile, earning some light chuckles from the two blondes.

"What about you, Cardin?" Jaune asked, turning his head toward the last of their group. "What's your story?"

Cardin didn't respond to the question immediately. Instead he tapped his finger against the tap top, a deep frown on his face as he stared off to the side. His expression slowly became stormier, and Jaune began to wonder what parts of their stories had seemingly angered Team CRDL's leader.

Though Cardin didn't make an angry outburst. Instead he gave an explosive sigh and banged his fist on the table, causing their plates to jump before he slumped in his seat.

"Dammit… just… dammit…" Cardin hissed.

"Cardin?"

"What am I supposed to say to any of that?" Cardin asked aloud, rubbing his face tiredly. "Compared to you guys, what have I got to be upset about?"

"Er, we weren't trying to make you upset." Sun said.

"No, you guys didn't… I was just annoyed at myself." Cardin grumbled. "I came to Beacon with a certain mindset that looking back, I'm not particularly proud of. I had things sorted into little organized boxes in my mind, but things didn't line up at all the way I thought. Hell, I think I see now why Arc laughed in my face the first time I tried messing with him. Hard to take what I tried to do seriously when you've apparently had guys trying to kill you."

"Uh…" Jaune's eyes were wide as he listened to Cardin vent. He hadn't expected his story would cause Cardin to pinpoint why he had reacted the way he didn't during that day at the beginning of their first semester.

"And just… I mean, dating Velvet has helped and all, but listening to Sun is… it made me realize that I can't just default to disliking faunus just because of the White Fang. Not when there are humans that would cage up folks and make them fight for kicks."

"Wait, you dislike faunus? But… you're dating one." Sun pointed out, looking very confused by Cardin's words.

"Plus Ren losing his family… you losing your dad… I know I can be an insensitive ass, but I do have empathy enough to feel sorry for what you guys went through. Hell, it's happened to me. My grandfather… he fought in the Great War and the Faunus Revolution. He died to faunus assassins. My uncles got killed fighting faunus in a war. And my mom lost pretty much her whole family to faunus extremists when their house got attacked when she was younger."

"Whoa…" Sun whispered. His eyes were wide as he listened to Cardin vent. Jaune and Ren's eyes were just as wide, both feeling as shocked as Sun to hear what Cardin's family had gone through. "That's… I mean, you hear about how extreme the conflict between humans and faunus can get, but damn dude…"

"I have heard people whisper about how the Winchester's are an old family, and one with a lot of bad blood with the faunus race." Ren murmured. "Truthfully, the rumors paint your family in a very poor light. Still, you shouldn't have had to suffer that."

"Yeah… that's a hell of a bomb to drop." Jaune muttered. He had assumed this whole time that Cardin's early animosity toward the faunus was because of bigoted ignorance, but it sounded like he had legitimate reasons to dislike faunus.

"My grandfather, my dad, my uncles… they were all some of the best huntsmen around. But they made the enemies, and their enemies remembered them. Dad really cracked down on the faunus laws when he joined the Vale council. As a kid, I grew up on stories about how the faunus saw anyone in my family as an enemy and my parents drilled into my head that I needed to show strength at all times. I was happy to go along with it, since I wasn't gonna look like a coward or hide away when my parents were standing proud even when they were being antagonized."

Cardin heaved another sigh.

"I've done my best to live up to what I thought was the ideal image of a Winchester. And that meant not backing down and standing up to those who'd wronged us. For the longest time, I directed that aggression toward the faunus. But… recently I've realized that instead of holding a grudge, it's better to move past it instead. My grandfather and uncles died a long time ago, and… not every faunus should be held responsible for the actions of a handful of extremists and radicals."

It wasn't like he was the only one who seemed to be changing his mindset. His dad was starting to make reforms and trying to garner support from both human and faunus parties. His mom frequented many faunus owned storefronts, and favored a particular tailor that Cardin had seen her having lunch with at the house a time or two. And Argentia had given him stern looks whenever he'd made an offhand racist comment ever since she returned from the front. Before, she'd have been adding her own anti-faunus comments when watching the news or hearing about what the White Fang had been getting up to. Now she just frowned or growled whenever Cardin said something negative about faunus that weren't related to the White Fang.

Cardin had thought his family was going soft, but maybe they were just letting baseless resentments and hangups fade. Other than some people who disliked his family shout insults at him from time to time, Cardin actually couldn't think of a time where he himself had been directly harassed for something he had done.

…Plus he was dating a faunus now, thanks to Arc. He couldn't play around as the schoolyard bully or belittle faunus just because they happened to share the same space as him. And Velvet wasn't responsible for any of the tragedy his family went through. Neither were any of the other faunus students at Beacon or his faunus neighbors.

It was time to focus less on holding grudges and focus on more important things.

"I became a huntsman because I want to support my family. Support Vale. The Winchester family has always been a pillar in Vale, and I want to contribute to it the same way all members of my family have." Cardin said. "I want to become a huntsman so I can protect any human or faunus who lives in Vale. Continue the legacy of my family and help it heal from the hit our reputation took after the faunus wars."

"…Well, I'd say you're certainly doing your part with promoting faunus-human relations with your girlfriend." Sun joked.

Cardin huffed a laugh at Sun's words. "Yeah, can't say I've done much else. I'm… not really at where I expected to be. I'm not as far along as I would've liked. I've taken it out on people who didn't deserve it."

Cardin looked Jaune in the eyes.

"Sorry about trying to give you a hard time before." Cardin said sincerely.

"…Don't worry about it." Jaune smiled.

"You were right earlier. The only enemy we have are the Grimm. I'm done wasting time trying to step on the toes of other people I'll be fighting alongside." Cardin sighed. "Now I'll just focus on improving… and trying to figure out how to tell my parents I'm dating a faunus."

"Would they have a problem with that?" Ren asked.

"Winchesters have an image to maintain. And we're… not really seen as pro-faunus. I mean, my dad doesn't give the impression he's against them but… I can't be sure. Plus I can't imagine what my sister would say about it. Or my mom, ugh… especially when she tried introducing me to girls she thought I'd like."

"Wait, your mom tried to wingman for you?" Sun grinned.

"No, she was just meddling and trying to help me 'make connections' as she put it." Cardin sighed. "Vale doesn't have the rich elite like Atlas, but Vale used to be a monarchy way back when. Mom's from a family with ties to nobility and she's connected with a lot of people who like to play up the noble image. She actually asked if I would be open to a marriage interview once!"

"People still do that?"

"Apparently some do!" Cardin said, throwing up his hands. "Though personally I'd rather have my mom not involved in my love life at all!"

"…Overbearing mom, huh?" Jaune drawled. "Never fun."

"Tell me about it."

"Completely unwilling to see your point of view. Just goes ahead and does her thing and acts offended when you don't follow along." Jaune grumbled.

"Speaking to me like I disappointed her in some way just for having an opinion." Cardin groused.

"Plus being compared to my sisters. They were happy following her plans and advice, so why do I have to be so difficult and not do the same as them?"

"Always talking her up and using her as an example of what to do. Dad does it too. And Argentia just smiles and looks smug. I love her but sometimes I just want to strangle her for being the most annoying older sibling on the planet."

"I don't have enough hands to strangle all my sisters. Though if I complain about any of them mom just gets angry at me saying they're successful so I can't throw stones. I can be successful too even if I go a different route!"

"And just because I don't get there instantly doesn't mean I'm not trying!" Cardin growled. "Just give it time and ease up on me!"

"Let me breathe! Can't you just let me try and stand on my own?" Jaune seethed. "Seriously mom?! Is a little trust too much to ask for?!"

"Exactly! Like have a little faith!"

"Right?!"

"Right?!"

Jaune and Cardin with both standing up in their seats now, clenched fists resting on the table. The duo stared at each other for several moments before Jaune's lips twitched at the same moment Cardin's eyes crinkled. A second later, the two team leaders were laughing as they settled back into their seats.

"…I don't get it. Did they say something funny?" Sun asked, looking very confused as he watched Jaune and Cardin laugh together.

Ren, however, saw what Sun didn't. He saw two individuals who'd been butting heads come to a mutual understanding and establish camaraderie over an aspect of their lives they had taken issue with. The laughter Jaune and Cardin shared was the equivalent of two men shaking hands and making peace with one another, and Ren smiled as he watched the duo.

"So, got any stories about how your sister tortured you growing up?" Jaune grinned.

"I have so, so many stories, and I'm open to share." Cardin grinned back. "But damn, you got seven of them? I'm only just beginning to register the horror of that fact."

"Girl power is scary power."

"Don't I know it. Still, I think Argentia's got 'em all beat."

"That a challenge?"

"We need a whiteboard to keep score."

"Oh, are we gonna start complaining about siblings? Because I'm totally up for that!" Sun cut in. "I mean, I love the kids, but being everyone's older brother can be an absolute nightmare."

"Please, you're welcome to share." Jaune laughed.

"Shame Ren doesn't have any sibling stories to share." Cardin chuckled.

"…True, I didn't grow up with siblings." Ren smiled. "But I did grow up with a Nora. And I assert that those experiences eclipse all of yours."

"Guess we'll see about that." Jaune grinned. "So, who wants to go first?"

Being friends with the owner of the diner meant that the four aspiring huntsmen got to stick around well past closing time. Only after Goldie's husband returned and the clock had shifted past midnight was when the group was finally kicked out, arms full of take-home bags of leftover food that would be eaten as snacks or substitutes for future mealtimes.

Jaune, Ren, Sun and Cardin were chatting and laughing as they walked through the streets of Vale, continued to do so on the bullhead ride back to Beacon, and bid each other good night with smiles on their faces when they all separated upon reaching the student dorms.

As Jaune and Ren both quietly crept back into Team JNPR's room so as not to rouse their slumbering partners, both boys agreed that it had been a day well spent.

X-X-X-X-X-X

In the morning, Jaune found himself sitting with his team at their usual table in Beacon's cafeteria. Team RWBY was sitting with them as usual, as was Team SSSN which was quickly becoming a regular addition to their mealtimes at school.

Jaune's eyes narrowed at Nora as she gripped his cheeks and checked over his face.

"Nora, please, let me eat my breakfast in peace." Jaune groused.

"Just making sure that you really came out of your man-date with Cardin without any bruises." Nora said cheerily as she moved his head around.

"Y'know, I'm the one who's always beating him in combat class." Jaune replied, swatting her away but jerked down when Nora suddenly seized his hands instead. "If anyone would have bruises, it'd be him."

"You're right! Instead of your face, I should be checking your knuckles for bruises." Nora grinned as she played with his fingers. "Haven't seen Cardin yet today. You give him any good shiners?"

"I already told you we got along just fine during our hang out. There were no shiners for anyone." Jaune sighed, pulling his hands away from the orange haired girl. "No punches got thrown and our relationship isn't any worse than it was before. In fact, t's even better than it was before, I'd say."

"I can attest to that." Ren interjected before Nora could say something else. "Things did seem a little tense between them at first, but by the end of the day I'd say that they successfully buried the hatchet."

"That's actually surprising to hear." Pyrrha commented. "Given how antagonistic Cardin was toward you when we first started at Beacon, I didn't think he'd be willing to come to an understanding with you."

Jaune chuckled at his partner's words. "Well, it wasn't just him. We both realized how stupid the thing going on between us was so we're getting along now."

"Established a tolerance for one another?" Pyrrha asked.

"I think it went a little further than that." Ren said, a small smile playing on his lips as he looked at something behind Jaune.

Noticing where Ren's eyes were staring past him, Jaune turned his head and grinned at the group approaching their table.

"Hey." Cardin grinned, nodding his head to Jaune in greeting. The leader of Team CRDL would've waved, but his left arm was holding his tray of food and the other was being gripped onto by Velvet, who smiled and waved her own greeting. Following behind the happy couple were the remaining members of their respective teams. "Mind if we sit with you?"

While Team RWBY looked surprised at the request, and Nora and Pyrrha gave Jaune anxious looks, Jaune and Ren exchanged a smile and beckoned the teams over.

"Not at all." Jaune grinned, sliding over and gesturing to the open seat next to him.

Cardin smiled and took it, with Velvet taking a seat on his other side. "Thanks man."

"No problem."

Pyrrha and Nora both smiled at the exchange, both happy and relieved that the animosity between Jaune and Cardin had actually disappeared. Meanwhile, Team RWBY were thrown off by the cordial interaction between the two boys, and one of them gave voice to it.

"Since when were you two all buddy-buddy?" Yang asked.

"What're you talking about?" Cardin smirked, throwing an arm over Jaune's shoulder. "We've always been buddies, haven't we Jaune?"

"Sure have." Jaune chuckled. "Only someone was just a little butthurt that he kept getting beaten by me in combat class."

Instead of getting angry at the comment, Cardin just snorted a laugh at Jaune's comment. "Yeah, yeah, keep talking. You may be winning in combat class, but I'm winning where it really matters."

Cardin punctuated his statement by pulling Velvet closer and hugging her against his side, causing the rabbit faunus to giggle delightedly at her boyfriend's affection.

"Not gonna lie, winning like Cardin sounds more appealing than winning in combat class." Sun called from where he sat a few seats down.

"See? Monkey man gets it."

Blake bristled at Cardin's way of referring to Sun. "Hey, you can't-"

"See Nep, this is what real game looks like." Sun said, shooting finger guns at Cardin who returned the gesture, much to Blake's shock. "Take notes!"

"Hey, I'm doing just fine on the romantic front!" Neptune griped.

"And how many numbers did you get yesterday?" Scarlet asked.

"…More than you!"

"I wasn't getting any numbers."

"Because you can't!"

"Hey, girl in the beret." Scarlet called down the table. "What's your name?"

"Coco, leader of Team CFVY." Coco replied with a smirk.

"Cool. Can I have your number?"

Reaching into her handbag, Coco pulled out a pen and wrote digits on a napkin before handing it over to Russel. "Mohawk, pass that on to the redheaded pirate."

Russel did so, handing the napkin over to Scarlet who displayed it to a gaping Neptune.

"One nothing." Scarlet grinned. "You need to step up your game."

A round of laughter from around the table, and even though he was the butt of the joke Neptune rolled his eyes and laughed along with everyone else. Soon, the five teams were all chatting and laughing together as they ate breakfast.

Jaune gave a contented sigh as he soaked in the camaraderie. Even though his journey to get to Beacon had left its marks on him, having friends to laugh together was the best kind of balm for those spiritual wounds he'd incurred.

It really was true about laughter being good for the soul.

- - - - - - -

Aaaaaaand done. Finally. Really shouldn't have taken the whole summer, but it was a real anti-summer for me. Nothing but work, work, work.

With this, I've hopefully succeeded in setting up the dynamic between the main and supporting cast. Team RWBY and JNPR are still the central focus, but now teams SSSN, CFVY, and CRDL are solid supporting cast and all five teams will be firm friends from this point forward. Should offer a lot of fun interactions and developments in the future. Because RWBY has so many characters who were criminially underutilized. Won't just be Cardin who'll get time in the spotlight. There are more characters to use that just RWBY, JNPR and a couple adults.

Now that this is done, we're getting back to the action for real. and it's gonna be a fun ride!

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Outwardly, Jaune was trying as hard as he could to maintain his calm. Sure, Professor Goodwitch had told him that he wasn't in trouble and there was nothing to fear. Getting called up to meet Headmaster Ozpin before classes on Monday was just because of scheduling, nothing serious.

He also knew that people lied.

There was no reason to just bring him up to his office for a nice, neighborly chat. There were any number of things in his background that Ozpin could confront him over! He was friends with Roman Freaking Torchwick, for crying out loud!

Okay, calm down, Jaune thought to himself, as he ascended the elevator up to the top of Beacon tower, Calm! All right? I mean… You told Goodwitch about Cinder. Maybe we're just going to talk about it and maybe he can help.

And he'd give Ozpin that information so he could protect this school, and his friends.

Even if it meant he was expelled. Or worse, his mom found out.

The elevator doors opened out onto a huge, wide office done in earthy tones. The ticking of clocks filled the air as Jaune walked out. He looked around at all the clockwork behind the huge desk, his steps slow and steady.

Ozpin himself sat behind his large desk, resting his fingers in a steeple before him. He gave Jaune a light, almost grandfatherly smile.

"Hello, Mister Arc. It is nice to meet with you properly. Would you like something to drink? Tea? Hot chocolate?"

"No thank you, Headmaster," Jaune said politely. He nervously sat down in one of the two chairs in front of the desk. The sound of the clockwork all around them was a little unnerving, if he was being honest. Who would want a constant reminder of their mortality slipping away?

Definitely not him.

"It has been some time since we met personally," Ozpin continued, "Not since your father's funeral. Sorry about that."

"I uh…" Jaune rubbed the back of his head. "That's okay. And thanks. My dad did mention you a few times."

"Did he?" Ozpin asked, cocking an eyebrow. Jaune nodded.

"He said you were a great teacher. A great Huntsman."

Ozpin nodded slowly.

"I did my best," he said quietly, "All anyone can ask for."

Jaune nodded solemnly.

"Most of what my mom said uh…" The teenager winced.

"I don't think I can repeat."

Ozpin allowed himself a wry smile. He steepled his fingers in front of him.

"Not a surprise. You're a very serious and determined young man. You remind me of your father… And your mother."

"Is that a good or bad thing?" Jaune muttered.

"This is why I wanted to talk to you today, actually."

Jaune blinked.

"Er, sure?" He managed. "Is this about those students-?"

"I'm investigating them right now," Ozpin said, "But I suggest you not speak anymore of it. Especially not to them."

Jaune sighed softly under his breath. A lot of his tension was released at hearing that.

"No, there is a more pertinent task I have for you, Jaune," he said, "You might even call it a favor."

Jaune blinked. That was…

"Direct," he said.

"I've been told to be more straightforward in my dealings," Ozpin said carefully, "You are friends with Miss Rose, are you not?"

Jaune blinked a few times.

"Yes sir?"

Ozpin nodded.

"You've demonstrated that you will protect her and keep her safe, even at the risk of your own life."

"Of course I would," Jaune said with a serious nod. He clutched at his knees.

"In that case," Ozpin said, "I want you to continue doing so. Especially with the training missions you are about to undergo. I will arrange for JNPR to accompany RWBY on any such outing."

Jaune's eyes widened.

"Why? Is someone after her?"

Ozpin paused.

"I'm not sure," he said, "But she does have a tendency to get into trouble. Seeing as you also have a tendency at getting into trouble and getting out of it? I feel you are the perfect person to safeguard her."

Jaune winced.

"If it's that serious, why not just get a Huntsman to follow her around?"

Ozpin held up a mug of coffee and sipped it.

Wait, when did he get that? Jaune thought curiously.

"I believe a measured response is best," Ozpin explained, "The scale of the threat is still unknown. That and we want her to grow, don't we? Her dream is to be a Huntress. We can't put her in a gilded cage, after all, or force her into a path she doesn't want to go. Don't you agree?"

"Er, yes," Jaune nodded. "Still, if it's a big threat to her life-"

"Again, we don't know that for sure," Ozpin said, "So until we know? I want to be subtle about this." He sipped his coffee again.

"Besides, you've proven yourself quite capable. Why shouldn't I rely on you?"

"Well," Jaune rubbed the back of his head, "I mean, I'm not fully educated or trained or-"

"You will have back up," Ozpin said encouragingly, "So don't worry about that."

"Back up?" Jaune blinked. "You mean like, Uncle Qrow? Isn't he off on a mission or something?"

Ozpin twitched very slightly. Which was weird.

"No, but your Godfather has graciously agreed to assist," Ozpin said. He smiled. "Any other questions?"

"Well," Jaune shrugged, "What do I tell my team?"

"Just that you and RWBY are sister teams and will be supporting each other on training missions," Ozpin said, "You have worked together very well so far, after all."

As vigilantes? Jaune thought. Still, he conceded the point and nodded.

"Yes sir."

"And confidentially," Ozpin said with a small smile, "The faculty is taking bets on who you end up with."

"WHAT?!" Jaune yelped with a bright red face. Ozpin chuckled.

"Just a joke, Mister Arc. Nothing more."

Jaune sighed in relief.

"Oh. Good."

Ozpin sipped his coffee.

"Though of course if you expanded your dating pool a bit, I could cut you in."

"Seriously?!" Jaune demanded, all desire to be being polite fleeing.

"Just another joke, Mister Arc, relax," Ozpin smiled. "There are many joys in teaching, but the endless teenaged romantic drama is quite entertaining."

"You realize you're just outright saying that, right?" Jaune scowled.

"I am. What are you going to do about it?" He asked.

Jaune glared.

"Complain?!"

"Good luck with that," Ozpin stated dryly.

Jaune scowled.

"I can see why Mom had so few nice things to say about you."

"You should have heard her when she was drunk."

- - -

Ruby was practically skipping her way to the cafeteria, a broad smile on her face. Her cape waved behind her with every step, as the sun shone down upon them.

The rest of her team followed, far less enthusiastically.

"Geez Rubes, do you have to be so cheerful this early?" Yang yawned, "It's Monday. Nobody should be this happy."

Ruby turned back and grinned at her older sister.

"I am!" Ruby beamed. "We get to go on training missions! I wanna finish breakfast fast and get a really good one!"

"We should pace ourselves," Weiss countered, her arms crossed under her chest, "Besides, after the last few misadventures we've gone through, I think something more sedate would be preferable."

"I hate to agree with Weiss, but, well," Blake shrugged, "She has a point."

"Come on!" Ruby protested. "We should want a mission where we just have to killa bunch of Grimm and protect people! Th-That's why we're here after all!"

"It would be nice, I don't disagree," Weiss sighed, rolling her neck. She smiled. "That said, it would be great if we could go on a joint mission with SSSN! Neptune's had so little time for me lately!"

"Er, sure," Yang muttered. Weiss sighed and squeezed her hands together happily.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could go out and fight the good fight together? It would be so romantic!"

Blake scowled as Weiss sighed happily.

"We should tell her," Blake muttered.

"She's too stubborn to accept it from us," Yang muttered back. "You know how she is."

"Even I think it's not good for her to be used by this scumbag. Me," Blake mumbled back.

"What are we whispering about?" Nora asked urgently. Yang and Blake jumped and scowled.

"How did you sneak up on us?!" Blake demanded.

Nora beamed and stood proudly.

"When you're partners with a ninja your whole life, you pick up a few things!"

"Morning Nora!" Ruby greeted Nora cheerfully. "Are you pumped that we get to go on training missions?"

"TOTALLY!" Nora cheered, throwing her fists up into the air.

Nora struck a very dramatic pose. One Ruby immediately copied.

"Let's take out those evil Grimm for great justice!" Nora said happily.

"YEAH!" Ruby cheered.

Ren and Pyrrha walked up slowly, Pyrrha beaming while Ren was his usual stoic self.

"Good morning everyone!" Pyrrha said happily. Ruby smiled back.

"Good morning Pyrrha! Morning Ren!"

"Morning P-Money, Zen," Yang greeted. Blake nodded.

"Good morning Pyrrha, Ren," Blake returned. Pyrrha looked over at Blake and fidgeted slightly.

"Um, Blake? May I speak with you in private before we go to breakfast? It's very important."

Blake blinked, but nodded.

"We'll catch up soon!" Pyrrha said with a smile to Ruby. Ruby frowned.

"Speaking of, where is Jaune?"

"He had an early morning meeting with the Headmaster," Ren said. Yang raised an eyebrow.

"He in trouble or something?"

"Professor Goodwitch said he wasn't," Pyrrha said with a smile, "And I trust her."

"Hmph," Weiss snorted, "Probably wants to gill him for all the property damage he's caused."

"You were involved in that too!" Ruby protested.

"SO WERE YOU!" Weiss growled.

Pyrrha and Blake walked away from the ensuing argument, towards a picnic table underneath a tree on the lawn. Pyrrha smiled warmly at Blake and blushed a bit.

"Um, Blake? I am going on a date with Jaune next. You said you would help me plan it."

Blake nodded with a small smile of her own.

"I did. I'm sorry I haven't been helping out as much. Our detention has been pretty involved."

"Oh no! That's fine!" Pyrrha said quickly and waved her hands. "I mean, we all have! But I uh, I've been doing my own research and thinking up some of my own ideas!"

She pulled out a notebook from her book bag. She held it out to Blake with a smile. Blake opened the notebook and began to read through.

She nodded.

"I think something nice and casual is definitely the way to go. Something that avoids too much attention."

Pyrrha beamed.

"I-I thought the same, too! There's so much I haven't experienced and… And I want to experience it all with him!" She blushed deeply. "Like a cafe, an arcade, a walk in the park… And then after, um… Well…"

Blake continued reading… Then her eyes widened.

Her cheeks began to burn bright red. She began to read far more intently, pupils dilating.

"You're… Very thorough," Blake managed. "Um… Wow…"

Pyrrha nodded, a determined fire burning in her eyes.

"I… I will make sure that Jaune can find it in himself to love freely! To share it and not be afraid after what that woman did to him! I mean, isn't that good? To-To plan that far ahead? To the last detail?"

Pyrrha flushed.

"That… That doesn't make me a… A pervert or weirdo, r-right? I know I disturb Jaune sometimes but-"

Blake gave her a small smile. She took Pyrrha's hand.

"No! No, this is perfect!" She said happily. "I can help you, Yang, and Ruby all resolve your romantic issues!"

She glanced over at Ruby, who was cutely waving her fists at the scowling Weiss. She looked back at the notebook.

"But… This may be a bit much for a first date. Especially since Ruby hasn't had hers yet."

Pyrrha looked guilty.

"Oh… Oh, yes, well, um… I-I suppose I should um… We did agree to be fair." She sighed and reached out to take the notebook.

"I should get rid of this and start over-"

"On the other hand!" Blake said quickly, "No sense in tossing away all that hard work? It may come in handy in the future. Indeed… I could give you some suggestions that would help you, Jaune, Yang and Ruby resolve all your issues."

Pyrrha smiled happily, her hands coming together.

"Really?"

"Of course," Blake said softly. "What are friends for?"

Pyrrha paused, and blushed a bit more deeply.

"W-We are friends?" Pyrrha asked. Blake nodded.

"Absolutely," she said. "If… If you want to?"

Pyrrha beamed and squeezed her hands between hers.

"More than anything!"

"Then yes, we are," Blake nodded. "Also… If you'd like me keep this notebook? I… I might have a few more ideas you could use."

"Really?" Pyrrha asked hopefully.

"Absolutely," Blake said as she licked her lips, "Though um… Wow… You need to show me your sources."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

Breakfast was as frenetic as usual. Nora and Ruby's eagerness synchronized and their manic energy was like a self-sustaining reaction. Yang had to admit, it was adorable.

Even so, old habits rose up when Ruby, after finishing her food, shot off with her Semblance out of the cafeteria. With long practice, Yang caught her little sister by her cape and yanked her back.

"ACK! YANG!" Ruby cried.

"Easy, easy!" Yang laughed, "We've got plenty of time!"

Ruby pouted up at her older sister.

"But what if all the good missions are taken? And where's Jaune?"

Pyrrha smiled and held up her Scroll.

"He texted that he would meet us there," she said.

"Aw man, he missed breakfast!" Nora groaned. "That's the most important meal of the day! Aside from second breakfast! And maybe third!"

"We'll take some with us for him," Yang decided. Ruby was off like a shot, and then back with a full breakfast platter on a tray, a massive stack of pancakes wobbling precariously atop it.

"You think this is enough?" Ruby asked worriedly.

Weiss snorted.

"The oaf will be fine. Let's just get to the mission office, shall we? Just tell him to meet us there."

"All right," Pyrrha said, her smile wide and happy. Weiss frowned a bit as the two teams walked out of the cafeteria and towards the mission office.

"She's been in a good mood since Arc agreed to a date," Weiss sniffed. "Even as he two times her with Yang and Ruby…"

"We all agreed to take turns!" Ruby insisted. "Stop being so grumpy!"

"Yes Weiss," and here Blake had a vicious grin, "Just because only Neptune's shown an interest in you is no reason to be jealous."

"I'M NOT JEALOUS!" Weiss insisted angrily as they passed through the Star Maiden gardens, "And Neptune is amazing! He-He's just been busy lately! I'm sure we'll see him at the mission office!"

Yang sighed heavily. She looked over at Nora, who shook her head.

"I feel like we need to tell her," Yang murmured. Blake sighed as well.

"Would she even believe us?" Blake asked.

"Besides," Nora added, "She said it was her business. Also, I have read that you should let your female friends invite you to eviscerate their scumbag boyfriends. She hasn't invited us, so it would be rude!"

She beamed at Ren.

"See Renny? I'm learning how to be the best girlfriend ever!" She paused, then smiled nervously.

"N-Not that I'm gonna invite my friends to eviscerate you if you're a scumbag, because you'd never be a scumbag!"

"No, I would not," Ren said calmly. He reached out and took Nora's hand. He then squeezed it. Nora turned bright red, and trembled. She squealed, and hugged Ren tightly.

"Ooooh! It's so lewd, Renny~! Right here in public?!"

"We've held hands before," Ren deadpanned.

"But it's different now! Especially after our amazing wedding on the top of Mount Akazo-!"

"That was a dream."

"But the dragon fire was so real!"

"It was not."

"So we can't have real dragonfire at our wedding?"

Ren looked to the heavens.

"... I'll think about it."

"YAY!" Nora cheered, nuzzling him happily.

Weiss stared at them as they walked through the gardens. She sighed.

"Come on, it's cute!" Yang grinned.

"I had a much different viewpoint of what a Huntress' life would be life before this," Weiss muttered.

"Didn't we all," Blake smirked.

"Hmph," Weiss grunted.

"Besides," Blake added, "You're the one mooning over your boyfriend-"

"I am not mooning!" Weiss growled.

"Shut up and hurry!" Ruby shouted.

They got to the entrance to the Mission Office:It was in a small building right off the main core area of Beacon. Like most such buildings, it was warm brown and green on the inside, with large, tall windows to let in the sunshine. Already, numerous students were milling about the many waiting tables, talking with their teammates, or talking with advisors at the nearby desks.

Ruby skipped right in and headed to the mission board, where numerous missions were posted via hologram as blue flat screens suspended in front of a wide white board. She scanned through the postings as the rest of her team, Pyrrha, Nora and Ren joined her.

"Ooh!" Ruby grinned as she pointed at a mission post, "This looks good! 'Escort a shipment to a bubble town!'"

"It's a little boring," Yang said with a small scowl. Weiss scoffed.

"Boring is good! Boring is preferable to everything we've been through!" She nodded in approval at Ruby. "It's a good choice, Ruby."

Ruby beamed… Which is when Jaune reached over and tapped the holowindow. It instantly vanished.

"Eh?! Jaune?" Ruby gasped.

"Well," Jaune said, "Too bad. We've got a different mission: Both of our teams."

"Arc?!" Weiss gasped.

Pyrrha stared. Ren blinked rapidly. Blake's ears twitched under her bow as she raised an eyebrow.

"How did you sneak up on us?" She asked.

"That would be thanks to me," another male voice spoke. RWBY and JNPR turned to the speaker, Nora jumping in shock. Ruby's eyes widened.

He was fairly tall, about as tall as Jaune, with dark skin. He was handsome, with a finely cut dark brown beard that matched his hair-Save for the white streaks running through it. His eyes were blueish-gray, and very keen: His stare was intense like a bird of prey, and despite his smile he still seemed intimidating. He wore a dark blue and purple cloak over a black tunic, white pants, and brown leather boots. He had dark blue bracers on his wrists over his sleeves. From his belt hunt a mace attached to a coil of woven cable, and a short, curved sword. On his back was a quiver of arrows, and a silvery-white bow with several silvery strings that glistened like spider web strands.

"Everyone," Jaune said with a small smile, "This is my godfather, Arjun Sarkara. He'll be coming with us on our joint mission."

"Joint?!" Weiss demanded. "Does that mean we're going to be paired up-Again?!"

"Easier to keep an eye on you that way," Arjun chuckled. His eyes glowed, "And keep you out of trouble."

Yang sighed as she crossed her arms under her chest.

"You any good?" She asked bluntly. "Or are we just getting a babysitter?"

"Yang," Jaune hissed. Arjun chuckled.

"I guess we'll see, won't we Miss Xiao-Long? That said, it will be a very important mission. We'll be doing a patrol around Fort Celliwig. And I'll get to catch up with my godson… And his friends."

He smiled mischievously.

"And I have baby photos of him too!"

"Really~?" Pyrrha gasped. Jaune's eyes widened.

"Uncle, I swear to God-Don't you dare-!"

"And suddenly this mission just became interesting!" Yang grinned.

"Very," Blake added with a smirk.

"Seriously?!" Jaune demanded. Arjun chuckled.

"It will make the Bullhead trip go so much more smoothly," Arjun said with a grin. "Besides… We have much to discuss."

His eyes lingered on Ruby for a bit. She stared back. Her Silver Eyes lit up for a moment. She trembled, and nodded.

"Y-Yeah… We do," she said quietly. "Team RWBY and JNPR! Move out!"

 

[AndrewJTalon]

- - -

They got their gear together and headed out to the airfield. Numerous other teams were gathered around the landing pads. They were checking over their supplies, talking, or meandering around. Arjun cut through the crowds and led them right towards a slim-looking airship in green and black tigerstripe camouflage. It resembled a Bullhead, but sleeker, slimmer, and with longer engine nacelles.

Jaune looked over at Ruby, who was extremely distracted. He gave her a smile.

"So, what's this model Ruby?"

Ruby looked up at it, and a little light returned to her eyes.

"Oh! Wayland Air Motors Tigertail Model A47?"

Arjun nodded in approval.

"Yes, good eyes."

Ruby flinched at that. Jaune's lips thinned a bit, but Arjun went on.

"My company helped the new VDF procure several of these. Since we're going to the military base, they agreed to give us a lift."

Arjun walked up the back ramp into the cabin. The teams followed. The interior was standard military grays and blues, with several seats with harnesses lining the walls. The cockpit was separated with a hatch that was currently open, showing the flatscreen control panels, seats, and the wide windscreen. Arjun scanned around the interior, and checked over everything with a keen, practiced gaze.

"You all know how to stow your gear properly?" He asked. Ruby nodded.

"Y-yeah!"

"Not a problem, Arrow Man," Yang said with a grin and wink. Arjun didn't react to this, merely nodding.

"All right. Stow the gear. I'll do the final checks outside. Ruby, Jaune, with me. You're the team leaders."

"Eh?" Ruby blinked. Arjun raised an eyebrow.

"Are you going to trust the lives of your teams to just any aircraft without inspecting it?"

Ruby winced again. Jaune nodded and turned to his team.

"Stow your gear, we'll be back," he ordered.

"On it, Fearless Leader!" Nora saluted. Ren nodded. Pyrrha smiled a bit more warmly, but obeyed. Ruby looked to her team, who were already stowing their things.

"Come on, we're great at packing it in!" Yang grinned. Weiss groaned as Blake shook her head.

Yang shot a flirty look over at Jaune.

"Though I bet you can't wait to give it a try, huh Jaune~?"

"Yang!" Jaune groaned. Ruby flushed. Pyrrha managed a tighter smile. Weiss groaned in disgust.

"I don't suppose you have a gag for her?" Weiss asked Arjun.

"How kinky," Blake observed. Weiss sputtered angrily, her cheeks burning red.

"I-You-THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" The heiress cried.

"Ooh, I knew it," Yang grinned like a cat about to pounce on its meal, "Repressed rich girl with a very hidden kinky side! You're finally loosening up!"

"I AM NOT KINKY! OR-OR REPRESSED!" Weiss denied angrily. "Stop being disgusting, Yang!"

"Or what, you'll spank me?"

"IF I HAVE TO!" Weiss hissed.

Silence fell. Yang cackled. Blake smirked. Nora cheered.

"GO WEISS!"

"Oh my," Pyrrha murmured, blushing bright red but looking at Jaune almost speculatively. Which Jaune bore with his normal stoicism.

Weiss turned bright red.

"N-No! I didn't mean-!"

"Oh man, Jaune, will you still accept me after Weiss has her way with me~?" Yang snickered, covering her cheeks with her hands. Blake was suspiciously covering her mouth up. Ren looked like he dearly wanted to roll his eyes.

Ruby was bright red, but very quiet. Just as she had been since Jaune and Arjun showed up.

"We'll leave you to stow your gear and figure anything else out," Arjun said, his eyes laughing despite his calm voice and neutral face.

"N-No, I-You-OOOH!" Weiss cried.

Jaune hurried Ruby out of the aircraft after Arjun. The older man was smirking slightly as Weiss and Yang continued to argue.

"You have very colorful teams," he observed.

"That's an understatement," Jaune sighed. Ruby flushed a bit. Arjun's smirk grew slightly as he raised his eyebrows.

"Reminds me of better times," he admitted. Before Jaune could ask, Arjun said: "Come on, let's go through this."

They went through the checks, Arjun pointing out each component of the Tigertail and how to tell if it was functioning properly. Ruby's mechanical background gave her the edge, but Jaune did his best. They soon returned to the interior of the Tigertail, where the rest of the teams were sitting in their seats. Arjun had them strap in, and nodded in satisfaction.

"All right. Ruby, you know this machine well enough: I'll teach you how to navigate on the way there. Jaune? You'll stay back here and I'll teach you on the way back. Understood?"

"No problem, Uncle," Jaune said with a smile. Ruby did look a little more excited but a tension remained in her shoulders. Jaune turned his smile to Ruby.

"Hey, don't worry. Uncle Arjun's a great teacher. He taught my dad how to fly."

"And he only crashed three times," Arjun said, still smiling politely.

Much staring. Arjun hummed and rubbed his chin.

"Or was it four times?"

"That's encouraging," Yang deadpanned.

"Absolutely," Arjun nodded. He motioned Ruby into the cockpit, and began to prep the Tigertail for takeoff. Ruby sat in the seat next to him, and helped him go over the final pre-flight checks before the engines started up.

"I'm sure he's just joking," Pyrrha said with a soft smile as Jaune sat down and strapped in next to her. She looked over at Jaune.

"Right?"

Jaune smiled wryly.

"Relax. Uncle Arjun doesn't crash… Though my dad definitely did."

"Aw," Nora pouted, "No crash?"

"Maybe next time," Jaune said with a nod. Nora beamed.

"YAY!"

"Joy," Weiss deadpanned, as the rear ramp and cockpit hatch closed, and the Tigertail took off with a tremble.

- - -

Ruby checked over the instruments carefully as the Tigertail flew over the wide green expanse of the Emerald Forest. She didn't put her hands on the co-pilot controls-She didn't need to be told about that, and Arjun hadn't reminded her. They both wore headsets, Arjun asking her to note their position and anything else while he navigated the vehicle.

"How's the oil temperature?" He asked. Ruby checked it.

"309," she called out. Arjun nodded.

"Good. Tigertails tend to run a bit hotter at low altitudes," Arjun nodded, checking over the screens before focusing on the horizon. Ruby looked ahead, and fidgeted in the seat nervously.

"Um… Uh…" Ruby tried, before she fell silent again.

"Hm? Yes?" Arjun asked, looking as placid and calm as he had been since they met.

"Er… So… You like… Arrows?" Ruby tried.

STUPID! Her brain shouted. Arjun chuckled.

"I do… But why don't you ask me about what you really want to talk about?"

Ruby stared. Arjun adjusted a knob on the joystick.

"They won't hear," he said quietly, tilting his head back towards the passenger compartment. Ruby sucked in a deep breath as she stared intently at the older man.

"Did… Are you the one who saved me?" She asked.

"I am," Arjun said. "Do you doubt your own eyes? What did you see?"

Ruby channeled her Aura into her eyes. She stared intently at the purple and blue Aura figure that took the place of Arjun in her vision. It was like seeing a man-shaped ocean: Placid with a flow to it like waves lapping against the shore. He turned, and she could see two glowing points where his eyes were.

"You're seeing my soul," Arjun said softly, "And I am seeing yours."

Ruby cut the Aura. His gray-blue eyes were glowing softly, before the light vanished. Ruby gaped at him in astonishment.

"Are… Are you a Silver Eyed Warrior too?" She whispered.

Arjun shook his head.

"No," he said quietly, his voice grave. "But in the journal your mother left you, she would have written about the legend of my family's origin. That a Silver Eyed Warrior married the patriarch of the Sakaras centuries ago… And gave us our hereditary Semblance: Aura Sight."

Ruby sucked in a deep breath through her nostrils. She nodded: That had been mentioned in the journal.

"Did… Did you know my mother?" She asked, her heart clenched in a mixture of hope and trepidation. Arjun smiled gently.

"I did. We were friends," he said, "Not as close as I would like, but… Yes."

Ruby opened her mouth, a hundred questions on her mind and all trying to ram their way to her mouth. Arjun shook his head.

"I am sorry I have not made contact sooner, Ruby," Arjun said, "I did check in on you from time to time. I wanted to introduce myself when you were older. It… Was easier that way."

"Easier?" Ruby asked, incredulous and a little upset. Arjun sighed.

"You'll find as you grow up that the adults in your life are just as human as you are. They make mistakes and can be foolish. I was working very hard, to protect the innocent, my family…"

Arjun shook his head. He looked tired and mournful, which stopped Ruby's irritation cold.

"Your mother's death was… Well. It came in the same year that my wife was killed by assassins. And my best friend, Jaune's father, was slain."

He bowed his head to her, solemn and sad. Yet he got his eyes back to the controls and out the windscreen.

Ruby's chest clenched. She sniffled, and tried to hide her tears with her hand.

"O-Oh," she mumbled, wiping her eyes. "I-I'm sorry."

"Not your fault," Arjun said softly. "I am hoping I can make up for my absence. I want to do right by you and Jaune. While I do not have all the powers of the Silver Eyed Warriors? My Semblance retained the power to see people's souls. And that? That I can train you in."

He looked over at her.

"If you wish to learn?"

Ruby nodded.

"I… I do."

She frowned deeply. She opened her mouth.

"When… When those White Fang guys… When you…"

Arjun closed his eyes and sighed quietly. He shook his head.

"Yes. When someone dies… You will see it," he said. "You will see when their soul leaves this world and goes onto the next. It is… Not something to enjoy. It is not something you will 'get over'."

He shook his head, before he looked back at her.

"All I can say is that it can be necessary. To defend the innocent and those you care about. It is a great burden… But if you can take it up? You must."

Ruby slowly nodded. She set her hands in her lap and stared out at the Emerald Forest. They passed over another sea of trees before they passed over a ridge. Before them stretched a wide square space, framed in dirt roads. Boxy buildings stood all over, and vehicles trundled up and down the roads. Arjun smiled softly as Ruby's eyes widened in interest.

Ruby found herself smiling, as a familiar excitement rose in her heart.

"Welcome to Fort Celliwig," Arjun said, as they descended down towards the airfield. "And your first mission."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Glynda Goodwitch frowned thoughtfully as she sat across from Ozpin in his grand office. The ticking of the clocks seemed somewhat subdued. Though it may have simply been the surreal nature of their situation.

"The next line of the forms please," Ozpin said patiently, sipping his hot chocolate as he scanned through the holographic windows before him. Glynda nodded slowly, hiding her disbelief as Ozpin… Did his paperwork with her.

Granted, he didn't always shove it all onto her. Granted, he did need spare time given the immense responsibilities on his shoulders. Finally, he did often manage to get a lot of it done… When she nagged him.

Yet sitting down with him to do this paperwork was extremely rare.

"Of course," she said, "Line 45B is in regards to a change in processing fees for the acquisition of replacement equipment. Its debt has been consolidated after the audit last spring…"

Ozpin nodded slowly as he looked intently at the holographic screens.

"And how did that audit go?"

Glynda blinked.

"Is this really something we need to go over? The audit went very well, Ozpin."

Ozpin shook his head and sipped his hot chocolate.

"I must be extra thorough about our finances, Glynda. Councilwoman Glocken does not take perceived betrayal well. She will set all her resources onto undermining myself and Winchester. We must be airtight on this."

"I don't disagree Ozpin," Glynda said with a slow nod, "But the accounting department is very thorough. You've never shown interest in this before."

Ozpin looked very calm as he sipped his hot chocolate once more. Yet Glynda could detect the tiniest twitch of his eye.

"We've never had a potential political crisis before," Ozpin said.

That was entirely reasonable. Completely reasonable. Yet that twitch was incredibly unusual.

Glynda frowned and adjusted her glasses.

"What's wrong with your eye?"

"My eye?" Ozpin asked. "What?"

Glynda frowned deeply.

"Is something wrong? Aside from Glocken, the Council, the VDF…"

The elevator doors chimed and slowly opened. Glynda looked over her shoulder and her eyes widened.

"Isabel?"

Isabel Arc stood in the elevator with a wincing Qrow standing alongside her. She was dressed in her old Huntress outfit: One Glynda recalled was extremely plain: Just green cargo pants, boots, a white combat vest with adjustable straps, her fighting gloves, and pouches.

She was older but still beautiful. As well as extremely angry. She only wore that bloodthirsty smile when she intended to do a lot of violence. Why would she be here and that angry-?

Oh.

Glynda's eyes widened in realization. She looked back at Ozpin in shock.

"You didn't," she whispered.

"Hello Glynda," Isabel stated, her voice filled with doom as the temperature in the office seemed to plummet, "I'm here to have a few words with Ozpin regarding my son."

Ozpin coughed. He set down his hot chocolate and slowly rose to his feet. He adjusted his suit.

"Hello Isabel," he said, "I hope we could keep this civilized?"

Isabel's fists clenched audibly in the office. Glynda sighed.

"I believe there are many things I could do to you that would be considered very civilized," Isabel continued, cracking her knuckles ominously.

"I tried to talk her out of it, Ozpin," Qrow said quickly, holding his hands up as though he'd just washed them of the whole matter, "But uh… She wasn't going to change her mind."

"I see," Ozpin said with a nod. "Thank you for not throwing a bus into my office this time."

Glynda winced. Isabel had only done that when she was drunk. What would she do when she was sober and angry?

"That's still on the table," Isabel growled, "Unless you tell me where my son is."

"I don't believe a fight here would be wise," Ozpin said carefully, "After all, Glynda would have to clean it up."

Glynda gave Ozpin a deadpan look. One he didn't seem to react to at all.

Really?

Ozpin took a deep breath.

"He's on a training mission with his team and Arjun," he said.

Isabel's eyes widened in shock.

"Arjun was in on this?!" She snarled, clenching her fists. "You both deceived me and went against my wishes?!"

"It was Jaune's choice," Ozpin stated firmly, "When you find him he will no doubt say the same thing."

"Yet you both lied to me," Isabel growled. Ozpin nodded.

"By omission, but… Yes. He is old enough to make his own decisions-"

"Whether he's old enough or not is irrelevant, I am his mother!" Isabel snarled. "And I should have been included! Now, where is he?"

Ozpin looked over at Glynda. She put her arms over her chest and shook her head. Ozpin sighed deeply.

"His team is on a training patrol mission in Fort Celliwig's northwestern quadrant. Near the old Puddleglum Tower."

Isabel's jaw dropped in disbelief. Her eyes widened in horror. She pulled out her Scroll and checked her notes.

"You've sent my son into the same area one of Merlot's locations on the map is here?!" She demanded.

A pause. Glynda facepalmed. Qrow's eyes widened as well. Ozpin sipped his hot chocolate.

"It is in the same area," he allowed, "However, the odds of them running across anything of Merlot's is extremely-"

Isabel turned away, ran to the window, and jumped right out. Qrow shot a disbelieving look at Ozpin before he shifted into bird form and flew out after her. Ozpin sighed.

"She usually has much better control over her emotions," he said, "I should have accounted for that."

Glynda scowled at him.

"Did you really just bring me up here to act as your human shield?"

Ozpin sipped his mug of hot chocolate and shrugged.

"I can accomplish many things with one move, Glynda. That is the nature of the world and the level we are playing at."

Glynda shook her head and sighed heavily.

"Says the thousands of years old man who just told an overprotective mother that her son is in an area with a facility that makes the same kind of monsters that killed her husband," Glynda deadpanned.

Ozpin shrugged.

"That is why I sent Arjun with them. Just because they keep running into trouble doesn't mean they'll get into it on this excursion as well."

"You don't believe that any more than I do," Glynda scowled.

Ozpin finished his mug, set it down, and shrugged.

"It's possible, but still very unlikely. Again, I sent in two trainee teams with the greatest archer on the planet. And now they'll have Qrow and Isabel to aid them."

"It also has the benefit that Isabel will have to work things out with her son before she comes after you again," Glynda surmised, eyes narrowed. Ozpin shrugged.

"They really do need to talk this out and I would prefer to not be directly involved."

"You're literally immortal," Glynda deadpanned.

"And the fact I'm terrified of what an enraged Isabel might do to me should tell you something. Also? I'm going to need you to work with me the rest of the day-"

"Can't," Glynda stated, standing up, "I have my own paperwork to attend to."

She turned and headed for the elevator. As the doors closed, Ozpin sighed and shook his head.

"Then I hope they work things out enough that she's in a charitable mood."

He paused.

"Or perhaps I could start looking for flights to Mistral," he mused.

- - -

Sorry it's taking so long, I gotta slog through some boring bits to get to the good stuff.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

The base was still pretty wild, even with the massive amount of work going into it. Men drove bulldozers while troops and contractors went at the buildings with hammers, nails, saws and paint. It was a wonder they could even find the security office near the airfield-It was just one of many white tents set up with troops in camouflage handling paperwork on Scrolls and projection computers.


Arjun simply flashed his Scroll to the two officers sitting at the desk in the right tent, and they got some electronic passes. Arjun turned back and handed them out to the teenagers with a smile.

"This will allow you to go to the main areas of the base without any issue," he said, "Which we will do once we get back from the patrol."

"Not even a chance to relax, check out some Grade A Military beefcake?" Yang asked with a grin and wink. Arjun looked thoughtful and hummed.

"Well, we could stay here. You any good at carpentry? Painting?" He smiled.

"Bug extermination?"

"Oh yeah," one of the desk soldiers said with a smile, "There's a massive cockroach infestation in Barracks B."

Nora held up her hand. Jaune looked over at her.

"Yes Nora?" He asked.

"Could be use Dust Grenades on the cockroaches?" She asked.

Jaune slowly shook his head.

"No."

Nora pouted.

"What about my hammer-?"

"No," Jaune stated firmly. Nora pouted.

"Guess we'll just go fight the Grimm," she sighed.

"Oh, how terrible for us," Weiss deadpanned.

They hiked out towards the northwest gate of the base along the cracked and pothole filled asphalt roads. Trucks drove back and forth, while military soldiers marched, jogged, or worked all over the place. Airships flew overhead. The air was filled with constant sound and activity.

Pyrrha caught Jaune smiling a little at the commotion. She looked at him intently.

"Jaune?"

"Hm? Oh," he shrugged, "Just… It's kind of familiar. In a good way."

Ruby sidled to his other side with a wide smile.

"I know! Like the shipyard at Patch! It was awesome seeing them working on the ships with their welding torches!"

"That sounds pretty cool," Jaune agreed with a smile, "The farms in Radian are pretty fun, too! Lots of work every day at the crack of dawn."

Pyrrha smiled a bit indulgently… Though her eyebrow still twitched when Jaune blushed a little at this contact.

No, no, Pyrrha thought carefully, I'm not the crazy girl. I'm going on a date with Jaune…

The thought still made her feel so giddy!

"That sounds neat!" Nora said happily, skipping alongside Jaune, "Did you raise hamburger trees?"

"No, we raise cows to make hamburgers," Jaune said with a warm smile. Nora frowned.

"What about beef bowl plants? You raise those right?"

"They can't grow rice in North Sanus," Ren observed. Nora pouted and fell back, pressing up against his side.

"Then where do they get rice a roni?"

Ren sighed softly, before he leaned in against her.

"Perhaps we can ask Jaune another time."

"But I wanna know now!" Nora whined. Ren wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Jaune raised an eyebrow, as did the others.

"Wow," Yang murmured quietly to Jaune, "Guess that guy talk worked. He's a lot more touchy feely since then." She smiled at him.

"Good work."

"I did nothing," Jaune said quietly, "Just like I did nothing with Cardin and Velvet."

"But they're all kissy kissy, so you must have done something right," Ruby said with a grin.

Pyrrha beamed at him.

"They do seem a-a lot happier," she said quietly.

"Again, I did nothing," Jaune emphasized.

"Well, you're definitely doing something for me~," Yang teased, pressing up against his back with a grin. Pyrrha's eyebrow twitched.

"Yang! We're on a mission!" He hissed, cheeks bright red.

Pyrrha, still smiling that terrifying smile, pushed in closer to Jaune.

"And my date with him is up next, so if you please?"

"Would you quit it?!" Ruby hissed. "It's our first mission! I wanna look cool!"

"Same," Jaune said.

"How would you not look cool with two hot babes and Ruby all over you?" Yang giggled.

"HEY!" Ruby pouted, as Yang pulled her into a noogie. "ACK! YAAAANG! WE'RE ON A MISSION! RESPECT YOUR TEAM LEADER!"

"Why? You afraid you'll come up short? Little late for that, Rubes!"

"Yaaaaaang!"

Jaune snickered even as Ruby shot him the biggest puppy dog eyes she could.

"Jauuuune! How could you?"

"I've got seven siblings, I'm not getting in the middle of this."

Pyrrha giggled. Ruby scowled.

"Pyrrha! I thought we were cool!"

"Only child, also not getting involved," she said succinctly.

"Need help, Rubes?" Nora asked.

"YES!"

"No pancakes for a month if you intervene, Nora," Jaune ordered. Nora hummed then shrugged.

"Good luck, Rubes!"

"NORA!"

Weiss sighed and rubbed her temples as she and Blake brought up the rear of the group. Blake was covering her mouth to hide her smile while Weiss tried to maintain her poise-Something that had proven impossible from the moment they had become a team, to be honest.

"They're so exhausting," she muttered

Arjun walked alongside them, and chuckled softly with a smile on his face. Weiss looked over at him with a frown.

"What?" She asked.

Arjun chuckled softly.

"Treasure these moments," he said quietly, "because they will never come again."

His eyes became very cold as he stared up ahead at the northwest gates. Blake frowned. Weiss stared intently at him and tilted her head.

"What… What do you mean?" Weiss asked quietly. Arjun shook his head and smiled as he replied in a soft, sad voice:

"Pray you never find out."

They came to the tall gates out of the base. They were stone brick, gray, and built up as two great arches. The tall stone walls flanked it, and beyond was the Emerald Forest with the Albus Mountains rising over them with their beautiful white snowcaps. Two guards stood at attention on either side of the large, heavily reinforced steel doors. Wooden towers with machine gun nests stood on either side of it, the gunners scanning the outside intensely.

Arjun stepped forward, and the rest of the team parted for him. He held up his Scroll with a smile to the guards. They nodded. One tapped a door panel, and the doors slowly opened up. They revealed the great expanse of the Emerald Forest beyond.

He turned to face the young Hunters with a smile.

"Now," Arjun said, "Just a friendly reminder: This is a simple patrol mission. Any Grimm you see? Kill it. The air cavalry has taken care of the big ones but we still need to cull their numbers. Any questions?"

"None, Uncle," Jaune said with a smile.

Ruby grinned.

"Not a one!"

Arjun looked over the rest of the team. Despite their earlier roughhousing, they stood ready to go. He allowed himself his own small nostalgic smile.

"Then let's get to it."

They set out through the gates and down the dirt road that led into the woods. The gates slowly shut behind them.

Arjun then paused. Blake did as well. Jaune and Ruby came to a halt, as did the rest of the teams.

"Something wrong?" Jaune asked, hands already on his weapons.

Arjun's eyes lit up as he scanned around. He frowned.

"... Thought I sensed something," he said quietly. He looked over at Blake. "You?"

The cat Faunus shook her head.

"It… Sounded like something but I can't…" She shook her head. "Probably a bird."

"Oh good. A bird," Weiss muttered.

"Cool it Weisscream," Yang stated with a grin, "No need to be catty. That's Blake's job!"

"I swear to the Breaker Xiao-Long-!"

"Guys, enough," Jaune stated flatly. "Let's get going. And hope it's a nice, easy mission. Okay?"

"Fine," Weiss sighed.

"You gotta stop giving us the cold shoulder, Weiss!"

"DAMNIT XIAO-LONG!"

- - -

In the trees near the base's northwest gate, there was a pile of rubble from a few old buildings that had once stood right outside it. What purpose they had served had been lost in the ancient archives of Vale, as they were now overrun by grass, trees, and the local wildlife.

The piles of brick and rubble however served a useful purpose: Cover.

Cover that a small, strange little Geist made expert use of.

As far as Geist Grimm went, this specimen was especially odd. A few metallic components shined out of its head as the ghost-like Grimm scanned with all the cold intensity of a security camera.

At some point, the electronics lit up from red to green on its tiny skull. At this unseen command, the Geist began to follow the small group of Hunters-in-training with laser-like focus. It ducked into trees, into rocks, and anything else whenever it sensed scrutiny cast its way.

Nothing could stop it from watching them, and relaying the information it was gathering to its master.

And elsewhere in the Emerald Forest? In ruins abandoned for nearly as long as Fort Celliwig?

Something stirred.

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Hey guys. Real-life craziness and the sheer amount of RWBY fandom work I've put in have made me decide to put this story on ice for a while. Especially since interest has dropped off a lot. Part of it is due to a bad habit of mine: I'll start epic fics on a whim with no plan beyond the next chapter. And without doing any editing. And well, it usually leads to fics falling apart as I can't figure out how to continue.

So this isn't forever goodbye. Just me taking stock of this fic and figuring out how to make it something better and then return to it.

Thank you so much for your patience and readership. And I hope to keep bringing you great stuff for RWBY.