I don't own RWBY.

Chapter 1 Juniors Goons.


If you asked Why Tony Armstead joined up with Junior's gang of thugs he'd gladly tell you. He'd joined because he never really was good at honest work ,and honestly he just liked hurting people. That being said he was still a person with fears and ,albeit loose, morals ,so he wasn't the worst he could be. Yet when the boss pulled him over and told him to get a package he though he was doing small time work. Then his boss had pulled him close and told him WHO the package was coming from. Suddenly he wasn't offended that he'd been given a low job because he was scared of his assignment now...well more specifically who the package was coming from.

The Baker.

Vale's most infamous and wanted ,yet somehow hidden and guarded, criminal psychopath that had suddenly popped up near a year ago. You couldn't go far into the business without hearing about 'The Baker'...well unless you were some extremely low end thug. It was a named spoken about in fear and respect from multiple criminals worth their weight ,yet if you asked about him you'd get two responses. They'd either get nervous and try to get away , or they'd get defensive of the subject and more than likely pull a weapon and ask one question. "What ya wanna know about The Baker?" They'd somehow been able to pull what felt like the entirety of Vale's criminal underworld to their loyalty. Someone like that had a vast amount of power or money ,and if you wanted something that vast probably both. Not that he needed the protection of the criminals.

Not after the last time someone tried to get to him.

Tony would have to admit he only knew of one true story about The Baker ,and that was what the news had on the person. Even then that wasn't much since they didn't due all to many of their actions often. Of course when they did act it was often front page material for the news since their victims were always alive. Honestly that might've been the worst part since some of them were still receiving mental treatment. Of course from what from what the victims had said The Baker had never attacked them unless they'd crossed them ,and the most usual way to cross them was to attack them. Of course each time , even the first, they'd been asked to describe their attacker and they'd al scream or mutter the same sentence.

" Nobody Touches The Baker."

It was these words that his boss had looked at him dead in the eye pulled him closer by his tie and said to his face. With that he'd given him the address he was picking up the package he seen the way all the other goons looked at him. Well he said he did the shades made it really hard to tell ,but he was sure some had a strange glee or held some kind of pity towards him. The Malachite twins on the other hand eyes and face said one thing clearly ,an unseen command to not screw this up.

Tony just nodded and started towards the destination on the paper. The directions took him into seedier and seedier parts of the city. He supposed that it made sense since what criminal on the run would live in the more beautiful parts of the city he lived in. The more beautiful parts where all the police stations were and there was more people willing to report his criminal actions then someone who made a living seeing things like that. Still when he got the street it was on he couldn't help but just stare at where the address had taken him.

Safe Haven's Bakery

Your home away from home

The building was different from all others on the road making it stand out like a sore thumb. For starters while other buildings were falling down , becoming old and decrepit , and lacked any color ,yet the building in front of him looked sturdy, new , and was freshly painted with a coat of light yellow paint. The windows in the place showed that the bakery also seemed to function as a restaurant or at least had an area where you could enjoy your meal. The store from the outside gave off an happy feel as if you would walk in and no matter who you were ,so it did accomplish it's motto. Yet Tony could only stare at it with one thought in his mind.

' The bastards hiding in plain sight.' It made sense when you though about it. What Law enforcement would actually look for a criminal called The Baker in an actual Bakery. He knew sometimes the best place to hide was to not hide at all because nobody looked at what was in front of them. No people wanted to find something hidden ,so they missed the obvious answer. Clever son of a bitch must've been doing this for years. When he went to enter the shop he noticed a writing on the modest oak wood door.

Here at Safe Haven's we have 2 rules.

1. No weapons (although the inside has a bin to place them in so...)

2. No fighting everyone's welcome.

Thank you.

Tony looked down at the weapon he had strapped at his side. A signature weapon of Juniors the red axe was his last piece of comfort against The Baker. Sure it probably wouldn't do much ,but it made him feel a little more safe. To ask him to leave it ,even if was in there with him, made him feel oddly naked. Now Tony was never a big weapon freak he'd never slept with or showered with his weapon , so yeah he wasn't obsessed with it. He just felt like it would be better to have it then not when dealing with The Baker.

And why did he feel like he offended someone with that last train of thought.

Still as he did enter he did notice that the place had a, for lack of a better description, homey feeling to it. He noticed that the overall place seemed to be structured like a diner with a door near the other side of the building ,and it was indeed an area for people that wanted dine outside with umbrellas , chairs , and tables. the color on the inside instead of light yellow on the outside was an assortment of pink and white with a little black splashed here and there. The counter , which was currently empty, had it's stool close enough so you could see some of the baked , those not on the shelves, yet not have to suck in your gut. Behind the counter ,other than the shelved goods, was two doors one light brown the other light grey. Of course there was the bin next to the door that was devoid of weaponry ;although, there was one weapon which looked very familiar.

He'd never forget an umbrella like that.

Still placing his axe , his last safety blanket , he walked toward the order station on the counter. He was lucky that he was the first person in line ,and as he though about it he noticed that it seemed particularly strange. Lifting his sleeve to see the time...11:48 A.M. That was early Valian Rush hours making it strange that the shop ,despite it's location, had not one customer till know. Well unless the there was some people on the outside he wasn't seeing. Still as he was at the counter he wondered where 'The Baker' was so he could get the package. Looking down at the counter he noticed that there was a bell , one in the shape of a rabbit, and decide to ring it.

Because what other option did he have...well other than going back to Juniors without the package ,and that was a can of worms he'd rather NEVER open. Ringing the bell he waited a few second before ringing it again ,but more frantically." Give me a second!" The voice came from the light brown door. It was muffled and a little suprised,yet it sounded kind of young. Waiting there Tony felt a tingle of fear rush through him as he started hearing foot steps coming closer to the door.

Almost fainted when he saw the person who came through the door.

He were a fairly tall individual ,taller than him, yet his face looked a little on the young side with innocent looking blue eyes. He had a blonde mop of hair that looked as if he didn't comb it. His appearance seemed to look like a stereotypical chef mixed with a scientist as for starters he had a open lab coat on with a black shirt of a rabbit , his waist was the stereotyped apron chefs favored and he wore black sneakers and what he assumed was blue pants , and his hands had on what seemed to be black latex gloves...and there was his most prominent feature

He was covered in blood.

Well he assumed it was blood as he'd only seen movie blood in excessive amounts ,and any job where he was sent to hurt someone they were more battered and bruised than scarred and bloody . It seemed a little more slow dripping and chunky/thick look to it than the movies portrayed ,yet than again it could be bits of people. It was splashed all over the left side of his coat, on his gloves ,and a little on his face near his mou-

He just licked it.

After the monster , no way was he human, licked the side of his face he walked forward on the counter top to face him. " I'm sorry I know your one of Junior's guys ,but I didn't think you'd show up so early. We don't open this early today . Did you see the...I forgot to hang up the sign didn't I?" The menace asked with a sigh. Nodding his head Tony decided to end this interaction as fast as possible.

"I'm here for the package." As soon as the words came from his mouth the boy smiled. It wasn't overly malicious or demented it was as if he was excited and proud about himself. This somehow made the boy look even more creepy in the thugs mind." I'm lucky I got this done a few hours ago. Woke up early to put the finishing touches on it ,and even got something done the meantime. Wait here." With that The Baker left going back through the door he came from. As soon as he was out of sight Tony let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding in.

That...that was The Baker.

He'd prepared for someone old and chiseled ,or at least old and unhinged. He wasn't expecting someone so...young and seemingly naïve and carefree. If he'd been a cop he would've been caught red handed , literally, and that be his end...or had he wanted that. While he looked innocent he knew someone else who looked that way, and she was anything but innocent. Did that mean he and her were on the same skilled level ,and if so it make sense why he wouldn't care about being caught. Cause anyone who did would be easily disposed of quickly and efficiently.

He might have done that recently if the stains and 'finishing touches' meant anything.

His back stiffened as the doors flew open and the murder came back. He had a white box that was at least the height of his head and twice the size in length. He placed the box on the counter before holding his finger up in the universal 'wait one moment' gesture. He quickly turned back around and went back through the door only this time he returned as fast as he left. In his hand a plate of cookies that he set on the counter also." This is for you and the boys back home. I know that you've all been working hard ,so this was to sweeten the deal." The Baker said as he slid the cookies on the counter.

With just a glance at the cookies you'd never see anything wrong with them. They were a soft light brown with a bit of a reddish tint and adorn it was of chocolate chips. They had a tantalizing aroma emanating from them that made his mouth water." It's alright if you want to try one. Their fresh and have been out of the oven for a small time ,so they should be at their most enjoyable." Looking up Tony could see the boy had a proud smile on his face. He wanted to say no to the offer that had been made ,but the look in his eyes had one of expectance. He was expecting him to try one of his maniac work ,and he was incline to agree.

After all who knows what would happen if he said no to the person in front of him. He no doubt had a skill for making things he didn't like to disappear , and in this business one with his kind of reputation was better as a friend. No doubt if he refused he could set him of and he'd never be found again ,or if he did it probably be someone's purchase. So deciding he' would rather befriend the menace he reached down to pick up a cookie.

When his hand grabbed one of the treats he did note that The Baker was right. It was warm to the touch ,yet not entirely as warm as it be fresh out of the oven. Bringing it to his mouth he noticed the scent grew even more pleasant to him making his traitorous mouth water at the prospect of trying it. When he finally brought it within the range to big he hesitated for a moment. If he did this how could he look himself in the mirror ,yet he valued his chance at survival and the boy was already looking with glee. Not to mention the sinful pastry's scent was overpowering now ,not in a bad way though, and he could feel is resolve growing weaker and weaker.

He took the bite.

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.

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And hated himself. He wanted to say it was horrendous and terrible. The worst thing that he'd ever eaten and throw up the contents and feel better about himself ,but that was a lie. The cookie was euphoric in taste and it was if he had taken a bite of a cloud. The chocolate was a bit bitter to contrast the sweetness of the dough. The inside also had a red past the was sweet in it's own merits and reminded him of jam. "How is it." The glorious blond Bastard said with a look of ,strangely enough , hesitation. Almost like he was scared of the answer. Said answer he could only give one word.

"Amazing."

There was a plethora of words he could've used to describe the cookie ,but felt one word was all that was needed . The Baker seemed to grow a little taller from the praise. Not to mention the smile he gave could've been seen by a blind person. "Really. Thanks I made it with lots of heart. " Really heart. That would explain all the blood on him. Still as he finished up the cookie ,and felt his morals scream at him , he asked for the cookies to be put it in a to go bag. The boy just nodded his head and gabbed him the bag. Having the bag in a closed fist and carrying the box in his hands to his chest and made his way to the door ,and had to set the box down for a second to retrieve his weapon and open the door.

huh...the umbrella was gone.

" Goodbye maybe we'll see each other again." The Baker said as he left the building. Tony just simply nodded his head, not that The Baker could see , and walked out of the door. When he was a block down his mild paced walk turned into more of a sprint back to Junior's club. The back of his neck's hair stood up and he could feel the sweat forming on his head :however, nothing stood out more than the overwhelming disgust he felt for himself. Had he really gone past the point if no return that he was dealing with someone like The Baker. He walked faster on his way to Juniors , borderline sprinting, then he had on the way to the bakers.

When he arrived in Juniors another goon open the door for him ,a little to eager, so he could enter. The inside was still quiet although he could see the DJ was readying the lights and music for when people would start to flood in. The loud music and flashing lights a stark contrast to the quite outside and it's bland colors. Tony did have to maneuver all that much through the crowd , it seemed like they just seemed to part for him , before he made it the counter where his boss stand. He was careful setting the package and bag down on the counter as his boss stared at him. " Good work Tony. Here. " His boss reached under the counter and handed him a wad of cash ,and that's what tipped something off in Tony. For an ,admitted and proud , low thug like him the wad of cash was heavier than he was normally paid ,and it seemed to be twice as thick with more colorful of the Lien. It filled Tony with a wonder as to what could be in the package that someone like him would be payed this hefty amount of Li-

"Hey he even made cookies. Hey boys! We got a treat.!"

It horrified Tony the amount of his fellow goons that surged forward to indulge in The Bakers devious delights. A part of him wondered if they even knew what they were eating...then his brain remembered the looks they had given him earlier. The looks of strange glee they sent him suddenly made more sense if they were in on The Baker's practices. They had been here before he was after all ,but that lead to what were the looks of pity that he'd received earlier. Oh god what did that mean for him?! Did they something planned for him if he even thought of ratting out the baker?! His paranoia that he'd suddenly gained over the course of a few hours consumed his thoughts as to what his fellow goons had planned for him. Did they have some strange indoctrination into a cult , a mutual agreement he was a liability ,some test of trust , or maybe even a-

" Tony your over reacting."

A gruff voice and a arm over the shoulder brought Tony out of his delusions. The arm and voice belonged to a fellow goon named Isaak who was recognizable for being 6'0 foot tall and having a bushy brown bird ,and a bit of a minstrel accent. " I want you to take a deep breath and breath." The deep voice told him in an oddly soothing manner caused Tony to do so. Suddenly his paranoid mind receded back into a small whisper. "Are you alright now?" Isaak asked again. This time Isaak's voice was back to it's natural tone ,yet with a touch of sympathy. " Yeah...just a little shaken up. Not from anything." He said a little to fast to not be suspicious. Isaak just looked at him before letting out a sigh.

"You're overthinking the Baker." Isaak said letting his arm off of Tony. Who for his part tried ,and failed, not to look guilty of the accusation. He opened his mouth to say something ,but a raised finger from Isaak had him keep his mouth closed. " I'm going to ask you two questions and I want to shake your head yes or no. First did you like The Baker's cooking. I know you got at least one thing. Second do you believe all the media or rumors that The Baker is a psychopath who is on he loose harming people and turning their body parts into pastries?" Isaak asked this without once breaking concentration on Tony.

Who for his part nodded twice.

Isaak just nodded back and motioned for Tony to follow. He of course followed his elder to the VIP part of the building which had been reserved for...something. Tony didn't really pay attention to anything he didn't need to do. Anyway he followed until Isaak had him stop a few ways away from another table just out of sight. In front of it was his boss, who he had missed leaving in his paranoia , with the package on a table. sitting down was the Malachite twins with anxious look on their faces. His boss lifted the top of the box and while he couldn't see it he could here the cheer that came from the twins when whatever was inside was revealed and what his boss yelled.

"Happy Birthday!"

Before he could ask what was going on Isaak discreetly, to the twins and boss, pushed Tony away. This lasted till he was at the bottom of the stairs. That's when Isaak stopped pushing him and started speaking. "Let me tell you a story Tony. See before The Baker rumors and Media frenzy started I met the kid. See apparently the kid had inherited the shop from an uncle that used to run the place. He was a good kid ,and had been a momma's boy in youth so he was taught to bake. Gave the place a well needed repair and paint job from money left over from his uncle's account. "

" So yeah after a week after he opens up Junior sent me and Jerry over to try and put him under protection ,and I'll say it now he was the most dense kid I'd ever met. I don't think he went out often or didn't have many friends...I'm getting of topic. So we keep making threats that are going over his head while he stood there with this smile on his face. So Jerry finally looses it and yells "Goddamn Brat show us the fuckin dough!" I couldn't tell you if he was trying to be a smartass or not ,but my money is no. Kid gets it in his head , somehow, he wants a free sample ,so he apologizes goes into the back and comes out with three cupcakes ,and Jerry looked even more pissed and suddenly trigger happy. Kid ask him to try his wares ,and Jerry probably did to calm down slightly and get his protection money point of the matter is he ate it. Never seen Jerry go from absolutely Livid to as docile in a matter of seconds ,and I'm standing there thinking the kids put some amazing drug in the pastry.

" So I ask to try one thinking I'm gonna get stoned or something because I've had a stressful week. He says yes and I take one and pop it into my mouth ,and let me tell you somethin that was an amazing decision. No drugs It's just this exotic flavor I've never had before that just taste like bliss...Me and Jerry said fuck work for like two hours as we just kept eating the kids' pastries all while complimenting him. He had gone from decently-mannered to extremely bashful in a few compliments. Anyway when we saw the time we realized we'd spent money and gained only food...we thought we were fucked. Jerry bags what we haven't touched and we bolt after leaving a large tip." Isaak stopped after that.

Tony for his part just stood there absorbing the words of the story. It was foreign to him that being the idea that The Baker wasn't always a monster. It was pretty normal that someone like him was just waiting for an opportunity to get loose. certainly a few people like that probably were already working for Junior. Like the DJ...he didn't trust that ever smiling stuffed bear head he wore. Of course his brain went to a certain part of that story." Wait you said was...what happened." Tony asked and Isaak just made a 'wait a bit' jester.

" So anyway we get to Junior and he's just waiting there with the twins at his side ,and his face just shows he is to put it lightly not at all pleased. He starts asking what took so long , what did he say , and what' in the bag ,and we just stand there sweating. Jerry calmly , as calm as a fearful man can, and shows him the bag. Junior slowly looks up at jerry who is sweating so much you'd think he was in a desert. He goes under the counter ,and by this point I can only hope it's quick as I see him get his bat and hop the counter. If it hadn't been for the twins looking in the bag and trying one Jerry might have had more than a few fractured bones, so anyway twins take a bite and love it. They call over to Junior ,who had descended upon Jerry like a hungry beowolf , and distract him long enough for Jerry to crawl like...three to four inches nothing impressive. the twins walk up to him and practically shove a scone in his mouth. He chews for a bit hen swallows ,then looks at the twins for a brief moment before turning to me and starts walking.

" He also walked over Jerry ,but compared to the bat he was getting Jerry was able to not make a noise. He gets in my face and ask who made this ,so I reveal the guy who we were suppose to threaten...just him. So he looks me up and down and tells me to bring him to the club and him before the end of the week. After that he went to the back with the bag of treats...so I lost the pastries ,but I was alive...god did I want those back." Isaak looked away for a moment. Tony could almost see a tear going down his glasses before he continued.

"Anyway I go the next day to talk to the owner. Place had a decent line before I was able to talk to him ,and let me tell you everyone who left looked like they had discovered something they were missing. Anyway I talk with the owner and explain how my boss wants to meet him. Tells me to wait a minute and goes back behind the doors then comes out to ask when. I said preferably now or by the end of the day ,so he looks at the clock and says he'll go after eleven near midnight. Can't really blame him since he's tryin to run a business. Anyway I made the deal and went to tell Junior , after I bought a shortcake to go , that he can expect him around eleven. He just nods and goes back to serving drinks while I guard that night. It's 11:32 when he shows up in a in a business suit and a look of kill me now. I was just glad he was there and didn't forget ,so I escorted him to junior in the back. I don't know what happened after that as I was sent off."

Isaak stopped his story again. He bobbed his head slightly muttering something about injustice of it all. " Tony however was getting a little impatient. He was expecting the dark origin if a murderer ,but instead he got some side story. He bid his tongue for now though. The net part of the tale had to be good as The Boss was Just in front of The Baker.

"After that we made regular trips to and from Safe Haven's to get regular orders ,and some nights he'd come to the club to hang out with...well anyone really. He still does just less often ,but something came from all the attention we gave Safe Haven's." Isaak to a point to stop and put his hand over his mouth for a second. He choked something back before continuing. " As you know Junior has a lot of enemies or people that don't particularly like home. So when the kid started hangout with all these big faces in Vale's underground , whether he knew or not , people tend to notice...the wrong kinda people. It was a month after we first met him. One of the other goons , pretty sure it was Adham, had the night off so he went to see the kid off a night. Walked in on him being attacked by some punks. See apparently some small bit children gang wanted to play with the big boys and thought roughin up the kid and his place would set them up as people to fear. " Isaak seemed a little more angry as he went on.

" The kid didn't deserve it. The guys you and me attack and beat scum or people like us. The kid was trying to make a living honestly ,and yeah he had some friends that were shady. He didn't care friends were friends to him in all walks through life ,and he was being attacked for it. Anyway Adham, drives them off ,but not before getting a good look at their logo and faces. After he gets the kid to the hospital he takes the info he has the attackers to all of us. I'm not talking just everyone that worked for Junior or even in this bar."

Isaak took a step back and raised his arms till he was in a t then raised them a little higher with his palms visible to Tony." I'm talking every shady person the kid got on the good side of. Murderers , assassins , thieves , gangsters , etc. You name it kid was probably friends with it. So we decide after a large meeting and argument what we need to do. Kid needed a name and a way to inspire fear ,but vague enough the police wouldn't get to him." With that Isaak let out a large teeth filled smile before he continued.

"So we find them and attack. Didn't stand a chance it was all of Vale's criminal underworld VS some teens with pipes and 2x4's. We made sure nobody died ,but maybe a few dismemberments and called them an ambulance." By this point Isaak just stopped telling and kept that smile in his face. He was leaving to Tony to connect the dots. For his part He just reviewed the parts he'd been told before his eyes widened.

The Baker's crime spree started when sixteen teenagers were sent to the hospital ,and some even the E.R. They were later detained by police , when they were stable to find out what happened and because of their gang activity. They wouldn't reveal anything just that it was a single person who they shouldn't have messed with. A couple days later they received a package still gifted. It was small cakes with pieces of them crudely displayed next to the decoration of the cake. The police tried to keep it under wraps ,but the media had a way of finding out.

That was the beginning of The Baker.

From there things escalated. More victims , never dead, and pastries showed up sometimes ,and the media blew him out of proportions as police tried to find him. It was where the crack pot conspiracist thought everyone from the old man at the dust shop to Professor Ozpin himself was The Baker. No just a person who just baked for a living trying to get by. Said person also had friends in very dark places who were very protective of the Pastry making boy. Nobody would suspect the harmless boy straight out of...

"Hey how'd he get out of the hospital so fast." It was a question that Tony suddenly thought of. If the kid had been roughed up so bad how'd he back that cake so fast. Yeah he had weeks to do so , and recover, but proving a point beating usually lasted months or years. Isaak for his part just put his hand behind his head and dropped the other. "Well see a few people the kid new had Aura ,and in medical terms there are times when who are so stress just seems unlock it. Kid was just that 'lucky' to have been one of hose people." He said with obvious sarcasm about the kid being lucky...

well he had been but not in this case.

" So." Isaak began suddenly and pulled a cookie out of his pocket. "You in?" Tony for his part stood there staring at the cookie. he'd just been let in on this massive conspiracy that stared a simple baker and a shit ton of criminals. Hell maybe even normal people were in on this ,and he was given a chance into the rabbit hole. If he said no bullet was probably waiting for him ,and he did like the cooking..." Fuck it. No one touches The Baker." He said taking the cookie and biting down. Isaak for his part smiled.

"His names Jaune."

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"So he baked their limbs into the ca-"

"No actually we made the cake. Couldn't let him."

"Too many questions?"

"No just really awkward."

"...Ok..."


Author Note

THIS COMPUTER ROOM IS COLD AS FUCK. God its the one room in this house that doesn't have proper conditioning. Fuckin four season room ,lets put the computer here maybe not the best in winter and I just finished finals today so I'm spent.

But yeah I was gonna do this a while ago when it seemed right ,but then I never did, and I decided id finish it tonight. God this turned out a lot longer than it was supposed to ,but what evs.

So this is more of a joke/gag story. It's literally Jaune owns an establishment ,and is grossly overestimated. It's more of when I feel like writing a big gage than something serious or semi serious. But yeah The Baker...

Let's do this shit...Later because my bowl of coffee is gone and I'm tired.

Peace

-Exploding Sword

-Edit...I need to stop writing so late. I make stupid mistakes.