45 minutes of running through Vale, sneaking past Grimm, police, military and Huntsmen alike, and Roman finally found himself standing outside of Junior's club.
Sprinting through the door, Roman skidded to a stop just inside the club and cupped his mouth. "JUNIOR! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!"
Taking a moment to look around the place, he noticed that since he was last here the place had sustained quite a bit of damage. His first guess would have been a massive Grimm attack, especially considered the state of Vale at the moment, but the damage looked like it had already been partially fixed. What the hell had Junior been up to?
The giant man stepped out of a side room a moment later looking angry. "Who the fuck is calling? I swear on my mother's grave, Blondie, if that's you again I'm going to flip my shi- Torchwick?" The man's expression quickly changed from angry to confused. " I thought you were in prison?"
"Junior, in case you hadn't noticed, the city is falling apart, Grimm are everywhere and those Atleasian ships that I was being held in are scattered all across the kingdom in flaming wreckage, and yet I'm the strangest thing you've seen today?!" Roman snarked as he gestured dramatically.
"Where's Neo?" He questioned as he ignored Roman's antics.
Roman's face grew solemn before he responded. "I don't know. We got separated and I'm trying to find her." Roman shoulders slumped down as he plopped into a seat at the bar.
With a glance at his watch, Junior made his way over to the bar as well and poured them both a glass of whiskey.
"What about your business partner?" Junior asked as he brought his glass to his lips.
Roman laughed before taking a sip of his own drink, grimacing at the flavor. "I think she believes I'm dead, thank god." He took another swig before continuing "That bitch would probably kill me herself if I showed up again."
"Well my boys are assisting the hunters in keeping the Grimm out of this section of the city, I'll have them keep an eye out for Neo. In the meantime, you need to get going." Roman flashed Junior a glance before Junior continued. "Your still wanted by the entire city, and I'm sure with all that's going on some hunter will just try to kill you and say the Grimm did it after this thing blows over." A distant, inhuman screech echoed from outside. "If this thing blows over" Junior corrected himself.
They took another few minutes to just take relax and sip their drinks, knowing full well that this could be their last drink. Each catching the other up on what they had been doing in past months. Apparently the damage to Junior's club was caused by that blonde bimbo that destroyed his paladin, Red's sister if he remembered correctly. And it happened the night he borrowed Junior's men no less. Go figure.
Suddenly a loud screech filled the air along with a large boom that shook the room. Both men glanced at each other before grabbing their weapons and racing outside, Junior's glass crashing to the ground behind him as he knocked it off the counter in his haste.
Outside a disturbing sight caught their eyes. A giant Grimm dragon was circling the air over Beacon, and the tower had partially collapsed. The beast was horrific and gargantuan, a thing of nightmares. Roman recognized it from when the thing had flown past his hijacked ship. There was no doubt in his mind that Cinder was behind this monstrosity as well.
"Holy shit..." Junior breathed.
"That psychotic bitch, how did she manage to attract that... thing?" Roman muttered, his eyes never leaving the creature.
A minute passed with both men just staring at the sight before roars brought them to their senses. Spinning around to see a pack of Beowolves and Ursa charge down the street, both men began cursing as they started firing explosives at the pack. Quite a few died immediately, but many more were still barreling down the road in a careless frenzy. Suddenly a blinding light from behind them forced them to shut their eyes, while the Grimm screeched in agony. Moments later, the men opened their eyes to see the Grimm in front of them still screaming and milling about in confusion. Jumping on the opportunity they quickly dispatched the rest of the beasts.
"Well, that was fun," Roman quipped while Junior shot him a glare. "But I think it's time I go".
Junior nodded in agreement. After that light, he was sure the city would soon be under some level of control. That would make it harder for Roman to get out as people started to calm down and recognize him. "I'll get you a message somehow if I hear anything about Neo" He assured Roman. "But where are you headed?"
Roman paused for a moment. "Mistral. That's where Neo would head if she we got separated and Vale wasn't safe anymore." He glanced up at Nevermore that flew past far overhead. "I'd say this counts as 'unsafe', don't you think?"
After the statement, Roman smoothed his coat, straightened his back and started off down the street.
"Your just going to walk?!" Junior exclaimed.
"No, I'm gunna take a cab" Roman rolled his eyes as he turned to face Junior. "The CCT is down, I'm a wanted man and the route to Mistral isn't exactly car friendly. I don't have a lot of options here Junior."
Junior sighed briefly " Well good luck out there."
Roman just turned and started off back down the road again. "Send me any information you find out about Neo" he called back.
Roman sighed internally. 'Where are you Neo?' Roman glanced up with a the slightest hint of despair, then continued on, his cane softly clacking against the sidewalk. 'Stay safe' He silently urged her.
