It was like Ozpin said they were released from their cells the next day, and they were given their equipment before their capture along with transportation to the City of Vale. The city itself was a sight to behold to the Vacuo natives. Although their band of outlaws had done jobs across the world of Remnant, a large majority of said jobs were in the outskirts where supply trains were much easier to attack without getting too much heat. Almost immediately after arriving in Vale, they were warned of the repercussions of trying to escape the city. With the warnings out of the way, they were allowed to explore the city, but on the condition they were to be followed by experienced huntsmen until they know for sure they weren't a flight risk.
Exploring the city was not a glamorous experience it was... peaceful for the most part especially compared to the wastes of Vacuo or assassin filled cities of Mistral. In Vacuo, you never knew who you could trust or when the next Grimm herd finds you, so it was best to keep moving and only stop when needed. Mistral was a different story you didn't need to worry about Grimm, but the one thing those kingdoms had in common was the mistrust of people. They didn't show their true intentions until they get close, but by then it'll be too late for you. The City of Vale was not like Vacuo or Mistral it was clear on who is trustworthy and it was completely safe from the Grimm, but every city has its ugly side. Racism was much more openly expressed to the faunus population with corruption in the justice system even more pronounced with faunus being refused support by many police departments.
"For what it's worth this city ain't so bad, but it makes you miss Vacuo" Silver said to the bull faunus who agreed nodding his head. Silver was wearing a silver colored poncho with black criss cross patterns and a black undershirt which hid a tattoo of a wolf pack on the right side of his chest; every gang member had a tattoo of something relating to them personally but in a different location on their body. Along with the poncho and undershirt, he was wearing an old cowboy hat from his outlaw days with openings for his wolf ears and wore black combat boots and pants. On his waist there were two holsters containing two customized revolvers which can use a variety of different dust rounds, but on his back he had a lever action rifle with the underside of the buttstock having an integrated axe blade. "I miss the mutual respect everybody had nobody was above anybody else they just knew how to survive" Titus added with a sigh acknowledging the racial tension of the city. Titus completely changed his attire from his criminal life as he began wearing a suit of armor for added protection since he was handicapped with his lack of vision. He didn't need the extra protection before, but fighting Grimm is a dangerous gamble when you're blind usually his semblance would compensate for his blindness. His semblance was "True sight" which enabled him to see the outline of anything with an aura or any structure using dust passively, but this does not include Grimm; under high stress however he can push his semblance further giving him normal vision, but afterwards will be left completely blind for a period of time. Ironically Titus was not a close range fighter despite his size and strength instead using a massive greatbow as a weapon with his semblance this makes him a great shot when given a specific target, but the bow was modified to have a round mace head on either end of the weapon for close encounters with Grimm.
Soon enough the pair of faunus stopped in front of a dust store and with a moment of thought entered the shop. Looking at the store owner Silver tipped his hat in greeting the old man smiling being one of the rare tolerant store owners in this district of the city. Titus nodded his head in greeting his armor clanking with every movement he made and moved to the back of the store looking for specific types of dust for his arrows. Walking over to the side he saw comic books on the shelves and with a chuckle picked one up noticing a girl in red with headphones on. Turning back to the comic book the wolf remembers simpler times before joining the gang "it's been too long since since I read one" he said to himself before reading three pages only stopping to the sound of the store door opening and a familiar voice he didn't think he'd hear so soon.
"Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a Dust shop open this late?" Silver could never forget the voice of Roman the leader of the gang but not the founder as the previous leader had been assassinated a few weeks prior to the failed heist. 'What in the hell is he doing inside the city he should be laying low after that fiasco of a score' he thought as he turned to the girl in red turning her around causing her to take off her headphones off in confusion. Silver could hear Titus in the back his armor clanking most likely aware with what's happening looking for a signal to act. "What's going on" the girl in red said as one of the goons came around the corner his weapon raised. "This is a robbery get your hands up and nobody will get hurt" he said as he got closer the red blade glinting in the light. The girl on reaction launched herself at the goon with speed he knew could only be done with a semblance shattering the window alerting the criminals in the shop making the goons run outside to deal with little red.
With a sigh Silver walked out of his cover behind the shelves before Titus blew his position "It's been a while don't you think Roman" Silver said tipping his hat back letting kingpin see his eyes. "Well well well Silver I thought you were dead or at the very least locked away somewhere like the animal you are" Roman retorted smoking on his cigar. "Where's your friend the other faunus with the horns." Responding with a shrug the wolf replied "he's around here somewhere." Looking at the cowering old shop owner Silver waved him away "Go someplace safe for the time being I'll handle this." The old man simply nodded running to the back room passing by Titus who had his bow ready waiting for an opening to take Torchwick down or support Silver.
Roman scoffed hearing the wolf "so you're a good samaritan six months after that fiasco of a score you'll make me tear up." With a scowl Silver reached for his revolver cocking back the hammer "You know I never really liked you, but I kinda need you alive for the moment so how about you come with me to the police station" he said knowing the kingpin won't back down so easily. Torchwick chuckled spreading his arms mockingly "Well you see I'm kinda busy right now I got stores to rob for a very powerful investor, and I don't want to discuss matters with a filthy traitor." He raised up his cane ready to blast the blast the wolf, but Titus interfered launching an arrow embedding it in the ground the dust activating making a wall forcing Torchwick to hold off his shot and run out of the shop.
Cursing under his breath Silver ran out of the building leaving Titus to catch up when he could. As he got out of the shop, he saw little red dash up the side of a building more than likely chasing down Roman. Climbing up a ladder he saw a blonde woman with a riding crop on top the roof catching up to the Kingpin and huntress in training 'That's our escort alright' Silver thought as he ran to catch up to them as a dropship with the side door open with a woman at the door came into view forcing the Huntress to use her semblance in the defense of Red as fire started to appear under the duo. Grabbing his rifle Silver took aim at woman in the gunship firing round after round with no effect as every dust round was blocked effortlessly. Roman quickly got on the dropship and went into the cockpit preparing to leave the area, but was slowed down by the Huntress using her power to grab hold of the ship with the debris of the of the damaged building used as arms. This however was not enough as the woman in the ship started to glow a fiery red before a shockwave of flame completely disintegrated the debris holding them down letting them escape.
Seeing the ship escaping with no real way to chase it Silver placed his rifle back where it belonged on his back and walked up to the Huntress and Huntress in Training quickly being joined by Titus who had missed the end of the fight since he couldn't follow them to the roof easily. The Huntress was not a warm person reprimanding the young Huntress in Training for being involved in a dangerous encounter with Torchwick a well known gang leader, and said she will be free to go after she has a quick chat with somebody at the police station. Turning her attention to the former outlaws her scowl deepened "and you two as well we will need you at the police station for further questioning" she said with a tone that screamed don't give me attitude prompting the wolf to quickly nod and move his blind friend off the roof so they could reach the police station without aggravating the Huntress any further. They couldn't afford to hurt their relationship with the people who have the outcomes of their lives in the palms of their hands they'd rather walk free than rot in a prison.
At the police station, every officer was moving doing something to help out in the investigation involving Torchwick and an unknown woman accomplice who is just as or more dangerous than the kingpin. The interrogation rooms in this police department were not much different than the ones at the edges of Vale, so the outlaws felt comfortable as they waited for the Huntress and presumably Ozpin to enter and question them about what happened. With a sigh the bored outlaws played rock paper scissors which the Huntress did not appreciate slapping the table in front of them with her riding crop stopping the duo. "For criminals known for their brutality you're both completely childish" she said stepping to the side as Ozpin took his seat in front of them his drink ever present. The same knowing smile never leaving his face "Already a run in with Torchwick pretty convenient don't you think" he said taking a sip of his coffee waiting for their response. Silver had taken off his cowboy hat leaving it on the table and rubbed the back of his head "trust me I didn't expect to see him again so soon I thought it'd take a few more months before he'd start operations in the city again" he said with Titus continuing "Roman takes pride in his plans and when one goes wrong he usually takes more down time to plan the perfect crime in order to cement his reputation in the underworld; this is not his MO."
Ozpin nodded his head hearing the report and pointed at the door "If that is all then you both are free to go. Make sure to catch the Beacon Transport tomorrow the school year begins tomorrow." With a nod the former outlaws stand up, but as Silver picked up his hat and began to walk out the door he remembered something Roman said to him "Roman mentioned something before he rudely ended our conversation" he said as he turned back to Ozpin "He said he was working for somebody who has a lot of power or so he says that could explain why he's not doing things like how he usually does." Ozpin looked at the young wolf processing what he told him before responding "Thank you for the information you may leave now we will talk at a later date." Placing his hat on his head Silver nodded turning back to Titus "Let's get going we have a big day tomorrow." With them out of the room the Huntress looked at Ozpin "What do you think. Is it her or is it somebody else." The old man placed his cup of coffee on the table before answering "There's a possibility it's Salem, but I don't think she's controlling this gang directly it's one of her many pawns. Be careful Glynda the stakes of this game of chess might've gotten higher."
Authors Note: Survivor again if you read this chapter in it's entirety please give me feedback in order to better my writing I'm open to any ideas and constructive criticism. I'm also interested if there's anybody willing to send villain OCs for the rest of the gang members which will play a big part of the story later on. If you like the chapter, please consider following the story so I know there's people who are interested in where this story is heading. Until next time I leave you for the time being I'll be back with another chapter sometime next week at the earliest.