Hey guys, RWBYBlackFlames here and I am glad to welcome you to Chapter 7. I had quite a fun time in where to take the story this chapter as I had quite a few options, but hopefully I chose the right route. I hope you enjoy and Black Flames out!
I'm super sorry in advance, I really couldn't make a longer chapter. Think of this as a transition chapter to end the Secret Arc to go into a new 'Arc'. Again, thank you for reading! Black Flames out yet again!
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Chapter 7
The Joy
"To walk in the dark does not mean one has no light. Only that their light isn't strong enough to cut through the dark alone." ~Anonymous
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"Russel, Sky, Dove, get over here!" shouted Cardin. After a moment, the trio abandoned their lunch and ran over to their team leader to see what he wanted.
"What's up Cardin?" asked Russel with a hint of confusion in his voice.
"You guys remember what we talked about last night?" asked Cardin, for the rest of his team to nod simultaneously. Nora and Yang looked annoyed at the team leader but weren't able to do anything as their partners stopped them.
"Perfect. Alright team, here's how it's gonna go down. Russel, you're in charge of leading the group for taking the posters down. To be honest, didn't expect today to turn out as it did, but hell. If life offers you lemons, make some lemonade. Sky and Dove, you two are with Russel. Make sure that the posters get taken down." said Cardin, instructing his team members.
"Got it Cardin, you can count on us." said Russel, leaving with the other two members of his team to complete their task. As Team CRDL started to work, the two teams of Team RWBY and JNPR sat dumbstruck at what had just happened.
"Ruby, are you going just going to sit there or are you gonna help?" asked Cardin blatantly, while the others looked in confusion. Ruby spoke up in surprise as Cardin addressed her.
"O-Okay! Weiss, Blake, Yang, we're going to go and take the posters down! Who ever gets the most posters wins something from the bakery, courtesy from the others!" said Ruby with a smile, before dashing off with her semblance with her teammates not far behind. Cardin had a small laugh as she organized her team with enthusiasm.
"Ren, let's help!" said Nora before dashing off, with Ren following her, likely to make sure that she wouldn't try to remove the posters with Magnihild. Soon, all that was left of at the table was Joan, Pyrrha and Cardin, with the first two quite confused as Cardin's actions.
"Joan, let's head back to your room. People are gonna be hostile if you stay here, and they're only gonna be intimidated for so long so it's best to leave now. I'm guessing P-Money is coming with us, since she didn't run off. Pyrrha, consider this an 'Escort Mission'." said Cardin. As he finished speaking, he started to head towards the dorms and after a moment, the partners followed him. While they walked, Joan started to question Cardin's actions.
"Cardin… Thanks but why are you doing this?" asked Joan with a confused expression. She didn't oppose it, but it was definitely strange considering his past actions.
"Well… if I have to be honest, it's because of two things. First off, after your stunt in the Forever Falls and how BADLY we got beaten by Pyrrha here, me and my team realized that we need to shape up, both with our teamwork and strength. 'Sides, we're here to be Hunters. Took me a while to figure out what it meant to be a Hunter. To help those who need it and to protect the civs from the Grimm." said Cardin, explaining himself.
"So you're done with the bullying?" asked Joan skeptically.
"Yeah. I might not like the faunus that much, but one day I might need their help. Maybe the last generation wants to be pissed with them, but I'd rather be in their good graces when they're thinking about saving me. I learned that after you saved me from that Ursa" said Cardin.
"I'm glad that you've changed but what about the second reason?" asked Joan curiously.
"Well, I heard your little sap story, and it really tugged at my heartstrings. So when I saw those posters, I decided to help ya out, especially since I screwed you over in our last match." said Cardin. Pyrrha had a surprised look on her face as Cardin spoke.
"Thanks… wait… How did you know about what happened?" asked Joan with a confused look on her face.
"CAUSE YOU KEEP TELLING YOUR SECRETS ON THE ROOF! Jeez, you'd think that after the first time, you'd realize that everybody can hear you on the roof! Anyone who has their window open could've probably heard you." shouted Cardin.
"… Dang it you're right…" said Joan, rubbing the back of her head as she realized her mistake. The group continued to walk silently for several minutes. After a while, Cardin broke the silence.
"So Joan… are you any good at Grifball?" asked Cardin, making small talk. As the two discussed the game, Pyrrha began to wonder what her stance was on Joan.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it. Jaune isn't here anymore and you never confessed to them anyway, so forget about it" noted one side of her conscious as she thought about the situation. The other side would not be outdone.
"Joan or Jaune, they're the person that you fell in love with. All that changed was their gender, does it even matter?" argued the other side, leaving Pyrrha in a dilemma. Did she love Joan or did she love Jaune? Before she could come up with an answer, someone tapped on her shoulder. She looked over to see that they've already reached the dorm room and Cardin had already left, with Joan looking concerned at her.
"You alright Pyrrha? You seem distracted." said Joan with a worried look on her face. It brought a smile to her face when she saw her leader looking at her with concern. Even after this, she still worried about others over her.
"Don't worry Joan… It's nothing" said Pyrrha with a small smile as the duo walked in.
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In the nearby Emerald Forest, the snores of a young man could be heard in the trees. Generally, there was a rule for the Emerald Forest… or any place outside of the kingdoms. Stay conscious. After all, a Grimm isn't honorable. It'll kill you in your sleep without even blinking.
So as he rested, a spare Beowolf managed to pick up his scent and started to look around for the person, without any luck. As it searched, it stepped on a twig, snapping it, with the sound clear to anyone nearby. After a few seconds, the Beowolf was no more as a blade went deep into it's skull, leaving only a quick yelp before it's untimely death.
"Ugh… Can't I get a break? I try to take a nap for five minutes…" lamented the man as he pulled the dagger out of it's skull. He yawned as he heard more Beowolves barking from beyond the tree line.
"Maybe a work out is just what the doctor ordered… It's time to loosen up and cut loose… I hope you're prepared for me 'Jaune'!" said the man with a smile, pulling out another dagger as the Beowolves closed in on his location.
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Hey guys, RWBYBlackFlames here. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! However, gonna leave a small decision up to you. If this runs well, I might let you guys have more influence. Do you think we should include any of the remaining Arc Sisters into the story? Let me know! Otherwise, thank you for reading and Black Flames out!
