A.N. First off big thanks to RantoJax who offered to be my Beta so along with this chapter I'll be updating the old chapters right after uploading this all nice and pretty without all my grammar errorsXD Anyway sorry for the long wait for this its been sitting on my computer for awhile now but I wanted to wait till I got on my butt on finishing the chapter after this so without further ado enjoy the chapter


Chapter 7

"We should make an example of them your majesty!" Ruby tried to withhold her giggle at Weiss' exasperated expression. The advisor that demanded action was an older man, his voice hoarse from many years for yelling no doubt. Weiss sat on her throne head resting on her fist looking completely uninterested in what the advisor said. Ruby stood next to her trying to look serious, but instead the Knight snorted holding in her laughter. The old advisor glared at the Knight.

"Your majesty, you cannot allow these demon worshipers to continue! They are gathering too many followers, and are a danger to Vale. You must end them now before they gain too much power." Ruby frowned, she didn't like the Disciples of Grimm that much either. The advisor made it seemed like they were planning to overthrow Weiss. The disciples worshiped the old soulless creatures of Grimm like gods. The Grimm were once as common as man in Remnant, but they were evil beasts that sought to destroy any living thing whether human, Faunus or any other sentient being. It wasn't until the races of the world united together, were they able to banish the Grimm to the dark realm that they came from. It was the only time in recorded history that all races pulled together under one banner.

"I understand your concern, but I cannot in good conscious wipe out a religion. I don't like who they worship any more than you do, but if I went around wiping out every order I didn't like, Vale would be running out of citizens. You may leave now, I have heard enough." The man seemed displeased, but he didn't argue with the new Queen. Ruby grinned, as soon as he left her posture relaxing turned to the Queen.

Weiss' face was serious, eyes narrowed deep in thought. Ruby frowned, Weiss' coronation making her the official Queen was only about a week ago, and the strain of ruling was already beginning to show. Before her coronation Weiss held a good chunk of the power. Her advisor still did most of the work though, and that work now became Weiss' responsibility now that she was Queen.

Before Ruby could say something a messenger burst into the throne room. He was panting, going to his knees immediately bowing.

"Speak, what is it?" The Queen's eyebrow twitched clearly annoyed at the messenger's less than formal entrance.

"Word from Lakeside your majesty, the boy and the dragon have killed the serpent in the Bay of Beasts." Ruby grinned, she knew Jaune and Pyrrha could do it. The messenger continued.

"Lakeside sent word of this as the two are recovering from the battle, and are unable to travel at this time. Also your majesty, Senior Mage Velvet sent a bird saying she is one step closer in her quest." Weiss perked up at word of the Mage, Velvet.

"Did Velvet's message say anything else?" The messenger shook his head.

"No your majesty, the letter has been placed in your study for your own review." Weiss' eyebrows furrowed deep in thought. She dismissed the messenger with the wave of her hand.

"Velvet is still searching for her?" Ruby knew the Mage had put a lot into her quest, but the Knight had thought the rabbit Faunus had reached a dead end and had given up.

"Yes, her last letter she sent said she found a lead, and would keep me posted on the results." Leaning forward on her throne, the Queen rested her chin on her clasped hands in thought.

"Do you want me to go after her? Give her some back up." Her head rose back up looking to the Knight.

"No, we'll send Coco…" Ruby barked out a laugh thinking of Velvet's reaction to the sassy Knight being sent her way.

"What about Jaune and Pyrrha, you haven't really paid them much mind. I thought you would have jumped to have a giant fire breathing dragon on our side." Weiss scoffed looking up at the golden chandelier that hung from the ceiling illuminating the throne room.

"You're far too trusting Ruby. I can't rule out that this hill billy from the farm villages might turn his dragon on Vale." Ruby was about to protest as the Knight firmly believed that Jaune was a good person at heart.

"I know what you're about to say, and I understand he might be a good person. His dragon might be good at heart too, but he has one of the most powerful creatures at his command. That kind of power could skew anyone's morals. Only until I can be sure that dragon will be aiming away from Vale will I put my trust in him." The Queen stood, her white dress flowing behind her as she moved.

"He just took on a sea serpent no questions asked. I'm pretty sure he doesn't plan to attack Vale, but you're the boss your majesty." Ruby grinned cheekily Weiss only response was a sigh walking out of the throne room.


The first thing Jaune noticed was the soft blanket wrapped around him. His world was slowly coming back into focus. Blinking his eyes open the blonde eventually looked around to find he was in a bed. His sleep addled brain believing he was back home went to go back to sleep, but as his memory came back Jaune sat up. Immediately regretting it as pain shot through his chest.

Looking down Jaune saw his entire chest and midsection was bandaged up. The memory of the serpent nailing him, sending him flying from Pyrrha's back made the blonde wince. Checking out his surroundings Jaune found himself in a rather generic room. A single bed that he laid in, a single window was open, daylight streaming through, while a light breeze blew the curtains gently.

Carefully, Jaune slide out of the bed, his bare feet unsteadily standing on the wood floor. Brushing his hair out of his face Jaune noticed how greasy the blonde locks were, mentally making a note to bathe as soon as possible. Opening the only door out of the room Jaune found it lead out into a hallway with many other doors on each side. Limping his way down the hall, he winced as pain shot through his body with each step. Jaune made it to a stairway, sighing he gripped the railing and carefully walked down.

At the bottom of the stairs there was a short hall before opening up to what looked like a bar; a cozy room with a fireplace, several tables and then the bar itself on the far wall. A large shelf behind it holding an assortment of drinks and glasses.

"Glad to see that you're awake. You weren't in the best condition when they brought you here." A man standing behind the bar said as he wiped the bar down with a rag. Jaune felt that he looked familiar, but Jaune couldn't place him. He was an older man with messy grey hair glasses perched on his nose. Wearing a simple black vest with a white undershirt, a cane leaned against the wall behind the bar most likely his. What struck Jaune though was his left shirt sleeve was tied up in a not. The man lacked his left arm, and had his shirt sleeve tied so it wouldn't get in his way. His brown eyes seemed tired, as if he had seen some dark things no one should.

"It's not very polite to stare young man." The older man scolded Jaune jumped hobbling over to the bar.

"Sorry! I just ummm…"

"It's all right I'm used to the looks by now. You wouldn't be the first and you won't be the last." A dark look came to his features his hand going to a necklace that hung from his neck. The man's hand touched a ring hanging from the chain remembering something.

Before Jaune could say something the man spoke.

"I believe you're dragon is getting spoiled by the town. I'd imagine you're eager to get back to her." The man motioned outside.

"Right outside, can't miss her. You've been out for about a week now, so the town's gotten used to having her around." Jaune thanked the man ignoring the itching feeling he knew him, but he pushed it aside eager to get back to Pyrrha.

Outside Jaune looked around; the town was abuzz with its normal doings, people passed by carrying produce, others running off to work. It sort of reminded Jaune of his old village, small enough that everyone could know each other, but still a bustling town none the less. The old man was right though, Jaune spotted horns peeking out on the other side of the buildings across the street.

As fast as he could with his throbbing chest the blonde hurried to the other street to find the dragon. On his way several villagers spotted him offering their help, but the former farm boy refused quickly making his way around to the street his friend was on.

Making it to the other side Jaune blinked at the sight before him. Pyrrha was standing on the street while people walked by as if it was the most normal thing in the world. The dragon was holding a wooden platform up in the air with ropes held in her jaws. Two men stood on the platform painting a building that normally they would have needed a ladder or some other means to reach. Instead Pyrrha held them up looking incredibly pleased with herself.

The dragon herself looked to be in all right condition. The tear that the serpent had made in her wing was stitched closed and folded neatly against her back. Though patches were missing in her mane the wounds were closed, and she favoured her other hind leg. The one that Jaune remembered the serpent grabbed wounding looked to be healing nicely. Jaune rushed over to his friend yelling out.

"Pyrrha!" The dragon looked to the blonde immediately, her ears perking up at the sound of his voice. The two painters stopped their work looking to the young man.

"Jaune! You're awake!" Gently the dragon lowered the platform rushing to her human friend. Pyrrha lowered her head to nuzzle the human. Jaune wrapped his arms around the dragon as much as he could, hugging the beast.

"The serpent slayer, good to see you back on your feet! Our town owes you a debt!" One of the painters joyfully announced as the two separated.

"It was no problem we were happy to help." Jaune scratched the back of his head laughing.

"Ha you know Pyrrha said the same thing. Anyway we're going on break, thanks for the help ya friendly lug!" The painter exclaimed happily the two leaving on their break.

"Well, seems you've been busy while I was taking a nap." The dragon gave a nervous laugh.

"Yes, I can hardly believe how kind they've been to me. They've been letting me help around town while you rest." Jaune grinned hearing the excitement in Pyrrha's voice. The dragon was genuinely happy to just be around humans. It was clear from her interactions with the painters that the town trusted the dragon, seeing her as a friend.

"How are you feeling Jaune? Did you just wake up? Why aren't you wearing shoes or a shirt? Silly human, you'll hurt yourself." Pyrrha leaned down so Jaune could climb on her back. The blonde did so sighing in relief as some of the pain was relieved from sitting down.

"I had to find you. I mean sure the serpent threw me around a bit, but you got the worst of it." Jaune said waving off Pyrrha's concern. The dragon only huffed, puffs of smoke coming from her mouth.

"You are still a rather confounding human. It doesn't take me long to recover from injuries, and the people have been very generous when helping me tend to my wounds." Pyrrha began taking careful strides to take Jaune back to the inn. While Jaune carefully touched the closed wounds on her neck amazed at how well they've healed.

"So the town hasn't given you any problems at all?"

"They were wary when I first flew back, but once the Puma crew told everyone of our fight. Everyone has been very grateful towards me. I've never received such kindness from humans." Jaune grinned again, and chuckled.

"Well, get used to it Pyrrha because soon every town is going to be treating you like this!" The former farm boy exclaimed happily, and this time Pyrrha felt she could believe the human after the kindness Lakeside has shown her.


Far away, where no sane person would travel within dark tunnels carved into a mountain. Figures dressed in black robes with red markings on them congregated in a large dining hall. The dim lighting of the chandelier illuminated the long table where the figures sat.

"He has brought concerns of our order to the Queen. Vale may no longer be safe to operate in." All present at the table wore their hoods up except the woman at the head of the table. Unlike the rest she wore a red dress her face in plain view for all present.

"We can't leave Vale yet, two of the three are still there…"

"One is, Neo brought the golden beast to its knees. She's bringing it back here." Another hooded figure interrupted.

"So only the final one remains in Vale. Reports say it's on the move with a human boy. They say he's somehow managed to tame it, and it willingly fights for him." The gruff voice that said this scoffed at the idea. While the group continued to bicker the woman at the head of the table watched as if amused.

Finally she raised her hand everyone went silent.

"This... boy means nothing, the only thing he has done is make it easier to track the beast down. We will proceed as soon as Neo arrives, then we will begin the final act."