Hey there Pilots! And Welcome back to We gaze upon the shoulders of Giants! Now I gotta tell ya. It's good to be back making progress on these stories! Now I will leave it here and take a break until jerejosh231 and I can get back into collaborating the stories. Now Since I will be taking a break from this I will be focusing on other stories that deserve more chapters.

Now this chapter I did not collaborate with jerejosh231 and let him go on a break. This will give him some chapters that will be his and his alone and collaborated by me and vice versa. Doing this will help expand the story a bit more from both perspectives.

Now with that outta the way.

Standby for Titanfall!

Chapter 11: Bigger steps taken

(Yang's Pov)

It's been a week and a half since my team and I went to the Forever Fall forest for our field trip. We were walking down the streets to see decoration for the Vytal festival, I mean it's great and all but…my mind has been on Connor recently, I mean from what I heard from him he's building an army right under everyone's noses and he's trusting me with his secret. I just can't get him out of my head, he's been up to a lot of things lately and he's keeping everyone but me in the dark about it. What isn't he telling us? It's not like its bad, but he's not giving me a lot of detail on what he's trying to accomplish. I was brought out of my thoughts when Weiss spoke up.

"The Vytal festival! Oh this is absolutely wonderful!" She cried. "I don't think I've seen you smile before Weiss…its kinda weirding me out". Ruby said pretty much reading my mind. "How could you not smile?" Then she gloated about how a lot of preparation went into it. The explanation took the fun out of mine Ruby's perspective. "You really know how to take a good thing and make it boring". I said without care whatsoever.

"Quiet you!" She snapped. We then kept walking until we made our way to the docks. I wonder what Connor is doing these days? "Remind me why we're spending our Friday afternoon visiting the stupid docks?" I asked. "Ah, they smell like fish". Rubes said pinching her nose.

"I heard that students from Vaccuo will be arriving by ship today, and as a representative of beacon, I feel as though it is my solemn duty to welcome them to this fine kingdom". Weiss said answering my question, which I don't believe her, I don't think Blake does either. "She wants to spy on them she can gain an advantage in the tournament". She stated flatly "You can't prove that!" Ice queen snapped. We kept walking until Ruby saw something, I looked to where she was pointing and we saw that there was a robbery at a local dust store.

"What happened here?" She asked.

"Robbery, second dust shop this week, this place is turning into a jungle".

"Hmph, the White Fang, should've known". She said in an attitude that we were all familiar with since day one at Beacon. But Blake didn't like that tone of voice. "What's your problem?" Oh no. I don't like where this is going. I tuned out for a moment due to me not liking this argument. And Connor is somehow in my head again. Seriously, what's so good about him that makes him keep coming back to my thoughts? "So their Very misguided, but that doesn't explain why they'd rob a dust shop in the middle of downtown Vale". Oh good back on the main topic at hand. Thanks Blake.

"Hm. Blake's gotta point. Besides, the police never caught that Torchwick guy I ran into a couple of months ago…maybe it was him". Ruby suggested. "That still doesn't change the fact that The White Fang are a bunch of scum. They know how to lie, cheat and steal". Weiss still dragged on. "That's not necessarily true". I chimed in.

"Hey stop that Faunus!"

We all ran to the guard rail near the docks to see a monkey Faunus running away from some cops on a boat that had just came into dock.

"No good Stowaway!"

The officer called to the Faunus who was hanging upside-down on a lamp post. "Hey a no good stowaway would've been caught! I'm a great stowaway!" He called back. When he made it to our level pretty fast with his agility, as he passed us he gave Blake a wink. I wonder if she likes him back. I'll get to that another time but right now.

"Well Weiss you wanted to see the competition". I said aloud. "Quick we must observe him!" She called as we ran after her.

(My Pov)

I was walking down the streets of Vale to grab a few things for our People back at the hideout. My backpack was filled with various Dust crystals and other various tools and equipment to take back the next time I'm there. Fred said he needed to do something so he took the long way back to the carrier and went somewhere taking FS-1041 with him as well. I then saw team RWBY along the way back to Beacon and it looks like Blake and Weiss were fighting, pretty much confirming that we're near the end of Volume 1. I then cloaked and decided to make a break back to the Academy before I was discovered.

When I made it back to my room I placed my backpack in the crate I got the spare Titan Batteries from and locked it up. Not before Taking a battery myself and strapping it to my lower back. I double checked my gear and made sure I had everything before Phase shifting out of the room and listening to RWBY's conversation on the other side of their door.

"Well maybe we're tired of being pushed around!" And cue Blake for the dramatic silence. I then cloaked to make sure that I wouldn't be seen when she runs past me. The door was then flung open and I saw a purple-black blur rush past me and knew Blake has pretty much left the building. But my HUD flickered for a second and my cloak was dropped I then inspected myself to see I was now visible.

"The hell?" I said to myself while checking to see if there was any damage or anything that may have been the cause. I then see Ruby at the door looking at me. "Don't mind me I'll stay out of it". I said starting to walk off but Ruby grabbed me and dragged me into her team's room. "Connor I don't know why you were outside but I think it's time you explained everything that you were doing". She said poking my vest.

"Why were you spying on us? Were you trying to sneak in and..." "Weiss". I said to her while taking of my helmet and strapping it to my belt. "Can you get your head out the gutter and let me explain why I was outside your room?" I said holding my hand up, and she went silent. "Thank you. Now as to why I was outside your room is that I needed to know where things are. I mean Fred and I been gone from the academy right after class on personal business which we will show in due time". I said but Yang stepped in.

"Where is Fredric by the way?" She asked. "That I don't know the answer to unfortunately, I mean I dunno where he is, where he's been, or what he's doing or what he's up to. But the thing is he said it was important". I replied. "If he's like you then he's probably getting into troub-". "Weiss". I said in an uncaring tone. "Could you just fuck up for a minute?" I said pretty much saying 'I don't have time for your bullshit right now'. "HEY!" "Thank you". I said ignoring her. "As I was saying due to me knowing shit before it happens, and by that I mean Blake bolting out of the building when she and Weiss had an argument back in Vale in which I was grabbing some supplies when I overheard you two. Now I just need to find Blake and sort this mess out". I said truing to take my leave. However what Weiss said next shows how much I can take of her shit.

"If you find her we're turning her over to the police. She's a criminal, she deserves to locked-" I then grab her jacket and look her in the eye cutting off what she had to say. "Listen princess I'm only gonna say it once so listen well. Blake had her reasons and she wasn't as blind as the others were in the White Fang, she managed to escape something far worse than a simple constant bitching from a girl who gotten everything her whole life!" I yelled, but I kept going. "I get it, your family is so fucking dense it'd be on the periodic table, but at least you have a brain to change your view on Faunus!" I then shoved her onto her bed she looked at me with wide eyes. "Talk like that will get you a lot of enemies Weiss. A little tip, change it for the better, otherwise be prepared for the worst time of your life". I then started walking out of the room, Ruby then shot in. "Where are you going?" She asked. "I'm going to look for Blake". I said. I then stopped to say one last thing. "Come talk to me when your attitude has changed, I'll be doing what I always do". I said walking out putting my helmet on.

"Preparing for the apocalypse" I muttered before cloaking away.

The next day I was walking down the streets of Vale and had my scroll out and decided to give Fred a call.

"Fred, its Connor where the hell are you man? I left like 4 messages and you haven't responded to any of them. Look a certain Kunoichci had ran away from Beacon and I'm handling it now. However I need you back at the home, we need to do something about our shortage of people there. Look". I said shaking my head and pinching the bridge of my nose before finishing the message. "Wherever you and FS are, just call me to let me know where you are and what the hell you're doing I've had to get help from BT in order to find you. Just, call me ok? Ok bye". I said hanging up. "Jesus Christ". I muttered running my hand through my hair.

I thought came to me and figured that I'd have a contingency plan just in case. I called Frost and waited for the scroll answer. "Connor what can I help you with?" Jacob asked on the line. "Hey mate, listen I need a Widow with BT aboard near Vale tonight. Before you ask LT think of it as a contingency plan that I may or may not need to use, but it's best to have it just in case". I explained. "Alright I'll take your word for it my friend. I'll have everything set and BT will be there before you know it". "Glad to hear it Jacob I'll be in touch". I said as I cut the connection then making my way to the docks.

Night has passed and I was staking out the docks and waiting for Roman than d the Fang to show up, as well as Sun and Blake. I then looked on the rooftops and saw none other than the said Ninja of RWBY. I cloaked and made my way over all the while using my Phase shift to get over there when my cloak recharged. I then made it to the building that Blake was at and Phased back in right behind her. She turned around and saw me and jumped to her feet. "Easy Blake I'm here to help!" I said surrendering before she can draw her weapon.

"What are you doing here Connor?" She asked me. "I'm here to help". "I don't need help-" "Cut the bullshit Belladonna!" I said pointing fingers at her in which she was shocked at my sudden change of voice. "All you do is run and think you can take on the world by yourself, but NEWSFASH! This world will royally screw you over the chance it gets". I stated walking up to her. "You have friends for a reason! We're here to help anyone, including you. You're just so focused on the end goal you're not focused on what's in front of you". I said snapping my fingers in her face. She then looked down in what appears to be shame knowing that I was right. I sigh before resting a hand on her shoulder. "Blake, I get that you don't trust me and I know what happened between you and Weiss. But you need to make amends with her, she'll be willing to listen to what you have to say. And if she doesn't I'll make her listen". She then looks me in the eye.

"Why help a criminal like me?" She asked me. "Last time I checked you were a former criminal, going on Huntress". I smiled, in which she smiled lightly as well. I pulled her in for a hug and she didn't resist but hugged back. "I've always got your back Blake. Will you let me help you?" I asked her genuinely. She took a deep breathe before letting it out and looking me in the eye once more before nodding.

It was getting even later and we've been staking out the docks for the past 2 hours now and nothing has happened so far. "Hey Blake, whose this?" I turn around to see none other than the great stowaway himself Sun Wukong. "I'm a friend of Blake from Beacon. I'm Connor". I introduced. "Sun, Sun Wukong. I just met her for a short time and-" "I already know the details. Blake informed me". I said summing everything up.

I then noticed that Sun had a handful of apples in his hands and offered one to Blake. "Stole you some food". He offered. "Do you always break the law without a second thought?" Blake Said with a brow raised. "Hey weren't you in a cult or something?" Sun shot back getting a glare from Blake and myself. "Dick move bro". I deadpanned. "Ok too soon". He said looking away. A second later a Bullhead then flew right over us and started offloading White Fang Grunts. I zoomed in with my visor and started scanning down below. I then got a transmission from BT. "Pilot, I am on board a Widow and ready to assist if necessary". "Good to know, I'm at the docks right now and…hold on. I then tuned my helmets audio and started listening.

"Alright we have the area clear. Bring em in!" I heard Roman say when he was visible to all of us. I then heard one of the warehouse doors open and heard loud clunking noises. Blake was about to jump down but I stopped her. "Wait a second Blake something isn't right, and I agree the Fang would never work for that gay looking Criminal down there". I said as Sun got a good laugh out of it. "But I think this is far more dangerous than we thought". I finished and got another message from BT. "Pilot, scans reveal a hostile Titan in your AO. Possibility of it being Richter are high".

Oh no. Richter's in Vale!? This is bad news, very, very bad news! I need to get Sun and Blake out of here!

But Blake being Blake rushed down there and left me and Sun on the roof. "Damnit Blake!" I cursed. I then got Sun's attention. "Sun I need you to get her out of there, something big is down there and I'm the only one that can beat it. No matter what happens get her out of there!" I said with seriousness. He nodded and rushed after Blake. "BT, I'll need you down here what's your ETA?" "ETA 2 minutes".

I then cut the link and rushed after the two Faunus who were already in a fight with Roman and the Fang. I then used my grapple hook and did the Curb Check execution on one of them, then tossed the Grunt's gun at another's face and did the Late Hit on him. Another tried shooting me but I Phase Shifted in the nick of time and appeared behind him and performed the Knee Plus execution on him. Then the sound of metallic footsteps stopped the fight all together and then Richter came into view with his TONE Titan and it was a menacing thing to see.

"You children should learn to stay out of our way". Richter said as he stood on the edge of the Titan's cockpit and turned his eyes towards me. "You". He sneered. I opened my visor and he saw it wasn't Jack, the one he was expecting. "A child? Heh, war is not a game you runt, take my advice, run while you can and I might consider sparing your friends. But get in my way and you won't see the light of day". He warned me before speaking what seemed Biracial.

Yea I checked on the Wiki to see what it was.

"Oh yea? Well consider my warning to you Richter. Leave and never come back otherwise you're gonna have to deal with me". I said jerking my thumb to myself which made him laugh. "Don't make me laugh, you?" He said and with dramatic timing. The Widow carrying BT flew over and dropped my Titan behind me. "I wasn't kidding". I said with seriousness. I then turned to the two Faunus. "Get out of here. I got this". They didn't argue and Sun dragged Blake away for me to face Richter. "Let's do it buddy". I said to BT over my shoulder. "Copy that Pilot". He then grabbed me by the waist and placed me in his cockpit. "Pilot mode Engaged".

[Now Playing-Time to Brawl-TEAMHEADKICK]

"Care to have a real fight? Let's see what you got up close and personal!" Richter Said as he sat back down in the Cockpit of his Titan and it closed completely, then it brought out its 40mm at the same time as we brought out our X0-16. We then dashed for the nearest cover to avoid the first shot from the tracker cannon. "Let us Begin!" I heard the Merc as it continued firing in order to pin us down. "Pilot you heart rate has accelerated more than normal". "I'm fine BT". I replied. "Remember this is not a battle against Grimm, but your first Titan one on one battle. You're not alone, as I am right here with you". He assured. "Thanks BT". I said calming down a bit. "Ok, let's see how good Richter really is". I said aloud as we cocked the Chaingun and raised the Vortex Shield while firing the huge rifle and advancing on Richter's position which forced him to walk backwards while taking a few hits to his shields.

We followed up with firing 6 rockets from the Acolyte pods, but were blocked by the Richter's particle wall. We didn't stop our assault though with half a clip left in the mag we got close and kicked Richter making him stumble, spun around and fired the Chaingun and the Acolyte pods at the same time while kneeling which took out a chunk of Richter's shields. However he recovered quickly and threw a punch and knocked us back a few feet skidding. Richter fired at us and got hit twice knocking our shields down to 56%. We released an electrical Smoke Screen and managed to get rid of the target locks that were on us and got to cover.

"You're not as inexperienced as I thought you were. I'm almost impressed. However you're merely a child with a new toy". Richter said over the Com channel. "However you fighting is pointless and will only bring suffering"

"Hey!"

We looked at the source of the noise and saw…Ruby.

"Oh no". I said to myself. "Starting with her". "Leave the people out of this Richter! They have nothing to do with this!" I called to him. "It was their fault they got involved in our business and will pay the price!" He retorted. "BT please tell me that the RONIN loadout is ready". I said to him. 'If there's one thing a TONE class titan is inefficient at, it's Close Quarters'. I mentally stated. "Affirmative Pilot, RONIN Loadout is online". I then switched out the X0-16 for the close range Leadwall shotgun as it came into my vision. "Sword Core ready". What timing. I then turned Richter took aim at Ruby and shot the building below her and was sent back. "YOU BASTARD!" I roared as activated the core ability. "Sword Core Activated". The Dash meters were now glowing yellow on the HUD and the RONIN Broadsword came into view as it was now crackling with electricity. When Richter turn to us it was too late, he was struck with several blows from our sword and had trouble keeping up with our melee attacks. He dashed out of the way but was hit with an Amplified Arc wave curtesy of the Sword core. Richter then played his Ace and let loose his Salvo Core, but we ran towards it and Phase Dashed right past it and got one good strike just before the Sword core ran out. "Sword Core offline". But I wasn't done we fired all 4 shots from the Leadwall adding salt into the wound and stowed it away for a punch. We grabbed him and tossed his Titan into a Shipping crate, we walked up to him but fired several rockets at us and sent us back into a warehouse wall.

"Warning hull has taken excessive damage. Hull integrity at 78%". Just hang in there BT. We looked up and saw Richter getting up and…Stowing his 40mm? "We will finish this at a later date. Farewell, Pilot". He said Running off. "I'll be seeing you again after what you did to Ruby Richter. I swear. I will". I said to myself.

[End Track]

"Pilot, I recommend not pursuing Richter. He is long gone, and my motor functions have just finished rebooting. I recommend leaving this area before local authorities arrive". BT Suggested. I sighed before responding. "Alright, get out of here BT I'll take care of this, get back to the carrier and get yourself repaired". I said as we lodged ourselves out of the wall and I disembarked BT and looked at him. "See ya soon buddy". I said as the Widow came into view. "You too Pilot". He replied as the Widow he boarded flew off before the police arrived on scene.

When the Police were spread out around the docks I stood in the shadows and found that Weiss and Blake had made up and everyone was where they should be in the cannon. I then made myself known and everyone saw me. "Hey guys". I said. Blake then stood forward and hugged me catching me off guard. "Blake?" "Thank you. For being there for me". She said to me. I smiled and hugged her back, we then let go and turned my attention to Ruby. "You ok Ruby? That looked like it hurt". I asked the little red.

"I've had worse, I think. But who was that?" she asked me and everyone had the same face she had. I sighed and nodded before responding. "He's not someone you wanna face. Even I had trouble fighting him on a level playing field. And it's come to my attention that. Keeping information like this isn't healthy". I stated. Weiss then spoke up and expected to hear her attitude. "Connor. I just want to apologise for…everything. For not taking your word and…" "Weiss". She then looked at me. "You got nothing to be sorry for none of you do. Fred and I are the ones who are in the wrong, where ever the fuck he is!" I called out to no one in particular. "So starting tomorrow, I'll tell you everything that I have been doing and why I'm doing it. No more secrets". I said as they all gave me a light smile in return. "We should head back to Beacon, It's already late". I said as everyone agreed.

I had gotten out of the shower and dressed myself in my sleepwear and was ready to hit the hay. But I then saw my scroll ringing, I then got my scroll and decided to see who it was. "Hello?" "Connor, good to hear from you, it's been a while". "Advocate that it has. What's the reason behind the call?" I asked him as I laid down on my bed. "Well remember that little discussion a month back? About Summer Rose?" "Yea?" "You're still going to tell them?" "Ruby, Yang, Qrow and Tai think that Summer is dead, but in reality she's just been in regeneration all this time. Of course I'm going to tell them, I just need to figure out how to do so". I explained to the Advocate. "Very well. I wish I can see her again. 'And before you ask why don't you?' It's not that simple. Just…just make sure she's safe. Ok?" The Advocate said with a little worry in their voice. Is, is the Advocate actually showing emption like this? "You have my word Advocate". I assured. "Thank you my friend". And after that the line went dead.

But this got me thinking. Summer and the Advocate was a close friend of Ruby's Mum, and the Advocate must've met her in person in order to save her life and get her to a Regeneration Pod. But I could be wrong here, right now. I need rest, knowing that I have the rest of the school year and the school break to get the Militia built and up to fighting strength, I still got plenty of time but time is very much against us. And we don't go down without a fight.

I then pull the covers over me and look at Fred's bed, empty. 'Where the hell are ya man?' I thought to myself before drifting off to sleep.

There we have it Pilots, Volume 1 has come to a close. Now next time we're getting into the building of the Militia. Now the vote for Jacob Frost's Pilot Loadout have gotten quiet. So I've decided to let it be put it rest and have the results int he next chapter when I get back to this. I will be looking back ont he suggestions and I'll think of something.

So I hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter, do be a lad and head over to my partner's profile and show him some love and support like you showed me. A little feedback can go a long way. So until then, I'll see ya next time!

Cronus Prime Out!