Greetings everyone,

Welcome back to the eleventh chapter of everyone's favorite thief "The Arcful Dodger".

Now, to those of you that haven't already been notified from my other stories and their recently released chapters many thing have happened. I've gotten a new job, one that I am still trying to get used to, and as such it's thrown my whole upload schedule out of wack. As such I had decided that in order to continue working and writing stories that I would instead upload a single chapter for a selected story when I have the time to work on them.

I've also decided to end one of my stories, "Don't Mess With An Arc", because I made the mistake of trying to focus on an OP Jaune instead of one with actual story progression. It's sad to see it go but honestly I just couldn't figure out where I wanted such a story to go. As such this is the current list of stories that I will be working on until the foreseeable future as well as an additional story that I plan to release later on into the year.

1. The Knight The Wizard

2. Operation: Jaune's Dastardly Revenge

3. The Master Huntsman

4. The Arcful Dodger

5. A Bright Future (Set to release later on into the year).

Make sure to Favorite, Follow, and leave a Review.

Till next time

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Chapter Eleven

If there was one thing that Dodger always found enjoyable about the lifestyle of the rich and the famous it was their desire for everything they owned to be more extravagant than anything else in this world. Crystal glasses topped with prime wine that accentuated some of the best beef and pork known throughout Remnant. And, of course, one could barely take two steps without nearly bumping into a prize piece of artwork.

Why, the sheer decor of Perry Winkle's mansion was quite the sight to behold and the numerous wealthy party-goers nearly had his hand reaching for every piece of jewelry in the gala. But for now, Dodger had a plan to accomplish and that required mingling among the purebreds and blue-bloods of the party. The plan was kept simplified for the those torturous Ox Brothers and their crew of White Fang grunts. He, while attending the party under the guise of an attendee, would cause a distraction worthy enough to call upon the security force while they would enter the holding area where they kept the enslaved Faunus and escort them out of the facility. All he had to do was find the right opportunity to make a scene as the illustrious Arcful Dodger. But until such a man could make his debut and turn this boring gala into a night no one would ever forget then it was up to Jon Quill to make it so.

And so Jon went about the crowded ball room dressed in a top of the line designer tuxedo and black mask to boot. Though the suit itself was nothing to scoff at as it did hold some added tricks in it's repertoire for if Jon needed some "assistance" in causing a scene. But, at least for now, Jon was content to just enjoy what little time he had to experience life as an aristocrat. Though, if he had to be honest with himself, he always did hate this pompous lifestyle. All the lies spoken through teeth of painted gold. All the disguises everyone wore to hide their true greedy nature. It both impressed him and sickened him to the core. But it wasn't like he, himself, was completely without fault. After all, there was a reason why the Arcful Dodger was well known for his gentlemanly attitude and aristocratic tendencies.

As Jon waved his way through the crowded ball room, moving through the tiniest gaps of attendees and servers with expert skill, all the while keeping the drink concoction in his hand as still as it could be. And truth be told it was quite the sight to behold if one was a bystander watching his movements from afar. He moved through the crowd like a gentle breeze. None knew of his presence as he moved past them, fighting off his instinctual desire to pluck their desirables from their person with none of them any the wiser. After all, he wanted to cause a scene as the Arcful Dodger, not as Jon Quill.

Though to many it would appear that he was wandering aimlessly through the crowded ball room the fact of the matter was that he was watching the many hidden camera littered throughout the ball room and dining area. Not to mention the fact that many of the servers and cooks had hidden weaponry. That meant that the security force was hiding away in plain sight just in case any guest got too rowdy for their own good. It also meant that Perry Winkle was really going all out for this night and the event beneath the party.

Still, what a party it was. Cuisine crafted by the finest chefs known throughout Remnant. Music composed by the leading minds of classical music that ever graced humanity's ears. And, of course, who could possibly deny the sheer beauty that Mr. Winkle's gala presented them? The artistry was more marvelous than some of the greatest works ever known and here they all were. All neatly packaged in the same place where he, a master thief under the guise of an attendee, was plotting his latest heist and subsequent rescue mission.

Talk about coincidences, huh?

Either way, he had a scene to make and some security to distract. But first things first, he needed to find an unlikely participant.

And just as he made to turn back into the crowded ball room was when he spotted...her. The dress she wore practically screamed "novice" as she attempted to steady herself on the heels she was wearing. Though judging by her fruitless attempts to stay upright it was quite obvious that her efforts were little more than desperation. The mask she was wearing was as red as blood with black curved markings with little points, giving the girl a strange rose-like aura.

It was obvious that, whoever this girl was, she clearly did not belong in this sort of environment. Then again was he really one to talk? After all, unlike the stumbling mess of adorable awkwardness before him, he had literally years of practice in this sort of environment even if he had been forced into it in the beginning. Even so, even he had to admit that girl who was currently falling towards him in slow motion with an expression that practically shouted "Watch out!" was cute in a little sister sort of way.

Wait...

But unfortunately not even he, a man who had escaped from police clutches in a locked armored vehicle surrounded by an entourage of squad cars, was no match for the stumbling mess of adorableness that was this girl as she stumbled directly into his chest, knocking the drink in his hand onto his chest causing the liquid that was once in his cup to splash against his tuxedo, staining it with it's contents.

The girl who had stumbled into him thereby directly causing the mess that was his tuxedo immediately went wide eyed at the sight of large red stain on his suit. "Oh no! I'm so sorry! It's just that my friend's friend invited us here to her party and I didn't have anything to wear cause I've never been to a party before! Okay, I have been a party before but never anything like this. So my friend took me out to get some clothes for tonight but when I told her I didn't want to wear these stupid lady stilts she got all uppity about it. I didn't even want to wear them to begin with. I mean seriously, who in their right minds would wear something so uncomfortable? Anyway, I'm so sorry about messing up your clothes so please don't us out!" she shouted in an accelerated manner that left even he dumbfounded as he tried to piece her jumbled words together.

But even with all of his training of remaining calm even under heavy fire not even the great Arcful Dodger had enough willpower to stop himself from laughing at the stuttering adorable girl standing before him. But as his laughter began to die down was when he noticed that the girl standing before him no longer held an expression of worry but one of sadness at being laughed at. It pained his heart to see such an adorable girl with a frown on her face.

"Please, do no fret m'lady." he said with a gentle smile on his face. "Tis' only a stain that with time and a little detergent will be vanished without much cause for alarm. I do apologize for the sudden bout of laughter. It's just I do not see many people with the same Aura as your own."

"My Aura?" she asked in slight confusion. "Wait, does that mean you can see people's Auras? Oh, that would be so cool! What does mine look like? Is it red? Please tell me it's red!"

And once again he was caught off guard by the girl's excitable nature as he covered his mouth to stifle his laughter, lest he grab some unwanted attention.

"No, sadly I cannot see one's Aura. Although I will admit that such an ability would prove to be a very valuable asset, don't you agree?" he asked with a smile.

"Totally." she responded with a smile of her own before she suddenly became quieter than a church mouse. "I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose."

"Jon Quill." he said as the two of them extended their hands towards one another for a friendly greeting. "It's been very interesting speaking to you, Ms. Rose, but I'm afraid that I should retreat for the evening lest I end up needing to throw this ensemble away."

"It was nice meeting you too, Jon." she sad happily before eyeing the stain on his tuxedo. "Again, I'm really sorry about your drink. If there's any way I can make it up to you just... well, you know."

"Calm yourself, Ms. Rose." he responded as he slowly began walking towards the crowd. "Believe me, it's take more than a stain to keep me down."

And much in the same way he arrived so too did he vanish back into the crowd, leaving the only real rose left alone among a sea of a fakes. And though part of him desired to warn her of what was happening he knew that his words would only cause himself more trouble. It was best left alone but perhaps they would meet again someday on better terms. He'd just have to make sure Neo wasn't around when he did. She always was the jealous type and the last thing he needed was for a little rose to be plucked from it's stem.

And so, he retreated deeper into the crowd, taking extra care not to touch a single person as he lifted their valuables from their person. It was time to start a scene but before he could make his debut he needed to cause some panic first. And nothing caused more panic than the sudden realization that your precious jewelry was taken from you without your knowledge. Eventually, he made it through the crowded ballroom and into a nearby restroom where a servant with several green scales littered across their body was holding a briefcase in their right hand.

Without so much as another word, the servant quickly passed the briefcase to Jon with a stone-faced expression before he slowly make his way towards the exit. "You better not fail us, human." said the Faunus servant with a distasteful tone of voice at the word "human".

It was clear that Dodger's alliance with the White Fang would be short lived. But unfortunately he didn't have the luxury to think too hard on just how it was the group would betray him And it was obvious that the Ox Brothers had no qualms with betraying what they considered to be a filthy human. This feeling also added to the fact that he knew that those brothers still had a deep seeded grudge against himself and their former employer. If only they truly knew who it was they were allied with.

But he'd have to make due with what he had, at least for now. Because right now he didn't have the time to worry about the White Fang or their agenda. Right now was the moment a certain unexpected guest made his presence known. And what better way to do that than with a literal bang!

With expert precision the attendee known as Jon Quill donned his criminal mask and top hat, hooked his Dust-tipped cane beneath his left arm, and exploded out the door, creating a dust cloud of dust and debris that spilled out into the ball room. The other party attendants were rightly spooked by the sudden explosion only for their confusion to give way to excitable shock and awe at the sight of the Arcful Dodger flying above them as he then landed upon the hanging glass chandelier with elegance and grace. He tipped his hat with a charming smile before tapping his right heel with the bottom of his cane.

"Greetings ladies and gentlemen!" He greeted with a booming voice, cause most of the room to silence their tongues as they all watched him with mixed expression. "I do hope you're all enjoying the festivities this evening because I believe it's time we turned it up a notch." said Dodger as he pulled a brown satchel filled with all of the stolen goods from the many unknowing participants.

One woman among the crowd of confused attendants raised her right arm in alarm before pointing her index finger directly at Dodger, who smiled despite the heated glare he was receiving.

"You stole my bracelet! You... You crook!" She shouted in righteous fury as several others noticed their own valuables were no longer with them.

Soon enough the entire room erupted in a sea of vicious threats and tearful woes as they all shouted at the one who stole from them. But to a man such as the Arcful Dodger to hear the screams of those that stole from the poor to satiate their own gluttonous appetite for greed was music to his ears.

That is until he heared the crack of a gunshot echo throughout the ball room before a bullet passed by his unprotected cheek. The ball room silenced as they all turned their attention onto a certain girl dressed in red and weilding a large weapon in her hands. Dodger's eyes widened at the sight of the very same girl who just minutes prior was nothing but a stumbling mess was instead poised and ready to fight with the massive weapon in her grip.

This girl was a huntress? How was the possible? Did they give licenses to just anyone these days now?

Noticing that he was still left shocked at the sudden attack on his life, Dodger quickly calmed his nerves as he once again channeled his criminal persona. He needed to remain calm and collected lest Ms. Rose's next bullet be the one that finishes him off for good.

"Well, well, it seems we have a hero in our midsts! And might I say quite an unlikely one at that." He said with a fake cheerful tone as his mind raced with contingency plans. He knew that the security force had some former Huntsmen on their payroll but he never expected they'd come in the form of a little girl.

Suddenly, another sight caught Dodger's attention as he caught sight of a snow-haired girl dressed in elegant blue dress that sparkles beneath the glimmering light. His heart stopped for a full minute at the sight of her as his adrenaline pumped through his veins at record speed. His palms began to sweat uncontrollably as she turned her icy-cold glare into him. The scar over her eye only adding to the intensity in her stare as she glared at him. Even her voice made the hair on the back of his exposed neck stand on edge as she turned towards Ms. Rose.

"You dolt! I thought I told to leave your weapon back at Beacon! This was supposed to be a peaceful event not a bar brawl!" she shouted at Ms. Rose, who at least the decency to redden from embarrassment over being called out on.

"Well, Weiss, it's a good thing I did bring it otherwise we wouldn't be able to deal with this jerk." responded Ruby as she torn the mask from her face, revealing two orbs of silver pools that were now glaring into his soul.

"Hmph, you must be that petty thief that's been wreaking havoc on innocent people lately." said Weiss as she pulled her scroll out of the purse that hung from her side.

A petty thief? Innocent people? Did she seriously have the gall to call him a petty thief and that the heartless individuals that he stole from were at all innocent? But honestly what did he expect from someone like her?

"A petty thief? Do you really think I want to hear those words coming from the mouth of a filthy Schnee!" He shouted as the anger the boiled within him finally came through, shocking not only himself but the others as well. Immediately he stilled his tongue as he tried to calm himself of his rising anger but sadly it seemed as though his rage was becoming too much for even himself to handle.

Suddenly, the roof above him exploded with dust and debris as a metal locker fell through the roof, crashing into the glass chandelier that he'd been standing on. Thankfully, he was prepared as he fired his cane's ball-tipped handle at a nearby balcony that then retracted, allowing him to grapple his way onto the balcony while the metal locker landed with a loud crash next to Weiss. Without another word, she opened the locker, revealing a silver steel rapier with a multi-colored revolving chamber connected to its hilt.

Dodger's eyes narrowed at the sight of the weapon as he gripped his own tightly, his knuckles whitening because of it.

"Hmm, I see." he said softly as he activated the dust in his cane's handle, causing the ball to glow blue as sparks of electricity sparked off of it. "Then allow me to show you just what it is this "petty thief" is capable of."

Suddenly, Dodger leaped off of the balcony, hitting a switch on his cane that then activated the firing mechanism in his cane. The Dust ball shot out of his cane's handle on a glowing blue wire at the two girls, who promptly dodged the attack, allowing Dodger to roll onto the ballroom floor before bringing up his cane to block a counterattack made by Weiss.

Their weapons clashed against one another as he reeled in his dust ball before slingshoting it back at Ruby, who was trying to take potshots at him.

After dodging another potshot made by Ruby, Dodger then used his electrified wire to grasp onto a nearby column before retracting the wire thereby pulling himself away from the fight as he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out three blades dust cards each with a different colored symbol; a red heart, a blue diamond, and a green spade.

Connecting with the column, Dodger then kicked himself off of it into a mid-air backflip before throwing the blades Dust cards at both Ruby and Weiss.

But Weiss was prepared for such a sneaky attack as her rapier suddenly began to glow blue before she stabbed her blade into the ground erecting a massive wall of ice that protected both herself and Ruby from Dodger's attack. The cards exploded into a tornado of ice and fire that clashed against Weiss's ice wall, allowing Dodger enough time to grapple his way around the wall.

Unfortunately, he wasn't ready for a swinging blade of iron death to come his way. But luckily he was somehow able to dodge Ruby's surprise attack midair before his body began to fall back towards the ground. He then managed to safely roll back onto his feet after he fell to the ground but once again he soon found himself on the defensive as Ruby magically appeared in a gust of rose petals with a massive scythe in her hands.

The massive blade swung down upon him only to clash against his cane's shaft as he brung it up to defend himself. He then noticed Weiss speeding towards him as a black glyph appeared beneath his feet, keeping him in place and unable to defend himself from Weiss's attack.

But then the ground beneath the three of them exploded into a cloud of dust and debris, releasing a shockwave that sent all three of them flying in different directions. The dust began to clear as several members of the White Fang crawled out of the hole armed to the teeth with weapons made by a certain someone. But it was only when the Ox Brothers, now armed with their own signature weapons, though clearly upgraded since the last time he saw them wielded, that Dodger's eyes narrowed at the sight of them.

It was then that Ox Ford, speaking through his digi-mask, raised his weapon into the air as his brother, Ox Blood, stood beside him.

"Kill all the humans! Show them the wrath of the Faunus!" shouted Ford as his fellow members cried out in agreement.

It was in that moment that Dodger glances at both Ruby and Weiss as a silent agreement passed between them. They may be enemies in every sense of the word but at least for now they could call one another allies as they members of the White Fang charged at the three of them with weapons at the ready.

Perhaps, it was time he showed these pathetic mongrels what happens when you try to backstab the Arcful Dodger!