Chapter 20: The Calm After the Storm
(Vale) (Highway) (A few days later) (Night)
A convoy of Altesian military prison trucks was making their way through the highways of Vale that night carrying the remnant of the White Fang terrorist group to a secure location. It was a boring night with little traffic to speak of and an atmosphere equally boring. At the front truck, two soldiers clad in battle armor let out a sigh as they listened to the holo-TV to pass the time.
"This is Lisa Lavender reporting to you from VNN Station. Over a week ago, the largest breach in recorded history since the Great War occurred in Vale Central City Plaza. The Pro-Faunus terrorist group known as the White Fang claimed responsibility of the attack led by the criminal Mastermind, Roman Torchwick. The breach occurred during after-work hours resulting in multiple casualties and would've caused significant damage were it not for the swift intervention of the Atlesian Military force and a handful of Hunters. This breach of security has people asking whether it is safe for the Vytal Festival to be held. General Ironwood had this to say…"
The screen quickly shifted to another scene with the said General standing at a podium addressing the people. "This attack was done by those who wish to cause great harm to the people of Vale. Undoubtedly the White Fang wish to send a clear message to the world, by attacking during a festival meant to celebrate peace and harmony between the four kingdoms. It is an act that can only be called genocide, a declaration of war. By attacking at this very moment, the White Fang has declared themselves not only and enemy to the people of Vale but an enemy of peace itself. Therefore it is with great responsibility that the Atlesian Army creates a joint effort with the Valesian Hunters in adding security for this year's Vytal Festival. Together we will bring down these terrorists and have them answer for the countless crimes they have committed."
A minor applause followed allowing James to continue. "I understand that the appearance of foreign soldiers in the capital can be a bit unsettling for many. It has not been long since the Great War that divided the Four Kingdoms, ended."
"General! Will this act further increase the distance between the humans and Faunus?"
"No… it will not." He answered professionally. "The attack the White Fang instigated used Grimms to weaken the city. Their once noble purpose of being the voice of their people has long been an excuse to hide their nature. They attack the people of Vale indiscriminately whether they were humans or Faunus."
"General Ironwood!" A reported raised his hand in question. "Will this attack affect the festival in anyway?"
"Will they likely cancel it?"
"The Vytal Festival will carry on as planned." The General answered them with a strict and determined face. "The Vytal Festival is a worldwide event meant to celebrate peace and unity. If we allow ourselves to withdraw this event, it would be like saying that we surrender both of those qualities to our enemies. We cannot show weakness in these dark times. This is exactly why, I will personally guarantee the safety of each and every citizen within the city of Vale within the next few months. Together, we will show the White Fang that it will take more than their acts of violence and aggression to scare us."
"Dude, turn that off." The soldier on the driver seat stated.
"What's the matter? It's the General's speaking."
"I hear his yapping ever since I enlisted in this joint. I don't need his face hogging on my screen."
"Come on. Where's your sense of patriotism?"
"I left it at home. Can you at least tune in to something less gloomy? You know? Music or… huh?" He paused midsentence when he noted a lone figure up on the highway blocking his road. Unconsciously he gently hit the breaks, coming to a complete stop. "Who the heck is that?"
There, standing in the middle of the highway, was a Faunus clad in black and flaming red vinyl decorating his coat and dark red hair that matches his horns and the Grimm mask he wore.
"A White Fang!" The passenger announced recalling the mask the terrorists wore. Quickly he exited the truck, drawing his sidearm and stun blade out in reflex. "This is car number 1. I'm engaging a White Fang member. Send backup."
"Roger that. Suppression Team is on its way." And like a true military force, the reinforcement on one of the trucks deployed instantly, spawning nearly two dozen Atlesian-Knights on the ground.
"This is the Atlesian military force!" The soldier announced to the interloper. "We have you surrounded. Place your weapon on the ground and put your hands above your head!"
…
…
…
A lap of silence echoed from the assailant causing the soldiers to turn on one another questioningly. "I say again! Place your weapon on the ground and put— goh!" That was as far as he got when the sword in the man's scabbard fired off instantly, smacking him right on the helmet. "What the…?"
"Heh…" A chuckle escaped the attacker's lips as he placed his sword back in his scabbard.
"Get him!" Two white knights sprung to attack drawing their weapons firing a volley only to have their bullets deflected in a blink of an eye. "No way…"
"Heh… my turn." With a mischievous grin, the Faunus Swordsman leaped in cutting a suave through the formation of robots as they came at him in droves. The attacker hardly put any effort in his strikes as he found the tin soldiers easily torn with only a few hits from the hilt of his blade. Another three knights attacked with their hidden blades drawn on to be chopped into pieces. "What a joke. And here I thought I was actually going to break a sweat."
"Th… this is car 1! Attacker is stronger than expected! Deploy the Paladins!"
"Roger that! Deploying Paladins." Following the destruction of the two dozen knights, three large hulking robotic weapons appeared from the rear, one holding two laser cannons, another holding rocket launchers and the third carrying a giant hammer. It seemed like overkill for just one person.
The Faunus swordsman gently raised a brow under his mask, slightly humored to the sight of such powerful weapons. "Ok… this might actually prove a challenge." He quickly leaped back dodging the giant hammer as it swung down at him, catching his breath only to see lasers blasting at his directing. He dodged them again finally to be countered with long range missiles. "Heh… now this is more like it."
"Attention, White Fang scum!" The lead paladin announced. "You are outgunned! Surrender now and we'll consider sparing your life."
"Oh I don't think so…" With one swift motion, the swordsman readied himself in a stance as if he was charging something. Pulling out a small vial from his coat, he spread a small whisk of strange black particles in the air, quickly absorbing them to his blade. A sinister laugh followed from under his mask feeling a strange surge of power welling up inside of him.
"What the?"
"Waste that loser!" The lead paladin ordered the rocket carrying paladin which it quickly followed launching a volley of its explosive armaments at the sole Faunus. The impact created large puff of smoke indicating a direct hit. "Yes! Nice shot Jones!"
"Thank you sir. But it's actually pronounced Jo-en-es, sir."
A smoky crater could be seen in the distance giving the trio pilots a sense of victory. But that feeling ended quickly when a gush of wind cleared the scene. And still standing there was the red haired swordsman, with the same mischievous grin up his face.
"No way…" The laser wielding paladin pilot barely finished his sentence when he found both of his robotic arms cut off in a blink of an eye. "What the!?" Followed by the legs and cockpit leaving the soldier trapped inside.
"Get him!" The hammer carrying paladin followed, swinging his weapon down in an arc hoping to splatter the Faunus to paste. However, his hopes were dashed in both fear and awe when he realized the swordsman was holding against his weapon with just his scabbard.
"Looks like your new toys… aren't as powerful as you think." The Faunus finished by stabbing the next paladin in the core, killing the circuitries in an instant. "Now then… I guess it's only you and me."
The rocket wielding paladin pilot quickly, out of fear, fired everything in his arsenal all the while crying out for dear life. But it was a futile effort as his opponent seemed to deflect every rocket launched at him with his blade. He hardly looked like he put any effort in his attack before coming to a mere inch between him and the machine.
"Is that all?"
"Not yet!" The pilot opened his cockpit, pulling his sidearm as a last ditch defense, only to have it swat out of his hands like a child being taken its favorite toy. He chuckled fearfully. "Aheh… I… umm… I uh… I surrender? Gahh!" Just as the soldier raised his hand to declare his intention, the Faunus swordsman grabbed him by the neck dangling him dangerously close to the edge of the highway. "Ahh! Wait wait wait! Don't kill me! I'll tell you anything, just don't drop me!"
"Oh don't worry. I won't kill you." The swordsman said to him villainously. "You're only alive… to deliver a message."
The pilot raised a brow under his helmet wondering what he meant. "J… just a message?"
"It's either that, or the granite floor two hundred feet below you…"
He got the point. "Ok ok ok! I get it! The message!"
"Please tell the good General, that I'm here and I'm anxious about our next match. Oh… and don't mind me asking… but how's the arm?"
"The arm?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" The Faunus asked, tightening his grip around the pilot's neck.
"Tell the General you're here and ask about the arm! Got it!" He seemed to remember well enough.
"Good boy." With a satisfied smirk, the Faunus tossed the pilot aside. "Now get out of my sight before I change my mind." Not wanting to waste the chance, the pilot made a quick dash out of the area hoping to put as much distance as he good between him and the monster that destroyed his division.
Continuing where he left off, the swordsman made his way back to the convoy. He easily busts the lock of one of the trucks opening it to reveal a single Faunus warrior in heavy-duty chains on each of his limb. From the sheer size of his muscles, one could say that his chains weren't exaggerated.
"You…" The prisoner muttered, clearly weakened from his confinement. "What are you doing here?"
"Funny." Adam mocked before cutting those chains with a single gesture of his blade. "I could say the same for you."
"I thought you died." The large man cupped his wrists as he replied. "You never said a word since your last mission."
"I've been busy." Adam shot back gesturing to his new freedom fighter the exit. "I had to make new friends, just like you. But I'm back now… and I have a plan that will make this world ours. But I can't do it alone. I need your help… I need the White Fang."
A sly grin crept on the prisoner's face. With a hearty laugh, he stood back up, flexing his muscles. "The hero of our cause wants my help? What changed your mind?"
"More of a change of heart." Adam corrected shooting his prisoner a look. "So… are you with me?"
The large Faunus man paused, trying to figure out Adam's intentions. But sadly, the mask covered most of his face making it rather difficult to discern his expression. With a short sigh, he answered. "How can I help?"
Adam smiled under his mask. "Grab your chainsaw and free the others. We have work to do…"
A/N: Cue the opening music!
(Vale) (The next morning) (Commercial district)
Jaune was out for a walk in Vale. For once in his time here in the kingdom, he didn't have to worry about school, combat practice, homework or terrorist attacks of epic proportion. Finally, after weeks insufferable trouble with detention and essay writings, he can now sit back and relax and enjoy a beautiful day in Vale.
Taking a peaceful stroll here in Vale was a vacation the boy badly needed. After what he went through with the breach the other day and the detention he had to serve, piled up with the extra workload he had as a full-time employee of Beacon, he was glad that he finally had some time off for himself. He was grateful for it. The first mission they had wasn't exactly what they expected but god knows he needed it.
Nora and Ren were once again out collecting some ingredients for some experiment they needed back in their lab and Pyrrha seemed to have her schedule full for the upcoming qualification of the Vytal Festival Tournament. So it was natural to say that Jaune had the day all to himself. Without any obstacles in his path, he was free to finally continue his favorite series of…
Jaune Day!
That's right. All the snacks you can eat, all the comics you can read and all the movies you can watch and his time limit was 10 hours of pure bliss. It was a day that the boy dedicated to himself and for once, there wasn't a White Fang soldier out there to stop him. Remnant can be damned tomorrow for all he cared, he was going to celebrate this day himself whether it killed him…
…
…
Ok maybe not that last part but he was going to do it.
First stop… the movie house!
It was one of the smaller theaters here in Vale that has large seats and cup holders that can hold super-sized soda cups and perhaps one of the few places that actually give discount to students.
"Yes. Finally! At long last, this is finally happening!" Jaune motivated himself as the line on the ticket booth got shorter by the second. "After 4 delays and 6 reboots and 3 replaced directors, I'm actually going to watch it. The ultimate finale of X-Ray and Vav the movie!" The customer in front of the boy gave him a weird look. "Sorry. It's just that I'm really excited. This movie has been banned in like 2 regions now and I really want to get good seats while I can. Did you know that nearly 5 of the voice actresses actually fought with one another to actually voice Hilda? Man, that was epic. And the last two movies were dead cliffhangers. Finally, after today, I'll finally get too see what happens to Rusty after the twelfth dimension conspiracy and how they all defeat the Mad King!"
"Hey buddy. Are you gonna talk all day?"
Jaune noted his yabbering and quietly shut up his body still tingling with excitement. "Sorry. It's just that I've waited for so long. Finally, we'll a conclusion. After 2 prequels, 4 reboots and 3 alternate universe parodies, it will all come to a super finale! This is it! The moment I have been waiting since the day I first laid my eyes on those endless dimensional undergarments. A proper ending! And today I will at last witness the end of the series! The end of…"
"Sorry buddy. We're sold out for today."
Jaune's mind snapped to a stop. "What? But… I just got here."
"Tough luck kid. I just sold the last ticket to that guy. You'll have to come again tomorrow for a new screen time."
"B… but what about your next showing?"
"We're booked full." The ticket salesman answered gesturing to his computer. "We had hardcore fans booking online from morning to midnight. We practically sold more tickets in the web than in real life. You'll have to come by next time."
"But I… today was supposed to… my super finale ending!"
"Sorry kid. It's out of my hands." The salesman finished, closing the grate to his booth. "Come again tomorrow. Maybe your luck'll change."
"No no no no wait! There has to be one more ticket left! A late night show? A bonus showing? VIP premium seats?"
The clerk shook his head in reply.
Jaune crestfallen. This can't be happening on such a perfectly good day. He was prepared to enjoy this movie to the fullest, prepared to leave all the worldly troubles behind to enjoy 3 hours of blissful entertainment. But alas, it seems like the universe has it in for him. With a long sigh, the boy walked away from the ticket booth, kicking the dirt on the pavement below.
"Sounds like you're having a bad day." The boy's ears perked up. He recognized that accented voice anywhere. He turned and saw the same bunny friend smiling sweetly at him. Oddly enough, the girl had traded in her uniform for a surprisingly fashionable short black gown
"Oh… Velvet. Hi. I guess you didn't get a ticket too." Jaune greeted back shyly.
But the little rabbit shook her head in reply. "Not really. I'm not as big a fan with that show as you. I was just passing by when I saw you. From the looks of things I'm guessing you didn't a ticket."
"Yeah… they sold out. Talk about bad luck eh?" Jaune joked.
Velvet chuckled slightly back at him. "I would simply say bad-timing. But yeah… that is bad luck." She paused slightly before continuing. "I heard about your punishment. 48 hours of detention must've been pretty hard."
But the boy simply waved it off joining the girl for a quick stroll. "Meh. Don't mention it. Besides, I kinda like the peace and quiet. It seems like the only way to get me out of trouble is to keep me locked up somewhere secluded. And… it also got me to up to speed with all the reading I've missed out in history class. Professor Oobleck got me writing a 20 page essay on history. I'm still having trouble keeping up."
"Well, if you want… I might be able to give you a few pointers." Velvet offered giving the boy a hopeful look. "I happen to be quite an expert on history myself. Maybe some time… you and I could meet up in the library and look through some references."
"Heh… yeah… I might take you up on that offer." Jaune nodded back agreeing that having an expert look through his work might give him a better overall score in his essay. "So where are you off to in such a fancy dress? Meeting with someone special?" The boy gestured to the black gown she wore and the bushel of flowers she carried with her. "You going on a date?"
Again she laughed. "You could say that. I'm actually going to Tukson's funeral."
Oh…
Jaune's mouth curled shut when he realized his stupidity. "Right. That wasn't awkward at all. Nice going there… me." He gave a smack to himself trying to punish his jerkish side.
"Don't feel bad. This dress isn't exactly suited for saying goodbye either."
"Yeah… so uh… want me to join you?"
"No it's fine." She declined his offer gently. "It's just a gathering of close friends and family. Besides, I don't think they'd feel comfortable with a human attending."
"Sorry."
"Don't be." Velvet shook it off. "But I am a little disappointed you two never got to meet. I'm sure you two would've been great friends."
"Wish I could meet him alrady." The boy returned smiling. "So… what's gonna happen to his store? Is someone else going to run it?"
"I'm not sure." Velvet answered tugging slightly on the bushel of flowers she had on hand. "Gavin says he'll hold the place for a while until someone from the family takes it over. But… there are some complications."
"Anything I can help with?"
"No. It's nothing major… just… minor things."
"Velvet." Jaune opted. "You know I'm here if you need a helping hand."
The bunny gave a sigh. It seems like the boy just had a way with his common words that makes it sound so natural. With a tiresome gaze, she answered. "Tukson is suspected of being a White Fang. His family is having a hard time dealing with it. The local authorities have seized all of his assets making everything difficult to manage. They're holding his belongings, his bookstore and even his accounts under investigation. His family back in Vacuo needs the money so… everything just seems to be stuck here until the investigation is finished."
"Can't you ask them to release the stuff when they're finished?"
She shook her head in reply. "No. All lines of investigation with the White Fang are done through Professor Ozpin. He's the only one who has that authority and getting an appointment with him isn't exactly easy. He doesn't meet with just anybody."
Jaune pondered his thoughts for a moment before hinting an idea. "Well, maybe I should try it." Velvet shot a brow upward. "I could ask him to release Tukson's stuff if he's done with them."
"And how do you plan on doing that?"
He smirked. "I am a certified employee of the school. He might give me a chance or at least listen to what I have to say."
"But that's a big meeting Jaune. Professor Ozpin doesn't meet with just anybody because they want to. And even if you do meet with him, how can you convince him to release those assets?"
"I thought I'd try asking." Jaune waved it off. "Besides, the worst thing he can do is say no, right?"
Velvet opened her mouth to speak but found no words coming out of it. All she could do was look back, thankfully for the boy's support. "You'd do that… for me?"
"Meh, why not?" He countered smirking. "Like my dad always say… you should always help a lady in need."
"I'm starting to get the feeling your dad has a very one-track-sided mind."
"Tell me about it." The boy agreed. "But hey… you're helping me with my essay so… this will be my way of paying you back. Deal?"
She could only puff a laugh in response. "One of these days Jaune, you're going to make a girl somewhere really happy."
"Meh, I try."
(Beacon) (Team RWBY's room)
Yang was in her team's room that morning, her eyes gazed uncaringly at the wall as she lay on her bed. It has been a full week since the breach incident at the city's plaza and things were finally starting to calm down around here. Ever since that incident, Team RWBY seemed to be on the headlines of the school's gossip circle. From the cafeteria to the bathroom, they were the talk of the campus. Each of them became celebrities in their own right.
Weiss was quite pleased to be the center of attention once again as she rightly deserves. To receive all the glory and praise from her fellow students felt like an overdue requirement. People were practically throwing themselves at her.
Yang equally enjoyed the attention for a time but quickly found all the praise to be quite boring afterward. All those compliments were just going to her head and she preferred to punch things rather than listening to some goofball sings rhythm and rhymes at her.
Blake scoffed at the praise looking as uninterested as always. But Yang could tell that her partner enjoyed it quite a bit. She seemed more satisfied to have thwarted the White Fang's plot than the reward it came with. She was just glad that her people wouldn't be labeled as mass murderers at this point.
As for Ruby… well… she didn't all that happy about it. No doubt she enjoyed having people notice her and complimenting how she led her team against such a dangerous group but deep down it seems like she wished that it had a proper ending. Sure they caught Torchwick and saved the city from the monsters but there were still too many questions left unanswered and it doesn't seem like they'll be getting the answers any time soon.
But the fame wasn't what bothered Yang that morning. No. It was something else. Something that has been keeping her awake these last few nights, deep in thought, distracted from all her other work.
On the night of the breach, she had met someone. A person of unimaginable strength. Someone whose features resembled remarkably of her own…
(Flashback)
It was the night after the breach when she received that note. A note that ask her to meet with a 'friend' at the courtyard. Yang was never one to back from a meeting or afraid to meet a challenge head-on. So like any other girl with ego bigger than their forehead, she answered the call and found her benefactor at the center of the courtyard, eyes glowing red underneath that Grimm mask.
"Who are you?" Yang asked which the woman in red responded by removing her covers. And much to Yang's surprise, she found herself looking back at a freaky mirror that reflected her face in another color scheme.
A small smile curled on the lips of the stranger as she spoke. "Yang… we have a lot to talk about." The face caught the yellow bomber by surprise. It was like looking at the bottom of a pool only to find out that someone else was staring back at her. But she hid those feelings aside, retracting her gauntlets. The woman in red chuckled back at her reaction. "There's no need to be cautious. Trust me, if I wanted you dead… I wouldn't have interfered with that Pinky back in the train."
"So it was you." Yang remembered well how that fight turned out. She practically had a beat down of a lifetime handed to her by that midget. "You were the one who… saved me." She added the last part bitterly.
"Well I couldn't let you get killed on my watch." The woman in red chuckled. "What kind of a big sis would I be if I let my little sis get stabbed on her first mission?"
"Big sis?"
Her smile widened as if she was enjoying the yellow brawler's reactions. "But I have to admit… I didn't expect you to get yourself wasted by someone… shorter than you. It was almost embarrassing to watch."
"Enough!" Yang shouted cocking her gauntlets. "You said you wanted to talk… so talk. Who are you and what do you want with me?"
"Gruff, violent in nature and impatient." Her lookalike stated. "You really are Tai's daughter. Guess I owe Qrow 20 lien for that."
"Qrow?" Yang recognized the name. "You mean Uncle Qrow? How do you know him?"
"That's a story for another time." She answered cryptically. "But right now, let's get to business. To answer your first question, I guess you could say my name… is Raven."
"Raven?" The yellow bomber raised a brow in disbelief. "Really?"
"Yeah, I know. Talk about birds of a feather, am I right?" The woman now known as 'Raven' laughed slightly. "Now, I'm sure you have a lot of questions in your head right now but let me start first. I need you to stop delving into the White Fang."
"What? Why?"
"It's for your own protection." She explained. "I need you and Ruby to stop looking into the White Fang. They're not an organization to be taken lightly. They're merciless fanatics and will do anything to get what they want."
"Yeah, I think we kinda got that when they started shooting at us." Yang stuck her tongue out in response. "But in case you haven't noticed, we just stopped them from blowing up half the city sky-high. I think we can handle ourselves when it comes to the White Fang."
"You might've been able to stop their flunkies, but this organization has more experienced fighters than you'd think." Raven insisted. "Quit while you guys are ahead Yang. I'm not telling you twice."
But the yellow bomber didn't seem intimidated at all. In fact, she simply folded her arms smirking back at her. "Thanks for the warning, but last time I checked, I shouldn't take the words of a stranger to make my deals."
"Stranger?" Raven laughed. "Do I look a stranger to you? Come on Yang… you're a smart girl. Look at me. Even a girl like you should know we have more in common than you'd think."
Her words seemed to hit a nerve in Yang's subconscious making the girl's smirk turn to a full blown frown. As much as she wanted to ignore it, the resemblance was quite clear. Their hair, eyes and face… they all look similar. If they stood side by side, even Ruby could mistake them as twins. If this was the universe's way of a joke… then it certainly a cruel one.
"Just… who are you?"
The strange doppelganger in red gave a grin. "It should be plainly obvious… little sis. You and Ruby might've shared the same donor but you and I shared the same womb. The difference be that I… am a bit older than you."
"But who…" Yang's mouth opened but stopped halfway through.
"You want to know who my donor is, don't you?" She nailed it. "Now isn't that the million lien question? Unfortunately, you just wasted your turn. Besides, I don't think you'd have the mental capacity to find out."
"No, I just don't have the patience." The blonde boxer quickly followed throwing a shot from her gauntlet. But Raven simply dodged the shot, letting the round hit the lamppost behind her. "Now you're gonna give me a straight answer, or I'm beating it out of you."
"Resulting to violence on the get-go." Raven sighed looking down disappointingly. "You really are Taiyang's girl. That's another 50 lien I owe that dusty old Qrow. Summer will be laughing at me at this point."
"Mom?" Yang's ears shot up as Raven's hand reached for her own mouth feigning a hint of blunder. "What did you mean by that? Are you saying that… mom is alive? Answer me!"
"Sorry. Loose lips." She replied playfully earning another two shots from Yang's weapon which she again dodged. "Wow little sis… you really got a temper on you."
"Don't call me that!" Yang warned. "Now answer me. What do you know about Summer? Where is she? You got ten seconds or I swear, this next one an't going to miss."
"You really think you can hurt me with that?"
"Don't know if we don't try."
…
…
…
A pause came between them. Raven remained silent as if she was quietly counting the time in her head. Her stoic and smug attitude only seem to shorten the fuse in Yang's fist. With hardly a moment's pause the yellow bomber fired herself forward preparing to deliver the kisser of the lifetime.
"She's alive…"
…
Yang's fist was merely inches away from Raven's face when she muttered those words. All that fighting spirit she had earlier died out when she heard it repeated over and over like someone had chimed a peace bell in her head. All the steam and fire she bore against this pretender all seemed to fade… like a forest fire being doused by the midsummer rain.
It took a few short moments for Yang to realize that her whole body had paused on her words. Raven saw that bewildered and hopeful reaction that she had little fear tapping her gauntlets away with barely a nudge.
"Wha…?"
"She's alive Yang…" Raven repeated ensuring that her 'sis' didn't mistake her words. "Summer… is alive."
It was a difficult thing to believe. Yang can understand why she felt this way. Nearly half of her life was dedicated to finding her step-mother. All those years chasing down long-shot leads and dead-end trails dwindled much of her hope. She persevered through thick and thin, grasping at straws no matter how thin they were just to pick up something. Yang was used to failures. She had gotten used to long chase leading to roadblocks or cold trails. But still she went on. Because she needed the answers.
And finally… for the first time in god-knows how long… the first ray of hope came along.
"You finally calmed down…" Raven added grinning. "Maybe I should've opened with that from the start."
"Wh… how… when…" Yang was distraught. Her mind was working the words but she was too disoriented from the shock that they jumbled everywhere.
"Last I saw her was three weeks ago." Raven answered. "In Vale. Said she had business with that old Qrow."
"Uncle Qrow?" Yang muttered finally casting off her daze. "You mean he knows?"
"Why don't you ask him?" Raven asked in an almost challenging tone. "He is 'family' after all… isn't he? Though I doubt you'll be able to get more than two words out of that guy. He never does talk much." She looked down on Yang's face, gently turning it towards her in her hand. "Don't look so down, it'll ruin your complexion. Now we'd both better run along. Those explosive rounds must've already alerted someone around here. I'll see you around… little sis."
"Huh? Wh… wait!" Yang bolted from her daze only to find that same red portal being open in the distance. "Wait! Come back! I still have questions!"
Raven paused, slowly turning to meet her 'sister' with a gentle smile. "I'm sure you do." And with that last remark, the stranger in red disappeared along with her portal, leaving a very confused and hopeful Yang behind.
(Team RWBY's room)
And that was it. A warning and a farewell. Ever since that eventful day, Yang had silently been contemplating about her search for her step-mom. It was still a far-fetched possibility. After all, she can't take the words of a complete stranger for truth. But even so… why did she believe it? Was she so desperate for a clue that she would believe someone in just a hint of a word? Was she so tired of all the dead-ends and cold trails that she'd follow the first real lead in a heartbeat? It was something she pondered on.
But as her mind slowly raced through multiple scenarios, another thought came to her. All these years searching for Summer, she always submitted to the idea that she may have already passed on. Her body would be Grimm food by now and what's left of her carcass scattered across the wind. She always expected to find something that would finally put peace to her questions. But now… having a faint hope of her being alive changes all of that. If she continues this pursuit and if she does meet Summer eventually… what will she do?
Back then the answer would be obvious. She once thought that if she did see mother again, the first thing she'd do is give her a nice warm hug. But now… after years of silence, of cold motherless nights, all Yang could think of was putting a hot blow fist right up her face.
True it wasn't the daughter-kind of way of reunions… but it just felt so… appropriate.
"So what do you think Yang?" Weiss' voice broke through her train of thought as all eyes turned to the heiress who was gently petting Zwei on her lap.
"Huh? What? Ah… yeah…" She sputtered back. "Sorry… what were we talking about?"
"We wanted to know where you want to go." Ruby explained gesturing to her teammates. "Since we defeated Torchwick and the White Fang, I thought that maybe we should spend some time together this weekend. With the big tournament qualifications coming in a few weeks, I thought it was high time we all got a little get-together. Just us girls in the big city and not a thing to stop us."
"They're revealing the newest fashion front centerpiece from Mistral!" Weiss added with an ecstatic tone. "All the latest bags and clothes will be on sale but thanks to my connections, I will be getting the whole set in one get-go."
"The mall also has a variety of bookstores I haven't seen yet." Blake followed up pointing her reason for the trip. "It'll be fun to hang out after all the mess we went through these last few days."
"Tell me about it." Weiss agreed, arms folded. "All the questions and allegations. You'd think people would be more appreciative for us saving the city."
"They're just tying loose ends." The kitty cat replied. "Besides, we did do a lot of damage ourselves."
"That was mostly Yang's fault."
"Hey!" Yang feigns anger only to come up short. "Ah who am I kidding? I tossed cars like bowling balls."
"And that's why we're going on this trip!" Ruby finished leaping from her bed. "And once we've done all of our chores we can finish it off by watching the final movie of… X-Ray and Vav!"
The heiress groaned back at her. "For the last time Ruby. We're not watching that childish movie of yours."
"It's not childish!" Ruby defended, puffing her flat chest with pride. "It's the long awaited ending of the series that has won the hearts and mind of people both far and wide. The finale that has taken 6 years to accumulate and I will not be denied!"
Weiss grunted back trying to find solace in her companions. "How is it that a show about two dorky heroes with bottomless underpants can garner so much attention? It's absolutely ridiculous."
"If by 'ridiculous' you mean ridiculously awesome! Then yeah!" The red riding hood cheered. "The movie house there also has a minor and student discount and seeing as how I'm both a minor and a student, I get to double that."
"I don't think that's how that works." Blake pointed out but Ruby chose to ignore it.
"So who here wants to go and watch the totally awesome, once in a life time show with me?"
"I'm out."
"No thanks."
Weiss and Blake simultaneously declined almost like a pair in synch. Ruby's puffy chest deflated in an instant. "Well… at least I still have you with me, right sis."
But Yang's fake laugh diminished her feelings. "Sorry Ruby but I have some things to take care of today. Maybe some other time."
"What!? Why not!? You used to love X-ray and Vav."
"Key phrase: 'Used to', little sis." Yang reasoned lifting herself from bed. "I mean… I still love those two goofy characters and that genius scientist and Rusty's one-liners, but that was back in the past. Right now I'm more into… mature stuff."
"Hey! X-ray and Vav is mature! Look here!" Ruby retorted quickly pulling a poster of the said movie. "They raised the age rate of the show from K to K+ meaning that it's way more mature than it used to be."
"True… but I kinda think I've outgrown that kind of cartoons." Yang added rubbing her sister's head in return. "If you feel bad, why don't you ask Nora or Jaune to watch with you? I'm sure you guys have similar interest."
"But I wanted it to be a girl's night out." Ruby gave an adorable puppy dog pout whom Zwei immediately mimicked.
It was that cute and adorable expression that no sister could possibly turn down. She portrayed a dog quite nicely who thought that it would be going out for a stroll but then whimpered back to its pen when it was told to stay.
Yang wanted to use this spare time to look over some leads she had with her mother. It was a rough job keeping it from the rest of her team but it was for their own good. After all, this was family business not theirs. But there was no resisting that look. There wasn't a soul cruel enough in that room to reject such an adorable face.
With a defeated sigh and a coy grin, Yang submitted. "Alright fine. But you're buying the popcorn."
Ruby's face beamed as she pulled her blonde sister in a tight embrace.
"Well whatever we're doing we should do it soon." Blake suggested pointing at the clock. "The next bullhead leaves in ten minutes. I don't want to wait another hour if we're going shopping." But just as the little kitty cat opened the door to hurry her friends, they were all equally surprised to find Sun on the other side with his hand raised in a knocking motion. "Sun?"
"Oh… hey girls." The blonde primate stated coolly winking at his friends. "Yang, Ruby, Blake… Ice Queen."
"Hey!"
"What do you want, Sun?" Blake asked curious of the boy's presence. "Don't exchange student have their own dorms? You're going to get yourself in trouble and I think Ms. Goodwitch has already reached her tolerance level for disobedient students."
"Pfft. Please. Like I'd ever let that stop me." He casually replied waving it off. "I thought you guys might be free today seeing as how you all came back from that awesome mission in the city last week. Totally awesome by the way. So… it's the weekends and… I just so happen to have two tickets to this concert this evening. I was wondering maybe… you and I could…"
A number of brows and grins were raised behind Blake as they instantly saw where this little gesture was going. A concert in the city and he just so 'happens' to come across two tickets to it. It was a classic if not subtle request for a date.
All eyes turned to Blake as her cheeks reddened at the offer. Everyone was expecting 'yes' but sadly her expression said otherwise.
"Thanks Sun but… we already have plans for the day." She turned him down gently but at the same time painfully. "Besides… I'm more of a quiet type. You're better off asking someone more your… flavor."
"Oh…" The boy's mood sunk. "Y… yeah. I guess you're right. I mean who would want to go to some lame concern I mean the Achieve-Men aren't all that great. Yeah…"
"Catch you later then." And just like that, the cat walked off with Weiss and Yang following in tow.
"Don't look so glum Sun." Ruby cheered patting the disheartened Faunus on the shoulder. "She'll come around."
Out of earshot, Yang turned to her partner, a solemn smile on her lip. "And to think I always thought Weiss to be the Ice Queen."
"Hey!"
"Why turn him down, Blake?" Yang inquired wondering why her kitty cat friend declined such a fine offer. It wasn't the finest way to ask a girl for a date but being in this town, a little romance could go a long way. "I thought it was a sweet deal. A nice time at the park, some music and a maybe you can squeeze a meal out of a deal."
"Because I'd be leading him on." The former White Fang saboteur answered back not stopping. "I'm really not in the mood for loud music and I don't think I have the time for a relationship… at least… not at the moment."
"Oh I get it." Yang returned a knowing wink making her partner raise a brow. "You already have someone else in mind, don't you?"
A blush formed around the cat's face. "I… don't know what you're talking about."
"You want someone to give that same lap pillow in the sunset, gently scratching your ear."
The images from the other day came back to Blake's mind. The day before the dance when she had that nice relaxing nap on a blonde knight's lap as he whispered those kind words into her dreams.
"Lap pillow?" Weiss questioned as Blake's fist missed her partner by a meter. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing!" Blake insisted. "Absolutely nothing!"
(Ozpin's Office)
The Headmaster of Beacon let out a sigh. He was doing that a lot lately and today has only made things worse. He was looking at the report from last night's attack. A convoy of prisoners bound for Vale's maximum security prison was ambushed in the middle of the highway. It was the fourth attack since the breach incident last week and one would think to beef up security with these incidents. It would not be an understatement to say that Ozpin wasn't a little worried as he noted that every surviving members of the guards seemed to say the same thing.
They were all stopped by a single man wearing a Grimm mask.
It was a cause for concern. There aren't a lot of warriors out there who can easily take down an entire platoon of Atlas's finest as well as large numbers of their heavy weaponries. Even the most skilled Huntsman would have difficulties taking on even one of the those Atlesian Paladins if they weren't too careful. But what bothered Ozpin was what all the survivors said.
'One man took them out…'
A bull Faunus wearing a very peculiar Grimm mask wielding a dark-red blade. The detailed description of the attacker alone was enough to cause concerns for Ozpin."
"Another prisoner convoy struck." Glynda stated looking at the same report on her scroll, standing next to her boss. "That's the fourth one already. The White Fang are really increasing their attacks since last week. No doubt they're trying to regain whatever momentum they lost. This is starting to get out of hand."
"I agree." The Headmaster nodded taking a sip from his usual mug. "They've lost much since the incident at Mountain Glenn and the numerous attacks launched by Ironwood has them rattled. I'm sure that these recent attacks on their operations have caused many of their members to discard their allegiance and their loyalists to go into hiding. But they are not the ones that concern me."
Ozpin followed, pressing a switch on his table revealing a giant holo-screen depicting the recent attack.
"What bothers me is the attacker."
"What about him?" Glynda asked curiously.
"When was the last time a single White Fang member was able to take down a whole unit of Atlas' finest?" The Headmaster challenged finding his partner pause in her words.
"You don't think…"
"The evidence points to him." Ozpin declared.
"But I thought he was killed."
The Headmaster shook his head in disagreement. As much as he wanted it to be true, he was certain that the culprit was the one they had in mind. The red and black coloring was enough to give it away and his method of operation seemed to be in favor of the White Fang. This whole mission stank of espionage and intrigue and it was a smell that Ozpin did not enjoy.
"He's back…" Ozpin mentioned a bit disheartened. "And it seems he has grown stronger than ever. I do not know how he acquired the power to destroy three armored robots but I'm sure it's not by the usual methods."
"We should tell James." Glynda quickly got to her scroll dialing a familiar number only to come up short when Ozpin stopped her.
"James will most likely know of his return by now. At the moment, I need you to prepare the students."
"What do you mean?" Ms. Goodwitch raised a brow curious to her Headmaster's words.
"With the fighting escalating quickly… I'm afraid our students may once more be called for battle… and with this White Fang being the center of attention, I fear that the strain on the relationship between humans and Faunus will be even greater than before."
(Vale) (Commercial district) (Flora Fiesta)
Colors… bright and beautiful colors as far as the eyes could see. Jaune had seen the gardens in Beacon and the courtyard of the main entrance, but none of them could compare to the flower shop here in Vale. The whole shop itself was a garden the size of a football field. All manner of flora grew there with different branches and petals that would make even the brightest rainbow green with envy.
He expected to come to a small shop by the bullhead station, or a simple flower peddler that rolls by every now and then. This was just beyond his wildest imagination.
"Thank you. Come again." The boy got out of his daze when he noted Velvet making a purchase. A bushel of yellow daylilies that shined just as bright as the big sun above them.
"You know—I've been in Vale for almost 3 months now and I've never noticed that garden before." He stated plainly, watching as his companion strolled by.
"I know the feeling." The rabbit replied chuckling. "This park is my favorite spot in the district. Back when I was still a freshman, I used to come here all the time with my friends."
"Used to?" Jaune noted. "You mean you don't come here anymore?"
Velvet shook her head in reply. "No. Not as much as I used to. With the missions and homework we get… I'm lucky just to have time to buy new books. I plan to bring Yatsu and the others here someday. Oh… and that reminds me. Have you picked out a mission yet? I expected your team to have an assignment by now."
"We did." He answered. "We were supposed to go to Ren's old home in Quadrant 3. Just perimeter patrol. But they pretty much canceled all missions until Monday so I got the whole weekend off until then."
"Quadrant 3… that's good." Velvet said with relief on her face. "That's a peaceful place. It might be outside the kingdom but the thick woodland around it makes it safer than most areas. There are several frontier villages there and a well maintained defense perimeter so you shouldn't encounter more than a few dozen Grimm at a time."
"Well if we're safe, then that's all that matters." Jaune nodded happily. "By the way, where are we going now?"
"Just here." She answered gesturing to the small parking space next to them. "Gavin offered to carpool me to the cemetery. He doesn't get off work until this afternoon which is in about… 20 minutes give or take. I'm guessing you want you want to be off now. You probably have better things to do than wait with me."
Jaune gave a laugh. "Are you kidding? My granddad would roll in his grave if he knew that I left a cute girl like you in the middle of the big city. We got 20 minutes. That should be enough time for a snack. How about it?"
"Are you offering?" Velvet inquired, hiding her chuckling smile as the boy offered in a gentlemanly manner.
"There are cafes around this place. Take your pick. My treat." The boy playfully rubbed his nose smugly trying to play cool. It's not that it wasn't funny, it just seemed like the boy was trying too hard to play the cool kid. "The sky's the limit."
Velvet turned to a full blown laugh as she surrendered to his antics. "Alright. You win Jaune. I suppose we have enough time for a cup of… cof…" She then paused when her bunny ears began to perk on a noise clatter.
"What's the matter?"
"Shh…" She hushed him. "Do you hear that? It's coming from…" The little rabbit quickly focused her hearing, drowning the noise around her only to flinch back when the volume of that noise suddenly rang her eardrums.
"Ah! You darn freaking RAT!" A bombastic voice suddenly echoed from the nearby café garnering the attention of several pedestrians in the area. The two Huntsmen in training quickly darted to the scene noting a disturbance coming from inside the store.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Inside that little café, the two Huntsmen discovered that one of the tables was the source of the noise. A rat Faunus man seemed to be having a rather heated argument with one of the waiters who appear to have a gash around his shoulder courtesy of the Faunus' claws.
"I dare you to call me that again!" The rat threatened the waiter, his claws burying deep into the pretty boy's uniform. "I dare ya!"
"I told, I an't serving no rat! So I an't serving you!"
"Grraaah!" The rat Faunus curled a fist and smacked it right on the support beam that held the ceiling together. "I'm gonna poke you full of holes like a cheese!"
"Give me your best shot, rat!"
"Whoa whoa! Easy there guys." Like a fool jumping into a pool of lava with nothing but thinly layered socks, Jaune stepped into the fight coming between the large bulky Faunus and the skinny waiter parting them off at the first attempt. "Let's not get too cranky here. You two are making a rather big scene. I'm sure we can work this out peacefully, right? Happy thoughts guys. Happy thoughts."
The two instigators of the dispute turned to the boy, eyeing him like a clown that literally came out of nowhere.
"Come on now. Let's start over. Surely nothing here is worth a fight, right?" Jaune continued to play mediator trying his best to appease both sides and get them to sit down. "Why don't we start from the beginning? I'm sure we can all come to an understanding."
"This freaking waiter ignored me three times in a row! I ordered that coffee six times already and you bloody ignored me! And he called me a stinkin rat!"
"Maybe if you didn't smell like the sewer pipes, you'd probably pass as a mouse!"
"Ok!" Jaune stopped them, again coming between the two before they lashed out at one another. "We're off to a bad start here. Why don't we try that again? Listen, I'm sure the waiter didn't mean any of that. Besides… you aren't exactly being reasonable yourself. I mean… you attacked a guy for a cup of coffee here."
"Oh sure, take his side why-don't-ya?" The rat-man taunted his anger clearly visible on his face. "You humans are all alike. You always side with one another against us."
"I'm not siding with anyone." Jaune reasoned. "I'm just trying to get you two to cool it off. Look—both of you are at fault here. Nobody wants to start a fight over a cup of coffee."
"It's not about the coffee you dolt!" The Faunus hissed angrily. "It's about equality. It's folks like these that create people like the White Fang!"
"Oh yeah?" The waiter countered, tossing a cup up. "Well if you animals just stayed on that island like we all planned, you folks wouldn't be out here causing trouble for the rest of us! My brothers are in the hospital thanks to savages like you!"
"Maybe it's because we didn't want to be caged like freaking pets you little…"
"Ok enough guys." Jaune stopped them again, pushing the two away from one another. "Why don't both of you walk it off and we can all just call it a day? Right?"
"Like hell I will!" The rat man tossed one of the chairs out of his way, almost hitting one of the patrons.
"Hey!" The loud waiter barked. "That was part of the store! You're paying for that!"
"You're gonna be paying your hospital bills when I'm done with you!"
"Stop it!" Velvet suddenly interjected causing the rat to calm down somewhat. "Just stop. Please. This isn't helping you or the Faunus. I understand your anger, but you must turn away from this. If you really want to support the cause of our people, you need to temper yourself."
"But he…"
"No one man can represent the human race… just as no one Faunus can represent an entire species." Velvet reasoned with him. "Prove him wrong now by holding back… please."
Amazingly enough, the rabbit was able to stop her fellow Faunus from going through with that punch. He darted at the little girl's expression her big brown eyes begging him to calm down. Taking all that anger in, the man complied, lowering his fists, his teeth seething with unreleased rage. "Fine…"
"Thank you…" Velvet replied with all the gratitude she could muster.
The fight would've ended there. It should've… until Jaune saw the waiter pull a knife from his uniform. The man wanted to get back on the gash the rat caused to his arm, and it seemed like his fumble made him come to a knife that fell off one of the tables. Jaune's eyes widened for a moment noting his chestnut haired friend was in the way. "Velvet, look out!"
In that very moment, as the small thin blade came down, Jaune felt his body consumed by a strange glow. His body suddenly emanated with such strange power that it literally illuminated him. With his clumsy reflexes, the boy pushed Velvet out of the way, facing that knife head on. He took the blow only to find a massive power surge back from the stab.
The feeling was familiar, like something warm and powerful emanating from inside his chest. It beat in rhythm with his heart and slowly but surely, the boy felt his aura come active and something else followed.
The whole incident happened within seconds. When the knife came down, a big flash of light came, blinding all that witnessed the fight. The waiter then found himself blown to the back of the café, the knife he used bent backwards like it just went against a wall made of diamonds.
Jaune was shocked along with everyone else in the cafe. He just sent a fully grown man 5 feet across the room without even touching him. The boy looked to his arms only to find them glowing like a synchronized fireworks before dimming away. "Whoa… d… did I do that?"
"Jaune!" Velvet cried out worryingly. "Are you alright?"
He nodded although a bit dumbly, a little confused to what just happened. "Y… yeah I'm fine."
"You sure? That knife, it…" She reached out for the torn part of his uniform where the knife struck only to find that strange glow flow to her. "Ow…"
"Sorry!" Jaune flinched back noting the light in her hand. "You ok?"
"I'm… I'm fine." She replied watching the glow dim. "It's just… really warm."
A/N: And here we go! Zee beginning of my full on no-holds-bar fanfiction of RWBY. I'm going on a roll this weekend to get all my thoughts out. So far I'm only adding 1 OC. He's a minor character so no biggie. Don't expect the tournament to come any time soon. The Vytal Festival is still months away so maybe qualification rounds will be here. And... as much as I love good ol'e fashion butt kicking, I also plan to add a game. It's called... Keeper of the Crystal! Yeah yeah it sounds lame but it's pretty much capture the flag in the tournament. Four teams of 4 Hunters/Huntresses will go on an all you can fight battle-royale all equipped with Dust crystal detectors. Each member will then scatter amongst the ruins of Emerald Forest gathering the crystals that have been scattered there. The more you carry, the more visible you are on the scanner and he more Hunters will target you and take your crystals. Crystals that have been returned to the stronghold of the team cannot be stolen. The team with the most crystals wins. Anyway, that's still a ways to go so let's just focus on the baddies.
As you probably know I will make Adam the main antagonist for this 'Arc' (See what I did there?) The White Fangs are the bad guys but I plan to make them flesh out more. As far as I can get from the little words here and there from all the info sources and the show itself, I'll try to make it as believable as possible as to not stray from the main plot. Information regarding many of the characters are still unknown so like always, I'll be delving into uncharted territories with only my limited imagination to guide me. If any of you got any suggestion to make this show believable to the story, let me hear it.
And yes I plan to bring Sun's team along. I see that team to be more of a boy-band rather than a Hunter team. You got the funny guy (Sun) Cool guy (Neptune) Smart guy (Sage) and the feminist (Scarlet) I picture Sage to be a poem loving due who likes to recite great works of art and Scarlet to be your run of the mill emo/genderbender. Anyway, that's all I have for now. See you all next time.